Love is what makes a family...

In only 8 days, Ryan and I will be on our way to "jolly old England" - ha! I'm SOOOOOO excited!!! Most people have a lot of pictures of them with their siblings... I have exactly 3 with all 7 of my siblings. The oldest I am in any of these is 12. I am now 26. Yes, it has been 14 years and 4 weddings since we were all in the same place at the same time. The only request my mom had for their 50th wedding anniversary? All 8 of her children in the same place at the same time. So, June 5th, all 8 of us - with spouses and kids in tow - will be in the same place at the same time. It will be epic. 41 people all direct descendants of two amazing people. Congrats mum and dad in making it through 8 kids, 8 weddings, 22 grandkids and 1 grandkid wedding!

I think the two were created to go together. What gets me up on a Friday morning, is promising myself that because it's Friday - and I'm still alive - I will go to Starbucks! The Friday morning Starbucks is special, it's not simply a dark brew or americano with cream (the mid-week pick-me-up drinks) no, the Friday morning Starbucks is something far more special. Sometimes a seasonal pick, but at the beginning of May, the choice is clear. Yes, this morning, nothing but a white chocolate mocha will suffice... aah, sheer perfection. Yes, it has half my daily calories and is usually gone within 15 minutes, but it is just amazing. How I love the peppy greeting as I pull up to the drive-thru "would you like to try a hand-crafted extra coffee frappucino this morning?" "no thank you" I reply, I know why I'm there and here's the best part of this glorious Friday morning's Starbucks trip - "I got a survey last week and have the code for a free tal...

I wear a ring on my right hand ring finger that has those words printed on the side. It's a friendship ring. My best friend and I got them and, honestly, I cherish that $10 ring almost as much as I do my engagement ring. I clean them both at the same time, I take them both off before putting lotion on my hands, washing dishes or gardening. Friendship is one of the most important things in life. Marriage, to me, is first and foremost a friendship. I believe that friendship is one of God's primary lines of communication with us. Having Christian friends that can help you in life is so important. Having a friend who is not only loving and caring but also honest and speaks truth into your life when you don't want to hear it, is invaluable. I am blessed as I look at my life - and my hands - and see that I have the two best friends imaginable. I cannot thank God enough for bringing me not only the husband I was created for, but a best friend who shares my soul... and cannot thank...

Have you ever noticed that when you are under a spiritual attack, it never seems to be in an area of "weakness"? You know the areas of your life that are a struggle and you are working on them, your guard is up. Then there are the areas that are pretty good, but you can usually see something coming and get prepared. Then there are the areas of life that you feel confident in - maybe this is just me, but I know there are areas of my life I feel like saying "alright God, no worries on this one, I got it!" Then, boom. Satan hits. It's a sneaky attack, maybe with a conversation or two. Maybe he gives you something you need in a way you shouldn't be getting it. Then, maybe a physical sickness or something to keep you away from where to need to be to get your faith and mind right. All of a sudden out of nowhere you find yourself slipping down a very slippery slope and teetering on the edge of falling off the cliff completely. Here is where I am so thankful today: ...