Book recommendation

I have been relishing the ways God has been speaking to me these past couple weeks. Deep and personal ways that can only come from the Father.

One of His tools are books. I've mentioned before that I don't really prioritize reading in my downtime. But lately I've been craving it! Rising early to be in the Word and seeking communication with Him. Staying up late reading other books that speak directly to my life. He's given me such a hunger for truth.

I picked up this book at the True Woman Conference I attended.

Just the way God pointed my attention to this book in the midst of thousands of other books on display is a story in itself.

Anyway...

It's one of those books that's more than just inspiring. It tells a story we can all relate to. 

"There it was. The wilderness. Settled at Etham, they could see it--coughing and swirling in the hot desert wind. The last place their tired feet wanted to take them. The wild, time-wasting wilderness....

What do you do in a situation like that? How will you respond when you're at Etham with a clear view of a more comfortable route but also a sure certainty that God's presence is leading you another way? The Israelites  had that kind of decision to make: should they turn back and take what seemed to be the most simple path to where they were headed, or should they continue pursuing God, knowing full well that the direction He was going would lead them on a more difficult route?" - pg. 62

I think it's safe to say, we have ALL experienced the "wilderness" in one way or another.

This book is powerful. No doubt about it. I can't even explain how much God is reaching out to me through each page. It's exactly what I need to read right now.

God bless you as you travel through your own wilderness...

***

Proud moment

Leaving the mall playground.

It's close to lunch time and of course I forgot to pack snacks and sippy cups. Meltdowns are on the horizon. Kensie refuses to put her shoes on by herself, b/c velcro straps apparently are "too hard". Just as I'm regretting my decision to not bring a stroller for Mason, I look up to see him running away from the playground. 

More like sprinting. 

Towards the mall entrance. 

I drift away from Kensie leaving her to fend for herself and her half-velcroed shoes. I yell after Mason to "STOP!", which clearly means "FASTER". Regrettable decision #2. Sprinting and now giggling he approaches the handicap button (which ALL mom's know magically opens the door). By this time I'm half-way between both children. 

Kensie's yelling from behind, "MOM! WAIT FOR ME!! DON'T LEEEEEEAVE MEEEEE!!!!!!!!", 

I'm yelling to the escape artist up ahead, "MASON! COME 'ERE! RIGHT NOW!!!". 

Mason is giggling hysterically by now, realizing how fast his chubby legs have carried him and all that's separating him from the parking lot are two gigantic "magical" blue buttons.

First button pushed. He sweeps through the first door. 

It was like one of those bad dreams where you are running but not really moving that fast. 

How was I not there yet?!

During all this there was a small group of "old folks" nearby enjoying food and fellowship. When they realized my predicament, and that they were located closer to Mason than I was, a sweet little 70 year old woman popped up out of her chair and was able to grab Mason's hand before he pushed the second button.

*Sigh*

Just thought you'd like to know how thrilling our day to day adventures are.

You're welcome.

***

Fine motor skills

I'm totally loving these "preschool" years but I must admit I'm not always thinking about preschool type activities. Kensie is not currently in school yet but loves pretending to be a student. We like to color, do puzzles, stickers, and an occasional matching game. But overall, I'm not a natural teacher. It doesn't help that I have a hard time letting the kids "go to town" and make messes.

So when my friend suggested focusing on activities that help develop fine motor skills, I thought I better try some! 

Today we made a cereal necklace using yarn and Cheerios...

Kensie got the hang of it pretty quick and dove right in.

She fizzled out after about 10 minutes, hence the necklace turned to bracelet...

Oh well, she enjoyed it.

I figured I'd make one for Mason too...since all he wanted to do was eat the Cheerios. 

(surprise surprise)

Cute right?

Yeah...

They lasted about 5 seconds before being totally consumed.

***

If you want more fun activities to do with your kids, check out my friend Jessica's blog. She's always got something fun going on at her house. 

Table swap and Fall decorating!

A few weeks ago my neighbor and I decided to have a "Hoarders" sale. I found the idea from THIS BLOG.  It was such a hilarious post, we both figured it was worth a try!

Long story short, we sold a TON of crap. We literally copied everything the blog recommended and it worked like a charm.

While sorting through our "crap" prior to the sale, I discovered my neighbor was selling a gorgeous dining room table (on her sister's behalf) for a mere $250. I've always adored our little antique table I found on craigslist about 4 years ago. It just always bothered me that it only came with 5 chairs. It was impossible to find a matching captains chair to complete the set. Plus, it was just a tad too small and rickety for when we had company over.

So back to the Hoarders sale...

I saw my neighbors gem of a table and we decided to swap tables right there on the lawn! 

We pulled my little table outside to the yard sale and put the "new" one right in my dining room. 

I ended up selling mine for $200 to a guy who pulled up on a motorcycle (of all the people I pictured buying it, he was the last one! We died laughing.). 

In the end, I paid $50 total for a pretty awesome upgrade. I got an almost brand new table (more solid and will last a lot longer) PLUS an extra chair than I originally had PLUS a table about two feet longer than my original.

Here she is in her new home! 

Some fall decorations may have crept in as well....

I still can't totally give up the beachy look. Do you spy the starfish on the wall (below)?

But I tried to incorporate some Fall elements in other ways...

 And who says white pumpkins don't go with everything?

So we're keeping a little beach around here. It makes me happy.

***

Revive my heart...

I was able to get away for a couple days last week. 

BY

MY

SELF.

I was a bit crazy trying to get everything in order before the trip. If you're a mom of little ones, you know what I'm talking about. Figuring out childcare, making meals for the hubby and kids you are leaving behind. Pretty sure I yelled at my kids 486 times while I was packing and cleaning just an hour before I left. 

But oh my goodness...did I need this get-away.

I attended my first True Woman Conference down in Indianapolis, IN.

I have been to smaller church retreats in the past. But, when I saw over eight THOUSAND women in the Indianapolis Convention Center...

I was blown away.

It's hard to put into words everything I experienced with God in those two and a half days.

But I CAN tell you...

It was breathtaking.

It was challenging.

It was freeing.

It was convicting.

It was motivating.

It was encouraging.

It was powerfully lead by the Holy Spirit.

It spoke directly to my heart.

I left with this phrase running through my head....

"The more you know God, the more you will hear Him."

Lately, I've been kinda going through the motions. The daily routine of life. Ever been there? 

Yeeaaahhh. 

I've been wanting some direction in certain areas of my life and was just expecting God to point the way. What I haven't been doing is intentionally seeking Him. Pulling my face close to His and whispering what's deep in my heart. Absorbing His word and pouring over each verse with the intention to learn something fresh and new. I was getting distracted by shopping online, facebooking, pinning, and other silly things. 

I'm currently taking a break from FB and Pinterest. They are not bad things per say. It just turns bad when it's all I can think about. When it's the first thing I want to check at the beginning of the day. They are sucking my precious hours every day and it's time for a priority adjustment. I want to soak up every bit of Him so that when he does speak I can say, "Yes, Lord. I'm here!".

Mornings are not my friend. I don't like getting up. Plain and simple. I tend to complain about it too--which only perpetuates my bad attitude. Maybe if I get up just a bit earlier to start by seeking the Lord first, I will despise mornings a smidge less?? 

I'm giving it a try anyway...

After announcing my fast, one of my close friends asked, "So are you giving up the blog too?"

Nope. 

Still here.

:)

***

You can listen to ALL the same speakers/ sessions that I heard at the conference online for FREE if you are interested! (My favorite speaker was Priscilla Shirer...I had goosebumps the whole time. Powerful speaker.)

CLICK HERE

***

Mason {18 months}

Speaking of growing up around here....

THIS boy is 18 months old today.

Has a bubbly personality and a whole lotta spunk. 

A friendly little man who waves and smiles at anyone and everyone.

A professional "little brother" who knows exactly which buttons to push.

Is a lover of food, any kind of ball, trucks, putting things in his mouth, throwing things, hitting things, and getting dirty.

He's 100% boy and I 100% love him.

***

A picnic birthday for Kensie {sweet & simple}

Life has a way of sneaking up on you. Never more true than when you have kids. Tiny, helpless, infants one minute. Jabbering, running, giggling toddlers the next. It's crazy to think our sweet Kensie girl turned 3 today.

 But, that's how life is. It's sneaky and crazy at the same time.

This girl loves all things princess and picnic related.

With both in mind, I decided this year to keep it super simple and to the point. We love you. We think you're a princess of the King. So let's do what you love most and have a picnic!

We started the day off with a decorated bedroom door. Squealing with delight does not even come close to the sounds that girl made when she woke up in the morning. Wish I would have caught her in action.

Then later in the day a tasty picnic dinner in the front yard...

No other guests. Just us.

But it was lovely.

No extra decorations (besides the helium balloons). Everything else we either had or borrowed.

No "real" gifts this year. The kids have more than enough toys and we wanted to change their perspective on birthdays a little. So, a quick trip to the library to pick out her favorite movies, and then to the grocery store to pick up the helium balloons--and the girl was thrilled.

We also signed up for a child through World Vision. Her name is Saundarya. She's the same age and has the same birthdate as Kensie. For now, Kensie loves watching the 15 second video of Saundarya coloring on a piece of paper (she watched it 4 times in a row) and she adores the fact that they both love playing with dolls. Hopefully this will mean more to Kensie as she grows up. Just another way to keep the focus away from us on our birthday. Planning to get Mason a child on his 3rd birthday as well.

Sometimes the simplest birthdays are the sweetest.

***