{iPhone Rewind} :: April

We all gathered in the lobby to watch the "ringing of the bell" for our company's IPO Day. It was exciting to be a part of such a historic moment for our company!

I mentioned that we went to a gender reveal party for our sweet friends Becca and Drew. They made their reveal via balloons and cupcakes :) The picture above shows them getting ready to release the balloons while a flip photo book is being created {hence the backdrop and hi-tech lighting}...one of the benefits of having a photographer as a brother!

My brother came to hang out with us over the weekend, and it was fun having him around. We had a gift card to Saltgrass, so we splurged on a dinner out. We sent this photo to my parents saying that we wished they were with us! {sorry for the bad lighting}

We found ourselves at the vet again this month, this time for fleas and allergies. Poor baby girl had a double dose of itching. They're predicting a bad flea and allergy season, so North Texas pet owners beware! I have been on a slight rampage mission to rid our entire lot of fleas- mowing, laying granules, spraying insecticide, deep cleaning the house, bombing the house, washing everything, treating Sasha...the darn things don't stand a chance! :)

 Peabody {my car} hit 123,456 miles. Not sure why it's significant, other than the fact the numbers are sequential. I really love my little Mazda Tribute.

We went to a birthday party for one of Mike's friends from college; it was his 30th and we had a fun crawfish broil. They moved to Austin last summer, but thankfully will be moving back to the Dallas area this summer! Here the guys played a new game- Nine Square in the Air. It's kind of a mix between 4-square and volleyball.

We talked about Philippians 2 in our home group, specifically about "considering others better than yourselves." So my sweet husband decided to practice what he preaches and let me pick a girly movie for our evening home together.  :)

Our landlord sent over some landscapers to plant new bushes in our front yard, and I noticed the other day that one is blooming with some pretty pink flowers! I just hope they survive the Texas heat...whenever it decides to make its debut.

Administrative Professional's Day was this month, and our executives gave us a sweet and generous gift card to Watters Creek, a shopping center in Allen. Maybe a new spring outfit? ;)



30 Days, 30 Verses {Day 30} :: Proverbs 31:10-12

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life."

~ Proverbs 31:10-12

Today's prayer:

Father, I pray that Mike's heart can always trust in me, never doubting my love for him and never regretting his love for me. I pray that I can be an excellent wife for him. I pray that I will always do him good, always treating him generously, with honor and respect.

And I pray that I can live my wedding vows everyday...that I am Mike's constant friend and love. That I am his faithful partner, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in want, in times of joy and sorrow. That I would love him unconditionally, always encourage and support him, and that I would submit to him as Your church submits to You. Father after You, my hand, my heart, and my love are his, and I pray that he would always know that, every day of the rest of our lives.

Today's the Day!

Today we are praying for our dear friend Julie as she heads into surgery for her new kidney! If you have a moment, please pray for Julie and the sweet donor Amy.

 

 

They have an incredible story of God's provision, and it has been such a blessing to see the love and sacrifice that Amy has had for her fellow believer. All because she loves Jesus and wants His name to be glorified!

 

30 Days, 30 Verses {Day 29} :: Psalm 5:11-12

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield."

~ Psalm 5:11-12

The prayer today:

Father, I pray that You would surround Mike with favor, like a shield. I pray that You would be his refuge, and that You would place a covering of protection over him. I pray that when he feels discouraged or overwhelmed that he would run to You.

30 Days, 30 Verses {Day 28} :: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today's prayer:

Lord, I pray that Mike is known as a man of prayer. I pray that he pursues purposeful time with You. I pray that You would fill his heart with joy, and that he can always thank You no matter what happens.

Go and Be

This weekend our home group headed over to the Rockwall neighborhood in East McKinney to particpate in a Go and Be project. This mass service project is a long-term collaborative effort by local churches, the city, 3e McKinney, and Habitat for Humanity. We are working to renovate homes in an East McKinney neighborhood, all with the specific purpose of sharing the gospel with our neighbors.

 

I love the statement on the 3e McKinney website about the heart behind Go and Be:

There's a God in heaven who loves the people of this community, and we get to bring people that news through our humble acts of service.

Mike has been working like crazy to help the main organizer pull off this event, and I know he is glad to see the fruits of his labor! We repainted the house, shed, and dog house. We also replaced the fascia board and planted new flowers.

It was a great day, and we really hope Ms. Sissy feels blessed!

30 Days, 30 Verses {Day 27} :: Hebrews 13:5

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' "

~ Hebrews 13:5

Today's prayer:

Father, I pray that Mike would handle finances wisely, that he would be a good steward of the resources You provide, both in our home and with the church. I pray that money would never be a source of discord in our family, and that he would always trust You to provide for all of our needs. Remind him that You will never let him down, or walk off and leave him.

High Five for Friday!

{one} This week, both of our moms celebrated a birthday! Mike's mom on Tuesday, and my mom on Wednesday. We didn't get to see either one of them for their birthdays this year {so sad}, but we plan to take Mike's mom out for dinner, and my mom will be here for Mother's Day weekend. Happy Birthday month to our sweet moms! :)

 

{two} On Wednesday, Mike and I went to lunch with a sweet lady from Woodcreek. Her kids were in Mike's youth group, and she is now Sasha's vet here in McKinney! It was such a sweet time of catching up with her and sharing an update on our church planting journey. I was reminded of the blessing of having so many supporters. Like we have experienced with so many others, it was an encouragement to hear her excitement and prayers for us, as well as her desire to help us in any way she can as we look to the next steps of the church plant. God is so good!

 

{three} Last night Laura came over for dinner, and it was good to spend time with her. I saw her on Sunday for her shower, but it was nice to have some time to just hang out and talk. While I wish that we lived a little closer {like same zip code closer}, I am so thankful that she is a short {30 minute} car ride away. And she will actually be a slightly shorter {25 minute} car ride away when she gets married! Hey- I will take what I can get ;)

 

{four} I saw this meme on Facebook and I just couldn't resist the urge to post it on my brother's timeline...the child has always been a Lakers fan {not sure what happened, but he is obviously confused}. We grew up in San Antonio, so he should be a Spurs fan. That's how it works.

 

They play again tonight, so it will be fun to continue the series lead! Go Spurs Go! :)

 

{five} Tomorrow our home group is heading over to East McKinney to be a part of a massive Go and Be project. I have been a part of similar projects at other churches and am excited about this opportunity to serve in McKinney. This particular long-term project is a collaborative effort by local churches, the city, 3e McKinney, and Habitat for Humanity. We are working to renovate homes in an East McKinney neighborhood, all with the specific purpose of sharing the gospel with our neighbors.

Happy Friday! I am sure glad it's almost time for the weekend...

 

30 Days, 30 Verses {Day 26} :: Hebrews 13:4

"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." 

~ Hebrews 13:4

Today's prayer:

Father, I pray that everything about our marriage would honor You. I pray that Mike would safeguard the sacredness of our intimacy, that his heart would be pure and undivided in his commitment to me. And I pray that he would be faithful to his wedding vows, that he would desire to grow and improve our relationship.

30 Days, 30 Verses {Day 25} :: Acts 20:28

 
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."

~ Acts 20:28

Today's prayer:

Father, I pray that Mike can set an example for and love the people You have entrusted to his care. You have placed Your people under his care as a leader to the church, and I pray that he would diligently seek to guard and protect them.

30 Days, 30 Verses {Day 24} :: Psalm 19:14

 

 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord my rock and my redeemer."

~ Psalm 19:14

Today's prayer:

Lord, I pray that Mike's words and motives would be pleasing to You. I pray that his thoughts and prayers would align with Yours, that he would dwell only on things of You. And I pray that You would be his Rock and his Redeemer, that he would never falter in his faith in You.

DIY: Monogram Frame

For Laura's bridal shower gift, I decided to make them a monogram frame. I loved the wall hanging that Mike's sister had given us as a wedding present, so I thought Laura should have one of her own. It's just so fun to see your new last name and new last initial on everything ;)

 

 

Just a heads up, the mosaic tiles make the frame very heavy. So be sure to hang with good anchors in the wall, or display it someplace that it can lean against a wall or be placed in a frame stand.

Materials: 
- From Michael's: 11x14 frame, 1- 9inch "D", 2 packages of mosaic glass tiles, fabric flowers, paint
- From Craftcuts.com {LOVE this site!}: 4inch letters/numbers
- Other: 1 box lid, poster board
Tools: Foam brushes, mod podge, mosaic tile adhesive
Total Project Cost: $40 (I didn't have as much opportunity to shop for deals or use coupons this time, so this could actually be a less expensive project!)

30 Days, 30 Verses {Day 23} :: 2 Peter 3:18

 

 

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

~ 2 Peter 3:18

Today's prayer:

Father, I pray for Mike's spiritual growth. I pray that You would guard his heart by urging him to develop and maintain spiritual discplines- reading and studying Your Word diligently, spending time in intimate prayer with You, meditating on Your truths, memorizing and cherishing Your Word, giving generously, spending time in solitude before Your throne. I pray that he would grow in grace and understanding of Jesus as he seeks You.

Laura's 1st Bridal Shower!

My sweet friend Laura had her first bridal shower this weekend in Cleburne, TX. Some friends from her soon-to-be mother-in-law's church hosted the shower, and it was a fun time to meet some of Laura's new family!

 

Love monograms :)



 

The bride and groom!

 

A unique thing about Laura's registry is that the boutique stores in Cleburne bring the purchased gifts to the house to be displayed. So it was fun to walk through and see a lot of their gifts out on display...it was like walking through a gallery of their gifts!



 

But there was still the opportunity to open some gifts, which was fun! David was cute and felt like he needed to pose and smile with each gift :) I loved watching them open fun new things for their life together!

A gift from me and Mike! :) David said he liked it, but he doesn't seem to thrilled in this picture ha!

Toaster oven happiness!

Baylor vs. OU :)

It might be a divided house, but it will still be a happy house!

 

They are just so cute. And so happy.  :)

With the beautiful bride!!

 

I love being the matron of honor {though I wish that "matron" didn't make it sound like I was ancient haha} and I was so excited to be a part of celebrating with Laura and David this weekend. We are under 100 days to the wedding, and I couldn't be more excited for this wedding and marriage!