Beauty...

I was reminded last night of the beauty of Jesus' love.  As cliche as that might sound, how often do you reflect on it? I know I talk about it and feel it and know it, but last night I was able to see it in its purest form.  I was so struck by it that I had to sit down and share my thoughts.
A dear childhood friend of mine that I have reconnected with and adore has become a follower of Jesus recently in her life.  To watch and listen to all He is doing in her life is so refreshing! She spoke of an event happening at our church in a couple weeks that was an ideal opportunity to invite her loved ones to come, not only for the event, but to experience this new part of her life, and hear about her Savior.  As she spoke, emotion poured from her unexpectedly.  Her tears of hope and ache for her family "to come" overcame her.

"to come" 

Not just to this event, not just to church, "to come to know Jesus." To open up their hearts to the possibility of an eternity with Him.  The beauty I was struck by and am still savoring is the reality that when "we come" to Jesus in our lives, return to Him, are in relationship with Him, we want nothing more than to see those we love and those we know come to Him as well.  The beauty I was struck by is the pure, raw emotion of the crack in our voice and tears that spill from our eyes, the emotions that flow from us as we share our desire to see the people we love come to experience the grace, redemption and power of a loving and true God. Because He is true, He is alive, and He is Lord. And He is so good.

She sent me a text this morning, saying she felt silly for being emotional... what I want her to know is what a testimony and reminder to me her transparency was, of the beauty of Christ's love.  To be so moved in our lives from having experienced Jesus, that we can't help but cry out with a broken heart for others to know Him as well.

His love is beautiful, and her heart is as well.

-K

Buttery Guilt.

I bought a bag of this crazy good "all natural" popcorn today-- a healthy snack alternative, Yes? At 2:45pm it seemed like Yes, at 7:52pm with the bag about 3/4 of the way gone, I think NO.

I am obsessed with popcorn, ask my hubby, who is my inhalation witness.  I'm the girl that when I go to the movies, wants the tub (not the single persons serving bag), with butter. Jake doesn't eat one bite. I'm the girl, that when pregnant with my sweet Addison wanted that buttery delight all through my pregnancy even when it made me feel SO sick. I just love popcorn.  So, with some form of crazy logic (otherwise known as no logic at all) it feels like I should just finish off the bag I bought today at 1:00pm so that I don't have it around to eat tomorrow...... except Jake noticed I was still reaching my hand it the bag 5 minutes ago so he has hidden it from me. 

That's all.

a love note...

Dear Summer,

I have many hopes and dreams when I think of you.  For the most part, I am just plain excited to spend time with you, it has been a while and last time we were together I was not in the best form to enjoy you at the fullest.  This year I am about 30 pound lighter, and that being said, I have someone new to introduce to you.  He is wonderful.  

I plan to usher myself into your space with some nice, long runs.  You know, the kind that will tone my jiggly parts up so that I can be dressed appropriately and not make you uncomfortable ( I know you don't care for parka's).  These runs will often include a jogging stroller filled with two baby bums.  It will also often include my fitter-half, aka, my hubby.  If you could tell your friend, Spring to give us some nice warm days to prepare for our time with you, I'd forever be in your debt.

A nice place to enjoy cold strawberry-cucumber inspired water and conversations with you and other good friends will be my wonderful back yard, equipped with a new kiddie pool, lawn chairs and a mess of outdoor toys.  The new "Fathers Day" BBQ will also enhance our experiences together. As you well know, we've been preparing for your warm nights with smokies and burgers already.

Oh don't worry! We will definitely meet up weekly at our Bottle Bay stomping grounds.  Baby #1 has big plans to "go under completely" this year in the glorious lake (that you will warm, right?), and Baby #2 gets to experience the first splash in Lake Pend Oreille.  He will love it.  I can't wait to get back on my water ski and remind myself I'm getting older, but still "got it." 

I long for your sweet starry nights, warm evening breezes, toes in the water while sitting on the dock. The sounds of the hum of a boat motor, children laughing, the excitement of the first fish being reeled in, marshmallow roasted and tent pitched for the season.  Oh how you love me! :)

Summer Evenings on the Lake....

Iced coffee, garage sales, crafting, and spending time slowly absorbing each ray of sun you have to offer.  Oy! I am so eager for your arrival.  

Just wanted you to know you are heavily anticipated and thought of often.

Your #1 Fan,

Kristine

Catching Up...

6 months! The little man in my life is already 6 months old! Oh how he has changed me and wrapped me around his sweet fingers. :) Funny how all through my pregnancy I couldn't imagine a boy, what it would be like to hold him in my arms, nurse him and yes, change his diaper...how would a little boy work? How would he fit into the family?  Oy! He has not only my heart, but his daddy's and sisters hearts also, he has them safely tucked into his tiny boy denim jean pockets. hehehe baby booty in tiny jeans, is there anything cuter?

Playing at Grandma & Grandpa's on his 6 month birthday

A little bit of Sunshine to bask in....

Life is sweet right now, after a year of many stretching situations, lessons, emotions and such.  Addison is a  such a little girl, no longer showing any signs of  "baby or toddler" but that of a school girl these days.  Pushing back, pushing boundaries, talking back, learning, questioning, embracing and loving hard.  Cruz is sleeping longer stretches at night, laughing and interacting with his sister who he adores and dancing (yes, dancing literally) when he hears music or clapping.  He loves music....we may have a little musician on our hands...we shall see. His chubby legs and sweet shoulders beg for never ending kisses which he has no problem receiving. :)

First Dentist trip was a HUGE SUCCESS! :) She loved it!

Some transparency: I find myself seeking balance in my life and shunning the voice in my ear ever so often that tells me I am inadequate at being the wife and mother I am supposed to be with the perfectly behaved 3 year old, 6 month old that is sleeping perfectly through the night... amazing dinners on the table of my spotless kitchen table each night.....as well as a professional woman with it all figured out down to the most intricate detail- when it comes to my time with my job (even though much of it is done from home). To be ahead of the game and  exceeding expectations only I have put on myself...I know that I am doing my best a both and enjoy both immensely... however the reality of there only being "so many hours in one day" is definitely where I find myself.

Yes, life truly is good and I am happy.  Despite the doubt that creeps into my head from time to time I know that God has equipped me with everything I need to do all He has placed before me, in my home ministry and in my church ministry- they are both the ministry of my life.   I am looking forward to the summer season that offers sweet down time with the ones I love the most .  Memories to be made on the water and under the sun.

So as for the delay in the world of blogging, wow, 2.5 months have passed since I last found myself sitting before my computer notepad writing down my thoughts for you to read.... all 7 of you *wink.

An early April sunny day, missing daddy in this pic, he was taking it! :)

More to come, some more on life, and then more on some crafting, playing, growing and such.

Cheers,
Kristine

Enough Excuses

Okay, Okay, OKAY! I've stated that the beginning of this year a "resolution" if you will, would be to "get back to getting fit!" Cruz was 2 months old when I decided this and now he is 3.5 and I am not "back to fit" YET... ENOUGH with the excuses! This is not a resolution, this is a lifestyle and I am 29, I better get it figured out before more life passes me by and it is not my lifestyle! SO no more resolutions, no more excuses.  Time to set goals and meet, then surpass them.  Thank you Pinterest for your "fitness" pins because I feel like a slacker and I also feel inspired!  So, I'm putting this out there and now I gotta do it NOW!
Addison is on board too, for the last week she has asked me every single day "Mama, when can we work out!?!" We did one workout 2 weeks ago and she put on her shorts and purple tennis shoes and joined me for almost the entire workout! Now if that isn't motivation, I don't know what is.  Time to make that little girl proud! hehehe...

So here I go, on to setting myself up for success!

 Time to get busy!

So, check in with me, see how I'm progressing and keep me accountable until I don't need any accountability but my own self!

On the flip side of this--We have be come a non-processed food family! We are eating and learning via The Daniel Plan Lifestyle Eating program and it is GOOD!!! Learn more about that here:  http://www.danielplan.com/

And check out this blog where I get TONS of recipe ideas that have proven to be delish!  http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/

Now that we have gotten the eating part down for the most part ( it doesn't mean we never get a treat).... The fitness is next! Time to get that INSANITY body back and keep it! 

Cheers!

Kristine