SSMT #4

I have chosen my verse for Feb 15, 2011.

"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Colossians 4:23 (NIV)

There are so many days--okay, if I'm honest it's most days (especially Mondays)--that I wake up and the first words out of my mouth are, "I hate working first shift." Just this week Kyle asked me if working 2nd shift would make me happier. I told him, "No. I think it's just that I hate my job." I've been unhappy with my job for quite some time. I've worked for the same company for 13 years. I started working for my company right out of high school, and I have worked my way up to the position I have now. I am a retail accountant for 6 smaller accounts we have. I prepare financial statements, taxes, etc for each company. On most days, it's an okay job. I love my co-workers; I make a decent salary; but I am not fulfilled. Some days I go to work and I know that nothing I will do really matters.

Today God whispered sweetly in my ear that I needed a new attitude toward my job. Most economies have really suffered in the recession. NC is no exception. We have been hit really hard. Unemployment is still about 14%. So, in a market where there would be 50 people who would gladly take my place at my job, I should be thankful that I am employed. And I am. I need to work cheerfully as if I am working for the Lord in all that I do--even my job because it really does matter, and someone, somewhere is watching me.

SSMT #3
"Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7 NIV)

SSMT #2
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces." (Proverbs 3:9 NIV)

SSMT #1
"Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed." (Joshua 1:8 NIV)

Weekend Recap

We've had a fun weekend. We celebrated Kade's 2nd birthday with a small party of family and friends. The picture you see here is him telling us all--through his crocodile tears--to stop singing Happy Birthday to him. If you attended, don't take it personally. I tried to sing him Jesus Loves Me the other day and he cried. So excuse me while I rejoice that it's not just MY singing he hates... Yippee! ;) Lucky for us, we had cake! Mickey Mouse cake! So all is well with the world again!



And if cake wouldn't dry up the tears, then all of the gifts you showered him with would!




I have posted all of the birthday pics on our Facebook page, so go check them out. Also, some of you have asked for Aunt Lisa's punch recipe. It's super easy to make and virtually impossible to screw up. You can use any kind of jello. We like the lime and is what we served. I have made it with the strawberry, and it is equally yummy!


Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups white sugar
6 cups water
2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry
flavored gelatin mix
1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice
2/3 cup lemon juice
1 quart orange juice
2 (2 liter) bottles lemon-lime flavored
carbonated beverage

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, water, and strawberry flavored gelatin. Boil for 3 minutes. Stir in pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orange juice. Divide mixture in half, and freeze in 2 separate containers.
2. When ready to serve, place the frozen contents of one container in a punch bowl, and stir in 1 bottle of lemon-lime soda until slushy.


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Today, we spent the day with Nanny and Pawpaw. And he got his last present from us. His Pawpaw, Uncle Shawn, and Daddy finished putting together his swing set. Well, to be fair, it's for all the grandkids, but he gets to enjoy it all by himself right now! So, today, it's his!


And, I think he approves!


And I will toss in this super cute photo for good measure!



Love you all!
Kyle & Elaine

Jason Aldean and our Weekend Away...

Last weekend, Kyle and I went to the Jason Aldean concert. It was an amazing show, but it was even more amazing to get away...just the two of us. We have very hectic schedules (who doesn't, right?) with work, our boys, my going to school. It seems like the weeks pass by so quickly and we don't see each other at all. So, we took a moment to slow our pace...and just enjoy each other's company. It was WONDERFUL! We are so blessed to have the marriage that we do. I'm a very lucky lady; I do know that.

First on stage was a newer band named The JaneDear Girls. Picture an 80's girl rocking hair band gone country. Got it? That's the best I can do to describe them. Their first single is called Wildflower and its pretty good. You can check it out here:

The JaneDear Girls - Wildflower (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: The JaneDear Girls

Next up was one of our favorites. Eric Church! He was awesome!


We finally got to see Jason Aldean. I'll be honest--next to Matchbox Twenty--he is my/our next favorite artist. We love his songs, and I had the best time watching my amazing husband sing along with him. I tried to upload some videos, but I couldn't for this blog. So, you'll have to settle for a picture. (There is video on our Facebook page though, so go check it out.)



It was a great short weekend trip, and I'm really looking forward to the next one!

Much Love,
Kyle & Elaine

Things We Love Thursday...on Friday :)

The thing we love most about today is that we get to celebrate the birth

of one of our miracle sons, Kade.

He is one of the children that doctors--specialists--told us we would never have.

He is independent...

He is funny....

He is happy....

He is spoiled....

But most all, he is loved!



Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! We can't believe you are TWO!!!!

Happy 2011!

Happy New Year Friends!

I am really looking forward to 2011 and the possibilities that it brings with it, not only for my family but for all of your families. I set some goals for 2011 which I will share with you all below:

For starters, I am participating in this for the FIRST time! While I was out on maternity leave, I fell in love with the 700 Club. I found myself watching it often, and it really encouraged me in areas I needed. I decided that 2011 would be a year of growing closer to the Lord for me. I know memorizing scripture will be stepping stones into that type of relationship with the Lord. So, I found what I feel is the perfect first verse (for me):

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." --Joshua 1:8, KJV

I also really like the NIV version of the same verse. It seems a little more simplified:

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

Another goal for 2011 is to make alone time for myself and Kyle. With daycare costs, I don't foresee the ability to take an extended extravagant vacation in the near future. However, we have surmised a compromise of sorts. For instance, Feb 4 we will be attending the Jason Aldean concert and staying overnight here. Greensboro is only about 2 hours away from where we live, but it will be a night away for just the two of us. I can't begin to tell you how excited we are! We really hope to take several mini-vacations in 2011.

My classes start back up next week. My goal is to do my best this semester and stop fretting over an imperfect GPA. My absolute best is good enough.

Every year, I set a goal of drinking more water. I fail miserably, but I feel compelled to include it again this year. I am drinking a bottle of water now, so that's a descent start, right?

Given the events as of late with my daddy's health, I also hope that Kyle and I will eat better, healthier in 2011. So, I kissed goodbye to fast food for a while. I was sad at first, but I have survived.

There are other trivial goals, but I'll bore you no longer. Wishing you all a prosperous, healthy 2011.

Just wanted to let you know...

Wow! It's been a really long time since I blogged about our family, and so much has happened!!! Long story short, we are expecting, and



I promise not to stay gone so long in the future!

Feb 10

One year ago today, my life completely changed. I held my miracle baby for the very first time! Today, he is turning one... Oh, how the time has past by so quickly! I don't want to miss a single second! Today, I love how the Lord still answers prayers!



Happy Birthday Kade! I love you more than words could ever express. You are such a special person, and I know God has big plans for your sweet, little life.