And the winner is...

Tonight I drew my winner using Random.org and it picked #5!

Congrats Donna Pace!

I will get this book to Mimi, so she can bring it to choir practice on Wednesday. Thanks to all who played! I am learning to much right now, and super thankful for those around me who are helping me with these lessons! God is so good!!!!!

Good Eats

No one has ever accused Alexa of being picky, but last night she definitely proved that she is a great eater. Earlier in the week I made plans to have dinner with a friend, and my original thought was that Alexa could spend the night with Mimi and Pop. Then Thursday night Mimi and I ended up going to the movies, so by Friday I felt like I hadn't seen her at all. Even though I brought her home on Thursday I didn't have any time to play with her before bedtime. So, instead of sending her off to Mimi's last night, I just took her with me. It was her first sushi experience, and she LOVED it!

How many almost 3 year old do you know (outside of Japan) who can effectively use chopsticks? She ate 2 pieces of the California roll I got...I was trying to keep her first experience simple, and while this isn't my fave roll, it's about as basic as it gets. The other roll I got had caviar on top, and she ate every single bit of that...I maybe had 1, but probably only b/c she didn't see me get it. We had a great time, and I think it is safe to say that Alexa is a sushi fan...can't wait to take her back for something a little more exotic!

Trying to get a bite with her chopsticks

Notice she didn't have any help, and they are not the kids chopsticks
held together with a rubber band!

Must Read/Giveaway

I am reading multiple books right now...must be a testament to my unwillingness to commit. JUST KIDDING! Come on, it was supposed to be funny. Anyway, I'm really reading all of these books for different reasons. #1 My home group is studying one #2 My sister and I are supposed to be doing another together (we've gotten a bit lost there, but I'm going to read it I swear!) #3 I want to be a good parent and I am a bit clueless on that one and #4 I said I would when I signed up for a free book. So, there are all of my reasons for reading the 5 different books on my sidebar.

For home group we are studying through Twelve Extraordinary Women and I LOVE it. There are so many insightful things about each character that I never considered before. Originally I was less than sure about this one, but I am so happy we made this choice! God is teaching me so much through the different women we have studied so far, and I know it's only going to get better as we study through the next 9. So far we have taken a look at Eve, Sarah, and Rahab. I can't wait to see what I learn in the next chapter.

In my opinion this is a must read for any woman of God who is seeking His face. If you decide to give it a shot, let me know, I would love to hear your thoughts!! And...as an added bonus I have a copy to give away! If you would like to enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on what God is teaching you right now.

To receive extra entries, you can: Tweet about it, and link to your tweet in a comment (make sure you follow me too) or write your own post linking the giveaway.

Ok, good luck!

Becoming Frugal

Tonight I spent several hours talking to a couple of close friends about and budgeting. We had a blast just being together, but we also made some progress for one of them. The word budget scares people, but I have found that when you have a name for each dollar you earn, it is extremely freeing.

This month she will pay off one medical bill, and pay a chunk on another credit card. She might be eating eggs and tuna all month, but at least she can see a difference by the time we are looking at October. We also switched her car insurance tonight and saved her $40 on the spot...how cool is that? That means an extra $40 to put toward her debt each month!!

The bottom line with budgeting is come up with something you can stick with...if it doesn't work for you then you might as well not waste your time...but you also have to live within your means. Save when you want to buy something instead of expecting instant gratification, and teach your children the same. I am slowly learning what it means to be frugal, and I have to say I am really enjoying it!

Friday Favorite

In an effort to blog more I have instituted Favorite Friday. This is a tool to help me reflect on my week and pick my favorite event. I encourage you to spend a few minutes thinking about your week and what made this week special...

My birthday was Wednesday, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out my favorite event would be related to that. I actually have 2 faves this week...the first one is the hijacking of my blog. That was really special to me because it took thought, planning, and most of all being sneaky! Thanks to Jodi (my sister) and my mom for pulling that one off...it was so nice to read her post. It is below this post if you haven't had a chance to read it.

My second fave event of the week was last night at my actual birthday dinner...my mom drove halfway to Columbia (over an hour) to pick up a cake my best friend made for my birthday...so they both drove over an hour. Then she tried to surprise me with it...and she would've gotten away with it, but she wasn't quite sneaky enough. We had dinner at RIO, and as usual it was amazing. After I made Alexa's salad plate I made my own...it was at this point my parents/grandparents/uncle arrived. When I came back to the table my mom was talking to Alexa...it went something like this

Alexa: Mimi after we eat we are having cake?
Mimi: Did you bring a cake? (now at this point I'm still clueless)
Alexa: No (looking at Mimi like are you kidding me??!!)
Alexa: Mimi after we eat are we having cake?
Mimi: Did you bring a cake?
Alexa: (while pointing toward the door) No, the one in the white box
Me: BUSTING OUT LAUGHING!!!! Somebody got caught

The cake was absolutely beautiful...I'll try to get a pic on here before too long. I left my camera at Mimi's house last week, so I have to wait on an email :)


What a wonderful birthday week...thank you to everyone who made it special!

Now, post about your favorite event of the week and link up here!

thank you God for this sister

Photo by Nanimo

I just couldn't resist hijacking Autumn's blog today to get all of you to help me wish her a fabulous happy birthday...hopefully the most fabulous birthday evah!

Growing up 7.5 years apart...we weren't the closest of siblings...I was a bookworm - Autumn & Josh shared a room in the early years, which helped them form a closer bond. Over the years, our interests were different...Autumn loves all things fashion & hip - me...well, let's just say shopping at WalMart/Sam's/Target/etc doesn't make for the hippest of chics ;) I'm a math girl at heart...Autumn is not a big fan...our differences are many...yet these days, that seems to make us more complete.

In 2001, I left Clemson, got married and moved to Raleigh - Autumn moved in at Clemson...life rolled on. Then in January of 2006 - our family got lots of big news...our Nannie passed away...I found out I was pregnant...and Autumn found out she was pregnant a week later...and oh how those 2 pregnancies helped knit our souls together more than ever - we even had the same due date.

Thankfully, we delivered 3 days apart - just enough time for Mama to help Autumn & Lexapie get home from the hospital & settled in before I was induced the next morning...and those two precious babies have continued to knit our souls together. When I found out I was pregnant with Cameron - a part of my soul grieved that we wouldn't take that journey together again.

It has been so beautiful to watch Jesus work in Autumn's life - I am so thankful for this road we've traveled together...for the friends we've become & will continue to be...and can't wait to see what Jesus does next.

Happy, Happy 26th Birthday Autumn Lynn!

I thank Jesus for you - for the way you faithfully serve Jesus, for the way you are always so willing to watch my kiddos if Brad & I have homegroup or need a break...for your {much needed} fashion advice & direction...for the way you love Jesus & seek to point Alexa to Him...for your patience with me when I don't return emails in the most timely manner...for your willingness to make the tough decisions & work towards making your life be just what you want it to be. I know you have hopes and dreams that haven't yet been realized...I can't wait to look back in a year & see how much farther along that path you are. Know that you are loved & cherished & a most precious daughter of the King!

Happy Birthday & I love you!
love,
your sister

Sorry...

As you may have noticed I missed Favorite Friday this week...I have been so busy with work that I just didn't have time. I'm going in tomorrow after church to finish up a few last minute build items before we jump in feet first Monday morning for our go-live. I'm not nervous...honestly there is no point, either it works or it doesn't...either way we will figure it out. I'm going to be crazy busy again this week, so if I don't get a chance to blog again before next weekend, have a good one!

Calling all Teachers

Ladies, you may already be aware of this special offer, but in some online browsing this morning I came across it and wanted to share. I am a huge fan of Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft so I am always on the lookout for a good deal.

I know I am not alone when I say that teachers are under appreciated and under paid, and that we don't recognize the thankless job you do enough. So how exciting to know that Ann Taylor has a program for teachers where you can earn benefits for your classroom when you shop, and you also get a discount. You can head over here to check it out. I am really impressed that we have retailers who do things like this, and I hope more follow in their footsteps! So go on an treat yourself to a couple of cute back to school pieces with your new teacher discount! Happy shopping :)

Playdate

Favorite Friday

In an effort to blog more I have instituted Favorite Friday. This is a tool to help me reflect on my week and pick my favorite event. I encourage you to spend a few minutes thinking about your week and what made this week special...

With this being our last week before our system freeze we have been extremely busy at work, so my favorite event was a relaxing dinner out with a good friend. We went to have pizza and just talk. After we were both stuffed we headed out the door and ran into 3 of our friends who were enjoying the night air and having some ice cream. Let me interject that I really want to try the little ice cream cupcakes Coldstone has! Anyway...after standing outside talking for another 1.5 hours we finally called it a night. It was the best time, and it was a great reminder for me of how thankful I am for my friends! God has truly blessed me :)

Ok, now it's your turn! Don't forget to link back here

Sad...

I just realized that my profile says I'm a "24 year old" and in exactly 13 days that will be off by 2 years...that's right, I didn't notice it for the whole last year!

Dear Blogger...you should update my age for me so I don't have to remember ~

Giveaway!

No, not here...but check out this blog for a giveaway in honor of Dawn's 200th post! If you haven't read her blog before you are in for a treat! Don't forget to post about it on your blog and link up with her for an extra chance to win! Good luck :)

Where is September?

We have 3 days left until our system freezes for a week, and then we have our first go live 2 days before my birthday. Happy birthday to me...um, NO! I am ready for my beach vaca in September...that's all I have to say! Just hope I make it that far!!

IKEA!

I have always heard that IKEA was a fun store, but for a long time the closest one was in ATL and that's a bit far for a day trip. I was really excited when a store opened in Charlotte, but I had still never made it up there to check it out in person. My curiosity was piqued when I found out a good portion of my furniture and accessories at our new place came from IKEA.

Then a little over a week ago I read this post recounting the visit a friend of mine took to IKEA, and I was done! No more waiting around. Last weekend was already too busy, so Mimi and I planned our trip for today. I arranged childcare so Alexa wouldn't have to suffer through the endless shopping I knew would take place. We left this morning around 9:45 and arrived at IKEA just before 11.

We got our map and went straight to work, and we were not disappointed. We got some great deals, including part of Alexa's birthday present which I am really excited about. I also got a few other things I've been wanting/needing for our house.

If you've never been to IKEA I highly recommend you make the trip. We were in the store for right at 3 hours, and it was well worth the time and effort. I can't wait to go back!