lovin' on...

A free Patty Griffin song I received from Starbucks called Little Fire. Check it out.

My office-mates and our new pad.

Swimming in the Party Pool (and jumping off the trapeze for the first time this year).

Fridays.

Hope your Friday has some lovely moments, too.

easter weekend.

Back to work I go.

But, before I make another phone call...or organize some more things around my desk...or go back outside...

I have to say what an absolutely wonderful weekend it has been.

Luckily for me, I have had the opportunity to enjoy a four day retreat from work in celebration of Easter. [hold back your chanting and fist pumping] Sleeping in really is good for the soul. As well as taking the day at your own pace, reading what you want, taking another nap, and finally having the chance to enjoy some things your list.

My list before Easter weekend went a little like this:

*read

*bike shop

*eyebrow wax

*crafting

I was able to get three out of the four completed (minus crafting). I had some of the most spontaneous, refreshing events take place.

I went to a concert that I normally would not have chosen on my own. I really liked it.

I went on a walk to the grocery store. Why don't I do this more often?

My friend Cole took

me on an adventure of trying Louisiana crawfish for the first time. Crawfish tastes amazing.

Recorded a random song on the back porch with the same friend. It doesn't really matter that I'm not the best singer.

Watched The Ten Commandments with my roommate and slammed some Papa John's pizza. How am I able to quote lines from this movie and why don't pizza gift cards come around more often? (thanks, Mom)...

Walked to an outdoor Easter service at the local park's amphitheater with my friend, Christie. I am more grateful, appreciative, in awe, and lovestruck with my Savior this Easter than any one before.

Met up with some more lovelies and went on a long bike ride around the brickstreets. Downhill rides are always the best. Oh, and surprise gardens.

Decided we all weren't done with the day and scavenged some things to cook and grill for dinner. Grilling means warmer weather is here. And we all know grilling out with friends, that are like family, makes for a good time.

Video chatted with my family that's far away in NC. Seriously, Macbook. Thank you.

Finished the night off with a game of Scrabble and Texas Pecan coffee. Is there really a better combo?

There we have it. I'm so very thankful. Thankful for my friends. Thankful for food on the table. Sunny days.

Rainy Night

Tonight it's time to enjoy some rain and a bit of thunder.

It's comforting to hear that tonight. I haven't heard a thunderstorm in a while.

The roommate made tonight more fun by making some cupcakes.

Marlo is hanging out at my feet. Love a good puppy.

Cheesy, non-committal TV shows.

Early night of pajama wearing.

If only Patty Griffin were here to serenade us.

Great song - semi weird video...eh.

photo by open.salon.com

Ponderings before bedtime.

PSALM 23:4

"...for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me"

Just something I'm reading through right now. I heard this a little different tonight...

I was thinking a little bit about what the line "your rod and your staff, they comfort me" means. This is just a quick wondering that I wanted to put down.

When I think of a shepherd in this chapter, I think of him taking care of his sheep. For me, I've always been able to quote and repeat this chapter with pretty good ease. It's one I've heard all of my life. Tonight I finally stopped to think about the "your rod and your staff" part. I imagine when a shepherd is leading and guiding his sheep, that he has to take his rod/staff and tap the sheep on the side...however often the sheep need this...so that they are reminded that the shepherd is here to take care of them and that "yes- he's still here."

I am totally a sheep right now. Which is fine. I have to be reminded of things over and over at this point. I need that tap on the side multiple and I mean MULTIPLE times a day. The Lord provides a little touch, a tap to remind me that He's still here. He knows the way to go. He takes the responsibility as my Father of caring for me. And for me, his rod and staff truly do comfort me right now.

So, I'm about to go to bed. I'm absolutely exhausted in so many ways. I'm anxious that I won't sleep well. That I'll wake up and fear the dread that may be ready to meet me. But I'm choosing to claim that the Lord is good and that He loves me. If that meets me when I wake, He is already there.

My prayer for tonight from Psalm 4:8 - I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

I'm claiming that as truth. Not feelings - which change. But because that is what I know to be true. Even if I don't feel it.

Hope for Haiti Now

I want to preface this post by saying I have personally not followed the situation going on in Haiti very well at all. I haven't read a lot of news articles or watched a lot of TV shows that have been documenting this horrible, horrible event.

My friend, Kate, posted on her Twitter that iTunes has been selling a "Hope for Haiti Now" album where 100% of the proceeds go to Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, and Yele Haiti Foundation - all of which, from my understanding, are absolutely wonderful, reputable organizations.

The album is right around $8 and has 20 tracks with a ton of different artists.

So, I guess what I'm thinking is this: I'm sure I'm not the only one who hasn't taken the time to support this relief effort. If you're still looking into wanting to aid in the recovery, this might be a great choice for you to look into.

Thoughts on Giraffes

So, I'm sitting on the couch tonight thinking about giraffes. I love giraffes. They are, in fact, my favorite animal. Well, giraffes and dogs.

A few years back I had the chance to visit Africa and see giraffes up close in their own environment. I still remember what an amazing experience it was to watch them run across the field in the sunset. You would think a running giraffe wouldn't work. However, they seem to have the hang of it. They looked so graceful. Very picture perfect. When I first moved to Texas I visited the local zoo here in town. They had a baby giraffe at the time named Gus. Gus was maybe only a couple of months old at the time, but he was still so neat to watch.

I feel like Gus right now. I feel like my legs are wobbly and that I'm learning to stand on my own (again). I feel awkward. I feel like I'm trying to make sense of a lot right now and take it all in and make good choices and figure things out. And in this process, I feel so tired. I know there is hope, though. Hope is always there. It's just hard.

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 5:5

On repeat.

This is what I am singing to myself over and over right now:


I will bless the Lord forever
I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
He set my feet upon a rock
I will not be moved
And I'll say of the Lord



You are my shield
My strength
My portion
Deliverer
My shelter
Strong tower
My very present help in time of need


Whom have I in heaven but You
There's none I desire besides You
You have made me glad
And I'll say of the Lord






Hillsong, Make Me Glad