Birthday Pictures :)

I didn't get a ton of pictures from all the celebrating this past week. However, here are a few favorites. :)

My actual birthday lunch. This is my place setting. A long, inside family joke.
 

The girls made me a taco salad. (That night we went out with our Bible study ladies, but I didn't grab a picture!)

Last night Mamara came over for yummy food, presents & cake!:)

The amazing Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting Nan made for me. :)

Yearly tradition (when I've been home) to have all the candles make a torch. Ha. this year they were trick candles, and I blew them out about 10 times. hahaha...

Yummy cake with vanilla frozen yogurt. mmm...mmm..mmm

God is so good. I am just amazed by His love and faithfulness. Enjoy the rest of this weekend, y'all! :)

Today is my Birthday!

TODAY I AM 21!! I am so excited:

Not because I plan on going out drinking (because I'm not planning on it)
Not because I'm officially an "adult."

Because I am home to celebrate with my family for the first time in 3 years.
Because it's a beautiful day outside.
Because God has done so many good things this past year.
Because looking back, I have grown SO much from this time last year.

Because God is good, and always will be. I am blessed to be alive--to live for Him.

Rain & Birthdays

My birthday is in 4 days and I am so excited about it! It has been three years since being home for a birthday, and it just makes it all the merrier! Birthdays have always been so special for all of us girls. Mom always fixed whatever we wanted for dinner, and dad normally took me out for lunch on my birthday. Some years we had parties with friends, other years we have had just family time. The little kid inside of me still gets excited when we put streamers up, talk about presents, having friends over, or rainbow sprinkles. (Yes, I have a secret passion for them. Even though they are just dyed sugar particles. hehe...) I will make sure to take some pictures and post them....

To be honest, ever since starting this blog I have had some rough days. My desire to live in the joy of the Lord doesn't mean I accomplish it every day. There are days where I don't FEEL joyful at all. Days where it seems like everything is going wrong, and like the day will never end. But this I know, God is faithful. Even on the days it doesn't seem like it, or feel like it, HE is. :)

A REAL, legitimate update coming soon. :)

A trip to D.C. :)

My friend Evelyn invited me to go to D.C. with her this past Friday! We had a blast! Here are a few pics...I'll post a REAL update soon!