If Every Weekend Were a 3-Day Weekend

Why can't every weekend be a 3-day weekend? My SIL & I contemplated this very question at lunch yesterday, while sitting on the screened in porch after a long boat ride.

If every weekend were a 3-day weekend:
-I would be uber bronze in the summer.
-I could deal better with being tired during the week.
-I would have more time to cook and clean and would ultimately be more productive (as a result of being able to deal with being tired because I know I'd be getting plenty of sleep on the weekend).
-There would be more time with fam & friends.
-I could travel even more. 

However, every weekend is not a 3-day weekend so I'm going to cherish the ones I have!

This past weekend was PERFECT in every way.

Thursday night, I headed to Hot Springs with my bros. We met up with my SIL for dinner, then headed to the gparents house. We just hung out, laughed, watched some TV, & went to bed.

Friday, I had my DOP on the screened in porch. It was incredible. Great day! That evening, the kiddos, aunt & uncle, & my mom arrived.

Saturday, I woke up and cooked cinnamon rolls for everyone. I had a great time letting Joshua help me out! (love that kid!) We spent the day on the dock laying out. Literally, all day. LOVED it.

Sunday, we went out on the boat! There are 2 lakes that back up to each other in HS - Ouachita & Hamilton. We grew up going to Ouachita but now my gparents live on Hamilton so we go there. Where the 2 lakes meet, there is a dam that pulls water from the bottom of Ouachita into Hamilton. We call it the "cold water." It's become a tradition to go there and jump in whenever we go out on the boat as a whole fam. However, we've never done it this early in the year. We normally go for July 4th or Labor Day. Guys, the water was FREE.ZING. (yes, read that as 2 syllables for the full effect). I'm talking colder than white water rafting or intertubing the Blue River in Colorado. It takes your breath away. But, I did it! And it was worth it because once you get out into the 90* heat, you feel fine. Such a fun day!

Heading to the cold water!

Sunday night we went out on the boat for fireworks. They weren't as good as years past but it's still fun to go out on the boat at night!

Since Monday was the last day, I started it early. On the dock at 11, out on the boat around noon, short lunch break, back to the dock until 3:30.

Incredible weekend full of family, food, SUN, boat rides, laughter, & sleep! I loved it. Now, I have a great base tan to take with me to Destin! Counting down until I leave on Saturday. Can't wait for 10 days in Destin & lots of fun times with our staff and students!

Today is Dragging....

Lately, my work days have been FLYING by. However, today, it's going so so slow. I think it's because tomorrow is my DOP, so I won't be in the office, and then it's a 3-DAY WEEKEND ON THE LAKE!!!!!!!!!!! Man, I can't wait to lay on the dock for 3 days straight - sweating, swimming, and soaking up the sun. Pure bliss.

that dock right there...that's where I'll be if you need me!

Happy Memorial Day!

I Heart Weekends

I LOVE weekends. Whether it's a calm, lazy weekend around my apt or a weekend out of town for something, I love them! I love the fellowship it allows. I love the adventure. I love the events and special times. I even love the later nights which lead to later mornings and naps.

This past weekend I was in Tulsa, OK for one of my besties weddings!!!!! Oh my. It was such a fun weekend. I got there Thursday night to start on the festivities. We stayed up late watching movies & hanging out. Friday morning, the girls went to get our nails done & then headed to the Bridal Luncheon. Friday afternoon, we headed to the wedding site (also where we were staying for the weekend) and got settled in before rehearsal. The Rehearsal Dinner was a flippin'  blast!!! It was western themed so most people had on cowboy boots. Then, we square danced!!! Holy cow. What a fun time!! I loved it! After square dancing, the wedding party went to the hot tub/pool and hung out!

Saturday was WEDDING DAY! We decorated the ceremony site and reception site in the morning and then spent the afternoon getting ready and taking pics. The wedding was BEAUTIFUL! Everything was perfectly Taylor and Hayley and so sweet. The reception was fun and the site was so cute. After the bride & groom left, we cleaned up and did what anyone would do...went to QT. So fun!

Sunday, I met up with Laura at Utica Sqaure. We went to church, lunch with her fam, Mayfest, Blue Dome District fest, & headed to Tad and Emily's wedding at the Tulsa Rose Garden.

The weekend of weddings was a blast but less than 6 hours a sleep each night caught up to me! Yesterday was  a rough day at work and I needed lots of sleep last night. I still plan on going to bed early tonight too :) My body can only run off of adrenaline for so long.

I'm pumped for this weekend of relaxation ahead...3 days on the dock in the 90 degree weather with 0% chance of rain. I'll take it!!!

The Day I Couldn't Get Warm

Yep...that would be today. It's 84* outside and I have my space heater on full blast in my office. I'm now that girl - you know, the one that's cold ALL the time. Thank you hormones. Thank you sped up metabolism (seriously, thank you for speeding up!). Thank you almost-25-year-old body for changing your mind this late in the game. I used to be the other that girl - yeah, the one that was HOT all the time. Don't get me wrong...if it's hot outside and I'm outside, I will still be hot and sweaty (I sweat like a man). But, I now find myself freezing inside most places. Guess I'll have to start carrying my pink polka-dotted blanket around ;)

Stay warm, friends!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

I have the best friends ever!!! Huge thanks to Chris & Melissa and Nick & Megan for letting me use one of their cars while mine was in the shop!! Holy cow are my friends servants. Their willingness to let me use a car for 1-2 days at a time is such a blessing. Even in the midst of frustrating car problems, God reminded me of His faithfulness and provision through these amazing friends! Love them!

And...skyping with friends in India always reminds me of how blessed I am too! I got to Skype with Alison this a.m. and Grant, Nicole, & Baby Jack and Kelsey tonight. Love my friends!!

Basking in God's faithfulness and His blessings as I drift off to sleep...

It's a Monday

Symptoms of a Monday:
-I woke up after CRAZY dreams 4 different times last night
-My contacts wouldn't go in this morning
-My car needs to be towed
-My car's water pump blew it's gasket

But:
-My God is Sovereign
-My God provides
-My God speaks to me
-My God loves
-My God hears my prayers
-My family & friends are incredible and drive me around and let me use their cars
-I have the money to pay for my car (because of point 2 above)
-My brother, Chandler, helps me deal with my car needing to be towed and water pump replaced
-I get to eat at Marketplace Grill tonight with 2 incredible friends, courtesy of my amazing boss
-After the water pump is replaced, basically everything under my hood is new within the last 3 years

So, in the midst of a terrible case of the Mondays, my God is with me and He knew how this whole day would pan out way before all of this happened. Thanking Him for His presence and His plan, even in the midst of frustration!!

no motivation

i've been m.i.a. because i've had NO motivation to write a new post. life and work and sleep habits and eating habits have been crazy crazy busy and out of whack. so much so that i sleep in any free time i have. hence the no posts in a million years.

recap:
-i've been out of town the past 17 weekends (exaggeration but it's been at least the past 5)
-april staff training in tulsa 1.5 weeks ago for 6 days
-a million projects and to-do lists at work to prep our summer events
-finishing perspectives (it's over! i loved it but i'm pumped for the extra time)
-sleeping and relaxing all weekend at the lake this past weekend (to recover from april staff training sleep deficit)
-staying up 'til at least 12 or 1 or 2 every night at AST (i quickly found out i'm no longer a college student)
-still loving my macbook pro
-pumped to start eating healthy and working out again next week - will be using some healthy pinterest recipes now that i have a working computer
-love my fam - loved the time with them at the lake

random: i took a nap after work today and now i'm getting everything crossed off my home to-do list...at 9:30pm when i should be winding down

next post...my plan to switch all my makeup products to e.l.f. products. get excited! :)

Love Languages

Have you heard of Love Languages? I'll give a brief explanation in case you haven't. There are 5 Love Languages:

1-Physical Touch

2-Quality Time

3-Words of Affirmation

4-Receiving Gifts

5-Acts of Service

Most people feel loved/receive love in 1-2 different ways and they give love/make others feel loved in 1-2 ways. 

My receiving languages are Physical Touch and Quality Time (that may or may not be why they're first on the list/easiest for me to remember). I don't really know what my giving languages are but I think they're a combo of 3,4,&5 on the list. Yes...weird. I love to be hugged and have quality time with people - that's how I feel close. But...I think I show people love by affirming them or doing something for them or giving them things. Anywho, I've been SO SO SO busy and out of town recently, that I don't feel very close to some of my friends. Because, I haven't had ANY quality time with ANY one. This past weekend, I had great fun and quality time with staff friends and I'll have more this weekend!!! But, I haven't had any time with 501 friends in the past month and I just miss them. It's sad! I see them once a week but that is not enough q.t. for me! I'm excited for this summer when things are a little more calm and I can get some great  hang out time with my 501 gals.

I've known my Love Languages for a while but the older I get, the more I realize the truth behind them and the importance they play in relationships. I legitimately feel disconnected from so many friends if I don't get consistent quality time with them.

What are your love languages?

ps-You can find more information about Love Languages at www.5lovelanguages.com or read the book by Dr. Gary Chapman.

pps-I'm just writing about my personal thoughts - I have not read the book and I'm not being asked to write this by the author or anything. He def does not even know I exist!

Super Hero Birthdays & Bachelorettes

Last weekend was packed full of great times! Friday night I attended a Super Hero Birthday Party for one of my 501 friends' husband. He loves super heroes so that was the party theme! It was so fun just hanging out with friends and celebrating a birthday!

Some of us at the party!

Saturday, I got an early oil change and then headed to Fayetteville for Hayley's wedding shower and Bachelorette party! So so fun!! There were a ton of people at the shower & Hayley and Taylor got some great stuff!

Wedding Party & House Party before the shower!

Me & Allison - love this girl!

Me, Allison, & Tash

After the shower, we headed up to Rogers to go out to eat and stay at a hotel to spend even more time with Hayley! We had a great time!

Dinner at On the Border!

Sunday, I left super early to beat the storms home & took a LONG nap at my mom's house. It was much needed! Then, I set up my new computer and just spent time with my mom and brother. It had been way too long since we spent low-key quality time together.

I had a wonderful weekend! Looking forward to a good week and another fun wedding weekend!!

Macbook Pro

It's here. It's set up. I'm typing this post from it. I'm in Heaven right now. 

LOVE it! :)

Weekend update coming soon!