Embracing Fall

This weekend was one of those weekends where it really felt like fall. You know what I mean? Typically in Houston we get a tease of the fall weather, it disappears for a few weeks and then comes back. I think we're finally getting into the stages of weather where it's here to stay. I cannot contain my excitement! After months of heat, I'm soaking up every minute of this God-given weather. Jesus loves us, this I know.

It all started out Friday evening when I enjoyed a little Friday Night Lights. My boss's daughter is a senior cheerleader and this past Friday night was her last home game to cheer in, so a few of us from Living Proof went to cheer her on. The best part about the evening, besides the wonderful company, was the chilly weather! It was cold enough to wear a coat, carry a blanket and drink hot chocolate. What other way would you want to watch a football game? It was perfection and Kelli was adorable. We had an absolute blast!

Can you see the moon in the picture? It's that little dot in the sky. Besides that, this picture is un-edited. The sunset was beautiful!

With our favorite cheerleader, Kelli!

KMac caught this little football during the game. She worked hard to get this and was so proud!

Me, KMac, Beth and Sabrina. I love these ladies!

Saturday was a FULL day! I left my apartment at 11:30 a.m. and returned at 11:30 p.m. BUT, it was fabulous.

It started out at my parents house where I got to have a little jam session with my BFF, Jen. We used to sing together all the time growing up, but rarely get a chance to sing together these days. Ironically, there are two weddings we were asked to sing in together both in November, but I can only do one, so we practiced a little bit of that while my mom played the piano. I loved every minute of it.

After that we went over to our friend Missy's house for fall baking day! Can you smell the aroma of all things pumpkin? No one puts on a baking day like Missy. She is the ultimate hostess with the mostess. Before we arrived she already had pumpkin loaves and cookies baked and ready to go, then we helped make Carmel apples, cake pops and tons of other goodies. My roomies love baking days because they get to enjoy the fruit of our labor. Thank you, Missy, for such a fun day!

I ripped this picture off facebook from Amanda. Just needed to give credit where credit is due! Y'all, LOOK at the table of delightfulness. Yum.

Right after that I ran to the salon to get my haircut. Praise the Lord! It was past due. Words cannot express how much I love my stylist. She loves the Lord and I always leave there feeling like I just had a counseling session. She is awesome!

Don't you love it when you get your haircut and then you have to be somewhere? Oh, I sure do. I always feel so fancy. Thankfully, that was exactly my situation last night.

Next on my agenda was a fun girls night with some sweet new friends. It has been fun getting to know new people from church. I'm not going to lie, it takes work and I'm not always up for that, but it's so worth it in the end. I think the toughest thing about this transition has been learning to balance old friendships and new ones. I wish I could merge all of my friends and life together.

Angela, Alicia and I were determined to go somewhere new, so we drove to mid-town and got to eat outside at this little Italian restaurant. It was an interesting experience, but tasty. I was about to eat my fist I was so hungry, so I of course enjoyed every bite of my margarita pizza. After that we carved pumpkins. This was only the third time I've carved a pumpkin in my life, but we had the best time. A lot of laughs were exchanged and in the end we had the cutest family of pumpkins. And I even did it all by myself. That's success, folks! I am loving getting to know these girls!

First you take the pumpkin and you carve it.

Danger!

Then you take the pumpkin and you pull out all the mushy stuff. I don't do well with textures like that.

Last you take the pumpkin and you admire it.

Isn't he cute?

Our little pumpkin family.

Me, Alicia, Angela and Kim. So fun!

More than anything, this weekend I felt so settled. Two months in, I can honestly tell you I'm falling in love with this new season. I'm finally figuring out the rhythm, absolutely loving my new church and enjoying these new friends, while I am of course still keeping up with my old ones. Transition isn't always easy, and I'm still learning what it's like to do all things new, but the Lord was really sweet to me this weekend. I am beyond thankful for His sweet blessings and reminders that He still knows what He's doing.

Lately

Lately I have had a tough time blogging. Every time I open up blogger I stare at the blank canvas until I shut the computer and walk away. Nothing, I repeat nothing, comes to mind.

Lately I have seen three movies. It went from zero to three in a matter of two weeks. Footloose, Moneyball and The Mighty Macs. I was entertained by all three! Take your pic and enjoy a movie out. (However, if you're into a good sports movie, then choose one of the last two.)

Lately I have wished I was a good dancer. I think that was a seed planted by seeing Footloose.

Lately I've been obsessed the new Shane & Shane CD, The One You Need. It might be my favorite album of theirs yet. After two months of owning it and listening to it on repeat, I'm not even slightly tired of it. Straight truth. I love it! If you're looking for some good worship music, this would not disappoint.

Lately my allergies have been irritating me. This always happens when the weather changes and it starts to get pretty out.

Lately I've been annoyed by Houston drivers. I often wonder how some of them got their license. Sweet mercy.

Lately dinner has been the least important meal of the day. By the time I get home everyday, I feel like I've eaten enough to last me until morning. Typically, a bowl of cereal, some broccoli, or an apple will do. Crazy, I know!

Lately I've been enjoying my new iPhone 4S. It is beyond fun. Siri has provided endless entertainment for me and my peeps.

Lately I've had a few fun girls nights. This particular evening was spent in City Centre celebrating two of my guy friends birthdays. Five girls and two guys. They were lucky!

Lately I've laughed over my mother's ridiculous (and by ridiculous I mean hilarious) emoticon text messages. If she's learned anything on her iPhone, she's learned the appropriate use of emoticons.

Lately I've been able to do some sweet high school girls make-up for homecoming. Does it get any sweeter than that? So fun!

Lately I've spent some quality time in College Station visiting the little brother.

Lately I've spent some time tailgating with some of my favorite peeps. This was at the A&M vs. Baylor game in College Station.

Lately I've spent (quite literally) the entire month of October celebrating three of the best men in my life. Happy birthday to Kev, my dad and Bri. I am such a lucky girl!

Lately with the humidity levels down, it has been easier to run, which I am trying to get back on a consistent schedule of doing.

Lately I have been on Pinterest more than I've been on blogs.

Lately I've realized my need for Christ to take over my life more and more. I have nothing to offer without Him. Nothing. He is good, y'all. And He is everything.

How have you been lately?

It's so bad I can't even think of a title.

Houston, we have a problem.

I cannot for the life of me think of one thing to blog, tweet or facebook about. Seriously? The lack of words, ideas and thoughts has me all anxious. To be honest, I’ve actually written two posts and then decided they weren’t blog worthy. Does anyone else do that? All of the sudden putting myself out there seems very daunting. I’m feeling a little handicapped because after all, this is part of my job. I know Satan loves that. All of that to say, I’ve had this really silly post sitting in my drafts for at least a month and decided it’s all I’ve got for now.

So here goes nothing. A riveting list of 11 random things about me. Yes, please forgive me. I’m already so over this post.

1. I like to say parched and famished instead of thirsty and hungry.

2. Sometimes my brain is moving so fast my mouth can't keep up. I talk so fast. Typically, Jen can translate. It's unfortunate when she's not around. Sometimes I even think so fast that I think I've said something and really haven't. That's when sentences get split and it's really unfortunate.

3. I like to make up words. For instance, instead of saying I'm "allergic" to something, I typically say I'm feeling allergetic. Hey, it works.

4. I oftentimes say to myself while I'm running, "Lindsee, you could be walking faster than you're running." It's pretty pitiful.

5. I cannot, I repeat, cannot go to bed without having a sip of water and keeping that glass of water right by my bed all night. I never drink out of it again, but it has to be there in order for me to get a good night's sleep. OCD anyone?

6. I took Spanish for three years. You know what came of it? One sentence. Want to hear it? Lindsee esta muy consada. Translation: Lindsee is very tired. (Please note, I'm not always tired, I just don't know how to say anything else.)

7. My British accent sounds more like I have lock-jaw.

8. I like to sing-song things I'm doing. Imagine me making a cup of tea and singing, I'm making a cup of tea. It will be so hot, it will be so good…

9. If I get really tickled (read: cannot stop laughing), all hope is gone of me regaining composure. Once I'm gone, I'm gone.

10. I shave. Every single day.

11. I'm not blonde, don't even pay to be, but at heart I'm truly blonde. For instance, about a month ago I washed my sheets. When putting them back on my bed, I realized that for nine months I had been sleeping on the wrong side of my pillow top mattress topper. It was very comfortable, but the minute I turned it over, I realized I was missing out on a heavenly bed. I laughed about it for at least ten minutes then finally put it on facebook. Why? Because no one was home and I needed someone to laugh with me.

Whew, glad we got that over with.

Y’all have the best Tuesday. And please feel free to share with me something random about you. I’d honestly love to hear it.

In Which I'm Easily Entertained

The other night I was browsing pinterest and happened to come across all things hilarious. I was literally laughing out loud and each time I busted out, my sweet roommate, who was also on pinterest, needed to know what in the world I was seeing that she wasn't.

Truth be told, I could spend a lot more time on pinterest if I wanted, but I try to limit myself. I try not to get all caught up in what I don't have, what I want, things I covet, and just enjoy the easy recipes and wardrobe inspiration. And of course, occasionally, a hysterical laugh.

I know most of you aren't on pinterest, so I felt the need to share the love.

Need a definition for pinterest? Look no further. Truth, folks.

This also can certainly be true of pinterest if you let it.

Does this happen to anybody else? I have found that this is typical when I am reading a Karen Kingsbury series. Her stories suck me right in.

This isn't as funny as it is absolutely adorable. Looks like somebody is ready for a walk.

Okay, here's where the hysterical laughter comes in. When I read this I almost fell of the couch. If you knew me, you know the truth behind this statement. I may have done this a few times as a child. If I'm anything, I'm great at being a huge chicken. Admit it, you've done it, too. : )

There is nothing like a funny text. I recently saw a website with some really funny accidental auto-corrected texts. It was some of the funniest things I've read. This, however, is not auto-corrected, but upon first glance, I immediately thought of my mom. She would totally be one to send this to me. Hilarious!

A few years ago I decided I wanted to run. I started out doing more walking than anything, but then last year really started running. I actually really enjoy it. Because of that, I almost had to excuse myself after reading this. Although I wish I looked like a professional when I run, I know for a fact I look more like the little girl below flailing all over the place. That's more my style.

Happy Friday, peeps!

A Weekend Report

This weekend was excellent.

Let me count the ways…

1) Do you want to hear about our weather? I know you are on the edge of your seat. Starting on Friday morning, fall decided to makes its way into town. By Saturday morning it was beautiful here. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, the wind was blowing and all was right in the world. I went for a run and I was so euphoric that I didn't even remember I was running. It felt like the wind was carrying me and I was giddy. Now, before I go all crazy on you, I am fearful there are still a few hot days left in the system, but for now, we Houstonians soaked up every bit of the crisp air. It was a gorgeous weather weekend to say the least. In fact, my feelings of giddiness have carried me into today so much so that the minute I publish the post, I am going for another run.

2) Friday evening my phone rang and it was my friend Dana telling me she had some free extra tickets to theDavid Crowder concert that night at the House of Blues and they were mine if I said the word. Truth be told, I told her no before I said yes. But that was only because I didn't want to drive down there alone. It took a little convincing, but after much sweet talk, I wooed my roommate into driving down there with me. Y'all, it was so good. If you've not heard, the David Crowder Band announced they were "breaking up" this fall and this would be their last tour. I have a few memories with them, the main one being them leading worship for camp my senior year of high school in Colorado, but Friday night stands out now as my new favorite memory with them.

Touring with them was John Mark McMillan (Who, by the way, wrote How He Loves), Chris August and Gungor. I've not heard any of those guys live, nor did I own any of their music prior to the tour, but they were all fantastic. Especially Gungor. Homedude blew me away with his musical talent. He kept apologizing for having just an acoustic set, but I was in acoustic heaven. My favorite part of the night was when DCB broke out in a bluegrass set. So amazing. I would like to put it in my pocket and take it with me everywhere I go. Anyway, I came in that evening with zero expectation and left amazed. I am so glad I went and so grateful Dana graciously offered us her tickets. I don't think they are traveling to too many cities, but if they come near you, you shouldn't miss it.

As we were leaving, we ran into Gungor by the elevator and he so graciously took a picture with us. By this point it was midnight and I know we were all so ready to get home, but it was fun.

3) Saturday evening I had the super fun privilege of speaking at a modesty fashion show at my old church. (I hate calling it a modesty fashion show, but I'm not sure how else to refer to it.) We did this event four years ago and it was a blast. The girls decided this year they wanted to put it on again and they did such a wonderful job. I was so impressed. Basically, they had girls model clothes that were inappropriate and then came back in wearing it in a modified way. Good stuff. Honestly, I feel like I beat the dead horse when it comes to modesty, but our girls are in such a fierce battle. Modest is not hottest these days and it's so tough. Props to Princess Katherine who is bringing modest back. Instead of telling them, however, what they should and shouldn't wear, we talked about the heart of the matter. All girls desire to be desired but all of us are called to honor God with our bodies. But how in the world do you do that? We don't want just behavior change, we want heart change. I had such a blast and loved being with some familiar faces.

4) Oh, sweet Sunday church. Have I told y'all how much I am loving my new church, Bayou City Fellowship? Because I am. Someone asked me recently how my transition was going, and although it's not perfect and there are bumps in the road, and Satan likes to play mind games with me, I am loving every minute. Truth be told very easily, I am so happy. It's not that I wasn't happy before, but I am in a sweet spot with the Lord and I know that I know that I know He has me where He wants me. I love my church. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter, God-loving, God-honorig, God-serving church to walk into. It is good. So good. I am excited to see relationships blossom and can't wait to see how God allows us to serve our city in the coming weeks, months and hopefully years.

After a mighty word from Curtis today, I got to have lunch with my sweet friend Dana and her daughter Megan. I introduced them to Ruggles on the Green in City Centre and it was love at first sight. I could eat their margarita pizza daily. After lunch, we went to Sweet, a cupcake shop right next door and I indulged in the best chocolate cupcake ever. Then I took a nap. And it was heavenly.

Megan and I enjoying our cupcakes.

The past three years of my life I've spent my Sundays running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Honestly, this has beenone of the hardest transitions. Sundays are truly a rest day for me now and although I am resting, I feel guilty for doing it. I am so used to doing, doing, doing and not just being. But, I am learning what it is to just be and it is sweet.

So, how was your weekend? I hope it was just as delightful.

We welcome you, fall, with open arms. Please stay awhile.