Reading List

As I am sitting here on Thanksgiving break, getting frustrated with homework assignments, I thought I would make a list of the recreational reading I am looking forward to. Which probably won't even get a second glance until May of 2011 when I graduate but a girl can dream! To Be Read . . . Crazy Love by Francis Chan - I actually have this book but haven't gotten past the 1st amazing chapter due to my schedule. Sex God by Rob Bell - yes, I am just that scandelous that I would want to read someone who has been blacklisted by . . . well whatever ignorant Christians it was, they were probably Baptist! A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway - I've always been a huge Hemingway fan and haven't had time for this classic yet! To Be Re-Read . . . Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers - it was good the first time but I don't think I really understood the significance of it then . . . The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera - Another book that probably did not have quite the impact it should have because I was still young and not quite as impressionable. There's a ton more but those are the ones that are currently on my mind. I'm giving up on the homework game! Happy Holidays!

Sprinkle Virgins

A few weeks ago I took a trip to Dallas with my friend and bride-to-be Haley and a lifelong friend (and fellow bridesmaid), Mary. Mary needed to be fitted for her bridesmaid's dress so we all piled into Haley's hummer (with me behind the wheel) and made our way to the big city! On our way we made a joint decision and decided we could no longer live our lives being "Sprinkle Virgins." After the dress fitting we made our way to the adorably chic little bakery!

Such a cute little label!

A perfect breakfast! A lady at starbucks let us know that she was a little jealous she couldn't eat like this anymore - way to put us on a guilt trip!!

I think this is kind of what Heaven in a box looks like . . . I went with simple - vanilla and milk chocolate. Simply divine!

The Beautiful Bride-To-Be!

Mary and the phenomenal red velvet cupcake!

Vanilla!

Saying Goodbye to Old Friends . .

This past month has been one filled with some sadness. I have had to say goodbye to two goodfriends. Ms. Wonderbra & Mr. Walmart Flip-flop. Both of these have given me years of "support" in many ways and saying goodbye was hard.

My flip-flops have been with me since the ski trip of 2007. We took this trip with my brother and his youth group. Little Miss Ava James had just been born in January so it was exciting and exhausting for the whole gruop. It was also March when we traveled to Colorado and apparently a heat wave had decided to hit. It was 70 degrees so skiing conditions were anything but ideal. Plus the ski boots killed my toes that I had just had surgery on. So my dad took me to walmart and I bought a black pair of $5 flip-flops. These have easily been the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever owned in my entire life. Well the other day we were having some lovely weather in hville - rainy AND cold. Granted I like each one of these individually but put them together and just leave me indoors. BUT my roommates and I needed to go pay bills. So we are sprinting to my car when my roommate stepped on the back of my flip-flop and before I can inform her of this I hear the flip-flop snap. Here is what's left . . .

Sad Day! They will be missed dearly but were looking very sad anyway. As if they were really good looking in the first place.

One Sunday I was home napping on the couch before I had to head back to huntsvegas when I suddenly rolled over and heard a snap. I was so out of it that I blew it off. Later that night while I was undressing I realized what had happened. The underwire in my bra had snapped . . in two places. I was so disappointed. After all, she had been with me since 8th grade. This is probably a sign that I need to bra shop more often but they are so expensive! So after saying I few words I retired the wonderbra. It was tough but something that was necessary for both of us. I spared you pictoral evidence.

Happy Saturday!

Hannah-isms.

Ohhhhh Hannah! My best friend for about 11 years now and my roommate. I cannot even begin to tell you about this girl. We complete each other's sentences, read each other's mind, and finish each other's thoughts. It's ridiculously scary.

It is also scary how our brains work together to make it through the day. She is constantly asking me how to spell words and other questions about homework. I on the other hand text her the other day to ask if I could run the washing machine and the dishwasher at the same time - how was I supposed to know? I thought the water heater might have a panic attack. She just laughed.

Well on occasion this girl comes up with some seriously funny material. Today she was talking about a certain boy that she has had her eye on. And she referred to him as "dreamy" which made me picture us back in the 40's on our way home from a swing dance. I thought it was cute.

She has also been working on some of her education classes recently. A few days ago her mind was a little foggy while working on a project for her reading class. She had to come up with a subject then think of examples for every letter in the alphabet that begin with that letter and examples of short and long vowel sounds. She picked food. So Hannah is doing a good job until she gets to "Q" and let me tell you home girl was LOST. She could not think of anything that was even remotely close - upon further examination the only thing I can come up with is quiche and what 1st grader is going to know that? But then the light bulb went off for Hannah and she was "QUCUMBER!!!" which . . . as we all know . . . starts with a C. And she was dead serious. Then she walked herself through it and realized that cucumber does not start with a Q but rather a C. And then we laughed for hours.

This is just a day in my life.

Small Group Scavenger Hunt!

This was our 1st big event as a small group together. Ruth Ann decided that a picture scavenger hunt would be a fun thing to do. She came up with the list and we had dinner before-hand which Hannah and I prepared then we were off! Competing against another small group - bummer we lost but we made lots of memories and got a chance to bond with our girls! Granted we were nearly kicked out of Walmart AND Target but the bandanas and war paint might have given us away!

Found this sign on campus! A scavenger hunt?!?? No Way! US TOO!
Yes, that is the fountain on campus. SECURITY! Something I definitely want to do before graduation.

On Top of the Parking Garage on Campus!

The Roomies!

Picture in an Elevator!

The people in the student center probably did not like us very much at this point. Picture with the chick-fil-a cow!

Too cute! Chelsea pushes Hannah around Target!

Group photo outside Target!

My Co-Leaders! Awesome girls!

Ruth Ann giving Directions . .

Me hanging out in the back!

All the girls ready to go!

Group Photo!

Straight Gangsta!

Straight Hood!

Hannah's Birthday!

The Birthday Girl Herself!

Last week we celebrated my roommate Hannah's 22nd Birthday. I do my best to make birthdays in our apartment special because if we don't make it that way for each other, who will? So I spent the day running errands and trying to get things together. The plan was dinner and a cake Hannah had requested weeks ago. This is how the cake conversation went . . .

Me: What kind of cake do you want for your birthday?

Hannah: Hmm . . I don't know. Surprise me.

Me: Okay seriously? I'm not going there, you're way too picky. Tell me a few options and I'll pick one.

Hannah: Ooooo you know what I really want? That I haven't had in years? There's this cake that my uncle's wife used to make that had like this whipped cream stuff on top of it and crushed up Milky Ways.

Me: Well, what was it called?

Hannah: Hmm . . Don't really know. My mom might.

Me: I'll see if I can google it.

Well luckily Hannah's parents came down a few days later to bring us a brand-new (to us) and fully functioning washer. So I asked Hannah's mom what the name of the cake was. And she just started laughing so hard she was hissing and got red in the face and said it was too embarassing to say . . . If you knew Debbie, you'd be laughing too. So then we're all laughing and she tells me the name. And then it clicks - Paula Dean SOOOO has that recipe in a book I have. So I go a hunting and find this.

Totally innocent but this cake was so good. Chocolate cake with condensed milk and caramel topping poured over it, topped with whipped cream, and Skor's bars (not quite milky ways). it was very good but more on that later.

This is the birthday surprise Hannah walked in the house to last Wednesday.

Red flowers and Mike & Ikes. Some of Hannah's favs! Along with a singing card that sang "Shine" by the Newsboys and an itunes card.

Some close-ups of the flowers.

We also enjoyed birthday dinner with hannah at our favorite restaurant here in town. It's called farmhouse and has some of the best comfort food you'll find anywhere.

Us at the restaurant celebrating!

Hannah's Birthday Cake before it was covered in candy. I'm not really sure why I decided to write on it. Probably for my own satisfaction. It didn't turn out very well though!

Small Groups and Shirt Sleeves: A Novel

It is currently 6:10 . . . AM. And I’ve been up since 4:45. I am not sure if my body is just playing cruel tricks on me or what. I really think God wanted me up or is testing me to see if I would actually get up or all of the above. Every time we meet at our small group leadership on Wednesday nights I always have trouble falling asleep that night. Then it seems like I can never STAY asleep on those nights. Too many things on my mind to let my mind rest. I finally fell asleep last night though only to dream about spending time in the word, my small group, church people, etc. So I woke up around 4:45 crazy thirsty. So I got up and got a glass of water, then went and laid back down and couldn't fall back to sleep. So I put my iPod in and decided to listen for a while and still did not get sleepy. And I really felt something (ya know or God, it's stupid how human we are and can’t just chalk "coincidence" up to God) telling me to get in the word. It is almost as if God wanted me to wake up and start doing his work and reaching out to people right away, like 4 in the morning for instance. Probably a time that most of these college students haven’t seen in centuries, if ever (unless they went on the same FFA judging trips that I did in high school, which were absurd).

I have decided to try and be productive with this time I have been given. I have already spent some time in the word and plan to do some of that while I am eating breakfast. I have emailed a potential new small group member (she’s a freshman and I REALLY really want her – in the least creepy way possible). And I guess that is really about it but for 5 in the morning that is very productive for me.

Well the point of this post (or at least I think this is the point, let’s see what rabbits I can chase or where God leads me) was to share one or two pretty funny stories that I have heard recently that I just cannot get over.

Story #1. We have this great guy who we are in small group leadership with and he works at the YMCA with an afterschool program. Well he shares a bible story a day with the kids (how he can do this without parents throwing a fit? I'm not sure but good for him!) Anyhow, he was telling the kids the story of Jesus healing the blind man. And you know how little kids are, so one of the kids asked, "Well who are the bad guys in the story?" and another little girl said, "I know! I know! The ferris wheels, the ferris wheels are the bad guys!”. . . Well at least she almost got it right. Just goes to show us that those darned ferris wheels are still causing us problems! I think stories like these are the only thing I might miss about not teaching little ones. Granted high school students make similar mistakes but then you just wonder what’s going on in that brain of theirs – when in reality, I really do NOT want to know.

Story #2. In reality this story is probably not that funny. Or maybe you had to be there. Or maybe you have to know my best friend. All of this is beside the point because this totally cracked me up. This same guy who I was speaking of in story 1 came up to me one night at small group and said to me, “you look tired.” And I’m sitting there thinking. . . . uhhh duh! I’ve only been up since the crack of dawn and spent four hours in class and five hours at work and just got done reading three hours worth of a textbook are you kidding me . . . so I just said “yea work and school is a lot.” I am such a liar because it was obvious (to him AND me) that there was so much more. And he said “No, I meant spiritually tired. You been spending time in the word?” . . . BUSTED! And he wasn’t even asking to call me out. He was just asking because he was concerned. So we sat down and had an awesome conversation about how not being in the word can really affect every aspect of our lives.

This was months ago though. I was currently retelling the story to my roommates because one of them really felt she wasn’t getting enough time in the word and she really just felt drained from it. So I told the story written above and I was talking to them about how this guy was just so in tune with God that he could just see how spiritually weary I was. And my roommate, Hannah, was trying do an impression of what I was thinking at the time, in my voice – she really likes to do voices, I don’t know what her deal is, she also likes to make up words, totally irrelevant, I know – but she said (in my “voice”) “DAAAAAAAANG, I didn’t know I was wearing it on my shirt sleeve!!!” This totally cracked us all up because that is totally how I felt in that moment. And I’m not sure why I am surprised because this girl is trademark for knowing my thoughts before I even think them but it was just a fun time.

I have recently been thinking (and thanking God) for how ridiculously blessed I am. My family, my apartment, my house back in the hometown, my education, my car, my books (yes, self-proclaimed nerd), my bed, my food . . . Everything is a blessing. These are all constantly on my mind and I do my best to be thankful every day but the one that has been weighing most on my mind are my friends. I have a multitude of amazing friends that I could call at any time and I know they would stop what they are doing and come to h’vegas to be with me. But most recently it has been my two amazing roommates that I have been really thankful for. These two girls have been with me for almost 11 years now and have been there through thick and thin. And they still continue to do that day in and day out. Like everyone, we do have our rough days where we are all on edge and go to our own corners and need to be alone but these are few and far between.
Most recently our focus has been on this new “small group” challenge. We are all working on our small groups and diving into the word to invest in these girl’s lives that God will provide us with. What has never hit me until a few nights ago is that I have am blessed enough to have my own small group. I live with a small group. Girls that I can depend on. Girls that can hold me accountable. Girls that I can sit in my living room with and really tackle the tough parts of the bible with and really get answers. These are the girls that I have gotten in the floor with, on my knees, flat on my face praying to God. This to me is what a true small group is.

So in ways, that is a challenge to me to break boundaries with these new small group girls. To realize that I do not need to worry about how “awkward” situations might get. These girls need God just as much as I do and they may not have the type of friends and support that I do to get it anywhere else. On Monday nights at 7, I really pray that this type of relationship is what I can give them. If I can just give them an ounce of this I think it will be a successful semester.

I apologize profusely if I have bored you at all. This blog is a way for me to really get my thoughts straight and I think a way for God to speak to me about what is truly on my heart and mind. And that could very well be why I was awaked at 4:45. Now I’m going to go eat a bowl of Crispix and wait until I leave for my three literature classes today.

Birthdays and Books!

We got together with girls from our small group on Wednesday to celebrate a birthday with dinner and cupcakes. This picture is actually the "after" shot. Notice the lack of cupcakes - just don't count, please.


This is Ruth Ann, who led our small group last semester (who I'll actually be co-leading with this semester) with her cupcakes that spelled out "21"

All the candles are lit! Time to make a wish!

I think she liked my homemade icing!

So here is my life for the next four months. And this is actually minus three books. Which I think makes a grand total of about . . yea, that's right . . TWENTY.

Random Acts of Kindness

I’m so appreciative of little random acts of kindness. Simple things can easily make my day.

I have wanted ihop for weeks now but anytime I’m in the mood no one has been here to go with me. And I’m not the type to walk into a restaurant and sit down and eat alone. Today, my roommate and I were finally on the same page. About 7 o’clock we headed over to ihop to enjoy some breakfast for dinner. . Or “brinner” – whichever you prefer. We walk in and the waitress seats us across the room from about ten high school aged boys and a middle aged man who also shared our “brinner” idea. We didn’t think much of it at the time.

When the guys across the room receive their food we notice that they prayed before they ate. My roommate and I can definitely appreciate this and this sparks a discussion in us. We were so thankful to see young people being able to take a stand for Christ – especially in a public place.

Finally the omelet I had been wanting for weeks arrived – so my roommate and I pray over our food as we always do and then continue on with our meal (which was amazing! I could have breakfast for every meal). The guys who were sharing the restaurant with us left; meanwhile my friend and I finish our meal also and ask our waitress for our ticket.

She brought us our ticket and begins to say something when I ask her for a to-go box so she goes back and grabs one for me. While she’s handing me the box she says “Here is your bill – but the gentleman sitting across the room left a $20 bill to go towards your meal so you only owe $1.50.”

My roommate and I were tearing up while we paid the remainder of our bill.

Earlier, we had noticed the middle-aged man who was with the boys speaking to another couple in the restaurant. Once we had paid, we went over and spoke with them and asked if they knew him. They told us his name was Todd and that he was with his youth kids. They said he was a great man – of course my roommate and I already knew this to be true. We told them to thank him for us.

I know that Todd will never read this but my roommate and I are so thankful for him – he definitely made our day! It’s those random acts of kindness that let us know that God is really moving among people. We were so blessed tonight.

That Was a Rush!

I taught my first small group lesson ever tonight. It was such a rush! It's amazing how when you're in that situation speaking, that the words are no longer yours, they're God's. And the Holy Spirit truly does speak through you.

I was so thankful for the opportunity to get to share God's word with some amazing girls tonight.

Now back to homework over Shakespeare, Dr. Faustus, and Thoreau's Walden.

Dolce

The Kitty-Kat I miss so dearly right now!

I love this picture of Dolce. I miss my kitty cat dearly, we're hoping to have her with us soon - although I'm not sure that will happen. This picture suits her personality well. She looks like a moody old lady!!! :) I could really use her company right now since I'm up at 1 a.m. finishing a paper over Sir Gawain & The Green Knight though!

My Endearing Qualities - Or so I'm told.

I have an obsession with jalapeno cheetos and an innate fear of squirrels. I drive FAST! I am what most would call “athletically challenged” but am coordinated from years of gymnastics. I hate working out – I would rather walk. I have no competitive drive whatsoever unless it is against myself or academically. Yes, I am a self-proclaimed geek, my major is English that’s part of the criteria that you must meet in order to have this major. I am always in the middle of at least one book (if not more.) I’m a music buff; my iPod is filled with every genre imaginable. I love being around my friends but can appreciate my alone time. I like to contradict myself and ramble endlessly while saying absolutely nothing – I’ve been told it is one of my endearing qualities. I have the world’s best dad and hope to meet a man who is equally amazing someday. I have a mom who gave me an eye for design and impeccable taste. I grew up with a big brother that I couldn’t be more thankful for, who married the sister that I never had. They have one baby, my niece, Ava James who is the perfect combination of them both. God is my strength and my shield and I couldn’t be more thankful for the work he’s done in my life. It hasn’t always been easy but he’s given me a story that I can call my own!

Start Over Again

I originally was going to post the lyrics to the song “Run” by Addison Road. It’s very representative of what I have been going through. But today when I came into work I turned my “Addison Road” station on Pandora and this song came on first and it was so encouraging to know that we can start anew.

Start Over Again
by: Addison Road

Open up your eyes
Awake, arise
Love like a hand reaches down
And pulls us up from the dirty ground
Now is the time
To step from the dark into the light
Cause you can’t change what you’ve done
But you can choose who you’ll become
Every moment is a second chance
At starting over, at starting over
Move from the past to the present tense
You can start over, start over againIf you feel ashamed
Of the choices that you’ve made
You can be whole again
And return to your innocence
Every moment is a second chance
At starting over, at starting over
Move from the past to the present tense
You can start over, start over again
Yesterday is gone
Today is all you’ve got
You don’t have to be who you’ve been
You can change within
It’s never too late
To start over again
Every moment is a second chance
At starting over, at starting over
Move from the past to the present tense
You can start over, start over again

I just encourage anyone reading to exhibit Christ’s love with anyone they come in contact with. It can make all the difference sometimes!

Fight or Flight . .

Today this blog is being used as a way to blow off steam. I am currently in training to start a small group in the Fall and so many curveballs have been thrown my direction that I am feeling totally unprepared for this big task. I know God would not have presented me with this amazing opportunity if I were not ready for it but I have to remember that I am human, meaning that I am expected to screw up. The disciples of the Bible were not perfect, nor were the writers, this has been written many times about their failures, turning away, and denying (it is probably not the best time for me to read Job!). But in times when things are frustrating and seeming close to impossible I do not always have the best reaction. When it comes to fight or flight I am THE definition of flight, I could tell you story upon story. I tend to run as fast as I can but God helps me realize that I have been backed into a corner that I cannot escape. I can try my best to stick my nose in the corner and stick my fingers in my ears to keep from hearing or seeing but it will not work. God will still show me something.

One way that I seem to always express myself is through music. If I am in a good mood, you'll find me dancing everywhere I go, if I am feeling joyous you'll find me singing praising no matter where I am, and if I am feeling frustrated or discouraged you will have seen me this past week just crying for help. I heard a song yesterday of discouragement and throwing in the towel , I decided I did not want to be helped - this obviously was not a Christian song with a good message. But I had decided that was it. Or did I decide that? Honestly, I think this was more of a challenge to God. Almost like I was daring him to come rescue me. And rescue me he did. It's amazing how He always knows what we need to hear.

I went to my small group yesterday (in which I am training to begin a small group) and our college minister spoke of Psalm 120.

A Song of Ascents.

1In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me.
2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue.
3What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, You deceitful tongue?
4Sharp arrows of the warrior, With the burning coals of the broom tree.
5Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech, For I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6Too long has my soul had its dwelling With those who hate peace.
7I am for peace, but when I speak, They are for war.

This was just the Psalm that was on his schedule to read for the day but he spoke specifically of Psalm 120:5. And this is where God convicted me. I have been aimlessly wandering in Meshech and dwelling in the enemy camps of Kedar. Whether it was in my anger or self-pity or what I believed to be loneliness. But nothing worldly can satisfy. And anything of this world is just going to tear us apart more than it can give us peace. And He rescued me.

Today is a brand new day, I am a brand new me. My attitude is a positive one although at times I am a little frustrated because of my blindness and stubbornness but I am focused and looking forward to this new chapter. My 1st session of summer classes will soon be over and I will be moving on to the next session, things at work are going well, and I have an amazing family that I love going home to. There are still hurdles to be faced and things that I am not looking forward to facing but I know that God will allow me to get through it. But this is the verse that comes to mind . . Romans 8:28

28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

I could go on for hours about this. Read the book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge - it's amazing, all about how God will rescue and romance you. If it had not been for going over this book in my small group I am not sure I would have allowed myself to be rescued by God. He is truly amazing and merciful. I am so thankful!

Passing Time . .

I AM … a redhead. Any quality this description normally entails, chances are, I am.

I WANT… a Godly man. . Someday at least. God’s timing is perfect.

I HAVE … an amazing family, and friends to match!

I KEEP … a list of things “to-do” that probably won’t get done until I am 50.

I WISH I COULD … be done with school.

I HATE … that I live two hours away from my family. Not a day passes that I don’t miss them.

I FEAR … becoming a cynic.

I HEAR … my coworkers talking and my instrumental music on Pandora.

I DON’T THINK … it should be so cold in the office where I work.

I REGRET … nothing. Live and learn.

I LOVE … my church, my family & friends, anything sweet, and things that remind me of home.

I AM NOT …a good story teller.

I DANCE … constantly. 24/7

I SING … when I get the chance.

I NEVER … drink enough water.

I RARELY … sit in silence.

I CRY WHEN I WATCH … everything these days.

I AM NOT ALWAYS … concerned with organization.

I HATE THAT … I am not always social.

I’M CONFUSED ABOUT … why girls and drama always go hand in hand.

I NEED … to pay for my next summer session.

I SHOULD … be working on my website.

Thanks to LBMM for something to keep me occupied at work today!

Love, Baseball, and Fender Benders

Hannah has met an amazing guy and they are now "In A Relationship." It is on facebook and we all know that nothing is "official" until it's on Facebook! The only downfall (but it is also a positive) is that he left about a week ago to work a Christian camp for the summer. It is an amazing and admirable thing that he has chosen to do but has left Hannah feeling a little blue lately - I keep trying to remind her that she has me! Before he left for camp I offered to take her out to the duck pond and get a few pictures of the two of them together. Here are a few sweet ones that turned out really well. They make such a gorgeous couple!

whispering sweet nothings in her ear . . .

Last Tuesday Hannah and I spontaneously decided we would go watch her brother Sam's last playoff game in Mesquite. Of course we had to ask Brandon because we couldn't go anywhere without a big man around to protect us! Here are some fun pictures from the drive!


The Cute Couple!

The Crew!

Just the Girls!

Well as we were on our way out of town to head to this baseball game I decided I just couldn't make the drive without a large cup of sonic ice. So we pull through the drive thru, I get my ice, give my waitress a tip that's more than what the ice was even worth and begin pulling out of the drive thru. Then I feel what I thought was my car acting strange . . then I looked in my rearview and saw a big black ford practically eating the back of my car. I was sooooooooooo mad for about 30 seconds and considered flying off the handle but then decided it wasn't worth it. So I calmly drove to the back of sonic and got out of my car when I see this girl who looks 16 climb out of her truck and start apologizing profusely. I examined the damage and this is what I found . .

I asked to see her license and insurance and of course they were both out of date so then we had to call the police department. While the police were on their way to the scene she explained to me that she was on her way to detention and if she weren't there by 3 she wouldn't be able to graduate because her 6 month old had been sick. Responsible, huh? Once an officer arrived at the scene and we got everything sorted out (thankfully she did have insurance coverage) we went on our merry own way and the rest of our little trip went well!

UNTIL THE SPEEDING TICKET I GOT THAT WEEKEND!

If anyone has any new modes of transportation to suggest I'm taking them.

Turns out there is a happy ending to this story though! - I never knew there was a positive to Huntsvegas heat but it turns out there is. The dent in my car has now completely popped out!!!! I'll have to take pictures and post soon!

The Birthday!

My Birthday Week

I could not have been happier with the week of my 21st birthday! I finally felt like I had a social life again. Things with school had finally slowed down (I spoke too soon, they are speeding up again with finals fast approaching) but I was thankful that I got to enjoy a few days. Monday I took a trip with some boys from the hometown to the The Woodlands and got to enjoy P.F. Chang's and some shopping! I also managed to find mom a birthday present too!

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent busy with church and church related activities (TRUTH, demolishing walls and cleaning out a building to turn into a used furniture store for contributions to the women's pregnancy care center, TRUTH Co-Rec softball games, small group at the duck pond, all of the above = FUN STUFF!)

Thursday was a long day with classes from 9:30 to 2 then work until 5. I received a very interesting text message from Hannah right before I left work that said "Go through the front door" so I knew something was going on!

This is what I came home to . .

A sheet over our kitchen with a french sign that means "Much Love"(at the top of the post), Hannah in her apron that I made, and her "friend" Brandon in his chef's coat. A girl could get used to this!!

After a much appreciated afternoon nap I was called downstairs to a meal made especially for me! Note the piece of toast cut into a heart - this was Brandon's idea.

And my very own cake too!

After dinner Hannah and I went and visited one of our new favorite places. The duck pond. We had small group there on Wednesday and could not help but go back and take pictures of the little ducklings. They were too cute!

I think these were leftovers from Easter but they were so unique!

The duck pond is also the site where a lot of Sam Houston's history is. This is a picture of the steamboat house that he passed away in. If only pictures could be scratch-n-sniff because you could smell the honeysuckle from yards away and it was GORGEOUS!

After our history lesson Hannah and I went on to play some tennis and then came home and packed for the weekend trip home to celebrate with the family!

April 24th was a morning much too early for my liking but I had an 8 o'clock class and then work until 2 before the venture to Frost.

I showed up at work and my co-worker had left a sign on my computer wishing me a happy birthday - how sweet! This is me modeling my sign after a long day at work.

Then Hannah and I made the long treck home so I could celebrate more with the fam! Friday afternoon/night was spent at the hometown baseball game and enjoying some of my dad's omelets with the family. I was so thankful for a wonderful 21st birthday!

Saturday the family went up to Ft. Worth to celebrate my mom's birthday. Here is a pic of the birthday girls!

Overall it was a very enjoyable birthday and I am so blessed to have so many people to share it with!This was the sign that was on my fancy chalboard all week long. 21 on 4-24!