Our 1 year Anniversary!!!

Happy ONE year anniversary (4/9/12) to the man who has filled my life with joy, laughter, happiness & love!!! It is hard for me to even begin to remember what life was like without you in it. God has far surpassed my desires and dreams for a husband & I would wait another 29 years just for YOU!!! Thank you for being my rock this past year. You are the most wonderful man I know!

To celebrate our anniversary Josh and I spent the week in Rosemary Beach. We had a blast and the weather was absolutely perfect. I think Rosemary is our new favorite beach location..... It was a relaxing week together & I am so grateful that we were able to get away and just enjoy time the two of us..... I will post pictures soon!!!

A Busy Month!

It is hard to believe that March has come and gone and now it is April 1st..... April fool's day! March was a month of many birthday celebrations..... but one important birthday was that Josh turned the big 3-0!!! We are finally the same age again. I am 9 months older then him so these three months of being the "same age" are great because he can no longer gloat that he is still in his twenties!!! Welcome to the thirties sweetie.... I am confident that it will be the most wonderful decade that we get to share together!!! What a blessing!

"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." Romans 12:12

I feel that these last few weeks the Lord is teaching me that during our trials we need to stand firm and confident in our faith and hope in HIM. He is the provider of our every need and has a awesome plan for each of our lives..... I need to learn to trust is His timing. Even when it's not going as "planned" or "envisioned"..... God isn't worried about our comfort He is wanting to build our character throughout our life here on earth. Because the more we are transformed to the likeness of Christ we can be the light for those who are lost and need His truth.

I need to remind myself of this DAILY! He is more than enough!

What a difference a YEAR makes

It is hard to believe that Josh and I will be celebrating our 1 YEAR anniversary on April 9th.... Time surely flies when your having fun & sharing life with the one you love!

This time last year I was having challenges with my health & "forced" out of full-time work. It definitely was an emotional time of change & confusion. But looking back a year later I am amazed what the Lord has done. He is capable to do far more than I could ever ask or imagine..... He turned what seemed to be such a "bad circumstance" at the time around for the BETTER and His best for me! What a HUGE difference a year makes.....I am so humbled and thankful for all my many blessings & to be in good health!

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

The Lord tells us in His word that "in this world you will have trouble..." John 16:33, it is not a matter of "IF" we will have trials or tribulations it is a matter of "WHEN". The verse above finishes by stating BUT take heart I have OVERCOME the world. There is nothing in this world that Jesus has not experienced and conquered.

Your hope in difficult times should come from knowing that you have a loving & merciful God who will provide you with all the strength you need to climb over that mountain.... ALL you have to do is ASK.

".... you do not have because you do not ask God." James 4:2

God knows the desires, frustrations, emotions of our hearts but He wants us to draw close to Him and be in relationship with Him.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt..." James 1:2-6

A New Year!

Well 2012 kicked off with a bang..... New year's day evening Josh came down with the stomach virus and was very ill. He was the 6th person in my family to get this bug over the holidays, so we braced ourselves and prayed I wouldn't get sick too. Thankfully, I was spared for this horrible bug but Josh was pitiful. Between the 2 of us I tend to be the one who is "sick" or having medical procedures so to see him so sick and so pitiful was hard. He kept asking if he was going to die..... I reassured him over and over that he would survive! And thanks to my superb nursing skills :) & lots of lysol, gatorade, crackers, and soup he made it through!

I started back work today..... first day in about 3 weeks. My back did pretty good overall. Little bit uncomfortable at times but I can take uncomfortable over debilitating pain ANY day!!! Continue to pray for great days & complete healing!

Thankful & Blessed

"The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy..." Malachi 4:2

So very thankful for my wonderful husband and mom who took great care of me today!! Unfortunately, today I had to get yet another block. This is block #4 of the year & # 13 or 14 total over the last 5 years. I had to get four injections in my back, I am a little sire but resting comfortably at home! Josh and my mom said today in the car on the way to the hospital that this WILL be my last block EVER, they proclaimed it for me. We continue to pray for complete healing from this chronic/debilitating pain. God has already paid it ALL on the cross, now I'm just walking through the healing process clinging to His promises.

I love the song: "Jesus paid it ALL"

Part of the chorus- " Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow!" AMEN. When I hear these sweet words I am so thankful to have a loving God that was willing to die for ALL our sins on the cross..... Just as I picture the crimson stain (sin) being washed away to white snow (new life/no condemnation), I also visualize my pain washing away and having a new physical body with NO pain!

"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love," Psalm 33:18

I am blessed to have such supportive & loving family and friends..... y'all have definitely seen me at my worse and loved me right through it! And for that I am forever grateful and humble by your friendship!!

I am definitely a little sad to see 2011 come to an end, what an amazing year it has been!!! I married the most wonderful man and have fallen more in love with him over the last 8 months. Through the rough days of my back pain he just looks me in the eyes and says you have me and I will walk through all of this with you! Words cannot describe how grateful I am to have this man in my life who exhibits unconditional love, even when I may not be very "lovable."

Very hopeful and full of faith that 2012 will be a awesome year & a new year with no pain.

I pray many blessings for the New year for each of you, much love!

2011 - A year in pictures!!!

January: Phoenix, Arizona

BCS National Championship game

War Eagle!!!! My husband looks so handsome :)

February: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

My mom, mother in law, and I..... I don't have many pictures from February. It was a rough month for me, if you look closely I have my back brace on in this picture:( This picture was from my bridal tea hosted by my mom's wonderful friends

March: Elba, Al

Josh and I with our parents at the Lawford Cabin! This weekend we were showers with much love and gifts at the basket shower

April: Birmingham, Al

April 9, 2011 we got MARRIED!!!

Ceremony- Canterbury United Methodist Church

Reception- Old Overton Club

Most joyous day of our lives!!!!!

May: Orange Beach, Al

Memorial Day weekend 2011- Donnie Canaan's house

June: Chattanooga, Tn

I turned the BIG 30!!!A wonderful and relaxing weekend with my husband

July: Panama City, Fl

Thanks Uncle Donald for letting us stay at your house!! It was a rainy beach weekend with the Allen and Andrea Maness

August: Asheville, NC

I won this trip at the Junior League silent auction. We had a blast and got to visit the Biltmore Mansion & stayed at the beautiful Grove Park Inn

September: Auburn, Al

My mom turned the BIG 60!!! We surprised her at the tailgate with some of her close friends from Tuscaloosa.... the look on her face was priceless!

October: Auburn, Al

Another fun weekend at the plains tailgating with friends and family!

November: Atlanta, Ga

My sister and I took my mom to go see Mamma Mia at the Fox Theater as a late birthday celebration.

December: Parent's house

Our first Christmas as The Lawford's! Such a wonderful holiday spent with those that mean the most to us! We are very blessed!

This time last year....

This time last year...... I was picking up my wedding dress!!!!

It's hard to believe that 2011 is almost over with. This entire year has definitely been a memorable one and one of the best yet!!! This time last year my wedding dress was in and I went to go try it on and take care of alterations!!! Hard to believe Josh and I have now been married for 8.5 months. Time flies when your having fun..... And those who know Josh know that he definitely puts a smile on people's faces :) I am truly blessed!