Can I just be honest for a minute?

I've been hearing the same message a lot over the past few weeks. In it's simplest form it is this - God just wants me to love Him. Everything else is overflow. If I do not love, I am nothing. (1Cor. 13:2)

And it's bringing me to see some things that I don't like about myself. About my life. About the fact that I don't love God. In my head, I do. I am in awe of him. I am so grateful for his mercy and grace that I do not deserve. Being a parent has taught me so much about the love God has for us. And I realize that I don't have that same love for him in return.

I want to just delight in his presence. To forget about doing more. To forget about fixing myself. To forget about making sure I follow all the steps to being a "good Christian". To search him out because I just want to be in the same room with him. To know him and his character more deeply. To see what his heart beats for and quit stressing out over all the things that I know it doesn't. To see this thing as THE thing.

So I never lose sight of your love,
But keep in step with you, never missing a beat.

Psalm 26:3

(And check out this post, from my friend Lyndsay. )

Cousins

Well, that pretty much sums it up. I have lots to do in the next few hours before we leave for my parents, but am sooo looking forward to seeing the family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

When it feels like too much

I was linked to this blog by a friend of mine. I started following and came upon this post. Just go read it. It is not long, but says a lot. Go now! :)

BFF's

Sewing

For the first time since it was given to me, I pulled this out last week.

This is the sewing machine that I learned how to sew on. It is probably as old as I am too. But I am so thankful that my mom passed it on to me when she found a new one (probably at a yard sale if I know my mother.)


I had to google how to thread the needle and load the bobbin. But I finally found (free) instructions here. Sewusa.com was extremely helpful after I found soo many sites only offering to let me buy a manual.

I'm easing into using it again by only sewing straight lines.

My friend Amber has an embroidery business and she is so creative!

I sewed the ribbon on these burp cloths to get them ready to be personalized. Aren't they cute?

As a trade off, I am getting one of her tutu sets for Sophi's birthday.

Stinkin adorable!

And using the sewing machine again has inspired me to try more things. Maybe like this dress.

Ten little toes

Sophi has this thing for shoes. On the one hand she loves them. On the other ... foot, she hates wearing them. I put shoes on her only for her to pull them off in five minutes. (Or less - depending on the shoe.)

These for example, would be less. Which is a shame because I paid only $1 for them at a yard sale and think they are so cute. I'd wear them if they were in my size.



She does, however, think they are a great toy.



And yes, she was carrying this around in her mouth like a dog for a good 15 minutes. The shoes have the teeth marks to prove it. (Which doesn't sound like much - but is a crazy long time for a toy to hold her interest.)


I guess it is my own fault. Josh is the one that is always wearing at least socks. (She like to rip those off her feet as well.) But I love being barefoot, so she must have got it from me. She'll probably love flip flops one of these days.

Today

I ...
... am watching the Harry Potter movies in order to get ready for the big release of the next film. Tonight is #3.

I ...
... bought skinny jeans at JcPenney's using $10 off $10 or greater purchase. They were $12 even after all that, but I am very excited to wear them with my boots. It is going to be hard to save them for Christmas.

I ...
... almost forgot that Sophi has an appointment tomorrow.

I ...
... am looking forward to finding out if I get any more jewelry sales. More free items would be fun!

I ...
... think a visit to the chiropractor may be in my future.

I ...
... have put off washing the dishes for far too many days. I think we are down to one clean cup, zero clean dinner plates, and plastic utensils. But it probably won't happen until morning.

Had a very full and enjoyable weekend. I will be posting some pics soon, but in the meantime have a listen to this song.



We sang it at church this morning. The entire worship time was so meaningful and humbling. Such a wonderful reminder of the grace and love of Christ.

Psalm 113

¹Praise the LORD!

Praise, O servants of the LORD.
Praise the name of the LORD.
²Blessed be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
³From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the LORD is to be praised.
⁴The LORD is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.
⁵Who is like the LORD our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
⁶Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
⁷He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the needy from the ash heap,
⁸To make them sit with princes,
With the princes of His people.
⁹He makes the barren woman abide in the house
As a joyful mother of children.
Praise the LORD!

Caught

I heart penguins (well this one anyway)

For Sophi's first Halloween, we went to a event at the zoo. :) Basically, we just walked around and took photos. I would totally go again next year though. It was cute - and nothing scary allowed.

Our sweet little penguin enjoyed taking it all in.


Here's our little happy feet family.


We were really glad that's Josh's family got to come along. Sophi had fun playing peek-a-boo with Pappaw's hat.

And actually, Pappaw is the one she was smiling for in most of the pics. :)

You won't be sorry

Today awesomeness costs only $10.00. I am so excited to own this cd. Merry Christmas to me!