June '12

June.
June was fun.
June was busy.
Can't believe its over.
This year has gone by so fast.
God has been teaching and growing us.

He has been teaching me a lot about being content in him ALONE and that he promises all things are for my good. Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his  purpose." This is a common thing I have read over and over, but is a hard thing for me to daily believe. I think its easy to ask "if things are for my good, why does bad happen or why does things happen that I don't want."But who am I to question God? Instead I want to glorify God with the things I have now, that I don't deserve anyways. Its ALL for my good.... MY good! I can put my trust in that. "No good thing does God withhold from those who walk with integrity." (Ps. 84:11)

I just finished reading "Don't waste your life" by John Piper. Very good read, I would recommend it! In the book piper says 1.2-1.4 billion people have never had a access to the Gospel. WOW. How can I read those stats and forget about it. I want to give. I want to serve. I want to go. I want to love on someone unreached people in the name of Christ.

Ok, here is what has been going on in the Stanley life:
Our 2 year anniversary was May 29th, but we didn't take an anniversary trip until June 8th-10th. We stayed at this bed and breakfast resort in Castroville near San Antonio. I found the hotel on Groupon for really cheap with a $50 spa credit. What girl doesn't want spa credit! We spent some chill time at the pool, went to the River walk for dinner, and then went shopping at Dick's sporting goods! It was such an awesome time together! Matthew Stanley is definitely a blessing beyond what I could imagine!

On July 23rd, we had a surprise 80th party for my Mema! Celebrating 80 years of life! Wow!

On June 28th my wonderful daddy-o turned 56! I personally think he looks awesome for 56 and definitely doesn't act 56! haha I am so blessed to call this man my dad! 

June 25th - 28th I went as a sponsor to Kids Kamp with our church. I am in awe that God gave me the opportunity to go. Thankful that God equips the called, but doesn't always call the equipped. I had 5th grade girls in my cabin, they were SO fun! I love the camp scene. My heart belongs there and not in an office.

June 29th - July 1st Matt went on a golf weekend with some guys friends. I quote matt before the trip, "I am so excited about this trip that I am beside myself!" Matt doesn't do a good job at taking pictures, therefore we will not get to see the time they had there.
Between kids kamp and Matt's golf trip we were only together for 5 hours out of those 7 days, the longest we have been apart! I could NOT be an army wife.

June was good.
Now on to July and we have lots planned.

Life in May

Life has been so good since I last updated our blog. Busy, like everyone, but good.

To start things off, these pretty girls came to visit me while Matt was camping with the guys. Kailee, is such a sweet blessing from college and Alex is a friend from high school that I haven't spoke to in 5 or 6 years. So neat to catch up on life! We played disc golf, something we REALLY enjoying doing, and did other girl things like painted our toenails and cooked supper! 

At the beginning of May, our puppies celebrated another year of puppy life! Presley (black dog) is 4 and Lola is 1!

We celebrated Mother's day with my momma and brother, Logan (it was his birthday as well) in Lubbock. We played golf, a common thing with my family and being married to Matt. It was a good weekend! And I am so thankful for the support my mom has provided me over the years! 

May 18th-20th we went to Galveston with Matt's family for a weekend at the beach and for our niece, Reagan's dance recital. It was so relaxing to spend time on the beach! Last year, we went on the same trip and I got severely sunburned, but I learned my lesson and this time I put plenty of sunscreen on and re-applied. We played football, volleyball, and built sandcastles on the beach. Wish the beach was closer to us! The mosquitos were so bad, so I definitely don't miss that. Also, we played putt-putt one night and ate at Golden Corral (a family must do with these guys, love it!).

Matt and I at Reagan's Dance recital and the pretty dancing queen with her flowers for doing such a good job! After the dance recital, we went to the Rainforest Cafe - the dancing queen's choice! 

The girls: Dawn, Reagan, Landra, and Judy

The guys: Tibby, Matt, and Toby

As most of you know we have been with 1 car for a year, so we have been searching for another vehicle for the last month. Before going to Houston, we looked at a bunch of cars online and said "We are coming home with a car." So Monday, after our weekend at the beach, we went car shopping. And we made another BIG purchase for the year! Its a 2010 metallic blue Ford escape. We have really enjoyed having 2 vehicles again! Its my "mom" car, so all I need now is some kids to fill up! :) 

I just completed my first year at Joy school! The end of anything is bittersweet. I have enjoyed my kids so much and I am so sad to see them grow up. Next year I will continue teaching at Joy school, but I will teach 5 day 4 year olds (instead of 3 days). These kids will always have a special place in my heart.

On May 29th, Matt and I will celebrate our 2 year anniversary! I can not believe it has already been 2 years! Fall more in love with that man every day! The grass in the backyard, patio furniture, and the escape are our gifts to each other! Here's a pic of our wedding night 2 years ago! 

And that was just the month of May! I post lots of pictures, because I feel like the pictures tell "our story" better than my words ever could. 

Spring 2012

Wow, life has been busy! I want to update my blog more than I get to, but time does not allow. So here is an update for the last few months.

At the end of February, we went to Ruidoso with some of our friends! It was a blast! The first day we played disc golf and that night went to the casino! Such a neat disc golf course in the mountains!

 Kailee, Chandra, and Landra

 Dressed up for dinner and the casino!

The second day we went skiing and snowboarding, one of my favorite things to do in the winter! 

 The whole group after a day on the mountain! Matt, Landra, Wascom, Chandra, Kailee, and Jakody. Weekend get-away with these peeps is always great!

In March, my mom came to visit and she brought my grandma with her. She had not been to san angelo since we got married 2 years ago and she hasn't seen our new home, so it was soo good to have her here for a weekend! We played golf and hung out at our house! 

And then for Easter weekend, my dad came to visit and brought my Mema! Her first time to see our home as well! It was a great few weeks to have both of my grandma's come to our house! They are both 80 and still going strong and very encouraging women! 

Last year, I wrote about how Matt and I were leading a bible study through our church. The bible study has been such a blessing and we have meet several couples in the same stage of life as us! We started hanging out with Colby and Jessica Chesshire, and now we pretty much never sit at home or go to sleep early! We like these people so much, that we even spent Easter day with them, cause our families were in different towns. New friends are good for the heart! 

The biggest purchase we have made so far this year is getting grass in the backyard! We have gone with dirt/mud for over a year, so grass in the backyard is a HUGE excitement for us! The joys of being a new home owner! Our dogs are even pumped about the grass! 

Sitting on the porch enjoying our new yard! Now we need some patio furniture! 

As I've said before this is just a way for me to record the days of our lives that God has already ordained for us! I love looking back over the updates I have posted to remind myself how blessed I am!

Things made from Pinterest!

Christmas "S" for our front door! This was an easy project, just time consuming! I bought the "S" at Hobby Lobby and painted it gold, then super glued berries all over it! Attached some ribbon and voila! Project was about $15! Check out blog for directions on how to make your own letter!

I made this snowman with my kids at Joy school. Its half shaving cream and half Elmer's glue. This is a great activity for kids! I let mine play in it first and then we molded it into a snowman. The glue mixed with shaving cream will make it stick to construction paper. We used raisins for the eyes, mouth, and buttons. Sticks for the arms. I precut the hat and nose. A must do for the winter!

"I love you" ABC book for my husband! Each card has a letter of the alphabet with one reason why I love Matt! i.e. R - relationship with Jesus. This picture doesn't really do my work justice. It was a great Valentine's Day gift!

"You make my heart glow" Valentine gifts to my Joy school kiddos! Easy. Kids loved them. And a way to express my heart. Check out blog for more ideas like this one! Thats a great blog for teachers. 

Here are two recipes I have made from Pinterest:

Taco Ring - I loved this! We had ours with fiesta style corn! This recipe gives you a healthy way to make it. Would be great for a get together! 

Donuts - Homemade donuts! Very unhealthy, but very YUMMY! Must try atleast once!

That's all for now! Like most women, I love pinterest and wish I had more time to bake and be crafty! 

Start of 2012!

Well alot has happened since I last updated our blog! We started the new year and its gonna be great year!

I wanted to start the year off right, so I decided to start a journal of 365 things I am thankful for. Each day I am writing one thing I am thankful for and going to continue until 2012 is over. Each day as I reflect on one thing I am thankful for it is changing my daily attitude to one of gratitude. I, of course, got this idea from Pinterest!

I also wanted to read more this year! I have read 2 books so far, both of which I would recommend to everyone: Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman and Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo (the links describe what the books are about, check em out). I love that God ordains everything in time, even the specific time I read each of these books. Each book was exactly what I needed at the time of reading it! I have lots of nervous energy, so reading is a blessing for my mind! 

We had a snow day! May not seem like a big deal too many, but in West Texas this is a BIG deal! I want record of it since it doesn't happen much! 

Matt and Lola

 Bundled up with Presley

Matt celebrated another year of life! On February 4th, he turned 29, so close to 30! Haha We celebrated his birthday with family by eating at Logan's Roadhouse and going bowling! It was a great night! And I am soo very thankful for my wonderful husband! 

"Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5: 15-16