Day after Day

Life is never predictable. We can write things down in our planners and set dates and expect this and that from to time to time - but, ultimately we are not in control. This has been my constant lesson these last few weeks since my last post. Our house closing date came and went 3 times and day after day we lived in our boxed up home waiting to move on. This past Saturday the reality of moving actually started happening as we moved everything out of 1st street. We had tons of help and within a few hours all of our earthly belongings were packed neatly in a friends basement for temporary storage. I barely had to lift a finger - we have awesome friends and church family.

The next day, Sunday, we took our last stroll through our empty 1st street house - just my husband and I. Surreal to wait so long only to find it finally happening. I, of course, being the sentimental, got choked up several times. This was the house that my babies learned to walk in and where we measured them growing up on the wall in the kitchen. Our first home was no longer ours and it almost seemed like those 4 years didn't even really happen... such a blur. Life is quick. I wrapped my arms around my husband and we praised the Lord for his Faithfulness to us as the chapter closed. The familiar would be gone now as we began our transition.

Today we close on our new house and then in the beginning of September we'll be able to move in. To say that the Lord has provided would be an UNDERSTATEMENT. The Lord has reigned seems more appropriate. Times have been tight, no doubt, but what an amazing time in our lives when we are totally dependent and waiting on the Lord. I know all of life is that way, but I have sensed it more in these days. I could tell you story after story of all the millions of little ways the Lord has shown himself to this Momma...

Like, getting a card in the mail from another Mom friend who says, "I didn't know why I had this much $ left over after grocery shopping this week. Now I do, it's for you." Or, how extended family here has taken us in and given us free reign in their home. Or the day I found $100 check in our mailbox - kind of out of nowhere. The memo line just read, "gift". And I cried and cried and poured the praise back to Father God who gives us all Good things! {James 1:17} A gal offering a bag of winter clothes for my children and friends stepping in to watch our children during all the appointments and meetings tops my list, as well. The Lord is good to His children. Every day I'm reminded.

But it hasn't just been in the material that I see Him working. In my quiet times alone in the word I have seen His love and Grace...the books of Judges and Ruth, of all places. And in the reading of this book, by Margaret Jensen - a story about her mother and how she held things together during their slim days. I was so moved, challenged, and convicted. It was a random choice for me from our church library, and I'm so glad I read it. Story after story about how "Momma" was able to stretch a soup, mend clothing to wear again, wait for God to provide, all while loving her children and honoring her husband had me in tears more then one night. I want to be like that! I want to have the unwavering faith of Mrs. Twetin {Authors mom}.

Then we have my children, 2 and 4. They have transitioned beautifully for the most part. {wink} Though my biggest girl seems to enjoy the volume of her voice more often these days. Even though they are in new temporary rooms, don't have their own toys, etc. they are doing so well. Napping like champs and going with the flow. I am so thankful for this. And because most of our life is packed away in a friends basement - it leaves ample time for me to be with them without distractions. I'm computer-less during the day so we play dress up, read books, watch cartoons, go on walks, have snacks and sometimes drive each other crazy. True story. But it's good! We are learning about all the parks in our current area and per my usual, I'm discovering all the "free" things to do until our next big move. It's a new challenge.

Yesterday was our 8th anniversary, hubby and I. Because of where we are in life there were no roses or fancy dinners or even time out alone. But it was life. He worked all day while I tended the children at home and we ended the evening with our girls at a local park. I couldn't help but count my blessings as I sat on that park bench - it's thrilling to me to see how God is working out and writing our story. I rest fully believing that the next 8 years will have just as many adventures.

Day after day we continue to wait on the Lord and to see His goodness.
So, that's where I've been and where I will be for another half a month. I so value your prayers and look forward to sharing pictures and stories from our new home, here soon.

31 day May challenge! {get yer camera's out!}

Happy May Day to you all! The sun is shining here and... it is... FREEZING! But, we won't focus on that today. Another month closer to summer and eventually we will warm up. :)

I've been so eager to really dive in and learn how to use my new camera. If you haven't read THE STORY about my camera - check it out here, first. Precious. Makes me smile all silly even while sitting here today. {grin} Ah, how good is our God?! So, yes, I've been itching to learn all the different buttons and settings and color options, etc. The list goes on with this thing! I've looked up a few helpful tips on websites, but basically have just been playing around with it. My beautiful children make great guinea pigs for this!

This is the challenge I'll be following - and I'll just jump right in with day 1.


But, can I just be reeeeeeeel honest here for a second? NOT A FAN of selfies, self ports, personal pose, whatever you want to call them. I'm not super excited about day one being a picture of myself. Boo. But, I'll take one for the team and make it fun anyway!

May 1- Self Portrait.

Ah, the frazzle, crazy hair, makeup-less face, hiding behind a mug of hot java. Yes! This is the morning routine! I went super low tech on this first picture, only using the auto setting on sepia color. Easy peasy. :)

And now, for you! I'm attempting {for the first time ever - grace please!} a link up. All you should have to do is link up your May photo challenge post at the bottom of this post here. I can't wait to see your selfies! :) Happy May day and keep those cameras ready!

'Twas the last day in April... next up, May challenge.

Today marks the end of April. Crazy, huh? I don't know about you but I felt like that month FLEW by us. We have been enjoying some wonderfully warm days here and the weather man has now announced we may even see some of that white, cold, stuff again... before the real warm settles in for summer. {boo!}

My one lone tulip opened up today. Last year I had 12 - this year - 1. It's been a cold spring! Poor little tulips. It's like my yard knows I'm eager to move away from it. :) Speaking of...

THE FOR SALE SIGN IS IN THE YARD! I came up from working out in the basement and saw it stuck out there. I just smiled. :) The Lord is good and has a plan. Now we just wait for it in anticipation.

Tomorrow I'm starting a 31 day photo challenge that I found on Pinterest. It looks like this:

I've been playing around with our new camera and I'm excited to try out some new techniques. Listen to me... talking like I know what I'm doing. :) Anywhoo... I'd love for you to join me. I'm not super techy and still learning the ropes even about blogging, but, I might attempt to add a link up thingy for those of you who want to hop on board. My disclaimer is this - I may not get to EVERY single one of the 31 pics. And that's ok with me! But I'd like to try. :) So, who's in? 

Have a wonderful Tuesday! See ya next month {wink, wink}. 

Those old Hymns

I have nine million ultra-serious thoughts on my brain today. Lessons learned and faith tests that are pressing hard, parenting skills that I seem to be gaining or struggling with by the hour, just basic life stuff that seems to weigh on a woman. 

I'd love to sit down here someday and spill them all. Put fingers to the keyboard and share just exactly what God almighty has done. But the thing about life is - the answers or the learned lesson isn't so obvious right away. That's where I am. On the PRE side of learning. I'm the on verge of so much... but it's not yet. So if I seem fluffy in my posts the next few days - it's not that I'm avoiding deep thoughts and truths, but rather, enjoying the light and happy things while LIVING the hard things in private. And I think we all do this from time to time. I can, however, tell you one thing - the body of Christ is POWERFUL. The power of prayer is ASTOUNDING. Obedience to trust and not fret... is a HARD lesson, hard obedience. But the reward is rich and sweet. 

{deep breath}

As I've mentioned, tomorrow we are due for a big ol' winter storm. {grin} I know I'm the only crazy around here who actually enjoys this news and is actually planning on it. When it falls we plan to make snow ice cream, which we've never done. We plan to build a snow family in the yard. I'm hoping to try some food coloring in spray bottles to "paint" with outside on the pretty white stuff. I have plans! The girls and I hopped down to Goodwill this morning to find some snow pants for Ava. She still doesn't have any and I just thought today - maybe we could find a super cheap pair for just this one special storm that's left. Make it a big deal! And we did :) We love our Goodwill store. 

We found a great and sturdy pair of red snow pants just for my special 4 year old and this special storm. 

This goober just means the world to me! 

Besides fun in the snow - I was hoping to get a jump start on some spring crafty type things. I'm hoping to do a whole hymn themed look for spring/Easter and of course you can find a zillion of those ideas on Pinterest. I have a more modern hymnal that can be made to look older...but, was hoping to score a genuine real old one, so I've been looking each time we go to a thrift store. Found one today. Ultra old and even falling apart. 

I'm not 100% familiar with a hymnary - but, it has readings in it and multiple other "areas" besides simple hymns. It's a beaut and smells just like an old basement library. :) It's perfect for some of these ideas I found today:

Painted words or letters for a bunting {which, I seem to do a bunting for EVERY holiday}

Hymnal paper chain...bunting. :) 

Love this. Cover a canvas {or large piece of cardboard}, paint over letters, then peel to reveal.

Cloche with small frame and hymn paper

Hymnal on display with cross

This was a Christmas idea - but thinking of "Risen" or "Alive" instead.

Something about those old hymns - special and beautiful. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday and if you are due for snow - ENJOY! 

Be my Valentine - Marriage Challenge

Happy Monday to you! As I glanced over my day planner this morning I realized what a light week we have - and, I'm excited about that. :) It should give me plenty of time to conquer those Valentine projects I've been thinking about... or, maybe just take a break and focus some extra time on my hubby and children.

For the next few weeks I'm linking up with Courtney over at Women Living Well. She has a great Valentine themed marriage challenge and I'm eager to jump on board. If you are looking for some creative ways to add some spice {or healing} to your marriage... check it out!

Week 1 challenge is to PRAISE my guy verbally. I need to look for opportunities and do it often! Here is my battle plan {because you know by nature we want to grump and complain... at least, I do}:

-Write a sweet email to him at work while the girls are napping today, detailing all the ways I'm thankful for him. Not just "Thanks for working", but creative things I've observed in him over the years that I am so grateful for.

- Write an I LOVE YOU note on his FB page. {he kinda hates FB...but, has one :) }

- Not utter one grumpy word tonight when he gets home from work. THIS IS THE HARD ONE. No matter how naughty the girls are today, or how tired I am, or how forgetful he may be about one little detail... I won't speak a grumpy word. Pray for me? Instead - I will be attentive to the details of his day {if he wants to chat about them}, praise him in front of our kids for working hard all day, and make his night special by not bossing him about. :)

So thankful for my godly, loving, husband... can't wait to take time and really THINK about this challenge.

Already enjoying this challenge! Anyone else in?

.::The funny thing about style::.

I'm happy to admit that I'm not stylish. I'm not.
When I go into stores i have no idea what I'm looking for or what goes with what. Clueless. Same with jewelry and pairing things with certain outfits...duh...what?! But I'm surrounded by stylish friends - cute outfits, fun hairdos, stylista type jewelry and accessories to boot - cute, cute, cute ladies. They usually inspire me to at least try something new. Though, to be honest, sometimes I just feel plain ol' PLAIN. My solid shirts {that I have one of each color}, jeans and black skirts leave something to be desired. I know ultimately that this does not matter in light of eternity. Let me state that again. This is NOT important or counted into my eternity with Christ. Many times I justify my plainness {to myself} by saying I'm plain so I don't use my $$ on clothing, etc. But then I end up using my "extra" money on Starbucks healthy smoothies or some kind of edible something er other. Which, in turn, helps no one, including my waistline.

But, sometimes I think it would be fun to have some style. I'd love to come downstairs some morning and have my husband be wowed by a cute outfit, or, to notice some stylish earrings during a church service. And, let me be clear that my husband is AWESOME at encouraging me and building me up with compliments. :) So don't think he never does. He does. This week I came across a blog called, "Biblical Homemaking". The gals name is Mandy, another reason I already like her. {grin} But, she for real has some cute cute posts! She does a "series" called, "What I wore this week" and posts what her outfits were each week. She incorporates where she finds her stylish pieces and gives great ideas on what looks great together. Check out her site here. I love her use of two of my favorite stores - Salvation Army and Goodwill. However, I believe her Texan stores must have a ton more variety then my little ol' store up the street. She's also a big Ebay buyer, yard sale shopper, and basically deal finder. I loved her post this week and I loved her outfits! I love her "put togethers". I never would think to wear a sheer shirt like this - with a belt. And yet, looks fantastic, eh?

 

So, yea... really excited to continue following her and maybe trying some of her ideas. Also really excited to save my pennies and branch out a bit and pick up something new next time I'm at one of "my" stores. :) 

Today I already tried something - a safe something - the accent nail. You know...the one nail on each hand that is painted a different color then the rest. I know, daring! So far hubs has not noticed. :) But, I feel cute and motivated to dress this God-given bod and glorify Him even by what I wear! And, for the record, this is not my hand or nails... i wouldn't know how to wear those bracelets. :) hehehhe.

 

What about you? Trying anything new to bless your husband by how you look? What are your secrets to scoring sweet deals and cute looks for less? 

Oh, Pinterest

Last night we had dinner with some new friends. I always love being invited over for meals - not only is there is good food, good conversation, and a chance to get to know new people... but also, I always get to see how other women decorate their home. It's motivating to me. I am NOT a good decorator or even a great homemaker. So, seeing new ideas is helpful. Pinterest is also good for this. I love pinning lots of new ideas to make or try and find. And although I have not "done" many of my pins, I like the challenge and I least know what to look for now.

Here are some of my faves from Pinterest that I hope to try in the future:

Magnetic "prayer" board. However, I think this could be a cloth and corkboard too.

Oh, come on.... how easy and CUTE!

Yup, very cool. Would go great with my 1914 home!

For the girls rooms... a little paint chip art :)

More cuteness for my ladies.

So, yea... I can dream :)

And, maybe make a trip to Michaels!
Oh, Pinterest, I will never have to think again. :)