Weekend Update

Helloooo weekend! And hello October! Two of my favorite things all rolled into one :) Autumn is settling in nicely around these parts and while life has by no means slowed down... I am finding little times day by day to enjoy my favorite season.

Speaking of seasons - wow, this one of raising 3 little kids is a fun one. And crazy.
My littles are growing up way too quickly and we are really trying to treasure the days and memories.

Jane, 4 months old THIS week!

Ava, soon to be 6! (in Dec.)

August, bouncy 3 year old

Jane is growing leaps and bounds and getting all chunky and completely adorable. I love it! She has just started doing this very loud yell/laugh thing and scares herself every time. She adores her big sisters and is really getting into grabbing at toys and...my glasses and earrings. Ouch! Of all three girls she is my first spit up baby, which is taking some getting used to. Kinda hoping she grows out of that quickly. Otherwise, I would love to freeze time and keep her right as she is - curious, perky and loooooves her momma. On a few occasions now I have noticed that when I hold her, she lays her head on my shoulder and chest still - even though she is more then capable of holding her head up. She's my first baby to keep doing that into the 4th month! Loving it! Jane Evelynn, you are so precious to me.

August is really diggin' this whole big sister at school all day thing. {grin} We are finding our new groove and she's loving access to basically all the toys during the day. My Augs keeps herself busy which is so different (and refreshing) to me. That girls plays and pretends all day long! From tea parties to barbies to coloring and dress up - she's busy! I am so thankful for her happy disposition and easy going little temperment. The Lord knew I needed her. Her hair is finally long enough to put into a tiny braid or a mini-bun and it seriously doesn't get any cuter. :) Love love love my 3 year old! I'm eager to start preschool with her in a few weeks. We are just waiting for baby sis to catch onto her 4 hour routine first. ;)

Ava is my big girl now. In so many ways. Kindergarten is going wonderfully well and she enjoys it. We had our first parent-teacher meeting the other night where we found out she is above average in several categories, and right in the norm for others! So proud! Her teacher commented that she is a joyful child - always whistling, skipping, etc. Oh how that warms the heart! I don't always see that side at home. She is really into journaling and drawing - always has a pen in her hand... just like her momma. But don't tell her that! :) She turns 6 in December and I don't see how that's even possible.

Hubs and I are adjusting and enjoying a new phase in life with one in school. Brad is now a seminary student and just had his first "on campus" class in Kentucky this week. I think he really enjoyed his time and I know he loves the learning. Ministry continues to be busy and fruitful and we see many new salvations and baptisms at our church. It's awesome! We've had a whole slew of teens get baptized and it's been neat to see last years' class branch out to college and really already be impacting the world for Jesus! Out of the last class 4 of them chose Christian colleges or universities! We haven't seen that in all our 6 years here so far. :) Not that you can't make an impact at other schools - but what a cool experience to watch kids choose those schools for the purpose of becoming a pastor, womens ministry leader and teacher! We are excited to get to know the new classes now and build new relationships. I've been reminded recently how hard that can be - but how worth it the teens are. :)

Personally, I'm coming out of a bit of a slump. Housework and raising kids and full time ministry was feeling a bit overbearing for awhile... but, the Lord has faithfully pulled me through (sometimes kicking and screaming) and has restored the joy! Where would we be without our Father God? In my "down" time I've been doing a little crocheting, some decorating, a lot of kids clothes transitioning (3 girls?!!?!), started an instagram account, ordered my FIRST EVER IPHONE, welcomed a new niece into the world and started taking budgeting more seriously. :) Last night I was able to enjoy a girls night out with some of my best girls - which was so refreshing. It was the first time sans baby and we had a blast! Needed some mom time out and cheesecake factory was just the ticket!

It's a day for...

The weather is cooler and most of the leaves have now fallen. 

Autumn is in her full glory with colors and scents. 

Chimneys are smoking and winter coats are pulled out of the closets. 

It's a day for making leaf piles with friends. 

And, Momma whipping up a special treat.

It's a great day for family and love and all things at home. :) 

Greetings from Iowa! We'd love to see you at our front door soon!

The Lord is Good - A soul Salve story

"Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by Him. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him." Nahum 1:6-7

These gals right here... they were soul salve lastnight. Straight from the Lord!

Yesterday was my 31st birthday and, I think, one of the fastest days of the entire year. :) After a very emotional, difficult and stressful week - my girls night out was exactly what I needed. We forget how important it is to laugh. At least, I do. What a freeing thing to sit back with friends and just let the laughter go.  We had a delicious dinner at one of my faves, PF Chengs, then onto some yummo coffee at Starbucks of course - then, the grand finale was watching fireworks while chatting and laughing late into the night. I loved hearing all the stories and catching up on everyone's life. These ladies are the real deal livin-for-the-Lord kinda friends. So special.

And it keeps coming to my heart - how rich I am. You won't believe me if you were to peek at our bank account. But we ARE. So so rich. What we don't have in finances we have in faith and love...and our hope in Christ. My cup overflows with newfound joy today and I'm so thankful for that. I needed to laugh and be reminded that "it's ok". I couldn't think of better people to ring in a new year of life with. I'm blessed and known.

17 days til' a possible closing on this house and chapter of life. I say "possible" but don't want to get into details. Join in praying with us? Join in rejoicing that NO MATTER WHAT the Lord is GOOD, a stronghold, and He knows us if we are found in Him. And really, what else is there? 

Easter Candy loses.

It just sits there...and sometimes I think I hear it calling me.
Delicious peanut-buttery, chocolate coated, gummy, fruity, goodness. It's real name is Easter Candy.

That's why I am so thankful for my Tuesday morning study/accountablity gals :) Because it's Tuesday and the candy starting yelling at me the moment my feet hit the kitchen floor! But I resisted! There is something in knowing you will give an account - as if I didn't already before my Father God. {sigh} Oh flesh, you wicked.
Instead I settled for a hard boiled egg, in a nice shade of red, courtesy of my children. Protein! And, I didn't feel like sleeping my life away come 10am.

Our chapter studies today were focused on using accountablity to help you stay focused, and, remembering the promises of God in moments of weakness. Something that is so important - remembering these bodies are not our own - we belong to God. This theme keeps coming back to me in multiple areas of life, I'm happy to see it in the dieting realm, as well. TRUTH!

The story of Esau and his crazy heat-of-the-moment decision to give up his birthright was a topic of conversation today. How insane for us today to think about this. This man was so hungry and focused on stew that he gave up his birthright!?

^{29 "}Once, Jacob was preparing a meal when Esau, exhausted, came in from outdoors. ³⁰ So Esau said to Jacob, “Let me have the whole pot of red stuff to eat—that red stuff—I’m exhausted.” This is why he was called Edom.

³¹ Jacob responded, “First, sell me your rights as firstborn.”

³² “I’m about to die.” Esau said. “What good is my inheritance to me?”

³³ “First, swear an oath,” Jacob said. So Esau swore an oath to him and sold him his rights as firstborn. ³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau a meal of bread and lentils. He ate and drank, and then he got up and left." Genesis ch. 25

Oh how we {I} judge Esau on his decision. What a dummy! Give up your inheritance for a lentil stew? No way! But upon deeper reflection - I'm just as guilty, it just looks a little different. Give up a good run of self discipline in eating for... 3 bite size snickers. Forget my committments to eat healthier for... a full fat mocha. Sure, I'm not losing any inheritance or standing in my family, but, I'm not being true to my word and I'm definitely not practicing self control - the fruit I was given at salvation. The object becomes the master and all else flies out the window. Yikes. So maybe I'm more like Esau then I like to believe. Desperation breeds degradation - this was our conversation. 

That candy is still sitting down there. But, it has lost all day. The voices are hushed and I'm remembering the Holy Spirit power that gives me VICTORY! Onward we march! 

*our study book is "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkuerst, fyi. 

Hearts at Home... {squeal}

Yeeeeeee! Tomorrow is the day! Myself, along with several other women from church are loading up a van and heading to MN for the Hearts at Home conference. :) I've never been able to go and have always wanted to. SUCH a treat for this Momma! I applied and got the scholarship, which was a huge blessing, and now I can't wait to just sit and drink it all in.

Perhaps I'm most excited about sitting under this gals wisdom, even for just a session or so. :)

I'm a fan of their show and just really value the bits and pieces that I have heard her speak on, about raising children, and the value of capturing your children's hearts. I have much to learn! 

And, let's be honest...

A van ride, a hotel stay, and a conference all with friends. I'm practically giddy for some girl time :) 

Here's to a fantastic weekend, challenged hearts, and memories made! 

It's Wednesday...which means it's almost Sunday.

 

After a pretty calm day yesterday, we enjoyed a play date this morning.  The girls were exhausted and were practically begging to go down early for a nap once we got home. So here I sit - thinking about time and how it either seems to fly by or drags its feet. I'm feeling somewhere in the middle. It's hard to believe we are on day 6 without daddy, but also... we still have 4 more full days {and nights} to go.  This week has been so great and even pretty easy. Anyway, it's Wednesday...so, basically almost Sunday. :) 

Tonight we are having dinner at a friends house for which I am thankful. I just have not been feeling the whole cooking thing with hubby gone. The girls could care less what I serve them, really. I still try to keep it fun and healthy...but, so weird to only cook for little girls. We are excited to go eat with friends. And, as Ava reminds me, "play wif their toys". 

I got to open another birthday present today! A Starbucks gift card was tucked into a very sweet birthday card. Ah, so thankful. A gal could get used to this opening a present EVERY day for a week! I'm so humbled and thankful for this church family. So thankful for the Lords direction here and His constant provision and reminders of His love for us. 

Back to thinking about time...

I turn 30 in 3 days. 3 days. 

Multitudes on Mondays - #11-20

My heart is brimming to full this morning as I write out my "One Thousand Gifts" - only, #11-20. Hubs is home after a week in Michigan and there is something so RICH and so FULL about being a complete family again. So my list today is my what I see in family. We spent an entire day yesterday at our local "amusement park" with dear friends... I treasure these memories. The pictures are just small glances into our day. Friends and family is my theme of thanks.

11) Girl and daddy under the green afghan just this morning, playing with stuffed monkeys. Giggles.

12) Egg sandwiches with melty cheese for breakfast & the time to actually sit and eat it!

13) Nowhere to go, no pressing needs this morning

14) Napping 11 week old - both at home, and at the park so we could enjoy the day!

15) Friends that love my children as if they were their own

16) Laughing on roller coasters like teenagers... with the same dear friends

17) New experiences through the eyes of my 2 year old

18) That first sweet kiss from a husband that was gone all week

19) Feeling "Safe" while I lie in bed - knowing husband is home

20) A very messy home... indicating daddy is home, unpacking, and there is so much to look at, so much to catch up on and somehow a clean kitchen floor isn't so important :)

Give thanks!

Still waiting...

Tomorrow is D-Day, as in, DUE date with May baby. It doesn't seem possible that a whopping 40 weeks have gone by. I'm constantly re-evaluating... what have I done in the last 40 weeks? Does my life have anything {besides this big belly, which, I know is enough} to prove that 40 weeks have come and gone?!

It would be straight up lying to tell you that I'm patiently waiting on this little girl to make her appearance. So I won't lie. Instead, I'll confess that I have been jittery, anxious, whiny, and super needy. I was telling a girlfriend last night at church, "I literally have to stop and mentally focus every minute or my anxiety gets the better of me, and my thoughts run away." Especially after having 2 full days of pretty strong contractions only to wake up today {or, did I sleep?} to nothing, nada. Oh how I seriously long to meet this child, to know I'll have help and just to turn a page in our history of life.

But in other news...
This weekend we celebrated the marriage of some friends. It was a beautiful wedding and the bonus was getting to see some much missed friends from PA! We just got back from breakfast with them this morning... and my heart is hungry for more conversation, already. {sigh} The distance between IA and PA seems especially long today.

I'm working on another "God's provision" post as you just would not believe how God has provided for us AGAIN and very specifically. So cool to sit back and see how big our God is.

It's Monday, time to put the laundry in - cut up an apple for Miss Ava's snack, brew another pot of coffee and sneak in some time in the word. I need it. Daily. Tomorrow is my due date, and my next OB appointment... you know how to pray!

...dawdling...

Dictionary.com refers to this word as...

–verb (used without object)
1. to waste time; idle; trifle; loiter: {"Stop dawdling and help me with these packages!"}
2. to move slowly, languidly, or dilatorily; saunter.

I am claiming that my dawdling lastnight was more of an option #2... only, not languid, because I def had spirit and vigor... Holiday Spirit! But it was slow and calm - just as I'd hoped it would be.

A friend and I decided to sneak out after out little ones were down for bed and head to Target for some Christmas shopping. I am still picking up little things here and there and was especially excited about the prospect of walking the Target aisles with my HOT peppermint mocha. As anyone who attempts to shop with children knows:

1) You don't really get to walk the aisles, it's more of a marathon race to get the objects and get out asap. Usually.

2) Mochas...{if you get one with your children}... very often end up chilled prior to even your first sip. Or, in my case, spilled all over the cart onto the box of diapers, new neices outfit, etc. Teaching you to NOT attempt a hot mocha with children in tow {or cart}.

But, anyway, lastnight was a childless dawdle through Target with a friend. The time was much needed and though I'm not usually one for "late" nights... I was surprised how refreshed I was just being out and about having some girl time. And, BONUS, I found so many gifts I needed... and, there was hardly anyone there so no lines! Second bonus: did YOU know that Monday is kids clothing mark down day @ Target? I didn't. We bumped into another gal we knew who let us in on that info... and it turned out to be true.

We walked just about every aisle and looked at kids toys, clothing, makeup, shoes and accesories, underwear, home improvement things, baskets and bathroom towels, mops, nail polish and curtains - all the while sipping our drinks and chatting about life and ministry. It was wonderful! Having a friend is wonderful. I'm learning as I journey on down this "mommy road" how important it is to take a few hours out now and then to get refreshed, be a friend, and push beyond your comfort zone. {in my case...not going to be at 9pm} This morning I feel like a better wife and momma. I feel like I'm refilled and ready to go - I'm re-motivated. God's word talks about times like this, too. Did you know that?

Proverbs 11:25 "The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed."

Philemon 1:6-7 "I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people."

Romans 1:11-12 "For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours."

So, see, in this hustle-bustle, busy time of year...

a little dawdling is not so bad. ;)

First trip to the Orchard

Some friends asked us to join them for a trip to a local orchard - and we were so excited to go! The weather was amazing and Ava loved the trip! Can't wait to make this place a yearly tradition. :) We got there around 5:30 and the sun was just starting to make its way down... but it was beautiful!


Ava really liked looking at the "3 little pigs" houses - and getting her out of them was a fun task. Thinking maybe we should build a little house for her in our backyard. :)
And of course there were a zillion other things to do... corn pools, duck races, REAL animals to touch and look at. Such a fun time! Maybe we'll try this shot again when the kiddos are a little older.
My camera doesn't capture just how much fun both the kids AND dad's had going down the huge slide. What a fun memory made!

Our first trip to the orchard was a great experience... and a great way to celebrate FALL with friends! :)

Friendship

"The depth of a friendship - how much it means to us... depends, at least in part, upon how many parts of ourselves a friend sees, shares, and validates."

-Lillian Rubin

Bitter+Sweet

The older I get the more I understand that phrase... Bittersweet. Or maybe it's just a word. I dunno. Feels like a phrase today.

This week my very precious friend, Meredith, was here IN IOWA visiting family and I was able to see her 3 times! It was...awesome. Visits are never long enough, though, because you always end up having to say "goodbye". I hate those.

Meredith is one of those friends who actually change your life. She is the wife of a youth pastor in PA and I learned so much from her during our time living there. She taught me how to love people despite their human-ness, talk with teenage girls and how to support a man in the ministry. All lessons I needed {and still need} to sharpen and continue working on. Aside from ministry things...she's shown me how to be brave in the face of adversity and hardships, and how to cling to God alone and the hope we have in Him.

Meredith and her husband have no children. They want kids... and have tried so many options to make it happen - but, it's hasn't, and it's hard. A few months ago they finally got some good news that they had conceived only to find out a miscarriage was soon to follow. I remember reading her email and just weeping - not able to understand what God was up to. And, I may never...until Heaven. For now we just keep praying and hoping.

I miss Meredith. My heart aches for her friendship...something that hasn't been replaced since moving here a year ago. So while seeing her was Amazing - getting to get and give hugs, chat about life and laugh over new memories...I knew the void to follow that high would come, and it has. Bitter. I miss my friend. I miss being there for her and ministering with them. I miss watching her carry my daughter around. I miss buying Mary Kay from her. I miss her listening ears...I miss her. Today the Lord is ministering to my heart - and allowing that bittersweet feeling to mold who I am to become. He's not finished with quite yet... but I am so grateful for the chapters Meredith was written in to in my life.

Week in review

**Whew** It's Saturday! We ditched our "normal" routine of not having much on the ol' agenda...for a jam packed, fun week of activities, events, etc. Gotta admit - it was wonderful! I'm so thankful that Ava was healthy all week and we were able to do so many fun things... winter has just been taking its time here and being inside soooo much was wearing us all a little thin. Here are some things we did this week -

Monday: a WHOLE LOTTA this --> Laundry day is actually one of my fave house chores. Weird, I know, but I do love doing it! And I had a lot of "catch up" work to get done as I was a sluggard about it last week. So this pretty much was our entire monday day.

Tuesday: Playdate with our "Mom's playgroup" at church. It ended up only being me and Ava with one other momma and her three kiddos - but still lots of fun! Ava has bumped up to the toddler nursery and just loves playing with the "big kid" toys! And I enjoyed some great conversation with a friend, over our mugs of coffee, of course! Tuesday night I was able to sneak out for a little bit with another friend, just she and I, for some more coffee at a little coffee place here in Des Moines called Smokey Row. Brad is happy to let me go out and I am so thankful for his selflessness in that area...because, momma needs some time away now and again!

Wednesday: This is our big day of ministry with the teens. We have youth group (The Mix) at night and it's the highlight of our week! This week we were learning about Jesus and the 3 offices He holds - Prophet, Priest and King. My hubby is an excellent teacher and I am so proud of him! Wednesday night after we got home, Miss Ava needed a bath. And this was the night she discovered how to turn on the shower! (uh oh...) So, yes, a VERY eventful Wednesday evening! And a good clean up job post bath time. :(

Thursday: Company's coming!!! We had some friends over for dinner Thursday night and I made my first Sausage Lasagna. Turned out to be very tasty! The recipe was really easy and can be found in any Betty Crocker cookbook. I just took some extra liberties with ingredients and added in extra parsley as I have tons to use up prior to it going bad.

Friday: I heard/saw a rumor about The Children's Place having their $2.99 sale so we headed to Jordan Creek for some shopping. Ava is growing out of everything so we needed to stock up. And, we can do $2.99! Sure enough we struck Gold!!! I was able to purchase 9 items (much needed items) and love what we found! Then I walked next door and found some shoes for the girl - I got two pair for a total of $8!!! So happy to have found exactly what we needed and for so cheap! And an added bonus to this trip was, of course, the play place! Ava loves running around on those cushiony, foamy, slides and jumbo butterflies, etc. And secretly, Brad loves it too! Can you see them?

The highlight of my week was going to "Cabin Fever Cure" last night at my friend Emily's house. Our church puts on this event every year as a way for women to get out of the house and spend time together! Each home hosts a different "theme" or activity for ladies to get involved in - or, in my case, learn from the host about something. Emily opened up her home to teach us some tricks to decorating on a budget. Her home is warm, welcoming and very well done and she makes close to everything she uses in her decorating! I left with a ton of ideas and am eager to get back to work on this house! It was also really refreshing just to visit with other ladies and hear about whats going on in their worlds.... I always come home more friendly, loving, and renewed after visits like that.

To end our exciting, busy, week we have a family birthday party and a dinner with friends tonight. I am so thankful for so many fun, out of the norm, things to do this week! Coming up next week... I'll start working on Valentines day decor. I'm starting small...but, you gotta start somewhere!

A good cup of coffee

This day has started off GREAT! Ava and I took Brad to work so we could make our way over to West Des Moines to visit with a new friend. Our final destination was Friedrichs Coffee http://www.friedrichscoffee.com/Main.html over off of 22nd?! (still learning my way around) The website is almost as fun as the actual shop, so check it out if you get a chance.

What is it about those cozy little coffee shops that just make you feel a little more warm inside...a little more wiser...a little less lonely? I dunno. Anyway, I had a great time getting to know a new friend, Laura, and adored the warm cup of coffee in my hands. I believe we were drinking "snickerdoodle" of which I promptly bought a 1/2lb of my own to take home. Yes, it was that good! As a treat I got a 1/2lb of dark Italian Roast for the hubs - he loves that really rich, dark stuff. An added bonus to this mornings adventure was that our cups of coffee were FREE! From 9-10 today Friedrichs gave away free cups of the lovely liquid! What a treat! Thank you to Laura for the invite and the sweet fellowship this morning... what a delight to get to sit in a nice shop like that to start off my day. :)

After the coffee was gone Ava and I headed across the street to Babies R Us. Oh dear... I admit, I love that place, but my frugle side somehow disappears and all of the sudden I feel like Ava NEEDS everything in that store. Good grief! Thank goodness we don't have a lot of money and that the Holy Spirit convicts me when I start to pile outfit after outfit into that blessed purple cart. whew! However, we did come away with some good buys - actual needs. :) Two adorable bath towels (she for some reason no longer fits into the newborn ones)... a new footed pajama, swimming diapers, a bathing suit (I waited til end of the season so I could the $20 suit for $6) and some new Nuby bottles - that Ava doesn't know how to work. Ugh. My favorite purchase is the new brown and pink mini-diaper bag I picked up for $9! I've been using my Vera Bradley tote since Ava was born...but, I miss it and want it back. This new little bag is perfect for our needs and comes a great price. :)

Overall, great day so far... now its onto the housecleaning portion. Not as much fun, but, I do enjoy tidying up a bit! And since that excellent flavored caffeine is still doing its job... let's go!

I am so ready for Spring

I've got all my spring/summer shoes out...

seasonal clothes are now hung in the closet...

windows have been left open twice...

now all we need is consistent warmth. I had a weird flu-like thing for 24 hours yesterday and it was horrible. It was the kind of sick where you wonder if you will recover. I rarely get sick, but when I do it feels like armeggedon is happening inside of me. To top off that sad news - it was 68 degrees yesterday - whilst I wilted away on the couch, inside!!! 68!!!

This morning I got an email from a gal my age who lives in Florida. She has recently gone through a miscarriage in her 12th week of pregnancy and wanted some answers. My mother in law connected us - and it's just these kinds of opportunities that help me to see why and how the Lord uses the worst situations for his glory. It was oddly comforting to me to walk through this pain with her - relive my experience and give advice on how to "survive" really. She has had a horrible experience with Dr's in Florida - they have been unkind, humilated her and even made her feel bad about this loss. It made me feel enraged!!! This poor girl has gone through this alone -her husband was away for military reasoning, she doesn't live by family and doesn't seem to have close friends. I cannot imagine. Yet, through all of that - she seems so positive and so strong. While she's struggling, she's been an encouragement to me. God, please heal Maria.

Obviously, I'm random today.

My dear friend Janice came up last weekend. It was such a comfort and joy to see her! She was always my very strong friend in College. She is one of those women who remind me of an "empowering women" poster or something. She was a counseling major and always knew what I was thinking before I could say it. Jan is precious to me. She and her husband are leaving for the west coast here before too long, and while we haven't seen each other TONS I'm fearful that we might never cross paths again. (especially if American Airlines keeps up....) She took this pic of Brad and I, and I just love it...

Good friends

Good friends...
They like the same things you do, and if they don't it's still fun doing them.
They know when you are lying
They understand you when you are "speechless"
Good friends see your heart, feel your pain, catch you when you fall...or start to.
Good friends can give you a kick in the pants when you need it or build you up higher then a kite when its due.
They pray with you... they pray for you... they cry with you, and they laugh even harder.


Good friends text you every half an hour to check on you in hard times, like Naomi did.
Good friends find ways to protect you from other people, like my mom does.
Good friends share their own pains, like Aaron does with Brad.
Good friends treasure the "Good ol' days".



Over Christmas break in Iowa, we were able to get together for a brief second with our friends Aaron and Laura. We met at Caribou Coffee and enjoyed some conversation early in the day. Brad and Aaron grew up together - although not always "best friends", they share a friendship that is growing and changing over the years. I loved sitting and watching them interact. They have so many memories together... always hilarious to hear retold with embellishments. Aaron played a key role in Brad's life - and for me, getting to know him now is just too much fun. Aaron's wife is gorgeous. She reminds me of a fairy tale princess with her fair skin and golden orange/red hair. She's proper and seems patient and quiet. Although our conversation isn't deep or by any means deeply moving, we are new to each other, and the little ounces of her that I get to know are always wonderful. In a perfect world, we would have had hours to sit and talk and catch up and get to know each other...but, that's not how life works. After coffee, the four of us took a quick tour of some local shops bustling with all of their Christmas and after Christmas sales. We stopped into a French country shop that none of us could afford, but was fun all the same. Then we said our goodbyes, not knowing when our next seconds together would be.


I guess I'm writing all of this because after this visit I really got to thinking about what a good friend is. In my mind I think of someone I lived with in the dorm, someone who knows all of my business and loves me anyway, or someone I talk to daily and we know all the details in every situation. But then after our visit with the Pals, it dawned on me that we only see these people twice a year maybe... but every time I see them I feel like we are just picking right back up and time hasn't moved a second. Good friends. Moreso for Brad and Aaron as Laura and I just married in and are along for the ride... a fun ride.


Today I'm thinking of my good friends. Friends like Karen, who after just one weekend of volunteering together - impacted my life and my dreams of being a mom. She does it with her whole heart, and I want to be like that. Friends like Suzy who bring humor and insight into my everyday. Friends like Meredith who mourn with me and we tag team wait for the future. Friends that I haven't seen or spoken too in ages... Jon in Kentucky with his hilarious antics. Bonnie and Nathan who love me and encourage me with quick hellos on facebook. Janice, who has been with me in hard times and hilarious times and is ALWAYS strong. Beth, whose patience and quiet spirit have taught me more then I could have ever gotten from college.
I'm thinking of Emily, my survivor. Kim, my determined professional. Karyn... my long lost college best friend. We live 10 minutes apart physically, but it's really like light years. How does that happen? I'll never understand, but I'm sad about it.

I once heard someone say that you are a blessed person if you could count on one hand your friends. Well Lord, than in that case... you have blessed me beyond measure, even if I don't always feel like it.

Baseball, memories and the future

America loves a good baseball game - and the Pausley family is no different. Lastnight we went to watch the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Yankees take on the Chiefs (from I don't know where). We were joined by a majority of Brad and I's coworkers from BBC and it was genuinely a good time. I don't know what my favorite part was - whether it was Glenn singing "Help" by the Beatles as loud as he could, listening to the conversations all around me secretly or just being next to my husband and feeling so proud to be by his side. Gush Gush Gush... I know. I think our team won - so that was a good thing too. I'm such a sap for "treasuring" memories - and I hope this one gets tucked away for my mind to bring up on a rainy day. Just the laid back nature of those we work with, our fun escapes as a young couple without children... because I know someday things may not be this way.

Some friends of ours told us lastnight they are headed to OHIO to candidate at a church - I'm so thrilled for them, they will be close to friends and family, and in full time ministry. In my mind I can think of no better situation. Also in my mind I'm thinking... Lord, please keep us close to friends and family. It's always been a prayer for me. As I look into the future, we have under a year @ BBC (via contract) and I realize how quickly the "Someday" could be. My heart does a flip flop thinking of the "next step" in life, and another flip flop as we both desire full time local church ministry... it will be hard, but it will be good.