Archives for April 2012

Oh the wee Kelleys…how, OH how, did I get to be their mom?  Why did God think I would even come close to being good enough for these three?  It still completely blows my mind.  I have it good…real good.

Dear Wee Kelley #4,

I need to see your face today.  That would be the raddest thing ever.

I love you, Mom.

I got this email this morning, which I assume is spam.  It made me laugh out loud though.  Yes, facial hair and psychology is what my site is all about 🙂  I suppose that’s what I get for digging mustaches and talking about my need of therapy.

My assistant for the day.  Seriously.

We went to TJ Maxx to make a return and I told myself I was going to ONLY make the return and then leave.  Then I browsed.  I have such amazingly awesome self-control 🙂  I did see these, which at least one of them should have come home with me, but I stayed strong.  It felt wrong leaving them there.

I did purchase this little box of twig pencils, but they were super cheap…like clearanced and I really didn’t understand how TJ Maxx was even making money on what I paid for them.

And speaking of self-control…it really should be okay to eat cake for breakfast…and not just for birthdays or special occasions or on the bad days, but all days.  It would make me feel much better about myself.  Plus I think it would make for a better world and people’s moods in general.

This week has just been crazy…all over the place…up and down…a roller coaster for sure.  But I’m committed to praying these big, absurd, what appears to be impossible prayers.  And I have so loved reading about yours on our 17 Months Waiting Art Giveaway.

CLICK HERE or scroll to the post below to enter to win this 9×12 canvas.

I have been writing down my prayers…here’s a snipett…and really, it’s the tiniest little bit of my heart right now…you should see the page I’ve almost completely filled up…I told you I was committed…and I am 🙂

Today we’ve played outside for almost the entire day.  Some days you just need the outside air and sunshine.  It was one of those days…and it’s allowed me to breathe a little easier.

Harper seems to have grown over the past 2 days.  When I looked at her today I saw an older child…not my little girl anymore.  I am in love with her heart and cannot wait to see how she changes the world.

I’m standing by that blessing others is one of the best ways to help a sad heart.  I can’t tell you how much I adored a card I got this weekend.  I wrote about it earlier, but wanted to share again.  Along with the card I received several copies from a devotional book…this excerpt was one of my favorites:

When your burden is heaviest, you can always lighten a little some other burden.  At the times when you cannot see God, there is still open to you this sacred possibility, to show God; for it is the love and kindness of human hearts through which the divine reality comes home to men, whether they name it or not.  Let this thought, then, stay with you:  there may be times when you cannot find help, but there is no time when you cannot give help.  -George S. Merriam

So last night we made cupcakes to share.  Remember baked goods could change the world 🙂

I used an amazing new vanilla buttercream icing recipe.  I found it be completely lovely.  I did drop the vanilla bean and the icing was still divine.  RECIPE HERE.

And yesterday I received some very sweet mail…wonderfully encouraging.  This necklace was just one of the treasures I found in our mailbox…from an anonymous person.  Whoever you are please know I am so grateful for your kindness and generosity.

So now I’m off to make some thank you notes and some notes just to encourage some people in my life.  Everyone needs a little encouragement now and then 🙂

Happy Wednesday!

When I wrote yesterday I was ready to make this months giveaway canvas using the verse 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you…”.  But then the day dragged on and I was struck by a new idea.

I loved hearing Priscilla Shirer speak last weekend.  She was amazing and personable and I was really ready and anticipating this great epiphany that was going to rock my world.  When the weekend was over I was surprised with what I came away with.  At one point Priscilla made a comment about why we don’t ask God for unimaginable things…why do we believe He can do miracles in others lives, but not our own…why are we not asking Him for absurd things that seem completely impossible.  I thought about those things yesterday more and more.  Ephesians 3:20 says “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us…” 

I’ve read that verse a million times, but this time, this time it was wowzers.  Where have I been?  I have been completely underestimating what God can do.  I pray sorry little prayers that aren’t absurd at all.  They’re measly and mock God’s incomparable power.

Honestly, I haven’t even prayed that much for myself in the season I’m venturing through.  I don’t know what to pray.  I literally say to God, “I just don’t know God, I do not know.”  And that’s it.  So I decided I was going to get a notebook and start writing down all these crazy, unimaginable prayers that seem utterly impossible, but to God, are a piece of cake.  I know His answers may be yes or no or wait, but at least I’m praying the absurd.  I’m going to write it down and close the book.  Let it go.  Let God have it and walk away.

I spoke at my Mom’s funeral and one thing I said about her was that she was bold in her faith and powerful in prayer.  I want to be that.  I want the legacy of this powerful prayer warrior and one that wasn’t hindered by her own lack of faith.  I want to leave the measly prayers behind and dive head first into the impossible ones.

So this months giveaway is a 9×12 canvas with “Be Bold” with Ephesians 3:20-21 written around the edge, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church in Christ Jesus…for ever and ever.”

So here’s how you enter to win:

Please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

Entry #1 Leave a comment about an absurd, crazy, unimaginable prayer you have prayed or are praying.  I’m pretty excited about reading these 🙂

Entry #2 Share the giveaway on your personal Facebook status.

Entry #3 Share the giveaway on your personal Twitter status.

Entry #4 Blog about the giveaway.

Again, please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

Giveaway will end this Friday, April 20th at midnight and I will announce the winner on Saturday.

And of course, if you are the winner, we will mail your canvas directly to you.

Why can’t He let us see our sweet boy’s face TODAY…why can’t He take the sadness away…why can’t He heal the broken heart…why can’t He mend the broken relationship…why can’t He fix those financial troubles…why can’t He renew the torn marriage…why can’t He heal the ailing body…why can’t He bring the perfect mate…why can’t He rescue the addict…why can’t He provide the most amazing job ever…why can’t He make that couple parents…He can…I’m unsure of His answer…He may open the door, close it or just jam it for a bit, but I know He is mighty enough to do it.  And I’m going to start petitioning Him like mad for what seems completely impossible and absurd.

Here’s to our boy…17 months down.  Happy Tuesday!

Thanks to everyone who entered the fun giveaway to celebrate my new blog design by Randy at Doleman Creative.  And thanks for all the Facebook love you showed Randy…so fun.

The winner of the 4×12 Mumford & Sons canvas is…

Comment #41 Heather.  Super congrats Heather and check your email for a message from me.

I got back today from our Cousin’s Weekend and had the sweetest card in the mail from an amazing lady.  In the card were copies from a grief devotional that were beyond accurate.  This was my favorite excerpt:

When your burden is heaviest, you can always lighten a little some other burden.  At the times when you cannot see God, there is still open to you this sacred possibility, to show God; for it is the love and kindness of human hearts through which the divine reality comes home to men, whether they name it or not.  Let this thought, then, stay with you:  there may be times when you cannot find help, but there is no time when you cannot give help.  -George S. Merriam

I want to be this quote.  I honestly can say the season I am in feels as hard as hell and I feel like I am drowning, but I am going to beyond focus on this.  No matter how I feel or how down I may be, I can still DO for others.

I just couldn’t not share such an amazing quote…hope it breathes a little air into some of you…I know I completely needed to read this and have it in hand.

So Cousin’s Weekend came to a close today for me and my cousin Marsha.  We had to get back home because of some prior commitments.  We were sad to go, but we made yesterday and this morning count.

We did some antique shopping.  These two pieces should have come home with me.  I dig the blue.

I completely forgot Rebecca had the 2nd painting I ever did…seriously…I wanted to snatch it off her wall and break it over my knee 🙂

Everyone got the painting itch…Hobby Lobby provided the supplies.

And we did a lot of scratching.  Painting + Hall cousins = Loveliness…in my personal opinion.

Jan and I used the men’s restroom at Rebecca’s church…we were supposed to…it was marked ladies restroom, but I have my suspicions.

The anticipation to hear Priscilla Shirer speak was high…super high.  I just wish Aunt Janie didn’t look high.  Eyes open Aunt Janie…eyes open!

And she did not disappoint…oh the contrary.  Pretty sure Priscilla and I could be best friends.  And she did in fact reference and I quote, “like an anchor for your soul, sure and strong.”  God threw that in Just.For.Me.  I may have reached a new quota for the amount of tears I’ve shed in one day.  Laura + Priscilla = BFF-4-Life…is that a bit presumptuous…I think not.

This pillow made me cry too…maybe I have reached a new low…no one, not no one, should cry over a pillow 🙂

And Jan went wild this weekend…juice boxes for breakfast.  For reals.

Turns out Cousin’s Weekend has developed into a full on tradition.  2013 plans are already being made.

Hope you are having a great weekend.  Happy Late Saturday!

My mom was the youngest of 12 kids…yes, 12.  We have the biggest, craziest, quirkiest family ever.  There were 9 sisters and 3 brothers.  Sadly, I never met 2 of my uncles because they died in The Korean War and World War II.

I adore our hugenormous (in the words of Sol) family.  At Mom’s funeral some of my first girl cousins and I talked about trying to get together for a cousin’s weekend sometime soon.  I was thrilled when Rebecca emailed us all and we started making the arrangements to head to Memphis to hear Priscilla Shirer.

There are 10 first girl cousins in the family and only 5 could make it, but 5 is better than none 🙂

Our day was completely random.  It consisted of, but not limited to:

Hall family swag…kleenex, Burt’s Bees, a family art piece, chocolate and our Priscilla tickets.

Marsha’s homemade peanut butter cookies.

Shoe shopping.

Rebecca bought completely rad new running shoes.

I discovered Bobs…what?  Knock off Toms.

A little T.J. Maxx shopping.

I may have found the best little metal rolling bins and an amazing birdcage pillow.

Rebecca found this sign…I kind of dig it.

And we enjoyed some mexican for dinner.

I’m pretty stoked to see what today will contain 🙂

Happy Friday!

PS: The Where You Invest Your Love canvas giveaway is still going on.  CLICK HERE or scroll to the post below to enter to win the canvas.

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

What do you do when you are having some sucky days…pet some goats, have an impromptu pizza night and check out Scooby Doo from the library to go with it.  Yes, that works just fine.

Sol and I spent some really good time with my friend Jess.  Her family has a farm and I have been hearing all about some baby goats that had been born.  Jess insisted we take a drive over and check them out.  We had the best time.

They also have this crazy, creepy horse…Freckles…who is all up in your business.  The horse seriously was just hanging out with us, like, “Hey guys, what’s up?”  Freckles would not leave us alone and was doing some major nuzzling on Sol’s neck.  He and Jess moved to higher ground to escape Freckles.

Me on the other hand…well, Freckles and I became fast friends…BFF-4-life.  The horse would not back off.  We’re pretty tight now…he even snuck in a few lip kisses.  I was not prepared for horse kissing that day.

We ended the day with Jett’s pizza.  Jett’s just may be our most favorite, absolutely terrible for your health pizza ever.  Oh the thick, square crusted deliciousness.  It was needed.  I know I’ve never mentioned it before, but I am an emotional eater.

We also made it a movie night with our first Scooby-Doo viewing.  Mom worked at a bank, which we of course bank at, so my kids are treated like royalty there.  It is beyond sweet and they love it.  Recently, they have been getting Scooby gummy snacks at the drive-thru of the bank and have become quite intrigued with who the characters are.  They asked if they could see the show…sure!  Josh found it at our local library and we were good to go.  I haven’t seen this show in years, but it was funny and quirky and I actually really enjoyed solving those mysteries.

And, as promised, to celebrate my new, awesomely face lifted blog by Randy from Doleman Creative…it’s time for a little giveaway.  By popular demand I made up another 4×12 Where You Invest Your Love canvas.  This has always been one of my favorites.

So here’s how you enter to win:

Please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

Entry #1 Leave a comment about something you do to shake the funk of a sucky day 🙂

Entry #2 Head over and like Doleman Creative on Facebook.

Entry #3 Share the giveaway on your Facebook status.

Entry #4 Share the giveaway on your Twitter status.

Again, please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

I’ll announce the winner sometime late this Saturday.

And with that, I’m off to hit the road for a little weekend visit with my cousins.  Alone.  No kids.  Just me and other adult women.  I think it just might be a glorious weekend after all.

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**