My Husband is Amazing

(Warning...sappy moment blog)


That gorgeous blue eyed man on the left is amazing. I don't know if I publicly say this that often but I think my husband is incredible. His heart is amazing. He is intelligent. He is funny. He is compassionate. He is genuine. He even has the gift of gab. I appreciate him for everything he does for me, his family, his friends, and his students. He truly wants to help others and has totally grasp onto one of the main purposes of following Jesus, that we should Love God and Love others. He's on that. He has an incredible love for God, a love that is greater than our love, and then a genuine love for others. He isn't perfect and as his wife, I can assure you that but he is the real deal. He's my best friend.

I love you Ryan Jackson and appreciate all you do.

Leaning on the Lord

Sorry for the very "Christianese" language of the title but that's what this blog is about. There are some things going on in Ryan and I's life where we really need to lean on the Lord. Ryan and I are about to open a new chapter in our lives and it's somewhat scary because it's unknown territory. This is the first of many major changes that Ryan and I will go through together. But I'm 100% confident that God is leading us and we need to depend on Him. Just want to send out a simple prayer request. If you are a believer, just pray a quick prayer for us that our ears will be open to God's plan. God is guiding us into something and we're not sure where it is or the details of that but we want to go where He's leading us. Just pray that we are in tune to where He is leading us. Thanks. Love you blog readers...even though it's like 2 of you!

Bay Shore Community Church Staff Trip!

Last week Ryan and I hit the road to go on vacation with the whole Bay Shore staff to the Outer Banks. It was awesome! We were surrounded by beautiful scenery and weather, wonderful friends, good food, and tons of laughter and relaxation. We had an awesome time. I hope these types of vacations continue throughout the years.

I thank God for allowing us to be a part of this church and to be surrounded by such wise leaders. The staff at Bay Shore is amazing. Love you guys!

Baby talk

Tim and Gillie had Willow Grace Tice on September 18th and she's my favorite baby...even though I haven't been around a lot of babies. She's got these chunky cheeks that are the cutest things I've ever seen. She's beautiful. So Congrats to Tim and Gillie on their new baby girl. She's amazing.

This post brings me to another point. Many people start asking you after you get married, "When are you going to have kids?". Why do people do that? That question annoys me after it's asked over and over and over. I feel like everyone rushes you to have kids as soon as you get married. After you've been married for over 2 years, you're like a rarity if you haven't had kids yet.

Now don't get me wrong, I can not wait to have kids. I know they will be amazing and will become a great joy in Ryan and I's life. We definitely want kids and also want to adopt, but just not now. We want to enjoy each other...call it selfishness if you want. But I understand that when kids come, the time with each other will decrease and our focus will be shifted. I know that once I have kids, it will never be just me and Ryan. I love my time with my husband and I'm soaking up every single moment with him because I know one day we won't have this chance. He's my best friend and I guess I want him all to myself right now. Plus I'm getting my masters, working 2 part-time jobs as well as teaching dance on the side, and part of our youth ministry. If I were to have kids now, at least one, if not a few of those would have to give and I'm not ready for that.

So that's my baby talk. I have my own plans and of course, my plans may not be God's but I don't have the "baby fever" yet. I love holding Willow Grace...I get giddy when she smiles at me, and I could probably just sit and stare at her all day b/c I think babies are amazing...but I'm still waiting. One of my own will come some day...just not soon if I have the choice. So there's the answer to the annoying question that is asked over and over again to Ryan and I.

Congrats Amanda and Shaun!

This past Sunday, Ryan and I were honored to be a part of Amanda and Shaun's wedding. It was awesome. We all had so much fun and we're so happy for them. Amanda and Shaun are some of the most genuine and kind-hearted people we know. We love them so much. Congrats guys!

Oh that last picture was all of us doing this dance! So much fun.

His eye is on the sparrow

This week in church Pastor Jeff spoke about the story behind a hymn called "It is well". The man who wrote the song lost his 4 daughters in a tragic event. Before he lost his daughters, he also lost a son to scarlet fever and his real estate to the great Chicago fire. He wrote the lyrics to "It is well" at the approximate spot where his daughters drowned. The message from Pastor Jeff was inspirational and I recommend that you watch it here.

But this post is not about "It is Well"...it is about one of my favorite hymns, "His eye is on the sparrow". This hymn was wrote by a woman named Civilla D. Martin in 1905. During that time, Civilla and her husband became close friends with another couple, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle who Civilla calls "true saints of God". Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for 20 years and her husband was an incurable crippled but still conducted business in his wheelchair. Everyone who knew the Doolittle's knew them as people who were always happy and hopeful and brought comfort and inspiration to others. When Civilla asked Mrs. Doolittle what their secret is to being so hopeful and happy despite their inabilities, she answered, "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me", and refers to Matthew 6:29. Civilla called this statement a "simple and beautiful expression of boundless faith" and was inspired to write the hymn, "His eye is on the sparrow".

The lyrics are:
Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion / A constant friend is He / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me

I sing because I'm happy / I sing because I'm free / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me (He watches me) / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches / I know He watches / I know He watches me

My favorite version by far is done by Tanya Blount and Lauryn Hill. I love this song.
Click here to listen to my favorite version...it's awesome.

Great commercial

I love this commercial. Especially the "Get out" part at the end. It's one of the little things that makes me giggle every time I see it.

Police are honorable and worthy of it

I know we all honor those who serve for our country in regards to the men and women who venture over seas to fight for our freedom and that is important. But we should also keep in mind the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday for our protection and safety within this country. I know cops out there can sometime get a bad wrap...such as comments like "They think they're above the law"...but there are cops out there that really care about our safety and put their lives on the line to protect us from harm.

If you're from DE, I'm sure you've heard of the cop, Chad Spicer, that got shot and killed yesterday in Georgetown as well as Shawn Brittingham who was also shot at and injured. Now I did not know Chad Spicer, Shawn Brittingham, or anyone within the DE police but a tragic event such as this has made me realize the impact police have towards the community. They try their very best to protect us from harm, even if it costs them their life.

My father was a Maryland State Police officer my whole life. He retired 2 years ago. And as a daughter of a cop for so many years, it was easy to think of his job as a cop as just a job. Sure, growing up we knew my father's job was risky, but after years and years of him being a cop, that concern diminishes. When he left for work growing up, the thought that my father wouldn't return never ran through my head because it was just another day at work for my dad...and fortunately he always did return home. Although it's tragic and extremely unfortunate, some cops never come home.

I remember asking him in high school if anyone had ever shot at him and he told me he had been shot at while trying to protect our community. That is serious...cops go out there everyday to protect us...their career is an extremely dangerous one. It's unfortunate but this world is filled with crude and senseless people and in any minute, the people who protect us could be one of their victims. We need cops like Chad Spicer out risking his life in order to protect the community. And it makes my heart ache for the family members that probably just said see you tomorrow...have a good night at work, because that's what I did every night my dad went to work. Acknowledge that they have a dangerous job and that they are appreciated for the work they do. If you have a family member or friend who is a cop, please let them know how much you appreciate them protecting you from harm. It is important to honor the men and women who fight for our freedom as well as the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect your community from harm.

My prayers go out to the family and friends of Chad Spicer, and as I've read he has a 3-year old daughter. I pray as she gets older, she will be grateful for a father who was protecting the community and honor and respect policemen and policewomen for the work they do.

Vacation Recap

Ryan and I got back from our free vacy on Friday...here's the recap:

Got to Williamsburg, VA Sunday evening and stayed til Wed. afternoon. We biked through colonial Williamsburg, played mini golf, ate out every night, and took a Ghost tour the last evening we were there. We also just relaxed and did a lot of nothing.

We left Williamsburg on Wednesday and heading to VA beach (where we got a $65/night oceanfront room...thanks Priceline) until Friday. They had the East Coast Surfing Championship while we were there which was pretty sweet.

It was so nice just being with Ryan. We definitely had a wonderful time.

Free Vacay...WHAT?!?

A few weeks back Ryan and I went to dinner...maybe lunch, regardless, we ate some meal at the Georgia House. On the way out there was a sweepstakes box. I usually fill those things out even though I never win anything. Well....this time we did! Just by filling out a simple half sheet of paper. I got a call the other day saying we've won 2 vacations! One is a 3 night, 4 day stay in Williamsburg, VA as well as a 3 night, 4 day stay in Orlando, FL. We also get a $125 Visa gift card. This is big for me since I never win ANYTHING!

Ryan and I were planning a vacation to Massachusetts in a few weeks that we hadn't booked yet. I was really looking forward to it because I have never been there but we decided to save the money and go to Williamsburg for FREE! So for those of you who always fill those things out and never win anything, give it time. Eventually, I think you will win.

My hubby

is a smart man. His recent blog post is good stuff. It's called Date Your Wife.

My weird quirk

I know we all have them...here's one of mine.

I can't stand split or dead ends in my hair and my hair is usually full of them.

The obsession of getting rid of them has progressed through the years. I remember in high school I would sit at my desk all class period and split my ends. I even would split the ends of my friend's hair in front of me...weird.

But splitting hairs is really bad for your hair so in college I progressed to just picking them off. I'd see a dead end and pull if off. I used this method for many years.

Now, I have resorted to scissors. This is a little embarrasing, but I carry around a pair of hair cutting scissors in my car and when Ryan drives my car, most of the time you can find me in the passenger seat cutting the dead ends off my hair. I can't count how many times Ryan has looked at me while I'm cutting them off and telling me how weird that is. The sunlight is perfect in the car for seeing all your split ends.

Wow...that's me for ya.

Catching up....after a little hiatus.

Hey everyone...if anyone! I'm getting back into blogging even though I took a little hiatus. So first I'll recap my summer so far with pictures, because if you know me, you know I'm a picture freak hence I have taken pictures of everything this summer.

So....let's start the summer off with me and my best friend celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary on June 9th by spending the day in Annapolis and having dinner at the Melting Pot.

A couple weeks later, we loaded up a 15 passenger van with 11 students and 3 adults to head to TN for Student Life Camp. It was AMAZING! Speaker was Louie Giglio, worship with Fee, and concerts by Leeland and David Crowder!

There has been a lot of boating with friends and family.

Lots of celebrations...including Stacy's birthday, Andy's birthday, Hollie's bridal shower, The Willow Throw Down, and my father-in-law's 50th Birthday!

And of course during the summer you practically live in your bathing suit. Pool, beach, lake...you name it, we've been there this summer.

Ahh....it's been an awesome summer so far but it's not over...Ryan and I still haven't even taken our vacation. We're going on vacation in 2 weeks!

Hope you all are having a great summer like us.

Keep checking my blog....cuz I'm back to blogging!

BE THERE!

Be there...it's gonna be awesome!

FAIL

So this past Thursday for community group, we decided to order pizza cuz I just had one of those days and didn't feel like cooking. Well, Ryan went and picked up our 3 pizzas. I decided to put them in the oven to keep them warm. And by keeping them warm means I turned the oven on to 350 with 3 pizza boxes in it. Clearly I was not thinking. Well just as Amanda and Shaun were arriving for CG, Ryan smelled smoke and the pizza box on the bottom was up in flames. He managed to save the other 2 pizzas and after a little freaking out, we decided to let the box just burn in the oven and after it burned it went out. The house was FILLED with smoke. Just as others were arriving for community group, they were greeted by a smoke-filled house and fire alarms screaming. That just summed up how my whole day was last Thursday. Well at least I've learned a lesson.

Community Group

In case you're not aware my my church's vision...it's Connect to God, Connect to Others, and Serve the Community. I absolutely love my church and it's vision. The way our church "connects to others" is through community groups. These are groups that meet every week to discuss the message and to just be there for one another. Ryan and I have attended one for the past 6 months and we have made such solid relationships. Well, last week we started our own group. Our first night went extremely well, even though my pessimistic self tried to persuade me that it was not going to be good. I'm very excited about our group. I just wanted to share my excitement with you blog readers. Seriously I think it's extremely important to go through life with good friends by your side. I have many good friends and I'm always up for making more.

My church is probably the best thing that has happened to me. If you're looking for a fun church with loving and caring people...I encourage you to visit it. Bring your baggage, your non-perfect self, whatever religion you grew up on...it doesn't matter where you are in life. Just come as you are...
The church's website just got re-vamped...check it out. http://bayshorecc.org/

Our baby

Aww...a picture of our baby. He's a cutie. You can go make a baby too!

Just click this http://www.vw.com/vwhype/babymaker/en/us/?mId=29477148

Cute picture

I think this is one of the cutest pictures I've taken of Hana. I love my dog.

Confession

I just ate a whole bag of Hershey Special Dark Chocolate Kisses.

By the way, why are they called "special dark chocolate"?

My loves

I seriously love my husband and dog. They are my family. Here's a video I took last night of the two playing. Hana doesn't like it when you blow in her face.

Week 1 = Success

Week One of my New Year's Resolution ends in success. I hope this sets the tone for the year.

Resolutions

I've never been one to set resolutions but this year I am. I have a few. One of them is to get back on track with working out (isn't that everyone's?). I used to be so good with it and now I suck at keeping consistency. I'm not motivated. So my one resolution is to go to the gym 3 times a week. Then working up to 5 times a week. So far, so good.

Another one is to start taking a daily vitamin. I know that's weird, but once Ryan and I finally go to the grocery store (after not going for over a month...yah we have nothing to eat/drink in our house) I'm getting some vitamins.

There is one more but...I'll just leave it at that.