Make Me an Offer

Friends! I am so excited to tell you that we are in the process of buying a house!!

We have been searching for months and at times I admit it was really discouraging to see multiple houses in a row that were all a bust. I specifically remember breaking down in tears in the converted attic space (1/2 story) of one house as I wondered if we would find something in a reasonable time and before our current lease ran out.

Well, we did! I even remember telling Dan the night before we saw our house that I thought it had potential based on the listing and pictures. But then we drove to it...and I realized where it was located. I began to second-guess myself. The house was fabulous...but would I be okay living on the edge of town?

I thought about it, slept on it, prayed about it. Then I Googled it. Turns out the house is no farther from anything than where we live now and it's in a more established neighborhood! It's even closer to some things that we are now. Then of course there's the benefit of it being our own home, not a rental. 

So I asked if we could see it a second time. We saw it the first time on a Tuesday (in bad weather so we couldn't really look outside) and then again on Friday. In between, it turns out someone else submitted an offer but the owners allowed us to still see it again so we could submit an offer.

So we took the plunge! We saw it again then sat in a Subway to immediately draw up the papers. We even waited in the parking lot while our realtor called the listing realtor and let her know what our offer was. With one adjustment to the closing date, our offer was accepted!

So now we are knee deep in mortgage paperwork, making insurance appointments, and attending inspections. Things are going smoothly so far and we hope it continues that way! We're pretty excited and are slowly beginning the process of packing the non-essentials. I am excited that this will hopefully be the last move for a while, Lord-willing!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Book Review: Baby's First Year

You may remember that my last book review was "The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby". Well, I liked it so much that I requested to review the next book in the series, "The Christian Mama's Guide to Baby's First Year". :)

"Baby's First Year" is chock full of the same wit and humor along with sage advice that made the first book so likable. Since there's not much you can do but pray before the baby arrives, the idea of a "Christian Mama's Guide" begins to fill out much more in this book. With the usual prayer breaks in each chapter, the author also writes about habits to start from the beginning, like talking to your baby about God, reading your Bible in front of him/her, and praying with and for your baby.

Along with the expected topics such as breastfeeding, solid foods, diapering, and baby gear, Erin also covers topics just for moms like Mommy Guilt, postpartum healing, giving your marriage the attention it still needs, and activities to do with your baby (for when you're tired of just watching them be cute). She provides plenty of links and places to look for further advice and information as well. I loved all the advice and ideas along with Erin's encouraging tone for moms, full of "been there, done that" knowing grace and comfort. It's a great high level overview (with some details) of baby's first year.

Probably my favorite line from the whole book came from the Epilogue, written as her youngest child had just turned one: "Yes, things were simpler before I became a mom. But not better. And certainly not happier."

If you would like to read more of Erin's work online, you can check out her website: http://www.christianmamasguide.com/. There are some great posts and additional content waiting for you!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Love Does

I bought a new CD the other day and immediately listened to the whole thing...who wouldn't? But there was one song that stuck in my mind and made me think of one of my best friends.

Many of my blog readers know my friend Holly. Holly and I met one summer evening when we TP'd a mutual friend's car while home from college. :) Ah, college...

Anyway...Holly has been living overseas for two years. She is on the front lines in fulfilling Our Father's commission in southeast Asia. I was super-blessed that she came back to be my maid of honor at our wedding and also that I've been able to Skype with her a few times (timing, third-world internet, and Lord willing).

I know how much I love this girl. I know how much she is in my heart, thoughts, and prayers. I know how excited I am for her to return to the field this June after her hiatus and I know that she will do some amazing things for the Kingdom. But I also know there is a lot I don't know.

Because of where she is located and for security reasons, I don't know all the places she has traveled. There are stories I will never hear. I don't always know when I'll get to talk to her again. I'm not even sure I'll ever get to see her in person again this side of heaven.

I don't know all the souls that now know our Father because of her efforts. But I know the One who does know all these things.

So this song is for my friend, Holly, and those around the world just like her, those I know and those I don't. When it feels like no one knows or hears, Love does. This one goes out to the world changers...

This one goes out to the world changer
Shining your light in the face of danger
Oh, tell us what you know
You’re a saint, you’re a son, you’re a promise keeper
Bottom of the well, still digging down deeper
Oh, how far you gonna go

Chasing down hope
Moving on dreams
Taking that path
Maybe it’ll lead you home
Maybe it won’t

(Chorus)
Nobody knows why your heart is broken
Nobody cries while your prayers are going up
But Love does
Nobody walks on the road you’re paving
Nobody sees all the souls you’re saving
Oh, but Love does
Love does
Love does

This is for the one on the front line fighting
Ringing that bell over everybody
Oh, tell us what you know
Knocking down doors in the midnight alley
Looking for a life in a desert valley
Oh, how far you gonna go

Chasing down hope
Moving on dreams
Taking that path
Maybe it’ll lead you home
Maybe it don’t

You are a renegade
You’re an outlaw of Love’s crusade
And they don’t know who you are
They don’t know
They don’t know
But Love does
I’m telling you, Love does

Somebody knows
Somebody cries
Somebody feels
Love does
Somebody walks
Somebody sees
Somebody knows
Love does

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Nothing Like Girlfriends!

After my stint as a film star for TrueU, I got the chance to see some friends in Colorado before heading off to a girls' weekend with some of my best girlfriends. :)

I made the drive down to Colorado Springs to visit the staff at the Focus Leadership Institute. It was a great time of catching up with friends and getting to sit in on one of the new classes they've added since I attended.

Man, I love this view! :)

Then, a short flight to Dallas later, it was reunion time with my roommates from FLI! :D

We were excited to celebrate our friend, Alisha, surviving the Texas Bar Exam but it was also a good excuse to see each other all together for the first time in 1.5 years. The last time we'd been in the same place was for Danielle's wedding in California in July 2011.

One of the best things about having these ladies as such good friends is that we pick up pretty much where we left off last time. We stayed up until 2:30 in the morning our first night together chatting and catching up. It felt good to pick up right where we had left off. From fields of daffodils and homemade Texas brisket to fire alarms and late night "interruptions" it was an unforgettable time.

The weekend was refreshing for me on so many levels. It is always nice to have a weekend away and especially to reconnect with old friends. However, with the move, I've felt slightly burned out with making new friends. I know it's part of moving to a totally new location but it takes a lot of energy, especially for an introvert, and sometimes you just want to go "where everybody knows your name" (to borrow from Cheers).

And these girls?

Yep, they totally know my name...and my hangups...and my dreams. We've been through a lot together in the 5 years since we met. I'm so glad I get to call them friends and I can't wait until our next awesome-ness filled reunion! :) Love you, ladies!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Book Review: Christian Mama's Guide

Disclaimer #1: I am not pregnant.

Disclaimer #2: I am NOT pregnant.

Okay, now that we've gotten that out of the way, let the review commence. :)

"The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby" is the first in Erin MacPherson's series of "Christian Mama's Guide" books. And since my husband and I are trying to get pregnant, I figured it might be a good idea to get a jump start on my reading. :)

Erin's book is a pleasant combination of humor and information. It was like sitting with a good girlfriend who will give it to you straight but make you laugh at the same time. Now granted, I have not and am not pregnant but this was definitely the kind of book I would want to read. I enjoyed the tone very much and it was full of useful information in my opinion. Granted, she is not a medical professional so don't go looking for detailed information in that respect, but she also consults several other people and doesn't pretend to know everything.

I also liked that she covered topics tangential to the actual pregnancy but baby-related, such as baby gear, discussing names, and having a support system. The mini devotionals also help to refocus the reader's attention from obsessing over all things pregnancy and baby to centering on God and his blessings and strength.

To summarize, this is a great general pregnancy book with a Christian flair and a good sense of humor, probably best for first time mamas (though my mom and husband got a kick out of parts of it as well).

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."