Tulip Girl

Snow days are all fun and games until the snow day comes where you are a working parent scrambling for child care so that you can still go to work or rescheduling just about everything. This gets me thinking about when any other life experience for virtually anyone who has a trajectory in mind for their schedules or their life but circumstances intervene to change the path. It was a few years ago, four years actually, that I finished my masters in Human Services Marriage and Family counseling. I had a plan to transition from volunteering at the current nonprofit I volunteered at to work in marketing. When school started for my children, one in kindergarten, the other in preschool, circumstances with my children's school schedule changed. I went from a perceived trajectory of future nonprofit marketing manager to not even having time to volunteer. I played it over and over in my head but God's voice was clear in this situation. I needed to have faith that God had a plan even...

So, I am reading this book, $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau. I'm not planning on starting a business or anything. Its just super inspirational. I like inspirational people. I have this friend, Kathrine who is the best sewing person, sewer or whatever you call it in the whole world. When inspiration strikes, she sews stuff.  I think that is freaking awesome. I have friends who have passions and they just go for it. Love it! My brother, Justin wanted to design toys. He did it. My brother and sister in love, Scott and Laura wanted to start a youth horse ranch. They are doing it. My husband was a sweet little country boy who wanted to go to the Air Force Academy. He did it. See the pattern? I like being inspired. So $100 Startup is a book full of people who find themselves not so much in a career or really intending to make it big but they just start down a path and do what they love. I asked a musician I know where he dreams of playing someday. He said that he just wanted...

Confession, I make mistakes. cricket cricket Ok, that isn't a confession. We all do. So why in the face of mistakes, something we all do daily, do we feel as if we are the only one? More often than not, mistakes can feel like failure. Mistakes are not equivalent to failure. Pressing forward with a positive humble attitude is about as easy as swimming through quick sand or sitting through It's a Wonderful Life for the millionth time without throwing a candy cane at George Bailey (oh, just me?) I made some mistakes at work this week. They felt bigger at the time than maybe they were. I felt a hot mess. A sweet co-worker and friend said it was more just warm than hot but I handled it and we're all good now. I can learn a lot from her sweet spirit. I get stressed and eat my emotions. Just pass me some chocolate cake and Netflix and let me pity myself. I don't always know how to stop feeling like the whole world can see my mistakes. I don't even know exactly how to t...

When I brought my now eight year old girl home from the hospital as a brand new baby, I was overwhelmed. What new parent isn't? When I brought my now five year old son home from the hospital as a brand new baby, I was freaked out overwhelmed. What parent of two small ones isn't? I kept them alive. I like to think I have been a good mom. I kept them clean, well fed, had the museum family passes, a garden for them, and generally did fun stuff. That aside my kids learned more science from the Wild Kratz than they did from me and had their own preference in Pringle flavors. Then preschool happened; emails, newsletters, activities, school events and snack week. I was official personal assistant to the two little rock stars. I failed. My kids were late, I rarely remembered to bring snack and by the grace of my friendship with the awesome preschool ladies I made it to all parent assemblies. Well, that is a lie now that I think about it. I missed this one in particular w...

We are having a ball around here...well, the best we can. Its planting season and as I work on growing the little guy in my belly, we are also working on a prosperous vegetable garden. So far we have: -three big tomato plants with big tomatoes (forgot what kind due to prego brain) -three small tomato plants called jellybean tomatoes (because who is gonna forget a name like that?) Next up to plant -three more tomato plants -cucumber plant -strawberry plant - pepper seeds to grow -squash seeds to grow Now as I continue on the fun adventure of making my family's bread all I need are chickens and I will be a certified farm girl in the city... of course we are in the city so chickens ain't gonna happen. Fresh eggs would be pretty awesome though right? Well as far as growing our next bambino, he is doing really great. I will hopefully scan some ultra sound pics soon (sorry Mom) and you can see his insanely long lashes and full head of hair. I'm so in love already. I'm not let...

Things have been moving right along around here lately. There have been lots of fun had visiting the beach and our local children's farm. While I went to Arizona for my parent's 25th Wedding Anniversary Vow Renewal, Miss Wiggle's Memaw came out to spoil her and her daddy. Now that I'm home we are moving right along with the garden. I've planted four tomato bushes, three in the ground and three in pots. We will see what is next. What ever it is, I'm not starting from seeds. I tried other seeds but tomatoes were the only ones that took. Oh well. Speaking of growing, my little bun in the oven seems to be doing just great. The pregnancy itself is back to high risk. It seems I am at risk for going into early labor for various reasons. So far there are lots of Braxton Hicks or however else you spell that. The doctor did that test they do to see whether I am at risk for going into labor in the next week. I doubt it but you know, we need to be careful about this kind o...

We finally received the diagnoses yesterday for why Miss Wiggles has been so sick all the time, why she has suffered from reoccurring ear infections, colds, congestion, and now complaining of feeling "scratchy". Yup, you guessed it...of course I only have a picture of him right there. Miss Wiggles isn't just a little allergic to cats or more specifically, Leo, she is a lot allergic to Leo. So far she isn't allergic to any other inside stuff like dust mites, mice, roaches, mold, dust, dogs, etc. Nope, just cats. Needless to say while there is relief over finding this out, I bawled my eyes out last night. I thought for sure at first we could do the air purifiers, Zyrtech (which she is already on with not much result) and Nasonex (seriously stick that thing up my daughters nose everyday?) but one look at my sweet little miserable girl and the months and months of sick. All my ideas about a peaceful cohabitation for the two of them just wasn't realistic. So, this ama...

These days I have been turning my DIY energies away from the house since we plan on moving in the next year. It just makes sense. One thing I've wanted to do for a while is make alphabet cards for Miss Wiggles. I'm not usually into drawing but I'm not incapable of a good doodle here or there so I am taking a hack at it. First thing was to get good paper. I already had a pad of Bristol paper for my light box (a box you take pictures in to help with lighting when photographing small objects like jewelry). Then there was the inevitable search for the colored pencils and pencil sharpener that I knew had to be around somewhere but never when I need it. I found the pencils but never did find the sharpener. Then I cut the paper down to size. Lastly, Is searched the Internet and Miss Wiggle's toys for easy pictures to draw to represent each letter and then got to work. Like I said, I'm a doodler more than a pen and paper artist. Props to Google for Ant here. After an atte...

Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age. They shall be fresh and flourishing to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him." Psalm 92: 13-15 I pray today we as we begin to tend to flower beds and growing our vegetable gardens, we remember we who are planted in the house of the LORD, those of us who have put our faith in Christ Jesus, will flourish as trees bearing fruit, good fruit that brings nourishment to both our own spirits and to those around us. It is God's promise, His blessing to us to tend us, prune us, water us, and shine His light upon us that we grow more and more in likeness to Christ Jesus with every passing day.

Why wait for our next home to make all my dreams come true? I ponder this because if anything I've learned in my life, permanent isn't a word I would apply to finding a home. We moved a lot growing up, we have moved a lot since we have gotten married. Granted my parents have been in the same home now since I was in middles school...which was about fifteen years ago or so. Still my heart holds out for the permanent though it really feels unfamiliar and so I wait. Wait for the blanket of Peonies I see in my imagination or the climbing rose bushes that will wall in a someday garden. I wait for the windows draped in fabric lovingly displayed in a home for my family reflecting the temple for God in my heart. Maybe it is the same well the I draw from that yearns for the permanence of Heaven. Life has so much change, a constant process of death and renewal, loved ones, habits, places, dreams, ideas. Then again as I wait to plant the garden in my imagination, I am reminded that li...

This weekend has come with some reality checks. While it is fun to spray paint everything into newness like, little plastic tables, flower pots, old windows, or what ever, there are other painting projects that were getting out of hand. There is the big paneled wall that we wanted to paint white, the rest of the dingy trim, Mr. Man's room, the guest bedroom. A few things came crashing in on us, primarily, time and money. We are diligently saving for a home of our own...as soon as the last one sells...as soon as the lease on this rental we live in is up. Then there is all that actually needs to get done before July. So, to make a long story short...which wasn't an actually long story come to think of it, we returned a couple cans of paint. We won't be painting the office or the paneled wall or the guest bedroom or maybe even Mr. Man's room I want new patio furniture but maybe we should wait until we have our own patio. I want a pretty guest bedroom. Maybe that ca...

I've never been in a book club. I also hadn't thought about reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp . I'm not entirely sure why being an avid reader. So when some friends invited me to their book club, at first I forgot. I'm pregnant, Hubby in a Masters. Thankfully my phone continued to chime at every Facebook message update regarding the book club. I figured it was out of the question Monday since after all I didn't have the book. It is amazing what our spirits choose to fight against. No reason to it at all. Then Hubby gave me a gift. A Kindle. My first thought and first action was of One Thousand Gift and now my spirit or mind or whatever it was finally jumped on board. Ann Voskamp's book was the first one I bought. I began to read. My spirit again resisted her words, some part of my heart maybe not wanting to feel, content to stay closed and ignored. It is amazing what our spirits choose to fight against. No reason to it at all. Then I found myself walking...

Edit: Found it! Click HERE to join Simple Mom in conquering clutter one Hot Spot at a time. :) On the DIY side of things these days, I've set many lofty goals for this week. I still plan on keeping them. However, I am pretty significantly pregnant and that limits me. I think I will have to be flexible. The Nester is doing Take a Risk Day . Another blog I can't find again for the life of me is doing a fixer week on home offices. I am participating in that one...if I can find it again. Urgh . Basically, there is a pregnancy induced desire to nest so I'm embracing it. What really stinks is that the time I have the most opportunity to get tons is at night...you know after Miss Wiggles is asleep at 7pm. That of course is when I can barely stand to be on my feet anymore. Figures. Here is my list: Three cans of paint brand new and ready to cover the walls: a. White paint to cover paneled wall b. blue to paint camel colored office a nice pale blue c. another white to finish the ...

Last night I had one of those pregnant emotional moments. It was Friday night after a long week, I was tired, hormonal, irritable, basically code red. Then Hubby asked me what I would want if we had a clean slate. His being a military contractor that is a real possibility as the military works to phase out contractors. I became a bit unhinged. What ensued was a pouring out of my heart mixed with a scary dose of tired and pregnancy hormones. It was messy. It was also clear there was some serious need for quiet time in prayer. So this morning I sought out Stormie Omartian's Power of a Praying Wife and just read and steeped over the scripture. I haven't steeped over scripture in a looooong time. It felt really really good. Then I decided to try something a little stronger and sought out The Bible Knowledge Commentary to prepare for the study of Philippians for Sunday School this weekend. In there as I soaked up the words, there were some Greek words and so then I sought out V...

Love my cuddle bugs!!

He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Song of Songs 2:4 She had been created for the Garden she forgot. God had formed her to breathe His breath of life, commune with His holiness, cultivate His creation, enjoy His love forever. She was made to walk with Him in the cool of the day, relax in His presence in complete transparency before His gaze. Longing for Love by Ruth Senter Oh how my heart longs to look up and through my climb to see a glimpse of my Heavenly Father that I be reminded why I find myself some days precariously clinging to a journey that I've been promised will transform me. There are days of well worn paths, easy, cool shades and warm sunshine then there are the days the journey is more dry, rocky, painful. There is mundane, there is humility, sometimes even apathy and some part of me shrinks back thinking this isn't the promise, this can't be complete fellowship with my Abba. Still I climb on, seeking, trusting ...

Miss Wiggles loves helping around the house, vacuuming, feeding the cat, sweeping. I am in love with her pink giraffe printed broom. So is she. Cleaning the kitchen recently, we found that the majority of her letters were under the fridge, not on the fridge; good study of prepositional phrases right? Of course Miss Wiggles wanted to get in on the action once we started cleaning under the fridge. She used to love to lay in front of the vacuum when I would clean the carpet. Maybe she thought it would be fun to be sucked up in it, I'm not sure but she laughed really hard over this game so I stayed patient. Yes, that is an apron she has on. If I have mine, she has hers. Her play kitchen is in the kitchen though usually she climbs on that rather than pretend to cook. I can't hold a disinterest in cooking against her. She most likely got that for me. So far feeding Leo is her daily chore. I put the food in a cup and she puts it in his bowl. She also dispenses the treats. I'm t...

Brainstorming a boy's nursery is not my forte. I at least know blue and nautical. I don't know a shade of blue or what kind of nautical; preppy, east coast, west coast, shabby chic, vintage, primary colors, just blue. There are just so many options and I am at a loss. I'm afraid the whole thing may just run away with me and in the end be a mish mash of what ever nautical thing lands in the poor little guy's room. I do know since I live in a rental, a fresh coat of white is all we will do on the wall. Maybe some wall decals we can remove later? Help!! I like this living room, taking out door stuff and bringing it in. This blue does make me feel pretty relaxed and at 2am that is very important. This is a color palette I can live with. Lots of random frames full of nautical stuff does sound fun. Would that work for a nursery? Email me, leave comments, anything. If you have an Etsy shop or just ideas you would like to send my way, please, I'm so totally open. I promi...

Seeking a break this evening, Miss Wiggles asleep, Hubby working on a paper for his masters, I wondered over to the The Nester's blog and immediately felt my heart leap in recognition of her words. She shared about a book her sister has written, Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life. I pre-ordered it. You know what, that hit the pretty little nail square in the head for me. I've been trying to articulate a struggle of mine and a journey Hubby and I have been through this last year that any attempt at wording it has been impossible. Even now I may fail. Maybe what I have been searching for is a pretty little bow wrapped testimony in words I can put in a blog post a tidy up something that wasn't a tidy process in the first place. Realization, transformation, letting go, humbling, disbelieving, stubborn, learning,personal, complicated, lots of things but not tidy. Moving back to this little town on the Chesapeake Bay held so many possibilities for me. Some w...

As I write, Miss Wiggles hasn't eaten anything more than a mouse's portion today. Her face is pale, her eyes sunken, her lips chapped. She is already on antibiotics for the ear infection that came ten days after she finished the last round of antibiotics for the last ear infection that came only about three weeks after the end of the last year infection before that. She has already been sick four times since Christmas. Her Birthday celebration was pitiful Saturday as both she and her daddy were miserable sick. She rallied and has been healthy for almost a week. I'm at my wits end. Last year, she was sick once ever other week. I know this because it was always the week of MOPS. We made it to two sessions. Since Miss Wiggles had croup last October she has been sick almost consistently since. We have a pediatrician appointment this Monday to see what the heck is going on with her. I'm going to be a monster if they don't take this seriously. Four ear infections since ...