Thanks

I was so refreshed and so thankful at the words of encouragement I receieved from my post about anxiety.  The comments, texts, and voicemails I got were so needed and appriciated and I honestly feel rejuvinated!  I've actually caught myslef saying "It is what it is" a LOT.  Those of you that know me well know I get stuck on phrases in phases (say that three times fast): "SHUT UP!" or "I'm just saying..." or the worst one ever was "you BRAT!" if somebody got to do something I didn't.  (My friend, Anna, cringed everytime I said that one.)  But I think I found a new one

"It is what it is"

Again, thank yall for you sweet, sweet words!

Plus I figured out a way to make blogging easier on me.  I can actually send pictures from my phone to my blog album, so although you might not be seeing too many 'quality' pictures from me at least you'll see pictures!

* L o V E *

Let's Talk About...

...Anxiety, Baby!   It's beyond ridiculous how much anxiety I have placed on myself until May.  I did it.  I basically asked for it.  And I got it.  I honestly don't know how some people do it.

I want to make something very very clear before I continue.  This is NOT a complaining post or a pity-party post.  This is simply a "what's on my mind today" post.

I feel like as much as I'm trying not to listen, the Lord is yelling at me.  I've taken on so many different things for the next few months, but I keep telling myself, "everybody is this busy".  Well... in the past week I have read at least three separate blogs talking about slowing down life.  Talking about not having to 'have it all together'.  Talking about their imperfectly messy home. Talking about not having time to do everything by themselves.  Talking about 'do what you can and don't worry about the rest'.  So this is why I think the Lord is yelling at me.  But, I don't listen.  I've always had a hard time listening.  I didn't want to listen to my parents or my teachers, I'm still learning how to listen to my husband (yes, I'm ashamed of this), and I definitely do not always want to listen to the Lord.

Here is the dumb part... I KNOW I SHOULD!  My life would be 10x easier if I could just listen.

I'm a Martha (no, I'm not referring to myself as a martha stewart).  For the past two months the story of Mary & Martha from Luke 10:38-42 has been weighing on me like a 2 ton elephant (I have no idea how much an elephant weighs).  I'll say it again, I'm a Martha.  I run around making sure I get everything accomplished and then make sure everything looks right and it's physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting.  I have friends who are a Mary and I adore them.  I adore their ability to let things be.  I adore their ability to just want to sit and listen, and "be still, and know that He is God", not me.

At the end of the day, I know I have no control over this world, but this is a very hard concept for me to grasp.  I love my life, I honestly do, but sometimes it's very hard to tell b/c of how busy I keep myself.  I think I've got to juggle 54 different things at one time...and I don't.

This has actually felt really good to type all of this out.  I had to let it go in some capacity.  I don't know if this has even helped anybody else reading it, but it's helped me.

One thing I am going to stop doing is editing dern (southern for darn) pictures for this blog.  I can't do it.  And it's pointless, b/c most of the pictures are of Georgia anyway, and she is precious the way she is!

One thing I am going to focus on is Bird & Branch.  I have loved it more than I ever thought I would and it's actually expanding a little.  Check out my website and see what's going on!

I am trying to fully embrace this season of being out of balance and just grow from it.

I love you, Jason,

and

Love you all!

Thankful Thursday

The ever-so-cute Julia from Black Tag Diaries has decided to make her Thankful Thursday posts in to a linky party.  Every Thursday she lists some things that she is thankful for so I'm going to join in on this little party.

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Today I am thankful for:

1} My healthy child!  I feel like I keep reading on facebook how many little little kids are really sick or even in the hospital right now from this Flu.  I'm so glad we've been able to keep Georgia Bean from it so far.  But we will continue praying for this wonderful health!

2} This beautiful (inside and out) couple coming to spend the night with us on their journey to Charleston.  They are so special to both Jason and me.  They have actually been away for quite some time; a year in Romania and now they're on their way back from Colorado.  They are the reason Jason and I even met.  So yes, I am very thankful for these two.

Check Up

I have a MAJOR love-hate relationship with Georgia's doctors appointments.  Thankfully we've only had wellness check ups (with the exception of one).  And I really and truly thank the LORD for that!

I love them, because I get to hear those two magic words come out of the doctor's mouth: "She's perfect."  You just never know...ya know!?  For anybody on their first kid, I hope you're agreeing with me, but if not...well...just don't read anymore.

But you just read what you can read in books and on the internet and hope you're best is the best.  You don't really know if they're growing at a normal rate, developing at a normal rate, doing LIFE at a normal rate...until those wellness check ups.  So, yes, I absolutely adore the moment I walk in, tell our doctor way more than she needs to know, and hear those two wonderful words.

Then I hate it, because at the end of each appointment she has gotten a shot in her sweet little kissable, hugable, lovable thigh {insert sad face here}and it just kills me to see her cry because she's in pain...I hear this never gets easier though.

So needless to say, I didn't get a picture today.

But she's a tall 29 1/2 inches (98%)

and has only gained 1 pound at 23.14 lbs. (93%)

She's perfect!

Happenings

I have many random things to share today...but that's the point of a blog right?!

First of all, my brother got the most adorable puppy you've ever seen!

His name is copper and he is a chocolate lab. I will own one of these one day (mark my words).

 A few weeks ago, when I mentioned our little road trip and having the new car seat, we were headed to the beautiful Beaufort, SC, where Jason's parents live.  It was much needed family time with aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and even the cousin-in-the-oven!  Yep, Georgie is going to have another cousin to play with and actually they just found they're having boy #2!!! We are so excited for them and I just can't wait to meet this new little baby on June 6!

 So this past weekend was gorgeous! It was unseasonably warm; sun shining-birds singing-people walking-WARM!  So I made the decision that my girl and I were going to be outside as much as possible.  Now, as much as I love our stroller, sometimes when your by yourself it just seems unnecessary. Unnecessary b/c getting in and out of stores is harder and b/c I feel like we're hanging out together a little more when I'm holding her.  So this weekend...I RE-DISCOVERED THE SLING!!!

It was incredible!  I haven't used it in months b/c she doesn't lay in our arms anymore!  But it works like a dream and the Bean LoVeD it!  I snapped a quick shot with my phone before we headed out.

 And then another quick pic with the phone because her Grandpa wanted a picture with all four of her teeth showing!

My gosh, I love this girl!

That's all, I think...

happy Wednesday!

Flash-backs

Nothing big and exciting on this post, but I was looking for a picture on my phone today and found these that I look of the 6 inches of snow we got! Pretty crazy for sweet little SC!

Then our dear neighbor sent these pictures of the downtown and their so pretty!

Washboard!

I can't even begin to imagine how the conversation would go between someone like me, who finds old washboards so "neat" looking for decorating, and someone who has actually used one to wash clothes...I'm pretty sure they would hate me.  But I love the way old washboards look!  And I found a great one yesterday for a STEAL!  Plus Jason actually liked it, too! score

A Good Day

Yesterday was a great day.  It was amazing weather, Georgia and I were happy, and mom (me) was very productive.  Georgie and I went thrifting and then headed downtown just to walk.  When we got home, it was just still way too nice to go inside, so we broke some rules and the normal schedule and I let her stay up and play outside with me just a little longer.  We're crazy like that.

So I started working on my Bird and Branch pieces, when I looked up and discovered {for the 5,482,984 time} how adorable my little Bean looked, so...