Sillyness and Some Seriousness Too

My hubby has a cool photo booth app on his iTouch and I used it to take some silly pictures on the way home from church. Fun, we've been using this one quite a bit.

I'm blogging this from Hubby's laptop, where I don't have access to any pictures so I don't have a whole plethora of pretty images to include along with my post. So I am sorry if this is a bland, wordy thing to look at.

The past few months have definitely been an adjustment for me. In some ways, very easy and in other ways not so much. My life is much different than it was a few months back.

On one hand, I am busier now that I was then. Then in some ways I don't have nearly as much to do as I did before. I know, it probably doesn't make much sense. It doesn't always make sense to me either. I've been praying for awhile now that God would ease my burdens, to take the stressful and difficult things and make them easier.

I guess you could say He did, but then other things replaced what I then felt was the overwhelming and difficult things I was facing at the time. Problems I had been praying would just take care of themselves didn't go away, but intensified. Things that I didn't know how to or more honestly, didn't want to deal with became front and center and became unavoidable.

My time has become much more of a precious commodity to me. I know that this time that I am going through is another opportunity for me to lean on God to get me through.

I can't fix it, I can't make it better, I can't ignore it and make it go away. Escaping to a computer or a scrapbook or a tv show or a bowl of ice cream won't magically fix my woes. Making a pretty for the house or trying to knock off the latest "it" thing from my favorite store isn't going to fix that nagging, persistent and debilitating place in my heart.

Leaning on God to get me through the day is the only way I've been able to do it so far.

Not fixating on the long term, but getting through the next few hours has been able to move me forward.

Not being distracted by the other things that I've used as distractions before forces me to look at my issues head on and realize that the distractions don't fix, but God heals.

Realizing that my timetable isn't God's. I look at things from a minute, hour, day, week, month, year perspective. He looks at things from an almost incomprehensible eternal clock.

Playing the "Woe is Me" game is futile, because I will never win. All it does is get me further in my self dug hole and make the sides even more slippery.

All that I know is that prayers said through tears and from a place of no where else to turn is both heartache and music to my Heavenly Fathers ears. He doesn't want me in that place, but He wants to be there with me.

So, with all that said it's not that I'll never post another project or tutorial or recipe or craft I've made. It's just that some long overdue work that I can't do by myself has been happening and that is by far more important than anything else.

I'll get back to that other stuff when time permits. It'll get there, as each season passes I know that this one will too.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who has promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

I know, I know.

I have stuff to share.

I will be back soon, promise.

Hello Goodbye

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Really, believe it or not.

Yes, I know it's been awhile. Over a month, almost two since I've last posted.

I have been very busy in my absence. I've not been catching up on summer reading.

Earlier this month, we said goodbye to the house we'd lived in for nine years. The house I brought all my babies home to. The house that my hubby and I have spent the majority of our married life in.

Lots of boxes, purging, yard sales, sweat and a little bit of crying was involved. We pared our belongings down to a 10x10 storage unit and said adios to the rest. Good thing we lived in a small home to begin with.

Once we found out we had to leave, we moved out in two weeks. During that time we had lots of heat, a round of the stomach flu, several dump runs and lots of take out.

The above picture was taken the morning we left. I went out in the early morning and shot several "house" pictures for our memory book. I took just a few minutes and recalled all the memories we'd made there. With three small kids who had lived there since birth, there was a lot to remember.

I only cried once, after we'd handed over the keys and stopped at McD's (not my choice) for lunch. Hubby was following behind me in his truck. When he got out, I lost it and gave him a big hug. "Everyone that made those memories so special to me are here with me right now," to which he replied, "Your right, it's only a shell." And with that, I cried my last real tear and resolved to start the new journey God has for us.

So, the kids and I are now living with my parents two hours south of where we were. Hubby stayed behind because of work, and lives with his parents during the week and then comes down on the weekends. It's not ideal, but it will work. Skype and phone calls will make it all much easier. It won't last forever, but until we make our next big move it'll be the space in between.

Yesterday my Mom and I went on a ride with the kids. We've gotten another round of sickness, this time a nasty cold. The kids were majorly cagey so we packed 'em up and headed out to the coast. We drove around and took pictures of several sites that I've enjoyed for many years.

One cool thing about moving home is that it gives my kids a chance to really experience things that I did as a child. We visited my parents quite a bit before, but it's nothing like living in the same town and seeing the same things. The bank, the store, the post office, the park I played in as a kid. Instead of it just being a noveltly they would experience while visiting Noni and Popi they get to actually "live" it. Even if they won't remember, I will.

It's also been nice to have the break from running a house. I've been helping out, but with living with my parents comes the respite from being solely responsible for running a household. My day to day chores have changed quite a bit and it's been so nice. And I've been able to do more things with my Mom, like batch cooking. It's always more enjoyable to do work with those you love. All the things that we've talked about doing together now we can actually do together.

So, my apologies for the absence. While I'm figuring out our "new normal", postings still will be sporatic but will definitely not be so far apart. I'm really excited to start this new chapter, and sharing my new experiences with you all.

Don't Let Them Rain on Your Parade!

So I know you all have heard this before, don't let others rain on your parade. One place that you especially need to remember that is here in blogland. The buffer of a computer screen can be both a blessing and a curse. It can allow us to share our most inner thoughts and feelings with a feeling of safety-no face to face interactions necessary.

However it can also bring out those who use the buffer of the computer screen to write mean spirited and unkind words to others. In the forms of "constructive" criticism, unkind comments or unsolicited advice. We as bloggers need to keep in mind that when they try to rain on our parade, let those words roll right off you. Easier said than done, but it's still necessary. There will always be those, (I am inclined to think the Devil is in the details here) who's words do more harm than good or come across as less than helpful. I am by no means calling anyone out in particular, just making a general observation from my dealings in the world of, "social media".

In fact, I had a subscriber the other day ask me how they could, "delete me" because they didn't know how to do it. They started following my blog because of my crafting and decorating ideas, but once they realized, "that wasn't all you were about" they didn't want to follow me anymore.

Really? Is life so compartmentalized that we have to keep our blogs on topic at all times, only writting about certain things? Nope. So don't feel pigeon-holed into writting about the popular topics of the day, write what is on your heart, what is real in your life, be the real you and those that are interested will read with interest. Those that aren't, don't let 'em rain on your parade-it's your life, live and write about it how you want to!

Change is a Comin'

So, it's been awhile, huh? I've not been around blog land much the past month or so. My last post had me lamenting on my unmotivated and uninspired attitude. Kinda not feeling the whole, "Spring Cleaning" bug that many of us usually get this time of year. Guess what? I'm feeling it now, big time. Wanna know why???? 'Cause last week I came home to find this pinned to our front door. Seems the landlord has stopped paying mortgage, and "our" home is being auctioned off at the end of the month. We've lived here almost nine years. Occupational hazard of renting though, we all know this can happen. So, as you can imagine, I've been purging and gutting rooms. I've been cleaning closets and dumping drawers. Boxes are being packed up with things no longer needed. It is amazing how much can be crammed into a 725 sq foot space. How much we amass, how much excess we truly live with.

Here is just a small sampling of the garage sale pile in our garage. We had one last weekend, made $97. Having another one on Sunday. I've added much more since last weekend. I'm sure I'll have a few more before we leave.

We don't know how long we'll be here, whether or not we'll be leaving once the house sells or if we'll stay. We can be given 60-90 days depending on what the buyer wants to do. No matter what though, we'll have some time to work with.

As to the amount of crafting and such, I don't know how much of that I'll be doing. I'm thinking it's going to be put on hold for awhile. At least until we get a better idea of what is going on.

I am totally at peace with the situation. No matter what, God provides and we'll be fine. It's just a humble reminder on a few levels. Most of us have more in excess than many people have as their bare necessities. Also that just because we don't want to do something doesn't mean that we don't have to do it.

So, on to what may be the next season for our family.

Unmotivated and Uninspired

So, as a few of you might have figured out by now...I've not been around much lately.

It's not that I don't want to blog or read blogs, really.

It's just that I have, well..

nothing.

I've been feeling very unmotivated and uninspired lately. My creative juices just haven't been flowing. I'm not sure why, I'm just kinda in a lull I guess.

Lots of rain and dreary days might have something to do with it. But maybe not, I can't say that is all it is.

You ever just go through phases where you just don't have the mojo to do much of anything? I think I'm there. Lots of things around the house are kinda just hanging out. Laundry, dishes, cooking, etc. Last night, as we were scarfing down our In and Out burgers, my oldest asked, "Mommy, can we have dinner at home tomorrow night?" Ouch.

I'm reading all these organizing posts, cleaning and de-cluttering posts, and I just don't wanna. Am I bad for that? I normally do get the spring cleaning bug, but that bug hasn't been to my house yet. I did get a cold bug though, that's been lovely.

However, today I DiD manage to clean out our medicine cabinet. Baby steps, right? Excuse the picture, believe it or not that is as clean as the inside of that thing gets. It's a very OLD (or retro, depending on how you look at it) cabinet, and I am afraid to remove it because who knows what is behind there. The last thing I need is the Landlord having a hissy fit, so the cabinet stays.

Anyhoo, enough of my rambling. I just wanted to let you know that I haven't given up on my blog, or on your blogs, or on you. I'm just not feelin' it right now.

Be patient with me, I'm gonna surface soon...I can feel it.

Storing Up My Treasures Is Now On You Tube!

source

I've decided to start my own You Tube channel for my little 'ol blog. I've made a few haul videos and really had fun. I also have plans to begin posting tutorial videos as well. I figured the easiest and simplest way to continue would be to start a channel on You Tube and will upload the videos to their site. You can view them anytime, whether you are a member of You Tube or not. Click here to go see what I've been up to!

I'll give you all a heads up when a new video is posted. I've also added a link on the sidebar of my blog for my new You Tube channel, and you can click it anytime to see what I've been up to in webcam land!

Picnik Time

I've recently started tinkering on Picnik with my photos. It's actually not that hard to use, but I by no means am an expert.

The above photo is one that I took of my sister awhile ago, that I tweaked on Picnik. I like how it turned out. Pioneer Woman is running a photography contest on her blog with the subject being sisters, so I submitted it. If you want to take a peek, go here.

Happy Thursday, weekend is almost here!

Um...Who Are You?

Yep, I know, it's been awhile, huh? Sorry for my hiatus. My sweetie had to have surgery, and I've been MIA in order to help him recover. He's doing well and almost back to his same 'ol tricks. So, that being said I should be getting back into my normal routines here soon.

On a unrealated topic, I've recently purchased several praise songs off of iTunes, and "Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher has been my favorite of the new ones. I tried to get all fancy and imbed the video in my post, but my computer isn't cooperating with me this morning, so below you'll find a link to the song. Take a listen. I'd love to know what you think of it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2KNvuscKRA

I've been doing some scrapbooking lately, I'll post some of my LO's for you to oooh and aaah over soon;) Have a great weekend!

Taking a Bitty Break...

will be back shortly.

Just Checking In

I'm still around, in case you were totally worried about me ;) We've just been busy getting back into our routines. I'm also on a whirlwind cleaning, organizing, purging run. I tend to get in this frame of mind at the beginning of a new year. I think lots of us are, right? If not, that's ok too.

So the other day I walked into the kids room and found my daughter in her doll's cradle.

Decided it would be fun to get down there with her for a photo. Oldest has a loft bed, so the space underneath is daughter's "hidey hole", her doll's cradle is there.

"Um, what is that smell, did you toot?"

"Ya", she said. Laughter all around.

"Ok, Mommy I'm stuck, will you help me out?" She is a goofball for sure. I remember when I was pregnant with our first, my Hubby asked me, "What if the kids think we are weird?" Yeah, we don't need to worry about that.

On another note, to those of you interested I've started up again trying to regularly post on my gratitude blog, "Today's Top Three Thankful Things." While I can't promise I'll do it on a daily basis, (as you can see that hasn't been going well) I am going to TrY and be more consistent. If your just overwhelmed with curiosity to see what my thankful thoughts are, please click here .

I'm in the process of prettying up the living room, going with a nature slash neutral tone look. I've even mixed in some branches. When it's more photo ready, I'll post a picture. I still have Christmas decoration boxes in the room, although it's packed the boxes haven't made it to the garage yet.

Our Angel Kitty

So my poor cat Patches had to endure my wackiness this morning. The kids have this angel headband/halo thing that they play with, and I was suddenly inspired to take pictures of the cat wearing it.

As you can see by the photos, she's totally thrilled.

She was a great sport though, I must have taken 15 different pictures before deciding I'd tortured her long enough.

This cat has a one way ticket to heaven for having to put up with my kids and me.

I've Coined A New Catch Phrase...

Our tree from last year

So a few nights back we got our Christmas tree...which ended up being a "fantastic disaster". There, that's my new catch phrase, like it?

I kept reminding myself that it's the fantastic disasters that tend to be our lasting memories. While the kids were running around on the wet pavement, getting dangerously close to the saw stand and generally acting like they've not seen the outside world in a month.

However, now that our tree is up I'm so happy we got it, one of our best trees yet in my lil' ol opinion. When I am not lazy (like now) I'll snap a picture and post it.

Hope you all are enjoying this fun and memorable time of year.

Sharing my lovely "fantastic disaster" at "Blessed Little Nest":

FunnyKid Moment

Hubby found a station last night that is playing Chirstmas music...yipee!!! The kids are listening to it in their room right now, and "Little Drummer Boy" is playing. That is oldest's favorite, but instead of singing the chourus, "Pa rum pa pum pum" he sings, "Barack Obama". Love this kid.

What's Your Motivation?

Initially I was going to write a lengthy, wordy post about getting ready for Christmas and what it means. Similar to what you've probably read in the past. Remembering the real "reason for the season" and stuff like that. However, I think that I'm preaching to the choir somewhat as most of us do understand (at least intellectually) what that means.

I was sitting down the other day mentally going through my list of stuff I needed to do, preparing to make my annual preparation "list". I'm sure you all make a similar one too. Who to buy for, what your buying, the cost, etc.

Also thinking about the crafting to do, gifts to make. Looking in my "stash" boxes to see what I have squirreled away for gifting this year. Lamenting on my lack of items and thinking about how I was going to compensate for it.

Thinking about the traditions that we do as a family. The ones that we truly enjoy and are fun for us. Remembering what I needed to buy in order to do these things that we look forward to.

Looking at my boxes of holiday decorations and thinking about how I'll be pulling them out soon. Starting to make room in the house, paring down existing decor to make room for the onslaught that will soon be coming.

Thinking about wrapping and presenting gifts, one of my favorite things to do at Christmastime. I'm a gift wrap/ribbon/presentation junkie and I always get extreme joy out of having perfectly presented presents.

As I was sitting down thinking of these things I felt a slight stirring in me. A question quietly emerged as I was mentally making lists and plotting plans. Why do you do what you do? What is your motivation? Is it for others, or yourself? Think about that for a bit.

All the planning, shopping, procuring, presenting, wrapping, cooking, preparations that you do annually...is it for yourself to show what you can do, or for the recipients that receive? Is is for the kudos you'll receive for a job well done or is it for the joy and benefit of others? Do you do it because of the sacrifice or so you can say, "I did it faster/better/cuter/cheaper/smarter..."?

Think about it, honestly for a bit. Then think about why we celebrate Christmas. What was our Father's motivation for sending His gift to us? So we could tell Him "Good work, looks great!" or was it for our benefit of salvation?

I personally knew the answer for myself, and it's causing a shift in my perception of what needs to be accomplished. I found a bible verse that I personally know that I will be focusing on this year, as I make that mental shift.

‎"... I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind." Ecclesiastes 4:4.

A great verse to store away as we prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. What is your motivation for what you do, and what are you striving to accomplish as you prepare for Christmastime?

Gasp!!

I've lost my trusty little camera. I love it so...I hope I find it sOoN!

Perception vs. Reality

I've been praying and working on making a shift in my thought process about things that irk me. The stuff that tends to rub you the wrong way, things you'd rather not do, situations that cause you stress. Mostly the little, mundane things that we all do, all can relate to on some level or another. Shifting focus away from the negative and what you don't like to what you've been blessed with instead.



Designing and building a supposed "kid built" project is spending time with your child.

Listening to yet another "play" by ... is an opportunity to watch your child use their mind in an audible and tangible way. You can actually see the way their little minds are working.

Figuring out where to store all you kid's crap I mean stuff means you've been blessed with the ability to provide fun activities for your children.

Sticky, sugary gingerbread houses are family traditions.

Messy painting in the backyard is a chance to watch your child create and make something.

Cleaning up a messy toddler after a meal means they have the ability to feed themselves.

That clingy child that never leaves your lap is a few more moments of cuddle time before they are too old to cuddle anymore.

Those forsaken 20,000 little pieces of stuff all over the house are ways to develop fine motor skills in your child.

More, you say?

Those dirty undies on the floor that NEVER, NEVER EVER make it to the hamper belongs to a husband that comes home to you every night.

Those dirty dishes in the sink waiting to be washed means you have running water in your home.

The dirty bathroom that needs to be cleaned means you have indoor plumbing.

That filthy car that needs to be detailed so badly means you have your own personal means of transportation.

The 20 plus pounds you need to lose means you are in a season of plenty.

The dinner you have to make that you don't want to make means you have the ability to feed your family.

The house that will never stay clean means you have a roof over your head.

The same bedtime story your child asks you to read every night means you can read.

The guilt you feel over not being good enough, worthy of God's love or an adequate mother means you have the ability to think.

The fights you have with the kids over clipping fingernails means they have the ability to be mobile.

The laundry that is constantly in your baskets, hampers, on the floor means you have clothes on your back.

The "mommy burnout" that we feel means we are able to stay home with our children.

I could list more, but I think we all get the point. Switch your thought process a bit. Think about how that "curse" is actually a blessing from our Father. He has given us all that we need, I for one need to start seeing it for how He sees it.

The Rainy Season

"Then I will send rain on your land in it's season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil." Deuteronomy 11:14, NIV

I love fall. By far, my favorite season. I love the change it brings. The coolness, the colors, the smells. I always have had a special place in my heart for this time of year. I remember being little and looking at changing leaves and colorful sunsets and feeling calm and peaceful.

I love nature. Bees, flowers, trees. Looking at them gives me an appreciation for God's creation. The variety. The complexity. The purposefulness wrapped up in beauty. I can see God's love for us so clearly when I look at His creation, how special He made it just for us.

I love special relationships. Words of wisdom and advice from my Mom. Silly stories and jokes from my Dad. Watching my brothers grow into men, developing their character. Sisters, whom I share secrets, laughs and love; listening more and "advising" less. Hubby and his unconditional love, squabbling and realizations, grace, frustration and acceptance. Children and their transparent hearts, seeing both the love and sin all in one adorably loving package.

I have been feeling lately that all of these things which I hold so dear and treasure are also bringing to life another realization. How all of these things allow me an opportunity to love and worship my Creator. Appreciating my favorite season and all that it brings honors how God restores our weary souls and gives us sinners the ability to change, renew and revive. Gazing at His beautiful world and marveling at how He's made it is an act of worship, acknowledging and marveling at it's unimaginable vastness and intricacy. Appreciating the special relationships that God has blessed me with, honoring how God's grace is everywhere and He lavishes it upon us in so many unexpected places in different and unique ways.

God brings us restoration in all forms. In relationships, in prayer, in His creation, in quiet, in situations. He gives us all of the wine, grain and oil that we'll need for this life and more in accessible and inventive ways. We don't "earn" this restoration, He freely gives it to us when we're parched; just as He sends the rains when the earth is in need of water for growth and rejuvenation. God delights in using the everyday to give us what we need to grow, survive and thrive in this place, in this life. We don't have to go out looking for it, God will send it to us in His way in His time.

We don't have to get to a certain place or point in order to earn it. We don't need to keep the house more organized, the food on the table healthier, the car we drive fancier, the kids we raise more obedient, the spouse we love more "loveable", the clothes on our backs trendier, the bible study we participate in more holier, muck our thought life to make it cleaner, even to forgive ourselves for all the ways we fall so terribly short.

We just have to trust in Him and wait for the rain. The sprinkles, downpours and sometimes even hail will come. Just as there are different types or rain, He'll send it to us in different ways to replenish and restore us. We just need to soak it in when it's the rainy season.