JOTOS... Serene Sunday

Ahhhh Sunday...

There's just something about Sunday afternoons that I find relaxing. Even if there's an agenda, even if I know it's gonna be a late night, I always enjoy the few hours of downtime on a Sunday afternoon.

Sounds of football are filling the room as I sit and type this overdue blog post. I'm sure it's a sound we will hear pretty often over the next day or so. The Holidays always seem to bring it to surface for sure. Not that I'm complaining, because unlike most women, I actually enjoy watching/listening to football. My team(s) of choice? (NFL) The Houston Texans, (NCAAF) The Texas Longhorns. I'm a Texas girl all the way!

My uncle, Kevin, has been down for a visit from Arkansas. Things have definitely been interesting since he arrived. He got here just in time for all the Christmas festivities. Christmas Eve, my Mom hosted the big Christmas dinner at her house. Then, Christmas Day, we ate breakfast, and exchanged gifts again at Mom's. Around lunch time, Kevin wanted some Mexican food. Well, we figured everything was closed but we tried anyway. 2 hours later we decided on just getting TV dinners from Walgreens and hanging out at home. Well, the weather decided it wanted to drop 20 degrees in 2 hours and kick up winds strong enough to knock down a small shed. So, when we got inside Walgreens, the power went out. We went ahead and got what we needed thinking it would all be fine at home. At the checkout they were accepting cash only and tallying everything up with a pencil, notepad, and an iPhone. Poor things had no idea what things cost, or how to add everything plus tax. (Goes to show you how little kids are ACTUALLY learning in school. Sad. ) Finally, a after checking out, we made out way home only to find that the power was also out there. Still, we didn't let that stop us. We lit up the stove, (thank God for gas powered stoves) put on a griddle, and started slowly heating up the burritos we bought. When they finally finished, we ate and shot marbles in the living room until it was finally time to go our separate ways to sleep. (Our power wasn't restored until nearly midnight) Needless to say, Christmas was very memorable this year.

Tomorrow is my Dad's birthday. Can't believe he will be ## years old! Haha. He said that the Plexus (a supplement for losing weight that my husband and I sell) that he's taking may not be working anywhere else but it sure is making his hair thin! I hated to break to him that it wasn't the Plexus making his hair thin out, that was all him. Maybe I should get him some Rogain, or a toupee for his birthday!

My 20th birthday is also coming up. My friends say I'll be so sad that day, but I am actually so excited to be 20! Can't really say why, because I don't know, I am just very excited.

Hope you all have a safe and blessed New Year!

P.S. If you're looking for a wonderful lotion/moisturizer, check out this St Ives cream! I love it!!!! Leaves your skin soft am is so affordable. Approx. $5 at Walmart!

Want to keep up with my crazy life?

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JOTOS...Sweet Saturdays

Hello everyone!

Only 3 more days until Christmas:)))

We are spending this weekend with my in-laws. Mama is busy making peppermint bark, Faith and I are playing on the wii and Dad and Noah were going to pick up a few last minute things from Wal-Mart.

This time of year is my favorite! I love the smell of sweets baking in the oven and candles burning on the countertop. It makes my heart warm!

This Christmas, more than ever, I have felt sentimental. Not sure if it's because of everything that's happened as of late, or if it's just me growing older. No matter what it is, I have learned to cherish every laugh, every candid picture and every corny joke. I cannot believe how fast time flies. It's so very bittersweet.

This Christmas, take a minute to look back, and relive all the wonderful memories. Every parade watched, every pie baked, every ornament hung, everything.

Love you all!!!!

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JOTOS....Festive Friday Filled with Joy!!!

I love this picture! Excuse me, hello everyone!! I am back! Sorry for the long vacation, you see, I have been planning a Christmas musical for my church over the last several weeks and have not been able to blog as often as I would like. BUT I'm back now;)

Joy is in fact contagious. If you are joyful, those who come around you will sense that joy and in turn become joyful themselves:) it's so simple to spread! Give a little Joy this Christmas;)

Honestly, I cannot believe we are 11 days away from 2013! That is insane! Our years seem to be flying by quicker than we can enjoy them. It's sad. I feel like I can't hardly enjoy a holiday before its over. Guess that just goes to show you how busy we are. We definitely need to slow down and simplify our lives. We would all be much happier AND healthier.

Quick update on grandma: The chemo did its job and all that's left of the cancer is ashes!!!! However, to prevent it from returning, they will still do the removal surgery on her bladder in Mid January. Please keep her in your prayers!

Noah and I have been doing... Okay...he lost his job right after we got back from our anniversary trip but quickly started looking for a new one. He was hired on to Schwans Food Delivery a few weeks ago and started on Monday! God is faithful. Now, I'm not gonna lie, it was really rough for a while... But God always provided right on time!! I am blessed.

Tonight begins our weekend full of Christmas festivities with all of our families. Should be fun!!!

Love you all!

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Happy Birthday Pixie!!!!

JOTOS.... Simply Saturday

Good morning everyone!!

I am sitting here relaxing with my yummy cup of coffee (cafe vanilla with Cinnabon creamer)... It is so good! With everything that's been going on recently, relaxing is nice!

Tomorrow is my 1 year wedding anniversary and I can't believe it. One year ago today I was the biggest Bridezilla. I tried not to be, but I was. It seemed like everything was going wrong and I felt totally out of control.
The closer it got to my wedding the more I freaked out. Then, my Mom told me to chill out and it would all be fine. I don't know how that worked but it did! I calmed down and enjoyed the rest of the day and then my wedding day.

Today, we are going to go to Downtown San Antonio and walk around the River Walk. Then we're going to dinner. I can't wait!!

Before I go, I heard a song yesterday on the radio, I'm not sure of the title, but I'm pretty sure Israel Houghton (sp?) sings it. Anyway, the words are Oh, Jesus, Oh, Jesus... Your presence is Heaven to me! I heard that and thought, that's exactly how I feel! His presence is so amazing and it definitely feels like heaven to me. I turned it up and sang along the whole way to work. If you haven't heard it, look it up. It's an awesome song!

Have a great weekend!!!

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JOTOS.... Man! It's Monday.

Today is definitely a Monday...

Both Noah and I got little to no sleep last nigh due to both of us being in horrible pain. Mine was because of PCOS, his was his stomach. He claimed to be having sympathy pains for me... um pretty sure he would be crying if he was having sympathy pains! I nearly went to the ER yesterday afternoon due to how bad I was hurting. Thankfully, the ibuprofen kicked in right on time.

This morning Grandma had her head shaved. Her hair was already falling out so badly and she wanted it shorter so it wouldn't be such a hassle. She is still so very beautiful. I sat with her this morning as she ate her breakfast and just watched, and listened to her talk. She is such a remarkable and inspiring person. I want to be just like her when I "grow up".

Yesterday we had the most amazing church service. In the prayer room before church ever even started we had a young man get the Holy Ghost! We were shouting, dancing, singing, and praising so much that you could hear it in the Sanctuary. Church started 15 minutes late because we were still praying! Then came the praise & worship and the Choir. All of it was so awesome! We (the choir) sang, Jesus At the Center, combined with, Lead Me Lord. The power of God fell so strongly in the house that we sang for 20 minutes before the preaching began. I'm still in awe...

This coming Sunday marks 1 year that I have been married to Noah. Time really has flown by. A year ago this week I was definitely a "Bridezilla"! Go ahead, ask my bridesmaids and my family. It was pretty bad. Thankfully, everyone still loved me through it and no harm was done! :)
Here are a few pictures from the big day!

My brother did such an awesome job making this sign!

Love of my life.

I had the BEST bridesmaids EVER!

The wind was so bad that day.

He makes me smile so much:)

 

I love my little family!! I am so blessed.

 

Before I go, please make sure to pray for our nation! We need God's favor in this election. If you have not voted yet, PLEASE, GO VOTE!!!

 

Have a blessed Monday! 

JOTOS.... Wonderfully Wednesday

Happy WEDNESDAY everyone! I do NOT celebrate Halloween so I am determined to make today as happy, cheerful, and BRIGHT as possible. My shoes are gold, and my shirt is multicolored today for that very reason.

Tonight, many wicked and evil things will be done. Tricks will be played, children harassed, Elderly vandalized and so much more. While all this is going on... there is a church, my church, in Magnolia, Tx that will be worshipping Jesus and learning more about his word. Our children will be having their own celebration, A Hallelujah Night, as they call it. I will rest easy knowing that my friends children and my Sunday School children are safe and out of harms way.

On another note, I have discovered the most fun app ever! It is called Smule. It's a global karaoke party and SOOOOO much fun! You can sing by yourself, duet with someone from across the world, or join a group and just have fun singing along. There are lots of songs to pick from. You should check it out! You can find me on there and follow me (LindsStrawn).

Oh, all you Sonic lovers... They have their corn dogs for only $.50 today!! I may stop in after church and pick up a few for dinner;) I love me some corn dogs!!! (Though they aren't very good for me)

I promised I would share the recipe for my Fruit Salad (or pie filling, you can make it into either by just adding to a pie crust and topping it with whipped cream). My fruit pie got 3rd place at our Fall Fest btw!! :))

It's called:

Sunday Best Fruit Salad (allrecipes.com)

Submitted by Pattie Price
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Ready in: 45 Minutes
Serves 8.

Ingredients:
1 20oz can of pineapple chunks (reserve juice)
2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (or one really big one, I used a Jonagold I bought at HEB.)
1 21oz can of Peach Pie Filling
2 bananas, peeled and diced
3 kiwis
1 pint of strawberries

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, toss the chopped apples in reserved pineapple juice. Allow to sit for 5 - 10 minutes.

2. In a large salad bowl, combine the peach pie filling and pineapple chunks.

3. Remove apples from pineapple juice and add to pie filling/pineapple mixture. Add chopped bananas to pineapple juice and let sit for 5 - 10 minutes.

4. peel and slice kiwi and 1/2 of strawberries. Chop the other 1/2 of strawberries and set aside. (Only do this if you are wanting to make your fruit salad decorative or want to use some as garnish atop your pie. If you are just making it as a salad, simply chop and mix all ingredients)

5. Remove bananas from pineapple juice and add to pie filling mixture. Add chopped strawberries, toss together.

6. Arrange kiwi slices and strawberry slices around the edge of the serving bowl. Chill and serve.

ENJOY!!!!