Life Lessons from my Dog

We recently got a new toy for our dog, Sabrina. It is a little rubber basketball that squeaks...and she absolutely loves it! She totally ignores her other toy now, one that she thought was filling her needs, but not nearly as perfectly as the new one! Now let me tell you a few things about Brina....she LOVES meal time and she will tell you everyday when it is time to feed her, but when she got this new toy, she was at first reluctant to put it down even to eat! She also chose to play with the toy rather than beg for our food at dinner time also (and she usually never misses an opportunity to ask for our food too!) This toy has also made her fearless. She will crawl through chairs under the table, stick her nose in bags, jump in the bathtub, dig behind the window blinds....all things that would have normally freaked her out, just to get her toy. Brina is also scared of thunderstorms and she usually lies on the bed between Danny and I panting like crazy while the storm rages on....but last night, during one of the worst storms we have had in a while, she took her toy and lay down on the floor by the bed...still scared but a little more brave too. She will pick it up and take it with her from room to room and it's never far from her when she sleeps.



That's kind of how things are when we have Jesus...he satisfies our needs, he gives us strength and courage we didn't even know we had, he comforts us and protects us, and even when the storms of life are raging, we can sleep peacefully, knowing that he is right there with us and will never leave us.

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

Things I Love...

I LOVE...

...My husband!

...the fact that Danny is an awesome photographer!

...fitting into clothes I haven't worn in 2 years or more!

...spending time with Danny and going on photo expiditions!

...scrapbooking!

...making purses...and trying new patterns!

...the Library! I have read so many books this year!

I LOVE...

...seeing family that I haven't seen in months or even years!

...hanging out with friends and family!

...that my best friends are my sisters and cousins....Family makes the best Friends!

...my nieces and nephew!

...reconnecting and staying in touch with friends and family on Facebook!

...playing Wii and Rockband with my family!

I LOVE...

...having access to a pool on a daily basis!

...that July has been cooler than June this year!

...perfect weather on my weekend off!

...having a tan this year!

...the fact that in 78 days, I will be in Walt Disney World for my first ever Disney vacation!

Welcome 2010

I hope all of you had a wonderful Holiday Season year. We did, although i was sad that so many
friends and family got to see snow for Christmas and we didn't. Next year I think I just might be a snow chaser and try to find some for our holiday! The first weekend in December, Rachel, Danny and I went to Charlotte to visit our cousin Brandy and her husband Tim. While we were there, we went to the Billy Graham Library. It was all decorated for Christmas with lights and garland. They had a live Nativity in the evening and horse and carriage rides! It was absolutely wonderful sipping hot chocolate, riding in an open horse-drawn carriage with a blanket drawn over my lap, listening to the jingle bells on the horses' harnesses. Magical! And we also got to tour the Library and learn about the life of one of History's greatest men of God.


We enjoyed our usual family traditions this year including a candlelight service at Jeri and Jim's where the Christmas story is read and we sing carols before exchanging gifts. Then we get together at my parent's house for Christmas Eve and we go to Danny's parent's house on

Christmas Day to exchange gifts. We, of course, always enjoy great food as well! We had several other random Christmas parties spread out in the weeks before Christmas! Our hope is to be able to host a Christmas party of our own in our own home next year!
Danny and I are still living with Rachel, but we are feeling the itch to find a place of our own. We are waiting on God's perfect timing and hopefully all the pieces will fall into place soon with a place that will fulfill our needs and the finances to sustain us. Danny loves his job at Lifetouch and we are so blessed to both have jobs we love and to work for great bosses. I feel so blessed and my heart overflows with the peaec and joy that I have. To look at our lives (and our checkbook), some may think we have so little, but I have a husband who loves me, I have a roof over my head, I have good health, and I honestly am content...what more could I ask for! I know 2010 has many blessings in store for us, and I wait in anticipation to see where God is going to take us, together!