A rambling we shall go

Live from my hole in the wall office, it's thursday night! My lips are currently on fire from shoveling Chili-Lime cashews into mouth like I didn't just eat a massive dinner. Seriously though, go buy those bad boys from Aldi's right now and thank me later. They give my tummy all the heart eyes. Also, slow clap for Aldi's. That place has singlehandedly changed my grocery budget and diet. Because of that playce this girl is now eating clean (about 90% of my week).

It's beennn a lonnnnnnnng, loonggg time coming since I've randomly blogged an absurd amount of words. Read: ramble with no purpose but to ramble. My blogging nowadays consists of waiting until the end of the month to dump all my iphone photos onto my computer then back dating my blog posts so they will show up in the right time for my archives. I think back to when I just had C and I had all the time in the world to blog consistently. And I thought I was so busy then, how cute. My free time (the 3 hours the kiddos nap) goes by so quickly. I usually spend that time cleaning, editing photos, doing my quiet time, redoing a piece of furniture (don't even get me started on this topic. I. hate. redoing. furniture.) or weaving. Weeks will got by and I'll randomly remember this blog. I swore I would never get to this point. That I would always be diligent with blogging and documenting our days. hahahahaha. I really hope to get back to that, but this just isn't that season I suppose. It honestly comes down to having too much on my plate that doesn't need to be on my plate. I'm a creative person by nature. I love creating things, doing projects, crafting etc. If I like something I see made, I'll just figure out how to do it and make it before buying it (unless it involves sewing, because no). Mainly because our budget doesn't allow me to buy the endless things I love (and I'm glad it doesn't) but mostly because I just like making stuff. So, all of that making stuff has taken over my time blogging stuff. What I need to do is make up a calendar or schedule. So like on Monday spend an hour of my kiddos nap time editing, then Tuesdays make, Wednesday edit, thursday make, etc, etc, etc . My gosh, why on earth am I writing this. Sorry to whoever is reading this (side look at you husband). I know you totally care to be reading about my creative schedule or there lack of. I don't even know where I'm going with this.

moving on.

Adoption. Shirts came in TODAY for our second round of orders. We hope to get them in the mail on monday. I'm still in shock we raised 4k selling our grizzly shirts. Feels soooo good to be able to give that over to our agency and be only 3k away from our full amount. Jesus is powerful. I've been singing "there is power, power wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb. There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the lamb" over and over the last few days. I'm so easy to forget some times the power of the God. He loves to move big. To do big. To show us His power. I've been singing that old hymn over a friend's adoption journey asking the Lord to reveal His power to them. To move "mountains" of paper work quickly so they can get their daughter home. Selling as many shirts as we did was such a testament to His power in all things- big or small. We serve such a mighty God who intimately cares for us and wants to bless us with good things. It's mind-blowing, His love.
So, June is here. our original goal was to have all paper work and our profile book done by the end of the month so we could have our homestudy update and be active on the waiting list, but I'm not sure that's going to happen. A sweet friend asked me about our adoption today and I was so hesitant to answer. I'm beyond ready to have this little one home and in my arms. Yet, I have a strong peace from the Lord to take things slow and rest in His timing. IT KILLS me to think that my son (or daughter, but at this point we feel another boy is in our future. We could easily be wrong. And I'd love love love another girl, but for the sake of my typing sanity and not having to say he/she/him/her a million times, I'm just going to use the male pronoun for now) could be in interim care right now and I'm missing out on him. But I have to trust in the Lord's sovereignty. Maybe it's somehow best for him to be with that family. Maybe the Lord is using Him in their lives for His good. Bethany (our agency) only allows the best of the best to be interim parents. The process to become one is quite extensive. So, I know he is with a good, Godly, loving family. But it's still so hard. That could easily not be our situation and he is still in the womb. And if that's the case, it kills me that I don't know his birth momma yet and that she's still unsure of who to choose. Or maybe she's not even with Bethany yet and feeling quite alone. ugh. So much hardness. So hard to explain it all and it make sense. My sweet friend who texted me today asking about our process is also in the process of adoption via foster care. I was so thankful that she totally knew and understood what I was trying to say. All of this sounds so confusing, I'm sure. And I don't expect anyone to understand it unless they've gone through the adoption process as well. It's all the preggo hormones and feelings without the certainty of feeling the baby or knowing when he will arrive. I'm just so thankful I have such a peace from the Lord that right now, we are exactly where we are supposed to be. Taking it one day at a time and trusting in him. Praying if it's the Lord's will, that this baby will be home to us by the end of the year or atleast a birth mom pick us by then.

moving on.

I recently finished a study of the Fruits of the Spirit and I learned this.... I hold none of them.

Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Gentlenesss
Goodness
Faithfulness
Kindness
Self-Control.

I literally posses none of those things by nature. My nature is to be sinful, selfish, prideful. I think we often strive to have those fruits on our own, but they are always twisted back to self. The fruits of the Spirit are just that- Fruits of the SPIRIT. They are and come from the Holy Spirit living inside us. We bear that fruit when we are grafted to the True Vine- Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the producer of the fruit, we the branches simply display His goodness and fruit. All love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, kindness and self-control in my life are an overflowing out pour of the Holy spirit abiding in me. I've been memorizing Galatians 5:22-23. Some of those fruits come easier to me than others, but I truly long for Christ to be the shining light in all I do or say or how I come across. I know this is like Vacation Bible School material, but I read that verse in a whole new light the past few weeks. I love when I read a verse I've known or read a million times before, but the Lord uses it differently than before. His word is so sweet, refreshing, and true.

Less of me. More of Him.

End of this ramble. Phew, that felt good to just sit and type. Bed time, future self reading this because I'm pretty sure that's the only person reading this sad state of a blog, oh and husband, sometimes. bed time.

Me and them : Coffee Date

It's been a long time since I did a coffee date on my blog. So, if we went for coffee this week, here's what I'd tell you...

Being a momma to these two is a challenge, in the best way. The Lord is daily chizzling pieces of my sinful self away. Lately, I've been memorizing Gal 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control" It's proabably been one of the best verses I could ever memorize. I can't tell you how many times the Lord has brought it to the front of my mind in a moment of anger/frustration with C. The other day I was driving down the road and C was just whiny. Like all the whinyness in the world. I almost snapped, but as the words were about to come out of my mouth, the Lord put that verse to mind. I changed my sentence to repeating that verse out loud and to my surprise, C joined me in saying it. Tears formed and I was just so overwhelmed with how quick I was to snap at him and let frustration take over. That's seemed to happen countless other times. The Word is so powerful, and I'm so thankful for what it's doing in my life.


 Braids have become basically the only way I wear my hair these days. I was a horrible braider from most of my life. I've been debating cutting all my hair off sense I couldn't come up with a way to get it out of my face on the no shampooing days. But since I and Husband like it long, I took to youtube to teach me the art of braiding. The braid in this post is the one I do the most bc it's so quick. I'm excited to learn more. It's perfect for getting my bangs (future self LISTEN, do not EVER cut your bangs that short again. ever) out of my hair.


Let's see what else.... oh! We are possibly giving our sweet pup away. Such mixed emotions on this one. We love that dog to death. He's been with us for over 3 years now and he's the sweetest dog. But, with two little ones and another on the way with our adoption, we just don't have the time for him like we used too. We've been really hoping another loving family would want to take him with kids that are older who can give him attention. We have a family interested with a son who has autism. We are really hoping it works out, because we know Finn will be with a GREAT family and a boy who will love him to pieces. So sad to think of Finn not being with us anymore, but excited for his future. I know, it's a dog.
 
Obviously, I think it's super important to document yourself with your kiddos. Mamas out there... do this!! Don't worry about your hair, your make up, or what your wearing, just document you with your kids. They will be so grateful one day to have so many images of you with them being silly, serious, or laughing.Don't put it off and because you don't look cute or your not at the weight you want to be at, do it now! on the days where you are the most you. It's the you they will remember the most. The one they want documented.

Changing topic, I've been eating clean lately! Actually for over a month now. This is a wholllleeee other blogpost waiting to happen. But I'm so excited. My sisters and I are holding each other accountable until it becomes more of a habit. It's a lifestyle change and I'm LOVING it so far. 

This coffee date is going to be cut short for a little girl who is ready to nurse. I'd say I'll do this again soon... but yeah, that's doubtful. HA!

a big pot of gumbo jumbo ramblings on everything around here.

 like the title? I'm craving gumbo. Nope, never had it. Just sounds realllll good. Hot soup, carbs, bread on the side. I'm just a tad ready for fall. duh.

I have approximately 55 minutes before the Social Security office calls me back (yeah, that's how long the wait time is), so I thought it appropriate to kill that time eating basil, cream cheese and tomato toast (so so yumm) and writing a ridiculously long post on life around here lately. With Willow being born 8 weeks before our NZ trip, we are just a tad bit stressed about getting her passport in time. Looks like a two hour drive to the closest office will happen in order to get it, that is if Social Security isn't a gem and expedites her number. Crossing fingers.

Oh goodness. So much happening around here lately. We've (really me) been booked with photography sessions. I'm taking a big leave Oct-Dec, so I'm trying to get as many session done before then. Thankful to have all that time adjusting to life with two tots, but it's causing my days and nap times to be filled with editing currently. Which isn't a complaint, it's just meant no blogging. I've also been pumping out projects for her nursery like a crazy woman. Oh, and nesting has hit full swing and I have the longest list on the planet of all the things I want to do around the house before she comes. Things like chores and organizing clothes and all the real boring stuff, but somehow it seems totally exciting to me. Hoorah for folding endless amounts of clothes! Hurray for scrubbing baseboards!

Our nights have been filled with church functions, having couples over, and opening our home to others. Every Sunday night is community group and every wednesday night all the men from our CG come over to discuss a book they are reading together on biblical manhood and discipleship in the home. During their chat, the wives sit around and watch babies or if I'm being real honest just watch tv and take a load off! Once they finish their book, it will be the wives turn to go through something together. So thankful for our home. That the Lord has given us a desire to have it filled with others and be a place of learning and growing in Him, not just for us, but for the people we do life with too. Sunday and Wednesday nights are my favorite nights of the week. Most other nights we have another couple over or we just spend it just the three of us. That usually means play time, dinner, a walk, and cuddling. C's personality and vocabulary is drastically growing and it's been down right hilarious sometimes.








 like last week the kid woke up and put on his winter hat, grabbed a flash light, and giggled his way into daddy's arms. We stayed in his room with the lights off playing and reading by flash light for a good hour or so. it was seriously heavenly.










and then there's super fox. He thinks his bath towel is the bee's knees and can you blame him? it clearly has super powers. Like the ability to learn and nail the perfect surprise face!  It's hard to believe that life with just us three is dwindling down and a little girl is coming to crash the party. And I mean that in a good way. Crash away willa girl, crash away! I find myself trying to be so much more intentional with my time with him and prepping him for a new sibling. He's learned to completely clean up his toys after himself, tell me when he's dirty (potty training will happen after NZ, but we are talking about it now), bring me diaper and wipes, and alllllmoossstt get his shorts on by himself. He's already a very independent player, and he's never been really needy, so this is good. I'm honestly convinced that if I just buy him 10 new trains when Willow arrives, the boy will never come out of his room or need me ever again. Because trains are his sole purpose for living at the moment. Lives and breathes for them. It's adorable and ridiculous how much he loves them.

(cue drastic change in topic)

This pregnancy has been going so darn well thus far! Praise Him! I feel great most of the time and I'm sleeping through the night waaayyy better than I did with C. Probably due to working out 4 times a week and chasing an almost 2 year old around. Nonetheless, I'm super thankful. She moves around with a vengeance most days. Sister has drama already. Of course, Satan has already start his assault with the whole schpill that I'm not ready to be a mom of two, that I'll fail,  and that I'm too selfish to give of myself everyday to these two little humans. And I just respond right back with (some days slower than others), you right Satan! I'm horribly not ready, and I'm totally selfish, but Jesus is full of grace. And He will equip me to be a mom of two like he did to be a mom of one. He'll provide just enough grace for each day and just enough conviction to have me on my knees in repentance. It's mostly at night time right before I slumber, that he feeds me these lies of inadequacy. Some nights I've let it get the best of me, and some nights I'm quick to dismiss.... it all just depends on how emotional this preggo momma is that day. THIS ARTICLE has been saved on my phone and something I've read over and over again. Probably some of the best parenting advice I've read. Such good reminders on how to love and lead our children.

now if you'll excuse me, I have a hungry husband on his way home who needs a snack and a few minutes of relaxation before my dino, train, car loving little boy wakes up from his nap.... oh and that dreaded phone call. excuse all the grammar mistakes you just read. I got zero time for that spell check mess. peace:)

We've been busy. In a good way.

I'm really loving summer around here so far. Don't hear me wrong, I'M HATING the heat very much. Fortunately, so far the nights have been surprisingly cooler and shaded. But I'm loving all the new adventures with C. We've gone on numerous walks like the one above. We explore, find rocks, pick flowers, point to planes and birds. It's pretty magical when you look at it through a 1.5 year old. We've gone to the splash park, and the zoo, and played in our new kiddy pool. We've gone to cook outs and hosted cook outs and reallllyyyy enjoyed having people over. We've loved pool time during community group for all the kids. We're planning on doing the library once a week, and I'm curious how C will like it. I'm trying to do atleast one fun thing a day with C. nothing major most days, but something that will really light up his little face and allow us to soak in this time just the three of us. His favorite may have been a late night run to The Dip (local eatery/ice cream joint) for milkshakes and shaved ice. Or meeting dad for lunch and goodwill shopping. Thankfully I have a ton of friends with little kids that I can borrow ideas from. Another blogger friend of mine that lives in AZ has been posting fun craft activities that I plan on doing with C during days that are just too hot. I learned from another friend that our movie theater does $2 movies for kids during the day. I'm not even sure if I will have a distinguished "family date" post this month because we are just doing so much together already and I love it. I realized last week that I haven't done the best job and recapping or day to day activites on this blog and I really think that will be special to remember one day looking back. Maybe I'll starting doing a Friday recap post of iphone photos or something. Or maybe I won't because we'll be too busy doing things. Alas, I'll atleast try to be some what more consistent. This weekend we are booked and tonight we are helpoing serve at the food pantry with our church. I look forward to this every month. There is usually a great turn out of people and good bit of the church comes to help so we end up having so much fun. I've had so much more photography this summer so far, which has taken me by surprise but I'm completely thankful for (gotta pay the bills!). hence why I haven't been able to blog more. But, I think towards the end of June and all of July I don't have as much (because it's soooo hot) and I can focus on our little family before the rush of fall comes.

I can already tell this summer is going to be much more fun than last simply because we can do so much more with C. This is quite the random little post, but my heart is just over flowing with joy from life with my boys and our growing babe and I'm just so thankful for summer!

Taking Stock 003

Making : garland to stretch a football field
Cooking : almost. no more nausea means getting back in the habit.
Drinking : smoothies all day. every day.
Reading: Deuteronomy
Wanting: to hire a maid full time. Amen, mommas?
Looking: forward to May 16th. our next doctor's appointment.
Playing: dinosaurs non stop. seriously.
Wasting: mouse. nothing can tame these curls
Trusting: UPS to deliver my bridesmaid dress. that's late.
Sewing: nothing. absolutely nothing. I'm so domestic, right?
Wishing: a birth mom would choose us
Enjoying: C. duh. everything he does just is the best.
Waiting: for MAY 10! little brother becomes a groom
Liking: pharrell's song "Happy" like 43 million other people. just such a pick me up.
Wondering: the gender
Loving: fresh clean sheets
Hoping: this trip to Atlanta is the just the break we need.
Marveling: over the energy. He never stops.
Needing: some R&R
Anticipating: again, MAY 10th. First wedding to photograph alone.
Contemplating: cutting all my hair off. but not really
Smelling: the left over scent of the outdoors still stuck on little boys clothes
Wearing: baggy tshirts. The uniform of 2nd trimester women every where.
Following: @chiefandkewpie on instagram and wanting it all.
Noticing: a sore back. working out is paying off.
Knowing: the names of dinosaurs. Just call me Ross Geller.
Thinking: its time for another smoothie already
Praying: for health and healing
Bookmarking: how to be a mom of 2.
Opening: his mind to this big, huge world
Giggling: and his surprise face. and giggly face. and attempt to singing.
Feeling: full. both figuratively and literally.

Taking Stock

^^a FIL who owns a nursery is boss. my bad lighting because it's a rainy day iphone photos don't do them justice
saw this done on a few other blogs. Decided to add in a few more verbs.

Making : our house a little more homey
Cooking : with little boy & husband is the only way to go
Drinking : caramel apple cider from Starbucks. Ello Fall. You've been gone toooo long
Reading: book after book after book on adoption. It's my life.
Wanting: our gotcha day to be here already
Looking: out the window with C everyday. Watching Finn is never tiresome
Playing: with our walker toy. Round. Round. Round the living room we go.
Wasting: time sitting on the front porch with my little one in my lap watching cars and things alike drive by
Trusting: in Him & His perfect timing in all things.
Sewing: cheerios. You'll see.
Wishing: to see his face real soon. i miss him.
Enjoying: the company of my community group ladies. something about being held accountable and loved and not judged. It's enjoyable.
Waiting: all day every day for THE phone call. A baby waiting on the other end.
Liking: when C shakes his head back and forth real fast and then dies of giggles.
Wondering: who she is, where she is, and just everything about her. birth mom.
Loving: how lately husband wants to cuddle more. it's the little things.
Hoping: that I can start running soon. this back/hip injury. I'm over it.
Marveling: at every day spent at home with C. being his momma just never gets old.
Needing: a lifetime supply of Naan bread and hummus. It's like it was created for my taste buds alone.
Anticipating: our adoption video being completed. As awkward as I'll be, it means we are one step closer.
Contemplating: writing a blog post about choosing the world over Jesus. Too many friends and family seeking their own selfish wants. Heart breaking.
Smelling: cupcakes and cereal treats and chili cooking. someone's party is getting close:)
Wearing: work out close from the mornings failed run.
Following: little pitter patter sounds down the hallway
Noticing: the gray hairs on his head. Age is making him sexier.
Knowing: that the Lord will redeem. Will restore. Will provide strength.
Thinking: about twice the baby laundry to fold, twice the bags to carry, twice the car seats to maneuver. ready for twice. 
Praying: he comes home soon.
Bookmarking: all A Beautiful Mess projects.
Opening: presents this coming Saturday. can't believe it's almost here
Giggling: with excitement at the arrival of Walking Dead next month. Lame if you will, but I'm stoked.
Feeling: peaceful. Despite hard circumstances & unknown endings, there is peace in Jesus.

Cstyle

so this momma right here didn't take a single picture of her son on her fancy pants last month. not a single one. curse you iphone and your darn convenience self. But that's all besides the point today. Well not really, totally the point of the photos but not the point of this post. keep up.

This little guy is going to be a year old in a few weeks. in. a. few. weeks. It's had me really trying to stop and remember the days of a newborn and infant. Some how, they are so hard to recall. Like it was just a few months ago and this momma can't even picture his small face sometimes. What the crap? Is it just me or is like a momma thing, cause it ain't cool. So these sessions of trying to remember what life was like with a 1 month old leave me going back to old archive posts of my blog. Which then lead me to thinking PRAISE THE LORD I BLOGGED!

Yesterday, a sweet friend kept C so I could get several errands done for his party. Read: I'm eternally grateful, and I got in and out of Walmart in record time. I spent over an hour walking around Target. Read: H e a v e n. We are celebrating his party next week (a full 5 days before his actual bday) so family can attend. So if you need me this week, I'll be stringing cheerios (it goes with his theme) and crying to myself while I browse old blog posts. Keep this momma in your prayers why don'tcha. Prepping for a new baby all while watching your little guy turn one apparently does a number on the emotions. Who knew? Now if you'll excuse this random blog post, I have to go tell my son why trying to put his finger in my computer outlet will only cause regret. kids these days.

i come from

-i come from a childhood house with secret attic doors and wooden beams with my signature
-i come from a broken, selfish, dead life but redeemed by salvation through Jesus and God's grace
-i come from hot summer days stuck outside with just a Popsicle and at the time my 6 (now 8) siblings
-i come from 27 billion childhood spankings (they worked, and I really did need them)
-i come from a home center always. always on Jesus.
-i come from family vacations with 6 children and 1 gameboy
-i come from holidays spent at my uncle bobby's and aunt millie's with my 27 billion cousins
-i come from a home that burnt down in high school and family left homeless
-i come from car rides with my dad shouting acronym phrases.
-i come from family night dinners around the fire place
-i come from elementary school plays about ladies, and cooking, and spiders
-i come from G.A's and bible drill.
-i come from middle of the year transfers and absurdly large bubble vests worn on my first day. why?
-i come from Butter Cream Gang, Behind the Waterfall, Split Infinity, and Newsies. and proud of it.
-i come from katie f's home on a friday night and so many grilled cheese I puke.
-i come from punches from my sister for sneaking her clothes
-i come from stubborn little triplet brothers who never did what I demanded
-i come from aunts and uncles and cousins who all gather at nanny's on the holidays and walk up to the convince store for peanuts and slushies. 
-i come from my high school art class with my best friends accidentally burning flags
-i come from skipping 4th period senior year to meet up with husband then boyfriend
-i come from genuine friendships and discipleship that have pointed me to Jesus.

-i come from kenny and marion. the most proud thing i come from. they are the best parents. e v e r.

meeting goals, the weekend, and other random things

Normally, I might apologize for the randomness that is about to occur in the form of this blog post, but it's Monday so I won't... that's a legit excuse, right?

 ^^too early in the morning on Friday, I met up with my sisters for our final run in our 5k training. Needless to say, it was completed. This chick right here ran a whopping 3.8 miles that morning in my personal best pace. If you would have asked me 3 months ago if I would ever run a 5k I woulda laughed in your face. I just had no desire. But then my sister asked us to do it and like any good sister... I secretly whined to my husband but joyfully told her yes.... sister award for me please.

It's been such an incredible journey. I never realized how much is would push me, challenge me, and down right exhaust me, but completing goals feels waa to the ayyyy good. Feels like forever ago I wrote this post. On to training for a 10k. Then to train for the half marathon. Sheesh, what have I gotten myself into...

To celebrate our 5k accomplishment, we did what any respectable girly sibling group would do... we had a Mexican food feast, painted our nails, and talked in Australian accents while watching Pitch Perfect. I just really feel the need to befriend Fat Amy. I think we could be bff.

Major thanks to my seesters. those two are my best friends.

Saturday came and brought a pizza and movie day in bed with C and the husband. It also held a cookout with some church friends & me devouring down on some pioneer woman salsa. That stuff is crack in its most organic form.

Sunday meant me waking up in my sleep to get this ^ picture. Seriously have no memory of doing that until I looked at my phone. Guess I really liked my walls? or the sun coming in? not sure what was going on there. &&& then I get to church and my shoes break. Sweet friend brought me a pair to wear. I woulda thought the day to be shot if it weren't for one heck of a convicting sermon and the best community group time ever.

I'll end on this note... I promise you sometimes I think I look like Michael Jackson... or Joan Rivers. Don't you see it in that pic of me pointing to my shoes. I know I'm making a silly face, but it's totally channeling MJ. I'll just go with its a good thing? Like maybe I'll inherit his dance moves too, or I'll have my own talk show one day... mostly I'm channeling that I can never, ever get a nose job. If so, I'll be a MJ impersonator for life.

oh, and it's the LAST day to enter this giveaway!!! An adorable necklace & a blog design... yes please! Winner Chosen TOMORROW:)

a few things I'm proud of && some photography tips. Yes, it's random.

1. my boy. He's just about the best there ever was. Besides the husband, ya know. Today, he turns 9 months. I'm waiting to do his 9 month post until we go to the doctor next week. If I tried to even write out how happy these past nine months with him have been, you probably would stop reading my blog considering it would take about 10 posts to get it all out. I'm pretty proud of all this little boy has accomplished and grown.

2. my tan. seriously. I know it seems silly but can you see it? This girl be dark. I owe it all to my CVS tanning lotion. Let's get real here... ain't nobody got time (or money) for a 50dolla bottle of tanning lotion at tan salons. Seriously... that's a week worth of groceries around my parts no joke. So CVS saved the day with an 8 buck bottle. Some ghetto brand called T2Max. That stuff don't play.

3. my sisters. Today, we ran. I've mentioned before that we are training for a half marathon. Well today we had to run for 8 minutes straight... TWICE. You may be laughing to yourself right about now thinking "8 minutes straight doesn't seem that long you wimps". To which I would reply, "go outside a run for 8 minutes straight twice and when you call me to scoop you off the pavement I'll gently remind you that it is in fact TORTURE". So, today... we all ran it. WITHOUT stopping. all three of us. I'm so proud of how motivated they are and how encouraging they are to me. I couldn't ask for better sisters. They are my best friends.

ohh, and as random as this little bit of info is about to be, I'll share anyways...I'm blogging over here today sharing beginner photography tips. Some of which I don't even follow all the time. So that's that. I know I'm not super pro, but I'm sharing what's made the biggest impact for me. Go check it out!

The Real Life Diaries

I've pretty much decided that from now on my ramble posts about whatever seems appropriate that day will be called The Real Life Diaries. Mostly because it helps them sound a tad less boring and a little more fancy. Something about the word diaries just says "hey, I'm fancier"


So that's that.

 ^^those flowers are brighten my day every time I walk past my dining room. A simply reminder of Matthew 6:38-30

"And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

 ^^so hott outside these days. This pup lives right here.

 ^^love finding little remnants of C every where, but not so much of finns paw prints still on the door bc cleaning has been the last thing on my mind these days.

 ^^real real life. Some of the flowers are dying buuuut I still love them so they are staying.

^^ I've been living in that headband for the past few days. It's becoming part of my summer uniform real fast.

Life around here has been messy, emotional, and tiresome, if I'm gunna be honest and real.But at the same time, I've never felt so much peace and joy that the Lord is in control and I can rest in him. That may sound so contradictory to some. Following the Lord is never easy. It's always a battle to put your  hope and trust in him and to die to your sinfulness, but at the same time, it's incredibly freeing.

So there's a real life post for ya.

gummy bears and thoughts on slowing down

 ^^listen to this. Those tropical mini gummy bears up there are very hard to come by. Meaning, I can only find them at one place around my parts : The yogurt place. So in order to have them, I have to get yogurt. It's a hard life, right?

life lately has been absurdly busy. Like too busy for my own good. I'm slowly starting to even forget that day time exists. I live for sleep. Wake up, run around a million times, head back on pillow. That pretty much sums up our days around here. Being gone on vacation for 2 weeks straight was lovely and all, but I can't get back into our day to day routine to save my life... and the rest of this week will be just as much insane as the last few. I haven't even seen anyone outside my family in weeks. I miss my friends!

Don't misunderstand all that talk up for complaining. I'm super thankful, just also super tired. Husband isn't going to be around the next few days. So it's just me and C and all our crazy scheduling and events coming up! We are taking them head on with our best game faces on while secretly on the inside I'm squirming for some down time like nobodies business. Where are the days of staying in pjs all day and at home just cleaning and what not?? Come back.

Last night I was craving just a few minutes of good relaxation and those darn mini tropical gummy bears, so I convinced husband to take us for yogurt. He caved and off we went. Somehow we managed to pass TWO other yogurt places on our way to Gracie Bleu. Yes, we have three yogurt places on the road we live on. Why is MS the fattest state you ask? I have no clue. Anyways, there we were, yogurt in one hand, puffs for C in the other, and a million cars whizzing by for C to gaze at. This kid thought we were in Disney World or something. It was quiet. It was calm. We were thankful.

In the next few days alone I have two newborn sessions, lots of editing, get my dining room table delivered, a bridal shower, a possible zoo or splash park visit, and craft making for a friends wedding to finish... all while training for a marathon, doing insanity, and taking care of C by myself. When next Monday arrives I'm going to the pool and not leaving until my skin has burnt off from falling asleep on that layout chair for hours.

Reminding myself to stay thankful that the Lord is being so faithful in so many areas of my life despite how crazy things are right now. He is just so good. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got an hour before C wakes from his nap to clean the house and get ready for our day. Let's do this.

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it : Psalm 118:34