Home

Today I am linking up with the Influence Network to share a little about where I'm from & where I lay my head each night.


Home has taken on a lot of forms over the last twenty-some years...

For the first two years of my life, Santa Barbara, California was home.

Then due to a new job, my dad moved us up to central Oregon and over the next sixteen years, Bend was home.  There were ups & downs - the good: receiving an younger brother; and the bad: my parents divorce.  While I learned a lot while I lived in Bend and it will always hold a special place in my heart, after my mom moved back to California after I got married, it never held the same "home" feeling.

After Bend, I went on to attend college at in Newberg, Oregon.  For the next four years, I called Newberg home and my new friends family.  I've said it before, but I have no regrets about my time at George Fox University and the best part, hands down, was meeting my husband, Sam!

Between college and getting married, I moved back to Bend for a year to work & plan my wedding.

After our wedding day, I moved to Salem, Oregon to finally be in the same city as Sam! (Sidenote: for the whole time we were dating, we only lived in the same town for a couple months)

And that's where we've been for the last five years.

Looking back on all the homes I've had throughout my life, I've come to realize what so many already have - it's not the place that makes a home, but the people you share it with.

Friday Thoughts

Happy Friday!

Every year around this time, I remember how much I enjoy the warmer weather.  The cool morning breeze, the cloudless sky, and the evenings where it's just the right temperature to take a walk around the block.  Actually, my favorite time of year (in regards to weather) is around the late spring & early fall, so YAY!

Speaking of weather though, I'm off to spend the weekend with my mom and when I looked up the forecast for the weekend, I was a little stunned with Sacramento's predicted 106* day tomorrow... Good thing we're heading down to the bay area for part of the weekend, where it (hopefully...) will be a bit cooler for this Oregon girl.

Other than the weather, life has felt like it's going pretty fast.  Maybe that's partly due to my heavy traveling schedule, but even during the week I feel like things are go-go-go.  So it's really not a surprise that the three links I have for this week have to do with some internal feelings lately, because when life is speeding by, it usually means my mind is going a hundred miles a hour too...

•  This week, Lindsay from Lindsay Ladon reintroduced her Little Life Lessons link up, where she invites others to share lessons that will "encourage and challenge ladies who may be in similar seasons of life".  Right off the bat, her post on being a young pastor's wife struck a cord inside.  Ever since I joined the workforce, I have been one of the youngest employees which has ultimately made me question my thoughts & judgements.  I loved how Lindsay shared that God wants her to "walk confidently on the path He has set before" her, which I just what I need to remember every day!
• AP from ILYMTC posted late last week on asking for grace and it was so refreshing!  No, I don't enjoy reading about others pain & struggles, but I do appreciate honesty and those who feel like they can openly share with the whole world.  As I read her words, I wished I could swing by, give her a big hug, and hang out with her boys for a few hours so she could getaway & regroup (I hope that doesn't seem too creepy...).  Once thing is for sure, this mothering gig isn't for the faint of heart!
• Lastly, Diana shared her thoughts on envy after reading past loss posts on The Spohr’s Are Multiplying.  Diana's post really hit close to home because envy has been a major feeling I've been wrestling with lately.  See, while I'm so happy for my friends who either have welcomed a little one in the last year or expecting one soon, I can't help but feel super jealous that I'm not going through the same thing.  I commend Diana for being so open every day with how she's feeling after the loss of her twin boys and once again, knowing that I am not alone in my thoughts of "why me?" really takes some of the weight I have been carrying off of me.

So that’s what I’m thinking about this week.  What's grabbed your attention this week. 

Stitch Fix #2

It's Stitch Fix time again! 

As a refresher, back in March when I received my first Stitch Fix, I instantly fell in love with the ease of having someone else shop just for me.  From the delivery of the box, to trying everything on, and even the return back to Stitch Fix (in a prepaid envelope!), everything was just so easy!

So when I received my latest Stitch Fix this weekend, I immediately opened it up to see what had been picked out for me this time around.

 Brooke Dot Print Tab Sleeve Blouse by Ellison & 

Freddy Sleeveless Chriffon Dress by RD Style

 Natalia Stripe Draped Front Cardigan by Staccato

 Jasmen Ikat Embroidered Sheer Tank by Daniel Rainn

Rizzo Skinny Ponte Pants by Sanctuary

Besides being incredibly easy, I really like the fact that Stitch Fix lets me try everything on in the comfort of my home and see how the pieces would work with my current closet.  A big plus this time?  My box actually contained four complete outfits (minus the shoes), which made things that much easier!

Ultimately, I was pretty fond of the items I received.  Sure, they weren't all pieces I would have picked out for myself, but they were just what I had asked for after my last Fix - tunic-style tops to go with leggings.  I even received a pair of black pants to wear instead of leggings!  

Since I couldn't justify purchasing my whole box (even though I would have received a 25% discount off the total of all the items), I stuck with my gut and went with the black & white striped drape cardigan by Staccato.  I loved the drape detail, the stripes, and how many things I could instantly think of to pair it with!

So, have you tried Stitch Fix yet?