Carson Thomas, my sweetest boy in the whole world. I miss you more than i could ever explain.. I'll love you forever, I'll love you for always, As long as I'm living...My Carson you will be!
Believing that you are healed...Believing that you are with Jesus...Believing that your smile is shining down on us today..Believing that I will see you again one day...Believing that because you are in HIS presence...you are forever changed!!
You have changed my life forever Carson!
Saturday night Joanna called me in a frenzy because the cute, new blog template she was trying to upload was just not working with her. Apparently I can fix all things blogger so I was her lifeline of choice and out of desperation, and because we're BFF's, she sent me her login information so that I could try and fix it when I got home.
I woke up this morning and realized that I had yet to login and figure out her blogging woes. I've played and played around with the template, but unfortunately, I'm afraid there is nothing I can do. I tried a few other templates using that certain host, and they all worked fine, so the problem is obviously with the template, not the up-loader. Ha! I did, however, upload a very similar background and if she doesn't like it, I'll have no hurt feelings if she changes it. We just couldn't deal with a plain white background any longer. That's just depressing.
Fortunately, however, since I was already logged into her account, I decided to hack in and write a post about her. We all know it's been a sweet forever since she's blogged, so I am hoping this will inspire her to get in the routine again. BFF's can do that. Really, it's all out of selfish ambition because I just miss when she doesn't blog. Plus, she's at school right now so there is nothing she can do to stop me. Smile.
1) Joanna is a strong person! When she married John almost 3 years ago (I can't believe it's been almost 3 years!) I remember standing in the YMCA (Shout out to Day Camp!) parking lot and her telling me they were moving to Montana. I don't think either of us believed it at the moment, but homegirl was just in shock. Obviously she had no choice and was willing to go with her husband anywhere, but to move a girl who's lived in Texas her entire life out of Texas is just well, shocking. However, as different as it has been for her and as hard and cold it can be, she has not only survived up there, but continues to embrace it a love her new lifestyle! She's made some sweet friends and been a light of Jesus to those around her. She's been challenged in her fears of "staying home alone" and the Lord has been so sweet to her during those times and sustained her, only to make her stronger. She's become quite the camper. She's lived through cold, cold winters. I can speak for everyone that we've missed her more than anything and can't wait for her to move closer, but it's been neat to see how the Lord has grown her!
2) Joanna is beautiful inside and out. Need I really say more? We all know she's drop dead gorgeous, but her heart is pure gold. She is one of the sweetest, most compassionate girls you will ever meet. People are naturally drawn to her and that comes as no surprise.
3) Joanna is an encourager! I don't think I've ever known anyone that encourages like this girl does. It's a gift and a mighty one at that. It never fails that if we get off the phone and she knows I'm struggling, she'll text me exactly what I need to hear. Or she'll send a card. Or an email. She knows exactly what to say and when to say it. And for that gift alone, this BFF is extremely thankful.
4) Joanna is a prayer warrior! If there is something that needs praying over, you can bet your bottom dollar she'll be on her knees for whatever situation. It can be the most mundane thing or the most serious thing, but she's all over it! And not only that, she also follows up.
5) Joanna is a faithful wife, daughter, friend,sister and student. She is so very committed to her family that it's not even funny! And it's the same with her friends. She desires the absolute best for everybody, and then believes whole heartily that they will get the best. She loves with an unconditional love and makes you feel like the most important person on the earth! Not only that, she commits to what she is going to do, does it with excellence and finishes strong.
6) Joanna is going to be the best teacher! If I had kids I would move anywhere just to them in Mrs. Parrish's classroom. I can't wait to see where the Lord takes her in her teaching career and what kind of fun teacher she'll be. I know the Lord has prepared her heart for just this and it's exciting to watch it all pan out. The little boys are going to have such a crush on their cute, young, beautiful, funny teacher!
There are so many more things I could say about my sweet, sweet friend. Since our junior year of high school I've been bragging about my dear friend. The Lord brought her into my life at the perfect time and ever since then, I've been extremely thankful to the Lord for allowing us to become fast friends. It feels like we've known each other our entire lives and I know that Jen and Sal would say the same thing.
I love you dearly, my sweet BFF! I hope that this Monday you are encouraged. Know that you are dearly loved by so many!
Love,
Lindsee
This is the "create-a-pepper" we made in Carson's name!!!!!!! John and I had fun coloring before our dinner came :) Please continue to pray for Carson and his family. We are so thankful for Chili's who donated 100% to pediatric cancer research!!!!!
Hello sweet blog friends!!!!! I have been on a hiatus!!!! Not because i wanted to be but because i have something taking up ALOT of time....homework...WHAT??? Yes...that's the correct answer!!
I am in school this semester! I say that with great excitement and fear!!! I am totally trusting that this is the door God opened for me...so faithfully...so perfectly...so on time...so God!!!
As this semester is already rippin and roarin' i am clinging to a song that the Lord gave me on a day that i was so unsure of what i was doing, and he reminded me that HE IS by Mark Schultz!!
I hope each of you know HE IS for you too!!! Oh these lyrics just give me chills because He always has been and always will be!!! I love finding songs for seasons of my life... i love to look back on them when that season has turned its page...i see God faithfulness so perfectly!!
I am not going to lie...this post has been sitting, waiting to be finished for 2 weeks!! Shocker i know :) I am going to try really hard and document this semester, the happenings of the Parrish house, and just life :))))
I hope ya'll are having a super Wednesday! I am off to SONIC :) for happy hour and to deliver a sweet drink to a sweet friend battling cancer...i am her sonic fairy!!!
Lots of love!!!!!!
Ya'll i am not lying it is C.O.L.D.!!!! Its terrible and i am very dissatisfied with this weather! *how grump does that sound* :) I know all you sweet Texans think "oh send me some of that weather" but, i promise you don't want it... promise!! Ok...now i feel better :) The weather is supposed to warm up with each day this week :) Thank you Lord!!!
I think the most difficult thing for me when it starts to get cooler here...is the dilemma of *clothes*! What can i say i am a Texas girl...flip flops, Capri's and a tank :) I find that it is so much easier to dress in warm weather!! Does anyone else agree???
This weekend has been pretty low key which was nice. John had to fly all day Saturday, i am always sad when he has to do that but, it makes me so thankful that its not that often! I ran some errands on Saturday and then came in layed in bed with the laptop and got some work done :) Best decision i made that *whole* day!!!!! And another confession i have to make is along with working on the lap top i watch *golf*!!! Is that not just SICK... what is wrong with me! I am officially married to John Parrish :) Thats what that sweet man has done to me!!!! I am *very* excited the Y.E. Yang won today though :) I was proud for him!!!
Today is my sweet Dads birthday!! John and I sang Happy Birthday on our way to church on speaker phone!! That is a Lucas tradition! It would not be a Birthday if my mom didn't call and sing :) My dad was excited he got a really nice GPS from my mom!!! Now maybe they can use it to get to MONTANA :) Happy Birthday Dad!! Love you so much!!!!
Speaking of Montana...17 days from today my Bestie Lindsee is coming to see me :) I have never in my life been so excited! John is in for the time of his life having the 2 of us together!! Lots of laughing will be done...i can't wait!!!!!
Well this has been a total random post but, i just felt the need to update :) I hope ya'll are having a fabulous Sunday celebrating the only one who is Worthy...Jesus!!!!
Much Love!!!
OH.MY.WORD.!!!!!! I am so excited about the pictures we had taken a week ago! Ali called me today to let me know she had posted a sneak peak on her blog :) These are everything and more than i ever dreamed of!!!
Enjoy :)
http://www.alibrownphotoblog.blogspot.com/
I am *loving* how the leopard cardigan turned out!!!! Let me know what you think :))))))
Hugs and Happy Sunday!! Back to organizing my recipes while my man is golfing!!!
John has been flying nights this week so, i have been doing errands in the evenings to stay occupied!! I usually don't like to do errands after work, i just want to come home and be comfy :)
So last night after we ate a yummy dinner!!! Seriously this was a delicious meal and because we do everything organic i just substituted!!! You *must* try it :) This is a side note but, i LOVE to search through Whole Foods recipes and print the ones the sound delish to me and then you never run out of recipes! I try to do that weekly!! It really does help when planning a weekly menu!!! Who LOVES having menus??? The Parrish couple does:))))
Ok back to errands :) I ran into Herbergers (please excuse the name...its plain terrible and wrong). It is a department store... nothing like Dillards but, you take whatever you can get! They do have a really great baby department which is exactly what i needed! Sweet Cooper is turning 1 years old this month!!! I can't believe it!! So Aunt Jo needed to go shopping...of course :)
Although i make fun of the name that place has amazing sales!! I can't wait to Cooper to get his sussy in the mail!!
On my way home i saw Ross out of the corner of my eye! Ya'll i couldn't resist, i really felt called to go in :) Now Ross is one of those stores you have to prepare yourself for before entering... but it is also one of those stores that is *so* worth it sometimes! As Linds and i say...you have to dig :) And last night was just one of those nights that it was WORTH IT!!!
I have had my eye on a rug for about a week. I need a new rug in the kitchen under the sink... but, i have this bad habit of creating something in my head before i ever see it...*dern*!! But, i did of course find one i fell in LOVE with immediately but, not the price! Hello why is a rug so expensive to ship....mercy me! SO, backing up to the Ross story... i found just what i had my eye on for $50 cheaper *LOVE ROSS*!!!!!
And of course i found a *must have* that i had not had my eye on :) But, for $2.48 WHY NOT!!!!
*i think i will put one of our new pics in this frame when we get them* :)
I was very pleased with Ross in Great Falls Montana! And so my was hubby!!!!!
Speaking of frames...i LOVE these!!!!!!!! Hilary is a friend of mine from Texas!!! Are those not just ADORABLE!!!! I am thinking i may need more than one :)
OK its 8:30 and i am determined to get in bed early!!! Have a great night ya'll!!!
P.S. Thank you to everyone for your amazing encouragement and prayers for the 5K and Carson!!! Please praise the Lord with us as we celebrate *LOW NUMBERS* for Carson!! Thank you sweet Jesus, you truly are the only one worthy...because after all Carson is YOUR miracle Jesus!! AMEN!!!!!
