Finally... a lay-out to share! This one was for the Summer Lay-out Tag done at noelmignon.com. These are Carley and Gavin pictures I had made just before Christmas last year. Yes, we are in need of new pictures! They have grown so much. This one is entitled "My Love Knows No End." Going through a divorce is hard and it's been a tough year, but I always hope that Carley and Gavin will always know that I love them more than anything in this world.


Jason and I are all the time taking pics on our cell phones. This one Jason snapped yesterday in between church services at his apartment. He made me lunch! :) I am so blessed to have him in my life.
Now for a house update: The renters will be out on Thursday, so I will finally be able to get in the house and start renovations. I am really excited but dreading the work. I just keep reminding myself that it will all be worth it! I know it is part of God's plan. I guess since it is getting closer, I am feeling a little overwhelmed, but still very excited. I know it will all come together. I just have to keep reminding myself to slow down and realize it's not all going to come together in one day, no matter how much I want it to.
Last night after church, Jason and I were talking to a dear friend of ours, named Rebecca. She was visiting our church, which she does from time to time, and sings with the Praise and Worship Team. She shared with me a song called "You are not alone" by Meredith Andrews. She said that while she was listening to it God brought me to her mind. She told me she had hoped they would get to sing it last night but didn't get to. She had the words and notes written down on paper and she let me read it. I was immediately touched by the lyrics and wanted to share it here. Thank you, Rebecca, for being obedient and for being a woman after God's own heart. I got the chance to listen to it today. It is beautiful! God is so good and He is so faithful! Over and over, I have found myself in worship or prayer just repeating the words, God, You are faithful! He is so faithful and so good to me. There have been so many times I wondered how I would ever make it through, but God always made a way. He has blessed me so much in my life and especially in the passed 6 or 7 months. I don't know where I would be without Him and I don't want to ever be without Him to find out.


I also heard another group this weekend sing a song called Did I Mention by The Perry's. The chorus to this song really speaks my heart right now.
Did I mention that I love him,
how I worship and adore him?
When I can see no way
He makes a way.
And did I mention he's been faithful
to every promise he ever made me?
I love him that's all I want to say.

Yes, I do love Him and that's all I want to say!
Until next time....

After posting this week, I realized I never posted first day of school pictures. Carley entered the third grade this year and Gavin is enrolled at First Babtist for their 3 day pre-school program. I incorporate pre-school into my daycare program but I like to give them time away from me before they start school. Carley graduated from their pre-school program, too, so I wanted the same for Gavin. I love these first day pictures. It made me a little sad to see Gavin watching his big sister out the front door. He loves her so much!


Look at this kitchen I found! Doesn't it look Heavenly! I don't really think I would do this in my own house but this is so pretty. I am thinking of an all cream kitchen and distressing the cabinets to make them look old. This kitchen is courtesy of kitchensbykrengal.com. What do you think?

Isn't this the most beautiful picture of Fall? I get so excited when the leaves start to turn and began to fall to the ground and I start to feel the crisp cool air first thing in the morning and at night when the sun goes down. Unfortunately, we haven't felt very much of that with 101 degree weather two days in a row. But, I am so ready for Fall. I crave it! This is my favorite time of year. It just makes me feel so good deep down inside.
We got a lot accomplished on the yard this weekend. It was such a mess. It made me really sad because it never looked that way when we lived there and Daddy was alive. You would think renters would have more respect for other people's property. Jason's dad came and bush hogged. Pee Wee came over with his lawn mower and mowed around the house. Colby and I picked up the yard and got everything in piles to be disposed of. The back hoe should be here this week to tear down a storage building that can't be saved. It looked so much better. You can actually see the house from the end of the drive. Jason and I rode the 4-wheeler and sprayed to kill the under brush we will need to clean out next to the tree line. I ended up getting one picture...Jason and Mom on the 4-wheeler.

If there was only one picture I could get, I'm glad it was this one. I was surprised she got on there. She said she realized he wouldn't want to do anything to hurt himself so she figured she was safe.
I am just so thankful for friends and family that are willing to help me. It's going to be a big project for sure but it is so worth all the time, energy, and money it will take to make it beautiful again.
I've been blog hopping to get decorating ideas. I haven't made it past Virginia Tillery's blog


I love this wreath! One thing I really enjoy about scrapbooking, other than making pages and preserving memories are the home decor items you can make for your home. This wreath is courtesy of capturejoy.tublr.com. Isn't it beautiful? I love the colors and the photo idea is so cute! I can't wait to make one for my front door.

When I saw this bench, courtesy of Funky Junk Interior, I knew it would be perfect for my entry way. I have a landing that stands about 4 to 6 inches taller than the rest of the living room floor and runs the length of the wall. Thank goodness I have a BIL that is good at making things with wood. I can't wait to show this to him and see if he can make it for me!

Check out this shower curtain! Isn't it beautiful? I love all the ruffles and how the colors fade one to another giving it such a soft feel! I'm sorry I didn't write down where this photo came from. I always like to give credit where credit is due. I'll see if I can find it and post the info.

I have a thing for turquoise lately. This room is sooooo sweet! I have plans to make some of these Pom Poms for Carley's room. This photo is courtesy of the-jessica-numbers.tumblr.com.
These are just a few ideas of inspiration I've picked up so far. I'll be back to share more. Let me know what you think!

Hello Cyber Friends and Family! I am finally back to my blog. It's been way too long. I have been so busy since school has started back. Most of my time has been consumed with my children, homework, the daycare, church, and did I mention I'm moving again! Yes, you read that right...I am moving again. This time for good!!! I am super excited. Don't get me wrong, I love my rental house. It's beautiful and peaceful. You could still "lose the farm," as my mother says, sitting in the front porch swing, looking at the rolling green hills and listening to the cows moo. But, I am going back home to the very first place I had of my own after we moved back to Alabama from Kentucky. It is on my Daddy's land. It still has the cedar siding and front porch he built when he renovated for me to move in. It's been almost 5 years since Daddy moved to Heaven and it makes my heart swell when I think that I will be living on his land again, in a home he did work on with his bare hands. It's like have a tangible piece of him again and there won't be a day I won't walk out my front door and think of him. I can picture him now bush hogging, working in his garden, fixing up his 57 Chevy, or fixing dinner under his tent. I am just so humbled cause I feel I will finally be where I am suppose to be. It's like life has taken full circle and even though, I never pictured myself back in that house again, I will be. I know it is God's plan. He told me so even though I argued with him and told him flat out NO! Thank goodness, He doesn't listen to me! I feel such peace and happiness and anticipation. I can't wait. I get to start renovating and moving in October 1st. I've already had so much fun picking out colors and flooring for the house with this boy I really like! :) Carley will finally get her crystal chandelier in her bedroom. Gavin has already decided he wants a Cars room! Thank goodness, Jason and I have pretty much the same taste. I just can't explain how much peace and joy I have. Jason and I were on our way to Tupelo talking about the house and he started singing
Home by Joe Diffie.

The only the thing I see ahead is
Just the heat a rising off the road
The rainbows I've been chasing keep on fading before I find my pot of gold
But more and more I'm thinking, that the only treasures that I'll ever know
Are long ago and far behind and wrapped up in my memories of home

Home was a swimming hole and a fishing pole and the feel of a muddy row between my toes
Home was a back porch swing where I would sit and mom would sing amazing grace
While she hung out the clothes,
Home was an easy chair with my daddy there and the smell of Sunday supper on the stove
My footsteps carry me away but in my mind I'm always going home

Now the miles I put behind me ain't as hard as the miles that lay ahead
And its much to late to listen to the words of wisdom that my daddy said
The straight and narrow path he showed me turned into a thousand winding roads,

My footsteps carry me away, but in my mind I'm always going home.

Home was a swimming hole and a fishing pole and the feel of a muddy row between my toes
Home was a back porch swing where I would sit and mom would sing amazing grace
While she hung out the clothes,
Home was an easy chair with my daddy there and the smell of Sunday supper on the stove
My footsteps carry me away but in my mind I'm always going home

Yeah, the straight and narrow path he showed me turned into a thousand winding roads,
My footsteps carry me away, but in my mind I'm always going home.

I have felt in my heart for a long time a longing to get back to the basics, to provide what home really is to Carley and Gavin. One thing I feel blessed to experience by living in the South is what I picture as home. It's not a big house with all the grandest of material possessions. It's about being together in a home that is our safety and sanctuary where you enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Where it's natural and easy to sing old hymns and praises to God while doing the chores. Where your children sit and watch your example and can't help but see how much you are in love with God by your daily actions. It's about the impact you have on your children when you are inside those 4 walls that they will carry with them when they venture out into a life of there own. It's about family and being there for each other. You may not have a lot of money, you may not even have enough money to pay your bills. Lord knows I've been there many times. You may not have the latest gadgets or the best car. For me, I feel it's time to simplify and concentrate on what's really important....Home. Thank you Lord, I am going home! And thank you for placing someone in my life who appreciates the same things I do.
I'll keep you updated on the process with lots of before and after pictures! Thanks for taking this journey with me and keep me in your prayers! I'll remember you in mine, too!
XOXOXOXOXOXO