Welcome to our blog

NEW BLOG

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 21:47:05 -0600

We’ve got a new blog... I can update this one much easier, from any computer, rather than having to be on my mac...

http://PaulAndMeredith.BlogSpot.com

Busy, busy, busy...

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 11:44:04 -0500

Busy is a good word to describe us lately. I took a promotion this summer, Meredith got a job, we’re building a house, involved with church stuff.... and the list goes on and on.
But, everything is going great! The house is coming along quite nicely, and we hope to move in next month. There is a lot to do between now and then, but we’re moving right along with every day that goes by!
This week I am going to Rhode Island for a work related trip, then this coming weekend, Rachel (Meredith’s best friend) is getting married.
After that, we’re going on VACATION... cannot wait. The location hasn’t been disclosed to Meredith yet, though. It will be nice to get away and do a little relaxing. We haven’t been able to do that in a really, really long time--so it is much welcomed.
After vacation, it’s back to full gear on the house and getting it completed. Hopefully, we’ll be moving right along in the remaining tasks that we have to do--I am ready to move in!
Sorry to take so long in posting a new blog... I have to use my Mac to do updates, and lately, I have not even turned it on... when I have been home, the last thing I want to do is turn on a computer... or it’s the last thing I have TIME to do. Either way, I hope to update more often. Sorry about that!

Wedding Pictures...

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:22:29 -0500

Our wedding pictures are online!
http://www.eventpix.com/guest/events/event.php?_function=detail&key=9883cdc5cd7046fdb13d355cd86a38ef
The password is: bradley
Enjoy!

A lot going on...

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:05:30 -0500

I thought that I would be doing a lot better at updating this blog, but apparently not so much. Sorry about that.
According to the facebook calendar, Meredith and I have been married 50 days and it has FLOWN BY.
We came back from Hawaii and then went to Super Summer... had a great time working with the youth there and met a lot of new friends. Unfortunately, though, I came back and brought the flu with me. I went to the doctor and found out that it was not just “the flu”... but THE SWINE FLU. Out of control.
Yes, we went to Hawaii--not Mexico--to avoid the swine flu, yet I somehow contract it from a student at camp... in Arkadelphia. How ridiculous.
To make it worse, Meredith go the flu after I did. The good news, though, is that I had medicine already and at least knew what she could take.
Then summer school started. I’m taking a class for the next 5 weeks to try to get one more class out of the way for my masters. Finals are the first week of August--lots to do until then.
I did book a trip for October, though, for Meredith’s birthday (well, and mine, too.) I’m not telling her where we’re going, though. I guess I will have to give her enough information on what to pack, but that’s all she’s getting. Even when she sees the plane ticket, I’m doubtful she’ll be able to figure out the full details. {What can I say... maybe I like rubbing in surprises.}
I should be studying for that class, actually, but instead I’m blogging.
I also got a new job! Still working for Acxiom, but took a ‘manager’ position. I am really excited about it, although it is a lot to learn. Fortunately, my old boss had been mentoring me for the last year or so, and all the things that she taught me about the business have really come in handy! I’m very blessed for the opportunity and God has really just dropped it in my lap. Very thankful.
The house is coming along quite nicely! We’re hoping to have the roof completely on by this time next week. The walls are up and it is taking shape. We are able to see where all the rooms are and how things are going to fit. We’re super excited about the house and are anxious to move in. We’re hoping to finish it by the middle of November, so we’ll see how that goes.
I think Meredith and I are probably most excited about having people over. We’ve said from the beginning that it is going to be “God’s” house and we intend to use it for any ministry that He desires to use it for...
Hopefully next time it won’t take so long for me to blog... hold me to that.

I’m sorry!!!

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:14:40 -0500

Yes, those are some of the most important words to learn how to say as a husband. Fortunately I have not had to use them a whole lot these first few weeks--only a couple hundred times. But seriously.

Sorry for the lack of posts on what's going on in our world. Needless to say, we have been incredibly busy. I haven't even written about HAWAII! So, let me get you up to speed, although it could take a few posts.

The wedding was amazing. It went so smoothly. There were no problems and everything went off without a hitch. Meredith was stunningly beautiful, and she took my breath away. We had an incredible group of people there to celebrate with us, and many more who were unable to attend but celebrated with us from afar.

I have to say that we have the most amazing wedding party ever. Each of you are very special to us and we appreciate your friendships. And to the musicians... phenomenal. Can't say enough good things about you guys other than that you are amazing and thank you for sharing your gifts with us!

The only bad thing was that we did not get any cake at the reception--other than the little bit that we ate for pictures. Speaking of pictures, we should have the photographer's pictures back in a couple of more weeks. Video should be following fairly soon, too.

By the way, all of you guys who decided you were going to wrap my car in saran wrap and all that jazz... all of you, with a few exceptions, are SINGLE and I will get you back. All of you.

Hawaii was absolutely amazing. I wish everyone would have the chance to go visit. It is beautiful and the people we met were so nice. The beach is amazing and the sunsets are gorgeous. We did a lot of different things while we were there. We'll have to take another post to write about all of them, so stay tuned for that.

We came back and all the madness with Super Summer started right away. I wrote the registration program that puts all the kids in rooms, assigns staffers, small groups, etc, etc, etc... camp starts this Thursday (June 18th) for staffers, so everything had to be done. It's been a big task, but a lot of fun as well.

We finally were able to start our new house a couple of weeks ago. The sub-contractor has been on the go and has gotten a LOT done in the last week. In fact, the concrete slab is being poured on Thursday and framing will begin Friday or Monday of next week! I'll be posting some new pictures of the house, too.

This past weekend was interesting. A huge storm came through on Friday afternoon and knocked the power out. We were without power all weekend and it was 80 degrees outside! Talk about an experience!! We stayed the night at Lynn Ann's house on Saturday evening, and we were grateful for the air conditioning!

This week we leave for Super Summer on Thursday. Meredith is going with me and is helping out as an adult chaperone. Junior high camp starts on Saturday, followed by Senior high on the following Tuesday. Looking forward to camp, although I wish I had another weekend between here and there in order to catch up on a little bit of sleep.

Sorry for being so long between now and our last post... we have truly been busy, but have plans to keep this thing updated more often with the status on the house and everything going on there!

Oh, have I mentioned we are STILL writing thank you cards? We are overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and thoughtfulness... so know that we are still writing cards and appreciate everyone's gifts!!

Married today...

Sat, 23 May 2009 10:38:58 -0500

Today is the big day. We’re both excited. I am sitting at my house... waiting... I woke up at 7:45 this morning and made myself stay in bed until at least 9:15. There wasn’t anything else for me to do, so I didn’t want to just “sit” forever.
I think Meredith is busier than I am this morning... hair... makeup... yada yada. Although she looks way hotter than me.
I’m not really “nervous”... more anxious. Meredith is “SUPER EXCITED!!!!!!!!” (direct quote). I am excited, too, but the fact that all these people are coming to see ME and HER and we are the focus is somewhat scary.... I just pray that we deflect the glory back to where it is supposed to go. I know what I am without God’s power in my life, and “what people see” is nothing but ashes without the beauty He makes me to be. I think Meredith would completely agree.
I described the feeling to a friend earlier as being similar to the “waiting” you do before you go to a job interview... there is more tension and nervousness in the waiting than there is in the actual interview--most of the time.
Please pray for us this next week... pray for God’s mercy and love to be richly shown in our lives. Pray for opportunities to minister to all the people we come in contact with on our trip to Hawaii. Pray for God to be glorified through everything that we say and do.
Most importantly, pray and thank God for loving each of us the way He does. He’s the creator and sustainer of life. Without Him, there is nothing worth living for... in fact, there is no life at all.

2 Days...

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:03:35 -0500

Forgive me/us for it being so long in updating. We’ve been pretty busy. I’ll try to post some pre-ceremony pictures after we get everything decorated at the church so you can take a look.
We will have a recording of the ceremony, so those of you who who aren’t going to be able to make it... let us know and we’ll see about getting you a copy!
More later... much to do!