currently.

I have seen lots of blogs I read do posts similar to this, but I was most recently inspired by my sweet friend, Jen, to post a little more about me and what my life looks like at this current moment in time.

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Currently... waiting for Brian to get home from work (8:15 pm). Poor guy has been having to pull some long 12+ hour days recently.

Listening to... THIS incredible album that released yesterday. I've been listening to it all day while cleaning and cooking and it's truly their best yet. Buy it, guys. It will bless you beyond reason.

Reading... Nehemiah, Proverbs, and Gone Girl. And desperately wanting to grow my book list for when Brian leaves at the end of the month. Any ideas or great recent reads? Help a sister out!

Eating... some homemade granola at the moment. I get so hungry waiting for Brian to get home, but cherish our dinnertime together too much to eat without him.

Cooking... We've got these yummy, easy chicken tacos waiting in the crockpot for us right now. Also on the menu this week: lettuce wraps, fish tacos (tacos much? I lack creativity), black bean burgers, grilled veggie & hummus pizza.

Dreaming... About the next big trip Brian and I are reeeeeally wanting to take.

Running... I mean, this is hilarious ya'll. I'm including this one because Jen is a runner and she included it. But ALSO because I ran TWICE "with" Brian (he was far, far ahead of me) this weekend. I am not a runner. I actually hate it. But the Lord's been teaching me a lot about self discipline and perseverance lately and this felt like a tangible way to trust the Lord through doing something that is really hard for me.

Feeling... anxious about Brian leaving, but excited for Carly Jo to come visit me while he is gone!

Missing... my parents, and my brothers, and home! My parents are selling their house and building their dream house, which is making me all nostalgic about all the memories I have growing up with my brothers in that wonderful house. Also missing Chipotle and Target like crazy.

Wanting... to revamp my blog, maaaaaybe change the name, and get serious about documenting our life on here!

Wearing... black skinnies and blue v-neck. I am in a dressing rut lately. Can't wait to pull out some summer wear in a few short weeks (days?). It was warm enough here this weekend to wear a sundress, and now it's chilly again. Chilly, ha! It's like 65. My body is ruined by this tropical island.

Pinning... Wall hanging arrangements and ideas to give some life to my beige walls. I. Need. Color. in my life. And recipes. Always recipes.

Learning... Like previously mentioned, learning so much in Proverbs about discipline and perseverance. Just finished walking through David Platt's Secret Church, How to Study Your Bible with our community group. It was incredible and has me desiring to dive into the Word and know God's truth in a more complete way.

Enjoying... new friendships, lots of couple friends that Brian and I truly love spending time with, all of our things that finally arrived (!!) that we hadn't seen since June. And always enjoying this gorgeous island we call home.

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What about ya'll? Give me a glimpse into your life, currently! 

boulder (colorado trip, part 2)

As I mentioned in my Denver post, I came to Colorado to visit friends AND go to the wedding of Brian's closest cousin. Long story short, it was super sad that Brian didn't get to come as he was a groomsmen in the wedding, but couldn't get his leave approved. But, hey! I still got to go, and I had a blast with all of the cousins. 

Boulder is gorgeous. The views are absolutely stunning. 

This bride and groom are pretty stunning too. We love you Leighta and Ashley!

I wish I had more pictures to share of the actual wedding (honestly, I just wish I had pictures of cousin Blake and I dancing.. cause we were REAL good), but I was too busy dancing and having fun to take pictures.

I had such a wonderful time being around Brian's family and really find myself loving all those crazy, fun people more and more as they continue to feel more and more like my family. They truly have taken me in as one of there own, and have loved me since the day Brian and I started dating. Extended families can be a tricky thing to navigate early on in marriage but luckily for Brian and I we are so blessed to have such wonderful, loving, supporting, welcoming families-- on my side and his! 

And obviously, the Harding cousins are really attractive people...

You are welcome for this, Kyle and Marg.

the mile high city

(forgive the amount of pictures in this post. I am on a "document every second on my life" kick.)

Oh, Denver. How I love thee. 

With your gorgeous views, NO humidity in August (my hair thanks you), and your expansive coffee and food selection

-- how could I not love you?

Months ago when we found out Brian's cousin would be getting married in Boulder in August, I decided that I would head out to CO early and spend some time with awesome friends that live in Denver. I have a whole group of college friends that moved out to Denver to plant a church in the heart of the city. It was so awesome to get to see their every day life, watch them live intentionally, and hear about how God is moving through their new city 

that they now call home. 

These friends are the real deal. Doing ministry in their every day lives, living out the life that God has called them to. None of them are on staff with the church-- just moved out here to work real world jobs. To meet people and bring them around the body of Christ and advance the kingdom of God. Nothing fancy or flashy, just working hard to make their life rhythm one of intentionality and influence. It's an honor to know people like them. During my time in Denver, I felt challenged and inspired and spurred on to live out what I feel like

 God is calling me to in my every day life. 

I love Starbees as much as the next person, but it was so fun to visit any and every local and unique 

coffee shop I found in Denver. Each one with different character and a totally different vibe. 

Oh, the food. I. Ate. So. Much. Honestly, I think I ate every meal and drank every cup of coffee with a different friend. It was so fun, and delicious. I didn't have a single bite of bad food. 

This would be the day that my sweet friend, Teresa, and I set out to hike for a little bit. However, the sky looked pretty threatening and dark-- so we settled for margarita's instead. 

Coffee date with my newly married friend Natalie. So fun to talk about and encourage each other in our marriages. I felt challenged to love Brian better through our time together, Nat. I love you!

 I got to have lunch with my LONG time childhood friend, Kristen! It was a spur of the moment decision to meet up and I'm so glad we did. Always fun to reminisce with friends that knew me before I was mature.. wait, I'm still not that mature. // Found my fave restaurant in Denver, for obvious reasons. Okinawa!

Teresa and our UNC friend, Lyndsey, took me to my first Colorado Rockies game. Honestly, the game was pretty boring, but I got a hot dog,  awesome sunset, and lots of good laughs with these girls out of it, so it was worth it! 

Took a good, long walk around Sloan's Lake with Stephanie on my last day in Denver. It was a perfect day, with an awesome view of the Rockies, and even better conversation with this gorgeous girl. 

Lunch date with Stew-- always a good time with this girl. Obviously, we love each other. More now than we did that summer that we lived together and fought a lot. But look at us now! Stew, you are a treasure. One of the most generous and loving people I know. I'm so thankful to know you!

And laaaaastly, Sydney. Sydney actually lives in NC, but in true Syd fashion called us all and was like, "hey, i'm in Denver, wanna get lunch?" Love you Syd, so glad you were randomly driving through CO.

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Well, congrats on making it to the end of this epically long post. Long story short-- I am now begging my husband to move to Colorado when we get back from Japan. It's such a great place, with even better people. 

Denver friends-- thank you for making time for me, taking me to lunch, taking me to dinner, taking me to coffee, showing me your favorite places, letting me sleep in your bed and on your couches, driving me all around your great state, etc. etc. I love you all! 

23.

22 was a big year for me y'all. Well, more specifically May 2011 was a big month for me. In one month I turned 22, graduated college, and married the love of my life. Pretty much every big milestone within 2 weeks. So 23 has a lot to live up to. But, considering we will be moving across the world to start a new life together-- I think 23 will do just fine for itself.

I really love birthdays, like a lot. I love celebrating people, being with the ones I love most, and mostly I just love eating cake. I didn't have huge expectations for this birthday considering Brian had an overnight and couldn't come home that night, and many of my friends are packing up to move away. But y'all, my husband and my friends are awesome. They went all out and made me feel so special, loved, and honored. I am really blessed.

I woke up to the sweetest card from Brian with a gift card to treat myself to some glorious iced Starbees. My friend Kate brought me lunch and took my to my favorite coffee shop to get my favorite iced latte (see a trend here? The way to my heart, people..). I had a relaxing afternoon watching Netflix and eating strawberries with whipped cream.  Then dinner with some of my fave ladies followed by cake and fun times back at another friends house. The night ended with a good ole slumber party since all of our husbands were gone for the night and everyone knows I hate sleeping alone :)

I love these ladies A LOT. 

They even made me my FAVE, funfetti!

I got to celebrate with my man the day after my birthday when I ate my weight in sushi in honor of our big Japanese move coming up. I felt good about that. 

Thank you for all the phone calls, texts, cards, FB messages, tweets, instagrams, dutch ovens (thanks ERIN!), etc. etc. You guys rule and I'm just so blessed that I get to live the life I live. 

Here's to 23! Yee-haw!