Oh, this man ...

The hippie. The free spirit. Lots of things have been said to describe my husband of six years. However, as I reflect on our marriage, words to describe him and how I feel about him have escaped me.

I think back on how he has loved me. At sixteen, he asked me to be his girlfriend. At twenty, he asked me to be his bride. At twenty one, he married me and took on the responsibility of a wife and family while most young men were pumped to take their first sip of beer. In all those years of courtship, he never wavered. Every day he was respectful and clear on his intentions to court me in a Godly way.

Since that faithful day in 2005, he has worked and gone to school to support us. He never complained. Every Sunday, he took our little family to church. When we moved to Charleston, we found a church before we found somewhere to live. His commitment to the Lord matches his commitment to his family. He has truly loved me as Christ loves his church.

So, even as words escape me, I know that I am immeasurably blessed to be married to Ashley Cunningham. I thank the Lord daily for the blessing that is my husband.

Happy Anniversary, Beloved.

Feel the Burn

Well hello and happy summer! My summer projects so far have been cleaning out the garage, closets, and the attic. Nothing that deserves a post! However, I have to share an awesome discovery that I made this week!

One of my summer goals is to shed 15 pounds. I have been hitting the gym or running almost every day. I wanted to add a second workout to my day so I went looking for a workout video (lame... I know). I did some research and stumbled upon Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred




It is a  20 minute workout that can be done in any small space. After my first workout, I was dripping sweat and on the verge of tears my body hurt so bad. The best part... it is only $9.04 at Target! I am in love!

New items that make me smile.

Here are a few pics of some items I recently rescued from a yard sale and antique clearance event.

Pictured above is my sky blue door. I put a pic on facebook because lots of people had been asking to see it, but here is the story. They have had this door in my favorite antique shop for almost a year. It was CRAZY expensive and so all I could do was look. I almost took the plunge several times, but could just never do it... it is a door after all :). Then one day I walked in, and of course walked over to admire. To my glee, a sign on the door said 70% off. I asked one of the salespeople if this wonderful news could be true! He said, " Well, yes maam, we just couldn't move it. Not a lot of people are in the market for a 7 1/2 foot blue door." I kindly told him he had never met me and took it home that day! :)

No great creative plans for this one. It is just sitting against the wall in my bedroom. But it is so awesome, that's all I needed to do!

Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year, Daniel Island yard sale day!!! Not only do I always spend this day with one of my favorite people, Kara Karnes, I get to go to the largest yard sale event I have ever seen!!! I always go with a budget, so I do not bankrupt my little family. Yesterday, I spent my entire budget at the first house. But, it was worth it!

Pictured above is my purchase ( plus two other antique trinkets- not bad on a $60 dollar budget). I am not sure exactly what it is... neither was the seller ( she picked it up somewhere in North Carolina). But one thing is for certain... it has LOTS of personality... and I like that. This piece is currently in my bedroom. I think I will put a little lamp on it and use it to hold the books I read in the evening.

My bedroom is such a fun place to be now with my new salvaged items. I think I will sit in it today while I mark report cards ... that may make it less painful! :)

Blessings to you this week my friends!

Beautiful Sunday

Today was such a GREAT day! I loved every second. I spent it with my favorite person, Mr. Cunningham (as my 4K kiddos call him.) It was his birthday! We spent our morning drinking coffee, laughing, and singing Jack Johnson.

When the sun came out, so did we! We worked in our little gardens and marveled, once again, at the coming of Spring and its beauty!

 Views of my tulips and hydrangeas beginning to come to life!

 

 

Got to love the foot shot! Our herbs are coming along. I am standing over the oregeno... it's my favorite... I am anxiously waiting!


Daffodils are surrounding my favorite birthday present. They are almost ready to bloom. It is going to be SO pretty!

 We spent our afternoon and evening at the beach with Ashley's new "baby." He got a vintage surfboard a few days ago for his birthday and he has been waiting for just the right day to try it out! I am so happy that the waves came on his birthday. They were perfect, and the beach was beautiful.

Thanking God for today for the beauty of creation and the blessing of my sweet husband!

Have a great week friends!

These are a few of my favorite (NEW) things!

Wow! It has been a long time friends! I am committed to being a little more regular on my blog entries. In fact, it is one of my many resolutions for this new year. So here is the first of, hopefully, many 2011 blog posts!

I have been a busy bee around the house. I feel like I nest like crazy in the winter. I am like a hoarder grabbing little things that make me happy from every thrift and antique store I see. Here are a few of my favorite finds over the last month...

This was my sister's bed when she was a little girl. My mom gave it to me after Katie got married, because she wanted another double bed to accommodate our growing family! This was perfect because I wanted some additional sleeping options and sitting room in my office. So, I killed two birds with one stone and made it into a daybed. My mom and I made all of the pillows. It took us a long time but it was such a fun day! I love that lady and my new bed!

This little goody came from the Charleston holiday market. A sweet little mountain man was selling some of the most beautiful hand crafted items. I wanted to take home everything he was selling! When I asked him for his email to inquire about future purchases, he responded, "Oh, I don't have one of them computers." Priceless!  I may never see him again but I will cherish this little purchase for a long time!

This is a little showcase of some of my thrifted items. The vase came from a thrift store on Rivers Avenue $.99. The old fashioned indoor shutter came from an antique store clearance section for $2.50. This table sits in our bedroom. All of the Willow Tree items were gifts from very special people.

Okay... this has to be my favorite. This is an old barn door from my favorite antique store. I am not sure what I am going to do with it yet. Isn't it fabulous!

My latest obsession ... old glass bottles. Here are some of my favorites from my ever growing collection!

I rescued this amazing window from the bottom of a stack at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. A little paint and sandpaper, and this baby was ready to hang. It looks so fun in my bathroom!

These oversized coffee bags are my latest find. I got them FREE at a local coffee shop Ashley and I ride our bikes to on the weekend. They are awesome and my mind is racing with possibilities. Any suggestions... send them my way!

Thanks for reading and sharing with me the happiness found in the little things.

Grace and Love

Lisa

Search for the PERFECT Christmas tree

A year ago Wednesday, Ashley and I closed on our new home! Things were so busy we did not have much time to spend decorating for Christmas. This year I was so excited to decorate and find the PERFECT tree! And so begins our Christmas tree adventure!

I decided that our perfect tree would not be found at a roadside stand, but in its natural state. So, this morning we loaded up the car and set out to Tomlinson tree farm!

It was such a fun place out in the country! Everyone was so friendly and helpful! Especially since they knew this was our first time cutting down a tree! We walked around for about 30 minutes until we found the PERFECT tree! We named him "Chuck."

 After a little sawing and dragging on Ashley's part and some encouraging words on my part, Chuck was ready to come home!

After a few broken light disasters and broken ornaments, Chuck was all finished. We are so proud of our PERFECT tree!

Chuck is quirky and colorful, just like his family. But we love him and he is just PERFECT!

Old Traditions Made New

I have always greatly admired my mom's sewing ability! Over the years, she has transformed many dorm rooms, apartments, and classrooms for my sister and me! She does amazing things! I have only recently come to really appreciate her work, once I began to sew myself. It can be really difficult!

One project my mom has continued to pursue for as long as I can remember is making baby pillows for new mothers. I have always admired this and became amazed as I heard stories of how people cherished these pillows over the years. I wanted to continue this tradition because I have seen how this original gift has left a lasting impression.

Recently, our dear friends Paul and Kara Karnes were given the blessing of a sweet baby boy, Rawls Henry. I saw my opportunity and I set to work. Below is my finished project, not bad for my first try!

Here is the pillow stuffed setting next to my sewing machine (which has come one of my most prized possessions- thanks again mom!) I was able to give the Karnes the pillow today! First, of hopefully, many to come!

Have a happy and blessed Sunday everyone!