quote of the week.

quote of the week.

--Mary O'Connor

25 things, 4 years later.

Recently I read on Momastery's blog where she took the little 25 random things that was making it's way across the interwebs several years ago, and she updated hers and remarked on what had changed and what had stayed the same. I thought, "Hey, I did one of those, I wonder how different my answers would be today?"

So, here it is:

My 25: 

First answers, in black: 2009
Second answers, in blue: 2013

1. I don't eat breakfast. And on the rare occasions I do, it's always eggs benedict. 
       Not so much anymore. I eat breakfast every day, part of my being healthier and losing 70 pounds so far. However--I still adore Eggs Benedict.

2. I read over 60 books a year. This is not a brag...it's a compulsion, and I probably need help. 
     After a 3 year job with the youth in my church, and then beginning to work outside of the home, I am nowhere near that total these days.

3. My mom has been dead for over 20 years, and still sometimes on her birthday I have to remind myself that I don't need to get her a card. 
      I think I have finally gotten to the point that I don't think of her on her birthday anymore. That thought sure makes me sad.

4. I despise the term "hot" when it refers to a person's attractiveness. I still find myself saying it. 
      Yep. 

5. When I am shopping for groceries, I hyper focus. People I know have had to come up to me and grab my arm to get my attention, because I didn't hear them calling my name. 
      Still so absolutely true.

6. I miss my inlaws. I wish they lived here. 
     Also still true. 

7. Nearly every morning, I wake up at 3 am. About half the time, I don't fall back asleep. 
     Thank goodness, not so much these days. I still get the insomnia from time to time, but not as regularly.

8. I would rather have a cook than a maid. 
     Amen, 2009 self, A-to-the-men.

9. I never feel like part of the group. 
     Still kind of there. 

10. I don't understand women that insult and criticize their husbands to their friends. It's like a sport with nothing but losers. Yuck. 
     This will always be true. Even after I am dead, this will still be true.

11. I have been known to cry when I clean. My best guess is that it's cathartic. 
      Well, I don't clean much anymore, so I don't cry much anymore while doing it. Win/win, am I right??

12. During my formative years, I lived across the street from a cemetary. 
      That has clearly changed. I now lived across the street from an ice cream factory. Bu dum bump.

13. I could eat pasta every single day. 
       I still COULD eat pasta every day...the difference now is that I CHOOSE NOT TO.

14. I love that when I randomly quote something from a movie or TV, my husband totally gets it. 
       A fantastic quality in a man, indeed.

15. I like suburban life. It may be a bit trite and expected and boring, but I still like it. 
       Strike that. Love it. Love.

16. I am not a hugger. 
        Shockingly (NOT) still true.

17. For most of my life, I talked incessantly. Now I really only do that with a few people. 
        This remains a side of me that I have learned to live with. As have those few people, apparently.

18. My garage is currently so full of stuff that needs to be taken somewhere else, only one car can park in there. It drives. me. INSANE. 
        We can park in there! And it didn't take 4 years! Well, not the whole 4 years. I kill myself!

19. I romanticize the WWII era, and always think I would have fit in there. 
        Still so very much true.

20. If I can possibly avoid it, I don't drive in the snow. 
        It still bothers me, but apart from moving, what's a woman to do?

21. I am doing a project right now where I take a photo a day for a year. I am putting them in a photo album with journaling and other things. I am loving the results. 
       Yeah. I think that made it for about half of the year and then I gave up. I am grateful for the ones I did take.

22. My husband has to mop the floors, because I won't do it. 
        Um. I have a man that does floors. Duh. Like I am ever going to do them with that kind of awesome walking around.

23. There are some books that I read over and over again. It's like visiting an old friend. 
        Forever this. I just read Tuck Everlasting and I was 12 all over again.

24. I haven't shopped for clothes for myself in over a year. 
       Not true anymore. After losing so much weight, I had to pretty much get rid of everything and then slowly replenish.

25. Cruises scare me, and I don't think I will ever go on one. 
       Will. Not. Ever. People just "disappear" off of those...I will not be one of them. Take that, Cruises!

quote of the week...

--Emma Thompson

dresser re-do...

This is one of my most favorite projects ever. Mostly because it went a bit differently than other projects I usually do, and I am spectacularly thrilled with the results. 

 I found this dresser at Goodwill, and paid more than has ever been paid for any item that has ever been at any Goodwill in the Entire Universe since the Dawn Of Time or Maybe Even Longer. Ahem. It felt that way. With our military discount (yes, Goodwill has a military discount!) it was $64.00. Again, for a cheapo like me, pretty extravagant for a "thrift store" piece. but it was in terrific shape and all of the drawers and hardware were there and functioning. I wanted a re-do, not a re-build, so this was pretty close to perfect.

 I pulled all of the drawers out to begin sanding and painting, and realized as I did that the fronts were in SUCH good shape it would be a pity to paint them. I had admired two-toned pieces for a while on Pinterest, and I have done two-toned on the tables in our office, and as soon as I thought about it, I realized that was how she should be finished. So all I did for those was take off the handles and waxed the wood really well. I sanded and painted the body of the dresser, with a leftover semi-gloss paint that was used in the office. Then I decided to do something that is completely and totally out of character for me...I decided to be patient. I actually let this sit for several days and thought about it. 
Awkward. 

Not my normal "Igotthisandnowitmustbedoneandinmyhousebeforethestrokeofmidnight" 
way of being. Then after waiting a day or so, I remembered the wonderful wrapping papers I had (both from Home Goods) and decided to Mod Podge them into the drawers. Love. And yes, Judgey McCriticals, I used 2 different kinds of paper for the same piece, because I couldn't make up my mind and they were both lovely. 

Then, in the waiting process, I started thinking about how the handles really didn't "do" anything for the dresser. In fact, you barely even notice them in the above picture. They certainly didn't stand out. That is when I found The Reposture Blog ofAwesomeness, where she has posted a terrific re-do of a piece that was so much like what I wanted, and she had used Rub 'n Buff on her handles. And I saw that they were A Thing Of Beauty, and I wept. And ran to Hobby Lobby for some of that stuff and a brush. She gives a great tutorial on her post, so I won't go into detail, but I can tell you it was super SUPER easy, and you really only need the teeny, tiniest bit of the stuff...I think I used a pea sized amount for all 13 handles. What I love the most is that it is a natural, already worn type of finish (although you could certainly add more and have it be not-so-worn) rather than what I would have gotten with a spray paint or any other medium I could think of. 

Now the handles look like pretty jewelry, and who doesn't like jewelry?

Here she is all dressed up, filled up, and in her new home. I still have to decide if I want to put in more by way of decoration, and I have to make a cord cover sleeve, because if I don't, the sight of those cords will eventually drive me stark, raving mad. 

But, I am so pleased with the way she turned out.

Dresser: $64.00

Paint: free

Sand paper and caulk: free

Rub 'n Buff: $4.99

Brush: $2

Furniture wax: free

total for project:  $70.99

Every girl needs to spend some time with a horse...

...or at least every girl I have ever known.
Here are some of my favorites from a riding lesson I got to watch today.
It was delightful!

because even on a farm, it's all about the fashion, am I right?

spunk. the word you are thinking of is spunk. she's got it.

oh. the. cuteness.

these girls...and the best part is, their outer beauty isn't even the best part about them.

thrifting finds..

Thrifting was good to me the past few weekends. I found these really amazing canvas-like paintings, above. They were in pretty much perfect condition with the exception of some slight flaws at the top of one of the frames. When I saw these, I thought, "Man! These are way nice for a garage sale." Then, of course, because I am a sucker for things to hang on walls AND The Hubby and I's room has sort of taken on a castle theme (completely unintentional, but there it is), I asked the gal how much. 

She said, "Oh, gosh...I don't know? Like, a dollar each?" 

To which I replied, "ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME???" in my head, and "Oh, well...I can handle that, I guess..." out loud. Ahem. I then proceeded to pay her the $2 and then run like the wind in case she changed her mind.

I also got a gorgeous old black typewriter for $15 that will find it's place on top of this pretty little girl....

I. KNOW.

This one wasn't a huge "find" as far as price, but she is in terrific shape and is exactly what I have been looking for to put in our family room. I have been slaving over her this weekend, and now she is just hanging out in the garage until her paint job cures and I can bring her in and dress her up. I lined her drawers, here is a sneak peek of her awesomeness:

I will post more pictures of her when she finally takes her place in our home, and looks all settled in and lovely. 

Quote of the week...

"So much has been given to me, I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied."

--Helen Keller



How completely stunning is that quote, honestly.

hello there, summer.

small and simple reminders...

This small and simple reminder is the lyrics to one of my most favorite songs, called "When You Come Home" by Mark Schultz. To me, it expresses how I feel about my children...and how I hope they feel about mom and dad and the place that we have created for us and for them.

I found a free chalkboard background on Pinterest, you could try this one: free chalkboard backgrounds

Then I saved it on my computer, then cropped it as a 11x14 photo on Pic Monkey Photo Editing Website of Awesomeness, to which I added the text and some flourishes. I just played around with the different fonts and layout until I liked what I saw. Then I sent it over to Costco, had it printed crazy fast, and then rushed home and hung that bad boy right up. I am not going to lie, I get all warm and motherly when I let myself look at it and really think.

Here is the song, if you haven't heard it.

Quote of the week...

Quote of the week...

Stair remodel and doggy gate.

Well, my reputation for not having good "before" photos remains intact. But please do note the lovely, soiled, worn down carpet. Is adorable, yes? The hubby says this picture isn't fair, because I took it after him sanding the stairs down for several hours a day. For several days. The stairs were covered in wall texture for eternity, which he sanded off and then used wood fill to cover the holes from "millions" of carpet tacks. The trauma from this step of the process has scarred him emotionally. Painted out in 5 coats of super duper high gloss white. All painted out with the gray that I agonized over. At one point I thought, "Wow. I have the luxury of stressing for days over a paint color." I went with Seal by Martha Stewart, because it had a brown cast to it, and I wanted something that would not seem too much of a departure from the oak floors. You can see that we added quarter round on the edges and sides of each stair tread. It honestly made a huge difference. It looks much more "finished" with this step. This is the dog gate that I talked The Hubby into making part way through the stair project. It is simply a smaller version of the screen pantry door he built a few years ago, and I absolutely adore it. If we want to make it a kid gate, all it would take is to have a hook and eye attached to it. Of course, we had to paint out the screen door to match. Don't they make a lovely pair? Here's a close up of the back of the gate. We attached the trim around the open screen part with Command Strips, so that when (and I do say 'when' and not 'if') one of our precious offspring breaks a hole in the screen, it is easy to un-velcro the strips and replace it. Another project complete. I wouldn't go back to carpeted stairs if you paid me. It isn't much louder to live with (yes, clomping boots up the stairs is somewhat louder, but not horridly so) and we do have to sweep the stairs every day, but it is totally worth it. Next project? The kitchen.

Quote of the week....

“Reading is everything. Reading makes me feel like I've accomplished something, learned something, become a better person. Reading makes me smarter. Reading gives me something to talk about later on. Reading is the unbelievably healthy way my attention deficit disorder medicates itself. Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it's a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it's a way of making contact with someone else's imagination after a day that's all too real. Reading is grist. Reading is bliss.”
 

--Nora Ephron,  I Feel Bad About My Neck

Quote of the week...

Continuing on the marriage topic with this little gem...

What we know after 25 years...

So...25 years ago today, on a rainy Colorado afternoon, two very young and hopeful people got married.

Today, the same two people, a little older (but still hopeful!) went out to lunch and decided to write down what we think we have figured out...so far...about this marriage thing.

[Disclaimer: we do not do everything on this list 100% of the time. Some of this we are just now realizing after all these years! Lots of figuring out what works and what doesn't. ALSO: we recognize that some of this applies to OUR marriage. We don't know if it applies to YOUR marriage. Maybe your marriage could benefit from considering some of what we have to share. Maybe not. Every marriage is as unique as the two people in it, and only the two people in it can decide what their marriage will be and how to create that.]

1. Only one person can be crazy at a time.

We cannot stress this enough. You get to take turns, but somebody has to choose sanity when somebody else hops on the crazy train. When we talked about this idea, The Hubby said: "And it is awesome how that seems to work out all the time for us." He's right. It is almost like a switch kicks on and we are able to know when it's time for us to be the voice of reason, or when it's our turn to lose it, knowing that our partner will hold it together.

2) Laugh at life together.

There's a line in an old movie (Mr. Mom) where Michael Keaton says, "Never lose your sense of humor! It's critical!" There are times when you need to laugh your way through something...and times like that come along a LOT in 25 years. There have been times when I have been at my darkest, and Edward will make me laugh and then I know that no matter what, it is going to be okay. There is such comfort in going through a tough time and knowing he can still make me smile. I know I have returned the favor to him over the years, and it bonds you together as a couple.

3) Two heads are better than one.

In almost every way, things end up better when we make a plan together, rather than alone. I think all of our home improvement projects around the house are a testament to this. I have an idea, and as I bring that idea to my husband, he offers insight and suggestions and "what if we..." and the finished product is far better than if I had just done it the way that I thought it should be done. I do the same for him when he has dreams and plans about career or education or whatever. Having a trusted friend to run things by is one of the sweetest gifts of marriage, and we are stronger together than we could ever be alone.

4) You can't forget about each other.

The Hubby put it this way, and I love it. What he meant was: you can't ever stop seeing each other, loving each other, watching out for each other and being each other's friend. Life can and will get in the way if you let it. You have to remember that this is the single most important relationship you will ever be in, outside of your relationship with God, and you cannot neglect it. Even if you feel like you are neglecting it for good things.

5) Never line up your troubles.

In 25 years we have had our share of challenges. We have had broken hearts and worn out spirits from time to time. One thing we have figured out is that it is never a good idea to "line up your troubles." One day, many years ago, Ed came home and just looked like he had battled the day and the day had kicked his butt. I asked him what was going on, and he started to list off all the things that were causing us pain at that particular time. I immediately started laughing (again with the humor) and said, "Well, there's your problem! You never, ever line up your troubles like that...that is WAY too overwhelming! Sometimes you just have to put your head down and get through it without thinking too much."

6) Go ahead and go to bed angry.

Sometimes you are tired and stuck in the fight and you just need to find neutral corners and come back later. We are not saying run away, we are not saying ignore it and never come back to talk...what we are saying is that if you never go to bed angry, then here is what you have: two angry people, up late, exhausted, trying to work out emotional things. That's just not smart. Call a truce. It will all look different in the morning.

7) Play to your strengths.

When we got married in the temple (about 3 years after we were married civilly) we got great advice from the sealer. He told us to figure out what each of us is good at, and then let the strong person take the lead in those things, and also teach the other one as they go. There are things I am better at, and the same is true for my husband. It is just plain silly to have me take the lead in something when I am not good at it, just so I can prove something or feel in charge. That doesn't serve our best interests as a couple.

8) Learn with each other about how to parent your children.

This goes along with playing to your strengths. We have 7 children, and while they are similar in some ways, they are also quite different and they need to be parented with that in mind. Some of our children we understand better than others. It is a huge asset when you can listen to your partner when they just have a better "feel" for one of your children, and how to best help them. No one parent has all the answers on how to best parent every child.

9) To men, from the hubby: Trust your wife's instincts.

Learn to listen to the feelings, thoughts, and ideas that your wife has and trust her when she says she "just knows" something.

10) To women, from the wife (me): Get over yourself and how you feel about your body.

If you are lucky enough to have a husband who wants to get close to you physically...don't push him away because you are tired or you feel annoyed. It is a gift to have a man that knows you very, very well and is still somehow attracted to you. It not only can bring the two of you together, it can teach you something about accepting yourself.

11) You don't have to agree on everything.

As long as the big, life changing things are on the same page. And please note: most things are NOT big and life changing, they are just preference and personality.

12) Help each other succeed.

 We can go a long way to creating the marriage we want if we give each other chances to succeed at it. Just coming right out and asking for what you want is a good strategy, rather than falling into the "if you loved me then you'd know" trap. If I don't tell my husband what I want, I am setting him up to fail. Same goes for him. It has been my experience that if you are married to a decent person, and you tell them that you want something, and the "something" you want is reasonable, then they will do it. Problem solved.

13) Remember that you are the center of your children's universe for a very short time.

Always try to make your marriage a priority. This is SO hard for moms of little ones, but it is really important. Have date nights. Or afternoons. Or date "hour after the kids finally go to sleep and before we drop dead." Your marriage started before the children came, and if you are lucky, it will last for much much longer than after the children leave. Nurture it.

14) Plans change, and that's okay.

One of the things that happens in life is that sometimes, things don't work out the way we planned. Or hoped. Or dreamed. It really is okay, as long as you remember that a different plan or a different hope or a different dream is still a plan, hope, or dream. And it is still just as valid. You may not end up where you thought you would, but if you are there--still together, still liking each other--that's a win.

15) It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

This is a quote from a great blogger that I love (The Nester), and it goes along with the last one. Your marriage doesn't have to be perfect to be a good marriage. It doesn't have to look like a romantic comedy or an epic love story to be of value. Yes, you will let each other down. Yes, you will say and do thoughtless things over the years...but that doesn't mean that you don't still have something beautiful. I think about pictures of people that are scarred and worn and wrinkled and aged...they are beautiful because life has made it's mark and they reflect that. Marriages that last a long time can be beautiful because the two people in it have the battle scars and they reflect them because they fought those battles and came out of it wiser and stronger.

16) You don't have to like all the things your partner likes, as long as you can appreciate them.

This blog post is the perfect example of this. My husband abhors the internet and blogs and all things like unto it. However, he gamely worked on this list with me because he knows that as much as he hates the internet, I love it. I do the same thing for him, with Duck Dynasty and the band KISS.

17) There may be "divorced" times.

I remember reading a marriage book a jillion years ago that said this. And we believe it to be true for many marriages. There will be times when you feel disconnected. There may be times when you don't know how to talk about anything real. There may be times when you feel like glorified roommates. If it happens, that doesn't mean that your marriage is over. It might mean that your marriage needs to be reborn and re-created, because something is not working. You can find each other again. We promise.

18) Respect each other's efforts to show love.

Call it love language, call it Mars and Venus, call it whatever you want. Sometimes we just don't communicate or love each other in the "right" way according to our partner. If you can figure out how your partner shows their love for you, you can come to appreciate and respect it, even if it isn't the way that might be your first choice. My husband loves me with service. He hears me complain of a headache and brings me Tylenol and water. He sees me get super excited about projects around the house and he somehow finds the time and energy to do them for me. My first choice might be to have flowery and romantic words from my man, but that doesn't make how he shows his love for me any less powerful or important. Don't ignore the love that is coming your way just because it isn't dressed up the way you imagine it.

19) Batten down the hatches and wait out the storm.

A dear woman, Marjorie Hinckley, once said, "There are years in our lives that we would not wish to live over again." Kids have issues, jobs come and go, health problems blindside you...some years are just tough. We have come to learn that you just have to secure the ship by doing the things that you know will help you, and then ride it out. The storm will pass.

20) Say thank you.

For everything. Big and small. Often.

21) Give the gift of loving them where they are.

Since we all have weaknesses and faults, chances are at some point in your marriage, you are going to wish that your partner would change. And they will wish the same of you. The only real and lasting change that we have ever seen with each other has been when we have been kind enough to just love the person where they are, as they are, and worked on ourselves rather than trying to make "fixing" them our project. Control  and improve who you can: yourself. People who feel loved right where they are feel safe. And people who feel safe feel the room that is needed to change and become their best selves.

22) Remember that you are teaching your children what marriage looks like.

Husbands, your sons are watching you for how to treat the girl they fall in love with. Wives, your daughters are watching how you treat your husband, to figure out how to be a wife. Please don't let this scare you too much. You are going to make mistakes and you are going to be a bad example sometimes. They will learn from how you handle that, too.

23) Have a vision for your marriage that goes beyond today.

We can see why people end marriages. If you aren't happy, if you feel disconnected, and your marriage is just about today, or even this month or this year, then why wouldn't you end it and move on? We have a vision for our marriage that goes beyond this life. It goes beyond just us. We believe that we have made promises not just to each other and to our children, but to our God...and that is heavy stuff. But knowing that turns every obstacle and situation into a stepping stone and learning experience, rather than just a bunch of things that just happen. It also gives us strength beyond our own. If God is for us, who can be against us? And we know that God wants our marriage to succeed.

24) Be generous.

With your forgiveness. With your kindness. With your service for each other. With your praise. Give more than is deserved, because you will never keep accurate score and the truth is that you shouldn't ever try.

25) Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, what do we do? We swim, swim, swim.

This is a favorite quote of mine, and Ed thinks we should end with this. (okay, babe.) Whatever is going on, whatever is coming your way--both individually and as couple--just stay in there. Don't give up. Keep at it. Good times will come and go and so will the bad. Love each other enough to keep swimming.

quote of the week...

car conversations...

Coop: "Mom, can you please zip up my hoodie before I get out?"

Me: (in a British accent) "Indeed. It would give me great pleasure."

Coop: "Eeeeuuw...never mind. Why do you talk all weird?"


So basically my 7 year old is more mature than I am.

Whateves.

office/craft room re-do

 I will apologize first thing for not having better "before" photos. To help fill in the blanks, the old desk area was made with kitchen counter tops in an L shape, and the pegboard and shelf were on the short wall where the desk area is now located. The floors were carpeted, and the walls were painted in Restoration Hardware Silver Sage. The built in shelves were, as you can see, too cluttered and full.

 This is our new desk/computer area. The counter tops are solid birch counters that we got from IKEA. They were clearance priced so we got two 8 foot sections for $62 a piece. (I know. Pinch me because I must be dreaming.) The Hubby cut them to fit and stained them a honey color, and then poly-ed them as well. The white cabinets were from the previous configuration, but as you can see we added 

bead board to the sides of the cabinets to pretty it up and hide cords. 

The floors were the most time consuming part of the job.

The lamp was a lucky find--brand new at Goodwill for $8.99.

 This is my ever so pretty crafting space. The table was the other piece of counter from IKEA, cut to 7 feet. Yes, I just said 7 feet. All that delicious work space. I tried in vain to find an old table while thrifting to use as the legs, but in the end we bought these at Lowe's, for $22 a piece. Which, honestly, in the end I was glad because I wanted it to be counter height...I so prefer to stand while wrapping and crafting. The Hubby built the frame and supports for it, and then painted it out with the same white on the walls (Crisp Linen White). The pegboard was in the room before, we just painted it again and framed it to give it a more finished look. Big fat cat taking over your fabric basket: totally optional.

 This is where I am at on the built in shelving. I am forever tweaking this area, and never feeling quite "finished." The nice thing about that is nobody really cares but me. I do love how much less "stuff" is in there, much more open and airy.

 This little baby love is my mostest favorite, to quote my kids. I may have hugged her. Okay, I did. Don't judge! I found her sitting at the thrift store, just waiting for me. I had been looking for something that would offer lots of filing room without taking up floor space (which, when covered, quickly swallows up a small room like this, and why would I want to cover up my sweet new wood floors?) And I wanted something that would not take away from the character I was trying to bring in...and then the lights came up and the angels started singing and I saw her. Best part? $15. Just so very the best thing in the history of ever.

 Just a few more views and also I have to point out my second mostest favorite thing, the silver engraved award that was my jumping off point for this room. I found it at the thrift shop and had no rhyme or reason to why, but I fell in love and instantly "saw" the room in my head with it sitting on the shelf like that. 

From that, I saw the colors and the whole entire room in my head, almost exactly how you see it in these pictures. No idea why. Just did. The pocket thing hanging off the shelf is a jewelry holder that I found at Home Goods a while back, and the silver serving tray was another Goodwill find.

 I am learning that in most spaces, but most definitely in smaller spaces, the details matter. I took the time to layout the room in a way that is pleasing to the eye, but also very functional and keeps things out where I can get ideas and also remember what I have to work with. Using all the space available without cluttering the room too much was key for me. I took the wrapping ribbon I have and used a small tension rod to "hide" them in between the work table's legs, but still keeping them super easy to see and access. The floor vent was totally worth the $20 it cost, because that wall is nothing but window and floors and it gives it just that little "something". It is like the floor is wearing a pretty brooch. Which she should.

The curtains, by the way, were IKEA and I am so lazy I haven't even hemmed them yet...just pinned them for now to see how I like the length.

I went with white on the walls and a very muted color palette...because in my opinion, when you are crafting and doing artsy type projects, the less stimulus from around you, the better. I completely understand that others may like bright, vivid surroundings as they scrapbook and craft and such. It is totally personal. 

For me, it clears my mind and calms me down to have very little contrast and colors...it also doesn't make whatever I am working on have to compete with everything around the room.

I still have a few things on my "To Do" list. I want to find a work stool for the table. I am thinking metal, and no back since I will want to tuck it under the table and keep the room open when it's not being used. I will keep checking the thrift stores, because you never know! But I wouldn't mind finding something more expensive if it is something I love. I also have plans for big wooden cubby boxes in the same honey as the counter tops which The Hubby will do when he has recovered from all the other stuff he has done, and will go next to the shelving. :)

Big, huge, thank you to my dear daughter, Bri...

for taking these pictures for me and for in general just being way awesome.

Quote of the week...

Quote of the week...

"It’s good to have and remember peaceful seasons in life, because those memories are promises that those seasons will come again."

---Glennon, at the blog Momastery

Stop what you are doing and read this...

Because it's awesome.

Women/Moms and photography

Thank you, Teresa!!

car conversations...

Me: "Guys, you need to give girls a break, because having to have a menstrual cycle is NO fun."

Connor: "I do!! I think it is horrible what girls have to go through!"

Spencer: "If they know it is so bad, I don't understand why girls aren't more sympathetic when we get kicked in our business...."

Connor: "Umm...excuse me, but do you get kicked in your business EVERY SINGLE MONTH???"

Me: "Connor, you are going to make a lucky woman a VERY good husband someday."

Quote of the week...

"I worship a Fourth Watch God." 

--S. Michael Wilcox



This is from:

Bread or Stones: Understanding the God We Pray To by S. Michael Wilcox

I cannot really put into words how much I needed to hear this talk, how I was meant to read these words when I did. It was as though everything stopped for a moment and I was brought outside of everything I had been feeling and believing and told, "Shhhhh...listen to this. Hear this. Know this."

Find a quiet moment, and read. You'll be glad you did.