Tulip Girl

I can officially start getting my autumn stuff out. I am eager to buy an orange spice candle and a pumpkin pie candle and an apple cider candle from my SIL Laura who sells Cold Canyon Candles. I have all my things ready for the Autumn wreath at my front door. What an awesome time of year. The weather was cool and crisp. We weren't the only family taking a walk this evening. We even made some new friends who also have little girls. I love my neighborhood. To fill you in on the schedule for this month. Guest Blogger Monday Sept. 7 Pastor Todd Estes Sept. 14 Michelle , Julie , Laura Sept. 21 Pastor Warren Baldwin Sept. 28 Kristin at Beautifully Imperfect Giveaway Thursday I will be participating in the DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land as well as Transformation Thursday at The Chabby Chic Cottage . There will be awesome Kiss&Koos' burp cloths and baby blankets as well as some jewelery made by yours trully. Inspiration Friday I have been involved working with CASA (Co...

I am so excited for September 1! Not only am I super excited to start the Autumn season in all its beautiful colors, apple cider, cozy sweater glory, September is a big month around here this year. There are going to be guest bloggers and giveways. Autumn is my favorite time of year so around here, I think this is a great way to celebrate. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've been praying recently about finding those who can encourage me to go deeper in my faith. Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful encouragers in my life that I am quite thankful for. The encouragement I'm talking about though is step on my toes, move forward, accountability, go deeper encouragement. So when I found Kyria.com by Christianity Today you can bet I was super stoked. There are articles and blogs encouraging deeper more personal friendships, challenging thoughts on prayer, church culture, and Christ focus vs. self focus. This digizine is open access until October. An early subscription discount is...

As Dan and I realize that moving isn't in our near future, we have dug back into our life where we are at now. Unfortunately we pulled away from relationships, ministry and other things for six months so we are now reaping the consequences of that choice and let me tell you, that is a bite in the butt. I am very passionate about influencing others towards a passionate love for God, a love for His word and realizing I missed out on serving God and loving His people over the last six months, that hurts. Though I turned away from all that these last six months could have been, I am thankful God does not give up on me as easily as I give up on Him at times. Dan and I have been having some awesome conversations on what a purposeful walk with God looks like, one with a fierce determination to choose Him every time . We haven't chosen that in the past, but we are not without knowledge we can choose that for our future. I have been praying for those that can hold us accountable, ...

This texting and driving awareness add was recently aired in the U.K. I think this video is important for all ages. Teens text but so do adults texting friends, writing e-mails for work etc. For a bit more and a discussion on this video, visit Warren Baldwin's blog .

On my side table is the book, A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah . Ishmael Beah was born in 1980 and then made his way to New York in 1998. During the time in between he witnessed the slaughter of his family in his war torn Sierra Leone, was forced to become a child soldier, witnessed unspeakable things, did unspeakable things and was able to make his way on his own with meager funds to the United States, finish high school and graduate from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Political Science. According to the Note About the Author, "He is a member of the Human Rights Watch Children's Right Division Advisory Committee and has spoken before the United nations, the Council of Foreign Relations and the center for Emerging Threats and Opportunities ( CETO ) at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory." I love his book and go back to it often when I feel myself sinking into the complacency of daily life and the temptation to allow the daily grind to take precedence over my pur...

The article My Baby is Like a Narcotic by Katie Roiphe is one definitely worth reading. Katie Roiphe , a writer and professor at New York University writes about her experience as a new mother only weeks after she gave birth. As I read this article I both related to aspects of her experience, appreciated her personal perspective and contemplated points I both agreed and disagreed with. As unique as each baby and mother is a unique experience for each. Roiphe questions the Feminist approach to baby's the opinions of mothers and the amazing narcotic that a newborn baby can be to his or her parents. I relate to this concept of a new baby being something like a narcotic. Sarah has given me such a strange new mixture of super human confidants and weakened ability to function all at the same time. My whole way of thinking, what matters to me, my confidants , my very core was altered as if some sort of molecular change had taken place in my personality, my character my everything...

Seriously!? Seriously!? I thought temper tantrums didn't start until ateast two. Boy was I wrong. I wonderful, beautiful, adorable baby girl at merely six months grits her gums (plus two new teeth) yells and kicks her feet in frustration when she doesn't want to take a nap or the bottle isn't getting to her fast enough. Temper Tantrum? Separation anxiety? Teeth? Babbling? Sitting? Okay well, I'm excited about those last three but I'm not ready I tell you, I'm not ready! They really do grow up way to fast. Oh yeah, that and Miss Wiggles and Mr. Leo the cat have become pretty good friends. When I go to her room to get her she always looks for Mr. Leo and he is always right behind me. Wouldn't you know, the reason she woke up prematurely from this morning's nap is 'cause Mr. Leo decided he would join her. I forgot to make sure he came out with me. He curled up at the end of her crib and she couldn't see him and it made her mad (which is ...

I'm always super jealous when I read other people's blogs who have friends who do cool stuff for them on their blogs. What I wouldn't give for some super blogger savvy friend to come along and make all my blog dreams come true. I know a few things but I would need a whole day with no distractions to really figure out what I need to do. I'm terrible at multi tasking and quite frankly a six month old is not conducive to figuring out html and blog order. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ God has been really doing a work on Dan and I. I think having a baby will do that. He and I both agree for the time that this child chooses to adore us and look up to us, we want what she sees to be the best we can give her and we see some areas in need of renovation. I love a good DIY. Now is a time for a little DIY God Holy Spirit style on our hearts, our attitudes and our minds. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Does any one know the best way to paint kitchen cabinets white with out having them screa...

I figured today I would participate in Not Me Monday considering I have some serious contenders if it were a contest. This means I will confess some crazy moments in the form of denials. Head on over to MckMama and see her updated version, Not My Child Monday. First off, I did not watch helplessly as my daughter, strapped into her car seat, did not fall face first off the kitchen counter onto the tile floor. Yes she is okay. It did not take a month to get the kitchen windows painted with a fresh coat of white. My hubby and I after not having the house on the market since April and not having a possible offer on the table, are not considering taking the house off the market and staying. My little family did not finally get on the road for a 2 hour drive to a friend's lake house at noon only to not call and cancel as we did not get on the freeway. I am not turning 30 in three months. I did not just paint my toenails metallic sky blue. I did not wear a dress that coul...

I don't know how but some how the carseat with Sarah in it was next to Dan and I on the counter and then it wasn't, fell off face down on the tile for. I've never been so scared in my life. I was on the phone and just hung up. Sarah is fine, was scared but fine. She was scared. I was bawling, Daddy was too. I can bet we will never put the car seat on the counter again. What a natural move to put it at our level. Never again. Dan emmediately picked her up. She stopped crying when I took her, well mostly stopped crying. I didn't. It will be a while or never before I get over that. The risk of losing her several times during pregnancy, then this and she isn't even walking yet and not any where near being a teenager. Is being scared wittless a permanent fixture of parenthood? I'm seriously starting to think so.

We were meant for each other.

This week, I have two DIY projects. This is a faux pearl bracelet I made last week for a friend. It is a three strand bracelet. I couldn't really say how I did it though. I can say it has taken me a while to get the nack of jewelery making. One thing I have sufficiently gotten the nack of is this French Memo Baord thing. Here is a magnetic one I made for my fridgerator out of left over scraps from the window from last week . For the month of September, all my DIYs will be giveways. Atleast one will be...well, a guest DIY and a giveway by my SIL over at Read Be Tween the Lines. My sister, Candy and Ladybugs has a picture in her side bar of her latest crosstiching (did I spell that right? My spell check didn't catch it but I don't think thats how it is spelled) project. Its pretty sweet. Check their blogs out on my side bar of my favorite blogs. I've found so many new favorite blogs, I need to update that list. Add that to my to do list. :) Update: Happy To Design...

I know Ms. Wiggles would have gone to sleep in her car seat in middle of her room (which usually means a longer nap time) but I decided to put her in her crib. As I sit here thinking she must be asleep I begin to hear a little rattle... as in no kidding, a rattle, a pink bear to be specific. So much for tired. I'm trying to give her one little toy to play with during nap time. I think it is helping her transition into sleep. We will see how that works. Next month is really shaping up to be a fun month. I will post soon a schedule of events. I've already got some goodies lined up for giveways and I have some really great guest bloggers. I'm still working out the details, but am quite excited about all of this. It is a result of what I wrote in my last post about purpose. For those who know me, they know I am not particularely known for being dedicated to anything as in activities, hobbies and such. Well, I've been doing this blog now for almost five years so n...

I have another house showing tomorrow morning. I have worked hard to get the house ready; cleaned the oven, the stove, the microwave, the bathrooms, vacuumed. Somewhere in there I started to get anxious, more anxious the more I cleaned. I have to wonder as I evaluate how things have gone even since we bought this house or maybe even before that. I remember God making it very clear that He wanted us to move to Richmond and I believed it was for a purpose. At this point I would say I don't think we have achieved this purpose. So as this house has had over forty showings and most of the reasons people haven't wanted it have left me scratching my head, I have to ask myself, "Is God purposefully keeping our house from selling?" I can't actually answer that question. I can tell you however that living knowing that this time here in Richmond is not permanent and we don't know if we have months or just weeks here, it changed how we face things. At first we pu...

I read an article recently that suggested that guys will ask girls on dates via texting. I also saw a movie the said guys will ask a girl out via facebook. This has inspired me to come up with four things why I am glad I'm not dating now as a young twenty something. 1. Guys in tight jeans and shaggy hair. I would be single forever if that were my options. 2. I went into Express, and Charlotte Reuss the other day. Maybe because I haven't forgotten the 80's and lived the 90's leggings, vests, electric or bright colors flash me back to elementary school and that wasn't pretty. While my young gal pals look great in it....I would so be single forever. 3. I only check facebook about twice a week so if a date was asked there, I would miss it so, well, I'd be single forever. 4. Texting date requests? Thats like driving up to a girl's house for a date and honking your horn rather than coming in the house. I'd so be single forever. Why this odd post? I'...

Good day to you blogger peeps! I have been in a super crafty mood lately. I've made some pretty cool bracelets . I'm really getting the hang of that. Also into French Memo boards (you know, the ones from the last post). I've also been getting super inspired by so many other people. This has given me an idea... a light bulb moment if you will. September is going to be a big month around these parts with guest bloggers and giveaways . What does that look like? Well, every Monday, we will have a guest blogger. Tuesday will be Your Turn Tuesday which will be your turn to share what you think. On Thursday we will have a giveaway . There are other things but for now that is it. More details coming. I am super excited to connect with you and have this month long party at my blog!

I did it, I really did it. I've never done something to at this scale of work. It took me many hours but I did it. I am so proud of this DIY project. My first DIY Day! I would be remiss in mentioning that this little beauty is my best DIY and that handsome man there, well, he just melts my heart and fortifies it all at the same time. Here is the plain old dirty six paned window I have been hauling with me every where since I found it a few years ago at a Habitat for Humanity Restore. I had it done up before but that was a novice's attempt at crafty. I knew when I saw the other crafty DIY projects floating around the blogosphere that I would need to get serious in order to play with the big dogs. Good thing all you blogger peeps were also my inspiration. ;) With out further adue . Did I spell that right. I need to learn French. Not really. I'm so doing this on purpose. Ok , here it is..... Three French Memo Boards, one cork board, one pane for a grocery list and ...

Is it normal that I am sitting here looking at the clock thinking, "I have six hours until I can put Ms. Wiggles down for the night."? It is only noon, she finally went down for a nap. Daddy comes home tomorrow. Mommy needs Daddy to come home tomorrow. I over enjoyed my evenings too myself. I'm not young enough anymore to stay up past midnight consecutive nights in a row. I'm beat... and I still have six more hours. Staying up late though has given me that much needed time to do something I want to do verses something responsible like taking care of hubby and Ms. Wiggles, the house or even Leo the cat. Something non internet anyway...I'm trying to prove to myself I don't have an internet addiction. The window is turning out awesome (Don't know what I'm talking about? Come back tomorrow and find out). Ms. Wiggles and I went to Micheals yesterday and raided the dollor ribbon bin. Then we moved on to jewelery making and then on to quilting to fi...

Before Dan left I knew that these last two weeks were an opportunity rather than a burden. Looking at it that way afforded me the opportunity to think about all that I could get done if I had my evenings to myself. Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of two week long business trips. I relish the help Dan is in doing the bedtime routine with Ms. Wiggles. Ms. Wiggles isn't that high maintenance though and she is in a great stage where she is eager to learn and loves hanging out with me. Thus, these last two weeks have been an opportunity. First off, I nabbed the Priscilla Shirer study, He Speaks to Me. It has kept me from endlessly vedging out in front of the TV and I have a few areas in my life right now that I am having a hard time knowing what He wants of me so these last two weeks have been an opportunity to go deeper and learn to have an ear more ready to hear God's voice, hence the Hebrew words in my side bar. I also have been working on a couple craft projects I w...

In three days I will have my hubby back. These two weeks have been very crazy. Things have gone pretty well, Sarah sleeps well through the nights and takes at least two 45 minute naps during the day. I think what has helped me the most is joining the gym. Zoning out on a treadmill for 30 minutes is heaven, the Zumba class? well, that is kind of like heaven. I didn't last the full hour on Saturday. Thirty minutes and I was ready two pass out. Hopefully next time I will be a little more prepared. I am excited to be a part of a gym. Its nice since I am social and like to at least just be around people it gets expensive going to Target to "be around people". The gym, for me, is a money saver. That isn't the intent of this post though. My sister, Michelle and all my SILs are actually... and my brothers. We moved a lot growing up so I clung to my family for support. My little brother, Justin and I were really close. Until Dan, he was my closest friend. I felt...

What does it look like to honor your parents as adults? HERE is a video that portrays it beautifully. I hope it inspires you as it has inspired me. Thank you Warren for this awesome inspiring video.

I found a very cool blog recently, On the Homefront . This particular blog post of Lily's (that's the blogger) has inspired me to put into words an action of mine. Lily is quite an inspiration like that for example when she posted about her daughter's homemade dress form made from duct tape . I definitly recomend her blog. What I like to do when it comes to decorating is buy useful things that are pretty verses pretty things that have no use. Candles are useful, especially when our electricity goes out as it is apt to do at times. Books, baskets, vases. A random bowl with balls in them isn't for me (though it may for you and that is cool), what do you do with a bunch of pretty wood and wicker balls? Dust them I guess. I don't like cleaning so I do what I can to minimize the need. Dusting irritates my sinuses big time so I try to limit my stuff so I don't need to as often. I admit trying to sell our house has really really helped us declutter. I'm ...

I've been very reflective lately. I look at my very grown up life but still feel like a little girl at times. Trusting God with my family, my house, me, I think I'm learning the lessons He has for me, but not quite sure. I wrote that last post after a friend shared with me what God has been showing her lately. She inspired that. I'm off of Jeremiah, off of looking outward and trying not to look inward but upward. God knows what He is doing and I need to keep my eyes focused on Him. Took Sarah on a walk. Somehow little red jiggers got on her pants. I was carrying her but they were only on her pants, not on anything else, not on me. Weird. We emmediately ditched our clothes and threw them on the back deck. She was headed for a bath anyway. Now she is fast asleep. I think I am going that way too. Suddenly I am very very tired. Story of my life lately. I just joined a gym so that will help with my energy level.

Who am I God that you would have died for me? If you were the only one to accept me, daughter, I would not have changed a thing. You alone were worth the sacrifice. I am only one in billions. I am not elequent or brave. Who am I that you hava deemed me worthy to share Your imprtant Word? Who are you to question my choice? You are worthy child. Have faith and trust my reasoning. They won't listen to me. They will reject me. I am always listening though you can't see me. Though they may reject you, it is for such a short time. Eternity, you have with me. You have asked of me to take Your Word to them. You have asked me to love them. Who have you called to speak to me? Who have you called to love me? Oh how ashamed I feel for even asking such a question. Do not be ashamed. Before I formed this earth, before I organized the stars in the sky, long before the fall, the choices, the sin, the sacrifice, the grace, before your conception, before you, I knew you. Those stars in t...

Still tired but I have concealer on under my eyes so that is good. Still sleep deprived. I've had a migraine now for a few weeks I can't seem to get rid of so I start working out at the gym tomorrow and I'm hoping that will help. Dan is in California for two weeks so I am missing him quite a bit though. I am taking this opportunity and plan on spending my evenings doing a Priscilla Shirer video series about hearing the voice of God. I feel like God has been trying to tell me something important, but I am not quite getting it. Thats kind of a norm for me...just kidding...but no seriously. :) I'm trying to make up for missing Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer at the Greensboro Deeper Still Conference Saturday. I was able to hear Kay Aurther on Friday night from the corridor rather than actually in the stadium. It all proved to overwhelming for Sarah, we didn't get much sleep, so we had to leave early Sat. morning. I think that when you get to the point when yo...

I'm quite a bit of tired right now. Sarah wouldn't take a nap so I decided to go to PetSmart to help us both pass the time. I love those cute kitties there. I always want to bring them home with me. Who doesn't? Well, besides cat hating people I guess... Anyway, ran into some friends, A and S. S. just bought a new snake and since they share the same Birthday, he named the snake Bill Crosby. I don't think I would have ever thought of that. Original. I shared with them a new realization I had recently. A and S are both about 18 or 19. I said teens are always worried whether people like them. Early 20 somethings are always hoping older than them people are taking them seriously. Then you hit around 29 and all of a sudden your hoping all those younger people will think you are still cool and if they do, you can feel like you are still young and cool. Umh , at 29 that is how I feel anyway. So basically we're still hoping other people still like us. Viciou...

I'm so sorry, I tried to post this as a comment but it was to long so I'm making it a post. I tried to shorten it but didn't want to cut any of it out, so here it is. To every one else, I encourage you to read M.'s comment on my last post. She has a great testimony. M. First, Hey! I miss you guys. I'll be out in October for my high school reunion and look forward to spending time with you and Justin. It will be around October 17 I so I hope you two can take some time and come see us. :) Thank you so much for sharing your opinion. You had some really great points and I am excited you felt comfortable enough sharing your beliefs knowing that they may be different than mine or others. It is encouraging me to see you step out in this way. I hope we can be an encouragement to others to speak up on these difficult subjects. I know your comment has been an encouragement to me. I like your reference to Matthew 7:1-5. It was these verses that spurred this whole comp...