The Smells of Fall

I've officially transitioned to Fall. I've pulled out some cardigans, started shopping for boots, and put away my summer smelling candles and lotions. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned my obsession/love for lotions, perfumes, and candles...so now I will. I have more candles, perfumes, lotions, and body washes than is necessary, but I love to have options and different smells. I rarely wear the same perfume or lotion 2 days in a row. I switch smells out according to seasons.
Recently, Bath & Body Works had an incredible sale on their candles. So, I got 2 fall/winter smells and packed up my summer candles. I got Kitchen Spice (a blend of hazelnut, nutmeg, and other kitchen spices) and Cinnamon & Cloves (cinnamon is my all-time fave spice). They both smell incredible! If you're looking for cheaper options, Wal-Mart has some good smells at great prices. The candle below smells wonderful!

Mulled Cider candle from Wal-Mart

This week, I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte. I'll definitely be going back for more!
Nutmeg is another spice that makes me think of fall. This weekend, I made French Toast Muffins (the recipe is on my pinterest 'breakfast' board) for the girls that stayed with me Friday night. They had a hint of nutmeg in them and they tasted wonderful! They were light, airy, cinnamon-y, and nutmeg-y. 4 out of 4 approved the recipe!

Fall is slowly making it's way up my seasons list and it just might overtake summer....

Labor Day Weekend

I think Labor Day weekend is my favorite 3-day holiday weekend of the year. Labor Day weekend brings with it fall, football, the start of a new semester, cooler weather, and freshness. I don't know why, but for me it breaks off summer and starts something new. And fall weather is so fresh and crisp that it just doubles the effect. My love for Labor Day weekend was no different this year!

It started off in Fayetteville with a Board Meeting on Friday. I got to go up Thursday night and spend time with a few friends! After a mere 2.5 hours of sleep, I started my long, 14-hour day of sitting. After the board meeting, I drove to LR, picked up Kenya (the adorable puppy pictured below) and headed to Hot Springs. I seriously spent over 14 hours SITTING DOWN on Friday - it wasn't extremely enjoyable. Once I got to HS, I ran around the driveway for a few minutes to loosen up a little. I'm too old to sit down that long! That night, it was just me, Cam, Andi, Nana, and Pawpaw hanging out. That was fun! I haven't hung out with Cam and Andi much since the wedding.

Kenya - precious puppy!

Normally when people go to the lake, they lay out, go out on a boat, etc. I didn't do that at all! I just relaxed, read, slept, and hung out. I'm kind of over laying out and getting tan (who would have thought I would have EVER said that?!?!) I think it's because it's just been SO hot. Anyway, Saturday, I slept in a little, spent some time with Jesus, played with Kenya, watched TV, and took a nap :) I also had some in.cred.ible cheesecake (my fave dessert) Saturday. Cam made some original cheesecake and brought leftovers to the lake. I took my piece and crafted a delicacy....I melted hot fudge & pb together (arguably the best food combo possible) and layered it between 2 small slices. Then, I broke up a reeses and put it on top. HEAVENLY.

That night, we watched the HOGS WIN! I'm so glad football is back-I love it! After the game, Chan, Cam, Andi, and I went to get froyo. I LOVE sibling time! Sunday was pretty much the same pattern as Saturday :) My cousins, aunt and uncle, and mom got to HS Sunday so we all hung out and grilled out for dinner. Burgers are one of my T5 fave foods. Monday morning, I slept in again, went to Bath and Body Works for their candle sale, then headed  back to Conway. I haven't spent a weekend at my apt in WAY too long so I needed some extended time at home. I went to the store, cooked some new recipes, and spent some much needed time relaxing in my home!

Parmesan Fish and Parmesan Asparagus

All of my foods over the next few weeks will be from pinterest! I love it! Monday night I made Parmesan Fish and Parmesan Asparagus for dinner. It was so good! The parmesan mixture made a cheesy layer on the fish and the parmesan added a nice crisp to the asparagus. I will definitely make this recipe again - it was quicky, easy, and delish! I also made mini-quiches Monday afternoon to eat for breakfast this week. I loaded them down with veggies - broccoli, mushrooms, red bell peppers, green bell peppers - to add to my daily veggie intake. I ate one this morning and it was really good! I paired it with a peach - yummy, healthy, filling breakfast!

Mini-Breakfast Quiches

Last week, I made Butter Chicken for dinner. I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. It was a different variation of the Butter Chicken I had in India but it was still great!

I <3 Indian food.

This week's menu: Tomato-basil Alfredo Ravioli and Orange or Honey Chicken.
I might also be having some UofA friends stay with me Friday night before Saturday's LR game. If so, I'm sure we'll make a yummy pinterest dessert!

In honor of the cooler weather, I will be wearing cardigans and getting Pumpkin Spice Lattes this week. You should do that too!

Reshaping It All

I recently ordered Candace Cameron Bure's new book, Reshaping It All (yes, DJ Tanner from Full House). She wrote this book as a biography/motivation/resource for becoming physically fit by focusing on spiritual fitness. My desire to become physically fit as a 24-year-old spurred me on to buy this book. I mean, she's a believer (in Hollywood...so of course I support her!) and lost 25 pounds after Full House and has kept it off, even after having 3 kids! And, it was only $7.50. So, it came in the mail Tuesday and I started it that night. I already LOVE it! Wednesday morning, I dragged myself jumped out of bed at 6:30 (even after sleeping terribly) and went for a walk. I was already motivated! Last night, I wrote out my plan to lose the weight/pant sizes I want to lose by January 1st, 2012 and I'm so excited to work on this. I know it's going to be hard. It's going to cost sleep, foods I love, and pain...but, I know it's going to be worth it in the long run.

This is the fall that my life is going to change - here's to health and fitness!

Fall Books

Here are the books on my fall list:

 3 down, 4 to go....I'm excited to read the entire series! They're so fun!

I'm excited to read this!!! I read The Kite Runner last fall and just haven't gotten around to reading this second one by Khaled Hosseini.

This is our development book for this fall. I've never read it before. I look forward to growing in my conviction of evangelism (the basis of the book) and hope to find some very applicable points.

I read about this book on this blog and pre-ordered it for half off (a one-day special, sorry!)!! I plan on reading this to go along with the "Becoming a Woman of Faith" Bible Study I'm leading this fall. I hope there will be some great ways to connect the 2! 

I'm currently reading this and plan to finish up over the weekend.
I mentioned Counterfeit Gods in a way previous post but I kind of stalled out on that one....I'll pick it up again at some point and try to update you when I do.

Do you like to read? If so, what books do you recommend?!

Summer Books

I read SO many books this summer and loved it!! Honestly, I can't remember them all right now (my list is at home) but here are some of the ones I remember!

I loved this book!! It's basically filled with tidbits of info Kay, Emilie, and Donna wish they had known at an earlier age. It will definitely be one I read again when I'm in the wife/mother phase of life!

I read these 3 of Chronicles of Narnia. I know it's out of order but I'm reading the rest in order!

This was our summer development book. I really enjoyed it!!

I could NOT put this book down! This book looks to the past mission movements (all started by COLLEGE STUDENTS) and applies it to how college ministry is still strategic today. I LOVED this book!!

Of course I also read HP 5,6,&7 this summer.....

Well, there are some of my summer reads! I definitely recommend all of the above books to any of you looking for a great read! If you want more information on one of them, just ask!

Fall

My brain has already switched over to fall in every aspect - weather, colors, foods, fashion, etc. However, it's still mid-August and it's still 110 degrees outside. This poses a problem. Yesterday, I went to the "other side" of Conway where the good shopping is. (Geography lesson - Conway isn't very big but it takes FOREVER to get to other areas because there are only only a few major roads and lots of cars. So, to go to this area of town, which isn't really that far away, it takes planning because it's not just a simple trek). I had some errands to run but also wanted to browse Old Navy, Target, TJMaxx, etc. But, I couldn't enjoy it! It was so hot. I would sweat from the car to the store and then not want to try anything on because I'm sweating. Man, I love summer but this 110 is a little much. I look forward to wearing scarves, boots, jackets, and sweaters. I look forward to being able to wear my hair down and not having my make-up melt off. I look forward to the changing leaves, cool breezes, and being able to run outside. Until then, I'll stay in the AC :) and you should too!

Bittersweet

Today, one of my best friends moved overseas for 3 years. While I'm so proud of her obedience to our Father, I'm SO sad she's gone. I was blessed to get to go to the airport to spend some time with her and her family this morning. I really didn't think I would cry much because most of my friends live over there (story of my life), but I did. When I got to my car, I wept. I couldn't hold it in. As I was driving back to Conway, the tears just kept coming. The tears are a mixture of sorrow because she will live so far away and joy/proudness for the life she is living.

I met her her freshman year of college through her ex-boyfriend (yes, our Father uses random situations!!). That semester, I had just gotten back from my first summer project and I was asking our Father to bring a girl into my life to disciple. In November of that year, He placed her on my heart as a girl to pursue for this type of relationship. The Father was working in her heart and mine and He gave me the opportunity to start pouring into her spiritually. I recruited her to be in my d-group at the next summer project and she rejected me. He told me not to give up on her! I recruited her again the next summer and she came!!! After that, she started reaching girls in her sorority, went back as a D-Group Leader, and now she is moving overseas for 3 years. I'm so humbled to have been chosen to be a part of her spiritual life. I'm humbled that He chose me as one of many tools to cast vision for the nations into her life. Friend, thank you for being faithful and obedient to His voice! You're an inspiration to me!

I love you and I will miss you so much!

Year 24

i have a feeling my 24th year is going to be a good one. there are so many things i'm excited for and many things i want to accomplish this year. right after my bday, i came  up with a list of personal goals for my 24th year.
[some of my goals]
-become a morning person = i long to be someone who can wake up early to workout, get ready, and spend tons of time in the word and prayer
-lose 2 pants sizes and stay that size = this coincides with the above goal. i know it's possible....i've been that size before...24 is the year to do it again
-put effort into getting ready everyday = let's face it, some days it's easiest to throw on a hat, white v, and smidge of powder and mascara. i don't want 24 to be like this - i'm going to make an effort to look cute, fixed, and put together everyday for work (which leads into the next goal...)
-find my fashion niche = the recent trends are thrifting and DIY. i've been thrifting once, loved it, and was decent at it. It's a great way to shop more but save money. i'm also on pinterest and love how many DIY jewelry crafts i find. this year, i want to pay attention to trends, thrift, make some DIY jewelry, and become more fashionable. i'm pumped.
-fall more in love with Christ = this summer, i've grown closer to Christ than ever before. i'm at a place with Him that i've never been before and it's glorious. i want this entire year to be no different. on my 25th birthday, i want to be able to look back and say "i'm at a place with Christ that i've never been before"
-become a prayer warrior = this summer my prayer life has grown so much and i've seen God answer prayers in such cool ways. i want this to become a habit in my life that lasts until i meet my maker.
-memorize scripture consistently = for staff development, i'm required to memorize certain verses each semester. even though it's required, i don't do a good job. i want to get better. i long to know Christ's word better and have it hidden in my heart for times of trial and times of sharing with others.

[things happening during year 24 that i'm excited about]
*i'm excited about beginning my 2nd year on staff! my first year was a year of growth and learning and was, at times, a little rough. i know i'll keep learning in my 2nd year and things will change, but i'm excited to have year 1 under my belt.
*i'm looking forward to having a personal ministry outside of work this year. i am leading a Bible Study through my church for women in Conway. i'm also leading a Bible Study for some sorority girls at UCA. i'm excited about the opportunity to be pouring into women around me!
*i absolutely cannot wait to get involved with 501! it's a young professionals ministry at a church in LR and i'm thrilled to be going this year. i know a lot of people involved and i've heard great things about it. Since there aren't many singles in Conway, this will be a great way for me to meet people and make new friends. i'm so excited! it kicks off tonight!! i am counting down the hours until i get off work and head to LR!

blogger friends....keep me accountable for these things. it's out in blogger world now - feel free to ask me how it's going. i'll be honest with you. i long to accomplish these goals and only by God's grace, accountability, and discipline will it happen.

Highlights of my 23rd year

Saturday I turned 24. That's right...I'm officially in my mid-20's. Let the fun begin.

In honor of a new year, I am going to look back at the previous year and pull out some highlights.

 

-I passed the NCLEX and officially became a (non-practicing) RN.

-I started working full-time for StuMo. This job fits me. It's better than anything I could have imagined or dreamed up for myself.

-I moved out of the nest and into my own apartment!

-I experienced everything about year 1 of the real world - new place, bills, first year of a job - and learned so much!

-I co-led DC4K. I was blessed by those kids and loved loving on them each week.

-I grew so close to my co-worker, Allie, since we only had each other in Conway.

-I put 16,000 miles on my car. The highlight about this fact is I travel a LOT for my job and I love it! I go to Fayetteville, Tulsa, OKC, and KC a ton. I really do love getting to travel throughout the year!

-I got to be a part of my brother's wedding!

-And, I got to welcome a sister (in-law) into the family!

-I've grown a ton in my walk with Christ. I have fallen more in love with Him. I've had to rely on Him for new experiences and situations. I've been humbled by Him in multiple ways. I've faced trials. I've faced joys. I've loved every step of the journey I'm on with my Creator.

-I've grown closer to so many friends and I am consistently reminded of how incredible my friends are and how blessed I am to know them.

 

23 was a tough year but a good year. I look forward to 24!! A post will be coming soon of some goals/things I want to grow in/things I want to see happen in this next year. Thanks for reminiscing with me!

 

Picture Post

Nursing Friends on Macy's wedding day!



When I visited Kaleo, all the single staff went to Mobile, AL for a Singles Retreat. The girls did guy things on our free day! BBQ, Battleship, Submarine, and Fighter Jets.





All the girls before dinner and the Mobile BayBears Minor League Baseball game!

 

Wedding day: Me, Mom, and Mom's mom. We take this 3-gen pic at major events :)



My beautiful new sister-in-law!
This was right before she went to see Cam.