I think I may have loved on the sweetest, most content, happy angel of a baby boy over the weekend.

Jaden Micah Eliya

The entire weekend was so quiet (YES, QUIET) and calm with the new baby, Mommy and Daddy. He never cried unless it was just a little fuss that lasted less than a minute. He showed off his adorable dimples. Gave you deep stares from the corner of his eyes. He even picked up his own little head while sleeping on his tummy… seriously, at a week old! It was something to see and I loved every second of it!

Can't wait to love on him a little more on Thanksgiving weekend!!!

Dust and Ash

With this extra cold chill breezing through Greenville it’s obvious that November has seemed to make itself at home. Can’t say that I mind… coats, boots, scarves and crunching leaves are always fine by me!! I’m trying to take moments to breathe and recollect myself before the crazy holiday season begins. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it which always means Christmas is right around the corner. This time of year is always the calm before the storm for me which is ironic with the crazy storm attacking the North recently.

We haven’t heard any bad news about Peter’s family members that live in New Jersey and New York. Just some power outages but nothing too significant which we can only thank the Lord for.

I continue to pray for the families that haven’t been so lucky and hope they know that God really is in control and He is always there to lean on. I think that’s one of the hardest parts about tragedy… finding God at the center of it. People can feel hurt and abandoned so easily but reaching out and finding our Savior with them too is something I’ve thankfully never had to do.

I can’t help but think of Job and all that he lived through…

In Job 42, he replied to the Lord:

“I know that you can do anything and no one can stop you.

You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I – and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.

You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’

I had only heard about you before but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

V 1-6 NLT

I would hope that I would stay faithful to the Lord in any hard time but I’m only human.

I’m just a sinner that makes mistakes and falls but He is always willing to pick me up out of the dust and ash once I have come to Him in repentance. His love is always faithful and true even when I am not.

My heart goes out to the families that are going through this hard time of loss and destruction and I continue to pray that they know of His love.

little notes.

I decided that when I got my ring I wanted to ask my ladies to be apart of our wedding day in a cute way. My love of paper products had a lot to do with this idea of course so I really enjoyed making these cute little cards! I made each one a little different with different colors and writing style so each girl would have their own individual card. I mailed all of them except for Madison since she was extra lucky to have dinner plans with me on the day I sent them out. It was fun to give it to her in person, not gonna lie! :)

Now that they have all accepted my invitation I can share with all of you.

I don’t want my blog to turn into a wedding fiasco but there are a few things I can’t help but share. I know it will be here before we know it and I also know I will want to look back and remember a few details and this is definitely one of them. I love these women so much and I can’t imagine our special day without them standing by our side!!!

Little note for my future sisters!

Thanks-Living // October

October turned out even better than I could have imagined. Most of September was spent secretly planning for the day I will marry my best friend. We knew the date we wanted and we started the planning process but I was still patiently waiting for Peter to finish his job in Texas so he could surprise me with a ring and I could announce to the world that I was the lucky lady that would become his wife. Thanks to his super duper sneaky skills he surprised me in Austin with the beautiful ring and I couldn’t be any happier. It kind of made the whole month of October the best month ever.

Some other things that I am thankful for are….

1. God’s grace and knowing that He makes every morning new.

With all the excitement lately I haven’t been making time like I should for His Word. A group of co-workers recently started a book club and asked me to join but I decided that if I don’t make time for reading my bible every day then I shouldn’t make time for reading a random book every day either. Then that made me think… I make time for SO many things. Family, Peter, friends, TV shows, Facebook, Instagram, this blog, yoga, etc. My heart is constantly pulled in so many directions but the one thing that should always win is my relationship with Christ and that relationship isn’t going to grow if I’m not spending time WITH Him every day.

In the next month ahead I am going to be more cautious of how I am spending my time and make sure that I’m making a constant effort to spend it with Him.

2. The women that I am so blessed to have in my life.

I feel so lucky to have 6 women that are going to stand with me on my special day next year but more than anything I am so thankful for their hearts. They all have a heart that loves the Lord and that makes me smile… the next year is going to be so much fun and I know that a lot of that will be because of the women I have around me.

3. The amazing music that I experienced in Austin.

It was awesome. That’s really all I can say about it… even with the hot sticky weather, pouring rain, slimy mud and aching feet it was so much fun!

4. Sweet baby boy

I can’t wait to meet the new member of the Eliya family this weekend! Becoming an aunt is so much fun!! I also feel so blessed to become apart of a family that I love so much… I know that is an amazing gift!

5. Life

This might sound cheesy but I am honestly just thankful for life. Thankful for the people I have in my life and all the wonderful things I have experienced so far. So many people take this life for granted and I know I have many times but I want to sit back and breathe. Taking it all in. Feel my heart beating in my chest and feel the air in my lungs. I am thankful.

Friday night is made for laughing on a front porch.

Friday night was the best.

Adam and Jocie invited a group of friends over to their new home and I kinda loved it.

A night with friends that just make life a happier place is a perfect way to spend a Friday night if ya ask me. Munching on great food. Drinking cold beer. Laughing till my stomach aches. Making new memories with friends is one of my favorite parts of living life. Nights like Friday night are why you hope for a weekend. And why you wish weekends would slow down. 

Goodness, I love these people.