22 years ago...

Today is my 22nd Birthday!!

And it doesn't seem like I'm really that old. This past year has been so unreal. I'm in my last years of college, I'm newly married, I moved to a totally different state; I'm a big kid now I guess. I can remember dreaming about these times in my life like it was yesterday and now they have come and gone. But today I had a wonderful birthday. We got to eat and eat and eat. I also got to spend my birthday this year with my wonderful husband Jordy. He made this day so special for me and I can't imagine life without him. I also got to see my whole family in Oklahoma and well that in itself is awesome. Jordy and I introduced my family to Rock Band and today has just been filled with laughter! It's been a fun day!!!

Tradition in my family is when it's your birthday my mom will fix you your favorite dessert and dinner. So I chose chicken enchiladas and all the fixings and banana creme pie for dessert. Oh my goodness it was delicious. So instead of having a cake I had a pie :)



Now that's after Thanksgiving, my family and I decided that since we were all together we should bring out the Christmas!! Daddy and my sister got up in the attic to get all of the Christmas decor down and away we went!!! My sister ran across some of our old school work that my mom had stored in the attic for so long. We brought that down as well and went through all of it and BOY was it comical. I can remember drawing so many pictures, SO many stories and pictures of all my old old friends. It's so good to think that one of my very old friends is still my friend to this day. Jessi has been around for a long time. Thanks for all the great memories Jess!

So while I was going through all of my old school memories, I found a very old picture of me when I was a baby.
It's so amazing how the Lord created and knew me before the creation of the world. Praise be to the Lord for giving me to a great family who has taken such good care of me and who has loved me unconditionally. Praise be to the Lord for giving me a knew addition to my family.
I love you Jordy!

What a happy birthday it has been!!

Birthday Week!

That's right, Friday is my 22th birthday!!! Man it doesn't even seem like it's that time of year already! This will be the first birthday with Jordy as my husband and I can't wait!!! But tomorrow Jordy and I will be off to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving Break and of course the celebration of my birth! :) yahoo!! I'm so ready for family time, good food and a great movie, but seriously dreading the drive. Blah!

Last weekend Jordy and I took Christmas pictures for our first annual Christmas card! Get excited! This break I'm going to be working on addressing and writing our Christmas letter. Man, I love Christmas time! Oh and great news, I FINALLY found the 24/7 Christmas radio station here! It's taken so long and it's been a little upsetting but have no fear it is officially set to Christmas in my car. It's so wonderful! And after Thanksgiving it will be Christmas in the McKaskle household. The tree that we are using is at my parents house in Oklahoma; so we will get it when we leave there and transform our apartment into a winter wonderland!!! I can't wait!!!

But in the mean time, tons of laundry is calling my name. Oh and I have to pack. Where's a magic wand when I need one??

Coupon Craze

When Jordy and I moved here just about 3 months ago, the Spence's so kindly took us in. Recently, Shelley a new friend and fellow staff wife, introduced me to coupons! I've always wanted to be a big saver, but I would only just clip coupons for things that I was going to the store to buy. But then I was introduced to bid money savers, tons of websites from women who just look for a great deal, and not to mention this lovely thing called a Sunday newspaper (on sale by the way at my local grocery store on Sundays). It's totally great! Today has just been a fantastic day!!

I started off today being advised for the spring semester and since I was anticipating the worst; things turned out actually BETTER than I expected. I am officially enrolled in 14 hours in hopes that I can get into another class racking that up to 16 total hours!! YAHOO!!! No problemo today with enrolling. Thank ULM; thanks for working to improve the life of your students :)

After that, I was offered a job at a private school here in Monroe, but due to my school next semester I am just filling in until they can find someone full time. BUT until then I get paid VERY good money and I'm on the sub list which just adds to more dough rolling in!!

The day just kept getting better and better! I then headed to the store to buy groceries before the after school rush and I brought tons of coupons with me. After successfully getting everything on my list, I decided to get reusable bags (which by the way saves every time you bring them) and then handed over all of my coupons. Grand totaling up to $90 and I saved $30!!!!!!

Today has just been a fantastic day. I mean the Lord knew that Jordy and I could use the money around Christmas time and provided us with this job for me. He knows how stressed I can get when enrolling for school and when I got there EVERYTHING went sooo well! And I saved lots today at the store! Praise be to HIM! Thank you Lord for being our provider!

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Jibberish

Since I've been married and moved to the place we all know it as "the deep south" my eyes have been opened to new vocabulary. Words that are sound crazy weird and I'm always asking what was just said. And so since this phenomenon has been happening quite often these days, I've decided to share one with you.

Lagniappe. Pronounced; lan-yap. Pure confusion; I understand.

I've never in my entire life her of this word before. I had heard it here and there but then it left the lips of my husband. We were driving home from somewhere, can't really remember where, but then he starts talking about Popeyes and he said that they give Lagniappe. So finally, I'm like what in the tar-nation does that mean? He says, "well ya know a little something extra." So at this point I'm thinking well why would even say that to someone. So we get home and I go immediately upstairs to look this one up. And low and behold it's in the dictionary and it means this specifically; Chiefly Southern Louisiana and Southeast Texas. a small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus; a gratuity or tip; an unexpected or indirect benefit.

So I'm not sure what's up with word, but I can't talk myself into using it. This is your chief education coming straight to you from the "deep south." Stay tuned for more interesting jibberish.

BOOMER SOONER!!