My Favorite Things :)

A blog post two days in a row?! I'm surprising myself. I really don't know what to do with myself having 2 1/2 days off this week! 

I survived the Black Friday shopping spree and now wish to write, but have nothing to write about. SO... this post has no significance and most likely contains no inspiration at all, but that's okay- I can write about what I want too...it's my blog :) 

I've decided to write about some of my favorite things. If you are bored and wish to stop reading because you care nothing about what my favorite things are, I will not be offended :) 

Family

Family is definitely one of my favorite things! See picture below and you'll pretty much know why:

These are my first cousins on my dad's side. They are absolutely hysterical. Sadly, this picture pretty much explains us all perfectly. Have you ever tried getting 11 people, mostly young children, to all look at the same camera while smiling at the same time? It goes down as one of the funniest situations of the year! We are all extremely different, but we love each other and love being together. I wouldn't trade my family for the world :) 

Sports

I am a die-hard Carolina Panthers fan. Yes, I'm aware that we are a terrible football team. There's just something about being inside Bank of America Stadium that excites me. I've always been a Panthers fan and will always be one :)

But nothing compares to being inside Dowdy-Ficklen at ECU on game day. I love my Pirates and plan to be going to games until I literally can no longer climb up stadium stairs. Then I'll probably have someone carry me... WOD anyone? ;)

Crossfit

A little over a year ago I discovered this addicting exercise practice. I used to be 100% against it and now I hate training any other way. This picture was from a Saturday WOD we did last week, that I'm pretty sure I'm still sore from. Next Saturday my box will be making its first competition appearance (it has only been opened for about 2 1/2 months) and I'm pumped! I love training with these people! 

Chalk

I swear I probably use more chalk than all of the people in my gym combined. Why? Cause my hands are pretty much the only things that sweat (gross, I know...get over it) and two: Lebron uses it, why wouldn't I? (Just kidding, not a Lebron fan...at all). 

Gerbera Daisies

Once you make a crazy "masculine" post, you have to follow it up with an extremely girly one, right?

I love pink and I love daisies...put both together and I'm a happy girl (plus, the pink will most likely be matching my outfit...duh). 

Shoes

Why? Well, you should probably see my closet...

Friends

These are some friends and why I love them :)

I met these two during a fire drill my freshman year of college. They have stuck with me through thick and thin and I am so grateful for them! Most of my favorite college memories involve them in some way, shape or form. We have more inside jokes than I can count. It's sad not living with them anymore, but I am so excited to see all of the awesome things that they are going to do with their lives! 

My siblings :) I honestly don't think I've ever had a fight with either of my siblings...ever. They are my family, but more importantly, they are my friends. My sister is a ball of energy who loves to perform. She's good at whatever she does! My brother is talented in many areas, running, speaking, writing and his latest activity...Crossfit :)

Emma and I went to the same high school, but were never really friends.We have now reconnected through our church and I am so thankful for her! We think the same way and are both working towards loving Jesus more and more each day! She is such a blessing to me!

Speaking of church, I'm thankful for my egroup. We have so much fun discussing topics and growing closer to Jesus! They have really helped me in my transition between college and moving back home. I'm so thankful for them!

I wish this girl would hurry up and move back home! She keeps it real with me, which I need and am thankful for. Merrin and I also went to high school together, but were two very different people back then. We reconnected in college and she has always been there to encourage me and keep me accountable! I don't know what I would do without her!

Speaking of accountability...

These 2 meatheads keep me accountable without even knowing it. They're responsible for my Crossfit discovery and even though they're 4 hours away, I always hear them in my head telling me to go workout when I'm trying desperately just to lay on the couch and be lazy. Way to go guys, way to go. But seriously, they are two of the most strong and inspiring guys I know.

I'm grateful for this chica. She keeps me sane. I don't exactly remember how we met, but I remember one night I was chatting with her on facebook, decided I wanted frozen yogurt, so I drove to her dorm and picked her up. The rest is history! I couldn't ask for a better, more loyal friend than her. I know that she will be in my life forever. This picture is actually a surprise picture...literally. I was in the middle of my internship this summer and she drove 4 hours to my house to surprise me...only to find out that I had to be up at 4 AM the next morning to work at a triathlon. She was a trooper and went with me. She rang a cowbell and cheered on triathletes for 4 HOURS!! Now that, my friends, is the definition of true friendship! 

Last, but certainly not least, my best friend, Kendall. She's been my best friend since high school. She will probably always be my best friend. Why? Because she's awesome...that's why. She went to App State, I went to ECU, we only saw each other on breaks. But we both worked extremely hard during school and wound up both graduating a year early. I'm so proud of her and all of her accomplishments. She is one of the most genuine, loving, loyal, compassionate people you will ever meet. I am so grateful that God has given me this friendship and has allowed it to survive the distance of school and the business of life. It doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, we can always pick up right where we left off. I truly would not be who I am today without her!

If you did not receive a picture on this list...it's nothing personal. These are the pictures I had, so these are the pictures I used.

Our Annual Bonfire

Every year we have a huge (and I mean HUGE) bonfire on the empty lot in our neighborhood. We spend the entire year building it up. We invite friends and family to join us in this epic event. It's something I look forward to every year. I love bonfires (the bigger the better) and as you can see, so does my dad. Like father like daughter :) Only a few weeks until this year's bonfire! I'm getting pretty darn excited :) 

Ballroom Dancing

I was a ballroom dancer back in the day, ya know, cause I'm so old and all. Seriously, though, I miss it like crazy. If my future husband doesn't know how to ballroom dance, he will quickly learn! :) 

Did I mention...Shoes?

I have a shoe problem. No seriously, it's bad. I have tennis shoes galore in my closet. Why? Because my tennis shoes must match my workout attire, that's why! In the fall I have an obnoxious amount of boots and in the summer I have an obnoxious amount of sandals. But one thing is for sure...all year round, it's tennis shoes. Is that weird? Probably. But I'm okay with that.

Karen Kingsbury

Karen Kingsbury is by far my favorite author! I started reading his "Life Changing Fiction" my senior year of high school. I've ever taken longer than a few days to read her books. Last summer, I read 18 of her books in 3 months. I love sappy, Jesus filled love stories and she writes them well! She is a talented writer who loves the Lord! 

Jesus Culture & Hillsong

Some of the best worship music ever written has been written by one of these two bands. I listen to them every morning on the way to work. It helps get my mind calm and focused on the day ahead and it always helps me keep my eyes on Jesus. If you haven't listened to them...you must check them out :)

Elevation

I have just recently started attending Elevation Church and I love it! These people love Jesus, plain and simple. If you haven't heard of them or if you have and haven't checked it out, I encourage you to at least check out the podcast. 

Chocolate

Need I explain more? I think not...

BUT.... I did make an awesome healthier deep dish cookie pie this weekend and I'm going to share it with you, because it would be wrong of me not too. All I ask is that you read these ingredients with an open mind (and don't knock it til you try it)! I stole this recipe from the Chocolate Covered Katie Blog.

• 2 cans white beans or garbanzos (drained and rinsed) (500g total, once drained)
• 1 cup quick oats (or certified-gf quick oats)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp oil (canola, veg, or coconut)
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar 
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Blend everything (except the chips) very well in a good food processor (not a blender). Mix in chips, and pour into an oiled pan (I used a 10-inch springform pan, but you can use a smaller pan if you want areally deep-dish pie.) Cook at 350F for around 35-40 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes before removing from the pan. (Some commenters have had success with a blender, but I did not. Try that at your own risk, and know the results will be better in a high-quality food processor such as a Cuisinart.)

It's delicious...I promise :)

Last, but certainly not least...

Jesus

He has changed my life. He's the reason I live and breathe. I truly want every single little thing (whether it be working, shopping, serving, crossfitting or just breathing) to bring Him honor and praise. You can call me crazy or weird, but my desire is for my passion for Him to grow more and more each day! He found me at my worst and gave me His best. He died for me, so I will live for Him.

I could go on and on about things I love. I'm quite the rambler *gasp*! This post was really more so for my entertainment than yours. I need to try this whole relaxing thing more often! If you've read all the way to this sentence, you are a saint. You now know a lot of random things about me. Good for you! 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is always a really neat time of year for me. One of the top reasons may or may not be because I have 5 great aunts and a grandmother who can cook better than all of the iron chefs combined! (You think I'm kidding...I'm not)!

Every year at Thanksgiving I enjoy being around my entire family (when I say my entire family, I mean my ENTIRE family). This year was no different. I was sitting at one of the many tables around, beside my mom, and just looking around at everyone. I remember when it was just me, Emily and Anna (my cousins), and now there's more kids than I can count on my fingers and toes. It's crazy how quickly life goes by. I catch myself thinking, "Slow down! But wait, Hurry Up!" It's so easy to focus on things we don't have or wanting to be in a different phase of life. I am truly content with where I am, but I can't help but wonder at what's to come. For example: I was thinking earlier today, "what phase of life will I be in this time next year?" Clearly that is something I do not need to worry about at the moment. If it were, I'd be in that phase already. Jesus and I have this conversation quite often. Actually, we have it more often than I'd like to admit.

I'm a go-getter. A hard-headed, determined go-getter. I'm constantly thinking about how I can improve something or create something better (did I mention one of my top strengths in Strength Finders is Futuristic)? In many ways, that's a good thing, but when it comes to God and His timing, it's a definite struggle. I'm one of those people that can see something and make things happen. Unfortunately, that's not how it works with God. There isn't much I can do to "make things happen." Fact: you cannot manipulate God. Plain and simple, folks. Lately I've been allowing myself to get too far ahead of where God wants me to be. Today I clearly heard Him say, "Sarah, you're doing it again. Let it go. My timing. Look around at all you have to be thankful for! Everyday is Thanksgiving with me. Enjoy my presence and all that I've given you... it's all you truly need."

Jesus, forgive me of all the times I try to rush out of your covering and try to make things happen for myself. Thank you, Lord, for second chances, for a chance to continually come back to You. Thank you that I can trust You. Thank you that no matter what, You make ALL things work together for the good of those who love You. I do love you, therefore everything in my life is working together for good.

Friends, look around at all that you have to be thankful for. Even the tiniest things that you take advantage of every day. Slow down, take a breath, God has not forgotten about you. Whatever you are believing Him for, talk to Him about it and trust Him in all things!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad!"-Psalm 126:3