So ready for our "Secret" Getaway!

Jon and I will be leaving in the morning for a getaway to "The Secret" Bed and Breakfast! We will be staying in a Cottage at the B&B called "The Tree House". It is made like a tree house...I think it will be super fun! I am packing the camera and our new camcorder so we will be able to make lots of memories exploring the area and hiking around! I am so looking forward to getting away for a few days before we blast off in to 2011!
2011 is shaping up to be a busy year and it is has not even started yet! However busy...it should be exciting! There are certain things I want to get done within the first couple months of 2011! My number one is purging all of the bedrooms and closest in my house! We have too much junk (I use the word junk fondly because most of it is mine and I am quite attached to it)! Number two: to start blogging more regularly!!! We will see how that goes!
I am also very much enjoying my GLEE soundtracks that I got for Christmas and Jon's Kinect. We have the game Dance Central, and oh my goodness is it fun!!!! My friend, Angelia and I have been dancing it up!

If I do not post again before...HAPPY NEW YEAR! MAY THIS YEAR BE A YEAR OF LOTS OF LOVE, LAUGHTER, and LIFE!

All about Christmas...

ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS SURVEY:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper...with lots of pretty bows and ribbon. I think that Christmas present wrapping is art!

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial with clear lights! Jon and I tried our hand at the real tree, and lets just say that it did not go so well.

3. When do you put up the tree?
We usually try to wait until the weekend of Thanksgiving...however this year we have been extremely busy so the only weekend we had was the weekend of Nov. 14th... so we took that weekend to put all of stuff up including the Christmas tree.

4. When do you take the tree down?
We usually try to have the tree down before January 31st! We love our tree and the way it looks in our house...so we wait til the very last minute. You know...right before the folks next door start to think we are crazy!

5. Favorite gift received as a child?
My Kid Sister Doll from my daddy! I loved her...

6. Hardest person to buy for?
All four of my parents! They are all hard to buy for...man my brain hurts thinking about it!

7. Easiest person to buy for?
Jon...he always tells me what he wants.

8. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail!  I want the people that I send them to know that I took the time to send each one personally. I always try to put a personal message in each one.

9. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Home Alone...and this year I got to see White Christmas. It was pretty stinking awesome! Oh, and then there is This Christmas...LOVE THAT MOVIE! I think I like Christmas movies in general.

10. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually in November...the major kick off is Black Friday.

11. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Peanut butter fudge that my momma makes and the Christmas breakfast that my daddy makes.

13. Lights on the tree (colored or clear)?
Clear

14. Favorite Christmas song?
I love Christmas music period!

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
As of right now we travel...always! Jon and I have never had Christmas at home with just the two of us. However, once we have babies our plan is to be home Christmas day!

16. Angel, star or ribbon on top of tree?
A big beautiful sparkly Christmas Bow!

17. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We open Christmas presents with my momma and Herbie and oldest brother and his family Christmas eve. All other gifts are open Christmas day.

18. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
People who are more worried about what they are going to get and buy that they forget the real meaning of Christmas. It is important that we remember God send his only son Jesus to be the baby who would grow to be the man...the lamb that would die so we could have ever lasting life...that my friend is the best Christmas gift of all!

19. What do you want for Christmas this year?
As far as an actual material thing I want a pillow case with mine and Jon's picture on it! That is it! There are other things that I long for it my heart...

20. Traditional colors (red and green) or other colors?
Traditional...but it must sparkle and be covered in glitter.

Asking for your prayers....

Well it is almost Christmas time! I am excited and simply cannot wait to start celebrating with my family. However, I am writing this post to ask for your prayers....
Please pray for a dear member of my church, Robert Conwell. Robert is the same age as me and Jon, and is currently fighting for his life. The week around Thanksgiving he was diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been undergoing treatments, and his immune system is completely wiped out. Infection has setup somewhere in his body, and he has been admitted to ICU yesterday. The doctors said that first 24 hours were critical, and Robert made it thur that, but he is not out of the wood yet. Doctors said that our prayers seem to be working, but I just ask that if you read this to please take a moment to pray for Robert and his family. He is an awesome man of God who works with the Youth at our church. He has so faithfully brought the van girls to my classes on Wednesday night, and he has inspired so many. His family is keeping us updated. I know that God is the healer and works all things to together for our good....after all Tis the season for Miracles!!!!

This came from my dear friend and Sunday School teacher, Cindy:
"He is in septic shock; which means his blood pressure has dropped; he's retaining fluids, his kidneys are not functioning. He has developed some sort of infection and has no immune system to fight it so they are giving him huge amounts of antibiotics. As of last night when we were there, they intubated him and doctors said the next 12 to 24 hours would be crucial. Ps. 118:17...."I will not die but live and tell of all you've done". "

Happy Holidays!

I am so looking forward to the holidays this year! I am excited about seeing my family and of course spending time with Jon. Christmas is our favorite time of year. We love the fact that God has blessed us so that we get to take time to bless other people.
Tonight we are having our Christmas party in the MPACT girls club. We are watching the Polar Express and having snacks. I love those little girls so much, and I am so blessed to get to celebrate with them. Should hopefully have some cute pictures from the party!
Friday my mom and I will hanging out making Christmas goodies all day, and then Saturday I will get to see my best friend Tiffany! We will be having a girls day...Charming Charlie's here we come! Sunday we have our Young Marrieds brunch and Christmas social that night! Lots of things to celebrate and so many things to be thankful for.
Jon and I will be heading to Gordo on Thursday of next week. We are excited because this year we are having a Christmas Feista at the Bordelon house! Should be lots of fun!  I will get to see most of my family while we are there for a couple days. Then Jon and I will come back for Christmas with his family Christmas night...Not to mention there should be a Couch/Whitten Christmas and a Wright Family Christmas at some point! We love our friends and family.
I am most excited about Jon and I taking a couple days to steal away at the end of the year to enjoy each other's company and make some plans for the new year! We are leaving town and not telling anyone exactly where we are going...maybe because we don't know where we will end up! LOL I cherish every moment that I spend with him...we got some adventures planned for 2011 that should be pretty exciting!
Well...off to do some productive things....Merry Christmas!!!! Big Hugs from the Whittens!

Pretty in Pink Pictures

Here are some of the pictures from the Pretty in Pink Party! It was so fabulous! Thanks to all the girls that came out to celebrate with me with! Big Hugs! Thank Jesus for girl friends to celebrate all of lives little joys!

My sweet, beautiful, percious friend Angelia!

All the girls!

Mrs. Tammy and Mrs. Connie...this ladies are some of the most beautiful ladies inside and out!

My rock Cindy, Holly Ray (my buddy), and Candace!





Never underestimate the power of a little black dress, heels, and pearls!

Mrs. Diane...one of the best ladies I know and the best cook!

Shawanna is my friend from work, but she is an awesome friend! Thank goodness for work friends!

Sweet Vicki! Just one of the ladies that Jesus used to change my life!

Cindy...my rock...leader of the pack!

We were so fabulous!

My sweet momma came down to play with us! I love you momma!

Oh so Pretty in Pink!

I am so excited about my Pretty in Pink party tomorrow night! I can barely contain myself! I got the dress, I got the shoes, going to day to find the jewerly and last minute accessories! Then I will be off to get my spray tan and eyebrows waxed! I am beyond pumped! I promise there will be fabulousness, lots of laughs, and tons of pictures.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh...I can barely stand it!!!!

My heart is full...

This morning I sit here thinking, and my heart is over flowing with joy, life, and thankfulness. If you would have asked me 10 years ago or even 5 years ago if I thought my life would be where it is now I would have laughed and said no! However, God is so good and his love is full of grace and mercy...he works things out not the way we want, but how he plans and knows what is best for us. I am grateful that the did not give me exactly what I wanted...for he knows the plans he has for me...they are far better than anything I could have planned for myself! I know it is not quite Thanksgiving...and Halloween has not passed yet. However, I think it is ok to be grateful year round...so here are some of the things that I am grateful for...

• I am so thankful to my Jesus! He saved me, and gave me life. I am so far from perfect, but he still continues to love me and direct my steps. He believes in me and what he calls me to do. He blesses me beyond my imagination...in good and bad he is always there. Unlike people; my Jesus never fails. As a side note: he taught me that even when people might fail me that they still love me, but like me they are only human and deserve to be loved  still in return. He has taught me more about myself (how he has created me to be) and how to love others the way he wants us to love. He has taught me to be a giver and how to really trust him in all things. Time and time again he has proven himself faithful and trustworthy even with the smallest things. He taught me that "It" no matter what it might be is worth fighting for and that he will send other along by my side to fight with me...I am NEVER alone. He has also taught me that I am beautiful and that he delights in me and all that I am. For one of the first times in my life I can look in the mirror, and actually believe it when I say I am beautiful...I want to help others see that beauty in them! The list could go on and on...Thank you my sweet Jesus!!!
• I am thankful for Jonathan. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when God created Jonathan he had me in mind. He is the best friend a girl could ask for and a wonderful husband. He is certain to always make me feel special and beautiful. This will not surprise anyone, but I am a girly girl...and for some an acquired taste. Jon makes me feel comfortable in the way that I am...he is makes me feel that being girly is something fabulous and special...that I am one of a kind!!! I honestly believe that he loves that about me. I will be the first to admit that it is not always a bed of roses at the Whitten house, but we are quick to make a mends. We always support one another no matter the issues because we are Team Whitten, and I can honestly say we are each others biggest fan! When Jonathan and I started dating it was fun...I loved him then. When were married I knew that I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with him. Now...when he smiles it still lights up my world, he touch still sends chills up my spine, and his hugs can make the worst day better. He will be an awesome dad one , and I absolutely cannot wait to expand our family. As we grow older, we still enjoy acting like children...we enjoy the simple things. Jon is a strong man.  When I feel like my world might crumble Jon is the actual face that I can look into that says it will be alright...just trust.  He keeps me grounded...and is the glue that holds things together when I am being spastic. Just for my personal memories some of my favorite things that he does: 1. he calls me beautiful (like as my nickname), 2. he tells me I am cute, 3. he allows me to cry when I feel like crying...he will just hold me, 4. he takes Sarah to the vet because I am not brave enough too, and 5. he takes special time most night to tuck me in bed under the covers and kisses my forehead goodnight. I am so thankful to share my life with Jon.
• I am thankful for my family. I know I stay really busy, and do not always have a ton of time for visits. However, I hope they know that are never far from my heart. I love each and every person I call family. I hope in 2011 I will be able to see everyone more...
• I am so thankful for my friends! Friend make life more enjoyable!
• I am thankful for a great job that I love. The company that I work for is wonderful with great people. I know that God gave me this job, and I do not ever want to take it for granted! I just feel lucky to have great co-workers that make working fun!
• I am thankful for season...I do believe life would get boring living with one season year around. I love each season for different reasons, and each are beautiful in there own way. Winter- I love winter because it gets cold and is great for cuddling...sometimes we get snow here in Alabama which makes everything look beautiful. Winter is great for wearing sweaters...Winter also reminds me to slow down a bit to take it all in. Spring- I love spring because of all of the new life...flowers begin to bloom, trees get leaves, the world wakes up, and things start anew! Summer- I love summer because I love the sound of children laughing as they splash around on their carefree summer days. You get to go swimming...it is great for grilling out and get together! Fourth of July Fireworks!!! Fall- Fall is my all time favorite time of year. I love the smell of fall. It is football season. Not to mention the beautiful colors of the leaves...pumpkins...fall festivals...etc... I love it!

My list could go on and on...I am just thankful for where I am in my life and for all the blessings I have been given.

91 days left...here we go!

Wow! Where has the year gone? I know it has been a long time since I have updated, but a lot has been going on. More about that another post...
So I was looking at the calendar today and it hit me. Tomorrow starts October...October is always a fun month for Jon and me. We both celebrate our birthdays this month, I absolutely love FALL and all of the little trick or  treaters that visit, and of course our yearly trip to the Pumpkin patch! I feel a little giddy just thinking about all of it!

Jon and I were talking the other day about how busy the next 91 days are going to be for us...here are some of the events coming up:

1. 2nd Annual Skinner/Whitten Vacation (Beach Trip)
2. Birthdays (lots and lots of birthday and birthday parties)
3. Candy Apple Party
4. Pumpkin Patch
5. Trick or Treaters (making goody bags for trick or treaters)
6. Fall Festival
7. Pretty in Pink Party (SO EXCITING Side note: remember to get formal)
8. Royal Rangers Tech Event
9. MPact Fashion Show (I cannot wait for the girls to experience this...pictures...lots of pictures)
10. Thanksgiving (finally some family time...much needed might I add)
11. Black Friday (part of the new outlets will be open so watch out!)

...those are only a few of the things going on!
I know we will be having a blast as 2010 comes to a close, but there is also a part of me that thinks about some of the things we did not get accomplished this year and some of the things that are to come next year. I am not sure if I should be excited or nervous! The one thing I am sure of is that I am very blessed and I will certainly enjoy every moment of the next 3 months! Here's to Fun, Friends, and Family!