Roadtrip to the Flatlands...

I had a very wonderful weekend. The first ingredient to this superb weekend was a trip to this delectable place:

This is my very, very, very favorite pizza resturaunt in Abilene by far. You would not believe my excitement when Mom suggested this delicious place. My regular here is a medium Canadian Bacon pizza. So, so good. Come to Abilene and try it. I dare you.

On Sunday Mom and I went on a roadtrip to Lubbock. We also got to see some family which in my book is always wonderful. Here is one of our stops while there:

I had never been to this fabulous place before, but, let me tell you, I WILL be back. I adored the sandwich, side dish, and drink I got. I ordered the Havari Chicken Panini and it was out of this world. If you have a McAlister's in your area, go. It is some fine eatin'. I think it's better than Json's Deli. Don't tell them I said so.

The next stop for Mom, Grant, and I was this fine establishment: Mom and I think Stein Mart is the best store ever and we desperately miss the Abilene affiliate. They closed the Abilene store about a year ago. It was a very sad day for both of us. More than half of Mom's wardrobe came from this sublime store. Anytime we see one in bigger cities, stopping is a must.

The last stop in our fast and furious Lubbock tour was this insanely fabulous store:

I heart Target to its very core. I could get so lost in this store entirely too easily. When I saw that Lubbock had a Super Target, my shopping appeties were whetted for sure. :) Mom constantly made me focus and stay on course. I didn't even go look at the clothes because I knew that if I did, I would be sucked into the never-ending, always beckoning vortex of more stylish and up-to-date attire. The scarves and completely adorable stationery already had thier claws in me. I was on the hunt for a copy of The Blind Side which I haven't been able to get my hands on in my fair city. Good things come to those who wait, right?!?!

So as you can see my Sunday was busy and very fulfilling. My tour of Lubbock was very enjoyable even if I didn't come home with any purchases of my own. The time with my Mom was so good. There is something wonderful about any time with her, especially on roadtrips. It seems that God carves out special sacred time to converse, and love on each other. I couldn't do life without my mom.

Fun With the Heflins...

I spent Friday evening with the completely adorable and lovely Heflin girls--Houston and Karen were there too. I LOVE these precious little ladies so so much. Boy was my Friday made by spending time with this precious family. I finally got to meet and hold Gable Elizabeth for the first time too. We ate a delicious dinner prepared by Karen of Chicken Salad sandwiches, beautiful and tasty fruit salad, pretzels, and Fritos. My kind of meal! So simple, and the time was so sacred to me. I loved watching Houston and Karen play with their girls, parent them, help form sweet sweet manners, and love them to pieces. This family is such a beautiful model of what I hope mine will look like someday. In case you haven't figured it out, I think the Heflins are utterly fabulous.

We read stories, enjoyed a dance presentation to the Sound of Music by Matalee, Emery, and Haven, took pictures, ate a wonderful apple cobbler, and so much more. My favorite part of the evening was when I had the privilege of anointing Gable and praying over her. Matalee, Emery, and Haven were full of questions about which I loved. Houston did such a great job explaining the whole concept. After I prayed, Karen read the story of Soloman anointing David in 2 Samuel 16. {I think that is where the story is found, not positive though}. It was so much fun for me all around. I hope you have people in your life that make it fun, vibrant, real, and worthwhile. The Heflins are definitely some of my favorite people.

An Afternoon in the Bluebonnets...

On Tuesday afternoon, my friend Becky H took me out to a field of bluebonnets on 277 because she just wanted me to see it. Luckily, I had been encouraged to bring my camera. It was absolutely gorgeous. Here is the proof. I'm squinting in all of them because it was really sunny, but I love them all.

I cannot figure out why my computer put the pictures in such funny places, but I think I've included the best pictures. I hope you can spend some time admiring and taking in God's beauty through His splashes of color. I love Spring for so many reasons, but I think my favorite is that my obsession with the loveliness of flowers is revisited and deepened.

An HEB Getaway...

Every Spring and Fall, the Highland family is invited down to the Texas Hill Country for a fabulous 3 day fun-filled weekend at the H.E.B. Foundation Camp in Leakey Texas. My family, friends, and I love to partake of this wonderful biannual experience. I've gone to HEB Camp since I was in 4th grade. I love it. This weekend was no exception. Here are some glimpses of the fun we had: There were LOTS of games of my favorite Chickenfoot on the fabulous large wrap-around porch of the dining hall. Great memories...

Blogger is being stupid and won't bring the first picture down. The fabulous women in the first picture are my good friends and served as my cabin mates along with some men also this weekend. We had some great laughs, times of talking, knitting, drinking Diet Coke, and watching the river. It was so much fun.Below my cabin mates are my precious precious adoptive brother and sister Christin and Chase on the back porch of our cabin. These two sweet friends are such rich blessings in my daily life. Christin belongs to our best family friends Greg and Tina Etter and Chase is her fabulous boyfriend. Love them and the times we have.

These little beauties were scattered everywhere throughout the Hill Country. I love spring, because that means flowers, flowers, and more flowers. Seeing fields covered in dark blue were just the sight I needed to end a glorious weekend with my church family. HEB Camp holds such a sweet cherished place in my childhood and in my heart now. It is a wonderful place for families to come and have fun, connect with others, and enjoy God's masterful creation. I hope your weekend was great as well.

Wow, How Blessed I Am...

Recently, God has just poured so many rich blessings into my journey with Him. Today, I enjoyed a two-hour lunch date with one of my most cherished and influential mentors. In addition to the blessing of spending that sacred time, I ran into two of my very close friends Sylvia and McKinley. I just adore how God weaves friends into the fabric of our daily activities. :) There have also been so many of my friends who have welcomed new babies into their lives. I still need to schedule time to love on them. I have had some really good time with the Lord too. I have just had a fabulous time in life recently. I love when new friends come into my life. God has been so sweet to author new relationships in my community right now.

Easter 2010 was utterly GLORIOUS in my book. One of my very favorite preaching vesels, Jerry Taylor brought such a powerful and timely message about boldness and the power that resides in us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was good for my soul. Highland hosted a gathering before service on Easter Sunday so that people could hug, encourage each other, and engage in fellowship that was wonderful. I love fellowship, encouragement, and hugs. Monday night at soaking we listened to one of my all-time favorite prophetic voices, Graham Cooke's Rise Up, Warrior. Talk about anointed. Oh, my glory! It brought fire and deep expectancy into my entire being. I was so refreshed and recommisioned. It was a fantastic time of quiet. I hope your Thursday is greatly blessed.