between you & me

What's winter to you?

2012-01-29T17:47:00.000-05:00

It's a mild winter here, but it's still winter.

The trees are stripped bare and the grass is light brown.
Everything is pretty much dead.

This season sure isn't my favorite, but I don't mind it because there's always a promise of spring.
Lydia's room is definitely my favorite in the house right about now.
It's bursting with bright color, and it screams JOY.

What do you ponder when you think about winter?
For me, it's a time to rest from the craziness of all the "going and doing" in the summer and fall.
It's a time for certain things in my life to "die back" so that new growth can spring forth.

Are you resting?
Do you feel things in your life and in your heart being pruned in this season?

Winter calls me to pause more, to read more, to get in my pajamas earlier.
{or maybe go a day with never leaving them}.
It begs me to think about what my priorities are...where my treasures are.
Without fail, my life experiences a "winter" every single year, no matter the temperatures outside.
It has become so much more to me than a season to dread.
Without the pruning, without the stretching, without things having to die, there would be no growth.

After all, a plant is only as good as its roots.
These winter seasons ground us in our relationship with Christ.

What is "dying back" in this season for you?

{thankful for}
260. the honor of leading a starting point class at church.
261. being able to watch people see where their story intersects with God's story.
262. my parents coming for dinner at our house tonight.
263. the dying back of winter, both physically and spiritually.
264. new growth taking root in my heart and mind.

Not a YARD SALE but a BLOG SALE

2012-01-27T15:51:00.001-05:00

I can't believe that I'm selling these two paintings because they were our first two pieces of art!

But, our style and the colors that fill up our home have changed so much in the past four years.

I'd love it if they shipped out to one of my awesome readers!

The size of this one is: 30 X 40

We paid $350 for it in 2001, and we're selling it now for $225 OBO

It was purchased at Brook's Antiques, which was located in Prattville, Alabama.

The store owner's daughter, Amy Wooten, painted this heavy oil.

The second oil painting was also purchased in Alabama by a local artist, Debbie Markwell.

The size is: 24 X 36

We bought it for $280 in 2002, and we're selling it for $165 ORO

Email me if you're interested!

tarahlowry@gmail.com

WAIT, Part One of a looooooong series.

2012-01-25T11:25:00.000-05:00

But, He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power can rest on me.

~2 Corinthians 12:9

Shortly after my heart was transformed by the love and grace of Christ, I came across this verse of scripture, and it all but jumped off the page and into my heart. I had no idea some twenty years ago that God would literally use this truth over and over and over again in my life. Positively, it has been my life verse.

It hasn't been a "feel good" verse for me. I've battled it through the years because somewhere early on, I bought into the lie that I had to appear as though my life was pieced nicely together like a beautiful package that the world could handle.

One of the "weaknesses" that I've battled has been insecurity, and it has led me down desperately destructive paths in my younger years. I found myself giving my value and worth away to just about anything or anyone that asked for it all in the guise of wanting to be accepted.

Again and again, I was left disappointed and unfulfilled because there is nothing in this world that can truly satisfy. And, slowly but surely, every single time I found myself this way, I'd surrender another part of my insecure self to the Lord.

This is where I'd love, and I mean love, to tell you that I'm all fixed and I no longer struggle with an ounce of insecurity. But, that'd be a lie.

I can tell you that it's not the same struggle it once was.

God has become bigger and people (and their approval) have become smaller.

Here's what I know to be true:
The more I learn about the Lord, the more I realize how much more I need him.
The more I surrender my life to him, the more I realize has yet to be surrendered.

He uses everything. He wastes nothing.
He weaves everything in our lives together and forms this beautiful tapestry out of our broken mess.

And, so I wait. I wait on the Lord, my heart takes courage, and I wait on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Life with God is a paradox.

...the world says our status comes from who we are financially and socially

while God says that the poor are the richest in His kingdom.

...the world says our power comes through control, money, fame, and influence

while God says power comes through service, sacrifice and humility.

...the world says our freedom comes from the law and obeying it

while God says freedom comes from understanding and living under his grace- acknowledging daily that our relationship with God isn't about our vain attempts at good works but instead the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Friends, I'm in the middle of transition. My oldest child will be twelve years old in a few short weeks. He's officially in middle school, which is ironically bringing out the inner middle schooler in me! Any small amount of pride that I've ever had in parenting has flown the coop. The fact that my husband and I were in youth ministry for the better part of ten years means absolutely NOTHING.
We are idiots. We know nothing. We feel powerless in our own strength. Together, we are a heaping pile of insecure mess.

The paradox is that God says we are now in the perfect place for him to do a great work.
And, our hope is in Him. We will surrender ourselves to him daily and WAIT on his power to be perfected in our weaknesses.

{thankful for}
256. Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of my faith.
257. My children, who show me my great need for him.
258. My husband, who stands desperate beside me as we pray these kids of ours grasp grace from us.
259. My heart friends, who remind me of the truth on those drive-way pacing, fetal position hard days.

Designs by Tahra & A Winner!

2012-01-20T10:48:00.002-05:00

I wanted to show you some of the beautiful products that my friend, Tahra, has created in her shop.

These are just a few samples of the many amazing pieces of jewelry that she has made.

She's someone that I know personally, and I would recommend her products to anyone.

She's a perfectionist and would never send out a product that isn't above top quality!

She has a friend who is leaving soon to pick up her TWO Ethiopian daughters,

and Tahra is giving 50% of all her sales for the rest of this month toward her friend's adoptions.

Adoption is close to my heart, so I'd love to send as many sales her way as possible!!

Visit her shop HERE.

Thanks to the random number generator, the WINNER of her monogrammed necklace is::

Comment #23 from Hillcrest Acres.
I'll pass your information onto Tahra, who will contact you about receiving your prize!
Thanks for all of you who entered the give away!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Easiest Afternoon Snack EVER.

2012-01-18T13:49:00.002-05:00

This is not an original idea.

If you go to Pinterest and search for crescent roll ideas, you'll get way more than you asked for!

In fact, there are so many recipes out there,

I feel sure you could make some concoction with crescent rolls every day for the rest of your life.

Here's my version::

Chocolate Chip Crescent Rolls with Sugar on top

1 can of crescent rolls

A handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips

A pinch of sugar on top of each one

My ingredients are from Trader Joes.

It makes me feel better to eat fattening foods that are minus additives/preservatives!!

{kind of like when I used to eat a candy bar while drinking a diet coke}

Here's a picture of my kiddos destroying them.

What you don't see are the two that I'm shoving down my throat while taking the picture.

One handed picture taking...now that's a mad skill.

{thankful for}
251. my talk with Missy this morning.
252. afternoon snacks that make us HaPpY.
253. friends coming over to play this afternoon.
254. laundry almost finished.
255. My first advertiser!

Give Away!!

2012-01-16T15:41:00.002-05:00

I have the sweetest friend, Tahra, from Orlando.

She's a busy mother of five but loves to make jewelry in the small amount of spare time that she gets.

She's generously offered to give away one of her monogrammed necklaces to one of you!

If you'd like to enter to win, leave me a comment, and I'll draw the winner on Friday morning.
For two comments, you can tweet, facebook or blog about it!!

I'd love for you to check out her ETSY SHOP and see all of her beautiful handmade items.
Her products are very well made and reasonably priced!!

This is probably what they call TMI.

2012-01-15T15:22:00.000-05:00

Brooke from Heart {and Seoul} tagged me in a fun post, so I thought I'd play along.

{The Rules}

one\ post the rules.

two\ post eleven fun facts about yourself

three\ answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

four\ tag eleven people and link them on your post

five\ let them know you've tagged them!

Facts about me::

1. I have a very southern accent.

2. I've been married for 15 years.

3. We have two sons { 11 & 9} and one daughter {5}, who happens to be from China.

4. I love coffee and can't imagine it not in my life.

5. Organization should be my middle name, but I'm not crazy "Monica Geller" like I used to be.

6. My husband asked me to marry him at the UGA/AUBURN game in 1995 down on the field.

He cheered and the squad held up signs that said, "Will you marry me, Tara?"

It made *Plays of the Week* on ESPN.

7. I love the smell of fresh cut grass.

8. I prefer lakes and mountains over oceans and sand.

9. My favorite summer time meal that my mom cooks is:

fried porkchops, fresh green beans, fresh corn, homemade mac-n-cheese, fresh cucumber, onion, and tomato slices, homemade cornbread with butter oozing out the sides, and a tall glass of sweet tea.

10. I love reading...books change you and make you better.

11. fall is my favorite time of year.

{Questions for Me, From my Tagger}

1. What is your favorite go to date place?

We live in Athens, GA, and it's a great city to play in,

and there are so many really cool places to eat here!!!

Favorite breakfast... Mama's Boy or Five Star Day

Favorite Mexican...Taqueria La Parilla

Favorite Italian...De Palmas

Favorite pricey dinner...Last Resort

Favorite Coffee...Jittery Joes..absolutely.

I literally could list twenty more...come to Athens and eat with me!

2. What is your favorite Bible verse?

It's so hard to say that I have a favorite because the Word in its entirety sustains me,

but my life verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

3. If you could spend five thousand dollars selfishly on yourself, what would you buy?
(No giving to charity- though I know that’s what you all would really do!)

I'd take a trip with my husband..it'd be a toss up between and island and a fantastic city.

4. What is your pet peeve?

crunching ice.

toilet seats left up.

lying.

know it all people.
I'll stop there for now, but just know that I could go on.

5. Describe your morning/bedtime routine.

~morning~

Get up, take retainers out, run not walk to the coffee pot, drink my first cup of coffee, read, listen to worship music to set my heart right, read a few blogs, occasionally talk to Michele before the kids wake, feed kids breakfast, make beds, start school with kids.

~bedtime~

bedtime routine with kids, brush teeth, lay in the bed with hubby and read or watch brainless tv or talk facing each other while our dog baby lays with us. lights out 11:30 pm.

6. If you could meet anyone (alive), who would it be and why?

The first person that comes to mind isn't alive, but I honestly wish I could meet him.

My husband's dad died of cancer the year before we met, so it'd be him for sure.

So that I don't break the rules...I'll say that I'd also really enjoy meeting a handful of bloggers out there who I adore.

7. What is your favorite book and song?

too many books to name...I'm one of those that has a new favorite book as soon as I finish another one. My current favorite is Same Kind of Different as Me.

favorite song? same there...too many to count...

worship music....kari jobe. christy nockles. klaus kleun.

country..little big town. taylor swift. carrie underwood. miranda lambert.

rock/folk rock...Avett Brothers. Dave Matthews. Jack Johnson. Matthew Perryman.

8. What is the best place you’ve ever traveled to?

toss up...

India...saw true poverty and oppression and it turned me inside out..haven't been the same.

China....walked on The Great Wall and brought our daughter home..journey of a lifetime.

9. If you were given three wishes, what would they be?

1. My mom would be healed of COPD.

2. I could meet Lydia's biological mother in China and say thank-you.

3. our whole family could go on an extended mission trip.

10. You are on a deserted island. You can have three things only. Go:

Legit...I'd want my bible, my family, food/water.

11. Who is your role model and why?

My mom.

She is strong and brave.

She's weathered many storms in her life and they made her better and not bitter.

She doesn't quit.

She doesn't complain.

She doesn't talk bad about others.

She's tolerant and receptive in the best ways.

She serves others well.

She loves deep and wide.

She is respectful of others.

She's always been a truly good friend to those in her life.

She's generous with her time, her resources, and herself.

She's meek and mild.

She's really funny in a dorky kind of way.

She can laugh at herself.

She's smart.

{Questions from Me to Those I Have Tagged}

1. favorite season?

2. favorite food?
3. Name three things on your bucket list.
4. favorite quality about yourself?
5. least favorite quality about yourself?
6. favorite thing to do on a lazy day?
7.favorite brainless tv show?
8. favorite quality in a friend?
9. three things you love about your spouse?
10. hardest part of parenting for you?
11. dress up or casual? stay in or go out?

{People I am Tagging}

Paige from Simple Thoughts

Becky from Farmgirl Paints

Lissa from Keep it simple, Keep it Fresh

Sasha from Lemonade Makin' Mama

Shannan from Flowerpatch Farmgirl

Tiffini from House of Belonging

Melaine from My Sweet Savannah

Cat from Cat D Moore

Tessa from Nine and Sixteen

Tricia from Morning T

Tara from Blondie 'N' SC

same kind of different as me.

2012-01-14T10:14:00.002-05:00

ORDER BOOK HERE

*********************************************************************************

"I've been thinkin a lot about what you asked me."

I had no idea what he was talking about. "What did I ask you?"

"'Bout bein your friend."

My jaw dropped an inch. I'd forgotten that when I told him at the Cactus Flower Cafe that all I wanted from him was his friendship, he'd said he'd think about it. Now, I was shocked that anyone would spend a week pondering such a question. While the whole conversation had slipped my mind, Denver had clearly spent serious time preparing his answer.

He looked up from his coffee, fixing me with one eye, the other squinted like Clint Eastwood. "There's somethin I heard 'bout white folks that bothers me, and it has to do with fishin."

He was serious and I didn't dare laugh, but I did try to lighten the mood a bit. "I don't know if I'll be able to help you," I said, smiling. "I don't even own a tackle box."

Denver scowled, not amused. "I think you can."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, keeping me pinned with that eyeball ignoring the Starbucks groupies coming and going on the patio around us.

"I heard that when white folks go fishin they do somethin called 'catch and release.'"

Catch and release? I nodded solemnly, suddenly nervous and curious at the same time.

"That really bothers me," Denver went on. "I just can't figure it out. 'Cause when colored folks go fishin, we really proud of what we catch, and we take it and show it off to everybody that'll look. Then we eat what we catch...in other words, we use it to sustain us. So it really bothers me that white folks would go to all that trouble to catch a fish, then when they done caught it, just throw it back in the water."

He paused again, and the silence between us stretched a full minute.

Then: "Did you hear what I said?"

I nodded, afraid to speak, afraid to offend.

Denver looked away, searching the blue autumn sky then locked onto me again with that drill-bit stare. "So, Mr. Ron, it occurred to me: If you is fishin for a friend you just gon' catch and release, then I ain't got no desire to be your friend."

The world seemed to halt in mid-stride and fall silent around us like one of those freeze-frame scenes on TV. I could hear my heart pounding and imagined Denver could see it popping my breast pocket up and down. I returned Denver's gaze with what I hoped was a receptive expression and hung on.

Suddenly his eyes gentled and he spoke more softly than before: "But if you is lookin for a real friend, then I'll be one. Forever."

"IF YOU is lookin for a real friend, then I'll be one. Forever."

As Denver's words echoed in my head, it occurred to me that I could not recall ever having heard any pronouncement on friendship more moving or profound than what I'd just heard from the mouth of a vagabond. Humbled, all I could do in return was make a simple, but sincere promise: "Denver, if you'll be my friend, I promise not to catch and release."

*********************************************************************************

This book tells the story of a friendship where there was life-changing love.

It is an example of how God, in His mercy, chooses to use us when we aren't sure we want to be used.

It reminds us that love changes the world, one soul at a time.

It challenges us to remember that the people that seem the most un-like us aren't that different at all.

"Be kinder than necessary. Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

~Attributed to both T.H. Thompson and John Watson

Many of us can say that we've served meals at nearby homeless shelters.

Or, handed out money at red-lights.

Or, taken food & blankets to the homeless man that sleeps at the blockbuster.

But, I wonder what it would be like to form a genuine friendship with someone seemingly so different?

This story leaves me praying for an un-likely friendship in my own life.

When I close my eyes, I can actually see her face and the faces of her children.
We're watching our kids play.
We're cooking dinner together.
We're having coffee.
We're worshipping together.
We're buying groceries.
We're celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving and Easter and birthdays.

Oh, Lord, let it be.
Let me open my eyes and see her.
Let us be real friends. Forever.

Naked Windows No More.

2012-01-12T22:22:00.001-05:00

Nester is having her home goals linky party this week, so I thought I'd join in.

My projects for this year are going to be pretty simple.

Every single room in this rental house has naked windows, so I'm gonna get them dressed.

The end.

*BOYS ROOM*

These are the two windows in the room, and they're going to get plaid panels on both of them.

Here's the black and white fabric that I'm ordering this month.

I'll add more of this fabric for a Euro sham on each bed and for simple bedskirts on each.

*MASTER BEDROOM*

Our room feels pretty finished except for those naked windows.

I think I'll put four of those prints together and take out that center one when I add panels.

If you look at the bedding, there is a pop of orange in it, so I'm thinking about some orange panels.

This?

or maybe this?

*FAMILY ROOM*

More nakedness.

I'll add more panels to those two windows this year, if I can ever decide what color or pattern.

*DINING ROOM*

I love a good neutral palate, but I'm about sick to death of the lack of color in this room.

Some color will surely wake this tired room up!

Here are some inspiring photos that I've saved on my pinterest boards for our windows.

The windows kind of make a difference!

{thankful for}
247. a short project list for 2012.
248. finishing the first book on my reading list.
249. color.
250. lydia's laugh tonight at dinner.

Wait with Hope.

2012-01-11T16:20:00.002-05:00

Source: Etsy

Well, my word for 2012 is definitely WAIT.

I love God's perfect timing.

Last year, my word was HOPE.

There was an area of my life that had caused me great despair.

I had carried around hurt from an experience in my childhood for years.

I didn't understand where God was in that experience, and I wrestled Him over it for twenty years.

At the root of my struggle, I doubted his goodness and his love for me.

In the beginning of last year's journey, I felt so completely over-whelmed by the hugeness of my need.

I wish I could tell you there was a formula to follow,

but this kind of journey requires utter dependence on someone bigger than yourself.

I spent the year just admitting and confessing what was in my heart.

And, I asked for His help.

Every time he revealed a lie that I'd believed, I confessed & repented
& asked him to replace the lie with His truth.

I repeated that cycle over and over and over all year long.

I was powerless to give myself the hope in him that I needed.

But, he wasn't powerless, and he heard the prayers of my heart.

He produced a hope in me that is now overflowing.

There is great power in understanding the lies that you have believed about God,
confessing and repenting and asking him to replace them with His truth.
Before you know it, He has replaced what was once despair and unbelief with hope and faith in Him.
His truth is written on the tablets of your heart.
forever.

I have HOPE going into 2012, and I'm gonna need it while I WAIT.
Psalm 27:14

Wait with hope for the Lord.

Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the Lord.

I'm almost {but not really} speechless at his goodness.

You know I can't keep silent about why he gave me the word WAIT for this year,

but this post can't handle another word from me.

Be back tomorrow.

{thankful for}

243. truth revealed.

244. His bigger picture.

245. my boys playdate with friends this afternoon.

246. a dreary, rainy day made for wearing pjs all day.

Oh January!

2012-01-10T13:11:00.000-05:00

January is pushy.

{in a good way}

This month makes me more determined to stay on top of my laundry....

I vow to strip the beds every week and freshen the beds with new sheets.

I promise myself to do a better job of not just washing and drying those loads...

but folding it and actually putting it away so those piles don't become "vignettes" in our home.

January urges me to read more.

My list is looooooong for 2012.

I can be bad about making an over-achieving list in every area of my life

and then feeling like a loser at the end of the year when its all not finished.

Not this year!

Lists are good...they mean we're making goals.

I've decided I'd rather make long lists and be excited about the goals than not make any lists at all.

The first book I'm reading this year is Same Kind of Different as Me, and if your list has room,

I'd consider adding it.

It's digging deep into my heart...reminding me to look for friendships in unexpected places.

Those are always my favorite friendships.

After I finish it this week, I'm moving onto Give Them Grace.

Honestly, because I need more of it in my parenting.

There's such a hard balance between enjoying every moment

and realizing that you just don't and not feeling guilty about it because it's normal not to.

Relate at all?

After I finish those, I'm starting a new Karen Kingsbury series called The Bailey Flanigan Series.

I read every single one of her book series in the summer of 2006, and I haven't read one since.

Guess I got a little over zealous with her and wore myself completely out.

Anyway, I'm excited to read more about Bailey Flanigan...loved that character!

There are four books in the series to read, and then my list continues....

6 books in January.

That's what January does to me.

January gives me renewed vision to carry out the rest of our school year strong.

It encourages me to get out my calendar and make sure we're on task in our studies.

We need to finish in time for our East Coast trip in May.

November and December tell you to...

slow down, wind it up, and take a break for good food and fellowship.

But not January.

January tells you to re-focus, re-commit, re-examine your priorities.

I'm...

Drinking more water.

Taking my dog baby on more strolls.

Examining my heart against God's word to see the cracks and brokenness that need his touch.

Inviting more people into our home for a meal.

Watching more movies with our kids all piled in the bed with us.

Being more intentional about calling friends, both old and new.

Talking less. Praying more.

January is good to us, isn't she?

{thankful for}

235. that leftover chicken tortilla soup for lunch.

236. conversations with michele.

237. cold coffee in my pot making delicious iced coffee in the afternoon.

238. heart examinations that happen in January.

239. water with lime.

240. an almost clean house for small group tonight.

241. Same Kind of Different as Me...goooooood read.

242. much needed time with my man.

Celebrating five.

2012-01-09T22:09:00.000-05:00

Five years old.

She looked at me tonight at bedtime and said,
"I feel VERY five, mom. I don't feel four at all anymore."

It's been such a full weekend of celebrating her life!!
She's praying that this is the week she loses her first tooth.
I told her all last year that it usually happens when you're five, and she took me serious.

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl.

Looking back.

2012-01-07T08:13:00.000-05:00

Last January, I knew that God was going to do something special in my heart and mind.

I knew that my word for 2011 was HOPE.

There were a few areas of my life that needed to be infused with it.

We were living in Orlando, and as much as I loved it, I longed to be near my family.

My mom has a lung disease and I honestly just wanted to be with her as often as possible.

We adored our college students, but we began to genuinely miss ministering to families.

My husband missed working on a team.

We really needed our house in Georgia to sell...it had been a long three years.

As much as we loved the weather in Florida for six months out of the year, we missed our seasons.

There was a hurt place in my heart that I needed Jesus to touch and make whole.

When you don't know the answers and you know you aren't in control,

you need HOPE in the one who does and is.

I had no idea when I typed that post last year how much one year could bring so much change.

We moved back home to Georgia in August.

I'm an hour from my mom and dad and see them every single week.

We're serving at a wonderful church in Athens, GA, where we met in college.

My husband is part of a phenomenal team in ministry with similar hearts and passions.

Two weeks after we moved to Georgia, our house sold.

We moved just in time to experience our favorite season....fall.

Jesus touched and healed the area in my heart in ways I can't even explain.

The year was a blank canvas, and God filled it up with every color that he ever created.
I wonder what this year's word will be?
What theme will He weave in and out of every piece of my life?

Don't you know it's killing me that I don't have my word.
Killing me.

Maybe, it's WAIT. {ha!}
We'll see!

{thankful for}
229. HOPE in Christ.
230. watching seth play basketball today..fastest feet ever.
231. a new hair cut that makes me feel a little like eddie van halen.

232. a great visit with my parents on friday.

233. pioneer woman's chicken tortilla soup tonight.
234. the notebook being on again.
{I never get tired of that movie!}

Pleated Poppy Winner

2012-01-06T09:07:00.001-05:00

The winner for the gift certificate to PLEATED POPPY is commenter # 37,

who just happens to be

TIFFINI from House of Belonging!

Congratulations!!!

The Joys of Fake Wood Cabinets...

2012-01-03T16:33:00.000-05:00

Remember when I told you that we were working on a couple of projects?

We cleaned out our closets last week, and we painted the bathroom and kitchen cabinets in our rental.

Here are a few shots of the kitchen....

The walls were bright yellow, and we went with a very neutral benjamin moore color.

*manchester tan*

The cabinets were awful.

The fronts of them were oak, and the rest of them were FAKE WOOD.

I know that we'll be in this house for at least two years, so we asked the owners if we could paint them.

Thankfully, they said we could!

We went with a creamy white because this room needed some light!!!

We used some bronze spray paint on all of the hardware, so it's still dated, but it looks better.

Over all, I'm glad we did it...it'll make these next two years that we're in this house pass by sweeter.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER TO WIN MY GIVE AWAY WITH PLEATED POPPY!

Happy New Year and a Give Away!!!

2012-01-01T17:51:00.004-05:00

I'm excited that Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy is helping me start 2012 off with a give away!

She is offering one of my readers a $25 gift certificate to her shop.

Here are just a few of the awesome products that she makes with her very own talented hands!

For a chance to win, leave a comment.

For another chance to win, tweet, facebook or blog about it.

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Winner will be announced on Friday, the 6th.

Tis the season for cleaning out closets....

2011-12-29T22:08:00.000-05:00

My Closet

His closet

Lydia's closet

Luke & Seth's closet

My husband is home with us this week, and we're tackling a few major projects together.

Our first one was cleaning out and organizing all the bedroom closets.

I am super excited that we made the switch from plastic hangers to wooden hangers.

The short story is that our church used to be a clothing store and there were thousands of them!

It took almost an entire day to get them all done, but we did it, and they look great.

I took all of the kids clothes that don't fit anymore to a really nice consignment shop in town.

And, I'll take my husbands and mine to the nearest Goodwill.

I went ahead and put it all in my car, so it won't sit in my bedroom floor.

Here are my tricks to organizing our closets....

1. Create a Clean Slate

Take everything out and go through all your clothes to see what works and what doesn't work.

It's not rocket science, but it seriously helps to eliminate all those items you really just don't wear.

I don't do this more than two times per year,

but it sure helps make those quick run throughs once a month more doable.

2. Organize Clothes

There are a lot of ways you can organize your closet, but the main thing is that it works for you.

I've tried the color coded system, and I didn't like it.

I prefer putting all of my "like items" together.

{jeans, casual pants, dress pants, shorts, skirts, short sleeves, long sleeves, etc...}

3. Store your shoes

There's no "best" way to do it, but the important thing is that

you know what you have & you help them last as long as possible.

I personally keep all of my shoes stored in the boxes they came in.

My husband prefers to keep his lined up by pair on the bottom of his closet.

Knowing where your shoes are saves time and stress in the mornings!

4. Group Sweaters together by color in top of closet

It helps you quickly grab the color that you need.

They last longer when they're folded.

I prefer them in my closet because if they're tucked in a drawer, they tend to be neglected and not worn.

Closets organized.

Chest of drawers cleaned out.

Christmas taken down.

Toys sorted and re-organized.

Feels good!

Won't last very long, but it feels sooooo good right now.

Are you cleaning out and organizing this week?

{thankful for}

226. a husband who likes organization as much as I do.

227. my mom's lung infection clearing up, finally.

228. the current episode of The Office that we're watching...hilarious.

Books and TV

2011-12-28T20:25:00.000-05:00

Here is the list of books that I read this year.

I had high hopes of reading way more than this, but we moved last August.

I know it's been 4 whole months, but reading just hasn't been on my radar as we've been adjusting.

I've been busy falling into the bed each night and only craving silliness such as::

Friends re-runs, The Office re-runs, Modern Family, and Tori & Dean.

And, if I'm gonna be honest, I've also watched a little Real Housewives of Atlanta and Beverly Hills.

{They make me feel normal because they are KA-RAZIE}

And, while I'm on this rabbit trail....

let me just say that those girls from Atlanta are not the most correct representation of Georgia girls.

2011 Books

A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille

Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery

Building a Bridge to the 18th Century by Neil Postman
Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman
Decision Points by George W. Bush
Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman
Parenting with Love & Logic by Foster Cline & Jim Fay
Radical by David Platt
ReJesus by Alan Hirsch
The Core by Leigh Bortins
The Hiding Place..The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom
The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Wuthering Heights by Charlotte Bronte

My favorites from this list were:

Grace for the Good Girl

Choosing to See

The Hiding Place

Ann of Green Gables

I've got a crazy list of books for 2012, but I thought I'd give you a few that I plan to read....

Oh, remember when I made this list?

I'm determined to read at least 8 of those classics this year or I'm never gonna meet that goal of

40 before 40.

Families where Grace is in Place

What Women Fear

Parenting Teens with Love & Logic

Sheet Music

The Money Saving Mom's Budget

Little Britches

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

Soooooo....did you read anything this past year?

Have you made a list for 2012 yet?

Or, we could stick to tv shows that you're watching!!

Nester had an impromtu linky party for books we've read, so I thought I'd link up...

Christmas in Pictures...

2011-12-26T16:43:00.001-05:00

Would you lose respect for me if I told you that I have more pictures of these girls than I do my kids?

I have had a flood of childhood memories since they were opened on Christmas morning!

I've been caught several times now playing with them...without Lydia in the room.

{no joke}

She got her first American Girl Bitty Baby, and her name is jia-jia, which is Lydia's Chinese name.

Y'all, she tucked her in last night and told her not to be scared anymore cause she had a family now.

{jia-jia is pronounced ja-ja for those of you wondering}

He is so spoiled.

If you knew how many pictures he walks in front of, you'd die.

He wouldn't stop 'til he got his picture made today, so here he is in all of his ferocious glory.

It was such a wonderful morning at our house, and the kids were so grateful for each of their gifts!

This one sits back and takes it all in, quietly.

He enjoys watching each person open their gifts.

This one has his shirt on backward and he could care less.

He jumps from one sofa to the next and attempts to open two gifts at a time.

He is the opposite of quiet, and we wouldn't change a thing about him.

This one opened each gift carefully, not wanting to mess up the pretty paper.

She also said the words "thank-you" at least a hundred times.

She got other things for Christmas, but that Strawberry Shortcake dress and those dolls stole the show.

Are you wondering about the boo-boos all over her mouth?

She bit the dust on her bike two days before Christmas.

****************************************************************************

She wanted to put her Christmas dress back on today and take pictures outside with her lollipop.

Ask me if my boys have ever, in all my years of being their mama, ever asked me to do a photo shoot.

So, here are some of the pictures we took outside that capture her adorable personality.

A smocked dress, big bow and bare feet = Southern living at it's finest!

That's a Hello Kitty watch that she got in her stocking, and she now likes to sleep in it.

I love it that she likes to dress up ...

and have fashion shows...

and dance with all her might.....

and have me take as many pictures of her as my camera will hold...

AND ride bikes, play in dirt, and build legos with her brothers.

Currently, we are in her room listening to "Come Let Us Adore Him" on her new Hello Kitty stereo.

I'm writing this post, and she is singing to the top of her lungs totally out of tune.

*************************************************************************

I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas with your families. I know we did.

We had a beautiful Christmas Eve service at our church.

I will never tire of having the Christmas story read aloud.

After this Christmas, I think Matthew's version is my very favorite.

He starts the book with the genealogy of Jesus.

And, he mentions the unmentionables. {and their labels}

Tamar prostituted herself.

Judah and his brothers sold their brother Joseph into slavery.

The one who had been Uriah's wife, who was Bathsheba, committed adultery with King David.

Ruth wasn't a Jew, but she made it into the lineage of Christ.

These people were important to him because he could relate to them.

Their stories mattered to him because they were people who were desperate for Jesus the way he was.

Matthew was a tax collector and was among the least favored people in the area.

When he met Jesus, he was unconditionally accepted and it changed him from the inside-out.

His version reminds us that Christ came for everyone.

...even the unmentionables.

I am overwhelmed with a grateful heart that He is Emmanuel, God with us.

He is bigger than our mistakes.

He is greater than the sins that entangle us.

He is more powerful than the labels that people give us and that we give ourselves.

He is with us.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

{thankful for}

214. Matthew's version.

215. Jesus removing all my labels.

216. His acceptance of me.

217. His work on the cross.

218. My kids grateful hearts.

219. Time with my precious parents and my brother and his family.

220. delicious food that I'm still thinking about.

221. peppermint ice cream from Mayfield.

222. newly painted bathroom cabinets in our rental house.

223. a walk down memory lane with strawberry shortcake and her crew.

224. a warm house in cold weather.

225. Hamburgers on the grill with french fries

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

2011-12-23T21:50:00.000-05:00

Family pictures for our yearly Christmas card have never been so fun!
Seriously, we usually end up in a family feud, and we left smiling this year.
{this is what we're gonna call growth}

~2011 Year In Review~
Lydia turned 4 years old and we celebrated with dinner and a movie with her friends.
We started selling our family rules signs!
My parents took my family and my brother's family on a 7 night Disney Cruise.
Luke turned 11 and celebrated with pizza and a pool party.
Busch Gardens for a day!
We completed our 4th year of homeschool, and there were less days of crying. :)
Andy took our college students to India for two weeks to see some of our favorite people ever.
Andy accepted a new position at Athens Church in Athens, Georgia!!
We said goodbye to our sweet college students and our wonderful friends in Orlando.

Moved into the home of some friends while they were away in Africa and lived for our first 6 weeks.

We celebrated 15 years of marriage the week that we moved.
Seth turned 9 years old our first Sunday at the church, and we celebrated with my family.
We moved into our rental house where we'll be living for at least a couple of years.
...and we painted and painted and painted.
Our house FINALLY SOLD!!!
{the one in my hometown that had been for sell for three years while we lived in Orlando}
Family day at Six Flags over Georgia with my brother and his family...season passes for next year!
Enjoyed the change of weather and the beautiful fall leaves!!
Max, our little yorkie, turned 2 years old, and we celebrated with a long walk & a bone.
Our family celebrated Gotcha Day with Lydia...4 years ago they put her in our arms to stay forever.
We are ending this year of making our family rules signs having sold around 175 of them!

It has been a wonderful year for our family....
Transition isn't ever easy, but this has been the easiest go at it that we've ever experienced.

{thankful for}
201. Athens Church.
202. The phenomenal people we work with at the church, who are gifted, strong and humble leaders.
203. This opportunity we have to help lead others into a growing, personal relationship with Jesus.
204. My kids' small group leaders, who are faithfully serving & loving them each and every week.
205. My kids love for our church!!
206. Our small group on Tuesday nights.
207. The power of God at work in our family and in the lives of these families.
208. My kids' friendships here.
209. Living about 8 minutes from one of my dearest friends and her family.
{we cheered all through school together, were college roomies and in each other's weddings}
210. The chance to live an hour from my family.
211. The blessing of watching my kids run & play on my parents land.
212. The smiles on my parents' faces every time we walk through their front door.
213. The sweet relationship between my parents and Andy.

Merry, Merry Christmas to you and your families!
We pray peace, love & joy for each of you in the new year.

Right Now.

2011-12-19T20:08:00.002-05:00

My friend Tiffani is the author of the awesome blog known as the House of Belonging.

I am so thankful for her!!

She is a prayer warrior.

She's strong and brave and courageous.

She's creative and kind.

She's filled with beauty from the inside-out.

She's one of those blogger friends who I hope to meet one day.

She recently moved into a new house that she is totally renovating.

She's also in the middle of opening up her business.

She has an Etsy shop that you should stop right now and visit.

She sprinkled the most perfect Christmas cheer all over her house....

She recently did a "right now" post where she gave us the inside scoop on one of her days.

I enjoyed reading hers so much that I decided to do one, too.

You might want to sit down, the excitement in one of my days might just blow you away.

watching: friends re-runs on nick at nite.

i totally want to judge their fashion choices, but i can't

because i looked just like them in the 90s.

i have close friends who call me monica gellar on occasion,

and every time i watch these re-runs, i understand more and more why they do.

eating: I went all out tonight and bought personal size chicken pot pies from trader joes. obviously, i'm not going to be serious competition for the "mother of the year" award.

drinking: water, but i wish i was drinking a 42 oz. extra sweet tea with lemon.

wearing: my favorite lucky brand jeans with a black pullover from banana republic and my sperrys.

avoiding: wrapping christmas presents.

i haven't wrapped the first present.

i had all of our gifts bought two weeks before thanksgiving

and i sent our christmas cards out on december 1st, but i haven't wrapped anything.

it's my least favorite part of the whole season because they never turn out as pretty as the ones on pinterest.

some would ask why i wrap them and not just sit them out on christmas eve....

my kids like to tear into wrapped gifts...that's why i do it.

feeling: full from dinner and totally relaxed.

missing: my friend kate in california,
my friend michele in pennsylvania,
and my friend kourtney in orlando.

I seriously need girl time with each of these people.

thankful: for a warm house & bathed children.
and really thankful that it's almost their bedtime.

weather: 50 degrees and cloudy.

praying: for my mom...she has a lung disease and she's had an infection this week.

needing: to order the gray and white plaid fabric for the boys' room. i hate when something has been on my "to do" list for weeks and it just keeps getting bumped to the next week's list. hate it.

thinking: about the twelve family rules signs that we are making and shipping out this week. 6 painted...6 more to go.

loving: my new lucky brand boots that i got with christmas money from my parents. i searched and searched for a pair that i could love for the next ten years. melissa frye boots were on the top of my list, but i just couldn't do it..so glad i didn't. i love these lucky brand boots so much and i know i'll never tire of them. reeeally love that they were half the price of frye boots and still just as awesome.

Ginger Bread Houses 2011

2011-12-19T15:47:00.003-05:00

The bad news is::

It's almost four in the afternoon and I'm still in my pajamas.

The good news is::

The kids got their gingerbread houses completed.

{thankful for}
199. memory making with the kids at Christmas.
200. chicken pot pies from Trader Joes for dinner.

All Things Merry & Bright

2011-12-15T14:02:00.001-05:00

I love having a chalk board in our dining room,
It kind of brings out the twelve year old doodler in me.

You'd be scared if you knew how many times my kids have caught me in there re-writing on it.

I'm joining Nester for her 2011 Christmas Tour of Homes.

I've changed things around since I first showed pictures of the dining room a couple of weeks ago.

I moved the poinsettias..they were on my coffee table and now they're the center piece on the table.

I figure if I'm gonna keep joining these Christmas linky parties all over the blogosphere,

then I need to give you a little something new to look at.

If you wanna see our tree that has been overtaken by snowman ornaments, go here.
If you wanna see our mantle with my homemade pinecone garland, go here.

{thankful for}
194. friends over playing with my kids.
195. holiday parties.
196. lego creations that involve battle grounds.
197. play dough food
198. watching kids make and decorate sugar cookies.

wednesday night randomness and tree lights.

2011-12-14T22:48:00.001-05:00

I'm trying to get some Christmas bokeh, and I half way achieved it tonight.

{I'll keep practicing}
Doesn't my sweet Max look thrilled to be getting his picture made?

I just noticed that I really need to add some burlap to that metal basket.

...it'd look so much better around those poinsettias.

Maybe tomorrow, I'll make that happen.

Today was one of those days when I didn't get out of my pajamas all day.

I home schooled the kids, painted family rules signs, and did five loads of laundry.

I've got to get back to doing a little every day because five loads is for the birds.

When my husband got home,

we all headed out to look for me something to wear to a holiday party tomorrow night.
Oh, I did get out my pajamas to go shopping.
I put on yoga pants. :)

Isn't it sooo much fun going shopping the night before an event with three kids?

Lets just say we survived, and no one was harmed in our attempts.

I did come home empty handed, but I managed to find something already in my closet, so all is good.

...kind of wishing I'd just looked in my closet a little longer before we all went shopping together.

okay...I'm signing out before this post gets more awesome.

Head over to Sarah's if you wanna see more pretty tree lights!

{thankful for}
191. finding something to wear that was already in my closet.
192. a fresh washed dog.
193. laundry washed, dried, folded and put away.

A few favorite pins...

2011-12-13T16:42:00.000-05:00

The Inspired Room

I have loved peeking into the homes of other bloggers this season as they've shown us their homes.
Everyone has their own unique way of spreading Christmas cheer!

I loved how Holly Mathis described to us why she went with non-breakable decorations this year.
She's got a toddler, who apparently loves to poke and prod at her tree.
Her Christmas tree is beautiful, but I love her English pine armoire the most.
I have three English pine chests that we've collected over the years, and I'm holding out for an armoire.
{just like hers if you're reading, Andy!}

I think Tessa has done an amazing job with her newly painted home.
I love the color combo that she picked, and the flag and the wreaths and the light fixtures.
And, who doesn't love a white picket fence draped with a fresh garland?

Tara has two boys, and she succeeded in paying attention to every little detail.
She has the best collection of vintage trucks in her home, and all of them are decked out this year.
I'm not always good at paying attention to those details...the ones that my kids would appreciate.
Those are things that her boys will remember years from now when they look back.
I admire her for that!

Tricia is so gifted at capturing her home in pictures.
I'm digging the huge armoire with that huge basket full of poinsettias in it.
If there's a picture out there of an armoire with something on top of it, then it's been pinned by me.
Her home looks so warm and inviting to me...

Paige did it again with her vignette setting skillz.
This is one of my favorite spaces in her home.
I think, from the best that I have been able to stalk, that this vignette is in her kitchen.
I have seriously pinned this space every time she's changed it up for a season.
I loved this one so much that I am now on the look out for those bottle brush trees.
Aren't they awesome?
I know.

Dusty Lu is the queen of staging her home for the perfect pictures.
Except, I don't really think it's "staged."
I think she's one of those girls that pretty much has the ability to have her home look this good...
all the time.
Please know that if I attempted to have those mercury and green Christmas ornaments
in an urn on my coffee table, they'd be used as weapons of mass destruction by my boys.
I'm not kidding.

Maria pretty much blows my mind.
I tried to put my tree in a basket.
It's been on my "to try" list for a couple of years now.
It didn't work. At all.
I'm bound and determined to figure it out next year, but let's just say, mine didn't look like hers.
And, I nearly lost an eye trying to make it happen.
Her home is beautiful.
the end.

Jennifer from Dear Lillie had a give away that I entered and WON!!!!
See those awesome pillows in her picture above?
I won a couple of them, and I can't stinkin' wait to get them on my sofas.
I dare those boys to do anything but look at them from a distance.
{kidding..kind of.}

Melissa hung her stockings with twine and clothes pins.
I'm telling you, I get the greatest ideas from blogland.
I love her white pitchers filled with greenery from her yard.
I love that she fills her home with things that she loves and things that make her family feel at home.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of my favorite pins from this season.
Have you blown up pinterest with them like I have?

{thankful for}
188. play date at the park today.
189. small group tonight.
190. a decrease in my back pain.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

2011-12-08T20:22:00.001-05:00

One of our most favorite Christmas traditions was started our very first year as a married couple.

There was a woman, so dear to my heart, who told me about one of her family traditions.

I knew it was something that I wanted to do for my future family.

So, that very first Christmas back in 1996, we started giving one another

a surprise ornament every year at Christmas.

I'm so sentimental that I couldn't imagine our first tree being covered with randomly bought ornaments.

So, our tree had our popcorn garland and a couple of ornaments on it.

It was charlie brown bare!!

Thankfully, my parents and my brother and his wife started the same tradition that year.

Instead of swapping gifts, we opted to give each other ornaments.

As my brother had his children and we had our children, it was something we decided to do as families.

We get a ton of Christmas ornaments every year,

which explains why our tree looks like a HOT MESS.

We usually have two trees in our home and one just has all of our snowman ornaments on it,

but I really wanted to keep decorating simple this year, so we threw all of them on one tree!

After I got the pictures loaded into this post, I realized that I'd only shown you mostly snowmen.

Can you tell that those are my favorite ornaments?

I also took a shot of one that we got when we were in China.

We were there to bring Lydia home in December of '07, so there were ornaments in every gift shop.

I love all of the hand-crafted ones from her birth country, but the one in this post is my favorite.

I'm linking up {a little late} with::

Honey, we're home

for her Christmas tree linky party!

Merry Mantles....

2011-12-05T23:30:00.001-05:00

I managed to spend the better part of last month pinning as many Christmas mantles as possible.

I knew I wanted the pinecone look because I've got about two truck loads in my yard.

For the garland, I used some twine that I already had and tied each pinecone on one at a time.

I wish I could say there was a rhythm or a method, but that's all I did.

I started on one end and worked my way to the other end.

When I got finished with it, I realized that it only went to the center of the mantle,

so I made another one and took it to the other side to finish the look.

I decided to put the stockings to one side this year.

This goes against the grain for me because I'm one more symmetrical girl.

Who knew stockings on my Christmas mantle would draw out the rebel in me?

I spy a stocking that isn't monogrammed.

Do you spy where a little girl attempted to write her name in red pen last year?

She was three years old, and she took matters into her own hands.

If you ever want to feel like a truly horrible mother,

forget to monogram your baby's stocking for a couple of years in a row.

That'll do the trick.

In my defense, I lived in Orlando, Florida for the past three years.

This matters because there aren't stores on every corner that monogram.

But, now we live back in North Georgia, monogramming capital of the world.

Her stocking has now been monogrammed, but I haven't bothered to take new pictures.

You've never seen a happier little girl than mine when she saw her name

in white, fancy letters across the top of her stocking.

I hope you guys are enjoying the holiday linky parties as much as I am....

I feel like I might blow PINTEREST up with all the pinning.

I'm linking up with::

TEN JUNE

MY UNCOMMON SLICE OF SUBURBIA

&
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

&
CENTSATIONAL GIRL

&
HOME STORIES A TO Z

Christmas Tablescapes...

2011-12-05T12:26:00.001-05:00

This is the barn table in our kitchen, and I kept the table setting very simple.

We eat at this table three times a day, and this is where we homeschool all day everyday.

There was no way anything fancy would ever survive this space.

So, greenery, red balls and a beautiful assortment of mercury balls fill my antique dough bowl.

This is our dining room, and I kept it super simple in here this year, too.

The dining room in this rental house is small, so I had to take my big leaf out of the table.

It usually seats eight.

The only thing I bought were the white poinsettia flowers for the dough bowl.

I picked greenery from our yard and tossed it in with the flowers.

I had this great idea to make some pinecone trees for either side of the sideboard table,

but I haven't quite figured out how to make them.

The good news is, they would look great in this room all winter, so I'll get them made eventually.

this is the corner of the dining room, and it looked bare, so I added a wreath with some burlap to it.

This is another angle of the dining room.

I haven't put anything on the windows,

but there are two in the room and the chalkboard is between them.

Here is a close up of the table.

It looked a little empty with the garland and the mercury candle sticks,

so I added the hurricanes with fake snow and some dead tree limbs.

There you have it....these are my Christmas tablescapes this year!

I'm linking up with Layla from The Lettered Cottage for her tablescape party!!!

Also linking up with::
Under the Table and Dreaming

Chapter Five....Gotcha Day.

2011-12-04T10:46:00.001-05:00

It has been a whole four years since they put this girl in our arms.

In adoption world, they call that day "Gotcha Day."

It was November 29th, 2008 when we left Atlanta airport in route to China.

We flew into Beijing and spent a few days seeing some of the city.

It gave us a chance to get over jet-lag and get acclimated to a new time zone.

Looking back, I'm glad for those few days, but at the time, I hated that it was part of the requirements.

Finally, our travel group, which consisted of four other families, boarded a small plane together.

We were on our way to meet our daughters.

We landed in fuzhou, which is in the fujian province in Southern China, along the coast.

We immediately went to our hotel, and as we went upstairs, we saw several babies in a lobby.

Andy and I nearly bumped into an older lady holding a baby as we rounded a corner.

At the moment, we had no idea if she was our daughter or one of many at the hotel.

The only pictures that we'd received of Lydia were of when she was around 6 months old.

By this time, she would be nearly ll months old.

When I touched her tiny little hand, she smiled and hugged in closer to the lady who was holding her.

The lady didn't know English, and we didn't know Chinese, so we did what we knew to do.

We smiled a lot and cooed at the baby.

A little while later, we all joined in a room together, and I have to tell you, we were anxious.

Two years of waiting all unwrapped in this moment.

It was no surprise at all when they called our names out, that the little girl we'd met earlier,

was our Lydia Grace.

None of us can imagine our lives without her.

She came in and softened us in places we didn't know needed softening.

Future interested boys....good luck.

She has a daddy and two older brothers who are pretty much ruining her.

{Lillian, our Lydia, Tabitha, Ellen, & Sienna}

Every single "Gotcha Day" we have to pull out this picture and take it in.
These were the girls in our travel group, and this is the famous red sofa at the White Swan Hotel.
After leaving Fuzhou, we flew to Guangzhou, China to complete our paperwork before heading home.

For more on our adoption journey...
Chapter one.
Chapter two.
Chapter three.
Chapter four.

{thankful for}
185. this girl of ours.
186. her story colliding with ours.
187. her almond eyes.

Edie, Edie, Edie has done it again....

2011-12-02T21:49:00.001-05:00

I literally think Edie should have her own show.

I think she's the homecoming queen of blogging world.

I know I sound like a twelve year old with a crush, but seriously, she's the bomb.com.

I LERVE every last little detail of this porch tree.

And don't even get me started on those Chinese Foo Dogs.

We bought a small pair of bright turquoise walking chinese foo dogs when we were in China.

We thought our daughter, Lydia, would love having them from her home country one day.

Who knew they were anything special?

I sure didn't when I bought them.

They were turquoise and small enough to pack in our bags.

end of story.

I googled them just now and found a pair on ebay for $60.

Lets just say I didn't pay anywhere near that much in China.

So, I saw Edie's toddler size Foo dogs, and I declared myself on a mission to find some just like them.

You can call me a copy cat, but imitation is the highest form of flattery.

{thankful for}

182. date nights with Andy in downtown Athens.

183. my mom and dad who keep our kids company.

184. a movie under christmas tree lights.

Holiday Vignette 2011

2011-11-30T20:00:00.001-05:00

I thought I'd show you the very first thing that anyone sees when they come to our house.

...Our front porch, of course!

It seems that I've entered a contest with me, myself & I to use what I have

for Christmas decorating this year.

The chair was made by my grandfather years and years and years ago.

It has to be nearly an antique.

I had the boxes and the tin bucket, and I loaded them with pinecones and evergreens from our yard.

The only person who loves *free* decorating projects more than I do is my husband!

Courtney from A Thoughtful Place is hosting a

Holiday Vignette linky party

{thankful for}
178. my green apple, sugared walnuts & gorgonzola cheese salad
179. friend time for my boys today
180. alone time with Lydia while the boys were away
181. one of my favorite movies ever on tv tonight...The Notebook.

WAYFAIR WINNER!!!

2011-11-30T14:06:00.001-05:00

Congratulations!

Commenter # 16 won the Wayfair giveaway that I did last week!
Ashley from Wayfair will contact you about cashing in on your gift certificate,
and be looking for an email from me!

Decking the Halls with Mostly Pinecones...

2011-11-26T08:20:00.001-05:00

Well, we've given THANKS and now it's time to deck some halls with bells of holly.

We're starting today, and I wanted to show you some of the inspiration I've pulled from

good ole' PINTEREST.

I love every single inch of this picture, but the main thing I'm emulating is our tree in a big basket.

This is the look that I'm going for at our front door.

We've got pine trees surrounding us, so coming up with pinecones won't be a problem.

I've got baskets stacked in our garage that I'll toss them in.

Surely, I can find a small charlie brown Christmas tree in the woods behind our house.

I need one like they show above to shove in a basket.

I wonder if it'll be as effortless as they make it look?

doubt it.

love, love, love, love times a bajillion this look for my kitchen window.

I'm making two of these this year.

I think I'll put them on either side of our mantle, which means they'll need to be a bit smaller.

I put a framed chalkboard in our dining room, and I can't wait to add a Christmas{y} quote to it.

Melaine from MY SWEET SAVANNAH did an amazing Hot Chocolate bar last year,

and I'm soooooo copying it this year in my kitchen.

There you have it...I'll post pictures this week as we finish up!

I'm joining lots of linky parties that are being hosted out in blogland.

********************************************************************************

Before I go, we've had lots of you purchase our Family Rules Signs this month.

I wanted to remind you that we're giving 10% off orders through the end of this month.

That means there's only about 4 more days to take advantage of the savings.

You can email us at::

andrewshanelowry@gmail.com

if you are interested in having a customized sign for your sweet family.

Be sure to mention the MY SWEET SAVANNAH 10% discount.

She was generous enough to do a give away for us at the beginning of this month,

and we were excited to offer any of her readers the discount.

And, don't forget my Wayfair Give Away!!!

{thankful for}
175. breakfast at Mama's Boy this morning.
176. A visit with Andy & Danielle.
177. Christmas trees and a house surrounded by pinecones.

Thanksgiving FEAST!

2011-11-24T20:21:00.001-05:00

Add caption

My brother and his awesome family!

My niece and nephew...growing up so fast!

My sister-in-law's parents with Chris and Kate.

This was a different Thanksgiving for us.

My husband and kids traveled to South Georgia to see his family, while I stayed behind.

I haven't talked about it, but I've been having severe back issues for several months.

There wasn't any way that I could physically make the five hour drive to see Andy's family.

So, I stayed behind and spent a couple of days with my parents.

My family always has Thanksgiving at my brother's house, so I joined them this year.

Mom and I got up early and got busy making all the sides to go with the big bird!

Turtle cheesecake.

Homemade Mac-n-Cheese.

Sweet Potato Casserole.

My family's famous dressing.

We had so much fun cooking in the kitchen with one another.

I tried to take in every single moment.

I tried to pay attention to each step that my mom took in preparing the food.

I took pictures of her while she cut onions and shredded the cheddar.

I would've posted them, but she told me I better not in her best "Leanne Tuohy" voice.

Remember her from The Blind Side?

She was one tough cookie,

and my mom channeled her inner tough-girl at the thought of pictures on my blog of her in her pjs.

It's bizarre to do a post without any photos of my kids,
but I do have pictures of my brother and his family.

I love my niece and nephew like they are my own, so I loved taking pictures of them.

They're only 15 months apart and they get along so well.

{for the most part}

I also forced the grandparents to get in some pictures.

We celebrate holidays with my sister-in-law's parents because she's an only child.

They are great people, and we always enjoy being with them!!

It was a wonderful day together.

I'm as full as a TICK and ready to see my family tomorrow.

Until they return home, I'm going enjoy a few chick flicks!

Don't forget to enter to win my give away here!!

{thankful for}

167. my parents.
168. my brother and his family.
169. delicious food.
170. sweet fellowship.
171. my husband and kids returning tomorrow.
172. a back that is slowly getting better.
173. a quiet house.
174. chick flicks.

Wayfair Give Away!!

2011-11-22T15:37:00.001-05:00

CSN has a new name and a new look.

They are now called Wayfair, and they are allowing one of you a chance to win a give away.

They informed me that I could pick a few items totaling $75 and let you enter to win one of them.

It was hard to decide between the amazing toy boxes, the home decor, the bedding

and all things in between.

I finally decided that the perfect give away would be something

that none of us we normally buy for ourselves.

If you're like me, then you love beautiful bakeware & cookware.

But, there are so many things that usually get put higher up on the priority list in our budget.

It's time for the holidays, and I'd be so thrilled if one of you cooked and baked with

brand new cookware or bakeware!

Here's what you need to do::

{1} leave ONE comment telling me which one of these three items you'd like to win

and

{2} come back and leave your 2nd comment if you blog, tweet or facebook about it.

Remember to leave your email address for me if you don't blog so I can contact you when you win!

The Give Away will end in one week on November 30th!

I can't wait to see who wins!!!

Silicone Solutions 8 piece Blue Bakeware Set

T-Fal Signature Total Non-Stick Cookware Set

Revol Belle Cuisine 60 oz. Roasting Dish

Finger Lickin' Good.

2011-11-22T14:24:00.001-05:00

For the love of all things delicious and thanksgiving, this recipe will change your life.

{and your waist size}

I made this last night at dark thirty and realized at the last minute that I didn't have baking soda.

No worries...

I went next door in my pajamas and borrowed a teaspoon from my neighbor.

I'm reminded why I don't keep junk food at my house.

Everyone else in the family can stop at a handful.

Not me.

I've eaten this stuff 'til I think I might literally blow up.

Somebody stop me!!!!

Misery loves company, so I'm giving you the recipe.

If I'm going down in a blaze of thick waisted glory, so are you!

Homemade Caramel Popcorn::

I popped two batches of popcorn on the stovetop, the old fashioned way.

I used 1/2 cup kernels in each batch.

When it finished popping, I put each batch in two of those silver foiled casserole trays.

Here comes the yummy, not good for you at all, part.

In a pan on the stove top, you need to melt

2 sticks of butter.

Then, add 2 cups of brown sugar and

1/2 cup light Karo Syrup.

Bring all of this to a boil and stir constantly for three minutes.

Bring it off the heat and add 1 tsp of vanilla and 1 tsp of baking soda.

Don't worry when it starts to fizz and change consistency.

The baking soda will have a chemical reaction.

Oh, let's call this a "science experiment" so we feel better about it.

perfect...I feel better already.

Now, you pour that yummy, buttery mixture evenly over the popcorn in the two trays.

Bake at 250 degrees for one hour.

HERE'S THE TRICK.

Turn the popcorn every fifteen minutes for the hour that you bake it.

It assures that every single last piece of popcorn is covered in the caramel.

{thankful for}

164. homemade deliciousness.
165. the sound of legos turning over and over as the boys build their latest creation.
166. laundry being FINISHED, which means not only washed & dried but put away!!!

Thanksgiving.

2011-11-20T21:59:00.001-05:00

Source: Pinterest

UNexpressed gratitude is INgratitude.

~Andy Stanley

{thankful for}

153. my husband.
154. my kids.
155. my parents.
156. my brother and his family.
157. our move to Athens.
158. our wonderful church.
159. crisp weather.
160. homemade chocolate poundcake with chocolate fudge icing from mom's kitchen.
161. this house that is becoming home.
162. my friends.
163. being 98% finished with Christmas shopping.

On Mothering these kids...

2011-11-16T21:34:00.001-05:00

When I look at this picture of my kids, I can't believe how fast they are growing up.

Is it normal to love watching them grow and to cry watching them grow all at the same time?

Luke is a tween.

Seth is almost double digits.

And, Lydia is nearly five.

I wonder why moms constantly feel like they could be doing more?

Is it all moms or just certain moms, like me?

Why do I end my nights wishing I'd sat with them more?

...wishing I'd talked with them more?

...wishing I did crafts every day of the week?

...wishing I'd read just one or two more books?

...wishing I'd sat outside for a few more minutes watching them shoot hoops?

...wishing I'd dressed baby dolls for one more hour?

...wishing I'd invited them into the kitchen to help with one more meal?

My mom says that my generation worries so much more about this kind of stuff

than she and her friends ever did.

What do you think?

{thankful for}

150. hot chocolate from starbucks.

151. a mom who tells me I'm doing a great job mothering these babies that aren't babies anymore.

152. a savior who brings peace when the *try hard life* attempts to draw me in.

Fall Finds.

2011-11-14T18:10:00.001-05:00

Here are some of my fashion favorites this week from Pinterest.

I love pinning these and then going into my closet to try to put similar outfits together.

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, right?

So, after taking inventory, I'm gonna need to pick up a few things to get these looks....

a fur vest, a red plaid shirt, some leopard flats, and a cable knit navy cardigan sweater.

What about you?

What are the items that you reeeeally wanna pick up this season?

{thankful for}

147. luke's excitement over his first basketball game.

148. God's grace in parenting on difficult days.

149. brainless fall fashion on Pinterest when you need it.

Welcome In....

2011-11-10T09:46:00.001-05:00

I thought I'd show you the inside of our rental house, so today I'll start with our family room.

This house looks a lot bigger from the outside than it actually is on the inside.

We're grateful, but we've got ginormous furniture, so the family room looks even smaller.

Here's the mantle.

It's been so long since we've had one, and we're loving it!

Here's a run down on my fall decorating...

I had everything that you see except for the miniature pumpkins/gourds and the fall leaves.
It's a "use what you've got" kind of year.

To the right of the mantle is the larger sofa with our red chest behind it.

Behind the sofa, you can see the french doors that lead out onto a sunroom.

I put the shelf above the french doors with our books on top because it's the best way to store books,

if you don't have room for a bookshelf.

This is the other side of that side of the room.

The desk with my favorite pictures of my kids is directly across from the red chest.
They're sepia pictures that I had taken in Montgomery, AL when they were each just two years old.

You can also see a better shot of the shelf with books above the french doors.

Our black armoire is on the same side of the wall as the desk.

I have two of the bird prints on either side of the armoire, and I love them.

I've told you about them before, but my friend, Chad Barrett, who is a wonderful artist, made them.

You can get your prints here.

I'm not sure if I'll keep the large pillows in the basket,

but they come in handy, so for now, they're staying.

This is the other side of the room to the left of the mantle.
I love my cow painting!
I've affectionately named the cows after my dad's parents', Exie and Carl.

This vignette sits between two floor length windows.

It's the wall behind our other sofa.

So, the red chest is behind the long sofa, and this vignette is behind the smaller sofa.

I'm sure it's hard to visualize the room because it seems impossible to get a wide shot of the entire room.

But, I wanted you to see what we've done so far in our new place.

We painted the room a Benjamin Moore color.

Manchester Tan

HC-81

I'm very pleased with the color...it's a great neutral backdrop to all of my color.

{thankful for}
144. a trip to see my back specialist in Montgomery, AL yesterday.
145. a husband who took the day off to school our kids and take them for frosted oranges.
146. dinner with stephanie and her kids tonight at our house.

Contentment.

2011-11-08T08:14:00.003-05:00

This is the rental that we're going to call home for the next several years.

I'm posting it for a couple of reasons.

One.

My friend Michele wanted to be able to visualize where I'm at when we're talking on the phone.

Two.

I read a post this morning from Melissa over at The Inspired Room.

She talked about the importance of being content in life where you're at with what you've got.

There's a perfectionist that lives inside me.

She's not near as present and upfront as she used to be.

{Thank God for growth!}

But, she lurks around the corners and peers her perfect little head every once in a while.

So, I decided to show you a picture of where we're living.

Little Miss Perfect has been chirping a little louder than usual in my head,

and this is my way of quieting her down.

Here's the truth.
This house isn't going to be featured in a magazine.

The yard isn't perfectly landscaped. In fact, it's not landscaped at all.
It lacks most everything that I pin on pinterest.
But, we are thrilled to be here.

And, inside that front door, there is an indescribable peace and joy and contentment in our family.
I can live anywhere so long as I'm with these people.

We've met people in India that actually live inside a box.
Whole families who live inside boxes....
Honestly, I'm appalled that I sometimes find myself not wanting to post pictures of my home.
You know, until things are nearly perfect.
Surely, I'm not alone in this struggle.

This house is 500 katrillion times bigger than the boxes that many people in the world live in.
It has heat in the winter and air in the summer.
It has running water and toilets and showers.
I cook on a stove and sleep in a very comfortable bed.
My closet in this house is bigger than the boxes that we saw in India.

I needed to remind myself of the truth this morning....
God is a wonderful provider, and comparison comes to steal our JOY.
It is what goes on inside the walls of a house that make it a home.

{thankful for}
141. clear perspective.
142. warm beds.
143. soup and sandwiches.

Linking up HERE::

Hand-stitched, Homemade Clothing & Blog design by URBAN JANE...

2011-11-06T10:14:00.001-05:00

Tiffini from The House of Belonging is one creative soul.
She is brave and courageous and bold in her love for the Lord and her family.

She has created the most awesome unique items in her Etsy Shop.

If you order one of those a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. owl t-shirts by next Friday, November 11th,
she'll have it made and shipped to you just in time for

THANKSGIVING!

What's better than owls and homemade, stitched with love clothing?

She's also been busy creating some pre-made blog headers and buttons to sell in her shop.
Tiffini and her daughter Nikki worked hard on my blog, and I love the new look!
They were wonderful to work with...extremely patient and very determined to make sure I was pleased.
If you'd like some help making your blog beautiful, visit Tiffini at::
The House of Belonging

{thankful for}

137. Homemade items

138. A visit with Brittany & Becca from Orlando

139. A community celebration service with our church family

140. Christmas pictures being conquered this weekend.

A WINNER & A Holiday Discount!!!!

2011-11-05T15:06:00.003-04:00

The Winner of the give away that I did with The Nester last week is::

Carolyn, who was Comment # 387!!!

She said, "You are awesome Tara and so is the sign!

I have coveted it since you posted it! I would love and absolutely NEED a family rules sign for our house!!!"

I am so excited that you won, Carolyn!

Look for a message from me this weekend,

and be thinking of how you'd like to customize a sign for your precious family!!!

It was so much fun doing this give away, and I was so excited that 433 of you entered to win!

For all of you out there who might still be interested in ordering a family rules sign,

We would love to give you 10% off any order that you place

between now and the last day of November.

In order to receive the discount,

you'll need to mention the Holiday Discount when you email us to purchase the sign.
{please don't forget to mention the code because you won't be able to get the discount without it. }

Our email is:

andrewshanelowry@gmail.com
You can email us with your address and zip code to find out what shipping will cost you.

{thankful for}
132. give aways.
133. friends from Orlando visiting.
134. the sound of my children working in the front yard.
135. pizza & a delicious salad from Trans Metropolitan in downtown Athens.
136. jittery joe's coffee on a cool, crisp November morning.

The Problem with Stairs...

2011-11-03T21:32:00.004-04:00

I found this picture over on pinterest, and I pinned it as a reminder to myself.

We've got a junked up staircase problem, and for some reason,

my kids taking their stuff to their rooms when they're finished with it isn't the solution that's working.

Makes perfect sense to ME!!

This is our first time ever living in a house with a second story, and I'm here to tell you....

The staircase is the new kitchen island when it comes to being a "catch all."

We have shoes, boots, socks, blankets and books.

There are hairbows, bey blades, pencils, hats, and legos.

I could go on, but I won't.
Just know that as cute as that basket is, I'd need one on every stair to work,
and this is one of those times when too much of a good thing might not be a good thing.

Go HERE to enter to win my give away with the Nester.

{thankful for}

127. my husband returning home from a conference.
128. dinner in the crockpot.
129. Two playdates for my boys this week with other awesome boys.
130. easy christmas picture clothing shopping.
131. warm bed, comfortable pjs and favorite tv shows.

Giving Thanks with a Give Away & Nester

2011-11-01T06:30:00.000-04:00

Last year around this time, my husband and I decided to make a Family Rules sign for our home.

When we finished it, I posted it on the blog as a DIY project.

We were shocked when emails started pouring in asking if we'd sell them.

Happily, we sold our first one last February and we've been consistently selling them ever since.

I'm a word girl, and if I could, I'd plaster words in every room of our house.

Come to think of it, I think I do have them in every room of the house.

We love the idea of having the things that we value as a family ever-present in our home.

I keep telling my boys if they don't stop burping at the table, I'm gonna make a sign just for them!

It's November 1st, and I can hardly believe it.

Our hearts are so full of gratitude to God for his provision to our family.

It's been wonderful for us to have this to do together as a couple.

And, our children have seen it as a gift from God's hand.

To show our THANKS, we would love to give a family rules signs to one of you!

You will be able to customize your sign with the values that matter to your family.

You can choose between a family rules sign like the one pictured in this post

a Christmas sign like the one pictured below.

The only thing you have to do is leave a comment.

Our give away will end Saturday, November 5th, so spread the word!

In fact, to help you spread the word, blog about the give away, and you can have two entries.

If you don't have a blog, I need you to leave your email.

I'd hate it if you won and I couldn't tell you!

WANT MORE CHANCES TO WIN?

Check out the other fantabulous give aways over at Nester's Place

She's having a NEST LOAD full of give aways, and you can enter every.single.one.of.them.

*Please note that shipping is included in this give away.

For this reason, the give away is offered to US residents only.

{thankful for}
123. Great fun at Six Flags over Georgia this weekend.
124. A good night's sleep after a day of fun at Six Flags!
125. Trick or Treating with my Princess Pinkalicious & our Smarty Pants.
126. Nester letting us join her give away!!

Weekending it.

2011-10-29T16:03:00.000-04:00

These are the famous arches at UGA

downtown Athens is amazing.

this place is dangerously good.

I know he's mine, but seriously, look at those eyes.

sweet tea and two chilli dogs later...

Enjoying a frosted orange....yuck..that dirty finger is black paint and not dirt, just in case you're wondering.

No problems getting the plates clean today!

Our oldest son had basketball practice this morning, so the rest of us enjoyed downtown Athens.

I'm not gonna lie, this is one of the most awesome college towns in the South.

We walked around on North campus and about made our kids barf while we told them how we met.

..for the one hundreth time.

When we picked Luke up from practice, we headed to eat at The Varsity.

This place is kind of a "monument" in Athens...the food is perfectly and deliciously greasy.

They are known for their frosted orange's and their chilli cheese dogs.

I managed to get down two of those dogs.

I don't think I need to wonder why I can't ever lose those stubborn few pounds.

Two chilli cheese dogs...GEEZ LOUISE.

We're heading to watch the UGA/FL game with some friends...
I'm going to refrain from talking smack about the Florida Gators, but oh, how I hope we win!
GOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!

This is my idea of the perfect Fall day.

What is your weekend looking like?

{thankful for}

118. downtown Athens.
119. chilli cheese dogs from The Varsity.
120. colorful trees lining the streets.
121. weekends.
122. My new 50mm lens...LOVE IT!

Finding Balance.

2011-10-28T21:31:00.002-04:00

Source: Pinterest.

Basketball.

Piano Lessons.

Cheerleading.

Cooking lessons.

Soccer.

All State Chorus.

Band.

Horseback Riding lessons.

Violin.

Football.

Gymnastics.

Softball.

Track & field.

Pottery.

Tap & Ballet.

Guitar lessons.

Ministry opportunities at Church.

Art Lessons.

Voice Lessons.

Wrestling.

Cross Country.

Does it ever blow your mind how many extra curricular activities are available to our kids?

It.blows.my.mind.

We live in an EXPERIENCE RICH culture, and often it's to the demise of families.

It's so hard to find the balance between giving our kids great experiences
and investing time into our relationships.
There are families who seem to do hectic schedules well, but not us.
Our family needs time together.

We want our kids to experience things but not just for the sake of being busy.
We want to eat together as a family.
We want to have time to discuss our highs and lows together.
We don't want to spend more time going to and from than we do at home.
And, we also want to invest in other people around us.
We want to do life with my brother and his family and my parents.
We want to be intentional about spending time with dear friends.
The only way to assure that we invest in our relationships with one another and others
is to limit our kids involvement in every activity that comes our way to take part in.

It is vital that our kids understand the importance of serving others and loving others well.

We want them to witness life in other parts of the world.

We want them to have a biblical worldview.

They need to understand that life in the world doesn't look like life in America.

We don't want them to think that service is only for adults.

Thankfully, our church values this, too.

We value our kids learning different sports.

We've got two boys who are on the brink of the tween-teen years.

Let's just be honest, they need to be burning off some of that energy.

Being on a team and learning how to work with others is key in life.

It's good to value the strengths & talents of their team members.
The discipline that it takes to show up for each practice and work hard produces good character.

We value our kids participating in fine arts.

We would like for them to learn to play various instruments.

We love the idea of their minds being stretched and their creativity being ignited.

It's important to expose them to things that they are interested in...

Knitting, Drawing, Sewing, Pottery, Painting, Cooking, etc...

These are all great things for our kids to experience, but they aren't the most important.
Our relationships are the most important,
and we have to be intentional about the time we invest in one another and others around us.

{thankful for}

114. dinner and dessert with my parents around our dining room table.
115. time spent reading Charlotte's Web with Lydia.
116. a phone call with my friend, Patricia.
117. a renewed vision of what's the most important.

What Matters Most.

2011-10-27T08:53:00.000-04:00

Source: Pinterest

I know it's lame of me to put this out there, but I'm sure that I'm not the only one.

Maybe someone other than me needs this reminder today...

We were created for relationships, and people don't come to your house to see your house.

They come to your house to see YOU and your family.

They don't care if everything has a place.

It doesn't matter if you have take out food for them or a gourmet meal.

So what if you serve them sweet tea in solo cups and have them wipe their mouths with paper napkins?

Our small group from church is coming over tonight.

We met about 8 weeks ago when the group started.

In other words, we are just getting to know one another.

There are seven couples in the group, and everyone but us has hosted.

We're the facilitators of the group, so I'm bummed that we're just getting a chance to host,

but, we've been in the middle of moving, so this is the first chance we've had to do it.

We've lived in this house for about three weeks, and we've worked our cans off to try to make it ours.

It's really hard to make something yours when it's not.

We're renting, remember?

We've painted every room, except for the laundry room, the sunroom and the dining room ceiling.

We've added faux wood blinds to all the windows.

And, we've exchanged a Winnie the Pooh light fixture in the FAMILY ROOM with a ceiling fan.

Yes. You read that right.

The Laundry room is white, the sunroom is coral pink and the dining room ceiling is BLUE.

They're all getting a fresh coat of paint just as soon as we can possibly do it.

But, it won't be done before our small group arrives tonight.

The kitchen cabinets are old and dated, and I'm almost positive that they aren't even wood.

The same goes for the bathroom cabinets.

Our temptation is to worry about things that don't matter at all when we share our home with others.

I'm glad that we aren't waiting until every single thing is done before we have people over.

But, I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that I've had to tell myself a few times this week
that the house isn't what's important.

It's the relationships, the very real friendships, that are being cultivated that matter most.

{thankful for}

111. A home to live in.

112. New friendships in our small group.
113. And, honestly, a new ceiling fan to replace that Winnie the Pooh light fixture.

Details make all the Difference.

2011-10-25T21:40:00.000-04:00

Source: Pinterest

I'm looking around at my lamp shades, and they aren't near as interesting as this one!

I'm a words girl, so this makes all the sense in the world to me.
Are any of you out there seriously questioning writing on a lampshade?

I don't know what I'll write, but I'm going for it!

{thankful for}

107. dinner with new friends.
108. forts in the backyard.
109. written words and spoken words.
110. out of the box decorating ideas on Pinterest.

Family Rules Give Away at My Sweet Savannah

2011-10-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

I love Fall and I want to celebrate it with a give away.

Melaine over at MY SWEET SAVANNAH has been gracious enough to host it for me!

Go visit her and leave a comment to win one of our Family Rules Signs.

She'll give you the details so head over her way now!

{thankful for}

103. the message of Grace and truth at our church this weekend.

104. Freshly painted bathrooms that are finally complete.

105. 2nd cups of coffee.

106. quality time with my middle child.

Fall in all its Glory

2011-10-22T22:44:00.000-04:00

We got back this afternoon from a wonderful staff/spouse retreat on Lake Rabun.

The weather was perfectly Fall.

We ate delicious food and had the sweetest fellowship.

I can't describe how wonderful it is to be here serving in this city with these people.

I don't remember not being here, and I'm thankful to God for this opportunity.

{thankful for}

98. new friendships with people that are as authentic as they come.
99. parents who kept our kids so that we could "retreat" this weekend.
100. kids who welcomed us home with bear hugs.
101. time with my husband.
102. this time and this place.

Fall Gourd Tutorial

2011-10-20T14:26:00.000-04:00

This is a really easy Fall craft that you can do for your home.

The sweet lady that lived next door to us years ago made mine for me, and I love it.

I've made several for friends over the years because they are so incredibly easy to make.

You need to either buy a gourd that is already dried out or buy one and dry it out.

I'm lucky enough to have a farmer's market that sells them already done.

There is a great site HERE that tells you how to do it if you need to.

I clean the gourds with a damp cloth and then put the monogram on with a sharpie marker.

You could paint it on if you want to, but the sharpie marker works great and dries immediately.

After you get the monogram finished, you use a spray can of polyurethane to spray it all over.

Easy as can be!

Happy Fall Crafting!!!

Twenty Years Later...

2011-10-16T13:28:00.001-04:00

1991

2011

I'd say 60 of the 309 people in our class showed up.

I've known these ~~boys~~ men nearly all of my life!

He literally hasn't changed NOT ONE BIT in twenty years.

Every song from the late eighties was playing last night at our twenty year class reunion.

Let me tell you...they don't make music like that anymore.

A couple of the slow songs they played brought back memories of Friday Night Dedications.

Ever heard of those?

Every single Friday night, the local radio station let you dedicate songs.

Every teenager in the town gathered late on Friday nights and glued their ears to WCON.

There wasn't a soul that didn't want to be loved enough to have a song dedicated to them.

Do big cities have this kind of awesomeness?

We all grew up together...some of us knowing each other since Kindergarten.

We're from a small town...

the one high school, two junior high schools, everybody knows everybody kind of town.

I'd say most people never leave, or if they do, they find their way back home after a while.

You don't go grocery shopping or to Walmart without seeing ten people you know.

And, everybody goes out to the high school on Friday nights to see the local football game.

Friday Night Lights in all it's glory.

I wouldn't trade growing up in a small town for anything in the world.

I spent most every single weekend with these people.

Small town life on the weekends is a little bit hilarious now that I'm looking back on it.

The most exciting thing we really ever did was roll yards.

If we were really feeling wild, we'd spoon and fork the yard, too.

Where have the years gone?

In some ways, it's as if no time has passed and in MORE ways, it's as if a lifetime has gone by.

You think you know each other because you spent half your life together.

But the truth is, most of us are completely out of touch with one another's present reality.

We're all the same people, except not really.

We re-told twenty year old stories together for as long as we could, while laughing hysterically.

Then, we asked about marriage, kids and work before calling it a night and bidding farewell.

I'm glad I went.

It's good to spend a little while remembering your roots.

All of it, by God's grace, makes you who you are today.

{thankful for}
92. twenty year old stories.
93. memories of growing up in my small town.
94. laughing with old friends.
95. the home cooked meal at my parents house tonight.
96. neighbor kids from Orlando staying with us this weekend.
97. the family I came home to last night after my reunion.

A Bike Riding Super Star.

2011-10-14T21:19:00.001-04:00

I can hardly believe that she's learned to ride her bike without training wheels.

Her daddy took them off a few weeks ago because she decided she was ready.

But, it wasn't until last Friday that she took off full speed a head with no one running behind her.

She made up her mind to do it and she did!

I went outside when she wasn't looking and snapped a few pictures of her having a blast all by herself.

When she finally noticed me, she came at me as fast as she could...so brave!

I'm totally celebrating that our baby girl is not so much a baby anymore and has completed a milestone.

But, I'd by lying if I said I wasn't just a little sad.

The last one to learn to ride a bike.....

She literally goes outside every other half hour to practice her skills.
Be still my heart.

{thankful for}
88. my girl setting her mind to learn something new and doing it.
89. the kids that lived next door to us in Orlando visiting with my kids this weekend.
90. my husband getting to camp with his buddy tonight...boy time at its best.
91. the hilarious episode of Modern Family that I'm just now watching from this week.

Adding Fall touches...

2011-10-12T16:06:00.001-04:00

I bought some miniature pumpkins & gourds for the dough bowl on our barn table in the kitchen.

Remember when I showed you this picture that I copied from Pinterest?

The hay kind of makes it.

I brought my favorite orange owl out and put him on my grandmother's old singer sewing machine.

We have this in our kitchen under the open shelves that hold all of the white dishes.

I'll show you a picture of the whole wall later....

Max is enjoying his afternoon nap on the cozy throw that finds its home on the sofa.

I'm not sure what kind of "FALL TOUCH" this picture is, but it kind of works.

Okay, I just love my dog so much it hurts, and I look for excuses to show him to you.

I added Indian corn, hay and fall leaves and the big gourd

to my extra large dough bowl on the sideboard in the dining room.

We used to live next to the sweetest lady in my hometown, and she made that gourd for me.

I ended up making a few for some friends, and they're really easy.

I'll try to remember to do a post on that project in the next few days....

This was also an idea that I got from Pinterest.

I loved the idea of putting a small pumpkin on each place setting in the dining room.

I am loving the bright orange up against the soft blue plates!

This has turned out to be one of my favorite nooks in the rental house.

The desk has always been in my daughter's room,

but it doesn't fit in this house, so it's now in our family room.

I added the basket underneath with a quilt that my grandmother made us for our wedding.

Baskets and blankets kind of scream FALL to me.

This is just a close up of the basket and the blanket.

True story...

When we first got married, we pulled the blanket out to snuggle under it,

and we got stuck with all the hundreds of pins that my sweet grandmother forgot to take out.

It was hilarious.

Now that she is gone, this blanket means so much to me.

I love knowing that she hand stitched the whole thing just for us.

Can you tell that I love Indian corn?

These are my small attempts at adding fall around the house in the midst of this crazy move.
I'm not the only one adding touches...
God is showing up in his creation all around me!
As I type this post, I'm staring at the most glorious tree in my front yard,
and it's dripping with orange and yellow and red leaves.

{thankful for}

84. colorful trees.
85. chilly weather.
86. the crab cake recipe from Pinterest that I'm cooking tonight.
87. our family devotion this morning.

fashion and family jewels.

2011-10-11T22:24:00.000-04:00

I'm laying in the bed watching Gene Simmons Family Jewels while I check out fashion on Pinterest.

You know him, right?

He's the one with the freakishly long tongue in the rock band, KISS.

I love to hear someone's journey...the stories that make them who they are.

I gotta tell you, I love his story.

When you hear it, who he is kind of makes more sense.

"Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

~author unknown.

{thankful for}
79. the bright yellow leaves on the tree outside my bedroom window.
80. a husband who paints the kitchen while I'm gone.
81. a doctor in Montgomery who is helping me with my chronic pain.
82. kids having nerf gun wars and laughing until they nearly die from it.
83. a dog who thinks he is one of the kids.

Soup Weather is Awesome

2011-10-08T16:49:00.000-04:00

I've got a big crock pot full of White Chicken Chili simmering.

The pumpkin spice candle is burning.

Touches of Fall are being added all over the house.

The leaves are turning and there's a cool breeze in the air.

My favorite season is arriving!

My parents are on the way to our house with our middle son, Seth.

My parents wanted to start letting my kids take turns spending a couple of nights with them.

They love having all of them at once when they feel up for the craziness,

but this will give them some quality time with each kid.

Seth got to sleep late, have a big breakfast, work on the land with Papa and go to a movie with Nana.

I'd say that's quality time!!!

Can I say again that we are SO glad to be back in Georgia?

{thankful for}

73. easy meals in the crock pot.
74. time around the table with family.
75. clean windows, inside and out.
76. Honey Crisp apples from Trader Joes.
77. more boxes unpacked.
78. shopping with Stephanie.

let's talk pins and such.

2011-10-05T22:41:00.001-04:00

Centsational Girl

I had these high hopes of following the crowds and doing the 31 days of posts.

I was going to do 31 days of making a rental house your own home.

Except, we moved into our rental just last weekend.

And, it was PURE craziness.

If you know us at all, then you know that we didn't stop until the house was 90% put together.

Let's just say, we have fallen into bed every night.

The other 10% seems completely overwhelming, but we're getting there one box at a time.

The good news is, the rental house is looking more like us.

The bad news is, I didn't get my act together to join the 31 days of blogging about it.

But, I have managed to add some Fall touches to the house, believe it or not.

If I can ever find my other nikon lens, I'll show you pictures of the place.

*I really need to find that lens*

In the meantime, I'm going to attempt some of the awesome DIY projects in the pictures above.

{thankful for}

68. a sweet visit with my parents today.

69. a new washer & dryer.

70. lessons that we're learning while living in a rental.

71. wonderful sleep in our own beds.

72. Our kids, who are adjusting so beautifully to all the changes.

Nester's Fall Mantle and BHG.

2011-09-27T10:52:00.004-04:00

Have you seen Nester's FALL MANTLE?

This is what hers looks like this year, and I love it.

The pops of orange MAKE it, and I'm not just saying that because orange is awesome.

Anyway, last year when she had her FANTLE PARTY, I linked up my version of our mantle.

We actually didn't have a mantle in Orlando, so I decorated my dining room sideboard instead.

Better Homes & Gardens contacted me over the summer in an email.

They wanted to know if they could use my pictures in their "decorating for fall ideas" on their website.

I said YES and hit SEND on that email in 2.3 seconds.

Anyway, if you visit BHG you can see lots of ideas for "FALLIFYING" your mantles this year.

I'm excited that our rental has a fireplace and a mantle, and I can't wait to cozy it up this weekend.

Here are a few of my favorites from the pictures over at BHG.

After looking at them compared to the picture they have of my sideboard,
one thing is for SURE...
I'm adding color!!!

...Because ORANGE IS AWESOME.

Centsational Girl

Emily Allison

Laura Putnam

{thankful for}
64. legos being one of my kids favorite things.
65. crock pot meals.
66. silk french vanilla creamer to go with my coffee.
67. the color orange.

The picture and the post go together, I promise.

2011-09-26T22:21:00.002-04:00

Okay. I've got some major updates to give you.

Our house sold.

It took about two weeks at the super-duper low, low, low, price that we reduced it to.

Imagine me screaming YIPPEE in my best Jessie the cowgirl voice.

Bitter-sweet.

Love that it sold..Hate that we lost all of our equity.

But, totally trusting God.

He is such a wonderful provider.

For real.

So, remember, we've been living in another family's house for the past 5 weeks.

We are totally inspired by this sweet family and their generosity.

Their openness to share their home has been contagious in our hearts.

Kingdom Living at it's best.

But, we're ready to...

sit on our sofas.

eat on our dishes.

play our boardgames.

get our clothes out of our closets.

eat dinner at our kitchen table.
watch tv again.

We found a rental house that we are moving into on Friday.
We're painting every night this week so that we can be finished by move in day.
We're covering up the...
pink living room.
two shades of orange dining room.
yellow kitchen.
mint green half bath.
bright yellow master bedroom & bathroom.
darker mint green kids bathroom.
pink kids bedroom with teal green trim.
white kids bedroom with a huge purple wave around the center of the room.
{purple wave that was painted with puff paint, and I'm not kidding.}
My motto.
"Too much of a good thing is not a good thing!"
This house has way too much color.
So, out with the color and in with the neutral.
Clean and crisp works for me.

I look forward to showing you pictures of the before and afters.
I'm determined to enjoy renting.

Oh! The picture in the post....
I am sooooooo adding collections of things to the tops of my armoirs.
Love that look.
It feels warm and cozy and inviting.

If you want to see how others have added some warm and cozy to their homes,
go here and here.

{thankful for}
60. a husband that leaves work to go paint a rental house.
61. watching my kids have a dance party with Stephanie's kids.
62. sleeping children.
63. supplements that are making me feel better.