30 Days: My First Love

I know we are only three days into this 30 Day challenge, but I'm really enjoying it. Today is all about your first love. For some reason I struggled with this one. It seemed like a trick question for some reason.

I know the "good" answer is Jesus Christ and He is absolutely number one in my life today. At least, I try to make him number one. He is first and foremost.

So if by first you mean most important right now then absolutely Yes, Jesus Christ.

But if you mean first as in before anyone else, then unfortunately it was Jesus Christ. Though I was accepted Jesus as my personal savior when I was 16, I didn't fall in love with Him until much later in life.

So then there is the husband. He is definitely the first person I ever loved in that forever and ever no matter what kind of way. He is my best friend here on earth. He is the only man I ever considered spending the rest of my life with.

Here are some of my favorite pics ever taken of the husband and me. My sweet sister-in-law Jill took them as our engagement pictures. Sorry they are poor quality...these are pictures of the actual pictures.





And this is one of my favorites of the husband...He looks like he is in a Gap commercial.

But there was someone before the husband. His name was Chris. I met Chris in 7th grade and we instantly hit off. We became best friends right from the start and remained best friends until we both got married and moved on with life. Chris and I had a very special relationship that no one seemed to understand but us. I loved Chris as much as my young high school self could love someone. It was a different kind of life than I have for my husband. He was a very special person in my life for several years and he is the one I considered to be first love.

So that's my answer....I guess it depends on how you define first and how you define love....and now I'm going to stop because I'm starting to sound like a pastor I know.. and that's not at ALL good. :) (Sorry inside joke)

30 Days: The Blog Name

What is the meaning behind your blog name?


I have to admit, I struggled with find a name for my blog. I asked several of you for your opinion.

I settled on Living Out His Plan because ultimately that is what I hope to do. I learn more and more that God's plan is always better than my own. His ways are higher. This is sometimes hard for me because I'm such a planner. I like to be in control.

My life is a story that God is writing. Occasionally I try to play editor and act as if I know better. The truth is God has it all under control and He is far better than I am.

I love Jeremiah 29:11. God has a plan for our future and oh how good that plan is.

My blog name serves as a reminder to myself to always be seeking God's plan for my life. It a reminder to let the Author of life be the author of my story.

30 Days: Meet Me

Katie's first prompt for us is to introduce ourselves, share recent pics, and tell 15 interesting facts.



I'm Elaina.

1. I've been married to my amazing husband for almost seven years. We have two of the sweetest furbabies, Liberty Belle and Liam Bailey.

2. I teach 7th grade math and science. I love my job! It has its rough days, but most days allow for fun at work.

3. Apparently I'm a lucky girl! My sister-in-law, Jill, tells me this all time. After winning a movie at a concert a couple of weeks ago and tickets to the state fair at church Sunday, I'm beginning to believe her. :)




4. I once had my belly button and my nose pierced.




5. I played clarinet in high school and sometimes wish I had had the courage to try out for the U of A band.




6. I love owls. Not sure why, but lately I've had a fascination with owls.


7. I don't do well with big crowds.




8. I want so badly to be able to paint. I try. I try often, but I just don't have that gift.




9. I would much rather it be hot outside than cold. They just don't make a parka big enough to suit me. I do not like to be cold.













10. I hate flying. For that matter, I don't really like the airport. I cry each and every time I drop Andrew off at the airport.

11. I bought a sewing machine back in March. I have no idea how to use. I hope to find a class I can take next summer.

12. I collect children's books. I absolutely love them. I buy them, bring them home and read them, and them put them away for my someday children.


13. I'm doing Project 365. This is where you a take a picture every day and journal about your day for an entire year. I tried last year and quit in March. I'm majorly behind in the actually scrapbooking of this project, but I've been taking a photo every day.


14. I'm a list maker.


15. I had the hardest time coming up with these 15 things. I even read everyone else's list for ideas. Sad I know!!

The Best Decision

Twelve years ago today I made the most important decision of my life. A decision more important than where I would go to college, what career I would choose, or even who I would marry.

On October 11, 1998 I made the decision to give my life to Chrit. I was sixteen years old and miserable. I assumed I was good for Heaven because I was what I considered to be a good person. A play called Heaven's Gates Hell's Flames helped me realize I was not good enough, not even close. You can read more about how I came to make this decision here.

The decision to follow Christ has changed my life. It has changed who I am as a person. It is easily the best decision I ever made or ever will make.

Because of that decision 12 years ago, I have a room in Heaven waiting for me. I have a friend in Jesus who never disappoints me and who loves me with a love far greater than anything I could ever imagine. I have a place to turn when things here on Earth get rough.

Jesus Christ is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Counselor, my King, my Lord, my Friend.

If you don't have a personal relationship with the one true God, I beg of you to make the same decision I did. I won't tell you it is an easy road, but I will tell you it is well worth it. I will tell you that it will rock your world in the most amazing way.

If you aren't sure how to make the decision, send me a message. I would love to share with you.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

30 Days

October is a very busy month for me. I have a lot going on with school and with family and just with life. There are birthday parties, professional developments, trips to New Orleans, photo shoots, and much more.

With that being said, I'm probably crazy for taking this on, but it just looked like fun!

Katie is hosting a blog challenge called 30 Days. She is giving us a prompt to blog about every day for the next 30 days. We'll see if I can keep up.

If you want to know more check out Katie's blog.

Rapunzel or Ramona?

In June 2009 I went and had a mini make-over which included getting my hair cut.


In 2009, I decided to grow my hair so I could donate it to locks of love, an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients.

So...it hasn't been cut since June 2009. It is getting really long, at least for me it is.



I really want to get it cut already. You are supposed to have 10 inches to donate and I have that...it will just be shorter than I prefer after I cut it. I'm really torn. I really don't like it this long. I feel like it just hangs on my head all flat and yucky. It ends up in a pony tail 99% of the time.

But...Andrew really likes it long and though I know ultimately it is my hair, I respect his opinion. And every time I cut my hair short I always hate it. I feel like Ramona Quimby age 8. And for those of you who aren't familiar with this great books....

LOL! I've said all my life that I look like her when I get my hair cut really short.

So I'm torn. I really want to go ahead and cut it, but Andrew and I are having a little mini photo shoot next weekend. I think no I don't like it now, but what if I hate even more. I'd rather have long hair in a pony tail for these photos than short hair I hate. But I'm just so tired of all this hair!


So I don't know...what do you think? Long or short? Rapunzel or Ramona?

Weekend Recap

Thursday Okay so I know Thursday isn't technically part of the weekend, but I'm starting there anyway! Back in May, the husband and I bought tickets for A Night with the Chapmans. We are big Steven Curtis fans. I've seen him a couple of times in concert and the husband has seen him several times as well. We were excited. Then September rolls around and we realize that the husband won't be able to go due to work. He has been in Oklahoma City last week and this week. I was definitely bummed that he couldn't go. I went back and forth on who I should ask and finally decided to go with my first thought. So I called her up and my BFF, Mandy, joined me. I was thrilled that she was able to go with me. We had a blast!!

It was unlike any SCC concert I've ever been too. Losing his daughter has really changed him, not that that is surprising.
He played a lot of her newer songs and we did a lot of sitting. I've never sat so muc at a concert. In fact during Lord of the Dance, Mandy and I rebelled. By the end of the song we were the only two standing! Seriously!!

His sons' band Caleb opened for him. They are awesome! Mandy and I bought their cd, met them, and of course had our picture made with them. Sweet boys!!


In the middle of Steven's set, his wife Mary Beth came out and shared a little bit of her heart with. She is too funny! And the two of them together. Oh my!! They have great chemistry and are just hilarious together. I loved hearing her talk. She says it terrifies her, but she did such a awesome job. I would love to hear again sometime.

Before the show, while we were waiting on the doors to open, Mandy and I entered our names in a drawing at the American Family Radio table. They were giving away some Casting Crown tickets and several movies. We went out to check the table and intermission and what do you know.... I won!! I'm now the proud owner of this movie.



I'll let you know how it is.


Friday I had a workshop at school...no students. All went great until I started driving home. On my way home this happened...


Major flat tire on the side of the interstate. No one I called answered their phone. I finally called the husband even though he was in OK City and couldn't help. Our good friend Stuart ended up coming to my rescue. I'm so thankful for good friends. The husband is now considering signing me up for Triple A, especially since he out of town so much right now. Anyone a member? What do you think?

I wasn't comfortable driving on my spare tire, so my sweet S-I-L Joy gave me a lift to Kandace's birthday party. She is now two years and is talking like crazy! She is such a cutie!!


Love that Amelia is just lounging on Cody while Kandace opens presents. Her birthday is coming up too. Uncle Andrew and I are working a very special present for her.


Saturday Pretty low key day. We got new tires for my car and lounged around the house since the hogs had the week off.

Sunday After church we had lunch with the Billsons and then played tennis with Tyler and Cody. I had so much fun, but I'm really bad at tennis. :) It was Andrew and I against Tyler and Cody... I would mess up and Andrew would just sigh real big...kind of funny. Even though I stunk it up out there I want to play some more when the husband comes home.