Life update no.892

Wow, I've been so bad at blogging lately. Believe me, it's not for lack of things to say or funny stories to tell. Things have been crazy around the Statham house. Buckle your seatbelts and hang on...

- Thanksgiving was wonderful. My parents came down early to help with the preparations. We ended up hosting 10 people - family and friends we consider family. We all ate too much! It was so much fun (and nervewracking) having 3 kids and 2 dogs running, screaming and barking all day. I loved holding my sweet little neice Vicki. She was so laid back and was just taking it all in. Her older brother Alex (who's 2 years old) was busy getting into everything he could possibly get into - including drinking out of the dog's water bowl!!! Riley (almost 9 years old) entertained us with his GI Joes and made his Christmas wish list. It was so nice having my parents and Zach's parents all together. We usually spend holidays in the car, going from house to house.

- I'm beginning to get some orders for cakes and I'm so excited! I love making birthday cakes and cupcakes. I'll be cranking out quite a few orders in the next few weeks, keep an eye out on my kelleycakes blog for pictures!

- Work is slow, nothing new. I am planning on taking 2 weeks off during Christmas/New Years. It was strongly suggested by my boss that I use the vacation time that I have. Let's just go ahead and add "look for a new job" to my to-do list during my time off. I've continued to look for months now, but I believe I'll get serious about it now.

- Today is Zach and my 2 year wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe that this time, 2 years ago, I was getting ready to get married. We've grown so much in the past 2 years. I am so happy that despite the ups and downs, we still come through it all together. He has become such a wonderful husband and provider. I am so proud of him and proud to call him my husband. We're going to celebrate tonight with dinner at Dominick's - a romantic little italian restaurant on the Lawrenceville square.

- We are in the middle of getting a new roof on our house finally! We knew when we bought the house that a new roof would be our first big project. We saved money diligently for the last 9 months and then found out that our insurance was covering the cost of the whole roof (and gutter guards)! What an answered prayer (considering the situation with my job).

- Since we got such great news about our roof, we've decided to do something fun. We are going to Disney World for New Years!!! We're going to spend 3 days in Orlando having fun and acting like kids! It will be so nice to get away and have a good time.

- The next few weeks are already filling up with Christmas celebrations and fun get-togethers! I absolutely LOVE this time of year. I'm going to try and post more, maybe even a few pictures (fi I could ever remember to take them!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am gearing up to host my first Thanksgiving in our new house. 12 people...what was I thinking? Just kidding. I am so excited that everyone will be together at my house and I don't have to travel!!!!!

I am thankful for:

- My sweet Husband
- the tiny loud dachshund sitting at my feet, begging me to throw his toy
- My Parents, who are coming today to help me prepare for the big day
- Our other friends and family who will be here Thursday to give thanks with us
- My awesome kitchen, it better get ready to work hard!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love Dare - Day 2

Day 2 - Love is Kind

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:32

Today's Dare: In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.


This one was easy for me because I love doing sweet little things. Each day I've tried to do something he wouldn't expect. Sunday, I raked the yard while he worked on his resume. (I am not a big fan of yard work and never just volunteer). Monday, I picked up his drycleaning and had dinner waiting when he finally got home. Tuesday, I took time off work to meet an insurance adjuster at our house (Zach is super busy with work right now and I knew it would be easier for me to take off work).

The Love Dare - Day 1

A few months ago, I added the cheesy Kirk Cameron movie "Fireproof" to our Blockbuster cue. I had heard a few good and a few bad reviews about the movie, but wanted to check it out for myself. I made Zach watch along with me, as any good wife would do. We both agreed - great movie, extremely cheesy, poor acting, but GREAT message. It's a very true portrayal of married life and how it can spiral out of control before you realize it. A "love dare" is presented and ultimately it saves the marriage and makes it so much stronger. You've got to see it if you haven't already. It's OK to laugh at the bad acting!

Lately, I've noticed that when people are stressed or mad or upset, the easiest people to take it out on are those closest to us. I am so guilty of this. My sweet husband puts up with me and some days I don't know how he does. Why is it that being mean and ugly is easy? Being sweet and loving and kind when you truly don't feel that way is the hardest thing in the world. I've taken notice of some not-so-nice qualities in myself and I want to change. I don't want to be a bitter old woman (over nothing really). I picked up the Love Dare journal when I was out the other day. I am committing to navigate through this entire 40-day journey. It just may take me a little longer than 40 days. I am taking it at my own pace and I am at peace with that.

Here's a short version of day one...feel free to follow along with me:

Day 1 - Love is Patient
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" Ephesians 4:2 NIV

The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.

Life Update...

It feels like forever since I've blogged! I've had alot going on - in the best kind of way...

Last month, I joined the Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties. It's one of the best decisions I've made. I have already gotten involved and met a bunch of awesome women. I look forward to the meetings and the events. I am enjoying learning more about and getting more involved in my community.

Here and there for a few months, I helped my cake lady - http://eileenmcarter.blogspot.com/ - deliver wedding cakes. I've always loved to bake and been interested in learning more. Eileen is such a wonderful person and I'm thankful that we kept in touch after she made my wedding cake (almost 2 years ago). When I mentioned to her that I was interested in taking a class, like those offered at Michael's or Hobby Lobby, she offered to teach me! We've had the best time. She's a wonderful (and very patient) teacher. I feel like I've found my passion. I LOVE decorating cakes! and I LOVE working with Eileen. I am hoping we can make it more permanent. I'd love to have a job that didn't feel like a job!

Zach and I have also been doing alot of work on our house. We had a woodpecker that decided he wanted to peck holes in our chimney. Luckily, a neighbor recommended a handyman who came and helped us out. Our next project is to get a new roof. After comparing 4 different bids from 4 different companies, we decided on one and they are scheduled to come out between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can't wait until that is taken care of! No more checking the buckets in the attic every time it rains! Also, we made an impromptu purchase last night. Our dishwasher (like all the other appliances in our kitchen) is from 1989 and dying a slow death. We found a great deal on the floor model at home depot. Zach installed it last night and I can't wait to fill it up and run it. Oh the joys of being a homeowner!

Over the next few weeks, I will be gearing up to host my first Thanksgiving. I am so excited! We are planning on having about 10 people! I just can't wait to have my whole family and Zach's in the same place on a holiday. That has never happened!

And last but not least, Santa came early at our house. He brought me a stainless steel professional series kitchenaid mixer! I've used it a dozen times already and only had it a couple of weeks! Zach is off the hook for Christmas and Anniversary presents. I absolutely LOVE it. Her name is Eleanor and she is divine!

Content

I am so happy and content with the direction my life is going in right now. What adds most to that happiness is that God is in control. I gave it all to him to deal with and he has given it back ten-fold. It works folks!!!!

Halloween 2009

Here's what October looked like at our house.... My first cake for class!

Mario and Luigi handed out candy (it got cold, hence the jackets!)

Mario jumping to the door for the trick or treaters

The Magic of Santa Claus

At our Junior League's event this weekend - The Jingle Jubilee - I got the distinct honor of helping Santa. I basically just hung out with him, getting him water when he needed it and keeping people from taking their own pictures of him. I was front row for the action when the kids went to sit on his lap. I watched quietly as each of the children sat on his lap, telling him their incredibly long list of toys they want this year. Most of them spoke softly, knowing they were in the prescence of a great man. He asked them all sorts of questions and then the photographer took their pictures, documenting this special occasion. It was probably the sweetest thing I've ever seen. I had a hard time not tearing up, God help me when I have my own kids! (But you all know it doesn't take much, the publix commercials between now and the end of the year get me every time!!!). As Santa was leaving, I made sure to wish him well and remind him that I BELIEVE!

My favorite things- beauty edition

Bert's Bees Lip balm with Pomegranite Oil

Bath and Body works - Moonlight Path

Revlon Colorstay eyeliner in black/brown
TRESemme Tres Two ultra fine mist hairspray

Clinique High Impact Mascara

Biosilk hair therapy

Just a little early...

I am one of those people who listen to Christmas music (and sing along) starting on Thanksgiving night all the way up to Christmas day. I can't get enough. I love any and everything Christmas! Now that we have a house, I've been on the lookout for decorations. We wandered into Kohl's this weekend and I hit the jackpot. They were having an early bird special and everything I bought was already on clearance. I am so excited and ready to decorate for Christmas now!!! I know I know, it's way to early for all that. But it will be fun when we start decorating for Christmas. Here's what we came home with...