--> The Foster Shower <--

My close friends & family threw us a Foster Shower right before Easter. 

It was such a beautiful day filled with love. 

Every detail about the day was perfect.

By throwing us this shower and listening to us speak about our hearts for orphans & hurting children, my friends proved that they were with us 100% in this parenting journey. 

I've read multiple articles about foster families feeling alone & I've shared that fear with our friends. 

As our friends laid hands on us & prayed, I knew that this crew would never let us feel alone in our journey. 

I teared up as we opened thoughtful presents for our future babes.

I was emotional because I knew that these kids won't just be getting foster parents, they will be getting a foster village. 

They say it takes a village to raise a child.

& our village is the best.

love you all. 

i am so thankful for each of you. 

xo, Lynn Raye

--> Where Dora lives <--

I was off sick the other day so naturally I spent the day watching DIY videos on youtube. There were a lot of DIY toy videos and I got stupid excited. As soon as I felt better, I rushed to the thrift shop to try to find a treasure that I could fix up. I totally hit the jackpot because I found this Dora doll house that was in pretty good shape. I looked online and found that there are ways to completely renovate plastic dollhouses and I got totally inspired. My goal is to make this house a little more gender neutral. I love the latin flavor that Dora adds to this, but I think the colors are a little too bright for my taste. The best part of this purchase is the fact that it was .99! So if I never get around to renovating it or if kids never use it, I only wasted a dollar. 

I simply can't wait to see what will happen with Dora's casa. 

Taylor & I are slowly preparing for the day that a child or children (eek!) arrive at our house. 

Because we don't know the age or sex, it's hard to prepare their bedroom. 

This is the first toy that I have purchased & it makes it soooo much more real.

We can't wait to meet these babes.

xo, Lynn Raye

--> Adventure <--

I like the trend of people choosing a word for the year. 

This year I'd like "adventure" to be my word & theme. 

Taylor & I have been in NEPA for over a year now and it's finally starting to feel like home. 

After months & months of searching, we found a church to grow and serve in. 

It feels like home when Taylor and I drive up to the little A frame sanctuary. 

The outside is pretty sweet, but the people inside are even sweeter. 

I foresee God leading us on MANY adventures this year with the VCC community. 

Another big adventure that we are about to embark on is the foster to adopt process. 

We chose our agency & have started completing the mountain of paperwork that comes with it. 

As the Christmas season approached, Taylor reminded me that this would most likely be our last Christmas just he & I. I've been dreaming about adoption my entire life. 2016 will likely be the year that I become a mother. How terrifying & amazing. I've been hanging onto Taylor a little tighter this season & thanking God for allowing him to be the man that I share this adventure with. 

Please keep us in your prayers as we embark on this journey.

It will not be easy. 

God has also brought new faces into my life. I had been praying for gal pals for quite a while & God delivered greatly. 2015 brought a coworker that quickly became a close friend & a sweet soul that I met while thrifting. There will be many adventures with these two ladies this year, I can feel it! 

Agh. The new year always brings resolutions and goals.

My goal in 2016 to embrace this upcoming adventure with a positive heart. 

I always look at the glass half empty & I'd like that to change. 

There are so many small blessings I don't see. 

My goal is to see those blessings. 

Here's to the great adventure to come. 

Hello 2016.

xo, Lynn Raye

-- worthy --

The story is always the same.

I log into instagram & bloglovin. 

I look at tons of women who have it all together & I long for their lives.

I want their perfectly manicured nails.

I want their boyfriend jeans, DSLR cameras, chubby babies, natural beauty products, beach hair.

I want their ministries & their pure perfect hearts, their lovely walks with God. 

I close my eyes and wish for a life worthy of a re-pin on pinterest. 

I wish for a life that's worthy--

but when I open my eyes… I'm still me. 

9 out of 10 days I don't even brush my hair.

My acrylic nails are falling off.

My succulents are dying.

A small child (not my own) wiped his boogers on me today & they're probably still on my blazer.

My job leaves me feeling drained emotionally & physically.

My messy buns look a little too messy & my smokey eye is borderline emo. 

My heart dwells on negative things & my temper is a little too short.

I have to force myself to spend alone time with God & even in those moments… my heart wanders. 

Who I want to be is so far from who I am.

But in the moments of wishing I was someone else

I hear God whisper that I am worthy. 

That this grumpy/messy girl was bought and paid for.

This mess was washed clean. 

Who I am is His.

This is enough. 

--> Sweet Sundays <--

Living in NEPA means I don't have a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's close to me. 

It's depressing. 

My bank account is a lot happier going to local markets & getting fresh produce but there's something so fun about going to whole foods, shopping around, & then getting take out.

A few Sundays (a billion Sundays ago), 

Teeds & I were in Delaware for a worship event 

and on Sunday we decided to run to Whole Foods before heading home. 

Running to Whole Foods turned into shopping & lunch with Taylor's brother and my girlfrannnd. 

I don't get to see my Victoria as often as I'd like so anytime i'm in town, you can bet she's by my side. 

We bothered the boys by gossiping about our lives & shopped around while they held our purses (boys are so useful)  

It's really hard living so far away from my best friends. 

I am thankful for sweet Sunday surprises & friendships that withstand the miles.

xo, Lynn Raye

--> thankful <--

We spent Thanksgiving in our little apartment. 

My parents drove up & we spent the day cooking/watching football. 

I also love spending thanksgiving morning watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

I love broadway, so seeing the musical numbers makes the day extra special. 

We sent our extended family selfless so they could feel like they were with us. 

My duck face is so strong. (& ugly)

Daphne slept most of the day… as usual. 

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because I need the reminder to be thankful.

I know it sounds terrible, but my heart can be quite negative.

I need the reminder.

I am thankful for: 

1. My relationship with Christ.

2. A loving husband.

3. A cuddly puppy that greets me after a long day of work. 

4. Our new(ish) little space. 

5. A job that challenges me to be a better person every single day.

6. My Mommy. 

7. Group Texting. -- some people hate being apart of these but I have been loving my group texts with my family and my PBU buddies. 

8. The little plants that grow inside little pots that hang out in my little apartment. These stupid plants make me soooo happy. Taking care of them is so calming. 

I pray that this thankful heart remains throughout this entire holiday season (&beyond)

What are you thankful for?

xo,

Lynn Raye

--Friday Finds--

Sometimes I find stuff at the thrift store.

Sometimes I find stuff shopping local.

Sometimes I find stuff at the mall.

Sometimes I find stuff at flea markets/outdoor festivals. 

Sometimes I find stuff at target… 

& dang… I find STUFF 

all the time.

I'm the queen of stuff.

So here is a round up of the best stuff I've found lately. 

ok? Ok. 

This soap.

It smells amazing & makes my skin feel all kinds of soft.

I am a sucker for handmade soaps.

I bought this one at an outdoor flea market. I lost the name of the vendor though so I can't post the link. BUT seriously… find natural soaps or make them yourself.

Handmade/natural soap is so much better for your skin. 

I know it's fall-- but I  can't quit coconut.

It smells so good & it was $3.00 at Target in the dollar section. 

YAS Target. YASSSSS

This lip treatment is the best part of all my stuff.

I bought one to try when I was recently in my hometown. They were on sale and I regret not buying four of them. It feels like I'm putting silk on my lips. The color is plain so my lips just look glossy. 

Agh. I want moreeeee. 

You can find them Here !! 

Gah I love stuff. 

xo, Lynn Raye