A little update....

Hey Everyone!!

I had a long list of things I needed to do tonight....and I got like one thing done! blah! Oh well....

I did find time to write this blog post your reading though. ;)

I have been wanting to post some of my pictures from our Thanksgiving festivities, but I have been too busy to get my pictures off my new camera (i'm still not exactly sure how to work it yet!) Once I get them onto the computer, I shall post about our lovely Thanksgiving break.

And lovely it was!

Oh....I had to enable comment moderation on my blog because I had some stupid spam comments the other day! boo! So, I just wanted to let you all know (if you saw the comments before I had a chance to delete them...that WAS NOT MY HUSBAND commenting.) I left the comment that he actually posted. Boo to all the mean blog creepers out there! Here is a sweet pic of Miss Maddie! This makes me sooooo happy! This was suppose to make our Christmas card...

but I couldn't get it to work out. :(

This is the pic that actually ended up on the Christmas card. It fit really well with one of the designs we liked. I can't wait to get the Shutterfly package in the mail this week!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone had a great Monday!

Merry Christmas,

Amanda

Do I have to turn 26???

Well, I'm turning 26 today (Sunday). I'm not sure how I feel about that! lol! :) It just seems like a really "adult" age! Too close to 30. I'm not sad though. I love my life, my precious husband and family, all the blessings and little things in life....and most of all knowing the Lord! A lot has gone on in my 25th year of life, but I wouldn't change a thing. I know the Lord is using it all to shape me into the woman He wants and plans for me to be. I hope I can live my 26th year with joy and happiness and compassion! I'm excited to see what all is in store for my life. I have already been blessed far more than I deserve. Thank you Lord!

I hope all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

with love,

amanda

Christmas Card

Christ Is King Religious Christmas Card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Christmas Card Pic Teaser.....

So, we had a sweet girl from church take a few pictures of us last Sunday for our Christmas cards. She is not done editing them....but I wanted to give you a preview! :) I really like this one, I just wish Miss Maddie was looking at the camera!!!!!!! She NEVER looks at the camera.

Oh well, I think she still looks cute though.

Today I am thankful for:
-My Christmas tree....all set up and decked out!
-Warm and cozy socks. Particularly happy, colorful socks...
-My Church and all the people there :)
-Hot showers
-A roof over my head....it might not be the fanciest or coolest...but it is HOME and I LOVE it.
-Multi-Grain Cheerios
-My job
-A sweet, handsome and f u n n y husband

Hap Hap Happy Wednesday Everyone!

It's almost Thanksgiving Day!
Love,
Amanda

My Magical Friday Night....

So...I left you hanging about my magical friday night. :)

It truly was wonderful. Friday we went to one of my favorite restaurants downtown, Millie's! Bonus:they had it all decorated for Christmas and I had no idea! It was such a nice surprise! Tim said that this outing was a pre-birthday celebration. (my b-day is not until the 28th) There was a beautifully wrapped package waiting for me. I couldn't believe I was getting a gift, since it was NOT my b-day yet.

I wasn't going to refuse it though! ;)

So, I opened the box........and.....

I was SHOCKED!!!!!!!!!!!

I could hardly talk! I had nooooo idea. If you have read my blog any length of time, I complain about my camera all the time. But I love to take pictures. I needed a new one really bad. It was the most wonderful and thoughtful gift....I didn't even ask for one! It is a Nikon Coolpix P100!

It is amazing.

I took a picture of my sweet hubby (with my new camera of course!)

We got a pic outside the restaurant! I was playing with the focus and brightness and stuff....just for fun! :)

I might have snuck off to the bathroom....and took a bunch of pics in there! I was so excited! haha!

This is the face of a very happy Amanda!

Next up.....Tim said we were walking downtown to the cutest cupcake shop ever! I have blogged about it before. We enjoyed some tasty treats and took some more pictures!

He is silly!

After that....we went for coffee downtown!

It was seriously one of the most special evenings. I had so much fun and have truly not been that surprised in a looooong time!

Oh, and I might be putting up my Christmas decor tonight.

And I mean YES I AM! ;)

I hope you all have a great start to your holiday week!

I'm thankful for you all!

I love my blogging friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Amanda

Magical!

I just had the most wonderful, m a g i c a l night ever!!! It was perfect.

I can't wait to share about it.

(i'm so thankful for that, cause i had a stinky day...the copier broke down at work...twice!!!)

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Hugs!

Amanda

Side Dishes & Wish List....

H a p p y T h u r s d a y!

It's another beautiful day....it's going to be cold here today. I think the high is only 48! Then tomorrow it will be back up to 60ish! Crazy. This morning I had a cinnamon raisin bagel from Panera!!!! It was so good. Great start to the day I think. :)

Well, I have been thinking about Thanksgiving since it is NEXT WEEK!!!! We are going to my parents this year and I am suppose to bring two side dishes. I am not sure what I am going to make yet. I thought a green been recipe might be nice. Problem is I don't have a green been recipe! I always hate making something for the first time, for other people! But I think it would be hard to screw up green beans.

This picture looks good..... I also thought a baked macaroni and cheese sounded good. Another recipe I don't have. :) This picture is from Good Housekeeping. They always have such nice stuff.

My mom is already making different kinds of potatoes and such. I am going to be searching the world wide web for some recipes.

Does anyone know of some good recipe sites that you love?

Anyone else making the Thanksgiving meal?

Also with my birthday coming up I have had to think of a few things I would like, so I can tell the hubby. I am terrible at coming up with things. I would like a few new shirts I think. My sweater selection is not very good.

Oh, and I did think of a CD I have been wanting.....

Have you heard of Gateway Worship? It is a church...and Kari Jobe is actually one of their worship leaders! Love her! They just made this worship cd and I would really like it. I love listening to worship music in the car...especially when I am on my way to work.

Oh, and I saw a Christmas drinking glass I fell in love with at Hobby Lobby!!! I told the hubby...so let's see if he remembers! ;) If not I will be going there the day after my b-day to get it cause it was only $9.99! I would use it all season long at my desk at work.

I hope everyone has a fabulous day today!!!

xoxo,

Amanda

The Blessing Box....

Today I wanted to link up with my wonderful friend Natalie from Extraordinary Love!!! If you have not visited her blog...you must go now! She is such a sweet friend and a blessing to me!

A big blessing is about to come my way next week! Our best friends, Brian & Jade will be in town next week for Thanksgiving!!!!

Oh, I can hardly wait!

They moved away from us last June because he took a youth pastor job in another state. This is our first time seeing them since they moved. It is going to be a wonderful reunion! They are such a blessing to Tim and I and are wonderful friends to us.

This is us....back when they lived in our town. We spent a ton of time together...so there was a big void when they moved. :( I'm thankful that God is using them in their new position though.

This is my favorite picture of Jade and I.

Another wonderful blessing I wanted to share with you is about my Mr. Tim!

He got a promotion at work!!!

He is such a hard worker and really good at his job. I'm so proud of him. Now, this new job was a blessing....but it is a little bittersweet for us. His hours had to switch and he is working evenings now. It hopefully won't be for very long. I hate not seeing him as much, but I am very proud of him. The Lord has already been helping through all my "spare" time with Tim at work. I have been staying busy...so I don't get sad! :)

I love my sweet hubby!

Soooo proud to be his wife!

Thanks for letting me share a few blessings today! You should go link up too and share some blessings.

Have a wonderful evening everyone!

P.S. I am thankful for all of my sweet blog friends! Love you guys! xo

Amanda

Sooooo much to be thankful for!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and my birthday also right around the corner....I have been thinking about BEING THANKFUL a lot. We have soooo much to be thankful for. I have far more than I need or deserve.

I am thankful for my family.

(this includes Miss Maddie...she really makes me happy!)

I am thankful for God's love. I am nothing without Him.
I am thankful for marriage! I love being married. I love my husband.

It's the best! :)

Those are just a few things I am thankful for. More to come later!

There is a song I have stuck in my head about thankfulness. It's an old one and I can't remember the name of the group who sings it...but I thought I would share a snipit of the words:

So, I thank you for my blessings

And I thank you for my struggles

There is nothing that your grace didn't get me through

So, in the storm I'll praise your name

Lift my hands out in the rain

I'll sing glory hallelujah to the Lamb

I hope those words blessed you today and that you have a wonderful start to your week!

With love, Amanda

The Story Of US......

I saw this cute post on several blogs the past few days...and I thought I would join in! :) It is questions about me and my sweet hubby.......

1. What are your middle names?
Mine is Nicole and Tim actually has two middle names....Brandyn Dye. Everyone always gives him a hard time about that! ;)
2. How long have you been together?
We started dating at age 15....got married at 20......and now Tim is 26 and I will be 26 this month! So I guess a little over 10 years! WOW! That is crazy when I think about it....
3. How long did you know each other before you started dating?
I think we knew each other a little over a year. Tim and my brother were best friends. So Tim was always at our house...hanging around, eating all our food, playing games...being a crazy boy! And somehow we ended up liking each other more than in a brotherly/sisterly kinda way!
4. Who asked who out?
Tim and I love telling this story. Though it always makes me feel bad! lol! Tim started pursuing me first. He asked me out 3 TIMES before I said yes!!!! I was also just a 15 year old girl....I wasn't sure what I was doing! haha! (Now I'm so glad he kept asking me out till I said yes!)
5. How old are each of you?
Tim is 26 and I turn 26 on November 28th!!! :)
6. Did you go to the same school?
Yep, we met in high school.
7. Are you from the same hometown?
No....I'm from Springfield, Missouri (our current town) and Tim moved here from Houston, Texas.
8. Who is the smartest?
Hmmmm I think we both have our better subjects. But I think Tim is more naturally smarter than me. :)
9. Who majored in what?
Well, both of our degrees are still in progress. Tim still has to decide on his major (hopefully soon!). I won't finish mine until Tim is all the way done.
10. Who is the most sensitive?
ME totally!!!! I think sensitive should have been my middle name. I try to keep it harnessed in though....cause I don't want it to get out of control. Though I do have a somewhat sensitive husband...and for that I am thankful! :)
11.Where is the furthest you two have travelled as a couple?
A few years ago we went to Uruguay in South America on a mission trip! It was so amazing!
12. Who has the worst temper?
Tim for sure! hahahah! After he became a Christian....his temper went way down! Praise the Lord. We are new creatures in Christ! I know I have my moments though....
13. How many children to you want?
I would love to have 2-3. Whatever we have will be a blessing....and I can't wait!
14. Who does the cooking?
I do most of it. But Tim helps me all the time! I love that. He is really handy in the kitchen.
15. Who is more social?
Tim is way more social than me. I'm a homebody a lot of the times....but I love talking to people. Tim always brings out my best!
16. Who is the neat freak?
I think that would be me. Or I try to be anyways.....
17. Who is the most stubborn?
I think I win that one! :) I have been my whole life I hear.
18. Who wakes up earlier?
Now that Tim has a funky schedule...I have to wake up before him. On Saturdays when we both sleep in....I am always the first one up!
19. Where was your first date?
Tim asked me to Homecoming my sophomore year in high school. (he was a nervous, sweaty beast!) hahahah!
20. Who has the bigger family?
Definitely Tim! His family is massive and I still don't know everyone. Craziness!
21. Do you get flowers often?
Not really. Maybe once or twice a year. He does a lot of other things to show his love!
22. How do you spend the holidays?
We are kinda all over the place. We still don't have a set schedule. It's hard....we want to be at everything...but with family out of town and Tim's crazy work schedule, it doesn't always work out.
23. Who is more jealous?
I don't think either of us are jealous people.
24. How long did it take to get serious?
Well, since we were youngins....we did take things slower. But we were "exclusive" our whole relationship. Tim was my first hand to hold, first kiss, first date....first everything. I was his first everything. And I love that. :)
25. Who eats more?
TIM! When he is hungry....folks, get out of his way! He will eat you! :)
26. What do you do for a living?
I am a Ministry Assistant at a church in Springfield. I love my job. Tim is a Lead Sales Agent for Hotels.com. Their largest office is actually in our town! He has a great job. We are very thankful.
27. Who does the laundry?
We kinda tag team it. Tim will run the loads and I will fold and put away.
28. Who is better with the computer?
It depends. I am a way faster typer and looker upper (i made that word up!) and Tim is better with all the technical issues. We go together like peas and carrots.
29. Who drives when you are together?
Tim always drives us. I hate driving. If I never had to drive again I would be perfectly happy! lol
30. What is your song?
Oh goodness....we have too many to list! "The Way You Look Tonight" always makes me cry....cause it makes me think of our wedding!

I would love for everyone to do this. It's fun to read everyone's answers!
XO,
Amanda

Today I'm thinking......

Good morning to you!

I'm thankful for all of the wonderful Veterans out there...and all the current people serving our country! You are very special people.

(i'm having trouble typing today!! ugh!)

Last night at church choir practice we worked on our Christmas music some more! I always love doing our Christmas program at church. It is so much fun. The program we do every year is "The Gospel According to Scrooge"! :)

Also last night, Mr. Tim and I stopped in Wal-Mart to get a few things. We really didn't have anything to make for our lunches. While in Wally Word....we passed by a huge Glade display. It had all the Christmas candles and air fresheners. It was sparkly and beautiful. sigh. It took so much for me to resist the temptation. I was strong and walked on by. (side note....Tim did tell me I should get something...but something inside of me wanted to wait!)

I got some pretty apples! I am looking forward to having one at lunch today! :)

Oh, you know how I'm getting the cute Shutterfly Christmas cards? Well, I was just thinking to myself...wow, 50 cards! I'm not sure I know that many people who want a picture of me, Mr. Tim and Miss Maddie on a Christmas card! haha! That is very generous of Shutterfly.

Anyone want a Christmas card from the Shepards?!?! ;)

The Lord has really been working on me this week. I have been drawing closer to Him...and sure enough He has been drawing closer to me. Just like His Word says! I'm doing a study by Elizabeth George in the book of Philippians.

I'm so thankful for that this week.

I have lost a few pounds the past few weeks and I feel great! I am just desiring to be a healthier individual and treat my body good! woot!

My birthday is at the end of this month!!!!

I can't wait for BLACK FRIDAY!

Tonight I'm doing laundry. (for real this time!)

This has been the most random post in the history of Blogger. :)

Thanks for reading it!

I hope each of you have a marvelous day today. It's gonna be beautiful.

God is so GOOD!

love,

Amanda

It's time for Christmas Cards!!!!!

I am sooooo excited about Christmas!

I am even more excited now because the awesome people at Shutterfly are offering a chance to get 50 free Christmas cards!

Go here for more info.

I am new to the whole "photo Christmas card" thing. But I am really excited to get them made this year. I have already spent hours looking at the Shutterfly website....I don't know how I'm going to make a decision!!!! ahhhh! There are way too many cute options.

Here are a few of the cards I'm loving...... I love the black & white with the red & green stripes!

This one is just too stinkin cute! Love the graphics and bright colors.

I love the simplicity and wording on this one!

I love the color scheme on this card.

I also love the look and wording on this one too!

You can look at all their Christmas Card options here.

I also noticed on the website that you can have calendars made!!!!!!! Wowza! I really really want to have one made. I love getting my new calendar every year.

I have never had one with pictures of the ones I love!

Now, I just have to pick out which picture to go on the card!

Do you have a favorite card? Any suggestions on which one I should get?

Happy Christmas Card hunting

& Merry Christmas!!!!

miscellany monday! :)

Hey everyone! I'm linking up with Carissa for miscellany monday....even though it's almost Tuesday now. :) It's been a busy day.

ONE. I had a yummy ambrosia salad tonight. (my sweet momma made it!) It had oranges, pineapple, coconut, marshmallows and sour cream. I could eat the entire bowl I'm pretty sure!

TWO. We had the B E S T time at the Lecrae concert Friday! It was a blast. They presented the gospel at the concert....which was awesome.

THREE. I need to go to the grocery store. really bad. (at least there is left over ambrosia for tomorrow!)

FOUR. I have tons of crafts in the works right now. They are all going to be Christmas gifts. I am so excited about them and can't wait to give them out!!!!

FIVE. Today I felt overwhelmingly excited for Christmas! I think it's because a Glade commercial came on...and it was about their new holiday scents. :)

SIX. Has anyone tried greek yogurt? I just discovered it and loved it.

SEVEN. I have got a really sweet and kind husband. He makes me insanely happy.

EIGHT. I learned how to play a song on my keyboard tonight! haha! Well...it's just the chords...but it's still fun to play and sing. "Here I Am To Worship" is my first song!

NINE. Laundry is calling my name. But I really needed (wanted) to do a blog post instead. ;)

TEN. God's grace still amazes me....that song is stuck in my head. But I don't mind.....

That's pretty much all I'm thinking at this moment. I'm off to bed!!!

I hope everyone had a great Monday.

HUGS!

Amanda

Thriller on Commercial Street!!!!

HAPPY HAPPY FRIDAY TO YOU!!!!

I wanted to share some more pics from Halloween weekend!

Our city always has a lot of fun things going on on the historic Commercial street downtown. Well, Halloween weekend they had blocked off the road and gave a performance of Michael Jackson's Thriller! There were over 100 people dressed up like zombies! haha! And they performed the entire dance from the music video. There were so many people there so it was kinda hard to see good. But it was still so much fun just being there! Here is me and my sweetie! I tried to dress festive! I found my Halloween shirt and earrings at Walmart! :)

These are our friends Mike and Cori!

We got our pictures taken with some of the zombies! haha! It was so funny!

This guy was funny!

Here is some pics of the zombies dancing!

It was really festive and fun! I love our city! There is always something fun going on.

So.....

does anyone know who Lecrae is????

Well, let me tell you! He is a Christian rap artist...who is pretty amazing. It just happens we are going to see his concert tonight! oh yeah! We are driving to Kansas City after work! hehe! There will actually be a lot of artists there too. The tour is called Unashamed 2010. I'm not normally a "rap" kinda girl....but these guys are insane...in a good way! ;) Their songs preach! I will try to post a video later today so you can check it out. It is my first rap concert. I can't wait!

(My hubby introduced me to him!)

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

LOVE!

Amanda

I was tagged!!! :)

Hey everyone! Well, I was tagged by my bloggy friend Kari from The Busy Busbys! I hope these help you get to know me better! I love getting to all of you better too.

1. You can only pack 3 things on vacation. What are they?
Well this is a trick question....cause it would be different if I was going to the beach or to the mountains! hah! So, let's say it's a beach vacation...cause that is my favorite! I would pack one fabulous sundress, a swimsuit and good book! I think that's all I would need. There is nothing better than laying on the beach with a good book, taking in God's beautiful creation!


2. Where would that vacation be?
Well, I love Destin, Florida. But if I could pick anywhere.....it would have to be HAWAII!!!! Hopefully someday my sweet hubby and myself can enjoy a vacay to that beautiful place! sigh....


3. Where was your first plane ride to?
I'm not sure I can remember. But, I'm pretty sure it was to Disney World! yay! I think that was my first family vacation. I heart Disney World. That is another place I would love to go to with my man!


4. Do you prefer turkey or ham for Christmas?
Turkey is my favorite, though I love both. However.....our family has a different tradition. For as long as I can remember we make a huge roast on Christmas Eve! And we always call it roast beast! (you know from the Grinch....they carved the roast beast?!) I love that tradition. And my momma always makes the most delicious roast. You would love it!


5. When is the earliest you shop for Christmas presents?
Probably November. If I see something special for someone....I will pick it up whenever. My mom and I have a tradition of going out on BLACK FRIDAY!!!! We have the most fun together. I will always try to do all of my shopping on that day. Then I can have the entire month of December to just relax and enjoy the festivities!


6. What is your favorite comfort food?
I love mashed potatoes and gravy!!!! I think that is as comforting as food can get!


7. You have a shopping spree to any store you want. What store is that?
Definitely TARGET!!!!!!!!!! I can find anything I'm looking for at that amazing place. And everything is so cute to top it all off. I wish I had one closer to my home. I have to drive across town to get to ours. But, I still love it.


8. What movie makes you cry everytime you watch it?
I ball like a baby when I watch Marley & Me. As you know, I'm in love with my sweet Miss Maddie....so that movie just kills me to watch it. I almost hyperventilated last time! oh my. Also, the Father of the Bride movies always make me cry. I just love em! I'm already a cryer....so I tend to cry easily in movies anyway.

Well that's it!!! :) Feel free to answer these questions one and all! I love reading everyone's answers. Happy Thursday Friends!

xo,

Amanda

Happy Late Halloween Friends! :)

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND!!!!!
We enjoyed the most adorable pumpkin face pizza!

It made eating pizza way more fun!
I just wanted to give a shout out to my MIZZOU Tigers!!!!!!!!! These pics were from last week when they killed the Sooners! oh yeah! :)
(yes i know we lost to nebraska sat...but i'm still lovin that we beat OU!)

We have some major Tiger pride goin on at our house!!!! True blue fans right there! :)

Oh and Miss Maddie says hello to everyone! :)

She is showing off her cute halloween bow. Plus her mommy and daddy got her a new rawhide that she is chewing on!

Well, I have lots to catch up on blog wise this week! I have been tagged, I want to share some pics with you and I need to catch up on all of your blogs!!! I had a very very very busy weekend and past few days. I can't wait to catch up on your blogs and see how ya'lls weekends were! I hope everyone is doing great!

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

Psalm 27:14

"My whole being will exclaim, Who is like you O LORD?"

Psalm 35:10

I'm thankful for my God today! He is so good to us in every situation. No one else is like Him!

With LOVE!

Amanda