Hallway Praises

I'm still here. I still don't have a job. I've applied. I've been ignored. I've been denied. And I'm still here. I keep wondering what God has in store.

A very dear friend of mine shared this with me:

I'm doing my best to Praise God in the hallway while I'm waiting for that door. I told my friend that the hallway was starting to get stale and boring. But I'm still praising!

I'm praising for the roof over my head, gas in the car, food on the table, opportunities that knock on occasion, and the plans He's laid out for me. I'm praising for the three children who exasperate me, the husband who also exasperates me, and the smiles they bring to me daily. I'm praising for friends, family, and the kind word from the guy who bags my groceries.

The hallway is not always fun. Sometimes it's dark and smells a little. But I know that means when God opens that door - OH, when God opens that door - the light will come in and it will smell fresh and clean and welcoming. And I will rush through it with arms wide open praising all the way! Thank you, Lord!

Maternity Photos

I thought I would share my maternity photos with you all. Because I love them and I think you will, too.

 

And bonus of the kids, because they're getting so big!

Go - go - get 'em - get 'em

I have nothing exciting to share today. Well, I have plenty of well thought out blog posts in my head, but no time to type them out right now, so here's a video of the Clemson Tiger Band Drumline with the Tiger Band Kids Club yesterday. Enjoy!

Happiness Is...

Happiness is... celebrating YEARS of First Friday Parades:

2001 (my senior year of college)

2004

2008

2008

2009

2009

2010

2011

2011

Happiness Is...

In pictures today:

 

Happiness Is...

Today's Happiness Is... is very simple.

We FINALLY got our adoption tax refund from the wonderful people at the US Government.
Which means we can FINALLY pay off our attorney from the adoption.
And we can FINALLY get a new roof that our house desperately needs!

AND - the kicker? We're going to Disney World (in the winter)! I am so excited!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Happiness Is...

Happiness is...

Getting to see my children again after a week without them!

Getting one final date night with the hubby before we see said children! (Eating at the local diner, then a trip to Lowe's to drool over kitchens.)

A CLEAN CARPET! No stains!

Spending time with friends this week. (Not just Michelle, but also Kim, and Gary & Cyndie!)

Happiness Is...

I think making a point of finding the happiness in things is helping me a lot! I have felt happier in the last few weeks than I have in a while.

Today, Happiness Is...

Holding a brand new baby, born to my dear friend 2 weeks ago (sadly, I did not take a picture. I was too busy cuddling and making silly baby talk).

Listening to my children sing VBS songs. "Lord, I want to be a Christian, in my heart!"

Dreaming about where in the world to travel to next.

A good book. Or even a not-so-good book - as long as I have the time to read!

What has made you happy this week?

Happiness Is...

Today's Happiness Is...

is friends. Tonight I'm putting on my heels and purty jewelry and going out with my girlfriends.

I think it will end up being an eclectic mix of my friends - my BFFs, some preschool mom friends, some church friends...I think we'll all get along wonderfully and have a lot to share with each other even though a few of them have never met before!

We're going to eat Italian (okay, so it's pizza, but whatev - still Italian) then going to an authentic Italian wine bar.
Yes, I know, I'm not a drinker, but if I can pretend to be in Italy for a few hours, I'm all for it!

So that's today's Happiness Is...

http://www.momsnightoutnyc.com/

Happiness Is...

It's our second week of Happiness Is...

Happiness Is...

Freshly painted toes...

Best Friends...

Guess which is me and which is the BFF... LOL

A stack of books...

And knowing that Jesus has got my back whenever I need Him...

Happiness Is...

Jade over at "Now that I'm no longer 25..." does a "Happiness Is..." post on Fridays. She invites people to do the same so I thought I could do that easily and it would make a great weekend blog idea.

So here's my list today:

Happiness Is...

• Having my children come home after a week with Mimi & Poppy (this afternoon!)
• Cleaning out the toys and muck from the kids' rooms.
• Watching our poor kitty Luna attempt to walk after being paralyzed.
• Oreos.

There are a lot of things that make me happy, or define happiness in my little corner of the world. I think I'll enjoy this project!