Whirlwind

That's how I see that last few months. They have totally gone by in a whirlwind! Since I haven't posted in a while, I thought I'd just share some photos of what's happened since New Year's.

1. I turned 25. And I'm surprisingly cool with that. Ryan made it great by planning a whole day of gifts where I would open one every few hours at work. First, he "made" breakfast aka got me McDonald's breakfast (my favorite) and had me open his first card and gift, a Bananza banana slicer.

I looked at it curiously because I wondered where I had seen this product before and then he said, "I got it for you because you pinned it!" I laughed and couldn't believe he stalked my Pinterest for gift ideas! So great. The next card I opened was at work and it had a PF Chang's gift card inside for dinner that night. The next card I opened right before lunch and it had a McDonald's gift card in it for lunch since he was in class and couldn't take me out to eat. Third was a Hershey's with almond candy bar for a mid-afternoon snack. I was so happy all day at work because he knew all my favorite things! When I got home, he gave me the big presents and another card. First I opened this:

Another Pinterest present! I love this movie and I love this poster. I was thrilled when I opened it! I've framed it and put it on the wall, but we'll save that for another post. The second present I opened made my heart so happy:

ALL THE HARRY POTTER SERIES IN HARDBACK. 

Love him. I've been wanting these books forever and now here they are! Gifted to me by my favorite person. Finally, we go to dinner and while we're eating he surprises me with one last gift. I opened the card and my mouth dropped when I saw the two tickets to Coldplay for this summer. COLDPLAY. I couldn't believe it! Granted these tickets were birthday-valentine's day-2 year anniversary gift all rolled into one, but I was still so excited. I'm so thankful for my hubby who loves me and knows me so well and celebrates well. He's made 25 great.

2. Valentine's Day. We're old school so he got me my favorite flowers (tulips) and favorite chocolates (ferrero rochers) and I made him a mix CD. You may think he got the short end of the stick, but he loves my mix CDs. Fo realz. That night, we went on a double date with Kara and Crockett and watched the Vow. Movie was ok, but with me being a girl and all, I could not stop crying and telling Ryan how much I loved him afterwards. I'm sucha sap. 

I also made these cookies for the Women's Systematic Theology group. I thought they were fitting for the day after Valentine's.

3. Lots of school and work....this is self explanatory and I don't have any pictures to go along with it. Soooo yeah. :)

4. Ladies' Night to celebrate Lindsey's upcoming nuptials! We ladies got all fancied up and had a great time talking about EVERYTHING and looking forward to Lindsey and Alec's wedding! I'm so happy for the sweet soon-to-be-married couple and so thankful to call these women friends!

There have been all kinds of other things happen, but I don't think anyone would want to read all that! Hope you enjoyed the highlights and hopefully I get around to blogging more frequently. 

Love,

Amy

So this is the New Year...

....and I don't feel any different. Thank you Death Cab for saying what I think every year! I guess it is fun to reflect on the previous year and think about things to change, but I kind of think we should do that all the time, ya know? Every day, actually. I don't want to make any new year's resolutions because I think it's too daunting. How about new day or new week resolutions? Every day or week will be a new attempt at changing/improving. I think that is a little more do-able than making a huge overhaul. Besides, if I fail one week, I can always start over the next instead of giving up altogether.

 One thing I would like to do this year is to have a jar in the house in which we place memories from the year and reflect on them on NYE. Ryan and I will attempt this and just put a memory in the jar any time we think of it. I found this idea on Pinterest a while ago and thought it was sweet. I can't wait to see the things hubs puts in the jar!

 As with any year, there are joys and sorrows. I'm thankful for a God who understands both and shows us His love through them. This year especially through both the joys and sorrows, I have had a greater yearning for Heaven. Through the joys because they are foretastes of the ultimate joy we will experience in being with Christ. Through the sorrows because I know that one day Jesus will come and sin and sorrow will be no more. Come Lord Jesus!

 My prayer is that this year I will grow in holiness. I know that can only happen by God's grace and I pray that he changes my heart from stone to flesh daily.