New Beginnings

This is such an exciting time in our lives and felt it was time to update the ol' blog! Nate and I are buying a home and moving in the first week in November! We feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity and are SO extremely excited to be in our own space. It's our first home together, so it just feels really special if that makes sense. We plan on finally staying in one spot for a long time, so the thought of the kinds of events and memories we will get to share here is so sweet! We are so blessed to have this gift.

Bobby and Kimberly will have a new addition to their family any day now! Mr. Noah will hopefully make his appearance pretty quickly!! We SO cannot wait to meet this little guy and have our first nephew in the family! (Not that we have a niece, yet) One thing I'm really anxious to see is Nate holding this tiny baby. Poor guy is so careful and meticulous around babies- I just can't wait to see his face and his reaction when he holds his nephew for the first time. He'll probably freak out, but he is such a gentle spirit. Can't wait to see him with our own children one day.

And a HUGE congrats to my oldest cousin!!! She's engaged and getting married in March! Yay!!

Back from our vacation!!

So, Jamaica was awesome, and we feel so blessed and way undeserving of the time we were able to have. We seriously had the most relaxing, enjoyable, restful time together. Something about the warmth of the sun and hearing the waves lap up on the beach from your lounge chair is so refreshing. It really was much needed- Nate and I have had an extremely crazy first 2 years of marriage with our life circumstances in particular. We have had nothing but a GREAT first 2 years, but moving twice, starting and completing a whole new degree, new jobs for both of us, and a new marriage was a lot to undergo in a year and a half time period. So needless to say, this time was a great time of regrouping and refreshment!

Something that has been weighing on my heart since we have returned is this: we are so amazingly blessed. Part of this trip was riding from the airport to the actual resort. Montego Bay is on the north end of the island, and our resort was on the south end, so we had a 2 hour bus ride into the main land of Jamaica. As much as it was extreme poverty, it was also a very eye opening experience for Nate and I. Something I grew to love about the Jamaican lifestyle that we observed is the true "No Problem" motto. I always thought it was something a little cliche' to assume about Jamaicans, but it really IS their way. They are so laid back and seriously seem to have no care in the world. But the visual that we observed of the poverty and lack of adequate housing or conveniences of a nearby grocery store seemed they would think otherwise. It was a paradox to us to see how carefree these people were, even in the midst of having almost nothing. It brought us to a realization of the extreme need for stuff our culture has. Don't get me wrong, Nate and I have definitely fallen prey to wanting things that are just stuff. We want things that we can't have, afford, etc. All in a state of discontentment for what we DO have that actually is ALL that matters. Our culture does this. We strive for things that we think are important! Yes, they are important, but isn't a roof over our head and food on the table really all that we need? Why do we toil and strive for a bigger and better roof over our head that we may not be able to afford, just because our culture tells us that's the next step? Why do we want stuff so much? I suppose again, it's the culture we have grown up in, and by default it's how we think. I just think of the Jamaicans. They are "no worries, no problem" all the way, baby!! And they don't even have a substantial home. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we really had an experience that opened our eyes. We learned to be grateful for what the Lord has blessed us with and felt sorry for the times we wanted more, when what we have is more than we every deserved in the first place. I have our experience in Jamaica to thank for this new revelation. I pray that Nate and I can always be content and thankful, not wishing for more than we need, because what we need is a whole lot less than what we've been accustomed to thinking we need!!

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:19

Here are some lyrics that the famous Bob Marley wrote:

Rise up this mornin'; smiled with the risin' sun.
Three little birds pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs of melodies pure and true; saying,
This is my message to you.”

Singin' don't worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Sayin' don't worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

I couldn't help but remember the passage in Matthew after hearing this song as i thought of the birds and their message of no worrying about our lives.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:25-27

Hopefully, Nate and I can continue to remember this experience and allow the Lord to handle our circumstances. He WILL supply ALL that we need according to HIS will. We don't need to strive and toil for pointless "stuff". We had an amazing time and we feel extremely blessed for every single minute of it! I highly recommend Jamaica- Ya MON!

Check out pics on our facebook!

Rockettown

I hope I'm like the 'stranger' in Rockettown... enjoy the lyrics!!


A Friday night affair out in the city heat,
Always a party there along the sordid street.
And it was guaranteed the place to be was Rockettown.

The drinks were two for one inside the crowded bars-
The girls would make their run out on the boulevard.
It was the idol place. We lived the ways of Rockettown.
Hang around by the street light in the heart of the night life.

There came a certain man- a stranger to the crowd,
We didn't understand what he was all about.
He walked a different pace so out of place in Rockettown...

They made a fool of him; they teased him when he'd speak
But when they knocked him down, He'd turn the other cheek
He told me I could find a life outside of Rockettown

What was his mission? Where was he going?
Why was his heart light always glowing?
All I was missing He stood there holding
What was his secret? Could I know it?

Some didn't like him near, some laughed and turned away.
But me, I longed to hear all that he had to say.
He had a peace of mind I couldn't find in Rockettown.
And when I reached down inside me, I could feel the emptiness

He said it's in the heart- this change that comes to be
Now he had done his part, the choice was up to me
As we were standing there He said a prayer for Rockettown

He walked off silently
And prayed for me
And Rockettown...

In honor of...

our vacation to Jamaica! We leave on Saturday, Aug. 8, so we have less than 3 weeks to count down!!! I was bored with my most recent background, so it's now changed to reflect my excitement for our trip!! YAY!!!! We booked it in April, and let me tell you these last 4 months have flown by... it's almost here. We'll also have the privilege of being at this beautiful place on our 2 year anniversary. We are so blessed to be able to have this precious time of relaxation with one another with no outside distractions of work and life here in The Woodlands. No worries... hehe.

The first baby in our family!!

So, we have quite a small family and for that reason, we haven't had many small children around for many years. The youngest in our immediate family is going to be a senior in high school this year, so that gives a little perspective on age. Recently I found out my older brother and his wife (Bobby and Kimberly) are going to have a baby due November 18th. We are SO EXCITED, since it's the first little baby in our family. Today they found out it's a Boy! SOOO I will soon have a little NEPHEW! I am already so excited to meet this little guy. My parents are STOAKED about being first time grandparents, and my grandparents are extremely proud to be first time great-grandparents. I know Bobby and Kimberly will be such wonderful parents. His name will be Noah Robert Haney. Can't wait!!!

Laminin

This video is incredible!! It testifies the truth of one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It was actually given to me by our pastor the week before I watched this video. Our God is so BIG!!!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

11:57 + Espresso

This is what happens when Nate and I get coffee at 9:30 at night. It is now midnight and I'm wired. White chocolate mocha with a double shot of espresso.

By the way, it kinda bothers me when people pronounce it EX-presso.

Our Child

Since we don't have any children of our own (yet), it seems our precious kitty takes first place in our lives. And, she knows it!! We got her right after we were married, from a Maine Coone rescue group. She was born in Louisiana (my home state.. yeah!!!!) and was displaced after Hurricane Katrina. She lived with a foster mom, then came to us through the rescue organization. We've had her for almost 2 years now. So... introducing..... Candy!

It's official......

I'm an RN!!!!!!!!!  I took my boards January 6.  The test was harder than I expected, so I left with a little less confidence than I was hoping for.  Thankfully, (and yes, I give all the glory to the One above) I passed!!!  

I cannot believe this journey has come to an end,  only to give way to a brand new one.  I start my new job on Monday.  hehehehehe.  

"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation

Oh my soul praises, for He is my strength and salvation. "