Christmas is around the corner and yet I feel so exhausted. Why is it that Christmas has become a holiday of rush, greed, selfishness, and hate? Have people forgotten what Christmas is really about? A baby...a baby being born into this world that would grow up and sacrifice himself for the sin of mankind. An innocent baby, who grew up to be our savior! Even us Christians who know the story well, sometimes can't even grasp or even miss or forget what this holiday truly means.

I read my devotional the other day, that I get everyday through my email, and it was truely incredible. Here is what it said:

“Read it again Mommy. Pleeeease read it again,” Mackenzie, my then seven-year-old, begged. Her three-year-old brother, Mitchell, echoed her plea. “Yes Mommy, especially the part about the little boy and his donkey!”
Their freshly washed faces and still wet hair glowed in the light of the Christmas tree as they sat with pajamas on next to me on the couch. A nightly December ritual, they chose a book from our “Baby Jesus Basket” full of story books about the birth of Christ. Their favorite this particular year was The Small One, a fictitious story of a too small donkey who has to be sold in order to bring in one piece of silver. His young master takes him to town, but no one wants such a small creature except for the village tanner. The donkey is ready to give up his life when a kind man offers to buy him to help carry his pregnant wife to Bethlehem . So the small donkey is given the great task of carrying the mother of Jesus to the stable where He will be born.
I have always loved reading Christmas stories to my children and each year they receive a new nativity book from my mom. That year, however, my eyes were opened to part of the story that I had been unintentionally leaving out. After tottering over to the “Baby Jesus Basket” to put away the book we’d just finished, Mitchell asked me to read him a story from the Bible about the other Jesus.

“What other Jesus?” I asked.

“Not baby Jesus,” he replied. “Big Jesus who died on the cross.”

Now realizing that he’d not connected the two in his mind, I sat and explained that the baby Jesus grew up to be the same Jesus who died on the cross to save us from our sins. Somehow he’d figured baby Jesus was a fairy tale and big Jesus was “for real.”
I thought of how we adults can do much the same thing. Oh, we know there is just one Jesus and that He is for real, but we are content to leave Him harmlessly in the manger. Somehow a sweet adorable little baby is acceptable to the world around us. But a Lord who calls for men and women to choose either to obey Him or suffer the consequences is not. But we can’t have one part of the story without the other. We must never forget that the hand-hewn manger one day became an old rugged cross. We can’t just peer lovingly into the manger without looking obediently to the cross. Baby Jesus deserves our adoration and the Lord Jesus deserves our allegiance.
The next year I did not neglect the entire story of the one true Jesus when reading nativity books to our children. Starting with Luke chapter two from God’s perfect word before I chose a picture book from our special basket we read of God’s wonderful plan of sending Jesus to earth. We worked on memorizing more of the Scripture in order to put on our annual nativity play for Grandma and Grandpa complete with baby Spencer starring as the Christ child.
Still today, we’re inventing ways to keep the story going until Easter in order to tie it all together. One woman told me of how they save their Christmas tree, cut off all of the branches so they are left with one large trunk. They then cut off the top about one-third of the way down and then using twine tie the two pieces together in the shape of the cross. It is then placed in their house where the Christmas tree had been as a visual reminder of the entire life of Christ.
From the cradle to the cross . . . oh come let us adore Him!

How wonderful is that!?!



“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:11-12 (NIV)

What Baby?

You know, when you get married, you hear the many comments about having a baby immediately or people placing bets on how long it will take before you get pregnant. I didn't realize how much I would be hearing that. I had just recently bought 2 shirts that are the most comfortable and soft button downs that I own. Well the only thing is, that everytime I wear them, I get asked, "Are you pregnant?" Ummmm...no! I was telling the women in my office that I am never going to be able to wear those shirts again because everytime I do, I get the question. Unfortunatley, that is the style that is in right now. It is extremely flatering, well on some, and it hides all those rolls and stuff that you don't want others to see. What is so bad with that. Would people rather see skin tight clothing? Yuck! What an awful thought.
I am not one of those stereotypes, that immediately get pregnant after getting married. Zac and I are being really smart about this and want to wait at least 5 years. We are not in a position to start raising kids, we are too young. Besides, both of us want to be established in our careers and where we will be living before kids are ever brought into the picture. Of course, our plan is not always God's plan. God's will be done, not ours! So if He decides he wants something different, then so be it.

Things are just fine and dandy...

Married life is wonderful. Yes we have our quarks and want to kick each other in the shins every once in a while, but what married couple doesn't. It is how you handle those situations. Zac and I are doing great though. He was sick this weekend with a stomach bug, yucky...so this was the first time to see him sick like this. Poor thing. But thankfully it was a 24 hour bug. Unfortunately we missed Softball practice.
My darling hubby convinced me to join his work's Softball team. So we had our first practice in the middle of the day under the scorching sun. It wasn't bad, we have definite potential. But we had a double header the following week, which we lost of course, but thankfully it was only a tournament to determine which district we were going to be in. I think we are in like District E, which is the lowest, lol. I think Zac was surprised that I could actually play and wasn't a ditzy blonde out there on the field. lol. Yes, I do know how to catch a ball and throw it. Surprise, surprise.
Not much else is going on right now. Hopefully, I will have something better to talk about later.

The new Mrs. Graham

Zac and I have been married or almost a month now and it is fantastic. Our wedding was beautiful and we had so much fun during the ceremony, reception and honeymoon. My family, and his family were all there. They all showed up like a week before and helped with so much. Getting the reception place decorated, the church, every last minute detail, while my bridesmaids and my sister tried to keep me calm and from turning into Bridezilla. It turns out the day before our wedding, we had to go to the church to decorate at 10 a.m. Turns out, the church air conditioners broke in the Sanctuary. Talk about hot! We were all sweating trying to get all the candelobras up and the glass bowls wiped out and put the candles everywhere. But thankfully, God provided and they were fixed before our rehearsal. I got a manicure and got to hang out with my sister and April the entire day which was great. Instead of a manicure, I was supposed to go home and take a nap before Rehearsal, but did I listen, NOPE! I ended up not sleeping at all during my 1 hour attempt of a nap, and was so exhausted it wasn't funny. But I managed. Red made me come home right after the Rehearsal Dinner, take a sleeping pill and go straight to bed. I haven't slept that well in a long time.

Rehearsal went well, besides being a tad warm in the Sanctuary, we all laughed and had fun and made our wedding coordinator frazzled. It was hilarious! Well, during our Unity Candle, I decided I didn't want anyone singing, especially my sister, because I didn't want to cry anymore than I had to. I cry everytime I hear my sister sing and I didn't want to be Niagra Falls on my wedding day, even though I was before hand. lol. Well the sneaky people that they are, decided to sing to "The Prayer" which we picked out to be played during our Unity Candle. I'm up there in shock kneeling next to Zac and I am just crying my eyes out. It was so beautiful and everyone that was there just thought it was fantastic. They were all in awe. I went up to them afterwards and told them they were sneaky and that I would like for them to sing at the ceremony, and they did. It was beautiful!

We finished about an hour later and all went to eat dinner. Zac's parents had the Rehearsal Dinner catered, and boy was it delicious. We had fun, we laughed and have great fellowship together. And then I was dragged off to go to sleep. Well it turns out, Zac's aunt and uncle brought Sombreros and ponchos to celebrate our Cinco de Mayo wedding. I am so glad I wasn't there to witness that stuff, instead of laughing I more than likely would have cried.

Well, I woke up probably around 8 a.m. on May 5th, my wedding day. Got up, took a bath, not washing my hair, and believe me that was hard to do. Yuck! Not washing my hair for 24 hours was a little yucky, but the stylist said not to. Oh well, she is the one that has to play with my yucky matted hair. Anyways, Harold, one of my dear friends and one of my ushers came over and made omlets for me, Kim, Red, April and Munchkin. Oh they were so yummy. Thank you Harold! April and Kim left to go and help decorate the Reception hall more and get everything else done. I felt so helpless because no one would let me help with anything. Zac told me later on, he has never been so busy in his life. He was running around since the moment he got up. Sorry baby, welcome to the past 7 months for me. Well I stayed at the house just trying to stay calm and not think about anything, even the reception CD's that went missing. I was frantic. Red calmed me down and said not to worry about it and she even called in the reserves from our Technical Director at work. But at the last minute the guys found it in the canvas duffle back that was in the apartment, I think. lol. But everything went so smoothly, well at least I noticed. lol.

I went and got my hair done at a place in town called Salon Couture. A wonderful woman named Michelle did my hair and my make up, and even put my veils in. I was so pleased how well she did everything.

My sister got me to the church, and we were like 30 minutes late, woops, and immediately my mom and my sister got me into my dress. As soon as they put that dress on me, I started crying and I couldn't stop, it was ridiculus. I was just so excited and I couldn't wait to see Zac. I remember I kept asking my bridesmaids if they saw Zac and how he looked. They all said he looked so happy and excited and that he looked handsome. I started crying again. lol. Well my mom and my sister had to help me do everything, because as soon as I got my dress on, I couldn't do anything. They had to put my stockings on, my slip, my garter, and even take me to the bathroom when I had to go, which was twice, and with that big poofy dress on, it was almost impossible.

They did pictures before the ceremony, they started with Zac and everyone. I was told later on that they all had so much fun and that he was just smiling from ear to ear. He and his groomsmen were just laughing and having a ball, which I am so glad to hear.

Then they got him out of the Sanctuary, and brought me in. It was weird. As soon as I walked in, everyone just fell silent and I kid you not, I saw everyone's jaw drop. It was great feeling. My cousin Jake kept calling me a Princess. It didn't help that my Aunt Eva, Jake's mom, kept saying, "Cinderella is in the house!" And I really did feel like a Princess that day. Our photographer, Brenda Lanig, did such a beautiful job with our photos. Thank you so much Brenda, for all of your hard work.

I'll write more later....

I licked a smurf because I'm a Ninja?

My sister's boyfriend, Kevin, sent this to me today and I thought it was weird but so funny. What are you?

Pick the month you were born:
January------I kicked
February-----I loved
March---------I karate chopped
April-----------I licked
May-----------I jumped on
June----------I smelled
July-----------I did the Macarena with
August-------I had lunch with
September---I danced with
October------I sang to
November----I yelled at
December----I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:
1-------a birdbath
2-------a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------a snowman
6-------a gangster
7-------my cell phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbor
11-------my science teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a stuffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19------- a smurf
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an ipod
29-------a surfer
30-------a llama
31-------A homeless guy

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:
White--------because I'm cool like that
Black---------because that's how I roll
Pink----------because I'm NOT crazy
Red----------because the voices told me to
Blue----------because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green---------because I think I need some serious help
Purple--------because I'm AWESOME!
Gray----------because Big Bird said to and he's my leader
Yellow-----because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange-------because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway
Brown--------because I can
Other---------because I'm a Ninja
None----------because I can't control myself

IT'S SNOWING!!! It is April 7th, 2007 in Belton, Texas, and it is SNOWING! IT IS APRIL DANG IT! What in the world happened. Red said it is hell freezing over. Yep, well hell is freezing over in an easter basket. Goodness!

Today was supposed to be the Easter Egg Hunt at UMHB for the little ones. Red and I were going to take Munchkin because it was going to be her first egg hunt. Well for some strange reason, we woke up with it being 40 degrees outside and raining and sleeting with the occasional snowflake. THIS IS TEXAS FOR GOODNESS SAKE, AND it is APRIL! lol. I seriously thought things couldn't get much more interesting or weird today. NOPE! Completely wrong.

We finished with the Easter Egg Hunt, which was moved to the Church gym, due to weather conditions, and as we were leaving the church, it was sleeting pretty hard. Sleeting?!?!? At this point, Red and I looked at each other in amazement, like, "What in the world is going on here?" So we went to Walmart, grabbed the most sensible and acceptable lunch for this type of weather, Beef Stew. Yum, something hot and just settled us all for a nice warm nap. MMMM.

After naps, Red, Paige, Munchkin, Harold, Suzanne and I went to see "Meeting the Robinsons" tonight in Temple. Talk about a great movie. Red and I both looked at each other and said, "oh yeah, definitely buying this one too!"

Well, after the movie, Munchkin decided to seriously warm up to Paige. I mean, she had him hold her, she laid her head on his shoulder, she rubbed her nose on his cheek, she hugged him, she laughed, she played with him. Yep, it is safe to say, Munchkin has Paige wrapped around her little two inch finger. Well, as soon as we walked out of the movie theatre, the Easter Bunny was sitting in his big green plush chair taking photographs with little kids, so of course, Paige took Munchkin to see him and take pictures. It was so cute. Red and I just stood there admiring and awwing about how adorable those two looked together. They just looked like they belonged together. How absolutely adorable. They defnitely look like they fit together. He was so good with her and you can tell she adores him. What a nice fit. Red looked like she was going to collapse from how much of today was a God thing. God revealed so much to her today about Paige. They suite each other so much and I pray God blesses their friendship and if He wills it, their relationship.

Well, we walked outside, and OH MY GOODNESS it is just pouring snow. I don't mean the little snow flakes, like huge honkin snow flakes. The entire grounde was at least an inch or two deep of snow, my car covered in 2 inches of snow. Harold had to get out and use his sleeve to get it off of my windsheild and other windows because I couldn't see out anywhere. lol. Well as Harold and I discuss our tactical plan of rolling up as many snowballs before Red, Paige and Munchkin got home it started snowing even harder. When Texans are not used to this type of weather and freak out if one snowflake hits the ground, yep, the road is a dangerous place to be since they don't know how to drive in it. We finally got home, and hurried as fast as possible balling up snowballs and stacking them before the rest of them got home. We had such a blast. Our hands were frozen, our heads were covered in snow, etc. I had so much fun. Finally, Paige, Red and Munchkin pulled into the driveway and Harold and I just ambushed them. IT WAS AWESOME!! We, meaning Harold and I, just pelted Red and Paige. It was awesome. We all had a blast just throwing snow balls at each other, laughing and have just a wonderful time. Munchkin even made her first Snow Angel.

What a great day. Even from all of that fun, Harold, Suzanne, Me and Munchkin all ran inside from frozen hands and wet bodies from all of that snow. Well I walked by the front door and witnessed the moment that Paige grabbed Regina to kiss her. How CUTE!!! It was so sweet that after all of that fun, all that adrenaline pumping, she got a snowy kiss. Lucky her. At least someone got something. But seeing them kiss and have their incredibly sweet moment, made me miss Zac even more than I already do, and it made my heart ache. He'll be home tomorrow. It is so hard to believe we are going to married in 27 days. LORD, please bring it quickly and bless these days before our wedding, on our wedding day and the many days to come. Thank you so much for this beautiful weather, the wonderful snow, the cool nights and the fantastic day of fun and fellowship with our family and friends. Please keep those that are traveling safe and bless us tomorrow as we remember and praise the rising of your son Jesus.

In your His precious name, AMEN!! Good night world, and Happy Easter!

One Month today...one month to go. I will be getting married in one month from today. These past 6 or 7 months, however long it has been, has been an interesting experience. Something I sware I NEVER want to do again. I asked Zac the other day, "please don't let me do this again." It is a process yes, but it is something I don't ever want to go through again. Once is enough to make any bride refrain from planning any wedding ever again. Red and I were talking about if she were to get married again, she wants a small little wedding, nothing big, and SIMPLE in the back yard of the house with a grill going preparing BBQ and steaks for everyone. That is a fantastic idea! You go girl! But thankfully, I only have a month to go, and then it will be all over. Zac was saying that he wanted to go to bed early after the wedding. I just laughed, but I can understand. I just told him, try doing this by yourself for 5 months. Yes it is getting increasingly harder now that we are closer to the wedding, but after being under constant attack by family and the enemy, I have become so worn out and stretched way too thin. I've gotten to the point where I cry even more at the drop of a hat. Every little bump in the road and I want to throw my hands up and give up. But I know that isn't the answer. I am not going to give the enemy audience and he is not allowed to touch me. I just need to take a deep breath and pray constantly.
Today, for instance, one of my bridesmaids sent me an email saying that she was going to pester me because it was a couple of weeks before the Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party, and I needed to get the details about the day. What in the HECK!?!? I didn't know that the bride was supposed to plan her own Bachelorette Party. I just want to go to Carlos n Charlies in Austin, see the band that is playing and eat and have drinks and have a great time! What else do I need to say?!?! Do I need to arrange the carpool as well? Do I need to arrange babysitters? Do I need to arrange every specific detail of everything? I'm tired of having to do everything by myself. Why not add something else on my plate, with EVERYTHING ELSE that I have to do? If there is something else that has to be added for ME to plan, I'm just not going to do it. I don't have time. I'm losing sleep over all of this and I am making myself a anxious emotional wreck. The encouragements I have gotten are from my sister, Red and Zac. If I didn't have them I don't know what I would do.
Slowly things are coming into place. I am meeting with my pianist today, and hopefully, he knows how to play everything that I requested and then that will be something I don't have to worry about. Then I have to take the music list that I want, take it to church to have it approved. Today is a busy day. Hopefully it will be a good one. God please bless my day today, go ahead of me and meet me at the end LORD. I need your help. Please help me, guide me, protect me and keep the enemy away from me and those around me. In Jesus' Name, AMEN!

Monday was one of those days where you wish you were in bed, in your pajamas and asleep. But unfortunately for those that are a part of the working world, rainy days aren't an excuse to stay home in bed. Well, we have been having the weirdest weather and a lot of rain for that matter. Monday was one of those days. Pouring down rain about every 15 minutes, lightening, and thunder. It was great, until I had to go and get in it. Rainy days are usually the days that I tend to wear a skirt and flip flops, so that way, I don't have to worry about any of my nice work shoes getting soaked with water. Then I would be walking around wish squishy shoes, which is not comfortable. Even the thought of it is just gross. lol. Well, I had to go to Hobby Lobby and Staples, usually my once a week errand for work. So I get over there, and it isn't raining yet, I grab my umbrella and walk into Staples. As soon as I walk up to the counter a couple of minutes later to check out, a waterfall of water just comes down. I laugh and all of a sudden I get a serious look on my face and realize, I have to go back out there. I have on my long black pants, and my nice Kenneth Cole slip ons. CRAP! But thankfully I have my umbrella with me. Yeah right, like that helped me at all. You know, the whole point of an umbrella is to keep you dry, keep the water off of you, etc. Nope, I think whomever invented the umbrella must have done it as a joke because they thought it would be funny to see people walk around all day with the top part of someone dry, and the bottom half completely drenched. lol. Well, I get my umbrella out and prepare myself for being soaked. And boy did I get soaked. I get my car door open, sit down with my umbrella still up between the car door and me, preparing to close it and get it in the car before my car fills up with water, *giggle* and as soon as I close my umbrella to pull it inside it was as if someone had turned on the water hose and aimed at me and open car door. I sat in my car after closing the door laughing because I had to go to another store on the opposite of this stripmall. Staples is on one side and Hobby Lobby is on the other. Oy! Well anyways, I get park at Hobby Lobby next to this big Red Tahoe which obviously, like most people in this town don't know how to do, was parked crooked. So my little Honda was kind of wedged between these two big cars, which left me about less than a foot to be able to open my car door without hitting the car next to me, get my umbrella out and squeeze me out while trying to stay dry. Not possible. lol. I get quickly, sort of, to the best of my ability and run towards the store, my umbrella gets pulled in different directions except above me. So while trying to keep the umbrella over my head, face drenched, pants soaked, my shoe comes off in the middle of the street. I'm limping along towards the store, wondering where my shoe went. I run back into the middle of the street hobbling along, slip my shoe on, in the meantime I'm betting the people that are waiting and watching in the foyer of Hobby Lobby are getting a great laugh as they watch this shlup trying to find her shoe in the rain. So I get in the store, and of course I am right, there are bunch of people watching me with this smirk on their faces like, "better you than me". Oh well. It had to happen to someone, and at least it gave me something funny to write about. Thank God for rainy days. Next time, I'll make sure to wear my flip flops and a skirt, just imagine what would happen then. Oy!

***You Are a Dreaming Soul***

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this worldSo much so that you tend to live in your head most of the timeYou have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all...But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult
You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you.Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses.Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others.Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life.

Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofsoulareyouquiz/

Golden Retriever

You scored 30% Otter, 35% Lion, 40% Beaver, and 80% Golden Retriever!

"Let's keep things the same." You're a golden retriever. Golden retrievers appreciate the value of a close relationship, and can deal with commitment. You're thoughtful, nurturing and tolerant... people know that they can go to you if they need to be comforted. However, your caring nature may make it difficult to say no, and your sensitivity can cause you to get hurt a lot. Golden Retrievers are very adaptable, compassionate, and great team players. For a long-term relationship, Golden Retrievers should avoid the bold, assertive lion. They get along better with the inquisitive beaver, or the optimistic otter.

Want to know what you are, take the test:

The Animal Personality Test

http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=17283553400104943159

Yesterday, Zac and I had our first session of Pre-Marriage Counseling, which is required at my church, with Pastor Andy. It was so wonderful! Andy is such an incredible Godly man, and I am so thankful for him. I thought it would be so difficult for me to open up to him and talk to him about my life and our relationship, but amazingly enough, it was so easy! He was so sweet and kind, gentle. I was even amazed that he knew my name when he saw me. Red was telling me this morning that I wouldn't put it past him that he probably knows more about me than I think. She was saying that he has a Shepard gift, and like any good Shepard, they know everything about their flock. WOW! I thought that was so cool the way she said that.
We started out by him getting to know us separately, from when we were born up until now. Then we talked about how we met. I almost cried a couple of times because when I describe how I fell in love with Zac and how much of a blessing he has been to my life, I always get misty. Andy talked to us about the important things that we would be discussing in these sessions:
1) Spiritual & Communication
2) Finances
3) The Home & Family
I loved every minute of it. It really didn't feel like it was only an hour. So I am really looking forward to the next session. But he did give us homework. Our homework was to compile a budget starting after the wedding, and then to read Ephesians 5:21-33 about Husbands and Wives. So next session will be in a couple of weeks, 1 down, 2 to go.

How City/Country are you?

How CITY are you?
[x] I've been to Starbucks more than once in my life.
[x] I link arms when I walk with someone.
[ ] I shop at AE, A&F, or HCO.
[ ] I own 2 or more polo shirts.
[x] I will never be caught without my cell phone.
[ ] I straighten or blow dry my hair on a daily basis.
total:3

[ ] I wear flip flops no matter what the weather.
[ ] I own an oversized pair of sunglasses.
[ ] I own 1 or more pairs of ripped jeans.
[x] I layer my shirts
[ ] I have/had a "Myspace mirror pic".
total:1

[x] When I'm not drinking starbucks, I prefer water.
[x] I get annoyed with tom-boys.
[x] I own an oversized bag or purse.
[ ] I have seen every episode of Laguna Beach.
[ ] My new fav. is the Hills.
[x] I say "lol" in online chat.
[x] I own tight jeans
total: 5

[x] I wear large necklaces.
[ ] I own an iPod/mp3 player.
[x] I have the internet.
[x] have more than 1 AIM screen name.
total: 3

[ ] I have said "lol" or "OMG!" in a real conversation.
[x] I love shopping.
[x] I shop whenever I have a chance.
[ ] I own a bathing suit that cost 100 dollars or more.
[x] I have watched the Simple Life.
total:3

TOTAL:: 15***add x's and multiply by 3 and put I'm ...45% City
------------------------------------------------------------------------
How COUNTRY Are You?

I have..
[x] Ridden a horse.
[ ] Owned a horse.
[ ] Owned land.
[x] Been 4 wheeling.
[x] Said "ain't".
[ ] Been cow-tipping.
[ ] Been deer hunting.
[x] Been swimming in a lake.
[x] Caught a fish.
[ ] Seen a deer get skinned.
[ ] Skinned a deer.
total: 5

You..
[x] Have worked on a ranch or on land.
[x] Have lived in a house in the middle of nowhere.
[ ] Have been duck hunting.
[x] Have went swimming in a river.
[x] Driven a truck.
[ ] Own a rebel flag.
[ ] Own a rebel flag Zippo.
[x] Like to fish.
[x] Have a funny accent..or people have told you that.
[x] Owned a pair of cowboy boots.
[x] Own/owned a cowboy hat.
[ ] Own/have owned a big dog.
[x] Say "y'all".
[x] Have been made fun of for sayin "y'all".
total: 10

You also...
[x] Cuss when you're mad.
[ ] Have dipped/dip snuff.
[x] Go/have gone to Church on Sunday morning and night andWednesday night and are "Southern Baptist".
[ ] Owned/own a bird.
[ ] Have riddin' a horse to somewhere in town.
[x] Have gone on a field trip to a farm/ranch.
[x] Have eaten deer meat.
[x] Have shot a gun.
[ ] Own/owned a gun.
[x] Parked your vehicles in the yard.
[x] Have eaten chitlins.
[ ] Have eaten liver.
total: 7

You..
[ ] Have gone shopping..for a gun.
[ ] Get the kids in your family a toy gun for Christmas.
[ ] Unloaded straw.
[ ] Own more than two selfdone sleevless, name brand shirts that have oil stains on them.
[x] Know what stirrups are.
[ ] Have fed the deer.
[ ] Have/had dog named Buddy.
total:1

Total: 23***add x's and multiply by 3 and put I'm ...69% Country

ZAC IS COMING HOME!!!!! OH MY GOSH I CAN'T CONTAIN MYSELF!!!! My fiance will be in Texas on either Friday or Saturday and I am so excited! We have been separated for almost a year now, meaning each of us lived in a different state, and now my baby is moving back home! YEAH!! Maybe I should embaress him at the airport with a big sign saying, "WELCOME HOME ZAC! I LOVE YOU!!" Lol, somehow I don't think that would fly over very well with him. *giggle* oh well. I am extremely nervous and anxious that my stomach is acting up. Zac thinks I am so crazy for being nervous. Well, he isn't a girl. Girls are always nervous, especially since I don't get to see my fiance very much, and it has been 2 months since I have seen him. EEKKK!!! There are so many things I want to do when I see him, but things are just going to have to take time. Dang it, I am so impatient. Definitely something I need to work on.

I got this email from my soon to be Mother-in-law, and I thought it was so funny. Definitely didn't expect something like this from her:

1. Men are like Laxatives ..... They irritate the crap out of you.
2. Men are like Bananas ....... The older they get, the less firm they are.
3. Men are like Weather.... Nothing can be done to change them.
4. Men are like Blenders.... You need One, but you're not quite sure why.
5. Men are like Chocolate Bars .... Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips.
6. Men are like Commercials ....... You can't believe a word they say.
7. Men are like Department Stores ..... Their clothes are always ½ off.
8. Men are like Government Bonds .... They take soooooooo long to mature.
9. Men are like Mascara ... They usually run at the first sign of emotion.
10. Men are like Popcorn ..... They satisfy you, but only for a little while.
11. Men are like Snowstorms .... You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how long it will last.
12. Men are like Lava Lamps .... Fun to look at, but not very bright.
13. Men are like Parking Spots .... All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

Now isn't that the funniest thing ever?

Well it is short and sweet today, really tired and don't feel well. I haven't been sleeping very well because I have been over stressed, anxious and my allergies/sinuses have been going haywire. What I need to do is go home, take a benedryl as soon as I get home and knock myself out. Now that sounds like a great idea. I have a long drive ahead of me tomorrow and then it will be relax time with my sister. Thank goodness for 3 day weekends. Happy Friday everyone!

Happy Valentines Day?

What is the big deal about Valentines day? You get chocolate, you eat it, you get fat. You get flowers, they look beautiful for a couple of days, and then they die. You get stuffed animals, you think they are cute for a couple of days, then they end up in a drawer or under the bed, never to be seen again. You get lingerie, you wear it once, and then it gets put into a drawer. What is the point of celebrating ONE day?!?! Zac and I had talked about this quite a bit when we were dating. Celebrating our love for one day is ridiculus, celebrating our love everyday is what you are supposed to do. It doesn't matter if there is a holiday that is all about love, Zac and I celebrate our love for each other everyday of the year. That is real love. I don't need a holiday to inspire me to tell my true love that I love him with all of my heart and want to show him how I love him. I do that all the time anyways. Zac I love you so much sweety and I thank God everyday for you. You have been such an amazing blessing to me and I cannot imagine a man more wonderful than you. You are my best friend, my companion, my partner in crime *giggle*, my strength, my heart, my one and only love. Thank you for choosing me to love and choosing me to spend the rest of your life with. I will do my best to be the wife you want and deserve.

"LORD God, please bless our marriage and bless Zac for choosing me to be his wife. LORD you know I am very difficult, very emotional and hard headed. But LORD you also know my heart, you know my soul and mind, and you know how much I love this man. Please help me to be the wife he wants, deserves and needs. Help me to be the woman you describe in
Proverbs 31:10-31:

"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She will not hinder him but help him all her life...She is energectic and strong, a hard worker. She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night. Her hands are busy sprinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes. She quilts her own bedspreads. She dresses like royalty in gowns of finest cloth...She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness i teh rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: "There are more virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."

LORD God please watch over us and protect us from the enemy. You know he hates marriage, even when it is under you and your perfect love. Lord I pray that our love will grow even more to be the unconditional love that you have for us, your children. Help our marriage to grow strong so that we may stand strong with our feet firmly planted on the ground during the storms that we will face! I love you Lord God and I thank you for the many blessings. Thank you again for Zac. He is such an amazing and wonderful man! I LOVE HIM LORD. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
In Jesus' perfect name, AMEN!"

My prayer to all of you out there, may God bless you in each of your lives, bless the ones you love, and to shower you with his unconditional love. God loves you and so do I!

Finally on the last day of my medication that my doctor had to prescibe me. And let me tell you, feeling like an emotional roller coaster is no fun! I have been on a high hormone for 10 days and it sucks! One minute I would be ok, the next minute crying my eyes out, and then the next wanting to chew someone's head off, anyone within arms reach. Oh sure, I thought I was going crazy because I have never acted this way. So I seriously thought there was something wrong with me. Zac was so scared because I would call him crying my eyes out because I was so sick from this medicine. Because it was such a high dose of a hormone, I was sick to my stomach for the whole 10 days. It was so bad one night that I called my dad who is a doctor telling him to prescribe something to me to stop the sickness. It was unbearable. Thankfully, I had something that my other doctor gave me when I had the stomach flu during Christmas. I took one of those pills, dang, I was out in 15 minutes. It was great! I slept over 12 hours that night, which of course never happens. But anyways, my last one was yesterday, now I just have to wait. My doctor told me that I could have kids and all the other schmucks that were feeding me nothing but crappy opinions and stupid assumptions were wrong! I felt such an amazing amount of excitement, I think I even started crying. I have always hated those idiots that told me I couldn't have kids. That is so important to me because I want Zac to be able to have his own kids with me. I want us to have kids together. And I know he wants to be a father. He would make such a great father. And I bet anything our kids will be the spitting image of Zac. Looks, character/personality, etc. As long as they aren't like me, I think I will be happy. But I will make sure that my kids don't ever have a life like mine. And they better not be obsessed with the computer. *giggle* I think I'll go off the deep end if they do. Lol.
Wedding plans are going well, I think. My bridesmaids have ordered their dresses and shoes, which is a load off of mine. Red and I went to David's Bridal on Saturday, and I thought I was in a bad dream. There were tons of brides, with their bridesmaids, and TEENAGERS, shopping for prom. Talk about little hoochies with slutty dresses. Yuck! Anyways, we brought Munchkin with us to find some shoes, hair piece, etc. to go with her dress for the wedding since she is my flower girl. She looks so adorable! We found the exact dress she is going to wear and put it on her. I found the cutest bow for her hair and little ballet slippers, which are named after here too. *giggle* We put all of that stuff on her, and she was so precious! Every bride and bridesmaid that was there, just stopped what they were doing and looked at her while I was taking pictures. All of them said, "Oh, how adorable", "can I come to that wedding", "can she be in my wedding?" It was great. I piped up and said, "she is MY flower girl" with a smirk on my face. It was great. She really will be adorable. I'm gonna have a kissing ball for her to carry down the aisle instead of spreading rose petals or carrying a bouquet. Red was blushing and you could really tell she was so happy that she was the mother of Munchkin. I can't wait.

Days until my Wedding: 88 (YEEHAW)
*now wouldn't it be sick if I actually had it down to hours, minutes and seconds too?*

Let it sleet, let it sleet, let it sleet...

Well Temple and Belton are seeing the 2nd or 3rd day of rain, sleet, mixture and temperature that hasn't gone past 28 degrees. So of course like most Texans they would stay indoors, cuddle up with a blanket and a cup of coffee or tea infront of the roaring fireplace...
but where am I....at work! Of all places. Oh well. At the moment, the sun is trying to peek through the clouds, but it is still sleeting. The roads are slick, the sideswalks are being iced over, and where am I still...at work. Goodness. I know I am being whiny, but I would rather be safe at home and i my pajamas curled under a blanket and in my bed. My warm fuzzy pajamas are calling my name...ok maybe I need to get that checked out. Well, not much to write about...maybe more later. In the mean time, stay warm, stay dry, and think twice before going out in this weather. Later!