Valentine's Day

Last year, for every day leading up to Valentine's Day, I wrote a special blog to each of the people in my life that mean the most to me.
(You can read find them here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)

This year, I had every intention of at least finding some way to show them how much I appreciate them...but I just was not able to find the time...

And here it is already the 13th...

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it doesn't matter if it doesn't happen before tomorrow. It doesn't even matter if it doesn't happen this week or this month.

There's nothing magical or special about Valentine's Day. There's nothing in the rule books that says you can only show love to those you care about one day a year.

So, instead of beating myself up for it, I'm going to take the time to really show them I appreciate them...and not rush through it like I'd be forced to do if I tried to do it all tonight.

So, for now, I leave you with this collage I made:

(And, of course, the hubbies of these beauties that aren't pictured here are also very important to me as well)

I hope you will take some time, whether this week or next month, to show those you love how much you care.

Grateful

This week was a hard one in many ways.

My grandma found out last month that she had a couple of major blockages in her arteries and needed to have a double, if not triple, bypass surgery. She went into her doctor with some chest pains, thinking nothing of them, and this was the answer she got. After enduring many painful tests, she went in for surgery this morning.

All week I have been worried about it. Not many people in my family have had to have a major surgery...and some that have had major complications.

(That is my grandma on the right at our wedding)

Thankfully, the surgery went well...better than her doctor hoped...and she only had to have a double bypass. When I got off the phone with my mom, I felt joyful tears welling up in my eyes. My shoulders felt lighter and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I didn't even realize until that moment how worried I truly was.

I've been praying, friends and family have been praying...a part of me was definitely trusting that things were going to be ok. But another part of me was entertaining what ifs...

My boss had K-Love on while I was at work and two beautiful songs came on in the midst of all of this. Gungor's Beautiful Things (which I just recently fell in love with after our worship leader played it for church a few weeks back) and Phil Wickham's Safe.

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make me new, You are making me new
(Beautiful Things)

You will be safe in His arms
Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
(Safe)

I know He was definitely holding my grandma's heart today...as well as mine.

I am oh so thankful today for life.

Blur

This past weekend was kind of a blur.

Not only did I turn 27, but I helped celebrate a friend's future marriage, I got a massage (woohoo!), attended the end of an era that my hubby was involved in, and had two birthday celebrations.

Busy...

Here are a couple of pics from one of the birthday celebrations:

(MAD, me, Megh)

(My sweet friend, who also happens to be one of my bosses)

(My sis and I)

(I love these beauties. They have such sweet spirits)

(The handsome hubby!)

It was a fun weekend, but it definitely flew by.

Now, onto other fun things to look forward to in the future...can't wait to share those pics!!

Twenty-Seven

This weekend, I will turn twenty-seven.

I am entering my late twenties...

While I'm not usually one to freak out too much about getting older...the whole late twenties thing is just a bit much for me.

It's not so much the getting older part that bothers me...

When I was younger, my goal was to be married by 22, and have a baby by 26. I thought being married three years and then trying for a baby would be perfect.

Needless to say, things changed, and plans went out the window.

I met the love of my life at 20. And while I really did want to be married at 22...we just weren't at the right place financially for that to happen. And, I'm glad we waited until we were. It definitely saved us some heartache.

So, we got married at 23. And, our three year waiting plan to start trying for a baby turned into one year...that has now turned into almost three years of trying.

While I am in a much different place in my life than I was even six months ago, it still stings a little to know that I am entering my late twenties and don't have a baby.

Yet, in spite of the way I'm feeling about 27, there are many things to be thankful for.

(My nieces. They are getting so big...)

I am saved by grace.
My hubby and I both have great jobs that we love.
We live in a home that is the perfect size for a couple without kids.
We are able to be involved in a few different Bible studies without having to worry about baby sitters.
We have food in our fridge.
We have amazing friends and family that we love spending time with.
We have everything we need, not everything we want...and that's a good thing.

So while 27 is not what I expected it to be, it's not too bad either...

Come Near

It's a dark, rainy day.

And I love it.

We haven't had many this winter, so it's such a nice change.


Rain always makes me feel happy...as well as a bit thoughtful.

Thoughtful days are good for the soul...evaluating where I've been, where I am, and where I'd like to be is definitely needed every now and again.

Today, I've been thinking a lot about this verse:


In the midst of this thoughtfulness, I know this is the most important thing I can be doing in my life right now. Drawing closer and closer to the One who never leaves my side.

Such a comfort. And such a blessing.