A Spring Break Update

Wow my life has been busy.

Papers. Tests. Research. Reading. Half Marathon Training.

But this week I have been home. what a relief. What a well needed rest.

Here is some wonderful new news... Chad got a job at the Weather Channel!!!! I am so excited for him and so so proud.

Here are some pictures from a lovely afternoon Chad and I had on tuesday.  We went to a fun little restaurant in downtown Roswell called Roux on Canton. I had a shrimp po boy and Chad had shrimp and grits. We shared some yummy Beignets and then walked around downtown and a nearby park. So wonderful!

Also, see that cute scarf I am wearing? That is handmade by my mother! She just opened an etsy shop and is just getting started with a few items. Go check it out and support her HERE

Happy Spring :)

Loving, Learning, Living

Life has been crazy. The Lord has been teaching me a lot and revealing to me some things about where I think he wants me to go from here. School has been busy. I have a research paper due on March 1st to be submitted to a big Biblical Literature Conference. The Society of Biblical Literature to be exact. Needless to say I've been a little busy and distracted from the blog.

I was able to visit Chad over Valentines Weekend. It was so wonderful. We relaxed, we laughed, we enjoyed each other's company, we ate, we reminded each other how in love we are.

Chad gave me a dozen roses in shades of pink and white. On our first valentines day part of his gift to me was a single rose, the color of the some the roses in this bouquet. And then of course chocolate...Hershey's is my favorite. And let's talk about this card... Chad made it. yup. he designed it himself on his computer and made it for me. And it has the sweetest note inside!

The weekend was incredible. Every time I see Chad is better than the time before. There is nothing like loving someone and knowing that they are so in love with you too. He's so much more than I could ever ask for. He is such a blessing.

Prayers for stress control, time management, efficiency, rest, etc. would be wonderful for the next couple of weeks. 

Friday's Letters

Dear Chad, Each time we part the days until we meet seem longer and longer. 2 weeks ago I came home to see you, and today I am coming again. I am so ready for this precious time with you.

Dear Friend, thank you for being a listening ear and an open book. Thank you for laughter, thank you for advice, thank you for contemplating the beauty of our savior with me.

Dear Fear, I can't be with you anymore. There's someone else. He holds me in his hands and gives me joy. He promises the assurance of my salvation. With him there is no more place for you. Adieu.

Dear Parents, Thank you for always letting me know that I am loved, beautiful, intelligent, and full of potential. Thank you for your support and excitement for the things happening in my life.

Dear Half Marathon, get excited, i'm coming back better than ever!

Dear Jesus, Thank you for blessing me with beautiful relationships. Thank you for encouraging me and teaching me daily. Thank you for your strength in my weakness, for your joy in my sadness, for your consistency in my wavering.

All my love,

P.S. Here is a beautiful quote to encourage you today as it did me.

"Do not think you are getting no good from the Bible, merely because you do not see that good day by day. The greatest effects are by no means those which make the most noise, and are most easily observed. The greatest effects are often silent, quiet, and hard to detect at the time they are being produced.

Think of the influence of the moon upon the earth, and of the air upon the human lungs. Remember how silently the dew falls, and how imperceptibly the grass grows. There may be far more doing than you think in your soul by your Bible-reading."

J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, 136

Things that are making me smile right now

I think that part of being made in God's image is the ability to make music. Some music just seems to pull you heavenward.

I need another bookshelf...because I have too many books...and I LOVE that.

before today I had two classes on the opposite ends of campus (and UGA is a big campus) and I have always been late to my second seminar class. Well as of today my first class has been moved, so now I might be able to sit in one of those big black comfy chairs

Today I like every part of my outfit: brown leather boots, dark wash skinny jeans, chunky green sweater, white watch, and straight hair. Now watching how I try to keep it straight in the rain is probably a little amusing.

Chad is coming to pick me up today :)

Hiatus Over! (I think)

Well it's raining in Athens. I just missed my bus. I got off one bus and ran to my other one just to watch it pull away right as i get up to it. I think I almost knocked some guy over on the way. oops. So I bought myself a mocha.

yeah I am still alive. Sorry about that. Over the holidays I just did not want to blog, and lets be real, if it's a burden, I personally would not be writing the best posts. Now I think I'm ready to start blogging more consistently. No promises. I don't think I'm going to be as focused on link ups and advertising and  growing my blog, I'm just going to write. I want to look back on my blog and be able to read about my life and the things that are important to me...

Like remembering some lovely things from my time at home!

On my 21st birthday (which was December 20th) Chad took me out to a great Italian restaurant for dinner where I ordered Chicken Francese and a glass of Merlot. It's official. I'm a wine person. After that we got some Christmasy drinks from Starbucks and went to a wonderful lights show. This was in the walk through portion. the rest of the time you drive. We finished the night up with a chick-flick at home. It was wonderful. He is wonderful!

We took Chad's Nephew to see Santa for the first time! Santa was in this cool house/yard completely (over)decorated with lights and figurines and everything Christmas. Micah cried.

Like always we made gingerbread houses/gingerbread things. Like always Me and Chad one the title of best gingerbread housething. Notice the shimmery snow. Awesome, right?

Christmas was absolutely wonderful. Christmas Eve German food at Mimi's, Brunch at my house, lunch at Chad's, and a whole lot of family, food, and love. I am still convinced I ate more sugary foods that anything else.

Plus I got to kiss this guy on Christmas Eve. At this point we were at Chad's house after spending some time at a party and Chad has already Changed into sweatpants. oops! Oh and see that cute watch on my wrist? Birthday present form Chad. awwww yeah!

And here is a selfie.Because I wanted a picture of my sparkly sequin New Years Top.

There is so much else that went on and I am sure I will recount it as I can. Either tomorrow or Friday I get to see Chad again. It's killing me (and him) being away. It gets harder every time. Soon.

Friday's Letters

Dear Adulthood, as of yesterday I have officially joined the club. 21 years old.

Dear Childhood, Don't worry, we'll still hang out.

Dear Readers, remember that time when I said I'd be posting more because it's now the holidays and finals are over? Well, I've kinda dropped the ball on that one. oops.

Dear Chad, Thanks for giving me a lovely 21st and being the sweetest. When we started dating I was just 17, and now we have grown into adulthood together.

Dear Child, couldn't you help make my babysitting job a little easier?

Dear Runny Nose, leave, now, and never come back!

Dear Jesus,  sorry i haven't been focused as much on you this Christmas season as I would like. I'll work on that.

Love always,

Friday's Letters

Dear UGA, see you in 3 weeks!

Dear Highschool teachers, it was lovely visiting you today (those of you who I could find...some of you were missing!!!). I can't believe I am a junior in college and i came to my lovely high school as a sophomore 5 years ago! Whaaaat?

Dear Chad, wow it's so great to be back with you! I am so proud of you and all your school related accomplishments. Mr. Talented over here

Dear Jesus, You helped me make it through finals. Thank you.

Love always,