Today I am joining Lisa-Jo and her 5 minute Friday to write for 5 minutes flat on the prompt: "Story” with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

Its kind of fun to sit and think a little about your story. Here is my story.

I’m a working mama of two little dollies and wife to my handsome Mr. in brown who after 7 years still gives me butterflies.  Our blend, in our eyes is perfect! I don’t care for laundry.  I dream of a life where I have time to exercise, bake stunning frosted sugar cookies, sew pretty things, knit cute little hats, and photograph our life along the way. I struggle with where and how to spend my little free time, and fear that I will miss what gods purpose for me is.  I love sweet nature and the sound of the rushing river, the smell of rain, curling up with a good book and chips to snack on for Sunday football, high heels, aprons and cookbooks. I love chocolate malts and am a sucker for a big plate of nachos! I have a HORIBLE habit of twisting my hair…that maybe someday I will beat. I swoon over the color aqua. I worry lots.  Lastly, I really wish I could persuade my hubby to splurge on a cleaning lady because maybe that would help my lack of organization in this dash for life!

So…what’s your story?

What Women Fear

I have decided to join a book club with a group of ladies on Wednesday night this summer. This is a group of ladies who are leaders within the church. Many of them study the bible in various ways together, year round.

As I was reading the book before our first study last night, I realized this book was a great fit for me. The author Angie Smith is a woman of great fear. She admits that fear, worry, being afraid or betrayed are a major part of her testimony. Angie talks very openly about her daily struggles with fear.

I felt fear just saying I would join these ladies who all seem to know the lord and each other very well. Fear that once again, I may be over committing myself to meet each Wednesday. Fear of acceptance in the group. Fear that I don’t know the bible as they may. Fear that maybe I don’t pray right (if there was a "right" way). Fear that they would judge. 

I came out of last night’s first meeting feeling that all of those “fears” I had about joining these ladies were more than silly. 

I am excited to share with you a few things that go through my mind as we read through the book this summer. 

In the introduction of the book, she talks about life being a balancing act. The book reads:  situations come up and cause us to tip a little, and we cry out in fear. We often feel like just as we get it figured out, the wire begins to shake and we have to adjust it all over again. We (mistakenly) believe that at some point we are going to find the solution, learn how to balance the pole exactly right in every moment so that we don’t ever tremble anymore. 

That is so true.  To put it into perspective, great example of that would be finally hitting a goal in your savings account only to have the car break down.  Worse yet, having the car break down and no money in your savings.  Many of us know just how an example like that feels. How easy it is to let something like that tip you. 

It is so encouraging to read through the book and be reassured in the group that God is not unaware of our fears; this is where we need to fall back on him. Falling back on God, coupled with the balancing act in our way of thinking will help steady us when things get shaky. 

One of my biggest FEARS is fear of acceptance. I want EVERYONE to like me.  I think this is the base of many of my fears. I also fear death to someone close to me. If something were to happen to my husband or child could I go on without them? If something were to happen to me will there be someone there to take care of my young children. Would they be loved and cared for like I love and care for them? Would they know how much I loved them? (remember I told you that is a A HUGE  reason for this blog) You see how real and legitimate our fears are and how easy it could be to let them consume you.

What are some of your daily worries and fears? What keeps you awake at night?

Welcome back...

I have started this post many times over the last several months. Wondering, because I have been away for so long, should I pick up where I left off or start a new blog. It has been a year since I have blogged.

I decided that I have put work into this blog in the past and why not jump back in. 

I truly had no idea anyone really was reading my blog until recently. I had several people tell me they miss my blog. Hum well, come to think of it, I do too! I found that, although I may not be a great writer, the more I wrote the more comfortable I got writing. I also found when I was blogging, I may not be a stellar photographer, BUT I love photography. Blogging encouraged me to take more photos of my family doing the everyday things in life. Over the past year I have realized how much my camera that used to ALWAYS be around my neck, has sat in the closet. So it is time to break out my camera again and start documenting our lives.

This is a blog is about my family. I like pictures, and I like stories and it feels really valuable to me to have some of this kind of stuff written down. I devote time to this blog from here forward so that some day, when I’m not around anymore, this will be a safe place of peace for my family. They can look back and see how much I loved them {to the moon and back AND…more than all the fishes in the sea}. Ask my kidos how much their mama loves them, I guarantee they will reply with that their statement. 

 I may share things with you that put myself out there, I’m not perfect, and you may think I’m crazy. I don’t always have a clean house that smells like fresh laundered clothing, bake cookies, remember to bath my kids, change diapers on time or cook home meals. Your about to get the raw version of a working mama of two!

Did I just say a mama of two?!? That’s right folks! In the time I have been away we welcomed a baby girl into our family. Meet Tennyson Hadley Grider, she was born n January, and as a family we are sooo in love! 

So welcome back…

Greatful

Hi blogger friends…It has been a while. Today Im linking up with The Gypsy Mama for her 5 Minute Friday. Here's the deal... Write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing.

GREATFUL…

GO!

Grateful. Oh how this year has brought me such joy and I am so grateful. I’m going to be a mama of TWO! I can’t express to you my feeling of gratitude that this is where I am in my life right now.

Grateful. Maci gets to be a big sister. People this is a dream come true for this little pumpkin, she has wanted to be a big sister for SO long. She cannot wait to meet her baby. She also cannot wait till the DR. tells her in September if this little one is a boy or a girl. She is on team pink that’s for sure.

Grateful. I love looking in the baby section of the store, now I have a reason again!

Grateful. I can’t wait to see how long it takes this little peanut to get daddy all wrapped in.

Grateful. Peanut in 6 short months we will get to meet you and love on you lots. Mommy cannot wait!!

STOP!

The Pinky Swear

Do you remember the pinky swear?

It is common among school age children and their friends…AND at my house.

The pinky swear signifies a promise that cannot be broken.

I love our silly little gestures that carry so much meaning; even if it is just to put my laundry away the next day. Or if your Kyle, a back rub later, not now.

Maci will grow up thinking every family had the quirky little deal in their house, but likely it’s just us. It’s just us that pinky swears to do self-indulgent things like pinky swearing to clean our rooms after dinner (without a fight is the key). Yes, Maci and I throw the same size fit about cleaning our rooms.

What are the silly little things you do in your house?

Motherhood should come with...

A day late, but better late than never. Remember this is where they throw caution (editing, revising, and worrying) to the winds and just write. Without wondering if it’s just right or not. I really want to keep up with these 5 minute Fridays so here it is! This one is so fitting on this Mother’s Day weekend I couldn’t resist still doing it.

Motherhood should come with…

1:48 pm

A performance review. A review of how you’re doing and what you could do better. Someone to cheer you on when you’re doing good, and someone to whip you into shape when you have lost your marbles.

A tissue box. For all the little moments that you let a happy tear slip down your cheek. You know one of those proud mama moments!

A stylist. Where oh where did my style go. I seem to have developed a deep love, and a closet full of jeans, hoodies and flip flops. I can’t keep up with the trend so I resort to one that may not be flattering but will never go away.

A maid. I tell you what; I can’t keep up with all the mamma do’s and a full time job some days. But I give it my all and then some.

A fancy Tahoe. (and a gas card) To truck all these silly little pigtail girls to soccer and back!

1:53 pm

Wishing you all a glorious, sun shining Mothers Day!

A few favorites!

My dear friend Jessica was the first to introduce me to this world of blogging. She originally created a place for us to all watch her so gracefully live the nightmare of losing a baby. She leads such and inspiring message day after day on her blog. I followed her blog for some time. Then I decided to start my own blog. Mine may not hold a deep rooted meaning as some others but it is kind of fun to sit down and pour your heart out or write a funny story. For me, if you have been following since the beginning you will remember it serves as an anchor to the moments that today may seem so small but ultimately define us.

Since then, I have found some of the most AMAZING blogs and sites! Today I wanted to share a few with you. (I will do my best to pick only 5, not my top 5 just 5 VERY good ones)

1. Pick Your Plum They have a crafty item of the day that is dirt cheap! I dare you to check it out. Here are a few of their items I have swooned over lately.

2. CraftGossip is made up of several sub blogs to bring you the latest in craft gossip. Anything from DIY wedding ideas, home and garden, sewing down to food. I have quickly fallen in love with Anne Weaver and her sewing ideas. I send the link to my mom…maybe I will learn to sew soon. What's not to love about this polka dot cake they are sharing today...

3. I♥ organizing I don’t know about you but I need all the help I can get!
4. Hostess with the Mostess This is who I want to be when I grow up. Hostess with the Mostess is the inspiration to many things I do when it comes to party planning. Right now I am planning a bridal shower and bachelorette party; I got my inspiration board from her on BOTH events.
5. Brown Paper Packages. Kierste is one of those gals you feel is your friend even though sadly she has no clue you exist in the world. I just love her crafty style. She is seriously the cutest mom out there, with 5 little people!

Enjoy a few of my favorites!! What are yours?