Loved and the most perfect gift

This morning. I got the best gift I have ever been given. The gift of knowing someone loves me, that they consider me a part of their family, and that they think I can change the world. This gift came with something else too...

So, I guess that means I will have to keep sharing with you all my daily struggles of being loved by a God who is so in control that its breathtaking. and the struggles of continually being loved by a God whom I often turn away from due to fear and frustration... but most of all the fact that it is so hard to comprehend for me, that our Heavenly Father has put people here on earth who love me with that type of heart. The unconditional part. The part where they make it clear.

Loved and sorry I went missing

Hi friends!

I'm sorry I took a break from posting. Its been a busy May... and from my previous posts you all probably know how much I love the month of May... So now I am going to catch you up...

This is a photo of me at my graduation... where it poured rain... With my parents... who are dressed in trash bags.

Then, I came home and spent time with my wonderful Aunt and Uncle whom make me laugh and smile. Which then brings us to the Wednesday after Graduation... where I got to pick up a super adorable 5 year old from preschool.

We ate chic-fil-a and played at sciworks (only after a long car ride in the pouring rain). It was fantastic. Then the next night I got to come over for another play time where we danced in her room. Honestly, I like hanging out with five year olds a lot.

Then I went hiking with one of my favorite people... and saw some pretty awesome waterfalls!

Then I went to the zoo (to see the animals... and the dinosaur exhibit) with two of my absolutely favorite people in Clemmons...

And then I went on a cruise... with these girls!

and had my birthday!

and then I celebrated the fact that one of my dear friends is about to get married, with a fabulous bachelorette party at the beach... (I don't have any pictures from the beach yet... so this is from a couple weeks ago).

and then I ran up to Asheville to see caitlin and marie and get some more of my junk. and now I'm home and playing again with my friends... My life is absolutely wonderful... It definetly has had its sad moments these past weeks. and the moments of I don't even know how to respond... but the goodness has always shone through.

Loved and guess what I just bought

I just bought a tiara. You might thing I'm kidding... but for those of you who know me and know how much I love my birthday... know that this is a true statement.

Also, since I will be spending my birthday on a cruise ship, and all those people don't know it will be my birthday, I'm going to wear a tiara to let them in on the celebration.

all day long.

My birthday is coming so soon, and I am so excited. If you want we should celebrate... because May is one thing I'm really good at. I'm good at celebrating, and May always has lots of reasons for that (at least for me).

So let's celebrate.

Loved and hype

May has always been a hype month for me... I mean technically my birthday bubble doesn't have to be a month long, but when my birthday falls perfectly in the middle... how can I resist.

Today was pretty unofficial, but I had lunch with one of my favorites, was super productive and am about to head out to see more lovely friends.

In the midst of my birthday/graduation/impending vacation hype. I remembered something. I am not but I know I am. Its a book. One that I really enjoyed reading... and gave me a good adjustment that I needed. I am not a big deal, God is.

This is where I become fickeled... You see, I love birthdays. Everyone's birthdays. To me they aren't just a big deal, they are a huge deal. To me they are wonderful because its a celebration of the past year, its a marker to a new year, it is a renewal.

I once had a friend say "Birthday's aren't a huge deal because everyone has them" my argument... "One day you won't have anymore and you will regret saying that" (yes I said that, and although it sounds childish and brash. I still agree).

I love love love birthdays. I love love love celebrating. but I love love love being a part of God's story. I know I don't need my own month. but I am going to celebrate my birthday, all month long.

I am excited about my birthday
I am excited about my graduation
I am going to celebrate
I am going to tell everyone that its my birthday and that I have two degrees


but I know this...

I am but I am not.