Obsession

Every year as the weather starts to change with the temps slowly creeping to cool my obsession with candles always grows. I've written about this problem a few times. I just love the scent & warmth it brings to my home when a candle is burning. The soft light just makes me feel cozy. That being said, my friend January has been staying with us for almost 2 weeks while her baby boy, Jonas, is going to a specialist in ATL. She has picked up on my "issue" & has purchased quite a few candles as "thank you" gifts for us. I can't wait to burn every one of them! My house is gonna rock in the scent department!

Rain, rain go away!

"Rain, rain on my face. It hasn't stopped raining for days. My world is a flood. Slowly I become one with the mud."-Jars of Clay

This is seriously insane. I've never seen it rain so much in my life! School is cancelled, 150+ roads are closed in our county & I'm sitting in my house with a warm cup of homemade veggie soup & the DVR going! I love a rainy day but this rainy month is a little out of control. The up-side: so much for the drought! Lord, I'm looking for the rainbow. ;)

Still celebrating

My Dad always jokes that I can make a birthday last longer than anyone he knows & this year was no different. I'm still celebrating! After spending the weekend with Cody in FL, Mom & Dad took me to one of my favorite spots for dinner with a few of my pals & then my BFF took me to Panama City Beach (otherwise known as the redneck riviera)! We got up in the middle of the night (6 am ;)) for our journey to ensure we would get as much sunshine time as possible! That we did. We found the most yummy restaurant (which was so good it was worth eating at both nights), shopped, ate at the best breakfast place & we even exercised in the rain. It goes without saying that I did something I've never done. I try to do that on every trip I ever take.

I couldn't ask for a better "sister"! Love her bunches!

Thanks, HHH for an awesome b-day trip!

We couldn't resist the "cheesy"

Of course we had to get a photo with "Santa"?

Great girls & great friends!

ID

Between my work & the ministry, our lives have been totally consumed & it's wonderful! I'm so blessed to have a job & we LOVE getting to minister to all types of people from all over the place. Cody, Jason & the band have worked really hard to put together ID Tour. We have a great passion to help students understand that their identity is not a mystery but is found in their Creator, Jesus Christ. ID's kick-off went great & the guys are having a blast on the road. Can't wait to see all God will do in & through all of us during the process!

The team: Seth, My Man (Cody), John, Jason, Matt & Josh

Late 20's?

I never thought I would be the type of person to "freak" out over a birthday. Well, this year, I became that person. Flat out, here's the deal...I'm inching ever closer to 30. I know it's really not a big deal & it's not as if I'm filing for social security, ordering the senior special or anything but time is just going by so quickly. All that being said, I had a wonderful day! I drove to FL (where Cody was on tour) to celebrate. We spent the entire day together & he made me feel super special. We enjoyed the outdoor mall, went to dinner, watched "500 Days of Summer" (which was great) & topped the evening off with a scoop of birthday ColdStone icecream. Overall, I'm determined that my late 20's are going to better than my early 20's! So far, I'm off to a good start! ;)

Mormons, Mountains & Ministry

Last weekend, after a ridiculous flight, we spent a few days in Utah. Cody was invited to speak at a youth event for groups from Utah & Idaho. We were so blessed to see many students begin a relationship with Christ in an area that is not our usual "bible belt" event. We spent the days riding all around Salt Lake City & taking in all the sights. The weather was beautiful!!

The Capital Building

We went to Kennecott Canyon Copper Mine which is 2-3/4 miles across & 3/4 of a mile deep & can be seen by space shuttle astronauts when the pass over the US. The trucks look tiny but, obviously, the tires are huge.

The actual copper canyon

We couldn't go to Salt Lake & not visit the Mormon Temple. It was very interesting & impressive. We saw I don't know like 15 weddings at 1:30 on a Friday afternoon. Below is one of the beautiful gardens at the temple.

We never seem to choose the right shoes. It always seems that we go for a ride & then end up taking some crazy walk or hike. This trip was no exception. Rainbows & Havaianas come to the rescue!!

The view was worth it!

Antelope Island State Park was beautiful. We drove around for hours taking in the amazing scenery. I love the sunflower...

One of the many bison we saw at Antelope Island...

Yep, never seen that before...

A day off...

I'm taking the day off. Cody has been so busy putting his fall schedule together & I've been busy raising 4 children (that aren't mine) & running a household (also not mine) so we both decided to take today off. What to do, what to do? Looks like we are going to Ikea, for the first time, & then hanging by the pool, oh yeah! I can't wait to download all our beautiful pics from our last trip. We had a great time ministering to students from Idaho & Utah & saw many begin a relationship with the Savior! They were hungry for truth & it was such an honor to be the ones to share it. Have a happy day! :)