I'm sorry,

have I died and gone to heaven?!?! If there are two things I can't resist, they're cheese and the United States of America.

For Lindsey who is waving hello to this state.

For Meagan, whose family is waving goodbye to this state.

And for Tim Riggins. Texas forever.

*found here; spotted on A Cup of Jo 

jew-lye-oh-ten

here in the magic hour
time and eternity
mingle a moment in chorus
here it the magic hour
bright is the mystery
plain is the beauty before us
could this beauty be for us?
andrew peterson

the most magical record i've ever heard.

twenty too

thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special! i appreciate all the birthday love and shout outs. my day was lovely and filled with smiles, sugar, and birthday sunflowers--what more could a girl ask for?
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but on another note, i just can't get enough of this stop motion video. how much cuter can max and margaux get? cute things always happen to girls with cute names. oh margaux.


oh zooey.

 oh emerson. if i had your name, some chickens and a long torso, my afternoons could be as cute as yours are...
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in real life news, my dad made it safely to jinja! now that is the smile of a man who is doing what he was created to do (though he may have had to wait till every last hair on his head turned white to reach that point!)....and i get to call him dad!

also, my spirit is being stirred by this. and...this girl. as always.

there are big things on the horizon for holls and i which we will share soon. but, in the meantime, we have a bachelorette weekend to attend for this lucky girl. in preparation, holly may have taken a trip to "pandoras boxxx"...i dont know what that means, but (i think) i can't wait to find out.

wise words

If I had a living room of my own, I'd hang these prints on the wall. 

"Keep it wonky." Doesn't wonky mean crooked? I'm not sure what this means, but I think I like it.

from the Keep Calm Gallery; spotted on the ever-faithful Design is Mine 

hip hip, hooray!

Happy Birthday Meagan!

That's right ladies and gents! Today megs hits the big 2-2, and I, for one, couldn't be happier she was born. Strikingly creative, kind, confident, sincere, faithful and curly-haired—I've said it before and I'll say it again—how did I end up with such a wonderful friend? I'm so thankful for each of her 22 years, but especially the last 5, and it pains me to know that I can't throw her a surprise party this year. Damn you, constraints of time and space. If I could, everything would have ketchup on it.

 It would be a ketchup-themed birthday party. 

Let's give it up for Meg! Show her some love in the comments.

I mean, for real. Who doesn't love this bundle of joy?  

*top image from forty-sixth at grace 

ch-ch-ch-changes

As many of you know, my parents rock. As many of you also know, they are a bit difficult to keep up with. But, in case you didn't know, this is the last Gibson family picture that will be taken in America for a long time. Why? Well here's the latest:

 Being the kick-a businessman that he is, my dad held up his corporate job for over 35 years and was an all star executive for HP (formerly EDS). But, with a huge heart and a lot of passion, it was slowly killing him. For the past couple years, he and my mom have both been involved with and on the board of Children of Grace, a non-profit in Jinja, Uganda that works with aids orphans. The organization serves 700 orphans, providing school fees, health care, life skills and leadership programs to sponsored children. After going on a leading several trips to Jinja, my parents were all in. Through a series of not-so-coinsidental events, my dad was able to leave his job this past January and take on a position as the new director of Children of Grace. Where does that put them for at least the next two years? Uganda. 

Just in case we were getting too comfortable calling California "home," God decided to stir things up a little bit. You know, keep everyone on their toes. So, get ready jinja, cause my parents are holy-spirit filled, and will move and shake things wherever they go. 

Here they are! I am so, so proud and couldn't love them more. If you want to keep up with them, they have started a lovely little blog for their adventures. 

  My dad left yesterday and my mom/cassidy leave at the end of august. If you can think of an emotion, they are feeling it. Please pray for them and for Cassidy. 

Most days, my emotions lie somewhere between extreme excitement and overwhelming fear and sadness. Depends on the moment. Yesterday I was on the phone with my dad before he got on the plane and one of the last things he said was, "Meagan, God is very very good and he will teach us many things. I love you so much."

Because I'm not emotional enough about all of this, he has to go saying things like that! But dont worry, the tears and fears are being sowed and joy is being reaped. And that's the best kind of joy i know. 

*oh, and they're famous! 

we'll put a boot in your...

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.

There, I said it. Always has been, always will be. Christmas shristmas.

I got to spend the past one at a wonderful reunion-of-sorts with ye olde college friends celebrating Katie and Jordan's engagement, getting slung off tubes, eating delicious food, drinking BLLs (delish. don't deny it), taking lake showers and no real ones, swinging in hammocks, laughing until I couldn't breathe and hurting myself.

Let's be honest, it wouldn't be a good weekend if someone didn't bleed at least twice, so I'm happy to take care of that for everyone. I'd like to think that I take identifying with wounded American soldiers really seriously, so I fell down that gravely hill ON PUROPSE and hit Will's guitar with the back of my hand as hard as I could trying to throw that granddaddy long legs off the dock ON PURPOSE, thankyouverymuch.

What's more American than bloodshed (okay--besides God, family and fine manners)?

I digress. Here's some evidence (compliments of Grace) that I had the best fourth of July ever.

regular avett bros tickling our ears with bluegrass delights

tubing: near-death experiences. why do people KEEP practicing this water sport?

Rabun Ramble MEDALISTS!!

Man and man's best friend, "I love it when we're cruisin' together"

America's birthday dinner; red, white & blue dress* to boot

and to top it all off, shameful self-celebration--I skied. It was a personal victory, really--minus the wedgies that ensued.

Hope your fourth of July was filled with all of the above and more! Only 363 days until next year. < sigh >

*Meagan and I were not in the same place for the 4th, but don't worry. We were, in fact, wearing the same dress.