Of Summer Things & 'The Now'

Summer is almost here & I'm writing down all the things I want to do & counting down days.  It's that time of year in teacherdom where it seems all at once so close & so far.  It's only 12 more days!  How can I possibly survive for 12 more days?  Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

More than ever, besides all the bucket-y list items of go to the library, eat a snow cone, and clean out the closets, I want to be present in the now & enjoying what I've got this summer {& beyond}.  Oh yes, how easy it is to always be waiting on the next best & brightest - the new adventure your hoping/praying will be just around the bend... But what about the now?!  The minutes & seconds & moments that are precious & real & spinning past & being neglected &, yes, even wished away {hence my school countdown}.  I find it a fine line indeed between the now & the hope of the better in the not-now.  It's tricky, but I don't want to miss the now amid all the pressing thoughts of When we get a house... When we get pregnant... When we get out of debt...  When Jesus returns... 😇  Because one day, my sisters, He will & there will be no more waiting around for anything, & we will give an account for all our days.  Thank You, Jesus, that You are faithful even when I am not.

Let's make our moments count.

Oh, yes... & in the end loving Him is all that counts.

Random Rambles {01.22.2018}

▶ It seems crazy that it went from snow to the upper 60s / low 70s in less than a week here.

▶ Walmart has their own brand of salted caramel oatmeal & it is my new favorite breakfast treat.  It has actual yummy pieces of caramel in it, people, + it's good for you!

▶ I'm in the middle of reading Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst, & some of the words seem so telling & sad, almost foreshadowing the future, in this book written before her divorce {which she had Biblical grounds for}.  The enemy is certainly against godly marriages.  My heart breaks for Lysa.

▶ I watched one of my long-time faves the other day {it's currently on Netflix} & it just reiterated how endearing it is to my heart + it might have made me shed some tears.  I ❤ While You Were Sleeping.  Have you seen it?

▶ I'm not expecting at the moment, but this little unicorn baby romper is the sweetest thing!

▶ It's not easy subbing right now with flu germs running wild everywhere.  I'm gonna say an extra prayer & just trust the Lord to take good care of me wherever I go... which is what I always need to do anyhow.  He's so good to me!

Random Rambles {11.02.2017}

▶ "Control" by Tenth Avenue North - man, this song is speaking to me deep today.  This is my new anthem.  Take a listen here.

▶ I confess, all the Christmas things hitting the stores are making me kinda giddy.

▶ McCormick's slow cookers chicken tortilla soup seasoning mix I randomly picked up at the Dollar Tree the other day, helped me make the most delicious soup ever.  Highly recommend to all my fellow Crock Potters!

▶ My birthday is just 3 little days away.

▶ Dan won a homemade chocolate cake in our church's fall festival, & needless to say it is serious deliciousness {+ I've now claimed it for my birthday cake}.

▶ I want to be wise with my time always, but especially this time of year when WHAM everybody's schedules & to-do lists just grew exponentially over night.  I want to be less rushed & frazzled & more present & rejoicing this holiday season.  Sounds lovely, now to actually go & do it...  God, grant me Your strength + peace.

▶ Last year it did not happen, but 2017 is the year we send out our 1st Christmas cards...  I hope...  Or, at least, I'd like to...  We'll see.  Definitely... Maybe.

Random Rambles {10.11.2017}

▶ God's love + grace are utterly astounding... & that is the biggest understatement I know.  I pray it brings us to our knees.

▶ Sooo, we already went & got our Star Wars tickets late Monday night impromptu-ly after watching the new trailer.  Did I mention I married the biggest Star Wars fan ever?  We will likely see The Last Jedi in theaters a minimum of 3 times.

▶ We've decided to dress up as an Oreo cookie for our church's fall festival!  This will be our 1st time dressing up together for Oct. 31st!  Hopefully, I'll get the tutorial up on the blog sometime next week.

▶ Pumpkins always make me happy.  "Jesus + you + me + pumpkin everything" is currently written on our kitchen chalkboard & those 2 pretty mini gourd pumpkins {in the pic} currently reside on our dining table.

▶ Dan got me a blanket ladder as an early birthday gift & I'm enjoying it's cute rustic charm.  Thanks, my love!

▶ Living in another state from my loved ones is especially tough as birthdays & holidays approach.  

▶ I have really fallen out of reading & want to get back to it.  Any suggestions?

Random Rambles {04.15.2017}

▶ I just started using this shampoo & conditioner & I'm loving it! {I also recommend this one.}

▶ I could eat all the Great Value banana pudding ice cream you give me!  Seriously, though. {Also, the mint cookies & cream - it tastes like Girl Scout thin mints deliciousness!}

▶ Reading Jennie Allen's book Nothing to Prove has made me reflect on Easter in a new light this year.  I'm so thankful Jesus is forever my enough!

▶ I'm actually one of those people who find Peeps yummy.

▶ I'm having the in-laws over for Easter lunch after church {& it's a teensy bit overwhelming right about now}.

▶ I made little Easter baskets for Dan & I, 'cause sometimes you just gotta.

▶ Dan & I helped out with the egg hunt at church today.  It was a blast hiding the eggs + watching the crazy/excited little kiddos go & find 'em! {Around 1,500 eggs were hidden!}

▶ We still haven't got our taxes completely done - almost, but not quite.  Yikes!

▶ I got to pet a rabbit at the pet store today!

Random Rambles {04.07.2017}

▶ Toilet paper is not an appropriate bookmark, littles, even if it's clean.  Gosh, I hope it's clean! #schoollibrarianprobs

▶ My husband has been shedding the pounds & seeking more healthy in life.  I am crazy proud of him!

▶ I'm so ready for our apt. swimming pool(s)!  They are calling me. {I've already swam once this year (in Feb.)!}

▶ We're really getting {re}into hiking this spring!

▶ FYI, spring makes me so happy, you guys!  The flowers, everything about Easter, pastels... Everything is my fave 'cept the taxes part.

▶ I really want to try this "healthy" dessert recipe soon!

▶ Jesus is my forever hope & love.

▶ Life is messy & complicated & sometimes it plain hurts, but it's a gift worth living.

▶ He surprised me with flowers twice this past month!  I'm so grateful for my flower-gifting amazing-gift-of-a-husband!

▶ Chicken + waffles are my jam.

▶ Anybody else like, "It's April already?!"