thankful thursday {link up}

{Link up your own Thankful Thursday post below...}

This Thursday I am thankful for...

1) Favorite co-workers.  Last week was bittersweet being my last visit to the Atlanta office.  I have made some long-lasting friendships with some of the girls that I work with... two of them pictured above.  They make me laugh and I will miss them dearly.  I'm already thinking that we'll need to plan reunions for sketchy-Santa pictures every year...

2) My hippie parents... who just happened to celebrate 37 years of blissful marriage yesterday!!  This is by far one of my all-time favorite photos of my mom & dad.  I mean, just look how awesome that hair is!!  My mom's hair looks pretty good too, huh? ;)  I am so grateful for the constant example of true love and commitment they have always given me... both as a young child and now as a married woman myself.  Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!  I love you! 

3) Adoption progress!  We have our home study scheduled for TOMORROW people!!  We still have a long ways to go... and still have more lists of paperwork to work through... but getting our home study completed will be a major milestone for us.  So many other aspects of the adoption process are dependent on our home study... the two biggies being that 1) we can start applying for adoption grants and 2) we can start compiling our dossier paperwork for Uganda.  We have been kid-proofing and cleaning the house like crazy over the past few weeks and are excited to check this major item off the list.  Please be praying that the home study will be smooth tomorrow and that our momentum will continue as we start the next phase of paperwork!! 

What are you thankful for this week? Grab the Thankful Thursday button from the right sidebar and link up your own post below. Be sure to visit the other Thankful Thursday participants and share the love!!

Also linking up with:

The Fontenot Four

There's Just One Mommy

work week wardrobe :: march edition

Not only is this the "March-work-week-edition"... it is also the "last-week-in-Atlanta-edition."  Last week was officially my final visit to the Atlanta office before I leave my current job and start with a new company in early April.  This also means no more monthly hotel-living... frequent flyer miles... car rentals... airport lounging... and you won't have to stare at the Marriott carpet in my fashion posts anymore.  It's all very bittersweet, I know.

Nevertheless... here is what I wore for my last week ever at the Atlanta office...

{monday}

top: Daniel Rainn (TJ Maxx)

pants: Gap black skinnies

shoes: Bloch classica flats

{tuesday}

 top: Old Navy

skirt: Ellen Tracey (TJ Maxx)

necklace: Pyrrha

shoes: Fergalicious

 {wednesday}

 dress: Gap

belt: Lucky Brand

leggings: Forever 21

boots: Eric Michael

 {thursday}

 heart blouse: Fun & Flirt (TJ Maxx)

cardigan: Belldini (Nordstrom Rack)

necklace: Charming Charlies

pants: Gap black skinnies

shoes: Bloch classica flats 

{friday}

 top: Gap

belt: Forever 21

necklace: Francesca's 

jeans: Joe's Jeans

What this really means is that very soon I will have to start wearing normal-office-y-type-clothing every.single.freakin.day.  Not quite sure how I feel about that part yet.  Don't fret... I promise I'll keep the fashion posts to a minimum... 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy this week.

book review

Apparently I only do book review posts semi-annually... which would make sense... yep, that's about how long it takes me to read enough books to compile a note-worthy post.  Yeah, yeah... I'm a slow reader, okay?  Sheesh.

Regardless... here's what I've been reading lately...

Lone Wolf {by Jodi Picolt}
I bought this book at the airport when Lance and I were traveling to Houston over the holidays. I like Jodi Picolt's writing.  She does a phenomenal job writing about hard ethical issues in a way that challenges her readers.  Lone Wolf was an easy read, but not one of my all time favorites.  I would still recommend it... just maybe not at the top of my list.

The Help {by Kathryn Stockett}
Great, great read.  I borrowed this book from my mom like a bajillion months ago... and I've heard so many great reviews... and I saw the movie.  So, I figured it was finally time to crack the book open and read it.  So.so.worth.it.  I love how Stockett writes each chapter from the perspective of a different character.  She seems to effortlessly capture the hardships of a racially divided culture and era.  If you are one of the few people left on this earth that haven't already read this book, then I highly recommend it.

Kisses from Katie {by Katie Davis}
Katie Davis is a gorgeous 22 year old girl that has left her familiar Tennessee lifestyle to live in Uganda.  She has a blog (Kisses from Katie) where she writes about her new life in the Ugandan culture.  I have occasionally read bits and pieces of her blog, but ever since Lance and I decided that we would be adopting from Uganda, I have had a new interest in pretty much anything Uganda-related.  I had heard about this book and then stumbled upon it last week when I was in Atlanta.  I have only read the introduction, but I can't wait to dive in.  This book excites me for so many reasons.

The Little Prince {by Antoine de Saint-Exupery}
I'm quite certain this is a children's book... but I am totally okay with including it on my book list.  I can't remember where I first heard about this sweet little book, but I ordered myself a copy probably over a year ago.  It's a tiny book... shouldn't take long to read at all, but I'm excited none-the-less.  Has anyone out there read this before?  Maybe to your kids?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.


What about you?  What are you reading these days?  Anything recommendations?

scarlet hope staff {louisville photographer}

Meet the beautiful ladies that make up Scarlet Hope.  

I feel incredibly privileged that I was able to snap some staff photos for them this year.  Scarlet Hope is an organization that is very near and dear to my heart.  It is a ministry in Louisville, KY that is designed to share the love of Christ with women in the adult entertainment industry.  Every Thursday night Scarlet Hope sends out tons of women volunteers into the strip clubs of Louisville to bring food to the dancers, while taking time to listen and pray for them.  These volunteers go into these clubs with no judgement or harsh words, but rather just the opposite... they spend time with these girls... painting their nails... laughing... learning about their families... listening to their stories... praying for their future... simply loving them. 

Scarlet Hope was founded by Rachelle Starr, pictured here with her husband Josh.  Josh and Rachelle are some of our very dear friends, and we are so grateful to know them.  Several years ago Rachelle had a vision of how she could play a role in sharing the love of Christ with women in the adult entertainment industry.  It's been amazing to watch how God has blessed her vision and grown this ministry beyond what she could have ever imagined.  

Just this past year, Scarlet Hope opened the doors to it's new residential Hope House.  This is where women that are leaving the entertainment industry can live under the care and guidance of Scarlet Hope as they transition into a new job... a new family... a new life.

Scarlet Hope is made up of hundreds of beautiful women... but here are the four women that really make this ministry tick... day in and day out...

Rachelle...

Emily...

Courtney...

Missy...

These women truly are amazing, and I feel incredibly privileged to play a small part in the very big change Scarlet Hope is bringing to Louisville.

If you would like to learn more about Scarlet Hope and the work God is doing through them, check out their website here... or just watch this video...

shopping halt

A few weeks ago I made a crazy, ridiculous, super irrational decision to halt all clothes shopping for 40 whole flippin' days.

This commitment to give up something that seems so desperately impossible to live with out... is also known as Lent.  Or the Lenten Season.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues through Good Friday... it is the 40 day period leading up to Easter that many Christians use as a time to reflect on the meaning of Christ.  Last year was my first year to truly participate, and I gave up soda... specifically Dr. Pepper (hard!).

Welp... this year I gave up clothes shopping.  That's right... you heard me.  I.gave.up.shopping.  Clothes, shoes, and accessories... none of it.  For forty days.

So far, I've made it 21 days.  I realize that to some of you this whole "no-shopping" thing is super easy for you and you're probably thinking, "big whop... you haven't bought anything for 21 days... congratu-freakin-lations."  But trust me, it's a big deal people.

Don't get me wrong... I don't go spending loads of money on fancy clothes all the time... but I am a major sucker for "happy purchases."  I am a mastermind when it comes to bargain shopping... and while sometimes I consider this a gift... sometimes it's a simple excuse to buy something I don't need.  $5 earrings?  Sure, why not...  $20 designer top?  Perfect for work...  $30 handbag?  Love the color...

You get the picture.

So, when I decided to give up clothes shopping for Lent this year, I knew it would be a challenge... but isn't that the point?  It's supposed to be a sacrifice.  It's supposed to be hard.  The whole point of giving something up for Lent is to feel the void that it leaves.  Not that shopping is the end-all-be-all, but trust me... I'll notice.  I will be in Target and have to walk out empty-handed... I will longingly admire that new purse... I will desperately want to use that Banana Republic coupon...  And it will be in those very trivial moments of shopping detox that I will be reminded of the much, much greater sacrifice that Jesus made for me.

Did you give anything up for Lent this year??  If so, how are you doing?

----------
O God, you are my God; 
earnestly I seek you; 
my soul thirsts for you; 
my flesh faints for you, 
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, 
beholding your power and glory.  
Because your steadfast love is better than life, 
my lips will praise you.
  -Psalm 63:1-3

thankful thursday {link up}

{Link up your own Thankful Thursday post below...}

This Thursday I am thankful for...

1) Office pranks.  This is what happens when I'm in the office.... especially when it's my last week in the office.  I'm definitely all for a few office pranks before I leave.  Nevermind that our pranks involve a super creepy baby doll face.  This creepy thing has been all over the office the past few days... at the front desk... on the postage machine... behind my desk... and even in the women's bathroom... talk about make you pee in your pants.

2) Manicured nails.  I pretty much always get a mani/pedi when I'm in Atlanta... and this week was no different.  My awesome mother-in-law gave me some cash just for the occasion (thanks Linda!!).  I'm loving the red this go around... OPI "the thrill of Brazil" in case you're wondering:)

3) Emails from Nana.  This week I received a sweet email from my Nana and it made me smile from ear to ear.  I love that my grandparents can read my blog, and even though we are several states apart, we somehow feel connected.  I like to think that my writing skills come from my Pop and my love of shoes and fashion come from my Nana:)  I love them so much.

What are you thankful for this week? Grab the Thankful Thursday button from the right sidebar and link up your own post below. Be sure to visit the other Thankful Thursday participants and share the love!!

Also linking up with:

The Fontenot Four

There's Just One Mommy

adopting from uganda!!!

A couple of months ago, Lance and I decided that we needed to change adoption countries.  Originally when we started our adoption process, we thought we would be adopting from Haiti.  But due to some of Haiti's laws and the age requirements of the adoptive parents (at least one parent has to be 35 years old), we decided it was best for us to go ahead and decide on a different adoption country.

Only problem??  

We didn't know which country.

We eventually narrowed our choices down to Uganda or the Congo.  We also knew that several consultants from our adoption agency were planning on visiting both of these countries early February. They would be visiting the different orphanages our agency partners with, as well as meeting with country officials and attorneys for both Uganda and the Congo.  Lance and I wanted to wait until our consultants returned from this trip before we made our final decision.

After lots of questions to our agency and a few days of praying through a decision... we are so thrilled to announce that WE WILL BE ADOPTING FROM UGANDA!!!

There were a few factors that helped us make this decision...

>> The timeline (and paperwork) for Uganda seems to be less than what it was for Haiti.  While timing is definitely not the end-all-be-all... it is most certainly encouraging to know that we are making progress... moving forward.

>> There are likely sibling groups available.  As some of you might remember, Lance and I are wanting to adopt 2 little ones.  This could mean 2 children that are blood related... or simply 2 children from the same orphanage... either way, we are excited.

>> We will actually have a very good friend that will soon be living in Uganda.  This may not seem like a very big deal... but the thought of having a familiar face in such an unfamiliar process is very comforting to me.

There are still several things that need to happen... papers need to be notarized... doctor appointments need to be made... background checks need to be mailed... but we are making some major progress.  We just happen to have our homestudy scheduled for NEXT WEEK!!

We are very excited to be moving along in this process, and we would soooooo appreciate your prayers as we continue to navigate through the unknown.

change of plans {part III} :: my job

 

Over the past couple of months Lance and I have been experiencing some pretty significant changes... First we talked about the house.  Then it was our adoption country.  And now, let's talk about changing jobs.  I'll be honest, I've had a hard time with some of these changes over the last few weeks... and I've pretty much come to realize I'm not a huge fan of change... but you can read more about that here.

Anyhow... back to the job stuff.  About 5 months ago or so, Lance and I made the decision that we were committing to Louisville.  We love this city.  We feel like it is home to us in so many ways.  This is the city we have committed to starting our family in (our adoption and homestudy process)... and therefore, in order to fully be here, I want to work here too.

I have been working for a phenomenal company in Atlanta, GA for the past 5+ years... and for the past 2+ years I have been working from Louisville.  I work from my home office the majority of the time, making monthly trips to Atlanta.  And while this set up was pretty rad (I mean, who doesn't love working in their pajamas?!?), the traveling part was getting a bit old.  Not to mention, that when my company agreed to let me work from Louisville, it was under the impression that eventually we would move back to Georgia.  But yeah... that hasn't happened.  My company and I decided it was time for me to start looking for something a little closer to home.

After a few months of the super fun (insert sarcasm here) job search process, I am happy to report that I have been offered a wonderful position at what sounds to be an amazing company.  And while yes, I'll have to actually put on real clothes and commute to a real office... I have to say, I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm excited for the new.

It's crazy to think this is my last week actually at the Atlanta office.  I'll have a few more weeks to transition and train... but for the most part, this chapter is coming to a close.  And while this next chapter is definitely unknown and new to me... I'm pretty stoked about it.

Stay tuned...

weekends & celebrities

 

Great, great weekend.  Lots of chill time... tons of good food... great, great friends... movies on the couch... a celebrity sighting... and one final trip to the ATL.  All around, no complaints here.

Friday night we did homemade pizzas with some of our favorite friends.  Lance and I don't do homemade pizzas on our own much... but I have to say, we might be changing this.  I mean, not to brag  or anything, but our pizza was delish.

Friday night we also celebrated our dear friends Jesse and Ashley.  Ashley is pregnant with their second little one and they just found out it's a boy!  So, in order to celebrate, our friend Amanda made the most magnificent butter bourbon cake I have ever tasted.  Don't mind that random creepy puppet doll in the background.  Nightmares anyone??

Saturday night was just perfect.  Lance and I stayed in for the evening... he made his incredible homemade macaroni & cheese with chicken... and we sat on the couch... for.a.solid.four.hours.

First we watched Winter's Bone... a pretty serious movie starring Jennifer Lawrence (who I currently have a girl crush on)... it was heavy, but good.  Then we decided to close out the evening with Get Smart... starring Anne Hathaway and Steve Carell.  Super funny... couldn't believe that neither one of us had seen it yet.

Little Cat watched too.   (Sorry... couldn't help it... this picture cracks me up every.single.time.)

Then Sunday I was off to the airport for my final trip to the office (more on that soon).  I was sitting at the gate just minding my own business... when all of a sudden someone sat down a couple of chairs down from me... and all I saw was beard out of my peripheral.

Yep.  A Duck Dynasty beard.  I'll be honest... I sat next to this guy for a full 20 minutes before I realized it was Willie from Duck Dynasty.  I was minding my own business (and People Style Watch) when all of a sudden I realized people were slowing down and taking pictures... then it dawned on me who was actually sitting two seats down from me.  Here's my true confession though... I just watched my first ever Duck Dynasty episode on Friday night (gasp, I know).  But after chatting with this guy for 15 minutes, I'll definitely start watching.  Willie was incredibly friendly and genuine.  He told me that he had flown to Louisville just for the day... he went to meet a sweet 11 year old girl at Kosair Children's Hospital that has been diagnosed with bone cancer.  It was for the Make a Wish Foundation, and this little girl's wish was to meet Willie, so without a second thought, he hopped on a plane to make this young girl's wish come true.  You could tell that the trip had made quite the impression on him.  Very standup guy.

I closed up the weekend in Atlanta with a Chipotle dinner in my hotel room (shocking, I know).  I've been reading The Help, and while I'm quite certain I'm the very last person on earth to finally read this book, it is just as great as everyone said it was.

So.  That was my weekend.  How was yours??

kelly family {louisville children's photographer}

Meet the Kelly family.  They live here in Louisville... but we know them from Georgia.  We all went to church together in Habersham.  I remember having dinner with Charlie and Tori probably over 4 years ago at their house in Georgia.  We sat around the dinner table talking about seminary and how maybe... just maybe... one day, we would all be living in Louisville at the same time... Charlie and Lance both in seminary.

Welp.  It happened.  Charlie and Tori moved here not even a year ago... with two wild boys and a sweet little (at the time) newborn.  And while Charlie and Lance might not be in classes together, we are so grateful they are here and have so enjoyed our time together!  We had dinner at their house not too long ago and we laughed about how it seemed like just yesterday this was a distant dream for all of us.

Before the holidays I was able to snap a few family photos for the Kelly's... and to say that sweet little Joy Anna stole the show would be a major understatement:)  Here are a few of my favorites...

{1}

{2}

 {3}

{4}

 {5}

 {6}

Love this sweet family.  Which one is your favorite??