Happy Birthday, Tracie.

Today is a crazy, busy day.

Today is filled with packing, marking things off my to-do lists

and getting some last minute work done.

Today is madness.

But, today is also a very special day.

Today is one of my best friends birthdays: Tracie.

Tracie and I go way back to when I was in high school. 

I worked at her church and kept her boys.

I even babysat for her a few times.

Years later, God crossed our paths again 

and I'm so grateful he did.

She's always a listening ear and a sound mind.

She's full of wisdom and cries at a good commercial.

We enjoy talks over mexican and margaritas,

watching Revenge or Missing,

and being able to work perfectly together.

Thank you, Jesus, for good friends.

But thank you more for Tracie.

Happy birthday, friend.

Keeping the Old

I was in Girl Scouts when I was little. 

We used to sing this song 

and as I started to write this post it came back to me...

"Make new friends, 

but keep the old.

One is silver 

and the other gold."

Keeping old friends...

it can be hard to do, but it's worth it to try and continue friendships.

This week was a reminder of how rewarding it is.

I got a call from a friend, Georgia, this week that brought a huge smile to my face.

He said he was in town for work for the week and wanted to meet up for dinner.

A little history on us...

We met during the summer of 2005 when I graduated high school and got a job at Hobby Lobby.

He was the older, hotter guy that would flirt like crazy.

I was the young, naive girl who loved a cute boy.

We spend a few years working together and going to school together 

and becoming really good friends.

Two years ago, he moved away and for the last two years we've kept in touch.

Back to this week...

We decided to meet up at a town favorite for dinner.

I found myself nervous at the fact that I hadn't seen him in two years, 

but was confident due to the amount of phone calls and texts.

The moment he walked in the door I knew it would be fine.

We sat down and began a close to three hour conversation 

of work, love and our crazy, busy lives.

It was wonderful to see him and catch up, 

but more heart-warming that after all these years

we're still friends.

It was a great night, but it reminded me that keeping friendships alive takes work.

For so long we lived in the same town, but now it takes a little more effort to stay in touch.

We may go weeks without talking, but when we do, we pick up right where we left off.

Just remember, if you love someone enough to let them into your life,

then you have to work to keep them there.

Best Friend's Wedding

I will save you a lot of the emotion, make-me-cry details and just share a little of my heart with you about last weekend. If you want the boo-hooey stuff, you can go here and read it.

My best friend is married..

and I couldn't be happier. 

Who knew that this..

...would turn into this!

(forgive the blurry mobile shot...no real pictures yet.)

My SIL is a married woman and I am so proud of her and so happy for her and her wonderful husband, Jason. He is seriously amazing and I adore him. Amber has meant the world to me from the day we met and she always will. She's the best friend I've ever had and no one is like her. I love her so much. Here are a few pictures from the wedding day. It was the most beautiful weekend and I am honored that I could stand by her side through it all.

I love you, SIL.

Five Girls and a Cabin

Before I show pictures of the wedding, I must hurry and show off the second best weekend of the year. It was almost a month away from my best friend's wedding, so we got the girls together, loaded up the car and headed to Gatlinburg for a weekend getaway for Amber's bachelorette party. We could not have had a better time together, and I'm so glad we were able to have that time. Here's a few pictures from the weekend. 

Our awesome cabin.

Of course we had to decorate in the tackiest manner.

Shopping around and making a special stop at Hard Rock for the groom.

Saturday night was our big night out, and it could have not been better. 

We got dressed up and treated the bride to one special night.

 We had the best time and after a few great days, packed up and headed home...

...but not before we got the best souvenirs and took some great pictures.

 "What happens in the 'burg stays in the 'burg."

Showering Amber

I think all my friends have gotten married before me so I can see exactly how I want to do things if I am ever married. Putting together a shower is a definite job, but Lacy and I teamed up and put on a shower that, I think, was absolutely beautiful.

There were a lot of personal touches that just made me smile.

 The food was absolutely wonderful.

 The flowers and cake were amazing,...

...and the amount of purple BB&B boxes just made me laugh.

It was wonderful to celebrate the love of two amazing people and their marriage. 

Amber, I love you.

I am so happy that you and Jason have found one another. 

You both deserve the best.

Even with a mouth full of bubble gum.

Pretty Painting

I can remember a day where I was able to sit and paint all day,....but due to growing up and the ride of life it's rare to find a lot of extra time to paint. Lately I've been blessed to be able to paint quite a bit for some great people.

The first one was a little baby gift for my college pastor. They are having a baby girl next month and I was excited to paint their daughter, Clare, a pretty picture for her room.

 Another painting was for my friends, Lacy, birthday. It was hard to figure out what to paint for her, but I know how much she loves her hubby and wanted something to hang in her home, so I chose her last name and added the year they were married. I don't have a picture, but the edges are painted dark grey like the polka dots.

These last two are extra special to me. They are both for my dear friend, Amber. She had a shower recently (post to come) and I knew I wanted to paint her something extra special. I sent her and her fiance and email asking their favorite things about the other. I used the colors of her living room and kitchen, and put his favorite things about her on the 'she' canvas, and vice versa on the 'he.'

For her birthday, I painted her a little canvas for her new classroom and her soon-to-be new last name.

Oh, the joys of painting for people I love.

If you need something, shoot me an email. 

It's something I love to do.

Lacy's Day

Once in a lifetime, you have a friend like Lacy Rowe.

My friend, I am so glad you were born.

I love our morning coffees,
our late night chats,
and every moment we spend together.

Happy birthday, Lacy!
I hope we get to spend many more together.

Sil Time.

I've written about my dear friend, Amber, many times in my blog. She's one of those friends that you just adore with all your heart. It warms my soul when I am with her and when I look back on what we've been through together.

The past few months we've been lucky enough to spend a lot of time together. We've done everything from dinner, to pool days, to shopping for her big day. Recently we got together to assemble some invitations. This is how most of the evening was spent:

 Stacks and stacks of envelopes...

with a table full of supplies.

We spent a good while working on them, and in the middle of learning how to tie pretty ribbons and making glue dots stick, Amber said some of the sweetest words. We were having a conversation about my "if-I-ever" wedding and I said something that started with, "If I ever get married....." She looked at me and got a little grin and her words that followed were so kind. She told me that she learned a long time ago that in waiting comes God's plan. She told me of how before she met Jason, her fiance, she swore that she would never get married and quit looking for a man. She said that once she got to that point, she met Jason and found the man God had for her. I just smiled as her words put me at ease. 

She also assured me that there is in fact a man out there for me, and that my time will come and when it does, she will be there for me, through every step of the way.

Thank you, Lord, for the sweet s-i-l of mine.

And pretty invitations.