I can remember my first post-christmas up here in (January) 2007 when my mom ventured up with me to Wake Forest while Nick attended Passion and we found this perfect tree that I sit here now and stare at... at such a great price. I will remember that special time with her (it was our first time as two married women together) everytime I look at that tree. Remembering our first "real" Christmas season together in 2007 when Nick and I were able to put our tree up and started making traditions of our own (since we weren't preparing to move like during our first year together).Hanging out with the neighbors.
And putting our tree up and decorating our house...
This year, due to Nick's trip taking place the weekend before Thanksgiving and the entire week, I was able to talk Nick into setting up and decorating 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. I now find myself rushing out of school not b/c I had a bad day, but just so I can sit in front of our tree and listen to Christmas music.
So here I sit just soaking in the smells of the candles burning of Christmas...just wanting time to stop.
Merry CHRISTmas!
I always enjoy being around my family and I enjoy even more being away with my hubby, not at our house or either of our parents houses' but someone elses house. We had a great time this year, we had a great time reflecting on our past family times, traditions and eating habits. Our dinners together reminded me of something from a movie...lots of conversations and laughing. I can only hope we have many more family times like that.
On Saturday, the big event was UGA vs. GS game, which if you know me at all you know I don't care for football, so after the 1st quarter, I took a nice long nap on the airbead. After the game Dawn cooked a great meal of Shrimp and Grits ( a true southern dish).
Sunday was great, we went to church and was suprised by the fact it was an All Worship Sunday. As I stood their singing I was overwhelemed, there I stood, with Nick on my right, Justin and Darlene on my left and my parents, Dawn and Rick in front...how blessed I am to have a family who loves Jesus. I hadn't really ever taken time to thank God for that blessing. I know many people here in seminary who left families at home who aren't believers and I am truely blessed to have a family that loves God and can possibly understand why we are here at SEBTS.
Nick and Rick working...
Ashley and Nick on the boat.
Dawn on the wakeboard.
Dawn giving Justin a skiing lesson.
The down point to Sunday was when Nick decided to get in to cool off and lost his wedding band in the water. It was pointless to go looking, so now he will be wearing my promise ring (we exchanged at our wedding) until we are able to replace his wedding band.
Monday we were able to spend a few hours on the boat, this time Nick stayed back at the house and Lucas joined us on the boat. But, not before a breakfast of Crapes that Justin got started with Lucas helping out.
We had a great time being together without the pressures of cleaning the house, work, or the internet. We stayed with a neighbors (Ashley Mullen) mom, who lives in Gatlinburg. What a treat that was, not only did it save us from all the hotel taxes, but since she works at a hotel, she has several perks around the area. We were able to go to Ouber Gatlinburg, for free and go to Ripley's Aquarium for half price.
While I find myself back in North Carolina my heart is still in Georgia. My sweet time at home was so precious. I was able to spend time with families that mean so much to my heart, spend sweet time with mom, go for a fun ride with my dad on the motorcycle and to a baseball game, take the boat out with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew Lucas. Lucas loves to jump in...get out and jump back in! 
We also had the privilage to attend Erik and Jennifer's wedding on Saturday! What a beautiful unity of two hearts brought together by GOD. Nick claims that he helped bring them together through the ministry of AS ONE, but we all know that God is the one who brought them together!
Nick and I will be celebrating 2 years this July. We have plans to go to Tennessee to celebrate! It's hard to believe all that we have been through in two years. It's hard to think that just two years ago at this time we were planning a wedding and planning a move to Texas and now I sit in my beautiful townhome in North Carolina.
Alicia jumped right in serving ice cream (our yummy treat for the day) and then shared the gospel so well. The students were so focused on what Alicia was saying there were no problems with students trying to talk while the speaker was talking (not a usual thing with middle schoolers on Friday). They were connecting with every word Alicia said. She shared about being on mission where you are, but before she got to that point she shared who Christ was, what He did and how they could accept Him. When she finished I challenged the students to think about how they could be on mission next week at school and to come share their ideas with me on Monday. I can't wait to hear their ideas!
After almost two years Nick and I have joined the blogging world. We find ourselves in Wake Forest with Nick in his last two years at seminary and Ashley still serving as a teacher in middle school. I use the term "serving" instead of teaching, because some days I feel as if that is why God has me at this school.
We have found a church that we love, North Wake (northwake.com) ! Nick is singing in the praise team two Sunday's a month and Ashley in involved with a group that reaches out to teen moms in the area. After almost a year of membership and visiting small groups we have found one that we are excited to be apart of. The Knights/Lyons small group has already proven a blessing in the two weeks we have attended.
Nick had so much fun flying this kite! I loved watching him play and the amazing view behind him!
