Meet the Magnolias

What. A. Month.  I've told people that February 2016 has been the craziest, most emotional month Jordan and I have had in forever. Financially, it was a tough month just because of the way pay periods and holidays had fallen, so that probably added to the weight of it! First came Mimi .  Peanut's birthday.  Then, IF:Pinelake happened. Mom's birthday.  Emmett* arrived 5 weeks early.  Valentine's Day.  More birthdays and a shower.  Then there was an almost-house.  Also, I haven't painted my nails more than once this month.  I've only worn lipstick with any color once or twice. WHO AM I?!  I obviously just haven't been feeling like myself!!! I also got into that if-I-can't-finish-it-all-I'm-not-even-starting-any-of-it funk.  This weekend was wonderful and really turned the month around for me.  (I'm  SO  thankful that it ended beautifully.)  I can breathe with sw

like I have been rescued and redeemed? Because, friends,  I have . After IF: Local, I feel like I'm still processing all that I heard and all the wisdom that was offered to me. It's not about who knows me. What if I used my passion for things like sharing grace and working on racial reconciliation rather than trying to build up my own name and worldly treasures?  ++++++++++ Everything you just read has been in my drafts since IF last year. Now, here we are, on the eve of IF again.  I still remember last year's IF being amazing and challenging and just more than I could have hoped for.  The enemy has been working overtime this week to ensure that I (and some of my friends) are distracted or discouraged. Here's to shaking the devil off and clinging to the life and hope we have in Jesus.  Whether you'll be at IF: Pinelake or IF in Austin or at another local event or in your living room live streaming, rest in the truth that God has for you.  It's going to be a grea

Two Saturdays ago, we went to the shelter to see a dachshund we had seen a picture of. We met him, but there wasn't a connection. Then we saw her. Mocha. A little chihuahua mix.  We had Shaw outside in the dog park, and Mocha was ushered outside to meet her. She was happy to be outside, and just pranced around sniffing. Shaw just wanted Jordan or I to hold her. She wasn't interested in being on the cold ground...or, now we realize, expanding our family. She looked annoyed, but she didn't seem angry or aggressive towards Mocha. We took it as a sign that she wouldn't really mind.  We applied and were told we could adopt Mocha. We planned to pick her up on Friday.  We bought new collars and a leash. We decided to call her Mimi.  On Friday, before we went to get her, we bought blankets and toys just for her. We arrived to pick her up. We noticed on the contract that she was a little younger than we initially thought. (We heard 1.5-2 on Saturday, but she was actually only 9