farewell to twenty eleven......

Only two days remain in what has been a year of transition, understanding, growth, discovery and love...2011 was definitely a good year. It seems like only yesterday I was toasting and welcoming in this year, and now I am on the brink of seeing it gone as quickly as it came. So many things happened and it's hard to pinpoint any one event that defined this year.... It had its share of ups and downs, and plenty of stressful moments..but I can honestly say I will be entering 2012 a stronger & much better person that I was a year ago.... Thinking back on my year.........

the transition: I completed my fellowship, and was fortunate enough to make a smooth transition to a new firm. I separated myself from certain things, people, situations. Lost friends, realized that the relationships I lost weren't the same as they had once been years ago, transitioned back to being with positive people, true friends & productive things.

understanding: It was hard at first, not clinging to what I had known so long and felt comfortable with. I questioned a lot. Was I the person I truly thought I was, what had become of the old me? Who was this person I was growing to become? And then I understood. I chose to be better. Everyone isn't going to appreciate who you become. Understand that everyone is in your life for either a season or a reason.

growing: I learned to appreciate solitude, how to value the invaluable and how to be the bigger person.

the discovery: I'm not as confident as I appear to be from the outside looking in. In some areas I shine, but there are many other facets of life that need improvement.

love: Being in a healthy, drama-free relationship is the best remedy to heal old wounds. We had a lot of fun, adventure and good times together this year and I look forward to what the future holds with us.

the highlights:
-our spring trip to San Antonio... lots of QT, food and more food..... we stayed near the Alamo, ate on the River Walk and ended our trip with dinner outside under the stars.



-viva las vegas
I did more travel than I realized this year. My first and probably last trip to Las Vegas. Too smoky and too many people. I did rather well on the slot machines though.


-arts, beats and lyrics
I saw Janet Jackson at the Rodeo, Eric Roberson downtown and attended one of my favorite events at the Venue. I also saw Ledisi at the House of Blues, Miguel and Marsha Ambrosius in concert at the Arena Theater.






-dirty thirty
I reached a milestone, my thirtieth birthday! I spent time with my family, friends and really enjoyed the love everyone showed me. It meant a lot to be with my real friends, especially after all the events that occurred this year. It means a lot to know who really cares about you and will be there for you regardless of how often you see them or where you go in life.





-Welcome to Jamaica
Montego Bay was amazing. This trip completely spoiled me, and I never want to vacation again UNLESS I'm on an all-inclusive resort. It feels great to be pampered. My boyfriend and I needed this trip and it definitely helped us realize how we truly feel about each other and gave us the opportunity to get closer without interruptions from the real world. I would have stayed in paradise forever if I could have.






The Lord has blessed me tremendously, and I pray that I continue to be blessed in the new year. I pray for health, wellness, prosperity, contentment, ambition and for increase. I have so many things I want to do, and I am so grateful for opportunity. I've done my best to be successful in life, and I truly think that this is only the beginning. In the new year, I want to learn how to manage stress better, how not to get so overly anxious about the future, and to take things day by day instead of trying to plan every aspect of my life. I want to be a better Christian, a better friend, a better attorney, a better sister, daughter, girlfriend, cousin, niece, etc. etc..... basically, a better me.

It's bittersweet to see this year go, but I am excited about this next chapter. Farewell 2011!

Already?

Christmas was less than 24hrs ago, and Target is already gearing up for Valentine's Day.........

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6



Wishing you and yours a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hopefully Santa was very generous this year and everyone got what they wanted........

giving back..........

Yesterday was Christmas Eve, and after a night of partying with friends, my boyfriend and I got up early to give back to those who served us. I'm on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization that provides services to female veterans returning back from fighting for our country. A lot of these women are homeless, living in transitional housing or just not making enough to provide gifts for their children. My friends and I adopted two families and bought presents for them & their children. My boyfriend, one of my friends from work and I actually went to the center where we got to pass out the gifts to the families. It was a very great event and the families were so thankful.... I have some pictures below of the gifts we took, and a few shots of the tree and kids grabbing up gifts... Perfect way to start out my Christmas weekend..............

6 days...

and counting until Christmas & just twelve days until 2012! I had a super busy weekend and I'm pretty sure everyday leading up to the new year is going to be busy for me as well.
By the time I made it home from work Friday night, I was beyond tired. My little cousin graduated from college so I had family in town for that, as well as relatives visiting from California...so the food and laughs have been flowing all weekend.

I woke up early Saturday morning to get my oil changed and car washed, and even they were in the holiday spirit. They had the waiting area cheerfully decorated for Christmas....

Since it was pretty nippy this weekend I stood inside while I waited for my car to be detailed, and in the hallway there were pamphlets displayed around as well as free bibles for people to take. The car wash is a Christian owned business that has bible study weekly that patrons can join in on with the staff, and they play inspirational music throughout the building. While I was waiting, this pamphlet caught my eye. It has various ways to deal with stress, and with all that has been going on with life, work and just in general I figured this was definitely a list I needed to pay attention to and attempt to utilize during the week as I work and anxiously await Christmas....

After I was done with my car, my sister & sister-in-law, and I tackled Target and the mall to pick up a few items. For some random reason I have been wanting to decorate a ginger bread house, I mentioned it to my boyfriend and for even more random reasons he thought it would be a fun thing to do as well. So, while I was in Target, I just so happened to find a gingerbread house kit and ginger bread cookie kit where you can make, design and eat your very own gingerbread masterpieces! I am so excited to try it out!

After the shopping excursion, I took a much needed nap and then headed out to celebrate the holidays with my close friends in the city. I am thankful for those who made it, and for those who couldn't, and very happy that a good time was had by all. We ate, we drank and we were indeed Merry! I love my circle of friends and I pray that the Lord continues to bless us all tremendously now and in the upcoming new year. Since I am no good at outfit post(I found my tripod, now I just need to set it up) I only got one picture of myself before I went to the party, but I must say I love this shade of blue.
I had a blast, and enjoyed a wonderful worship service at church this morning. I spent some much needed QT with my love and now I am sitting here, still reflecting on my weekend and how much difference a year (or even a day) can make in someones life. I have court in another county in the morning and I am sure by midweek I will be ever so grateful for the off days from work. This truly was a good weekend........

A New Route

I had to share this message I received in my email this morning. Definitely something to remember as we approach a new year........

A New Route

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion”
(Psalm 103:4, NIV)



TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

I know people who feel like they’ve wasted years of their lives because of poor choices. They spent years in a relationship that was toxic, years with an addiction, years at a job where they weren’t fulfilled. But you have to realize, nothing you have been through is ever wasted. Your past experiences, good and bad have deposited something on the inside of you. Those challenges have sharpened you to help make you who you are today. When the enemy brings hardship into your life, God has a way of taking that experience and turning it around for your advantage. You may think you’ve hit a dead end, but if you’ll stay in faith, you will see God begin to open up a new route. He’ll put the right people in your path, the right opportunities, the right circumstances to move you forward toward your God-given destiny.

Today, don’t focus on what’s happened in your past, focus on what God will do in your future. He wants to restore your soul and revive your dreams. Keep believing, keep expecting, keep hoping because God has a new route for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I come humbly before You today. I give You my past, present and future knowing that You will redeem my life. I release those who have hurt me, I choose forgiveness so I can be free to move forward in the new route You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

sparkles and pink...

I decided to add a little spice to my Wednesday, and stopped by the nail shop on my way home for a much deserved spa pedicure. I was going to post a picture, but my toes were a tad bit camera shy... They're cute, just not ready for their world debut. But I can say that the hot pink, with silver glitter on the toe next to my big toe looks pretty darn nice (looks better than it sounds I'm sure, ha ha)....

As always my week has been super busy, but for once I finally got a full day in the office & was able to catch up on some work. Tomorrow the madness picks back up and I will spend the rest of the week in court, so I am RELIEVED that I got the opportunity to knock some things off my to-do list. It's hard to fathom the idea that there are only a handful of days left in this year and Christmas is in less than two weeks. I haven't finished my shopping and I have a sneaky suspicion that everyone will be receiving gift cards from me. My boyfriend keeps insisting that he doesn't want me to buy him a gift, but I still think I will get him something...other than him, I need to find gifts for my parents & sister, as well as a few gifts for friends and for a needy family that we decided to buy presents for. This weekend will jump start a series of busy days. My cousin is graduating from college on Friday, I have family coming in town to visit, Christmas parties, toy drives and a host of other events leading up to Christmas and New Years Eve... So much to do, so little time......

Hopefully I will find the time to finish reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo before the movie comes out next weekend. I really want to see it but I would like to have read the book first. I also need to find time to figure out what I am doing to ring in the new year & find time to rest (not that rest should have to be included on a to-do list) and figure out how to use Pinterest, especially since I have so many friends using it and recently joined.... I could keep going on and on with things I want to do, but I guess I should probably start focusing on what I need to do tonight, as in for tomorrow...........

marvelous things.....

He has done marvelous,
He has done marvelous things,
Praise the Lord.

Marvelous, marvelous,
Marvelous, marvelous things,
Praise the Lord.

He has done,
Marvelous things,
Praise the Lord.

I only have a few hours left until my weekend is over. It didn't start out all that great, but by the grace of God things finally turned around and I ended up having an overall enjoyable weekend. I spent my Friday night, in pajamas & channeling Linus (Charlie Brown's blanket toting bestie from the Peanuts) thinking about life and wondering where life was taking me...entirely too much deep thought for a Friday night... I woke up early Saturday morning to go volunteer at a local VFW post giving legal advice to low income Veterans. The event was very rewarding and a lot of veterans got helpful information for themselves and their families. After that I took a much deserved nap, and spent some quality time with my family helping decorate my sisters house for Christmas. In return for the assistance she baked cookies (chocolate chunk & chocolate chip pecan) as a delicious thank you. After the decorating fun, I went to celebrate with one of my girlfriends for her birthday. I definitely love a good house party with great people, tons of laughs and lots of spirits! My boyfriend played bartender for the night as we sang our hearts out on the Def Jam Rapstar game for Wii, and laughed uncontrollably until well after midnight. I left the party because my sinuses were driving me crazy, but despite my uncontrollable sneezing I had an awesome time.

The sermon at church today was truly a blessing. A word I definitely needed to hear and will carry close to my heart. He has done marvelous things for me, and for us all. No matter who or what may try to break me, I have to realize that through it all, HE will take care of me. He has done marvelous things, praise the Lord........

Ok...........

IT'S OKAY....

for me to see fun link ups on my favorite blogs and join in on some of the action,

to plan for things far, far in advance,

to have friends for different occasions,

to have a secret obsession for pole aerobics,

that I could eat chicka chicka boom boom enchiladas (drools) from Chuy's every single day,

to play angry birds in court as I wait for my cases to get called,

to still not know what you want to be when you grow up,

to look at bride magazines and imagine yourself in different style wedding gowns, even though you're not engaged...

That was delightful..... for more ITS OK THURSDAY fun click here.

love language?

I know this book has been around for awhile, but I have never had the opportunity or any reason to read it. Surprisingly my boyfriend always makes references to "love languages" and I have no idea what he is talking about because I haven't read the book yet. Well today, I googled it because he mentioned something about a love language last night, and I found the website for the author. They have an assessment quiz that you can take online, and apparently from the 30 question assessment my language is Affirmation... Well of course the site only gives you a brief synopsis of what that means, so now I feel compelled to pick up the book on my way from court this afternoon. My curiosity has definitely been peaked.... Has anyone read the book, or have any knowledge on the subject of love languages????

misc......

1. This is my first time doing Miscellany Monday, and since I am half-way computer illiterate, it has taken me forever to figure out how to link the actual site to my blog... so, with that being said I will provide the link to the source of my midday on a Monday entertainment... @lowercase letters

2. There are only 4 weeks left in this year, and I am so excited to get my New Year's Resolutions made. So many goals, things I would like to accomplish and changes for the better I need to make for myself... Let the countdown to 2012 begin!!!

3. Last night my boyfriend and I went grocery shopping. I love spending time with that guy and I am realllllly praying that he is the person God wants me to spend the rest of my life with, because I can't even imagine life without him. *insert heavy sigh*

4. I have court everyday this week. I had court this morning, but came home because I wanted to take a nap before I have court this afternoon...didn't work because I started doing work and blogging....

5. I wish I had someone to take pictures of me every morning.... I really like outfit posts, just don't have the time or the camera man to do them.....


Hope that was Miscellany enough for Monday ~~~~~~~

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you”
(John 15:7, NIV)

consumed....

Three weeks had passed before they allowed him to sit with the masses. Everyday was the same. One bite, two bites, three bites, then swallow. He wasn't here because he wanted to be. It was his duty, his has to be. His destiny. Four bites, five bites, swallow. Everyday they walked in line. First him, then her, then him again...til finally he got his turn. Sit still. Repetition is key. Be the same as you can be. Six bites, seven bites. Chew, then swallow. So much to do so much to prove. You have your chance, just don't get consumed.

Join in on the fun at Magpie Tales...........

and the nominees are......

So I won an award from the awesome Mrs. Pancakes over at The Adventures of Team Pancakes and I am so honored!!! I love reading her blog and seeing all the fun adventures in newly wed-dom she has with her husband. Definitely gives me a lot to look forward to *insert smile*

Liebster means beloved in German, so as a part of the award I have to nominate some of my most beloved blogs.... I have a ton that I read on a daily basis, but these ladies have been keeping me occupied and entertained consistently for a while now.....

Dr. Reginia at Her Perfect Black Dress

Mimi at Lipgloss and Binky

Funmi at Heart Flows

Brittany at Three Years Down and last but not least

Deia at Love & Tangles

Keep the post coming ladies because I definitely enjoy reading!!!!!

Feeling Festive.....

I stopped by one of my favorite spots for lunch on my way back to the office from court. They have the entire restaurant decorated for the holidays and are playing Christmas music (some in English, other songs in Spanish) and it has put me in an even greater mood than I was when I began my day. Definitely loving it!!!!

and then....

it was over.

I'm sad to see November slowly coming to an end. I know I can't exhaust all my energy on one month, but the winter months normally are not as exciting for me & I feel like I'm amongst the masses of those who suffer from seasonal depression. I tend to miss the fall leaves, I miss the option of slipping on a coat or sweater at my leisure, I miss birthday celebrations, Thanksgiving feast with friends & family, but most of all I just miss November...

Don't get me wrong, December has a lot of sentimental value to me. I love celebrating Christmas, the plays at my church and just the message behind the season...I love presents, shiny lights, holiday parties and commemorating the end of the year on New Year's Eve...but it just doesn't do it for me I guess.

I'm thinking that instead of living everyday anxiously awaiting November, I should probably try to find reasons to live my life to the fullest during EVERY month of the year. One of my best friends and I recently discussed how much we hate the winter, and how certain months just did not do it for us... Probably not the best idea to go into things lacking a positive attitude, but historically some months have just not held the same pizazz as others for us. Since there are only a few days left in my favorite month, not only am I going to cherish them, I am going to challenge myself to experience, live and enjoy every moment of every month of the year...despite the stigma the winter season may hold, I promise myself not to let it get me down. I need to find reasons to be excited throughout the year. God created it, so I need to do my part in appreciating it....

Next month (and all the months thereafter), I plan to enjoy myself, enjoy those around me & begin to prepare myself for another year with new goals and things to accomplish... And then, it will be December....

"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." - Oprah

gratitude

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,
to enact gratitude is generous and noble,
but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.
-Johannes A. Gaertner

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance,
chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.
-Melody Beattie

Gratitude: A lively sense of future benefit.
A French Definition

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

The Lord has blessed me so tremendously this year, and I am so thankful for it all. It's hard to reflect on how far I've come these past few years...the struggles, the barriers, the trials, the tears...they all seem so mediocre in the grander scheme of things. I have the support of so many, the love of others, encouragement I need to keep going, but most importantly I have faith. God is truly good.

more jamaica.......

jamaica

For the last few days my boyfriend and I were in Montego Bay, Jamaica continuing the celebration of my 30th birthday and his birthday as well. We had an amazing time, and the pictures don't even do the island or the resort we stayed at any justice at all! We ate, we drank, we enjoyed the beach, the ocean and most of all each other. I hope and pray that we will always be able to travel and explore the world together. While we were there we got the opportunity to snorkel, kayak, lay out in the sun, listen to live music & dance...I read The Shack while he swam (I still can't swim, which made snorkeling very interesting) we walked amongst fish, talked under the stars and just truly enjoyed each other and being in the moment. This trip was truly a blessing!

back to reality.......

my Jamaica trip has come to an end, and now I am back in Houston.......prepping for hearings tomorrow. Vacation was just what the boyfriend and I needed to reconnect and take a break from reality for a few days..... details to come..........

:

an·tic·i·pa·tion [an tìssi páysh'n]

expectant waiting: the feeling of looking forward, usually excitedly or eagerly, to something that is going to happen

recovery...

The birthday festivities are officially over, and I returned to reality today... I must be old, because I've been yawning since I woke up this morning (and I'm looking longingly at my bed now)... I'm so grateful to have family and friends who genuinely care about me & I can truly say that this has been the best birthday I have had thus far.....








(Saturday night..the birthday festivities ended with a party at a lounge..two of my friends bought me a section & we had the pre-party at his townhouse... Friday night, dinner at Willie G's with a group of my friends (my boyfriend did a great job party planning) and Wednesday night..the night of my actual birthday..my boyfriend and I had dinner at Sambuca, listened to their live band and then had drinks afterwards at the bar in our favorite restaurant......and now the party will continue in 3 days once we get to Jamaica to continue celebrating my birthday & begin celebrating his....)

----cheers to the thirties!!!----