weekend update

this weekend was the kick-off of three solid weeks spent with people that I love. I got to spend it with two of my heart friends from the university of arkansas. julie came down from fayetteville & we road-tripped it to austin to see sweet shana. we laughed until we cried, talked each others ears off, loved on sweet baby james, paddled/talked our way through ladybird lake, shared what's on our hearts, & reconnected like we were never apart. these are the friends that become family. jules & shan, I don't know what the next three years holds for us, but if it's anything like the last three, we are in for quite a ride!

what this next three weeks holds: whirlwind trip to northwest arkansas, hawaii with the familias, road tripping to virginia (by way of louisville of course), and finally... moving in.

countdown to move-in day: 19 days **insert crazy eyes**

food adventures

in the past few weeks, I have eaten some pretty great food in some equally great cities. here are some of the ones that have stood out...

1. Rosa's Cafe - Odessa, TX original... you must get extra tortillas & you must finish with their amazing sopapillas. 

2. Nord's Donuts - Louisville, KY... just do it. you can't go wrong with this one.

3. Galaxy Cafe - Austin, TX... fresh food, great sweet potato fries. you'll def want to split meals & try everyone's food!

4. Bahama Buck's - they are all over in TX, but I went in Odessa... their sno-cones are to die for! **reminder: the syrup sinks to the bottom, so don't freak out at the people when it looks like they didn't put enough syrup on yours, you'll make yourself look like a freak & people will judge you... use your brains**

5. Dairy Kastle - Louisville, KY... I might be having withdrawals from this place. a little jealous Michael lives within walking distance currently.

6. Cafe Brazil - Dallas, TX... if you don't get fruit pan-crepes or french toast, you're living life wrong.

7. Sauce - downtown Mckinney, TX... great pizza, great atmosphere, AND live music on weekend nights!

weekend update {surprises are fun}

this past weekend, Michael "surprised" me by coming to Dallas. it's "surprised" because I may or may not have figured it out with all of the not-so-subtle hints he was giving me. this was the first time for him to meet my family, and he passed with flying colors! we had breakfast at one of my favs **stay tuned for foodie post**, went on a double date with my parents, made breakfast together **without killing each other**, played nerts with andrew & tiffany, went to church together for the first time, & had Gran's boring chicken. overall, it was an incredible weekend, and I am so thankful for this guy! 

he officially asked me to be his girlfriend this weekend after asking my dad's permission to pursue me **ladies, this really does exist** we have officially been around each other for 13 days out of 6 weeks. this whole long distance thing is not my fav, & dropping him off at the airport yesterday was my least favorite thing of the weekend. but hopefully, we won't have to say goodbye for long periods of time for too much longer **dear walmart, help a sister out**

lessons learned

it has been one crazy month(ish) since moving from arkansas. I am currently living somewhere in-between working full-time and law school, and there have been a lot of lessons that I've already learned. so here it is... 

1. slow days can be good, but hard at the same time
2. I will create a "daily goals" list even when I don't have to get things done that day to feel like I've accomplished something
3. I don't do "nothing" well
4. crazy, awesome shoes can distract from not wearing any makeup
5. reading is a great way to exercise your mind
6. sitting outside on a hammock at night is therapeutic 
7. being vulnerable is not going to kill me
8. I am incredibly stubborn. sometimes a good thing, most times not so much.
9. contrary to my former belief: squats & lunges aren't from satan.
10. a glass of wine is medicine for a mind that won't stop.

I am learning to be thankful for this slow time. it's not my cup of tea, and I realize most people would love to switch places with me right now... BUT in the long run it will help me as I head into the craziness of law school & beyond. so here's to slow times, refueling, & a good cabernet. 

coming soon: weekend update {surprises are fun}, food adventures, & goals {an update}

weekend update {Odessa edition}

ok ok ok... I realize it's not Monday, but I may or may not have forgotten to write this until this morning **insert laziness here** but, this past weekend I visited my long-time friend & name-twin, Allison. she just moved to Odessa, TX in October & married a man who gave her a crazy puerto-rican last name. we went took their crazy puppy, Gator **named for the florida gators** on a walk, had late-night pillow talks just like in junior high & high school days, fourth of july'd it up with some of her friends, heard some crazy birthing stories **ladies, just don't share that crap. you are scaring could-be-future-moms out of ever having kids**, went to a sketchy drive-thru for some incredible watermelon/strawberry juice, & experienced Rosa's. overall, it was such a great weekend catching up with a sweet friend! west texas, you are lucky to have this one!! 

friends with babes

this little heart-throb is my nephew. he's had my heart for the past 2 months, but this past weekend he completely stole it! **those eyes!!!** my sweet heart-friend, Shana, is an incredible mom. Shana is the first of my college friends to cross over into motherhood, and she couldn't be doing a better job! I am so thankful to have the opportunity to watch her navigate this craziness with her husband & Jesus. it truly is a gift to call this littles my nephew. cannot even wait to see how this littles will grow into a man after God's heart **well, maybe I can wait a little bit** 

this past weekend we: a) ate & slept all day, b) melted Aunt Ally's heart by falling asleep in her neck, c) had long conversations over bottles, or d) all of the above.

in between

this life in-between the craziness of work and the craziness of law school has already been refueling. I am so thankful for the in-between time to rest, see friends, refuel with Jesus, and just sit. I'm also thankful that this is not going to last for too long because I think I would drive myself (and everyone else around me) insane :) things I am thankful for:

1. uncharacteristically cool June evenings spent in Texas sitting in the quiet, enjoying the breeze, and just listening
2. heart friends & great conversations 
3. surprises **even if they drive me NUTS**
4. hard questions & even harder answers
5. quality time with family
6. littles falling asleep on your neck
7. time to read good books
8. sunshine & afternoons by the pool
9. learning things about myself **even when it's not pretty**
10. long morning runs & being sore

here's to living today in thankfulness for things big, small, & everything in between!