7 Wants - A Look Back

So apparently last August I did a list of 7 wants...Wants aren't necessarily gets are they?  It's true what they say, we plan and God laughs.  I wanted to look back at my wants from last August and see where I/we are on each of them...Here goes!

7 Wants

1. To be finished w/ both my Masters in Counseling and my Doctorate as well :).
**I am starting my second year, fourth semester, and have switched from Career Counseling to School Counseling.  On track to graduate in the Fall of 2013 if all goes as planned.  :)

2. To have a newer and bigger home...living in an old house is not as neat as it sounds (tiny closets, and not a lot of storage space).
**We have had our house on the market for a little over seven months now and have had one price reduction...We have one in mind that we LOVE, but again, it's all in God's hands, not ours.
3. A baby...we would love to have one...we have got names picked out and everything...but all in God's time. :)
**I am in a space now where I can talk about what we went through this past December.  I found out we were pregnant on December 1st, by December 10th I was going in for emergency surgery due to a tubal pregnancy that was almost 8 weeks along.  It has been a long, hard journey for us and we are still trying, and are blessed that the tube I have left is functioning.  We are still praying that we are able to conceive a health baby and carry it to term. This is our prayer...

4. For my hair to hurry up and grow back out.
**I feel like I'm still doing this!  I have had more hair loss than normal after my surgeries...I guess maybe it was the shock to my body or something?  But it has gotten longer...Just not as long or thick as it used to once be! :)

5. For Oconee to continue on it's successful path...I am so proud of my husband and the company...He has worked so hard for the success he has gained.
**We have had continual blessings with Oconee - we have since opened another plant in Byron, GA. and now have three plants.  Hubby is super busy and we are grateful to be busy and have the success that we have had thus far!
6. For mom and dad to be able to sell their house this go-round...she would love to be back in town.
**Mom and dad are now using the agent for their house that we are using for ours - She is awesome and I know she will get it sold!  They have already had their first showing after only being on the market for two weeks...It's so beautiful, and I know someone else will love it as much as we all do!

7. For S., my younger brother, to get into whatever college he wants to next year (I think he's leaning towards Auburn, lord help my poor dad!)
**He is still undecided at this point - I think it's where ever he can get the best offer/scholarship at this point!  He has been in talks with three colleges about baseball scholarships, and I pray that it works out for him.  He is so smart and has just amazed us - He is actually his classes President for his Senior year!  I was shocked!  He is also going on a mission trip through the school to Panama soon - I am so proud to be his sister - He has turned into such a great young man that truly embodies a good Christian youth.

My look back showed we have grown in some areas of our life, and in others we had stepping stones where we could grown and learn something, and I am praying that next August when I look back again, maybe my wants will have changed more or maybe I will have learned something else new...Here's hoping! :) 

Lusting...Over a house

I am in lust...BIG time, y'all.  No-It's nothing weird like that...I am in lust over a house.  I catch myself dreaming about this house...I drive by it all the time, I look at the pictures online, etc...the only catch is we have to get a contract on ours first.  I wish I could wave a magic wand and have it be sold, but patience must be key for me in this process.  I know that God has a plan for us and for our future, and I have to be patient.  I can't force the process or force/rush our future. 

I am praying for patience and peace throughout the process...And I am also selfishly praying that our dream house doesn't slip through our fingers and is still there when we are ready...It's really that fabulous, y'all...

Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Happy Hump Day!
XO-T

Birthday Pug-Porter

We can't believe that our first fur-child is three years old today! Time flies, y'all! We were remembering this morning the long drive to Pisgah, Alabama to pick our sweet Porter up. We were still mourning the loss of our sweet old man, Pepper. Porter healed our hearts and has given us plenty of laughs! Love you, sweet puggy!!  Happy Birthday!

Riding in the front with me...He Loves this and hangs his head out the window if I let him! Ha!

Port and his daddy-He LOVES him!

In the back with Prissy, still loves to look out and sits up like a little person :)

Zonked out after a long while in the car...Can y'all tell we travel a lot with the dogs?!

At home baby-gated into the "pug room"...Sleep sweet boy-We love you!!

My Younger Brother-Senior Year

Today is my younger brother's last first day of High School.  It is his senior year and I now feel soooo old as I type this.  I remember when he was born, we are almost 10 years apart so this memory is very clear to me! Ha!  I can't believe he is going to be graduating next May and venturing off to college.

I think that I am more excited than he is sometimes...Decorating a new dorm room, getting that acceptance letter, graduation fun, etc...He has so very much to look forward to in the near future.  He is also the President of his class for this year.  He told me not long ago that he was regretting that as he had NO idea how much work it actually entailed.  I'm sure he will do a super job, I have no doubt about it! 

I love you, Stewart and I am so proud of you!  I hope you have a wonderful first day and Senior year!!

This is when Stewart was the Junior Beta Club VP and was helping induct new members...SO proud of him!

This was at last year's graduation...Can't believe this will be him this year!! 

XO-T

Sickening - Columbus Georgia Animal Control

I know that Animal Control has a job to do, but in my honest opinion as a tax paying citizen of this city, it sickens me to hear and see things like the statement that was reported from a volunteer at the animal control in Columbus, Georgia. 

Happy Homes

HOW SICKENING!!! Just saw this on a friend's facebook about their encounter at Columbus Animal Care & Control Center today... Feel free to "Share"!

"Entering the general population room this morning at a animal facility here in town , looking down the corridor between the kennels I saw a small brindle dog that appeared to be floating across the room. I looked again and realized that the pup is being dragged on his belly by a person out of my view. Turning the corner to see what’s going on I saw a staff member strolling nonchalant between the kennels dragging the pup behind her like someone would a suitcase at the airport. Before I could say or do anything she noticed me and quickly made a couple of steps towards the pup, picked him up and took him inside the kill room. I stood there in shock, not because the pup was dragged, I almost expect that these days, but because of the facial expression I saw on this persons face. One of utter boredom and annoyance!"

Y'all...This just angers me to no end.  I know nobody likes to hear or see sad things so many just keep on clicking or reading and try to "block it out".  I get that.  However, this is my soapbox for now and I just pray that more people will write, e-mail, and be advocates for these innocent animals that don't have voices to advocate for themselves.  They deserve kindness, not this kind of treatment. 

This is the face of the dog being discussed in the above excerpt.  He is one of many killed at Columbus, GA. animal control every day.  Our Mayor went into office with lots of pretty promises and wishes for the animals, and she has done none of it...They continue to have a high kill rate.

RIP sweet angel.

I pray that we can all make a difference, slowly but surely.  Please, please spay, neuter, and love your pets!

XO, y'all...Thanks for reading this!

T

image via

Weekly Recap/Photo Dump

This is just a photo/info dump after this past week!  :)  Today is the Hubby's BDay which we shall celebrate by doing whatever he wants to do; which apparently involves a day of watching the new movie "Total Recall".  Doesn't sound like my kind of movie, but I'll go for the Hubby :).  We are also going to our favorite restaurant in Columbus, Meritage, for dinner.  It's where we went for mine in April where I posted pics from out on the deck...It's too hot to sit out there now so we will be downstairs in "The Room".  Here are some pics of the Hubby's cakes over the last few years...He's had some good ones!

Cake from me three years ago-It was GOOD!



Me trying to add 33 candles...Epic fail!

The cake Oconee got him two years ago-It was literally a work of art.  Nobody wanted to cut it!

This is this year's cake from Oconee...It is shaped like a giant cupcake; this picture doesn't do it justice!

I don't have a pic of last year's cake because we went down to Biloxi because that's where the Hubby wanted to go.  It was so much fun and we got to sit in this special "Red Room" in the back with these gorgeous red velvet drapes that they curtain off while you eat...Very neat and chic.  This is a pic from that trip before dinner in that room.

Also, I planted some pretty new flowering shrub things in our front yard that are beautiful...BIG pink blooms every day!  I also had a special day with Porter this week where he got to ride with me and go get his "puppy mani/pedi"...He hates it!  But he did get to ride in the front with me like a big boy...He does so well in the car when it's just him! 

Porter and Priscilla have been watching the Olympics with us at night and this pic was so cute...He was sitting there watching the swimming!  Such a serious Puggy face...



And finally...I made all As for my third semester in Graduate school...Whoo Hoo! :)  I can't believe I made it through my first year and only made one B!  It has been hard work and stressful, but it's so worth it!

All

Happy Weekend Y'all!  Happy Birthday, Hubby!! (#36!!)
XO-T

Infection=Makeup Purge

I seem to have gotten an infection on my lip called angular cheilitis.  I just think that any type of infection, especially on a lip (!), is gross...Needless to say I am going to pick up a prescription soon that will hopefully get this all cleared up ASAP! 

On another note I had to have blood work done and I managed to get through it all by myself with nobody to hold my hand!  This is huge for me.  They are checking to ensure I don't have any vitamin deficiencies that could have caused the infection...Fun, fun.

I have to throw away any and all makeup that has touched said infected area...This is a portion of what is going in the garbage...I had no idea I used this much lip stuff, but apparently so...

Here is to hoping it clears up soon!  Off to shop for makeup tomorrow!

XO-T