This Little Piggy...

I love these bookends for the kitchen to put cookbooks between. After all, when I look at  a cute little pig, I think only one thing...bacon! Haha well they are pretty cute, sorry little piggies. Why is bacon so good....

Gold Pig Bookends, CB2, $30

Like this one, delicious no-fail, although mostly belly building recipes

or this one, be an easy breezy entertainer like Ina, parfaits anyone?

I don't have this book yet, but it looks fabulous. And hello again little piggy!

I Love Rifle

No not rifles! Though that would make my husband very happy...I mean Rifle Paper Co. which has the most beautiful vintage style cards, stationery, and other goodies.

1) Hmm, well looky here, I needed a new one of these anyway! - Iphone case, $32  
2) This poster is so adorable, especially for a boys room I think - Animal Alphabet Chart, $50 
3) Loving all the images in this fun calendar...would also be great just to frame the prints - 2014 Travel America Calendar, $26 
4) Very true...and I am so obsessed with this card and I already ordered it to frame and add to our gallery wall Greeting Card, $4.50

Back to School

The last couple weeks my mind has been filled with homeschool business. I've been planning to do it for some time now, and I can't believe Carys is really going to start kindergarten at the end of the month!

I can honestly say that I know the Lord has called me to homeschool, and He has confirmed it in so many ways. This is probably the first time I can say without any doubt that He is calling me to do something specific, something big. It is a very cool feeling actually, because I know that however it goes, that God will be in our midst. There is so much comfort in that.

We will be doing a classical Christian program called Classical Conversations, and I am also enrolling with a public charter school to keep me accountable and have additional curriculum. I am planning to keep God as the center of my children's education, knowing that He is the center of everything and that He can be and is revealed in every subject. We shouldn't be afraid of science or philosophy, in fact we should be pursuing them as they can deepen our faith in Him. In fact, the Bible encourages us to reason with one another. 

My main goal for kindergarten this year is to establish the habit of schooling with her and of course teaching her how to read would be nice too. There will still be lots of playing and exploring and having fun, it is still just kindergarten after all!

I already know that our homeschool journey is not going to be perfect. It is going to have roadblocks and frustrations and freak outs, but I also expect it to be filled with joy, growing in our faith, growing closer as a family, and encouraging a love for learning. I am also writing this so I can come back and read it when I am frustrated, and remember that this is why I am doing it, and it is all going to be worth it in the end!

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"

Philippians 1:6

Me and my favorite 5 year old

And of course this sweet girl will be along for the ride too!

Let the Darkness Fear

Christian radio tends to overplay a lot of the same songs around these parts. Well this one I wouldn't mind hearing all the time! It's a bit, dare I say it, Mumford meets on fire for Jesus.

This song puts a smile on my heart, I hope it does for you too.

Build Your kingdom here
Let the darkness fear
Show Your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set Your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build Your kingdom here
We pray

Unleash Your kingdom's power
Reaching the near and far
No force of hell can stop
Your beauty changing hearts
You made us for much more than this
Awake the kingdom seed in us
Fill us with the strength and love of Christ
We are Your church
We are the hope 
On Earth

Amen!

Some New Crew

I love when a new J. Crew catalog comes in the mail. I like to have some quiet time on the couch and pretend to be one of their models, preferably while eating a nice cube of gouda cheese. 

Here's what I was loving from their latest goodies....

1. This wash is exactly what I've been looking for...now if they would just go on sale!  (Toothpick jeans in cherish wash, $188)

2. This striped tee is calling my name! J.Crew Bar-stripe tee, $40 
3. I have the light wash in this shirt, the darker one is perfect for Fall. Keeper chambray, $78 
4. A cute casual tee and a skirt Fluted skirt in black / 

Change is coming....

What is smart to do a few weeks before a bunch of family comes in to town? Why tear out the guest bathroom of course! I have to admit this is partly my fault since I put the bug in my husband's ear....Wouldn't it be great to get the bathroom re-done before everyone comes?

Well Nathan didn't have work one day and he decided to tear the whole thing out, even the walls!

Needless to say this project is taking longer than we thought, mainly because the plumbing needs to be re-done since we are switching from one sink to two. Among other things....

Our plan is to have it mostly black and white, and a 'lil bit of pink for the girls. 

Here are the before pictures:

And now: eek!

And the inspiration (in case you can't picture a black bathroom without shuddering)....

We are off to Idaho next week so I am hoping to share some progress updates soon after that!

I'm Loving for Summer....

These cut-offs from J. Crew....

This Essie nail polish....

This Gorjana anchor lariat necklace.....

This Fossil tote bag that has a coated bottom...perfect for the pool!...

And this bikini from Target, which I know is really popular but I absolutely love the fit....

Happy Summer!