Five on Friday: We're in the 90s Again

Yup, I said it. It's happening. We are in the 90s again. I don't hate it, but I definitely know it. And I can prove it. Top five reasons the 90s are back. 

5. Boy bands are back. I definitely do not hate this one. NSYNC was my absolute jam, but I could never bring myself to hate BSB. They had good songs too. But if I had to pick, NSYNC all the way. Especially when I got to go to the NSYNC Justin concert this past December. My 21 year old sister requested we dvr the One Direction special. And she wouldn't stop talking about it!!! One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, The Wanted, and about 2,853 more. 

 

4. Bollllld Patterns. This is what Duck Dude's high school cousin wanted for Christmas.  

And this is what I considered getting Duck Dude for Christmas. But I talked myself out of it. I wasn't sure if he was ready for the entire 90s commitment. 

3. Gas is CHEAP!!! Under two dollars!!!! I remember the summer I turned 16, gas was 0.99 and as a highschooler I was annoyed when it got up to $1.25 because I was broke and all my money was going to gas. Funny. However, now I can fill my entire SUV up for 36 dollars and it's marvelous!!!

2. High Waisted Shorts. I prefer the term hot pants. And I will never wear them, but, wow, my students do! I see their pictures on Instagram and I don't know how they wear them! I would look so terribly silly and nothing like this girl. 

1. The Cowboys won a Playoff Game!!!!!!!!! And I am ok with everyone jumping on the bandwagon!! I will help them climb on!!! Let's go Cowboys!!!!!!!!!!! If Brett Favre was still the quarterback I might have a bigger issue with this weekend's game, but while Aaron is cute in all his discount double check-ness...... Cowboys! All America's Team!!!!!! Go Boys!!!!

Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate

Happy Friday!!!

Tuscan Soup

Ok, this is really a copy cat of the Zuppa Toscana Soup from Olive Garden... but I've never had it there... and Zuppa Toscana seemed waaaay too fancy for this place.... so that's how we ended up with Tuscan Soup.
I made it with my mom roommate on Tuesday night and I figured it was the perfect thing for today when it's 18 degrees outside and feels like 10 degrees. And it was good. I have been fighting a cold all week long and it was even good with a cold! I'm sure it actually tasted a million times better! 
I told Duck Dude about it and it went like this...

he said, "What's in it?" ......
"Bacon and sausage and potatoes..."...
"Yum! That sounds really good!" ....
"And then a whole bunch of kale!!"....
"Let's go back to the bacon part..."

But he would like it. I know he would. He might even lick his plate/bowl like he did for the meal I made on Monday.  I like when he likes food I make. It makes me think 'man I'm gonna be a good housewife. :) 
Anyway, when you're ready for a good, hot soup night. Make this!!  

 

Verse of 2015

It's that time of year where I pick my verse that I am going to memorize and live by for the year of 2015. It's somewhat my resolution... to live by the verse I pick out. 
If you remember from last year, I had a difficult time deciding on a verse. This year is completely different. I have had this verse picked out and saved in a "note" on my phone since the middle of last year. 
I believe all my previous verses have had a theme of support. I believe I chose them because I have relied on Christ's support for these last 6 years. This years verse is a little different. It's about living. 
Shortly, I will be beginning a new life with my husband, and I think this verse will be extremely important to start our marriage off with. I actually just realized yesterday I should probably run this verse by him to make sure he agrees. I would love to eventually pick out the verse for the year together, so that it fits both of our spiritual needs. Luckily, he loved it, and I have been very excited to share the verse today. 

"2 Timothy 1:9 - He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace."

There are so many small reminders in this verse that I think it will be an excellent verse for the year. We are called to a holy life and I get to begin life with my husband and, man, I want it to be a holy life. I want our lives to glorify God, I want to glorify God through my husband, and I want God to be glorified through our relationship. 

But then, I love the second part of the verse. It's a "don't get too big for your britches" type of reminder. We are not living this holy life because of any good works we have done. We are choosing to live this holy life for God's purpose and his grace. He was gracious enough to save us and now we get to live a life to honor him. 

I am excited every year about picking a new verse, but I really, really love this one.

2015 - 2 Timothy 1:9

2014 – Psalm 71:3

2013 – Hebrews 6:19

2012 – John 16:33

2011 – Hebrews 11:1

2010 – Joshua 1:9

2009 – Psalm 46:1

Countdown: All Things Wedding

I loveeee countdowns. And right now, we are couting down to a whole bunch of wedding things!! So, Here are all of the events I am looking forward to.... mostly related to the wedding! A few birthdays are slipped in!
6 days until it's my Momma's birthday. She's had a lot of birthdays in my days... but I am excited about this one because all of my sisters and I are surprising her with a treat. Stay tuned.
7 days until it's my Duck Dude Fiance's 28th birthday!!! Then we will be the ages we will be when we get married!!!! 
11 days until I'm partying it up with my bridesmaids and friends for my bachelorette party!!!! I'm not sure what all is planned... but I know I'm going to like it!!! I will be soooo excited for all my bridesmaids to be together with me!!! It's gonna be good.
18 days until we have our first shower. I have gone to sooo many church showers... and now, this one is for me!!! I think this will be a surreal moment! We are so excited about so many of the things we registered for... hopefully I won't have to do the fake "oh my gosh!!"
19 days until Travis' church shower! I am grateful for a fiance who is willing to come to the shower with me! Props to you babe!
24 days until our couple shower!!! This one is going to be fun! Way more of a friend gathering than a shower and I am super excited for it!! I've always loved going to these and I still can't believe it's for us! That's crazy!!!
28 days until I get fake lashes put on! I am treating myself because I want to look my absolute best for my pictures and my soon to be husband! I would only trust my hair person to ever get close to my eyes. She's the best.
33 days until bridal portraits!! Everything is going splendidly, except for I do not know where I'm taking pictures yet. Suggestions are welcome.
Then my February is pretty quiet and I like it that way. I'm sure it won't actually be quiet once it gets here, but that's ok.
57 days until I am off of school and running around like a chicken with my head cut off! Red head arrives from North Carolina to calm me and help me realize it will all be ok... or something like that.
59 days until I. am. getting. married. Husband. and. Wife. married!!!!!
61 days until we are on a plane and headed to St. Lucia!!!! Holy cow!! I am so excited to be married and headed off with my husband!!!
And off we go!!

Happy New Year!

Why not start this brand year off with a recap of pictures! I have so many posts I want to do this week, but this one just seemed right.  I wrapped up my 2015 with a couple days at the ranch. It was glorious. All the cousins were there for a total of 6 hours and we made the most of those 6 hours. One cousin (I don't remember who) put it perfectly. We range in age from 14 to 26, but the 14 year old has not missed out on anything because we still do the same things we did when we were 14 ourselves! We play hay tag, we go exploring, we forge the river by building dams, we ride horses, we play "mafia" the card game, and we eat dinner all together but the rule is you cannot sit by a sibling, or spouse. 

Then I came back to New Year's Eve with my new family! We had a fun, but easy night at our favorite restaurant for drinks and then to Mellow Mushroom for pizza!

We had a big game to prepare for the next morning...... and I'm still not ready to talk about it. Ha just kidding. We lost and it was super terrible. But, we had one really incredible play by the largest guy in NCAA football. And that really made my day. Plus, everyone now knows about Shawn Oakman since he blew up twitter. So, I got over it pretty quickly. 

Stay tuned this week for resolutions, verse of the year, and countdowns!!