The weekend flew by ... as always!

I was so grateful to have a the whole weekend off from work.
It is always nice, especially when you get to do a lot of fun stuff with people you adore. :)
Friday night I got to spend some time with Nathan & his family.
His mom always has the yummiest mashed potatoes ... and I may or may not eat ALL of them!!! ;)
Saturday morning, I was up bright and early.
Nathan's mom and sister picked me up for our ladies Spa day! :D

Please just let me say that I had a vision of what the trip would be like on the way up there.
I thought we would be laughing, them telling me stories about Nathan that he didn't want me to know, sharing our likes and dislikes ... and you get the picture.
Well, oh noooo ... that did NOT happen, folks.
We took back roads, curvy back roads, and I tend to get car sick. :/
Let's just say that most of my time was spent in the back seat with a terrible headache and trying hard not to pass out the whole time!!
Geez.

Then, we arrive at a hospital thinking it is where we are suppose to be.
We were so lost and confused by that point.
To top it off, I had to use the bathroom sooo bad.
Like when you have to pee to the extent that you may cry if you don't go .. yea, that kind! :/
AND! WE COULD NOT FIND A RESTROOM ANYWHERE!!
Once we found one, I would have jumped for joy if it weren't for the fact that I may have peed myself if I did!!

When we found the Spa, we were so happy!
It was the most relaxing afternoon I have had in awhile.
Manicures & massages! Aw!
Plus, the company I had made it ALL the better.
**If I haven't said it at this point, I kind of adore Nathan's mom and sister! A LOT!!! :D


Afterwards, we met up with Nathan, Holly, and Mason for dinner at Chili's!
I kind of filled myself up on chips and queso.
I do it every time and then regret it when my food arrives because I'm not as hungry.
When we were so full and thought our bellies would pop, we said goodbye to Holly & Mason, before heading over to the mall.
I got a lot of goodies while I was there.

Some of my favorite stores!

Spa pamplet, Starbucks Blonde coffee beans, owl journal, a love note written on a Chili's napkin, AE sweater (for 10 bucks!!), and a Reese's easter egg. :) 

So, Saturday was a pretty jam packed day full of greatness!

Then this morning Nathan & I went to church.

The worship & service was fantastic!! 

The rest of the day consisted of a two hour nap, relaxing on the couch, drinking coffee, looking at my rad turquoise shellac nails, checking blogs, & making up songs and dances moves to make my mom and sisters laugh hysterically! ;)

I hope your weekend was just as lovely!

much love.

PS. I have no idea why I didn't take one photo of any of us during the weekend. :( 
I'll have to make sure I snap a few on the next adventure!

REALLYY!!!?

photo credit:

instagram: @dearleila



I had four wonderful days off from work.
How does it end?
Me at home, in bed, with strep.
:(
I was looking forward to attending church with Nathan for the first time.
Plus, going to enjoy my last day off before getting back to the grind of things at work.
So now I'm a bit whiny, especially considering I just got over being sick like three weeks ago.
I'm desperately praying for Spring to arrive sooner than later!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, filled with sunshine and NO sore throats! :/
much love.

For you, Kimmie. :)

This evening I went with one of my dear friends to do last minute Christmas shopping at Wal-Mart.
Please remind me NOT to do that next year!
Jordan & I almost pulled our hair out. : /

Anyways, afterwards she & her boys were headed to church with her husband.
I got in my car & headed home.
The whole ride to my house my heart just ached.
I started to whisper the sweet name of "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."
It helped to put my heart at rest.

I miss church.
When I say church I am not just speaking of the growth in my walk with the Lord, (because I strive for that everyday), but I miss having family, a support system.
I  miss community.
I miss having a place to run to when all other doors are closed in my face.
I yearn for that peace in my life again.

I once read where Shane Claiborne said that his liberal friends saw him as conservative and his conservative friends saw him as liberal.
I laugh every time I read that.
I feel quite similar to that at times.
I am a very open-minded person, yet hold the teachings of God close to my heart everyday.

Please let me define open-minded for you:
I am open to my LOVE for ALL people.
Do I agree with every choice or lifestyle they choose?
No. Absolutely not.
Do I still love them?
YES! for that is what Jesus did.
He loved.
Everyone.
Especially those that the world did not.
I will never be close having the heart of Jesus, but I do have Jesus IN my heart.
For that, I can say that my life is far sweeter than I could ever possibly give words to.

I have tattoos, I sometimes say "pissed", I listen to both christian & secular music, I laugh all the time, I try to always be myself - even if that means not everyone will like me, I love encouraging others, I adore hugs, I like getting to know people, sometimes I get frustrated, I go out for a drink once in a blue moon, I cry, I like awkwardness (makes life a little more interesting), and I may be a little different that what the world labels "normal", but guess what?

God loves those things about me.
He knows me.
He knows I am NOT perfect.
I am flawed.
I'm full of mistakes.
& yet I am still on this journey with Him.
I love Jesus!
I am not defined to live life inside a box that the world has created for myself ... or for God.

I know God is leading me to a church that is right for me.
I will continue to pray & be patient.

I long for His presence ... for the Holy Spirit.
Always.

much love,
colie