Hello, my friends! I hope you all have had a wonderful week! It seems like lately the days pass slowly but the weeks just fly by. It’s hard to believe it’s already almost February (wasn’t Christmas like, last week?)!

I don’t always do Friday Favorites, but I just wanted to share a few highlights of this past week!

1 // Last Friday, Winter Storm Jonas hit North Carolina and my job (which almost never closes due to weather, because it’s a service organization) closed early! I was thrilled, because it allowed for a snuggly Friday with my favorite fella and felt like a long weekend (even if only by a couple of hours). We made a big pot of soup and pinto beans and cornbread and snuggled with the pups while watching the snow fall out the window… it made for a wonderful, restful weekend (which we both really needed).

2 // Somehow, in my 23 (almost 24) years of life, I had managed to never see the Harry Potter movies, much to my husband’s dismay. He’s a teacher and loves the books and movies, so he’s been trying to get me to watch the movies for years. During our snowy weekend and into the week, we have managed to watch all 8 of the movies except for the very last one, which we’re going to try and squeeze in this weekend. He had to explain some of it to me, but I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed them (I’m a romantic comedy kind of girl). I might just have to read the books now (although usually I like to read books before watching the movies). I feel like, now that I’ve seen the movies, I’m in some kind of secret club (hahaha!) because I actually understand all the jokes and quotes from the movies I see people posting.

3 // This week, I’ve been looking at Grayson’s baby pictures and thinking about how in less than 5 months, our little man will be here. I wonder if he will look like Grayson? The blue eyes, the sparkly blonde hair, the sweet smile? I’m filled with so much wonder and can’t wait to see what this gift from God will be like. I love him so much already.

4 // Do you ever feel like sometimes, right when you need it most, Jesus puts something so beautiful right before your eyes that you can’t miss Him? It’s easy for me to get distracted with the monotony of my daily routine. I feel like I do the same thing every day: get up, get ready, go to work, drive home, have supper, go to bed… and then wake up and do it all over again. This week, I’ve been specifically asking my Father to show me His goodness and glory in the mundane. I saw this sunrise on my way to work one day this week and it changed my whole attitude. I went from worrying about traffic, my time clock, and having time to stop for breakfast to praising Him for who He is. He’s right there beside us, loving us, preparing the way for us, even in the seasons of life filled with waiting.

5 // One thing I’m especially thankful for this week is community. My church family is just that – a family – and they have taught me more about community than any other single thing in my life. It’s so important to have a group of people to serve with, to learn with and from, and to have surrounding you in every season of life. Some of my closest friendships and most treasured relationships have come from this wonderful community of believers, and that’s a gift that I never want to take for granted. I’m also involved in a Bible study that meets the first Monday night of every month, and although I’m still getting to know some of the girls, it’s already been such a blessing (I’ve only been going for a few months now). I’ve found that if you ask God to surround you with faithful, Godly friends, He will always provide.

6 // This week, a few different people have given me baby things and maternity clothes and it has taken my excitement to a whole new level! I still haven’t bought one thing for our Landon (hard to believe, I know…) but so many dear friends have given me cute things that I can’t wait to use. I am so thankful (who doesn’t love some good old fashioned hand-me-downs?!).

7 // Do you have a list of blogs that you read consistently, every day/week? I do, and my list is growing! I love the blogging community, and although I’ll probably never make big bucks off my blog or have a million followers, I am continually blessed and inspired by the blogs I keep up with. Some are full of deep, inspirational content, some focus on motherhood, and others are simply fun life and style blogs. I love the mixture of topics! These are some of my favorites:

The Small Things Blog // A Blessed Nest Blog // Grace While We Wait // Darling Dearest // Barefoot Blonde // Lysa TerKeurst // Mundane Faithfulness

What are your favorites? I’d love to add to my reading list (comment below).

8 // Today, in the middle of the day, my sweet husband emailed me and asked me if I wanted to go on a date tonight. After 5 years, he still melts my heart with the way he pursues me. He’s the cutest. Chili’s for guac and fajitas could never be as much fun with anyone else!

9 // My cousins, Jonathan and Katie, had their second baby girl today and she’s adorable. Her name is Sara Kate and she was born today at 4:37pm weighing 5 lbs. and 15 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. I know Caroline is going to make a wonderful big sister.

10 // Last, but certainly not least, I have talked about my obsession with my traveler’s notebook on the blog before (here) but this week, I added a new book and it’s specifically devoted to prayer requests and scripture. I usually mix my prayer requests (and sometimes I like to write scripture) in with my regular journal, but I decided to start a separate book for it. One of my goals this year is to be more intentional and specific with my prayer life. I want to know my Father on a more personal level and I want my conversation with Him to be more meaningful and intimate. It’s so precious to be able and look back at how He’s answered prayers over the year, so I’m excited to see how having everything in one place will make that easier.

I hope ya’ll have a great weekend and enjoy the (somewhat) warmer weather!