Hometown Throw Down & Blogger Meet-Ups

Hello sweet friends! Happy Monday! I hope you and yours had a wonderful weekend. Let's catch up. I haven't really sat down to blog is a little over a good month, so I think I am over due. This past weekend my husband and I met in the middle for a little "Hometown Throw Down". From one event to the next, I am not sure I really ever had the chance to catch my breath. Homecoming was begin celebrated at our small high school, a friend from Tony's graduating class got married, and our small town community was celebrating an annual community even called Butler Fest.

I have not been home for Homecoming since I graduated five years ago. Things were definitely different, as expected. But can we talk about how old I felt? I honestly did not know who some of the students were in the court or in lead out even though I went to school with many of them just a few years ago. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to help my missy (a family friend's daughter) get ready for the dance. It was such a breath of fresh air to be able to listen to her heart as we put on make-up and straightened her hair for pictures after the football game. Times are changing, things are changing, but one thing remains the same- He is faithful and moving in the hearts of the young. So blessed by this beautiful young lady.

I also had the opportunity to meet a blog friend in real life! For those of you who have been reading in this space for a while, you may remember Juliana from The Diary of My Fairytale. She has guest posted on an number of occasions for me and is also dating a guy I graduated with. Such a small world. Anyway, she is fabulous and you should check out her sweet southern blog samplings from photography, crafts, love, and life that she shares along her journey. I am SO SO thankful to have met Juliana. Even though we swapped phone numbers months ago and know friends mutually, definitely finally giving a friend a hug around the neck and putting a voice with a blog/texts makes a world of difference. Juliana made Tony and I this precious door hanger. You should totally check out her blog and her sweet photog skills here.

On Saturday we were able to spend some time with Tony's parents and grandparents for lunch. For those of you who are not familiar with Butler Fest, let me explain. And, for future reference- No judging. Small towns are small towns for a reason. :) Butler Fest features a Memphis in May Sanctioned BBQ Cook-off, backyard division of Little Porkers, sauce judging, parade of pigs that are decorated at local businesses, carnival rides, food, craft vendors, local talent showcases, beauty pageant, area bands for street dances at night, 5k run, 2k and children's walk, and so so so much more. It's like our very own HoneyBooBoo explosion all in one day. I typically only go for the craft vendors (which is really like an extended Farmer's Market without the homegrown food) and Frankly Me tent, which I highlighted last year when I bought our first Snowman door hanger. Overall, there is not much else to do in our small town beside ride back roads or pick cotton, so someone dreamed up a throw down party and included funnel cakes and pig cooking. Here we are today, still celebrating Butler Fest. Good food and good sweets for the win!
We also were able to spend a little time with nature, see old friends and family at our friend's wedding, and I was able to MEET IN REAL LIFE ANOTHER BLOGGER! Again, if you are a regular to this space you have heard of Maggie from A Weaving of Grace. Maggie and I are from the same county, but went to two different high schools. She grew up on one end of the county and I grew up on the other end of the county. We have known of each other, yet never really met each other. Luckily and thankfully, we somehow found each other's blog after we both got married last year. Come to find out- she is an educator and has been such a great mentor, friend, and Godly encourager in my life as we travel through marriage, life, and love at the same stages. Two blogger meet ups in one weekend? I will take it! Again, finally getting to hug the neck of such wonderful friends solidifies that bond like none other. I cannot wait to be able to spend more time with these precious new friends. Sharing life together through emails, blogging, and phone is wonderful, but being with friends in person is life changing.
"He who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23

Before I headed back to Birmingham on Saturday night my husband and I thankfully took an hour to eat dinner together and just catch up on life outside of family, friends, worldly distractions, texts, or Facetime. Hopefully in the next two weeks I will be able to see him more than twenty-four hours as comparable to the last two weeks. Nevertheless, I am thankful for a husband who goes above and beyond to prepare for us and our future, and lead and support our home. His respect, honor, and love for me and our home are unquestionable. I am so thankful for Tony's love and support, but more importantly I am thankful for the covenant and the blessing marriage brings during long distance. The path gets foggy at times, but the Lord carries us through. We are doing well, but between weekend running, school and work we are evolving in more ways than one. However, He is good and we are learning everlasting life lessons.
Hold fast. What is done in love is done well. Today and everyday I am GRATEFUL. For gratitude turns what we have into enough. "Faith is the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances."