Happy New Year Everyone!!! 2008 here we come!

So, it has been a while since I have posted. Sorry about that. It's been crazy in the Porter home. We are all moved into our new place, school is finishing up, we've been trying to hang out with friends, family, AND each other as much as possible. Here are some of my thoughts on 2007:

*This has been a year of growth for me. Both spiritually, emotionally, physically (a few pounds heavier!) and mentally. I feel like I've grown into my own a bit. I have more of handle on what it means to be a wife, find more meaningful friendships, control my emotions and not be crazy, and just in general be a little bit more disciplined as a person.

* I have also surprised myself at how hard I have been working. This year I consistently worked 2 jobs and still maintained living in all the other areas of my life :)

*This year I have realized that life is hard. Adam and I were talking with some friends recently and I discovered with them that I do really enjoy the 'hard' life. I love to be conflicted, think deep, wrestle with things, and just create more meaning in my own life by learning from my life experiences so far. I was always afraid of having difficulty in my life, and this year has really challenged me to overcome that and love the battle.

* I have struggled this year with being more lazy then I would like to be, not prioritizing like I should, procrastinating, being less compassionate and more harsh, talking too much sometimes, and not saying what I really think needs to be said in certain situations in fear that my opinions may be rejected.

*This year I have purposely pursued God many many many times for forgiveness and mercy. Praised God for my trials and struggles, needed Him more that I ever have before, wanted to know His character more to have a deeper friendship with Him, and let Him refine me so that I am able to live with myself everyday. I have seen a glimpse of what it means to KNOW Jesus more and have a clearer vision of the cross.

I am so thankful for 2007. It has truly been a precious time of self-discovery and transition. And my husband has been my strength and my comfort in every situation needed. I see his struggle to love me as Christ loved the church, and I appreciate his effort so much. I am thankful for the times he fails and succeeds at that HUGE responsibility from God. Each step makes us closer.

My next blog will be about my New Year Resolutions. Ah!

Date Nights

Adam and I had such a great time together last night. I got home from work and went straight to bed to take a nap. I was so exhausted! That never happens. I slept for about an hour and 1/2, then I woke up to dinner already on the stove ready to be eaten! We ate, then watched the most amazing show ever....THE OFFICE! Too bad it was a re-run though. But it was really good still. And right after it was over we got our swimsuits on and went swimming and sat in the hot tub for a long while and talked. It was so relaxing. Then we came back home, I read around 100 pages in my book while Adam played videogames, and then we went to sleep. Last night was a MUCH needed night. I have been so drained lately that I just needed a little 'pick me up'. And plus, I got to spend a lot of time with a man that I am STILL SO IN LOVE with after almost 5 years of being together. I am so happy to know that I will keep on falling more and more in love with him as the years go by. Thank you Jesus for marriage.

My Own Woman

Well, I commented yesterday on how I am going to spend some time to focus on me. And, I can't stop thinking about it. I have been intrigued by trying to find out who God made ME to be, and how I can implement THAT into everything that I do instead of the other way around. I think that a lot of it has to do with thinking itself. Thinking is actually a scary thing. It takes you so many places that you may not have wanted to go, and yet it brings so much peace when you actually take the time out to do it. It occurred to me that I rarely spend time alone. When I was younger I use to have to have some time to myself literally every night for AT LEAST an hour. That does not exist anymore. And I have a feeling that it needs to return. Maybe not an hour, but at least 30-45 min of time to just sit and be. Too bad I don't live out in the country somewhere so that I could go sit out on my patio, sip some tea,let my mind relax, and enjoy the breeze. Instead I am on the 3rd floor of an apartment building with a view of the road! Ugh.

All that to say, I feel the love of Jesus so close these days. He's reaching out his arms telling me to come and walk with him for a while. Just me. Just Jesus and I. I feel like I'm finally ready to just let Him take me on a long walk and learn some things about Him, and things about me as well....

Here's to becoming My Own Woman!

"These are a Few of my Favorite Things!"

Hello my friends. I was searching through blogs the other day and found this little tid-bit. I have been thinking a lot about being MY own woman lately. It's hard to remember who you are in the midst of being a working girl, focusing on getting debt-free, being a wife, finding a ministry to "fit" in, and many many more things. I thought that this little survey was just so neat and simple. It reminded me that I do in fact have my favorite things, and I tend to forget the things I like quite often. It's kinda fun to just focus on yourself for a change, and I think that I will embrace that while I have the opportunity. So, here goes. I am going to answer that little list of favorite things for all of you out there :) Enjoy!

Color: I like deep purples and any warm colors

Holiday: Definitely Christmas. I start listening to christmas music in like mid-November!

Beverage: Apricot Tea sweetened with Splenda. Mmm...I can taste it now!

Smell: I don't like coffee, but I love the smell of it in the container! I love lavender also.

Snack: A big bowl of fruit

Cartoon: Spongebob Squarepants

Restaurant: Depends. Either Wildflower Bread Co. or P.F Changs

Breakfast: Cereal Cereal and more Cereal! I could literally have it every meal... :)

Month of the Year: I have 2...September and December. Those are the months I'd like to have my babies!

Season: Winter

Article of Clothing: How about articles? My pajamas!

Movie: This is a hard one. I'd have to say When Harry met Sally. I watch it almost every week.

Sport: Volleyball

Comfort Food: Again, cereal.

Magazine: Taste of Home. It has the BEST recipes.

T.V. Show: None other than The Office!

Day of the Week: I enjoy Saturdays. It's the only true "Weekend".

Song: "Linger" by the Cranberries

Book: Hmm..I'm in the process of a few that may take 1st place, but as of right now it's Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller.

Animal: Dogs of course!


Well, there they are. I had fun!