*I can't believe it. 11, already!*

Happy birthday, Baby Girl.

You're getting so big! I see you learning and growing in Christ so much. You're Mommy's amazing helper in the kitchen, and you help watch and be a friend to your little bro all the time. I love sewing, shopping, watching movies, sharing a room, singing, and being our normal crazy with you. God gave me a beautiful, best friend sister! Continue striving to honor Mommy and Daddy and love your siblings, sweet.

We love our red, white, and blue baby right back!!

How we did at the CHEC conference...

Well! We did well. We got back all of what we invested and more, learned how to prepare for and manage a business booth, and spent 3 days with awesome friends. Needless to say, I believe it was way worth it!

We received a lot of interest, though, not quite as much as we had hoped for. I did hear, however, that it was a slower year than the ones before, so. Maybe that was it. Either way! God is sovereign even over tissue pouches. And He was very good to let us do so well! It was our first year, so we didn't know exactly what to prepare for, besides the info friends had given us. (Which was very much appreciated; thank you guys!) But now that we've done it, I know what I would do differently in some areas. And given the chance, I would definitely do it again! I certainly enjoyed the experience as a whole, and I know Elise did, as well!

Next year, I'd like to have more variation in product. The items we chose this year were low scale maintenance, and a good way to introduce Lil to sewing basics. It also presented the opportunity to teach her that if you're making something to sell, it does actually have to be perfect. No cutting corners. It was character building! We both practiced being more precise, and not being careless. If/When the time comes where I can start practicing and making more things like totes(I've actually already started with these...), craft aprons, clutches, and a gazillion other things with such potential adorability, I can perfect my methods (to my madness!) and start up an Etsy shop. It's an idea that's kind of showed up every once in a while, and I think it has the possibility of being very good for me. But I would want to do it when I could really invest the needed time and energy into it. Which isn't now. So! All in God's timing....

Our friends, the Fountains, so graciously let me stay with them during the conference time (Elise got to join in on Friday night; I'm glad she did!), and we had so much fun. These people... :) They're crazy fun and so easy to just be with! I made a lot of memories I love looking back on even though it like, just happened! I love them so much, and enjoyed all the fun we had. From laughing til a ridiculous hour of the night, and having Mrs. Fountain not wring our necks for keeping her up with us, to new catch phrases ("and I'd kick 'er, sir." - "Llliiiar!" - and in closing, "Well... he was too young for you."), to the heart-felt conversations had with sisters who I really do love.

God really blessed this time in many, many ways, and I'm very grateful for all He did with it!

A happy, happy anniversary, Mommy and Daddy... and Father's Day, too!

I love this picture!

Normally, this day comes around, and I find myself doing two things. One, thanking my absolutely wooonderful parents for all of the love and effort and sweat they put into raising us for Christ's kingdom, and two, wondering what we should do about a gift for them.

Well, the gift ideas came easier, and the thanks could flow endlessly, but for whatever reason, God put something else on my heart for me to think about.

They're together.

I don't think I realized how much of a blessing that was until maybe a week ago, when I just felt the realization that Mommy and Daddy have been married for 19 years. 19 years of being together, 19 years of the two being one. And I have never had any doubt that they will be together until the Lord calls them home!

Not only has God blessed us with parents who want to raise us in the love and admonition of the Lord, he blessed us with parents who want to do it together.

I love seeing Daddy tease Momma, and watching them laugh together. It's like it's 19 years ago, when it all started. The newness and excitement and fun; it carries over and over and over into a life they continue to share together. It's like Mommy's eyes are showing the laughter she felt when Daddy first asked how to pronounce her last name. Which came in the form of, "So, what do your friends call you?" And Daddy's eyes show the determination he had in winning her over. I love that! It's boy meets girl, turned into.... man and wife with a generational vision!

While the newness and excitement and fun are beautiful to see, nothing tugs on my heart more than when I see them sacrifice for each other. When I see them love the other one despite their flaws, despite the sins that bother them the most. That's when I see Christ and the church.

God has been so good towards our family, and now I'm gonna find joy in the blessing of Mommy and Daddy together.

Father's Day and my parent's anniversary have always sat right next to each other, and to me, it makes perfect sense! I'll not only celebrate my father, but I'll also celebrate how he's the head of Mommy and the head of our family. My father has a generational vision for his family, and he is passing it on to his children, and we will pass it on to ours. But the point is, we live the way we do, believe the way we do, and plan the way we do, because of his vision. Without Daddy loving me, and ultimately the Lord, enough to build our family this way, I would not have future plans that match what the Lord desires for me as a young woman.

I love my father so much for being the leader he is, for being the loving husband he is, and for being the Daddy God knew that I needed.

The more I go through life, the more I love just where God has placed me, and just who I get to be here with. God makes life good!

Our sign and business cards

Really....

If we must subject our flowers to inside climate,

let's do it right.

Mind you, Jones Soda bottles are also just as good... if not better...

The past few weeks we've been tying up everything that needs to be done for the CHEC conference. I've officially been sucked into that category.

I depend upon lists.

Yeah. That category. And I'm beginning to understand the thrill that comes of being able to check things off! And the things that got checked off today were pretty-uhfying the paper bags

we will be putting our.....

tissue pouches....

and blooms in!

Our customers will also have business cards dropped into their bags before they leave. Business cards. I know, right?! Not only are they official and cool, but they're stinkin' cute, too!

So with bags and business cards crossed off, making the sign, and making the table cloth extra cute are what's next. For being so close to the conference, I'm surprised I'm not more stressed. I don't normally do well under pressure, so it's only by God's grace I'm as sane as I am. Which... may not be saying very much... but! You get the point....

I'm also just really excited! I've never done anything like this before, so it's also got that anxious feeling, but I'm actually looking forward to it. Plus, I think it's awesome that Elise gets to be in on this whole business endeavor with me. She's taking to all of it really fast!

More conference stuff, soon....

Hey....

Do you hear that? ..... No? Hm. .... Oh wait! There it is again! ...... Hear it?

That's the south. It's calling my name.

:)