What are you Thankful for?

What would you have, if ALL you had, was what you thanked God for today?

Thankful for a Challenge

I'm taking this idea from a friend because it is something I need in my life right now.

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of my favorites... food, football, family, friends and lots of fun. but, originally, it was meant to be a day to pause and give authentic thanks to God. Unfortunately, for many, including myself, thanksgiving is more of a one-day holiday than a way of life. I don't know about you, but I have been blessed beyond comprehension, and even in the unwelcome moments of life, I have so much to be thankful for.

What would it look like if i ONLY spoke words of gratitude the entire week of Thanksgiving? If I went so far as to look at a pile of laundered clothes that awaits my folding and putting up, a somewhat mundane task, and instead think and speak out loud, "God, thank you for these clothes, for providing covering." If every time next week I am faced with a person in midst of a complaint, I tell them why I am thankful to God they are in my life.

So Starting this Monday mornign and going through this Sunday evening, I'm challenging myself to live an entire week full of thanksgiving.

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:4 ESV)

Anytime I'm tempted to think/say/do something negative (filthy, foolish, crude or otherwise unthankful) I will instead choose, in that very moment to give thanks to God for His blessings in my life.

If you'd like to join me, please leave a comment saying so AND repost this (in your own words, if you'd like... no need to link me) on your blog, twitter, facebook, etc. and challenge your friends to do the same. Even if you're not reading this until after Monday morning, it's never too late to take up a good challenge. And, keep in mind that nobody who takes this challenge is going to make it an entire week without missing the mark... so, when that happens to you, just pick yourself back up- thank God for helping you learn and for the motivation to try- and start again!

Blessings to each of you,
Audrey Kay

Monticello

So we decided to take a day trip this weekend... seems to be the first weekend we have had since the wedding to do something by ourselves and for ourselves! Because we live in Williamsburg, you would think that we get enough history on a daily basis, but alas, we decided to travel to Charlottesville for yet a little more history! We went out to Monticello to see the home of Thomas Jefferson. It was a wonderful Fall day and we throughly enjoyed our little trip! I highly reccomend visiting if you have never been and if you are in the area or just passing though, it is a bit of history that is just beautiful! For more information on Thomas Jefferson and his home visit: http://www.monticello.org/ Below are some pictures - Enjoy!

Wedding Day Photos...

September 19, 2009

Five o'clock in the Evening

Walnut Hills Baptist Church

The Wedding Party: Brandi Barda, Kara Bates,

Audrey Page Watson, Zach Watson,

Justin Watson, Brooks Klein

Bringing two families together

Mom Page, me, Zach, Mom Watson, Pop Watson

Our first dance was to: Dave Matthews Band- I'll Back You Up.

Getting seated for dinner!

Causual shots at the reception

My sister-in-laws: Hannah, Gabby, Jen & Emily

Our Cake!

Whirlwind Wedding Weekend! Whew...

Okay, so I know you are all looking for the wedding photos! I promise I will post some in this post... this month has been quite the whirlwind! Our Wedding turned into a wedding weekend for the most part and it was absolutely the best weekend of my life!
From the moment family and friends started to arrive for the festivities we began having fun!

The rundown as simply as I can post it:

Thursday September 17, 2009: My Bachelorette Party! Hosted by Bernie - One of mine and Zach's closest mutual friends. She held a get together for me at the Coco Choclatier in New Town in Williamsburg. We had the best time! Two of Zach's sisters (Emily and Hannah) were there, Kate (Justin-Zach's brothers girlfriend) was there, and my best friend in all the world (Kara)surprised me and made it into town that night for the party! Bernie did a fabulous job and I felt so special the entire night! (don't judge us by the photos! we had a GREAT time!)

When I first got there, Bernie made me put on a tiara...

then they had to take a picture of my toes b/c I have never had a pedicure before...

Bernie and I goofing off... Me and Kara! (if you can't read the tags... Bernie made these for us all to wear during the party. One of mine says: Bad Ass Bride, the other says Last Fling before the Ring. Kara's says: I'm with the party you can buy me a drink... and the other one says Bachelorette Support)

Hannah & Kate REALLY enjoyed the fondu! And the typical group shot!

It was a great night!

Then on Friday September 18, 2009

We started at 8:30AM at my mothers house for a Wedding Breakfast for both families to come together before things got hectic!

Here are some photos of the morning:

There were toast's ... and presents....


food... and Family!

It was a wonderful start to a great day!

One Month Away!

It is now One Month till our Wedding Day! I am so excited and so ready for this day to get here! I have secured location, preacher, flowers, food, entertainment, dress, wedding party and photographer! Now on to the minor details... like nails, hair, shoes... gifts, poems, thank you's and speeches! I dont think Zach is as overwhelmed as I am but he has been there with me for every step in this process! I can't believe how wonderful he is and I know our wedding day is going to be so special! I love him with all of my heart and we are so much better together!

Happy Birthday to my Bestie!

Happy Birthday to the Best Friend a girl could ever ask for!

I love you Kara! We have been friends for a very long time and I hope that this birthday is one of the best ones yet!

Lylas!!!

There's plumbing in my water problem...

Oh oh my...

So some of you may know that I have been experiencing leak after leak in my house these last few weeks, some were tiny leaks and some were MAJOR leaks... and as much as I had hoped to avoid having to deal with all of this before the wedding, it looks as if I am dealing with it before the wedding...

So after a $600+ water bill from the county, a plumber and demolition team later...

I am replacing all the pipes in my house. This is NOT FUN. I DO NOT reccomend it. Especially not less than two months out from a wedding date.

So here are some photos of what the house looks like BEFORE we have the work done:

This is the dining room- they cut the walls out in front of the hot water heater- where I previously had a major leak...

This is the wall in one of the guest rooms upstairs- it backs up to a bathroom- so they had to cut the whole length of the wall out to get to the tub/shower and toilet/sink in the bathroom...

This is the back of the tub... and this is the washer hook up in the laundry room...

And the ceiling in the kitchen... oy...

And last but not least a section of the wall in the living room also had to be cut out...

I hope this nightmare is over soon- I really do! I live in a construction zone...

Engagement Photos!

So we had some engagement photos done!

Here is a sneak peak at the fun we had! Hope you enjoy it!

We especially love this one above- as most of you know Zach is an avid mountain biker... so here he is with his two best girls!

I think this photo may be my favorite!

Our photos were done by a wonderful friend: Jennifer J. Vanderwoodsen.

VDW Photography & Fine Art

VDWPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM

Sick and Tired of being sick and tired!

Arghh... so I have been sick for a bit this month... and frankly I am sick of it!
I am back on the road to recovery though.
I was down with pneumonia this time and in the hospital for about 11 days. I am so glad to be back home! I am now getting back to work for half days and then I should be back up to full speed.
As a result of all this sickness I have put off wedding stuff for a bit-- but I am excited to get back to it! Time is counting down and I am getting more and more excited!
I will post more in a day or two!
Hope everyone else is doing well! And thank you all for all the prayers! I love you!

Today is Father's Day

So today is Father's Day...

This day is a hard one...

my father has been gone for 4 years this year

and I miss him so much. He was the best man I will ever know.

I am sharing some pictures of the beautiful cross

that we donated to our church in memory of my dad.

It is beautiful, and it is simple-

but it makes a strong statement-

just like my dad did when he was alive.

I love you dad, and miss you very much. Happy Fathers Day.