My name is Lauren. I live out in the country in south Alabama with my husband and sweet children. I try to share a little bit of my own life and things that inspire me here.
It has been one of those weeks. Tuesday morning, we were running behind to get to the bus stop, and then we had a flat tire. Thankfully though, we noticed it before we got on the road. Then yesterday, we had some strong storms in our area, the same storms that have been moving through most of the country this week. There was a lot of rain and a lot of wind; hard sideways-blowing rain, for most of the day. Right after lunch, I sent Joe a text message of a photo of a puddle of water on the floor in our dining room, and I called and told him that our roof was leaking. He called the roofer yesterday, and he has already come this morning and made the necessary repairs.
Meanwhile, there is a horrible child hostage situation undergoing about 40 miles down the road from us. Tuesday afternoon, a gunman entered a school bus, demanded children, the bus driver refused, so the gunman shot and killed the bus driver, and then the gunman kidnapped a child from the bus and has been holding this child hostage in a homemade bunker behind his home. You can read more about this nightmare of a situation here.
There is a precious, innocent, 5-year-old little boy that is separated from his parents, and he is with is a mean monster of a man. I cannot imagine what his parents are feeling right now, nor do I want to begin to imagine. No parent should have to go through anything like this. No child should ever be put in such danger. This little boy needs to be reunited with his parents. It is my hope and prayer that he is put safely back into his Mama and Daddy’s arms very soon, where he belongs. My thoughts and prayers go out to this little boy, his parents and family, the bus driver’s family, all of the students that were on the bus, the law enforcement authorities, the community, and everyone affected by this horrible tragedy.
This is a scary situation, and this one hit just a little too close to home for me. I hugged Grayson extra tight and gave him extra kisses this morning as I put him on his school bus with our sweet bus driver. I got teary-eyed as I drove home from the bus stop, praying for my baby to always remain safe at school and on the bus.
God spoke to me while laying down between my boys for their nap yesterday afternoon.
The moral of the story: We all have our different problems and situations of all shapes and sizes that come up in life that we are not happy about, but there is nothing more precious than safe little lives. My boys are safe, and they are exactly where they belong. That is all in the world that matters. I trust God daily to watch over my children and protect them.
As we were driving through the hills in the country this evening on our way home the sky was absolutely gorgeous. I had to pull over on the side of the road and get a photo of it; so many beautiful shades of purple and pink and grey.
This week has flown by, as most of them do. The days come and go so fast, and it seems they just keep passing by quicker and quicker. I did notice today that the days are getting a little longer, which is good. I like more sunlight in the day. It seems as if I can be much more productive with more light hours.
I have been changing around my blog a little this week. I keep going back and forth on my blog layout, color schemes and design, what to talk about, what not to talk about, and so forth. I have decided to take my blog to as simple and basic a style and layout as I can. I have removed all of the extra clutter underneath the posts, and I have simplified the sidebar a bit as well. If you would like to comment on the posts here on my blog, I would so love for you to! I love comments and hearing from you. And, I would really love to know what all of you that come here and read would like for me to post more about.
Most of my computer time is late at night when everyone is in bed tucked fast asleep. I can think much more clearly and concentrate better when it is quiet. Blogging does require alot of time and energy, though, and there are days and nights where my mind goes blank for content. There are other times where there are tons of stories in my mind, and then I never get to them. I started this blog after Grayson was born to document our everyday life; as a memory-keeping endeavor for us. I have really enjoyed it, and grown to love it. I want it to continue to be a place where I store our family’s memories and document our days together. I want to celebrate the simplicity and beauty of everyday life. Living simply is a passion of mine, and I am seeking to carry that out here on the blog as well.
Thank you for reading, and if you ever wish to comment or even just say hello, I would be so happy!
black-eyed peas are cooking on the stove and i am about to go make some sour cream cornbread muffins. yum. i am starting off the new year by getting over a yucky virus that left me in the bed all day yesterday. black-eyed peas will hopefully bring me some get well and stay well luck.
twenty twelve was a good year for us. we faced some challenges, worked very hard, moved into our new home out in the country, saw achievements and advancements, and celebrated a sweet new life in our family. it was a year full of happenings and blessings.
i love the feeling that a new year brings. it’s like a fresh start with a new beginning. and it is the best time for change. just a few small little goals for me this year… find the time to cook more, eating more fruits and vegetables, fill my porch with some potted plants, get outside and walk more, spend more time together as a family doing fun things. and really, to just keep growing as a person, as a wife, and a mother. and to keep improving in life. because life is definitely a learning experience for us all.
Your plan sounds great! I need to get a plan as well…
2012 was great for us having y’all move to the hill! It was a jam packed year, for sure!!!!
Love you all!
i saw this today and wanted to share it here. regardless if you have a child with an autism spectrum disorder or not, please take a minute and watch this video. everybody deserves a chance. everybody has potential… they’ve just got to be given the opportunity. autism needs our help, our voices, and our fight. keep fighting the good fight. and keep having hope. XO.
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag,
Drifting through the wind Wanting to start again? Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin Like a house of cards, One blow from caving in?
Do you ever feel already buried deep? 6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing Do you know that there’s still a chance for you ‘Cause there’s a spark in you
You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July
‘Cause baby you’re a firework Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh” As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you’re a firework Come on, let your colours burst Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh” You’re gonna leave ‘em all in “awe, awe, awe”
You don’t have to feel like a wasted space You’re original, cannot be replaced If you only knew what the future holds After a hurricane comes a rainbow
Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow And when it’s time, you’ll know
You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July
‘Cause baby you’re a firework Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh” As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you’re a firework Come on, let your colours burst Make ‘em go “Oh, Oh, Oh” You’re gonna leave ‘em all in “awe, awe, awe”
Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon It’s always been inside of you, you, you And now it’s time to let it through-ough-ough
‘Cause baby you’re a firework Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth Make ‘em go “Oh, Oh, Oh” As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you’re a firework Come on, let your colours burst Make ‘em go “Oh, Oh, Oh” You’re gonna leave ‘em all in “awe, awe, awe”
Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
I love it!!! That’s a really good song too! Love y’all!
Cindy -October 21, 2012 - 10:29 am
Thanks for the clip. That was unbelievable. I hope your little boy continues to do great things. I loved the post about him riding the school bus. Such a big step to take by himself.
Elaine -October 21, 2012 - 9:34 pm
Beautiful Video!!! Had to share on facebook.Fall is also one of my favorite times of year and you remind me to slow down and really see God’s beautiful creations.Your pictures are so special, and I just love hearing about your special family.!!!
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I haven’t seen this story on the news. How terrible. I will pray for him!!