happy birthday, my love

Happy happy 30th birthday to the man I love most in the world!

I hope that you feel extra loved and special this weekend.

You are one of a kind!  You make everyone's lives way more fun just by being in it.

I am so grateful that I get to spend my years with you. You are extraordinary.



Happy 30th birthday, my love! Can't wait to celebrate with you.

Lauren

embrace the camera: family edition

We spent a weekend at the end of July making our way around family birthday parties. When you live out of state, there's nothing better then seeing tons of extended family all on one trip!

Ironically, both baby birthday were Mickey or Minnie Mouse themed. Hmmmm...

Here is the two-year old birthday boy... I got his cape from an etsy shop called Applesauce. It was a big hit! (he never took it off.) And the quality was outrageously awesome.

My sweet (tall!) baby sister. She is a high school junior as of today!

Three generations!  I love getting my grandmother in photos!

embracing the camera,

Lauren

Linking up with

instagrammed

I figured since it's been a month since I posted, I should probably update with some pictures. What better way than with instagram?

We spent a long weekend at the lake with sweet friends to celebrate our anniversary! This man lives and breathes the lake....

I think it's important to note that this was not the worst beating that the guys took in canasta. Noted.

We painted bathroom cabinets (hooray) and framed out mirrors. They look so so nice and I can't wait to show you!

We did our fair share of relaxing too...

...and made time for froyo with sweet babies! Elly bear has this man's heart!

What's better than a nakey baby belly? And why can't I say something other than nakey when talking about babies?

We paid off a credit card, too! What a great feeling.

We cruised around town to let Molly do some people-watching.

And even stumbled across two-for-one on a Sunday afternoon... isn't that weird??? Or are we just old and making it uber obvious that we grew up in a dry county?

Lauren

what about dave?

As you know, my husband and I are working through the Financial Peace University curriculum in our journey towards debt-freedom. It has been quite a trip already! There have been celebrations and tears, feelings of moving forward and moments of discouragement.

But what's important is that we are moving forward.

I have heard lots of nasty criticism of Dave in the past, both online and around town. In Nashville, home to Financial Peace Plaza and all-things-Dave-Ramsey, it seems that for every "Dave follower" there is also a "Dave cynic".

The cynics think he is money-hungry and selfish. That he promotes hoarding cash and building wealth for yourself. That he's got to be out of his ever-loving mind if he thinks people can live completely and utterly with.out.debt.

I am not here to speak for Dave Ramsey as a person or as a financial advisor, even... but I do want to get this little ditty out on the internet in case someone else has questions or doubts or wants to know more behind the philosophy that so many skeptics have their hay-day with.

Dave goes to our church and delivered a rather impactful message recently on "How big is your WHY?"

Now, I know lots of folks disapprove of Dave's rants on-air or of his "wealth building" philosophy, or that he doesn't stress "giving" enough for their taste. First and foremost, I can assure you that when given the platform of a church alter instead of a radio studio, his message is clear. Do I sometimes wish that he could be as clear about the end-all message on the air? Absolutely. Do I know of the restrictions (if any) that are given to him while on national radio? I don't. Am I glad that he's getting the message out anyway and making people angry enough to fight their way out of bondage that we call debt? 100%.

Moving on...  "How big is your WHY?"

When we first begin this debt-free journey, our "why" is selfish. Noble, maybe, but selfish. "We want to be free! We want out of this bondage that the world calls debt. We are sick and tired of being sick and tired!"

As we pay off debt and build up "wealth", per se, our "why" morphs into something bigger -

 

To "change our family tree".

Having student debt from nursing school, this is very real to me. The thought of sending my children to college and allowing them to start "real life" without (what the world calls justifiable) debt puts tears in my eyes. I will not pass a legacy of debt on to my children.

 "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children." Prov 13:22

This inheritance may not be a lofty trust fund, but it certainly will not be a chunk of debt, either.

As our wealth grows, so does our "why"... It seems that the cynics have a problem with what they call "hoarding wealth", but Dave recommends that you not save more than 3 to 6 months of your living expenses after you are debt free. I see this "emergency fund" as two-fold.

1) taking care of your household if you were to lose your job. You are to take care of your family inside the four walls of your home first and foremost.

2) to put you in a position where "emergencies" are now just "inconveniences". You will have tires blow out. AC units will fail.  There will be a major leak in the bathroom... maybe all in the same week. But that emergency fund allows you to take care of those things without dipping into your monthly income and causing a true "emergency". Now replacing that AC unit is only an inconvenience...

Which leads me to my next (and final, promise!) point - what some may call "hoarding wealth", I see as allowing one to free up their "other" money to GIVE.

Instead of having to postpone your gift to that family's adoption fund for a month because the car broke down, you have a safety net that allows you to do BOTH. And that is freedom. Too "comfortable" for some people? Maybe. But it allows you to be consistent and excessive in your giving and I do not think that the Lord frowns upon that.

You know what? It's not about money. It's not about budgets and spreadsheets and envelopes.

It's about freedom. Stewardship. About tackling something hard and rocking it in a way that impacts not only your future, but generations after you.

I, personally, am thankful to Dave - that someone finally spoke out and said that it's NOT OK for believers to be enslaved by debt. That we are not good stewards when we are in bondage to lenders. That true freedom comes when you are able to give CONSISTENTLY and EXCESSIVELY because you have been financially responsible.

I would hate for people to miss that because of a few skeptics.

Lauren

Catch-Up

While I wait for our busy lives to slow down a bit...

Here's to a game of catch-up!

Lauren

a quarter century

Well, I turned the big 2-5 this weekend! I was surprisingly a little more shaken up about it than I thought I would be. Birthdays have never affected me much, but this one made me feel rather... GROWN.

Like, I'm not in my "early 20's" anymore. Yikes!

I'm sure the little white hair that popped up on my hairline (literally) on the morning of my birthday didn't help much...

My family and friends made me feel extra-loved this weekend, with sweet cards and messages and gifts. My lovely husband went out.of.his.way to make sure every last minute of my special day was... well, special!

Matt is one of the best gift-givers I've ever known. He listens intently, tucking away gift ideas all year round.

I am about three-quarters of the way through Bloom. Must read!

 

We spent Saturday doing exactly what I wanted to do: relaxing at the house, playing cornhole out back (I won!), and watching my (new) favorite show, Cougar Town.

Matt even played the guitar a little for me which may have been the very best gift of all.

We also went shopping with my birthday gift cards which is, of course, the best kind of shopping.
 

I always take photos of items I like in the dressing room so Matt can give me a yay or nay.

We had my birthday dinner at ourfavorite Thai restaurant and finished it off with the first (but definitely not the last) banana pudding milkshakes of the season.

As if I wasn't feeling exceedingly blessed already, this weekend rocked my socks off.

25 really isn't so bad after all!


Lauren

Showered with love

Last weekend, our community group had the privilege of throwing a baby shower for one of our very own! Little Joshua is due in May and our group is so excited. Our sweet friend, Carly, and I were in charge of decor, and so the first thing we did was rummaged through all of the beautiful loot from her wedding last October! She and her husband now have the most amazing collection of mason jars, milk glass, and other vintage pieces. I was in heaven! Enjoy!

I made a simple pennant for baby Joshua's room and attached scrapbook paper on the back so each member of our group could write blessings and scripture over the sweet baby boy. 

We had quite the spread of food! It was absolutely delicious. Thanks Anna and Marianna!

The cake was inspired by this one on pinterest and our good friend Sophie made it come to life! We were so pleased. I made the mini pennant for a simple and easy cake topper. 

The room really came together beautifully.  

And the happy parents-to-be were not only surprised, but felt loved, and that was all that truly mattered. Mission accomplished!

 Can't wait to meet you baby Joshua!


-Lauren

Free

I am having a rather difficult time putting my thoughts for this post into words.... the statement that was made at my bible study last night did so many things in my heart. It softened my spirit. It revolutionized my thoughts.

It freed me from the bondage of perfection.

Have you read Proverbs 31 in the Message?


"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!"


We have all read about this Proverbs 31 woman... the superhero? The granola mom with the orderly home, the cutest crafts, and the husband that is smitten by her. The kids that "rise up and call her blessed".

She is the impossible ideal.

She is never spiteful.
She is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She is diligent.
She is quick to assist anyone in need.
She always faces tomorrow with a smile.
She always speaks kindly.

I am often spiteful. I frequently wish for the day to end. I am lazy. I regularly pass up opportunities to help those in need. I often groan when my alarm sounds in the morning. I have been known to speak with malice.

This woman and I? We are exceedingly different. I strive to be like her and yet I always fall short. She is everything I want to be but cannot achieve.

Wife. Mother. Philanthropist. Gardener. Seamstress. Businesswoman. Crafter. Homemaker. Chef. Designer. Encourager.

But what if we read through that scripture again with a different approach?

We aren't called to be these things.
We are free to be these things.

Revolutionized. Inspired. Encouraged.

It was like a weight had been lifted from me.

I know that the Lord desires for me to be like this woman. He wants me to be kind, attentive, generous, joyful, and gracious.

But the freedom comes when I realize that he is not counting my short-comings. He is not keeping tabs of my failures. Instead, he has given me a goal to realize. An example to follow. 

He has given me the freedom to strive for this ideal, without fear of punishment.

And that is freedom.

-Lauren

a little reminder - wall art

Matt and I have been followers of Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" for quite some time, but have buckled down more seriously in the past six months. We have started using a spreadsheet to keep track of our monthly budget, so that every.single.dollar is accounted for in that one document. 

It has helped us see where exactly our money is going, in what areas we can cut back, and precisely how much money we are able to apply to debt at the end of each month. Talk about motivation!

If you follow Dave Ramsey, you know that his catch phrase is this: 

"Live like no one else, so that you can live like no one else."

In short, if you live meagerly, frugally now... pinching your pennies, watching where your dollar goes...

In the future, you can live like no one else. 

For Matt and I, living like no one else in the future will mean 

... providing a comfortable (but not extravagant) lifestyle for our family 

... putting away money for college

...saving for an inheritance for our family ("A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..." Prov 13:22) 

... giving more generously to causes we believe in ("There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy..." Deut 15:11)

... and saving up for an adoption one day ("Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." James 1:27)

As a reminder, I made a piece of art that we will see every.single.day. before we leave the house.

I hope it serves as a daily reminder to be good stewards of our money and time...

...and helps us to remember all of the great things that we are working and sacrificing for. 

Lauren

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