Five Years and Counting

It has been awhile since I've written on my blogs, not because I didn't have anything to say, but because life has been so busy.  Most of you have read where I had planned to return to school and I did as a part time student.  I absolutely love it!  I'm considering full time this semester, however, the fear factor is there that I won't be able to handle four classes.  This I know though, God will see me through.  I had a math class for the first 7.5 weeks of this semester and I was able to finish it in 14 days, and I'm pretty sure I have an A in the class.  I'm still participating in the discussions and I'm reviewing math so I can stay up on the practices I've learned. 

In this last week, I celebrated my 49th birthday and my 5th wedding anniversary.  We didn't do anything really spectacular and for our anniversary, I got contacts and he got new glasses.  My eyes don't focus together so I'm actually only wearing one contact lens.  I go back on the 12th to figure out if this is going to work, or what kind of compromise I will have to make in order to see. 

We are still planning on renewing our vows on the 12th of November. We aren't planning on anything fancy and we still haven't decided on whether or not we want to write our vows or just have them redone.  It is a work in progress. 

My daughter and I have been spending more time together and it means the world to me.  I love that we live this close to each other.  I know that she wants to move from Emory, and I know that we will follow to be pretty close to where ever it is that they wind up.  So in the meantime, we have devised a new budget, and we are going to start putting some money back into the savings as much as possible.  We have two more big items before we can save a lot, like dental appointments, and computers, but we will get there. 

How has life been for you in the last two weeks?  Anything exciting going on in your life?  Please leave a comment. 

Love, L

Just Some General Things and Updates

Okay so its Friday and it has been a very busy week, so I'm glad the work week is over.  Norman has two jobs going right now so he has been busy as well.  This is the first week in a while that he has actually worked five days in a row.  Both of us are still fighting allergies or something so that one or both of us has sinus issues everyday. 

School starts on Wednesday, March 2nd, at noon EST.  I have to keep reminding myself that school is on EST and not CST for the purposes of completing assignments and turning in work.  I'm excited and scared.  Now I just want to get started and to see if I can actually handle school.  We have to get a new computer.  Mine, that is now Norman's is not going to cut it for the 2nd half of the first semester, but they said it would get me through the first half (7.5 weeks).  So we are starting to look.  The best we have found so far is about $550.00 not counting shipping.  So I'm hoping that between the two jobs, we will be able to purchase me a new computer and take the other desktop in and have to cleaned up.  He got a virus, and although we have cleaned it, we are not sure all is working properly.

We have cancelled Renewing our vows until later in the year.  We can't afford to do the ceremony the way I want to do it, and buy the computer.  That's okay too!  I know God is working tremendously in our lives right now and we are slowly seeing some light at the end of the tunnel... (and it's not a train). 

I guess that catches us up to where our lives are currently heading.  I know that this is what is suppose to happen with school and all because a very close friend of the family told me that if it was meant to be, God would make sure it all happened, or there would be obstacles to big to overcome.  She was right!  God bless you Ashley Lenore! 

May you all have a God Filled and Blessed day! 
L

Time is getting closer

We are proceeding with the plans for our vow renewal ceremony.  Originally we were going to rent a place to party afterwards, but have decided to use the fellowship hall at the church.  I also have talked to our youth band, "Unchained" and asked if they could play for us.  Makayla agreed.  I'm going to talk to her some more. 

I also want to get some pictures from my mother in law and do a slide show of Norman and I to play before the ceremony.  I plan to order a cake, have punch, coffee, tea, sodas, and some finger foods. 
It may not be a very big ceremony or affair but it is something that we want to do.  We would love for our families to be there, and some have responded.  However, we are also going to invite our church family.  I want this to be a cherished memory for us both. 

I probably won't do much decorating in the sanctuary, but a few things here and there in the fellowship hall will probably happen.  This is going to be a real fancy affair either. Again, though Norman and I are going to dress up, because we did a western wedding before.  I've almost considered doing the wedding dress thing, but that isn't really me.  Anyway, we want all our friends and family to come, and just visit and have a good time and be part of the cherished memory. 

Now I just need to come up with how I want the ceremony and that will be another part complete.

Good night!  God Bless!

Renewing Our Vows

We have only been married 4 years, but our 5th wedding anniversary is March 31st, 2011.  Our lives have changed a lot during the last few years and we are going to renew our vows.  We have reserved the church for as close to our anniversary as possible, so the date is currently set for March 26th, 2011.  Our first ceremony was a western motif.  I didn't wear a wedding dress because I couldn't see spending an enormous amount of money for a dress I was going to wear once. I thought about wearing one this time, and I even tried my daughters on today, but think, I'm just going to buy a nice formal dress or outfit and have my husband wear a very nice suit.  I'm not going do a lot of decorating in the church but the other thing is we had the reception at the church and so there was no dancing when we got married.  I'm kind of thinking that I want some music and dancing this time. 

However, I'm not sure how or what else I want the ceremony to be.  I've been reading a lot of information from the Internet about writing our vows, having the same witnesses to stand up with us, etc...  I don't know that I need that much of a formal ceremony.  I want everyone to be invited from the church, that wants to attend.  There won't be any liquor because neither of us drink and we are Christians, and I don't think Christians should drink, even if it is only a glass of wine here or there. 

I guess what I'm getting at is does anyone have any suggestions.  I want it to be a family and friends affair, with music, fun, a cake, punch, coffee, soft drinks and tea and maybe some finger foods.  As for as the dancing part, we will have to rent either the Rose Community Center (not sure that is the right name) or a building on the fair grounds, because there is nothing bigger in town that would allow for dancing, and I don't want to have to drive anywhere else.   

If anyone has renewed their wedding vows, I'm looking for some ideas.  All help is appreciated.  Hope everyone has a God Filled day, and a blessed week.  Love, L.