Aunt Ali :)

I got to see my baby nephew this weekend and it was INCREDIBLE!! :) 

On Saturday we took Nolan to the Aquarium and the Botanical Gardens. He was so fascinated with the shark tank and loved the turtles. :)

Daddy and son! :) It was adorable. Nolan just laid his head on Gil's head and was very content!

Nolan LOVED the shark tank! :)

Saturday night, Gil and Nolan came over to my house while Alexis stayed at the hotel and got some homework done. Nolan was crazy!! :) He is the complete opposite of other 2 year olds. When he gets tired he decides to run around and play because he knows that if he sits he will fall asleep :) It was so funny and I love hearing him call me "Aunt Ali."

He loved playing with Cosmo!!

When he saw his reflection in my phone he puckered up his lips. Gil said he "jersey shored" me! :) It was sooooo funny. I busted out laughing about 2 seconds after I took the picture. 

Sunday night, my mom, Kelly, and I went to dinner with Gil and Alexis and got a chance to get caught up about our family in Carlsbad and reminisce on the old times in southern NM. It was a lot of fun. 

Tonight, Gil and Alexis brought Nolan to our house again and he was running around, going up the stairs, asking about Cosmo over and over, and just being a big goober! :) I love this little man.

I cannot wait to see these guys again and am really considering taking a trip to Wichita Falls soon! :) 

<3
Aunt Ali :) 

God is So Good :)

I honestly don't know where I would be without my Lord, Jesus Christ. He is my rock, my strength, and my joy! 

It has been a difficult semester with a huge work load and challenging (but sometimes interesting) classes. We just had a couple days off and, may I say, that they were very much needed. Over the break, I read an amazing book by Erynn Mangum (who is a dear, dear friend of mine) called Miss Match. 

While reading this book, I started to truly think about God's sovereignty and this book mentions it numerous times. Like the main character, Laurie Holbrook, I have struggled with this thought; the thought that everything is for God's plan and He is in control of everything (the good, bad, ugly, and pretty). 

One of the verses that is mentioned in this book that I have never run across before but thought was incredible is Psalm 37:4. It reads, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Awesome, huh?

I have been thinking about my life a lot lately and I now have a pretty good understanding of the path God has set out for me at this moment in time. I am single and just praising God for this time that I have to build my relationship with Him and thanking Him for the dear friends and family I have around me. I have been so blessed in life that even through the bad God has always been there when I needed Him, even before I knew who He was!! What a great God! :) I love Him and He is all I need to be happy in life right now. I keep looking for more but I know the answer is always in my heart. 

Thank you, Erynn, for writing such amazing books like Miss Match, Rematch, Match Point, Cool Beans, Double Shot, Latte Daze, and Sketchy Behavior. I love you! :)

Time to start rereading Rematch! :)

God bless!! :)

<3
Ali :)