WHAT THE WHAT, IT'S AUGUST!

August is a big month for us. Big as in moving our selves and all of our belongings a whole five minutes down the road. Lord willing, we'll be in the new place in just three short weeks! I can't help but feel a bit nostalgic as we have been packing away the memories of our first place. Sniff. It's true that I have already mentally checked out of our house. She's treated us well, but we are feeling more ready than ever to settle into something a bit bigger with a bit more privacy. I've been imagining us lounging on our covered deck while taking in the view of our beautiful back yard. Happy sigh. I think I'm most excited that the yard is fenced in. This will make our lives as dog owners a bit easier. I don't mean to sound like a grinch neighbor, but I also don't appreciate the neighbor kids driving their power wheels through my yard as if it were public property. #townhomeproblems. That's right, I just used a hashtag in my blog. I like to keep things interesting around here.

I'm sorry to say I don't have any more pictures of the new place to share{some of you have asked}. I stole this one from Zillow. But, don't you worry. There's plenty more where that came from!{hello home alone 2 reference}

We're starting off the first weekend of August with a bang. Two birthday parties for some of my most favorite people...my niece and sister-in-law. And! Steve surprised me with tickets to see Hillsong Live in concert on Sunday evening! "Now you can check it off your bucket list," he said. He's a keeper that husband of mine. He sure spoils me! It'll be one of those crazy non-stop fun busy weekends. We will somehow manage to get more packing done in between.

Here's to August!

Random Thoughts Tuesday

First off, can I just say I have the greatest friends and family ever? Things haven't exactly been easy lately, but oh do we feel loved on by so many! People may wonder, how can you say "God is good" in the midst of pain? He is the God that comforts {see 2 Corinthians 1:3-4} and he uses other people to bring comfort and joy, even when circumstances in life just plain suck. So, I just wanted to give a shout out to YOU! You know who you are. My mom. My sister{s}. My dear sweet friends. My church family. My Steve. And the list goes on. Even my pain in the butt goldendoodle brings comfort! When he curls up on the couch beside me and rests his head on my lap...I can't help but say, thank you Lord! You are good! Okay, maybe that sounds silly, but it's true! You just have to {do your best} focus on the blessings. Even when I am hurting, I can't help but feel blessed and thankful for my loved ones. Thank you God for providing what I need in the moment.

Secondly, I can't remember the last time I went to Wal-mart. Just throwing that out there. I usually HAVE to go there about once a month to stock up on bathroom essentials such as shampoo and toothpaste...they're just too expensive at the grocery store. BUT, I'm so excited that I discovered Amazon {let's just take a moment to thank The Lord for Amazon} also has most of these items for the same price, if not cheaper! I'm an Amazon Prime member {so worth the 80 bucks a year} so most of the stuff gets shipped for free in two days! Win win! Maybe you too can skip a trip to Wal-mart by doing this. You're welcome. 

As I type this I'm listening to Pandora. I'm singing along to the song I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers. Another great band! And guess what?! Allison introduced me to their great sound. Fun, easy to sing along to music. Bummer is I found out they're playing in Philly when we'll be vacationing in the Outer Banks. Well, that's not the bummer. The timing is just a bummer. Oh well! I suppose I have been to enough great concerts this year. Speaking of which...

Hear ye hear ye! The Olsen's are going to see 30 Seconds To Mars live in concert at the end of September! Score! The excitement cannot be contained. Mumford & Sons take two! Although this time we get to see Jared Leto {ladies, can I get a swoooon} instead of Marcus Mumford. We will have fun.  

Indeed, there will be much to blog about coming up in the next several months.

I gotta wrap this up because we're heading on over to Olsen Central for dinner tonight! Woot woot! We normally don't go more than a week without seeing one another and it's been...what...ten days?! Say it ain't so! A mid week meeting of the Olsen's had to be in order. Bonus, my brother in law can cook like it's nobody's business. Thanks, Matt! 

Have I mentioned before that I have THE cutest niece and nephew ever? It's true. And I'm not just saying that. It's a fact.

See?

I'll end with this thought. Lets try to focus on the good in our life, because let's face it, there will always be some sort of bad happening. On the other side of the coin, there is always something to be thankful for. You know how that song goes..."count your blessings...name them one by one...count your blessings see what God has done..."

Anyway...happy Tuesday! At least it's not Monday. See? I'm focusing on the good. It's not too hard. Just takes some practice :)

Random Thoughts Tuesday

Randomness. That's what I will write about on Tuesday's. Whatever is going through my mind I will attempt to spill out onto my blog. I know the excitement is hard to contain! Apparently this is what bloggers do. Pick a day of the week. Write about a certain subject or topic. I thought I'd create my own. Only difference is there's no specific topic OR subject. Bear with me.

Last night we had the whole house/termite inspection for our new home{eek!}. Overall it was very uneventful. Although, I may or may not have skipped around in the yard and did a ballerina twirl or two throughout the home. Other than some minor issues, and the fact that we couldn’t find the switch to turn the gas fireplace on, I’d say all went well! No signs of termite damage, either. Phew! I feel it's worth noting there was a 1990’s radio/cassette tape player mounted under the kitchen cabinets. The tape inside was the dirty dancing soundtrack. My only question is, since it’s attached, does this mean it’s ours?

Here’s another sneak peak of our future home. A lovely view into the backyard. Happy sigh.

Moving on...

What I’ve been listening to as of late: Fleet Foxes. I will say I have to be in the mood to listen to them. It will look as though Steve is in pain as soon as I mention them. It’s really not that bad, people! Steve is just critical and does NOT appreciate my taste and variety in music. Oh but his voice! {the singer, not Steve’s} It’s beautiful. SO WHAT if it’s a bit over the top in the “mountain music” genre?! {is this even a genre? I do not know}. My sister Allison introduced the band to me while I was visiting her in big, beautiful Montana. Ding ding ding! Now things are starting to make sense. ;) I will ALWAYS trust my sister’s taste in music. After all, she introduced me to The Lumineers. Enough said. Fleet Foxes' sound would be best enjoyed on a long road trip, or while enjoying nature on a hike in Glacier National Park with a granola bar in hand. Kidding! Sort of. I’m really into their album “Helplessness Blues” right now. A favorite song that I’ve had on repeat is this. I'm loving this album. Oh the sweet harmony! It's just pretty. Easy to listen to. My ears are happy. I’ve been singing it to myself all week. I just love music.

image via pinterest

The End.

day 30: let go

Today I react to the term "letting go". Rather than writing about letting go of your past or an unhealthy relationship, I decided to share with you a song. In fact, I would've included this in yesterday's post about favorite music. The band Red, is indeed a top contender. Last year we saw them perform this song live. It's safe to say that even though Steve isn't into music as much as me, he adores this band. I love this song, too, and it just so happens to be about "letting go". 

Let Go by Red

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{Tomorrow: a vivid memory}

day 29: five songs

Today I share with you five songs that I love. I have many favorites, so this was tough. But, here's a little taste of what I'm listening to right now.


Never Once by Matt Redman. I can't help by turn into a blubbering mess whenever we sing this at church or I hear it playing. I first heard this song soon after my miscarriage. The words pierced my heart with peace and joy at the overwhelming truth that He is always faithful.

 

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Stubborn Love by The Lumineers. It was by this song that I fell head over heels in love with the band. My sister, Allison, introduced them to me back in September. This past February I saw them live with my sister, cousin and her husband. They were superb.

Mountain Sound by Of Monsters and Men. My sisters have good taste in music, apparently. My younger sis Leesha introduced me to the band. I'm hooked, people. I don't know what it is. Their unique sounds? His voice? Her voice? The fact that they're from Iceland? How cool! {no pun intended}. Or, that I get to see them play live in Philly in less than TWO WEEKS?! It could be all of the above.

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Below My Feet by Mumford and Sons. Oh Mumford. How do I choose only one song? I'd have to say they are one of my most favorite bands ever. I mean they're on repeat. Like, all the time. And that voice?! Swoon. Call 2013 the year of concerts, because I also saw Mumford live this past March. If it's possible to sound just as good, if not better, live than on an the album, then this is the band. Twas a super fun concert. Side note: lead singer Marcus Mumford was born in 1987. Let that sink in, folks. I feel old.

 getting stoked for Mumford!

The Greatness of Our God by Hillsong. Another worship song that gets me right here{fist over heart}. Check out my bucket list and you will see that I hope to experience Hillsong live before I die. The lyrics in this song have encouraged my heart and faith over and over again. "Give me grace to see beyond this moment here. To believe that there is nothing left to fear..."

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And there's a whole lot where that came from. I love music. Just ask Steve. Music is always playing.

{Tomorrow: on letting go}