Wishing you and yours a safe and happy Halloween!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Go Horsey Go
This was Robbins battle cry last weekend in Lexington. We headed to Keenland for the races on Friday and he had the best time. We also got to hang out with some dear friends Thursday night and our kids finally got to play and luckily for us it was love at first play. Saturday we tailgated at the Lowe's before the UGA/UK game and enjoyed getting to see everyone and hang out before the game which despite the outcome was a blast.
Stopped by J.Ed's alma mater and saw the site of this year's VP debate. Centre is such a beautiful campus and I really could live in Dannville, it is so stinking cute.
Our day at the races. Cloudy and cold but still fun.
On the way home from Keeneland before we even left the grounds. He and Lilla and Annie Capers ran themself to death.
Robbins new boots, can you tell he's proud?
Look sister!
Sleeping with his boots
Sweet Collins Reilly, so glad we got to meet her, she is only three weeks old here!
Robbins and Evelyn. There is this incredible feeling seeing your kids and your friends kids playing together. This is Evelyn and her dad Mason and J.Ed have been friends since college. I am really enjoying being able to start these friendships so young for the next generation.
Robbins and his boys
Robbins and Mrs. Ryan
Uncle Lee and Robbins. This is something else I am so thankful for, friends investing their time and attention in our children.
Seriously one of the most fun football games ever. Ryan and I did more talking then cheering but Robbins had a great time with the guys.
In case you need to hear go horsey go, over and over again.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The Mirror Struggle
I follow a great blog, shehasworth.com. Today I came across this little gem and boy was I convicted. Me, who struggles with intense materialism, but can literally quote you the people.com headlines needed this today. I have made certain restrictions in my life to protect myself from "entertainment" that breeds materialism but this was a reminder that even in those places I don't realize awaits distractions from the will of God.
Article:
"Are you happy with the way you look? Do you often feel unsatisfied and continually spend money, time, and energy while going on crash diets, spending your rent on a new purse… all the while scraping money to get your hair done in an attempt to maintain your self image? You walk into rooms and no matter what you have on or how you look—you have this sinking feeling like you aren’t good enough, pretty enough, tall enough, small enough and you sure don’t make as much money as those around you. You feel stupid even going into certain stores because one shirt is the price of your car payment. You constantly beat yourself down from head to toe and rip your self-image apart as you compare it to everyone else around you.
Did you know that ALL of those thoughts are being used to distract you from the WILL of God for your life by destroying your confidence? If you don’t believe that you are “good” enough, you most likely won’t believe that God can really USE you. You’ll be stuck in this circle of inferiority for the rest of your life and remain insecure.
WHO told you those lies?! Was it People magazine? TMZ? Real Housewives of Beverly Hills? Seems like innocent entertainment, right? Well—it’s not. Those unhealthy television shows and magazines only place discontentment into your heart. It makes you wish your guy made a little more money and you secretly idolize the different celebrities in your heart. You wish you had their life while Jesus Christ saved you as YOU and He is constantly tugging on your heart to stop comparing yourself to others. This is why He tells us to “guard your heart—for out of it flows the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). If you want to really be free, you have a part to play. Your part is to stop picking up those magazines, turning on those terrible shows and place a guard around your heart. Practice this protection.
Did you know that God NEVER uses one’s outward physical appearance to determine their physical beauty? When the prophet Samuel examined Jesse’s sons in search of the next king of Israel, he was impressed with Eliab’s appearance. God told Samuel: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things you are looking at. You look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Nothing in a person’s outward appearance impresses God. God is constantly checking out what’s going on in your HEART.
And to make all this relevant, did you know that the holy women of old made themselves beautiful by trusting God and accepting the authority of their husbands (1 Peter 3:5). And that’s free. Sure it’ll cost you something to learn to trust God and submit to your husband (if you have one, and it’s okay if you don’t!) but it won’t be in your bank account. And that now means that you can get out of credit card debt and focus on what’s really important- what’s at the HEART of these issues.
Who are you to criticize the way you look or talk about anybody else? On the last day of creation, God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). You are made in the image of God Almighty. He didn’t make any mistakes. God is not surprised by your hips, lips, eyes, face or any part of your body. So for you gossip about anybody else, speak negatively about his/her personality or style is wrong and NONE of your business. God made you to look the way you do for your very purpose, just as He mad them. You are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). Your talents, gifts and everything on the inside of you are NOT by mistake. God placed those desires in you and attached your personality to complete your very purpose. So stop trying be like everyone else. BE YOU. There’s no person on this earth like YOU.
Part of the freedom that God gave us is the freedom to choose–meaning, He’s not going to force you to do anything.
We have a daily choice to live for Him, cast down negative thoughts, and use wisdom with our decisions. We get to choose whether we are going to be content with OUR portion and to trust His perfect timing concerning every area of our lives! If you have to run in circles to keep up with the Jones’ or to impress people, they’re not FOR you. In Christ, we don’t have to kiss anybody’s butt. In Christ, we can be free to be WHO God created US to be without false facades. In Christ, we can be honest about where we are. In Christ, we can recognize that our looks, possessions, and “status” will all fade. In Christ, we recognize that our value comes from HIM alone and what He did on the cross. In Christ, we seek to conform to His image and not some other human’s. So, don’t get wrapped up in this crazy world. Keep your eyes on Christ. He loves you like crazy."
Article:
"Are you happy with the way you look? Do you often feel unsatisfied and continually spend money, time, and energy while going on crash diets, spending your rent on a new purse… all the while scraping money to get your hair done in an attempt to maintain your self image? You walk into rooms and no matter what you have on or how you look—you have this sinking feeling like you aren’t good enough, pretty enough, tall enough, small enough and you sure don’t make as much money as those around you. You feel stupid even going into certain stores because one shirt is the price of your car payment. You constantly beat yourself down from head to toe and rip your self-image apart as you compare it to everyone else around you.
Did you know that ALL of those thoughts are being used to distract you from the WILL of God for your life by destroying your confidence? If you don’t believe that you are “good” enough, you most likely won’t believe that God can really USE you. You’ll be stuck in this circle of inferiority for the rest of your life and remain insecure.
WHO told you those lies?! Was it People magazine? TMZ? Real Housewives of Beverly Hills? Seems like innocent entertainment, right? Well—it’s not. Those unhealthy television shows and magazines only place discontentment into your heart. It makes you wish your guy made a little more money and you secretly idolize the different celebrities in your heart. You wish you had their life while Jesus Christ saved you as YOU and He is constantly tugging on your heart to stop comparing yourself to others. This is why He tells us to “guard your heart—for out of it flows the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). If you want to really be free, you have a part to play. Your part is to stop picking up those magazines, turning on those terrible shows and place a guard around your heart. Practice this protection.
Did you know that God NEVER uses one’s outward physical appearance to determine their physical beauty? When the prophet Samuel examined Jesse’s sons in search of the next king of Israel, he was impressed with Eliab’s appearance. God told Samuel: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things you are looking at. You look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Nothing in a person’s outward appearance impresses God. God is constantly checking out what’s going on in your HEART.
And to make all this relevant, did you know that the holy women of old made themselves beautiful by trusting God and accepting the authority of their husbands (1 Peter 3:5). And that’s free. Sure it’ll cost you something to learn to trust God and submit to your husband (if you have one, and it’s okay if you don’t!) but it won’t be in your bank account. And that now means that you can get out of credit card debt and focus on what’s really important- what’s at the HEART of these issues.
Who are you to criticize the way you look or talk about anybody else? On the last day of creation, God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). You are made in the image of God Almighty. He didn’t make any mistakes. God is not surprised by your hips, lips, eyes, face or any part of your body. So for you gossip about anybody else, speak negatively about his/her personality or style is wrong and NONE of your business. God made you to look the way you do for your very purpose, just as He mad them. You are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). Your talents, gifts and everything on the inside of you are NOT by mistake. God placed those desires in you and attached your personality to complete your very purpose. So stop trying be like everyone else. BE YOU. There’s no person on this earth like YOU.
Part of the freedom that God gave us is the freedom to choose–meaning, He’s not going to force you to do anything.
We have a daily choice to live for Him, cast down negative thoughts, and use wisdom with our decisions. We get to choose whether we are going to be content with OUR portion and to trust His perfect timing concerning every area of our lives! If you have to run in circles to keep up with the Jones’ or to impress people, they’re not FOR you. In Christ, we don’t have to kiss anybody’s butt. In Christ, we can be free to be WHO God created US to be without false facades. In Christ, we can be honest about where we are. In Christ, we can recognize that our looks, possessions, and “status” will all fade. In Christ, we recognize that our value comes from HIM alone and what He did on the cross. In Christ, we seek to conform to His image and not some other human’s. So, don’t get wrapped up in this crazy world. Keep your eyes on Christ. He loves you like crazy."
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
11 months
This past month has really been a game changer for little L. She is so close to walking it's crazy. It was like one day she could barely pull herself up to now she is a full fledged cruiser. She sings and laughs all the time and I swear she sings I love you, like the beginning of i love you a bushel and a peck. She is still right around 21 lbs and eats really well. She really prefers real food over bottles so the sippy cup transition is going really well. She is eating all solids and still loves the staples like chicken,avocado and blueberries but I have snuck in some of our favorites like cous cous and pork chops and they were a hit.She has 8 teeth now and definitely had a harder time with them then her brother did but still nothing to complain about. She is sleeping really well now that it's done so J.Ed and I are thankful for that. Other then ball and hi here and there, she is still just a major jabberer. She really like music class and is having a great time at school. She is learning all kinds of important things like sitting in a real chair, washing her hands and crawling on mini jungle gyms.
Her personality is really shining through too. She is so laid back and easy to deal with(hope it sticks, have you met me?) which is a nice break from the stubbornness of her 3 yr. old brother(my legacy I passed down)! Her face just lights up when we pick her up from school and she really only fusses still when she is tired or hungry. She is super sensitive though and if I tell her no she immediately starts to silent cry, heart-break-ing. I think she is going to be a challenge for J.Ed because he is soo smitten with her and is already wrapped. I'm obsessed with her, like a lot, don't get me wrong, but also know how girls can be and what the future has the potential to hold. So it goes though, the long standing cycle of Daddy's girls(guilty) and Mama's Boy's.
I am planning her 1st birthday party but other then cuteness overload it's going to be small and simple:) I just got a Woodland Animals Party Pack off etsy and printed everything myself and put together. My awesome friends Allison and Julie let me borrow the decor they used for their little girls parties which is awesome...because it's free...and adorable! Looking forward to celebrating her and loving on our families for a few days in November in Memphis. Happy 11 months old to the best, most precious, chill little bug in the world! We love you!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Tidbits
As I dive deeper into this new mind set and lifestyle where sacrificial living and my comfortable life ram head first into one another, God shows up. Everywhere. I have been inundated with encouragement and words here and there and wanted to post a couple of my favorites.
-We have to stay true to our word and keep the promises we make to people – even when it becomes inconvenient and undesirable. Once others are depending on us, we lose the luxury of picking and choosing when we will give 100 %. Our words should have value, and not be used as meaningless ramblings to hush someone when we know full well that we may or may not act upon them. If it is truly something you do not want to do or do not think you should, then say no. But, say what you mean, mean what you’re saying and stick to the commitments you make. I think a big part of growing up is learning the importance of showing up.
-“Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.” – Matthew 5:37 (MSG)
-I believe that 95% of God’s will for each and every one of us is found in God’s word. So many times, I would read the Bible hoping for secret message from God as to what I was supposed to be doing for the rest of my life when, really, what I was supposed to be doing was simply obeying Him today. He has already told us how to live in the Bible. Read it, and put it into practice and you will be living God’s will for your life.
-We cannot, and should not, change our lives every time things get a little uncomfortable. I’m not saying you should be miserable for the sake of being miserable. Sometimes God does tell us it’s time to make a change. But if we are constantly transforming our lives to chase happiness, then I’m afraid our happiness will merely be found in feelings, experiences, and people…which can all change, be unreliable, and let you down. Do NOT let discomfort cause you to run from the season you are meant to be in.
-But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. -Matthew 6:33-34
-We have to stay true to our word and keep the promises we make to people – even when it becomes inconvenient and undesirable. Once others are depending on us, we lose the luxury of picking and choosing when we will give 100 %. Our words should have value, and not be used as meaningless ramblings to hush someone when we know full well that we may or may not act upon them. If it is truly something you do not want to do or do not think you should, then say no. But, say what you mean, mean what you’re saying and stick to the commitments you make. I think a big part of growing up is learning the importance of showing up.
-“Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.” – Matthew 5:37 (MSG)
-I believe that 95% of God’s will for each and every one of us is found in God’s word. So many times, I would read the Bible hoping for secret message from God as to what I was supposed to be doing for the rest of my life when, really, what I was supposed to be doing was simply obeying Him today. He has already told us how to live in the Bible. Read it, and put it into practice and you will be living God’s will for your life.
-We cannot, and should not, change our lives every time things get a little uncomfortable. I’m not saying you should be miserable for the sake of being miserable. Sometimes God does tell us it’s time to make a change. But if we are constantly transforming our lives to chase happiness, then I’m afraid our happiness will merely be found in feelings, experiences, and people…which can all change, be unreliable, and let you down. Do NOT let discomfort cause you to run from the season you are meant to be in.
-But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. -Matthew 6:33-34
Monday, October 8, 2012
Pumpkin Patch
Fall is here and I love it! Last weekend Robbins painted some pumpkins while I got the house decorated and this weekend after my Heart Walk we went with the Meadows and the grandparents to Gentry's Farm for a fun day at the farm!
So proud of himself. He made one for each or us.
So apparently we are a family of 3 when it comes to pictures b/c Robbins still hates taking them!
Baby sheep born on Friday
tongue anyone? look familiar Lowe family?
My attempt at being artistic
Me with my folks-love them:)
Sweet Harper
Robbins favorite is always the tire swing.
Poppy and his kiddos
The ladies
Fun family pic:)
First Campout
Last weekend J.Ed and Robbins had their first camp out in our back yard. J.Ed and I have said for a while we couldn't wait to go camping with our little family but wanted to do a test run in the back yard first. Well he loved it! It was boys only so Landry and I came outside for a s'more and then let the boys have their time. These are the moments J.Ed has been waiting for, for three years. I love how excited they both were, trains and all, they slept pretty good and all night.
Big Boy!
Love s'mores
So inside tent pics at night are hard. Super dark+bright camera flash=funny faces
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