This is it!

Does it seem like life flies by quickly that sometimes you have to take a moment to stop and look at your surroundings? I wish I could take in God's beauty everyday, but sometimes I let little things in life stir me up too much.

If there is one thing that I have really thought about a lot lately, it is this: God is good, and God is generous. His generosity shows no boundaries.

I have really had to begin to accept myself for who I am. I want to do something. I want to make a change in the world. I feel God's perfect timing coming soon, and I cannot wait to see what He uses all of us for!

Late nights

This is the second weekend in a row that I have done the unthinkable (for me anyway)! I have stayed up past 3 AM... If you know me, this is a great feat because I do love getting enough sleep during the week. My typical bedtime is around 9:30 or so.

So here is what I blame on this atrocity:

-Kara GK. That lady sure knows how to talk! Of course, I had nothing to do with it whatsoever. :) But, no, really. We went on a retreat with the youth last weekend, and Kara and had were in the same room together. We lied down to go to bed around 1 AM and end up talking until after 3. Love her!

-Randy and Lance. I go out with Randy, Lance, and Lee for a lovely dinner to Chili's in Fultondale. The next thing I know, we get booted out of Target and Books-a-Hundred because they close. After loitering in front of the bookstore until around 1:30, we finally make it to Whataburger until around 2:40ish. It's a good thing that I got to sleep in today!

So who can I blame on for staying up next weekend? Any takers?

Review of top headlines

Here are my responses to some of the top headlines for today:

How is it that Florida is getting snow and sleet, and we got nothing? Just doesn't make sense.

Jay Leno may be moving back to his old time... I wonder if this is because his new show STINKS. Wait.. I didn't say that. :) Conan rocks!

Did you hear about the Amtrak issue? Passengers were not only stuck on the train for 24 hours due to snowy conditions, but then the train also hit a pickup truck. As if this wasn't bad enough.. then they didn't have enough food on board to supply the delays. This would have been a perfect scene for "fight to the death".

This one is my favorite... in a strange way. South Africa is supposed to be holding the next World Cup. Unfortunately, nearly half of South Africa's prostitutes are HIV positive. Due to this, many places are asking that South Africa take a more active stand on arresting prostitutes since it is illegal there, after all. Does this disturb anyone else besides me? What kind of world do we live in that we have to be worried about the spread of HIV because of an increase of prostitution during the World Cup?

What are some top head lines that interested you this week?

A New Year

I cannot say that I have not thoroughly enjoyed sitting around and resting these past two weeks. Going back to work looms in the back of my mind, but I know that I must enjoy these next two days.

Have any of you made New Year's Resolutions? Honestly, I really haven't. Most of my resolutions for myself I have tried to make since last year. These would include:

- Growing in my walk with Christ

- Controlling what I eat (this has NOT been good this year)

- Exercising more

Lance has been doing the Men's Fitness Year-Long workout. I tried looking all over for a Women's fitness one because I get bored easily with my workouts. Unfortunately, I did not find one.. so.. I decided that I will be a man for a year.

Check out http://www.mensfitness.com/ylw/fitness/workout_routines/312 to see what kind of fun stuff I will be doing throughout the year! The best part: most of the routines are only 3 days a week!

I am not considering this a New Year's Resolution.. because I started it before the New Year! :)

I'm Back.. Maybe! :)

Well, it has been a very long time since I last wrote. Life has been very hectic since this past summer. I started the dreaded graduate school! I came up with every excuse not to go, but finally, I gave in to myself! I am working on my master's degree in elementary education. I really wanted to do middle school education, but it just didn't work out because I would have to do student teaching all over again. This is kind of a dilemma because I have to work! So.. elementary education it is!

So.. anyway.. times have been busy. I have moved from 4th grade to 5th grade, so I have had to redo all of my lesson plans for the year. It is almost like starting all over again, except the classroom management comes a lot easier. Luckily I have the most precious class! I have some of the sweetest, funniest students this year, which has been a huge blessing!

There are lots of things that I am looking forward to in the next couple of months:
- the D.A.R.E. graduation for my students
- our Christmas program at Westwood on Dec. 2 (I get to sing in the choir instead of orchestra for this concert!)
- my birthday on Dec. 4
- Operation Christmas Child in Atlanta on Dec. 4-5 with my church
- youth Christmas party on Dec. 16
- getting together with my sweet friends, Chandra, Laura, Lulu, and Erin for Christmas time
- visiting with my family for about 5 days for Thanksgiving
- going to Gulf Shores with Lance's family for Christmas
- finishing up with this semester's grad school on Dec. 6


Phew! That seems really busy, but November and December are usually crazy anyway!

Hopefully I can get this blog updated more readily!

Weddings

Weddings, weddings, weddings. The past month of my weekend life has been surrounded by weddings. I am worn out; although I love weddings. It is so much fun to see what the bridesmaids are wearing, what color flowers are picked, the music, and of course the food at the wedding!

My favorite part is when the bride is first walking down the aisle, and the groom sees her for the first time. Two of the weddings I attended had all of the pictures taken before the wedding started. This means that he saw her before she walked down the aisle. Now, I know tha tmost of them do it so that the pictures don't take so long after the wedding. Still, my favorite part (the part that almost always makes me cry) is when he sees her coming down the aisle for the first time. There is something special about that moment. I usually take my eye off of the bride and look at the groom.

Another moment that I love is when they are saying their vows and looking directly into each others eyes. This moment is so sweet, and you can really tell that they mean it. (Or at least, they're good actors!)

What is your favorite thing about weddings?

Far too long

It has been far, far, far too long since I last posted. Needless to say, I've been busy.

School has ended for me, which is a bittersweet time. I will be moving on up to fifth grade next year and cannot wait to see what adventures will occur with this new group of teachers! :) One of my dearest friends is moving to Texas in a month, and I will miss seeing her lovely face each school day.

I have started my graduate school at UAB this summer. As of right now, it is not as difficult as I had originally thought it would be.. but I probably just messed myself up by saying that. Dear Heavenly Father.. please pretend that you didn't read that last statement! :)

Summer plans:
Graduate school (3 classes)
Two week long workshop on teaching math in July
Beach Retreat with the youth at church!!!
Gatlinburg with Lance's family for the 4th of July
Possible beach trip later in the summer
Another workshop for 3 days in June
Being a bridesmaid in Julie's wedding in two weeks
Cheering Lance on in Todd's wedding in one week
Getting my classroom ready for the fall
And this isn't a summer plan, but going to Chicago in September to go see U2!!

Well, this post was not very insightful to my heart and soul, but it will at least give you and idea of what I'll be up to.

What is the best thing that you are doing this summer?

Much love,
Katie

Devotional

             The devotional book that I have been reading out of lately is from Max Lucado.  It has a morning and evening part to it, where you have a place to jot down your thoughts after you read.  Lately it has had a lot to do with judgement and community within the Christian realm.

             It has really made me think about all of those times that I have acted nasty towards someone that is a Christian because I don't think they are living the "perfect" life.  I think it is so awful how we spend so much time judging others that sometimes that we don't look inwardly at ourselves.   

            I wanted to leave you with two of my favorite parts of the devotional.  "There comes a time when the best thing you can do is accept your brother and offer him the same grace you've been given."  Wow.  Doesn't that really make you think?  For me, it's almost like a punch in the stomach.  We have been given grace for some of the most horrendous sins, yet we feel as if we can judge others.  I don't know about you, but this definitely makes me want to straighten up!  

          Also this quote really lifted me up.  "Speak words that make people stronger.  Believe in them as God has believed in you."  So.. let me get this straight.  Not only are we supposed to stop judging, but we are supposed to affirm people?  Even those people that drive you so crazy that you could spit bullets?  Yes!  God has given us this strength to forgive and want to help others that are struggling.

         Maybe next time you (or I) feel like judging someone, maybe we should stop and take the time to show them His love.  After all, isn't that what God has done for us?  

I have this really bad tendency of eating somewhere for a couple of times, not liking it, and then telling myself that I will never go there again.

Unfortunately for Lance, that such place is Cocina Superior. It is one of his favorite restaurants, and until recently, he has not been able to convince me to go back there with him. Finally, last Friday, we went (mostly just because we could eat the lunch special instead of paying full price for dinner.) And what do you know? I loved it! I finally found something on the menu that I enjoyed. I know that he is very encouraged by this.

In other news.....
I have started running somewhat again. This weekend, I had my feet looked at (kind of) and bought new running shoes. See, I have this horrible problem of flat-footedness. :) Hopefully these new shoes will help out my darling, oh so important feet while I run.

waffle house

Something amazing happened today. I saw a Waffle House sign that was completely lit up on the way home today! In high school on the band trips, we would try to find them without a burnt out light, and it just didn't happen. The small things in life being me the greatest joy!

tornadoes

If there is one thing I am terrified of besides worms, it is tornadoes! I have never seen one in person, but the fear is still there. Maybe it is because when I was a little girl my dad would make us all go downstairs. He would proceed to listen to his weather scanne and sit on the porch waiting for the storm. We are completely opposite in that way. Also in college, we were constantly in the basement every time the sirens went off. It is difficult to be the "courageous" one for my students when we are stuck in the halls. What are you scared of?

This is what happens when I get too busy.

Yes, that's like 4 loads of laundry right there. Yuck.

What is one task that you hate doing?


Laundry (specifically folding the clothes) and emptying the dishwasher are my two least favorite.

Question Destination

Video Blog

Yay! I can make videos from my phone, and then email them to myself. How is exciting is that? Check out my first video blog.

Hello, Hello!

I just wanted to see if this worked from Microsoft Word, like Shawn and Joseph did. I guess we'll see! J

Today

I am in Cleveland visiting my folks. Today, no one is home but me, which is fine. I like some peace and solitude sometimes, especially since the rest of this week should be so crazy.

Tomorrow, I will be driving back to Birmingham around 7AM. The youth group girls (and Kara) are coming to my apartment to watch movies, eat pizza, and chat! I know that we will have a spectacular time, as always.

On Thursday, we shall continue our venture to Trussville Playstation. I have never been there, and quite frankly, am trying to save my monetary funds, so I don't know how much "playing" I will be doing. I know that I'll have a wonderful time, regardless.

Friday should be the "interesting" day. There is a lock-in that is going to be happening at the church with the whole youth group. It starts at 9:30pm and ends at 9:30am. Now, as most of you know, I usually go to bed before 10:30 every night. I have already been forewarned that if anyone goes to sleep, they will be regretting it. Lucky for me, I have pepper spray that may come in handy! :)

Now for the big news.......
I can't believe it. Something occurred today that I thought would never happen (Lance would probably agree with me here)...... *suspenseful music plays*......


I cleaned out my car trunk! :)

I have been needing to do this for... well.. forever, and I finally did it. I threw away so much junk that it's unbelievable. Now I feel a sense of relief.

So tell me... what is one thing that you did recently that brought you relief?

Busy!

If I can say one thing about my life, it is BUSY! I am always on the go. I like it most days, but then occasionally I just have to take some time off and RELAX. So that's what I'm doing today! :)

I don't feel like writing in paragraph form right now, so I will just update you on some things that have been going on in my life lately.

-I read Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It is an awesome book, and I would recommend it to anyone. I don't have any debt, fortunately, but the book helps you see many ways to manage your money.
- I have started to read Jane Eyre.
- Lance and I have been dating for over two years now! (I can't remember if I updated that or not earlier, but who cares? I'm excited! )
- I got to play out in the snow last Sunday.
- I am going to start grad. school this summer at UAB, well, if they accept me! :)
- The end of the third nine weeks for school is over. I can't believe school is 3/4 of the way over.
- I got to eat out with my good friend, Erin, that I haven't seen in over two months! It was wonderful getting to catch up with her!
- I went to the church last night and played game night with women of assorted ages! We had a wonderful time of playing Catch Phrase and getting to have great fellowship! Once again, I must say how blessed I am for our church family!
- I got my tongue and eyebrow pierced. Okay, I really didn't, but I wanted to put in something interesting.

I guess that's about it. I feel like my life is interesting, but now it doesn't seem so after going back through my list. Oh well, I love it! :)

Much love to you all!
Katie

Heather

Yesterday morning I heard some very sad news that one of my friends from college tragically passed away Monday evening. Apparently she had a seizure while at a Bible study, and they were not able to revive her. It has been completely devastating to so many, especially because it was so unexpected. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.

In honor of her, I wanted to write a remembrance of the fun times that we had together.

-Freshman year, we lived across the hall from one another. I would spend much of my time in her room, talking about some of the most random things from boys to college majors.
- I loved how she always decorated with palm trees. She would draw pictures with them all the time.
- We are both terrified of tornadoes, so anytime that there was a tornado warning, she would call me and come drive over to my apartment so that we could at least be together during the tornadoes.
- She introduced me to many great restaurants in the Birmingham area. She was always up for some good food.
- She was the best listener that you could find. She is one of only a few people that I know that could listen to you completely without judgement.
- She worked so hard to get through school. I am so proud of her that she finished her time at Samford and had wonderful aspirations of moving to California and becoming a lawyer.
- She made some delicious tacos and spaghetti anytime that we would come visit.
- She and Perry cracked me up the time that I watched them play DDR on New Year's Eve.
- She always had the most random collections of CDs. One second we would listen to techno while the other we would be head banging.
- She got me addicted to watching The O.C. We watched a few episodes at her apartment one time (during tornado time!), and I was hooked. So I bought all of the seasons online.
- She had a family that loved her so much. I could see how close she was to tem, especially with her grandmother and mom. I know that she could share so much with them and was thankful for that.
- I am so thankful for the impact that she has made on my life and countless others. I love you, Heather.

It's an update

So apparently Jamie has "dumped me" because I don't post enough, so this post is for you, dear, Jamie.


Last night, I went out to see "He's Just Not That Into You" with a bunch of ladies that I knew from church. We started out our venture going to Edgar's Bakery for a pre-movie snack. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to us, Edgar's was closed! So.. we did what any other hungry movie lover would do, we got popcorn at the movies! :)

I thought that the movie was funny! Sadly enough, many of the things that these girls were doing, I have done or I know that other girls have done just because of guys. I don't think that most guys know the mental anguish that they put women through (or that women put themselves through) just waiting for that phone call or date. At times, I wanted to choke one of the main characters for the things that she said and did, but other times, I thought.."Wow. I've been THAT girl before." It is so nice to know that I don't have to worry about that anymore, because I have the most wonderful man.. and he did, in fact, call me.

I think about some of my friends that put themselves into torture about guys. I really feel like they would benefit from this movie. I am wondering how I can go about saying, "Hey, there's this really awesome movie. It may teach better about guys." Okay, so maybe that wouldn't work so well. Okay, maybe I'll try this... "There is this really funny movie! And there are some really cute actors in it!" Yeah, that one would probably work. I think I'll give it a try

This post is really pointless... but there, Jamie, please don't dump me. :)


-Katie

It's About Time!

   I have had every intention of updating to tell about my marvelous Christmas break, etc.  but now it almost through January.  Wow!  Time really does fly by pretty quickly!  So.. I will give a quick update of my Christmas break!

  First, Lance and I made our way to my lovely hometown of Cleveland, TN.  We stayed there until Christmas Day.  Christmas Day, we came back to Birmingham and visited with Lance's folks.  The next day, we left with his parents to go to Orange Beach.  We stayed there for 4 nights and had a terrific time.  After we came back from there, the next day, we went to Gatlinburg with the youth for the Extreme Conference.  It really was a blast!  

   So there was my quick update for Christmas... :)

Now on to more exciting things.... parties.   I would like to hear your feedback for things that you enjoy from parties.. fingerfoods, etc.  I have been to many, many parties lately and seen a huge assortment of things found at the parties.  What are your favorite things to eat?  Me?  I prefer fingersandwiches.  I like pretty much any kind of fingersandwich.   I also like meatballs!  (Can you see the line of salty foods in my likes?)  

  What is your least favorite item to see at a party?  Personally, I love pickles EXCEPT for sweet pickles.  I hate how sometimes they can trick you into eating them.. then POW!  It's a sweet pickle!  Yick!  

    I read on weightwatchers.com that when you go to a party, you should always bring something healthy, that way you can at least nibble on that if everything else is bad for you.  My problem is that I eat what I brought and ALSO everything else.  Oops!  I need to work on that.  

   In other news, Lance and I are training for a 5K.  We plan on doing it in March before Spring Break.  We are doing the program called "From Couch to 5K".  As of right now, it has been going really well, except for my pesky sinus infection!  I had told myself that I was going to run at least 3 days a week, unless I was so deathly ill that I couldn't get out of bed.  We are starting week 3 of the 9 week program today.  (By the way, I keep trying to type 'problem' instead of 'program'.  Maybe it's a sign!)  I have NEVER been a runner, so this is definitely a challenge for me.  I probably haven't run over a mile since my freshman year in college.  Working up to a little over 3 miles is something that I am really looking forward to!  It is also great to have Lance be accountable for my running, since we are doing it together.  Wish us luck!  :)

Much abundance of love,

Katie