{pretty, happy, funny, real}

{pretty}

I love this little planter in the front of my house.  My husband planted things he knew I'd like and the result is such a sweet, pretty mix of colors.

{happy}

The other day when I went to get J after naptime I opened the door and found this (minus the kid underneath... The picture was taken later during playtime). That morning Daddy had built a fort.  (Also, eek: I promise her room is normally a titch more organized).  She barely came out all afternoon.

{funny & real}

My big girl has gotten WAY into gardening lately.  Evidence:

That's a herculean effort right there.

Mostly she picks the green ones, but occasionally we can convince her that the red ones are worth her while.  She fought with this one, but won in the end.  She was thrilled to eat it.  Ecstatic doesn't even cover it.  

Until.

Would you believe some wicked tyrant insisted she sit in a chair to eat her tomato so that the wild beast we employ as a dog in our backyard wouldn't eat it out of her hand?  Neither could she.

The saddest anyone has ever been when eating a tomato.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1

I loved this essay by Pat Gohn on developing a practice of praying with others.  That is NOT something I am generally comfortable with outside of a relatively structured church/pre-meal grace/bedtime situation.  Nope.  But I have discovered something lately (this is a real revelation, so get ready): I'm pretty sure God didn't put us down here for comfort.  I know, right?  Mind-boggling.  That truth has been ringing across most of my days lately, though, so I figured I might as well embrace the discomfort a bit and try to provide some grace to those around me at the same time.  So, uh, we'll see how it goes?  

2

I've started reading 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess which has only been reinforcing the discomfort thing.  That is not a comfortable book.  Has anyone else out there read it?  

3

Lest you think I'm starting to become very holy and impressive (she says), the thing I've been most excited about this week is the new eyelash curler I got.  It's heated.  It's amazing.  

4

Since Hallie posted about visiting Grace and mentioned something about Simon's being funny, and since I just recently discovered Grace's blog, I just fell down the rabbit hole of Simon Says posts.  Oh. My. Gosh.  I was laughing out loud at work, ya'll.  I mean it's slow around here so no one cares, but that kind of behavior isn't exactly promotion-worthy.  Worth it.  

5

Sammy hasn't had much play on the blog yet.  Gratuitous baby photo ahead.  

Yes, that is spit up.  Look we can't all be clean and hygenic ALL the time.

I love this baby stage.  They're so cute and squishy and milky but also all big-eyed and cooey.  Yum.

6

This weather in Southern California is weird.  Hot, humid rain.  It's like Florida's climate decided to take a little jaunt Westward.  I'd like it to go home now.

7

Have a wonderful weekend!!!  Go visit Jen for more Quick Takes!

Love Songs I Love

The incredibly stylish and fun Hallie Lord (disclosure: I have been following her for ages and may have squealed out loud when she started following me on Instagram) is having a love song linkup! About 20 songs popped into my head immediately (including no small shortage of Disney songs) but these are my very favorite ones right this minute.

"Fly" by Sara Groves

The first dance at our wedding.  Check out these lyrics:

Oh how the little things 

Strengthen my tiny wings 

Help me to take on the world 

When you love me there's nothing I wouldn't try 

I might even fly 

I mean. Right??

"P.M.'s Love Theme" from Love Actually

Speaking of wedding songs! This one was our recessional. I'm not sure I could love a song more.

"I Only Have Eyes For You" The Flamingo

This one has the added bonus of being romantic and dreamy to me while also reminding me of Buffy. I love that episode because it was when Angel was missing his soul and we got the aching breathless moment together when everything was good again... and then... he was evil Angel again. Curses.

"Love Song for a Savior" Jars of Clay

I have loved this song since the album came out when I was in the eighth grade and I think it just gets better as I get older.

"So This is Love" from Cinderella

Until my husband-to-be proved uncooperative this was the song I wanted for my first wedding dance. I always thought it was SO romantic and it really has such a great, sort of retro, vibe.

"So Are You to Me" Eastmountainsouth

I'm going to go ahead and admit that I first heard this song watching an episode of "Alias," but that doesn't make the lyrics any less gorgeous, or her voice less heartbreaking.

"In Your Eyes" Peter Gabriel

This song will forever remind me of a dance at Sadie's, sophomore year of high school, with the boy I had a truly earth-shattering crush on.  I was dancing on the ceiling, people.  Never in my life have I been more thrilled to hear the opening strains of a six minute song.

"Your Hand in Mine" Explosions in the Sky

No lyrics at all, but anyone who has ever seen Friday Night Lights can't help but be instantly moved by it.



Sidenote- lots of TV/movie references, I know.  It's how I first experienced love!