Posts Tagged ‘blog’

Talking Tuesday

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

TalkingTuesday

Share your thoughts, feelings, and stories as well as respond to others regarding these questions:

What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend?

I’ll get us started …

Steve and I have huge plans for Memorial Day weekend … we are moving across the country! That’s right; we are packing up our lives and moving from Southern California to North Carolina! It’s a huge change and move, but we are super excited for this next chapter in our lives. While saying goodbye to amazing people we have grown to love out here is super hard, we’re really anticipating finding a wonderful sense of community and home in North Carolina. From the weather to sweet tea to Southern hospitality, we really love the new area we are moving to and are praying for God’s blessings and favor in this new chapter. We’d love for you to pray for us too to have safe travels and a smooth transition!

Okay, it’s your turn!

Talking Tuesday Weekly Announcement REVISED

If you have a question you would like to see asked in our weekly Talking Tuesday discussions, we want to know what it is! Just contact us with your idea!

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

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Talking Tuesday

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

TalkingTuesday

Share your thoughts, feelings, and stories as well as respond to others regarding these questions:

Do you and your spouse, family, and/or friends have any fun summer plans on the horizon?

I’ll get us started …

Steve and I are heading to Virginia this month for my sister’s college graduation, and we are super excited about it! It was a long-term goal for my sister to complete her degree, and she did it with flying colors. We are so proud of her, and it’s going to be absolutely incredible to have the whole family together to celebrate her accomplishment!

Other than that, we have a bit more of a subdued travel schedule this summer than normal, but I am sure we will do plenty of fun, local things to make memories. We rarely sit still for very long, so I doubt this summer will be an exception to that rule. Summer is always a fun time, so I’m looking forward to what we can get into J

Okay, it’s your turn!

Congratulations to our April Talking Tuesday giveaway winner … Lauren L.! We love hearing from you all, so please keep joining our weekly discussion to get entered to WIN this month’s giveaway!

Talking Tuesday Weekly Announcement REVISED

If you have a question you would like to see asked in our weekly Talking Tuesday discussions, we want to know what it is! Just contact us with your idea!

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

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Fairytales

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Fairytales

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Talking Tuesday

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

TalkingTuesday

Share your thoughts, feelings, and stories as well as respond to others regarding these questions:

Is your spouse at all like your Mom or Dad? Why or why not?

I’ll get us started …

My husband, Steve, is very different from my dad. While I love my dad to pieces, Steve is a lot of the things I always wanted my dad to be. He’s very playful and funny, and he’s always up for a new adventure big or small. He’s extremely patient, never grumbles, and is always ready to lend a helping hand happily. Steve is super outgoing and loves being around people, which is great since I do too.  Also, Steve is very athletic and loves sports. These are all pretty opposite from my dad. On the flip side though, my dad is super handy and can fix anything, and let’s just say, Steve isn’t so “fix-it” inclined or interested.

What they do share is a love for the Lord and a love for their families. Both my dad and Steve are hard workers. They are both full of integrity, and I trust them completely. Honestly, I’ve never met two men who are more incredible, and I have such an unbelievable amount of respect for both of them as they are truly blessings in my life!

Okay, it’s your turn!

Talking Tuesday Weekly Announcement REVISED

If you have a question you would like to see asked in our weekly Talking Tuesday discussions, we want to know what it is! Just contact us with your idea!

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

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Noteworthy: I Won’t Give Up

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

Noteworthy

By Ashley McIlwain

I may not be considered among the old and wise yet, but I have experienced quite a bit in my rather brief life up until this point. Oftentimes I feel as though I am somewhat of an “old soul” because of the things I have been through, learned, and experienced. While I still have a long way to go, there is one thing I have discovered to be true: life is a journey that requires patience, grace, and love. And love itself requires the most patience and grace of all of life’s journeys.

(c) Foundation Restoration

In our western culture, we often demand and expect instant gratification. Most products and services cater to our crazy, hectic, and busy lifestyles on the go, and we’ve come to mandate nothing less. Unfortunately, that mentality has spilled over into our marriages, families, and relationships. We want a self-serving, drive-thru, instant gratification kind of life, but that’s the opposite of what relationships require.

Love needs nurturing and patience. It is a marathon not a sprint. Slowly it blossoms and grows establishing deeper, stronger roots all the while. The more we love it and care for it, the stronger and more radiant it becomes. This requires patience, endurance, and determination. All of the blood, sweat, and tears though are well worth it because the rewards of a true and lasting love and marriage far outweigh any of life’s other offerings.

There’s a song that I think captures the ebbs and flows, ups and downs, and patience that love requires. It talks of the journey of determination, grace, endurance, and perseverance in a beautiful, unwavering way. Honestly, I adore this song and its captivating lyrics about a bold yet tender and tenacious love and just know you will too. It’s called I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz.

Style: "70's look"

Take a listen, and let me know what you think …

 

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Talking Tuesday

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013

TalkingTuesday

Share your thoughts, feelings, and stories as well as respond to others regarding these questions:

Who do you go to when you need relationship advice?

I’ll get us started …

I think this is a super important question to ask for several reasons. One is that your inner circle has a lot of influence, and you want to make sure that it is influencing you in a good way. The other reason is that you need to protect your marriage. Sometimes when we share with family members about issues with our spouse, we tend to forget that they don’t forgive and forget quite as easily as we do, so it’s important to use discretion in the amount that’s shared with them in order to protect those relationships and your marriage.

For me, I do seek the counsel of my family – my mom, dad, and sisters – although I keep things very general and usually frame it in a way that is an “us” issue. I don’t just vent with my family; I choose very specific times that I need solid advice, wisdom, and prayer. My best friend Di is the other person I frequent most often for advice. She is an amazing, trustworthy, Christian friend who has been an incredible sounding board. She values and loves my husband too (our husbands are besties), and she is always pushing me back toward him and our marriage in her advice, which is so important. In every situation though, I am seeking God’s wisdom and guidance through prayer!

Okay, it’s your turn!

Talking Tuesday Weekly Announcement REVISED

If you have a question you would like to see asked in our weekly Talking Tuesday discussions, we want to know what it is! Just contact us with your idea!

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

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Talking Tuesday

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

TalkingTuesday

Share your thoughts, feelings, and stories as well as respond to others regarding these questions:

What are some of your favorite outdoor activities to do with your spouse (and kids if you have them)?

I’ll get us started …

I really do love and enjoy the outdoors. There’s something about being amidst God’s creation that reminds me of His goodness, creativity, and power. One of the great things about Southern California is that the weather is conducive to outdoor activity year-round. Some of the things my husband I enjoy doing are going to the beach, going for a run or walk, sitting on a blanket at the park, taking a bike ride, playing sports, or grilling. When you take time to think about it, it’s amazing just how much there is to do outside. It’s nice to soak in the sunshine and breath in some fresh air every once in a while.

Okay, it’s your turn!

Talking Tuesday Weekly Announcement REVISED

If you have a question you would like to see asked in our weekly Talking Tuesday discussions, we want to know what it is! Just contact us with your idea!

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

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Talking Tuesday

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

TalkingTuesday

Share your thoughts, feelings, and stories as well as respond to others regarding these questions:

How was your Easter? What was your favorite part?

I’ll get us started …

We had an absolutely amazing and blessed Easter this year! We invited 4 of our friends to come to church with us, and then we hosted a big feast at our house after. I made ham, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, homemade rolls, egg noodles in ham broth, and strawberry lemonade. For dessert I made banoffee pies (a graham crack crust filled with bananas and toffee and topped with cool whip and chocolate shavings) and “bird’s nest” cookies. I pulled out the china and crystal and really tried to make it a special occasion.

Despite all of the hard work, it was one of the best Easter’s I’ve had as an adult! It was such an honor to invite people into our home that live far from their families like us. I feel like hospitality is a bit of a dying concept, especially among younger people, so I thoroughly enjoyed helping it make a comeback at least in our home J What a blessed Easter it was through and through!

Okay, it’s your turn!

Congratulations to our March Talking Tuesday Giveaway Winner … Kristin Odell!!! Thanks to all of you who share your wonderful thoughts, stories, and wisdom! Please continue to join us; there’s a new winner each month!

Talking Tuesday Weekly Announcement REVISED

If you have a question you would like to see asked in our weekly Talking Tuesday discussions, we want to know what it is! Just contact us with your idea!

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

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Happy Easter!

Sunday, March 31st, 2013

Easter2013

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Somebunny Loves You

Friday, March 29th, 2013

Happy early Easter everyone!

Hopefully you all have some fun and wonderful celebrations planned with loved ones for this special holiday of hope! If you’re like me, you’re probably putting the finishing touches on your preparations. This year we’re headed to church with a group of friends, and then I’m making a big feast for us all to follow. Honestly, I cannot wait!

Something else that my hubs and I do is exchange Easter baskets. Yes, we’re way too old for these antics, but what can I say? We’re two overgrown kids who happen to love to do silly, fun, and childish things. We think it keeps things fresh and fun. That’s our story, and we’re sticking too it :)

Anyway, whether you’re writing a card out to your love bunny or creating a basket of treats, I created a little printable for you to include with your goodies. You can print it off and write a sweet, personal note on the back for your spouse, kids, parents, siblings … anyone and everyone! Enjoy, and Happy Easter!

SomeBunny

You can CLICK HERE to download this!

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