The wind changed directions.

I've typed a few times a version or two of what I am typing now. Nothing ever seemed to fit. To some being a blogger is silly and what I am typing and feeling is unjustified. To those who blog, or to those who read blogs, you will understand. This blog has been an intricate part of my life for almost four years. This is where I've recorded the good, the bad, the ugly, and the funny. I've shared my heart. I've shared about my husband. I've shared about my children. I've shared our lives. Over the last few months things have started changing. I got a, for now, full time job and I am having to choose more carefully what things are priority and what things are not. Right now, living real life with my husband, children, family, and friends, rank at the top of my list. I would rather snuggle up with my husband on the couch after tucking our two sweet girls in at night than ignore him as I sit in front of the computer screen to write about the things going on in our lives. I am enjoying the "doing" more. The Lord has convicted me to start putting into practice things I've said I'd like to do here. And the time I've spent blogging and obsessing over social media will be put to better use; I will be diving into my God, my family, my friends, and my calling.  I will still be here and there, so please, check in on us every now and then. Just please don't forget about us while we're cutting a new path into this new normal. You can still find me on Instagram quite often because it is quicker and less time consuming. 

I hope you all have a very happy New Year. Catch ya on the flip side.

Matilda Jane winner!!

Hey, Hey, Kristina J, you're our big winner! 

I sent you an e-mail before I ate dinnerl!

 Make sure you reply so I can make this gift card fly, fly, fly! 

(Sorry for the rhyming, I just couldn't help it)

Matilda Jane giveaway! Woohoo!

We've got a Matilda Jane giveaway! Just in time for Christmas! We love Matilda Jane and we hope you'll find something you love too!! 

*Teagan is wearing the Turtledove knot top, stippling tee, and gallery leggings*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Matilda Jane clothing sent Teagan the clothes she is wearing in the above picture, however, all opinions are mine*

The stockings will be hung...(All I want for Christmas, part 2)

The stockings will be hung. Not even a mouse will be stirring. Our tree is up. The girls tree is up. The lights are on outside. And Santa will come. However, Mommy and Daddy will not.

Christmas is changing a bit for us this year. We're not doing presents. Not for ourselves, not for each other, and not for the girls. Josh and I have talked about it. Our girls have more than enough. We have more than enough. Others are not so lucky. We truly want to shout Jesus from the rooftops this year. One of the ways we want to do that is by giving the girls the gift of sponsoring a child. We have chosen to do so through Compassion International. I heard about Compassion through the Allume Conference and my sweet friend, Jessica. We want the girls to ideally "grow up" with the child we choose. We want collaboration to happen. We want them to see just how small the world should be.
We will pray together and search together on Christmas Day, as a family, for the child the Lord chooses for us to sponsor. When we do so we will provide food and clean water, medical care, educational opportunities, life-skills training, and most importantly the opportunity to hear about Jesus. How can we tell people about Jesus if we don't show them Jesus? That question has shaken me to my core so much over the last few months. We will also receive from the sponsorship. We will get a photo, the personal story of the child, and a sponsorship packet. We will be able to correspond with the child. We will get to pray for this child and invest in this child.
So, if you find yourself sick of the "stuff" through the holiday season, consider doing something different. Perhaps consider sponsoring a child....

All I want for Christmas, part 1.

Now, bare with me as you read this post. This is not some holier than thou post. This is me sharing with you how we've decided to start doing Christmas, and trying to do life, from now on. 

Kyra's birthday is the very end of October. Teagan's birthday is in January. Christmas is smack dab in the middle. Kyra's birthday is completely about her. Teagan's birthday is completely about her. In our family, Christmas is about Jesus. Josh and I have decided to make that our focus. We've both really been pondering how to better steward our money, our time, our children. We've been convicted to be Jesus' hands and feet.  

So, this year, our present to the girls is our adoption of a child from Compassion International. We're excited that we'll have the ability to correspond with our child over the years. We're excited to show the girls how small our world needs to be. We're excited to show them that just because we can't send these children a mattress or a bathtub, we can bathe them in prayers. 

We're also doing this for ourselves. I can't imagine needing anything right now. Sure, I'd love a Target or Starbucks gift card but I'll either buy practical, no fun stuff with it or items none of us need. So, this year, what I want for Christmas is to help an organization that has recently become dear to my heart.  The Exodus Road. They are running a "Season of Rescue" now through November 30th. The idea is to fund 365 days of investigations. 

Here are a few of the packages they've put together. Please prayerfully consider helping out this amazing organization.

Package 1: book, bumper sticker

Package 2: Shirt, book, bumper sticker

Package 3: Sweatshirt, book, bumper sticker 

Package 4: 12 mth subscription to "Search & Rescue" (newsletter), 2 books

Adjustment.

I don't know that hard is exactly the word I'm looking for. I'm not even sure that difficult would cover it either. I think just the word adjustment is enough. We've had a lot of adjusting this week. I started a new job (praise Jesus) and we've had to adjust.
We've had to adjust to the idea of Mommy getting off at 5 o'clock in a DIFFERENT city/county. We've had to adjust to Mommy, Teagan, and Kyra not getting home until almost 30-40 minutes later than usual. We've had to adjust to getting up just a little earlier because Mommy has to be at work in that same-different county by 8-8:30. It's figuring out how dinner is going to work. It's figuring out how our Community Group is going to work/or not work. It's rushing around as soon as we get home in the evenings to eat, bathe, and put the girls to bed so we can get up the next morning without a major meltdown.  There are a lot of things Josh and I are talking about, some hard decisions that are going to have to be decided upon in the next few weeks.
That being said, I am asking for some grace. Whether it's grace that I haven't posted in a week or two. Whether it's grace that I don't get you a text back right away like I normally would. Whether it's a phone call or a Facebook message that I don't return in my normal time frame. We are just in a phase of adjustment right now and life is a little hectic. I'm not giving excuses. I am just asking for a little time to figure out how all this is going to work out; a little time to smooth out some of the rougher edges.

 

The Exodus Road: book giveaway

"I read this book not once, but twice, in a matter of two-three hours. I read it once to myself and then I followed my mom around her house while she cleaned and read it out loud to her. The story is easy to follow but one that stirs your heart and makes it skip beats. ~Rici Reid"

That was my Amazon review for this book, y'all.  I have since read it at least two more times.  Each time I read something I somehow missed the first few times I read it.  Can you imagine for a minute with me, purposely sending your husband or wife into a brothel? A brothel full of sights and sounds and feelings that could never be undone?  A situation that some of the best of men or women you know would decline to go into because they weren't sure of how they would react to the temptation? Can you imagine being their lifeline on the other end of a Skype call and then watching the footage and sharing in their experience because you agreed on accountability? Can you imagining sitting for hours watching footage of under-aged girls and boys being shown like cattle at a farm sale? I couldn't either, until I read this book.  I knew sex-trafficking was happening.  I even knew it was happening closer and closer to home.  It wasn't until I went to Allume and heard Laura Parker speak both to our large crowd and then speaking to her directly that I realized how big this is.  It because one of my "things". I fight for a cure for SMA and now I fight to end human trafficking, with The Exodus Road organization.  A little way I get to do that is give away a free copy of the book "The Exodus Road".  Like I said in my review, it's an easy read but be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat, fists clinched, ready to take an airplane and knock down some doors.  On to the give away....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm not a marathoner...yet.

I was going to write about how embarrassed I am. How angry I am. How disappointed I am. How much I cried. How the fact that I only got to mile 16.5 because my IT band got so tight I couldn't move and had to be brought in by the medic and there were sirens.  How I got a strong scolding from the doctor that looked at my knee when I got to the medic tent.

I've decided not to do that. While I am still upset I'm over it- I will not allow it to bring me down. Instead, I'm going to focus on all the good. The fact that I trained my body well. The fact that even at 16.5 besides my IT band the rest of my body could have made it and made it in a better time than I thought. The fact that my arm kept buzzing with prayers from people who love me. The fact that we exceeded our goal of $1200 for the Getty Owl Foundation. The fact that my parents spent the night at our house so they could watch Teagan and Kyra the morning of the race so they could be comfortable and then meet me at the finish line. The fact that my family was waiting at our house when we got home with arms open wide and a dozen roses. The fact that Teagan and Kyra wanted to make my boo-boo better. They wanted kisses and hugs and for mommy to read them books. The fact that had I kept going I could have done a lot more damage and the doctor told me my other leg would have equal damage for trying to compensate (I'm definitely feeling that compensation this morning). The fact that my sweet husband found me at the 13.1 mile mark and then met me again at the 14 mile mark and walked with me. Holding tight to my hand. Allowing me to lean on him for 2.5 miles; crying but refusing to quit. Telling me that people were still behind us and that it was okay. Telling me we could keep going or stop.  That he would be with me. Talk about my hero for the day.

This whole experience has been a whirlwind. I am sure I will be thankful for it in a day or two. I am currently looking for my next marathon so I can get my 26.2 sticker. I am also planning to go back and punch the Thunder Road Marathon in the face. For now, rest-recover-get back to training is the mode I'm in.

    

Exodus Road Search and Rescue.

Search and Rescue Promo from The Exodus Road on Vimeo.

There are many ways you can help with the mission of the Exodus Road.  This is merely one of them.  Awareness is huge. Prayer is even bigger.  Not everybody can financially contribute and that is understood.  However, talk to your friends, facebook this information, tweet this information, have a designated stop time during your day that you pray for this mission.  Even if we reach "just one" more person with this information-that is one more with the power to do what they can and that is pretty great.  

Spaghetti wrapped in garlic bread.

It might not look pretty but it was "get in my belly" good!! 

One of my mom's best friends and a lady dear to my heart passed on this amazing recipe that I tried the day she sent it my way. It was so good. I've given the ingredients and instructions and then put what I did differently in bold beside. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of thawed dough (used 2 but I think you could easily use something like pillsbury pizza dough) • 6 oz cooked spaghetti (we used more-around 3/4 of a regular box) • 1 cup of any sauce for the spaghetti (we used 1 and a half jars and also added meat to ours. next time we're using sausage too!) • 8 oz of mozzarella cubes (we used shredded and as much as looked right) • parmesan cheese (forgot-it was still good) • 1 egg white, beaten (we used melted butter and garlic salt instead) • parsley or oregano flakes (didn't use) • garlic (used only in the actual spaghetti mixture)

Instructions:

1. Prepare flour onto a counter or use a baking sheet to roll the dough on. 2. Roll out the loaf into a large rectangle, about the thickness of less than an inch. 3. Set the dough at rest by covering it with a plastic wrap for about 12 minutes. 4. Boil spaghetti, drain and let cool. 5. Unwrap dough. 6. Drop the spaghetti in the center into a bundle from one end to the other, length-wise, leaving space on the sides for the folding. 7. Pour the sauce and mozzarella cubes onto the spaghetti. 8. Make even slits on both sides of the dough to create folds or flaps for folding. The flaps should be of the same width and wide enough to hold the filling together without tearing. 9. Fold the top and bottom part over the filling, in order to allow the first flaps to stick onto something. 10. Start folding flaps. Left over right, right over left. 11. Lastly, pull the last strip over and under the bread. 12. Carefully place bread on a large, greased, baking sheet. 13. Brush egg white and top with Parmesan cheese, gralic and parsley/oregano. 14. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 mins. 15. Let it cool before slicing and serving.

Honestly, mine was not pretty. There was no braiding. There was some random pretzel like folding though. Either way, it was a hit. My girls had two servings, my husband had two servings, and my parents ate their humungous sized portion. It was a little time consuming but I think it's something that could be made easier with familiarity and maybe using already made roll out pizza dough. I hope you enjoy! We sure did!

Dearest Kyra Mae.

Dearest Kyra Mae,
I can't wrap myself around the idea of you being 2 already.  You are truly a blessing and a challenge wrapped in a tornado of sweetness and independence.
As you grow up there is more of a bittersweetness then maybe Teagan growing up before you became an outside baby. You are our last, as far as we know or are concerned. I am cleaning out onesies for the last time. We will no longer have size 4 diapers in our house. We have passed the time of the infamous nose sucker. We are moving on to puzzles and babies and figuring out this paci thing.  You are talking and singing and telling me when you have a poopy. You are running after Teagan wanting to be so much like her but trying so hard to show us your own colors. You are getting tall, my little lady! You certainly have more of your daddy in you than me. You have bits of my personality though, so it's going to be interesting to see how that combination works out as you grow up. You have a strong personality which includes a strong will. When you don't like something or don't want to do something, you plop your cute booty down in stubborn protest...you've also been known to catfight a little at school and will not go down without at least a little fight (which we'll talk about a little more as you get older, just FYI).
You have been the last piece to our family puzzle and both your daddy and I feel a sense of completion.  So, little lady, know something- in those moments where I get flustered or your daddy snaps at you or Teagan refuses to share something- we LOVE you. Completely and forever. You have completed our family with gusto and pizazz and we are blessed and thankful for all that you are.

Forever and Always,
Mommy    

Exodus Road.

Tomorrow or Wednesday I'll have suggestions on how to become more involved.  In the meantime, you can check out the website.  Keep searching your hearts, Friends, this is tough stuff...good stuff but tough stuff.  

Hope is bigger than anger.

I am going to share with you a video that was shown to me and a group of women this weekend.  I am going to go ahead and assume some of the feelings you may have after you watch this particular one, and the next few I will share, but I'm not going to type those words until after the video.  I do want you to ponder the same questions I was asked to think on while watching this video the first time.
What do you see?
What do you hear?
What do you feel?


(89 Victims of Human Trafficking Rescued (Covert Footage) from The Exodus Road on Vimeo.)

I was intrigued at the beginning of this video when I first watched it.  I was curious about what this would look like.  My adrenaline sent my heart into slight palpitations, then my hands began to sweat a little and I started wondering what was going to happen? What was this going to look like? I got a lot angrier during this short, less than 5 minute, video than I have been in a long time.  I cried but it wasn't a sobbing cry or an ugly cry. And y'all, I ugly cried a LOT at Allume this weekend. This cry allowed me to shed tears of hope. God put it on my heart during this video not to focus on the part that made me angry but to see Him working through this. The fact that there is even a video like this.  That there is a group of people who have been called to set people free because they have been set free themselves just resonated throughout the entire last minutes of this video for me. So, y'all, get angry.  Get fire breathing, ugly cry angry, but then let it go. Choose to seek the hope from this story. Then, I challenge you to do something.

Over the next few days and weeks I will be giving you the opportunity to respond to this challenge.  I have some ideas and ways you can help raise awareness and support.  Right now, I just want this to sit with you for a day or two.  I want you to pray about it and search your heart and listen and seek if God is calling you to be a part of this.  If you have questions before then you can shoot me an e-mail or go to their website, The Exodus Road.  Until then, allow yourself to feel those emotions but don't let them overwhelm you.  Allow yourself to choose hope because hope is so much greater than anger.

Introduction to The Exodus Road and Freeset

This weekend I went to Allume.  My amazing friend Jessica was the catalyst that helped it all happen but that is a story for another time.  This weekend blew me away.  If you caught any of my tweets or instagram pictures you might have caught a theme among them.  God broke me this weekend.  God broke me BUT then He set me free. Many emotions and feelings have overcome my body that I still need a little time to process and hash all of that out in words so I ask for a little grace in the down time.

While I am processing the new burdens and convictions in my life I want to share one of them with you.  I was given the opportunity to learn and work with two incredible organizations this weekend.  The Exodus Road and Freeset.  These organizations have made it their mission to set individuals shackled by the sex trade free.  The Exodus Road goes in and basically does the work of a top notch SWAT team.  Freeset gives those individuals a safe place (i.e. shelter, job/trade, safety, JESUS) after the shackles have been jerked from the wall.  Now, these two organizations do not currently work together currently but they are doing equally good work.  I am going to show you two videos; one from each organization.  After watching these videos I ask you to process them.  Process how they make you feel.  Process if the Lord has laid it on your heart to help me support these organizations.  Over the next few weeks I will be introducing you to products (hello, giveaways), videos, and other ways you can get involved in supporting these organizations.  And just before you think I am going to just ask and ask for money, you are wrong.  Support isn't always in a monetary form.

FreeSet Video

The Exodus Road Video

Last tweeted post for a while.

This was my last tweeted blog post for a little while. Allume rocked my world for good this weekend. God broke my facade. God called me to repentance. God called me to fix my gaze back on Him. He has called me to serve where I am. He has called me to minister to those around me. He has called me to serve the readers I have; not the readers I pridefully wished I would have for so long. He has called me to more intimate community. God has given me the gift of encouragement and He has called me to encourage you and those around me. He has called me to be available.  So, Reader, here I am. I love you. I am thankful for you. You are enough for me. But greater still, He is enough for me.

450 Stars. Esther. Anna Voskamp.

I've just got back into my room from the first night of Allume and needed to decompress and process all that today was. Right now I'm feeling blessed. inspired. convicted. tired. small. impactful. 
Ann Voskamp is here at Allume.  I've seen her name on THAT book, you know the One Thousand Gifts book, around social media but other than that I had no idea who she was.  
Tonight, she was our keynote speaker.  Tonight, she rocked my world.  The Lord put words into her mouth that convicted me to my core. You know, the good stuff. Tonight, she talked about stars. Do you know that in order for people to really pay attention to the stars in the sky that there needs to be at least 450 of them visible (that would be a Pastor Brian Lowe fun fact)? Apparently 450 is the "lucky number" as far as stars go. 449 just won't cut it. She talked about how we need each other in order to be effective. We are called to build each other up and not break each other down. She also talked about how stars are made and that they are made by breaking down themselves and working through the hard stuff to light the core on fire. We are called to share the ugly ladies, we are called to let our ugly out so that the light of Jesus and His grace and mercy and goodness will shine through. We are called to be like those stars.
Ann also talked about Esther. Esther happens to be one of my favorite books of the Bible. I could read it every day for the rest of my life and never tire of it. I will never read that book the same way again.  Ann talked about Esther being "in" the gate. Here's the thing: So. Are. We. We could have been the child feeling those pangs of hunger that surpass anything we've ever felt and last for days or weeks. We could have been that woman or that girl who was raped and abandoned or murdered because her purity was taken from her and she was no longer clean. We could have been that little boy who was forced to fight in his countries militia. We could have been that little girl who was grabbed of the street and sold into slavery. We could have been on the other side of the gate. But we aren't. Or at least not all of us are. I'm not. I'm like Eshter; blessed and within those palace gates. However, with that position comes a responsibility. We have been charged with speaking out. We have been charged with coming before the royal court at any cost. We have been called to speak out for those with no voice.  Because, as in the case of Esther, if we do not risk putting ourselves and possibly losing what we see as great for those who cannot do so themselves then we are surely to lose that thing anyway.  Just like when Mordecai explained to Esther that if she did not speak out for her people and tragedy struck that she would not be exempt but that it would be worse for her because she had not spoken out.  This was really convicting to me.  At first, I started thinking about all the good things I do or have done. Seriously, y'all, my sinful and prideful self went there. Then I basically gave myself a mental Gibbs smack to the back of the head (NCIS reference for those who don't watch). What am I doing? How can I do more? God has brought me to this place. To this moment. To this particular royal court.  For a particular reason. You know what? He has brought you to that place where you are. To that moment you are in. To that particular royal court. For that particular reason. So, sisters, what are we doing? What can we do? What is Jesus speaking to your heart?  What do you need to shed light on? Share truth about? Risk yourself for? 

Peter could have walked on water. Straight to Jesus.

How many times have you needed help this week? How many times has your head begun to spin but you've refused to take a time out for yourself?  How many times have you said you don't have time to take a minute or you don't want to bother somebody?  How many times have you snapped at somebody close to you when that person really didn't deserve it?  How many times have you not meant to?  How many times have you hit the ignore button on your phone because you just don't want to do people right now?  Maybe because you realize that one person would see through your facade.  How many times have you stayed in your yoga pants giving the excuse that you don't have anybody to impress or that the kids will inevitable wipe their peanut butter or jelly hands on anything "good" you wear?  How many times have you gone back to the cabinet for just one more cookie? one more drink? one more piece of cake? 

I ask these questions not to chastise.  I do, however, ask these questions to stir you up.  I ask these questions from a place of knowing.  I need to ask myself these questions often.  When I find myself needing to ask myself these questions I typically come to the same conclusion.  I haven't been allowing myself to ask for help.  I haven't asked Josh to take the laundry out of the dryer.  I haven't taken a mommy time out when Teagan or Kyra are having moments that make me want to pull my hair out.  I have hit the ignore button because even though I am very much an extrovert, when I am playing peekaboo with the shadowy place I don't want to be around people; even when I do.  I am in running pants 90% of the time because I claim truthfully that I don't have a job and I'm training for a marathon and I don't really care.  There are several times I go back to the refrigerator for just one more thing.  

It's in these times I need to ask for help.  From my husband, from family, from friends.  These people love me and I know would do anything they could to help me in those times I'm feeling like the shadows are beckoning me.  

It's in these times I also need to trust the Gospel.  I need to remember how strong HE is.  That even in the tough times HE is bigger and HE has me.  Peter could have walked on WATER straight to Jesus if he had just kept his eyes on the Savior.  When he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink.  Often times that is what happens.  We take our eyes off our Savior and we plug our ears from hearing the sweet truths and promises of the Gospel.  It's those times, these times, when we start to struggle and sink and clamor for anything we can get our hands on; those yoga pants, that brownie.  When all we need to do is cry out Jesus, Jesus.  

Grace.

Showing myself a little grace here today as far as the 31 days challenge goes.  Life has been consumed with running 20 miles, pumpkin patch going, with a whole lot of husband and little girl loving in between.  It's times like these, moments that I choose to cherish, that help me love my mommy body the most.  

She Reads Truth: the study of James.

The ladies over at SheReadsTruth have started a study on James.  The first day/introduction just spoke such sweet truth to my heart that I had to share.  I am doing 31 days on "loving my mommy body" and this spoke to that part of me.  I hope it does yours too. 

*Sidenote-another pretty rad thing is that we are currently walking through James at Exodus.  I love when the sweet SheReadsTruth devotions directly supplement the truths I hear at church on Sundays*

Smooth. E.

Loving our mommy bodies, our lady bodies, means taking care of them the best we can.  Right now we are really into smoothies.  Well, the three Reid ladies are; Daddy not so much.  

I thought I would share some of the recipes I thought sounded yummy.  My aim is to try them because most of the time I just throw a bunch of stuff in the blender and if it doesn't taste good I add PB or Nutella to disguise the taste.  Eh, whatever works.  

Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe? Kind of your "go to"? I would love to hear it! 

Here are a two of the ones I found on Pinterest that sounded amazing and easy to try! 

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie (super easy)

Beet (yes, beet) Strawberry Lemon Smoothie

*we would love your vote-we are moving on up in the ranks thanks to you!*

Happy.

I love BIG voices.  Mandisa is a strong woman with a big voice.  This song is one of my favorites.  Enjoy.  Dance (especially if people are watching). Realize HE has you. Always.

He answered not a word...

I was reading Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" devotion (thanks to Hayley I figured out there is a free app) a few days ago and the words seemed to just jump off the page.

He answered Not a word...Matthew 15:23

If you have been following me on Twitter or here on the blog much you'd know I have been unemployed since last June.  Part of that time I was in grad school and we were surviving on student loans.  However, I graduated in May of this year and I'm still unemployed.  We've always been a two income family so life has often leaned on the difficult side for the last few months.

I've learned some things over these last few months though. Sometimes peace is not instantaneous. Sometimes it takes months or even years for the fruition of peace to come. Even with great and almost unwavering faith; peace is not always promised to come in our time (please don't think I'm claiming this, I waver often even with a solid foundation). We are on His time. Sometimes He answers us in what is ideally our time. Sometimes He answers us in what is more obviously His.  But how much sweeter is it when that moment comes? Where peaces rushes over us as if we were standing under a gentle waterfall? 

I am at that place right now. I have cried out to Him. I have cried in anger, desperation, frustration, and confusion. He answered not a word. Yet, I still have faith.  I still hold on to His promises that I will see that day and be overcome with joy when He says "Oh woman, great is your faith".  I will slip and stumble a lot on this current path and my faith with undoubtably waver at times but I know that He is unwavering and constant and that is all I need right now.

A little love.

It's the weekend.  I'm spending time with the family.  Running errands with the girls; making goodies and delivering birthday surprises.  I didn't run today.  More on that tomorrow or Monday.  I did want to share some love to a few of my favorite fellow 31 day challengers as well as some shops I'm loving for great Mommy goodies.  Happy weekend!

31 day favorites:

Jessica from Hand Me Down Grace is finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Heather over at Tickled Yellow is writing letters to herself AND you

Hayley fixing our wardrobes at The Tiny Twig

Melody Joy is dancing in the rain.

All Our Days has some sweet printables EVERY October day

Joel & Kitty + two pigtails and a cowlick (liked the name so I clicked...then I stayed because I enjoyed the read!)

Courtney from Style and Grace is talking Family Life

Reeve is telling us What Love is All About

Rene' over at Bargain Hoot is all about owls (and you know WE are too!)

Mommy goodies:

Miskabelle Vintage 

Layla Avenue (handcrafted jewelry)

Free Spirit Jenny 


*ALSO- MISTY MORRIS!!! You are the Matilda Jane winner!! E-mail me: RiciReid@gmail.com so I can send you your giftcard!*

Morning rainbows.

This was our view on the way to school this morning. The picture quality may not be the best but the promise HE gives stands out even still. Today I am resting in those promises. Today I will disregard the lies. Even if just for today. Because sometimes we just need a visual reminder if HIS goodness and HE blesses us with morning rainbows. 

*also, don't forget today is the last day to enter the Matilda Jane giveaway*

Community

We are so blessed to have found a place we fit. As a family. As individuals. It truly helps to have such amazing community in our lives. People who are growing to become family. Women growing to be sisters. 

Do you have this my friends? If not and you are in the Gaston County/Lincoln County/Mecklenburg County Of North Carolina I would love to have conversation with you about it. If you aren't in our area I would love to pray with you about finding a community where you feel this way. Please don't hesitate to email me.