Jenny and Mel

Last night, I had a crazy dream- Mel, Jenny and I were shopping downtown Charleston and we kept finding tons of really cheap vintage stores. I am talking "49 cents for anything fabric" cheap. We three had so much fun finding old crazy outfits to try and new, hip anthropologie brands. I woke up wanting to go back to sleep and find more deals- and mostly, to LAUGH MORE. Mel and Jenny represent life to me: Melissa is a beautiful newlywed and is pregnant with a healthy boy! and Jenny is mourning the passing of her sweet, loving and godly mother-in-law. I miss these girls. The last few years living away from them has put a distance in our physicality but not in our conversations. We still share our lives together, though it is at fewer intervals. And I suppose, the old adage is true "distance makes the heart grow fonder." Because of our distance, we cling to the time we have and just love on each other when we are given time together.

my friend Emma

This is my friend Emily. She turned 30 last month. She is one of the most incredible people I know. Every time we see each other, we talk for hours upon hours. Somehow, we always find each other around the country and carve out a few hours to share stories, to laugh, to cry and to just be friends. She challanges me to be a better person and to be more analytical about the decisions about my life. Without Emily in my life, there are many things I would not have been able to do- for lack of courage and perspective. So, Thank you, Em for your encouragement, your prayers, your laughter, and your smiles.

(please ignore my hair-swoop. im not sure what was going on that day.)

the monkey in my life

Taken by Lulah

CRAFTLAND

this has been my world lately- so, i thought i would share so you can commiserate with brandon and with my living room floor :)

a little free is good

sometimes, just getting something free can change your whole day/ week/ month. because of this, i like to enter giveaways. i have never won anything- maybe its cause i always tell someone else about it and they enter as well! but- i am spreading the love.

so if you have time, enter Twig's giveaway this week- including a $25.00 gift certificate to that much loved store Ruche

love to all!

when your heart is mourning- words aren't enough and comfort is unattainable.
the emptiness. the vacancy. the place that was her.
will never be filled.

when hope seems shattered- life, again, is found only in HIM.
the One who is coming to save,
will fill the void in a way that does not negate her.

thanksgiving joy

Thanksgiving cards are normally a little boring... always saying something like "i am thankful for you." but, if you mix thanksgiving cards with my Aunt Lydia, you'll get a treat! here is our Thanksgiving card for this year from my nutty aunt. She wrote questions and answers on the inside:

Questions:
1. Why does the little squirrel have a pilgrim hat on?
2. Why is it carrying an acorn?
3. Why are the leaves orange?
4. Why does it have a smile on its face?
5. Why is the squirrel orange and red?



Answers:

1. Because its from his ancestors John Smith and Aunt Pocahontas. An heirloom
2. Gonna use it for bait for his Thanksgiving Turkey.
3. Because the tree is from Clemson. duh!
4. Because it won the Claire and Brandon Thanksgiving Card contest and it gets to live with Claire and Brandon from now on.
5. Its a fox-squirrel, goofy!

Her answers were followed by this statement-

"If you didnt get any of these answers right--you deserve to live in Clemson. If you got at least one right, there's still hope for you."

Good thing that orange leafed Clemson question was in there- there is hope yet :-)

The Story of Our Hope

Brandon made this video for dcf this Sunday. We read Scriptures in the Old Testament reflecting the story of Christ, our hope. It is a beautiful thing to look back on the history of the coming Messiah. It is an overwhelming thing to know that we are still sorting through the importance of and wrestling with the weight of living in the aftermath of this pivotal moment. In this season of Advent, I would encourage you to take time to consider the Hope our Savior offers us in a dark and hurting place.
(warning: I cant watch this film without crying, so dont watch it when you're at work or on your way to taking the gre or lsat or any other important test)