i hate blogs that don't let you leave comments...

Ahem, CAITLIN.

But put that aside... is this place not heaven?

(In case you're not sure, it is.)  And it looks JUST like this.  Maybe prettier in person.

And it is the exact site where my aforementioned smarty pants sister married one of the best guys I've ever met.  As we take off on our road trip, they'll take off for a celebration of their one year anniversary back down in Mexico where their official journey together began.  

They have been planning this trip pretty much since they got back from their honeymoon, and are going with a bunch of their friends to celebrate.  Though I would have loved to have gone, we knew that the timing just wasn't going to work for us.  (Even moreso now, since going to Mexico pregnant AGAIN holds so little appeal, it's amazing.)  HOWEVER... as I started thinking about it being their year anniversary, it truly has started to bum me out a bit that we won't be there to celebrate their special day.

So know that our hearts will be with you as you float lazily in the gorgeous pools and consume limitless amounts of champagne in celebration. ;)  We are so proud of you as you celebrate your first year of marriage together... it has definitely been a year of big changes and growing up for both of you, and you have handled everything with such grace and class.  Behave while you're there and for goodness' sake, leave the cigar case alone if it's closed.  I know there's no chance of you not having a blast... in the words of Lizette, "Ees not posseeble!"

how do you pack for a month?

I usually have a hard enough time packing for a week!  The whole concept of packing the entire family with enough "stuff" for a full month is a daunting task.  One that I keep thinking about... lots of thinking.... not a lot of actual doing.

I find with big tasks like this that my tendency is to start out with great intentions and then just have NO idea where to actually start.  So I put it off until pretty much the day before when I then send the whole family into a tizzy and everything turns to chaos.  FUN.  This time I honestly can't do that, because I will be working full days on Monday and Tuesday, and we have meetings both nights.  DOUBLE FUN.  So mostly packed we must be by Sunday night.

Which is about two days from right now.

Two days that are full of birthday parties and huge church events and World Cup games and last minute catching up with friends.  Hmm.

I'll let you know how it goes!

In the meantime I am starting by finding printable checklists for roadtrips. Because though I am a true Messie through and through, I do love me some checklists.  Usually I forget them, or better yet, lose them, but hey... printing them off feels soooo good.

smarty pants...

This lovely lady passed her Series 7 yesterday.

I have ZERO idea what that test is about, but I know it's insanely hard and requires way more studying than I'd be willing to do.  Which is probably why I'll never make as much money as Ms. Smarty Pants.  

I am beyond proud of you, Caitlin, and I am so thankful you have this behind you.  I know God totally honored your hard work and diligence, and I love that you have given him so much credit.  You are destined for greatness beyond what you can even imagine!  I love you!

sab·bat·i·cal...

[suh-bat-i-kuhl]

Definition: any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.

Next Wednesday my little family will pack ourselves (and probably WAY too much of our personal belongings) into our “new white van” and head South.  Dave will be taking a sabbatical from his work at Shiloh for the month of July, and we will spend most of the time at his parent’s house in Tennessee. 

As we inch closer and closer to the date of our departure, the meaning of this time away and the potential it holds is heavy on my mind and heart.  It is not a “vacation”.  I feel it is somewhat of a make it break it time, for myself personally.  I can’t really speak for Dave’s goals and objectives, but I know mine is for a radically REAL period of time with the Lord.  For a transformation of my spiritual life.

I plan on using this blog to share my thoughts as I’m away.  The good, the bad, the challenges and the victories I believe I’ll have.  (I’ll also probably put up cute pictures of my kids.  J  See, now I know you’ll follow along.)

Now, off to pack my life… 

a thousand words...

Here are some pictures of some of our very dearest friends in this whole wide world.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to take a few shots of them before this

handsome guy graduated from 8th grade...

Going through the pictures got kind of emotional for me... so many reasons.  How time has flown, how much of life we've gone through with them, how far we've all come.

Because these pictures speak so much more to me than just commemorative images of a special day.  They speak of grace.  Of restoration. Of mercy and compassion.  Of love that gets stronger through adversity. Of God's plan prevailing through the crap of life.

We love you dear friends... you will never know the impact you have had on our lives and how much we treasure our friendship with you.

it's the little things...

Today has been so busy.  And I've been feeling not so great, which I think makes it feel more busy.  So far I have baked a batch of Root Beer Float cookies (yum) and Oatmeal Scotchies (double yum).  Brownies are in the oven to turn into Chocolate Mint Brownies later on, and I also have Magnolia cupcake materials waiting on the counter.  In the middle of this, I am leaving in about half an hour to run and take some quick pictures of one of my dearest friends and her hubby and son on the day of his 8th grade graduation. (Where did time go??)  And then, after coming home and finishing the baked goods, going over to do the coffee part of our young adult church's coffeehouse tonight.  (SO excited to be serving Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee!!)

So blah blah blah, I'm busy, I know you get it, we all are.  BUT... it's the little things, the little ways, in the midst of crazy busy days that I feel like God shows me that even though sometimes I forget about Him... He's always waiting for me.

In (vainly) trying to be prepared for tonight, I went to find a particular shirt to wear to the coffeehouse tonight, thinking I could steam it and have it ready to go.  Of course said shirt was nowhere to be found, and definitely not in the last place I saw it.  I was frustrated, and started resorting to the fact of having to wear something else, because if you saw my closet right now, you would know finding it was next to impossible.  I said a quick prayer to find it, knowing (in my stupid tiny and limited brainpower) that I wouldn't on my own.

Cut to the closet, looking for something else.  Move one clothes basket over, pick up one shirt to move it off a pile... THERE IS THE SHIRT.  What???

How is it that the God that coordinates everything in the entire universe, including people living and dying, hurting, celebrating, grieving, rejoicing, can take the time to help me find a stupid shirt??  Because He loves me oh-so-much.  And even the small things that matter to me, He cares about.  And if I take the time to turn to Him, I feel like He wants to come thru, if for no other reason than to reassure me on this crazy day that I'm not doing this in my own power... in my own power I will fail every task I take on.  (trust me, I am painfully aware of this)

So God, thanks for the little things... I love the way you love me.  And I want to love you all the more.

paris perfection...

I love this look of Jessica Biel's from over at The Budget Babe. It's the perfect outfit for shopping...which of course she is doing too (celebs, they're just like us!) except she is doing it in PARIS (in your dreams!).  Isn't the look so parisian chic?  I think part of its appeal is how easy it would be replicate even from stuff currently in the closet.  And the yellow tote.  I WANT the yellow tote. Oh, and because I think my current nail polish, Orly La Playa, would look great with it.  Of course.

Here's the breakdown on how to create it at a fraction of the cost, also courtesy of Budget Babe:

[1] Love21 Dual Buttoned Blazer, $29.80 at forever21.com

[2] Etienne Aigner San Fransisco Canvas Tote, $49.95 at dsw.com

[3] Ruffle-Trim Jersey Camis, sale $10 at oldnavy.com

[4] Striped Watch Strap, sale $15 at jcrew.com

[5] Heritage 1981 Cuffed Denim Jean, sale $11.99 at forever21.com

[6] Deena & Ozzy Mixed Media Oxford, $48 at urbanoutfitters.com

sister-friends...

are the best ones.

Do you have a sister-friend?  I hope you do... because then you know how wonderful it is to just be known by someone who is a part of you.  Someone who understands your crazy thoughts.  Someone who knows you don't always get it right.  Someone who calls you on your crap even when its initially awkward.  Someone who lets you cry in the mail room (or your cubicle-office) and doesn't make fun of you. :)  But instead hurts with you.  

It doesn't mean you always get along or you always understand each other or you always are on the same page... but it does mean that regardless of all that stuff, you've got each other's backs.  And what a feeling that is.

I always feel bad for those who weren't blessed with a sister-friend, or who, even worse, live estranged from their sibling.  Even if you don't have a blood-related sister-friend, I think God blesses us with those rare and unique ladies that can fill that role.  I pray you have that incredible support in your life.

I know I do.

LOVELY: minty pastel delight

Meet Essie Mint Candy Apple.  A really cute pastel mint green.  Just looking at the bottle makes me happy.  I have to say it turned out more green-ish on my nails than I was hoping.  I like the way it appears a bit more milk-y green in the bottle.  Requires several coats for good coverage, and the formula is a bit annoying to work with.... my bottle seemed slightly tacky even freshly opened.  Still a great summer choice, especially with a tan.

(via danicanailblog)

no hitting...

"Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."  Romans 12:17-19 MSG


Sometimes don't you just want to hit back?  Especially when it feels justified.  I do. 


But how many times have I said "we don't hit" to my little man?  Apparently God has to tell me too.   Oops.


And the truth is that hitting back wouldn't make me feel any better.  Or resolve anything.  It would just hurt me in the long run.  Which is basically what choosing to be angry over something someone has done to me does... when I choose not to forgive, I'm really just holding myself back.  I'm letting bitterness taint my perspective on life and situations.  That's not hurting the person who's hurt me... it's continuing to hurt myself!  And I'm done with that.


Or at least I usually am until some little offense reminds me of everything I was mad at.  Yes, lame and immature.


Here's hoping I can "discover beauty" in EVERYONE. 

if you're not yet in love with Glee...

this should do it.  Bonus if you're a Journey fan.

If you're not wanting to jump up and start belting out "Don't Stop Believin'" by the end... be sure to check your wrist for a pulse.

This show is brilliant.

because i have a crazy life...

And surely SOMEONE out there is bored enough to read about it.  I am a wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend and more, and though my world is often chaotic and out of control, I truthfully don't think I would have it any other way.  Well, maybe more organized.  (I'm a natural Messie, but more on that later.)  This blog is my challenge to truly focus on those good things in my life... the true things, the noble things, the right things, the pure and lovely things, the admirable things... there is so much.  I'll probably also write a lot about nail polish.  Because I love it and it's lovely.

Thanks for taking the time to read!