Unplug and Go Outside

I don't know about you, but it seems like the more I engage with social media, the more I can't get enough of it.

Check in on Facebook.

Find a recipe for dinner on Pinterest.

What's happening on Twitter?

Any new posts on Bloglovin'?

Emails to respond to?

We are always connected these days.  Information is at our fingertips.  There is no real, face-to-face interaction anymore.  I can't even remember the last time I completely disconnected...from my phone, from the internet, from email and social media.

I feel like I am constantly fidgeting with my phone, texting, replying to emails, logging into Facebook or Twitter.  Am I so busy connecting online that I'm missing out on embracing life? 

If I am constantly on my phone, I am not present.  My husband knows it.  My family knows it.  My friends know it.  I am not really present in my own life.

The internet is a wonderful tool, but while the ease of communication has improved, our lives have become more impersonal because of it.  We are losing the quality of our relationships.

It's time for me to make a change.  No, I am not getting rid of my phone or any social media accounts I have.  But I am going to find some balance in my life.  

I am going to start being present for my husband, because he deserves all of my attention when he's talking to me.  

I am going to interact with my friends, face-to-face and not just thru Facebook.

I am going to embrace life instead of constantly sitting behind my computer.

So, friends, if you don't see me as often on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest, don't worry.  I'm still here and I'll still check in.  But I'm going to be actually participating in my life instead of tweeting about it.

What about you?  Do you participate in social media?  How do you maintain a healthy balance?

Much love,

Reflecting On The Word

Keep pressing on, friends.  God is good! 

Hope you are all enjoying a beautiful, blessed week!

Much love,

My Savior Lives

via Pinterest

I know He lives because He lives in me!

Friends, I hope you have all had a wonderful celebration of the resurrection of our Savior!

Much love,

Goodbye Google Reader

I heard a terrible rumor today that Google Reader is shutting down!  I know I am a total blog slacker when it comes to posting, but I love to keep up with my favorite blogs and I read everything you guys post.  

So, I am moving over to Bloglovin'.  If you would like to follow me, I'd be happy to have you!  Just click on the link below!


Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Happy weekend, friends!

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.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

"Everywhere you go.  Take a look at the Five and Ten, glistening once again, with candy canes and silver lanes aglow..."

Do they still have Five and Ten stores?  Ours closed several years ago.  Hmm...anyway.  It's definitely beginning to look like Christmas at my house and I loooove it!  It's my favorite time of year, y'all.  

Hubby and I put up the tree the week before Thanksgiving.  I really tried to wait until after Thanksgiving.  Really, I did.  But I just couldn't. I love decorating!  And, did I mention I love Christmas?

Have you guys got your Christmas tree up yet?  Do you put it up before Thanksgiving, or wait until after?

Have a blessed weekend!

Babies & Books & Catching Up

So, after that realllllly long blogging break I took, I think I want to start writing again.  It just seems that life is so busy, I don't have time to keep up like I would like to.  I'm too busy living to WRITE about life, it seems.  But, like all things, if something is important, you'll make time for it.  So, I'm gonna try again.  We shall see how long it lasts.

Now...where to start?  I got a new nephew in September!  My baby sisters last baby (or, at least she says it's her last..ha!).  We call him Z and he is the sweetest little guy on the planet!  I love him so much!

Just a few hours old

Baby Z...3 weeks old

Isn't he just the most precious little guy ever?  He definitely melts his auntie's heart!

My sweet mama had hip replacement surgery about a month after Z was born.  She's recovering quite nicely and went back to work today.  God is so good and I am thankful for the healing He's done and is still doing.

I made my very first batch of homemade elderberry syrup in October.  So far, it's doing the trick (aside from a minor cold last week).  And it's easy to make and super inexpensive!  Check out the recipe for yourself here.

I've been reading this book, and let me tell you, it's a real eye-opener!  I would definitely recommend it to mama's who have kiddos with food allergies.  I had no idea how many hidden toxins are in our food that have caused the rise of the food allergy epidemic.  The book is written by the founder of AllergyKids and it's full of practical suggestions to help clean up your family's diet without a bunch of scientific lingo that no one can understand.  Check it out if you are interested in weaning your family off of dangerous chemicals without the suggestions to raise your own goats, make your own cheese and spend hours grinding wheat that are found in most books of this kind.  :)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our family last week.  I took no pictures.  Sigh.  But it was a very blessed day.  We ate, talked, laughed, ate, visited, put up the Christmas tree, ate...well, you get the idea.  It was great to be able to get together with family that we don't see often.  God's good, y'all.

If you're still reading and hanging in there with me, kudos to you!  And thanks!  I do appreciate it.  On a final note for today, my sweet boss and one of my very best friends has been on maternity leave for the last 12 weeks.  She came back to work today (thank You, Jesus!).  Last week, she gave me this incredible gift for taking over her job duties while she was out.  

Vintage Pyrex primary color refrigerator dishes.  Oh.my.word!  That girl is amazing!

Y'all have a great week, friends!