“Just be kind.”
– Billboard on I-85 outside Montgomery, AL
Sometimes we have a way with words, and sometimes words have a way with us. I smile at that billboard every time we take the service road home from Montgomery. 🙂
How about you? Read any neat signs lately? Or maybe books? I’m a few chapters deep in a few different titles and I just finished listening to . Y’all it was so good! Erin and Ben (who live in Laurel, MS) are precious, and listening to a little bit each morning was so fun because their accents are as charming and rich as their stories. It’s a memoir about seeking out the good in life, celebrating the gift of friends and family, and prospering within our communities because everything we need to be happy in life is usually right within our grasp.
My cousin is tying the knot near the Lousiana/Texas border in June and we’ll practically pass right by Laurel on our way there. I’ve made up my mind that we absolutely must stop for an overnight visit. Have you ever been? Erin says it’s “easy quiet”. Sounds like a must-sleep to me!
(Central Creativity in Laurel, MS)
And ya know, I’ve been here 16 years this October, but there is still so much South I’d like to explore. Especially if people are going to keep surprising us with signs like that along the way. 😉
Well, y’all. I hate to write and run, but my baby ran full-speed and head-first into a pole at school yesterday and he’s got a gigantic knot that needs icing. He’s going to be fine, but boy did we have a stressful afternoon yesterday. The doctor said it will take at least three weeks for the swelling to go down, but we’re just so relieved his skull wasn’t fractured. And that reminds me, I share that news because this feels like that kind of space, and I’ve been meaning thank you for taking the time to visit me here. I’ve been publishing posts for nearly 11 years, and whether we’ve chatted through comments or you’ve just quietly read before you moved along with your day, I hope you feel welcome and I’m so grateful to get to connect with you in this way!
Layla
I really enjoy your writing. I’m glad you are publishing such great content about things from decor to faith and everything in between. Thanks for pointing us to Jesus in all that you do. Thanks for being vulnerable. I’m off social media for lent because it was taking too much of my attention and yours is the voice I miss. Just wanted to throw a little encouragement your way on this Friday.
Thank you, Lisa! What a nice comment you left for me to wake up and find! 😀
Morning Layla
I live on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW Australia. Your blog was my first introduction to blogs way back when it was a bit more about room makeovers in the house before this one. I loved your style and the sunny feel of your writing and valued the directions you have taken in your life, your love of your family and faith in God. I have followed you ever since and now yours is the one that still arrives in my email.
So thank you Layla😊
Thank you for stopping by for so many years now, Narelle! What an encouraging gift to know you still enjoy your time here. Life and priorities have changed quite a bit over the past decade, but this will always be my “happy place” and I look forward to connecting with kindred spirits (like you!) for a long time to come! 😀
Love this! That billboard should be along every road ❤️❤️
Sending a virtual hug. I’ve been quietly reading since before you announced your intent to adopt. How long is that??? Forever on the internet, right?
This is the first comment I’ve made but have followed you for years. You are the Lady that I aspire to be, even though I’ve got a few years on you.
You can never stop reaching for the best you can be and you make me want to do that. I feel we have alot of the same values and taste in so many different things. I hope your sweet baby feels better soon, I’ve been through so many school yard mishaps in my 3 children’s younger years, now it’s on to Grand-babies and I already have 5 and another little baby girl due in 8 or so weeks. They are all simply perfect to me. It’s so odd that you can love something so much that isn’t yours specifically, but they are in heart. Grandchildren….just wait! It’s amazing and will be here for you know it.
I live on the TN/AL state line practically, so we are distant neighbors. I work in Huntsville,AL, live in TN. LOVE your blog.
Thank you, Leah! I love it when y’all “talk” back with me here and reading about your life makes it feel even more like we’re friends. Hope you have a beautiful day up there near Tennessee…sometimes Kevin and I wonder if maybe we’ll live near Franklin one day. ?
Love Franklin and Brentwood!! Our dream is to live near Gatlinburg one day! Love those Great Smoky Mountains so much, we usually go in May and October just to get away from work for a week.
Tennessee and I would love to have you 🙂
We’ll keep you posted! 😉
I’ve been following for close to a decade and I’ve never commented. Just wanted to say hello and let you know that your light shines bright. 😉
Hello! 😀 Thank you for your kind message…you made me smile today!
A billboard near me says,
“That love thy neighbor thing”
I meant that.
God”
I love it.
Oh, Jan! That is BEAUTIFUL! If you ever happen to snap a picture, I’d love to see it! ([email protected]) 😉
Love … love your blog… always have !! I first “discovered” The Lettered Cottage,, thru Rhoda at Southern Hospitality… years ago !! So glad I did ….. I have gotten so many wonderful ideas and I just enjoy your posts so much !!! AND… I was wondering about the new book from the hosts of Hometown… I need to get it !!! Love that show.. and Erin & Ben… what talent !!! 🙂
We tried to stop in Laurel on our way through MS a couple of years ago, but most things are closed on Sunday – which I SO appreciate and commend, but that meant it just didn’t work on our trip. Hope you get to go!!
Ooh! Good to know! Thanks for the heads up, Beth!
The word “kind” has always been extra special to me and because my name doesn’t have any official meaning, I’ve always claimed it as it’s definition. I grew up always having my dad tell me how much I remind him of his mom (whom I only ever met as a baby) and how kind and sweet she was. Writing poetry and looking at life through rose coloured glasses. Even though her life was anything but simple and easy. (She lived in poverty in Toronto with 14 children , 2 of which sadly passed away in a house fire. My parents also decided to specifically spell my name with an “I” so that it would spell “kind” instead of “Ken-drel”. Anyways, love to you my kind and lover of words and stories, friend!
Kindrel
I don’t even remember how I first found you or how long ago!! But you make me smile, laugh, and cry. Thank you for sharing your daily life with the world. God bless Stephenson as his head heals. I have 2 boys that are 39 & 36. So between them we have 9 grands. Our youngest son was about your sons age when we took a vaca to The Alamo and stayed across the street at The Menger Hotel. Boys will be boys and they were racing down the BIG wide hallway to our room when the youngest looked back to see if he was winning the race and slammed his forehead right into this big round heating pipe!! His head grew the biggest knot I’ve ever seen. We didn’t see a dr but kept a close eye on him all week. Later after coming home we took a trip to the local park to play. He slid down the slide after his brother and hit his head against his brothers head! His knot was even bigger! This time we did see the dr. He actually chuckled because he said his momma told him he was gonna grow horns if he didn’t quit hitting his head!! In other words he said our dead’s are so tough. But it still freaked me out as a mother. Long story but I feel your pain and stresss about it! God bless him and I know he’ll recover nicely! Especially with you and Kevin nurturing and praying over him!
Btw we drive right by your hometown on our way to Rosemary Beach yearly! Love the area!!
Whew! I think I needed to read that our heads are harder than we think. I was SO worried about the size of his knot yesterday. I can’t believe your baby had TWO!!
Wave next time y’all drive by on your way to the beach…we hope to see the sea again soon too!
Oh my I will be waving big bc this year in Oct we’ll be driving down as opposed to flying as we have done the last couple years. Our whole family of 14 are ALL GOING !! Come join us!!
That story was so long!! And I didn’t proof it!! Ha! Dead instead of Head! You knew what I meant!! Have a blessed FriYay!!
I look forward to “catching up” with you each day. I feel like you’re a friend. ❤️
Well, that felt just a like a hug, so thank you for that, my friend! 😀
I first came to know you on Instagram. I love your stories- they’re real, and sometimes just crazy fun! I love that you share your heart there and here.
How fun! Thanks for taking the time to come visit over here too! 😀
You are a gift, Layla. Thank you for sharing your life with us. I have to admit that I joined Facebook years ago, specifically to keep up with my dear cousins and their growing families. We are all scattered around the U.S. now so Facebook is s good way to share milestones and sweet stories. Well…I guess I feel the same way about your blog and your sweet family….like you and Kevin are my cousins and keeping up with dear Steeevenson via your posts keeps you close. Hope that sounds loving and not creepy. Argh! Praying for you always.
Poor baby! I will say a prayer for him. Sounds so painful! Love this reminder. I feel like I say those two words to my children constantly.
Thank you, friend! Your prayer is so appreciated! XO
Hello Layla, I share your heart for adoption as well. We have adopted two little girls. I just wanted to share with you this link. You may know of it already. Listen to the song on there by John Waller ~ it will move your heart to tears. Teresa
https://www.p143.org/
Hi, Teresa! One of my best friends (Traci from the Beneath my Heart blog) adopted her daughter through them! 😀
You share kindness with every one of your posts, thank you.
Great billboard! Great message! Great blog and blogger!! Thanks for making the world a better place and offering a space for folks to go to remember that.
Sorry sweet Stevenson. Get well soon.
“Be ye kind, tender hearted ….”
Wow! It is so hard when our kiddo’s get hurt! What a rough thing for all of you! So glad that you can sit with him. Prayers that he will heal quickly.
I started following you nine-ish years ago during a rough season in my life. You were one of the first blogs I discovered and you were a bright spot for me during that time. I have always enjoyed your cheer, humor, and your style, I have especially been blessed by your growth in faith and the way you share it here.
Even though we’ve never met, it feels like we are friends.
Homeopathic Arnica Montana 30c or 200c strength will bring that swelling down super quick! You can get it from amazon, Whole Foods or even Walgreens or cvs. Totally safe for him. Good luck if you decide to try it. 🙂 Just Let two pellets dissolve in your mouth three times a day for one day. 🙂
I’m so thankful to hear that your little guy is going to be okay! I was watching your stories and jumped right over to see what had happened! Scary stuff! God is good. Hope y’all can get some good rest tonight.
Thank you, Sarah! We are so relieved he is in full Steevenson mode today! 😀
I’ve loved your blog for years but I don’t think I’ve ever commented! I don’t think I’ve missed a single post since I discovered you-I think via The Pioneer Woman. I love that you share real life. And great design. And your faith. And your struggles. And your successes. All of it. Many times when I am having a hard day I read your blog and you have just the right quote or scripture to help-it’s a God thing! I’m so thankful for the time you take to post for all of us silent readers. Thanks to you also for my new favorite song: Out of the Water!
Oh, how fun to meet you here today, Cindy! 😀
And I smiled so big when you mentioned Out of the Water! I’ll have to share that with our neighbor today!