So I've never posted this picture, and I think it's still my favorite so far. It was a self portrait taken on our first date - and I really like it.
BTW, we're up to 4 dates now, and our 2nd month-iversary is coming up! Crazy, huh?! Can you believe it? I can't. 
So I've been wondering lately…is everything a big deal to every girl? I don't know if you know this, but I seem to be a magnet for drama. Yep, I know this is a big surprise to you…but I am. Thankfully, I'm usually not in the middle of the drama except by reason of association…but I'm involved none-the-less. And come to think of it, it's not always girls. Guys can be just as bad.
What do I take from this? I am working to make sure that I don't blow things out of proportion, to keep my feelings off my shoulders, and to take time to think about talking to someone if I feel it's necessary.
Words can't be taken back, and they do hurt more than sticks and stones. Bruises and cuts heal but emotional wounds can fester for a very, very long time.
James 3 says:
"Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh."
It's a hard lesson, and usually learned by mistakes.
Lord, put a guard over my mouth, and help me think before I speak. Give me the courage and humility to apologize when I mess up, and the grace to forgive others when they do. Help me learn from other's mistakes and strive to become more like You each day.
-----So, how does this boy continue to like me - even after spending hours talking to me about something that he doesn't see as a big deal, yet I'm flipping out about? Don't get me wrong, I don't understand and I'm definitely not complaining…I just don't understand. It boggles my mind that he can look at me, smile and say "I like you a lot" RIGHT after dealing with my emotional craziness!
I have asked God to show me aspects of Him through David…parts of God that I don't take notice of…or taken a part of. This week, I've seen mirrored in him God's love for me. Why does God look at me, smile, love, and completely accept me after I've spent hours, days and even sometimes weeks complaining and making a big deal out of things that will have no meaning in even a week?! God's unconditional love - it boggles my mind. David's unconditional like - his complete acceptance of who I am (ALL OF ME…even the annoying girly parts!) - is a tiny reminder of the awesome, unfathomable love of Jesus.
Wow.
-----As many of you know, I spent July 4th weekend in Lousiana with David and his family at his grandparents lakehouse.
It was a lot of fun, kinda crazy, but wasn't much different than our family get togethers. Lots of noise, lots of people, lots of activity…lots of opinions.
We got there and went straight to the church for their annual bbq and fireworks. Saturday was filled with hanging out, going to peach and blueberry farms (the peaches were gone and the blueberry farm was closed for the 4th…but it was still a great time), and to a Southern Living Idea Home. Have you ever been to one of those? I didn't even know they existed, and when I heard about it, I figured it would have all the latest technilogical gadgets, but it was all decorative. I think my favorite was the master bathroom, whirlpool bathtub and all.
On the way back we picked up a SLEW of fireworks, and proceeded to shoot them ALL off. Let me just say that I've decided that Brian is kinda a pyro…well, so is David, but Brian's a bit crazier. 
It was a lot of fun though, I don't think I've actually shot off a firework in the past 5 years…it was fun.
Sunday was church, dinner and an afternoon of being lazy…and shopping. That was kinda fun, but I kinda felt sorry for Dave - we went with his mom, aunt and grandmother - so it was definitely shopping with 4 women. It was fun for me because Debi and Sandy (her sister) remind me a lot of Steph and I - in the way they relate to each other…made me smile. We got ice cream so that helped make it bearable for Dave…I think…
On the 4th itself, we had a HUGE breakfast, hung out and then headed home. As we were about to leave, Sandy and Debi discovered that their dogs had mated - so instead of Yorkie puppies, they have Porkys! Yorkie + Pomeranian = Porkys. Hilarious!
The one downside to the whole weekend was my headache. Saturday morning I woke up with a HUGE headache that wouldn't go away. I don't know if it was allergies or the smoke from the fireworks on Friday night, but oh my goodness. I took excedrin and clariden and ibprofin. It dulled the pain, but until we drove back into Texas, the headache remained. Ugh. It made for one less-than-social Noelley.
Oh well, even with the headache, I think his family likes me…
All in all, it was fun. I got to see a part of David I haven't seen, got to know his family better, and got to spend the weekend with him. What more could I ask?
***Pic of Noell and david on the 4th
-----
Ok, so when you're as busy as we are, you don't get to have dates as often as you like. Don't get me wrong, we've managed to squeeze a date night in each week - even if it's dinner before meeting up with others, dinner after respective meetings, dinner after…well, i think you get the point. It's amazing that I haven't gained a ton of weight with all of the eating out we've done.
But this week, we got a full, real date night. I was excited. He told me to wear casual clothes but that we would be inside. So, I definitely wore my new pink flip flops (thanks Ash!)and a pink scarf belt. When he picked me up and told me that he was going to take me to shoot my gun (which I had yet to shoot), I was thrilled. I have a conceal carry license and own a 38 Special Revolver, but haven't ever carried it because I hadn't gotten the change to practice…and didn't think that was the wisest idea.
As we were walking into the indoor range, I had to laugh at myself in all my pink. I doubt that I was the only one laughing. After shooting for an hour, my poor hand was quite tired. I've included pics of us with all the "gear" on - ear and eye protective wear - and pics of our best targets. He rented a glock and it's definitely easier to shoot than my gun. Because my gun is a single action - the trigger pull is very long…and thus takes a lot of strength to pull each time. I'm definitely going to have to get better at it.
After shooting we went to eat at FishDaddy's (I'd never been there but I had some good grilled tillipia) and headed back to his place to watch Lost. It was a great evening…and one I totally didn't expect! 
So, I realized this weekend that I was being clingy. I think it was a mixture of not feeling well, not being completely sure of myself at Granddaddy and Grandmamma's but what ever it was, I was a clingy girl. I talked to David about it Saturday night and he said he had noticed it too. I hate that in myself, well, I hate it in anyone, so I decided that Sunday I would not initiate any physical touch. I didn't tell David, but it was a lot of fun to have him grab my hand or just reach out and touch me.
I asked him Sunday night if he had noticed that I didn't initiate anything, and he sat in silence for a second. He got this funny grin on his face and said…Well, I guess I can't blame it on you anymore. We had not touched quite as often, but definitely were holding hands most of the day…there hadn't been as much difference in the amount as he expected.
I'm glad to know it's not just me, and that he likes to hold my hand too. I like to hear it when he tells me that he likes me too…or to catch him with the little smile on his face that means he's thinking about me. I like it alot.
-----I'll write more about this weekend tonight, but I just want everyone to know that we're holding hands now…and I like it. It's fun to be able to sit holding hands, in either a comfortable silence or talking about what's on our minds. It was fun to walk down the boardwalk in LA, shopping and holding hands. I don't understand why, but I like it. And if I were guessing, I think David likes it too.
So, when I woke up this morning, I was focused on packing and getting to work on time. What I didn't realize was that this was July 1st. I mean, I knew it was the first day of the month, but I didn't put two and two together. Cause, you see, the first day of the month isn't just payday anymore…
I headed to work, and on the way stopped by the church to bring David a chai tea latte because he had be at work early…well, at least early for him. There wasn't anything different or special about today, just another busy, but short, Friday. That changed abruptly at 949am. A bouquet of purple flowers walked into my office. Ok, so my co-worker Jack brought them in, but they were gorgeous!
I was shocked and totally excited! My first bouquet of flowers as a girlfriend! True to form, there wasn't a card. I had to laugh out loud when I picked up the envelope which normally holds the card, and on the back of it was handwritten "No card on request by customer." I still didn't understand WHY I had received flowers, or if it was just because, but I was thrilled. I called David and asked if he sent me flowers…he laughed and said that he might have.
"Someday, you'll have to write something on the card."
"Yeah, maybe someday." As he said it, I grinned. "But, I figured that if you could survive a month dating me you deserved flowers."
"Oh my gosh!" I had totally forgotten! We started dating June 1st , which would make today a month!!! I couldn't believe I had forgotten - I'd thought about it all week! And he remembered! And got me PURPLE flowers! To quote my roommate, "Beam beam!"
To my chagrin, I had to leave my flowers in Austin while we spend the weekend in Louisiana. I was sad, but took pictures. I even posed with the flowers, I know, I'm a dork. But it's my first bouquet!!!!!!
Stay tuned for an update of LA and our weekend with his family. I'll let you know if they hate me. 
ps. David, you did good.
(Yes mom, I know it's not perfect English, but it's for emphasis )
