View for the Weekend

Even though its a bad picture...the fam and me are at the beach for the weekend relaxing and enjoying the beautiful view of the waterway. I hope everyone enjoys this last weekend in February and hope that March will bring warmer weather (i am bursting for spring!).
XOXO,
JM

The Name Says it All!

Ok girls...I have found it! We ask ourselves why is being a twenty something woman so tough!!??? Here is the book to help us sort out all of our problems. I will definitely admit that I am going through a quarter life crisis! hehe
XOXO,
JM

Friendship

I am feeling a little bit like a big cheese ball today...I just have to share anyway! This past weekend was fabulous! Molly and I had the best time laughing, drinking one too many margaritas, and acting like two typical teenagers (even though we are both 25, ok one of us is and the other is almost). I am so grateful for the friendships I have in my life. God has truly blessed me in that aspect of my life!

I sent out a card today to a friend in need of a hug that had this inside:
"One finds great comfort in great friends." - Emma Jones
Wouldn't you know it was a Papyrus card! Then today I get this in my inbox...
"A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." -Proverbs 27:9

It is so important that we connect with people and one of the deepest needs we have in life is the need to be understood. Sometimes when I am the loneliest and feel like no one understands what I am going through, my friends surprise me with their support and provide an ear to listen to me ramble. Now, I admit sometimes I am not the easiest person to open up and shed a tear in front of people. I am usually the friend who listens to what is going on in the lives of others rather than talking about myself. I do find that when I do open up and connect with others on a personal level, I feel so much better! I think its time I find another therapist in the area before I talk about myself too much again...
Here is Molly and I at Tin Lizzy's this past weekend!
XOXO,
JM

Finally Friday

Reasons to be thankful its Friday...

• The sun is shinning! Jack Roper (our local weather man) better not be lying when 60 degree weather is predicted for tomorrow.


• Audrey, my little second grader who I work with at school, was pleasant this morning and did not turn her lip up at me....thats enough to be thankful in its self! This 8 year old scares me somedays!


• Working at Pink on Main for the afternoon and surrounded by an incredible Spring 2010 collection. Have you looked at the back of the new white taryn dress?? Lets just say I have been obsessed with bows since the day my Mom put one in my hair at birth through about the 5th grade...
  


• I do not have to get up before the crack of dawn in the morning!


• Girl Scout Cookies are out...this can be something to be thankful for or scary, I can look at it in both ways. My favorite are the thin mints after they have gotten super cold in the freezer. Whats your favorite?



• And the best for last...Going to visit a a favorite friend for the weekend in Atlanta!!!!

Have a great weekend Friends!

XOXO,

JM

Ash Wednesday

If you are like me, Ash Wednesday snuck up on you this year. Today starts the day where so many will give up chocolate, diet coke, or some other means of pleasure for 40 days until Easter. My Mom asked me yesterday, "have you decided what you are giving up yet." I quickly realized that giving up a certain food would not be a good idea for so I started brainstorming what is something that will be really hard for me to give up...
TV?
Shopping?
Shopping?
Shopping?
Diet Drinks?
Splenda in my coffee?
And I won't even begin the other addictions in my life that we all know need assistance...

I have decided this year that I want to make a conscious effort for Lent this year to do certain things that will genuinely help build my character and "realness" , rather than to traditionally "give up" something. I have determined three goals/ must do's for each day for the next 40 days:
1. Write in my Journal Every SINGLE day...yes everyday. Now I have about 20 different journals that I have written in over the past several years that have managed to have lots of empty pages on them. It is a known fact that we can really benefit from writing down our thoughts and feelings each day, whether it be through a letter to God or ourselves.
2. Help someone each day by giving them thanks, praise, or lending a hand.
3. Focus on the positives in my life. Give thanks for the many blessings that God has provided with me.

I'll let you know how I do! What are you doing for the next 40 days?
XOXO,
JM
PS...I am so desperately seeking Spring right now I can't stand it. I am thinking about getting my teaching certification in FL once I complete my masters...Any one want to move to Key West with me?? I had to post this picture from the Costal Living's best issue ever! I am thinking of running away to this location!

Two Words= Carrie On

May 28, 2010...Let the count down begin!

Happy Pink Day!

Happy Valentine's Day Friends! I hope you have a wonderful day full of LOVE and PINK!
XOXO,
JM
(These are my feathery homemade Valentine's I mailed out this year!)

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

I was not expecting this today! Enjoy this winter wonderland weekend!
XOXO,
JM

Pink Perfection

Tonight, my Mama hosted a few dear friends over for dinner and a game of bridge (yes they are all 55 years +). I helped Mom in making sure everything was pink and ready for a Valentine's Day gathering! We made a strawberry shortcake for desert...isn't it pretty! As you know I love anything pink. I can't wait to be able to host my own dinner parties one day! Oh and you must visit one of Atlanta Magazine's newest blog writers here! This was written by one of my dearest friends and her description of her mother is just like mine. I am off to enjoy a piece of this pink heaven!
XOXO,
JM

Over the Top!

A big hug and thanks to Alanna at Sparkles and Sundresses for this adorable award!

I am going to pass on the award to some of my favorites!

Buckhead Belle
The Sweet Southern Life
The Preppy Pink and Green Puppy
Mindless Musings on My Average Life
Drowning in the Shallow End of the Gene Pool

Go stop by these adorable blogs!
Enjoy,
JM

Love what you see in the mirror

As Valentine's Day fastly approaches us, I am forced to think about love, or in some cases lack their of. I am surrounded by endless amounts of love for family, friends, and our Lord. No...I do not have a special man in my life to share Valentine's Day with, but as I think about love more closely, I realize that I am not in a place to give my heart to anyone else because I have not given my heart to myself yet. Do I truly love the girl I see in the mirror each day? Do I love the person that I have grown to become at age 25? Am I content with being me?

As I pondered these questions, I had a scary realization. No, I do not truly love myself. I feel that there are so many things I need to work on (my health, finances, patience, faith, etc.) that I can't let myself love who I have become because I have so many areas of discomfort in my life. I often feel that I try to perfect things not for myself, but in order to please others and to hear my parents say that they are "proud of me." I should seek forgiveness and righteousness for my own self-worth. God created each of us in his image and loves each one of us more than we will ever know. Why can't I rejoice in his love and be thankful for who I am and what I have. The constant search for more more more does not get us anywhere. My search for love in myself and others is compassion and contentment.

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."

1 Corinthians 13:2 (New International Version)

Chick-Flick

You better believe it...I am a sucker for all chick-flicks! Lets see my favorite movie is The Parent Trap and my favorite actress is Sarah Jessica Parker. Every year without fail, a movie comes out the Weekend of Valentine's Day that I never can miss. Last year= Confessions of a Shopaholic and this year= Valentine's Day. With a cast including Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, and Jennifer Garner, how could this movie be anything from entertaining and adorable.

Going to the movies is one of my favorite things to do because it allows me to escape reality and enter the big screen, where life is far less complicated and always so pretty! It never fails there is always a hot guy, an adorable dog, and an oh so fabulous wardrobe. Who wouldn't want to escape into Hollywood??!!

I'll let you know how it rates on my movie scale (I AM NOT A HARD PLEASER when it comes to movies)!
XOXO,
JM

Tomorrow Can't be Monday...

Sundays in the Edwards's household usually involve the following 1. a blazing fire in the den 2. a cheesy movie on hallmark channel 3. lazy dogs and 4. comfy clothes.

I had a really great relaxing weekend. I even had a big challenge while out to eat last night with a friend and it was a SUCCESS!
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:13

Now its back to the grind tomorrow and lots of school work to get a head start on. Spring classes are now in full swing and its time to get down to business. Thank goodness for a short week...Teacher work day on Friday and Valentine's Day parties on Thursday (yes I have my pink outfit totally prepared).

Cheers to a good weekend! I leave you with a pic of poor Lola with her new do...she is freezing, but free of all mats!
XOXO,
JM

Papyrus

If you know me at all you know that I never forget to send a thank you note, birthday card, or any other holiday card to my family and friends. I love the little surprises that slip in the mail slot that you aren't expecting.

I was writing out a birthday card to a friend today that is a Papyrus card from Target. I am obsessed with these cards...especially the dancing red head wearing peacock feathers! I usually have to these cards early before my sister ends up buying the same one (I swear she probably spends $1000 a year on cards!)

If you buy a card made by papyrus you will notice that their emblem is a hummingbird. Did you know that "legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation."
What could be a better motto for a greeting card?
XOXO,
JM
Stay tuned for my valentine's that are going out in the mail in a few days...I never buy them, they are always homemade and this year's are too cute for words!

Sending Hugs

For my favorites who inspire me each day. The five of us can conquer anything together...we have been through lots since high school, but we have definitely had our share of laughs and there will definitely be more fun times to come!

Molly and Me in D.C.
Molly, Stephy, Me, and Maria being patriotic.
Me, Mere, and Molly in NOLA (if I remember correctly, pretty close to brad pitt's house)

With our Mamas!

Me and my Buddy.
Molly and Stephy!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-10