First things first – Thanks to my sweet friend, Cassie, for nominating me for this behind the scenes tour! I love the friendship that we have created over the past couple of years. It's so great to have someone who understands this crazy blog land so we can bounce ideas off of each other. I'm so glad that we met each other and have become such wonderful friends!!

Read Cassie's Post Here!

^^ this is where all of my blogging goes down! 
In the comfy corner of our couch with my fuzzy blanket :)

What am I working on...?

Right now I am preparing for the holiday season ahead of me. I love this season because I can share so many fun DIY projects and recipes with all of you. We love to entertain in our home, so I always get super excited around this time of year with parties and events, and I love to share those here! I'm also looking forward to testing the waters in the fashion posts this winter. Since I have not been posting fashion themed posts that long, I'm excited to show off all of my favorite winter accessories in the coming months. 

How does my work differ from others from its genre...?

I like to think that I have a fusion of many different kind of themes here to keep you guessing, but at the heart of everything I write, I hope that you see His presence there. Even if I don't talk about the Lord in every single post, I know that the push in my heart to keep typing comes from Him. I truly believe that this little world I have created is a gift from the Father and I can only pray that I glorify Him in everything I say and do here. He is the main focus for me, in everything I do. 

Why do I write/create what I do...?

When I first started blogging in 2010 (seriously, it has been that long?!?), I honestly did it because everyone was doing it. I loved to read other blogs and I thought it would be a great way to document my life and an excuse to write something to look back on one day. Now that I have been doing it for five years I have realized what a huge passion this really is for me. I love sharing all of the many gifts that the Lord has given me and I still look forward to looking back on all of these stories one day. Most of all I like to push myself to be a glass half full kind of person. I know that we all have problems and bad days, trust me- I do have them, but I always strive to make this place happy. I named my blog Living on Cloud Nine for a reason, I want to find joy in all that I have around me. In the people, the food, the travels and all those little things too, like recipes, fashion and making our house a home. 

How does your writing/creative process work...?

I am a big fan of organization and I love to be prepared weeks in advance. I use a monthly calendar to schedule posts and then I dig deeper each week to set what I will be writing and make sure everything is executed well. I also love to read many blogs to inspire and trigger new ideas for future posts. I try my best to do most of my writing on the weekends so I can schedule everything for the week ahead and enjoy my week nights with Peter at home. 

^^ Heart & Arrow makes my new favorite blogging tool.

So that is a little behind the scenes of my Cloud Nine!

I have loved this series so much and I really enjoy reading and learning about other blogs, as well.

Where to go next....?

You may remember Amber from a few weeks ago when I was on vacation in Boston. She did a Fashion guest post here and I loved it! I knew I wanted to know more about her blogging style and hear more about her plans with a new blog. I'm excited to see the changes ahead for her!

Kiki has quickly become one of my favorite bloggers and I'm a big fan of her blog project, The Circle. She always has gorgeous photos and wonderful writing! I can't wait to learn more about her process with blogging and how she makes such authentic material and creates great ideas.

--------------------

Thanks to the ladies that are taking part in their own Behind the Scenes post a week from today! Make sure you all put them on your calendar to check them out :) 

& of course, thanks again to Cassie for the nomination! 

In The Word // Jeremiah 33:3

Lately I have been thinking a lot about passion. The feeling you have inside for something you know you NEED in your life. Something that is placed in your heart by the One who made you. For me, my passion is this space. The words I type, the time I spend, the photos I take, and the memories I share - every little bit of it. It is a huge passion for me. There are nights I can't sleep because I am thinking about a post I want to write and there are mornings I wake up and instantly think about something I have to share. I believe those things are placed in me by God Himself and I pray that I bring glory to Him in every word I type. 

I can't help but think of this quote by Fabienne Fredrickson....

The things you are passionate about are not random, they are your calling

I believe that is true. 

I'm not saying that I believe my calling is to be a world known blogger, but I do know that my calling is to share His name here. 

I pray that I always call to Him. I want my calling to always be in line with the Savior and share His love openly in return.

Sharing His love by the way I am a wife...

...a daughter and sister

...a friend

...a co-worker

...as a prepare to be a mother one day

...and the way I am a blogger

In all the areas of this life, I hope that one thing is true to all that see me; before I am anything listed above, I am HIS and He is mine. To glorify Him with every breath.

What has He placed on your heart, friends?

Please share with us!!

 

<br /><a href="http://livingoncloud9ine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll67/prom08mhs/inthewordbuttonresized.jpg"/></a> 

3.5 x 2 Inches of Happy.

I'm so happy to say that I feel like a legit blogger right now!! I've been wanting to have some custom business cards made for my blog for a while. There are so many times when I'm talking to someone and my blog comes up somehow. When that happens I normally just jot down the web address on a napkin, corner of a piece of paper or even text them the link but I always thought it would be really neat to have a card to give out instead. Something that has all of my information listed... my email, facebook page, Instagram page and this little website. I honestly look at this space as a part time job for me. No, I don't get paid to do it but I do really love it, and it takes up a lot of time. Part of blogging is all about the marketing and I believe business cards will help. Now, thanks to the wonderful company, tinyprints, I have these beautiful cards! 

this product is c/o Tinyprints

all opinions are honest & my own

The website is very user friendly and I'm so happy with the final product!

Thank you, tinyprints, for the perfect cards. I love them and I can't wait to hand them out!!

+ I can now check this off my 101 in 1001 list.

1,460.9688 Days.

That is how long I have been a blogger. Crazy! I honestly can't believe it has been four years that I have been sharing my heart and my life here in this space. I feel so much passion about what I do here and there are times when I let it consume me. Most of the time I think about my life experiences by the way I will blog about them later. It can drive Peter crazy sometimes (sorry, babe!!) but I think it is a huge gift to keep all of my special memories here.

I love that I have this outlet to share things and look back on them later. I can't tell you how many times I have looked through all the posts about our honeymoon and remembered all the fun memories we created.

When I think of my little blog world I feel thankful for so many different reasons.

I'm thankful for the pieces of my life that I have here forever, for the connections that I have made because to the words I've shared & I'm thankful to have this outlet so I can share my faith and dependence on God, because He will never fail me. This space has been such a blessing to me and I have Him to thank for all of it.

Today I thought I would do a little throwback to a few of my favorite posts over the past few years. There have been some happy moments that I really loved and I'd love to share them again.

 Snowshoe Weekend (when I knew I wanted to marry Peter) // Girls Trip to Wilmington 

Crazy Love // Forgiving  //Green Thumb // That Tuesday Morning
 Trip to St. Maarten // & Trip to ACL (when Peter proposed!!)
 My Favorite Salad // Finding Our Home // Thankfulness // Papa Blanket
 Post for Mom // My First Post as a Wife // Christmas Party // That Dream 

Hope you enjoyed this little walk down memory lane and my sappy thoughts about my Cloud 9. Most of all I want to say thank you to everyone who reads these words that I write. Thank you for all the comments. Thank you for the sweet words of encouragement and support. Thank you for being here. It really means the world to me!!

Total Truth // Social Media

As a blogger I think it is only normal to be a big fan of social media since most of everything we do is somehow related to it. I share my posts on my Facebook page, I share photos almost every day on Instagram and I've even fallen in love with bloglovin recently so I can’t really knock it. I do think we as a culture can abuse the use of social media but for the most part I am thankful for it. Here are three facts that I have learned in the past several years about all of this social media mumbo-jumbo.

1// it can give you some amazing friendships if you let it

I have been blessed by so many of the relationships that have been created because of this blog and because of Instagram. One of the best parts about sharing my life here is the way people can relate to my little world simply by reading what I write. I also know that I have learned so much from other bloggers and I’m very thankful for the many women that decide to share their life in this “blogosphere” that we have all created. Even for people that do not blog themselves but simply follow along with your life make an impact. Recently I was talking to an acquaintance that I normally didn't speak to that often but when I saw her she smiled and gave me a hug and said “I love following you on Instagram and reading your blog!”. That is a big deal! That is why I love spending time on this space. I love the relationships that it can create.

2// don’t let it consume you

I’m going to be completely honest and admit this is my main problem. Peter wants to take my phone and hide it most of the time. It makes me feel terrible. I know that it is an addiction. There are times when I grab my phone and when I mean to send a text message I click the Instagram icon without even realizing it. Habits are formed so easily and there are very few red lights that don’t also include a little IG action in my car to pass the time. So, this is my apology to my sweet Husband, I promise I will try harder to “unplug” and enjoy my nights with you instead!

3// keeping your priorities straight are important

There can be a lot of filth in the world of Social Media and you can get sucked into that so easily. I make a point to follow those who have the same heartbeat as mine. With hashtags like #socality that are pointing their fame toward God and His kingdom makes me so happy inside. I love to see His presence in this Social Media world and I also try my best to always point toward Him also. I want everything I share to glorify Him. We live in a fallen world where it is so easy to fall with it but I am thankful for a Savior that redeems and uses our brokenness to bring light to Him.

So, with all this being said, if you want to find me in the Social Media world you can locate me at all the places below! 

instagram // pinterest // facebook // bloglovin

You can check out my other Total Truth Thursdays posts below if you'd like!

Marriage // Fashion

Glory

I was talking to a friend recently about the blog world. Mainly about sharing Christ within your writing and how you can sometimes compare yourself to others that share the same heart for Jesus and the Kingdom.

One of the things that I find really hard is to not judge myself. To not measure myself to others and the way they write about our Maker and their relationship with Him. I’ve had those moments where I think to myself, “I haven’t talked about Jesus enough this week… I need to write something about Him.” But in reality I don’t need to justify my heart in this space. I know my heart, and I know that He knows my heart.

I do talk to the Lord every day. Not for as long as I should or as often as I should but there are moments in my days when I have a quiet moment with Him.

In my car while I am driving. Sitting at my desk at work. While I’m cooking or cleaning at home. Laying in bed before I fall asleep. I talk to Him so why do I feel the need to talk ABOUT Him so openly?

At church a couple weeks ago the pastor said something like this:

"Our job isn't to work toward the Kingdom, we are called to work FOR the Kingdom."

It hit me hard because that is so true. We are working for His Kingdom because we are already a PART of the Kingdom. Right now, in this moment everything I do should be for His glory. Not my own. Not for the views on this blog. And not for my comparison to other bloggers that I admire. For HIM.

This quote by Mr. Chan dug in pretty deep also:

"To be brutally honest, it doesn't really matter what place you find yourself in right now. Your part is to bring Him glory whether eating a sandwich on a lunch break, drinking coffee at 12:04am so you can stay awake to study, or watching your four month old take a nap." // Francis Chan

yes. that... that is what it is all about. His glory, 24/7. In my heart, in my head, at home, at work, in my car, on this blog. To glorify Him.

Preparation.

I know that I have shared some love for Instagram and the blogging world a few times now but my heart hit a new limit last night. My sweet friend from IG, Cassie (obviously she is awesome) Marshall, decided to start her own blog. You should check it out! I was so humbled by her kind words and amazed by the way she expressed her heart. We have always liked each others photos and commented back and forth a few times but I didn’t truly know her. Now that has changed.

I think that is one of the most beautiful parts of blogging, expressing your heart for all to see. I have learned so much about myself since I have started and I absolutely love looking back on all the memories I have kept over the years. Another beautiful part of the blog world is the network. Having the chance to “meet” other people that have the same passion. Women that are seeking God’s will and want to glorify him with every word they type. Thanks to Cassie and her new blog I have found another wonderful blog that I couldn’t stop reading last night.

Nicole from Bloom is so inspiring. I feel like I am right behind this woman… she just got married in March and all her posts come from a heart of transition from fiancé to wife and I can’t imagine reading anything more perfect for me right now. I know I still have some time but reading what she has written makes me more hopeful. More excited and more ready to become a wife and a true HELPER to my husband. While reading her blog last night I came across a bible study called A Ready Heart that she put together for the week before she said i do and I couldn’t wait to wake up this morning and start it myself.

I can’t wait to learn more about what the bible says a wife should be. Discovering what God intended a husband and wife to look like and praying for my future marriage to mirror that. I wanted to share this study today because I know there are a lot of engaged and newly married women that might read this. Any woman can do this study…. Single, engaged, married… whatever you are you are still His and we can learn what He intended for us to become.

As I’m going along with this study I will share my thoughts on Instagram and here as well, if you want to join along you can use #areadyheart to tag your pictures also. Nicole created this to prepare herself as a bride and I’m so thankful she did. Preparation is such a big part of my life right now with the wedding plans, finding a house, starting a life with Peter and the key to all this preparing is my heart.

Right now my heart is so full. I feel like I say that so often and I don’t want it to become repetitive and come across weakly but I really can’t explain it in any other way. I feel as if my chest could burst with thankfulness and happiness because of so many things. Because of grace and His love every single day. Because of these ladies that I have never met but have completely touched my life. Because of my future responsibility as a wife. Because I have this chance to share something truly amazing. My heart is full.

July, you sneaky little month!

.

.....I guess you can blame it on the vacation and the fact that the boyfriend has been home for most of July. They always say time flies when you are having fun and I guess that’s true.

during the past 31 days of July I have.......

enjoyed my job and the stress free environment within the 40 hours I spend there every week. 

had a blast using my passport for the very first time!! 

created some wonderful memories in St. Martin with people I love very much. 

gained a few more followers which put me over the 30 mark… talk about exciting, that totally made me smile!!

I love writing and sharing with all of you out there and to see that my followers are growing makes me feel all kinds of happy. So I sincerely thank you!! I hope everyone had a wonderful July… can’t believe we are in August already but I will gladly take it because you know what that means!?!?!

Fall leaves, cool weather, scarves, boots, sweaters, my best friends wedding & football is on the way!!!

Mark Sanchez AND Tim Tebow on the same team which also happens to be my favorite  team… 

oh geeez, be still my heart!

Yea, this gal is beyond ready for Fall!!!!

But for right now I am trying finish the last minute packing and running errands before we leave for NJ tonight! 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back on Tuesday! 

.....with pictures of course! ;) 

Top of the World

While I was on the plane flying to St. Martin I decided to listen to some Bethany Dillon (Barnard). I sat there; eyes closed and spent some time worshiping my Jesus and thanking Him for the week long vacation. I set all her songs on random because it’s my favorite thing to do… listening to each song and waiting to for the next, not sure of what it will be. Then “Top of the World” started which was pretty darn fitting if you ask me…

“I’m on top of the world. Seeing for the first time, how beautiful You are. 

Here on top of the world.” 

At that moment I opened my eyes and turned to the window and saw the view from the picture above.

He is so beautiful. His clouds, His sky, all the blue colors He painted that day… everything was His and I felt like I was on top of the world in many ways. His love is such a high.

As I’m writing this I can’t help but think about the title of my blog; Living on Cloud 9.

Living in His love and relying on that everyday is truly what cloud nine is all about in my life.

The bible verse I have placed up there is spot on.......

“I will thank You, Lord, among all the people. I will sing Your praises among the nations. For Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 57:9-10

He is faithful and I’m so glad that I got to experience that moment.

“You Could Be the One” also came on during that flight but that’s a completely different post for another day. ;)

The top of the world is a pretty nice place to find yourself and when you realize who put you there, well… 

that makes me thankful & I can't help but lovingly sing His praises!

meaning.

The more involved I become with my blog I start thinking of where I want the focus to be. 

After all, I love reading many different kinds of blogs.

Faith centered blogs. DIY blogs. Fashion blogs. Cooking blogs. Mommy blogs.

There are so many themes and the more I write on my blog the more I wonder what people categorize mine as. I love my faith and my heavenly Father. I love DIY and Fashion. I dream of my own family and being a wife & Mom one day and having that to write about.

I guess what I’ve started to realize is that my blog is me.

It’s special. I love sharing little details of my life with all of you.

I know I am so blessed to have the life I’ve been given. I’m so thankful that I know who gave me this life.

I hope that throughout every post I write that’s the one thing that’s steady. I want my words to point directly to my Lord. I want to live my life and glorify Him in every way and if I’m doing that then my blog will glorify Him as well.

And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds 

of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:18

I don’t say all this because I think I’m worthy of righteousness. I know I am not. I am a sinner and I will never be perfect until I see the face of Jesus one day..... but He has made me righteous when He died on Calvary. He made me blameless when he took all of my blame. That’s the most beautiful thing about His love.

You and I are not great. all our righteous acts are like filthy rags {Isaiah 64:6} but the love of the one true King is so much more than great and I’m honored to share how that love has changed my world into something beautiful.

This blog is His because everything in my life belongs to Him.

Knowing that makes every word I type even more sacred to me.

Belated Birthday

I started thinking about my blog the other day and I realized I had no idea when I created her…

I went back to look and it was May 20^th of 2010. I had no idea it was that long ago.

To think that this sweet little blog that’s so dear to me is already 2 years old and I didn’t even realize it is so crazy. 

I’m a little ashamed I didn’t throw her a party. oooops.

I've shared a lot of stories and feelings and faith and love in the words I’ve written in the past two years.

Honestly, I can’t imagine NOT writing almost every day now. It’s such a great outlet and my favorite way to create memories that I can keep forever.

Nothing makes me happier than those moments when friends, family or even acquaintances come up to me and tell me how much they enjoy reading my words. Totally makes all the time and work I put into it completely worth it! 

For all of you that have shared your sweet thoughts about Miss. Clound9 I really appreciate it. 

More than you know trust me!

So… in honor of YOU, the readers, here are some of the most popular posts from the past 2 years. 

Why not take a little walk down memory lane!?! 

....in no particular order:

1. the time I talked about a letter from God....

2. the time I lost my prayer journal... and just so ya know, I did find it! Yes, I cried.

3. the time I talked about C.S. Lewis and my wonderful church...

4. the time I was preparing for something...

5. the time I said Thank You...

6. the time I began to be patient...

7. and that time I was a model... ha!

These wouldn’t be so popular if it weren’t for your sweet selves taking some time to read them.

Thanks again, can’t wait to look back in a few more years and see which posts are most popular then!!

xoxo