Tuesday, August 31, 2010

'Back where I come from..'

For as long as I've known, this has been my life...













Thank goodness I had this woman of strength to keep me sane!















...And her other half.
However, my dad brings out whole other side of me.
Love ya, Dad... Im your daughter!(That's why people still think I'm 16 years old...got that baby face)

Jason on the other hand...he comes from a more relaxed life.

He "should've been a cowboy..should've learned to rope and ride"
...and then I come into the picture and screwed that up for everyone..
Then I got my hands on his mother...
Fun began..
and I've made her more crazy! Love this woman!

I dont care how crazy they are, Where ya come from is your roots. 
Love you guys!

Thursday, July 29, 2010


















Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy is the hubs favorite home cooked meal. This dish is absolutely mouth watering! Its that kind of meal that is classified under "comfort food!" The only thing is...his mother is the queen at making this meal. And before her, his grandma was the queen master at making this meal. So needless to say, I have a lot of hype to live up to!

Last night, I took on the challenge and decided to make it for J. While I was cooking away in the kitchen, he would come over once in a while to see the process and how I was doing holding up!  Alittle nervous and anxious to see what he thought...I served him up some Hot and Ready homecookin straight from the Rastatter Ranch! 

And.... He loved it! He rant and raved about how yummy it was!

Now thats a good husband!!

Here is the recipe:

1 lb. lean hamburger meat

1 finely chopped onion
1 egg
3/4 c. bread crumbs
Garlic, salt & pepper to taste
1 can of mushroom soup

Mix all ingredents.
Make into patties, brown and drain.
Mix together 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup water, 1 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet (to season).
Pour over meatballs.
Cook for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Serve with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans.

Hope you enjoy!





Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Rejoice!






















Sadly, my grandmother passed away last week. But I can't help but Rejoice for her!  Not in the circumstance of losing her but knowing that she has stood before our Father in Heaven. She is free of pain! And she is Rejoicing!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Why? because "The joy of the Lord is your strength!"

There will be times where you will feel defeated or broken. Sad or hurt.

But don't lose hope. Delight in the Lord. And know that He is in control.

Whatever your circumstance is, know that "God works everything together for the good for those who love Him."

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Daydreaming..























Im daydreaming today...

About things white,
heavenly, and perfect.

About wide open spaces.

Vacation and spending endless summer nights with the hubs and friends.

About wonder when's....and wonder if's....

Hours could go by and I can still sit and daydream.

The best part about it is when one daydream disappears because it came true.
















Will I always be daydreaming about something..

Does this sweet escape eventually end...

Hmmmm....

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

For all you runners out there....









This stuff is Dee-licious! They are performance energy chews. And they taste just like "Fruit Snacks." The pack comes with 8 and are said to fuel you for up to 2 hours. So I usually take 1/2 the pack before my run and the other 1/2 in the middle of my run. Personally, I like the strawberry best.

And then these lil guys are going to be my next venture out....









I heard the chocolate and vanilla gels taste like icing!

Here is the website if you wanna check em out!
http://www.guenergy.com/

Friday, July 16, 2010

Reconnecting

So many years have gone by. So many things have happened.  And somehow the distance between us had grown farther then the actual distance between us. 
Is this what happens when you get older?
Friends come....and friends go?

When I look back to my childhood, she's in it. It was so rich.
Filled with fun, laughter, imagination, and freedom. 
The memories still stood so vivid in my mind.
And once I truely thought about it, 
It didnt really matter what caused this or why for that matter.....


.....she would always be my friend.  

As years have gone by and ive grown up alittle...
Ive learned that life is too short for caddy-ness.
Try not to think so much. Time does heal.
And sometimes the distance can be good.

 
Its good to know you again, friend.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

1 + 1 = 2


2 people joined
2 worlds,lived in
2 states in
2 years,
which consisted of
2 different houses,
2 different jobs,
2 different insurances,
2 sets of friends,
are now we celebrating
2 years of marriage! 





Jason and I were set up on a blind date by 2 couples.
  
And thats all it took..and we knew.

That we knew, that we knew...from that 1 date it was history!

1 blind date + 1 year later = married

and now here we are...
1 year in Texas + 1 year in Florida = 2 crazy years of marriage!
xoxoxo

Monday, June 14, 2010

Oldie but Goodie


I got in the car this morning and wanted to some good tunes. Not groovin tunes, but some good therapy tunes. So i opened up my cd case and the first cd was Ginny Owens. It was a really old cd, but I took my chances anyways. Alot of the songs I had forgotten or didnt know how I could have listened to in the first place. My fingers almost pressed next, but then this song came on. I know the Lord let me listen for a reason....

Who are you Listening to?
by Ginny Owens

This is your life yet somehow they decide what you’re about
You learn your lines and take your cues, but who are you listening to
You change your clothes and how you speak and place your hope
in what they think. Before you know, there’s no more you,

Who are you listening to, Have you noticed how much ya fear
All those voices you choose to hear, Who are you listening to
Who tells you what to do, Who rules your thoughts at night
And whose rules define your life

Oh, ya know it’s up to you, So who are you listening to
Who are you listening to

This is your life you have no choice, You will rely on someone’s voice
And it’s alright to question who, Who are you listening to

Do the words that you believe, set your soul and spirit free

Who are you listening to, Who tells you what to do
Who rules your thoughts at night, Whose rules define your life

Oh, ya know it’s up to you, So, who are ya listening to
Who are you listening to

There’s a quiet voice whispering in your heart, It’s been there all along,
It believes in you, it will tell the truth, Can’t you hear it call

Who rules your thoughts at night, Whose rules define your life
Oh,ya know it’s up to you, So, who are you listening to
Who are you listening to, Are you listening?????

(to listen..please turn off playlist at the bottom)


Sunday, June 13, 2010

Get back up

When sin creeps in and knocks you down...
you get back up.
"They will fight against you but will not overcome you,
for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD." Jeremiah 1:19
It feels good to feel strong. To feel confident that the Lord is refining the  struggle that continues to break you down. 
It feels good. It feels happy.
I feel blessed.
But its at that very moment that Satan thrives on attack.
Keep your head held high, your shoulders lifted.
And when it starts to happen, and you feel your joy start to dwindle...
get back up. Resight this passage and know that
 He his your warrior when satan tries to attack.
"The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies." Isaiah 42:13
  I am a work in progress. And I know God is still molding me and reteaching me from what I've known for so long. Refining a struggle takes time. I will be changed. I will overcome this.
 
So I encourage you, when satan continues to creep in and steel your joy, your hope, your courage...dont give up the fight!!You will overcome this. Whatever your struggle is. Whatever your fight. Whatever is too heavy for you. Lay it down. Break the chains and let God take on this burden.
God will prevail!






Thursday, May 13, 2010

A Good Mood

I am in a good mood today! Ya know why??
Tonight is the season finale of...


Its more than a good mood though.
Its planning my day leading up to this big event.
It will start with my morning green tea(those of you who know me, know that I switch back and forth between green tea and coffee in the mornings but I have to have one or the other)
Right now its particularly a green tea season!
Okay so then I head to work(which if I could choose, would not be part of the plan
but Im a money- maker so away I go for 8 hours)


After work is when the excitement starts to build...
I will hurry home, change into my running clothes and head for the trail for a high paced--Jamming to my new iTunes songs--"I need water now"--
my knees are going to collapse on me---kind of run.
Which I somehow find exhilarting!
(Note: This is not me)

After I consume large amounts of water, I will start prepping for supper!
A favorite meal is a must for this kind of night, but that would be tacos for us and we already had "Taco Tuesday". So I will have to reach into my recipe noggin and come up with something else......
Aha! Enchiladas!
Which I've never made before and might not be a good night to test a recipe, but I will try anyways. I am going to trust a dear blogger acquaintance of mine and try
 The Busy Budgeting Mama recipe for Enchiladas here.
Alternative Name
When I'm done making the dish, I will light a yummy smelling candle while my husband and I will sit at our little 2-top pub table and enjoy our lavish Mexican meal and I hear him rant and rave about how he doesnt understand the concept of eating out and the money spent when I make such fantastic meals at home! hehehe.
I will then nod and smile as I remove myself from the table and scadadle back into the kitchen to tidy up. 
I will pour me a glass of red wine, grab my phone(because me, my mom, and sister tend to chat throughout the evening discussing the shows) and prop down on the couch as I soak in the thrilling, goodness of ....
Private Practice.

THE END TO A PERFECT THURSDAY.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Lukewarm?















Lukewarm:
1) lacking conviction or enthusiasm,indifferent 2) warm
I have to admit, this has been me in the past. Although, I tried my best to find a different word to describe it. This pretty much sums it up. Lukewarm.

God says in Revelations 3: 15-17 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."

Spit you out!!!??? (*gulp*) This is serious! How could I have been living such a life that God would want to do this? 
One of the best books Ive ever read is Crazy Love by Francis Chan.
In this book, he describes this incredible crazy love that God has for us and that we should have for him.  The love that constantly pursues His heart and His time. He talkes about lukewarm christians and gives examples of how lukewarm can creep into different parts of your life. Chan speaks of the love of God and how we are to let God do the work in us and make the changes in our heart. We cant assume we are living on "good" soil. We cant believe the lies that good deeds is what the Lord wants of us.  A person’s faith is shown through his actions. Chan says, “The world needs Christians who don’t tolerate the complacency of their own lives.”
 
I have lived so many years being lukewarm in certain areas of my life. It took me meeting my husband to fully see the depth of Gods grace.  It took seeing my husbands actions and example in my life, his reverence, his accountability, and us talking about the foundation we want our marriage built on. I get it now. And its good. God is good. How could I have missed it all these years?  Im still a work in progress. Im still cleaning house.
And I still pray that God continues to reveal the ugly places in my heart and fills them with his love. But its good.
 

"Teach me to be humble
Call me from the grave
Show me how to walk
with you upon the waves
Breathe into my spirit
Breathe into my veins
Until only love remains"
Only Love Remains, JJ Heller







 

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

My Best Friend's Wedding

My best friend got hitched! 
Here are some photos of the big day
 as I take care of my "Do Girl", "Matron of Honor" duties
in helping the Bride get ready to run, walk down the isle....


What a great day it was!
Congratulations Ernie and Ricky! (Erin and Ryan)

**And if you cant find me, this is a close up!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Let the Gardening begin!

Spring time is here and that means blooms, flowers, and planting!
I love this time of year and have really taken appreciation for flowers blooming in the yard. I want to be good at it...but there is a problem.
Im just not.
I either water too much or water not enough.
So this spring, follow me on the journey of "do I or do I not kill my flowers in bloom".
=) We shall see.....take a look as of this week.


Tuesday, April 6, 2010

The Power of...

...Music!
If you havent noticed, music has a way into my heart.
I find meaning in the words,
and in return I find peace in the meaning.

Moving from place to place, I have had my fair share in church hopping.
And that means worship band hopping as well. 
 If I cant connect to the worship,Im outta there!
I grew up from middle school on singing in the worship band at my church and its just something I need. I need to be fed in that way on Sunday mornings. 
God is so powerful in those moments to me.
So needless to say you will be hearing music from this blog!
I cant keep good stuff in..i have to share =)

This Sunday with it being Easter it was more meaningful to go to church knowing the tomb was empty. Knowing the pain Christ endured for me..
for you.
So that morning, I was checking my social networks ;) and heard this song...
I was in awe.
And still 2 days later, I need to hear it again.
I need to be reminded.
Its kinda of lengthy, but hit play and go do the dishes or fold some laundry.
It will stay with you.

ashley

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Coffee or Tea?


Its a toss up!
Lately I have been anticipating alittle bit of "folders in my cup"
with a dash of french vanilla creamer...mmm, good!
However, there is something about green tea to me that makes me feel
 healthier,
slimmer,
rejuvenated!
And whenever my belly aches,
its a sure thing that green tea will cure it!
So which is your preference?

Friday, March 26, 2010

Follow Me Fridays

I was catching up on my blog reading and was over at How Sweet It Is when I came across Follow Me Fridays. So I decided to participate. Blog Hop with me!

The Trendy Treehouse



MckLinky Blog Hop