My Week In Pictures - Happy Birthday, America! Edition

What a week! 

What. 

A. 

Week.

It's been a good week.

I've been very busy, but I prefer it that way. 

In the middle of this every day life, I was reminded this past week that I'm going to face battles.

I'm going to face a lot of them.

I'm going to face struggles, too.

Internal and external.

But thankfully my God is always bigger than my battles and struggles.

"The Lord will fight for you;

you need only to be still."

Exodus 14:14

Niko spent his week doing the same old, same old.

Sleep. 

Walk.

Eat. 

Chew.

Sleep.

Bark.

Walk.

Sleep.

Ah...the life of a dog!

My very talented husband (seriously, he makes me sick he's so talented)

whipped up mini apple pies. 

Who does that?

He didn't even have a recipe. 

He just created.

They were delish!

I love Oklahoma sunsets.

If you've read previous posts, I'm sure you know that.

But the one thing I love most about sunsets is that they

make me stop and appreciate the ending to the day.

I'm not sure why, but when I have chapters in my life end,

I don't give it the same pause or reflection that I do a sunset.

I aim to do that more in my everyday life.

Endings, as sad as they are, always signify beginnings.

I've been listening to Jason Grey's Nothing is Wasted all week.

I just love this song.

"In the hands of our Redeemer, nothing is wasted."

Not our past.

Not our broken relationships.

Nothing

If you know Niko, then you know he's definitely an only child.

He loves being the center of attention.

And if you ignore him, he will bark at you until you notice him.

He's so dramatic sometimes.

And when Mommy doesn't give him enough attention, he will just plop down in her lap!

I don't talk about my cat a lot.

He's kind of like an old man who sleeps ALL. THE. TIME.

I let him outside the other day and he was so happy.

He tried to run across the street and then into a bush.

I caught him though.

He can't run very fast.

This moment was too precious not to take a picture of.

We were at my in-laws for the Fourth of July yesterday

and Niko plopped down in front of the fan to relax.

It was so funny.

Like I said, only-child syndrome.

We had a great time at my in-laws.

We ate.

Oh, did we eat!

Brisket, ham, macaroni salad, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, ice cream...

Well, I think you get the picture.

My brother-in-law fell asleep.

He looks so uncomfortable in that chair, but he was passed out!

After his nap, we played badminton...with frying pans!

I always enjoy celebrating our nation's birthday.

I love how EVERYONE dresses up in red, white and blue.

Or, if you're my mom, you dress up in 'red, white, and sleeveless'. 

She's crazy.

The weather was a perfect 87 degrees.

And we shot off fireworks with the neighbors.

It was one of those days we will fondly reflect on in the future.

Peaceful, fun, and fulfilling.

Happy Birthday, America!