direction

Things don't always go the way we plan. Sometimes God has laid out a different path for us than the one we think is right. We just have to choose...do we walk in the one He's paved for us? Or do we go our own way? I don't know about you, but I want to live under the protection of his umbrella...so I've chosen to take the path He's made for me. No matter what. No matter how scary it may be, it's even scarier to think about what could happen if we choose to step out from under the umbrella of protection He is holding over us.

Right now, I'm praying for answers, for patience, and clarity. Direction and guidance. Peace and understanding.

i shot the sheriff...

but i did not shoot the deputy. ok, no i didn't...i would never shoot a cop, or anyone who isn't threatening my life or the life of someone else.

this was my first experience with a gun! yep. 25 years old and had never shot a gun before. i have to be honest. i was really actually quite terrified. my hands were shaking, i was a sweaty mess of nerves. don't ask me why. i couldn't tell you. guns have just always made me nervous...but tyler said that since we had one in the house now, he was going to teach me how to use it.

sorry for tooting my own horn here, but i was pretty impressed with my aim. my husband is a great teacher. :) all i have to say is...don't mess with me. i have a gun and i know how to use it now.

thanks, babe, for being so patient with me!

beach bums

 

mlk weekend, we took my nephews down to the beach.  they were so excited...what kid doesn't love getting to go to the beach without their parents? ;)  i love these boys.

yesteryear

looking back at 2012, these were some of my favorite things...

puppies, babies, nephews, weddings (especially my own), family time, best friends, cousin love, honeymooning, parentals, birthdays.  2012 was a good year.  :)

burn baby burn

we had so much fun at the christmas tree burning party.  i've never seen a christmas tree burn, and truthfully, it was pretty scary how quickly they catch and how incredibly tall the flames get.  nevertheless, i still plan on buying a real trees for christmases in my house. just something about real christmas trees that make it really feel like christmas.

this was our tree. :)

this isn't even half of the trees they had there to burn.

picture taken with only light from the fire...that's how bright these things burn.

 tyler thought this was cool. ;)

 

 

anyway, other than that, we've been working out like madmen around here. ok, not really. tyler has been working out like a madman. i just work out as much as my weak little body can handle. tyler's so much more dedicated and pushes himself a lot harder than i do. but i know i'm working because i could barely move this past week. and i'm pretty proud of that. i was glad for the weekend though. fridays and saturdays, we rest. phew. resting is my favorite part.

fail

i totally fail.  the first week of 2013 has not been good to me.  the very first work day of this year, since our alarm clock had apparently forgotten to turn itself back on the night before, at 7:52, i woke up thinking it was awfully bright outside.  poked my husband's side and asked what time it was.  he jumped out of bed in a frantic hurry.  did i rush?  nope.  it takes me at LEAST 35 minutes to get to work, so i knew i was going to be late anyway.  tyler rushed...but it only takes him about 10 minutes to get to his office, so he still had a chance of being semi-on time.

aaand, work-wise, the rest of the week has pretty much gone about the same for me.  i've been late every day (not that this should come as any surprise to the people who know me or work with me, because i am almost always at least 5 or 10 minutes late), and have been late coming back from lunch twice, despite my attempt to get back EARLY.  so, yesterday, i worked late to make up that time, and...well, it sucked!  let me just tell you, working late on fridays SUCKS.  i don't like it one bit.

however, there were more good things than bad things this week.

1.  new years eve was so much fun!  we had game night at my parents' house with some close friends and family.  i laughed so hard my cheeks were sore!

2.  i had a day off of work (new years day) to just do absolutely nothing.  it was magical.

3.  i got to spend an evening with a long lost friend of mine, courtney.

4.  my friend, april came back from maternity leave, and while it wasn't a highlight for her to have to leave her precious baby girl to come back to work, i have certainly missed her.  we had a lunch date at her favorite local restaurant (to make her feel a little less sad/celebrate her return).

5.  last night, we were "chaperoning" (aka: partying at) a sweet 16 party.  bonfire (we missed that part, since i worked late and tyler's trip to the gym lasted a lot longer than it was supposed to..like i said, no surprise to anyone that we were late to the party) and my favorite movie, pitch perfect!  please and thank you!

6.  tonight, a christmas tree burning party!  yessss!  it's going to be epic. yeah, i said epic..i'm just that awesome.

ringing in the new year

i hope everyone had a wonderful christmas!  ours was filled with lots of love and laughter and tons of time spent with our families.  as always, it ended too soon and i'm sad to have to put away my christmas decorations already.

as the new year approaches, i'm reflecting on this past year and all of the opportunities and experiences it gave me.  2012 was my favorite year because i married my best friend; the past 7 months have been the most wonderful and the most difficult and trying times of my life.  they weren't kidding when they said the first year is hard.  even when you've been together for 8 years already, getting married and moving in with someone is not an easy adjustment.  i won't pretend that our marriage is perfect, or that we are always pleasant with each other and never fight...those closest to us would know i was lying anyway.  but, i wouldn't change it for the world.  i'm so happy to have found my perfect man, the one God created just for me.  and i'm excited to find out what 2013 has in store for us!

weekend plans

this weekend is going to be slam full of goodness!  tonight, a trip to atlanta with my girls until saturday.  although, i am going to miss my husband.  this will be the first time since we got married that i've been away from him overnight.  i have to admit, i'm a little sad to think about not getting to cuddle him for 2 days (yeah, i know...someone call the wambulance), BUT...i definitely know that i'm going to have a blast!

sunday, church with my family, where i'll get to hear my daddy and sissy sing together for the first time in a long time!  i love it when they sing.  it makes my heart happy.

then, an afternoon with my dad's extended family!  white elephant gift exchange, babies galore, yummy food, and lots of laughs to be had and love to share!

finally, monday and tuesday will be spent with my family and tyler's.  i think that's why this is my favorite time of year.  thanksgiving and christmas are the best holidays because it's filled with family time, and i just can't get enough!

so, obviously, i won't be blogging for the rest of the week.  i'm unplugging so that i can enjoy my vacation and Christmas with my family and friends.

 

[notice the lack of christmas presents up there under my tree. as of last night, there are now 7 wrapped gifts. yay us! this picture was actually taken before i was even finished decorating it. :)]

7 DAYS

i am not believing that it's only 7 days until christmas right now!  ahhh!  must.wrap.presents!!!  i also have to go to the grocery store.  and i have to pack.  and i have a million other things i need to do.  but, i so want to just slow down and enjoy this time.  i really want to soak up every single minute with my family during the holidays.  after all, isn't that what it's about?  it's not about the presents and the pretty lights.  it's about Jesus.  a time to remember and be grateful to Him for coming to this world that is so full of sin, so that we can spend eternity in such an amazing place as Heaven.  love.  family.  laughter.  peace.  joy.  i love this time of year.  and i hate that i've gotten so caught up in the hustle and bustle that it has become.  from now on, i'm going to do better.

i'm going to remember the "reason for the season".

xoxo,
bee

bestie

today is a special day.  it's my bestie's birthday.  charley (no, that's not short for charlotte) is one of the most selfless people i know.  she is always doing things for other people, never asking for anything in return.  she's loving, generous, caring, funny, smart, and beautiful.  she's got such a big heart.  she has been there for me through some of the darkest times of my life...she's always encouraged me and always prays for me.  when i don't believe in myself, she does.  if any person deserves to have all of their birthday wishes come true, it's this girl!  happy birthday charley!!!  i love you!