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Weekend Update

This weekend John and I visited a friend in Fort Worth who was coming down from Pennsylvania to meet my sister's friend.... Whew.

We stayed on a couch in a loft in an apartment in downtown Fort Worth. Our hosts were Brad and his wife, Marybeth. They were SO nice. We found the apartment on a website called AirBNB. We got in at 11pm and Brad was up waiting for us. He gave us a mini tour and a key. He had other Air BNBers staying in a private room downstairs. We then headed out on the town to meet up with my sister and friends.

A quick run down of the things we did:

Friday - We got in at 11pm and then headed right out. We went to a bar in the Wedgwood area. I will probably NEVER go back there... We got in at 2am (I felt really bad because when we got in, everyone was asleep, but Brad had to buzz us in)

Saturday - We got up at 9am in order to meet friends for breakfast. We met the other BNBers who where in town for a conference. They are from upstate New York and don't have a car. Brad picked them up and took them to the airport! After having a great IHOP breakfast with our sweet friends, we headed to the Fort Worth Zoo right down the road. The Fort Worth Zoo is the oldest zoo in Texas, opening in 1909, and is now one of the top five zoos in America! We stayed at the zoo for close to 4 hours. We were there for 2 hours before my friends showed up, so we back tracked and stayed with them. I took so many photos, my battery died. Here are a few of my favorite:

Series of shots taken of this gorilla, John's favorite - Monkeys!!

The big cats are my favorite! Especially the white tiger!

After the zoo, we went to get some very yummy ice cream sammies from Sweet Sammies on 7th Street. They use Blue Bell ice cream and homemade cookies to make their sammies. You choose your ice cream and your cookies! Yummy! I got chocolate chip cookie dough with black and white cookies. John got a brownie bowl with chocolate chip cookie dough and a cookie on the side. The man loves his sweets!


Then we headed to pick up my dress and other things from my aunt's house to prepare for the photo shoot the next day. When we got there, my sweet grandma was there. We went to dinner with them at an eclectic diner in Crowley called Nicky D's. It took us a while to find it... but we finally did.

My aunt is my mom's twin sister... and she is a goofball.

After dinner we went back to the apartment to get ready to go to Billy Bob's later that night. Billy Bob's is the world's largest honky tonk! Joe Nichols was playing that night. We danced the night away and got home at 2am (again...) VERY LONG DAY


Sunday - We managed to get up and make it to Sunday School in the Hulen area. We absolutely love going to McKinney for church. We had a great Sunday School lesson about loving people where they are and BEING the church to others. I hope to implement a few of the practices into Temple.

After church we met up with my sister and friends for lunch in the Stockyards. Then it was off to do hair and make up for the photo shoot that afternoon. We were about an hour late, but I kept in contact with Morgan the whole time. I am SO lucky I managed to fit into my dress. Bless John for helping me. You can see all the photos on Morgan's website. This one is my favorite:

See that loving look on my face? John was holding the veil up.

That night we hung out with sister and friends playing games and making cookies. Well, eating cookies...

Gabby's cookies are so good!
We ate plenty that night and more the following days!

Monday - We slept in! We went to the library downtown Fort Worth and gazed at the wonderfulness of it all! We went down to the Genealogy section, which is HUGE and spent most of our time just walking around. John thought it would be weird for me to take my camera in, so I didn't...

Then we went to Chick-fil-a for lunch to say good-bye to everyone! After getting gas, we were on our way back home.

Valentine's Day Puzzle

This year was our first Valentine's Day as a married couple. It started off rocky. John was having a really bad day at work and I was being stubborn. I was really excited about his gift though.

I can't remember where I found this idea. I forgot to pin it. If this is your idea, PLEASE let me know so I can link back to you! UPDATE: I found where I got the idea from, turns out I did remember to pin it! Holly, from My Sister's Suitcase made one as a secret message in a bottle for her son!

Last weekend we went to Shreveport to visit with John's family. While there I went to Hobby Lobby and almost bought Jim Holtz's game pieces. They are normally priced at 9.99 and I had a 40% coupon, making them about $6 before taxes. Still not bad, but I figured I'd wait until I went to Monroe for my doctor appointment. I am SO glad I did.

Imagine my thrill when they were on sale! 64% off. Yeah baby!! Much better than the 40% I would have gotten! Of course, this meant I couldn't use my 40% coupon on this, but I bought something for another project.

My beautiful pile of game pieces!! I love the bright red and the imperfections they have!

The first thing I did in the store was sit my tushie down right in the middle of the aisle and put them in order. They were on sale and the package wasn't that hard to open, so I had to make sure all the pieces were there. I'm sure I looked like a lunatic, but I don't care.

I did the same thing when I went to put the project together. I had to put them in order to make sure I put the letters in order. I actually was concerned that I somehow lost pieces....

I found the quote I wanted to use, making sure that all characters, including spaces, equaled 90. I used hearts for my spaces and colored them in red. So beautiful!

 This is what they look like in the jar. I used an old BBQ sauce jar. Glass, with a silver lid, was perfect! I try to buy as much as I can in glass, so I can use it later. Love salsa jars too!

The next step was to pick a fun Valentine's paper to wrap the jar with. Whenever I'm at the HobLob, I like to pick up a package or two of their various papers. They are usually less than 4$ for a pack of 20 random sheets.

The final product. Wrapped in the paper and ribbon'd! The ribbon was 50% off.

Cost breakdown:

Game pieces - 9.99, on sale for 3.49
Glass jar - FREE (I'm pretty sure I got the sauce for free as well...)
Paper - 20 pieces/4$ a pack = .20 cents per piece and I only used a few inches, so we'll call it FREE
Ribbon - (1.99 + 2.99)/.50 = 2.49 and I only used a few inches of each.

TOTAL - 6.18 before taxes and not taking into account that I have PLENTY left over. I'd say that is great for a homemade, heartfelt gift!


Hope you had a great Valentine's Day with your loved ones!

Performing Plastic Surgery

John and I have been taking Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University classes at our church. Lucky for us! We've got one of the top three certified instructors in the country! Hand picked by Dave himself! Her name is Kelly Brantley and she is awesome.

Every week we have homework. So far it's been to sit down and create a budget and easy stuff like that. This week it was to perform plastic surgery. Discover and Kohls. I actually have three cards, but I shred my Macy's back in October. I have an emotional connection with my Discover card. As you can see, I have two. Technically, I guess you could say I have three. The two pink ones are mine and the one in the middle is John's, but it's my account. One of the pink ones in my mom's account. I've had that one since I was in college, 2008.

My handsome rugged man showing off our patients.

John went first. He's not as emotionally attached to his card. He's only had it about a year and he never uses it. In fact, I'm pretty sure he only uses it when I remind him it's there. He's played soccer since he was 4 and has been a ref since he was 14, so I got him a soccer one. I'm sad to see it go, but I know he could care less.

Next it was my turn. Which also means John got to hold the camera. He loves the camera. Not being in front of it though. There are 107 documentations of our surgery. Most of them are me.

I still can't believe I did this. John took my cards away a few weeks ago, but they were safe. In the safe. Intact. This is better for us and I know it. We're not going to cancel our cards though, because we need those accounts to remain open for our credit history.

This is me yelling, "Discover CASH" at the card. One of the many creative phrases we yelled at the cards in class.

I also did my Kohl's card, which was especially heart breaking. I applied for that card 5 times before they finally decided they were sick of me asking and just gave it to me! However, it IS a credit card. So chop chop, snip snip...

Finally, all done. Once we finished we sat back and watched Doctor Who. No more credit cards and no more temptation of credit cards!

We will win with money!

Valentine Themed Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

Last night at church the staff hosted the 8th annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. This banquet is held every year for the many volunteers at the church. Sunday school teachers, choir/orchestra members, media/music, VBS leaders, kitchen staff, etc. The CORPS is also included in that list. However, being the servant minded guys they are, they serve the dinner. John is a Sunday school teacher and a member of the CORPS, but he had work last night, so I made sure to bring him some yummy steak home. I was a Sunday school teacher and I teach Kindergarten choir, I chose chicken!

One of the volunteers made all the decorations for the tables. They were set up so beautifully!

She also created these fun centerpieces. Chocolate lips!! We each got to take one home.

We had a great group of volunteers to feed us volunteers! These people are the "super" volunteers! They just can't stop.

Mrs. Glenda is the one that organizes EVERYTHING. She has a great team to help her as well. Her "job" is also strictly volunteer. She works full time in a family business, then organizes and prepares all meals on Wednesday nights and special functions (that aren't catered).

Every year they have some form of entertainment. Last year was a magician. This year was a comedian! His name is Russ Reeves and he is from Fort Worth! I was so excited when I found that out! This is him being the first pastor of Tombstone Baptist Church:

Of course, we couldn't help but play with those GIANT lips.

Proverbs 14:1

I am committing to be a wise woman. To build my house up. Right now my house is my husband. I must not tear him down. In public or in private. Sometimes sarcasm and teasing don't come across as playful. I must build him up in the eyes of others.

How I lost $300 and God gave it back to me...

Yes, I believe.

Last Friday I left work early to meet my sister for a very late lunch at the Bossier City Boardwalk. We got there about 4:00 PM and exchanged gifts and such in the parking lot. I put three $100 bills in my front right pocket because my phone was in my back right and the camera lens cover in the back left.

Then we headed to eat. I took photos of my sister the whole time. New camera = shutter happy!

I think she's the most adorable thing. Ever. Until I have kids. But even then, I'll love her a whole bunch.


Anyway, I was walking with her and happily chatting and taking photos. Then she had to stop and dig through her purse for something, her phone? I don't remember. She does her best to eat gluten free because of an intolerance. So she has an app that will show her restaurants in her area that have gluten free menus.

We walked and talked and shivered in the cold. The sun was shining, so we didn't wear our jackets. Stupid.

We finally found a restaurant she could eat at

(hamburger - the bun = gluten free!)

and I went to pay for her meal (because I'm an awesome big sister and her car was broken into a few weeks back and she lost all her cash...) and my pockets were empty!!

She graciously paid for my meal while I quickly (see: RAN) retraced our steps. Now, keep in mind it was a fairly windy day (hence the shivering) and we were quite hungry (VERY late "lunch" at 4:00 pm) so we hadn't even stepped foot inside a store yet. I ran all the way back to the car, looking at the ground pretty much the whole way, like a maniac. Then I swiftly walked our steps back to the restaurant. All while carrying my camera. I didn't even think to set it down or leave it with her.

I was out of breath and so distraught when I made it back. I had slowed down enough to send John an email that said, "Call me". My sister calmed me down and prayed over our meal and over me. She prayed for God to make this situation right and that the money be put to good use. Then she made me eat. I admit, I cried. Just a little. It WAS $300 after all. And we hadn't even been shopping yet...

Trying to get a good photo of both of us in one of the many mirrors. In my view finder, it was just us. When the photo came out, well...

After eating, she decided we were going to re-re-retrace our steps. I wasn't going to let losing the money ruin my evening with her, so I just kept taking photos. As I was lifting up my camera to take a photo of my sister, who was a few feet ahead of me (on a mission). A dad called out, "Hey! Can you take our picture?" I immediately turned to snap. At first his son wouldn't smile or anything. Then my sister went to get the email address, so I could email the photos to him. That's when his son started goofing off! These are my favorites:

Aren't they just too precious??? They were headed into the movie theatre. I hope this made their night, because it certainly made mine.

We searched all the way back to the car. Once there we put jackets on and headed to go shopping. I reached into the pocket of my jacket to put my phone in and found $75. Hurray! I was going to be able to shop. Yes, I know I just lost $300 and here I was preparing to spend $75. I wasn't going to let it ruin my evening.

I took my sister to a store called the Do Good store. It's run by a local church that some of our friends go to. They're only open the first weekend of the month. It's completely staffed by volunteers and all the proceeds go to "doing good" around the world.

After she bought 8 cups for $1 each (TAX FREE) and a HUGE candle that smells like apples, we decided to go to Plato's Closet to look for cheap clothes. We stayed there until they closed, trying on all sorts of stuffs. My sister is my fashionista, so if she didn't like it, it didn't go home with me. Or course, if I didn't like it, it didn't go with me either. Regardless of her opinion. So I walked out with a shirt, 2 pants, and some shoes. All in an hour of shopping.

I had a pretty good day. I got lost a few times driving around. On the way home I was to stop at Whataburger to get John dinner. It was super late though, so we planned to have it for lunch the next day. At Whataburger, I met Larissa. Larissa is an employee. She's been working there for about a week. She doesn't drive. I don't know how she does it. She needed a ride home and I was headed in that direction, so I took her home. It was a nice, sometimes awkward, drive.

On the way home, I had a come-to-Jesus moment. I cried (not enough to have to pull over, but enough) and yelled and poured my heart out to Him.

When I got home, John and I talked about how stupid it was for my to even BRING $300 with me to the Boardwalk. Yah, not going to do that again.

FAST FORWARD....

It's now Super Bowl Sunday. Two whole days had passed. I get a text message in the middle of the game (before halftime...):

"Hey Ann Marie this is heather -----, I'm a little behind but I saw you were selling a chocolate machine, did you sell it? I need one :)"

What? What? What???

I immediately replied once the shock wore off. I was selling that machine for $225. Not quite $300 (I bought it for $375), but close enough. I really wanted to tell the story of how I lost $300 on the Boardwalk and it was devastating, but I had to wait until God provided to tell how I lost $300 and He gave it back to me. Because I knew He would. I was scared He wouldn't, but deep down, I knew He would. I think that's why I gave up searching so easily. I have no proof of this, but I know He provided to me, so I'm sure someone in Bossier who REALLY needed $300 is the one who found it. There are homeless and such along those parts. I'm believing God was in the wind that day and took it to someone special.

So that's the story of how I lost $300 and God chose to give it back to me. He is so good. All the time. Even when I can't see it. He's got my best interests at heart and His plan for me is so much better than I could ever plan for myself. Had I not lost that money, I probably would have come home with loads of junk. Loads because I shop on sale and if I had $300 to spend, I would get a lot on sale with it. Instead, I spent $30 on a few select items.

My dad always say there is no such thing as a coincidence, and I believe that too. Everything happens for a reason, as cliche as that is, it's true.