ONE YEAR AGO TODAY.....

Today, April 27th, marks the one year anniversary of our successful victory in our Jury Trial. One year ago today, a man was put away for life (196 years to be exact) for crimes he committed towards me on May 16, 2010. I will never forget that feeling as the judge read the final decision of the jury. My heart leapt out of my chest…and honestly all I wanted to do is break down right there...because all the fear of him being released....built up over a year…could finally be over. I did not break down …(if you are familiar with court rules, you are not supposed to show emotion until the jury is excused.) I remember my mom squeezing my hand so tightly (I knew she could hardly stand it) and I remember Logan taking my hand and holding it between both of his and kissing me on the forehead. When I stood up my dad gave me the biggest hug and we didn’t say anything and then he whispered in my ear, “It’s over sweetheart. God is so good!” Truly one of the hardest weeks (emotionally) of my life, but the Lord saw us through. He was there in that courtroom and he has been with us since that day! Today I write, out of complete gratitude, not only to my Heavenly Father, but to all those who came to support us, who defended us(prosecutors), protected us (detectives, LR Police, and my victim witness coordinator) and for the men and women on the jury, who changed my life forever that day! I am so grateful for the friendships made and for the sovereignty of God. To Him be the glory!




“In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” –Romans 8:28

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”- Nehemiah 8:10

Adore Decor

It seems I am always busy planning in my head all things I hope to do to our house one day! I find decorating so incredibly fun, relaxing, and I feel that the items/style you pick for your home should be the very essence of yourself or those you live with :)

I have so many projects that will be years in the making....but I have to say things are starting to really come together!

I once read: "Decorate your home to make it a place of beauty, because beauty raises life above mere existence." I love that!

It really got me thinkinkg about my style and things that make me feel welcome.I included pictures of bits and pieces of our home to go along with a few decor tips and the things that scream "HOME" to me:

1. Paint changes everything! (I'm one to talk, have I picked up a paint brush since I've moved in our house????.....uh NOPE...but I will, and I almost have some of our colors finalized..I was fortunate that our walls are a neutral gold, so I've not been in a huge rush)...seriously though, Paint will change a whole room and if you hate the color, it's not permanent you can ALWAYS change it!

2. Monograms- So classy and traditional, but nothing makes something as personal as a monogram! I realize you can go overboard, but I think a monogram here and there is perfectly fine! We have a flag with our initial on it outside, I have had a shower curtain monogrammed in our guest bath, I have a beautiful cookie jar (it's my fav) in our kitchen with our initials and we have hung our monogram initials in our master bath! I will probably be adding a few more around the house (maybe some towels, or a pillow or something on the patio). monograms are a wonderful, southern way to say WELCOME HOME to your family!

3. Create a spot that is just for you. This is very important for both men and women. Whether it is a room or just a space. For example...I have a tray on our dresser that I keep all things that are important to me...and that I tend to use daily...purfume, rings, watch...etc! It makes that space reflect you and your personality. (Whether it is yourself, you husband, child or even dog....everyone in your home should have a space..that is unique to them.)

4. Burlap-(It's a huge trend right now)...go in any store...(Pottery Barn, Cobble Stone and Vine, Vivid Design, Ballard Design, etc.) Everyone is showcasing burlap in one way or another! My sweet mom surprised us and had a table skirt made for our family room (she bought the burlap and then the lady at Cynthia East made a great skirt with a cord trim). Bulap is also classic and to me, very french! (here's a perk...it's also quite inexpensive. ) I plan to have another table skirt made out of cream burlap for our bedroom very soon!

5. Heirlooms- I love taking something special from a parent, or grandparent and showcasing it in our home! Decor should tell a story. It may say something about your personality or your style, but to have sentimental pieces throughout...cause your guests to wonder what it means and can become quite a conversation piece. I have several heirlooms around the house (several crystal pieces from Logan's granny and my grandmother Lady, One of Lady's Broaches that I used as the center of one of my frames, and Logan has a few items from Germany from his grandmother on our bookshelves). It is special to know why we chose to place them in that spot and their signifigance. I have a crystal clock and jewelry box from my Grandmama as well...very dear to me. I have special items from my parents as well and I plan to showcase several of those ...that can be passed down to our children.

To me, what makes my house feel like our home is first of all who I share it with, the memories we have and will create there, and the overall appearance.

Decor does something for me; completing a room or finding that perfect item for a certain space gives me so much satisfaction I can hardly stand it! I want our home to be a mix of old and new, Southern and French. I want it not only to reflect our style, but our collections in unique ways. It is important to both Logan and I, that all who enter know that our family loves the Lord and can sense His presence in our home. That is not only shown through your decor choices, but also our hospitality. Hospitality is the message we give another person about their value. Logan and I try very hard to roll out the welcome mat for all of our guests...becuase it is important to us. Logan always jokes that "Haleigh is the kick off your shoes and relax kind of hostess....BUT don't forget to use a coaster...and always ask if the towels are for decor only or if you can wipe your hands on them....and never EVER...sit on top of the bed spread!) Hahaha...he likes to tease me....although he pretty much nailed it on the head. ; )

Happy Decorating!

WIFEY WEDNESDAY

I had typed up a "Wifey Wednesday" that I planned to post for today...it was on decor/what makes a home. A very good/appropriate topic for today's theme, but after reading a story from a woman who's blog I follow, I decided that I needed to change my theme for today.

I follow a blog called "Musings on Hope" and although I have never met Lee (the wife and mother who writes the blog), I have followed her journey and prayed for her daughter Maggie and her family for quite some time.

This weeks posts really touched me and pulled at my heart strings in a way that very few things do. I wanted to dedicate my "Wifey Wednesday" post to Lee, she is a wonderful example of a wife (and mother) who has selflessly given 100% to her family and the well being of her daughter. She faces day to day struggles that bring tears to my eyes when I read them, yet she trusts in our Lord,and praises God for his unfailing love and mercy. I admire her so much, and if you would like to hear Maggie's story you can read about it on " musingsonhope.blogspot.com ".

Please join me in praying for this sweet family and the wife/mother who gives her all, even when she feels she has nothing left to give!

This wifey post is dedicated to Lee, thoughts and prayers are with you, and you are touching lives and encouraging others in a way that you will never know!

WIFEY WEDNESDAY

I have had several Wifey Wednesdays (all recipes) but for some reason couldn't find the time to post them...so this Wednesday I'm combining them! I have recently felt that I don't have any major recipes to share this week! You will probably notice a trend to these..(They are all EASY). Working outside our home full time, I am all about the easy, but good ones! Enjoy

Last week I made Pot Roast...and it's my "old trusty" (my mom's recipe). Funny how "mom's recipes" are always the ones that never fail us!

If you want a very simple but yummy pot roast then try this:

POT ROAST:

Rump Roast or Chuck Roast (it's a matter of preference)
Mrs. Dash
3 Beef Bouillon Cubes
Water
Garlic Powder
Worcheshire Sauce
onions
potatos
carrots


Brown you roast on all sides in a skillet with a little oil (not much oil though)

place in baking dish with lid (I use my largest corning ware)
pour water a little over half way and drop in bouillon cubes. cover roast with Mrs Dash and garlic powder....shake in some worcheshire sauce.

Bake 300 degrees for 6 hours (It's the only way to do it....slow cook)

add Onions and carrots and potatos last hour.

If you run out of room.....sometimes i just add the onions and carrots and make baked potatoes or roasted potatoes instead!!!
YUMMY!

Can use left over meat to make BBQ (shredded) or Vegetable Soup!


This week I made corn salad (my cousin Kelli's recipe)
It's so easy and fast!

CORN SALAD

2 cans of shoepeg corn (drained)
1/2 cup cherry tomoatos cut in half
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup or so of mayo (you don't really notice the mayo...it jsut makes it all go together well)
garlic salt to taste.

Mix all together and refridgerate at least 1 hour (to get cold)

We ate ours as a side dish to boiled fresh shrimp!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Happy Friday!

Today I was writing in my prayer journal and I was praising God for a prayer that He has answered....I had prayed it yesterday and about the moment the words left my mouth...it seemed to have been answered and so fully. It was a reminder that God hears the prayers of His people and that I simply just need ask. I began to write the following:

ASK AND YOU WILL RECEIVE

SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND

KNOCK AND THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED.

In my journal, there are verses at the bottom of each page...and I usually don't read them until the end because my arm is in the way of it when writing. As I moved my arm....the following verse was at the bottom of the journal page:

"But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33

And on the back of the journal page at the bottom was this verse:

"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7

WOW! My jaw dropped and my eyes teared up. Divine appointmet...I think so! He is right there...in all we do, in all we say and in all we think. There is no such thing as coincidence...although many will say that's what it is. I believe that God meets us...we just have to slow down and let Him.

This entry may not qualify as a Friday Favorite...but to me it was...it was the highlight of my day...and God is my favorite...and time with Him is too.

Love,

FRIDAY FAVORITES

I am reading a book by Kyle Richards right now and one of the chapters is about beauty and she talks about a lot of her tips and tricks. She also had a section that listed her favorites...So I thought it would be fun for "Friday Favorites" to do the same...Exact same questions...but my answers instead of hers...although several of ours are similar!

Must Have on Products(Favorites):
Eye Shadow: Laura Mercier Rose Gold (In the tube) and Sephora Brand Shadows

Mascara: L'Oreal Voluminous Original (have used this since highschool)

EyeLiner: L'Oreal Liquid Liner and Revlon Black eyeliner-colorstay (self sharpening)

Eye Make Up Remover: I actually don't use any..(bad) but When I cant get it off I just use lotion and a kleenex and it wipes right off!

Concealer: Maybelline Cover Stick in Yellow (my cousins got me hooked on this stuff! and they said they've tried the expensive stuff..and this is still their fav)

Tinted Sunblock: I don't use any becasue my foundation has it in it

Foundation: Depends. If it is just an errand day or work day...I do my loose face powder by Coty Airspun and touch up with my Merle Norman Compact. If it is a dress-up day..then I use Revlon Colorstay Oil Free foundation and then I set with Coty Airspun powder and then use my Merle Norman cmpact to even out (sounds like a lot..but I don't cake it on) It's the perfect blend for me!

Blush: I love my Nars Blush (I wont say the names of my favorite two because it will make me blush...but you know what they are..ha!), I also Love "The Balm" and Dandelion by Benefit

Lip Gloss: Merle Norman and Dior are my fav's

Lip Balm: Rose Bud Salve and EOS

Face Wash: I rotate my face wash..sometimes I use Oil of Olay Daily Facials and their Cream Cleanser, other days I use Erno Laszlo's Sea Mud Soap. And on occasion I use my Dove bar soap!

Skin Care: I use Oil of Olay Cream and Lotion. I also Use Erno Laszlo PhylitolCream. I have a few gels and eye creams from Mary Kay that I throw inthe mix from time to time. When I'm just at home and not planning to go anywhere...I will use Vitamin E Caplets...I look like a Seal!

Toothpaste: Optic White by Colgate (guilty Pleasure is "Go Smile Luxury Toothpaste"-found at Sephora)

Lotion: Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion

Signature Scent: Miss Dior Cherie and Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb

Sunless Tanner: Jergens Express Glow and L'Oreal Sublime Bronze (Tan Towels are nice too...and I've been wanting to try Fake Bake) I have not stepped foot in a tanningbed since my Wedding and it had been a year before that. I'm over them...andtry to avoid them at all costs now!

Wifey Wednesday

I have been looking for new recipes...and mainly those that taste good the next day as left overs! Since we have gotten married...I tend to cook most night...and usually don't make things that keep as leftovers. I've realized though that I need a balance. It is too hard to work full time and come home and cook a full blown meal each night! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to cook...so this is hard for me...but I've begun to realize that if I want to have time to spend with Logan and time to workout and do the day to day things...then something's gotta give! I am now trying to choose recipes that will keep well and be good the next day! If I can make two things a week and revamp them with veggies or salad ...then that will work for us during the weeknights. Then on the weekends or one night a week I can cook somehting a little more gourmet and time consuming (which I don't mind...It's theraeutic!) Maybe one day I will be able to dedicate more time to meals and cook the way I'd love to cook 3-4 nights a week! Here are two recipes I made this week and we really liked them both!

Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu (coutesy of Pintrest)
4 Chicken Breast (boneless and skinless) cut in half
1 can of 98% fat free Crem of Chicken Soup
1 cup of milk
1 pkg. of Herb Stuffing Mix
4 TBSP of butter
8 slices of Ham (I bought sliced ham from the Deli)
8 Slices of Swiss Cheese

Mix soup and milk together in bowl. Pour half of that mixture in bottom of crock pot. Place Chickn Breast halves in crockpot. Lay a alice of ham over each half and try to wrap or tuck in. Tehn do the same with the swiss cheese. Pour remaining soup mixture over tops. pour stuffing mix over top and pour melted butter over stuffing. Cook on High for 3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours. I mad green beans the first night we ate it and salad the second night! I actually liked it better the 2nd day!

Potato Soup
Potatos (5-6)
Chicken Bouillon Cubes (5)
Celery (2 stalks)
Onion (med)
2 cans corn
1 1/4 cup milk
3 TBSP flour
1/2 pkg of Velveeta
1/2 can green chilies (small can)
Shrimp chopped OR Ham Chopped (I used shrimp this time)

I filled my pot about half way with water and added bouillon and potatos (Peeled and cubed), onion diced adn celery chopped. I boiled for awhile...and then once cooked through..I added milk that I had shaken with flour. I then added little pieces of velveeta and corn (drained) and brought to boil...then simmered. Once everything melted I added shirimp and green chilies. I added salt and pepper and onion powder to taste. I only added the green chilies because I think it needed a little punch with the shrimp...I had them and though..well I will try it! This was really good..I served with French Baguette with olive oil and organic roasted garlic! WE will eat this again tonight with some cheese toast or something...I bet it will taste even better the 2nd day! Next time I may make it with ham instead of shrimp....we were jsut needing a seafood fix this week!