After an amazing week in NYC..

I'm writing this stuck in an airport.
A 9pm flight turned into an 12am flight, and I'm pretty sure that's not the end of that.
Booo.
But this is life.
And if you only enjoy the "good" moments in life, you miss out on a lot of moments that could potentially be good. And maybe even your new favorite memories.
You only get one wild and precious life, in the words of Mary Oliver. What is it you plan to do with it?
I plan to enjoy it.
All of it.
Even the extremely long, delayed layovers in an airport that is colder than the North Pole.
I hope you do the same.

Now I'm off to find some airport food.

Over and out.

Today, I believe..

Today, I believe in laughter. 

{especially with your best friend}

I believe in things that make your heart happy.

{just hanging out on the dining room table.  No big.}

I believe that crafting makes your life better.

I believe in giving away free things, just because it's Wednesday.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


What do you believe in today?

Higher than I.

There are days where I feel like where I want to be is so far away from where I actually am. 

Weeks that are so busy, I feel like I should receive a worst wife of the year award for all the things I didn't get done. 

Days where work is so stressful that when I finish for the day, I want to sleep for two days.

Where my to-do list and got-done list are vastly different in size.   

And sometimes, all of these things happen at once. 

And that, my friends, is what we call overwhelming.

Overwhelmed looks different for everyone, but it happens to all of us, every once in a while. 

It would be really cool if we could just talk about our dreams and go after them and reach them, all the while keeping up with our to-do lists and the rest of life like pros, and never ever feel overwhelmed.  

But I'm pretty sure that's impossible.

Something I do know, though, is this: when my heart is overwhelmed, there is a Rock higher than I. {Psalm 61:2}

He knows I'm overwhelmed, and He is there.  To listen, to encourage, to renew and refresh. 

In an overwhelming world, He is a steady foundation--those don't come along too often. 

This is an incredible gift we have been given. 

A constant in our busy lives.  A quiet place in the midst of a world that never stops making noise. 

And sometimes, we need that. 

If you're overwhelmed today, I hope you take refuge in a God that knows you inside and out, and is there for you every second of your incredibly busy day. 

And if you're not overwhelmed, remember to be thankful that we have such a God, and take a few moments to rest in Him anyway. 

I hope you all have an amazing Tuesday!  Head over to Chevron & Lace to enter to win yourself some pretty things!

Favorites.

how pretty is this?

Happy Friday!  Here's to a weekend full of creativity and relaxation. 

A few of my favorite blogs this week:

Top Not Mom's blog always has the most delicious looking recipes, but I think these may be my favorite so far.  Cheesecake and  cupcakes?  Is this even real??

Erin wrote a really sweet blog about things to remember when you put on your makeup in the morning.

Jcaro wrote an amazing post on why her husband doesn't fulfill her--it's worth the read.

Happy weekending!

Chase it.

Congrats to Eliza E. who won the giveaway! 

You are never too young
you are never too old
to set a goal for your life
to make that your dream
and to chase it relentlessly.

That passion that you feel when you think of what you want to accomplish with your life?
Savor it.
Grab hold of it and do not let go. 
We were created to have an abundant life, not a boring one.
Do not fear the unattainable.
If we only went after things we knew for certain we could reach, what fun would that be?

So tell me, friends.  What are you chasing after this week?

p.s.
my etsy shop is having a flash sale!  get 25 percent off your purchase with code "happytuesday" for the next 24 hours. 

Things I believe in this week.

I believe in a second cup of coffee. and sometimes a third.

I believe in having a marriage that is an epic adventure of two best friends, even if sometimes the only adventure is sitting next to each other getting work done.

I believe in making crafts and being girly.

I believe in standing up for the things you believe in, no matter how unpopular or controversial they may be, because those are the things that make you who you are.

I believe in dreaming out loud to your very best friends.

I believe in writing and writing and writing some more.

I believe in chasing after your dreams.  Every single one of them, no matter how big or small they may be.

Today, I believe. 

What about you?

Just a little something to brighten your Tuesday.

Happy Tuesday!

I don't have much to say today, so I bring you two fantastic things.

1:

seems like a good life philosophy, yes?

2: $50 to Shabby Apple. 

Shabby Apple is an online dress boutique that specializes in vintage and retro dresses.  Also known as my new favorite place.  You can see why here.

Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Freedom.

I had an amazing time celebrating yesterday, as I know the majority of America did.

my amazing parents.

fourth of july snuggles. 

just chillin' in the pool, no big. 

Why did we celebrate?
Well, most of us were taking advantage of a day off.
But the reason we celebrate?
We celebrate our freedom.
We live in a beautiful and place were we have freedom that is not given in many other places because of the sacrifices that many made on our behalf.
So we celebrate.
We eat hotdogs and go swimming and watch fireworks and spend the day with the people we love.
Because we are free, and that is worth celebrating.

I had an amazing day yesterday, and I am so thankful for the freedom I have.
It made me think of how I am not only free because of the country I live in, but I am free in another aspect, too.
I have an ultimate freedom because of an ultimate sacrifice.

The Bible reminds us over and over again that we have freedom. That we have been set free.

I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free. 

-Psalm 119:32

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

-John 8:36

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

-2 Corinthians 3:17

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

-Galatians 5:1

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

-Ephesians 3:12

I am so incredibly thankful for that freedom.  That is a freedom worth celebrating.  
Remember that.  
You have been given the incredibly precious gift of ultimate freedom. 
So celebrate.
Not just sometimes, on special occassions. 
Not just on Sundays. 
Live a life of celebration because of the freedom you have been given. 
Jesus didn't come so we could have stuffy, boring lives that don't really amount to anything. 
He came so we could have life. 
Not only life, but abundant life. 
And abundant life is worth celebrating. 
An abundant life is a life celebrated. 
So celebrate. 

be happy.

Because life is too short to be unhappy. 

So go see a movie. 

Eat some cake. 

Say you're sorry if you need to. 

Walk outside with no shoes on. 

Tell someone you love them. 

If it makes you happy, don't wait.

Just do it. 

Happy July.