Day in the Life - 18 Month Story

I treasure. I let moments, memories, and tastes create indelible grooves in my soul. That sounds cheesy; but I find myself closing my eyes and and putting in my mental treasure box the sounds, feelings and tastes of a moment. Maybe its the bite of the BEST chocolate chip cookie ever. Looking out the window on Gwendola on my 8th birthday. The way my infant's cheek felt on my shoulder. The way I felt when Stephen hugged me for the first time (at the altar I might add.) I can go back and remember specific moments that I've put in my treasure box, and I thank the Lord OOOOOOFFFTEN for the gift of memory.

Before we are blessed with the arrival of Joel Benjamin in a few days, I wanted to create tangible memories for Caleb. Memories of these last days of just us. The quiet or silly-loud happy times of him and me. He won't remember life without Joel, so I did my first "Day in the Life" photography project attempting to document special things in our routine day.

Dearest Caleb, I missed some pictures. I missed an ice party, an absolute tickle fest on the bed, our HILARIOUS mid-morning giggle session. I missed the picture where I wiped your tear, when you asked to smell my coffee, and so many more sweet moments. Dear Son, I have treasured every day with you, and walking forward I will treasure every day with you AND your miraculously-God-given brother. Thank you for being my sweetest first born; I can't wait to see what a wonderful big brother you will be. 

Much Love Always, 

your Mommy.

Springtime of Our Lives

“Spring is a picture of rebirth and resurrection. It proclaims anew each year that there is a powerful river of life ever flowing in God’s creation that can never be held back or stopped. Tree sprout buds, grass grows, flowers bloom, and birds come back to sing because God has ordained a beautiful rhythm of returning life. It is His design.” 

 

“God is pleased when we learn to celebrate life and good things He has given us. We bring him joy by accepting the gladness found in the gifts He has provided. We will all walk through many seasons of springtime in our lives. They are bright, innocent, promising days that can fill our spiritual and emotional tanks for the future, but only if we will enter into their joy and their adjustments with grace. Winter will come again soon enough. How important it is that we choose to celebrate beauty when we can, storing up joy and happiness to revisit in the cold of winter nights ahead.” 

 “Spring is a time to live fully in the present, love deeply, and celebrate the newness of life as it comes our way.” - Sally Clarkson

For us, new children means resurrection. Specialists confirmed a dead marital womb, but that diagnosis did not bind God. He has proven again that He isn't chained to what men say is or is not possible. He is above all our knowledge, and His will is not enslaved to anything. He chose to give. To answer our prayer for a little sibling for Caleb. We expected to be blessed with only one son. Now, we have two. We expected to pray for years before the Lord chose to redirect us. We expected to grow in hardship, wait, and yearn. Yet, our Lord chose to do another MIGHTY WORK. And we are humbled beyond expression. Dear loved ones are waiting and praying for first babies, some for subsequent babies, and some for children by adoption. And seeing God answer our prayer makes us pray and hurt for others much more fervently. We pray He will grant even more life - life from the dead.

We had a wonderful bit of fun taking pictures to commemorate the 20 week pregnancy mark, our first born becoming a walker, 63 months of marriage, and 6 years of togetherness bliss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suite Novation

Stephen and I committed to blocking out two summer months to novate our master area. Novate, you know. Model. Not REnovate. Not REmodel - because that would imply we had previously fixed it up or decorated... And ... We hadn't.

Now, to our defense, we're avid garage salers/craigslist people. Aaaand we dumpster dive, too. (It's awesome!) We have purchased things and decorated over time. 5 years already! So far, we've really been novating, not REnovating. But enough is enough! Prettifying our room over time WAS NOT working. We want our area to be one that instills and inspires a sense of peace, romance and relaxation; and to be brutally honest (which is often best), it really hasn't been (Decor-wise of course. ;) So, we made a contract, defined deadlines, and planned what we were going to accomplish. And all in the merriest of fun, we have made such progress and are nearing completion!

Our master area includes bathroom, master room and office cubby.   Here is some of what was included in our novation contract:

Bathroom:
Oak cabinet over the potty
Paint
Install bathroom blinds. (Um, yeah, we had a gray BLANKET blocking the window for nearly 5 years!) "Nearly" is the important word in that sentence. You'll have to see (I mean read!) between the bamboo blind (I mean LINES!) to know why... AHEM!!
Pretty trashcans
Soap dispensers
Curtains
Organize everything
And throw out junk. Yay!

Bedroom:
Arranging the furniture (yes, not REarranging)
Painting an accent wall
Window treatments
Decor - including a lot if fun DIY spray paint passion projects!!
Making pillows
Wingback chairs,
Organizing everything
AND throwing out junk!

Office:
Installing cabinets and shelves
Window treatment
Organizing everything
and THROWING OUT JUNK!

So far, we are so happy with the results! And seeing how I am SoOo enthralled to be a supa-nice, supa-sweet, supa-smart and SUPA TALENTED Susie homemaker ... Here are some of my DIY projects I've been working on.

We purchased a couple ultra gaudy - totally AWESOME - gold mirrors. They met spray paint. :)

After cleaning, I covered the mirror with wax from a small candle, and brushed off the specks with a moist wipe. Then, I spray painted!
Before the paint had time to fully dry, I wiped the mirror again with the moist wet-one to reveal pretty gold details! I plan to post more progress pictures and after shots ... Don't worry. I won't post many - of any - before photos. :) It was much too shocking. :)

Arboretum

"The radiance of the Father 

Before the dawn of time
You spoke and all creation came to be
The molecules and planets
Reveal Your great design
And every one was made so we could see
So we could see

You are the glorious Christ
The greatest of all delights
Your power is unequaled
Your love beyond all heights
No greater sacrifice
Than when You laid down Your life
We join the song of angels
Who praise You day and night 

Glorious Christ!"

~ Sovereign Grace Music

Friday, my mom took Caleb and I to the Arboretum, and we drank in the beauty of God's creation!

 

And this is another cute face of my baby in the exersaucer. :) Learning to play with toys. :)