Friday Favorties!

Pimms Cup--the perfect summer drink! (via Bon Appetit)

Happy Friday!  Can't believe this week has already come and gone.  Who's excited for the long weekend?!  Below are a few favorites from the week:

Ann Voskamp had a great post following the news in Oklahoma: When You're Wondering How God Feels About Storms?

Oklahoma native, The Pioneer Woman, had a post with lots of links to organizations helping out with relief efforts in Oklahoma.

Completely shifting gears without an appropriate transition, Saved By The Bell Fans, will love Rembert Explains the '90s: The Saved By The Bell Graduation Finale.  They just don't make shows like they used to.

Yesterday, we had a ten hour car ride into Tennessee for B's sister's wedding.  (Little B was AMAZING!)  Along the way, we had a sampling of a LOT of music.  We heard the new Pink/Nate Ruess song seven times.  But I think my favorite song for the summer is going to be  Cruise by Florida Georgia Line.

And most of you who know me well, know that my favorite drink of choice is Pimms.  With the holiday weekend coming up, you should definitely try this delicious Pimms Cup from Bon Appetit.  It will not disappoint!

Have a great weekend, everyone!!

Stuck.

Hi everyone!  Sorry for the lack of posts this week.  Sometimes life is too full, sometimes I have nothing to say, and then there are other times, when I simply don't know what to say.

I know there are tragedies and disasters taking place around the world on a daily basis, but when I see the pictures and hear the stories about what's going on in Oklahoma, I feel like it's hard to go on with "business as usual" without acknowledging what happened.  My heart is broken for the people who lost their homes, their families, and their children.  When I even think about trying to make sense of it, or write anything else on this space, the words escape me and I find myself stuck.  

I saw one interview of one man whose house had been destroyed by a tornado a few years ago.  They had finally rebuilt their life and settled into a trailer home, only to have their home destroyed once again.  Rather than curse God he said, "But the miracle is, we are still alive, and so we give thanks to God."  I'm just not sure after losing everything twice, if I would have that outlook.

I know it's not my job to make sense of it and it's hard not to struggle and question when you see horrible things happening around us--disaster, bombings, shootings, sickness.  

A few years ago, I wrote a post based on a song by Jon Thurlow called, "Things Are Not Okay," which included an excerpt from Jesus Calling.  Below is an excerpt:

When you encounter rough patches along your life-journey, trust the My Light is still shining upon you.  My reasons for allowing these adversities may be shrouded in mystery, but My continual Presence with you is an absolute promise.  Seek Me in good times; seek Me in hard times.  You will find Me watching over you all the time.

-Jesus Calling

As I write this, a worship song in the background is playing, "Things are not okay right now, and they won't be 'til You come back."  

I have tears in my eyes as I allow those words to settle in...things really aren't okay—tragedy, sickness, turmoil, and loss surrounds the world we live in.  That's not okay, but thankfully, it's also not the end—we have this incredible, everlasting Promise of Jesus forever and ever, and we might not be here to see it, but scripture promises us that Jesus is going to come back to rule and reign on earth once again...

...I loved what my sweet friend, Mary Elizabeth, wrote this week on her blog as she described a recent painful experience:

Yet, we carry on…somehow…each day holds new life, new expectation, new promise.  And we remember that, as my dear former pastor says, “We will be doing fine in 150 years.”  This life is but a vapor, yet it matters to the Lord.

Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday!!  I hope you've had a wonderful week!  Here are a few fun links from the week:

My friend Anna Kate is a beautiful writer.  Her little girl just turned one and I loved reading her post on looking back on the past year.

Need a flower tutorial?  Check out Birchbox's guest post on Building The Perfect Spring Bouquet.

Yesterday, I co-hosted a baby shower and made this easy baked brie from Paula Dean.  It's simple and delicious!

One of these days, I'm going to get around to reading Shauna Niequist's new book.  Until then, I've been enjoying her blog.  Like this post: The Best Moment of My Day.  She makes cooking dinner seem like a treat rather than a chore.

And since it's been a while, how about an update on Little B?  Little B is now 3.5 months old!  Y'all, I know I'm biased, but he is the most fun baby!

We've been traveling the past two weeks, and it's as if he's grown up over night.  He talks non-stop, loves to look at himself in the mirror (who doesn't?!), and wakes up smiling.

As an tiny infant, he was a big fan of Mumford and Sons, but lately his favorite song is Darius Rucker's version of Wagon Wheel.

And he loves to read.  Who knew a 3.5 month baby would have books he likes and books he doesn't, but Little B is very particular. (Just like his mommy!)  Some or our favorites are Silly Sally, Corduroy, and Jesus Calling Bible Storybook.

But by far, his favorite are the Jellycat "Tail" books.  He tears into them and they keep him occupied for hours.  I highly recommend them!!

When it comes to the ladies, he is quite the flirt.  He has a girlfriend, who is seven weeks older than he is, but usually, he's more interested in catching the attention of her mama.  I guess he likes the older women!

Little B and his precious girlfriend at Beach Week

The biggest news is that a few weeks ago, he started rolling over.  It took a lot of takes, but I finally got a few videos of Little B in action.  Here's a little clip:

As far as hair goes, he still has quite the mohawk, but apparently it runs in the family.  Here he is with my dad:

Morning Mowhawks

Thanks of obliging me with a baby update.  Hope you have a great weekend!!

Seven Years Later

Beach Week, 2006

Beach Week, 2013

So last week, after Changing Seasons, I packed up my baby and headed to meet B in Nags Head for Darden's Beach Week.  There's a sentence I never thought I'd say.  Other houses were hosting neon parties and toga parties, while we hosted two babies and two puppies.  We were definitely the fun house!!  

It had been seven years since I was last in Nags Head and as I was driving down, I was carried away by a wave of nostalgia.  Seven years ago, I went down with my friends from college for the week before our college graduation.  Of particular interest to me at the time, was figuring out how to see my latest crush as much as possible.  His name was Bernie.

Back then, if you would have told me that seven years later, not only would I be married to my beach week crush, but that I would be driving his baby in the back of my car to beach week, I would have never believed you.  What can I say?  Sometimes, life just surprises you!

Seven years later, I've thought about what I would have told my 22-year old self on the brink of graduation, ready to make the jump into the big girl world.  And here are a few things I came up with:

In the next seven years, there are going to be many more questions than answers and that's okay.  Stick with God and little by little He will show you where you need to go.

There will be seasons where you wonder if God even hears your prayers, but I assure you, He does.  He is nearer than you think.  Don't stop seeking, asking, praying, and crying out to a God who loves you dearly and has a perfect plan for you.

You're not going to find the consistency that you're looking for; there will be many changes, transitions, and times where you feel completely unsettled.  In these times, you will come to appreciate and rely on the consistency of God like never before.  He truly is the only consistency that you need.

Take time to invest in your old friends, be willing to make new ones, and understand that sometimes, relationships change and evolve and that's okay, too.

Listen carefully to your mom's advice.  She knows what she's talking about.

Often, you only need one--one place to live, one job, one husband, etc.--have patience as you wait for the right ONE to come along.

Yes, you ARE going to marry your beach week crush and go on to have his baby.  Get excited, because it's going to be amazing!

Draw Near.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

Watch: Mothers & Daughters The Divine Duet

So, apparently this is the week of videos here on Long to Love.  Yesterday, I shared Katherine and Jay Wolf's amazing short film, and today I have another one for you!

Last week, my mom and I had the fabulous opportunity to speak at Changing Seasons on Mothers & Daughters.  We just received the video, so I thought I'd share it with y'all.

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Watch: Hope Heals--The Story of Katherine & Jay Wolf

Beach Week Baby

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a fabulous weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day!  Last year, I found out I was pregnant with Little B on Mother's Day and this year, it was a treat to wake up to his smiling face.  What a difference a year makes!!

Today, I have something really exciting to share with you.  Many of you know, that I'm a big fan of Katherine and Jay Wolf's blog Hope Heals.  For the past five years, I've been both captivated and motivated by their miraculous story of hope and healing.

In honor of Mother's Day, they released a short film documenting their story.  Yesterday, as I fed my sweet baby, I watched the whole film and was, once again, so moved by their story.  I sat on the couch and cried because I just couldn't believe how not only have they managed to survive in the wake of Katherine's stroke, but they're thriving, and are now using their story to bring a message of hope and healing to so many who have been impacted by their story.

So, here it is.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have:
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Learn more about Katherine at Jay at http://hopeheals.com/