THIS is the day. THIS DAY!

This is the day

What if we lived like THIS IS THE DAY. THIS DAY. TODAY! This is the one we’ve been waiting all our lives for! Yes, it just happens to be a Wednesday, sandwiched in the middle of a crazy week. But God created THIS DAY. For me! And he has all sorts of things planned just for today. People I will encounter. Folks who need love. Today, God has ordained so many things, just for me.

And maybe for you too? Would you join me in choosing joy, just for today? Friends, we can totally do it. Together. You and me. And look for little glimpses of God in the tiny details of our day. Pray he opens our eyes to him, just a little wider than yesterday.

I hope you have a BIG DAY today, filled with God’s wonders. May we rejoice and be glad.

Elsewhere

I have two posts this week over on the Fort Worth Moms Blog. I wrote about Caring for My Asthma Kid, and also my Mother’s Guide to Herb Gardening. Also, if you’re in DFW and you’re looking for some fun new restaurants that are AWESOME for take-out (because let’s face it… taking kiddos to restaurants isn’t always the most relaxing thing), I wrote this post a few weeks back featuring some of our favorite haunts around town.

 

Wrenn at 22 Months

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Oh 22 months… there are so many things I don’t want to forget about Wrenn at this age:

Wrenn thinks anything that’s sweet is PIE. And girlfriend LOVES PIE.

She is obsessed with Elmo and Cookie Monster and everybody on Sesame Street.

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She loves the word BUTTERFLY. She says it with such drama in a slight whisper, and then will try to interlock her thumbs to make a butterfly with her hands. But she’s not quite coordinated enough to do it, so she just flaps her fingers as she whispers BUTTERFLY with a sparkle in her eye.

Her other favorite words/phrases right now include:

  • Hi Mayor! (from The Little Blue Truck book)
  • Hooray!
  • Elephant (pronounced epitant)
  • Choo Choo! (girlfriend never misses the sound of a choo choo train)
  • Airplane! (she can spot them from so far away – it’s amazing)
  • Poo Poo!
  • Bug… EEEWWW!
  • Shoes/Boots/Socks
  • It’s a ______. (ex: It’s a mama. It’s a bug. It’s a poo poo. It’s a book.)
  • Snack/eat/water/milk
  • Thank you (she says this anytime I hand her anything, completely unprompted – what manners!)wrenn2

She can actually jump off the ground. She can also throw a ball and do a front roll with just a little assistance from me.

We have been going to our library’s toddler time once a week, where the highlights include the giant train that runs on train tracks attached to the ceiling, blowing bubbles, singing songs, and seeing her friend Elsie.

She’s very affectionate. She loves to hug, give kisses, hold my hand, and pat me on the back. I think her love language is going to be touch.

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We spend several evenings a week and much of our Saturdays working in our garden. Last Saturday she spent a half day outside with us and had a blast playing/digging/helping us while we worked. I don’t have to keep her entertained; she finds plenty to do on her own.

She loves bubbles. Especially the bubbles in the sink when I wash dishes. She will drag her little stool across the kitchen over to the sink and stand there and “wash dishes” (aka – play with the bubbles). She also loves bubble baths and knows exactly which container the bubble bath comes in.

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Her favorite song is Skidamarink, something we learned at the library. She likes me to do the hand motions with her arms. When we finish, she’ll squeal, AGAIN! AGAIN!

She’s taller than most of her friends and wears a 2T in clothes (sometimes I can squeeze her into an 18-24 month size, but just barely). She’s wearing a size 6 in shoes, and I think she’ll soon outgrow those as well.

She insists on only wearing boots. Either her rain boots or her pink, light-up cowgirl boots. She has so many other pairs of shoes, but she wears her boots 90% of the time.

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We have a running joke that she has stinky feet. Anytime she takes off her shoes I’ll say, “Stinky feet! P-U!” and then she’ll start giggling uncontrollably and say, “P-U! Eeewww!”

She loves to do grown-up things and mimic what Mr. Right and I are doing. She pretends to put on makeup and I’ve watched her mime putting on deodorant. She wants to cook like daddy, and she loves to “help” by putting her clothes in the dirty clothes hamper or putting her used cups in the sink. Such a sweet little helper!

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Precious child – you have brought me new joys with every new month. Bless you, and may God continue to grow your little spirit to do BIG things for Him!

Our Train Adventure

Train AdventureMy favorite thing about kids is their sense of wonder. ANYTHING can be an adventure, even something that seems so mundane to us adults. Like the train.

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Don’t be confused by Wrenn’s solemn expression. She was SO overwhelmed about the train that she got super serious at first. But she was really SO EXCITED.

Wrenn is obsessed with the CHOO CHOO. It’s all she talks about (well, that and airplanes… and cows… and butterflies). Cousin Cutie was staying with us last weekend and he’s also obsessed with trains, so I figured I would take them for a fun little outing on the TRE.

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We picked up the train to Fort Worth at the station near our house and rode it to the furthest spot in Fort Worth, then rode it back home. The whole trip took about an hour, including a 30-minute wait at the T&P Station. The thought of corralling two toddlers near train tracks was a bit overwhelming, and once we got there, I realized that we had a perfect view of dozens of FREIGHT TRAINS from our window that provided the greatest entertainment ever for my little riders. So, no need to even get off during our wait!

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During our 30 minute wait at the last train stop, we ate snacks and watched the freight trains go by and waved to EVERYBODY.

Every time the train whistle blew, both would squeal with delight and laugh and smile. Over and over, every time like it was the first time they heard it. I’m pretty sure it was the greatest adventure yet of their little lives, and seeing it not only brought joy to me, but also to the other people riding along.  Kids remind us that normal life can be an adventure, too. It was such a thrill to get to experience it with them. We will definitely be putting this on the repeat list!

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A post-adventure lunch together, followed by a nap. They were exhausted!

My Mother’s Day Recap (Hint – I spent most of it in bed)

MothersDay2Here’s how Mother’s Day went down this year:

BFP (Before Food Poisoning): Mr. Right took me to an amazing dinner on Friday night at my favorite restaurant, Chef Point Cafe. They have the best patio in all of Fort Worth, and Wrenn and her cousin ran around in the outside garden area (which is fully fenced in) and were able to yell and chase each other while Mr. Right and I ate a leisurely dinner. There was a live band. The weather was gorgeous. It was the best night ever.

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AFP (After Food Poisoning): Saturday I started feeling crummy, and by that afternoon I had what I think was food poisoning. So I spent Saturday afternoon/evening on my couch, binge-watching The West Wing and trying not to die while Wrenn played nearby (so much for no toddler screen time). After trying to go to Sunday School the next morning, I came home and went straight to bed, missing all of the Mother’s Day festivities we had planned with Mr. Right’s side of the family. I was so sad to miss out on the fun, but on the upside, I did manage to sneak in two good naps in one day, and I felt better by early evening and was able to hang out with Mr. Right for the first time since Friday. And eat a biscuit. Fun times.

My Gift: You know you’re a grown-up when you ask your husband for a screen door for Mother’s Day. We’re super practical gift givers (he installed a high-powered shower head for my birthday and I was ELATED), typically just telling the other exactly what we want, and this year the screen door will be our Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and every other holiday gift for the next few months. I’m so excited to be able to leave the back door open and let some fresh air into the house on pretty days. Our backyard has become my happy place.

It wasn’t the Mother’s Day weekend I was planning on, but one thing motherhood has taught me is to be flexible. No plans are set in stone these days, and I am thankful for the extra rest I got after a really tiring week last week (Wrenn had lots of nighttime asthma attacks, so I was way behind on sleep). And, I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be Wrenn’s mama – it’s one of the greatest joys of my life. Motherhood is such a gift.

Let’s try this again… a free print!

Dear readers, for some reason this morning’s post is acting wonky, so I’m republishing it tonight. Dang you internet gremlins!

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Download free 8×10 print

Isn’t this the loveliest verse? That the God of the universe, the one who created the heavens and the earth, who created me… that he would promise to help me?

My friend, whatever it is you’re struggling with today, don’t fear. Your God – the biggest and most wonderful and most powerful God you could imagine – wants to hold your hand as you walk through life. He wants to help you. This means that today, you can choose be brave.

{The fine print: Prints are for individual use only. Please do not email, sell, or distribute to others. Feel free to print and give as a gift to a friend or share via social media but always link back to this original source. Thank you!}

Tiny gardener

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Last weekend on one of the prettiest spring days I can ever remember, Wrenn and I worked on our garden. I had let the flower beds go… like really go… so it took several hours of weeding before we were ready to actually plant.

Sweet Wrenn LOVES being outside. She spent five hours with me, helping me weed (she likes to pull grass and bring it to me), digging in the dirt, pulling the flowers out of their containers, and playing with any bug or worm she can get her hands on. She and I were both a sweaty, dirty mess when we got done… and it was glorious. After all, isn’t childhood supposed to be about playing outside?

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I’m quite pleased with how the front flower bed turned out, and even more excited about our backyard vegetable/flower garden. I don’t have any pictures of the back just yet because newly planted veggies just aren’t that impressive – they start out tiny and you have to plant them so far apart. But trust me when I say that in a month, our backyard is going to be filled with so many wonderful vegetables and pretty flowers, I could just squeal. Now, just join me in praying that no bunnies or caterpillars spoil my plans, would you?

Thrifty Thursday: A Dress and The Great Jean Jacket Debate

TT Old Navy

I was so thrilled when I found this dress WITH THE TAGS STILL ON at my local thrift store. It’s originally from Old Navy and I snagged it for more than half off the original price. I adore the color and the floral pattern that’s just perfect for spring. However, the cut was a little baggy around the middle, so I paired it with my favorite jean jacket to help give it some extra shape (and to make sure I didn’t look pregnant, because I’m not).

And that’s where Mr. Right and I got into a little debate about jean jackets. It’s true, I’m addicted to mine. I wear it with almost everything. It’s my clothing security blanket. I like how it adds an extra layer, makes a top more forgiving, makes me feel less exposed, and adds shape to something flowy. It’s a necessity.

Mr. Right says they’re out of style and I should stop hiding behind the jacket. That I should just GO for it, bare arms and all. And so I compromised – I wore my new thrifted dress once with the jacket (in my defense… it was a cold day!) and once without.

What do you think… is it time to retire my jean jacket? (PS – even if you say yes, I will probably keep wearing it. Old habits die hard…).

It’s time for a change

closing shop

After many months of consideration, I have decided to close down my Etsy shop. Here’s why:

  • This shop was started in a different season of life. Fast forward a few years, and I have a daughter, a husband, a full-time job, and other places I want to focus my time/energy. I want to make sure my “main things” really stay the main thing. I want to leave margin in my schedule for my family and my people.
  • I want to give instead of sell. I will continue to create, to write and blog and quilt and make things. However, I don’t want to make things I think people will want to buy, instead, I want to make things that make me happy. And make things for loved ones and people I want to bless.
  • I don’t want to spend my energy on the back-end stuff anymore (aka – taxes, shipping, fees, etc.).

God used this shop to bless my family in some incredible ways. This shop helped open the door to my current job. It introduced me to new friends. It helped to support my family as Mr. Right launched a new business. It gave us freedom. It has taught me so much about myself.

It was part of God’s plan for my life, a journey I have loved. A journey that may come back around again, someday. But at this point, my journey looks a little different. To all my friends who have also been customers… thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Her favorite boots

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Wrenn has a new pair of boots… and they may be the best $12 I’ve spent in years. Oh to be a toddler and get to wear your rain boots with EVERY. SINGLE. OUTFIT. This sweet girl asks for them first thing when she wakes up, and they stay on until it’s time to go to bed.

She even wore them with her fancy Easter dress.IMG_2992

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My favorite promise

JSquarePresents Ditsy Floral

I have been circling promises in the Bible for almost a decade now. And of all of them, this is one of my very favorites. I am so thankful for a God who will never ever EVER leave me, aren’t you?

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PrintFor prints and other lovelies, visit Texas Lovely on Etsy.

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