dear monday

{The idea for this post came from this sweet series by Elle & Co.  Every Monday, she writes four letters - two to her husband and two random letters to whatever else is on her heart each week.  I am following suit in an effort to practice thankfulness on a more routine basis.  Feel free to join me!}

Dear Steve, our bike ride and swimming adventure yesterday was so much fun.  It just felt so summery to me.  I'm grateful that we both enjoy being active and that you're always willing to humor me when I need my Vitamin D. 

Dear Jess and Larissa, I loved our girls' dinner this weekend.  I realized today that you both are two of my oldest friends here in Indy.  We've been through a lot together, and now live busy lives, but I'm so glad that we still make sure to find time to get together.  I may be married now, but still there's nothing that beats girl talk. 

Dear Small Group, y'all are the best.  I love how we could easily spend hours at the dinner table laughing at GIFs.  I love how I can pour out my sinner's heart without fear of judgment, and how the Holy Spirit uses us to speak to each other.  I love how you are prayer warriors for me. 

Dear Steve, getting up at 5:30am this morning was brutal.  But it would have been much worse if I had to do it on my own.  Thank you for helping me take that first step to transitioning back to morning workouts.  I've missed them.  And I'm glad we can motivate each other to take better care of ourselves.

currently: july

"The dandelions and buttercups gild all the lawn, the drowsy bee stumbles among the clover tops, and summer sweetens all to me."

- James Russell Lowell

Reading: The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Phillipp Sendker.  Such a sweet, sweet story.
Making: plans for my 10-year high school class reunion weekend next month.  Can't wait!
Cooking: breakfast for dinner.  Yum.
Drinking: too much caffeine.  I had two Diet Mt. Dews today and am way too chatty.  Oops.
Deciding: that my small group is the best there is.

Wanting: to spend all day, every day, outside.

Playing: this album by The Brilliance.  I particularly love the instrumental versions of each song.
Watching: Parks and Rec, Season 2.  I multitask and do abs while I watch - the perfect combo. 
Exercising: back to (cautiously) running and adding some strength training! 
Learning: more about God's heart through this She Reads Truth study on the Sermon on the Mount.
Pinning: grilling recipes.  Gotta take advantage of this summer grilling weather.

Wishing: that our friends Chris and Emily lived closer to us.  We had such a fun 4th of July w/ them!
Wearing: golf attire, more likely than not.  :)
Needing: to check the words I speak more closely - that they may be uplifting.
Reflecting: "...not that there are any sins little, for there is no little God to sin against..."
Feeling: impatient to see my friend Jess' new house tonight and celebrate with a bottle of wine.
Praying: for the families of those lost in the Malaysian plane shot down over Ukraine yesterday.
Loving: the fact that I get to see my mom twice in one month next month. 

{beautiful Lake Erie on July 4th}

enjoying the ride

The first roller coaster I ever rode was Space Mountain at Disney World.  It was not exactly a pleasant experience.  Long story short, I cried my way up, down and around the entire ride (and long waiting line, too).  I'm sure I was quite a pleasure to be around.  My next roller coaster experience was at Busch Gardens in Florida.  We rode the Kumba - the park's first inverted roller coaster.  I was so scared, but once we really got going I found that I actually loved it.  The thrill of the ride.  The adrenaline rush.  It was intoxicating.

Over the years, I've ridden tons of roller coasters.  Every choir trip in high school ended with a day at Six Flags.  We spent dawn until dusk winding through hours of lines, anxiously awaiting the one-to-two minute adrenaline rush of each roller coaster ride.  Some of my best high school memories are from those trips.

{Six Flags San Antonio circa 2003}

friday five

Is it just me, or did this week seem to last forever?  I think it's because we were spoiled with a short week for the 4th of July last week.  I'm glad the weekend is almost here.  Between a birthday party, bridal shower, date night and dinner with friends, it's shaping up to be a busy but fun weekend.

On to my five silver linings this week (linking up here)!

4th of july recap: part 2

The rest of our day in Put-In-Bay was full of exploring.  We had the best lobster bisque bread bowls in town at the Boardwalk...