oh happy day

This past weekend I got to celebrate this goob's birthday with him!

The day was filled with:

swimming. Ultimate Survival Alaska. meatloaf. mashed potatoes. black eyed peas. lemonade in mason jars. salad. mint chocolate chip cake. Sweet Home Alabama. sweet conversations. lots of hugs. new outfits. juice boxes. yoohoo. fruit rollups. 

(I realize how terrible iPhone pictures are when I see the picture of this cake)

I am so thankful for this sweet guy and the past 2+ years we've spent together.  I cannot imagine spending it with anyone else.  I am thankful for his servants heart and goofy laugh.  I am thankful for our prayers each night that help me get through the next day!  He has blessed me in many ways and I hope I bless him half as much as he blesses me!  Happy 23rd Birthday to the biggest goob I know!  By the way according to Time 23 is the happiest age until 69, so live it up!

peace & birthday blessings

Monograms & Mimosas

Apparently you're not from the south if you don't love monograms... 

Good thing my best friend is obsessed with them!

This past weekend I had the honor of hosting a shower for my best friend, who is getting married in a little over a month!  It was a great day... although it could have been a little less hot.  My stepmom and I were sitting in our beautiful backyard in June and came up with the wonderful idea.  I am not sure why we underestimated the Alabama heat.  However, everything came out just great and it was a wonderful day for Lindsay spent with family and friends!

Here's a little preview from the shower:

The shower wouldn't be complete without defining love from our Heavenly Father.  I wrote this on the chalkboard and it was quite possibly one of my favorite details from the day.  Many blessings to this couple and the love they have for one another.

peace & blessings

[to the new couple]

new days

soundtrack to this post: New Day by Green River Ordinance

It must be some type of miracle... I am blogging two days in a row! I have a soundtrack to this post because 1. I am currently very much so in love with Green River Ordinance. 2. I think that the post represents that of a new day.

So if there is another thing you should know about me besides the fact that I don't like I change, it would be: I am OCD (literally) about plans. I rarely fly by the seat of my pants. I LOVE making lists, plans, and having things in order. However, I'm learning that while plans are important most of the time they are not always necessary. Friday, July 5th was a new day for me. We didn't really have any plans other than that Hunter told me we were going camping. (commence freak out, I need to know the plans - but no worries I stayed calm)  

We started the day off with getting some Gibson's BBQ, since we didn't get to have it on the 4th.  It was subpar - I wouldn't refuse to go again, but would probably not choose to go. However, I was thankful that they had white BBQ sauce. I could write a whole post on white BBQ sauce... but that would be just a little weird. That is another one of my current loves. 

Then we made our way on over to Woodville to go to Cathedral Caverns. This is when I am reminded of how amazing God is and how beautiful this world is that He created. It is breathtaking. 

This is when we were going to set up our campsite.  However, it was raining and we decided that as much fun as soggy camping would be, we didn't really want to sit in the tent all night or hammock.

So, I realized that we were only 30ish minutes from Scottsboro, home of the infamous Unclaimed Baggage, which I had been wanting to go to for a few years now. We made our way to Scottsboro via country Alabama roads. This is where we saw the pot belly pig just hanging out in his front yard munching on some grass, along with his rooster and hen friends. We got to Unclaimed Baggage... I'm not going to say I was disappointed, but it was basically a humongous thrift store. Don't get me wrong I love thrift stores, but this just wasn't what I was expecting. However I did get two books for less than $5. Hunter got a pair of brand new, with the tag on, Salomon shoes that were only $40 (retail probably would have been $120). It was fun nonetheless.

Then we decided it was probably time to head back to Birmingham. On our way back we found this awesome park on top of a mountain overlooking Lake Guntersville. When we got back to Birmingham we ate at Mexico Lindo where I had the most delicious grilled chicken quesadilla and mango salad. Sorry for the food picture, but it was too good not to share.

Here's to many more new days of unplanned fun, getting out of my comfort zone, and marveling in the beauty of this beautiful world He created for us.

new traditions

if there's one thing you should know about me:

I don't like change.

I love holiday traditions. Love is an understatement. I will not be a happy camper if my traditions are out of the norm.

Well, this 4th of July was all about getting me out of my comfort zone... something I do not handle well. (just ask Hunter)

Well, first I was in Huntsville for the 4th of July.  I don't think I have ever not been with my family for the 4th of July.  I have spent the 4th with Lindsay's family before, but that consisted of the same traditions - BBQ, lake, thunder on the mountain.  This year consisted of NO BBQ, NO LAKE, NO THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN OLIVE GARDEN, SWIMMING IN THE RAIN, FIREWORKS AT THE ROCKET.  Although it was quite different from my normal 4th of July I loved every minute, even if I didn't seem like it in the moment.  I was so thankful to spend it with Hunter and start our own little traditions.  

The good news: even when things in our life change... "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." -Hebrews 13:8

P.S. Don't try to go get BBQ in Huntsville at 6:30 pm on the 4th of July... none of the restaurants are open.