Project Weekend

Josh had a weekend in Fayetteville with the guys so I decided I would work on some projects. 

First off, I don't know if I have mentioned it before but every single time Josh is gone overnight it rains. Every. Single. Time. This time wasn't any different. 

Saturday I started the day out going peach picking with some friends. The peaches are still a bit small, but I got a good amount and have enjoyed eating a couple of them already. 

The afternoon was reserved for projects. Project #1 was sanding down some picture frames I found at a local flea market for CHEAP and spray painting them. I added in a bucket we have had in the garage and a glass dish that was an ugly green.

These items will be going in our bedroom (once the renovation is done). Their purpose will remain a mystery, I can say, I am super excited about how they turned out using them. 

Project #2 was building a providence bench for the front porch. I was able to make all the cuts on my own but had to wait for Josh to get home for help with 2 things. 1- I had never done 'pocket hole screws' before, I needed his guidance on that and 2- I needed his hands to hold the pieces while I put the bench together. All in all I am quite proud I made this bench 95% on my own. I am still deciding whether I should stain or paint the bench.. If I paint it I am not sure what color to go with....

(please ignore our ridiculously long grass)

Tonight I am planning on making some Banana Oatmeal Muffins for this weeks breakfasts. They have no flour or sugar, I'll let you know how they turn out. 

Till next time....

~LIFE~

In case you are not aware, I love music, I love singing, I can't get enough of it. I feel the way God and I really connect is through music. I can read the Bible all day long (which I like to do) but if you put God's word into a song...I am hooked. It puts a smile on my face and at the same time can completely break down my walls. 

Sidenote: just another cool thing about God. He speaks to and works in each of us differently, love it!

I have a couple new favorite songs at the moment (see below). Both of these songs speak to where I have come from over the last 3 years thus why I love them so much. Over the last 3 years I've struggled with loving who I am. I have questioned God, carried burdens I didn't need to on my own, and felt defeated. Some people might say, 'yea, that happens to everyone' but this was all at once, constant and the biggest struggle I have ever gone through. Through LOTS of prayer, seeking, and trusting God to guide me I can confidently say, I have broken through to the other side. I am no longer struggling through life. I know His promises more than ever before and know that I am His beloved child, treasure, and friend. I am not saying everything in my life is prefect because yes, like anyone else in the this world I make mistakes. What is different now is my reaction and attitude toward those mistakes.

I remember crying to Josh several times, "I am so tired of doing this" and thinking things would never change. Sometimes we have to walk around that same old mountain several  a couple times before we really understand and learn what God has for us. 

I think when you are in the middle of a battle it is hard to remember what 'normal' life is like anymore and as I said above you become tired. Don't give up, keep pushing through. My heart is filled with so much joy, happiness and strength now because I fought for and accepted it.

"YOU'RE AN OVERCOMER 

STAY IN THE FIGHT TILL THE FINAL ROUND

YOU'RE NOT GOING UNDER 

CAUSE

GOD IS HOLDING YOU RIGHT NOW"

and 

"WHY DO I TRY TO WORK OUTSIDE OF YOU?

KNOCKING DOWN DOORS I SHOULDN'T BE GOING THROUGH

WELL, I'M SO TIRED

I'M SO TIRED

YOU TAKE MY BURDENS OFF OF MY SHOULDERS

YOU BREAK THE LIES THAT HOLD ME BACK"

~ Enjoy the songs ~

Starts With Me - Tim Timmons 

Overcomer - Mandisa 

Of course I have to give a shout out to my amazingly patient and caring husband - Thanks for all your prayers and guidance!

HARSTAD WEDDING

June 22nd my baby sister, Andrea got married. It was a beautiful and love filled day! I cannot say enough about how happy I am for her and Brandon. Brandon is a fun guy, fits in well with our family, is more than perfect for Andrea and is a great new brother. Enjoy a couple of the pictures below.

These are from the grooms dinner. We had cakes made for Josh (birthday June 22nd) and Lisa and Michael (5th wedding anniversary June 21st). Thanks for sharing your special days!

~SISTERS~

~ Good looking bridal party ~

~ CONGRATULATIONS ANDREA & BRANDON ~

Jenny from Lane studio took the wedding pictures and wedding/reception were are The Vintage Garden. 

SMUDGIES

Looking for a yummy, yet healthy sweet treat to enjoy this summer? Try making smudgies! 

Really how can one go wrong with the 3 simple (and delicious) ingredients of banana, peanut butter and graham crackers?!?! Plus each one is only 100 calories! 

ENJOY

SWEET SUMMERTIME

Josh and I made the most of this beautiful and not too hot Arkansas day. We started the day out with a hike at Pinnacle Mountain. I got some new hiking shoes and have been itching to try them out. We worked in the yard this afternoon and then grilled some t-bone steak for dinner (of course it was from MN..thanks mom and dad) with Hawaiian rolls, creamed corn and fresh blueberries for dessert.  It has been a great day and we loved being able to enjoy being outside and not miserable!

HAPPY SATURDAY!

Dates

I'm still playing catch up but I think after this post I will have all made it. 

For our anniversary this year we decided to just spend the afternoon together and not do gifts as awe are going on a couple nice trips this year. I still decided to make a gift for Josh (really it is for both of us). 

It is 'A Year of Dates'. I saw it on another blog and had to copy the idea. At the beginning of each month Josh gets to open an envelope and see what our date that month will be. We check our calendar for that month right away and make sure to plan what day we will have the date. Yes, we usually go out more than once a month but some of these dates are things we have never done before, some are overnight/weekend and some cost no $$ and are right at home. It leaves for an element of surprise (I have already forgotten what half of the dates I put in are or what month they are for so it is a surprise for me too!) and makes so we have at least one intentional date a month. 

We have already done 2 months. May - Movie Date (we hardly ever go out to the movie theater and I knew Iron Man 3 was coming out, which Josh wanted to see). June is Kinect Game night at home <-- costs nothing but is always fun! 

It is easy to get stuck in a rut of doing the same 'dates' all the time and this makes you get creative. It has been fun so far and I am sure we will continue it year after year. Maybe taking turns who comes up with dates each year.

BREAD PUDDING

About 3 years ago Josh spent a month in Vicksburg, MS for work. One of the times I visited him we went to a restaurant by the river called Rusty's River Front Grill. We both enjoyed our delicious meals. Josh noticed they had bread pudding on the dessert list and knew I had never had it before, so he ordered it. I was apprehensive and didn't think I would like it. They brought the ginormous piece of bread pudding to the table and the rest is history. I LOVED it (we both did)! 

For the past 3 years we both have mentioned here and there that we should take a day trip just have some bread pudding...yes, it was that good! Vicksburg is only 4 hours from us but we never took a trip back. One afternoon about a month ago Josh called and said he was bringing  home a surprise for me.....IT WAS THE BREAD PUDDING! Some of his co-workers had to go down to Vicksburg and he had them get a piece for us while they were there. 

Yes, it was as good as we remembered. 

Yes, the wait was worth it. 

Yes, I can't wait to have it again. 

Sometimes the best things are worth waiting for...right? 

I love that Josh took the time to plan this out. Thanks for another fun surprise, babe!

Not the best picture but here it is in all its glory!

 We warmed it up, poured the sauce on enjoyed every bite.