Flashback Friday.

I'm not entirely sure what's going on here. I do know that this is me and I appear to be falling off of a counter while my nana appears not to be concerned. She actually looks like she's having fun.. but I'd be willing to bet this wasn't planned.

Perfection.

A puppy, a fire, a Christmas tree still up after Christmas, a comfy quilt, a good movie, a sweet husband, and comfort food + ice cream. Successful Thursday night.

christmas list.

We had such a wonderful Christmas with family! Pics coming as soon as I can find the energy to quit being exhausted at the end of the day. I never realized how much I actually need a Christmas break until I didn't get one! 

I found this at my parent's house.. it's my "Christmas Wish List" from when I was almost 4 years old. I could not stop laughing.

What is Jazzie fingernail polish? And why did I need an umbrella? Who knows...

-Lace

merry christmas.

Merry Christmas from The Eatons!

We hope you have a happy and blessed Christmas, and a New Year filled with Joy!

Photo by Casey Chappell

-Lace

momma's birthday.

I said a while back that I was really excited about the present I got my mom for her birthday this year. I know that was quite some time ago, but I forgot I never put pictures up! Here are a few from her bday!

Cakes are a HUUUUUGE deal in my family. I mean, BIG. Like, if you don't start planning what kind of cake you're going to have weeks in advance, it's just a disaster. My mom likes the icing, and I like the cake. So it usually works out pretty well. This year her cake was white cake with vanilla icing. I don't recommend this color icing. While it was really aesthetically pleasing, the color made me feel like I was eating pepto-bismol. I'll stick to white from now on. We always get our cakes from Kern's (bakery in Longview). They're just the best. 

 If any of you follow pinterest on a regular basis, I'm not sure how you could've missed this idea on there. I saw it on there, and decided to give it a go! My mom is the most selfless, giving person I know. I could write a novel (as you'll see) on all the ways she has touched other people. So for her birthday, I decided to get friends and family to  each write a little something about the way she has impacted them. It could've been a funny story, a sweet note, or a "thank you." I was in tears putting this together, and I'm pretty sure she shed a few when she opened it as well. Thank you to everybody who helped!

-Lace

dreams.

pinterest

I used to think this is what my life would look like when I was in my 20s-30s. I thought I would just be a beach bum. Actually, when I was little, I'm certain that I thought that was a real option for an occupation. Throughout college especially, I saw myself with dreadlocks, tattoos, driving an old aqua VW. I'm being completely serious. 

The summer after my freshman year in college, I just needed to get away. I wanted to get as far away from "normalcy" as I could. 

So, I went to Hawaii.

That's right, I spent a summer on the North Shore of Oahu. I didn't do much there. I learned to surf. I read a lot. I met some friends. I spent a lot of time at the beach. I went to a church that backed up to the ocean. I helped with VBS on the island. It was perfect. I don't think I could've had a better experience.

When I came home, I realized that all that is great, but It's better when you're not alone. I've never had a problem being alone. I actually sometimes prefer it. I'm independent, and I love peace and quiet. I've never really been into the party scene.

 If I was going to be honest with myself, I never really thought I would ever get married. You see, I have what I like to call "commitment issues." I just never saw myself married. I thought maybe I would become a missionary, live in another country, adopt a foreign baby. This was my crazy dream.

About a year later, I met Jacob. 

Then I went on a mission trip to Germany. While I was there I realized that although my heart is definitely for reaching the lost and meeting physical needs in other countries, it doesn't mean I have to do it by myself. I have never missed anyone so badly in all my life than the way I felt in Europe. It occurred to me then that I want to do all these things, but I wanted to do them with Jake. 

In an instant my phobia of commitment was cured! And now, we are finally at a place in our lives where we can start doing more mission work. And this girl is pumped. I've been in school so long it hasn't been possible. But you better believe those 3 weeks of vacation are about to start being used - as soon as they kick in! 

I still see myself as an old gray haired (dreadlocked) lady, with multiple tattoos and piercings, sitting on the beach somewhere. But my vision now has my husband in it. And maybe a few kiddos. Of course at least one of them will look nothing like me or him. They will be from another country - maybe the one we're living in. We'll see. 

I love that dreams change. I love that I realized that where I am is not nearly as important as who I'm with.

-Lace

flashback friday

Me & my papa. He's wonderful.

come home Jake.

I'm not myself when my husband's gone.
I forget to take out the trash (cause he usually does that).
I don't cook. Lean cuisines and smart ones become my only form of sustenance.
I can't get up on time - even though he usually has no effect on that at all since he leaves by 4:00 am every day.
I can't bring myself to pick up the dead bug on the floor of our living room, so I guess it has to stay there until Friday, and bugs don't usually even phase me.
I watch the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on TV. What?
I wake up about 20 times during the night.
I don't see a point in even turning the lights on the Christmas tree on.. because I feel like it's a waste when I'm the only one in the room.
I get on pinterest - a lot.

It's hard to imagine we had to spend an entire year of our marriage apart because of my school and his job. It's a wonder I survived, since obviously I turn into a sloth when he leaves.

Photos by the lovely and talented, Casey Chappell. 

-Lace

somewhere beautiful.

                It seems like round here, no one knows..

                                 No one knows that there’s more

      Beyond these dead skies and all these filthy streets

                      Take my hand and let me pull you

                                                   Out of the blindness of your weary soul

                                                           To somewhere beautiful

-Sean McConnell

This is one of my absolute favorite songs. Actually I love this whole album "Saints, Thieves, & Liars." But I really love the lyrics of this song. I wonder how many times God thinks "come on, just take my hand and let me pull you out of the blindness of your soul to somewhere beautiful." If only we would let him. The song goes on to say:

Is there any way to learn

         from what you’ve been told

Or do you really have to hold the experience?

                   Cause you could heed me now,and come out clean

                             Trust me, I could spare you the consequence

                                  

                             I can tell by your eyes,
                                         there ain’t no getting through
                         Cause you’re hell bent on doing exactly
                                           what you’ve gotta do
                                     So welcome to a long line of sinners and saints
                                                     Is there anyone around here who ain’t?

Or what about this? How many times do I wish I could've learned from what I'd been told- what I read in His word- and spared my consequences. I just love the reminder that God really does want to lead us somewhere beautiful if we let Him. 

-Lace

flashback friday.. a two for..

Flashback Friday is happening on Saturday again.. I just can't seem to stop falling asleep on the couch after pizza on Friday nights. Oops.
Well here's a two for one...
Isn't he a cutie? :)


-Lace

grace.

"I will hold myself to a standard of grace, not perfection." (here)

Praise the Lord for the grace He gives. I think some of us perfectionists (this girl, right here) need to be reminded of this... daily.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - {2 Corinthians 12:9}

Here's to His grace!*

These pictures are from my parent's house - we went outside to play with our camera

-Lace

decorating day @ the eatons.

I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but I love Christmas. Like, really really <3 it. I have been looking forward to getting our tree for weeks. We were going to go to a tree farm and cut one down, but it rained all weekend and we weren't able to. So we went to our nearest nursery tonight after work and picked the perfect one! Our night was filled with holiday spice chai, hanging ornaments, fire in the fireplace, pandora christmas station, crockpot roast with carrots and potatoes, and a little "redneck" christmas activities. Check it out.

Jake got some new "toys" for his gun tonight, so I had to figure out how to use it. You know, for self defense.

-Lace

flashback friday... on saturday

I've always been a water baby and a snow bunny. This was my first trip to the snow.. And I was in love! It was obviously in the 80s judging by my neon attire. Guess my mom wanted to make sure she could spot me easily.. I don't imagine that was a problem.
Happy weekend!


-Lace

tis the season...

We started to decorate our house for Christmas tonight.. so.much.fun. I just absolutely love this time of year! We don't have our tree yet, but that will be our project this weekend! I made a wreath last night, decorated our mantle tonight. I could stay on pinterest and craft for days and never do all the decorating I'd like to do! (Definitely will have more pictures of all the decorating I've been up to later)...

But one of my favorite parts of Christmas is going to get an "angel tree" child. We do it every year, and every year I cry in the middle of the mall and Jake just smiles at me and tells me it's gonna be ok. Tonight we went to pick one out. It breaks my heart and makes me so happy at the same time. I love knowing that these children will get gifts, but I'm heartbroken to think of all the children who won't. Especially of all the children who don't even care if they have a gift, but really just need necessities this Christmas. If you've never "adopted" a child for Christmas, consider it this year. You won't regret it. I'm so glad Jake & I made it a tradition.

Another photo by the lovely Casey

-Lace