Date night (5 years and 2 kids later)

Do you date your spouse?  I mean like really date them?  I don't mean sitting in the same room while each person does their own thing.  We do that sometimes too but I sure don't count it as a date.  

I love to date Brett (and I'm thinking he'd say the feeling was mutual).  To me, dating Brett means that sometimes we plan things out of the ordinary.  A date might happen at home in the backyard (hint-see above!), or out at a restaurant (thanks to my generous mom-in-law for keeping the girls!).  It could mean a movie at home, or coffee out.  Okay, so a date for us almost always means coffee and/or food.  What can I say, we like to eat! 

I find that as our lives have filled to the brim with blessings (meaning-two little gals) the time we invest in our relationship with each other could easily be one of the first things to push to the wayside.  We've had seasons here or there where I feel like we haven't made each other a top priority and it made everything else in life feel sad and hard.  I need Brett, I like him, I depend on him.  I need to have fun with him and not just talk bills, work life, and the gals.  

So we date.  This night, we dated well.  I took the time in the afternoon to string up some lights and move some props to the side yard. I was hoping for a magical setting.  As the sun first started to dip down into the horizon I glanced out and saw the string lights glowing and thought it looked magical indeed. 

Brett and I enjoyed sitting in these chairs talking about words we like, trees, the farm, scripture, and more.  The conversation was lovely and filling.  I'm so glad we take the time to remember what it's like to like each other. :)  

{What was your best date night recently?}

Favorite quotes.....and some beauty thrown in for good measure.

I thought I'd try something a little different today.  I'm a quotes kind of gal.  I love to tuck an inspiring, thought-provoking quote in my mind and mull it over for a day or two (or three or four).  I have quotes written in journals and saved on Pinterest.  Clipped from magazines, and hung on our walls.  I also love a good picture.  By "good" I mean something that catches my eye AND my heart.  Pulls on my heart-strings a bit.  Today I thought we'd join the two together.  Two is better than one, right? 

"She is delightfully chaotic; a beautiful mess.  Loving her is a splendid adventure." 

Steve Maraboli

"Too many people undervalue what they are and overvalue what they're not."

"The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas." 

Andrea D'Aquino

"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable."

Mary Oliver

"There isn't enough room in your mind for both worry and faith.  You must decide which one will live there."

"It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."

Sir Edmund Hilary

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living.  We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today." 

Dale Carnegie

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself.  It's thinking of yourself, less."

C.S. Lewis

"Don't be pushed by your problems.  Be led by your dreams."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You can't live a positive life with a negative mind." 

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything.  They just make the best of everything." 

"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are."

Kurt Cobain

"Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith."

Margaret Shepard 

"No one has ever become poor from giving."

Anne Frank

"Don't speak unless you can improve the silence."

Spanish proverb

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

Maya Angelou

{Which of these grabbed your attention today?}

Lake adventures (first boat ride with the girls)

Here's a random fact about me to start your day.  The lake is one of my happiest spots.  We drive over it anytime we go anywhere.  It looks different almost every single day.  An early morning fog can make it look calming, mysterious, and even a little sad.  An afternoon sun can make it glisten like diamonds.  Always changing, always intriguing.  The lake is a dreamy spot for me. 

We have a little bass boat we used to take out all the time before our girls were born.  We'd load up snacks and drinks, fishing poles, and a book or two for me so I wouldn't be tempted to chatter away for 3 hours straight (which I can do with no problem, thank-you very much).  Brett and I have had many adventures on the lake.  It's even where we got engaged.  The lake holds a special place in my heart because of that.  It's full of memories and feelings that can't be put into adequate words.

We'd been wanting to take the girls out for a little joy ride for quite some time. 

Okay, so in reality I'd been bugging Brett about it for months and months.  We finally picked a day and decided it was time.  At this stage in life we were trading our snacks for food for the girls, books and fishing poles for teeny-tiny life jackets.  I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.  

We started out on our adventure, with Betsy Grace quickly falling asleep.  She stayed that way for about an hour.  The lull of the water and sound of the motor was very relaxing to her.  Anna Ruth grinned so big almost the whole boat ride.  I was almost afraid her mouth would be permanently stuck in a smile (and really-would that be such a bad thing?)  Both girls listened, obeyed, and had a wonderful time. 

Anna Ruth also enjoyed waving at every single person we passed in the boat.  They all happily obliged her with a wave and smile back. 

We came upon this rocky beach and got out for a while to explore.  I could have easily collected rocks here all day!  Next time I must wear something with many pockets. ;) (and for the record-YES, I did find a heart rock here!)

On the way home (which is about a 2 minute drive) we were behind this old car.  The people inside obviously know the meaning of the good life.   This was an adventure we won't soon forget. In fact, we've talked about it every single time we've driven over this bridge.  Lake, you continue to steal our hearts.  Thanks for letting us glide on your water where adventure awaits.

Brutal, honest truth AND an exciting announcement: ONLINE COURSE by ME!

My friend Jerusalem wrote a blog post titled "I am not Jen Hatmaker" (here) this week.  Funny because the same kinds of thoughts have been shouting, whispering, and cramming themselves into every nook and cranny in my mind and heart. Here's what I know and this is the brutal truth:

There's a whole bunch of really "popular" blogs out there on the web, with lots of gals clamoring to get a peek inside.  It's like fifth-grade all over again.  Will we gain as many followers as so and so?  When do I hit one thousand followers?  Comments made about other people's lives like "I'm so jealous!" Sad.

The internet can be a beautiful thing (hello, I love my blog and Pinterest inspires me on the greyest of days).  The internet can be a brewing pot of jealousy. Jealousy is sin.

I think God must watch us women, desperate to be like someone else, and just hang His head in sadness. Imagine if Anna Ruth or Betsy Grace made me something and worked excitedly and passionately on it.....and then I said "Well, really I'd like for it to be like this instead.." It would crush them. Yet I do the same thing to Jesus on a daily basis.

I unfollowed a lot of people on Instagram because of jealousy, when I don't even know them in real life.  The people that have blessed my life deeply lately are the ones in real life.  Jerusalem, playgroup gals, sister-in-law, sweet Lillie, mom-in-law, parents, sisters, the faces I see at local joints, the local talent.....real life people.

The "noise" of blogs, facebook, instagram, makes me feel like I need to always be just a little bit healthier, a little bit skinnier, a little bit more of this, a little bit more of that.  And if I give myself up to those thoughts I'm a lot less like myself and a lot less happy and a LOT less likely to tell the story of God's goodness for me.

This book and this cd have rocked my world this week.  So much so I don't even have the words to adequately describe it.  I'll try later.

I wrote and re-wrote this several times. It's insanely long and might be cumbersome to you.  But, it's me.  I think you can probably hear yourself in these thoughts too.

Can you join with me, in a new movement of being honest (brutally so) and learning to love the world we're in.  Not the "grass is greener" internet world.  But, the people whose tears you can see, the hands you can hold, the warmth you can feel.  Those matter.

And last-I DO have some wonderful internet friends I've met and when I read your blogs I feel God's love and friendship all the way through the screen.  The Christie's, Cheryl's, Julia's, Jen's, and more.  XO to you. :)


So, I DO have an announcement today. It has to do with the online course I'm writing.
I haven't said anything much about it.  The few times I've alluded to the fact I've been writing something on Instagram or wherever I've instantly felt the voice of Satan say "Who are you to write something? No one's going to read it anyway! You don't have enough followers".

Well, not so.  I know that as I've sat down and worked hard on this project the words have come.  This is something I'm fiercely passionate about.  I feel God taking my hand for this course.
You can read more about it below:

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I've been writing.  Not just words on this blog but a secret little project behind the scenes.  A while back I really felt God speaking to me, wanting me to share practical ways for women to find the rosy in their routine.  I would pray about my purpose (other than being a wife and mama, of course) and visions of women living healed and happy lives would flood my thoughts. 

I would read scripture and come across breath-taking passages like this one from Isaiah 49 (taken from The Message)

"I tell prisoners, come on out.  You're free!  And those huddled in fear, It's all-right!  It's safe now!"  There'll be food stands along all the roads, picnics on all the hills-nobody hungry, nobody thirsty, shade from the sun, shelter from the wind, for the Compassionate One guides them, takes them to the best springs.  I'll make all my mountains into roads, turn them into a super-highway.  Heavens, raise the roof!  Mountains, send up cheers!  God has comforted His people.  He has tenderly nursed His beaten-up, beaten down people. "

At first I thought that meant I needed to write a book.  So I went around telling lots of people that I wanted to write a book.  And I did.  I started having words and phrases gather in my mind and form an idea, then another idea, and another.  Before too long I had an outline for this so-called "book."  

After a particular weekend at AWBU and hearing other authors speak something in me felt really turned off at the idea of a book.  This is no offense to the extremely talented authors/gals that spoke at AWBU.  It wasn't really anything they said, it was just an answer I felt like I'd been whacked over the head with.  

Instead, what I'm writing is an online course.  The logistics of that mean that I'll have a separate blog titled "A Rosy Retreat".  The course will cost $20 and is available for anyone to sign up for.  Once you pay for the course via Paypal, I will email you the information to log into the blog, which will host the chapters/sessions of the course.  There is no deadline for the log-in information!  You can use it as long as you like.  I do ask that you're honest and don't spread the log-in information to all your friends for free.  This course is something I'm pouring my heart, soul, and a lot of time into!

The course will include writing by me, videos, pictures, and projects.  

Ok, whew-that was a lot of information!  Now for the good and exciting part! 

A Rosy Retreat Online Course Guide:

Beginning Truths

Introduction

Chapter 1: Happy Hodgepodge

Chapter 2: Learning through the Lens

Chapter 3: If These Walls could Talk

Chapter 4: Dear Diary

Chapter 5: Merry Mail

Chapter 6: Movable Meet-Ups

Chapter 7: Plunging into Possibility

I'm going to be sharing little snippets here and there from the course over the next few months so you can get a feel for what it will be like!  It should make it's big debut around the beginning of November, just in time for Christmas gifts! 

"I picture us learning to notice the way the evening sunset produces a magical glow instead of dreading the dark that’s to come; jotting down a thought, sketch, or grateful list instead of hammering out an angry e-mail; laughing and communicating face to face, hands being squeezed, hugs embraced instead of another evening alone with the computer; beautiful packages and parcels waiting in the mailbox, ready to deliver hope and joy, instead of only bills waiting with a hand out; the walls of our home delivering cheery sentiments, life-altering scriptures, and encouragement each place that we look, instead of being filled with disgust over the wall color; and last-

I picture God holding out His hand, ready to show us the rich and abundant life He’s promised.  I can just see His eager eyes light up as He watches us learn to celebrate.  I imagine He lets out a loud “YES!” and would give us a high-five if He could.  It’s time to dust off the drum, give it a fresh paint job if necessary, and learn to live freely. Dancing to the beat of our joyous rhythm, finding the rosy in the routine.  Join me?"

Growing, giggly, gorgeous gals

Ya'll, these girls!  They are just incredible.  Anna Ruth and Betsy Grace both appear to have grown up right before my eyes.  It seems like every time I glance at them lately I think, who is that grown-up version of you?  Where's my baby?! 

Betsy Grace gets way less blog fame than Anna Ruth did at this age and that's just how real life is with two.  Betsy Grace is a very passionate little gal.  She squawks (for lack of a better word) and makes all kinds of noises, desperate to get her point across with us.  Especially when it comes to food!  She tries to crawl but can't seem to figure out how to get her belly to raise up enough.  She loves the cows and isn't scared of them at all, but cries easily at a loud sound inside the house.  

She's a cuddly hugger at times and it just melts me every single time.  When she lays still on me, sucking her thumb, it's like healing, grace, and heaven on earth all wrapped up in one.  

And then there's Anna Ruth.  You should hear her say her name!  She even gets the "Tor-ditt" in there. This gal keeps me laughing.  I truly never know what she'll say next.  Her newest thing is "I'm upset"...like, she'll really say that and then work VERY hard to squeeze a tear out when she doesn't get her way.  I laugh and laugh over the dramatics of it after she's safely tucked away in bed.  

And THIS is the real life of a mama to two.  A baby on the hip, chugging coffee. 

Really, what else could I add to this picture?  It's two-year old Anna Ruth perfection. 

Betsy Grace got to see her first pumpkin!  I put it down in front of her and she cried.  So then I showed her how to pat it with her hands and she liked it. :) 

These pictures were taken with my phone and they are truly some of my favorites.  Especially the ones with Anna Ruth above.  We are simple, easy to please people.  A day playing outside for us means we go out, turn on the water hose and explore.  Anna Ruth and I love to find interesting sticks, rocks, leaves, flowers, acorns, and more.  And Betsy Grace is a happy, happy little gal in the mud.  

My two growing, giggly, gorgeous gals.  My heart is full.

AWBU Conference RE-cap

I had the awesome, amazing opportunity to attend my first ever blogger's conference a few weekends ago!  And not just ANY blogger's conference-one that was specifically for Arkansas gals! 

I went to the conference knowing one other person in real life, and several gals through the computer/blogs.  

The conference was held at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, just a bit outside of Little Rock.  I drove there by myself and was so proud when I found it without getting lost! 

From the minute my feet hit the pavement I was met with graciousness, sweet gals, and passionate personalities.  I didn't ever have a reason to be nervous because I was too busy having fun!  There were 100 women attending...can you imagine?! I could have chatted (and almost did) the entire conference away! 

This weekend was such a retreat....such a break for me.  Gathering in this dining hall with other ladies was a treasure.  I didn't have to fix the food, hold a baby while I ate, or clean up after.  :) 

New Balance shoes was a sponsor of the event so they had a 5k early Sunday morning.  About 25 or 30 gals participated and I'm shocked to say I won 3rd place!  They said I ran in 28 minutes, but I think it may have been more like 30.  We even had to do "tasks" along the way.....5 push-ups, 25 jumping jacks, and answer several questions.  

If you're not familiar with Airship Coffee-you should be!  They were well-represented at the conference and have some of the best coffee I've ever tasted.  And I know my coffee! Plus they are local and I am huge on supporting local.  They are people going after their dreams AND they serve an amazing cup.  

The conference also included fabulous, informative sessions about blogging, writing, being a mom, balance, being authentic and ourselves, photography, blogger to wordpress, etc.  

And Sophie Hudson of Boo Mama was there!!! She was HILARIOUS.  I'm still laughing over her talk! But you know what? She also got straight to the matter....of the fact that we're masterpieces created like no one else by God. 

I participated in my first Handmade Market too and even sold some photos! 

I could not have asked for a better weekend.  I only teared up a few times over missing the girls...and then came home to realize they were fine the whole time without me!  I told Brett how nice it was to be known as simply Sara.  Not Brett's wife, or the girls mom (which are both titles I hold proudly, don't get me wrong).  It was a refreshing break to be known for me....

I am overwhelmed at the number of talented, nice, passionate ladies there are in Arkansas.  

I am forever grateful to the sponsor that allowed me to attend,
and I can't wait for next year.  I'm missing all the nice Arkansas gals!

Beautiful scenes and things..

Something I've been pondering a lot, especially since attending the Arkansas Women Blogger's Conference is-What is the purpose of my blog?  I'll be sharing more on this heart question later, but I could easily sum it up in a simple tagline-Finding the Rosy in the Routine. 

I say the "routine" because we all get up, get dressed, shower (most days), do laundry, cook, sweep, clean, teach kids or co-workers, eat, clean some more, pray, pray, pray............

my life isn't all bunting and banners, photos and parties.  It's real, it's messy, it's full of the same tasks, over and over.  That's routine in real life. So, my constant question to myself and others is-if we're going to live on this earth and have routines and things we have to get done, could we not find a little bit of rosy-ness in the middle of it? 

I think so.  I know so.  I know that on the days when the sight of another Cheerio on the floor literally makes me want to cry and hide I can glance up at a special bouquet of farm wildflowers and be calmed.  

When I'm tired and a nap, rather than running, is calling my name I can take a minute to stand still and read a scripture posted in my home.....tuck it in my mind and go run.  Finding the rosy in the routine. 

 These pictures are all beautiful to me.  They weren't taken on a lavish vacation, or on a day "off".  As moms, we never have days off!  Instead they were found here and there, during my normal daily routines.  They jumped out at me and filled my mind with gladness, rather than grumpiness. 

I love the verse that says "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. "

I think the truth for me is..I often get too caught up in the tasks that seem to "get in my way", when really they are just what's required for living.  The truth is God has created us for a special purpose and reason, not to torture us.  The truth is we will have struggles, sadness, and frustration on this earth but it doesn't have to overcome us.  The truth is God, beauty, and rosy-ness can be found in most days.  The other days God can place memories of rosy things, or people in our lives at just the right time to carry us through. 

I hope you find the rosy in your routine today.