Currently

Working from home today and for the next 3 weeks. So excited! Don't get me wrong, I have a ton of work to do and will continue to stay really busy, but I've done nothing but travel for work the last 5 weeks and I'm TIRED. Bring on the Keurig coffee, comfy clothes, and furbaby snuggles!

Training for my second half-marathon, the 10th Annual More Fitness Women's Half Marathon. I'm trying a new training plan this time around and I'm really liking it! I'm not so sure how my long run is going to go this weekend with so much snow on it's way. :)

Monitoring the weather over the next 72 hours. They are calling this blizzard "Snowstorm Nemo." Where Luke and I live shouldn't see more than about 6 inches of snow, but it looks like the northeast coast could get anywhere from 2-3ft. CrAzY! Can you imagine the flight delays, road closures, and power outages? Please keep the northeast in your prayers. 

Praising the good Lord because we sold Luke's car!! His car was left in Texas after we moved because you just don't need two cars where we live. But that extra car payment + insurance on a car we weren't driving was hurting us. It took 3 months and a few days, but we're so happy to have a little financial relief!

{via}

Patiently awaiting spring. I mean, seriously. I need some sunshine in my life! I can't help but look at all of the spring fashions all over Pinterest. Spring means that summer isn't too far along and soon we'll be eating on quaint little tables outside the cafes. I sure hope that the ground hog not seeing his shadow really does mean better weather is around the corner sooner than later!

Paying bills. It's just that time of the week y'all. #sonotmyfavoritething #canyouusehashtagsinablogpost?

What are you currently up to?

Sometimes, life is hard.

There are many reasons to blog: to keep a record of life so that one can look back on how far they've come, to stay in touch with family and friends, to share life's big announcements/accomplishments... But today, for me, it's just to let go. To say that last week was really rough. Last week brought new challenges to work, to my personal life, to my spiritual walk. By Friday, I felt defeated and tired. You can always tell when I've had as much as I can take because I don't want to talk about it anymore (and I'm a talker!). I was disappointed and angry and hurt.

I thought a weekend at home with little to no distraction would lighten my load and give me some peace, but honestly, I have to admit that I'm still a little upset. It probably doesn't show on my face as much now, but my heart still hurts. I still feel a little defeated and worn down. None the less, tomorrow is a new day and the beginning of a new week. And I'm hopeful that God is going to give me the strength I need to move past last week and into a new one. 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness! "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him."

Lamentations 3:22-24

And to start off on a good foot, here are a few things that I'm excited for this week:

-Beginning the 40 Day Bible Challenge with Liquid Church 

-Luke and I attending our first LC life group 

-Traveling Monday-Wednesday and getting to be home Thursday and Friday

-Beginning a new 10-week half marathon training plan (that is going to kick my butt!)

-And last but never least, continuing to love on these three. They are enough reason to wake up feeling blessed. 

City adventures with sweet friends.

{NYC, I love you too}

Last weekend, one of my best friends/college roommates/sorority sister visited NYC with her mom, mom's friend, and mom's friend's daughter. Of course, I had to take advantage of her being so close, so I took the train into the city to meet up with these lovely ladies!

{Cat and I at The Plaza}

 While Cat and her posse attended a matinee showing of The Newsies, I met up for a quick bite with an old NYC friend. Stevie and I interned at CBS News together 3 years ago and hadn't seen each other since last March. The last time we were together, we talked about Luke and I moving back to the east coast and now here we are! We also stopped by the New York Public Library to see the new Charles Dickens exhibit. It was awesome!

{I can't wait for our double date in the city with our boys!}

After saying goodbye to Stevie, I grabbed a quick cup of coffee and then met back up with Catherine, her mom, and friends for dinner. We went to the cutest Italian restaurant, Casa Nonna. It was SO GOOD! I would definitely recommend it if you're ever in NYC and in need of some great Italian food.

{Coffee on a blustery city day}

{Fun dinner atmosphere}

And of course, Cat and I made sure to sneak in a Times Square picture before I headed back to Morristown.

It was so great to see Cat in the city! The last time we were both in NYC together was Spring Break 2010!! Cat--thanks for letting me crash your vacay and spend the day with you, your precious momma, and friends. Love you girl!!

And NYC--It's always lovely to spend the day captivated by your beauty. Thanks for being a constant in my life. You're good for this girl's soul.

Friday Letters

Dear Mom: Thanks for listening to me and talking me through some tough situations over the last couple of days. You are the best mom/friend a girl could have. I don't know what I'd do without you! Dear Brooklyn and Bentley: Momma loves coming home to you guys after 4 days of being gone for work. When we're reunited, all is right in the world. And your new haircuts are adorable. Let's go to the dog park to show you guys off this weekend, k? Dear Husband: As much as I'm thankful for your new job, I hate that we see so little of each other these days. I miss you so, so much! I can't wait to spend all day Sunday with you. And I'm counting down the days until tax season slows down. Dear Aliya: Thanks for being such a sweet friend today and encouraging me. And happy 30th birthday girl!! Dear Cat: I see you tomorrow. In NYC. YAY!!! Dear NYC: You bring people together. To celebrate. To reunite. To fall in love with your deep city lights all over again. I will see you soon. :)

{Headed into NYC tomorrow. Can't wait!}