Forgot to post my pictures from my Georgia trip...what was I thinking

Make a Smilebox slideshow

pictures from the last few weeks...its been busy

Erick played Joseph in the Living Christmas tree, check out the fuzz he grew on his face!


Did you know that Joseph was actually married to and angel! OH MY! :D


My Georgia not wanting to get her Christmas picture taken


Angels in the LCT! Weren't we beautiful! Erick made us do the Charlies angel pose


Erick giving the eulogy at my Pappaw's funeral, he looks mad here...he wasn't. He actually did a really great job.

Alrighty

So to catch you all up...I only have 5 more days until my Christmas break! I am very excited. VERY! I have been having a couple of "issues" at school, but as it says in James, trials test your faith. And wow it is easy to look only upon your self and not trust in our ultimate refuge. My God is bigger than my circumstances.
Next we are finally done with the LCT. I am excited, but I am very glad that I was apart of it. And I met some flat out fantastic people! Also my hair has never looked as good as it has the last couple weeks :D Thanks to Liz for curling it every night!.
Finally I finished my second masters class.I got a B, because the exam threw me for a loop. Pretty sure the teacher didn't explain what would be expected and I didn't do very well :( Oh well...A B is still passing.

I will post some new pictures soon, they are great!

When sorrow can be followed with joy

Today December 1st, my Pappaw Paul Lewis Ladd, got to meet Jesus face to face. He has a new body, is cancer free and gets to see all the people that have gone before him.

This is a time to practice my "Joy in the Journey".

This is the first time that I have ever lost anyone...ever, and I think that God let it happen in a very progressive yet preparing way. Pappaw was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and even though it did deteriorate his body pretty fast, it didn't cause him all that much pain (or so he made us think) which made it a smooth transition period for the family. He had slowly gotten weaker and weaker, until last week he was moved into a hospice house, where they took great care of him. And today he waited until my Mammaw and aunt Paulette got there to say goodbye and he slipped into a coma, smiled at them and then feel asleep forever.
It hurts to think that I will never see him or get to hug him again, but knowing that he is with Jesus, and is pain and cancer free makes it worth it.

I love you Pappaw and I can't wait to see you again.

I love Fall

Here are just somethings that I realized that I love about FALL!!
I Love the sound of leaves under my feet
I Love the smell of the fireplaces
I Love the feel of the crisp air, making me get all bundled up
I Love getting sweater hugs
I Love it when the leaves are falling
I Love it...all of it and more that I have yet to discover.

Bad thing is that I have to come home tomorrow, so I better soak it all in.

Today Erick and I took a stroll around Stone Mountain! So beautiful, I can't wait till I get home and can upload the pictures, I took some good ones! So tomorrow my friend Bridget and I are going to attempt to cook our first Thanksgiving dinner. I hope that it comes out good. We she and her husband are actually going to cook the turkey, but I am going to make the green bean casserole, and maybe make the mashed potatoes. I also saw one of favorite WOLBI people Valerie! I love her, she makes me want to be in Georgia more than anything else. She is just one of those friends that makes you feel loved and she is just filled with the Lord and it shows.
It has been quite fridged, but I am not minding it so much, once I look at the trees and the hills, it is worth the 40 degree weather during the day, and 30's at night. Right now Erick and Chris are playing wii, and I think I am about to call it a day.
I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the people around your table!
I am Thankful for my Lord, friends, and family!

Georgia Peaches and Fall Colors

I am sooo stinking excited that Erick and I will be leaving tomorrow for 6 wonderful days! We are going to Atlanta to take a long awaited vacation. So I will be having tons of pictures to post when I come back! Oh I am so excited, I love Georgia! Don't be alarmed if I don't come back! But then again it might be freezing and I am a wuss :(, I am loving the Florida weather right now!

Taste and See....The Lord is always good

So today Erick and I received some not so good news, we found out that both of us have issues in the baby making department, and if we were to put it into a percentage as to what are chances are of getting pregnant...it would be around a 12% chance (maybe lower) of conceiving naturally. Not so good. I was talking to some friends tonight about this and when I was, I wasn't feeling to bad or sad about it, I was actually thinking that it was funny. Why? Defense mechanism that helps to repress my true feelings? Feeling like no more news could make the situation harder? Well then the Lord put into my lap, that my Pappaw is in a coma, and Hospice is coming tomorrow. I have mentioned this earlier but this will be the first person in my life to die, first person that I "know" and is family. I have never experienced a death. So now I am feeling it... (Teri :( )My heart is aching, I realized I have been ran down by a steam roller, and my husband is not here to hold me. But then at the same time I feel comforted, like a spiritual fight. Half of me ready to make a HUGE pity party, and the other half whispering...Relax...Stop being so hormonal... Hold onto Hope...pain will only last for a night...joy in the morning...come to me weary and heavy laden I want to give you rest...rest from your plans...I am here to bring peace not confusion...my thoughts are higher than yours my plans are better than yours...Taste and see, I am good.
Sorry if I am bringing any of you down, I guess I just need accountability.

Copy from Carly

I wanted to think about 7 random facts about me, and share them with whom ever wants to read and learn about me.

1. I hate to iron, I know a lot of people probably have this same fact, but it is so bad that I can't wear half of my wardrobe :(

2. I love Agatha Christie books...LOVE THEM...she is one of my favorite females authors, she has been dead for many many years, but she wrote some great books before she died. They are like a Boxcar Children for adults. My favorite male author is Frank Peretti. Beware when you pick ones of his books up it is hard to put down. I haven't had much time to read lately, but shoot these authors run through my mind when I am bored and call me to read them!

3. I can't get work done in a messy, congested, loud room. When I am doing work (for my Master's) I need to have silence and order, or I can't get a thing done. My husband on the other side can read a book in the mall...crazy.

4. On the similar lines but not, I have to sleep with a noise machine because I can't sleep with peace and quiet.

5. I don't drink soda or coke. Gross I had some Cherry pepsi the other day I had 3 sips and couldn't drink anymore. I get head aches from the sugar and caffeine anyways. I try not to consume that much caffeine in a day, maybe just a green tea's amount which is about 1/3rd a cup.

6. I actually like Chemistry...I just don't like to teach it because I get frustrated when I do my best to explain it but have half of the class talking or doing work from another class...ahhh and then they are like what I don't get it, do it again.

7. I am a tea freak, not like your normal sweet tea, but like herbal and jasmine green tea, I normally have a cup or two a day! I bought out Teavana the first time I went!

So there is a little more about me!

These are fun to think about...

1 . Where did you meet? At church, at the vine, a singles ministry
2. How long did you date? 6 weeks!
3. How long have you been married? 2 years and half
4. What does he say that surprises you? He loves me and thinks that I am the most beautiful wife.
5. What is your favorite feature of his? His eyes!
6. What is your favorite quality of his? He has such a passions for youth of this generation, and he is a softy.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? We call eachother Sug or Bubba
8. What is his favorite color? Well he looks great in yellow and orange
9. What is his favorite food? Mayonaise...does that count, or nachos
10. What is his favorite sport? football and Basketball
11. When and where did you first kiss? On the couch at my dad's house...it was his first kiss:)
12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Watch box sets and travel
13. Do you have any children? Our pets at the moment- Georgia the dog, and Leo the cat
14. Does he have a hidden talent? He is very smart and is a talented writer
15. How old is he? 26
16. Who said, “I love you” first? He did
17. What is his favorite type of music? He likes Harry Connick and Blues
18. What do you most admire about him? How he interact with students and everyone loves him
19. Do you think he will read this? I am going to make him, so yes!

Ok Teri and eveyone else that has been on the edge of your seat ALL DAY!

Here are the lovely before pictures!


And the long awaited after pictures



Here was my inspiration...Sandra

I am going to go get my haircut today

I am excited I haven't got my hair cut for...well lets just say it was with Carly before she moved away which was before school ended last year 7 Months ago! So if I like it...or not I will post it later! I know you are in crazy anticipation!

A Sessions Wedding

This weekend Erick and I went to celebrate the marriage of his Uncle Randy to his new Aunt Stephanie, and Erick was the one to perform the marriage!! It was a nice time with family.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I love my Papaw!

This weekend I went to visit my sweet Papaw who is now in a physical rehabilitation center, because he is not able to walk, has very low blood pressure and is always tired. So sad :( But her are some pictures from my visit.



A little more about Papaw, he was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer about a year ago and this is what he used to look like
Before



And the pictures on top show the after effects of cancer, he lost about 200 pounds! Whoa! But the Lord has been good to him, he tells us that he is not in a lot of pain, and that makes me feel better.

A Biblical Perspective...a good reminder

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (Romans 13:1)

This day in our country we will vote for the men and women who will lead us for several years. Their beliefs and philosophies will impact our lives far beyond their specific terms in office. The choice we make is both a rare privilege and an awesome responsibility.

There are three perspectives that would be good for us to review as we prepare to exercise this duty.

First to consider is what this will require of us as subjects of those who are appointed over us. We will be required to:

• Submit to the laws they enact (1 Peter 2:13).
• Pay the taxes they require (Romans 13:6).
• Honor their authority (1 Peter 2:17).
• Pray for them by name (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
• Fear them if we do evil (Romans 13:4).
Then, there is the anticipated behavior of what we should expect them to do. They should:

• Be a terror to evil works (Romans 13:3).
• Exercise the "sword" of judgment against those who do evil (Romans 13:4).
• Promote a "quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:2).
• Punish evil and praise good (1 Peter 2:14).
Finally, all who ultimately are placed in authority over men are there by God's appointment (our text). Sometimes the most unassuming are raised up (1 Samuel 2:8) or the evil leader is used to demonstrate God's power (Romans 9:17). We must seek God's will in our choices, but we can be assured that He is in charge (Psalm 11:4).

It's an aOBAMAnation

I am not surprised that Obama won, but I do feel very uncertain.I just don't like the fact that the US will be ran primarily by a VERY liberal left side. Also just think of all the poor babies that will not have a chance...I would adopt them. The good news is that God has allowed for this man to be put into office, and God is still in charge!

26 years ago something wonderful happened!

At 8:28am October 31, 1982 I decided to enter the world with all my spunk and curiousity!
It is easy to think that our birthdays are just a day that people get to eat cake and celebrate with you, and buy you gifts. But lets think differently about birthdays. First of all thank you mom for not aborting me, and thank you mom for being married and excited for the coming of me. Also thank you Lord for having a plan for my life and for leading me through every circumstance every storm in my life, knowing that every trial, or joy was to mold me into who I am today. Thank you for every day and every breath that you have allowed me to take. Knowing that since I am still here that you have something for me to accomplish, I have purpose, a reason to be here, not an accident! Thank you for the husband that I have, and that I can share each day and moment with.
I pray that you would remind me daily that every day is a gift and that it should not be wasted. Don't waste your life, reader, God has a plan, you just need to seek Him out and step by step He will lead you.

So Happy Birthday to me and a very Happy (un)Birthday to you!

Erick and I carved a Pumpkin

In case you can't tell what it is...it is ghosts that are looking out of a window!! Spooky huh! It is a little wilty but hey its Florida and humid!

And this little white pumpkin I made into a flower pot! Trying to be creative!

Cell Pictures....but they don't show how awesome it really was :(

I know it is blurry and you can't make out anything...but this is the inside of the cell!!

Here is my lovely student Alison, she was a huge help with the "touring" of the cell.(This is the only "good" shot of the inside, I didn't realize that I had it on ZOOM!)

Here are Mark and Claire, they also were a huge help in creating the cell and giving tours to the Elementary students.

This was the doorway, but we had to have students stand guard and hold the door shut so that it wouldn't deflate on the poor kids inside! (Notice the cilia on the outside)

Here is the whole cell. I would have to say that for the first attempt(and with amazing Teri's help :D ) It was a success. I am proud of my kids!

HAHA I honestly can't believe that I put the picture up of me with my teeth missing...wow! So I will be deleting that picture later on today but I will let you enjoy it for a little while longer and then I will be placing it back into the Disney vault...maybe one day it will come back out in blue-ray!!

Pics from the past

I have been having problems with my camera and have not been able to download the cell that my class made or the cute pumpkins that my husband and I carved! So I wanted to post and thought "Hey I have some picture from college!!" Not that you all want to see what I was doing with my hair 5 years ago but hey everyone loves to look at pictures!




Some of you don't know that I am actually from West Virginia (Sorry Josh) Ha! this is actually from a car accident that I was in 2002, but it did happen in North Carolina! I have a bridge that I know will one day fall off when I am teaching.








These pictures were from my trip to Australia, I flew over there by myself (I did meet a friend there) But it was the adventure I always wanted to take!



This is the time I was in North Carolina and experienced "fall" Oh it makes my heart happy to see this picture!





Here are some pictures from my college days!


(Don't mind my ex but this was like the best hair day ever!)






The day that I went RV shopping..this particular one was 1.3 million!

Okay I had fun going through these pictures and I hope that you had fun going through my past as well..notice I didn't show you any awkward moments!! Maybe later.

Revival

This week we have had a revival speaker in our church. We have had the priviledge to have this speaker also talk in our high school everyday. We have had the Spirit working wonders in many of our students lives. It is awesome to see young men and women respond to the Lord's leading in their lives. We have students that have made confessions that will set them free from a lot of baggage they have been harboring for long times. We had students feel the call to the ministry. We have students that have learned the art of forgiveness and repentance. WOW! It has been awesome and I am thankful that I have been apart of this wonderful work, in their lives.

I made a larger than life cell!

Well I actually didn't do very much of it I had my Biology students, Science club kids, and my wonderful friend Teri help me to construct it. I will post pictures of it later, but it is very cool I must admit. Next week we are going to give tours through the cell to the Elementary students in our school. I think that they will enjoy it!

I will post later about it, and show you pictures!

Last week of my first Master's Class!!

I can't believe how fast these last 8 weeks have gone! But since it is the last week I have a 15 page paper, and a 100 question quiz, and other things due this sunday night! So if I seem to go incognito, I have hidden myself away, so that I don't wait till the last night to complete my paper :D. Pray for me I am so tired and still dealing with some health issues...not fun health issues :(

But on the good side, I do have an appointment to go see a fertility doctor on Monday...I am actully very nervous, because what if I do become pregnant?? I mean I really really want to be a mommy, but I guess that when I actully am and realize the impact that will have on my life...WHOA! But I can't wait.

Fireproof

If you haven't seen the movie Fireproof, what are you waiting for?? This movie was phenomenal! I saw it twice already and I cried both times. This is a great movie to go see with your spouse, even though it is about a troubled marriage it makes you feel closer and makes you cherish your marriage. Plus it has Kirk Cameron in it!

This movie was filmed in Georgia and it makes me want to pack up and move there. It is so beautiful with its oak trees, open forests, and non-stucco homes! The town of Albany is so easy going and laid back compared to the busy Naples.


Go see Fireproof! Perfect date night movie...if you need a sitter I will come over for you!

What was figured out...

Nothing!!!!
I go in for some different procedures on October 17th. I was also told to go see an endocrinologist.
But there was only guesses about what it could be...bacterial infection, viral infection, celiacs, and IBS (which I have been told that I have, and has no cure!), but these won't be known until a couple biosies and tests are done.

Continue to pray for me please...I feel more discouraged than before and I am so sick of having these problems.

Thank you friends

My doctor appointment is tomorrow

I am going over to the Cleveland clinic tomorrow to have a long awaited Dr.s appointment. I have been referred to this Dr. So I hope that he is worth the trip to Weston.
At least Erick and I get to sleep in for a couple hours! I will let my friends know what the Doc says if anything new or good :(

If we truly LOVE God we will naturally want to please Him...

The First and Greatest Commandment

Jesus replied, " 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

— Matthew 22:37–38


Some years ago, around three hundred whales were found marooned on a beach. Scientists speculated that the whales had been chasing sardines and became trapped in shallow water when the tide went out.

Now that's an amazing thing. By chasing little sardines, these gigantic creatures were ultimately led to their doom.

Many people waste their lives chasing sardines, so to speak. They major on the minors and have no clear focus or objective in mind.

But God tells us what should be the primary goal of every Christian. If we can get our priorities straight in this area, everything else will come together. In fact, if we can get these two principles operating in our lives, then all the commandments of God will become a natural outflow of our commitment to Him.

What are these principles? One,
" 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind' " (Matthew 22:37); and two, " 'Love your neighbor as yourself' " (verse 38).

When Jesus spoke these words, He was identifying what should be the focus of every person. Essentially, He was saying that love is the basis for all obedience. If you really love God, then you will naturally want to do the things that please Him.

It has been said, "If you aim at nothing, you are bound to hit it." What is your highest priority in life? What are your goals?

We all channel our energies and passions and thoughts toward something in life. What is it for you?

Erick got a MAC

My husband has been nagging me for a MAC for a long time, and I wanted one too, but they are kind of expensive and we don't have the extra money at the moment. Well Erick convinced me that we could get a Best Buy credit card and have no interest for like 18 months..so Happy bithday, Merry Christmas for 3 years. I am serious. But anyways I haven't figured everything out yet, but it is nice. I noticed that my bud Erin has one, if she can figure it out than I can (hehe just kidding :D ).

Speaking of Erin I got to meet her new baby, Hope (Little cutie). Oh it makes me yearn for my own. Just to be able to look into a tiny precious little face that you and your husband made. That baby was chosen to be yours...you have the privilege to raise and love this tiny life. Such a blessing, such a privilege.