Holy Moly - the month has flown by!

A month ago we were celebrating with a few details...

table arrangements, florals, and pumpkin cheesecakes (photo courtesy: DeAnna Masella)

it's been a little over a month since my last post, but a month ago TODAY we said "I DO" at 10:06 am. what a wonderful day it was!!

for my friends who know me well,  they could tell you that the last month has been an amazing time for chase and me.  honeymooning in mexico, moving into our first home, remodeling our first home, decorating our first home, watching TTU beat TCU :( but celebrating TCU beating WVU, celebrating 2 other weddings and getting to see so many family and friends in 4 weeks has been so exciting!  for those of you who peek in every once in awhile (or hey, wait around for a post), here's the update- we are doing great!

the wedding details:
we woke up to the coldest day of the season (the high was 51 degrees)
the wedding started on time
our guests stayed warm
the rain refrained from coming down
dennis married us and it was beautiful
we listened to our amazing friends sing, and my heart swelled with joy
the food was delish
we had cake, handmade by my friend, Kate
the guests ate pumpkin cheesecake
claudia caught my bouquet
cody caught my garter
we rode off in austin's F-150 and we had ribbon wands cheering us on

my groom (photo courtesy: DeAnna Masella)

the back of my dress (photo courtesy: Ana Contreras)

yahoo! (photo courtesy: Ana Contreras)

the garter throw, caught by Cody Ray (photo courtesy: Ana Contreras)

look at my beautiful momma (photo courtesy: Ana Contreras)

trying to climb my way into austin's truck (photo courtesy: Ana Contreras)

it was so much fun, y'all! (photo courtesy: DeAnna Masella)

More photos to come, promise.

things the guests didn't know:
we rented tents two days before to make sure that all was covered during the ceremony and reception
my parents and closest family and friends spent probably over 50-60 hours the week of the wedding preparing, hauling, setting stuff up for the big shin-dig
mom forgot her shoes
dixie saved the day!
our friend forgot to leave the keys in our getaway car, so austin and james took us to sonic happy hour before we headed back to the venue to truly say goodbye!

things i've learned along the way (yep, i am already wising up):
1. boys really are messier than girls.
2. i'm trying to not spoil my new hubby too too much with homemade meals every night, but gosh, it's easy to please a non-picky-always-compliments-the-chef eater.
3. sleep after a wedding is needed.  sleep after a wedding and during a remodel is essential.
4. our friends and family are amazing movers and completely irreplaceable when it comes to finishing out challenging projects.
5. friends are needed to encourage you to get to the gym (insert: thank you Abbi and Stacy) - when you are tired, tired, tired (see 3 above)

i have many more to come...i will wait :)  Happy Month to us, and Happy Voting Day to the rest of the world.  :)  It's a good day.

8 days and counting....

SO, we are now 8 days away.  Writing "it is hard to believe" is quite an understatement.  We have had such an amazing journey through this engagement period.  Chase and I have met with and been encouraged by more of our friends than any other time in our relationship.  It's been so wonderful.

Chase and I met with some of our soon-to-be-engaged friends for dinner and a game of Settlers the other night.  They had several questions about pre-planning, what to do during an engagement period, who should they get counseling from, what counseling should consist of, and much needed advice on buying their first home.  Of course, we enjoyed answering the questions with confidence (now that we are pro's, of course).  However, it led me to my thoughts about the counseling and wisdom that we have received throughout our engagement.
**Side note**Friends, we have some dearly loving and wise people in our lives.  Now, more than ever in my life am I realizing what a Christ-like family looks like, acts like and how being involved with imperfect people, yet who love and model a perfect God, are irreplaceable.

At the beginning of the year, Chase proposed the idea of choosing 5 couples each that we admire and respect, meet with them over coffee, lunch or dinner, and ask them questions about what a Christ-centered marriage looked like to them at the beginning and now....

Some examples:
When did you know that you were ready to be married to him/her?

How long were you engaged?

What is your advice about sex?

Do you believe in date nights?

Out of the ten couples, we met with 8. Yes, our spring was busting at the seams with double dinner dates.  The responses we got were challenging, exciting, filled with laughter and even tears.   As an almost married person, I feared pre-marital counseling.  Would it bring out some creepy monster inside Chase or me?  Would big life decisions change our minds about marriage all together?  None of that happened. Glory! We are still engaged and more ready than ever to walk down the aisle.  Praise the Lord!  He is so good at revealing Himself.

After those sessions with our wise folk friends/family members, I am excited to one day sit across from newly engaged couples and say, "what I am about to tell you is not the perfect story of marriage, but I guarantee that Christ as the center will make all those other imperfections complete dissipate and in the end, you and your soon to be husband, will see Christ.  Standing in all His glory, He will make known to you that you were in His perfect will all along.  Here's how he has and is showing Us.

To my friends and closest family members,
We love you.  We thank you.  We are praying for you.  We want you to realize that what Christ is doing in his body of believers is coming to pass and that you are part of it!  We praise Him for you.  We want to celebrate with you next weekend, not because there will be cheesecake or the fact that my dress is amazing, but because we are family and Saturday Chase and I will become one.  Celebrating with you all will be our greatest delight.

Busy weekend and week ahead.  As a reader, whether you know Christ or not, I pray that you might be touched by what the Creator is doing.  He has made known to us the paths of LIFE; He will fill us with joy in His presence (Ps 16:11) :)

month of thanks

it's november!  

inspired today by a couple ladies who are sharing what they're thankful for on the web:

 Connie at Daydream in Color

Sarah at Note to Self

i am thankful for my family and one day family. :)

what are you thankful for?

(here's to last november 1!)

thank you for giving me a chance

i heard these few words three times today.

"thank you for giving me a chance."

the ladies who told me this didn't know that their chances were my chance.

my chance to:
trust in the One who gave me a chance
the One who saved me from myself, fear, death

a chance to learn my earthly life is worthless when not spent on heavenly things

tomorrow is my last day at work--- i don't really see it as the finale, however, i know things will never be the same.  hearing these ladies say thank you today really didn't settle in with me until i got home tonight.  obviously, i'm a lot nicer than the last lady (haha).  no, but really, i have grown more spiritually in the last 2 years through my career than ever before.  how?  i don't know all the reasons why, however, i know i took a large step towards the unknown in agreeing to take care of 110 residents, managing 15 staff, and handling the communication matters with many healthcare professionals and family members that i've never worked with/around before.  it's been a struggle.  a joy.  a stretch at times when i felt like breaking.  a joy. tears and sleeplessness.  a joy.

We have so much to learn in laboring and suffering for Jesus Christ.  In 1st Timothy, Paul writes to Timothy regarding good servants of Jesus.   Verses 4:10-11

For to this end 3we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, iwho is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
~~~
it's about the hope generated in us through Christ.  i am thankful for that hope.  it's the only thing that these ladies saw as i gave them a chance.

thank you Lord for being my hope.

blogging from the apartment

guys! i got internet. well...chase helped. i am so thankful for him!

praise you Lord for this blessing in my life!!

...

this is my first ever blog post (not written from my phone).  it sounds silly.  the iPhone is a wonderful creation, but there are some things that are easier on eva (macbook).  now that my sister will be planning the big day across the country, one of my best friends is temporarily living in mexico, and two of my friends are missionaries overseas...sometimes the Internet is the easiest way to communicate.  despite my long stent of not having it at home (about 3 years), i have it.  thanking the Lord for provision as well as the means to have it and discipline not to place it before Him.

we celebrated geoff ice's birthday tonight.  pool party! despite not having a swimsuit with me (...no i didn't jump in, i was wearing a dress), the pool water was enjoyable on my feet and the company that we got to share time with are amazing people!  i have truly enjoyed getting to know the samuel's avenue group.  i am very thankful for their support in my life lessons and growth in Jesus Christ.  i am so blessed as well to be serving the community with chase.  we have learned so much about our community just by being actively involved in fort worth (and the surrounding communities) together.

'great parties' by victoria pearson. found via here

hope you have a splendid week serving others and sharing the Love of Christ with them.

xx, h

oh july, where are you going?

have you ever bitten your lip (or tongue) at the beginning of the day and had it remind you all day that you hurt it?  or better, have you ever filled your thermos with scorching hot coffee from your keurig machine, taken a sip and burned your lip through the spout? yeah, these both happened.  the first, yesterday and the second today. ouch. my mouth hurts.

HOWEVER, the month of July has been flying by and filled with goodness all over the place...
1. Kelsey is gonna have a baby! Yea! I am so excited. She and Brett will be great parents.
2. Sarah and Kyle are getting married! Yes, she got engaged last Saturday. I had permission Sunday to tell friends, but it seems I haven't gotten to you all yet, so here it lies, on my blog.
3. Maddie had baby Jonah.
4. Church- studying Habakkuk and his struggles with doubting God. It's only the 2nd week in and I have been discovering the hidden away doubts I have about God and his greatness and what true faith in Him looks like.
4. My parents' anniversary is this weekend! They have been married since 82- you do the math. (hint: almost 30 big ones!)
5. Art night Saturday! My sweet friends and I are sharing time together and serving each other in a time that we all appreciate very much, yet, haven't spent enough time together doing. So, we set a date. (I think I'll plan a menu) We have ideas in mind and I am making sure to pick up the messy place before they come. Hopefully...
6. Ana is leaving soon for her excursion to Mexico. I am so excited that the time has finally come and she is able to stand firm in faith with her brothers and sisters in Christ as she moves through the process.
7. Wendy and Matt are traveling Texas! I pray that the Lord will continue to help them make contacts and share Christ with those here and share what's going on in their ministries in CO.

Are you overwhelmed by the goodness happening, yet? You should be.

There really are so many things to give praise for...We thank you, Lord, for your goodness, mercy and grace as we move about serving others and sharing your love with those who don't know you and don't yet feel the Love you have for them.  Regardless of the wretch we are, you saved us on that old rugged Cross.  We praise you. Amen.

reminiscing this week about our cruise. oh it was so fun...

completely wet from seattle rain we waited so patiently for our hotel room

finally on the boat. so relaxed. now where's my coffee and cookie?

after dinner, we'd sit outside and watch the sun set

sarah, dad, and me after one of the shows

i love them so much!

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. :)

fathers and daughters

People have always asked my mom if she wished she had a boy.  She usually replies, "No. God gave me my two girls and I wouldn't trade them."  While on our trip to AK, she replied with a new one, "I do." haha. I just think that speaks.

No, my mom doesn't treat my dad like a son, but there are loving reminders (usually revolving around laundry, tv rules, and grocery shopping trips). I'm so grateful for two parents that are absolutely wonderful.  They have trained us in the ways of the Lord- even with spankin's, being grounded from the phone, and not (ever) being able to call boys.

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:11-13 NIV

This weekend, we celebrate Father's Day- those living and gone.

I am so blessed to celebrate with my family. Happy Father's Day to Dad, Pa, and Papa. (as well as Hank, Steve W, Steve M, Randy T, Pastor P, Pastor D and several others who have been there to me in so many fatherly ways).  Truly thankful.

There was a late night show on last week. Jimmy Fallon's segment on #thatsmydad. I never tweeted anything about my dad.  But here's a few that come to mind:
1. Drapes clean clothes (worn once) over random chairs in the house. When asked if they're dirty, he says, "no I only washed the car in it."
2. "I'm going to Sam's, do you need anything?" he asks. Comes back two hours later...mom has lunch made.  He's not hungry and has about 5-10 unnecessary items in the car that mom now has to find room for in the pantry. (reminder that Sam's sizes of Glacier Blue Gatorade, animal crackers, and Country Time Lemonade are not the smallest things).
3. Flood Light + 9 pm Sat PM + Mom's Lexus SUV + Dad's desire for a clean car = weekly late night car washing.
4. wrapping electrical cords.  the right way.
5. text message every 6/4, 7/15, 12/23: do you know what mom wants for ______?
6. my reply, "Dad you live with her, just ask her"....haha. then I get the, "well can you pick it up?"

I'll stop there.  Oh man.  What would we be without Daddies?

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.

Top ten for Tuesday

Follow a blog called the blue hour. He linked an idea that I liked from here glee farm and I liked it, so here's my Tuesday top 10.

1. A rainy spring day. Kind of a sleepy start, and my residents complained of being cold, but it was the first day in a while that I didn't sweat while running around all over the building.

2. I accomplished more than expected today and can only give thanks to the Lord for the strength I had to get through it.

3. Reflecting on my Monday and then today... I am happy to say tomorrows gotta be even better :)

4. Laughing with my coworkers about all the funny stories of missing teeth, bowel movements, and food allergies to broccoli and Brussel sprouts. Right!

5. Talking to Sarah about future plans :) oh how blessed I am to have a sister. In medicine.

6. Pandora - Misty Edwards radio

7. Perspectives reading- what's better than reading of God's love for his nations?!

8. My chase. His outlook to life. His unending patience with me and how thankful I am for him.

9. Lovely j crew spring April 2011 edition hanging out in my mailbox for me after work :)

10. Easy dinner (yes, chase there is such a phrase)

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

conversations in my world

i overheard a funny conversation at work today.
the picture: two older (btw lovely) ladies in the ladies' room, washing their hands, and looking at themselves in the mirrors before they walk out the door.
lady a: every time i look in the mirror, i hope to feel inspired.
lady b: every time i look in the mirror, i am thankful i can see my face.
ladies: hahaha.

i couldn't help but giggle. i have no idea what lady a meant, but i sure was thankful for hearing lady b's reply. it reminded me...
some things are worth being thankful for- even if it means our vision is still intact.  i am learning a lot from my residents.

sometimes i think back to all of the conversations that i've had. some of them encouraging, some challenging, and a few--- well, a few that i wouldn't want to do-over.  however, i am truly grateful for the Spirit and His way in me.  i am reminded everyday of wisdom.  i sit sometimes and pray, let not these words be mine, but be full of You and your ways.  have Your way in me.

i pray for you, my friends, that you'd allow the Lord to change your life.  in turn, it takes a change of mind, too. His ways truly are higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:9) Oh and the great depths of his wisdom and knowledge (Rom 11:33)...

found here

happy spring lovelies.

remember stirrup pants?

do you remember stirrup pants??  80's thing, i think.  however, they're back!  i've got proof.  my residents wear them.  at least 2 of them do. ...so they're back. :) seeing them wearing them today made me smile.  and i needed to smile.

next thing that made me smile was during a meeting with one of my residents and their family, they asked if the optometrist would come to see her...our response was yes, she can or she can go out to see a specific one if she has one in mind..."why?" we asked.  the resident proceeded to lay her little frames on the table in front of them and they were definitely the most bent/out of shape frames i'd ever seen.  totally don't know how they were even staying on her little face.  anywho...she was positive about it. said, "well i just know i don't wanna fix em.  i need em to see.  i'll probably make them worse, if i try to bend them back."

sometimes i hear about BMs.  well, let's just confirm that i hear about them a lot.  it's definitely part of nutritional practice to assess constipation or diarrhea...but wowza...the elderly are not shy about talking about their BMs.  color, textures, how often, or not... i overheard the conversation at the lunch table the other day...two ladies, mid-lunch, talking about the meds they use to resolve their issues.  quite hilarious.  i laughed inside, and then thought to myself, "what will i talk about when i'm 85 years old?"  hope that my friends will kick me and tell me to talk about my garden instead. :P

on another note- i've been perusing www.pinterest.com (go check it out...you have to sign up...maybe get placed on a waiting list these days...but totally worth it if you enjoy photography and find inspiration that way)

Found this quote by Lewis:  I love that we were created for another world...why we live like this is our home, is beyond me.  Thank you, Christ, for making this possible. :)

 

so true...picture found via here
also lyrics from the fray

Hope you'll smile when you realize we just made it through hump day.  Hope the rest of the week is even better. ** 

I know I can't wait for my lovely weekend to arrive. yea!

Life is simple

Life is simple. I learned something on valentine's day from my Chase. It went something like this 'life is simple...' he had a wonderfully eloquent unplanned saying that I can't think of at the moment but it meant so much to me.
Why do we clutter our minds with the unnecessary things?
So basically he stopped me in my tracks by specifically calling me out in my perfectionism without even knowing it. (insert i like it when we can be brutally honest with each other and leave the conversation sharpened)

Life is simple.

I know there are hard times.
I live in them, too.
I work with them.
However, I rely on them to make that simple life... well honorable and pleasing to Him.

I lost one of my favourite people tonight. Sudden. Difficult. Incomprehensible.
She was amazing. Aunt Jenn, you are loved more than you ever realized on this earth. But now you are in heaven...no pain, tears or struggle....(so sad i won't get to read your personally sent blog replies to my inbox)
Life is so hard, yet leaning on the words that Jesus once said, 'I am the way and the truth and the Life.'

He is Life. I've made my life so much more complicated. earning a living, the wining and dining of life, trying to fit in to whatever circle you're trying to be a part of, proving something to someone ... These things are far from Life.

I learned something on Valentine's Day.
It's challenging to live the simple life when the pattern and natural tendency is to complicate it. Relax may be to some of you a dirty word; to others a word of freedom. To me, the simplicity to life begins with freedom. I was promised it long ago. You were too. Accept Him as Life.

My month long week

I respect nurses. Have about 4 of them in mind that are beyond amaZing at their jobs. Working 12+ hour days without complaining. "Hannah can you make me some coffee in your kitchen?" absolutely! You do your job- let me do mine by fueling you for the 3rd shift in a row that you've worked. With healthcare, work doesn't stop. With the elderly it really doesn't stop. I must admit i love what I do, but 3 12 hour days in a row are starting to make me feel like I need dementia or attention medicine. I know sleep will have to do for now, but it's a challenge. Thank you nurses for making me realize half the reason your jobs are hard, are the length of hours you guys and gals work in a row!! Wowza... The other half being the poop and throw up you have to clean up. :) I will continue my dietary roles for now and hope to learn from the patience you exhibit.
It's finally Friday. Hard to believe that there's snow on the ground and that I've used my ice scraper 3 days in a row now. But- it's fun. Challenging but fun.
Sunshine you're welcome to come out and melt the ice and snow.

a few of my favourites this christmas...

diamonds, for christmas?  why yes, yes he did.

pretty sure dad was happy with his stocking. i believe those are his fave- pb m&m's.
this was probably after mom told him he didn't really need them.

so happy for sar bear and her own apt! lots of housewarming gifts...

emma loves christmas.

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.

reflecting this December

festive reflections by shutter sisters

It's truly been a wonderful year!  This morning I was in awe of how much God has truly blessed me (and you!). I have too much to be thankful for to ever list them on a silly blog or mention the times, happenings and people, ...so if you are reading this, you are probably one of the ones. Thank you.  You're a blessing and delight.  This Christmas- only 3 days away btw, I hope to spend time giving to others, sharing with others, and remembering how Christ has enabled me to be a light to the world around me by living, dying and raising again- enabling me to have life, and live it abundantly. Happy Christmas. ~~

(If you'd like, add a comment on what you are reflecting on this season...)

PS. I love your comments.

december 1 and all the wonderfuls happening lately

thanksgiving

my fave dish this year - roasted sweet potatoes, pecans, and mom's touch

good morning



**welcome friday after thanksgiving**



homemade coffee in hand at walmart...2nd closest spot to the door - how'd that happen?

target- hunting deals for sarah's condo

best buy



the girls' post-shopping breakfast at panera

christmas

wish list

book, phone, time with, machine

one black friday purchase (others cannot be disclosed at this time) :)

hellebore sweater skirt - anthro

finally race photos...my fave one is the finish line

thank you to the photographer who made me look accomplished :)

warrior dash

**note: the course had about 10 other obstacles than the ones shown...i would suggest brightroom

continue taking more pictures of all the entire course in the future since spectators aren't allowed on the course.