crafts crafts crafts!

here are my recents! :)

fun times!!!

My dear friend Carrie came to visit me this past weekend and it was such a breath of SWEET FRESH AIR! :) I love her so much... the pictures up top are from back in the day and then the next ones are of us before she got on the plane to leave me!


Carrie and I first met while we were both still in college and also counselors in the youth group at our church, Seminole Baptist Temple! We had a blast with those girls and I find myself sometimes missing the simpler ministry that we had then... lol probably because we didn't have to take care of many big problems... our job was to hang out with the girls and develop relationships with them and that was one thing we were good at! :)


Ministry can be difficult now... the higher standard set for being a youth pastor's wife is something I find very hard to live up to. I am human too which means I too make mistakes and am very FAR from perfect. One thing I know, I wouldn't trade it for the world.... I love our kids, especially our girls... some are hard to reach but I appreciate the fact that they are unique in their own way and love that not all of them are the same!


Anyways, although I am EXTREMELY blessed by the female counselor that we have with us now, I do miss having Carrie by my side! We're pretty good sidekicks if I do say so myself, we level each other out perfectly... and I don't feel like I have to be something I'm not when she's around! :) I absolutely love the feeling when you have a friend that you can be completely real with and know that they aren't going to judge you. A friend that can sometimes be closer than family...

It's actually the subject of our last girl's bible study... do you have a friend that is closer than family? It is very important to have that confidant that you can rely on when you need advice... someone who can tell you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear! :) I am truly blessed to have several friends that I can say are totally genuine and love me for me... and just GET me no matter what! :) Love you ladies! You all know exactly who you are! Carrie is one of them! ha ha another random post from Amie... ahh well... it's nice to just journal on here, I do enjoy it! :)

to add...

Some of you may also know that for the past two years, Sheldon and I have not done Christmas presents. Not because we're against them but by choice in order to pay more on school debt.

I'm a giver... I love everything about it... the thought that goes into what present will be perfect for each member of my family, the time spent SEARCHING for that perfect item, and the excitement held by the receiver's face when they open our present! It's the best! SOooo ... as you can imagine... The past two years have been very hard.

In talking with many of my friends this year and even last... I've begun to see a different side. I refuse to cause my family to struggle and fore go visiting my family in Texas, just so we can buy one another presents. Sometimes the gift buying can overtake us and shift our focus to material things instead of thinking of Christ. This Christmas season I see so many people hurting and I am thankful for the choice we've made...it's moved me to be so much more aware of the REAL reason we celebrate Christmas... Jesus' birth!

Don't get me wrong, I CAN'T wait until we can buy presents for people again. It's a luxury! I know now that when that time comes I will be more aware and appreciative of all he's given us! He is the reason for the season! Christmas is the best!!!

Random entry I am well aware, but none the less, something that's been on my mind today!

Simply haaavin, a wonderful Christmas time! :)

Well, if you know me... you know that Christmas is my most favorite time of year! I usually have ALLL of my decor out the week after Halloween... Yes I know you think I'm nuts, well I SIMPLY don't care lol. I have my reasoning. Being away from home, decorating for Christmas makes it feel more comfortable. SO that's what I do! :)

BUT since we moved right after Halloween this year I've been unpacking and organizing instead of decorating... Sad times! But I did manage to get everything up the week after Thanksgiving. So the house is feeling spectacularly warm AND since it's getting cooler outside... it's perfect timing! :) We took our Christmas pictures this past Sunday and I am in love with them, Donna Bailey is my hero!

After Ave was born we took her professional pictures which I have never managed to post on here. BUT when we ordered copies we decided to do a Christmas Card/ Birth Announcement, YES 5 months after she was born... so that's why we took another Christmas picture so that everyone can have an updated pic as well! :) Here are the pictures that will be on the card...

Sad day...

This evening I found out that one of my closest friends; Sarah's, sister lost her battle with brain cancer today.

With this on my mind and Thanksgiving coming up I am reminded at how much I have to be thankful for... An old friend of mine challenged her readers on her blog,

"I encourage you to make a list of what you are thankful for...maybe even take the time to think about 3 people, places, and events that the Lord has revealed His character through. It really puts the dirty house, busy schedule, and broken vacuum cleaner in perspective."

I am thankful for...
1. My salvation and the free grace given to me willingly every single day even though over and over again I fail him and do not deserve it one single bit.
2. My husband, who even though I have bouts of depression and moodiness... loves me unconditionally and takes care of me with all of his heart.
3. My beautiful 3 month old baby girl, Avery... cannot believe that the Lord would bless me with such and amazingly sweet little individual, she instills a smile on my face each second of the day and keeps my eyes welled up with tears each time she smiles or learns something new. I'm a proud mama! :)
4. My family, the Carmichael side... even though they don't understand where I'm coming from all the time, still put up with me and love me. My side, My mommy (I'll always call her that) for being a truly amazing mother with so much to offer and for being my role model my whole life, she's absolutely my best friend. My daddy, for having my back always and for the goofy sense of humor and attitude he gave me. My Ricky, my BIG little brother who's all grown up and gonna be a fireman some day... so much potential and he's fulfilling it each step he takes. My baby sister Bailee (Aunt Bay), for being a firecracker, for loving me and for the unexplainable bond we share. Granny, my sole grandparent left on this earth... she's a pistol and she's willing to do anything for ANYBODY no matter what that might be, I admire her unconditional love.
5. Our youth, each have their own personality and potential and I love watching them grow... I hate the consequences in between but enjoy the outcome of what the Father has in mind for them. I have high expectations but don't judge them when they fail, we're all human! :)

3 People:
1. Tim and Lori Wertz (couples count for one ;)
showed me how to have a Godly marriage and raise Godly children and to seek God in EVERY SINGLE SITUATON. Believe it or not, I have to be reminded of this still... I let myself get in the way many times.
2. Kimberly Diana Bumpers-
for helping me find my true self when I got to college... whether that be by being a total and complete retard or by learning from eachother's lives each second we spent together. For not letting me get away with anything and for challenging me spiritually. I love you best friend! :)
3. Sheldon Grant Carmichael-
he's the one person in my life who is the hardest on me but also the one that shows the most love to me... although finding it hard to find the motivation he keeps me going every day and encourages me to be better. I love him for the push and for the person he's made me today.


3 Places:
1. Texas-
where I grew up, where I asked the Lord into my heart and where I was molded into the person I am today.
2. Missouri-
where I went to college, met my best friend, met my soul mate and where I truly found myself.
3. Florida-
Our first ministry position, our first "home" outside of college, where Avery was born. It has challenged me the most and that's why I know in the future I will consider this one of my greatest growing experiences ever, cannot wait to see what the Lord has for us! :)

Events are pretty much the same as the places! :) The end... nighty night all!

Sneak Peek! :)

Here's Ave's cupcake costume finished... just a peek now... You'll get the REAL thing after tomorrow night! :) Sorry for the poor quality of picture (used phone), leaves more for your imagination! :) There is also a bow that matches so you'll just have to wait and see the completed look later! :)

YAAAAAYYYYY!

Well it's been quite a while since my last post! So much has been going on, and I've been enjoying reading blogs rather than writing in my own! :)

+++My mom is flying in on Thursday and Avery and I are beyond excited lol! :)

+++We bought a Wii and a new fan-freakin-tastic camera!

+++We're moving in a week and a half! No I have not packed and yes I am a procrastinator to the max! We're painting our rooms so once we get all settled in there will be many pics of before and after for all to see! :) So exciting to take them with my new camera!

+++Avery is turning 3 months on Friday, she's growing like a weed; see...