Busy Weekend!

I'm so excited about this weekend. Worker Man and I have a lot going on. We're going out to eat with my parents tonight and then early tomorrow morning we are headed to Camp Lurecrest. Worker Man and I are going to camp for a Bible Seminar for the day. We'll be studying Titus and we're so so excited.

Thennnn, we're headed to Charlotte to spend the night with his brother and wife because we're going to Baby J's baptism. We're can't wait to be a part of this special day.

Later on that night we have to make it back to church for our first Financial Peace University class by Dave Ramsey.

We've got a lot on our plate.

I'm sure I'll have some good reports next week :)

Workin' it!

At my parent's house one Saturday morning, mom decides we need to exercise. We tune into FitTV and start getting our workout on.

It looked like this nice little kickboxing class but really...we about died.

Mom working on her jabs.

Me doing the same (yes, I'm in my PJs. I was not planning on this)

A little kicking.

Mom straining like crazy.

Finally she rolled over and stated (rather harshly I might add): "Does the name Jillian mean anything to you??"

She won't even watch The Biggest Loser because she thinks that Jillian is mean and uber harsh. And then, she incenuates that I, her own flesh and blood, am like the Jillian Michaels.

I actually took it as a compliment....Thank you very much.

She gave up when it got the this part. She was tired of getting critiqued.

Then, she just laughing at me straining and enjoyed taking pictures of my pain.

Works for Me Wednesdays!

I’ve never been a great card-giver. For birthdays I’m always the one that gives a present without a card. Number one, I hate to spend $5 on a Hallmark birthday card that’s just going to be thrown away. And, number two, I never think to go out and stock up on cards...so I have to buy one on the way to the party.

When I married into Worker Man’s family I was introduced to the most brilliant idea. His mom gives each of her daughter/daughter-in-laws a Hallmark box from Costco. This box is filled with cards for every occasion but they’re not the lame-o cards that normally come in a variety box. They are like, awesome cards. There are always a lot of 3-D cards and pop-up cards and all kinds of neat stuff. Each year, she will buy them at Costco and replenish our supply. It definitely works for me!

Jump on over to Shannon’s blog to read lots of other WFMW tips.

Busted out the sewing machine

After I removed the three-inch layer of dust from my sewing machine and gave myself a little Sewing 101 review, I attempted to make this.

I brought my sewing machine home from my parent’s house a few months ago and I keep hoping to start sewing again but I’ve had trouble getting started. Well, this tutorial seemed to make it super easy so I took a stab at it.

Here are a few pictures of the process:

The finished product!

I bought some other material at the same time that I like better but I decided to do this one first just in case I really messed up.

I’m hoping to make a few of them and have the monogrammed for birthday gifts!

TAG YOU'RE....wait...I'm it.

8 Things About Me!

FMIL tagged me to do this so...here's my attempt:

8 TV Shows I Watch: (Though this is a stretch. I rarely watch t.v.)
1) 24 (WOOHOO!)
2) The Biggest Loser
3) CSI: Miami
4) Friends
5) Reba
6) Living Single
7) Still Standing
8) Americas Next Top Model

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1) Kampi (Japanese steakhouse)
2) Olive Garden
3) Maggiano's
4) PF Chang's
5) Chili's
6) Cheesecake Factory (dessert only)
7) Mellow Mushroom
8) Chick-fil-A

8 Things that Happened to Me Today:
1) Did my devotions
2) Went to work
3) Drank Coffee
4) Ate a Krispy Kreme doughnut (whoops...totally worth the calories)
5) Ate oatmeal for breakfast and lunch (yeah, the doughnut was a snack)
6) Journaled - my form of anger management :)
7) Checked on Harper (you should too)
8) This hasn't happened yet BUT I'm about the leave for a girl's night out with KC and MJ, yay!

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1) Girls Night Out
2) Friday afternoon
3) Going to the Camp Lurecrest seminar on Saturday
4) Going to see Worker Man's family on Sunday and seeing Baby J baptized
5) Going to our first Dave Ramsey financial class on Sunday
6) Becoming a better wife (whew, I have a long way to go)
7) Flip flops and tank tops
8) Becoming a mommy (not any time soon though :)

8 Things I Wish Pray For:
1) Becoming more dedicated to Jesus Christ daily
2) Good health for me and my family
3) To be used by God
4) To be continuously joyful
5) More girlfriends in this area
6) That I could show Worker Man more and more how much he means to me (stole this from FMIL)
7) More involvement in my church
8) The financial means to travel A LOT!

Difficult practice.

I am currently read this book and it has been really good.

Last night, I almost finished it but right before the last chapter, I fell asleep.

There is one part I read last night (don't worry, this isn't going to ruin it for you if you haven't read it) where the main character is talking with God about forgiving someone. God tells the character, "for you to forgive this man is for you to release him to me and allow me to redeem him."

The character later on asks God if it is okay that he is still angry with the person who wronged him. God replies "Absolutely!...But don't let the anger and pain and loss you feel prevent you from forgiving him and removing your hands from around his neck".

This is such a difficult thing for me to practice if I am angry and truly upset with someone but I know that God has covered me with his grace and love and today I pray that I would be able to extend that same grace and love to others, forgiving and allowing God to work.

Have a great Friday y'all!

Finally I can tell you.

I wanted to blog about this when it happened but then I felt like it would unsafe because Worker Man was out of town and I didn't want the Boogie Man to get me.

He left on Sunday from my parent's house to go back to work. After work, when he was leaving to go out of town, he stopped by our house to grab his clothes. I had stayed at my parent's house and didn't get home till Monday night. When I walked in, I found these posted all over the house in random places.

I have a sweet husband.

Okay, enough talking about him. My next post won't be about him, promise.

Oh, and yeah, I edited the photo because FMIL is going to be reading this...

I miss him!

Update: So when Worker Man got home he mentioned that he had read this post and he was a little disappointed because he thought I was going to actually describe things that I missed about him through these pictures. Soooo, I'm going to try to give it another shot. But, I must be honest, it's a whole lot easier to be sweet when I haven't seen him for three days :)

Worker Man has been out of town but he comes home today!

Here's what I miss about him...

He's crazy.

I'll leave this one. It's very true.

Putting up Christmas lights.

He's patient with me. Even when he has untangle/put up 5 bazillion strings of Christmas lights on our tree because I want that thing to glow like the Northern Star (or something like that).

I have no idea.

He makes his face look like that as soon as I pull out the camera...I'm rubbing off on him.

I was trying to change the sheets and he wouldn't get out of the bed!

Although he doesn't like to do the chores around the house,
he'll keep me entertained during the process.



I can't wait for him to be home!


Those are just few of the many.

The Gear of Worker Man.

Worker Man has recently fallen in love with Carhartt everything.

When he was putting up the front door he was in his Worker Man uniform.

His pants.

Shirt.

And hat.

Sorry to disappoint, but no underwear this time :)


I love me a country boy.

The Ideal Fruit Basket

At mom's house this weekend I was introduced to the ideal fruit basket.

No rotten fruit!

Wii-in' it!

Worker Man and I went round and round about what we should get each other for Christmas. We realized that everything we were going to be asking for was practical and that's just no fun.
So, we decided to get each other a Wii for Christmas.

It was such a great idea. It has been sooo fun!!

The other night, two of my S&C girls came and we played Wii Fit for a while.

KC attempting to head a soccer ball.

MJ also making the attempt.

About a month ago, we had Leslie and Brad over for supper.

I never got a picture of Brad playing but here's a picture of him hanging out.

Worker Man boxing...

Leslie workin' it. She was NO joke.

We also took it to my parent's house when we got it. This was our first night on the Wii Fit Board so it took everyone a while to get used to it.

Worker Man about to fall off.

Me trying to ski. I think I get a little too into it.

SL picking her nose/playing the Wii. She'll appreciate this picture, I'm sure.

And, I'm sorry to have to post this but I need for y'all to understand our dedication/addiction:


Colby (my brother) gave Worker Man some Wii boxers for Christmas.

Praying for Harper!

Please pray for The Stamps family.

Kelly, Scott, and Harper need your prayers right now. Harper is in critical condition.

Click on the button to hear updates about Harper.

Stud Searchin'

Worker Man is very talented when it comes to fixing things around the house. When he bought the house we live in now he completely re-did the bathroom all by himself.

Well, he got a new front door for Christmas and last Saturday he put it in. I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous because he tends to get a little hammer happy, start the job, and then take any where from two weeks to two months to finish the job. So, needless to say, with him knocking a huge hole in the front of the house, I was really hoping that this would not turn into a two month-long project. But, he put up the door effortlessly. Even my dad was impressed (which says a lot).

Well, with his pride came more hammer happiness.

I was in the study on the computer and I kept hearing all this banging. I wasn't really thinking about it but after a little bit I finally realized it was coming from the bedroom. I look in there and Worker Man is standing there with a hammer and nail looking guilty.

Sidenote: About a week prior to all this, we had talked about the possibility of opening my closet from a single door to double doors. We never got further than talking about it but apparently talking about it means we should get started right away.

I ask what he's been doing with his hammer and nail and he replies, "finding a stud". Like I said earlier, Worker Man knows how to do things. Like Worker Man things. Obviously, you do not need to use a hammer and nail to find a stud so I start getting worried.

I look to the wall that he's been banging on and here's what I see:

Apparently Worker Man thinks that he should resort to nailing holes in the wall to find a stud.

Thank goodness there's a picture that hangs there. If you look close, you can see one hole on the left that's not covered.

Wow.

Verse 2.

Today is the day for the next verse!

I am excited to think that at the end of this year I will be able to quote 24 new verses.

The verse from the beginning of this month (Isaiah 33:6) has been such a blessing already so I know that an additional 23 will be incredible in helping keep my mind and heart focused on the Creator of life.

If you want to join in, you can start now.

Here's the second verse I have decided to memorize:

"The Lord your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."

--Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Stupid DVR.

I am addicted to 24. Anyone who has known me during a 24 season knows that I HAVE to see it. I started in college and it was a huge deal. We would have 24 parties. These parties entailed supper or deserts, tons of people, and lights out with complete silence while the show was on. If you needed to be on your cell phone you had to leave the room.

With 24 not being on the air last season my love for this show has grown in anticipation for this season. I think I’m at the point of no return. After Sunday night’s part one of the season premier, I was already addicted. The second part aired last night from 8-10.

FMIL, Mom, Mom’s BF, and I all attend Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) on Monday nights and it takes just about all night. We leave at 6 and don’t get home until 9:30. Therefore, Worker Man and I are forced to record 24 on our DVR and watch it after I get home. Last night, Worker Man was out of town so when I got home, he was watching the end of the show at the hotel. He raved during a commercial break about how this episode was sooooo good and how I needed to watch it. It couldn’t wait until another night. I started the show from the beginning and was really getting into it when Worker Man called. I paused the show to answer and all the sudden, the screen switched to something different. I started explaining it to Worker Man and he couldn’t figure out what was going on either. I went back to the list of shows recorded and 24 was gone, I mean GONE.

I got so upset I just went straight to bed. Even though I had planned on getting other things done last night I didn’t care. I just wanted to forget about the whole tragedy.

I would have probably called in sick to work and sulked in my bed all day today but I know they’ll post it online soon and I will be able to watch it tonight.

I hate stupid technology. Stupid DVR.

Well…except for the internet… because now I get to watch it tonight.

An innocent little trip to Belk.

I have to preface this post by saying that I have no idea how I can portray this story in writing so that it will be anywhere near as funny as it actually was.

Tonight I was telling Worker Man about it in Target and I started crying from laughing so hard, almost peed in my pants, and literally was squealing/spitting while trying to explain this.

He didn't really get it.

So, if when this doesn't make any sense whatsoever... come back tomorrow and maybe I will have something for you that makes a little more sense.

......

Today my friend Heather and I went to run errands together and I wanted to stop by Belk. It's been like a month since I have bought a new purse and you know, that is waaaay too long. I had some gift cards so we went to see if there was anything I couldn't live without.

Sidenote: I found something I liked, had the nice lady ring it up and then realized, I forgot my gift cards!! I'm an idiot.

Keep in mind all that I'm about to tell you happened in about 10 seconds.

On the way in, there was a parking space available and as I pulled in, I realized that there was one of the small Belk carts in the space. Well, since Monique (my 1992 Camry) is a beast, I felt like she could handle a little tap of the cart to get it out of the way. The parking lot was pretty empty and I didn't really feel like it would be an issue. Heather offered to get out and just move it but I quickly assured her that Monique could handle it.

Yes, I know you're wondering WHY I needed to park in the one spot that had a shopping cart in it if the whole lot was empty and to be honest, I do not have a good answer. I don't think I really thought about it until this whole situation was over.

So, as I tap the cart to move it out further in front of me, I notice a woman walking through the parking lot towards her car. Then, suddenly, the buggy takes a quick turn to the right and starts heading towards one of the like five cars in the massive parking lot.

Immediately I begin to SCREAM at Heather. Yelling "GET OUT OF THE CAR, GET IT, GET, GET IT" repeatedly. And, because I don't think she is moving fast enough, I begin smacking the side of her thigh while still screaming the same line over and over. I am so focused on watching the buggy I hardly realize that Heather is trying her best to unlock the door, get out of her seatbelt, and catch the cart. Finally she turns around and yells (please know, she is not a yeller) "I'M TRYING!!!"

During all of this, the woman walking through the parking lot has sprinted to catch the buggy seconds before it slams into the only new car in the parking lot.

Finally, after I stop screaming and beating her, Heather figures out how to unfasten her seat belt, unlock the door, and only then is she able to get out.

Just as she stands up, the sprinter turns around and glares at us like two crazy people. Quickly Heather wishes that she hadn't figured out the whole unlock the door and unfasten the seat belt thing.

We quickly explained that it was already there and how I tapped it when I pulled in.

Then we walked away with our heads down and our tails between our legs.

I'm sorry for the bruises Heather.

Memorizing.

I often read a blog by Beth Moore and her daughters that provides me a good outlet for refocusing on what is truly important. In their posts, it is easy to see that God works in their lives all the time. Even in daily relationships, struggles or problems, it is easy to see God’s fingerprints all over their lives. Reading this provides me a little focus during my day.

Beth (I’m talking about her like I know her on a personal, first-name basis…but I don’t) posted a challenge during the last days of December as an idea for the New Year. She challenged readers, if led, to commit to memorizing scripture verses with her. It’s so easy to let this piece of a person’s spiritual walk fall by the wayside without accountability partners. So, she decided to find some virtual accountability partners. Her guidelines are that you post a verse you feel led to memorize on the first and fifteenth of each month. Therefore, by the end of the year, you will have memorized 24 scripture verses.


When I read this, I knew I had to join. The scripture verses that I have memorized in the past have been so important. When I’m in difficult or stressful situations it always calms my soul when a verse I have memorized comes to mind. I know it is so critical and yet it is a part of my walk that I so easily overlook.


The catch to this is that you must be committed. You have to post the verse you feel led to memorize (in the comments of Beth’s blog) on the first and the fifteenth of every month and really work hard at it (meditating on it if you’re not so good at memorizing). If you don’t know what verse you would like to memorize, it’s easy to look at the comments section and see if someone has chose a verse that tugs at your heart. I think the group is over 3000 people at this point. If you want to join…head on over and check it out.


My verse for the first part of January is:

“He is your constant source of stability. He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him.”
--Isaiah 33:6 NET


Also, I just wanted to post this scripture because I feel like it is so clear in how memorizing scripture can be instrumental in my walk with Christ.

“How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it.”
-Psalms 119:9-16 (The Message)

May I strive to live my life this way.

"Everyone else is doin' it"

So I'm typically not a fan of all these kinds of things but I thought this was kinda neat.

The ones in bold are things that I have done. If you'd like to join in just copy this and bold the ones you've done before :)

Many of the things I haven't done, I would LOVE to do!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Been to Disneyland/world
7. Climbed a mountain.
8. Held a praying mantis
9. Sang a solo
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Taught yourself an art from scratch
14. Adopted a child
15. Had food poisoning
16. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
17. Grown your own vegetables (starting in the spring)
18. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
19. Slept on an overnight train
20. Had a pillow fight
21. Hitch hiked
22. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
23. Built a snow fort
24. Held a lamb
25. Gone skinny dipping
26. Run a Marathon (a 5K is the closest I’ll ever get)
27. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
28. Seen a total eclipse
29. Watched a sunrise or sunset
30. Hit a home run
31. Been on a cruise
32. Seen Niagara Falls in person
33. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
34. Seen an Amish community
35. Taught yourself a new language (lived in Peru last summer, not sure how much I actually learned…)
36. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
37. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
38. Gone rock climbing
39. Seen Michelangelo’s David
40. Sung karaoke
41. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
42. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
43. Visited Africa
44. Walked on a beach by moonlight
45. Been transported in an ambulance
46. Had your portrait painted
47. Gone deep sea fishing
48. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
49. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
50. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
51. Kissed in the rain
52. Played in the mud
53. Gone to a drive-in theater
54. Been in a movie (heck yes…home video!)
55. Visited the Great Wall of China
56. Started a business
57. Taken a martial arts class
58. Visited Russia
59. Served at a soup kitchen
60. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
61. Gone whale watching
62. Gotten flowers for no reason
63. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
64. Gone sky diving (soon with my FIL)
65. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (no, but been to the Holocaust Museum, so sad)
66. Bounced a check
67. Flown in a helicopter
68. Saved a favorite childhood toy
69. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
70. Eaten Caviar
71. Pieced a quilt (at least I tried…)
72. Stood in Times Square
73. Toured the Everglades
74. Been fired from a job
75. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
76. Broken a bone (I think I broke my nose by swimming into the side of a pool on a BoyScout family trip….I’m talented. My mom still thinks my nose is crooked)
77. Been on a speeding motorcycle
78. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
79. Published a book
80. Visited the Vatican
81. Bought a brand new car
82. Walked in Jerusalem
83. Had your picture in the newspaper
84. Read the entire Bible (working on it now)
85. Visited the White House
86. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
87. Had chickenpox (aaaand shingles – along with my brother, sister, husband, aunt, and grandpa….I think that’s a record)
88. Saved someone’s life
89. Sat on a jury
90. Met someone famous (Jesus :)
91. Joined a book club
92. Lost a loved one
93. Had a baby
94. Seen the Alamo in person
95. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
96. Been involved in a lawsuit
97. Owned a cell phone
98. Been stung by a bee

photo op.

We did not realize this during our family photo shoot, but apparently, if you stand just right under the sweet little Moravian star hanging on my parent's front porch...

YOU LOOK LIKE THE STATUE OF LIBERTY!

So, if at all possible, just ignore the nice headpiece seen from time to time.

Here is the first photo that was taken. I promise we didn't even realize the star was doing this until AFTER I downloaded them!

Me, SL, and 2Shaye

All the chicas

The kiddos

I don't even know...

Trying to get a good one...

Ahhh, perfect.

Happy Wednesday!

Scott Family Christmas

After we wake up and do Christmas at my parent's house, we go to my PaPa's (Dad's dad) house. We all make breakfast, read the Christmas story and open gifts.

We have a few gag gifts mixed in that get passed to different people each year.

Last year, because Worker Man was new to the family, he received two of the gag gifts. We left them with my mom to keep till this year because we knew that with all the moving chaos we would probably lose them. This year we were trying to find them and realized that my papa's old driver's liscense that we pass around was missing. So, we replaced it with this picture as a temporary until we could find the liscense.

Here is my uncle (Dad's youngest brother) posing beside it. Identical twins??

The next thing we had to hand off was this donkey hat. When you push a button, it starts to bray like a donkey and wiggle it's ears. Hilarious.

Worker Man wanted to give this to my dad's sister, NJ.

Here are some pictures from the rest of the morning:

Dad snoozing.

Me and my cousin, Jacob

Me and Worker Man

Me and Daddy

The whole family!

Mom and my dad's brother, Jim

Austin

And a family pic

We definitely had a good time. This is the end of my Christmas 2008 posts. I also forgot to take pictures at my mom's side of the family. Don't know what I was thinking!