My content little life.

I realize just how cliche it is to post a blog about the things in my life that bless me on a day like today (Thanksgiving), but I also think it's important to recall those things more often than I do & why not do that now.

First off, I am thankful for a Saviour. My life would not be the same without the ardent love & indelible grace of Jesus Christ. As we enter into the Christmas season, I never want to forget the best present of all: "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; & the government shall be upon His shoulder, & His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government & of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David & over His kingdom, to establish it & to uphold it with justice & righteousness from this time forth & forevermore." (Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV)

Today I get to celebrate the first of many Thanksgivings with the love of my life. It's funny when love finds you in an unexpected place & it blossoms after a casual friendship. Rob, you are my prince & you balance me in every way. Thank you for your love, support, friendship, humour, & warmth. "Whatever our souls are made of, his & mine are the same." (Emily Bronte)

My mom has always been a shining light in my life: she brightens my days & guides me (graciously) in the right direction. I love you, mom. Thank you for supporting me & bestowing love & grace all of my life. I adore the friendship that we have built through the years.

I am also thankful for my sister. She's our miracle. After a year long battle against cancer (1993-1994), she overcame & I seriously don't know how I would have survived without her. She is my hero & has brought into my life two beautiful nieces & a handsome nephew, as well as my wonderful brother-in-law- I always wanted a brother & their family blesses me always.

My father has been a caring figure in my life for always. I appreciate the friendship we have developed & enjoy our conversations & his continued wisdom. Thank you.

It's always difficult to find a church that fits you, & we not only found one that fits us, but one where the people have become family. I am so thankful for the love & support from all of the people at New Beginnings Christian Center. We love you all!

I have been with Starbucks on & off for the past three years. It's amazing to have a job that is flexible & takes really good care of you. Remember whenever you buy your coffee that you're not only buying a great product, but you're helping support me (& other baristas) & all of the benefits that my company gives to me, & you're helping keep me employed. I love my job.

There are also so many friends & family members who need to be acknowledged on here, but there's not enough time or space to do so. If you are one of the many people who has graced my life (& Rob's life) throughout the years please know that we love you & we have been blessed by your presence in our lives no matter how great or how small it may be.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Heart Like Mine

I ain't the kind you take home to mama
I ain't the kind to wear no ring
Somehow I always get stronger
When I'm on my second drink

Even though I hate to admit it
Sometimes I smoke cigarettes
Christian folks say I should quit it
I just smile & say "God bless"

Cause I heard Jesus He drank wine & I bet we'd get along just fine
He could calm the storm & heal the blind & I bet He'd understand a heart like mine

Daddy cried when he saw my tattoo
Said he'd love me anyway
My brother got the brains of the family
So I thought I'd learn to sing

Cause I heard Jesus He drank wine & I bet we'd get along just fine
He could calm the storm & heal the blind & I bet He'd understand a heart like mine

I'll fly away from it all one day
I'll fly away...

These are the days that I will remember
When my name's called on the road
They'll meet me with two long stemmed glasses
& make a toast to me coming home


Cause I heard Jesus He drank wine & I bet we'd get along just fine
He could calm the storm & heal the blind & I bet He'd understand a heart like mine


Miranda Lambert

Twelve Weeks

As of yesterday, I am officially twelve weeks into achieving my culinary degree through Le Cordon Bleu. It's funny how serious you get about your education when you have an understanding of the debt you're getting into. I have my Bachelor's degree in music & I graduated from college with a 3.49, but I was never serious about my degree. In college, my professors would let us know up front how many absent days we are allotted for the semester & I would save them up carefully & use every single one. Now my chefs also let us know how many days we can be absent, but after missing one day this cycle due to illness I realized that I would rather come in sick than get that far behind again.

Since I mentioned finances, I will admit that they have been floating around in my head a lot lately. Recently, I finished paying off an accumulative debt of over $8,000 I had racked up in credit cards & fees. It feels amazing to finally be rid of that monster looming over my head at every turn. My amazing, loving boyfriend & I also opened up a joint checking/savings account to plan for our future together. I never realized just how scary the words "joint checking" are until we were sitting in front of the banker & filling out the paperwork. In reality though, I am so happy that we are budgeting & planning together & creating healthy habits that will one day transfer over into our marriage.

One thing that I don't have a lot of is time. My classes are butt-crack-of-dawn early & then I work afternoons & evenings. Sleep is something I hope to have over Christmas break, or maybe next summer sometime. Thankfully my job is amazing & I can look forward to it instead of dread going. Six more weeks & then it's Christmas vacation! I will be hibernating during this period of time & picking up as many shifts at work as I can...& possibly watching a Christmas movie here or there. I have never been in a relationship during the Holidays & I am so happy to be able to create new memories & traditions with the love of my life. He's a bit of a "bah humbug", so I am hoping to coerce him with a bit of Christmas cheer. 

This Christmas will be very exciting as we will have a new addition to the family- my sister & her husband are expecting their third child (& first son) any day now. My oldest niece is staying for a weekend sleepover & her little sister was very disappointed she could not join us. I made her a promise that we will have a play date just her & me soon. Being an auntie is the best!

If you are a lover of music, I have three albums to recommend to you:
"The Whole Love" by Wilco
Bon Iver's new self-titled album
"Great Great God" by Gateway Worship

I have fallen in love with Wilco. My work friends joke that we have a copy of their new album for every room in the house (four copies in total...mostly by accident). Bon Iver's album did not leave my cd player for weeks. And "Great Great God" was a song I fell in love with on my trip to Dallas back in February & I have been anxiously awaiting it's studio release, as my only copy of the song prior to was taken from a Gateway Church small group devotional. All of the songs have been on repeat in my head for the last week. Amazing.