first day of school....ever!!!

can you believe tomorrow is the first day of school?!?

I'm in a strange place with all this.
So much is happening in my life as if a speed train is at the station about to take off on an amazing page turning adventure I'm flying through the train station, hair blowing in the breeze, luggage in hand (light as you go).... trying to make it before the doors close.

summer days coming to an end as school begins
spray SPF brings my family such joy

You see, a local gal with whom we share

Family Fun Activity Idea....try it with us

Change: the only constant

I find myself walking through a lot of change in my life.  Change as a wife,   a church-goer, a friend, a worshipper, a daughter-in-law and a mother.  My oldest faces his first year of “school” and has no idea what awaits him in less than 3 weeks....nor do I, for that matterJ.  Life is about to change forever for all of us. 

Additional Side Journey ....a wee bit further away from our functional wall art discussion: As we embrace this change with joy and a bit of naiveté I ask

moments later: my uber bad day dramatically transformed

When's the last time you had a really bad day?   A day where you go back in your mind to that Calgon commercial ....sing it with me ladies.....”Calgon, take me away!”  

Ahhh, you remember.

That was my day; take me AWAY!  

I try never to tell you (or my other friends Twitter, Instagram or even Facebook) when I’m having a struggle with something because I don’t want to speak negatively.  No one likes to read your junk as they’re scrolling....people want to be encouraged...uplifted....not read your (or my) drama.  So I keep it to myself, my husband and my sweet children.  

Am I alone here? 

at least the pictures might be worth it...???

Where in the world do I start?  How do we reconnect after so much has happened in my absence?

I’ve seen countless strangers turn into friends right before my very eyes, none of which I could take the credit for.  It seems when

Easter adventure...and YOU?

Hey y'all....how was your Easter?

We had a mighty full weekend!  Our church (Impact Family Church) hosted a HUGE FREE family event on Saturday. Here are some shots for you.

behind this amazingly fabulous Airstream Photobooth is all the action...inflatables, laser tag and

weekend update :: need for camping

Good morning.....Rise n Shine!
How was your weekend?  What kind of adventures did you experience? 

Click through to see some fun pictures...pinterest worthy, I ask???

rest - it's not that hard

Sleeping babies do something special to my heart space.  The light little giggle or sigh that rises up in me when I see the rise and fall of their chest, the little fingers, little toes and peaceful look on their face. 

Do you find that you take pictures

Pool, jump, fish, God time, encouraging words--short n sweet

tiny socks - big feet

Weekend adventures spilled over into our week with a fabulous Jumpy Place visit.  This weekend’s fun was mainly held at the community pool where we landed our favorite lounge chairs under the most beautiful shade tree at the furthest corner.  I felt like princess for a day at my very own pool:)  then the crowds arrived. 

We also had an outdoor fishing adventure which ended with a

sea world road trip :: scattered thoughts

after chasing T all over the rope gymnasium...."wait for Mama please"
this was the priceless "why can't you keep up?" look on his face

Here's a little unknown fact about moi....I want so badly to write a song...a good one....maybe a jazzy soulful song....to sing out boldly for the One who made me...who gave me all these amazing blessings....arms, legs, eyes, ears, my beautiful family, a king-size bed, my CHI flat iron, airplanes to transport me all over the world, Sea World to entertain my kids....we're actually on our way now:)  

(wrote this 4 days ago on the iPad...in the car...jamming out...

weekend adventure through pictures

I absolutely LOVE the outdoors: camping, hiking, swimming, beach lounging, roller blading, biking, and about anything else outside. 

Here’s a couple shots of my in-laws land we roamed this weekend....peaceful and serene.

Amazing adventures & oh so good for the kids. (Minus the “weeding” of the poison ivy by hand...hello, stupid!!!) 

best sunset picture I could get with my phone...doesn't do the moment justice

To build a home...

Sometimes I have to make myself take time to enjoy the things that matter.

Yesterday, I got home early and spent some QT with Koen.  His personality is bursting through his toddler frame as he "becomes a person".  He's super funny and inherently obedient (which is refreshing!).  Getting down on the floor with him makes him giggle (maybe I should take a hint and schedule some floor time).  And I can't escape the fact that, on a seemingly weekly basis, I am reminded that these days will fly by.  That we will turn around and our children will be grown.  And I refuse to miss it.  I refuse to blow the ONE chance I get with them. 

We have a friend that is in the film industry.  And she's golden.  We film little promos for

late night work in progress---staging my boys room

mini blog pause!

before (pic of bed for CL actually)

what does that mean?  it means I gotta share what's up in the midst of this FUN evening.  Missed the first night of the TxSC blogger conference....the swap party to have a deeply needed date night with my Honey.  Now that our oldest is staying over at the in-laws (thanks Mimi & Papa) I can get some work done. 

about to paint baseboards---
leaving funky tree art :)

Sold the bunk bed on craigslist today (part of my staging series I'm in the process of adding to the blog), took it apart just now....cleaned baseboards and about to start painting....yes at 10pm I'm starting my work.  clean his floors, paint his baseboards, set morning coffee, fold laundry....

.....and oh, what am I to wear tomorrow to spend all day in and out of the rain with a bunch of young, cute, hip fashionista blogger women I've never met.  Do I even have anything in my closet to live up to this kind of pressure????  We shall see...most likely LAST on my to do list tonight, if even at all:)  See you ladies tomorrow (HA! as if they're up reading MY blog:)

Dine at the Winery...AND give it all--big or small--to God in prayer

Groupon!  Don’t you love it?

Dinner with my family (Marc and the boys) tonight at Mandola’s Winery in Driftwood was stellar thanks to groupon.    When you have a chance, take a country drive to this stunning winery….sunset is best!  its amazing and guess what else the staff is so lovely & attentive.  http://trattorialisina.com/  check 'em out on the web too

Side note and one that must be mentioned if you’re to live a decorated life: TIP WELL!  I would love to tip $100 each time I have someone like our waitress, Cat (oops, didn’t ask if that was with a C or a K).  She’s served us before & she actually remembered us (or seemed to)……well she was superb & guess what… just ONE week ago she married the Sous Chef.   I wish I could’ve given $100 just to bless her stepping into this new phase of her life.  There will be a day when I can drop that kind of cash & it’s coming SOON! (I almost asked if I could take a picture with her for my blog but I felt weird.....I know, right....ME?! Didn't want to weird her out:)

Oh man, I nearly forgot the reason for my blog…..to share the power of prayer with you.  Tonight on the way to the restaurant we prayed over our family, our kids & specifically our time together at this special place…..for there to be peace & kindness.  Our prayers were answered.  Our kids (aside from the water spill, sporadic yelling “hello”, and spaghetti sauce all over everything) were a delight to behold.  Supernatural grace covered our dining experience.  Cat (or Kat) even used the word “delightful” herself.  Thanks God for a beautiful experience with my family.

Give it to God no matter how small or big of a thing you face. 

Big for us right now is selling a house.  We have this house on the market that was set to close in a couple weeks ….the deal fell through.  We NEED this house to sell in a BIG way folks!  Are we worried?  NOPE….not a single little tiny itty bitty bit!  We prayed, gave it to God & now He’s in charge of that thing that concerns us.  I’d rather have Him in charge than be in constant fear or worry.  So no matter what you face, dinner with family or a major financial shift, give it ALL to God….He cares for you.

Check it out…His word even tells us that very thing so I know its true:  1 Peter 5:7Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Love ya’ll,

Trish

more letters...can you believe it???

If you're following my world in the past month you know all about the letters we were praying for, right?  Well today I felt a strong leading (I know this was the Holy Spirit!) to open this plastic container that had been under my dresser forever (oh, yeah...it was even in the "jewelry display" video) and I hadn't opened it or looked inside in at least 3 years.  So I open it up & look under one thing and voila!!!  All these letters my dad had sent me from 1998 to maybe 2004. 

HOW FUN!  right?!?!

He is hysterical, ya know?!  He would draw a little man running if he had to leave the letter to go get something.  He tells stories of his childhood that would knock you over! He would try to sign his name like I do mine with a bunch of squiggly lines and give me a hard time for funny things I did, then reminded me of them:)  How much fun I'm having!!!!  God is so good....and SO funny!!!!


 "All things are possible to him that believes."  Mark 9:23  I say that because last night Marc & I had powerful praise & worship in our study and this morning some quality time with God before the kids woke up....and ya know what?  We both had a beautiful and productive day.  I staged the house for pictures & that video, had quality--not rushed time with both boys, weeded the ENTIRE overgrown "garden" that runs the entire length of the back yard, watched Koen take his first 3 steps (in a row), taught him to climb the ladder on the playground, made some calls, did some computer work and kept the house picked up all day.  WOW!  Talk about a miracle!!!

Expect Mircales....they happen!
 Do you believe????

God is blessing me more than just this party

The past couple days, despite being very busy, I've been so heavily blessed with a fresh outlook.  My boys are amazing (well I've always known that) and I've been enjoying more quality time with them even cuddling or kissing.  It bears mentioning that yesterday was Koen's first, second & third kisses.  Tiernan was the first to receive a juicy, baby slobber kiss which almost turned into a very red nose.  Then Mama joined right in this fun experience of a milestone & Daddy was quick to follow.  Afterward Koen celebrated his accomplishment with an ear to ear smile and several strong hand claps.  What a special moment!

And for Tiernan he's talking so much more these days.  He loves to carry on a conversation even using new facial features & shoulder shrugs.  I have to keep from laughing just about every time.  Not only when he's telling a story or explaining something to me but this boy is FUNNY.  just plain ol' giggle-till-it-hurts funny, 

You wanna hear something really funny?  Well, too bad, I'm telling it anyway.  Once I was trying to have a serious conversation with him about something he did that was unacceptable.  Trying being the key word here.  Not only was I unable to keep a straight face I couldn’t even look at him.  I don't mean I wore a smirk.  I mean I was in an outright belly laugh.  Uncontrollable.  Laughing with tears in my eyes.  Ever since then he’ll randomly try to just start laughing when I’m about to discipline him thinking he’ll get me going.  It only worked ONE other time I assure youJ 

What a joy it is to see them both growing & learning.

gymnastics for my boys

Tiernan's first experience with gymnastics today was beautiful.  He had such a great time but secretively I had the BEST time.  I watched him jump everywhere, bounce off padded things, roll on the floor, run on the training trampoline, fall face first into the foam cube pit, all the while Koen watched in amazement as he fought off sleep (had to skip his nap to go).

I have 4 videos and I was able to get ONE on YouTube so I might be able to share it here.  Working on sharing more videos & pictures; only problem is everyone's in bed by the time I get to it & all the electronic stuff to accomplish this task is in our study with the computer....can't wake my resting Honey!

So I will get it together.....technically speaking....one day soon, I hope.