Currently...

I'm at Barnes & Noble for a little "me" time.

I haven't done this in years.  If feels good.

Starbucks + computer + good book + searching the internet for a new cookie recipe = good

I just left the hospital.  A good trip to the hospital   I was able to hold a baby just over 24 hours old and love on his parents.

While I was there I got to hug my cousin's neck who works on the 5th floor.  It was good to see her smiling face.

We have plans to walk up to the pumpkin patch tonight.  Then grill pizzas on the deck.

Tomorrow we spend the day with friends tailgating and football gaming.

 Sunday we have the privilege of hearing our pastor preach.

Life is good.  Our time here on earth is good.  I do not know what the next moment here will bring but I know one thing, the Lord is in control.  He is control of all of the good in my life and all of the bad.  I will rest in His embrace.  Thankful for the good and seeking His Truth in the bad. 

Happy Friday friends.  

This is the day the Lord has made.  I will REJOICE in it and be GLAD.

They think I'm funny

They think I'm funny and that is all that matters.  I'm joining Emily today and Embracing the Camera with my two little pretties.

Sing like never before

Bless the Lord oh my soul.  Oh my soul.  Worship His holy name.  Sing like never before. Oh my soul. I'll worship Your holy name.

I can't get this song out of my head.  In a really good way.

I just returned from The Influence Conference.  Talk about Oh my Soul!  It was just what my soul needed.  It was the perfect combination of girlfriends and Jesus! Ya know what I mean??!!

I plan on doing a series to document all the wonderful words I was able to soak up.  Smart, Graceful women like Emily, Jami, Sarah, Jessie, Hayley and Jessica just to name a few.

I was reminded I am commanded to tell His story.  I am commanded to do it all the while not letting anything or anyone get in the way of me and the cross.  I'm praying for His direction.  I'm praying for His guidance as I figure out what that means for me and the blog.

All I know is one thing.... I will sing like never before.  I'll worship His holy name.

A Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta

We celebrate 3 birthdays during the summer.  You can pretty much bank that I serve this bow tie pasta at almost every gathering! It pairs magically with all types of party food.  Cold fresh pasta in the summer is a fan favorite!  Thanks, Erin, for passing along the recipe many years ago!

Bow Tie Pasta

8 oz Bow Tie pasta, cooked

1/2 cup green pepper, diced

1/2 cup red pepper, diced

1/3 cup feta

1/3 cup celery, chopped

1/2 cup kalamata olives, quartered

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Dressing:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1 green onion, chopped

1 or 2 garlic cloves minced

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Whisk all dressing ingredients until blended, yield about 1 cup

Toss all ingredients with about 1/2 cup dressing.  Refrigerate over night.  You might need to add more dressing after the pasta sits for awhile.

Enjoy!

It's FRIDAY!

Bathing cute girls outside at the beach

First ever movie night on a pallet

Discovering this Gem of a picture.  That's my hubby in the Hulk Mania tank circa 1998.  SWOON

                               

Finalizing travel plans for next month.  The Influence Conference!

Spending time with this amazing couple.  Newly Engaged and loving life!  I know God has wonderful adventures planned for them.  We are over joyed to welcome Laura into the fam!  

Happy Friday!

Influence: Pre-Conference Meet & Greet

This October I will be attending the Influence Conference.  I am super excited to gather with a large group of women and celebrate the Influence we have.  This pretty much sums it up...

If you’ve ever wondered how or why the Lord was going to use you in your home, work, community, or online – Influence is a fantastic place to connect and learn. We believe that God has given you influence right where you are, for one purpose: to make much of Him. At Influence we’re going to dig into the common thread of all of us – the Good News. We plan on doing a little teaching, talking, sharing, and celebrating concerning the ways He might want to use you on the individual platforms He’s given.

I can't wait!!!

So today I am participating in a little Meet & Greet with other attendees.  Nothing better than a linky party to get me back into blogging!

It’s for any of y’all that have a ticket and are planning to attend the Influence Conference.
Here’s how it works:

1. Write a quick blog post answering with the following prompts:

• 3 get-to-know-me things
• 2 things I’m looking forward to about the conference
• 1 thing I can’t leave home without

2. Link up below with an image of you and a link to your post.

3. Visit the link of the person before you (and more girls, too, if you like!), and leave a comment introducing yourself.

3 get-to-know-me things:
1. I have two little girls, 11 months apart.  Yes, they are adorable.  Yes, they are super close in age.  Yes, my house is always messy and chaotic. They help shape me but they don't define me.
2. I am the Best of me when at the beach.
3. I could live on peanut butter and jelly.  Unfortunately, my husband can't and I want healthier choices for my kids... sigh....  Good thing I love to cook!

2 things I’m looking forward to about the conference:
1. Hanging out with a bunch of like minded women... That I only know via internet!  I can't wait to meet in person.
2. An awesome road trip with Constant in Chaos.  A chance to connect before the conference even begins!

1 thing I can’t leave home without:
1. Hair Ties.  As much as I would love to wear my hair down - By the end of the day it is up!

High Five for Friday!

I can't believe a week as flown by this fast!  Here is what we have been up to...

1. We celebrated a birthday with good friends and awesome food.  I think these boys became friends before the first episode of ALF.  Thankfully, they have become some of my best friends too!

(can't find the picture of the three of them... Will add once found)

2. This is how my house looks almost every night before bedtime. We are working on our "pick up" skills.

3. This sweet baby has started CRAWLING and BABBLING!!  She is such an added blessing to our lives.

4.  This sweet baby has flipped a switch on sleeping.  As in OFF.  As in I drink more coffee than usual these days.  Her attitude is reflecting this lack of sleep.  I must admit, I am loving the extra cuddle time.  I feel guilty saying, but she is the highlight and the low-light most of my days.

5.  The High is 84 today.  This is what I will be wearing.  Enough Said.

Happy Friday my dear friends.  Check me out next week.  We are starting a PURGE!!! You won't want to miss:)

High Five For Friday!

I'm linking up today with Lauren for High Five For Friday.

Here are five of my favorite things from this past week.

1. My Super Duper Comfy slippers.  They keep my feet warm during the cold days of winter and are perfect for taking the dog outside.

via 

2.  Creamy Smoked Whipped Rutabaga. I made this last night to go with our Dijon Pork Cutlets and a simple salad.  So good!

via

3.  Discovering that SPANX makes swim suits.    Unfortunately, I didn't make it in time to get this one on sale. I'm thinking I will start saving my pennies to buy anyway.  This summer I think we will be at the pool A LOT and I will be chasing after two sweet little girls.  I think this will be the perfect stylish, practical, slim fitting option!

via

4.  31 Days of Faith was released this week.  I can't wait to DIVE into this ebook over coffee on Saturday morning:)  Learn all about the book here.  You can check out the author's blog here.  Did I mention the ebook is only $3.99!!!

via

5.  Christmas Blend Coffee from Fresh Market.  We stocked up during the post holiday sale.  I am working on my last cup as we speak.  I am trying to savor every last sip!  I love this flavor.  I'm not sure how tomorrow morning is going to go without it! 

A little blogger Tip!

Just the other day I was trying to figure out how to reply back to a comment via email.  This explains why I could not... I thought I would pass along my newly discovered tip!

How to Avoid "No-Reply" Comments in Blogger

In No Particular Order

This little girl provides me so much JOY and yet so much FRUSTRATION.. Can you say TERRIBLE TWO's!!!

I made her V-Day cards.  Idea from here.  I let her choose which animal she wanted to give to her friends.  We video taped it, but I am lazy and haven't uploaded the video yet for you to see (mom).  They turned out so cute!! I stole borrowed the photo from Modern Parents Messy Kids, but I promise mine turned out just like it!!  I am very proud of my typically non crafty self.  Once again I am lazy and haven't uploaded my own picture to show you my creation.

I haven't bought my sweet, always forgiving, handsome boyfriend a gift for heart day.  I tried to print out a DIY card, but the printer keeps telling me there is a paper jam - I can't find it!!!

I'm happy the paper jam mystery occurred after I printed out all of the Valentine Day cards.  That typically IS NOT my luck.

I keep finding things I WANT to buy for MYSELF today. I need to focus on hubby.  Such a bad wife.

We are staying in tonight to celebrate love.  Cooking Steak.  I secretly want to get take out and not have dishes to clean, but I am afraid to hurt hubby's feelings and tell him that.  Especially because I have no gift or card!

I can't wait until Nell is a little older and we can all dress like this.  I LOVE those simple blue sandals and sweet floral dress:)

I love when children take long naps and I can blog, drink coffee and listen to the TODAY show in the background.

I am so madly deeply IN LOVE with this MAN OF GOD.

The End.

Good Stuff

Talk about a show stopper!  Did anyone else watch this commercial last night during the Grammy's?  We are in the beginning stages of becoming a cleaner eating family (more to come later on that).  This commercial really lays it all out there.  I don't normally eat at Chipotle, but I will now!  Happy Monday Friends:)

Yapping Away

This girl loves to talk on the phone!  Happy Wednesday Friends:)

My prayer today comes from Proverbs 31:26

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue"

Toes

After a CRAZY morning I am finally taking a deep breath.  Two fudge cookies, blog stalking and Zac Brown Band station on Pandora.  "Toes" by ZBB just came on and I have been transported to a different time.  Wishing the song will last all day.  I'm ready for my biggest worry to be the tide hitting my chair!  My good friend said it best "Mondays are hard apparently for everyone - working or stay at home moms".  Praying afternoon naps last long enough for me to get a tan as I day dream:)  

How do you "escape" your Monday blues??

Thoughts on Love

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails..." 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

With Valentines Day quickly approaching I have been speaking and praying these words over Big Sister and Little Sister.  

I am struck with two thoughts:

1. God loves us A LOT

2. I do not show TRUE LOVE enough!

God is the perfect example of TRUE LOVE.  

Now re-read the verses, but this time replace "Love" with "God".  It reads like this:

God is patient, God is kind.  He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud.  He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs.  God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  God never fails.

Can you say WOH-AH!  Our pastor showed this to our church last year.  It struck me then, but over the past few days it has hit me hard.  Like a smack on the back of my head, hard.  God is all of those things.  ALL OF THE TIME! 

I fail at True Love way too much!  If I am honest, I, 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love, strangers more than my family and close friends.  I am so guilty and ashamed of that truth.  How can I be teaching my children TRUE LOVE by only my words.  They need to see TRUE LOVE in  my actions too! What if my neighbors saw that TRUE LOVE?  What if Big Sister's friends at school saw that TRUE LOVE? gasp!  I would be a better witness.  I could open conversation doors.  I could get off my scared booty and share the TRUE LOVE of Christ with words and actions.

OR What if I just showed my hubby more TRUE LOVE.  What if I wasn't quick to anger, or didn't tally up wrongs.  What if I showed my children more patience, more protection from evil, more hope? What if...

So, I am officially making it public - I am going to show, think, speak and be TRUE LOVE, to my HUSBAND, to my CHILDREN, to my PARENTS, to my SISTER, to my FAMILY, to my FRIENDS, to my NEIGHBORS, to STRANGERS.

Over the years I have learned how best to accomplish a goal.  I must start small.  Let it become habit, then grow the habit to other areas of my life. 

I will continue to teach and pray these verses over my children, but they will also learn from my actions.  They will see me treat their father with more TRUE LOVE they will see me be more patient with their sinful nature. I have no doubt our marriage/family needs me to show more TRUE LOVE and less EMILY LOVE - AMEN!!!  Hubby never reads this blog, so I will be interested to see if he starts to see a difference.  I hope so.

Is there an area in your life that you can show more TRUE LOVE?  With your husband? With your children? Maybe you are the opposite of me and you need to show TRUE LOVE to a stranger.  I encourage you to start small and let the goal become habit!

Christmas Card Picture 2011

Hope Everyone had a Very Merry Christmas!