Our New Nephew!

The same Saturday that Jason and I were in Tennessee my nephew was born! 

We weren't able to go see him that day, but my parent's kept us updated with lots of pictures.

My dad with baby C

My mom and baby C

Sweet Baby

As soon as we got back on Sunday, we went to the hospital to visit Charles and MC and meet our brand new nephew!

He was a sleepy boy!

Father and son

Close up!

Our family is so thankful for this little one, and we love him so much already!

Blogtember: A Love Letter

Monday, September 16: Write a public love letter to someone in your life.

Dear Jason,
I am blessed to call you my husband and my best friend. You challenge me to be the best of myself.  You help me step outside of my safe, comfortable box and take some risks. You have always been there for me, no matter the circumstance.  You always know exactly how to make me laugh when I am sad. I have loved the seven years we have been together and look very much forward to spending many more years as your wife. I am so thankful that God brought us together.
I love you, Kristen

Two Years

On Tuesday Jason and I celebrated two years of marriage. I can hardly believe its already been that long since we said "I do"! 

Last year, we celebrated our anniversary with a trip to Jamaica. This year we were in Destin on vacation with my parents. 

After a day at the beach, Jason and I went out for a nice dinner. We went to Fleming's Steakhouse which was amazing. The food was delicious, and everyone was so nice!

They had rose petals scattered on our table and even gave us a card signed by the wait staff wishing us a happy anniversary.

After dinner we headed to the Harborwalk. It was a gorgeous night to walk by the water. We even got to watch the sunset!

It was a wonderful day. So much has happened in our lives over the last two years. I am thankful that Jason has been by my side to face each challenge and celebrate each blessing. I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries together!

The Plan

2 Timothy 1:9 (NLT)

"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time- to show us his grace through Christ Jesus."

There is so much truth in this one verse! 

God saves us- not because we are deserving (no one is!). It was his plan from the beginning! He knew before creation that we would fall short, but He had a plan. A perfect plan- to show us His amazing grace and unfailing love through Christ. 

God's love is so incredible. Even in our sin (which He cannot stand because He is Holy), He sent Christ as a sacrifice for us, so we can be reconciled to Him.

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

Thank you, Lord, for your great love and plan for our redemption!

Rock-iversary

Three years ago today, it was a gorgeous Sunday.

Jason took me up to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia, because I had been wanting to go on a hike.

And at the very top, he proposed!

I can hardly believe it's already been 3 years since that day, 

or that we've already been married a year and a half.

But I am thankful to be able to call my best friend my husband, and I am honored to be his wife.

After we got in Engaged!

I am loving Darius Rucker's new song, "True Believers".
Relationships aren't perfect and love is not a fairy tale.
But love is worth all the work you put into it!

My favorite part of the song:

"We are one before our God in Heaven
We are one road,
When the going gets rough.
We are one now and forever.
We are one name, one life, one flame.
We are one heartbeat in darkness.
We are one lasting answered prayer
We are one unbroken promise,
And we are two true believers"

If you want to check out the video click here.

Happy Rock-iversary to my sweet Jason!
Thank you for asking me to be your wife!

iServe

Last year, as Jason and I stepped away from youth ministry, we felt God calling to minister in the community. Our good friends, Jeff and Sherry, also felt God calling them into ministry. In talking with them, we decided to start a non-profit to serve the community. Instead of being associated with one church, the goal is to be connected with multiple churches. Association with multiple churches would allow us to help connect people in the community to a church near them.

We decided to call our ministry iServe Ministries. An immediate need we knew of was food. There are many children using a free/reduced lunch program at their schools. For many this means they eat both breakfast and lunch at school for free or at a reduced rate. We knew of a group in a nearby county that was providing some students on the free/reduced lunch program food for the weekends. We thought that might be something we could do in our base county.

Our goal was to provide a backpack each Friday with enough food inside to feed that child and its family for the weekend.

We started trying to get connected at some of the elementary schools last school year. In the beginning we felt a lot of opposition. Satan was not interested in our plan being successful at all. But finally things started falling in to place. At the end of the school year last year we had already begun delivering backpacks on Fridays.

This school year the ministry has gotten even bigger. Currently, we are delivering backpacks to three elementary schools and one high school. We are in the process of adding another elementary school and high school. Each backpack holds 24 meals and some snacks. We are including non perishable food items like jars of peanut butter, cans of stew, cracker packs, pancake mix, etc. Getting the food and backpacks has been made possible through donations by friends, family, neighbors, and churches. It has been so awesome to see what God has done and is doing. 

We are excited to continue serving the community and to see what all God has in store for this ministry!

Galations 6:10 "Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone- especially to those in the family of faith." (NLT)

6 Years and Counting

August marks 6 years since Jason and I started dating. 

It was August of 2006- the Monday after the start of my sophomore year of college- that Jason came down for ice cream and a movie. We had tried to get together over the summer, but with both of us working and his mission trip to Ecuador it just didn't work out. He told me that he wouldn't mind coming to visit me at school because his parent's house wasn't too far. 

That Monday I called him to find out if he had anything going on that evening. I remember talking to one of my roommates about it and telling her it wasn't a date, that we were just getting together to catch up. That's exactly what I thought. Jason and I had already known each other for two years; we just hadn't seen each other in awhile. 

I still remember exactly what I was wearing and even remember that I had curly hair that day. Jason came to my apartment and then we headed to Coldstone Creamery for ice cream before going to see the movie, Pulse. Since it was a Monday night we had the theater to ourselves! By the end of the movie we were holding hands. 

We have been together ever since! 

Happy 6 years Jason!

I'm looking forward to the next six and more! :)

One of our first pictures together- Fall 2006

She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not

I'm linking up with Michaela to share some things I'm loving and not loving today.

I'm Loving:

1. My new Shark steam cleaner. It was a birthday gift, and I used it for the first time today!

2. That I found a cute dress and a shirt on clearance yesterday at the outlet mall.

3. Our new washer and dryer. Now getting the laundry done is so much faster!

4. That I get to see my brother and sister in law this weekend!!

5. My sweet husband. He is such a hard worker, and I am so blessed to have him as my husband and best friend!

I'm Not Loving:

1. How fast time is flying by! It seems like this year just started and it's already almost August!! 

2. Having to work every other weekend. It's not ideal, but hopefully it won't be forever.

Happy Wednesday!

High on Summertime

I love summer. 
There are just some great things that only happen in the summertime.


Warm weather.
Longer days.
Lake days.

Lake Lanier

Peaches.
Watermelon.
Wearing dresses.
Sandals and painted toe nails.
Vacation.

Jamaican vacation

My birthday.

Summer songs.

If I were to make a summer soundtrack, I would start with "Drunk on You" by Luke Bryan and "Springsteen" by Eric Church.

I hope y'all are enjoying summer as much as I am!

One Year

It's official. Jason and I have been married for one year today! I can hardly believe it. The last year seems like it has flown by! We spent last week in Jamaica celebrating. We had a wonderful time, and I'm excited to share our pictures and our trip. Today, I'm going to share some of my favorite photos from our wedding!

Love these beautiful flowers!

Bridesmaid bouquets with butterflies to honor my sweet Nana 

Shoes!

Finishing up getting ready. Love my mom!

Calla Lilies

Jason and his mom

He looks ready!

Beginning

My favorite part of the ceremony, aside from actually being married of course, was having Jason's sisters read some letters written from Papa to Nana during their marriage. Papa's words are so beautiful; it was the perfect way to have them be a part of the ceremony.

Jason's sisters reading the letters from Papa to Nana

First Married Kiss!

Mr. and Mrs. Ellis

The Girls

The Guys

Ellis Family

All of us together! 

Kinamon-Ellis Family

Bridal Party

Newlyweds

Reception

Groom's Cake

Wedding Cake!

First Dance- "Then" by Brad Paisley

Daddy and I talked through our entire dance! Just like us!

Mother-Son Dance

More Dancing!

Sweet Tea Toast!

Time to cut the cake! 

We had a serious talk about Jason not shoving cake in my face.

This is one of my favorites! It's a true testament to how awesome our cake was; Jason is licking the plate! We are really excited about eating some fresh wedding cake tonight!

Bubbly exit

There are so many great pictures and memories that it's hard to pick just a few favorites!

Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband, Jason.

I am so thankful to be your wife.

You take care of me.

You always make me laugh.

You challenge me to try new things and think outside the box.

You are my best friend.

I am excited about spending the rest of my life with you!

I love you with all my heart.

Your loving wife, 

Kristen

"I have found the one my heart loves"

Song of Solomon 3:4 (NIV)