Here it is...in all it's glory

The beautiful, wonderful, amazing record player that my love bought and refinished for me. I just adore it. He also bought and refinished the table. How cool does my dining room look? LOVE it. I'm so blessed. SO blessed.

Easter Weekend recap.

A beautiful Easter weekend, it was.

I spent all day Saturday baking lots of goodies for my friend, Jesse's benefit show. As of Friday, he has been cancer free for 7 years and he and his band (The Gills) are starting a foundation for Leukemia. I love the idea and wholeheartedly support them, so it was the least I could do. It was a good time and they raised a generous amount for their cause.

Matt, Alex and I getting everything ready for the bake sale!

Sweet Alex and I. I'm fully conviced that she is the most gorgeous girl in the world. Not even joking. She's also got an incredible heart. Just love her.


Danielle, Alex and I.

Saturday was a bit lazy to begin with and then Alex came over and we hung out for a bit and then had a birthday party for our friend later that evening.

Ben was being mega sketchy and kept putting off coming out to meet up with us. Honestly, I was getting super irritated being that I had hardly seen him all week due to all of the rehearsals and such he had to attend as he played in the church band on Easter Sunday. I think I may have projected that annoyance in my voice on the phone with him and soon after I received a text that read, "babe, just trust me".

Later on that night he came out and met us all for our friend's birthday and then afterward, he drove me home, making a pit stop at his house first and foremost. He demanded that I close my eyes tightly and follow his lead...which I did. He led me through the garage and around one of their vehicles and then told me to open my eyes. Before me was a GORGEOUS piece of furniture/record player (that still works!) that he had bought and refinished for me. He worked on it all day long in the heat of the sun to make it perfect and perfect, it is. I'm in love! Such a sweet and thoughtful easter present. I just love that guy. He is too good to be true.

I admittedly felt ashamed for acting out of my annoyance earlier in the day and apologized profusely. Sheesh, what a way to make me feel bad.

This picture isn't very good quality and due to the position of it, I had a difficult time getting a good one. I'll post a better one once it's in the apartment. I just absolutely adore it!

Sunday was obviously Easter Sunday. I braved and went to the 8:00 service (barely got out of bed in time) and then went downtown to hear Phil Wickham at the Saenger Theater. It was great. Afterwards, I went home and crashed as I waited for Ben to finish playing drums at all 4 services that the church had. Insane. OH and on Friday night at their Good Friday service, there was a technical difficulty and due to a sound spike, he suffered an acoustic rupture of his eardrum that caused bleeding and severe pain. He's supposed to be going to see a specialist today. Poor thing had to play drums at 4 services in pain. I felt/feel so bad for him! :'(

I made him an Easter basket filled with some of his favorite things. He loved it :) He took me out to dinner and then we went back to my house and watched a movie. It was glorious.

Such a good weekend!

I hope you all had a marvelous weekend and a Beautiful Easter as well!

Reflect.

With Good Friday and Easter quickly approaching, I've taken a few moments to reflect upon these most sacred days that we observe.

Here I sit, sipping my coffee on this most glorious spring morning and I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. I'm admiring the outrageously blue skies and the sun is boldly shining through the windows reminding me that life and vitality is of this season- this season that is always so welcome after the cold and bitter winter. I don't think it to be a concidence that we observe Passover, Good Friday and Easter during the spring season. A season of refreshing, renewal and life.

I reflect with an inward and outward dimension. When we reflect, it is good for the soul and spirit.

So, I reflect on the death of our Savior. A pure and spotless man who lived his life blamelessly came to give His life so brutally, that we may experience the sweet power of forgiveness, grace and mercy. There is no love greater than this.

I reflect on my sweet Savior's resurrection. His resurrection means eternal life for me. Amazing love, indeed.

I reflect on restoration and renewal. Renewing my commitment to my Lord. Renewing relationships and friendships and allowing God to restore my broken heart. Making the decision to pick up the pieces and make things whole again with His divine assistance in my life. Heaven knows I can't do it myself.

I reflect upon the vast amount of blessings in my life. Blessings that I take for granted on a day to day basis. I am afforded luxuries day in and day out that some may never have. I am truly thankful and sadly, I do not show my appreciation often enough.

I reflect on the lost and the hurting. The ones who have no direction in life. The ones who are undergoing immense pain and agony as they search for something of value, something to believe in and something to live their lives for. My heart aches as I refect upon these that our Father's heart longs for. May my life be lived in such a way that I would be a light in the darkness, peace in the chaos and a voice of truth in this dismal world. I desire that my hands and my heart would always show love, pure love.

I encourage you to take a moment at some point this weekend and look inwardly as we observe these next few days.

Let not the painted boiled eggs, pastel colors, peep sugar highs, bunnies and honey glazed hams distract us from the true meaning and purpose of this beautiful Holiday. I thoroughly enjoy all of those things, believe me. However, the fact remains that these days represent when my Lord and Savior was ruthlessly crucified and died and rose again so that we may experience love, mercy, forgiveness, grace and abundant life. May my eyes and heart be fixed upon what is of utmost importance this beautiful season.

And as I reflect, I feel refreshed. The resurgent energies of the vastly approaching spring, the boundless, sweet and precious love given to me because Jesus gave his life. What peace, happiness, and unimaginable blessings He has given to us. We are so blessed.

"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, He has risen." -Luke 24:5

Proof...

that I have the absolute best boyfriend in the universe.

I went home from work early on Monday afternoon due to feeling queasy and nauseous. Assuming that I caught the awful stomach bug that Ben had for a few days, I went home terrified and not wanting to do the awful throw up thing. Ugh. Ended up staying home all day Tuesday as well to get rest as I was still feeling pretty rough.

Sweet Ben came over while I was asleep and set all of this up on my kitchen counter...

taken via blackberry

The trash bags were something I had run out of and needed. So thoughtful. He then made me a bowl of soup and sat with me.

This morning I awoke to these along with the sweetest card ever...

taken via blackberry

Blessed, spoiled, lucky- call it what you like. I personally prefer blessed. He does spoil me, undoubtedly. I love him. He kills me with kindness every day. I am just absolutely smitten.

:)

inspired.

I've been feeling rather inspired lately in the area of decor. I'm loving that I have my own place to decorate and make "mine". It's so much fun!

I recently purchased this lamp from IKEA and hung it in the corner of my living room. I love it. I only paid $1.99 (er, my sweet Ben did actually) for it due to it being returned and having a tiny chip in one of the pieces that was way easy to repair. Love it. Love my living room. Love decorating.

Below are some inspiration photos I found for what I want to do with one of my walls. I got this amazing photo frame at IKEA as a centerpiece...

I've been collecting photo frames and mirrors of all shapes and sizes from thrift stores and believe it or not, I have purchased some really amazing pieces and have spent under 10 dollars for all of them. I'm a huge advocate of thrift stores and love finding one-of-a kind treasures such as this very chair that I purchased at GOODWILL last week. Not even kidding. 20 bucks for this gorgeous antique that I just absolutely adore!

I'm using these pictures as inspiration for my photo frame wall that I will be working on, hopefully this weekend.

image found via google

image found via google

image found via google

image found via google

I just love the diversity and feel that this idea gives. So unique and different, yet it totally works. Love. Can't wait to do my own. I'll be sure to post pictures of the finished product.

My sweet Ben also bought me an antique dining room table as well as two really unique antique chairs that I am just estatic about. I will post pictures soon. They need some TLC and we'll be working on them together as a project. I love that he likes to do these things with me. So precious. He's just too wonderful for words.

This is so fun!

Happy Wednesday, friends!

recap.

A most lovely weekend, it was.

I spent Saturday with Ben's mom. It was so nice to have girl time while Ben and his dad went and rode their dirt bikes. Saturday night we all went out to the beach and ate at a new magnificient seafood restaurant on the beach, The Grand Marlin. The food was divine.

Mama Teresa (Ben's mom) and I at dinner.



















After dinner, Ben and I went and walked on the pier. Despite the freezing cold wind whipping my hair in my face (as pictured below), it was quite a lovely stroll. Nevermind Ben's hitler stache. ;)

Sunday was the best. We went on a picnic and it was perfect! I loved it. The weather was lovely. We walked downtown hand in hand for quite some time and just enjoyed each other's company. We ended the day by going to the mall and then snuggling up on the couch together and watching movies. My absolute favorite kind of day with my favorite person.














Here's to Monday. Luckily, this week is only a 4 day week as we have Good Friday off.

Hope you all have a most wonderful day! :)

Birthday in Charlotte.

As I mentioned previously, I took about a billion pictures while I was in Charlotte for my birthday week. It was the most wonderful time. My family, friends and sweet boyfriend went above and byond to ensure that it was a most memorable week. I seriously left feeling so refreshed and loved. Leaving was rather difficult after such an amazing time, as you can imagine. I wouldn't have changed a thing. We practically celebrated my birthday all week long. Kind of ridiculous, huh? My family is the absolute best and I miss them more with each passing day.

Here are just a few of many pictures.


















Sisters reunited. :)



















My sweet Mama, sisters and I at Five Guys. I've never had a better burger. Not even joking. Delicious.














Daddy's girls. He's really into his shades. Ha. Gosh, I love my Dad.














Hannah and I trying on ridiculously overpriced sunglasses at some ritzy store in the city.




















My love and I














On my actual birthday, we went and explored the city of Charlotte. It's seriously one of the cleanest and prettiest cities I've ever been to. I love the vibe there. So fun.














We had dinner at PF Changs. My favorite. Mom, Dad and I.















Ben and I while we waited for nearly an hour to be seated.




















"The Kids"















Ashton and I with our Volk Family. Love them all so much. They are so full of life and joy. We've practically grown up with them.



























Sweet Emily and I.




















Jonathan took some pictures of me in a wheat field behind their house on the day of my birthday party. We had so much fun doing them but I couldn't stop laughing for some reason. I always feel silly posing alone in pictures.





























Jonathan and I with one of the incredibly delicious and beautiful cakes he and my mom made.















There are still more pictures from my party I want to post. Coming soon! :)

Happy Thursday everyone!

P.S. I added some pictures to this post, if you're interested. Thanks!

photo sesh.

While Ben and I were in Charlotte, a very dear friend of ours did a little photo shoot with us. Jonathan Volk Photography, if you're interested. It was SO much fun and the outcome was very pleasing, in my opinion! And no, these are not engagement photos. ;)

Here are a few of my favorites.

Laughing, naturally. He cracks me up!

I just love this guy ;)

Is this thing on?

I'm back!

My trip to Charlotte was beyond amazing. There are simply not enough words for me to describe how incredible it was. I am so blessed.

It was so difficult leaving. Way more difficult than I thought it would be.

I'm super homesick. More so than I even was before I went to Charlotte. I just miss my family and seeing them every day.

Oh the pains of growing up.

Anyways, pictures coming soon. There are hundreds, so I'll have to go through and choose. That will be difficult.

Hope you all had a fantastic week! :)