Wish List : Dream Home Entryway

 

Since I don’t have my own home yet, I thought it would be fun to live vicariously through the people I stalk follow on pinterest. We’ll start with the entryway. It’s the first impression people see once you open the front door. I love neutral color schemes with little pops of bright, bold colors. I clearly have a thing for organization, with all of the cubby's & baskets. Everything has a place. Which will be pretty important when there are little M & L’s running through this area.

All images can be found via my Dream Home board.

A Sprinkle for my Favorite Friend.

Last week I had the pleasure of co-hosting a baby sprinkle (basically a full blown shower) for my very best friend. It was basically a replication of the sweetest things I found on pinterest! Get ready for picture overload!

Let’s start with the food.

The gift table.



The favors.



The guest of honor.





















The big sister.



The big cousin.



The hosts.

We love you Theresa & sweet baby Kahlan! Can’t wait until July 16th! {& 17th }

It's Friday

And that means I'm just continuing with the busyness I call life! Remember I told you I seriously have an awful track record with blogging once Wednesday hits! It's like I just get sidetracked and can't get back on track! I'm working on it..pinky promise!

But for today I'm hanging with these chicks! Running errands, trying to convince the car dealership dudes to give us something better than "pearl" earrings from those scratch off flyers they send out, drinking iced coffee (me..not the kidlets), playing at the park, & grilling out! Yep..full day of fun! Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

What I Wore…

So blurry because it’s an iphone picture. But you get the gist of how cute this outfit is right? Let me tell you…the whole thing cost less than $25. Total score.

Top: Lauren Conrad for Kohls  ($10) | Jeans: Extra Skinny from LOFT-Similar ($10 @ outlet) | Sandals: Payless-soo old, like 4 years old ($5)

I love when I have great outfits for affordable prices! And it’s even better when I own staple sandals that are still holding up after 4 years!

Dream Big {& a giveaway}

Dreaming Big Video Trailer

I had the privilege of reading the sweet Heather’s book, Dream Big. Heather has become a real source of encouragement for me & when she told me about writing this 30 day devotional, I was so excited for her. And for me because I knew I’d be reading it!

“I was just one in a crowd of thousands. All around me eyes were glued
to the front where the speaker moved across the stage with ease and
authority. As she spoke, something in me quickened—a spark was
lit. Suddenly ideas, inspiration, and vision for the future flooded my
thoughts. In that moment I knew what God wanted me to do with my
life! My big dream was born.”

This is her opening paragraph. It resonated with me because I can remember just a short time ago when one of my dreams was born. Or should I say re-lit.I I was sitting at the Thanksgiving Eve service, listening to girl after girl stand up and say how thankful they were for their friends & their leaders at church. And just like that the flood gates opened & my heart was poked. No more like beat. Because one of those girls was my sister. The girl I want nothing more than to protect & shelter. It was time for me to stop saying I was going to do something and actually start doing it.

This devotion really forced me to stop. Stop & think about where I want my life to go. What direction I want to take. What direction I want to show these girls to take. Or at least how to choose the one that includes God.

One of my favorite parts was when she talked about being called to love the people that don’t like us. Wow. I struggle with this every single day. There are people in my life who seem to set out just to irritate me. And it’s my natural reaction to give that same type of “loving” back. But, that’s wrong. So wrong. The questions Heather asked us to answer after that specific day (17) forced me to focus on the good. Not the bad. I was able to really seek out the times when those people may have helped me, in the tiniest way, but help none the less. Just this morning I put that statement on my hubby’s daily lunch note. I also put this verse, Proverbs 25:28

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”

Isn’t it important to remember our self-control when we are dealing with people who don’t like us? We are commanded to control our words. Our emotions. Our reactions. So on Day 17, I made the commitment to have a self-control around my enemies. To have a heart of compassion for anyone who does not support my dreams. To truly offer a love like His when my ego is bruised.

I’m not joking when I say everyone should read this devotional. Young & old. I have a pretty big idea that my GLOW girls will someday experience it.

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And today you have a chance to win your own copy! Because, well, Heather just rocks! (And she’s gorgeous too! But that’s beside the point.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coffee Date

Swiping miss Casey’s idea & filling you in on life lately.

It’s Monday again which means I’m having numerous cups of joe. Never fails I’m the most tired on this day. But let’s pretend that instead of sipping my coffee while napping on the couch & catching up on the dvr by myself, that you are snuggled up on the other end of the couch with your own extra large cup. The tv’s off & I’m wide awake. Enjoying the time of just talking.

Of course, you’d first be met at the door by the noisy, but innocent Maggie. Eagerly ready to sniff you to death.

I would tell you how amazing this life of mine is. Even if I still live with my in-laws & still have money issues.  It’s a good life. I’m learning to embrace it. 

I’d tell you how proud I am of my GLOW girls for running such an amazing event last week. I might cry a little at my abounding love for them & their hearts. I’m amazed at how willing they are to seek Christ.

Which would lead me to share how excited I am to start planning the summer sleepover & beach party. And how I can’t wait to make the final decision on their gifts. (how are they coming sweet friend?)

I’d tell you how blessed I am to have a best friend. A true best friend. One who is an amazing mama & wife & woman of God. Such an encouragement. This past Saturday was all about her & her sweet baby Kahlan who will be here in a few short weeks! I partnered up with my other sweet friend to sprinkle Tree with love & appreciation.

I’d tell you how many people thought it was silly & unnecessary because this was the second baby. But my response, who cares?

I’d tell you how non-existent my quiet time with the Lord has been. And how disappointing that is. And that it’s my own fault & my own issue to fix. I’d probably ask for encouragement.

I’d tell you how much I pray I’m able to go to Influence Conference. How much I’m asking my hubby to pray that the finances work out in a way that enables me to go with no trouble. And how much I hope my dear real-life friends are able to go with me.

I’d tell you how blessed I am to lead children’s ministry. How long I prayed for God to place me in this exact position.

I’d ask how your life has been? If you are struggling with anything? If you need encouragement in any areas?

xoxo

I love…

these kids.

these days.

this outfit.

these friends.

this face.

this face.

this man’s rearend.

this lady.

this machine.

this color.

these {sleeping} girls.

There’s plenty to love in my life. I bet it’s the same for you. Take a minute and focus on those things. I promise whatever pain you’re feeling will quickly fade.