Daily Reads

5.10.2012

Homes I love

I would have loved this home for the living room alone (those bookshelves!)...
...but as it turns out, the whole place is pretty perfect.
spotted on bliss

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7. waking up to the sound of rain
8. seeing Mikey's little teeth when he grins
9. funny text messages from my sibs
10. clean sheets

5.09.2012

Picture me {im}perfectly


I recently came across a blog that has me inspired in just about every way.
As usual, I was drawn in by how pretty it looked, but I will be a faithful reader because of the content. Capturing Motherhood is written by Hill, a christian woman who has committed her blog to honoring the Lord. Her sincerity is so inspiring.

Case in point: At the end of every post, she lists things she is thankful for. (I'm following her lead and doing the same thing. Such a wonderful practice!) She does not allow comments on her blog because, in her words, she "loves them too much" and she wants her value to come from the Lord. And every Wednesday, in the interest of encouraging her fellow bloggers, and reminding us all that perfection is a myth, she posts about how imperfect she is - read more here

I am totally on board. And to prove it, here is a picture of me about to go to the grocery store in my ball cap. Not because I'm such a devoted Red Sox fan, but because I couldn't be bothered to wash my hair Monday morning. (I guess if I was getting real I should have taken the picture before I put on the cap? Baby steps, people. Baby steps.) Most of the pictures of me that make it to this blog were taken at some sort of special event - on a Sunday morning going to church, at a party, brunch with friends, big family holidays, etc. - and then go through a rigorous screening process by me before ever making it to the screen. 

But this is what I look like most of the time when I'm home with Mikey. 
Undone hair, ball cap, my oldest pair of jeans, and my oldest comfiest running shoes. 

It's not because of laziness. Most days that I'm home with him, doing my hair just doesn't seem important at all. Not when there are stories to read, walks to take, games to play (not to mention all of the things that have to be done.) It's an ongoing struggle with me - I feel like I'm failing because I don't take more time to fix myself up. Then I realize that Tim and Michael love me just how I am, and when I'm happy they light up no matter what I'm wearing. And when I listen closely to God's word, I realize He has whispered this same wisdom to me since I was a little girl:

"What matters is not your outer appearance - the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes - but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty. The gentle, gracious kind that God delights in."  - 1 Peter 3:3-4


Thank you, Hill, for your encouragement! I'm so excited to be a part of this!
Have a great day, friends! xoxo
4. a safe, clean place to live
5. a healthy little niece on the way
6. a husband who loves me and our son completely

5.08.2012

...that I'm enjoying about all these rainy days we're having.

Michael sleeps in. 
He's such a rooster. Most days, when the sun comes up he is up and looking for action right away. 
But when it's dark and cloudy even he wants to sleep a little longer. So very nice.

A second cup of coffee. And a cookie. While I blog. And my baby sleeps. 
The only thing better than that first cup of the day.

My cords and jackets and scarves. 
Because the day is coming when I will be so tired of sun and heat and sandals (imagine!), 
I will wish for just one cool rainy day.

5.07.2012

Good morning! I'm feeling refreshed after a weekend with my guys that included a trip to the aquarium, a nap, Red Sox baseball, church and brunch with a dear friend, and doing a lot of the things that make Michael belly-laugh. I hope you are rested and ready for another week too, friends. Enjoy a few pictures from our weekend! xoxo



(I've decided to start listing things that I am thankful for at the end of every post 
to help myself be more mindful of my blessings. I was inspired by Hill at 
Capturing Motherhood- much more about that on Wednesday!) 

1. sleeping through the night
2. having Tim home with us this week
3. sunshine!

5.04.2012

InstaFriday

Good morning, friends! 
It's Friday - yipee! - and that means I'm linking up with Jeannett for Instafriday
So, here's a little bit of our week in pictures:


1 - Ella. I miss her face. (Lucky for us, she's having the time of her life at the grandparents' house! Thank you Mom and Dad!)

2 - Hanging out in bed on Saturday morning - my favorite.

3 - Some good friends came to visit on Saturday! We went to brunch here and had a great time! I forgot Michael's bib, so he borrowed one from Olivia - they were so cute chattering with each other in their matching purple :)

4 - Chewing on your friend's toy is always more satisfying than chewing on your own toy.

5 - Sunday morning we worshipped at Park Street Church. (The history of this congregation is really amazing!)

6 - We're not very good at sitting through services these days. Even with cheerios. So I'm glad I got this shot of a rare, peaceful moment. (Don't worry - we were in the very back against a wall so I didn't distract anyone with my picture-taking.)

7 - It was a gorgeous day and after services we walked over to Beacon Hill and had a yummy lunch here.

8 - He's so happy to get out of the stroller (and holding his own on the cobblestones).

9 - Isn't this ivy-covered house beautiful? Beacon Hill is full of charming little places, but this one took my breath away.

10 - Is he already thinking he's cooler than us? It kind of looks like it.

11 - Our favorite page of our favorite book. It has taken a beating lately.

12 - Oh, those cheeks. One of these days I'm going to nibble them right off.

* * * * * * * * * 
Have a fantastic weekend, friends! xoxo

5.03.2012

Cinco de Mayo

Certain holidays were just made for a city like Boston.

Fourth of July? Perfectly patriotic.
Thanksgiving? It practically started here (or, right down the coast anyway).
Saint Patty's Day? Nowhere better. 

But on Cinco de Mayo I can't help but wish we were in Texas. 
I'm planning to create a little bit of Cinco de Mayo warmth here this weekend, 
and I thought I'd share a few of the pins that are inspiring me.

¡Salud!



5.01.2012

Happy camper playroom


Ever since Michael got that cool little tent for his birthday I've been thinking 
about putting together a camping-themed playroom for him. 
(When we, you know, have a house again.)

Just one look at that print of the bears camping out sealed the deal. 
Have you ever seen anything so cute?!