Happy New Year, everyone! We have come to the beginning of a whole new year, 2016. I love the beginning of a new month, just because it provides a fresh start to change things up, make new goals, and get rid of things we don't need. If I love the beginning of a new month, I really love the beginning of a new year! A complete and fresh start, not just thirty something new days, but 365 (or 366 this year. Yay, leap year!). The New Year comes after the whirlwind that is the holidays and, for me, another birthday. This is my "golden year" where I turned 27 on the 27th of December. I have a fresh new set of goals from silly things to serious, which I share with you at the bottom of this post. My desire and hunger for God's Word continues to be strong and I'm looking forward to reading through the Bible this year, hopefully the whole Bible! In 2015, I got some answers regarding some internal questions on singleness. And yet, I enter 2016 with new questions, but also with anticipation of the Lord's answers, because I know He will answer. In 2016, I chose to seek His answers and His will more than my own. The past couple of years I've chosen "one word" to focus on throughout the year and I'm fairly certain I know what my one word for 2016 is. Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks to see what it is. But, for now, let's recap the fun that was New Years! I'm sure they are going to LOVE these pictures being on the blog, but it's too late now, friends. ha! My roommate and I had a friend come down to celebrate the holiday with us. We were so excited that she came to town! Roomie and I do a lot together, and though we love each other, it was fun to have someone to come along and celebrate with us. We love you, Jordi! Roommate and I started the night by driving all over town to find something to wear! Nothing like last minute, eh? Lastly, we ended up at (another) Target, where we found options. Note to self, just go to the Super Target first. It will save time. After grabbing some Chick-fil-a, we heading back to the house to get ready! And then took selfies, of course. Our first stop was at one of our favorite places downtown, OK Bicycle Shop. We always mean to try new places, but we keep coming back here. It's funky and fun with bicycles hanging all over the place. They have great drinks and different menus. One menu gets you sushi, another Mexican. What more could you ask for? We always split the Duck Nachos. It's a huge plate filled with yummy goodness. You can't go wrong. And if you are with me, don't doubt that they won't get finished. Because they will. Also, they had the game on and I got to finish watching Bama roll over the Spartans! Roll Tide! My roommate literally googled things to do in Mobile on New Years and up popped our answer. A local band that we have heard a lot of, but have never seen in person, was playing at a music hall and bar downtown. Tickets were on sale throughout the day, but they were updating when those sold out and when no more were available at the door. Music was set to start at 11, we got to the door at like 10:56. And the girl working the door told us that we were the last three being let in! I wanted to high five her. And we ended up seeing a great band, The Underhill Family Orchestra, at a great venue, The Merry Widow. And got free champagne at midnight. A successful way to end 2015 and bring in 2016. After leaving the show, we walked around downtown for a bit and ran into some more friends. Then, we heading back home. We didn't stay out super late and I was totally okay with that, because my bed was definitely calling my name. The next day I somehow got the energy to try my hand at making a traditional New Years Day feast. I headed to the grocery store (also the only time I got out of sweatpants) and picked up some collards and black eyed peas. I knew that this would probably be an all day thing, but I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. But, it was totally worth it! I also made cornbread and we had tea and it was one of the best meals we've had in awhile. And one that provided a lot of leftovers. So, we are still enjoying it. About a month before my birthday, I created a list of 27 things to do in year 27. I do love the new year as a time to create new goals, think of things that I need to get rid of, or things I need to start. I don't know if I would really call these resolutions, although some definitely can be. There are already a couple of these that I'm working on now, so I'm excited to see how many are accomplished before my next birthday or the next new year. 27 Things For The Golden Year
Happy New Year, friends! What goals or resolutions have you set for yourself this year? What is one thing you are hoping to learn in 2016? Follow Me :)
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2015 was a seemingly ordinary year. It was a year of many friends getting married, my niece being born, beach trips, visits with friends, and more beach trips. But, 2015 was also a year of growth for me. It was the year that I took a big step of faith and quit my first full-time job, to be where I believe the Lord wants me. It was the year the Lord renewed my hunger for His word. It was the year that I found a new church family and started building a new community of friends. 2015 was a year of new prayers and new dreams for my life. 2015 was a year sprinkled with quiet, but faithful answers to some questions I've been having in regards to singleness. It was a year, yet again, that I saw the Lord's providence and protection over and over.
2015 was a year that looked like any other year, but a year that I learned some new lessons and relearned some old ones. Thank you 2015 for the laughs, the tears, the sleepless nights, the books read, the prayers answered, the trips with friends, the drinks had, the new friends made, the reunions, and the times of celebration. But mostly, thank you 2015, for the seemingly ordinary days that gave glimpses of the One who is Extraordinary. Lord, may you be more glorified and praised in 2016.
January & February
Took a lesson from kids that sometimes prayer is just simple and though we stutter and stammer, the moment we say "Father," He hears us. | Visited the Fairhope Pier. | Celebrated my first Mardi Gras in the city I love, New Orleans! | Blogging kick-started again in the new year and Polished Arrow is run off of coffee.
March & April
Was reminded by the sunrise that the Lord's mercies are new every morning! | Had fun, random roomies dates. | Celebrated 23 years of my family being a family and one of my best friends, Dad, sent me beautiful flowers. | My precious niece, who I lovingly call Savvy, was born.
May & June
Thanks to a wonderful friends wedding, there was a Tahoe reunion! | I got to meet Savvy for the first time and my heart melted. | Two friends from college came to visit and we spontaneously went the the beach...at night. | My lifelong best friend (seriously, we've known each other since kindergarten) came through Mobile!
July & August
I dressed up like a cow for some free food with some fun friends from church. | My parents came down to visit a couple of times. | While in Birmingham for a wedding, I got to reunite with another Tahoe friend. | That wedding was the union of two fun and dear friends who got married!| May through August were the months of friends and my favorite stretch of 2015!
This weekend gets its own special section, because it is my favorite holiday. For the past couple of years, I've had some great fourth of July weekends. It's what summer is all about in my opinion! One of my college friends came down for the weekend and we did it all. The beach, movies on the beach, toured a battleship, fireworks, and food. It was one of the best.
September & October
Football was back, so that meant many weekends watching Alabama football with Dad! | I went to an Indian Pow-Wow with my roommate and some girls from our small group. | Visited a pumpkin patch and corn maze to really kick off fall! | Ran into a sweet friend while at the corn maze.
November & December
Spent a day geeking out at a museum with some wonderful friends. | Celebrated Christmas in style with my small group: onesies and pajamas. | Celebrated a low-key Christmas with just my parents. | Turned 27.
Peace out 2015. Welcome 2016!
May this year be golden.
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Skylar over at Blonde Freedom had this fun Christmas survey up on her blog the other day. And because it's the busy week of Christmas I thought I would snag it and fill it out as well. Keep things light and fun this week. Plus, I love posts like these where you get to know someone a little better. Enjoy and happy Christmas Eve! Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? | Wrapping paper all the way! I love going through all the bins of wrapping paper in the Christmas aisles at the stores. There is so, so much that it can be overwhelming. But, I love it! This year my paper was a craft type with old school Christmas lights printed on it. Last year, I had simple brown craft paper and twine and fun tags for a fun package look. Plus, we have a long standing joke in my family about how much tape we put on gifts and how it makes it seemingly impossible to get into them. Real tree or Artificial? | I am all about some real trees! To me, there is nothing like them. Yes the needles get everywhere and if the tree starts to dry out the needles can poke you very hard. But, nothing can replace the fun of going to pick it out, towing it back to the house, and then the amazing smell that fills your home. That being said, all trees I'm surrounded by this year are artificial. Nothing wrong with them, but my preference is definitely real. When do you put up the tree? | I like to put up the Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving. Although if my roommate had her way, our tree would have been up on Halloween. Or never taken down in the first place. Hardest person to buy for? | My Dad definitely wins this answer. Mostly because you can't buy the man anything! Anytime we remotely have a handle on what he wants or needs and get ready to buy it for Christmas, he goes and buys it for himself. Dad has always been one to want us to have things to open instead of him. Although he is hard to buy for, he is one of my favorites to buy for. Easiest person to buy for? | Mom gets this one. Because I usually get her a few of the same stocking stuffers every year that she loves and then she is easy to please with books or cute little knick knacks. And I usually ask her what is one thing she would love to have, but wouldn't buy herself. That's always fun. Favorite Christmas film? | Well, there definitely isn't one! The ones I have to watch every year are (in no particular order): The Santa Clause, All I Want For Christmas (1991), I'll Be Home For Christmas, A Christmas Story, Elf, and White Christmas. I also watch Little Women every Christmas. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? | Another hard one, but all the candy and pies! I don't think I eat a real meal except for Christmas Day because of all the candy and pies that are brought out this time of the year! Speaking of pies, remember the cherry or pecan debate? Pecan won and is being made tomorrow morning! Snow: love it or hate it? | I've never grown up in an area that was known for white Christmases. Memphis rarely got snow, but mostly got ice. And ice is not fun like snow. Until I lived in Tahoe, I had never had a white Christmas, but there is something different and special about having a white Christmas. I love it, until I have to shovel it. :) Lights on the tree: colored or clear? | I'm more a clear lights person, because then the different colored ornaments all glow more brightly! But, colored lights are festive and fun. So, put both on there! Plus, it makes it look more full! Favorite Christmas song? | Again, there isn't just one, but O Holy Night is my top favorite! Reading of the Christmas Story or an Advent? | Both! I love to start Christmas readings the first of December to begin celebrating Advent, but focus more on the Christmas story the week of. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? | Normally my parents and I travel to Memphis for Christmas to celebrate with our entire extended family. This year, with my Dad recovering from surgery, we are staying at home in Alabama. It will be different not going out of town this year, but I'm grateful and happy to be spending a few days with my parents at their home. Christmas definitely would not be Christmas if I was not with them. Favorite Christmas cookie? | This is a hard one too! But, I'm a big fan of the peanut butter cookies with the Hershey kisses on top! Favorite Christmas tradition? | Normally we are out of town and always rushing from place to place, so traditions are hard for us sometimes. With my parents we normally will go and see a movie and we usually tune into the 24 hour marathon of A Christmas Story. The past couple of years I've begun a couple of my own Christmas traditions like sending out handwritten Christmas cards and reading A Christmas Carol. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? | Mom usually lets me open one present on Christmas Even and then we do the rest on Christmas morning. I get more excited about my stocking! I love going to sleep with it empty and waking up with it full! No matter how old I get, that will always be exciting to me! Most annoying thing about this time of year? | Probably just the traffic that is everywhere! I go out and wonder, "where did all these people come from!?" What is the "silliest" family tradition you do or miss doing? | This definitely isn't a silly tradition, but a fun one. When I was younger and we still lived in Memphis, my aunt would give me and all my cousins movie theater coupon books. After we had dinner and opened presents all the cousins would go to the movies and just pile on top of each other like we were in our own living room. It was so fun! What do you want for Christmas this year? | Books are always on my list, every year! This year I also said a subscription to Real Simple magazine and The Pioneer Woman's Cookware Set or really anything from her collection! What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year? | I'm not sure, but just being with my parent's will be great. Since we are doing our normal Memphis Christmas, maybe this year we can begin some new traditions of our own. Happy Christmas Eve! Follow Me :) Like Polished Arrow on Facebook
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It's time for The Circle! One of my favorite monthly link-ups from my friend Kiki. This month is all about Christmas traditions and Christmas home tours. I can't wait to read through these posts. I don't have many Christmas traditions, but over the years I've been wanting to start some of my own. I've made it a point to start writing out Christmas cards, I watch Christmas movies, listen to Christmas music on the way to work, and for the past couple of years I've read "A Christmas Carol" every year. Being single during the holidays can be hard, but that's no reason to not create your own traditions! That's a whole other post. Today, I'm taking you around my small, but cute apartment living room. I have to admit, all the Christmas decorating was done by my roommate with the exception of the tree in my room and our front door. So, today I'm showcasing mostly her skills.
Our living room is really the most decorated room in our apartment. In the kitchen, we have some Christmas towels hanging, along with a Christmas oven mitt, and a dish full of cookies and candy. My room has a small Christmas tree decorated with Mardi Gras beads and a soon-to-be finished paper tree garland might be hung over my windows. And the apartment either always smells like Holiday Cheer from a candle or a Christmas Cottage from my Scentsy warmer and coffee. Happy Christmas! :)
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Back towards the beginning of fall, I was visiting my parent's one weekend when mom and I decided to create some seasonal fall wreaths to decorate our doors. I honestly thought this was going to be a Pinterest fail moment for me, because I had never created a wreath of my own before. Luckily, with mom by my side, we found some great floral pieces and were able to create some pretty wreaths. Mom decided to decorate some wooden, rectangle frames creating a really unique wreath. I decided to stick with a natural grapevine circle wreath.
I am a big fan of the natural, earthy look, so I love these grapevine twig wreaths! I could just hang a bunch of these all over the place and be happy. I also love berries, so I knew I wanted some of those to be included. I liked the idea of decorating just a corner of the circle, mainly focusing on one side, because I wanted a lot of the natural wreath to be seen. The colors of fall are beautiful with the oranges and reds and I love the different texture that the berries and the red poms give. I also wanted to personalize the wreath a little more, so I added the initial. Luckily, my roommate and I share the same last name initial, so I painted our letter in gold. I think it was a great contrast with the other colors in the wreath, but still added to the natural feeling I was aiming for. I was so happy with the way that my fall wreath turned out, (and for how easy it was to make!) that soon after I started thinking about my winter door wreath!
Since I love the natural look and love berries, my first thought for my winter door wreath was to keep it simple and beautiful by using the same grapevine wreath and circling red berries all around it, creating the sunburst look. I absolutely LOVE the all berry wreaths. So, one day I set out to Hobby Lobby to see what kind of berries they had. I was walking the aisles of Hobby Lobby while scrolling through Pinterest for alternate ideas, because in order to fill my grapevine wreath with berries, I was probably going to have to buy out Hobby Lobby in red berries. Then, I saw a grapevine wall basket and thought it would make a great door piece! I switched from my all berry idea to a more woodsy, Christmasy, wintry feel. Of course, berries would still be involved.
After finding the basket, I spotted the green pine pieces and knew they would be the focal point. I loved the contrast of the green with the brown, natural basket, but wanted some pops of color. And what better way than by, of course, adding berries? Anyone sensing a theme here? So, I gathered some red berries and then decided to go with gold berries to tie in with the initial from my fall wreath. I filled the bottom of the basket with natural colored moss to give more texture and hide the stems of the pieces. While I was piecing everything together in the basket, I wasn't sure if the piece would fit on the door. I thought it was going to be too wide! But, it ended up being the perfect width! And one twig piece of the basket had enough space and tension to hold the initial in perfect place. It was meant to be!
Back in the fall, I honestly thought that I would just pick the pieces and mom would fix everything together. But, together we were able to create a beautiful wreath and it made me even more excited to put together this winter piece myself. I love that my winter wreath isn't really a wreath at all. It's more of a statement piece. I absolutely love walking up to it everyday when I get home. I would love to create something smaller for my bedroom door. And of course, it will need berries.
Do you like to create wreaths or pieces for your door?
What are your favorite styles or ways to decorate wreaths for the winter?
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Wishing | That I was going to Memphis this year as normal. My Dad is having surgery next week and his recovery time is over Christmas. So, for the first time since moving to Alabama, I won't be in Memphis with family and friends. I was pretty sad when I first learned the news and not seeing family will be hard, but we will be able to go within the new year. I'm more wishing now for a safe surgery and good recovery for Dad. I know Christmas will be just as wonderful just being my parents and I.
Remembering | That this is the month I turn 27! My golden year is soon to begin. I've been excited for this year to begin for some time, more so than other birthday years. I can't wait to see where the Lord takes me and what He has in store for this upcoming year. Wrapping | I haven't begun to shop for any presents, much less wrap any yet! Although there is one gift laying under the tree that is for my niece. I have some good ideas for some gifts this year and I'm excited to get them and then wrap them of course! Wrapping is the fun part for me! Baking | I haven't baked much lately, besides some biscuits and cornbread last month. The last time I baked a pie was for the fourth of July and I ended up not baking any for Thanksgiving. I would love to bake one for Christmas though! I'm thinking either Pecan or Cherry Pie! Which would you vote for? Decorating | I really want to think of some cute, inexpensive ways to decorate my room and apartment for Christmas. I'm a fan of simple and classic decorations, so I may add some garland to my gallery wall or above my door in my bedroom. My roommate put up the Christmas tree a couple weeks ago, other than that our living room isn't much decorated. I also need to change up our door wreath. The great thing about our wreath is that the leaves and flowers are just stuck inside the wreath itself, making them easy to pull out. I'm thinking of just filling it with red berries for winter and leaving our gold "B." Suggestions?
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During the month of November, I joined in with One Month of Thankfulness to take daily time to think about and reflect on things that I am thankful for. November always seems to be one of those months that leaves as quickly as it comes. We can spend most of our time in November thinking about our Christmas shopping that needs to be done rather than slowing down and taking the time to reflect on the blessings that surround us. I shared part one of this list a couple weeks back, check it out and then enjoy part two down below!
16. Blogging
17. Music 18. Community
19. Going to the movies
20. Happy mail from friends 21. Sweatpants
22. Museums
23. French press coffee 24. God's provision
25. Journals
26. Family 27. Home-cooked meals
28. Saturday football watching with Dad
29. Quoting movies with Mom and Dad 30. Dreaming
What are some things you are most thankful for?
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It's amazing how one small thing can make a million memories come rushing back to you. Last night, my roommate announced that dinner was ready -- soup and rolls. I walked into the kitchen, filled my bowl with soup, a cup with water, and on the way to the living room juggled a roll in between the two. I sat down on the couch tuning into Ever After on the television and caught a glimpse of the Christmas tree in the corner as I took a bite of my roll. That one small bite immediately made me feel like I was back in Mississippi sitting at my grandparent's round table in their small, bottom floor apartment.
The holidays for me always open up a floodgate of memories. I remember that to get to my Dad's parent's apartment we had to drive down the "never-ending road", what my sister's and I called the interstate. Once off the exit we would take the road that passed in front of the shopping center that contained a Fred's and winded back eventually leading to the apartment. My Nanny loved Fred's, she always wanted to go inside. And anytime it was mentioned my Pop would just grunt, his equivalent of "no." I remember we always parked to the left of the apartment building and their's was the one under the staircase and to the left. It was a small place with equally small rooms, but around the holidays, it was full of people. You couldn't open the door without hitting someone. Pop was always in his chair, the round table behind him, Nanny in the kitchen. Deviled eggs and those rolls. Two things that will always take me back to that small apartment. That and Easter egg hunts. Because I'll never forget the year I actually found the golden egg with money inside. I'll also never forget returning to that apartment some time later to sort through all of their things after Pop's passing. Piles of photo albums, boxes and boxes full of tapes with Pop's preaching, and stacks of his Bibles that are now in my parent's house. Nanny moved in with us for a little while after Pop's passing and I remember sitting beside her on the couch as she checked her blood sugar every morning. I also remember her liking honey buns. Another something small that brings back memories every time I see a box of them in the grocery store.
Now, Nanny and Pop have both passed, but the memories will always stay. I pray they always stay. And I pray they always come flooding back with the bite of a roll or a deviled egg. Or the singing of Amazing Grace or whenever I look at a lake. Or whenever Mom makes duck dressing at Thanksgiving just like Nanny did. Or when we are flipping through old family photo albums, looking through Pop's typewritten sermons, or walking down the halls of the church where Pop's picture hangs on the wall. Or whenever the sweet, older ladies speak about how wonderful my Nanny was and they show us a picture they found with them and her laughing. Legacies and memories that I pray always stay.
And it makes me wonder what memories I'm making now. In fifty years, what small moment will take me back to this one today? What small moment will take me back to my small apartment, sitting on the couch eating soup with my roommate? What small moment will take me back to sharing Thanksgiving with my Mom and Dad in their home in Alabama, us around the table, enjoying family recipes, and resting on the couch. What small moment will take me back to cooking with Mom in the kitchen or watching football with Dad? What small moment will take me back to holding my niece or playing cards with my nephews? What small moment will take them back to memories of time spent with me? Small moments lead to big memories of legacies left. Enjoy the small, quiet moments. Because one day that something small memory, like a roll, will send you swimming into an ocean of memories.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy remembering the memories and enjoy making new ones!
Follow Me :)
This post is part of the Faith and Fellowship Blog Hop hosted by Susannah.
I'm excited for this month's edition of The Circle! This has always been one of my favorite monthly link-ups and I've missed the past few, so I'm happy to be joining back in! The Circle is hosted by one of my favorite bloggers, and friend, Kiki, from In Its Time and this month is co-hosted by another favorite blogger of mine, Elena from Beautiful Hope. Kiki and Elena challenged us to write an acrostic poem using the word THANKFUL. I think this is perfect for the month of November, because Thanksgiving is right around the corner and this is the best time to slow down and reflect on all the blessings we have been given. I shared in my post yesterday that the holiday season can be busy and tiring for many people. We fret over the number of weeks we have left to shop or over the dinners we have to get cooked. It's easy to forget that the holidays are the perfect and best times to slow down, relax, remember and praise God for his blessings, and enjoy the time with our family and friends. The world can be turmoil all around us and things can be happening that we may not understand, but through it all there is thanksgiving. And we have much to be thankful for. Trees. Full of new life and greenery in the spring, giving shade in the summer, turning beautiful colors in the fall, and the stark beauty of bare trees with twinkle lights in the winter. I love trees. Hot Coffee. Especially on cool, fall mornings when I can return back to bed for a few minutes with my cup. Aunthood. Being an aunt is one of the best things! I'm so thankful for the four of them and the happiness they bring. Netflix. Thousands of TV shows and movies to choose from and allows me to binge watch my favorites like FRIENDS and Gilmore Girls. I'm currently addicted to Fixer Upper. Kids. I've always been surrounded by them, whether it be at church or work. They have taught me patience, gentleness, love, and how to have fun by doing the simplest things. Family and friends. The people who help make the holidays special, the people I can text or call whenever, the people who give me joy, the people who invite me into their homes, the people who do life with me. The real MVPs. Undeniable love. I have to admit that this is a take away from Kiki's unconditional love. I was struggling with the "u" in this poem, but when I saw hers it was perfect! I'm so thankful for the unconditional love of God, that in every season of life, wherever I may walk, his love remains the same. And I'm thankful that his love is undeniable. In now knowing and experiencing his love, there is no way I can avoid it. His love is great, merciful, unconditional, and undeniable. God is love. "...but the greatest of these is love." Laughter. Whether it be the chuckles or giggles of children or the deep belly laughter that makes you lose your breath, laughter can truly be great medicine. When laughter happens, those are the moments I want to remember. What are you THANKFUL for this month? Follow Me :)
If you have been around this blog at any point around the holidays, you've probably read where I talk about the holidays being a major struggle for singles. Well, at least for this single the holidays can be rough. Family and friends do make the holidays so very wonderful, but it never fails that around this time I start thinking about traditions I could be having with someone by my side. I have dreams of what the holidays could look like in the future, but those dreams are just prayers right now. For now, I'm single and I'm determined to create my own traditions that one day I may or may not get to share with someone else. One of these new traditions is to properly celebrate the month of November. This poor month can often get overlooked or made to pass by too quickly. The end of October brings Halloween and with it parties, candy, costumes, and fun events. Then, November quickly comes, but our minds may focus more on Christmas and how we only have a certain amount of weeks to get all the shopping done. Thanksgiving, to me, is a wonderfully overlooked holiday. It's a time where we can slow down and intentionally spend time with our family and friends. Christmas is busy! Thanksgiving just seems relaxed and slowed down. This year, I wanted to be intentional in remembering November and the time of thanksgiving that it brings. One of those ways has been to daily take time to think about things that I am thankful for. And with us being halfway through November already and Thanksgiving next week(!), I'm sharing part one of my list of things I'm thankful for. I'll share part two the first of December. 1. The Bible and a hunger for the Word of God 2. Coffee 3. Alone Time 4. Slow, quiet mornings 5. Cooking 6. Morning light pouring through the windows 7. Home with my parents 8. Redemption Church 9. Netflix 10. My Grow Group 11. Children's Ministry 12. Bonfires 13. Friday night nachos and drinks 14. Saturdays in bed with books 15. Sunday naps What are you thankful for this month? Follow Me :)
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