Heights

So this doesn't look scary to ride to the top of, right? Wrong! The Vulcan in Birmingham sounded like a great idea! See all of Birmingham from the top and really get oriented the city. Not until after we had bought our tickets did I remember my new found, well slightly new found, fear of heights. Why do they make the walkway out of see through grates? I mean I get the point, air and wind can go through so it is not blown away, but really. It is petrifying. I got up and just had to look out. Down, not so much. I stayed very close to the circle, got my birds-eye view (which was beautiful by the way), and was back down. Dad why did you do this to me??? I hate to admit this but I can't even sit in the upper deck at Braves games calmly. Someone always has a kid in the front row who is a little more active than I think appropriate and my hands sweat and my hearts beats a million miles a minute until the kid wants food and finally sits in the seat. I can finally focus on the game and breathe. Then he gets up again.

Birmingham

Last weekend was fabulous! I got the spent it with Jessica in Birmingham. It was great to get to see her life there and everything it involves. It was relaxing and easy to be with a good friend. We did a lot of eating, saw the sights, walked, and caught up on life's decisions. She even let Colby stay. :) Thanks for a great weekend Jess!

Dreams

As I sit here on my couch exhausted and with a filthy house, I wish I was still in Jamaica. I would prefer to go the the beach and have the maids clean my house. I know I sound spoiled but I just can't get myself off this couch. And I don't want to. Oh to dream.

Valentine's Momories

My date

Our Valentine's Meal

My sweet husband cooking dinner

I had to work on Valentine's day, so Adam had dinner all ready for me at home. He made pork tenderloin, special sauce, asparagus, and mushrooms. I did chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert. It was so fun to stay home- and we got our wedding video!!! So we literally watched for 4 hours. We love every minute of it! Chris did such a good job on it. We keep just talking about how fabulous it is. Overall, it was a great day together. I'm thankful for my husband.

INFJ

Turns out Rachel and I are more similar than we ever thought. We are both INFJ's on the Myers-Briggs. Here's our personalities...apparently. I think it's pretty accurate.

INFJ's are the rarest personality type, making up less than 1% of society. Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Geoffrey Chaucer are notable INFJs [Rachel's note: Tom Selleck and Jamie Foxx are also INFJ's...cha ching!]

INFJs are distinguished by both their complexity of character and the unusual range and depth of their talents. Strongly humanitarian in outlook, INFJs tend to be idealists, and because of their J preference for closure and completion, they are generally "doers" as well as dreamers. This rare combination of vision and practicality often results in INFJs taking a disproportionate amount of responsibility in the various causes to which so many of them seem to be drawn.

INFJs are deeply concerned about their relations with individuals as well as the state of humanity at large. They are, in fact, sometimes mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people -- a product of the Feeling function they most readily show to the world. On the contrary, INFJs are true introverts, who can only be emotionally intimate and fulfilled with a chosen few from among their long-term friends, family, or obvious "soul mates." While instinctively courting the personal and organizational demands continually made upon them by others, at intervals INFJs will suddenly withdraw into themselves, sometimes shutting out even their intimates. This apparent paradox is a necessary escape valve for them, providing both time to rebuild their depleted resources and a filter to prevent the emotional overload to which they are so susceptible as inherent "givers." As a pattern of behavior, it is perhaps the most confusing aspect of the enigmatic INFJ character to outsiders, and hence the most often misunderstood -- particularly by those who have little experience with this rare type.

Due in part to the unique perspective produced by this alternation between detachment and involvement in the lives of the people around them, INFJs may well have the clearest insights of all the types into the motivations of others, for good and for evil.

Usually self-expression comes more easily to INFJs on paper, as they tend to have strong writing skills. Since in addition they often possess a strong personal charisma, INFJs are generally well-suited to the "inspirational" professions such as teaching (especially in higher education) and professions which stress "theory," like law or philosophy.

Italy, Here They Come!

Our dear friends, Nicole, David, and Ruby Hannah are leaving to be missionaries in Italy tomorrow after a long and frustrating time in Atlanta from their native Nashville. They were an absolute God send to Adam and me during their time here. We were blessed with a friendship that will last a lifetime. We want them here forever, but the Lord has called them to Italy. We are so happy for you guys and look forward to hearing about all the ways God uses you in Italy. We know you will do great things for His Kingdom! We love you and miss you already! Check out their blog.

In Honor of Valentine's Day

This has been on my bathroom mirror for almost 10 years now. Wow, that's a long time. My friend who's leaving for the mission field in Italy on Monday read it and really liked it. It's amazing how I glance over it every day since it has been there so long. Such a good reminder. My Aunt Sue always says remember "Who's" you are. I just love it and feel it is fitting for today- no matter the "love" status.

I made her . . . She is different,
She is unique,
With love I formed her in her mother’s womb.
I fashioned her with great joy.
I remember, with great pleasure, the day I created her.
Psalm 139:13-16

I love her smile,
I love her ways,
I love to hear her laugh,
And the silly things she says and does.
She brings Me great pleasure.
This is how I made her.
Psalm 139:17

I made her pretty and not beautiful,
Because I knew her heart,
And knew she would be vain . . .
I wanted her to search out her heart,
And to learn that it would be
Me in her
That would make her beautiful . . .
And it would be Me in her
That would draw friends to her.
1 Peter 3:3-5

I made her in such a way,
That she would need Me.
I made her a little more lonesome
Than she would like to be . . .
Only because I need for her to lean and depend on Me . . .
I know her heart, I know if I had not
Made her like this,
She would go her own chosen way
And forget Me . . . her Creator.
Psalm 62:5-8

I have given her many good and happy things
Because I love her.
Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:23

Because I love her,
I have seen her broken heart . . .
And the tears she cried alone.
I have cried with her,
And had a broken heart, too.
Psalm 56:8

Many times she has stumbled
And fallen alone
Only because she would not hold
My Hand,
So many lessons she’s learned
The hard way.
Because she would not listen
To My voice . . .
Isaiah 53:6

So many times I have sat back
And sadly watched her go
Her merry way alone.
Only to watch her return to
My arms, sad and broken.
Isaiah 62:2

And now she is Mine again . . .
I made her, and then I bought her . . .
Because I love her.
Romans 5:8

I have to reshape her and remold her . . .
To renew her to what I had planned for her to be.
It has not been easy for her,
Or for Me.
Jeremiah 29:11

I want her to be conformed to
My image . . .
This is the high goal I have set for her,
Because I love her.
2 Corinthians 2:14

Newbie

My mom just called me to ask me what poking means. Clearly, she's new to facebook. Good luck mom. You'll figure it out. Give it time. And please don't poke people...or write on your own wall.

Tagged

I've Been Tagged....

I was tagged by http://tyandkelley.blogspot.com/, so here's some more fun info about me...

THE RULES:
Step 1: respond and rework—answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.
Step 2: tag—eight other untagged people.

Make a list of things you can see without getting up: Colby snuggled next to me, TV, couch, living room

Favorite football team: Dallas Cowboys- I'm still a Texas girl trapped in Georgia

What are you wearing now? Jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt. I don't like dressing up if I'm not working

What color is your bedroom? Bluish gray. It was that color when we moved in and we love it.

What’s the last thing you read/are currently reading? Jodi Picoult's Tenth Circle

Do you nap a lot? I love napping. I nap every day I don't work and it's really hard to get through 2-4 at work. Rough. I should probably give it up...or quit working...

Who was the last person you hugged? Susan. I just left dinner with her.

What’s your current obsession/addiction? I eat too much chocolate. All I can think about right now is when I can have my Triple Chocolate ice cream. Have I waited long enough since dinner?

What was the last thing you said aloud? I'll check my calendar- to see if I can see Taylor Swift and Keith Urban with my friend Lea

What Web sites do you always visit when you go online? Gmail, various blogs, trying to get away from facebook

What was the last thing you bought? dinner at Cracker Barrel

What are you listening to right now? American Idol

What is something you wish you could do more? see my husband- he's been working since a lot and he gets home at 10:45 sad, travel- well we do this a lot, walk Colby, see my college friends

What gives you hope? My faith

What is your favorite weather, and why? I like that it changes. Today was a rainy day and I LOVE those if I can stay home. I only had to work 3 hours today so it was nice.

What time do you usually get up? 7:15. I really should get up earlier. Adam helps me get organized in the morning though so he saves me lots of time.

What is your most challenging goal right now? working out. I have kind of hit a wall. I don't know why I can't get myself to the gym. I feel blessed this is the most challenging thing I'm facing!

Say something to the person who tagged you: Kelley, I feel like I know you better as a blogger than in person! I love it!

If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? Vail- I love the mountains.

Favorite vacation spot? I've been looking at beaches a lot lately since our honeymoon. We just adored it.

What is your favorite children’s book? The giving tree

Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you: chocolate chip cookies, so basic but so good

If you could meet anyone famous - dead or alive - who would it be? Jesus- I have so many questions.

Have you ever met anyone famous? If so who? Robert Downey Jr was at our Hawaii hotel so we saw him a lot. I can't think of anyone I met. Apparently it wasn't that cool

If you could have any job in the world , what would it be? stay at home mom, hopefully one day

Who is your hero? my grandparents. all 93 years of them.

Who is the last person you talked to? Adam

I tag:
Jessica Golden
Lea Richardson- get your blog going!!!
Rachel
Jonathan
Laura Beth

Skiing Pictures- Overdue

St. Simons Island

We had a great weekend. My family met in St. Simons for Greg Carpenter's wedding. It was so fun to have everyone together! I decided I really like the beach in the winter...maybe more than in the summer. Clearly I got my opinions about the beach from my parents. As we were walking on the beach we started listing reasons why it was better in the winter- cool weather, no sweat, packed sand, no stickiness. We were fans. It was also fun to see all the Waco people. We enjoyed lots of laughs and lots of togetherness.

Typical

This evening at the pharmacy I had a lady screaming at her son while she walked into my store and to my counter. I let her yell undisturbed for a minute then walked over and asked what she needed. In a very whispered and pitiful voice she handed over her pain med prescription...and medicaid card. Then started yelling at her son again as soon as I walked away. And so goes life. I wish I could demonstrate- and I will in person- because it was just that bad of an acting job. Do they think I'm stupid?

25 Things

I have a gazillion tags on facebook so I thought I would post here instead.

1. I should be good at math since I'm a pharmacist but I'm awful. I can't do anything in my head. I write it all down.
2. I play pool left handed. Rachel taught me.
3. I enjoyed college a lot more than high school. To be honest, I didn't enjoy high school like most people. College was the time of my life when I met my best friends and learned most about myself.
4. I get excited to get the mail every day. You never know what will be there.
5. My dog Colby is with me every second I'm home. He follows me everywhere. Currently he is snuggled up half on my lap sleeping. He prefers to sleep on my head but is content against me when I'm sitting up.
6. I can speak double talk thanks to Brittany Smith. Rachel and I used to do it in public places to make people uncomfortable. Adam speaks it kind of now but can't understand me very well. He's learning
7. I prefer television on DVD to movies. I'm just learning this about myself.
8. I took piano lessons for 7 years.
9. My favorite book is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. A movie is coming out. So excited.
10. In high school my sister was always the star of sports and I was always cheering from the bench. People always asked me if it bothered me. Honestly, not for one second.
11. I love the game Settlers of Catan but don't like it when games take too long.
12. I am a total introvert and married a total extrovert.
13. My mom and I look and act exactly alike. Chris is resembling my dad more and more. Rach where did you come from???
14. I did competitive gymnastics for 5 years. My knees naturally never appear straight even when they are locked, so I never had much of a future.
15. I make faces a lot unintentionally. Adam always has to remind me people can see my face.
16. I really wish I lived closer to my extended family and could be a daily part of each of their days.
17. I'm so excited to see "He's just not that into you".
18. I like to read 2 books at a time- 1 Christian book and 1 other book.
19. Adam does almost all the cleaning of our house. I have probably only emptied the dishwasher twice since we've been married.
20. I love clean sheets but don't like stripping the bed and remaking it.
21. I wish I didn't spend so much time on the computer.
22. I talk to both my parents every day at least once.
23. I also talk to my grandparents every Sunday night and have since my freshman year of college- 9 years.
24. I'm about 4 years behind on my scrapbooking. I'm stresses me out.
25. I really like music but couldn't tell you who sings anything or the name of the song. I wish I was better. Rachel and Chris are really good at this. Adam is also terrible. Between the two of us, it's sad.

Hope you didn't get too bored. I tag all of you. Surely I don't have 25 readers.

27 Years

Happy 27th Jess! Who's birthday is it???

Travels

Sometimes I wonder if Adam and I put too much on our agendas. The problem is we want to do all these things and would choose family and friends over a quiet weekend. Since August we have been to:

Waco x2
Jamaica
Talbott, TN
Vail
Sugar Mountain
Raleigh- Adam
Annapolis- Sarah
Boulder, CO
Auburn
Orlando- Sarah
Tulsa- Sarah
next weekend- St Simons Island
after that- New Smyrna Beach, FL

I'm tired just thinking about it but wouldn't give any of it up! That's a lot for not even 6 months. PS I work full time including every other weekend. Good thing or we would never be in town!