reflecting

In college, I was in a service club, Pi Kappa Sigma. At one of our meetings we got into groups and talked about how we saw God that day or week. It seems like you could come up with a list of things to talk about, but what I like most about the "exercise" is it really makes you stop and think about your day and all the ways you are blessed no matter what kind of day or week you've had. You can have a completely rotten day and still find one way (big or small) that God has worked in your life. He is always working.

What a simple, beautiful question, "How did you see God today?"

Mine for today (and everyday really) is my dog, Watson. He is precious. After a long, tiring day at work I always come home to my precious pup who is always excited to see me. I could be gone for one minute or hours at a time and he's always at the door to greet me. This may be corny, but I think dogs are gifts from God. Some dogs are really useful for daily life (seeing-eye dogs, sheep dogs, etc) but my dog is merely for looking cute. He keeps me company when Eric isn't here and is always available to give me puppy kisses. :)




So, how did YOU see God today? Just think about it. 

Happy Birthday to my favorite brother!

Ok, so I'll admit. I only have one brother, but who's not to say he's not my favorite?!

He turned 26 today! Gosh, he's getting old!

Wish I could have been there to celebrate with him. Happy Birthday to him!!!!!!!!

Harry Potter!

Yes, I am a Harry Potter fan. I have read all the books, more than once and have seen all the movies. The last Harry Potter will come out at midnight, Friday (or Thursday depending on how you look at it) and Eric and I have tickets! We were supposed to go with Allison and Rachel, but when Rachel tried to get tickets they were already sold out! Bummmer!!!!

Thankfully, I don't work Friday and can stay out late without regretting it! I am very excited!

Sips n Strokes

So, there is this painting place called Sips n Strokes. You go, take your favorite beverage, grab a canvas and paint at location, then they show you step by step how to paint a picture (you pick the date you go based upon the picture they are doing that day). Depending on the picture, they will outline it for you - beware if it's not outlined it makes it harder. They tell you how much "scoops" of which colors to mix, which brush to use and which brush stroke to do. It's really great. It is definitely more of a social outing than an art class. But at the end of the night, you take your beautiful or not so beautiful painting home and decide whether or not you should actually hang it on the wall or place it in the corner of a closet.

Here are pictures of my "artwork".

I guess they're not that shabby, but thank God there was someone telling me what to do step by step!

Watson Got A Haircut...Finally!

Those of you with dogs that require grooming know that it can get a little pricey. I finally bit the bullet and took Watson to the groomer today. The last time he has been groomed was August 2010 before the wedding. He was extremely shaggy and could hardly see because his bangs covered his eyes. They were so long I almost considered pinning them back with a bobby pin or clip, but decided he was too manly for that nonsense. So I took my $10 coupon (thanks to Jennifer) and kept reminding myself that he'd appreciate it with the hot weather that is to come.

Here are the before and after pictures.

 Before...

We gave him a little fluff! Big hair is in, right?

Another pic of him and his scraggly self

 And after...

 

Oh, how handsome he is! He was so glad to be home after a stressful couple of hours. Glad I don't have to put him through that very often!

Welcome, Maggie and Lisa!

We added two members to the Hayden family. They are Russian dwarf hamsters. They are sisters, so Eric named them Maggie and Lisa from the Simpsons.

They are cute little things. Watson is a very big fan of them. He watches them carefully from below wishing he could get a closer look/taste making sure they are comfortable in their new home.

I honestly don't know which one is Lisa and which one is Maggie based upon these pictures. They do have different personalities. The "nice" one is Lisa. Maggie on the other hand is a little bit more hostile. She doesn't like to be held or touched...

Maggie or Lisa? 

I don't know. 

You can choose.

Again, Maggie or Lisa?
Your choice again.
They could be pictures of the same one!
Maybe one of these days I'll be able to tell them apart by just looking at them...

Photo Memo Boards

Allison and I used our crafty hands to make a photo memo board. My mom had made me one when I was younger that I loved, but unfortunately I don't know where it is or if we still even have it. This time I took an old bulletin board and made another one. Allison and I spent an hour or more in JoAnn's (since Hobby Lobby was closed) and picked out fabric, ribbon and buttons.

Here they are together. Mine is the brown one and Allison's is the blue.

And close up pictures of both...

I think they turned out great! I'm going to have to have pictures printed to put on mine!

Welcome 2011!

What an exciting year 2010 was.

2010 was a year of weddings amongst my family and friends.First and foremost, my wedding. The day finally came where I married my best friend. We shared the last few months of 2010 together as a married couple and are anxiously awaiting what 2011 has in store for us. We have a new member added to the Slate family. Dad was married to Jan in April. It was a very bittersweet time. Bitter-knowing another woman besides my mom would be the main lady in my dad's life, yet sweet since my dad was happy and had found someone who he could share the rest of his life with. I am happy for both of them. There are many other weddings that took place-friends from Memphis, friends from school and two other family members, Eric's brother and my cousin. May all of these new marriages be blessed by God.

2010 was a year of adventure. Eric and I went on our first cruise for our honeymoon. I've only traveled once without my dad and that was when I went to Italy in high school. So every part of the trip was exciting from step one of deciding and planning everything to packing, driving to New Orleans to exploring Mexico by ourselves as a newly married couple. What fun!


2010 was a year of learning. After our marriage, Eric moved into my small one-bedroom apartment. We have had to learn the lesson of patience. It is hard for two adults and two dogs to live in a one-bedroom apartment. We have learned to wait patiently for the bathroom and to have patience with each other when we annoy one another since there isn't anywhere else to go to "escape".

As exciting as 2010 was, I am welcoming 2011 with open arms. I know God has great plans for Eric and me. I pray that this new year brings happiness, a ministry job for Eric, friendship and a greater, more fulfilling relationship with God.