Manda Jo's Journey: Catch Up!

I don't know about you guys but 2011 has just been an AMAZING year so far! I can see God's blessings pouring out on his people everywhere I look.

In late January our friends, Brian and Stacy adopted a beautiful brand new baby boy named Barrett Keinan Turpen. He is just perfect! God's hand was truly in this adoption because Brian and Stacy found out about this mother-to-be who was looking for someone to adopt her baby and less than 48 hours later the baby had been born and Barrett was with his new mommy and daddy! It is so neat watching God's blessings pour out on people you love!

Stacy with her brand new baby boy!

There are several other babies who will be making their debut in 2011! My best friend Meghan will be having her 4th little blessing in August! She actually found out she was pregnant on the same day Micheal and I got engaged! :) My friend Kara is expecting her 2nd baby boy on Good Friday so that is just around the corner and we are all very excited! Also, Micheal's sister Miranda and her hubby are expecting their first baby in August! Micheal and I will be getting a new little neice or nephew! :) I am so excited because this is the first neice or nephew born on Micheal's side that I will officially be "aunt" to from birth! Micheal's oldest sister has 2 boys who I have known from birth but I wasn't officially Aunt Amanda! (I like the way that sounds!) I am so glad Micheal has older sisters otherwise I wouldn't be an aunt for a long time because Adam is only 15!

On February 14th Micheal and I got to spend our first Valentine's Day together as an engaged couple! We had a great time. I had a hair appointment in Levelland that afternoon so Micheal took me to that and then we headed to Lubbock! He took me to eat at Red Lobster which is one of my favorites! And then we went to see the new movie with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, "Just Go With It". We both thought it was really funny! I had told Micheal that the only thing I wanted for Valentine's was a date but he didn't listen! :) I got some beautiful roses delivered to work and he also got me a personalized keepsake box. I absolutely love it! :) He is so sweet!

Micheal got to pick out what was engraved on it.

The top says: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (He tells me that all the time)

The bottom says: Micheal & Amanda

Also in February Micheal and I traveled to Amarillo to participate in Disciple Now at South Georgia Baptist Church. We are always so blessed by our experience in Amarillo and this year was no different. We always leave with new friends and fun memories!

So now I look up and we are already half way through March and Spring Break has already come and gone. I am so excited because that means graduation is less than 2 months away! I cannot wait! Everything on the school front is going great especially my practicum! I will share all about that in my next post! To end I will share some pictures of some of my favorite things! :)

Sunday lunch with friends!!