fall things.

Now that the weather is attempting to cool down...I think it's time for a fall to-do list:

*go to an apple orchard and pick apples. eat some nice apple treats

*go to the state fair

*carve a pumpkin

*roast pumpkin seeds

*make an apple pie

*buy a fall scented candle

*crunch leaves on the ground (my favorite activity when i was younger).

*read a good book...for fun.

* eat at a new restaurant


Anyone else have fun ideas?

grace.

Here is a smattering of pictures from the past few weeks. yes, they might seem random, but they are all reminders of how good my God is and how grateful I am for each of the days he graces me with. 

 my friends and i took one more trip to the beach before fall officially hits us with cool weather and pretty leaves. we wanted to soak up the sun one last time...and soak up we did! It was the most beautiful and perfect day on the beach.

 beautiful sunset view as our day trip to the beach came to a close. a reminder of God's faithfulness and how thankful I am for my friends, family, and job.

 some sweet students I get the joy of hanging out with in University Towers. our powderpuff team ended up winning both of our games! #covergirls

 my dgroup. they are wonderful. and so fun. hayden, kate, and becca...we spent a long day on the field watching games...and enjoy every monday night together.

 the most delicious dessert i've made in a long time: i call them pumpkin spice rolls. i think i may have eaten about 15 in 48 hrs. oops.

 vanilla lattes in morning times; a coffee shop in downtown raleigh. raleigh is the best city. i love living here.

 lisa and I's view out the window as we waited for a student to join us. we have the best job.

Lastly, one of my best friends, Lisa, and I went to lunch last Thursday. We have been friends since our freshman year of college and have walked through many trials and joys together. I am so thankful for her friendship and love that I get to live, work, and play with her yet another year!!

go heels.

last week i got the chance to visit my sister. she is a sophomore at UNC. i really do love chapel hill...driving up brought up lots of great memories from college. I took her to one of my favorite restaurants, BUNS. They have the best burgers and sweet potato fries!!! yummm. then we took a nice little walk down franklin st. and to the upper quad. she's the best and i loved getting to see my alma mater again.

bell tower and old well! simple beautiful.

amazing restaurant in chapel hill. if you havent been there yet, drop everything and go!

the amazing veggie burger :)

some of the best sweet potato fries i've ever had!

the upper quad. pure beauty. i miss those days of living right across franklin st. from this view!

my sweet sister who currently is experiencing all the joys of being a carolina student. i love her and am so encouraged by her life!

treats & friends

The past two weeks have been full of times with great friends and good food. I am realizing how thankful I am for this season of life. I get to make food with my friends, explore the city, enjoy weddings, and live in a pretty awesome house. I can only attribute these things to the grace of God. I am truly grateful to him for allowing me to experience joy in my friendships that are based on the love of Christ.
Here are a few things I have enjoyed in the past 2 weeks...

(from top left around clockwise) Dinner with Christa in cameron village, mapleview ice cream like old times, nice salad with homemade chicken nuggets, the best treat christa and i made one night 

pumpkin spice latte of course & our new mantle decorations :)

i love these friends. i am going to miss you kenz!

molly and i on the way to Ashley and Cole's wedding!

area time with CU and NCSU staff attempting to make ice cream...we ended up just pouring the mixture in coffee

lake vacation

I know this is going back kind of far...but a little over a month ago some friends and I took a trip to my grandparents lake house for some rest and relaxation. I loved spending time with friends and am especially thankful for generous grandparents who provided amazing food and a beautiful place to stay and play! Here are some pictures of the week!

eating lunch every day...jet ski....laying in the sun on the water...chilling in rocking chairs. couldn't ask for better days

my friends. they are great. we missed the others though!

kate and I & the beautiful sunset

me kate and my grandma on the sunset cruise

new mornings.

new blog. new mornings. inspired by Psalm 100. it calls us to praise God, serve Him with gladness, come into His presence and know that He is God.
praise, serve, come, know.
That is what I want my days to begin with. I have decided to wake up early (well...early for me), go for a run or walk and spend time alone with God- all before I start working.
I am in the middle of week 2 of these new mornings...some days I have to adjust and do my run later in the day, but I am thankful God has given me the strength and motivation to remain consistent!

my beautiful neighborhood

beautiful houses