Hello February! Already! I feel like this is a consistent theme, but time is really flying. January was so packed with things that I am still processing! I still haven’t processed all of the Creative at Heart conference, nor have I processed all I learned at Cru’s Radiate. And I feel as if I’m jam-packed full of new things I’m learning about myself and about life. This is why you write things down. My brain often feels too full to contain more. So that’s why I always have a notebook or a journal or something….and then I commit to processing it later. When I can give whatever it is the attention it deserves.

The autopilot beginning of the semester mode has finally become a routine. Praise Jesus. My newest challenge for myself is to engage fully with what is going on around me. Whether that me emails or conversations or blogging or music or making dinner. I want to give life the attention that it deserves from me, instead of rushing along to the next thing. I know I keep harping on this, but I’m embracing living slow. (at least trying to) What has continued to spur this on? (you may be asking yourself that, but probably not, i’m going to tell you anyways.) This quote from the beautiful book 1000 Gifts – “On every level of life, from housework to heights of prayer, in all judgement and efforts to get things done, hurry and impatience are sure marks of the amateur.” Ouch. How often do I live my life amateur? I’m still collecting thoughts on this matter, but I’m going to spill my guts a little more on it next week on the blog.

So what did I get into this week? Well, another week well spent with college students, good time with newish friends, a long evening of monopoly (in which I crushed), and birthday and Super Bowl celebration. Oh and of course…some feels:

• I am the first to admit that I am not a chef. I don’t know how to whip things up…but I can follow the rules like nobody’s business. SO that’s exactly what I did when making this Hot Italian and Gnocchi soup on Friday. Ohmygosh. Best soup ever. So good that we’re making it again this week. It’s like the two best Olive Garden soups combined.
• Okay, who else teared up at the Budweiser puppy commercial?! (and by teared up I mean sobbed) Seriously, are they trying to torture us? I may or may not have spent a half hour this week watching all of the Budweiser commercials and having a good cry.
• Thank the Lord football is over. There is nothing that makes me zone out like having a football game on TV. (not that we have cable) I will treasure this time like it is sacred. Because it is.
• One of my friends pointed out that none of the Super Bowl commercials were funny last night…I apparently didn’t notice because I was too busy crying my eyes out every commercial break. I’ll take it.
• My sister turns 23 tomorrow! And we celebrated on Saturday with Red Robin and a smoothie party. Which David and I totally overbought for. Which is totally just feeding our smoothie addiction.

Today’s soft flurries reminded me of this sweet moment from Thursday. Cannot wait to show you Haley and Nathan’s session. Also yes…they are a real life Naley couple. Any One Tree Hill fans out there?!