the Brooks fam

128 days...

2011-11-20T19:30:00.001-05:00

One hundred twenty eight days....that is how long it has been since these two feet of mine have graced the boundaries of the state of Texas. So depressing. The upside, you ask!? We head home for Christmas in THIRTY-TWO days...be still my heart! Ha! I've really been missing home the last week or so...I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that we are going to miss Thanksgiving with our families next week....or that it has been four months since we have seen our parents.

All the important countdowns in my life right now!

Meanwhile - it has been a busy month, well - for Dustin at least! I pretty much go to work and come home, which seems to completely wipe me out....

Dustin has been busy taking tests, writing/researching papers and preparing for finals. Not to mention preparing to defend the thesis he never finished up before we moved! Ah! Three more weeks and we will be through our first semester of law school! My how time flies! I know this journey is going to be tough at times, but it's really cool to look back - even at just the last 4 months, and see all the ways God's moving in our lives and helping us do this...I know He has great plans for Dustin's career as an attorney...I'm really thankful to be along on this ride!

Although I have found myself being alone a lot these nights while Dustin is at the library or studying, we have found some spare time to hang out with friends, each other and celebrate our four year anniversary! I've included some photos below to balance out the forever-long blog I've got going on right now.

Regent Law Symposium 2011

Dustin and Elijah chillin' on the couch!

Me and the boys after our family pictures!

Dustin and the boys!

*love*

My view on the way to work most mornings!

My view on the way home from work!

My view in the mirror in the Target parking lot.
This place really is beautiful.

Dustin relented and took me to see Breaking Dawn - it wasn't as fabulous as I had hoped it would be!

Grand Illuminations Parade - Downtown Norfolk

My handsome husband on the boardwalk - Virginia Beach

Lunch on the boardwalk - Virginia Beach

Four years of marriage - Ten years together - Countless adventures!
My iron forever, I love you Dustin!

I hope you enjoyed all the photos! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that Thanksgiving break is this week - and even though I'm so sad we are missing out on this time with all our fam, I am excited to spend a lot of time at home with my husband! We are going to deck our halls with Christmas decor, as I've been a little bit of a scrooge this year and just haven't been able to get in the holiday spirit, but I think I'm ready now! Ha! And, if I can convince him, we ARE going to get a REAL tree this year!

I hope everyone, all my friends and family, have a wonderful Thanksgiving week....I know I've been counting my blessings lately, maybe I'll blog a list of them soon. Until then, love & blessings-
C

random

2011-11-01T21:49:00.000-04:00

So I don't have much to say tonight - just a few random things about my Tuesday.

First - the red cups are back at Starbucks! Woohoo! This means Christmas is getting closer!! I might even bust out my Christmas tunes in the next week or so to get in the holiday spirit...Michael Buble has a new Christmas album out too, can't wait to get a hold of it!

Second - I had to kill a bug tonight...a really, really big bug....a really, really, big bug that wanted to pretend it was dead, but made the fatal flaw of moving one of its legs when I was watching. Thus, my handy bottle of Raid came to the rescue. While I *love* fall and this cold front that has moved in, I hate the influx of bugs that it brings with it. Thank God for Raid.

Third - I have eaten too much candy in the last two days. I'm over it...and all the candy that the kids at school have been eating...ugh. I'm trying to talk myself into a sugar fast - I think it would be really good for me. Plus if I start tomorrow, I can do a 21 day fast and finish before Thanksgiving. I'll let you know how that actually turns out, but I'm going to try.

And that's all for me! Dustin is busy typing away - he has a major paper due this week (tomorrow!) in his legal writing class. We do have a fun night planned for Friday - some sort of dinner at Regent for a symposium of some sort...I only agreed so I could get a cute new dress and have a reason to wear it :)

*waiting on their dad to get home!*

Tomorrow is Wednesday - we're half way there! Hope everyone has a great end of the week!

love & blessings,
C

An update or two...

2011-10-31T21:09:00.001-04:00

A blog update - per my sister's request!

It feels like I don't have too much to blog about from the last couple of weeks. We are really in the groove of work and school and have been enjoying most of our free time snuggling on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and our boys close by! We watched most of the (heart-breaking) World Series last week, followed by a marathon of DIY shows & House Hunters...love these kind of days!

We did venture out last weekend to Charlottesville with our friends to see the UVA vs. NC State football game - have I mentioned I *LOVE* Charlottesville? It is by far one of the most beautiful, adorable little cities I've ever been to! We had so much fun, even though UVA is terrible at football! I definitely want to make a few more trips that way - especially to see Monticello and the vineyards in the mountains, seriously as picture perfect as it can get! I think if we were to ever settle down somewhere outside of Texas, ha! as if we'll ever settle down somewhere, Charlottesville would be at the top of my list!

*love*

good friends!

Isn't my husband handsome!?

good friends take 2!

Beautiful field - look behind the field at the hills/trees - love it!

Dustin is on the downhill slope of his first semester of law school - and we are realizing more and more how much time and effort he has to devote to being the best law student he can be! With that has come some major decisions on our part....he has now officially put in his resignation with UPS and will be going to law school full time next year!! We are both pretty anxious about being back to a one-income household with a full time student - but I just know the pay off will be totally worth it in two years when he graduates! (with offers on the table, perhaps in Texas, hopefully!)

With that - we are about 7 weeks away from Christmas (but who's counting!?) and 2 weeks away from our 4 year anniversary! Hopefully I'll have some more exciting things to share from our life out here in the VA soon! Until then...

love & blessings-
C

All dressed up...

2011-10-16T11:55:00.001-04:00

And we had somewhere to go! Our new friends, Ray and Lindsi, were married yesterday in Downtown Norfolk! They are such a fun couple and we have enjoyed getting to know them so much! Unfortunately, I didn't get to snag a photo of us with the beautiful bride and groom - but we did take a few aboard the ship! They were married aboard the Spirit of Norfolk, which took us on a 3 hour dinner cruise after the ceremony. We then headed downtown and continued the celebration! Congrats again Ray & Lindsi!!

We were pretty exhausted this morning from yesterday's celebration - so we opted to sleep in a little bit, skip church and hang out with our boys! We have been so busy lately that we haven't gotten to take Malachi and Eli out very much. First we took them to PetSmart to get some food, treats and love (because who doesn't want to love on our handsome boys!). Then we grabbed breakfast at McDonalds and went to the park for some playtime! I love my little family - it just wouldn't be the same without our boys!

Now we are off to see a movie at the Cinebistro (sister - this is as close to Movie Tavern as we can get!)...going to see The Big Year, hoping it is funny because I'm tired of seeing sad and depressing movies!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful, fall weekend! Love, love, love this time of year!

love & blessings,

October 13th.

2011-10-13T07:11:00.002-04:00

October 13th.

Eight months ago this date held so much hope and joy in my heart. Today, this date marks a desperate season in my life coming to pass, and hopefully, bringing with it a new season of hope.

Eight months, actually eight months and a week ago, I took a tiny little test that changed my life within the three minutes it takes to process. We had been trying to make this little miracle for a year and a half, so this little test meant the world to me. We couldn't have been more overjoyed, more thankful for this precious little baby.

Life went on just as splendidly as I could have possibly hoped for the next three weeks. I began to have some complications, so when we were able to get an ultrasound and then see the heartbeat of our perfect little person, I couldn't help but hope that everything was going to work out okay. Everything in our lives always worked out, so we had no reason to think any differently. Two days later though, we were faced with the horrible realization, that everything doesn't always work out the way you had planned, or hoped that it would.

The last eight months have been nothing short of what I can honestly say as a quarter-life crisis. I've hopped on and off of what I refer to as the "crazy train", trying to figure out this world I live in, and this God that I said I believed in. There is nothing like a dream shattering trial to test the faith you say you have....to make you come to grips with what you actually believe and just say you do.

Before this happened, I had heard people say that it's ok to yell at God, to get down right angry at Him....just as long as you don't keep it in. I thought those people were crazy. Those people are not crazy...in fact, those of us that have ever tried to bear our own burdens, are the crazy ones. I have cried so many tears over our loss, yelled so many times at God because I don't understand why this happened to us, cursed the people that take their children for granted, or far worse abuse them....and I have come to the overwhelming realization, the tears-streaming-down-your-face without trying realization, that I am so thankful I'm forgiven...that I'm saved. I may not be saved from all of the horrible pits that we find ourselves in in this life, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my Jesus has saved me from the devourer...the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy...and that without him, I would be an absolute, self-destructing, control-crazy tornado of a mess.

There are so many trials that I feel like we have walked through since this happened, and as I sit here and type this, I can't bring myself to type out each detail of what I walked through. Whether you have been through a miscarriage and identify with the aching loss I now know, or are on the other end of the spectrum and either haven't, thankfully, gone through this or view miscarriages as nature's way of taking care of things....it doesn't matter. These last eight months have taken me what I thought was the farthest place from my Savior's arms, only to find out His grip on my life was the only thing keeping me from completely breaking down. Ever since I was a teenager, I've dreamt of God holding me like a little kid, all wrapped up and safe in His arms...and every time I went through a hard time in life I would cling to this image. I don't dream that way any more, because I'm trusting God that my sweet baby is in heaven waiting on us, and that one day I will meet her...I'm clinging to an image of her in His arms now.

I feel like after today I can stop counting down. I can stop thinking about how far along I should be. I can stop asking why. I can make a choice, that instead of counting out each day and what it should have been, take each day as it comes and live that one the best that I can. I feel like I can trust my God enough to dream again.

C

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Psalm 103:1-5 "Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who REDEEMS your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

i heart fall

2011-10-11T20:55:00.000-04:00

Hey all of my loyal blog followers, ha ha!, all two or three of you! :) I have been loving the beautiful fall weather here in Virginia. It has been a perk during this transition, as we have had weather in the 60's and 70's the last two weeks with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Add this to the leaves changing colors, crisp cool air and scent of pumpkin lingering in our home and this makes for a delightful fall.

God must have whispered to my sister my love of all things fall, as I received the most wonderful box of goodies in the mail today! Carrie sent me a mini-pumpkin, pumpkin muffin mix, pumpkin car scents, pumpkin oil, and the cutest pumpkin dish towels from Williams Sonoma!! She even found some pumpkin Pop-Rocks! She is seriously the best sister...I often find myself wishing we had landed in Fort Worth for law school (as was my plan) so that on nights Dustin is busy studying away, I could be walking with my sister or watching a cute chick flick together or going to Starbucks to drink Pumpkin-Spice lattes or just feeling that cute little baby in her belly kick away. I suppose we could always transfer back to Texas :)

So...since I've been sharing my love of fall, I thought I would also share a few of my favorite things/products/ideas about fall!

1. Bath and Body Works - 2 for $20 candles: Pumpkin Caramel Latte, Creamy Pumpkin, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Acorn & Fig, Kitchen Spice, Marshmallow Fireside, Fireside, Cinnamon Sugared Donuts, Apple Crumble, Autumn...I mean really, do I need to go on? Needless to say my house is an amazing source of olfactory goodness!

2. Baking - I've been baking banana nut bread and homemade chili this week! I love crock pot meals after a nice cool day, plus I don't have to work for dinner when I get home from work!! Love!! I "liked" the Skinny Crock Pot on facebook and they have some great ideas for dinner...I'm hoping to try some soon!

Yummmm!!! Homemade banana-nut bread! Not quite as good as Mom's, but pretty close!

3. All things plum/purple and grey- I'm so into these colors this year! I've been shopping for my sweet little niece's arrival in February, and found the cutest grey and purple hat on etsy that I'm seriously considering...I'm debating whether to buy it or just learn how to make them! But back to the color - I want them in the form of a sweater, a shower curtain, a duvet/quilt, and even in my makeup! West Elm, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters have also been satisfying my desire for purple and grey with some serious eye candy! If only I had an unlimited bank account!

So many more ideas/products in purple/grey that I love, I'm just not patient enough to go save all the photos! ha!

4. Pumpkin Spice Lattes - need I say more?

5. Beautiful Weather - Dustin and I went riding on Saturday before his flag football game, and as I mentioned above..it has been beautiful here. I love that in the sun I'm warm and toasty but the air is cool enough that it makes for the perfect biking weather! And that's good, because I'm super out of shape and I really need to hit the bike/gym/road more often!!

We were finally able to sport our biking jerseys from our church, The Summit, that is back in Texas!

6. Fall Sports - can I get a "WHHOOOHOOO!!!!" for my Texas Rangers! I'm so bummed we are so far away - definitely wish we could have come down for a game this week! And the way the game ended last night was nothing short of epic. Way to go Cruz!

And for those of you that know me very well, know I'm not really into football - but for some reason, ~~(probably the crazy lack of athletic programs in my school)~~ I've been wanting to go to a football game! We are only 3 hours from UVA so I am hoping to make a Saturday trip in a couple of weeks to go see the Cavaliers! Not to mention, Charlottesville is my new favorite place to visit.

7. And last but not least, as I'm sure I could find a million more things I love about this season - I love and want so much to see the leaves changing colors! I've always heard how beautiful it is on the East Coast in the fall! Well - I'm here!!! Dustin and I celebrate 4 wonderful, adventurous years of marriage next month and we are planning to take a trip to D.C. or along the Eastern Shore to see the leaves. I have high hopes so I'm hoping it doesn't disappoint!

I hope this finds everyone I love & miss doing well. Go enjoy some Texas Tea for me if you are in Amarillo - these people don't have that one figured out yet! :)

Love & blessings from Virginia -
C

And my two handsome boys ;)

Our weekend in instagrams!

2011-10-05T22:29:00.000-04:00

Hey friends & fam-

I don't have much to share from the East coast this week. I've felt like a single lady most nights, as my law school husband has either been studying, at study groups or attending an ice-cream social with former Attorney General John Ashcroft. This, however, has made for great nights on the couch watching season premieres and good movies, which was made better by a good glass of wine and my laptop while I search for cute baby things for my niece, Landry Kate, who will soon make her debut in February. (run-on sentence much?!) ha!

Anyways...Dustin and I did make some time to hang out last Saturday, and I finally remembered to document a few of those moments with my iPhone. The first few are a view of the Elizabeth River that separates downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth. I must say, I love our downtown. It has beautiful views and great restaurants and shopping. In the last few pics, we made our way to a pumpkin patch and were able to pick our very own pumpkins! I thought this was so much more fun than just going to the regular old "hay-bale" patches I'm used to in Amarillo...my husband just thinks it is a good source of for-profit labor, ha!

Hope everyone is having a great week! We are enjoying the beautiful fall weather, still missing our sweet Texas though! Love & miss everyone!

Life on the East Coast

2011-09-27T21:23:00.001-04:00

(This is a completely photo-less blog, sad day I know...I'll work on taking more pics of our adventures!)

So being the determined blogger that I am...ha!...I thought I'd share a little more about life out here on the East coast! This can best be done by comparing/contrasting VA Beach with good ol' West Texas...so here's my list.

Things I miss about Texas - Things I love about Virginia

1. Family - 1670 miles is a really, rrrrrreeeeaaaalllllyyyy long way away. We thought about driving home for Christmas break so we could take the dogs with us, then I realized we would travel upwards of 3500 miles by the time we drove home and back. YIKES! But for real - it makes me sad I'm missing out on my sister's first pregnancy, shopping & lunch dates with my Mom every Saturday, and church & lunch with Dustin's fam on Sundays. I don't think anything on the East Coast could replace the fam...thank goodness I love love love hanging out with my husband and dogs all the time!!!

2. Scenery - oh the open plains of WEST TEXAS!! I don't think I will ever complain about being able to see for miles on end when we visit home - I love it and miss it! We miss the views and sunsets, and of course the beautiful Palo Duro Canyon. But - I can say I have a beautiful view on my commute to work each morning of the Chesapeake Bay, and Virginia Beach has some of the best sand I've had between my toes! I don't appreciate all the trees, but I've learned to trust my gps to find out where things are located....you don't worry about those things in Texas because you can see them for MILES! ha!

3. People - It's funny, I have always grown up believing Texans were the nicest people around - and thinking that the rest of the nation thought the same thing! Untrue! Dustin's classmates told him he was so much nicer than they imagined...for some reason they thought Texans were prideful and cocky! Dustin replied..."Well, we are from Texas!" haha! But...I can now solidify my thoughts about Texans, we ARE much nicer people, and definitely more considerate. East Coasters are in way too big of a hurry, and don't take the time to say "Howdy" or "Good morning" most of the time...it drives me nuts! Not to mention the horrible drivers. Mom - I know Amarillo drivers/roads get on your nerves, but I'm convinced they have to be better than this place! On a positive note - VA Beach is very diverse and instead of sectioning off like A-town (N,S,E,W) - these people embrace their diversity and invite you in...I love that!

4. Roads - Speaking of drivers...my commute, my fifteen mile commute, on average takes about an hour and a half to two hours on a Friday afternoon...it has taken me up to two and a half hours at the most. I could drive around Amarillo A LOT in two and a half hours. Enough said.

5. School - If you know me well at all you know my passion is not necessarily teaching...teaching is a job to me, and while I do my very best to do an excellent job at teaching, it is still just my job. This is the fourth school I have been at in five years, and I miss my co-workers in Texas so very much. I've had rough years here and there since I've started teaching, but this has been by far the hardest...on top of that I left an amazing team in A-town, so this has been an adjustment. I would go back and teach another five years of middle school Math in Texas if I could have my team back. My hope is that if I keep teaching I can move into a high school job for govt/economics....middle schoolers wear this girl out.

6. Friends - Stacie, Allison, Morgan & Josey...I miss you girls. Kenny & Kathy....WE miss you. Jimmy & Chris...see #5. On the flipside, we have made some good friends from Massachusettes/upstate New York...and they are Republicans, mostly, yay! They are a really fun couple and we have a lot in common, so that has made our transition much easier.

7. Last but not least...Church - Oh Summit Church, how I miss you so...I miss our chill praise & worship team leading us every week. I miss sitting behind the most rockin' pastor & his wife & fam. I miss our communion services. I miss Sunday lunch with Dustin's fam. We have had a few great experiences here in Virginia, but nothing that feels like home yet. I'm sure we'll get there though. We have had some awesome worship experiences - talk about diversity!! Not to mention the awesome opportunity to worship with Darlene Zsech and Darrell Evans - on separate occasions - which was really cool.

And with that, I'll leave you with the awesome verse we studied on Sunday. The pastor spoke about the different types of pits we fall into, and the different ways God shows us mercy & grace. It was such an awesome message. If you are interested, you can download it on iTunes - search New Life Providence Church, it was the message on 09/25/11. It spoke to me in so many ways, and helped me process some things the Lord is bringing me through. I'm so thankful for the Word and how healing it is.

Hope you enjoyed the updates. Until next time...love & blessings-
C

p.s. Did I mention my new ringtone is the song "If it wasn't for Texas" by George Strait...everytime my phone rings I hear the following.."Thank God for my ole stomping ground, wouldn't be standing where I am right now, if it wasn't for Texas, if it wasn't for Texas." Classic.

Psalm 103

A Psalm of David.

¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul;
         And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
² Bless the LORD, O my soul,
         And forget not all His benefits:
³ Who forgives all your iniquities,
         Who heals all your diseases,
⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,
         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Settling in...

2011-09-15T22:34:00.000-04:00

So I haven't been updating the blog as much as I would have liked to - but now that we are settled and starting to get into our new groove, I'm anticipating a lot of free time while Dustin studies in his cave in the front room.

I realized earlier, when I was on the phone with my sweet Momma, that it has been exactly two months since we headed out on this new journey. We had a few bumps along the way as we moved - 3 blowouts, 2 hairy dogs in the cab of our trucks, and a dead battery to name a few - but we made it to the East coast and have been busy exploring, adjusting and adventuring every chance we get. You don't realize all the little things you have to change when you move - like hairdressers, doctors, co-workers - and that has been one of my least favorite parts of moving...not to mention the incredible distance from our family. But, I know this is going to be a special time in our lives and I'm trying to embrace this journey we are on! (Did I mention I've already been through a tornado warning, earthquake and hurricane since we moved?!)

I hope to update the blog more often now, but it's 10:30pm on the coast now and I need to head to bed - these seventh graders are wearing me out this year! So, so, soooooooooo glad tomorrow is FRIDAY! And that it's officially fall...pumpkin spice lattes anyone?! yum!!! Hope everyone has a blessed weekend!

-C

p.s. here is some eye candy for those of you that haven't already seen them on facebook!

Did I mention I'm going to be an Aunt again?! My sis is due in February :)

Beach Day during the summer!

Dustin's first day of Law School!!

Love my husband!!

Our cutie boys...they are having to adjust to this new wood floor!

On the road again...

2011-06-13T17:29:00.000-04:00

So its been almost a year since I've written a blog entry. I kind of thought it was pointless for awhile, especially with all the updates on facebook. Then, I just used it to check everyone else's blog. And the last few months, we've just had a lot of things going on...too much to share publicly. We have a lot of exciting things happening soon though, so I thought I'd re-enter the blogging world. First - as a means to keep up with friends and family that aren't on facebook, especially with our upcoming move. Second - to share my experiences over the last few months, and to hopefully do justice the amazing grace I've experienced.

So yes, the exciting news first - we are moving to Virginia Beach, Virginia next month. Actually, 32 days to be exact (as evidenced by ~~my obsessive controlling~~ countdown on my phone!)

The reason?? After a lot of prayer and changing directions the last few years, Dustin has decided to pursue his law degree and has been accepted into law school at Regent University. We are really excited about this school because it is founded on Christian principals and has an amazing support system in place. They even have devotional before each class begins, how cool is that?! And Dustin will start the fall semester with a class on Christian Foundations of Law - what a blessing in what I can imagine is a crazy world/career. We will be in Virginia Beach for a minimum of 3 years...much to our family's (and my co-workers) dissatisfaction. Hopefully a trip or two to the East coast will change their minds.

We also put a deposit down on a cute little rent house - and when I say little...I mean all 926 square feet!! But...its in a good location and I really love the inside, and the cute herb garden and bonfire in the backyard...which is important to me since we are NOT visiting before we move.

Thank the Lord for facetime - which allowed us to do the best virtual tour I think we could get from all 1634 miles away!

Things we still need to happen:
-I need a job!
-Dustin needs a job!

Ha! Yeah, just a few minor inconveniences right? Well, I'm counting on God to provide...He keeps opening doors, so maybe He just really, really wants me to trust Him. I'm trying.

So, that's our big news for the moment. I think we are both ready for this month to wrap itself up...Dustin is finishing his thesis (I hear the Hallelujah chorus ringing!) and I'm teaching summer school. In the mean time we are enjoying as much of Texas as we can...I'm kind of having separation anxiety and we haven't even left yet! We hit PDC this weekend for a camping expedition, and we're heading to Dallas this weekend to hang out with some friends. I fully intend on making it down there again for a fun-filled Rangers weekend with my sister & bro-in-law.

Me and the boys before our backpacking expedition!!

And, to leave you with some eye candy, here are a few of Dustin and I with our favorite girl - our niece Karis.

P.S. As for the second part of my reasons for starting to blog again, its going to take me more than 10 min to sit down and write about, so I'll save that for some future date.

Blessings & love,
C

TYMTJ

2010-07-12T19:33:00.000-04:00

So is this impressive or what?! Two blogs in one day...but this TYMTJ is one worth mentioning so I had to post. Last year Ashley started a 10 day prayer series about "Taking your man to Jesus" - and I thought it was great. I honestly didn't get to invest as much time in it as I wanted to, so when I saw she posted about it today I was definitely curious. Her friend, Lori, is now going to be posting the TYMTJ series over the next 10 days so I thought I'd include the website and some of the postings on my blog as well. My husband absolutely astonishes me with his love and devotion and I think this is an excellent way to honor him and love him back! So....if you're curious, here is the TYMTJ website!

www.leadingandlovingit.com

About 18 months ago my friend, Ashley had a wonderful time of prayer on her blog. She graciously is reposting it here over the next couple of weeks. I loved praying through her posts a year and a half ago, and I’m excited to do it again. So, Ashley, thanks so much.

And … now Take Your Man to Jesus:

All of our men are leaders in one way or another and most of them lead in multiple areas. They are all the leaders in our relationships and homes. Many of them lead multiple people in their place of work. And whether you realize it or not, many of your husband’s friends look to your husband as a leader in their friendship. For those of you who have been in leadership roles yourselves, you know the burden and pressure that can come from such roles. Recognize that your husband is a leader to many people, even in situations that you may be unaware of. Let’s ask the Lord to bless them in this role, to teach them through leadership and to use them to influence others.

Our focus:

Increase his wisdom in making decisions for those he leads.

God would give him confidence as a leader.

Call him to step out in his role and calling.

Give him influence in the lives of others.

That he would view his leadership as a way to lead as the Lord has lead him.

Teach him through leading others.

A teachable spirit.

Use the next twenty-four hours to focus on your husband’s roles in leadership. Take him before the Lord, specifically as a leader.

* did I mention how hot my husband is?! *

Dustin Matthew- I'm praying all these things for you as the leader of our home and our family. God has chosen you to do incredible things in this life and I'm so blessed to be your bride, to be the one next to you through the next 80 years of life! You are already an amazing husband, son, brother and friend - and I know one day (hopefully soon!) you'll add Dad to that list. You astonish me with your love and I'm going to continue to pray for the leader in you to develop and emerge in every area of your life! I love you always!!

So it's been awhile...

2010-07-12T13:52:00.000-04:00

I've been ignoring my blog - I didn't like how it looked and didn't feel overly inspired to say anything on here...I'd just get on here each day and look at my favorite blogs and continue to ignore mine, even contemplating its complete abandonment. But alas, I've figured out a thing or two, updated its look and ta-da! Here I am again!

Instead of writing about how fabulous and fast this summer has been, I'll just leave you with photos from some of our adventures!

We started off by heading to Houston and visiting our friends Taylor & Holly (and their two cuties Cameron & Peyton). I didn't get a photo of them while were were there but here is one of the girls I borrowed from Holly!

Then we went South to Corpus Christi to relax on the beach and hang out with some of my best friends.....

Once we were home I had about a week and then headed off to Austin for Girls Weekend Part II and a conference for work...

Part II

Part I

This last weekend we decided to tag-along with the Felton fam for a camping trip in New Mexico and then we headed to Santa Fe for the day to hang out/eat lunch on the square and a quick shopping trip!

I'm not making any promises but I'll try to be a bit better with the blog! Here's to the last 4 weeks of summer!

my cutie pa-tootie!

2010-04-13T21:09:00.000-04:00

Here's a photo of my niece, Karis, on Easter Sunday! We were able to see her a couple of times the last month and she is so fun! She's starting to crawl (I actually just received the email and video that its official - she's a crawler!!) and my favorite thing ever is when she sticks out her tongue and starts blowing bubbles - adorable! Anyways, here's the beauty! We love you Karis!

Happy Birthday Mom & Dad!

2010-04-12T21:08:00.000-04:00

I know its been forever but I just wanted to post a quick cutie of a picture of my parents this weekend! Their birthdays are only two days apart so my lovely sister flew in and we spent a weekend celebrating them!! It was wonderful! So, Mom & Dad - I hope you know how much we love you and if I didn't tell you enough this weekend....Happy Birthday!!

(By the way - yes, my Mom is 60!! But seriously...in the words of the sweetie of a nail girl saturday ..."you no look day over 48!! :) )

all the fam

2010-02-24T19:30:00.000-05:00

So for Christmas this year we decided, with our siblings, to give both our parents new family photos as part of their gifts! It felt like picture overload at the time but I'm so thankful we are doing this! I absolutely treasure all of my photos and I'm glad to know I have a little piece of our families documented at this time in history. One day I know I'll get to pull out photo albums and bins of photos with our kids and show them how good we really did look in our 20's and someday show my great grandkids who their great-great grandparents were. I can't say enough how special family photos are to me! :) So, without further ado...here are some of my faves from the Stockstill and Brooks family sessions! (all credit to Lezlie Andrew Photography)

The Stockstill Fam

All of us, Mike & Carrie

Momma with her girls!, my cute Dad & Mom

The fam, me and my handsome hubby!

The Brooks Family

All of us, Mike & Leslie & Karis

My niece, Karis - could she seriously get any cuter??, Lonnie & Rhonda

The fam

Me & my hubby

All the girls!

And finally...all the boys!

Life is pretty busy for us lately and we're gearing up for a trip to Corpus and Dallas pretty soon! I'm SOOO ready to get some sand between my toes and sunshine on my face! I didn't think I'd ever miss the beach this much! We're taking both the dogs with us so it should make for a pretty interesting drive!

Hope this finds everyone well, have a blessed week! -colleen

::how He loves us::

2010-01-31T17:53:00.000-05:00

So nothing majorly new in the world of the Brooks household - back to school, both for work and WT, and in the swing of things. Sometimes it seems like life goes by pretty fast because we're in such a routine. I'm so thankful for the past four days of snow, and while I spent my days off watching House and being completely unproductive - I'm still so thankful for the time I was able to spend with my husband and our dogs.

We did venture out a couple of weeks ago to take a random trip to Santa Fe, NM to go skiing - again, a much needed break and time of relaxation. We were told Wolf Creek just got 70" of snow the past week, I can't imagine how beautiful it must be there right now!

The past few days have given me a chance to rest and refresh, and get a little perspective on life - and while I don't want to get too deep or overly thoughtful, I think its good to share sometimes. I wrote not 4 weeeks ago about how I love the newness of a new year, but find that the newness wears off so quickly. I have realized a lot about myself in the last few weeks, in that its easy for me to want and expect amazing things for my friends and family, but I'm such a worrier and anxious person when it comes to my own needs and wants. I'm so thankful for a husband that can see beyond the present and balance out my over-analytical self.

We were talking about Valentine's day today at lunch - asking what to get each other. We've seen so much go on in some of our closest friends' lives the past year, that Valentines Day just doesn't seem like a big deal - my husband makes me feel special every day...what more could I ask for? Don't get me wrong though, I love the holiday and the flowers and the super cute outfit I'm sending my adorable niece - I just hope you can appreciate each other more than just on Valentine's day! Speaking of my cutie pie - here's a recent picture (thanks for posting it Leslie!)! :) I can't wait to go see them in March!

Oh how He loves us so,

Oh how He loves us,

How He loves us so.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,

When I think about, the way…

These are a few of the lyrics to the song "Oh how He loves us" - the first time I heard this I was so struck with how much God truly does love us - the verse about the sloppy wet kiss made me instantly think of Malachi and how all he wants is to be with us and how he waits for us every day just to give us a big wet kiss when we get home. Today when I heard that song I thought about my niece and how much joy she brings my sister & brother in law with her sloppy wet kisses. And then I think about my relationship with God, and how He waits for us and desires our hearts to be so tender towards Him....how He waits the whole day just to see if we will spend some time with Him. I hope that verse ministers to you as much as it does me.

Have a blessed week! love, colleen

Hello 2010!!!

2010-01-01T13:44:00.000-05:00

I have to say I'm quite excited at the beginning of this new year! I always love fresh starts and new beginnings, and there is just something encouraging and hopeful about the beginning of a new year! With that said, I have a few things to catch up on from 2009 - as I've been a terrible blogger...truth be told I almost deleted the blog since it'd been so long! But, some amazing things happened in 2009 and they are definitely worth sharing!

Top nine in '09...

1. My niece was born in August! Karis is beautiful and such a blessing to our lives!

2. Dustin graduated from Texas A&M University- Kingsville in May with his BA in English and Journalism. I'm so proud of my husband and his hard work!

3. We said goodbye to our lives and friends in Corpus Christi and moved back to Amarillo in June.

4. We were able to move into our cute little house in August! (SO much better than an apartment!)

5. We added an addition to our little family when we adopted Elijah in September.

6. Dustin and I celebrated 2 wonderful years of marriage with a trip to Dallas in November.

7. We both decided to go back to school and work on our Masters - Dustin's is in English and he's going on to get his PhD when he's finished, and I'm working on one in Counseling.

8. I took a trip to Austin to visit my fabulous friends from Corpus Christi. It was a great weekend! I miss those girls so much!

9. We spent a lot of time with family & friends, our dogs and our church. Our best friends daughter turned 1, my good friend Allison had her precious little girl in April and Janet had her handsome little boy in December. We stood firm with a friend that is facing a mountain and prayed for another's restoration to the Lord. We've learned the value of a good friend, and even more the value of relationships. I found that our family is more important to me than most any other thing and the time we have together is precious. I've learned its better to be humble than critical, and that the Lord still has so much work to do in me yet. I realized more with each day how much I love my husband, and how perfect he truly is for me.

With that, here is one last photo from our family session in November with my favorite photographer (Lezlie Andrew). We have so many more photos to come because we had fam sessions with BOTH sides of our family last week, so I'll share those soon!

Thanks 2009 for a wonderful year and watch out 2010 - I'm expecting an even better one!

love & blessings, Colleen

::FALL 2009::

2009-10-19T19:39:00.000-04:00

So we've been a little busy since starting back to school - and as always things are constantly changing with us, so here are a few (a LOT) of pics of what's been going on the last couple of months! blessings & love- colleen

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5

the Brooks fam

Malachi

Elijah

Eli & Malachi

WTAMU Football Game!

*LOVE that my husband can make me laugh this hard!*

Rhonda & Karis

My niece, Karis, and I

The Vennell Family

Girls Trip to Austin!!

(my coveted elevator shot!)

Tina, Janet, Heidi & I - great, great friends!

Pics in our PJ's

The Melting Pot Night

That's what faith can do...

2009-10-01T00:04:00.000-04:00

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You do have a chance
That’s what faith can do
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise
-Kutless

I just wanted to share my new favorite song, as it inspires me so much and helps me to remember how indescribable and MIGHTY my God is, and always will be! He has plans for me, for you, thoughts for us - thoughts of peace and HOPE!! May He be glorified in everything in our lives.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

2+2+2+2.....=?

2009-09-14T18:50:00.001-04:00

us + school starting + both of us being in grad classes + moving into a house + taking the gre + getting a new puppy + work + trying to sell dustin's truck + all this happening in a 3 week time period = 2 people super in love but super busy people with just enough time for each other & our dogs

i'll blog soon...promise :)

But as for me and my...

2009-08-12T20:18:00.000-04:00

HOUSE, we will serve the Lord. Jeremiah 24:15

Da dada dah....

We're moving, again!!!! Its such a great thing though and its only about 3 miles away from where we are now...the greatness you ask?? We rented a house! No more sharing walls & parking - no more 5x5 ft places for Malachi to use the restroom....nope! Now we have a backyard, a garage, and the most beloved thing of all - a porch!

While just the idea of moving into the house is so amazing, what is even more so is that God's hand has moved in our favor on this whole thing in such a big BIG way! Without going into great, lengthy, boring detail - lets just say he has taken care of all the details and dates for us to be able to do this, and we feel completely blessed! God is such a good good God!

They are still in the middle of renovating the house so I only have a couple of photos from the outside. We move in 10 days, so if you feel like boxin' up stuff and loadin' a trailer next Saturday - shout us a holla'! :)

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly adbundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all genereations, forever and ever. Amen.

::in ALL your ways::

2009-08-10T16:27:00.000-04:00

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5

And Heaven and Earth rejoiced...

2009-08-04T18:21:00.000-04:00

Those were my father in-law's words...

Here are a few photos of our beautiful niece, Karis Brionne Vennell. We are so amazed by her and so excited she is finally here for us to love on!! She truly is a beauty & a blessing! Leslie is doing great, she did amazing yesterday. God really showed His glory and wonderfulness throughout this weekend.

I have sooo many more photos, but here are a few to get started! Isn't she beautiful?!!!!

Karis Brionne Vennell

August 3, 2009

2:22 pm

7 lbs 1 oz

19 inches

::kbv::

2009-08-03T10:42:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let everyone know my niece, Karis, will be here any moment today! Please be praying for my sister in law, Leslie, as she is so super tough but this is turning into a much longer labor than any of us had really anticipated. I'll post pics as soon as I have them, thanks!!!

blessings & love, Colleen

Psalms 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

::Kelly's Korner - SHOW US YOUR LIFE - WEDDING DRESS::

2009-07-24T10:36:00.000-04:00

So I've blog stalked Kelly's Korner for a few months now, I absolutely love reading about her life & little girl Harper, she's adorable! Anyways, Kelly has been doing a SHOW US YOUR HOME & SHOW US YOUR LIFE series for weeks, and I haven't participated until now! This week is all about showing us your wedding dress, and well, I absolutely love my wedding dress, so I thought I'd join in the fun!

Here are a few photos of my dress from my bridal session and from Dustin and I's wedding day! After so many years of dreaming of this day, I can't believe we'll celebrate 2 years in only a few months! I love that episode of Friends (which I'm not really a Friends kinda girl) where they all sit in wedding dresses all day on the couch! Sometimes I joke about doing that because I don't feel like I got to wear it long enough! Enjoy!

(Oh, & if you're from Texas I got my dress in Amarillo at Bride's - it had a strapless bodice of white, silk duchess satin adorned with hand-beaded pearls and crystals. Beading also accented the dropped waist, which joined the full organza skirt with a chapel-length train. The ladies at Bride's were wonderful to work with and I definitely recommend them to future brides-to-be!)

(photos by Lezlie Andrew Photography)

::summer snack::

2009-07-23T11:04:00.000-04:00

Oh how I love the days of summer! Its been so nice to rest and relax and enjoy my days off! We went to Dallas last weekend in hopes of meeting my niece, Karis Brionne, but she decided she needed a few more days and hasn't quite made her debut yet! But, while we were there we hit up one of my favorite little places, The Corner Bakery, where I enjoyed a delicious fruit & yogurt parfait! This is my attempt at recreating it, and I have to say I think I did quite well! I thought I'd share it since its so easy and yummy!

All you need is:
*Fruit - I used fresh blueberries, strawberries & sliced bananas
*Yogurt - I used Activia's Vanilla flavored yogurt - its really good & it helps improve digestion :)
*Granola - I had the organic honey & oat kind, but yesterday at Natural Grocers I found a bunch of different organic flavors, so I might go back and try a new one!

Put the sliced fruit on the bottom of the bowl and then layer with yogurt & granola! And voila, a light delicious breakfast or snack! Oh & I went ahead and washed/dryed all my fruit at one time so I can make these a little quicker next time, just store in some ziploc plastic containers (you might use some papertowel in the bottom to keep them dry, they last longer that way!)

I'm hoping I will have some new photos after this weekend of my niece, but until then here is one from a snowcone night with Chance & Josey - we got a little rowdy and convinced the boys to squeeze in this playhouse at midnight at Walmart :) And then of course one of our precious boy, Malachi.

I hope you're enjoying summer and the beautiful weather! love & blessings, Colleen

amarillo

2009-07-07T18:47:00.000-04:00

First of all...can I get an Amen to it being summertime, which equals pedicures & flip flops!! :) These are the days I *love* being a teacher!

So we are officially moved & unpacked and picking up again with our lives back home in Amarillo! Looking back it feels like our time in Corpus went by so quickly, though when we were there it felt as if we'd never get to leave! For all my Corpus friends, I have to admit, I do miss it a little :) Dustin & I are adjusting to having friends & family around and not necessarily being on our own anymore, which is wonderful in some ways, and weird in others. I'm glad to say we can look back on our time in Corpus as a sweet & special time in our marriage, and we are looking forward to visiting in the future!

As for our life in Amarillo, we are loving being able to spend time with our parents whenever we want, and hanging out with some really good friends! I'm pretty sure this is the first night we haven't been out with anyone since we moved back - and its been two weeks already!! I'm really enjoying having my first full summer off, although I'm excited to get in my new classroom and start organizing and getting ready for my new students!! Dustin has been crazy busy working since we got back in town! He's doing baseball camps with a good friend of ours, private baseball lessons (**give us a shout if you have kids and you're interested!**), a little concrete here and there, and he should be starting back to work at UPS pretty soon! Add to that going back to school to get his Masters and that makes for a pretty busy schedule!

Here are some photos of our last days in Corpus, the move & the Fourth of July!

*Malachi & his friend, Cowboy*

*CC Bay*

*My awesome friend Heidi, can't wait for her to come visit*

*the Brooks fam, 2009*

*the Brooks fam, 2008*

*last morning in our apartment*

*peace-out apartment 521*

*all packed and ready to go*

*Fourth of July @ the Dillas game*

::david & amy wenzel::

2009-06-15T09:17:00.001-04:00

I started reading about this couple late last week and have personally been encouraged by the strength of faith and sincere love of God they have both shown through their words in such an overwhelming stepping stone of their life. Their names are David and Amy Wenzel, and I just happened upon their blogs as I was looking at different photographer's websites. I urge you to go to their sites and read David's story - and then pray for this beautiful, faithful couple, that they would continue to see and feel God's presence at such a time in their lives. Pray that David would be completely restored and that God would receive all the glory!! Pray that they continue to see the light and that darkness and fear would be commanded to stand down, that it would have no power or hold on them. Most of all I just urge you to pray for them! I love that David described the prayers he felt as "pillows surrounding him on every side", our God is the great comforter!!

I do not know this couple personally, but their passion for God has a contagious quality about it - and I know people's lives will be changed through them.

Here are both of their blogs:
David - http://www.jumpdavidjump.com/
Amy - http://www.blog.amywenzel.com/

I love the scripture Amy posted at the end of her last blog, so I will leave you with that also!

“And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

I John 5:11

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Ephesians 4:16-18

“Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed. He will answer them from his holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stand upright. Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.”

Psalm 20:6-9

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unseachable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

(**photo courtesy of jasmine star photography, which is the blog I first read and learned about this couple.)

high school memories tag

2009-06-07T10:52:00.000-04:00

Leslie tagged me so here's some high school stories! I wish I had some pics to go with it, but they are all packed away at my Mom & Dad's!!

1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes, and my husband often teases me that my boyfriend changed with the sports season - all too true!

2.What kind of car did you drive? When I turned 16 I started driving my sister's old blue Pontiac Grand Prix - it wasn't terrible, but definitely made me appreciate the car my parents got me when I was a senior!! I got an (almost new) red Honda Accord EX Coupe - it was such a sweet car and I loved it! I have to say Dustin drove it the fastest it ever went though - and boy did it get up! I miss that car :(

3.Were you a party animal? Not at all - in fact I didn't know about a lot of parties until after high school when my husband told me I just wasn't invited...haha, I'm good with that!

4.Were you considered a flirt? Ummm, I hope not, but probably by some - refer to question #1.

5.Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? I was in band in Jr High, I played the saxophone!

6.What was your most embarrassing moment? Ahh, I still tell this to the kids I teach when they get embarrassed about something, it kind of makes them not feel so bad!

I was on my way to Mrs. Henderson's Physics class my senior year, and for some reason I was running late so I was running full speed in the hall! My friend Jonathan thought it would be funny to trip me just as I was running up the slanted part of the hall at Randall, and trip me he did! I did a full front flip and landed on my back in the middle of the hall!! (note: this is not the most embarrassing part!) I got up and we ran to class, and while I was out of breath and a little sore from the fall, I had to admit it was funny....what was not funny is that during Physics we had to get up and give some sort of presentation that day - so I went up to the front of the class with my good friend Craig Howard, and we're standing there and whatever, when he leans down and starts whispering something to me...well I finally realized what he said when he moved and stood in front of me, "Colleen, you're pants are ripped!". YES - my pants ripped all along the zipper and down my leg for the WHOLE CLASS to see my cute undies, I was mortified! I ran out of the room and straight to my car where I proceeded to go home and change, I didn't even ask for permission to leave! haha! Anyways, I think that'll do it for my most embarrassing moment ever!

7.Were you a nerd? If being in Calculus and Physics II makes you a nerd then cool - I was a nerd, but we were some cool nerds!!

8.Were you on any varsity teams? Cheerleading

9.Did you ever get suspended or expelled? Not from school - but I did get in a lot of trouble my sophomore year for not selling programs for Student Council and then referring to my sponsor as Darby instead of Mr. Norman to the AP...my sophomore year was rough!

10.Can you still sing the fight song? Of course!! And I bet I could bust a move to most of the pep rally traditions too!

11.Who were your favorite teachers? Hands down Mrs. Taylor (French) , Mrs. Hair (Jr English), Mrs. Miller (Sr English) and Ms. Swauger (Pre Cal and Calc) - of which the first three came to our wedding and the first two we still go back and see quite a bit of! Mrs. Miller and Ms. Swauger have retired so its hard to catch them now!

12. What was your school's full name? Randall High School

13.School mascot? Raiders

14.Did you go to homecoming? With who? Yes! I was usually cheering so I didn't get to do the football game with my dates but we always went to the dance - I went with Travis as a sophomore, solo as a junior, and Steven as a senior (oh the stories to tell from my senior year! haha!).

15.If you could go back and do it again, would you? Eh, probably not!! High School was stressful and I was always trying to please everyone and look a particular way - I'm thankful I met my husband there and the few friends I still talk to, but overall I'm good!!

16.What did you remember most about graduation? My hair looked awful!! haha! And I remember we were in a huge rush because the boys baseball team had to leave right after graduation to go to the regional tournament! And I remember there was a terrible car wreck on Sundown Lane that night.

17.Were you in a club? Well of course, I had to fill up those college apps with something! :)

18. Have you gained weight since then? Yes! 13 lbs - which I'd really like to lose but hey, I'd say I'm doing ok since I still haven't officially gained the freshman fifteen, 7 years later!

19.Who was your prom date? Junior year - Josh Payne, Senior year - Ryan Jackson Both are still good friends that we don't get to see much of anymore!

20.Are you planning on going to your 10 yr. reunion? I think so, as long as I look good! :) (Vain I know- but everyone knows that while reunions are fun for those of us that just want to catch up, there is always that crowd of people there to see who gained/lost weight, who looks better/worse, who is married/divorced, and who has had/has not had kids! I'm just being honest!) Besides, I see a lot of my friends from high school as it is, at least the ones I want to! And the reason I don't see the others is because they've moved away from Amarillo, and probably wouldn't be there anyways!

21.Looking back, what advice would you give yourself? You're legs are awesome, quit worrying about looking good (ironic after question #20 huh? :) ) and go hang out with your family more!

Now I tag these people: Josey, Adrienne, and Farrell!

Randall High we honor you, in our hearts forever true, Fighting Raiders! Randall's pride, standing loyal side by side, Voices raised with pride and mission, Service, Love and Strong Tradition, Proudly sing as the years go by, "We are Raiders of Randall High!"

**Oh, and by the way - we are officially 2 weeks away from moving!!**

::schools out for summa::

2009-06-02T16:04:00.000-04:00

It amazes me to sit here and think I'm now finished with my 2nd year of teaching! My friends and coworkers have been right, it does seem to get easier as each year passes, and I'm actually looking forward to next year!

I was so blessed to have worked with some amazing people and students this year. I know I'm supposed to be the teacher, but its pretty cool to get to the end of the year and realize how much I learn just from being surrounded by quick witted youth for 8 hours a day. My students never fail to surprise me with their thoughts and ideas! I really do love them and look forward to seeing their lives unfold.

The last day of school was bittersweet, as I know I won't be here to see these kids the next few years - but I promise, I'll be back to see you graduate girls & guys, as long as I get an invite! :) Here are the photos of all my lovelies!

1st Period

2nd Period

Miss Kayleigh &

My 2nd Period Girls

3rd Period

Sweet Hailey & Katie H.

Me & Katie M.

4th Period - And all their personality!!

Miss Analisa & I

Miss Brooke & I

5th Period

Mariah & Celi (my HEB camp girls)

7th Period

And these are the pretty roses my sweet husband bought me for finishing my 2nd year of teaching, along with an amazing card. I love you babe!

Sorry for the photo overload! The first few days of summer have been great, just relaxing with Dustin and starting our P90X workout - and WOW, that's all I can say! Cheer camp is next week and then we have a week to wrap up our lives here in Corpus Christi! Amarillo, we're 20 days away!!

Love & blessings to everyone, Colleen

I Timothy 4:12 "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

checkcheckcheck

2009-05-26T20:11:00.000-04:00

*MOVING TRUCK - check

*NEW JOB (colleen) - check

*APARTMENT - check

We started packing this weekend!!

Please pray for favor for Dustin and his job search!

Oh & I only have 1 1/2 days of school left! I hope all you teachers are enjoying these last few days with your kids, mine are anxious and ready for summer! I included a few cartoons I found quite funny, I'm pretty sure the first one is always my response to the question "why do we have to take the Math TAKS test??" or "how will this help us in life??"...because you have to pass it to get to life! :) haha - Enjoy!

love & blessings, colleen

T -32 Days

2009-05-20T22:48:00.000-04:00

And the countdown begins... We move in 32 days, its really unbelievable to me after how long this year has felt, but in hindsight this whole experience has flown by so fast! Part of me is so ready for us to be home with our family, but part of me loves the time Dustin and I have had on our own (with Malachi of course!).

Anyways, here are a few new things going on right now!

*Last weekend everyone, well almost everyone, came down to Corpus Christi to celebrate Dustin's graduation! We are all so proud of him, and I'm so glad he finally has his bachelor's degree behind him!

*The weekend before I was able to fly home to be at Leslie's baby shower! It was such a quick weekend but it was really nice to be home, and I think the shower was a hit! They were very blessed and I think they will definitely be ready to meet Miss Karis in July!!

*While I was home I was also able to see one of my best friends, Allison, and meet her new beautiful daughter Adalynn. Look at that beautiful face and hair!

*I've also been perfecting the cake balls I blogged about last time! I made a batch for my kids at school, another for Dustin's class, some more for Leslie's shower, and lastly a batch for Dustin's graduation/birthday party (He graduated May 16th and his birthday was May 18th!) I also made these cute little graduation hats out of chocolate! ***Let me just say all creative credit belongs to Bakerella, I love her blog!!*** My husband and parents have decided I should cater/have a bakery some day... I suppose we'll see ;) Everything I make is super easy though, I'll post a photo blog recipe here in a few days!

**Excuse the crummy icing job, I did it in literally 2 minutes!**

Oh!! I almost forgot, I got a job!! Thank the Lord this will be the first year I know where I'm teaching before July, and I'm really excited about this opportunity! I will be teaching 7th grade Math at Mann Middle School - and I can't wait to get in my room and get started! (After summer break of course!!) Which, speaking of, we only have 4 1/2 days of class left! I'm a little sad to say bye to some of my kids down here, but I've promised to come back for their graduation, so I suppose in 4 years we'll be making a trip to Corpus Christi again! :)

Well I suppose that's all for now! Here's to a great last week to all my teacher friends out there, and blessings to you all!! love- Colleen

::Updates::

2009-05-03T20:46:00.000-04:00

Hello from Corpus Christi!

Yes I'm a bad blogger, I won't waste anymore time elaborating...

So its been over a month since I last blogged and it has gone by super fast - so here are a few things going on in our life right now!

** A few countdowns: 13 days until Dustin graduates from college!! 18 school days until summer vacation!! 7 weeks until we move home to Amarillo!!

Yes, we ARE moving home, finally. While I have met some people here in Corpus that I adore, I'm so ready to have the dry West Texas air in my lungs and the red dirt of Palo Duro Canyon under my feet! I've applied with both AISD and CISD and am waiting to hear back from one of them. Dustin is still in the process of applying/finding a job, but none-the-less we are heading home towards the end of June!

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I posted in my last blog about my soon to arrive niece! She will be here in July, and I'm now allowed to post her beautiful name, Karis Brionne Vennell. It means graceful & mighty, and I am stoked to meet her - I can't wait to spoil her! Leslie's baby shower is this weekend, and thanks to my awesome in-laws I'm going to be there!

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I did get to go to Leakey, TX with the school a few weeks ago and enjoy a week of camping with 8 eighth grade girls, which was both dramatic and fun! These are a few photos from our trip! I was unusually daring on this trip, mostly thanks to my friend Heidi who peer pressured me into trying everything! But I did it all, from swimming in the Frio to canoeing to jumping off a cliff!

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I've also been pretty crafty and into baking lately so I'll share some of my latest creations! I can't show my craftiness until after Leslie's shower, but here are the cake pops I made last week for school - thanks to Bakerella for the fabulous recipe and instructions! They turned out great and very tasty!!

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Well I hope to get back at it and be a more regular blogger, but until then I hope this finds everyone doing well! And what would a post be without a photo of this adorable face!!

love & blessings, Colleen

PS- If you know of anyone renting out 2-3 bedroom houses in the Amarillo/Canyon area, let me know!

baby news

2009-03-26T10:22:00.000-04:00

I'm going to be an Aunt in July, which I've already shared with you! The new news is that I am going to have a beautiful NIECE! I can't wait to meet her!

::restoration::

2009-03-24T23:41:00.000-04:00

RESTORATION
/ˌrɛstəˈreɪʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [res-tuh-rey-shuhn] Show IPA
–noun
1.the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment.

2.the state or fact of being restored.

3.a return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition.

4.restitution of something taken away or lost.

5.something that is restored, as by renovating.

6.a reconstruction or reproduction of an ancient building, extinct animal, or the like, showing it in its original state.

7.a putting back into a former position, dignity, etc.

While Webster defines the word restoration as a noun, I'd have to say its more of a verb. Its an action verb. The subject behind the action? The Holy Spirit. The subjects being restored? Us. The effect from being restored? Peace.

Psalms 80:7

Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

Thank you, Jesus, for paying the price of redemption with your precious blood. You have restored to us your peace and presence. Please Lord, be glorified through this life you've given me, and help me to be gracious and humble enough that people can only recognize you in me. Thank you for your power and restoration. Amen.

What are your thoughts on restoration and redemption? How has Jesus worked this out in your life? I'd love to hear your stories!

love & blessings, Colleen

SB 09

2009-03-22T00:09:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to post a few pics of what we've been up to the last week or so... I went from Dallas to Amarillo back to Fort Worth back to Amarillo and finally back to Corpus - needless to say it was a busy, but fun week! I got to see a lot of family and spend some time relaxing at the beach with my husband & Malachi!

I'll post more later on this week about what's been going on in CC! Here's to the next 10 weeks of school....we can do it!! Blessings, Colleen

take two and a good book

2009-03-08T15:00:00.000-04:00

So I blogged back in January about my aspirations to run in a half marathon in May and well, I started out strong and about 3 weeks into it got a little sick, then about mid February I got really sick, so needless to say 'training' has been more like watching the Office re-runs. Real productive I know!

Anyways, Malachi and I got back at it today and ventured out into the 80 degree Corpus Christi weather for a nice little run, that turned into a good walk about half way through. Ah well, at least we are at it again! Here is our 'we're on the wagon again' photo!

In my free time the last couple of months Dustin and I decided to take up reading - yes we started out spending hours upon hours at Barnes & Noble, and finally just bought a bunch of books and retired to our apartment. Ladies (& gents) here are my top ten recommendations for a good read!

1. Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers
An amazing love story of the Lord's redemptive power and love for each of us - I've reread it at least 3 times.

2. The Mark of the Lion Trilogy, by Francine Rivers
Again, Francine Rivers intertwines God's ability to redeem and restore us if we can only humble ourselves enough to receive His powerful saving grace. This story reminds me of just how servant hearted God desires us to be, in all circumstances. I started this trilogy about 4 weeks ago and am working on the last of the 3 books, they are truly amazing!

3. The Redemption Series, by Karen Kingsbury
Have you noticed a theme in my first few choices? Redemption - I think we all crave it which is why I must breeze through and crave more of these stories, I love them. I read this 5 book series a few years ago in college and while its not Francine Rivers (she's my favorite) they are defintely worth reading!

4. Atonement Child, by Francine Rivers
If you have ever had conflicting thoughts about abortion this book is for you. This book, while fictional, tells the story of a young woman faced with a decision most hope they will never have to think about. This book sheds light on abortion in such a personal and impacting way, I've never looked at abortion in the same way again.

5. Captivating, by Stacie Eldridge
This one's not a fiction, but defintely speaks to inner part of every woman's heart! A great read!

6. Under God and Jesus Freaks II, by Toby Mac & Michael Tait
These books are for all you history buffs out there that desire to have the facts, as they were, not jumbled up by today's politically correct accounts of them. I love reading bits and pieces here and there....they are amazing accounts and it just goes to show how today's 'history' is like that game we played when we were little and we sat in a circle and someone at one end was supposed to pass a message to the other end, and it came out completely different. If you want to know our history so we don't repeat it, here is a good place to start.

7. Barbarian Way, by Erwin McManus (a must have according to my husband, I still have yet to read it!)
I don't know what its about since I haven't read it! But my husband has reread this book 3 times - it must be good.

8. The Scarlet Thread, by Francine Rivers
This story, again a Francine Rivers novel, tells the account of two women and their husbands, and the struggles of marriage. It has been a long time since I've read this, I might reread it so I can remember better, but I know I enjoyed it!

9. Total Money Makeover, by Dave Ramsey
Definitely not a fiction, but a book Dustin and I are continuing to learn from. Dave Ramsey teaches us how to be wise financial stewards and how to handle the money God has entrusted us with. We can't wait for the day we can say, "we're debt free!!"

10. My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
And last but not least, My Utmost for His Highest is one of the first devotional books I ever owned, and I passed it on to my husband when we were just 'friends' in high school. This book is a truly great daily devotional full of one-page-a-day devotions that truly turn your heart towards God.

Well that turned into one long blog, but I do hope you go pick up a book and let me know how it turns out! If you have some recommendatios of your own please leave me a comment, as I'm almost finished with the Mark of the Lion Trilogy and would like to start another good book soon!

Have a blessed & restful Sunday! love- Colleen

Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y

2009-03-07T09:22:00.001-05:00

So last month I decided to help out at school and became the assistant cheerleading coach! (the one before me moved in January) I have to say I have really enjoyed getting to know the girls and hang out with them and Tina (the coach)! Our last big performance was at the Texas A&M University-CC men's basketball game. The girls were able to perform at half time and cheer with the TAMUCC cheerleaders. They did awesome! I can't take much credit since I've only been with them a few weeks, but none the less I was proud of them!

Here are some photos of our goofy girls!

8th Grade

7th Grade

Life in Corpus has just been life in corpus....it's starting to get humid and the bugs are getting bigger! We did have some unexpected visitors last weekend though that just completely made my day! Lonnie & Rhonda are troopers and drove all day to come see us, stayed the night, and then left for Dallas the next night to see Leslie and Mike! I'm pretty sure they logged something like 1500 miles in 3 or 4 days?! Thank you for coming to see us, it was the best surprise!

Dustin and I are still pretty unsure as to where we'll end up come June, but I think we've got a much better idea of where we want to end up! Home! We have talked about so many places from East coast to West coast and they all come back to Amarillo. So, here is to Dustin getting a good job that takes us back! More than likely we'll be moving around a little bit before that happens, but we shall see. I'm just so thankful he will have graduated come May and we'll be saying 'peace out' to Corpus in June!

Well that's it for now, I'll leave you with one of our handsome boy and his daddy! By the way, Spring Break officially begins in 6 days! Yay!!!

Happy Anniversary!!

2009-02-25T18:49:00.000-05:00

We just wanted to wish Dustin's parents, Lonnie & Rhonda, a Happy 31st Anniversary! We love you both so much!! Thank you for your committment to each other and the love you share - as Leslie said, we're truly blessed to have an example of how amazing marriage can be. Enjoy your day!!

strange

2009-02-23T23:04:00.001-05:00

So I have this weird metal-like taste in my mouth.... Anyone have any ideas as to what that could be from?? I googled it and had a plethora of responses, but I was just wondering if someone else had ever had this! Its kinda driving me nuts! Thanks ahead for all your input!

love & blessings, Colleen

2009-02-22T22:02:00.001-05:00

Here are a few fun photos of Christmas and then one of our little family at Thanksgiving!

Anyways, not too much going on in Corpus - just ready for Spring Break so I can go home and visit some family! We are trying to figure out what's next for us, we are officially moving - to where we don't know - in 16 weeks! Be praying for direction for us please!!

Thanks for sending me the photos Rhonda!

Love & miss everyone, blessings- Colleen

Bad blogger...

2009-02-07T14:31:00.001-05:00

So I'm a terrible blogger now! I suppose I could say my life is just amazingly busy or that nothing has been going on but neither would be true, I just haven't felt like it! What's sad is I even got tagged by my lovely friend Megan, and I was so excited to be tagged because it just doesn't happen that often, and yet I still haven't blogged! So to those few of you out there that actually check our blog, here are my sincerest apologies and a few updates from the CC!

I wish I had some fun photos to share with you from our great weekend in Houston last week, but I was absent minded and left my camera sitting at home! We spent a few days catching up with our friends Taylor and Holly and their precious baby girl Cameron. It was a great get-away-from-Corpus weekend, and I really enjoyed spending time with them!

Running....yes, I am still planning on running a half marathon. As for the one the first weekend in May? Now that may be negotiable. I started feeling a little out of it about 2 weeks after I started hitting the 'track', so my running schedule has fallen let's say a couple weeks behind - but no worries, I'm determined and will be back at it shortly. I decided I probably won't run in May because we have a lot coming up that month and I'm not one to deal well with multiple things going on in life, so I think I'll keep training and run one in the fall sometime.

As for what's going on in May, my husband in graduating! Yay! Dustin walks the stage May 16th and we're really excited to have family and friends join us for this celebration! We're also in the midst of trying to figure out what and where we'll go from here, so if you're thinking of us we could use some prayers for direction. We really want to land where God wants us to be. So on top of Dustin graduating in May I'll be wrapping up school and packing up the apartment and my classroom. I'm really looking forward to this summer!

Ok well enough writing for now, here is my photo from Megan's tag!

This is the day our friends, Jacob and Stacie, had their first baby girl, sweet Miss Havyn. She is beautiful and full of personality and I hate that we've missed out on so much of her first year of life! I love that we were there the day she was born though!

Directions:
1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder.3) Explain the picture.4) Tag 4 people to do the same.~No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.) Have fun!!

You're it!

Progress!

2009-01-11T18:40:00.000-05:00

Ran for 15 minutes with no stops - super excited about that! I'm working up to 30 minutes with no stops over the next 2 1/2 weeks....it makes it much more exciting running with my iPhone that my husband bought me for my birthday last month! (have I mentioned I'm completely in love with him!?!) Anyways, I hope everyone has had a blessed weekend...we're off to see Bride Wars! love & blessings- Colleen

Slow and steady...

2009-01-07T20:43:00.000-05:00

Wins the race! But I'll get back to that in a minute.... Happy New Year! I hope 2009 is starting off wonderful for everyone! Dustin and I had a wonderful Christmas break at home with our families, but silly me was too caught up enjoying our time and I forgot to get our camera out! (Rhonda, will you email me some of your photos!? :) ) Anyways, once I get a few I'll post about our trip home! I feel very blessed after being home and seeing our family and friends!

Speaking of family, I have to post some wonderful news about my sister & brother-in-law (Leslie & Mike)! They have been married for almost 3 years now and had the most wonderful news at Christmas, they are expecting! We're so excited to become Aunt Colleen and Uncle Dustin! Congratulations guys, I can't wait to find out what you're having!!

Onto the 'slow and steady'....today was day 1 in training! You see, I have this friend, Megan, who completely inspired me this last year by running in the Rock N Roll Marathon in San Antonio! She trained for 5 months and finished her first 1/2 marathon in November! I was so proud of her! Megan and I go what seems like way back, now that I've crossed over to my 'mid-twenties' , because we used to cheer together in high school. I remember then that she hated running! Well as my 25th birthday approached last month, I had the urge to do something great in life, something I could look back on and say, yeah, I did that - kind of mark it off a bucket list type thing....so, I've decided to start training to run my first 1/2 marathon in May!!

If you're anything like my friends and family, you probably think that's crazy, and to a lot of people that doesn't seem like some great feat....but I'm going for it, I even asked (and received!!) for running gear for Christmas! The race I plan to run in is called 'Heels and Hills' and is located in the DFW area. Its geared towards women and I'm completely excited to run in it! I finally got to go running today, and I'll try to blog about my progress as I come along. I know I'm starting small, but I'm glad to say I ran for 11 minutes without stopping, then walked for another 35 minutes.... yes, this is why I said slow and steady. But don't write me off just yet, I have an amazingly supportive husband that believes in me, and a real desire to see this through!

Well I'm sorry for such a long, photo-less blog, but I just wanted to update you other bloggers out there! BTW, another friend, Ashley, is doing a series on her blog called 'Take Your Man To Jesus' - I haven't gotten to read all of them yet but I'm very intrigued by the beginning!

love & blessings- Colleen

Susie Homemaker....kind of...

2008-12-21T23:25:00.000-05:00

That's what my husband calls me when I cook! Little Miss Susie Homemaker! While I realize I should have posted these say, oh, about 3 weeks ago....better late than never right?? We did spend Thanksgiving in Dallas with Dustin's family, but when we got back to Corpus I made our own little Thanksgiving dinner! So, without further ado....here are the photos I promised Josey about a month ago, of the Thanksgiving dinner I prepared for Dustin and myself! I also included a recipe and photos of the mini pizzas I have prepared since then! Enjoy...

Dessert First!!

Pie crusts from scratch...my Mom is so proud! :)

My Mom's Pecan Pie

Not bad for a beginner!

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe:

1 cup Karo® Light OR Dark Corn Syrup
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) pecans
1 (9-inch) unbaked or frozen** deep-dish pie crust

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla using a spoon. Stir in pecans. Pour filling into pie crust.
Bake on center rack of oven for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool for 2 hours on wire rack before serving.

(BTW- I never knew my Mom got this from the back of a Karo syrup bottle....I thought she had a magical recipe! But none-the-less, my Mom is an amazing cook/baker! Everything she makes tastes wonderful!)

Dustin's Pumpkin Pie

We had a cornish hen instead of a turkey!

My Mom's amazing Sweet Potato Marshmallowey goodness!

Our little feast!

And of course Malachi was waiting for any scraps! He's so adorable!

And his wait was worthwhile!!

Quick Mini Pizzas

Quick Mini Pizzas Recipe:

2 cans refigerated biscuit dough (not the buttery ones, just regular)

1 jar of pizza sauce (I used Traditional Ragu spaghetti sauce)

Toppings of your choice! We cooked some hamburger and then I cut up some onions and bell peppers.

1 bag of pizza-mix cheese

Preheat oven to temp on biscuit can. Press biscuits out flat, then spoon on sauce. Add toppings and cheese, then bake according to the time and temp on the biscuit can! Easy enough right?? And they taste great, a good change from delivery! Enjoy!

(BTW- I have to give props to my Mom for ALL of my Thanksgiving dishes, and props to Dustin's Mom, Rhonda, for the mini pizzas! )

Hair Dilemma!!

2008-11-30T19:24:00.000-05:00

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UPDATE: So I want to thnk you girls (or guys!) that took the time to leave me a comment and vote on what I should do with my hair! I actually have to say a big thank you to Josey, she had the best solution to my problem! I'm going to put some low lights in to cancel out the terrible blonde that the guy down here put in my hair - that way I can keep it a little blonde but not look ridiculous! Oh how I can't wait to see my hair lady back home!! Speaking of, I have to actually cancel my appointment and reschedule because we aren't getting to town until the 24th now! (just talked to her and rescheduled for 12/31 - ahhh, sigh of relief!) But none-the-less, thank you for your input....its good to know people are still viewing this thing once in awhile!! BTW- I have a ton of photos I need to post from the Thanksgiving dinner I prepared for Dustin and I, and from a few other treats! So stay tuned...more to come soon!
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I have a hair dilemma! My husband likes my hair blond, though he consistently tells me to do what I want. I'm pretty fond of changing things up, but I just got it back blond! The problem is, these crazy people in Corpus Christi don't know how to highlight hair, so my hair has undergone some traumatic times these last few months, leaving it really dry and damaged!

So I need your help! Here are a few photos of my hair when it was long and blond, and when it was short and brown! Either way I'll probably keep growing it out, but let me know your thoughts on color...my husband is no help (sorry babe!)! (**keep in mind I'm a little paler now than I appear in the blond photo!!) I am going home to my wonderful hair lady on December 22nd! I can't wait! Thanks in advance for your opinions!!

Brooks Family Thanksgiving

2008-11-30T18:47:00.000-05:00

So after having a quick, but long weekend trip to Kentucky, Dustin and I had decided we would spend a relaxing week at home for Thanksgiving. We told our family they were more than welcome to make the trip to Corpus, we were not up to driving again! Well, as of Wednesday morning we were still staying in Corpus - then we found out that Dustin has (possibly!!) gotten a job, but it will keep him from going home but a day at Christmas. While we're so excited about the job, I was really wanting to see some family that day, so I packed everything up as fast as I could and had most of it ready to go when Dustin walked in from his interview! haha! Like I told my friend Josey, we may seem a little crazy - but we're adventurous none-the-less! So we embarked on the 9 hour drive to DFW and spent Thanksgiving with the Brooks' side of our family. It was a wonderful trip and I'm very glad we decided to go! Here are just a few photos of our trip, and Dustin's family! (Rhonda & Lonnie (his parents) and Leslie & Mike (his sister & bro-in-law)

(Malachi was tired of travelling!)

Trying to leave on a jet plane...

2008-11-30T16:58:00.000-05:00

So I'll probably have a couple of posts today so I can catch up! I wanted to start off with Dustin & I's trip to Pikeville, Kentucky to see Craig and Sarah get married! While some of you that are close to us know exactly how that trip went, I'll elaborate for the distant crowd. Let me begin by saying that the bride was beautiful, and I was so happy we were able to be there for Craig's special day!

Onto the trip.... We started out the morning at 4am, yes its early but we were both rested and anxious to start our trip! (Mind you this was a little 'anniversary' get away for us also) We ate breakfast, packed, and got ready to leave! We were running later than we would have liked but none the less we had plenty of time to make it to the airport! Good thing we boarded Malachi the night before!
Alas, we get to the airport with about 30 minutes until departure, no problem for a small Corpus Christi Airport right? WRONG! Evidentally Continental Airline prefers you get there and HOUR and a HALF before the flight departs! The lady didn't even check what time it was or how much time we had left, she merely smirked at us and said we'd missed the flight and she'd have to rebook us. No explanation, no let me see what we can do, nothing.

Now you see our flight left at 8:10am, and had we arrived say at 8:05am I perhaps could understand this rude and discourteous behavior, but we didn't. In fact, we proceeded to sit through THREE boarding calls, and she still wouldn't let us check in and board! The audacity! Needless to say I was slightly peeved and threw a little bit of a fit in the airport!(which I felt very stupid for afterwards, but I was mad!) Then the woman had the nerve, after the plane had just taken off, to come over to me, lean over my suitcase and apologize!!!! She said she was sorry and that she was just flustered because she had a long line of people, but she wanted to see how she coul fix it! If she would have let us board to begin with there would be nothing to fix!

Anyways, they proceeded to get us to Houston and then booked us for Cinncinati, then Cinncinati to Lexington. We were originally supposed to be there at 1pm, and now we were to get there at 4:30pm. Not too bad, we'd still be there in time to have dinner with everyone.

Wrong, they booked our connecting flight in Houston so close together that we missed the flight to Cinncinati....see they didn't realize Houston has 4 terminals that are FAR apart from each other. So the delta terminal told us to go back to the continental terminal to get them to fix it! Here we go again! So we went back, they booked us on a flight to Detroit, Michigan and then from there to Lexington, Kentucky. We would now be arriving after 9pm, and my sister's only comment about Detroit was 'Don't get shot'. No dinner now, and after renting a car and driving the 2 1/2 hours to Pikeville, we didn't get to our hotel room until after 1am. That lady's one lovely moment in Corpus had cost us 13 hours in travel time. Yay for us!

None-the-less, we were there, and Dustin finally got to catch up with the boys for all their activities the next day! It was wonderful to hang out with Sam and Matt, and to see Craig and Sarah so happy and in love! And while the scenery in Kentucky is very pretty, I prefer not to go back (no offense Sarah!)....but those Kentucky people are a lot different than Texas people, and they didn't care for us too much! Oh well! Here are some lovely photos of the bride and groom, and Dustin and I's adventures along the way! Enjoy!

To my husband...

2008-11-17T18:02:00.001-05:00

I cannot find words to express how unbelievable it is to me that we have already experienced our first year of marriage together, it has gone by so fast. I know I'm a day late in posting this to you, but none-the-less, I hope you know how much it means to me to be your wife. Its more than an honor, more than the mrs. in front of my name could ever explain, and its more than the beautiful ring on my hand could ever sparkle- to be your wife is to understand God's love at a new level, to understand the width & depth of the word covenant, and to understand how amazing God is to have created such a strong, but delicate relationship between two people. I love you.

I never thought marriage would be an adjustment for us, seeing as we had dated for so long and all I could ever think about was being your wife. Though I was wrong and there are more twists and turns in this journey we're on than I had imagined, I love that I'm walking through all of this with you. I love that I know you are my best friend, and without saying a word you know exactly what I'm thinking. I love that you are also sometimes oblivious to it. I love that I can ask you every morning if I look ok, knowing that you'll always tell me I'm beautiful. I love that you keep telling me that throughout the day because you know I need to hear it.

I love the fact that before we ever dated you were my best friend, and then my high school sweetheart. I love the ooh's and ahh's my kids give me when I tell them our story, and I love correcting your Dad's versions of our story. I love that you helped me put our Christmas tree up in October, and that you go Christmas shopping with me, whenever I want. I love that you sit and listen to the stories about my day, even though I've shared how angry this kid or that kid makes me every day! I love you so much.

I adore the fact that you adore God, I adore that you are striving to be the man and husband he has called you to be. I'm so thankful that you are my husband, you truly are my Godsend.

I could go on and on with funny, heart warming, tear-filled-laughter stories, but what I'm more excited about is our future. I'm so excited to know that you are the man that I will grow old with. I'm so thankful that we have our 'one day' aspirations and hopes, there is no one else I want to share one day with. I hope you know more than ever how much I love you, and what joy it brings me to be Mrs. Brooks. xoxoxo

Happy Anniversary Husband!

A look back at our past....

(Fair Warning: Tons-o-photos of just Dustin and I!!!)

I love you babe!

5...4...3...2...

2008-11-11T22:45:00.000-05:00

So if you know me very well at all you probably know there are 2 things I'm usually counting down to at this time of year! One being my birthday (December 21) and two being Christmas!!! I think I have already shared the fact that I love this time of year, so counting down to the ultimate holiday just seems natural!

The fact is, this year is different though. As I've sat here on the couch with my lovely Christmas filled home surrounding me, I find myself counting down to something different this year....not to the joyous holiday when I get to see all of my family and be in our pj's and eat my Mom's awesome food, and not to my fabulous birthday that falls oh-so-close to my favorite holiday. No, this year I'm counting down to December 19th...no its not Christmas, no my birthday hasn't moved....this day is special to me this year for one reason only, and its because that's the day I get to go home!

See, we talk and talk about how the holidays are about so much more than the gifts and the trees and lights....and now I realize more than ever that it truly is. No matter how wonderful our Christmas tree is, or how amazing my apple cider tastes, its not quite the same because my family isn't here to share it....and going shopping at Hobby Lobby with my ever so pleasing husband in tow is nice, but its nothing like going shop to shop in Wolflin Village at Christmas time with your best friend and a hot cup of chai.

And while the weather in CC is a beautiful 70 degrees, it feels more like a day of spring than the bitter crisp days preparing you for winter...and while talking on the phone and texting will fufill my need for communication, its nothing like hugging my Mom or my sister.

So all that to say, I truly hope and pray that this holiday season you do not take for granted the things that truly matter in life. All of the 'stuff' that we fill our lives with is meaningless if there is no one to share it with....so fam(& friends), I hope you realize how much I love and value you this year, for its each one of you that contribute to the joy and meaning I find in this season!

Here's to a wonderful Christmas!! love & blessings- colleen

(here's some fun *old* pics I found messing around on the computer! very random, but fun none the less!)

heartbreaker

2008-11-10T22:23:00.000-05:00

So do you ever have those moments in time when you look back and say, "what was I thinking?!"... I've had so many of those lately, seriously. One recently has really just broken my heart, and I wish I could go back and think clearly! Here's the story...

Last Saturday, like a week and a half ago, we went to PetSmart to just 'look' at all the cute puppies that were up for adoption. I LOVE going to see these cuties, and always leave wishing I could take them home and love them (except for the chihuahas, no offense). Well this particular Saturday there was a precious little weimaraner mix, that just happened to be a little girl. As you probably know we have one huge baby already, Malachi, but he's pretty much his Dad's dog- he's just not a Momma's boy. Anyways, Dustin and I decided to adopt this little girl that we named Elliot, she was adorable!

Well we brought her home, pink collar & leash in tow, hoping she and Malachi would work out any differences and that he would have a new friend! I'm not sure if we were just being overprotective parents for Malachi's sake or what, but the whole week we went back and forth as to whether we were going to keep her- you know, evaluating every little way it would affect Malachi and whether this was a positive change or if it would negatively affect him, so on and so forth. All the while, I was getting very attached to this cuddling cutie. You see, Malachi won't let me cuddle with him, and Elliot LOVED cuddling with me, I had to make her stop sometimes!

So, we finally decided Saturday that Malachi was more stressed than normal and we weren't sure if Elliot was entirely healthy, and so on and so forth...so we took her back to the rescue shelter. I'm pretty sure I cried a sum of at least 4-5 hours afterwards, which should have told us something. Dustin even stopped twice on the way home wanting to turn around and go get her. So we decided late that night that we would go get her in the morning and that we had made a terrible mistake! Sunday morning rolled around (yesterday) and we went to church and had lunch and then had discussion after discussion (along with many tears on my behalf) about what we should do!

Should we get her, were we supposed to take her back, did Malachi miss her, would she find a better home, etc...it was very emotionally draining really. Well at 4:40pm Sunday afternoon we decided to go pick her up, mind you they close at 5:00pm. We were sure she would still be there seeing how it had only been a day since we dropped her off. So we raced out there, literally going 85mph, very excited and anxious to get our little girl back! And what do you know, after all those tears, she had been adopted that morning.... sigh...

So, we headed back home, no Elliot, no cuddling licker to greet me when I get up in the morning, no crazy tail wagging dog to follow me everywhere... Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE Malachi as if the dog was actually my own child, and if you know us even slightly you realize this, but....I really got attached to Elliot, and I really wish I could go get her from wherever she is. Dustin even joked, well slightly joked, that he would try to get the shelter owner to call the new owners and get her back - I wish.

MORAL OF THE STORY- don't read too much into things, and don't try to figure out what you're dog is thinking! We now realize that she was a great dog and all she needed was time with Malachi and a good check up at the vet. We were trying so hard to make the right decision that we made all the wrong ones...so while its definitely good to think before you act, sometimes you should just trust your gut. The sad thing is our camera is broken so I never even got to take a picture of her adorable little face! :( We're still hoping they'll call us to let us know she's been brought back and is waiting for us.

Onto other, happier news though- our good friends Chance & Josey are celebrating their 1 year Anniversary tonight!! Woohoo! Congrats guys! We miss you so much and wish we could be there to tell you congrats in person! What a year its been. (BTW- Dustin and I celebrate our 1 year on this coming Sunday! WOW!)

Also, we're still selling the H3 and the truck so if you know anyone that's interested let us know!

Oh, and I hope you're enjoying my awesome Christmas tunes!! I find them quite delightful while I sit here with my hot apple cider, the smell of cinammon and pumpkin candles in the background of my view of our oh-so-cute Christmas tree! I love this season! Thank you Jesus for the joy it brings me! Ok, this was a long one, have a great rest of the week!

love & blessings,
colleen

::for sale::

2008-11-05T21:26:00.001-05:00

2007 Hummer H3

AWD with 4 high/4 low differential locks

Black with black leather interior

Navigation

Sunroof

OnStar

Luxury Package

Towing Package

39k miles

$26,000 OBO

______________________

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT+Sport 4x4

Black with charcoal leather interior with suede inserts

3" lift kit

17" Alloy Rims

35" off road tires

Metal Toolbox

Bedliner

Power windows/locks

60k miles

$12,500 OBO

***Photos to come soon!

GO VOTE!!

2008-10-29T21:20:00.000-04:00

So after many phone calls about changing over our voters registrations, and Potter County not mailing us our absentee forms - we finally got to go vote today! Whew! I was getting a little anxious about the whole thing, but we found some very helpful people and got it done! I have to say I feel even just the slightest bit more peace about it all just knowing I put my two cents in.

The other night I had gotten quite a bit anxious about this whole election. We've been told a few times McCain shouldn't even bother, and that Obama is a shoo in. My head has been spinning with thoughts of wealth redistribution and socialist reformation! I actually had to flat out stop talking about it with the people I work with because I was getting so upset. BUT, while I was praying and reading my Bible the other night, God just reminded me of who He is. If you're out there and you're worried about this election, stop. It gains us nothing to fret over the things of this world, and despite the outcome of November 4th, God is still God, He's still on His throne, and He will still be the one I'll be serving no matter what.

Perhaps the election will turn out the way I'm hoping, perhaps it won't. But either way I hope our country learns a lesson out of this because we have lost sight of what America was founded on and what our forefathers meant by so many things. We need to study our History books a little bit more and listen to the media a little bit less. We need to teach our kids what freedom really is, and that it has been fought for with blood, sweat, and tears...literally. Its not something we get because we deserve it, its not something someone owes you - Freedom is always bought with a price.

All that to say, get your butts out and VOTE! Take a stand for something you believe in, your one vote will make a difference!

Now, after my long patriotic speech I'm sure its quite obvious as to what side I slightly lean more towards ;) So....with that in mind, I'll share a funny email I got the other day. Go ahead Democrats, you can laugh, I won't tell anyone....

.b.i.t.t.e.r.

2008-10-23T18:14:00.000-04:00

So its been a long day, I'm tired, and though I should probably wait to write this until I'm a little less frustrated, I'm going for it anyway. Yes, I'm extremely frustrated and add to that just a tad bit of irritation and you have the makings of one unhappy, slightly bitter teacher. While I have to be careful about the who's and what's of everything because of confidentiality laws, lets seriously lay out our education system and society for that matter.

I need to know at what point in time it became socially acceptable to teach your kids the world owed you something, and if the world didn't get it to you then you should just sue them to get it. I need to know which generation dropped the ball and taught their children that they didn't have to take responsibility for their actions. I also need to know when the idea of sowing and reaping just got the boot from our society... I need to know so I can have some sanity about the world we live in and the places we teach.

I would also like to know why everyone wants to talk and debate and play politics with a classroom, when the last time they stepped in one was high school. I'd like to know why we keep talking about fixing our education system, but nothing is really being done. I'd like to know why my job has become dependent upon results from one test on one day from an entire 187 day school year. I'd like to know why parents now expect the school systems to teach their children their morals and character, and then they get to moan and complain when their kids don't turn out the way they think they should. Or why they somehow think I have time to deal with outlandish behavior when I have 29 other kids to teach a million stinking teks to in a 50 minute period a day....yet when I take actions to control some kids behavior I'm the one out of line.

Will someone please do me a favor and fix these problems? State officials will you quit talking about how terrible our mandated tests are and instead do something to change the system, and can we PLEASE STOP trying to say that this guy from Chicago that wants to increase the governments say so in things might actually change something for the better...please. Government, back off please - I pay my taxes, now you choose to spend them wisely and quit telling us how to run our lives.

I should stop because I don't want to get into politics, though politics permeates almost every aspect of my job. For all of you that think that teachers have a cake job and get paid too much because we get holidays and a summer vacation, please come fill in for me and explain how we could maintain our sanity without them...and then please give me a pay raise.

To my kids out there that probably aren't even reading this blog, I have to come back to you at the end of the day....because every once in awhile you remind me why I got into this profession, and the joy I feel when I see you growing and succeeding is the only thing that keeps me in it. To think I could play a small role in changing a child's life is beyond measure, and when God reminds me that's why I'm here, that's all that matters.

Another summer day...

2008-10-22T22:56:00.000-04:00

Has come and gone away! (In the oh-so-wonderful words of Michael Buble!) And its officially fall! On the average day here in South Texas you wouldn't know it though, because its been a beautiful 80 or so degrees everday - it feels like an early summer day back home! From what we've heard Amarillo has already gotten its first super cold front of the year, and I was quite the jealous one to hear it was only 42 degrees there! Josey- the offer is still on the table, you come teach here for me and I'll go home and work for you!

Anyways, enough about the weather...I had to make our title a quote from a Michael Buble song for a very specific reason: WE SAW MICHAEL BUBLE LIVE! It was amazing, it was romantic, it was funny, and it was the perfect anniversary present from my thoughtful husband! Now, if you are one of those people that don't know who I am referring to, here's what I want you to do: 1st-Listen to the tunes on our blog, about half of them are Michael Buble. 2nd- Go to his website http://www.michaelbuble.com/ , and 3rd- youtube him if you need to see him in action. He's almost equivical to a modern day Frank Sinatra, though I'd like to think he's actually better!

At the concert

We ventured up to Fort Worth 2 weeks ago to go enjoy this early 'anniversary trip', which worked out great because we got to hang out with some fam! We stayed with my beautiful sister and her husband Mike and we had so much fun! It wasn't that we had to go do something incredible, we just ate lunch and hung out, but it was great. Carrie that trip made me realize just how much I miss seeing you, I love you sister! Unfortunately I wasn't thinking and we didn't get any photos together :( but here is one of us from her shower last year!

Love you sister!

After the concert on Saturday we went and stayed the night with Dustin's sister and bro-in-law, Mike & Leslie, and his parents drove down so we were able to see everyone at once! All in all it was a great weekend getaway!

Michael Buble

Yes we were that close!!!

As for the rest of our lives, I admit I'm a terrible blogger - and I'm pretty sure I come to that conclusion every couple of weeks that I update this! But if you'll notice I've already started getting in the holiday spirit as my music is now the lovely sound of Christmas Music!! (I KNOW, its October...but who says there's a time limit on Christmas!?!) Stacie I'm glad you can appreciate the season as much as I do! And yes, I've already put up and decorated our Christmas tree! :)

Well I know this blog is long but for those of you that miss us or are just that interested, I know you've stuck it out! While I'm really not missing Amarillo as much as I used to, I'm realizing how much I miss the people there (and a few from DFW)! I miss my Mom and Dad, I miss my inlaws, I miss my sister like crazy, I miss my pastors, I miss my old coworkers.....and lately I've really been missing my girlfriends. Josey, Allison, Stacie - anytime you want to come hang out in CC, mi casa su casa. (Now you know I'm really in south Texas!) But really, I miss you girls a lot - I miss going to get coffee and hanging out at Roasters, or laying out and tanning, or driving around doing absolutely nothing, but enjoying every minute of it! I hope you girls realize how much I love each one of you!

Thanks for sticking through my long update of a blog, leave some love please :) and have a blessed week!
-colleen

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank ...
Jeremiah 17:7-8

::FIREPROOF::

2008-10-05T10:15:00.000-04:00

So I have to do a movie plug since we actually saw a movie that a)we didn't feel the need to leave at one point or another and b)could actually make a difference in someone's life. We saw Fireproof last night and we both thought it was a great movie, the best this group has done in our opinion (they are also responsible for Facing the Giants & Flywheel).

I thought there were a few cheesy moments, and yes some of the acting at the beginning is, well, lacking....BUT, hang in there because they honestly get better and the message for married couples is one our Nation is in great need of. Personally my favorite part was the bouquet of roses, and Dustin's was the scene in the Firehouse bay at the end of the movie. (I don't want to give away details in case you haven't seen it).

Anyways, definitely a worthwhile show to go see - and we should all be supporting any effort that gives America God's real definition of a marriage....forever.

I hope you're having a great weekend! Love & blessings, Colleen

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/
http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/

Detox Diet: Me vs. the Cheeseburger

2008-09-26T17:28:00.001-04:00

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: As of 7pm I've jumped OFF the detox train and ONTO the workout train...sorry to disappoint any of you following my detox! I know I won't stick to this way of eating forever so I'm just whipping my butt in shape the old fashion way - WORK! I do feel like the detox of 4 whole days did help in some ways though - I no longer feel the need to have coffee every waking minute AND I have enjoyed eating at home more, I just dont dig the constraints of this thing(only veggies & fruits). Anywho, just thought I'd update everyone, I know its sad it only lasted 4 days, but....oh well!!! :)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Friday afternoon! Thank goodness its the weekend, its been a very busy week! With the six weeks ending at school and starting this diet and Dustin having a few tests this week it feels like it was long, but it really flew by!

So.....obviously I haven't stuck to blogging everyday about the detox diet, I'm sorry!! I was so tired the first few nights I got what I had to done, then slept, and slept, and slept some more! The first night was intense - never have I wanted a big juicy Whataburger cheeseburger in all my life! My body was crying for bread and meat and cheese, all put together with a side of fries and some ketchup...I complained, and whined, and complained some more, but my husband wouldn't let me do it - so I went to sleep! Then on the second night all I wanted was a pizza! And I thought I'd be craving sugar! But, all in all I've stuck with it pretty close. My coworkers think I'm some organic freak now (which I'm totally not) and I'm not completely convinced of the organic-meatless-cheeseless-sugarless ways yet, but, I've stuck with it....and if thats all I accomplish at least I know I have 4 days worth of self control! :) (Lonnie - its the weekend, does that mean I get cookies & ice cream!?!) haha....

Anyhow, things in the Brooks fam beyond the diet have been great!

*Dustin's cousin Jessica finally got ENGAGED! We're so excited for her too! She's going to be a beautiful bride!
*We also got to see all of our family when we evacuated for Ike, which was so needed (at least for me!) So despite the 24 hours in a car within 4 days thing, we had a lot of fun!
*I also have this amazing friend who found out she's pregnant, but I can't reveal the name yet because they haven't revealed it to their family...and that would just be rude!
*We are going to see Michael Buble in Fort Worth in a couple of weeks!!!!! (& an exciting note to that: I AM GOING TO THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY! Yummmo!)

On another note, Dustin is still looking into/applying for med school, so prayers for direction and timing would be oh-so-appreciated :) Thank you!!!

Well we are off to K-town to watch some French guy for Dustin's French class.....so I'll leave you with a few fun photos of our trip home! Bon appetit! (that's the only thing in French I could think of to end this with! haha!)

(ps - I'll try to be a better blogger about the detox, if I can actually stick with it through the weekend!)

The Brooks Fam

My Love!

Crazy Dogs!

So studious!

Getting Skinny! : Detox Day 1

2008-09-22T22:21:00.000-04:00

So as promised, I'm starting my detox tomorrow and I'm going to really try to blog about each day and what I'm eating so that I can a. keep myself accountable (since my husband will still be enjoying delicious carbs & coffee!) and b. let you know if its really working! I just finished watching the video about it, and I'm farily confident that I'll be toxin free and much lighter in 21 days as long as I can stick with it...cough, cough (here is where encouraging notes and 'you can do its' come into play!) :) While my main goal in all this is really just to jumpstart my getting back into shape and losing, hopefully, a lot of weight - I think its pretty cool that I'll be getting rid of the toxins too. Anyways, here's my lineup for tomorrow, we'll see how it goes!

Breakfast: Fruit Smoothie (Frozen blueberries, strawberries, raspberries & ice with SP Complete & Whey Protein)

Snack: Celery sticks

Lunch: Spinach salad with tomatos, carrots, bell pepper, cucumbers; apple.

Snack: Carrot sticks & kiwi

Snack after school: Chocolate protein shake with SP Complete

Dinner: Wild rice, stir fried carrots, asparagus, & bell peppers; baked red apple with cinnamon.

LOTS of WATER!
No processed anything, no sugars or processed oils!
Lots of supplements & protein.

Check back tomorrow night to see how my first day goes and how tasty my food is! My tiny sister in law, who is active anyways, lost 13lbs; my bro-in-law, also super active, lost 15lbs; and my father in law, who hasn't gotten to work out as much bc of work, and has cheated a time or two, has already lost 17lbs....I'm going for at least 15!!

Here's to getting healthy!

blessings & love, colleen

(PS - MOM, I MISS YOU! CALL ME! :) )

Ike-aramba!!

2008-09-09T21:23:00.001-04:00

So its been awhile...I know, and for those of you that read this I'm sorry its been an uneventful blog for quite a few weeks! I'm sad to say that my camera has broken and all the photos turn out fuzzy, thus one of the reasons there has been a lack of blogging (as I think photos make blogs so much more exciting!). Another reason, I started back to school and I've really just been worn out! I'm at that stage in the year again, asking myself why in the world I went back to teaching 8th grade Math - all the pressures of state testing, federal accountability, ESL, LEP, special education and just plain ol' regular kids gets really overwhelming the first couple of weeks...I'm seriously thinking about trying to teach govt or economics next year. Not that I'm complaining, I work at a great school, and besides the fact that I miss my friend Allison like crazy, its going pretty well here.

Onto more eventful news! We did get to spend last weekend in Galveston & Houston, which was a lot of fun! I loved Houston this time! When we went there to evacuate from Hurricane Dolly it was dirty and muggy and I developed a rather bad cough that, yes almost 2 months later, has still not gone away (Mom I'm making a doctor's appt, I promise!). Anyways, we stayed right by the Galleria and had a much better time! The point of our trip was to hang out with Taylor & Holly, their baby shower was Saturday, before Miss Cameron Avery makes her debut next month! We had a blast but we're both exhausted.

Which leads me on to our upcoming 'excitement' - which is not self induced. Hurricane Ike is chillin' in the Gulf of Mexico, probably finishing up what's left of poor Cuba, and still deciding whether he would like to stop and pay Corpus Christi a visit. From what it looks like, no matter where he lands, if he lands we're going to see the effects of it...this hurricane looks HUGE! So, hopefully he will just dissipate and we won't hear anymore babble about Ike!! Unfortunately, I'm sure that won't be the case. Just in case you're worried about us, don't be, if they cancel school for both of us we'll probably escape to San Antonio for another short 'vacation'. Do please pray that wherever Ike lands, that he'll be more of a welcomed rainy visitor instead of the predicted rude & windy guest!

And for the last of my blog, as long as we don't have to take off anytime soon, I'm about to start a detox diet! Dustin's sister Leslie did this this summer and has my interest peaked, so I'm going to do it!! She mailed us the stuff yesterday so if all goes well I'll start Thursday! No coffee, no sugar, lots of fruits & veggies, and lots of working out! I've decided whenever I start I'm going to try to do a daily, or every other daily, blog to keep myself accountable and to let you know if it really does work! Here's hoping I have the self control and determination to get my butt in shape!!

I hope everyone's doing well! I miss you fam and can't wait to see you in the next few months! love & blessings, colleen

ATOWN

2008-08-20T21:42:00.001-04:00

So, for all of you that actually read and/or keep up with our blog, I just thought I'd share my sentiments from the last few days!
1. I really, reallly, miss my Mom! And I really, really miss all my family, my Dad, sister, inlaws, everyone! I love you all so much, and if anything this move has made me realize that even more. I promise, I'm working on my phone etiquette and will try to get better about calling! :)
2. I really, reallllllly miss our church at home, well back in Amarillo because this is home now.
3. I really, reallly, miss my best friends. I miss you Stacie & Jake! I so wish we were there to watch Havyn grow and change, and just hang out with you both more. I miss you Allison! You know why I wish I was there, even though I cant say it! :) But I do miss seeing you at school, and I'm sure I'll miss our weekly talks.
3. I really miss waking up to the cool, clean smelling breeze of Amarillo. I miss the need for a light jacket after sunset, and the ability to wear jeans the entire day.
4. I really, really thought it would be a lot easier to adjust to being 1000 miles away from the place I grew up, and have pretty much always lived.
5. I even miss my old school.

BUT, even though I miss so many things, I realize how many wonderful things Corpus has to offer:
1. My husband. My ever patient, always loving, handsome husband. He shows me strength when I need it the most, and has the ability to comfort me even when I'm sure its hard.
2. My new job! Its great, really, much better than I could have hoped for and I'm expecting the school year to be just as wonderful. Sure there will be those quirky days, and I'm sure there will be more than enough drama, but honestly I think its going to be refreshing.
3. The ocean! Sure it has some FUNKY smells, and the salt water tastes pretty disgusting - but, it is pretty cool to get to hang out there every weekend...to live only 10 minutes from this amazing, unending, huge body of water...And I might add that it makes for some amazing sunrises/sunsets and cloudy days!
4. Church- well we're working on it. Dustin has finally made me confront the fact that I can't replace Kenny, maybe that will help with our search for a new church home.
5. Chance & Josey - they have been wonderful friends, and I wish they would reconsider moving back to A-town!! Seriously guys, the nook is totally yours ;)

Anyways, I just wanted to let everyone know that even in the midst of missing so many wonderful and good things about Amarillo, I'm learning to love the place that I am, and I'm even more excited about the places we're going! ***** This place is just a stepping stone!

I hope that everyone is having a great week, here's to a new school year! (We start Monday!!)

love & blessings,
colleen

*****Rhonda the stars are just for you, because I totally can't stand Lubbock, but I did have a dream last night that we moved there, so who knows!! Love you! ;)

Exciting news

2008-08-08T17:44:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to say a big CONGRATULATIONS!!!! to our good friend Craig! He is engaged and will be getting married in November! He has asked Dustin to be a part of his big day, and I just know Dustin is honored for Craig to include him. What's also pretty cool is they will be getting married the week of Dustin and I's one year anniversary, so we will get to go join in on Craig's celebration, as we also celebrate on our own! So, if you know of anything cool to do in Lexington, KY - let us know! Congrats again Craig & Sarah!!

-shout, shout, let it all out -

2008-08-05T15:28:00.000-04:00

Haha, I'm pretty impressed with my blog title, it totally made me laugh. Anyways...the point of this blog is to give a shout out to Leslie & Mike, my sister & brother-in-law, who have decided to join the blogging world! I thought they had given up on it, but here's hoping they keep it going! Love you guys!

::ATTN PLEASE::

2008-07-31T10:53:00.000-04:00

So my favorite photographer in the world and I are trying to figure out a way she can still do Dustin & I's Christmas cards this year (yes I know its July, what can I say but I like to think ahead) and so she is thinking about making a trip down to Corpus Christi to visit and do our session! Yay for us, but totally not worth the drive/flight for her for just one session! So....

I wanted to see if anyone in the area, or close surrounding areas, or far away areas that just want to come see us :), would be interested in doing a family session with Lezlie Andrew (in CC) for Christmas Cards, engagements, maternity, newborns, just for fun, etc...so that a trip down here would be a little more worth the while. Remember, we have a beach here so she could get some, in her words, "stellar" shots! :)

Please let me know if you're interested, and by all means, refer her to your friends & let us know. Here is her website and few examples of her work, which is always great, plus she's pretty rad herself.

**We're not set on a weekend yet so if you're interested let me know when also! Thanks!
**AND, remember family photos always make great gifts for the holidays :)

http://www.lezlieandrew.com/

Updates...

2008-07-30T10:41:00.001-04:00

A few things have been going on in our world so I'll try to update you..

1. We were in Houston all last week due to the lovely Hurricane Dolly, which thank goodness didn't hit Corpus nearly as bad as Padre or Brownsville. Dustin's parents surprised us and met us there, so we got to hang out with them for a few days! It was nice to see some fam! We also stayed the night with our friends Taylor & Holly. Dustin & Taylor played baseball together in college and were also roommates. He & Holly were married only a couple of weeks after Dusitn & I, but have definitely beat us to the baby train! They are expecting their little girl in October! I have some photos to come of our fun trip! It was great to see everyone!!

2. While in the lovely smog & smoke of H-town, I developed a rather nasty cough, which turned into a cough/fever by Friday night. By Monday night I had downed 2 bottles of Robitussin and quite a few Extra Strength Tylenol to combat the 102 degree fever and terrible cough. But, its Wednesday and though I'm still coughing, its not as bad and I'm feeling much better. Thanks to my wonderful husband for taking care of me all weekend, I love you!

3. I GOT A JOB!!! Yes, after getting little anxious about school starting in less than a month and no for sure job offers, I got a job on Monday at Flour Bluff Jr. High! I had a second interview that morning, which during normal circumstances would be great, but I was sick, running a fever, and it was terribly humid that day! So....I'm sure they thought I looked horrible or was just reallly nervous, but none the less, I got the job! Praise God!

4. Our friend Timothy has been deployed in Iraq for the last 8 months, and is FINALLY home with his wife Angie. He is safe and she was able to pick him up from OKC this last weekend. Just wanted to give them a shout out, we love you guys and Tim - thank you.

5. Our other good friends Chance & Josey relocated to Round Rock about a week and a half ago! Chance plays in the minor leagues for the Astros, and was pulled up to the triple a program! Way to go Chance, we are so proud of you! And, in case Josey didn't tell you, remember you guys can totally move back to Corpus and live in our "nook"....haha, miss you guys!

Ok so I think those are it for now, we love & miss everyone and remember our door is always open if you want to come see the beach! blessings- colleen

::TROPICAL STORM - DOLLY::

2008-07-21T19:10:00.000-04:00

So - when we decided to move to Corpus Christi, both sets of our parents were like, "if there is a hurricane, just get out", which I always replied with a passive "ok, we'll be fine", honestly thinking to myself, that's never actually going to happen....

Well last night we were driving down SPID and one of the message signs on the side of the road said HURRICANE SEASON: KEEP GAS TANKS FULL - which really freaked me out because I was like, whoa, that really could happen. Then to my surprise today, I heard on the radio that a tropical storm was being watched over the Gulf of Mexico and that the entire Coastal Bend was under a Hurricane Watch! What?! Seriously, we live literally on the Corpus Christi Bay, I see the water every time I leave my apartment!

So needless to say I kinda freaked out, and Dustin and I went to HEB and got our water, filled up our gas tanks, and are making a stack of stuff to grab should we have to leave. We've already decided upon our destination point and the routes we will take to get there, just in case we get separated- so parents, be assured we will be ok. But, if you happen to read this, please pray for protection and better yet, for a dissipation of this "tropical" storm, because its supposed to greet our new home around Tuesday afternoon. Anyways, here is a link to what the storm looks like in motion, and a photo of what it is now.

So I guess this is our South Texas 'WELCOME', yay for us.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid823425597/bclid877032950/bctid959746457

I wear my sunglasses at night...

2008-07-17T18:39:00.000-04:00

Haha, ok so I really don't - well, most of the time I don't... BUT, I did wear them while laying out at our oh so wonderful pool today! Josie & I were out there for probably 2 hours soaking up the sun, the very bright sun! I did slather on my spf 4 tanning lotion though, so the burn is very minimal and should transform into a tan by tomorrow morning, but as for my face, haha - lets just say Dustin's first words when he came home from school were, "Hey raccoon eyes!" Yes, I wear the rather obnoxiously large sunglasses, so yes, they left rather large white circles around my eyes and line across the side of my face! So, tanners beware: you should turn your face often enough that you don't get the raccoon eyes!

Warning: I do not have any make up on in the following photo, which for me is lovely, but the camera doesn't necessarily agree. (and sadly, you can't really see my tan lines as well in this photo as you can in person) but enjoy anyways!

(Our apartment & the lovely pool!)

::Request Please::

2008-07-16T15:15:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon! I'm just writing this to ask for your prayers for a couple of my best friends ever...they've just had a really rough week, from car accidents to unexpected home renovations. They are pretty much some of the coolest people I know, so I'd appreciate you lifting them up. Thanks & have an abundantly blessed week...love- colleen

These are some throwbacks of us in college, just a day or two ago right??

c.o.f.f.e.y

2008-07-15T13:55:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/coffeysouthernman

I really dig this guy.

Check it out.

The new crib & the beach!

2008-07-10T14:29:00.000-04:00

So as most of you know we moved to Corpus Christi this past weekend, and I've been way behind in my blogging! The move was long and tiring, and we're just now really settling in but I think its going to be great for the year we're here. I'm still looking for a job (any suggestions to get a school district to call???) and Dustin started school on Monday so he's already back in the swing of things. I'm intending to send moving announcements, but if you want our new address just let me know! We have a few good friends down here, which is so nice, but its definitely weird not being at home in A-town, so comments and notes are definitely welcome! :) I hope everyone is enjoying their summer, here are some photos with more to come! blessings & love- colleen

Boxes, boxes, boxes!!

Peace, we're out.

Goodbye 1614! Hello beach!

Brooks Fam'

Our day at the beach!

The new bedroom furniture!

The Loveseat

Dining room

The Kitchen

Sorry some of the photos are fuzzy, not sure whats up with my camera! But we have a guest bed so let me know if you want to come see our place & visit the beach! I'd love company! :)

The CC

2008-07-09T13:28:00.000-04:00

Ok so we're moved and in our new apartment! We're loving our new place, and adjusting to Corpus - I'll post pics soon, just wanted to let everyone know we're doing good! blessings & love- colleen

Its already been a year!

2008-06-17T21:25:00.000-04:00

So a year ago yesterday was the fabulous day that Dustin & I got engaged! This past year has gone by so much faster than I ever imagined, and been better than I could have thought it could be! We've already been married for 7 months and we're about to venture out on our own and move to Corpus Christi, which we're completely excited about! Anyways, just wanted to share some photos from a year ago when Dustin proposed, it was at our "spot" - Gene Howe Elementary, which is very special to us. This is where we both went to elementary, would go to hang out and talk as friends in high school, the place where we started dating and had our first kiss, and just a constant place we would go to talk about our dreams for the future when we were dating - its a simple place, but it means so much. Enjoy the photos (our proposal, some from the rehearsal, wedding, & honeymoon!), and if you want to hang out before we leave let us know! We leave in 17 days!! blessings & love- colleen

two-n-one

2008-06-09T22:06:00.000-04:00

So it must be quite the night if I'm on my second blog, but I just have to tell you to go check this video out!! If I could figure out how to load it I would, but I'm not that technologically advanced :) Seriously .... check it out. -colleen

http://godtube.com/coffey

Whoa whoa whoa....

2008-06-09T20:56:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned time flies?! I just realized Dustin & I move in 25 days.... whoa! I have a lot of things to do, people to hang out with, and packing to start before that day gets here! Anyways, just thought I'd share the revelation of how short of a time we have left here in A-town, here are a few photos from our hiking trip to PDC a couple of weeks ago! Enjoy, blessings- colleen

These are a few of my favorite things!

2008-06-03T22:34:00.000-04:00

So after blog surfing for a little while I've been inspired to post a blog and upload some pics! I really liked reading ones about "my favorites things", so here goes!

1.My HUSBAND - He is patient, loving, hard working, handsome and has such an amazing servant's heart. He loves the Lord, and shares his love. He loves me and always tells me I'm beautiful (especially on the days I'm probably not, but really need to hear it!) He is my best friend and Godsend, the one I get to share this adventure of life with. He watches PS I Love You with me even though he knows I'll be crying or asleep in 10 minutes, and always cleans the bathroom so I dont have to! Dustin, I love you & I'm so excited about this new path in our jouney together! You are definitely one of my most favorite things!

2. My FAMILY - My parents, Dustin's parents, my sister & Mike, Leslie & Mike, and Stacie, Jake & Havyn. I love my family because what I've come to find as I get older is that I can always count on my family - they love us, always have our best interest in mind, and have become the best friends I could ever have. I love you guys!

3. My MALACHI - yes, I absolutely love our dog! He is as close to a child as dogs can come, and I love to cuddle with him after a long day at work! He is the epitomy of the word loyal, and loves just to be around Dustin & I. I'm so glad we got him after we got married, even if the dude is huge for a 9 month old! Here's me & my precious puppy!

4. My JOB - amazing isn't it? After all the griping, aggrivation, and hypocrisy that I felt I dealt with all year, I really do miss my kids and teaching. I started working at the bank just for a summer job, and its so much less rewarding. Here are a few photos of my students & my classroom....while I am glad to have a break from TAKS tests, backtalk, office referrals, &teacher drama - I have to say I miss hearing Miss, Miss what does this mean, or Miss you look pretty today. I know people think I'm crazy for teaching junior high, but those eighth graders taught me as much as I taught them.

5. My morning trip to STARBUCKS- yes, my husband hates it and I wish I could get around loving it, but a grande non fat carmel macchiato is one of the most delightful things for me in the morning! The eye opening smell of freshly roasted coffee and the hope of pulling up to that drive through window and getting the perfect cup of coffee is a routine I'm having a hard time breaking!

6. My favorite book - REDEEMING LOVE - ladies & gentlemen if you haven't read this book, I highly recommend you set aside anything you had to do the next 2 days and go buy this book - besides the Bible, this book is at the very top of my list, I've reread it 3 or 4 times, and it exepmlifies God's redemptive love for us.

7. My favorite shopping trip is to ULTA - I think I've been there 3 times this week, from make up to hair products to perfume and nail polish, everytime I leave this store I feel like I'm going to look pretty & feel relaxed! Plus they have really great buy 2 get 1 free deals, and I like deals :)

8. My favorite memories- I have to say there are quite a few, but among my faves are: hanging out with my grandpa in his shop digging up worms as a little kid, building forts in the lving room with my sister as kids, realizing I'd changed from that "defiant child" relationship with my parents to "friends", Dustin asking me to be his wife, being his wife, being at the hospital when Havyn was born, hanging out way too late with Stacie & Jake, realizing who I am in Christ & who I am to Him.

9. My favorite stress reliever - naps, driving, laughing, fervently telling Dustin every detail about what I think about what is going on and explaining why I feel that way, prayer, deep breaths, checking myself(is this going to matter in a year, a week, a day?), #1 with strawberries & ice cream from bahama bucks :)

And last but not least...

10. My favorite things - are to live, and to live life more abundantly! I love hearing God & seeing Him speak to my husband & I through His Word. I love that when He says go, we are. I love Jesus Christ, and fail everyday to remember what exactly He did for us on that cross, and more so what He did by coming down from it and LIVING! I love seeing Him plant new and refreshed desires in peoples lives, and the testimony that comes from following or just leaning upon the Lord. I truly do love the life He's so generously blessed me with.

Ok, so that was LOOOONNNGGG! Sorry, I just got on a roll and figured it will be awhile before I post again. Please keep Dustin & I in your prayers as we move in just over a month! We're excited about the new things going on in our life, and really want to continue just hearing the Lord and doing what He says! Have a very blessed week! love, colleen

What a ride...

2008-05-29T17:16:00.000-04:00

Soooo - I've been terrible about blogging lately and life has just been kinda whirlwind bittersweet crazy! Tomorrow is my last day of school, and wow, like the title, what a ride. Part of me is ecstatic, part of me knows I'm really going to miss some of those kids - not all, haha - but some! During these last few weeks of school Dustin and I have been sorting out and finalizing the details of our move to Corpus Christi, which is only in 5 weeks! Again, wow. The Lord has been moving so much in our lives recently and really resassuring us in the direction He has for our lives - its definitely different from what we thought it would be, but its so awesome. We still have some family members to fill in on our recent decisions so I'll wait to blog about them! Also, I always love to post photos of what's going on in our lives but I'm just too lazy right now to go hook up the camera to the computer, so maybe later this weekend the photos will be here too! I hope life is well for you all, love & blessings- colleen
Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of man prepares his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

And we're out....

2008-05-03T09:04:00.000-04:00

That's right, we decided to move this summer! Corpus Christi here we come! Dustin has a tryout this weekend in St. Louis that will give us some direction as to where he will be, but as for me my summer project will be moving us down to Corpus probably mid-Julyish! We're super excited for this temporary change of location, and I'm excited about hanging out on the beach! We're going to try to get a house or at least a 2 bedroom apartment so if you're ever down south you'll have to stop by! Well I just wanted to share the news, have a blessed weekend!

She's here!

2008-04-26T10:29:00.000-04:00

Miss Havyn Brooke made her beautiful debut Thursday at 4:15pm. I'm so amazed by her, how tiny and precious she is. I got off work just in time to see Stacie before she went into labor, and I couldn't believe how great she looked! It was one of the most touching moments in my life, to see my best friends welcome their daughter into the world...seeing single tears drop from Jacob's cheek as he held her in the nursery; watching them glow as they held her to take family pictures; listening to how proud Jacob was of Stacie, bragging about how easy she made everything look, and believe me she did great! It is so crazy that they are parents now, but at the same time it made me a little more anxious for that experience...BUT, we are still waiting for a few more years! :) Hopefully we'll catch Jacob & Stacie on their second go around so our kids can grow up together like Jake & Dustin. Anyways, enough chit chat, here are the photos of beautiful Havyn Brooke!

Two cuties...

2008-04-19T19:10:00.000-04:00

Ok, so here are some new photos I promised! Our other computer is pretty much on its last leg, so I've finally figured out uploading on Dustin's computer! I keep telling him to get me a new macbook pro, but he's just not convinced yet :) I went and walked Malachi with Rhonda and Yaffie(the white one) and here they are after the walk! They are pretty much best friends and inseperable, Malachi whined at the door for about 10 minutes after she left! They are just too cute! (By the way, they are only about a month and a half apart!)

The following is a photo of the dessert I made one day this week: S'more Brownies! I was so excited how they turned out, but totally had a "blonde" moment, because I set them on the top of the stove, and totally forgot to turn off one of the burners! As we were eating dinner I couldn't figure out why the marshmallows kept smoking but when we went to eat it, we quickly realized what had happened! It was so sad because it looked so good!

Well I guess I don't have as many photos as I thought I did, but here's one of me & Malachi! He's such a sweetheart! Dustin called not too long ago and he did great at his tryout today, and was asked back for the second half of the tryout tomorrow, and then the league will have a draft. Please keep praying for favor and direction, and thank you so much to those that have been!

I'll have more updates later this week, be looking for a more "summery" hair do! :) Have a fabulous, blessed week....blessings & love-

Its been awhile...

2008-04-15T22:52:00.000-04:00

So its been a few weeks since I've blogged, and I really want to thank everyone that was praying for Dustin's Grandma - she is doing much better and staying in a rehabilitation home until she is strong and back on her feet!

Other things going on with us.... Dustin is going to Mississippi for a baseball tryout this week and we'd love prayers of protection, strength, and favor! He's been working hard and we're really just wanting to seek out everything that God has in store, His direction and peace is of utmost importance!

As for me - round 1 of the TAKS test is done, and now we're reviewing for the 2nd chance testers, hopefully we won't have too many! We are officialy down to 31 days of class, and I'm soooo excited! While this year has been stressful more times than not, I have to say its been a learning experience and I've met a few amazing people because of it!

Lastly, my pastor, Kenny Price, has had an amazing series lately about living from Heaven to earth, just as Christ told us to pray, and it has blessed me so much I thought I'd share it... We often live our day to day in desperation looking at our circumstances as they are on earth and trying to figure out how to make it more like heaven, but what he pointed out is that Christ told us, more than once, to live from Heaven to earth.... i.e. whatever you see going on in Heaven(blessing, health, joy, etc.), you can loose on earth, and if its not going on in Heaven (sickness, despair, etc.) you have the authority to bind it on earth. Its not just something they threw in the Bible, we're really supposed to live this way! Anyways, I'll look up the scriptures he used and blog it soon, but I hope that sentence alone is a blessing to you and anything you're walking through!

Well, no post is complete without a few photos, so here is one of our precious Malachi (about 80lbs now), Dustin & I at supercross, and the wonderful dessert I made that we didn't get to eat! (S'mores brownies, I left them on the stove while we ate and didn't realize the burner was on, yeah, they were a little too toasty...so, so sad!) Enjoy! love & blessings-

(So my computer is being ridiculous, more photos another night :) )

We are family!

2008-04-02T11:45:00.000-04:00

So about a week and a half ago Dustin and I went to Fort Worth with his fam and met with our favorite photog Lezlie! She shot our family session at the botanical gardens as our gift to Dustin's parents for their 30th Anniversary! Here are a few of the shots Lezlie posted.

I took today off because its just flat been a rough week and Dustin's Grandmother is in the hospital right now, so we weren't home until super late last night! I would appreciate any prayers for strength to make it through the next 2 months of school, and definitely prayers for Rose to stand on the Word that she is healed. Have a blessed day-

Our new ride...

2008-03-18T09:12:00.000-04:00

So I still haven't taken very many photos, I've been too busy driving around :) I'll try to take some more today since I'm on spring break, thank goodness! Here is one of our new H3, and of course one of our precious Malachi! He is about 75lbs now.... Enjoy!

Humma'

2008-03-15T23:11:00.000-04:00

We got a new car & I'm so super thankful for it & completely in love with it! I'll post pics soon, but just thought I'd share the new excitement!! blessings- colleen

La-te-da...

2008-03-11T18:04:00.001-04:00

So I'm tired of seeing my same old blg when I log in, but I don't have much news to post about. Spring break is in a week and I'm convinced now more than ever that spring break was made for teachers, not students! :) We don't have huge plans as Dustin will be working during the week, so hopefully I'll get to catch up with some girlfriends and get ready for Stacie's shower in a few weeks! We are going to Dallas the last part of the week to see some fam and have a family park session with Lezlie at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens, it will be tons-o-fun, I'm sure of it!

I did learn something cool this Sunday at church about the word shalom that I'll share, it definitely blessed me! Our pastor was talking to us about how we have americanized different words, such as church, peace, etc... (Just so you know, church isn't a place, its a body of people..) Anywho, I don't hear too many people say the word shalom, but many identify the word with peace, which many Americans believe means an absence of conflict or war....what I think is so cool, is that Shalom doesn't mean an absence of conflict, but yet the "presence of the Person who has dominion over all present circumstances", now that is true peace! Knowing that God has dominion, knowing that its His kingdom, and that he is the King with dominion! I hope that blesses you as much as it did me... Check out more about the building where we meet the church, The Summit.

I don't have any new photos to share, so I'll post some old ones of my bridals I took with Lezlie back in October! It's crazy to me that Dustin & I have been married almost 4 months now, what a blessing to be married to such an amazing man! I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do, too bad I can't just sit around in that dress! :) blessings & love-

The last one is my favorite, so me! (ask my mom :) )

Mark 4:39 "Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm."

Sista-Sista

2008-02-28T21:08:00.000-05:00

So my favorite photographer did a headshot session with my beautiful sister and I wanted give her props for her work and show everyone how lovely my sister is! Here are a few of my favorites!!

Check Lezlie's other work out at her blog or on her website!!

I'm really excited because we are going to do a family park session with her for Dustin's parents 30th anniversary gift! I asked his Mom if it felt like 30 years, and she said it just flew by...I can totally see why, because Dustin & I are already going on 4 months, and my sister is planning their 1 year anniversary trip! It seems like yesterday that we were building a sleeping bag fort in my parents living room, or fighting over who got to wear what to school, or walking around our college campus together....just so you know sister, I love & miss seeing you!!

Well I don't have any other new photos to share, but Malachi is growing everyday, we think he is about 65lbs now! Isn't it crazy! And, for those of you interested in our lives :), we are going to train Malachi to be a search & rescue dog, and also certify him to do therapy at the hospital!

I hope everyone is having a great week, and I definately recommend reading Isaiah 55 when you can! I've been studying different verses in it this week, and its amazing to me how God starts speaking when we're patient enough to stop, be still, and listen....blessings & love-

OKC

2008-02-18T17:46:00.000-05:00

So the last few weeks of school have been crazy & stressful so for Valentine's day Dusitn & I went out of town and hung out in Oklahoma City for the weekend! It was great to get away, and we really had a lot fun just getting to hang out with each other! I had never been to bricktown so that was cool to see also! Here are a few pics from our trip, and of course I have to include one of our cute puppy! If you really want to see more pics I have them in my myspace and facebook! I hope everyone had a great weekend, love & blessings-

This is from our night at the Melting Pot! It's a fun "fondue" experience if you haven't been there before! Below is our yummy dessert that we got to dip in our cookies & cream chocolate fondue!!

And of course, here is our precious Malachi! I can't believe how big he is!! Isn't he handsome??!

HANNAH MONTANA 3D

2008-02-10T09:49:00.000-05:00

Yes, we did it, we paid the ridiculous amount to go watch Hannah Montana in 3D last night! We went with our good friends Shane & Meagan and their kiddos! Let me just tell you, its too cute to watch an entire audience of girls ages 9 and below to sing along with Hannah/Miley for over an hour! Seeing them yell and sing and dance was adorable! At the same time, it made us ever so content with our dog!! :) haha! Anyways, we got these awesome 3D glasses and just had to take some pictures of how cool we looked! I hope you enjoy these as much as we did! Love & blessings-

Malachi

2008-02-09T18:35:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share some more pics of our precious puppy! We are just amazed at how much Malachi grows every week! (Yes I know, it sounds like we're talking about a kiddo, but no - he's a dog!! :) ) And speaking of kids, we got to hang out with Shane & Meagan & their awesome kids, Madison & Taryn, tonight and watch Hannah Montana! Yeah, it was the bomb, 3D and everything!! haha, there will soon be an update with photos of our cool selves with our glasses! Enjoy! Love & Blessings- By the way, I wanted to include this video because I love this song, and its totally been the cry of my heart this week... Enjoy!

UP & R-U-N-N-I-N'

2008-02-05T19:05:00.000-05:00

So it seems that blogging is taking over and I thought it would be fun to do a blog of what's going on in Dustin & I's life now that we're FINALLY married! The wedding was amazing, I can't believe its over & we've been married for almost 3 months now! Thanks to all the family & friends that made that day so blessed & special for us! I'll post some pics of the wedding & give you the link to my a-m-a-z-i-n-g photographers website, I absolutely love her!

**Props to Lezlie Andrew for al the wedding pics! Her website is http://www.lezlieandrew.com/ or http://www.lezlieandrewphotography.blogspot.com/

After we got back from our honeymoon we decided to go check out this puppy kennel out on hwy287, thinking we were JUST LOOKING! Well, you know how that goes and now we have our adorable, not so little 5-month old Malachi! He is such a cool, laid back dog, and he's going to be huge!! He is already about 55lbs, with at least another 100lbs to go! We love him so much, and with all our friends hopping on the baby train, he keeps us satisfied with just being his parents for now! :)

Other updates: I just chopped my hair off, dyed it brown, & got my nose pierced! Yeah, I wanted some change! :) Dustin is about to start going to tryouts for baseball, so keep us in your prayers that we'll be led by the Sprit, especially as to where Dustin ends up! We also joined a church in Canyon led by Pastor Kenny Price, and I can't tell you how amazing the timing and fit was for us! Its definitely laying a foundation of preparation in our lives, and we just love it, its home! And the cool thing is I'm going to probably go to AFRICA this summer on a mission with the church! How amazing!!!

Short & brown!!

Other than that I can't think of too much to update everyone on, but life is good and God is GREAT! Stay in the Word and stay blessed!

love & blessings -

the Brooks fam

128 days...

*random*

An update or two...

All dressed up...

October 13th.

i *heart* fall

Our weekend in instagrams!

Life on the East Coast

Psalm 103

A Psalm of David.

Settling in...

On the road again...

*TYMTJ*

So it's been awhile...

*my cutie pa-tootie!*

Happy Birthday Mom & Dad!

*all the fam*

::how He loves us::

Hello 2010!!!

::FALL 2009::

That's what faith can do...

2+2+2+2.....=?

But as for me and my...

::in ALL your ways::

And Heaven and Earth rejoiced...

::kbv::

::Kelly's Korner - SHOW US YOUR LIFE - WEDDING DRESS::

::summer snack::

*amarillo*

::david & amy wenzel::

**high school memories tag**

::schools out for summa::

*check*check*check*

T -32 Days

::Updates::

**baby news**

::restoration::

SB 09

take two and a good book

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y

Happy Anniversary!!

*strange*

Bad blogger...

Progress!

Slow and steady...

Susie Homemaker....kind of...

Hair Dilemma!!

Brooks Family Thanksgiving

Trying to leave on a jet plane...

To my husband...

5...4...3...2...

heartbreaker

::for sale::

GO VOTE!!

.b.i.t.t.e.r.

Another summer day...

::FIREPROOF::

Detox Diet: Me vs. the Cheeseburger

Getting Skinny! : Detox Day 1

Ike-aramba!!

ATOWN

**Exciting news**

-shout, shout, let it all out -

::ATTN PLEASE::

Updates...

::TROPICAL STORM - DOLLY::

I wear my sunglasses at night...

::Request Please::

c.o.f.f.e.y

The new crib & the beach!

The CC

Its already been a year!

two-n-one

Whoa whoa whoa....

These are a few of my favorite things!

What a ride...

And we're out....

She's here!

Two cuties...

random

i heart fall

TYMTJ

my cutie pa-tootie!

all the fam

amarillo

high school memories tag

checkcheckcheck

baby news

strange

Exciting news