on the 4th

it's MONDAY. the 4th. i worked today.  i can't remember the last time that i actually got this much done in one day! it was nice to share it with my residents as well. since i went in early, i got off a little early, too.

which meant...

dinner with my guy.  i surprised him with meat. (if you know me, beef isn't the first thing that i choose)

and veggies. because they're healthy. :) +evodia. (you should try it) it's delicious.

***

on another note.  friends, followers, and strangers.  check out these sites.  you won't regret it.

pictures i can't stop perusing a well traveled woman

recipes i can't wait to try some kitchen stories

an artist living his purpose art vox live

also, not sure if you tweet. i like it. follow me if you want. www.twitter.com. create an account then search: @simplegiving02

Blissful.

Full of or marked by bliss- according to Websters.

That's what today was.
Blissful.

Not an ordinary Monday. I wore bright colors! We're talking even one of my oldies said, "my you look pretty in your orange and green today! What pretty colors!" haha I wore teal and coral, my painted toms and my hair in a side braid. Not typical. For sure. But I did.

All that being said, sometimes it just takes simple things like a smile, a brightly colored shirt or a carefree braid to make you and those around you think twice about the things that really matter.

I walked into my apartment after work and took off my shoes (I kinda hate shoes in the house) at the door. There lay 5 other pairs right where I left 'em. Hanging out. Which leads me to say that I am such a creature of habit. It was blissful. I actually think I smiled.

Now, after an hour plus workout, another blissful moment for me realising I am so thankful for who the Lord has made me to be...rather making me to be. I'm a work in progress. Just wanting to remind my friends to find joy in the small stuff. He is amazing and will show you His ways... When you open up. Whatever He does, endures forever...

Ecclesiastes is funny. Thats what Chase and I say.
Read. Here I copied for you. Ecc 3:14-15

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

Hope you have a blissful evening. :)

Monday news.

I worked so hard today. It seemed. Haha. Now I sit, rather...lay, and feel like not moving the rest of the evening. Amie understands. I turned down a run to rest. It's gotta be a long day when that happens. ;) on another note, the mavs won! 105-95!! Woot. I tried getting chase up to jump around after the gAme... Haha. You might guess what happened next. (he didn't, just laughed at me) that's ok; he was jumping up and down on the inside.

I realized something today:
I need to sleep more.
rest. Really rest. In His love. Since returning from vacation, my mind has been spinning. Even when I don't mean to. Again, I'm reminded "give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever..." Ps 136 His love is the only thing I desire resting in. Continually. Forever. I pray you are captured by His love tonight. Forevermore. Amen.

I am my mother's daughter

She brought me panera today. Fuji apple chicken salad. Delish. If only panera learned to toast their nuts, mom says. :) we ate a lovely lunch, shared coffee and a small red velvet whoopie pie courtesy of http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2011/02/10/red-velvet-whoopie-pies/.. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Probably because it was lunch with my momma. And I love her.

For those of you who don't know my mom. Her name is Joy. She cuts, styles, colors, highlights and pretty much does anything else you can imagine to a head of hair for a living. She's been doing it for years. Works at an amazing salon and has a fabulous clientele. Some even that hate themselves when they go somewhere else ... Because of the usual.. $, time, availability, etc excuses and then come crawling back because of their botched jobs. I love hearing the stories. Oh how interesting they are sometimes. But she's good. Really good.

She also has two dogs. Emma and Lucy. They live with her and my dad in their quaint 3-2. Happily. Days like today make me thoroughly enjoy my mom. Driving 25+ miles for 1 hour of my time. Lunch, laughter, tears.... I love her.

So, here's to a mom (...and dad) who never let me miss a month of having bad roots, never forgot to pack me a healthy lunch or who missed a concert or recital when I was younger. It's been quite a fun-filled 25 years but you're incredible. Oh how grateful I am.

Much love, your haha

you are good

found via pinterest - originally from here

kari jobe sings a song that absolutely brings me to tears everytime i hear it.  here's how it goes:

your kindness leads me to repentance
your goodness draws me to your side
your mercy calls me to be like you
your favor is my delight

every day i'll awaken my praise
and pour out a song from my heart

you are good, you are good
you are good, and your mercy is forever
you are good, you are good
you are good, and your mercy is forever

your kindness is forever, your goodness is forever
your mercy is forever, forever

you all know how to search things...google the song if you haven't heard it.  i pray the Lord touches your heart when you listen to it.  the amazing thing that speaks to me today is...the line about pouring out a song from my heart.  no matter the song.  tears of repentance, laughter from thanksgiving, ...all of the ways we pour out in song are accepted by Him. happy monday.

the hero with his pearl.

mondays can be challenging.  especially ones right after a long weekend...holiday weekend at that.  however, i had one of the sweetest conversations at work yesterday. one that made me think and praise God for-  it was with a 95 yo man and his wife.  of course, i cannot mention their names, so we'll call them the hero and his pearl.  the conversation took place at his bedside, and began with my usual greeting and introduction.  i paused for a moment after introducing myself, to ask the hero who this beautiful woman was that was sitting with him.  he paused and looked over at her.  i wasn't sure if he was going to reply.  waiting.  maybe he forgot her name.  waiting longer.  maybe he didn't hear me.  so i waited a little longer.  then, i repeated my question.  he says," i heard your question, ma'am.  she's my wife.  her name is pearl."  i peared back at her to see her grinning from cheek to cheek.  then, he continued, "you see, we're newlyweds.  we've only been married ten months."  i wasn't sure at this moment, if he meant 10 years, had a bout of confusion, or really was telling me the truth.  so i paused, then looking at him, he repeated himself, and said "she is the best thing that ever happened to me. and trust me, i've been through a lot.  i was an air force pilot and not until my last mission was i ever shot down.  i've seen a lot."  ...he went on, "we met through her son in law.  after meeting her once, i knew i loved her.  she loves to dance.  i love to take her dancing.  we enjoy each other."  i looked again at pearl.  "they call us love birds," she said.  smiling like a 20-something newlywed, it made my heart flutter just to see how happy they are together.  pearl, then said, "i just am so thankful you all are making him better so that he can come home." pointing at him, she continued with a tear in her eye, "i miss that guy." 
i walked out of the room encouraged about my own life and love and one day husband.  we always hear of divorce, splits, affairs, and things that are not the least bit God-honoring....and then you get a hero and a pearl.  

~movie makers and song writers can try and create all kinds of love stories. some are good. really good.  i have my residents.  for now, i am content with their real life love and war stories.

even closer....

it's the monday before christmas.  truly can't wait to spend time away from my usual routine, rest, and enjoy the people I love the most.  thought this was a beautiful picture.  i love real trees, even though mine is not...and not this big  - however, just thinking about it makes me smile.  hope you find little bits of beautiful in your day today. ~happy monday, hannah

borrowed from {this is glamorous} blog

after a holiday...paper plane flying contest?

easy as pie dress from anthro

i know you know how it feels.  that day you return to work after a __ day recess. :) hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday.  i sure did.  pictures to come.  as well as my wish list.  but today is paperwork and consult catch up day. happy monday.