Gratituesday: Receiving flowers

So you know my post last week about being overwhelmed? I'm kind of still there... I don't know what has been up with me but I have had a giant Attitude (with a capital A) lately. And Tommy? He has been over-the-top, incredibly patient with me. I think he may have reached the "I will do WHATEVER makes her HAPPY" point. (Yikes!) So, he ran out to the grocery store on Friday and returned home with some beautiful tulips for me (along with a week's worth of groceries :)). And they have made me so happy...

I'm so grateful for a husband who offers grace when I need it most. When he has an attitude I struggle with having patience... but when the roles are reversed he is more patient and gracious than ever. He inspires me.

Thank you, Tommy. For your love, patience, grace, and surprise gifts to help cheer me up.

Gratituesday is a weekly post I try to keep up with. Join us at Heavenly Homemakers by sharing your own Gratituesday post! 

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Equipment used for these pictures:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens

Renewed appreciation...

The weather here was beautiful yesterday. I am usually pretty good about enjoying the season I'm currently in - literally and figuratively. But I have had some major spring fever lately! I think it's the lack of snow around here. Anyone with me?! Regardless, I'm grateful for a few random spring days tossed amidst our winter! Today I have a list of random things to share with you. I love variety. :)

When it comes to food, I really have a hard time not obsessing over the way the French does things. Okay, maybe I just obsess too much over food in general (obviously). But I really do think the French are doing something right...

Did you send Megan your portrait for her to draw? She's drawing a portrait every day in 2013 and she still needs some faces! You can see mine here.

Are you still trying to find a way to celebrate Valentine's Day this weekend? Unclutterer offers the best non-clutter gift ideas!

'Tis the season for new website launches (and re-launches!). We have officially moved from the designing stage (Thanks, Allie!) to the coding stage (Thanks, Clif!) on my new site. It is now my job to populate all the new content for the site. Whew, you don't even want to see that to-do list! Task #1: Set a launch date.

This icon search engine has been super useful for me lately. Thought you might like it, too!

I'll be at the Lynchburg Bridal Expo this coming Sunday with Lynchburg Snapshot Studio! I'm running a contest, so if you're a bride and in town, stop by my booth to enter for a BIG giveaway!

Sunday received her first Valentine yesterday! Yes, I've already put it in her memory box. :)

And he sealed it with a KISS. Scandalous!

Oooh, and it looks like our weekend will be filled with lots of walking practice…!

Happy Friday, friends! I hope you have a great weekend filled with love and a renewed appreciation for this season of your life.

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetheart

Tommy,

In 2013, I am more grateful than ever that you are my Valentine.

I love how perfectly our personalities compliment one another.

I think it's awesome that you can make me laugh even when I'm super frustrated.

I really appreciate that you are more than happy to cook your own dinner when I really don't feel like it.

I love that you surprise me with home made dessert… often. :)

I am so grateful that you let me spend money on a gym membership, even if I go through phases of not using the membership.

I think you are really adorable.

I love witnessing your passion for your hobbies.

I am so glad you enjoy date nights as much as I do.

I think it's pretty awesome that we both enjoy being "at home" as often as possible.

I love your sparkly eyes - especially when you smile.

I also love watching you interact with Sunday.

Thanks for loving us so much.

And thanks for telling us how much you love us so often.

I'm excited to have 50 more Valentine's Days with you!

Love, Liz

 (Psst, friends! If you need a last minute Valentine's Day idea this morning, this is a fantastic list with a great ideas to redeem yourself for not preparing ahead of time! :))

Gratituesday: Vacuum lines

You all. I am overwhelmed. And for no particular reason, even. Actually... I get overwhelmed when my to-do list gets too long for me to "see" it in my head. And at this point, because it's a Tuesday morning after a weekend of traveling, I haven't had the opportunity to sit down with my calendar and to-do list to plan my week. I feel like I'm "winging it" as I respond to emails and get a few tasks done here and there. I need to take about 30 minutes and focus and breatheeeeee. Or! I could just go vacuum my carpets.

I know, what in the world?

Vacuum lines make me feel so good. Just as a shiny sink, a made bed, and a jar of fresh flowers make me feel happy inside. Vacuum lines have a power over me and my emotions. It's slightly weird, I know. But I also know I'm not alone! (For real, I just found this video tutorial of how to make perfect vacuum lines... can't make this stuff up, guys!)

Are you overwhelmed today? I know, it's a Tuesday, not a Monday. But, it's my Monday. (That's because my Mondays are your Sundays. Following me?) Want to join me in pulling out the vacuum cleaner and drawing some lines on your carpet? Could I be anymore of a cliche homemaker right now? Hah. Oh well, I'm going to go vacuum... as soon as Sunday wakes up from her nap.

In the meantime, I'm going to go work on my to-do list! And I'll post a picture of my vacuum lines to instagram this afternoon. Not because it's interesting, but because I like accountability. :)

This week... I am grateful for vacuum lines and the other simple joys in life. They make a huge difference in my every day life! <3

A portrait of me!

Stop what you are doing right now and go check out Megan at www.studiomme.com. She is a talented artist who has challenged herself to draw 365 portraits in 2013. I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of those 365 and she sketched a portrait of me on Day 40. So, so cool! I love the way it turned out!

This is the original portrait, taken by Crystal. I think it's cool to see the two side-by-side! 

Isn't that so cool? Hop over to Megans' site to check out some of the other portraits she's drawn!