Oh 2012

What a year it has been...

In January we drove down a quiet street in East Raleigh to look at small, cozy home.  Four days later we were under contract.

We closed on that little home in February.

And moved in March.  We celebrated Ben's birthday and took a small babymoon trip.

In April we started our childbirth classes.

After nearly six years, I left my job at the library in May.  Ben graduated!  We celebrated our baby bee at the most beautiful baby shower.

We soaked up every second of together time in June.

July brought us Elijah Benjamin, our greatest joy and gift.

August took us back and forth to the midwives and all over town to visit with lactation consultants.  And finally to Asheville, away from it all.

Sweet September was spent at the beach.

Ben started work in October and Eli and I began our staying home together routine.

We celebrated my birthday in November and traveled to spend Thanksgiving with my family.

And December.  We had the joy of celebrating the birth of our King with both of our families.  Eli's first Christmas was such a fun and beautiful time.  We also managed to buy a new (to us) car in there somewhere.

Oh 2012.  You have been a big year.  I had no idea we would here, in this space that we love with new neighbors and friends.  I had no idea that we would have a son.  I had no idea that my heart was capable of this kind of love.  Thank you, God for this year.  We're excited to see what you have for us in 2013, believing that whatever comes our way comes through Your hands and will be ultimately for our good.

{this moment}

{Clapping for the first time!}

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Please...just go look

Our dear friends visited us the week before Christmas.  What a joy it was to have them here.  Their sweet Canaan and our Elijah Benjamin got such a kick out of each other.  It blows my mind that we have KIDS that can play (to a certain extent) with one another.  I'm so grateful for their visit and so thankful that they are in our lives.

L*Joy captured some great pics of our little ones together.  Please, please go take a look!!

A Very Merry Christmas

From our family to yours!

Thanks for joining me in this space.  Wishing you peace and joy during beautiful season.
xo.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

 Happy Christmas Eve!  We are making, creating and enjoying each other!  Just a few pictures as evidence...

{this moment}

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

An Update on Goals...Finally

Way back in November I set a handful of goals for myself.  Pretty ambitious goals, says she looking back on them.  For accountability's sake, here's how I fared.

1.  I want to be the best wife and mama I can be.

• I will find my mama mantra.
• I'm not sure that I officially found my mama mantra, but I spent much of the month finding myself coming again and again and again to the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  I want my every action as a mama to be marked with the fruit of the Spirit.  Some days I focused on one or two words (often gentleness and self-control) and other days I needed to hear the whole thing over and over and over.
• I will schedule play dates so that Elijah and I can get out of the house and meet new friends.
• We play dated!  Success!  Play dates are an interesting thing, probably something I could write an entire post on if I had the time.  I'm learning that the flexible, "my kid is awake and in a good mood, how about your kid?" kind works best for us in this completely unpredictable season.
• I will plan 2 at-home date nights for us.
• Fail.  Complete and utter failure.  But we've been already had two at-home date nights in December.

2.  I want to invest in this space.

• I will post consistently throughout the month of November.
• Ha.  I think this one needs no further comment.  Obviously I did not meet this goal.
• I will watch the instructional DVDs that came with my new camera.
• Or this one.
• I will read at least three of the photography tutorials I have pinned.
• Or this one!  I just didn't prioritize this goal throughout the month.  Maybe next time?

3.  I want to create.

• I will make good progress on a secret, special knitting project.
• I did not make any progress!  Can you believe it!?
• I will complete 10 repeats on Elijah's baby blanket.
• I did make progress on Elijah's blanket, though I certainly did not knit 10 repeats.  I did manage to knit a couple of repeats before falling asleep while watching "ELF."  I fall asleep at the same part - decorating the Christmas tree illegally procured from Central Park - every single year!
• I will compile a list of Christmas gifts we will give.
• Done and dusted.
• I will design our Christmas card AND prepare the list of receipents.  
• MmHm.  Well, we're working on it now.  And that's what counts, right?
• I will make an Advent calender.
• Sort of.  I pulled out an old advent calendar that I'd made several years ago and repurposed it.  And that was perfect.  Every day I get a little bit better at figuring out what I can and can't tackle and how to make do with what we've got.  

4.  I want to develop an exercise rountine.

• I will move for at least 20 minutes at least 5 times a week.
• I nailed this goal.  After complaining about my lack of motivation to get moving, I developed and proposed a workout challenge to a very good friend.  She took me up on it and I am thrilled to tell you that today is the very last day.  We challenged ourselves to run three times a week (a goal I'm happy to tell you that I met) and to a 30 day ab challenge (I hit this one at about 95%).  I also set a goal of trying to walk with Eli at least once a day.  We didn't make it every day, but all told I think there have probably only been one or two days in the last month that I didn't move and that has felt great.
• I will try at least 2 of the post-baby workouts I have pinned.
• Yep.  Our ab challenge came straight from good old Pinterest.
• I will do yoga at least once a week.
• Sort of.  I found a post-run yoga routine that I've followed, but haven't yet developed a stand alone practice.  

5.  I want to study Scripture.

• I will continue my study of Philippians.
• Yes and no.  I'm still plodding along through Philippians, but ended up pausing on that study so that I could take part in another study with a few neighborhood women.  
• I will continue my study of Ephesians with Ben.
• Yes!  We are still at it and loving it.  I am so impressed by Ben's diligence in preparing for the study and that has inspired me to dig deeper into the Word.  Our time together to discuss what we're learning and to talk through the passage is quickly becoming one of my favorite times of the week.  

So there you have it.  Some successes and some failures.  I think that this goal setting was an interesting exercise for me.  I set way too many goals, but I liked having a goal for most areas of my life.  It did help me to figure out how to best prioritize my time (read: Eli's nap times).  It's definitely something I would consider doing again.

What about you?  Did you accomplish any big goals this month or last?  Fail completely?

Hope in the Midst of Sorrow

Last week I was feeling a little sorry for myself but that is nothing compared to the sorrow that I feel for the families touched by the trauma of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings.  Of course, there are no words that could possibly express the grief that those parents must be experiencing as they watch their lives unraveling before them.

I have been encouraged, as so often is the case, by words published over at Desiring God.  This, in particular, is a wonderful post that points to Jesus in the midst of sorrow.

We are five months into parenthood and there is a great part of me that wants to lock our doors and never leave the house, hoping that will keep us safe.  But it won't.  In fact, it would be most unsafe as we would most likely contract scurvy and in the end succumb to death by bickering and boredom.  So instead, we threw open our lives this weekend and spent time loving our neighbors and cherishing our friends.  We held one another close and our sweet boy even closer.  And we rejoiced.  We rejoice that we serve a God who is big enough for our sorrow.  So big, in fact, that He sent His only Son - a fact that resonates ever deeper now that I have my own son - to bear our sorrow and our grief.  We rejoice in this season that celebrates the gift of His Son, exactly what our hearts needed.  We rejoice that we have this life to use to love others and to point them to Him.  We have so much to be grateful for.

Wishing you peace in this chaotic time, hope in this time of sorrow.

And now December

Whew.  December.  Can you believe it?

I've felt quiet, as I'm sure is obvious from my lack of presence in this space, these last few weeks.  I have goals to update you on, Advent traditions to share, and Christmas crafting to celebrate (though I suppose those handmade happys will have to wait until they've been unwrapped).

I've been listening to this song quite a bit.  It is one of my all time favorites.



It seems fitting for this season.  I feel like our life is quieting, building, readying for the birth of our King.  There is sorrow in this season for me and while there is great, great, great joy, there is a small part of me that does wish for a river to skate away on.  Instead, I will dig into this place, rejoice in my role as mama, wife, daughter, friend; prepare my heart for the coming of Christ; believe that we have joy which no one can take away.

²⁰ Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.²¹ A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.²² So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.  (John 16:20-22)

Give Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year.  We have plenty to eat, we have a warm house, we have friends and family to love on and be loved by all the days of the year.  We have a sweet, squealing boy that we completely adore.  We are wealthy in good books, strong coffee and laughter.  We are thankful.

I've been quiet this past week.  It's been a hard week for our family.  My sweet grandfather is sick.  He went into the hospital last week and remains there as of this morning.  A change in plans allowed us to visit with him and the rest of our extended family this past week.  I'm thankful for flexible friends and schedules that gave us the time to be where we needed to be.

I have been sad these past days, wishing things were different.  But oh the comfort and peace we have been granted.  I know that we are not in this alone.  He cares for us deeply and has shown us of His great love in tangible ways this week.  My college roommate is a nurse.  At my grandfather's hospital.  On his floor.  She has spent much of her time off from work back at the hospital, sitting with my family, encouraging my grandmother, interpreting the medicalese we do not understand and loving on me and my family so well.  What a perfectly clear blessing.  Her presence in this situation is a clear blessing from the Lord and one for which I am so grateful.

We returned home Saturday and attended church on Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent.  We heard these words:

For he grew up before him like a young plant,

iand like a root out of dry ground;

jhe had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

3 kHe was despised and rejected2 by men;

a man of sorrows,3 and acquainted with4 grief;5

and as one from whom men hide their faces6

he was despised, and lwe esteemed him not.

4 mSurely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

nsmitten by God, and afflicted.

5 oBut he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

pand with his wounds we are healed.

6 qAll we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

rand the Lord has laid on him

I was reminded that He came to bear our griefs.  And in this unknown time, that is of great comfort.  I am encouraged both by the Word and the reports we are hearing from the hospital.  If you are so inclined, we would so appreciate your prayers in this time: prayers for healing and comfort and for a closeness to the Lord in this season.

Thanks for being in this space with me.

{this moment}

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

And Now Today

I blinked and suddenly it's Wednesday.  How on earth did that happen?  I wanted to take a few quiet moments this morning to tell you what I'm...

seeing
Eli playing on his mat, trying to rip baby Sophie to pieces, yawning and warming up for a long day of happy screams and squeals.

hearing
A tea kettle roaring to life, preparing to make my much needed morning mug.

thinking
Today is a busy day filled with a new Bible study and a play date with new friends.

believing
That is by grace that we have been saved.

thanking
God that my husband has challenged me and encouraged me in this study of Ephesians.

imagining
Today was a snow day and we all stayed in our pjs all day, drinking hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies.

hoping
It's not too cold or too busy to take a long walk with Eli today.

worrying
That the skinny jeans I bought yesterday are a really, really bad move.

smelling
A delicious cup of decaf with loads of cinnamon mixed into the grounds.

promising
If you heard these baby belly laughs, you couldn't help but laugh too.
 
creating
A sweet, something pink, now; chicken enchiladas later.

exercising
My legs!!!

tasting
My morning brew.

cuddling
With my two amazing boys. 

planning
A weekend visit with my parents!

enjoying 
Every moment of this sweet life.
 

{this moment}

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

November Goals

Anne Shirley once said, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it?" And while I agree with her completely, I also love this month of November.  It is, of course, my birthday month (as has well been documented here this week), but I love it for other reasons.  I love this gentle slide (at least in this part of the world) into winter and the turning towards home, cozy home, as a result.  I am a huge fan of Thanksgiving.  I love the smell of woodsmoke and the quiet and stillness that fills the air.  I love the unending cups of hot tea, chocolate or coffee.  November, you will forever have my heart. 

I made birthday resolutions, as you know.  I've been thinking about how to reach those goals.  I'd been tossing around ideas when I read this post.  Monthly goals.  How smart.  I think it will help me to break down my big goals into more manageable bites.  I thought I'd go ahead and give it a go.  I like the idea of putting my goals here as a form of accountability and, if nothing else, it gets me thinking about what I'd actually like to accomplish in a given month.

November is nearly a third spent, so here we go. 

1.  I want to be the best wife and mama I can be.

• I will find my mama mantra.
• I will schedule play dates so that Elijah and I can get out of the house and meet new friends.
• I will plan 2 at-home date nights for us.

2.  I want to invest in this space.

• I will post consistently throughout the month of November.
• I will watch the instructional DVDs that came with my new camera.
• I will read at least three of the photography tutorials I have pinned.

3.  I want to create.

• I will make good progress on a secret, special knitting project.
• I will complete 10 repeats on Elijah's baby blanket.
• I will compile a list of Christmas gifts we will give.
• I will design our Christmas card AND prepare the list of receipents.  
• I will make an Advent calender.

4.  I want to develop an exercise rountine.

• I will move for at least 20 minutes at least 5 times a week.
• I will try at least 2 of the post-baby workouts I have pinned.
• I will do yoga at least once a week.

5.  I want to study Scripture.

• I will continue my study of Philippians.
• I will continue my study of Ephesians with Ben.

Whew.  That list is pretty intense.  I should add a final goal of having grace with myself when I fail to meet all of my monthly goals.  I'll let you know how it all turns out in December.

What are your monthly goals?

It has arrived!

Woot woot!  It's here!  I'm completely excited and cannot wait to start shooting! 

Thank you sweet husband for investing in this space, in my interests, in me. 

xox.

VOTE!

It should be said that everything I know about politics I learned from the West Wing. 

Elijah and I voted together this afternoon.  I carefully cast my ballot, remembering this episode.  Oh Donatella Moss.  How I love thee.


So go vote today!  But be sure you cast your vote for the candidate of your choice!

29 Resolutions

Yesterday was completely lovely. 

I enjoy marking this passage of time with a set of birthday goals.  I thought I'd share my hopes for this new year.

1.  I want to be the best mama and best wife I can be.

I want to go all in as I love the boys God has entrusted to me.  I want to put aside laziness and selfishness and strive to love Ben and Elijah well.  My good friend spoke beautifully about the kind of love she wants in her home.  I want that love in our home.  I want my words and actions to be gentle and kind. 

2.  I want to invest in this space.

I am so excited about this space.  I have wanted to have such a space for so very long and now I have it.  I felt swallowed whole after Elijah was born, unable to make time for anything other than caring for him and myself.  I feel like we have found a groove and very much want to commit time and energy to being here consistently.  Yesterday I mentioned a very exciting birthday gift.  My sweet and amazing husband gave me a that is an investment in this space.  He (with generous help from his family) gifted me with an incredible new camera.  You've probably noticed that all of my photos are poor quality phone photos.  I would love to promise that you will soon see brilliant, high quality photos, but I know nothing about cameras or photography so I imagine I'm in for a pretty steep learning curve.  I want to cultivate this space, find my voice and learn to use my new camera in this coming year.

3.  I want to create.

Along the same lines as #2, I want to spend time creating this year.  I love to create.  Picking up my needles and yarn or sitting down with my calligraphy supplies or even stringing words together on this screen brings me such joy.  I believe that I was created to be creative and I want to use that passion to the best of my ability.  In this season of new mama-hood, I am tired.  In these last four months, I have piddled away my free moments, surfing the internet or crashing on the couch.  While I believe that both of those activities are completely acceptable at times, I do not want to overlook those pockets of time that could be spent creating.  I want this year to be a creative one. 

4.  I want to develop an exercise routine.

I mentioned yesterday that I gained half my body weight while pregnant with Elijah.  I have made good progress in losing that weight, but I'm not back to my pre-baby body yet.  I am completely aware that I may never get back to that shape and while that suits me just fine, I do want to create an exercise routine.  I want to have the energy to run and play and care for my son and believe that exercise plays a critical role in that hope.  So here's to a fitter year ahead!

5.  I want to study Scripture.

This is the most important of my goals.  I want to go deep into the Word this year.  I've been encouraged and inspired by the work Ben is doing to study Scripture.  We've started studying Ephesians together and it has been so good for my heart and for our relationship.  For far too long I've relied on sermons and community group discussions to shape my understanding of Scripture.  In this season when we our attendance at church is spotty at best, I need to take responsibility for my own spiritual development.  I'm hopeful that a year from now I will have a deeper understanding of Scripture. 

So there we go!  A handful of goals for this 29th year. 

29

Today is my 29th birthday.  What a wonderful day.  An early morning thunderstorm, cuddles with my favorite guys, flaky Biscuitville biscuits, celebratory post-baby (finally!) sushi, a special CD (waiting in the car, as usual), an incredibly exciting birthday present, a deliciously prepared latte, time with a group of new friends, and vintage Bill Cosby completes this special day.  I thought, this being a new blog and this being my 29th birthday that I would share 29 things you might not know about me.  (However, I do realize that all of you lovely readers are either family or dear friends that are considered family and that you probably know all of these things.)

1. I absolutely love to read (all things...fiction, nonfiction, magazines, and especially blogs).
2. I married my mandolin teacher.
3. My maiden name initials spelled ELF.
4. I'm an even five feet tall.
5. The combination of #3 and #4 resulted in plenty of teasing in the past 29 years (Thank goodness I married my way out of that!)
6. I was very aware of initials when naming my son.
7. I wear glasses when reading for long periods of time or when working on the computer.
8. My glasses are green and I'm overly fond of them.
9. I gained half (HALF!) of my body weight while pregnant.
10. I'm determined to lose the remaining pounds that are hanging around.
11. If I never lose another pound of baby weight I'll be completely satisfied knowing that this is the body that brought our sweet son into this world.
12. I worry far too much.
13. I was raised in Asheville, North Carolina.
14. It is my not-so-secret desire to raise our family there...some day.
15. I thought that I moved to this town six years ago to be with a boy; the Lord had an entirely different plan.
16. I have been blessed with two friends that are as close as sisters to me.
17. I wouldn't be the person I am today without their love.
18. My hair is unruly and defies predictability.
19. I fight laziness daily: sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.
20. I love creating whether it is with food or words or yarn or fabric.  
21. While I am very, very good at starting things, I lack followthrough.
22. I want to be a good gardener (I am not).
23. I love to tidy; I hate to clean.
24. I was born into one phenomenal family; I married into another phenomenal family.
25. Only recently have I discovered that I like having painted nails.
26. Unfortunately, I'm quite terrible at painting my own nails.
27. I am a librarian.
28. I have been saved by Grace.
29. I am entirely grateful for this life I have been given.

And one to grow on...

   30.  I have no fear of turning 30.

Our State Fair is a Great State Fair

Last week Ben traveled for work and we missed him terribly.  It was quite a shock to my system to have had him by my side since June and to suddenly have him in an entirely different time zone.  I'm thankful for his job and thankful for FaceTime and I couldn't be more thankful for my mom.  She left work and her own husband (that would be my dad) to come be with me while Ben is away.  Not only is she incredibly helpful (she cooks! cleans! and holds my baby!), but she is a great deal of fun.  I would do just about anything for her.  I've always said that - and have always meant it - but during her visit the rubber met the road, as they say.

My mom has never been to the state fair.  And neither have I.  But I have never had the desire to go.  The crowds, the lines, the cost, the smell.  But my mom wanted to go.  And how could I say no?  I really would do anything for her.  So we devised a plan, tickets were procured and off we went.

I'm so, so, so glad we took the plunge.  Despite getting lost, never finding the enormous vegetables, and being slightly overwhelmed by the crowds, we had a good time because we were together.  We ate sweet potato chip, people watched, enjoy Elijah enjoying the sights and sounds and yes, smells.  Now we can say that we have been to the fair!

A New Season

I feel like today is the start of a new season for our little family of three.  Ben has traveled since starting work and thankfully, thankfully my mom graciously agreed to come keep me company during that time.  Ben returned, my mom left, and that takes us to today.  Ben goes to work and Elijah and I will be at home.  Together.  By ourselves.  All day long.  All week long.

I am equal parts terrified and excited.  It feels as though we've been working towards this all summer and now we are finally here.  I'm entirely grateful for the opportunity to stay home and mother Elijah.  I am aware that this isn't something that is available to most and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be at home.  I am also sure that this will be far, far harder than any job I've held prior to this.  Loving and caring for my boy requires me to sacrifice in a deeper, harder, more beautiful way than I've ever done.  But I'm thankful for that.  I'm hopeful that the Lord will use this season to shape and grow me.  I battle daily with selfishness and laziness and I know that the only way that I will be able to combat those desires will be to rely on the strength of the Lord.  I will need His strength to lay down my life for my son.  I am confident that He will provide me with the strength and ability to love to do so because He did not hesitate to lay down His own Son that we might know and love Him.  When I focus on that, I have a feeling that we will be just fine. 

Oh me oh my oh

Well. 

I said I would be back to tell you the story of how I met Ben.  And here I am, nearly a week later, without a single word of the story.  My most sincere apologies.  I wish I could tell you the story over tea.  Although we are year-round tea drinkers at our house, it is finally tea weather.  I am so thankful and so excited about chilly mornings, sweaters and scarves, hot beverages of all sorts and pumpkins.  And mums.  And my husband in flannel shirts.  And my clogs.  Oh fall, you are my favorite.

So about that tea...I would tell you the story of how my mandolin lessons turned into a fun summer fling that turned into a long distance relationship that turned into a marriage.  And now we have a baby.  And that baby is the very reason I haven't had time to sit down and tell you this story properly.  Hopefully, I will find the time to do so soon, but I have now learned my lesson: do not make post promises.  Not when there is a sweet baby to cuddle with and enjoy. 

For now, I leave you with a picture of said sweet baby and a very loosey goosey promise to be in this space again someday and to tell you that story sometime. 

I will definitely be adding babies in cute hats to my fall favorites list. 

An interview

Good morning.

We are home.  We've actually been here more than a week, but it only just now feels like we might be hitting our stride.  Last week was hard.  Thankfully we were able to escape for a few days of pure enjoyment with friends.  I'll be telling you more about that later this week.

Ben starts work tomorrow.  Our summer together is drawing to a close.  So it is with him (and that sweet boy of ours) that I'll spend my moments today.  I'll be back here tomorrow with a story of how I met this man, this man of my dreams.

I'm over at my dear friend's blog today, sharing a little bit about our life.  You can find my full interview here.  Stay awhile and poke around.  L*Joy is one of the nicest people on the internet and in the day-to-day life.  You simply will not find better recipes or conversation.

Enjoy.

Seven Quick Takes

This evening, I sleepily give you seven quick takes.

1.  We are in Asheville.  It is beautiful.  The cool mornings, warm days, and chilly evenings take my breath away.  I'm thankful that my parents have chosen this beautiful place to call home.

2.  Eli is squawking up a storm.  He has found his voice and hearing that sweet voice melts me every time I hear it.  I wonder what he is saying, thinking, learning...

3.  A dear friend of mine has been offered a job that will bring her closer to me!!!! and will reunite her with her husband.  (Obviously I am grateful that she and her husband will be back together under the same roof, but a lovely side benefit is that she will be close to me!)  I'm so thankful that the Lord has provided this opportunity for her.  I am so looking forward to spending time with her once she is back in the Triangle.

4.  Ben, Eli and I visited the Biltmore House this afternoon.  We picnicked and strolled through the beautiful grounds.  While there we ran into a friend of mine from high school.  Reuniting with her was so lovely.  She reminded me that I missed our ten year (!) high school reunion a few weeks ago.  Ten years.  That is unbelievable.

5.  I'm dreaming of our fall garden.  Our summer garden (seen in this post) was neglected after Elijah was born.  It gave us plenty of basil, a handful of jalapenos, tons of cucumbers and a few tomatoes.  The squirrels attacked our tomatoes, we had a baby and well, it just all got out of hand.  But, I'm looking forward to a fall garden.  I need to do a bit of research to figure out what we can grow.  Any ideas?  I'm hoping that our early October return to Raleigh won't be too late to start this project. 

6.  We are going out for breakfast and lunch tomorrow.  We plan to eat dinner with our new Asheville friends.  Decadent, no?

7.  And finally, my dearest friend, my Diana welcomed her precious baby girl into this wide world on Monday morning.  I am thrilled for her, so thankful for her and so excited for her and this new baby girl.  I wish I was hoping on a plane to see her sweet family.  I'm so, so incredibly thankful that we are in this season of mommahood together.  She is an incredible mother and I'm thankful for her friendship. 

Quick, quick, quick!  Now off to bed!  Good night!

Twice as Nice

It was a busy day. 

Ben and I'd recently purchased our first home.  After hiring and a contractor to pull down a wall standing between our kitchen and dining room, we spent weeks putting the finishing touches on our home, preparing for moving day.  (And when I say "we" I mean Ben.  Completely and utterly Ben.  100%.  I was about five months pregnant at the time and transplanting bushes and painting sheds weren't high on my list.)  And moving day had finally arrived.

Moving is exciting and exhilarating but thoroughly exhausting and soul-sucking, if you ask me.  Pro tip: schedule your move when you are at least five months pregnant.  It makes for long, weary weeks of prepping and packing, but people come out of the woodwork to help you prepare and movet.  We are incredibly blessed with dear family and a close community of people who would've stepped up, pregnancy notwithstanding and for them we are forever grateful.

My parents drove up on the Friday before moving day, picking up a lawnmower we'd put on hold at a nearby Sears and a delicious dinner.  My dad and Ben spent much of that afternoon and the following morning running all over town picking up our Craigslist bargains and hauling them to the new house in the back of my parents minivan.  While they were haggling and loading and unloading my mom and I did a little work of our own...but not of the moving variety.

I'd heard about the Twice as Nice consignment sale from a few friends and decided that I needed to spend the morning "working" on preparing for the arrival of our sweet boy by doing a little bit of baby shopping, instead of the final moving tasks I should've been doing.  See paragraph three again for my deep gratitude to our sweet friends for making this little escape possible.  My mom and I zipped over to the sale and spent a wonderful morning, relaxing and bargain hunting.  What a sale!  We found loads of cute clothes and books and accessories, including this cute terrycloth number, modeled here by Elijah Benjamin.  The sale was well organized and the prices couldn't be beat.  That hour spent marveling over the tiniest socks and onesies (nearly all of which he has outgrown) was the perfect respite in an otherwise completely hectic day.

So why this story today?  The sale is back and you don't want to miss it.  I plan to be there and thankfully have no plans to move that weekend.  Hope to see you there!!

Twice as Nice Kids Consignment Sale
October 9-13, 2012
MacGregor Village Shopping Center
107 Edinburgh South Drive, Suite 151
Cary, NC 27511
Consignor/Volunteer spots still available!
www.twiceasnice4tots.com

While all opinions are my own, this post qualifies me to be entered in a drawing for a gift card to the Twice as Nice sale. 

{this moment}

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Reading Material

I have had a long and deeply abiding love of reading.  Some of my earliest and fondest memories center around reading.  I come by it naturally; I was born into a family of readers.  I once heard a joke about the using books, lined doubly or even triply along the walls, instead of insultation.  I remember thinking, and I must have been only seven or eight at the time, that our house very much fit that bill.  We were never in want for books and my parents, though lovers of the library, hardly ever denied the purchase of a new book.

While I'm sure that I loved books and reading, it wasn't until I read Anne of Green Gables that I became completely enchanted with reading.  Lucy Maud Montgomery's series was the first in which I lost myself, immersing myself completely in Anne's world.  I have vivid memories of reading the books with my mom, curled up beside her, listening to her weave the tale of Anne and Diana and their life in Prince Edward Island.  We came across the word "fortnight" and it was a completely unfamiliar to us.  We, of course, looked it up and learned that it meant two weeks (but how much lovelier of a phrase!).  My dearest friend Sarah and I even dressed as Anne and Diana for Halloween one year.  I wish I had a picture to share because we really made quite the convincing pair.  I do remember feeling slightly crestfallen that no one recognized us.  How could the entire neighborhood be completely unfamiliar with Anne and Diana?

Having weeks of vacation (and a very lovely porch equipped with a hammock!) stretching before me, I took very seriously the choosing of books for this journey.  Of course, a good bit of my reading time has been spent reading Barnyard Dance! and Goodnight Moon but I have managed to sneak in some of my own books as well.  Just as I was preparing for this trip I read this post on Desiring God's blog.  It encourages readers to take seriously the choice of reading material.  He points out that we have limited time and that we should maximize that time to read books that will encourage and uplift us.  While I am a firm believer that fiction makes our lives better and that a well written novel can change our lives, I also believe that a great deal of my reading time should be spent with books that challenge me and grow me.  So with that said, here's what I've been reading at the beach:

The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy & Kathy Keller

Radical by David Platt

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel

A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg

I recommend them all!  

The Mean of Marriage has provided Ben and me with hours of conversation as we seek to deepen and grow our relationship with one another.  I've learned a great deal from Tim Keller through his books and sermons (available on iTunes) and am thankful that he and his wife chose to write on this subject.  I know that it is impacting our marriage.

Radical carries the subtitle "Taking back your faith from the American Dream."  This is one of the most convicting books I've read in a long time and will most likely be the subject of another post.  My dear friend has just finished this book and Sarah, Diana of many years ago, is also reading it.  This book is challenging me on the deepest levels.  

Havel Kimmel is phenomenal and A Girl Named Zippy is nothing less than perfection.  She tells stories from her childhood in a way that is both hilarious and heartbreaking.  I have read this book every summer for the last four years or so and I'm pretty sure I've read it a couple additional times as well.  I just cannot get enough of this one or the one that follows: She Got Up Off the Couch.  

I started reading blogs about six years ago and somehow stumbled upon Orangette.  I don't remember how I found her blog, but I've been a faithful reader ever since.  I've long wanted to read her book, A Homemade Life, but it just hasn't happened until now.  Her stories were lovely and I'm looking forward to trying a recipe or two from her book.

So there you have it.  Good books are truly a gift and one I'm grateful for daily.  Try any of these and I feel confident you'll find yourself thankful for the gift of words as well.   But you don't have to take my word for it...

This Adventure

We are on an adventure.  Having a new baby makes every day feel somewhat adventuresome, but that aside, we are on an honest to goodness real adventure.  We left our home in Raleigh over three weeks ago and plan to return two weeks from now.  I'm pretty sure five weeks away from home plus a newborn definitely equals adventure.

We spent the first week in Asheville, North Carolina, my hometown.  Being home was heavenly.  I was reminded once more of the pull that the mountains have on me.  This has inspired many lengthy conversations and the devising of plans for us to someday return to the mountains for good.  Oh how I hope that to be true.  Ben spent the majority of the week studying for his final exam (and we now know the result of those efforts!) while Elijah and I spent our time walking around the lake with my parents, meeting new friends, and enjoying being pampered by my momma, all while enjoying Asheville's beautiful and humidity-free weather.  After Ben's final exam, we hit the road, traveling to Ben's hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.  We spent an enjoyable long weekend introducing our sweet boy to his family and friends, all the while watching as Hurricane Issac barreled his way directly to our final destination: a sweet, homely beach house on the coast of Alabama.

Though Issac did rip up about 60 feet of the beach house's dock, the house sustained no damage and so we were  undeterred.  Ben, Elijah and I continued southward and landed ourselves here nearly two weeks ago.  After all the travel, it has been so very lovely to alight somewhere for a couple of weeks.  We've unpacked our bags, stocked up on groceries, picked up fresh produce and seafood at roadside stands and have spent our time getting to know each other as a family of three.  We've been beyond blessed this summer to have Ben at home and to have the gracious help of family and friends.  But these sweet weeks have been the first time when it's just been the three of us together, without a CPA exam lurking over our shoulders.  We've been able to relax into this space and move at a leisurely pace.  Anyone who has spent any time at all with a baby knows that time moves in fits and starts.  It's both the quickest and slowest kind of time.  We've been enjoying those fits and starts nearly exclusively on a wide, wrap around, screened-in porch overlooking the water.  We watch the boats on the bay, scan the water for jumping mullet, swing in the hammock, listen as Ben plays the guitar, sing along since there's no one around to hear my efforts, and talk, talk, talk.  We're having hard, but good and fruitful conversations around here.  Conversations that I pray strengthen our marriage and deepen it as we prepare for a season of transition ahead and as we grow into these new roles as parents.

This adventure has been such a gift.  It has been a safe, quiet pause in our life after a challenging summer.  I am so glad for the timing of this space and look forward to returning to Raleigh in the fall, my favorite of all the seasons.  Until then, you will most likely find me on the porch.

{this moment}

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Season of Testing

This summer has been unlike any other for a variety of reasons.  (That is perhaps the understatement of the year.)  One such reason is that Ben spent the summer studying for the CPA exams.  He put in 8-10 hour days every day this summer, save the first week in July and that time off was well spent falling in love with baby Elijah.  I have known that my husband was a diligent worker, but seeing him labor day after day gave me a new respect for this man I married.  I'm so proud and so excited to report that we learned yesterday that he passed his fourth and final exam!  He is now a certified public accountant.  Over a year's worth of incredibly hard work has paid off.  We are off on a celebratory adventure, one I hope to tell you about soon.  Until then, here's a picture of my favorite CPA and our favorite deduction. 

I'm deDUCKtible

These 10 Weeks

Ten weeks ago tomorrow our sweet son was born.  These 10 weeks have been the hardest, most intense, most beautiful weeks of my life.  I can't wait to the story of these weeks with you.  I've missed being in this place, sharing moments and pieces of my days with you.  I didn't intend to leave this space quiet for so long, but I think, I *think* we might be getting our feet under us once more and my hope is to be here more often.  But then again, having a newborn changes everything so we'll just see about that.  I look forward to putting my words here and will enjoy the time spent collecting them when I'm not.

Here's to seeing more of you...soon, I hope.

{this moment}

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{this moment}

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Elijah Benjamin

Born July 3 at 1:12 pm

7 pounds, 14 ounces; 22 inches long

Okay, a few words on this Friday.  What a wild and wonderful month it has been!  There are not words to capture the love I have for this sweet boy and his amazing dad.  I hope to try and find those words and be in this space with more regularity soon.  Until then, I'll be with my boys.  Falling deeper and deeper in love.

40 weeks

And just like that we are at 40 weeks.  It's hard to believe that we've come so far!  I'm thankful for this full term pregnancy and the sweet little boy everyone keeps assuring me we will meet one day!  We are so very hopeful that his birthday is SOON and that we will go into labor naturally.  We had a good report from the midwife this morning, but our little guy must be pretty comfortable in there because it doesn't sound like he has plans to go elsewhere anytime soon.  Our homework this week?  Crawl around the house!  This side-loving baby has decided he really likes to have his back bone right against mine this week.  We've got ourselves a sunny-side up baby and we are hopeful that a little crawling (!?!) will help him settle back into an anterior position.  We'll see.  We just crawled (Ben crawled with me winning the world's most supportive husband award) and if nothing else, crawling will provide us with plenty of comic relief this week.  Whenever you decide to come, Baby Bee, we will be so excited to meet you!

{this moment}

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Happy weekending, friends.

A Lovely Afternoon

Raleigh promises to really heat up over the next couple of days so Ben and I decided to take advantage of the hot-but-not-humid weather and spend some time out of doors.  I snapped a few pics so that you could share in our lovely afternoon.  We're home now and having pancakes for supper.  Summer just doesn't get any better than that!