Free Friday

Once again, its your turn. Let's talk. Whats on your mind? Have a question?

Let's chat. Please dont make me go first!

TV

Last night I stayed up after Michael went to bed. We went to trivia last night and did not so good. Anyway, I started flipping though channels and watched a show called Crazy,Sexy Cancer. Actually, Heather from Especially Heather mentioned it weeks ago or I probably would not have stopped and watched it. If you have cable try to find this. This show was good. Its a documentary of a woman who has cancer, incurable cancer. Sometimes as a nurse, we look at the treatments, the physical effects and making people feel better. We never get to learn the day to day life of patients with his disease. This woman was honest, so honest. She cried. She got mad. She had good days. She got news, some bad, some not so bad. I wish I had watched the whole thing. If you get the chance, check it out.

thursday 13

Thirteen Things about Amy13 groups or people I used to listen to 1. New Kids on the Block 2. Debbie Gibson 3. Tiffany 4. The Party 5. Glen Mederos 6. Expose 7. Madonna 8. Michael Damian 9. Bobby Brown 10. Whitneye Houston 11.Chicago 12. Journey 13. Bon Jovi Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Positive post

I have slept way too long after work today but wanted to post this.

Lets have a brag about your spouse or significant other day! Whats one thing you absolutely love about your husband?If you do not have one, tell me something about your best friend!

Love, love and marriage

Blogging is a complicating thing sometimes. I blogged at first just to get some stuff out of my head and now its a hobby. I do want people to get to know me, but I also do not want to be too personal. I think I have done a good job. One of my weaknesses is that I care way too much about what people think. In fact I worry so much that it makes most situations worse, guaranteed. If I think someone has offended someone I personally try to fix regardless if someone is actually offended. I dont think its a control thing but it might be. I appreciate all of you who read this and as much as I used to do anything for comments, I am much more relaxed. i appreciate those who have said I am cheerful, positive and very nice. Thank you. I wish I was like that all the time.

I have some weaknesses including
-having a hard time losing weight
-sticking my foot in my mouth
-not giving 100%
-paranoia
-worried that I will disappoint someone

I am working on some of those but I need to try harder.

There are a few things in my life that I am sure of.

1)I have a God who loves me unconditionally, no matter what I do. This makes me feel so happy inside.
2)One day I will die. There is nothing I can do to change this. Mind you, I do not focus on this but its a fact
3)I am married to a wonderful man who sometimes is misunderstood. I am so glad he chose me to marry and we have so much fun together. I am blessed and look forward to working on making our marriage better.

ON that last note, I just finished a book by Karen Kingsbury who is one of my favorite authors. She has written the greatest series and if you are looking for wonderful gift for a family member or friend, check any of her books out. Anyway, in this one book she talked about love.

These are 10 secrets to happy marriage found in Forever by Karen Kingbury

1. God has you here to serve on another. Love acted out is serving
2. Women need respect and nurturing. love your wife so she knows you'd lay your life down for her. Continue to date her and admire her. Share a hobby-find something you can do to have fun together
3.Laugh often
4.Be patient. Love crumbles quickly under the weight of unmet expectations
5. Spend more time trying to fix yourself than your spouse.
6. Keep short accounts. The Bible says, "'Do not let the sun go down while you are angry." Make it a habit to forgive.
7. Determine up front that divorce is not an option/
8. Learn about love languages. Not all people show love or receive it the same way. You want a back rub and your spouse wants a clean kitchen. The love languages are fairly simple: acts of service, time, physical touch, gifts and words of affirmation. Learn them. Love is better received when its in the language that person speaks.
9.Words of affirmation are a love language for all men.
10. Men are born to be leaders. He can not lead unless she gives him the confidence to do so. If you love your husband, build him up. Confident men do not seek love outside the home

How true are these? I have not read the book The Five Love Lanugages but I definitely want to.

Church and stuff

Ok, so I am sitting here watching the movie the Notebook and I am reading a flier i got from the church regarding the women's ministry.

My word check this out!

Sept- starting a weekly Bible Study called the Amazing Collection
They have a weight loss group that meets weekly
October-Book club
December 8th- road trip to see A Christmas Carol
January- Saturday Sessions
January-pajama party
March- women's retreat with Lisa Whelchel (yes Blair(
april 22- ladies night out
april-another book clib
June-Summer bible study
June-another road trip
July-another book club

Isn't this wonderful? They also have things for moms with kids of any ages and other things. I am looking forward to getting involved.

Domesticated- this is what I am not. I would like to be but I have no idea where to start. This is not a poor me paragraph just statements or facts. i can not organize or clean anything 100%. This is not to say I do not want to, I am just not good at it. I can cook easy recipes but as to bake anything without easy instructions, I don't even try. I have never used my ironing board. I can see the home I want to have, I just don't know where to get started? Any suggestions. I am thinking about getting back into the Fly Lady thing, if she will have me back. I need help. I need to get organized before going to China. Feel free to ask your friends to help me. Ugh!!!!!!

random thoughts on a Sunday morning

Good morning! Its Sunday and I just got home from work. I actually have a Sunday/Monday off which is odd but quite exciting. Nothing really planned today. Michaels not feeling well so church is off which means I will get to sleep a few hours and play online on may day off. Tomorrow I will go window shopping and perhaps organize something around the house.

I love my blog. I love to get comments. I love to read blogs. Its definitely a hobby. There are some really interesting bloggers out there.

Its time to do something with my blog. I'm not sure what though. I finally have all contest prizes (except Cyndis Rachel Ray cookbook) mailed and maybe its time for another contest. We will see. You know I love to give things away so come back in a day or 2 and see what I have cooked up.

I am thinking of doing a Christmas Card exchange in a few months. It would be simple and you could pick how many people you want to exchange with (ex. 1,5,10,20)

I am hoping to get some reading done today. I started a new Debbie Macomber book and I am quite behind on.

Do you want to know what I really want to do? I want to record every memory I can remember. This is something I have wanted to try for a long time. I'm not sure why. I live on memories. They bring me comfort.

Do you guys remember the funeral I went to back in January for a patient of mine? Well, her mom has a blog now that includes the video that was shown at the funeral. Check it out here.

ON another note, I have decided that water fountains have yucky germs on them.

I hope to have a post with more substance later today

Tagged again- name

Okay, I must participate since everyone in the blogging world is participating. I was tagged by Amy at Laughing Through the Tears

Here goes,

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.

4. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

I am Amy Suzanne


S -sensitive. I take things way to personally
U- Unusual sense of humor
Z -z00. No, I don't belong in a zoo, its just a place I like to visit
A- ADOPTION, THATS WHERE MY HEART IS NOW
N -Nice. I hope people consider me a nice person
N -Nearing my mid-30s. Ok I am 32 but I could not come up with another word. Suggestions
E -extremely loud. Ok, I have a big mouth, sorry

I have decided not to tag anyone since everyone who has a blog I read has already done this. this is simply for informational purposes.

Peace out

Free for all Friday

Gonna try this again as it works for Steven!

Its your time to shine. Share anything and lets see what happens. Feel free to vent, share a prayer request, ask a question, share a random thought,recommend a good to add to my bloglines, anything. I will comment throughout the day!!
dont forget to visit valtools box for fridays flashback.i love his choices this week

Fridays Feast

Appetizer
Say there’s a book written about your life. Who would you want to narrate the audio version?

Phoebe from friends

Soup
Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.)
Pecan - Peter eats candy and nuts

Salad
If you could go back in time and spend one week in another decade, which decade would you choose?
Probably 1880s, Christmas week. I just love that time

Main Course
Name a song that brings back memories for you.
Anything by NKOTB, haha or music from my wedding. Edwin McCain rocks!

Dessert
Do you prefer to wash your hands in cold water or warm water?

hot

lots to say

I have been trying to write this for a few days ago. Sunday, Michael and I made it to church where the title of the sermon was "State of the Church". It was an informative of where the church has been, where it is and the direction its going. It was nice to hear and although we have not joined anything, the church feels like home. Visit www.northmetro.org there are clips of the preaching and praise music. This church rocks!

I love the music at the church. Most of the songs are still new to me, but they are just awesome. The praise team is great and the feeling of worship is awesome. It was not your normal sermon, but this is one of the best services I have been to. They played 2 Chris Tomlin songs, which were "We were made to worship" which is my favorite and another one. There is something about hundreds of people worshipping at the same time. I dont think it was the song, but God was present on Sunday. It was beautiful. It was the kind of moment where tears run down your face and you can not control it. Oh I cant wait to get involved. I am considering joining a Wedneday morning womans bible study.

The week has been well. I have picked up an extra 12 hours this week and so far so good. Tuesday night I left for work at 545pm and got home Wednesday morning at 11am. I definitely slept good when I got home. Lucy and I slept downstairs together and she was quite happy.

Despite the 100 plus degree days we have here, fall is approaching and I am too excited. Because fall means our 6th year anniversary which is followed by Halloween which leads to Thanksgiving which leads to Christmas, the most fantabulous time of the year.

Michael is planning our anniversary celebration which I assume will be a nice dinner somewhere which is all I need. See, last year Michael and I celebrated our 5th anniversary in Williamsburg, our honeymoon destination.

Well, this fall, I hope we get to visit Helen, Ga. We missed it last year. We have the apple festival in Elijay as well. There there is the pumpkin patch, long walks, Halloween and hopefully going home for Thanksgiving this year. As excited as I am, can you imagine what its going to be like when LynnMarie gets here?

MIchael and I cutting out things we dont need and hopefully we will see our budget getting better. When that happens, I hope we can take another trip to the Jackson/Memphis Tn area. Not only did I spend 4 wonderful years at Union University, but my old roomies and friends live there now.

Prayers for a child

A reader of my blog asked me to post this. There is a child, Jude, who needs your prayers. He is very very sick in the hospital. Per his parents, "Jude drowned in a pool". He is on life support.His family are believers and could use encouragment!

Thursday 13




Thirteen Things about Amy 13 More Memories with my Michael 1…. Meet and greet with Steven Curtis Chapman right before our 2nd anniversary 2. Atlantafest at Six Flags- Was able to meet Michael W Smith 3.Surprise Chattanooga trip- He told me to pack a bag and we headed out for for some quiet time in Chattanooga and had a nice room, went to Ruby Falls and the aquarium 4.Our 2 1/2 Disney Cruises. The one cruise we went on without my family was cut in half because of a hurricane. That's ok, Disney put us up in a Disney hotel and we still had a great time 5. Dixie Chicks concert- one of our first dates 6. Every Christmas- Michael prides himself on being resourceful. He does a great job with gifts 7.My birthday- its Michael's bday as well. We always share the day together, usually at a Disney Park 8.The birth of my niece. Michael showed up at the hospital and saw Janie a few minutes after she was born. That was special 9.Flowers- Many times Michael has either hand delivered flowers or has had them delivered. The dude rocks,I tell ya! 10. Our adoption orientation- just another memory to some but the day is very clear in my mind 11.Trivia nights- we will be remembering our weekly trivia dates in the years to come. We go out to eat once a week to kick some trivia tushy 12.Gladiator, the movie- I have not seen this movie all the way because while we were dating, Michael had me over for dinner. We had to cut the movie short because he had choir practice. That will always make me laugh 13. I saved this for last. To make it short, one night I worked a 16 hour shift. When I got home at 8am and entered my apartment, there stood a huge Christmas tree with lights on it. HE had cleaned my apartment and Christmas music was playing. This was right after we were engaged..It was totally romantic!!! If you are still reading this and you are a romantic, check out the Mark Schultz video below. IF you like it, check out the other video over at the adoption blog! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants





Walking Her Home

Havent posted a video in a long time. Tissues anyone?

I was tagged

Hubby made up a fun little meme to do on your blog so I am going to participate. If you would like to answer the questions, head over to Valtool's Box! Hope you will participate. Let him know if you do!!!

Please - even though I copied his questions here, go answer them in the comment section on his blog. Thank You! (but feel free to comment on my responses here).

A philanthropist awards you $50,000 with the stipulation that you may use half of it for yourself and the other half you must use for the benefit of others. By "benefit of others" it can mean anything really, buying a gift for a family member or donating to a charity.

a. How do you spend the money on yourself?
I would hire someone to paint every room in my house. I would get brand new furniture in the spare bedroom, the office and what will be LynnMaries room. I would hire someone to make our yard prettier and someone to maintain it. heeheehee! I
b. How do you use the money for others. Please be detailed, so if you say "give X dollars to charity, let us know what charity and why you select that one.
I woul agree with hubby. I would give our church our large amount. I would donate a large amount to a pediatric brain tumor research fund, and Make a Wish Foundation because I work with children who need the brain tumor research. Make a Wish is awesome and is not just for terminally ill children but children with life changing illnesses. Most families spend so much money on their treatment, there is not money for vacation
c. If you were to spend part of your money to have a performer do a show for you, who would it be and why? Kenny Chesney, Josh Grobin, Steven Curtis Chapman just because they are fun. Grobin would be a romantic date and Kenny and Steven would be a great group concert.
d. If you were to use it on a new vehicle for yourself, what kind?
A very safe SUV that would never hydroplane or flip over or blow up
e. If you spent part of it to go to a "fantasy" camp, what type would you choose?
I would love to learn how to work on a Disney cruise, not sure if there is one one but would love it. I would love to find a camp that would teach me how to do domestic things like bake or knit or crochet!!!!
f. If you were to use it to buy season tickets for a sports team, what team would it be?
no clue. I would let hubby have this. I would prefer a team that has no drama
g. If you were to use it to go on a cruise (assuming you like cruises) where would you cruise to?
It would be on a Disney cruise in a balcony room and I would cruise to Hawaii but I would sale from Miami or Pt Canaveral, a long cruise
h. If you were to use it to go to NYC to see a show (or shows) what would you see?
Rent, Phantom, Wicked

and

i. Totally off subject (but since Fall is coming) what is your favorite carnival food (I was watching "Big" while writing this and saw them at the carnival)?
hmmm, love funnel cakes and soda and fun stuff. The Apple festival is coming up!! Yippee!

All better but need a prayer for Wes

***** Update. Wes is okay. he got on the last flight out of Jamaica last night*****


Thanks so much for your encouragement. What cures the blahs? A very very busy Friday night in a pediatric hospita. OOh I needed that.

Back to work with my patients, families and coworkers. Fun stuff. In case you did not know I work at CHOA which according to magazines, is the 3rd best pediatric hospital in the country and one of the best companies to work for in Atlanta. I work on PCA 1 which is a craniofacial/neuro floor. Patients that I take care of have cleft lips and palates, other facial deformities, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, mitochondrial disorders, seizures, spinal cord stuff, brain tumors and other things. I love it. I love to visit other floors as well. I have friends on the Aflac floor (the oncology) and one day I would love work with the nurses on that floor. It was nice to be back at work.

I need to get my ticker back on my blog because Christmas is less than 5 months away!

***************WARNING*****************

If you do not like the Christmas holiday, do not visit here from mid November until January. This will be a happenning place. I love the season. I mean I really love the season. You'll see what I mean.

Anyway, back to blogging.
Pray for my brother. Mom emailed me to say Wes was in Jamaica and could not get a flight out. I have been praying. Its hard not to worry. As soon as we hear from him, I will post!!!

SO the week is over and tommorow (well today) is Sunday. We will start with church and then see where the week takes us. I was able to pick up extra hours so that will be good.

Have you seen a good DVD lately? Have you seen High School Musical?

yucky week

Hello blogging friends! Make sure you check out Michaels blog today for his Friday Flashback videos!!!

There is lots on my mind today. Its just one of those weeks. I am not depressed but I have just not been happy. Have you ever had one of those days? You know the days where you just cant do anything right?
Seriously,I need to learn to want to exercise, want to eat better, learn how to clean my house and keep it this way. I have always been unorganized and my hope was to get better at it before we left for China, but now I doubt that will happen..Ugh!!! Its just one of those week. I know it will be better. Perhaps its working night shift but that's not changing soon.


I did get up with Michael at 630 this morning and did the dishes and swept and mopped the floors downstairs. I then did my version of "doing laundry". You see that involves hanging all hanging clothes on the treadmill. Have you ever done that?

The good things are that Michael and I are both working. Michael is making decisions to help us get out of debt, we now have a home church, and we have family that loves us.

I'm so glad that my God loves me unconditionally right now. Its because of His promise to never leave me, that I know this too shall pass.

What do you do when you are feeling sad or just blah?

On another note, I got a gift from my secret pal yesterday. Check out the adoption blog for a picture. I also got 2 postcards from our postcard exchange yesterday. If you didnt participate, I hope you will next time! Its great fun!! I think I will do a Christmas card exchange. That always cheers me up!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Describe your laundry routine. Do you have a certain day when you do it all, or do you just wash whatever you need for the next day?
I do it on my days off With scrubs added to the pile, we have a lot even for just the 2 of us. I do do it at least twice a week

Soup
In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old?
it wont be age, and it will be a mental thing. Ill guess 75

Salad
What is one of your goals? Is it short-term, long-term, or both?
Debt free. To be a Godly wife and mother (Prov 31). I am having a hard time with both. Will work on the mother thing when we bring LynnMarie home from China

Main Course
Name something unbelievable you’ve seen or read lately.
All the sadness, the miners, the earthquakes, the drama with celebrities

Dessert
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how happy are you today?
Having a rough week but I know it will get better. Honestly about a 3

contest winner

The Winner of the Rachel Ray book goes to Cyndi (aka Princess Cyndi!! Please email me your address at amyschristopher@comcast.net and let me know if you want it and I will get it right to you!!

Its your turn-lurkers come out

What are you thinking about? If you have never posted, this is your chance. Whats on your mind? Steven does this every now and then and its pretty fun!! Who wants to start? Lets talk about work, American idol, grass (not that kind of grass) , college, God, adoption, the color beige or anything random you can think of!!!!!!!

BTW, if you are reading this and comment you will be entered into a drawing for a Rachel Ray comfort foods cookbook. Another duplicate item I have!! All you have to do is comment ( your comment can't be I want the book!! The point is to start a discussion!!!) and mention it on your blog!!! Winner will be announced Thursday evening! I told you I liked to give things away!!

Wow I'm flattered

"Amy—Amy’s Random Thoughts. Amy was another one of the welcoming faces when I moved into blogging. She is about being real, loving people, especially her husband and the daughter that they are going to adopt. Reading Amy’s blog is like walking out your back door and stepping over at to the neighbors and poking your head in and yelling, “Hey!! Where’s the coffee?” Because Amy will be there to chat with you and share what’s on her mind & ask what is on yours."

I was given a Blogger Reflection Award from Joyful Days and this meant so much to me. This is exactly what I want my blog to be about. Now, we are supposed to pass this on and I will, just not right now. There are too many blogs that I read that encourage and inspire me. So, come by later and I will have some listed!

Make sure you read the post below! We had a great Sunday1

Yippe, we have a home church

What a relief. After sleeping about 2 hours this morning, Michael woke me up and we headed to church. What I got from the service today was that we are on this earth for just a short time that we need to learn to live! Sometimes, we decide to do something and we just sit on it and think about it. By the time we decide to do something about it, its too late. When you think about your daily schedule, think about what you do daily. A lot of us wake up, go to work, have dinner, go to bed and then do it again. Sometimes on Sunday, some of us go to church.
There is more. Much more. I want to experience more, don't you. Michael and I have patterns or routines that we have had set for years now. I don't see that changing but I would love to.If you have never read Stevens blog, you need to. Go visit him now!He is constantly encouraging us to do more and to quit sitting around feeling sad for people when you can do something about it. I'm tired. This all may not make sense. But we need to do more than our regularly scheduled daily activities.
After the service, we went directly to our meeting. They served some yummy BBQ and sides for lunch and we visited with people at our table. 2 church staff members sat with us and it was nice. For the next hour, they went over the history and basically things about the church. They emphasized getting involved and how this will impact how we feel about this church. I loved it. Michael loved it. I think if we get involved, we will be loved and welcomed by this church. Now mind you, this is a large church. A contemporary one. This is not what we were looking for but gosh its wonderful. They use the Bible for all decisions and that was obvious. That made me feel good. We had a question time and some more info. Staring in September or October we will attend a 5 consecutive week class to go over the beliefs of the church. We will be talking about spiritual gifts and things. I really hope Michael posts on our experience. Check out Valtools Box later to find out! The one thing about this church it has a leadership team and several people (3-4) who preach. They do have a lead teaching pastor who I really like.
Soon, we will join a small group and we are both looking forward to that. This church is real. It cares and loves about its members not matter how big this church is. I love that its personal! Can you tell I am excited. We were introduced to this church by our adoption support group months ago. More about the church later. I am going to nap!
In the meantime, I am sharing a Steven Curtis Chapman song that you may not know. For people who do not want to listen to it, I am going to post the lyrics!


More to this life by Steven Curtish Chapman

Today I watched in silence as people passed me by,
And I strained to see if there was something hidden in their eyes;
But they all looked at me as if to say
Life just goes on.


The old familiar story told in different ways,
Make the most of your own journey from the cradle to the grave;
Dream your dreams tomorrow because today
Life must go on.


CHORUS
But theres more to this life than living and dying,
More than just trying to make it through the day;
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see,
And theres more than this life alone can be.


Tonight he lies in silence staring into space,
And looks for ways to make tomorrow better than today,
But in the morning light it looks the same;
Life just goes on.


He takes care of his family, he takes care of his work,
And every Sunday morning he takes his place at the church;
And somehow he still feels a need to search,
But life just goes on.


(chorus)


So where do we start to find every part
Of what makes this life complete;
If we turn our eyes to Jesus well find
Lifes true beginning is there at the cross where He died.
He died to bring us . . .
(chorus)

Steven Curtis Chapman - More To This Life

This song played in my head during the sermon!

weekend update

Its early Sunday morning and I have about 5 hours left at work. This morning I will sleep for an hour or 2 and then get up to go to church at NorthMetro and attend a new members meeting/orientation which I am really looking forward to.

I am still stuggling with the same things. Weight and Organization! I am not really doing anything regarding either one, its pretty pathetic.

I have enjoyed my quiet times and I am very content these days. Its been nice. I wish I had something more interesting to post but I don't. Perhaps by Moday, I will have more interesting thoughts!

Here's another random question!!!

What celebrity would you like to hang out with for a day?

on my mind

I have so many new blogs that I am reading but I will have to share them next week. Do you have a blog to recommend for me? I also have the give away gifts in boxes and are addressed so they will be going out soon!


Is it just me or is anyone tired or reading bad or sad news? I know its out there. I know I am protected by my God, but geesh, its so scary! So many little accidents and so many HUGE accidents, it makes you wonder. I wonder what those people were thinking as that bridge started shaking? I wonder what those miners felt when they realized they were trapped?
I am not normally a negative person but my mind and heart are dwelling on topics like these?

What are you thinking about today?

Friday Feast

Appetizer - What is your favorite kind of pie?
Millionairs pie that mom makes. It has whip cream, pineapple, peaches and something else

Soup - Name something that made you smile this week.
Spending time with Michael. We have been able to spend some time together. Also reading a blog from our friends who just got their son in China
Salad - What do you do to cool off when the weather is hot and humid?
Stay inside with the AC and blog
Main Course - You receive $1,000 in the mail with a letter that says you can only use the money to redecorate one room in your home. Which room do you pick, and what do you buy to spruce it up?
ohhh this is good. Would love to start on the nursery but I would to several rooms in the house painted. I would love to just spruce things up
Dessert - Fill in the blank: My _________ says __________, but I __________.
My mom says that i have a big heart, but I am not always that nice

Lucy

We heard the dryer shut. Later in the evening. I looked for Lucy! She was quiet. Could not find her. She was sleeping in the dryer on top of the warm clothes. Lucy the bassett hound had quite a scare!!

Post card exchange

If you are interested in a post card exchange, email me at amyschristopher@comcast.net

I think it it would be fun to get different cards from all of over the country! This is a one time thing so in a few days, I will send out a list of people participating and all you have to do is mail them a post card!! How fun! Hope you will participate!

thursday 13

Thirteen Things I remember about Union Univ in Jackson, Tn 1. I learned more at Union than just my classes 2.I had the greatest roommates ever 3.I lost almost 80 pounds my sophomore year just to gain it back years later. Thank you so much O Charleys 4.I ate in the cafeteria a total of 3 times in 4 years 5.We had tornado warnings and the upstairs neighbors had to come down 6.We had room checks each month and one of the things was to defrost the freezer which meant turning it off and using a hairdryer to melt the ice..haha 7.One of my college neighbors is also adopting from China 8.I was not in a sorority but most of my friends were in one particular one 9.I learned that even if I you are going to a Southern Baptist School, not everyone believes the same thing you do 10.I became a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman which eventually lead to our decision to adopt from China 11.I went on a spring break missions trip to New Orleans 12. 2 of my roomies and one of my best friends were involved in my wedding 13. Its odd, people I expected to be friends with forever, I am no longer in contact with and people I didnt know well I communicate with frequently I have the great memories from those 4 years and although it was a small school, I have met blogging friends who actually graduated the same time. I didnt go to a party school or have the same experiences a lot of people have in college, but I wouldn't trade those years in for anything!!!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Postcard Exchange

Anyone interested in a postcard exchange? I think its fun to get postcards from all over the place. If you are, send me an email to amyschristopher@comcast.net!!!!!

Anyway, later in the week, I will post more pics from my family's trip to Atlanta. We really did have a blast. Yes, I live in Atlanta but it was nice to the tourist things with them.

I have had very interesting dreams this week. Have you had any odd dreams?

One of mine including standing in line to get Gwen Steffanie autograph and as I was talking to her I looked down to see Ryan Seacrest! Not sure where that came from

The next night, in my dream I was at Barnes and Noble getting some books. I remember getting the entire HP series, which is odd since I have not read one of those, a book entitled The 5 Love Languages and something else. As I walked to purchase my books, who rang me up? Dog the Bounty Hunter!!! Must have had an interest in celebrities last wee!

Wordless Wednesday

Scroll down for contest winners

These are more pics from my familys trip to Atlanta




Lovely beluga whale at the Ga Aquarium

Kelly, Seth and Owen drive at the Childrens Museum

Kelly, Janie and Seth on the train at Six Flags

Paw Paw helps Janie pick out her first Cabbage Patch Kid at the Cabbage Patch Babyland Factory

Another Give away

I'm just in one of those give away kind of moods.
******update- winners have been chosen****** THanks for participating. Please stop by again if you are new here as I love to give things away

okay the winners are

Debbie Macomber books go to DEbbie over at Chocolate and Coffee

The outfits go to Annette over at Simple Pleasures!

Ladies, please email me at amyschristopher@comcast.net with your addresses. Please stop by and visit these ladies. They both have awesome blogs!!!!
Okay today I am giving away
1) 2 Debbie Macomber paperback books. She is one of my favorite authors and I know you would love these books

2)Matching outfits. Sizes are 0-3 months and 24 months. I bought these for a friend and forgot to mail them so I am hoping they can go to good use..Brand new

How do you win?

1) Answer the question on my blog and visit hubbys blog. He made the weekly menu this week! I don't care where ya leave a post, just show him some love!
2) tell me if you want to be entered for both or which one.
3)Post this on your blog!

Winner will be chosen Tuesday afternoon!!
Pictures below!

Contest question

If there was only one kind of ice cream in the world, what would you want it to be?

Give Away

Scroll down for family trip photos!!

Well, after the scavenger hunt, I realized I had an extra prize that I will never use. Its one of those coffee mugs on the go. I dont drink coffee but this is pretty nice. Its from my place of employment and its very sturdy!!
How do you get it? Very simple
Rules
1)Mention this on your blog
2)answer the following question and just let me know that you are interested. I will draw a name tomorrow morning at 11 am!

Question: Whats your favorite childhood memory?


Good Luck!
*******WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT********************************
the winner of the coffee mug is The night owl

Make sure you stay tuned..Next contest will be up momentarily!!!!!

The Week in Review

I am going to add pics later on tonight but wanted to go ahead and share with you whats going on. If you are reading this blog, say a prayer for an unspecified prayer request for my family. It would be greatly appreciated.
BTW, I have posted a more serious message on the adoption blog. Feel free to check it out!

This week started out with me working Monday night. Family came into town Tuesday and stayed at a hotel a few miles away.

So, Tuesday night, Michael and I met them at the hotel and we had dinner over at Smokey Bones. We talked, we laughed, I gave out gifts. We went back to the hotel, chatted and went our ways. It was so good to see the kids.

Wednesday morning, I went to the hotel and met with the family and discussed our plans. We headed out to the Aquarium and had a pretty good time. The kids really wanted to see the penguins and by then, the 2yo had had enough. After this, we walked down the street and went to the children's museum which is sponsored by Sesame Street. I cant believe they charge parents and adults 11 dollars to enter but for the kids, it was so worth it. They had so many activities for the kids and it really kept them busy. It was fun. Afterwards, we went back to the hotel, the the kids swim and decided on Bugaboo Steakhouse for dinner. The kids liked the animals on the wall that talked.

Thursday, Michael had off so both of us went to the hotel to get ready for the exciting day. Six Flags. As you can see by the pics, everyone had a good time. Maw Maw stayed at the hotel with Owen but we still had a good time. Janie does not get scared of fast rides, but Seth waited with Aunt Amy for a few. Back to the hotel to pick up Maw Maw and Owen and we went to Chili's for dinner. After that, back to the hotel and all of us went swimming and then Michael and I left.

Friday, today, involved Amy getting up early and heading over to the hotel. We went to Cabbage Patch hospital where a young lady got a special prize from Paw Paw. After that, we drove through Helen, stopped at Wendy's and had a picnic. We went to a farmers market on the way home and after a break drove south the Newnan where we met other family members for dinner.

I have been sooo tired each night. usually I have energy even after staying up 24 hours, but I cant seem to stay awake past 1030..Geesh, the kids will wear you out. Tomorrow we will go to the hotel and say goodbye. I have tons and tons of pics from this mini vacation and hope to get some on here in the next hour. I hope to see them again soon!
Lucy has enjoyed doggie day care this week and will come home tomorrow!

Here are some pics!! Too tired to do more!

Seth operating heavy equipment at the museum

Janie dancing

Funny Face


The beauty of childhood

Mom, Seth and Owen with the orange thingy

Janie and Mom

Janie and Seth try to catch a stingray

Seth at the aquarium with large turtle

Uncle Michael and happy Janie-

Owen says "I want to talk to YOU"

Maw Maw and Owen

Exhausted

I am sooo tired. I have so much to blog about absolutely no energy. For details about our fun day, check out www.valtool.blogspot.com

Pictures coming tomorrow!

Please check out post below!

Good night!

Parents 40th anniversary

Ok, need your help. My parents are celebrating their 40th bday this November. The plans for me to go to Central Florida and help plan an big surprise party. Due to circumstances and finances, we are unable to do this. My sister and I still want to something nice for them.I live in Ga and they live in Fl, along with my sister. What are some ideas for things we can do? I told my sister you guys were a creative bunch!

Pray for those involved in that bridge collapse! How scary!