Honest Housewife: Short but Sweet

Dearest Friend,
Last night the weather outside was frightful!
Frightfully warm that is!
Our sweet little babes were uncomfortably hot so the Hubs and I lay them down on our bed for a while and slowly but surely it cooled a bit and we put them back in their cribs for the evening.
With two fans blowing the warm air around their room, they slept soundly, praise Jesus!
All that to say, I didn't spend time writing to you like I normally do on Sunday nights...
And now today, I'm busy packing so I don't have anything too fancy to say at this moment either...
You all understand how life can be busy though! It's crazy sometimes!
There's a lot to do!! {we're moving this weekend and so far, I only have 2 boxes ready...}
Hunter and Emerson are napping, and it's time to get busy!

I pray you had a lovely weekend!
If you haven't yet, you should read up on all things Pink Peony Style!
So many fun summery ideas concerning all things fashion, food and home!
xoxo
Honest Housewife

Honest Housewife: In it for the long haul.

Dearest Friend,

Time flies!

This was me, at 36 weeks pregnant and about to POP!

Took these pictures on Wednesday the 28th of March thinking "HOLY COW! I'm humungous!"

I remember praying, "Okay Lord, I think I'm getting tired of growing now... These days are getting kinda slow, and I feel like a beached whale most of the time. 

Please help me to have the strength to carry these babies while they thrive in my body.

 However much longer we have together like this, I want to do it happily." sigh

I wasn't about to pray that they'd be born early...

but maybe secretly, I was.

I find it hilarious that at just the right time, as I was coming to the last of my strength, God said "Okay, We'll give you a break"... Okay, maybe that's not what He said.. and really, a break?! Twins out of the body are a lot more work than twins inside of it! :)

But the very next day, Thursday the 29th of March, I was sent to the hospital for some overnight testing, and before I knew it, Saturday the 31st was upon me and I was giving birth to the two most precious people I have ever met!

Perseverance and hope and... there was no giving up.

I had been in it for the long haul.

After 36 weeks of hard work and dedication, after 9 whole months of being patient and doing my best to care for lives that I couldn't even see, the results of my sacrifice were finally within my gaze...

It was time for that journey to end, and another to begin.

After going through pictures tonight and finding these I laughed to myself thinking of how tired I was.

Weary of walking around with that mass at my front, and knowing that there was no stop button to push, no card to draw that said "skip the pregnancy-collect your babies", I had to keep on going...

I learned in that season of life, that waiting and allowing cultivation to take it's proper course, is so much better than rushing the process and being okay with less than best.

I'm not really talking about babies anymore :)

My thoughts have shifted more to other things in life.

Like marriage and jobs and plans for the future and oh you know...

All those things that you want and don't have right now.

It felt good going through my entire pregnancy and knowing that I'd reached the finish line!

That I'd made it to the end and that the prize was perfect!

How many things can you think of that you don't finish because you don't have the patience to wait, or the drive to work hard or you're too scared?

I know I've done that plenty!!!

Now-a-days, I'm called to work hard and be patient in raising my sons to be Godly, respectable, kind hearted young men.

And this is going to take much longer than 9 months!

But I'm in it for the long haul!

There's no backing down. I will work {and whistle while doing so}, thanking God for the challenge and asking Him for the strength to see me through.

There may be sorrow at times, probably a good handful of it, but there will be joy in this journey and I'm excited to see how it ends.

Are you fighting to work hard at something these days?

Or are you struggling to not let go?

What are your thoughts! I'd love to hear them!

ps Every Monday before I post here, I promise to respond to your comments from the week before. So when you read next weeks letter, come back to your comment and I'll have sent you a bit of love.

xoxo

Honest Housewife

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 : No longer babes

Dearest Friend,
Here's a pic of baby me and my wonderful Mama.
Hard to believe that I was once so small... No one's holding me like that anymore ;)
Step by step, day after day, we grow up, change, become people who truly affect the lives of others, either for the better or worse...
When we were younger, little babes, and children, and adolescent 'hooligans', the things we would say and do had less of an impact than they would as coming from an adult. Of course they mattered, but not to the same degree.
With years of added knowledge and age comes an expected care, consideration and awareness for the people around us.
These days, when my sweet Hunter or Emerson yell at me because they are hungry, I obviously don't get upset at them for 'treating me that way'. When they get mad or frustrated and make grumpy faces, causing all to be aware of their unhappiness, I don't take offense.
If I were to do those things, at the age of 27, I'd be absolutely embarrassed!!
But wait a second... raising my voice because I 'need' something different? I don't do that... right? Oh wait, I have done that. Am I ever so miserable with my surroundings that I make it clear to friends and family near by? No... or actually, yes...
"I'd be absolutely embarrassed".
The sad thing is, we normally don't treat strangers and acquaintances with such little respect. It's those that are closest to us. Or at least that's how it is for me.
I don't have the excuse anymore of being an infant, unable to communicate with kindness and patients.
My reason for being rude {which it's obviously not even called 'rude' when an infant acts in such a way}, is that I'm selfish, thinking of me and my desires rather than the feelings of anyone else.
The closest person to me is my Husband, and I know that there have been days where in my 'grumpiness', I take it out on him. When I'm unhappy, I don't always treat him with the love and respect that I should. Writing this, I'm realizing that I owe him an apology. Or two.
No matter whats happening, I'm responsible for my actions. Every single day, I strive to be more like Christ. Asking for Him to live through me, to love through me and to shine in a way that I can't when I'm exhausted...
But there are times where I don't let Him help me. Moments where I take over and get ugly and self focused and unpleasant. And in those hours, I tend to revert back into my immature, childlike ways and again, there is no good excuse.
I want to be a woman who treats others with a beautiful and selfless love. Setting aside my emotions and recognizing that who ever it is before me is important and deserving of a gentle word or smile.
I want to be a wife who's lips spill praise and thanksgiving rather than words of discontent.
....
There's nothing more to say really... with those last words, all I can think now is that action must follow. "I'm sorry"s are in order. This was a good reminder for me. Not sure where this all came from...
It's just spilled out as I began to type.
My Love is sleeping right now, but I plan on snuggling up to him as soon as I'm done here and telling him that I'm sorry!

Jamie, Bekkah, Alicia: Thanks for your sweet comments last Monday! All of your words meant a lot to me and I was encouraged by each of you.

Happy Monday Sweet Friends!!
Now go out there and be kind, we're not babes anymore {not an infant babe at least... babes as in good looking, that we are!}.
xoxo

Honest Housewife : Me Date

Dearest Friend,

It's 9:45 pm on Sunday night.

My babies are home sleeping and my Hubby is there watching over them.

I, on the other hand, am out. Out on a date. 

By myself...

Every other week or so I go on a 'Me Date'.

Leaving our place after the boys have gone to bed, and my Love has been fed ;)

I sit, alone, at a restaurant, order a little something to eat and I write, and pause, and pray and breath. In and out. New perspective enters, old perspective leaves.

I sit down a little tired, and walk out ready to face a hundred giants.

For some reason, memories of being 20 keep popping in my head. Random trips to the lake, college group at church/The Way, staying out late on Friday nights. Monday evenings with the sweetest of girl friends -singing praises to God and praying over one another. Wednesday morning Bible study/Romans/Josh White. Laughter. Laughter was different then. Burdens were different then. Laughter seemed lighter, and burdens seemed heavier. Oh I was a girl who flew high with the good times and sunk low in the hard. Emotional. That was me. Pursuing the Lord with passion! and healing from wounds long ago. 

This time of year, the scent of those days still lingers in the summer air. 

I remember being single, hoping to find love and a greater purpose.

Doing my best to make the most of that season, I would take all that I could learn, about marriage and children and what it was to be a Godly woman, and shove as much as possible into my heart and mind. I would listen, to those who had gone before me. I would read, the Word of God and books that explained in depth more of what His intimate message said.

Educating myself as best as I could on how to live the life that I prayed was ahead of me.

Folding baby clothes earlier today it hit me.

I am exactly where I once had so badly wanted to be. I have a husband. I have children. I am a 'stay at home wife and mom'... This is the life that I longed for. That I was working for.

Now that I'm here, making the most of this season looks a bit different. These 'Me Dates' are part of it. 

One huge aspect of taking care of what's before me, is taking time for myself. Spending time with the Lord, eating healthy, treating my body well/working out... I want to be such a strong Wife and Mother. But if I'm always pouring myself out, then I'm obviously going to run dry and fall faint and fail the 3 men placed in my care. It's a good thing God is with me everywhere I go and I have 24/7 access!! Oh how I must rely on Him!! 

Lighting a candle, opening the windows to let in a cool and refreshing breeze, always wearing perfume. Dancing to happy music, shouting "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord" when the sun comes up in the morning, meditating upon the fruits of the Spirit, doing my hair and make-up, singing...

Some of these things might sounds silly to you, but it's easy to lose yourself when your primary focus in life is others, like a Husband and now 2 sons!! These 'silly' things are happy things for me. And doing them fans the flame in my heart.

My Love does a perfect job of letting me get out when I need to. Evenings or weekends. 30 minutes or 2 hours. We've found a steady balance and for the most part, all of our needs are being met.

I am thankful for the blessings and answered prayers that I walk within. 

Sometimes I miss those single days of absolute freedom.

But then I laugh! The entire time that I was there, I was wishing to be here.

Never mind... These days are a thousand times better than those. 

Because today is exactly where God has me.

20 was a great year!!! Oh it was!

and now 27 is just as good!! It's better... but it's not. 

The times are different and equally exciting. 

Hopefully I'm making sense of all this...

It's past my bedtime ;)

Remember to take time to pursue what's on your heart dear friend.

God made you with special desires and likings and if you let go of them... 

Well then don't you somehow let go of who you're supposed to be?

Who He would want you to be. 

Being you in a unique way, bearing His wonderful image and shining in a way only you can.

So go light a candle. Paint a picture or talk to a stranger. What ever makes your heart beat the way you know it was meant to beat, do that. Whatever brings you closer to God, as silly as it may be.

Make the most of this season.

Alright, I'm losing my ability to edit where all this is going.

Moms get tired quickly {this I am learning... laid down on my bed the other day, praise Jesus Shawn was home, and fell asleep in a few seconds! I didn't even know I was tired!}

That being said, before I fall asleep on this laptop and post a silly letter, I'm saying Au Revoir!

Have a fabulous week Darlings!

xoxo

Honest and Happy Housewife

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

Heart : Made to Give Life

{creepy shopping & texting moment}

So Saturday, hubby and I ventured out to the great land of Gilroy to hit up the outlet mall {oh. my. goodness.  Words cannot describe the mess it was! People people everywhere.}  Of course our first stop was In-N-Out for lunch {madness I tell you...we had to hover over people for 20 minutes just to score a table}, and then it began....

I've never been one to struggle in the weight department.  Thankfully I tend to have a naturally high metabolism, and have lived a pretty active life since I was a kid.  I was taught to eat well and take care of my body at a young age {thanks mom & dad}.  Like almost every kid, I went through that majorly awkward "ugly" stage of life - you know the years I'm talking about.  Middle school.  Those middle school years were just brutal {think pimples, unibrow (seriously mom?!), funky body odor, a bad haircut (I took a pic of Mary Kate & Ashley to my hairdresser as a kid and for some reason she had decided that was my signature cut. I couldn't escape it. No matter what I requested, I got the MK & A cut. My hair was too thick for the cut and it would flip and fall wherever it so desired. No good.) and weight that hadn't yet evenly distributed itself - oh!  And not to mention terrible and I mean just down right awful fashion sense.}. Side note - I've done my very best to hide photos of these incriminating years from hubby, but every now and then one will resurface {I really need to burn them} and he'll say things like, "I wonder if we would have been friends if we had known each other back then?" ha!  The beauty of middle school is ignorance.  I had no idea, until I stepped through the doors of my new school in 9th grade, that I was hideous.  Girls actually styled their hair, accessorized their outfits, wore makeup and drugstore deodorant (mom tried making my sister and I use these weird rocks from the health food store - I kid you not.  ROCKS!  You ran them under water and then rubbed them under your armpits. Did I mention I grew up in hot, sticky Florida?).  Hello awareness.

It's only by Gods good grace that I made it through those years without scars from insecurities.  It was my Freshman year that my true walk with the Lord began, and I know that intimacy with God {and not with boys} was what saved me.  I am forever grateful.

Twelve years later I'm more insecure now than I may have been in 9th grade.  I feel like I've got a pretty good fashion sense.  No more unibrow and {praise the Lord} I've got deodorant that does the job.  I've discovered passions and developed gifts {music, art, writing, homemaking, cooking, baking, etc.} and I'm much less socially awkward than I was back then.  So what do I have to be insecure about?  Those cute little dimples that grace the back of my thighs, the mid section that doesn't seem to be affected by tiresome ab workouts and the arms that flap when I wave.  I workout twice as much as I did in my "glory" days, I don't touch bread or processed foods and I eat plenty of fruits and veggies.  What's the deal?

A pregnant girlfriend of mine recently confided, "the hardest thing about being pregnant is watching my body grow. Clothes don't fit & everything I worked so hard at keeping toned is round."  Another friend recently showed marks that pregnancy left behind.  I thought of these two friends as I stood before a mirror on Saturday sulking at the more "mature" figure staring back at me.  "God, help me to love myself," I prayed.  I've never been through pregnancy, nor do I particularly look forward to that season of life, but I know that as a woman, the changes in your body, whether it be pregnancy or just a change in metabolism, can take their toll both emotionally and physically.

No one really prepares you to face these feelings and emotions.  I think that like my freshman year, intimacy with God is what will save me.  I may never be a size 2 again, I may not see cellulite free legs and I will probably have to work my tush off to stay "fit," but I'm reminded daily that through my flaws and imperfections my body is amazing no matter the size or shape.  Children or no children, we women are created to give life either through body & heart {or both}.  I'm determined to give life.  No more sulking over vanity.  I'm filling up on Jesus this week and ready to breathe life into those who are around me!

Hope you'll do the same.

Lots of love...

Honest Housewife: Adventure

Dearest Friend,

Did you know that I was engaged once before marrying my husband Shawn?

True story. 

It was a silly time in my life... A proud and arrogant time, where I thought that I knew what was good for me, and that everyone else didn't.

Though it was a brief and very short relationship/engagement, it changed and fueled the rest of my world in a pretty big way.

The guy I was engaged to lived in a van.

Yes, he lived in his van.

He spent his time working with his hands, surfing, sitting with the homeless and listening to their stories... He long boarded, wore board shorts and flip flops everywhere he went and wasn't afraid to try anything. I remember one time he bought wind surfing equipment and took it out to try without a single lesson or know how.

And what I saw, was ADVENTURE! 

One day, after only a total of 3 months together {and already being engaged}, I realized that this man was not who I should bind myself to in holy matrimony!

What I was attracted to and craved, was his unabashed way of tackling all that was before him.

I wanted to be that way! Spend my life, living within the depths of adventure! 

ADVENTURE

An unusual, daring and exciting experience or activity.

The exploration of unknown territory.

The description alone gets me all giddy! My head begins to spin with ideas of potential adventures and a happy nostalgia takes me to grand adventures past.

What I learned after that silly season was this:

I long for adventure, YES! Oh how I do! and have for as long as I can remember!

When I met this young man, I thought that I had found what I had been waiting for...

In my mind at the time, it seemed that he was living his life the way that I was wanting to live mine.

Free from many of the worlds cares, tied to few possessions and making the most of very little 'means'.

That's adventure after all, right?

I had no idea that there were so so so many other ways of experiencing adventure.

The first thing, I came to terms with {aside from my pride and need to listen to others discernment}, was that I want adventure with the Lord! 

Look back at the definition of adventure and think about God... It fits doesn't it?! Faith is an adventure. It's the biggest adventure!!

{This topic alone is one that I could elaborate upon for hours! And I just might come back to it in another letter}

No matter where I went, or who I was with, or what circumstances were around me, I could be standing in the midst of 'unknown territory'. It wasn't something that I had to seek out. God and all that He is, in His faithful presence, was something that I could dive into at all times! And Seriously!! it's the most daring and exciting experience ever!!! 

You know what else is an adventure?

Marriage. Oy is marriage an adventure?!! Look at the definition again! Totally fits, right!

Family! That's a crazy adventure!

Having a family! Yep, that's one too!

Friends, the future, your commute to work!!

New Perspective... Even if I never travel to another foreign land ever again {such a scary thought!}, I can still live within the depths of adventure! 

I don't have to chase fireflies, or stand upon the sands of faraway tides, or hear the language of unknown tongues, or wear the same two outfits and dumpster dive for my food {never had the desire to do that last one... just f.y.i.} ~ There are a thousand different "unusual, daring and exciting experiences" all around me! "Un-kown territory to explore" is just beyond my door! Heck, it's even within my own home! 

Being a new Mother, with a heart that beats super duper strongly after adventure, I have spent a lot of time thinking up a thousand and one different ways that I can introduce my sons to it!

And again {yes, I start sentences with And} I've come to the place of remembering that adventure isn't going to be just flying a kite at the top of a windy hill, or catching insects and doing only what little boys do with them. Adventure is getting to know God! Oh how I cannot wait to talk with them about how wonderful their Creator is!! This is something I do on a daily basis already, but it'll be so neat to hear their hearts for Him!

I want to teach them about the adventure of caring for others. I want to share with them the adventure that it is to love their Daddy. Of course we will love him in our own ways, but to go above and beyond in all that we do, making the most of our time and working hard to see those around us flourish as we shine Jesus!... That's adventure!!!

So go live your life friend! Live it and realize/know that today will never happen again! It has never happened before!! You are in the midst of adventure! Stand tall, walk with bravery and let your mind and heart fall into excitement as you recognize that you can make the most out of what's before you! Conquer it! That's what we do with adventure! We face it, and we thrive as it's defeated! Rest your head upon your pillow at night and smile. You were great today! {Just be sure not to forget that God is your Tour Guide. He can show you where and how to walk. And He will keep you safe and protected when things are difficult and you doubt the shaky ground beneath your feet. He's the Best!}

xoxo

Amber ~ aka Honest House Wife

I'd love to hear how you see adventure in your every day?!

Honest Housewife : Incredible Outlet

Dearest Friend,

Writing has been such an incredible outlet for me over the years.

At the age of twelve I began penning my thoughts, filling up journals, scribbling on napkins, seeing every sheet of blank paper as a canvas to tell a story upon.

When I was younger, I wrote primarily about my parents and their splitting up.

While pouring my heart out across the pages of each decoupaged notebook, a space of comfort and safety was discovered.

As the pen spoke, the paper listened.

June 4^th 1998

Age 13

“Sometimes I’m so scared I curl up in a ball and cry in the dark. I’m so scared about what my life will turn out to be. At night when I’m sad {Dad used to rub my back}, I lay in bed thinking of Gods warmth all around me, and Him looking over me.

So scared- No peace-

God please help me, AmberDawn, to learn more about You-

Help me to be strong with Your help-

Oh God, I need You!”

With no judgment, and no attempt to encourage or figure things out, my ‘diaries’ became the first place that I went to with the weights and struggles of each day.

It was here too, that I started to lean on the Lord.

Years passed by, and I began to trust people with the cares of my heart…

Journaling morphed far more into prayers and conversation with God. Too, there was a new appreciation for creation, for beauty and love… I began to give myself over to love, to trust in it. Before, fear crippled much of my desires, but the year 2003 changed all that {Australia was good to me}.

Quickly, journals were filled and carried within them poems and songs and descriptions of the magic that surrounded.

June 6^th 2003

Age18

“I am a child of God.

A loved child.

He wants to know me,

Hold me.

He will always take care of me.

He’s waiting at my side all day long.

And into the night,

He watches me sleep,

And He protects me.

Nothing could ever separate us.

Never will I go a moment

Unseen in His eyes.”

It’s so special to look back and see how God has walked with me through out each step of this journey.

July 7^th 2008

Age 23

“Lord, I praise You for what You’ve done with me. I would have never imagined my life to be here… I had never thought it would be so good. For years there seemed to be so much brokenness and pain, but now I am able to see all of the beauty and joy that’s come from it. Thank You for allowing me to see through Your eyes. Thank You for allowing me to feel with Your heart. Thank You for Your wisdom…

Lord I love You! I’m sorry for not praising You as often as I should.

You deserve all glory and honor! It’s crazy when I actually think about the fact that you are the same God as the God of Abraham… David… Paul… And You are with me!”

… That first journal entry was from 15 years ago! The second 10 years, and this last one 4 years ago.

These days I don’t spend as much time writing within notebooks and on college ruled paper… instead, I type my fingers away here at the computer. I do have a special little book that I fill with intimate prayers, but other than that, I share my day to day and thoughts about it, within the world of blogging.

The safety of keeping my thoughts to myself and to paper isn’t so important anymore.

I feel safe sharing with others. And it feels good to know that I’m not alone. There’s community here, and I don’t have to hide.

K, I’m off to get some snuggles from my babies!

Sincerely,

Amber Dawn

-image via amber

Heart : The Cross Is Enough

Hi Sweet Friends,

I hope you've had a chance to explore the new PPS and I hope you've enjoyed getting to know Amber, Melanie and Jamie!  It's been fun beautifying things, reading responses from readers and making new friends through all of this.  Thanks for all of your participation and comments!  I love hearing from you.  {And a big WELCOME to new friends/readers!}

I have to be honest, with blogging {and any social media, I suppose} it's so tempting to put only your best forward - to promote yourself as flawless and perfect as possible.  But that's not human.  The most beautiful women I know are those who have embraced their flaws, gracefully grown in their weaknesses and aren't afraid to let people in on the good, bad and the ugly.  So in effort to maintain reality, I'm going to do my very very best to resist the temptation of false perfection.  If you and I are going to build any kind of friendship here, I need to be transparent and real.  So here's one of many efforts...

I'm pretty typical in the sense that I love beautiful things.  I love to explore new places.  I hope to do lots of traveling in my lifetime.  I have a super amazing husband and a spunky yorkie named Blakely.  {You can read more about the two men in my life here.}  I have a lot of good in my life.  But I have plenty of ugly too....

Yesterday was one of those days, whether it be hormones or just waking up on the "wrong side of the bed," who knows?  But whatever the reason, I was in a terrible mood.  {In my defense, I did struggle sleeping the night before.  The neighbor above us never sleeps.  I'm convinced he's a vampire.  He's up all hours of the day/night.  And I promise, he sprints from room to room, flushes the toilet every 10-20 minutes and grinds coffee between all activities.  He's the nicest man, and I mean nothing bad of him, however, his sleeplessness results in my sleeplessness.}  In my inability to sleep yesterday morning, I got up early, made my way to the couch, turned on the fire {yes, we can turn the fire on with the flip of a switch and we use it daily, as the temp is usually between 50's-low 70's}, made a cup of tea and had my quiet time.  It was lovely - until my husband woke up and bless his heart, he decided to be "helpful."  He did dishes from the previous evening's dinner party with friends, sorted laundry, hauled it to the laundry mat up the mountain {seriously, I have to carry my laundry up a stinkin mountain...okay maybe it's a hill, but it feels like a mountain when you have a weeks worth of dirty clothes in an oversized rubbermaid container}, took Blakely out, etc.  In his efforts to help me, I got frustrated with his noisy interruptions to my "quiet time."  Thus was the beginning of my sour mood.  Totally irritated, I dropped him off at work, ran a few errands and headed home.  "God, please cheer me up," I prayed.  You know those days you just can't shake a bad mood?  I was stuck.  Nothing helped.  So I got back into pj's and put on a movie.

It was quickly approaching 6:30pm and our summer Wednesday night series Life Church was about to begin.  "Maybe I'll just stay in pj's and see if hubby can get a ride home from someone," I thought.  "No!  I need to get dressed and go."  The war continued until 6:20.  Looking at Blakely, I finally decided to put a pair of jeans on and go, and boy am I glad I did.  Pastor Nate was in 1 Kings {where I had been earlier that morning in my personal quiet time}, sharing about Elijah.  Elijah was a man whom God took favor in, He supernaturally provided for and used in mighty ways.  A man who knew how to pray, wasn't afraid to ask for the impossible and was persistent in his prayers.  The message hit home and the worship time to follow was sweet.

A newer song hubby and I have been singing lately is "Jesus Son of God" from the latest Passion album {Chris Tomlin}.  I've found myself repeating the bridge of the song several times over the past week and wouldn't you know it, the worship team closed last night with it....

"Be lifted higher than all You've overcome

Your name is louder than any other song

There is no power that can come against Your love

The cross was enough 

The cross was enough."

No matter the mood I'm in, or the circumstances that surround me, nothing can negate the love He has for me {or you} - the cross is enough. 

My Pretty Little World: Confessions From a Lover of Life

Hi Friends,

This post is from a friend of mine, Allie Marie Smith {author & founder of Wonderfully Made}.  I just adore her precious heart for Jesus and her zeal for life...I think you'll love her too!  Read on...

E.B. White expressed a predicament I’ve been experiencing so well: “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”

I want to surf shoulder-high waves, add to my collection of Anthropologie pieces, decorate my house until its worthy of being featured on a top interior design blog, own a beachfront cottage and travel to far away lands. I love the feeling of my fingers wrapped around a warm vanilla latte, sweet kisses from my husband, the rush of getting a new pair of shoes, and the joy that comes from laughing so hard my stomach hurts.

I love life and all it has to offer, but I can’t ignore injustice or turn a blind eye to a broken and impoverished world. How do I reconcile my affinity for the pleasures of this world with my desire to make it better? How do I both enjoy it and improve it without feeling guilty while doing one and miserable doing the other?

Famous red letters said by Jesus tell us “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).” I’m challenged to ask myself, “Am I really seeking first the kingdom of God? Or am I too preoccupied with building myself a pretty, perfect, little life?” My honest answer isn’t always pretty.

I’m realizing that in seeking God’s kingdom, “all these things” might not include the means to get my nails done whenever I want or own a beachfront cottage, but in “all these things” lies God’s promise to give me every thing I need…and even more. I’m learning how to balance between soaking in the goodness this life has to offer, and pouring out compassion and generosity upon the lives of others to make theirs better. And I’m realizing these two are not mutually exclusive.

To each of us, much has been given, which means much is required (Luke 12:48). The question is, whose kingdom are we seeking first?

-Allie

Be sure to stop by the Wonderfully Made Blog to read more from Allie and other inspiring girls.  

Honest Housewife : The Fight of a Lifetime

Dearest Friend,

Yesterday, as I stood staring at myself in the mirror, I could clearly see the different marks of Motherhood that graced my face.

Mascara smeared across each cheek, small dark circles had found their place beneath my eyes, and my hair, normally curled with a good amount of volume was flat and sadly limp.

Oddly enough, this sight brought a great deal of joy to my heart.

I am in the trenches! In the thick of an all consuming mission, and these ‘battle wounds’ say that I’m fighting, working hard and rising to the challenge of a lifetime!

It’s incredibly overwhelming and has the potential to be defeating, or absolutely empowering.

The role of a Mother is not one to take lightly. We live, breath, eat and sleep around the world of our children.

We strive to raise a new generation; one better than the last, and there isn’t a set guidebook in doing so. We’re going off of intuition, off of the way we were raised, and soaking in wisdom from those who have gone before us, tweaking things just a bit here and there as we see fit.

These last couple months have put my character to the test. Do I have what it takes? Will I make the cut? Oh wait! I don’t have a choice… and that is for me, where I muster up strength and find the courage to face each day.

God has given this to me. He believes in me and trusts that I can handle it.

Luckily, He doesn’t leave me high and dry. Instead, He is ever present and it is to Him alone that I cling.

From the Lord flows love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I need every single one of these to fill me on a daily basis, for I know that the absence of them brings misery.

In raising children, as well as in my marriage, I must rely on God to show me how to do things appropriately.

Gosh, I want to be such a loving and selfless Mother. And I also want to be a compassionate and joyful Wife.

Those times in life, where what’s before us seams rather daunting and we struggle to find the endurance to carry on, we must go back to God. From the moment any task, mission or challenge presents itself to us, we have to start off with God as our primary source of strength.

Sadly, it’s not always our first thought to turn to Him. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll quickly find your stamina running dry when you attempt to walk forward without His presence…

Over time, I have found little ways to place myself in a situation of continual reliance upon the Lord, and that’s what I wanted to share with you today.

1.     Sing! All day, everyday. Sing songs of love and of undying devotion to the God who so magically created you.

2.     Pray! All day, everyday. Talk to Him. Out loud. In the car, while doing dishes, and within the quiet of your heart while sitting with friends.

3.     Praise! All day, everyday. While you pray, praise God for every single tiny little blessing!! For ‘every good and perfect gift is from above’.

I wasn’t made to live without Him, and neither were you… When I spend my time talking to Him, singing to Him and thanking Him for my life, the world begins to find a pleasant balance… All is as it should be.

My children will cry, and waves of frustration will sweep through my being at times… but it’s easy to push past the breakers and swim again in the calm of it all when God is stability.

Let Him be your Rock, and watch what happens. See how much farther you’ll go.

… Honestly, in writing to you, I’m beginning to see different areas of my own life that need to be surrendered to God. Primarily within my marriage as it’s been shocked into a world of new babies and new routine… The Hubs and I are not in a place of familiarity, and I could really use the Lords help in learning how to be the best Wife to him these days…

So that’s where I’m headed, to spend time drawing near to God and asking for His help. He has called me into this relationship, blessed me with the role of Wife, and is full of awesome wisdom as to how to thrive here.

I will return soon, and write to you once again.

Sincerely,

Amber Dawn

-image via amber

Honest Housewife : Dearest Friend

Dearest Friend,

My heart beats with excitement and I am thrilled to be in a place of sharing life with you. We are at the beginning of a very beautiful relationship. I just know it!  My prayer is that honesty would connect us here and that there would be no walls between you and I.

Just like you, I am a Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother and Friend. Maybe we don’t share all of the same roles, but within at least one of these realms we do.

Here’s a brief resume of sorts… Just so you can have a better feel for who it is that you’re getting to know.

First and foremost, I am a passionate believer in Jesus Christ and have been as long as I can remember.

I am 27 years old, and live in the beautiful state of Oregon.

And while Oregon is currently my home, I have had the joy of living about a third of my life overseas. {in Europe, Africa & Australia}

The oldest of three, I have a younger sister and brother who are very dear to me.

Though I come from a broken home, it has been mended in its own way, and I am still close with both of my parents.

It has been two and a half years since My Love and I said, “I do”.

Hubby works as an attorney, while I stay at home working to take care of our family.

On March 31^st of this year I gave birth to two handsome baby boys.

Known for my big heart, I think it somehow managed to get even bigger now that they’re around!

Aside from Bible College, I have no big degree or piece of paper to prove some lofty education.

The small certifications under my belt are these…

I’ve had Ministry and Leadership training from Bible College.

Went through an intense Equipped To Care counseling course.

I am a certified Montessori pre-school teacher.

First Aid and CPR certified.

I’ve obtained my Food Handlers permit.

And I am a proud published poet {one little poem from the 8^th grade}.

I’m pretty much a big shot, right?!

Really, I’m just your average young woman, doing my best to live according to Gods design. I make mistakes and sometimes don’t even learn from them until much later.

I like pretty things and get distracted by the many day-dreams that flood my mind.

It’s 10:23pm right now, and both of my boys are sleeping soundly in their cribs while I’m out on the living room couch, writing to you and wondering when they’ll wake up to eat again.

… Being a woman is tough. What with all the shoes we fill on a daily basis, it’s no wonder we’re known to cry far more often then men do! Cleaning, cooking, managing finances, decorating, preparing, teaching, encouraging… the list goes on and on and on.

As much as our lives get busy and packed with a thousand and one different things, it is so very rewarding! Yes, I’m tired, and my body feels a bit run down {I haven’t slept a full night in 6 weeks-I haven’t even slept a full 4 hours in 6 weeks!}, but still, I am more than ever, glad to be alive, and because of my sacrifice for these boys, I get the privilege of knowing a new depth of love.

So again, I write to you with the hope that honesty would connect us.

You will read of my bad days, and my good. I’m not perfect, not in the slightest!

But I do my best to rise above grumbling and complaining and face life with gratitude in my heart.

God has given me life, and I want so very much to thrive in it!

Thanks for listening!

I pray that this letter finds you well.

Sincerely,

Amber Dawn

-image via amber

Oh Sunshine!

I have to say it's been exceptionally beautiful here on the central west coast, and I don't mind a bit!  Sunshine is just medicine to my soul!

I had a peek of the new PPS website yesterday and it's beautiful, if I do say so myself!  I cannot wait to share it with you, dear friends.  I'm also excited to introduce you to my lovely contributors in the very near future.  A super group of girls is forming and PPS is about to explode with greatness!  :)

Here's a taste of my day....lots of love!

{My apartment was lacking florals today, so I picked up these beauties for the coffee table.}

{Spring has arrived!!  Leafy green salads & Crimson Iced Tea on the lunch menu today.}

{ Happy to see sunshine! }

- images via danya collyer