Tuesday Tunes

I have always loved vauge beautiful lyrics, I'm not sure why but there's something about them that just draws me in. In my mind Nickel Creek is the best at these! I love their first cd and it's one of my favorites of all time. Several of my favorite quotes are found in this song, which is one of my favorite off of the cd, expect to see lots more from them in future Tuesday Tunes!! This is a beautiful song, if you've never heard it hop on over to You Tube and listen!!!

"Reasons Why"

Where am I today? I wish that I knew

'Cause looking around there's no sign of you

I don't remember one jump or one leap

Just quiet steps away from your lead

I'm holding my heart out but clutching it too

Feeling this short of a love that we once knew

I'm calling this home when it's not even close

Playing the role with nerves left exposed

Standing on a darkened stage, stumbling through the lines

Others have excuses, but I have my reasons why

We get distracted by dreams of our own

But nobody's happy while feeling alone

And knowing how hard it hurts when we fall

We lean another ladder against the wrong wall

And climb high to the highest rung, to shake fists at the sky

While others have excuses, I have my reasons why

With so much deception it's hard not to wander away

It's hard not to wander away

It's hard not to wander away

The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans with Rachel Huck *Review*

I have always loved Sara Evans music, and was super excited to get the chance to review her very first novel!

The Sweet By and By is a story about Jade and her struggle to make peace with all the skeletons in her closet before she marries her true love. The road there isn't easy, as she thinks it would be just easier to shove them back into the closet where they belong, this doesn't prove to be easy once her hippie mom shows up, dragging all of Jade's baggage messily with her.

 This is a story of hurt, past demons, and ultimately the kind of forgiveness that only peace with God can bring. The characters were realistically flawed and showed the consequences a life of sin will bring, and the writing was extremely easy to read. I finished the book in 2 days. As a conservative Christian I felt the book was a little on the liberal side of Christian, and was disappointed that salvation was never clearly explained. It seemed to always be linked directly to baptism, or a "moving emotional experience", which I don't agree with. The style of the book reminded me somewhat of Karen Kingsbury's writing and if you enjoy her novels then I'm sure you will enjoy this one as well. In all I liked and would recommend it, but only with a word of caution. I did like it enough that I will probably read the follow up book when it comes out.

I Heart Faces ~ Happy Birthday!

It's i ♥ faces very first birthday! I so enjoy entering the photo challenge each week even though I know I don't have a prayer to win, lol. (They allow professional entries so my stuff is definitely sub-par!!!) I just love this picture of Amber because  I think it makes her look just like a little elf! This week they're having a super fun contest so be sure to hop on over and view all the other fantastic faces on their blog!

“I am submitting this photo into the I Heart Faces logo photo contest. By entering, I am granting I Heart Faces LLC permission to consider my photo for use in the marketing and promotion of their website.”

My Favorite Current Giveaways

Here's a list of top giveaways that I'm currently hoping to win! Be sure to enter all my giveaways as well!

$50 GC to ShoeBuy.com at Piece of Me ends 12/29

Kathe Kruse Waldorf Feng Shui Doll at Design {for} Baby ends 1/13

Flirty Aprons at Design {for} Baby ends 1/12

Your Picture Book at Design {for} Baby ends 1/12

2010

2010 should prove to be a red letter year for the Elliott family.

The first major change happens today as Bob is now officially ME3 Elliott in the Coast Guard.

This year will also bring our 5th anniversary, my 25th birthday, an out of state move, and a new baby.

So here's to 2010, I welcome you with open arms and can't wait for all the new and exciting changes you will bring!!!!

Looking back

Things I wish I'd done in 2009

* Read the Bible, prayed, and meditated on God's goodness every day

* Worked out 5 times a week

* Handled situations more graciously

* Called my grandparents

* Sent out encouraging notes

* Played with Amber outside more

* Not stress out on Bob about money

Things I did do in 2009

* Got more consistent in my devotions, though I've been slacking again and have a looong way to go

* Did workout to my DVDs...at least 5 times, (LoL)

* Fit into my skinny-skinny pants and got down to the skinniest since I got married (woo hoo!!!!)

* Grew and matured through many situations

* Learned to be thankful and happy as a military spouse even if that means not living in Wyoming

* Got pregnant :)

* Read Amber lots of books

* Gave myself permission for loads of "me" time

Things I want to do in 2010

* Have a healthy, happy pregnancy ending in a healthy, happy baby

* Really focus on setting a daily devotion time

* Be content and happy with where ever we move

* Catch back up on my personal scrapbooking

* Grow my business

And as always...

* Continue to grow and learn and mature

* To become the best Christian, the best wife, the best mother, and the best friend I can possibly be!!!

***Happy New Years!***

(I "blog-lifted" this idea from Roe of Scrap Girls :) )

Over the River and Through the Woods...

To Grandma's house we went!!!

And thanks to my amazing early Christmas present of a camera from my family back home I was able to capture it!

Amber was a gloriously good girl on both the way down and back. No crying or whining!!! Amazing!

I was able to keep my Pepsi and goldfish in my tummy where they belong thanks to vitamin B6 and Ginger capsules, my two new best friends!!! They kept me from throwing up the whole vacation although I still get pretty fierce nasuea :S Praying it passes soon!!!

On the way we got to see a gorgeous Georgia sunset, and I got to play around with having a macro again, Yey!

Even with being such a good girl Amber was super excited to get out of the car during rest stops. Here's her happy dance --> 

That night in the motel room she was feeling generous and gave the baby in the mirror some kisses. Her newest thing to do is come up to me and say Wuv You!!! and give me a big hug and smooch. Absolutely melts me!!! :)

I figured being in Texas it was only fitting to give her her very first horse ride, she loved it!

I was dreaming of a white Christmas and actually (kinda) got one. It snowed a little bit on Christmas Eve. It was all gone by the evening but I loved seeing the swirling snow in the air once again!

Everyone fell prey to Amber's charms, even super-techy top secret Army man Uncle Bryan!

Christmas Eve and Christmas were nice relaxing days.

 Amber loved all of it! (P.S. Cutest jammies ever!!!)

Bob wasn't quite as enthused as we were (hubby hates pics, lol)

The trip home was blessedly uneventful with another gorgeous sunset over the Mississippi River.