Retro Metro Bag Review & Updates

Hey guys! How was your Summer? Mine flew by! (it happens every time) I can hardly believe that it is already September. Temps in the 60s, and you know what that meaaans. #cozyclothes

1| It's officially been one month since I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. I am so relieved that it's over. I never have to go through that again! One of the holes inside my mouth took it's sweet time closing. Good news! It is almost healed 100%. I'm looking forward to eating on both sides of my mouth. Woot!

2| My Thirty-One gifts Metro Retro Bag. This goes along with my surgery. At the time there was a fundraiser going on, and I felt it was necessary to buy myself a reward for facing my fears. I chose to have a special saying embroidered on the front. It's a reminder to stay positive. Even when life knocks you down, it is possible to never lose your smile! A little babycakes taught me that. This tote ended up being larger than I pictured, but it has quickly become my "go to bag" as I run out the door. Take a peek inside - there is a pocket for my phone, a spot for my lens cap, and a very handy clip for keys. I'm giving it two thumbs up!

3| A new book. I picked up a copy of Grace for the Good Girl back in December. I had plans to read it after I graduated. It's interesting that I always put reading off when it's nice outside. Now that it's getting colder outside, I just want to curl up with a good book. I started reading the first chapter today, and I can already tell that this is going to be a convicting read. There's nothing wrong with that! In order to change, you have to know what's wrong in the first place.

The First 100 Gifts

Around Christmas time I picked up 1,000 gifts. If you have not heard of it you've pretty much been living under a rock! ;) I've been making my way through this book in a relaxed manner. I would love to sit down every night and plow through my stack of books "to read", but Senior year has been busy!

Even at the slow pace that I have been reading, this book has been great. It helped me continue to see God's blessings over the past couple of weeks. Believe me when I say that they weren't the easiest days to get through.

So many sentences have hit home, and I'm not even half way through! I've been having a hard time not spamming my friend's news feeds with Ann Voskamp quotes every time I sit down with the book.

"God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy." page 56

I couldn't stop smiling when Ann wrote about the time she took macro pictures of a pile of cheese. Her husband (a farmer) walked in from working hard outside. She was afraid that he wouldn't understand why she was thanking God for shredded cheese.

"I like finding you like this." He said putting on arm around her.

"Crazy like this?" She said blushing in silliness. With a laugh he says, "Perfect like this." He nodded toward the plate of cheese "You being happy in all these little things that God gives. It makes me very happy."

*dies from the cuteness* Lord, can I please have this kind of husband someday?

On March 31, I started making my own list. It's been fun finding the next gift to write down. For those of you that are interested, I have decided to share my first 100 gifts here on my blog. Come back to this post for continual updates on the list!

1. fresh daisies from people who care
2. cows on a hill
3. a resurrection to celebrate
4. unconditional love 
5. Goober 
6. finding stickers on my jeans 
7. tutus that bring smiles 
8. being called sweetie 
9. warm sun rays on a cold day 
10. friends that share a love for photography 
11. Sunday naps 
12. the first Robin of spring 
13. sock monkeys 
14. the comfort of a mother 
15. April showers outside my window 
16. holding a tiny newborn baby 
17. the art of patience learned over a lifetime 
18. my dog's soft head and wiggly tail 
19. homemade trail mix 
20. cozy sweatshirts 
21. we don't belong here 
22. Lucy notes 
23. memorizing my life verse in kindergarten 
24. high fives from the little boy I just met
25. basketball games during business meetings
26. graduating with people I've grown up with
27. blessings God has allowed
28. throwing my graduation cap
29. opening a new jar of peanut butter
30. Grandpa's large hands holding Mancala stones
31. bare feet on freshly washed tile

Jesus on the Shelf

Today I decided to stop by one of our thrift stores to see what I could find. I had a few minutes, and a project on my mind. When I found out that all books were 50% off I ran walked quickly over the that section of the store.

I saw this book sitting by itself. I scooped it up thinking, "Hey! I know exactly what this is!" It was The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition written by Sally Lloyd-Jones. I have heard great reviews about this book!

I decided to flip through the pages to give them a health and wellness checkup. They weren't ripped anywhere, the dedication page wasn't used, and the bookmark was still creased in new condition. I knew that it was coming home with me.

I had the pleasure of serving with Chris and Sara Chavez this summer. God has given Mr. Chris the gift of sharing God's word to all ages. I enjoyed listening to Him teach at our VBS. This book reminds me of that week.

I have to mention that the doodle-like illustrations wonderful. Each chapter has great potential to hold the attention of its readers. Which isn't always an easy thing to do these days!

The book retails for $16.49 - I payed $2.05

Little things make me happy. ;)

I cannot wait to share it with the little people in my life.