Looking back on 2011!

A RECAP OF 2011:

In January 2011: My friends took me to see the broadway Beauty and the Beast in ATlanta. My husband planned a surprise party for me and I turned 24 years old. The GREATEST thing though was that my neice Kyleigh was born!







IN FEBRUARY 2011: I learned more about how to make homemade jewelry. And me and Jonathan spent our second Valentine's Day married!






IN MARCH 2011: I went to my best friend's home town for the first time. She lives right outside of Lynchburg, VA. Also, my family came up to see our home in Raleigh, NC for the first time!







IN APRIL: Me and Jonathan went to the local Carnival in town and spent Easter here in Raleigh, NC together. I also went on a women's retreat with North Wake with all of my good friends.








IN MAY 2011: We went home to Atlanta for the wedding of Kristin Melin and Steven Link. Also, we got to meet our twin nephews Huxton and Eli and see my family while in town.







IN JUNE 2011: Me and Jonathan celebrated our one year anniversary and took a trip to Charleston, SC. It was wonderful!










IN JULY 2011: We celebrated Jonathan's 24th birthday by going to a baseball game. My family took a family vacation to Gulf Shores, AL. Everyone was there. My aunt even came back from overseas. It was a WONDERFUL time. The BEST.









IN AUGUST 2011: My best friend Ginny Marstin got married to Robert Vilushis in Brook Neal, VA. It was a wonderful time with friends!







IN SEPTEMBER 2011: I had Labor Day off of work and Me and Jonathan got to spend some time together. We spent the day playing Mini Golf and eating out.




IN OCTOBER 2011: Me and Jonathan carved our pumpkin into ET, attended a fall festival at our church (The Summit North Raleigh), went on a beach weekend trip with girls in my small group, I attended a Taylor Swift concert with my sister, and we had a family cookout with the Melins.










IN NOVEMBER 2011: I spent my first Thanksgiving away from my family. It was sad in that regards, but I also got to spend it with one of my closest friends who is about to go to India for two years (Danae). Also, my friend Christina Wingo got married to Michael Anderson. I got to see my friend, Ginny again too :) Me and Jonathan also decorated for Christmas.














IN DECEMBER 2011: I got to go home for Christmas. Not just home, but to Clarksdale, MS as well where my Grandparents live. My aunt got to come home from overseas again. It was WONDERFUL!











This year has been really good to me! God has blessed me richly! I am so thankful to all of my friends and family who add good things to my life everyday! Love you guys! Looking forward to a 2012! It will have to be good because I will be sharing it with you guys!

A Crazy Night

Tonight was a rough night. I was so relieved to get off of work because it was the start of the weekend. However, it quickly turned into CRAZINESS. Jonathan took me to a Hurricane's Hockey Game on Thursday night (which is usually our grocery night). So that meant grocery night was changed to Friday. It took us a while to get everything in Target. This time around we had to get him razors because he had run out (that's always a kick to the stomach because they cost about half of what we usually spend on our groceries anyways). They are crazy expensive. We get to the check out and the guy is new. So he is going slower than I've seen short of a lady I got once with a broken arm who was about 80 year old (it really did happen). This was (ironically) driving Jonathan nuts and wasn't even bothering me (it's usually the other way around). He finally got done bagging our groceries. But as we headed out the door the alarm in the store went off. Jonathan, being the honest and caring person he is, walked back through the alarms (they went off again). No one even looked up from what they were doing. We searched our cart because we had a feeling it was the razors. They put sensors on them nowadays because they are SO EXPENSIVE that I am sure a lot of dishonest people are tempted to steal those things. WE searched and searched out cart but couldn't find the culprit. We actually began to wonder if we had not picked up a bag from the checkout line. Finally we looked around and saw that no one cared that we were standing there. So, we decided if no one else cares about the beeping we will just proceed to our car. The second run through the alarm system suddenly brought over a policeman. Who stopped us and questioned us about what we had bought that evening. He decided to let us go on without looking through all of our merchandise. WE got to the car and Jonathan finally found the razors. He took it back in with the receipt to get them to take the sensor off because there's no way you can get those things off at home. After all of this it was about 7:00 and I decided I didn't feel like cooking dinner. Since Jonathan works at Pizza Hut we get a discount. So we decide to order a pizza. I was super excited about finally getting home, eating some pizza and watching The Santa Clause. lol.

Pizza Hut was REALLY busy and they told us it would be about a 30 minute wait. We live five miles from the store. So we decided to take our groceries home and come back out later. We unloaded all of our groceries and headed back to pick up our pizza. It was pretty crazy in the store and there was a HUGE line. But when we got up to the counter Jonathan realized he had forgotten his wallet at home. So, we had to get back in the car and go back home to get his wallet. When we got back to Pizza Hut the third time it was even crazier. When we finally talked to the person behind the counter they told us our order was 284 and they were already doing orders around 320. Apparently they had forgotten our order altogether. And we weren't the only ones they had forgotten. There was a long line of people who were getting really angry. The lady also stated they had run out of boxes and could not make us what we had ordered. So, I decided to just save them the trouble and let those who didn't work at Pizza Hut have their orders. I figured they would be more angry that Jonathan and I would since he works there and can kind of relate to teh craziness that sometimes goes on. After all of this it was nearing 9pm. I was STARVING because I hadn't eaten since 12:30pm. We just decided it would be best to go get something quick and just call it an evening. So we split a quesadilla and then got some frozen yogurt. ha.

What a night. In light of that bad night I decided to share three commercials that are on right now that I LOVE And make me smile. ha. ENJOY (although you might not get why I love them so much...that's ok). Also, you may have to copy and paste them to watch them because my link was not working when I put it into blogger:




In honor of that here are three new ADORABLE commercials that make me smile:


1. Pop Tart Commercial 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL-W3pXU84c



2. Hershey Commerical 2011


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpP51j74Iyg



3. Biltmore Commercial 2011


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etdzDxH6F6c

It's been a while....

So, it has definitely been a while since I have written on this blog. There are several reasons like: 1. I am SO BUSY I don't really take the time to sit down and write. 2. I figure no one cares anyways. ha. 3. I have been feeling very uninspired lately. lol. But, I will give you a quick recap of the things that have been going on here for the last several months:

1. September. I spent a weekend with my friends from small group at one of their beach houses. Unfortunately, it decided to be hurricane type weather the ENTIRE weekend. So we drove four hours to have a movie/girl time at the beach. But I did enjoy my time with these wonderful friends of mine who have shined Jesus into my life in so many ways:



2. October. The first weekend in October I went back to Atlanta and spent some quality time with my sister and In-Laws. My sister was gracious enough to give me a ticket to the Taylor Swift concert. I'm nothing if not Taylor Swift's BIGGEST FAN. ha. It's true though. LOVE HER. Me and Sara realized quickly we were way above the average age of those in attendance. It's ok though. We loved it all the same. She is seriously talented. That weekend I also got to have a cookout with Jonathan's family and I got to see my twin nephews for only the second time since they were born. They are growing up so fast!!! Later in the month me and Jonathan carved pumpkins and went on the most difficult corn maze of my life. Good thing I have a very directionally savy husband or I would still be working my way through that maze. ha.




and




and



3. November. The month of november has been crazy busy thus far and has brought with it several things. First off, it has brought my friend, Christina Wingo's wedding. Which was a fun event. And it brought back my long lost friends who have decided to get married and move away from me. ha. Understandable. But I miss them all the same. So, the night of her wedding we all got together and had a girl sleepover complete with the usual nail painting, yogurt eating, and girly movie watching:



Next on the agenda for November was Thanksgiving. It was my first year not being home with my family. And I missed them TOO MUCH. I was pretty bummed about not seeing them. We did get to skype (which is the next best thing). I was very thankful though to get to spend Thanksgiving with a dear friend, Danae Morris. She just got accepted with the IMB to get a jouryneyman and she is moving to India for two years. About two weeks ago she dropped the bomb on me: Instead of leaving in April I am leaving in January. OUCH. I'm gonna miss her. I am so happy for her and yet so sad all at one time. And I am thankful I got to spend Thanksgiving with this dear friend of mine who is such an amazing amazing person:






Lastly, which catches you all up to date on my life...is Christmas decorating. Today me and Jonathan went and got our Christmas tree. We put up all of our Christmas decorations and wrapped presents. Then we ate some puppy chow, drank some hot chocolate, and watched Home Alone. Christmas is my MOST FAVORITE time of the year. And I am already feeling warm and fuzzy inside. ha. But I am learning more and more lately that it is the PEOPLE that make things special...not the things. I guess it takes maturing to realize it doesn't really matter what you have but WHO you have. And, I am very blessed with amazing friends, family , and even co-workers.



As I stood in line at midnight last night at Target with one of my friends, we were recounting the story that happened a couple of years ago at a Wal-Mart store on black Friday. When the doors opened, two people fell and got trampled on. No one stopped to help them or even cared. They were too focused on the 42 inch plasma screen they wanted for their living room. I watched people act horrible last night. And it dawned on me. In America we really do care more about things than we do even about human life. Things that will fade and won't mean a thing later. But, it also made me realize that it isn't about the things. It's really just about the people. And I have some awesome people in my life. And, they mean more to me than the next best thing that comes out on the market.

So, for Christmas, give me all my people. ha. That's what I want!

Think Different

Here’s to the crazy ones, (Jesus Freaks in the Jesus Movement, who just loved to talk about Jesus)
the misfits, (a bunch of college students who were called the “holy club,” who led a great awakening)
the rebels, (Paige Patterson and others who led a conservative resurgence in the SBC)
the troublemakers. (the Anabaptists, who led a “radical” reformation)
The round pegs in the square holes. (Ezekiel the prophet)
The ones who see things differently. (David, looking at Goliath; Wilberforce, looking at slavery in England)

They’re not fond of rules (Jesus confronting the Pharisees in Matthew 23)
and they have no respect for the status quo. (i.e., Jonathan Edwards, Evan Roberts, anyone who ever led a movement of God)

You can quote them, (it’s easy to quote them and do nothing)
disagree with them, (it’s easier to point out problems than be part of needed change)
glorify or vilify them. (you cannot be neutral with them)
About the only thing you can’t do
is ignore them, (Rosa Parks, William Carey, Nelson Mandela, Jonah)
because they change things. (Moses, Luther, Platt)
They push the human race forward. (the book of Acts)

And while some may see them as the crazy ones,
we see genius. (Adoniram Judson, Jim Elliot)

Because the people who are crazy enough to
think they can change the world
are the ones who do. (and thus, you find this little poem intriguing at least and inspiring at best)

Think Different. (Be remarkable. Change the world, for the glory of God and the sake of the gospel.

You and I have one life. Do not spend it with trivial things.


I borrowed this from Alvin Reid's blog: http://alvinreid.com/

He is a professor at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.

Life

Life….it’s been so busy lately I have hardly had the chance to stop to catch my breath. Being moved to this new department has definitely turned my work life upside down and I have been going, going, going for the past five months now. I felt like I never had time to even catch a breath while at work. And it was definitely wearing me out. Sometime last week I remember thinking, “Lord, I know this is your plan for me right now. But I just don’t know how much longer I can be THIS busy.” It was rough. And honestly, I was doing so many emails I was counting as 2 ½ people at work every day (We are supposed to do 27. I was doing around 60). I felt like I was working harder and doing more work than anyone. I’m honestly not trying to brag. I’m just painting a picture of how much I’ve worn myself out. What’s the balance in doing your very best for God at your workplace and not making your hands have carpal tunnel when you are 24 years old? Ha. I’m not quite sure I have figured it out.

Then last week I got the news from my boss that I was being moved back to my old department. The peaceful department. The one where not EVERYONE you talked to on the phone was screaming, crying, or throwing a tantrum. Haha. For real, this has been my life. Ha. It was in that moment that I was reminded, God really is watching out for me. He always knows what I can handle. And I think it is even comforting to know that unbelievers are even working out God’s plans in our lives. It was strange to me that my boss would wake up one day and say “I want Jessica back in this department”, even though she had stated it was a permanent move to begin with and I would never move back. And so I am transitioning again. And honestly, it’s good and it’s hard for me. Change has never been easy. But if there is one thing this job is forcing me to be it’s FLEXIBLE. And I know I’m going to need to be JUST THAT when I am on the mission field in the future. I remember being in the Philippines and it KILLING me how quickly and easily plans changed. How nothing was for sure or solid. I had to learn to just roll with life. And I hated every minute of it. ha.

I come from a family that avoids change. We like the known. We eat at the same restaurants every year on vacation. We do the same things. It’s comforting. Haha. I like to have comfort in life. Who doesn’t? I like life to be predictable to some extent. I don’t like things to come hit me out of nowhere. And I don’t like picking up and moving and having to readjust to something all the time. But that has been exactly what I’ve done ever since I got this job. Something is ALWAYS changing. And it makes me uncomfortable. But I am also aware that it’s good for me. And that I very much needed this change to happen in my life in order to keep my sanity, my 20/20 vision, and to keep my hands from getting arthritis one day. Ha.

So, I have finally had a moment to breathe again. And I hope to have more moments like this over the next few months. Hopefully I can update more often. If anyone even checks this thing anymore. ha.

I’ve been doing the “read through the bible in a year” so far this year. And, I am walking with the Israelites through the dessert right now. This morning I read about them complaining to God about the fact that he brought them out of Egypt in order to bring them to a place where they were struggling for water and food. I guess that still hadn’t learned yet that God was providing for their every need. How could they want to go back to a place like Egypt? They were driven hard every day and were doing hard labor. Yet, they idealized the past and spat in God’s face because they hadn’t learned that He was going to give them everything they needed. I feel like I do that a lot. Instead of being grateful to God for whatever His provision is in the present, I look back at the past (something that was a crappy situation even) and I will wish for it back and grumble and complain. It’s silly really. And it was a good reminder that God is taking care of me right now. And I should be living in that and be thankful for it.

Me and Jonathan are getting ready to head to Charleston, SC for our one year anniversary tomorrow through Tuesday. I am excited to get away and relax on the beach. It will be great!

My Ordinary Life

I guess I haven't updated on my life lately. But then again...there isn't too much to update on...Here are the basics:

1. Me and Jonathan entered the Folger's Jingle Contest. YES, yes we did. And that means that for the past four weeks Jonathan has been writing this song and thinking of ideas. And he made me....ACT. GASP. I hate acting. I always have. haha. I'm awful at it. But I tried to get into it for Jonathan's sake. And who knows...maybe we'll win $25,000 and be able to pay off all of Jonathan's loans from college. ha. I know, I want to do such glamorous things with our winnings.haha. It's a long shot. But God does work miracles. And hey, our video turned out well for our skills. I just hate seeing myself. So if we make it to the top and everyone in America sees my acting skills (or lack thereof) I will decide to go into hiding for an indefinite amount of time. We do have a copy. I am willing to show only those who promise to not make fun of me. ha.At least it's better than my highschool play. Remember? As much as I want to...I can't seem to forget.

2. I have been volunteering in the nursery at church. It's so nice to be members somewhere again for the first time in years. And it's nice to be involved. I have been in the 2 year old room. Adorable kids. LOVE Them. Jonathan has been playing drums for the worship band every couple weeks. I am glad he has had a way to use his mad skills again. It's hard to find a time to play in our apartment (we have his drums set up in our closet downstairs. haha. Yes....it's true. It really is big enough. That just means we don't have room for things like the vacuum cleaner and whatnot. But I think it's a fair trade! I like hearing him play (and the neighbors do too...).

3. Our small group is about to start World Relief. Which is where you adopt a family of refugees that came over from another country. You pour into their lives and teach them how to survive in our culture. They aren't believers. It's a WONDERFUL opportunity and exactly where my heart is. So I am VERY excited.

4. I am still working my tail off at my job. haha. I do still enjoy it. But at the same time I complain about it a lot. I need to stop that. God has definitely blessed our lives. So grateful he has provided for our every need! I have been carpooling to work with a friend who is in the same boat as me. Her husband is in seminary. And so we've been saving on gas money. Cause it's almost up to $4.00 up here. Which is ridiculous.

5. Jonathan's family is coming up this weekend for a visit and I am cooking my very first HUGE meal for his family. In fact, I've NEVER EVER cooked for them. I don't think my deviled eggs count. SO nervous.I am sure it will at least not be a complete disaster. ha.

Other than that...my life is boring. Just thought I'd update. It's been a while...

The New Me.

Yesterday I finally got to see my good friend, Cameron Liner, again. We live in the same city but are so busy we hardly see one another. We met in the Philippines. Because we shared so many difficult and life changing situations together, we became really good friends, really fast. She is incredibly creative and unique. Something I struggle to be. But something I aspire to be at the same time.

Yesterday when we were hanging out she took me to a make-your-own jewelry store in downtown Raleigh called Ornamentia. They have everything you would need to make jewelry. And they even help you out when you are trying to figure out how to put your jewelry together. We searched the store and finally found some beads and got to work. It was clear to everyone in the store that I was a rookie. I had someone from the store decide to come sit with me and give me pointers. Cameron didn't need pointers. She was born to be creative and crafty! Ha.

I learned they had a thing called jewelry "boot camp". This is where they teach you how to make jewelry. I realized that if I learned how to do this I could save SO much money from buying jewelry. And I could somehow find a way to make myself more creative and crafty. Something I am always wanting to be more of. Because it comes in handy when you are a wife and mother. And it saves you money.

So, I have debated going to "boot camp". And even if I don't I am going to plunge into jewelry making. I have decided it's my new project. A new way to inspire myself to think in a creative way and learn to do things I don't already know how to do. I am sure being crafty will be of use for my life.

I am also trying to think of other ways I can learn things that will help me save money and be more creative in life.

So, I am plunging into the world of creativity and hope to emerge a new person.

Cameron made me a cute necklace in honor of my birthday. I am including the picture below:

A New Life!

I am officially an aunt! I have decided it's pretty crazy the love you can feel in your heart instantly for someone. Someone you have never shared a conversation with. Someone who has done nothing to make you love them. But this is the way I felt the moment I saw my new neice, Kyleigh Grace Eller. She is a beautiful creation of God and I am already praying for her heart! I love her so much! I imagine this is how a mother feels on even a bigger scale!

She was born on January 26, 2011 and weighed 6 lbs 15 ounces and was 21 inches longs. She is in the top 75th percentile for her length. Crazy huh? Maybe she'll be the height of my brother ben? Whose to know? Heights do come in the family genes. haha.

Anyways, I was very lucky to get to take off of work for a day and spend a long weekend with my family and holding her. It blows my mind how hours can pass and you don't even know it. And all you've been doing is holding and looking at a baby. Not sure why it's so fascinating. haha. But she is a very cute baby!

Here are some pictures:

Amelia Bedelia and Me.

Growing up I loved to read Amelia Bedelia. I am shocked by how many people have not heard of these books. MAN, you really are missing out. They are so cute.

Maybe the reason I love Amelia Bedelia so much is because I can relate to her. If I had to pick a character out of a book that was most like me she just might be it. haha.

If you aren't familiar with her let me tell you who she is. Amelia Bedelia is a house keeper who has the best intentions. However, she ends up doing everything wrong. For Instance, in one of my favorite books of her she is given a list of things to complete while the home owners are away for the day.

This list includes things like:

1. Dress the turkey.
2. Draw the curtains

Amelia literally put the turkey in a cute little dress and bonnet. And then she proceeds to sit in front of the curtains and draw the most lovely picture of the windows and curtains. haha. Amelia takes everything literally.

I have found myself doing that over the years when people tell me to do things. Maybe not to the extreme Amelia does them though. haha.

I looked these books up on Amazon yesterday and read through one. They are only like 3 dollars each. They are for sure being added to my book collection one day when I have children.

What children's books are your favorite?



On a slightly different note but one that still makes me incredibly blonde like Amelia Bedelia, I have just learned two new important things in life:

1. Whenever I was going to pay for gas with cash at the gas station, I would sit there and literally try to count out the exact amount the gas costs. You guys know this is a challenge for me. I even asked once that the guy behind the counter help me with the math. This was due to the fact that I thought if you went over in how much you paid them, they got to keep the extra money. My friend just informed me the other day that if you over pay all you have to do is walk back in and get your change. MAN. That could've saved me a lot of trouble. I have given several gas stations extra money.

2. I just learned that Alaska is above California and Washington. Not above New York. I told Jonathan we should just drive up there sometime. HAHA. He was like,"That would take many many days." You know, I used to think you had to take a boat to get to Alaska. Then I learned it was attached to Canada and you can drive. Now I am learning it is on the opposite side of the United States than I thought it was. My friend Sarah Beth told me this isn't my fault because on every map they put Alaska in a little box like it's floating in the middle of nowhere. haha.

I agree with Sarah Beth. This is not my fault. ha.