Insta-Overload

We are leaving for vacation in less than 48 hours!  I.can.not.wait!  I am looking forward to this much-needed break from work and time to relax with my sweet hubby.  Lots of photos of the Great Smoky Mountains coming soon!

Now, without further ado (and because it's my blog, and I can *smiles*), here are my last few weeks in pictures.  If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably already seen most of these, so I apologize for the repeat.  If you don't follow me, I'd love for you to look me up at kentucky_wife.

Hubby and I had the best meal ever at this restaurant.  They serve home-cooked, southern-style food.  And the best part...it's all you can eat!

I took off work a couple of weeks ago to go watch Miss M sing "Amazing Grace" in her talent show at school.  She was fantastic!  Lil Man's class did a cute magic show too.  It was so much fun.  Here's me that day, enjoying the sunshine and some Creedence Clearwater Revival on the radio.

Baby Z is growing so fast!  He sure is a happy little guy in the mornings. Uncle A and I love spending time with him!

I found some pretty vintage Pyrex pieces while I was shopping on Memorial Day.  I LOVE the adorable butterprint fridgie.  It's my favorite Pyrex pattern. And I got the Blue Iris dish for the low, low price of only $5.00!

Here's some of the fam at our Memorial Day picnic at Mammoth Cave National Park.  It's one of my most favorite places to visit.  We had a blast!

That afternoon, we visited our local Amish store and got these delicious, fresh-picked strawberries.  They made for a very tasty breakfast for several days.

I can't finish this post without mentioning those who have suffered so much loss and heartache from the tornado outbreak in Oklahoma.  I am so thankful that my Oklahoma bloggy friends are all safe.  I am praying every day for you all as you heal and rebuild.

That's what we've been up to around these parts.  Now, off to pack and prepare for a wonderful week of vacation!

Be blessed, friends!

 Much love,

2013: Looking Ahead

Via Pinterest

Hi, friends.  I hope you are all enjoying the first day of this brand new year!  I have seen tons of blog posts today doing a recap of the events of 2012.  I'm not doing that today.  Although 2012 was an amazing year, I just don't have the desire to blog about it right now.

Instead, I would like to talk about 2013.  There's nothing like the beginning of a new year for a fresh start.  Already, before the year even gets a good start, there are changes coming for my family.  Changes that we didn't plan on and things that we aren't prepared for.  Situations that will require us to trust in God more completely than we ever have.


The day after Christmas, our family received some news concerning my dad's place of employment that was pretty devastating.  His company will be closing permanently this Friday.  After 20 years of employment at the same place, with the same people, he will be without a job, without health insurance, without a vehicle and cell phone, as these were provided for him by the company.  It was heartbreaking news, to say the least.


Sometimes, friends, it is hard to put your complete trust in God.  It is our human nature to want to control situations; to want to "fix" things.  It is especially hard when we can't immediately see His plan.  But that's what faith is all about, isn't it?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

Faith is confidence and assurance about what we do not or can not see.  Faith gives us hope and proves to us that everything will be ok, even though we can not see the resolution right now.

I don't know what the future holds for my parents or our family.  But I do know the One who holds the future.  I know the power in prayer because I have felt it and seen it work so many times.  I ask you, friends, to pray with us for faith to trust in God, even when we can't see what the plan is.  

2013 is going to be a great year.  I know it, because I know Him and with Him, all things are possible.