Ultrasound Results

Today Brian and I went for our first ultrasound to see if we could tell the sex of the baby. It was very clear it is a baby boy! We have a couple of names in mind but please feel free to share your suggestions as well. Also, when we first went to the doctor he gave us a due date of May 27th but today they gave us a date of May 19th.

5 Years

Today Brian and I celebrate our 5th Anniversary! What a great 5 years it has been but with many changes in our lives - we have both changed jobs - one that included a move to a different town, we have welcomed twin nieces into the family that are so fun to be around and then in 2009 we will welcome our own little one. Brian I have so enjoyed this wonderful adventure that we have been on this past 5 years and I look forward to many more years with you. I love you with all my heart.

Our Family is Growing!

It is official there will be a new little one in late May. I went to the doctor and he confirmed what we already knew. They have given us a date of May 27th. For the most part I'm feeling good - Saturday and Sunday are my worst days, and I think that is just because I'm off schedule from the week. We are hoping to know if it will be a boy or girl before Christmas. Will be sure to let everyone know as soon as we know.

Fireproof

This past weekend the church we attend rented out one of the movie screens to show Fireproof. We were able to attend and it was wonderful. The makers of Facing the Giants is also the makers of Fireproof. I would encourage each of you to go see this movie. I have to say in some ways it was better than Facing the Giants! If you have seen it already or go to see it please leave a post with your thoughts on it.

Vacation 2008

For the past week Brian and I have been able to enjoy time together at Jacksonville Beach. We look forward to this time of year each year. After the past month we were able to set all that aside and take some time to just relax and regroup. It has been a busy week. On Saturday we went to watch the Gators play football, then the rest of the week we have been at the beach (but keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Hanna) - we have also enjoyed playing putt-putt, waking the beach, shopping, etc. Here are a few pictures that we have taken this week.

Here Brian is sporting his new hat he got at the football game!

This was while we were playing a game of putt-putt and of course with the daily practice the Brian gets playing golf he did beat me!

Here is Brian playing out in the ocean "catching some waves"

My favorite picture that I took this week!

This is on our last day at the beach - I just love this place.

This is the only picture we got of the two of us together that we didn't take. Can you tell the wind was blowing just a little bit!

This a view from the deck at our hotel. For most of the week that water was rough but the last day the waves were not too bad but the current was. You could tell a storm was brewing.

Go GATORS!

For the past few years Brian and I have been able to make it down to Gainesville for the 1st home game for FL. This year their opener was against Hawaii. Right before the game got started it came a down pour and once it stopped it truly felt like "a swamp"! Here are a few pictures I took while we were there.

Here we are before the game started.

Brian all ready for the game to start!

A home game tradition - Mr. 2Bits - "2 Bits, 4 Bits, 6 Bits a Dollar all for the Gators stand up and holler!"

Here come the GATORS!

Albert & Alberta cheering on the student section.

Here is Tim Tebow warming up before the game.

Weekend with the Girls!

Last weekend Brian and I got to spend the weekend with his sister and visit with the girls. They are growing up so quickly. We had not seen them since March and the have changed so much here are a few pictures I took on Sunday before we went to church.

Ellen standing in front of the flowers outside the hotel.

Mary being a "Super Star" or "little ham"

1st Week at new job

Just wanted to give everyone an update on the new job. It is WONDERFUL - I have learned so many new things and enjoy every minute of it.
We also spent this weekend with Brian's family in Jackson - hope to post new pictures of the girls soon. They have grown so much and are too cute!

Breaking News

I had my 2nd interview today - was not sure how well it went. I was a little concerned but tried not to think about it - and just placed it in God's hands. I expected to hear something by Friday, but I got a call about an hour ago. I got the job and start on Monday!
A BIG "THANK YOU" goes out to each and everyone of you for your prayers, cards, phone calls, words of encouragement, etc. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Job Search Update

Well I went last week for my first interview at a Doctor's office - I feel really good about this job. They called last week and want me to come in again tomorrow for another interview. This interview will be with one or maybe both of the Doctor's @ 8:25 AM! I feel really good about this but it is because I have placed this in God's hands and have said if I get the job then I know this is where He wants me if not then I know there is somewhere else that He wants me and I will continue to follow His will.
I want to say "THANK YOU" to each and everyone on you that have lifted my name and family up in prayers over the past couple of weeks. I know that it is those prayers and God's grace that I'm making it day by day. As I told someone today I'm just getting to where I can talk about it and not have tears streaming down my face! Sometimes my eyes are like a water fountain that can not be turned off!
As soon as I know something about the job I'll be sure to post so everyone will know.
Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

Job Update

Well today was my last day at LifeWay - I all ready miss those I worked with both in the office as well as those churches in AL that I served. I know God has better things in store and will continue to seek His guidance.

Prayer Request

Most of you have already heard but I wanted to publish this post as well for those I don't have an email for or just missed - here is a copy of the email that I sent out yesterday.

I would like to ask each of you to be in prayer for me along with 25 of the people I've worked with over the past few years - some for 10 years. We found out today around 2:30 that our department had been deleted from LifeWay and we are now all without a job. This came as a shock to all of us, we all were aware that some people were losing their job but we were not expecting this at all. I've been at LifeWay since April 1998 working with churches and know that the next job I have is going to be totally different. If any of you are aware of job openings that I could apply for would you please let me know. Each of us will be meeting with someone in the Human Resource Department on Monday to see if there is anywhere else for us at LifeWay - my meeting is at 8:30 - and I would like to ask that if you think about it on Monday around 8:30 that you would lift me up in your prayers and that I would have an open mind and listen clearly as God speaks to me and leads me in this new area - if at LifeWay or somewhere else.

Fun/Busy Weekend

This weekend Brian and I helped out with the Tennessee Senior Olympics. We have helped out for several years and it is so much fun each time. It is so neat to watch these individuals 50 years old and up participate in all different sports. We helped with the Softball Throw and then I stayed and helped with some of the track events as well. I hope when I'm this age I can still do what these folks can do. We had a gentleman that is 95 yrs old participate in the softball throw - if I had not known his age I wouldn't have thought he was 95. I truly believe that staying active and exercise will help in all areas of your life. If you are interested in participating or volunteering next year here is the web link to check it out - http://www.tnseniorolympics.com/

Bootcamp

Well, last night I went to my first class at our local YMCA - Bootcamp. It was so much fun even though there were only 2 of us and the instructor and her helper. I have never worked out like this before. One of the things we did was between stations were 10 push-ups - we did this 10 times - yes you added correctly 100 PUSH UPS - my arms are so weak today. I would encourage any of you that are members of the Y to come join me on Tuesday nights @ 7 PM.

Weekend Happenings

This weekend was so much fun - we really didn't do much of anything - Brian mowed the yard Saturday morning and then we went and hung out at the pool until a thunderstorm showed up - I'm not complaining though we needed the rain. So we went home to start getting ready to attend the Sunset Symphony with some of Brian's co-workers - it was a lot of fun but HOT - hope we can go again next year. They had a table decorating contest even though our table didn't win I thought it looked great - GOOD JOB Katina! Here are a few pictures of the evening.

This was our table you can't see the decorations but it was to celebrate Columbia's 200 Years

Me and my Wonderful Husband

Happy 20th Anniversary

This weekend we had a surprise picnic for my mom & step-dad for their 20th Anniversary. It was so much fun - and they really had no idea! My mom thought she was going to a surprise birthday get-together for my aunt - her birthday was on Monday - Happy belated Birthday - Connie! Here are couple of pictures that I took over the weekend.

Mom and Frank arriving at the picnic

The wonderful cake - notice the icing - it was not ordered this way!

Gift Time - here they are with Levi (Dava's youngest son) and Hannah (Sonya's daughter)

Week 6 - In My Father's House

Memory Verse: "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple" Psalm 27:4

This Week's Lessons
Day 1 - My Father's House
Day 2 - Like Father-Like Son
Day 3 - My Father's Daughter
Day 4 - The Joy of His House
Day 5 - Making Your Home with the Father

Week 5 - In My Father's House

Sorry I'm just now posting week 5 - last week was crazy - I'll post later about that.

Memory Verse for Week 5 - "Send forth you light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then will I go to the alter of God, to God, my joy and my delight" Psalm 43:3-4

This Weeks Lessons
Day 1 - Father of the Fatherless
Day 2 - False Beliefs about the Father
Day 3 - Believing the Truth
Day 4 - Forgiving Our Earthly Fathers
Day 5 - Blessing Our Earthly Fathers

Another view of Snakes

Well our neighbors 3 houses down are moving and yesterday when I came home the U-Haul Truck was in the driveway. I know this sounds crazy but I like to look at the sides of the trucks to see the pretty pictures they put on these to represent different cities. So when I get out of the car I look down the street to see what is on the side of the truck - and it is none other than a bunch of SNAKES! Why do I keep seeing snakes - I don't like these things and as I told Brian the other night Noah should have kept them off the Ark!

Here is a picture of the truck.

Watering Flowers

What an eventful night we had yesterday watering flowers - who knew something like this could be so eventful! We had some rain on Saturday so I just was going to water a few that didn't get too much rain on Saturday so I was just going in and out the front door with water from the kitchen to the front yard. We have a Peace Lily on the front porch (that is beside the front door - keep this in mind) that I have had to be careful when watering because a bird had built a nest in the plant. So, when I get ready to water this plant I will tap on the leaves so the bird will fly out before watering. I did this same thing last night and the bird didn't fly out so I did it once more and still nothing so I thought they must be gone so I lift the leaves up to water and much to my surprise there was a new animal now living in my plant. After about 10-15 min we finally removed him from the plant. Here is picture of this nasty animal and Brian.

Needless to say this nasty thing is no longer living in my plant!

Week 4 - In My Father's House

Memory Verse for Week 4 - "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;... The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles" Psalm 34:15, 17

This Week's Lessons
Day 1: The Father is Strong
Day 2: The Father Protects
Day 3: The Father Has a Plan
Day 4: The Father Brings Healing
Day 5: The Father Generously Provides

Week 3 - In My Father's House Bible Study

Memory Verse for Week 3 - "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

This Week's Lessons
Day 1: The Father Delights in You
Day 2: the Father is Dependable
Day 3: The Father Guides
Day 4: The Father Corrects
Day 5: The Father is Patient and Forgiving

I would also like to ask each of you to remember some friends of mine in prayer - the Mitchell Family - some of you may know that last year they lost their son 'Baby Jonathan', well on Friday something happened and she lost the baby she was carrying. My heart just breaks for this family and all they have been through this past year please join me in praying for them.

Here I Go Again!

Well, yesterday began my next training session with Team in Training. I was going to participate in the Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon but due to other commitments I will not be able to but I'm still going to train with the group. I'm also a Team Captain this year - Mentor for to of the ladies that is also participating. Yesterday was our second training session but my first - it rained the whole time we were training - we were soaked once we finished! I would also like to say "Happy Father's Day" to all you Dads out there!

Girl's Night Out

Last night I had such a great time - several of the girls in our Sunday School class had a Girl's Night Out we met at Logan's and just sat around eating and talking for over 3 hrs! Sorry I didn't have my camera or I would have taken pictures and posted them. For those of you not there we sure did miss you - hope you can make the next Girl's Night Out.

In My Father's House week 2 - Our Relational Father God - Memory Verse

Well, I'm just starting week 2 of my Bible study and wanted to share this week's memory verse will you all.

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace b removed says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

This Week's Lessons
Day 1: Expressions of His Love
Day 2: Dimensions of His Love
Day 3: Qualities of His Love
Day 4: The Father's Presence
Day 5: Friendship with the Father

Hair Cut

Some have already seen this but others have not - I went Saturday to get my hair cut - let me start off by saying it was much needed I realized as I was sitting there I had not had my hair cut since September! I needed it done way before then but as I prepared for the 1/2 Marathon it got to the point I could pull it back and it would all stay back so I didn't get it cut for that reason ( I can not stand hair in my eyes!) I was going to donate it to Locks of Love but since I still had highlights in it from over a year ago I was not able to do - maybe next time!

Here is a before shot of the back

Here is an after shot of the back

Catching Up

I just had to share that today I got a phone call from a friend that I had not talked with in several years - like 10-15 years! She was traveling through Nashville and came by for a quick visit. It was so much fun getting caught up - it was like we picked up right where we had left off the last time we had talked with each other. It had even been longer since we last saw each other and she looked just like I remember. We went to school with each other until the 5th Grade and then only saw each other a few times when I would go visit my dad and then she and her family moved to IL and I don't think we have seen each other since she moved. Jaymie it was great getting to spend some time with you today.

New Bible Study

I've just started a new Bible study - In My Father's House: Women Relating to God as Father by Mary Kassian. In this 6 week study you examine the implications of relating to God as your Father, and study what Scriptures say about the character of the Father, and clear barriers that are hindering you in relating to God as Father. I was thinking that it might be a neat idea that if any of you also wanted to do the study we could then discuss it over the blog or through email. If you are interested just let me know. I will also each week share the memory verse that is for that week.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children - Romans 8:15-16

This Week's Lessons

1. The Fatherhood of God
2. God's Relationship as Father
3. Daughters As Sons of God
4. The Influence of Earthly Fathers
5. Longing for the Father

High School Graduation

Monday night I went to my nephew - Clay's high school graduation! It was such a fun time, I usually only get to see him a couple times a year - I'm amazed at how grown up he is.

I also just thought this was a beautiful sunset during the outdoor graduation ceremony and wanted to share it as well.

Country Music 1/2 Marathon

First I have to say THANK YOU to all who helped me in raising funds for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training - I had set a goal of $2000 and I raised $2300 - 115% !!! I also want to say THANK YOU to all of you who have had such encouraging words, lifted me up in prayer, etc. I could not have made it with out your support. I also want to say THANK YOU to my wonderful husband - I'm so sorry I woke you up every Saturday morning at 5:00 AM to get ready to come to Nashville for my trainings - I promise I'll let you sleep in this week (but only this one week) he was such a sport the actual day of the race - he followed me around Nashville taking pictures - I think he might have done 13.1 miles but just doesn't know it! I did finish the 1/2 Marathon - the picture to the left is when I crossed the finish line - I'm in the Purple (all the Team in Training folks had on these shirts) I finished in 3:37 which I was pleased for it to be my first time - I had a goal of 3:30-3:45 so I made it! I'm hoping to improve my time where I can finish in at least 3:00

I would also like to say to any of you that are thinking about doing a Marathon or 1/2 Marathon to consider joining up with Team in Training - here is the web site for the Tennessee Chapter - http://www.teamintraining.org/tn/ This is a wonderful organization with a great cause - if you have any questions feel free to let me know. I actually turned in my application to be a Team Captain for the next go around which will be training for one of two different events - Nike Women's Marathon & 1/2 - Oct 2008 - San Francisco or Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & 1/2 Marathon - Nov 2008. I would love for you to come out and join me.

So far in April

April started of to a busy start as well - Each year in Columbia the first weekend in April we have Mule Day - I have learned that weekend is one of the best times to have a Yard Sale so that is what we did and of course it was cold and rained just like it does every year for Mule Day Weekend. I also did my first 13.1 miles during my training - it was not too bad and for having done it for the first time I was pleased with my time and it gave me something to shoot for on the actual day of the 1/2 Marathon.
During all of this we were also able to fit in a couple of Hockey Games - these are always a lot of fun - Go PREDS!

March - Birthday Party, Wedding, 1/2 Marathon Training

March was not a month for sickness but it was a month of traveling and staying busy. We started the month off going to visit Brian's sister and her family and they celebrated their twin girls 2nd Birthday. It was a fun weekend of Elmo Cake, gifts and a surprise snowfall on Saturday morning. It is so hard to believe that they are already turning 2.

The next weekend we went to the wedding of a family member - the wedding was beautiful even though it rained the whole time.

During all of this I had my 1/2 Marathon training each week and the mileage kept going up. The weather was cold most weeks and even raining a few but I survived and kept on going.

Brian went with a group from church to AL for a Golfing Trip and had a great time but I think that after 54 holes of golf he was a little tired! But I'm sure if asked he would be ready to go again.

February - WHAT A MONTH!

Sorry it has been so long we be are getting all caught up to date.
The month of February was a hard one. I was sick every week with something different. I was so glad to see February come and go. Goodbye sickness goodbye cold weather!

What a Way to Spend Valentine's Day

Well, the past few days have not been the best- I've been at home sick with the flu! Not the way I really wanted to spend Valentine's Day. Also not feeling well has caused me not to be able to do any training this week. Last week I was not feeling well but was able to attend training on Saturday and complete 8.5 miles - which after I felt pretty good. Then on Tuesday I started feeling bad and by Wednesday found myself at the Doctor's office being told I had the flu. It has been really bad around here schools have been closed most of the week due to illness. I'm praying I get better soon. Brian and I were planning on going to watch the Lady Vols this weekend play basketball against Vandy - hope I'm well enough to go watch if we make it I'll be sure to post some pictures.

A New Year

Well, we are 8 days into the new year - and what an exciting year it has already been!

I want to first start off by thanking everyone for your words of encouragement and prayers for my 1/2 Marathon training. I also want to thank each of you that have given to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm almost at 70% of my goal. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

On New Year's Day I started the new year off with a 5K in Nashville - it was soooo COLD!! But I felt so good afterwards. Training is going well but getting harder each week. I'm up to 4 miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and then 6 - 7.5 miles on Saturday. Prayer Request - pray for all of the team members as we train each week. Last week we had a new person to join us so they really need the prayers as they have missed the first 2 months of training and having to pick up where we are. Also, I have made some great friendships already and there are two individuals that I would like for you to remember as well.

I'm working to meet my fundraising goal by the end of February and by doing so I'm hosting a Pampered Chef party and it will be a fundraising event. I'm looking forward to getting to open up my home to friends and having Jill (Pampered Chef Consultant) come over to share some great cooking helps. Hope to see everyone on January 29th.