Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

Archives for 2015

the farmhouse {summer update}.

Because it’s sweltering hot, my boys are out of school and I am currently ignoring my “to-do” list, the boys and I decided to rearrange some furniture this morning. I was inspired reading The Nester’s post about creating a summer home and decided to start with one room.

Myquillyn’s confession hit home: “…when I knew I needed a change, my first thought was to run into Target or HomeGoods and buy some cute tchotchke to make it feel more summery–maybe a big ginger jar or a basket of shells or a fresh throw pillow? But I knew I needed a change with more impact than that. And that’s risky because I had to drive further, spend a little more take a bigger risk and do the work of hanging up new drapes.”

I could not agree more. Now, I didn’t hang new drapes but I did want a change without purchasing something new. I knew I simply needed to get creative and “shop my own home.” I often forget that bringing an item into a different space creates an entirely new feel to a room.

I decided to start with our family room. Other than the kitchen, this is the most hard-working room in our home and it needed a summer update. I didn’t take a “before” picture this morning. The photo below was taken not long after we moved in. It’s changed since {including new drapes} but this is a general idea of how the room looked “before” our little update:

And, the “after“…

The new sofa has been in here for several months and I had already moved the white chairs into this room {after Christmas – I decided to leave them here so we have additional seating}. I just changed out the lamps, added a footstool {again, extra seating} and swapped the side table. 

And, yes, I need new batteries for the clock. It has been 3 o’clock for a couple of weeks. Details. Details.

One of my absolute favorite things about spring and summer are fresh flowers. I am constantly cutting flowers and bringing them inside. I have them all over the house. They’re a free way to instantly brighten up any space.

I love this little end table from a friend’s shop. It was in our guest room but I wanted to move it downstairs so I can see it more often. It’s just too cute to hide away.

I liked the idea of creating a couple of distinct spaces within the room. Although it’s a fairly small room, we are able to cram a lot of people in here fairly comfortably. That’s important to us. We love having friends and family over and we want a space that is inviting and welcoming. 

A freshened up entry by swapping out the basket and lightening up the pillow and throw.

Have I ever confessed my love for glass jars of all shapes and sizes? Well, there. I said it. In addition to the flowers all over the house, there are glass jars everywhere. I love these apothecary jars that my little guys dug up on our land. There used to be an old home on the other side of our property and the boys are always digging up “treasures” over there. These jars were some of their favorite finds.

Just for fun, I’ll share this photo of more of their “treasures” in the guest bath. I’m telling you, it’s jars, jars everywhere you look.

Another summer update tradition around here: our summer bucket list. I have a feeling that summer is going to fly by this year and I want to soak up every single moment!

Thanks for stopping by for a little tour. I hope you have an awesome week, friends!

higher and deeper.



“…You have called me higher
You have called me deeper 
And I will go where you will lead me Lord…”

I had forgotten which CD was in the player in my car, assuming it was the usual: last summer’s VBS soundtrack.

“And I could be safe
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down…”

Nothing was on the radio. I decided a few kiddo worship tunes would make the run-around-town-errands a little easier on my backseat passengers.

“And I could just stay
I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel you
Hope to feel something again”

Instead, this song released piercing truth through the car.

I let the words seep into my heart. Knowing.

He is calling me. He is asking me to step out of my comfort zone.

Yet here I stand: on these shaky knees with fists clenched tightly. Can’t I just stay here? At home. Fortified walls up. Where I’m safe.

The song was a reminder to my fearful heart. His adventure awaits. His hand is outstretched. He beckons, Come, my child. I will lead you somewhere beautiful. Trust me.


I will go where you will lead me, Lord. 

Tell me I’m not alone in this. Are you feeling called to something higher and deeper? Does fear attempt to steal the joy from following where He leads?

prayer changes things.

Life has been moving full steam ahead. Why is it that when I make a concentrated effort to slow down and be present in the moment that suddenly the moments start moving faster and faster?

I have so much to share – from Dave’s incredible trip to Haiti (and the amazing possibilities unfolding), the boys FIFTH birthday (somebody hold me) and our all-consuming work on attachment (full disclosure: I thought this process of attachment would look differently than it actually does, it seems my plans have once again been tossed aside for reality – so many thoughts to share on this…soon).

Today, instead of sharing about the many things happening in my life, I need to ask for prayers for friends. I know the eyes that read the words on this little blog have prayed alongside me for the most impossible miracle. Together, we witnessed the fruit of our labor: Sylvie came home against all odds. We did that. Prayer changes things and time on our knees is never, ever wasted. 

McKinley Moore.

When a college friend and sorority sister learned the devastating news last week that her precious, smiley, spunky two-year-old daughter had been diagnosed with leukemia, friends all over the country rallied together to commit to prayer over their sweet McKinley. SEVENTY-FIVE girls were on a group message sharing what we knew in order to pray specifically, as well as how we could help tangibly. In TWO days, friends and family raised nearly $40,000 for the family’s unforeseen medical expenses. Incredible.

The body of Christ came together. I couldn’t help but thank God for the way He takes even the most horrific situation and allows us to see His light shine through the darkness. He pulled us together and created a team of warriors committed to the long battle ahead. Karen and her family do not have to go through this alone. For that, I am thankful.

Will you join me in praying for sweet McKinley and her parents: Karen and Casey? You can read updates from her momma HERE.

Jonathon Bost.

I met Mary eight or nine years ago at church. Her humor and positive outlook on life immediately drew me to her. Our little church community group wasn’t the same when their sweet family moved to Texas several years later. I’ve loved following her silly stories about her kiddos and sweet reminders about Jesus’ goodness on her blog over the years.

When her husband had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital at the end of April, and immediately underwent brain surgery, their community of friends here rallied together in prayer. We spent anxious hours waiting for text updates and placing Jonathon and Mary before the Throne of Grace. The day they went in for the pathology results was covered in prayer. Collectively, we all fell to our knees in grief when the results came back: brain cancer.

Yet, the story isn’t over. We stayed on our knees and kept on pleading. For grace and mercy and Shalom. For Divine healing.

Will you join me in praying for Jonathon and Mary and their babies? You can read the beautiful, funny, inspiring updates from Mary HERE.

Thank you, friends.

a photo reminder.

These side-by-side-oh-my-goodness-they’ve-grown-so-much photos do something. They remind me: this too shall pass. 

In the messy and busy day-to-day, I often don’t realize how much they’ve changed. Only when the weather turns unseasonably cold and a search for long pants turns up only unintended capris, do I notice they’ve grown inches taller. Only when a virus passes through and fever wakes him in the night, do I realize he is no longer the cause of my lack of sleep. Only when I’m covered in vomit from the baby, do I realize that they no longer have the horrible reflux that caused such destruction to my rugs and walls and clothing and everything in between for that first year of their life.

One of the boys has taken up sleep walking. Apparently, this is hereditary. My Nana is famous for her antics while asleep. Cooking chili on the stove, purchasing items online, eating… all while sound asleep. And, my younger sister has a tell-tale sign to know she is sleep walking: she is mean. If she calls me in her sleep and I ask if she is awake, she will reply in an angry tone assuring me that she is NOT.SLEEPING. We all know: angry Lori = sleeping Lori. Anyhow, last night, one of our little guys peed into a basket of toys in his sleep, thinking he was in the bathroom. He adamantly refused to admit that he was asleep. It was eery. And, exhausting. Because, even though he didn’t mean to do it, it still left a giant mess for me to clean up.

So, really, I need these reminders. I need to remember that time slips through our grasp so easily. This life is fragile and hard and beautiful and exhausting and exhilarating. And I spend so much time just just making it through the day, that I often forget to look up and see it.

I need reminders to seek joy and gratitude each day. Reminders that they won’t stay little forever. I had better soak it up and enjoy these wild days.

{We are continuing the end of the year traditional celebration my mom started when my siblings and I were young…last day of school shaving cream fight!}

Therefore, I will be grateful for the crazy days and the messes that need cleaning up because without all of these precious littles, there would be no messes. My house may not {be even close to} perfect. But it is so very full of beauty. For that, I am grateful.

*I started a new Facebook community for all of us seeking to soak up the joy in the midst of chaos. Join us HERE.