walk it out

I am an inconsistent blogger. I have had at least 10 things I have wanted to blog about in the last 2 weeks and have not made the time to do so. ::Sigh:: I realize that all I am really blogging about are friends and family for the birthday shout outs and I'm going to keep that going regardless of how much or how little I blog about other stuff because the friends and the family are the most important. With that said....





La and me on her last day in Florida



Yesterday my dear friend, Lauren, celebrated her birthday. I was in Florida. She was all the way out in California. Sad, but true facts. When she first lived her in the 305, she moved in with my in-laws for a time until she could find a place and a roommate. We had never met, but I was hoping and praying we would be friends. I was quite lonely in the big city I live in. I needed a good, close girl friend. I will never forget meeting her in the driveway as we helped her unload her car and made small talk. I knew it instantly. She was the friend I had prayed for and would quickly grow to love. Those 2 years flew by and before we knew it, she was moving across the country, but I will always be so grateful to the Lord for blessing me with her presence in my life.

 She is one of the strongest women I know, and for as much junk as the girl has had to face in her life she is one of the most positive and encouraging gals I know too. She moved away almost a year ago and I miss her everyday. She was my Starbucks date on a weekly basis for a long time. We poured our hearts out over hot chocolates and soy lattes. We shared many a tear and a laugh. We still do that these days over the phone, but I could go for a good La hug right now! She's taught me a lot about perseverance and strength. She is a great friend to many. She has taught me a lot about friendship and a lot about what conflict should look like from a godly perspective, something which I think is pretty hard to grasp. She loves the Lord and she loves people. And I love her!

Hope your birthday was a happy one, sweet friend!

  



Me, La, and Ellie



for love of a good heart to heart talk and a cupcake



Today my dear friend, Holly, celebrates her birthday. She and I met 4 years ago and within 10 minutes of our first conversation on our first "date" I knew she would be a lifelong friend. She loves Jesus and so do I, and there is nothing sweeter than sharing that with a kindred spirit. She is a friend I can always count on to be transparent and genuine with me. She is a friend I rely on for her no-nonsense honesty when it comes to godly council and she's also the friend I avoid when I'm not ready to hear it! (Don't worry, friend, it hasn't happened in a long time.) She is a gracious host. She is thoughtful and kind. I love singing next to her at church when we are in town. And I miss her butt pinches something fierce now that we are 4 hours apart. I am so thankful to have a friend like her to be totally myself with--silly, serious, a bit of a mess. She is a great encourager and a fierce prayer warrior. And I love her to pieces for all of the above!

Happy Birthday, Holly!!! Love you!

chivalry is not dead

Last week my husband and I celebrated our anniversary. Christmas time is extra special for us because we totally fell for each other during our Christmas break Junior year in college. So this time of year I get really sentimental. (I am taking down the Christmas tree this afternoon and oh, so sad about it!) We have been married for 3 years and 3 years ago we were married on the 5 year anniversary of the night he told me how he felt about me. I love him. He is not perfect, but I think that he is as close to perfect as they can come. He is the kindest, most gentle and patient man I have ever known. He loves me when I do not deserve it. He knows what to say and do to crack a smile out of me on the darkest days. He has supported me in one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make this year and continues to do so on the days I doubt that it was the right one. He is a good friend to me. One of the things that I love the most about him is that he never hesitates to grab my hand and pray with me, sometimes for me, and those moments are the most precious to me. The moments when the man I love the most here on this earth leads me and ushers me into the presence of the Savior I love most of all.

Marriage is a blessing, no doubt, but it is hard work! It isn't easy being so vulnerable. It isn't easy being so honest. It isn't easy seeing the worst in yourself when you look in the mirror and see how selfish you can be; something I am convinced is necessary and that marriage will show you consistently. But it is worth the work! I am married to a great guy and I am so glad we get to work through and do life together.