Life as Mrs. Emerson

I forgot to hit publish a few months ago but I wanted to go ahead and share this post anyway.  I so enjoy getting a glimpse into the reading life of my friends.   After reading only one disappointing book in August I was determined to make up for lost time in September!  I was much more observant of how I was using small pockets of time and found that I was able to read quite a nice pile of books!  It was very humbling to discover I could read this many books in the amount of time I usually spent scrolling social media.  I made sure to take a book with me on any errand even I didn't possibly think I would have any time to read.  In September we also flew to Texas so I read two of these books on the plane.   Still Waiting: Hope for When God Doesn't Give You What You Want by Ann Swindell: I loved hearing the author share her compelling story of waiting for healing.  It was both fascinating and incredibly encouraging to see her cling to the cross despite her suffering.  In

Ah June!  A month filled with a few lazy afternoons and a long road trip.  The perfect combination for reading through a delightful pile of books.  (Not all books are in the photo.)  I am trying to read a broad variety of books but something about summer continues to steer me straight to the fiction section.  Does anyone else have this problem only in the summer months?  Nevertheless here is a look at what I read last month.  When People Are Big and God is Small by Ed Welch: This was a fantastic, thoughtful book which I worked through the past few months.  Over and over again this book helped me to see areas where I need to think more biblically.  The end of each chapter also includes 3-4 questions and applications.  While I really enjoyed working through this book, I think it would be even more fantastic to read through with a close friend or small group.   The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett: I loved reading this "vintage national parks novel" set in 1927.  It tells

April and May were simply full of fantastic adventures traveling to visit both family and friends!  Here are some of the books that I read the past few months.   The Life Giving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming by Sally & Sarah Clarkson: Sally & Sarah Clarkson are two ladies that I would simply love to have over for tea.  As I read through this lovely book it just felt like having sweet friends over curled up in my living room while we discussed all things pertaining to the home.  This book is simply delightful and provided so much encouragement.  It's definitely one of my favorites that I have read this year! Glory in the Ordinary: Why Your Work in the Home Matters to God by Courtney Reissig: I was so excited about reading this book that I not only purchased the book, I pre-ordered it!  It sure did not disappoint.  I loved this thoughtful book on the importance of work in the home.  Reissig encouraged me to think deeply about the importance of home w

Happy Spring!  It feels good to be jumping back into a somewhat more regular reading routine at home.  Here's a look at the books I read in March.   Seasons of Waiting: Walking by Faith When Dreams Are Delayed  by Betsy Childs Howard; Everyone is waiting for something.  This book was such a good reminder of that simple fact.  It never dawned on me as a young woman that I would find myself waiting on things for the rest of my life. In this book Howard writes about 5 different types of waiting: Waiting on a Bridegroom, Waiting for a Child, Waiting for Healing, Waiting for a Home, and Waiting for a Prodigal. I'm positive that all of the chapters (including those that didn't specifically apply to me) will help me to understand the waiting that my friends endure.  Right now I can think of at least one friend that is waiting on each of those five different things.  Howard gave much hope throughout this book and truly made my heart long for the day when Jesus returns.   Seaso

Happy Monday friends!  I hope you all had such a fantastic week last week.  I made it safely home with both kids from our road trip to Arkansas!  Hooray.  I'll have lots more to share about it later in the week.  It was such a good trip.  Don't you just love that sweet photo above that I snapped the minute we returned home?   When I first sat down last night to think about my goals I had all sorts of lofty ambitions.  Then the Holy Spirit worked on my heart.  This isn't the week to deep clean my basement.  Of all the weeks of the year this is the week to celebrate and remember.  Christ has Risen from the grave!  This week I hope to take extra time to walk slowly through the days leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection both with my children and on my own.  I hope you take some time out to do the same.   Goals from Two Weeks Ago: Marriage, Mothering, & Family: 1.  Go on a real (out of the house) date with Brandon.  He won't be traveling with us this t

I was pleasantly surprised last week when Evangeline decided to be my building helper.  We had such a great time building this raised bed.  She handed me screws and even helped me hold the boards.  I can't wait to harvest some fresh veggies! Happy Tuesday friends!  Here's hoping your week is off to a fantastic start.  This is an exciting week at our home because we are prepping for a road trip to Arkansas!  Woohoo!  Spring break is in the air!  I can't believe we haven't actually been to Arkansas since last July.  Our fall was packed with our Disney trip and then we ended up moving after Thanksgiving.  Thankfully we have seen a handful of our Arkansas family on numerous occasions but I haven't seen my three nieces in forever!  I can't wait to see Eli and Eva's face when they see their cousins again!  I'm sure that will be worth the 9 hour drive!  In the mean time here's what goals I will be focusing on this week!   Marriage, Mothering, & Fa

February was such a strange month for reading.  I worked my way through only two books.  Usually the middle of winter is the time of year that I really devour books.  One of those books was actually a Bible Study that I just finished.  I love hearing Bible Study reviews just as much as I enjoy hearing about different books that others read so I am including them here.   Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple:   I picked up this adorable book in December at a lovely little book store just a few miles from the beach.  I thought it looked like the perfect beach read but I didn't get around to reading it until this month.  We spent a lot of time at the beach in December but I didn't read much.  I was too busy exploring with my kiddos to kick back and read.  I honestly think I bought this book based on the cover.  The title is just adorable!  This book tells the tale of a teenager named Bee who comes to terms with her imperfect mother named Bernadette.  Her mother is q

I just finished up my current Bible Study on the book of 2 Timothy this afternoon and man am I fired up!  I just keep thinking: set some goals, get your work done, enjoy your family, and work hard to further the Gospel this week! Here's what I'm focusing on this week: Marriage, Mothering, & Family: 1.  Eli starts soccer practice this week!  This is his first time playing and I'm so excited for him.  I also need to take him to the store to buy some related sports equipment before practice.  Eli and Eva are also continuing with gymnastics and start a new session this week.  2. Read three chapters of God's Promises by Sally Michael aloud to the children this week.  This book is fantastic and I"m hoping we can finish by the end of the month so I can let my sister-in-law borrow it when I see her.  We have also read the first book in this series entitled God's Names.   3.  Enjoy an at-home date night and spend some time intentionally chatting about life

We love family fun days!  After enjoying a Madcap puppet show we enjoyed dinner at Brandon's favorite IHOP!  We have now been in our new home for three months.  Our hearts are beyond thankful at the Lord's good gift of blessing us with a home that we love so much that is so close to Brandon's new job.  When we began looking for a home I doubted that we would be able to find what we were looking for but the Lord had other ideas!  I'm still amazed that we found this little haven so quickly.  It is our prayer that God would use our home to bless and encourage all who enter it. This month Eva has been obsessed with art.  She spends hours drawing, painting, coloring, using pastels, and even this aquadoodle mat.    This month we enjoyed a wonderful visit from Brandon's parents who came all the way from Arkansas.  It's always great to see Nina & Poppy Steve.  They haven't seen our home since the weekend we moved in so it was neat to show them the sma

Ah January.  The month of cozy warm fires and large stacks of books to devour.  At the beginning of January I really thought I was going to cut my reading time in half to allow more time for other projects around the house since we moved in December.  After a long chat with my wise husband I changed my mind.  As of right now I plan on reading the same number of books that I did last year.  Here's a look at what I read this past month.     What's up with the Fig Leaves? by Heather Thieneman:  Let me start by saying wow.  What a thoroughly researched and thought provoking book.  I probably haven't taken the time to think long and hard about modesty since the time five years ago that I taught a Middle School Girl's Bible Study.  I was blown away by Thieneman's careful research and clear humility which was coupled with grace.  This was a wonderful read that I whole heartily recommend.  If you happen to come across this book pay special attention to the last paragra

I had a great time spending two days attending the VBS Preview conference in Nashville with this goofy guy last week!  It's always such a treat to accompany him to a conference.  Happy Monday friends!  I hope your Monday is going well.  We had a dusting of snow this morning so it's been a fun day.  There really wasn't enough snow to go play in but we enjoyed a nice, quiet day that we spent completely at home.  I'm convinced one of the secrets to getting more done is simply staying at home and not leaving my house.  After a busy week last week I knew that the kiddos and I all needed a stay-at-home day.  We'll be taking it easy this evening with some homemade Chicken Noodle Soup for dinner and some family time.   I'm pretty sure Eli has plans of us all playing games all evening!  I ended up not sharing my goals last week since I was headed to TN for two days to attend a VBS Preview conference.  It was super fun!   Here's a look at my goals for this week. 

Eli had a great time at Art Club this week and I had a great time hanging out just the two of us! Happy Monday!  I have my usual, quirky assortment of goals for the week.  I think I have finally adjusted to the fact that it is no longer Christmas break.  It's time to get back to work.   Last Week's Goals Marriage, Mothering, & Family: 1)  The children and I are headed out of town on Saturday for an out of town birthday party!  It's an indoor pool party and the kids are just beside themselves with excitement.   It was awesome.  The birthday party was an indoor pool party complete with a massive water slide!  Totally worth the hour drive in the rain.   2)  I'm planning on spending some time alone with Eli this week and plan to take him to "Art Club" at the library.   Part of my yearly goal to "settle" into our new community is to take part in local activities.  So far the library has some of the best!  I had such a fun time taking Eli to A

Hello friends!  I hope that your week is going well.  We enjoyed such a fun time last week with all of the snow that I couldn't help but share a fun photo with you.  Sledding ended up being a bit of a disappointment but we had a great time exploring our backyard in the snow!  Can you tell Eli loves throwing snowballs?  We recently moved "to town" but we have the neatest backyard.  Most of our backyard is actually woods so we have our own mini forest and even a creek.  What a blessing!   This is our second week back from Christmas break and I'm ready to ease my way back into some serious goals.  Here's what my week looks like: Marriage, Mothering, & Family: 1)  The children and I are headed out of town on Saturday for an out of town birthday party!  It's an indoor pool party and the kids are just beside themselves with excitement. 2)  I'm planning on spending some time alone with Eli this week and plan to take him to "Art Club" at the