I♥Jesus

Happy new year…

Feb 7th, 2012

I know, it’s February.. but since this my first blog post of 2012, I thought the post title was fitting!

So what’s new? Nothing. Do you have anything new to share? Okay so there are a few new things. I’m working again- and enjoying being out of the house way more than I thought I would. I enjoy this line of work, always has. What’s it I’m doing you ask? Income taxes. And yes you read correctly… I enjoy it. Right now I’m studying and prepping for IRS’s EA Exam (Enrolled Agent). Don’t ask me why because I don’t yet have a clue. The only thing I do know, for sure, is corporate taxes make me want to pull my hair out of my head and run for the hills. HAHA Not really, but you got a good visual didn’t ya?

My divorce will be final next month. Yes divorce. When the one you’re married to finds the grass greener in someone else’s pasture and consistently lies about it and tells YOU that YOU are crazy for being suspicious… yeah, that’s a good indicator that it’s time to move on. And yes I am crazy, but I was right! The past couple months have been…difficult and trying, but I’m hanging in there thanks to some incredibly wonderful friends and my awesome Mom. Life goes on, and this life is definitely going on.

I have picked up a new hobby, well sort-of hobby that is. I’m an apprenticing tattoo artist– something I’ve always wanted to do but never had anyone I trusted to apprentice me. Well, now I do!! Still have a long way to go but it sure is fun getting there!

And since I’m at work and technically not supposed to be on the net… I must get off and do some real work. You know, the kind that pays the bills…bahahahahaha.

Later peeps….

Oh why not!

Dec 29th, 2011

by Nickie.

Comments are off for this post

A meme, why not. It’s been a while and this is a once a year one, so… I thought I was over the meme thing, but oh well. Here goes…..

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before? Oh you’re gonna make me think huh? I’ll have to get back to you on this one…

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Nope and nope. I don’t do resolutions because, well I resolved not to a long time ago. Ha ha!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? YESH! My bestst friend gave birth to her FIRST baby, a beautiful little boy. The best part is she is 38 years old and was told she’d NEVER conceive many moons ago. Can you say miracle baby?!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Sadly, yes. A very very dear friend of mine died a few weeks ago after battling cancer. It’s still a hard pill to swallow…her not being here anymore; no visits, no phone calls, and not seeing her smiling face.

5. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? My sanity. If you find it, please return it.

6. What countries did you visit? Yeah right, like I even left the state much less the country. I can only wish…

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why: Hmmmm… not sure. Will get back to ya on that one too.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Does losing my sanity count? No? Fine. I lost 42 pounds, so far. That’s a MAJOR achievement for this southern food loving chick!

9. What was your biggest failure? Let’s not go there right now, k?

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes, I had a tooth pulled. I honestly thought that would end the toothache… had no idea it would ache even after the stupid thing was gone! (It doesn’t ache anymore though!! WOOHOO)

11. What was the best thing you bought? Chritmas presents… cuz they were for the loves of my life!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Oh oh oh I know this one! Just the other day I hadda do a little work in the office and my Lil Man was an absolute angel! I was so happy I took him to Sonic so he could get a “prize!”

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Yeah, have you read my previous post?

14. Where did most of your money go? HA! I have kids. ‘Nough said.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My new phone & carrier!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011? I have no earthly idea…

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? A little of both

ii. thinner or fatter? THINNER! YEAH!
iii. richer or poorer?

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Spending time with my amazing friends.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Staying home and cleaning.

20. How will you be spending Christmas? Christmas is over, and I spent it with the family. Although I’ll be doing a Christmas thing this weekend with the Moms. Fun fun!

21. There was no #21. I don’t know why there was no 21. Cool beans!

22. Did you fall in love in 2011? Yes, I fell in love with my new phone. It’s so smmmaaarrrtttt!!! lol

23. How many one-night stands? One-night stand? What’s that? (Obviously the answer is nada.)

24. What was your favorite TV program? Sons of Anarchy, The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural & The Big Bang Theory

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is such a strong word. I’ll go with strongly dislike, and yes. I strongly dislike someone that I didn’t strongly dislike this time last year. Very strongly.

26. What was the best book you read? Hmmm… I read quite a few. I’d have to say the newest in the Blue Bloods series since I haven’t yet finished Inheritance yet.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Breaking Benjamin, Santcus Real, and I know there’s a few more I can’t think of right now. Man I need my Pandora.

28. What did you want and get? New cell service and phone. WOOT!

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Breaking Dawn Part 1 of course. Man I’m ready for Part 2.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I didn’t do a blamed thing. And I was 37. I’m still young. Really, I am.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Finding my sanity. Please help!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? hahahahahahahahaha

34. What kept you sane? My Mom and three best friends Howard, Patti & Lee. And my kids too, though they also cause a bit on insanity on occasion.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Charlie Hunan. Oh yeah!!! (That’d be Jax Teller from SOA if you’re wondering… ooh lala!)

36. What political issue stirred you the most? I ignore politics and most politicians.

37. Who did you miss? My brother. I always miss my brother, especially when there are life changes or happy times or sad times or… yeah pretty much anything.

38. Who was the best new person you met? Gaynel, by far. She’s my Boo and I lubs her!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011: Sanity is over rated.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: “Don’t know what you got till it’s gone” and that’s in reference to my sanity… haha. Seriously, I have no idea.

And that brings me to the end. Halleluiah! (did I spell that right? Oh well…)

Attitude of gratitude… a 30 day challenge

Sep 13th, 2011

by Nickie.

2 comments

Our WMU leader at church is fabulous… and has given us members a 30 day challenge based on the 30 Day Challenges by Nancy Leigh DeMoss at Revive Our Hearts. Our challenge is to work on one of these things everyday for 30 days: (1) encourage husband (2) choose gratitude (3) pray for pastor (4) live tv free (5) pray for pastor’s wife (6) pray for WMU. I have taken this challenge a little differently, and added a little. I plan to do each challenge over the course of the 30 days, at least one per day; and I’ve added the True Woman Makeover challenge as well (a Proverbs 31 study).

Yesterday was my day for gratitude.

gratitude- noun [grat-i-tood, -tyood] the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.

Synonyms
thanks, thankfulness, appreciation, gratefulness.

I think, in this day and time, this is a word that often gets overlooked. Do we really express gratitude? True heartfelt gratitude? Do we really feel gratitude for the blessings that have been poured upon us? This is an age of entitlement. More and more people feel they are entitled- that they deserve to be blessed, no matter how big or small the blessing (if they even see it as a blessing). They work hard, so they deserve that two week ski vacation. What? A vacation isn’t a blessing? Oh but it is! More and more, I see people who put the value of blessing on things they can’t put a price tag on- like children. Of course children are one of the greatest blessings God can bestow on us; but does it stop there? Often, people ask for blessing before a meal, thanking God for that meal. But, does it stop there? Is anyone really acknowledging that all things come from God?

Look around you, right now. What do you see? A ceiling? A floor? A window? Maybe television, stereo, photographs of family and friends? What do you see around you? Think about each and every thing surrounding you for a moment. Now… who do you credit for those things? Do you thank God for blessing you with a roof over your head? For the floor that you walk on that keeps the outdoors in the outdoors? For the windows that allow you to sit protected from the weather while enjoying a view of the world He created? How about the television that you watch? Do you thank God for providing it? Or do you credit yourself for working to provide all these things? From the biggest things like our children to the smallest things like the paperclip on the desk– God has provided it all. Every single inch of our belongings has been given to us by God. Don’t you think He deserves some recognition for all that He does?

You may think I’m silly for thinking God provides paper clips. A few months ago, I would have agreed. But now I see things much differently. God is the Creator of the universe. The universe consists of all things. Sure, our narrow human minds like to limit the universe to the stars, planets, and all things beyond our vision or reach. But the simple truth is everything you see and don’t see was breathed into existence by God Himself. We as humans like to take credit for the latest and greatest inventions. Even Al Gore credited himself for the creation of the internet. (ha.. ha.. ha) We don’t deserve the credit for anything. It is by God’s Hand that humans possess the ability to invent, discover, and create. HE is the Ultimate Authority and HE is in full control of this universe– even the paper clips. Is that not the most wonderful realization ever? That God not only created us in His glorious image, but that His love for us is so strong and so real that He has created all these things that make our lives enjoyable and easier! How amazing?! He doesn’t have to do anything. Yet He does. And ALL that He does deserves our heartfelt, sincere- from the depths of our souls- gratitude!

This is the day the Lord has made; rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father int he name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Search your soul… what are you grateful for today? Will you take this challenge with me? You don’t have to do it exactly the way I am, but you can challenge yourself to do at least one thing during the next 30 days… and see how you grow in the process!

I’ll share with you my first two days of the True Woman Makeover (Proverbs 31) challenge later today. I’d love for you to join me in this challenge as well.

In progress…

Sep 12th, 2011

by Nickie.

2 comments

Theme updates are in progress… so any wonkiness you see, that would be the cause. (Yes I know, wonkiness is not a word, but I like it so I use it, because it’s funny and weird. lol)

Just a lil update…

Sep 12th, 2011

by Nickie.

2 comments

A little update on what’s happening in my crazy-beautiful life! A brain dump…

We are moving soon… actually we are officially starting the process today. It’s going to take the rest of this month to get everything moved and settled. We’ve had to work– get this– moving into our new house around our schedules. Yes, you read that right. Instead of working our schedules around moving, we’re working the move around our schedules. Mostly my schedule, which is extremely busy this month (and next, and next). But that’s okay!

My blog looks different, I know. As much as I love my soft, muted tropical getaway, it’s time for a new look. I’m quite bored with the old one. What you see now is not the new look. It’s just a temporary transition to the new look!

I’m heading up the planning of my church’s fall festival. It’s a lot of work, and I”m having a blast doing it. I can’t even tell you how amazing it is to feel the Spirit working through me. I prayed over it before accepting the responsibility, and now God is just pouring His plans out. I love that more than I can even describe with words. My ultimate goal is for this festival to be used in honoring, praising, and worshiping God… because without Him nothing would be possible.

I have found myself surrendering more and more to God– from decision making to everyday tasks. Every time I turn around, I am finding more and more areas of my life that I wasn’t aware I hadn’t yet surrendered. I ask myself “Why?” and haven’t yet been able to come up with a good answer. It’s all about trusting Him, and who better to trust with everything than the One Who created me, knows me inside and out, and knows my future? Surrendering all is easier said than done.. I think for all of us. For me, personally, my human nature wants to take control and wants me to be in control. The cutest quote I’ve read in a while is “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans” or something to that effect. That one line is loaded with so much truth it’s not even funny!

I really want to get back to blogging more often, like I used to. I miss writing and sharing, and there have been so many things I could have shared but just didn’t have the time to really sit down and write. Hopefully once we are moved and settled, I can work it into my schedule… I will at least attempt to do that! Writing is such a great outlet, and I love especially sharing all the blessings that God has poured out on my family and me! That is worth shouting from the mountain tops, but since I don’t live in a mountainous area (though our hills have been called mini-mountains by those who are used to a flatter geography) will have to settle with shouting it from my keyboard (and of course, to those I meet in my day to day interactions)!

Share with me what you have been doing… what’s going on in your life? Good, bad, or indifferent. I may not be right next door, but I am only a keystroke away and can certainly pray on your behalf! So, do share….