Now is the time!

This post is dedicated to my love and obsession with all things pumpkin.  I just can't get enough! Whether it's decorating with pumpkins, carving pumpkins, or eating and drinking delightful pumpkin treats, I love it all. I'm proud to say that this week has been a pumpkin infused week. I bought a couple of large and medium sized pumpkins to decorate our tiny front patio, and they really add such a nice touch to our somewhat bland front yard (I plan on getting a scarecrow to add to the front yard fall decor as well). I've also indulged in eating my fair share of pumpkin this week.  I've enjoyed a pumpkin frappucinno, pumpkin concrete (vanilla custard blended with a piece of pumpkin pie= awesomeness!), pumpkin bread, and even a yummy pumpkin sucker a friend at work gave me.  One may think at some point I would get tired of pumpkin, but oh contraire! Please give me more. :)  My all time favorite pumpkin recipe is my grandmother's pumpkin muffin recipe. They are the softest, moistest, most flavorful muffins ever, and they are a Thanksgiving staple in our family....Usually we bake at least 60 or 70 so all may enjoy at least 3. That's just how the Bailey family rolls when it comes to pumpkin muffins and eating in general really.  Since I'll be spending Thanksgiving with the McCunniff clan this year, I'm excited to introduce Bill's family to these muffins.  I'll share the recipe in a later post so you too can enjoy and appreciate the goodness.

I thought it was probably time to post a few pictures since I have yet to do that since starting this blog.  As I mentioned in my previous post, last weekend was my good friend Allie's last weekend here in Lubbock. Yesterday she and her husband moved to Dallas, and as I said before, she will be missed greatly! I've enjoyed getting to know her through our countless bible studies, girl's nights, and zumba classes! She's really been a huge blessing in my life.  Now I will just have to look forward to visiting her in Dallas. :) On Saturday we ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure which was a blast.  It was chilly outside and felt so good to run.  Allie kept me going at a good pace, and we finished the race in 25 minutes. Not too bad huh? Afterwards we had a yummy brunch, went shopping, and met up again Saturday night for their going away party.  Several of our good friends came, and I think fun was had by all.

Below I've posted pictures from this past weekend, Bill's bday last week, a recent family get together in Dallas, and some fall decor in our house. Enjoy!

Tomorrow morning one of my good friends,Allie, and I are runing the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure.  A 3.2 mile race is definitely my kind of race.  For the past couple of years I've really come to enjoy running. I'm certainly no marathoner (nor do I have the desire to become one at the present moment), but I love a good 3 mile run to sweat it out and burn some calories. The fact that I can now say I love it is really quite impressive considering how I used to feel in regards to running.

Back in my elementary school days I dreaded for weeks the day in P.E. when we'd have to run the timed mile out on the track. Each lap, the teacher would hand us a popsicle stick so we could keep track until we made it four times around.  I HATED that mile run. Of course one of my best and most athletic friends, Amanda, would run it in 6 minutes tops, and there I'd be 10 minutes in with only three popsicle sticks in my sweaty hand.  So again, I'm thankful those days have come and gone and I can now run a mile with a little more ease. :)

Tomorrow should be a lot of fun. We are running for such a great cause, and that makes the run even more meaningful.  Afterwards, Allie and I plan to grab brunch and tomorrow night we are having a going away party for Allie and her husband, Nate. They move to Dallas next week so Nate can start his residency program there. To any of my Dallas friends reading this blog, you must meet Allie! You all will love her. I will definitely miss her sweet friendship here in Lubbock, but I'm also excited for her and Nate to begin this exciting next chapter.

I'm hoping it will also be a productive weekend. I've added a few touches of fall decor to our house, and I have plans to do a little more decorating either tomorrow or Sunday. Have I mentioned before how much I love Fall?  I'm pretty sure I already posted about that a few weeks agin, but I thought I would just say it again.  :)  I love this weather, all the pumkin flavored drinks and eats, football season, halloween, homecomimg at Baylor... There's definitely a lot to look forward to in coming weeks.

So in closing, Happy Friday and Happy Fall!

I'm pretty excited when every Friday rolls around, but today I have to say that I'm extra thankful that it's Friday and just hours away from the weekend. This week has just been one of those weeks.. you know the kind.. those weeks when you feel like you can't catch a break as one thing happens after another.

My week had a rough start on Monday evening when I was at home alone and Scarlett had a seizure. It was extremely difficult for me to watch her suffer through that, and I pray it never happens again. Today she's doing better, but still just a little weak and sore from the way her body was so contorted. Tuesday was spent taking Scarlett to the vet so they could watch and her and do e bloodwork. The bloodwork came back normal which is good but complicated too. This could be a one time occurence or if it happens again in the near future, it could be a neurological issue like epilepsy or something. Scarlett has certainly had her fair share of health issues since we got her in March, but even so, we wouldn't trade her for the world. We adore that dog, and we really believe God placed her in our lives for a reason. She's certainly teaching Bill and me lot about what parenthood will be like one day, and I know I'll be thankful for the preparation when that day rolls around. Alright, I got a little side tracked so now back to my week. As we were leaving the vet Tuesday evening, on the way to the car Scarlett's nose started bleeding out of no where, so right back into the vet we went. We aren't sure why it happened, and again, it was just another thing to have happen on top of an already not so fun situation. Luckily there haven't been any nose bleeds since.

In addition to the Scarlett episode, it was just a busy/stressful week with work, needing to run several errands, and trying to schedule the cable guy and treadmill guy to come make repairs (they were scheduled for the same day but of course came at completely different times). There's simply not enough time in the day. Also, on Thursday I rear-ended someone on my way home at lunch to check on Scarlett. While I was extremely emotional at the time, I know these things happen, and it could have been a lot worse. Luckily no one was hurt, and cars can be repaired.

So while I didn't have the time to clean, cook dinner, or clean the house this week, I realized that it's all ok. So what if I have a list of things to do and get absolutely none of it done? It's not the end of the world, and while seemingly stressful at the moment, it's important to pause and realize that these aren't the things that really matter in life. Also, even in the midst of the small struggles, there's still so much to be thankful for. I'm thankful Scarlett is alive and doing better and that Bill's sweet parents were able to come over and help me with the situation, I'm thankful Bill randomly got off early (which is very rare) so he could meet the treadmill guy at our house and I can now enjoy running again, I'm thankful for the dinner Bill had on the table for me when I got home from work late on Wednesday (in the midst of his crazy schedule he made time to show me how much he cares and that means the world to me), and I'm thankful the guy I rear-ended on Thursday was so kind and gracious towards me in the midst of a very frustrating situation.

So while I was stressed and worried so much this week, looking back at it, I must say it turned out alright. It's amazing how God always takes care of us, and no problem is too big for him to handle. Now I feel selfish for even letting this week get the best of me, considering I have several friends going through very difficult situations right now. I know without a doubt that God will see them through this time as well. It's all relative though, and every one of us is going to have those days or weeks or months that are just tough.

Praise God that we have a Savior who loves us and wants to care for us in our weakest moments. A song that has recently really spoken to me is Lincoln Brewster's "The Power of Your Name." Listen to the link below if you get a chance. It really inspires me to look outside myself like never before and live with a passion to go beyond what I've known thus far in my relationship with Christ. There's a line in the song that says "surely faith without action is dead," and those words are extremely convicting to me. While I have a strong faith in God, I know I need more action in my life to reach out and share the love of Christ with those around me. Often times I am way too consumed with myself, and I pray in the weeks and months to come I could really break that mold in my life. Life is too short to not live it fully and completely for Christ and Christ alone.

Well, I know this was a really long post, so I'll try and wrap it up now. Sometimes I let my wordiness get the best of me. So in closing, I am glad it's Friday, but I am also thankful for how God has both provided for me and taught me this week. Happy Friday!

The Power of Your Name by Lincoln Brewster
Play song from iLike.comToday Is The Day - 2008 - 5:44
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Bill is currently on his surgery rotation (his second rotation of third year), and tonight happens to be one night out of many in which he is on call at the hospital all night. Personally I think 32 hour calls are far too long... I would much prefer to have him home with me right now! Apparently surgery rotation is the busiest, most time consuming of all, and I believe it. That said, at least this gives me a good opportunity to write a new post. I knew this blog would come in handy during my times of boredom!

As it cools off here in Lubbock, I am reminded of my love for the season of Fall. Although it's still August, the weather here has been absolutely delightful the past two days! It's been sunny and breezy with a high of about 75. It really doesn't get much better in my opinion. As a born and raised Wacoan, I am accustomed to hot, humid 90 plus degree weather through at least mid October. This change in climate is a huge perk to living in Lubbock. Here we actually experience all of the seasons! It's hot and dry in the summer, beautiful in the spring and fall, and it actually snows in the winter. I love it all, but I particularly love Fall for many reasons.

While I enjoy summer immensely, there comes a time when I am just sick and tired of sweating profusely as I drive home from work in a scorching hot car. When the weather starts to cool off, I feel a sense of excitement for all that lies ahead. In addition to finally cooling off, Fall means that it's officially college football season, and that makes me happy. I have been going to Baylor home football games my entire life, and every season I'm pretty much the eternal optimist. While some people have no confidence in Baylor football, I am quite the opposite. This year in particular, I have high hopes for a great season. Let's just pray RGIII remains healthy! Bill and I will be making it to Waco for the first game against Sam Houston State labor day weekend, and I alos plan on goining to the TCU, Texas Tech (at the state fair and cotton bowl!), Kansas State (homecoming game), and aTm games this year. Hopefully we'll win a few games and have a fun season.

So I've tackled (no pun intended) two of the main reasons I love Fall: the weather and college football. However, there are even more reasons why Fall is perhaps the best season of them all. Fall brings with it the anticipation of the holidays, delicious foods and time well spent with family and friends. Who doesn't get excited the day after Thanksgiving, when it's officially the Christmas season?! I LOVE the Christmas season.. the music, the smells, the food, the lights and decorations, the gift shopping, the holiday parties, etc. I love every second of it. This Christmas season will also bring with it the celebration of Bill's and my first wedding anniversary! Too crazy. I'm also hoping for a December bowl game this year. Now wouldn't that be exciting?? Again, just trying to be optimistic here. :)

So, in short (but not really), Fall rocks. I love how two days of cool weather can make me feel so refreshed and excited for the upcoming months. Just my luck it'll probably be 100 degrees again next week. For now however, I'll enjoy this cool air and look forward to the Fall ahead!

I really can't believe that tomorrow Bill and I will have been married for 8 months. Before we know it, we will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary, and that just seems so crazy! It feels like yesterday that I was planning every wedding detail with my mom in anticipation of the big day. Every detail came together so perfectly, and Bill and I could not have been more pleased with every aspect of our wedding and the events surrounding it. I've jokingly told Bill that I would like to renew our vows every year just so I can relive those special moments and plan a huge party with family and friends. He wasn't too keen on the idea, but I think it would be great! :)

I feel like I should write a quick update on what Bill and I have been up to these past 8 months in Lubbock. When I moved to Lubbock in January, Bill was just beginning the second semester of his second year of med school, and I had no idea what on earth being married to a med student would be like. I was definitely a bit fearful and nervous in the beginning, but all in all, it's been less crazy than I had originally thought (minus the 2+ months that Bill was studying at least 16 hours a day for his Step 1 test.. that was a crazy time!). Getting used to Bill's schedule, starting a new job, raising a puppy, and just adjusting to being married and living in Lubbock has been challenging at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. We've had a blast getting to know new friends (I've become close with the wives of several of Bill's friends in school), spending time with Scarlett (it's amazing how a puppy changes your life so much), and of course just hanging out with each other and thinking of cheap, fun dates to go on. I am enjoying this chapter of life with Bill, and I know we will look back on this particular time in our lives with such wonderful memories. I definitely have a tendency to look to the future and long for that next stage in life, but I'm trying my best to live in the moment and make the most of this special time in our lives. I know it's really a unique time.

This brings me to the reason behind the title of this blog, "Now is the time!" Anyone reading this blog is probably aware of my family's intense love for Disney World. We've been going to Disney World on vacation since I was probably 4, and 20 years later, it's still just as magical. There's a particular ride a Disney called the carousel of progress and the title of the theme song is called "Now is the time!" Part of the lyrics say, "now is the time, now is the best time, now is the best time of your life," and upon returning home from our trips, my dad would cheerfully wake us up in the morning singing this song. Since we first heard it years ago, this phrase has stuck and has become kind of a key quote/theme for my family. I can't even count the number of times in which I've been worried or stressed about something in my life, and I've gotten an email or call from my dad saying, "Kate, now is the time!" In other words, don't sweat the small stuff and just try and make the most of this moment. In whatever season of life I am in, it helps me to have the mindset that "Now is the time!" Now is the time to faithfully trust God, now is the time to show love to those around us, now is the time to laugh, now is the time to pray, and now is the time to enjoy yet another day that God has blessed each of us with. So that's the story behind the title. It's amazing how just four little words can make such a big difference.

Blessings,
Kate

I've contemplated joining the blogging world for quite some time now, and today I gave in. While I love reading blogs and keeping up with what's going on in the lives of my friends, I at first withheld from creating my own for a few reasons. I am not a creative person and the mere thought of trying to design a blog scared me to be quite honest. Some of my friends (aka Heather Rowland!) have the most adorable, creative blogs I've ever seen, and I just wasn't up to the challenge of trying to design my own. Those that know me, know that I'm not all that great with technology (I barely know how to download music on itunes for crying out loud). In addition to my fear of the whole creative aspect, I really wasn't sure what I would write about or who would even care to read it.

For these reasons and probably several more, I often thought about starting a blog throughout these past 8 months of marriage but never followed through with it. I think I am that way a lot in life. I'll think of something I would love to do but never actually follow through with it. This is where my amazing husband helps me immensely. He challenges me to go after it and follow through with the ideas I have in my head. So, here I am. I've created a blog, and while it's not the most advanced design or most adorable one out there, I am just proud of myself for figuring out how to design it at all! I plan to use this blog as somewhat of a journal to record our journey for both myself and friends and family that want to keep up with Bill's and my life here in Lubbock. When I say family and friends I mean my mom, who is probably the only one that cares to read, and that's perfectly fine. :) At least this will give me something to do while Bill's on call or studying away.

Well, that's all I have for now. My next post will be more of an update on life since our wedding in December, and I'll share a little background in regards to the title, "Now is the time!"

Until next time!
Kate