Wednesday, March 27th, 2019
I’d like everyone to take a guess as to what this image is of.
Maybe it’s easy, maybe it’s not.
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Ready? It’s a tire track on our driveway that’s beginning to dry out in the wind and sun. I just loved the texture and the color palette.
Monday, March 25th, 2019
This sweet babe is what the happy text on Friday was about.
Meet Benjamin James, born 12:29pm on Friday, March 22nd.
Paul and I got to meet him today, and it’s safe to say he stole our hearts.
Wednesday, March 13th, 2019
Good morning, fog!
The temperature is above freezing, the rain is moving in, so there is humidity abound.
I went out to let the girls out without a jacket this morning, and there was such a sense of freedom in that.
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019
Like I mentioned yesterday, the sun’s position in the sky is beginning to make significant progress.
I’m actually able to see the sunrise from bed again!
Finn enjoys it too. 🙂
Tuesday, March 5th, 2019
A few weeks ago, Paul and I cruised through Lifeway looking for a new Bible study.
For how many they have, not many caught our interest, and it was slightly disappointing. Is a couple’s bible study (not devotional) too much to ask for? They actually eliminated their Marriage section all together, and clumped some marriage books in with the Family section – mostly kid based. I get that it’s hard to compete with Amazon (they have signs everywhere that they’ll price match to Amazon), but it was still disappointing.
After scouring the shelves, we decided on one that focused primarily on Genesis 1:1.
I didn’t really think about just how perfect that would be until we started in on it. The story of creation – duh, perfect fit! In my photographical exploration of creation through this blog, it’s been fascinating to learn about it so in depth with this study.
So far, this study has been a really good fit for us. It’s challenging (the questions aren’t easy gimme ones), the way it’s broken down is good for us (10 week session, broken down into five sections, so one study a weekday), and the points the author makes are really thought provoking.
First question: Who wrote Genesis?
If you knew the answer to that, I am impressed! For those who didn’t know (like me and Paul), Moses actually wrote Genesis!
The author really digs into verses throughout the Bible to explore and backup explanations behind how we were created, who else was present at the time of creation (you thought it was just God, didn’t you?), and for what true purpose were we created (Hint: To help further His purpose is not the answer).
This study has kind of turned my views on creation upside down, and has put me even more in awe of my existence.
It makes it even better that I can once again sit in our sunroom with the morning light coming through our window. The sun’s position and strength are changing, and it helps it feel more like spring!
Thursday, February 28th, 2019
Absolutely not an artful photo today, simply a documentary one.
This is the window in our guest bedroom downstairs. Nearly the entire window is covered by snow.
This is getting slightly out of hand.
Wednesday, February 27th, 2019
You know when you spend time with people who lift you up, who give you a sense of belonging, how you just continue to radiate joy even after the time spent is done?
That’s me today.
After unpacking my bag this morning (I actually was able to do a checked bag!), I was taking time to page through the gifts Emily and Theresa sent me home with. Emily sent me home with the book American Cozy: Hygge-Inspired Ways to Create Comfort and Happiness. Theresa, on the other hand, brought the second book here to my attention while shopping on Monday. She walked it over to me and said “This book seems to emulate perfectly how you live your life.”
Curiosity obviously overtook me, and after reading the title, emotion filled my throat: Today, Tomorrow, & Everyday: Thoughts on Living A Brave and Real and Gorgeous Life.
As I paged through the book, phrases and statements like “She made room in every day for delight,” and “I saw myself like a stranger on the street. I saw what others loved in me – the substance and the spark that are mine alone. And I realized I owed it to myself to see these things often. So now I do.”
But my favorite was this line: “‘I see,’ she said, ‘that my life is a story of joy.'”
Theresa had given me the most heartfelt and touching compliment anyone ever could. The idea that these thoughts made someone think of me was truly amazing.
Emily’s gift was so similar to that – one aimed at cultivating comfort and happiness in my home. “It’s perfect for you, you’ll enjoy this,” she said to me.
I’m feeling incredibly loved and understood this morning, and that is such a treasure. I came home with so much more than with what I left.
Tuesday, February 26th, 2019
Back to the snowy tundra.
Monday, February 25th, 2019
Our last day here left me reeling.
Wandering the shops in the historic Heights District, enjoying a thunderstorm, and ending with box seats at opening night of the Houston Rodeo. It was perfect.
We also made macaroons. From scratch. And they actually turned out!! I take no credit – I only made the jam.
Now for the rodeo – it was the strangest rodeo I’d ever been to. No grand entry, the events didn’t happen in the traditional order, and they cruised through everything. The rodeo itself only lasted an hour and a half.
And can we address how ginormous the arena is? In my main photo today, there is a team roping team out in the arena completing their run. It’s hard to even see them. Come barrels, the third barrel for wasn’t even placed half way down the arena.
It’d sure be fun to ride in though!
Once the rodeo ended, then the mutton busting, calf scramble, and concert started. That is what people came for. Two hours worth of post-rodeo events. So weird. Super fun, but weird.
Kya’s favorite artist, Kacey Musgraves, was the performing artist, so we all had a blast. At the end of her concert she climbed on a horse and rode out of the arena. Pretty unique!
Saturday, February 23rd, 2019
Our day started out with a delicious breakfast of French toast, homemade whipped cream, and berries…
and ended with burgers made with all locally sourced ingredients. (And clever signage!)
So good, so good, so good.
Even with the amazing food, the company is even better. I’m always amazed at who God places in my life at what time. I didn’t walk into Kya’s wedding thinking I’d leave with such a deep connection with new people. Lifelong friends.
But I did.
So much laughing, so much vulnerability, transparency, and great discussions. Feeling so built up, so connected.
So amazing!
Wednesday, February 13th, 2019
Not the most artistic photo by any means, but it’s real life.
Colt’s “I’m dying I’m so hungry it feels like I haven’t eaten in dayssss feed me my supper” routine has really hit its pinnacle.
Sunday, February 10th, 2019
I usually hate driving on snowy roads, but today was the exception.
LOOK AT HOW GORGEOUS IT ALL IS!
The sun had just started to come back out, so the snowy landscape gained some dimension and the snow was still so clean. Pristine.
It was like a snow globe; a winter wonderland.
Here’s looking at you for giving us some incredible beauty, God.
Courtney Weinreis // A Borrowed Likeness 