time is on my side

Today I want to quiet that nagging voice inside of me.  The one that tells me it's already too late.  She's growing up too fast.  The direction of your life is set and will not change.  You will not see or impact the world.  And you'll never own a green kitchen-aid mixer.

Maybe I won't.  But I don't care.

As for me and my house, and my family, and in my role as a wife and believer in the body of Christ:  we will serve the Lord.  It might mean doing the same things we've always done, just in a different way.  And it might just mean we are called to the ends of the earth, or to Laurens County, although I can't say for sure which is scarier.

My time is not my own, and I'm determined that we will not settle for anything less that the great plans that God has for us.  Because this is not my home, and one day I will walk with the Lord in the land of the living.

Amen and amen.

what a stroll through Target can do for the soul

This is literally the story of my life.  Approximately 3 times a week, I feel the need to get out of the house so I go walk around Target.  I put no less than 34 items in my cart, only to realize I can live without them, and I do some soul searching and talking to myself.

Occasionally, I catch Piper's eye in the cart.  She let's out a small giggle, I lean down to give her a big smooch, and then I see this.

I instantly forget how good I have it, because I absolutely have to have those delightful tree prints and those delicious, lime vases.  I literally have to have them.  It's life or death.

And the space would be nothing without that glass bulb lamp and burlap shade.  How have we lived without until now.  Not to mention, I will simply die if I don't have a mustard colored hound's tooth throw on my couch.  It must be mustard colored.  And it must be hound's tooth.

And then I catch Piper's eye again.  This time she gives me a look.  She may not know what she's thinking, but I sure do.

While it's fun to look and mentally re-decorate every room in our house, if I'm not careful I'm coveting things I don't need.  Or I'm wasting the resources that God has given me.

Truth be told, today I almost came away with a pair of clearanced gold loafers.  The one item that would complete my wardrobe.  That is, until I discovered the next item that will complete my wardrobe.

A stroll through Target soothes my soul.  I gather my thoughts, and believe it or not, realize how incredibly blessed we are.  I get to meet people, via the giggles and antics of my sweet little girl, and sometimes I almost convince myself of a genuine need for metallic gorilla piggy banks.  Sometimes.

P.S.  I'm kinda kicking myself over leaving without those loafers.  They really were a good deal.

Bed Head

Approximately 99.9% of the time, we wake up to smiles and giggles from this little.  And occasionally, we wake up to smiles and giggles and mohawks!

 

Have you ever seen anyone rock the morning locks quite so adorably!?  Let's just say that I don't look this happy or attractive first thing...

my hero and our labor day weekend

Isn't it amazing how just one extra day without obligations, without schedules, and with Daddy at home to relax and play can lift our spirits and feel like heaven on earth!?

Our long weekend has been busy.  We've been going and going.  And Piper is in the middle of her first proper nap in days.  I tell you what.  That kid is resilient, and flexible, and all kinds of adorable and wonderful.  She truly is a blessing to us, and we hear often about her easy-going temperament.

It is said temperament that gives us freedom to fellowship with friends and family, and be involved in the body of Christ, and to feel safe to take her to the weddings of people in our lives.  (Just for clarification:  We are not those rude parents that bring their screaming babies into wedding ceremonies, serving to dash any hopes that the parents of the bride and groom have about future grandchildren.  Zach drove around while the little one slept through the ceremony, and they came for the party.)

Photo credits go to Christi Dean on this one.  She is a wonderfully talented, budding photographer who took part in photographing our wedding, my bridal portraits, our maternity portraits, and our future family photos...and she is my hero!  Not only is my kid smiling and does this picture remain in focus, I am absolutely melting over the look that her dad is giving her in this one.  Check her out.

As for this weekend, we are about ready to stick a fork in it.  But not before we put in a movie and settle in for a rainy afternoon and night.  Happy Labor Day, indeed.