pictures from my trip to the midwest

Downtown Chicago

My sweet Mom

My good friend Avril

Meeting the Twins...Carson & Caden

My dear friend Carolyn

Dad & Christy

4th of July in St. Louis

Seeing Kurtis' sister, Heather, in the Phoenix airport

Closet Treasures

It was time for me to clean out my closet and go through all of my clothes. I was able to get rid of some old stuff. I had shirts that were too short. I don't know why I kept those for so long. I found skirts and dresses that were out of style and shoes galore.

The best Treasures I found were my favorite JEANS! They had been sitting in my closet for about a year because they had gotten a little snug. When I put them on and zipped them up, my body was in heaven. I know this sounds weird, but they are so comfortable and they are the most perfect fitting pairs of jeans I have owned. I challenge you to go through your closet and let me know if you find any great Treasures!

Cardboard Testimony

Thanks you Jesus for extending grace and mercy. I feel like such a mess, but you see my mess as beautiful and take it on as Yours. I am restored and loved so much! He is always good!

My Sister

Last Friday I got a call from my mom that my sister had been in a bad car accident in Chicago! She was in a cab on her way home from the airport. We didn't know all the details, but the doctor's were concerned because there was bleeding in her brain. My mom immediately left for Chicago and I took the first flight out on Saturday morning.

My sweet sister had a concussion, a deep cut in her head that they stapled, and her body was bruised. This is very traumatic and hard on her and all of us.

She is doing better, but the recovery will take awhile. They have a lot of things to sort out with insurance, the police, court dates, work, and missing their summer vacation.

It was so good for me to be by her side. I love my sister with all of my heart!

Thanks for your prayers and support! The Lord has been so gracious and it amazes me how He uses people to come alongside us. He is good!

My friend Emily, who I went to Jr. High with, tagged me with this fun little questionnaire! Here are some things you may not know about me. Enjoy!

What were you doing 10 years ago?
1. I was in the process of applying to and visiting colleges (including Samford, William Jewell, and Covenant).
2. Hanging out with my good friends Carolyn, Sharon, JQ, and Kristina
3. I was on my way with my youth group (KREW) to Destin, FL for a Summer Conference!

What is on your to-do list today?
1. Deep Water Aerobics Class
2. Running errands to Target, Marshalls, Costco and the Grocery Store
3. Making Dinner
4. Writing some notes to friends

What are some snacks you enjoy?
1. Baked Doritos (I think they are better than the real thing!)
2. Cliff Kid ZBar (I love the chocolate chip!)
3. Fruit…cantaloupe, kiwi, strawberries, and blueberries

What would you do if you were a billionaire?
It would be great not to have a house payment, so I would pay that off! I would give to the Church and other charities. I did mission work with a church in Kenya and loved the people, so it would be awesome to go back and help them again. I would like to travel more and be able to take family and friends with us.

Your bad habits:
1. I am a back-seat driver and this drives my husband crazy. Sorry Honey!
2. I am a neat freak!
3. I love to shop and sometimes it is impulsive! I love clothes and decorating my house!

5 Jobs You’ve Had:
1. Worked at Lix, now Silky Freeze in High School
2. Worked at a cute Boutique in college and spent every paycheck at the shop!
3. Nanny for 2 adorable girls
4. Administrative Assistant
5. Patient Advocate at an In-Patient Treatment Center

What is currently playing on your iPod?
Rosie Thomas, OneRepublic, ONCE, and Matthew West

What are the last 5 books you’ve read or have been reading?
1. Strong Women, Soft Hearts by Paula Rinehart
2. The Mark of the Lion: A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers
3. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
4. First Light by Sue Monk Kidd
5. To Live Is Christ (Acts) by Beth Moore

Now it’s my turn to tag some other bloggers. This is hard to know who will do this… Okay, I’m tagging Erin, Chelsea, Kurtis, Amanda, and Rachael

Scrapbooking

I have always enjoyed scrapbooking and I am definitely not a professional, but love the creative outlet. I love pictures and looking back at memories in my life. I have been wanting to make a scrapbook of my wedding, but it felt like a daunting task.

Recently my good friend, who I have scrapbooked with for a long time, invited me to join her so we could get caught up on our albums. Spending time with her has been encouraging and fun. As I have done many pages I find the process very therapeutic and good for my soul.

There has been a lot on my heart and using my creativity has allowed me to see God's provison and experience His beauty in a new way!

The Passing Storm

"Praise You In This Storm"
Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth


Even in the midst of chaos I find it comforting to know that God is still good, He is still present, and He is still praiseworthy! If left up to myself I would feel utterly hopeless and paralyzed with fear, however, God's power enables me to carry on!

Planning a trip to the Cinema

I must confess I want to see this movie! I use to watch this show with a dear friend from St. Louis and we got hooked. I wasn't sure if any of my friends would want to see the movie, so I recently told a friend in Arizona I wanted to see the movie and she was more excited about it than I am. I will let you know what I think! :)

Anniversary Surprise Getaway

My amazing husband surprised me with a 2 night getaway to Tubac Resort and Spa! He had been planning our 1st Anniversary for about 3 months. I was totally surprised and felt very pampered. Among the highlights of the trip include an 80-minute massage and pedicure, a rousing tennis match, games, a sweet letter hand written on graph paper from my husband, long walks to enjoy the surroundings, dressing up for a nice dinner, and champagne with chocolate covered strawberries. Our time was so well thought out and I wished it would never end. I felt so relaxed away from the fast paced life back home and the time spent with Kurtis was so much more intense and meaningful.

Happy Anniversary

Kurtis and I were married in St. Louis a year ago May 19th! It was so fun having all of our friends and family with us to celebrate. It has been fun to look back on this past year and see how good our God is...through joys and pain. Kurtis has balanced me as person and has given me love and encouragement in a way in which I have never received before. I am so thankful for what the Lord is doing through him. I love you, Kurtis!

Peonies and Tulips

May of 2007 was a time of celebration and love, but also heartache and loss. It is beyond my capacity to understand why God, at times, has us face trials from both ends of the spectrum in the same moment. Both seem to tug at our hearts in very intense and unique ways. What I do know is that God taught me a lot about the bonds between mother and daughter and sisters back in May of 2007, and these lessons I will cherish forever. At a time of overwhelming joy for me, as I was in the final weeks of preparing for my wedding day, my sister experienced the most intense of three miscarriages she has undergone in her life. Words cannot express building up and tearing down of the very fabric of our hearts, however I believe my mom comes closest in a journal entry she made at the time…

5/3/07

Peonies and Tulips

I planted three peonies today. I took great care in selecting them…two deep pink and one, almost white. They stand in a row, separate, yet together. Their stems are sturdy, yet flexible enough to gently bend when the wind approaches and the rain falls. Their beauty and aroma astound me.

How puzzling that a visit to the nursery provided the beauty that went into the soil today, yet, a hospital nursery never held the three babies we love so dearly. In the ER, Lynnie’s words, “I wish I was having a real baby” still my heart and gnaw at my hope. I am so sorry, my darling girl. So, so sorry.

It is the parents’ privilege and honor to name their precious children, so I do not presume to do so. Yet my heart whispers three names: “Lynn,” “Pete,” and “Samuel.” I will love them always. And each May, when the peonies bloom, I will celebrate their brief lives and their beauty. They are a gift from God.

Moments later:

Tulips. Will they hold up for the wedding just two weeks away? There is something strong in their fragility…needing support, welcoming it, yet proudly holding their heads and revealing their beauty as their vulnerable petals risk opening. Delicate. Sweet. Strong.

Lara, that is you. Delicate. Sweet. Strong.
As you prepare for your wedding day and your marriage bed, may you rest in your heavenly Father’s arms and take strength from your Savior who risked it all for you. May you glimpse your loveliness as a woman and a bride. Oh, such sweet intimacy.

Today I grieve grandchildren and at the very same time, smile for you, my darling Lara.

Ecclesiastes 3 says it all…
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
Vs. 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance.

Spin in your bridal gown, dear one, and dance. You are a radiant bride.

Love You, Mom!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Thank you for loving me, believing in me, and

displaying Christ to me!

It is so great to be with you on Mother's Day! I love you!