Giving thanks.

Good morning babes!

I seriously hope that everyone is having a great week! I feel like I've been all over the place this week, though I'm not totally sure why.

So. My birthday was last week, and that's not a cue for all of you to wish me a happy belated birthday, I just want to let some feelings go.

My birthdays aren't ever really anything special, for some reason it makes me uncomfortable to celebrate "me" and usually my friends forget that it's my birthday or don't really do anything. I think the last time I actually celebrated my birthday was when I was 10 years old and we went roller skating. Once, my husband tried to plan me a surprise party and no one showed up. I used to have some gems for friends.

This year all of that was different, this year I had such a genuine outpouring of love, I honestly didn't know what to do with myself. On Tuesday, two of my best friends took me downtown to walk around and take pictures, before heading off to dinner at one of my favorite spots.

As I walked in the door to the restaurant I heard a voice say "We're here for you!" and as I turned, a group of my friends were there to surprise me for  my birthday. My husband put the whole thing together, and quite honestly I almost cried.

My besties, Emily and Katie 

Of course Katie and Emily were involved in the whole setup as well, Katie actually helped pull off my engagement so she knows how to be sneaky : ) My friends and I grabbed a table while the husbands got a separate spot so they could do whatever it is that guys do. I enjoyed my favorite gluten free pizza and tiramisu. The night was perfect.

My beautiful friends, Emily, Lindsay, Danielle, Emily M, and Katie.

On my actual birthday, Katie swung by the apartment to bring me a gift and coffee. Seriously, I can't get enough of this girl and how well she knows me.

My hubs wanted to make my birthday special, so he decided to plan a day for us in Charlottesville. We had a fantastic lunch and hit up a few of my favorite stores (hello Trader Joe's). Though for some reason the day felt like it was missing something. Just the night before my heart had been so full from my dear friends, good food, and lovely gifts. What was wrong with me? As we went around Charlottesville, I realized that I had to snap out of the fantasy that my husband was going to take me Anthropologie or Kate Spade, and turn me loose, letting my buy the whole store. I felt myself becoming to discontent with all of the beautiful things I had, and wanting more, wanting new things that I don't already have. If being a newlywed doesn't do anything else for you, it most certainly will make you humble, at least it has been a humbling experience for me.

Once I woke up from my little self-pitying episode, I felt so convicted about how I had felt and acted. For starters, I'm sure I hadn't shown my loving husband just how grateful I was to spend the entire day with him, something that rarely ever happens because we work totally different hours, or the fact that I appreciated his thoughtfulness. No, I had been too busy being selfish to consider those things. The day after, I woke up feeling sad, mainly because of how materialistic and selfish I had been the day before.

After feeling wrecked and apologetic, I was able to bounce back. How? Because of Jesus. I may be a selfish wretch, but his beautiful, perfect love covers all of that. Life is sweet because I know I'm always restored and forgiven, and because my angel-of-a-husband loves me regardless of my sin. That friends, is love.

I hope everyone is having a great week!
Until next time!

Xx,

LG