New Floors!

The old, very ugly tile

This past weekend, Ryan and I decided to finally part ways with our old, white, cracked, ugly ceramic tile and install new hardwood flooring! Though we still have to finish the transitional areas and put in new baseboard, I am already so pleased with the results of Ryan's hard work (Yes, it was all him... I did nothing!).

Old kitchen

I have loved decorating our house and making it our own. But this is probably my favorite thing that we have done so far. It makes the entire house feel so much warmer, and it's not even finished yet.

New kitchen! It looks lighter in this pic because of the flash.

I can't wait to get the rest of the flooring in and get my house back in order, but I'm so thankful that we were able to say "bye bye" to the old tile! So even if it means that I have to deal with a little more chaos within the next week, I'll take it for the end result of shiny wood floors!

I love it!

Back to Blogging

After almost three months away from the blogging scene, I have decided to make a very belated New Years resolution and commit to writing on my blog more regularly. I think I pressure myself into writing something extraordinarily entertaining or inspirational EVERY time I complete a new post. So instead of trying to think of something incredible to write, I avoid blogging altogether. But I have to remember my main reason for even creating a blog... to keep my friends, family and loved ones in tune with what is happening in my life and to share little insights and experiences along the way. So with that in mind, I am launching back into blogging.

Since it has been a while since I've visited my own blog, I have a wide variety of updates. Don't worry, I'm not going to share everything at once. Baby steps :-).

The first thing I'm going to start with is my recent graduation from college. That's right, I have been an official college graduate since December 10, 2010! I can't believe it's taken me this long to write about it. At first, it didn't even really hit me that I finally had my degree. I decided not to walk in the graduation ceremony since my family couldn't be here and because I didn't have any close friends graduating with me. But Ryan let me know how proud he was of me by giving me a new scarf and a new camera case. He made sure that I couldn't tear into the presents too quickly by wrapping them entirely with tape. He's so ornery but so cute too :-). My family also treated me to a nice dinner when I visited them in Colorado after Christmas. It felt fabulous to celebrate my long-awaited accomplishment with the people I love!

It feels amazing to be done with school and to be part of the real working world. I am currently working for a company in Tampa, helping to write and edit proposals. It's a temporary position, but it has been fantastic experience. I've also been fortunate enough to gain writing experience by doing projects for my dad's company in Colorado. I'm hoping that these projects will help to build my resume so I can eventually work from home, doing freelance writing for a variety of companies. To keep fresh on my creative writing skills, I have also been contributing articles to a local magazine called Positive Impact. Visit their website if you're interested. It's really an awesome publication: www.positiveimpactmagazine.com. In the midst of everything, I'm trying to trust God above all and see where he wants to lead me in my career.

Speaking of God, I have to take the last bit of this post to give Him all the credit for the immense amount of blessings in my life. When I moved to Florida, I was afraid that I would fall behind in school and have trouble finding jobs after graduation. Instead, He led me to a school where I got a degree that will probably be more helpful to me than the one I had originally chosen. And He has handed me one opportunity after another to follow my passion for writing. Why do I ever question His faithfulness and goodness? He reminds me over and over again to take my favorite Bible verse to heart: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

I hope you all are experiencing His love and blessings in your lives. I am glad to be back in blog world so I can keep up with all of you as well!

Thoughts on Christmas

"Somehow, in the weakness of a baby born in a lowly stable, the power of the Almighty had come to earth. It was a mystery that would occupy my mind on many nights as I nursed God's Son and kissed His tiny face." ~Mary (from Charles R. Swindoll's A Bethlehem Christmas)

My favorite part of the Christmas story has always been the way God chose an "ordinary" yet faithful young woman as the vessel for His physical entrance into the world. I cannot imagine what Mary must have felt when Gabriel showed up and told her she would give birth to a son. And not just any son...the Son of God. As a Jew, she must have understood Gabriel's prophetic words: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end" (Luke 1:32-33). She knew that the baby she bore was the promised Messiah, but she couldn't have known how all of the prophesy was to be fulfilled. All she knew was that she wanted to obey the Lord's will for her: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38).

What would it have been like to be the earthly mother of the almighty God? She certainly experienced normal motherly instincts, desiring to nurture and protect her son out of her deep love for him. Yet she was probably reminded constantly of her son's divinity as well. Her child, the baby boy she delivered in the humble environment of a stable, was also her Savior. The thought blows my mind! Tears come to my eyes as I think about the creativity and wonder of my God!

At Christmas time and all of the time, I want to be open and willing when God seeks me to perform His will. Just like Mary, I want to be a part of His awesome and perfect plan. "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished" (Luke 1:45).

Merry Christmas!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

After a fabulous Thanksgiving with plenty of turkey, potatoes, gravy, and pie, I am now sitting contently in my house and admiring some of my newly set up Christmas decorations. I don't know if I have ever been as excited for the start of the Christmas season as I am this year. Maybe it has something to do with being in our own house, or maybe it's because of my Christmas-obsessed friend who decorated her home weeks ago. Either way, I could not be happier that December 25th is rapidly approaching. Even being in Florida, with weather in the 70s and 80s, I am in full Christmas spirit. Today, I woke up early for the first time in my life to take advantage of the Black Friday sales. I can't remember the last time I got my Christmas shopping done this early. What's happening to me?! :-)

Though I won't be going "home" for Christmas this year, I am thrilled to spend the holidays with my wonderful in-laws in Washington. And I will still get to see my much-missed family in January! I certainly have a lot to look forward to! While this blog post may seem like I've skipped the Thanksgiving mindset and gone straight to Christmas cheer, I am deeply aware of how much I have to be thankful for. I praise God for the blessings that He continues to pour over my life! I can't wait to celebrate this most wonderful time of the year, remembering all of the things my Savior has done for me!

"Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

She had been searching and seeking the waters of serenity, of purification. She leaned over the edge of an aged fountain, peering into the aqua liquid that rested silent and still. Her reflection was clouded; it was not the clear reflection for which she yearned. She desperately splashed the water onto her face, hoping, pleading for a new image to appear once the ripples subdued. But the reflection remained; she was the same. This fountain was dead; it didn't flow with the refreshing and cleansing water that she needed.

She crumpled to the grass in despair, not knowing where else to look for the water that would nourish, fulfill, and transform her. She had traveled far and wide, seen everything from the fountain of youth to this forgotten monument which now stood before her, and still, she was unsatisfied. None of these waters flowed with the energy that she so desperately needed or the absolution that she so desperately desired. She looked at her hands; they were filthy from the dirt and grime of her journey. Her throat was parched and her lips were dry. She was thirsty, not having discovered the fountain she had set out to find.

How did she get here? How did she get so lost? She had started strong, with assurance, with determination, with Someone to help her along the way. But as distractions emerged and doubts surfaced, she had left her Guide behind. She had abandoned him on a dusty roadside, deciding to fend for herself.

Her loneliness consumed her.

At the base of the ancient fountain, she let her head fall to the ground, and she gave way to the overwhelming exhaustion. Sleep came fast, and the tears dried in salty streaks on her face. She dreamed of her thirst and the many miles she had traveled to quench it, only to fail in the end. She dreamed of her unwashed hands, of her murky reflection, of her unmet longing for purity. The darkness behind her eyes deepened as her regret rooted itself, destroying any chance for a new beginning. But then...

A rain drop.

The crisp, clean water fell on her lips. She heard a familiar voice through the hum of the steady rain. "Wake up. I'll give you a new beginning." Her eyes opened to see the face of the Guide she had long since abandoned. He reached down to help her to her feet. For the first time, she noticed the scars in his hands. Something told her these wounds were her doing. But his smile put her mind at rest. She surrendered herself to his warm embrace and to the revitalizing rain that poured around them. She was washed by the water. Her Guide's gentle words echoed through her ears: "I'm here with you, and I've never left you. I'll show you to the fountain of living water...if you would only follow me."

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard

It's been a few weeks since my parents came to visit, and I'm already looking forward to the next time we get to see one another. I feel incredibly blessed to have the parents that I do. I admire them in so many ways, and they never fail to give me the support, love, and encouragement that I need. I thank God that he put two such amazing people in my life, who helped make me the person I am today.

During the short time that both of my parents were here, we were able to squeeze in a handful of fun activities. We went out to dinner, walked around downtown St. Pete, and went to the beach. My parents were also kind enough to help me with some landscaping on a very hot day. I wouldn't have pretty flowers in my front yard had it not been for their hard work.

Sadly, my daddy had to leave after the long weekend to get back to work. But Mama got to stay the rest of that week, and we had a blast spending time together. We had great girl time, touching up the decor in the family room and shopping in Sarasota. It was wonderful to have her there to keep me company while Ryan worked in the evenings.

The end of the visit for both of my parents arrived too soon... as usual. But I am thankful that we shared such a fun and memorable time together. Every time I say goodbye to my parents after a visit, it feels bittersweet. I always hate saying goodbye, but I'm also always reminded of how blessed I am to have them in my life at all. Indeed..."How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

Another year

In about two hours, I will officially be 23 years old. I still haven't gotten used to saying that I'm 22, so when people ask how old I am now, most likely the response will be, "Um...let me think...Oh! I'm 23." On the eve of another year in my life, I decided to share some of my favorite things about my 22nd year and some of the things I want for the 23rd.

The best of 22:

Being newly married to the man of my dreams.

Moving into a house that I love.

Making new friends who have become very dear to my heart.

Remembering and staying in touch with the old friends that still mean so much to me.

Growing in my faith and my personal relationship with my Savior.

Getting my puppy who steals more of my heart every day :-).

Gaining opportunities to write for wonderful people.

Learning how to make a few more meals.

Staying close to my wonderful family, even though we're far apart.

Bonding with my new family members.

Hopes for 23:

Grow even closer to my husband.

Increase my love for God each day and be a constant display of His love.

Get a job, preferably one that I like :-).

Develop deeper relationships with new friends and stay in touch with the old ones.

Bond more and more with my own family and my amazing in-laws.

Learn more about photography (with my new camera from my hubby!).

Serve others.

Experience more of Florida.

Be content and thankful in all circumstances.

I'm sure there is so much more I could include for this past year and for the next one. But these are the things that float to the surface of my mind. Thank you , God, for giving me another year!