beauty from ashes

In March, my husband traveled to Haiti with Got Your Back Movement to photograph their trip for them as they worked alongside Danita's Children. GYB states their mission beautifully on their site:

WHY CLOTHES.

Clothing is important for a variety of reasons. Clothes can protect, identify, and provide opportunities. Through giving clothes, we are restoring purpose, giving hope, showing love, and seeing sustainable change in lives and communities throughout the world.

WHY EDUCATION.

Nearly 1 billion people have entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. The total includes more than 130 million school age children. They live in more desperate living conditions and poorer health than those who have an education. Through the Got Your Back Uniform Campaign, we provide children all over the world with school uniforms which grant them the chance at receiving an education.

This was a life changing trip for Tec. I've woken up over a dozen mornings to him watching a video of the students he spent time with singing their morning prayer. Like with any of these trips, his heart grew larger so that a bit of it could be left in Haiti.

I have been stressed out and callously going through the motions lately. I needed to be reminded of these people, of these images and their stories, today.

I really have no idea.

I know it may seem out of place to talk about this sort of thing on my blog. But I know what a gentle-spirited group of readers I have. I believe that our work and talk about beauty is still relevant. I know we're created with a heart that desires all types of beauty, so I don't want to seem like I'm trivializing it. But I also know that such a heart also desires that we love one another well--our neighbors near and far--so I thought you'd appreciate a glimpse into the beauty and goodness that can come from tragedy.

Hopefully I'll love people better today because of it.

Beauty from ashes, right?

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europe or bust

The tickets have been bought and the contracts sent in.
We're going to Europe this summer, kiddos.





Tec has a couple jobs in Nice, France so we're making the most of our time there and exploring the heavy-hitters of Europe we've never been before: Rome, London and Paris. But having never been to any of those places, we're at a complete loss as to where to stay... and the other fun stuff like where to eat and shop and see.

Do you have suggestions? Help a sister and a brother out.

Pics found here, here and here.

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spring has sprung

...and has left us with Summer's heat.

I don't think that the heat is here to stay, but I've been wrong before. While it's here though, I'm going to enjoy shorts, sandals, grilling out and letting the heat put me in a trance.

After a long winter and a fast approaching summer, we've been bombarded with blossoms and leafing trees that have no qualms about the amount of pollen they're emitting. But the shades of green are so sweet and the pops of white and pink are so delicate that I'm remind why it's still my favorite season of all.

Our backyard doesn't seem to be complaining about the heat, either.

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happy one-year, sweet home

A year ago today, a tiny green house became our home.

We've painted walls,
rehabed a garage,
bought a new roof,
planted perennials,
laid stone
and sewed grass.

We've hosted parties and burnt food,
locked ourselves inside and welcomed people in.
We've cried over loss and sickness and for no reason at all,
and laughed way too hard after being out way too late.

Happy one-year of being our home, Tiny House. We know you've had plenty of owners in your 105 years of life, but know that we think you're something special.

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