Gifts from God.

The group

Kendall and I. We've lived together twice and known each other since the 6th grade. We took gymnastics together.

Annie and I. Being silly which is much of the nature of our friendship. We became friends through a retreat called The Journey.

My sweet sis-in-law (she was also a roommate at Ole Miss). Love her.

Laura and I. This girl -- she is so funny, and keeps me on my toes. Love her like a sister (SM).

Annie made me a cake and it was freakin delish. It had chocolate icing in the middle!

Laura and I again -- complete with our party hats!

The older I get the more I recognize how important it is to cultivate friendships. I have entered/exited so many seasons with different friends (seasonal friends), that as I've grown up, I've realized what it means to have lasting, lifelong friends. God has been so gracious and merciful to remind me that he has blessed me with amazing people from all walks of life -- with different stories, backgrounds, etc -- that are willing to call me their friend.

I say willing to call me their friend because I am not always a good friend. I am a.d.d., I don't respond quickly, I struggle with listening, yet these people remain in my life because they are willing to see past the ugly and straight to the good. Or perhaps they have the patience of Job and love me in my ugliness. Who knows.

But I know this: I know that I have some amazing friends. I am so very thankful for them. For that core group -- and I am even more thankful that they are growing to love each other too. It truly shows a bond forming for all of us -- one that makes me very, very happy.

Not all of my lifelong friends will be included in this post -- but here are a few that joined me in Oxford this past weekend for a fun girls' getaway. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!!!

SNOW!

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I've been in Greenwood this week on a photo shoot and yesterday we were semi-surprised by four inches of snow. It was SOOOO fun!!!! We even had a snowball fight last night after dinner -- with me being declared the winner.

I love it up here in the Delta. Such a fun, fun place.

Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day. It's the day after my birthday so I always feel like I get to celebrate for two days. I think it's also cause I love red/white/pink/purple -- they are happy colors!

I also love my neighbors. I've been blessed with some pretty cool ones, so I decided to make them cookies last weekend. From scratch. With homemade icing and toppings. They were freaking awesome if I do say so myself!








I took some to these two, made especially for them and somehow they ended back at my house. There were a few cookies left so I let them decorate them and eat them after supper. Mamie's house, to these two, is a fun, fun, place.

Fun Times.

2011 has not disappointed so far. It seems like every time I turn around something is going on....


Like my sweet friend Dorothy's wedding -- where I got to see a very good friend Ginger. It had been awhile and was so good to catch up!


Or spending the day in Starkville with these two -- so young, yet so wise. Thankful that I get to know them and have journeyed with them!

And of course, these two. They have been my true sisters in Christ for a long time, but now they are also my sisters by sorority. I used to think it was a bit weird, but after having grown-up and revisited initiation, I totally get it. Thankful again to journey with these two.

So that's all for now. Cheers!

A simple stem.

One of the themes I am trying to accomplish in my new home is simplicity. I wanted everything about it to be bright and airy, giving the appearance of cleanliness. The walls are whitish/grey, and I have really tried to keep counters free of clutter, bookcases void of too much stuff...well, you get my point.

So with this table I decided a glass jar, a picture and the lamp where ALL that would grace its presence. But it needed something -- the empty jar just wasn't cutting it.

So the other day I went to Hobby Lobby to get flowers for the front doors (pink hydrangas -- lovely) and I picked up a few "filler" sticks too. But once I got the hydrangas arranged I decided I didn't want any filler...so I had two sticks of filler that I could either (a) take back or (b) keep for another day. I decided since they cost around $5 and the hassle of driving back down lakeland wasn't worth that $5, I'd keep them.

And then I had a vision. The filler sticks would look great in the jar. And so I started putting it in the jar, piece by piece....and bam. It was just the quiet, calm touch to complete the table.

Love it.

IKEA: my home's best friend.

Ikea has quickly become one of my all-time favorite stores. It's possible that much of that love comes due to the fact there is not one here and I am only able to visit once/twice a year. My home has grown to love it too -- I have two rugs and recently purchased this great table for my entryway.

So the other day during whitedeath2011, I decided to be productive and put the table together. I emptied the box:


And then I organized it as any slightly OCD person would (after all, there were lots of pieces):

And then I realized I had no idea where my screwdrivers were....so I figured, who am I kidding anyway, and I called my dad. He came over last night and walllaaaa:


I am truly thankful for my daddy. He is so patient with me, is willing to do whatever I need and loves me through the small little graces like putting my table together.

No other gods.

So I have started a bible study that deals with idols, more specifically, what we make our daily gods. And while the OT viewing of "gods" [gold, brass, etc] doesn't really resognate sometimes, I am being enlightened on my sheer necessity for strength in Christ to overcome all of my gods. gods (little g) do not neceesarily always deal with materialism. They can come in many forms and for me, particularly the mind. Infatuation, fear, mystical ideals....well, there are so many things that we make our gods putting them before our High King.

I am so thankful for a loving Father that teaches me in spite of myself, so that I may cling to Him and learn to remove all that hinders me to Him. My prayer last night -- let me know You and only You, and may that be my only desire. For knowing Him intimately bears fruit and that is who I am called to be.

Here's to 2011.
Cheers!