Harper Grace

I love how that wild patch of hair in the center of the back of your head. I love how you say, “mama, where are you?” when I walk out of the room. I love how you hug my neck and say, “I missed you, mama, all day!” even if I’ve been with you all day. I love the look on your face when you see someone you love. I love your freckle and how you say, “bye-bye freckle!” when I put socks on you at night. I love how when we get to the end of a book, you’ll say, “the eeeeend… again!” I love how you know when adults are praying and you bow your little head and fold your little hands. You never close your eyes, though. I love how you run full speed through the house and jump on the love seat. I love how you thank God for "strawberries in the refrigerator." I love how excited you get when I get to your classroom to pick you up in the afternoons. I love how you always steal my sweet tea. I love how you love pickles and “pinkles”. I love that you know when I’m upset. I love how you hold Baby in the crook of your left arm. I love how you say “milk”. I love how attentive and inquisitive you are. I love brushing your curls. I love the warm honey color of your hair. I love the little gap between your front teeth. I love how you run everywhere you go. I love you most in bubbles in the spring and summer. I love the backwards J-shaped vein in your hand. I love your half-in, half-out button. I love hearing your little feet walk across the hard floors in our home. I love watching you play so well by yourself. I love how you skip. I love that you love your kitties and want so bad for them to come near you. I love watching you shiver when you see a lady bug. I love hearing you say, “I yate yady bugs!” I love how you aren’t scared of anything. I love your grin. I love that you love the outside. I love how you still look like such a baby when you sleep. I love how you remember everything. I love how you sing all the time. I love how everyone loves you and you make friends wherever you go. I love your eyes and how they are every shade of blue. I love how you tell your daddy and I “bye” and “I love you” and blow kisses when we put you in bed at night. I love how you know what a Bible looks like. I love how you say, “oh, thank you!” I love how you play with your little pinky and wrap everything around it. I love how you want to do my makeup for me. And when I let you (on Saturdays, with no where to go) you say, "so pretty." I love that God trusted me with you. I love that you're my real-life baby doll, that sometimes has a sassy attitude. You're my sweet Harper, and I still can't believe that you're mine.

Now.

Wow. My life has changed in so many ways since I last logged into this blog. It was a little comical for me looking back at the things I used to write about on here... not that there is anything wrong with those things, but I feel like I'm a totally different person now than I was then. I guess that is the goal, right? I mean, just look at the pictures I have on the right side of the page. Sooo many things have changed!


Since my last blog post in December of 2012, we've added another member to the family (She is TWO now), I have gotten a really good job and quit it to stay home with said baby, we've become members of a new wonderful church, bought a house and moved back to Troy...so many significant, great things.

While I haven't been so great at keeping this blog up (ahem. 5 years), I really would like to try harder to update it regularly. Simply because, mommy brain is real and I want to be able to look back at this time in our lives. So. We will see.

But for now, here is my beautiful daughter, Harper.

a few of my favorite things...

I am not dead. I promise. I have just taken a little unintentional break from blogging. I don't really have an excuse either... but to play catch up a little, here are some things I have been loving lately.

Christmas is officially one week away. I know everyone says "I can't believe it's Christmas already, blah blah blah" but seriously...can you believe it's almost here? I feel like it always takes FOR.EV.ER to get here and then, suddenly, it's here. One of my favorite things about Christmas is giving things to people I love and one of my favorite gifts this year was to my favorite "little" brother.
This is Jack. He's a beagle and he stole everyone's heart in 2.7 seconds. It was VERY hard to give him up.

Of course, any and all Christmas-y drinks at Starbucks:

This Christmas candle from Bath and Body Works:

One non-Christmas related item that I have been in love with for a while is a lipstick from Too Faced. They are called La Creme and they are la mazing...too much? Anyway, check them out. They remind me of the ever popular Revlon Lip Butters, but they are better in my opinion. They are pretty pricy, but you actually get a lot more actual product than the revlon ones. I have six shades..... help. (I have Spice Spice Baby, In the Buff, Honey Bear, Sweet Maple, Naked Dolly, and Cinnamon Kiss.)

Another makeup related item I've been loving all fall and into "winter" (not winter to me unless it stays below 70 degrees) is this blush from MAC. It's called "Plum Foolery" and (from experience) it only takes a little bit.

I was just introduced to this stuff by a friend. It's Caren Original's Hand Treatment. I don't know how easy it is to find this brand, but I've seen it in several boutiques around. I'm not big on lotions and such in general (I just don't think about using them unless they are right in front of my face), but this is the best hand cream. The scents aren't to die for, but they're subtle, so it doesn't bother me.

obsessed

I've been crazy in love with this show for a few months now, but I just bought the first and second seasons on dvd a few weeks ago. The obsession is back. It is a show about an aristocratic, British family (and the servants who work in their home, Downton Abbey) and how their lives are changed after the sinking of the Titanic.

I can't even explain why this show is so good, but it REALLY is. Go get it. The third season aired (in England booooo) last month, and will be in America in January. You can pre-order the 3rd season here on Amazon. Check it out!!

never forget

This is a day that will always make me feel a little hollow. It is so very sad to think that there are people in this world who grow up hating the United States and everything the citizens here stand for. I was in seventh grade on September 11, 2001. Even though I didn't know anyone who passed away in the events, its shock waves reached the entire country. I'll never forget that day, even though I was too young to begin have a clue how important everything was. I watched the 2nd plane hit the 2nd tower live from my classroom at Pike Liberal Arts . It is one of those moments I can still picture in my mind. It's engrained there. But that day is not what I like to think about...it is those days following. Even though I was so young I will never forget the way our mighty country stood up and squared its shoulders to face what was the greatest act of terrorism on our soil. As the towers fell, America stood up. And got mad. There were no Republicans or Democrats...we were just all Americans. It was incredible to see. It breaks my heart to think some have forgotten the helpless feelings of that day and those who fought and still fight to make sure we never feel that way again. I thank God that President Bush made it clear who we needed to turn to as a country...God Himself. I will never forget.

absent

I have just realized that I have not posted in almost two months...oops. I wish I could say I have a good and interesting excuse, but I don't. :) My apology is most sincere. Here is something for YOUUUU

society6.com

ohhhh...hellooooooo

here's to the next 365

Last Wednesday was a special day. It was our anniversary. It always seems strange to me that another year rolls around, because it seems like just yesterday that we became MR and MRS. Then at the same time, it seems like we've always been together.

In honor of our anniversary, I decided to post some things about my sweet husband that make this girl smile.

1. He is a man of God. This is 100% the reason we are together: the Gospel.
2. Justin is the most self-less person I've ever met. He is always thinking of others before himself and it is a quality that I have loved in him from the minute I met him.
3. He balances me out perfectly. If any of you know me, you know I can be a little uptight and that I worry about everything. Justin is so laid-back and (I'll admit) sometimes annoyingly care-free. I am a planner and he is spontaneous. He is so good for my crazy.
4. He is not picky. I mean, this guy will eat anything. He'll admit he doesn't like something and still eat it. I hope our kids are like this! haha
5. He doesn't pop popcorn in the house, because he knows the smell makes me gag.
6. I can watch almost every college football game of the year with him.
7. He has always fit perfectly into my family.
8. He is always making me try new things. He makes something he knows nothing about look so enticing. Did I mention he's in sales?
9. He randomly washes the dishes, cooks supper and cleans the entire house before I get home. It always seems to happen on days I needed it the most.
10. He has the best laugh ever.
11. He always sees the good in people first.
12. He can't watch our 2 cats walk across the room without throwing something at them.
13. He has a good sense of humor.
14. It is near to impossible to make him mad.
15. He loves me. And has never been afraid to tell me.

I love you, Justin.

faceeeee

since I haven't posted in a while, I thought I would post another "favorite products" post. I always love reading these when bloggers do them, I want to do another! (Check out my bff's latest one here.)

So, I'll start with my favorite beauty item EVER.

This is the Clarisonic Mia Original (there is now a Mia 2, with 2 speed settings instead of one) in pink.

These things are a little pricey, but I got mine on sale at a boutique in Troy about a year ago. I absolutely LOVE IT. It does a much better job than just your hands and it lathers cleansers beautifully. I actually bought the deep cleansing brush head to put on mine (it comes with a sensitive one, but I felt I needed a little deeper exfoliation).


My next "must-have" is my Philosophy Purity facial wash.

This stuff is really gentle, but still does a really good job. I've been using it for a few years (after I got a free sample from Sephora, yay) and if I have ever (for some reason) tried anything else, I always go back to it. It's simple. Plus, Philosophy's line is always packaged really cute-ly.


Next is my moisturizer.

This is Bliss' Triple Oxygen+C Energizing Cream. The name is a little ridiculous, I know, but I got this at that same boutique in Troy the day I bought my Mia. I have since been through 2 jars of this stuff and I love it. It smells like oranges and it isn't oily or sticky. Perfect.


This is my Pink Grapefruit Scrub by Neutrogena.

I don't need to exfoliate with scrubs as much (enter clarisonic), but I like using this scrub about twice a week in the shower. It's acne-clearing components are good, and it smells HEAVENLY. And it's cheap.


I'll post my make-up later! Woo, this was fun!

college grad

well, i haven't posted in a while because i have been so busy with school...but now i am DONE! i am so happy to be finished! (notice in honor of being done with english classes and research papers forever, i am not going to worry about punctuation/spelling/capitalization errors woohoo!) needless to say, the last couple of weeks have been crazy! my mama graduated from auburn and is now a dr. almost a week later my sister, kristen, and i graduated together from troy. and my brother graduates from high school in just a couple of weeks! we have been so blessed for these opportunities! my daddy is elated! it is hard to imagine not being in school ever again, and i've tried to come to grips with it. it's so weird. i'm constantly thinking about things i need to be reading/writing for class and there just isn't anything to do! i don't know what to do with myself! i need a hobby... anyway, here are a few pictures from the fun going on..

dr. penelope messick!

getting her doctoral hood

diplomas...woop woop

me and my boyfraaaand

justin, me, paul, kristen, and chad

i love my sister and brother!

the graduates.

28

Happy birthday to my husband, my supporter, my sanity, my heart, my rock, my best friend. I love you Justin!

umm

I must say that I have been super busy with school lately, so I haven't had much time for playing on my blog! I have not had time to breathe! BUT! The good news is that I have *drumroll* only NINETEEN DAYS until dead day! That's official days of class, not counting weekends. Then, I'll have a few more added after the 19 when I'm actually finished with finals! I AM ECSTATIC. REALLY. I AM.

spring has sprung

I love spring. I love the weather, the sunshine, the flowers, and Easter. Here are some new things I have come across that I'm drooling over for spring.


Nothing reminds me of spring like the smell of gardenia. Except maybe fresh cut grass...but I don't think they have a grass-scented candle yet. I bought this candle earlier this year in the largest size they make. I've almost burned it all up. I love it.



















KEY LIME CUPCAKES yum. J and I went to a cooking class earlier this year and they had a booth with these beauties. Ever since I've been looking for a good recipe. I found one on (duh) Pinterest finally.
























Margarita sweet potato vine. I bought a little of this last year and it grew like crazy. It's perfect for beginners like me! and it's so pretty and vibrant.
























Kate Spade Mug - this is adorable. I've been kind of into gold lately and this is so cute! They have other mugs that are just as cute.

























This would be the prefect place to read on a spring day....ahhhh.
























I bought this a little while back and I love it. It's Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Dish Soap. It smells like spring....


























I'll add more later!

i have something to say:

spring break! spring break! spring break!


that's all.

thoughtful tuesday

There were times growing up when I thought I was where I was meant to be for the rest of my life. I'm so glad I was wrong. And I'm so glad it wasn't up to me. I'm so glad God knows what He is doing. Just imagine if we actually got everything we rashly wished for...we'd be ruined.

Jeremiah 29:11

lol-ing

I just had to share this... I came across it somewhere online and thought it was hilarious. I know, I'm a little cheesy.

bff

since I know you're reading this... I MISS YOU!


This is my best friend Emma. I love her dearly.



(sorry, this is the most up-to-date picture I had on my laptop. sad.)

Mere Christianity

I'm taking a break from studying to write about one of my assignments this week. Seems a little weird, right? This week for my Fantasy class we're reading this:



I have been so ready to read it this semester! We have finally gotten to it and it has not disappointed me. C.S. Lewis is a genius. I've read two other books of his before. (You may be wondering why we're reading this for a "Fantasy" class. We're actually reading the Chronicles of Narnia, which ARE fantasy stories and also by Lewis. We're using Mere Christianity to kind of compare with his writing of Narnia. I'm not complaining...FINALLY something we're reading that really matters in the grand scheme of things!) Anyway, here is one of my favorite exerpts from the book so far.

"God is the only comfort. He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from. He is our only possible ally, and we have made ourselves His enemies."


I highly recommend reading this book! It will really open your eyes to things in Christianity and also just in humanity itself. He really "sees" people and puts things in such a "duh" way that you wonder how you never noticed it before. By the half-way mark smoke was coming out of my ears...

to live by....

My mama sent me the following email on New Years Day. I typed it up in cute different fonts and sizes, printed and framed it. It is sitting on my desk and definitely worth looking at every day!

Drink plenty of water. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy. Make time to pray. Read more books than you did in 2011. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Sleep for 7 hours. Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk daily. And while you walk, smile. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. Don't overdo it. Keep your limits. Don't take yourself so seriously. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. Dream more while you are awake. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. Call your family often. Each day give something good to others. Forgive everyone for everything. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6. Try to make at least three people smile each day. What other people think of you is none of your business. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. Do the right thing! Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. GOD heals everything. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. The best is yet to come. When you awake in the morning thank GOD for it.

minimalism

Ever since Justin and I got married he has fussed at me about throwing/giving things away. I hate having things we never use. I don't particularly know where it comes from, but I just can't stand a bunch of stuff everywhere in my house. I thought it was just a(nother) weird "quirk" (I have a lot of those) of mine, but turns out, I'm a minimalist! hehe I know, I'm a freak. Anyway, I've been reading this book lately that only encourages my behavior. *insert Justin rolling his eyes and calling me the opposite of a hoarder*

-warning - I promise you won't make it through the first chapter without putting it down and cleaning something.