We got super lucky with all of the rooms upstairs in our home since we didn't have any serious painting to do. Just the master bathroom and all the trim/doors which is a lot better than the work on the main floor. For the master bedroom I was so excited about the creamy blue color on the walls. It was honestly the perfect color for all the bedding we registered for and the furniture that was graciously given to us by family members. Here are some ideas that I had for our future master bedroom...

all photos were pulled from Pinterst

After we moved the furniture around and figured out the perfect set up I was so excited to start working in the room. It feels like so long ago now since we have been living in the house for almost two months. I'm so excited to share all of the DIY fun that I have done in this space so far.  

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.

Some birthday love for my friend Katie!

Today is a great day!! Today is Katie’s Birthday! Since I've made a tradition of sharing 11 Things I love about my friends on their special day I thought I would end the year with Katie. My last “Sister from another mister” to turn a year older in 2013, hooray!

1. her laugh. I love her laugh a lot.

2. she is most definitely not a stupid sheep.

3. i look up to her because she is a really GOOD person and it can be hard to find good people in this world.

4. our many voxer conversations full of stupid voices and completely crazy stories.

5. how she has forgiven me for not really liking her at first. ;-) 

6. her mad dancing skills, especially to N’sync’s Bye Bye Bye.

7. the way we always email each other with prayer requests. There’s something super comforting to know that your friends have your back and can pray with you about something on your heart.

8. our common love for One Tree Hill and all the fun we had in Wilmington on our girls weekend trip.

9. how I have grown to love her family and husband a whole lot. They are pretty awesome and I’m thankful to be a part of their life!

10. our little spend the night party on my bachelorette weekend… no air mattresses for Katie!!!

11. that she will always be older than me... hehe!

I can’t help but think about the first time we went somewhere by ourselves for lunch and a movie on a Saturday afternoon. It was a complete accident since the rest of the group had to cancel at the last minute but we still showed up. It’s funny to think back on that lunch now and realize how awkward we were because we had never been anywhere like that before, just the two of us… sitting in Atlanta Bread Company eating lunch. That moment will always be special to me because I know it changed our friendship forever. Once the uncomfortable “ummm, what do I say” stuff wore off I realized how awesome Katie is and how much I wanted her to be my friend and not just the girl I would hang out with if we were in a group of friends. Now several years later she is one of my best friends and I can’t imagine her not being a big part of my life. You are wonderful Katie and I’m so thankful for that slightly awkward lunch so long ago. I love you, friend!

Home full of Joy!

I’m pretty excited about the month of November for several reasons {beautiful colorful leaves, first thanksgiving as a wife, scarves, sweaters & boots, oh my!) but one of the most exciting parts about this new month is the photo challenge on Instagram that I’m taking part in. It’s a little different than the usual random photo a day kind of thing since the photos you share are intended to point toward the JOY in your home. What better way to enjoy my first November in our new home together, right? Yes… that’s what I thought too.

This is the list of daily photos and all the details on the fun challenge.

Since day 1 is your favorite room in your house this was a no brainer but I have shared so much about our Dining Room before I didn’t want to do the normal kind of photos. This photo means so much to me and definitely makes this room even more special now. The morning of the BEST DAY EVER {aka, our wedding day} was spent in this space. Me and some of my favorite ladies laughed, talked, prayed, ate a delicious brunch, sipped on tasty mimosas all while I got to relax and have my hair done in this pretty blue room. It will forever make this room so special to me.

So, now you need to join in the fun and accept this joyful challenge for November.

Happy Friday Friends!!! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

One Month Littles.

Over the past month I have enjoyed many little things about marriage. It's hard to believe that it has been a month already but I had a feeling that would happen. Time has flown by with all the traveling and settling into this new life with Peter. I'm not going to lie... I was a little nervous about coming home and starting a new routine with a husband in my life but I can honestly say that it has been the most fun month. It has been full of laughing and mushy love stuff but I don't know why I expected anything less since I was marrying this silly, wonderful man of mine. Here are a few of the little things that I never want to forget...

the way Peter told his mom his favorite part of marriage is not having to say goodbye to me at night // driving to church on Sunday mornings together // Peter suggesting that I should change my personal email so it will have my new last name // the morning kiss every day and the little "see you when I get home" with a wink before he leaves for work // making breakfast together on Saturday mornings // the way he helps me wash the dishes after dinner // holding his hand and feeling the ring on his left hand