Summer fun

These past few weeks off have really flown by.  I can't believe I am about to say this but I have been busy!!!  Addy keeps me running.  There are even moments when she drives me CRAZY.  (Gasp- did she just admit that.  Yes I did!)  I love my daughter but she is one busy young lady.  Apparently when you are 19 months old, you have a never ending supply of energy and you don't stop, except to cram food down your throat and go to sleep.  Nap time is a precious time for me to sneak in a devotional and just take a breather.  But I must admit that there are those random moments when she comes running towards me and wants me to pick her up or just sit in my lap and I think to myself, this is what Mommy hood is all about.

Here are some pics from our Father's Day lunch.  We met up with Aaron's parents and ate at his Dad's favorite place, Red Lobster.  Addy had a grand time talking to the tank of lobsters.

She is such a Daddy's girl!

Look at her face in this one!

I am loving this summer so far.  It already is a summer that I will not forget.  I have decided to try and eat as gluten free as I can.  I gave that a try for a few weeks and I have to say I won't go back.  I know I don't have the allergy but I do have a sensitivity.  And let's be honest, gluten just makes you feel crappy.  Lay off of it for a few days and you will see what I mean.  I dropped a few pounds, still would like to drop a few more but I feel great.  Now I just need to find some really good gluten free recipes.  After I write this blog, I am going to attempt homeade carrot cake Larabars.  I love Larabars (they are gluten free- yippee), I love carrot cake, I love saving money and I love trying out new things in the kitchen.  I have found several great blogs and I am thankful to have extra time to try out some recipes.  If I can get Aaron to eat something that's super healthy, I feel accomplished.  Addy practically eats everything I offer her (thank goodness) so Aaron is the one I try to persuade over to the healthy side with my ways in the kitchen. Translation: my ability to follow a recipe and beg for him to "just try it!"

Shortly after my last post, and it may have even been the next day, a very interesting thing happened.  A number of amazing ladies have entered into my life.  It's weird when you just click with someone and you feel like you've known them so much longer than 5 minutes.  I decided to do something that is way outside of my comfort zone.  There was a ladies Bible study starting up in my subdivision over the summer and I really felt like it was something I would like to do.  I enjoy Bible studies and it gives me an extra push to be diligent in my devotional times.  And I wanted to meet some of the Burkit Place ladies.  I'll be honest and admit I was hoping there were girls my age.  I emailed to get the information and immediately found a friend.  Which led to more friends.  And I even made a super awesome friend at the pool one afternoon who is also going to the Bible Study.  I could go on and on about this but I won't.  I just want to say that God truly knows what He's doing.  I may question it from time to time, ok so maybe I question it all the time.  But then He does stuff like that and I have to step back and say "Thank you!"  

Aaron teases me and says now I have peeps.  :)

We are doing a Beth Moore study on the Psalms of Ascent.  I haven't started my book yet because I needed to finish up the book I was doing.  And I am happy that today I wrapped up The Search for Significance.  I highly recommend that one.  I've had it for years, have tried to do it several times and didn't get very far.  I set out a few weeks ago to do a chapter a day and the corresponding workbook chapter.  It would take 2 weeks and I had completely run out of excuse not to do it.  I felt very pressed that I needed to start from the beginning and that I needed to finish that up before I began the Beth Moore study.  And I so glad I did.  There was so much to learn from The Search and I could probably write a huge long post about it.  Maybe one day I will.  But my takeaway at this moment is simply this:  God deeply loves me. He has completely forgiven me and finds me pleasing.  I do not have to meet certain standards to feel good about myself.  I do not have to believe the lie that I am who I am and I cannot change. And I do not have to have the approval and acceptance of others to feel good about myself.  I know I know, sounds like a self help book but I promise it's way more than that.  

Now I am on a journey to replace the lies and belief system that has been occupying my brain for years with God's truths.  I know it will take time but I am equipped with the knowledge and I'm ready.  And now, I look forward to diving into the Psalms. 

Side note: Beth Moore is amazing.

Ok so enough on that.  I know you are bored.  And I have carrot cake Larabars to make.

In conclusion, it's been a great summer so far.  I've had some fun times with new girlfriends and great times catching up with old friends.  And when I say old, I simple mean I've known you for a while.  Addy's had some fun play dates with more scheduled over the next few weeks.  Wednesdays have become my child free day at the pool with a girlfriend because both our kiddos are in Mother's Day Out.  Talk about a gloriously relaxing time for this Mommy! Aaron and I have managed to sneak in a date night or two.  I've had time to browse the Internet, thank God for Pinterest, and am putting together decorating ideas for Addy's room and her next birthday bash.  I still haven't done much of anything on the sewing machine but I do have my new sewing cabinet all set up and ready to go.  Does that count?

And with that, I'm off to the kitchen.  Not really, I'm headed to bed.  The Larabar making can wait until tomorrow... and so can the laundry!   

Here's a cute pic from today's play date.  I love this face!