Full Circle

Yesterday I followed Kyle around the house for a bit, just taking pictures.

We started out helping Daddy work with tools

Enough of that...

Oh, what's this? I think I will keep it. (Note: this wrapper stays with him the rest of our chronicle)

We crawled straight through the kitchen without stopping, headed for the dog leash on the hook in the Dining Room. Got it! And look, shoes!

Keeping with the "dog" theme, let's go ring Quest's bell! (I wonder if he thinks I will let him go outside when he rings it) Why does this always work for Quest and never for me??

Oh! Why is there a broom over there? That isn't normal.

Getting up the nerve to touch it...

Back to Daddy!

Yay!

Oooo... I see something I like...

Full Cicle

Just a few minutes in the life of Kyle.

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First Thing in the Morning

Lately, my Kyle has begun waking up a bit earlier in the morning. While this might seem like a bad thing, it's not! He has begun sitting happily in his crib talking to himself and playing instead of crying out for me. There is no better way for me to wake up in the morning, than to the sound of his little words and laughter. The past few days I've just stayed in bed for a few minutes listening, and thanking the Lord for this perfect gift He has given to our family. While yes, I haven't been able to get my shower behind me, my hair dry and my heart prepared for the day ahead yet... it all seems perfectly fine as I walk up the stairs and get the biggest grin and biggest wave ever from my little man.

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Latest Project

My latest house project has been a fun one! I always struggle to remember what meals I have "stocked up" for in a given week. As a result, I feel the daily panic of my hubby's innocent 4:00 question, "So what's for dinner?" I always run to the cabinets, saying to myself (and to him!), "I know I bought enough to get us through the week... I just have to remember what it is!"

One day I saw a menu planner available from Pottery Barn, and I loved it! It outlined the days of the week, and all three meals for each day. Brilliant! However, it was around $70, and was on a whiteboard (tacky!).

So I brainstormed, and decided to make my own menu planner. I have a small kitchen currently, but wanted to make something large enough to fit the purpose, and to last for many years (and kitchens) to come! I measured the only space in my kitchen that would be suitable, and sent the dimensions to a friend of mine who installs kitchen cabinets, asking him if he happened to have an extra cabinet door in the general size that I was looking for. He did! And despite the fact that I offered to pay him for it, he insisted that it was being thrown out and I could have it for FREE! Yay for being cheaper than Pottery Barn!!!

I quickly bought the rest of my supplies. A can of chalkboard paint, a few cheap stencils, white acrylic paint and a set of small brushes, all of which will be added to my stash of supplies for future projects! Last night once the kidlet was in bed, I started painting!

I forgot to take a "before" picture until after the first coat of chalkboard paint was on... oops.

I couldn't resist putting my adorable puppy in the top part of this picture... :-)

Once my two coats of chalkboard paint were dry, I used a pencil to stencil in the words. Here is a pic of my hubby informing me that my words are not level.

That's better!

Next came the really hard part for me, painting the letters. But I ended up finding it fun!

It's amazing to me how dirty a chalkboard can get after a few hours of sitting on the floor with me working over it!

I was very careful with the layout, and discovered that I had room for a "grocery list" spot at the bottom of my chalkboard! This is almost my favorite part!!! No more paper floating around the counter for me!

The finished product. I LOVE IT! And what did it cost? A few hours of my time, and the cost of paint. YAY!!!

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New Life for an Old Toy

Last week I found this adorable toy at a thrift store. It was radiating potential, and I got it for $1.75. Not bad huh?

Well today I decided to give it a much needed makeover. My goal? To make this traditional looking toy super cute by painting the body a fun color. All while keeping the toy safe for my little boy to play with/chew on. I chose a green (surprise surprise I know) natural graffiti paint that is super durable. I love it!

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My Kitchen Window

I love the idea of a kitchen window, right above the sink. A place to watch God's creation (or the kids playing outside) while doing the dishes. To me, a kitchen window serves to cheer up a mundane task, and to point my thoughts heavenward. Many of my spiritual mentors have used their kitchen windowsills as reminders to prayer, or aids to memorize scripture. When Tim and I got married, I went to set up my own version of this encouraging practice.

However, in our little A-frame there are no windows in the kitchen. I was determined not to lose my "kitchen window philosophy," or my reminders to prayer. So my husband patiently hung me my own windowsill.



While I don't have the view of creation, I do have my two little index card books with verses copied out by two of my spiritual mentors. These verses have become dear to my heart, and I try to flip the cards each day to memorize and remind myself anew of God's promises.



Someday maybe I'll have a real kitchen window. But for now, my little windowsill is doing just fine.

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Reading... finally!

I'm a huge reader. Well, okay, I used to be a huge reader. In college I kinda lost the habit (and missed it!) because I was so busy with classes, work and dating my wonderful Tim. After we were married, I was very sick (story for another day) and began a rather time-consuming job as a nanny. While I loved my life, I did miss the feeling of curling up on the couch with a good book. Now that Tim and I have a baby boy, I'm home again. This is such a blessing to our lives! And I have discovered tiny bits of time to read again.

Recently I finished "A Mom after God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. I'll be honest, this is my absolute favorite of her books (not that I've read all of them...)! It was a huge encouragement to me, and has helped me to begin implementing things into my routine that I knew "in theory" but just hadn't started doing yet. The book really made me realize that habits such as praying with your children (and especially praying FOR them), can never be started too soon.

I thank the Lord for the ability (and those tiny bits of time!) to read again. I'm praying that as I choose my books, His Spirit will guide me to topics and authors that will help me in my walk with Him, and teach this young woman how to love my husband and my child better each day.

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The lady at Walmart

Today I went to Walmart. Kyle was supposed to be sleeping through this shopping trip, and sure enough he fell asleep in the car on the way to the store, just as planned. However, he woke up by the time I had gotten through the produce section and proceeded to scream off and on through the rest of my very long list. I held him on my hip, and that seemed to help for a time... but overall it was a miserable trip.

As would happen on any such trip, I discovered that I HAD to use the bathroom about halfway through our shopping. I hate it when this happens, because it means carting myself, diaperbag, Kyle and today that carseat (which he had been napping in), into the restroom with me. Well there was no helping it, so cart them all in with me I did.

There was one other person in the bathroom. She was washing her hands as I came in, and I smiled and said hello, knowing how ridiculous I must look with arms full, makeup gone, hair a mess and absolutely frazzled. She smiled back and continued to wash her hands. I checked for a diaper changing station (which I also needed to use), and saw it closed up, on the wall by the sink.

So I got Ky into the stall, hung the diaper bag on the door, put the carseat on the ground, and put Ky into the carseat so that I could use the restroom. He SCREAMED bloody murder when I put him down. And he continued to scream, even though I talked to him saying "Ky-guy it's okay. Mommy just has to use the bathroom, then she'll pick you right back up and we'll go change your diaper together okay?"

Well when I left the stall (baggage in tow!) I found the diaper changing station pulled out and ready for me. I can't tell you how much that simple action, done by a total stranger, meant to me at that moment! Truly, it was a blessing... and a rebuke to me. How often do I, who have the love of Christ, walk through my day with eyes and ears open to the simple blessing I can be to others. What opportunities to bless have I been walking by, unseeing? Lord give me the eyes to be like that Walmart lady! And spread your love and joy to a dying world.

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