Day 182 - Swings

I love to swing. When I see a swingset built in such a way that an adult can swing on it, I can't pass it by!

This conversation on an episode of "Bones" just hit home:

Angela Montenegro: Childhood should be all about swings.
Dr. Jack Hodgins : Swings?
Angela Montenegro : You know how high can I go, if I twist the chains how fast will I spin.
Dr. Jack Hodgins : Or if I try and jump off before the swing stops.
Angela Montenegro : Exactly.
Dr. Jack Hodgins : I miss that feeling.
Angela Montenegro : Yeah me too. 

Well, it doesn't have to stop with childhood! Thankful for swings :) 

Day 181 - Cheap Gas

Under $3!?! Definitely thankful for this as we're traveling out in PA to visit Roy's family! Unfortunately, most of the gas out here isn't that cheap. But we'll take what we can get!

Day 180 - Picnics

So thankful for our great picnic set that makes having a picnic so easy and fun! Definitely enjoyed eating our lunch by the pond at Cox Arboretum!

Day 179 - Big Sky Bread

We went to one of my favorite bakeries - Big Sky Bread! So yummy! Their special of the day was Jewish Rye, and that worked out well since rye is Roy's fave. We also got two cookies (sooo good). They have about ten hunks of bread sitting on a board and ask you if you want a sample every time you get something there. Duh! Of course I'll have a sample! I had forgotten how HUUUUGE their "samples" are! My favorite bread is their garlic cheddar, and my "sample" was a wedge about four slices thick! Mmmm...

Day 178 - Love from Dallas

I just got home from small group to find a box with my name on it! It was filled with love from my seminary wives group back in Dallas! Notes, favorite candy, some fun things to do with the kids I babysit (and on my own!), and lots of Bible verses to encourage and exhort.

Amy, Jess, Libby, Mysti, Ressie, Kim, Kristine, Breanna, and Becky - thank you. I wish I could put into words how much I appreciate your kindness. If I were there, you'd be passing me the tissue box! I miss you girls so much. I miss your encouragement. I miss your sweet hearts. I miss laughing so hard with you guys that it makes me cry. And I love how you think! I've already shot Roy with the nerf gun several times and dug in to my Now and Laters :D

I love you girls. Thank you for your continued prayers. They are much appreciated!

Day 177 - Darkness

I like the dark. I have trouble falling asleep at night if it isn't dark. I took a picture of our room in the dark, and by slightly editing the fill light, the picture is kind of neat. My sheet music on the bed, the dresser in the far corner...even in the dark, there is a little bit of light. Light always penetrates the darkness, but darkness cannot penetrate light. Now, it's time to go enjoy that darkness!

Day 176 - Corrective Lenses

I'm very grateful for the ability to see. But that wouldn't happen so easily without my glasses and contacts! I'm so glad that I live in a time period where these things are easily accessible. My life would be very different without them!

Day 175 - Smores

Our friends Michael and Sarah had us over tonight to enjoy the first fire in their fire pit! We made smores. Yum! We even used cinnamon graham crackers, and the combination was quite tasty! There is just something about sitting around a fire and roasting marshmallows. It's relaxing and peaceful.

Day 174 - Weakness

Seems like an odd thing to be thankful for, eh? Weakness. Lately, I've been feeling quite weak. This isn't the easiest season of my life thus far, that's for sure. But this verse is giving me hope. I don't always feel "well content" with my weakness, but I know that I can be. In the previous verse, Christ says, "My grace is sufficient for you..." What reassurance! I can be thankful for weakness in my life because through these times, God's amazing grace and strength is shown.

Day 173 - O'Charley's

O'Charley's was a favorite date spot of ours in college. Half-priced appetizers and all you can eat (yummy!!!) rolls, it fit our college budget. We didn't have O'Charley's in Texas, so we're grateful to be back where the rolls are plentiful :)

Day 172 - Cheez-Its

One of my favorite snacks. They're super addictive and tasty! We don't get them very often, but due to a good sale, we currently have a box. Love me some yummy snacks!

Day 171 - Francine Rivers

This author is amazing. She writes some of the best fiction I have ever read. And it challenges my relationship with God, shows me more of who He is, and makes me fall in love with Him more. That's a gift. I love her books, and I'm so thankful for them!

Day 170 - Cinnamon Streusel

There's just something homey about cinnamon. Putting it into a streusel topping makes it even better :)

Day 169 - NASCAR (and Father's Day!)

Today, we spent Father's Day with my dad, taking him to the NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway. My dad got me into NASCAR, and I got Roy into it! After a morning of rain and a two hour delay, we had a great race!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

See more about our trip here.

Day 168 - Pinterest Recipes

Today we tried a recipe I found on pinterest. Chicken caprese sandwiches. Yum! We didn't have fresh basil, however. We used some dried herbs instead and added some fresh spinach. Tasty!

See actual recipe here.

Day 167 - Late Nights with Roy

Being a night person and not having a job go well together. Roy and I have stayed up quite late a couple nights this week. And it's been fun! We haven't been able to do that in a long time! Thankful for spending that time together by relaxing and watching "Bones."

Day 166 - Dinner with Friends

Tonight we had dinner with some friends from Cedarville! They were so sweet to invite us to their place and make us a delicious dinner. It was so nice to hang out with another couple again. We've definitely missed that over the last month or so. Thank you Michael and Sarah!

Day 165 - My Flute

Tonight I had the privilege to play my flute in a band again. It's been over four years... which is a long time for a music nerd such as myself! It was absolutely wonderful. It felt like the world I was made to be in. I've missed it, and I'm so thankful for the ability I have to play!

Day 164 - Long Phone Calls with Friends

Like a breath of fresh air to my soul :)

Day 163 - Classic Kid's Books

I love children's books. My only problem is their price! Usually quite outrageous! But I snagged this one new for $2.50 shipped! Score! And I love Eric Carle books. The artwork is fabulous and the lessons are timeless.

Day 162 - Rest

So grateful for rest - true rest. It's not in abundance at the moment, but I'm so grateful that Jesus provides rest for my soul even when my body is not able to feel rested.

Day 161 - Pine

I love the smell. I love the needles. I love the cones!

Day 160 - Covered Bridges

Something just so quaint and fun about old covered bridges! Lots of character :)

Day 159 - Ohio

This is a majorly ghetto sign that we saw entering back into Ohio from Indiana. But I like it :)

I'm thankful for Ohio. I love the area, the land, the people. It's home.

Day 158 - Our Anniversary!!

It's our third anniversary! I have been so blessed by this man in my life. He's my best friend, my lover, my one and only!

Thanks for three great years, Roy! I can't wait to see what the next three (and many more) have in store for us! I love you!

Day 157 - The Heavens

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

 Psalm 19.1

 Tonight we were able to watch the transit of Venus. See that black spot on the big orange circle? That's Venus crossing in front of the sun! The other little black spots are sun spots. Pretty awesome! 

Day 156 - The Woods

We're out in Indiana for a couple nights to celebrate our third anniversary (yay!). We spent some time birding and hiking in the woods. I love being in the woods. It's so peaceful and beautiful!

Day 155 - Chipmunks!

I've missed these little guys! I never saw one in Texas. Fun to watch them scamper about and fill their cheeks with food!

Day 154 - Lilies

These lilies are growing outside my parents' home in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow! Beautiful!

Day 153 - Bill's Donuts

Best. Donuts. Ever.

So glad to be back by Bill's again! And the best part? They're open 24/7. LOVE!