Heart : Engaged

So last Tuesday, I randomly declared as "No TV Tuesday."  I don't think hubby and I watch a terrible amount of television, but when we need to unwind at the end of the day, we easily tune everything out and veg in front of our favorite shows.  

In honor of "No TV Tuesday" we decided to take Blakely for a walk to get froyo at our favorite yogurt shop downtown.  It didn't exactly end up being the peaceful walk I had hoped it would be {I forgot it was market night and dogs aren't allowed & hubby got stung by a bee on the way - ha!}, but we came away with funny stories, a great memory and I feel it set the tone for how we spent our time together during the week to come.  We were engaged.

It's so easy to tune people out and not really hear them.  We're great talkers & doers but not so great listeners.  I know I'm guilty of instagramming, tweeting or e-mailing while half listening to hubby's day, or while catching up on the phone with family.  Not only do I miss out on half of the conversation, but I'm missing out on an opportunity to enjoy these precious relationships.

This weekend was wonderful as the "no tv" trend continued.  Hubby and I went for a run together {well, he left me in the dust actually...haha I trailed behind - these Cali hills get me!} along this beach....

And then we decided to take advantage of the sunshine and have a picnic lunch in the park....

{my gfree organic turkey sandwich - yum!}

{so much sunshine!}

We did our grocery shopping together, we did dinner, a movie and card games with sweet friends and we showed hubby's sister and boyfriend around Monterey.  It was a packed weekend {and I'm a bit exhausted - still} but it was so nice to truly engage in the life that lays before me. 

I think "No TV Tuesday" just may become a weekly occurrence in our home!  I encourage you to give it a try. :)

{Blakely's pooped too!}

Lots of love....

- images via danya collyer

Honest Housewife: Now is The Time

Dearest Friend,
This week I read to my sons of days long ago,
How land was formed and animals created.
They heard of Adam and Eve and the birds and the sea. And we observed, as we sat beneath the sky and the trees, that indeed, God had done an incredible thing when He spoke the earth into being.

We spend as many moments outside as possible. Sharing smiles and spreading laughter...
Both Hunter and Emerson love to talk. {Really, being 3 months old, their talking is just a 'babble', but still, they love to communicate}. As I read to them from The Jesus Storybook Bible both boys lit up, staring inquisitively at the colorful pages and responding with smiles as I pointed to the vast blue sky above, telling them it was the same matter that God has made many years ago.

...I wonder who my handsome little men will grow up to be... How will they shine Jesus and what parts of His character will they naturally take on...
And then I begin to wonder, "How am I showing Hunter and Emerson the love of God today, that they would know it, and pass it on to others in time...
Am I showing them what it is to be attentive to others needs, and joy, or peace that passes all understanding?...
Are they getting to know Jesus? As they get to know me? Oh I pray that they are!
My heart is to speak the name of Jesus often in our home! Telling my babes that this or that is from Him, or like Him, or not...
Though they are young, it's never too early to share Truth with them!
And that causes me to wonder...
Are we always waiting for the perfect moment to share Christ and His Truth with others?
Waiting till we think that they'd actually get it? Waiting for the time when they would finally be in a place of accepting Him??
NOW IS THE TIME! Is it not?
Silly too that we skirt around really truly sharing Jesus, and instead we love and comfort and encourage, but never speak His name.
It's more sad than silly.
Jesus died for us!
-----------------------------------------------------------
My computer battery is dying and I need to get some sleep before I feed these babes of mine again.
Let's love not just for the sake of love this week, but because Jesus loves! And as we do so, let's share with those around us that it's Christ's love that deserves the praise... our kindness should lead always to Him.

Dear Sisters and Friends, I love you!
Thank you for shining the Lords love and encouragement into my life over the last few months as these new babies have entered my world.
Your words are so very uplifting.
Happy Monday Lovelies!
xoxo
Amber - The Honest Housewife

Creating Beautiful

So I was clicking around on Pinterest a bit today and came across a few quotes that resonated within me - the above, being one of them.  All of this concern with what style to deck out our apartment in, which furnishings to purchase, what our budget looks like, etc., etc.  I'm easily consumed with a task set before me {especially when it comes to something creative} and I find my heart and emotions far more involved than they should be sometimes.  Aside from having an adorable home {cause what girl doesn't want that?}, I want my home to evoke a sense of beauty apart from the furnishings and wall coverings.  I want my home to be a place of warmth and peace, love and holiness - a place that my husband, myself and visitors will find rest, refuge and be reenergized before they head back out that door.  I firmly believe that all of those feelings begin with me.  I so desire to be a girl who makes a place beautiful just by my mere presence.  Not in vanity, or physically speaking, but by the presence I carry and the Godly confidence that can only come from a life walked alongside Him.  I truly want to carry the whole "less is more" theme, I've had to adopt over the past few weeks, with me into this new year and beyond.  I want to simplify and focus on having a beautiful spirit - one that isn't so concerned with what I'm adorned with, but by what is flowing from my heart instead.  It is possible to make a place beautiful, but I can't do it alone. ♥