My Husband

I say it all the time, but I'm SUCH a nerd. I have a ton of journals and planners and Bibles and books. A TON! I am also a huge list maker. My whole life is a big "to-do" list. I couldn't live without them; they help me cope with my crazy life! So, I thought why not put some lists on my blog so I can actually KEEP UP with where they are? I promise I won't put my "to-do" list, but I have a few others that mean a little more to me than just what I have to do for the day. They are the ones I'd like to keep up with. You can tease me, its okay! :)

This is a list of the qualities I desire in a husband. I know that no one is PERFECT and that my husband is going to be a normal human with flaws. These are just a few things to keep my mind set on so I don't settle for less!

-humble
-honest (even in the small things)
-hard worker
-following & growing in Christ
-graceful/understanding
-mature
-family oriented
-love Mya as his own
-respectful (especially to girls)
-friendly/outgoing
-easygoing
-encouraging/optimistic
-understands importance of Godly father/husband
-strives to do better
-willing to make sacrifices for family
-always have my back/take care of me
-wise (with money/relationships, etc)
-future minded/has goals
-would purse me
-draws me closer to God
-prayer warrior
-not judgemental/condemning
-goofy/funny


:) my husband is going to awesommmmmmme & completely worth the wait!

Pet Peeve

It's 3AM right now, and I'm up blogging...?! Okay so there is a reason behind this. Every time I wake up, I check my phone. Twitter, Facebook, etc. (I have a bit of an addiction, I'm working on that!) But anyways, while on Twitter, I saw something that really bothers me.

Matthew 7:21 says, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" Having said that, this pet peeve I have, is of people misusing God. People who are living for the world (partying, sleeping around...) who claim to know God. I believe that knowing God is not knowing ABOUT God. It's a personal relationship with Him. You fear Him, You have faith in His promises. No, Christians are by far not perfect. (TRUST me!) But people who truly know God and have a relationship with Him, who strive to follow His word, who say "no" to living a certain lifestyle, are Christians. Not just people that claim to know about Him. To me, that's disrespectful, not only to God, but also to the people who try so hard to do whats right. It adds to the "hypocrites" of Christianity. So many people don't buy into Christianity because they say there are a ton of hypocrites, which is somewhat true (but that's another story), so we don't need more people claiming to know God and going out on Saturday nights to the club, or cussing like a sailor.

Having said this, I feel a little bad because people may think that I'm saying you have to be perfect to be a Christian, and I am NOT saying that at all. I have fallen short SO many times. I had a kid at 17?! I've made so many bad choices. So, what I am saying is that if you are going to claim to be blessed by God, to know that He is going to take care of you, etc. please have respect for Him. Fear Him.

Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other..." This particular verse is talking about money, but it can be used in another sense. To me, this says you cannot live for the world and also live for God. So, if you are going to live for God, give Him your all. Revelation 3:15-16 says, "‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" This is saying you either live for God, or you don't. It's worse to be in the middle than it is to say you don't believe.

God DOES love everyone. But if you love Him, and want His promises for your life... get to know Him better. Try to live according to His word. I say "try" because it's the hardest thing sometimes, but it's also the most rewarding. God gives me hope, strength and security. It's so easy to live for the world, but it takes proactive decisions to do what God has called us to. 

I'm done preaching :)

(Feel free to talk to me if you have anything to add! :)

Can't help it.

I just love taking pictures of my little one!

FPE

means "Favorite Person Ever." And theseeee are my FPEs! Mind you, it was very late at night so we all look... well, bad. :)

Sara & I were laughing at them because Igenter's feet stunk!

There's Igenter, Sara, myself and Carlos :)

We are just goofs.

New Year Jingle

Reflection is good & looking back on 2011, there are a few things I would like to change in this upcoming year. Help me stay accountable!

2012 Do’s
• Have a favorite TV show you are dedicated to. (Bc I NEVER watch TV) • Buy at least 1 new NICE lens • Be able to run a 10K.• Save more money this year than any other year / continue "envelope budgeting" • No types of debt. Credit card, student loans, etc. • Do something you have never done before.

2012 Do Not’s
• Worry about a husband, boyfriend, etc. • Overwork yourself. (Tell people NO!) • Get bad grades! • Make excuses for waking up early to study, exercise, etc. • Stress over this list

New Blog?

So, I have had some extra time on my hands being out of school and was thinking of starting a new blog! I made the blog, decorated it the way I liked and even posted once... but then I was looking through this blog, and thought "why don't I just add to the blog I already have?" Well for one thing, I tend to be a little cry baby at times on here. But I do like how I can go back to 2009 and see pictures of Mya! So please excuse my random pity parties. :) I'm not promising to post all the time, but since I have started taking pictures for friends and family, I wanted to have a place to talk about them! And also add a few personal tid bits here and there.

As an update for those who read a few posts back, I was at Liberty University and I was having a bit of a hard time. Since then, I have moved back home and we are living with our family again. I loved being at Liberty, and I miss it often! But I know that it's best for us to be home with family who will support and help us. I am still going to Liberty University Online and now work full time at Franklin Federal.

Life is good! :) I look forward to sharing a little of it with you!

Growing Pains.

This past week I've been in a funk. Even as I write this, I'm holding back tears. But the funny thing is, I can't put my finger on exactly why. I have started and stopped this blog post about 5 times. I'm honestly not a cry baby, but most of my posts go that direction. So I apologize ahead for my pity party...

Coming to Liberty, my expectations were so high. I had it in my
mind that everything was just going to come together with little effort. Bills pay themselves, homework be swift, new friends knock on my door... crazy, right? I'm not really sure what I was thinking, but reality has knocked me down quite a bit.

Normally I balance my bank account almost every day but since I have been here, I rarely ever do it. Last week, I did it. And that same night, in my sleep, I was begging God for help. I woke up doing the same thing. I came to the conclusion that I have no clue how I will be able to finish 3 years of this. And although I never wanted to even think this, I have contemplated moving back home. I want to be at Liberty. I want to feel like I'm doing something with my life and be an example for other young moms. I want to show people that I'm capable even with a kid. Maybe it's my pride that's hurting... or maybe this is just a big test God has given me and I'm not doing so well.

At home, I have more support than I could ask for, I don't worry about finances and I know Mya has people surrounding her that genuinely love her. Even last week, I had to get Mya from daycare because she had pink eye. I took her to my mom so I wouldn't miss more school and because I couldn't do it on my own. Although I have been a "single mom", I haven't really been a single mom until I moved here. I feel the pressure of responsibility and time management.

When I talk to people about this, they come back with the question, "Well, what do you think God wants you to do?" And my answer is, "I know God isn't calling me to comfort." I knew coming here that it would be hard. And that I would have to grow so much closer to God in my faith and trusting in Him. God hasn't told me to stay but He also hasn't told me to go. So maybe this is just growing pains...

Best Roommate Ever!

You'll never guess who it is!

MYA of course!

Besides following me around mimicking everything I say while I'm on the phone... she helps me keep sane! Today, I was folding clothes and she helped me put them away and she loves to help with dinner! Earlier I asked her to turn off the light in the bathroom and she went in there and said, "Alright...Mom... what do I need to do?" She's so willing!

She keeps fun in the house too. She makes me sit down with her and watch movies and play games... which keeps my mood light and my attention on other things than the stresses of life!

Believe it or not, she is taking the move a lot better than I am! She is doing great and I'm so proud of her!

Tonight,I am taking her to Campus Church! I'm so excited but nervous at the same time! Hopefully she will do good!! :)

Expected but not welcome.

This marks the third week of being in Lynchburg! Almost made it through a month!

The homework, adjusting and responsibility are all hitting me a little but not as hard as my financial management. I have has this way of thinking that it doesn't matter if I spend here and there because I have a paycheck coming, so I will be okay. Well, now that's not the case! I was hoping, for the sake of time with Mya and my homework that I would be able to make it without worrying about a job, but oh how I was wrong!! I have done some budgeting and I'm coming up a little short. Sooo... being the control freak that I am, I am just a little stressed about remaining financially stable. I do hate worrying about money, and I feel like I am hurting Mya in a way. I know she is only 3 so she doesn't really notice, but there are so many cute clothes and nice toys I would love to get her.

I know God has a reason for me being at Liberty and I am LOVING it. I am really enjoying all my classes and the people there are awesome. So I just have to stay encouraged!

Just a little something on my heart. :)

P.S. I have really been wanting a new hobby lately! Been thinking about writing a book. Wouldn't that be different?

Mya's First week in Lynchburg!

Mya has been such a trooper this past week! She loves her new daycare. It's a smaller daycare so, they only have about 8 kids altogether (which I love). Tuesday, her second day, her teacher told me that Mya acts like she has been here forever. She said she is doing SO well. Everyday that we leave, all the kids run up and cover Mya with "goodbyes" and kisses! It's really cute!

We are slowly learning the rules of the house. As I become more comfortable with all the responsibility, she is testing her boundaries for sure! I am a neat freak so I have learned patience with the fact that she IS 3 years old, and she is going to make a mess. But she also has done a good job cleaning up!

Everyday this week, literally, we have watched "The Chronicles of Narnia." To my favor, its a longer movie, so I can get some homework done. She is really sweet about me doing my homework. As long as I sit on the couch with her, I can do my homework. It's worked so far!

Last night, she had a little runny nose, and didn't sleep too well. But today she has been running around like her usual self. :)

Yesterday we had our first snow in Lynchburg and here she is admiring it from our apartment window!

Her most famous sayings this week:

• After singing the "Dora the Explorer" song, she says, "I want to call Dora, do you have her number?"
• Randomly says "Cabs are here."
• She puts some big sunglasses on and I told her she looked like a bug and she said, "I don't look like a bug! Do bugs have glasses? No."

Tis the Day!

So this is the day I have been anticipating for about 10 months! I am finally at Liberty University in my own apartment and just finished my first day of classes! With the help of a few good friends, I moved my stuff here last two Saturdays ago and just this past Friday, I myself moved in. I still don't have everything unpacked. I will be sure to post up to date pictures once we get everything together! That is definitely the most exciting part for me- decorating my apartment! The week before I got here, I literally would wake up just thinking about what I wanted to do to my living room or what else I needed. On Friday, I had orientation and it was such a good day for me! I was so nervous about finding where I was supposed to go and getting all the last minute runs done. But I did it! Orientation went great! I met a few people there. Everyone is so friendly! Just walking down the sidewalk, I had someone stop me to ask where I was from and make small talk. Then all weekend, I had visitors. My mom helped me with some groceries and then my sister and her friend came to spend some time with me. And today, I got a taste of how heavy college work really is. I have 4 classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 1 online. During my 4th class today, I started tearing up because I was so discouraged. I couldn't even wrap my mind around how much I had to do when I got home. But I just have to stay encouraged and on top of things and I'll be just fine! A great friend of mine reminds me that God didn't bring me here just to drop me off. He will take care of me :)

Tonight, I made my first home-made dinner! And believe it or not, it was good!! I was so proud :)

I will be sure to keep updating about school!!

Favorite Four Letter Word

Psalm 33:22 "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,

even as we put our hope in you."

Hope:

–verb

to look forward to with desirable and reasonable confidence

I heard on the radio this morning that God didn't make us for the valleys. We don't belong there, so we can have hope that He won't keep us there! Isn't He great?

Through the years...

Mya's Past Halloweens!

First Halloween

Ladybugs!

Second Halloween

Bunny Rabbit

Third Halloween

Cinderella

Fourth Halloween

Dancer

(My favorite!)

If I could...

...go back, this is what I would do differently.

-Enjoy every minute that I have to myself.

-Not take for granted a good nights sleep.

-Save more money.

-Do lots of adventurous things!

-Develop a time-consuming hobby

These are the things I am limited to by having a kiddo.

So all you out there who aren't parents quite yet, enjoy it.

There is TONS of joy, but there is no more "you."

You become your children!

Pursued.

This here is a picture of my journals from middle and high school. Isn't that crazy?! I didn't realize I had so much! These past few days, I have been reading up on them and wow! It's actually depressing. I'm sure that there have been tons of good things happen in my life, but it seems like the only things that get written down are the bad ones. 97% of what I write about is... guys.

And now I understand where my bitterness for the male gene comes from! Reading up on my journals, I have noticed that through middle and high school, my whole self-worth revolved around what a certain guy/ guys thought of me. If a certain guy would look at me or talk to me, I had the BEST day but if I saw him talking to another girl and he just happened to walk right past me without smiling, it was just "the worst day of my life." And then just when I was about to give up and not worry about him anymore, he would do something to spark my fancy again and just keep me right where he wanted me! Although, I would love to blame most of my "male problems" on the male himself... I have to point the finger at yours truly. Without a doubt, I have let guys trample all over me. They can humiliate me, cheat on me, not smile at me etc. and I still hold out for those smooth words he sometimes says.

Looking back and reading my journals, I keep thinking to myself, "gosh I was so DUMB! I just let these guys hurt me and kept coming back to them, kept liking them and kept waiting around for them to 'come around' What is wrong with me!?" But the sad thing is, I still do it. It's like I STAY in denial. I don't realize it at the time, but when I look back, I totally see so many things that say "RUN NOW! He doesn't love you!" In every single one of my relationships, friendships, etc. I see a handful of times I should've thrown in the cards.

So... my goal now is to NOT do that! I have faith that I will find a guy one day who will never make me feel the way any other guy has, and I know that he will chase me and that I won't have to wonder if he likes me, because he will let me know in a million ways. I believe it's God's design for the girl to be pursued and the guy to pursue. From now on, I will NOT PURSUE!! :) I am waiting for my special guy!

Inspirational

Our youth pastor recently shared this video with our group and

I thought it was SO powerful so I will share :)

The First Part

The Second Part

Kinda Silly But...

I have found a way to make my morning devotions more spunky! I put my creativity and love for Jesus together in this little notebook :)

It's my "Devotions Etc." notebook!

But even cooler than that, I'm so proud of my "Prayer Request List."

I totally recommend this for everyone!

My Prayer Request List is a long list of requests that I have, along with the date and a note section beside it to make notes about how God is working in those situations.

(Ex: on Sept. 20th I put down for my mom to get a job and on Sept. 27th I wrote down that she got a job!)

I know a lot of times I will pray for things, and they get answered but I don't even realize it because I'm not really keeping track of it. I just kinda say "Here God, take care of this."

But I want to appreciate everything that He does for me! This helps SO much!

An Answered Prayer

Having grown up around church my whole life, getting pregnant seemed like the worst thing I could possibly do. I remember feeling like God was punishing me and that Mya would be this awful kid who was sent to give me what I deserved. I pleaded with God to not let that be true and that instead Mya would be an angel for me. And that she has been!

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good..." Genesis 50:20

Who am I?

Here lately I have felt so blessed! Nothing really new has happened, I have just thought about where I have been, things I have done and how in the world I got to be where I am at today. I know I have been talking a lot about going to Liberty but I'm just so thankful! I never thought I would get this chance since I had a baby so young. And not only do I get to go off to school, I am going to be surrounded with the best people in the world (other than friends & family here)! I keep asking myself what I did to deserve this... but I have to remember that it's not about who I am. It's who God is. He is paving this path for me! I'm so sure that I'm doing the right thing, and that's a great feeling! I'm so glad He is a good God. :)

Doctor's Office Etiquette

Today we went to the Dr. because neither one of us was feeling very well.

But with Mya, there was sure to be some entertainment...

• Walking inside, she tells me, "Mommy, you're gonna be just fine."
• Once we are sitting down in the waiting room, she says, "Who stinks Mom? Somebody does... and it's not me." But about 10 seconds later, she starts giggling. She was the one letting them rip!
• We get in the room and when the doctor comes in, she tells me, "I want to be the doctor." So the doctor tried to give her his little heartbeat thing, but of course she wouldn't take it.

I'm sure there was more, I just can't remember! This little girl has some crazy stuff come out of her mouth!