Reading

So I just finished reading the entire Twilight Series, by Stephanie Meyer (including the partial draft of Midnight Sun...the story from Edward's perspective). It was wonderful! I enjoyed both movies when they came out, but now have an incredible appreciation for the books as well. I can honestly say that I LOVED reading the whole series!

Now I am a reader...I love everything about reading, especially when there is a whole series! With summer coming around the corner quickly, I need a new reading lineup for my time in the sun! So, I am coming to you, my dear readers, for your advise on some great books...preferably fiction...but regarding pretty much any subject matter...romance, comedy, mystery, drama...just about anything! So let me have it...what are your favs?????

Count Down

For Christmas this year, Brant's parents are taking the family on a very special Christmas vacation to......

Kauai, Hawaii!!!!!!!

Brant and I are so excited to be going that we are counting down the days! We are going to be staying at the Poipu Kai resort! If you are a lost fan, then you know that Kauai is where the show LOST is filmed! We certainly plan on taking the tour of the filming area! In anticipation of our trip, I have been doing some research and looking at pictures of where we are staying. Here are a few of my favorites!

Nearby waterfalls

This is the resort beach!

Resort pool

New Blog Design

Yesterday I got the joy of giving my dear friend Kristy a blog makeover. Do you love it???

(click on the picture to enlarge)

Build a Beautiful Blog

This week, two great ladeis: Simply Stacie and Kelly's Lucky You, are hosting Build a Beautiful Blog week. Great Grabbie Designs is participating in giving away 2 custom blog designs!

To learn how to enter to win, go here:

Top 10 Movie Couples

Well I finally composed my top 10 favorite movies couples. This list was much harder than the TV list. I have my top 6 or so VERY quickly, but the other few took me awhile to come up with. My basic criteria for this was simply what movies do you love simply because of the couple? More or less - which couples did you want to fight for? So without further delay, here are my top 10 favorite movie couples (and yes, in this order)!

1. Edward Cullen and Bella Swan - Twlight series
(Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart)

2. Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton - The Notebook
(Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams)

3. Ben Barry and Andie Anderson - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson)

4. Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann - Pirates of the Caribbean Series
(Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly)

5. Johnny Cash and June Carter - Walk the Line
(Joaquin Pheonix and Reese Witherspoon)

6. Jake Perry and Melanie Smooter - Sweet Home Alabama
(Josh Lucas and Reese Witherspoon)

7. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett - Pride and Prejudice
(Matthew MacFadyen and Kiera Knightly)

8. Edward Lewis and Vivian Ward - Pretty Woman
(Richard Gere and Julia Roberts)

9. Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara - Gone with the Wind
(Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh)

10. Johnny Castle and Frances "Baby" Houseman - Dirty Dancing
(Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey)

DISCLAIMER: This list is subject to change...mainly because I have never seen When Harry Met Sally and my dear friend, Emily, said that they definitely would have made the list! What are your favorite movies couples???

To Be 16 Again

Today's post was originally going to be my top 10 movie couples to follow the top 10 TV couples, but it changed after I read my "God Issue" for the day. It's a daily devotional that emailed every morning by Dr. James Denison. Today it was titled "To Be 16 Again". Yes, today's post is long, but it's good.

Dr. Denison began the devotional this morning with this story:

When Guerdwich Montimere turned 22, he posed as a 16-year old so he could play high school basketball again. Today's NPR website reports that Mr. Montimere enrolled at Permian High School in Odessa, Texas under the name "Jerry Joseph," telling authorities that he was a homeless Haitian youth.

He quickly became a standout on the team, which makes sense, as he is older than some NBA players. He was a Florida high school basketball star in his previous life; some coaches from his time in the state recognized him at a recent tournament in Arkansas and confronted him last Tuesday.

At first he denied that he was who they said he was, before finally admitting his deception. Charged with presenting false identification to a peace officer, he was taken to the Ector County Detention Center. He has now been released on bail.

Then, he asked the inevitable question: what would you do differently if you were 16 again? The question hit me like a ton of bricks.

I love high-school kids...I have a passion for them and a big part of me longs to be in my teens again. Yes, I watch those high-school shows like One Tree Hill (one my personal favorites) and Glee, and sometimes even Gossip Girl. I feel like I live vicariously through them somehow. I love movies about high-school and college life. For me, its all a part of discovering who you are and who you will be.

I think that if I had to be 16 again, I would do things alot differently! I would wait on the Lord instead of jumping into things...I would seek Him in everything, rather than in just the things I "needed help" with...I would TRUST Him! I will confide in you that I am NOT the woman that I want to be...I long to be much more than I am. I want to have purpose! I long to be someone special. More than anything right now, I feel sinful, not special.

Dr. Denison reminded me though, that the good news is that he forgives all I confess to him in a spirit of genuine repentance. He separates my sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), hurling them into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19) and remembering them no more (Isaiah 43:25).

The even better news is that he stands ready to use my life, flaws and all, for his eternal purposes. I may never see the larger significance of present faithfulness, but he does.

I can't be 16 again, but I can serve my God TODAY! I can be faithful TODAY! My sins don't have to remember because He has forgiven them!

So now I ask you the question: What would you do differently if you were 16 again?

Top 10 TV Couples

If you know well, then you know that I am a hopeless romantic! I have always been a sucker for a good love story...whether on a TV show, a movie or in a book.

In reading Twilight and watching TV shows with epic love stories in them, I began thinking about my favorite love stories. So I put together a compilation of my favorite TV couples...(I will be posting my favorite movie couples later this week).

But in NO particular order, here are my favorite 10 TV couples. Feel free to comment and post what your favorite TV couples are!!!! Jack and Kate

Lost

Justin and Rebecca
Brothers and Sisters


Jim and Pam
The Office

Nathan and Haley
One Tree Hill

Derek and Meredith
Grey's Anatomy

Chuck and Sarah
Chuck

Logan and Veronica
Veronica Mars

Ross and Rachel
Friends

Dylan and Brenda
Beverly Hills 90210

Chandler and Monica
Friends

Baby Names

Well today, Kelly's Korner is featuring baby names (or in my case - future baby names).

Brant and I have discussed this ALOT! I, Ashley, had a very common name growing up...there were always 2 or 3 other Ashley's in my classes. Therefore, I have always been inclined for my children to have more original and unusual names. Brant, on the other hand, is a very unusual name, therefore, he wants very common names. So baby names is something that we talk about often, but we have narrowed it down to a few.

Baby Boy Name:
Jude Bonner

Not too common, but not too off-the-wall! Originally, this was Jude Christian. Ever since I was young, I have wanted a little boy named Christian, but Brant wasn't crazy about the name. However, he loved the name Jude. Jude Christian was actually Brant's idea...and I loved it. However, when Brant's grandfather passed away last year, we learned that his middle name was Bonner. Tommie Stretch (Brant's granddad) was an amazing man who feared the Lord and devoted his life to serving Him and his family. Brant and I pray that our son will one day be just like his great grandfather, which is why we decided that his middle name will be Bonner. Fitting that Jude is a Hebrew name meaning praise and thanks.

Other boy names that I like (if two boys are in our future): Carter Jackson, Bronson Cole

Baby Girl Name:
Emmalee Caroline

Now baby girl names are something that we are constantly talking about. Out baby boy name is pretty much set in stone, but girl names are totally different. Brant has always wanted a little girl named Emily, but I am in love with the name Caroline. In wanting to at least pacify my husband, I agreed that we could have a daughter called "Emily" but spell it a little differently. Then Caroline as the middle name because I'm in love with it. I tell Brant all the time that I will call her "Emmalee Caroline" because its so southern and I love being southern!

Other favorite girl names: CallieAnn Hope; Jordyn Paige or Jordyn Reese; Peyton Avery or Isabella (Bella) Avery

Have you ever gotten lost.....on your way to work

Yes - heard read that right....because today, I got lost on my way to work!

This is downtown Dallas....and this is where I work! See the tall building right in the middle of the second picture....the one with the rounded domes at the top....that's my building.

Literally, the only time I drive in downtown is to get in and out of my parking garage...its only 2 streets over from my exit on the highway.

Well today there are a ton of traffic on the highway, so I decided I would get off, and just navigate my way to downtown via the side streets! Great plan! Well I navigated my way into downtown just fine thank you - I even had my building in sight. But somehow, I got into downtown on the southwest side, and I needed to be on the northeast side...so I just decided to turn on a few streets that I thought would lead me that way...I WAS WRONG! I quickly learned that there are too many streets in downtown Dallas...and they all are either one-way, or they veer off in the opposite direction of where I want to go. I almost even went the wrong way on a one-way street...it was terrible...all the while having my building in sight! So yes, I was LATE to work this morning all because I got lost on my way to work!

Moral of the story...just stay on the highway...unless you know where you're going!

Greatness...

Today, from MLIA...

Today, my mom and I were shopping at Marshall's when she called me stupid. I said,"Your mom's stupid!" She responded,"YOUR mom's stupid!" I just smiled and said,"I know." Win. MLIA.

Anointed, Transformed, and Redeemed

The past few months, I have been involved in a Bible Study on Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed. This amazing study is on the life, the anointing, the sin, and the greatness of David, a man after God's own heart.

Toward the beginning of the study, one of the days of homework, the question was asked what journey we were on that we never thought we would have to travel. It was that night that I finally opened up to these ladies about our struggle to have a baby, because you see, this is a road that I never thought I would travel. Last night was our final session and we talked about the greatest impact that the study had had on our lives. And what I was able to share is simply this:

David was anointed by God at a young age - there were roads that he had to travel in order to become the great king that God ordained him to be. He sinned - he stumbled - he failed - but God was always faithful and His plan WAS perfect.

I think this had such an impact on me simply because I have gotten to the point where I remind myself daily that His plan is perfect...his timing is not my own.

I was emailing with Ashley the other day - she is the sister-in-law of a dear friend who has also gone through the battle of infertility, but now has two precious little boys. And I was explaining to Ashley in my email that the longer this battle goes on, the more and more frequent the "bad" days seems to come. At first, I would only get emotional and break down maybe once every 3-4 months...but now it almost seems as if its one every week. So I was worried that I was being ridiculous...but she assured me I wasn't...I was simply being a woman. I am to the point where I fully trust God's plan, but I just pray that he could make my life a movie and give me just a glimpse of the future...just let me push the fast-forward button so that I know what is to come and I can look forward to that day.

You see, in the past few months, I have struggled with wondering if my problems with infertility were punishment for past sins - I have been battling Satan on a daily basis with one. But then I remember David - he waited so long to king and all roads traveled to get to that point were so important. He sinned too! So maybe I am on this road for a reason far greater than I realize. Maybe God is opening door that I don't even know about...maybe its for a greater purpose.

Then today, I was reading Caroline's blog. I had the joy of going to DBU and actually having a few classes with Caroline and I must tell you that I have never met a young woman as true and faithful to the Lord than Caroline Hughes. Well today, she posted a video and it was of herself sharing some of the things that she had recently learned and by the end of the video I was in tears. You see, Caroline made one statement that struck my heart with such conviction - "What if my loss is all for glory's gain?" And this statement had me on my knees - and yes, while I was at work! But on my knees because she made me ask myself - if I could never be a mother but was chosen for something else, would I be ok with that? Would I be ok if God made me barren but gained glory from it?

If you have a moment, go watch Caroline's video here. I hope that your heart is spoken to just like mine was. What if your loss was glory's gain? Would you be okay with it?

And just for the record, I have an amazing husband who lets me have all the meltdowns I need to - who hold me and comforts me and lovingly reminds me that God's plan is better than ours. So my prayer today is simply that I will be still and wait on the Lord - I pray that He gains all the glory in whatever plan he has for me, for Brant, and our family.

ACMA's

So did you watch the American Country Music Awards last night? Well I didn't but I do love me some good ole' country music...and one of my favorite parts of award shows are the outfits. These thumbnail pics aren't the best, so click on the picture for a better view.

I must say that I love that fact that Carrie Underwood is 1) an amazing and talented artist, but 2) is a great dresser! I thought she looked gorgeous in this dress!!!

Then these guys - well they're just one of my favorite groups and I love the fact that they rock the red carpet!

And what did you think about Taylor's dress???

I love me some Sugarland, but I wasn't loving the HUGE pendant around Jennifer Nettles neck. What did you think?

And Faith, you have such a great figure...I think you could have done much better on the dress pick. This just seemed a bit...sloppy.

And what in the world was Gretchen Wilson wearing?

Who was your favorite artist of the night?????

The Hats

So, this weekend, I officially learned the difference in the "Aunt" hat that I constantly (and very proudly) wear, and the "Mom" hat that I cautiously just wore am wearing at least until tonight at 11 pm! You see, Sister and Michael have been on a lovely vacation for the past week, so I had the 4 kiddos this weekend. It's funny how different I was knowing that I was going to wake them up, feed them, bathe them, put them to bed...and everything in between.

On Saturday, I went to a baby shower for my dear friend Lindsey. Right before I left, Kristy asked me if I wanted to take a cupcake for each of the kids. The aunt in me wanted to grab the cupcakes and make the day for 4 smiling faces...the mom in me shouted "4 sugar rushes - absolutely not!" However, I did let them eat ice cream at 7:30 last night when bedtime is at 8!

But we have survived and actually had a great time doing so! Last night, Kate, Connor, Ethan and I had a dance party and literally ran around the house like crazy people! Mason and I rocked out to Guitar Hero on Saturday, then he got to kill his Uncle B in Halo and Call of Duty on Sunday! Although I am exhausted from getting up to get 4 kids ready and out the door for school, my heart has been so blessed being surrounded by the laughter for 4 happy babes. If nothing else, this weekend confirmed one thing: I am so ready to be a mom!

MILA Quote of the Day

Today's MILA (My Life is Average) great quote(s) of the day:

"I work at a laser tag center. Today I saw a girl shoot herself in the mirror. MLIA "

"Today at school, I was asked if I was asian. Being Japanese, naturally I said 'yes.' Immediately, someone behind me called out "Liar! You told me that you were Japanese! You can't be both!" It took me, and 2 other students and a teacher to convince her that Japan was a part of Asia. I go to a public school... MLIA "

"Today, I asked my 4 year old cousin what he wanted to be when he grew up. A fireman? A doctor? A police man? Nope. "Sexy". MLIA "

"My friend told me a story about her cousin who worked in an ER. She saw a name on the list spelled La-a. Confused by this she tryed sayind "Laa aa" or "Laya" but no one answered. Finally a woman exclaimed "Oh you mean me!" turns out the dash isnt silent. Her name is pronounced Ladasha. MLIA. "

These crack me up!!!!!

Makeover

Great Grabbie Designs just had a makeover....go check it out!