change of heart, change of plans

Today as I dropped off Abigail at Mothers Day Out,

I ran through my head all I could choose from to get done during my 5 hours of "me-time".

I planned to have a clean house, get a good work out in, write some blogs, get my eyebrows waxed, pay some bills, run a few errands.

But God had different plans for me today.

He wanted to change my heart too.

On my way home this morning I found out a dear friend has passed away.

He was an amazing man and loved Jesus and people well.

He was actually my sunday school teacher when I was in kindergarten.

About 8 years ago, we reconnected with him and his family through mutual friends, when he was diagnosed with cancer and we were asked to pray for him.

He had a long battle, including several years of being healed.

But it recently returned and God called him home quickly.

He touched many in his life and many know their Savior because of this man.

In the chaos that it is after losing a loved one,

we did not find out until this morning that he had actually passed on Sunday.

The funeral service is today.

Parker is stuck out of town for work, and Abigail is at school, so I will be going by myself.

Leaving behind the dirty house, the unwritten blogs, the unpaid bills, the unwaxed eyebrows.

But Im glad.

Its not like I want to go to a funeral.

But I do want to live each day with an eternal perspective

like I was reminded of so suddenly today.

This is the second time in 1 week that I am wearing my funeral outfit.

Yet, I am so easily caught back up in the daily stuff. Thats what it is...stuff.

God can change our plans, our life, our destiny,

our everything, in the blink of an eye.

19 months ago, He took Parker's dad Home in a matter of hours.

7 months ago, He took our baby back into His arms

after just 10 weeks of being in my womb.

3 months ago, Parker's godfather was given a few months to live.

Last week, my sister-in-laws dad died suddenly,

and today I am going to a dear friend and mentor's funeral.

Im not writing this to be a downer.

Im hoping it can remind us all that there is a bigger picture.

and I don't mean just death.

But doesn't it cause you to want to LIVE even more?

To not worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear?

To lay aside our plans, every day, even every moment,

and inquire of God what He would have you do that day?

I want to think on the things of HIM and of Heaven.

that doesn't mean sit around and think about death

It means thinking about LIFE.

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what's true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

This doesn't mean don't clean your house, or get your eyebrows waxed, or watch TV.

Just remember that God may change your day or your life,

but its because He loves you and wants you to see the

life He gave you for the gift that it is.

tuesday coffee date!

its Tuesday...time for our coffee date!

(or tea or coke, whatever floats your boat!)

If we were meeting for coffee today, I would tell you that Im tired but thankful today.

Woke up to nurse Abigail at 6:30 then couldn't go back to sleep like I usually do,

so I got up while she kept sleeping, and had my new favorite breakfast...

granola with vanilla yogurt and sliced strawberries.

SO yummy.

I ate a bowl and turned some worship music on and just sat on the couch,

tried to just BE STILL.

Prayed for the day, for my loves, and for peace.

Also read Psalm 37 and was reminded of how God has promised us so much

as His children.

If we were meeting up today, Id also tell you that yesterday marked 8 years since

Parker asked me to be his bride.

best. yes. ever.

I cannot believe how time has flown, and how much we have changed and

grown over the last 8 years.

(we will celebrate 8 years of marriage in August, wow!)

I love remembering the day he asked.

It was magical and full of love.

Im so thankful God gave me him.

I couldn't have imagined back then what a

beautiful little treasure we would be raising together.

Id also tell you that I have finally decorated for Easter and Spring!

I'm so inspired by the amazing ladies in blog land...

I have so many ideas and desires to try soon!

I am blown away by the beautiful decorating ideas floating around out there,

most of them homemade.

...but have to use what we've already got for now!

Did you know that I collected bunnies (anything bunny) when I was little?

I mean like, there are several large boxes of bunnies my mom just

passed to me from their attic.

cloth bunnies, paper bunnies, bunny statues, stuffed bunnies....

I was obsessed.

But it makes for some fun Easter decor.

I will share some more of my "personally vintage" bunnies on another post. :)

I also turned a silverware basket into an Easter decoration.

I just put some shredded paper in the bottom, candles on one side,

and pretty eggs on the other. it looks so cute and simple on my table.

hey, I'm trying. :)

Oh, and before we go, I have to tell you about Abigail's new favorite thing to do.

She loves to look at the duckies at the mall!

There is a tiny pond in the middle of the mall with ducks and turtles in it.

She is obsessed. Im wondering if we may be headed towards a collection of ducky stuff to go with all my bunnies.

Its the cutest thing...she goes crazy, pointing and giggling, even a little excited grunting.

The girl loves those duckies with a passion and everyone in the mall knows it.

We will go see them again tomorrow and I cant wait!

OK well I loved having coffee with you today.

Thanks for listening to me, whats up with you today?

Ive got a lot on my heart this week so maybe you can stop by again soon.

Be Blessed!!

for some more coffee today, visit here:

Texas Gold Bars

**this is a re-posted recipe from several months ago,

but I thought it'd be yummy to share again!**

from deep in the heart....

some Texas Gold Bars for you!!

This is my mom's yummy recipe,

and a great sweet treat to put on a dessert tray for your next gathering!

did I mention that they are completely fat free?

JUST KIDDING!!

on that note, you will need:

1 stick butter, melted

4 eggs

1 package yellow cake mix

1 1-lb. bag powdered sugar

8 oz cream cheese, softened

thats all fat free stuff, right? :)

(preheat oven to 325)

mix together:

the box of cake mix,

1 egg beaten,

and the melted stick of butter...

this is already looking yummy and buttery, right?

in a separate bowl, mix together with wisk:

the cream cheese (8 oz),

3 eggs beaten,

and the powdered sugar...

now pat the first mixture

(the one with the cake mix)

into a pan.

this will be like your "crust".

I used two 8x8 pans, or you could do it all in a 9x13 pan.

then pour the other mixture on top...

Then pop it in the oven at 325 for about 35 minutes, or until is gets golden brown on top.

stick a toothpick in to make sure its baked though.

YUMMY!!

did you notice that I forgot to take a picture from right after I baked it?

hmmmm...

guilty.

I finally remembered, one row in.

seriously, they are that good.

and so easy!

also, it fools people because they kindof look like lemon bars, but when they eat it,

they realize they are much better (and buttery-er)! :)

Enjoy!!

linking up for Casey's recipe exchange today:

the simple things: a rose from daddy

Dada picked a rose from the rosebush outside, and gave it to his girl.

From the way she reacted, I think her heart melted too.

sharing the sweet scent with her sweet daddy...

taking joy in the simple moments today...

for some more, head here:

friday togetherness...

first of all,

isnt this a sweet picture?

just had to share it, I LOVE my loves,

and I love that they are learning about God TOGETHER.

(well, Abigail was probably just trying to figure out why that big book didn't have any pictures.

but, anyways....)

TOGETHER.

Thats how I want to live my life with Jesus in front of my children,

and in front of you.

Real, Honest, Open, Seeking, Sharing.

Always learning and growing

Like we are supposed to live with each other.

in Community.

Together.

Im sharing my heart today with some other lovely ladies who are sharing their hearts...

thanks Casey for setting this up:

It has been a vulnerable spot, a weakness for me, in the past,

to let myself be open and transparent with more than just my husband.

Parker...he is amazing. I learn from him and with him every day.

But I want more "sharing" in my life.

I want to be real and open with the people God put in my path to be real and open with.

I want my littles to grow up in the Lord WITH me.

They are part of our community.

My parents did such a good job in raising me to know Jesus

and teaching me about seeking him more.

I want to do the same.

And I want to share life with my children.

Live life together.

I know I just need God to reveal His heart for me more about this.

For Him to show me that I am worth living life with people,

and that it will bless me to be real,

and hopefully bless others too.

Im so thankful the people around us,

the people who pray with us and for us.

If you know our story, you know community hasn't necessarily come easy the last few years,

But we are also thankful for God's

preparation

for community.

(more on that to come.)

Thats what He's done, and is still doing in me.

Preparing my heart, teaching me about how much He loves my heart

and wants it to be shared with others.

I cant wait to see the fellowship for us in the seasons to come, I know it will be amazing.

So...this will be an ongoing story, it is not even close to being a finished work in me.

(is it ever?)

but its what was on my heart today....

thanks for sharing life with me.