Wednesday loves!

Happy Wednesday

Linking up here for What I'm loving Wednesday

{ONE}

I am loving all of the fun times that Jason and I have been having lately!

Monday we were in Fort Worth and had dinner at one of our favorite places- The Tavern.  I mean seriously I cannot get enough of their "Fire Roasted Artichokes".  I think I could eat them everyday.  Really we haven't ever had anything bad there! 

{TWO}

Before going to dinner..... my sweet husband bought me an early anniversary present! 

An IPAD! He really is too good to me! Although our anniversary isn't for another week and a half I am thankful to have it before we leave town tomorrow! 

{THREE}

I am loving that we are going out of town tomorrow! It is always a good time camping with my parents.  We are looking forward to the cooler temperatures, down time of doing nothing, good food, and nights playing winning spades! I mean really the men have no chance with mom and I! 

{FOUR}

A few loves from pinterest lately! 

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{FIVE}

I am loving that my first 2 classes back are over next week! I of course already have them done! Dont worry though, my next class started this monday! After finishing these three classes I will have 2 more left! I am looking forward to having degree number three complete in December! Number 3 of how many?! Ha! funny question... it could be 4 or 5 or even 6! I have dreams and goals people! It's what keeps me going! 

Hope you are all having a great week!

More on our journey next time,

Miscellany Monday!

Miscellany Monday! 

It has been quite a while since I have blogged on a Monday! I have missed it! Here is a little weekend recap in my miscellany monday linking up here .

{ONE}

This weekend Jason and I spent some great time together! We went to breakfast Saturday morning (one of Jason's favorite things to do on the weekend) then went to the farmers market.  I love fresh produce, and love to support our local farmers! 

After we got home from that we went to the pool with my sister and her kiddos, and then to church! It was a packed, but great day! 

{TWO}

only 31 days until the olympics! 

I have been watching all of the olympic trials! I seriously love the olympics! I guess it is my competitive side, or maybe my love for this country, but I love to see people give their all to something! Also, I have been surprised and so glad to hear the name of the Lord praised and the glory given to him throughout the last couple of days! 

{THREE}

There are a lot of exciting things coming up in the next month! Starting with a quick camping trip with my parents on Friday! We will be getting away, unplugging from our phones/ computers, and life in general for about 4 days! AND the weather is going to be such a good break! It is going to be so hot this week, but the weather in New Mexico is going to be so nice! 

{FOUR}

A little love for my best! I don't know what I would do without you Rach! The Lord knew exactly what I needed in a friend and let us spend our first glorious 12 hours together on our labor & delivery clinical.  Thankful that I have a friend that I can be myself around, act completely silly with, vent to, laugh at I mean with (ha!), and count on for advice and prayers! Although the miles between us make me crazy, and even mad at times- I am thankful that you are just a phone call away! love you rach!

{FIVE}

There are only 182 days until Christmas.  I know I know its only June, but I LOVE Christmas... and it is stinkin hot here in Texas! I might even get a head start on getting our Christmas presents bought! 

Happy Monday everyone! 

More on our journey next time, 

BEWARE..... very long post ahead! 

Where have I been? It has seriously been forever.  There have been many times in the last 3 months that I have thought "Man I really need to blog" but honestly I haven't had the words.  To sum up my life from March until now would be impossible, but I can say this... The Lord has been at work and I am thankful.  There are times in each of our lives that the Lord has to take our normal, our plan, our best and mold us, make us and show us His best.  Although these times may not feel the best I am thankful that the Lord loves me enough to refine me into what He wants me to be.  These times also make me extremely glad for the times that seem to be normal, and focused, what some would describe as the "mountain top".  Enjoying these times make the times of pruning easier to handle knowing that it will pass, and that it is only for a season.  

Something I have really been focusing on has been my time with the Lord.  There are many days when I convince myself that I am too busy or have too much to do.  But I can say that I am really making it a priority, and it has been amazing to see the change in my life.  Jason and I have a new word that we are trying to live by- "intentional".  Being intentional about our time with the Lord, with our time in the word, our time with each other, in talking about what the Lord has been doing in our time with Him, and in continuing to date each other while we are married.  There are many more examples, but that is all I can think of right now.  Something that our pastor Matt Chandler shared with us last week made me realize how important being intentional with our time and setting priorities is, and really how much it can benefit us.  

Matt said, "Suppose you read about 250 words a minute and that you resolve to devote just 15 minutes a day to serious theological reading to deepen your grasp of biblical truth. In one year (365 days) you would read for 5,475 minutes. Multiply that times 250 words per minute and you get 1,368,750 words per year. Now most books have between 300 and 400 words per page. So if we take 350 words per page and divide that into 1,368,750 words per year, we get 3,910 pages per year. This means that at 250 words a minute, 15 minutes a day, you could read about 20 average sized books a year!"

 I hope this encourages you too!  

 Although many people do not see the need or importance in blogging, but I originally started blogging when Jason and I got engaged.  Having families many miles away from each other this was the one way that I could keep everyone in the loop.  Since then, I have been blogging to document our lives so that one day I can look back on the first years of our marriage and be thankful for the road that we have traveled.  Regardless if anyone reads, or anyone gets anything out of it I will be thankful to have it! With this being said I am going to be more intentional about blogging and documenting our lives.  I am especially grateful for those around us that continue to encourage us and pray for us.  You will never know how much you mean to us! 

I promise to have fun and picture filled blogs ahead.  I mean we can only have so many serious blogs right?! Happy summer from the blazing hot state of Texas! 

More on our journey next time,

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday

This week is half way over! 

Linking up here for What I'm loving Wednesday

{ONE}

I am LOVING that I finally made it to Gold level at Starbucks.  Not sure why it took me so long, but bring on the free drinks!!! 

ps. I know why... because now I don't have Joe Beans.... Making due with what I have Lynchburg people! 

{TWO}

I am loving that I have been able to get mostly everything done this week.  Jason will tell you if I make a list, or even a schedule I stick to it.  My whole life is about to be one big schedule, but thats okay, whatever works right?  Thankfully I married a man that didn't even know what this meant when I met him (ha!)- he keeps me balanced between insanity and chaos.  

And for the record he loves my lists & calendars lol... or at least that's what I tell myself!

{THREE}

I am loving the weather.  Many of you know that Texas was desperately in need of rain, and we have gotten just that this week.  I have said it before, but really there is nothing like a Texas thunderstorm.  The last one we had lasted for hours.  It was GLORIOUS! It looks like we are going to get some more rain, but look at Sunday and Monday!!! loving the warmth! 

{FOUR}

 Jason and I are loving 'Green Monsters'... partially because of the name lol

Here is the recipe from Kristin's blog over at Iowa Girl Eats.  She has some great stuff so check it out! You can also print the recipe at the link below- it will just send you to her website! 

Green Monster Spinach Smoothie

Print this recipe!
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1 frozen sliced banana
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
1/2 cup 0% Vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt
1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze 
(or other kind of milk)
4 cups baby spinach (or more, or less)


Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutritional stats: 350 calories, 10g fiber, 21g protein

Here is what ours looked like-

This is seriously the best, healthy thing you will make yourself! Jason has already sent me a text saying he was dying for another one! 

{FIVE}

Here are a few pinterst loves from this week:

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This bottle keeps track of the water that you drink throughout the day! 

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And as usual leaving you with something sweet... 

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Hope you all have a great Wednesday! 

More on our journey next time, 

Yet another Monday...

Miscellany Monday...

Here is the weekend recap + my miscellany monday linking up here.
I sadly dont have any pictures from this weekend.... sorry for the boring blog! 

{ONE}

This weekend Jason and I did a lot of nothing.  These are always the best weekends! I love the time with my sweet husband and miss it so much during the week! We went to church as usual on Saturday night and I cannot tell you how much this study of Galations has blessed Jason and I.  We are truly thankful for the leadership that Matt brings to the church and the truth that he brings to our lives. You can find the podcasts for this study online here.  

On Sunday we met Ashley and the kids for lunch at Olive Garden.  After lunch we had to say goodbye to them until Easter.  It was so sad! Later on during the day we were at Target and I swear I heard Kaylyn cry.  It really breaks my heart that they aren't living just down the street.  Hurry up summer! 

{TWO}

SO... so much for having a good bracket this year! What is up with these teams??? Although we have had a lot of wrong picks this year Jason loves to see the underdog win- so he is loving it!  I am curious if anyone has a good bracket this year?!  I am still hoping to pull out the win on the bracket challenge!!! Stay tuned for the results. 

{THREE}

Jason and I went to the gym yesterday and I started to think about how thankful I am for number one him, and number two marriage.  We both jumped on the treadmill and off we went.  Jason had a 40 something inch tv above him with basketball on, I put my britt nicole pandora station in my ears, and we were both distracted enough to make it through.  About halfway through our time Jason doubled his speed and took off.  There are many things that make me proud of my husband, and this is one of them.  As he ran his little heart out, actually at a faster pace than he has for the last year, I saw him begin to struggle, breathing harder and harder and sweating more and more.  One of my favorite parts of marriage is that I get to do something I love.... I get to cheer my husband on in whatever he is doing.  Every few minutes I leaned over and reminded him that he COULD do this, just a little bit longer.... and I saw the man that I love dig deep and push on, without stopping and without giving up.  How beautiful is marriage.  I am so thankful that God knew exactly what I needed in a husband and that through crazy circumstances I met that man.  He works so hard in all that he does and when things get hard, he digs deep and keeps going.  I am so thankful for him!

{FOUR}

For those of you that have been reading along... I am still not sleeping at normal hours.   Does anyone else have difficulty sleeping? Insomnia? Any tips out there?

{FIVE}

I was looking back through some of my old Monday posts and I just had to laugh because I always ended with my countdown.  The Lord really knows how much you can handle lol.  Any way I thought hm... what could be a new countdown? So... there are 

280 days until Christmas.  

Just saying... HA! for now I will settle for summer! 

Hope everyone has a great week!

More on our journey next time,

This week is flying by! happy Wednesday...

I LOVE that it is already Wednesday! 

Linking up here for What I'm loving Wednesday

{ONE}

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I am LOVING that it is finally march madness! This is one of Jason's favorite times of the year, okay really it is his favorite time of the year who am I kidding?! We just filled out our brackets, and if I'm lucky I will win again (for the 3rd year in a row, but who's counting?)... Jase picks based on what he knows about the teams etc. but really i pick based on the names, their colors and what I know about their cheerleaders.  HA! It has worked in the past, i hope it works again.  

{TWO}

I am sure if you are on pinterest you have seen these maps.... how fun! The colored states are the ones that we have visited.  Honestly with traveling for CCA I really couldn't remember all of the places that I have been so I probably missed a few! Oh well, if I can't remember being there- I need to go back! Ha!

You can check out THIS website to make yours...

Jason's map

My map

We need to get get out there! Hopefully we can cross off a few more this summer! 

{THREE}

A few more of my LOVES from pinterest this week:

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Love these colors! 

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And this is the BEST thing I found on Pinterest this week!!!! You have to ckeck out the website... this is Watermelon- Lime Sorbet.  You literally take all of the watermelon out, add the lime etc. then freeze it in a ice cream freezer and put it back into the rind... I cannot wait to make this!

{FOUR}

I am LOVING Aldi! We had our first experience yesterday and will definitely be going back! A little about the store.... It is all about saving you time, and money! When you first get to the store you put a quarter in to get your basket... don't worry you get it back when you return it! This means they don't have to pay someone to go searching for the baskets in the parking lot... saving you money! Most of the items we bought yesterday were under $3.00.  Some other interesting things about the store include bagging your own groceries in your own bags unless you want to pay for bags... once again saving you money.  I saw a total of 3 people working in the store- but that is the whole point.  If they don't have to pay people to work, they don't have to charge you for it! What we have tasted so far we like!  

{FIVE}

I am LOVING all that I am reading right now.  Jason and I are working on a youversion plan to read the bible in a year, and it has been so great to reread some things that I have read my whole life, and gain new understanding about Christ.  It has also been so exciting to see God work in Jason's life.  There are many "bible stories" that Jason has never heard because he wasn't in Sunday school as a child.  Although unfortunate, it has been fun to see him read and understand the "stories" I have tried to tell him about.  We just finished Genesis and Job and are moving on to Exodus and Psalms.  I am thankful for a man that is so eager to learn more, and I am more thankful for the neighbor that invited Jason to church so many years ago.  

I am so thankful that God loved us enough to pursue our hearts, even still.  

Hope you are all having a great week! 

More on our journey next time,

miscellany monday!

miscellany monday...

Monday is typically not my favorite day of the week, but the weather is so nice that it is making today a good day! At this moment it is 77 degrees and not a cloud in the sky!  The only thing that could make it better is Jason home.  Here is a little weekend recap in my miscellany monday linking up here .

{one}

We got to spend the weekend with our precious nieces and nephew.  They bring such joy to our lives and I am so glad they are living so close now! It will only get better when they are living just a short drive away! We spent plenty of time playing, eating and watching the Lorax with them! cute movie...

- I some how ended up with no pictures of our Craigger boy... sad day! -

ha! 

{two}

I have been having SUCH a hard time sleeping... in fact there have been a few days that I am still awake when Jason's alarm goes off for him to get up for work. It has really been exhausting, but I think this time change is going to get it all straightened out! Regardless I have used my time wisely (I'm not sure who always told me this as a kid, but I still remember ha!) and spent some quality time talking, and listening to my creator.  I have a hard time just being still and taking the time to listen so this has been one good thing out of the crazy sleeping schedule.  I encourage you today to take the time to do this! 

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{three}

"Sister" is defined as, "a female having the same parents as another" but in all reality a sister is so much more than that.  Ash and I haven't lived in the same town since we lived at mom and dad's house and being 4 years apart we have fond memories of hating not really liking each other, annoying each other and at times wishing we could send the other on a trip around the world to return in a very long time.  We also have hilarious memories of almost burning down the house while trying to make mom and dad breakfast in bed ha! (definitely ashley's idea), the crazy monster that would eat me if I crossed the middle of the bed when sleeping in Ashley's bed, camping, skiing and vacations to Hawaii, New York and Puerto Rico with the family just to name a few. This weekend we had a fun weekend laughing at each other and just being together. All this being said, my sister is much more than just someone that shares the same parents with me... She is someone I can count on to be there for me, pray for me, worry for me, make me laugh- even if I'm laughing at myself, cry with, and vent to when needed.  Ashley- I am so thankful for you! I can't wait to see how her girls grow up and understand how great they have it with a sister and even a brother in between.  I am thankful that God knew I needed a sister and beyond that a friend for life! love you ash!

{four}

Something I love about pinterest, beyond the obvious, is the scripture, quotes and sayings that I many times need to see and be reminded of! 

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{five}

There is a lot of music that I love, but my current love is Britt Nicole. Many of her songs describe my life, and are exactly what I need to hear. That is my current pandora station- obsession! 

Here are some lyrics from her song 'Have your way'

You never said the road would be easy

You said you would never leave, 

And you never promised that this life isn't hard, 

But you promised you'd take care of me, 

So I'll stop searching for the answer, 

I'll stop praying for an escape, 

I'll trust you God with where I am

And believe you will have your way...

I am not sure who really reads this thing, but It is therapeutic for me to get my thoughts out there.  Regardless, I am praying for those of you that read this, that you would experience God in a real way, and that you might be encouraged today.  God is so good... all the time! 

More on our journey next time,

Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

Linking up as always here for What I'm loving Wednesday

{ONE}

First of all, i am loving that it is Wednesday, half way through this week, and only half a week until the weekend.  Recently, I have began to really long for the weekends and the sweet time with my husband.  it is not very often that I get to spend more than 3 hours or so a day with him, so the weekends are treasured.  I am so thankful for my man, his heart and how much he loves me! 

{TWO}

i am thankful that it is the first Wednesday of the month, which means that its is elder led prayer tonight at church.  Jason and I have been a part of many churches (and miss a lot of people- shout out to our community group) but we are really thankful to be a part of something bigger than ourselves at The Village.

{Check out The Village Church}

{THREE}

A few Pinterest finds this week:

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 love the grey! 

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My sister, Ashley, and I have decided we need these..... thankful she has a machine that can make that happen! 

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{FOUR}

I am loving the possibility of seeing my parents next week and the guarantee of seeing my sister! I am thankful for the time with my family and treasure the countless phone calls during the last few weeks.  I've said it before, but family really is everything! 

{FIVE}

I have been so thankful for the weather this week It has been beautiful in the upper 70's and it even hit 80 yesterday! Although I'm sure I will be missing the Virginia weather this summer, this week I am very thankful for the warmth! It has been a week of leaving the door open, windows down and short sleeves.  

Hope you are all having a fantastic week! 

More on our journey next time,