I'm linking up with Heather over at Beautifully Rooted for her Wednesday posts.

This week I found God in my bathroom. Specifically my sink.

Our bathroom is what some might call extrememly small. And if you are sitting on the potty, you are nearly right across from the sink. But it's big enough for us and you can get everything you need to accomplish done in there. And that's all that really matters right?

Even though I have spent much time in our one and only bathroom, I was reminded this week of how much work we put into our house when we moved in a little over a year ago. That bathroom needed a complete overhaul. My hubby ripped it out to the studs and started from scratch. Give that boy a hammer and look out! It's like I have my very own Bob Villa.
And whilst we were working on the house and getting it ready before we moved in, I would make many trips to the dollar store down the road to use their bathroom when ours wasn't finished yet. Don't worry, I always bought a little something while there.
I remember the day the bathroom was ready for use and how ecstatic I was. It felt like a real home with the bathroom up and running. A home that God had put into our lives. Our very first home together as a married couple.
It almost makes me tear up to this day just thinking of God's love for us. Even though we don't deserve his love and our lives are messy. He still loves us.
It's amazing how a simple sink and bar of soap can remind you of His love.

Have a happy Wednesday!

Virtual Coffee With Amy

Hello! Happy Tuesday!

I'm linking up with Amy today.

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She hosts a weekly Virtual Coffee on Tuesdays at her blog Lucky Number 13.

She's super cute and has an adorable home too.

So being that I love all things coffee, I knew I had to jump on board. Hopefully this will become a regular Tuesday deal here at Faithful City Mouse.

A few weeks ago I cleaned up the Cusinart coffee pot and put it under the counter. I felt like I needed to control my coffee intake (with a LOT of encouragement from the hubberooni). And instead I whipped out an old percolator that my mom handed down to us.

Isn't it cute? It's make a lot of gurggling noises before it gets going, but once she decides to brew, watch out!
That mug is one that I choose over most others. And I do have many to choose from. That could be an entire post I think. The mugs of Rachel Jeter. Anywho, I digress.

If you came over for a real coffee date, not just a virtual one, I would surely have something scrumptious for us to snack on. Lately I think about donuts.all.the.time. Or maybe a pie. Pie and coffee go so well together.

-I would bring you to the craft room and show you my progress. Slow but steady. That's me.
-We could talk about how we wish there would have been more snow this year, but we're so ready for Spring!
-That we're counting the days until the tulips, irises and peonies start blooming.
-How a camping trip is definitely in order.
-That even though we live in a small town without a Starbucks, we can still enjoy a made from home cup of coffee as long as the mug is awesome.
-I would ask you what your favorite book might be and if you have any suggestions for me?
-What's your go to hair routine? Do you wash it everyday? Use products? Curl?Straighten? I'm always looking for hair ideas you see.

And since we would no doubt be having our coffee talk on the couch (so much more comfy!), I would let you snuggle my stinky little Beagle boy Charlie.

You can't resist his cuteness can you ? I know. Me either. :)

Hope your Tuesday is awesome!

100th Post

This is my 100th post on this blog! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by and how much fun I have had with this blog.

I woke up this morning, unlike most Monday mornings, and just knew it was going to be a good day! Isn't that great?! I had started organizing the craft room a little, got a visit for what I want it to look like and felt the presence of God helping me mentally prepare for this.
I haven't shared this with some of you yet, but I'm hoping to someday work from home. As in work out of my craft room. Crafting up something great, likely with my sewing machine and my own two hands.

 Source

Do you see that little button up there that says "SHOP" ? Someday there will be items in there to purchase. Like aprons and pillow cases. And who knows what else. That button has been up there empty since the start of this blog. But when I had Kendra design my blog, I knew that there was more to it. I was just hopefuly that someday it would all work out.

Source
And hopefully someday sooner than later, I will be doing this while able to stay home with my babies ( no, not prego yet!) and able to still contribute to our family's income.
What are your thoughts on this?

When I think about all that, it makes my heart happy.
 Answering only to me ( and God of course.) Sewing away while Charlie snoozes on his doggy bed in the corner. Letting the sunlight pour into the craft room and the view of our garden and flowers inspiring me along the way.
There is much to accomplish before this all falls into place. Did I mention I need to become a little (read LOT) more acquainted with my sewing macine (and dust if off!)?  And unleash the inner craft girl inside?
There is lot to do.
Maybe what I'm experiencing is a long term, sometime in the future vision.

 I don't know the timing or how it will all come to.
I don't know what the future hold for this blog or working from home( or anything else for that matter!), but I know that God has AWESOME plans to come.
I pray that this blog be a blessing to all that visit. A sight for sharing compassion, information, life, pictures and most of all God's LOVE. Thank you so much for reading and please stick around! There are great things ahead for this Faithful City Mouse.

Source

Have you made any big jumps career wise? Is there something you wish you could do other than what you are doing right now?
DO share! :)

Thanks and have a great day!

Food For Thought

It's a little blurry. But the message is real.

Hope you have a great day.

Be thankful.

Picture Source

Insta Friday

I'm going to make this a habit on Fridays from here on out.
Showing my week or whatever I have a chance to take pics of.

And just so your warned, I took a LOT of pics this week. :)

Enjoyed a fire in our fire pit. So nice!

Snuggling Beagle. Oh how I love him!

Favorite coffee mug discounted after season from Starbucks many years ago.

Easiest peanut butter/chocolate pie ever. And sprinkles makes everything better doesn't it?

I told you we have garden fever! We (and when I saw we, I mean my hubby ) got all this in the garden over the weekend. Salad mix, Chinese Red Meat radish, spinach. We are going to have an awesome salad in a few months!

A bin of red onions at the Feed Store. We came home with several scoops of those!

Somewhat drooling over the new cow girl boots. Also at the feed store. Everytime I go in there, I'm still suprised and amazed at what I see in there. Bins of cow de-wormer, ropes for lassoing, john deer this and that. I love it all. Not something you would ever see in the city.

And a suprise lunch date with the honey :) We even shared bread pudding. Yummmmmo!

You should link up with Life Rearranged too!
Happy Friday

Just For Fun....

1. What time did you get up this morning?

I set my alarm for 5:30am everyday. After I turn it off, I lay in bed snuggling with Charlie (or maybe sleeping!) until my hubby calls me around 6am to say "Good Morning Sweetie!".

2. How do you like your steak?

Medium

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

The Chronicle

4. What is your favorite TV show?

I'm totally loving Downton Abbey, but now the 2nd season is over . Boohoo. Still like watching re-reruns on Netflix of Felicity though.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

There are so many variables. Cost? Family? Etc? But if we stayed in Arkansas, I would love to live in Eureka Springs. Or maybe Colorado.

6. What did you have for breakfast?

Swiss,onion quiche and coffee. Yum!

7. What is your favorite food?

Homemade pizza by my hubby!

8. Foods you dislike?

 PEAS! When I Was little and at school, I would tell the lunch ladies I was allergic to get out of eating them! Ha!

9. Favorite place to eat?

Lou Malnati's Pizza, Thai Garden or Macaroni Grill

10. Favorite dressing?

I like a homemade ranch.

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?

A Subaru Out back. Love it!

12. What are your favorite clothes?
 Yoga pants and a comfy shirt/sweatshirt. Reall it's about the comfort more than anything.
 Also like getting dressed up for church in obviously more than yoga pants :)

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

Somewhere in Europe. Maybe France, Italy, Spain?

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 

It's usually half full. But we all have our moments!

15. Where would you want to retire?

In a cabin in the woods with my hunny!

16. Favorite time of day?

I do like the weekend mornings when we aren't rushed to be out the door. Also the evenings when we sit by the fire pit and talk.

17. Where were you born?

San Jose, California.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?

I really don't care one bit for sports.

19. What is your favorite fragrance?

Euphoria by Calvin Klein for more than everyday wear and usually a vanilla or sweat pea body spray for regular days.

20. What is your favorite face cream?

The Walmart brand of illuminating face moisturizer with SPF 15. It's a copy of the Aveeno brand.

21. Favorite baby/kids products?

No kids yet. But I do love buying for nieces and nephews and friends babies:)

22. People watcher?

Yes! I once said to my cousin that I wish I could get paid to people watch. He said "you could, it's called journalism". So wise he is.

23. Are you a morning or night person?

I used to be a night person, but then I married a man who wakes up at dark thirty and thinks I should too :) Love makes you do funny things.

24. Do you have any pets?

Charlie the Wonder Dog. Beagle.

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?

Ummmmm.........I bought 4 lavender seeds packets at the grocery store yesterday.

26. What did you want to be when you were little?

I always thought bagging groceries looked fun and still to this day get excited when there isn't a bagger and I get to bag my own. Dork alert!

27. What is your favorite memory?

I have lots! Growing up with my grandparents, the years I nannied for the Arp family and of course meeting my hubby and marry him!

28. Are you a cat or dog person?

Dogs! All the way! :)

29. Are you married?

Yes I am! :)

30. Always wear your seat belt?

I should say yes, but sometimes I don't. I know. Naughty.

31. Been in a car accident?

Thankfully no.

32. Any pet peeves?

Chewing with their mouth open. I can't stand it!

33. Favorite pizza toppings?

Chicken and bacon. Mushrooms and pepperoni. Or a supreme!

34. Favorite flower?

Peonies and Tulips.

35. Favorite ice cream?

Peanut Butter/ Chocolate or Coffee from the Spring Dipper.

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?

Chipotle

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?

When I moved from New York to Arkansas I had let my license expire. Woops. And I had to take the written exam and didn't think I needed to study. I failed the first time. Embarassing.

38. From whom did you get your last email?

Probably my mother. :)

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Well, it would probably be at a Super Target or Super Walmart. That way I could stock up on EVERYTHING! I'm practical like that ya'll.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?

My hubby took my on a surprise lunch date this past weekend :)

41. Broccoli?

Yes please!

42. What was your favorite vacation?

I have been blessed to go on many vacations. I can think of two that really stand out. Hawaii when we saw whales up close and going to Germany as an exchange student. Twice!

43. Last person you went out to dinner with?

The hubberooni!

44. What are you listening to right now?

Peter Bjorn and John on Spotify.

45. What is your favorite color?

I look the jewel tones. Red, purple, navy, a deep teal, mustard.

46. How many tattoos do you have?

Zip! And I never will!

47. Coffee drinker?

You know it! With cream and sugar. The stronger darker the roast, the better.

48. What book are you currently reading?

I have a bad habit or picking up several books at a time. Right now I'm reading Seven and a Dirty Life.

49. Go To Meal?

I'm kind of in pie mode lately. It's so easy to whip up a pie. Peanut Butter, Apple, Pumpkin. And then of course there is the breakfast pie or quiche. So easy and delicious!

50. Something you don't know about me?

I sleep with a fan on. Every night. Not because I'm hot, but because it blocks out the noise. I can't hear the cars on the road outside, the ticking clock (drives me nuts!) or even the barking dog. It's great. But truthfully, it was bad to start this because now I can't sleep without it!

Finding Him Wednesdays

There is a fairly new blog that I'm excited to share with you.
It's called Beautifully Rooted.






It was created by two Godly women, looking to bring other women of faith together. To share everything from recipes to heartaches to victories to challenges. It's AWESOME!

The founders are :

Rachel Reeves from Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane . Like the Cherry Tree Lane from Mary Poppins. Swoon.

And Heather Hamilton from Life Made Lovely . I've mentioned her before. Still loving her and her blog. You must check it out if you haven't already.









Source of pics found Here.


On Wednesdays, Heather is starting a link up called Found .

It's about finding God thru the day or week with pictures and what it means to you.


I was having one of those days.
Feeling blah. Wanting to come home to coffee, but not wanting the caffeine to keep me up to all hours of the night. Thinking I should spend time in my Bible but instead flopped on the couch to watch the last Downton Abbey of the Season. Seeing the dirty dishes and not having the want to do them ( do I talk too much about dirty dishes?). Wishing there was more money in the bank account. Feeling bad about not getting the craft room shaped up in order to actually get crafty. Guilty about not doing better with my "Get Healthy" plan. Feeling complacent in where I'm at. Wherever that may be.

And on the drive home from work, I rolled the window down and enjoyed the fresh air. It was like a shot of happiness. And when I got home and took the silly beagle out I let that fresh air fill my soul. It was so sweet.
I opened up the front door and let the sun come in.

Or maybe I let the SON come in.
And I remembered that God chose me.

For God Loves you....He chose you to be His own.
1 Thessalonians 1:4

We are not here by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed me and made me the person I am. He compares me to no one else, I am one of a kind. I lack nothing that His grace can't give me. He has allowed you to be here at this time in History to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.

I suddenly didn't feel as bad about not doing the dishes or getting into the craft room. Everyone needs time to replenish and renew.

Go visit Beautifully Rooted .
You will leave there feeling blessed, guaranteed.

Happy Wednesday!

Getting Ready To Grow

A few weeks ago I talked about Something Like Spring Fever . And it's hitting us hard more than ever.

The temperatures are set to be in the high 60's later this week! I'm thinking short sleeves and windows rolled down.

This past weekend the hubby planted onions, potatoes, radishes, lettuce and spinach. It is so exciting!

Are you getting ready with your garden yet?
What are you planting?

Here's some inspiration via youtube. Enjoy!

Happy Tuesday



Hello Monday

How was your weekend?
Do anything fun?

This post will be a buffet of randomness. My brain works like that usually. All over the place. I probably have a case of undiagnosed ADD. When I told me my mom this runs in the family, she looked at me like I had 3 eyeballs. Further confirming that I am right, in my opinion.

I love this outfit combo and the colors.

Rachel Jeter via Danielle Burkleo via http://www.birdsnest.com.au/womens/outfits/record-real

I thought this pic of a kitchen is adorable. As soon as I saw this pic I envisioned it to be a kitchen in Sweden, very Ikea-ish. Don't ask me why, I just got that vibe. When I clicked on the link, it took me to a blog written in a language I don't know. And one of the first words I picked out was "Ikea". Do I know my stuff or what?! Ha!

Rachel Jeter via Danielle Burkleo via

From mammatamo.blogspot.com

And this was just too funny not to share for all my Hunger Games homies.

This is nearly exactly what I thought when reading the first book. I would clearly be one of the first to die, because I cannot run fast and I don't like camping for more than a few days. So clearly a long period of time in the wilderness without smores, a tent and my air mattress would NOT work for me. Now you know.

Rachel Jeter via Kristen Kessinger

From someecards.com

Rachel Jeter via Danielle Burkleo via  inmyblessednest.blogspot.com

I'm having some serious chalk board love. And there are about a zillion pictures of them on pinterest. And now we live in an age of "chalkboard paint"! What will they think of next!?
When I was younger I used to love writing on the chalk board at school. And I also had a mini one at home that I would use to play school with my dolls.

All pics found on Pinterest.

Have a great day!

Courageous

We pre-ordered this movie after Thanksgiving. And we had to wait (patiently) until the middle of January, when it came out on DVD.


I wasn't sure how it was going to be, but I heard great things. And I'm sort of embarassed to say this, but sometimes "Christian" movies have a tendency to be some what......cheesy?
But this movie is not by any means. In fact it was great. We laughed really hard at parts and cried at others. A nice mix of emotions.

It has such a great message about families and how crucial a father's role is to his family. That relationship from a  husband/father with his wife and kids is untouchable. And that is how God made it. For the father to be the leader of the household. To love his wife and kids more than anything else (except God of course). And to want the very best for them and to focus on God so that he can be the leader.

There is a part in the movie where one of the dads takes his daughter on a date and tells her how much he and her mother love her and want her to know that they will guard her heart and guider her so that later when she meets the right guy she will know that he is in fact the right guy. It was so sweet.

I urge you to watch this movie. Redbox it, rent it, buy it and then share it with your friends and family.
It's that good.

Here's the song from Casting Crowns that is the theme for the movie.

Have a great day!

Downton Abbey

This show has captured me. I absolutely love it.
I watched the first season via netflix.
Then caught up on the second, which is still airing, on PBS.ORG.

You MUST watch this.
I thought it might be lame.
It's not. Trust me.
And then you can thank me later.

So good.

Insta Friday

Do you know about the blog Life Rearranged ? You should check it out.




Every Friday Jeanett hosts "Insta Friday".
Where you load up your pics from the week, mostly likely ones you have snapped on the fly with your cell phone.

This is my first week linking up and I'm giddy. :)


So here we go.
This is our new little heater. My grandparent's got this for us at Christmas time. Isn't it adorable?

Since we don't have kids yet, a lot of pics are centered around our fur baby Charlie. That's right, fur baby. We're kind of nuts about him. I mean look at that sweet little snuggly,sleepy face. I could just eat him up with kisses!

This is a pic of my grandparents on their wedding day. I think they both look so radiant and happy. 64 years later, they still look at each other all lovey dovey. My heart melts when I look at this picture.

I'm a big fan of quiche's. Probably because they involve cheese and are SO easy to make. So this week I made an onion and swiss quiche and snacked on it for lunches and dinner. Yumm!

I can't believe how awesome this pic turned out. From my iPhone no less! The sun was just right. And the glistening lake looks so inviting. We are so lucky to have this nice city park in our small town. I don't take Charlie here nearly enough for walks, but I'm going to make this a habit from now on.

And because I know you wanted to see just one more picture of my silly little beagle. Here is Charlie the Wonder Dog enjoying a snow day :)

Happy Friday!

Seasons

I've been thinking a lot lately about things. A time for this and a time for that. How different seasons whether it be the transition from winter to spring or a season in our life of hardship or happiness.
It's so interesting to me how easily the outside factors of our lives can so greatly affect our moods. Things we cannot control have power over our emotions. Everyday.
Sometimes the mornings start out great, other times an alarm clock that doesn't go off, or an overflowing coffee pot, dripping all over the floor can really sour the rest of the day.
I've been trying to keep up with my morning devotions. That quiet time with God is so important and refreshing. Like a work out for the body and soul. (Speaking of which, I seriously need to get myself back to the gym!)

Rachel Jeter via Allie Womack

via  mango-watermelon-love.tumblr.com

There really is a reason and season for everything.
All the ups and downs, crazy days, hectic times, running around like chicken's with our head's cut off.

I don't know about you, but I need motivation on a pretty regular basis. And since I don't have my own personal cheer leader, I rely on God's word.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

                                                                   Ecclesiastes 3:1-8



Source

Just know that you are so special to God. And He is using your circumstances right now to prepare you for the next. He doesn't throw anything your way that you can't handle. Even if your personal forecast is more rain than sun, it's coming. The good stuff is just around the corner. Keep your bible near, pray as if your life depended on it. He won't dissapoint you.

Have a great day!

The Union

Back in January I bought a cd called  The Union by James Hoffman. But I didn't start listening to it until we headed up to Chicago a couple of weeks ago because I was doing the K-LOVE 30 Day Challenge where I listened to all Christian music for 30 days.

James is a distant relative by marriage. My cousin's wife's brother. Did you get that? :)
As I hope you remember from The Happy Hoffman's video, he is a part of that bunch. Love it.
My favorite is track number 7. Jesse James.

Here is a sample from his album.



And I don't know about you, but I love getting mail (that isn't a bill of course) and this cd came wrapped in a brown paper lunch bag with really cool looking stamps. Hey, it doesn't take much to get my excited ok.

You can purchase it here.

Have a great day!

A Love Story

Since many posts ago I promised to write about our love story, I decided what better day than Valentine's Day to share it.

I don't know a good place to jump in or condense the story of us, so I will start from the beginning. Actually.....I will start before then.

It all started one night in Spring 2009 while hanging out with my good friend Andrea. Her and I were talking about the usual things- life, our love for chocolate, school ( we were both students at ASU-MH at the time) and probably some other topics. Somewhere in that conversation she tells me that I need to settle down with a laid back country boy.  Thinking that was pretty humorous, I told her if she knew of one, she could just send him my way, and didn't think too much more about it.

Fast forward a month or two and she tells me that she has given my number to a guy (Teddy, real name Edward, sometimes called Tedwardo) she grew up with as he was best friends with her twin brother. And he's going to call me. Insert sweaty palms.
 ( Side note: isn't it cool that she's a twin!? Don't ask me why that is fascinating to me, it just is.)

It was a few weeks and I heard nothing. I asked her if she was sure she gave him the right number? Maybe he didn't want to call me after all?

 My grandpa had been teasing me ever since I moved to Arkansas that I was going to be swept off my feet by some pig farmer. HA!
NOT me?
I had recently moved from New York City, grew up in Chicago. Definite city girl.
Fall in love with a camo wearing, pick up driving, loved to hunt, pig farmer?! Not a chance!

So when I grilled Andrea about him she said the last time she'd seen him, he was hauling pigs to butcher!!
I nearly choked on my sweet tea!
I knew this was going to be something.

Fast forward to the end of June 2009 and I am driving a 15 passenger church van full of excited junior high girls, to church camp at Quachita Baptist College. Amidst other issues, one of the other church vehicles we were traveling with broke down and I ended up at a Chick Fil-A with around 40 youth group kids while the other leaders figured out the broke down vehicle situation. So here I stand waiting on chicken and my phone rings, from a number I don't know. I almost didn't answer it. But I did. Even though I could barely hear over the crowd.
And he said in the sweetest country accent I ever did hear,"Hello? Miss Rachel, this is Teddy."

And so it began.....

We had our first date shortly before July and then our second date was a partially chaperoned event to see fireworks with our super proud matchmaker.

It has been love ever since.

We went fishing together, had picnics, saw movies, held hands, shared ice cream. We met each other's families and stayed up late talking on the phone together.

He was so sweet it almost hurt my teeth! He loved Jesus and went to church, felt a call to be a minister, had a heart for kids and made the most delicious lasagna I had ever had! And don't get me started on his brownies!

3.5 months later, he popped the question.
At Walmart.
In front of the rings.

I had told him that I wasn't impressed with big fancy rings( unless of course he wanted to buy me one!) and that a simple, affordable (read cheap!) ring would be just fine. So many times while at Walmart (this IS Arkansas people, and we live in a small town) we would look at the rings and dream about our future together. He pulled out a black ring box from a local (way fancier than Walmart) jewelry shops and asked "how about this one"? He later told me that he was so scared I was going to scream and that all 1,207 people in Walmart would turn and look at us.
The excitement nearly consumed me!

We set a date for May 2010. On his birthday. So he could also remember our anniversary in the years to come. His idea :)

But then we did something sneaky. We went up to Chicago to visit my grandparents in early April. We were planning on having just a small ceremony with immediate family only. And since my grandparents live so far away and were getting too old for the long trip down to Arkansas, we decided to have my grandpa (who is a retired minister) marry us. It was so special to have them with us for that. We did it in their family room in front of the fire place where so many family events had taken place.

Side note: quickly after we were married, I came down with a massive stomach flu. Talk about great timing!

I spent our first night as a married woman hugging the toilet and my new hubby held back my hair and washed my face with a cold wash cloth. He was so sweet and kind!

The next weekend we were sent on a honeymoon to Eureka Springs,by my favorite family of 8, The Arp's and the lovely ladies I worked with at the time. It was so generous and we will never forget their kindness.

May 7, 2010 we had our wedding part 2 and then ANOTHER mini honeymoon to......Eureka Springs!
It was wonderul! We loved every minute of it.

The last two pics are from both wedding days. I didn't wear a traditional white dress either times. I loved both outfits! And I looooooooved my hair on this day. I felt so beautiful! Which is exactly how you want to feel the day you get married right?

I remember on our second honeymoon when we were checking into our little cabin, there was a photographer doing another wedding there in the lobby and she commented on our matching outfits and how cute it was. Isn't it funny how little tidbits like that stick out?

In just 2 months we will celebrate our 2 year anniversary. We plan on spending it in Eureka :)
I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by.
I cherish every moment I get to spend with him.
I love the man that God set aside for me. All the years of praying for the right mate and wondering how it was going to fall into place. And boy did it.
Thank you God.

For all you out there reading this that don't have a hubby or significant other yet- don't worry. It's not about that. God's got a plan for you too. I can't tell you when or with whom, but I do know that all good things happen to those who wait.

Happy Valentine's Day honey. I love you so much!

Catching Up......

As I re-read that title, I almost thought it was going to say "Catching Fire"....even though I'm the one who typed it.
Dork Alert!

Did I tell you that I got to watch a movie while I was in Chicago last week???? With my hubby and cool cuz Nathan. We saw "Chronicle".

I'm not sure if I would reccomend it or not. I liked it and I definitely laughed, and it was a movie (which you know I LOVE!) but I wouldn't tell you to pay $10 to see it. Maybe netflix or something.

Since I was gone for 2 weeks, I was so out of the loop. I didn't think about everyday, regular stuff. I was consumed with cancer thoughts, family thoughts, future of my grandparent's thoughts, etc. etc.

I didn't blog or read my blogs.
I missed both. A lot.
So since I've been home, I've been reading my fav blogs, only to realize for the 27th time, how much I want/NEED to attend Craft Weekend.
Meg of the blog Whatever is the host and Kimberlee who blogs over at The Driveway of Life is her co-host/chef for the weekend.
I sent Meg an email asking her what I need to do to secure a spot. I even mentioned donuts and other briberies. I'm hoping they think it's cute over el creepo.
I am on the waiting list . And you can be too.
Check out Craft Weekend #2.
Can you stand the loveliness? The colors, the girl time, the crafts, the food, the major swag. Sigh. My heart longs to go. Big time.

Meg? Kimberlee? Are you reading this? :)
I want to come to Craft Weekend so bad it HURTS! I'll come early and help set up, I'll stay late and help clean up. I'll make brownies, bring laughs, pet Waffle, do dishes- you name it!

 And I have told the hubs that whenever I get the email saying I am invited to Craft Weekend I will be saying YES immediately and likely start packing my bags.
Did I mention I have a hot glue gun? Thought that might help.

Regardless of whether I ever make it to Craft Weekend, I will faithfully continue to read their blogs and love what God is doing thru them. There are some serious amount of of women reading their blogs, seeing and watching God's work thru these amazing women. And that is awesome!God is love.God IS LOVE! Really.

Hope you're having a great day!

It's February......Already!

Here we are 9 days into February! Where does the time go?

It's been awhile since I blogged. I have good reason. My husband and I have been in the Chicago area since last Monday. My grandpa's health is not good. He has stage 4 prostrate cancer. Cancer is such an ugly thing. Even the word looks ugly to me. We've been up here along with my mom, uncle and cousin at various times, helping in anyway we can. It's not easy. Life can be so hard sometimes, especially during this phase.

I feel exhausted in every possible way. We have snuck out for Starbucks, or pizza and a movie (which you know makes me VERY happy!). But still reality hits as soon as you come back.

Tomorrow we head back to Arkansas. It will be bittersweet for sure. Being 10 hours away from loved ones in need is so hard. I wish I could pack up my grandparent's (known to us as the GP'S) and bring them with me. Then I could keep them at my house, make them matzo ball soup and everything would be alright. I don't know what the state of things will be like when I am able to come back, or even how soon that will be. Prayer is definitely needed and such a comfort.

So what's new with you? Do tell! :)

Have a very Happy Thursday!

Love, Rachel