Nothing like a good porch

This wrap-around porch is beautiful. The view is outstanding, whether you are looking at the fall leaves and the chill water or flush greens and hot temperatures, the serenity of the lake is undeniable. It's the perfect place for family to be together, to fulfill the traditional gathering where you grill out, have lemonade and laugh a lot. I'm thinking about this because it's Christmas and J and I are packing up and heading home tomorrow; I couldn't be happier and at the same time couldn't imagine what holidays would be like if I wasn't able to share it with our families. I love this Christmas Season and enjoy everything about it from the decorations, to cold weather and hot chocolate but especially the Christmas Story that we've heard many times. It's a magical time and I can't wait to cozy up with J, with our families and enjoy every moment we all have together.

Thankful during the Christmas Season

Today I am 23 years old and though I don't feel older I've gained more life experience and perspective. It's funny how in adulthood we expect to know all of the answers, have the confidence to lead a successful life and the world seems like a cushioning place to live...it's even more ironic that I have learned, at times, I am more insecure and less confident of decisions. Learning to let go of control and give every inch of worry to God is something I work on every day. Once we learn to do that, our lives will transform into a life of great joy and faith and one without disappointment. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for what Jonathan and I are blessed with and we are aware of those who are without. The Blind Side is a wonderful movie that only reinforced our sensibility to humans. Not just the poor, or homeless but even those that have food and shelter but are empty on the inside. It's rare that those "with" are exposed as needy because they have the look and put on a facade of "everything is okay". Our world is consumed with an economic recession and the figures and stats of unemployment or loss of income but we should take a step back to look where the recession has hit. There is a real recession in our hearts where we have hardened and lost sight of the vitality of life and the joy God intended for us to share in.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Proverbs 17:22

We have allowed stress, tragedy and pity to rob us of true joy and happiness. My prayer is this Christmas season, people would be exposed to God's love and hand everything over to him so that they may live in harmony and experience true joy.

Serenity

All around, blessings are being revealed to me and I am aware of God's placement of my life where it is, what i'm doing and the potential for it. I'm not saying that I realize what my life journey is going to be but I sense the calling somewhere in the distance. I do have to say, besides my wonderful family and friends I really miss Church of the Highlands but Jonathan and I are happy that we can watch the service live online each Sunday...which we do. Labor Day weekend J and I went to Saint Augustine which was incredible! The beauty was that J wrote down some directions and places to go but we didn't have an agenda; we packed one backpack and headed on our way. The one Bed&Breakfast J noted in case we decided to stay over night had the Queen Elizabeth suite open for one night because the previous guests had to leave early. We took this as a sign to make a night of it and stayed and it brought back memories of my trips to Europe. A few European women ran the place and between our view of the bay from our room with the complimentary drinks at sunset and an exquisite choice of breakfast served to us on the patio, it was the most relaxing time I have had in a very long time. We made sure to wake up at sunrise to sit on our balcony and we watched dolphins swim for a couple of hours. We walked the quiet town, each cobblestone street lined by a bakery and vintage boutique. Everyone told us Saint Augustine is magical during Christmas so we will be going back. I hope our family and friends will come visit and we can take them there to share it with them.

Highland

Here is one of my favorite pictures...I love that it's pixelated and how the blossoms frame the sign. I have discovered another Highland Avenue that is beautiful: every time I drive on the street it reminds me of Birmingham.

Our Adventure to Florida

So we have pretty much settled into our apartment in Florida. Between me, my parents, Jonathan and his parents we have a vintage-y cottage-y place that is quite nice. I have taken a lot of pictures to document detailed steps of the move. I should start by back tracking to the beginning of the adventure that began on August 1 around 3p.m. Jonathan and I hit 65-me driving my car, Jonathan driving the U-Haul towing his jeep-with our walkie-talkies to communicate on the long drive. We made around 5 or 6 stops, picnicking at a Shell station for dinner. Around 2:15a.m on Sunday morning we arrived in Orlando and went through 5 unexpected toll bridges. The stopping and going drained our gas tanks so we planned to stop asap. After a few miles I started to panick...after a few more I began tearing up with exhaustion and fear of being stranded on the side of a long highway in the everglades of Florida.

We finally hit the hay around 4:30 a.m.; this was after a very grouchy hotel attendant checked us in and gave us grief about the late arrival, even though we made sure to call in ahead. Sunday afternoon and Monday we looked at apartments, signed a lease on Tuesday and moved in on Wednesday.

So far we have painted our patio furniture a cherry red which is absolutely adorable. We spray painted the post of one of our lamps a champagne color which completely transformed it. My favorite part of moving was the giving away of clothes no longer worn and organizing the file cabinet!!! I am passionate about having a certain place for every single item in a house, whether it's my house or someone elses it should be organized. Jonathan took his naptime during my organizing extravaganza.

Everything has fallen into place...so many blessings have contributed to the smooth transition. I am going to post pictures as soon as we upload them from the camera.

One of my favorite things:

waking up as the sun rises and watching the sun set.

Sweet joy

I took care of this wonderful little man for almost three years. I believe it's because they are so pure and innocent but the experiences I have shared with children are the most surreal and compassionate moments of my life. I have always loved children and it's no surprise because I grew up in a family with four kids; I am beyond blessed with so much family. I cannot wait to babysit H tonight. This is my chance to see the family that I became a part of during college and to say goodbye for a while. He will continue to experience life when I am living in Florida. It's difficult to miss out on the moments because I love this child as if he were my own and it's bittersweet to watch him grow up.

A new chapter

Today is July 23rd 2009 and I am moving to Florida in 9 days. I will be getting married in 296 days. I will be 23 years old in 143 days. Numbers tell stories, they control the influx and outflux of money, they are the heart of scheduling appointments and we live according to them. I was thinking about this because it's absurd how many passwords and account numbers and dates and amounts we deal with every moment of the day.

Jonathan got a wonderful job offer two weeks ago with a company in Merritt Island, Florida. We flew down to Orlando (40 minutes from Merritt Island) for Jonathan to have a second face-to-face interview and to look around at the area. We are moving August 1st and driving a U-Haul and my car down to a hotel where we will stay for a few nights until we find an apartment and sign a lease. This is an adventure to remember, therefore I am promising myself that I will meticulously update and document the big move.