Make Room For...

One Word 365 = Less

2012-01-01T21:49:00.000-05:00

Last year I jumped on board with One Word 2011 for the very reason it was created. I have never made New Year's resolutions but I liked the idea of having something easy to focus on for the year (hello, one word, how easy is that?)

For 2012 my word will be Less.

I want more of Him and Less of me.
I want to weigh less.
I want to rush and hurry less.
I want less stuff so I have less to clean and organize.
I want less clothing so getting ready is a breeze.
I want less busyness where the good gets in the way of the best.

I want less so I am freed up to do more of what God has for me.

Less is more. It's taken me a long time to realize that and now I want it.

I want less.

Click below to join this community over at One Word 365.

One Word 2011 = Patience--Wrap Up

2011-12-31T21:09:00.000-05:00

So I did it. I prayed for patience in 2011, the one thing I had always been warned to not pray for because you would surely be given lots of practice if you asked.

There were eye opening moments, like when I would catch myself getting impatient with my kids impatience. Yeah, it's true. I was trying to hurry them out the door and one wasn't getting their shoes on quickly enough and the other was getting frustrated with zipping his coat. The more impatient I got the harder it was for him to zip that coat.

By focusing on patience I was forced to be patient. Or at least admit it when I wasn't.

And you know what? It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Sure, I still lose my patience and I'm still working on it, but I know His mercies are new every morning.

And I will get lots more practice, especially in the kitchen with my favorite helper.

Thanks again Alece, this was a wonderful blessing, I already have my word for next year.

Laundry, Spread A Little Love On It

2011-12-22T15:19:00.005-05:00

I love doing laundry for my family. I love knowing they have clean undies, their favorite shirt, and outfit choices instead of defaulting to what's clean. Along with laundry I also happen to love wrapping presents and going to the grocery store. I know, I'm weird like that.

My friends and family know that Monday and Thursday are my laundry days. I love these days because I don't have to go anywhere, I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when it's done and by doing it twice a week it keeps the laundry pile from ever getting too big.

We use cloth napkins around these parts and I will admit that folding them can get tedious. So recently I had a stroke of genius and taught the kids how to fold napkins and now they do it for me. And they do an amazing job. Which is saying A LOT because I tend toward OCD on how things get folded.

In the video Chloe is folding some of our favorite napkins from Katherine Rally Textiles. We have had them for two years, use them everyday, they are so soft, and they still look new.

Bye Bye Batwing Drawer Pulls

2011-10-22T16:10:00.000-04:00

Our kids share an old dresser with the most annoying drawers pulls. I think Kimba calls them batwings.

They are annoying for a few reasons. They clank and bang loudly when you open or close the drawers and half of them are falling off. The worst part is there are 5 drawers with 3 different size pulls, making it next to impossible to find matching pulls.

I found some pulls I liked but didn't want to drill new holes to make them all fit. So I used those on the 2 drawers they fit and I used clothesline on the rest. That's right, clothesline.

I doubled the clothesline and poked it through the hole with a screwdriver and tied a knot.

Then I twisted the two ends (my husband's suggestion) and I thought that looked better than the untwisted look.

I tied another knot and fed the clothesline through the other hole and tied the two ends together on the inside of the drawer. Clear as mud?

Before


After

I would say this took about 30 minutes, and maybe 5 bucks to get rid of the batwings.

Favor On Your Life

2011-07-06T13:54:00.000-04:00

Do you see God's favor on your life? I bet if you look you will.

Favor can look like a big blessing, an out of this world miracle, or it can be the smallest provision.

Last week a small work issue resolved itself without my effort, my worry, my anxiety or even my best intentions. And I saw it as God's favor because had I tried to handle it myself there would have been worry, anxiety, gnashing of teeth, tension headache and the like.

Our needs are met daily. Seek to know the One that meets our needs. Watch for His favor on your life.

40 by 40, an update!

2011-06-25T12:28:00.001-04:00

Back in January I told you guys how much I weigh. And how I plan to lose 40 pounds before I turn 40 in September. Actually, I told you I wanted to do it but didn't really tell you about my plan.

Because I DIDN"T HAVE ONE! Other than giving Chloe piggy back rides, nursing Rachel and giggling with Noah, I had no plan.

I have been shuffling along making small changes in my eating. For instance, I have a new rule. No eating food off the kids' plates during clean up unless it's a fruit or a vegetable. Embarrassing, I know. Who needs a rule for such things?

This month I have started walking. No more excuses. When I get the least amount of motivation I grab the kids and we go around the big block. We call the walk out our neighborhood and down to the corner and back around to the other entrance "the big block." I think it's just under a mile. And it's totally doable without excuses like: I'm not wearing socks, I need a jog bra, it's too hot, etc. I can think up lots more excuses but this walk takes 15 or 20 minutes TOPS and that's with two little kids on bikes with training wheels and me pushing the jogger (which works great for herding little ones across the street.)

This morning I did a 5k, the same one I walked last year and finished 5 minutes faster. Yeah me! My friend Kathy ran and finished even faster :)

I started off at 188 and I am thrilled to tell you I am down to 172!

I have also started following the #SexyBack11 health challenge on Twitter and they are full of motivation and tips. Loving this community!

13 years ago today

2011-04-15T21:32:00.000-04:00

April 15, 1998 is a significant date in my history. It's a date that for many years I wanted to forget. But now it's a date I look back on with thanksgiving in my heart and praise on my lips. Watch and see.

Tracey Crosby: To Live is Christ from Reston Bible Church on Vimeo.

Alan has been trying to get me to write down my testimony for years. I just couldn't. I wanted to, but the words just wouldn't come.

After I heard Ann Voskamp speak at the Relevant conference last fall I felt like it was time to start sharing my story. Because story is all we have. If I am keeping my story quiet how can I give full glory to God? The God who spared me from my first suicide attempt on April 15, 1998.

So, back in February I called the Director of Women's ministry at our church and invited her over for coffee. I had no idea what I wanted to come of it but I thought she was a good place to start.

What came from our 3 hour coffee date was twofold. She invited me to video tape my testimony and share it at our women's retreat. (Which I wasn't attending because of a sweet, smiling, nursing newborn.) She also asked if I would be interested in co-leading a post-abortion bible study. WOW. I never expected either of those things to happen over 3 hours of coffee.

I needed to get some distance between myself and San Francisco before I was able to share all this, but what an amazing God we serve that he allowed me to. Little old me.

Gypsy Mama gave us the prompt "On Distance" for 5 minute Friday today and even though this story has been a lifetime in the making, this post wasn't.

Five Minute Friday: If you met me

2011-04-08T20:09:00.000-04:00

If you met me, I would probably strike up a conversation immediately.

I love getting to know people and hearing their story. I have a story too, and I would love to share it with you.

Connecting with people is my gift and it fills me up. I feel God’s love when we connect.

If you met me, I would probably say something that would shock you, something that would encourage you and something that would make you laugh. It wouldn't be my goal, but it would most likely happen.

This post was inspired by The Gypsy Mama. I love the way Lisa-Jo is setting us free from blogging perfectionism by hosting 5 Minute Friday.

p.s. I know my header still says March, I'll get to it :)

Five Minute Friday: Waking up

2011-03-25T16:17:00.000-04:00

"They say that waking up is hard to do..." I love singing my version of that old song to my littles when they wake up crabby.

They usually wake up slowly with snuggles and smiles. But on the mornings they are fussy and cranky they need even more snuggles and smiles from me and sometimes a song.

This year I have been waking up to Jesus and the way he wants me to step out in my faith. I feel like until now I have been hogging my faith and His blessing for myself and my family.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to share my testimony by video at our women's retreat. I'll be sharing the video here soon!

This post was inspired by The Gypsy Mama. I love the way Lisa-Jo is setting us free from blogging perfectionism by hosting 5 Minute Friday. And, she has a squishy, sweet, 6 day old baby girl...go see!

The Cost of Clutter

2011-03-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

I paid a price this weekend for the clutter I have allowed to pile up on the island in our kitchen.

We were without our name tags at Financial Peace University last night. They were buried in that pile instead of in the bag with our other class materials.

There was a 10% late fee on our quarterly water bill. Ouch. The original bill was thrown in that pile when the pile started and it never resurfaced. That didn't bring a lot of financial peace.

This price seems insignificant in light of the price Jesus paid to save me from death. When he died for me, and for you, he paid with his life so we could live forever in heaven with God.

I'm so thankful He hasn't left me in a pile of clutter.

A Party For My Love

2011-02-14T11:02:00.000-05:00

February is one of my favorite months. It's my Mr's birthday month, and he is a mighty fine reason for a favorite.

Each year I ask Alan if he wants a party and each year he says no. But this year he agreed to a Super Bowl birthday party. We invited our shepherd group and we pigged out on appetizers.

Appetizers are one of my favorite party foods. Anything else is too much of a commitment {name that movie}.

A football cake is pretty much the easiest cake I have ever made. I used a Wilton oval pan and my favorite chocolate ganache frosting. {the cake is always from a mix}

What is your favorite month?

Share. Care. Love. Disciple. Mentor.

2011-01-14T17:57:00.001-05:00

What is my part? I have felt a tug for some time to get involved.

Do something. Be used. And most importantly, to not let the testimony of my past be wasted.

I was first prompted a few years ago when a friend approached me to mentor her for a time. Whoa. I need a mentor was what I thought. But God.

Well, now it’s a few years later and I have been to the Relevant Conference and I have heard God speak through Ann Voskamp’s words:

Why do I need your story and why do you need your story?

Because story is a way that the Spirit of God can bind our wounds.

It is in story, we meet the Spirit of God. The reader meets the Spirit of God in the reading of story — the word made flesh in your life. The writer, you, meets the Spirit of God in the writing your story – the word made flesh in your own life.

And so today, I responded to the prompting and took a step. I met with a leader from our church and the discussion has started. To use my story.

{Time is up. Gypsy Mama encouraged us to whip up a post in 5 minutes. And I did it wrong because she said use a photo prompt. And this might be the first post I've written without a photo. I am so rebellious.}

Okay, fine. This photo has nothing to do with this post but it was taken the other day and I love it.

Baby Weight

2011-01-12T09:20:00.006-05:00

Here's the thing. With very few breaks, I have been pregnant or nursing since August 2005. Wow.

Noah was born in 2006, Chloe in 2008 and Rachel in 2010.

What I'm tryin' to tell you is, I've got a few pounds to lose. (By the way, Rachel is asleep in my arms as I type this and she just sleep laughed and it was the sweetest little thing.)

I get big, really big when I'm pregnant. Like, a fat roll on the back of my neck big. Like, my fingers look like hot dogs big. Like, people constantly ask me if I'm having twins big. Here, I'll prove it:

I was just 33 weeks along in this picture. That's Myra from My Blessed Life AND also from her beautiful new blog The Casabella Project. This was the last night of The Relevant Conference and we were taking pictures like it was the last day of school.

With each pregnancy I gained 45 pounds. And I didn't care because I was making a baby and I was so excited to be a Mama.

So far, I have lost 22 pounds without trying. I am already down to a svelte 188 lbs, and my baby is just 6 weeks old. Yes, people you can do the math and see that I was 210 lbs when I gave birth. And it wasn't much weight from said baby:

This fall I am turning 40 and we are thinking about taking our very first cruise. I would love to be in ship shape {hardy, har, har} for both of those events!

So, I tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna lose 40 lbs by the time I turn 40.

And I hate to exercise and I love to eat. Let's do this thing!

One Word 2011 = Patience

2011-01-01T22:55:00.000-05:00

We had a lovely 2010. We became a family of 5. And the refining that comes with motherhood blessed me. And it challenged me.

I am joining Alece from Grit and Glory by choosing one word to focus on this year. When I read her blog last week I knew immediately my word should be patience. I was a little scared ("don't ever pray for patience, you might get it") so I secretly tried it out for a few days.

And an amazing thing happened. It was as if God immediately blessed me with an extra measure of patience. Just by being willing to focus, He was already working. On little ol' impatient me.

The interesting thing was that a few days earlier I had asked my husband to help me recognize when I was being impatient with our children. A raised voice, a harsh tone, a frustrated look. He agreed this can be a weakness for me. Further confirming my need for an intentional focus on patience.

Thank you, Alece. Our family has already benefited, and it's only January 1.

The only downside, so far, to this patience project is that this song has run through my head at least once a day. GAH.

And now it's in your head too. Hello, 1989! You were a wonderful year to graduate from high school.

Bowlful of Christmas Cheer

2010-12-21T01:19:00.002-05:00

Rachel Winona

We're so glad to have this little sweetie join our family!

She was born November 29, 2010

She weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces

I'm linking to Darcy's this week. Go check out some other sweet shots at Life With My 3 Boybarians

Christmas Photo Cards

2010-11-30T22:57:00.000-05:00

Every year we take a family photo to enclose with our Christmas cards. Sounds easy enough, no? It is always more work than I remember. Take the picture. Make the prints. Pick up the prints. Buy the cards. Sign the cards. Enclose the picture. Seal the cards. Stamp the cards. Address the cards. Mail the cards. Whew.

This year since we are having a baby just a few weeks before Christmas, I decided I would finally order some fancy schmancy cards with half the work already done. In comes DaySpring!

I had a chance to see, touch, and ogle the DaySpring Christmas cards while at The Relevant Conference last month. They are beautiful! Nice heavy card stock, just like I like.

I chose the bottom right card, it is called Stripes. I like the verse, the monogram, and the two photo option since this will double as our baby announcement. The price really drops if you order over 100. AND they offer free shipping if you order at least 25 cards.

**This post contains affiliate links, which support this blog if you choose to shop after clicking the links. I was also compensated by Dayspring with 50 free cards for writing this post. All opinions are mine.

Relevant Day 1

2010-11-15T08:18:00.001-05:00

I know Relevant was several weeks ago, but I still have stories to tell about my trip. It has taken this long for me to get caught up and fully processed on this amazing event.

I left the house about 9 am for the 2 hour drive. I was about 30 minutes from the hotel and I had to stop for gas. And ice. And water~which have both been constant requirements for the end of this pregnancy. And I have no idea how that Hostess cherry pie ended up there :)

I arrived early and there weren't many people in the hotel. But, as God would have it, the first person I met as I rode the elevator to my room was sweet Melissa from The Inspired Room. I have been reading her blog since I started blogging and it was a treat to spend time with her throughout the weekend.

My next stop was a lunch that the fabulously creative Beth from The Stories of A to Z planned via a shout out on Twitter the week before. Since I didn't know anyone in real life attending the conference it was a great way for me to start the weekend. And, little did I know I would be meeting my two new best blogging buddies, Traci from Beneath My Heart and her sister Cyndi from Walking In His Grace.

And this is none other than HeathahLee (said in my best southern gentleman voice so as to try and sound just like her Daddy) from Butterfly Genes. Heather was one of the first people to subscribe and regularly comment on my blog. She was the easiest roommate in the world and she even acted like I didn't wake her up when I got up 1,000 times a night to go to the bathroom.

Cyndi and Traci (who is as big a goofball as I am)

I easily have one or two more posts about my weekend at Relevant to come. Until then, go check out some new blogs and do some real, intentional, living and blogging.
p.s. If you missed my first Relevant post it is right here.

Pregnancy Update--Due November 29

2010-11-12T15:15:00.000-05:00

I have a new and improved delivery date of November 29. I don't know a pregnant lady alive who wouldn't have her delivery date moved up. The last few weeks are u~n~c~o~m~f~o~r~t~a~b~l~e!

34 Weeks and just 19 days before delivery day!

We enjoyed our first Trunk or Treat at our church this year.

Our new baby was bustin' to join us.

Fall is in full swing here in Virginia and we are enjoying every minute!

Christmas Starts Early This Year!

2010-11-03T14:34:00.004-04:00

I was just talking with Tiny Twig yesterday on Twitter about the desire to start decorating early. And then this beauty showed up on my front porch from Dayspring!

The decorating has officially begun. I can see this piled high with Christmas cookies or finger foods or Christmas Cards.

The Dayspring Jesus is the Gift line is one of my favorites. It is bright and cheery and communicates the message of Christmas I hope I never, ever forget.

*Disclaimer, Dayspring sent me this platter for review, opinions are my own--I really love it! I have just joined the affiliate program with Dayspring and any purchase you make by clicking on links in this post will generate income to support this blog and my family.

A Blogger After God's Own Heart

2010-10-27T12:34:00.000-04:00

It took me 3 days to even find these words.

Last weekend I attended Relevant and came home blown away by God.

Before I left I told my husband I thought my expectation for this blogging conference was that it would be the women's retreat experience I always hope for, but never really get. AND IT WAS!!!!

I learned practical blogging tips from Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom like ways to save time and save relationships from being damaged by blogging.

I was greatly encouraged by a devotional given by Courtney Joseph of Women Living Well--she charged us to heed Jeremiah 45:5 "Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not."

Sally Clarkson gave me a desire to sustain the weary with my life, my blog, and my marriage. I felt the presence of God being with her. I want others to feel the presence of God when they are with me.

In a session on "Finding God's Purpose For Your Blog" with Kristen from We are THAT Family and Courtney Joseph I was prompted to let the blog be a calling, not a job. And I was excited by the reminder that if we have the heart of God it will show on the blog.

Through all my tears, snots, and tissues I couldn't take a single note during Angie Smith's keynote. I thought since I knew her story it would be easier. I was weak as she asked the women in the room who had lost a child to stand. I stood and as I looked at the sea of women who also stood I saw God and His amazing ability to give and take away. Bless and heal. Use all things for good. "...because everything he does is right and all his ways are just." Daniel 4:37

And this was just in the first 24 hours people! I'll write about the rest soon.

My Husband's Office Has Great Sticks

2010-10-04T07:15:00.002-04:00

When I saw this tutorial over at The Painted Hive I knew I had found my fall wreath.

We stopped by my husbands office on the way to Ikea one Saturday and when I saw all the sticks on the ground I knew they were wreath worthy. It took about 5 minutes to collect them and the kids oohed and ahhed at each one they found.

I used a wreath form I already had and wrapped it with jute twine, but Kristine made hers out of a cereal box--so smart!

I think a smaller wreath form would have been better.

There, that's better. This was a fun and simple project and I had all the supplies in my stash.

Pregnancy Update--Due December 18

2010-09-22T17:12:00.001-04:00

I will be 28 weeks this Saturday, but you would never know it from the size of my belly. I tend to get a really big belly when I am pregnant, but this even seems big for me...like 46" around big. This was taken today:

Yes, there is only one baby in there. We checked.

Noah and Chloe just got bunk beds and love sharing a room. They are very excited about the new baby.

In other news, Chloe is potty training. She is lucky she's cute.

I had to cut a pair of training pants off today and just throw them in the trash.

Candy Corn Wreath

2010-09-09T13:07:00.003-04:00

A little candy corn, a little glue gun, a little braided jute, a couple of cute supervisors and voila, a candy corn wreath.

Mise en place

As you can see, we were in the middle of a snack when motivation came over me. I had to strike while the glue gun was hot.

Step 1 of the fall mantel, complete.

I am linking to YOU:create because she motivates me.

Also linking to:

Clean Your Stove, the easy way

2010-09-05T22:06:00.001-04:00

Do you have nasty looking burners on your stove, like this:

Turn your gas stove on as low as the flame will go and in about 30 minutes, it will look like this:

Isn't that amazing? I am easily impressed. Here ends the infomercial. Happy Labor Day!

Footstool Slipcover

2010-08-25T09:04:00.002-04:00

This is another project that, due to my lack of sewing skills, should have NEVER worked.

A few years ago I "reupholstered" a footstool I found at Home Goods. I never warmed up to that scary clown monkey fabric and finally decided to give it a new look. Click here if you want to see the creepy monkey fabric.

So, here we go with the slipcover. I cut and pinned a piece of fabric to fit the top. So far, so good.

Next, I cut a bunch of strips to make the pleats. My friend Pink (I can call her a friend, right? After all, I met and sewed with her once) gave a great tutorial on making knife pleats. She said measure twice around and add about a foot. Well, you should really do that. I only added about 6 inches and I came up short and had to add another section. Grrrr.

I sewed the strips together and hemmed the edges. I eyeballed it because I am too lazy to pin.

Then I had a piece of coconut cake and caught up on a sweet mom from our church that is fighting pancreatic cancer. Please pray for Leigh.

There is no getting around pinning and ironing on this part. Again, I eyeballed it because I am lazy and I enjoy "good enough" sewing. A real seamstress would probably measure each pleat for precision.

Chloe woke up from her nap at this point, so I got a little help.

I pinned the pleats (right side, to right side) on the footstool.

Next, I attached the pleats. I was amazed all this fabric fit through my sewing machine. I was also shocked I didn't break a needle with all those pins. I removed the ones I could see as I went but I ran right over a few.

And here she is, my little beauty.

...and the rest of the room.

I am linking this to YOU:Create and Works for Me Wednesday, go check 'em out. And don't forget to go to Pink and Polka Dot's Slipcover party! She taught me everything I ever needed to know about making slipcovers.