Thankful Thursday: let the pun begin!

Happy Thankful Thursday!

i'm going to get straight to the point.

i love puns
like a lot

they're probably one of my favorite things
and they make me so incredibly happy
they bring me so much joy

whether they're spur of the moment or carefully thought out

i just love them

puns all day
erry day
please

i have to believe that God has an amazing sense of humor

after all we are created in His image

we reflect His characteristics
and humor is definitely a characteristic that people have
so it must come from Him
{i can only imagine how punderful His jokes would be}

so today i am thankful for humor
for joy

for laughing

for goofiness

for puns

and just for you
here are some puns that i myself have enjoyed
and they are most certainly pun in a million
now let the pun being!...

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

what are the things you thankful for

 that make you laugh

 that bring you joy? 

Thankful Thursday: He is good in all things.

happy Thankful Thursday

and a very happy first week of november to you!

i've been teetering back and forth 

all day

whether or not i should post anything today

but today, just like every day

 god deserves praise

i really have no idea how this post is going to turn out

i've been struggling to put words to what is actually going on in my head

so i'm just writing

 bear with me

the past couple of weeks have been an emotional roller coaster

so many ups and downs

and while my 15 year old self loved the thrill of roller coasters

my 25 year old self feels sick just thinking about them
{such a travesty} 

 there have been so many feelings that have accompanied the past couple weeks

 sorrow, joy, heartache, wonder, frustration, love, desperation,

disappointment, loneliness, excitement, hope....

{just to name a few}

i've learned over the past couple of years

that i'm a feeler

like a true blue feeler

{myers briggs and strength finders have confirmed it}

i feel every spectrum of emotion

my own emotions and the emotions of those around me

a lot of times when ups and downs occur close together

i have a hard time keeping up with what i'm actually feeling

so i become numb

unable explain to anyone what is actually going on inside

and i have to spend days

{sometimes weeks}

sifting through each emotion with the lord

and currently that's where i'm at

im sifting

if you're a feeler too

{which i'm sure some of you are}

then i'm sure you have an idea of what i'm talking about

i won't go into detail about each of the things that

i'm processing through

because one-i'm still processing

and two-because you probably don't really want to hear it all anyway

but what i can say is that in all these ups and downs

God is at work

He is shifting things

He is changing things

in my life

and in the lives of others

He is beginning stories, continuing stories, and sadly, He is finishing stories

and He deserves praise and glory in it all

so today i am thankful 

 that hope is found in Christ

that Christ conquered death

the privilege to staff the 2013 santa monica summer project 

for the life and legacy of a sweet girl named janee

 {a student from our summer project}

who lived her life so very well

who radiated Christ's joy and love

who had the most beautiful smile

it was an accident that took her from us

 but i am so thankful that she is now at home in the arms of her savior

that God is using janee's life and death to change lives for the course of eternity

for the reminder that life is precious

that people should not be taken for granted

because in the blink of an eye

without notice or question

 they can be taken away

and for the reminder that God is sovereign

that He is good in all things

today i am also thankful for new life

for the opportunity to spend an afternoon celebrating the arrival of my nephew

for all the family and friends that came out for his shower on sunday

for getting to be an auntie

newborn snuggles

newborn noises

newborn hand holding

{ugh i love it all}

watching my niece grow up and be a big sister

the desire to one day be a mother

{yikes scary}

getting to be creative

crafting

decorating

baking molasses cookies

my brother begging me to bake more molasses cookies

watching parks and rec with my brother

spending time with these ladies

all the things i'm continuing to learn at my new job

morning conversations with god during my two hour commute to work

{thanks traffic}

the people i get to work with

pizza and wine

watching once upon a time

getting ministry updates in the mail from friends who are serving the Lord all over the world

my running shoes

puns, i absolutely love puns, like a lot

for the month of october and all that it did and didn't bring

learning to be persistent in prayer

for being a feeler

that no matter where i am, where i'm going, or what i'm doing

God is with me always

for incredibly sweet friends

like this girl...

and this one too...

the family that i get to be a part of

my parents

my brother

my sister's

lastly i am thankful 

that this world isn't my home

that as a daughter of the king my citizenship is in heaven

that this world with all it's pain and suffering is only temporary

that there is a God who is awaiting His children's arrival home

in a place more glorious than we can fathom

where joy and love are unending

so tell me,

what are YOU thankful for today?...

for those who want to hear a little more of janee's story

and the impact she has left

you can check out this recent video  from a chico news station

please pray for her family and friends

 the chico community

for chico cru

and for the driver of the car who was also a part of the accident

pray for peace and restoration

pray that in all of this God would be glorified

The One With a New Job & a New Man

Happy thankful thursday friday to you.

i tried so hard to get this post up yesterday

but didn't quite make it in time
i'm spent
life has been crazy
i've been sick
and feel like i'm never home long enough
to get anything done
{i'm certain you know exactly what i mean}

well it's friday

but we can definitely still be thankful

i'm excited to say that

a lot has changed since my last

{thankful thursday post}

a lot

has anyone ever told you that
"a lot can happen in a week, a month, a year?..."

well people have been telling me that for some time now

normally i would jump right on board with that
and get super excited thinking about all that god could do 

but since moving home all i seem to be capable of is
 halfheartedly agreeing with them
knowing full well that god is capable of doing anything and everything
but not believing that he could or would want to do big things in my life
because well, i moved back home and have nothing going for myself
{talk about a bad attitude 
and totally wrong view of god, sheesh}

whenever someone tells me a lot can happen
i just brush it off

well i'm here to tell you

they're right
and i'm so thankful i'm wrong

because a lot can happen
a lot can happen in just two days
god can completely change lives
and i'm so thankful for the way he has been working and changing the lives of those around me
and the ways he's been changing mine
and heaven knows i don't deserve any of it

day one...
by god's amazing grace
i got a job
working with flowers
{which i'll share a bit more about in an upcoming post}
i honestly don't know how it happened
but it did
it came out of nowhere
{or so i thought}
i'm really not qualified for it
but someone decided to take a giant chance on me
i'm learning tons and trying to soak up all i can
it can get a little frustrating and tiring as i'm learning and making mistakes
but the crazy thing is i'm having fun doing it
how is this possible???

day two, the next day...
there's now a new man in my life
exciting right?!
but no it's not what you think
this guy weighs only 6 lbs 11 oz
and is almost 1 week old
on october 18th my baby nephew made his grand entrance into the world

it was my first day on the job
and i got a text from my sister that she thinks she might be in labor
that if i was available i was needed to come down and help take care of my niece
it was a little less than an hour after receiving that text that i got another one
this one from my brother in law
"HE'S HERE!!!!"
so yes, she was in fact in labor and barely made it to the hospital
{both mom and baby were and are very happy and healthy}
praise god

 the second he was in my arms
i was done for
with that wrinkly old man forehead, tiny hands, newborn noises
 and those oh so adorable lips
 i was a goner
he's not even my kid
{though we do share some genes}
and the feelings of love and joy were so overwhelming
i thought my heart was going to explode
i can't even imagine what it will be like
if i ever have my own children
{i better just stick to nieces and nephews for now}

so there you have it
in two days
i interviewed for a job
got a job
started a job
and got a nephew
a lot in fact has happened
and my life is definitely changing
and i'm so very thankful

i think this goes without saying
but today i am thankful for
god's plan unraveling 
new jobs
 davin jeffery brady the new man in my life
 his safe delivery

watching my sister be a mom
watching my parents love on their grandchildren
getting to be an auntie
weekends spent with my family
dinners out
frozen yogurt
going on walks with my niece addie
 addie asking to pick flowers with me and teaching her how to arrange them
{sigh}

sweet cards in the mail

god's financial provisions

friends who pray for me

friends who i get to pray for

phone dates

early morning rays of sunshine on the 405

{ignore my nasty windshield}

baby shower planning

my maidenhair fern that i haven't killed yet

accidentally listening to christmas music

delicious home cooked meals

a good glass of wine

ice cream

visits with my sweet friend margo

google hangouts

brisk evening runs

being greeted at the front door by my dog 

babysitting for a sweet family

and getting to brush up on my spanish skills

{gracias dora}

continuing to get settled in 

parents who are still letting me live at home

living close to my sweet friends michelle and jake

learning new recipes

getting to do flowers for parties

learning new floral design techniques

and the people who are so willing to teach me

being surrounded by unbelievably beautiful flowers all day long

and im so thankful that there is a god who loves us so much 

that no matter how unpleasant we are

he is always at work in our lives

whether or not we see it or believe it

i honestly don't know what i'd do without him

as we enter into the weekend what are you thankful for?

what are those things that have happened in days, weeks, months, that have changed your life in some way?....

A Ferny & Flowery Friday

ok, so what girl hasn't thought about her wedding day

at least a tiny bit?...

well, the ever so tiny thoughts i've had about my wedding

involve being outside somewhere

in creation

surrounded by all the people i love the most

there's no where else i could imagine that moment in my life taking place

somewhere in the mountains or the woods 

where there's not much need for decorating 

because trees, ferns, and moss are in abundance

and get the job done

{obviously i've hardly thought about this}

there's something about those mossy, earthy tones

that do something to my heart

that stir up some serious passion in my soul

that send inspiration

flying all over the place in my mind

{via}

this week all i wanted to do was be outside

maybe it was the rain

everything was so lush and fresh and inviting

{albeit i wasn't entirely used to the drop in temperature}

but it was inviting none the less

and as i admired all the green around me

 inspiration struck

i wanted to create something from those mossy tones i love so much

flowers fit for that wedding in the woods

i've thought about only a tiny bit

i chose two types of simple, white flowers

and a variety of greens 

including jasmine, juniper, citrus leaves, ferns

that were cut fresh from the yard

put em all together

and this is what came about...

bouquet wrapped in lace (bottom layer) and burlap (top layer)
pinned with pearl tear drop pins

boutonniere: sword & maidenhair fern, juniper, moss and twig.

i love being inspired

i guess it really doesn't take much for me though

typically i just have to walk outside

well, until the next inspiration hits

{which im guessing won't be too long from now}

have a happy weekend!

Thankfall Thursday

Happy Thankfall Thursday to you!

yesterday as i was walking my dog around the neighborhood

there was a very brisk breeze

leaves were falling off of trees

and crunching under my feet

there was the smell of fireplaces being used

bright blue skies and big puffy clouds
{as if it had just rained}

i closed my eyes and took a giant breath of the crisp air

there was no denying that fall has arrived

a week ago i wasn't ready to let go of summer

its my favorite season

 shorts. sandals. tank tops. ice cold sweet tea. late sunsets. lush green gardens

but yesterday as i took in the sights and smells of fall

i felt refreshed

and i began to gladly accept the change of season

i've just ended a season of life

a season that was extremely difficult at times

but one that i absolutely loved

graduating college

moving

starting a full time job in ministry

building community from scratch

living with new roommates

god brought about so much change

he did things in me and around me i never thought possible

He brought people into my life i never dreamed i could love so deeply

god remained constant through that entire season

as i continued on my walk it hit me

just as i have let go of summer

its time to let go 

and gladly accept this next season of life

with a God who is constant 

persistent 

faithful

adoring

i can't even begin to comprehend the things he will do in this new season

the life change 

the excitement of newness

the people i'll grow to love deeply

and of course looking back on the past season

being able to see all God did then to prepare me for where i am now

i'm ready to free"fall" into this new season

all this from going on a walk with the dog

go figure

so today

today i am thankful for 

changing seasons

crisp autumn afternoons

pumpkins on the front porch

pumpkin spice lattes

needing to curl up with a blanket while i sit here typing

phone calls from friends

babysitting two adorable kids

getting settled into my "new" home

snuggling and reading books with my almost 3 year old niece

buying adorable baby boy presents for my nephew

{who will arrive in a matter of weeks}

a brother in law who gives of his time to help me work on my resume

a sister who lets me come crash at her place

adding more weddings to my flower calendar

skyping with college friends

being able to run

trips to santa barbara

seeing people from summer project

friends who listen and speak truth into my life

 realizing the need for a heart change

late night trips to inn n out

getting to spend hours arranging tropical wedding flowers

as we enter into this new season of fall

what are you thankful for?...

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

confessions, loves & dreams of a passionate plant lover

I have been learning recently
that you shouldn't be ashamed of the things you are passionate about
it doesn't matter what people think
passions are passions
we've all got em
and everyone has those little things that make their passions unique to them
things they do, things they love, things the dream about....

well here are mine
the confessions, loves, and dreams
of a passionate plant lover

1. i don't actually have a favorite flower

2. my least favorite flowers are carnations. 

3. my absolute favorite plants are ferns

4. and maidenhair's are my favorite ferns

5. i have a slight obsession with moss

6. when i'm stressed out i make terrariums

7. i sometimes daydream about adventuring through forests
8. i like the hunger games because katniss has a big book of plants
{obviously a plant lover}

 9. i dream about one day going to seattle, grabbing a cup of coffee and strolling through pikes place market looking at all the pretty flowers

{and of course taking some home with me}

10. i've kept and tended to a number of gardens, but i've never had a real one of my own
11. i kill plants too.

12. i failed my first plant class at cal poly. memorizing latin isn't really my thing.

13. i very strongly disliked studying horticulture in college

14. i realized i loved horticulture a year after i graduated

15. i may or may not have kept a bag of soil under my bed at one point. it's not as dirty as it sounds. you just never know when you'll need it.

16. yes, i have talked to plants before. 

17.  i own a plant journal.

18. i dream of doing wedding flowers for the rest of my life.

19. every time i walk past a flower shop i smile and want to hug someone

20. i love having fresh flowers next to my bed

21. i've taken cuttings of plants from hillsides, roadsides and on occasion a yard or two...

22. valentines day is my favorite floral holiday because of the people i meet and the stories of love i get to hear.

23.  i've actually never received flowers from a guy
maybe one day

{a girl can dream}
24. there's nothing i love more than watching someone receive flowers.
25. 2 years ago i never dreamed i would pursue a career in horticulture.

what are the things that you dream about and love?
what are the things that make your passions your passions?

Flower Friday

Happy Friday!

so lets talk flowers shall we

i love them

{swoon}

i love everything about them

from their colors, fragrance, beauty

to their science, chemistry and genetic make up

{just a little nerdy i know}

how each one is unique and different

how they can brighten up a room

or a day

how they can add elements of personal touch to an event

reflect someones personality

make people smile

and bring joy

there's a flower for every occasion

but my absolute favorite occasion for flowers...

 weddings

flowers for weddings are romantic

joyful

whimsical

lovely

playful

i love getting to create arrangements that are personal

that reflect the relationship between the bride and groom

and capture their personalities

my favorite part about doing weddings flowers

is watching the brides face as she sees her bouquet for the first time

pure joy

i love the way i feel when i get to create and play with flowers

and as i am currently building my portfolio

i get to play with them

a lot

this week inspiration hit

and i ran with it

i decided to play with some different textures

and colors

it was a blast

here's what i got my hands on

{white hydrangea}

{white and purple matsumoto aster}

orange spray roses

{i like that they have multiple flowers per stem}

{pink snapdragons}

{i threw in a couple sprigs of lavender leaves

to give a little bit of fragrance}

and here's what happened

a colorful brides bouquet 

wrapped and tied with sheer cream fabric

and a boutonniere for him

made with lavender sprigs

spray rose and aster

all tied and knotted in twine

stay tuned 

cause there are more flower friday's to come

next week i head to beautiful Huntington Beach

to do a fun tropical beach wedding

this flower girl's pretty excited

happy weekend!

Thankful Thursday: idaho aspen, snail mail and deep, deep love

Happy Thankful Thursday to you!

well it happened

i made the move

and it was as hard as i thought it would be

i'm currently sitting in the room i grew up in

{and let me tell you my taste has significantly changed since i was in high school}

my bags are on the floor still very much packed

and as much as i want my things to be put away

i'm not ready to fully give in

i honestly feel that any day now i'll just hop in my car 

and head back down south

that i'll walk up the stairs to my apartment

open the door and my roommates will be waiting for me in the living room

much like they often were

i miss that

ugh it hurts 

it really hurts

i don't want to sound like a drama queen

but my heart literally aches

but that folks is how i know that these past two years

were blessings from the Lord

{albeit extremely difficult and challenging}

but my God sustained me

he gave me everything i needed on a daily basis

my home and my roommates were a huge part of that 

for the first time moving 

i cried

tears of sadness for sure

but more so tears 

of thankfulness 

of joy

of deep, deep love

i have moved a lot

and all those other times

there weren't really tears or heartache

{there was definitely sadness}

but there was mostly excitement to move out and on

this time though

there was absolutely no desire to go

my home was actually home

and my roommates....

my roommates were more like my sisters

and i learned to truly, deeply love them 

like they were my own flesh and blood

we've been through the ringer together

through loss

disappointments

 hard seasons with the Lord

breakups and dating let downs

singleness

through the ups and downs of working in full time ministry

working through conflict...

we deeply know each other

and because of that we deeply love each other

 they know me well

just ask them

every single little idiosyncrasy and habit

from my love of cleaning the kitchen

to my love for puns

to how and when my introvert comes out

they know it all

and they love me none the less

and i love them even more so because of that

and i love them because of who they are

it is by no mistake we lived together

what are the chances that 4 random women

{who didn't know each other before moving in}

would have the most phenomenal 2 years living together

definitely not chance

all God

he had has a mighty plan

so today i'm choosing to rejoice over these things

to be joyful and thankful

i will push aside my disappointments

the fact that i've already argued with my brother

been frustrated with my mom

and have been experiencing some pretty unfortunate mood swings

i may not want to be where i am now

and may be completely uncertain of my future

but i will praise god

because in every season

he is faithful and his provisions are unending

today I am thankful for 

my new roommates

their names being dad, mom and little brother

home cooked meals

{not made by me}

having access to a washer and dryer in the house

waking up to find our dog curled up next to my bed

spending sweet time with my beautiful, wonderful, encouraging cousin

that her and i are the same age 

that she can speak truth from experience into my life

malls and their air conditioning  

chik-fil-a sweet tea

baking

having a fully stocked kitchen pantry with all my baking needs

that this morning i had 3 chocolate chip cookies for breakfast

{i think that was more of a confession....}

early mornings in coffee shops

driving with the windows down

that my tiny corolla somehow miraculously held all my stuff

my cars fully funtioning air conditioning

snail mail from sweet friends awaiting my arrival home

that i didn't need to rent storage space for all of my stuff

that i can store my things in my rents garage for free

my parents front porch

falling asleep to the sounds of a trickling fountain outside my window

my moleskine plant journal

{one of the sweetest gifts i've received}

containing pressed plants from my favorite places

{most recently idaho:

a place i'm dying to go back to}

the adventures i've had

the adventures to come

the fact that i can go anywhere

and do anything

for my past roommates

and how much they have impacted my life

 all the things they've taught me....

things like how to walk deeply with Jesus 

and how to truly love those around me

{two things i've been praying for and desiring to learn over the past 2 years}

coincidence?

i think not

thanks roomies,

for everything

i'll bet you know what question is coming

what are you thankful for today?....

lets hear it.