Happy December!! With Bonus: Reflections on a Birthday

* OK I know its been 2 months since I've blogged. I'm a horrible blogger. I haven't even documented our missions trip or our anniversary trip...bear with me people.

December is a great month: Christmas, good music, fun decorations, cold weather, and my birthday! This is a big birthday for me...I'm turning the big three-oh (30). I don't feel 30, and most people say I don't look 30 (even if they are just being nice, I'll take it).

So this might be a looking-back post....looking back to the last decade of my life. When I think about my 20's, what comes to mind the most is my wonderful hubby. We've been together since I was a teenager, but we were married when I was 21 (almost 22) so he is the person I have spent my 20's with....and God willing, many more decades with!

This is random, but here's what I remember about turning 20, ten years ago (I'm a math genius, no?) and reflections thereof:

• The best gift I received for my 20th birthday was my KitchenAid stand mixer from my grandparents! I was in culinary school at the time, so this was very exciting! I also got a fondue pot and a couple place settings of my fall and winter dishes. (I think I was more domestic then...)
• I don't remember feeling like it was a big deal to enter into a new decade of life then. I was thinking forward too much. All I wanted was to be married to Scott at the time. I don't regret this, but I'm happy where I am in my life right now. I think so many of us get caught up in "the next thing" in life that we don't enjoy the stage we are in now. Right now, my 30's are looming up at me, wide open to anything! A fact that can be daunting, no doubt, but also exciting.
• Speaking of looking forward to what was coming, at 20, I had my life planned out: Scott and I were going to get married, he was to be a bank executive, and I was to be a housewife. Life rarely works out the way one plans it, and now, 10 years later, I thank God it didn't work out that way. Well, except for the marrying Scott part, of course! The Lord saved Scott and I from ourselves, and a life of comfort that wouldn't really matter. (We certainly are not perfect, and have a lot to learn still, but we are light years away from where we would have been!)
• I was working retail at the time, at NY & Co (called Lerner NY at the time). I was an assistant manger over the accessories department. I loved it, but was also in culinary school at Jeff State, so soon after, I got a chef job at Saks, Inc.

So what a I looking forward to as I enter my 30s?

• I am looking forward to growing closer to my husband. There are times when we are closer, but sometimes it feels like we couldn't possibly love each other more, and then God surprises us and gives us MORE love for each other! Sappy, I know, but I absolutely love the journey of life we are on together. I could not imagine life without him.
• I know my friends and (especially) my family will want me to say that I'm looking forward to starting a family...this is one area of my life that I'm just not certain of. This is one of those decisions that I can't put off much longer--I know this better than anyone. I have not talked about this on my blog before...its a sensitive subject for me, deep down, even though I usually laugh it off. And I need to pray about it more. So, for now, I am looking forward to praying about adding to our family. Let's just leave it at that.
• I am looking forward to finishing my undergrad at UAB. I have been a sophomore for the last 3 years, so I am looking forward to being an upperclassman as I enter my 30s! :) I love school and love learning new things, so I am looking forward to getting into more of my major's courses! (International Studies and French) I also have a study abroad requirement, so I am definitely looking forward to living in a foreign country, even if its for a few weeks.
• I'm looking forward to where God will lead us in our ministry and church. We love doing the college/young adult ministry and have a desire to more with this. But it's great to be in a spot where we feel like God can tell us anything.

Ok I guess this is enough for today. I might just drum up a few old pics of Rees of Birthdays Past, so stay tuned!

Happy Bloggy Birthday To Me!!

Le Blog De Ree is one today!

So, thanks for reading everyone!!

In celebration of me being the the blog-o-sphere for one year, I thought I would post a few of my favorite bloggy things! Some blogs offer design inspiration. Others make me laugh. Others encourage me in my daily walk with Christ. I'm sharing the blog-love!

1. Favorite Funny Blog I Read Every Day: Stuff Christians Like

Jon Acuff writes this sarcastic blog from our neighbor Atlanta. He graduated from Samford and randomly knows a couple of people I know. His writing is so funny that I cry, yet he pulls out a serious card from time to time to really address the heart of the Christian culture he pokes fun of. We are also Facebook friends. I also joined his cyber book club. Don't make fun of me.

2. My Friend That Has a Nationally-Read Blog: Rachel Callahan of Grasping for Objectivity in My Subjective Life

I mean, she's the closest thing to a blog-celebrity that I personally know! She is featured on Five Minutes For Mom, read by people all over the country, holds contests and even has a customized template that she designed. I've been friends with Rachel ever since her older brother "broke up" with me in high school. We didn't become real friends until after the break-up...she didn't like me while I "went out" with JC...seriously. She told me that. But that's cool. I became great friends with all the Zannis' and was honored to be Rachel's Maid of Honor in her wedding and she was my Matron of Honor. Our weddings were about 6 months apart in 2001. Scott and I were also in Lindsay and JC's wedding. She's a great friend and we are both so busy that I've had fun keeping updated on her, Chris and Ali via her blog. She is a MUCH better blogger than me!

3. Blog Templates at Cutest Blog On The Block

'Cause I just can't resist a decorating opportunity, even if its virtual! Their templates are free and easy to copy n' paste the code onto your blog. Great for those that are HTML-challenged!

4. Favorite Ministry Blog: Desiring God Blog

John Piper has become one of my favorite theologians to read and listen to. His blog is a must-read for me everyday. He gives updates on his church and ministry in Minnesota, theology thoughts, encouragement and even "shout-outs" to family members and staff members, such as his wife, Noel. His concept of treasuring Christ for who He is above all else is one that I am having to continually re-visit. And, if you ever have the chance to hear him speak in person, do it!

5. Favorite Ministry Blog: Louie Giglio and the 268 Generation Blog

Um, yeah, that wasn't a typo. I couldn't choose between Piper and Louie. I'm a dork, and fairly blog-stalked Louie and the Passion team as they travelled around the world last year on tour. Anyway, if you are familiar to Passion and the 268 Generation, this is the blog for that ministry. Louie will be starting his own church next month in Atlanta, so that's pretty exciting too!

6. Favorite Website That I Found Through Someone's Blog: Etsy, introduced by my friend Greta Carter at I Love Mr. Pibb

Etsy is a really cool webstore that sells all handmade products. They have everything, from hand-knit scarves, jewelry, furniture, paintings...check it out if you are looking for something unique! And, for a shameless plug, Greta has her own Etsy store where she sells cool jewelry and stationary. I have some earrings and her Wells necklace. She also did awesome custom invitations for my 10th high school reunion last summer! She is oh-so-talented! I have found cute little things around Etsy, like luggage tags and passport covers. There's also a bag that I really want...gotta save up though!

7. Cool Wedding Vendor Site: I Do Originals

They custom-design a "look" for your wedding stationary, monogram, etc. See my review of them on my wedding blog here. They also designed my wedding planning logos! I love them and can't wait to have a bride that uses them too! Their blog is also a great read and they have scores of great ideas!

8. Favorite Wedding-Related Blog: Elizabeth Anne Designs

These ladies are so talented and have a great business, the kind of wedding business I wish/hope for! They are based in Atlanta, but do events, weddings and parties all over the country. One is even planning her own wedding in England. They have great inspiration for weddings and other events! I have blog envy!

So, how about you? Contribute to the party by posting a comment and leaving a link to any blog or website that inspires you, makes you laugh, makes you think, or one that you just plain love!