Christmas in East Tennessee

This was my very first Christmas away from my family, but luckily I got to spend it with my second family and it felt just like home!  I wasn't sure how I would feel not waking up in my own bed in Cape but it was one great Christmas and Santa even knew where I would be! Ha!  

After I got off of work on Christmas Eve we drove to Knoxville to spend Christmas with Curt's family.  Everybody was able to be there so it was extra special!  Christmas morning was spent drinking coffee--yes I even drank real coffee, not decaf!  Debbie made sausage balls--yum!! I was just introduced to these last year and apparently am nuts for not knowing what they were!  Then around noon everybody came over to do Christmas.  We all got such great gifts and it was so special to be with everybody, I really do have the best in-laws in the world! After we opened presents we took a little nap and then got ready to go to Betty's (Curt's grandma) for extended family Christmas. Ahead of time Debbie had asked us all to write special memories on pieces of paper that she would put in a big jar and then we gave it to Betty as a gift for her to read in her spare time. It was so sweet and Betty was speechless!!  

It was a great Christmas, and we were sad to have to leave the next day but our week only got busier!!

Beth and Ryan

Take #1--I sneezed

Take #2--Cute :)

New tradition this year--buy a chocolate Santa at the beginning of the holiday for display and then on Christmas it gets to be cut and eaten, hahah.  One of the highlights for Andrew because he wasn't allowed to touch it the entire Christmas season!

Baby Amelia!

Amanda, me, and Clay at Betty's...Clay is for sure my sidekick at family get-togethers

Betty with her jar of memories! So sweet!

Amanda and Beth--the best sister-in-laws! and sweet Mollie :)

 Betty attempted to take a picture for us...these are just 3 of her attempts...I think I deleted about 5 others. The pictures were either blurry or too dark or our heads were cut off, haha.  I told her I was going to give her a hard time on the blog about her not being able to take a picture, ha! Love you Betty!

Then Curt's sister took our picture

Merry Christmas :)

Christmas in Nashville

Since Curt and I work the next three days and then the next day is actual Christmas and we won't be home, we decided to have our own little Christmas today!

We woke up this morning and drank delicious coffee--mine had lots of peppermint mocha creamer in honor of Christmas, relaxed for a bit, and then went for a little Christmas work out! Afterwards we showered and headed to Cracker Barrel for a brunch--yes I did it, and yes Curt was in Heaven!  Ok, I won't lie, I very much enjoyed my brunch today.  Afterwards we headed to the Green Hills Mall for a little last shopping and Curt picked out a wallet that he wanted for Christmas.  We came home sat on the couch because we were pooped--a mall the Saturday before Christmas equals craziness.  We then opened our Christmas presents!!! Yay!! And Curt did a VERY GOOD job this year! AND then he made us some delicious steak dinner and we finished the night with a Christmas movie.  Early Christmas in Nashville with Curt was definitely a success.  It was a wonderful day hanging out with my very sweet, loving husband!

This definitely put me even more in the Christmas spirit. I can't wait to spend Christmas and the holidays with the best two families in the world!

Morning coffee :)

Waiting for our food--and yes Curt and I could still not figure it out even though about a zillion people have showed us how.

I'm pretty sure this is the meal Curt would pick if he was in prison and had one final meal.

I felt a little guilty because Curt only had one present to open BUT he just got the Moto X--a very EXPENSIVE phone he has been wanting and saying that is the only thing he wanted for Christmas, ha!

I loved all of my presents :)

I racked up with a scarf, nude flats, leopard flats, and JO MALONE PERFUME I wanted sooo badly!

Curt with his Moto X, wallet, and UT coasters he was so surprised about and loved!

Merry Christmas!! Love the Jenkins :)

Bible Verses

Last year at Christmas my mom asked all the girls in our family to memorize a Bible verse every 2 weeks and to post it on Beth Moore's website.  Then at the end of the year if you posted your verses you could attend her Bible verse memorizing conference (obviously that is not the correct name, ha!) for free!  So come January we will be traveling to Houston for the conference.  Since I won't see them at Christmas it will be great to see them then!

Here are my 24 Bible verses!

1.  Daniel 10:12  Then he continued "Do not be afraid Daniel.  Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I have come in response to them."

2.  Philippians 4:6-7  Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

3.  Ephesians 2:10  For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.

4.  John 15:8  This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

5.  Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  

6.  Psalm 18:30  As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless, he shields all who take refuge in Him.

7.  Jeremiah 29:12  For you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

8.  1 Peter 1:18-19  For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver.  It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

9.  Colossians 3:12 Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothes yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

10.  Deuteronomy 6:4-6  Hear O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  

11.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

12.  James 1:2-4  Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its race so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

13.  Isaiah 40:31  But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

14.  2 Corinthians 12:9  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me.

15.  Proverbs 19:21  Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

16.  Romans 12:1  Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.

17.  Job 28:28  And he said to the human race, "the fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."

18.  Matthew 18:20  "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

19.  2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

20.  1 Chronicles 16:34  Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, His love endures for ever.

21.  2 Timothy 1:7 For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self discipline. 

22.  Revelation 1:8  "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

23.  Numbers 6:24-26  "The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

24.  Luke 2:11  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is the Messiah the Lord.

And there are my 24 verses!  Not all of them are memorized but I'm getting close, mom!  Thanks for pushing, encouraging, and loving me!

Pharmacy Friends Christmas Party

Last Sunday after Whit and Ryan left Curt and I headed to the grocery store to get the items for a salad I was going to make to take the pharmacy friends Christmas party.  This salad is delicious. The recipe comes from Ryan's grandma (thanks Agatha)!  Well part of the recipe requires you to saute some almonds, noodles, and sesame seeds in butter.  I think I did this a little too long, well actually I know I did it too long and some of the pieces were BURNT! I was so sad, like soo sad. I didn't know if we could salvage it and I didn't think there would be enough time to make it again and all I wanted was to make this delicious salad that everybody loved, ha!  Well, we picked out the burnt pieces and made it work.  The salad turned out pretty good and next time I make it I will NOT let it burn!  Anyway after that rant....

Sunday night we headed to Josh and Annie Brown's house for the party.  Sidenote--I am going to hire Josh to make me a wood mirror--they have one in their house that he made and it was sooooo cute! Rustic chic for sure!  

Ok so sunday we headed to Josh and Annie's house, hahah!  We had all made different side dishes and they made the turkey.  It was so much fun hanging out with everyone and catching up since we don't see everybody near as much now that all of the boys are in their rotations.  After dinner we played dirty Santa..there wasn't too much stealing--the gifts weren't the greatest, haha! I think Curt and I gave away Christmas lights that don't work and old alien movies that are so dumb I don't know why Curt bought them in the first place!  After dirty Santa we went back to our teen years and played Mafia--real life style!  You turn the lights out and try to not get killed, haha! It was so much fun!! But it seemed like Curt and I died quite often, haha!

It was such a fun party and it was great seeing all of our friends again!  Thanks Josh and Annie for hosting!  

O the salad... I don't think it looks too burnt in the picture

Todd, Chaselyn, Emily, and Grant 

I was really excited about some quesadilla soup and then it got stolen from me!!

Curt opened trivia Jenga

Grant with his fancy 9-in-1 tool 

Preparing for the mafia game

Todd explaining the rules..it was pretty intense, hah!

Chaselyn, me, Emily, and Annie (and Lisa is there in spirit!) The end of the night...one good party :)

Whit and Ryan Take a Mini Vacation

...and visit us in Nashville! Keep the visitors coming! Who wants to visit next???!!

Whit and Ryan made their first weekend getaway from the girls since Emory was born and came and stayed with us! It was so much fun and I loved getting to spend time with my sister!! and brother-in-law :)

They got in Friday night and I had made dinner reservations at Sopapillas.  It was the perfect spot for us to start our little reunion! Of course the food was wonderful--can't go wrong with Mexican!  Saturday we got up and ALL took a morning run! A family that runs together stays together, haha!  We took showers and then headed to look at some huge houses--we even went in an open house.  It was fun to dream for a while :)  We then headed to downtown Franklin to eat at Meridee's Breadbasket, a fun little cafe I had always wanted to try. Turned out there was some festival going on and it was so crowded--but it was so much fun to walk around the shops with Whit.  We then headed to a few other stores and the mall.  Final stop--Pharmacy Burger.  This is one of our favorite spots in Nashville to eat at. Whit thought it was going to be a "diner" and didn't want to go but turned out she was wrong and she loved it!  I think I am a pretty good tour guide, ha!  After we got done eating we headed home to play some games and watch Home Alone.  It was a great day!  Sunday we went to church, made some lunch (since the bank account is about to go bankrupt, haha..well not really, but maybe).  Sadly they then headed out and it was back to just Curt and I :)

Can't wait to see you guys again soon! Love you so much! You are the best sister in the world and I don't know what I would do without you!

Dinner at Sopapillas

The family run--obviously before we started because we still look happy :)

Meridee's

Downtown Franklin Festival--and Curt found the old fashioned donuts--he was in Heaven

More DIY projects for me for the future

I really am going to make these one day!!

And this is what happens when you attempt to watch a movie with parents of a baby and toddler--they fall asleep about 20 minutes into the movie, haha!

Nicole Comes to Nashville!

I met Nicole in nursing school and she turned out to be one of my best friends! She was a bridesmaid in my wedding and I don't know what I would do without her! She still lives in Columbia, MO so she had about a 7 hour drive to Nashville!  I am so thankful she drove all the way to see me!  We got to spend a couple of days together and it was awesome! Felt just like old times.

She planned to get in Monday night about the time I got off from work.  We met at Mexican Restaurant and ate some delicious food while catching up! Perfect!  Tuesday morning at 10 we headed to the spa and ALL 3 of us got massages and Nicole and I had our nails done! It was soooooo relaxing!! Afterwards we headed to a restaurant in Coolsprings I wanted to try called Newk's Express.  Our soup and salad were great--definitely going to back.  We came back home and took some naps before Nicole and I headed to dinner and to the Opryland Hotel to look at the Christmas lights.  I think we parked in RV Parking so we wouldn't have to pay $20, ha! Wednesday we went to downtown Franklin to walk around and then came back and made dinner! 

It was so much fun and hopefully I will get to see her again soon!!

I don't know how many pics we took in an attempt to take ourselves and not look ridiculous! I think I made Nicole delete about 20!

The lights are absolutely beautiful!

A picture frame earring holder--took a picture for a future DIY project!

I think I could make this too one day! So cute!