I've long been a fan of the 'currently' blog posts so I'm jumping in on one today! This particular link-up is hosted by Anne in Residence and Gold and Bloom.
resolving: to have a hopeful heart this year. To be positive and trust in God's love and mercy rather than let fear or anxiety have a hold on my heart.
reading: Rediscover Jesus by Matthew Kelly, and Rest Assured by Vicki Courtney (review coming soon!).
organizing: absolutely nothing. And that's the problem. ;) There are several closets and cupboards on my list.
loving: my sweet husband for taking care of things (and me!) while I've been experiencing first trimester fatigue and sickness. Every symptom is so worth the thought of our little one, but I've felt guilty at times for my decreased homemaking!
craving: Ice cream. I've been so good about avoiding sugar as much as possible lately, but man. A bowl of moose tracks...or even just plain old vanilla...sounds amazing.
What are you up to currently? I'd love to hear some of your answers in the comments!
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Wisdom for Wednesdays
"Some believe that it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I've found. I found it is the small things, the every day deeds by ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay."
-Gandalf :)
-Gandalf :)
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Tuesday Talk # 14: New Year, New Hosts!
Hello and a happy 2016 to you!
There's something so beautiful and exciting and hopeful about a new year! A blank slate, a chapter waiting to be written. I'm a bit more behind than usual with goals and resolutions and such. For the past ten years, I've resolved to have a _________ heart, filling in the blank with a virtue I wanted to work on (grateful, hopeful, prayerful, patient, and so on). Last year I resolved to have a prayerful heart. This year will probably be my wrap-up for that 'series' of resolutions so I may even close with a hopeful heart (which is what I started with in 2006!). Can't ever have too much hope!
I'm also resolving to be more creative, reach out with cards and letters more often, read more, go online less, and keep in touch with my dad and brothers more often (I call my mom and sister all the time, but now that the rest of us are living farther apart, I need to be more intentional with keeping up!).
We have some exciting news in the Tuesday Talk realm-- four new hosts! Sadly this also means there are four great hosts who have decided to step down for the year but they promise us they'll still keep in touch!
Please welcome our four new ladies!
Emily at Raising Barnes
Stasia at Our Life on a Budget
Ruthie at Rear. Release. Regroup.
Tina at Go Big or Go Home
I'm looking forward to getting to know them better and I hope you will, too! Stop over at their blogs and say hello!
Want to join this week's link up? Grab our button below and link back to one of the hosts!
You can join us on Pinterest, too!
Follow Sweet Little Ones's board Tuesday Talk Features on Pinterest.
Join the party, friends, by linking up with your favorite post from the week! Here's the scoop:
There's something so beautiful and exciting and hopeful about a new year! A blank slate, a chapter waiting to be written. I'm a bit more behind than usual with goals and resolutions and such. For the past ten years, I've resolved to have a _________ heart, filling in the blank with a virtue I wanted to work on (grateful, hopeful, prayerful, patient, and so on). Last year I resolved to have a prayerful heart. This year will probably be my wrap-up for that 'series' of resolutions so I may even close with a hopeful heart (which is what I started with in 2006!). Can't ever have too much hope!
I'm also resolving to be more creative, reach out with cards and letters more often, read more, go online less, and keep in touch with my dad and brothers more often (I call my mom and sister all the time, but now that the rest of us are living farther apart, I need to be more intentional with keeping up!).
We have some exciting news in the Tuesday Talk realm-- four new hosts! Sadly this also means there are four great hosts who have decided to step down for the year but they promise us they'll still keep in touch!
Please welcome our four new ladies!
Emily at Raising Barnes
Stasia at Our Life on a Budget
Ruthie at Rear. Release. Regroup.
Tina at Go Big or Go Home
I'm looking forward to getting to know them better and I hope you will, too! Stop over at their blogs and say hello!
Want to join this week's link up? Grab our button below and link back to one of the hosts!
You can join us on Pinterest, too!
Follow Sweet Little Ones's board Tuesday Talk Features on Pinterest.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Of Loss and Love: A Year in Review with Pictures
So I've been pretty sentimental today. I didn't expect it. It was mostly a normal day. I worked. We have no New Year's Eve plans. I'll be going to bed early from exhaustion. But this NYE stuff caught up with me. The reflecting on a year drawing to a close. So as I drove to and from work, I found myself reviewing the year.
And what. a. year. Marriage. A home purchase. Losses that knocked the wind out of us. Joy that seeped into the cracked places of our hearts. New places and new friends...and always the treasured old.
Tears and smiles, awe and gratitude joined me in the car today. But more than anything, I felt grace. Grace all over the year, woven through the ups and downs. God's presence. His protection. And His providence.
Sometimes we need to look more closely at the small things to see beauty...but sometimes we also need to step back and look at the larger picture. Join me as I recount the big and small things of 2015?
January
I was knee-deep in wedding planning, a nervous but excited fiancee looking ahead to the biggest change in my life.
I accompanied P. (fiance at the time) and my bestie R. to the March for Life in Washington D.C. Always a powerful trip as we show our nation's leaders (and the few media channels that will cover it) that we believe every life is a gift and worth living.
P. was invited to lead the prayer for the opening of a House of Rep. session at our statehouse. Such an honor!! His brother, nephew, and I were tickled pink to join him!
February
We were blindsided by the sudden death of my father-in-law. By God's grace, all the family members were already in town for a Baptism (some live as far as the East Coast) and were able to stay together for the following week. The grief and shock were overwhelming. We were too young to lose a parent. I felt so inadequate to comfort my husband-to-be, yet was so deeply touched by the way his family banded together in their grief. I felt blessed to become part of this family, this legacy.
March
We found our house. Searching for a home during our seven-month engagement proved to be one of the most challenging things we did and possibly stretched us the most as a couple. But I'll never forget the day we saw this house...shortly after losing the bid on a previous home I had wanted. We both fell in love with the country view, the quaint two-story, and the white woodwork. Within a week, we had had our offer accepted.
April
My bachelorette party with my sisterhood. These girls. The ones who have been with me through the ups and downs of single life, relationships, faith struggles, and self-image woes. We have a history together...and a future. Their hearts were so generous in helping me plan and prepare for marriage. Some friends will stay in your life forever.
May
I stood face-to-face with the man who swept me off my feet and vowed to love him forever. I watched him cry as I walked up the aisle. We worshiped together in song after receiving our precious Jesus in the Eucharist. We were overjoyed at the church full of so many loved ones who traveled near and far to support us, pray with us, and celebrate with us.
June
After a crazy two-week stint of living in both our apartments (an hour apart) on a random schedule, we moved into our new home! My mom and dad get the highest praise here, I've never seen anyone work so hard in helped us pack and unpack. We also had a sweet band of friends who made endless rounds from the trailer to the house. I hope they move soon so we can begin to repay them!!
July
One of the most joyful and painful months of our lives. We learned I was pregnant. Those moments of awe that a little life is within you...soon changed to the agony of having the little life leave you too soon. We lost our sweet son, Ignatius, to miscarriage. Despite being only two months into our marriage, my husband was a rock for me. My mom and my sister were lifeblood. And all the women who came out of the woodwork and shared their own miscarriages gave me strength and hope that we, too, would get through this. I was most comforted by these words of Mother Angelica.
August
It's an odd thing to be an adult. Because somehow, you can grieve and rejoice at the same time. And so while we still carried our grief, we were also enjoying our first few months of marriage and life in our new home. We hosted about forty young adults at a local park for a summer party of sports, pizza, and a bonfire. Such a gift to have fellowship with solid, delightful people who share our love for Christ.
I took my first trip away from P. and enjoyed the annual girlfriends camping trip at the lake. Despite my tan for the wedding, I burnt to a crisp from too much lounging in the lake!
September
A friend H. and I began Courageous Women, our monthly Bible study. The book has been incredible, the friendships inspiring, and the food quite tasty!
October
In the wake of doctor's appointments, new diagnoses, and discouragement about my fertility, we decided to take a month to refocus and reprioritize. October was a simple, carefree month all about our marriage. We even took a little getaway to Amish Country when my husband was scheduled for a few talks there. I was so excited for him to experience a historic Bed and Breakfast (although I think he mostly just enjoyed watching me get so excited about it all). I found so much peace and joy in this month of surrender to the Lord and gratitude for the gift of our marriage.
November
The day after Thanksgiving my thankful heart overflowed when I got a positive pregnancy test. Despite my deep gratitude, I soon learned this time around there would be a battle with fear and anxiety. I wanted to be excited and joyful but I struggled with detachment and fear that we would lose this little one, too. I so desperately wanted to trust God, but what did that even look like in this situation? I couldn't trust that everything would turn out like I wanted it to...but I realized I could trust who God is, that He loved and willed this child into being, and that He had a plan for it. If that plan was to join Him in Heaven right way or if that plan included us meeting and raising this little one, God's will be done. He is good and He loves us in either outcome.
December
My Advent continued my struggle with fear but I could see grace reaching in, God teaching patiently, and my heart learning slowly. We still don't know what will happen in the months ahead, but I'm learning to treasure every day I carry this child beneath my heart. I'm learning to trust like Mary in the uncertainty of life just as she trusted God in her pregnancy. And there is joy. So much joy.
And what. a. year. Marriage. A home purchase. Losses that knocked the wind out of us. Joy that seeped into the cracked places of our hearts. New places and new friends...and always the treasured old.
Tears and smiles, awe and gratitude joined me in the car today. But more than anything, I felt grace. Grace all over the year, woven through the ups and downs. God's presence. His protection. And His providence.
Sometimes we need to look more closely at the small things to see beauty...but sometimes we also need to step back and look at the larger picture. Join me as I recount the big and small things of 2015?
January
I was knee-deep in wedding planning, a nervous but excited fiancee looking ahead to the biggest change in my life.
I accompanied P. (fiance at the time) and my bestie R. to the March for Life in Washington D.C. Always a powerful trip as we show our nation's leaders (and the few media channels that will cover it) that we believe every life is a gift and worth living.
P. was invited to lead the prayer for the opening of a House of Rep. session at our statehouse. Such an honor!! His brother, nephew, and I were tickled pink to join him!
February
We were blindsided by the sudden death of my father-in-law. By God's grace, all the family members were already in town for a Baptism (some live as far as the East Coast) and were able to stay together for the following week. The grief and shock were overwhelming. We were too young to lose a parent. I felt so inadequate to comfort my husband-to-be, yet was so deeply touched by the way his family banded together in their grief. I felt blessed to become part of this family, this legacy.
March
We found our house. Searching for a home during our seven-month engagement proved to be one of the most challenging things we did and possibly stretched us the most as a couple. But I'll never forget the day we saw this house...shortly after losing the bid on a previous home I had wanted. We both fell in love with the country view, the quaint two-story, and the white woodwork. Within a week, we had had our offer accepted.
April
My bachelorette party with my sisterhood. These girls. The ones who have been with me through the ups and downs of single life, relationships, faith struggles, and self-image woes. We have a history together...and a future. Their hearts were so generous in helping me plan and prepare for marriage. Some friends will stay in your life forever.
May
I stood face-to-face with the man who swept me off my feet and vowed to love him forever. I watched him cry as I walked up the aisle. We worshiped together in song after receiving our precious Jesus in the Eucharist. We were overjoyed at the church full of so many loved ones who traveled near and far to support us, pray with us, and celebrate with us.
June
After a crazy two-week stint of living in both our apartments (an hour apart) on a random schedule, we moved into our new home! My mom and dad get the highest praise here, I've never seen anyone work so hard in helped us pack and unpack. We also had a sweet band of friends who made endless rounds from the trailer to the house. I hope they move soon so we can begin to repay them!!
July
One of the most joyful and painful months of our lives. We learned I was pregnant. Those moments of awe that a little life is within you...soon changed to the agony of having the little life leave you too soon. We lost our sweet son, Ignatius, to miscarriage. Despite being only two months into our marriage, my husband was a rock for me. My mom and my sister were lifeblood. And all the women who came out of the woodwork and shared their own miscarriages gave me strength and hope that we, too, would get through this. I was most comforted by these words of Mother Angelica.
August
It's an odd thing to be an adult. Because somehow, you can grieve and rejoice at the same time. And so while we still carried our grief, we were also enjoying our first few months of marriage and life in our new home. We hosted about forty young adults at a local park for a summer party of sports, pizza, and a bonfire. Such a gift to have fellowship with solid, delightful people who share our love for Christ.
I took my first trip away from P. and enjoyed the annual girlfriends camping trip at the lake. Despite my tan for the wedding, I burnt to a crisp from too much lounging in the lake!
September
A friend H. and I began Courageous Women, our monthly Bible study. The book has been incredible, the friendships inspiring, and the food quite tasty!
October
In the wake of doctor's appointments, new diagnoses, and discouragement about my fertility, we decided to take a month to refocus and reprioritize. October was a simple, carefree month all about our marriage. We even took a little getaway to Amish Country when my husband was scheduled for a few talks there. I was so excited for him to experience a historic Bed and Breakfast (although I think he mostly just enjoyed watching me get so excited about it all). I found so much peace and joy in this month of surrender to the Lord and gratitude for the gift of our marriage.
November
The day after Thanksgiving my thankful heart overflowed when I got a positive pregnancy test. Despite my deep gratitude, I soon learned this time around there would be a battle with fear and anxiety. I wanted to be excited and joyful but I struggled with detachment and fear that we would lose this little one, too. I so desperately wanted to trust God, but what did that even look like in this situation? I couldn't trust that everything would turn out like I wanted it to...but I realized I could trust who God is, that He loved and willed this child into being, and that He had a plan for it. If that plan was to join Him in Heaven right way or if that plan included us meeting and raising this little one, God's will be done. He is good and He loves us in either outcome.
December
My Advent continued my struggle with fear but I could see grace reaching in, God teaching patiently, and my heart learning slowly. We still don't know what will happen in the months ahead, but I'm learning to treasure every day I carry this child beneath my heart. I'm learning to trust like Mary in the uncertainty of life just as she trusted God in her pregnancy. And there is joy. So much joy.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Tuesday Talk #13
Want to join this week's link up? Grab our button below and link back to one of the hosts!
The hosts of Tuesday Talk
Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time
Keri - Living In This Season ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty
Lauren - Simply Elliott~ Becky - BYBMG
Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place
Laura - Life Is Beautiful ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things
Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me
Emily - Morning Motivated Mom
You can join us on Pinterest, too!
Follow Sweet Little Ones's board Tuesday Talk Features on Pinterest.
Join the party, friends, by linking up with your favorite post from the week! Here's the scoop:Keri - Living In This Season ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty
Lauren - Simply Elliott~ Becky - BYBMG
Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place
Laura - Life Is Beautiful ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things
Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me
Emily - Morning Motivated Mom
You can join us on Pinterest, too!
Follow Sweet Little Ones's board Tuesday Talk Features on Pinterest.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Wisdom for Wednesdays
"He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute."
-Saint Augustine, qtd. in The Greatest Gift, by Ann Voskamp
-Saint Augustine, qtd. in The Greatest Gift, by Ann Voskamp
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Tuesday Talk #12: Merry Christmas!
It's a holiday break for me once again! Though this Advent season and Christmas preparation have been decidedly different and slower than most years (more on that later), there are still a few loose ends to tie this week before we celebrate the birth of Jesus! A few gifts to wrap, a few parties to attend, and a few recipes to make (Christmas Crunch, anyone?).
I pray in the midst of these last-minute preparations for all of us, we can find some time to be still. To reflect. To pray. To enjoy the greatest gift. May your last week of Advent be full of blessings and joy!
And a very merry Christmas from our house to yours!
Want to join this week's link up? Grab our button below and link back to one of the hosts!
I pray in the midst of these last-minute preparations for all of us, we can find some time to be still. To reflect. To pray. To enjoy the greatest gift. May your last week of Advent be full of blessings and joy!
And a very merry Christmas from our house to yours!
Want to join this week's link up? Grab our button below and link back to one of the hosts!
The hosts of Tuesday Talk
Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time
Keri - Living In This Season ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty
Lauren - Simply Elliott~ Becky - BYBMG
Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place
Laura - Life Is Beautiful ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things
Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me
Emily - Morning Motivated Mom
You can join us on Pinterest, too!
Follow Sweet Little Ones's board Tuesday Talk Features on Pinterest.
Join the party, friends, by linking up with your favorite post from the week! Here's the scoop:Keri - Living In This Season ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty
Lauren - Simply Elliott~ Becky - BYBMG
Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place
Laura - Life Is Beautiful ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things
Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me
Emily - Morning Motivated Mom
You can join us on Pinterest, too!
Follow Sweet Little Ones's board Tuesday Talk Features on Pinterest.
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