Perspective

image here

Lately in the midst of child-rearing woes with Gideon God has shed new light on my perspective; I must share. Let's see, there was his meltdown at the zoo in Fort Worth when my stroller pulled up to an oxygen tank attached to a little girl's trachea. Then, today while chasing Gideon at the mall I "happened" upon a Mom with two adopted children from Africa and one child was missing fingers and had club feet. My heart dropped in my chest and I could almost audible hear God say, "that is my heart."

I get so lost in my own mind and selfish world and completely lose perspective of the things that matter and break God's heart.

"Lord, I need your perspective, your eyes, but most of all your heart."

"And His are the hands that spread to die,

And His is a love that sacrificed

And we are the broken, the needy ones,

And He is the love"

{David Crowder}

Fried green tomatoes

Couldn't pass up these lovely green tomatoes in the grocery store the other day and turned them into one of my greatest guilty pleasures!

Jcrew {for less}

Jcrew kills me with their perfect styling, but also their prices. Thought I'd find wallet friendlier alternatives to their creatively mixed looks.

J.crew total price=$566, mine=$148

{jacket-talbots, shirt-americaneagle, bag-F21, belt-anntaylor, shoes-gojane}

Jcrew=$501, mine= $109

{dress-charlotterusse, shirt-urbanoutfitters, everything else-F21}

Jcrew=$373, mine=$76

{everything-F21}

Sunday nights

Every Sunday night we host Bible study at our house, for those in the area come on down!!! Free food and good times, even childcare is provided, here's some snippets from last night!

Oh and gymnastics was great!

Friday Favorites:Nostalgia

Late post here due to work, but my spirits are high and I'm feeling nostalgic because I'm taking Gideon to his first gymnastics class. Now, I know most people take their kids to gymnastics but for a most of my life, my true love consisted of vault, bars, beam, and floor! While those days are over for me { although I could possibly pump out some backhandsprings if you begged me} its his turn now!

Some link love for your viewing pleasure!

Pictures with new angles, check out her brilliant tips

Pastor Mark gets emotional

My next must read

Anyone getting married? A great save the date idea and blog

Have a relaxing weekend!

One angry patient

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Last week I encountered a young patient I will never forget. Suffering with cystic fibrosis all her life fueled her angry persona, but evident fear. Any kind soft and caring words I had to offer were met with profanities, disgust, and anger; truly an impossible patient.

My day ended in tears and confusion.

I've grappled with thoughts of her for the rest of the week, (yes, I have trouble letting go) but came to a stunning revelation through prayer, she was stuck. Stuck in anger never moving through the other phases of grief. Any kind of loss requires grief and though painful is critical to healing. Healing that is continual and sometimes lifelong.

Praying for you dear one, for healing and peace that surpasses understanding through your journey.

"There is a time for everything- a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance."

Ecc 3:4

Trampoline please

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I know this picture has made its way around the blogosphere, but rightfully so it had me at the in-ground trampoline!!! Let's just say there's been recent trampoline talk around our kitchen table figuring out how to achieve this aesthetically pleasing trampoline. My sister and I both competed in gymnastics for years and need to satisfy our inner gymnast, when we're together flips ensue.

Any trampoline owners out there or any one put one in the ground, sound off please!

{To learn more about this family of 7 and their design and show go here}

Memorial Day

Our Memorial weekend was low key and relaxing just what the doctored ordered to get rid of my cough.

Hung the flag.

Husband found a snake in the backyard and they couldn't stop playing with him, I ran for cover!

Went to church and almost hit a state of panic when the nursery was closed meaning Gideon sitting with us during the service. Enter preschool apps on my iphone, awesome.

The freckles are coming out in full force, I love them.

Hit the pool to cool down, total madness but worth it.

Then hubs and I squeezed in a Italian dinner date, lovely.

All in all a fun relaxing weekend, hope yours was too.

Friday Favorites: Summer kickoff

So relieved to see this week come to a close... treaded in some deep waters-sickness, troubled patient {more on that later}, husband gone, and Gideon falling off 2 story rock wall-he's okay. So you can imagine how appropriately "everything falls" ministered to me.

Now with great relief onto Memorial day weekend festivities and images from this week to kickoff Summer!

I saw this and thought "summer" via flickr

This room has summertime sorbet written all over it via serenandlily

Fantastic deck inspiration board via pinktogreen

Since I live at the pool during the summer had to include this image, lovely hat too I might add via jcrew

Favorite gideon pic of the week {bubbles are our best friend}

Check out this divine strawberry shortcake recipe and equally drool worthy blog

Broken-hearted once again by India, but jumped at the chance to pitch in through this project

Big hugs to all of you for your sweet encouraging comments, they truly lifted me out of my miry pit! And to my lil big sister who entertains me while I'm sick, chases away the bogey-man (yes that happened, I'm the biggest chicken ever) and supports me in every way, love u.

Have a lovely sun-drenched Memorial weekend and God bless those who served and still serve.

Summer Wardrobe

My favorites for Summer time!

{Top-jcrew, shorts-asos, shoes-gojane, shades-F21}

{Romper-asos, shoes-gojane, jewerly-F21}

{suit-asos, romper, shades, and sandals-F21}

{dress and shoes-asos, shoes-gojane}

{dress-asos, shoes-gojane, necklace-banana republic}

Pick me up

Thank you for your generous outpouring of solutions, tidbits, and truths regarding raising children. I treasured every response and read them all very slowly so as to sink into my thick head!

Feeling under the weather today after a very memorable {in a bad way} patient yesterday and the aftermath of travel. So some pick me up images were in order, happy Wednesday!

images via, last image unknown

Mothers of strong-willed children unite

{such a perfect picture for this post!}

So what I forgot to mention yesterday during our texas trip recap was how challenging our 3 year old is lately and especially during our time there, truly a pistol. I don't think I've shared too much about Gideon's temperament but it definantly falls into the strong-willed category and tests my patience on a daily basis, God bless him! While I can think of a million things I am thankful for that come with his personality like natural-born leader, matchless energy, and determination my parenting skills are a weak match to his big personality. We've tried many different disciplining styles to accomodate his willful spirit and some have worked others have not, so I'm curious can anybody out there relate? Any secrets to share or nuggets of wisdom for my weary soul?! Granted I tend to drag him to the ends of the earth on these trips and don't hold to the strictest of schedules so he's certainly not fully to blame

(part of my personality temperament!)

{Please don't misread I love this child with all that is within, just praying to be more effective in his life and love to hear any tidbits of experience out there!}

Did I say Dallas? I meant Fort Worth!

I got my cities mixed up, but boy was I glad because Fort Worth Texas was a gem! It was a whirlwind of time with Nana and Papa, splashing in the pool, seeing the sights, sampling bbq and fish tacos, and catching up with dear friends. We wore ourselves out quite literally and all brought home a cough; all in the name of fun.

Gideon and Papa throwing rocks in the stream, an absolute favorite pastime.

Fort Worth Zoo complete with Texas famed "blue bell" ice cream.

A Texas sized flower, so gorgeous.

Touring the water gardens in the city wearing my London shirt, probably a faux pas!

Handsome stud.

Grandparents are the best.

Historic Stockyards with a real cattle drive, our rowdy cowboy looked like an old pro on his horse, giddy-up Gideon!

Good times had by all, thanks Nana and Papa wished we lived closer!