My cup runneth over...

For a long time I have wanted to come and enjoy a full week at the Fredericksburg ranch.  In my opinion it is heaven on earth.  It's approx. 200 acres of pure perfection and I could not love any place more.  Josh's family has owned it for over 20 years and his best memories are from this little utopia. 

When Josh and I started planning for our 3 year anniversary I knew exactly what I wanted...a week at the ranch.  I knew it wouldn't be possible to steal my husband away for a full week because of work and commitments, but I thought I could at least try to get him there for multiple days.  We made our plans, I put in my vacation request, and God smiled upon us.  We packed up this past weekend, coordinated some house watching and Pug watching with my mom, and loaded the big dogs and a lot of fishing gear and sunscreen in the truck. 

Waking up here this week has made me appreciate even more how blessed Josh and I are.  God has covered us in love and sunshine and it's only Tuesday.  Do we deserve this?  No.  Do I stand in awe of this blessed place that God created?  Yes.  Total awe.   

It's truly been amazing and it's just Tuesday.  Tuesday. 

If you can't hear the glee and joy in my voice, I'm not sure what else to say.  I'm not sure how else to express it. 

There's an old Robert Earl Keen song that says, "it feels so good feelin' good again."  That is what I keep playing over and over again in my head.  Along with the Christian song that goes,  "blessings and honor and glory and power forever to our God."  What a mix...Robert Earl and Rebecca St. James together.  Makes me smile...

My cup runneth over.  Truly.

On a side note...there is no internet access at the ranch so I had to come into town to write this.  It just so happens that The Fredericksburg Bakery happens to have WIFI.  It also happens that they sell my favorite all time pastry...their very own German pretzel.  To say that it is to die for is a true understatement.  It's time for me to run...and go play.  My sis-in-law is meeting me for a little power shopping. 

A few pics to enjoy from our Monday here...

Love to you all!

 

Friday...

It's Friday...Friday... blah, blah, blah...It's Friday!

Remember that song that would get stuck in your head?  The one from You Tube?  Yeah, they played it this morning on TV and it's STUCK in my brain.  Pray it goes away.  Pray hard.

Just so you know, I never intended for this to be a once a week blog.  I had dreams of blogging everyday.  Promptly posting by 6am so that you could cruise over to Southern Grace while enjoying your coffee each morning, but...well...you know the reality.

Reality just keeps getting in the way.  And, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way right now.

Josh and I just feel really blessed right now.  So immensely blessed.  We are busy again.  Finally.

Finally, after over a year of pain, doctors, depression, prayer filled mornings, sleepless nights, intense and expensive treatments, and a dependency on drugs to get me through each day...I'm pain free and feeling good.  Actually, really good.  It's amazing.  It's a miracle.  It's by God's grace and healing hand. 

It's just freaking fabulous, really. 

For the first time in a long time we are PLANNING again.  For the past year we haven't been able to plan a Friday night date, a weekend away, or even dream about a vacation or trip because we didn't know how I would feel, if I would be able to travel or even move, or if I would be undergoing treatments.  We are planning our anniversary week together, weekends at the coast and lake this summer, and a trip up to see my bro and sis-in-law in Virginia.  It's very exciting.

Alright, just to recap the week...

Made these for a quick grab and go breakfast this week...

Fabulous Food

Finally got back to a little yoga...P90 yoga...yep, 3 days later...still sore.  Don't judge.

Fell in total LOVE with this barn...

Timber & Stone Builders

Laughed so hard at this as I started thinking about preparing for our 3 year anniversary next week...

Pinterest

Read this blog in trying to figure out what to say and NOT say to a dear friend that has been trying to have a baby and is struggling right now...very helpful and made me freak out a little about how naive I am about getting prego and my upcoming birthday which involves the numbers 3 and 3.  I'm not typing the actual number out or saying it aloud.  Denial?  Maybe.

Alright loves, I hope it's a fabulous weekend and that you spend a little time doing this...

XOXO

Recap...

Hi loves!  We've been going and blowing for the past week.  It's been busy, wonderful, and memorable.

Our new niece was born!  Madeline Story Jones came into the world on Easter morning...such a precious gift from God. 

I also had a new Beltie arrive in an unexpected and crazy way (more to come on that).  That added more drama to the Easter weekend than we would have liked and a lot of mileage on our vehicles as we commuted back and forth to Fredericksburg each day to care for the calf. 

A few fun things from the week...

I made these healthy breakfast 'cookies'...easy and pretty tasty!

I made this for Bible study on Wednesday night and it was delish! 

It got rave reviews from the ladies and my hubby...and it's super simple.

I ordered these little dittys for myself from Sweet Auburn Studio on Etsy...

Thought these would be fun stacked together...my mono on one and J&N on another.

Also added this guy...just for kicks.

I followed these tips in preparing meals for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law this week.

And I took great comfort in reading this...great comfort!

I won't say that my house is messy, I'll just say that my life is NOT wasted. 

At all.

Pinterest

I hope you all have a great weekend!

XOXO

A blessed Easter...

Happy Easter! 

Since Easter does get turned into a commercial holiday so much of time, filled with bunnies, eggs, baskets, and treats, I believe it's important to reflect on what the holiday is really about.  Now, I know that this can difficult to do with little guys around but sharing Jesus' story is so important...especially this weekend. 

I too am guilty of the commercial buy in to the holiday, don't judge...we've purchased 2 bags of Starburst jelly beans and a chocolate rabbit currently sits headless in the kitchen.  However, you can celebrate the true meaning of Easter in fun/practical ways with your family.  I think Darby at Fly Through Our Window (one of my favorite family blogs) shared an excellent way to reflect on Easter's meaning and importance with a recipe for Resurrection Cookies a couple of years ago. If you have little ones around this would be a perfect activity to make with them today. 

Fly Through Our Window's Holy Week Cookies

I hope you all have a blessed weekend and are able to spend some time thanking Jesus for His sacrifice for our lives.

Have a wonderful Easter!

XOXO