I'm in love...

I have the coolest friends ever! Yep...some of my friends from church all went in together and bought me this beeyyuutiful pink kitchen aid mixer for my birthday. What used to be only a dream is now a reality sitting prettily on my kitchen counter.

Today, we christened it by making chocolate chip blondies.

Naomi was fascinated and begged to pour the flour in. I obliged.

Emma helped with clean-up.

While Ruth colored and looked on. 

Yes, I truly do have awesome friends. But, not just because they got me a pink kitchen aid mixer. Nope. They are awesome friends because of their thoughtfulness, kindness and love for me and my family. For bending over backwards to make sure I had a great birthday. For taking the time to do something that they totally did not have to do.

I LOVE the friends that God has put in my life! Thank you dear ones, not just for the pink kitchen aid mixer (though I'm LOVING it), but for your friendship and love!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Snuggle time with Emma and her blanket.

Sun flare pictures.

My beautiful family.

Sunsets. And may I say, we do have some pretty sunsets here in our neck of the woods.

 

This picture.

Date nights with my husband.

Playing games with my girls.

These cupcakes. 

Pink sippy cups. 

Hair bows.

Our youth group.

Also among my favorites but I can't find a picture for at the moment...
My Parents, my brothers (and Megan), grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, My Bible, and I could go on, but naptime is dwindling away.
Click on the button above to see more favorites...or do your own favorites!

The Wilds

Believe it or not, these two pictures were almost the only pictures I took on our trip to the Wilds. It took a much needed sabbatical from clicking everyone and anything.

The Lord really worked in our youth group’s hearts for which we are very thankful!

The preaching and music revived my heart.

The Lord led us to some new friends.

I went to the spa with my new friend while our husbands played golf. (my first visit to a spa)

I hiked to second falls with some of our girls and almost died from exhaustion…but, hey, I got a picture!

We are (sort of) relaxed and refreshed and ready to get back to the daily grind.

Though my house looks like a train came through and tossed out suitcases, pillows and clothes, I’m glad to have my little family back under one roof and our youth group on fire from decisions that they made!

The New and Improved Teen Room!

I have been patiently watiting to share these pictures with you. We have been working like crazy on remodeling our teen room at church and tonight was the big reveal night!

This isn't a very good before picture. It looks REALLY bad in this picture. I didn't get one before all the furniture was out and they had started painting. You get the point, though. It needed some work!

Before:


After:

NOW, I can get MY house clean.

The Youth Group

Meet our new youth group. Doesn't this look like a fun bunch to be youth pastor & youth pastor's wife to? We think so!

(no, I'm not in this picture...I'm the one behind the camera

saying, "1, 2, 3, jump")

For those of you going through withdrawals...

I was informed that I needed to update my blog. =) So, here it is. These were some shots from our visit to NC...was it last week? I didn't get a whole lot of pictures, but these were some of all of the cutie, patutie great grandchildren.

Sadly, this week I haven't even picked up my camera...shocking, I know! This week has been filled with doing lots of fun stuff, such as getting tax stuff together, cleaning, laundry, etc. The girls and I did go on a house hunt looking for houses here in VA. You know, for when our NC home sells...like in 10 years.

My little baby turns 1 on the 20th so you can have those pictures to look forward to! We will be going to NC again this weekend for a birthday party.

I'm having a hard time concentrating...the Carolina/Duke game is on and Brad is screaming at the refs talking loudly to the referees...I also hear the chocolate chip cookies that have just come out of the oven calling my name, so I must run! Enjoy the pictures...while I enjoy my cookies!

this picture cracks me up...she was trying to lean back because his hair was in her face.

Christmas cooking!

The past week, we have been cooking up a storm as you can see! My Grandma told me about the recipe for the candy cane cookies. They were so fun to make!

Some friends of ours sent us the popcorn ball kit for Christmas. We made 2 snowmen, a turkey and a dog. Correction: I made them, Ruth and Naomi were busy eating the candy that was supposed to be used as eyes, ears, scarfs and buttons. Oh well, it was still fun and the girls enjoyed it. Thanks Darrell, Suzanne, Stone and Brenleigh!

The bottom cookies are the result of leaving two 3 year old girls alone to decorate their cookies...sprinkles anyone? Come on, you know you want to try them!

Introducing our new youth group...its exciting to be a part of this church,

the youth group and people of the church have made us feel so welcome

and we have really enjoyed getting to know them

A picture of Uncle Josh and the girls when he came for a visit...

and lastly, Emma standing up. She just happened to be taking a nap when we did all of our baking, so this is the only Emma picture for this post.

And, just in case I don't post before Christmas, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!!!

Cookin' with the girls

As you can see, I have neglected to countdown till Thanksgiving this week-sorry! =)

I had to post a picture of Brad baptizing for the first time. He baptized a teen guy and girl that he was able to lead to the Lord. We have been so welcomed here by our church family. We are excited about our youth group here. They have been so sweet and accepting of us ! Thanks for all your prayers as we have transitioned. The Lord has been with us every step of the way and for that we are so thankful! Though it has been kind of a hard transition, I am at peace with where the Lord has led us.

The girls helped me cook today. It was neat because I didn't really have to look for extra things for them to do to make them feel like they were helping, they actually did help!

Official taste tester

Yes, she can stand now! = ( My baby is growing fast! She hasn't attempted to take any steps while standing, but I'm sure it will be soon.

My clean child My messy child =)

This is the real Naomi! Don't ask how she got this dirty. One minute she was licking the bowl, the next minute, I turned around and...

The finished product...chex mix muddie buddies...yum! ...Lots of it!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! My mom and I plan on shopping the day after Thanksgiving, anyone else plan on joining the madness?

~Amanda