Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tornado Alley


Severe weather is hitting Arkansas hard this week. Yesterday NWA {where I went to college} had severe flooding and many popular roads closed. I know even a few friends barely could make it home. Then last night, this came on the news screen:
Pretty sure- that is when I knew these storms were real. I was on my way home from picking up dinner when the sirens starting going off. Constantly. {this never happens} Made it inside and they said we had about 15 minutes before we needed to take cover.

When we did- the power went in and out. Luckily wifi was working so we had the weather pulled up on the computer screen in the bathroom.
There were 3 main phases of taking cover. The first was the worst. In fact the tornado that went over us and didn't touch down- ended up being this one pictured below in Vilonia, Arkansas. This is taken from one of the banks near photographer April Ruple's home {a fellow wedding vendor: Ruple Photography who lives there}.
How scary is that?! It was devastating to this small town. It was heartbreaking to see earlier today, as shown below. It is a MIRACLE that a handful of deaths instead of 50-100 happened. Please pray for this Arkansas town and the entire state. And if you can DONATE here to the Red Cross! They really need and are asking for monetary donation.


Monday, April 25, 2011

MM: Update!

Since it is a Mellow Monday in Arkansas and even the University of Arkansas is shut down because of flooding {what?!} and the rest of the state is taking cover from tornadoes {central Arkansas, here we go!}...I figured a refreshing Miscellany Monday would be added to the agenda! So here goes by miscellaneous thoughts...

1) Meemaw sent me this newspaper clipping with my birthday letter last week.
It is "Helpful Rules to Live By:"
  • Always strive for Self-Improvement
  • Never Give Up
  • Think big thoughts, but enjoy small pleasures
  • Learn to Listen- God gave you two ears and one mouth- listen twice as much as you talk {I would be lying if I said Meemaw has never told me this on numerous occasions ha}
  • When opportunity knocks, answer the door
  • Never say bad things about your competition
  • Always be positive and enthusiastic in everything you do. Positive people attract other positive people.
  • Give praise in public- criticize in private
  • Don't burn bridges- you may have to cross them.
  • "if you think education is expensive, try ignorance"
2) Tomato Basil soup is the bomb.com and I have NEVER been a fan of tomato soup until this year. Campbells sure does make it right!

3) Remember just be grateful for seasons! {except tornado weather}

4) My only complaint this week: Most of you know my birthday was Tuesday. Something traumatic happened on Thursday- I got rejected and told "no" that I couldn't order off of the kids menu. 24 yrs old and they {Buffalo Grill- Cantrell Rd. PS waitress was extremely rude and I won't be returning.} just now say no? ;( It was a sad day. I even told her she could charge me for the adult sized but all I wanted was the kids portion, cause that would fill me up. She said no. Then decided to be nice bringing me my to-go box and check and saying "oh sorry, guess you were right, you would only eat what the kid's portion would be- I should have just let you get it." DUH! I know what fills me up. Thanks. And for those of you wondering, yes, I still tipped her good- hoping it would make her get in a good mood for other customers coming in after me plus try to kill with kindness. {yes, that is my life motto number 10.}

Now back to fun stuff :)
5) I am on an event high that is for sure! Saturday night, I think was one of my top favorite events ever. I got to design and produce a sweet sixteen party and it was too much fun. Don't get me wrong, I do love weddings- BUT- I could definitely do more of these and love it just the same~
Bright-fun colors!! Click here for more of my 'sneak peak' of pictures!

6) Now I will apologize for my ranting on number 4. AND wish you a wonderful week! Stay dry if you are in Arkansas!!!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter Sunday

Easter.
We get to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus! God loves us so much and we are reminded constantly of the unconditional love he has for us. We are human- we all make mistakes, but at the end of the day- he loves us and we are saved from our sins. He allows us to believe in Him and in the eternal life we will have. Jesus has risen and today celebrated that. He is alive in each and every one of us. How great of a feeling that is. Easter is a special day for loved ones to spend with their friends and family. I got to hang out with the Whitt side today.
Momma with her Sister Leah, Brother Duane, and Parents Becky & Dalton
We are so lucky that they all live in Maumelle and we are so close with them.
Becky & Dalty with their granddaughters {Missing one in NYC- but shout out to you!}

Here is a you tube video that if you didn't see it live Friday night, you need to watch it.

Always remember that God loves you and has a plan for you!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Getting to know you

Today I am linking up with Keely for her Getting to know You questions! So here goes:
1) What's something you've eaten and liked, but didn't think you would?
Technically I drank this, but it was delicious. Fresh cucumber juice in Jamaica!

2)Plastic surgery: yay or nay? Nay.

3) 2 things you love about spring are...
Being outside & the beautiful flowers!

4)When's the last time you went on a picnic?
Depends on your definition of picnic. Eating outside or the full blanket and packing up food idea. Eating outside: Saturday; Full blanket: who knows. ha

5)What's your favorite app?
This trivia app I am hooked on! Add me "Shawna Young" if you have it and we can qrank!

6)Who does the grocery shopping in your house? Momma
7) Would you rather take a spin class or zumba? I enjoy both! They are so much fun! I recently went my first spin class. A friend, Camden, just started her own in Jonesboro. Definitely check out Zenspin if you are in the area. It is so much fun!

8) How often do you go out to dinner? VERY often!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

My Birthday :)

Well, Well, Well....
I am officially 2-4. As of yesterday, April 19!

What a wonderful day it was. I felt so loved by all of my family and friends with facebook messages, phone calls, and text messages from all of my favorite people. Cup- Overflowed! So thank you to each and every one of you. I really am a lucky girl!

So- how did I spend the day?

Worked a little bit in the morning- went shopping with Momma on a perfect sunny day {& on a mission to get a pair of TOMS which resulted in no Toms but lots of goodies from one of my favorite stores}! Then YaYa's with Momma and Chelsea, who just happen to have an appointment in Little Rock on my bday. Perfect timing.
We had the best time stuffing our faces and catching up! We even got a free dessert in honor of the birthday girl {me}! It was delicious.

After a little more shopping, a few work errands, and finishing a few 'to-do' things. It was time to celebrate! Momma made her famous lasagna.
My Grandma, Becky, made a blackberry cobbler!
{Of course we HAD to add a little a la mode to it.}
Sweet Hayley came over for the fun!
Plus I got to hang with two of my favorite Men!
Then Present time!
Can you tell how excited they were to watch?! They also spent lots of time picking out my presents too. No worries. ha The pretty day turned into 'tornado alley.'

Lots of fun things from friends and family!

Now for this year of being, 24, who knows what is in store?!

Monday, April 18, 2011

What I Made Monday: Banana Puddin'


Today I am linking in with Mrs. Amy Hannon over at Sincerely Yours for her WIMM {What I Made Monday}! However, I made this wonderful dessert last Friday to take to a family friend! I took a few pictures while baking to save for this post. BECAUSE it's the best recipe ever. It is one that my family adores, friends love, and is a southern comfort staple...Banana Pudding! {a.k.a. Banana Puddin'}

The Jello recipe just doesn't cut it in the Whitt & Young households. I wish I could claim my 'famous' recipe as my own, but I simply can't. Just grab you a box of Nilla wafers and flip it to the side. There you will find the best recipe!
Ingredients:
I will simplify the directions for you. Once you have everything out.
Turn oven to 350 degrees.
In a saucepan on your stove, mix 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/3 cup of flour, and a dash of salt together. Turn your heat on low and add in 2 cups of milk. Stir it real good, to mix the dry ingredients with the milk. Then move away from the stove and separate 3 eggs. Be sure you do not get any yoke in with the whites. Otherwise, your meringue will be flat. A.k.a not good. If you get any yellow in the white, you might as well start over with 3 new eggs. Not that I didn't do this multiple times growing up or anything...
Once they are separate, the eggs, stir your stove mixture and spoon about a cup or so into the bowl with your egg yokes. Stir it, then add the egg yoke mixture to your stove mixture. This way, your egg yokes won't scramble by pouring them straight into the heat. Once mixed, turn your heat on medium and keep stirring, constantly, once mixture thickens, you can remove from heat and stir in 1/2 tsp. of vanilla. In a cute baking pan, place Nilla wafers all over the bottom and the sides. Then begin cutting your bananas in wheels and cover the bottom. Layer the custard then the banana's {as shown below} and so on until you are out of custard. I usually use about 3-4 ripe bananas. You can use more or less based on your preference.
Once complete, head to your Kitchen Aid mixer {use this as an excuse to buy one if you don't have one} and begin beating your egg whites. Once they turn white, add 1/4 cup of sugar gradually into the whites and continue beating them. Once stiff peaks form, you can spoon it on top of your pan, make a fun design with the back of a spoon and toss it in the oven. Bake till the meringue is golden brown-about 15-20 minutes.
Trust me, you will get rave reviews if you follow this recipe.

Do you believe in Easter?

I got this story in an email today and just had to share it! Please read it no matter what you believe, or where you are from. I hope it strikes a cord with you as it did to me this morning! I believe in Easter, and it is such a wonderful truth.
Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San
Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.

One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and
it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.

Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this
way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.

Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw
the head nurse, Beverly . Beverly had first met Edith when she was
taking her blood pressure.

Edith began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"

Beverly said, "Why yes I do."

Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"

Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to
church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real
meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith
sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"

Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, "Your lab report came
back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."

Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are
you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"

Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"

Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came
and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."

Well, they did just that and women began to come in and
share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse. Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.

One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith
were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said,"Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you."

Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me,
it won't work. I'm not interested."

Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not
to let me go home until you come into the family."

Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because
that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.

Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."

One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to
Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day"

Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody
here the question, "Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me."

Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God
told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked." Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?"

Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all
of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.

Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said,
"Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday."

Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"

Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came
into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.

When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed.
That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear from
their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then
lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here
cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"

Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room,
and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said,
"My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Destin, Florida!


This past weekend, the girls and I headed to Destin, Florida to celebrate Gail's Bachelorette Party!!

Gettin' ready to head out on the town Saturday night!
The bachelorette party at the condo!
The Bachelorette. All decked out!
Singing to her at the piano bar!
And I especially loved hanging out with these girls there too!! Gail {the bachelorette}, then pictured below: Amanda, Natalie, {me}, Page, and Chelsea; all friends from the University of Arkansas! Gotta love these girls!
Don't we all looked sun kissed!

Oaklawn Day

Today was one of the best days. Molly, one my high school besties, and I went to Hot Springs to see the horses race at Oaklawn! She has never been, and since it was the last weekend of the season, we had to go. We made a day trip out of it, and had a blast today. Eating lunch downtown then betting on the horses.
The track.
They ran so fast and were so pretty.
And. Made me a few extra $$$. Especially when I won a $0.50 trifecta on the last race. The payout was over $15.00!!! {I'm such a big spender/better; can't you tell!}

Lunch Date

Last week, I got to have the best lunch date in Conway.
With my sweet grandmother, Meemaw! Love her dearly. She was coming to town to buy bibles for the teenagers at her church in Heber Springs. It made my day visiting with her, then browsing Conway shops. So blessed to have this sweet lady in my life!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Giveaway!

So I really want to win this blog giveaway, but I get more chances to win by sharing it with you all. {Not that I didn't want to tell you about it or anything...hmmm}

Head over to Shasta Anne to enter to win a $100 Forever 21 AND $100 Exxon Gift card.

Yes, it is that easy folks.

Wonder who will win? Keeping my fingers crossed. Cute clothes and gas $$$ sounds like the perfect birthday present to myself {if I win!ha }.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Best Advice Ever

Why worry when you can trust in this?
No matter how much we try to 'plan' our lives, our plan is already written.
So trust in him!
Yes, it is that easy.