Summer 2016 Recap

I can’t believe summer vacation is officially over. My big kids start school tomorrow and it’s been crazy getting them all ready to get back into school mode. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ready! It’s always nice to get out of routine for a couple of months but I’m ready to get back into a good schedule. I didn’t blog much during the summer months because I was cooking and feeding 3 kids or more 24-7 in our home. We almost always had friends, neighbors and nephews over so this mama barely had time for much else. But, it was a wonderful time well spent with the kids. Here are a few fun pics from the summer months. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. 

Can you tell the kids had a blast? It was an equally fun and crazy summer just how we like it! 

With all the fun things that happened, the blog got some love too! Over the summer, I had the complete honor of being featured on some really cool sites.

 

It’s a bit surreal to think some of my projects ended up on these sites because these are places I look for inspiration. I say this without trying to sound like I’m humble bragging but really, the Lord is the one that has opened up these opportunities for me. I had no idea when I started the blog that my passion for interior decorating would come out. Honestly, I never even thought that was a gift for me. I have always loved design but it’s really only in the last four years that I realized it was something I was passionate about. My home is my canvas and I love decorating and filling it with things that I love and am inspired by. It has allowed me to express my creativity in ways I never dreamed.

I’m truly thankful. Thankful for this space, thankful for you all reading and commenting and for God giving me freedom in utilizing my gifts and passions. I didn’t realize how much I placed my gifts in a box until God allowed me to experience freedom in sharing the unique ones He has given me. I struggled to have confidence in my own gifts because I wanted some other ones that appeared more Godly, more spiritual, more practical. Maybe you’re struggling with this too and are asking Lord, what can I do with the gifts that you’ve given me. It’s so easy to compare yourself to the person next to you and find their calling so much more appealing. BUT, He has gifted you uniquely with a set of talents of your own. It may be your art, voice or anything else that He wants to use in your life to bring him glory. Use it and don’t bury those talents in the ground. It’s not about what you have but what you do with you have been given. My tagline for my blog is, “Creating a Home with Purpose.” I truly believe that creating a home begins in our hearts. No matter where we live, God can use your home for so much. I’m thankful for our space that’s a haven for our family and for anyone else who enters it. It’s a reminder to me to be a steward with what we’ve been entrusted with. 

Tomorrow, I leave for a huge DIY blogger’s conference called Haven. Lucky for me, it’s held in Atlanta every summer. For the past 9 years, I have followed DIY and craft blogs and to think I will be meeting some of these ladies is kind of a big deal to me! I can’t even believe I get to meet and connect with like minded folks. I’m super pumped and excited to learn and dig my hands into some workshops and meet with different brands. I’ll be sharing all the fun on FB and Instagram so be sure to follow along if you’re interested. Now that IG has videos like snapchat, I’ll be sharing some behind the scenes activities from the conference. 

Thank you again for reading along and I would love to hear any input you have for me. What do you like to hear and read about in this little space? I would love to know!

A huge thanks goes to my sweet husband for holding down the fort so I can attend this conference. He is always my biggest cheerleader and I am so thankful for his kind heart that encourages me to use my God given talents. 

Thank you, friends!!

Yuni