a bit caught up.

recently, i've felt a slight battle in my soul. i've gotten caught up by the allure of blogging.

what i mean is, as i've come across so many vintage-dwelling, crafty, fashionable, witty, lovely bloggers, i've started to find myself discontent. i've started wanting what they have, including the number of followers, sponsors, and the like.

with it, i've found myself comparing this blog, and my life, to theirs (or what i perceive it to be). and, i've found mine wanting. but today i realized that this is what happens when comparisons are drawn. when desire trumps the calling of god on your life.

comparison is nothing new for me. and i've just found another medium to practice it.

so, i asked myself. why am i really here?

i'm here because i feel called to write. to share my heart on these pages, and have it beat furiously when i hit the publish button, knowing that a bit of my soul has been laid bare.

i'm here because i want to share this life that god has blessed me with. and the message of this life to be clear. that my heart is for god. my hope is that my words will encourage others, and that my life to point them to the joy i have found.

to do this well, i must be content where the lord has called me for this season.

there are plenty of blogs out there with numerous followers that cling to every word and photo they post. and, i'm glad for them. and maybe one day that will be the fate of this little blog. but that's not what god has for today.

today, my words are meant only for you. to encourage you. to remind you that you are not alone. and that you have one more friend, in me. and that is a high calling.

and, well, to share with you a few more photos of a little boy that, given the chance, would quickly become your best friend.

in this, i must learn to be content. i must decrease. he must increase.

"Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him." - 1 Corinthians 7:17a

so, dear friends, please bear with me as i find my place in these wide webs of internet. as i swing from lots of words not not very many. as i try my hand at numerous topics, hoping to find a few good fits. as i learn what the lord is calling me to in this stage of my life, and how to live that out.

and to not only be content in the process, but to embrace it.

love.

5.26.12.

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ― C.S. Lewis

oh, these two.

happy weekend, everyone!

love.

guest blogging it!

happy friday!

today, i have the honor of guest blogging over at my sweet friend's blog the plaid sparrow. be sure to check it out!

but for now, here's a picture of our fat cat. i'm pretty sure he gained five pounds in the week that we were gone.

love!

scenes from the week: new jersey [part one].

this weekend was crazy. for those of you that don't know, i grew up in new jersey. my family is italian (read: lots of family). this can make our trips a bit overwhelming, trying to find time to see as much family as possible.

but this time, we went with a purpose. my baby sister cousin alexis is engaged!

we love each other a lot. but we didn't mean to match. honest.

so, we threw her a party. well, her mom did. i helped.

this isn't even party decor. it's just their yard. amazing, i know. 

and now, for the cupcakes. the most amazing cupcakes i've ever tasted. and i tried all the flavors, so i can make blanket statements. we can't take credit for these, though. alexis's adorable best friend made them all.

and then, there's this guy.

stay tuned. there's a lot more where these came from.

love.

blessed (by you).

when i was a little girl, i used to love making new friends.

i was a dancer then. not a real dancer, but a wear tappy dress shoes everywhere and pretend i knew how to tap-dance dancer. i danced everywhere. especially up and down the grocery store isles. after my performances, i would bask in the applause of random old women. then, i would turn to my mother and say,

mommy, all my friends love me.

i wasn't full of myself (though i really did think i was a fantastic dancer). i just honestly thought i had made new friends. & that they loved me. & i loved them.

fast forward 25+ years.

i have been overwhelmed by the love & care shown to our little family during the past few years of sickness & hardship. by the community of friends & fellow believers that has helped sustain us. encourage us. edify us. for them, i am so very thankful.

because of them, i have learned even more deeply what it means to be, and have, friends.

and now, there's you. the countless friends & readers that have reached into my life & touched me in such a profound way. you have encouraged me. you have prayed for us.

you have become a part of my life.

for that, i want to say thank you. for listening to my ramblings & my heart. without judgement, instead with love & encouragement. it has blessed me immensely, knowing that you care enough to read about all the lord is doing in our lives.

well, friends. now it's my turn. i want to know who you are. i want to be able to spend time in prayer for you. i want to thank God for each of you. for your time spent caring for & thinking of me. of our family that has been through so much. that has been held up by the prayers of the saints.

so please, take a minute. leave a comment. tell me who you are. 

whether i have heard from you or not (some of you are so very faithful to comment--thank you!), i want to hear from you now. whether you are new here, or have been with me since the beginning (when i constantly forgot about you). whether you are family, old friends, new friends, or could-be friends. i want you to know how thankful i am for you.

i want to return the favor, ever so much.

much, much love.