Lisa Leonard Designs

Celebrating Steve {St. Louis}

May 21st | adventures, family

We had a wonderful time in St. Louis. I’m thankful all of us {even my mother in law} were able to travel back and be part of this special day. It will be a historical day in our family. Steve worked hard to accomplish this goal–and it needed to be celebrated!

We got to see some old friends.

Matthias made a new friend. It made his trip so fun!

There was lots of ceremonies and lunches and services and waiting. The boys were troopers! This pic cracked me up!

Steve’s professor was a hit with our boys. We got to have lunch with their family and it was a highlight of the trip.

Two stylish boys with bowties. Love!

We made a custom keychain for Steve. We’ve been teasing the boys that they’re going to have to start calling Steve ‘Dr. Daddy’

We explored downtown–the arch was beautiful!

We saw the courthouse where the historical Dred Scott case was held.

We had the BEST frozen custard. How good can it be, I thought? Pretty darn AMAZING! Yum!

The City museum was awesome. We loved it!

Steve, I am so incredibly proud of you. Thank you for working hard and showing our boys what it means to keep learning and to be a good father and husband. I love you!

xoxo, lisa

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hello monday {back from St. Louis}

May 20th | adventures, family, hello monday

Whoa, Monday–how did you get here so quickly? We landed at 10pm last night and we’re not ready for you yet! Just a little more sleep?

Steve graduated with his doctorate on Friday evening. He’s now a doctor of ministry. So if you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. If you have a biblical emergency, he might be your guy!

How about some hellos?

Hello tired. Hello grumpy. Oh you want some happy hellos? Okay, I’ll try. Let’s see…

Hello sunshine.

Hello morning coffee {so glad to see you!}

Hello cherishing sweet time spent with my boys. I’m so thankful.

Hello photos to edit.

Hello laundry to be washed.

Hello friends to see. Yay!

Hello new week. Hello fresh start.


xoxo, lisa

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DIY: mini poms

May 17th | DIY, inspiration

Ready for some inspiration?

 And wouldn’t a pom garland be fun? Are you ready to make some poms?!

xoxo, lisa

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one wish

May 16th | finding beauty, finding love

When David was a couple of years old, my sister asked me, “If you had one wish, what would it be?” My first thought was, David wouldn’t have a disability. But then I tried to imagine David without his disability. He wouldn’t look the same or act the same. He wouldn’t be small or spunky in the same way. He wouldn’t have his sweet little button nose or his huge carefree grin. If I woke up one morning and David didn’t have a disability I wouldn’t recognize him. And he wouldn’t be my David, my sweet boy, whom I love with all that I am.

In that moment I sat there completely baffled. Of course David’s disability brings many challenges, but when I realized I wouldn’t change it because I love David–just the way he is, it made me feel hopeful.It made me want to stop wishing things were different and embrace the way they are. Life is full of imperfections, isn’t it? But there is beauty to be found. Even in the darkness and the muck there are little rays of light. I want to focus on the beauty and not waste time wishing away the hard stuff.

So if I had one wish, what would I wish for? I think I’d wish for contentment. That’s where my heart finds peace.

xoxo, lisa

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mixing patterns with a vintage dress

May 15th | thrifting, what I'm wearing

I’m linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration!

I discovered this little gem of a dress tucked away in a thrift store in Newton, Kansas. I think it may have been waiting just for me. The $2 price tag meant she had to be mine. 

I think happy girls are the prettiest, don’t you?


Photobomb by David! Nicely done.

Outfit details: Dress, thrifted, $2. Leopard print heels, Target. {I’m on my second pair–my first pair wore out! That’s how much I love them.} Belt, ever+mi crush. Gold connected hearts bracelet, my shop. Happy girls bag, Moxie Clothing. {swag from craft weekend}

This dress makes me want to sip tea in the sunshine while having a long chat over lunch with a dear friend. Doesn’t that sound perfect right now?

xoxo, lisa

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craft weekend {part two}

May 14th | adventures, inspiration

I’ve got more pics to share from Meg’s craft weekend. Are you on the waiting list? It such a magical weekend!

Waking up in the craft house means it’s definitely going to be a happy day!

Map wall–love.

If you anything about Meg, you know she has a knack for COLOR.

Chrissie and I stopped on a long, quiet road and snapped a few pics. She is part of me, my twin sis–and a weekend away with her is a the best gift ever. I’m so thankful we both have husbands who pick up the slack and let us get away.

After craft weekend, Chrissie and I headed to Kerry’s dairy farm for some cousin time. We got a full tour of the farm. So fun!

I don’t like to play favorites, but a cow with a heart shaped mark on his head? Yeah, I totally fell for this one!

They have a loft above the barn where they host dances and weddings. Tons of white lights make it absolutely magical!

I got a tractor ride. Oh yes I did!

 An awesome treehouse! And Kerry’s husband Dan made the most AMAZING mexican dinner I have ever eaten. Pretty much perfection.

We thrifted our way to the airport on our last day there and I found two more adorable outfits–I can’t wait to share. And we stumbled on a diner with rocking strawberry cake. {Not that I’m eating sugar. Ahem!}

Tomorrow we fly to St. Louis for Steve’s graduation ceremony and I’ve been terribly sick with a stomach bug. After 5 days my doctor put me on antibiotics. I’ve got two days to get better. Send up a prayer for me?

xoxo, lisa

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easiest outfit ever {hello monday}

May 13th | hello monday, what I'm wearing

A worn in denim top, flowy skirt, comfortable sandals and pink lip gloss makes for maybe the easiest outfit ever. And the perfect thing for a morning where I don’t have much brain power!

Are you ready for a brand new week? I’m not sure if I am–but ready or not, it’s here. How about some hellos?

{outfit details: Skirt and belt, ever+mi crush. Denim top {similar} Target. Sandals, thrifted. Peach bangle, thrifted. Saffron bracelet, my shop. Gold tiny cross necklace, my shop.}

Hello feeling loved. Don’t you think Mother’s Day is a great thing? Moms should be celebrated. Steve and I both have amazing mothers.

Hello getting ready to head to St. Louis because Steve has earned his doctorate–and we’re heading back for the ceremony. So proud of you, babe!

Hello laundry. and more laundry.

Hello eating healthy. We’re going on week three of avoiding sugar and carbs. I have more energy and I love that!

Hello sniffly David. boo!

Hello haircuts. I need one and so does David. Matthias got one last week and looks spiffy.

Hello sunshine. Love.

Hello more coffee. Just a little bit more and I’ll be ready to go.

Hello thankful for a brand new week!


xoxo, lisa

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Becoming a mother

May 12th | finding love

He came out quietly. There were whispers from the doctors. There was a terrifying tension that filled the room.

After the doctors did a quick evaluation, Steve, my husband brought David over to me and laid this tiny, swaddled baby on my chest. He was adorable. He had a full head of hair, blue eyes and a button nose.

He also had only two fingers on his left hand, a severe heart defect and we would soon find out, a genetic disorder that would make life look very different for our new baby.

I’m sharing over at {in}courage today! Hop over to read the rest of the post.

xoxo, lisa

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happy mother’s day!

May 11th | events, family

xoxo, lisa

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DIY: Painted Rocks

May 10th | DIY, inspiration

Are you ready for another DIY? Oh this one is so sweet–and very simple! We picked up some dark, smooth stones and gold paint at Michael’s to create the personal, handmade favors for a wedding or party.

This copper paint is oil based–so a little goes a long way. It goes on super smooth and it dries beautifully. I also picked up a bottle of gold paint.

A fine paintbrush makes getting detailed designs easy. The freeform flowers might be my favorite. Or the chevrons. And wouldn’t a cursive initial be fun–one at each place setting?

Grouped together they make a stunning, artistic display.

Place one at each table setting and let the guests take them home. They make a perfect paperweight or place on top of napkins at an outdoor dinner to keep the breeze at bay.

The gold adds a bit of ‘fancy’ don’t you think?

 Have you painted anything lately? I can’t believe what a little paint can do–I’m pretty sure paint can change the world ;)

xoxo, lisa

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