Linky Loo

Several posts I've read recently have touched me to the core.  I want to share them with you!

• One of my favorite things about Facebook is reuniting with friends you'd otherwise likely never hear from again.  Brad's one of those friends.  I first met him and his twin brother 16 years ago when I worked at a Hallmark store and Chad worked next door at the golf store.  Fastforward to today, and Brad's an amazing father to a special little girl, Claire.  Brad's wife, Amy, writes a blog about their journey with Fetal Hydrocephalus.  Brad took over earlier this week and wrote a post that absolutely blessed my socks off.  It's a must read.  Our God is truly a God of details, y'all. 

• Not to be outdone, Claire followed her Daddy's lead and wrote this precious post that made me smile and Also?  Please pray for this precious family. They amaze me with their fight and faith.

• Life to Her Years is another blog that I've recently stumbled across (I think someone else linked to is somewhere in blogland recently).  And it's just amazing.  I love the short, poignant posts that resonate and make you think.   

• This post is a few months old now, and it's been a while since I read it.  But it's stuck with me.  Thankfully, many times throughout the day to day chores of being a mommy ~ more juice, wiping that runny nose, kissing the boo boo, wiping a dirty bottom, kissing away tears ~ the words of this post come back to me.  This is my mission field today.  My home, my daughter, my husband.  Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this amazing opportunity!

What posts have you recently read that have echoed in your heart?  I'd love to check them out, too!

Thoughts of Spring Blog Party

I decided to jump on board with Lynnette's Blog Party!  I've gotten so bad at posting - or not posting?!?!? - lately, so I figure this will be an easy way to get back into the swing of blogging.  Lynnette's given us some questions to answer, so here goes!

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?
Hmm. . .  probably high strung.  And that's very true.  I wish it weren't so, but I am a very high strung person.


What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?
President George W Bush.  I absolutely adore him.  I think he's a phenomenal man, and I just loved his book and his interview with Oprah.  I appreciated his honesty and transparency and how he didn't mince words.  He led our country through such horrific tragedies with such strength, dignity, and faith.

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?
Hands down, Big Mama.  Melanie cracks me up every single day.  And I always enjoy her Fashion Friday posts!

What is your comfort food/drink?
Oooh, I have several.  We love to order take out from Outback.  Their Alice Springs Chicken with a baked potato always hits the spot!  I also love breakfast for dinner, grilled cheese with tomato soup, and my momma's roast with all the fixings.

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.
I despise birds.  They completely, totally freak me out.  To see a flock of birds flying overhead together makes my skin crawl all over!  I'm not wild about hearing them chirp either.  They gross me out!

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?
Lately I've really felt God's put on my heart to share my testimony.  But I don't know where or how or why.

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?
We're not big movie people.  I'll watch just about anything, but I prefer dramas, romantic comedies and sometimes a good comedy.  Steel Magnolias is my all time favorite movie!

Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?
I tend to read mostly non-fiction, Christian books.  I enjoy a good fiction novel every once in a while, too.  Tim gave me a Kindle for my birthday a few months back and I've thoroughly enjoyed it!  I just started reading Heaven is For Real this morning and love it!

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?
I prefer Christian music.  I always listen to KLOVE while in the car.  I also have fast-paced worship music on my ipod to run to.  I love running and jamming out with some David Crowder Band!  Nothing better!

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?
Give Give Give!  I would give some to family, our church, and other local ministries that are dear to us.

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).
Ice cream.  Oh how I miss it!  We determined when Molly was 5 weeks old that she was lactose intolerant.  So I've avoided all dairy since then.  Lately, I've added a little bit at a time back into my diet, but I'm still not drinking milk or eating ice cream or anything like that.  While I am not at all wanting her to grow any quicker than she already is, I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready (at least a little bit) for her to be a year old and no longer nursing.  I've just about planned out my first meal of a pizza with ice cream for dessert! 

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?
St Simons Island, Georgia.  Easily my favorite get-away in all the world.  I grew up going there with my family, it's where Tim proposed to me, and it's where we go often for great family trips! 

Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?
Hmmm. . . I don't think I have a strange talent!?!?!  I used to be able to remember phone numbers really easily.  But now with cell phones, I hardly remember any phone numbers.

What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).
I've been told before I have a servant's heart, and that's one of the best compliments I've ever been given.  I do believe God's given me the heart for serving others. I just hope I serve to the best of my abilities!

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?
Molly Miller!  No doubt about that!  I love snuggling with her right after a bath and rub-down of yummy lavendar lotion! 

When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?
I fluctuate.  Sometimes I leave wishing I'd opened up more and chatted more.  Other times I wish I had shut my trap and kept some things left unsaid.  But I think most of the time I wish I'd chatted more.  I'm always amazed at people who can strike up conversations with anyone and everyone.  I definitely wish I were better at that.

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?
Restoration Hardware, Anthropologie and Ballard Designs for our home. The Loft, White House Black Market for me. 

What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?
I am terrified of heights.  Absolutely terrified of them.  I hardly will stand on a stool without being scared.

What is your greatest accomplishment?
Hmm. . .  physical accomplishment?  Giving birth without any pain meds at all ranks pretty high up there!  I am also pretty proud of the fact that my best friend and I participated in a 3-Day Walk a few years ago where we walked 60 miles in three days. I'm also pretty proud of running a half marathon with Tim!

My greatest accomplishments in life are definitely my marriage and Molly.  But neither of those have I done on my own!  God has blessed me beyond measure!
What are your favorite animals?
We are dog people for sure!  We love our pups!

Are you a hopeless romantic?
I honestly don't know that I am! 
What movie or book character can you most relate to?
What a great question!  I'm not sure. . . 

Wow, this was fun!  Have you joined in on this?  I can't wait to read your responses!









Come back on March 1st to link up your party post!

'Tis the Season. . . . to begin planning for Christmas!

It's safe to say I've never thought about Christmas cards in October.  Granted, it's the end of October, but still. . . .

And then came Molly!!!

So, this year, with Molly, I've been thinking about Christmas cards for weeks already!  I carefully planned the types of invites we are sending out for her dedication at church (which is occurring in December) based on the fact that I knew I'd want to do photo Christmas cards. 

Shutterfly has some great Christmas card designs!  I've had so much fun looking through all of the different types and designs, playing with pictures of Molly, trying to decide which card to choose!

I mean, I love the whimsical, fun look of this one.  But I really dig the brown in this one. This one is just so classic!  Ahhh. . . . too many precious choices!  Maybe we'll do a little of each?

Obviously, I have had a hay day looking at all of these designs, checking out the different options with their gift tags, and browsing their address labels!  Oh, and check out their precious Christmas birth announcements!  Too stinkin' cute!

Head on over and create your family's cards now!  Shutterfly is currently offering 20% off all holiday cards!  Click on the link now for details!