The BIG 25!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! My sweet husband made my day super special! He woke up early and cooked cinnimon rolls and grits for breakfast, gave me a sweet card, sent me the BEAUTIFUL flowers at school, and took me out to eat some good ol steak to celebrate! HE IS THE BEST! My parents came to visit and not too long after we got home from eating they were at my house with an AWESOME cheesecake that mom made! Appearently Nelly thought it was pretty good too because when we were outside unloading the car, she jumped up on the table and took a big chunck out of it!!! TOO FUNNY!!

Ok...so maybe this wasnt the nicest thing to do...but I was really pretty upset...My Nana sent by birthday present by my parents...I got a card and some battery powered candles (???)...which makes me think...doesnt it defeat the purpose of a candle if its battery powered??! Anyway, from a grandparent you grow up getting money or at least some type of "good" gift. So, I was expecting at least a little bit of money to go with the "candle". When I opened the card there was no money...so I was trying to shake the money out of it. I mean...you go 24 years getting gifts and then all of a sudden one year without any warning BAM...no money! I mean...what the heck?!

My sweet brother surprised me and came with mom and dad! This was the first time he has been to our house. I was SO excited to see him! GREAT visit!

Me and Mom cheesin and Dad lookin goofy in the background

Ok...next pictures...mom is taking a picture of me and Chris...however, mom doesnt like to count or wait on us to get set...so it made for some pretty funny pics.

No I was not drunk, nor had I been drinking.... Finally a good one!

Mom and I went shopping the next day and had a BLAST! We went to the outlets in Commerce and ate some REALLY good Mexican food! This gorilla was outside of a pet store and Mom pretended like he was taking her away...lol..fun times! Times like this make me realize just how much I am thankful for my family! They are wonderful and made my birthday very special!

Belated Christmas Wishes

Meant to post this earlier...but I couldn't find my camera over Christmas...but Merry Christmas from the Thigpens! This was our family Christmas card pic. Kitty wouldn't cooperate so we booted her out of the pic. Chris has shaved his beard now. He started "No shave November" and carried it through December 26. He shaved everything but his mustache and looked like a child molester. That lasted not even a whole day...I couldn't bear to kiss him with that stache! Hope all of you are doing well in this new year! Courtesy of a church sign in Thomson..."Let Jesus Shine in 2009!" Yes folks...that is real!

Time WITH Him not FOR Him

Lately I have still continuously struggled with spending time with the Lord...I talk about how much I need it and want it but still fail miserably with following through with actually DOING it! Chris said "we're about to go Campus Outreach on this issue" (accountability for spending time with the Lord). Chris and I spend time with the Lord together but we also need the personal time with Him. But, I don't want to make it like a chore, something I check off of my list. And I don't want it to be something that I do to please someone else or something I pat myself on the back for "doing something good". Doing things for the Lord are not enough, I miss the relationship with Him and I hope that is what I begin to truly desire! I'm tired of talking about it and not following through with it and I NEED accountability. I think I've been living to "free" in my walk with the Lord and now I see my "freedom" leading into me being more liberal in my thoughts, speech and actions.
I am beginning studying Ephesians with the women's group at church and I think this is going to be a good start for me to study and want more of Him in my daily life! This is my new year's resolution...to spend more time WITH Him instead of DOING THINGS for Him! In a world that is so far from the Lord, Christians must pull together in growing in Him and also praying for the lost. Will you join me?

BOO SCHOOL!!!

It seems like the breaks go by so fast! I didnt have enough time to do the things I wanted to do, not enough time to rest, not enough time to play, and certainly not enough time to recover from a very stressful semester! I was really depressed today at school...eventhough it was inservice. I just do not want to go back. My next teaching job will definately be with the youngins! These older chaps will eat you alive! I mean really...when I was that age I would have NEVER even thought about talking to a teacher the way these kids talk to me! I just dont understand it! I have to be just flat out mean every day and I hate being that way! I want the little ones who will run up to you and hug you and are happy to see you...not the ones who walk away from you when you walk into the room or roll their eyes when they make eye contact with you or call you a bitch under their breath. Where did these kids come from anyway?! I mean, surely they were sweet little kids at one time or another............right? Maybe that sweetness will come out of most of them this semester!

Happy New Year!

Well, not so happy for the two of us. We went to see Georgia Tech play in the Chick-fil-a bowl and before the game started I didn't feel so hot. By the end of the first quarter we were headed home. I felt terrible because I knew Chris was looking forward to this. By 2 am we were both sick. I dont know if it was food poisoning or a virus but it was NOT fun! Chris has bounced back quickly but as for me, until today I have been a pitiful little baby and my sweet husband has been taking care of me! Still feeling a little weak but hope to bounce back soon!
I had started my training for my 1/2 marathon and was doing well until Wednesday. But...check out my little running mini in the next few days and I should be a runnin again!
This year has gone by so fast! It seems the older I get the faster the days, weeks, months, and years go by. My mom was right after all! This year I hope to spend more time with family and friends (old and new) and savor every moment that the Lord gives me. I hope to have many oportunities to serve people in need and for my life to be a tool for Christ to be glorified!