When Regarding Ruffles.

Letting go with the hope of something more.

2013-05-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

So, remember how I talked a little while ago about transformation? I'll let you in on one of the areas that God has hit hard lately. To say it in few words: we're selling our home.

A bit of background on our home. We bought our house two years ago. We fell in love with it immediately. We love its charm, warmth, and character. We love that you can sit in the living room and enjoy a cross breeze in the spring, and close the pocket doors and stay cozy by the fire. We love cooking meals and sharing them around our dining room table. In so many ways it feels like exactly where we need to be, where we want to be. In so many ways this place we live has become our home.

Then things changed. A lot.

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Sometimes things change when we least expect them. On paper, we can financially handle this house with ease and even a bit extra each month- but to be honest, the "on paper" does not reflect real life. After the normal life happenings that usually cost a pretty penny (health care costs, car repairs, home repairs), we decided that we wanted to re-evaluate where our money was going. We sat down and nailed out a very specific budget. We cut out everything that wasn't necessary which is easier said than done. We could physically see where we needed to spend and where we needed to save. In so many ways this was helpful. It helped us prioritize.

This financial close up was spurred by sermon that we heard at church. The sermon shared that in essence we are not owners of anything here on earth. Everything that we have is of the Lord. Yet we hold onto it so tightly- especially money. The part that really hit home was the idea that our money is literally not our own. When someone gives us something to take care of, say a child, we will go above and beyond to care for that child with care, to make wise decisions, and to then return that child to its parent. In many ways, money is the exact same. God has blessed us with finances but at the end of the day it is still his. If he walked in your front door and asked about the money that he gave you- are you able to look him and show him that you cared for it with responsibility, discernment, and wisdom? For us, our answers was sometimes. After realizing that, we decided that we didn't want to have to answer sometimes. We wanted to be able to say, "Yes! We have been very careful with this gift you have given us."

So we're making changes. Things don't always happen overnight- especially with finances but we feel that our mindset is now at least in the right state. We have been on top of our tithe, trying to wittle down our "splurge" spending (think eating out, shopping, etc), and even tackling our little bit of debt that follows us around (Especially Josh's student loans). However, the looming thing we kept coming back to was our mortgage. Yes, it was doable, but to be honest, that was the only area that we could not cut back on. Yes, we can afford it, but the monthly expense was keeping us from having a lifestyle that we really desire for our future. Ideally for us, our situation would include a home that we love, savings, good debt (mortgage to own a home but build equity), and the option for me to work if I want or stay home if I want to raise our children. Right now, not all of that is a reality.

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. (Proverbs 23:4)

On top of all the budgeting, we have just become really weary and tired. A part of us says to just hold out and stay because there is always the chance we could make more money or Josh could always pick up more freelance work. But doesn't that just sound exhausting thinking about it? Talk about putting pressure on ourselves too. For us, moving would honestly relieve a lot of long term financial stress that we saw ahead. It is a good investment for our future. Why weary ourselves when what we already have can be enough?

Moving forward. To sell or not- that was the question. At first, we answered that question with a quick NO- case closed. As a few months passed, that no slowly started turning into a maybe. Then we got serious. We went over the numbers again, and if we cut our payment in half, that was the change we needed to give our family options for a lifestyle change if we wanted. So we decided to try our hand at selling our home. We met with a few different realtors and found one that fit our needs the best and moved forward. Luckily, our home has appreciated in value a little bit over the last two year, so in addition to our bit of equity, if we sell at a decent price we will have enough for a new down payment. However, since we do not have to sell, we really have nothing to lose. We know what we need to sell for, and if we can't do that now, we'll wait. We are pretty confident that if God wants us to be in a different situation that our home will sell at a price where that can happen. That is one of the beauties of having a relationship with God, he literally has a plan for your life.

In some ways, we even wonder if God is just pushing us to let go of this home. In all honesty, it is simply a worldly possession. One that at the end of our days will not matter. So, while this hasn't been an easy step to take, and we are mourning the possibility of leaving this home, there is still that small mustard seed of excitement and hope for what the future might bring. Sometimes it just takes us letting go to reach that something more. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

To close off this post, here a few of the scriptures that have been ripping a whole in my brain and soul as of late. Sometimes scripture can literally haunt you and you can't help but pay attention. That is how I have been feeling about "money" and "possessions" over the last few months. Once I began evaluating myself in these areas, I was shocked at how tightly I held certain things, and the importance I put on others. I guess it is no surprise that Christ talked about money more than any other topic, huh?

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. The too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:7-10)

Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” (2 Kings 4:7)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

God Bless. Here's to transformation!

Thoughts on motherhood and the fear of being different...

2013-05-21T21:43:00.002-04:00

I thought I knew a lot about social norms and fear. Then I became a mother.

Mothering comes with its own level of fear. There is the fear of not being able to protect your child from everything you wish to, the fear of making the wrong decision, and in a lot of cases, the fear of being different. What if your child is different and people react to that? What if you end up doing things differently than your friends, family, or even society? What if people think that you are wrong even when you feel you are doing what is right for your family? Or what if different might not actually be that different but you just feel that way because people aren't talking about it? While there are a lot of fears that come with motherhood, the specific fear I want to talk about is the fear of being different-especially in the light of social norms.

I ask these questions because I sometimes struggle with this fear. This fear that because I am doing things different than our society, that I will be chastised, belittled, or looked down upon. Fear that if I don't do things exactly the way a book, a doctor, a blog, or a person tells me to do that I am then doing something wrong.

I know this sounds overwhelming but these feelings are real. I bet I'm not the only one who feels this way, too. Odds are that the specifics about what we feel we are "different" will vary, but the feelings are probably very similar. So, I want to confess what makes me feel different. To let it all out. These are the things that I am doing as a mother that have made me feel different:

We co-sleep, our baby boy sleeps in our bed, right next to Mama.

I nurse my son to sleep most of the time. I also nurse him on demand.

We hold him a lot. Because we don't believe that you can spoil an infant.

Asa doesn't sleep through the night. We don't care.

I try to avoid spending time apart from him as much as possible because I think it is important for him to have a dominant presence in his life that he can count on.

We don't let him cry it out because to us, this feels like we are not meeting his needs correctly.

To be honest, it literally took a lot of guts to share those things. Maybe some of them don't even seem like a big deal (just me making them one in my mind-ahh). For us, these are things that feel intuitively right for our home, our child, and our situation. They are not all by the book (although they are by some books) or by popular opinion and that is okay. More than okay because these are the things that feel intuitive for us.

Back-tracking for a second. When do these parenting approaches make me feel different? Mostly in situations where people say things like, "you should let him fuss, it's good for him." Or, "he really doesn't need to eat during the night anymore," or even "if you let him sleep with you- he will never learn to sleep." After hearing enough of those kind of comments it really makes a mom evaluate sharing her thoughts, experiences, and practices. That being said, I shouldn't feel that way. I should be able to share my approaches freely (especially because they have been wonderful for our family!) without the fear of being reprimanded or looked down on.

I wanted to share this not to impose my ideas or mothering ideas onto you but to let you know that it is okay to be different. It is more than okay to follow your instincts as a mother- even if it is different that what some people are telling you to do or think you should do. I obviously talk about my style of parenting more but that is because that is all that I know- that is not to say that every other kind of parenting beyond that is wrong- it is just beyond the realm of our parenting personalities.

Maybe you are on the opposite of the spectrum from me, but you know what? That is okay, too. You are probably doing exactly what you feel is right and best for your child. Who am I to assume I know what will work in your home? (I'll tell you that I am not). We are only qualified to make those decisions for our own families.

So here's to being different. Whether you are a co-sleeper in a crib world, or a working mom in a world of stay at home moms. Let's embrace the fact that differences exist within styles of parenting. We can share our own experiences, what works best for our child, and our own philosophies, but at the end of the day- there will still be differing approaches. We should be quick to listen rather than advise. Quicker to support rather than comment. I bet if that happened the fears that we embody of being different might cease to exist.

Do you have any parenting practices that make you feel different from the pack?

Let's talk some more about starting solids

2013-05-16T16:30:00.000-04:00

There are things about being a parent that come easily in our little parent-baby relationship and then there are the things that don't go according to plan no matter what. This is kind of how starting solids has been for us. We started almost two months ago when Asa turned six months. With a baby the size of the typical one year old at six months, it seemed natural fo us to want to start. Luckily, he had already been filled to the brim with breast milk for that first half year and had shown all the signs of being ready to start: lost his tongue-thrust reflex, more than able to sit up on his own, and he had begun mimicking us when we were eating (so cute!).Where our little man is at....

For the most part, we have still been sticking with one meal a day- which usually consists of a half-jar or about 2 oz of food. I have made some of his food and bought the rest. Sometimes there isn't time in the day to whip up his food (most of these are work days), so on those days, we grab a jar of food. Not a huge deal. I have been buying organic baby food for him, which luckily isn't that much more than the non-organic food. I am hoping to make larger batches of homemade food soon and freeze it so that he can have that on high-stress/busy days.

Our plan was to move him to two meals during his seventh month (we're in that right now) and we have made that happen a few days, but then he broke out. Sad day. After giving Asa apples for the very first time he developed a splotchy rash that evening after his bath. To be honest, it was pretty scary. His whole left side of his body splotched up in just a few minutes. Since it didn't seem to bother him or affect his behavior/breathing I called his pediatrician (as opposed to jumping in the car and taking him somewhere). The lovely after hours nurse talked to me about it and let me know that for the most part we would need to watch him and it would probably go away. Especially since it happened after his bath and warm water can increase reactions (who knew that?). Luckily, over the next hour, Asa's skin cleared and my rosy-colored, blonde babe was back to normal. Want to know the tricky part? I had changed Asa's soap recently from the standard Johnson & Johnson soap to a crunchy, natural, organic one like a good mama, and guess what? I am pretty sure that was the culprit. In order to determine which it was, we just eradicated both things, apples and the new soap, and we have been break-out free ever since! Since I believe it was not the apples, we will probably try to introduce them again when he is a bit older. Some great resources for starting solids
I wanted to share some of the resources that I have stumbled across for starting solids. Wholesome Baby Food is filled with great recipes for making your own foods, storing foods, and lots of great information about the whole process. I absolutely love the charts they have that share the foods that work best for each age-super convenient!

Check this chart out here, and all you have to do is click to print it!

Another site that I use on the regular for parenting information is Ask Dr. Sears. He has a lot of great knowledge compiled (especially for those who practice Attachment Parenting-like us!). I really valued these pages (here and here) for information on starting solids with Asa. If you have a few minutes, I would recommend check out what the website has to offer. It might not be for everyone, but you might find some interesting stuff, too!

Two other sites that I value A LOT are the La Leche League and Kelly Mom. Why are these valuable to me? These groups/sites look at the role of breastfeeding as the primary source of nutrition for a little one and provide great resources for that along with talking about starting solids. This is important in a huge way because starting solids does not mean less breastfeeding for a while, but more complimenting breastfeeding with these new and interesting foods to explore (this is also true for formula!). Check out what La Leche League has put together about starting solids here, and what KellyMom says here.

Thanks for sticking with us as we learn all about being parents and feeding our little man. Overall, it is important to remember that while there are a ton of research and information to go through, at the end of the day you have to follow your instincts with your baby. What works for one baby (or family) might not be true for a different one. I have found in my own role as a parent that first educating myself on a topic, and then looking at our family to make the best decision has been a pretty successful strategy so far. Just take it in stride, one step at a time- right?

Warm weather wear for the stylish mama!

2013-05-15T22:25:00.001-04:00

Sleeveless Blouse | Baby-Friendly Jewelry | Simple Studs | Slip-On Sneakers | Neutral Ankle Sneakers

As the weather has warmed up significantly I have recently discovered that warm weather clothing and being a mom do not always go together. Just a few-but not all of them by far- of the reasons to rethink your previous non-mom wardrobe are the regular bending over, the baby pulling on everything (neckline, jewelry, collar), frequent messes that land on your clothing, and of course there is the sitting on the floor and corralling a squirmy baby. Can you relate?

Well, it is safe to say that between my now-larger "ladies" (thank you breastfeeding) and all the above reasons- I needed to figure out what to wear. I truly believe that you do not have to sacrifice style because you are a mom at all, it is more about finding what styles and fits work with your current needs. These are my basic needs: decent neckline (not too low), easy for nursing, long enough that when I bend over there isn't a ton of lower back showing, and bottoms that don't ride too low, or shorts that come too high. As far as accessories- which I love- I need something that still makes a statement but cannot be used as a weapon. For shoes- I am still rocking the same heels but have mixed in some comfy flats and wedges in addition to my spiky heels. It has been a welcomed transition for sure!

So what have I concluded? For tops- sleeveless button ups have been a God-send for nursing, modesty, and length. Especially those high-low tops, which are great for sitting on the floor and playing with your little. Another bonus? Grab a patterned top and those messes on your top barely show up! For bottoms, my go-to has definitely been a neutral pair of skinny jeans that hit right at the ankle. That fit still feels fresh enough for spring but works with sandals, flats, or wedges. Versatile. Last but not least, I have found that wearing simple studs has still allowed me to wear fun earrings but keeps them out of reach from my little earring yanker (who might that be?!).

I am sure as the weather gets hotter I will start exploring even more options, but don't worry I'll keep you updated ;). Enjoy the warm weather out there!

How do you balance style with being a mom?

A blessing on Mother's Day

2013-05-14T17:00:00.000-04:00

I celebrated my first mother's day this past Sunday and it was even more special than I could anticipate because it was also Asa's dedication. How exciting to proclaim as a family that you have a plan for your nurturing your child in God's kingdom and be able to do that on the day you celebrate being a mom? It truly was a blessing.

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32

We chose a life verse for Asa (see above). This verse embodies the faith we want to share with him. We desire that Asa may experience freedom in Christ, freedom from guilt, shame, pride, and sin. We pray that he may not feel confined by Christianity, but empowered and encouraged by a God who will give everything, even his own son. For many children (and teens), faith can be constricting and limiting. We pray that we can live out a faith that is neither of those, but one that is living and exciting. That is what Psalm 119: 32 means to us.

A bit more about dedicating

In some ways, Josh and I felt torn between baptism Asa vs. dedication. On one hand, our church do not practice infant baptism, but saves baptism for a time when you, as a believer, chooses to be baptized. At the point where you are able and willing to stand and proclaim that Jesus is your savior and you want to show it. For us, this makes sense. It makes sense to us biblically, spiritually, and within our community of believers.

However, we were both baptized as infants (well, I was as a young child). Its tough because we do not think that our baptisms are discredited, however, I would give anything to remember it, to have chosen it for myself. Especially since I believe that I did not even understand what it meant to be a true follow of Christ until I was well into my later teens. For our family, it made sense that we would choose dedication. We are literally dedicating our lives to raising our son in a way to know God, to be immersed in God, and to feel the presence of Him in our words, home, and actions. This is a charge that we do not take lightly, and something that essentially we are choosing. Our hope and prayer is that by doing this, Asa will come to know the Lord and be able to choose baptism in his own rite.

Recognizing free will and trusting God

At the end of the day, we cannot choose Asa's path. This will ultimately be chosen by him because of his free will. As much as I want to cleave to the idea that I can choose the path of Christ for him, I cannot. On the flip side, there is power in the ability to choose. There is great power in a moment where you walk knowingly into a situation and use it as a statement of your life. This is what I want for Asa's baptism. It is not about a moment Josh and I get to have as parents, it is about a moment that Asa gets to have with the Lord (and hopefully we get to witness it too!). A moment that he can remember his entire life. Now that is powerful.

So this is what I learned about being a mom on mother's day-there are scary parts about being a parent. We can't control the choices that someone else makes, even if we have their best interest at heart. I bet God feels that way about us, too. However, the proclamation that we made to Asa that day is not one that we will keep silent. We feel confident that the Lord will use us in Asa's life to draw him close and I am confident that one day we will get to stand by our son on his baptism day. A day he chose for himself, a day he will remember for life.

Transformation.

2013-05-13T16:30:00.000-04:00

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Sometimes I hate standing at a crossroad. Particularly when it is in my own life.

I have been feeling sort of a frenzied onslaught of emotions as of late. Things that have been regurgitated from my past, my kind of recent past, and naturally things that are staring me right in my "current life" face. The naive part of my mind wants to hope that they will pass without having to give them a second glance but the well-thought out part of my mind says stay.

Stay. Be uncomfortable. Grow.

To be honest. I don't want to. I thought I reached my "growth" maximum this past year after having my first child and becoming a mother. I really thought that God probably would give me a rest for a little while and wait to grow me for a later date. But I was wrong.

What kinds of things am I dealing with? Probably a lot you can relate to. Things that I haven't unpacked since my earlier youth, emotional baggage that I had rather wanted to pretend wasn't there...that kind of stuff. We all have it, some of us deal with it, some of us are professionals when it comes to avoiding it.

Rather than run and hide, i have decided to let it run its course. No matter how painful and growing the experience might be because there is always that light at the end. That light that reminds you that you will be better because of it. That light that tells you that you are being held so tight in God's arms that it doesn't matter if you have fallen from your own two feet.

There are many times where I find myself saying "things will be okay," but ultimately, I am not even going to buy into that this time around. Why you ask? Because I think that is mostly a lie. God never promised us that things will be okay, if anything, He promised hardship. He promised death of our old self and transformation. If we're honest- transformation doesn't really sound painless- does it? So I am going to say that "things will transform." Once I am on the other side of processing (which really never stops- right?) I can look back and see the transformation. It might not feel okay, and even some of the things that I find may not be okay- but I will be transformed and I will not be along in it. I will be with God, my husband, my son, and my closest confidants- and that is more than okay.

I guess it isn't always about how "okay" life is, but more about the relationships you allow to walk beside you along the way. My relationship with God has journeyed with me into some of my darkest places and has been present in the brightest moments. My husband has journeyed a lot of those with me in the recent years too. What I've learned is that regardless of your circumstances- this God and these people are ultimately the sustainers. Those that we lean on when we cannot.

Never will I leave you;

Never will I forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5

5 Things I Hope To Bring To Our Backyard This Year (or Sometime)

2013-05-07T17:30:00.000-04:00

It felt like the month of April lasted forever-is anyone with me on this one? One of the things that I could not get my mind off of was our yard. Since I was very pregnant last summer (and it was a sauna in Michigan) I ended up yielding a lot of the yard work to Josh. Don't get me wrong, I did a bit of it, but usually ended up with a backache for a few days so eventually we decided I needed to sit that chore out. Sorry about the short rant-back to now.

I am just itching to get outside and make our outside space our own. Last year I talked about a few projects that I had my eye one, and in some ways this is an updated version of that with an outside focus. We do not have a huge budget for this (although we do have just a bit to spend) but that usually gives me motivation to be more creative with how we can make things happen (thrift, reuse-ya know?). Luckily, everything doesn't have to be done this summer, too. The hard part for me is to remember that because I would rather just jump head first and do everything possible this year. Josh keeps me grounded to say the least. Asa probably will too.

Not so "fun" but necessary projects: (1)Replace patio doors leading out onto the deck (someone thought it would be a grand idea to use interior doors as exterior doors?!), (2) tear down the fencing that surrounds the shed and reuse it to make railings for the deck, and (3) stain the deck.

1. DIY Budget "Patio"

Right now we have a small deck that has two entrances onto it-a single door from the kitchen, and patio doors (which need to be replaced-ick) from the family room. We are hoping to extend our little deck into a DIY patio and were thinking of using small rocks like the pictures below? I've been researching various ways and materials to do this via Pinterest. Time suck-eh?

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2. Eclectic Seating

It doesn't feel "right" just putting any old, run-of-the-mill seating on our porch. I ultimately want it to feel like an extension of our interior style, so somehow I need to capture eclectic on the outside. A few ideas that I have for this: mix and match furniture pieces, use a variety of color, and maybe some unexpected materials.

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3. Mood Lighting

This is probably going to be one of the easiest and most dramatic things I do this year. I think that adding a touch of mood lighting to a deck or patio really gives it that ethereal look and feel that helps me relax. What do you think?

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4. Play Area

I would really like to create a safe and adventurous spot for Asa to explore, too. I am thinking some combination of a chalkboard, sandbox, and water table. Not too ambitious for a city lot's backyard, right?

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5. Garden Area

This one is really overwhelming because the possibilities are ENDLESS! My small goals for this year are to get some hearty veggies planted and to have a hanging herb garden like the ones below. I have to remember to take things one step at a time!

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Thanks for checking out my plans and inspiration. I am literally off to Lowes with my little man in tow now while Josh mows the lawn!

What do you have going on in your outdoor space this year?

My Manly Men

2013-05-06T17:00:00.000-04:00

To celebrate my manly men, here is a poem for your enjoyment.

Manly Man by Bradley Hathaway

I don’t want my long hair, pretty green eyes, with ( no! I do not have on mascara. ) eyelashes, skinny figure, undersized t-shirt, hip shake too much when I walk confuse anybody. I am a manly man.

Within this sissy frame, obviously rib laden chest lies a heart that beats to the drum of a native American ritual dancing wildness. It pumps an ever cascading supply of untamedness that a herd of wild mustangs have yet to grasp. If danger lurks about, I will seek it out. If adventure abounds, there I will be found. If a damsel be in distress, I will show her who is best. I am a manly man.

Because I don’t flush, and I leave the lid up.

I drive a 1988 Ford Pick-up truck. Girls don’t break up with me, I break up with them first. ( Except the last time, it didn’t really work out like that… ) I don’t shave the hair on my face ( Because I still can’t grow facial hair yet… ) But when I can, I won’t, because beards are tough.

I fart, burp, and spit when I want, not caring who’s nearby. Disrespect my momma, and I will punch you in the eye. I am a manly man.

Or am I? I tell my guy friends that I love ‘em. And sometimes, sometimes I even hug ‘em. Not because I’m gay, but because I love ‘em. And when I watched Bambi, I cried. And when my Mema gets mad, I still run and hide.

Like David, I wanna be a man after God’s own heart. And I’m not there yet, but I’m past the start. And when people talk, I try to listen. A spirit of compassion, that’s my vision. Surely I am a manly man. I want to be loved and have love and give love.

And not just that romantic kind either. Although I am looking for that beauty. Not helpless, but wants to be rescued. The damsel in distress, man, woman, myth, true. I will fight for her, climb the highest tower for her, love her, share with her, delight in her, be her warrior, her protector. She will be my crown and I will be hers. My masculinity will be passed down and affirmed to my sons. And each of my daughters will know they are lovely, and deserving of authentic romance.

Society tells me all day long that I’ve defined manhood completely wrong. But you ask any honest man, and he will agree. You ask any honest woman, and she too will see, that I am a manly man.

You can see Bradley Hathaway perform this here.

Note: One of the first things that enamored me about my husband, Josh, is that this was the poem he decided to recite in his speech class in college. How adorable and brave is he?

What I'm reading right now...

'Let Crying Babes Lie'? So Wrong

Baby Sleep Training: Mistakes “Experts” and Parents Make

Simple Ways to Calm a Crying Baby

Spring Awakening

2013-05-01T17:00:00.000-04:00

We stopped by the park this past Friday to enjoy a bit of the sunshine that finally arrived here in Grand Rapids. It was honestly one of the first times Asa has spend time just sitting out in the sun. There was a slight cool breeze that gave the day that new life feeling and I took off Asa's helmet so he could catch his first glimpse of what spring means here in Michigan. Awakening.

A few things happened while we were there that I took note of in one of those "I want to remember this for a long time" kind of ways. First, I laid Asa down on the blanket so that his face looked right up into the sunshine and guess what that little baby did? He started giggling, wiggling his head around, and slapped a huge grin across his chubby face. I just about died of all the cuteness.

The second thing that happened was that Nugget got away from me for a second. A long enough second for him to run at a pitbull in all of his seven pound glory. My heart stopped. I had a baby on a blanket and my fragile chichi running towards a pit bull. I quickly ran and grabbed him (really only about 15 feet away) and you know what that pit bull did? He just stared at Nugget. Didn't move, didn't attack. If anything, Nugget was the obnoxious dog in the park that day.

The third thing that I noticed was the enormity of the Grand River. We have had some (understatement) flooding over our way over the last few weeks and overlooking the river made me cower a bit at its power.

Why am I recollecting these things? Well, for the sake of my own "processing" I'll tell you (because let's be honest-this blog is basically my word therapist). All three moments taught me that I need to slow down and take a breath- to be more present in my daily life. The first moment where Asa's overwhelming joy occurred reminded me that the simplest things in life can bring us the most joy. Things like laying on a blanket under the sun or the smell of a freshly mowed lawn. Hearing your grandmother's chuckle one last time or listening to the crickets on a cool summer's night. It really is the little things that make life joyful.

The second moment reminded me that things are not always as they appear and I need to be more aware of my own judgement of others. I was convinced that Nugget was going to be mauled by the pit bull simply because of how society has painted that breed. In reality, my own dog was the perpetrator in that situation. How often does this happen in our own lives? We simply see someone else as the problem when in reality we are so offset that within our own self the problem actually resounds. This was a wake up call for me.

The third and last moment that I want to remember was that river. Millions of gallons flowing with vengeance, not caring that it was going right through one of the largest cities in Michigan, not stopping when it flooded homes or businesses. This river is a powerful force and one that (whether we like it or not) can't be stopped by mere will or negotiation. I can't walk up to the river and say, "Do you think you could rethink the path you are putting us all on? That would be a lot more convenient." Instead we are left to weather the storm and do our best to accomodate. Kind of reminds you of our daily lives. I have been wrestling with a lot of large topics over the last month of so, and it has really led me to a point where I am no longer afraid of the power that exists beyond my control. Power that controls the big and little things-where at the end of the day I am gently (or not so gently) reminded that I was never in control to begin with. Once I rest in the place that I do not need to control because I never was in the first place I can be more present in life.

These are a few things that I will continue to meditate on as the weather warms and the earth rejuvenates. I hope you have been enjoying this spring weather and the awakening that follows suit. I know that I have.

-------------------------------------------------------

Want to know about Sarah Elsewhere?

Check out one of my latest articles over at The Bump here.

I'm talking about how moms need to support not bully each other!

Taking a break!

2013-04-01T19:57:00.000-04:00

//image source//

I have decided to take a break from blogging for the month of April in order to regroup.

Here's hoping that when I return in May that we will have flowers and sunshine.

Have a good one. :)

Ruffled Recap

2013-03-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

Here's what happened on the blog this week:

Our walk for the sake of walking

Thoughts on emotions, life balance, and learning from your child

A solid celebration

and a bit more:

This weekend is a big one for us in our home as we celebrate the Easter holiday. Whether you intentionally celebrate this holiday or just spend it with friends and loved ones, I pray that we can all be open to learning more about the man that Christ was. I am dumbfounded by the sacrifice that He made for me but the joy that comes with Easter is one to shout to the heavens. Thanks for reading and I'll be back on Monday!

Our walk for the sake of walking

2013-03-29T19:28:00.000-04:00

If you are one of my fellow Michiganders, you are highly aware that we are just itching for spring over here in the Midwest. Well, today we got a taste of it. This afternoon was literally filled with chirping birds and sunshine. What's the only solution when that happens? Put your baby in a stroller and walk. We walked for over an hour today just taking in the new growth that is starting to burst through the ground and watching the other people creep out of their hiding places, too.

As we walked I couldn't help but think about our neighborhood. There is so much life here. There is aspects of the area that are manicured, well thought out and beautiful. There are also aspects that are incredibly rough around the edges. But there's balance. There is beauty in the balance. There are moments of success and there are areas that need attention. Kind of like life. Funny how that happens.

The large amount of local businesses and community-feel is what attracts me every time I step outside my door. It just makes sense. People doing business with their neighbors. Walking out of your house and finding what you need. I think that there is so much sense in life like this. Life done together. This of course looks different in different communities, areas, and even countries, but for us, this works. We are thankful to be here.

I find myself wondering what Asa will think of his neighborhood once he is more aware of his surroundings. His life will be very different from the one I had growing up. Not that either one is better than the other, just that they will be very different. He will grow up on a street where you can see neighbors on all sides. Where your backyard is small and your playground is actually a park around the corner. Isn't it so interesting to think about how our surroundings impact us? I find it fascinating.

Ultimately, where you live doesn't matter as much as how you live there. Josh and I are constantly challenged in this. How are we living right now? Do we make an effort to get to know our neighbors? Do we make an effort to invest our money into the local business scene? Are we active within our local community in a way that contributes to its growth and wellness? In all reality, one question usually leads to another question, but that's okay. I think when we stop asking these questions is when we should be really worried.

Thoughts on emotions, life balance, and learning from your child

2013-03-27T14:31:00.000-04:00

//image source//

I'm going to keep this short because I am in one of those moods that I fear if I start sharing I will not stop. Even if I don't see it now, I know I am processing a lot. Which probably means that I am growing but man, sometimes growing hurts.

Lately, I have felt like I can barely catch my breath. Life is very busy. I am not going to get into every detail about why my life is busier because you know what? I bet your life is busy too. Heck, it might even be busier than mine but what I think we can all relate to is that feeling you get when "busy" suddenly catches up with you. It's that feeling that is running through my veins right now.

Sometimes I feel the need to be tough. Tough in the sense that I should be able to hold it together emotionally all the time. Where did I get the idea that holding in my emotions was what "tough" people do? I have been analyzing that thought and as a result I have been allowing myself to feel. I realized quickly why we naturally prefer being emotionless (or maybe a better word is controlled?). It is abundantly harder to actually feel your emotions. To allow yourself to feel anger or pain, and then work through it. Of course we cling to the positive emotions like happiness and excitement but where is the balance in that?

As today kept getting worse and worse in terms of things going "right" I came to a conclusion while glancing in the back seat of our car at Asa. He was sleeping peacefully. He actually slept peacefully while I was running around like a mad woman trying to figure stuff out. It's funny because usually he doesn't sleep in these times but today he did. I think that God was showing me that it is okay to slow down and rest. It is okay to just "be". There is not shame in taking a step back from what I currently think is of dire importance. I think it was God nudging me to just sit and feel for a second.

So I drove us home. Errands undone. I am currently feeling all sorts of strong emotions: anger, pain, fear. Although I do not enjoy those emotions, I feel like I am making progress. I am allowing myself to process. Maybe we will try to tackle those errands in an hour or so, but for right now, I'll just sit. Sit, hold my sleeping baby, and process.

Somewhere in my life I learned that "losing it" was not an okay thing, that having a heart-wrenching sob was something to be ashamed about (maybe even medicated for if it happens "often"). I'm not even sure this was something that was told to me, but more of an observation that led to a conclusion. How many times have you witnessed someone who should probably (and appropriately) be crying but they decided that it was more acceptable to appear pleasant? Looking at my child tells me maybe we should be feeling in a different matter. Asa feels no shame in crying to get out an unpleasant feeling or emotion. He also feels no shame in squealing for joy when his heart wells up with excitement. What a lesson to be learned from a six month old child. As I take in these feelings, my prayer is that as I allow myself to be more real in terms of emotions, feelings, and processing, I can ultimately find more balance within myself. Feelings and all.

A "Solid" Celebration

2013-03-25T20:27:00.001-04:00

This baby is going to be six months within just a few hours and to celebrate the occasion we decided to try oatmeal! Our original plan was to start with avocado but since Asa has got the runnnnsssss I thought that oats might help him in that area. Josh and I were pretty excited about this moment. For me, I keep thinking that starting solids is going to be a game changer. After just breastfeeding for the past six months-how would these solids fit into our little life together? I am sure I will be processing this for a while.

Starting on solids

Overall, we are not in a rush to get Asa eating solids regularly. We'd like for him to lead in this process and as long as we are presenting him with options on the regular its got to happen sometime- right? So, did we do anything to prepare for this? My mom had suggested to slowly let him hold a spoon and to let him bite on it a few weeks before we start solids so everyone once in a while I have been busting out the baby spoons. Asa would nom-nom on them for a second then throw it on the floor. We usually did this with all four of the spoons we have. Then we'd wash them, then repeat at a later date. Hopefully he retained a bit of familiarity, haha. For the most part we plan on letting Asa eat with his hands (some people call this baby led weaning) but for the oatmeal I thought we should probably go with the good ole familiar spoon.

The big moment

Before we tried this new entree I made sure to breastfeed Asa. From what I have read, starting solids and solids for the first few months are more for practice than actual nutrition. Babies still need lots and lots of breast milk (or formula). So, once he finished eating, we decided to see if he would entertain the idea of oatmeal. I bought Earth's Best Organic Whole Grain, Oatmeal Cereal (what a mouthful...literally and verbally) and mixed one tablespoon oatmeal with three tablespoons of breast milk. It looked super unappetizing. Then we sat down to rock and roll.

As the spoon approached his mouth, Asa looked at me with anticipation. Kind of like he was saying, "Oh this looks fun." After rubbing the spoon on his upper lip he opened up and ate a little bit off the spoon. This was the moment we have been waiting for! This exciting milestone! But to be honest...it was incredibly anti-climatic. Hilariously so. Asa looked at Josh and I as if to say what. is. that. We both tried to help him with a few more bites but for the most part we just played with the oatmeal. A bite or two might have made it in, but the most important part was that everyone was happy throughout the whole thing. The goal of exploring was achieved. Especially with a messy face!

Towards the end of our first "solids" attempt, we let Asa put his hands in the oatmeal to see if he might eat it that way but you know what he did? He decided he would rather rub it all over his mama's face. Ick-y. Luckily, we decided to do this during the first part of his hour out of the helmet so Mom and baby could hop in the bath tub together afterwards.

Now that everyone is clean and we are getting snuggled in for the night, I still can't believe Asa is six months old. You guys, that's half a year. Whether its solids or sitting, crawling or standing, I am regularly amazed at how fast Asa grows and changes (he hasn't crawled yet, just for the record). As we meet every bittersweet milestone, I feel him becoming a bit more independent. It's crazy. Literally. And who'd have thought? All of these thoughts from a few bites of oatmeal.

Ruffled Recap

2013-03-23T20:34:00.001-04:00

This wasn't the busiest week on the blog, but there were some pretty exciting things that happened nonetheless! Probably the most exciting thing that happened was having our kitchen featured on The Kitchn-you can check out the whole thing out here! We also chatted it up about cute, little baby leggings (see the inspiration here). I haven't completed the projects yet but am planning to get to work on them this coming week.

Our new weekly series, Adventures in Helmets, hit the blog this week and I am really pumped to continue the chronicles of Asa's experience in a plagio helmet. Sometimes it helps to be able to process things through writing.

Last but not least we discussed the mindset of being able to just go. This family was able to make it happen this weekend but I am already looking forward to our next weekend at home!

I hope you and yours have a blessed weekend. Ciao and cheers.

Thoughts on being able to "just go"

2013-03-22T17:46:00.002-04:00

// image source //

We're traveling this weekend. Again. While seeing family and friends can be a life-giving thing, Josh and I are quickly learning that traveling, even just a few hours, can be exhausting with a baby and three chihuahuas. Traveling makes me painfully aware of my humanity. How imperfect I can be and how the little things can really add up. Josh can always tell when we are prepping to go somewhere because there is this slight err of anxiety fuming around in the house. Today was one of those days

So how'd today go while I was getting ready to head out (in about twenty minutes from now)? It went okay. I think it went so well because I ended up having a good cry midday and you know what? I needed it. I am learning that sometimes traveling places means that you have to just go. If you overanalyze everything you will find something to agonize over. So I cried. Then I put on my big girl panties and got stuff done.

So here's to a short post, and here's to having a good cry. I hope you are able to just go this weekend.

Adventures in Helmets: Meet the Helmet

2013-03-21T17:00:00.000-04:00

I have decided to go ahead and create a new series that will focus around Asa's treatment of Plagiocephaly. My intentions are to help inform other people of it and to remove any stigma's that may be attached to the idea of your child or really any child needing to wear a helmet. Thank you for reading and thank you for your support! Happy helmet-wearing!

Insurance, health care, and advocating for Asa

A lot has happened since we talked about Asa's helmet last time. I have some good news. My husband, Josh, got a brand spankin' new job! We have been praying for this for a long time. However, starting a new job with new insurance while you are in the middle of treatment for anything can be a bit stressful. Not to mention that your new insurance might cover said medical treatments differently. Luckily, we were able to navigate smoothly through the transition so far.

All of your family is on Josh's insurance since I only work part-time and do not have benefits through my job. His previous employer's insurance did not have a deductible for orhtotics equipment and then would cover 50% of the helmet's costs. However, his new insurance has a $2,500 deductible and then covers orthotics equipment at 80%. You can see where our dilemma was. In terms of when you pay for the helmet, you pay upon receiving it. Originally we were supposed to go in for Asa's second scan on March 27 and then order the helmet, and have it fitted sometime in early April. This would cause us to have to use his new insurance (ie forking out a TON more money). So I got on the phone. I explained our situation and how it would be super helpful to us to get this on Asa much sooner than planned.

We had success. After talking with Mary Free Bed, they were able to get us in that very same day and scan/order his helmet. They are legally required to get the helmet on the baby within ten days (I am assuming because they need it to fit and babies can grow fast- especially mine). Melissa, our clinician was booked for the next week though, so guess what she did without me even asking? She put in a rush order. She even offered to fit it on part of her lunch break. How's that for people who care about what they do? I am amazed and so thankful by their willingness to help us financially. This was one of those experiences that taught me that advocating for your family can make a difference and that people are willing to help when you ask for it. Our portion of the helmet came to $575. We can pay that over the next six months without interest, too. Thank the Lord! Another benefit? Asa got his helmet nearly a month earlier than originally planned which is great news. Earlier it goes on the earlier it can come off!

Asa's first fitting

To be honest, I was kind of worked up about this day. I had so many fears. What if he cried the whole time? What if I wasn't able to breastfeed him with it? What if it didn't work? Then there were the worries about what people might say, or the looks that people might give my child (and me). Basically, I let my mind take me to places that it just didn't need to go to. Bad, Sarah. Regardless, on Friday we packed the diaper bag and our fears and headed to his fitting.

Josh, Asa, and I arrived at his 11AM appointment and Melissa greeted us cheerfully :). It was SO NICE to have Josh with us because so far I had been the one taking Asa to them by myself (which is totally okay since I work less) but it is still a comforting treat when he is along. She let us know that we could be working on getting the correct fit for the helmet, learning about putting it on/off, and how to care for it.

It is basically a hard plastic/styrofoam helmet (Asa has a Starband) that is open on one side to put it on and is secured with a velcro strap- simple enough. Melissa showed us how to pull it open and slide it onto his head. It is kind of tough to pull open but once you get the hang of it, it becomes very easy. She made some minor adjustments so that it fit comfortably around his neck and ears. He didn't seem to mind at all when she tried it on and took it off. What a huge relief. Josh and I were able to try putting it on and off- that was bit tougher. At first I was not confident and took a bit longer than necessary which made Asa get upset a bit. Then I scratched him with my nail. Awesome.

After leaving him in it for fifteen minutes, making some more adjustments, and learning about wearing/caring for the helmet, we were ready to head home. I had one of those moments similar to when you leave the hospital for the first time with your newborn baby to go home. "So...I do this on my own now?" Remember that feeling?

Break-in schedule

When your baby is given a helmet, you are also given a schedule to break them into it. Since Asa would ultimately be wearing the helmet twenty-three hours a day, it would make sense that he would need to slowly(ish) introduced to it. Similar to new hiking shoes-even if the shoes fit you perfectly, you still might have blisters if you hiked ten miles without breaking them in. Here is what the break-in schedule looked like:

-Day One: One hour on, one hour off. Off for naps/sleep.

-Day Two: Two hours on, one hour off. Off for naps/sleep.

-Day Three: Four hours on, one hour off. On for naps, off for sleep.

-Day Four: Eight hours on, one hour off. On for naps/sleep.

-Day Five: Twenty-three hours on, one hour off. On for naps/sleep.

Day one and two were probably the hardest days because we were still getting used to putting the helmet on and taking it off. They were also hard because we had to do it so frequently. However, I must say that it helped us gain the skills we needed in order to put it on quickly and comfortably for Asa and for him to get used to putting it on. By the time day five rolled around, I think we were all excited about leaving it on all day. Want to know something interesting? This kid actually sleeps better with his helmet on! The only time we have any kind of upset baby is if mom or dad sucks at putting it on, but even then, his fussing (not even crying) stops within thirty seconds. No horror stories here.

Cleaning, care, and the hour off

Overall, cleaning and care for the helmet is pretty simple. You must ONLY use rubbing alcohol (91% proof works best) to clean the helmet, and this should be done during the one hour off-time you have each day. This hour off is important for a lot of reasons: cleaning the helmet, cleaning Asa, to monitor Asa's skin, and to smell his sweet little baby head. To clean it, you simply dump some of the alcohol on a wash rag and wipe it down. You need to leave at least fifteen minutes of drying time so that there isn't a strong smell/presence when it goes back onto baby's head. We have done this right after taking off the helmet, that way it has plenty of time to dry.

Next, we clean up Asa which involves bath time. Sometimes it is a bath and sometimes it is a shower- but either way, we wash his hair/body with a fragrance free product. After the bathing, we apply a fragrance-free baby lotion (we are using Aveeno Fragrance Free Baby Lotion- per the request of our clinician). Washing and moisturizing their skin is an important step because it helps to keep it as healthy as possible while being under the helmet for long periods of time. There can also be pink spots on Asa's forehead, cheeks, or head in general. This is normal. These spots indicate the areas where the helmet is fitted snugly to his head which are the areas that we do not want to grow more. In contrast, the other areas are more roomy in order to let them catch up to the bigger areas. Make sense? The pink spots should completely fade over the hour off, which communicates that there is not excessive pressure on his head. If they do not fade, we leave it off until they do and then put the helmet back on. If the same areas take longer than an hour to fade for more than a few days, you are supposed to stop wearing the helmet and pay your clinician a visit for adjusting the fit. This could be caused by a crazy-fast growth spurt. Not a huge deal, just something you have to be aware of as a helmet parent.

Another normal thing that happens during the first initial weeks of wearing the helmet is sweating. Apparently Asa's body is going to adjust his temperature to the helmet (a crazy thing that baby's can do), but for right now he gets a bit sweaty underneath. Nothing a bath can't fix though.

Another important part of the hour off is snuggling. We still do a TON of snuggling with the helmet on, but I make sure that I get that little baby head and face real close to me so that I can get in all the smells I might have otherwise missed. I appreciate those minutes so much. Especially since I don't get bonked in the head with the helmet, haha. Once the hour is up, we slip the helmet back on and Asa usually falls asleep for the night within minutes. Basically, it is our new bedtime routine and making it a routine makes it feel normal.

Our First Awkward Encounter

Asa and I went shopping after church this past Sunday with his godmother and my best friend, Hannah, which was one of his first official outings with the helmet. I have read on a few other blogs that some parents take it off when they go out but I disagree with that strategy. The more consistent I am with keeping the helmet on him, the faster he will progress. So it stays on. Also, I think he is so stinkin' adorable with and without the helmet! With all that to say, I am still a bit self conscious of the looks that some people give us and even the randoms comments that might occur. So far, we have just had one. It was a little boy who pointed at Asa and said, "That little boy has a hat on!" Not too bad for our first "awkward encounter."

Something that has been a pleasant surprise is how many people say nice things about his helmet. Whether they comment on how adorable he is, or say how cute his helmet is, in some ways we get even more compliments with his helmet! I didn't expect that.

Another thing that is refreshing is to learn about how many people are familiar with this kind of treatment. There have been numerous times when I have talked to someone and they have shared their child, cousin, niece/nephew, friend, or grandchild has worn a helmet. They usually add in that it is great that we are doing what our child needs. So this is my new mantra. When we go out in public and people stare at us I have decided to think this: They are staring at us because they think we are awesome. They think Asa looks awesome and they think that I am awesome for taking care of my child. If they think otherwise, I'll never know. Take that awkward, staring, lurkers (...calming down now)!

There are still tough moments

I am trying very hard to navigate the tough moments with grace. Grace for myself and grace for other people. I think that one of the conversations that I cringe inwardly about is when people tell me that they don't think Asa needs/needed a helmet. While I am sure their intentions are pure, it can leave a sour taste in my mouth. I TOTALLY agree that my child is beautiful and perfect in every way, but his head is in need of the helmet. Josh and I can tell and so have multiple professionals. It also in some ways makes me feel like they are suggesting that we did not make the right choice by putting Asa into a helmet. Regardless of their intentions, what Josh and I really need is their support. A simple, "you can do it, and good job for making this happen." Parents need affirmation more than other people's opinions. I am striving to remember that and I hope that others do too.

The tough moments that require grace for myself still involve those lurking thoughts that I did something wrong. This is something that I am working on letting go of. There is an innate desire in every parent to protect their child from anything and to desire "normal" but what I am learning is that real life doesn't look like that. Things can get a bit messy in between the moments of joy and triumph. I am so thankful for my relationship with God in these moments. Sometimes calling out to him is the only way that I can feel peace, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Next Steps

So what is next for us? We have his first follow-up appointment tomorrow where we will monitor his progress, the fit, and probably any other questions that are going on in our minds.

We are also starting physical therapy next Wednesday for Asa's torticollis (a huge contributing factor to his plagiocephaly). I am really looking forward to this because I am just itching to know how to help this little guy more. Our sessions will be focused on evening out the strength in his neck muscles. Luckily, the appointments will also be at Mary Free Bed, and they are even willing to couple his fittings on the same days/times that his therapy is so we only have to go once a week. Pretty great, huh?

Thank you again for all of your support and interest in learning about plagiocephaly. If you or a loved one is experiencing this firsthand and would like to contact me to talk more, feel free to e-mail me at sarah.whenregardingruffles@gmail.com. Cheers and blessings!

Our Kitchen on The Kitchn!

2013-03-19T17:00:00.000-04:00

images c/o theKitchn

Want to hear some exciting news? Our kitchen was featured today over on The Kitchn! For real. It is ~~really~~ kind of crazy to see your own space on a website that you admire a ton. We are kind of giddy about it over here. Really giddy. Want to see the whole thing? Click here and check it out!

A special thanks goes out to my dear friend, Emily, for the wonderful writing and photography too!

Weekend Can Wait, Here's 3 Projects I'm Lurking On!

2013-03-18T17:30:00.000-04:00

Let it be said. I love printed leggings. Printed leggings for me. Printed leggings for babies. Heck, I might even put printing leggings on my chihuahuas (I kid, I kid). Have you tried these out yet? If not, you should because it's just like legging. But better. More fun.

If you follow me on instagram you might have seen the two pairs that I call my own, but if not-here they are. I snagged one pair that I deem my "feminine" side and the other pair for my "tougher" side. You decide which one goes with what side ;).

You can get the first pair here but the flowered pair is already sold out at F21 :(!

Now that I have said all of that, please check out the latest phase and craze of baby fashion. Careful now, you might drool (I do!).

There are these leggings from Thief & Bandit Kids.

You can see more of this here.

and then there are these leggings from Candy Kirby Designs.

See more of their patterns here.

Now as much as I love these (and more on their sites), call me frugal, but I will not put out $25+ for a pair of leggings for myself, let alone Asa. Honestly, I would love to, but money is tight. Especially when he grows like a weed (hello-12 months clothes on a 5 month baby?) SO you can imagine how excited I was when I stopped by the Small Fry Blog and found tutorials to achieve the same look for barely anything! They have a few tutorials that got my mind a-reelin' and I cannot wait to try them! Thank you to Nicole, Emily, and Jenna for putting these tutorials up. You rock my socks (or my leggings). Here they are:

#1-Patched Leggings
Check out the tutorial here.

/image source c/o Small Fry Blog

#2-5 Minute/Step/$$$ Leggings

Check out the tutorial here.

/image source c/o Small Fry Blog

#3-Stamped Pants
Check out the tutorial here.

/image source c/o Small Fry Blog

So here's my frugal Mama plan. I bought some cheap leggings from Target and a resale baby clothes shop and am going to snazz them up a bit. I'll probably do a pair of my own leggings while I am at it. Don't worry I'll post some photos of the after project too! Can't wait for them to be finished and covering my baby's cute little bum.

What do you think about printed leggings? Love/Hate?

Ruffled Recap

2013-03-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I am happy to say that this week felt a lot more normal than last week and sometimes we just need a bit of normal, ya know? We started the week off as a sad, sick, little family, but at least we ended it with a lot of positive anticipation! On the kiddo front, Asa is now five and a half months old.....what?! We also chatted a bit about art and creativity I can't get enough of the idea that I get to expose Asa to art and watch him discover what it is to create! The last few things we touched on were the glorious four-legged animals who make a presence in our homes. How do we do life without them?

Want to see what else I was up to this week? Check it out here!

I hope you have an excellent weekend! Stay warm, enjoy time with good people and eat good food! 'Til Monday!

Anticipation

2013-03-15T08:30:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you but I am a sucker for this time of year. Everything is filled with anticipation. The ground, animals, plants, people. We are ready and waiting for a new season to start. Sometimes the anticipation is so loud that it feels like the air around me is buzzing with it. Can you feel it too?

The other day after work I looked outside and saw these little, dainty flakes of snow coming down and it was breathtaking. It was the kind of snow that allows you to see each individual flake in all it's flakiness glory. It was definetly the kind of snow that you tried to catch as a child but then stood there in utter astonishment at how something so real and concrete could melt so quickly in the palm of you hand. Do you remember that feeling?

I think that is the stage that winter is in right now. We can see it but before we can actually wrap our minds around it, it will be gone, melted into the ground to the rejuvenation of new life. As much as I dislike parts of living in a snow-filled area, these feelings can't be matched by an all-the-time warm climate. I feel like I change with the seasons, and in a good way. In a life-giving way.

I have decided that I am going to enjoy this anticipation while it is here because just like that snowflake that you caught as a child, it is going to be gone soon. Part of me wishes we could stay in this state of anticipation forever because its not always the "there" that makes you feel alive, most of the time it is the "getting there" that invigorates your soul. So here's to the anticipation of warmer weather. May it fill your soul with excitement, joy, and may you feel fulfilled as we near the coming of a new season. I think we're on the brink of some big things ahead. Just look around.

Five and a half months with my little runt!

2013-03-14T06:30:00.000-04:00

Runt might not be the best word for Asa, but he is my little man all the same! I am a little late with his "five month" pictures so we went ahead and did five and a half instead. Not too big of a deal, right? Sometimes you just have to go with the next correct thing. While the months have been flying by, I have to say that they get more exciting all the time. Asa is moving more and exploring more. We are interacting, laughing, and smiling on the regular, too. I mean, we have a real little boy over here! Check out his latest stats:

Age: 5.5 Months

Height: 26 inches

Weight: 18 lbs. 13 oz.

We have some exciting milestones that have been accomplished over the last month! Asa got his second tooth just two days after his first! We have also started rolling from the belly to his back, but have yet to achieve the back to belly roll. There has been diligent work in the arena of sitting and we are getting there. He also loves standing with assistance and then bouncing up and down like a crazy person. It's a riot!

Fun Fact: Asa is now getting lots of new blonde, curly hair! He is also getting his helmet this Friday!

Just in case you want to catch up on how fast our little man is growing,

check out his other growth posts below:

Home is where your dog is.

2013-03-13T08:30:00.000-04:00

Image Sources: Here // Here

Thoughts on creativity, children, and art

2013-03-12T06:30:00.000-04:00

Some days I sit and dream about all of things that I will get to share with Asa one day. I dream of taking him to see the animals at the zoo, exploring the woods behind my parent's home, and even playing in our own backyard. There is an unexpected gift that children give you-you get to experience life again through their eyes. I didn't see this coming. It was unexpected and it is beautiful.

I can't even begin to tell you of the joy that I feel when I watch Asa discover new things, even at the ripe age of five and a half months. He has recently taken to staring at his hands for long periods of time and it is astounding to see the fascination that is painted across his adorable face. Moments of confusion quickly turn into moments of glee as he sees them wiggle and twist this way and that. He is discovering my face and exploring every angle with his slimy little hands. I've got to admit that I am falling more in love with him everyday.

When I think about discovery, especially self-discovery, it is hard not to think about art. Art has had such an impact on our family's little life. For me, art meant singing, dancing, writing, and even the occasional art piece. For my husband, art means drawing, sketching, painting, and more. We are a family of artists, and I cannot imagine our lives without it. I create with words. Josh creates with his hands (or computer mouse when he designs). I cannot wait to see how Asa will create.

So I've made a decision. I am going to expose Asa to as much creativity in life that I can. Whether it means finger painting or simply playing in the mud. It could mean taking a walk and talking about all of the colors around us or reading a book and acting it out. When you bring creativity into your life, life literally becomes art. Life doesn't have to exist within a small box anymore. It can happen and it can happen anywhere.

Photos were taken at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in downtown Grand Rapids for the opening of the Limitless exhibit that is currently open until May 5. Our good friend, Jason Rood, is one of the collaborating artists featured in this show. If you attend, please make sure to check out his thought-provoking, and intriguing pieces.

Sarah Elsewhere

2013-03-11T17:30:00.000-04:00

Want to know what else I have been up to?

Just talking a little bit about how Josh has helped make my breastfeeding experience successful over at The Bump.

And maybe even a little bit about how my pups helped me stay healthy during pregnancy!

Want to know what else I have been reading lately?

Check out these blogs (but only if you have a few hours to kill because you will get lost in them...):

The Anderson Crew

A blog about a huge Christian family and a Mama who has a great heart for the Lord, other women, and her family. It is really inspiring.

The Good Women Project

A place of curated stories told by real women about topics that women need to discuss. Love it. For so many reasons.

What else have you been up to lately?