mama sara- her namesake, I am.

Pristinely dressed in her suit with that signature silk scarf tied perfectly around her neck. Red lips with a soft spritz of Chanel No.5. Proper and classy, yet never snobby. A warm smile and cheerful spirit. A genuine love for those less fortunate than herself that always inspired one to be a better person. Unconditionally loving, with a genuine desire to know her grandchildren for who they truly were. The list goes on and on.

If you can imagine such a woman- my grandmother.

The loving woman of whom I am proudly named, recently passed earlier this year. It was a bitter-sweet time for me as it happened right in the midst of the birth and homecoming of my first baby boy. I was able to laugh and cry with her in her last days as well as introduce to her, her first great grandson. Though unable to speak in her final moments of life, a beautiful picture is engraved in my mind of her touching her fingertips to her mouth and placing them on her great grandson as representation of a kiss. I am so happy he was able to meet such an amazing woman in my life.

I was very close to Mama Sara- especially in my childhood through my tween years when I lived close to her. Every other weekend, it was "off to grandmother's house we go". Her home was a large, traditional home in Atllanta, reminiscent of a beautiful southern plantation. I was recently given some of the artwork that once adorned it's walls. I will always treasure them and remember her through them.

Those weekends on Hillswick Court, we would wake up to the smell of eggs and bacon. Always served up with warm buttered toast and orange marmalade with a small glass of orange juice served in her special "grandchildren cups".

She would give us little chores to do around her home, but somehow had a way of making them fun and always infusing life lessons along the way. When we completed our chores, she rewarded us with a small allowance and always allowed us plenty of playtime. There was a fantastic swingset in her back yard and the most magnificent magnolia tree in the front. Both perfect for climbing all over and swinging from. She always taught us to be polite and engage the neighbors in small talk.

Later in the afternoon, she would load us up in the car for an afternoon of meals on wheels, where we would deliver meals and spend quality time with the elderly. Helping and loving the less fortunate and displaced, was among the highest priorities in her life and was her way of being Jesus to others. A lesson she always made clear through her life.

After meals on wheels, she would take us on a journey of our favorite consignment shops. This is where I originally developed my addiction for cheap boutique clothes and a stubborn unwillingness to pay full price for anything. It was always the highlight of the trip for a young granddaughter. Ill never forget one consignment store in particular called "Reruns". It was a quaint bungalow with lots of rooms and windows - and full of the most beautiful little girls' dresses! Anything I batted my eyelashes at, she would swipe up and add it to the tab...of course after explaining to me the importance of proper saving- A penny saved is a penny earned!

There were many occasions I bonded with Mama Sara on a very personal level. I will never forget the time we sat in her sunroom. I was at a place in my life where I expressed myself through rebellion to my parents and all authority. I wore my hair over my eyes and didn't smile much in those days. I can remember her conversing with me about her own life as a teenager and her struggles. That day, she broke through the hard barrier and from that time on I have always known I could talk to her about anything. She would relate and then lovingly point me in the right direction. She was one of the few I felt I could talk to and I will always remember that particular day that I poured my heart out to her and she loved me all the more for it.

She was a dream grandmother to grow up with. Though many years have passed since these childhood memoirs, my treasury of memories make it feel like it was yesterday.

As I sit here with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, I hear her voice as she introduces me with the utmost pride and a warm smile, as her namesake.

then out of your sovereignty you called me out

It has been quite some time since I last reminisced the place that God has brought me from- my redemption song if you will. Sometimes it feels as though it was a lifetime ago. In a sense it was another life.

Thank you, God for picking up this once limp, filthy ragdoll; for brushing me off and setting me back on my feet. Thank you for loving me despite myself. "Go and sin no more"- this rings in my ears when I am reminded of your grace. Even though I once rejected you and everything I once thought to be affiliated with you, I can't understand how when one hits their rock bottom time and time and time again, they don't-or rather wont- turn to you. Thank you for casting my sin so far east that it touches the west...wow. Come to think of it, this is just about the same time of year you drew me into yourself 13 years ago. I am so rich now....

My cup overflows with blessing and gratitude toward the life God has given me. I praise you, God, for my wonderful, loves-me-just-as-I-am spouse. He is my soul mate and as a result of his life, my life is complete as well as is more humble. Humble in the fact that I am always reminded of how undeserving I am of an unconditional love that I never knew could exist. I praise you for my baby boy who soaks up every teeny bit of love he can get from me, and then just melts my heart by naively and openly giving it right back. These loves, I crave. I somehow feel as though they were given to me to remind me of you and how you love me. Thank you for new life in you. I praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

more creativity in her pinky finger...

I have a love for beautiful textile design and I am so easily inspired by creative people. I am not by any means a pro-sewer, but when I come across such brilliant designers, it takes everything in me not to go get my sewing machine on the spot to make my own version of their creations. One of my favorites is no secret- Amy Butler. I unashamedly own my border-line obsession to this talented designer! Her patterns are filled with color, unique punchy designs and are just bursting with creativity. She has a perfect balance of vintage and modern to which scheme I am obsessed! Her website is chock full of free patterns and beautiful creations that she has developed from her fabric collections. www.amybutlerdesign.com Go staightway and enjoi!!

Frances England:: listenable children's music to my ears

I recently discovered a true musical gem- Frances England. Her music captures the nostalgia of a playful childhood while actually being listenable to the adult ear. 

She has such a whimsical approach to childrens folk music, it makes me smile and long to go sway in a hammock with my baby boy on a breezy summer day. 

lullaby and goodnight, thy mothers delight

One of the things I most treasure while Preson is still a baby, is my time with him in the middle of the night. I just love the peaceful, blue still of his nursery- the gentle breeze of the fan on these hot summer nights while the moonbeams flood in through the window. It is so tranquil. Though he is half asleep, his tiny hands are constantly caressing me and I cant help but feel that he finds just as much fulfillment being so close to his mama. It is in these quiet moments that I pray over him- for the baby and child that he is and for the future boy and man he will become. It is in these moments I bond most with my son.

time in flight.

Time has officially sprouted wings and is in flight like never before! Preson is going on 4 1/2 months now. He has been in a growth spurt this week where his daily pattern has been wake, eat, sleep like he did when he was a newborn and repeat.

I try to catch each new little addition to his development and appreciate it to its fullest. From watching him learn to awkwardly grasp his tiny fingers around a toy to finding him on the opposite end of his crib from where I placed him. This week he is wanting to explore everything that passes him by shoving it in his mouth- the main thing being his own feet! He is smiling, cooing and has the funniest and most delightful little "half- laugh". Funny how when I hear his voice through his coos and smiles, I feel as though I am getting a peephole-view of his personality. It is amazing to watch him bloom- each day a little more.

Birthweek- not birthday. This is a fun little joke my family has with each other to milk our one special day for all it's worth. In all honesty it has just been an excuse to get what we want and get away with saying things we normally wouldn't get away with saying.

Such is the year that it is actually taken literally. This birthday definitely deserve documentation as it has been so special. My sister delivered a gift to my doorstep each day this week. It felt like Hanukkah in July! She is probably the kindest and most thoughtful person I have ever met. There is not a selfish bone in her body and anyone that has the opportunity to know her knows it is a gift to have her in their life.

My husband also put so much thought into my special day. He saved up for my birthday all year. He brought me coffee and all my presents in bed (he couldn't wait!) which consisted of a new outfit to wear on my day. He and my sis then took me to brunch at mimi's cafe and then he surprised me by gathering some dear friends for an evening of feasting at Bucca di Beppo.

As if that isn't enough, the evening after, he surprised me with taking me to an evening in Downtown Disney. Bongo's Cuban Cafe for dinner and then the grande finale- Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba.

It was a magical evening that I will never forget. I feel so loved, blessed, enriched and of course thankful for how full my life is with the most loving people!