iPads & 1200 thread count bed sheets...

These two items are my new guilty pleasures. Both were Christmas presents. I say guilty pleasures because even though I love having them both, I feel like a total diva as I sit up in my king-sized bed that's adorned with newly washed silken smooth sheets, typing away and browsing the web on my iPad. Oh well. As long as I don't develop the heart or the personality of a diva, right?

Anyway, I don't want an entire blog post to be about my two newest material possessions. As excited as I am about them, I am even more excited about the life changes that are about to take place. And we all know the best way to document such things is by trusty ole' bullet points. In all seriousness, though, with the upcoming new year, I have plans to make some big changes, and I feel it's good to put these things down as sort of a means of holding myself accountable. <- and others, too, of course. That being said:

*I'm on my way to a healthier lifestyle. Physically speaking, I have a want to be more active, and a longing to feel better about myself. I'm tired of living day after day hating certain things about the way I look, but lacking the motivation or the will to change those things. It's time for me to get serious. Mentally speaking, I have to make changes as well. Its time for me to put my foot down and stop letting negative thoughts and insecurities hold me back. I want to look in the mirror and know without a doubt that my husband loves me, rather than question all the time. Sure I carry a few more pounds than I did when he first met me, but it hasn't changed who I am, which ultimately is the reason he fell in love with me to begin with. But that doesn't mean I let myself go (physically) either. I want to be my best physically and mentally for my husband, and more importantly, myself. So the new year will begin with a new running schedule, and I will kick it off in February with my first ever 5k run. I registered already. I'm excited. No turning back. Period.

*A few posts back, I wrote a little about some possibilities for adoption becoming a reality for us. Jeremy and I talk about it a lot, and really feel the calling on our life together to adopt a child. We would still love to have a biological child, but we know we have to wait on the Lord for that miracle. And we are both okay with that. As far as adopting, nothing is set in stone as far as details go, but we know we are supposed to move forward. I am so excited about what this year will hold. Just to preface, though, I hold no expectations. I trust that God is going to lead us exactly where we need to go. I know it's probably going to be a difficult, emotional and long road ahead, but we both just want to be obedient to what God has planned for our life as parents.

*We are also going to take as many opportunities as possible for 2011 to pay off some debt. I think throughout our relationship we've done a pretty good job of keeping the numbers low (and I have to say we have never owned a credit card to this day), but it will be a happy day in our household when a vehicle is paid off!! So here's to getting out of debt!

There is obviously more, but not everything needs to be put out there. I'm gonna leave it at that for now and go be a diva while I enjoy a cup of coffee in my bed with my iPad and 1200 thread count sheets :-)

It's a special day...

Back in 2003, I was a freshman in high school. This was me:



(I know, I know, I am so young...) I didn't particularly like the beginning of my first year in high school. It was awkward, kids were mean and snotty since they thought they were oh so cool, and I had just left my jr. high school that I loved so much. Needless to say, walking the halls at WFHS as a freshman took some getting used to.

Until I met this guy...

He was so cute to me, and not to mention a s.m.o.o.t.h. talker, and shortly after the start of our high school days, he asked me to be his girlfriend. Although we couldn't see it then, we were your typical high school romance: We would walk to every single class together; we would eat together in the cafeteria; we wrote notes to one another in nearly every period, and then desperately try and smuggle them into each others hand before the bell rang; we had our own secret spots where we could steal a quick smooch, then feel like total bad "A's" when we'd come out of hiding having just escaped getting caught; he was the baseball player, and I was a cheerleader; everyone knew us together, but hardly anyone knew us apart; we told each other "I love you", barely knowing what that really entailed; we had an "anniversary"; we talked on the phone for hours upon hours everyday after just seeing each other all day....I could go on forever. We were 4 years worth of mush for each other. And high school days after Jeremy weren't so hard for me any more. He made them easy, and fun for me every day.

I remember those days so vividly and how we made so many plans of how we would go off to college together (really it was I would follow him wherever he went), then get married, have kids...the whole works. We had set plans. We'd get serious about those plans for a minute or two, but then the next we'd be getting into our fancy clothes so we could go off to our ball, a.k.a our school dance, together. We made so many memories:

Our first spring dance




Before we knew it, we had been "dating" for 2 whole years! We celebrated every year, but this one was a big one. Jeremy planned a day in Destin where he took me on a sailboat dolphin cruise. I remember feeling that day that this wasn't just a temporary school yard relationship. I remember looking at him and being able to visualize me marrying this dude. He cared so much. He loved hard. He courted me and made me feel special. I felt beautiful with him. He was sensitive. I loved him.


We were inseparable


Our senior year was a big one. I think it hit us both that our school days were coming to an end. We were both scrambling to finish out the year with amazing grades, we were both haunted by the worry of getting accepted into college, we were trying to figure out how we were going to make those "plans" that we had set with one another come to fruition. Suddenly, things didn't look so easy anymore. But we had to put those thoughts aside to make one last beautiful senior memory: 12th grade PROM!!


In all actuality, our school prom sucked, but being there with my love was the highlight for me. We had made it so far. And Jeremy made the night beautiful for me.


To shorten this a bit, we graduated, moved in together, worked full time and Jeremy went to school full time, got our own apartment, and quickly became young adults. About a year after we graduated high school, Jeremy proposed to me. We were young, had no clue what we were doing or how we could afford such a thing, but one thing remained: We were crazy in love with each other, still, after so many years. There was no doubt in my mind that he was the guy I had always wanted. A year and a half of wedding planning led to this special day:

December 20, 2008






And here we are two more years later. That's a grand total of nearly 8 years together. Crazy! It amazes me that two 14 year old kids have grown into husband and wife. So all that to say:

Jeremy, I love you more than life itself. You are my first true love, and I am proud to call you husband. You have enriched my life, and I cannot remember it without you. Thank you for asking me to be your wife, and for wanting to spend the rest of your life with me. I know it has not always been perfect circumstances, but there is no other person I would rather walk these roads with than you. I am a better person because I married you, and I thank God for gracing me with such a beautiful companion. I love who you are and what you stand for. I love you so much, but my favorite thing is to stand here today and still be able to say that I am IN love with you. Happy anniversary, Love, and I can't wait for many many more!

Love,
Jessica Faith

A little inspiration...

I came across this video this morning from a local church here in town, and all I can muster up to describe how beautiful this story is, is tears...lots and lots of tears.

Below you will find a beautiful, yet heart-wrenching story of a little girl named Serena who is battling a very complicated and debilitating disease. My heart aches as I listen to this little girl talk of her life and all she's been through already at such a young age. But her spirit and faith in God left me with a sense of peace, and a yearning to continue trusting and believing in the Lord through tough circumstances.

I may not know what you're going through, but I only pray that after you are finished watching this 12 minute testimony, that peace comes over you and that you may know that there is hope and happiness in Christ. I hope Serena's faith inspires you to believe for yourself of the miracles that are possible through our God. *If you think about skipping out early before the full 12ish minutes are up, you will be sorry. Just saying.
Be blessed by this:

A Re-post...

I am stealing this from a good friends blog because it cheers me up when I feel down.

So I encourage you to watch this clip. Let yourself be a kid for a few minutes, and dance and enjoy. Take in the words, and let them be truth to you today. Let go of those feelings of defeat, insecurities, and rejections, and just believe you were created for purpose...And whatever you are is exactly meant for you.

"Gonna keep my head up high, keep on reachin' high, never gonna quit, I'll keep gettin' stronger..."

Poor hot glue gun...

I said in my last post that I was in the process of making other holiday crafts around my house. I didn't lie. It's taken me a week to complete two stinking things, but I'm happy to report that they're done! Thank you Jesus! Not only was my brain on the brink of exploding from ideas, but my blessed hot glue gun was too if he didn't catch a break!

First up, I wanted something cute to display Christmas cards on as we begin to get them in the mail. I saw a couple of cute ideas on-line, but wouldn't you know my husband came up with this idea when he spotted these cute little wooden letters in Hobby Lobby on a recent trip. I loved it and ran with it. Here is the result:



I need to decorate that table up a little more, but I thought it was so cute! I can't wait to put actual Christmas cards there =) Another perk from doing this project: our back porch now sparkles as if someone threw up glitter out there, thanks to the lovely glitter spray paint! Pair me with a couple cans of spray paint, and that's quite a disastrous combo! Enough of that, though, on to project #2!

You know that tree skirt I was saying I wanted to make? Well, behold:



Again, I love it. It took me 5 days, but it's done! I'm happy, husband likes it, and I know that glue gun is! Now if I could just keep the dogs away from it, we will really be doing good =)

I don't know what has gotten into me with all these projects. I've never been into this kind of stuff before, but I guess seeing what some of my friends have made, and realizing how inexpensive it is to make my own stuff, I've just become inspired. I have to say it has been a sort of therapy for me. It's definitely kept me busy. I have found a creative side to myself that I like, and it takes my mind off of those things throughout the day that could lead to a negative place. As I've said before, holiday seasons can be very difficult for me, and have taken a miserable toll in the past. But this year, however, I'm determined for it to be different. Focusing on the good things: I am blessed, I am loved, and then turning around and doing things for others.

Going through this journey of infertility, people will give you their "Oh, poor you" stuff from time to time, but I say this year, I'm gonna keep a good perspective, I'm gonna love hard and enjoy moments, and I'm gonna craft my brains out! Then, the only thing left to pity will be my poor glue gun! Haha!

Christmas time is here...

Okay, so maybe it's not here exactly yet, but I'm hunkering down in preparation for it here at my house =) It's my favorite time of the year, and before our house was built, I set a goal for myself for this season, that I would set up a beautiful tree, and decorate for the holidays. And I'm happy to report that I am in full swing of doing just that!

I got an awesome deal on a fake tree yesterday at Target - $80.00 for a pre-lit...1 month before Christmas...amidst all the crazy shoppers!! We didn't have a tree already, real trees are out of the question because we have dogs, and lots of people suggested looking on craigslist, but I didn't feel like dealing with that! So once again, Target rescued me. Speaking of, so did Hobby Lobby later yesterday evening as I dragged my husband in just before closing so I could purchase our first ever ornaments!! (Mind you, this is the second time in 3 days I've made him go there with me. The first was so I could get some items to make my first ever wreath, which I will tell you about later.) Anyhow, we got our ornaments, made it to check out in time, and raced home so I could put everything together immediately. It probably could have waited until today, seeing as how we have much more time, but I couldn't help myself. I just get so stinking excited! So without further ado, fix your eyes upon Mr. & Mrs. Moore's first ever blessed Christmas tree:



I know it's not the best picture, but there it is! I still need a tree skirt, but I refuse to pay what stores want for them. I'm actually looking into making one, since I've discovered that I am more crafty than I give myself credit for...

Which brings me to my other project. I have been wanting to make a wreath for so long, and I've tried my hand at it once or twice, but it always ended in disaster. My previous creations were never worthy enough to grace anyone's door! So I started looking into my options again, and decided that I wanted to steer clear of the traditional wreath look. I stumbled upon a blog recently, and fell in love with what this woman had created. So I basically copied her creation, changing the colors a bit, and adding my own little twist here and there. I give her credit for this idea! I did not come up with it! You can see her blog post about it here. And now, feast your eyes upon what I ended up with:



It took me about 5 hours worth of work, but I could not be happier with the result. I was so proud of myself, I just sat and stared for a while once it was done. I know it sounds dorky, but I've never made anything so beautiful. I know it was not my idea, but still, I made it with my very own hands, and a few of my own little touches. So now, it adorns our media console so that we get an eyeful of it every day. And to that, I say: I don't need your $100.00 wreath, Hobby Lobby. I just need your craft supplies =)

Some of my next projects shall include a tree skirt, table setting, and something to sit on our plant ledges. Somebody get me a craft box!! ;)

Holiday stuff...

Lots of things happening around here! November has been a crazy busy month for the husband and I, and blogging has unfortunately been put on the back burner. I have a feeling that's the way it's gonna have to be during this holiday season. It's difficult for me to put thoughts together when so many things are going on.

November for the Moore's has consisted, and will consist of the following:

*Jeremy got a new job
*Purchased a new used vehicle (he desperately needed)
*Went on an early anniversary vacation to the mountains
*I began volunteering at a free health clinic in town (which, holy crap, I was supposed to be present at 30 minutes ago..Well there's a great way to start out!)
*Leaving to go to Jacksonville next week for Thanksgiving
*Plotting my plans for my homemade Christmas gifts (which I also did last year, and I saved so much money and was so proud of my new-found craftiness, I decided to go at it again this year)

Okay, so it doesn't look as whirlwind-ish on screen, but add that to all the other daily things, and my heart starts to race a little. The two out of town trips are the kickers for us. But, however, this kind of business is my favorite kind. I love the upcoming holidays. I love the decor, the foods, the smells, the time spent with family and friends, all the different coffees =) Makes for a happy me.

As wonderful as they are, holidays can be difficult, though, for Jeremy and I (well more so me, but I know it's difficult for him in a different way). Anyone who has ever waited for a baby knows the familiar ache I'm talking about. Lots of babies are having their very first Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and New Years...opening their very first present, or wearing their way-too-cute, specially bought Christmas dresses or little man suits. We watch it happening all around us. It's so special, and I'm grateful to be able to witness the little lives around me, but that empty place inside cries out especially during these times.

And so I welcome the business. It sort of takes my mind off those things, and allows me to focus on what we do have. We'll be celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary next month, right before Christmas, and we'll be celebrating for the first time in our new home. We'll have our first Christmas tree together, and I plan to soak up every second of time together, decorating, cooking, and making memories that one day we will get to share with a tiny little thing, swaddled up tightly in a warm snowman blankie...maybe even wearing the worlds tiniest Mr. or Mrs. Claus suit...and I may or may not have a cd player blaring Christmas tunes from said little one's nursery...and I may or may not have plans to dress us all in holiday sweaters and have professional photos taken..and those photos may or may not grace our entry way...

Ok, so I got a little carried away..

Anyway, we don't know if that's what Christmas will look like for us when we have a baby, but my point is, hubby and I have to make the most of these times so that one day when our child is with us, we look back on happy times of Mom and Dad together. For us, as I've said before, that doesn't mean the ache isn't there. We just have to choose for ourselves what the best way to deal with that ache is...and for us that means to hold each other close, and love each other more than ever.