The Daily Bunny

Being a proper girly girl, I am besotted by baby bunnies. I have, in fact, always wanted to own a bunny...now once a day I can pretend.

http://dailybunny.org

and if that weren't enough...http://dailyotter.org

Things are looking up!

Oh. My. (Happy).

A new Jane Eyre movie. My most favorite story. The enchanting girl from Alice in Wonderland. The epic and passionate tale told once again, on the big screen. But then I saw the release date is post move to Kenya and my spirits sank...I'm doubting it will make it to Nairobi. Sigh.

http://focusfeatures.com/jane_eyre

But I don't want to

I've spent quite a bit of time around little ones lately--and not just any little ones, but my very favorites! There's nothing quite like a hug from a precious three year old, or making your nephew laugh, or having your friend's daughter want to follow you around and jump on your bed. No matter how well behaved or adorable these kids are, spend any amount of time with little people and you are bound to hear your fair share of "no," "I can do it myself," and my personal favorite, "I don't want to." I don't bring this up to highlight the behavior of any particular child, but my very own behavior and attitude. We all expect these words and feelings from a child--it's a part of growing up, experimenting with boundaries, authority and obedience. But do we expect these responses from ourselves? Do we recognize our innate selfishness on a day to day basis when we're all grown up? When my niece tells me she doesn't want to put her shoes on, it's kind of funny--I mean, who wants to stop playing and waste time like that when Pops will be carrying her to the car anyways? I can sympathize. What about when God asks me to lay my pride down and admit to my faults and I simply don't want to? Not so cute, right? Or when I think I can deal with a situation by myself and shut him out. Even worse--when I simply say no to him. To my king, my leader, the creator of the universe who knows infinitely more than I do what is right for me, for his plans, for the world. It is so easy to roll my eyes at the black and white reactions from kids--they are for or against everything, and frequently don't have the depth or maturity to see beyond immediate gratification or sacrifice. If something is fun, they want to do it. If not, forget it. Giggles or tantrums. How humbling to realize I am often the same way, albeit it you won't see me flailing in a grocery store aisle--but don't let that fool you, there are lots of things I "don't want to do" or think I can do myself. Now is the time to grow up, time to see with perspective, time to obey--and when I know and love and commune with the one who made me, it becomes ever easier to lay down my childish resistance, knowing I am safe in his arms and on his path. 

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

Atlanta Revisited

It was so great to spend an extended amount of time in GA last month. It was the longest I have been back since we moved away in 1999, and I had a great time exploring new and old haunts. Most of all it was great to be with friends that I don't see often enough. I am so blessed to have remained close to them after more than 10 years away. Crazy! Here are some pictorial highlights.                                

My dear friend Melanie's daughter, Lyla. So adorable, and SO happy!

Me and Ty--sure wish I had taken a picture of him in his Raggedy Andy Halloween costume!

Anna and Robert's daughter, Elizabeth Grace. Can't believe how grown up she is! It was SO special to spend three weeks at their house as a part of their family. She calls me "Yexi". Awww.

Stone Mountain, per my request. How can you not love that big ol' rock!

A fireside evening with Jody and Anne!

Longtime BFF Katie was in town from Italy and Brazil with her lovely Italian boyfriend, Andrea. What a life! So wonderful to see the whole family. Wish I had a picture of them all!

 Anna and I. What a joy to have a best friend of 16 years. Love!!

Non-pictured highlights: Seeing Sope Creek and the Chattahoochee lined with fall foliage, driving through the old neighborhood, despite missing Higgins, drinking Caribou coffee, the maple sugar cotton candy at Ormsby's and discovering I'm pretty good at bochi ball, epic sandwiches at Alon's, lots of Chick-fil-a and Georgia Bulldogs. 

What a View

I'm not pregnant, but my dear, witty, beautiful friend JJ is. She took this picture and I found it to be hilarious. Rest assured she looks fabulous and fit, but this picture is oh so hilarious. I can't imagine what that must be like!

Home

Being home is an interesting thought to me right now. In the past few months I have had many homes. I've said goodbye over and over again, packed and unpacked more than I'd like to remember, and driven over 4,000 miles. I've moved out of an apartment after 3 years, lived on a boat, stayed in hotels, friends places in LA, Nashville, Atlanta, and Mississippi, and lived in a crazily decorated mountain home for two weeks in Rome, GA. And now I find myself at my parents' condo for three months, teetering on the edge of a move halfway across the world where I'll make a new home for a year and half. I've been living at warp speed, from one moment to the next, and it amazes me to take a glance backward and see how the Lord has carefully picked me up and put me down into each hour, minute, and second.

Historically I have not done well with goodbyes, which made huge transitions like moving to a new apt/city/state, starting a new school or job, or enduring a break in any relationship harder for me than most. I would retreat emotionally, fearful that in letting go of something/place/one, I would lose all ground and a part of myself. The irony is that I am really great at adapting to new people and places-making friends and a new home is easy-it's the letting go that sent fear to my soul. Thankfully, the Lord is so gracious, and has spent the better part of my twenties slowly weaving new yarn of his strength into me to cover up those fearful, self-reliant parts. One thing I love about God's work in our lives is that nothing is one dimensional, meaning I don't think for a second that He was only preparing me for a move to Kenya, nor do I think I'm a piece fully restored. But I do know He has gone ahead, and that the person hopping around from place to place this year is amply more prepared and suited for having a conceptual home than the Lexi of my past. Although the stress of moving is never enjoyable, I can say I've had fun these past months, and seen all the packing, planning, traveling as a joy and an adventure that I am lucky to take. I've learned to carry my home with me. I guess I'm like a happy little turtle (I don't want to be a snail), with my history and story etched on to my shell, along with God's promise that He knows where I've been, where I'm going, who I am and that I never go alone.  I know and hope I won't arrive unchanged, wherever I am going.

Roadtrip!

Hi Blogworld! I've been MIA for months as I was winding up my life in LA, and hauling myself and possessions across the US and halfway back. The last month in LA was chaotic to say the least, but the end of September came quickly and I was feted in a delightful (though extremely hot) goodbye party in the Malibu hills.


The Besties and Fabulous Party Hostesses! (Sign by Whit, Baby by JJ)


I was SO happy my parents could come to my party! Feel free to see the rest of the pics on facebook.

After a whirlwind goodbye, my mom and I were off on our LA to Dallas road trip, or MAMA: WOW. That's right, I name road trips. Me And Mom's Adventure: Women On Wheels. We saw the Grand Canyon, ate at yummy restaurants, listened to a fabulous book, and even saw a double rainbow!!! SO vivid.






I found this man's form mid-fall to be hilarious

3 days later we made it to Dallas and were greeted by some of my favorite people




My stay in Dallas was short-lived, 2 days later the road trip continued: commence, WALL-E! Whitney And Lexi's Lifelong Expedition! Oh the laughter. I seriously felt like I would have 6-pack abs after my weekend in Nashville with Whit and her boyfriend Big Ben who was armed with an official list of activities to keep us entertained and well fed (awwwwww). We ate delicious popsicles at Las Paletas and were nearly killed my a creepy woodsman with an axe at a Harvest Maze (or something like that) among other things. I also decided over the weekend that Nashville is at the top of my list of cities I could live in eventually. Since the list pretty much says LA, London, and NYC I thought this was a breakthrough...





And that brings us to my 3 weeks in Atlanta! More to come. It's good to be back!
xo