Busy Blessed Days

My new favorite picture.

I must say, I'm a little disappointed in myself for going this long without writing. I had planned to make sure I wrote at least once a week...but as we all know, we can make plans and then life happens. This last week was a bit of a whirlwind. I would say for the most part, I have gotten back into the rhythm of work life...work two days, home for one, back to work one day, home for three...it works. The system breaks down though when I work on my days off...puts a little bit of a wrench in my rhythm...thus the problem with last week. I knew it was going to be a stressful week, but I was walking into the building confidently, ready to face the busy week and the Oklahoma wind comes and somehow blows me over (ok maybe I just tripped over my own two feet) and there I go, tumbling to the ground right at the entryway of the building...halfway in the grass, halfway on the concrete, my multiple bags I was carrying falling to the ground, things falling out of them...don't you worry, the security guard saw the whole scene and came outside to make sure I was ok...yes, I was fine, only my pride was hurt...thus the beginning of my long week...so I spent my precious days off furiously writing employee reviews and preparing for a meeting...but that's ok...because I'm thankful to have a great job with flexible bosses that let me work three days a week...

In the midst of my crazy week, I had a last minute visit from my parents, which was so fun! They came down for a quick trip to celebrate my birthday and Jake's graduation. Delicious dinner at Ben Venuti's and quality time with the family...so that was fun! Another blessing of the week was when I was driving to work one morning and the sky was unbelievably beautiful. It was like the Lord was saying "Hey...I see you...I'm with you...I'm taking care of you...it's gonna be a great week" I was floored by the beauty of His creation. I took a picture with my phone (don't worry, I was careful)...the picture doesn't come close to doing it justice, but here it is.

The end of the week came with a celebration...we had a couples shower for Katelin and Kevin Boyd at our house. They are getting married in May and I couldn't be more thrilled. I have known Katelin for many many years and love her dearly. I can't wait to celebrate them at their wedding. That will be a great day. So here's the deal with hosting...here's a confession. I don't like to fail. I don't like to look stupid. I don't like to do things I'm not good at. I'm sure this is human nature, but I feel like I may have a little bit more of this trait than the average person. Maybe it's the people pleasing side of me. Anyway, so hosting is not something I view as a strength of mine. I mean, some people have a gift, a true gift, of hosting. My friend Sarah for instance. Man can she throw a party. It looks effortless. I remember before I was pregnant looking forward to the day that Sarah would host my baby shower. So anyway, the thought of me even making something for a shower is intimidating...let alone hosting it. But I did it. I volunteered. I also volunteered to make the cheesecakes. Yep. Make them. When someone asked me why I didn't just buy them, I thought...very good question...didn't know that was an option. But I did it. And it was fun. I actually enjoyed it. I loved getting to have people to my house, getting to make things for Katelin and her friends. I must say, the cheesecakes were actually pretty tasty! Nobody at the party would know though...it started at 8 pm so nobody was in the mood to eat...so yep, I have 60 bite size cheesecakes in my fridge. Breakfast for the next month. But I learned a great lesson. It's the whole thing about never being able to succeed if you are afraid to fail...something like that...so anyway, look out world- new mom facing her fears! Yes, I realize I'm being dramatic...I'm talking about a party here...but humor me.

Breakfast for the next month...bite size cheesecake and fruit.

So after the shower ended at 1 am, Jake and I stayed up talking for another hour, which was so fun...I just love my husband. He's the best. The next day was another busy day...first of all, it was Daylight Savings Day...I felt like such a grown up when I was more excited about the extra hour of daylight than I was bummed about the loss of an hour of sleep...anyway, we headed up to Edmond to celebrate our friends Kristin and Tyson's engagement (hooray!) and then back to Norman for church. Anniston looked a little crazy with her gray tights, cream sweater, peach shirt and pink hat- nothing matched...but I think she looked pretty darn cute.

Then we have today. What a glorious day. I got up early and I grabbed some Starbucks for me and my husband and headed home to talk to Jake and play with Anniston before Jake headed off to work. Then I sat in bed and wrote my dear friend Whitney who lives in Africa while my little buddy slept beside me...

Then we headed out for a walk on a BEAUTIFUL day...

Then bath time...

Then got dressed...

Now I'm finally sitting down to blog. Some pictures from last week-

This picture made Jake sad...he thought she looked too grown up. I love it because it is a shirt from Sarah, our friend in Lebanon. I like to think Anniston loves wearing it and hearing stories of Lebanon....so I tell her of stories of a far off land...stories of our friends in Lebanon and our friends in Africa...that maybe one day she'll get to go see.

Playing with Geoffrey...her little giraffe friend.

Smiling...

Smiling again.

I am truly blessed.