Day 10

Day 10 features a picture of the person I do the most messed up things with.  I'm gonna have to go with one April Coates.  If I'm doing something goofy, semi-dangerous, or even questionable, you can bet she had something to do with it. 
I've wandered the 'hood of OKC with her.  I've eaten things I don't even want to know actually are because she ordered it for me.  I've seen my life flash before my eyes too many times to count while accompanying her on an "adventure". 
In fact, all of these things are why Andrew and I came up with the "April's fault" logic in high school.  We figured out a way to always logically blame April for anything, anywhere.  It's kind of like the "Kevin Bacon" game only without degrees of separation or positive publicity, really.
She's my BFF and I love her. :)

April thinks she's got street cred.

Day 9

Day 9 of 60 is about the person who has gotten me through the most.  I'm going to cheat.  Because there are people who have gotten me through it all.  And ultimately that's because of Jesus.  Since I can't really post an actual picture of Jesus (who was Jewish btw, which means he was dark skinned, dark haired, dark eyed..and a carpenter, which means he was big and strong..I'm just saying!!), I'm going to post a picture of people Jesus uses to touch my life on a regular basis.

My husband

First, my husband, Andrew, is there in the thick and thin of it with me.  I love this man with all my heart and am incredibly thankful for him.  Even when he's ridiculous. ;)

Oh Phoebe :)

Phoebe Kate Barron has seen my best and worst and loves me anyway.  I love every chance I get to spend time with this girl and I LOVE serving Jesus with her.  We have shared a LOT of crazy moments together at camps and on retreats.  I can't imagine what my life would be like without her. 

Yes, I did steal this from your facebook.  But, I needed it. :)

The Lokeys.  I am forever grateful for this sweet friendship.  Aaron and Nikki have been there for me in ways no one else could.  They supported me and prayed with me through some super dark times.  They've also been there to celebrate with me (and even brought the cupcakes!) too.  I'm thankful for their love and friendship not only to me, but to my family.  They have become my "Jesus family".

I'm incredibly blessed with wonderful friends and family who are there for me no matter what.  There are so many others I'd like to name, but these 4 represent them the best.  They've known me better than most and been there for my darkest moments.

The past year and a half has been incredibly tough for me.  But each of them in their own way have helped me through it.  My husband and Nikki were there to urge me on and help me get help when depression nearly took my life.  They continued to be there in the healing process, along with Aaron and Phoebe.  Each of them have prayed for me and loved me in an unconditional way.  I don't think any of them fully understand how wonderful they are or how instrumental they have been in God's plan for my life.

Andrew is the only person I have ever let in wholly and completely.  Nikki and Aaron were the first people I'd learned to trust in a very long time when they stepped into my life.  Phoebe taught me to love (and patience ;), but mostly love).  I love and respect these people.  They are my family.

Day 8

Day 8 is a picture that makes me laugh.  And this one does.  In fact, it's the homescreen on my iPhone so that I can get to it in a click when I need a smile.  Who wouldn't smile at the antics of Phoebe Kate and Lelia Kate?

Mean Girls pose

Day 7

Day 7 of my 60 day journey: My most treasured item.  It may not be what you expect.  Then again, it may be exactly what some of you may expect ;).
My most treasure item is my Pink Panther. 

Pink Panther

That's right.  He's a stuffed animal.  He was also my very first friend.  I acquired Pink from my Daddy during a trip to the store (Wal-Mart, I think...).  Apparently I was crying and my Dad did that thing that all new parents do and then immediately learn their lesson about.  He grabbed the first toy off the shelf and handed it to me. 
Now, I was only about as big as Pink Panther at the time, but my Daddy says it was love at first sight, touch, chew, etc.   Of course, I quieted down and when they were checking out, Dad unsuccessfully tried to detach Pink from me.  Needless to say, I wailed and the checker looked at my Dad like he was murdering me, my mom proclaimed she'd told him so, and I got a new best buddy.
Pink Panther and I have been together since I was just a few months old.  That's a long time folks.  He's been to a ton of places with me and only suffered a few minor accidents.  He's going "blind" and no longer has stuffing in his neck (I used carry him in the crook of my arm around the neck), and there's yellow stitching on his hiney from a small operation Dr. Mom performed when I was about 2 or 3.
I've rescued him from the cat, the dog, an apartment fire, and my "niece" (who I now have to hide him from because I'm afraid she'll love him too much and I won't be able to give him to her).   He still goes to Falls Creek with me and just about any other trip that lasts for more than a couple days.  And you better believe the second Andrew's out the door on a trip, Pink, reclaims his spot on and in the bed, right along with Sophie-cat (who is still bitter about being banished to the laundry room at night).
I know what you're thinking.  Yes, I do realize that he's just a stuffed animal and I'm an adult.  That doesn't mean he can't be my very best friend forever or that I'm a grown up.  So there.
Besides, I still haven't quite given up on my "Christopher Robin/ Velveteen Rabbit" theory.  You know, my Pink must have a little garden with a lovely little panther cave somewhere around here where he lives and plays when I'm not available.  Or perhaps when I have loved him as much and long as I can, he'll be granted a real life as a real panther someday.  ;)
To tell you the truth, Pink Panther is my childhood all wrapped up in worn, pink cloth.  In him are all my hopes and dreams, my tears and fears.  He holds my secrets, silly and not so silly.  He heard all my childish prayers and stands witness to my answers.  He's not just a stuffed animal to me.  He's a symbol of who I am and who I am going to be. 

And, I am not afraid to admit that I love him very much, that silly old Pink.

Day 6

Hmmm...who would I trade places with for an entire day?  I don't know!! I am so about being true to myself in every way that this is hard to imagine for me.  I know plenty of people I'd love to meet or hang out with for a day, but trading places?  That's tough.  I guess if I were it would purely to just be one of the funnest and funniest people I know...so...I choose either one of the Lokey girls.  They are pretty much the coolest, so I wouldn't mind harnessing some of that cool factor/energy/comedic timing/creativity for a day.
I mean...they're obsessed with Star Wars...who wouldn't want to be Yoda or Leia, haha!

I'd love to be a Lokey girl for a day...or a Star Wars character...same, same. ;)

Day 5

Day 5 is a picture of my favorite memory.  Honestly, I don't know that I have an all-time favorite memory.  I have a lot of them.  So instead of picking one, I decided to show you who the mostly likely culprits of creating great memories with would be.  Enjoy.



Lots of great memories get made with this guy.



I love every moment I get with these two kiddos.  I hope to get plenty of memories with baby brother too!



Aw, I love this girl and there's always a good time to be had.  Miss Lindsey is repping all my girls from FBC here.  There are just too many of them to put pics up, plus this one was in London.  London is most def one of my favorite memories and the fact that I got to serve there at the same time Linds did was so cool.





Oh, Nikki Lokey and Phoebe Kate.  You ladies make my heart smile.  They are def at the center of some crazy amazing times.  I'm also letting them rep for my I.D. Ministries buddies here too.  I laugh more and smile more with I.D. Ladies than anyone else.





Karon!! This amazing woman continues to light up my life by stepping up and being there for me constantly.  When I need someone, I know she's there.  Thank you, Lord, for my "Jesus Mama".



The BFFs.  April (on right) and Angela (on left).  SO MANY MEMORIES!!! LOL.  I love every one them too! (Execept for maybe that time Angela removed my freckle when we were playing "doctor" in second grade.  That was traumatic.   It was also the only time I ever played "doctor". )

So there you have it.  Some of my favorite people to make memories with.  Not quite what the Day required, but that's what it got. :)



Day 4

I'm a little behind on my postings but I will catch up...you may have several in a row today! Day four's post was about my night.  Day 4 would have been Friday night and I spent it with hundreds of teenagers worshipping God.  It was a pretty sweet night.

Day 4: Unite Now Worship

Day 3

Today's 60 day post is about the cast of my favorite T.V. show.  (See, I told you some would be silly! ;) )


Day 3: The cast from my favorite show.

Ok.  I admit it, I'm a HUGE Syfy nerd! One of my favorite shows of all time is Stargate: SG-1.  I'm huge fan of all of the Stargate shows, but SG-1 holds a special place because it was the first.  I chose to depict the 4 main members of the cast, but all of the supporting cast are equally wonderful in so many ways.  I absolutely love the show, but I love even more what a family this cast became because of the show.  If you look at each of their projects, the other members of the SG cast are supportive in one way or another, from making guest appearance to collaborative efforts, to plugging shamelessly for their friends. 
Amanda Tapping played Dr./Major (Her rank increased the longer the show ran, but she started out as Major, I think.) Samantha Carter.  What an amazingly talented and lovely person!  I've follwed her career over to her new show, Sanctuary, where she plays the main character, Dr. Helen Magnus.  Another great show, but that wasn't my point.  I began to pay attention to her personally and as a result the other cast memebers from SG-1.  Amanda along with her Sanctuary cast is soooo involved with so many charities and very active in bringing awareness to some incredibly worthy causes.  I dare you to check out their charity Sanctuary4Kids.  So cool.
Anyway, the more I learned about who the people were who portrayed some of my favorite fictional people, the more it made me love that show where it all began, Stargate SG-1.  It also made me especially love Amanda Tapping.  She seems to be the glue that holds their little family together.  I can see why.  She is so sweet and approachable in her interviews...but check this out: She actually interacts with her fans!! Who does that anymore? I can count a handful of celebs who actually take the time to do that.
So there you go.  I'm a nerd.  I like it. :)

Day 2

Today is all about the person I've been closest to the longest.

Angela & me

Angela and I have been best friends since first grade.  That's 21 years folks.  21.  Just to give you some perspective on that:  I'll be 27 in March.  We've pretty much been through it all together and then some.  She's my biggest fan and my hero.  There is no one more compassionate or gentle.  She's also funny, genuine, and ornery.  We are so much alike sometimes that it's ridiculous but we are also complete opposites at the same time.  She gives the best hugs and advice.  We never run out of things to say to each other and we can make each other laugh so hard that Angela snorts ;).  I love her like family and can't imagine ever not having her in my life.  Love you, Angela!!

Day 1

For the next 60 days I'm going to let you take a journey with me. Some days will be silly.  Some days will be a little serious.  Every day will be something new.  Today's journey is all about me.

Day 1: 15 facts about me.

1. I love to read. I'm rarely not in the middle of at least 3 books.
2. I love Jesus more than reading...or anything else.
3. I never realized how much I served Jesus and loved it until I counted the number of ministries I have an active part in and the numerous jobs I hold for each of them. It was eye opening. I kinda thought I didn't do that much for Him. Turns out I do and Satan is a big fat liar.
4. Writing is completely therapeutic and mostly spiritual for me.
5. I never smile more than when I'm spending time with I.D. Ministries ladies. (Especially Emily Arnold and Allison Lilly. True story.)
6. I'm stubborn.
7. I'm rarely wrong but always willing to admit when I am (once the stubborn wears off ;) ).
8. I see and speak Truth, but miss it when it comes to myself sometimes.
9. I'm blessed with some of the most amazing friendships a woman could have. (Angela, April, Nikki, Phoebe, Karon, Darah...my life is better because of you.)
10. London changed my life and it will never leave my heart.
11. I love my cat more than I love most people.
12. I want to be a mommy someday, but I really love being an "aunty" so it's a hard sell right now.
13. People would be surprised at my music choices if they looked at some of my playlists.
14. I have a tendency to say things without filtering.
15. I'm married to my best friend.
I'm learning to love and appreciate all 15 of those facts about me and when it comes down to it....there's 15 things to help get me through the day :).