Do You Ever...

write an entire blog post and then delete it?

I do.  ;)

But at least I won't leave you without some Kohl's changing room cuteness....

{thankful for}

Perry

Jack Cruz

their Daddy

a new notebook

beautiful photos

photo sessions

the lady at the post office 

{Words} Sunday Snapshot

Tonight, as I was flipping through random photos in the black hole that is my Iphoto App, I kept coming across these 'conversations' that I had taken screen shots of.  All of these brought the BIGGEST smile to my face and I thought it would be fun to pile them all up in one post and give you a few giggles and smiles too.  So, here's a {snapshot} into my daily world:

(Jack's committee date.  As my LA Bestie was rallying prayer warriors!)

{thankful for}

words that build and don't tear down

the very best friends a girl could ask for

a sister that keeps me in shape and is getting me crop-top ready!  2014, of course....

a husband that loves our family to forever and back

a little boy who fills my heart with such JOY its unspeakable

By {His} Hands

I want to say the BIGGEST heartfelt "Thank You" to each and everyone of you who bid, liked, shared, or prayed over our Adoption Auction!  When all was said and done (and before shipping), we raised a whopping $1,295.

I was absolutely floored.  Floored.  And so so grateful.

Not to mention, during the auction, a sweet blog friend, Kim, auctioned off some of her daughter's old Matilda Jane clothing and raised another $255 for us.  So humbled and so thankful!

I share these numbers not to brag or to flaunt around money figures, but to talk openly about what our God can do through a community of friends and family who loves and cares for the orphan.

(Our new Kitchen chalkboard wall.  Pman's drawing space is below the chevron line....

Design totally and completely borrowed from Miss Mustard Seed.)

Justin and I don't come from a lot of money.  But we have plenty.  All of our needs are met and then some. But, the fact of the matter is, when it comes to this monstrous amount of money it is taking to ransom our son, we simply don't yet have that.

Yet.

But, this auction was a prime example of His love and His faithfulness.  I had prayed that He would bless it and that we would successfully raise $1,000.  And just like God always does, he blessed us with immeasurably more.

We still have so much farther to go.  But we truly believe that By His Hands, we will ransom our son into forever.

{thankful for}

immeasurably more

His faithfulness

My Mom's texting abilities and sweet words during hard times

Justin's safety (he had a minor wreck today)

car insurance

chalk painting with Perry

Mexican food

Dream Big {Favorite Photo Friday}

I have always been known by family and friends as the one who dreams big.  I'm gloriously optimistic and I love to go for it.  (The optimism drove my favorite college professor batty.  She told me on a weekly basis that no one in the world was happy enough to use that many exclamation marks.... I politely disagreed and told her they were staying!) 

There are few things I truly worry about and feel that life should be spent doing what you love.

I LOVE photography and dream of it being my "big girl job" one day.

It's something I cannot explain.  I would gladly live behind my lens and bask in the glory of capturing the beauty of daily life.

And to have the opportunity to capture life's beauty for someone else, is truly an honor. 

{thankful for}

photography sessions

cute little toes

eyelashes for days

beautiful weather

a fun afternoon

a sweet family to spend it with

To see more amazing Favorite Photos this Friday, please visit my friend, Lisa's Blog: