Take a Dip

I know it's only March, but since there was no snow in our area this year, I am ready to look ahead to summer break, and especially our family trip (my parents, Jason's parents, both of our siblings, and Connor) to Savannah/Tybee Island.

On that note, I have been spending too much time perusing swimsuit options online, so I thought I'd put together some of my favorite looks.  My dilemma is always finding a swimsuit that is both flattering and modest.  As a curvy gal, it can be difficult to find something that holds everything in and is comfortable, because although I could lay on the beach for hours with a book, I love just as much to splash in the waves/pool.

Some of the swimsuits you will see are outside my budget, but I am pretending in this blog that everything is 75%.  :)  Plus, sometimes it's just hard to find a cheap swimsuit with good support.

Here are some of the cutest swimsuits I've seen so far:

Anthropologie Patchwork Swimsuit

Love the colors, dots, and patchwork elements of this suit.  Above my budget, but remember, in my head, it's on sale. :)

Anthropologie Sky & Sand Swimsuit

I am not typically a two-piece wearing gal, but I think the high waist of these bottoms provide coverage, and the top goes straight across and has ruffles, which eliminates a lot of cleavage, and the fact that it looks so retro makes it even more appealing.

Old Navy Sweetheart Swimsuit

I love the ruffle and the sweetheart neckline, and the price is great!

Miraclesuit One-Shoulder

I am such a sucker for anything one-shouldered.  I also love the ruched stomach area.

Ruffle tankini from Etsy

Cute ruffles, adorable peacock bow...how could that not be precious?

J Crew one shoulder

Again with a one-shoulder suit...I especially love the bright red.

J Crew Anchors Aweigh skirted tank

Love the retro look and the little anchors.

Janzten Swimdress

My old swimsuit was much like this, but without the pin dots.  I like the sweetheart neckline, the skirted bottom, and that it would emphasis an hourglass figure.

Badgley Mischka one-shoulder bejewled tank

I especially love the bejeweled waistline of this one-piece. It is simple with that one focal point.  I think this one is my second favorite of them all.

J Crew off-the-shoulder tank

I saved the best for last...I absolutely love this color, the ruching (which would hide lots of my flaws), and the perfect draping on top.  Of all the swimsuits I've seen, this is my favorite.  Swoon.


I'd love to know your favorite places to buy swimsuits and what your favorite pieces are for this summer!  One thing I haven't looked at yet are coverups, so I'd love some advice on those as well!

March Photo a Day Challenge -- Week 3

Here are my photos for the third week of March:

Day 15 -- Car (Connor's favorite)

Day 16 -- Sunglasses

Day 17 -- Green

Day 18 -- A Corner of my Home

Day 19 -- Funny (This kid running around, trying to make Mater spew bubbles)

Day 20 -- Before/After (too long since I'd done laundry)

Day 21 -- Delicious (this cinnamon roll -- and his kissable cheeks)

I'd love to see your photos if you are playing along!  Have a great weekend!

March Photo a Day Challenge -- Week 2

Here are my photos from week 2:

Day 8 -- Window

Day 9 -- Red

Day 10 -- Loud (these two on the four-wheeler)

Day 11 -- Someone I Talked To (these lovely ladies at small group)

Day 12 -- Fork

Day 13 -- Sign (Jason mowing = sure sign of spring)

Day 14 -- Clouds

In the "Country"

Growing up, living in the "country" was often seen as a negative.  My classmates and I would talk about how we couldn't wait to go to college and live in a city, really experience life, as if somehow we weren't really living in RC.  For some reason, we always assumed that we were missing out on something of significant importance in our lowly town.

As I got older, I began to hear it from people I came in contact with.  Questions like: "What do you do down there anyway? Sit on the porch and whittle?" or "Is everybody barefoot and pregnant down there?"  I sometimes felt that other people assumed things about me because I was from a small town.  Not so good for an insecure teenage girl.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the city (and this post is not meant at all to detract from people who love their own towns and cities), and especially how much I love to travel.  Jason and I take every opportunity presented to us to visit new places, meet new people, see new cultures, and experience everything the city, country, beach, or any place has to offer.

However, I've just begun to realize in the last couple of years, since Connor was born especially, how thankful I am to have grown up where I did.

I live in a town where people honk at you as you walk down the street, not because they are angry, but because they know you.

Where Connor and I can take a stroll down the road and see adorable calves.

Where said calves lick my hand and barnyard cats rest lazily in the sun.

Where the smell of manure just might meet me when I walk outside...and I don't really mind it anymore.

Where my closest neighbors are milk cows.

Where it takes 15 minutes to get to "town" and thirty minutes to get to the nearest Walmart.

Where Connor will grow up, I hope, learning about life through nature and its beauty right outside his door.

It might have taken me over twenty years to realize it, but I appreciate my little town, the people in it, and the opportunities it has provided me.  I think it had a large part in shaping me into who I am today.

As with all places, RC has its negatives, but it is a community I can honestly say I am proud to call home.  I hope to expose Connor to lots of places and people, but I hope he will someday see our "ridge" the way I do now.  No matter where he lives or travels, I hope he loves that he can always call Gosser Ridge home.

March Photo a Day Challenge -- Week 1

With a new month comes a new set of daily challenges.  Here are my photos for the first week of March:

Day 1 -- Up

Day 2 -- Fruit

Day 3 -- My Neighborhood (or lack thereof)

Day 4 -- Beside

Day 5 -- Smile

Day 6 -- 5 p.m. (Connor's favorite place to be)

Day 7 -- Something I Wore (my nerdy workout gear -- Thanks, Candice!)

I am linking up with Love Stitched to share my photos for this week.

Saying Goodbye

Yesterday we said goodbye (in this life) to a special man, Jason's Papa Jack.

In many ways we were relieved that his suffering on Earth was over, that his body, riddled with the effects of diabetes, was made whole, and that he was in a much better place.

However, it was also natural to feel sadness over losing such an important part of Jason's family.  He lived with Papa Jack when he first moved to RC, before we got married, and they developed a special bond as a result.

Jason spoke beautifully at the funeral (as did his brother), captivating the audience with both "Jake's" (as Jason called him) humor, as well as some serious and emotional life lessons.

My favorite line from Jason's eulogy was when he said that his grandpa once told him they had two things in common: they both preached God's word, and they both married pretty girls from Russell County."  I had never heard Jason tell this story before, and it brought both tears and laughter, converging at once into a mixture of emotion.

Later, as we filed into the covered, green chairs at the gravesite, I noticed the brightness of the sun and the crispness of the air, more aware than ever of savoring these small blessings, even in sad times.

Connor, in his black suit and hat, leaned over to me and said, "Where's Papa Jack? Is he sleeping? Shh...be quiet."

Not sure how much to say to a two-year old about death, I whispered back, "Yes, Connor, to us Papa Jack is sleeping, but he's all better now, and he's in heaven with Jesus."

He answered, innocently, "Okay, Momma."

I am thankful today as I remember the influence Papa Jack had on his family, which has directly influenced the character of my husband.  I pray that we can pass this heart of servitude and Jesus' love to Connor, that way a piece of Papa Jack will always live on, too.