Oh hi {insert waving girl emoji}

It's been a crazy week with Vacation Bible School so I am a tired gal for sure. It's that type of good tired though. Isn't it always so awesome that in the midst of the chaos, you see the beauty of it all:

one// Our VBS dancing skills are on point...

two// We've been picking up 3 of our youth girls + their little sister to all ride to VBS this week. Our daily jam sessions to songs like Miley Cyrus' Party in the USA, Lecrae's Church Clap, plus so many more has been a hoot. It sure does pass the time by!

three// Watermelon snacks on our ride over to the church, courtesy of my mom. Thanks mom!

four// Puppy snuggles at night just because they're so glad to see us.

Happy Friday friends! I plan on sleeping, cleaning, relaxing, and sleeping some more.

 

 

Happy Birthday Joe!

Today is my oldest of my 2 brother's birthday! Lord have mercy, he's turning a whopping 24 years old. Please stop growing little siblings of mine?! In honor of this kid's birthday, I wanted to share some memories of our years growing up:

 

 

one// Remember that one time we were little and making mud pies (where the pond is now) and I almost had you convinced that mud pies are actually really food. You were quite the smart little guy, weren't you?

 

two// All our Disney trips that we took as a family, picking on each other standing in line, and taking turns on who would actually get to press the buttons in the elevator. Joe's most favorite Disney ride growing up was the "big ball" at Epcot. To this day, I still think it's his favorite.

 

 

 

three// On rainy days in the summer, me and my two brothers (our youngest sister wasn't around yet) would make forts in the linen closet of our house. Now bear in mind, this linen closet is tiny as you would imagine. When I go to the linen closet now, I'm reminded of all those adventures we would create in that closet... and wonder how the hell we fit in there?!

 

four// Our yard always grew wild berries that were apparently poisonous. I almost had you convinced that those berries were yum yum yum... But dad caught me telling those lies. Dadgummit!

 

five// On mine and Hunter's wedding night at the reception, you came up to me and gave me the biggest hug and told me how much you love me. I'm pretty certain you had had a few drinks, but you'll never know how much that meant to me.

 

Happy birthday Joe! I hope your day is full of DMB music (Dave Matthews Band, le duh people), skim boarding at the beach, and love from all those around you. Love you to pieces, baby Joe!

 



Friday Fluff

So the last couple of weeks have pretty much passed me by in the blink of an eye. No, seriously. I blinked and it's May 8, almost the middle of May. Like, what?

 

In honor of a beautiful Friday, some Friday fluff for you lovelies...

 

ONE// When you're married to a forester, your life pretty much revolves around "burn season." Hunter's work does prescribed burns starting in about January/February through July sometimes. So when your husband comes home and says, "No work this weekend" you get all sorts of giddy like a schoolgirl who was just promposed to. Feel all the feels!!
 

 

TWO// We're celebrating a couple of love birds' marriage next month with a shower tomorrow. Oh how it brings back the memories...

 

THREE// Guys, It's going to be 95 degrees tomorrow #sweattherapy. I'm not really sure if I'm ready for this much heat in one day!

 

FOUR// Hunter and I are pretty dang sure that Jep is finally reaching the chill mode. 1.5 years old with a little bit of snippage at a young age has finally paid off. Granted, the pup still needs to run some but overall, he's been a huge blessing. It makes me a little less anxious for our move in July to a much smaller yard.

 

FIVE// Speaking of moving, I've been in purge mode - less things to move with, the better. See, here's the thing, we're moving in July. At the end of July to be specific. If you're not aware, that's the hottest freakin time of the year here in Florida. Blessed Jesus, what was I thinking?!

 

Happy Friday my peeps! Don't forget to hug your momma, grandmomma, MIL, a woman on Mother's Day this Sunday!

Happy Friday + The Summit + Baby Shower + I don't know what to do with my hands

Happy Friday! Things have kicked up several notches in my life, all youth and socially related of course. Just to give ya'll a quick run down of how things are going around here...

 

.... Wednesday + Thursday evenings after work - setting up the sanctuary for our awesome night of worship that's happening Saturday.

 

.... Friday night - helping friends move + finish any last minute set-up details.

 

.... Saturday morning - make food for youth event that night + food for baby shower that I'm co-hosting Sunday - spend time with a sweet youth girl - brush my teeth (this is still a questionable task).

 

.... Saturday evening + night - finish any last minute prepping + get food all set-up + praising God at The Summit and watching the Holy Spirit rock this community.

 

 

.... Sunday morning - last minute prep for baby shower + set-up for baby shower.

 

.... Sunday afternoon - BABY SHOWER FOR ABEL!!!

 

 

Have I worn ya'll out yet? I'm so excited for this weekend. I've got the Holy Spirit providing all of my adrenaline and I'm ready to freakin' rock. I just ask that you pray for the Holy Spirit to awaken the sleepy souls of our teenagers, and our community. Pray that all will be done for the glory of the Gospel. And just pray for an awesome time. Happy Friday!



...To see the captive hearts released...

Happy last Friday of March! This weekend is my dad's birthday so I'm sure we'll be celebrating that but otherwise, we plan on relaxing and making the most of our time. I'll be working on putting together a DIY banner for a baby shower so I will absolutely share that with ya'll next week.

 

We're in the last home stretch for Sessions here in the Florida Legislature, and I'm holding on for a wild ride. It's so crazy that a month of fun has already passed and we're looking down the barrel to the end. Crazy stuff people. Please be keeping me and my peeps in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate through these last few weeks.

 

The spoiling for this kid has already begun... MUST BUY ALL THINGS BABY! Is this what being an aunt feels like? You can absolutely spoil the heck out of the kid and then give him/her back to the parents? #sorrynotsorry Mike and SB!

 

 

So this weekend is supposed to be a high of 60's.... Uhm. What? You can come back warmer weather. No need to play hide-and-seek...

 

I've been trying to grow my hair out to a pre-crazy- Miley Cyrus length (like in the movie The Last Song) and I'm even more excited to get it long because thanks to Caroline's inspiration, I'll be donating my hair once I can get enough to donate.

 

Have I lost ya'll yet with all my ping-ponging rambling mess? No? Good! I hope ya'll have an awesome weekend!

Linking up with All the Joys



Let's call these "Highlights"

Happy end of the work week (for me at least)! This week was rather a busy week for me at work, and outside of work. Hey, I'm just glad I've got another day of living to do! I had lots of favorites from this past week....

 

one// My women's ministry group met up on Monday night and it was so nice to just sit out on the deck, talk about life, study Philippians 1, and enjoy each other's company.

two// Early morning sunrises on the way to work...

 

three// On Wednesday night we had game night with our youth. It was so fun and so hilarious! Have ya'll ever played Hungry Hungry Hippo human style?

 

 

four// Spontaneous lunch dates with my momma to Chick-Fil-A because she's on Spring Break this week. Oh the perks of working in the education system!

 

five// Changes that are coming that I cannot talk about yet, but I will soon. At this time I just ask for prayers. Pray that God will lead Hunter and I through these changes with the sole intentions of making His name known. Pray for our marriage because I'm sure it will be a test of our marriage, at times. And no, I'm not pregnant and we're not moving anywhere.

 

Happiest of Friday's to ya'll! Hunter and I will be going to my cousin's wedding this weekend and we're so so soooo excited for her and her daughter to be embarking on this new journey with a wonderful man.

 

 

Spring has sprung... Err... Summer is here?

Guys, guys, guys... I am fairly certain the warm weather is here to stay in sunny Florida. Oh praise Jesus because my pasty white self has started to make me cringe a bit. I kid! Power to the pasty white people (insert prayer hand emoji)!

 

In our lovely world down here, it always seems like spring just gets completely bypassed and wham-a-bam, it's summer weather. Seriously, we went from high 50's during the day to mid 80's. My deodorant is in a state of shock with how quickly it's being kicked into work (read: sweat rings). Transparency is the name of the game people, transparency.

 

Anywho, it's Friday, it's going to be a warm summer spring day, and I'm feeling all kinds of feels for this warm weather. Just some reasons why I'm so happy it's here to stay:

 

one// Bikini season - yep, I'm pulling out those dusty bathing suits and putting them to good use.

 

source

 

two// Allergies - my allergies love the spring weather, said no allergies ever.

 

source

 

three// All the pretty flowers! I really do love seeing everything in bloom - it reminds us that each spring season brings new life.

 

 

four// Personal hygiene - I think my husband is more grateful for this than I am...

 

source

 

 

five// Going to the beach every other weekend because it's only a hop, skip, and a jump away.

 

source

 

Welcome spring/summer! Please make yourself at home for quite awhile because oh how I've missed you. Happy Friday, ya'll!
 

 

You + Me -- We go together like peas and carrots

It's clearly no secret - I'm crazy for my husband. He is my best friend, my biggest supporter and cheerleader, and can brighten my day just with one look. Of course, we have our similarities in nature and personalities. But we also have differences about us that help make our relationship so unique for us.

When I saw this fun post on Amanda's blog a couple of weeks ago, I just had to copy her wonderful idea. Thanks Amanda for the inspiration! So friends, I give to you... The top 5 differences between Hunter and I -- and why I just absolutely love it!

 ONE// I am more Type A when it comes to plans and schedules, where Hunter is more Type B and can go with the flow. I want to know what is happening when, where, for how long, and with as much time in advance. I love that Hunter can just go with the flow - it constantly reminds me to slow down, enjoy each moment as they come, and to live a little on the Type B wild side.

TWO// I cannot look at odd-end objects and create something out of it off the top of my head. I need Pinterest, inspirations, visuals, something! Hunter can take weird pieces that you would never think about to make something useful with. For example, (all my hunters and hunters' widows will appreciate this) he made a deer feeder out of a piece of plywood, racket straps, and PVC piping. I mean... who does that?!

THREE// I am a very speak-my-mind kind of person. I'm notorious for word vomit and can unfortunately, lead to hurt feelings for some people. Hunter is much more reserved, can think things through, and is okay with not sharing all of the wonderful things on his mind (except with me of course). He has taught me so much in just our 4 years together, and I have learned a heck of a lot with how to say things, when to say things, and if to say things. I'm still a work in progress but I've become much more RESERVED in what I say to people.

FOUR// I'm an over-thinker. Sometimes I'll read wayyy too much into something when it's really nothing at all. Hunter just takes everything for face-value and moves on. Teach me your ways oh-wise-one!

FIVE// I will trust you from the get-go. No questions asked. So when a person breaks that trust, it's very, very hard for me to ever really be on the same level again with that person. Hunter learns to trust people over time. He waits to see how you will respond in certain situations. And, for the most part, he's pretty quick to forgive. This is a balance we are both working on together. I love that him and I have a trust bond that is so strong - we both feel entirely confident in our trust levels with each other. We're learning together how to trust people in due time, and how to learn to love those who have broken the trust either with us individually or as a couple.

So there ya have it, a few differences between him and I. Of course, we have so many more but these are the ones that really keep us on our toes and continuously teach us new things each day. I hope each of ya'll have a wonderful weekend!
 

Friday Fluff

Guys, I know I say this a lot, but time flies. Next week is the last week of February, which means March comes next, which means Sessions starts in the Florida Legislature = no life for Mrs. Thang.

 

But that's okay! Because it's a beautiful, cold Friday. I've got tons of stuff on my brain so what's the best thing to do with all that mess? List it, people. List it.

• I have the best husband ever. Seriously! He will go out in the mornings and start my car up for me before work so that when it's time for me to leave, my car is all nice and toasty!
• Speaking of best husband ever, Hunter and I made the decision earlier this week to answer a calling and we are going to be youth leaders at a very small, country church. We're very excited (and slightly nervous) to be taking this on. It's funny how God works in mysterious ways.
• My oldest brother is in town and even though I've been going non-stop all week, I'm excited to spend time with him this weekend.
• I was informed by a reliable source (read: Hunter) the other day that I eat a lot of chocolate. My response: Is there a problem with that??
• Even though it's a cold Friday, I hear we're supposed to be getting up into the 60's and 70's in temps this weekend. Which means I will be sitting my pasty white self outside and soaking up some vitamin D. Yes, I will wear sunscreen because I'm not all about that skin cancer.

 

I hope ya'll have a wondrous Friday. Please be praying for my heart the next couple of days as I prepare to lead a group of women Monday night in our first ever meet-up of our women's ministry group. And just because I love ya'll, I have to share this cute pic...

 

 

 



 

Oh happy day

It's Friday. 'Nuff said, it's Friday. The first week of February is over and I feel like it's been a whirlwind of craziness. Between family members and friends being diagnosed with cancer or going through surgeries or losing loved ones, friends looking for jobs and going through interviews, and just every day busyness... My prayers have been running high and mighty. Ha!

But I want to focus on the beauty of today and the upcoming weekend plans we have going on. Because, hey, ya never know when today might be your last.

one: Hunter and I are very excited to be stopping by and spending time with our old youth group kids to help them raise money at a fish fry tomorrow. I cannot wait to wrap my arms around some of those kids and just catch up with their lives. Even though we are no longer their youth leaders, we still love them tremendously, think about them daily, and pray for them constantly.

two: We have been very blessed financially in the last couple of months so the fact that we may have to drop some money for Hunter to get his tire fixed (no thanks to a stick) this weekend, surprisingly, doesn't bring me any anxiety. Thank you Lord!

 three: We have been invited by some dear friends to witness the baptism of some youth kids this Sunday! Remember that youth retreat weekend we helped with? We're now getting the opportunity to watch as a couple of these kids publically declare their love for God. Hot dang!

four: I've been slow getting my other DIY project going but I have every intention to get'er done this weekend.

five: Hunting Saturday. That is all.

 

Because I'm all about that bass

It's been a week ya'll - not bad by any means - but just a week! The fact that we're already past the halfway mark through the month of January is beyond me. But hey, what can ya do right? It's just all part of the fun!

 

How about a list of randoms for this here Friday?

* I've been making a diligent effort to get up earlier (read: when my alarm goes off) in the mornings to exercise/stretch and study the Word. So far so good!

* I'm off work today - helllurrrrr!

* Did ya'll catch what my word for the year is? I'm going to make it a point to practice that word for more than just this year.

* This is the year of weddings my friends. We have several friends and family members that are getting married and we could not be more excited for them and their new chapter in their lives!

* My body is slightly confused at the moment with the constant up and down changes of the weather patterns here in north Florida. Just pick a dang temp and stick with it for more than one day!

* I cannot express enough words for the appreciation I have for blogger friends that have turned into real life friends. I love that we can text/email with each other on life's every day adventures, and serve as each others cheerleaders. It does my weary soul some good.

* Speaking of weary soul - I had dinner this week with some of the bestest ladies around, and it completely rejuvenated me. Their hearts are just unbelievably wonderful and they completely humble me with their kindness.

* God has continuously blessed Hunter and I throughout these last few weeks. He has provided when we were/are not able to.

* I started and finished this book in literally just a few hours. My spirit has been thirsting for more and this book inspired me in a whole new way. I'll have a blurp about it next week but I cannot stress the fact enough - pick up this book and read it!

Have a wonderful weekend friends! Always, remember to smile :)

Recap of sorts

So my first week back to work post wedding went relatively quickly. The good Lord knows how to treat me well I tell ya. Because it's Friday, and in good lazy Friday fashion, I figured ya'll could use a recap via Instagram of the happenings of this week. Oh so vain, I know.

 

 

The Welborns voted on Tuesday for their local government. Just doing our civic duty, ya know.

 

 

Thursday morning, I woke up to find out that my youngest baby brother, along with his girlfriend, were involved in a bad accident Wednesday night. By the grace of God alone, they were able to walk away with scratches, bruises, and sore ribs. The vehicle they were in was totaled but as we told them, that's just material things and their safety and lives are all that matter.

 

 

Aren't they just pretty?! Hunter and I will be going this weekend to take care of them and spend time with them. Love you Jordan and Brooke. No more letting people hit ya'll, okay?! 

 

Thursday evening, I came home to this adorable card from Emily! Thank you so much again sweet girl for this. I absolutely cherish your friendship!

 

To wrap up a crazy Thursday, Hunter and I sat around and watched a classic, Hook. Robin Williams, you were a man of many talents and you are truly missed.

 

Hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend!! 



Full of Friday Lovin'

• my dress!!! I will be taking pictures but I probably won't share on here. Tisk tisk, can't have the groom trying to sneak peeks at it! I may put one on here. As a teaser. Maybe.
• Hopefully Saturday (didn't I say I got big plans!) Hunter and I can get our engagement pictures done. A sweet sweet friend of ours is doing them for us and I cannot wait to have them done! I will surely share them on this here bloggy as soon as I can.
• Sunday, Hunter and I (along with a few others) will be going to a community church here in Tallahassee to support our good friend during his sermon. Hallaluyerrrr praise Jesus!
• I think that's it.

I wasn't lying was I?! I'm uber excited to get this weekend started.

Now onto the goodies - below are some of my favorite posts of this week. Please go show these awesome sauce ladies some lovin'!

• Sovereign by Casey at The Aslans Auspicious Adventure
• The Miami Rooster by Sara Beth at Park {Ventures}
• St. Louis Recap (Arcade Games, Crime Labs, & the Frozen soundtrack) by Emily at Ember Grey
• Celebrating the Little Things by Kelli at A Deeper Joy
• You Are Not Alone by Kerri at hey Kerri blog

A little bit of bonus on this Friday: Hunter comes home today!!

Hope ya'll have a fantabulous weekend! Feel free to follow me on Instagram to keep up with our dress shopping doings tomorrow. Again, don't judge if you see a small wine bottle in my hands.