A Bigger Purpose

I received some reading material from our church family a few weeks back. Normally Brandon leaves shortly after I wake up, if not before, and I have time alone to eat my breakfast. As I flip through different articles and devotionals I try to find something to kick start my day. A nugget of wisdom here or a bible verse there, whatever jumps out at me.

 

I stumbled upon this article titled Embracing Change in the July issue of Homelife and knew it was right up my alley. For whatever reason, I didn't begin to read the article, instead it was laid open to the page on the floor of our bedroom for several days. I knew it was going to slap me in the face with truth and I guess my instinct was to avoid the convictions I knew were written upon the following pages.

 

Then one night as I was trying to fall asleep, Brandon already off deep in dreamland, I found myself anxious and unsettled. I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason but I have no doubts that it had part to do with hormonal changes and part to do with this season that seems to be dragging on.

 

Of course, I pick up the article and start to read. Basically a couple gets married, has a baby, moves across the US, on one income.

 

Seems pretty familiar. I found my gut in my throat...gulp... and pressed on reading.

 

Word after word I couldn't read fast enough.....

 

...if Christ is at the center of your marriage, your job isn't to create a comfortable life but to develop a life that's securely grounded, despite uncomfortable circumstances.....

.

Japan, uncomfortable, surely not. I can put food on the table, take a hot bath, and live more comfortable than lots of people in our world.

 

...trust ... it's the result of an intentional, daily commitment to submitting yourself, your plans, and your personal comfort to the authority of God...

 

Not so easy, my plans, whatever they may be, feel only achievable from the land of the US and personal comfort - goodbye favorite restaurants and Target shopping. I know what it sounds like, you snob. And I won't deny it, I can't hide in my sin and selfishness to want these things. And yet I read on.

 

...Abraham and Sarah announcing to their entire family that they were to pack up because God told them to travel to an unknown place (Genesis 12)....when Noah told his family God commanded him to build an ark because it was going to rain (Genesis 6)...reflect on Job, who was determined to trust God even when his wife didn't (Job 2)...the most shocking of all, Mary telling Joseph she was pregnant and the father was God...

 

Whoa. I'll let that sink in for a second.

 

...God doesn't promise stability; however, submission to His will does promise security - in your marriage and in your life.

 

Like I knew it would, the article stirred in my heart many things.

• Our marriage is securely grounded in Christ whether we live in Alabama or Japan. Amen for that.
• My attitude (as of lately) has not been intentional in submitting to the authority of God's will and not my own. In my eager attempt to rush home I may be missing daily opportunities to serve others. My dad told me a few years back that I have a tendency to always want to be somewhere else, instead of being where I am. He is right.
• Knowing that we very well could be returning for a second season, with a child, has triggered some (okay a lot) of questioning of our purpose and time in Japan. The answer may show tomorrow or this week, but mostly likely we are seed planters and the harvest may not show for years. Who's lives are we supposed to touch while we are here? Maybe its someone back home reading our story? Where do we find maximum opportunities to love others and live out the truths we read daily? Or are we here, Brandon and I, for our marriage? For the bad to be whittled away (cause lets face it we are not perfect) and the good to grow into something even better. Now that to me is exciting stuff. Opportunities to change and impact others... I like it!

This past week I have only been able to feel this nasty cloud of restlessness, an unsettled feeling, and angst (none of which can be good for baby). I've been trying to hash it out daily. I thought perhaps spending more time being grateful for the small things would help or talking with Brandon. Each time I tried to bring it up the words just came out sounding like, "I hate this place get me home."  I reasoned that it was okay to feel that way, ready to be home, and while I know that it is okay to feel that, I cannot go on feeling only that.

 

Then last night I started writing a version of this post in my head and I started to feel better. Only problem was it was 3:30 am and I was snug as a bug, with the hamster wheel turning. I woke up today with one goal -- to shake the feeling that has been bringing me down. 

 

Okay so its more of a three part goal to work on.  To seek and find contentment in our circumstances. To trust the architect of my life's plan. And to focus on the positive outcomes that my very small presence could make to someone or in someone's life.

 

Really long story short, whatever or however it may appear our life is, it is nothing short of a life full of trials, both happy and sad, moments of anxiety and worry, frustrations, and insecurities. I do try to keep this blog a happy place, same with my Facebook and Instagram feeds, chocked full of good happy memories. I use this little space to share and open up, because a lot of times after I do, I feel much better, even if no one else reads what I have to say. 

 

 **Bold text is borrowed and paraphrased from Embracing Change by Wynter Pitts. July 2013 issue of Homelife**

Peach Cobbler

I've found myself in the kitchen quite a bit lately. One of the things I never realized is just how much life revolves around meals and eating. In college cooking dinner consisted of boiling noodles and pouring jar spaghetti sauce over the top. I just never had the urge or desire to spend lots of time in the kitchen preparing delicious tasty meals. Which is why it was always such a treat going home for breaks because my mom would spoil us with our favorite meals.

 

Then when I started dating Brandon, it didn't take me long to figure out that they key to his heart is actually through his stomach. I began cooking more substantial meals when I would visit him during the weekends. I know the type of food and quality that is typically served to ballplayers and just felt that I wanted to cook him something that would actually fill his belly. I also knew that he was away from home cooking for eight months and some home cooked meals would hit the spot.

 

Now we are married and isolated in a foreign country that has even more limited food options and so my skills as a cook in the last five months have far succeeded what I thought I was capable of. The first meal I cooked in this apartment was hamburgers and a box of Kraft macaroni. Not my proudest moment but we didn't go hungry and at that point I imagined we would have lots of burgers and lots of macaroni. We ate them on bread with ketchup and that was that. Fast forward a few months I made burgers again but with homemade macaroni, lettuce, tomato, and bacon to top the burgers and we had them on buns. I remember thinking, 'wow I've come a decent way in the cooking department.' It wasn't a huge accomplishment but what I realized is just how much more comfortable I've become in our new surroundings. Little victories.

 

Even more so in the last month, Brandon often makes comments like the following, "You know what sounds good? That mozzarella cheese dip you make. Do you think you could make that?" My first instinct is to say no way, I will never find all the ingredients I need but for some reason I don't have the heart to say no. I understand what he is going through as far as wanting certain things from home to eat or snack on. So I make the efforts and attempt to fill those requests with a positive outcome more often than not.

 

Thus began the real advancement of my cooking abilities. Dip turned into potato salad, which turned into his Mema's chicken and dumplings, which turned into me wanting a peach cobbler. I don't know where the notion came from in my head that I couldn't make any of the above but it was there. I'm happy to say that it has since been removed and I now feel like I could attempt to make just about whatever Brandon's requests. Other things I've cooked include chicken fried chicken, a cheesecake, meatballs, curry and rice, beef bowls, cinnamon rolls(fail), biscuits(semi-fail), lemon garlic tilapia, vegetable soup, stuffed chicken, and chicken and noodle soup. I will admit that some evenings the last thing I want to do is cook dinner, or maybe it's getting the groceries, but the satisfaction I feel after making something delicious and seeing Brandon dig in for seconds or thirds far exceeds the workload.

 

I've taken for granted the amazing cooks in my life and this year has made me appreciate their talent and gift so much more. I can't count the number of times I wished I could pick up the phone and called to ask how to make a certain dish. Maybe it's knowing I have my own child on the way and that I want to be able to always provide delicious meals. It could be just the simple fact of knowing that if I don't cook, our options for meals here are extremely limited. Either way it has sparked a passion for cooking and learning how to cook some of Brandon's favorites and some of my own.

 

With all that being said, summer is not summer for me without a peach cobbler. Usually I just have to sweetly ask my mom and wam-bam-thank-you-ma'am a peach cobbler is served.  However not this year. After a long discussion via facetime with some secret tricks and tips I slapped on my apron and gave it a whirl. Ok there was no apron but what's a little flour on your shorts going to hurt?  So I now present to you the makings of my very first ever peach cobbler. I know I have one proud grandma in Heaven.

 

 

If you are wondering if it tastes as good as it looks then I will lie to you out of the sheer kindness of my heart that it was awful. No good. Not making it again, until Brandon gets back on Monday. This one I plan to dish out to some of the gracious friends I've made here. Ones that borrowed me the sugar and the glass dish for which this delicious treat wouldn't be possible otherwise. And probably to anyone else who knocks on the door between now and when it disappears.

 

Cooking and baking has also helped fill a small void that I've had to create. I truly miss sewing and crafting, and even writing here regularly. But again a passion has been ignited for me lately and I hope to continue to share these things with you, just from the kitchen instead of in front of my sewing machine, at least for now.

 

As always, thank you for letting us share pieces of our life with you! It means show much to be able to not only experience this adventure but to share with everyone back home just how much God is richly blessing our lives and helping us grow in areas that are lacking. Amen for that.

 

The peach cobbler recipe can be found here.

Cheat tips:

Slice peaches into dish. Immediately add lemon juice over peaches.

Add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract with step two.

Eat with vanilla ice-cream.



Costco

Do you remember last week how we went on the ropeway up the mountain and then hiked back down? Well I skipped past what we did Monday.

 

We have two options when we face a new or different situation here in Japan. We can get upset, let it ruin our day, and wish that we were back home where we don't have to deal with the situation. Or we can laugh, take pictures, and enjoy our life for what it is - a constant unexpected journey. That mostly pertains to me and how I can react, my level-headed husband goes with the flow and I love that about him.

 

All of that being said, we decided to finally go to Costco and do some grocery shopping. A few things we knew about this excursion before hand: It is an uphill walk from the train station and about a mile away. That didn't scare us. We were making this trip happen regardless.

 

I picked up a rolling cart at the grocery store for less than $10 and I brought along a reusable bag Brandon bought for me for groceries a few weeks back. I headed to meet Brandon at the train station after his practice. From there we took roughly an $8 taxi to Costco. We made sure to remember the way as we were going to be walking back to the train station.

 

I think we were both so excited once we started shopping, mostly to see brands we recognized, but we had to keep in mind we could only get what we could wheel and carry back to the train station. Basically not a lot and nothing super heavy. I then devoured a huge slice of pizza and we headed home. I left the packing to Brandon and like always, he nailed it.  All of our groceries fit snuggly into two boxes and a bag. That guy is good. He had to be if he wanted to get his box of 72 frozen waffles home.

 

 

 



We took one subway and two trains back to our apartment. Each time we got on or off I had to help lift our cart so it wouldn't fall in the crack at the station. I could feel the eyes staring at us but couldn't have cared less. We were making things happen the only way we knew how. Besides the rolling cart being a little too short it wasn't that bad of a trip. I was laughing on our way up the escalator and there I had the, 'is this my life moment' but was loving every second of it.

 

Would it be easier with a car? Yes, but I learned that Wednesday when I took another trip with the girls in which one of them drove us. Definitely easier, but you got to do, what you got to do sometimes.

Yuzawaya

Look out Hobby Lobby...YUZAWAYA behind on my list of favorite craft stores. Lame joke? Yep, thought so but it's true. I LOVE YUZAWAYA!

 

Despite having to hunt for this hidden gem (inside a music store and up two levels) I found what they refer to as the craft mecca of Kobe and now I know why. Please never EVER make me shop at hobby lobby again. Ever. I'm kidding but it will never live up to what I've now discovered here.

 

Yuzawaya has any and every possible thing you will need and more if you want to be artsy or creative. I am extremely jealous of all supplies here. Lots of things I've used in the past I have had to order online. If I had been living here I would have been able to just hop on the train and go pick them up. Before I head home this fall I'm going to go stock up and ship a box home.

 

I set out on a mission to find some things to keep me busy while Brandon is away. You know something to do while the Japanese TV is humming in the background and all my American people are sleeping. Sometimes waiting for you to wake up is torture but that's not the point.

 

After two hours of looking and going between the six, SIX, different floors I settled with three rolls of washi tape, a pack of needles, a set of ribbons to make a flower, a cell phone case that can be cross stitched, thread for cell phone case, embroidery floss and cording to make a navy and gold bracelet for game days, a macaroon coin purse kit, and dispenser with tulip designs similar to a white out dispenser. It's a bit random but I'm cool with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh and I bought a sewing machine*.

After all that my body was screaming to go home but ignored it and I went to check out the rest of the stores again to see what I missed the first day. I picked up a new pair of shorts that I've seen tons of the girls here wearing and two pair of tights. Of course shopping alone is going to get old fast and I couldn't help but wish my sister was here with me. I'm pretty sure together we could do more damage than I'm doing alone. I've always been curious if I could rock the hipster look and I'm not so sure about it. I also used to be afraid of people staring at me but now that I'm the minority and everyone stares, I'm over it.

I already shared about the sweet moment on the train ride home but if you missed it you can read it here. I know our families don't like hearing it but we really do love it here. Brandon just text me a picture from his room in Tokyo and it is breath taking. Maybe he can share about that when he gets home. I don't want to tell all his stories for him. Don't get us wrong we love it at home too, obviously its home. However, we could be in places that are a lot worse and are so thankful that we are not. The only thing that could make this place better is if all our family and friends were here!

Yuzawaya ... I'll be back.

*I didn't buy a sewing machine but the thought hasn't completely left my mind yet. There is just all that beautiful fabric, I mean TONS of fabric, calling my name... what to do what to do?

The Sweet Life

 

Life is sweet y'all and I'm not just saying that because Brandon requested I pick up a chocolate tart last night and he left three fourths of it here with me for the rest of the week. I'm talking sweet, sweet moments of life that come and go to quickly.

 

I had one of those moments today.

 

I was walking up the stairs to wait for the train. It is a busy train station to start with but it was probably like what we call rush hour back home but instead of cars it's mobs of people. I had heard a little voice yell out, 'Amagasaki', and I turned to see a small boy probably three in age. It was strange hearing it for some reason. It was in his voice something different. I didn't think anymore of it.

 

The train comes and everyone piles in. It's not extremely tight, but there is not a lot of room to move. I am standing near the door and in front of me is a mom and her stroller with a baby. The baby starts to get fussy and you can see some of the people on the train start to get agitated. In her attempt to quiet the baby she moves the stroller back just a little bit and on the other side is the most adorable little Japanese boy I've laid eyes on. He has a full round face and longer hair. I quickly remember that is the boy that I heard yelling before the train arrived.

 

He locks eyes with me and this conversation proceeds to happen:

 

Boy: hello (he isn't quite sure about this but he thinks that maybe I can understand English)

 

L: hello (I wave)

 

Boy: WHAT'S YOUR NAME? (waving back to me)

 

L:  *** I didn't say anything because at this point everyone in the area turned to see who he was yelling at***

 

Boy: (He points at me and gives a look) English! USA. What's your name? (he was mad I didn't answer and called me out)

 

L: Lauren

 

Boy: (he tries to repeat it. Then he points to himself) My name?

 

L: (I knew he wanted me to ask him next) What's your name?

 

He tells me his name that I can't remember, but oh I wish I could. He had the biggest smile on his face. I couldn't believe this was unfolding. I've never communicated with anyone on the train and now a three year old starts talking to me, in English! I have to admit I felt really silly. I could have said anything I wanted and most of the people surrounding me on the train would have no idea at all what I was talking about. But here is this toddler communicating with me and having the time of his life. It was almost as if he was just waiting for someone to come along that he could speak to in English. When he saw me he didn't hesitate for one second.

 

The train stops. He looks at me with huge eyes and yells BYE as his mom is giggling and hurrying him along. I watch them all the way off the train and I hear him again yell BYE. He was waiting for me to say bye back but it didn't feel right to yell on a crowded train. I then hear him yell bye two more times, maybe three. I wait to see them pass by out the window and he is looking back at the train for me. I give him a wave and he waves back and again he yells bye.

 

I'm telling you all, life is sweet. My heart was so happy after that it almost burst. This may be silly to you all but I want to remember those few minutes for the rest of my life. Moments like that make me fall a little bit more in love with this country and I don't want to forget them.

cleaning has perks

I got the bright idea that Mondays aren't tough enough on their own. Which is why I decided to tackle the mess we call our spare bedroom. You know it's bad when you can't even walk in the door. Thankfully we have a door and we've kept it shut. Problem temporarily solved.

 

I trashed a lot of clutter today but came across several gems. I found the journal I started writing when Brandon and I first started talking. Apparently he made me have all kinds of thoughts I couldn't handle in my head so I spilled them all over the pages of a journal. It is so great to have because I really fell hard for this man and at the time had no clue how it was going to end. A lot of it was written during our long distance time together and it just reassured me that the five weeks we are about to be away from each other will pass and we will survive. In fact I think I need to start writing a journal again because reading back personal thoughts years later is so fun. Plus you get to see what you were worried or thinking about  and how it has played out. Even though I thought it before I documented it, I wrote I wanted to marry him just seven days after the first night we hung out. I guess it's true when they say, "When you know, you just know."

 

And then... there is this gem. A birthday card from Brandon and it pretty much sums up his sense of humor. Now I just have to find the perfect frame for it. I love this silly man of mine.

 

Lauren

From Where I Stand

From where I stand..I do NOT consider myself stylish or fashionable. I wear what's comfy to me. The only time I put on clothes that aren't my favorite yoga pants is to go to church on Sundays. Even during the week when I run to the grocery store or to run errands it usually goes as far as jeans and a t-shirt. 

I spend way to much time on Pinterest swooning over all the amazing outfits wanting to go shopping all the time to get new clothes. Clothes that I don't need to buy and money I don't have to spend. I have a closet with plenty of clothes, although yes some of it is outdated but it's full and if I try a littler harder I can piece together some outfits.

I've said before that I'd rather spend money on fabric than go shopping. So the other day as I was sewing I decided to try my hand at making another skirt. A skirt that wasn't a ten minute maxi or out of jersey knit. So I began with no pattern but an idea in mind. It didn't end well at almost two in the morning. I had worked so hard and then sewing on the waistband went all wrong at the very end. I threw it aside adding it to my projects-that-didn't-work stack and went to bed.

A few days later, I pulled it back out and got the seam ripper. After 20 minutes of ripping out stitches I re-assembled my skirt into something I can wear. Then I dug through my closet to find a top or two to pair with my new skirt and wa-lah, a new outfit was born.

I wore my new skirt Sunday and during Sunday school I had a conversation with another women about things. Literally things, like clothes, houses, cars, money, etc. Then she said something that I probably won't forget .

"It doesn't matter if you wear Armani or thrift store finds, your spirit will show through no matter what." 

She said exactly what I needed to hear. Things of this earth can be taken and destroyed but my spirit, my feelings, my actions, my words, and how I make others feel are what people will remember.

Lauren

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Linking up here and here.

The Truth About Nascar

First things first, if you didn't watch that video you should so stop reading and click the play button.

Sunday we went to Talladega, AL for my very first ever Nascar experience. I LOVED it. The only experience I've had before featured Will Ferrell and John C. Riley, you know the one. 

Raelynn belted out the National Anthem.
My favorite part was when the Big Rig comes flying down the track with the American Flag. I got chills and almost started crying it was so awesome. 

Kevin James was the Grand Marshal and announced the engine start. 

Tony Stewart caused the big one. Watch here.

I was scared for the wives.

We ate the best fried pickles.

Enjoyed the chilly race.

And jammed to Florida Georgia Line the whole way home.

I could get used to NASCAR! 

Welcome October

My favorite month is here and we are already four days in. Can we slow it down please? 

There are several things I love about living in the country, my favorite being the quiet. Our pup has allowed me to experience these things in full. Late at night before bed I take him out and get to see the bright stars and open sky. Then early dewy mornings follow with the sunrise and I think I like those equally as much. 

Speaking of country, there is a chance that we will be heading off  to another country next season to play ball. See what I did there? It's a little nerve wracking at the moment but we won't know anything probably for the next month or so. I never ever thought I'd be moving to a foreign country for part of a year but I guess anything is possible. Depending on where we go I could also have the chance to teach English. Um...I picture it going like this. I hold a cup and say cup. Then maybe a book and say book. Hopefully because lets admit, my grammar around here probably ain't so good. What an experience that will be! 

I don't know if it's bad to talk about these things before they happen, but I'm the kinda person that just needs it out there so it isn't huge jaw dropping news the day I say, "Hey we are moving to Japan or Korea." If we go, we go. If we stay, we stay. Just gotta roll with the punches even if that means getting punched out of the country.

So in the meantime, I'll enjoy my American mornings, in the country, in the quiet, while I got them.

Lauren

Message from Tag

What are you looking at? Do you think I'm cute? You bet I am. 

But let me show you something...

Sharp. Very very sharp. Mess with me and I'll show you just how sharp they are. Steal my squeaky duck, hippo, bone, treats, or anything else which is mine and I'll show you. Which also pretty much entails everything in the house because I run the show. Okay, not really. I haven't been able to sleep in the bed yet even though I've heard mom ask dad about every night to let me stay. Also I know you may be thinking that it isn't right that I'm chewing on a shoe but, mom says I can. Only these black rubber ones though. She keeps all the other ones kept away. So basically I don't run the show but I sure try.

Also, mom and dad have tackled the ant situation for us and now we are one big happy family and I can poo in the yard where I please. I think she was afraid to say anything in case they came creeping back in. Did you know I hate the rain. Seriously you try squatting on wet grass and see if you like it, you wont.

So you'll get a kick out of this, I heard mom mumbling to herself the other day when she was sewing (in between belting out T Swift) that she should go on Project Runway. Is she kidding? So big deal, she has made two aprons and working on a third and fancy pants here thinks she can go on tv. 

I sleep on her feet making it hard for her to get anything done or dig in the trash, pull stuff off the shelf and try to chew the cord to the iron. I'm trying to teach her that it's always snuggle time unless its play time or meal time. 

She keeps saying that my aunt loves me but I've never met an aunt. The only ant I know are the two that bit me on my underside near my sensitive area. TMI?.. it's okay, I'm sure thats probably been blabbed already anyway.. Maybe this week we can facetime and I'll meet her.

Well I gotta get in on this prime-time snuggle fest. Dad just asked mom to watch a movie which means maybe... they will fall asleep and I get to camp out in bed. Wishful thinking. Don't forget, be good this week or I'll sharpen my teeth on your ankle bones.

TAG

Ants In My Pants

I'm about to cover a lot of ground so if you're not in the mood for a lengthy post or don't care to know what shenanigans we've been up to then this post is NOT for you. That being said, is it to early to say I miss the crazy baseball season? I don't actually, just kidding, but this past week here at home has been more stressful than I thought it was going to be. 

Last October I moved to Alabama. Brandon has a place here, technically it is ours but I still find myself calling it his, so we have a place here in Alabama. It is an older mobile home with no basement or garage. It has been his bachelor pad for the past several years. Remember the camo? Before I moved in last year he put in new kitchen floors, a new refrigerator, stove, and painted the kitchen cabinets. He knew that those were a few of the things that I wanted to change and did them before we got married. Sweet isn't it? I was so grateful. Hello kitchen makeover that required almost zero work on my part. 

We attempted on several occasions to organize and merge our lives often resulting in frustration mostly stemming from wanting to do too much, too soon, in too little of time, and not having a lot of extra space. In the three months we spent at our home after the wedding we were swamped traveling and were never home for more than two weeks at a time. It was hectic. Not a lot got accomplished as far as merging our lives. Now we are back with more time than we have had together the past two off seasons to get our house together.

When we arrived, we found our humble abode had been invaded with ants. I guess they were throwing us a welcome home party. Our moving in was put on hold to tend to the situation. Everything ended up right inside the door until the house could be cleaned and prepped for us to be here. It was frustrating. We also had our new addition with us, one that need constant supervision during this puppy stage. The next four days we spent going through papers, trash,old clothes, the cabinets throwing out almost all the food the ants found, pretty much organizing the whole house except the two spare bedrooms. It was exhausting. 

In the mean time, I had also been attacked by ants. I have never been bitten by an ant before but, I can now say in the last week I have had NINE ant bites on my feet. Not only was I bitten, I'm pretty sure that I'm slightly allergic due to the swelling. I get bit when I take the dog out so from now on I try to wear boots to take him out. The itch drives me crazy. Needless to say, I HATE these stupid ants. Today my pest control man aka my husband put down some poison underneath our home so fingers crossed that will take care of them. At the moment, the kitchen I thought I had organized and put back together has all its items strewn across the counter, for the second time this week. Did you know ants love poptarts even when they are sealed in foil bags? They do. No more poptarts in this house.

Then we have had three plumbing issues, two leaky sinks, and a shower faucet that didn't work. Good thing my husband's best friend's dad is a plumber and took care of us. He takes carrot cake for payment which is awesome! I will gladly make carrot cake for late night house calls any day. Also in case you are wondering, it takes about an hour+ to grate enough baby carrots by hand for three cups. I kept wishing I had a food processor. The next day, I found one in our stack of wedding gifts that haven't been stored in our kitchen yet. For now I'll be thankful for that mini arm workout.

And since I haven't whined enough....all of this is going on with my six a.m.furry alarm clock going off. No, I'm not sleep deprived, we try to take daily naps on the couch even if it's for fifteen minutes. Then, I instagram a photo of this so you think all I've been doing is laying on the couch catching up on zzz's with my sweet pup instead of battling an army of ants and more.

Typically you'll find me with three spray bottles within arms reach. The first is pet friendly Hot Shot ant killing spray. The second is Natures Miracle no mark spray for little Tag's accidents. The third is Bitter Apple no chew spray so our furniture doesn't get chewed to pieces. Go on, come at me, I'm armed. 

Besides getting this antvasion under control, tomorrow I plan on redoing my sewing room. It's getting some fresh paint to cover up the floral  wallpapered wall board that comes in manufactured homes. I'm looking forward to working on some other fun house projects, hanging pictures, a kitchen gallery wall, making kitchen curtains, and also some fun fall decorations. 

{Deeeep breath} 

I feel married for the first time in ten and half months. It's harder than I thought, but... I'm super blessed because my level headed husband hasn't panicked once about any of it or complained when I ask him to fix or take care of something. He is good to me and brings me ice bags for my swollen itchy feet, sexy right? I can't begin to tell you everything he has done in the last week alone to help share these burdens of life.  I. Am. GRATEFUL! Plus at the end of the day when I can look past the stresses to see this, I know my life is pretty darn awesome, ants and all. 

Wow, glad that is all out. I seriously miss blogging so much. Not just writing here, but reading others too. I'm sorry you had to listen to this major vent session so thank you if you're still with me. I already feel better just sharing with you. Hopefully the coming weeks will slow down and I'll be able to get back posting about more fun things like my sewing room redo, cute puppy pictures, recipes, and a whole lot more of our life in the south. I'm excited thinking about it!! Oh speaking of cute puppy pictures... I can't resist. 

LD

You Know You're Growing Up When..

You know you're growing up when you see your little brothers friends doing HUGE things to make a difference in the world. Like running cross country to raise awareness for youth homelessness!!! I've seen for a while now Jordan has been raising money for this cause at a local gas station. If I'm ever there for a snack before a road trip I be sure to pay with cash and deposit my change into his fundraising can. 

I knew Jordan when he was in middle school and high school and remember giving him and some of my brother's other friends rides to and from school or sporting events. I know he had many sleepovers at our house and it just amazes me to see how much he has grown up. 

Today I've watched this video and I just want to share it with you. It's not long but it sure did bring tears to my eyes. I can't even imagine running from NYC to LA, but if anyone can do it, Jordan can. I'll definitely be following his journey, maybe you can too. 

Just Can't Get Enough

This my friends is a view of my nightstand. Don't act like you don't keep a glue gun handy because I know you do. A little tour > Scissors. Water cup. Nail polish. Hot glue gun. Lamp. Old Mt. Dew can (only a few days I'm sure). Hot glue sticks. Snickers. O'keefes working hands hand cream. Felt strips.


I've self diagnosed myself with craft ADD. It appears to me and has only become more obvious that I change my craft of choice daily.  Two days ago I was playing with satin fabric. A week ago I was making lanyard bracelets. Two weeks ago I was beading my way through a week long stay in Memphis. Today I busted out some felt for some hair accessories. It is ridiculous and I can't make it stop. I don't know that I want it to but I have craft supplies of any and every kind, EVERYWHERE. 


Some people take a book in case they will be stuck in traffic or have extra time in a waiting room. Me, I make sure to take a craft with me even of the littlest kind. Call me crazy I know you want to. I just needed to get that off my chest. I hope we can still be friends.

Hi I'm Lauren, and I'm a craft addict and hoarder. 

Live Like There's No Tomorrow

It's been a crazy eleven days. I'm back in Missouri, fresh off the road. I was calculating this morning as I was laying in bed how many more trips are probable this season from Memphis to my parents house. It's about five and after typing that I'm not going to think about it again. I know it seems crazy to go back and forth every eight days or so but I'll tell you a few reasons why I do it. Our 'home' is in Alabama which is ten hours from my family and with the opportunity to be close to them during the season is very important to me. We see them in the off season but traveling is less frequent. Then we moved out totally in May and that pretty much set the tone for us for the season. There was no point to load it ALL up and move again two weeks later. Finally, I'm hoping that we end the season in St. Louis but.. that's all up in the air. Exciting news though we paid our last months rent at the roach motel. I will say the roach problem has pretty much ceased but it's still nasty!

Back to the drive, it really isn't all that bad. I have, over the last three months, found my favorite stops all along the way including a Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Target, Jimmy John's and gas stations that have clean bathrooms.

I almost always have a Mt. Dew and sunflower seeds and the radio stays on one of two XM stations: The Highway or The Message. By the time I reach my destination I am usually hoarse from singing at the top of my lungs. I'm not good but I don't care.

I also use this time to decompress from the week. To think about all the things Brandon and I have discussed the previous days together.  I'll spend time praying for Brandon and our future. Then I brainstorm craft ideas that I can work on the upcoming week. This all happens in no particular order and sometimes it's all happening at the same time. 

If you were a fly riding shot gun...you probably would think I was crazy, but that's fine with me.

I found and listened to my newest favorite song today about 20 times and it made me ponder life and how beautifully sweet life is. Take a listen.

I feel more so lately than ever that life is so precious. You get to live each second of each day one time.  Earlier this week we found out one of our church members was in a four-wheeler accident and hit by a dump truck. His name was Brandon and he was a few years younger than me. He had endured some ugly things his time here on earth things that no one deserves. While I didn't know him very well he will always hold a special place in our church families heart and the Marbury community. He always asked me about Brandon on Sunday's when I would be at church alone and could always be found with a smile on his face. He will be missed.

Don't waste time on the petty things. Don't hold grudges. Live like there's no tomorrow!

LD