He is sitting in his chair eating french fries, eyes glued to the television.

Legs were folded neatly together while the heart admired the gift of motherhood.

Sometimes being a good mom is having a living room picnic while talking about our adventure to the library all while in watching the television. 

But that gift of being together was a treasure.

This is my life..

My greatest adventure

He grows and we teach him about love while pouring into him.  He will leave one day and if we've done what God called us to, he'll be just fine.

Being a parent is not simple. 

•Staying consistent

•Being the disciplinary

•Being an example to the sponge-like child

•loving on the hard days and through the straining moments

•Faithfully praying

•trusting God as they grow more independent from you

For now he thinks he's able to discover the world away from mom.  But it's my job to keep him safe.  I'm not letting these moments slip by.

I know they're going to go fast and so that's why on some occasions..

We make a mess in the kitchen and don't clean it up because i'm craving his giggles and he needs mom's attention.

We play chase instead of putting another load in the washer

Clutter piles up inside while we remain outside for the day.

It will get done in the late hours of the day when he's resting.

We're close.  Each day we wake up with huge smiles for each other and throughout the day we chat and laugh together. I teach him about boundaries and how to be gentle and kind.  We read books, try to learn sign language(he's not interested), we sit outside and he looks puzzled over a piece of grass between his fingers. We eat three meals together and he laughs throughout while I make silly faces meant for only him.  I laugh at his babbling.

He has always been laid back and easy going.

If he gets upset we tell him to pull it together but who can really reason with a one year old? :) We attempt to anyway!

His daddy comes home and he always hops up from whoever he is and lets out a screech of excitement while walking straight into the arms of his hero.

Every single day.

There's a man he calls dad that he can't get enough of.  And that dad is the second best father i've ever known.  I wish you could see those two together because you'd understand.

The evenings are full of playing, relaxing, with a short break for dinner.

I can't forget to thank God I'm reminded. 

{this is from Him to me}

What a gift for an undeserved girl!

Now this is grace lived out

~*~

If you're overwhelmed today as a mother

Remember that your child is a gift from the Lord so embrace them.

Treasure the days as their mother, don't speak poorly of them, pray for them always, and remember to give yourself grace daily.

{Some Change}

Hurts.

One source describes change as the act or instance of making or becoming different.

 I have been seeking an answer from the Lord for over a year about how to deal with a certain (very important) part of my life.  I talked it over with family, and friends but claimed to not know what to do still.  Was I listening? Was I not facing reality? Or was I scared?

Well, I throw my hands up and tell you i'm not sure! 

But here is what i'm sure of..

I was sick about where I was, angry, annoyed, and plain old tired with a little bit of confused.

I was losing sight of my savior, marriage, the goodness in people, and the gifts God gave me.

But today as things unfolded in two separate conversations it appeared an answer finally came when i wasn't even searching for it.

Although I joked with the Lord about his time table being way off, I realized he knew exactly what he was doing.

I'm going to walk away from a place that I care about.  That part is hard.  But with no bitterness or anger, just for the purpose of moving ahead to a place we fit better.   While God remained quiet I was given a chance to work through a few things making it acceptable to move forward now.

I could have never become different with this change if I was stuck in unresolved conflict.

He cares deeply and has a plan.

Some lessons we go through are plain old hard.

But tonight as I was given a glimpse into this new chapter  I couldn't stop smiling because something in me was at home and I needed that more then ever! 

Tonight i'm going to bask in this peace that has come over me and thank God for it and his calling to move forward under his umbrella of authority.

 

~*~
Remember that chair I bought? That I cleaned and was anxiously getting ready to tackle the slipcover project?  Well that chair stinks.  It smells awful and it's been cleaned and cleaned with no hope of ever smelling better.
I'm debating what to do right now.
Pitch it out? Sell it? Take it apart and start over?
This $15 chair is turning out to be a little more then that. :)
Right now i'm leaning towards selling it and getting my money back.
Lesson learned.
In the future i'll make sure to not just see the price but check it over first even if I look ridiculous smelling it up close!

I hope you're having a great day and had a wonderful Easter!
I'll make sure to post pictures soon :)
Thinking about you!

 

                                                                       

'How is everything going, are you doing okay?' she asks through the phone.  In a split second I decide to be real.

I go on, "I feel like everything is restrictive in my life, and I understand that in the long run it will bring peace but i'm not quite there yet.  We are on a new budget and I can't spend much, i'm trying to be healthier and have to work out a lot and if i want to lose this weight I can't eat as much.  Then there's my daily walk with God that involves things i need to do or i'm off which makes all of these new changes overwhelming.'

And she does what God asks of her..

{Reassures}

There is some treasure hidden in my heart that is God's word.  He keeps reminding me of it as often as He sees fit.

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

 Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Hebrews 12:11

It's not pleasant. Trust me.

Regarding budget:

I don't go to Target anymore because no longer can I blow through $100 on things we don't really need but I want. That is my favorite store.

Regarding Health:

If I want to lose weight then I need to get up daily (except one day for rest!) and either take a walk or run.  Then I need to choose to eat smart and do it in moderation.  I can't snack on junk and expect to lose pounds.

Regarding faith:

If my day is going to go right then the first thing that needs to happen is me sitting before God surrendering and listening to His word.  If I choose not to then satan is given an early opportunity to help me choose my own way for that day.

So here is exactly what God let me know today.

He doesn't intend for me to feel this stuffy..He gave me a choice to accept these things bring freedom.

A budget that seems tight is actually keeping us out of debt and giving him a chance to reveal himself in the neatest ways.

Working out and eating better is going to bring freedom in this body to not be plagued with disease or sickness (God-willing).  I will be able to have energy and do the work God desires me to. 

Lastly in my faith, Jesus came so that I'd have life and through him I'm free.  By meeting with him and following Him that will bring freedom in the deepest way.

He intends good, and it's through these disciplines that are not pleasant that I will lead a life full to the brim with freedom.

Thank you Lord for that gift!

~*~

Alright a few pictures now :)

Last night I was wide awake at 2:00AM!  I couldn't sleep and decided to browse craigslist, hoping that'd help me to be sleepy.

I found this beauty..

For $30 to be exact.

Over a month ago i'd organized my pantry with a friend and we decided if I could find a small piece of furniture to fit some things we cleaned out like Tupperware and G's thing that would be great.  So I browsed through thrift stores but didn't find anything. 

The old me would have asked darren if we could go to walmart or target and buy a piece but the new laura on a budget waited patiently and looked pass the mess in my craft room of stuff without a home.

But there at two in the morning I found this!

This evening Darren and I went to pick it up and it fit perfectly in our vehicle.

I placed it in the dining room and couldn't stop smiling ear to ear.  I don't even need to touch it because it's my color and completely my style.

What do you think?

Little man decided to inspect.

Will he give his approval?

"Looks good in here"

"Cool knobs I can pull at!"

"Mommy, I approve!"

~*~

Then G and I sat down to do an Easter craft.  I honestly bought this at the dollar store with no expectations of what doing a craft with G would be like.  It was fun and he seemed to enjoy helping.

I love this picture of him!

When it dries we'll hang it on his door.

Sometime in the next few days we're going to dye eggs! How that will go with a one year old, well i'm not sure yet :) but fun will be had!

Thinking about you and hoping your day was wonderful.

~Laura~

Recently I read through a post from a women who was truly upset over people not giving proper credit where credit is due. I felt guilty thinking back if i've ever slipped up and not properly cited an idea and then stopped myself. 

I'm sorry if in the past i've done a lousy job of doing that.  I wouldn't ever walk into someone's house and steal a candle sitting on their table so I don't want anyone to think i've stolen anything from them.  :)  

There are such wonderful ideas out there for fixing up your home or different recipes and i'm simply inspired by them wanting to recreate that in the life i'm living. 

Lets have some grace on each other though. 

So here's our deal.

If I do have an original thought or idea..

use it! and don't worry about giving me credit. I will just be happy that you are using something that I came up with.

We're friends :)

This blog has been wonderful allowing connection with others, a chance to hear your stories, as well as grow closer to you.  There have been moments I wonder if anyone is checking in but I think that's something us fellow bloggers do wonder. God has really stilled all those fears in me of not being good enough by teaching me  I have a story and a message of embracing my relationship with Him, marriage, motherhood, friendships, the military, etc that maybe just one more person needs to hear that she will know she's not alone.  We were meant to do life together and that's why I want to be here in this small way.

 Blogging is a humbling experience..but i'm grateful to have this corner to come and share.  Thank you for coming back and listening and also teaching me.

Okay! Enough on that...lets jump into all of these pictures!

are you ready? there's a ton of them today :) but don't we all love pictures when we're too tired to read?

Spring banner!

I needed some cheer in our family room and this did it.

http://www.aholidayhaven.com/2012/01/free-printable-spring-banner.html

Now, please notice those pillows.  They've been with us for almost four years now and needed a little TLC.

I made these envelope pillow cases for them! I am a new at sewing but that was a lot of fun.

In my last post is a link for where I found this idea.

There is more story to these pillow cases but we'll talk about them another time.

{I needed His words in my home.} 
And I went digging for a good printable and found this. LOVE it :)

http://onedogwoof.blogspot.com/2012/03/he-has-risen-printable.html

Easter is one of my favorites.

This picture didn't come out too great but can i ask for your help in what to do in the front? Flower ideas that are inexpensive?  I have two empty pots hanging out on the porch. I've been weeding this last week so i'm ready to plant..but don't have the know-how. :)

My Easter Decoration from Dollar General. $3

My in laws sent us a sweet box of goodies that we opened today.

This was in it! Adorable :) G and I read this book tonight. I saw a very cute peter rabbit picture at goodwill the other day for a few dollars and wanted to buy it to fix up G's room in this theme but couldn't justify doing that at this point.  Oh well!

Our Church had an Easter egg hunt that the little guy couldn't get enough of.  It's hard to believe he's actually walking.

'Look momma! I got one!'

I love this picture of him :) He is checking out all of his goodies.

We're not done yet :)

Bag of Easter eggs draping on one arm and the diaper bag on the other I swung the door open cheerfully and looked over to THIS beautiful piece.  I swung back around and looked at my husband who was grinning ear to ear.

That man does love me.

He helped a friend move today and they were going to throw this away! Darren said 'hey my wife would love this!'

That's what i call love.  AND i don't even need to touch it because it's already my color. :) But..i don't know what to do with it yet or where it will go exactly.  Ideas are welcomed!

AND then..I walked into the kitchen and he was putting this back together! They gave us this table too! Can you hear my excitement?  Sometimes life is good and God must love seeing his girl happy by allowing this stuff to happen.

I'm accepting our new budget and he is blessing that.



I have been walking a lot this week with a few moments of running in there as well as eating much better.  It's all about moderation. :) I'm seeking freedom here but that's another post :) anyways my husband brought these home and i treated myself to...TWO..

Am i the only one who wants to savor the freshness that first day? Two, three day donuts aren't the same as first day, right?

Looks like it's going to be a run tomorrow and not a walk!

Phew! are you still with me? Only a few more, I promise.

I bought this chalkboard for $1.48 and painted it..yes you guessed it, white!

I am still deciding where to hang it and how to make sure it doesn't fall since It doesn't have any hooks on the back.

~~~~~~*~~~~~

If not for the Navy I wouldn't have found my way to this beautiful rental home.  I have been one happy girl living here and being able to make this our home.  The other night I teared up when I thought about having to move one day from this house, I wish we could take it with us.  Four bedrooms and two bathrooms, a nice fenced in backyard..well this is perfect for me!

But I'm going to live fully here in this home and not think about the future.  We'll take it one day at a time. 

Are you loving where God has placed you? Or are you struggling feeling like the walls are caving in around you?

I don't know where you live but here's a few things i'd encourage you to do asap..

1.Let the light in! Open the shades or windows if warm enough

2.Take a walk (if it's safe)

3.Buy a yummy smelling candle

4.Ask a friend to help you fix up a room

5.Browse some blogs and be inspired (don't feel bad you don't have what others do but do collect ideas)

6.Be thankful for what you do have and embrace where you're at in life, sometimes you won't feel like it and it will require a choice..but it's worth picking a good one. :)

Praying and thinking about you tonight!

Thank you so much for stopping in today. :)

{The end of a day well lived}

I can't wait to share later this week all of the projects that have been keeping me away. I know you won't hold it against me that I haven't wrote in almost two weeks when you take a look at what i've been up to. :)

I did want to share one of the projects and the place where I discovered this oh-so-simple fix for our couch cushions.  She does a wonderful job of explaining.  You'll have to take a look.  (The ones I made are white.)

Source: craftgawker.com via Laura on Pinterest

My home is quickly turning white.  All of my thrift store treasures have been slathered with a dreamy white color and i'm experiencing a little heaven on earth. 
I live with the mindset that in a short time we will move but that doesn't mean I can't make 'home happen' as best as possible for this military family.  I love fixing up old things and making them new.  But don't get me wrong some things are worth buying brand new.

I did head over to Goodwill yesterday to search for a pair of shoes for my son since he doesn't own any.  We did find a nice pair for $3 as well as an old wing back chair for $15!! I was thrilled to bring it home and give it a little TLC.  However I should have smelled the chair but how weird would that have looked? Anyways I did spend some time cleaning it up.  Here's a few pictures :)....

Vinegar and warm water to help with the odor.

•My sweet new reading chair•

This was a white tablecloth from goodwill for $2 (target)
I needed to cover it for now since I will be researching how to make a slipcover for this chair.

Basically it could be awhile before it's made.

I did tuck it in better then this picture and it looks good for now. :)

This is what i'm thinking! I linked this picture back to the original source so you can look at the process and understand why i'm scared to begin!

Source: thenester.com via Laura on Pinterest

There is a little peek into what i've been up to.  I really have enjoyed being able to work on a few projects even on a tight budget.  It forces me to be creative in such a deeper way.  To tell you the truth I needed something to do to take my mind off of some things i've been dealing with.  The stubborn girl in me wasn't ready to face God on a few issues and i'm beyond thankful for the gentlemen in him that allowed me to wait.  
Do you ever get off track with a good routine? For me having quiet time in the morning is a choice and sometimes it's not easy to sit up with my hair a mess, reach for that bible and quiet myself before God.  I'm tired and want that extra hour of sleep before my little guy wakes up!  It's selfish and not wise because that time spent with him is what prepares me to follow him all day and it's when him and I decide who will lead.  
Being able to approach his throne after i've fallen short is sometimes intimidating and hard but he's there waiting for me not with a condemning word but a hopeful one and a chance to move forward. I LOVE that.
If you're discouraged today by whatever you're facing remember that he is for you.
Well I need to wrap this up and get to bed. :)


I have just about wrapped up the first chapter of my book and am getting ready to send it to a wonderful friend who agreed to help me edit! What an answer to prayer! This is a huge ordeal for me writing because it's pouring out and sharing a story that isn't always easy to tell but this message is worth sharing. Pray for me please!
Thinking and praying for you today. 

~Laura~

Deployment

He hugs his pregnant wife and kisses her goodbye. 

A man comes up and asks to shake his hand and says, 'Thank you for your service'.

I choke back a sob.  

Be strong Laura..just be strong and don't cry.

He flashes a smile one last time and turns swinging that green sea bag over his shoulder.  

Step after step he moves forward not looking back.

I climb into the car and I start to smile and I pray out loud thanking God for the beautiful day and for my husband.  I ask he'd keep him safe over the months to come and to keep us close.

Oh sweet friend are you walking through this season of deployment? Getting ready for one or are you anxiously awaiting the return of your man? 

It's hard. Don't let anyone fool you otherwise.

There is nothing normal about having your husband gone for 6+ months.

But can I tell you what i've come to learn that i'd hope would encourage you too?

God WILL bless you and redeem that hard time.

The military may direct your families destination but God is in every detail orchestrating the path HE wants your family to be on. Trust Him and go willingly.  There is nothing worse then seeing a military spouse who goes kicking and screaming. I know because i've been there and it's a shame.

You have to make a choice to accept the unfortunate circumstances of your husband's departure and embrace God's plan for your family.

Here are a few things that have helped me:

♦Spend time with God

♦See family 

♦Pray without ceasing.  (For your spouse, family, and for strength.)

♦Get out of the house! (play group, over to a friends house, lunch or coffee dates with a girlfriend)

♦Serve God (I loved helping in the kids club at church).

♦Write letters, email, (and if you miss a call •breathe•or cry if that helps.) :) Don't you hate when that happens!

♦It's okay to cry some days.

♦Have the courage to square those shoulders and do life.

♦Remember the huge sacrifice you are making and see it as a gift to others.  You are in the 1% that serves this country and that's an honor.  Be proud of your man.

♦Remember that God has chosen you for this. He will provide.

♦Don't dwell on 'who has it harder' be thankful that you are able to go to sleep in your own bed, have the comforts of home and are relatively safe.  

♦Choose to love him and work through any differences that arise during the time apart. It's going to happen and miscommunication will occur but remember to seek the Lord always.

God is still writing my story and I have to admit that my stomach still turns into knots when we receive word my husband will be leaving.  There is not much glory in being a military wife but I have seen how God blesses an attitude that embraces and it's incredible! 

Don't walk this road alone and defeated.  There are many other families facing the same thing so dare to get to know another women and reach out to her.  

I have loved how different wives handle deployments differently because it gives me the right encouragement.  There is no one perfect way to handle a deployment.   These are some things that i've picked up from others that i've kept close to my heart because they've worked.

And to close..

Don't ever forget that sweet moment when He walks back into your life with a smile and that embrace...oh that embrace is one you will NEVER forget! 

Treasure that gift dear one.

I am praying for you today and hoping that you are doing well with whatever season you find yourself in today.

~Laura~

Would love to hear your stories on how you handle deployments! 

She is blond hair, always a smile, and an eager 'hello Laura!'.

Kellie is God smiling straight at me and blessing my obedience to Him.

I have learned a lot these last few months from her. I have loved my husband in a much better way, kept our house in order through organizing and planning meals, loved my baby boy much better, found a way to stay healthy without obsessing, and am experiencing a deeper relationship with God.

I'm blessed for knowing her and having her bring me straight to Christ time after time.

She kneels on the ground next to the couch and we talk about life, our husbands, this journey as military wives, and how to love on our children in a way that God would have us.  I want to cry as I tell her how grateful I am for knowing her.  She's another example that God has given me on how to live life joyfully and for Him.

For the last few months she has been mentoring me and doing life alongside of me and all I can say is this woman is amazing!

The other night I was getting read for bed and it hit me. 

♦This summer is going to be hard♦

1.Darren will start to go away again

2.Kellie will move away

3.Sweet Julie will be preparing to move away too

4.Isn't that enough??

I started to ask the Lord, 'why do you bring these people only to..'but I stopped immediately and thanked Him and praised him for opening my heart to these new friends and for all of this time with Darren.

He brought a friend into my life that has a strong calling to pour into the lives of others in a beautiful way.  She wants to save me from making some of the mistakes she made many years ago. She is not overbearing at all..just very loving and kind.

So here it is:

Invest in someone!

I'm 23 years old figuring out how to love God, Darren, Garrett, and others.  I'm overwhelmed at times and need guidance. Knowing that there is a friend praying me through and willing to share from their own experience is a huge blessing!

If you're older then take a younger women under your wing, don't harbor all of that wisdom for yourself, I know whoever that young girl is, that she would be grateful to have you spend yourself on her.

We need it ladies.  We need to be reminded we're not alone and there is hope. 

Don't forget God's word

Titus 2:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Being able to see this verse lived out is incredible.  Make room in your schedule for her, whoever she may be.  She is worth the time you can give to share your story.

I may be younger but it's been amazing to have a small group of girls I meet with Sunday nights through Delight Girls Ministry.  They're sweet and full of life living in one of the most awkward times of their life. (Freshman year!) I love being able to share what God has taught me with them in hopes they'll be encouraged.  It's nice to also just be there for them if they need someone to talk with.
They are worth all the time I can give.

Praying for you today!
~Laura~