Twenty Three

What I've learned in my twenty-third year as it draws to an end:

my parents still know best
Vegas is good fun
colorful to-do lists at work are the only way to go
a picture is worth WAY more than a thousand words
true friends tend to be there for you in the most unexpected ways
marriage is amazing
marriage is hard
going to weddings as a guest is so fun
reading the Bible daily is challenging and worth it
laughing should be a part of every day
Pizza places don't inherently know your address
Being assertive is a great way to grow (in career and otherwise)
blogging is addictive
traveling is always a priority
skiing faster does not necessarily equate to falling harder
driving faster may result in a ticket
Red wine is, in fact, delicous
three people know me best
God is good
Froggie's cuddling is therapeutic
sailing is relaxing and exhilerating
writing hand-written notes is important
weddings are quick
family dynamics are forever changing
honeymoons should happen every year
car accidents in New York are no bueno
love is a decision, an emotion, and a story--all in one, and all independent of each other

Investments

In the midst of my current, uninspiring drought of creativity...I have been encouraged. Several people have asked about this blog, and why there has been no post in over a month, and so I have turned my attention back to this outlet I love so much.

It is not that I have not been thinking about writing. In fact, if anyone could read my thoughts on a day in, day out, basis, they would find them playing out in a novel-like format. I think in "chapters", in "themes", in "beginnings and endings", and so on.

I write and re-write scenarios in my mind. I browse the dictionary for new and descriptive words...for fun. I love to write. And I have missed writing.

But, as previously stated, I have felt utterly uninspired. The holidays, while fun and adventurous, were slightly exhausting (note: 36 hour layover followed by a 13 hour drive), and I have been left feeling weary.

But, as the season for goals, aspirations, and resolutions has arrived, I have succumb to the "trap" of making a resolution, and intend to stick to it.

My resolution?

To make larger, more meaningful investments.

I want to invest in to fewer relationships (not spreading myself so thin), and to really take the time to know and care for the people in my life.

I want to intellectually invest in reading more, challenging my mind...and have addtionally taken on the goal of reading the New Testament alongside my husband this year.

I want to invest in my career, and go the extra mile on a daily basis.

I want to invest time in the kitchen, and challenge myself to make new recipes on a weekly basis.

I am sure these investments will adapt and change over time, but my goal will (hopefully) remain the same. I want to spend more time on the people in my life, the passions that I have, the faith that I know, and the self-improvements (i.e. cooking) that I need to make.

Along with these investments, I want to keep up with this blog. I love the way it acts as a time capsule--I can clearly see the way my outlook changes as I chronicle little tidbits from day to day. So thank you to those of you who have encouraged me to keep writing. And best wishes to you, in 2012!

She Did It!

I love my little sister for a million and one reasons.

She is caring and kind. She is thoughtful and she is generous. She is loyal and she is hard-working. She knows how to make me laugh, or put me in my place, or push me to be my best, or simply love me no matter what. She is a beautiful person, and a very strong woman. Two of the most admirable qualities to me about Abbie, however, are her perseverance and determination.

She does not give up.

Many people probably don’t know that when Abbie was in 5th grade, she had to write a report for school. A story about her life. Included was her family, her faith, her activities, and what she wanted to do with her future. In this report, Abbie said that she wanted to attend the University of Texas at Austin, and swim for them…one of the best programs in the country.

And she did!

She set her mind to her goal, and did not quit until it was achieved. I am so proud of Abbie! She has persevered through so much, she has never given up, and she has always followed her heart.

I can truly say that one of God’s greatest gifts to me has been Abbie, and I will never stop being amazed by her! She is such a role model to me, and though she is my younger sister, I look up to her so much.

I love you, Baby Bugs, and I cannot wait to see where you will go from here!! And I know no matter where it is, with your hard work and determination, you will go far!

Taking the Commercial Out of Christmas

I love Christmas, there is just no doubt.

Though it does not hold the honor of being my favorite holiday (that title belongs to The 4th of July), it does inspire and excite me.

I love decorating the Christmas tree, listening to the cheerful and familiar Christmas songs that seem to follow me throughout my day, everywhere I go. I love my mom’s homemade Christmas cookies, and Starbucks Christmas cups. I love hunting for the perfect gift for my husband, and I love how the brisk temperature matches the brisk pace that everyone seems to be moving at as they scurry from store to store. I love opening the mail to find Christmas cards from friends and family, and I love how every year, “It’s A Wonderful Life” becomes a little more potent, and relevant to my own life.

I love this season.

But, the older I have gotten, the more I have grown to appreciate all that lays behind the commercialized exterior of this holiday.
Yes, I have grown up learning about the birth of Christ and the significance of the Virgin Mary, the manger in which Jesus was placed, and the Shepherds and Wise Men who celebrated His birth. But something new has utterly struck me this year.

Christmas, obviously more than just gift exchanges and festive decorations, is about a beginning. The Beginning. The Birth of Christ. The start of His life among us.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” -Isaiah 9:6

The first Christmas, thousands of years ago, changed the whole world—changed my life—forever. Millions of people anticipate New Year’s every year as a way to make a resolution to live better. Whether their ambitions involve their weight, career, love life, or any number of checks off the “Bucket List” everyone can agree that it is a time to evaluate where you are, and where you want to be. But for me, this year, I am seeing Christmas in this way. My faith in God is like a breath of fresh air, every time I breath in—say a prayer, or pursue Him through reading the Bible--I feel refreshed, renewed. And that is what my sentiment is as Christmas approaches. The gift of Jesus, the tiny baby born in an unassuming barn, has given me hope. A fresh start.
So how am I to respond? How am I to take this opportunity, this gift, and begin again? I do not know what God has in store, or what my life may hold as I move forward, all I know is that He is faithful. And His Gift remains.

Taking the “commercial” out of Christmas has allowed me to open my eyes to the real gift that God has given. It has enabled me to really evaluate where I am at, where I want to be. I am not making any resolutions, as I am in the habit of dismissing those all too quickly, but rather, I am making a decision. To use this time to thank God for the gift of His Son, for the gift of Life. To seize this opportunity to live more fully in Him, and to be continually grateful for the grace that He has so abundantly given me.

Idiosyncra​sies

In other words, what makes me uniquely me.
The other night, while I was fancifully decorating our home for Christmas, my charming hubby came up to me, engulfed me in a hug, and said,“Come here, Freckles".

Pause.

If you know me at all, even a LITTLE bit, you know I detest my freckles…the reasoning is another story for another time, but think: 3rd grade, boys on the playground, relentless teasing.
For the most part, the freckles I had in 3rd grade have all but disappeared. But the sensitivity to the teasing is still there, and, in the entirety of our relationship, Brian has never called me this nickname. It did not sit well. But while my reaction was less than delighted at his harmless moniker, he was left bewildered. Never had he intended insult, and upon my explaining my disdain for the name, he became further confused.

His point of view being that I should be glad that he loves me the way I am (he ALWAYS insists that I do not wear makeup—and true to this, he always says how beautiful I am when I do not). And what is more, he says I should be glad he notices little details about me…my idiosyncrasies; quirks and characteristics unique to me. And truth be told, after a day or so of mulling this around in my head, I am glad for this. I am so thankful that I can be myself around him.

I can tell stupid jokes, or dance around madly, or quietly cry on his shoulder. I can wear makeup and heels, or waltz around bare-faced and bare-footed. Perfection is something I will never attain, but I am so thankful for a husband who loves me where I am at…though he is constantly pushing me to be a better person at the same time.

Looking at myself through his eyes makes me realize that maybe, just maybe, even my freckles are not so bad.

ThankFULL

I am so thankful, and today, with Thanksgiving upon us, seems the perfect time to count my blessings.

I am thankful for my relationship with God—the hope and peace that comes from knowing Him. I am thankful for my husband, and am amazed that I get to wake up every day next to my best friend, my better half. I am thankful for my Mom, for the unending love and support she freely offers. I am thankful for my Dad—the strong leader he is-- I am so proud to resemble him in any small way. I am thankful for Abbie Ann, who I can always count on for a fun time, or a heartfelt talk . I am thankful for Mike and Mere, and the tremendous example they are to me of a strong and mature marriage. I am thankful for Dan and Tylie—the amazing parents that they have become, and the wonderful friends they’ve always been. I am thankful for my beautiful and bright niece, Saffryn Mary, and my joyful and loving nephew Pierce James—they complete our family so wonderfully! I am thankful for Gammie and Gampie, and the love and encouragement that they provide. I am thankful for Grandma and all the wisdom she has given—and the Godly example she is. I am thankful for my extended family, and the support that they never cease to offer. I am thankful for my new family, particularly Pete and Denise, and how I am blessed to now have two sets of amazing parents.

I am thankful for my friends, and all of the laughter and tears, secrets and celebrations we have shared over the years. I am thankful for their loyalty, their honesty, and their ability to push me and to love me where I am at. I am thankful for my health, and the health of everyone I love so dearly. I am thankful for my freedom, and I am thankful to be an American citizen. I am thankful for our military that has fought so hard to make this a reality for me, and millions of others. I am thankful for my education, and all that I have learned—both in and out of the classroom. I am thankful for my home, and all the joy it brings to share it with my husband. I am thankful for Froggie—he is the bright side of so many days.

I am thankful for my job. For the opportunities surrounding me while living in Dallas. For hard times that make me grow. I am thankful for sunrises. For my passion for running. For lilies and orchids. For music. I am thankful for all of the traveling I have been able to do. For photography. For the majestic mountains. For the sand between my toes on the beach. I am thankful for sunshine. For rainy days. For laughter. For good conversation. I am thankful for coffee. For weekends. For celebrations. For my passion for writing.

I am thankful, so thankful, for my future. I future to share with my husband, and my family. A future in my career, and a future in which to have children. I do not know where life will take me, or what it will look like, but today, I am thankful for my life. For the people who have made it what it is, who have loved me, supported me, challenged me, prayed for me, encouraged me, and fought for me-- for my future.

Today, I am full of thankfulness.

Today you are Two

Happy Birthday to my sweet-and-sassy, cute-as-can-be, beautiful baby niece, Saffryn Mary!

What a joy you are to watch grow!! You are so smart--constantly questioning what is going on around you. You are such a wonderful big sister, always concerned with Pierce's well-being. And you are such a loving and caring little girl. You bring so much joy to your Mom and Dad, and your whole family. I am so blessed to be your Auntie. Happy Birthday, Sweet Saffryn, I cannot believe that you are TWO!

I love you!!!