March Madness...Sugg Style

well for most people, march madness is full of college basketball games. but for jordan and i, our march is filled with much more than that...

march is full of celebrations which continues on in april. first off, jordan's birthday is march 10. we were on spring break spending it in beaver creek, colorado with some of my family. we skied, relaxed and enjoyed being in the mountains for the week.

then the next big and new celebration we've had this month is that we found  home! we are currently under contract with a home and so thrilled.  we are in the 10 day option period so a lot could happen within the next week, but we are beyond excited at the realization of us having our 1st home. we have been looking since the end of january (i guess since the last post), so we are thankful to finally be at this stage in the process.

future sugg shack

our third celebration of this month is by far the best...our 1st year anniversary!! today, march 30, is the day i walked down the aisle to the most amazing man and promised my life to him. it's been the most exhilarating year filled with ups and down, challenges, blessings, more trips than we can handle, friendships, laughter, tears, celebrations, talks, adventures, dreaming, making memories and all around the most fun one could have with a husband. we definitely surpassed any expectation we had for year 1 and we only hope year 2 will have just as much bliss!

dinner at flemmings steakhouse

night at the majestic to watch wicked

year 26.

i will always remember my 26th birthday. its is not your typical celebratory day. however, we did celebrate just different then what i was thinking. 

the day before my birthday, april 8, was my dad's surgery to remove his malignant tumor in his adrenal gland. we all arrived at the hospital around 11am. we gathered in the room with dad as we awaited the doctors and nurses to take him back for surgery to begin at 1pm.

we had a sweet time of fellowship as a family. we read many cards and letters filled with prayers and words of encouragement written by students from auburn university. we were visited by precious family and friends that brought smiles, laughter, and strength as we were facing the unknown with my dad. 

the hundreds of letters written by students from auburn...

soon after (around 1:30pm), dad was taken down the hall for surgery. as my mom, sisters, and i went to the waiting room, there were about 15 other people there to wait with us. and little did i know, both of my sisters brought a cake and cupcakes to celebrate my birthday. i'll be honest, i didn't expect that at all, but i am so grateful for it. it was the very thing to change the mood of being at the hospital. for the next 3hrs we sat with about 20-25 people (coming & going). we laughed, shared stories, talked about life, and prayed together. it was good for each of our spirits and hearts!  

the yummy cake & cupcakes my beautiful sisters made me

fast forward to the next day...april 9...we arrived at the hospital first thing in the morning to see dad. he managed to make it through the night without any major complications. he had been dealing with nausea and pain. however, he was doing much better and could carry on a conversation with each of us. we were thrilled to see him! so there in his room we made ourselves comfortable knowing it may be a long day. 

dad talking to my sister JJ on the phone...

we had a couple of family friends stop by. 

it lifted dad's spirits to be able to visit with some of his buddies.

(picture below is with his college roommate) 

and then to our surprise and expectations, dad was discharge at 2pm!! that was probably the best gift to receive on my birthday. celebrating life with my daddy. celebrating a successful surgery. and celebrating the Lord in how He continues to show us that He is in this and for us! that He is exalting Himself through every situation! 

dad and me on my birthday!

once we all walked out of the hospital doors we got in our separate cars and headed back home. usually when someone in my family has a birthday we all arrange to go out to dinner together. obviously we had to put a rain-check on dinner plans because of dad; however, my friend jenn came down to hang out with me and my sister's family. we cooked out and enjoyed the beautiful weather. 

i have come to realize every year is different when my birthday rolls around. i never know what i will be doing or where i will be or who i will be with. but when it all comes down to it, all i would want for my birthday is to be with those i love! 

thank you to those who sent me cards, text messages, facebook messages, or left me a voice mail. i cherish each one so much! i am excited about what this 26th year of my life looks like. God continues to blow me away at His goodness and faithfulness. 

i lift His Name up and honor Him for all that He has done! 

He is my praise!

joy

*by the way...dad is doing good. healing and regaining strength. we see the doctor tomorrow morning for post-op consultation! we give thanks to the Giver of Life and continue to look to Him for wisdom! 

Happy April!

The month of April is a busy one for me this year...went to New Orleans for a volleyball tournament (previous post), celebrated my 25th birthday (crazy!) on April 9, had another volleyball tournament in Dallas, and now I'm heading off this afternoon for Minnesota for yet another tournament! It's been packed, but have loved every second of what I get to do! I really don't understand why the Lord has allowed me to do what I am doing...I am humbled every day for the people I get to walk through life with...even if they are in high school! :) Both Bible Study on Tuesday nights and time spent with my volleyball kids all are moments I cherish!

A few pictures from the past 2 weeks...

A red velvet cake for my bday

Jordan and Madeline took me out to eat

at Cheesecake Factory for my birthday dinner!
Love these girls!

Of course you have to have a solo picture with your cake...

Madeline, Me, and Kailey

Saturday night (April 10) I had another birthday dinner, but this time with some of my family! We ate at this place called Fresos in Burleson!! I think it's climbing the charts on a being a favorite!

I brought home a few things from New Orleans for my nieces

(one of yet to be delievered to Raylee who lives in New Braunfels)

We finished 3rd at the Dallas Lonestar Qualifier!
Being silly! I love these girls!

Crazy, but such a fun week!

My group that helped me organize and box up about 10,000 books for our kids!!

Part of the group at the Craig's House for Heather's birthday!

I have had a busy few days in the sense of interviewing potential house parents to choosing the kids who will be living in the Tree of Life Children's Village. You would think that would be the easy part but honestly it was very hard and heavy weighing on my heart. Holly and I met on Wednesday with over 20 potential house Mom's to be raising these children in the village. How exciting it was to know that some of these women will be loving on the children in our village!! It was a long day of talking, but productive...then afterwards we all went over to our offices in Chilenje to visit some of our LIFEWAY girls. They had prepared a special birthday surprise for Heather. It was sooo cute all what they did! I literally think she got 30 cards from them since it was her 30th birthday. 

While we were there, I got to spend some sweet time with Emma and Beauty so below is a video of Emma singing. She wanted to sing a song for my mom...or Auntie Jan. :) 

Friday afternoon we all headed out to the "Big Land" (aka - The Tree of LIFE). We worked the rest of the day getting organized with the upcoming week. Saturday, we spent the day at the villa reading through and assigning kids to their NEW homes at the Tree of LIFE. Long, but good day. 

Sunday we got up and headed off to church!! One of my favorite things here in Zambia. It was located in Matero - a compound that actually has children and families living in trash bag houses. And if you can imagine a wood frame with black trash bags draped all around it. It's definitely something hard to even think about. Anyways, the worship and preaching at church was amazing!! God is at work and He knows what we need to hear from His word. We grabbed lunch and then me and the girls (Holly, Heather, and Paige) went out to the Tree of LIFE to work. It's becoming our second home. We have a lot of work to do this week in getting it ready for KIDS!!! The first set of kids will be coming Friday!! :)

Please pray for strength, energy, good health, efficiency, and time management. We had a long meeting last night discussing everything this week and it really will be a miracle if everything happens. We have the opening on Thursday and then we will be bringing kids in on Friday. It's going to be one of the most powerful days when we see our own kids walking in complete freedom, safety, a positive environment, and to just be around those who love them!! 

Praise the Lord for what HE is doing!! Thanks for sharing this experience with me!

I'm off and running for the week...I'll be spending most of my time at the "Big Land" prepping the homes!! 

Love you all!