a random list of thoughts

**I just realized that I didn't even update to let the blog world know I got a teaching job! 99.9% of you should already know that by now though. More on this to come...**

Since I'm a list maker, I thought it'd be easier to track my thoughts this way for this post.

1. First and foremost, updating blogs takes time. Lots of time, and commitment, and creativity...most of which I'm running thin on these days. I admire those who find time to update everyday when it's not their actual job. I'm sorry to get your hopes up with my frequent updates this summer and now they're few and far between.

2. Brandon is rocking it at Belmont! I'm so incredibly proud of him. It does my heart good to see him thriving in what he was created to do.

3. Keeping up with friends back home is harder than I thought. I have learned to cherish those short conversations, weekend trips back home, and random texts/Facebook messages.

4. Finding a new church and where to plug in is a lot harder than I expected. Pray for us as we join Cross Point and get connected with a community group. We're craving community big time.

5. I've learned (the hard way) to ask the right questions when interviewing for a teaching job. So far, my new job is kinda like starting my teaching career all over again plus added work like when I was in college/grad school. I never expected to be spending this much time writing lesson plans. I'm thankful for a job though, and I know the Lord is stretching me in ways I've never been stretched before. The refinement is hard, but the end result for His glory is worth it all.

6. Continuing on the job topic, I'm learning a lot about contentment. God has me in this school, this classroom, teaching all the subjects, and with these students for a reason. Although they wear my patience thin pretty often, I'm proud to be their mother hen. Although I sometimes envy other people's jobs and where they are in life, deep down inside the Lord is teaching me that there's no other place I'd rather be because it's where HE has placed me. His will is perfect and good, so pleasing Him in this place is what I desire and long to do.

7. Nashville food has pleasantly surprised me. I'm currently experiencing a state of food euphoria since we've gone to Five Guys, McDougal's, Loveless Cafe, and Pei Wei. It's no home-cooking Cajun food, but that makes coming home that much sweeter.

That's all I got for now. Surely, you wouldn't expect me to update with words and pictures, would you?! Ok good, because it ain't happenin :)

Long overdue

I had a feeling this would happen. Complete and utter blog neglect. I apologize to all I may have hurt. To make things better, this one will be quick...just a few quick pics and captions.

Before our anniversary, these beautiful girls came to visit, along with one of our favorite couples ever, the Normans. It's sad that I only have this one picture out of both weekends. I really need to be more intentional with taking pictures.

Then my sister Lorien and my favorite niece Amelia came to visit for a girls weekend. We had a great time exploring the city, trying out a new sushi restaurant (very disappointing however), and playing home decorator. While I love to follow home decorating blogs, I lack the confidence and vision to do anything with our apartment. Lorien was quick to pass on that creativity, and we hit the Goodwill jackpot! I've been wanting to re-cover the dark red fabric that was hanging in our living room, so Lorien helped me pick out 3 cute fabrics and cover blank canvases. Ever since Lorien gave us a comforter she had wanted to get rid of, I had been eyeing some really cute wrapping paper to frame. We then found 3 frames to spray paint white and framed the paper. It matched perfectly and is a great addition to our big blank bedroom wall.

Last weekend, I headed down to Perdido Key, FL for Val's bachelorette beach weekend. The weather was perfect, the beaches were clean, and there were no big Labor Day crowds! It was so very relaxing, and I had so much fun with the girls! Unfortunately, the only pics I took were from my waterproof disposable camera (straight old-school!), so I'll have to get those developed.

I'm sooo excited about LSU football this weekend!! My brother is coming in town, and we're going to the LSU vs. Vandy game with him and his girlfriend. Hopefully, our Tigers will straighten up from last week!

5 Things You May or May Not Know About Me...

So I guess it's my turn now! Props to Jen on making that super cute image above.

1. My memory: Whether you like it or not, if we're good friends, then I probably know your birthday and license plate number. Creepy, I know. Like any good math nerd, I really like numbers, so they stick in my head. You're gonna thank me one day when I recognize your broken down car on the side of the road because of its license plate.

2. New people: Since being in a new city, I realized how awkward I can be when I meet new people. I'm always thinking about the next question to ask, how to respond, etc. etc. I really like getting to know new people, it just takes me a while to get comfy. It's the same thing when I talk to quiet people. For some reason, I always feel like I have to keep the conversation going. I just don't like awkward silence.

3. Blogs: Although I'm still new with this blog, I've always loved the idea of having one. I've just never been a big writer. I love following new blogs on my Google Reader: families around the country, recipe ideas, decorating ideas, photographers, etc.

4. Cooking: Speaking of new recipe ideas, I love trying out new recipes. Or maybe I should say I love the idea of trying new ones out. I have a running Word document that's over 20 pages long with tons of breakfast, dinner, and dessert recipes. But for some reason, I tend to stick with my old faithfuls. I'm so glad Brandon (SOOO excited he's bringing back his blog, btw!!) isn't a sucker for variety like I am :)

5. Music: I love, love, love music. Good thing I married a drummer :) I'm not even so much into finding the latest, greatest music. I just love how one song can totally make your day or change your perspective.

Restless...

Our church (for now at least) sang this song a couple of weeks ago, and it's been stuck in my head ever since! The video is kinda cheesy, but it's the only way I could think of to let you hear the song.

We've lived in Nashville for 2 months now, and with all the busyness of getting settled, becoming acclimated with the area, taking a few short weekend trips, and hanging out with our wonderful house guests, I realized that I just haven't stopped. Sure, I've had a lot of down time as I waited on principals to call or email me back, but I wasn't resting in the most fulfilling way that I could. And more importantly, I wasn't completely putting my life/future/plan in the Lord's hands and then resting in His goodness, His faithfulness, and His never ending love.

Most of you already know that I'm a huuuuuge planner, and getting a teaching job soon after moving to Nashville was part of my plan. But my plan is not the Lord's plan, and I'm ever so slowly letting go of that. I don't know why I'm balancing two part-time jobs instead of starting my first day of teaching today, but I don't need to know all those details. (I cringe as I type that!) All I need to do is REST in the hands who orchestrated the universe and just BE the Kate that He created me to be. These lessons seem so simple in theory, but are so hard to live out.

RESTLESS Lyrics
Audrey Assad

You dwell in the songs that we are singing
Rising to the Heavens, rising to Your heart, Your heart
Our praises filling up the spaces
In between and frailty and everything You are
You are the keeper of my heart

And I’m restless, I’m restless
‘Til I rest in You, ’til I rest in You
I’m restless, I’m restless
‘Til I rest in You, ’til I rest in You
Oh God, I wanna rest in You

Oh, speak now for my soul is listening
Say that You have saved me, whisper in the dark
‘Cause I know You’re more than my salvation
Without You I am hopeless, tell me who You are
You are the keeper of my heart
You are the keeper of my heart

And I’m restless, I’m restless
‘Til I rest in You, ’til I rest in You
I’m restless, I’m restless
‘Til I rest in You, ’til I rest in You
I wanna rest in You

Still my heart hold me close
Let me hear a still small voice
Let it grow, let it rise
Into a shout, into a cry

Still my heart hold me close
Let me hear a still small voice
Let it grow, let it rise
Into a shout, into a cry

And I’m restless, I’m restless
Visit http://www.xtralyrics.com
‘Til I rest in You, let me rest in You
I’m restless, so restless
‘Til I rest in You, ’til I rest in You
Oh God, I will rest in You

Credits :
songwriters: assad, audrey; maher, matt
© emi cmg publishing;river oaks music company;thankyou music

FYI, the rest of Audrey's album is pretty great too. She's a good mix between Bethany Dillon and Brooke Fraser.

If this was my Xanga, this song would be my "Currently Listening", and my "Currently Reading" would be Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety by Elyse Fitzpatrick.

2 years and counting...

Yesterday, Brandon and I celebrated two years of marriage!! I always hear that marriage is a gift, and I don't know if I've ever fully cherished that gift until these past few months. Thank you, Brandon, for loving me, encouraging me, lifting me up in prayer, listening to me, and just sitting patiently during my "minor" freakouts. There's no one else in this world I'd rather share this journey with than you. I am so lucky to be Mrs. Hays :)

Enjoy the amateur (keyword: amateur) iMovie that I put together. What can I say, I'm a sucker for montages! I couldn't have written the song better myself :)

No words needed...

Why I love summer!!!

community

The week before we moved to Nashville is sort of a blur now. All I know is that my heart was so full, and my tear ducts were empty! :) Our community group (Sharks for life!) threw us a great going away party. They surrounded us in prayer... for the moving logistics, for our marriage, for my future job, for our future church/church family, and for the overall transition. Then, they presented us with 2 baskets full of road trip snacks and over $300 worth of restaurant gift cards so that we wouldn't have to worry about cooking throughout the first few months of being here. How incredibly thoughtful and generous! Then, they gave us a book full of letters that each person had written to us. As soon as I opened the book and realized what it was, I had to shut it immediately. We just couldn't handle all those emotions at once! But we did read it that night before bed and will always cherish their sweet words.

Thennnn, a few days later, two of our best friends, Sarah and Spencer, hosted another going away party for us. It was a precious time with some of our closest friends. All night I kept thinking about how I just wanted to stop time. I wanted to remember their voices and laughs and hugs. I wasn't quite sure what to anticipate before the party, but it turned out to be even better than what I thought. It wasn't a sob-fest which was wonderful. Instead, it was a time just to goof off and to tell funny and embarrassing stories. Then, to top it all off, Sarah had asked these people to write a short note/letter to us. She compiled them, added pictures, and made a pretty amazing book that we will always treasure.

These people have walked with us throughout our dating years, engagement, and now marriage. They have listened to us and prayed for us. They have kept us accountable and asked us the tough questions. They have helped to carry us through all of our fears, doubts, and anxieties with the whole moving process. In many ways, we are who we are because of them.

Like I said, my heart is full because of this community. These people love us. No strings attached. That's the essence of our church, and that is why The Ring is so special to us. I long for that community again. I know it takes time to cultivate these kinds of relationships, and part of me wants to just fast forward to that time. We will never be able to replace these friendships, but instead will add to them! I can't wait to see what God has in store!

Group shot during "story time"

The new Schoons!

Our wonderful shepherds :)

Sarah free-handed that on her wall with chalk...I told you she was amazing!