Sunday's are magical

Sunday started as most Sunday's do, with a morning service at our lovely church. I love our church because it is a place where you can come as you are. There is a band, and we sing off a screen. And sometimes people dance. It is bible-focused and passionate. Their mission is to love God radically, serve others compassionately, and lead people to Jesus. And is there anything more awesome than that? 

We happened to have a speaker there this Sunday for I <3 Day who was  a m a z i n g. If you ever have a chance to see him you must go. He is so real and so passionate, and what he speaks is so beautiful, and so true. They had an event Sunday night and had Eric back to speak again. So, Mr. and I along with 6 of our friends filed in expecting to have some fun, maybe dance a little, maybe get a little crazy, you know. What we actually got was beyond what I'd ever hoped to get. Over 50 people were baptized that night. Completely unplanned. Completely spontaneously.

The band Mosteller played that night. They, too, are incredible. They are a perfect mix of rock music and a message of hope. It was such a wonderful night. There were tears. There was laughter. 

I even got to accessorize Mr.

And my beautiful friend, Chuck was there.

Love Sundays.

It's a lazy, rainy day.

too many exams
for my liking
in the last few days.

whoa.
 
so instead of working
I'm going to watch
a movie.

beautiful.

and not just any movie, but the lucky one, because I read the book foreverago and haven't seen the movie yet. also because Mr. doesn't like to watch those kinds of movies, so I'll give him a break...this time.

bring out the kleenex!

obviously because it's Nicholas Sparks.

I'm okay with this week being done and here's what I think about life.

It has been a busy, busy, busy, busy week. And yesterday I was just plain tired of it. All of it. So I came home and took a nap, then husband came home and of course all of that made me feel better.

Sometimes I just sit back and look at life. And sometimes all of the things that I'm doing or *supposed* to be doing seem so far from what I believe life is about. The people who are admired or respected by society are those who are constantly busy, always producing. They are productive and reach the top in whatever they do. But they are also stressed, and unhappy, and miss the little things. The bible tells us to work, but it also tells us to be still, and to love, and to spend time alone with our Father.

I see these lovely people around trying to take on a billion things at once either because they feel like they have to or because they think that makes them successful. But those are the people I see starting to resent life, and their jobs, and their families.

Even when applying for internships and jobs, if your resume isn't chock full of extra activities, and school orgs, if you can't prove that you can handle eight hundred tasks at once and live through it then they don't want to hire you. 

I fully believe in hard work, and try to do my best at everything I do, and I don't encourage idleness. But you know that question that people ask to get at the heart of what you should be when you grow up, "what would you do if money weren't a factor?"? Well, my answer to that question scared me. It scared me because it isn't what I felt like I *should* do. It isn't what I felt like this huge investment of an education will give me. But when I finally had the guts to tell husband last night, I was so relieved when he completely understood me. And then we talked about how we want our lives to be in the next several years, which we've done a thousand times; but this time was different. This time felt so much more real than all the other times. Because we are in a completely different place this time, and we're married, and I'm going to be done with school in just over a year.

I'm so excited that I decided my life is mine. When I think about the end, looking back on my life, I really want to see happiness, no regrets, my own kind of success. And it's so wonderful knowing that I have that support from husband. I truly am a lucky, lucky girl.

My kitten is a thief.

But probably the cutest thief ever. The sweet girl steals my hair ties. She loves to play with them, and we'll see her trotting around carrying a hair tie with her. Sometimes she takes one that I like, so I steal it back and throw it on my dresser. Not two minutes later I see her trotting around with that dang hair tie again! I need to start putting them in drawers!

A couple days ago I came home after being gone most of the day. I picked Bean up to cuddle her (because cats love that, right?) and normally she will stay for a few seconds, but she instantly started scrambling trying to get down like she was all excited about something. So I looked to see what she was running for and it was one of her hair ties. Is this what it's like to have a toddler? Toys become more exciting than mommy? I don't like it one bit. ;)

Also, this is now what we see whenever we leave.

She's only fallen down from there like 2 times, and it's been a while. I absolutely freaked when it happened, but good news is she's a cat and they have 9 lives. :)

Right now she is sitting outside our closed bedroom door waiting for her daddy to wake up. Sweet girl.

 

Cholate and V-day, obviously they should get married.

Mr. left on a work trip Wednesday and came back Friday night. Yes, his crazy work scheduled a training on Valentine's Day. So in all my complaining about being single on our first married V-day ;), friends decided to have a V-day party! And, oh, this was not just any V-day party. It was a chocolate fountain V-day party. 

Just look at that deliciousness...

I mean, okay, this girl will eat chocolate any time, all the time, and love it. 

Not to mention, that the strawberries looked like little hearts. Um, love.

Final, chocolatized, strawberry heart yumminess.

Thank you, friends!

Failed attempt at rice krispie treats. Blame the marshmallows!

And while those three worked, this girl and I were the support staff for this sweet little puppy.

Just look at that face. I mean, obviously she needs a full petting staff 24/7 right?

Oodles of cuddles to be had for Aunt K!

Then we ate chocolate.

Not to mention, husbands who were MIA on this lovely V-day had J pick up flowers for us lonely girls ;). I got lilies. I love lilies.

Lovely little weekend

Highlights of the weekend:

• delicious, amazing, wonderful burgers at Quatman's. Mmm... seriously amazing little hometown burger joint. Beats the chain restaurants in taste and price hands down.
•  what's even better than Quatman's? Quatman's with great friends! (At first we turned their invitation to go - then we realized the insanity in doing so. Sometimes it takes a while for us to be smart ;) )
• relax-time with Mr. and a movie. Jane Eyre - I recommend it. 
• lovely, sunny Saturday. Ah, Spring-fever is starting to show itself.
• church, as always, beautiful. It's so great to have a place to go that inspires and challenges us.
• playing ball with Mr. and Illy - it was incredible. Kitten does some pretty funny jumps when it's monkey-in-the-middle style. We found out she can catch pretty darn well too, if one person holds her and the other tosses the ball at her. (future crazy cat people, cat colony here we come!)
• Illy-bean crawling into my lap to cuddle and nap while mama-bean works

And tomorrow starts a crazy-busy week! Goodnight :) 

Reminiscing.

I feel like I've been reminiscing so much lately. We'll be doing something, or I'll hear a song that will take me back, then I say to Mr., do you remember when we did this or that, it was so much fun! Aren't I too young to say these things! I guess I'm getting to the point where I can recognize different seasons of life. I do miss those days, but I wouldn't give up these days for anything.

 She was holding my hand while she napped! *heart bursts*

And speaking of reminiscing, Facebook is reminding me of all the beautiful people that I dearly love in faraway lands, and how all the kiddos are growing up so fast. I miss our families so much. It's hard being away from them. They are all so spread apart so that no matter where we go there will always be someone to miss.

But that just means lots of trips all over the country, right? 

At least I know that wherever I am I'll have this lovely, warm, snuggly, furry, soft, beautiful, perfect, cuddly kitten to love on. :)

It's pretty much decided that I am going to be a crazy cat lady.

Amazed.

I am falling so deep in love everyday with my God, my father. He is in everything I see. He has given me new life, new eyes, new soul.

My short journey has felt oh so long at times. Once filled with such a heaviness. And now I look around at so much beauty and light and joy.

He amazes me.

Weekends are fun.

Reason number 1: Mr. is home.

And through all my stubborn complaining about how much I had to do, I went for a little hike outside in the snow with him.

He is so beautiful when he's outside.

 It's what he is made of. The trees. The earth. The crisp, cool air. I shouldn't fight him so much about going for hikes. 

Because I have fun, too. And someday we will live in a place surrounded with beautiful places to walk. Sometimes they are hard to find around here.


Reason number 2: We see friends.

We went to a little Superbowl party on Sunday. I think my favorite part was when the guitars came out. There we were in a circle with great people and great music. It felt just like old times with old friends that I miss dearly. I mean, they even broke out Wonderwall...

 

 

Reason number 3: Kitten is beautiful. Always.

 

Until next weekend. :)

Awesomeness of the week

I got invited to interview with TWO companies that I am sososo excited about and would love to work with. 

superstoked.

I'm baaaack.

I've been off the air for awhile. We've had an interesting last couple of days.

Mr.'s parents stopped in for a visit on their way down to Florida. It was so great to see them, but our time was cut short with a blown tire. But they eventually made it safe and sound and from what I hear are enjoying 70 degree weather...jealous... :)

Yesterday I had an interview in the morning that went really well! And leaving school there was even sunshine (after my snowy morning drive). So I thought, this is going to be a good day, right? Nope. Turns out I probably shouldn't drink red wine anymore (I only had ONE glass! but apparently it makes some people get migraines...), because I then got a migraine for the entire afternoon and it was the worst headache I have ever had. Ugh. I was so happy when Mr. got home because he makes me feel better. But then, he discovered we most likely have a dead mouse in the back of our fridge. Oh happy Friday. 

Though the night ended well with a trip to El Rancho Grande and yummy Mexican food!