january highlights.

This month has been incredibly relaxing. After the most crazy-insane holiday season I've ever experienced, I was ready for some down time. That being said, not a whole lot happened in the first month of 2015!

Stephen and I did have a fun day-date and we did have a Texas de Brazil one year anniversary, but other than that we didn't really do a whole lot.

We've been visiting a new church and both really like it! This past Sunday, the mini-sermon was all about what missions are, how we are supposed to be missional and what opportunities are available to get involved in the community. Stephen and I signed up to volunteer at a few of the non-profits that are affiliated with this church. I'm really excited to see where God leads us to serve and work for His Kingdom.

I really didn't have specific New Year's goals this year, but I do want to grow spiritually, emotionally and physically stronger in 2015. I believe having the opportunity to volunteer at a non-profit is definitely going to be a gateway for that. I'm also starting a new Bible study today! It's called the "Five Aspects." It teaches all about womanhood and femininity. I'm so excited to see what I learn through it. I also have felt convicited about the amount of time I spend on social media. So I have currently given up Facebook and Instagram until Easter. I don't think social media is bad by any means, but it was time for me to take a social media fast.

I'm so thankful for another new year! Four more new seasons to live, to experience, to play, to work, to learn, to teach, to grow, to seek, and to find.

hillsboro & homestead.

This past Saturday Stephen & I had a little date-day. We went to Homestead Heritage & Hillsboro to visit my great Uncle Jeff!

First we went to the Homestead to eat lunch! I literally looked forward to this meal all week long. I've mentioned the Homestead once before, but it has been far too long. We planned to get there after the lunch crowd...but we arrived to find out there was an hour and half wait. And Stephen's stomach was already growling. We (I) decided we had driven all the way there -- of course we were going to wait! So we walked around and went to the new Market. We learned there they now had BBQ to offer! And there was no wait...so we ate BBQ sandwiches in the sunshine and neither of us complained. It. Was. Fantastic.

Then I got their famous cookies and cream ice cream. I promise, y'all, it's better than Bluebell. I know this for a fact because the night before I ate a pint of Bluebell's cookies and cream. No comparison. Homestead > Bluebell.

If you ever go to central Texas, you must make time to stop and eat and enjoy an afternoon at Homestead Heritage! There just isn't anything like it.

This was Stephen and I's second time to visit together. The first time was four years ago while I was at Baylor....

That day we never would've thought we'd be dating! 

After lunch at H.H., we headed 20 miles north to Hillsboro to visit one of my favorite people. My Uncle Jeff is a Pawpaw more than anything. He lives way out in the country and the drive to his house is so pretty. Tons of farmland and hills. When you pull up to his house you have to watch out for all of his pet....chickens! They have free roam over the yard. I'm just happy he got rid of the roosters!

I brought him some famous West Kolaches and we munched on those. Then Stephen and I went for a walk on his land.

Stephen: I look majestic. 

It was so great to visit with Uncle Jeff. I just wish I could make it down more often to keep him company.

And a quote from him, "Stephen, now she's a diamond in the ruff. You gotta polish her up. Make sure she can cook before you decide to keep her forever."

Thanks, Uncle Jeff....

And a quote from Stephen on the way home, "Man, he really cares about his food."

Clearly! Still love that man though :)

It was a beautifully, peaceful day & I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with those two men.

better late than never.

I’m back! I can’t believe I went the entire month of December without writing a single post. This past holiday season was the busiest I’ve ever experienced (Stephen’s family is large!) and I had no time to blog. So here’s to Merry Christmas, goodbye 2014 and Happy New Year!

And y'all, I'm sorry for this really long post.

December started out with our Belvin Family Christmas in Dallas at my house! My sister wasn’t going to be here for Christmas so we celebrated early. My brother, sister-in-law and nephews were able to join us as well! We had the usual Christmas dinner with every casserole imaginable and opened gifts around my tiny tree. After the food coma, we headed to Arbor Hills Nature Reserve with the family and three dogs. Arbor Hills is one of my favorite places in the area because of the trails and trees. I can pretend I’m in the country.

 We had a blast. It felt like we were back at Double Spring Ranch where I grew up. It was an awesome family weekend and we ended it with church on Sunday morning.

The weekend after my family Christmas, Hannah and I ran our first half marathon, the Dallas Metro PCS! The weather ended up being perfect. It was around 50 degrees and cloudy. It was supposed to rain all day Sunday, but luckily, it didn’t end up raining until that afternoon. We had so much fun! Around mile 6, I remember thinking “Oh man I’m not even half way.” But we pushed through and I met my goal of finishing it in 2 hours!

Through all of our training, Hannah and I kept Hebrews 12:1 as our motivation to keep going.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race set before us.”

Later that week, Stephen and I attended his annual work Christmas party. This year we got a chance to get drawn by the cartoon artists. Stephen looks like Jay Leno! It was so fun!

                                                         

                   

Fast forward one more week and it was time to head back to Louisiana for Christmas break! Stephen’s family is really big and there is always something going on. I went to three family functions with him. We had a white elephant party, a pig roast and one other Christmas gathering. All of his family is so sweet… seriously, every aunt, uncle, grandparent, and cousin made me feel so warm and welcomed. He’s a lucky fella!

As the new girl at all of his family get togethers, I didn’t want to be the one taking pictures and ordering everyone around to line up for a snap shot, haha. So I really don’t have any pictures of all the fun. Hopefully next year I won’t be shy and I can capture these sweet people on camera!

I got Stephen new golf clubs for Christmas and they were a hit! His brother was a huge help with picking them out. He got me a beautiful bracelet and the blender of my dreams!!! Seriously, this thing changed my life when I lived with my parents and now I have one for my own kitchen. He is the best gift-giver!

Stephen and I had such a great time at home. It was so amazing to both be off of work with no responsibilities getting to spend as much time as we wanted together. Our parents live right down the street from one another so that’s extremely convenient. We got to go back and forth between our momma’s home cookin’. One afternoon we went to his family’s farm and shot my new gun -- definitely one of my favorite days!

                                                                      

                                                   

                                                                   

           

We decided to stay in Louisiana through New Year’s and go to the O’Neals camp again. It sure was a party! Mr. David set up huge speakers with a microphone…. we had a real DJ… Mr. Greg….he was WAY too good at it! I got to have an a-mazing piece of King Cake!! We stayed up until midnight and did fireworks. It was a good time catching up with our friends.

 I am so thankful for every single person I got to share this Christmas season with. My people are the best. My Jesus is the best. 

Louisiana sunset.

P.S. For some reason the font for this post is all messed up. It's driving me insane, but I can't figure it out.