may highlights.

April showers... bring May flowers!

Here are a few highlights from the fifth month of the year:

• Earlier this month, Stephen, friends from church and I went to the drive-in movie in Fort Worth. It was soooo great! We saw Million Dollar Arm. Watching a movie in the bed of a pick up truck is much more fun. The picture above is intended to look like a selfie, but Stephen actually snapped the photo.
• Mr. and Mrs. Cole said "I do!" Had a lovely time with my girls. We unintentionally all wore florals.
• Had a double-date with the Chabot's in Trinity Grove at Luck. Food and drinks were superb & Lauren is a beast at Connect Four.
• My kiddos drew me some pretty pictures the other day. Apparently, I am the "Belvin Bee" and "The Belvin-fly." They are so sweet & creative!
• Skye sent me the photo above on Memorial Day with the caption "Two thumbs up for freedom!" This girl has the courage, strength and trust that I wish I had. I'm already counting down the months until she's back! Love you, Skye, & I'm so proud of you!

Not pictured:

• Hannah always comes to visit in perfect timing. We got to hangout earlier this month, eat Greek, managed to get wine on the house, & hot yoga too!
• Adam and Caroline say "I do" today so those pics didn't make the May post --- no worries I'll get em' here eventually. :)

Can you believe 2014 is almost half way over?!

cousin adventures: part ii.

Last summer I got to travel to Boston to visit my cousin, Austin. It was such a fun-filled vacation! So Austin decided it was time he make a trip down to Big D to see me!... And one of his best friends from high school, Alex.

We had an absolute blast! On Friday, Austin, Alex, Ashley (Alex's girlfriend), and I had dinner at Mi Cocina in Dallas and then walked over to the Rustic for some live music. The food was delicious (a froyo stopped also happened) and the band was great!

We tried to get to bed at a decent hour, because there was a lot on the agenda for Saturday. The next morning, Austin and I got in my car and were surprised to find my car would NOT start. Not even turn over. Oh, joy. So I called my neighbors... they weren't home. Then I called my mom and she told me I had my own battery charger in my garage! Score!

Luckily, we were able to get it charged and started in under 20 minutes. Just a small hiccup!

After making it to Dallas, we visited SMU's campus and toured the George W. Bush museum. I absolutely loved the museum. It was so cool to get to walk through each chapter of Bush's life. Do you know what Bush now does in his freee time? Paint! There was an exhibit showing all of his art. He doesn't paint mountains and flowers though. Bush has painted multiple presidents of other countries -- all of them are his friends! How cool is that? They were all so great! He really does have a talent. In a short video, Bush said he had never picked up a paint brush until 2011.

 

love George.

 

Saturday night we went to the Bishop Arts District  in south Dallas -- I had never even heard of it. There are tons of restuarants, bars and boutiques. All the buildings are old and have so much character. We ate at the famous Lockhart's BBQ. It. was. delicious. I'm still working off that brisket haha. After dinner we shopped around a bit before heading back downtown.

 

Austin: Sperrys and shorts rolled like a bro.

I'm so glad Austin came to see me! I'm grateful for every minute we get to spend together. I love you (favorite) cousin, Austin -- cannot wait until our next travel adventure!

my momma.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28

It's the time of year we celebrate our mom. I personally think moms deserve way more than one day of celebration. Moms raise children. Let's be honest, it's the most challenging and the most important job on the planet!

I wanted to give a special shout out to my momma today. I wanted her to know how awesome she is.

First of all, my mom isn't just my "mom."

She's also my...

• friend
• counselor
• encourager
• Christ-example
• prayer warrior
• advice giver
• teacher (of cooking, ironing, cleaning, manners, the Word, Jesus, and well, everything!)
• role model
• shopping buddy
• bargain finder
• picture taker
• and..."life coach" >> this is what she calls herself!

The most important thing to my mom is her relationship with Christ --- this is the most amazing part of her!

Out of all the people in my life, no one knows Jesus or serves like Jesus like my mother does. My mom truly has no other idols before Him. My mom is truly committed to worshiping Him and living for Him every single day. My mom truly strives to be holy like Him. My mom is truly patient like Him. My mom truly tries to love perfectly like Him. My mom believes, hopes and trusts.

She has taught me so much about what it means to be a follower of Christ, a friend of Christ, a child of Christ. She has taught me how to be a Christlike wife and a Christlike mother to my own husband and children (Lord willing). She has taught me the key to a successful marriage is to die to self. She has taught me that Jesus wants to reconcile Himself to us here on Earth. She has taught me to never say "never." She has taught me to pray about everything.

Through her life she has dealt with divorce, disease, sickness, and sin. But through every trial she has faced, she has the Victory with Christ! And that is why my momma is so awesome.

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." Proverbs 31:10

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:26



"She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong." Proverbs 31:17

"She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20

 "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." Proverbs 31:25

 "She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household." Proverbs 31:15

Mom,

If I am half the daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend, and daughter of our King that you are when I'm all grown up, then I'll be doing pretty good. :) You really are the Proverbs 31 woman. I am beyond blessed to be called your daughter. I hope you feel special and celebrated today because you deserve every ounce of it! I love you so much and happy Mother's Day, Momma!

Love,
Mary Kathryn

"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:29