{iPhone Rewind} :: April

We had some bad weather come through McKinney at the beginning of April...gotta love Texas in the Spring! I was hanging out with Laura in Allen while Mike and Sasha set up camp in the bathroom. Poor puppy is not a fan of tornado warnings... {pic stolen from Mike}.

We have definitely been thankful for the rain {we desperately need it!}. But the combination of the extra rain and a torn up back yard make it virtually impossible to keep clean floors. Sasha came inside one morning caked in mud and running around the house like a crazy woman. Once I got her calm and cleaned up, she came to make peace with me, almost as if she knew she had done wrong. Such a pitiful "I'm sorry, mom" face!

Ever wonder what the McCulloughs do on Friday nights? We make ice cream runs in our pajamas, that's what. #thisishowweroll  :)

Work has been non-stop crazy busy. So I was incredibly thankful for the afternoon pick-me-up that my hubby dropped off for me. He definitely knows the way to my heart! 

And because he's awesome, he leaves me sweet notes on the bathroom mirror. This one was extra fun because he told me how hard he tried to bend down to my height so it would line up just right. Yeah...he's pretty cute like that :)

I went in to have my bloodwork done again. My GI wanted to check my liver enzyme levels, because they were elevated in my last panel. Thankfully everything came back normal! They will continue to monitor my levels {they have to while I am on Humira}, but there is no immediate liver issues right now!

My sweet co-worker made the cutest Christmas gift that included mini glass dishes, a special spice, and a bar of chocolate. She included the recipe for mini molten chocolate cakes. We finally made the recipe, and it was delicious!

My dad was in town for a conference, so we got to meet him and my brother for dinner. The boys enjoyed steaks, and I enjoyed some delicious salmon. It was a fun evening getting to hang out, we just missed having my mom there too!

I have been stretching out some birthday money and stopping at Seattle's Best on Tuesday mornings. I have to be at work early every Tuesday, so I make the best of it with some {decaf} coffee. Because it was tax day, I got double stamps on my frequent buyer card and made it to my free coffee earlier! It's the little things...  :)

We attended a Good Friday service with my in-laws' church. They hosted it at their house, and it was a good evening of praise and reflection.

I woke up and found this pretty rose waiting for me- a fun surprise from my love!

I finally got me hair cut! It has grown so long and was looking pretty crazy, so I was thankful when I found a new place to go. I went to a super cute salon in downtown McKinney, and I am so glad I found someone I like and can afford!

This is the only non-weed that grows in our yard...something my brother planted for us last year. I'm so excited it survived our crazy winter and that it is blooming! Seriously, the blooms are the size of my hand!

McKinney had a free shred day, so I got up early to get in line to have a few things shred. Such an exciting life I lead ;) But if you have ever had your identity stolen, you understand the desire to shred anything of remote importance.

I have enjoyed a lot of flowers recently, and I LOVE it! My sweet hubby surprised me with some fun flowers for a date night. He's pretty awesome :)

Easter Saturday

This year for Easter, we had our normal Saturday service, and then we had a family picnic afterwards. Mike gave a great sermon on the resurrection and then we headed out to the fire pits to grill up some hamburgers and hot dogs. 

We had a lot of yummy food!

Our master grilling team :)

It was a fun time with friends and family.

Lots of good fellowship!

Love this cutie :)

With my love

Happy Easter! He is risen!

High Five for Friday!

{one} So when you aquire a few banks and convert your entire electronic banking system {all in the same month}, it makes for a busy season at work. I am thankful I don't have to take my work home with me, but I feel like I am running all day long. It has been difficult to keep up, so I'm hoping for a break from the craziness soon! Or maybe just even the opportunity to take a vacation day {or two} :)

{two} I am happy to report that {after an entire month}, I am finally feeling better from my cycle of Bronchitis. The cough is still not completely gone, but I feel like it is nearing the end {hopefully soon!} I have to be careful not to relapse, but I also want to take advantage of the time and energy I have while I am well!

{three} We took a little break from women's Bible study, but we finally started our new study. I am so excited to be back in a routine! We're walking through 1, 2, 3 John, which I have honestly not studied very much. I have read verses here or there, but I am really enjoying diving deeper into John's letters. I am so thankful for the women in our group, and I am excited to have some new ladies join us as well.

{four} We're going to start hearing more "My pleasure!" around our house. Mike has picked up some part time work at Chick Fil A. He is going to be a manager, and I think he's going to make a great one! He will work the closing shift one day, and work hospitality another. Chick Fil A may or may not become a regular dinner stop for me each week. I mean, I want to be a good wife and visit my hubby ;)

{five} I went in for bloodwork again this week. My doctor had wanted to check my liver enzyme levels again, as they showed a rise at my last doctor appointment. The risk is liver damage/failure, one of those pesky side effects of Humira. I obviously don't want to do any damage to my liver, but I also know how much Humira has helped me with my Crohn's symptoms. I honestly don't know what I will do if I have to stop taking it. Needless to say, I'm praying for good liver enzyme levels!

1000 Gifts #1003-1095

 

1003. Serving the Samaritan Inn with our church family.

1004. Helping my husband prepare for his sermon.

1005. Being able to go out to dinner with your entire church {because we're small right now!}

1006. A husband who will go to the grocery store with me.

1007. A warm home to protect against the cold winter storm.

1008. A Sunday afternoon nap.

1009. Safety on the roads of ice.

1010. The sunshine on a bitterly cold day.

1011. The gift of a date night from one of our church members.

1012. The achiness and soreness in my muscles.

1013. Crohn's disease.

1014. Waiting to start a family.

1015. The ability to go home at lunch to take a nap.

1016. A quiet day at the office.

1017. The fact that our accountant is my dad.

1018. Panera mac & cheese.

1019. Mom to the rescue on my pre-K lesson!

1020. Catching up with my best friend.

1021. A fridge full of food.

1022. A pantry full of food.

1023. Kitchen appliances- {double} oven, stove, microwave, fridge, toaster, toaster oven, etc.

1024. Strength for the day.

1025. Protection from illness for this long.

1026. A husband who takes care of me.

1027. Doctors.

1028. Antibiotics.

1029. Insurance.

1030. Paid sick days.

1031. Co-workers who jump in to help.

1032. A comfy couch.

1033. Sleep.

1034. Movies to pass the time.

1035. A snuggle puppy to make me feel better.

1036. Strength for the hard days.

1037. Resting in the promises of God.

1038. Grace and love for weary hearts.

1039. A little extra energy to make it to work today.

1040. In-person check ups from my husband.

1041. Understanding bosses.

1042. Not having the responsibility of owning a home right now.

1043. Family who will take us in at the last minute.

1044. A good night's sleep.

1045. Rain!

1046. The ability to eat out on this off week.

1047. Visitors at church.

1048. Sleeping in.

1049. A granny who loves her granddog.

1050. A network of other church planters.

1051. Finally back in our house!

1052. Seeing old friends.

1053. Finally feeling better!

1054. People who can fix our plumbing.

1055. Warmer days.

1056. Going to bed early.

1057. Answered prayers.

1058. Encouragement for my weary heart.

1059. Knowing that I am not alone, even though I feel like it sometimes.

1060. A break from the normal routine of work.

1061. A good day of training at work.

1062. Wedding rehearsal for sweet friends.

1063. Tough conversations.

1064. A lunch date with my love.

1065. The encouragement of friends who are fostering.

1066. Breakfast date with Laura!

1067. Celebrating the marriage of friends.

1068. Thankful for my marriage.

1069. Sabbath.

1070. Reminders of God's grace.

1071. Catching up on laundry.

1072. A job I enjoy.

1073. Working with people I enjoy.

1074. {Long prayed-for} salvation of a neighbor!

1075. Morning snuggles with my love.

1076. A new day.

1077. Grilling weather is back!

1078. That I am healthy enough to still work.

1079. Our Redeemer Church friends.

1080. The joy of celebrating birthdays.

1081. A redeemed life.

1082. Knowing He can {and does} redeem the worst of situations.

1083. Knowing my Redeemer lives, and how that changes everything.

1084. Lunch with my sister-in-law and niece...always makes for a better day :)

1085. Courage for the hard days.

1086. Peace that only comes from Him.

1087. Knowing His promises are true.

1088. His promise to never leave me.

1089. His promise to provide.

1090. His provision when I am empty.

1091. His peace when I am discouraged.

1092. His strength when I am weak.

1093. A new perspective.

1094. His countless blessings.

1095. This joy dare.

 

 

I finished the joy dare! I spent an entire year, listing the gifts the Lord has given us every day. Some days were harder than others to give thanks, but I am so glad that I stuck with it and forced myself to find the eucharisteos in the every day. God is certainly good all the time, and I am thankful to have spent time intentionally looking for His blessings.