Handmade/Local Week: Payne's Restaurant

In honor of the craft show this weekend 

(read more about that here), 

I thought I'd highlight some of my favorite handmade shops and local shops this week. 

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Payne's Restaurant, though locally owned, is very unfortunately not local to me. However, we were in the area (Marion-ish, Indiana) this past weekend and had lunch here. And let me tell you, we were NOT disappointed! In fact, it probably ranks in Chris and I's top five eats of all times. 

Woo too for discovering a diamond in the rough!

The restaurant's website here.

Review on urban spoon here.

Their menus were in the middle of these old books. So fun!

My amazing sandwich. Apples, apple butter, walnuts, and brie cheese. And lots of spinach! :)

The waitress brought us our bill in this old recipe box.

Many thanks to my adventurous hubby for finding Payne's Restaurant. I love that he loves to explore fun, new places!

Handmade/Local Week: The Firefly Jar

In honor of the craft show this weekend 

(read more about that here), 

I thought I'd highlight some of my favorite handmade shops and local shops this week. 

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First up, The Firefly Jar.

This adorable shop is run by my childhood friend, Jordan. She is super talented, so be sure to check out her shop!

Shop here.

Facebook here.

Here is a bubble skirt she made for Molly. 

I am seriously in love with it!

Friday Highs.v47

Today, I've had two completely separate instances where big prayers have been answered. One I've been praying for for over a year!! The other, just a few months. But I just cannot let them pass without giving Him the glory He deserves. 

It reminds me of the song I sang as a kid...

Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty. 

There's nothing my God cannot do.

(reminds me of church camp in Maryland!)

Our God is good. Never forget that, friends. 

He works for our good. He is FOR us.

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On a slightly smaller scale, but still praise-worthy, Cooper reached not just one, but two milestones yesterday.

He rolled over for the first time, and he laughed for the first time. Luckily, I was able to catch the last few giggles on camera....

(here are Molly's first giggles caught on camera)

(also, she had SOOO much more hair at this age than Cooper has!)

And a daddy/son picture...

(please note their matching shirts)

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One last thing because this made me chuckle. Molly thought her babies needed to do tummy time like Cooper, so she lined them all up right next to him. :)

I am beyond excited because tomorrow I get to see this lovely lady and finally meet her little boy. It's been TWO years.

Pretty sure it's going to be amazing. :)

  

Happy Weekend, friends!

Cooper: three months

On Monday, Cooper turned three months old. We decided to have a quick impromptu photo shoot while sister girl was sleeping, and I'm so glad I did! I'm so happy with these shots that capture his pure sweetness!

*photos taken on this blanket.*

Friday Highs.v46

Sweet baby smiles.

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Zoe's fourth birthday.

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An afternoon at the park.

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Finding random shots on my camera taken by Chris.

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First time trying French press coffee. Found this at the thrift store for three bucks!

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Potty talk. The good kind. :)

(This little Miss pooped on the potty for the first time this morning!)

Happy Weekend, Friends!

A few things you should know about.

This is the post where I get a little linky on y'all because there's just a few things out there in the internet world that I want to share with you. :)

The Flourish Retreat.

here.

Daily uplifting blog posts that are simple, sweet, and encouraging. Seriously awesome, my friends.

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She Reads Truth.

here.

A daily Bible reading plan. I know you can get apps and emails and what not, but I still go to the site everyday to see what the reading is. Can you say old school? Haha.

Anyway, it's a great start for diving into the Word, and I encourage you to check it out!

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Embrace the Camera

I've done this before, but it has come to mean so much to me that I feel the need to share it again. 

Basically, we as women are so hard on ourselves, specifically regarding our appearance. We have a million reasons to stay out of a picture--I don't have make-up on, my hair isn't done, I still have a few pounds to lose, and my outfit isn't all that fashionable. 

But the point is, we need to get in the picture with our kids. In 20 years when they look back, they won't see your make-up-less face or the extra pounds. They will see you. 
And you will be beautiful to them because you are their mother.

You can read more about how Emily explains it here.

(And check out her blog and precious family while you're there!)

Ok, ok, how could I talk about that and not include a few of ME embracing the camera with my kiddos on Easter morning.

And one of us, because we don't have nearly enough of these anymore.

Happy Wednesday, friends!