Quick Update

I have to praise the Lord because Nanny is doing a little better!!!! Thank you all for your diligent prayers!! I had a long weekend visit with Nanny, Dad, & G-ma "B" and the fellowship and company was well needed. I feel as if I have been in a whirlwind lately with everything going on, but the good Lord is giving me strength and grace each and every day.

Daddy goofing off....


Daddy & Me

Grandma "B" & Me

I am gearing up for fall and still working on getting the house decorated. This is the first year that I have decorated for fall, but I can see that it will be something to look forward to each and every year from hear on out. I came up with a special craft that I will be sharing with you in the
coming week, so check back with me!
I only have a few things to decorate with, but I think that it really warms the house up and gives it such a cozy feeling :)

My Favorite Fall Decoration.....

School is keeping me busy this week. I had a test in Statistics today and tomorrow I have a test in Humanities. I should be studying right now, but I had to steal away a few minutes to feed my new found obsession!!!

We should be starting up with scouting this week. I am praying that I will be able to keep up!!

I suppose I better get to my studies.........

What Do I Know....

There is a song by Sarah Groves, one of my absolute favorite Christian artists, that has given me great comfort these last few days and puts into words the emotions of my heart.

These are the lyrics:
I have a friend who just turned eighty-eight and she just shared with me that she's afraid of dying. I sit here years from her experience and try to bring her comfort. I try to bring her comfort, . But what do I know? What do I know? . She grew up singing about the glory land, and she would testify how Jesus changed her life. It was easy to have faith when she was thirty-four, but now her friends are dying, and death is at her door. . Oh, and what do I know? Really, what do I know? . Chorus: I don't know that there are harps in heaven, Or the process for earning your wings. I don't know of bright lights at the ends of tunnels, Or any of those things. . She lost her husband after sixty years, and as he slipped away she still had things to say. Death can be so inconvenient. You try to live and love. It comes and interrupts. . And what do I know? What do I know? . Chorus . But I know to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord, and from what I know of him, that must be pretty good. Oh, I know to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord, and from what I know of him, that must be very good.

Thank you for praying for my dear great-grandmother. I know that she appreciates each and every prayer that is being sent up for her. Please pray for her to have peace in her spirit.

Thoughts From A Grateful Heart

Today started out like any other ordinary weekday. I got Jarred off to school, went to class, then off to work. I called Mom to chat for a few. We were talking about Nanny and my most recent visit. And then I got back to work.... not long after I received an e-mail from Mom stating that Nanny would most likely have to go back to the hospital, but she really didn't know much more. After several phone calls (and tears) later it was decided that Dad should fly down to have a good visit with Nanny this week. This process is hard.... realizing that I will have to let go of someone that is so near and dear to my heart. So, after much talking with Mom & Dad and a lot of crying I went back to work. It is in these times that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I serve a real and living God. His strength and grace never fail me. I cling to the promise that He is our refuge and strength.

I know that when Nanny leaves she will go to be with Jesus and what a wonderful place to be!! But my heart still hurts and yearns for more time with her. However, I am oh so grateful that God saw it fit to allow her to be such an instrumental part of my life. I know that her testimony has not only touched me but everyone with whom she has come in contact with. Nanny has lived a full life and overcome so much in the eight decades that she has been blessed with.

Throughout the day I have reflected on Nanny, my family, and my friends and have seen God's grace and love poured down on me from before I even knew He was there. I equate Nanny's love with that of God's, undeserved yet so unconditional. That is the kind of love mentioned in I Corinthians 1. When I was a wayward child with only myself in mind God loved me.... and Nanny never gave up either......

Today I am thankful for:
Jesus dying for a sinner like me
Knowing that I can rest in His strength when I feel so weak & depleted
The peace that comes in knowing that my family and friends are here to support me.....
The joy that comes in knowing that one day I will be rejoicing with my Savior in Glory Land!!

Birthday Celebration

Thursday night Tanya, Alina, and I went out to Yamato's, a local japanese restuarant, to celebrate both mine and Tanya's birthday's. It was a nigt of firsts for us all. We rode in Alina's convertible, which was my first convertible ride I think. I quickly decided that while the experiance was a lot of fun, I never want a convertible myself. My hair was a wreck the entire evening, lol!!!

On the way to the restaurant we saw light penetrating through the most beautiful clouds. This picture really doesn't do any justice to the actual beauty of the sky that night..........

I was quite schocked and delighted with the thoughtfulness of my dear friends. They both know me so well and gave me the sweetest gifts. Thank you girls :)

It was also Tanya & Alina's first time eating sushi that was prepared with raw fish. They both throughly enjoyed it. They also tried eel and were surprised that they liked that. We talked Alina into eating a whole glob of wasabi and she thought for a moment she might be immune to its potency, but it finally snuck up on her and and we thought she was going to choke!! Thankfully she didn't, but we did all get quite the laugh. Alina is much braver than I am.

It was such an enjoyable evening and a memorable birthday celebration. Once again I am so grateful to the Lord for providing me with such sweet & godly girlfriends.

Vintage Apron Give Away

I just love vintage things and today I stumbled upon a giveaway for free vintage aprons. Follow the link to enter the drawing.... They are just TOO cute!! BTW, the drawing ends tonight at midnight....

Saturday Afternoon Musings.....

(This is a pic of Nanny & Jarred from about 1 1/2 years ago..... Isn't she so cute!)


I am over in Molino today visiting with my dear great-grandma, "Nanny", she is so sweet and is such an encouragment to us all. Please continue to pray for her healing. She has the best attitude of anyone I know regarding her infirmities & life in general. She trusts the good Lord with all her heart. Nanny took care of me a good part of my childhood and was instrumental in raising me. The majority of my most cherished memories are from being at Nanny & Papo's house and spending time with them.

I got up this morning and baked us some bannana bread which didn't turn out as well as it usually does at home. Bummer..... I think that it is because I used Splenda instead of sugar.

For Dinner I made Ratatouiile Stoup & foccia bread. This Ratatouille is not the same as what was made in the movie, but it was very easy to make and quite delicious. Next time I will make the real stuff!! After we ate the three of us sat down to watch the movie Ratatouille. Here are some pictures of our delicious dinner...














































I realized as I was uploading these pictures that someone snuck my camera out and snapped a few photos......
































I got tagged today, so thanks to those of you that tagged me, lol!

TAG - YOU'RE IT!

Two names you go by:
1. Jillian
2. Jill
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Tank top
2. PJ bottoms (i'm in the country & being lazy ok!)
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. My Nanny to be well
2. To grow more spiritually (i.e. more patience, RIGHT NOW!! LOL)
Two people who will most likely send this back
1 Deanna
2. Rachel
Two things you ate today
1. Banana Bread
2. Dark Chocolate
Two people you last spoke to:
1. Nanny
2. Jarred
Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Visiting some more with Nanny
2. Church
Two longest car rides:
1. San Bernadino, CA to Pensacola Fl
2. Jacksonville, AR to Gulf Breeze, FL
Two favorite beverages:
1. Water
2. Iced Coffee

Ok, so if you have a blog it is your turn to post..... TAG YOUR IT!!!

Birthday Bliss

It is official...... I am almost 30!! That means my Dad is really getting old, lol!! I celebrated my 29th birthday on Sunday and I am so thankful that the Lord has seen it fit to bless me with another year. I appreciate my family and friends so very much for remembering me on my special day. I have resolved not to be one of those people that complain about getting older. I hope to welcome each new year that God so graciously gives me with a smile and a grateful heart. Plus, the added bonus is that being old means you get wisdom.... right? Well, at least I have my wisdom teeth now so that has got to mean I am getting a little in that area, lol!

A night at the gallery....

Tonight Jarred and I had the pleasure of attending an art reception at NWFSC's gallery. I thoroughly enjoy these events and hope that my attempt to expose Jarred to cultural events will have a lasting effect. I have been taking him along with me to gallery showings for the past two years and I can already see his interest being piqued. Tonight we viewed art from the 10th Biennial National Pastel Society Exhibition. There were so many beautiful paintings that it was very hard to pick just one favorite, so I took pictures of all my favorites (a few of Jarred's as well) and you can help me choose which you like the best. Just look at my new flickr badge to view tonights photos.