{8.27.14} Snapshot

//because I am overwhelmingly blessed.

Thanks to two dear friends from school, I was kidnapped on the night before my birthday and taken out for one last "teenager adventure."  Such escapades translated to roaming through Claire's, revisiting all the sequined and bedazzled glory of the teen years, and taking prodigious amounts of selfies.  All in all, these escapades made this girl more than ready to enter a fresh decade ;)

And then on the day of my birthday, I was immeasurably blessed by the outpouring of love from those God has placed in my life.  From being publicly humiliated in the dining hall, to receiving a birthday package from a beloved friend in Colorado, to stargazing in the soccer fields with my almost-sister, this was a birthday to remember :)

God is good.  All the time.

{7.19.14} Snapshot

//because words cannot express how hard it is going to be to leave this little princess in a few days.

{7.14.14} Snapshot

//because a date with my favorite may be the best way to spend the morning.

My Wee Nattie Bug.

Age: 6 months (how is that possible already?!)

Life accomplishments: sitting, crawling (well, almost.), teething, eating "big girl" food, and making friends with Annie.

Loves: books, animals, grass, swings, pureed pears, smiles, and (of course) Auntie Bex ;)

These blue eyes have stolen my heart for good.

{8.1.14} Snapshot

//because some days call for wild golden parties with the dearest of dear friends :)

"She's the block. You're the chip."

.....at least that's what my dad always says :)  Honestly, I'd have to agree with him.  I may like kitchen dance parties and spontaneous adventures and she may prefer daily routine and peaceful evenings working on her latest craft project, but that's about where our differences end.  

We're dramatic.  We have the same shoe size.  We don't keep our opinions to ourselves.  We like to get things done.  We love "What Not To Wear."  We agree that high-low hemlines are never a good idea.  We can't say no to Ann Taylor Loft and Banana Republic clearance racks.  We are just slightly addicted to Chipotle's salad bowls.  And we can belt out the all the songs from the Sound of Music like there is no tomorrow.

This is the woman who was told she was crazy to have another baby when she was 40.  This is the woman who somehow survived my daily childhood temper tantrums.  This is the woman who bought me an E-Z Bake oven 14 years ago and hasn't been able to get me out of the kitchen since that day.  This is the woman who gave up 30 years of her life to teach her children at home.  This is the woman who dragged me into high school forensics, and then spent countless hours agonizing over speech after speech.

She has prayed over me, counseled me, challenged me, supported me, laughed with me, cried with me, argued with me, and loved me like no other person ever has.

Every time I went on stage to collect an award at an NCFCA tournament, I knew that all I had to do was look behind me to see that the biggest smile in the audience was cheering me on.  And in the times when my name wasn't called and I didn't move on, an arm was slipped around my shoulder and I was enveloped in a big hug.  

Now that I've ventured out into the "great big world," my favorite times of the week are the times when I can call home and unload all the latest news.  And no matter how far and wide I may wander, there is no feeling that can compare to pulling into the driveway and running inside to find all my favorite foods waiting on the kitchen counter.

When I said I wanted to do 5 speeches and debate in a competition year, she said, "Let's do it."  When I was accepted to Patrick Henry College, she said, "I couldn't be more excited for you."  When I survived my freshman year, she said, "I always knew you could do it."  When I said I was thinking about law school, she said, "Go for it!"

This Godly, beautiful, and caring woman truly is a worth far more than rubies.  The Proverbs are true when they say that "Her children rise up and call her blessed," and I can only hope to be like her someday.

Maybe I am a "chip off the block," but there is no one I would rather be like.  She is a constant example of Christ's love, she never fails to point me to the cross, and she is my hero.

I love you, Mama. 

Hello {Summer}

Well hey there!!  I'm almost embarrassed to post anything here anymore because I know that months go by in between updates, but tonight I'm waiting on a batch of cookies to come out of the oven and I decided that it was the perfect time to do a quick post concerning all things summer :)

Since getting back from school almost 2 months ago things have stayed pretty crazy....working three jobs keeps me on my toes :)  BUT I have gotten some time to do fantastic summer-y things such as

1.) Sleepovers with this beautiful lady (who also stops into work to make my day much happier :D): 

2.) Throw a well-loved ball endless times per day:

3.) Photograph this lovely wedding:

4.) Break it down to the Cupid Shuffle with my favorite little person at said wedding:

5.) Oh and speaking of the wedding, did I mention that I got to spend the day with this dear friend?  Yeah.  She's basically the best person ever.  

6.) Uphold my crazy aunt status with this lil' peanut:

7.) BUT BUT BUT I saved the best for last!!  Meet my new, perfect little niece, Aimee Elisabeth:

Of course I had to snap some pictures of this precious face ;)

Gaaaaahhhh isn't she so perfect???  I can't wait until she comes to visit me in August :)  

But with that, my cookies are done and it's getting late....it's amazing how quickly the 2AM college mornings have faded away now that I'm home ;)  Hope you all have a fantastic 4th - it promises to be a hot and humid scorcher here in Pittsburgh :D 

~ Bex

{Blessed}

My heart is overwhelmed by the blessings that God has lavished on me here at PHC.  His mercies are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness!

{So thankful for friends that overflow with the joy and love of Christ}

No {Greater} Love

Hope you all have a blessed Valentine's day delighting in the matchless love of our Savior :)

Bex <3