Sunday's Special Moments ~ Birthday Lunch, Hosting, and Time with Jesus

 

Hello everyone! Today was full day but special. Lots of cooking! Lots of food! Lots of laughs and a nap! Let's start from the beginning. This is our oldest son, Ethan! We had his birthday lunch today after church. He will be 26 tomorrow (April 27th) and we are teasing him that he is close to 30. He is refusing to accept that. 

This morning started at 5:50 a.m. ONLY because we had a terrible storm last night that kept us up all night. I finally decided to get on up and start cooking because I had lots to do. We had our son's lunch as well as we were also hosting a small group of men from church for a Men's Bible Study and Taco Night. 

I had to lead worship today so off I went after cooking lasagna, MY SPECIAL green beans and preparing the home. 

Heading out the door!!! You can see Ethan's gift behind me!💗💜💚

My husband had put up this below on our monitor at church today. I loved it and needed the reminder!

Now, after a beautiful time with the Lord and our church family I headed home to get lunch served. All the kids came over and we celebrated Ethan. He is a HUGE and I really mean HUGE St. Louis Cardinal fan. He watches the entire season! He has loved them since we took him to his first ball game in St. Louis when he was 4 years old. So, his gifts reflect that. We lived in the area for 15 years before moving to Mississippi.

Here is Ethan, Hannah and her boyfriend, Clayton.

Our youngest son *KYLE* is NOTORIOUSLY always late. Like always. We even tell him an earlier time to help him be on time but usually he is still late. :) He did end up arriving... EVENTUALLY. We love him though. HE BRINGS THE LAUGHS! ALWAYS! It isn't that he wants to be or being selfish. He has ADHD so schedules and timing is very difficult for him. He does try, bless it. :) 

 Kyle and Ethan!  

He loves honey buns! He has lost almost 100 pounds this past year, so this is a special treat. Hannah wrote some funny things on the box, and we all got a laugh! She gifted him these and a sweet card!

It was a nice day. The lasagna was a hit. It was probably one of my best homemade ones I have made yet. 

After we cleaned up and everyone went there way. I headed to the bed and slept for two hours. I needed it so much! I am so thankful. 

THEN ROUND TWO!!

I set up for our Men's Small Group this evening. They are studying being Battle Tested men and it has been a great enjoyment for the group.  My husband (aka...THE PASTOR) liked the taco bar our ladies did last week so we did that this week for the men.

I made a Queso Rotel dip. It was good. It was with queso Velvetta white cheese not the normal yellow block. They seem to have liked it. 

Here are a few snapshots of the men that attended. Oh, yes, they know I took pictures and that I am posting the pictures. 

My husband is in the green shirt!

It was great and busy day! I am thankful. Thankful for the ability to be able to serve, host and bless my loved ones and church family. I am thankful I had the means to do it and that I had the strength. To be honest, it has been a few hard months physically for me. I am so thankful for the energy to do what I needed to do. 

NOW.... I am blogging and drinking a nice cold coke. (yes, I know, it isn't healthy 😆) and I am about to watch some of my favorite hiking and camping youtubers. 

A great way to end my Sunday!

Blessings and with MUCH LOVE,

Chrissy T

Weekend Happenings! *Car Camping Items* *Hannah's Yellowstone Trip*

 

Hello friends! Hannah is back! It was a short trip, but she packed a lot of wonderful moments and sights at Yellowstone. I picked her up tonight (Saturday) at 7 p.m. from the airport. Look at those big ole bison she had to pause for!!!!

She Face Timed me so I could see an amazing trail and waterfall. My heart smiled and was so excited for her and for her thinking of me. She knows I love nature. 

 

Hah! I was at work! Yes, I answered the phone because when baby girl FACETIMES me... I answer! I wanted to make sure she was okay. She left her bear spray, and I knew she was hiking. Can you see me? I love technology AT TIMES.

I hope to see Yellowstone one day in person myself. If I do not, I am happy Hannah did and sent me these beautiful pictures. She said it was soooo cold. She did an internship for Rocky Mountain National Park area in Colorado for a few months. Thankfully, she isn't a novice to cold, but it has been a few years. When she left and returned to Mississippi it was 80 degrees.

Alright, back to real life as she got in my car after I picked her up. I laughed because I know that feeling all too well. 

Other happenings....

I was off today! BUT that meant cleaning, errands, and preparing for things for the church. I had to practice music because I am leading worship this Sunday. 

I grabbed a unique drink along the way at a coffee shop next to the church. I do not normally treat myself often to coffees or special drinks, but this week has been a RARE exception. 

Today, I tried a German Chocolate Cake Frappe with no nuts. IT WAS FANTASTIC. Did you know I am allergic to nuts?

Yep, I developed the allergy at around 31 years old. I had always been able to eat nuts up until then. It was a sad adjustment. I loved peanut butter, almonds, and so many desserts with nuts.

Here I am taking a selfie as I was about to practice singing a song for tomorrow.

CAR CAMPING ITEMS came in! I am ordering things here and there. I am building up supplies as frugally as possible. It may take me a while before I can go "exploring and adventuring in my car" but until then I will get things here and there. I also will be doing this very frugally because I would not want to spend money and then go solo camping only to discover IT IS NOT FOR ME! LOL! So, I am just doing some cheaper basics until I see if it is something I end up liking. If not, I will pass some to my sister who does camp often or sell it. 

I purchased two things. One was a small butane stove burner for cooking. It was on sale for half off. I spent $22 on it. 

Second, I purchased window shades for blocking light and protection from someone being able to see inside my car at nighttime. 

The first picture is BEFORE I added the block out coverings. As you can see, you can see my backseat pretty clearly.

Now I added the shades/coverings and total black out! 

They also came in a very nice durable bag storage bag!!!

I am planning to save and get two more items. A tent for a decoy and for privacy when changing or maybe even sleeping in it. Then I need a sleeping pad for the car/tent. 

I am still doing some research on both. I want something durable but also want it frugal in case I do not like the experience. 

Anyway.... moving on...

Thanks for visiting me! I want to also thank all of you who have commented and encouraged me during this season I have been in! I have become appreciative of this community. Life can be lonely at times for someone in ministry. It is hard to explain as a Pastor's Wife. I do appreciate this space to be able to be a little transparent, share my dreams and record our personal memories. I do not do social media other than this blog. I love having a platform to share my memories as well as connect with others. 

Sunday we are doing a birthday dinner after church for our oldest son. Homemade Lasagna is on the menu along with garlic knots, green beans, and chocolate cake and ice cream. 

I made the cake tonight. :) It will be a busy day tomorrow for sure. 

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday!!

With Love,

Chrissy T

Early Morning Airport Run, Hiking, and Adjustments

Hello everyone! I know I have a LOADED post title. PLEASE, hang in here with me as I am adjusting to working part time. I am off Saturday, so I hope to have a good cup of warm drink and catch up visiting you all. I miss visiting your blogs daily. At this time, I am doing good to post. It has been a big adjustment working. I also don't feel super well physically still so to say this has been an ADJUSTMENT is an understatement. This is all a trial period as well. If in a few weeks I discover I can't pull this all off, then I will make a decision  about how many days I will work. 

Anyway, 

Wednesday I got up at 4 a.m. and took our daughter to the airport for her to go knock another national park off her list. Yellowstone!!!!!!!!! To say I am envious is an understatement. 

Off she goes very very early to Montana! Well, she is there now! Living her best life! LOL!

I had to settle with a Dunkin Donut Coffee and some hiking time with our youngest. Which was AWESOME too!!

After I dropped them off and grabbed a frozen coffee I headed home for some sleep. Later in the day my youngest (young as in he is almost 19) and I went on a hike at a state park close by and had some Mexican for lunch. It was a nice time with him. He works a lot of hours and had an off day in the middle of the week. He works rotating 12-hour shifts on river boats and barges. 

It was nice day. High 70's was the temp! Beautiful time. I got home just in time to rest and head to church. 

Today was a working day. It was a long tiring day to be honest. Hannah sent us some pictures of her trip so far. She has been skeet shooting, hiking, trout fishing and living it up in Yellowstone. 

Hannah is in the middle (Our daughter) and her boyfriend as well as her childhood friend since BIRTH, Amariah which is a twin. 

She left hot muggy Mississippi for cold and snow! She sent me a video of her running in the snow. 

How nice....😆

This is me LEAVING work and one of my coworkers which happens to be a lifelong friend of mine. We have been friends for years. 

 I was so ready to go! LOL!! It was fun but my feet are not used to standing for hours straight like that. 

This was before the crazy crowds hit! We literally had lines of people nonstop. No bathroom breaks, no break at all. It was CONSTANT. 

Forgive my pasty white looking self...😆😏😉😅 This anemia has not been fun at all. It has drained me so bad. I usually have color and I look so pale. I hope the new iron I am taking will help me have more energy and be able to get outside more. 

I picked up a premade dinner (Chicken Spaghetti) for tonight earlier in the day before I went to work from a local cater that does premade family meals. I hardly ever do things like this. I always feel guilty, but I wanted my family to have a nice warm meal. I got off way past dinner time. Usually, we eat at 5 or 5:30 but I didn't even get home until 7:30. Derrick put it on when he got home for work and warmed it up in the oven and made some bread. It was delicious. I was glad I didn't resort to fast food. 

The other night I made chicken fajitas in the crockpot. They had a warm meal that night as well when I got home later. 

This is all such a big adjustment. While I do sort of like getting out of the house, I feel a tad overwhelmed to be honest. I am not use to so much busyness. I know it will be just for a season. I think it is good for me to get out and help a friend in need by working and being a help for their business. I have just been having a lot of BIG and some HARD changes recently.

You all don't give up on me! :) 

Please, still come by and visit! Know that I WILL VISIT YOU SOON TOO!!!!

With love,

Chrissy T

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Woohoo!! Finally, I am posting on the actual day of this link up!!! Please visit the amazing host and all the other link ups for this fun topic!! From This Side of the Pond

Without further ado...

1. April 22nd is Earth Day...what's the most 'out of this world' place on earth you've ever visited? Tell us something about it. 

This is super super difficult for me. I love exploring and traveling. I have been to Solomon Islands for missionary work which is close to Australia but do not have those pictures digital so I can't share those, but it was breathtaking. 

I cannot simply choose one place!!

A private beach in Bahamas took my breath away. It was so beautiful. It only allows a certain number of visitors on this specific beach. 

The Queen's Staircase is like nothing I have seen. In person, it was so amazing. (Nassau, Bahamas)

This special beautiful place that had my heart as I rounded the corner of a trail is called Noccalula Falls in Alabama. Pictures cannot do it justice. Can you see me??? I spent hours sitting and enjoying this area of the falls. 

A magical place called Dismal Canyons in Alabama was like stepping back into the land before time. This was a highlight place for me when I think of hiking. While may be in Alabama this place took my breath away with over 7 waterfalls and the many canyons to explore. 

One of the prettiest and most amazing beach and island I have visited is in Mexico. Tropical fish were so visible, and it was like swimming in a fish tank. It was a lifetime experience for me. 

Rocky Mountains National Park is one of the most wondrous places I have been to yet. This is actually a picture I took at the highest peak of the park. I cannot tell you how standing and looking at this made me feel. I literally cried. It was so magnificent. I was so thankful for being there in person to see such beauty and wonderful creation. It was at that moment that I realized how BIG and MAGNIFICENT our Creator is! 

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs was like nothing I have experienced. From sandstone and desert  feeling to mountains and snow all in the same view!!!

How in the world could I pick one for EARTH DAY?! Just wasn't possible. 

I have also been to Niagara Falls in Canada, and it was so beautiful. That was pre cell phone days, so I do not have digital photos to access to post.

2. A favorite quote, verse, or song lyric with the word earth in it? 

3. What's the most trivial thing about which you have a strong opinion? 

Truly over the last few years I have learned not to fret over trivial things. I do not always do great at this but I often ask myself this question... "Is this Eternal?" "Will this matter in Eternity?" If the answer is now then I move on. I may to have to ask myself this a lot but it has helped me to stop, breath and really think about letting trivial things steal space in my heart and my mind.

I do at times get vocal about bad driving. :) I do not worry with grammar because as a mom who has a daughter with dyslexia you learn to have grace and be proud that people can even write and read today. Both of these things are NOT eternal so MOVING ON it is. 

4. What's your most commonly used kitchen utensil or tool? What's the last thing you made using that tool? 

I have two things...

My Pampered Chef Cutting Boards and My Pampered Chef Stainless steel skillet. 

I use these basically any single time I cook. 

Chicken Fajitas

5. Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me a great book of 3000 questions, and I'm going to try to use one in our Hodgepodge every week. Here is today's - What is your greatest extravagance? 

Regularly would have to be a massage. I do get them monthly if I can because it helps with my stress and body pain.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am so glad to have actually posted on Wednesday. :) 

Have a blessed rest of your week!

Chrissy T