Joy.

I needed a week to prepare for this post.

A week ago today, one of my best friends got married.  My heart has been so full since I arrived in town for her wedding; I had to take the time to properly thank God for the awesomeness that He has provided in sharing her with me.

Emilee and I met in college (I don't remember where or how; she might remember) and became fast friends.  We have a ton of private jokes and silly things we say to each other and we've been through a lot together.

Most of the girls in our group of friends found their future husbands at college and several got married right after we graduated.  Through all of the showers, parties, and weddings, Emilee was patient.  She dated some but didn't find that right guy during the time we were in college or the time soon after we graduated.  In the midst of it all, I don't remember her complaining or feeling left out.  She might have, but I don't recall it.

So standing up in her wedding, watching her come down the aisle with her parents...There was this look of pure joy on her face.  I've been to (and been in!) plenty of weddings, but this look of joy took the cake.  I could see so much in her face.

The wait was over.  They had found each other.

Through struggles and trials and frustration...

Through times of loneliness and uncertainty...

Through questions and concerns and hurts...

They were here, at this moment that God had prepared them for, to become one.

My eyes are filling with tears just remembering it.  I fell apart within seconds, naturally, and tried to wipe my eyes without being too obvious.  I'm not sure that I could be this happy for someone ever again.  What a reminder!

When things don't seem fair...Wait.

When things don't go my way...Wait.

When I'm not sure God's listening or has a plan...Wait.

Everything in His time, the perfect time.  How I needed that lesson on that day!

So congratulations to one of my best friends, Emilee Joy (did I not mention that's her middle name?  So fitting, right?).  I'm so glad you found your one; I'm so glad God provided.

I'm so honored and blessed to have stood with you on such a special day.  I love you.

Adventures in Baby-Sitting

As you probably know, I've been watching Gwen for a long time now (two years in May!) and I just love her to pieces.  I have also been watching a new baby, Kendal, for a couple of months (she is four months old now), part-time.  In a couple of weeks, I'll also start watching a little boy part-time and then his baby sister after she arrives this summer.  The house is getting full and crazy but I pretty much love it!

I'm really enjoying my time with Gwennie because she is so fun right now.  Yes, there are tantrums and pouty lips and a little attitude, but she says the funniest and sweetest things!

GWEN: Ahda! [What she calls me, short for "Aunt Lala."]
ME: What?
(Gwen walks over to me and puts her head on my lap.)
GWEN: I love you.

GWEN: What's that sound?
ME: I don't hear anything.
(Gwen walks over to the window and looks outside.)
GWEN: I see a dinosaur!

ME: Let's change your diaper.  Are you poopy?
GWEN: Uh-huh.
ME: No, you're not!
GWEN: It's funny?
ME: You tricked me!
GWEN: I want to go trick or treat.

I have way too much fun with her.  I still can't believe I get paid to have such a blast!

30 Days: Day 28, Day 29, and Day 30

I will admit that I am feeling a little relieved to be done with 30 Days of Thankfulness, only because writing the blog post felt like an extra thing to do every night (which makes sense, since it was just that).  Since I didn't get a ton of feedback, writing the post seemed kind of unnecessary, since I had noted to myself certain things I was thankful for each day.  However, I am glad that I took the time to do it, and here are my final three days.

Day 28 - I'm so thankful for marriage.  I'm thankful to have someone who helps me, who shares responsibility, who always has my back and cares for me.  I am so thankful to be a part of a partnership like this!

Day 29 - I'm thankful for all of the Christmas decorations that brighten my day!  I love seeing our tree, seeing gifts underneath it, and thinking about spending the holidays with loved ones.  I drank some hot chocolate out of a Santa mug and got a kick out of Gwen pointing to it, saying, "Santa's coffee!"

Day 30 - I'm thankful for the wonderful life I have - a fantastic husband, an amazing daughter, my health, a house (with all its goodies!), and the many blessings that we have.  We are a part of a great church community, we have fantastic friends who support us, and we are often encouraged by our family.  We are so blessed!  There's so much to be thankful for every day!

30 Days: Day 27 - Followers

It's simple, but I'm so thankful for true followers of Christ.

These are people who hear God's call and follow it, setting aside their own desires, their comforts, their familiarity, their money, their wishes.  They go where He wants, do what He wants, and answer the call.  They seek Him by praying earnestly, opening their hearts to His will.  They cling to His Word and desire nothing but to follow where He leads.

I am thankful for the followers that I am blessed to call my friends, who are truly like brothers and sisters.  You are an inspiration and an example of the follower I long to be.

30 Days: Day 24, Day 25, and Day 26 - My Mom, My Faithful God, and My Pen-Gwen

I needed a blogging break yesterday, so I decided to do another double post!  When I went to post yesterday, I discovered that we had some technical difficulties, so it'll be a triple post today!

Day 24 - I have a friend who lost her mom a few years ago, when we were freshmen in college.  Her mom died rather suddenly and she came to my mind (and my dreams!) on Friday night.  Thinking about her made me think about how awful it would be if I didn't have my mom to share all of those wonderful moments of life with - my wedding day, the birth of Aynsley, holidays.  I can't imagine her not being here, and my heart aches for those who have lost parents.

If you don't know my family situation, you are welcome to ask me about it sometime, but I won't go into the whole long story here.  I don't necessarily have a happy or stable or picture-perfect childhood (not by a long shot), but my mom was the rock in our family.  I always knew that I was loved and cared for by my mom, no matter what the other circumstances.  I don't think I ever doubted her love; I knew that there was nothing that I could do to lose it.

My mom has continued to be one of my biggest supporters, encouraging and loving me through difficult circumstances and helping me in more ways than one.  I'm so thankful for my mom and glad to have such a wonderful example of how to be a mother.  I am so thankful for my mom!

Day 25 - After a little bit of a rough day on Saturday, I walked into church today with a heavy heart.  I was encouraged and lifted up by the rest of our worship team and was grateful for the opportunity to worship Christ with my church family.  My stomach had been in knots for most of Saturday, my heart had been aching, and my spirit was crushed.  I was reminded that God is bigger than my problems, bigger than my circumstances, and able to do anything.  I prayed about the situation and searched my heart for my wrongdoing.  I found much hope during my time in prayer on Sunday morning and I continue to pray that God will answer soon.

So I'm also thankful that, no matter what the circumstances, the God I serve is alive and cares for me.  The silly things that take up so much of my time and effort will not matter in eternity.  I will do my best to live up to what Christ calls me to and I will have to leave it in His hands.

I am so thankful for my God!

Day 26 - I have been so blessed to be able to care for Gwen!  I'll never forget holding her in the hospital, baby-sitting her when she was still little, and then getting to spend all of my weekdays with her starting when she was about four months old!  Now she is nearly two and a ball of fun.

I am glad to be able to be home with Aynsley, and watching Gwen makes that possible.  I love watching her learn new skills, listening to her talk, and playing with her.  Matt and I get a kick out of some (almost all of) the things she says, and I love to see her with "Baby Ayn-see."

I could go on and on about Gwennie (I talk about her like she's my daughter sometimes), but I'll try to keep it brief.  She's a blast to be with and I love seeing her as she experiences new things.  Being with her has been amazing preparation for my own little baby and her parents are so wonderful for letting me care for her!

I am thankful for my Pen-Gwen!

30 Days: Day 22 and Day 23 - Aynsley Fans and Home

We were in Illinois yesterday and away from the computer, so this post should serve for two days' worth of thankfulness!

Thanksgiving always makes me thankful for family, but I'm even more thankful that Aynsley has so many people who love her so much!  It's a blessing to have so many people anxious to see her and to spend time with her.

After driving about 500 miles in less than 48 hours (with our two dogs), I'm also so thankful to be home!  It's nice to be gone but it's wonderful to be home.

30 Days: Day 21 - Easy(ish) Travel

I'm thankful for our ability to (fairly easily) travel to see family.  Despite the major stuff involved with packing for two adults, two dogs, and one baby, we can load up and drive a few hours to visit family and spend the holiday with loved ones!

We are blessed to have family within driving distance!