Harry Potter, The Wonders of Pinterest, and Photography.

Long time no see....Sorry about being away for so long! The Fall semester is finally over, and I must say it has been a tough one. But let's forget about the lows and focus on the highlights of Fall 2011!

For my Fall Break my in-laws, husband and I took a trip to Disney World! And of course, the most exciting part was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! It was great. My only complaint is that I wish there was MORE. I want an entire city...no, country...no, PLANET to be based on Harry Potter. *Sigh* The hotel we stayed at (The Grand Floridian) was amazing and the service was excellent. One event that ranked pretty high on the awesome-factor was swimming with the Dolphins at Discovery Cove. Dolphins are officially my new favorite animal.  And lastly, the Cirque Du Soleil show was the best live entertainment I've ever witnessed. No CG, no stunt doubles, just fascinatingly difficult talent right in front of your eyes. You if you EVER get the chance to see a show, you must!

The Grand Floridian 

Apparently Stephen met a new friend!

Ok, let's now address how fabulous and wonderful Pinterest is to me. I discovered this fabulous website this semester.  Only those who use Pinterest know just how incredible it can be. I wish I had it as a resource for planning my wedding over a year ago. There are many, many uses for Pinterest, but one in particular is the ability to find awesome recipes! Especially, recipes for my Crockpot...which I love. If you don't use your Crockpot, I can guarantee that Pinterest will inspire you to dust it off and use it to its full potential.  There are also yummy desserts, drinks, appetizers and made from scratch meals just waiting to be tried out!

Healthy Lasagna Soup! I am always looking for healthy recipes and this one was delish!
Link: http://thedeenbros.com/index.php/recipes/recipe_detail/
bobbys_lighter_tastes_like_lasagna_soup/

Crockpot BBQ Chicken! The Hubs loved this one and it was soooo easy. Link: http://forkinit.blogspot.com/2010/09/crockpot-barbecue-chicken.html

7 Up Biscuits! Stephen almost ate the entire pan by himself. They go with almost any meal....SO good. I will say, mine did not turn out looking like the picture at all though. haha. Link: http://monstermama-monstermama.blogspot.com/

And this is on my list of things to try ;) Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes! Link: http://passthesushi.com/cherry-coke-float-cupcakes

Pinterest is also provides great inspiration for DIY crafts. (I have never been a crafty person but this website stirs something within me that I cannot deny!) Not to mention Teaching Resources, Fashion inspiration, unique items, Home Decor tips and SO MUCH MORE. But reader beware....It will suck 4 hours out of your day faster than you could ever imagine. In a nutshell, it is addicting!

This semester I have also found myself enjoying my new hobby: Photography. It has been so fun and I love practicing on my family! I should have started this years ago!

vacations, hippos and sweet surprises

Finally getting to sit down and have some blog time! Well, I'm making it a little break from the mountain of homework that is slowly melting my brain.  

summer school books*

I've been missing Peepaw a lot lately. It always hits me at quiet times, like in the car when my mind starts to wander. Sometimes it seems like I don't want to believe it. Like, if I were to drive to Meemaws house right now he would be in his usual chair at the kitchen table.  

Wasn't he handsome?

I especially missed him 2 weeks ago when some of my family and I took a weekend vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was a great time and I couldn't help but think of how much he loved to take trips. He would've really enjoyed this one.

I didn't know what to expect on our trip (I usually only hear "Arkansas" come up when there is a joke about hillbillies or incest). But I have to say that it was beautiful! The scenery was wonderfully green and we found cool little places to eat and shop. My husband was out of his comfort zone with waking up early and being on the go ALL day, but he was a trooper :)

my family! i loved this wall we found in a parking area.

Boat tour*

super old elevator at the tour of the Bathhouse

the guys (and mom) ready for the mavs game that night

I also received an unexpected surprise that weekend! It started about 3 years ago when I was attending Abilene Christian University I was a member at Southern Hills Church of Christ (wonderful place to be!). I met a young married couple and their son visiting church that morning.  Their son was sitting next to me and he was probably around 5 years old. He started getting restless and fidgeted in the pew so I got out a little notepad and started drawing stick figures and silly things and passed it to him and he was entertained for awhile.  Once the fun in that faded away for him I remembered that I had a little toy Hippo in my purse (I know I know, you're thinking why does a 20 yr old college student have that? Well my cousin gave it to me, and we happen to be sentimental about weird things). So I let him play with the little toy hippo until church ended. Once services were over I talked to his mom who thanked me for being nice to her son. I could tell that he did not want to give up that little toy so I told him he could keep it.  I knew that they were from out of town and I would probably never see them again, but hey he liked it so I was glad to make his day. Well that night I get a picture-mail of the hippo on their dashboard! It made me laugh and I felt so glad that I met them.
WELL....On our trip 2 weeks ago I get a picture mail from them and its her son with the Humphrey the Hippo! How randomly wonderful and sweet is that? Things like this don't happen very often and certainly not with 3 years passing in between them.  I feel so blessed to have met them and so thankful to God that people like this still exist today.

Humphrey the Hippo and my old friend :)  (*picture and name of child withheld)

Bibles and Brownies

It has been a pretty fab week.  We had my best friends baby shower this past Saturday and it was so ridiculously adorable. 

Rubber ducky theme!

punch made by yours truly!

Monday I started my first day at my new job. Working part time at SLP has been going great so far! It beats the pants off of working retail any day...

Tuesday I was very brave and I chopped my hair off. I have had long hair for as long as I can remember (and my sweet husband was supportive of this change....but I know he wants it back already). But hey, its summer and I'm lovin' it!!!

And tonight we had our last chapter of the ladies Bible study that my Meemaw hosts at her house. Gathering together with my mom, aunts and cousins to talk about how to be Godly wives to our husbands has been eye-opening and extremely rewarding. I can't lie to you though...there was some information that NONE of us wanted to hear. It was pretty ridic at times. But a lot of it was stuff that we needed to hear. I unfortunately missed a few nights because of spring semester night classes...but I can't wait to start our next book! I am so very blessed to have these women around me. And my mom brings brownies, so win-win.

My Meemaw and her words of wisdom <3