And Breathe...

I've been reading a lot of blog posts lately about time management, about being successful at getting stuff done, about multi-tasking in a "controlled way". And what I've discovered in all of them is the reminder to take time to breathe. So this has brought up the question of, "Am I remembering to breathe?" Am I really taking time to just sit and enjoy God's presence in the midst of all of the stuff I "have to" get done?

Just this morning I found myself trying to do 3 things all at once and by the time I was done I was frazzled and feeling overwhelmed. Why? Because I was trying to do too much. Now I'm not saying that multi-tasking doesn't work. It definitely does and helps productivity - but only to a point. If I'm so caught up in doing laundry while cooking dinner while packing lunches for the next day that I fail to look up when my toddler discovers a new word or my husband wants to tell me about his day or my Savior is calling me to His Word, then there's a problem. Because its in those moments that I believe God can shine the brightest and show us his glory.

So let's challenge ourselves to breathe. To not be overwhelmed by the worries of tomorrow and focus on what's in store for us today. And at the end of the day, if there are a few dishes in the sink, it won't kill us because what's most important is that we were able to have those moments with our LORD because we remembered to breathe.

A Fresh Weekend

We've had a pretty busy last couple of weeks and this weekend we finally got a chance to breathe. It was so nice to spend time together around the house while doing what we love. There was much baking, playing, crafting and cuddling. And the weather was actually decent enough for a brisk walk outside. (A much needed event for those of us with cabin fever).
This book and these ovenmits were my kitchen companions this weekend.




Making maple syrup apple sauce.

My little taste tester.

These banana raisin muffins were definitely Little Man approved.

There were even fun moments of learning while cooking. This is a super easy recipe for homemade fruit snacks without all of the sugar. (They actually taste just like gummy bears).


And of course there was much play in between the cooking.
As well as time for softness and rest...

And working on projects around the house.

I hope your weekend was filled with many blessings of productivity, rest and family time.

{this moment}

{this moment} - Inspired by SouleMama. A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Leave a comment below with your moment and join in on the fun.


This moment could possibly be more than just a "This Moment" of the week. It could very well be my "This Moment" of the Year. It's crazy to think that this time last year, our cute Little Pumpkin was still ripening on the vine...now he's walking through the patch looking for his own pumpkin.

{this moment}

{this moment} - Inspired by SouleMama. A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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I know this is supposed to be just one photo, but I couldn't resist sharing all of these photos. It's the best way to display the joy that our boy has when reading books with us.

Celebrating Fathers

Happy Father's Day to an amazing husband and father.

A Dad and His Boy

My Dears...

Oh Dear Blog Friends...
I really do love you, but as of late, these two have been my number one priority. I promise I will get back into the regular habit of sharing life with you.


P.S. I actually did some quilting last weekend. Unfortunately it was a quilt made in such haste that I didn't have time to take any photos of it. But it was great to be back behind the sewing machine working again.

Oh What a Year

Gracious. What does it take for me to actually get a blog post posted when I would really like it posted. I started writing this 3 days ago and had every intention of posting it yesterday, but alas here I am, finishing it up tonight...

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Oh dear friends, what a year 2010 has been. I feel as if I've grown up over and over again this year. The Hubby and I have encountered so many new challenges and blessings this year that really have given us a good "it's time to grow up now" kick in the tush. And you know what's crazy? It literally started last January.

January: We decided we were ready to buy a house. Ok. So we started looking. And to our surprise we found the perfect house for our little family of two adults, two dogs and a cat. (Little did we know that our household number would be changing soon).

February: I started having heartburn and was tired all the time. Hmm...

March: On the first day of the month to be exact, all signs (and pregnancy tests) pointed to a baby on the way!

April: We made an offer on our house and after a few back-and-forths between us and the sellers, it was ours for the takin' (well, I should say purchasing). I also turned 25 years old - a quarter of a century!

May: The craziness of packing up our stuff and moving out of the our apartment began and we shared our Little One's heartbeat with the world.

June: We signed the papers on our house and were given the keys. Let the moving begin! On June 11th, we found out we were going to welcome a Little Man into our lives.

July: My wonderful brother visited for about a week and half, making for some really great bro & sis time.

August: We finally traded in the Mazda after putting 150,000+ miles on the thing. Now we are the proud owners of a Saturn Vue. The perfect vehicle for new parents.

September: At 32 weeks along in the pregnancy, we were able to see amazing images of our Little Man with a 3D/4D ultrasound. It was there that we discovered that he had Mommy's nose and dimples and Daddy's cheeks.

October: After 11 hours of labor, our Little Man Ethan Glenwood, entered the world on October 18th at 6:04pm. Our lives were never going to be the same again.

November: We're hittin' the road. With Little Man in tow, we made our first voyage home to Virginia for Thanksgiving for the first time since we've been together - that's 5 years people!

December: We enjoyed our first Christmas as a family of three and for the first time actually had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in our own home. It was lovely being able to have our parents from both sides come up and visit our home for the Holidays.

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After finishing up this post and looking back at everything that has happened, I am deeply moved and challenged by the goodness of God. In every moment of every day, He has been there, even during the trying times. He has blessed us with more blessings than we could ever imagine. But the biggest blessing He has given us is Himself. He has poured His life out onto us so that we may pour His love onto others. God you are the reason all of these amazing (and sometimes not so amazing) things have happened and for that I am thankful.

So I raise my glass to you 2010 and say, it's been a great year and I'm even more excited to see what 2011 holds for us. Happy New Year!

{this moment}

{this moment} - Inspired by SouleMama. A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{this moment}

{this moment} - Inspired by SouleMama. A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Proud Daddy

Each moment is so beautiful.