It's looking a lot like Christmas...

I am so happy that Christmas was so close to the day we moved into our new home, because with the warmth of the lights, trees, and Christmas decor has really helped it feel like a real HOME around here....OUR HOME! God always knows what he is doing. Doesn't he?
My mom, Aunt Minda, Libby, and Lanie came to visit this weekend! We enjoyed having them as our first overnight guests! We loved their company. Everyone is always invited now...because we have a place for you to stay. :)

Hilarious Commercial!

One of my students from last year showed me this and I loved it! ...Enjoy!
I don't even like Dr. Pepper.

Productive Weekend!

We had a great time on Friday at school! I have such a wonderful class!





I wanted to share what we got done this weekend. All Paint Upstairs and the Hardwood Floor by my wonderful husband! We had a lot of help last week. Thanks to everyone who has offered your time, love, energy, and right arm! Thanks! You are a breath of fresh air! It's coming together thanks to all our friends and family's help!
Anytime you need a painter, or someone to hold a ladder or flashlight....Call me!!

Upstairs Jack and Jill Bathroom - Dalphin Grey


Upstairs Hallway - Bark Mulch
Upstairs Guest Bedroom - Grey

Guest Bedroom #2 (AKA Future Nursery) - Cornico Beige
Andrew's Office - Wild Grasses (Olive Green)
One of my Favorite things about our Home! I've always dreamed of having lights that shine on our house!! God knows my heart's desires!
Love you all! Happy Fall!

My hand is sore!

I had to put the paintbrush down to share our progress with you. We have been able to get a lot done over my Fall Break. We still have a long ways to go, but it is starting to feel more like "our home." We are so thankful for the home God has blessed us with. Can't wait for our parents to come this weekend to help with the progress. I had no idea what involved buying a foreclosure that needed a lot of work! People that build a house from the ground-up AMAZE me!! So here are a few before pictures along with "where we are now" pictures! You be the judge of our PROGRESS!! Can't wait to post the "Final" product. Andrew is taking me for sushi at lunch to reward me for all my hard work! LOL Enjoy...

To be continued for the 3 upstairs bedrooms and bathroom, Master Bath, and the Final Reveal! I hate posting the pictures before the rooms are completely done, but friends were begging for pictures and I couldn't dissapoint them. :)


Still can't believe I will have my own LAUNDRY ROOM! I have been doing laundry in the kitchen for three years.



My favorite color splash...Plum Dining Room!



The Great Room- This isn't even truly the before picture. Imagine lots and lots of holes in the wall and nasty stained carpet.



Master Bedroom- Prepare yourself for my over the top-painted ceiling. It's going to be so breath-taking.




Kitchen- still need a stove and dish-washer. Got a great deal on a fridge. (ask me about it.)


We are laying the hardwood and tile this coming week! YEAH! Can't wait.

I am one blessed AUNT T!!

Click here to view Our Wonderful Time Together

We had so much fun being together. I had a great visit home. Got to see a lot of special people and do a lot of fun stuff. It was great that Andrew planned a trip to Indiana to go to Holiday World with the whole family to make my visit and family complete! After looking at our pictures, I'm sure you can understand why it was so hard for me to leave. God has blessed me with a wonderful family.

My SIL, Libby is such a wonderful little photographer that I just had to steal her pictures. So I can't take any credit for them because hers were way better than mine. I'm hoping I get better at the picture thing once I am a MOM. ha ha

Dinosaur Show and Indy Zoo

Click on picture to view more pictures.

I had so much fun in Indy with Libby, Logan and the kids! There is never a dull moment with them. I can't wait until Andrew and I have our own children some day. I tell Libby that I am taking notes because her and Logan have done an amazing job at raising fun, sweet, well-rounded, obedient kids who know Jesus!! I always get kind of crazy when I am with my nephews and niece! Good Good TIMES!!

Happy Birthday, Libby!

Today is my wonderful SIL's birthday!! She is so great that she deserves her very own post. She has been like a sister to me way before my brother Logan and her were even dating. I looked up to Libby so much that I dreamed that one day her and Logan would get married!! Awwhh...My dreams came true. (Oh yeah, Logan's too.) ha ha I don't know what I'd do without her!!

If money wasn't an option this is what I would buy the Birthday Girl...

*A ticket for her and I to see the Oprah Show. (Preferably the day of the Favorite Things.)

*A big underground "HEATED" pool with a Lazy River.

*Life Supply of WoodWick candles.

*Lots of Horses and a Beautiful Stable for all of them.

*Along with the stable she will need an animal shelter...for all of her rescued animals.

*A Pottery Barn Shopping Spree.

*Blueberry Doughnuts from PhilAnn's delivered to her house every morning. (Not just Fridays.)


I miss you so much, but I will be seeing you very soon! Can't wait! Happy Happy Birthday!

Vacation-A Marvelous Thing!

Ok... if you know me vacation consists of waking up, going to the beach, laying in the sun, walking on the beach, splashing in the ocean, eating, shopping. The days ALWAYS include these lovely events (nothing more and nothing less). That's why it's a VACATION, silly! We had a wonderful time. We met my parents and Logan, Libby, Brycen, Kayden, and Lanie in Fort Myers and stayed there for a week! It was MARVELOUS!
All of our flights were good too. If you must know, flying is the most stressful thing about vacation to me. I would rather drive the 12+ hours, but my wonderful husband would never allow us to do such a silly thing. lol :) I tried really hard to convince him to let me drive, but got no where with my persuasion skills. I have none. It's like one of those things I call "let go and reach for God" scenarios. If it weren't for those situations that freak me out, I wouldn't know what it was like to totally realize that I'm NOT in control of this or ANY other situation. Snap out of it-God is! He can do anything and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it! So I am a helpless woman surrendering it all to him! Who else wants to be a helpless Hot Mess with me?? I would love for you to share with me those "let go and reach for God" situations that you go through. I am glad he puts them in our life, because it reminds me of his power and humbles me to nothing.

I will leave you with a few of the moments from the week that I will treasure forever!

Ain't No Other Man...

My lovely friend Jessie started something good...when she challenged all of us married women to dedicate a post to our husbands.

Why I love me some Andrew James Raymond...

He Always puts God first and me second, which allows him to be a husband that doesn't live by this world's standard of LOVE.
He is truly my Best Friend.
He wants to dance with me all the time because he knows it's what I enjoy doing.
He takes care of me. (Lord knows I need it too.)
He is a Wonderful Uncle. I can't wait to see him as a Daddy some day.
He is great at hanging out with Middle School Boys. (That is an amazing gift.)
He sings at the top of his lungs to Jesus even though he thinks he can't sing.
He makes me melt just by entering the same room as me.
He always finds a better, easier, more efficient way of doing anything!!!
He has a TALENT for packing and organizing stuff.
He looks so GOOD in his Camo.
We do LIFE together!!
He is always concerned about me and how I feel.
He encourages me to be a better person.
He will try almost anything for me! (sushi, dancing, vegetables, etc.)
He makes me laugh and smile.
He is a student of the word.
He is so fun to watch when he is playing soccer.
He cares so much about the students and sponsors in his ministry.
He is very frugal.
He speaks to me with his eyes... in a crowded room when we are several feet apart.
He is very PASSIONATE.
He is my MAN!

Love you Babe! I can't wait to spend now into eternity with you!

WOW! This girl gets it!!

Is she worried about her future? Doesn't he get it???...She serves a God that is going to bless her so much for what she is doing. I mean COME ON!!
I love this video. Check it out... Thank you, Perez.
God is showing up big time through this lady. I am ready for her to start her own talk show. She could cover modern day things through biblical truths. It is just like Esther. God prepared her exactly for THIS! You go, GIRL! Is it just me or does Miss CA blow you out the water? Makes me feel like I don't stand enough on my own convictions! Come on, Tasha- BE BOLD and Don't be ashamed!

Greatest Day in History...

I wouldn't be a Christian if it wasn't for Resurrection Day! What hope is there in living for and following a man that died??? There is no victory in that.
The good news...Sin lost its power when Jesus victoriously rose from the grave. No matter how many times I read the story of Jesus' death and resurrection...it gets me every time. God makes it NEW to me every time. It is both the most wonderful and most tragic story. An innocent man dying such a gruesome death for an amazing reason. That's why I like the song..."Beautiful, Scandalous Night."
If you ever have doubts about the Promise and Story of Jesus...Just think...If he died a normal death like all other historical people the witnesses would have held a funeral, mourned, and went on with their lives. Instead, the people who witnessed the story of Jesus died for the TRUTH! According to church history, the majority of disciples were said to have suffered martyrs deaths for believing in something they KNEW to be true because they saw it with their own eyes. Do not be afraid and BELIEVE! In all the struggles of this thing called Life, there is no room for doubt. "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Mark 28: 5-6

Few Easter Pictures...
Andrew was able to baptize one of his Middle School boys on Easter Sunday and one of my first graders was also baptized at his church! When we were writing in our Journals about our Easter weekend today at school, one of my students raised his hand and asked me how to spell "baptized." It was awesome because God gave me the opportunity to make a BIG deal about it and encourage my student. Thank you Lord for child-like faith.

I'm back...

Our internet at home has been down forever...ok maybe just 2 weeks, but a very long time for the girl who needs to be on her laptop. I do have to admit not having the option to be reading blogs, facebook, etc. convicted me of how much idle time I spend on my computer. I need to spend more time praying, in the word, encouraging, in fellowship, with my husband, and these wonderful ladies...My 8th grade GIRLS!! I heart them and want nothing more for them than to be in love with Jesus. There is never a dull moment with them around.
I got to go see one of my girls be "Alice" in her school's "Alice in Wonderland" play. I love to hear her sing.



So while I've been away from my computer I got to do some really neat things...

Communion, Devotion, Prayer under the St. Louis Arch...God is awesome!




Sushi with my BFF...Way too much for us to eat. We had a coupon from restaurant.com


Free Ticket to the North Carolina vs. Gonzaga at the FedEx in Memphis. It was the coolest thing! God never fails to blow me away.