Happy Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my twin sister Ashlei, my mother-in-law Tone, and me! On February 24th, we all shared the same birthday! Ashlei came up from Florida to celebrate our 24 years of life!


(Ashlei and I being goofy)

Birthdays are one of my favorite holidays. I feel that we don't cherish each other enough, and a birthday is a day to remind me how much I am glad you are alive. So Ashlei coming to Raleigh to celebrate our birthday together was something extra special.


(flowers my mom got us)

This year I made a little book for Ashlei that shared some memories and reasons why I love her. Ashlei is the sweetest person I know, each year my love for her grows more and more. Putting together this book made me realize how special sisters are. Sisters know where you come from, every step of your life, and because of that they share something so special, a love that is deep and unconditional. Every year the bond between my sisters and I grow. I know that my sisters will always be there. Thanks for the memories, I love you sissies!


(Carla, me, Ashlei)

So cute!

Zach can be so sweet! On Valentine's day we had a night in, it was so simple and cute. He ordered our favorite pizza in the shape of a heart (he had done this once before we got married... so papa john's stole his idea!). We had such a nice night.



However, Zach doesn't just do cute things on Valentine's day... he does some occasionally, well maybe more like quarterly. Anyways, I took a shot of one cute thing he did in January after he had made me dinner:



so cute! Love you hon.

Ouch!

Yes it has been over 10 days since our last post... definitely unacceptable. We were a little busy this past week. I'll try to catch you up...

Ellie had her first boo-boo last week. She was playing with her toy basket and caught her thumb in between the basket and handle. We took a picture of it of course! It looked a lot worse after it had scabbed over.



She felt much better when we let her play outside. We had some gorgeous 70 degrees days... we tried to take advantage of them!

Happy Valentine's Day

Carboard Testimony

The church we attend, Summit, is launching a new campaign to reach all of the RDU area. This past Sunday, our pastor shared with us the reason why we were doing this. The answer is, "It's about people. People are the mission; they are worth the investment of our lives." They showed this video below, which demonstrates this:


The Summit - Cardboard Testimony from Chris Baker on Vimeo.

What an awesome video. Jesus changes our perspective, our hearts, our lives. I wanted to share this with you, not to show you what our church is doing, but to remind you how Christ has changed us, how he changes others. We want to share Christ with others, not just because we think it's truth, but because of the effect He has on people's lives.

Look at Me!

Here is all the new things Ellie has learned to do this past month:



What excitement! I'm gonna have my hands full pretty soon.

Milk it for all that it's worth...

This past Wednesday at a women bible study I attend, Jill Thomas, an amazing woman, challenged us to celebrate our life and milk it for all that it's worth. This definitely hit home because a lot of times I seem to forget to enjoy each moment, not to wait on what's next or how things could be better, but to really live exuberantly. So hopefully I will be changed, that I will no longer focus on what's next or what I don't have, but I will celebrate all the joys and moments I do have... right now, today.

In Deuteronomy 30:15-16 it says,
"Look at what I've done for you today: I've placed in front of you
Life and Good
Death and Evil.
And I command you today : Love GOD, your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by GOD, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess." (the Message)

We don't even know if there will be a tomorrow, so why focus on negative things. I need to change my perspective! God has given me so much, why waste it and this life? I have all that I need, why shouldn't I celebrate and be happy?