It's a Strange and Lovely Ride

Friday, March 30, 2012

Project 52:13 {His Peace}

thankful for... 

His peace. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance...

But when you ask,

you must BELIEVE and not doubt,

because one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

James 1:2-3, 6-7

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This month has been a tough one for me. The biggest test of my faith to date. It's hard to put into words the range of emotions and pain I've felt. The struggle was a personal one, and I had hoped to share a happy, miraculous outcome at some point. But it wasn't to be.

Yet today, I have peace.

Peace that I know can only come from my Heavenly Father.

I am thankful for much, today. For my healthy, beautiful child. For my loving husband. For my praying mother. For my family and friends. For the knowledge of heaven and the opportunity to meet those we've lost- again, or for the very first time. For all that we've been blessed with but don't really deserve in this life. And above all, for His peace that truly passes all understanding.

Because believe me, I don't understand it. But oh my goodness- I am thankful for it.

* * * * *

"Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Project 52:12 {little messes}

thankful for... 

little messes 

Rainy weather = days spent indoors = creativity and inevitably, little messes

Today I am thankful simply for a little one in my home to make those little messes. To dump out the bag full of magnetic letters and look up at me with those pretty blue eyes to see if I mind.

It's hard to get upset when I understand the want/need to get outside and stretch our legs. Plus, she's so darn cute. And I really like the way she says Letters.

Yetters

Also? While pointing to the yellow Z she said zeeba? zeeba?
(Zebra)

Sure, genius child. Make a little mess. :)

* * * * *

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

these rainy days.

Well, it's raining again today.. how about where you are? It's been pretty steady since sometime Sunday night.

But I'm not complaining. I actually love the rain.

Especially if I can just stay tucked in and cozy at home, with a candle lit and the windows open to hear it pounding against ground outside.

It's one of my favorites.

Evie and I have been hunkered down, for the most part. Thankfully she really does love books, because that is all she has been doing the last few days. Either sitting somewhere on her own, surrounded by books and "reading" or coming to find me with a book in hand. She reaches the book up to me and then says "cozy?" That means she wants to sit on your lap while you read her the book and get cozy with a blanket wrapped around both of us.

Another one of my favorites.

Somehow the rain is just so cleansing to me. Washes everything away and makes things look sparkly and new. Especially in spring. I love the vibrant green of the grass after a good rain. And I really love the gray blue sky and clouds during rain and storms.

How about you?

* * * * *

Last night I started uploading a bunch of pics from our trip to California last fall to make a photo book. I always use Shutterfly and have been happy with them. Uploading is always the longest/most annoying part to me, but worth it. Well, somehow I have a Groupon for a book, a free book code through email, discounts AND 2 free books from Target coupons. SO. I took that as a sign that I should get in gear and put together a book while things are FREE. Rainy day project for me.

But the 2 coupons from Target are only for new customers/accounts. I thought about opening another account under hubby's name, but didn't really want my pics in two different places. So I gave one away through Facebook last night. But I still have one left if anyone wants one!

Leave me a comment or email me at strangeandlovelyride (at) gmail (dot) com if you want it! First come first served.

1 free 8x8 photo book from Shutterfly

New customers only

Expires 3/28/12

Happy Wednesday!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Evie Time {Counting!}

Mommy Brag Time is now in session.

My 15 and a 1/2 month old child is counting people. COUNTING.

Tonight as I was getting her ready for bed, I started counting aloud the snaps on her jammies as I snapped them.

Nothing unusual.

One

Two

Fwee!

What the what! She just said Three!

I kept going:

Four

Five

Ssicks!

Ahhh!! Cue the Yays and Very Good Evie!'s and general show of mommy adoration. I seriously was in awe!

My smart girl.

Then we took our show on the road and went out to find Daddy.

Sister didn't disappoint.

One, two, Fwee!

And again while we were brushing teeth.

One, two, Fwee!

Four, five, Ssicks!

Evie has liked to "count" for quite a while now, using her little pointer finger and usually saying "two two" and pointing to objects when she sees more than one of something. And in the last few weeks she's started saying "one.." like she's going to start counting animals or objects in books. But those are the only two numbers I've every heard her say. Until tonight!

And I am so amazed that she knew the right number to say next. She wasn't repeating what I had just said- she already knew which number came next!

We are so amazed each day by this girl. She understands so much, it's unbelievable sometimes. Just a little sponge.

We're very proud of you Evie Girl!!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Project 52:11 {family near & far}

thankful for... 

family near & far

Last weekend we traveled to Louisiana to see my grandparents, aunts and cousins. It was a long trip in the car, but very worth it. Evie was the hit of the show and kept everyone laughing and smiling all weekend- despite her refusal to nap the entire time we were there.

In the picture above, she is deliriously tired, and kept climbing on the couch so that her Grandy (my mom) and Papa Great (my grandpa) could pull her down while she said "weee!"

Such a simple and delightful thing.

Evie's only gotten to see my mom's parents twice, since they live so far away, but we're very very thankful for the time we spent together.

Family is family, no matter the distance.

We love you Nana and Papa Great!

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