It's all alright..and lately in photos.

I created this blog not just to share what's happening lately, but more as a vessel for God to use me. 

This space is my offering back to Him in hopes that because of my story, He gets the glory that belongs only to Him. 

"If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 

your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 

Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."

3 

Psalm 139:11-18

Lately life has been coming at me full swing, or at least it feels that way. 

I'm no stranger to up's and downs. It's been something I've wrestled with a lot over my life. I think we all do at some point, right?

Seasons of depression come swiftly, without warning, and with no intention of leaving as swiftly as they rush in. 

I'm learning that even though it may feel like it sometimes, it's not the end of the world. 

For me, even though my mind is a million miles from earth in this particular season, I'm introspective, creative and write more from the heart. 

This is proof that God can use the seasons of darkness and sadness just as much as he can use the seasons of gladness. The bottom line is- He loves us no matter what season we are in and He desires to use us in both. 

My sweet mama has been sending me bible verses and encouragement daily. Even when I don't want to, I read it anyway.

While I was cooking and doing my thing in the kitchen tonight these verses came to mind:

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:37-39

It's ok. It's all alright! No matter what season I'm in, high or low, NOTHING can separate me from His love. 

What a relief and a light in the darkest place. 

I often think about the ways God has blessed me. My kiddos, Ryan, my family, you guys, the rest of my tribe, and my faith are what keep me encouraged and remind me to keep persevering.

My little lovebugs are so tender and are watching my every move. It's one of the reasons I know I have to press on even when I don't feel like I can press any further. 

It's also one of the reasons why I believe God's truth that children are such a blessing- 

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them..." -Psalm 127:4-5

On a lighter note here are some photos from what's been happening lately! 

We haven't been exempt from the rain here in Florence, so today the kids made the best of being inside and played "school". 

We also cheered for the buckeyes after their win against Indiana.

We might have some future buckeye cheerleaders standing in front of us!

I should be laying out my crew's church clothes for tomorrow. Instead, I'm blogging and before this I was in the kitchen making my grandma's recipe for vinegar-based slaw. Its my favorite!! I added some of my own pizazz to it. I couldn't wait until tomorrow to dig in, so I did a few "taste test's" to make sure it was just right.

I had a much needed movie night with Ryan last week while the kids were in Memphis with their Dad and stepmom. 

I also got to have a girls night a few weeks ago with my best friend Erika! 

"Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find." -William Shakespeare

We encourage each other and sharpen each other. She's the one friend who's allowed to criticize me and tell me the truth even when it hurts because I know I can trust her. 

She also challenged me to do the October yoga spice challenge! You can follow me on Instagram if you want to see me look really awkward as I try to do daily yoga poses like this..

Covered by grace.

Sometimes you miss the people who made you the adult you are today; you miss the little things and the people who taught you that it's the little things in life that matter most. 

With that said, the kids and I packed up the car at 9 pm Saturday night and hit the open road for the 1.5 hour drive down to my hometown. We wanted desperately to see everyone, but the weather and lack of planning cut us short from visiting some of our favorites. 

We did make it to Yemassee baptist to worship on Sunday. It was so good to see several of the people who had an impact on me growing up. So many treasured relationships brought back to life with a "good to see you" followed by the sweetest embrace. This is what makes me so thankful that I grew up in a 'Mayberry' town. 

We made it out to my dads river lot for some fun out on the dock after Sunday lunch at my grandparents. 

We pulled in the crab pot, spied on fiddler crabs in their natural habitat, and even watched and listened as the rain trampled across the water just in time to soak us a bit before we reached cover. 

My dad enjoyed the view with the kiddos before heading back to a project. 

While we were there my cousin Jonathan showed the kids how to cast a shrimp net, taught them about the full moon, tides and was able to show them the way that a squid protects itself from predators. Jude thought the ink was the coolest. Jude and Ellie Kate each shared the load of carrying the bucket to the end of the dock and were eager to fill it with shrimp. 

We feasted on the fruits of our labor when we got home!

There's something so serene about being out on the water- About being on the river and observing the way the current moves with the moon.

I often think about my life and how it ebbs and flows just as the tide. How this force comes not just from the moon, but from the one who created it. How he looks after the tides and the creatures of the earth and sea; but how much more he looks after me. 

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26-26

Tonight we are home. The kids are sleeping and dreaming while I think about the week we are headed into. 

I'm thankful for the little things, but even more so for the bigger things that are covered by His grace. 

 

Not too long ago I posted this on Instagram:

With this caption-

"Ryan and Ellie Kate surprised me with this book 6 months ago. I have laughed and cried through each page every time I've read it. So much of the raw truth of Jesus and the open, willing heart of Angela Thomas to be used by Him in, 'A beautiful offering' have helped heal layers of brokenness over years of hurt. Tomorrow, with unclenched fists, I'm mailing my favorite book full of highlighted, tear-soaked pages to a woman who needs it more than I do. I know her heart will never be the same." 

I sent this book to the sweetest soul because I know her hurt and what it's like to beg God for peace. 

One of my favorite quotes from this book is this: "You speak in love. Act in tenderness. You imitate what you know about peace until it becomes a reality for your character & your life."

Tonight I hope that peace becomes your reality; That no matter how the tides may turn, you rest in knowing you are covered by His grace. 

O-H-I-O...and a little bit of Pittsburgh.

I mentioned several blog posts ago that the next thing up on the blog would be pictures from our Ohio trip.. Well here we are weeks later and I'm just getting around to it. It's ok though. That's just how it works sometimes right? We make plans or dream up things then real life happens and we learn to adjust accordingly. 

Im actually glad it took a little while to get around to posting this because it gave me a chance look through all of the pictures and relive the memories we made while we were there. 

The kiddos spent some time over the summer in Yemassee with my parents. They each had time alotted separately and together. I think someone is still claiming they got jipped a few days, but we lost count. We will try again next summer. 

Since they were there it gave me the opportunity to fly up to Ohio with Ryan and Hayden for a little visit with my future in laws. 

I love these two so much more than they'll ever know. 

It's so sweet when I get to see pieces of Ryan's personality highlighted in Hayden. They are so much alike. 

I think about my role in Hayden's life often. I'm so grateful that God chose me to be her future step-mother. 

I pray that I never over-step boundaries with her (or her mom); but that I can give her an example of a gentle, quiet spirit with a heart full of grace, love and beauty. 

We arrived in Ohio on a Thursday. I was so happy to see Ryan's mom and dad. I love them both and always look forward to seeing them. 

Being with people you can let your hair down and be yourself around is one of the greatest treasures. Not to mention the fact that I'm guaranteed several good belly-laugh's every time we are all together! 

We spent one day in Pittsburgh and I fell in love with that city!  

We went to Station Square then up to Mount Washington for dinner and to watch the sunset over the city. 

So gorgeous!

I snuck this sweet picture of Jan and Hayden on our walk to one of the overlooks☺️

 

The next pics are snapshots from different spots between Station Square and Mount Washington. 

Enjoy! 

This next pic is for my dad and my best friend! Heinz Field and a CSX train. 

This was the incline at station square. We took it up to one of the overlooks. It was super cool to see the city from that view. 

The sunset over the three rivers was breathtaking. 

When night ensued the lights from the buildings and bridges illuminated the entire city. It was beautiful. 

We took the boat out on the Ohio River the day before we had to leave. The weather was perfect. 

The water was a little chilly, but it didn't keep us out of it! 

When we got back from the river we quickly got spiffed up to meet up with two other couples who are basically like siblings to Ryan. Ryan had fun catching up. I had a blast laughing and sharing stories with new friends! In all seriousness, I genuinely wish we lived closer so we could hang out often. They were the best! 

It's always such a bummer when we have to leave. Hopefully we can drag his parents down here permanently, but until then we will look forward to every single visit to "The Buckeye State"!