a lovely living

This post has yet to be written and I already love it. What was potentially going to be a lounging around the home outfit post (in large part due to the non-stop rain) has transformed into a reflection period for me. I’ll still give you the details at the end because these fleece leggings and super soft shawl jacket are worth mentioning, but what’s more important are these crazy characters that make up my family. I tend to keep things light and lovely on here because it’s my happy place. The place where life can stay pretty….and in my control. We all know life is messy though, and far from perfect. I’d love for my family to be healthy, happy and dressed to the nine’s on a daily basis, but if you could only see behind the camera, you’d see a lot of mismatched clothing, some fighting, some tears, some uncontrollable laughter and a messy home….except when everyone’s asleep :)

2015 was a crazy year. Much of it a whirlwind that I look back on and think ‘how did we do that?’ We started off the year in a continued battle to tackle Lyme Disease which Jack has been fighting (officially) for nearly two years now. He took a break from the harsh antibiotics at one point to try a few more natural remedies, but to no avail. We knew having a baby in the midst of everything wasn’t going to be easy, but neither of us let that get in the way. We also knew that adding a third child to our family was going to push us out of the condo we had comfortably been living in since we moved from Hoboken, NJ to State College, PA two years prior. Our house hunt commenced and we found our home a bit faster than we expected…or at least than I expected. We ended up closing mere days before I went into labor with Miss Audrey Grace.

This girl has brought such light to our family and she shares her joyful smiles every time you look at her. Already a pro-big brother, little Jack took on a bigger role of being mommy’s helper and Madelyn jumped on as big sister without batting an eye. It certainly wasn’t all easy though. I knew the role I was to play while Jack sought new doctors and found himself back on another antibiotic cycle. He needed his rest at night, so I took on full baby duty responsibilities and did my best to cut back on too much complaining…remember, I’m not perfect…and those post-baby hormones, oh my. 7 weeks post baby and we were packed up and moving into our new home. Like I said, it was a whirlwind! With the help of amazing friends and family we were moved and semi-settled in no time.

I’m still in the midst of furnishing and decorating our house, but regardless, it has most certainly become my family’s home. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and if it weren’t for both of our families being nearby, I don’t know what we would have done these past few years. I’m also thankful for all of our prayer warriors out there that have been raising up our family in prayer for some time now. Without a doubt, God has been guiding our lives and helping us get through the ups and downs one day at a time. I’ve found myself seeking this verse often, when any anxiety creeps in: Philippians 4: 6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.

I told you that this post began, as an outfit post, but behind the scenes…well, this is what you’d see. These crazy loves of my life. As the years continue to fly by, I’m resolving this year to slow down a bit and appreciate each of them for who they are at the stage of life they are currently in. I want to spend more one on one time with my husband and find a little more time for me. So if any of you can find these extra hours in everyday, let me know okay?? ;) And to end on a light and somewhat lovely note, here’s my husband. No matter what he’s going through, he does his best to keep a smile on his face and the laughter in our home. I think he’s tired of being behind the camera, don’t you?!!

And finally, a big thank you to all of you that continue to read along day after day and post after post. You make this whole blogging thing all the more fun!! Wishing you a wonderful and blessed New Year! See you in 2016!

Marisa’s outfit details: Lou & Grey jacket / Anthro fleece leggings / JCrew shearling slippers