Well, friends, this April has proven to be my busiest month yet in 2014. There has been so much going on, literally one thing after another, that there has been very little time to just slow down and chill out. Surprisingly though, I haven’t felt overwhelmed or stressed out in the midst of these things. It’s actually been nice to have a little faster pace following the rough winter months that kept us stationary for a bit.
Here are some snapshots of my life this month, in the thick of it …
Ya’ll know I LOVE coffee, better yet – lattes – skinny skinny vanilla extra hot, please! Anywho, went to breakfast with my dad a couple of weeks ago and we each enjoyed one. Looks fabulous, doesn’t it? It was so good, I had to snap a picture!
The hubby brought this beautiful bouquet home for me a few Fridays ago as a-little-something-sweet to celebrate the end of a very good week. Love and fresh flowers – is there anything better?!? I adore my man!
After a lot of prayer, feedback from trusted friends and family, and two edits to my book manuscript, I finally signed on with West Bow Press and am moving forward with having a self-published e-book. It’s still going through content evaluation, and I have yet to hear the outcome, but I’m hopeful it will pass the mark and move on to the next phase of the process. If nothing else, I have learned so much already and I’m grateful for the opportunity to move forward in this direction after working really hard to put it all together through winter. The possibilities are exciting!
This is my beloved home office / library where I do the most of my creating, decompressing, dreaming, reading and writing. It’s definitely a sacred space to me because it’s all my own and has contributed so much to me moving forward with a lot of personal and professional goals, especially these past four months. I think every person needs a space to get away to, that helps them become their best selves, don’t you agree?
I had Good Friday off from work and together with our friends, we drove down to Detroit for the Tiger’s game. I’ve lived in the mitten my whole life and had never been to a Tiger’s game, so this was my first experience and I LOVED IT! We ate a fabulous meal at Slows BBQ (featured on Man vs. Food) prior to the game – I already can’t wait to go back, that’s how delicious it was! And then we headed over to Comerica Park for the rest of the evening. Even though my Tiger’s didn’t win, it was probably the BEST Good Friday ever – I mean, nothing beats great friends, good food, and America’s pastime, all in one day!
For the rest of Easter weekend, the hubby and I escaped to our up north abode to begin getting ready for the spring/summer season. It’s always like going back home when we first open it up for the year. It’s refreshing to have that work behind us now, knowing that all we have to do is drive up, open the door, and enjoy ourselves every weekend from here on out! After being inside so long through this particularly harsh winter, it was marvelous to be outside, taking in the sunshine and fresh air coming off the lake, and watching our first sunset of the year. I slept so good on Saturday night – I actually slept in on Sunday (which never happens) – I can’t wait be up there in the months to come and getting the much needed rest and relaxation my body and soul are craving!
I spent two days this past week out-of-town in Grand Rapids for a work trip. The training I attended was held at a little camp owned by my organization. Even though I was away for work, the change of routine and scenery was nice as it afforded me an opportunity to get recharged and focused for the end of the week. I also was able to visit with some great long-time friends who live very close to the training site, and as always, it was wonderful to see them and catch up on life.
As you see, life has been busy and full these past few weeks. I am in the thick of it with marriage and writing and work and family and friendships and taking whatever opportunities I can to get away and find delight in ALL THE THINGS.
This is only the beginning of a full spring and summer season to come, but I eagerly anticipate some great times and things to happen in the months ahead.
What’s keeping you busy these days? What does your life, right now “in the thick of it,” look like?
I hope your current season is full of all things good, many blessings, and much joy! Happy Sunday!
* * *
But the grace is in the thick of it.
God’s presence is in the thick of it.
The good stuff is in the thick of it.
Jessi Connolly, Naptime Diaries
Katie @ A Place to Dwell says
I love this post, Hannah! (Loving your creative space, too. Are those bright pink walls I see?!) 🙂 And thank you so much for this reminder about His grace in the thick of it. It’s just what I needed this week! I’ve been navigating through a bit of discouragement this week when it comes to my season of singleness, so I really appreciate this reminder that He’s right here in the the thick of that with me! 🙂 You have such a beautiful, inspiring heart! Thanks for brightening my week with your words!
Hannah says
Thank you, Katie, and you’re welcome! I am praying for you and over your current season of singleness. God is faithful to meet us in our deepest needs and fill our longings with things better than we could ever imagine. He is GOOD! 🙂 (And yes – those are bright pink walls in my home office! I’m a pink girl at heart!)