change

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Not really sure how to start this post, other than I’ve just been stirring on these things today. There are things about myself and who I am that I want to change. Before anyone gets to the end of this and thinks I’m being too hard on myself, please let me say I am an advocate for change. When a person doesn’t strive to change and grow, he gets stale and crusty. Ick. So don’t read this as a list of complaints about myself. Read it as a prayer list, if you will. Without further ado, here are things I’m working on/trying to change:

-My temper. I have a hot one, let me just say that. But in the past couple of years I’ve discovered that my reaction to situations that fire up my temper is a choice. I don’t have to blame it on myself—e.g. “that’s just who I am.” I can choose to act differently. For some blog-worthy examples, see here and here.

-Being a little messy. It’s ok sometimes. Sure, I prefer it when the house is tidy, dishes are clean, and things are put away. But the act of letting go and realizing that it doesn’t have to be like this all the time has done wonders for my sanity. In fact, I’m sure if you came over to my house right now, you’d find stacks of mail, the ironing board left out, dirty dishes in the sink, clean ones on the counter, goodwill piles in random places, a near-trashed closet, an unmade bed, and who knows what else. But I’m learning to go with it. And I’m sure once this little one comes, I’ll have to learn to go with a lot more. *grin*

-The way I disagree with people. I have to admit, I have not even come close to mastering this is the least bit. When Chris and I went through our pre-marital counseling, we took a strengths-finder test, and I discovered that one of my top strengths is belief (those of you who know me probably aren’t surprised at this). Unfortunately, I don’t argue well if you disagree with me. For some reason I just have the toughest time not telling people how it is or how it should be. The worst part for me is my attitude in situations like this. I tend to come off hurtful and rude. See, belief in itself isn’t a bad spiritual strength. But I know when it starts hurting people, something needs to change.
*disclaimer- I’m not really talking about basic spiritual beliefs that no follower of Christ should ever sway on. I’m talking about the less serious issues in life. the gray areas where it really is ok to be on either side of the fence.

-My thoughts. I really honestly wish that intentional thinking came naturally to me. But too often, I just let me mind drift aimlessly. You know what I’m talking about? It’s kind of hard to put a finger on. But to have intentional thoughts for me, to have my mind purposefully centered on something, takes effort. Yet I still want to strive for it, because I believe this is one of the ways that life can be experienced more fully.


Well, I’m sure there’s more. But here’s to change. Change as the Lord leads. Change that only HE can make through us.

i hate blog titles...

Ok, as if you haven't noticed...my blogging schedule is like a roller coaster! Haha. Do I even need to mention that we’re pretty busy this time of year? Well, we are. *grin* Add up Advent services, making Christmas presents, buying Christmas presents, Chris’ birthday….Well that there is enough. Plus still trying to take time to r e l a x and remember what this season is truly about.

This might be the most heart-grabbing, truest statement I've read in a while. Thanks, Annalea, for sharing.

. . . though this season may stretch us, it was never meant to
be a burden — Any weight of Christmas is of this world and all the
weightlessness of Christmas is the Grace of the Wood with the flesh wrapped over
Deity.

While these days are spent with my mind wrapped around what I have left to make for Christmas, I can’t help but let my mind drift to my after-Christmas list of stuff I’m dying to make. Since I can’t share what I’m currently making (ya’ll didn’t really think I’d let you get a sneak peak at your gifts, did you!?), I’ll just let you see what I’m drooling over…


Emily-this piece of art is beyond beautiful. i loooove it.



Janie just welcomed her new little babe into the world this past weekend. She knits and sews and is uber talented. Isn't this little birdie patch adorable?



i don't know where i found this, but i love the simplicity of this nursery.



this yo-yo pilllow is definitely on my "to-make" list for the spring.


So there ya have it. I'm still alive. All is well. I can't promise another blog post soon, but then again, who knows :) Love you all. And thank you for your kind comments on my last post :)

well folks....

Chris and I are expecting a baby next MAY!!! We are going to be people parents, not just doggie parents, and we're totally stoked about it. I'm almost 15 week along (yah 2nd tri!!), for those that are wondering, so we've known for a while. No baby bump to show yet, but once there's any bit of something, I'll snap a pic and show ya'll.

So I have to share this funny story....

Chris was pretty skeptical of this test (even though that is a dark pink test line, if I've ever seen one!), so I actually took three tests. Well, those of you who know Chris won't be surprised by the fact that HE wanted to take one of the tests. My last one was from the Dollar Tree, so only a dollar. And if that's what it takes to proove it to him, fine. Well of course, there was only one line. DUH. So I went about my business, whatever I was doing, and then like, 10-15 minutes later he looked at the test and was like, "Oh my gosh, babe! There are two lines, I am not even kidding!" Sure enough, I look and there was a second line, only it was like, dark gray. I, however, immediately dismissed it as an evaporation line (what the test line turns into if you look at it outside of the correct time frame). I’m not stupid :) Anyway, later that night before we were going to bed, he confessed to me that he drew that line on with a sharpie.

Yes, that is my man and the father to my unborn child. I love him to death. *grin*

Rag Rug

This is one project that took a loooong time, but I am so glad I pressed on and finished it. I made this from three twin sheets, two of which were the same pattern. (Amazingly, I found those two matching ones at two separate thrift stores!) I just have to show you a close up, because I love the yellow pattern so much...

So here it is, two-thirds finished. I cut the sheets in strips about 1.5 inches to make "yarn", then crochet it all together with a large hook. I think a lot of rag rugs are done using a different technique--not necessarily crocheted--but those result in a circle rug, and I wanted a rectangle.

Here's the end result, displayed in front of my kitchen sink! Best thing about these rugs is, the more you wash them, the softer they get over time. Cool huh?

I'm so happy with how it turned out :)

Livy's Letters

My wonderful friend Lauren has a baby. Her name is Livy. She turned one a couple of weeks ago. I seriously can't believe it's been a year already since she was born.

This baby girl is such a genius that she already knows her vowels. Yeah, mmm hmm. So I thought I'd make her some softie fabric letters to help her learn the rest of the alphabet :)

I used Jessica's pattern for the rag rug quilted letters from over at Happy Together. If you haven't checked out her blog, you totally should. She's got tons of awesome tutorials.

Happy Birthday, sweet Livy!! I love you!

while he was out...

this is what kept me busy. well, one of the things, at least :)

autumn thank you cards for a friend. i made twenty! i do realize the text is backwards....chris took his camera on his trip, so hopefully he'll come back with some good pictures of the west coast!! for now, an iphoto...

my thankful list for today:

-Chris is coming home! t-minus 1 hour...

-Christmas decorations are up, and we're setting up the tree tomorrow!

-Got to see my family this past weekend which was so wonderful. i love you guys!

-the life of Chris' Uncle Warner who passed last week. What a man of God. We're praying his witness and testimony will be used to touch lives!

-yummy teavana tea. so delicious and full of flavor.

-free $10 at kohls--no strings attached.

-thanksgiving is this week! that means family and good food :)

what are you thankful for??

because i miss him...

i will look at pictures from the past and smile because i love him so so much :)

prom alternative- junior year. we had been dating for maybe a month. can you sense the ackwardness?? haha, i love it.

prom alternative- senior year. much better. we match- so cute :)

aquire the fire. chris ripped his pants in a very unfortunate spot. i sewed them up with my emergency sewing kit, but he ripped them open again. from here on out he teased me that i wasn't a very good sewer...

sophomore year of college-singing karaoke at a jazz band party.

junior year of college- chris moves to nashville. i think this picture is from valentine's day.

rehearsal dinner for our wedding. so happy. :)

basically, i really like him. thanks for letting me indulge :)