for the daughters

down by the docks

This weekend was a busy one for us.  On Friday, Joel took the guys in the youth group on an overnight fishing trip and I hosted an all nighter for the girls.  Then on Sunday morning we dedicated Legend to the Lord and Joel was ordained as a minister in a service that same evening.  It was a great weekend full of the blessings of God.  By Monday, though, we were exhausted.  So, we decided we needed some family time and we headed out to the docks.

Daddy fished while the kids splashed and chased bait.  Even Legend put his toesies in the water.  Joel caught fish as fast as the kids threw them back.  Then he started pulling up shrimp with his cast net and that's when I got excited.  There's nothing like feasting on fresh shrimp for dinner.

Mmmmm....I love days like these.

Days filled with unplanned but intentional togetherness.

God is so tangible in the simple days.

my birthweekend

This month has been a whirlwind!  The weekend before last was my birthday and it was amazing!  We celebrated all weekend long!  On Friday my honey took me out to eat at our favorite restaurant, Kona Grill, and we had the most wonderful meal.  We laughed like two school kids over jokes and stories and it felt so good to just be together.  Then he took me to the mall and let me browse for two hours (I say "browse" because it usually takes me almost two hours before I can convince myself to buy anything! ha!)  He really loves me.  A lot.

Then, on Saturday, the girls in our youth group threw me a surprise birthday party!  I have to say, it was nothing less than amazing!  Georgia and Rebecca came to my house earlier that morning and cleaned my entire house, baked me a pretty cake, made me a banner, fixed yummy red beans and rice for the party, invited some of the youth group, and then surprised my socks off!!  I really, really love these guys.  God has blessed us with some wonderful youth leaders and young people with a desire to serve Him!  It's just so incredible to watch them grow in the grace of God and so humbling to be a recipient of their servant hearts!

Of course, such a wonderful weekend couldn't end on Saturday.  We celebrated my birthday again on Sunday at my mother in love's house with a delicious fresh strawberry cake and seafood gumbo!  It was the most incredible birthday weekend.  

I feel so very loved and not one bit older.

And that is the way every birthday should be.

my new shop!

This is where I have been of late...stocking the shelves in my new online vintage treasure shoppe, The Vintage Ruby

I had planned on listing at least 100 of our items before I let the cat out of the bag, but I had NO IDEA how LONG it takes to upload one single item.  Holy Moley!  So, I decided to spill the beans anyways and welcome you all to my little store!

I plan on hosting a Grand Opening Giveaway for all my blog readers next week so check back in after this weekend!

The story behind the birth of this shop is really pretty simple.  I love vintage, I love etsy, and I love searching for treasure.  But even more than that, though, I wanted a way to give more; to help my family while investing in the lives of other people as well.  Thankfully, I have a sister in law that feels the same away about all of the above.  So, we partnered together and opened The Vintage Ruby.  We were too scared to do it by ourselves.  And it's sooooo much more fun when you can share your exciting finds with someone who cares!  (lol.)

I'm still ironing out a few details and every day we're uploading something new and beautiful.  It's exciting!  I'm also working on a button for our store and I can't wait to share that soon as well.  BUT there are only so many hours in the day and as much as I love staying up at night with my little Legend, I think I need whatever seconds of snoozing I can snatch, so it's off to bed I go!

Oh, and I can't wait to share what a lovely birthday weekend I just had!  It was amazing!  I don't feel older, just more loved!

winner winner

Oh dear!

In case you were wondering where on earth I was on Friday--it was my Birthday and also the day our TAXES were due!  So I was busy, busy, busy!  Everything blurred in a rush of frenzy and then slowed down to a delicious pace and I got to enjoy a marvelous evening with my honey.  

But I forgot.  I forgot to announce the winner of my giveaway!!  Please forgive me, lovely ladies!!

I just sat down and had my dear man draw a number for the marvelous GUSSY giveaway....

#31  Danielle at Take Heart

Yeah, Danielle!!  Enjoy your gussy!

I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend, mine has been amazing and I have SO MUCH TO TELL !  But it will have to wait until Monday.... :)

a gussy giveaway

Sew.....

I think it's time for a giveaway, don't you?

Just because....

You all have been so patient for me in these baby days (and long baby nights)

And....

You make my heart smile.

Real big.

Something else that makes me smile?

Gussy!

I have to say, I love her cute little clutches and wristlets, and laptop bags, oh my!

Like this gorgeous vintage floral laptop bag:

delightful!

Here's some info about the giveaway:

Winner will receive $30 shop credit to be spent at www.shopgussy.com
-all baby blankets are exempt from giveaway credit

First entry: 

visit Gussy's shop and comment with your favorite item

Multiple entries:

* follow my blog and/or Gussy's blog

*tweet it, facebook it, or blog it 

I'll announce the winner next Friday!

Have a Lovely weekend, dears!

daddy's little ballerina

Dearest and Sweetest Astair,

You are sunshine and light, rose petals and pink tutus.  Like autumn leaves, you're rarely ever still.  You're a flash of color, laughter floating on a fragrant breeze.  You have a gentle radiance that captivates us.  We're mesmerized by your sweet almond eyes and that little nose that scrunches up when you smile. 

You change clothes faster than I can blink.  That's why Mimi bought you a tutu last year and we were so sure you would love it.  But you adamantly refused to wear it.  So, I put it away in a closet.  You found it the other day and wouldn't take it off!  You wore it to bed over your pajamas, you napped in it, you danced in it, you refused to remove it for almost three straight days!

Watching you run and play with gleaming eyes and joyful abandon makes your daddy and me so unbelievably happy.  This must be just a taste of how your Father God feels about you. 

You utterly delight him!

"The Lord you God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."  -Zephaniah 3:17

God loves you like crazy and so do we!
♥ ♥
Mommy and Daddy