the one with twins.

  So this past Monday.. I went to bed remotely early in order to go to the gym before classes.   But somewhere around 4 o' clock.. my phone rang.  I had gone to bed early, so I was very unaware of the time.. I'm thinking it's around 7 (which means I had overslept!).  So I sat up, cleared my throat and forced my eyes to open wide so I sounded like I had been awake for a while.  With a alert and enthusiastic  tone I answered "Hey!  What are you doing!?"  Sam replied back sounding like a zombie.. "Hey.. mom called".  My heart dropped and I started to panic "What's wrong?  How's Jenny?  The babies? Is everyone okay?"  Sam replied by saying "Everyone's great.. mom actually called me to tell me that they were thinking that they were gonna have babies sometime this morning & we needed to head that way".  

Adrenaline... check.

 When we got to the hospital, Jenny wasn't ready to bring them boys in the world yet.. so we just all stood in her room, talking about everything and nothing.  Around 30 minutes later, the baby gang wanted to do a quick check on Jenny, just to make sure all was well.  So we left the family of four to entertain them.

 

Then seriously 5 minutes later.. it was that time.

 

The Lord must have got a good laugh at the prayers I was sending up.. they didn't even make sense.  They were scattered, specific, random, tearful, joyous, nervous.. I don't think I even gathered a complete thought.  But after an insanely short labor & delivery, the Lord gave Jenny & Jordan the most precious blessings.

 

With me being obsessed with babies, I am so thrilled that these two boys are the only thing Sam wants to talk about.  He is one proud uncle & he will be a terrific one at that.  Those two little boys are so blessed to be born into such an incredible family.  & I know Jenny & Jordan will do an amazing job of raising them to be awesome men of Christ. 

Even though they are the two cutest boys known to man.. they have a long journey ahead of them!  Please continue to pray for them & the new parents! Happy Sunday!

the one with football.

Simply put, football is another reason to love fall.  

Of course, there's tailgating.

 && small town homecoming parades.

 this is my brother's football representative.. she looked so pretty!

 also, Sam's cousin was on the homecoming court -- gorgeous, she is.

football equals fall which, in turn, equals love.  Random post, I know.  But at least my momma will enjoy the pictures of her baby boy! :)

:)  Happy Sunday.

the one for fall, yall.

First off.  Happy 200th post for raleigh perk! :)  Since, this is a milestone for my sweet little blog.. I thought I would post about one of my favorite things ever.

Fall.

First, a elementary description of fall::

F-forever grateful for this season.

A-all living things look their prettiest during this time of year.

L- long live the changing leaves.

L-lattes.. pumpkin spice lattes, please.

There is something about fall, no matter where you live, makes you bring out your southern comfort.  Everywhere you look there are hay bales, bushels, and crops such as the infamous pumpkins & their partners, the decorative gourds. There are pretty rustic colors everywhere, like the leaves changing & in precious pots of mums.  Comfort foods & drinks are embraced during this season, like pies, soups & spiced cider.  With my infatuation with all things vintage, it brings an even bigger reason to pull out old mason jars, window panes, tattered books & bibles.  I could go on & on about the fashion that comes with this season.  All is lovely in the season of fall.

With it being my favorite season, I was not satisfied with the fact that fall was not embraced in the Raleigh house.  Not a bit satisfied.  But now.. we have all collaborated and now I am a very happy girl.

One thing I love about our house, is our mantle in our living room.  I am in LOVE with mantles.  They make a room feel 10x more comfy.  Our mantle was not living up to it's potential until last week.  Liza pulled out some old window panes she got over fall break from our Young Life leaders.  So Liza, Sarah & I threw those in the center of the mantle & decoratively placed an old thermos filled with fake Japanese lanterns, a couple old books & a bible; strategically placed miniature pumpkins accordingly & to put a wire pumpkin filled with potpourri beside an old clock.  Ahh, so lovely.

 

Also, our front door is as inviting as fall, yall.  

 

 On our coffee table, there is a small mason jar of candy corn for fall inspiration & sweet tooth fixins.

 In preparation for our potential treat-or-treaters, we have a giant candy bowl in our dining room for all guest (& hostesses) to enjoy! :)

 Also, Trader Joe's was having a flower sale & I got some fresh sunflowers for our dining room table. 

 

I am now rightly satisfied with the fall dripping in our sweet little home.  Now that we almost got our house fully together decorative wise, we decided to pant those window panes on our mantle.  The color is called Roaming Pony.  Haha.. ultimately, it's a brown, gray & purple-ish color.  Update soon! :)

What are you loving about this season?

the one to be still.

This morning I got up early to do a devotion in my new journal.  I decided to use my roommate's devotional Jesus Calling because I am currently in search of a new one as I have finished mine.  This morning I went to October 13th's excerpt & it was exactly what my heart needed to hear.

(Forewarning: it is written in the context that Jesus is talking directly to you)

Take time to be still in My Presence.  The more hassled you feel, the more you need this sacred space of communion with Me.  Breathe slowly and deeply.  Relax in My holy Presence while My Face shines upon you.  This is how you receive My Peace, which I always proffer to you.

Imagine the pain I feel when My children tie themselves up in anxious knots, ignoring My gift of Peave.  I died a criminal's death to secure this blessing for you.  Receive it gratefully; hide it in your heart.  My Peace is an inner treasure, growing within you as you trust in Me.  Therefore, circumstances can not touch it.  Be still, enjoying Peace in My Presence.

Psalm 46:10; Numbers 6:25-26

Doesn't make you wanna grab another cup of coffee & just close your eyes to be still?  Today, I encourage you to join me in being still before our creator & receiving his gift of Peace with an grateful heart.

Happy Thursday!

the one to relax.

I have been frying my brain over the past several hours & now that that test is behind us.. I can relax.  Rita, my friend & bible study leader, met this morning for coffee.  We talked about everything and nothing -- Jesus, boyfriends, camping, fall break, family, & stress levels.  Rita knows me pretty well & knows how much I stress.  My mom (bless her heart) stresses out because I am so stressed out when it comes to test days & interviews.   I do the whole let's go for a run thing, watch some television, bake, nap... but my mind still stirs with this I need to be doing.  But today, I went into Barnes & Nobles to buy a new journal & a gift for a friend.  While I was in there, I felt so relaxed.  The most relaxed I have felt in a long time.  I went to the Starbucks counter, hit up yet another Pumpkin Spice Latte (imagine that)... and just walked around for a good hour.  I was planning on getting in, getting out.  But I just moozied around, sipping on warm splashes of  my latte, touching detailed edges, stopping to read the back of books, feeling the pages of every journal I picked up.  It was simple & it was quiet.

  It was lovely.

So maybe there it is.. my stress reliever -- walking around in book stores. 

I guess time will tell.

Maybe you can help me out..

how do YOU relieve stress?

& I realize it is not iTunes Tuesday.. but this song was playing at B&N.. and it is on my playlist for this blog.  I love it & and the sound is so soothing.  Grab a latte & enjoy!

the one to be victorious.

Victory Junction Gang Camp is a organization that is near & dear to my family's heart.  My sister wrote a precious blog post about it here.  We believe in Victory and  will always be big supporters & lovers of what it stands for.  A couple of weeks ago, my sister  & I ran in the 

 

We participated in the 5k.

We woke up at 4:30 to head to the early morning race. :)

It was Ash's first 5k & she did so, so good!  We were all so proud of her.

Even my little cousin, Brooke, came to support us.  :)  She's the sweetest.

The race was wonderful.  It was great being able to run for a great cause with my sister.  It was the best reason to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, that's for sure!

Afterwards, we just hung out until we had to go to the grid iron to watch precious baby boy, Ryan, play some footy-ball.

oh.. and just in case you were wondering, high school cheerleading & their bows keep getting bigger & bigger each game I come home to.

 

(the one with the parallel lines running from his shoulders to his cleats is ours!)

 

I love coming home to watch Ryan play football.  I love the comrade of high school football in general.  I love the big bows.  I love that all the fans have the same shirt on.  I love the chill of fall. I love to see tall, skinny boys take down the giants.  I love the hope of comebacks & under dogs rising to the challenge.   

Another lovely Saturday.. lovely, from start to finish.

  Now I am at home.. I have a sweatshirt & socks on, I am sitting beside a fire pit outside, with Christmas lights in the tree behind me, daddy is cooking grilled chicken & veggies while mom mans the fire pit & checks on the food inside, Sam is on the way.. supper will be outside on this perfect fall night, tonight!  Gotta go enjoy it!  Happy Saturday! :)