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family time.

Published by Aubrey

I love my family and I love Fridays. Put them together and I am a big fan of family time on Fridays. For the last 4 years or so we’ve been intentional about doing something special on Friday nights. For the longest time it consisted of Chipotle and ice cream of some sort. This was when the girls were wee little and we just needed to get out of the house before we went insane. Chipotle is still our easy go to. Since moving to a new town 10 months ago we’ve enjoying figuring out a new Friday night routine by exploring our new town and restaurants. No matter what we do we all enjoy the break from the normal routine and spending time together. I’m hopeful this intentional special family time will always be something the kids look forward to, even when we aren’t the coolest people to hang out with anymore.

Tonight it’s dinner out some where (TBA) and a Redbox movie with popcorn and m&m’s. Sounds good to me!

What does your family do for family time?

It’s a twin thing.

Published by Aubrey

Always a playmate, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen or a head to sleep on.

Take it all.

Published by Aubrey

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He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out generously. Titus 3:5b

I love this. He didn’t just give us a little but he poured out generously for us. He loves us that much. You are covered today my friend. Generously.

When you lose it. When you worry. When you doubt. When your are sad. When you just don’t know. When you are overwhelmed.

He is there. Covering you. Out of His love and kindness for you.

You are covered generously.

Take it all.

Why do I do this?

Published by Aubrey

I ask myself this question or others ask me this about blogging. Why do I blog? That’s a good question, isn’t it? Some days I can clearly answer myself or others and that is when I know I am doing it for the right reasons. But other times I can’t put an answer with that question and that is when I know I’ve lost my way, my priorities are out of whack and I need to take a break. But when the answers can quickly come to mind I’m doing good. There is freedom in my writing. There is joy no matter what is going on and there is authenticity. This is what I want to come out of my blog.

So why do I do this?

So I can clear my head of all the thoughts that get jumbled up. I put words to my thoughts and I figure things out. Blogging helps me makes sense out of the controlled chaos.

So I can think clearly without interruption. There is rarely a moment throughout the day when my conversation is not interrupted. Such is life right now. But in my blog, it’s just me and my words. Not interruptions. Of course this is not to say I don’t get interrupted while I am working on the computer. It happens.

I want to share with others what is going on in my life, the good and the bad. I enjoy doing life with others and bringing people into our family. I love when you comment with encouraging words, prayers and just simple words of understanding. But more than anything I appreciate the challenge of living out what I am writing about.

I want to document what is going in my head and with my family so I can look back. In times of doubt I want to point to His faithfulness. In times of frustration with a certain child I want to re-read that funny story and appreciate the quirks that sometimes irk me. I want to look back on pictures, ideas, stories, lessons. I just want to remember.

I love how blogging stimulates my thought process. It challenges me to process hard things, maybe when I don’t want to but need to. I appreciate how blogging just lets me be me. There is no hiding.

Lastly, I blog because God just seems to use in my life. It opens doors to growth in my walk with Him and as a wife and a mom. He uses it to open doors to conversations with friends, family and even strangers that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. He is using it.

So that is it. That is why I blog. How about you, why do you do it?

I’m linking up with Write it, Girl. A little blogging challenge for me. Join us!

let it begin.

Published by Aubrey

So I started a journey today that will end in about 5 months. I am hopeful it will bring me closer to God, spur on my need and desire for the Word and establish new friendships with others who are on this same journey with me. It will be challenging, yes. What could this be you are wondering? I am memorizing Romans chapter 8. I am jumping on the band wagon of 70+ women over at Do Not Depart. Won’t you join me? It’s not too late, it’s only day 1! We are tackling 1-2 verses a week with a little wiggle room in between because we all know life happens. So come on… We can do it together!

And yes…please keep me accountable. Ask me how I am doing every now then. I know I’m going to need some encouragement here and there.

Baby it’s cold out there!

Published by Aubrey

Sadly enough the days of tshirts and shorts are gone. This morning we busted out the hats and gloves to ride bikes. Not quite sure if I am ready for this. Still, I am thankful that the sun was shining on us from a bright blue sky!

Grace for the Good girl.

Published by Aubrey

Remember this post when I announced a book that was coming out soon and I was so excited about it? And then I randomly won a contest on the (in)courage blog and won Grace for Good Girl and some other really cool prizes! Pretty awesome, right? Well I’ve been s l o w l y reading that book and wanted to share with you a bit about what I’m learning. I say slowly because I am a slow reader, I don’t take a lot of time to sit down and read and also because it is so so so good that I want to take my time digesting every word. I am in chapter six but the book captured me early on in chapter two and I knew I was in for a ride. Here is what got me. Ready for brutal honesty?

The shape and intensity of our performance comes down to two things: expectations and definitions. I have the expectation of myself to be a good girl, a good Christian, a good wife and a good mom. Not such bad things, until you understand my own personal, twisted definitions of “good”. Good means I never mess up. Good means I weigh the perfect amount. Good means I can handle everything, I don’t look like a fool and I never lose my patience, Good means my husband will never be disappointed in me, my kids will always obey, and everyone basically likes me. Good means i am enough. My goodness is all bout me. Not only do I want to be a good girl, a good Christian, a good wife and a good mom, I want to be those things in front of God and everyone. I want to be good and I want you to know it.

So now I stand at a fork in the road: I can try to figure out a way to continue making life work on my own or I can admit defeat and accept Jesus’ invitation to simply Come.

This is often my reality, the on goings of my brain. Crazy, huh? I know God has done a huge work on my heart over the years and by His race alone I don’t camp out here as often or as long as I used to but still at times my tent will be here. I drive myself crazy and those around me crazy. Namely, my husband.

I’m thankful I have more than glimpses of freedom from this “good girl” life. It’s a hard cycle to break, it takes many steps of faith but more than worth it to put forth the effort. If the above quote from Emily Freeman’s book resonates with your heart I highly recommend picking yourself up a copy. I’d love for you to join me! Let’s climb these stairs together.

crafting a bit.

Published by Aubrey

I’ve been working on some projects around the house the last couple of weeks that I have yet to share. This tends to happen when the husband is traveling. Free time in the night and less questions throughout the process which generally lead to results that are well received. I’m thankful for a husband that can just go with the flow with my spur of the moment inspirations…like painting a chalkboard on our pantry door!

I picked up a frame at Goodwill (perfect place to get frames) and painted it up. I then measured the opening of the frame and taped it off on the door. I used Martha Stewarts new paint line. It’s wonderful! I painted several coats over a the next day and then let the final coat dry for 24 hours. I used permanent adhesive sticky things to attach the frame to the door and there it is. Once again easy peasy and I love the results. Such a perfect place for those gentle reminders I need all day long!

Halloween- more than just candy on a “creepy” holiday.

Published by Aubrey

Last night, on Halloween was one of our high lights as a family since living in Indy. I don’t go out of my way for this day. No ghosts or Freddy masks hanging around here. I enjoy getting the kids dressed up in fun costumes and seeing their eyes light up with full buckets of candy they collect but then it ends there. But last night we were invited to an impromptu neighborhood chili potluck. This is totally my thing. Fun, fall meal, outside, meeting new neighbors, enjoying community. I immediately said yes! It also helped that my dinner plans were leftovers. I’m all about meeting my neighbors and doing life with them whenever possible. This little gathering gave us the opportunity to do just that. The scene was right out of a movie. The adults were chatting it up, eating warm chili while the multitude of kids ran around in their costumes playing out whoever they were. At trick or treat time we walked around the neighborhood with new friends and meeting more neighbors while the kids went door to door. The weather was just perfect. Not warm but just cold enough to fit the Halloween evening. We ended the evening with tired but happy kids and with plans to get together with new neighborhood friends in the future. We walked away with big smiles and happy hearts for the evening that had been given to us. I can say that God totally surprised me to have Halloween be such a blessing to me. It was nothing to do with a spooky, ghost filled night. But with community, joy, new friends and thankfulness. Yes, He does work in mysterious ways.

right here. right now.

Published by Aubrey

photo credit
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Chirst Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7