.rememberance + thanks.

I have written and rewritten this post a half-dozen times. No words will ever be good enough to express my gratitude for those who have given their all for our country.

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." 

- The Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln

This day of rememberance holds a high place of honor in my heart. 

Every year it grows dearer amd dearer to me as I grow older and my heart can more fully comprehend the depth of sacrifice by the men and women who have died so that others might be free. 

It is for us the living to honor their memory with the best of our ability, to keep their families and loved ones in prayer, and to continue to hold the liberty they paid for in the highest regard. 

Especially rememberin my friends:

Lance Corporal Dustin Canham

Specialist Joseph White

Your memory is ever in our thoughts and your family is ever in our prayers

.magazines + connections.

I adore a good magazine. Actually, I'll look at pretty much any magazine I can get my hands on...even a not-so-great magazine usually has good pictures. 

I love that you can read a magazine pretty much anywhere...I take them to the beach, on airplanes, in the bath, to the gym, you-name-it. I also love that a magazine is not a forever thing. When I'm done, I can recycle it, pass it along to a friend, or sometimes I leave a good one somewhere I think someone might enjoy it (like the waiting room of the ER). 

I think magazines are the perfect gift. Ever. I would love nothing more than to get a big pile of magazines as a gift. Amd so I assume that others think the same way I do. 

A stack of your favorite magazines tied with a wide grosgrain ribbon is the perfect go-to gift for a multitude of occasions. I have used them as a hostess gifts, taken them on hospital visits, birthday presents, bon voyage gifts, mother's day gifts....it's just the perfect present for someone you know well or someone you know a little. 

If you are far away from someone you love, a very personal gift to mail is to take a quirky magazine and a stack of post-it notes and leave comments on what you find interesting, weird, or funny. It offers a piece of yourself, and takes time to do, which is the most we can ever offer to another. 

.japan + walmart.

I have been working hard on my office the past couple weeks. I have about a half dozen different projects going on, but my favorite this week is a project using pieces from very different sources.

I purchased a linen lampshade from the Better Homes and Gardens collection at Walmart. And then I embellished it with a beautiful deep pink linen tape imported I had imported from Japan from my new Etsy friend, Melanie. I just love the way it turned out!

I also orderd some Libety of London fabric tape from Melanie and did a second lampshade.

I am hoping in the next week or so to show you what it looks like all put together in my office.

If you'd like to visit Melanie's shop, click here. I can highly recommend her! And it is always fun to get a package from Japan.

 

 

 

.expectations + reality.

The last week has been a struggle between my expectations and reality. I tend to have high expectations - high expectations for what I am going to accomplish, how my home will look, how my children will behave, what I will look like...the list goes on and on. And it's easy to get hung up on what isn't rather than what is.

Instead of perfectly behaved children (who don't exist anywhere, anyways), I have healthy, active children

Instead of date nights once a week, I have a husband working his hardest for our family who is willing to go grocery shopping with us on his afternoon off

Instead of clean dishes, I have a boy discovering a love of cooking

Instead of a clean home, I have another little boy exploring his world and finding he has opinions and options abundant

Instead of a perfect body, I have two beautiful children and a husband who loves me in spite of how I see myself in the mirror

Instead of perfect family photos, I have a heart filled with sweet memories

Instead of all my projects done, I know I have done my best to care for my family

Goodness, I am blessed beyond measure...and I guess throw pillows do look just as nice on the floor. 

 

.ships + life.

I just love this quote by Grace Murray Hopper

"A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. Sail out to see and do new things." Grace Murray Hopper

Do you know who Grace Hopper was? Before I share any quote, I always like to research the individual it is attributed to, just to make sure I am sharing something reputable. I was blown away while reading a short biography of Rear Admiral Grace Hopper.  Grace was instrumental in bringing computers to where they are today. And she coined the term "debugging" because she pulled an actual moth out of a computer. How sweet is that? Something I thought was cute: she was initially turned down for her military service because she was 15 lbs below the minimum weight of 120 lbs. what a legacy of courage, perseverance, and ingenuity. 

 

.hymns + sunday.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
written by Robert Robinson

"Come thou fount of every blessing. 

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise. 

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above. 

Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,

Name of God's redeeming love."

This hymn is the first I've featured that was originally written in English. Robert Robinson wrote this hymn in 1757 when he was just 22 years of age. I love that this hymn is an excellent example of God using the words of a young man. 

     I will give thanks to the Lord 

     because of His righteousness;

     I will sing the praises of the

     name of the Lord Most High

     Psalm 7:17

.boys + words.

Ali Edwards recently had a blog post about phrases she says to her kids all the time. I thought it could be a fun thing to look back on with my own kiddos.

What I'm saying to both boys:

No standing up in the bath!

I'm proud of you and who you are.

Why don't you guys play together?

I love you.

What I'm saying to J:

Come here, please.

Take that binky out of your mouth.

Thank you for helping Mama.

Did you see an airplane?

 

What I'm saying to W:

No screaming.

You have the best smiles

You are very tired and need to take a nap

Do you want some Cheerios?

 

.oranges + drinks.

Living in Florida weather has really decreased my appetite for food and increased my desire for something cool to drink. 

I found this recipe for a homemade "Orange Julius" and my family just loved it! Super easy, and while I realize it's not the healthiest recipe, it's a lovely treat.

Click the read more below for the recipe

.mothers + children.

To my mother,

Thank you for your unconditional love, overwhelming support, and neverending selflessness.

Thank you for your wisdom.

Thank you for your friendship.

I love you.

To my sons,

Thank you for making me a mommy.

I will love you forever.

.hymns + sunday.

Be Thou My Vision

written by Dallán Forgail

"Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

Be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought in the day and the night,

Both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O Ruler of all."

Like the hymn last week, "Be Thou My Vision" was not originally written in English. It was originally written  in Old Irish. In the 6th century. It is amazing to me that this wonderful and meaningful hymn has been encouraging and blessing believers for 15 centuries!

     But my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord;

     In You I take refuge;

     Do not leave my soul destitute.

     Psalm 141:8

.flowers + may.

Happy May Day to each and every one of you!

I hope your spring is filled 

with the sweet scent of flower blossoms!

"Sweet May hath come to love us, Flowers, trees, their blossoms don; And through the blue heavens above us The very clouds move on." - Heinrich Heine