We love Fall!

I have been horible at keeping up with blogging lately. Life has just been busy!
Fall is a favorite around The Geels' household. Logan and I like to snuggle up and watch movies (and fall and winter is my favorite time of year to stay in and spend quality time together.) Not to mention...fall TV is the best. This year our favorite shows are: Revenge, Once Upon a Time, Duck Dynasty, and Nashville. On the nights that we stay in, I usually try to make a new recipe or sometimes an old favorite. It makes it fun because it's like a mini-date night. I seriously LOVE the time i get to spend with my husband. This weekend we woke up early on Saturday and went for a drive in the country. The trees are starting to change and it is so gorgeous up here.  We may have finished the morning by stopping at Shipley's for a donut or three ; ) (so glad to have a Shipley's in NWA.....grew up on these donuts, and it's my favorite donut spot!)

Last month we did a photo shoot at Crystal Bridges to benefit the Humane Society! The professional picture will be published in the book they issue each year (should be out next month.) We had a lot of fun and I took a few pictures myself.

Our day to day seems to always be filled with work, Bible study, hunting, house projects, car projects, the dogs, date nights, traveling to Little Rock, and getting together with friends.

I am hosting Thanksgiving this year (it's become the new tradition since we got married). I'm really looking forward to having both of our families together this year. Logan's B-day is the day after Thanksgiving this year, so I am having his birthday party early (otherwise that would be too much in one week!)

I always enjoy decorating for fall....and this year I did make my annaul trip to "the pumpkin lady" and my mom and I also made our yearly trip to Paul Michael (which I went more Christmas crazy than fall this year.)

This post is more for me to look back on.....nothing special, just our day to day!
Happy Fall.

WIFEY WEDNESDAY!

I subscribe to Proverb 31 ministries for daily devotionals. I love getting them. They are relativly quick reads and they always pull at my heart and challenge me! My mom sent me a link to one today...and it happened to be one I missed. It was perfect and came at the best time. It's title was "People Pleasing" and it was exacty the confirming words I needed to read. Over the years I have worked on not "spreading myself too thin" and I have to say I've gotten pretty good at it! I'm a planner by nature, I like organization and I like everything to fall into place (HA!) Being able to decide what I can committ to and what I have to step away from at times can make me feel like all I say is "no, no, no." The truth is I often do say "yes" but God has laid it on my heart over the past year that saying"no" is equally important...and as a wife (and for many of you as a mother) it could be one of the best gifts you give your family. Our hearts should be ready and willing to say yes to the Lord and yes to a friend in need, yes to socializing, yes to projects, yes to signing up at church and work and in  the community..... but we also have to step back  and know that when we give ourselves and our time to one thing, something else always suffers. I promised myself a long time ago that my family will not take the backseat to my to do list and committments. As a wife, it is my responsibility to my husaband to not put so much before him...that I have nothing left to give! After reading this devotional...it did my heart so much good because I often have a guilt complex about letting others down by not saying "yes." This put it all in perspective and re-affirmed in my head what I know to be true. I hope this link article is a breath of fresh air for you....it certainly was for me!

It is ok to say no and not feel guilty about it! AMEN!
http://www.proverbs31.org/devotions/#.UEdU40wKfZg.email

One Year Anniversary Weekend

To celebrate our one year we went and spent the weekend in Eureka Springs!
Loved the drive up...stopped and did some antique shopping, went to down town Eureka and went to all the shops, ate ice cream for lunch, went to Ermilio's for dinner and stayed at "The Crecent Hotel." We woke up Sunday and had a morning at the Spa at the hotel and then had brunch in their ballroom before our drive home! I loved our weekend away...it was the perfect 'get-away!"

One Year Ago Today....

I cannot believe it has been a year since we said "I do". Where did
that time go?? Seriously I feel like our first year of marriage flew
by in the blink of an eye! I guess time really does fly when you are
having fun!
I feel so incredibly blesed to have married such a beautiful, kind
man! Logan is my better half, that is for certain! I love him more
and more each day....and even though we fight like cats and dogs and we
have some tough days here and there....I wouldn't trade a second of
this life with him. We are not perfect...and marriage is work...anyone
that says it's not is lying! (I promise). But, one thing is for
sure.....the love I have for my husband is so strong and is
unbreakable! God has set an example of how we are to love each
other....and I strive everyday to mimic His great love (I fail
miserably) but I crave to love others like He loves us....especially
my husband! I am beyond grateful for mine and Logan's life together
and I cherish the vows I said one year ago today!
Logan thank you for loving me whole heartedly and for doing it so
well! You make everyday fun and are such an encourager in our
relationship! You definitley have your work cut out for you...but you
knew that the day you asked me to be your wife. You love me so
well.....thank you for making our first year together so wonderful!
All my heart.... all my life,
Haleigh

Heavy Heart

Tonight I cannot sleep....and I write this with a heavy heart. I have cried a lot of tears since about 5:00 today and honestly couldn't say why.  I couldn't quite pin point why I've been so on edge and emotional....and then it all became very clear.

I haven't shared this with very many people, but about a month and a half ago I received a letter in the mail from the Attorney General. It was notifying me that the man that hurt me two years ago was appealing our court case. It was of course a very scary thing to read and my heart may have stopped beating for a moment as I read the words on the page. I had a very emotional conversation with my husband and my mom that night....and may have even woken up a dear detective friend to try and make sense of what I was reading. After a day or two of grieving, I decided to not be upset about the possibilty of his appeal making any headway, that I would tuck it away and not think of it again..until I had an answer. Why worry about something that I have no control over.(Easier said than done...but I have manged to not think too much about it this month.) My family and husband have been very encouraging and my sweet dad called the Attorney General the next day and found out that we should expect the Supreme Courts answer to the appeal by the end of this month.

I haven't really paid attention to the date...but we are closing in on the end of June...and I think that explains my un-explained anxiety for the past few days...although I am just now able to put the pieces together. I'm scared....flat out scared. I feel that I know deep down in my heart ...what the result will be...and that i will look back on my fear....and realize I had nothing to be afraid of at all. But waiting is agony. I want my answer, so that this time next week, I can be celebrating once again another victory.

My prayer is simply that God will not let the courts eyes be blinded by words on paper that hold no depth or meaning. That they will see that every man and woman on that jury last April, saw what everyone else in that court room did: A man ....guilty for destroying another's sense of safety and security. A man who if not put away for life,will strike again and again and again. It is my prayer that this will all be over soon and that once again justice will prevail full force and with a vengence. I hope you will pray this with me as well. We fought a good fight, and I will fight it again if I have to...(but I really don't want to...which is what makes this so difficult)

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." -Exodus 14:14

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY.....

Today, April 27th, marks the one year anniversary of our successful victory in our Jury Trial. One year ago today, a man was put away for life (196 years to be exact) for crimes he committed towards me on May 16, 2010. I will never forget that feeling as the judge read the final decision of the jury. My heart leapt out of my chest…and honestly all I wanted to do is break down right there...because all the fear of him being released....built up over a year…could finally be over. I did not break down …(if you are familiar with court rules, you are not supposed to show emotion until the jury is excused.) I remember my mom squeezing my hand so tightly (I knew she could hardly stand it) and I remember Logan taking my hand and holding it between both of his and kissing me on the forehead. When I stood up my dad gave me the biggest hug and we didn’t say anything and then he whispered in my ear, “It’s over sweetheart. God is so good!” Truly one of the hardest weeks (emotionally) of my life, but the Lord saw us through. He was there in that courtroom and he has been with us since that day! Today I write, out of complete gratitude, not only to my Heavenly Father, but to all those who came to support us, who defended us(prosecutors), protected us (detectives, LR Police, and my victim witness coordinator) and for the men and women on the jury, who changed my life forever that day! I am so grateful for the friendships made and for the sovereignty of God. To Him be the glory!




“In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” –Romans 8:28

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”- Nehemiah 8:10

Adore Decor

It seems I am always busy planning in my head all things I hope to do to our house one day! I find decorating so incredibly fun, relaxing, and I feel that the items/style you pick for your home should be the very essence of yourself or those you live with :)

I have so many projects that will be years in the making....but I have to say things are starting to really come together!

I once read: "Decorate your home to make it a place of beauty, because beauty raises life above mere existence." I love that!

It really got me thinkinkg about my style and things that make me feel welcome.I included pictures of bits and pieces of our home to go along with a few decor tips and the things that scream "HOME" to me:

1. Paint changes everything! (I'm one to talk, have I picked up a paint brush since I've moved in our house????.....uh NOPE...but I will, and I almost have some of our colors finalized..I was fortunate that our walls are a neutral gold, so I've not been in a huge rush)...seriously though, Paint will change a whole room and if you hate the color, it's not permanent you can ALWAYS change it!

2. Monograms- So classy and traditional, but nothing makes something as personal as a monogram! I realize you can go overboard, but I think a monogram here and there is perfectly fine! We have a flag with our initial on it outside, I have had a shower curtain monogrammed in our guest bath, I have a beautiful cookie jar (it's my fav) in our kitchen with our initials and we have hung our monogram initials in our master bath! I will probably be adding a few more around the house (maybe some towels, or a pillow or something on the patio). monograms are a wonderful, southern way to say WELCOME HOME to your family!

3. Create a spot that is just for you. This is very important for both men and women. Whether it is a room or just a space. For example...I have a tray on our dresser that I keep all things that are important to me...and that I tend to use daily...purfume, rings, watch...etc! It makes that space reflect you and your personality. (Whether it is yourself, you husband, child or even dog....everyone in your home should have a space..that is unique to them.)

4. Burlap-(It's a huge trend right now)...go in any store...(Pottery Barn, Cobble Stone and Vine, Vivid Design, Ballard Design, etc.) Everyone is showcasing burlap in one way or another! My sweet mom surprised us and had a table skirt made for our family room (she bought the burlap and then the lady at Cynthia East made a great skirt with a cord trim). Bulap is also classic and to me, very french! (here's a perk...it's also quite inexpensive. ) I plan to have another table skirt made out of cream burlap for our bedroom very soon!

5. Heirlooms- I love taking something special from a parent, or grandparent and showcasing it in our home! Decor should tell a story. It may say something about your personality or your style, but to have sentimental pieces throughout...cause your guests to wonder what it means and can become quite a conversation piece. I have several heirlooms around the house (several crystal pieces from Logan's granny and my grandmother Lady, One of Lady's Broaches that I used as the center of one of my frames, and Logan has a few items from Germany from his grandmother on our bookshelves). It is special to know why we chose to place them in that spot and their signifigance. I have a crystal clock and jewelry box from my Grandmama as well...very dear to me. I have special items from my parents as well and I plan to showcase several of those ...that can be passed down to our children.

To me, what makes my house feel like our home is first of all who I share it with, the memories we have and will create there, and the overall appearance.

Decor does something for me; completing a room or finding that perfect item for a certain space gives me so much satisfaction I can hardly stand it! I want our home to be a mix of old and new, Southern and French. I want it not only to reflect our style, but our collections in unique ways. It is important to both Logan and I, that all who enter know that our family loves the Lord and can sense His presence in our home. That is not only shown through your decor choices, but also our hospitality. Hospitality is the message we give another person about their value. Logan and I try very hard to roll out the welcome mat for all of our guests...becuase it is important to us. Logan always jokes that "Haleigh is the kick off your shoes and relax kind of hostess....BUT don't forget to use a coaster...and always ask if the towels are for decor only or if you can wipe your hands on them....and never EVER...sit on top of the bed spread!) Hahaha...he likes to tease me....although he pretty much nailed it on the head. ; )

Happy Decorating!