October Festivities!

While October has come and gone (quite a while ago)...here are some of the happenings that took place in our world...in our October.

The first week in October Mrs. Georgia Renee Russell moved in with us (short term stay) and also celebrated her 22nd birthday! Above is a picture of the BEAUtiful cake Scott and I made for her. I can assure you that it tasted MUCH better than it looks!

Our friend Jenn (also performing arts director at our church) has been "gigging" it up at some of the neatest coffee shops in the DFW area...this was one of those nights.

We also indulged on one of THE BEST Vanilla Chai's EVER!
GEORGIA!

Enjoying the atmosphere, music and the COMPANY...lots of good friends!

Jenn doing her thang! She doesn't normally dress up like Dorothy :)

Scott and I are BLESSED to be godparents to this lil' bumble bee, Emmy. It was so much fun to experience her first holloween with her (even though she had NO CLUE of what was going on).

Isn't she cute?

Not only was it Emmy's first Halloween,

but it was Marquita's (her mom) first time trick-or-treating!

One of the houses in our neighborhood turned their garage into a haunted house, so me Marquita, Georgia and Scott decided we'd go in... Georgia was stuck in the front becuase she is the bravest, then the rest of us followed. Scott, of course, on the tail end.

**Side note: It never fails, if somthing jumps out at him, he ALWAYS throws me infront of him (lol) i guess for protection. Isn't that sweet?**

Well, this haunted house was no different! The girls in front and Scott hiding behind us. We SCREAMED and LAUGHED and SCREAMED somemore...it was FUN!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN (...2 months late)

Fields of Faith Event

Scott had the opportunity to be the main speaker at the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) event, Fields of Faith for the Plano school district last week. One of our youth students is the president of FCA for her school and was part of the planning committee for the Plano event, she asked him 2 weeks in advance and Scott JUMPED all over it! THE
Senior highs (11-12), the high schools (9-10)

and the middle schools (6-8) for the entire Plano school district... lots of students!

As nervous as he was (trust me, he was nervous) he did a great job! The moment he got on that stage he was in his element making people laugh, and most importantly speaking the truth of Christ into the lives of students...and adults!

My Handsome Hubby!

Always proud to do ministry alongside him.

The family is one of God's masterpieces.

SURPRISE! ...we screamed as each of our family members walked into to mom and dad stevenson's house last tuesday night. yep, we pulled off a surprise visit back to Sacramento (THANKS to the help of mom and dad stevenson) Scott and I were able to spend 4 days with our parents, siblings and WONDERFULLY AWESOME, ADORABLE, FUNNY, PRECIOUS NEPHEWS. I cannot even begin to tell you how treasured this time was for us and how many cherished memories we made.

We didn't do much of anything besides truly enjoyed each others company.

Here are just a few of the moments we caught on camera...enjoy!

Eli and Brody

Pappy and Eli play with the water rock

lol...hungry!

Sweet Kisses...I'm sure he was getting tired of them ;)


Sister Des, ME, Mom Joni (in-law), and Sister Megan (in-law)



My Mom (Yes, she's my mom not my sister!)

The loves of my life...minus my bro Mikey.

It was so wonderful to have BOTH of our families together...we are so blessed!

:) It's and Art

funny.

Eli and Uncle Scott

Grandparents with their grandbabies :)

:) awwww

huh?!

my sisters

giggles

Scott trying to be like E-FLY

Uncle Scott introduces WARHEADS to his BABY nephews...lol

Brody goes first

does he like?

maybe...not so much!

Eli's turn...

bubbles = ick!

Happy Eli...Happy Auntie

Baby Einstein...Bahaha... their eyes were GLUED!

Playing Kings and Peasants...or Pheasants (Says Phil)

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN THE LOVE OF OUR FAMILY!

WE LOVE YOU GUYS <3

Stevenson's are introduced to the CIRCUS!

Scott and I FINALLY experienced the CIRCUS! He and I had never been so we made it happen last Thursday...here are some pics!

Pre Show...lots a neat tricks going on in the ring.



Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey



Clearly enjoying the ring master hat that we got with our $12 cotton candy...YIKES!


When we walked into the arena there was NOBODY else seated at the time. Come to find out we are seated RIGHT next to these guys...the only two other people sitting at the time. FUNNY!

They were nice...NO, I did not share my cotton candy with them.

So much to look at...so much fun!!!!

Enjoying his BITE. I think he was still angry at the price he had to pay...lol

We had a blast together...lots of Laughs! Our favorite laugh being the time the CRAZY miniature horse ran out of line with the rest and all the stage help trying to coax him back into line with the rest of the horses...oh my! Not part of the act.

Kinda felt bad for the Tigers...they seemed scared :(

Elephants #1 trick..POOPING! Ick.

We truly had a wonderful time....such a fun happy place! We will be back in the years to come.

THANKS SCOTT FOR TAKING ME :)

- YOUR FOREVER YOUNG WIFEY

TEEN GIRLS = SO MUCH FUN!

I can't even begin I tell you how much I've grown to love these young ladies and thoroughly enjoy investing in their moldable lives and spending time with each of them ...

it has become a DEEP passion of mine!

I am so blessed to have these young ladies in my life.

Here is a glimps of our "girls night at my house last Wednesday night.

Majority of our time consisted of us watching SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE...and me painting countless toenails...yes, laying on the floor I paint as many as I can.

I ordered EIGHT pizzas. 1/2 of a pizza was left at the end of the night...love girls thtat can EAT!

AREN'T THEY BEAUTIFUL?!?!?!?

Lots of Laughs

Lindsey, enjoying Shari's YUMMY brownies.

We also had PINK cupcakes, OREO TRUFFLES (WOW) ...and yummy pound cake. PERFECT!!!

Thanks to all who brought the goodies.

Scott Stevenson became a Reverend!?!?!?

That’s right folks, my hubby got ordained. June 12, 2009. We were so blessed to have some of our family come out and support our commissioning into ministry. It turned out that Scott was the only ordainee/ordinan (?) in the Texas/ Louisiana district this year...which made for a very special, intimate service directed just to us. Joann Lyon's was the speaker and left us with heartfelt insight. I admire her authenticity. Ryan (Scott's brother) read scripture, Dad Stevenson prayed over us and then Dad Higley (my dad) closed in prayer...having both of our fathers pray over our ministry was such an honor, we are so blessed. Mom Stevenson, my brother Mikey and Lindquist's greeted us with big hugs after the service.

Another fun lil’ ditty…In addition to Scott getting ordained, he was also nominated and voted in as District Youth President. Yep, Scott the DYP. A new role, new responsibility, new adventure and a new challenge…Here we go!

I cannot tell you how proud I am of my husband and what an honor it is to serve alongside him. In the 2 years of ministry I've seen God use him, mold him, teach him and grow him... my heart is changed and humbled because of it. We are young, we have LOTS to learn, but being in the center of God's will for our lives...there is no greater peace!

Two years and MORE...

Summer of 2001 – JUST finished our sophomore year of high school. Our families were getting together; the very first time we met was at his Grandma Simpsons house during district conference. After spending the weekend and some time at Coronado Beach… I had a crush, Scott made his “that’s wifey declaration” to his close friend and God had his plan.
December 2001- Saw each other at a youth conference. I accepted God’s calling into ministry, not fully knowing what that entailed… as my future husband sat rows behind me and witnessed and God had his plan.
Summer of 2002 – Scott and I started dating. Scott came a visited me in Tucson for a week. However, we decided to break up shortly after his visit due to the complications in “long distant” relationships. God had his plan.
December of 2002 – Distant friends…God had his plan
Summer of 2003- Scott made an unexpected stop in Tucson with his brother. He had the PLEASURE of meeting my boyfriend of the time, little did Scott know this relationship would leave me broken and having lost a piece of my heart. Hard, but I got a glimpse of Scott’s quite strength & sincere honesty. God had his plan.
Summer of 2004- Both Sophomores in college, Scott transferred to Oklahoma Wesleyan (the school I had been attending since freshman year) to get his Ministry degree. Our friendship grew, along with Scott’s persistence! Even though I enjoyed his friendship more than any other, my heart was not ready, and my shoulders were heavy. He took each rejection with class and reminded me of his commitment to pray for me daily that started back in the summer of 2002…God had his plan.
Fall 2004- Starting to open up my heart to Scott I began to realize that I had to break my heart to heal my heart. Unsure of how my past would affect the way Scott cared for me, I had to do it, and God was calling me to be transparent with him and my family. After I shared my hidden scars, half way expecting Scott to walk away and throw in the towel, he simply said “I love you.”…really? God had his plan.
Christmas 2004- We are officially dating…as half way / young adults! Many times feeling very unworthy to be dating such great guy, Scott was always quick to tell of his love for me...I got a glimpse of his encouragement as God continually healed my heart. God had his plan.
March 2006- For spring break Scott and I met up with our close friends in San Diego. Our first day out on the beach, as he hugged me tight (I could feel his heart beating!), He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him… “YES!” …I was MORE than surprised. SHOCKED! He gave me the proposal of my dreams, something we hadn’t talked much about. God had his plan.

June 2007- My prince. My strength. My encourager. My pursuer. My friend....became my husband. With all our friends and family present…we made our commitment to God and to each other. A day I will never forget. God had his plan.

June 2009- two year anniversary…I am so blessed. God has made beauty from my mess and has given me a man who loves me and respects me more than I could have ever imagined. Last night as Scott was preaching at youth group…I couldn’t help but look back at our journey and think God had a perfect plan in our love story and I am so honored to continue to live out God’s plan alongside my friend, my Scott.

I wish I could do my husband justice with my words...but hopefully my little timeline will give you a glimpse of the man he has been to me and continues to be on a daily basis...yes...I am blessed beyond words!

I love you Scott- Happy 2 year Anniversary!!!!