195 days and counting....

And what are we counting down? Well, the days until we move to Kentucky for Seminary! It is hard to believe that it is only 195 days away. We are very excited about this next step and continue to feel the Lord leading us in this direction.

We have decided to move in with Ethan's parents to save money for seminary. We are thankful that they have extra rooms and are willing to let us use them! We are planning to move this Friday and because of Christmas I wanted to wait to pack up our apartment. So Ethan and I are now spending our evenings with packing. Last night it dawned on both of us that we are leaving our first home. So many wonderful memories have been made there and I am so thankful for our little apartment! Thankfully, you can take memories with you :)

Below is a picture of Ethan and I when we first started to move our things into the apartment!

We are looking forward to the next several months as we prepare to move to seminary. We are thankful for our families who lovingly support us!

We hope that you all had a great Christmas and enjoyed celebrating the birth of our Savior! I will post about Christmas as soon as I have some extra time to upload the pictures!

-Anna

North Point's iBand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9XNfWNooz4

Pretty cool if you ask me :)

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

On Friday night we went down to Disney World for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! It's one of my favorite things to go to at Disney! You have to buy a separate ticket and they don't allow as many people to come into the park. They also do free hot chocolate and cookies :) There is hardly any wait and we walked right onto most of the rides! The park is decorated so beautifully! The weather was great and we enjoyed the time with family!

Cinderella's Castle

Ethan and I!

Shannon and I!

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas! This is by far my favorite time of the year and for many different reasons! My favorite being Jesus Birthday! I am so thankful that God send His son to this earth to save us!

Ethan and I put up our Christmas Tree last weekend! I love that we are able to continue traditions and start new traditions together! This is our second Christmas being married! This year we were a little more prepared and started buying gifts a few at a time over the past couple of months. We still have a good bit of shopping to do, but I enjoy it! Here is a picture of our tree and us after shopping last week!

Notice that Ethan is still smiling :)

A great Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for! A wonderful family, an amazing husband, great friends, but most of all a loving and gracious Savior who chose me, and brought me to Himself!

I could go on and on and I believe that all of us could.

Ethan and I spent thanksgiving with his family and then stopped by my grandparents house on our way to Georgia. We are so blessed to have such great families on both sides! After a quick stop at my grandparents house were on the road to my dad's hunting camp in Georgia! We spent the rest of our weekend there. I have been hunting since I was a little girl and I love deer meat! I would much rather eat and cook deer meat then anything else! I killed my first doe when I was 16 while hunting with my dad! I am now on the hunt for a big buck and sadly passed one up while hunting this past weekend. I wasn't able to get a good shot and didn't feel confident that I could make a good shot. So I let him walk. I'm letting him get bigger for next year :) On Saturday evening I was hunting with my dad(this was when I let the buck walk) and Ethan was hunting by himself. It was almost dark when my dad and I heard Ethan shoot. So we waited a few minutes and then went to his stand. He has shot at a doe and she had run off into the woods. It took us a little while to find where she had gone, but when we did we were so excited to find that she was a huge doe! We were all thrilled! I can't wait to fill our freezer with deer meat! I am thankful that God made deer for us to harvest! We had a great time with my dad and some of his family!

I failed to take any pictures on thanksgiving, but did get a picture of Ethan and I and Ethan and his doe while we were hunting!

20th Birthday

I am so thankful and so blessed to have such a great husband, friends and family that made my birthday so special! I am thankful to have another year under by belt and can no longer be teased that I am a teenager :) I had a great day celebrating with my family and my friends!

Ethan had class the evening of my birthday so this is a photo of us from a few days before. When he got out of class he joined us at my parents house to eat cake!

My sweet nephew James was excited that a birthday was being celebrated! He still doesn't fully understand that every birthday is not for him, but his mommy and daddy are working hard to teach him that he only gets one a year!
Some of the girls from our youth group as well as our pastor's wife, my mom and 2 of my sisters took me our to dinner for my birthday!

Me, My mom, Sister, Abby, and Emily(who I also claim as a sister)!

Kelly, Kaylee, Mrs.Jeannie, Whitney and myself!

James helping me blow out the candles on my yummy cake that my mom made me!

I am so thankful for my husband, my family and my friends! I am truly blessed!

Couch to 5k

I always said I would never become a runner. I secretly wanted to be able to run for miles at a time, but thought I would never be able to do it. I'm not really the athletic type. Therefore, I never even tried. My sister-in-law began to inspire me to run. She recently ran a 5k in Disney World along with my Mother-in-law. Then my cousin Katherine ran a half-marathon in Nashville, TN. Now, my oldest sister is training for a 6k. The last straw was when Ethan called me to tell me that he was going to run a 5k in Disney in February. That was it. I knew I had to began training because I knew that there was no way I was going to let him do it with out me :)



I had heard about this iPhone app called Couch to 5k. It takes you from nothing(couch) to running a 5k which is 3.1 miles. I started it 5 weeks ago. After the first week I had 2 friends join in with me and boy am I glad that they did. I don't think I would have kept up with it without them. We run/train 3 times a week. Each week it takes us to a new level and to be honest it has not been easy, but knowing that I am running a 5k keeps me going! I am excited about running the 5k in Disney this February and I am hoping that my running buddies are going to do it with me!



I am far from being a "real" runner, but I am proud of myself for doing something I used to say I couldn't do. I love running. I enjoy it! My plan is to run the 5k and then begin training for a 10k.



You can learn more about Couch to 5k at: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

This is a picture of part of the trail that we run on!

Disney-October 2010

We really love Disney World. Most of you already knew this :) And since it is only a few hours from us we go pretty often! Well, this trip was extra special! Ethan planned everything and then surprised me with it! I had no idea that he had been planning to take me to Disney! I had taken Friday off that week and was planning on taking care of some errands that can only be done during work hours. Well, on Thursday night he told me that he was taking me to Disney and that everything was taken care of! I was thrilled! I think the best part was that he planned everything himself and he knows just how much I love Disney!

We went down on Friday morning and got settled into our hotel. Then we headed to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. This is a special event that Disney puts on and they don't allow as many people into the park during it so there are hardly any lines! We road all of our favorite rides and then enjoyed walking around while enjoying all that the "party" had for us! There was special shows, parades, trick or treating, and fireworks! It was so much fun!

On Saturday we just chilled at our resort in the morning and then that afternoon we went to Disney Quest in downtown Disney! That night we went to dinner at the Contemporary which is one of my favorite resorts! After that we hopped on the monorail and road to Epcot. We didn't go into Epcot because it was getting late, but we did enjoy the ride and we got to see some of Epcot's fireworks as we were leaving on our bus! On Sunday we took out time getting ready and packing up and then we headed home. We stopped to eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel!

It was a great weekend and we loved getting away! I am so thankful for my husband who knows what I love and plans special things for me! He is so thoughtful and I am so thankful for him!

Here are a few pictures from our trip!

Classic entering Disney Picture!

Main Street USA!

Magic Kingdom in the Fall is so pretty!

Waiting for the parade to start!

Minnie Mouse

Cinderella's Castle

Riding the Monorail!

Change is coming

Many of you know that God has called Ethan and I to full time ministry and that Ethan is currently finishing the last year of his bachelors degree at the Baptist College of Florida. Along with preparing for ministry through a formal education, he has been intern in the student ministry at the church that we are currently members of. We are thankful for this opportunity because it has taught us and grown us. Ethan feels he is called to Pastoral Ministry and I have been called to serve along side of Ethan.

In preparing for ministry Ethan will be attending seminary. As we first began to pray about what seminary the Lord was leading us to we were drawn to Southern Seminary. I think that this was due to us being up there a few years ago and also us having friends there. It seemed to be the easy choice. However, the Lord really began to show us that it wasn't our choice. It was His and that we needed to patiently wait for Him to guide us. We began to do more research and and prayer. We began leaning towards Southeastern seminary. Neither of us had ever been to Southeastern, but knew people who had been so we began to ask lots of questions to try and get a feel for the school. This was very hard for me. My heart was so set on Southern for many reasons and I was torn. I had to ask the Lord to change my perspective away from my will and towards His. He answered this prayer. I became open to the idea of Southeastern and began researching housing etc. Ethan had planned to attend the 9marks conference at Southeastern and we were both praying that during this trip the Lord would really make His will known. When Ethan got back from the conference he was 50/50. Even more torn then before he visited.

There are many reasons that we were drawn to both seminaries. They are both great, God honoring seminaries and the education and training that both Ethan and I would receive would be great. I think that is what made it so hard.

After what seemed like forever to my type A personality, the Lord began to draw us back towards Southern Seminary. I was so confused by the change of heart for both Ethan and I, but I am convinced that this was another way for our heavenly Father to teach us. He desires that we wait on His will and even though that is also the desire of our heart it is not always easy.

We now come to the present:

Ethan mailed in the first part of his application to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary on Monday. This is so crazy to me. He is applying for his Masters Degree!

I am so thankful that the Lord has lead us to this place. He so graciously draws us to Himself and His will. We know that just like he brought us to this place He can change our hearts. We are open and willing. There is no better place to be then in the will of our Lord. Of this I am convinced!

Our plan is to move in July. We have begun preparing for this in all ways possible. We know that ministry is not easy and that this calling is a high one with a great deal of responsibly and we are humbled to know that our Savior would see fit to call us to this.

We are very excited to see where the Lord is going to take us. We are excited for this new stage in our lives and look forward to where it leads!

Please continue to pray for us as we continue to seek God's will and strive to live a life that brings glory and honor to our God! Please pray for us as we make some changes in order to help us prepare to move in July. Pray that regardless, we will honor our Lord.

We are so thankful for those who love us and have prayed for us! You are a blessing!

Pumpkin Carving

In case you didn't already know this, I really love fall! As a kid we always carved pumpkins. We never used the fancy kits that help you. We just did it ourselves! Ethan had never carved a pumpkin before, so we set a side some time to pick out our pumpkins and carve them. We got one for my mom because she loves to carve them too!

Ethan did a great job carving his pumpkin! He said he was going for a scary look and I think he succeeded!

Here are a few pictures for you!

PS. My brother Dave helped me a little bit and he also took the pictures! So I wanted to make sure to give him credit!

Mom and I!

Mom, myself, and Ethan
Ethan and I!

Very proud of our finished product!

Cutest Kid Ever!

I cannot even begin to tell you how much this little boy means to me! I love this picture of him! We were playing with his trains and he LOVES trains!!

Tagged

My friend Carlee over at: http://carleejoy.blogspot.com/ tagged me in a question/answer post!Such a fun post to get tagged in, because now I get to answer 7 questions that Carlee asked me, and then in turn, I get to tag 7 other bloggers and ask 7 new questions :)


1. What is the vacation that you hope to take one day? I would love to visit Australia. No particular reason, other then the fact that I have always wanted to go there.

2. What is your "comfort food" meal? Corn Nuggets with ranch and a sweet tea(From Johnny's!)

3. Favorite thing or event about fall? The cooler weather and being able to decorate my house with fall decorations and I love the smell of "fall"candles!

4. What makes your husband the perfect man for you? He is the opposite of me! I stress, he is calm. I am a planner, he is spontaneous! Where I lack, he doesn't! He is my best friend and he pushes me towards godliness! I could go on for hours!

5. Which celebrity would you want to trade closets with? (In other words, Which celebrity style/clothes do you want?) I really love the way that Kari Jobe dresses. She has a very funky style and I love it. Sadly, I don't think I could ever pull her look off :)

6. What craft or hobby do you hope to learn one day? I would love to learn how to make bows and cute outfits for my girls one day. Lord willing we will have a little girl one day :) I have a friend who makes the cutest dresses and bows for her two little girls and I would love to learn how to do that one day!

7. What is your favorite movie and why? Pride and Prejudice . I am a sucker for a good love story and this one exceeds them all! I love everything about this movie!

The 7 bloggers I am going to tag are:

1.Whitney
2.Tessa
3.Abby
4.Kendall
5.Kelly S.
6.Kelly D.
7.Lauren

Your 7 questions are:

1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

2.What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?

3. Which season is your favorite and why?

4. If you could trade places with anyone for one day who would it be and why?

5.What is your favorite thing to cook or bake?

6.If you where given a $1000 dollars where and what would you spend it on?

7. Who is your Favorite football team and why?

Autumn-New Season

This is one of my favorite times of the year(next to Christmas)! I love the cooler air and the smell of my cider candle burning! I pulled out my fall decorations half way through September! Ethan has been sweet to deal with my excitement over this time of year and he even seems to like the way I have decorated our house! I got some yellow mums on Saturday and I love them!

I hope you are able to enjoy this time of year and also take some time to reflect on God's majesty in and through His creation! I am reminded of the song "Every Season" by Nichole Nordeman. In every season God is working to make things new and this is the same in the believers life. Throughout the different seasons in our lives God is working to make us new in Him. I am so thankful that He is not finished with me yet and that he continues to teach me,humble me, grow me, and renew me. Without His grace in my life I would never make it through the day.

My mums!

My fall wreath!

Group Photo

Here is a photo of the group that went on the girls trip!

From left to right

My mom, Me, Sister Amber, Nephew James, My Nana, Sister Abby, Cousin Katherine, Katherine's daughter Kyleigh, Cousin Jennifer, Aunt Kelly, Sister Apryl!

Girls Weekend 2010

This past weekend was my mom's side of the families 2nd annual girls weekend. Last year we went to Savannah, GA and this year we went to Bryson City, NC. We had a great time! It was an extended weekend and it was a blast! We did lots of shopping and at lots of yummy food! I have a lot of pictures from the trip, but I haven't had the chance to upload them yet. Here are a few from my mom's camera!

Downtown Bryson City!

Darty Girls + James!

My cousin Jen, Katherine, her daughter Kyleigh, my sister Abby and myself shopping in Wynesville!

Enjoying a sweet snack!

James, Mom and I swinging outside our cabin! Oh and the weather was to die for! It was in the 50's! It was perfect!!

More pictures to come!

Caked-Give a way

I love baking and reading about those who bake! I love eating what I back even more :) I was introduced to a new blog called Caked by Erin through a friend. Erin makes some amazing cakes and cookies!

She is having a give-a-way right now and she is giving away the cutest Anthropologie apron! Make sure to check out her blog! http://cakedbyerin.blogspot.com/ but don't enter to win her give-a-way because I want to win :)

Getting some grub :)

On Tuesday night I had a few girls from our youth group over for dinner! I made Pasta Shells, with salad and bread sticks! I thought it was pretty yummy and the girls seemed to like it! I love these girls! They mean so much to me and I am so thankful for their godly example! They are such an encouragement to me and such a blessing! I am really looking forward to having more girls over soon and expanding the group!

The Girls!

Our Meal!
Desser!

Ethan told Whitney that she wasn't aloud in our room. So she took this picture and texted it to him while he was in class!

Cooking :)

Time for a change!

I have had long hair for a while now and as much as I loved it(once it was done and looking pretty) it was a lot of work. So on most days I would just throw it up in a bun and head out the door. I grew to hate it because it took so much work to make it look decent. I really wanted something fun, easy, and new! I am so happy with the cut I got! I love it!! I think I ended up cutting off about 7 or 8 inches!

Ethan and I yesterday after church!

This was right after I got it cut on Saturday!

Verse of the day

"I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."

Isaiah 12:2 (ESV)

I love the verse of the day feature on my blog. I honestly don't know if anyone else looks at it but I love it! I look at it every day and it helps to keep my focus right. Today's verse really hit home for me. It is a daily battle to fully trust in my Savior. Not in just some things but in ALL things. This verse is my prayer, and I know that my God is always good to provide whatever I may need!

He won't be little for long....

I was able to spend some one on one time with my nephew James over the weekend! I had a blast with him! He is talking a mile a minute and I love to hear him call for me :) We did lots of fun things and made lots of fun memories! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this little boy. It's hard to remember life without.

I was walking to my dorm room at college when I called to check in with my mom. After asking her how things were going she said " Well, Amber and Chad have a baby coming". I paused for a minute before saying " What?". She then went on to tell me about James and that he was being placed in Amber and Chad's care and that they were hoping to adopt him. All I knew was that his name was James, He was about 7 months old and that things for our family would never be the same. About a week later I came home from college and I remember walking in to the house and Amber walked around the corner and handed me my new nephew. He was my nephew from the very start and I knew that regardless of the turn out of the adoption he would always be my nephew. About a year later Amber and Chad closed on the adoption! I was so blessed to be able to watch God work in and through this situation and it has been such an honor to watch Amber and Chad raise their son! I honestly can't image things without him!

I wasn't able to find a picture of James from when I first met him. I believe they are on a different computer, but I did pull the one below from facebook. This is James and I at his 1st Birthday party. He has changed so much! He has turned into such a little man. He says and does the funniest things and has the sweetest temperament! James is now 2 1/2 years old!

Here are a few pictures from this weekend!

James at Texas Road! He is a ham :)

Our little Gator!