Happy Valentines!

I've never been a big valentines fan, even when in a relationship. If you love me, love me every day, not just when hallmark tells you to, and vice versa: I love those important to me every day too.

But starting last year, I have bought into the commercial cheesiness some.  A wine and chocolate night with the girls?? YES.  candy hearts? why the heck not?  I would never call cards, candy and jacked up expensive roses super romantic (although any other day it is) BUT fun, yes.

Last year I had a party called wine and chocolate...for the single ladies. Everyone brougt wine or chocolate. Some of our married friends wanted to come too -- their husbands were out of town or they celebrated already or they didnt plan on celebrating...so they came and we drank, ate and had a dang good time. This year we are having the same party, but on a much smaller scale.

For your valentines entertainment: a fun article by one of my favorites, Jon Acuff

Update

I haven't been good at posting, and I am not going to lie, its partly because I have been busy dating someone new.  I oftentimes share about breakups and lessons learned, etc, but I know I don't often share about my current dating life on this blog and thats for a good reason... (a) I need some privacy,especially in situations where I am figuring out my feelings, etc and (b) it involves someone else. Its not really fair for me to share TOO much about someone else's life on my blog.

That being said, here's what I will say about him at this point in time: he's kind and thoughtful, smart, adorable (or so I think!), love Jesus, and is motivated. He is an architect. He loves his family and is a loyal friend. I am surprised we work out so well together because although he loves cities, he is a country boy (and if you know me, I am so NOT country, just southern)! His major downfull is that he is not an auburn fan, jk. Currently we are doing the long distance thing (although he moves back to Jackson this summer) which has kept me busy with travelling or having someone in town...this is part of why I haven't posted.

Plus work has been busy and I've had a lot of fun trips with friends planned (2 trips to Nola, birthdays, etc)...but I am trying to get back on the blogging bandwaggon.

I still very much like I should talk about issues affecting 20somethings and singles...so I will continue to do that some this spring, just give me a chance to get back in the swing of things. :)

What I am reading Wednesday Take 2

I love this article about being "boy crazy" or some other version of it. I have been addicted to future potential before, whether it be an obsession with college, or travel, or a great career, or marriage, or babies, or paying off my loans.

Lord, help us focus on you and not just potential future blesssings.

What I am reading Wednesday

I was out of town this weekend and am trying hard to catch up on life, I have started a fun post my sister tagged me for: answering a bunch of questions but I am not done yet....but here is more of what I am reading this week.

I love Auburn and how it values people, not just winning. This is a great story about player, Shon Coleman's battle with cancer and Auburn's support.

how do you know if your ready to marry?

Why we need God to fence us in.

Making our goal the glory of God.

 Ok, so I don't have many more articles to post this week. I'll hopefully have some good ones next wednesday ;)

What I'm reading Wednesday

I've been a horrible blogger, I am sorry. Life has just been busy...good busy, but busy just the same. I have taken some time to read good articles though and wanted to share them with you.... enjoy :)


I needed to read this article. I always thing why didn't God stop bad things, but truth is He is stopping bad things and when I get hurt or others get hurt, I should think about all that He did PREVENT from happening.

I'm not a mom....yet, but when I am, this is how I want to raise my babies.

I always love what Jon Acuff has to say on serious Wednesday at Stuff Christians Like website.

Redefining Hope -- hope in, not hope for.

God works in different ways to bring people together...sometimes we forget that.

Should I stay or should I go? This article had to do with a dating relationship, but it made me think about all decisions in life-- how sometimes there is not a right or wrong answer, just the freedom to choose and make that choice best. (Wouldn't it be easier if every decision was right or wrong?)

National Signing Day.  Here's hoping for a good class. War Eagle.

Don't Waste It

I am clearly not trying to have a baby, although my heart has always ached for those who are....I can imagine the dissapointment and longing. I saw this article called Don't Waste your Infertility and thought I would share.  It's a good point for any trial, really -- don't waste the pain.

28

Its no secret that I don't exactly love birthdays.  Getting older stinks, and particularly so when you are single or waiting for a baby or waiting for a job...or maybe just when you are still figuring out life.  Even if you love your life, which most days I do, I think the natural inclination is to look at the past year and see if you did anything worthwhile.

But, recently, my ideas for birthdays have changed for several reasons...

(1) This sweet boy never got a first birthday, so how can I complain about 28 birthdays? I think about this family alot and how no matter what we all are going through (and I know some of you are going through a lot!), few of us probably know this level of pain...So, my few blog readers, please (as my birthday wish) stop and pray for this family today...and every day.

(2) How gracious is our God to understand that although He is infinite, we need beginnings and ends. Closure, limitations, definitions.  Isn't that what people always say about a relationship ending? "I want closure"  27 was a tough year, not the worst year, but difficult. (22 is clearly reserved as the worst year of my life thus far) -- lots of challenges with dating, work, church, etc.  It certainly had many many wonderful moments and as a whole, it was tougher than 26.  Is anything different about me today than yesterday? NO, not actually....I am the same me, and my God is the same God. But, I have a sense of closure and a sense of beginning. God knew that much about humans -- that I needed to see things end and begin, sometimes.  So I am excited for 28 to begin.

(3) I am hopeful for 28.  The Lord promises to go into this year with me, so why wouldn't I be hopeful?

I have much fun celebrating to do- including dinner with friends, a trip to Nola, and dinner with my family. Oh yeah, and I am wearing my beautiful David Yurman bracelet that I got for my birthday :)

Here's to 28, I hope its a good year.  Glad to know the Lord's mercies are new every morning, including the mornings you get older!