Spring

The Best

Blog friends are simply the best. Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. The encouraging words mean the world to me and I will definitely be revisiting them when I have writer’s block or feel discouraged. It’s truly wonderful to be able to “put myself out there” and receive nothing but love and support in return.

Speaking of writing, I received a few questions about my book and the way I’m writing. I was thinking about doing a separate post to answer the questions and explain my process. What do you guys think? If you have any questions, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them 🙂

Other things that are the best…

Lola

Lola wearing Jimmy’s t-shirt. I don’t know what prompted me to put it on her, but she looked incredibly adorable. I posted a video of her modeling it on my Snapchat, which reminds me to tell everyone that I’m on Snapchat. My username is allieksmith. Let’s be friends!

IMG_2530 IMG_2536

Visiting Jimmy at work. His family’s welding shop has been extremely busy lately, which has resulted in Jimmy working some late nights. Lola and I brought him and my father-in-law dinner last week (my father-in-law even shared some with Lola!) and hung out for a while. It’s always amazing to see Jimmy in action.

17220224742_4621e03192_k

Spring has officially started. Though it’s currently snowing in Pittsburgh, I couldn’t be happier it’s actually spring. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the extra daylight lately. I also adore seeing daffodils poking through the ground when Lola and I go on our daily walk.

Well, I better get going. I have cookies to bake for a church fellowship tonight (I’m making these) and want get our house cleaned up for the coming week.

I have a dental appointment on Tuesday to have an old filling fixed. Not fun. We also don’t have dental insurance. Not fun. I’m glad Jimmy and I are blessed enough to afford dental care, though, because it’s important! I’d appreciate prayers that the appointment would go well 🙂

Do you love or hate going to the dentist?

I don’t mind getting my teeth cleaned, but any procedures beyond that make me want to cry.

What are the best things in your life right now?

My faith, spending time with my husband, practicing being present in my everyday life, snuggling Lola, writing, my church family, amazing blog friends, coffee, and the fact that spring is here.

Marching into spring

I feel like I just posted about winter’s arrival, and now spring begins this month. Technically the meteorological spring began on March 1st, but most people consider the astronomical March equinox, which begins on the 20th, to be the official start of spring.

Enough of my nerdy weather research, though. I am ready for this new season! Not that winter has been particularly bad in Pittsburgh this year. I just love a fresh start.

25454044746_fb434eb80e_z

To me, spring symbolizes growth, and growth is a wonderful thing. I’ve been working hard on my goal of knowing what I value and keeping my priorities straight. Along the way, I’ve been learning a lot and having fun. A win-win in my book.

I’m learning that most of the choices we make in life aren’t between good and bad, but between good and great. I am trying to choose great every day. When I focus on what’s truly important, I feel a sense of purpose and true joy. I feel closer to God when I am being who He created me to be.

Looking forward to this new season, I want to continue to serve, grow, and learn. Here are some things I’ve learned lately…

Mountain Pie Date

Mountain pies are delicious. Have you ever had or heard of a mountain pie? Basically, you make a sandwich (I made peanut butter and jelly), put it in a mountain pie maker, and stick it in a campfire. A few minutes later, you have a melty, warm sandwich!

While mountain pies and campfires are lovely, spending time with Jimmy is what really fills me up. We ate our mountain pie dinner outside and then went to the movie theater to see Zootopia on Saturday. The movie was great, and I was so glad I got to have a date night with Jimmy. We like to stay busy, but the times when we just relax and hang out really strengthen our relationship.

Windowsill learning

Learning something new is gratifying. Jimmy has been making the windowsills and trim for our house and I’ve been helping as much as possible. He taught me to use a sander, and I’ve been painting like crazy. I really enjoy learning how to use tools to create things. The work we do together on our house is something I will remember and cherish forever.

family 1

Time spent with family is time well spent. It’s not always easy to get together with family when everyone has busy schedules and lives in different areas. When we do see each other, though, it’s the best. Being there for my family and knowing they are always there for me is one of the biggest blessings in my life.

15970798628_6b3a210a34_z

Dogs make everything better. No matter what kind of day I’m having, it always gets better when I spend it with Lola or a dog I’m pet sitting. I would love to do something full-time with dogs for work one day. Ultimately, I think I’d enjoy running a kennel, but you never know! We’ll see what God has in store for me. There are so many things I want to do, but I’m leaving it all up to God and prayerfully following where He leads.

24865760584_441f64aa3d_z

Taking time to soak in a beautiful sunset reminds me that God is so good. The sun rises and sets every day, and we can count on God every day.

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2

As we march forward into spring (get it, March… ;)), I am looking forward to many things. Getting outside as much as possible, hearing rain, starting a garden, more sunlight, and another season to grow, serve, and love.

What do you love about spring?