Northpoint Community Church's iBand

I love my church. I feel so blessed that I live in Atlanta and am able to attend every Sunday. I am lucky that they provide environments for people to develop growing relationships with Jesus Christ. This is their mission statement. I have been going to the Buckhead Church since the beginning of 2008, so almost 3 years. The Buckhead Church is part of the Northpoint Community Church Ministries with Andy Stanley as the main Pastor. This church has changed my life. I have made valuable friendships and it was through the 722 environment that I met my husband Kyle. I even was baptized, or baptisto, Latin for dipped, and washed clean in the Holy Spirit.

The thing I love about the Buckhead and Northpoint Church is that they are always doing neat new stuff and keeping people on their toes. So last week when church goers saw this new technology product music for worship they surely knew, this is not your typical church. This is different, this is fun, this is exciting, what can I expect next. I would just say, "Expect the unexpected, be prepared for something new." Then we get to hear Andy speak. I have been going to church my whole life but never really felt a connection, at any other church like I feel when I am at Buckhead Church. We drive about 30 miles to get to church but it is so worth it, every time.

Tonight Andy continued the series on Hope and how we are God's children and how He sent His Son to die for our sins so we could be redeemed. I met some cool people tonight: a young lady from NY who was invited by a friend and was there for the first time, and a group of young men from London who are in a Band together. Then I also saw a bunch of my friends. It was a great night as my mom wanted to come. This was a great event on it's own but when we were singing along to the worship, so was my mom. It made me really happy! She is feeling more comfortable there, and she really liked the lights. The way the white light shines during the worship service literally reminds me of Heaven opening it's doors to the world. Basically I feel God's presence while I am there and that is why I can never get enough and keep coming back for more.

Christmas Decorations and Holiday Parties Begin

Last night was the Holiday Party at my friend's house, that I was excited about. If you read one of my earlier post this month you probably were wondering what I was going to make for the party?! Well my mother in law came to the rescue with a sure fire recipe for the Holidays. First it is really easy and for the Holidays that is just what you want. Take Betty Crocker's Triple Fudge Brownie mix and by Andes Peppermint Chips and chop them up. Then take half of the chopped peppermint candies and add to the mix. Then once baked, add the rest to the top after you remove from the oven. Yum Yum!! They were a huge hit at the party last night!

Yesterday we went to Cagle's Dairy Farm, and got this Christmas Tree and today we decorated it. We used LED lights for the tree and let me tell you they are so bright! We also took the dogs to PetSmart to see Santa. BIG FUN!! These are our Vizslas. General is the one on the left and Ruby Leigh is the one on the right. Ruby Leigh is General Lee's mom. Then I put up all the icicle lights around the front and back porches. Then we put together an angel with lights for the front porch. Then I put the stockings up above the fireplace. Last night I wrote our names on them with a glitter glue pen, and let them dry over night.

Then I rushed to clean the house and make a delicious steak dinner for my parents and our family friends Tom and Rosemary. I used Aaron's recipe for the smashed potatoes and they were so good. Now it is time to make our Christmas cards. I am using the photos we took at PetSmart. They were doing the pictures for donations to the Humane Society.

Until next time... I hope you are enjoying the Holiday Season!

Holiday Baking and Happy at my Job

I have recently gotten famous in my family for my homemade pumpkin pie. It started around Halloween and I did it again over Thanksgiving. You get a pie pumpkin fresh from a farm or a grocery store. Then you bake it, rinds down in a baking pan covered in olive oil. When that is done you use a food processor and blend it up. While this is going on you should be browning the pie crust in the oven. Then you add sugar heavy whipping cream and spices. Then you bake it again for about 45 minutes. Now you too can bake a great pumpkin pie! For more detailed directions look at Joy of Cooking.

Ok I have been looking at Southern Living Ultimate Christmas Cookbook for over an hour and still can't decide what to bake or make for a holiday Christmas Party! I mean really, everything looks good it is hard to decide! I want to make something delicious and memorable that everyone will like. Let's be honest, I want praise... I mean after the pumpkin pie I must have some kind of skills? No, the truth is I forget ingredients sometimes and all it takes is a teaspoon instead of a table spoon and something is too dry. Or no water, take it from me those brownies were very dry. haha It takes practice and concentration to successfully make a tasty treat. I know it is not easy but I am up for the challenge.

I feel like I need to go to the "cloud" If you are not sure what I mean google Windows and the Cloud commercials. It makes me think that whenever you get into a tight spot Windows will come to the rescue. Good Ad campaign!

Now off to bed, as I have a big drive ahead of me tomorrow. Going to Columbus for work. My goal for this week was to try to finish going to every dealership in GA. You know what I am not that far away... Wish me safe travels. I love what I am doing. Sales is where I need to be right now. So glad I finally found something good. Oh and by the way we are getting a new office!! With a show room and I will have my own office! We will show case our Execuhitch Trailer Hitch of the Future, with a custom automated now you see it now you don't electric design. Check it out at www.execuhitch.com

Holidays Shopping Begins

Last weekend was insane. We had the famous Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving sale. I stayed up all night because the one place I wanted to go was Target and their Door Busters started at 4:00 am. I watched one of my favorite movies, Batman Begins to pass the time before I went to the store. Kyle had to go to bed, because he had school in the morning. I left the house at 3:30 am and arrived at 3:45 am. I must say I underestimated the people of my area and the Target was so packed. The line wrapped all the way down the shopping center strip and around the corner. I'd say there was over two thousand people there. When the doors opened, there were sounds of cheers from the front of the line. People were all rushing into the store. As soon as I walked through the sliding doors I noticed the shopping carts were all gone. They ran out of shopping carts!

Before I left I got a visual picture of where I was going as they had a Door Buster map, where they put regular items on sale in different places around the store. All of these items are strategically placed around store based on what they think people will buy who also want to buy the sale items. For example the TVs were in the men's clothing department. I went straight to the DVDs which were in the girl's department. I must say it is going to be a DVD Christmas. I bought so many DVDs. I got some really good deals. The DVDs were priced at $1.99, $3.99, $5.99, up to $16.99.

I almost didn't go because the weather was getting so bad. It was storming and raining cats and dogs! When I got there it was still raining and when I left 30 minutes later.

Earlier that day I went online and did some shopping at Crate and Barrel and Men's Warehouse. I basically by 4:30 am on Black Friday was done with all of my Holiday Shopping! I am really excited about being done.

Next up baking treats for a party this weekend and wrapping presents.