A Dinner Party, A Homemade Race, and an Egg-splosion

Time flies! Today is our second wedding anniversary! 

My husband knows me well:

He walked in the door with these a day early! I was seriously impressed. The roses ornamented our table perfectly! We hosted a small dinner party last night, so Ty couldn't have timed that any better. 

I'm a morning person. (Surprise!) Ty has been forced into one because of his early work schedule. Now he even chooses to hit up the gym before work. (Again, I'm seriously impressed.) I couldn't wait to start the celebrating today!

7AM on the trail! There was a local race happening at our other go-to running spot. Initially we had planned to participate, but instead we decided to design our own race! It was so peaceful and shady! Practically perfect in every way!

Readers, please note that it was Tyler's idea to wear our coordinating "We Go Together" shirts. Our version of race day shirts, I guess you could say.

In race recap fashion, I suppose I'm obligated to share the highlights.

Mostly? Being with my family. And finishing. 

We had a good time, but neither Ty nor I set any records today. Brooklyn, however, did!

Official time: 24:05. 

Everyone knows that race day is incomplete without a killer post-race meal. Let me say, folks, this one did not disappoint. I am still daydreaming about my mouth-watering breakfast. 

Good food and a good-lookin' date. That's about as good as it gets!

Here she is! The "Sammich!" A gluten-free bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit! Ty tasted mine and admitted it was delicious. So go easy on the cyniscm, gluten-eaters! This restaurant is known for its GF menu items! The most famous seems to be the chicken fries waffles. (I'll save that for a post-marathon meal, I think.) Ty had venison sausage tacos and enjoyed them.

Arguably the most memorable moment occurred right after I put the camera away and took my first bite. (Please note that I ordered my fried egg "over-medium" and implicitly stated that I didn't want it too runny.) 

My heavenly biscuit exploded and shot a stream of egg yolk all over my plate, onto the table, and into my hair. I was so startled that I just sat suspended, biscuit midair, eyes darting to my sunny hair in my peripheral. Ty looked at me with yolk-sized eyes, and we both began laughing hysterically. And continued to do so for ten minutes. I dabbed some water in my hair, called it a conditioning treatment, and bravely moved onto bite number two. It was ridiculously good! I wasn't about to cry over a little spilled egg.

After breakfast, we joined our new church family in worship. I can't think of a better way to have ended the morning. I am so thankful for for the LORD's patience and goodness toward us and the ways I daily see that reflected in my husband. I am one loved and blessed gal! 

It has been a totally fun, delicious, and restful anniversary thus far.

Up next: The Return of the Jedi. 

It's Tradition

Everyone plans their schedules around the second Friday in July, right? Oh, that's just me? 

You'd better believe I was yet again a participant in Cow Appreciation Day. 

A reason to dress up? A reason not to cook? I am totally sold. 

I realized I have previously relied heavily on others for supplies. This led me to make some creative choices. 

She thinks this is a collar. Don't tell her I was dressing her in vintage jewelry. Then again, she looks as if she's been waiting her whole life for this opportunity. 

She knows better when it comes to plain white Ts. 

The headband was a struggle. My friend, Sara, said Brooklyn looks like Eeyore. Halloween idea??

Waiting for Ty so we can get our chicken on! (I am wearing Princess Leia style, pig-tail "ears.") 

Almost ready! Giving Brook some PB to keep her distracted and appeased. :)

Can't. Wait. Any. Longer. 

Eyes on the prize!

Those are buttons on her shirt and leash, courtesy of Mrs. Berg. I can't believe I couldn't locate the emergency sewing kit. Okay, it's also the only sewing kit. We just moved across the country. Cut us some slack, okay? And yes, the buttons were attached with packing tape. 

Let's go!

The staff just loved Brooklyn. One by one, they all came out to see her. I know I'm biased, but she's a cute one. 

Another Cow Appreciation Day memory made! 

Service is a Choice

Recently, a predicament was brought to my attention. This came in the form of a (phone) call for help in organizing and coordinating a wedding reception.

Now, if you know me at all, you probably know these things about me:

1. I like to plan in advance

2. I like things to go according to plan

As an INTJ, plans are my best friend. They lead to solutions, conclusions, and completed checklists. So you think this would be right up my alley...right?

The predicament with this particular event was that the date was a mere two weeks away. Let me just say that nothing was done the way I would have done it...and leave it at that. 

After some consideration, I agreed to help.

And this is why: my life has been entirely about me since our relocation. We have been benefiting from a new church community and new work and school facilities, but we have not yet had many opportunities to give back. I truly felt prompted to step in and serve. No, not "save the day," although I was admittedly tempted to think of myself as some sort of Joan of Arc figure, sacrificing myself for the good of others. That leads me to the second reason I agreed to help: I am in dire need of learning to live humbly. I am highly driven, and I crave recognition and validation from others, especially in my art. The LORD is teaching me to quiet my heart and my mouth and look for ways to uplift others instead of myself. 

From the beginning, I knew this could not be about me, or I would end up frustrated and bitter. No, serving is about making less of one's self and seeking to exalt others - to desire their goodness above my own.  

I won't sugar coat it: many things did not go according to plan, many things fell through the cracks, and many sore muscles ached for days. 

Thankfully, I think I can also say that many of these things went unnoticed or were ignored, because it was a beautiful celebration. I felt entirely blessed by the quiet gratitude shown me by few individuals. That was more than enough. 

Even with as many decisions as I made in regards to timing, placement, order, etc., those were far easier than the choice I faced moment after moment:

Serve or slander. 

Maybe this was less about how a bride and groom should have done this or that differently, and more about my heart learning to release control and choose service in each moment. 

My words and my attitudes are far more challenging to keep in line than any schedule of events. 

I am grateful for the LORD's patience with us and the opportunities He provides for us to practice. He is the best teacher.