Wonderful Weekend Away

So being from Dallas, we naturally cheer for the professional sports teams that are from that area. Yes, that means we root for the Cowboys in football, the Mavericks in basketball, and the Stars in hockey. Since baseball season is coming to a close, we are HUGE Texas Rangers fans. When the games are on, Tyler & Jordan have all their Rangers gear on like their hats and shirts. Also, they will only use our Texas Rangers plastic cups to drink from when watching the games... a little bit crazy. ;)

Greg's company has season tickets to all the the home games, so we get to frequent the stadium when we are at home which is always a blast. That's where Jordan and I got our collection of Rangers' cups from. Needless to say, when we are at school we sit and cheer at the television!

Since the Rangers made it to the World Series, Greg flew the boys home for two of the games in Dallas. I was meant to stay here in Virginia when they were gone but my gracious father could not handle that they would be home and I wouldn't. Our conversation on the Wednesday before we left went a little like this: Dad said, "I miss you... do you wanna come home?" Me, "Are you serious? Of course!" so Dad mustered up his american airlines miles and bought me a ticket home! It was such a good surprise! I was so excited! 

Because Dad and I made this little decision, mom didn't know about it so it was my job to call her and tell her... before I could even say "hello" she shouted, "Are you coming home?" I said, "I have two things to tell you... 1) I'm finally wearing the black boots that you got me for last Christmas 2) You better find Halloween costumes for Juno & Thunder because I'll be home this weekend!!" My mother then proceeded to scream at the top of her lungs. No joke! I thought to myself, "I hope she's not out in public." So yes, I got to go home this past weekend!

Jordan, Tyler, and I pulled out of Lynchburg on Friday afternoon and headed to Richmond for the night since our flight was leaving at 6:30 in the morning. The early flight was perfect though because it gave us the whole day at home. 

I also arrived in time to attend the Halloween themed "Westie Walk" by Westie Rescue of North Texas, the organization from where my parents adopted Thunder. Can I tell you how much fun this was? It was absolutely the cutest thing in the world. There had to be about 60 plus Westies at this little event and a lot were in costume. I was dying! This is why I told my mom that the dogs had to have costumes when I called and told her I was coming home... Thunder was a biker dude and Juno was a butterfly at first then switched to her bumble-bee. They were cuties. They had the best time ever and were absolutely exhausted afterwards.

"a house divided.. OU & UT"

these little guys were supporting their mama with ovarian cancer

a shark and a lobster

The Frye's, Larson's, and Craig's all got together that Saturday evening for some of Sheila's famous lasagna during the Ranger's game. Sunday was filled with church, batting practice at the batting cages, and hanging out with my parents. The Frye's made their adventure to the game that night, in which they carried the sign that I crafted for them. They made it on the bigscreen three times!! Mom and I hung out all day Monday and then Sheila and Nola came over for dinner on Monday during the Rangers game. Jordan and Tyler made their way back to the stadium for game five. Then us three college students headed out back to Virginia on Tuesday morning...

The sign... our pitcher that night has a sketchy mustache // photo credit to Sheila

Overall, it was such a wonderful weekend. I was definitely missing our families. It was great to be able to spend time with my parents and the dogs. It was a weekend to cherish!

For My Husband

I was so encouraged Jamie's blog entitled "25 Prayers for My Husband" that I had to reiterate it over here on my site. I pray constantly for Jordan and all of the aspects of his life but I liked the idea of having a 'reminder list' of things that I should be praying for him. Obviously, this list can be personalized [and I will/do personalize it to my handsome hunk].

my two favorite men on this planet

The other thing about this list is that I think it is a good list of prayers that girls who are 'waiting for the right one,' dating, or engaged can pray for their future life partners. It's an all around good source of wisdom straight from the Bible. It can also be turned around and edited for a husband to pray for his wife. I think it is just lovely... So indeed I will share it.

I pray these things for my husband...

1. that he continues to grow spiritually through the disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and quiet times. [Proverbs 4:23]
2. that his relationship with God will bear much fruit in his life and that he will be a man who seeks wisdom and understanding. [Proverbs 3:7, Psalm 112:1]
3. that he would walk humbly with God and would always be convicted quickly about any sin in his life. [Micah 6:8]
4. that he will continue to grow as the leader of our family and that God would be glorified in our marriage. [Ephesians 5:25-29]
5. that he would have a teachable spirit and a servant’s heart, and that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. [Proverbs 15:33]
6. that he would always look to the way of escape from any kind of temptation and that he would rely on God to remain faithful to our marriage and to God. [1 Corinthians 10:13]
7. that he would safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships outside of marriage and this heart would pure and undivided in his commitment to me and to our marriage. [Proverbs 6:23-25]
8. that he would continue to be able to provide for our family and that he will not become discouraged by doing work he does not enjoy.
9. that money would never become a source of discord in our family and that we would be wise in handling finances and in stewardship. [Luke 16:13]
10. that the words he speaks will build our family and reflect a heart of love. [Proverbs 18:21]
11. that our physical intimacy would be a positive reflection of selfless love. [Song of Solomon 7:10]
12. that the men in his life would encourage his accountability before God and that he would be a godly influence on his friends and coworkers. [Proverbs 13:20, 27:17]
13. that he would choose healthy foods and activities, and honor God by taking the best possible care of his body as the tabernacle of God. [1 Corinthians 6:19]
14. for his strength — physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. [Ephesians 3:16]
15. for him to have wisdom and discernment in training/disciplining our children and that God would enable him to love them unconditionally. [Ephesians 6:4]
16. that he would always have an eternal perspective and make the most of however much time he has in this life. [Ephesians 5:16]
17. that he would always be a man of peace, who allows the Holy Spirit to lead his responses in all situations. [Romans 14:19]
18. that he would have a balanced life in regards to work and play and that he would submit his schedule to You. [Proverbs 16:9]
19. for him to find favor with the Lord but also with people he knows and interacts with. [Luke 2:52]
20. that he would enjoy peace and refreshment in his relationship with the Lord. [Psalm 16:11]
21. that he would always be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice and that he will protect our family from Satan’s attacks. [Ephesians 6:13]
22. that he would be a man of prayer, seeking God in purposeful ways. [1 Thessalonians 5:17]
23. that he will serve God and others with pure motives and that God would be glorified in everything he does. [Colossians 3:23-24]
24. that he would offer all this dreams to the Lord and pursue only those that bring God glory and that count for eternity. [Jeremiah 29:11]
25. that he will recognize the lies of the enemy in his life and that he will always be guided by the Truth. [2 Corinthians 10:4-5]

Jordan has always been such Godly leader throughout our entire relationship... I know that he will continue to do so! He has such a heart for God which I love about him! These prayers can only help to continue our marital journey and his individual walk with the Lord! I love that I am spending the rest of my life with this man.

Forever devoted,

Fall Farm Fun

WARNING: Picture Overload... enjoy! :)

Okay, I've been talking about Fall since my post called "The Approaching Fall"  in mid September... can I say that it's officially Fall now since we've had cooler weather and it's October?! It blows my mind that it is already October yet I am extremely excited for the sweater weather.

Layman Family Farm

We had Fall Break this past weekend. Liberty gives us a four day weekend in October instead of getting Labor Day off of school, which I absolutely love. A lot of students make the journey back home for Fall Break but I only made that journey my freshman year. Fall Break has been a time to relax and hang out with friends each year.

For sophomore year, Sarah brought Abbie, Charlsey, and me back to her home in New Jersey where we had a blast visiting her family and skipping around New York City.

Getting on the subway

On the beach in Cape May

Fall Break junior year was a bit more relaxed. Allison, Sarah, and I were the only girls left on campus and we decided to spend sometime in Roanoke and at an apple orchard. We went out to dinner at Waterstone with some of the guys on the golf team and visited a spooky trail.

at the Apple Orchard

Waterstone 2010

This year was chalked full of activities... Hayley came into town to visit Tyler and scope out LU, which was fabulous!

On Friday, Sarah, Tyler, Hayley, and I went tubing on the Snowflex and drove up to the LU monogram which gives the most beautiful view of Lynchburg.

looking down the Snowflex

Tyler and Hayley getting ready to go down the mountain

That night a big group of us went back to Waterstone, for tradition's sake, for dinner.

the girls

the gang at Waterstone

Saturday we spent the day at Layman Family Farms which was absolutely spectacular! The weather was stunning to spend the day outdoors. There was a giant corn maze, farmers market, tractor rides, pumpkin cannon, corn shooter, jumping pillow, festival foods, farm animals, and a pumpkin patch at this farm that is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

part of the corn field

Jordan and the pumpkin blaster

Allison using the corn cannon

riding the tire swing horses

looking at the piglets

petting the goats

the jumping pillow

farm friends

who is hiding?

the pumpkin patch

This little adventure to the Farm officially made it feel like Fall. It felt like such a magical day!