Happy Heart Thursday

We are finally settling into a "new normal" around here. Our two teenage French exchange students arrived and we couldn't be happier. We have had a ton of things going on and I am excited to share them with you! If you are new to Life Happens Here, Happy Heart Thursday is my way of celebrating the little things that made me happy this week. My day off is Friday, so naturally I celebrate a little on Thursday ;) Hope you all are celebrating the little things that made you smile this week!

1. As I mentioned our girls arrived Friday evening and It has been a whirlwind so far! It has been amazing getting to experience new things with them! They volunteered with me at The Race For Baby C, and did a fantastic job! 

 First Slurpee

 We took them to Zane's work since they LOVE music! Everywhere we go they have their phone out to put on their own personal concert! 

Milkshakes at Steak n' Shake! 

My new "mom status" means dropping off and picking the girls up, packing lunches and making dinner!

2. Speaking of dinner, I got to work yesterday and realized I didn't have anything planned! Thanks to Pinterest, I found a fantastic new recipe! All I needed was chicken, tomatoes, and basil from the store, the rest I had on hand. The instructions were so easy to follow, and it didn't take long at all. that's a lot of wins in my book! Y'all have to try this tomato basil chicken! Actually, I really love this entire website!

3. Our sweet friend's, Kristen & Sam's little guy turned one this week. Can't believe how much Becket has grown and how amazing it has been to watch it right before our eyes! Becket's party is this weekend, and we can't wait to celebrate him!

4. In the midst of this crazy week, I have found so much joy in listening to this song! It has seriously been on repeat! If you haven't heard it, take a minute to listen! When we ask to be closer to Him, we are inviting God to shape every aspect of our life. The good- the bad- the ugly. I am so thankful to serve a God who sees my heart, and loves me just the same. 

Baby & Pearls - Capture Moments

Our good friends Kurt & Carrie were staying with us about a month ago. One day we grabbed Bradli, a quilt, pearls and made magic.. okay fine not magic but look at her!! She was the perfect model and I can't wait to do it again. Carrie, what's next?! If you missed my previous post on Carrie and Bradli, check it out here. 
I used my Nikon D7000 with a 50mm lens.  I have a long ways to go as far as learning about my camera. But the bright side is that you can always try, and there is no harm done! Do you have a fancy camera that you don't know how to use? Just grab it and put it to use, you never know what might turn out! On this day I learned that its good to go with the flow. This was unplanned, but we wanted to make the most out of a great day and a pretty baby! I love getting to witness the bond that Carrie & Bradli share and hope one day I will be blessed with the same opportunity. 
No matter what type of camera you have, get out there and capture life's little moments while you can :) 

 

 

Compassion

Uncle Jerry, Uncle Johnny, Mom, & Grandaddy

I have written before on both my mother and my father. This morning I was compelled to write again. I woke up to a text message from my mom saying "Uncle Johnny went to be with Jesus". My moms brother has been sick with cancer for a few years now. He lives in South Carolina, while my parents live in North Carolina. We knew the end was coming soon when my mom got a call from him, and knew it wasn't good. She hopped on a plane (thank goodness for flight benefits) and immediately took him to the emergency room. They told her he might have a few days, or a few months. Either way, the cancer had won already. 

This story is not to focus on death, or even the life that my uncle lived. Today I want to focus on the type of people my parents are. Just a few short years ago, my mother was in the same position with my grandmother. She graciously dropped everything to take care of her, and was without a doubt, as my dad calls her, an angle of mercy. She was then, and she was last night as she shared her final moments with her brother.

 I called my dad this morning to try and make sense of everything and see how my mom was. As he described my uncles final night, I couldn't help but feel sadness, that my mother had to bear all those emotions, and "deal" with the passing of her brother. It was just the two of them, they shared some laughs and memories, and my mother read Psalm 23 to him. I can't imagine what it would be like to sit with a loved one as they take their final breath. But then it hit me, this is truly what makes life beautiful. It is not always fun and what we want, but we deal with what we have been given. And my mother has always played her cards well. Her mothers last wish was for her to take care of Uncle Johnny, and that she did. For the past few weeks, my mom has gone back and fourth since she was finishing up her tenth year at delta, and is now able to retire with flight benefits. While my mom was at work, my dad would come down and take over.

 The way these two care for people is astounding to me. They have always been the prime example, but the past five years have shed so much light on the mercy and compassion they truly have for others. I only hope that I have half the heart they do for people. I have learned more form them in these moments than I ever thought possible. Mostly I have learned that life is made up of all different moments, some that make you laugh, and some that make you cry- happy or sad tears. But all of these moments compiled together make the most beautiful story. Even through suffering, there is beauty. For me, I think it's the unknown. I have no control over what may happen today, tomorrow, or next year. But my trust is in a God who holds these moments in the palm of his hand, and treats us with the utmost grace and compassion. And for that, I am thankful, and I have peace. 

My mom & Uncle Johnny

Happy Heart Thursday

Hey guys,

I know, I know, it has been forever since I have had a chance to post about my happiness on Thursdays! Well, I can honestly say my heart is truly happy! I have been a little MIA due to some trips but I believe we are staying put until September. We just got back from Zane's brothers wedding, and it was fantastic! I am however completely exhausted and have yet to recover. My house and my body just need some time. 
Time is something I just do not have at the moment since Zane and I will be hosting two foreign exchange girls from France for three weeks. Oh My Word! What have we gotten ourselves into?! To say this has been and still is a busy summer would be the biggest understatement ever. We barley got back from padre, then I had to gear up for an Independence day bash, finish up all the wedding plans for Devin & Rachel, and now get back and have an army coming to stay with us. 
Okay back to my Happy Heart! Nothing makes me happier than family & love. Weddings are the perfect combo! The wedding was a lot of work, but I had the best time getting to spend it with family! Here are some pics from the wedding!
I can't wait to get back into the swing of things and actually show you guys all the fun stuff that's been taking place since umm, like April! wow, that's been forever ago! On the list to share consist of baby portraits, bridal shower, first birthday, Camp Padre, Independence day bash and of course the wedding! Yikes, I have a bit to work on. So while I start on those items, take a look at whats been keeping me happy this week. 

1. I would not have made it, awake, through his week without an afternoon pick-me-up. Every. day! I also couldn't have made it without all my friends help. 

2.  Before the wedding commotion, I got to visit with my aunt, uncle, and four cousins! We went tubing on the river, enjoyed a little lunch, and went for a 6:00AM run followed by water aerobics. those ladies don't play! 

This may not seem like much to others, but this was the longest I have gone! Still keeping at it, in case y'all were wondering!

3. Zane's family is hilarious  and I enjoyed every minute of it while we set up for the wedding. 

 Walmart run with three carts, we had a train going.

 Zane decided he could be my florist/decorator. He did a pretty good job!

Rehearsal dinner fun

4. Finally able to party it up at the wedding!

 Just before we walked out. this was our third wedding we were in together :)

 Our little Florida summer family!

 The guys looked so good in their groomsmen get-up!

 Spending time with my mother-in-love is something I never get tired of. She worked so hard to help me pull this off. 

 Loved getting to see all of our hard work pay off!

5. Coming home is always hard to do for me. After being with family for a week, it was way too quiet. But I absolutely love to fly, and always enjoy the view. 

 Well, I hope this helped make up for my lack of posting recently. but seriously, stay put, because I got a lot of fun stuff coming. Just  don't hold your breath, I'm not sure on the time frame ;) Hope you guys have a fantastic Thursday. I'm off to go get ready for our French ladies!