Love, Sweet Love

Me and Nate at Rachael and Daniel's wedding.

1.08.11

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It is always great to go back to Rogers and see some of the people that we miss the most. Nate was privileged to do a wedding for a former student. Seems crazy that we are old enough/been married long enough/been in ministry long enough to have former students from our youth groups getting married.

It was a beautiful wedding at Whitney Mountain Chapel.

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Nate did a great job... He always does.

I am always so proud to be his wife. I love that man.

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010... Whew! It was a strange Christmas this year. It came up on us really fast and then it was gone in the blink of an eye. A lot of things changed and a lot of things stayed the same. The whole holiday we were super busy, but really enjoyed seeing our family.

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We decorated our house in an hour and spent a few hours figuring out the outside lights. We drove around to see some lights too.

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This is Nate and Claire at Chesapeake. This may be my favorite light display. I like clean and simple things so it kind of makes since.

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We had a few Christmas parties, but not nearly as many as usual.

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My small group got together. That was fun. We played a small and fast game of dirty santa, ate chex mix, and went shopping for our "Change for Children" family. The youth collects their change every year and we buy presents for a family. Good times.

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We had a Collide Christmas party the Wednesday night before the church was closed for the holiday. It was fun and funny, complete with an ugly sweater competition (or outfit).

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I was excited to be able to cook for our family things this year, because we have a kitchen and don't live four hours away. I usually always get asked to bring dessert.... why? I don't know.... Maybe my girlish figure tells people I like it or something. ha.

Anyway, I wanted to make something in bulk that was cheap and man did we ever make a huge bulk. ha

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Nate helped me make cake balls all day from 10am to 5pm one day. We took them everywhere we went and still have two baggies full in the freezer.

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. I also went to a "younger women of our church" party. That includes females under the age of 45. It ended up being just us girls that always hang out together + one. I wish others would have taken advantage of this great time. Melissa is always a great host and we had a blast.

You would think it was easy to shake ornaments out of a tiny box connected to your waste. You would be wrong. (unless you have some good junk in the trunk moves.... like Hollie) . . . We went to Nate's sister's house for his family Christmas... It was different but great. We always have a good time together. We brought presents not knowing they were doing "Gift Card Christmas." Ooops . . . We went to my parents the same day, which added to the weird Christmas thing. Usually we are able to stay with Nate's family for a whole day, and my family for a whole day. We had both of our "big" Christmas celebrations in one day. I wasn't there to help my mom get ready for everyone... in fact we were the last ones to arrive for the first time ever. I was frazzled and a little sad by the time we got there, but I quickly got over it and enjoyed getting to see my brothers, their wives, and my nephews. I wish that we would all get together more often. . We played a lot of wii. . . . Weird thing #2: My family decided not to have everyone get together with my Grandma for the first time since my birth. I missed seeing everyone. It gets really hard to find a time when everyone is married with kids. My mom says we may just get together for Grandma's birthday every year (which is also Nate's). . . . And last but not least, we went down to TX to be with Nate's grandparents for a few days. It is always great to help Mamaw make food and get ready for everyone. We drove back home on New Years Day.

Merry Christmas

Greeting card personalized with Smilebox

Thanksgiving 2010

"Give thanks to the God of Heaven,

His love endures forever."

~Psalm 136:26

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For Thanksgiving we are always in Texas with Nate's family. It usually involves Nate, his dad, and papaw going outside immediately and working while the girl's stay inside and cook and clean. The last couple of years have been a little different.

Mamaw and Papaw are getting a little older now, and so there isn't much to do outside. After Nate and his dad finished mowing the dead grass, we all got to spend a lot of time all together. It was great.

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Even though I am happy to go with Nate's family to see his grandparents and always have a good time, this year I was missing my family a little more than usual. There isn't many things I like to eat better than my Nana's famous vegetable casserole (or her stuffing). And, my grandma's Alzheimer's just continues to get worse and I wanted to be there for my mom during the holiday. It breaks my heart to think about my mom and dad sitting at home all alone on a big holiday like Thanksgiving. I guess this is what happens when we are all grown up. I have to keep reminding myself of that.

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Anyway, I feel like the holidays are coming and going really fast this year.... I haven't stopped long enough to even think about what I am thankful for. At the top of my list is definitely my wonderful husband, our supportive family, and having a place that we can call home.

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Nate with his Mamaw.

We took the golf cart to see the new calf (below)

Girls' Weekend

I am so happy and blessed to have close friends. I was really missing our friends in AR, so I am so glad that God has sent these wonderful girls into my life here in the good 'ol OK.

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There is nothing that can replace genuine female friendships. God knows what we need and when we need it :)

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Dinner

. The ancient art of Kar-ee-o-kae (Karaoke... I was being funny, like from Baby Mama... never mind) .

Shopping.

Sweet, Dear, Lifelong friend Cassie, from AR, met us there

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"A sweet friendship refreshes the soul"

~Proverbs 27:9

Memorable Moment #15: Grandma turns 80!

~November 15, 2010~

Grandma turned 80!

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Happy Happy Birthdays

November 12 I turned 25. This was the first birthday where I really do feel older. I am a real adult now.... don't know how I feel about that.

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Mom & Dad and Nana & Papa came to take us to eat.

. The Nater and I . Nate's birthday was November 15. This is the cake I made for him. .

Nate's family came to take us to eat too.