Friday, December 30, 2011

Year in Review

I am amazed at how fast the year 2011 has gone by! 
It has certainly been a very exciting one for us.

January

The Big Snow Storm! Schools were closed for an entire week! Jason was of course out and about in his 4 wheel drive the first day!




We also had our first bridal shower.



February


I started this blog! :)


We started getting the basement ready for the Ellis's!



And had another bridal shower!



March

Kristen and Daniel got married!


 And Jason celebrated his 28th birthday!




April


I started working at my first job after graduation.


Jason preached on Easter Sunday in his new pink shirt.



May

Probably the most eventful month of the year!
I graduated from pharmacy school.


Jason and I finally got married!


And we spent our honeymoon in the beautiful St. Lucia!


June

I finally became a licensed pharmacist!



July

I celebrated my 24th birthday!




August

Jason and I took a spontaneous trip to Helen and visited Charlemagne's Kingdom
It is a to scale replica of old time Germany built over many, many years by a man and his wife.
It was very cool to see, and we learned some history!




September


We spent a wonderful week at the beach!



We went to almost all of the UGA home games.



Jason performed his second wedding ceremony- for our nephew and new niece!



October

We went to the Tennessee vs. LSU game in Knoxville.




November


We celebrated Thanksgiving and the start of my new full time job!


Our annual family photos:




December

We celebrated our first Christmas as an old married couple! :)



2011 was a great year. I am looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2012!
Happy New Year!!


"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail."
Proverbs 19:21

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Our First Christmas

Christmas came and went so quickly this year! We have been so busy with Christmas parties, dinners with friends, and work that the time flew by.

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas. Jason and I certainly did. We celebrated our first Christmas as a married couple! Very exciting. 

I loved having our own tree. We decided to get a real one. I really don't want to take it down. I think it's pretty, and it was so much work. But I guess it will have to come down this weekend. 

We were able to spend a lot of time with our families over the long Christmas weekend. We had Christmas Eve dinner with my parents and brother and his girlfriend. Then we were able to go to the Christmas Eve service at Shadowbrook together before heading to Jason's aunt's house for Christmas with his extended family.

On Christmas day we woke up and had breakfast and opened presents with my family. Then we headed to Jason's parent's house for Christmas dinner, more presents, bingo, and white elephant! 

Here are some pictures, although I didn't take nearly enough!

 Our stockings; Even Daisy got one!

 Gifts under our tree!
 Daisy in her Christmas sweater
 Daisy got a new ball for Christmas

 Our Tree

One of our gifts: a reindeer for each of us!

I am so thankful for Christmas to celebrate the greatest gift of all- the birth of our Savior- and to spend precious time with family.

"But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children." Galations 4:4-5


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thankful- Part 2

I can hardly believe this year has gone by so quickly. Thanksgiving is past and now we are on to Christmas! Jason and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with our families. Our friends from North Carolina came and stayed with us for a couple of days with their little ones which was a lot of fun! We had Thanksgiving with Jason's family on Thanksgiving, then with my family on Saturday! So much yummy food and so much fun!

It's my goal to name 30 things that I am thankful for this holiday season. Unfortunately, my computer is not working right now. I'm having to borrow Jason's, so I won't get to post any fun pictures this time!

There is so much to be thankful for even though sometimes we can easily forget all we have been blessed with!

16. I am thankful for my health. I'm glad that Jason and I are both in good health.

17. I am thankful for freedom. We have such great freedom in this country! I am thankful to be able to worship Jesus freely and openly. I am thankful to be able to make my own decisions about my life without government input. I am so thankful to all the soldiers who have fought and are still fighting to protect all the freedoms we enjoy!

18. I am thankful for the Neti Pot! I used to have so many problems with my sinuses and being stuffy until a friend introduced me to the Neti Pot. It washes out your sinuses using saline. It is amazing! Jason completely hates it, but I do it at least 3 times a week. It makes such a difference! You don't realize you aren't breathing as well as you could until you do it and you can breathe!  Give it a try :)

19. I am thankful for prayer. I am so glad that God gives us a way to communicate with Him personally! Prayer allows us to give all our anxieties, worries, and struggles to God. It also allows us to receive comfort, peace, and guidance from Him. What an amazing gift! :)

20. I am thankful for the rain this week. Rain is not my favorite, but we desperately need it. The lake and rivers are way down. Rain is a good thing!

21. I am thankful for holidays! Holidays are so fun because they are the perfect excuse to hang out with family and eat some really yummy food! 

22. I am thankful for appliances! What would I do with out the washer and dryer, the oven, or the dishwasher?!? And what about my cell phone and computer? All of these things make life a lot easier!


23. I am thankful for God's word! I am so glad God gave us such an easy way to learn about Him and His heart. He doesn't make it difficult for us. His love for us is spelled out on each page of the Bible.


24. I am thankful for leaves. When they are green, they help produce oxygen for us to breathe. Then they are beautiful as they change colors in the fall. And even when they fall to the ground I love hearing the crunch beneath my feet.


25. I am thankful for peace. I am so glad that God is control, and I am not. There have been so many times in my life when I thought I knew what was best, but the truth is I don't. If I had my way, so many things in my life would be messed up right now! God is the only one who can see the big picture. I am happy to rest in Him, knowing that His plan is always perfect.


26. I am thankful for football. Jason and I had a great time going to the Georgia games and even a Tennessee game this year! It was great time to spend together and with our friends.


27. I am thankful for Jason's smoker and grill. Jason is a great cook when it comes to the meat! He can smoke some awesome ribs and grill some great steaks. We had some for dinner last night. So yummy! :)


28. Today it is cold and rainy and I am thankful for blankets, sweatpants, and the heat! And of course in the summer I am super thankful for the air conditioning! Also to go along with this, I am very thankful for the heated seats in my car! They are probably my favorite thing about it! Perfect on these freezing days.


29. I am thankful for running water! I take this for granted every day! It is so hard for me to fathom that people in other areas of the world don't have drinking water or bathrooms. I am so blessed to have both of those things to use whenever I want to!


30. I am thankful for air to breathe and lungs that are able to take it in and use it. This is something else I take for granted! I am thankful for the way God made our bodies- lungs to  breathe the air He provides and a heart that beats to bring the oxygen all over!


I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! 
What are you thankful for?


"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thankful

I have noticed a lot of my Facebook friends are posting something they are thankful for each day. I think this is a wonderful idea! I know so often I get caught up in the one or two things that don't seem to be going my way that I forget how many things I have been blessed with. There is so much to be thankful for! I want to list 15 things I am thankful for on this post, then I will post 15 more next week around Thanksgiving!

1. I am thankful for my gracious God who gave His precious and perfect son, Jesus, to conquer death so that I can have a relationship with Him. God has shown me so much love, mercy, and grace that I do not deserve. I am so very grateful!


2. I am thankful for my sweet husband, Jason. Jason loves Jesus and people! He is continually challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and think outside the box. I am truly blessed that God brought us together, and I am super excited about our first holiday season as a married couple!! :)



3. I am very thankful to finally be done with school! Six years of college was a little bit long for me, but I am grateful to live in a place with the opportunity for education.  Now I am Kristen Ellis, Pharm.D. 



4. I am so thankful for my wonderful brother, Charles! Charles is the best brother ever. I am so grateful that God placed us in the same family. I have never understood those who do not get along with their siblings. Charles is one of my closest friends! He has always been a person I can go to for sound advice. 



5. I am thankful for my amazing parents. When I was growing up, I often did not appreciate my parents or their rules. But now that I am a grown up and more mature, I am so glad that they raised me the way that they did! They have taught me so much. I am thankful to them for teaching me about the love of Jesus and instilling in me good values and work ethic. I am so glad to have their unconditional love and support. They are an example of true love for the Lord, for each other, and for their children. 


6. I am so incredibly thankful for all the years I had growing up with my sweet grandparents, Nana and Papa. They are so special to me and made such a difference in my life! They also taught me so much about loving the Lord and loving on people. Their 62 year marriage is an incredible example of true love and commitment! 




7. I am thankful for my dog, Daisy Duke. She is a sweet girl. I love that she is always happy to see me and greets me with a wagging tail and kisses. I love that she takes walks with me around the neighborhood. I love that she is a snuggler! And she is the most beautiful dog ever, of course :)





8. I am thankful to have a job. God has blessed me with a wonderful work opportunity. Jason and I are so grateful for His provision for us! I am looking forward to starting my new job on Monday!


9.  I am thankful to have a roof over my head! I am so glad that we have a little basement apartment to call our own. And we are thankful for all of the hand-me-down furniture that fills it up!


10. I am thankful for our wonderful church. Jason and I have finally found a place where we can worship and serve the Lord alongside our fellow Christians! We have really enjoyed meeting so many new friends through Sunday school and our small group. We are working with the youth and enjoying them as well! I am especially thankful for the pastor and his wife who have been so sweet to Jason and I!


11. I am thankful for all of the wonderful friends God has blessed me with. Whether I have known them for a long time or just a short while, God has placed some amazing people in my life that I am blessed to call friends! Special shout our here to my sweet friend, Kristen Eleveld!!


12. I am thankful for desserts! I have such a sweet tooth! I pretty much cannot eat a meal without having something sweet at the end of it! :)


13. I am thankful for the beach. I LOVE the beach. The feel of the sand between my toes, the sound of the waves, the breeze, seafood,  the sun on my face, and everything else about it. The beach just seems peaceful to me. It's calming. And it really cries out to me all of God's glory. I look out and all I see is water and waves.




14. I am thankful for my car. In August, I rear ended a giant Tahoe. My little Infiniti of course got most of the damage. For a few days I was concerned that it would be totaled, but it wasn't! It is fixed and good as new! I'm thankful to not have had to figure out what to do about a new car too!


15. I am thankful for my in-laws. Jason's family has been so sweet and welcoming to me! I love having a big family. I have always wanted a sister, and now I have two sister-in-laws. We are also blessed with nieces and nephews and even a great nephew! 



"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Friday, November 11, 2011

A Special Veteran

My Papa was a walking miracle. When Charles and I were very young Papa had his first heart attack. We don't remember this happening, but I'm sure it was very scary for my Nana and my Mom. They knew that Papa's father and most of his brothers had passed away early in life as a result of heart problems. But God had big plans for my sweet Papa, and he recovered amazingly from that heart attack. 

Charles and I spent so much time with Papa and Nana when we were young. We had lunch at their house every Sunday after church. We spent every summer at their house. They always took time to do special things with us. During the summers we would go to the mountains for a picnic or to the Cabbage Patch Factory or to American Adventures. 

When I was in middle school Papa had another problem with his heart. He and Nana went to Washington for a family reunion. They were ready to come home, but they had a lay over in Minnesota. Papa complained a lot about having to stop; he just wanted to fly straight to Atlanta. The lay over might not have been in Papa's plans, but it was part of God's great plan. Papa suffered another heart attack during the flight from Washington to Minnesota. When they landed in Minneapolis, he was taken to the hospital there. One of the top heart centers in the country. Of course, back in Georgia we were all scared to death. My parents flew to Minnesota as soon as they could, but Charles and I were left here. We prayed so much for Papa during that time. Charles and I stayed with one of Nana and Papa's close friends from their Sunday school class. I remember going to church with her and her husband and sitting in their classroom with probably 30 people from Nana and Papa's Sunday school class just praying for him. There is such power in prayer.

In Minneapolis, Papa was given a pacemaker/defibrillator to regulate his heart.  He and Nana were there for a few weeks, but he was able to come home. If Nana and Papa had not had that lay over in Minnesota, Papa probably would not have made it home. Isn't it amazing how God works? 

After receiving the pacemaker, Papa wasn't able to be as active as he was before, but we were very thankful to have him back home with us! God wasn't finished working through Papa. Nana and Papa continued to be very active in their church and their Sunday school class. They were also very active in our lives! We continued having lunch with them every Sunday after church until after I started college. Nana and Papa showed God's love to everyone. And they were an amazing example of a Christian marriage. 

Two years ago, everything changed. On November 1, 2009 Jason and I got engaged. It was a Sunday. I remember coming home and sharing the news with Nana and Papa. They were so happy for us. The following week Papa went into the hospital. Looking back, I can see now that his heart was getting weaker and weaker. At the time, I felt that he would be fine. He had always been fine. He stayed for a few days at the hospital but was able to come home at the end of the week. I remember visiting him the weekend he was home and wondering why he was still in his pajamas. He just wasn't feeling well. The next week he went to follow up with his regular doctors after the hospital stay, and they sent him immediately back to the hospital. His blood work was still out of whack was the reasoning. 

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 is a day I will never forget. I was at my apartment after a day at school when my dad called me. He called to say that there wasn't much time left for Papa. At first I didn't know what to do. I asked what that meant. I wanted my dad to tell me if I needed to come right now or if he thought I could wait until the next day. Then Daddy told me that Papa had asked the doctors to turn off his pacemaker. I knew then that I had to go. I think it was about 5 o' clock that I left Athens. Praying the entire way that I would make it in time. Praise the Lord I did. I really think that God understood how devastated I would be if I didn't. When I got to Papa's room my parents and Nana were there along with our pastor and Nana and Papa's pastor. I didn't know what to say. I could only say "I love you, Papa". It was probably less than 20 minutes after I got there that Papa went to be with Jesus. 

His pastor told me later that Papa had told him he was in a win-win situation that day. If he got better it was a win because he could stay with Nana and with us. But if he didn't, that would be a win too, because he would get to be with Jesus. What a powerful testimony of peace!

So this and every Veteran's Day, I will remember my special veteran, my Papa, who not only fought in World War II to protect this great country and our freedoms, but who also fought daily for the Lord and His Eternal Kingdom. 

I love and miss you Papa, and I look forward to the day that I will see you again!

"So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please Him."
2 Corinthians 5:6-9 (NLT)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Jehovah Jireh

Jehovah Jireh
It's one of God's many names in the Bible.
It means that the Lord will provide.

I feel that God is reminding me of this particular name. Many, many times God has taught me the lesson that He provides. Throughout the years that Jason and I have been together, Jason has lost his job more than once. Each and every time God has provided. Whether it be construction work with his dad, or now construction work through his own company, Jason has been able to keep busy and working. When I graduated there was a real possibility that I would not have a job, yet God provided and I was able to find a job.

Recently, God is reminding me again that he does provide. Why should I worry about all the little things in my life when I know that God will take care of me?

Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Any why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all this glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These are things that dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

God feeds the birds and clothes the lilies of the field. He loves each of us far more than the birds and lilies. He loved us enough to allow Jesus to die so that we can have relationship with him. Of course he will feed and clothe us and provide for our needs! Why do I have so little faith? 

It is so easy to get caught up what is being thrown at me in the world. If I focus only on what I think is lacking, of course I will not see what is actually there! God knows my needs and yours. Seek Him first and He will ALWAYS provide.

Friday, October 21, 2011

A New Perspective

Tuesday night our church had a women's ministry dinner. It was a great time of fellowship, and I enjoyed getting to know some of the lovely ladies from our church. After dinner one of the sweet ladies gave a devotional about Jeremiah 29.

I think the first thing that comes to mind when I hear Jeremiah 29 is verse 11:
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT)
I have probably heard this verse at least a thousand times, but I'm not sure I had ever heard what came before verse 11. This is what my sweet friend detailed at our dinner. Because I really felt like God was speaking to me through her, I wanted to share with all of you.

Jeremiah 29 is a letter written from Jeremiah to the Israelites who have been exiled to Babylon. The Israelites weren't happy about being in Babylon. They didn't think it was the place they were supposed to be; they wanted to go back home to Jerusalem. Then they get a letter from Jeremiah....

Jeremiah 29:4-7
This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: "Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare." (NLT)

God is telling the people to settle down and go about their normal everyday lives. He wants them to make Babylon home and invest in it because that is where He wants them to be. In verses 8 and 9 God warns the Israelites not to listen to false prophets who were telling them that they would only be in Babylon for a short time. Then we come to verses 10-14
This is what the Lord says: "You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, " says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."

Seventy years is a long time! Some of the Israelites would never make it back to Jerusalem, but what does God say? He says "I have a plan! Trust me; I am only looking out for your good!"

My sweet friend also shared this poem...

Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip- to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place. 
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would have never met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there awhile and you catch your breath, you look around...and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills...and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy...and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say, "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things...about Holland.

While this poem is specifically about having a special needs child, I feel that the overall analogy of Italy and Holland can be used in life in general. It's like the Israelites...Babylon was their Holland- not what they planned or what they thought was best, but what God had planned for them. I know in some aspects of my life I have Holland and not Italy, Babylon and not Jerusalem.

When I went to pharmacy school, Jason and I had already been dating for a year. I knew he was the man I wanted to marry, but I had to get through school first. For the four years of pharmacy school I planned to have a great job before graduation and of course to marry Jason as soon as possible after graduation and start my life as a pastor's wife. And of course Jason and I would have our own place, a nice place. All plans of Jerusalem/Italy. As graduation neared Jason and I were facing the possibility of getting married and neither of us being employed. We faced the facts and decided it would be best for us to live in the basement at my parents' house until we could get on our feet. Sounds a lot like Babylon/Holland to me! 

Jason and I are settling in Babylon/Holland, and God has blessed us and provided for us. I was able to find a job even if it is just part time, and Jason has managed to stay busy with construction work. God has always, always provided for us! I know that we are exactly where he wants us right now, and I trust fully in His plan for our lives. I refuse to miss out on his blessings because I am focused on what might have been.

Are you in Babylon or Holland in your life? Take heart! The Lord has a better plan than we could ever imagine!

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

Monday, October 10, 2011

Courageous

Sunday after church we went to see the movie Courageous. Jason and I had already seen it, but I wanted Charles and Mom and Dad to see it too. It is an amazing movie with such a great story and message. It is geared toward fathers and fatherhood, but I believe anyone could learn something important and life-changing from the movie.


Some of the things I love about the movie:

1. It does not glamorize the Christian life. The men in this movie and their families face challenges, tragedies, and difficult decisions. God never promised that as a Christian our lives would be easy; He only promised that He would be with us always. Trusting God through our difficult times will only bring us closer to Him.
1 Peter 4:12-13
"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad- for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." (NLT)

2. It shows how God works in mysterious ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and only He knows what is best. Something we might look at as terrible or tragic, He can make into something amazing and something that brings Him all the glory.
Isaiah 55:8
"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." (NLT)

3. It teaches us that as Christians we are held to a higher standard. We are responsible for our own actions. When we know what is right that is what we must do!
James 1:22-24
"But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in the mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (NLT)

4. The movie clearly outlines the good news of the gospel!
We are all sinners and deserve judgement from God who is holy and righteous. Because God loves us so incredibly much He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross for all of our sins. Jesus paid our debt and took the judgement for us! Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled to our creator, God. All we have to do is accept His gift of grace and salvation and surrender our lives completely to Him!
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (NLT)

5. The movie also teaches us that we were made to be courageous!
The definition of courageous is "not deterred by danger or pain; brave". God calls us to be courageous- standing firm in the midst of all circumstances. The only way we can truly be courageous is by relying on the strength and power of God. 
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (NLT)

These are just a few of the lessons from the movie, Courageous. My prayer after this movie is that God would help me be courageous for Him. The only way that is possible is to bow to Him. I want to end this post with a line from the Casting Crowns song in the movie...

"The only way we'll ever stand is on our knees with lifted hands; Lord, make us courageous!"

Monday, October 3, 2011

Much Needed Vacation

Last week was very busy with work, so I didn't get a chance to write about our vacation to Destin, Florida the week before! It was definitely a much needed vacation for us. Sometimes it is nice to just get away and not have to worry about anything for a few days.


We had great weather! There was only one day that it was rainy and dreary all day.


Views from our room



We did all our normal vacation things: lay by the pool, lay at the beach, jump waves in the ocean, eat seafood for dinner every night, go shopping, and see movies!


We found this coral at a souvenir shop. 

We couldn't believe it was over $2500!!
Laying out at the beach... there were lots of birds hanging out by us.



We ate breakfast out a few of the days we were there also! Breakfast is my favorite meal :)

The Donut Hole


The Pancakery
We love having seafood for dinner each night!

The Crab Trap, our favorite!

Bubba Gump is the new place in town

Jason posing with the Forrest Gump shoes, briefcase, and box of chocolates!

Dewey Destin's

Shopping!


We saw the movies The Debt and The Help


Both movies were great! I loved being able to see The Help after just finishing the book. I recommend the book and the movie!


We watched the sunset...



Jason and I also celebrated our fourth month wedding anniversary during our trip

Heart in the sand

Lovebirds
We were sad to have to come home, but Daisy was very happy to see us. We were happy to see her too!