beginning of year two.

It has been just shy of one year since I began this blogging adventure and goodness, I have learned so much!   In case you haven't read my previous post, I've spent the past several days on a nice little blogging hiatus. Two words for you: MUCH NEEDED.   The last month or so, I've been going blogging bananas.   I've spent way too much time on the computer, reading blog after blog. I've been worrying about the fact that I haven't gained many followers (Absolutely silly, I know! That's not what this is even supposed to be about...for me, anyway), stewing over what to blog about, and just generally feeling "blah" about the whole darn thing.   I don't want that. That wasn't my intent when I began this journey to document my life.   With the beginning of a new year, I'm looking forward to setting a few boundaries, if you will.   Here they are: (in hopes that I'll be held accountable to these!)   + put my devotional time above all else (maybe this will be the year that I can wake up earlier than J so I can get it done first thing in the AM instead of frantically squeezing it in during naptime?...remember, I did say maybe)   + be more organized with blogging (make an on-going list of post ideas/topics, edit pictures on a more regular basis, etc.)   + set a time limit for blogging  (writing posts, commenting & reading other blogs, etc.)   + be intentional with the friendships formed through blogging (I've already met quite a few wonderful, encouraging friends through this big adventure and I'd love to maintain and continue to grow those friendships)   I want this space of mine to be a source of encouragement. I want to be in community with other bloggers. I want to document my journey through life as a way to look back and remember both the highs and the lows. ...but most importantly, I want the Lord to use me where He sees fit.   Thank you to all of the wonderful readers for being a constant source of support and encouragement. I am forever grateful.   Year 2013? Let's do this.  

  Pin It Now!

a fun exchange.

Awhile back, I was reading Erin's blog, Living In Yellow, and saw mention of an ornament swap.

Ornament swap!?

I thought it sounded fun...sort've like Pen Pal meets Secret Santa.

I pretty much signed up immediately.

Here's the breakdown:
I would be assigned a person to send an ornament to, and someone ELSE would be assigned to send me an ornament. 
That meant everyone was sending out an ornament, and everyone would then be receiving an ornament from someone different...
all while meeting some new (wonderful) bloggers. 
It was a win-win.

I purchased the ornament, contacted Kristin from Rare Nonsense (the blogger I was assigned to send my ornament to) to get her mailing information, and sent the ornament on its merry way.

A few weeks later, guess what was sitting on my front porch? 

That's right, my ornament! 
It was like Christmas morning. 
I was straight up PUMPED. 

I brought the box inside and opened it up to find this:

I opened the card first, to find a monogrammed front 
(how personal!) and a sweet message inside:

Then carefully opened the wrapped ornament...

to find this:

This past weekend we put up our Christmas decorations (which obviously included the beloved tree), so I could hang this beauty proudly for all the world to see:

A HUGE thank you to Kristin from Young & Southern for mailing me the most adorable ornament.  
I love my ornament and will have a fun memory to tie with it forever.


Pin It Now!

give a little more love this christmas.

John Lewis makes the best Christmas TV adverts.
 (if you haven't heard of him before, watch the videos from years past[after watching this one!])
 
the one this year made me cry.

so sweet.

 

Pin It Now!

case of the "gimmies".

Among the long list of things God has managed to teach me during this tight financial time for my family (with owning 2 houses for almost half a year), the one that is resonating with me most during this season is the feeling of contentment.

source

With the holidays approaching at warp speed, this lesson has become especially valuable.

There are ads galore nowadays.
Ads on TV,
ads on the radio,
ads on the internet,
ads in the newspaper...

you can't get through the day without seeing/hearing about the latest "must haves" this holiday season.
 
"You have the iPhone 4S? That's not good enough, my friends. Sorry that you just purchased it less than 3 months ago because you NEED the iPhone 5 right. now. This phone has a bigger screen, a sleeker body, can hold more memory, weighs SO much less, can pretty much do anything you'd ever need it to, like prepare your meals for you, and bathe your children. You need this phone in order to live and be successful in life."

These messages start to get to me.

They begin to let them define who I am.

I don't even own an iPhone, let alone the newest, greatest version.

That begins to make me feel "less than".

...and I know I'm not the only one who feels this.

These ads that are taking over our lives begin to make us all feel discontent with what we've already been blessed with.  

Nevermind the fact that we've only owned said item for just a few months.

These ads begin to let their lies creep in...

"If only you had THIS (insert hot new item here)...THEN you'd be happy.  Truly happy." 

Not having the money this year to purchase the latest and greatest has taught me so much.

I can hear God gently whispering to me,  

"Kristin, it's time you learn to be content with what you have." 

"But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." 

1 Timothy 6:6-8  

This holiday season, I'm learning to be content with what I have.

I'm so grateful for my hard working husband.

I'm thankful that he works his tail off so I can have the privilege of staying home with my son.

NO dollar amount (or hot new item) can replace that. 

Will there be times this season when I think,
"Boy, I sure would love that cute new sweater."

Yes. I'm human.

...but I'm sure going to try my hardest to remind myself to be content with what I already have. 

After all,

I've been blessed with so much.  

-----------------------------------------------------------

Speaking of feeling blessed...

I feel so fortunate to have met and become fast friends with fellow blogger, Katie, from Standpipe & Sprinkles. She was one of the first to reach out to me as I began this blogging journey, and I love her dearly for that. 

She has a pretty fantastic love story, the most adorable little girl, Maile, aaaaand we both may or may not have a bad case of baby fever.  

Seriously, friends, go check out her blog. It will become a favorite of yours, too!

If you stop by, be sure to leave her a comment and tell her I sent you! 

Pin It Now!

happy thanksgiving.

As I sit among family, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, with the unmistakable scent of turkey and stuffing begining to waft through the air, all I can think is

I am thankful.

 

Here's to hoping you have the most wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family.  You are all loved! <3

 

I will leave you with this:

 

source

 





Pin It Now!

sad, but true.

source

I've seen this hilariously true (and sad) ecard pop up on several people's Facebook page.

My church pastor also tied it into the sermon on Sunday.

The simple message on this card has really made me stop and think. 

  

I want to spend time thinking and reflecting on the things I'm thankful for, 

because after all,

I am blessed beyond words.

Because I don't want to take up too much of your time, here are just a few (of the many) things I'm thankful for...

some are big things, some are silly things, 

but I'm truly thankful for them all.

My hilarious, loving, always there for me when I need them family.  

(...and sidenote, I'm beyond thankful that Michael's family and my family are like one big happy family.  Whenever we're all together, laughs are heard, inside jokes are made, and love abounds.)

This character.

I lucked out, getting to be his mama.  

He has already taught me so much in his 16 months of life...I can't begin to imagine what I'll learn in the next 16 years of his life.

Friends. 

  The kind of friends who will run half marathons with you 

and keep you motivated. 

The kind of friends who will pose like the mannequins in a window and look like complete goofballs. 

The kind of friends who will be there for you through thick and thin.

I love you all dearly (and wish I could post a picture of every single one of you)!

  

 Starbucks.

Is there more that needs to be said here?

Music -- itunes.

I have music playing (almost) constantly.  

Simply hearing a specific song can be a day maker.  

This guy.

The father of my son, the provider for our family, the best husband around.

There is no one I'd rather do life with.

I love you.

Ok...this list could go on and on, so I will end it here.

Oh...wait...

I'm so thankful for each of YOU!  

My amazing readers.

 

This Thanksgiving, take a few extra minutes to reflect on what you're thankful for (big or small)...

and don't trample anyone if you're a Black Friday shopper. :)  

 

Pin It Now!