Home tour: Mountain high

This mountain retreat had me at the exposed wooden beams, so stunning. What a perfect retreat of a home to see more of this North Carolina haven go here.

interior by mimiwilliams

NJ-NY

In true Maria-fashion, we squished as much adventure in the last week as possible! Three hour drive to Ocean city NJ for the day, then 6 more hours in the car to Oswego NY to see Mom! The grand finale ended reuniting with our dear sweet cousins, such a great time.

This place truly holds my heart.

Gideon with my Stepmom, April and my lil bro Joe, good times.

Best boardwalk snack ever.

New Jersey farm stand, best tomatoes in the world.

Onto NY.

Oswego Ny is nestled on Lake Ontario complete with victorian homes and downtown charm. This blue and red home won me over, yes please.

Sparkly lake at sunset, glorious.

Dandelions in Granny's yard.

Father's Day at Fake downtown

I get a kick out of the "fake downtowns" erecting all throughout America these days! The new one in Fredericksburg was a perfect spot for our Father's day activities. Italian food, shops galore, fountains for pennies, and open sidewalks for strolling.

Love this!

Calamari, our favorite appetizer.

Our day ended with a tasting at the vineyard.

And sparklers to celebrate!

Friday Favorites: Petals

These petals really caught my eye this week! Will be sharing pictures next week of our trip.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and Happy Father's day!

Blooms to wear via untamedpetals

More lovely blooms via untamedpetals

Stunning peonies via neotradionalist

Other virtual goodies:

An xray for the soul

The perfect pair of beige shorts

I love westelm

Re-presenting Jesus

Happy Father's Day weekend!

You & Him

image here

As a nurse, I spend most of my shift solving various problems but mostly advocating for my patients. Sometimes I'm successful and other times, not so much {very frustrating}. It is a very fallen system and usually the patient pays the price.

However in the spiritual world we have an even greater more effective advocate and intercessor, giving us the words, help and ability when were unable; Jesus.

I just need to ask more often! Its not just you navigating through the problems of life, its you & Him!

"Christ Jesus who died more than that raised us to life is at the right hand of God interceding for us."

Romans 8:34

Splitsville

Can't really recall the last time I went bowling, but Splitsville luxury lanes may change everything. This swanky 50's motif lounge with lanes is brand new in Fredericksburg Virgnia, very kid friendly-complete with bumper lanes and great food. Good times, Gideon even won!

Gideon had a special ramp, which obviously gave him an edge beating out the competition!

Laura's place

The inevitable has happened, my sister is moving out. So when she asked me to check out some sofa beds at ikea (ya know for when I sleep over!) I jumped at the chance and then started decorating her place in my mind. I can't help myself. Saw the color of the sofa first then the killer persian rug and it was all over from there.

This room is a nod to her world travels (Afghanistan, India, Thailand, Japan) and honors her love for all things organic and natural. Love you honey, I thank God for you.

Romper room

Were off t0 NJ/NY this week for the beach and a family reunion, but have some scheduled posts for ya'll, couldn't leave ya hanging! Be back next week with pictures and recap.

Member this romper from here, well I ordered it and it's indeed comfy. Rompers may just be my summer uniform.

I could jump and leap in it with no problems!

Friday Favorites:Beach

Heading to the beach this week, so sun, sand, and surf have occupied my mind!

Beachy image via littlegreennotebook

Surfer chic interiors via shelter

Best beach tote lineup via sweetiepiepumpkinnoodle

Best shed ever check out the details via purestylehome

Seaside inspired accents via caitlinwilson-one of my favorite blogs

Best kitchen ever via lonny {check out this inspirational magazine}

Also, some more link goodies:

Finally the solution to all my problems

hysterical way to entertain yourself at the airport with kids in tow

My latest favorite song

Were off to the Jersey shore and upstate NY to visit family, see you guys next week!!!

Have a lovely weekend.

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!