I heart a good book...

I finally started the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers (AKA: author of my favorite book...Redeeming Love). As I sat in the airport terminal yesterday, I finished the last few pages & found myself shedding tears but it didn't matter because, honestly, I was completely unaware & totally enthralled in those last few paragraphs. If Cody wouldn't have been there, I probably would have missed my flight! I immediately surfed through my bag to find book 2 so I could find out what happens. Thank goodness it was in my carry-on & not the suitcase or I would have died with anticipation. As usual, Francine Rivers makes you fall in love with each character. I feel like I know these people & I'm invested in their lives & what happens to them.  A beautiful picture of patience, servant-hood, humility & unfailing love is found in the main character, Hadassah. So, I just thought I would pass along my special find. Have a great weekend! I'll be spending mine captivated by book 2. 

On the road again...

This isn't a picture of me but it looks very similar to my recent state. Attempting to pack enough winter clothes for a 10 day trip is not an easy task. One suitcase at 50 pounds is ridonkulous!! My boots weigh half that. We leave for NH in the morning and we are pumped about the week, seeing old friends and making new ones. I should be a professional packer by now but every trip tells me I am over packing. Oh well! Now, I must get back to rolling my jeans into a little ball...

Dear PCB

My dearest Panama City Beach, 

We had so much fun with you this weekend. It was nice to see you and, as always, you looked stunning. It was wonderful to see you so relaxed which made us feel like you cleared your schedule just for our visit. You've changed since I last saw you and so I would ask that, on my next visit, you would refrain from giving me the cold shoulder and I promise to come fully prepared with my sunscreen! ;) We look forward, with great anticipation, to our next visit with you. Hopefully it is soon!! Enjoy your time with all your pals on spring break and try to stay out of trouble!! 

Yours truly,

The Deese's 

We did have a great weekend in PC and Cody did an awesome job speaking at D-now!  I know God did a work in the student ministry and we look forward to hear how their group was changed. The Jernigan's and the Touchton's came to see us (I really think they came for the beach but...) and we had lots of laughs! Jessica, the intern, also joined us on this trip and we forgot how much we missed her being on the road with us. She is growing so much in her walk with Christ and we are so proud of her. We are now home from the beach, reluctantly, and getting ready to head back to the snow. We are excited to have the opportunity to be back in NH! If you need me I will be in my closet attempting to pack enough layers for 10 days in the cold.

Feb. in FL

I love it when ministry calls us to a gorgeous place! This weekend we are going to Panama City, FL for a Disciple Now weekend & I can't wait. Literally, I couldn't wait so we are going a day early to enjoy the sights (thanks to JH for lending us a place to stay). We are excited to partner with Mark & Kim for another exciting weekend with their students. I think it's supposed to be a little chilly but I'm packing my suit just in case it decides to turn warm! Hey, it may be February but it's still the beach! 

Lookin' Good...

I caught a cold and I've pretty much looked like this for 3 days. Isn't it sexy? 

Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentine's day!! Yes, I realize I'm a day early but I usually don't blog on weekends. I'm thrilled to say that Cody is taking me to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic"! I love the books so I'm super pumped about the movie. 

Hope you all have a very happy weekend!

Side note: Happy Birthday to my ya-ya, Morgan! Love you bunches! 

So funny!

This made me laugh so hard! 

Geo What?

I never know what I'm getting into when it involves my dearest HHH and Tuesday was no exception. She sent me an e-mail a few weeks back asking if I wanted to join her to "geocach" which, as a side note, she knew nothing about. Literally, we had no idea what we were getting into. So we showed up totally "dressed" for our day of adventure only to find our guides outfitted with hiking boots, walking sticks and backpacks. What did we do? Well, let's just put it this way...we "bush wacked" in designer jeans, jewels & fancy ballet flats! It was a good time and, apparently, these adventures are ALL over the world so we are planning to do it again. Have you ever GEOcached?

Bush Wackin'

The "geocach" virgins...

Yet another adventure

Saturday the weather was beautiful in Atlanta & a group of people from VL met to take a city walk. Drew & Alicia Benton (who work with SafeHouse Outreach) guided us down the streets of OUR city where we saw what is going on behind all the glamorized commercialism. We were taken through the largest homeless shelter in the city, saw where the homeless gather & even had the opportunity to meet & converse with people who need not only our help but our love. We met a guy called Copper who made copper bracelets (hence the name) for all the ladies in our group. I have to say, I've lived here 10 years & every time I head into the city it's for a fun dinner at a new restaurant or to some sort of "event". I saw my city in a new light. I saw a city that needs love & service. Drew challenged our group to serve in some capacity rather than staying inside our church building. We, so often, become comfortable with our group of people & overbook our schedules with church activities that we really miss the point...the world!! Cody speaks about this all the time so I love to find new ways to be "in the world". I'm excited to see how we will partner with SafeHouse on their journey to make a difference in the city I call home. If you would like to get involved, check out their site. Thanks to Drew & Alicia for their ministry & for taking their Saturday to do our city walk! 

Pancake=proposal

I have known and loved this man for 7 years!! 

And it all started here...
Yep, the international house of pancakes. That was our first "date" and we were joined by one of his board members and, to top it off, my parents randomly decided to show up for dinner as well! Hilarious. He was in town for a conference at the church I attended and we finally met (after all our mutual friends tried to hook us up). Needless to say, we've been pretty much inseparable since that moment! And, he's redeemed himself 1000 times over since the whole pancake date. 

Her lip gloss be poppin'!

What happens when a bunch of crazy girls get bored with the Super Bowl?

Makeovers!!!

Before

After

Mel HATES everything about wearing makeup...the "hassel" of putting it on, everything. We were bored though so she let us have a little fun. She has beautiful skin so all we really did was poof up her hair and give her eyes a smokey look! And one can't forget....a little lip gloss for some pop! Thanks J & C for hosting Super Bowl! It was fun! Who played?

Fondue

From left to right: Kristin, Hillary, Steph, Me, Kensey, Jenny B, Christy, Kate & Mel

Where is the best place to go for a girls night? Melting Pot!! I'm so in love with that place. From the moment you step foot in the door the smells are overwhelmingly amazing. Cody always says he wishes they made a candle that was "melting pot" scented. Anyway, Friday night a bunch of our guys went to the mens conference so we thought it was the perfect opportunity for a little girlie fun! We put all our fondue forks to good use with cheese & chocolate. You might as well forget the main course (although it is yummy too) it's just not chocolate!! We shared lots of laughs & some great conversation! Love these girls! 

Would you please pass the tea?

As most of you know, Cody & I don't have children. After all, the title of the blog IS "just the two of us" & trust me, we are MORE than cool with it. All that to say, we have "adoptive" children that we borrow from time to time & one of those little munchkin's is Addie Boo. When we heard she wanted a Tea Party to celebrate her 5th Birthday, Mom & I asked if we could throw it! We may have gone a little overboard but we just couldn't help it!!! I think Mom & I had more fun than the girls. I took too many pictures to count because everything was too cute.

THE Birthday Girl

With her Tea Pot cake 

Hopie featuring her big, beautiful blue eyes!

"M" showing us how to drink her tea. Such good manners!

Mom reading the Tea Party book all about manners.

The setup

The place settings. I loved the little fairy napkin holders! 

Tea cup cupcakes!