Summer Front Porch Refresh

It's officially summer! With the days lasting a bit longer, we are loving our extra family time relaxing together outside. The baby absolutely LOVES being outdoors, and lately our favorite outdoor hangout spot has been the front porch.

I knew it was finally time to make this spot warm and cozy since I hadn't done anything to it since we moved in last year! When Home Decorators Collection asked me to be a part of their #HDCrugsforthesummer tour, it was the perfect motivation to make this space welcoming and comfortable.

Check out the before/after of our summertime front porch!!

It's now the perfect spot to cozy up and enjoy family time! :)

With a few essential items, I was able to pull this space together quickly and affordably (win-win!). Thanks to the great selection of outdoor items at Home Decorators Collection, this small space is now the perfect place to relax and welcome guests.

Without a doubt, the biggest impact in this small space comes from the beautiful blue patterned rug.  I'll admit there were about five different rugs in my cart at one time, but when I came across this beautiful Martha Stewart Temple Gate outdoor rug, I was in love! The size and texture were perfect.

When the rug arrived, the coloring was even more beautitiful in person! I was happy to find that the material is both soft and thicker than most outdoor rugs. It's also husband-approved because it's functional too ;) Our porch is covered but it does get wet when it rains; I've found this rug takes water well and dries quickly, which means more time to enjoy being outside together. 

Home Decorators Collection has a huge selection of outdoor items, and I also scooped up the navy outdoor lumbar pillow and a monogrammed square outdoor pillow. I love the custom braided trim to give the pillows a little something special. The monogrammed square pillow didn't quite make it in time, but I'll be sure to show you how it looks in the space! Check out their sale on outdoor furniture and decor if you're looking to cozy up an outdoor space too.

For more inspiring outdoor spaces, be sure to check this amazing group of blogger friends for the #hdcrugsforthesummer sponsored by Home Decorators Collection:

Monday: Gloribell from I Don't Know How She Does It
Tuesday: Sarah from Life on Virginia Street
Wednesday: Danielle from The Cheerful Home
Thursday: Haeley from Design Improvised
Friday: Danielle from Finding Silver Pennies

Front Porch Source list:
martha stewart temple gate rug: home decorators collection
outdoor lumbar pillow (color: indigo sunbrella): home decorators collection
square monogrammed pillow (color: indigo sunbrealla): home decorators collection
outdoor loveseat, chair, cushions: home depot
medallion pillows, white ceramic stool: home goods
lantern: gifted from friend
hanging planters, blue pot: hobby lobby
wreath: target
iron wall decor: gifted from friend (thanks, aubrie!)
table: grandparent's garage (thanks, grandma!)

Thank you so much to Home Decorators Collection for sponsoring this post. All choices and opinions are my own. For more decor inspiration check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Easter 2016

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. It's where we celebrate the hope and purpose found in our risen Savior. "He is not here for He has risen just as He said." Matthew 28:6

This year was extra special because it was Charlie's first Easter! Below are a few pictures we captured on Easter weekend.

Baby rolls and a baby sailor suit :) This outfit is extra special because it was his daddy's when he was a baby!

Charlie's Easter basket will be something we use every year, and this year is was literally big enough for him to fit into! ;) Eddie and I both have such fond memories of celebrating Easter during childhood, and we are looking forward to celebrating with our son in the years to come.

 

On Saturday, we took Charlie and his cousin Mckenzie to a local Easter egg hunt. Charlie had a blast watching all of the kiddos search for eggs and bounce in the inflatables. Since he didn't have any eggs in his basket, Mckenzie was so thoughtful and shared a few of hers! She also won the grand prize, a large stuffed pink bunny! (She was SO proud of that bunny!)

All of the Easter festivities, family time, egg hunts, baskets, and bunnies are all so much fun; but at the forefront of all that is the real reason we celebrate: the hope and purpose the resurrection brings to all of us. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

Print by Lindsay Letters

Reflections on Motherhood (after three months)

Sweet little boy. Our precious Charlie. I could stare at you all the time and never get tired of memorizing every little detail about you.

Time is already going by too fast; you have changed so much in three short months. Every day that goes by, we are figuring out our new normal together. You are teaching me so much! Daddy and I are so happy that you are ours to love.  

Great is Thy Faithfulness: News of our Miracle

February 28th is a very special day in our home: the day our hearts were overjoyed to find out our little sunshine was on his way into our family. It was a long-awaited day that we had prayed so hard for.

But, it had not come easy.

Over the course of three long years, we had tried so many treatments and procedures in order to overcome my diagnosis of infertility. Our hearts ached with each negative pregnancy test. As the months turned into years, we finally consulted with a new doctor in Cary who had a high success rate with IVF, and we went through all the necessary classes/testing in order to proceed forward. I filled the prescription for the first medicine to take as soon as my cycle started. Eventually, I was one week late, and on a Saturday morning, Eddie encouraged me to take a pregnancy test, "just to be sure."

I was so hesitant because I knew the sting of a negative pregnancy test all to well. But this month was unlike any other! After 37 consecutive months of negative pregnancy tests, I could hardly believe my eyes when I stared down at a little sign that said I was PREGNANT! I tear up just reliving that morning!

I ran to the bedroom and could barely speak, but Eddie took one look at my face and instantly knew our lives were forever changed in that moment. We stood there in disbelief and pure joy, hugging each other and both crying the sweetest tears of utter happiness.

I share our story for one reason: to show just how great His love and faithfulness for all of us is. 

I wish I could tell you that I always knew He would grant us the desire of our hearts. I had so many days where doubt creeped in and clouded my faith with its silent uncertainties. Then, one seemingly ordinary day turned out to be extraordinary, as our lives were changed forever with the news that a tiny little life was growing inside of me.

Our story is proof that miracles do happen.  Jesus was working in our lives during our entire journey through infertility. He continued to work even through my doubt, my aching heart, and my feelings of uncertainty.  

That is the perfect picture of His grace. It cannot be earned; it cannot be bought; it is a pure gift from the only One who can give it. Although we are undeserving, still He is faithful and lovingly extends His grace.

We are learning each day that we have to continue to fully trust in HIM to follow His plan. And, He has a plan for you too.  

Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23