Sometimes it's inadvertent

Day 10: October 8 Seth and Jana McCraine

Inadvertent: not resulted from or achieved through deliberate planning.


Inadvertent is the word of the day. Sometimes, what deeply effects the husband also deeply effects the wife. So, today's post is about Seth and Jana, two wonderful friends of ours that have deeply effected both of our lives. Jeremy met Seth 11 years ago in Russellville. They actually met through the Russellville Christian Center and became instant friends. Jeremy was seeking a deeper relationship with Christ and Seth became someone that he could partner with in this journey. Unfortunately, after awhile, they lost touch. Jeremy, though, since we had started dating back in 2008, had always talked about this guy, Seth, who was just "the best guy around." Numerous times he mentioned that he really wanted to get together with him because he knew that Seth and his wife, Jana, were living up here, but didn't really know how to get ahold of him.

Cue fate, or as I like to call it...God's handiwork. Randomly, a little over two years ago,  Jeremy and I were at Fast Lanes (of all places) and as we were walking around I heard the loudest laugh ever. Jeremy walked up to this guy (whom I later found out to be Seth) and practically wrapped him up in a bear hug. Seth and Jana just so happened to be on a date that night...the same night we just so happen to be there as well. Jeremy and Seth talked for several minutes while I got to know Jana. Jana and I became instant friends as well.

Since then, Jeremy and Seth constantly hang out. Seth is an amazing friend to Jeremy and they definitely live out the verse Proverbs 27:17-"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Not only does Jeremy have someone to encourage him in his walk with Christ, but also someone to work out with, hunt, and just grab a coffee with. Because of their friendship, Jeremy and I also finally found a church that we both love and feel challenged/encouraged/built up at...and also where Seth, Jana, and their three wonderful kids (Caleb, Lainey, and Silas) attend.

I am so thankful for Seth's influence and friendship in Jeremy's life. I am also thankful for Jana and having another "married couple" to hang out with. It's nice to have friends that are in the same stage of life as you. This afternoon, we went to the pumpkin patch with the McCraines. It was so much fun and Izzy had a blast. Here are a few pictures from the patch...including some of all the kids together:

Izzy adores Caleb. She laughs and smiles at him every time he gets near.

The McCraine family has been a huge influence in our (and especially Jeremy's life) over the past few years. We are so thankful that God knew how important it was for Jeremy and Seth to be friends again. His desire for us is to build friendships with Godly people...and we are so thankful to have met such a Godly couple.

Thank you Seth, for inadvertently being such an influence my life. Thank you McCraine family for loving and encouraging Jeremy, Izzy, and I daily. You guys are the best and definitely some of the most influential people of my almost 30 years.

Day 9

Day 9, October 7: Cheyenne Wilson

Okay. Okay. So I know I skipped a day. It wasn't on purpose, it was just a busy day so I kind of forgot. I love doing this because it makes me think beyond myself and it also makes me think about the past and who've I've become because of this past. I'll try to do two people in the next few days.

But for today, only one person has been on my mind. Cheyenne Wilson. Look out world, Cheyenne is officially 18 years old. Happy birthday young lady, you are my most favorite 18 year old in the world.

I met Cheyenne Wilson when I first moved to Chicago. At the time, she was a gangly, smart mouthed (sorry hun) almost 12 year old. I was immediately enamored with this young lady. Yes, she was a little bit of a smart mouth, but I could see beyond the surface and saw what a beautiful, bright, and kind-hearted kid she was. Over the next couple years, we built a long-lasting relationship.  She is a huge reason a piece of my heart will always be in Chicago. It's hard to describe Cheyenne. Let's just say she is one of the most caring, kind hearted teenagers I have ever met (sorry if you lost some street cred just now kiddo). She is also one of the most stubborn, hard headed kids I've ever met too (there, is that better?). I deeply admire the strength that she has shown in the face of some adversity and hard times that she has had to endure in the past few years. I know that she is strong beyond her years and a lot stronger than I was at her age. She is also a very wise, mature young lady.

I cannot even tell the world how much I love her. So much that I think of her like my other daughter. I have offered her the chance to move to Arkansas and live with us, but she hasn't taken me up on it, yet...(the offer will always be here!)

Cheyenne, thank you for being you. That is enough. You are a light to all around you. I am a better person for having met you. I am so, so proud of the young lady you are becoming. I BELIEVE in you. I know without a doubt that God has big plans for you. I cannot wait to see where He leads you. I pray for you daily, young lady. Praise God for bringing you into this world 18 years ago.

Cheyenne Wilson is definitely one of the 30 people that have influenced my life the most.

Birthday Girl

Day 8: Andrea Williams


Praise you Jesus for Andrea Williams. Today is her 31st...uh, I mean 29th...birthday. Since it is her birthday, I am dedicated day 8 to her. Andrea is the kind of person that changes your life. She is my very best friend in this world. I have a lot of friends, but not very many people that I call my best friends. Andrea ranks at the top. We met back in 2007 when I first moved to Chicago. One of the many reasons I loved Chicago was because I met her. You know those people you can tell anything to? That's her. I consider myself a pretty private person and the only other person besides Jeremy that knows practically everything about me is Andrea. She's was the FIRST person I told that I was pregnant (besides family) and the first person I call when I have a fight with Jeremy (ha...sorry babe). She's the person I call when I need advice about work and the person I call when I'm on a long drive and need someone to chat with. I would give my left arm for us to live in the same city. I miss our long talks over coffee and cookies at Letizia's Bakery. I miss our girls' vacations to Colorado and South Carolina  I miss our late night runs to Oberweiss for ice cream. I am so thankful for technology, though. Thankful that I can call, facetime, Skype, facebook, tweet...you get the picture...any time I want. Real, true friends are hard to come by. Andrea is one of the smartest people I know (I mean, I did just find out she made a 32 on her ACT back in the day...wowzers) and she is also one of the kindest, awesomest people I know as well. She worked for Breakthrough for many years and just recently moved on to become a teacher at Biedler School in East Garfield Park (a neighborhood on the west side of Chicago). She dedicates her life to children in that neighborhood. She gives so much of herself, always has, to guide, teach, and minister to them. I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet Andrea. Thankful to get the opportunity to see her teach and love on children in East Garfield. She showed me what inner city ministry looked like. She befriended me when I knew no one in the city. She listens to me moan and groan about my husband and doesn't judge! HA! She gives up her weekends to hang out with me when I come into town, and becomes my chauffer as I ask to be taken to all of my favorite restaurants. She truly is the epitome of a good friend. Thank you for showing me what real friendship looks like Andrea!

Andrea Williams has definitely been one of the most influential people in my life. And, I know that in 30 more years, she will still be. She's just one of those lifelong friends. I think you'll see us someday...gray-haired, with a few wrinkles, smiling and laughing on the beach somewhere, enjoying a girls' weekend away from the husband, kids, and grandkids. I can't wait!

Friends are forever

Day 7. Brittany Greer and Jennifer McMurray.

Okay, so truth is, friends aren't always forever. Life happens, people change, and we move on. It's hard to grow up, become a wife and parent, and try to balance all of that with still trying to maintain friendships. Thankfully, Jennifer and Brittany, are two women that I have been able to continue good friendships with. Both these girls are friends that, no matter how long we've been apart, we can still get together and talk like we see each other every day. We've known each other since the college days, when there were no husbands, no fulltime jobs, and definitely no kiddos. Through all the changes, we are still friends today. So thankful for them and our girls' nights. Thankful for girls' nights because sometimes they help me stay sane. Thankful for lifelong friends. Who go through life with you . Through good times and bad times. Through firsts and lasts, breakups and lasting commitments. There have been some highs and some lows since moving back to Arkansas. Definitely one of my highs has been being able to reconnect and live life with these two beautiful (inside and out) women. Jennifer and Brittany are awesome people whom I am so thankful to call my friends and some of the most influential people in my first 30 years of life.

Oh and ladies, we need a girls' night soon!

Tired tonight

Day 6: Leanne Emerson

I'm tired tonight. Exhausted actually. Being a working mom is tough stuff, that's for sure. I've only been at this thing for 13 months but I sure am tired. Which brings me to day 6 of my 30 day journey of thanking the 30 people who've impacted my life the most. Because of how I'm feeling, I'm dedicating today's post to a super mom. This super mom also happens to be my sister, Leanne Emerson.

As you may have read yesterday, Leanne has an 7 year old, Kyleigh, a 5 yr old, Emma Grace, and a baby boy, Ryker. I honestly don't know how she's done it over these past 7 1/2 years. First off, I have RARELY IF EVER, heard her complain about being a mom and working full time. In fact, i told her a few months into me going back to work that she didn't prepare me...she actually at times made it look easy. She is one of the best moms I know. She manages to love her kids well, keep a spotless (yeah her house is so clean it drives me nuts), love her husband well, and I'm pretty sure she manages to cook dinner every night. I'm not sure how she does it!

I will admit that I admire her more everyday, especially as I've gotten older. Not only for being such an awesome mom but also because she is one of the strongest women I've ever met. Leanne has been through a lot over these past few years, but she has just gotten stronger. She has shown me what to do in the face of extreme adversity: turn to Jesus. I saw my sister go through some crap that she definitely didn't deserve and she didn't fall, she didn't break down, she didn't lay down and give up. Now did she struggle at times? Sure. But she never wavered in her faith, instead she grew stronger in her faith and was a true example of strength to so many, including me.

My sister is better than yours! Ha! I have countless memories, tears shared, laughter shared, angry (usually me) words shared, secrets shared...life shared. There is nothing like a sister. She is truly one of my role models and definitely one of my best friends. Thanks for always being there sis. Thanks for always  being willing to give a helping hand. There are very few people in this life as kind, sweet, and loving as you. I am so, so thankful that God chose you to be my sister. I am so very thankful that you are my friend, too. You, Leanne Emerson, are definitely one of the 30 most impactful people that have been in my life these past 30 years. Here's to 30, or 40, or 50...more years. Love you big sis!

Family

Day 5: October 2nd Kyleigh McConnell

What would I do without my family? I am so blessed to have a really awesome family, and this includes my oldest niece, Kyleigh Brooke McConnell. She is such a great, fun, sweet kid. I'll never forget the day I found out I was to be an aunt. That was one of my most favorite memories ever. When I held that little (really little) red-headed bundle in my arms for the first time, I couldn't believe how much I already loved her. Now, don't get me wrong, she's about as stubborn as they come (I guess that's why she's named after me) but I wouldn't trade her for the world. I have some pretty good stories of neither of us giving any ground and becoming very frustrated with each other (yes me as an adult and her a toddler). But one thing I have learned from her is a little bit of patience can go along way!

She is so smart and the best big sister in the world. I really enjoying watching her grow up. I don't get to see her near as often as I'd like, but when do, I'm amazed at how much she has grown up over the past couple years. I know being a second grader is hard, but she handles it with such grace and joy. I am so very thankful that Kyleigh Brooke made me an aunt 8 years ago and I love her more now than I did then. You are definitely one of my favorite people on this earth and I can't wait to see you grow up into a beautiful, confident young woman. I'm always here for ya, kid. Thanks for being so awesome and being one of the most impactful people in my first 30 years!

Whoops!

Apparently I haven't gotten smarter as I've gotten older. I just realized that I started a day early and will have had 31 days instead of 30 if I continue every day. So, I've decided to take today off. Instead, please enjoy a few pictures of my wonderful, beautiful little girl. She's such a mess!

Izzy is obsessed with being outside. Yesterday, the back yard wasn't going to cut it! So, after exploring and finding lots of grass to pick and leaves to destroy...we went to the park for a little exercise and swinging:

I guess she was tired after all the fun:

Oh. And she made Jeremy and I a little gift at daycare. She knows the key to my heart: