seeking

I'm so comforted by these words lately.

They remind me that even in the seasons of life when little seems to go according to plan, there is magic being made behind the scenes - waiting to be revealed to us at the perfect time.
Our hopes, dreams, and wishes? They are in the process of being made reality.
Even if we can't see the unfolding.

xo

strong-willed.

I'm so grateful that with each new day comes a fresh start; the chance to begin again.
To make today better than the one before.
To remember His love and grace, and to hold close that it's not about our circumstances,
but how we react to them.

Last weekend, our truck was stolen right from my in-law's driveway. It was recovered shortly after we discovered it had been stolen (we are SO thankful for that!) and now we're counting blessings and vowing not to let this violation harden our hearts. The vandalism and stolen property we're facing now is only an obstacle - and it's one that we will get through.
Sometimes mind-set is everything.

Also, I cannot lie: it made me very happy last night when my husband told me I was strong-willed.
That was meant to be a compliment, right? ;)

xo

the story unfolding

These gorgeous sun-soaked afternoons beckon me.
I scoop up my supplies and head outdoors
where I'm surrounded by trees and wildflowers and can get lost in birdsong.

It is the same as freedom and magic.

Returning day after day allows for the story to unfold.
I love seeing the covering up and the uncovering. Spontaneous and straight from the heart.

These are the paintings that I always end up loving the most. The ones free from pressure and planning. The ones where I allow my hands to reveal my heart and soul.

xo

Today is a gift

Dear beautiful you,
I hope as you read this you're surrounded by goodness. Maybe a candle and something delicious to sip on. Maybe some music or your favorite show playing in the background. Maybe an open window with a view of something pretty, where you can hear the birds sing. (It all comes down to the little things, doesn't it?) Whatever it is, I hope you're being good to yourself. (You deserve it!)

I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling tired. To feel like I'm running this race - not sure yet where the finish line lies. Weary and needing desperately to slow it down to at least a walking pace; but more than that, just some time to let it all fall apart. It gets exhausting trying to hold it all together.

If this is how you're feeling lately, I can relate, dear one. Big time.

Since our move just one short month ago, we've hit the ground running. Long work days and working weekends and commutes and house hunting. Until we're beating our heads against the wall in frustration and sheer exhaustion.

You can imagine what an unexpected and beautiful surprise it was to find myself with an entire day of complete freedom a few days ago. It happened overnight- all of the meetings and the day full of things, things, things whittled down to nothing. Nothing on the calendar. Oh, how my heart sang with gratitude for so much possibility in the hours ahead of me.

Sure, I spent the morning cleaning the bathroom and folding laundry. But you know what? The entire time I spent rejoicing and saying to myself 'today is a gift. today is such a beautiful gift'.

And then I realized how easily I forget this is still true, every single day of my life.
Each day is a gift. Even with the long work hours and commutes and house hunting and house offers that fall through...each day is a beautiful gift. <3

I will continue to hold this reminder dear in the days to come. 

And of course my reward for cleaning the bathroom and folding laundry was a lovely trip through the flowers at my favorite farm.
Dreaming of a place to call our own, with room to plant lovelies just like this. <3

xo

let your wild rise

Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed.
Maybe they just need to run free
until they find someone just as wild to run with them.

-Candace Bushnell