A Very Happy Birthday

See that cute gal in the picture down there? That's my good friend Lindsay, and today is her birthday. So head on over here and wish her a very happy one.

Happy Birthday Lindsay! I'm incredibly thankful for your friendship. Love you!

What I Love Wednesday: Crazy Love

I just started reading this book for the third time. 

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan. I love this book because it stretches me and challenges me. It pushes me beyond my comfort zone, and encourages me to live the life God called me to live. To give to others, to do for others, even to the point where it's uncomfortable. It's a difficult book to read, but in the best way. Here are a few excerpts from the book, things I either highlighted or wrote down while reading it the first couple of times...

"We have only our two-fifths-of-a-second-long scene to live. I don't know about you, but I want my two-fifths of a second to be about making much of God"

"The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His. It is His movie, His world, His gift"

"I believe He wants us to be know for giving - of our time, our money, our abilities - and to start a movement of "giving" churches. In so doing, we can alleviate the suffering in the world and change the reputation of His bride in America"

"But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through" 

"Are we in love with God, or just His stuff? ...what a beautiful gift it is to have the one you love look you in the eye and say, "I love you. Not your beauty, your money, your family, or your car. Just you." Can you say that to God? Do you love this God who is everything, or do you just love everything He gives you?" 

I could go on and on and on, because honestly, this entire book spoke to me in a big way. I strongly encourage you, if you are looking for a book to read, READ THIS BOOK! You absolutely will not be sorry. Challenged like never before, yes. But never sorry. 

This post is linked to Lollipops Cards "What I Love Wednesday" 

50 Things

I got this idea from my sweet blog friend Caroline. For her 100th blog post, she shared 100 things about herself. I loved the idea, so I thought I would do the same, only for my 50th blog post. So, here are 50 things you may or may not know about me...

1) I spent 3 months in Guatemala doing missions work when I was 19.
2) I've also been to Romania, Belize & London
3) I used to have my eyebrow pierced.
4) I graduated from Nursing school.
5) I never worked a single day as a Nurse.
6) I am 31 years old.
7) My birthday is June 16th (which happens to also be Caroline's b-day :)
8) My anniversary is December 18th.
9) I'm a total coffee addict (but I bet you all already knew that).
10) Before we had kids, my husband & I spent a lot of weekends backpacking.
11) We dream of one day hiking the Appalachian Trail.
12) I'm terrified of heights. Terrified.
13) I love to read.
14) The last book I read was "Same Kind of Different as Me". I cried like a baby.
15) I am currently reading "Permission to Speak Freely" by Anne Jackson.
16) I have 3 siblings. Two sisters, ages 33 & 25 and a 17 yr. old brother.
17) My children call my Dad "Grandpa Lion". I know this isn't technically about me, but it's cute. We have no idea how this started, but we love it.
18) I was homeschooled on and off until high school, when I decided I wanted to go back to public school.
19) I love music and really belt it out in the car, but no one in my family has ever heard me sing.
20) When I do sing in the car, my 3 year old says, "no no no no no! Stop singing Mommy!". That is why my family has never heard me sing.
21) I hate cold weather. Once Christmas has come & gone, I'm over it.
22) I tend to be outspoken & short tempered. Both of these things get me in trouble.
23) I talk to my mom on the phone every day. I really like her :)
24) I'm originally from Jacksonville, FL
25) No, that is not why we named our son Jackson. Yes, we have been asked that question.
26) I hate (and am really terrible at) math.
27) When I was little I wanted to be a lawyer when I "grew up". My parents said it was because I liked to argue so much. Whatever ;)
28) I'm a sucker for reality TV
29) I've never smoked anything. Not even a cigarette. Seriously. I think it's nasty.
30) I don't like Oreos. I included this because apparently this is an unbelievable fact :)
31) I really hate doing laundry. My sweet husband does most of the laundry at our house.
32) I'm a stay at home mommy, but I also work a couple evenings a week for a friend of ours who is a contractor. Office work. Not construction work ;)
33) I'm 2 1/2 years older than my husband
34) I used to have short hair. Like, really short.
35) My favorite TV show is Parenthood. I think it is one of the best shows ever.
36) I'm really tall
37) I hate to exercise
38) I love food
39) The above two are not a good combination, and are causing me to always be mad at myself for not making healthier choices
40) I'm a bit of a neat freak
41) I never go barefoot, even in my own house
42) I have lived in 14 houses
43) 3 of those houses were in the same neighborhood
44) I'm a total procrastinator
45) I often stay in my pajamas until late in the afternoon. So do my children.
46) I am a Christian
47) I love the beach
48) I love the mountains even more
49) If my husband could get a good job in a tiny little mountain town, we would live in one.
50) I am totally impressed that you made it to the end of this post :)

Wow. It's hard to come up with 50 things about yourself, and I commend you if you made it to the end. Now, how about each of you share an interesting fact about yourself. I love getting to know my readers!

Take Your Blogger To Work

Today, I'm joining Gina from HiYa Luv (and lots of other bloggers!) for Take Your Blogger To Work Day. Gina came up with this idea after wondering many times what other bloggers did for a living. I'm excited to be participating, and can't wait to read what types of jobs other bloggers have!

As many of you know, I am a stay at home mom. I'm sure some of you are thinking...well that's not a job. But let me assure you, it most certainly is! I didn't always want to be a stay at home mom. For most of my life I wanted to be a lawyer. After attending one year of college straight out of high school, this dream fizzled. I'm not sure why exactly. Probably a lack of motivation. I spent some time doing missions work in Guatemala, had various jobs here and there...and through it all ended up being a stay at home mommy to my two little boys. Now my days are filled with laundry, toys, diapers, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Super Why, dishes, Legos, naps, loving on my kids, afternoons at the park and lots and lots of coffee.

I love that I am able to stay home with my boys. I'm so thankful that I don't miss out on all the cute little things they say and do throughout the day. When I first made the decision to stay home, it was difficult. I felt incredibly lonely and isolated. Our boys are very close in age and it was really overwhelming for me to have two little ones. But over the last two years we have developed a schedule, made new friends and gotten out of the house a lot more. We have rough days...lots of them. But when it comes right down to it, there is nothing else I would rather be doing than raising my children.

I also firmly believe that had I not made the decision to stay home with my kids I never would have started sewing, and therefore never would have opened my shop. Sewing is my creative outlet. A time when I get to relax and do something that I love. It has been a challenge for me, learning to balance the amount of time I spend with my family and time that I devote to sewing for my shop. It's such a learning process. All of it. How to be a good wife, mother, blogger, shop owner, housekeeper, friend....the list goes on and on. But, I am learning and growing, and becoming a little better every day at being good at my "job".

New Product

I'm excited to introduce you to a new product that I just added to the shop. One of the color combos was inspired by a custom painting that my friend Lindsay of Paint Me A Picture did for my youngest sons room (which you will see in a future post). Because Lindsay was part of my inspiration for this line, it only seemed fitting that they share a name. So, without futher ado, I give you...the Lindsay Clutch.

I currently have four different fabric options available in this clutch. Head on over to my shop and take a look around. I think you will like what you see ;) 

Winner of the Along For The Ride giveaway is comment #3 left by Photos By Mamie. Congratulations, Mamie! I will be e-mailing you and Laura soon so she can send your winnings! 

What I Love Wednesday

I am linking up for the first time with Krystina from the blog Lollipops for What I Love Wednesday. I have enjoyed this post for weeks now, and am finally getting the chance to link up and show you all what I am loving this week.

The Stockholm yellow & white bag by Ikabags

Lemon Meringue Pie heart felt ornaments by Sewn Natural

I love the feminine look of the Mustard & Lace coffee cuff by Oh, Sweet Joy

This Vintage Helicopter print by N. Eve Archival Prints would be adorable in a little boys room

I'm loving this Marigold Flower painting by Lindsay of Paint Me A Picture. I seriously think this needs a place in my home. Seriously.

I fell in love with the Linen & Lace cuff in Navy by Peggy Ann Design the second I saw it.


This post is linked to:

Happy 2nd Birthday Grayson

Today my baby turns 2. I'm not sure how that is possible since he was just born. Yet here we are, somehow, two years later. Grayson was our little surprise. His older brother was only 10 months old when I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant. We were quite surprised, and a little overwhelmed, but he has been the perfect addition to our family. He is cute and sweet and funny and smart, and just everything we ever could have hoped for.
While going through our pictures, choosing ones for this post, I got kind of sad that he isn't a baby anymore. The years go by way too fast. There were things I saw in pictures that I had forgotten about, like how he used to do this funny thing where he would suck in his bottom lip, or how he used to be such a chunky little guy, or how he used to love to bounce rather violently in his bouncy seat. How did I forget these things?! I had a terrible time deciding which pictures to use, so you just get to see them all. Well, not ALL as in all 7,543 pictures we have taken of him over the last 2 years (that may be a slight exaggeration on the number). But there are a lot, so brace yourselves for the cuteness.

7 mo. pregnant

Not the greatest picture, but I wanted to include one of me pregnant. 

The day he was born

2 weeks old 

There's that adorble lip thing

Yeah, I know. He's SO cute!

Happy Birthday sweet little boy! 

Along For The Ride: A Giveaway

I am so happy to be featuring a giveaway from Laura of the blog and shop Along For The Ride. Laura and I connected on Twitter, and then I discovered her blog. Oh, her blog. I love her blog. Laura is positive, encouraging, honest and humble. If you are not a follower of her blog, you should be. I promise you will not be dissapointed. 

Laura also has an Etsy shop where she sells beautiful items. A few of my favorites...

Chains & Beads necklace - Cherry Pie

Mum Earrings - Green Tea

Peony hair pin - Snow White 

Pretty, right?! I asked Laura to answer a few questions so you (my readers) could get to know her a little better. 

Tell Us A Little Bit About Yourself:

 I'm married to my handsome hubby Kyle and we have a sweet kitty cat named Jupiter. I am a hall coordinator and I love every minute of my job! I live and work in a residence hall supervising my RA staff and helping to educate approximatley 400 students. Let's just say that it's never boring! When I'm not working my full time job, I'm working on my shop, Along for the Ride. I feature handmade jewerly and accessories. I also have a blog called Along for the Ride.

How Did You Come Up With the Name for Your Blog/Shop?

I've always seen blogging and creating as just another way to worship the Lord. I chose "Along for the Ride" as it is a daily reminder that, although I try, I am not in control, God is. He has a life perfectly planned and I need to be along for the ride that he has in front of me. Being along for the ride isn't about taking a back seat or being apathetic along life's journey, nor is it about taking the journey lightly. For me, being along for the ride is about trusting in the Lord to guide your everyday moments and to be a constant companion on your journey.

Who or What Inspires You Most?

I think what inspires me the most is other people. Knowing that I put a smile on someone's face, brightened someones day, or did something big or teeny weeny to improve the lives of others makes it all worth it.

If You Could Live Anywhere & Have Any Job, What Would It Be?

Really, my dream is to live close enough to my family where we can drive in for Sunday dinner. Where we can be there to hear bad news in person. Where we can spread out our hugs throughout the year instead of cramming them all into the one or two times we see each other. Oh, and I'd love to be a mom. When I was younger I thought being a stay-at-home mom was the worst job ever. Now that I"m older and having children is in the not-so-distant future, the thought of being a full time mom and homemaker makes me giddy and giggly and happy all over.

Laura has so generously offered to give away this lovely necklace & earring set. 

I'm not gonna lie, when she sent me the pictures I really wanted to keep this for myself :) Alas, it is not for me. It is for one of you lucky readers. To enter, all you have to do is visit Laura's shop, and then come back here and leave a comment telling me which of her beauties is your very favorite. 

For extra entries you may do any of the following, and then come back and comment letting me know that you did...

Become a follower of Laura's Blog

Follow Laura on Twitter

Tweet about this giveaway  

Giveaway will remain open until Wed., March 9th at midnight. Winner will be announced Thursday morning.