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. :)

Simple

Dearest Caleb,

I don't think I'll ever forget this day. Every bit of it was sweet, in every detail.

When we first prayed together during your breakfast treat, I prayed, like always, that God would give us good works to do today. Good things to be busy with - and He did.

I was rocking you to sleep this morning, thinking about what a gift you are. Your head rested gently in the crook of my arm, and I was savoring our special time together. Suddenly, I felt something wet on my arm. When I realized it was your drool, I cant tell you how overcome I was with EVER GROWING love for you. You are so helpless now, and need me. You are wonderfully precious to me - and completely adorable! The simply thought of you being so sleepy that drool just slipped out was so ... sweet ... :)

We went to Mamaw's house today and had the best time! You cried the whole way there but were all smilie as soon as we arrived. You took a good nap on her couch, and chatted happily while we were in my old home. And then, God did give us an extra special work to do! We went to visit your friend, Grandma Crandell. She was so glad to meet you! She reminded us how she prayed for you and how much of a miracle you are.

The rest of the day was shopping with Mamaw, smiles at your Grandpa, and silly dances with Daddy when we got home. 

Simple and splendid; that is my life as your mommy. I love you, son. Praying for many more special days with you.

Kisses, Mommy