Friends....

I so appreciate friendship... I believe that friends are so important in life! And I'm not saying dozens of them. But those few BEST friends. The ones that you would do anything for... the ones that you know will be by your side for the rest of you life.

I have a few of those... Some for a very long time... and some for not near as long. But I love them all so much. 

I had a very very special friend come up and stay with me this weekend. We have known each other since I was 2 years old... so crazy! We have been best friends every since. We've had our random times of losing contact with each other, life got the best of us and we were too busy to keep a real effort in. But one of the things that I appreciate more than anything... are those friends that you can not talk to for months... and then when you pick up the phone or set a date to get together its like you've never separated!

I don't believe that there will be too many of those types of friends in anyone's life. But I pray that each of you have a few. Those friends are the ones that God has placed in your life so that you two can lift each other up in prayer, so that you can have someone to laugh with, cry with, and just be yourself with. They are there to walk along side you in life until the end.

I also treasure those friends that have been, and are, in my life for only a season. I know that they play a specific role too. None of my friends are less important than the other. Some are just here for life, and some for a small part of it. The friends that are here for only a small part always leave a real imprint on your heart, they help you learn things that you didn't know. And help you see things in a way you'd never seen them before. They may come in and out of your life, but they will forever be in your heart.

I'm so appreciative of every single one of my friends. And I know I don't say that enough. So thank you. 

And thank you, Cassie, for being the beautiful soul that you are. For knowing its ok to say that you're not perfect, knowing that those are the people God has the easiest time molding into His perfect will. For being someone who loves the Lord with ALL of her heart. For being such a WONDERFUL mother. And most of all, for being one of the best friends a girl could have. You're amazing. And it was so great to see you this weekend. :) I love you girly.

Our House!

I thought I would put up a few pictures of some of my favorite parts of our house! I mean, now that we've been living in it for 3 months! :)

The colors of the walls and stuff will be changing in the next few months. Just so you know! 

This is the chandelier in our entryway... I LOVE chandeliers... I always have. My granny had a chandelier above her dining room table and it was one of my favorite things about her house... I was so excited when I walked in and this was the first thing I saw.

Our wooden staircase... :) It just makes me smile.

This is the spare bedroom!

In our upstairs bathroom we have an old deep tub... yet another thing I so enjoy about this house.

Wood floors... that was something I was definitely looking for. I love the character of wood floors. I love that every time you step on just the right spot it creaks. Wooden floors just look like they have stories to tell. The wear of any wooden floor never looks bad to me... it just looks loved.

The old fashioned door knobs! They're on almost every door inside.

Joel and I are so blessed to be in this house. I'm sure I'll get around to taking more pictures. Especially as we paint and do all the things we have planned. But for now, you have a little sneak peek.

Have a great day!!

Time Away...

It has been quite some time! Yep... But I'm back! And I thought I'd just show you some of my amazing vacation with the husband! I'm gonna break it up into a few different posts because I'm going to be editing all the photos and I need to be doing other things too... haha. :)

Anyways, Joel and I flew to Ft. Lauderdale, FL and got on our cruise ship from there. Today I'm gonna be posting photos of Day 1 (on the ship) and Day 2 (Key West, FL). So enjoy! :)

I'll be posting more tomorrow! :)

Playing at the Park

I know most everyone has those memories of going to the park as kids. Your mom pulls up to the curb and parks and you can barely wait to jump out of the car and go down the slide. My personal favorite was always the swings. the fact that you feel like your flying has always been something I just love.

I still love playing at the park. I've been made fun of multiple times in my life because people will say "What do you want to do?" and I'll say "Oooh! Lets go to the park!" :) I don't know why I love it so much. I am still a kid inside, and always will be. I don't believe I'll ever get tired of going down the slide, swinging, or crawling over the monkey bars.

And you know, being like a child is really not bad. As a matter of fact, when the disciples were trying to keep children from coming to Jesus, Jesus told them "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these." (Matthew 19:14, Message Version)

What does He mean when He said that "God's kingdom is made up of these"? Think about it.

What are the differences between children and adults? Children are innocent, young, curious, and trusting. They are satisfied with the simplest things. And just really enjoy spending time with those they love most. It seems that as most people grow older they seem to lose these traits. We've seen, heard, and done things that slowly chip away our innocence. Our bodies grow weak, tired, and stress can tear us down. We no longer are interested in the things around us, but only focused on the goals or tasks we have in front of us. And one thing that seems to be with so many, is we stop trusting others.... and God.

God created us to have a relationship with Him. He's our Daddy, He wants us to know that no matter what seems to be going on He'll keep a roof over our head, keep us clothed, and keep us fed. If we let him. If a child runs away from their parents house they are no longer under the care of the parents. Even if the parents so badly want them. The child has sacrificed their security. Are you living under your Daddy's roof?

I said that most adults lose childish traits because I know thats not the case with everyone. I truly believe that I still obtain most of the childish traits. Why? Because I trust my Father whole-heartedly. I know He has this all taken care of. I will continue to do as He asks me to do and know that He only has His best interests for me. I will play at the park (literally, and in life) knowing that I've not a care in the world because my Daddy has it all under control.

The First Snowfall

What is it about that first snow fall?

I'm not the biggest fan of snow... not after Christmas... but before Christmas? Yes. After living in a state where the snow seemed to fall a few days before Christmas came I now truly appreciate snow. It gets me in the Christmas spirit!

One of my favorite feelings after that first snow is the desire to curl up in a warm blanket in front of the fireplace with a book. Unfortunately, I've never lived anywhere that was actually possible. But now I am so excited because the house that my husband and I are moving into has a fireplace. My winter fantasy can come true!

I am sure that not everyone agrees with my thoughts on snow... but I really do think it is one of the most beautiful things. The fact that snow flakes are all different shapes, sizes, and designs... just amazes me. Our God is so cool. He puts so much thought into every snowflake, knowing that as soon as it hits the ground it will melt or freeze onto another one, losing all the beauty and wonder it holds.

The fact that He designs each one so special just makes me smile. Why? Because I know that I was designed special too. I have things that no one else has, I might have some personality traits that some others have, but mine are mixed with some that those same people don't have. I was designed for a specific purpose that no one else can do. I'm to be me. And even if its for a split second of beauty or wonder, it will all be for the glory of God. And that, my friends, is what my life is about.

Have a wonderful day. And enjoy looking at all the little things in life.

The Joy Comes With the Morning

*I obviously didn't take these today, I photographed these early October*

 I love noticing the little things. It always amazes me how the most simple things are usually the most beautiful things. One morning, when I went to take Joel to work I saw these leaves on the ground. It was one of the first frosts of the season and it was melting as soon as the sun began to rise. So as you can see, there are some droplets and some bits of frost.

Something that this reminded me of is that one worship song with the line "Though the sorrow may last for the night, the joy comes with the morning!"

Sometimes we go through hard things in life. Things seem cold, there seems to be something keeping us from getting warm, the life that we have seems to be running on low. But we can always know that the sun is coming up.

When the sun comes up the frost melts away. Our skin becomes warm and the frost can no longer cling to us. When we allow God to be our sun, to give us light, to give us direction, take care of us, and keep us warm the frost can't stay. I don't think people understand that there is no actual way for the frost to continue clinging if you're warm. 

Are you allowing God to warm you? To give you life? Are you letting Him be the sun in your life? I know you'll go through hard times, everybody does! But its your decision to continue being cold, frigid, and left in the dark... or look toward God and let Him melt the frost.

Have a great night! I'll be keeping up with this much more now.

:)

Tea Party!

It has been awhile... I know... but here we go! Things have been a little crazy lately! I don't have much time so I'm just gonna post these pictures from a tea party with my wonderful friend Sarah. Needed to take a little break from editing everything else. 

Have a wonderful night everyone!