Happy day for you Cody!!!! If I were there, I would say........

A more caring, compassionate, sarcastic, constantly humored, stubborn, loyal friend could not match that of Mr. Cody Hawkins.

I met Cody through church, and life as I once knew it would never be the same. Cody was the healthy mix of boy-man and…… woman. He could run a mean mile, set up a tent like non-other and yes, dye my locks a perfect shade of black-purple-red like no bodies business. His salon name was ‘Toby Toledo’.

Cody became the big brother/personal hair colorist I never had. In our Council Road Church group, he would constantly entertain, listen, encourage and valiantly live out his goal of ruffling feathers where ever he went. However, when life got tough… he was there; an anchor of support.

As rare as you are, Cody, I knew this day would come. The countless hours of wanting to meet the future Mrs. Hawkins would be in vain. Watching your life come together, piece by piece, has been a constant, “Praise Jesus!!!!”…. truly a testimony of God’s provision.

Jennie, you have been prayed for, anticipated, and now celebrated.

You are marrying a man of RICH RICH character. And from the looks of things, he is joining his FAR BETTER HALF!!!

Ethan and I are so sad to miss such a HUGE day but are celebrating you both from afar!

The invitation to Minneapolis is open, ANYTIME!

Love and many many Blessings over your marriage!

Cheers!

Round and Round......

A view into the mind of a God-fearing, failed but still striving perfectionist, ambitious, dramatic, anxiety struck, emotional, driven, headstrong woman.

On a typical day I am a dial that spins and spins and spins. From one piece to the next.

Today I have landed on 'present'.... I am present. Present is so rarely an attribute yet oddly comfortable.

But today I am present.

Yes indeed, a present in itself.

"Potty Training Tips for a Stubborn Child".....

.... is what caught his eye as we were awaiting my fate. Such a serious moment, holding our breath, wiping some tears and all he could muster up was, "I bet your mom needed this article with you...."... this coming from a Business Journal man.

With that, an argument erupted in the waiting room about who was more stubborn.... the needle needed to pop the tension. Round and round we went.

These arguments have a way of going straight to a special place in my heart where I delight in knowing he loves me... and in this scenario.... loves me enough to connect my 28 yr. old self with a stubborn-potty-training-child article.

This story ends happily though.

lymphoma free, lupus free, cancer free....

and of course....

I'm more stubborn than he is.

Personal Trainer.... how much do you charge to tone up my booty..... and my life?

I love our treadmill. He's so fancy I'm sure I could find a button for cooking, cleaning and ironing. But to rekindle our exhausting relationship.... during the summer.... mmmmm. Unlikely.

With the passing of Spring and now into Summer, I realized I missed Spring Cleaning. WHERE WAS I?

My brain is tangled in cob webs, my muscles gloved in comfort food, my emotions are here-there-everywhere, and my mission(szzzzzz)in life are.... well.... on a hiatus.

I need to get back on track and FAST!

Researching personal trainers right now.

"How much would you... ahhhh.... charge to.... ahhhhh.... get me back into a size 2 and think more clearly and eat my veggies and give to the poor and write my Grandma more letters and saturate myself in scripture and host more parties and make more home cooked meals and cut more fresh flowers and crave my 64 ounces of water........

....oh, you DON'T do all that?

....getting me into a size 2 is just fine. I'll slowly start Spring Cleaning myself... myself."

Delighting.....

This morning I find myself delighting, extra-overflowing-oozing-blushing-fluttering-delighting in my husband. Seeing him at my office and introducing him to co-workers made me explode with pride, excitement and blubbering over in love.

He's my greatest joy, my most treasured possession that I thankfully do not/cannot contain. He is a beautiful masterpiece.

One whom I hold most dearly, respect to the fullest, admire above the finest and love until I'm weak in the knees, forget where I am, forget where I've been and feel my heart race like never before.

I love my love.