Weekend with Friends.

Frank and I had the best weekend hosting our dear friends Eddie, Laura, and their sweet baby girl, Veda Jane. We've made the short road trip to see them a few times and they were the best.hosts.ever. Needless to say, we were very excited to have them stay with us. (Here are posts from our visit last October and a year ago.) Laura beat me to the punch and already posted about their visit, so I'll just let you take a peek over there.

Kidding.

On Friday night, our families came over so they could see Eddie & Laura meet Veda Jane--that bought Frank and I few years. Phew!

The best part about having friends stay with us is our morning coffee time. We spend hours sitting, talking about life. Real life stuff. It's beautifully therapeutic.

(I'm sad to say that my camera didn't take any phots on Saturday. I'm still working on training it to snap pictures by itself.)

On Saturday night, we had more friends over to hangout, play silly board games, and help us eat an overflowing-crock-pot-full of chili. I think that solidified our desire to have all of our friends live with us. Forever.

Bridal Shower

My best friend Lindsay is getting married in June and I was invited to help shower her with goodies and celebrate her upcoming wedding!

I feel so honored to be involved with her wedding planning, as she was such a special part of my big day!

Lindsay and I on my wedding day!

Cake stand/punch bowl, personalized recipe book, UGA dipping bowls, and multicolored mixing bowls? Yep, I'd say she's ready to be a wifey. 

Lindsay invited her high school, college, and family friends to her first shower! It was so much fun getting to know all the sweet & special friends she has in her life .

sweet friends of the bride!

Lindsay and I

Lindsay and her MOHs

Can't wait for June, my friend!

Hiking

Frank and I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous day and go hiking. I was willing -- since I am trying to find a way to redeem myself from our first hiking experience. 

(It went like this: we were fresh into our 7th week of marriage. Frank thought he knew where he was going. He didn't. We got lost. Then we got lost again. And then we got lost again. 2 and 1/2 hours later we find the "gravel driveway" we were looking for only to drive 30 more minutes on a bumpy, gravel road up a mountain. We arrived. I was hungry and car sick. Frank still wanted to hike. I didn't. But I did...and cried the entire way up the mountain. The end.)

So today, we had grand plans to go to a place called Cooper Furnace, near Cartersville, GA. When we reached our destination, we found this:

Fail.

But Frank persevered. He suggested heading to Red Top Mountain -- it was only 7 miles away.

Okfine.

He wanted to utilize the "seat belts" on his backpack. I told him it looked like an underwire bra. Safety first, he says. Good thing. Because we had some rough terrain and that back pack was carrying our lunch.

We found a sunny spot by the lake to picnic,

sat in the sun on a cozy rock, and ate our lunch. It was so lovely.

Then we hiked back to our car and went home. 

Perfect Funday Sunday.

Another Blogger Game.

Since I've been extremely absent, I decided to go ahead with another blog game to keep y'all entertained. My friend Heather awarded me with the "Tell Me About Yourself" award. I'm not too sure why it's called an award, but I'll take it. (I'm trying to build up my blogger resume)

Here we go. Round 2. Seven facts about me:

1. When I eat cereal (which is often) I like my milk really really cold. For about 6 years I have been putting my milk on ice and letting it sit in the freezer for 15 minutes before I pour it over my cereal. Now, milk straight from the fridge tastes lukewarm to me. WARNING: if you dare try this, you probably won't go back to the normal "pour cereal-pour milk" routine.

2. I am currently in a job transition/career change. After getting my Masters in Counseling, I worked in a private practice for about a year. I made the decision to transition out after being reminded that "self-care" is the most important aspect to any job. I have made the switch to education and currently I'm working within the Special Ed department of a high school. I'm excited to see where I'll end up permanently, but I'll let the Lord handle that one.

3. I'm a fainter. Like a passer-outer. And it has nothing to do with blood or needles. Sometimes, I just get light-headed, dizzy, aaaannnddd kerplunk. But don't worry, I'm used to it, can feel it coming on, and usually can stop it from happening. It's really nobigdeal.

4. As far as I'm concern, cilantro is the devil. In a matter of seconds, food can go from "oooo that looks so delicious..." to "ohmygosh is that...eww...I'm going to throw-up". I usually tell restuarants that I am allergic because if it shows up on my plate I freak out. Seriously. I hate it.

5. I miss gymnastics. I miss being able to jump up on the beam and go. Leaps, jumps, flips. I wish my body could still do that. Unfortunately, the only skills left in my gymnastics arsenal are cartwheels and handstands. MEAN handstands. I can hold them forever.

6. I know every word to "We Didn't Start the Fire" but still haven't figured out what key it's in.

7. Bonus! My husband wanted to contribute to this game. Here is a compilation of fun facts about me, according to Frank:

-- She doesn't see the absurdity of waking up at 4:45 every morning

-- There are many times she appears to love dogs more than people (specifically "yellow dogs")

-- She uses whitening mouthwash longer than she actually brushes her teeth

-- She steals the covers 65% of the time

-- She believes her obsession with popcorn is completely normal

-- She's convinced herself that doing the laundry & the dishes are actually therapeutic

There you have it friends...7 fun facts and then some.

Check out these bloggers who are deserving of this award:

Lindsay @ Have Faith

Mallory @ MTB

Amanda @ Cool Living

Mandy @ Our Bolton Life

Kathryn @ Two Story Home

A Little Game of Tag

My sweet friend, Laura, tagged me in a little blogger game. And because I'm "it" you get to find out 11 fun facts about me :)

the rules to tagging:
1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.

1. What are you wearing right. now. 

p.j.s 

(specifcally--white pj pants with multi-colored polka-dots, an XL shirt of the hubs, and a UGA sweatshirt. and socks.)

2. If you found $100 in your pocket what would you buy today?

I would stash it away and save it in the "I want Frye boots" fund.

3. If your parting gift from the Zoo was an animal of your choice, 

which one would you take home with you?

An elephant, of course.

4. Would you rather have a perpetual scab on the tip of your nose or perpetual eye goop? 

(choose wisely)

Probably eye goop. That's way more normal than a nose scab. I don't think I'd want to be  "the Scabby-Nose face" girl. Plus it would itch and I'd probably scratch it and then it would bleed and then I'd have to put a band-aid on it and that would just look WEIRD.

5. What is the greatest lesson you learned from your mother?

I wouldn't call it a lesson, but my mother taught me how to be a wife and has set a beautiful example of what it means to be a mother. I've loved watching our relationship grow from mother-daughter into wives. And one day she'll show me the ropes of being a grandmother.

6. If you were given a free Super Bowl ad what would you advertise?

I would use that 30 seconds to blast my favorite jam and require everyone in the entire world to dance. ridiculously. I mean, seriously...how great of a mood would that put you in?

7. What is your favorite photograph?

This picture came from my uncle's camera. 
He took it during our first dance at our wedding.

8.  If you could change your name, what name would you choose?

I'm not sure...I like my name. But I did love the name Nicole when I was little. Whenever I played house/school/office/whatever with friends, my name was always Nicole. And she was way cool.

9. What is the most unusual gift you ever received? (or best, or worst)
I'm having a hard time thinking of best/worst/unusual. BUT. I do have a funny story about a gift. One day my in-laws came over to watch football with Frank and I was out babysitting. They needed to use the can opener but couldn't figure out how. My sister-in-law was so annoyed, she decided to buy us an electric one for Christmas! It was hysterical! She laughed so hard when we opened it and I did too -- I had never been gift-pranked before! I don't think this is the last people will see of the electric can opener. 
Watch out, Jessie.

10. What one clothing item or accessory do you wish you could pull off?

Hats. Any kind. I look silly. And then my hair looks terrible.

11. If you had to decide which movie you would teleport into (because that is naturally how this would be possible), 

and live out for the rest of your life, which movie would you choose?

I'm not a huge fan of the TV show/movie, but I'd have to say "Sex & the City". I'd love to be able to play dress-up with the wardrobe of that movie!


~

My 11 questions for the people that I've tagged...

1. If you could have someone do one chore for you for the rest of your life, 

what chore would it be?

2. Which song do you always sing at-the-top-of-your-lungs-super-loud-yelling style in your car?

3. Publix or Kroger?

4. What instrument do you wish you could play?

5. What did you eat for breakfast?

6. If you had to buy your clothes from one store for the rest of your life, 

what store would you choose?

7. What is one quirky thing you do that others may find strange?

8. What TV show is your guilt pleasure?

9. What is your favorite season of the year?

10. When was the last time you felt homesick?

11. If you could be best-friends with a celebrity, who would he/she be?

...and I'm tagging these friends:

Lindsay @ Have Faith

Kathryn @ Two Story Home

Candace @ Mrs. Southern Belle

Lucy @ romance

Alex @ The Faucettes Leak

Mallory @ MTB

Jenny @ Love Lavished

Allison @ The McCleskeys

Ashley @ An Inviting Abode

Heather @ Notes from the Nelsens

Carrie @ Punkie Pickle

New Year

Happy 2012!!! 


When I woke up this morning, I grabbed my Jesus Calling devotional and turned to the first page. January 1. What a crisp, fresh feeling that brings. I read the passage with excitement, and was offered this encouragement:


"Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year."


I am extremely motivated by this because there are plenty of old ways I'd love to leave in 2011. Control is a constant struggle for me. Every time I try to demonstrate my knowledge of what is best, I get knocked down. I end up fighting an even bigger battle than I started with, and uncover the common theme of control issues. 


When I was on my mission trip I experienced 8 WHOLE DAYS of letting go. God was in control. I have never felt so peaceful and protected in my life. Humbled, I came home longing for that again. But with the hustle and bustle of life, that peace slowly dissipated. 
Recently, I have been craving that peace and protection. 
I have never wanted anything more.


So, for 2012, I am letting go. 
I am trusting God.
And I am going to live happier.

For I know the plans I have for you, 

declares the LORD, 

plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

SwitchUp

Yes, I changed the name of my blog. Back to what it originally was when created it. The only thing that comes to mind as I am writing this is the Black Eyed Peas song, 
when they say "switchup" really fast. 

Switchup.

Back to running on grace. Allow me to explain. 

When I decided to start a blog, I had a hard time deciding on a title. I wanted it to wrap up my faith and something that I loved into a sweet, little, "tied-with-a-bow" blog title. 
I wanted it to represent me. So, I decided on running on grace. I wanted it to represent my love for running but also illustrate the fact that my life is, in fact, "running" or being fueled by the grace of the God (need I mention the fact that I am able to run by the 
grace of God? No? I figured y'all caught that one). 


About a month into blogging, I began struggling with old behaviors and listening to lies I knew weren't true. I was spending more time worrying about what a looked like from the outside than focusing on the inside--my heart and spending time with the Lord.


The truth is, I was enjoying running more than I was anything else. I spent more time thinking about it and would get frustrated with myself when I didn't try my hardest or do my best. So, what should one do with they find themselves in a spiritual warfare, you ask? 
Change the name of their blog.

Right? Wrong.


Why is it so easy to be proactive about changing the way I workout when I feel like I am slacking, but so easily brush off the fact that I haven't cracked my Bible in a good 2 weeks? 
Because I am a sinner. I became tired of hating myself and I began relying 
on the Lord for direction, patience, and provision. 


Then, last night, it hit me. I want to be running on grace again. I want to do exactly what my original blog title represented -- my faith, something that I love, and ME! 
Isn't that what living is about?