And the list keeps growing

I have so much to do before I leave to head to my parent's house for Christmas. And I've yet to start. Actually, I've managed to get one load of clothes into the washer. I just can't seem to bring myself to get off the couch, even though as I sit here the list of things to do and get done keeps swirling through my head. Here are all the things I have to get done before I go to bed tonight:
finish all laundry, which equals about 5 loads
take out the trash
clean out the fridge
run dishwasher
finish wrapping Christmas presents
clean out my car
pack my clothes for my trip
pack Paisley's things for the trip
run vacuum in living room
clean bathroom
run vacuum in bedroom
change sheets on my bed
fold towels and put away
pack presents and bags in car
put away Ashlyn's Pack-N-Play

And I feel like I'm still forgetting things. And if I am, oh well. Hopefully they aren't too important! Now, let's see if I can get all this accomplished and over with at a decent hour. One, two, three.... GO!

Check it Out!

My friend, Kristyn, is a bridal consultant here in Knoxville. I've added the link to her blog, so if you or someone you know is in need of someone to help plan their perfect day, get in touch with Kristyn at Panache Productions! She's doing a giveaway this month, and you have until December 31st to enter! So check out her blog, enter the giveaway and tell your friends!

When it rains....

it pours, and pours, and pours.

This week has definitely NOT been my week. Everything that could seem to go wrong, more than likely has. I know deep down though, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope that end is somewhere close. It feels like this downhill slope is never ending. Monday night was spent at work until somewhere around 2am. NOT FUN. We spent the entire time cleaning the back kitchen. Tuesday morning I woke up in pain. Severe pain. My back was throbbing from all the bending and what not done the previous night before. Needless to say, I spent the day in the bed and taking large amounts of Tylenol. I had to work Tuesday night, so I toughed it out and made it through. Our Christmas dinner at school was on Wednesday, and I was making loaded mashed potatoes. I realized when I got off work, after 11pm mind you, that I had no cheese. And I needed cheese to make the potatoes. So I had to trek back to the store after work. Again, NOT FUN. Wednesday was actually an ok day. I was still sore but I got all the goodies made that I needed to. And there were none left, so I suppose that's a good thing :-) Thursday I was just not feeling good. A few people noticed but I tried to brush it off. I got through school and clients ok so I was thankful for that. I went into work at 4 to chaos. People were calling out of their shifts and those on the schedule were moving to other parts of the restaurant . It was crazy. I was supposed to train a new girl, and she was late and I didn't know I was supposed to train her. It was nice to say the least :-) I still wasn't feeling myself when I got off work. And now, I know why. I woke up this morning not feeling too hot. NOT FUN. So here I am, laying in bed for the 2nd time this week and missing another day of school. And it stinks.

I just have faith that things will get better. Tonight we are all going out for Sam's birthday, so I'm resting up for that. I can't miss my sister's birthday! I'm just holding on for next week when I get to go to my parent's and grandparent's houses for Christmas. I can't wait and I'm so looking forward to it. I miss them all so much!

I miss you most at Christmas time

If you've read any of my blogs before, you're probably going to know where this is going. But, since I'm sad today and battling depression I'm just going to get it out here. Because that's what I do here :-)

I miss my Aunt Zelma today. There's not a day that goes by that I don't miss her, but the holidays seem to get me worse than anytime of the year. I think it's because this is the time when I spent the last few days of her life with her. And they were the best days of my life. There will be nothing in my life, besides the day of my salvation, that will compare to those days. The memories of those days are still crystal clear in my mind, as are most of the times I was with my Aunt Zelma.

Tonight I can't stop missing her. I miss her hugs, how no matter how big I was, I could always curl up in the bed with her and she would play with my hair. Even in her weakest days she played with my hair. I miss her love. I miss everything about her. I miss sharing mexican pizzas from Taco Bell with her, or splitting something from Captain D's with her. I miss it all. I miss her.

No matter how much I miss her though, I know she's here with me. She's close in my heart everywhere I go. Always watching, always protecting. Always here :) Her love will never be forgotten.

A life changed

You may remember from a previous post that I had mentioned that one of the girls in my Grapple group at S.T.O.R.A.G.E. went on a mission trip to Nicaragua with her mom and a team of others. They arrived back in Knoxville safe and sound this past Sunday, after spending 10 days loving on children in the Hogar Agape orphanage. Last night during S.T.O.R.A.G.E. Emma shared about her experience with her friends. I was listening to this little girl tell about children who had no mommy or daddy to love them. The purpose of this trip was to share about Jesus and to bring Christmas to the orphanage. Emma shared that she realized on this trip that she had a room full of junk and these kids had nothing. Her little heart was burdened that she had so much when these children just like her had so little. It was amazing. As she was telling stories about her trip, a few boys were laughing and cutting up. Emma, with the most stern look on her face, told them that none of this was funny; it was sad and she was disappointed they thought it was funny. At that moment, I saw the love and desire in her heart for these children in Nicaragua. When I asked her about her trip, the first thing out of her mouth was "I'm going to live in Nicaragua." And I have no doubts that this little child will be used greatly in the coming years, for her life has been changed, for good.

Thank you to those that prayed for Emma's trip.

Things...

I'm doing this week:
School
Work at Chili's
Cleaning my bedroom
Finishing laundry
Wrapping Christmas presents
Having a Christmas party for our S.T.O.R.A.G.E. class at church on Wednesday
Spending time with my dear friend, Michelle, and her two awesome kids
Visiting with Mom and Dad this weekend

I'm reading right now:
Multiple Blessings- Kate Gosselin
Secondhand Heart- Joyce Livingston

I'm praying for right now:
Safe travels for family during this time of year
My quiet time life
That my finances continue to remain stable and bills are paid on time
My kids at S.T.O.R.A.G.E
My DOK sisters
Richelle's surgery

A little Christmas cheer

This weekend has been a whirlwind of activity for me. Christmas is fast approaching and I'm almost finished with my shopping! After church yesterday, Samantha and I decided to go and do a little shopping. I finished mom's and Caiti's and now just have dad's to get. He's so hard to buy for though. I never know what to get him. We found some great deals at just about every store we went to, so of course we were excited about that!

As we were going through the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season yesterday, I couldn't help but think about the real reason for Christmas. Jesus' birth. One of the songs we sang at church yesterday was Away in a Manger. Such a sweet, simple song. Probably one of my favorites. During church I sat and thought about all the people in the world who don't know or don't celebrate Jesus' birth this time of year. And I feel sad for them. Sad because they probably don't know where they are going when they die, they don't know the love that Jesus has for them, they are trying to buy happiness this time of year through presents and material things...yet get discouraged when that happiness only lasts for a morning or two. And so I prayed. I prayed that more people this year would "get it" and stop and realize and answer God's call to come to Him. After all, Jesus is the Reason for the Season :-)

Christmas

A time to remember Jesus' birth,
God's gift to man
A time to reflect on the year,
and look forward to the next one
A time to give unselfishly,
and stay that way throughout the upoming year
A time to CELEBRATE our Saviour's birth,
the best gift man could receive.

Oh the things to do....

*Updated: Before church I managed to accomplish all but take out the trash :) And I even managed to do a load of laundry and pick up my bathroom as well. Now, on to tackle my bedroom!

Before church I need to...

• vacuum the living room
• sweep the front door area
• pick up Ashlyn's bed from where she spent the night 3 nights ago
• pick up random things from living room
• take out trash
• pick up kitchen and wipe down counters
• put away the things on the kitchen table

I need to leave by 5:15 to make it to church on time. That means that I have roughly an hour and a half to get the above down and change clothes for church. I think I can do it! And hopefully I will have just enough time to squeeze in another post before I leave ;-)