Holding You

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A couple nights ago I was holding Jane Taylor late into the night rocking her to sleep. For various reasons I kept having to move from one room to the other, keeping her asleep, as Adam set up her bed. I was tired, but at all didn’t mind holding my sweet girl on my chest. Honestly, I could sleep that way every night.

As I moved from room to room, holding her close and keeping her safe, I got this overwhelming thought about my fellow mothers in the world. Mothers that I have never met and will never fully understand what they have been through.

Becoming a mother has given me this strong desire to protect all around us. Protect her, Adam, our home. Thankfully, I live in a town where I am not constantly running in fear. I can speak of my love for the Lord. I can wear whatever I want. I can go wherever I please. I can do whatever I need to do for the best for my child.

But there are mothers in this world, in cities and countries I honestly can’t pronounce, who move from room to room, house to house, city to city, holding their children to their chest. Keeping them safe. Doing what is best for them. They are moving out of fear for their lives. A fear I can’t begin to imagine. Those mothers weighed heavy on my heart as I held my girl that night. 

The way mothers hold their children close is, to me, the physical representation of how God holds us throughout each day and night. He covers us with His arms, moving us from room to room, house to house, city to city, in efforts to guide us to a safe destination. One that can only be found by bringing Him into our hearts.

Today I pray for the mommas out there who are doing all that they can for their children. I pray they know that God is there to guide the steps. I pray that He can help carry the fear, in whatever form it comes, and turn it into trust in His plan. And I pray for all of you to know that you are being held, so closely, each and every day by our Savoir.  

He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. - Psalm 91:4

Nursery Reveal

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Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson 

Decorating a nursery is probably the most rewarding thing I have ever gotten to do. With each item purchased just thinking how it would be for my child was such an amazing feeling. Knowing that she would play on this rug and sleep in this crib just gave me all the feels. Best room I have ever created... in my opinion. :) 

Before we even found out we were having a girl, I knew the nursery was going to be super simple with only hints of either blue or pink. I also knew the walls would be grey and the furniture would be white, regardless. I didn't want to do a theme I just keep it very warm and simple. We actually got all our furniture before we even knew the gender! Below I go through each item in her nursery. 

1. Crib & Chalkbord: I got her crib at Pottery Barn Kids and it has since sold out. But there are lots of similar styles. I loved how simple this crib is and that it could hopefully be used for more than one child. I also knew I wanted her name over her crib so I asked my friend Laura Crawford to work her magic. I am obsessed with how it came out. Before she was born I would just sit and stare at this chalkboard. I still do now that she is here.

2. Mobile & Boppy: The mobile is so funny to me because it looks so cute on the crib, yet all the books tell you not to keep on the crib while the baby is sleeping there. We take it off while she is sleeping but when I need a distraction for her, she really does love it. The boppy and the newborn bobby are a MUST. The boppy and boppy slipcover are a must if you are breastfeeding. The newborn boppy is great for a spot for the little one to hang out. 

3. Rockin-Play: This is the one thing everyone said I had to have. And let me tell you..they were RIGHT. We had her in this all the time up until she was about 7 months old. She loves it and I love that I can control the settings with my phone. 

4. PlayMat: This play mat comes from High Street Baby. It was a gift at one of my showers. I get more questions on where this is from than anything else. 

5. Changing Table, Mirror, and Diaper Pail: I love how the changing table is also her dresser. We have a tiny house so we need all the space saving we can get. Her mirror is from Etsy. Those little handles on the mirror are starting to become a little tricky since she is getting to the stage where she wants to grab EVERYTHING. The diaper pail does exactly what it is supposed to do. And I love it. 

6. Bookshelves: I first saw these on Chronicles of Frivolity and thought they were the greatest thing ever. I love the way they look and I am impressed with how many books they will hold. 

7. Bouncer: This is a great item to have to take with you around the house. I am always needing something quick to place her in and this is easy to carry around. She also used to take naps in this every once in a while. 

8. Brittany Fuson Prints: Y'all. I have been dreaming of the day when I would get to fill a wall in my house with Brittany Fuson Prints. I have never had a spot that would work before because 1) I live with a boy and 2) our houses have always been so small that I don't have an office/closet/girlie spot where it would work. So when we found out we were having a girl I knew the prints were going in the nursery. 

9. Rocking Chair, Side Table & Lamp: This is my favorite spot in the whole house. I spend more hours in this chair than I do anywhere else. And the most precious moments take place right here, holding my sweet girl. 

To shop all the items in the nursery just click below. Getting to decorate a space for my little girl was very fun. But the best part of the nursery is seeing her in it. 

Thursday's Three: Books You Should Be Reading - Shauna Niequist

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What is Thursday's Three?  During my break I thought long and hard about different aspects I wanted to bring to you all throughout the week. I wanted a way to share certain things I am loving, from beauty, to recipes, to books (always sharing books). Originally, I thought to do a Friday's Five - classic blog post used by many favorites of mine (example of a blogger doing it right here ). But my sister suggested to be a little a different and do Thursday's Three. The majority of our phone conversations begin with "Did you see what so and so posted? Have you done Lauren Kay Sims ab workout today? Do you think I need these Pjs?". She knows whats out there, so I took her suggestion. Ok, onto today's three picks. 

I was first introduced to Shanua Neiqust by my friend Brandi. And since that first book, I have become hooked. She has a way of telling stories that beg you wanting more. They are the kind of books where you get a little sad as you see the last couple pages approaching because you don't want it to end. The way I refer to Shauna in conversation you would think I was actually a friend of hers. That we regularly talk on the phone, I've been to her home numerous times for dinner and we have created countless memories together. But truthfully, I am only her friend through the stories she has shared with me and millions of other. That's what makes her a good author.

Her books dive into the good stuff. The hard stuff. The stuff that makes you think. And picking just three was super challenging because I honestly loved them all. 

Cold Tangerines - When I was six months pregnant we headed off to Scottsdale for our baby moon, and I brought this book with me. It was the perfect book to read for the season of life that I was in. Cold Tangerines holds little stories about God, and how He is here, everyday. And how He is present in everything.  Shauna writes "God is waiting to be found everywhere, in the darkest corners of our lives, the dead ends and bad neighborhoods we wake up in, and in the simplest, lightest, most singular and luminous moments." It is a beautiful book. If you haven't read any of Shauna's books, I recommend this one first.

Bread & Wine - It is exactly as it reads. Pages full of stories of friends gathering together to eat good food, and drink good wine and recipes for you to try on your own. You feel like you are at the table with her as she describes the items on the menu and the experiences that came with the meal. She makes the food come alive through simple black and white text. This book makes you want to cook, host, and cry all at the same time. 

Present Over Perfect - When Shauna came out with this book it was the summer I attended She Speaks. She kicked off the event with a powerful message. Then she signed books for a handful of us. I was a total fan girl when I met her. Didn't even get my book signed because I was too excited to even ask. I very much hope she has erased our first encounter from her memory. But that is one of the reasons why this book is one of my top three. Present Over Perfect reminds you to focus in on what is important. To press pause, to admit your mistakes, to accept that you are not going to have it all together. Read this book when you need to learn to give yourself some grace. 

If you are not really the reading type, these books are also a great listen on audible. Shauna reads them herself and her voice is just as welcoming as her writing. Hope you enjoyed this week's Thursday's Three. To shop ALL of Shauna's books click the links below. To read more posts about Shauna click here and here.