25 Things - I guess I have to, since so many other people are doing it....

1) I love to do nothing.

2) I love popcorn with seasoning salt and lots of butter!

3) I love to pray. In fact, I tend to not read my Bible and just pray... so bad, I know.

4) I never walk my dogs. MAINLY because they love to drag me down the street!!! I'm a wimp.

5) To-do lists have changed my life.

6) I respect my husband more than anyone else in the whole world. He works harder than anyone else I know.

7) I watch movies while I clean - that is to say, I have them on in the background... typically a musical so I can belt it out like Barbara Steisand or Julie Andrews.

8) I secretly want tatoos. I secretly want to be a rock star!

9) I love teaching and playing piano. I HATE practicing piano.

10) I've read Jane Eyre 8 times. I've read all of Jane Austen's books twice and have promised myself that I can read all of them again each year.

11) I play World of Warcraft and am a huge closet gaming NERD. (I blame it on the homeschooling.)

12) I really enjoy walks and hiking.

13) I want to go to Europe someday - especially Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

14) I try not to care about politics, although I find myself getting into it. I hate it though because I just know that when I get to meet Jesus, I'm really not going to care about whether or not I was an american, or a conservative, or whatever. I just want to learn how to love people... seriously.

15) If I had to live or die for a particular political issue, it would be abortion, one of the greatest human rights issues. I also believe in international aid, and support Harvest of Hope. Check them out!

16) Adam and I buy powerball tickets when it goes over $100 mil. Don't worry, if you know me, you'll probably get something. :D

17) I hate scary movies. I watched The Shining in college, and it freaked me out so much that I slept with the light on for months... no joke. In fact! My brother and I were watching tv one day and an ad came on for a showing of that movie, and I actually started crying. A little over the top, but seriously... that movie disturbed me!!!

18) My passion is very short lived, yet very powerful. I love something with all my heart and soul for about a week, and then move on to something else.

19) I love very green landscapes.

20) My favorite songs by Kristie Braselton are Take My Life, Let Us Run, and I, the Mountain.

21) I love depressing music. The more depressing, the more I love it.

22) I used to tell people that my dream job was to sing back-up for Sarah MacLaughlan. Then I heard her live album and realized that I couldn't because I can't even scream as high as she sings.....

23) I've learned that it's ok to love popular things.

24) I once had the first three chapters of Philippians memorized... but a lot of it is lost now. :(

25) I usually pray for really general things, like asking God to humble me... and He definitely answers them! It's just, those lessons take a long time. Recently, however, I was sitting in church, and Justin Marshall was talking about how God waits for us and longs to be with us. That's always something I have a hard time understanding, so that morning I found myself asking God to show me that truth. I asked Him, in a sense, to prove it to me. Later that afternoon, I got an email from a friend talking about God's jealousy for our worship and love, and compared it with human longing for relationships. It was the first time ever that I felt like God really, truly was there and loved me and wanted me to know Him more. It changed my whole life.

That's all! Thanks!

Sugar-free

I'm writing an informational post to let you all know about the discoveries I've made regarding the world of sugar-free desserts, drinks, and foods. If you should ever embark on a South Beach diet, or something like it, here are a few good tips for you!

Best sugar-free dinners:
"fake" shepherd's pie
wings (homemade sauce... I can email the recipe if you're interested)
london broil with tomato relish (I have Adam to thank for this one)

Best sugar-free desserts:
sugar-free jello pudding packs (HOLY crap these things are addicting)
Murray's sugar-free cookies (so far I've tried their oreo cookies and chocolate dipped graham crackers, and they're amazing)

Can't live without:
sugar-free coffee creamer - enough said.
tea & coffee
vanilla coke zero


So, that's what I've found so far. It actually hasn't been too difficult. I encountered major temptation last night at church after having been there all day. All I wanted to eat was a big piece of chocolate cake!!!!! How can you curb a craving for the yummiest food in the world, I ask you??? It took a few sugar-free cookies, and lots of water... but I made it through. :)

Living... Without Guilt

Is it possible? Well, yes! But, I'm kind of a guilty person. I apologize for everything. This can be quite the problem when trying to diet! Tonight, I had breaded boneless wings. If I was going to be guilty about anything I've eaten so far after being on this diet, I think this might have to be it. They were freaking good though!!

So, tomorrow... rather than sulk and be all mad at myself for slipping, and eventually giving up on the whole thing because I can't do it... I'm going to eat a lot of non-fat, no-sugar things! No matter how devoid of taste these things may be, I will eat them, and be happy about it!

I'm writing this for everyone to read so that you all can ask me if I'm making sure that I don't let a little cheating now and then get me down. Buhbye guilt!

Oh, by the way, Adam has lost almost 10 pounds. Much like the typical male, all he had to do was think to himself "I'd like to lose some weight!" and it magically fell off overnight. :D

Lost

I think it's almost wrong... the amount of excitement that I feel about the season premier is what some might call "over the top". I have been rewatching season 4, and trying to dissect episodes to see if I can find missing clues, etc. Yes, I'm obsessive.


Also, I thought I'd let you all know that I've officially migrated from being a "Jater" to a "Skater". That's right, folks.


Sawyer and Kate forever!

Welcome to the family!

This is my family. :) Me, Adam, my parents, Bud and Jamae, and my brother and his future wife, Scott and Mindy. We had a wonderful time hanging out this holiday season, and it's such a blessing to see our family growing. We all got a chance to spend time with Mindy and get to know her, and we're looking forward to the wedding in October!

Congrats you two! We love you!

New Year

Hey all!! So, I got off the bandwagon with blogging, and I'm not going to post much today, except for some pics highlighting things that I've been meaning to blog about and I haven't!!!

Cooking with Mom Christmas morning.

Christmas with the Whitlatch's

Hanging with the 'rents.

Kristie, I see your Hope and Inspiration, and raise you one "Hope in a Jar".