Draw the circle

Somehow on this Friday I managed to save up a lot of work for myself, which is not typical of me. I usually take Fridays pretty easy. I persevered through this paper work and came out on the other side of Friday headed to a great weekend.

Harrigan's is located right there where that heart and blue dot are. I have had a fascination with this restaurant since I've known about it. It's inside a very small mall... it's dimly lit, they have some tables on the patio in the mall and some inside the restaurant. They serve really good bread, and their mashed potatoes are to die for. Really. It's weird now that I have grown up... my fascination is not what it used to be with this eatery. I used to think it was magic. Now like most things when you see them a decade after when you're not a child anymore, it's more ordinary. I still enjoyed it! Like I said... the potatoes.

Have you met Mr.Darcy? He is with out equal in my heart. My tiny little bossy baby dog. This Saturday we were unloading lumber for our new fence and this little guy needed to be high enough he couldn't risk jumping and running off...because guys, he's a runner!

Sunday morning! I pulled myself out of bed early enough to throw together this breakfast before heading off to church. We were trying out a new church for the second Sunday in a row. Sunday mornings ey, ey ey. I need a Saturday night service stat! 

Big case of the Monday's over here. I have no excuse for them! I have a wonderful job! It's just hard to go from spending weekends with my husband to spending workdays with my computer and pencil. So to cheer my heart up Monday had my favorite mug, filled with a latte from my favorite Nespresso machine (be favorite I mean the one in my kitchen.) Serendipity 3... I'll return to you someday!

Tuesday we decided... to commit to Hillside church... to be present whenever possible, to give our tithe faithfully, to serve as much as we can. Heeeyyyy Hillside Lubbock, we're in 'like' with you, lets see how it progresses!

Wednesday... I wanted to like just eat whatever I wanted and stop by Taco Villa and Sonic, maybe even Burger King because their new nuggets look delish. But... I packed fruit and graham crackers and I kept eating healthy... and the scale thanked me Thursday!

This could be my picture everyday, as I am in the middle of a 40 day prayer challenge. I wish you would all grab this book and accept the challenge Barney Stinson style (relentlessly) It is such a great reminder and learning tool. Sometimes you need to see prayer through someone else's eyes to understand what it truly is capable of. It is the most powerful thing on earth. Don't ever forget that... and don't pray like you're asking a human for something you're asking a God who created a universe, who put endlessly complex and beautiful things on this earth. No God given dream is to big, no worry to small. Cast it upon him guys.


Now you're caught up on my life! I hope yours is full of blessings, laughter and most of all love.

A hopeless romantic.

I've had a song in my head all week and in my heart for about 4 years since I first heard it. 

It's so good.

Here are the lyrics my soul has always clung to...

& even if He had 99
that stayed at home & stayed in line
He would not be satisfied
He would still go out to find
the one who's always on His mind
& bring her back, arms opened wide



I love a love like that.

It's easier to move on when something fails if you have some sort of replacement lined up. Something or someone else to fill your mind, and time. Something and someone to put your emotions into. Letting go, and moving on it becomes easier then. 

He never moves on.

God, He has 99, and much more than 99, but you never leave His mind.

That kind of love is amazing.

That kind of love is once in a life time.

It's generous and forgiving.

I am in awe that such a thing exists. 

I heard this song for the first time when I was single... and what a lovely sentiment I thought it was. I thought it was nice. Like a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer... nice. 

Now, being married, and being so open and so close to someone that you give them the power to deeply cut you, I have a whole new respect and grateful heart towards this God. 

He feels that way about us from the jump.

It's crazy right?

How in love He is with such an imperfect creation. A creation that deeply cuts Him.

He is still so in love. What a hopeless romantic God is. 

I never leave His mind, and it is my passionate pursuit in this life that I return the favor. That He is always on my mind. That my actions reflect that kind of adoration for my creator. That much like the manners your parents teach you that come out naturally, a display of that great love He teaches me is on evident through out my life. 

I hope you know how much you are on His mind. How deeply his love goes for you. I pray you return that love to the best of your abilities, because He deserves so much more than we are capable of giving Him. More than we  in our feeble, human attempt do give Him.

& I pray as you go through out your day today...

You feel loved

You know you are on His mind, whether or not you just sat in His presence or if it has been years since you entered into that quiet space where only you and He are.

He's still pursing you.

What a wonderful notion that is to remember.   

January Love.

I'm still love struck from the holidays. I am still soaking up the cold and cloudy days with reckless abandon. I still enjoy sifting through my sweatshirts because it's too cold outside for only one layer. I'm still all mushy over winter. & here are my photo's of my winter love affair.

It's family night! I wasn't kidding guys, every wens on the regs we get it together and go to my parents. I am enjoying some winter tea and everyone is huddled in the kitchen after dinner to continue the conversation from dinner. 

Thursday's picture is a picture of a beautiful sunrise on my way to work. It was the morning after it had rained. Clouds still loomed but made room for the sun and the smell of rain still lingered in the air. 

Every Monday, Wens, Friday Sat/Sun we head to the gym. I am not one of those people who love the gym. I won't ever be! Don't try to change me! Kidding. But really, I'm not a gym lover or a exercise enthusiast. I am just a girl who knows she needs to go to the gym and a girl who is running the happiest 5K on the planet and trying not to look a fool come March 23rd!

I couldn't choose just one from Sat. We went to a monster truck show, the first and probably the last, with this little guy. He loved every minute of it. Watching him enjoy anything is the best part of what we choose to do. Seeing the world through the wonderful eyes of a child is an amazing gift. The top picture is of my husband at Bless Your Heart which is one of my favorite eateries right now, and he humors me by splitting a turkey burger with me. I live the life some days kids. 

Sunday was a special day for us. Since Justin moved to Lubbock we have been trying to find a good fit for both of us as far as a church goes. Before he moved here and we got married I attended Church On The Rock (which is a GREAT church if you're looking!!) and I loved it, he didn't like it so much. SO we have been on the hunt and were so excited to be apart of the first service for Hillside Christian Church in Lubbock. We liked the first service so fingers crossed for next week!

This is my Monday view. The weather is cloudy and very cold! Just how I like it, when I have a day off and can stay cuddled up with coffee and books and movies. Today was a struggle guys. No brave face here, I hate Mondays!

Hope you are all more prepared for the week than me!

Blessed.

Most of this project that will end December 31st 2013 is to remind me how blessed I am. How good my life is.

These are both from the 4th. One in the morning on the way to work while I was stopped at Starbucks getting a disgusting Vanilla Spice Latte (I didn't know guys! I had high expectations for that drink! It was awful!!!) and one that evening. I love winter! I love the snow. I do. Even though it delays my morning trip to work. I love the way it just blankets everything it lands on in bright white.

Saturday was a day full of really ridiculously good things! Breakfast with my husband, then a couples massage and scalp melt at a spa, followed by some rest, a movie and dinner at BJ's. It was a great day from start to finish. 

Sunday was full of laziness. I did manage to pull out one of my Christmas presents and juice my fresh lemon. Rumor has it a big 'ole glass of lemon water is the best way to start off your day. I agree, especially if it is freshly squeezed and followed up with coffee from your Nespresso. 

Mondays are rough, am I right? Mine was actually peaceful & during lunch I got study. There was an ever present theme all Monday, from e-mails from a friend, to the verses I ended up studying to the devotional... it was all about trusting God. Let's just be real, sometimes that's hard. It's hard to wait, it's hard not to worry, it's hard to trust for something you haven't heard or seen with your own little eyes... but reassured in various ways I was, that trusting is indeed needed. & better then my own way!

This was a small piece of a devotional I was studying this morning. You have  to be careful what you say to The Lord, He will take you at your first word. If that first word happens to be 'teach me patience' hold on to your hat kiddo you're in for a rough ride. If those words happen to be... "Lord, do anything to change me." You just can not prepare yourself. You just gave the Lord permission to mold you however necessary. What a mighty step of faith. What an amazing place to have your heart in.

 To be able to say those words and mean it, come what may, you want to be changed by your Maker. 

What a beautiful thing.

So with a full heart and a moment of complete bravery and insanity I whispered those words. Lord... whatever it takes, whatever is needed, do anything to change me. 

Duck Dynasty Happens

I'm back! For round two! Or day two.

Either way!

I have to prepare you guys though... I won't be blogging every day. But I WILL capture part of my day everyday... and I will report it back to you here... it just might come in waves. So be prepared! Kidding. I have had a little to much sugar this afternoon, and after weening off it, a equal packet is enough to give me a sugar rush. Even though it isn't sugar. Anyway.

Pictures.

These are actually pictures for the second and for today, the third.

We have Family night. Every Wens night. Every week the whole fam bam gets together! It is one of my favorite times of the week. It breaks up my work week. We get to go to the house I grew up in and just relax. I get to see my mom, dad, brothers and nephew and just enjoy each other. It's great! I suggest it! Start a family night guys! 

Our family nights do consist of a lot of Duck Dynasty. What a bunch of silly's those guys are. I have to admit I like it, and the guys...they really like it. So that's what's in this picture, Jayce trying to figure out how to get some wild honey from a very active bee hive. 

I'm with Si, the way you get wild honey.... is by getting someone else to do it. Stay away from those bees. 

 This is a little thing I like to call... an Osha sized mess. Brought to me courtesy of Osha! I'm not a fan of those guys. If you see them... well don't say that because it's rude and that's not the way of the South but seriously, Osha loves it's paperwork and rules and regs. Osha! & Tobacco coupons. My desk is also full of those and if you see someone with tobacco just be real about that and slap it out of their hand. I'm tired of those coupons and that smell!!! You're saving a life. I give you permission. 

Anyway, those are my little glimmers into my life for Jan 2nd and 3rd. Exciting right!? Well, it will get more exciting as time passes! I promise. Give me some time I am exhausted these holidays really took it out of me. 

First.

For the past few months I have been convicted of not living a conscious life. I'm a list person, and once the list is made you just power through said list. I don't always take the time to enjoy or soak up the experiences on the list. I do believe that living a full life is really being in that moment. Soaking it up. Laughing loud. Speaking honestly. Listening with an open mind. Living.

So I am beginning this with the idea of being fully attentive to my life this next year.

A picture a day.

A moment captured.

A story behind a smile, or a face, a book, maybe even a place. I don't know what all my pictures will be, and I also did not mean to go all Cat in the Hat on you guys. But that was good right?

Anyway! I have resolves for 2013! & I want to capture them! & I want to come back to this place, which is kind of for me, but hopefully some of it is for you too, and see these photo's and remember these moments and my life.

2013 as it stands right now:

I have been married for one year, two months and four days.

We're happy. Justin is in school for accounting, and I am at work w.the Bolton's... making money!

We own a house, which is the same house I had before I knew I'd marry this great guy. It's turned into a home. We have 3 dogs there. Mr.Darcy, Riley, & Fitzgerald, or Fitz if you're friends.

We don't have kids! We probably aren't having kids for a while.(I really just need you guys to be okay with that.) Which is one of the reasons for this blog. A lot does happen between a wedding day and kids! & It's good!

We're blessed.

Sometimes I have trouble seeing that. So, hopefully this serves as a good reminder that we are so very blessed.

Now onto a picture. A picture for the first.

It's cake. My very last piece of guilt free cake. Today Justin and I both start getting ready for race's we want to run in 2013. One is coming up quick but it's a small 5k. Others will be later and bigger. But things like this little delicious slice of cake won't help your body run.

So last night we watched a Army Wives marathon, ate West Crust and this cake baked in my own oven. That's how we started 2013, we are just wild like that guys!

I also thought about making specific resolutions this year. Making a list and checking it twice Santa style, but I've decided against it. 

All I want is for this year to be a year of growth in God's plan. I have and will be praying for wisdom in every decision Justin and I make this year. I want our lives to be a reflection of His love and I have already learned the hard way that just waiting as agonizing as it may be, is better than rushing yourself off of a blessed path.

I hope your 2013 is filled with way more than 365 special moments. I pray you have clarity, that you seek wisdom, that you have the perseverance to wait when it is needed. & that your eyes are open to see all the blessings in every single day! Happy Wednesday guys!