The Rest of January...

So I've been gone for like half a month.

This is because I don't have internet at my apartment and bum off Ryan from down the road...however. This doesn't always produce the best signal and I simply have not had the signal to do a post and have been to lazy to go to his house with my computer. (Forgive journalism gods for that extremely long sentence.)

So since the last post not much has happened. I got to go my cousin Anna's birthday party and loved getting to spend special time with my little cousins.

The birthday girl and I. She is just such a beautiful little girl!

The birthday girl in her princess outfit at her party.  

Little sister Ellery. She is just so tiny and adorable. And slept the whole time!  Oh to be a baby!! =)

 Then there's this one. And she is absolutely a mini me hilarious. Her personality is just precious. I have a great story on her, but will save for another post. 

I love this picture. My 17 year old brother willingly went to a 5 year old girls birthday party and then played princesses with his "almost 3" year old cousin and her cousin. Just precious. He did get to be the prince. Audrey had given him Sleeping Beauty's prince, but she was playing with Ariel. She finally found Prince Eric and informed Brett (Prince Philip) that she didn't want to marry him anymore, she wanted to marry the other prince. HA! Love her!!!!

 And this adorable handsome little guy came over too. He definitely looks like he is one riding the rocking horse all by himself. He also was walking with the help of a grocery buggie toy. So precious. 

 And she got a bike for her birthday! It was so cute when we heard the bell ring. She had no idea she was getting it. (She also got a pogo stick.) I think she'll be riding and bouncing around in no time!

I have been cooking a lot lately and decided to document the things I make. Just for future reference. One night I made taco tilapia. Just mix taco seasoning with the tilapia. It was actually really good. I have also attempted made a lemon-butter-garlic sauce to go with tilapia. It was pretty good. 

These are stuffed bell peppers I made. They had yellow rice, turkey meat, tomatoes and cheese in them. Pretty good I think. And that's coming from someone who doesn't like bell peppers. 

I wanted to include this because I think it is a funny story. My sister made this shirt for my Grandma when she was probably 8 or so. My Grandma wore it Anna's birthday party and Audrey told her she didn't like cats. My Grandma said well this cat is nice. Audrey looked at her and said very matter-of-factly "I DON'T LIKE THAT BLACK CAT EITHER!" Haha! So Audrey. 

What's My Purpose...

Do you ever have those days when you wonder what your purpose in life is? Today is one of those days. I sit at work and wonder if this is what I'm meant to do, or if I sold out because it was the first job that came to me. And then I wonder if I'm where I'm suppose to be. I wonder what God's plan is for me. But then I stop and think, yes, this is where I should be. At least for now. I know God would not have opened the doors for me to be where I'm at if it wasn't meant to be. I have to continually remind myself of Jeremiah 29:11-

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

It is sometimes a daily struggle. Somedays I feel so confident in where I am in life and other days, like today, I just don't know. I feel so close to tears at times while I'm at work. Hopefully this afternoon will be better. Christian music helps my day go by so much faster. And it often lifts my spirits. I just hope it will lift them this afternoon.

ARCA License Baby!

Ryan got his ARCA license today!!!! Woo-hoo! Way to go babe!

His stats on the ARCA website today. He is 16th. Going 179.9 MPH....

Getting strapped into the car.

And a really quick video of him going by the start finish line. (If it will load!!)

Congrats babe on your ARCA license! Next stop NASCAR!!!

Snowing and Sewing!

Northeast Texas got covered in snow! (OK, so 4 inches isn't a massive amount, but hey, I'm from Texas.)

Here is my philosophy on snow.

It's great and pretty while it's falling and all perfect and white on the ground. But after a day, it starts getting yucky and interferes with driving and other stuff and begins to be a nuisance. Before leaving for work on Monday, I had to use my Swiffer mop to scrape the snow off the front of my car. (It's a Jeep and I can't reach the middle of the windshield since I'm only five feet tall.8) ) Instead of playing in it, I just watched it fall down. If there's no one to play in it with, then it's not as fun.

All the fun I had with snow. =)

I also created my first "clothing" with my new sewing machine. I made a pillowcase dress for my little cousin for her birthday. ( Sorry it's sideways!)

And then I decided to make her American girl doll a matching dress!

I was so happy with how they turned out. I just hope she likes them too! 

Christmas Catch Up!

I guess I should put some Christmas stuff up. My family doesn't ever really do much for Christmas. The biggest thing is getting together with the family. Or to me that's the biggest thing. I don't care much for presents. Honest. 

Some of my favorite moments from Christmas

Spending a pre-Christmas weekend with my favorite people from Argyle. 

 Sweet girl!

 Love her dimples!

Then it was off to my aunt's for Christmas with my dad's side of the family. 

Cutest red head I know!

 My Grandpa playing Barbies with two of his great-granddaughters. So sweet!

Anna with baby Jasmine. I loved getting to play with her!

 Mr. Daxton Ace! He is absolutely adorable!

Little Miss Audrey. She is "painting" her face with the perfume right now. She kept Brett and I rolling all afternoon!

 Meeting this beauty for the first time. Little Ellery!

This picture of Brett (my little brother) just cracks me up. 

My Grandmother opening the "rocket" my cousin Blair gave her for Christmas. It was rather comical. 

I loved getting this panoramic print of Ryan racing at Nashville for him for Christmas. I think he loved it. Hopefully we will get to add a Daytona picture soon as well as some other awesome tracks!

Speaking of Ryan, he left today for an ARCA test at Daytona International Speedway. =( 

I'm so excited for him for the opportunity that popped up. He will test at Daytona and if all goes well come back to Texas with his ARCA license. I know he is sooo excited. Right now I'm just so worried about them getting out of east Texas since it snowed here all day and the roads are yucky. Normally I would love snow, but not so much today. 

Coming soon: my new sewing room and snow!

G.T. and the Halo Express

As a child we listened to these cassettes all the time. They have cute, catchy songs that help you memorize Bible verses. To this day, if my preacher mentions a verse that was a song, I will start singing it in church. You can find the CDs here: www.gthalo.com

The 7 CD collection is around $80 with shipping. I know it seems steep but it is soo worth it! Especially for children. It helps you "hide God's word in your heart!" 

I am reliving my childhood right now with all the CD's!!!! Loving it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

California Love

From my sister....who is in California.