Morning Walks

Now that the weather has been absolutely GORG lately, Mona and I have really enjoyed our morning walks. And by enjoy, I really mean she runs around like a wild chicken with her head cut off and I'm trailing behind yelling at her trying to gain some control. Ohhhh, life with a puppy. So entertaining. But the weather has literally been perf lately. Perf for January 25 especially. Currently:::

Anyway, as we were walking along, I'm glad I had my phone on me, because as the sun was peeking over the buildings in my apartment complex, the colors were just fabulous and vibrant. Absolutely a perfect way to start the day (including the warm pot of hazelnut/french vanilla coffee my husband had brewed for me. What a doll).

AND, for some random advice of the day, I HIGHLY recommend everyone going to see Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. 

Talk about a tear jerker.... But such a good reminder to continue to pray for all those who live their lives today still affected by the terrible disaster of 9/11. 

Have a great Wednesday, everyone and don't forget to count your blessings :)

Mona the Smushed Nosed Reindeer

Well the Christmas season is moving along pretty quickly! Here is an amazing window into the outfit we decided on for Mona and our Christmas card... Except this outfit was one size too big. So after trying this one on her and having her absolutely hate me for it, I went back and got the appropriate size.

While Mona DOES do an amazing job at posing for me, there are a few times in our photo shoot where she needs to take a break, sniff the ground, say a prayer that she doesn't lose it on me....

and then goes back to bulging her eyes and pursing her lips at me. Love the little bugger. 

I Have the Man's Shopping List..

Okay, so I finally forced Zack to sit down and make a list of any or every little thing that he could possibly think of that he might need us to send him. Here's the man's shopping list.... Get ready:


"Some of it is going to seem dumb or pointless but all of it is necessary. Just so you know. haha. Ok first things first:" -Z


"1. Gillette Fusion Power Razors. (Power Razors, not to be confused with power rangers.)
2. High ankle white socks
3. Any kind of EDGE shave GEL for sensitive skin. I have the one that is fragrance free and ultra sensitive. That one works the best.
4. Individually wrapped baby wipes
5. Any kind of cool posters that don't have to do with women and that are nasty. Bands, cool designs, twilight posters, MOVIE posters is a good one. any good movie poster.
6. New DVDs that come out of good movies.
7. Axe shower gel. I have the anti hangover scent. it smells so good. but anything that smells good. (Irish Spring for Jennings)
8. Q-tips
9. Towels
10. Burt's Bees Chapstick
11. International Phone Cards (AT&T)
12. Pop-Tarts, Granola Bars, Candy that wont melt on the way over, Power Bars, Cereal.
13. Send me new songs on a flash drive all the time! haha. i love music
14. Axe deodorant
15. Pajamas (It gets to be REALLY cold at night, and their cans don't have heat, so sweatshirts, long johns, sweatpants, etc.)
16. Sheets
17. Pillow cases
18. Batteries! AA and AAA
19. Baby Powder, big or small bottles"

- the Big Man himself.


If any of you need his address just contact me by phone, email, or WHATEVER, and I will be more than happy to exchange, for a small price of course, maybe a cookie, we'll see.

Enjoy your days!!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."
- james 1:2-6


"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
- romans 5:2-5

Put Your Hope in God

"Dear Jesus, please just let Alli rest in your peace, knowing that you are working in her even now when she feels completely numb to everything around her. Draw her close to you and help her run toward you and your open arms without any hesitation or defense, and in complete love with your Son whose blood has washed away all of her sin and shame. AMEN"

Thanks for praying for me, best friend. And thanks to everyone else for your prayers.

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?' These things I remember as I pour out my soul; how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession of the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

By the day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock, 'Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?' My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, 'Where is your God?' Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."