Startin' to feel like a Home

Hi Y'all!

It has been a while since my last blog. I have been trying to make sense of the

sea of boxes, hang pictures and keep up with my littles this last week. We have now officially been here a little over a week! Crazy huh! Our move went very well. The drive from Alabama to our new front door took about 5 in half hours due to some snow, wind and the massive UHaul!! We had some awesome help getting everything moved in! It only took about 2 hours! Thank you so much Mikhail & Phil Cox, Ansley Souther and the Catalyst team. We appreciate you so much!!

The house is coming along quite nicely. This apartment is so much bigger than our last one ! I love the 10ft ceilings and all the closet space! It makes apartment living so much better when there is room to actually LIVE! Here are some recent pictures of the place...Still have some tubs and boxes to put in a friends attic, and need to get some wall art, but for the most part it is looking like a HOME!

Everyone seems to be adjusting well. Daniel is LOVING his new job and feels so blessed to be a part of the Catalyst team. We are excited to discover the Suwanee Area around us and make some family memories. We explored a bit this weekend and found some pretty neat local spots! More pictures to come :)

We have plenty of room so... COME VISIT US!

Love and Miss you all xo

Lifers.

I love how real true friendships last no matter what happens. No matter the distance, no matter the time that goes by...they will always be there. I like to call those people, "lifers". Friends for life. These past two years, we have made some lifers. We have made some fun memories, shared deep conversations and have just done life with some special people. We know that this is just the beginning and the best is yet to come! We are so blessed by each and every one of you! Thank you for your friendship! And Come visit us in GA!!!

In the words of an old, somewhat cheesy song...

"Friends are friends forever, if the Lords the Lord of them.

And a Friend will not say never, Cause the welcome will not end.

Though its hard to let you go

In the Fathers hands we know

That a lifetime's not to long

To live as friends.

Don't bother me, I'm Pinning!

Recently, I have been wanting to find something "girly" to do when Daniel is doing "guy stuff"... like fantasy football, NBA or MW3 (video game)... to name a few. I had done the whole "Facebook picture stalk " thing for a while.. but after viewing all my friends photos and their friends, and their friends... well you get the picture, (haha no pun intended) I knew I HAD to find something new.

A few of my very crafty, supermom, domestic goddess friends had been on a site I had not heard of. I checked out this odd, yet very informative webpage that has now become a bit of an obsession ...What is it you ask?? Say it with me ladies...PINTEREST. Some say it is the stay home mom's best friend. Others say it is Fantasy Football for Women! Who really knows what to call it...except for maybe GENIUS!

It is basically a personalized "Pin board" of all your interests, likes, favorites and projects. You can find everything from "do it yourself" projects, cute clothes, makeup tips, organizational secrets to photography ideas, recipes and more! For some reason, Pinterest makes me feel like I am a super crafty, world traveling, trendsetting Betty Crocker all in one! It lifts my spirits with its "quotes" about being a confident women who can conquer the world. It even shows me what I tend to value the most...God, Family and Designer clothes! No, Just kidding! Those three are the things I pin the most! Anyway, I don't know how long this obsession will last, and I am not sure if I will ever be able to to accomplish all the "DIY's" that I have pinned, but I do know for now...it sparks the creativity inside me, helps me cherish the ones I love and keeps me up to date on all the new fashion trends all over the globe.

For that I can say, " Hi, My name is Lauren and I admit it...I love Pinterest.

Mommy, Mommy...Look!

I always know something is up when Savannah is oddly quiet...Usually this means she is into some trouble! She is already aware of "right and wrong" so when we catch her doing whatever sneaky tasks... she gives me the cheesiest, guilty grin. It is really cute but I try and hold back my smile, so she knows...uh oh.."I'm in trouble."

Just as I was finished putting Lyla down for her nap this morning, Savannah comes in and says, " Mommy, Mommy.. Look!" As she is saying these words my eyes immediately lock in on the bright purple marker ALL OVER her arms and legs! She also shows me her masterpiece on the packing boxes and the new "makeover" Ariel received. Quickly I go and check to see if anything else has her "mark" on it... ( things like the TV, couch, iPad...) and thankfully everything was fine.

Two things I know now... It's Bath time and I am thankful for WASHABLE markers.

Dear Lyla...

Dear Lyla,

Hi Sweet Girl! I just wanted to tell you how much I love you. You are a growing, blue eyed, beautiful, almost crawling, gummy smiling eight month old that has captured my heart. Since the day you were born, you have been the best baby. You are so easy going and sweet spirited. I love seeing you smile at new things everyday. You are starting to "talk" to us. "Ma Ma" was your first word, which makes me smile. Can't wait to hear more of your "language"! You love Savannah. You get so excited to see her. It is so fun to watch you interact with her . She can make you laugh more than anyone! Especially in the bath! I am so excited to see your bond with your sister blossom each year as you both grow. You are so blessed to have each other.

You are such a precious gift to our family, baby girl. Daddy and I are so blessed to be the ones who get to help raise you up to walk into the destiny God has got for you. I pray that you will always keep that sweet spirit, always smile, no matter what life may bring and always know how much you are loved.

X0 Mommy

Dear Savannah...

Dear Savannah,

Hi baby! I just wanted to tell you how much I love you. You are a beautiful, joyful, loving, strong spirited little two in a half year old that is so much fun! I love watching you learn new things each day. You are so smart! You can sing several songs, count up to 15 and name almost every animal you see! You are such a people person, always saying hi to anyone and everyone you meet! I love how social you are! You already love going to church and you are learning about Jesus. I love how your personality is coming out! You have such a fun sense of humor...making us laugh all the time now. You also have such a tenderness about you. You feel deeply for others around you... God is going to use that sensitivity to others for His glory, baby. Just wait and see! Your Daddy and I are so proud of you and can't wait to see your destiny unfold. Keep loving deep, dancing sweetly and singing your heart out baby girl!

I love you and always will.

Mommy

To Everything there is a Season...

As I sit here and begin to think about the last two years in the midst of packing, one word comes to mind... Thankful.

Just like the changing seasons bring new life, colors, smells and memories- So does life with my God. Who knew that I would live in Madison, Alabama for two years?! God did. Who knew that I would become a Mommy to two precious little girls? God did. Who knew that following HIS Call would mean moving away from family to a totally new city? God did. I am so thankful that God is interested in my little world. I am so thankful that as change comes there is one thing that remains...His promise to never leave me.