Catching Up & Burlap Bridal Shower

oh my goodness, first of all I can't believe it has been almost 3 months since I have posted on my sweet little blog I was so excited about starting almost a year ago!! Its supposed to be a blog about all the fun things I get to do in my "spare time." I haven't had a ton of down time in the last 3 months but I have definitely been doing a lot of fun stuff in my spare time! I'm going to do quick recap of highlights for ya...

Went to the Troy University (go Trojans) vs. Tennessee game 

Went to an Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. 

Celebrated the beautiful life of my husband's sweet grandfather who went to be with Jesus in November and spent some great time with my brother-in-laws and they're awesome wives. 

Put up our tree!

Had a fabulous girl's craft night (what I crafted coming soon… hopefully)

Put up our outside decorations (can't take ANY credit here this was all the Hubs!)

Had our end of the semester small group party with awesome church friends! 

Hosted our annual neighborhood Christmas party

Went to NYC with my husband for our Christmas presents to each other.

Helped host a progressive dinner with some of my favorite people 

Went back to Alabama to spend Christmas with my family.

My sister came to spend some time with us in TN and we played in the snow!

Rented a cabin with my brothers and sisters. 

 and last but not least hosted a Bridal shower for this special cousin and one of my longest friends.  

Thats where I'm going to spend the last little bit of this post, sharing some of the details from her burlap themed wedding shower. 

We got these adorable ring cupcakes made from Publix bakery! They do such a great job and their cake is amazing!

Of course we used mason jars to drink out of… if you're doing a burlap themed shower they're a must!

Here's the full table. My sister helped make the desserts. She made the carmel turtles all by herself <impressed> If you're wondering (or just noticed) the blank frame in the back, we actually put a picture of the bride and groom-to-be in there. I just didn't have it yet. I just used a frame I had and placed a sheet of scrapbook paper in it for the background… easypeasy!

I used these cute little chalkboard clip labels to let all the guest know what was being served (I'm sure they could have figured it out for themselves but they're so cute don't you think?) I ordered them awhile back from a great site called pick your plum. They have daily deals with some really unique stuff.

Here's a (kind of blurry) picture of the handmade invitations. I used scrapbook paper, a big mason jar stamp, my home printer, and some glitter glue to make these simple southern invites!

I found this perfect little burlap mini-scrapbook at Michael's and had to get it for the shower. I ended up making it a memory book for Magen to use at several of her wedding showers. Its kind of like a guestbook and scrapbook all in one. 

Used the trusty beverage dispensers to serve punch and water. I used the stamp I used to make the invites to continue the "Southern" theme.

Used this DIY chalkboard tin to display the couple's initials and hold forks rolled in napkins tied with twine. Simple and cute!

 

For table decorations I used doilies from Michael's to sit milk glass vases that I have collected from yard sales, antique stores, and some were a gift from my grandmother. 

We got a simple daisy bouquet from the grocery store the day of and used them in several spots to add a pretty touch. So inexpensive but super pretty!

I'm so thankful I am in my sweet cousin's wedding and I had so much fun hosting this shower for her to let her know how much she means to me! I hope these ideas inspire you to host a cute, budget friendly shower for someone you care about too!!!

Thanks for letting me catch up and for reading my little blog even though I have been on blog-vaca for awhile!

One last thing!! My friend Emily (who actually encouraged me to get back blogging) started her very own awesome blog! Check her out here > http://mrscraftyadams.blogspot.com/ I am so looking forward to all the great things to come there. You should follow her too!!

Tia A.K.A. Smoosh

Just wanted to introduce you to the newest Montgomery. She is a sweet, dainty, fluffy, beautiful, sneaky, and perfect persian kitty named Tia. 

A classmate of mine needed to find a good home for her and I was just her girl! Lucky for me my birthday was coming up so I used that to my advantage to talking my husband into getting another cat. 

So if you're doing the math… We now have 1 dog and 3 cats. Haha crazy I know. We are looking for a home for Blackie (the cat who wandered up to our door this winter). So if you know anyone looking for cat let me know. 

Until then I am enjoying the slightly crazy zoo we are running in our home. It can be crazy at times but I love each animal in their own special way. So its definitely worth changing the litter boxes daily, waking up at 2 am to cat fights, and lint rolling all the hair off our furniture….  ok so maybe I am a crazy cat lady hehe .

Isn't she pretty?? 

Why Not?

Grab a few margaritas on a day off to have with take out Mexican food for lunch?

Sit on the deck and get caught up on all the great magazines you've been getting?

Take a spur of the moment hike with (wo)man's best friend on a beautiful summer day?

I've been doing some people watching lately and it seems that so many people are in a constant state of frantic rush. It really makes me wonder if they even know/remember how to relax. 

Now, don't get me wrong… I understand that everyone has things to do that must get done and at times these mandatory things-to-do are best when done in a rushed fashion. But to me, once these things get done (or even if they don't) there needs to be a time to relax and recoup.

I think some people just make themselves busy. They constantly feel that theres something to be done and can't stop or slow down until every last thing is checked off. (news flash: EVERYTHING will NEVER be completely done) My personal opinion is that this is simply not good for your mental health. Your body and mind needs time to recharge and relax. I feel that I am a much happier and peaceful person when I take time out (even its just for 30 min) to rest and do something that I WANT to do not HAVE to do. 

Sure I could be painting our refurbished barn wood headboard right now or cleaning the office or making the chicken salad for our dinner tonight but those things can be done another hour … or another day for that matter. Right now I am lounging on our deck we have worked so hard to fix up for summer, under our big red umbrella, sipping a margarita with the animals resting at my feet, and enjoying this beautiful summer day. In about 20 min. I will be back at it again, finishing my day's to-do's

 but for now I am relaxing. 

So why not put down that list for awhile and go do something for yourself. You could splurge and book yourself a spa day or simply a $10 manicure. You could go for a walk some place you have never been and enjoy the change of scenery. You could go to the local farmers market and sample the fresh local goodies. The list goes on and on of things you could do to relax for a bit. So whatever you choose just make sure its for you. Think of it as a free visit to the doctor's office to improve your mental health.

Happy Relxin' Y'all! 

Guatemala

Words can't even begin to describe how much this place means to me. The kids at Fundaniños Orphanage are absolutely the sweetest, kindest, most grateful children I have ever been around. This was my 2nd visit down there and it was just as awesome as the first! It was neat because most of the kids remembered me and we just picked up right where we left off last March.

Hanging out and playing with these kiddos really puts everything into perspective. They truly grasp what it means to depend on the Lord alone and they have so much hope in there beautiful brown eyes… it's inspiring. So often here in the states we get caught up in schedules, work, school, you name it… but down there, time slows down. You really tune out the world and just focus on the kids and serving.

Our church, Redeemer Community , has an on going relationship with Fundaniños which is awesome because when they take a group down there on an official "mission trip" the kids get to continue past relationships and see familiar faces. It's also neat because I got to tell the kids (in my broken spanish) that some of my friends will be here in a few weeks to hang out with them… and that made them oh-so-excited!

Fundaniños has been such a blessing to me. I am thankful I have these opportunities to go there and meet so many wonderful people. I get chill bumps just thinking about those smiling faces and silly laughs. They share with each other even though they have very little , they laugh and smile even though they're orphans, they are joyful even though the world would look at them and think "how sad." They trust in the Lord more than I ever have in my life. Its funny how I thought I was going down there the first time to help and teach them and now I  know that they've taught me more about Jesus and the Gospel than I could ever share with them.

If you know me and Skot, you probably have heard us talk about Evelyn and Joselin. These are two sisters that we became very close with during our first trip last spring. Adoption is closed between the U.S. and Guatemala currently, but if and when it does open up, you better believe we will fight 'till the end to get these sweet girls in our home to love them as our own. ok I am crying I have to stop, I'm a mess haha

I hope you enjoy this post and these pictures. I want to end it by sharing with you Evelyn's favorite Bible verses that she shared with me this last trip. It's Psalm 8: 1-5

O' Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.