thankful Thursday: birthday trip to SSI

Zack knows his wife well and took me on the perfect little getaway for my birthday. On my actual birthday, I worked some and visited with friends. Zack was working, so we went out to a late dinner. 

We got to celebrate big with a trip to St. Simons Island later. We flew down on a Monday with no plans at all, stayed at the hotel recommended by the FBO staff, and ate our way around the village. We came home on Wednesday. I am so thankful that I can work a flexible schedule and go on trips with Zack when he is off work! I enjoyed walking on the beach, shopping, and of course the food.

Eats

I was most excited to revisit Southern Soul Barbeque. If I had to pick one must-eat in SSI, this is it! You could even walk there from the airport, eat, then fly right back home. I like the pulled pork, fried okra, and collards. If you get a craving for a fried Oreo and it's not state fair season, this is also your place.

We ate breakfast both days at Palmer's Village Cafe. The omelets and grits were just that good!!! They serve breakfast until 2:00, which is perfect for vacation--no rush! I will be back next time I visit the island. 

Zack loves coffee, and we stayed thoroughly caffeinated on our trip. Wake Up Coffee Company has the friendliest staff, and we went there both days, too. We are creatures of habit! We went with the recommended island mocha, one frozen, and one iced, both excellent! The chocolate chip cookie was delicious. The patio was nice and relaxing, and I have a feeling if I lived in SSI, I'd be working there every day.

We had dinner at The Half Shell and Del Sur and would go back to both of those as well.   

Shopping

I did the most damage at Butler's Stash, where I found some cute tops to go with my favorite LuLaRoe piece, the Cassie skirt. Redfern Village is a great place to walk around and shop, and I especially liked looking around the beautiful, newly renovated shop Two Friends. 

Transportation

We flew into Malcom-McKinnon airport (SSI) and rented a golf card from Island Carts. We had a great time cruising around in the perfect spring weather!

I'm so thankful that we took time for a spontaneous trip. It was especially sweet to go back to where we spent a few hours on our honeymoon. I can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday!

Zack's big birthday

Yesterday, my love had a birthday. We were the same age for just over a month, but now he’s moved on to the next decade. 

I’m so thankful for Zack. I still pinch myself when I realize that I get to live life with him. 

Zack is an amazing, encouraging husband. He can find the positive in any situation. Zack is devoted to Jesus and reminds me that I should pray. Even when I’m mad, discouraged, or feel like giving up. Especially then. He shared his favorite verse with me before we were dating. Psalm 119:105 says “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” He pointed out that God gives us just enough light for the next step. That should have given me a peek into my future life with Zack: we only know enough to take one more step. He keeps me on my toes!!!

Zack and I connected over flying. The very first time we flew together, I was impressed with his calm manner and skill as a brand new flight instructor. Zack has made flying his career. He has blasted through numerous checkrides and earned his ATP this year. Zack lives incredible, adventurous stories, and he is truly an excellent pilot.

Every single meal I make, Zack tells me that it is the best meal ever. He doesn’t like tacos, so I usually eat them when he is gone to work. The other night, he came home earlier than I expected, when I had made tacos, and he fixed two plates and told me the food was great.

When we were house shopping, Zack told me that he’s not much of a handyman. Since we moved in, he has installed dimmer switches, replaced the ice maker in our refrigerator, and built a dog house. It’s not just any dog house; it has insulation and an architectural roof. The dog isn’t even his; hand me down Dan came with the marriage to me. There are so many more things he’s done around the house that I can’t explain because I don’t understand them. I realize how much grace God showed me by not letting me buy a house before I was married. I have no idea how I’d handle this on my own. Probably find a great handyman! Ha!

Even though Zack works and I stay home, he still helps with regular around the house tasks. He is much better than I am at vacuuming and even sweeping. He swept the other day and under the pie safe, swept out a bottle that had been there since our niece came to visit, almost four months ago, oops. Zack enjoys taking care of everything in the yard, and he has learned so much this year about caring for our grass and plants. Like everything he does, he’s done an exceptional job.

Many of these special characteristics may be a mystery to others, but anyone who’s met Zack knows his charming personality. I saw what an impression he makes on people when I was referred to as “Zachary’s wife” by our dentist’s office receptionist, and the man at Discount Tire said “Oh yeah, I remember your husband. He’s that cool pilot dude!” I can’t even count how many times people have asked me if he is that fun/hilarious/complimentary/generally enjoyable at home, and the answer is YES! Even when I’m mad at him, he can still make me laugh. I often wonder why in the world God chose me to be his wife. It is a privilege to be his partner.

Happy birthday, Zack! I hope we celebrate many more!!!

Independence Day 2015

Happy Independence Day! 

I'm thankful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, one of which is my husband. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and volunteered to go to Afghanistan, which blows my mind each time I think about it. 

No matter what happens here, I know our truest freedom and hope is in Jesus. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 

I hope you enjoy this holiday and think about how fortunate we are and what you can do to protect our freedom.


all photos by Krista Joy Photography

view my past Independence Day posts:  

Independence Day prep

waking up in red, white, and blue 

patriotic walk to the lake 

thankful Thursday: rest

The Lord is so gracious to give us rest. Even during a season of being engaged and planning a move.  

Right after we got engaged, I got sick. It lasted and lasted, eight days with a fever, etc., so I rested. I ended up staying home sick before Christmas break, so I was out of work for even longer. Somehow it was still such a sweet time. 

Zack and I got to soak it up, being engaged over Christmas, not planning our wedding yet. We spent time with family. We spent time with each other. And we rested.

As much as I go, go, go now, even this week, it snowed and iced, and my work was closed. There's still work to be done, of course, but for now, I have to stay home. Last year, school was closed more than any other time I remember because of so much winter weather. I remember then thanking God for a slow down. When I started to get overwhelmed at work, there was nothing I could do; I had to stay home.

If I live by my to-do list, there's no way I will finish it all. I may as well rest when I have the chance. Each morning, sitting and reading God's word and praying, that time is essential. Once in a while, and it's always unexpected, I get a few free hours, and I can rest more. The time is rare, and I'm thankful for it! 

cookie exchange 2014

Torri and I hosted our third annual cookie exchange in early December, and it was a success! Each year we learn a little more about what it takes to host a cookie exchange and make things work well. We grew our number of participants significantly this year, and we loved having our friends join us to kick off the Christmas season! 

A few of our friends stepped in to help quite a bit as we were overwhelmed with cookies this year--so many to label and cut up for samples. We definitely met our goal to grow our cookie exchange! 

Mom's friend Cathy won best tasting cookie, with her Swedish almond cookies (below), and my friend Kristin won prettiest cookie, with her spritz cookies. I don't even have a picture of hers! We always get wrapped up with hosting and forget to take pictures. 

I'm so thankful for our good friends here, and I enjoyed getting to see so many of them in one place. I feel so loved by my friends who take time from their busy December to bake cookies and come to our party. Even though I will be married and moved away by next Christmas, and Torri will have a baby, we are going to do our best to keep this tradition alive! 

Christmas memory

A few weeks ago, I heard from the folks at Patience Brewster, who asked me to share a holiday memory here on my blog. Check out their website for Christmas ornaments, framed art, stationery, linens, and more.

The photo I chose is one of my brother, me, and my dad while waiting to watch the Raleigh Christmas parade. We would get a fast food breakfast, a rare treat (you can see the Hardee's coffee cup in dad's hand), then head downtown for the Christmas parade. I remember it always being sooo cold while we sat and watched the parade. When we were tiny, our parents would tow us in a wagon, and we wrapped up with blankets. 

What is one of your favorite Christmas traditions or memories? 

friendsgiving on the farm

I was so excited to be included in a special friends and family Thanksgiving celebration, invited by my friend Rebecca. She invited us to her boyfriend's family's farm the Sunday after Thanksgiving for a combination oyster and clam roast and full Thanksgiving spread. 

Among other talents, Rebecca is a chef on a yacht several months of the year, so she mixed up some fancy drinks for us, of course. 

Her dad brought oysters and clams from nearby their home at the coast, and he tended the roast. 

I loved checking out the farmhouse -- the paintings, the vintage lace tablecloths, the crystal, and the collection of turkeys. 

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I'd never shucked an oyster, and come to think of it, I still haven't. 

I had to at least sit in the driver's seat of Rebecca's "princess ride," a 1992 Range Rover. 

Matt, Rebecca's boyfriend, is a Land Rover enthusiast and collector. 

Zack and I might be a little envious of their collection . . . 

We enjoyed eating oysters and turkey, and more than that, meeting and chatting with all of the people. When I told my parents about where we were going, they found a connection to Matt's family. Our big city is also a small town.