shine

 

 

 

Just a little thought to start of the weekend. I needed to find this today...I think the gray skies and bitter cold are getting to me and when that happens I know I'm not shining like I should, could, would if only the sun was out. But with Spring ahead of us I will be positive and look forward to the warm days of summer. I hate to blame the season for not always being the best version of me, but I believe this really is a huge factor. It effects my mood, sometimes my health, and most times my attitude.

 

I realize that I'm whining, so I'll stop and recognize that in the midst of my pouting I am still incredibly blessed and these blessings should never be taken for granted. I need to be the best version of me because He wills it so.

 

May this weekend bring you hope, and warmth, not only from the hints of sun peeking out from the gray clouds, but from the One that makes all things new.

 



we love Florida

Most say it's not about the destination, it's about the journey, and normally I'd agree...but this years journey to Florida was so ridiculous it became laughable.

We decided to fly out a day early to avoid the Chicago storm of the century, so we packed up and headed out at 630am. Made it to Chicago without delay, and got to our gate an hour early. "We're going to board you early" the nice man from AirTran announces over the loud speaker. Wonderful, what a nice little present they've given us. Well, that early boarding lead to a 45 min sit in your seat while we de-ice the plane, followed by an "I'm sorry you've been delayed, please de-board the plane now." 1 hour later we boarded the place for the second time to find out that someone on the cancelled flight behind our flight was now on our plane, but not on the manifest. We were carrying an unknown passenger. Ummmm how does this happen? So we sit. 30 more minutes go by and now some one's seat has busted and we've been informed it will now take an hour to get the mechanic to the plane. What? Frustrated, we de-board the plane a second time. As we enter the terminal we hear that out flight has now been cancelled due to weather. Saying a little prayer and trying not to lose my mind in front of my 17 month old I tell Jason to go to the ticket counter to try and rebook if possible. He leaves, I go back on the plane to get our carry ons and as I'm exiting the plane and heading to meet Jason I hear the now not nice man from the AirTran counter say "Passengers from AirTran flight 1629 please report back to your gate, your flight has been reinstated."

I drop everything I'm holding, may or may not have yelled an obscenity, and the just laughed to myself. This is ridiculous.

I call Jason to tell him that we're boarding again for the 3rd time starting in 15 minutes. We board. Ryleigh watches Bubble Guppies, and 2 hours and 45 minutes later we land in Fort Myers, FL. I love my parents. They took us to Chick-fil-a and had ice cold alcoholic beverages waiting. Our vacation had finally started.

With our journey down to Florida behind us, we could focus on the fun we were sure to have. We went to the beach, the pool, the outlets, the park, the zoo, and Ryleigh was in love with the warmer weather. I swear she'd live outside if we let her. She was happy as a clam walking around the house, picking up and throwing rocks, and digging in the sand at the beach. She was obsessed with this owl statue the neighbors had in the backyard. It was the first thing she wanted to see in the morning, and the last thing she wanted to see at night. Bizarre, and hilarious.

We had such a wonderful time, but like always the days pass too quickly and soon we were back at the airport praying that getting home would be cinch. Luckily the travel day was in our favor. We made it home with time to get organized for the week and get to bed on time.

We can't wait to go back next year:) We love you Nana & Papa and are so thankful for the QT we had with you!

a besties baby shower

It's funny how you talk about things when you're little and never really know if they'll come true, but in this case it has. A bestie of mine had a baby shower this past weekend, and what a wonderful time it was. I remember in middle school when we'd talk about a day like this, and 20 years later there we were. That's crazy. Two decades. What a true, and loyal friendship we have had and I thank God for her, and for this special blessing that is growing inside of her. With the birth of her daughter, my friend will fulfill what I believe she was truly meant to do. Being a mommy. With all of the love she has shown me, her husband, her family, and her friends, this little bundle of girl will be the luckiest.

I so wish my besties mom could be here with us to meet this beautiful miracle, but she'll know her Grandma through every ounce of love her mom will give her every single day.

We can't wait to meet you Cameron Jill.

rumi says

 

 

 

Pinterest led me to this gem the other day and I'm so thankful to have come across it. Do you know the pull she speaks of? Have you felt it before? Like really and truly felt it? I know I have, but I don't always think I admit it, and/or take full responsibility for it. After all I believe there are many tugs that we can feel, but there is one that I know to be so strong it brings tears to my eyes, and a tight but peaceful feeling in my chest. I know this tug because I know it's Him. It's God. Nudging me.

 

Sometimes I know exactly why I'm feeling this tug in a particular moment, but what I love best is when it happens and I'm blindsided by it. The overwhelming, wow I never knew I cared this much about whatever it is that is happening around me, to me, with me, to someone close to me....

 

It's a lesson, a gift, and sometimes it first seems like a curse. A curse because I don't always get answers when I want answers, but that could be the point. The answer could just be that I need to dig deeper and really invest in my relationship with Him and the stronger I find myself through Him the stronger I can be in my life as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

 

I will let myself be silently drawn by the strange (and wonderful) pull or what I really love. I know He will not lead me astray.