ketchup.

oops..that should be "Catch Up"! Oh well:)

It has been a while since my last post, longer than a while I suppose, so instead of recapping everything that has happened between then and now, I will stick to the basics!

Some pictures:

Layla & Gage: 

My dad and stepmom are in the process of adopting this sister and brother. We all love them to pieces!

This was at Gwynn's birthday dinner.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Attempted Family picture; Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011

Callaway Gardens; Christmas 2011

Callaway Gardens; Christmas 2011

Happy New Year! 2011 - bringing it in with a KISS;)

-The wedding is fast approaching! We are almost to the 3 month mark. It is crazy how much we have done already and still have to do, but even crazier that it will all be over in 3 months!

-We are in the final stages of home buying - awaiting the reports of a final inspection before setting an official closing date. It has been an incredibly long process, but it has been even more incredible to see God's hand in all of it. When it is all said and done, we will be able to say without a doubt that this is the house that God has planned for us all along. 

-I am in my last year of school. Hard to believe, but I can only think of one event more exciting than being done with school - HINT - rhymes with carriage:).

-Finnley will be 2 years old tomorrow! I can't believe that we have had her for almost two years! She is such brat, but so stinking adorable, quick, and smart. We love her to pieces:)

I have acquired an interest in healthier eating. I had always considered myself a healthy person (up until a month ago), but come to find out, I was no where near that. I could chalk it all up to genes, but could give myself no credit, which I was not pleased with. I decided that with the up-and-coming wedding, what better motivation does a girl have to get in shape? But more than that, I wanted to make sure that my health and fitness plans became a lifestyle, not just a temporary fix. I am slowly on my way to accomplishing that. I have been doing Jillian Michaels' (Trainer from Biggest Loser) "Ripped in 30"dvd workout, and so far I am seeing encouraging results. 

But those results are not coming without a price - I am sacrificing time to do these workouts, and to do them well.

Doing them well, however, requires more than just good time management, it also requires a dedication to good eating. I have been doing a lot of research: poring over blogs, health journals, and various articles to determine what things are best for the body, and instead of declaring myself on any specific type of diet, I am just: "eating healthy". That means the correct balance of fats, carbs, proteins, sugars, and vitamins. 

To help me stay on track, I use the myfitnesspal app (they also have a website that allows you to do the same thing, just not on your phone, myfitnesspal.com). This app allows me to plug in a goal weight (my goal is not to lose weight, just to lose fat and gain muscle, so I just plugged in my current weight) and gives me the exact amounts of each food group that I need to be eating a day. I track what I eat by simply plugging in every single thing that I eat.

The next facet to "eating healthy" is understanding that food is not for PLEASURE, it is for FUEL, so that we can continue to function for God's will. It is strange, you may think, that equating food with God would make any sense, but indeed it does: 

19 Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you.

Amazing, right? So with that being said, clarity is met. We are not on this earth to pollute our bodies, for they are not "ours" to pollute. We are here for God's purpose alone, nothing to do with us, therefore it is our duty to take care of ourselves. People are more worried about the rights of animals and national parks than they are their own bodies. Strange.

I will say that it is a struggle for me to always maintain that mindset, that "my body is not for me but for God so therefore I should only eat what fuels me"...because in other things that we have been called to do as Christians, God does not want us to walk around every day SUFFERING for His Glory. He wants us to enjoy life and enjoy His creation. But when food is involved, enjoy it in MODERATION.

MODERATION. That is is the key. So while I am eating healthy, I am not completely cutting out those rich and delicious treats that I so adore baking:), but I am limiting myself. As I am counting calories and monitoring everything that I put in my mouth, I can hardly imagine the amount of calories, fats, and sugars that I was consuming on a daily basis.  I never gave it any thought!!

This renewed concept of food and life in general is very exciting, and I am looking forward to where it takes me and the results that continue to show up:)

That being said, I want to use this blog as a vessel to communicate many different things:

• What I am learning about food and health, as well as sharing recipes that I come across that I enjoy and that are healthy. Not healthy for being-skinny's sake, but healthy for being-healthy's sake, and healthy so that you are able to maximize your potential as a servant of God. (Of course there will be the occasional 'treat';) how can I resist?!)
• Things I am learning in my quiet times with the Lord, and as I read through the Bible. 
• Up's and Down's of owning a home, and the fun projects that we have in store for it

So, bear with me, if you will, because I'm excited!!

~Allyson

house and home.

so clearly it has been a while:)
not too much is new since my last post of eloquent poetry, but I will go ahead and make a list anyway!

For starters, a very special event FINALLY took place on April 23, 2011 at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon, at the park next to the Hillsborough River and Lowry Park Zoo. My boyfriend of over 7 years proposed:) he thought and he schemed and he oganized, and he planned, and he was successful. surprise was achieved, and exuberant, overwhelming joy, and elated-ness are extreme understatements. He set up a scavenger hunt for me, through my best friend Alexandra, and the whole time I just thought it was all for my upcoming birthday.

I am so thankful for that sweet man..that fact that he put so much effort into planning such a momentous occasion just for me makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Best proposal story ever? Check.

The only BAD thing was that on this day I had been suffering from BRONCHITIS for the past week and a half..I was almost going to go to the DR that day but I sucked it up:) and I went the following Monday. 'Yayyy' for meds.

After my extremely wonderful and thoughtful proposal...

-I celebrated my 21st birthday; the night of my engagement we had a "surprise" get together at my house..it was just a wonderful day:)
-On my actual birthday we went to Bern's Steakhouse, yumm!
-We celebrated Memorial Day in Daytona Beach. LOVE!
-My cousin Katie got married, my sister and I were both bridesmaids. Such a fun day:)
-My oldest sister, Lindsey got married.

photos from the "Smile (photo) Booth" at Lindsey's wedding:



confused:)

un-confused:)

-Summer classes were in full swing...ICK.
This brings us to our current time..
we have been in the process of house-hunting. Our wedding is almost 9 months away, and so we have been diligently trying to find a place for Jaymes to get into well before the wedding date so that we can have everything DONE by the time that I will be living there:)

We put in an offer on our first house back in March. But I just didn't feel the peace that I knew should accompany such a big decision..I trusted God and we pulled our offer. Boy are we thankful.

About three weeks ago we found a house that we felt was perfect. Big lot, perfect area, and an adorable starter home. We knew that a lot of work was going to be needed, but we were prepared for that. We made and offer, negotiated with the sellers, and eventually settled on something.

We had the home inspector and termite guy come out yesterday.

Results, you ask?

Oh dear. This house is basically just a "shell". EVERYTHING that makes a house functional needs to be replaced:) it was to be expected because the house was built in 1958, but I will say that my fiance and I were a bit naive going into it. Everything from plumbing, electric, A/C, roof, washer/dryer hookup..i mean ANY single thing that you can think of. RE-DO. we're going to lowball the seller EXTREMELY, and if they don't bite, we are walking.

WALKING away from what we almost thought was God's plan for us, but WALKING towards the house that He actually does have planned for us. It just makes things so exciting and comforting to know that God has everything under extreme control. And it is even more exciting to see how He choses to reveal that fact to you:)

Summer classes have technically ended, I have two assignments still due for my online "Intro to the 'Black Experience'" class..needless to say, that was an interesting course:)

This Saturday, we leave for Islamorada in the Keys. Anxiously awaiting, am I:)

~Allyson

The Beach

So I am just starting my summer classes, and don't very much feel like buying a brand new notebook for only two months of classes, so I am recycling one that I used my freshman year, but hardly used at all. While tearing out old pages, I found a little poem that I wrote in my English class that I thought was cute, so I thought I'd share. (And it's nothing special, I just wanted to have another place I was storing it so I can throw the sheet of paper away:))

Beachiraffe (I'm not sure why that is the title?)

I like the wind, the sun
The sand, the fun,
The shells, the waves,
and the lazy days.
I like the beach, for many reasons
it's too bad I can only go for two seasons,
Although here in Florida you can go year-round
and listen to waves, my favorite sound.
The wind, the sun, the sand, the fun,
My favorite place to go and run.

Aww, how precious:)
Hey, I didn't promise it would be an Emily Dickinson piece!

I'm a poet and didn't even know it...

~Allyson

follow-up!

well, to follow-up my post about the necklace that I really liked but couldn't find online, I have a picture of my homemade creation to share:) And I am actually wearing it today! So, without further ado, my beautiful necklace:)

Lovely, isn't it?!

I am proud for sure:)

Now, moving out from under the title of "follow-up", I am inserting a recipe for a DELICIOUS, and very easy gumbo. MMM!

I have the LAST serving in front of me right now, and I just felt that I had to share:)

"Big Easy" Gumbo:

Total: 48 minutes

Yield: Makes 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup peanut oil

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped sweet onion

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 cup chopped celery

2 teaspoons Creole seasoning

2 teaspoons minced garlic

3 (14-oz.) cans low-sodium chicken broth

4 cups shredded cooked chicken

1/2 pound andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

1 1/2 cups frozen black-eyed peas, thawed

1 pound peeled, large raw shrimp (1 6/20 count)

Preparation
1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; gradually whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 to 7 minutes or until flour is chocolate colored. (Do not burn mixture.)


2. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in onion and next 4 ingredients, and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Gradually stir in chicken broth; add chicken and next 2 ingredients. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes. Add shrimp, and cook 5 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink.



Also, alongside the gumbo there is a rice dish, called "Hoppin John" that tastes very incredible alongside this awesome gumbo:

"Hoppin' John":

Total: 15 minutes
Yield: Makes 3 cups

Ingredients

1  cup  diced sweet onion

2  tablespoons  bacon drippings

1  (8.5-oz.) package ready-to-serve jasmine rice

2  cups  cooked and drained black-eyed peas

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Sauté diced onion in bacon drippings in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until golden. Stir in rice and black-eyed peas; cook, stirring gently, 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Add salt and pepper to taste.

So, I highly recommend this meal, it is perfect for this weather we are having, rainy and cold!

~Allyson

(p.s. Both recipes taken from Southern Living, found online or in the magazine.)

it is a new year!

Well Everyone,

We made through 2010. And might I say we did so QUICKLY! It is hard to believe that 2010 is already over, and 2011 has already begun. But needless to say, I am STOKED beyond belief for what this year holds!
For starters, I will complete my junior year and begin my senior - and hopefully LAST - year at USF. WOW! Hard to believe that I have been in college for almost 3 years. I'm sure it's even weirder for my parents:)

This year I also turn 21 - which is not such a big deal to me because I don't drink or have that much interest in it, my sister turns 18 and my brother turns 15. BIG years for all of us! I cannot believe that Andrew will be driving. And I am also excited that since I will be 21 I can ride in the car with him - special, I know:)

Jaymes was recently hired on at Square Deal Battery (my step dad Larry's shop) as a full time employee! He has been there for almost 7 years but was only working part time. Yayy:)

Also this year, Jaymes and I will celebrate our 7 year anniversary! That is also so hard to believe that almost 7 years ago we started this journey together. Obviously, we did pretty much all of our "crucial" growing up together..going through 8th grade and high school..two of the more awkward times in a person's life:).

We always try to imagine what kind of people we would be if we hadn't been a part of each other's lives, but after making up all kinds of kooky stories, we always come to the conclusion that we are most thankful that God's plan was for the two of us to be together. We have been through SO much together that the only thing we can think of is that God DEFINITELY has a big plan for the two of us..as a couple and as leaders in the church. We aren't sure why, but we are definitely feeling that tug. So, while we're nervous and excited..we're still a little mystified!

The holidays were WONDERFUL! We spent so much time with family, and SUCH an amazing family we both have:) While some are unfortunately "blessed" with the stereotypical in-laws, we both have such amazing families and i know we are each just as thankful for each other's families as we are our own!

So..clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc., etc. = my material loves:)

Below is a necklace that is paired with a couple different shirts for sale at forever21.com, but for some RIDICULOUSLY odd reason, the necklace itself is not for sale. I think it is one of those things that I might be able to make, so at some point I may go exploring at JoAnn fabrics or Wal-Mart's DIY jewelry section. Or Michael's. Who knows:) So here is the necklace:


If you'll notice this is the winner of America's Next Top Model
from one of the earlier seasons!



Isn't it so cute?! I think I could make it..get a little bit of linen, and a long gold chain, some little hooks to keep the fabric rolled with? We'll see:) I just think it would be really cute with a t-shirt, black blazer, jeans or shorts and heels or sandals.

Next is my most recent accessory purchase:) It is from an online discount "mall" called BeyondTheRack.com. It has VERY top designer products, ranging from Michael Antonio shoes (like $15+) to Versace/Gucci/Prada/Coach/Ed Hardy...and they sell a VARIETY of different items..housewares, sunglasses, shoes, clothes, purses, watches, luggage, jewelry..everything! One of the cool things is that when you refer the site to someone and they buy something, you get a $10 referral reward! And it's free to register and there's no membership fee or anything. So I basically got a free $10 when my friend ordered something.

Gorgeous! ... I know:) It was $15 - ($10) = $5 + S/H = DEAL!

Aside from the purchase and the necklace inspiration, Jaymes and I are currently studying the Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs book. We just bought the workbooks as well as the "sequel". I put it in quotes just because it's not exactly the sequel, but once you've read the Love & Respect book, in order to continue to do well in the relationship it's good to have the next book.

So far, this book is AMAZING. It is by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, and Jaymes and I both love it. We're reading it together, which is neat because if the author says something about men that I don't exactly understand, I can ask Jaymes while it's fresh on my mind, and in the context it is meant to be understood in. It is basically explaining the verse Ephesians 5:33 (Husbands must love their wives as they love themselves, Wives must respect their husbands) in great detail, and here is a quick summation of what I understand so far: Men need respect like women need love. Because women are emotional, and created to LOVE, it is easy for men to understand that their wife loves them. However, while love is important, to a man respect is even MORE important. And we know this to be true because of Eph. 5:33 - God would not command us to do something second nature - for example, it is natural for women to love, we were created that way, and for that reason God does not command us to love our men because he know we will do it anyway, but rather to RESPECT our men. So because it is easy for our man to understand that we love him, that is why we must focusing on our expression of our respect for him. This is His command to us because it is not our second nature. Same for men - they are quick to understand respect and honor, but love is not their first language. And for that reason, they are commanded to love their wives, because that is what wives/women need to know and feel from their husband/man.

I think it is awesome that we are reading this book now, because it is teaching us so much about what the other needs in marriage and in the relationship in general BEFORE we are actually married. It's like giving us a head start to a successful marriage. Throughout the book there are testimonies from couples who have read the book or attended the conferences put on by this author and his wife, and in almost all of the testimonies the husband or wife says "I wish we would have found this 30 yrs sooner" or something along those lines. So I feel that if Jaymes and I take advantage of this "head start" we MIGHT have a more successful and enjoyable marriage in the long run. Also, because we aren't married yet (closer to it than ever before though:):)!) and we don't actually know what it is like to married, I feel like what the author is explaining in his book will prepare us for when we are finally married and when we are encountering the problems that are common in marriages.

So, that is what is going on:)

My final semester as a college junior is starting in less than a week, and I am just so thrilled with life!

I know that many changes are right around the corner, so I am enjoying what I am familiar with as much as I can!

I hope you are doing the same:)

~Allyson

oh and P.S....I did end up going on the trip with my mom and Larry and step-sisters etc, and it was so fun:) Jaymes told me "obviously I don't really want you to go because I don't want to miss you for a week, but you might not be going on too many more of these so you should go". OOOOOOOooooooOOO hint, hint mister??! Ahhhhh...i love thinking of a future with him:)

me in the center..

In this particular moment, I am seeing how easy it is to be consumed with 'self' and not be concerned with others and how things affect them!

Being selfish makes you seem childish and ignorant, as well as uneducated and un-Christ-like! And by "you" I of course am referring to me.

I would LOVE to go on vacation with my family during the week after Christmas, but Jaymes cannot get off work :(. I've begged and pleaded and come up with [EXCELLENT - if I do say so myself :)] reasons as to why I'm right about him asking off, and why he's wrong about not asking off..but looking back at the drama that I created for myself, I see that all those reasons only go in my favor, not his, and that they do not benefit him. I mean, obviously a break from work and school and an out of town trip to celebrate Christ's birth are favorable things to anyone, but there is more to it. I mean, I'm not being entirely selfish in a bad way, I want Jaymes to be able to be on vacation with me and be able to hang out outside of the normal schedule of our life, but I am still failing to see the entirety of the situation.

I pray that I will think before I speak, and evaluate how things effect not only me, but those around me.
That I will see the big picture (as much of it as I can :)) and realize that I am not the only one out there!

The holidays are often a time that people are selfish, think only of themselves, and with gifts being a prime focus, it is so easy to be selfish! But James 4: 1-5, 6 has this to say:

James 4:1-5, 6 (ESV)
"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God...God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."

I realize that this passage may be a bit extreme to the selfishness that I am referring to, but selfishness is ultimately the underlying killer in our world, coming one way or another. All in all, selfishness is immoral, and shouldn't be allowed governance over your mindset!

Colorado, 2009

~Allyson

and they ate.

....and ate, and ate, and ate!!
Thanksgiving is officially over, boo:(, but I think I stretched it out about at long as I could:

-Wednesday my aunt, uncle, and cousins came up from Ft. Myers, and we prepped food all day!!

-Thursday, we woke up early and went to meet Larry's (my step-dad) side of the family at Cracker Barrel for breakfast, and long-time tradition:) Then we spent the rest of Thursday prepping and cooking. My grandparents from Ft. Myers also arrived in the meantime, and it was time to feast:) And feast we did!

-Friday we woke up and went shopping, but not like hardcore Black Friday shoppers, we left at 8:15 and were out until about 4:30. Didn't get too many deals, but got some Christmas shopping done, and finished Jaymes' birthday shopping (which is TODAY:)!).
After we shopped, we went over to my dad's to visit with all the family from his side that came down to visit, his dad and step-mom, and my two cousins originally from Washington State, but now Orlando. I ate some of their Thanksgiving leftovers; amazing. Very fun:)

-Saturday, I went over to Jaymes' house to help his mom, sister, and step-sister prepare for the 30-50 people they were having for THEIR thanksgiving. Very fun, and SOOOOOO much work?! Christine, his step-sister has an eye for decorating as well as Jaymes mom, Kim and sister, Joy, but Christine definitely held the reins to this decorating bonanza, and she ROCKED it. She also spearheaded the cooking, and that was also blown out of the park. I'm blessed to have such talented future in-laws:) After cooking for a very long time, I met up with Jaymes after he got off work and we worked out. 3 days later and I can still feel it! Yikes! Then we went back over to my dad's house to hang out with family again, and we got frozen yogurt for dessert at a new place cleverly titled, The Yogurt Spot. It is VERY yummy, my favorite is the spiced pumpkin flavor and the cheesecake flavor. Mixed together! Then we went back to Jaymes' house and helped with the finishing touches for the night.

-Sunday was pretty much the same thing, but MORE cooking and prepping! All the family came over, and it was so wonderful:)

Quality time is my love language, so holidays are my favorite time of year because I get so much quality time with family and friends, it's ridiculous!

So, while not all of my weekend activities were specifically Thanksgiving, I would say that 4 out of the 5 days were.

So, yes, today is Jaymes birthday! He is turning 21, which is amazing. Mainly because we've been dating since he was 14! This March will mark our 7 year anniversary:) AHHH:) Back to the birthday boy..tonight we are having dinner at his house with his family, and my family. I'll probably be going over after my class to help prepare things, so that should be fun:)

Jaymes' dad came down from Canada to be here for Jaymes' birthday. This is first birthday he's been at in 7 years! And no, there is no correlation between how long Jaymes and I have been together, his dad (Greg) loves me:) Greg has been down to visit many, many times just not really able to schedule it so he could spend Jaymes' birthday with him! And this year it worked out! So tomorrow night just the 3 of us will go to dinner somewhere to celebrate Jaymes birthday, and then Friday we're going to dinner with a small group of friends to celebrate as well. Yay:) Such a wonderful time of the year!!

I hope everyone else's Thanksgiving holiday was splendiferous and memorable!!

~Allyson