Hot Flashes and Baking Don't Mix

Today I have had many Hot Flashes. I have decided that it is because my Lupron is wearing off. Honestly I'm ready for it to wear off so I can try something else. This whole thing is getting pretty old. I made Banana Muffins, the Hot Flashes made it insane.

Next on the list of things to try....Gluten Free Diet. Yep, that does say "Life Change".

If you know me and have seen me eat, you know that I LOVE bread and all things with tons of gluten in them. Bread, Pasta, Cookies, really thick Soup, Crackers, Cereal. YUM. 

Now going Gluten free won't require I give these up completely, it just requires that I change how I eat them, how they are cooked and how often I consume them. I'm actually pretty excited about this because truthfully I really love my veggies and other more natural foods, they just take more work. Work that I won't do unless I have someone else to cook for, or I'm bored (aka avoiding homework).

(My Daddy, who is a diabetic, is considering going Gluten Free with me to help regulate his diabetes a little better.)

I wish you could see my Bookmarks Page, I have somewhere near 100 pages about going Gluten Free and Gluten Free as a treatment for Endo.

So I'm going to share a few with you. I hope you enjoy them. 

Gluten Free Diet Foods

This website has easy recipes and how to switch and adjust to being gluten free.

Gluten Free Nashville

Yeah, this is awesome, it has a list of the places Gluten Free people can eat in Nashville. Did you know that there is a Gluten Free Bakery here in Nashville?

Gluten Free Goddess

This blog has a ton of recipes and tips for living Gluten Free.

Gluten Free Registry

This website works to help Gluten Free people find Gluten Free-Friendly Businesses. Awesome right?

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On another note, school is almost over. I am so glad. I am finding that I am terrible at doing this stuff at home by myself. I am not one of those people that could do a degree online by myself. I need human interaction.

I also wish I could find my card reader so that I could share some of my pics from recently. 

Snow!!!

I am so excited!! I love the snow!! I figure that the cold should always be accompanied by snow. It makes me so happy to see it.

For many years I lived in Florida and got so used to the warm winters, and did not have any snow. 

In January 2009, I moved from Florida to Kentucky. That was the same year we had the HUGE  Ice Storm!!! 

Since the rest of today, before the Christmas Play that is, I will be writing papers, I am going to share my pictures from that ice and snow.

This was right outside my dorm. 

FYI The guards off of goal posts make fantastic sleds!!!

Plastic Tables also make great sleds.

Plastic college mattresses also make more comfortable sleds for large groups.

No one should ever have to walk up an ice hill. I did it everyday for 2 weeks. Needless to say, I had bruises all over my body from falling.

I watched a very sweet boy propose here in the snow not long before I took this picture. I would have a picture of them, but I forgot about my camera. He laughed, she cried. It was cute.

I pray that you are having a wonderfully snowy Christmas season. And that you are able to enjoy some good coffee/hot cocoa and a fire. 

Time consuming...

Isn't he precious? I know you're jealous, you should be. I've been spending a lot of time with this little man and his Momma. You wanna hear how cool God is? This precious boy's due date is next week, that's right he was early. How early you ask, 6 weeks. 

Let me pause for you to take that one in.

Yeah, amazing right. He was born perfect, big and healthy. He was a good size for a full-term baby, but 6 weeks early. God is good.

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This idea of Postcard Journaling sounds awesome. I think I may have to do it. I think it would make a great gift as well.

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Ok so even though I don't even have any prospects for marriage right now, I just cannot stop looking at wedding things. It truly calms me down. I love weddings. Everything about them makes my heart happy. If you want something found about weddings or just want some awesome ideas I am your go-to girl.  

In fact I have been browsing for my 2 dear friends. Let me introduce them to you.....

Richard (my bestest boy friend since I was 13)  and his awesome girl Katherine (Kat)

She wanted something different in her engagement ring and she got this beauty!

Now I am by no means rushing them, but I can't wait for them to get married. I am hoping that I will be living in Oklahoma by the time this marriage occurs. I want to help and plan and work. I'm so excited. Really by the time it gets here I may need medication. 

My mom told me that browsing and marking things for other people was nosey. I have decided that it's not nosey, it's thoughtful. My feelings won't be hurt if they don't like what I have marked for them. But if they do that's awesome. Thankfully Rich and Kat know my feelings about weddings, so I have been told browsing is good.

Here's another picture of them. I just love this one:

So cute right? So if you have some awesome wedding ideas or pictures, please share I promise I will love them and spread them.

You want to see some favorites from past weddings you say? Ok you don't have to twist my arm:

My cousin's candy bar:

The "couches":

 No your eyes aren't fooling you, those are hay bales.

There are two benefits to winter weddings:

1. Cheaper Honeymoons

2. You can use Christmas Decor.

I hope you're having a wonderful day. Merry Christmas!!

Just call me June or Jackie...Whichever you please..

SO..I'm in a Christmas play this year. And I'm the "Mom" which is weird. And I just can't be mean, it's just not like me. I try so hard to be the nicest person I can be and they want me to get "mad"at the kids. When we started rehearsing they all said that I reminded them of "June Cleaver"! I was so excited, that's like the best compliment EVER!! ( I later realized that they didn't mean it as a compliment for this part.) I have also recently been told that my dresses and hats remind my co-teachers of Jackie O!!! OMG For real the two people that I love. Now if someone were to tell me that I remind them of Mother Teresa I could die a happy woman.

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I really want to do something special for New Years this year. I have always wanted to go out to a "fancy" party. While I can't have my own party this year, next year I'm having a "fancy" party at my place, wherever that may be.

The following are all from www.modcloth.com. They have some awesome dresses that my heart longs for. There are many that I can't justify buying, but many that I just might buy...

I'm really loving all the grey this season. ( I also get very confused on which way to spell grey/gray.)

         

Ok so this isn't quite so "New Years Eve", but I love it.

Crafts and Such....

I really want to make this wreath from homemade by jill. I think it is so great! And I love that the ornaments can be removed so it can be a year round decoration!!

Wedding Paper Divas featured this cake on their blog a little while ago. I just love all that lace. I mean it just calls out to my house.

Also, because I can't just copy the entire post, you need to check out Erin's post @ Erin Ever After. I love every single thing on this particular post. 

Ashley over at Domestic Fashionista made this yummy pie. If only there was a wonderful party for me to take this too...Hmm maybe this and a few other delicious treats are enough of a reason to have a party. I think so...

Back in October Style Me Pretty had this featured on their site. Oh my goodness, how smart is this....Preowned Wedding Dresses. They have some awesome dresses there at a dramatically lower cost. Brilliant.

Ashley (Domestic Fashionista) made this awesome top. I love love love doiles, all of them everywhere. You should check out the rest of her site. I truly have a friend crush on her, she has an awesome house and such creative and frugal ideas. 

I hope you have been enjoying this CHRISTmas season!!

I had something else....

I had something else to post tonight, but my heart is heavy and I can't bear to go on about cookies and homework, when there are more important things happening in my mind.

A dear friend of mine is hurting. You know those best friends that you have that you don't talk to and you need no words to say that you hurt or you want to take their place, or that your heart aches with them? Well it seems as if almost all of my friends that I have that kind of relationship with are hurting or going through things that I have no words for. I love that as I talked to a friend tonight, my noises of "ugh" and "oh" were all she needed to hear to know my heart. 

Sometimes scripture and prayer are all that can heal a heart. When our words and actions fail, our God NEVER does.

"Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony."
Psalm 6:2 NLT

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”John 16:33


God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3,7


‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10


For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Tim 1:7 (AMP)


Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). Psalm 55:22 (AMP)


He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved. Psalm 62:6 (AMP)


Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 (AMP)

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

The Lord is good, he will sustain and uphold you, no matter what trials you are facing.

Thanks Ladies and Gents...

I'd also like to honor some pretty charitable and Godly people (they'll probably be totally embarrassed by this, but I believe that some people need some recognition):

Mrs. Laura Kellow

Isn't she so cute? I think that she is one of the sweetest most Godly women I have ever met. This woman woke up at 5am to take me to the hospital, it had snowed and the roads hadn't been cleared at all. That is love my friends. She also welcomed our Growth Group into her home every Wednesday. We had wonderful talks about Jesus accompanied by tasty desserts. She is constantly encouraging others and striving to serve in the way that she feels the Lord leading. Her husband is a pretty awesome encouraging and Godly man as well. They are just one of the best couples that a person could ask to have in their life.

Miss Laura Barry....Soon to be Mrs. Laura Benninger

She and her fiance, Mr. Wes Benninger, are amazing people. They both have amazing hearts for the Lord. Let me tell you if you are ever in need of prayer, this is the woman you want praying for you. She is 100% passionate for the Lord. And my goodness is she ever an encourager. She has one of the most tender and compassionate spirits that I have ever  had the pleasure of experiencing. 

Miss Chelsea Grace.

She is one of my closest friends. I love her whole heartedly. I am so proud of her. She has such a pure heart and wants to serve the Lord with everything that she does. She is an education major and I would happily let her teach my children. She like me would like to adopt each child that we come into contact with. Our hearts are so united, that's how we often do not have to speak, we just know.

Sometimes Giving Back is best!!!

So today I've been thinking about what I want for Christmas. I love giving and getting gifts. I know it sounds so selfish to say that I love getting gifts, but it would be a lie if I said I didn't.

The thing I truly hate though is making a "Christmas List." It is the worst ever. So instead of gifts this year I would rather have people help others. Here are some examples of what I'd love to see....

This necklace supports the National Domestic Violence Hotline! 

And it's an awesome gift! Make sure to check out the rest of Sueanne's gorgeous jewelry!

TOMS!

TOMS!! Who doesn't love a good pair of shoes? Here's what would be awesome....

Buy a pair of TOMS, therefore providing a pair of shoes to a child without any, and then give the newly purchased TOMS to a shelter or someone you know that needs a pair of shoes.

The Maas Family

This family is truly living out the scripture that says to care for the orphans. They have adopted several children, most of these children have special needs and are in the process of adopting another child. I tell my parents all the time that I pray that God will bless me with a husband who will seek this type of family with me. Oh what a blessing they have been. I know I will be sending them a card with some cash for adoption assistance in it. They are awesome people.

Sweet M's

100% of Maggie's proceeds go to a family in the process of adopting! What a sweet heart! 

World Vision

As an alternative why not give a gift in honor of someone, or ask that people donate in your honor. At World Vision you can chose to give a goat, a cow, mosquito net or even a TB test. So these gifts are incredibly practical for many people around the world. How awesome to know that instead of a gift gathering dust, it would be providing life or health for someone in this world!!

Loving....

I told you I'd share a few things I'm loving....

Joy the Baker's AWESOME Gluten-Free Granola

Seriously I love everything on her site, I want to move in with her so she can feed me.

My favorite ring-via The Knot

I swear that it is just like the ring that my Great-Grandmother had. 

I am trying to apply to Graduate School right now. So I'm checking out the available housing in each area. Some of these places, even with my lack of funds I could buy a house pretty easily. That's insane.

Live Radical, that's what I'm trying to do. Read the book, it will change your life.

Freezer Cooking it's what all the cool kids are doing now. 

Mom and I are going to try it, and we're going to do it Gluten Free. Yeah we're that cool. 

Since I have no pictures so far, here are some pictures that I love from my personal album...

That's right those are shark house-slippers. 

A "screaming tea pot." One of the best gifts ever!

The Sister (4yrs) and I (6yrs) in Galveston,TX. 

So I hope you have a blessed day. I will be spending Monday with a dear friend and I will be spoiling her 3 week old son. I'm going to try not to cry tomorrow, but of course no promises about that one.

Christmas' Past

Thanksgiving is still going on here in Tennessee. Do you know what that means? It means that Christmas cannot begin in my home. :(

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE Christmas and everything about it. So I leave you with some Christmas pictures from the past:

Our last picture of the Grandkids with MamaToo and Granddaddy.

First Christmas with my baby sister. I'm the cute one that looks sad.

My first cheesecake. It was SO good!!

The best gift I gave my parents, a blanket that says "The Stewarts"

This was taken on a date night my senior year. It was such a fun night. 

I come from a family of crazies.... and we're cool

That's right. I'll say it. My family is crazy. I love them, but sometimes I can't believe that I came from them. However, other times I totally see it. We truly have a wonderful time together. I love them, they make me crazy, but I wouldn't trade them for the world.

I hope that today, you have had a wonderful and blessed holiday with your family. If you didn't get to be with your family, I hope you got to spend wonderful time with dear friends. 

So here are some pictures of the things that have been HUGE blessings this year:

My cousin, Carolyn's wedding. So fun and such a great distraction from all the terrible things happening.

While many did lose their homes in early May, my family was blessed to not have any damage from the flood. This picture was taken just off the entrance to the road we live on.

One of my bestest friends, Chelsea Grace, was able to spend some time with me a few times this year. It was much needed time for both of us!!

This boy just warms my heart. He has taught me so much about loving others and loving God. He is one of the strongest Christians, and greatest prayer warriors that I know.

My awesome parents. They are some of my closest friends, and have been my consistent supporters through everything.

Some that I don't have pictures for :

Vanessa Thomas, a consistent encouragement through this whole endometriosis thing.

My church families. That's right families, I have been blessed to be a part of several church families. Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Grace Baptist Church in Springfield, First Baptist in Hendersonville, and Central Baptist in Owasso.

Even though there have been hard times this year, I know that I am loved and blessed by an amazing God. He has given me many reasons to smile and to be thankful this year.