hello again!

and what better way to greet friends after a month long hiatus than with a flattering shot of one's self.  hello!

it's definitely been awhile. let me start off by saying that, although i have missed blogging, reading my favorite blogs, & my blogging friends, this hiatus was 100% intentional. let me explain.

i started blogging as a way to keep long distance family in the loop on the happenings with our little family. it became a hobby that i really enjoyed. i loved recording our moments and my thoughts. i loved building relationships with other women who also shared a love of Jesus, family, home, humor, and, it must be said, pinterest. over the past 6 months or so, i really got into the promotion side of blogging. i thought i was ready to delve into the world of sponsorships, guest posts, link parties. i was wrong. it became consuming. it was all i thought about. i found myself playing with my kids, but not being present at all. instead i was thinking about all the things i HAD to do for the blog. the Lord convicted me one day.  he gently, yet very clearly told me that this was becoming an idol. he reminded me of my weakness, a weakness i have struggled with for a long time. a desire to be liked, popular, admired. it got me into a lot of trouble and pain in my teens and early twenties. i had put blogging before Him and my family. He told me to leave it alone. to just stop for awhile and be the mother and wife he called me to be. it was good. 

i learned a lot about myself in this break. i like blogging. but i am not ready to grow my blog by sponsorship or promotions. there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with these things. they just aren't for me right now. maybe they never will be. this blog will continue as it was started. a place to record my precious moments with my family, thoughts in my little head, things i find lovely and inspirations i want to share. and that's the basic reason for my intentional hiatus. 

so what have we been up to since i last posted?

daddy turned 35 and emerson helped me make a spice cake from scratch. it was fun & messy. 

daddy really liked his cake and the help he got blowing out his candles.

Emerson turned 3 and we had a dinosaur party(but that deserves it's own post)

gemma turned 9 months old and also started wearing pigtails. she. is. so. cute.

we played and had fun doing this lovely life. 

so that's that. i feel at peace about it and can not wait to re connect with my sweet blogging friends!