Things Don't Always Go As Planned...

...how true is that? Things never seem to go according to plan, no matter how perfectly YOU plan. This is something I've recently been learning a lot about and the resounding lesson that is being pounded into my head is that I'M not the planner. My last post was on a day where the next two weeks looked promising. My best friend was headed into town and I was ready to throw her a big wedding shower, get all dressed up and take loads of pictures. Then we were going to spend the weekend together and after a few days of work, I was headed out of town to Houston to see my parents and sister-in-law. I planned out meal ideas to keep up with a healthier style of eating, I planned outfits to wear, I planned pictures to take to capture each day...I planned on a lovely two weeks. What I got was a little different. Midway through Hillary's Moulin Rouge shower, I got sick. I figured I had caught a bug from my kiddos and all would be well soon. Sunday I felt awful, along with my Nana who wasn't feeling too well herself. We spent the majority of Sunday apart from one another, trying to keep our germies to ourselves. Monday, I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to go...and then I became sick to my stomach for no apparent reason. I had to call in sick and I spent most of the day resting and wondering why I didn't feel sick, but was throwing up. Around 5:30 I'd get my answer. My Nana had had a headache for a few days and Monday evening she suffered an aneurysm, she died Wednesday morning. The following days were a whirlwind of tears, emotions, sadness, rejoicing, planning and sheer chaos. No one in our family was prepared for her passing (can you really be prepared?) and  it is God's grace alone that has helped us through. The last two weeks are nothing like I'd planned them to be, but they were exactly how the Creator of time planned them to be. He was ready to bring my Nana home, He numbered her days before she was born. I'm still trying my best to process the last two weeks and although I see so clearly the Lords hand in all of this and even back a few months, it's still very difficult to deal with. My Nana was my biggest fan and the absolute best Nana a child could have. She was the most Godly woman I've ever known and to live a life a fraction as good as hers would be considered a blessing. I miss her so much already and I'm so sad that's she's gone, but I REJOICE in not only knowing where she is, but that I'll see her again one day. I was still able to see my parents and sister-in-law, along with many other members of my family. The daily bible reading and healthy meals were thrown a little out whack with the craziness of the circumstances, but all of those things are on their way back to "as planned". I know for those of us who went to DBU, Jeremiah 29:11 is a little bit cliche, but it's so true. The Lord knows the plans He has for you, and trust me they're better than the ones you have for yourself, no matter what road it takes to get to them. He loves us and He wants good for us. I'm overwhelmed in knowing that this week...I wish I could tell you all of His mercies He's laid out for our family in the midst of this difficult time, but I'd never have enough space to tell of all His goodness. These pictures aren't exactly as I'd planned them to be, but the events of these days are exactly as they're meant to be.

 My outfit for Hillary's Shower!!

 Jackie O was covered in frost this morning

 Breakfast at Breadwinners with Avery, the little girl I used to Nanny for. She's adorable.

 I decided that the previous picture didn't do my new 'do any justice. I'm a brunette these days

 Ok..so here's the story. Yes, this is my bathroom and the only reason I took a picture of it is because I remodeled it a while back and I still LOVE it. It makes me so happy.

 Hillary is here!!!

 Hill's loot from her shower. I planned on much cuter pics from this night, but spent most of it hugging the toilet :(

 A general idea of how the following day was spent

 This picture was taken early Tueday morning, but it was the time I finally got home from the hospital Monday night. Little did I know my Nana would be gone in a few days.

 This verse means so much to me and it is certainly true

 The day my Nana met her sweet Jesus

 I finally got my brother and sister in laws wedding announcements in the mail!

 This picture was actually taken almost a week later than the date it was supposed to stand for. I have no clue what I did that day, I cannot remember. I didn't even know I missed a day. oops

 Anxiously awaiting my cousin's arrival at DFW

 Little Ian's birthday party at Oil and Cotton in Bishop Arts

 With my cousin Amy at Northpark Mall. We were both amused at this giant safety pin. 

 My Nana being laid to rest. RIP <3

 Jac in a bubble bath, I'm trying to teach her how to blow the bubbles!

Some of my beautiful flowers I've received lately. I'm so blessed. 

RIP Nana

8.13.1923- 1.19.2011

Happy New Year!!!

Well Happy 2011 everyone. I hope this finds you well. The first week of 2011 has passed us by and this is the first official blog post of the new year with up to date project365 pics! Take a look...

  my first meal of 2011...The All American Benedict at Bread Winners in Uptown

 dinner with Mandy and Hailee...i love that Hailee's tree wears a top hat!

 my aunt Jeanie treated me to lunch...it's our thing

 spent tuesday night babysitting my buddy Brasen...10 minutes before bedtime he remembered he had homework :/

 Jacqueline and Christopher ready for their swim lesson at Baylor Tom Landry Fitness Center. I love wednesday swim lessons!

 i'm a grandma!! my bird Gigi laid an egg...

 randomly saw a hawk with a squirrel in its talons...caught it flying off to dinner.

what i've been doing all day today. it's a surprise for Hillary's moulin rouge shower next saturday. i hope it turns out!!

Well, there's the first week of 2011. I'm enjoying project365, but as you can see I'm no photographer. As far as my other resolutions go I'm praying for an opportunity to use that dusty passport. I would love to be able to travel somewhere to serve so we'll see what doors open up. My daily Bible reading resolution has gone well...it's interesting to pick up the Word and not pick and choose what to read, but to allow God to teach me through a planned course of reading. My friend and I have also started back to watching what we eat and exercising...so far so good!!! I hope you all take the time to enjoy 2011. 

Brooke XOXO