Aprons, Aprons!

I have a slight fetish with aprons. I just love them - although I'm bad about remembering to wear mine. I'm slightly more in love with the idea of having cute aprons. But I'm going to be better about wearing them! Especially after seeing this post from one of my favorite blogs. How cute is this?! She will be posting the pattern soon. I think I'm going to have to try to make one myself.

Photos courtesy of The Sticklers Blog.

Just for fun, here's a picture of me in the apron my wonderful friend Allison made for my birthday. I love the pocket - it looks like an oven mitt! I was happily showing it off to my family this past Thanksgiving. Every girl should own one great apron! :)

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Picture Perfect Evening

Update - that photo wall I mentioned in an earlier post is complete! Thanks to a wonderful Christmas gift (a gift card to Pier 1) and some matting from Hobby Lobby, I finished my photo wall just minutes before our youth kids came over for Bible study. I have to say that I'm pretty proud of it, although the pictures don't show it off well. :)

Tonight was a great night with our youth group. I have been guilty of complaining about it taking up another night of my week, so to give them the best of us, Todd and I decided to cut out other activities including a small group with close friends to better serve our kids. It's a funny thing what happens when you listen to that small voice inside of you and surrender your life (and schedule) to our Creator. God definitely moved in our home tonight and it's amazing what He is doing in the lives of our students. They were open and honest. One of our kids flat out said he just isn't sure about this whole "Christian" thing. There were no weird looks, no awkwardness, just patience and acceptance. I know the others will see him through this. They made it clear that they will walk through the journey with him. Wow.

So thankful for those students and also thankful that clearing out the clutter is already making a difference. I'm already looking forward to spending next Wednesday night with them. Sadly, I don't say that often enough. The past few months have been so busy that I lost sight of what is important and what God is doing. I'm excited to learn what else I was missing out on when I controlled my life instead of letting God lead.

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I'm Getting Organized In 2009

Last year I bought the best day planner (I was sure it was going to be the best because it was on back order for months!). But it arrived and it was the best. I reordered another one today. It's stylish and simple and I take it everywhere.

I've caught the organization bug. I know everyone says they're going to get more organized at the beginning of the year. Funny thing is that I don't have much "stuff" to organize. We have empty rooms and closets. It's more of a mental organization. We do have a laundry room, but for some reason the dirty clothes rarely make it there. I just feel so calm when everything is in its place. When I was younger, I couldn't start my homework until my room was clean. I'm just that way. Life just feels less chaotic when things are organized. I'm better at picking up my Bible and reading it when it's on my night stand and not in the car because I forgot to bring it in after church. I'll remember to put something in the mail if it's ready to go on the counter, not stuck under dirty dishes. I'll have more time for the friends I love when I'm not saying yes to everything that comes my way.

So here's to being organized in my home and life in general. I'm cleaning out life's clutter this year. The activities that are wearing me out and the unnecessary items that I add to my to-do list. I think that's my goal for this year: get rid of the junk, be content with less and live a simpler, more organized life.

Inspired to go get the amazing day planner I mentioned?

Get your own here! Image courtesy of Paper Source.

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Same Kind of Different As Me

One more thought for the night - read this book! It's amazing.

Click here to order a copy.

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Love Was In The Air

Todd and I are back in Nashville and have finally caught up on sleep. We literally went non-stop the entire time we were in Ozark. When I got back to work and told co-workers about our trip and how busy we were, they told me that the next time we shouldn't tell people we are in town. That sounds good in theory, but I could never do that. Our families get so excited when we visit and go to extreme measures to spend time with us. Todd and I are treated like kings and queens - but that is not what we go home for. I could never not tell my grandparents I was visiting. Or my cousins or anyone else in my family. They just mean too much to us. I cried when I drove away from my parents house. I haven't been so sad to leave Ozark in a long time. We have already made plans to go back. March 12-15. Can't wait!

***

We ended our vacation in wedding craziness. My best friend from high school, Mary, got married on January 2nd. I have never seen a more beautiful bride. She was beaming. So pure and beautiful. God absolutely had His hand on every detail of that wedding. Two wonderful people so in love with each other and their Savior. I gave up holding back the tears during rehearsal dinner! I love weddings. When I hear the vows, I'm secretely repeating those vows again to my husband. I never want to forget the vows I made. Love is such an amazing thing.

Now it's back to life as normal, but Todd and I are so thankful for the 12 days we had back home. We made lots of great memories and are anxiously waiting to see our friends and family from Missouri again very soon.

Mary, the beautiful bride.

Andrea, me, Mary & Ashley - My best friends from high school.

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