there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

{photo by SP Veres}

There seem to be changes taking place in everyone's lives around me. Many of my friends and family are facing big decisions, and these decisions mean change. Within several months I know that Jonathan and I will have decisions of our own to make.

Change isn't always easy to go through, in fact it's normally rather difficult. We seem to like familiar surroundings and familiar circumstances, and stepping out into the unknown is kinda scary. But I do know that change helps us learn and grow and become the people that we are today. I once heard someone compare change to rain...we don't always like the rain, in fact when rain comes it gets kind of stormy at times and washes away some things and it can get icky and muddy...but in the end it brings growth.

I've always like the song "Turn Turn Turn" by the Byrds based on Ecclesiastes 3:

Isaiah 41:9-10 has always helped me during times of uncertainty:

"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I call you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have nor rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

I don't always know what to tell people who are going through major changes in their lives, or what to even tell myself when I'm going through the same thing. I just know that if we let Him, God is there to help us through it all {if we let Him}...and His plan for our lives always turns out better than anything we can think up on our own.

How about you? Are you going through any major changes in your life? What helps you during these times and brings encouragement?

these are a few of my favorite things {in the mornings}

These are a few of my favorite things {in the mornings}:

• waking up next to the love of my life and best friend of all time.
• coffee, coffee, and um, coffee.
• sunshine coming through the windows and birds singing good morning to me.
• hugs and kisses.
• stretching my arms wide over my head and feeling like i got a good night's rest.
• breakfast. whether it is waffles and bacon or vanilla yogurt and berries...yum!
• good morning greetings from my puppy...he acts like he hasn't seen us in years, and makes us feel oh-so-very loved.
• knowing that Jesus loves me, even when i sometimes wake up on the wrong side of the bed.
• knowing that today is a new day and full of so many opportunities.
• husband.

What are some of your favorite things in the mornings?

p.s. i am loving these cardboard love images!

my 9 year old sister has a blog.

My 9 year old sister just created her own website and blog on this site for kids. So crazy! She is actually pretty good at blogging too. You can visit it here: http://moriah.2ya.com/

Speaking of my sister Moriah, here are some photos I took of her a couple of weeks ago. I can't believe how fast she is growing up! It's not allowed...

{all photos by me, Tiffany Zajas}

View the rest of the images from this shoot here.

I hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday! :)

thank you, husband.

thank you, husband...

• for comforting me when i was scared during the big storm on friday.
• for taking me to see "Little Shop of Horrors,"one of my favorite musicals, this weekend {and putting up with me singing songs from the show on the way to and from the play.}
  
• for helping me with my big work event and calming my nerves during the whole thing.
  
• for buying me an easter dress.
• for making me breakfast this morning.
• for being my best friend.
• for everything you do.

i love you.

{pictures taken on Easter day by my sister Alycia Turpin}

when i can't sleep.

There are times when I don't sleep very well. Tonight {or this morning really} happens to be one of those times. I woke up around 3:30 and have been tossing and turning in my bed ever since.

Here are things I do that normally help me sleep better:

• I usually take melatonin every night before bed to make sure I sleep nice and soundly, but forgot to take it last night.
• Most nights I sip on tea {decaffeinated or sleepy time tea} as I'm winding down for the evening.
• If my mind is racing with things that need to be done as I'm trying to fall asleep, I take out my journal and write everything out. That way it's out on paper and I don't have to worry about it anymore.
• I take a night time shower that is relaxing and helps me wash off any stress or worries from the day.
• Putting on lavender lotion before I sleep is so calming. I love that scent.
• Making sure the bedroom is nice and neat and free form clutter somehow eases my mind at night so I am free to sleep soundly.
  

I didn't do any of those things last night, so I blame that for my lack of sleep now. Bad me.

What do you normally do when you can't sleep? Are there things that help you ensure a night of deep slumber?

As much as I'm enjoying listening to the morning birds sing their songs, I am going to attempt to go back to bed and get some more shut eye before my alarm goes off.

Hope you all are having sweet dreams.

have a lovely easter weekend.

{image of me by husband}

have a lovely weekend, friends. i am sorry that i haven't updated the blog as often as i'd like to this week and last. it has been very busy {but good} as i've been working overtime to complete everything for our eggs benefit this weekend. i hope to update you all on lots of things coming next week.

in the meantime, have a lovely easter weekend. any exciting plans?

jonathan and i are planning on going to see "little shop of horrors" tonight at UTC. i am more than excited! then, tomorrow is our eggs benefit we'll be working all day on that. exciting times!

further proof that mail is cool.

I am just giving in to my obsession with mail. How can I not with beautiful inspiration such as this:

see more mail goodness here and here.

{all images via chronicle books.}