It's time for my Friday link up with A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals.
On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.
Happy Friday, dear Reader! I hope you had a lovely Easter. We had the best time on Spring Break and lots of fun this week getting back to baseball after the week off . . . especially when one of my favorite kiddos hit a walk-off double in extra innings last night to bring our Varsity team the big, fat W. There was much celebrating and jumping up and down and screaming and watching my kid run like the wind out of the dugout as if his hair was on fire to congratulate one of his best buds for being the hero.
Have I mentioned that I love the baseball? Gosh, I sure do. Here are some other favorites from the week.
1. St. Tropez Self-Tanning Mousse
When I was in Austin a couple of weeks ago it was close to 80 degrees and I wore a dress to dinner. My bare legs were an alarming situation I was not prepared for after having covered them up for lo so many months. Self-tanners give me an eye-twitch because I'm always super-stressed out about being orange and/or having weird streaks and spots because the Lord left out "Self-Tanning Application Skill" when He handed out my gifts. One of my girls suggested this St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse and assured me that it was pretty fool-proof. She was right. This is subtle and easy to apply and best yet it doesn't have a really strong self-tanner smell like most do. Click the "coupon" for a discount and do not forget the Applicator Mitt. It's a must. Highly recommend.
2. Unmissing by Minka Kent
I haven't even gotten three full chapters into this book and I know it's going to be good. I'm so grateful because the last few books I've read have been garbage. And I'm the kind of person who will not quit a book which I realize is so dumb. Anyway, I know it won't be a struggle to finish this one: Luca's wife, Lydia, goes missing for ten years and is presumed dead. Luca creates a new life with 2nd wife, Merritt. Lydia shows up on their doorstep one day, emaciated and dirty. This happened in the first chapter. And now Jenn has to cancel every single plan she had this weekend to find out what happens.
3. Pilcro Relaxed Plaid Button Down
Anthropologie has 40% off sale items today. This is a shirt that I absolutely, positively do not need. And also is one that I will probably dream about tonight. Gosh, I love it so much. It comes in three colors. If you are up for making your dreams a reality, check out the sale items at Anthro today. They're so good.
4. Aerie Crossover Legging with Pockets
I know everyone raves about the Lululemon leggings and for the first time in my life I bought a pair of them at the Lululemon outlet. I always hear about the Align but I got these Wunder Train because the outlet didn't have my size in the Align. They're great. Really great. I get it now.
However, I have long been a fan of the OFFLINE by Aerie Real Me Xtra Crossover High Waisted Pocket Legging (why so many words though, Aerie?) and I grabbed a new pair of those as well. Listen, I don't want to dash your Lulu dreams, but I honestly think the Aerie are just as good. Having said that, they probably won't last as long as the Lululemons. Still, they are a really, really soft, comfortable, great-fitting legging and they cost under $40.00.
5. A Prayer Answered in the Smoky Mountains
There was pool and pac-man playing. There was hiking and golfing and shopping and moonshine shooting. But this is the main thing I took with me from Spring Break 2022 - I mean besides a few extra pounds and a lot of face bloat ;-)
Listen, Mamas of Littles. I didn't know for sure. I hoped, but I didn't know for sure. And some days my hope was hanging by a very thin thread. But one day, it just might happen. One day you might have your people scattered around - in three different states even. And one day, you'll have to sync up schedules and work out details and travel arrangements and text directions and addresses and cross your fingers that it will all come together. And once it finally happens and all the weirdos are back under one roof, you will stop for a second and listen. And no, I'm not telling you there will be peace and quiet and calm because NO MA'AM, there will not. There will still be chaos because BOYS. But the chaos you hear floating up around you will not be squabbling and fighting and "YOU SUCK" and the crash of one human throwing another human into a piece of furniture.
The chaos you hear will be laughter. Real, deep, crouched over, hands-on-your-knees-can't-catch-your-breath laughter. And you'll take just a second and be grateful because come to find out, these jokers happen to love each other deeply and on top of that, they enjoy the fire out of each other. And they don't go more than five minutes without cracking each other up.
And if I think about it? Of all of God's gifts? That kind of laughter? That kind of silly, over-the-top, out-of-control joy? That kind of connection among three little boys who are completely different in so many ways, but so alike in the most important ways?
That's one of the things I've been hoping for and praying about for their entire lives. And I sure don't take it lightly. Because it is true evidence that God hears. I'm so darn grateful. So deeply, deeply grateful.
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy" - Job 8:21
Y'all have a great weekend. And I hope you find a time to laugh - that kind of laughter that makes your stomach hurt and your cheeks ache. It's a gift from the Lord. Do not doubt it.
2 comments:
I happen to be here in the Smoky’s as I read this, with three of our four (and many of their friends) under one roof. I get it!!! And prayed for this day, but not specifically b/c I didn’t know what to pray for… but He knew. I wouldn’t have known to ask for THIS. It is so great. So worth it. A blessing not everyone, despite doing everything “right”, gets to experience. I am so lucky, so blessed, and incredibly thankful.
And my library doesn’t have that book so I may have to buy it. Have you read Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves? A top 5 favorite of mine!
Hey! I can't believe you're there, too! What a coincidence! Have the best time. :-) I have read a book by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but not that one yet. I'll check it out. Thanks for stopping by! Have so much fun this weekend!
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