The Mondays

I have to admit with the images issues that I am having with Pinterest my blogging inspiration is lacking...greatly! I apologize!

The house has been on the market for a few weeks now and we have had three couples who seemed really interested and were ready to put in offers and. then. nothing...yet?!

We will see. Knowing that this whole next chapter is in Gods hands and that he already has all of the details worked out I am at rest. I know that there is no where I would rather be than where He wants me. I have fought is will before and it doesn't end well. There is stress there and there is much struggle and I end up just not happy.

"For I know the plans I have for you Jillian. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 In other words girl, chill out. I am chilled out.

In other news we had a lovely weekend. The weather was perfection. We had a BBQ. I did lots of shopping for our little trip this weekend. 

Oh! I also found my new favorite Pandora radio station! Type in "Toad the Wet Sprocket" and you will have a play list of 90's alternative perfection. LOVE IT!

Shayla and I also found a fun little San Diego style Mexican food joint: Pops Garage. Delish!

With rain due in for the next two days we will be laying low. Ryan is away again so I will be catching up on some more Downton Abbey *happiness!!* I have my first spray tan on Thursday. I have been in NJ for nine years and well, its time I at least faked it a little. ;) I will let you all know how it goes. haha!

What did you all do this weekend? Any special week plans?

I just loved this quote. I am so sappy & emotional so this totally spoke to me.
Happy Monday everyone! ox

Image source here.

Breakthroughs...

Image Source Here.


Thanks to a dear friend I have just started reading THIS book. It is, as warned; amazing, heart wrenching, thought provoking and completely encouraging.

I was called while reading to just write. To forgo the worry of complete sentences, perfectly built paragraphs; to be real, to share my thoughts.

Growing up for the most part "in the church" I felt the need to look, act and think a certain way. For me this was to avoid conflict, judgement and because at times it was easier in that specific circle.
It was not until I was saved that this all changed however some habits die hard.

The overwhelming need was not necessarily fit in but to have company, to not be alone. I still struggle with this. Very much so. What an emotional journey.

My journey is one that I am thankful is not over yet. My God shaped hole is part of who I am. We all have holes but what we do with those holes makes you who you are in that time, in that place. I have been a few different women since my entrance into the world on a hot August morning in 1979. I would like to at some point soon look in the mirror and know without a doubt that I am who I am, where I am suppose to be and using my God given talents just the way He wants me to and completely fulfilled, happy, me. Is that possible? I sure as hell hope so.

I desire to shed the "must be and say what everyone wants me to" and bloom into the "who cares I am me and I love her" soon. Very soon. 

This book has challenged me in the first 2 chapters more than I could have ever imagined and now I write. I write so that I do not forget. I write to inspire myself, to inspire you...

Think of the true, amazing and deep relationships in your life... did you get those amazing relationships by hiding you? Did you get them with shallow conversation? Did you get them by hiding what is really on your heart and on your mind? Did you get them by acting a way that you thought would get you accepted?

As I sit here with a new "For Sale" sign on my homes front lawn and no neighbors to have said "we will be sad to see you go" I ponder the relationships that I have made here over the last few years. Was I real here, did I open up here? Do I have an overwhelming desire to run away to another state another town because people do not like me for me or did I not give them me?

Do I do it for protection?
Do I do it to avoid judgement?
Do I do it because at times its just easier to adapt to your environment and those around you?

All I know is that I have one heck of an amazing creator. I know he knows what he was doing when he created me and that he has awesome plans for my life if I would just let Him take the reigns more than once in a while.

Back to Polyvore.

I do not know how I forgot about my love of messing around on Polyvore; but boy has this morning been fun!

Here are a few of my spring obsessions.

More to come!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

ox

Spring 2013 by jilliebeans featuring t-strap shoes

Old Navy graphic design t shirt
oldnavy.gap.com

American Eagle Outfitters american eagle outfitter
ae.com

American Eagle Outfitters t-strap shoes
ae.com

Michael michael kors tote
$540 - farfetch.com

Pacifica
target.com

Zigzag Wool Rug Espresso
westelm.com

Deco Floral Pillow
trinaturk.com

Trina Turk La Jolla Pink Pillow
zincdoor.com

Inspiration.

I do hope that this post finds you having enjoyed an awesome Easter weekend.

I can not believe it is over but we did have a really nice weekend.

My flowers are starting to bloom and the average temperature has been in the 60's for the last few days so I am encouraged.

We laid low, had our Tia Shayla stay the weekend. Lilly's little friend Jack had his 4th Birthday party on Saturday and honestly I spent the entire day cooking and playing stealth Easter Bunny yesterday.

Easter is one of my favorite holidays for the following reasons:

It is a celebration of Jesus's resurrection! How amazing is that!! 

Signs of spring are showing in the budding trees and flowers.

I am reminded that after a long winter, dreary days and colorless landscape that God makes all things new. It is a time of renewal and encouragement. 

What did you all do over the weekend?

My beautiful little girl trying ever so hard to pause from her exciting hunt to pose for her mommy.

oxox

In other news:

What we are eating - 

We are still on the wagon with our clean eating routine and feeling kinda better than ever.

(My "go to meal" Tempeh, veggies and peanut sauce...)

What I am reading - 

Barefoot Season (prequel to Three Sisters) by Susan Mallery

What I am looking forward to - 

Planting some flowers with my girl.

Trying some new recipes from this book!

Getting on a jet plane to the west coast to see my family and a little weekend-er to Jamaica in May to see some friends get hitched.

Warm spring nights on the deck in front of a fire...ahhhh

Our house selling to an amazing family...from this keyboard to Gods ears...

What about you all? What are you looking forward to in this new season?