martylou.blogspot.com
the simple things: March 2014
http://martylou.blogspot.com/2014_03_01_archive.html
One of my dearest friends recently turned 40, and I've never had so much fun celebrating someone! I got to help plan a surprise party for her, which was not easy to pull off. Becky can't stand not being "in the know," so she was grilling people left and right once she caught wind that something was being planned for her. This is where the party was waiting for Becky, and I truly believe she had no idea until she walked into that party room. I can't explain how blessed I am by these friendships in my life...
martylou.blogspot.com
the simple things: >> gulf shores
http://martylou.blogspot.com/2015/06/gulf-shores.html
It was about an 11-hour drive for us, but we still had time to meet up with everyone (the bride, groom, and their bridal party) for dinner at Lulu's, which is an awesome restaurant/outdoor party area right by the water. We ate at colorful picnic tables under a pavilion, surrounded by live music, volleyball, and various outdoor activities on the sand. There was live music downstairs, and Leslie enjoyed crab legs while I ordered the catch of the day fish, which turned out to be grouper. The food was gr...
martylou.blogspot.com
the simple things: January 2015
http://martylou.blogspot.com/2015_01_01_archive.html
This morning I was on my way out the door to hit up a thrift store before meeting a friend for coffee, when it hit me that I had not done my morning devotional yet. Knowing I had plenty of time before I had to be anywhere, I didn't hesitate to sit down and open up my Jesus Calling devotional to see what the day had to say. Thank Me when things do not go your way, because spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials.". The beauty of those words just struck me. Blessings in disguise. But this morning I did&#...
martylou.blogspot.com
the simple things: August 2014
http://martylou.blogspot.com/2014_08_01_archive.html
My story (overcoming social anxiety). I am a 31-year-old wife, teacher, pug mommy, friend and Pinterest-loving crafter. I am an introvert that loves people. I can be as silly as a 12-year-old and love making others laugh. I am a good listener and love hearing other people’s stories. Then came college, where there was more of the same. Every day was spent fighting one anxious battle after another. I remember my heart beating fast each and every time I walked to class. I wondered: Would I get c...I told my...
martylou.blogspot.com
the simple things: >> valentine's day
http://martylou.blogspot.com/2015/02/valentines-day.html
This year's Valentine's Day was a little bit more meaningful than years past. Since it fell on a Saturday, we had the opportunity to make a day of it instead of just settling for a nice dinner out after work. The day was also beautiful, sunny with highs near 60. So we took a spontaneous road trip to the little college town where our story began. After a late lunch, we drove out to Mt. Nebo, the lookout point with insanely gorgeous views where Leslie proposed to me over 10 years ago. We ordered the infamo...
martylou.blogspot.com
the simple things: >> blessings in disguise
http://martylou.blogspot.com/2015/01/blessings-in-disguise.html
This morning I was on my way out the door to hit up a thrift store before meeting a friend for coffee, when it hit me that I had not done my morning devotional yet. Knowing I had plenty of time before I had to be anywhere, I didn't hesitate to sit down and open up my Jesus Calling devotional to see what the day had to say. Thank Me when things do not go your way, because spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials.". The beauty of those words just struck me. Blessings in disguise. But this morning I did&#...
martylou.blogspot.com
the simple things: March 2015
http://martylou.blogspot.com/2015_03_01_archive.html
I saw an elderly lady in Walmart yesterday whose shoulder-length white hair was pulled back with a thin clip, and for whatever reason I was reminded of my grandma and how she might have worn something like that in her hair. I saw her humble abode- a trailer with furry rust-colored, matted down carpet in the bedrooms (which were mostly off limits), a rusty white iron porch on the front and a wooden porch on the back. I loved playing house on the iron steps. Then one day, my duties were officially over....
martylou.blogspot.com
the simple things: February 2015
http://martylou.blogspot.com/2015_02_01_archive.html
This year's Valentine's Day was a little bit more meaningful than years past. Since it fell on a Saturday, we had the opportunity to make a day of it instead of just settling for a nice dinner out after work. The day was also beautiful, sunny with highs near 60. So we took a spontaneous road trip to the little college town where our story began. After a late lunch, we drove out to Mt. Nebo, the lookout point with insanely gorgeous views where Leslie proposed to me over 10 years ago. We ordered the infamo...
martylou.blogspot.com
the simple things: April 2014
http://martylou.blogspot.com/2014_04_01_archive.html
You are never too old to set another goal. Or to dream a new dream.". My goal for my first 5k was to complete the whole thing in 45 minutes. I ended up beating that goal, which I was ecstatic about since I wasn't able to run the whole thing. Sharing this experience with my sister and sister-in-law was awesome because we went through the ups and downs of training together and accomplished our first 5k together. I'm still so proud of us. Yes, that is Michelle Duggar. I beat her by a hair, y'all.). New Loca...
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT