Blue Jay.

The Blue Jay is my affectionate name for my very first car, a 2001 blue Toyota Celica. I got her in 2003 when we first moved back to America. After living overseas for nine years of my life, where public transportation and cross walks are in abundance, the streets and highways of North Carolina were a little upsetting to a 17 year old girl without a license. Needless to say, my first car definitely meant freedom. I have so many fond memories with friends in this car. I took my first solo road trip up and down the east coast after graduation with my friend Diana. I packed up my car with almost my entire dorm room (she fits more than you'd think!) and drove down to Tallahassee for my first year of college. That freshman year, I was one of the few who actually had a car which meant we stuffed a lot of people into my car for a lot of fun times and exciting road trips. In January 2008, we finally retired the good ole blue jay and I so graciously acquired my “grown up car” since I was getting ready to graduate. For the next two years, the blue jay sat in my parent’s garage as my dad even found it hard to get rid of. After all, even HE loved reflecting on the memories of my first car. So I would always make sure she got some love and took her out for a spin when I was home over the holidays... you know just for old times sake!


Well have no fear ladies and gentlemen... the blue jay is back in action!  Stuart and I made the hard, but GOOD financial decision to sell his car while we get on our feet in the world as newlyweds. So in the mean time, we have the blue jay again! Stuart was a little apprehensive about being in such tight quarters, but I think deep down it is starting to grow on him.  Or maybe it’s just the fact that the gas is much cheaper compared to his gas guzzling Armada. Check out the old but new ride!

Do It Big.

Last night was Do It Big 2010. This year was the second time I’ve been to the event although the guys have been putting it on for the past couple of years before I came into the scene.  It is an outreach event for high schools (and middle schools of course!) throughout Tallahassee who all get together for one night to “do it BIG.” How big is “BIG” you ask? Well “Big” means more than 600 kids, a giant cook out, a bouncy slide and Florida State athletes whom all of Tallahassee idolizes. This year’s line-up included Charles Clark, Casey Weldon and Dustin Hopkins, Brad Nester and of course my favorite speaker, Stuart Owens. Here are some photos from last night.

Needless to say, we were all VERY glad Dustin made that kick last night. Let’s re-live it again, just one more time!

Peace that surpasses all understanding

I recently started leading a high school girl's small group at Stuart's church. My heart has become overwhelmed with love for these girls as we meet each week and challenge one another. We are in the midst of reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and coincidentally this week's chapter was on how short life is. That we are not guaranteed tomorrow and that the point of life is to point ourselves and others to Christ.


This message could not have been more timely in my life, as my family and I grieve the sudden loss of my aunt to our family. When I heard the news tears began to fall and at that exact moment it started pouring down rain outside. I couldn't help but feel comforted by the thought that God hears my cries and feels my pain. After a time, the rain stopped falling and I felt peace.


It is so easy to become disillusioned with the circumstances of our lives when we compare it to the lives of others around us. But as we enter the presence of God we receive a deeper peace and joy that transcends all understanding.


I'm thankful to know that I have a God who knows and loves me deeply. I am thankful for His promises and am so thankful for the coming of a new heaven and a new earth.

"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 

 Revelation 21:3-4

March Madness

These past two month have been exciting, busy and eventful to say the least. Since I have already taken a two month pre-mature hiatus from my blog (yes, I am only finishing this incomplete post that I started writing in march in may), I figure I should probably run through some of the highlights.

I've always been one to complain about there never being enough hours in the day and having so much to do but never enough time to do it. But if I'm being honest, I wouldn't really have it any other way. I love exploring, experiencing everything and living life as an adventure.


With our wedding being a solid 37 days away, Stuart and I have been super busy but I have definitely been learning a lot in the process about our relationship, time management, budgeting all those fun things. More than anything I have seen God continuing to provide and work in my life. With wedding expenses knocking at my door everywhere I turn I have been financially stretched and am learning to make every penny count. I suppose that's part of growing up.

One night in March after spending an evening stressing and complaining to Stuart about how I was going to pay for my groceries, I drove home trying to convince myself that everything was going to be okay (but I wasn't really buying it). I parked my car in front of my apartment and as I got out of my car I saw a $100 bill just sitting there in front of my car. Some may call it sheer luck but I call it reassurance from God that He is looking out for me and that He is going to provide for both me and Stuart.

Most recently, I have spent just about every other weekend on the road traveling for the most part to and from Jacksonville but in March I drove to Charlotte for my dress fitting. My best friend, Tiffany, lives in Jacksonville so it has been really great to see her so often after living so far apart for the last two years. We decided to make it a girls weekend and take a road trip up to Charlotte for my dress fitting! The weekend was absolutely perfect. We went dress shopping, went out to eat, did some wine tasting and sat out by the fire at my parents house. Pretty much all of my favorite things in life! Here are some shots from the weekend (you'll have to forgive the lighting on some of these). 

Then Tiffany and I were heading back to Jacksonville when about half way through the trip we noticed the air conditioning went out. We were a little annoyed but pressed on down the interstate, fully in tote with our ipod and our amazing vocal skills. We finally reached Jacksonville and as soon as we hit the red light after the interstate, my car began shaking and completely stalled. As I tried to re-start it we could smell and even see smoke coming from the engine. Now, keep in mind my car is only 2 years old so I have NEVER had car trouble before. So what did we do? Call Dad of course! Then we called the dealership and the tow company. The tow truck comes zooming in (Tiff and I shrieked at the sheer speed as we held our breath, praying he was not going to hit my car- he didn't.. don't worry). Tiffany and I grab as much as we can possibly hold in our little arms and sadly watch my car being towed and driven away. So there we were. Standing in an abandoned car dealership lot, with our Vera Bradly bags in hand, ready to face the world. Thankfully Tiff's mom came to our rescue and took us out to dinner at our favorite restaurant, Sweet Tomatoes, right down the street. I don't think it was a coincidence my car broke down there! I am so thankful that we made it all the way to Jacksonville.

Of course because it was a Sunday evening all the dealerships were close. So I was stranded in Jacksonville, stressing about getting to work the next morning. I have absolutely no vacation days since I am using them all for the wedding. Within a moments notice, my fiance, Stuart, hopped in the car and headed to Jacksonville. I am so thankful for him and how he is always willing to be there for me within a moments notice. We switched cars around midnight and then I drove all the way back to Tallahassee so I could be at work at 8am the next morning.


Meanwhile, Stuart was stranded at the Mazda dealership without a car all day and managed to entertain himself at a nearby mall. After all that, my dad managed to talk the dealership into fixing my car for free! If that isn't a miracle.. I don't know what is!

The Quarter Life

So this is it.


I have put off posting on my blog for months. There is something intimidating about a blank page. I have so much to tell but can't quite find the words to say. I have spent the last year and a half of my life searching for clarity, trying to figure out what it is I'm supposed to be doing in the "real world" and how can I make an impact. A year and a half later I still have no clue but I am excited about doing something big and finding out more about myself through the process.


Not to discredit 2009. It was a BIG year for me.


I packed up my bags and moved to Washington, D.C where I moved into a house in Georgetown with three strangers (who turned out to be amazing roomates), explored the streets of Washington, tried every single restaurant I could and went to work every single day for the United States Senate in our nation's beautiful capitol. Not a day went by that I was not blown away by where I was blessed to work and what amazing things I was able to experience all while conquering the post-college "quarter life crisis", which for the record- I really think they should teach prep classes for this your senior year of college!


Not to mention I started dating my best friend, learned what it meant to love (even when miles apart) and about 13 1/2 months later I got engaged. And now here I am living back in good ole Tallahassee, Florida.


Life is full of surprises!


You see, I crave adventure. I love new experiences, new places, meeting new people. What can I say, I'm a creature of habit. I have moved every 3-5 years of my life, and 9 of my 24 years were spent living in Europe (3 countries to be exact). So, needless to say I love change. When I was making my blog my fiance, Stuart, joked that I should title it "Anywhere but here" because no matter where I am and what I am doing I am always looking forward to the next step. I, on the other hand, felt "Road to Beautiful" was WAY more appropriate. Because even though I have no clue where life is going to take me, I know it is going to be filled with beautiful adventure. I have so much to learn about the world and myself. So stay tuned...