The Albritton's

It's Official....

2012-01-21T08:58:00.001-06:00

There is a BABY GIRL in the Albritton house and we are loving it! We got a call 2 Thursday's ago around 5pm that they would be bringing us a baby the next day! At 1 pm on Friday she was on our door step! There are so many things about her I want to say and to show pictures of but we can't until everything is finalized, which may be a long journey. Nothing is certain until we go to court and baby girl comes out with Albritton as her last name! We are praying for that sooner rather than later! We are so thankful fo her!

my TOP 8 Christmas songs

2011-12-14T10:17:00.000-06:00

In no particular order....

(please ignore the stupid videos, just listen to the music)

Barlow Girl - Hallelujah Light Has Come

Mercy Me - Josephs Lullaby

Mary Did You Know

Josh Groban - Little Drummer Boy

Who am I kidding?? This next one really is my #1.

NSYNC - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

This is new to my list...
the BIEBS - Mistletoe

Dave Barnes - Christmas Tonight (AAHHHH SO ROMANTIC)

Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas

our first heartbreak

2011-12-11T13:18:00.001-06:00

About a month ago Cody and I received information about a precious baby boy who was about 6 weeks old! We were asked by our agency if we would like to submit our homestudy to CPS (child protective services) for him to become OURS! We looked over the pictures and information about him and immediately said YES! We said yes on the phone, but the pictures were even more of a YES! He was BEAUTIFUL and PERFECT and just the most precious thing I have ever seen in my life. We fell in love immediately. We were told by our agency that they were not sure how many cases would be submitted for him and that sometimes CPS will not even let you know if that don't choose you...THAT STINKS. So, with our hearts all in we began praying and waiting. We prayed consistently for baby boy, for the social workers that would decide what family he belonged in (can you imagine having that job?), we prayed for his birth mom and siblings, and we prayed that if he was to be ours that the Lord would begin knitting our heart to his. The day we got the call about him was crazy. We had come off of a frustrating few weeks with NO MOVEMENT and we were just begging for something. As Cody and I prayed that morning he prayed specifically that we would have movement that week, that we would hear something, that something would change. So, when we got that call my first thought was...THANK YOU JESUS. THIS IS IT, he is our son! Several weeks went by with us fervently praying over this baby boy and wondering if they were still trying to pick a family or if they had just not chosen us. Well, Friday we got an official email that Cody and I were not chosen to be his momma and daddy. WHEW...it hurts even typing it. As I read the email by heart sank. In that moment I allowed Satan to come in and tell me that I will never be a good mother, that CPS will never pick Cody and I for a child, that everything we wrote on our homestudy is wrong, and so many other things. I had a breakdown for about an hour. I was angry, still am. The funny thing is we were told to not get our hopes up, not get attached...but how in the world do you not? How do you not look at those pictures every single day and fall more in love with that sweet baby boy. That is something I am yet to figure out....how to detach my heart and emotions from every child I see. I CANT DO IT!

I have found strength in the pure fact that God has had our child chosen since before time began. He knows which one is ours and they are just not ready for us yet. Or, we are not ready for them. The Lord is teaching Cody and I so much right now. Dependency on him is the ONLY place to be, i don't know how we would make it otherwise. I am so thankful for that. I am so thankful HE is there always. I am so thankful that there is a reason for everything HE does even though I may not see it. I have to remember that.

So now we wait some more. We pray for more patience. We continue to pray for the sweet child that will be an Albritton and we take this time with just Cody and I and cherish it.

One of my biggest struggles in this has been feeling like God has left this situation, this adoption. That Cody and I have been obedient to him and now I am ready for him to meet us in the middle. I know he hasn't left...he is still working and I see that, but sometimes I just refuse to see that. "Steady my Heart" by Kari Jobe has been something else that has been a comfort to be. I probably listen to it at least 6 or 7 times a day. My favorite part:

"But your here, Your real

I know I can trust you.

Even when it hurts,

Even when its hard,

Even when it all just falls apart

I will RUN to you

because i know that you are

lover of my soul, healer of my scars

YOU STEADY MY HEART"

I am thankful to serve a God who is HERE, who is REAL, and who I can RUN to. And, Im thankful that HE can steady my heart when it is ALL OVER THE PLACE and nothing but a hot mess!

Waiting S-T-I-N-K-S

2011-12-06T16:13:00.001-06:00

....and thats all I really have to say!!!!

Britton Mitchell Sandidge

2011-11-30T11:42:00.001-06:00

Britton is HERE!

November 29, 2011
4:19 PM
5lbs 15oz

Sweet Britton was having a little trouble breathing when he was born so he will be in NICU for a few days! He is doing it all on his own now and is doing GREAT, so is his mommy! We are continuing to pray that he grows stronger and stronger and can go home sooner rather than later!! I can't wait to get my hands on him!! Welcome to the world sweet Britton!! Aunt Tina and Uncle Cody love you SO SO much!

Randoms...

2011-11-10T16:00:00.001-06:00

1. my mom and dad are on their way to Lubbock RIGHT NOW! I am so excited to see them! We are going to watch Tech play Oklahoma State Saturday. Last time they played a #3 team we put them out. Lets hope we can do it again!

2. I have an obsession with this song:

So thankful for Kari Jobe and her music, especially this song. Sometimes it is so stinkin hard and frustrating to be to be "the light". This is a great reminder to me when i get in those moods. Cant wait for the whole album to come out!

3. For my birthday Cody gave me tickets to see Lady Antebellum when they come to Lubbock...I am SO excited. Watching them on the CMAs last night made me hardly not be able to stand it. December 2nd cant get here fast enough!

4. I am missing this face so much!

I have the CUTEST nephew in the world! He is so much bigger than when we went home after he was born and I am dieing missing it! Cody's sister is due in about two weeks with our 2nd sweet nephew, Britton Mitchell. I can't wait to see his sweet face!

5. I have a new favorite drink at Starbucks.
The Carmel Apple Spice....it is AMAZING.

6. No Baby Albritton news this week. Maybe soon! :(

let me be honest for a second...

2011-11-02T15:30:00.002-05:00

I came across a blog post today that was pretty convicting to me. Convicting in the sense that maybe I haven't been quite honest with you guys about how I have felt through this whole adoption thing. I think its probably because I have no desire for people to feel sorry for us, afterall this is the road we know God has lead us down. I am so grateful that God has made his plan for us and our family so clear, but its hard. I dont want to throw myself a pity party and I really just want to not be stuck in these emotional trenches of ups and downs. But, as I read this blog I was convicted. My mouth was wide open in thinking...THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO PEOPLE. But, most of the time I hold it in. I put on a face. Im faking people out. Im putting on this I'm really trusting in God face...when I am really trusting in God, but that doesn't mean its not hard.

So, here is a snippet of Jen Hatmaker's blog:

"Your friends are adopting. They’re in the middle of dossiers and home studies, and most of them are somewhere in the middle of Waiting Purgatory. Please let me explain something about WP: It sucks in every way. Oh sure, we try to make it sound better than it feels by using phrases like “We’re trusting in God’s plan” and “God is refining me” and “Sovereignty trumps my feelings” and crazy bidness like that. But we are crying and aching and getting angry and going bonkers when you’re not watching. It’s hard. It hurts. It feels like an eternity even though you can see that it is not. It is harder for us to see that, because many of us have pictures on our refrigerators of these beautiful darlings stuck in an orphanage somewhere while we’re bogged down in bureaucracy and delays."

She also gives a list of things to not ask or say to your friends who are adopting...i can tell you, i have been asked or told EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!
Check out Jen's blog to see them...some of them are pretty hilarious. And if you have friends or family in the midst of this process, its a great read.

All that to say...im frustrated daily. Im upset daily. BUT, I am trusting and knowing that there is a child out there for us. When that child is ready, we will get the call.

Lubbock Weather

2011-10-29T17:35:00.003-05:00

The weather in Lubbock is all kinds of crazy! I just had to share with you guys a few random things about it.

In a matter of NINE days we went from this:


Major DUST STORM

To This:

snow and sleet.

Is that not the craziest thing? And yes, Cody took that picture of the dust storm in our front yard. I would definitely say it was on of the craziest things I have ever experienced in my life. The city was pitch black with the street lights on at 5PM. WEIRD and SCARY! Snow is not anything Im really used to being from North Louisiana and all, but ESPECIALLY not in October. But hey, I will definitely not complaining about that. HOW FUN!!! I will need to start shopping for a new wardrobe as seeing my Louisiana sweaters and jackets are not warm enough for this weather. I am in great need of a big WOOL COAT!

With the cold weather comes great opportunity for my husband to plan really fun surprise dates with our little chiminea in the backyard!! Love me some S'MORES!

Cody is headed to the Tech game tonight while I am at home on call! We have HIGH expectations after our big win against #3 Oklahoma last week! LETS GO TECH! WRECK EM'!!! My parents will be here in a few weeks for the Oklahoma State Game! We can't wait!

week one has come and gone...

2011-10-25T18:48:00.002-05:00

It has officially been a week since we have been done with everything and just waiting for that call. Part of me is relaxed and just letting life go on as usual. To me the crazy part was all the paperwork and classes that we had to do and now that that is done...its just kind of, well, boring. Every time I walk past the room i get anxious, excited, scared, impatient and every other emotion under to sun. So, we are just waiting. No updates, nothing new. Just waiting....

and there is a ROOM!

2011-10-16T15:28:00.004-05:00

this weekend we have been BUSY! We have been busting our bottoms to finish a room for our itty bitty that could be coming into our home anyday after Tuesday....WEIRD! My heart has done nothing but think about this child all weekend. Cody and I have talked and talked about them. It has been so stinkin emotional to put this room together. It has made me wonder what is going on in this childs life, where they are living right now at this very moment. Are they in a foster home where someone is loving on them or is someone neglecting them?? AHHH..my mind goes crazy. I have prayed and prayed for this precious child. I cant wait to meet them. So to our precious child...you now have an almost finished room and we cant wait to see you in it! I really hope you like it! YAY!

there are a few finishing touches that need to be made. Like i need to find some more tissue paper to make a few more things to hang from the ceiling. I have had the hardest time finding colors I like. I have ordered some cute fitted sheets from etsy, so i just have to wait for those to come in. It has come together so fast!! We have had lots of help and for that i am so thankful!! Tomorrow morning at 9 we have our final inspection by the fire marshall and on Tuesday at 1:30 we have our final health inspection. then we are DONE. i will be jumping for joy! WOOO HOOOO!

BOOM!

2011-10-12T11:09:00.001-05:00

“trust me enough to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. relax, and refresh yourself in the light of my everlasting love. my love-light never dims, yet you are often unaware of my radiant presence. when you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequate without my help. this is a subtle sin – so common that it usually slips by unnoticed.
the alternative is to live fully in the present, depending on me each moment. rather than fearing your inadequacy, rejoice in my abundant supply. train your mind to seek my help continually, even when you feel competent to handle something by yourself. don’t divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require my help. instead, learn to rely on me in every situation. this discipline will enable you to enjoy life more and to face each day confidently.” -sarah young

I will leave you with a picture of a freshly painted room and a newly put together crib. We are waiting on that call! :)

meeting sweet Anderson

2011-10-11T17:01:00.001-05:00

last week Cody and I got to spend 4 fast and furious days in Ruston. The goal of our trip was to spend as much time with our family as possible, especially our new nephew, Anderson! I had to work at the main office everyday while we were there, but as soon as I was off I headed out to see sweet boy. Can I please just tell you how absolutely precious he is. I love him so so much! Being an aunt is so fun! But living 9 hours away is not! :( Next time I see him he will look completely different and that makes me real sad. So thankful we got to spend a few days with him when he was so tiny! Here are some pics!

Codys Grandfather and us with sweet Anderson.

Uncle Cody loves his Baby Anderson!

Baby Anderson! Look at all that hair! Isn't he the cutest?!?

Our trip was really was so fast, but so great! We got to spend some great time with Codys family, see my next nephews nursery (he will be here at the end of November or beginning of December), see some of our old students, and catch up with some fun friends!!! Can't wait for our next trip home!

2 more steps....

2011-09-30T16:56:00.001-05:00

So, as of about 10 minutes ago our homestudy is DONE. Yes, i said DONE!! Praise the Lord!! It was easy, painless, and wonderful. All that is left is a fire inspection an a health inspection!!! And then we could have a BA-BAY!!!!! WOOO HOOOOO!!

We are heading to Ruston Sunday to see our family and meet our sweet sweet nephew. He is the most precious thing in the world. Can't wait to hold him!

Just had to share our fun news!!!

Introducing my PRECIOUS new nephew!

2011-09-26T09:42:00.000-05:00

ANDERSON DARVIN ALBRITTON

September 23, 2011

8lbs 3oz

Is he not the most precious thing you have EVER seen? I cannot wait to get my hands on him! I am DYING not being there!!! Cody and I are heading back to Ruston on Sunday to visit for a few days. If you are looking for me, I will be holding my Anderson for 4 days STRAIGHT!

I had to shrae his picture with yall. I am overwhelminly thankful to have a healthy, precious nephew with two healthy and wonderful parents! I just love him!

Learning like crazy...

2011-09-22T08:38:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday night Cody and I started the first of four, four hour PRIDE classes. They are the last of our foster/adoption classes we have to take and really dig in to all the nasty and happy details that can come along with our choice to adopt.

Here are some things we learned in our class that I thought were "blog" worthy:

There was not ANY TYPE of program set up by the government to protect children from abuse or neglect until the 1930's. Can you believe that? There was a government program for animal cruelty before protecting children. Kind of makes you sick to your stomach, huh?
When a child is taken a way from their family, the parents have a year to come up with a life plan. In that time they have to show steady income, permanent residency, regular counseling, and no negative drug tests. They will be brought to court every six months to check in on the progress. If at the end of the year they are making major progress but not quite ready, that year can be extended to 18 months. But, it Texas 18months is the MAX a child can be dangling between foster care, their biological family and adoption. I am grateful there are time frames. These time frames have not been in place that long and they told us stories of kids dangling in the system for literally 10 or 15 years. HORRIBLE!
When it is getting close to the 12 month mark and there has been no progress made with the parent, sometime the state will place the child in what they call a Legal Risk Home. Which is what Cody and I will be...more than likely. That just means that it is looking like the parents are not going to custody back to the child, so the state wants to go ahead and phase them into a permanent home. Sometimes if the state sees early on that the parents aren't going to try, they will sit down with the biological family and a perspective adoptive family and have a mediation. There are many cases that they biological family will relinquish the rights with the promises of an "open adoption." Obviously with boundaries built by the adoptive family. There are no legal bindings that make that covenant, but your word is your word.

Those are just a few things that we learned that I thought were interesting! I know laws are different in different states, so what I am talking about is obviously Texas law. I'm hoping we will learn much much more in our next 3 classes.

The Roller Coaster Ride

2011-09-19T09:48:00.002-05:00

it really does feel like a roller coaster...it's just not one you get a thrill out of. I mean, I know at the end when we are with our child it will be the most amazing thrill in the world, but now...there is not a thrill. It feels like we are being pulled up to the top of the hill inch by inch...im ready to be DROPPED down! Our homestudy that was scheduled for 2pm on Friday had to be rescheduled...to say I was disappointed would be an understatment. It was hard. I cried. I was angry. I didn't understand. To me it put us back a whole year...when in reality it may have set us back a week. I was SO looking forward to them coming into our home and us getting to talk about why we wanted to bring this precious baby into our family. Why we felt God calling us to do this. WE WERE READY to tell them. And then we didnt get to...

I know there is a reason. More time to prepare a room, more time to pray, maybe the child God has for us is not ready yet. Still...its just frustrating. I didnt even know we would do our homestudy on Friday until Thursday. So, just like that it was scheduled and just like that it was canceled.

I feel like I have had the song Day after Day by Kristian Stanfil on repeat. I have clung to it since Friday. The chorus says:

"Day after day our God is reigning

He's never shaken

my hope is in the Lord.

Time after Time our God is faitful

Trustworthy Savior

My hope is in the Lord."

Eventhough i have been shaken...HE hasn't. I am finding comfort in that. HE KNOWS. He is faithful and trustworthy. I have to make a conscious effort EVERY SINGLE DAY to put my trust in him, no one else. Why is that so stinkin hard?

Machine Gun Preacher

2011-09-15T10:48:00.001-05:00

Have you guys seen the previews for this movie? Takes my breath away! I cannot WAIT for it to come out...my heart aches for these children. The movie is based on a true story!

Adoption Update: Cody and I are finishing our classes the next two weeks. CRAZY, its gone by so fast. We did ask about the little girl we met. She was placed this week with a family. I am sad but so thankful to know that she is with a family. God is GOOD! Cody went to CPR training this morning and just called to tell me they want to start our homestudy TOMORROW. TOMORROW! The reality is, we could be placed with a child as soon as our homestudy is finished, even before we finish our classes. We dont know if that will happen...but its a possibility. im FREAKIN out here.

So THANKFUL for our agency..

2011-09-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

As Cody and I are walking through this adoption process I am constantly OVERWHELMINGLY thankful for our agency, Buckner International. The work they do with not only orphans, but with people around the world makes my heart happy. Cody is taking a group of college students on a mission trip with them in May to Kenya. They have a permanent presence in Kenya...Im so excited Cody gets to go, see, and be a part of this.

Yesterday we had another training at the agency. It was on meds and the requirements, etc. We have to lock everything up and do all kinds of crazy things. The more I go to these classes I think, "why dont all parents have to take these?" HAHA! Its pretty useful information. As I walked in the room my eyes met this BEAUTIFUL little hispanic girl. The foster family she lives with was there getting updated on the medication class. The family is a couple in their late 60's that foster children on a regular basis. They have adopted a little girl who is now 8. This couple BLEW ME AWAY. Here they are at the age where most people are so excited to not have children at home and they are still a revolving door for children who need so badly to be loved on. It was amazing and so encouraging. Cody walked in a little later than me and when he came in the little girl just started waving and smiling at him...it was precious. I think I paid more attention to her during the class than the actual teacher...Im pretty sure Cody did too. Through talking to the family we found out a little bit about her. She is 21 months old and has been living with the couple for about 4 months. It was heart breaking to hear how angry she was at the world when she was placed with them. To hear how even at that age children can be hurt by whats around them. My heart broke for her right there in that room, and in the midst of the breaking...there was some falling in love too. They began to tell us how she was up for adoption, and were not sure if any families were looking at her. I think my heart lept out of my chest. I began to pray to myself immediately that my emotions would CALM DOWN. This is the FIRST child we have seen since we have began this process. And what was happening was exactly what I have been SO scared about. That I would fall in love with every child I see and when I can't take them home, or when they do come home with me and have to go back to their parents, that I would be heart broken...or Cody would have to send me to a mental institution. So it was the beginning of the rollar coaster of emotions i know are yet to come. And to be honest, it really really scared me. It scared the mess out of me. I began to question if I can handle this, if we are doing the right thing. In the my ounce of weakness, Satan gained a mile. So, my eyes were opened at how I need to toughen up. But, I still cant get my mind off of that precious little girl. I want to email our social worker, but I dont know what to say. I dont know if its still my emotions leading or God is nudging at my heart.

Well, guess Im officially on the coaster now. Hope Im the same person when I get off. :)

Kick Off Week!

2011-09-01T08:37:00.001-05:00

The past week has been CRAZY! It was the first week all the students have been back in town. We have had some really fun events and we are WORN OUT!!!!! Thursday night was our first PARADIGM. They do the first one in a park on campus every year. Bring in a big stage and it is SO FUN. There were over 500 college students there. It was great!

One of Cody's main responsibilities this year is small groups. There are 40 students that are community group leaders. Cody meets with them every Sunday night and then they go out and teach their groups throughout the week. They are encouraged to have their group meet in their traffic pattern. For example, we have students who have started groups in the REC center after playing basketball, there is a group of all nursing students who meet int he nursing building, etc. Cody brought in our college minister, Linda Osborne to train the community group leaders this weekend. It was whirlwind, one night trip...but it was SO FUN. We stayed up way too late catching up and I may have shed a few tears when i dropped her off at the airport, but it was SO good to see her. She has had such an influence on our lives and for that I will forever be thankful. The training went so great and I think the students are excited about starting their groups.

Sunday was our KICK OFF Sunday. We have been praying and planning for this since we have been in Lubbock. We had 805 college students in our worship service Sunday. 805! There is something so special to me about seeing a huge group of college students gathered to worship. No one made them get up, they CHOSE to be there. There are grown adults who don't CHOOSE to be there. These students have amazed and taught me so much just in our short time here. God is continually showing us over and over the reasons for being here in Lubbock. Cody has spent some time with our friend "H" this week. He is doing so great. The students here are LOVING on him like i have never seen students do before. Its so great. Cody got to baptize another student on Sunday that he is been meeting with over the summer. As I have mentioned before they always show testimony videos before baptisms. We could not show H's for his protection, but I do have permission to show you Brandon's. These videos give me chills each time someone is baptized. Our church uploads them to VIMEO.com and I cant figure out how to put that on the blog....so CLICK HERE to watch it.

Tonight is our 2nd Paradigm. We are praying for students. This is a lot of students only exposure to church. God is doing INCREDIBLE things at FBC Lubbock. So thankful to be a part of it.

Baptisim Update - by THE HUBS

2011-08-25T10:41:00.005-05:00

H is continuing in the faith. We are about to video his testimony in preparation for Baptism this Sunday. Last night he talked to his parents and told them that he is now a Christian. Their response was clear: H has no parents and they have no son. Again, anyone who does not hate his father, mother, brothers, sisters, wife, children, even self more than Jesus is not worthy to follow. H has given it all up to follow, he has also told his two brothers, one response from his brother was that it was a good thing but he shouldn’t tell many people, the other brother responded by requesting the information that he had been studying. His brother seems curious about Jesus. This has been an awesome summer with H. We want to be his family now and take him in in hopes that his parents come to the faith. In October, Afshin Ziafat will be speaking at Paradigm, We are hoping to give H a chance to talk to someone who has been there and now done that.

This past Sunday I had the priveledge of Baptizing H. It was awesome. H was really ready to be baptized and face his future. We do have a video of his testimony but for his protection we aren’t making that public. Already we have seen the ripple effect of H becoming a believer, both positive and negative. First, the negative ripple effect of H becoming a believer is that his family has now disowned him. He told his parents a few days before the baptism about becoming a Christian. Their response was short and simple, they aren’t his parents and he isn’t their son anymore. H was prepared to be disowned but that doesn’t make it any easier. Now his parents have told his eight brothers and sisters not to talk to him anymore. Can you imagine losing an entire family and not by death? One of the things we are trying to figure out is how we can be H's family now. What does he need that we can do? He is very independent but he still needs family. So now the positive ripple, make that wave, from H becoming a believer. A few days before he told his parents about this decision, H was talking to one of his brothers. At first this brother told him not to tell anyone about this and keep it a private thing, this conversation was different, now his brother is interested in Christianity and asked H to send him some information! This is a huge step for H and his family, maybe he wont be alone after all. Second, we have shared this information with a few people and pastors in the area as a prayer request. One pastor challenged his congregation to be more bold through sharing H's story. There is no doubt that H's faith has raised the bar for the rest of us. Another student who became a Christian last year and was formerly a muslim met with H. This student had not told his parents about his decision a year ago, through all of this he recently told his parents about his decision to follow Christ. They have not disowned him but have made terrible threats.

When we baptize a student we show a video of their testimony before the baptism. This was our first Sunday with students back in town and the first video they see is H's. I could hear the excitement from the students when I baptized H. In the video, he challenged the students not to follow anything that they knew was not right in their hearts. He told them about the price he had paid to follow Christ. H's challenge was real and this year is going to be awesome!

Cody

OH MY GOOODNESS!!!

2011-08-23T13:47:00.001-05:00

Oh how much fun we will have in our house one day when our itty bitty is HOME!!! We will dance and dance and DANCE! LOVE IT!

Missing Our Itty Bitty

2011-08-17T11:40:00.001-05:00

Missing someone you have NEVER met is the weirdest thing in the world. It is the emotion that has overtaken me as we have gone through this adoption process. My days are filled with thoughts about our child. Wondering the craziest things. When Cody gets home from work I cant wait to tell him everything I have been thinking about and wondering about. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking and wondering and praying for the sweet child that will be ours. My heart aches not knowing how to pray for them sometimes. It aches when I think about what they are living in now, what is it that is going to cause CPS to take them from their home?? I am constantly praying for their protection, praying for their birth parents, just praying. One thing that God is already reminding me of constantly is how much he knows my heart. How when I am at a loss for how to pray, he knows what I want to say. Sometimes I feel like I just have to come up with words to say, and God is telling me to just rest in him, HE knows. Cody and I were talking the other day and something that is always so comforting to think of to me is that GOD KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT CHILD WILL BE OURS. I love that. I love thinking about that, it is so comforting to me. To know it has been chosen to be ours before we were even married, before we were born, before anything, HE knew that child we be ours. I LOVE IT. When I try to push my hand into Gods plan, I always try to remember that and breathe.

Last weekend my sister in law, Brittanys, mom came to Lubbock to visit her son who lives her. She stayed with us for the weekend. We had such a great time!! Mrs. Candee has always been more than my sister-in-laws mom, she really feels like another mom to me. She is a blessing and has guided through a lot of rough spots in my life. She came with a bag from her and Brittany for me to open. It was filled with gifts for the child that will one day be ours!

They sent 3 of these onesies all in different sizes. Hopefully one will fit!

Their first LOVIE. I sit and look at it all the time! I cant wait for a sweet itty bitty to hold it!

And this sweet note made me cry and cry and cry! I am SO thankful for them.

Codys mom, Aunt, and Uncle are coming to visit this weekend! We cant wait! We love visitors!!

Quick Update from Cody's Post

2011-08-16T13:57:00.000-05:00

I just got an email from Cody concerning the POST he wrote a few weeks ago about our new friend "H':

I just talked to our friend H. Last night he told his parents about his decision to become a Christian. He said their conversation was short and simple. Their response was that H no longer has parents and they no longer have a son. He seemed to be doing well this morning but I know its a lot. He needs a family now more than ever. His Baptism this Sunday will be a bold display of joining the faith. I wanted to let yall know his situation and ask for prayer for him.

Cody will have the extreme privlege of baptizing him this Sunday. It is going to be an emotional day. Im sure Cody will write his own post to update you all next week. Please continue to pray, pray, pray for him. His life has changed forever in a way that most of us cant even imagine.

Is it September Yet?

2011-08-10T09:03:00.000-05:00

There are SO many things that i LOVE about September. In the college ministry world things will start to kick off! We will going from having 200 college students on Sunday mornings to having 800. CRAZY. I am so stinkin excited to meet all these students.

I am ready for Bama football and Saints football and my new Big 12 team, RED RAIDER football. We were so shocked to pull out of our house the other day and see a neighbor a few houses down flying an Alabama flag. I immediately rolled down the window and hollared ROLLL TIDE in my extreme country accent (I think Cody was pretty emberassed). HA!

September is also my Birthday Month and yes I do intend to celebrate it all month. I am hoping I will get to celebrate with the birth of my sweet newphew Anderson, but babies have a way of coming when they want to, not when we want them to. BUT, the one thing I cannot wait to do is see the guys in the videos below in concert. YES, i am SO excited. Mom, Dad, Me, and Cody will meet in Dallas the weekend before my BDAY and go. I CANNOT WAIT.

Matt Nathanson

TRAIN

and MAROON 5.

They have been my fave since 9th grade.

I CANT WAIT.

Ideas...

2011-08-02T13:18:00.000-05:00

Cody and I have determined that there is VERY little we can do to prepare for the upcoming "little" that will be gracing our presence. That for me, is EXTREMLY hard. i want everything to be prepared. I want a closet full of diapers, clothes, and everything else that little is going to be needing. I want monogrammed clothes, i want monogrammed bedding, i want, i want, i want. Then I realize...all those things are what I want and NOT what God has called us to right now. God has called us to adopt a precious child. He has called us to take this step, even if it is outside of my planning and preparing comfort zone. And he has reminded me OVER AND OVER again that he is in control, not me. So, in our little bit of preparing that we can do we have decided to go ahead and buy a convertible crib. One that can break down into a toddler bed or back up into a crib. That way no matter how old the child we get is, they will have a bed to sleep in. And, if we are placed with an older child first and they get put back with their family and next we get a baby...we wouldnt have to go out and buy another bed. I have been looking all over the internet at different types of beds and have decided i really like the modern really square, boxy looking beds...probably in white. And i have also been looking at grey mixed with anything for the color pallet. Here are some pictures of things Im really liking.

So, there you have it. Just a few ideas. As far as an update. We have gotten one four hour class under our belt and should be done with the rest of our classes by the end of AUGUST. Yes, AUGUST. They have rearranged some classes for us so that we can finish before Codys schedule gets crazy when school starts back. As soon as our classes are done, they will start our homestudy and after that...PLACEMENT! Our paperwork should be turned in this week! :)

We have already been hit with some crazy questions from people who I thought would be 100% supportive. People who I have always viewed as incredible Godly men and women. Its has left me so confused as to why people just dont understand and support adoption. I was listening to K-Love the other day on my way to meet Cody to go to our first training...kind of weird. But anywyas, the lead singer of Casting Crowns was doing an interview. The Casting Crowns guy was speaking out about adoption awareness and telling the story of their adoption. He said he was visiting with another singer in the industry the other day and he told him that they were seeking Gods wisdom and praying about whether or not to adopt. The Casting Crowns guy immediately told him, "what is there to seek? Open the Bible, read what it says, and do it." I immediatley though, WHOA, that was bold. It really left me thinking about how I feel about that statment. Yes, God commands us SEVERAL times to look after and care for widows and orphans. And, NO i dont believe writing a $38 check to Compassion International or World Vision is enough for my family or your family to do every month and say well we did our part. Does it meet needs, Yes, it meets incredible needs, but is it taking an orphan and putting them in a home...NO. So im struggling. Im struggling with trying to figure out Christans responsibility in all of this. Maybe one day i will have my thoughts more together on this...but right now they are scattered. They come out not making sense and to be honest when I say them out loud...they sound pretty judgemental. Something im working through. Its hard and raw, but its honest. Not sure im ready to share it with the world yet...Cody hears enough of it not sure you need to as well! :) LOVE YALL!

It has begun!

2011-07-23T16:06:00.000-05:00

Our adoption process that is! :) Our dining room is over taken with mounds and mounds of paperwork. Forms that have to be notarized, forms that doctors have to fill out, references that have to be sent off, and a BAJILLION other things. I can't tell you how excited we are. We met with Buckner (our agency) yesterday and had an amazing meeting. We had to nail down the specific type of program within domestic adoption we wanted to be a part of. Cody and I had decided pre-meeting that we really felt God calling us to be a part of their Texas Waiting Children/Child Protective Services Program. So as we shared with them this, they asked how we felt about fostering to adopt. Cody and I had talked about it and were not interested. I watched a boss in New Orleans go through that, and it was not fun. It was hard to watch her give babies back every time that she had grown attached to. So, as I said no were not interested...Cody said, "Can you tell us more about it?" I am thinking...ARE YOU CRAZY???? As Craig explained this to us I think we both started realizing the MAJOR misconceptions that we had. I also felt God extremely softening my heart...right in the moment. It was weird. He explained that there are families with Buckner that foster, to foster and there are families who foster to adopt. We would be the later. When they place children after they are removed from the home the parents are rated on a scale for how likely the parents are to fight to get them back. The children whose parents are very likely to fight go to families who are just fostering, the others go to ones who want to adopt and are called "High Risk" cases. In those cases there is a 75% chance that the foster family will get to adopt the child and a 25% chance they will go back to the parents or another family member. SO...this is the program we are doing. There are some INCREDIBLE benefits to this program. The costs are EXTREMELY limited because the state pays for everything. We will have to pay for a few things, but NOTHING like what we thought. The financial burden that people think adoption will be..NOT THERE with the type of adoption we are doing. DON'T USE THAT AS AN EXCUSE IF YOU FEEL THE LORD LEADING YOU TO ADOPT. Texas offers all children that were once in state custody free tuition at ANY University in Texas. Undergrad, Masters, PHD, etc. No matter what state they live in at the time they go to college. They are also provided with medicaid until they are 18. I am not sure if every state does this, or just Texas. I am still a little nervous about the chance of becoming attached to a child and them getting taken away...but, we feel certain this is what God wants for us. We have to go into with the mindset that if this is the child God has for us that is AMAZING, but if not it is AMAZING that we get to love on him/her until their parents or family member can. And then God will send us another one.

Here are the answers to some questions I keep getting asked:
1. Do you have a race prefrence? NO. Whatever God gives us...we will take. Red, Yellow, Black, or White! :)
2. What age will the child be? We dont know. We have requested under 2 1/2, so somewhere in that range.
3. What is the time frame? They gave us 30 days to finish all of our paperwork. (im really hoping to do it faster) After we turn our paperwork in...it could be 3-4 months until we get placed. I guess the earliest would be December, but we are expecting it to be later than that.

We would appreciate your prayers so much during this time. I am struggling with the lack of being able to prepare. Not knowing how old or what gender the child will be make its hard to prepare. The reality is we will probably get a call and then the next day pick the child up. For my extreme planning self, that is a hard reality. God is teaching me..I know.

Love Yall!

Weekend Interrupted by THE HUBS

2011-07-14T11:14:00.000-05:00

Hey yall,

This is rare, Christina is a much better writer than I am. If you read her blogs, you probably can hear her
talking as she writes. Im not that great of a writer, but I do have something to write about. I guess the
message matters more than the skill.

Last Friday, Christina and I were planning on seeing a movie and enjoying our evening when I got a call
from one of the other ministers at First Lubbock. A college student from Iran had just come to the
church to talk to someone about becoming a Christian. From what the minister could tell, this student
had made the commitment. I don’t want to use this students name for his own protection, you’ll
understand in a minute. I got this students information and gave him a call to set up a meeting. We
met up on Saturday morning with one of our regular college students to talk about what was going on in
his life and I soon realized this was not a normal conversation. The student shared with me that he had
grown up in Iran as a Shiite Muslim. His father is a Muslim priest, for lack of a better term, and he has a
well known name in Iran. When the student moved to Lubbock he had already decided that the muslim
faith was not real and he wanted to search for the truth. This is a major rebellion for someone with this
kind of family. If they were to find out the only option is to either disown their son or kill him. Can you
imagine this kind of pressure? I couldn’t help but think about Jesus’s words, “if anyone does not hate
his father, mother, brother sister, wife, and children, he cant be my follower.” His parents still do not
know about this. He began his search by googling Christianity. On his own, he decided that Christianity
was true and he felt like he should join a Baptist Church, which led him to our doorsteps. For ten
months he searched for the truth and knew Christianity was it. He told me he was 100% ready to
become a follower of Jesus until he met two mormon guys. These guys were very nice to him and took
him out to do fun things. They were also persistant and aggressive. At the time of our conversation,
they had schedule an interview for baptism that weekend. He liked these guys and did not want to hurt
their feelings but they would not answer all of his questions, which led him to our doorsteps. He did not
really want to commit to the mormon church but he also did not want to be mean to the nicest guys he
had ever met. That Saturday morning we shared with him what we knew to be different about Mormon
and Baptist. Through our conversation he realized again that the truth was in Christ alone and not
anything else. We took him to lunch and then parted ways. That evening the mormon guys visited him
again and he had to tell them he was not ready. He said it was a very hard conversation for him. Then
Sunday came and it was the day of truth. He would either join our services or go to the mormon church
to interview for baptism. Thankfully, he came to our service and met some of the other students. He
spent the afternoon with a group of our students instead of going to the mormon church. That night he
told me that if we hadn’t been there for him, he would have made the biggest mistake of his life! He
continues to research the mormon faith and Christianity. Right now, he is reading the Bible from cover
to cover. After the first week, he will have finished the book of Genesis. I cant tell you how much energy
this brings to our summer. A grad student from Iran, who I cant mention his name, commited his life to
following Christ. Pray for his strength to resist the Mormon pressure. Pray also that he will be able to
reach his family.

Cody

Albritton Run Down 1-5!

2011-07-11T14:43:00.001-05:00

1. Last week we found out we will not only be getting one nephew in October, but that Codys sister will be having a boy too in December. OH how i can't wait to hold my nephews!! Of course I am bias, but I already think they are the cutest boys I have ever seen in my life. I am so missing being in Ruston and getting to be a part of putting together their nurserys and things like that. But, I can love them from 10 hours away, and Oh how I will!

2. We are FINALLY getting our sprinkler system and grass put in today. YAY! After it is all done, maybe i will take some pictures of the house and post them. Key word...MAYBE. We have had some fun projects going on around here.

3. We painted a "sofa" table i have been wanting to paint for Oh, 3 years now. I am a pretty big fan of how it turned out. Now to just find some things to go on top of it.

4. Our sweet pup Maddux keeps me company during the days. I thought he needed a pic in the Run Down.

5. We officially sent off the FIRST part of our adoption process today. Our pre-application was taken off by the postman! It was surreal and exciting and scary all at the same time. I am SO excited for this next adventure in our life. God is SO GOOD and his timing is so perfect.

Be looking for a GUEST POST by my Hubs sometime soon. He has some things he wants to share about whats going on with the students at First Baptist Lubbock. And let me just tell you...God is doing amazing things, unreal things and changing us by the minute. Its crazy!

Fun Visitors

2011-07-06T09:56:00.000-05:00

We have been so lucky to have some fun visitors the last few weeks, of which i took ZERO pictures! Last weekend my sister in law Brittany and her mom came in town to visit! Brittany's brother Garrett lives in Lubbock, so they can kill two birds with one stone and visit us all at the same time! I cannot tell you how refreshing it was to see them and spend time with them! We ate and ate and ate. We did the Tour of Homes in Lubbock which was AMAZING! Such fun houses. On Sunday we went to the Rec which is Texas Techs work our place, pool, rock wall, etc. The pool is AMAZING complete with a slide, diving board, layout deck, and a LAZY RIVER. The temp hit 112 degrees that day, so the pool was the perfect place to be! I am so thankful for the visit! It was so fun to see Brittany and her growing belly with my nephew who is coming SOON! I cant wait for sweet Anderson to be here. I love him so much already.

For 4th of July weekend my parents came to visit!! They were so excited to see the house and Lubbock. I think they really just thought it was going to be a big desert! My mom loved that her hair didnt get greasy, that we could walk outside and not sweat, that the people everywhere are SO NICE. Also some of my favorite things. And she also fell in love with my grocery store, Market Street. HEAVEN on earth. Dad and Cody hit up the driving range while mom and I sat and watched. Dad tried to give Cody some pointers, it was pretty entertaining. We LOVED having them in town. It was hard to see them leave knowing it will be several months before we see them again.

We LOVE visitors, so if your ever in West Texas, just stop on by! :)

Happy Anniversary!

2011-06-29T09:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our 3rd anniversary! Can't believe three years have passed. We are in our 3rd city, our first 3 bedroom home, working towards making our family a family of 3. Maybe 3 is just the number for us? Who knows! Yesterday was such a fun day. I woke up to a text with a picture showing me whats for breakfast. Krispi Kreme and Starbucks...he really knows my heart!! It was a great start to the day. A little before Cody left for work he posted on twitter or facebook that he was going to post his top five memories from our wedding/honeymoon. It was so funny how anxious i was all day to see the next one. He was so creative in the things he did...it was so fun! For dinner we went to a restaurant called The Fifty Yard Line. Ever since we have lived in Lubbock I have just wanted a good Texas steak. Well we got it! Right after we sat down our waitress came up to take our order...she said, "you look so familiar." Cody and i both just looked at each other and said...Really??? Then she proceeded to say, "Oh you are the new guy at FBC, im so excited yall are here. I go to church there and have been wanting to meet yall." It was so funny. After she took our order and walked off we decided that will probably happen EVERYWHERE in Lubbock and we better learn to be on our best behavior..and be good tippers. When we ordered I went for the "Heisman" aka Surf and Turf. Cody kept saying get whatever you want...so i did. About 5 minutes laster cute little Charla came back up and said i was just told i have to tell you the price of the Lobseter before i put the order in at the kitchen. I was like ok, thats fine. She said, it's $74.95. I looked at Cody as he was choking on his water...seriously, he was. And then i looked back and said, thats fine its our anniversary. BAAHAHA! When she walked off Cody almost FELL OUT of his chair and so did I. I didnt know what I was suppose to tell her. It's like you are stuck at that moment...i felt stupid telling her I didnt want it, but then i felt like a rich snob being like...oh thats fine. UGH...i hate moments like that. We laughed about it the whole dinnner. And I made Cody enjoy the lobster with me so he could never just say it was mine! :) The church Cody is working with gave us a gift certificate to the restuarant and a gift certificate to the movies for an anniversary gift. That are so great. So, the gift certificate almost covered the price of my Lobster!

Since we have just moved into our house and are still busy buying things for that...we didnt do gifts. we have intentions of getting each other cowboy boots in the next few weeks. your 3rd anniversary gift is leater, so we thought boots would be fun. I found this cute little print out that you could change the monogram on, so i posted these all over the house yesterday. I wrote memories and just encouraging things for Cody on them. It was funny to hear him stopping to read them as he walked in yesterday.

We really had a great day! I am so grateful for Cody and for the leadership he provides for our family. I cant imagine my life without him.

Here is the only part of the house I am ready to show you. I am still searching for more frames and having different pictures printed for the wall. I DO NOT want it to be just me and Cody! Family and Friends are welcome on our picture wall!

One Step Forward, TWO steps back

2011-06-17T10:48:00.000-05:00

Most of you know Cody and I have been praying about adoption pretty much since we got married. It has been something that has been on our heart and something that we knew God was leading us to do. To be honest, for the most part it has been me saying to Cody, WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN. And Cody saying, its not time yet...just be patient. It took an argument between Cody and I and some time alone with the Lord about a year in a half ago for me to finally give it up and say when Cody is ready it will happen, until then I dont want to force him to do anything he doesn't want to do. He needed more time than I did for God to work in his heart...which is COMPLETELY ok, everyone doesn't come to things at the same time...and for us Cody is usually there way before me. This one probably had something to do with me being a woman and the natural desire to want to mother. ANYWAYS, In January of this year Cody came to me and said he was ready to begin preparing to start the process of adoption. We hadn't discussed it together in MONTHS because I had committed to let him and God discuss it together and I was going to stay out of it, so when he brought this to me i was ECSTATIC to say the least. We agreed that after he graduated and we figured out where we were moving that we would continue to pray about it and see where we felt God was leading us. So, here we are in Lubbock, Tx with BOOO KOOOs of adoption agency's around us. (coincidence, I think not). On Wednesday we got the paperwork from Buckner to begin the pre-application process, which already feels like a bajillion pages of paperwork...so i cant imagine what the real stuff is like. So, i feel like we are moving one step forward...but at the same time moving backwards. You see, we just moved into this new house and there are still so many things to get done. Like #1 one our list is sod and a sprinkler system. Which by the way, i should go into that business because i almost PASSED OUT yesterday when we got the quote for how much it would cost to put that into our itty bitty yard. We have some other things to that we would like to get done before we bring a baby or toddler, or whatever God brings us, into this house. Last night at dinner I had a breakdown. I told Cody i feel like for the last year we have been saying if we can just get done with school, if we can just get settled somewhere, if we can just buy a house, THEN we can start the process of our adoption. And now that all of those things are here...theres another list. In Codys mind the new list goes with the old list and in reality it does. But in my mind, its a bajillion more steps until I get to bring a precious baby home. So...im struggling. Im struggling with trusting and beliving that Gods timing is perfect. Even though i KNOW that it is. He has proved that to me over and over again. Im struggling with the battle of Gods leading over my emotions. Im struggling with trying to take control vs. letting him be in control. Then this morning I was reading again on one of my favorite blogs and this is what Suzanne said:

But doesn’t God know us? Doesn’t HE know the timing that is best for us. It’s funny how we feel the Lord call us to adopt, bring a child home, even a “special needs” child…(the wait isn’t as long for them…aren’t we all special needs?) give a child a family…yet, after that calling…WE’LL DO THE REST! We’ll make it happen! In our time!! Not HIS. Because that’s what we do! We are in control, so we’ll make it happen. Those of you that are in process and in the WAIT….please be encouraged!! He is in control. He has your child picked out for you. HE loves that child more than you can even fathom. He’s got YOU in the palm of HIS hand!!

Serisouly...I know it sounds crazy, but I am thankful for her blog. I am thankful for days like today when I am feeling so BLAH and I can read her words and be encouraged. So, please pray for us. Pray as we go through this process that WE dont take control of it, that WE let the Lord lead. That I am content with WHENEVER the process begins because HIS TIMING is perfect.

home office makeover - PUHHLEASE

2011-06-15T15:54:00.000-05:00

As you know....I am working at home. And let me tell you, so far I am LOVING it all. All except one tiny itty bitty litte thing. THIS:

My Office Space! :(

I am COMPLETLY determined to make this look better. It has to become better because this is where I spend 8 hours of my day and I AM NOT happy with it. Actually, Im pretty emberassed!

Here are some of my dreams:

Look at this pegboard!! I think I HAVE to have this. What an amazign idea to clear my desk of all the nasty cluter. Cluter that I CANNOT stand.

I am also loving the shelves. I am trying to think of a way to put them together. Shelves and Pegboard. Thats my dream right now.

So, hopefully my dream home office will come into being sometime soon! HOPEFULLY! Im thinking maybe this weekend we can work on it. If you know of any good home office decorating blogs, let me know!!

Intentions...

2011-06-13T10:01:00.001-05:00

one of my favorite blogs to read is The Oatsvall Team. Gwen and her friend Suzanne are founders of one of my FAVORITE organizations, 147million orphans. Gwen and Suzanne have been in Uganda this week visiting another amazing woman, Katie...who is my age and has adopted 13 girls. THIRTEEN. (i have written about this before if it sounds familiar) Anyways, in Gwen's blog today something really struck me.

" INTENTIONS are plans that are never followed through and they are useless"

Holy Moly! I had to take a breath after I read that one. I had a minute long brain scan of "good intentions" I constantly have that are NEVER followed through with, and I mean NEVER. I had thoughts of SO MANY things the Lord has put on my heart that i had "INTENTIONS" to do, but never did. And to think they are...USELESS. That was hard for me to take in. That things the Lord has but on my heart to do, things I have been disobedient in not doing, they are USELESS.

Gwen went on to say these things:

I remember having intentions and just staying right there ... NEVER ACTING ... And now that I have acted on the INTENTIONS that God placed in my heart I want ever one else to feel that JOY and not miss out ... Intentions WON'T FEED PEOPLE, Intentions WON'T BUILD A WELL, Intentions WON'T HELP A CHILD HAVE A FAMILY, Intentions WON'T HELP A WIDOW CHANGE HER LIGHT BULBS, Intentions WON'T PROVIDE MEDICINE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DYING, and Intentions won't TELL PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS .... I don't ever want to be a person of INTENTION (ever again) ... I want to be a person of action !!!

I am so with her...I dont want to be a person of INTENTION, i want to be a person of ACTION.

Mexico!!!

2011-06-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

So, the week before we moved to Lubbock we spent a week at the Excellence Resort - Riveria Cancun. To say it was amazing...is an understatement. It was beautiful, fun, relaxing, and every single other adjective I could use to describe it. We had been planning to take a trip for Cody's graduation this summer and could never decide where to go. Our friends, Seth and Kristen Thomas, have RAVED about this place since their honeymoon there so we decided we would try it out. They we right...it was AMAZING. Codys brother and his wife, sister and her husband, and our friends Katie and Jay Garcia went with us. It was so fun to have a big group. We were there for 5 nights. We spend most of our days laying by the pool doing nothing, worrying about nothing, sleeping, eating, and anything else we wanted to do. Cody and I had a massage on the beach one day, so fun.

Here are a few pics from the trip!

Emily, Katie, me, Brittany

Cody and I on the beach.

The boys riding the Catamaran.


The girls before dinner one night!


The Fam!

On the balcony of our room. The spa is in the background.


Last night there...I think we had had enough sun at this point!

So, if your looking for a tropical, Caribbean, beach getaway. The Excellence Resort is the place for you!

Getting Settled!

2011-06-06T14:37:00.002-05:00

Wow, so much has happened since the last time I blogged, it may take a few blogs for me to update. We have arrived and are settling in (living out of boxes) in Lubbock. We LOVE LOVE LOVE it so far. I cant begin to tell you how big of a blessing First Baptist Lubbock has been to us already. From helping us unpack the Uhaul in record time, to each of the Life Group leaders (the adult leaders in the University dept) bringing over food the day we moved in to stock our pantry. Seriously, they STOCKED our pantry and fridge...what a blessing. I could not get over it. Cody's boss Bruce and his wife Rita kept saying, this is your Pounding, I was like what is that...i was just in shock. One of the ladies involved in the college ministry is an interior decorator...she has been here way more than she should have helping me. Another complete blessing. She even went to Hobby Lobby with me, which I know Cody was so excited that he didnt have to join. They have taken us out to eat, made sure we know where to go, and tonight another sweet couple has invite us over to eat dinner. They have been teaching in the university department since the 70's. :) I hope you can picture how amazing this place is. God has continued to reaffirm to Cody and I that we are where we are suppose to be. Everything has fallen straight into place.

Closing on our house was the most fun thing ever. I always imagined it being this boring thing where you just signed papers, etc. We had to meet at the builders office. There were several people in the room with us, including one of the big wigs of the company who just stopped by on his day off to tell us congratulations. After we finished signing all the papers we had to watch a video welcoming us to Lubbock and it talked a little about the Builders, their committment to Lubbock, and to Christ (it is an incredible Christian company). At the end on the video the people stand and clap for you, when Cody and I turned around...there were probably 30 people in the office where we were standing and clapping. I MAY or MAY NOT have shed a tear or two. It was SO EXCITING. We also had someone approach us in the office who said he heard we were from Ruston and wanted to meet us. He went to LA TECH and First Baptist Ruston and knew many of the same families we did....again so comforting. Oh and I cant forget to mention....the builders gave us a bible that had ALBRITTON FAMILY on the front of it. It is so neat to have that to mark this HUGE new experience in our lives.

So here are a few of my FAVE things about Lubbock:

The PEOPLE - they are SO stinkin nice. I cant get over it. Maybe everything is better in Texas??
The sunsets!! So stinking pretty!
PEI WEI
Market Street Grocery
that there is some connection to Ruston or Shreveport everywhere we go
First Baptist Lubbock
The Tech Students - so amazing

We are still getting used to the wind and the dust. And people hear are CONSTANTLY praying for rain. It hasn't rained good in like 6 or 7 months. The farmers are hurting really really bad.

I dont think I ever mentioned my new job get up. Well, its not really new...BUT, my job in Ruston transferred with me to Lubbock. I am now working at home doing the same job. Another EXTREME blessing. I am anxious to see how I like being at home everyday by myself but I am so excited for the opportunity.

SO, we are safe and sound in lubbock. Coming soon, our trip to Cancun and pics of our new house! YAY!

Graduation!

2011-05-22T16:28:00.000-05:00

Last weekend my sweet, amazing, wonderful, wise husband graduated from seminary with his Masters of Divinity with a specialization in collegiate ministry. 3 years and almost 3 cities later...he is DONE! I am SO proud of him, I cant even begin to explain to you. It was such a special weekend and I am so thankful for our family that celebrated it with us. We had so much fun being back in New Orleans for a few short days. I was telling my friend Megan that is was really kind of bittersweet. New Orleans was such a joyful time in our lives, it was a place I have LONGED for this past year. It was where we started our marriage, where we lived in a hotel room for 4 months, it was our first time to find a church together, a place where we built friendships that are deeper and stronger than anything I have ever experienced in my life. But this time when I went back, I was excited for what was next. I was excited to know that God used New Orleans to prepare Cody for his next place of ministry, First Baptist Lubbock. I was excited to say goodbye to New Orleans knowing that it will always be an incredibly special place to us. It was just a sweet, joyful weekend.

The graduation ceremony was so great. As the graduates walked across the stage they asked the family to stand as a commitment to continue to pray for their family member as they enter a lifetime of ministry. As Cody walked across the stage all the professors he had while in seminary stood behind him as well. It was so amazing to see these men that have poured into Cody, discipled him, taught him, and prepared him for whats next standing behind him and in a way sending him off. It was so special! As i was standing there I begin to think about all the people that literally prayed Cody and I through seminary. Prayed us through my crazy health at the beginning of our marriage, prayed us through jobs, and just prayed Cody through his classes. Thank you for that, we felt it, we did!

Graduation was on Saturday and on Sunday night Cody was ordained at First Baptist in Ruston. I got to sit in on the ordination council with Cody and was PRAYING they wouldn't ask me any questions. They didn't so i was glad. WHEW! I was really in awe sitting in a room with my husband watching him answer questions from deacons and ministers, people that are so respected in our church. I listened to him share his heart for ministry and thought over and over again how thankful I am for him. Our ENTIRE family was at the ordination. I dont think we have all been together since our wedding. It was an incredibly special night!

Congrats DEAR! I am SO proud of you!

Pictures, Pictures, and Pictures!

2011-05-06T21:25:00.000-05:00

Picture Update! Lots has been going on around here and what better way to show you than with pictures. So, here ya go!

Harrison's 3rd Birthday

The theme for the party was "Cat in the Hat"

And the "Cat" himself was so cute!!

and time with my sweet friend was AMAZING.

and we had the HIT present...thanks to his mom.


We love this boy so much. SO MUCH!

Bad Weather!


the night the ~~HORRIBLE TORNADOS~~ strong wind and hail came through Ruston. These fun Tech students and I just happened to be eating dinner at Waffle House. We BARELY escaped the tornado and ran for safety in our bathroom. Cody, being the wonderfully chivalrous, keep us updated on the storm situation.

Cody turns the big 2-6!


and got a sweet dog he named Maddux after the Cubs Hall of Fame pitcher...of course! Cody LOVES Maddux. I am steadily learning how to be a dog lover. (insert everyone who loves dogs gasping RIGHT NOW) Its not that I dont love them, its just that i have never had one before. So far Maddux is the perfect first Pup! The morning of Cody's birthday we continued the Birthday tradition of "birthday beignets" but i got no picture. Just pretend we were envisioning ourselves in the French Quarter eating the real ones!

First College Crawfish Boil

we had a crawfish boil with some of our college students at FBC Ruston. SO FUN!

916 Coushatta #7


we said goodbye to our apartment in Ruston and moved in with Codys mom. We will head to Lubbock June 1st.

THE END!

to tide you over...

2011-04-30T09:38:00.001-05:00

it has been FAR too long since I have updated...and you may just have to wait a few more days. But here are a few things to get excited about. (i like to pretend yall are all anxiously awaiting what is going on in my ~~exciting~~ life).

Here are a few things to look forward to:
1. Harrison turned 3 and we went to Alexandria for his "Cat in the Hat" celebration.
2. We are officially moved out of our apartment and in with Cody's mom. ONLY 4 weeks until were off to Lubbock.
3. Also, only 25 days until were off to ME-HEICO for 6 days!!! wooo hooo!!
4. There is some more fun Albritton/Sandidge family news...and I cant WAIT any longer to tell you. Not only will I have ONE itty-bitty niece or nephew soon, i will have TWO. Emily and Jeremy are having a BAY-BAY too. Due December 4th! So now, I will have two itty bittys to miss while we are in Lubbock. :( Congrats Emily and Jeremy, we are SO excited for you!

Im sure everyone has seen the devastation that has taken place in Alabama and the surrounding states this week. Cody is itching to get to Tuscaloosa, and will hopefully get to go in next week or the next. We are collecting gift cards to send to the UA BCM so that they can hand them out to students in need. If you are interested in getting some to them, please let us know.

I'll be back soon with more pictures! :)

Wreck Em' Tech!

2011-04-06T22:23:00.000-05:00

Well my friends...it's almost been three years of marriage for Cody and I, so why not add a 3rd city into the mix. It looks like June 1st the Albritton's will be making LUBBOCK, TX their home. Cody is going to be the new Associate University Minister at First Baptist Lubbock. We are SO excited. We have no doubt that this is where God wants us and believe me, he has opened every single door to get us there. Cody will be working with Bruce Venable, who is amazing. The college ministry at FBC Lubbock is thriving and has been for a long time. This is a church that is passionate about seeing college students love and serve the Lord and we are so excited to be there doing that with them. Check out their website to get a glimpse of what we will be doing.

Here are a few extra fun things we are excited about!!!

1 We are in the process of purchasing this house! All the papers are signed and we will close the day we move in...June 1st!

2. Buckner International is an amazing organization which "happens" to have an adoption agency located in Lubbock. We have been in contact with them about starting our adoption process in the fall and we are SO excited about doing that. My sweet friend Aubri Duran is working on tshirts for us to kick off the adoption fund-raising! Be looking for those sometime later this summer.

As excited as we are about Lubbock we are going to miss Ruston so much! It has been such a blessing to be back close to our family this year. We are going to have our first niece or nephew in October and the thought of not being here every single day to watch them grow up is pretty unbearable to me. We have formed amazing relationships with some pretty incredible students at the BCM and First Baptist Ruston. All of whom we are going to miss so much. But, like I said...we have no doubt about where God is leading us and we are SO excited about this next phase of life.

YAY!

How did I miss this???

2011-03-28T12:38:00.000-05:00

As I was participating in my favorite daily activity, adoption blog stalking, I came across a new one that I should HAVE KNOW was out there. I have heard their story a thousand times...but had NO idea there was blog. I'm sure many of you have heard of Christian artist Aaron Ivey. His music is great and the story of his family is even more amazing! His wife Jamie has a blog that you better believe I IMMEDIATELY became a follower of. I'm not going to try and explain their stories, if your interested, you can go read for yourself. But, the basics are they have four beautiful children!! One of which is biological and 3 of which are adopted. One domestic adoption and two from Haiti. He has written a song called Amos Story (his son from Haiti is named Amos and his daughter from Haiti is named Story). The video to the song was released while Story was home with them but Amos was still waiting for them in Haiti. I think I watched the song and BALLED my eyes out for about an hour yesterday. Cody had to take the computer away from me. HAHAHA...i know, I'm pitiful. So, here is the video if you have not see it. It's precious and the lyrics are powerful.

The chorus is:
I’ll find a way to get you here
If it takes my fleeting breath
Another sunrise hits the ground
And it’s a dark lonely sight
Lightyears away I hope you know
There is somebody searching
For the way to get you here
I will get you here

Pure Randomness

2011-03-22T22:24:00.000-05:00

I have a new favorite song for the moment. Cee Lo Green, Forget You. For some reason, this song makes me happy. Is that bad?? I mean is wanting to tell people, "Forget You" bad? I really dont know if it's that I want to say it to someone...i just LOVE the song. I love the big feathers he wore on the Grammy's. SO FUN. (I'm not so much a fan of Gweny being on the song with him) I even like it so much that I made it the ring tone on my phone. Remember when it was popular to have songs as your ring? How many years ago was that? Like 6 or 7? Well..Im bringing it back.

My sweet friend Polly Thomas got married a few weeks ago. I LOVE the Thomas family. I feel like she is little Polly and should not be grown enough to get married. Cody and I have been friends with Pollys older brother Seth and his wife Kristen for several years! Here is a quick pic from the wedding with my FAV Thomas girls and baby Aubrey!!!

Another sweet friend from high school got married this weekend! My BFF Emily flew into Shreveport from Tampa for the wedding and to visit her fam. I was SO glad to see and get to visit with her. Here is just a quick pic of us and our hubs at the wedding! Wish I could have spent more time with them!

one more random thing! I am SO sick of the pollen. I feel like my nose does nothing by run. Really, i need a broke from the nasty yellow stuff.

STAGGERING statistics...

2011-03-17T16:39:00.001-05:00

The Children of the World... Did You Know?

In the world today there are 143 million children who have lost one or both parents. That is almost one half of the population of the United States.

Every 14 seconds an Aids death leaves another child orphaned.

Every year 12 million children become orphans.

87.6 million Orphans live in Asia.

43.4 million Orphans live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

12.4 million Orphans live in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Ukraine and Russia 10%-15% of children who age out of an orphanage commit suicide before age 18.

The Children of the United States... Did You Know?

There are currently 500,000 children in foster care in the United States. Approximately 118,000 of these children are available for adoption.

Every year in the U.S. alone, over 25,000 children AGE OUT of the foster system with no family to belong to and no place to call home.

More than one-third of Americans have seriously considered adopting, but no more than 2% have actually adopted.

It's a lot to take in, but something I think we ALL should see and take in. What is your role in this?

Forgiven and LOVED

2011-03-14T22:16:00.000-05:00

Tonight the Tech BCM hosted Jimmy Needham in concert. Can i please tell you how AMAZING he is. His song writing is stinkin' amazing and is an incredible GIFT to others. Check him out if you haven't. One of his songs particularly hit me tonight. It is a song I have heard several times on his CD, but for some reason...seeing it tonight with the words flashing behind it, really hit me.

If you know me...you know this year has been a challenge for me. I DESPERATELY miss New Orleans! I miss my friends! I miss the accountability, I miss them challenging me, I miss them asking me how my marriage is doing, I miss EVERYTHING thing about them. I also miss EVERYTHING fun about New Orleans. What a fun place to be as a newlywed. As I have swam in the craziness the Lord has put me in this year, I have YEARNED for some joy. I have found a lot of it in our incredible students, a lot of it in being close to family, and a lot of it in my husband. BUT....I have yet to completely surrender to my FATHER. Isn't it crazy that I know that, but can't do that? I have found myself forming a list. You know what list I'm talking about? The dreadful one that us "Christians" try to avoid. The CHECK OFF, make yourself feel like an accomplished Christian, the I spent time in the word today one, the one that is SO NOT ABOUT OUR JESUS. I have found myself making this list thinking, "ok, Lord...if i do these things i know you will give me some joy. I know you will bring me a friend. because i know if im obedient to you and do what you tell me, then you will give me what I WANT." AHHH...even just typing it makes me sick. I mean, I have been in church enough to know that you NEVER want to get to a place to where you have "the list." And you NEVER want to get a place where you feel like you can earn the joy God gives or you can bargain with God to give it to you. GRACIOUS, how did I get here? OH, the guilt Satan gives me for being here is UNREAL. I know exactly how I got here. I stopped trusting that he could and would take care of me. That he could and WOULD give me any and EVERYTHING that I need. That maybe, just maybe, this year has many many many lessons for me to learn. That maybe my dependence on other things needs to go away and my dependence needs to be on my FATHER and him along. All these things are not maybes, they are DEFINITES. I really just got to a place of anger. I was mad. I was mad that he took me away from my friends, from my church, from such a fun city. All the while completely ignoring the plain and simple truth that GODS PLAN is better than mine. That through my anger and frustration, he would teach me what its like to live life not trusting him and then what its like to trust him. And although I know I'm not all the way there....I can tell you I'm closer. And it's only through this crazy year that I got there. WOW, he is good!

The song by Jimmy Needham is called Forgiven and Loved. Listen to it below if you haven't heard it.

Chorus:
O I tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation
But I bought the lie I still have work to do
Now I’m working nine to five like I can earn my own salvation
But there is no condemnation in You

O He died, He died to rectify my hopeless situation
And His blood commands my guilt to leave
Now on Calvary I stand
Empty pockets, open hands
O there is no condemnation for me

Poor pitiful me...

2011-03-11T07:58:00.001-06:00

Do you ever wake up just knowing its going to be a poor pitiful me day? For some reason today...I did!! Like I mean, right when my eyes opened I knew it. What's up with that? I got up took a shower, read the word for not nearly long enough, and laid back down to watch GMA for about 5 minutes. When I turned it on I was slammed in the face with the news of what's happened in Japan! Talk about the Lord telling you your life is pretty great and its time to get over yourself. Like FOR REAL!!! WOW! I laid there and watched and just couldn't believe those hurting people.....but still there was a part of my human flesh that was thinking about all the things going on in my life! GAH LEE! It just sounds horrible doesn't it???

When I got in the car to head to work I decided I definitely deserved some Starbucks this morning. Always makes my day better. I have had a jeff johnson cd in the cd player for quite a while. It makes me want to get on a chait, waive my hands in the air, and sing as loud as I can.

This morning this is what I needed to hear:
"The beauty of the cross is that I'm finally free and letting go,
The beauty of the cross is that your grace has found me just as I AM."

So even if I AM poor pitiful me....his GRACE is there. And now, I will start my day knowing and BELIEVING that.

Love yall!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

just call me AUNT CHRISTINA

2011-03-02T12:39:00.000-06:00

Oh yes! You read it correct!!! These two people are having a BAY-BAY! Brittany and Chris!!!

They told us all Sunday night at Brittany's birthday party and I have now been given permission to tell the WORLD! Cody and I are SO excited I can't even tell you!!! The baby is due Oct. 4th but I just know it is going to come a tad early on my birthday, Sept. 28th! Wouldn't that be the best birthday present ever?!? My first niece or nephew!! SO EXCITING!!

Just had the share the fun Albritton family news! YAY!

Soap Box - Take 2

2011-02-28T12:47:00.000-06:00

Wow! I had no clue I would strike so much interest from people with my last post! I LOVE IT! I loved reading your comments and emails. It made me so happy to hear different peoples opinions. It was GREAT! Today, I came across a post with EVERYTHING I wish I could have said and it much better writing...so for anyone who wants to know more of what I was thinking, READ THIS!

This family just adopted two of the most PRECIOUS twin babies I have EVER seen in my life. Seriously, they are PRECIOUS!! They are worth a look!

Soap Box - YIKES!

2011-02-22T16:52:00.001-06:00

in my adoption "blog stalking" lately I have came across several things that have literally caused me to stop in my tracks and go....oh my goodness. I have read several posts on peoples blogs that I just want to comment on and say I am so thankful you are bring a precious orphan into your family, BUT YOU ARE CRAZY. (That comment goes back to the I need to learn to keep my mouth shut post I wrote a few weeks ago.) Let me see if I can stand on my soap box without being offensive, I promise..Im going to try really hard. The Lord has put on my heart a passion for adoption. As I have prayed through, researched, and read adoption blogs, etc, there are a few things that continually tear at my heart and I can't seem to stop thinking about them. One thing is how people respond to international vs. domestic adoption. I have become sickened at the words, "orphans overseas are so much more needy than the orphans in america." PLEASE don't misunderstand what I am saying....I think ALL orphans need families and I believe God calls each adoptive family to a specific place. I cannot wait for the Lord to bust that door open for Cody and I whether it be international or domestic. However I do not believe it is our place to say which children have the greatest need. I believe an orphan is an orphan no matter what country they live in and I have yet to find a scripture that says otherwise!!!! I believe God tells us that as Christians we are to take care of the widows and the orphans, not just the widows and orpahns in America or Africa or China. That we are to take care of ALL of them not matter where they are. ALL OF THEM. I have been in churches and had friends who have had experiences in churches where when they have chosen to go with domestic adoption instead of international, the church does not support it financially or make as "big of a deal" about it as they do of families doing international adoption. Again, it makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it. Question, and be honest, do any of yall see what I am talking about? Do you see the type of "hero" stigma attached to international adoption vs. domestic adoption? If you do, what do you think about it? If you dont, tell me I'm crazy! I need to hear that!

I also want yall too see this website which is from a very reputable christian adoption mediator that basically lists the costs of the children about to be born in the states that are needing to be adopted. Again, it makes me sick to see a price next to a child. But it makes me OH SO THANKFUL that these women have chosen to give these babies life. These women are doing the most amazing thing ever and I don't believe society reconizes them enough for that!

Please, please, please! Do not read into this thinking I am againist international adoption. If you know me...you know how far from the truth that is. It is just something I have been pondering and sitting on for quite a while and wondered if anyone else ever thougt about.

It's My WEEKEND!!!

2011-02-17T07:42:00.000-06:00

Sometimes the weekend just cannot get here fast enough! AMEN?? Today is my Friday! I am off of work 1/2 a day today and all day tomorrow! PRAISE THE LORD! Today after lunch we are heading to Tuscaloosa. We are so excited to get to visit our friends there. Cody and I love getting to spend time with the Young's and Kim in T-Town and I am always excited to head on over to Birmingham to see Shanna and Mark. WOO HOO!

E-Mealz Update:

I cooked my first meal from the meal plan and can I please tell you it was EASY and DELICIOUS. I think Cody said at least 7 times, "OH MY GOSH, this is so good." To be honest he says that like once most of the time when I cook, but I think its just to make me feel good. I really think he meant it this time. It was a mexican pizza, YUM! I can't wait to get the meal plan for next week. I should be able to cook all the meals for next week, so we will see better how this whole deal is going to work.

Also, would anyone like to go see the Justin Bieber movie with me...just throwing it out there? Cody won't!! And just so you know....it has a BIBLE STUDY that goes along with it. Read Stuff Christians Like from yesterday. BAAHAHAHAHHA! If you haven't read his book or dont read his blog daily...you are missing the most hilarious thing EVER. Really, you are!

Hope yall have a great weekend!

Mush Mush MUSHY

2011-02-14T19:43:00.000-06:00

My dear....he really knows me so well. Thats all I really wanted to say. We have had such a low key GREAT VDAY together. He cooked one of our FAVORITE meals from our FAVORITE restaurants in New Orleans, Ralphs On The Park. BBQ shrimp and the City Park Salad...it was delish. He followed the recipe to a T and he was even better than Ralph Brennan! :) We always seem to do little goodies for each other, so I made him a basket of turkey hunting gear and he fed my adoption blog addiction my adding to my collection from 147 Million Orphans! They released a new shirt for the month of February and when Josie Love was HIV FREE. When I saw it I had to have it. Cody told me I had enough adoption t-shirts and I didn't need another one....so I was very surprised today when he had ordered it for me! YAY!

Hope everyone had a great Valentines!

Praying For Kate

2011-02-10T08:43:00.001-06:00

I have been BLOWN away the last couple of days to see the "social networking" world come together to pray for Kate. I have seen countless blogposts, tweets, and facebook links to her story. I have found myself reading, praying, and crying for this precious girl serveral times this week. Her family is living their lives so that you can see Christ glorified in a situation NONE of us ever want to be in.

If you haven't read her story check it out here, here, or here. And pray, pray, pray for this precious little girl!

New Years Resolution - Starting NOW

2011-02-09T13:30:00.000-06:00

As most of you know...I'm not that into cooking. Let's be real, Cody does most of the cooking around our home. I try to make people believe I do some....but there are about 3 dishes I cook. Hamburger Pie, Potato Soup, Swiss Chicken, and thats 3....so thats it (to make myself feel better Im going to tell you there are a few more that I just can't think of right now). OH YEAH...one night I did cook a pork loin in the crock pot and it was DELISCIOUS. But, thats the extent of my fancy smancy cooking. I do make some pretty mean chocloate chip cookies, or so Cody's dad used to tell me. I would make some and bring them over to Codys house and Mr. Reggie would have the whole container eaten by the next day. I never quite figured out if he thought they were that good or if he was just eating them all to make me feel like a good cook. Regardless, it did make me feel good and I think of him everytime I make choclate chip cookies. So, you get the jist...I hardly ever cook.

One of my New Years Resolutions this year was to cook more. So, my New Years resolution will begin February 14th (well maybe 15th...depending on if Cody is taking me on a fancy Valentines date or not) John Acuff and Dave Ramsey have been promoting this thing called e-mealz. Have yall ever heard of it? Anyways, I never have and am SO excited to start it. It costs $1.25 a week or $15 for 3 months. It is a group of women who plan out your meals for the week based off of where you grocery shop and how many people are in your family. For instance, I put Wal-Mart because they didn't have Super One and other than that there is no other place in Ruston. The Wal-Mart list comes out every Friday. They base your list off of what is on-sale that week at Wal-Mart and for 2 people stay around $35-$45 per week, plus they give you websites for additional coupons to make it cheaper than that! YES! So...for $1.25 I am paying for someone to make my grocery list, tell my what I am eating everynight, and give me the recipe. You better believe I paid my first $15. Cody is excited, but quite hesistant because he knows I am the QUEEN of getting pumped about something new and then slacking off. I am really hoping this encourages me to like cooking and to be challenged by new recipes.

So, if you haven't seen it, check out e-mealz. I think it's GREAT! I will keep yall updated on how it turns out!!

MAYHAVE MONDAY (Tuesday) OOPS!

2011-02-08T08:19:00.002-06:00

I MAY or MAY NOT be SO crazy that I forgot to even check MAYHAVE MONDAY's yesterday because I MAY or MAY NOT be obsessed with "stalking" adoption blogs. I mean seriously, the minute I walk in the door at home for lunch and the minute I walk in the door at home after work...Im opening the laptop to search the blog world for adoption stories. I mean, it's OUT OF CONTROL. Even Cody has told me, "Christina, I think this may be becoming a little too much. Maybe you should stop looking at them for a few days." And then I will go into NO, so in so is in China about to get their child TOMORROW and I have to see it, and so and so is at the hospital waiting on the birth mom to deliver their baby and so and so is in Africa and in two weeks they will bring their baby home, FOREVER!!! The list goes on and on and Cody just stares at me with those eyes he has come to give me quite often since we have been married. In my opinion they are kind of saying, "ARE YOU REALLY THIS CRAZY? DO YOU REALLY THINK YOUR BEST FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE YOU READ ABOUT ON BLOGS?" Which to him I want to say, YES!!!! I sure do!!! He sits and laughs at me while I am BOOO HOOOING because I am SO happy to see these precious little children get to go home with their FOREVER FAMILIES and he is like, "why in the world are you crying, this is a happy thing." IT IS SO HAPPY it makes me cry, and their stories are heart breaking to which he again asks, "Why do you read things that make you cry?" Then I'm just done with his questions and say, GOD MADE ME A WOMAN AND I CRY. And, if I want to read something that I know is going to make me cry, GET OVER IT! Then, I just look at him and say, LOVE YOU!!! He then walks off to do some type of school work or prepare his Wednesday night bible study...and I go back to blogging.

I guess "blog stalking" has become my new hobby in the midst of Cody's crazy schedule this year. Is that crazy?? I really think it may be!!!! But, when it all comes down to me finding something I enjoy doing when he is busy and gone. And I cannot tell you how much i LOVE reading these families stories. I feel like I am getting a wealth of knowledge for when Cody and I are ready to jump in the boat and move forward with an adoption and when that time comes I am sure Cody will say, "I am so glad you spend those HOURS upon HOURS reading those blogs!!!" hahahha, who am I kidding, he will never say that. But I will dream!

Now I guess you can judge if I MAY or MAY NOT be crazy.

Recent Happenings....

2011-02-05T08:53:00.000-06:00

Cody and I have had a BUSY last few weeks, but each of them have been filled with much excitement!
BEWARE: This may turn into a long post with LOTS of pictures!

A few weeks ago our GREAT friends Megan and Adam invited us to a Mardi Gras Ball in Alexandria. We headed down when I got off work on Friday and stayed until early Sunday morning. Saturday was filled with me, Megan, and her mom going to get manicures which was the BEST manicure I ever had. They massaged my arms and my neck. I'm not just talking quick massage either....it was WONDERFUL. Thanks Mrs. Libby!!! I think every time we visit Alexandria Megan and I may have to make a stop there! Megan and I also decided to go get our make up done at Sephora....a big HAHA! I wish I had pictures of the people that did our make-up, that should have been the first warning sign. Mine was OUT OF CONTROL with grey all over the top of my eyes. When we got home we toned it down a little and I just decided to go with a little crazy since it was a Mardi Gras Ball and all. Megan's actually looked really good!! We came home and got ready and then headed out!!! Megan and I have FOREVER talked about getting to "bust a move" together and we definitely did just that. We even dragged Cody and Adam out there for a few songs....it was a blast! We had such a great time. Our goal for the night was to stay until they put the midnight buffet out and we did just that. Cody was so excited about this buffet, I think it may have been his favorite part of the night! :) We had SUCH a great time as we do every time were with Megan and Adam. We are so thankful for their friendship and glad they moved a little closer to us when we all left NOLA! Here are some pics from the night!

This is a short video of when the Crew walked in. I stopped filming when Megan and her mom came in so I could take pictures of them!!

Last weekend was my moms 50th Birthday! My dad has been working VERY hard to plan and throw her a surprise party! We had the party at Zocolos, one of my moms favorite restaurants! My only responsibility was to get the invitations out and make a board of pictures throughout the years! It was such a great night with about 35 of my parents closest family and friends! I am so proud of my dad for pulling it off. My mom was completely surprised and overwhelmed that my dad did this for her!

One of my moms friends gave her a fan for her hot flashes!! hahahahah!!!

Love my MAMA!!

The BCM has a Beard Auction every year to raise money for summer missions. You really never know what your going to get when the guys walk down the aisle. They pick their own song, come out, do a dance and then the bidding starts. It is usually HILARIOUS!!! This year, KIWI, did one of the funniest dances I have ever seen...so I pulled out my cell phone to film it. I know its bad quality, but you'll get the jist. The students raised almost $5,000 that night to go towards sending students all over the world to serve this summer. GOD IS GOOD!! You can also see a little of the new building the BCM just moved into...amazing!!!

Mayhave Monday

2011-01-31T17:19:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I think Emily and I go through the same things in life at the same time....WEIRD. So, after reading her Mayhave Monday this morning and experiencing life as I have the past few months I will start off with this....

I MAY or MAY NOT be completely scared out of my mind to be a ministers wife!!! (Yikes, I said it out loud). I am not sure yet how I feel about my husband having a job yet where everything I do represents him so much!! Not that I want to do wild and crazy things, but sometimes I do feel like a 3 year old that is constantly be watched. Most of the time I dont feel like I am NEARLY good enough to represent him either, he is quite amazing! You see, I have these horrific things that run through my head constantly about how I am NOT FIT to be a ministers wife....

1. I am WAY opinionated, I mean WAY. Sometimes I wish my mouth would just stay shut like the "good ministers wives do". AND you gotta be nice to everybody. This sounds horrible, but sometimes when people say things I think are stupid....I don't want to be nice, I just want to tell them what they said was D-U-M-B!
2. I still struggle daily with this little thing called gossip. The Lord is constantly teaching me to shut my mouth, but I haven't learned it enough!!
3. I feel like I WAY lack in that wisdom area ministers wives are suppose to have. I think people probably look at me and think....she is immature and goofy!
4. To be a ministers wife you gotta know how to cook and clean and pretend like you enjoy it. Cody Albritton can tell you those are not two of the greatest things about me and to be perfectly honest.....I can't feel a desire for that coming anytime soon!!

When I read that list over and over again I feel like I get so lost in it and then I think of 1000 other things that Satan tells me I'm horrible at and how unqualified I am to be married to someone like Cody. I mean, how in the world does Satan think of all those lies to tell me? GEEEZ!

The irony in all of it is my wonderful husband is a minister to some incredible college students who really could care less if I sing good or can play the piano (yes, that's one of the things satan tells me ministers wives must know how to do). These college students are teaching me some pretty incredible things on a daily basis. They are the most encouraging kids EVER! When I stop and think about it, I realize maybe, just maybe, HE has put these overwhelmingly forgiving students in my life right now to form me into the PERFECT (well, HIS perfect image) ministers wife!!! I am thankful they let me fall and that they don't expect me to be perfect, and they are right there to build be back up!!

I guess having a husband who loves the Lord and has been obedient to the call placed on his life isn't so bad after all.....sometimes I just wish he wasn't so good at it! ;)

Down and Dirty's Mayhave Monday

2011-01-24T16:42:00.003-06:00

I MAY or MAY NOT be so scared out of my mind about the future right now. I MAY or MAY NOT have my life planned out to a T after Cody graduates and is working full time. I'm talking house, children, EVERYTHING. I MAY or MAY NOT have this horrible problem trying to control my own life instead of letting God do his handy work. This issue seems to be popping up pretty consistently in my life lately. I am doing the study "Scouting The Divine" with some girls from our college ministry and the Lord is really using these girls and this study to break me. Like I mean BREAK me in two, flat on my face, can't walk, can't breathe, I need Jesus kind of way. It blows me away how mature in their faith these girls are....I was so prideful to think I would be doing all the teaching. I'm crazy! This study has re-affirmed to me how much I desperately need MY SHEPHARD and how he knows everything about me. He is leading Cody and I to the right "pasture" I just have to let go of that controlingness (that I MAY have) and gosh darn surrender!! Doesn't sound that hard does it? If only it wasn't!

Thanks Emily for providing a place for us to let it all out! Love You!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Proverbs 24:12

2011-01-20T11:06:00.001-06:00

Sometimes there are certain scriptures that jump out to you at those certain times in your life, well I guess on those specific days even. As Cody and I are praying through adoption and trying discern what God wants for us and our family there has been one scripture that has really stuck out to me. It convicts me to not forget what God is teaching me daily. Not to forget what his word says. Not to push aside what I know he is telling me to do. It encourages me without hesitation to conitinue to wade through the waters of trying to discern his will! I LOVE IT!

"...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act."

Proverbs 24:12

Miracles....

2011-01-14T10:55:00.001-06:00

If you read my blog on a regular basis you know there are two adoption blogs that I read and cry over constantly...well this week those two families had HUGE miracles and I think everyone needs to go read about GODS amazing goodness.

The Oatsvall familys little boy Joseph got his hearing aids and can hear his voice...there is a video and all. I am warning you...unless you want a cry, dont watch it.
http://oatsvallteam.blogspot.com/ But it is so joyful to watch....oh so joyful to see a little boy hear his name for the first time. A little boy who would have been left at an orphanage for the rest of his life if it wasn't for this family.

Miracle #2: http://joiningthejourney.blogspot.com/
Beatuiful Josie Love who was adopted with HIV levels that were out of control, now has HIV LEVELS THARE ARE UN-DETECTABLE!!!!! Yes, you read that right. Another example of a beautiful child that would have been left sitting in an orphange with a diesease that would have eaten her alive.

Isn't it funny that you can feel connected to someone through reading about them through their blog? Maybe it just me, but I do. I cry with them and celebrate with them. I know, maybe I am crazy. But I feel like I know these familes and am so thankful for their honestly and transparency in the blogging world. My prayer for these families is that God uses their blogs to call other people to adoption so they can rescue precious babies like the ones they did. I am still trying to figure out how people ignore it. SHEEESSSH!

It is OFFICALLY offical...

2011-01-12T14:43:00.000-06:00

Cody Lee Albritton is graduating from seminary on May 14th 2011!!!! I am OVERLY excited for him. I cannot believe that it is so close. I feel like just yesterday we got married, loaded up our cars and moved down to New Orleans to start the journey. I am SO proud of what Cody has accomplished. Since June Cody has been working two jobs as well as taking 13 hours of classes each semester. He is pouring everything he has into the BCM as well as First Ruston and still manages to maintain a 3.8 GPA. We won't even acknowledge what my GPA would be if I was having to do everything he is. Seminary has been such an amazing time in our lives...God has taught both of us so much. We have AMAZING friends whom we miss SO much that without seminary wouldn't be in our lives. The relationships we built in New Orleans will be relationships that last forever, I have no doubt about that.

Along with the excitement comes FREAK OUT MODE for me. What are we going to do after graduation? Where is God going to place Cody? Are we going to stay in Ruston? Are we going to have to move? I know God has a plan...I want to trust and go with it!! I want to trust Cody's leadership of our family! I want to do all these things, but I know Satan has a way of working his way in things like this. I am praying and praying that does not happen!

2011 will be a BIG year for the Albritton's in many ways!! Can't wait to see it unfold!

Christmas Update!

2011-01-05T12:50:00.000-06:00

We had a GREAT Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve at our church with my parents and Cody's family. It was fun to have both of our families there. After church we went to Codys moms house for dinner with my parents and his family! It is such a joy to be able to do things together. I LOVE that Codys family is so welcoming to my family. LOVE it! After my parents left we all put our PJ's on and got ready for Santa Clause (aka Sandra Claus) to come for his yearly visit. All of us spent the night at the house so we could wake up to see what we got together. Here are some pictures!

All the girls gave each other scarves!

Family Pic!

Some of us got the meme for being silly!

Christmas morning we headed to Shreveport to do gifts with my family! And of course we didnt pull the camera out once! But, we landed a new TV...YAY! I have won the battle and there is now a TV in our bedroom since we have a new TV in the living room. The rule is that we only can watch TV on the weekends. Cody knows if I could lay in bed and watch TV all day and all night....I WOULD. Sorry, its a weekness.

Hope yall had a great Christmas!

CRAZY, Break your heart in two, Statistics

2011-01-04T12:00:00.000-06:00

While I know i need to catch up on my blogging from Christmas (Blogging more is actually one of my new years resolutions) I have been wanting to post this. These come from a blog I love to read...although it makes me cry most of the time. This woman and another also have a store that sales very cute merchandies that goes to support Orphans in other countries. My favorite Christmas gift came from their store. It is called 147 Million Orphans.

Here is what I wanted to share, it was her Christmas wish list:

1) For the 147 million children with no mommy or daddy to have someone to just rub a hand across their face and tell them how beautiful they are. Maybe even give them a bath or wash their hair.

2)every 15 seconds another child becomes orphaned by AIDS...that was Josie Love.....love one, serve JUST one

3)Every DAY 5,760 more children become orphans....love one, serve one...JUST ONE

4) Every YEAR 2,102,400 more children become orphans (in Africa alone)...staggering to me....serve just ONE

5) Every DAY 38,493 children AGE OUT of the orphanage...they will be turned out into the streets...with NOTHING....60% of the girls are lured into prostitution,70% of the boys become hardened criminals....love ONE...just one

Hope it touches you like it did me.

Christina

Christmas lessons from a Shepardess....

2010-12-16T15:31:00.003-06:00

When our First Baptist students get back from Christmas break I am starting a new bible study with them called "Scouting The Divine." It is a chapter book, workbook, and DVD by Margaret Feinberg. I started reading the book today and am already in awe. In the first part of the book the author takes time to go and stay with a shepardess. Did you know there are over 700 refrences to sheep in the Bible? I didn't! The stories and relation to sheep and us are AMAZING! This book is really blowing my mind with the relations Christ used between us and sheep. It is really kind of weird. Anyways, one of my favorite parts today kind of had a Christmas meaning to it so in the spirit of the holiday I thought I would share. The author is telling the story of King David and how in 1 Samuel 16:11 it says, "there remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." She speaks of how he is the youngest of the family and that he is guarding his familys livelihood. Margaret (the author) asks the shepardess if it suprises her that the youngest child is the one caring for the sheep. The shepardess replies that in ancient societies and even today the weekest members of the family are often the ones assigned to care for the sheep. WOW! I never knew that. The family members who were stronger did more demanding labor. Ok, here comes the Christmas part....I am just going to quote the author word for word, yall know I dont write well! :)

"Opening my Bible, I read the portion of Luke 2 which describe the shepherds living out in the fields watching their flocks in the night. Reflecting on all I had learned, I reconized something new in the passage; namely, the shepherds probably weren't the male figurines I moved around in the creche as a child. The shepherds included in the birth of Christ were most likely children, women, and perhaps, elderly. Pausing for a moment, I mediated on our BIGHEARTED God --a God who in his tender love sent a host of angels to ensure that those who are often marginalized in our world were invited to witness the greatest moment in history alongside the kings and wise men. I also reconized a new facet of what Jesus was saying when he called himself "the good shepherd." On one level he was intentioanlly assocationg himself with the marginalized and outcast. Neither he nor his father played it safe in their titles --using neither king or redeember -- but they reached out to the young, the weak, and the old by embracing the name shepherd."

Reading that really changed some things for me. I am soaking it in and hope you do to.

Christina

Finally finding my place

2010-12-15T10:57:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I spent my first afternoon at The Boys and Girls Club and I cannot tell you how much JOY, pure joy overwhelmed my soul. Since we have lived in Ruston I have been searching for somewhere God wants me to serve. Cody has his places and don't get me wrong, I am right there serving along with him....but that is his ministry. Yesterday was the first time since have been here I felt like God finally said, here....this is yours!!!!!! The peace and comfort I felt from Christ was overwhelming and so desired.

I can't wait to go back!!!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Christmas SWAG

2010-12-13T06:46:00.004-06:00

we all love SWAG, well at least in the Albritton household we do. Last week was filled with two Christmas Parties for me and three for Cody. We walked away from those parties with 4, yes FOUR, great take aways. The first party was Codys staff Christmas Party at the church. It was SO fun. Of course we played dirty santa and it got quite wild. I walked away with a starbucks gift card and two cute mugs. Cody walked away with a McKinneys Honda gift card (aka - he wants everything in the store).

Next night was my first TDC Christmas Party. It was held at Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, LA and full of incredible food and GREAT giveaways. my most prized posession from the night is a new DIAMOND necklace. You read that right, i said DIAMOND. It is a beautiful necklace with lots of little diamonds. I am oh so proud of it and oh so thankful for my job.

The next day I got home and had a box on our doorstep. I opened it up and it was beautiful platter from a company that we use at work. SWAG again. YES!

More to come, I sure hope so!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like......

2010-11-26T18:52:00.002-06:00

CRAZINESS!!!!

That is what I feel like Christmas will be like in the Albritton hosuehold. Between my job, Codys two jobs, juggling both families, and finding time to enjoy Christmas together..it is going to be a MAD HOUSE. I am finding myself really missing all the fun things to do in New Orleans during Christmas. It was really my favorite time of year there. Yesterday Cody said...I wish we could just go ride the street car down St. Charles and look at the Christmas lights...I think I almost started crying thinking of everything were missing out on not being there. BUT, I am determined to make new memories in Ruston. I really am excited to have the Christmas Tree Up and the Dave Barnes Christmas CD in the Background Playing. Life is so "nice" right now. Cody and I are both off work for a few days and we are just enjoying being home together. Well...I am enjoying being home and knowing Cody is in the woods doing what he LOVES to do when he has time. When he gets home it is nice not running to be at church or the BCM and just being able to relax.

This past week Cody went to Orlando on a mission trip with the BCM. He had a great time but I REALLY missed him. He got to live my life long dream of going to Disney World during the Christmas season. He said it was beautiful!! I can't wait to go together one day! He even brought me back a minne mouse santa hat! :)

I have barely begun on my Christmas shopping...it's HORRIBLE!!! I have had a few notepad orders, so that has kept me a little busy!

Hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving!!

Swoope ft. Jai, Tedashii, Lecrae - Actions Speak Louder Than Words

2010-11-16T16:54:00.001-06:00

This song is powerful...VERY POWERFUL. God is using The Village Church in Texas like crazy in the country of Sudan. All the proceeds from this song on I-tunes go to build orphanges in Sudan. GO BUY IT!

Weekend Getaway!

2010-11-14T08:05:00.003-06:00

I feel like Cody and I have learned the art of the quick weekend (Friday night/Saturday) get away! Basically during the week Cody works everynight and when he is home he is doing school work, so a Friday night away has become a special treasure to me. And when Cody agrees to do it DURING hunting season...its just even more special! :)

Friday night we drove to Little Rock to see Wicked. It was my 2nd time to see it and Cody's first. It was just as great as the first time and SO good to see it with Cody. It was Cody's first time to see a show and Cody LOVED it. He could not get over how great it was. We spent the night with The Duran's. Aubri was my roommate in college and it was SO great to get to spend time with them. They showed us all around Little Rock on Saturday. We did some shopping and spent lots of time at the Container Store...amazing! It was a GREAT weekend and so nice to have some time away with my hubs!

Oh and a little extra. Several months ago my friend Lindsey and I threw a baby shower for our friend Kristen. It got posted on a baby shower blog!! Check it out!!

The Happiest Day of National Adoption Month

2010-11-11T20:49:00.003-06:00

I came home from dinner tonight to a post on my facebook wall that MAKES this entire National Adoption Month thing. Our friends in New Orleans, Jon and Anna Palmer, were matched with their PRECIOUS Eli. I am so excited and just wanted to share!

Take a look at their journey!
The Palmers Journey

Happy National Adoption Month!

2010-11-05T16:46:00.002-05:00

If you know me...you know how EXCITED I get when the word adoption is mentioned. I am literally bursting at the seams for God to say...GO, GREEN LIGHT, DO IT!!! I am reading books, blogs, websites, ANYTHING I can get my hands on. I have begun a collection of adoption t-shirts. Cody has started rolling his eyes at me when I buy a new one...he knows theres nothing he can say because it is going to a good cause, helping someone bring an orphan home into their FORVER FAMILY! One of the books I am reading gave a statistic last night that BLEW me away. Some of you have probably heard it...but I never had. You always here that there are between 143-147 million orphans in the world. But I always thought of the word orphan as NO PARENTS. Well, the statistics I read said of those 143 million orphans only 55 million of them are "DOUBLE ORPHANED" meaning that both parents are gone. For some reason...that blew my mind. Thinking that so many of those children have atleast one parent alive, maybe both, but the parent won't nothing to do with them. That has weighed very heavy on my heart.

Anyways...i wanted to share a few blogs with you. My friend Kristina from New Orleans sent me one of these...which led me to stalk several others. :)

www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com - this is a young, SINGLE, girl living in Africa who has adopted 14 girls. FOURTEEN!!! Her story is simply amazing and inspiring. I could read her blog for ours...and do. The way she trusts God and doesn't worry about the things I worry about.

From her blog I came to this blog www.joiningthejourney.blogspot.com. This family traveled all the way to Africa to pick up their sweet precious baby girl. When they got there they found out the TB and HIV tests that were done before, were incorrect and their baby was indeed HIV positive and also had TB. They, against all odds, chose to bring her home anyways. I could cry just writing about it. THEY TRUSTED THAT GOD would take care of them. During one part the dad writes about saying we are not "Called" to adopt children with disabilites....I really can't do justice what he said, you just have to read it.

if you have time...check out some of these blogs. you will get hooked, and cry. It blows me away.

Colorado Vacation and Cody's first Wedding!

2010-11-03T17:48:00.009-05:00

Sunday night Cody and I got back from a 5 day trip to Colorado! Can I please just tell you that it was AMAZING and much needed! My favorite part about the trip was that I had my husband ALL to myself with no BCM, no church, and NO school! Well...i did catch him up early in the mornings doing school work, but that didn't interfere with my time with him...i was still fast asleep.

We flew into Denver on Wednesday and drove straight to Colorado Springs. When we got off the plane we knew we hadn't prepared for the weather. It was FUH-RE-ZING!!! We had a great afternoon in Coloardo Springs..it's beautiful. The next day we got up and drove up to Eagle Lake Camp. This is where Cody spent three months the first summer we were dating. I worked at Pine Cove and he was in Colorado. I am not exaggerating when I tell you it was one of the most beautiful places I have EVER seen in my life. There was snow at the top of the mountain. I was so jealous Cody got to spend a whole summer there!The camp also owns this beautiful building called "the castle"! it was also stunning. I am so glad I got to see all of this! I have so many pictures...i want to upload them all!

After we drove back down the mountain we stopped at one of my DREAM places. The Focus on The Family Institute. We got to take a tour of the visitors center and spend some time in the book store. I have already prepared Cody that if we were to move anywhere near there I would be back in school...no matter what my age.

We then headed to Denver to spend the night at an amazing hotel! T HE OXFORD HOTEL! We ate dinner, walked around 16th street mall and then went to bed! We knew the next few days were going to be crazy!

Friday morning we met the bride and groom for breakfast at a local restaurant that was suppose to be N'awlins Cooking...beignets and all! I have to say it passed the test, but made me miss NOLA and my friends. After breakfast we headed up to Golden, Co. where all the wedding festivities took place!

The chapel the wedding was in was so quaint and beautiful. Cody did an AMAZING job officiating the wedding and serving as a groomsman. I was SO proud of him. The reception was at the TOP of the mountain. It was in the Boettcher Mansion. I am telling you...i have never been to anything so beautiful. I mean, who can beat the scenery. I cant wait to see pictures.

The trip was wonderful! Next trip: CALIFORNIA in December for another wedding! I am already packing! :)

Here are a few more pics:

driving up the mountain to Cody's camp: pikes peak

downtown Golden, CO

the lake at Cody's camp

Halloween Costumes!

2010-10-16T19:40:00.005-05:00

Just because their giving away a cute Scentsy Halloween thing over at THE DATING DIVAS...i am going to leave you with a picture with my FAVORITE Halloween Costume Cody and I have ever done.

Several years ago we chose to be

Dog The Bounty Hunter and his Wife Beth.

I think we did a pretty Good Job! :) What do you think?

I'm 24!

2010-10-11T18:16:00.015-05:00

In my family growing up we celebrated the Birthday Week!! I am so grateful that Cody has agreed to let that be part of our family traditions. He is how my week unfolded....

Monday
Cody's sister Emily asked me to come over to her house so we could go walking! When I got to her house Cody jumped out and we ate one of my all time favorites that Cody's dad used to cook, PORK STEAK! SOO YUMMY! Thank you Jeremy and Emily for cooking a delicious dinner. Our fun friends Donald and J-Ford joined us!
Tuesday-The Actual BIRTHDAY
This picture is why my blog is PRIVATE! No one needs to see this except my closest friends and family! In NOLA it was a tradition to get Birthday Beignets! Cody got up early and went to a little coffee shop that makes Beignets every morning and got me some! He is GREAT!(I cant figure out how to rotate the picture!) About an hour after I got to work Cody walked in the front door with some beautiful flowers! Then, about an hour later my parents sent me some!

My grandfather came over from Shreveport to have dinner with me because Cody had to work. Cody got to sneak away for a little while and eat with us which was so nice. After dinner I met my mother in law and sisters in law at Twisted Cow. A GREAT new place in Ruston. It is frozen yogurt and you put all the toppings on it you want. You weigh it and pay by how much it weighs. It was a great end to a great day!

I could not BELIEVE everything Cody did with gifts this year! I loved everything, but one thing he did I had NO idea about was this picture from our wedding. He had it blown up and put on a canvas. This picture doesn't show how big it is but it is LARGE. It is us leaving our wedding. It cracks me up.

LOVE my new camera!

My shorts that my good friend Ashley put on my radar..LOVE them!

If you know me, you know Maroon 5 is my ALL TIME FAVE. They just happened to release a new CD right around my bday. Great Birthday Gift!

Wednesday
we have church on Wednesday night so we hung out with the fun college students at
First Baptist Ruston!

Thursday
my mom and dad came in town Thursday night to celebrate. We went to eat at
102 a Bistro. It has become one of my favorite places in Ruston. DELISH!

Friday/Saturday
We had fall retreat with the BCM. it was tons of fun and when I came home I had two surprises sitting on my couch from my AMAZING friend Megan. I am re-decorating our bedroom and she found two great finds just in time for my Birthday!This FABULOUS grey pillow is going to look GREAT on my bed!
These sheets are AMAZING and are going to look PERFECT when everything is done!
Megan's gift was the end to an INCREDIBLE birthday week. It was GREAT!

The Lord's came to Visit!

2010-09-22T07:40:00.006-05:00

We had such a great weekend with Adam, Megan, and Harrison! I cannot tell you how refreshing it was to see them! Time with them was amazing and just what Cody and I needed! We love and miss them SO much! Here are a few snap shots from the weeekend (well the game was the only time I had my camera)!

They are best buddies!

A quick post, but we had a GREAT weekend! Thank you Adam, Megan, and Harrison for coming to visit!

Re-Decorating

2010-09-16T21:18:00.003-05:00

I am in the process of re-decorating our bedroom. I have fallen in LOVE with YELLOW and GRAY...i mean FALLEN IN LOVE OBSESSED. I tend to do this. I have decided to stay with my white down comforter and accent that with some great pillows, sheets, curtains, lamps, and repaint the furniture!

Here is a modge-podge of some of the things im become obsessed with...

This is the fabric I have chosen for my curtains! I am going to order the fabric this week and my FABULOUS mother-in-law will begin sewing! I am OBSESSED with it! I just LOVE it!

So, I am going to need new things to go on the wall above our bed. I really LOVE this idea. I am going to get some old frames, spray them yellow and stamp some scripture or quotes in gray. I hope it turns out cute. It makes sense in my head.

I am on the hunt for cute throw pillows. I found this cute one at Target this past weekend. This is the back of it, the front is way cuter, but for some reason I couldn't get it to load. :(
Ok, this is the HARDEST part yet..SHEETS. I have found NOTHING i like in my price range. Anyone have any good ideas?? I love these puppies from Anthropologie, but they will run you a good $160. I REFUSE to pay that much for sheets. Of course, the only others I have found that I like are from Crate and Barrell and were only about $10 less. Rough! But, since I am going with plain white comforter i feel like i need cute sheets, so i am still on the look out. any help would be greatly apprciated!

Now on my list is:

#1. paint the DARK BROWN furniture a gray/taupey color
#2. find lamps for the bedside tables
#3. I need more cute throw pillows
#4. FIND time to do all of the above

God is GOOD!

2010-09-06T09:19:00.003-05:00

So, I am sitting on the couch at my parents house being lazy and starting my Labor Day off amazingly! Cody and my dad are watching highlights of the weekends football game in the other room and my mom is baking and cooking for the my grandmothers birthday party today. This is the part whre I say, "I LOVE LIVING CLOSE TO MY FAMILY."

This past week was probably the ROUGHEST week Cody and I have had in Ruston. Life is getting crazy busy for us. This next week is what they call Welcome Week in Ruston and Cody has an activity everyday ALL DAY, not to mention the time he has to find to be at First Baptist and also the time he has to find to take care of the 13 hours of school he is taking. I had a break down Wednesday night....a MAJOR break down. I cried for an hour, screamed for an hour, fought with God for an hour. I had no clue why in the world he would bring me to Ruston, give me a job that was preventing me from being a part of Cody's ministry (just because of the irregular schedule), give Cody TWO jobs that caused us to never see each other, ETC. ETC. Well, all along i have known that it was a lesson in contentment. That when I learned to be content in my God that things would change. Well, that break down changed things.

Thursday morning I went to work to find out I forgot to do something the night before and got "in trouble" for it. What a great way to start the day, right? Well after lunch I got an email from a job I applied for in early May and interviewed for about 2 weeks ago that had an OFFER attached to the email. I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The day immediately turned upside down! God's timing is PERFECT! He knew exactly when I needed that...EXACTLY. I am going to be a customer service rep for a company in Ruston and I am SO excited.

I feel like things are changing! We had 20 students in Sunday School on Sunday! This was HUGE for First Baptist Ruston! We also had a prayer walk last week and ended up with about 50 people from the church staying...HUGE as well. The plan was to walk Tech's campus and pray for the students that would seen be on campus. A storm came us as soon as we were about to head out, but people got in their cars and "PRAYER DROVE" Louisiana Tech's campus. Cody and I drove around afterwards and it was so cool to see cars that we knew were First Baptist members all over that campus. It was so awesome! God is going to use this church!

I am still missing my friends A LOT....still praying for friendships to be formed in Ruston.

The hole in the gospel

2010-08-17T10:32:00.001-05:00

I am in the 2nd chapter of the book "The Hole In The Gospel" and it is blowing my mind! I am dreaming of going to Uganda to meet our precious Compassion child Arinda....she is beautiful and on my heart constantly as I read this book. I wanted to share just a few things that have jumped out at me just in my first few days of reading.

"When we become involved in peoples lives, work to build relationships, walk with them through their sorrows and their joys, live with generosity toward others, love and care for them unconditionally, stand up for the defenseless, and pay particular attention to the poorest and most vulnerable, we are SHOWING Christ's love to those around us, not just talking about it!! "

"Preach the gospel always; when necessary use words."

LOVE IT!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Let the past be the past!

2010-08-08T21:57:00.001-05:00

"Do not remember the past events,
pay no attention to things of old.
Look, I am about to do something new;
even now it is coming.
Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way!

Isaiah 4:18-19

I miss new orleans A LOT! I miss my friends A LOT, but I gotta stop dwelling on it! Maybe I am hindering what God is trying to do? YIKES!

Sorry for the random thoughts...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

There is Hope...

2010-08-01T16:38:00.002-05:00

I am leading a bible study with some of the college girls in Cody's ministry on Ruth by Kelly Minter. I did this bible study several months ago as my quiet time and it CHANGED me. The story of Ruth is powerful and the way Kelly Minter tells her story is amazing and powerful! I am loving going through it again. Today I was reading over some things for tonight and something popped out at me that didn't the first time...probably because I wasn't at this place in my life the last time I did this study.

"When God is at work, bitter hopelessness can be the beginning of some surprising good." Hubbard

I have been at a place of bitter hopelessness lately, and I dont want to be there anymore. I want to seek what God has for me, not matter what that is. BUT, if God has me in this bitter hopelessness for a reason I want to be grateful I am in it. Hopefully, it too, is the beginning of some surprising good.

When Cody and I were in Orlando this summer we got to go to church with some of our friends Josh and Emily. The Sunday we were there, Kari Jobe just happened to be leading worship. We really like her music, but had never heard her lead worship. AMAZING. Her song I'm Singing has been a blessing to be lately. Here is a video from youtube of her singing it. It is not the best quality, but it will do! I HIGHLY recommend her WHOLE CD!

all I can say is....UGH

2010-07-29T17:31:00.002-05:00

So, i didn't pass my test...you read that right DIDN'T! I passed the written part and only missed one. Then I got to the part where I had to do my transactions and had problem with knowing how to do wires, which no one has ever taught me, and they told me I needed a few more days of training. SERIOUSLY.....SERIOUSLY?? I mean, I dont know what is going on with my life, or what God is trying to teach me. But I MUST figure it out soon. I can't handle this. The stress is too much.
#1. I DO NOT want to be a personal banker (fancy word for teller) the rest of my life
#2. I really cant believe I couldn't pass the test, RIDICULOUS and embarrassing. It was so awkward to walk back into the bank and for everyone to know I couldn't do it. I just wanted to hide and cry all afternoon.
#3. I have passions, REAL PASSIONS, and I want to use them. I want GOD to give me a way to use them. I am really struggling with why he has not done that. I know there is a reason and I just need to be patient. PATIENCE....please God, give me some of that.
#4. I want Cody to stop traveling. There is a total of about 6 weeks that we have been apart from each other this summer. It is TOOO much. WAY TOO MUCH. I miss him so much. I feel like even when we are together I am just thinking about the next time he is leaving me. AHHH.

Dear Life...please slow down, I would love you much better then. Also, please give me a job that I have a passion for. (God, that may be more up your alley)

Thanks,

Weekend FEVER

2010-07-29T07:57:00.004-05:00

SO, I never post in the morning...but today I am feeling a little WILD! :) I am taking my test today to get out of the "training" portion of my new job! After this test I will be a full blown personal banker! Supposedly the test is all day (WHEW) and grueling. (just kidding about the grueling part)

The weekend is fast approaching and we have SPECIAL visitors this weekend all the way for Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Young family and our favorite Kim Andrews are coming to visit!! The Youngs have a new (6 month old) baby girl we having been DIEING to meet and are so excited to get to do so. This family MEANS SO MUCH to Cody and I. Nate has spent so much time discipleing and just loving on Cody, he is like part of our family. When Cody doesn't know what to do...Nate is the first person he calls. Carrie is also AMAZING and someone I wish I lived MUCH closer to. As I grow into this roll of college ministers wife, I wish I had her hear to tell me all her secrets. I know she has some good ones. All that to say, we are SO excited to see them this weekend! And, Nate married us...thats a fun bonus! :)Kim is coming toooo! YAY! Kim worked in Alabama with Cody too and is like another part of our family. We LOVE Kim! Kim also spent a lot of time pouring into Cody and just walking him through ministry...and is continuing to do do that. She is also someone I consider one of my bestest friends and someone I call when I am the most FUSTRATED with life sometimes. Im suprised she even answers the phone. WE love her so much!
SO, Cody and I cannot wait until FRIDAY! But....Saturday he leaves for Vermont for the beginning of his two in a half weeks of leaving me! :( Tonight is the first official date night in Ruston and I am SO excited! YAY!

Life just gets so busy....

2010-07-24T14:39:00.003-05:00

The Albritton household has been busy, busy, busy!

Cody just spend his first week home in two weeks, and I really dont feel like I have seen him much at all! I guess I am learning what its like to be the wife of a college minister! :) He is leaving next Sunday to go to Vermont for a week, comes back for a night, then heads to Glorietta for a little over a week. WHEW...is it okay to say I am ready for summer to be OVER??? He is LOVING everybit of what he is doing. He is so in his element and I am so proud of him.

I on the other hand, am struggling to find my element. Kind of in a rut, if you could call it that. Trying to figure out what I am suppose to do with the rest of my life....I know its not suppose to be work at a bank! haha! Im learning patience and trying to learn to trust in the Lord. Why is it so hard? I dont know what, but I know he is trying to teach me something!

The youth minister from the church Cody is working at asked me to speak at their mother/daughter retreat in Dallas! My first instinct was HECK NO!!!!! Are you crazy? I get so nervous speaking to crowds, I start shaking, sttutering, and clicking my tongue. It is HORRIBLE. But, after talking to Cody and spending some time in prayer...I decided to do it. I am SOO nervous. I am starting to prepare what I am going to speak on and am getting nervouser as it gets closer. AHHHHH....I need some prayers please!

Time to Vent...

2010-07-03T10:37:00.002-05:00

So, have finished my first week of work and it was nothing but sitting in front of a computer learning about banking rules and regulations. pretty boring. but on the flip side, i have met some fun people and really do think i will enjoy my job once i actually get started.

i thought once we got to Ruston life may slow down just a little. WHAT in the world was I thinking? Cody is leaving Monday to head to New Orleans for two weeks to take a class. He will be back for the weekends, but all week he will be where I find myself LONGING to be. I can't get over how weird it is to type something like that, I never thought I would LONG to be back in New Orleans, but I do. I miss my friends, my Willingham apartment, my CHURCH, MY FRIENDS, being able to just be real with people. Last night we had dinner with Jonathan Clark from the Tech BCM and his wife Erin. It was so nice to be around people who are in a very familiar situation to the one we are in. I miss people being in the same place we are...that has been a really hard thing about moving. It is hard to not get jealous of peoples houses and careers and families and still think....hmmm, Cody and are still just in this temporary stage of life where we have NO IDEA where God is leading us. I am ready to know, REALLY READY. I am ready to be settled, I am ready to buy a house, I am ready to know when we may be able to think about adopting or having kids....but the reality is it is not my plan and I CANNOT MAKE THAT DECISION. WHEW...so hard for me to admit. My quiet time this past week has been talking about how there is a difference between surrendering to God and trusting God. I feel like thats where I am in life right now. I have said, Ok God I surrender to you, I will go wherever God feels Cody leading him, wherever you provide a job for us I am there. But...I have yet to trust that all those things that I strongly desire for my life are going to be taken care of along with that. I have to come to a place to realize that my desires are not my needs and some of my desires are EXTREME....and God never promised I would have those. He promised that he would never give me what I couldn't handle and we would always give me what I needed. Sometimes what I think I need and what he thinks I need are probably WAYYYY off! :)

As you can tell...I am processing lots of things right now! :) Thanks for letting me vent! Love you guys!

June 28, 2008

2010-06-28T06:46:00.004-05:00

Two years already....REALLY?? I can't believe it! Time has gone so fast. Even though we all know I am a sappy person, I am going to spare you...because I have to be at my first day or work in an hour and I don't want to show up with a swollen face! :) I will say Cody has not ceased to amaze me the last two years. He is the most wise, patient person i have ever met in my life. Two qualities I definitely don't have. I have loved watching God develop him into being ready for ministry and just seeing him work the past two weeks has been AMAZING! I love that CODY LEE ALBRITTON so much!

Moved In!

2010-06-27T07:52:00.002-05:00

So, We are officially MOVED IN! Crazy...we have been here a little over a week. Today will be our second Sunday at First Baptist Ruston and we are steadily getting used to the idea that we dont live in Kansas (AKA NEW ORLEANS) anymore. We miss it and our friends more than anything. It's so hard to adjust to a new city...but having family here has made the transition much smoother.

So now, I will try to recap you in bullet points what has gone on since we have arrived.....

after 3 interviews I FINALLY landed a job with Community Trust Bank as a personal banker. This is their fancy word for teller. I will take the fancier word and tell people that! :) I start on Monday...seeing as I pass my drug test!
Cody has gotten crazy busy already working at First Baptist. On this past Wednesday night the group overwhelmed Cody with what they were looking for from him. But, for Cody is was great to have clear expectations. So far, it is a great group of college students and I am loving watching Cody fall into where God has placed him. I am SO proud of him.
I am LOVING being able to drive from one side of town to the other in FIFTEEN MINUTES. Coming from New Orleans, thats HUGE.
This weekend is the Peach Festival. Ruston's MAIN EVENT. My mom and grandmother drove over yesterday. It was great to spend the day with them and have fun in the blistering heat. Last night was Cody's favorite event of the peach festival, the RODEO. I enjoyed it too!
Our apartment is steadily becoming unpacked. there is a little pile of boxes in the extra bedroom of stuff I just dont know what to do with...maybe SOME PEOPLE (hint, hint) need to come visit so I am forced to unpack.

I will take pictures of the apartment and post soon. Somehow I freakishly messed up the layout of my blog and cant figure out how to get it to go back to normal...such a me thing to do.

2010-06-14T09:50:00.001-05:00

Matt Chandler quoted this during his sermon and it has got me thinking! The guy who originally quoted it last name is Carson, but I don't remember his first name!

"People do not drift from holiness.....we instead drift toward compromise and call it tolerance."

I think it is so true but definitely want to process it a little more!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

2010-06-13T07:16:00.002-05:00

Cody and I are having a great trip!
Quick briefs....

So much fun with the Blackwells in Orlando. Ever since we left there Cody says how cute Adelle is atleast five times a day. Last night, we were stopped at a stop light and he said I love stopping here because you know who it makes me remeber...I said, "WHO?" He said...Adelle and how cute she is! I was like good gracious Cody...you are obsessed!! He is now officially on the team to join Adelle and Harrison in marriage several years from now! :)
loved spending a week in tampa with my bff
spending two days at universal
cody surprised me with tickets last night to Cirque Du Soleil! It was the most AMAZING thing i have ever seen in my entire life!
we start the pastors conference today and I am SO excited to see the men that are speaking...but i was most excited to find out about this. When I read about it this morning i started booo hooooing! I can't wait for the day this becomes a reality for our family! Just excited the SBC is encouraging their ministers to adopt! LOVE IT!

Expect a huge post soon! :)

Checking things off my list

2010-06-02T08:23:00.004-05:00

When I found out there was a major possibility we would be moving from New Orleans I started making a list of things I really wanted to do before we left. I mean, when am I ever going to live in a city again with so many things to do and so many incredible restaurants to eat at. This past Saturday Cody surprised me with two things on my list!!!!

In New Orleans you can rent the cutest little paddle boats in City Park! I have been dieing to go for a ride in one and Saturday Cody surprised me and took me there to do it! Here is a picture from our afternoon! It was the prettiest day! We had such a great time!
After our paddle boat ride we went home to eat dinner and then Cody said, let's go get dessert. I was like ok...because I NEVER turn down going to get dessert. He took me to SUCRE, another place on my list! If you have never been there, when you come to New Orleans you MUST go! It is absoltuely amazing! The best desert I have ever had in my entire life. TO DIE FOR! They have been featured on the every food show you can think of! Below is our plate of goodies! SO YUMMMMMY!So, Cody did great this weekend! I am so thankful for him!! I don't know what I would do without him!

What I should be doing...

2010-06-02T07:35:00.003-05:00

but im not!!!

packing, packing, packing! This moving thing is no fun. I mean we only live in a one bedroom apartment and it's driving me NUTS. How do people do it that live in a big ole house? I think I will choose to live in a teeny apartment and be happy the rest of my life, just so I dont ever have to move big house. Yep, I think thats my new plans!
packing, packing, packing for Orlando. We are leaving Saturday morning to head to Orlando. Cody says we should leave at 4a.m. I say he is CRAZY! I love that my husband has gotten up that early to go hunting his entire life, but I have never even gotten up that early to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I'm sure there will be a middle ground and we will probably leave at 4! :) I am trying to pack for 10 days in Orlando, 5 of those Cody and I will be separated. So...two separate bags. On a side note, Cody found out he has to wear long pants and Christian t-shirts the whole time he is there. Now he will be on the streets of Orlando the ENTIRE time...poor guy is going to be SO stinkin hott. I on the other hand will be in Tampa with my BFF Emily enjoying the beach and the pool, so I will be wearing whatever I please! :)
I really want to be spending as much time with my friends as possible, but I kinda get depressed everytime I see them....is that normal? Maybe Im just crazy! I DONT WANT TO LEAVE THEM!
I had a job interview yesterday and am hoping to hear something back soon....I MUST FIND A JOB!

that's it for today....i have procrastinated long enough! Maybe now I will make my list of what I need to purchase at IKEA in Tampa!!!!

only on page 12....

2010-05-25T19:45:00.002-05:00

So, I couldn't wait any longer to go buy David Platt's book so I went and got it this afternoon. I am on page 12 and all I can say is WHOA WHOA WHOA.

I am going to share a litte bit of what I have read so far! The basis so far has been God calling people to give up EVERYTHING to follow him and how we make that our own sometimes and say well, we aren't called to do that. Here is some of what the book says...

"We do have to give up everything to follow Jesus. We do have to love him in a way that makes our closest relationships in this world look like hate. But we dont want to believe it. We are AFRAID of what it might mean for our lives. So we rationalize those passages away. Jesus didn't literally mean to sell all we have and give it to the poor. What Jesus really meant was......." We are starting to REDEFINE Christianity. We are giving into the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with. A nice middle class, American Jesus who would NEVER call us to giveaway everything we have.....etc.

That is just a brief glimpse into what I read tonight!! I am already convicted beyond what I imagined. I am SO GUILTY of making Jesus into who I want him to be and how I want him to fit into my life. I can think of so many times in my life I have done EXACTLY what David says when he talks about saying, "Well....I don't really think thats what God meant when he said that." Knowing 100% deep down exactly what he meant and just not wanting to obey what he was calling me to do.

I can't wait to continue on reading the book....

Summer Read!

2010-05-23T15:24:00.002-05:00

I cannot WAIT to get my hands on the book for the video below! David Platt is a pastor Cody and I have come to LOVE. This is a book I am absolutely TERRIFIED to read........and cannot wait to read at the same time. WHOA!

Moving Updates...

2010-05-19T20:18:00.002-05:00

First let me begin by saying....I am sitting here watching American Idol. I don't really have a favorite but am hoping that Casey goes home tonight. I mean, I think he is ok but not as good as Lee or Crystal.

Ok, on to the moving...

WE FOUND AN APARTMENT!!!!
Thanks to my wonderful MIL and SIL!!!! They have looked at the apartment for us and my mother in law hurried and put the down payment for us...which we were able to return in the mail the next day. We won't see the apartment until the day we move in. I am a tad nervous, but know they wouldn't tell us to live anywhere nasty! They are right behind Crescent City Coffee for all you Ruston people.

For the past month Cody has been chatting with First Baptist Ruston about coming on staff as the Interim College Minister. We are REALLY excited about this. The church voted unanimously this past Sunday to bring him on!! HOOOORRRAAAYYY! We are so excited about this opportunity. Cody served as an intern at this church when he was in college and loved it. Cody now has TWO jobs! So..he will be working 20-25 hours a week at First Baptist, 40 hours a week at the BCM, and also doing 13 hours of school in the Fall. Needless to say he will be BUSY! Cody is absolutely positive that he is suppose to be doing all of this..so therefore I know God will provide the time!

ME=JOBLESS....but one day I shall find something! I will not be in panic mode until Mid July. I am taking my salary through the summer as a blessing to get settled in Ruston and get used to Cody's crazy schedule....i figure my WIFELY duties may need re-vamping and quite a few steps up since he will be so busy! I have gotten spoiled by him the past two years!

a TAD BIT of craftiness...

2010-05-16T11:15:00.007-05:00

For some reason I have had a little bit of a craft bug lately...not too much though.

I have been making notepads for a little over two years now and LOVE making them. They are fun little gifts. People at church and at the seminary have really kept my busy making them.
My friend Megan and I experimented a few weeks ago with a new craft....making cute little picture frames! It was perfect timing for Mother's Day Gifts! So needless to say, everyone in my family got one for Mother's Day! :)

What if we ALL did this......

2010-05-12T17:23:00.002-05:00

I stole this video from my friend Anna's blog! Her and her husband are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia right now. I love this video and short story of this church! Such an inspiration! I want to love on kids like these people do!

Stressing.....

2010-05-10T18:33:00.003-05:00

my mind is going ninety to nothing so just bare with me....

I have two weeks of school left with my kids and one week of work left after that...PRAISE THE LORD! I will miss them, but I am SO ready for a break.

Will I EVER find a job in Ruston? PLEASE GOD...I know we are being obedient in going to Ruston...give me a job. And please..sooner rather than later would be nice! PRETTY PLEASE!

Our move to Ruston is now looking like the 1st week in June...yes, that's 3 weeks away.

Apartment Hunting......PULL MY HAIR OUT!

How do you look for apartments when you live five hours away from where your moving?
Well...i have great sister-in-laws and a great mother in law that are helping.
Im going to owe my sister in law, emily, $1000 in gas for driving around so much.
she gets a BAJILLION calls and texts from me a day and she still answers...if she still loves me after this, she always will

This is Cody's last week of school...he is done with his second year of seminary. CRAZY.

I'm so proud of him.
he is working ten hour days and studying for finals....bless his sweet angel heart
he had a great birthday week that i have neglected to post about...what a horrible wife I am.

I'm getting super emotional about leaving New Orleans. My frirends here are AMAZING. I dont know how anyone will compare. Am I going to be a snob when I move to Ruston and not want to be anyones friend because I love all of my friends in New Orleans to much? Am I going to be depressed because I just want to be in New Orleans? How are Chilis and Applebess going to compare to the amazing food here?

Okay...that's it for the randomness
Adios!

Flower Crowns!

2010-05-10T12:04:00.000-05:00

A Little Happy

2010-04-27T19:56:00.002-05:00

This little boy has got to be one of the cutest things you have ever seen!

I recorded him dancing in my classroom today. We were playing some fun music that the kids love to dance too and he went crazy. I wish my phone recorded longer, but this is all I could get. Hope you enjoy! :)

2010-04-22T20:42:00.001-05:00

"may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you ma@y abound in hope." Romans 15:13@

Moving Along!

2010-04-19T17:58:00.005-05:00

Life sure is moving along for Cody and I! We have been busier than ever trying to figure out everything that needs to be in order for our move to Ruston. I have been in major job search mode. I have an interview on Wednesday with Volunteers of America in Monroe. It would be working with their head start program. My interview is at 3:45...so say a prayer for me if you think about it. I also have emailed back and forth with the state a few times about working in their Child Welfare program. It would be working with children who need to be removed from their homes and put into foster care. Definitely hard, but way more in line with my career goals. They are reviewing classes I took in college to see if I am even qualified for the job right now. I know I will end up where I am suppose to be.

New Orleans is SO fun in the Spring. I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! We had a crawfish boil at our church on Sunday. It was GREAT! There were over 1000 people....SO MUCH CRAWFISH and fun! We loved it.

I only have 5 weeks of school left until summer! PRAISE THE LORD! I cannot wait for summer!

FRESH GROUNDED FAITH!

2010-04-10T21:31:00.005-05:00

This weekend our church hosted Jennifer Rothschild's Conference FRESH GROUNDED FAITH!!! What a blessing this woman is! If you do not know her story, go to her website and read about her! She became blind at age 15! She is an incredible speaker as well as singer. My bible study group did one of her studies called Me, Myself, and Lies last year and it was wonderful. Jennifer had an amazing line up of women with her this weekend to sit around the table and as she called it, "SPILL THE BEANS."

Lisa Welchel a.k.a. BLAIR f/ THE FACTS OF LIFE

ABBY RIKE F/ THE BIGGEST LOSER
talk about an amazing testimony...this woman has one. She lost her husband and two children in a car accident. WOW! She was fabulous and I think she could be my new best friend! :)

And of course....Jen, the amazing Speaker!

We also had Sally Ann Roberts a local news anchor in New Orleans and sister of Robyn Roberts of Good Morning America, but I did not snag a pic with her! This conference was amazing and I encourage you to go see if it comes anywhere near you!

Cody flew to Kansas on Friday morning for an engagement party for his friend Casey. He is marrying him in October. I couldn't go with him because I wanted to stay for the conference this weekend. They have had tons of fun...but I am SO ready for him to be home tomorrow. I have been board out of my mind tonight. I am so thankful for my friend Megan! Today, her and her mom let me hang out with them for most of the afternoon going around antiquing. Well, we went to a few stores. I found some old windows and Megan scored some really cool maps! It is such a blessing when friends go out of their way to entertain you when they know you are all alone...I am so thankful for Megan, Adam, and Harrison doing that today!

When I got home today I layed out on the couch just to catch up on some TV. I have really been having a hard time thinking about parting with New Orleans whenever we move back to Ruston this summer. For the first time....I WAS READY. I texted Cody and told him...I am so ready to move to Ruston. I don't know what came over me. Well, for one the loneliness of sitting in my apartment. But...I really think the Lord is working this out in my heart. We both know we are SUPPOSE to be in Ruston for the next year...but just because you KNOW you are SUPPOSE to be somewhere doesn't mean that transition will be easy. But today I became excited and ready to move. I'm ready to be close to family!!!! SO CLOSE TO FAMILY! I love our families so much...and I am ready to spend time with them on a regular basis and it not be so rushed! I don't think I am going to know how to handle it!

Scripture Memory and WICKED!

2010-04-07T08:10:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago Cody and I decided we were going to intentionally memorize scripture together weekly. He is already a pro at this, but I needed his help and encouragement through this process. I struggle so much with wanting to memorize so much but, frankly, not wanting to put in the effort.

The past few weeks have been very trying for Cody and I as we have tried to figure out plans for our future. I have realized everything I want is so selfish...I want a house, I want a baby (not right now...just thinking about when it might be able to happen), I want to be financially stable). All of those things are MY WANTS AND DESIRES, I have not let any room in there for God to do his thing. I want to step back my wants and desires and allow his to take complete control. Why can't it be as easy as it seems? BLAH!

I woke up this morning to a scripture Cody had strategically placed right under the TV (of that, I'm embarrassed). He is amazing and I believe this scripture is just what him and I need to be committing to memory this week...I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man.
But it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Proverbs 19:21

I cannot leave without talking about seeing WICKED last night. It was seriously amazing...I cried at the end. I will see it EVERYTIME ti comes anywhere close to me. I knew it was going to be good, but i didn't know it would be THAT good. Here is a clip for one of my fav parts.

Ok, this video is really bad...but the SONG AMAZING! AHHHHH!

Easter Weekend With Family!

2010-04-06T11:00:00.011-05:00

Cody and I got to go home for Easter and it was SO NICE to be HOME! We love the time we get to go home and see our families. Cody spent the entire time he was home in Ruston and I made a quick trip to Shreveport to see my parents and throw a baby shower for one of my bestest friends Kristen who is due with baby Seth on May 19th! Kristen's theme for his room is nautical, so we went with that for the theme of the shower! Lindsey did GREAT with all the decorations for the shower...I am So impressed by her!
The thing Cody was most excited about was getting to Turkey Hunt. I really don't think anything excites Cody like Turkey hunting does...especially getting to do it with his brother Chris. It makes me happy to see how excited they get about it. Chris has been spending early mornings in the woods listening for turkeys for Cody's trip. So when Cody came to town they knew just where to go. Cody's first morning in the woods...his prayers came true. HE WAS SO EXCITED. It was the biggest turkey, weight wise, Cody has ever killed. YAY DEAR!

I drove back to Ruston Saturday afternoon just in time for some boiled shrimp on Cody's moms new patio! It was great! Sunday morning we went to church in Ruston and then drove to Start to see Cody's Aunts house. Here are some pics from our adventures there........
Yesterday was the opening day of baseball season for Cody's beloved Cub's. I must admit i have grown pretty partial to them myself. I can tell you the starting line up and most of the players on the team....I'm pretty impressed by my skills. The got blown out of the water by the BRAVES some of bestest friends beloved team. As Ashley would say, "bless their sweet angel hearts." I had to document the boys getting ready for the game...they were so excited they could hardly stand it.

Tonight I'm going to see WICKED with some of my girl friends. We have had the tickets for about 3 months....I can hardly contain myself with excitement! I'm sure there will be another post to follow with pics!