Life with the Sheppards

I miss blogging things have been so busy this year, there's a lot to catch up on. I got married in May and we're expecting a baby. Life is never dull in the lives of the Sheppards, but I say I'm adjusting well to married life. I know when the baby get's here our lives will be turned upside down and there will be culture shock again for a while, but with God and the greatest family ever, we'll make it!

10 Things

I love reading my friend Beth's blog , her little girl Libby goes to the daycare where I am a K4 teacher, so she had posted 10 things, so I'm keeping the tradition going!

10 Things you may not know about me!

1. I buy all the 7th heaven season's when they come out on Dvd, I almost all the whole collection, I just need season 10 and 11 and I will be done!

2. I enjoy playing Tennis and Golf!

3. I love perfume and lotion, I have too much of it!

4. I love spending Saturday's in my PJs!

5. I'm a little OCD about my phone, I constantly check it, it's just a habit, I do screen my calls and txt though.

6. I'm on a Special eating plan as I perfer to call it, and I'm trying to start running, I'm still sore from when I ran Thursday!

7. Since I'm not married at the present time and I'm hope to be married some day, I initial everything in B.

8. I hate cooking and refuse to do any.

9. I gave up Fried foods to Lent and after lents over, I still won't eat much of it.

10. My Grandaddy's name was John, My Dad's name is John, My mom's Son ( My favorite Brother) his name is John, and one of my Dad's son's is named John Robert.

Grayson's First Birthday

Grayson's First Birthday was so much fun. Grayson used to be in my class at lakewood and Ashley and I have kept in touch. I'm so blessed with such a great friend as Ashley and I was honored to be invited to Grayson's First Birthday!

Ash Wednesday

Today, we had our Ash wednesday service at the church to kick off Lent. We sang several songs and then the pastor had a small sermon and then we all went up and they had ashes where they had burnt the palm branches from last year and the pastor or associate pastor puts ashes on your forehead in the sign of a cross, and this is the time you repent to God and focus on making things right with him, so you can start lent and get on the right foot, Lent is the 40 days until Easter, not counting Sundays, Lent is when you give up something to get closer to God. I'm giving up facebook and fried foods, we'll see how I do! I will let you all know! Happy Ash Wedneday!

Day two of the snow!

This is day 2 of the snow, it has stopped snowing, but it's still sticking and there is plenty of snow out there still to make a snowman. Madison and I were suppose to go get manicures at Lux Day Spa, but I couldn't get out of my driveway, because we still have so much snow! The tree's are beautiful, the snow is so beautiful, I'm really enjoying this and I hope everyone else is too! I'm pretty sure it will be mostly melted this afternoon. Have a great weekend!

Our February snow!

A couple of months ago they said it was going to snow and it didn't so when they said it was going to snow this Friday, I didn't beleive it .Come on this is Alabama! However the weather man won this one, It did snow, and it was beautiful, I say we had to get at least 4 inches, it was great I didn't have to go to work today ofcourse I did some work at home for my thirty one business. I hope everyone in the area enjoys the snow and be careful out there, don't go out in this mess unless you have too! Have a great weekend!

Women's Retreat weekend and Love heals your heart

Hello All,
I just got back from Pine Mountain, Georgia this afternoon, I'm so exhausted! But I had a fabulous weekend with my church family St. Mark United Methodist Church on our annual women's retreat, The title of it this year was "walking his way". Can you believe that I didn't take one single picture? I know what's up with that right? I appologize for that. We stays at Callaway Gardens in the cottages and had our meetings at the Lodge. We all got there by 7pm on Friday night and stayed through 12 today, although I helped pack up some of the equipment and take stuff to the car. I hated to see it end. Last night was the best! Anyone who felt led went up and gave a testimony about something that's happened this past year in your life. I so didn't want to at all, because I was scared to death, but I did get up there and speak from my heart. I came to St. Mark so hurt and I didn't feel like I could trust anyone and that everyone was going to hurt me, reject me and betray me, especially women and Church people. However the people at St. Mark have really changed my "stinkin thinkin" The People at St. Mark have been wonderful, I know no one on earth is perfect except God, and I give God all the glory, because it's only because of him that I'm blessed with a wonderful church family and such fabulous people in my life like Pam, Aimee, Gayle, Vivian, Sandy and so many others that I could never name everyone. These people have touched my heart so much and them loving me has helped heal my heart, and I now know that not everyone is going to hurt me, not everyone will betray my confidence or stabb me in the back. There are truly great Christian people at St. Mark United Methodist that genuinely love each other unconditionally and are there for each other. These are the people that have changed the way I see people, myself and Christians. Love heals your heart. Read these lyrics"Love Heals Your Heart"When you think your life is shattered And there's no way to be fixed again Love heals your heart At a time you least expected You're alive like you have never been Love heals your heart . It's amazing that this is MY LIFE! I have people in my life that genuinely love me, that I can share my heart with, without worrying if there going to stabb me in the back or betray me. It's amazing. Thank You God for all the fabulous people in my life and for sending me to St. Mark! This has become God's biggest blessing. I never imagined this time last year that I would be at St. Mark, let alone a women's retreat or have such awesome people in my life. God is so good!

Thirty One

I'm so very excited to announce, that I'm becoming a thirty one consultant if you've never heard of thirty one, they sell everything from purses, to Children's items, lunch bags ext. and you can get them personalized. I'm very excited 4 of my friends have already said that they would have me a party, and I need more people to have party's, you can have a book party or a house drop in. I found out about Thirty one when my friend Sara invited me to her drop in and it was a huge success, also for the Month of February you get your monogramming for only 1.00! I hope you all have a wonderful week! If you would like to see our new spring line check out at thirtyonegifts.com

A relaxing day at the spa!

I had a great afternoon, I went to Lux day spa and got my eyebrows waxed, A manicure and pedicure, It was so very relaxing. I hope you all have a great weekend. I'm looking forward to my next visit!

What a week!

Have you ever had a week where nothing seemed to go right? I would call it the worst week ever, but it definately wasn't the best. It all started on Sunday night after Bible Study that I'm doing with my Aunt Linda at her Church, It's Beth Moore's study " When Godly people do ungodly things". After Bible Study I was on my way to a friends house for supper when the Police pulled me over for speeding, I was going 49 in a 25 residential zone, I am bad I admit it, but God was so gracious and I didn't get a ticket. My room has been a total disaster because we found termites while replacing our windows and so now we had to take down the sheetrock and replace all the studs. My best friend hasn't been feeling well this week and so I've been concerned about her, and Thursday I got my first Mammogram, and if I never have one of those again it will be too soon! Then tonight I try to get on my online class and something is wrong with Columbus tech's online school!Here is some pictures of the none existent wall in my room, hopefully I get some soon! LOL Geez. I feel like I just should have stayed in bed this week. Inspite of it all, I can say God is surely faithful to me, and he's really watching out for me this week and all the time. I am going the speed limit now just so you know. I hope everyone has a great relaxing worry free weekend!

My Best Friend's First Day of College

Since I feel the need to document all these special moments, here's one that I think that is important and Special, My Best Friend Madison's first day of College, She started at Columbus Tech , January 4th and is going to be in the Nursing Program, right now she is just taking a Computer Class! Good Luck Madison, I know your going to do great! Love you!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's 2010 already! I love new years, it's a fresh start and another chance from God! This year I want to spend more time with God and in Prayer. I want to be a better daughter, sister and friend. I hope you all have a wonderful new year with many blessings. There are a couple of people and things that I am thankful for back in 2009 that I would like to recap. I'm thankful for my health, Job, Family, My wonderful brother! My amazing church St. Mark United Methodist. Wonderful Friends, Carole J, Pam B, Madison W, Libby P. and her sweet family. Kim T. Ashley B. I am thankful for each of year and looking forward to many blessings and good times in 2010!

Ipod touch

If you know me, you know how much I love music, I love listening to music, I played the piano for 10 years and I sing in the choir at my church. I enjoy all kinds of music. I have an ipod nano,but I wanted ipod touch for Christmas and Santa brought me one, many people that I know also received one for Christmas. It is absolutely awesome! It plays music without having any earphones, you can put your photos on it, it has internet capabilities ( if you have wifi) and has a calander and I'm sure many more advantages to it than I have yet to discover. Thank you mom and Dad for my ipod!

A Party in the U.S.A.

This is a picture of me and My B.F.F. Madison today at Michael's we we're just goofing off. We thought these boa's were very pretty if only we had somewhere to wear them. LOL. It makes me think of Party in the U.S.A. Have fun and enjoy life and be happy in the small things. Life is such a gift and I've been so blessed even though it's not always easy. Let your hair down and have some fun! Most importantly spend time with God and those you love the most!

This is a picture of Bear Bryant's booth

The Bright Star restaurant

This is a picture of My favorite Brother John and I outside of The Bright Star restaurant located in Bessemer, Alabama.I was very concerned when my brother said we were going to a greek style restaurant, if you know me at all you know I'm very picky about my food, but to my suprise The Bright Star was fabulous! We both had beef tips greek style, I had fried green tomatoes and cabbage and dressing! We split a peanut butter pie for dessert. It's also very resonably priced. It's in Alabama's top ten places to eat! I know my friend Beth and her mom Mrs. April who are big Alabama fans will be delighted to hear Bear Bryant used to eat at the Bright Star when he was alive he even had his own booth and they still have his booth there with Alabama memorabilia. I can't wait to go back to The Bright star if your ever in the Birmingham area you will definately have to check this place out, you won't be disappointed.

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe it's that time of the year again already! I love Christmas, but we just get so busy and preoccupied that we forget the true meaning of Christmas which is Jesus. Without Jesus being born he could have never died for us so we could live eternally forever with him! We should also spend time with the people we love all year long and not just Christmas. I hope you all have a very blessed and Merry Christmas, and take time to remember and celebrate the true reason for Christmas! This is a picture of Robin and I taken last night at the Christmas gathering at my mawmaw's house. I went to a wonderful Church service at St. Mark United Methodist with my amazing church family and then I spend Christmas with my moms side of the family.

From the heart - Let it Go

Today I did something very important for myself just God and I. I've been thinking about it a lot this week and some very dear people pointed it out to me. I guard my heart and I'm live in such fear of being hurt by people as I have been hurt in the past. I'm so afraid of being hurt again, that I punish other people that love me and care about me. I've just lived in this fear. Today I let it all go. I got a balloon, a sharpie, my bible and journal and I went to a quiet place on our property, I wrote everyone's name on the balloon that had hurt me in the past, I prayed for them. And I let the balloon go, and when that balloon I let go of that hurt. There is no condemnation to him who is in Christ. I know God has his hand on me so I will not live life in fear. I'm going to love people and be more open to people. I'm letting Go and letting God. He has his hand over my life and my relationships. I hope you will let go of your past hurts, and find freedom in Christ.

I even had time to go christmas shopping

I even had time to go Christmas shopping for my favorite people, within an hour, I had Mrs. Carole, Mrs. Pam, My best friend Madison something and my mom. I just wanted to get in and out. Christmas shopping can be stressful it's hard to know what to get people. It was a tough decision on what to even get my best friend. I'm glad that is over. Now tommorow I'm going to help my best friend find something for her mom for her birthday. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!