getting into the spirit

Decorating for Christmas is the BEST! I love it! I have the best memories of helping put up our tree as a child. We had some much needed help from a special elf this year. It was so much fun including her and no ornaments were eaten!



my little elf


our tree

giving sweet kisses

presents are even wrapped

such a good little elf

taking a break

the finished product

ready for santa

our stockings-they're my fave!

* we tried to get boston to help us but he was out of control so instead he got a bone to chew on and was super happy!!!

give thanks!

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thes. 5:16-18

This is my new favorite bible verse! I have posted it in my office, on facebook and in the bathroom where I can read a pray over it everyday. I especially love the "give thanks in all circumstances." I think it's easy to go to God when things aren't good but it's difficult for me to remember to pray and serve him when things are going great!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and realised just how truly blessed we are! Dad and Janie were able to come and spend the holiday with us. We cooked, shopped (some shopped some WORKED!) and spent some wonderful time visiting. Here's what our Thanksgiving looked like...




Our table ready for food.


Yummy food!

Our turkey

Janie loves to take pics as much as I do!

Ready for church on Sunday (matching :))

Jesse frying the turkey-it was SO good!

Dad and Janie

We are so blessed and thankful for everything that God has given us!

the wow factor

We FINALLY got new floors!
For those of you that don't know we've been updating our house since Nov. 2008! Jesse moved here while we were still engaged and started renovations while I was in TN. We have done so much to this house- painted everything, COMPLETELY new kitchen and bathrooms (I'm talking down to the studs redo), new lighting and hardware EVERYWHERE and new windows and doors! I regret that we didn't take as many before and after pictures! While it's nice to see the hard work and time we've put into it it has been stressful. I love to have people over and entertain and I always felt like the house held me back. I was embarrassed about our concrete floors and NASTY carpet. I know that our friends and family don't care what our house looks like but it just bothered me. The carpet that was in the house was SUPER old! Me being a germ freak HATED it! I felt like they were never clean not to mention filled with who knows what! We priced and priced and priced new floors and knew we had to start saving for them. Therefore, I picked up and 2nd job working at Bath and Body Works (LOVE IT!-I'll have to post about it sometime). Last month we crunched our numbers and had saved up enough to get them. We were ECSTATIC!! Here are the before and after pictures...



front forier before


dining room before

dining room...pretty concrete

dining room before (notice how nice the kitchen floors are)

entry way before

living room before

dining room again

old carpet

NEW front froier

new living room

new hallway

so our baseboards aren't done but i had to post!

front entrance! LOVE IT!

new dining room!



We are so happy and blessed to have a wonderful home! God is so good! Come visit and see the new floors yourself! :)

It's the most WONDERFUL time of the year!

Christmas 2009

Christmas is almost here! Can you believe it? While there are LOTS of things that I love about Christmas time one of my favorites is Christmas cards!! I love seeing friends and family that I haven't seen all year as well as their sweet babies (whether the be furry or human). This year I've signed up with shutterfly to do our cards. While I've never used them I've had LOTS of friends use them and LOVED it! THey said it was so easy and loved all the options. They also have really great gift ideas like calendars and photo books!! Now, which picture to use and which card? There are so many cute ones! Which one will YOU use?

Check it out-http://www.shuterfly.com/

work trip to denver

this past week i was in colorado for the american public health conference. it was SO nice! i had such a great time!! here are some pictures from my trip. we went to boulder and hiked up a mountain! it was so fun except for the fact that i had on jessica simpson flats!:) i still made it though!
i am so thankful to be able to travel for work and see new places as well as continue learning. i love the apha conference-it's a great learning experience.






our group!

the view from my hotel room

downtown denver! sooooo pretty!!!!!

my hiking shoes! LOL!

My favorite nurse suddona.

in boulder

chautaquia park=gorgeous

loved the fall colors

:)

NC history lesson

When I thought about planning a day trip for Jesse's birthday, I immediately thought about the NC battleship. I had never been but I had remembered Jes tell me that he had been when he was in school but hadn't been as an adult. I am not much into history but he's ALWAYS watching the history channel and wanting to learn more! Needless to say I was not very excited about this part of the day. Well, I ended up being COMPLETELY surprised and LOVED touring the battleship! Since we went on a Tuesday, we pretty much had the ship completely to ourselves and could walk around it at our leisure. If you're ever in the Wilmington area, I completely recommend it!

Here are some pics from the day..do you see why I had to do a separate post?





USS NC


Enjoying our tour



Posing on the ship.

The front of the ship (I know it's no called the front-Bow? maybe?)

Jesse demonstrating how the men had to sleep on the ship.

We both decided Jesse would work in the Butcher Shop on the ship.

"Cooking" on the ship.

My love!

My little history buff!

"It's my birthday"

Looking for the enemy! :)

Jesse said..."hey, get on this and spin it!" Um...okay. Still not sure what it did but he thought it was cool!

Check out the plane on the ship! crazy!!

Me and Josh! :)

Ready for the tour!!

Yesterday was veterans day and I can't help but think about all the men and women who have fought for our freedom! I am so thankful for all the armed forces and their families that keep us safe. Living near a marine base definitely puts life into perspective some times! So to all past, present and future veterans...thank-you for all that you do!