Favorites Friday: Relaxing

I've earned a slew of nicknames during my little lifetime. I was affectionately called "spunky" on my first job as a nurse in Washington D.C! It was most likely due to my bubbly personality but also the speed at which I moved! Relaxing and slowing down doesn't come natural to me, but I'm working on it.... like starting this weekend!

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Thanks for the marital encouragement, you guys are inspiring.

Living colorfully

What a Valentine's photoshoot

I will never tire of kale

A lesson in layering

Have a relaxing one, dearies.

Wanna see some cute valentines?

Aren't these darling? I wanted something sweet for Gideon to pass out a school and the talented Rebecca of Pedaling Designs whipped these up in a day, she's amazing.

  Shoot her a message if your interested in these, I love mine!

The secret to marriage

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My husband and I are currently listening to a series called Love & Respect and its been a game-changer for us. He shares about how women just need to be/feel loved and men need respect and if neither needs are met a vicious cycle ensues.

Its been 8 years of marriage and I finally just learned the secret to not just a mediocre marriage, but a great one. Do you want to know too? 

Everything you say or do unto your spouse you do unto Him. So when your in the middle of a spat and tempted to stonewall or say things in anger, remember you do it unto Him. I thought, really? But yes its true if we do everything for the glory of God and to please Him then it makes perfect sense that how we treat our spouse matters to God. This was heavy and convicting for me friends to say the least. 

Here's to going deeper in our marriages and remembering whatever we do, we do unto Him. 

Bring on the life change.

My favorite kind of pictures {mommas & their babes}

We just passed about a year for our little photography adventure and I learn something new every time. I've learned that my favorite picture hands down is mom's and their babies. Also, lifestyle photography (candids of families being themselves) is my niche and love.

My Mom sent me a photo album and most of the pictures included my siblings and even my Dad, but not my Mom because she was taking the pictures. I know this is the case for most Mom's or they don't like getting their picture taken. But I promise you will treasure and stare at the pictures of you with your children for a lifetime. It is the fiercest of bonds and should be captured on film. So mommas get in the picture by learning to use the self-timer on the camera or have an older sibling take the picture, you need to capture the beauty of what you do every day....raising your precious children.

Here's my little photo session with baby B that hubs captured.

 Also, one Gideon (my 5yr old) took for me, not a perfect picture, but perfect moment captured.

Now, go get in the picture, Mommas!

Favorites Friday: White

If January had a color, it would be white, don't you agree? We've only had one dusting of snow here, but even without it the sky is white. Frankly, I think its quite beautiful.

(this is my obvious attempt at embracing winter!) 

I'm putting the finishing touches on my winter wreath today, its simple and pretty with touches of white!

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White chicken chili, thanks Mom.

White done right in a room

White on white outfit

Who needs flowers for their winter wedding, pick these!

Dear friends, thank you thank you for the amazing scripture you sent my way regarding fear. I've tried to personally email some of you back, but emails aren't provided at times on the commenting format. So I would love to keep the conversation going or at least thank you here! You can also friend me on facebook because commenting is much easier there then in blogland, click on the "f" on my right hand column of my blog. Thanks and happy white weekend.

Sitting & standing {6months}

And now we are pulling up to stand and attempting steps, this kid is crazy! I would love it if he just sat there and was a baby, but no he's got places to go people!

My latest enemy

The nature of my husband's job lends itself to frequent trips and my extroverted people loving self struggles a bit, particularly in our non subdivision country home. Let's just say late at night my mind becomes consumed with ridiculousness like kidnapping, burglary, and the such. Seriously how did this happen? When you've been giving much like two beautiful, crazy, hyper boys you can begin to fear much, but I MUST remember ultimately they are gifts from the Lord and belong to Him. Here's some scripture for battle in combating fear.

"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They truimph over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."

Revelation 12:10-11