the lottery

Just got this email.
Now I'm sure I'll win. Just because I'm not sure I want to.

miss bachelorette, miss bachelorette!

This past weekend was the "Bacheloretter Getaway" for my BFF, Rachel. She's getting married in ONE MONTH! We rented a cabin in Dahlonega- and it was FABULOUS.
We went to dinner the first night at a place called the Crimson Cafe- it was crazy crowded and the food took forever, but we had a private room and a great server, so it was fun! In the grand tradition of any "fungirls" weekend, there were about a million pics!
On Saturday, we went to two different vineyards for winetastings: Frogtown and Three Sisters. They were both great- with beautiful views and delicious wine!


For dinner, we donned matching "Rachel's Last Fling Before the Ring" tshirts and went out for Mexican food. We were overwhelming to say the VERY least- but we had a BLAST!


In recovery mode, we went to lunch at The Smith House- which is a family style Southern restaurant: fried chicken, fried okra, black eyed peas, and so on. It was DELICIOUS. We ate in about 12 seconds, so I don't have any pictures of the food! But, we took this incredible picture in the gift shop right before we leave. So typical.
We had a blast! I hope we get to do it again next year! It was amazing to get away with such fun friends- and celebrate Rachel!

**None of these pics are mine... most of the group shots were done by Susan Crutchfield- she's amazing: check her out!

read across america

This is Read Across America week- and we are celebrating here! My favorite day of the week is "wear a tshirt that you can read" day! So, I'm wearing one of my fav shirts:
Happy Birthday, Dr Seuss!

spinach

I hate spinach.

well. I hate cooked spinach. unless it's mixed with cheese and fat and artichoke and turned into a dip.

or mixed in a salad.

los does it again

I've told you before about my (web-based) friend Carlos Whitaker. He writes Ragamuffin Soul, leads worship, and rocks a v-neck. I have been encouraged, challenged, rocked by the things he says and does. My favorite thing about him is his incredible recognition of his own imperfection.

Today's post is called "God's Power, Prayer, and Paxil". I HIGHLY recommend you read it, but it made me recall my own mental health battles.

As a junior in college, I had a complete break down. I was depressed. I can word it a lot of ways and give a lot of reasons, but the bottom line is that I was clinically depressed.

My friends and family were incredibly supportive, and I've never been shy about telling people.
BUT.
I do feel like there is still a moment of shock when I tell people. Because I'm a happy person, right?! and happy people aren't depressed! right?!
For me, depression had nothing to do with happiness. It was about isolation, hopelessness, and heartbreak. I could turn on the "good times" when I needed to, but those moments of true introspection always revealed my own pain.

I've not had to be on the meds for a long time now, but it is still a constant battle and awareness. I have to keep a strong check on my own emotions bc I know I can easily be back in the same place. Not that the place is bad- it's just not my desire.

I loved that Carlos talked about the fact that the church needs to change the stigma associated with mental health issues. It's not about someone's faith or prayer life- or a question on the power of God. Most people are ok with me taking asthma meds- they don't encourage me to pray more to overcome my asthma. So why is it different with mental health?

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi

adoption

Today I read two PRECIOUS adoption stories on No Greater Joy Mom- the stories of Haven and Harper are absolutely heart wrenching. I literally cried. At school. While reading these stories.

It's just made me want to adopt (even more).

no one loses the Super Bowl

Love this story.

"As World Vision sees it, in God's economy no one loses the Super Bowl"

i totally feel this way

cute little cousins

My cute little cousin Gracie turned four this week- and her mom planned the cutest Barbie-themed birthday party for her. Mt favorite part are these personalized Barbie tshirts that my aunt had made for each of the girls at the party! She found them on etsy! SO CUTE!!My cute cousins Gracie and Lily in their tshirts! LOVE THEM!!!

curious

How much do you believe in freedom of religion when it's not your own?