living in life's tiny moments


There's something about the way my birthday falls that always makes me incredibly reflective. The end of summer, the start of fall. A new school year, a new year in my life.

And each year, I set a secret intent in my mind. This is the year of...

Last year, I told myself it was the year of something big.

What did I think was going to happen? I have no idea. But I felt like I was on the cusp of something big. Something was just around the corner at 26 and I could feel it, inching closer and closer.


I laughed the other day when I thought about it, because it seems like nothing big happened this year when I glance over it quickly. How silly, I was, I thought at first.

But then I dug in and realized that something bigger than the big I'd imagined happened. Life happened. In tiny moments. In new friendships beginning and older ones going deeper. In growing closer with my siblings. In new homes and a new job. In a spontaneous phone call that has landed me on a plane to Africa in six weeks. In a shifting heart and little changes in my life.

No. These aren't big things at all. But, it turns out what 26 taught me is that life is lived in these small moments.


I tend to stress about the future. About the plan I laid when I was 18 that just isn't quite falling into place. My plan, my plan. But 26 has taught me that while my plan was lovely, this real one is better. I don't get to know what is next and I don't get to know the timeline for how things will happen. But I am learning that it doesn't really matter. Because this is life, right now. And it's meant to be seized.

I think we tend to treat our 20s like a stepping stone decade. It's between college and before real life. It's a formative time where we are laying groundwork for our future careers, the family we will one day have, the relationships we will create, the homes we will buy - everything that is big and bright ahead. And while the foresight and care for our futures are wonderful, I think we can get so wrapped up in them that we forget the right now. We forget to enjoy the moment and embrace this season of in between. 

Driving back from vacation Monday morning, Sam and I were riding in his car. We boarded the ferry in Deep Point and drove out of the city as the sun was coming up over the water. The sleepy town was quiet and dewy. Our music was low and slow and as I sipped my coffee and enjoyed the rest of the sweet town with Sam, I thought: this is going to be one of those moments. Those moments that I look back on and remember. Those moments that are perfect and peaceful and instantly nostalgic. They make my heart feel full and overwhelmed with love for the present; for the right now. These tiny, in between moments feel both significant and insignificant all at once and remind me that the future is exciting and the past is lovely, but the right now is oh-so sweet.

So on this final day of my 26th year, I can laugh when I realize nothing all that big happened at all. Or, I can look at these little moments, linked together like a strand of pearls and understand that they create something beautiful. And maybe that, in and of itself, is something big after all. 


be still // bibs at baldhead



You guys know what I'm really bad at? Being still. And you know who else is pretty bad at it? My family (no offense, guys). We're whirlwinders; plan makers; movers and shakers. Why walk when you can runners. 

But this weekend, something happened at Bald Head Island. 

We were still. 

Not in the physical sense, though. We didn't even lay on the beach. We played volleyball and chased the kids and dug holes. We raced in the sand and galloped because Finn knows how to do that now. We chased birds and watched Skippy dig until he hit water and found crabs.


But our hearts were still. Our minds were still. 

Bald Head has this peace about it. You take the ferry from Deep Point, NC, over to the island and then you lose service. The texts stop coming in and the phones stop ringing because there are no towers. Life is slower but not in the frustrating sense. In the I seriously needed this sense. 

The minute we boarded the ferry I took what felt like the deepest breath I've taken in months. It hit me: we're going on vacation and it's starting right now. It washed over me and I promise you my shoulders dropped an inch. 





God knew what he was doing while we were there, too. Because the internet in our house went out on Thursday night after a storm. And so did the cable. So we were just there. Just Bibers without cell service and without TV and without a computer. We were just people together. Just family together.




And you know what else? We had the slowest golf cart on the island. Seriously. So, really, we were just people together, in slow golf carts. We got passed all the time and we cracked up, joking about how if we got a house there, we'd remove our governors ASAP; upgrade these carts. But you know what? I think it was good for us. Because not only do we stink at being still, we also like to do everything fast. 


But this weekend we were forced to unplug, slow down and just be still. 

Hard questions for the weekend included: Should we go to the beach or pool? What should we have for dinner? Who is going running now (or walking form me this month)? Do you want to walk on the beach? What kind of iced coffee do you want? Are you riding in the blue or green golf cart? Does your bike have enough air in the tires?


I didn't wear makeup, or shoes, for that matter. I didn't even take a curling iron or blow dryer. I went from workout gear to my swimsuit to pajamas most days. 

And gosh, it felt so good. I came back Monday feeling like I'd just finished a yoga class. Relaxed. Recharged. Happy. I couldn't think of a better way to end the summer and my 26th year. 

My only raise the bars for next time on Old Baldy are: 
1. Ash+fam and Ryan to come (we missed you!)
2. I take my rollerblades. Because that island was made to blade, I tell ya.

I hope your Labor Day was as unlaborious as ours! 


every thought tuesday

The weird thing about blogging (aside from the obvious fact that I'm basically writing an email to the universe), is that it's a total feast or famine situation for me. I either have hundreds of thoughts I want to share, constantly running through my brain, allowing me to churn out posts in 20 minutes, pouring out my heart, or I have complete writer's block and tell you about my smoothies, hoping someone will find it relevant or tasty. 

I have determined no formula for what leads to each situation. Sometimes it seems like the busier I am, the more my mind is running and needs to get on paper, simply so I can sleep. But other times, it seems the more I slow down and reflect, the more I can find clarity and make sense of life. 

There is no method for this madness, clearly. But this week is one where I don't feel like I have anything all that exciting to share. Work is wild, as I get ready to head to the beach Wednesday night. Meetings abound and emails pour in and the only thing I can think to share are piecemeal thoughts and things other people are saying better than me. So here we have it...


I love, love, love this message from Shauna Niequist about not letting our past determine our future. It's so clear and empowering. She always know, you know?  

I want to get a big trampoline for our backyard. It's big and wide open and I think it calls for that kind of happiness. Our landlord said no because he can't assume the liability. It's like he thinks I'm injury prone, or something?

Which leads me to: I hurt my leg and can't run for a month. It's OK because I'm so excited for physical therapy. This guy is legit and seems to know what he's doing - he's promising me big things. But, as with everything we can't have, I am yearning for a run. Fall just calls for long, outdoor runs. However, I'm going to do the full embrace of yoga over these next few weeks. Namaste my friends!


I love this message from Caroline Crawford about rest (scroll to the bottom - select rest). Learning to live in God's rest even in the most cycloney phases of life is such a skill. I'm carrying her words with me this week, big time. 

My car got broken into this weekend and the interior was stripped. It's having a weird effect on me + my relationship with possessions. I'm not sure where the thoughts are leading me right now, but it's reminding me that our stuff is so finite. At any minute things we love - things we've been driving since 2005, for example - can be gone, totally different. It was both violating and also reminded me that there is so much more to life than our possessions. I am so glad life is more than things. 


No dairy has been a superly good decision. I actually don't miss cheese all that much. And I found top-drawer almond milk that mixes well with Hershey's syrup. Essential, you know? 

The doctor that prescribed me all of my vaccines for Africa suggested I take Ambien on the flight. She also suggested I test it out once before the trip to make sure it doesn't do anything funky to me. I tried it Sunday and holymolyyy that stuff works. TGFRoommates, otherwise I probably would have slept right through the alarm.

Also I had a free drink at Starbucks this week, so, post Ambien I thought I'd grab a Venti. And it was free, so why not add an extra shop of espresso? That stuff also works. Talk about hyper! I basically danced through my meetings all day.

I've been using Pert Plus all summer. And by Pert Plus, I mean Publix's generic version. I love it. And Melissa gave me a coupon sooo I have a free bottle coming up soon. Who knew P+ was such a hidden gem? Should I try Suave, too? Or just stick with what I know? Grow it long, grow it strong, my friends.


I feel really torn about fall clothes right now. I'm excited to rock them (chambray always! cardigans!) but don't want to let go of summer just yet. Does anyone else feel this way?

I'm so, so, so excited for the beach this weekend. Labor Day is just wonderful. 

I think that is probably, definitely enough thoughts for one day. Feel free to share any randomness in the comment section. I'd love to know where everyone else's Tuesday brain is. 

Happy day to you!