Quarter Century!

Yesterday I turned the big 2-5! It's really just hard to believe. It seems like just yesterday I was turning 21 and thought I was invincible (oh how quickly we learn.) This birthday has proven to be one celebration after another!

On Wednesday, a small group of my dear friends got together for a casual happy hour in the Montrose area. We caught up and talked about how old we are all getting. Yesterday, I worked in the morning from a local coffee shop, which is always a treat and my mom took me to lunch. We made sure to finish off with a birthday 'treat' and had an amazing sticky toffee cake. I'm still craving it. She gave me a precious book with encouraging words that she's been holding onto for a while. It was very meaningful and something I will treasure. One of my best friends stopped by our house on her way through town yesterday and we enjoyed a glass of wine together and caught up on our busy lives. There is nothing quite like spending time with an old friend, someone who knows you better than you know yourself it seems. Tyler cooked a delicious dinner including grilled salmon with citrus salsa and honey balsamic green beans. He also gave me a sweet gift--a historical book and walking tour of Houston! I'm sure over the years, I've mentioned wanting to do this at least a dozen times and I cannot wait to go on the tour together and learn about my city. We stayed up and watched the Modern Family premier and ate a yummy mouse dessert. There is just something so comforting and satisfying about a night at home. :)

Tonight we'll do dinner with my folks at one of my favorite restaurants, Benjy's and then my mom and I are going shopping tomorrow. I feel so overwhelmed and humbled by the love and support of my friends and family on this day and always. 25 does seem monumental for some reason, like I should accomplish something big this year. And, hopefully I will! I feel just a bit older but I don't think I mind it too much. I think the next few years will be filled with fun experiences, life changes and challenges and great memories!

Hunger Games

If you have spoken to me recently, you've heard that I have been reading/slightly obsessed with The Hunger Game series. I just finished up the final book over the weekend and already wish there was more to read! Like Twilight, this is another series you just get lost in. The books center around a post-apocalyptic civilization that has tried to rebel against the government in the past. Since this was a failed attempt, the districts are punished by having to send 2 children every year to fight gladiator style to the death. While this isn't my normal genre of interest, I could not put these books down. They read like a great adventure with a good love story to keep me glued. I highly recommend picking these up if you haven't already!

Trip to the Windy City!

Tyler and I were very excited about the opportunity to visit some of our best friends and discover a new city together! We arrived in Chicago on Thursday evening and didn't stop going once our feet hit the ground. On Friday morning, our vacation started like most of them seem to; with a little craziness. Tyler and I were on our own in the big city and headed out to a boat architecture tour an hour ahead of time (which we thought was more than enough). Sarah and Brandon did a great job explaining everything to us on our way out the door. As we boarded the bus, I saw my phone had 20% juice left, which was already unnerving. We missed the bus stop somehow and rode it to the end of the line. Then we had to ask around to find our way to the Navy Pier. As we approached the sign, I asked Tyler to take a picture of it. Then we realized the camera battery was back at the condo. Great. I was very upset not having our camera for the architecture tour, probably one of the most picturesque parts of our trip. We couldn't seem to find where to board and finally made it to the boat 1 minute shy of departure time. Phew! We got our hot coffee and took our seats and thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. Chicago has such interesting architecture and I enjoyed learning the history behind it all. Above is one of the only pictures I took on my iPhone right before it died.

Afterwards we quickly headed to Starbucks to charge my phone. Seriously, what did we do before gps on our phones? We sipped lattes and watched the hustle and bustle on the Magnificent Mile. We shopped for a bit and hit up the Marshall Fields (now Macy's). The store was just wonderful! Next, we grabbed our first deep dish pizza. I was surprised to find out it would take 35-40 minutes to cook it, but it was well worth the wait.

Then we headed over to Millennium Park and checked out the bean!

We went to the Chicago Museum of Art which was absolutely incredible! Then we got ready for a delicious dinner at Gilt Bar. The food there was just amazing. Our appetizer was roasted bone marrow which I've never tried, but it was really tasty! The entrees and desserts were equally delicious and then we went downstairs to the very swanky speakeasy. We enjoyed cocktails in a cozy corner and then called it a night!

On Saturday, we met up with my dear friend Jen, grabbed some classic Chicago dogs at Portillos and went to a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. The field was really amazing and we were surprised how small and quaint it was. There was an hour + rain delay in the middle of the seventh inning but we hung out and relaxed in the stands. The game finally resumed and we decided to leave when the Cubs were winning in the 9th with 2 outs. It turns out the Cubs lost because of a grand slam! What were the chances. Either way, it was a ton of fun!

Saturday evening we went to a cute little area called South Port and just relaxed, ate bar food and caught up!

On Sunday morning we went to Ann Sathers and had the most amazing cinnamon rolls (as a side!) Then we rented these precious cruisers and were off to the see the sites! We biked all up and down the lakeshore and ended up doing a 12 mile bike ride! Here is a picture of Jen and I on our matching bikes.

We stopped off for a few photo opps along the way and admired the gorgeous lake and skyline. We were all worn out afterwards. We grabbed some Italian food to go and sat outside at the Chicago Jazz Festival. It was nice to relax and enjoy the chilly weather.

In the evening we went to the Aggie bar and watched the game with a ton of other Aggies! We listened to some live music and headed back for the night. Finally, on Monday, Sarah and I grabbed some pumpkin spice lattes and went to see Jen's apartment. It was so cute and charming, which wasn't surprising. We ate lunch before our flight at the top of the Hancock building, the 3rd tallest building in the city.

We really packed it in every single day, and were pretty much on the go from 8am to midnight. It was such a blast to experience Chicago and spend great quality time with some great friends! I just loved everything about Chicago. The city is beautiful and the locals seem to really love the time to enjoy it. I can't wait to go back and am so thankful for our wonderful friends who hosted us and showed us an unforgettable time!

Baby Shower

This weekend I hosted my first shower in my home! The shower was in honor of two dear friends and their little boys due in September, Knox and Jacob. We immediately decided on a Western theme for these two boys as we know they will grow up to love all things outdoors. My decor isn't exactly Western but the more I searched, the more treasures I discovered that would easily go with the theme.

Tyler and I have a ton of leftover mason jars from our wedding that were perfect for the shower! We added some name tags with raffia and drank sweet tea and lemonade out of them. We also used them as small vases for white daisies throughout the house.

Of course, what's a Western theme without a cow dog? Meet Snoop the cow dog.

Here is a photo of the delicious spread and table setting! I found the crate in the corner of one of my bedrooms and it was just screaming to be used as part of the centerpiece. We served delicious BBQ, fruit salad, corn dip, jalapeno poppers and dessert.

And finally, here's what made the shower the most special. It's hard to believe we have known each other over 2 years (and some longer)! We have gone from being engaged, being newlyweds, and now there are 2 (soon to be 4) little bundles of joy. It's such a blessing to share life with these girls, the good times and the bad. It was so special to have everyone all together. The past, present and future of our home team were well represented. I'm blessed with such amazing friends!

Lake Fun

Hello friends! I do apologize for my blogging silence. I think I've just been enjoying the laziness that is summer, especially with this intense heat. Last weekend, we enjoyed a great getaway with some of our oldest friends! We arrived at Lake Travis late Friday evening and spent the night sipping wine and catching up.

Saturday morning, I enjoyed a delicious cup of coffee on the back porch rocking chair overlooking the lake. Ali and I spent lots of time down by the pool and then, despite the incredibly low lake levels, we were able to all get out in the boat! This is one of my favorite ways to spend a summer day.

Here we are enjoying a relaxing boat ride.

We had a yummy steak dinner on Saturday evening and stayed up chatting and playing games. It was delightful! A simple reminder how blessed we are to have such amazing life-long friends to share memories with. We have enjoyed so much fun and fellowship at the lake house over the years. Just a little slice of Heaven. :)

Florida

This week I got back from a wonderful trip to Florida! My family had a condo right on the beach. The view was gorgeous (pictured above). I've gone every summer since I can remember to visit family and enjoy the beach. I loved catching some rays every day and reading a good book. Being on the beach for me is just a small taste of what Heaven must be like.

We played a ton of washers, NOT one of my God-given talents, but we made the most of it nonetheless. Here, Michelle and I are fully embracing our terrible skills.


It was great to catch up with all of my family and play with my niece and nephew on the beach. The fireworks show on the 4th was really gorgeous right over the ocean and it made me feel very blessed to be from such a wonderful country.

On the last day, we rented beach cruisers and bar hopped around Neptune and Jacksonville beach. I tried my first snakebite (delicious!) and capped the day off with a yummy pina colada. Riding a bike on a beach looks so pleasant, but I quickly learned it's just not that easy.

The getaway was delightful, and much needed. I absolutely love going to Florida every year. It quickly takes me back to my roots and to my happy place!

Believing

Recently I heard a sermon that really made me think (always the best kind!) The title of the sermon was 'Believe the Amazing.' What a wonderful calling. Amazing was defined as being beyond my experience, expectations and understanding. The pastor was discussing how Jesus affected those around Him.

When his disciples were confronted with this new information that Jesus was their Savior and that he would die, rise again and ascend to Heaven, they were faced with the decision of either fitting this new information into their old understanding (therefore simply dismissing it) or changing their understanding all together. When faced with this crossroads, his disciples chose not only to change their understanding, but to change the direction of their very lives to align themselves with Jesus's mission. In fact, every disciple believed in Jesus so strongly, that they all died a martyrs death. I can't help but wonder just how compelling it would've been to walk by his side. In the same argument though, Patrick posed the question, 'why did Jesus go to Heaven?' This is something I've always asked myself if I'm honest. It always seems as though it would be so much easier if I could see Him face to face. Jesus went to Heaven so that the gospel wouldn't be centered around his presence. Had He been here all along, the Christian faith would have been contained in and around his physical presence. Instead, God had a plan and when Jesus ascended, his disciples took on the mission and started to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.

So even though it seems it would be so simple to travel somewhere where I could be right next to Him, having a faith in something I sometimes cannot see seems more compelling. Patrick described truly believing the amazing by first having an in-person experience with Jesus, one that is personal but not entirely private. Then I become a witness to what I've experienced, not to convert people but to simply explain my real-life experience with the Savior. This is of course not always easy and the struggle will always come when I can't pinpoint or remember how God has worked in my life, my testimony. If I can't cite my own experiences and life changes, Christianity becomes some distant fairytale. To believe the amazing, I must allow myself to both experience it and never forget the way God has always been faithful to me!