It's been a while....2012 wrap-up

So, I kind of fell off the blogging bandwagon for a while. But I can explain. I really have been busy. I spent the summer working at the camp that shaped me as a person, Doe River. Being able to pour into the lives of kids just like my counselors did was such a rewarding experience. So, there went 3 months. And then, I got back and there was work and getting a new apartment and before you know it, I hadn't made a post in almost a year.....my bad. I really do want to get better at this whole blogging thing. It just might take some time. What is new? Rob and I are both working in downtown Senoia. We love the town and it's nice being at the same place. We got a puppy, Penelope Rae. She is our first "child" and is spoiled because of it. But really, who could resist all this cuteness?

We finally got settled in our own apartment, but there are no pictures yet because I'm not done decorating. It's getting there though and we love our home. It's close to work and our families and that makes life easier. Penny also enjoys playing with the other dogs in our building.

2012 was a busy year for us. It was crazy, we lived everywhere and out of boxes and suitcases more often than not. We are blessed though. God has been good. We have seen Him working in our live and those around us and we are right where we want to be right now. so, here's to more blogging in the coming year. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Anderson's

Rob, Hannah, and Penny

When all else fails, we patiently wait on Him

Today in church we heard from a dear friend of mine, Dr. Samuel Thomas. He preached on stepping out of the boat and living a life of obeying God and going out of your comfort zone. I have always considered myself to be pretty flexible and willing to go where the Lord leads, but the message today really got me thinking. Perhaps this is why I am still up past midnight instead of sleeping in my nice warm bed. I literally have been thinking about anything and everything. My thoughts have been accompanied by the new DCB album(which is phenomenal and you should all own if you don't already). This combination has really had my brain turning. When Rob and I got married, we knew we wanted to be a couple on fire for God. Our primary goal in our lives is to follow what He wants us to do, but the big question is, "What does He want us to do?"

I have always said that God's will for me would be the path I would follow, but what exactly is it? So, I have literally been sitting in my Gram's living room, in the dark, for hours now, praying, reading, thinking, and listening to what God has to say to me. It is truly remarkable what happens when you just sit there and patiently wait on Him. And no, I am not just discovering this truth, I just have been bad at practicing it. We are always so busy and rushed that to spend time just waiting is almost impossible.

That impatient feeling is instituted in us from birth and we never just stop long enough to hear what greatness might be happening in our own lives. So are you ready to hear my big revelation that occurred to me while sitting here tonight? Me too. I'm still waiting, but I have such a better understanding of why slowing life down and listening can reveal what you have been looking for all along.

Settling in

We have been in GA for about a month now, and we are finally getting back into somewhat of a normal routine. Rob started back at The Fresh Market this week and is enjoying his work. The three week vacation was nice, but he was ready to be working again. I have been enjoying spending time with family and friends catching up with what has been going on this past year. The oh so lovely warm GA weather is another plus that I have especially enjoyed. I am such a Southern girl. We are both thrilled to be back and can't wait to see what this next year brings.

We're moving to GA....

In 12 days!!

And I couldn't be more excited =]

Pumpkin Carving

I really miss GA

Enough Said

A Time to Celebrate and a Time to Relax

We got to do both of these this past weekend. On Friday night, we headed up to Michigan for Gramp's(Rob's grandfather) 80th birthday weekend. The party on Saturday was wonderful and we enjoyed spending time with the whole family. Sunday, Rob and I spent the afternoon with the birthday girl, cousin Mandee, shopping, talking, and just enjoying each other's company. Mandee and I even got adventurous and got our ears pierced, something we both had wanted for a while. Coming back to reality on Monday was no fun, but luckily, I captured many pictures to remember the great weekend.

Feeding Phoebe lunch

Mumsy and Gramps

<3

We both really enjoyed getting to play with Phoebe. She is such a great baby!

The Holloman Gang

The Anderson Family

Ear Piercing Adventure

Rob took on and conquered the Brooklyn Dump at a local ice cream place

Becoming a couponer

So, I have wanted to get better at couponing and even work my way up to the title of "extreme couponer." I have been slow at getting started though, so last night Rob and I struck up a deal. To give me incentive to coupon, I can earn rewards for money I save. And were not just talking silly little items. I am couponing my way to some pretty awesome things. I immediately took him up on his offer and have been happily researching how to save all morning. The idea is very exciting to me. Saving all this money. I am even considering dumpster diving for coupons. =] I hope to report of great savings and earned rewards.

First goal on the list: save enough money to purchase a printer, so I can print coupons. Wish me luck =]

New Recipe: A Taste of Olive Garden

So I decided to try to make one of my favorite soups from OG, Chicken and Gnocchi. It turned out great and I will definitely be making it again soon.=]

First I made my homemade potato gnocchi. It was so easy . Just mix flour, egg yolk, and cooked potatoes.

Then boil in salted water for about 4 minutes.

I made the base of the soup next: onions, carrots, celery, chicken stock, and half & half.

Next I added my chicken, gnocchi, and fresh spinach.

Stopped to take a picture of the chef=]

And you're done

So yummy!

Birthday Season...let the celebration begin!!

Everything else has a season, why not your birthday? Great idea MJ! I have been known to make my birthday last a weekend, but turning the month into a celebration of you is a great idea! So to begin the month, I am going to list ten of my favorite things, that would make my birthday season perfect.

1. Braves games: I love watching them, but going to them makes me happier than a little kid on Christmas.

2. Watching sappy, cheesy romance movies: Everyone needs to cry over something ridiculous now and then.

3. Listening to Irish music and dreaming of living there.

4. Buying a new pair of shoes

5. Baking just to bake, no special event to go to

6. Getting flowers: Especially Gerber daisies

7. Listening to loud music and singing at the top of your lungs with the windows rolled down.

8. Puppies...they make my heart melt

9. Getting anything in the mail

10.Camping and the long drives that come with getting to your destination.

Regardless of these things, I know it will be a great month, but I look forward to seeing what touches of birthday I can add into my everyday life=]

Why hello there, Mr. Sunshine.

Last week it was sunny and we had temperatures in the 50's and even a 60 one day. I was living it up, wearing short sleeves and going barefoot for a few days. Granted it snowed again on Monday, but a little sign that spring is on the way made me a very happy girl. I miss not having to wear five layers just to stay warm and than having to take them all off so you don't sweat to death upon entering the grocery store. So while I am staying inside today, due to all the snow and ice outside, I'm counting down to spring and it is a wonderful thing :)

I'm a working gal now!

This girl got a job. Can you believe it!! I now have the title of an Independent Consultant for thirty-one gifts and I am so excited about it. With this new job, comes many challenges, but I am ready to face them and dive into the world of 31. To start, let me share a bit of info about the company. Thirty-one gifts got it's name from Proverbs 31 and their goal as a business is to provide affordable and fun household and on the go items for hardworking women. The testimony of the company as a whole is wonderful, plus their products are down right adorable. Thirty-one has taken normal everyday household storage items and "prettied" them up for the girl who loves to shop for cute things, but needs to buy practical items. One of, if not the best feature of being a thirty-one consultant is my schedule. Working from home and choosing my own hours is great, especially while I'm in school. I can't wait to start having parties and introducing the 31 line. That is where you, my loyal blog followers come in. I would love for everyone to help spread the word. I would love to plan a party for you, but if you're not local and just want to place an order that would be awesome as well. So how might you do this? All you have to do is visit my website....


http://www.mythirtyone.com/HEA/


Here you will find all the information about setting up a party or even becoming a consultant yourself. The Spring catalog is also on the site. Just follow the link. If you would like to place an order you are welcome to do so on my website or you can send me an email to shortandsweethea@gmail.com with your order plus your shipping and credit card information and I will submit it for you. Feel free to Facebook me orders as well. 


I thank you in advance for your orders/interest in the company. Pray for me as I begin this new adventure!!

 "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, 

 But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 

 Give her of the fruit of her hands, 

 And let her own works praise her in the gates." 

 Proverbs 31:30-31

This time of year...

  

Makes me feel like a little kid all over again. Christmas has always been my favorite time of year and I am always ready to get the house all ready for the holidays. Just like normal this year I woke up on Black Friday, not prepared to shop, but to decorate. We spent the day trimming the tree and Christmasing up the house. I love spending hours looking at the ornaments on the tree and squinting my eyes to make the lights look pretty.My favorite part of this year was being put in charge of the outside lights. After wrapping trees and bushes all day and numerous pokes in the eye, I was pretty impressed with the end product. Let the Christmas season officially begin!                                                                            

Today I am thankful for....

 Family

I have a wonderful family and since the day I was born have been grateful that God placed me in this home. I was blessed to be raised in a strong Christian home with people who love me.

Mom and Dad

Tori/Sissy

Bella Raven

I am Blessed

Monday: Today I am thankful for...

My wonderful friends!! 

I have decided since it is the week of Thanksgiving to blog about something I am thankful for every day. Today it is those people who make my days happy and fill me with laughter. God has blessed me with some of the greatest friends in the world and I am so very thankful for them...weirdness and all=]

Best Friend, partner in crime, other half of my brain

Sisters and planners of some of the stupidest ideas

My Little Love never makes a serious face

Big friend=]

My Abbigizzile/Agnus <3

Blakely, we shall never hug again

I Am So Very Blessed

I LOVE FOOD

Thursday night, Mom and I spent the evening at cooking school, a tradition we have carried out for the past 5 years. We sat and watched as Taste of Home's chef, Michelle Roberts showed us how to prepare ten wonderful dishes. The smell in the auditorium was amazing. Throughout the night many door prizes, including the food, are given away and this year I actually won a prize! Whenever I get back from this event I always feel like trying all sorts of new recipes. Last night it was just Dad and I at home so I got to cook. Dinner was simple, just pork chops and scalloped potatoes, but I was very proud of my dessert, which got rave reviews from the whole family. My  very first peach cobbler. I'm pretty proud of it....

Michelle showing us cool cooking techniques 

I'm a football lovin kind of girl.

Saturdays in my world mean one thing, football. I absolutely love it. So yesterday I not only got to support my GSU Panthers, but I brought my mom with me. I'm working on turning her into a football fanatic like me. It was a beautiful day and the Panthers won!! 

Mom and Aunt Barbie

                                                                                  

                
                                                  Chilling with the cousin

Showing my Panther pride

Saturday well spent if you ask me :)

November 5

While Guy Fawkes attempt to blow up Parliament isn't exactly something to applaud, the famous rhyme and Gunpowder Plot sermons are depicted in one of my all time favorite movies, V for Vendetta. After years of loving this movie, I finally researched it's origin and read a bit about the history of November 5. Fawkes was sentenced to death for his act of treason and every year crowds gather to reenact his death by burning scarecrows that look like him. So there is the history that eventually was made into one of the greatest movies I have seen. If you have never watched this great film, I suggest you do right away. So let the November 5th festivities begin and as always......


Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

Right about now...

I'm really missing some sunshine and lake time.


Me and the Bestie soaking up the sun at Lake Lanier.

Perfect summer days with the some of my favorite people

On a cold a rainy morning....

I'm still choosing joy! While I am not that fond of walking through the streets of Atlanta while I battle the ice cold wind and rain, there is one thing that makes me smile every time I know it is going to be a dreary day. Today I am wearing rain boots! Yes I know it's silly to get excited about splashing in the water, but what can I say, I'm a dork. So while everyone complains about the cold and gross weather, I'm going to go jump in some puddles. I highly recommend it=]




As a extra bonus, while typing this blog I received an email that one of my classes has been canceled today. I love Wednesdays=]