!HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

It's 1:03am and I have just finished baking Pumpkin Spice Cake #2. Yesterday I baked one and It came out perfect. Today's...uh not so much. I took it out of the oven about 5 mins too early. Dangit! I should be going to bed but I know I wont be able to update tomorrow and I need to do my Thanksgiving post because that's what this holiday is all about right? Giving Thanks! So, in no particular order, here are the things that I'm most thankful for.

1. God's wonderful mercy--I don't think this one needs an explanation but, I will give one anyway. I'm blessed beyond belief. I have come so far this year alone and I couldn't have done it without His mercy. I am so very grateful for the grace of God.

2. My church--I love my church. It is so "me" and I honestly don't know where I'd be without it. It took a very long time to find a church that felt like home and I'm so glad that I've found a place where I can learn, worship, pray & most of all grow in His word.

3. Mi Familia--I may not have the best family and we may not be as close as most families but we do love each other. I'm also thankful for those who technically are not family but have become family over the years.

3. My Sisters--I know they fall into the "family" category but, they need their own recognition. My sisters are my world. I love them tremendously and I'm thankful that I have the privilege of watching them become lil' women and Bria, gosh, she brings so much joy in my life I can't remember what life was like before she was here. I can only imagine what that one has in store :)

4. My Friends--Wow, I have some amazing girlfriends. I don't know where I'd be without my two best friends and all my other crazy girls. I consider each and every one of them sisters.

5. My Stinker--My awesome boyfriend who puts up with me even when he shouldn't. He is seriously one of my best friends and I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything in this world.

6. My Job--Even though I may complain my lil' arse off, I really do enjoy what I do. I'm thankful that I work with a great group of people.

7. My Health--The older I get, the more I realize just how important it is to take care of yourself. I definitely don't want to be an old lady thinking back on what I could have or should have done to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I'm nowhere near perfect but I'm healthy; and for that I'm thankful.

There are so many more things that I'm thankful for. I could seriously go on and on but these are the most important to me. I love Thanksgiving, it is my favorite Holiday and I'm looking forward to spending tomorrow (actually, today:)) with all of my loved ones. I hope you all have a great Turkey Day :)

xo

Dwell: to live or stay as a PERMANENT resident; reside.

HE who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
Psalms 91:1-2

Permanently--not most days or just Sundays but permanently. every single day. Why is it so hard to place my trust completely in Him? When will I realize that no man, no parent, no friend, no career, no hobby can fulfill me like he can?

I need intimacy with him on a daily basis. My goal for this week is to wake up 10 mins earlier every day to just be with him.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Thanking God

This weekend was crazy. Southern California definitely battled it's fair share of devastating wildfires. I've witnessed things this weekend I thought I'd never see. As my bf's mom was getting a facial in LA on Saturday morning, she started receiving text messages and phone calls that her complex was on fire. She lives in the Cascade apartments in Anaheim Hills and I'm not %100 sure, but I think more than 50 units were totally destroyed. Her neighbors that live directly in front of her literally lost everything. By the grace of God her unit was thankfully spared which is a testament to just how good God is. The units directly in front of her and behind her were completely burned down and not only was her unit spared but her car was too. Walking through her buidling yesterday was extremely sad. There are families that lost EVERYTHING, people that only had time to grab their pets and flee. Children who no longer have a home to call their own. I am so thankful. These fires have devasted the lives of many. We should all be grateful to the firefighters who risk their lives to protect us and our homes. We have amazing firefighters! I was talking to one of my bf's neighbors who lost her apartment (picture below) and she told me that one of the firefighters spent 3 hours sifting through rubble to find her fireproof safe. Amazing.

This is what the building looked life before the fires

and after. keep in mind these were two story units.

Thankfully, everyone escaped safely.

Sunday morning I attended church in our brand new sanctuary. Oh my gosh, it is just BEAUTIFUL. I cannot wait until we are completely done with our rebuild. My pastor delivered an amazing message which I will blog more about later. But, I will say that his message needed to be delivered! I felt like he was sitting right across from me, saying all the things I needed to hear.

All in all I had a very touching (for lack of a better word) weekend. I am constantly amazed at how blessed I am. I am grateful that all of my friends and family members were spared of devastation. I will continue to pray for those who will now need to rebuild not only their homes but their lives as well.

just found a new blog that i'm in love with! Her style is amazing. Everything looks good on this girl. Anyways, while i was browsing I found these cute Minnetonka boots and immediately fell in love. They're so cute. I think they'll will be cute with skinny jeans, a v-neck and a grandpa cardigan. They'd even work with leggings and a long plaid shirt. I bought them from Zappo's last night and should have them by tomorrow woot woot! (i hope mine don't look that long though..haha)

Minnetonka look by britsaprincess

Weekly Random

You have got to watch The Real Housewives of Atlanta. AHHHH, I love this show. I'm addicted. I love these women. I think Kim is my favorite. Actually, no I like Deshawn and I like too the one that's married to the football player and Sharee looks soooo good for her age. I think it's safe to say that I like all of them except for NeNe. She's a lil' too much and who the freak is Big Poppa?!?! ugh, the mystery of this guy is so intriguing. I NEED to go to Atlanta. I have a feeling that since I loved Houston, I'll be head over heels in love with Atlanta. Anyone wanna buy me a plane ticket?

okay moving on, so I think it's pretty obvious that I don't take my blog too seriously. I really blog for myself. Once I start taking my blog more seriously and incorporating pictures and such, I'm pretty sure that I'll turn it into a book and keep it for memories. I'd love to be able to show my future children exactly what life was like for me. What I enjoyed, what I was interested in, what my life consisted of at the age of 23. I like documenting certain stories, and feelings and current events. So I thought I think I'll document what happened to me on Saturday night. It was pretty funny & VERY cute and I'm sure one day when I'm old and gray (omgeez one day I will be old in gray!!!), it'll make me smile.

So, I think I mentioned last week that I was having a rough time with my boyfriend. We weren't even arguing about anything I was just being really bratty towards him and I couldn't quite figure out what the deal was. I slept over the night of the election because we wanted to watch it together but he ended up getting really sick so, I ended up bringing him soup and orange juice and all the other goodies you need when you're sick. We didn't really spend time together though because he was sleeping on and off and I was super into the election. This weekend we hadn't really planned on seeing eachother. I had plans on Friday and he was in a wedding on Saturday. I didn't really want to go to the wedding because we're not really good friends with them. In fact, I've never even met the bride...lol...I just realized this.Plus, I didn't know ANYONE else that was going and I didn't want to be all by myself during the wedding and then have to eat all by myself during dinner. So anyway, I figured I wouldn't see him this weekend. He called me after the wedding and I still had my stupid lil' (actually it was big) attitude. I was being really short with him and just didn't feel like talking. We hung up and I was even more upset after talking to him.

10 minutes later he texts me and tells me that his best friend's mom was going to come by and drop of some papers for him to sign at my house. Mind you, it's close to midnight at this time. It didn't seem out of the ordinary though because I was expecting to pick up the papers from his best friends mom earlier that day, I just never got around to it. He told me she was on her way home from a dinner party and would stop by. I immediately go off and tell him that I'll pick them up from her tomorrow and I proceed to tell him that he should have called me first to ask me if it was okay. He brushes me off and tells me that she's on her way and there's nothing he can do. I'm so pissed! I stay up waiting for her in my pajama's looking a HOT MESS.

20 minutes later his best friends mom calls me and says she's outside, I walk outside to let her in and who do I see standing there with the biggest smile on his face still dressed in his wedding attire with roses in hand? MY BOYFRIEND!!! I was so shocked. I hate surprises and I ruin damn near every surprise because I ask so many questions. I'm that annoying person that needs to know every single details and interrupts you in the middle of your story-telling to ask 100 questions. Anyways, he is the only person who can pull one over on me. I felt like a huge brat. He said he knew the only reason I was acting like that was because I missed him, and he was right. I did miss him. I definitely need to work on my attitude but, It makes me feel really good to know that he loves me despite all of my flaws.

So there is my funny story. I love it. I love making memories. As I grow older, I'm starting to realize that memories are what life is all about. I constantly have to remind myself to live in the moment and cherish every single moment. You never ever know what could happen and it's ridiculous to waste energy on negativity, bratty attitudes and things that really shouldn't matter.

I CUT MY HAIR!!!

Saturday I chopped off about 6 inches of my hair. not all over, but I now have layers which is super funny because i just grew my hair out so it was finally one length..(except for my bangs) and i chopped it all off again! I kinda freaked out but, it's just hair, it'll grow back. I'm at work so I don't have a picture of what my hair looked like this time last year but it's completely different. I just took a couple of pics to send to Audrey so I thought I'd share. I still have my length but it's definitely shorter. I'm worried about what my ponytails are going to look like.

While we are on the topic of hair, let me just share one of my pet peeves. I hate being asked if my hair is my "real" hair. It's so rude and inappropriate. Yesterday my boyfriend and I were picking up pizza and this girl complimented my hair. I of course thanked her and turned around to finish talking to my boyfriend. When we were leaving she said "Can I ask you something, where do you buy your hair?" my boyfriend started cracking up. I didn't even respond, I just kept walking. Don't ask someone if their hair is "real" or not. That is extremely lame. For the record, in case you are confused readers, it is indeed my real hair, no tracks, no glue, no sewing--just scalp and crop, thank you daddy!


p.s.--i have no make up on so be nice & i have NO clue why my noise looks that big in the second pic. nose job maybe?! annnnd i was turning my arm backwards, so it kinda looks flabby. oh gosshhh, this is ridiculous, JUST LOOK AT MY FREAKING HAIR K?! THANKS!

p.s.s-- please excuse the fact that the text is two completely different fonts and sizes. blogger is on drugs.

Unfortunately, I have not been taking my faith seriously. Why?? I'm really unsure. Any excuse would be lame so rather than think of something, I've chosen to recognize the fact that action is indeed necessary. In all honestly September and October went by way too fast. I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do.

So, I will catch up. I will rethink some things and get my priorities together. I'll make time for the things that have been put on the back burner and constantly remind myself just how important and mandatory these things are.

On another note, please pray for my dear friend Audrey. One year ago her brother Matt was jaywalking and was hit by a car. He was in a coma for two weeks. He will never be the same. He is alive and well but his mental capacity is nowhere near what it should be. This past weekend her father, her brother Matt and step-mother were driving. A fifteen year old boy riding his bike darted into the street. Her father hit him. He is in critical condition with a cracked skull. Audrey's stepbrother who is also fifteen goes to school and has two classes with this poor boy. I am so so sorry for her family and cannot imagine what they are going through.

Sadly, accidents and tragedies like this sometimes force us to put things into perspective. We all have problems, but in comparison to others, sometimes the problems we are facing are extremely minute.

Hope you all had a great weekend and a great week ahead. Can you believe it's already November 10th?! wth?! time is just flying by.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)

Now she sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, "Behold, the LORD, the God of Israel, has commanded, 'Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun.

King James Bible

And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

American King James Version

And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said to him, Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

American Standard Version

And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not Jehovah, the God of Israel, commanded,'saying , Go and draw unto mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

Douay-Rheims Bible

And she sent and called Barac the son of Abinoem out of Cedes in Nephtali: and she said to him: The Lord God of Israel hath commanded thee: Go, and lead an army to mount Thabor, and thou shalt take with thee ten thousand fighting men of the children of Nephtali, and of the children of Zabulon:

Darby Bible Translation

She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abin'o-am from Kedesh in Naph'tali, and said to him, "The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you, 'Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking ten thousand from the tribe of Naph'tali and the tribe of Zeb'ulun.

English Revised Version

Ands she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded, saying, Go and draw unto mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

Webster's Bible Translation

And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go, and draw towards mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali, and of the children of Zebulun?

World English Bible

She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, and said to him, "Hasn't Yahweh, the God of Israel, commanded, 'Go and draw to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

Young's Literal Translation

And she sendeth and calleth for Barak son of Abinoam, out of Kedesh-Naphtali, and saith unto him, 'Hath not Jehovah, God of Israel, commanded? go, and thou hast drawn towards mount Tabor, and hast taken with thee ten thousand men, out of the sons of Naphtali, and out of the sons of Zebulun,

Jueces 4:6 Spanish: La Biblia de las Américas (©1997)

Y ella mandó llamar a Barac, hijo de Abinoam, de Cedes de Neftalí, y le dijo: Esto ha ordenado el SEÑOR, Dios de Israel: ``Ve, marcha al monte Tabor y lleva contigo a diez mil hombres de los hijos de Neftalí y de los hijos de Zabulón.

Jueces 4:6 Spanish: La Nueva Biblia de los Hispanos (©2005)

lla mandó llamar a Barac, hijo de Abinoam, de Cedes de Neftalí, y le dijo: "Esto ha ordenado el SEÑOR, Dios de Israel: 'Ve, marcha al Monte Tabor y lleva contigo a 10,000 hombres de los hijos de Neftalí y de los hijos de Zabulón.

Jueces 4:6 Spanish: Reina Valera (1909)

Y ella envió á llamar á Barac hijo de Abinoam, de Cedes de Nephtalí, y díjole: ¿No te ha mandado Jehová Dios de Israel, diciendo: Ve, y haz gente en el monte de Tabor, y toma contigo diez mil hombres de los hijos de Nephtalí, y de los hijos de Zabulón:

Jueces 4:6 Spanish: Sagradas Escrituras (1569)

Y ella envió a llamar a Barac hijo de Abinoam, de Cedes de Neftalí, y le dijo: ¿No te ha mandado el SEÑOR Dios de Israel, diciendo : Ve, y atrae en el monte de Tabor, y toma contigo diez mil hombres de los hijos de Neftalí, y de los hijos de Zabulón;

Proud would be an understatement.

Happy Election Day

Wow, the big day is finally here. I will admit to my lovely blog readers that I've already cried. Watching the news this morning and realizing that later on this evening we will finally know who will be taking over the White House made me extremely emotional. No matter what the outcome is, history will be made today one way or another. People will look back on this election for years and years to come and I feel extremely blessed, honored and privileged to be alive to witness this amazing race firsthand. With that said, make sure your voice is heard. Get out and Vote because every Vote DOES matter.

am i the last person to see this? sooooo cute.