feeling more like myself

(december 2013. franklin, tn.)

so for the past 1 1/2-2 years i have not felt like myself. i've been exhausted, moody & in general not "me". i've never been an angry person, but goodness the way i've been feeling has brought out the sin of anger in me. i've been so impatient & short with my boys, having no grace for their sin. my sin towards them has grieved my heart & i know has grieved the Lord's. everyday i felt awful physically & i would act out of the way i was feeling. the Lord would bring conviction to my heart & i would ask the boys to forgive me. all that to say… i am so so grateful that by God's grace i found an amazing holistic practitioner & found out i have adrenal fatigue, which is caused by chronic stress (i think it's because of all the trials our family has been through that finally caught up with me)! so i've been taking a ton of herbal supplements, trying to get more sleep, eating well & staying away from as much stress as possible (which is quite laughable when your husband is in seminary & you are raising 3 boys;)). praise the Lord i'm feeling normal! i'm not exhausted! i feel happier & less stressed! God is so faithful! i know He had purposes in those physical trials, but i rejoice that they look like they're coming to an end! i'm sure my boys are happy to have "their mommy" back. ;) God is so good! He sustains! just wanted to share this bit of happy news! 2014 is going to be a great year & i won't be too tired to enjoy it!!!

al

happy new year!

hi sweet friends & followers! goodness me it's been 3 months since i posted last. not ok in my book, because i love love blogging! so life giving & good for my soul & mind & therefore good for my family. :) so if i did "new years resolutions" this would be it… to blog more (& read the huge stack of books that's been piling up in my room). but seriously, i hate that i haven't been able to write out what's going on in our little family & in my heart & share some photos. life has gotten super crazy with mike being in the pastor's college, jude starting school, burdees, our adoption, photography, etc etc etc. i know it's only going to get busier, but i would like to make blogging a priority! so here's to that, by God's grace! may i manage my time well so that i can do things that are life giving! hope your new year is happy!

al

lula moss

my super creative & artsy older sister is opening a flower business in brooklyn, new york! i had the privilege of capturing some of her work this summer. isn't she amazing?! she's pretty great! :) love you sister!

al

my sin exposed, what grace

(roanoke, va. july 2013)

there is sin in me. sin that i didn't know was there until our sweet amos came along. i fight anger, impatience & i lack grace for him on a daily basis. this sin has surprised me & worn me out. i fight it daily (by God's grace) & there are many days i don't. what grace that the Father brought this little one into our family to expose the sin in my heart that i didn't even know was there. for many reasons i rejoice that amos is my son, but i know i will be forever grateful that the Lord saw fit to sanctify my through his life. i deal with this sin daily & oh how i pray the Father would continue His work in me to make me more like Him quickly!

al

cowboys & indians celebration

sammy turned 3 a few weeks ago & we got to have a party the week after with some sweet friends & dear family. thank You Lord for this precious boy!

al