A few of my favorite things!

This year I hope to enjoy some more of my favorite things such as.....
   1. Jared (this is my #1 because he's sitting here as I type this list and kept telling me this needed to be my #1) and even though I added this because he's sitting next to me, I must say spending time with him is one of my favorite things to do and lately he's been getting the "leftover me." I've been so busy trying to establish and maintain friendships, busy with work, and church that a lot of times he gets the "leftover me," but this year  I'm making it a goal to be intentional about not giving him the "leftover me." (Ok, enough about that)!

2. Long talks with good friends. The picture I posted is from one that I had with my dear friend, Cassie today at Panera. She has been such a great friend and I enjoy our weekly "dates" where we share what's on our hearts, some of our favorite books, laughter, joy, but most of all just knowing that I can go and spend time with a good friend that accepts me the way I am, never makes me feel guilty, and who I know I can be myself with…ALWAYS! And I have many friends that I truly value and love!

3. More Starbuck’s Peppermint Mochas. I just found out they now offer these all year and this is the ONLY thing I like at Starbucks (so far). I think I love these though because every time I have one, it’s with a friend.

4. Bike rides. Jared just got me a bike for Christmas and I LOVE it!! I’ve wanted one for a long time and am so excited that we can exercise and explore together.

5. Organizing. I know this sounds weird being a “favorite” but I truly LOVE organization. Call me OCD, but I just LOVE it. I love knowing everything is in its spot instead of being cluttered. I was putting dishes away this afternoon and the Tupperware fell out everywhere…I organized it but then thought, “why do I even have this? I have yet to find a good way to organize it? So I might be doing away with Tupperware here shortly.

6. Spending time with my mom. Since I started my job at ARINC, my mom and I have had more opportunities to go to lunch and spend time together since we both work out on the beach and I LOVE that and hope there’s only more of that to come!

7. More time to myself. This is something I haven’t done AT ALL. I’ve been so overwhelmed lately trying to be everything to everybody that I’ve come to a point where I’m just plain wore out and giving only half of myself to everyone. I need to remember and put into practice that I can’t be that, sometimes I have to say no, and realize that people will still love me if I take time to myself and say no sometimes.

8. Cooking. Ok, I know what you’re thinking…”one of her favorite things is to cook?!...why?...she burns everything!!!” but as horrible as I am at it, I’ve come to love it more and more and hope to make (and not burn) many more meals this year.

9. Playing tennis. This is something I used to do A LOT and haven’t done much lately other than a week ago with my friend Ginny, but hope to be doing much more of in the coming year!

10. Reading the bible more. I know this sounds SUPER cliché’ but I find that the more I read it, the more I want to read it, the more I love God, and the more I strive to please him. After all, isn’t HE the reason I’m on this earth…to love and serve him in all that I do? And although I fail sometimes all the time, I still want to hunger and thirst for him in every way possible and know that by following him, loving him, serving him, and loving him, everything else falls into place and that HE is the only one who’s path I want to follow. Side note-I LOVED our pastor’s sermon on this yesterday about how our joy comes only from having joy within and that’s only given through Christ!

Sorry for the random “favorites” but I just wanted to share (thought that maybe by sharing, it would help me be more aware of it and try harder to do these things more).