Lighten Up

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson 

Dress: Nordstrom || Shoes: Lucky Brand

A light and flowy summer dress is a must. Now, more than ever, I am in need of “lightness.”  One of my favorite brands that meets this need is Hinge from Nordstrom. Hinge is known for its dresses in fun prints and relaxed styles. This dress has that light feeling and is non-maternity. A major win-win for this pregnant girl!

During the summer, my load is definitely lightened with school being out. However, with all this extra time, I am doing what I do best: unnecessarily building that load back up again. I’ve already been scheduling meetings, running errands, re-organizing my classroom, etc. – all things that I feel like I should be doing to pass the time, but probably things that are not best for my mental well-being.

I need to get better at taking the time to lighten the load. I know for a lot of us it’s easier said than done. And, sometimes, life just doesn’t allow it. But, it is important for us to slow down and connect with God.  It is in those times that we actually hear what He has to say.  It is unfortunate that for a lot of us, including me, it sometimes takes a complete utter breakdown for us to realize what we truly need.

In all areas—especially in the blog world and on social media—it is easy to play the comparison game and feel like you need to go faster, work harder, smile bigger, and have amazing lighting at all hours. But sometimes God wants you to do the exact opposite. I am not saying to call-in to work tomorrow and say that you are taking the rest of the week off. What I am saying is that you should stop for a minute. Chill out. Lighten up. Stop worrying about where you want to be and focus on where you should be. Whether that is taking time to read a book, spend time with friends, be with family, or go for a run. Whatever you need to do to recharge your soul and your relationship with Him… do that. The rat race will still be there tomorrow, but you will run it better if you are focused on what He wants you to do today. The more time you spend listening to His wants instead of your own, the less running you will actually have to do. 

With a Happy Heart

Dress: Pink Blush Maternity || Similar non-maternity styles here & here || Shoe styles here & here || Bag: here || Other bags I would carry here & here 

I have entered a whole new world of maternity wear. So, I get very excited when I find new shops with styles I can wear during my pregnancy.  Pink Blush Maternity is one of those shops, and this pink dress, in particular, is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I dressed it up with some wedges for a fun night out in Scottsdale. And when I say fun, I mean shopping for strollers (because Adam and I are so weirdly obsessed with the Uppa Baby Vista that we looked at it even while on vacation), eating lobster rolls, and going to bed by 10. But there is so much more to Pink Blush than just maternity wear. It is a place where I can affordably shop for the next couple of months and well into the future. 

While in Scottsdale, Adam and I made an agreement. He could play golf one morning as long as he promised to take blog pictures with…wait for it... a happy heart. It’s something my mom always says when you have to do something you don’t want to do. “Do it with a happy heart or don’t do it at all.” It is now a phrase that gets tossed around in conversation with Adam and my friends. It’s usually said with a laugh and a smile – unless we are super annoyed, at which time we say, “I have a happy heart, okay!?!” But Adam held up his end of the deal and did a great job subbing for Madi on the blog pictures. I am thankful that he wears the badge of “Instagram husband” with a happy heart… well, at least 98% of the time.

In our faith, there are times when we feel forced to do things with a happy heart. Sometimes it’s the little things like volunteering at church when all we really want to do is sleep-in. Or, it’s meeting up with a friend to chat over coffee when we really don’t have the time. Other times, it’s the big stuff, like forgiving someone when it’s easier to be angry. Or, accepting the situation when all you want to do is argue how it should be. But either way, we do it with a happy heart – not because we want to, but because we know deep down we should.

At the end of the day, when you do things with a happy heart, you are left with exactly that... A happy heart. You can lay your head on the pillow at night knowing that you acted in a way that is pleasing to Jesus. It’s in that happy heart that you embrace a heart like His. One that is giving, accepting, forgiving, loving, etc. And it is in those happy heart moments that you find the blessing of His peace. 

Keeping Routine

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

Top: Nordstrom || Similar tops here & here || Pants: ASOS maternity || Non maternity styles here & here || Shoes here & here || Necklace || Bags I would pair here & here

I realize that I am six-months pregnant. I also realize that my stomach is only going to get bigger. But I am bound and determined not to spend boatloads of money on maternity wear. As a result, tunics are quickly becoming my best friend. Knowing that I will be able to wear them throughout my pregnancy (hopefully) and in the years to come makes them all the more appealing. I love how this particular tunic has some shape to it and doesn’t just look like a sack hanging on me. Hinge is one of my favorite brands at Nordstrom, so it’s no surprise that this tunic came home with me... pregnant or not.

Shopping for maternity wear is totally not my normal routine. While I might complain about only being able to wear an outfit for a couple more months, I feel truly blessed to have the struggle of “fitting the bump.” I would fit the bump for as long as God so desired because the joy that comes with feeling her little kicks far surpasses any desire to wear my normal summer attire.

But, again, it is still a change to my normal shopping routine. Sometimes change is good – and not just with our shopping routine. (I mean, the struggle is real when you have to change up how you shop, right? Kidding… well, kind of!). Changing up our routine with our faith is also good. Challenging. But good.

In high school, I was so good about writing down my prayers before bed. In college, I wrote them on a notecard, so I could read over them after doing my devotion. In the real world, however, I stopped writing them down altogether. I try to carry them in my head, which often causes me to forget who and what I should be praying for.

I’m not saying that I don’t still throw my prayers and praises up to Him every day. Nevertheless, I am well aware that changing up my pre-bed routine of watching Real Housewives of You-Name-the-City to reading and focusing more on prayer might be a good thing. It’s just a matter of committing to it, changing the routine, and pressing forward.

What routines do you feel you need to change? Where do you want to improve? And are you willing to accept the challenge that comes with change? Even the smallest change can become ever so rewarding.