I want robots...two robots

We tried to take Jolie to see Santa last year, but she was terrified. Mark wouldn't let me purchase the pictures of her screaming for dear life! :) BUT.....this year, she went right up to Santa!!!!!

I love how she still looks a little bit nervous, yet so proud of herself.

Jolie told Santa, "I want two toys....robots!!!" The she pointed to Mark and I, "one for her, one for him, and one for me!" her math was off just a little bit. :) The moment was precious. yep, my little girl wants a robot. I was thinking that was kind of boyish, but then come to find out, she actually wants a moving and talking baby doll..... She was going crazy over them at the store!! So, Santa will be bringing Jolie a robot baby for Christmas. ;)

a bird's eye view

Mark was able to do a two-day deployment with the air unit for training. Here are a few pics he took while flying in the helicopter. He REALLY enjoyed his time! They even let him fly the helicopter!! Mark said that at the beach, they could see dolphins and sharks. and that there is the private island somewhere in the St. Johns River that has wild pigs roaming. My favorite story is the one where they were flying over St. Johns Town Center at night observing how busy it was....they were wondering what was going on....then all of the sudden fireworks were going off right next to them. The pilot thought it was a good idea to get out of there stat! ;) The towncenter was having a lighting-of-the-tree event with live concerts... (there is a pic of the St. Johns Town Center, 2 row, on the right) Mark was even able to get a couple pics of our house! I was home, hosting our small group bible study. You can see a few blurbs on the back patio....that's us! :) I bet the neighbors were wondering why the police helicopter was circling our house! hehehe

smoky mtn love

Mark and I went to the Smoky Mountains for a little weekend getaway. We returned to a cute little town, Bryson City, NC. If I could, I would move there in a heartbeat! It is so beautiful there! It was great for just the two of us have a break. We met our friends, Trevor and Terri from Louisville, at the cabin. This first pic is the view from our cabin. The leaves were just starting to change. I was so hoping to see more color, but it's more color than we see here in Florida! ;)

she 'cleaned' her room

"Mommy! Mommy! Look, I cleaned my room"

She cracks me up....

isn't life grand...

she twirls and dances....and takes a bow

this is happiness

straight talk

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I can't believe how fast the last year has gone by! I have been at Pink & Whites Salon for one year!!! I had my one year anniversary in September. :)

I love my job! I love the gals (and guy) I work with!

I was so nervous and scared to move to a new salon. and nervous to become self-employed. But I knew I could do it! I am so very very happy and thankful to be right where I am.

candy corn wreath

The happy return....fall

or as the sign at Starbucks says, "The happy return, The Pumpkin Spiced Latte." I love fall. I am so in love with the season that I am making Mark take me on an 8 hour road trip to the Smoky Mountains. We are going to Bryson City,NC the second week of October. I am hoping and praying that the fall colors will be at their peak. say a prayer for me! Florida doesn't get much of a fall...I miss it so much! One thing for sure, is that the weather will be a bit cooler there. I will be wearing my boots and sweaters! ahhh...the happy return!

Check out this sweet idea for a fall wreath.

click the on the photo to see just how to make it!

looks simple and cute!

project: done

Cleaned: check
Painted: check
Organized: check
Now.... to just keep it that way!

Yay! The family room closet is no longer dirty and dingy. This was one of those projects I wanted to get to, but I just seem to keep pushing it aside. It's so easy to just close the doors and pretend the mess isn't there. :) Now, it's done! I can cross it off my honey-do list. (which, somehow ended up a me-do list...hmmm...) I'm gonna have to work on that! "oh, Mark...." ;)

is it boot season yet?

yes... it is still hot enough to be wearing tank tops....

even if it is 90 degrees outside, I am obsessed with boots.
You can just call me...crazy. ;)

I happen to be rubbing off on someone, too.
We DO call her 'little Karen', you know.

Spaghetti face and rain boots... life is good!

wooo-ha

Jolie says to Mark, "Watch out for WOOO-HA! Daddy!" as he leaves for work.
I guess that's what she calls the 'bad guys'!

Tonight is numero 2 of four nights in a row for Mark's work schedule. When he works nights, and I have a full day at the salon, we miss each other coming and going. She misses her Daddy! As we were pulling into the driveway tonight, she asked if Daddy's home....or is Daddy sleeping?? His schedule must be so confusing for her. He makes up for it when he has four or five days off! She will get to see him in the morning. Since she insists on being such an early riser...ugh...and he gets home around 6 a.m. On his days off, he's so great, he let's me sleep in...aahhh! It's the simple things in life! That is like a million bucks to me.
This is a crazy busy week for me at the salon...which is such a blessing! I love my job! But...I am looking forward to the weekend, we are both off for a couple days together!!!

game day

Louisville had it's first football game yesterday.

New coach, new season!

but....it still just wasn't enough to beat thier rival, Kentucky.

The Govers came over to watch the big game.

Don't we have the cutest little cardinal birds!?!? :)

change

She is such an inspiration.
check out her blog: NieNie

mango salsa

Ingredients
1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and diced

1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped

1 Jalapeño chile, minced (include ribs and seeds for a hotter taste if desired)

1 small cucumber, peeled and diced

3 Tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Lime juice, 1/2 lime, freshly squeezed

Salt and pepper to taste
1 diced red bell pepper

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If the salsa ends up being a little too hot or acidic for your taste, you can temper it by adding some diced avocado.

Great over seafood, or in fish tacos. I made this for our small group study last night, so I doubled the recipe. I served it with grilled chicken, and jasmine rice. I made a small portion without cilantro, for my crazy friends who don't like cilantro!?!?! crazy ;) It was healthy and delicious!

footprint of service

Part of my experience in the Middle East was the constant state of dirty feet. 10 days of dirty skanky feet. I would feel so good walking out that door in the morning...and as soon as I stepped out the door...sand...dirt. (not to mention the 110 to 113 degree heat)

uuuugghhh.....

Even though that was my first thought, my second thought was what it must have been like to walk in the sand....to walk in the desert in Biblical times. Jesus and the disciples must have felt that dirty, sandy feeling daily. I thought about the last supper when Jesus washed the disciples feet. (Foot washing was a hospitality custom of ancient civilizations, especially where sandals were worn. This is mentioned in several places in the Old Testament as well as other historical documents. A typical Eastern host might bow, greet, and kiss his guest, then offer water to allow guest to wash their feet or have servants do it.)

John 13:12-17 "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me 'Teacher and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you would do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will blessed if you do them."

Jesus calls all of us to acts of kindness and service. My prayer is that I have the heart of a servant.

challenge: Do a simple act of kindness for a stranger...and a family member...today!

sunday

In God's great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

Sunday was such a great reminder of where our hope comes from. We can have faith in His power, His plan, and His unconditional love.

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

Mark worked Saturday night, so this Sunday was a girls day. Jolie and I matched. :) I didn't get a picture...then it was too late. She was all sweaty from running around the courtyard with her friends....in the almost 100 degree heat. We had lunch with some great friends. I love Sundays. I love going to church. hearing the word. worship. seeing our church family. Jolie loves it too. She gets to have fun and learn in the preschool classroom.

This past Sunday was a day I reflected on just how blessed we are. Blessed by His unconditional love and blessed to have a family here in Jax.

This was my 'Sunday hair'...what do you think? ;)

Jolie wore a pink flower. We were matchy-matchy.

lazy afternoon

It was 3 o'clock on Monday...
Mark had finally got Jolie to take a nap...
after she insisted on playing Mr. Potato Head. :)
(Mr. Potato Head was hanging out to the right)
I came home to this beautiful sight,
my babies sleeping :)

I remember when this little kitchen towered over Jolie....

I can't believe just how tall she's getting!

modeling future? I think she's going to be 5'10 ;)

Mom came to town for the weekend...

Sadly, this was the only pic we took of the 3 of us. LOL...Jolie barely made the cut!

She did, however, make it to beach while Grandma was here!

she should be in pictures...

The amazing and talented Cheryl Miner photographed our little family.... I am so excited with how they turned out! I can't stop looking at them. :) The session was so much fun...even if it was 100 degrees outside that day. We just strolled around St. Augustine. Jolie was such a little model. She would pose and smile like it was her calling. There were so many great shots, especially of our lil' ham!

Cheryl Joy Miner Photography

heidi + alan = ♥

One week after I came home from the desert, our friends

Heidi & Alan tied the knot!

Mark and Alan have worked together for just over a year. I guess one night at work, Alan asked if Mark would officiate the ceremony. Such a honor for Mark! I think Mark was really excited to be part of their big day. Mark and I make a great little team! :) He officiated the ceremony, and I did the hair for the beautiful bride and bridesmaids.

me & my honey

The work crew... take 1

take 2Personally, I love take 1! I lovey those in-the-moment, laughing smiles!

Congratulation to Mr. & Mrs. Alan Givens!