The Happenings #2

OH MY GOODNESS, THIS NEVER POSTED- HOW LAME! Well, here it is a month late. ;)

Welcome back to:
The Happenings. #2

What's happening lately? What's going to happen? What do I want to happen?
It's all here.
Starting.... now. :)

I am recently obsessed with: my Hot Fudge Brownie Wood Wick candle, oh and this kid below. It snap, crackles, and pops while filling my home with the sweet, rich smell of gooey fudge brownies. It's delicious. And the smell helps me from snacking on all the things I wish I could.

I wait a few weeks to watch: my favorite show... 30 Rock. I don't have a DVR box and I have also seen ALL OF THE SEASONS of 30 Rock besides the recent. So... I wait a couple weeks. Wait for a build up of episodes, and then splurge. Thank you Liz Lemon, you crack me up.

I am currently working on: making my home full of Christmas Cheer. My goal is to make all of my decorations... and as much as possible, not buy any! I am making a "tis the season" banner as of last night. I will post pictures later.

My favorite Pandora station: is definitely Jack Johnson (Holiday). Seriously, how much better can that station get? I. do. not. know. But I am rockin' around the Christmas tree with some of my favorite artist... from Jack himself, to Sufjan Stevens... all the way to the Eagles! YES, yes, yes... continuing the joy of this season with this station.

I found a delicious meal I love: Pesto Bean Soup. I am not sure exactly how I found this recipe, but the Food Network warmed my heart with this delicious soup. I even added my own spin to it.... fresh cut tomatoes or a can of undrained tomatoes. Delicious. I added some shredded chicken for more substance... but you can definitely add some chicken sausage, yummmy! All in all, this is PERFECT with this bread recipe that I stick to, for EVERY soup. :)

The only thing I made for Thanksgiving was: Homemade Mixed Berry Pie with the FLAKIEST crust in the world. I mean, like honestly, I could eat that happily EVERY night. If you have never made a pie, or a pie crust, start with the one I posted. YOU will never change recipes. I looked like a professional during Thanksgiving with my in-laws... and it was my first crust on my own! :) I challenge you! (P.S. if you need help with making the filling.... email me!)

The best part of my week has been: playing 'Peek-a-Boo' with my niece  Emma-E. My day began watching a video of her officially crawling and next she is cracking up that I am playing 'Peek-a-Boo!' And of course, hanging out with my sister for a few hours via skype.

I am looking forward to: future plans with my husband. We keep talking, looking, dreaming of opportunities. We will see.

I want to: begin waking up earlier to do the things I need to make time for. Working the hours I do, I don't always have a lot of time before or after work to do it.

I want to make time for: praying daily, writing down what I am thankful for, and allowing God's Word to transform me. Also, I want to make time to be exercising daily. I am looking for a way to get a gym membership or a bigger place to live to work out. Either way, it's gotta start soon. I'm not 18 years old anymore. Blah.

Anyways, this is what's happening.
This is my life.
Back to 30 Rock.
And possibly my book I am reading: 'One Thousand Gifts,'
finishing my 'tis the season' banner,
and begin decorating for my favorite season. :)

Happy Writing Friends!

- Jamie

Falalalalala....

I am sitting here,
on my couch,
eating Almond Joy Pieces (I got 50% off),
drinking some glasses of Apothotic Red Wine,
and listening to Jack Johnson's Holiday station on Pandora.

I am sitting here enjoying my two day "mini vacation."
This "vacation" will be filled with Christmas greetings into our home,
meal planning, cleaning, gift making, and of course... movies.

Hopefully, our home will smell of brownie candles and a hint of cinnamon.
Hopefully, our home will feel more sweet and warm.
Hopefully, I will think of "Christmas Cheers" as retail work during this time sucks the life out of you.
Hopefully, we will see homemade decor, stockings, a tree and lights in our home.
I hope the Christmas Spirit fills this home and that this month, my husband and I, will be full of joy.

I hope. I hope. I hope.
Sometimes, I work for this "hope" I have in things.
Sometimes, I wish for these "hopes" to happen.
Sometimes, most of the time, I rely on my petty little self to accomplish my "hopes."

But really, my heart, yearns to be reminded of this season- the birth of Christ.
My heart years for the remembrance and for the joyful hope I actually have.
My heart has been in preparation since last month, the month of thankfulness.
Remembering what I am thankful for, big or small, paralyzing and petrifying, or an unexpected blessing, 
will remind me of the joyful hope I have.
Joyfully remembering all things I am thankful for is how to live out your salvation.
Part of my salvation is knowing the hope I have-
Which was made physical evidence this season.
Being thankful for all Christ is and does will remind me of the hopeful joy I have in my salvation.

So with that, yes-
'tis the season to be jolly.

Let's be JOYFULLY thankful this Christmas season.

He Is Here

I have been trying to find this video to share with you guys...
He Is Here...by Gungor.
Poet by Amena Brown.

I heard this on my way to work one day.
I love it.

 He is Here

“He is here. In this room. In your heart. 

He is near. Nearer than breath. Heartbeats.

Nearer than you are to you.

Nearer than second chance or next opportunity.

Closer than tonight or yesterday.

He is Real. Realer than touch.

See. Hear. Smell or Taste.

Realer than reality. He is our reality.

Realer than Joy. Pain. Sorrow.

Realer than the Love of being in Love.

He is present. Like time. Space. Wind. Silence. Night.

He is waiting. Like Creation.

Like words on the tip of tongue.

Like songs that have yet to be sung.

He is Beauty. Oranges. Blues. Every Hue. Every shade.

Sunset and Sunrise. Whisper His Name.

He is Holy.

Different. Made Human. Became Human. Forgave Human. 

He is Spirit.

He cannot be touched. Explains like,

Sweet seconds of prayers like,

Grandmother on knees. Wood floor Bare.

He is Son. Distinctly three. Distinctly one.

The only one. The only wise. The only resurrector of lives. 

He is King.

No earthly throne can house.

No amount of elegant words can espouse.

He is Moments and Voice. Power of Choice.

And Word. And Deed. And Fruit. And Seed.

Pierced Side. Nailed hands. Nailed feet.

Innocent wounds that bleed.

He is Believe and Trust.

He is Enough. He is All.

He is Call and Purpose.

Everything that we can sacrifice. He is worth it and more.

Much More. Our good deeds are mere pennies.

We’ll never even the score.

He is Behold. And Wowed.

He is Who. What. When. Why. How.

He Puts on the Show. He is the one we come to see.

He is Souls Cry and sinners plea. He is the epitome.

He is the One know one can light a candle to

or come within a million foot pole of.

He is Above.

He is a Fathers Love.

He is maker of ways.

Of Earth. And Wind. Ancient of Days.

Has No Fear.

Have No Fear.

God is Here.”