Ashley

Since Ashley was the winner of the "replacement goal" contest, here is my tribute post to her. Far from her self-described "boring ole self," she's a fascinating woman that I can't wait to introduce to you!

Writing about Ashley is a little like writing about a lovely place you've visited. While we went to college together, I only knew Ashley from afar, and, to be honest, she was so beautiful and put together that I assumed she was snobby. I should know better than to assume, but I did. Her husband, Daniel, has been one of my husband's biggest supporters through college, medical school and now residency, so they actually knew each other much better than Ashley and I ever did.

Right before they moved far, far away, we had dinner with Ashley & Daniel, and it was really the first time I was able to have extended time with them. And can I just tell you, my assumptions about Ashley couldn't have been more wrong! She was so down-to-earth, funny, honest, and sincere--qualities I value most in my friendships. Weeks later, they moved away. Years of friendship-by-association and one dinner later, I found that I was missing a friendship that never had time to develop.

Thankfully, I've continued getting to know her through her blog, which is such a precious chronicle of her life with her husband and daughter. So, without further ado, here are my

Top Ten Reasons to Love Ashley (in no particular order):

1. She's an amazing photographer and should totally consider doing children/family photography on the side at some point in the future. 
2. She's creative. I always look forward to seeing their Christmas card and/or reading about the latest innovative idea she has. 
3. The girl can throw a party! I admire her attention to detail, her efforts to make her home welcoming, and her ability to make each guest feel honored. Check out pictures from her daughter's birthday party here. Absolutely amazing. Ashley, can you come to my house when I have kids one day?
4. She is an incredible mom. If there's one thing their daughter knows without a doubt, it's that she's loved. Ashley and Daniel are such admirable parents in their patience, discipline, fun, and creativity. While it isn't always easy, they genuinely enjoy parenthood, and it shows.
5. She has a heart for adoption. We share this passion, so I love hearing anything she has to say about it. 
6. She's a model wife. If their daughter thinks she's loved, she don't have nuthin' on Daniel! Ashley's support, commitment, encouragement, prayer, and JOY in her marriage are qualities I've always admired.
7. She loves Jesus. Right now, I see this most in the way she's teaching her daughter about Him, but I also see it in her humility, her decisions, and the way she leads her life. She makes me want to be more like Him. 
8. She has a great sense of style. Seriously, I have yet to see something on her that I don't like. Do tell, Ashley, where do you shop?? (And feel free to put more pictures of yourself on your blog!)
9. Her writing is fun to read. After years in the marketing industry, she knows how to tell a story and tell it with humor!
10. Speaking of, she has a quirky sense of humor. And by "quirky," I mean all the good stuff that comes along with that word: a funny-witty-cheesy combo that brings lots of smiles my way. 

Thanks for your friendship, Ashley. One day when we don't live quite so far apart, I look forward to picking up on our face-to-face friendship. To tide us over, though, we may just have to plan a trip to Oklahoma soon! 

Mel

I'm terrible at remembering friends' birthdays. Really terrible. So terrible, in fact, that I spent an hour with my friend Melissa today before I realized it was her birthday (and only then because someone else wished her a happy birthday)!

Anyway, in honor of Melissa's life, I want to give her a blog-toast. Clink!

I like to give my friends nicknames, and anyone who's my friend knows that. Melissa (lucky girl) was dubbed "Mel" early on in our friendship, and whether or not she likes it, it pretty much stuck. So, here are a few things about Mel that I admire/am fascinated by/am blown away by/am intrigued by (in no particular order):

• She is one of the most intentional people I know. For example, she decided that instead of getting a set of china, she'd like to have a piece from all her friends' sets to make a mis-matched collection that will remind her of the people she loves every time she uses them. She and her husband also only have art on their walls from people they know so that their house is full of unique talents applied & shared instead of generic pieces. Those are the kinds of things I love but would never think of. 
• She's creative. In addition to being a great writer (check out her blog!) and seamstress, she just comes up with unique ideas all the time. She's always working on interesting projects like this one to organize her jewelry. 
• She's confident. Not cocky, just sure of herself, of what she believes, of what she prefers. I like that.
• She reads. A lot. I'm not just talking classics, here, although she reads lots of those too. She reads everything. Harry Potter, British poetry, children's books, Jane Austin, Twilight, cookbooks, magazines, modern novels. You name it. One of my favorite questions to ask her is "What are you reading?" because I can't wait to hear the excitement in her voice when she tells me about the books.
• She's a great wife and mom. 'Nough said.
• She asks good questions. Mel always seems to know how to ask good questions--questions that will get people talking, questions that will get people thinking, questions that communicate that she cares.
• She runs...and likes it. Ever since middle school when the track coach tried to recruit me for the track team, I knew that I did not enjoy running. For practicality's sake, I do run (occasionally), but I really don't enjoy it (although a little "Soulja Boy" does give me a nice distracting beat). So, basically, I'm amazed by anyone who actually likes to run, which means Mel's love for running = an awe factor for me.
• She's thoughtful. She's the kind of person who makes chocolate chip cookies every time we go over for dinner because she knows they're my favorite. She's the kind of person who does remember friends' birthdays. The kind of person who opens her home, buys random gifts, and texts because she thinks of you. I'm grateful to know that kind of friend.
• She loves Jesus. And not just in a I-go-to-church way, but in a real God-in-the-grit-of-life way. She loves Jesus in a way that makes me know Him better.

So Mel, here's to you on your birthday! May you nap often, read much, and eat well! Cheers!

Weekend with the Lumbats

This past weekend, Phil and I met our friends, the Lumbats, in Destin, FL. It was one of those weekends that felt like a week, and we certainly packed in our time with a 2-hour bike ride, multiple games of 3-on-3 beach football, and a new card game that we love called "Kings and Peasants," or something like that. They also brought along their friends, the Joneses, who were fantastic company and quick friends. It was just the rest we needed before our last few weeks of the semester!