Barjas in Berk to celebrate the start of my 33rd year 🐉🥳
One of my favorite things about getting older has been learning to unashamedly embrace the things in life that bring out childlike faith and joy.
I spent the last 6 months reading all the HTTYD books that I thought would be simple children’s stories and ended being so inspired to “become a hero the hard way.”
“And long after Kings are forgotten, and their names have fallen into dust, the good deeds and the actions of the Heroes live on in glory.” — @cressidacowellauthor
11 years of Genesis Jesse = 11 years of pure joy 🥹
In the background of almost every video I have of him, you can hear me laughing.
Since he was a little baby, he’s had the most contagious joy. If he’s laughing, everyone around him is as well. It’s impossible to resist, especially when I know we’re in a situation where we should be serious…
This boy has been such a bright spot in my life. Spending time with him is so refreshing. I love hearing about his interests, watching him use his brilliant and creative mind, and seeing how hard he works at whatever he’s setting his mind to.
God really went full-send when He was dishing out G’s charm and charisma. Between the twinkle in his eye, the little mole on his cheek, and the killer smirk, and his big beautiful heart, it’s all too much. 🥹
I truly love him so much it hurts ha. Couldn’t be more grateful to the Lord for placing such a special gift in my life.
Happy birthday, Baby!! 🥳
One year ago exactly I promised @dustinbates I’d find him “the best Pom on the market.”
Little did we know the little pup we’d bring home months later was born that very day.
I was never a “small dog person” but Monmon is hard not to love. From the moment I met him, I knew we really had found the best pup for our little ohana. And seeing the joy he’s brought my little besties has been the sweetest part of the last year.
HBD Money Baht Bates 🐶
Going into 2025, the words I had from the Lord were “resurrect” and “remember.”
I started off the year full of joy and faith. By the end of January, though, I was confused on why I’d already been to more funerals that month than I had in the whole year prior.
After multiple losses a few months into the year, I caught myself asking “what gives, God? You said there’d be resurrection.”
It dawned on me immediately that He didn’t actually say that... He said to “resurrect.” A verb, with the responsibility for action on me.
He had given me a heads up that there would be grief but reminded me that, with Him, life can come from dead things.
The losses kept coming, personally and by proxy. Even other losses of relationships, health, progress, and peace.
It never got easier. But I knew I had to “remember” and keep His promises and character at the forefront of my heart and mind.
I found myself thinking about Heaven more than ever before. I started viewing things through more of an eternal perspective.
And the more I fixed my gaze upwards, the more I was able to perceive how He was bringing beauty from the ashes I brought Him.
Looking back, I see His hand sustaining me I all of it. He’s been so, so good to me. 🥹
The sweetest boy in the world is 12 years old today 🥹
When I think about the things I am most grateful for, Jude’s name is at the top of the list. I feel so undeservedly blessed to have this little friend in my life.
He has a beautiful heart and a brilliant mind. I love watching the way he takes in the world around him. He notices and includes people, identifies problems and finds a solution, and he appreciates the little things in the present while still dreaming big for the future.
Ever since the day he was born, he’s brought joy to my life that’s only increased over the years.
I never knew I could love someone so much. He opened up my heart and filled it in ways only the Lord knew I needed.
There’s so many things I can’t wait to tell Jesus face-to-face someday, but I know one of the very first will be “thank you for Jude and Gen.”
Happy birthday, my guy. You will always be so special to me. ♥️
Spent a few days in the mountains reading books & watching movies about dragons 🗻🐉 I also built my first Lego set 🐶
Only rolled my ankle once and just had to pee in the woods a couple times… a win in my book.
Hanny is a tangible representation of the providence and goodness of God in my life.
Only He could’ve known that the young girl who was driving me bananas on a mission trip in 2011 would become the friend I would’ve never made it to 2025 without.
One of the things I love about Han is that what you see is what you get. There’s no ulterior motive, no facades, and no guile. Her heart really is as pure as it seems.
And even with such a sincere surface, there’s a really beautiful depth beneath it.
She’s constantly pushing herself to grow and learn while still having a smile on her face and joy in her heart.
She lives beautifully surrendered to the Lord and never complains about the cost of her obedience or sacrifice.
There’s nothing she wouldn’t do to make sure her loved ones are cared for, including putting their name and need before God until something shifts.
Whether I’m at my highest high or my lowest low, Hanny is always the first person I reach out to because I know she’ll meet me where I’m at (and take me to Andy’s either to cheer me up or celebrate depending on the occasion.)
Seriously could not be more grateful to have someone so wonderful in my life. 🥹 Happy birthday Han!!
When you lose your childhood dog, the pain is so deep you think you’ll never love another dog the same again. And then, a special puppy comes along that helps heal your heart in a way you didn’t think was possible. That’s what Scout was for me.
She was the dog who helped me make it through my 20s. Who helped motivate me to go out and explore. Doing things “alone” became comforting instead of lonely.
She had such a tender heart and always wanted to be as physically close to you as possible. When she was in the backseat, her little head would rest on my shoulder the whole way.
Even when their faces go white and you know their time is almost up, the end is never easier. So grateful for the 13 years we had with my girl. ♥️
This is Berk… and it’s even better than I thought it would be 🥹
I’ve dreaming about this trip since they announced the park over 2 years ago. So grateful for @dustinbates & @jamieklinebates making that dream come true 😭
“Those who attacked us are relentless and crazy. But those who stopped them? Oh, even more so! We may be small in numbers, but we stand for something bigger than anything the world can pit against us. We are the voice of peace. And bit by bit, we will change this world. You see, we have something they don’t. Oh sure, they have armies and they have armadas... But we... we have... OUR DRAGONS!” 🐉
The last couple months of summer FLEW by. So much so that not even the Texas weather has caught up to the fact that it’s supposed to be fall now 🫠
Lived a lot of happy moments in the midst of the whirlwind, so here’s a few ✨
A big part of my decision to come home from my trip was that I was homesick.
Which if you know me, is rare. I probably to a fault rarely get homesick when I’m traveling.
Not only that, but I’d not even been gone a week! It felt a little ridiculous, honestly.
Looking back, I don’t think it was how long I’d been away that contributed to it as much as how long I had gone without really appreciating my life and the people in it.
I had been in survival mode, with a mentality to just get through the next thing. The only inventory I was taking in my relationships was who needs what from me and when. Not even begrudgingly, it came from a sincere place of service but it wore on me.
Being gone, when no one needed anything from me, I realized how much I’m the one who really needs my relationships.
Solitude wasn’t the remedy, reciprocity was. Not me giving more, me allowing myself to receive more. Letting my guard down enough to fully enjoy the incredible people God’s put in my life.
I’m grateful for my time away because it helped me see how much peace and joy I find in the day-to-day life the Lord’s blessed me with.
I’m not where I want to be in terms of feeling back to “myself.” My body especially has kept the score more than I realized (who knew shingles was this brutal??) But I refuse to let this or any other season not make me better, stronger, and healthier.
Adventure is fun and I will probably enjoy it again soon. But for now, I’m trying to enjoy what’s right in front of me as much as I can.
