Sunday Afternoon Stir Fry and Baking

One recent Sunday afternoon after church service, the kids and I baked cookies so they could cool in time for them to eat after lunch. For my what-I-hoped-to-be-gallbladder-friendly fixins, I used a frozen bag of stir-fry veggies. I threw in some leftover chicken breast and that was it.

After the cooking, hubs and I headed out onto the deck for a little time together before going into town. I think it was the first time we just sat out there together. Time to slow down apparently!

And I can’t post this without adding our most recent Sunday shot. It took way too many takes than it should have but that is okay.

What’s your favorite Sunday dish and dessert?

Rainy Autumn Mondays Unto the Lord

We were thankful for the rain Monday morning. The dry ground was thirsty! I was glad the girls got their pumpkins carved the evening before, just in time. We don’t celebrate Halloween as its roots are not even close to God-honoring, and in my conviction, I cannot celebrate it, but I did wait for the pumpkins to go on sale for the girls to do their own little decor since God himself made pumpkins.

I started the day off early by cooking my husband a power bowl style breakfast with turkey bacon and blueberries. Tossed some black beans in the eggs for extra energy.

My youngest got off to school, and of course not too far into the morning once the sun came up all the way, the dogs were ready to go back out.

Back to the couch for some study in the Word. My friend loves to nestle up to me. He has these bouts a few times a day. It’s not all calm, trust me. This is round one, haha.

Since finding out I have gallbladder issues, I am only supposed to eat turkey, fish or chicken. I bought some ground turkey, cooked it thoroughly, boiled my green beans in a couple teaspoons of chicken broth, then combined the two and set on a low simmer. Once the pasta was finished, I combined all three. It doesn’t look the most appealing, but it tasted amazing. *Edited to add, this dish is actually from Tuesday evening I believe. I’ve been cooking so much I lost track.*

About midday while the littles I watch were napping, I went out to snap more photos because the beauty of fall is a gift to me, and since my birthday happens to be on its first day, I felt the Lord who created me, couldn’t have chosen a better time.

The evening came and I wanted to catch the coziness of our quaint space which I thank God for. We are merely travelers passing through this world, but I am thankful He allowed us to move here into this little pocket in the woods which reminds me much of our Kentucky house but with the four rooms we had always desired. This is the first time the kids have ever had their own bedroom.

Bye sun.

When I think of the beauty of autumn it only gives me one more reason to add to the countless others to be thankful to Jesus. He thought to make such things which blows my mind; I was glad to capture. The detail of creation is just another reason I can’t see how people might think there is no God.

He is obviously an on-purpose Creator…an on-purpose all mighty God!

“Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant,
And Israel whom I have chosen.
2 Thus says the Lord who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you:
‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant;
And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
And floods on the dry ground;
I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,
And My blessing on your offspring;
4 They will spring up among the grass
Like willows by the watercourses.’
5 One will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’;
Another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
Another will write with his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’
And name himself by the name of Israel.

There Is No Other God

6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,
And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
‘I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God.
7 And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people.
And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.
8 Do not fear, nor be afraid;
Have I not told you from that time, and declared it?
You are My witnesses.
Is there a God besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock;
I know not one.’ ”

Isaiah 44:1-8 NKJV

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Finding Peace in Weakness

The sunlight either said hello sooner than I expected or I lost track of time since getting up so early which allowed a few things to be accomplished before all the kids got out the door for school.

Not that my two olders need me anymore–and I wasn’t sure how long it’d be before I could say such words, but now I can praise the Lord; they’ve been getting up earlier than even their mama prefers, fixing their hygiene, lunches and the like.

This more-than-a-mere-morning, my Bible sat waiting for me, as did other to-do’s not too far off, though I made them sit still for while longer before gathering all my items and heading to the deck to enjoy the autumn weather before the heat of the day–because it’s those in betweens where the sun will cook you while the cool evenings will keep your cardigan’s hook, your best friend.

I have pitter-patted into this post, possibly from being so away, as I’ve found writing when prompted to be more my style than a daily task regardless–which could change, but tis the season.

Weakness.

I wanted to talk about it because, well, it’s been at my bedpost lately. I’ve been pondering on what feels like I swallowed a dose of helplessness and how when we feel this way, God still hasn’t changed. Mind-blowing, isn’t it?

I’ve been mostly healthy all my life–I just turned 37–and out of nowhere I began having gallbladder attacks, I guess they call them, from being inflamed, or “horribly mad at you,” in the doctor’s words.

So, needless to say, I have been watching what I eat instead of being able to fly by the seat of my pants. If that method got me here–don’t follow in those footsteps, oops.

Not that I over-ate or went crazy. Honestly, portion control and plain common sense have pretty much been how I live, but either way, two trips to ER in a week happened and would have more had I not gritted and bared the agonizing pain while praising and trying to think happy thoughts amidst it all.

Through this process of learning what I can eat, might be able to eat, and definitely CAN NOT EAT right now, it’s been fun to get back in the kitchen after another but unexpected move ) our cute townhome had mold we discovered).

Though this photo looks yummy, my gut wound up saying no to beef roast. Below, I used leftover homemade chicken noodle as an excuse to make “sort of Zuppa Tuscana” soup. It had chicken rather than sausage (which I cannot eat) and I added in cooked potatoes after the fact, so the only thing I found off enough to write about was the noodles.

This meant it had more a chicken gnocchi texture instead, but it was still good. Since eating this I have been cutting back on milk-based products too. The pain from the gallbladder attacks were coming every other night, so I was desperate to cut out whatever might be a trigger.

I hope it doesn’t seem I am all over the place today. I haven’t been very good lately at writing authentically raw, and I think that’s because for the first time I am writing not from pained places but I have been able to wait upon the Lord in some things as He works in me during trials, and write after, or not at all (yet?)

This is not to say those who write in their pain are less strong. I actually long to write this way again, but for whatever reason the Lord has made this past year different for me. Maybe it was a place in my life I needed to grow in. Maybe I leaned heavily into the writing process itself, instead of prayer first, though I will say I feel I have not let prayer go ever, entirely. Even on pained days, even on good days, I “feel” prayer has always been a love, and natural to me. I wish it were this way for everyone.

Weakness. About that.

Though I mean physically, weakness comes in all shapes and sizes. When I am laying on the bed in hours of what seems like unending pain, I cry to Jesus. I rock back and forth to Jesus. I squeeze my husband’s hand–to Jesus be the glory that I have a hand to hold; not everyone does.

Things I might have ever taken for granted; I hope I no longer do. Even when it came to two different types of medication–one at the ER and one at home–my mercy and understanding for how it can be that a person might get hooked on a painkiller, has grown.

Because of this, I am severely watching my diet so I can hopefully avoid the gut twinge that cues me in on, “This is going to be a long night.”

I greatly appreciated The Transformed Wife’s post for other proven methods of helping maintain health, other than pain medication. She suffered through years of gut issues, so her recommendations are substantial.

Regardless of anything, I know my life is in God’s hands, but I also know taking care of the temple He’s given is my responsibility to an extent.

“My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

PSALM 73:26 nkjv

It doesn’t matter how weak I feel in my bones. My spirit man is strong, but I can and will give honor to my Father for this too–because without His help, even this would not be so. I have had days when my spirit man felt nothing but a gasp.

If this is you too, take heart. He is never changing, despite our changing days.

The recipe above was recommended by a friend.

Since I just made this today, I can’t say my body’s reaction yet but I assuming it will be a good one since there was zero grease involved.

I will probably be adding more meals to the blog over time.

If you have a gut-friendly, gallbladder-friendly recommendation comment below (you have to create an account & log in)…

…or email hello@peaceandcoffee.blog and I may put together a curated list and link back to you.

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Thank you!

Looking for more than a blog post? I am not as active on social media anymore but….

Check out where I go to church. Watch streamed sermons on Facebook, or past recordings on The Assignment Church’s YouTube channel.

As always, message us if you have questions.

Making Our New Space Feel like Home

Last year we put our Kentucky house up for sale { on faith } to follow Christ { where HE said go }. It took a couple months once we accepted an offer. The hiccup on the buyer’s end did not deter us because we knew the Lord had everything under control. What is so interesting about this particular story in our lives is that we did not know the name of the homy buyer the entire time. It’s just not something that ever came up nor did I have time to think on it.

Ever since we moved with our church family out of state to Missouri where by divine direction we ended up, we have been focused on family and the work He has put before us, growing the foundation from the ground { in Christ } up. It should not have shocked me when we sat down to sign papers {albeit at our pastor’s house with everyone gathered which was a miracle in and of itself } discovering the buyer’s name was Faith.

Yes, I said Faith.

So one door closed as others opened but the lesson this time was that the “door” would never have appeared. We had to make it appear. Appear by pivoting away from what we thought life was going to look like for the next decade until our kids were out of the house toward an unknown expanse with the only clear view being God’s hands stretched out.

Now that I filled you in on how we got here, I can talk about how much I enjoy this plush carpet beneath my feet. There’s something about navy on creamy grey but the fact the print matched what we already had going on was what made me smile and know God cares about even the little details.

And then I sat with my cup for a while to admire the investments God allowed us to put into our space. It’s okay to sit and smile, to not always be moving and figuring things out. That’s a whole lesson right there.

Last minute, we decided to whisk eggs for breakfast before heading out to visit another church. It was a busy weekend, one I didn’t see coming, so when Sunday rolled around I was exhausted and looked forward to what I am sharing with you now. Yes, taking photos and storytelling is relaxing to me. If joy had a top, this would be it.

I am loving my white stools for $8.00 on an online auction, and the little yellow canisters I found at a local Goodwill for a dollar each. You can’t see my bathroom backets, but I found those at Goodwill too. Plastic ran its course, and I opted for whicker. The House Rules sign was on clearance at a local Factory Connection. You would think specializing in clothes that they would not carry home decor but in each store, there is a small section in the corner with the cutest little things.

We shifted the dogs’ items over (I don’t know why I hadn’t thought if that before) across from the laundry area. Now, next to the task boards I have placed my post holders, so we use it for the immediate mail and to hold the wipe off markers for the kids. There was a moment I was sad because I thought I had lost some decor. I don’t get attached to materials easy, it’s just that it took me a while to find my style, and the things I did choose held meaning. Glad my husband found the two boxes that laid hidden in the garage after the move!

Just when everything appears normal, remember there is a story in the making. Don’t underestimate the present moment, but embrace its hereness with gratitude and a true hope that God is for you. I said that to say, even in this photo there is a story in the making; one I did not plan on my own. I guess God really does like to be the author and finisher of our faith as the Bible says.

The little basket on the side holds the beginning of items I began to collect so I can watch a few kids at home. Who, me? Yes, I asked the Lord this. I thought I was done with that kind of thing. Guess not!

I’ll keep going, because just when you think there is no more to tell, God gives you more. Undeservingly more. The yellow mug is not just any yellow mug. The Lord had been speaking significantly to me about some things, including speaking up for myself in some areas, but speaking up and standing firm in general.

We were in this store and there to my right this mug faces me with words like, “Be Bold”. My eyes lit up and this was the one time I went with a strong intention to NOT buy anything. But my friend got it for me because she wanted to. What a great $3.00 message and it is now my favorite to drink coffee from.

Once the downstairs was finished, I sat down with the small laptop we invested in so I could go mobile. Mobile as in having the freedom to sit outside should I choose. I don’t take this for granted. Even in how He worked out the details for this to happen, was a miracle.

I never get tired of seeing God in everything. After I posted this my husband actually helped me fix up my desk area better than what it was. I’ll share that next time. It turned out so cute!

– Warmly,

Peace + Coffee { blog }

On losing our best bud and accepting pain.

I don’t really know where I am going with this. I had to sit down and write though.

I went back and forth on whether to post my more professional posts that were designated for Mondays, but I decided it felt too fake for the current state.

In the words of Shauna Niequist, “…you don’t get the oil until you pour out the vinegar.“

I haven’t felt like being social, in real life or on media except for family lately, and my close friends who have texted to so ask how we are. So I apologize for dropping the ball (or so it feels like it) this past couple of weeks, with linkups, reading & conversing/face-time.

I realize we have to work even in pain, but I don’t have a boss (besides God but I don’t really think of Him as that usually, more like Father), so I am giving myself permission to write what is really on my heart.

I have enough of the other kinds of posts waiting to be published. They will still be there, good Lord willing. If you are reading this today, I know you will probably say a prayer for us and so I want to thank you in advance, because they mean so much.

Our Jack went to a better place today (Sunday). He is not suffering anymore. My heart feels twisted up in knots that keep getting stuck in my throat at the most random times.

I saw his dog treats last night and broke down again, sitting on the kitchen floor while my sons food heating in the microwave.

I can not begin to describe the past couple of days and the heaviness that has lulled, feeling helpless to help our little guy, finding out surgery with 1 in 5 survival rate was the only other option and that they still might not find out the root cause of his digestive problems, and the meds they previously tried only served as a temporary fix until he got sick again.

Part of me keeps trying to be strong and normal. Then the realness just kicks in and knows pain is a part of life so I may as well cry it out.

I would talk to him from across the room in the kitchen as I scrubbed a dirty plate.

I let him lay on me. Mom sat by him too. But I preferred to not be too close. I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be long, but it was just a feeling. And I started putting up the self-protected wall.

Friday night I was up and down with him.

Saturday was bad. Sunday (today) was worse in that he was shutting down even more, refusing water, and the cycle of trying to go potty but to no avail that has been happening, was just too much.

We tried switching his food, giving him soft food. I feel awful, like a mom who gave up too soon. But hearing him moan like that and hearing the doc tell us internal issues with dogs were not good news, is what brought us to the decision in the end.

If he wasn’t in so much pain, going naturally seemed right. I can’t explain the weirdness I am dealing with. I have no words.

***

My parents came over last night to sit with me after mom’s work Christmas party.

Matt has been stuck in North Dakota still.

He was stranded in a post blizzard state for a couple days and then didn’t make it home for Launa’s birthday yesterday due to routes falling through and such. (trucker lingo)

He and the other drivers that got stuck so to speak, had to sit there on the highway that was legally shut down over night and finally some plows came through the next day around lunch.

Praise God he had food in his truck and even gas to make it. I was a bit concerned but God always takes care of my babe and a plus is he was a US Marine (“still AM“, he would say) so he can make it in some crazy situations that most I know would shake their head at.

We got word yesterday too that his dad had to go to the ER over his foot (infection) and will be loosing his big toe.

***

I am thankful for life and love and family but here this past month it definitely feels different.

As the days pass I care less about things I used to put so much stock into and I just want to hug my sister, hold my husband, kiss my kid’s boo boo’s, say prayers with my son, cook with my girls, play with our cats…and ..Jack.

He had one last adventure the other day, before he got worse.

We moved the rabbit out to the shed where he can run and have fun. Jack thought he was going crazy I guess because he didn’t know of the move but kept sniffing all around that shed, probably swearing up and down in his mind that rabbit stew sounded great for dinner, but couldn’t put his “paw” on it.

Last night when he was so weak and I was about to go pick him back up from trying to potty, he started barking like nutso. I looked over to where he was barking and my neighbors had something draped in their tree, swaying in the wind.

Jack was sure it was someone or something that was not supposed to be there and if I wouldn’t have intervened I am sure he would have woke up the entire neighborhood!

***

Yesterday my girl turned 9. In the circumstances we made the best of it. She was sad her plans had to get canceled because I am still keeping the kids on the DL trying to get rid of this ringworm (from new kittens, you can read more here) but we made cookies together. And ate them all.

I gave her one of her gifts (we are saving the rest for when daddy comes home) and we watched a few shows on Netflix, snuggling on our new couch that got delivered that morning.

It has been almost a year since we had a couch in a house! It is very weird. But we are thankful and have been enjoying cuddling up and staring at the lit Christmas tree, gazing at the lights on the house through the windows, and staring at the fake fire in the little heater we have.

Jack got to sit on the new couch once. He is in my loving Father’s arms now being comforted and is completely better. He doesn’t need a couch there. I am imagining that he is relishing the awesome puppy play park Jesus hand designed for him and some other animal buddies up there.

I don’t believe any creature God made will be wasted.

6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
    the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
    and a little child will lead them all.
⁷The cow will graze near the bear.
    The cub and the calf will lie down together.
    The lion will eat hay like a cow.
⁸The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.
    Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.
⁹Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,
    for as the waters fill the sea,
    so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.

Isaiah 11 NLT

I will be grateful to rejoice again. To go to church again. It has been three weeks now but feels like a year and I miss everyone so much. We are ready to be around people again. To participate again. To laugh and hug friends again.

But sometimes your roots grow the deepest in the richest soil, damp with tears, dark and covered in a lonely longing that only God’s presence can help fill (because it won’t quite get filled until the other side of Heaven).

So to you who are hurting today, God is close to you. Right now.

“In the dark place where it seems like He’d be the furthest, God is actually closest.”

– Tweet this

Psalm 34:18 NLT

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

RIP dear, sweet Jack. You will forever be a part of our family and in our hearts. We were blessed you came into our lives.

Love, Mama

Linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory

How Your Life Becomes Something You Hand Back To God {#TeaAndWord Linkup}

13 Years

Today I am dedicating #TeaAndWord to my husband, and as a thank you to God.

Today marks 13 years of marriage, some of it hard fought.

God knows the past struggles, the victories and the tomorrows. In Him, we have found our comfort and to Him we utter gratitude, some uttered so utterly that words can not even form from our mouths.

This man is not just my high school sweetie, He is my best friend. Friends walk through the fire together and come out better, as diamonds, on the other side.

Heart Reflections

It was a crunchy, cool September afternoon and I was shuffling through some photos on an online album from 5 months ago. He was at doctor’s appointments, we were breaking from home work and I got lost down memory lane.

His jobs always seem to be ones that keep him away and so I have, with the help of God, grown thick skin over the years in the department of “hanging in there” and leaning on Him for strength, ultimately.

What they say is true though. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, yet I can’t help but feel the winds changing, believing God will make a way for us to pay our bills, put food on the table and actually be together and enjoy it too.

Is that a lot to expect? Am I a hopeful romantic? Sure I am.

I am a hopeful, Christian romantic who remembers what her Bible says: that we are to expect much of God, not less.

No, things may not turn out or look how we thought, but Matt and I already know this courtesy of trials that I no longer shudder at but thank God for, as perspective tends to change things.

If words are powerful, as we know they are because God uttered decided words and then the world formed, I am honing my inner childlike faith and hurling positive, promising words into the air around us. Ones that speak life not death. Ones that say, I am never going anywhere, no matter what happens.

You’ll always have my heart.

Our life novel will be that of happily ever after, no matter the time and space between us.

How do I know this?

Because it’s until death do us part here on this earth and past that it is forever in God’s arms who brought us together to begin with.

My One Word for 2016

I didn’t get the One Word thing when I first started blogging. Others were posting these One Word things and I was like huh.

I took a shot at it though, because this year has been about stepping out, speaking out and moving forward.

I didn’t understand why my word kept coming back to me. And for the longest time this year I haven’t really understood why it was my word when life seemed to be pulling me away from friends and typical doings around humans, into more of a set apart sanctuary where I could clear my head and we could follow God’s leading.

Rekindle

Stoking a fire, getting it going again.

That is what I think when I think about my One Word for this year. But I thought it was going to be about mending other broken things, even things I may not have known ere broken?

Little did I know this word was like a torch lit up in my soul, nodding as in agreement of what God was planning for us this year.

***

Through and amidst trials, God can work immensely if you choose to lean on Him, together through it. Through the days of long hours, little sleep, bad dreams, unfinished conversations, unrepaired things, and unlived out dreams, we said: God help. We are not giving up. We’ve come this far. We love each other. You have always provided. We will keep going. Love is more than feeling and loveliness. Love is a choice.

What we didn’t realize was in the saying yes, God was saying yes too.

Though it felt as if the dark would never lift, God was already above it preparing a better place for us. In the dark, He is always doing the greatest things because He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

In the caverns, the twisted turns, the nooks and crannies of life where you feel like you just need a life line or you are going to give up and die -He hears.

We were holding onto each other, though some days it felt like we were giving the cold shoulder or pushing away.

God can take the hardest thing and make it soft again, hearts included.

Memories, moments and marriage become the altars we dedicate in honor of our God.

As I continued to gaze at the old photos, I could feel God’s peace wash over me. We have come so far. God is truly good. I am thankful for the moments of family time He has allowed us to have.

Good memories are also like a pile of stones like they built in Abraham’s day, where families piled large stones up as tall monuments, altars to remember what God had done; how He carried them through tough times and poured forth miracles that would need to be told.

Many wrong turns were made and things were stolen from us that we can never get back, but God has shown us if we trust in Him He is more than able to take what looks like a ripped up canvas buried under spilled paint and turn it into something of beauty of purpose.

God has given 2016 to us as a gift of healing, happiness dares, and holy matrimony.

An unearthing of things we didn’t know were buried, an unearthing of things that needed to be mended between us, and an unearthing of a deep love that never flickered out that was just waiting to be stoked.

A certain scripture keeps coming back to me almost on a weekly basis since January.

“You will give me added years of life, as rich and full as those of many generations, all packed into one.” Psalms 61:6 TLB

Yes, I’ll take it!

Not the kind of jam-packed life that is so busy and full I can’t think straight. Not the kind where we forget how much we love to be together. But the kind that takes intentional dares, goes the extra mile to make the other remember they are cherished, and one that will say:

We lived fully, because our hearts were full, not our schedules.

Family Connections

Finally, the photos from April 2016~

It was mid-April 2016 and we were toe deep in our Happiness Dare, though we had not heard of the Dare just yet. We have never been big on vacations, or really had the means to do so -but a family trip was long overdue.

Finding delight in nearby, frugal fun, we found a getaway and got to stay in a tree-house! Some of you read that blog post here, and it will forever be a memory of gratitude etched into my fibers. The kids still talk of it.

But this little water canal we found just down its way, was free and brimming of beauty. Not another soul in sight.

It was like we walked onto an artist’s canvas and were told to participate in the brush strokes as they were happening.

We grabbed our lunch picnic and made an afternoon of it, feeling the breeze whip by, hearing the voices of nature rise up in the spring atmosphere, feeling the smooth but gritty sand pebbles between our toes.

Experiencing pure delight where sand met water, that first toe dip followed by the shiver from the unexpected cold, snapping at the ankle.

There is nothing else that matches the joy I felt seeing a loving father spend time with his kids. Life can get busy. It is life, not dull. But I will always be thankful for the time we made as a family to get away from it all and just be. It was a cheap, 2 day vaca that proved its worth the moment we arrived.

Honesty is the Road to Freedom

God invited us down a path, an adventure. One that required us to soley depend on Him getting us through. Not money, not spiritual leaders, not circumstances, not anything else you could insert there.

When you aren’t sure why you are alive, what you really believe, what you are supposed to be doing, or how you could ever make a difference, know this:

Sometimes it takes some soul searching.

Sometimes it takes some honest conversation.

All the time it takes some time.

This year, this season in our lives, we know our Father is growing us closer as a family. This year has been filled with much healing that could never have happened without Him.

We may not ever fully understand why we have faced certain things this side of Heaven and maybe one day I can share more in depth. But for now this a comfort I want to share.

“Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way?” – Proverbs 20:24 TLB

Arms linked together, hearts weaved together, we will walk this adventure of faith one step at time with God leading the way.

Faith enables persons to be persons because it lets God be God. ~Carter Lindberg

M.E.Weyerbacher

Linking up here ~

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Our TreeHouse Vacation at TimberRidgeOutpost

Last week on spring break, our family of 5 was able to enjoy a secluded and relaxing getaway not too far from home. We stayed in a tree-house and roasted hot dogs and s’mores like it was cool. Because it was.

It was such a blessing because we have never really been able to go on our own vacation. We have tagged along with family or friends to places, and we did get to stay near the ocean one cold winter when Matt had to deploy -but that was before our 3rd child was born and so this year, things were extra special.

In an effort to figure out the craft of YouTubing, I am going to share with you a very, very short clip from our stay there.

It is well worth the 5 seconds I assure you. Giggles

If that doesn’t make you chuckle, I honestly don’t know what will. Maybe you are more of a frills and frocks kinda gal if not. And if this is the case, no judgement here my friend.

So, on with the pictures – let’s go shall we?

Using lint to start our fire. Pinterest rocks.

We enjoyed our secluded stay so much, we really hope we can make it a family tradition. It was comparable to a hotel room and we love nature anyways! I will post part 2 very soon, with photos of a gorgeous place we found nearby. It was free and we had the whole place to ourselves!

***

None of the photos above may be reproduced without permission from Meghan Weyerbacher. Please feel free to share via social media as long as they are linked back to this blog post. Thanks for understanding!

***

for more info visit: www.timberridgeoutpost.com