best friends, take 2

A few posts back I posted an entry entitled, "for Bre," and posted a photo of me with my best friends (minus Nikki). Well, here's one with all of my best friends!

Last night Louisiana came to Texas - homemade crawfish etoufee, red beans and rice, and shirmp fettucine alfredo, topped with a King Cake and Mardi Gras decor. The occasion?


My 32nd birthday!


I think I say it often (well "often" for how little I actually blog these days), but... the ladies you see here in this picture are the cream of the crop. I mean, really. They are regularly encouraging me, pointing me to Jesus, asking me hard questions, walking with me as I endeavor to walk in freedom rather than live under the bondage of religiosity and legalism. They laugh with me. Cry with me. Do silly things with me. Make me a better wife. Make me a better mommy. Make me a better friend. Make me a better follower of Jesus. Which in turn hopefully makes me a better daughter and sister and woman in general.

My entire life the Lord has blessed me with absolutely amazing friends at different seasons of my life. And these are the ladies who are my bestest of friends at this season of life - and, I'm so blessed. So blessed. Lindsey, Bre, Nikki, Michelle, Elizabeth, and Natalie... it is an absolute privilege to be in community and in relationship with such sweet, caring, thoughtful and absolutely wonderful friends. I am a rich woman because of you. Thank you!!

boys will be boys.

"You might be older and bigger than me, Elliot, but...I got you!!"

"Oh yeah? Well, take this, my best friend Josiah!"

"Ah....you boys! What are we going to do with you?"

cleaning up the backyard.

So, we neglected to finish raking leaves in the backyard in the fall. But...spring is coming! It's almost here! And, the boys and I will be in the backyard a lot this spring and summer I'm sure. They "helped" me rake leaves, but mostly enjoyed jumping in the big pile of leaves that I raked. I love making memories with my boys!!

highlights from Colorado

My dad turned 59 this year. On his list of things he'd like to do that he's never done was snow skiing. But as of a couple of weeks ago, it's no longer on his list of things he's never done. He did it!! We did it! We took him skiing!!

We enjoyed a long weekend in Winter Park, CO with my parents, and my sister and her family - our first big family vacation since Daniel and I have been married. And, my dad was AWESOME! We are so proud of him - one day of ski school and two days on the slopes. He was fantastic!! And my mom? She was awesome too! She didn't ski, but she was the babysitter for all 5 of her grandkids (did I mention their ages range from 15 months to 4 years old?) Yes, she's a trooper!!

The last time Daniel and I had been skiing was 5 years ago when we were dating. I have to admit, I was surprised that it came back so easily. I guess it's like riding a bike - once you get the hang of it, it sticks. I mean, when is the last time I rode a bike? But, I'm certain if I jumped on one today, I'd have no problem. Skiing was the same way. Granted, I chose to stay on greens and green/blues. I'd rather enjoy my skiing than be stressed out that I may fall because I'm going too fast or going down too steep of a slope.

Daniel skiied with me some and skiied some with my brother-in-law and sister so he could do some more advanced runs. Here he is skiing "Ski Papa," a bumpy path through the woods.

The boys enjoyed the trip. And we made yet another memory as a family! Thank You, Lord, for being our amazing God. Seeing Your beauty in the snow is yet another reason we give You praise! Really, You are the Master artist. Your creation cries out and sings of Your beauty!