dear tuesday

Dear Tuesday,


You win.
Please don't come back tomorrow.



Regards,
Jen

in bloom

Lauren and I spent the morning at Target and Lowe's. We decided that we would start working on our front porch. Well, I decided but she is pretty much game for anything these days. Our front porch area is pitiful. Really. It needs a good power washing, but that will have to come another day. It is so bland and I have been wanting to change out the mailbox and light fixture for a LONG time as well as add some flowers. I took down the gold one today and tried to put the new one up, but the screw holes are in the wrong place so that will be a job for Shawn.

See....bland.

Lauren helped me clean the bicycle off and get it ready for the plants we bought at Lowe's.

Love the boots.

I don't have any pictures of us actually planting the flowers but I can tell you it was a mess! So much fun, but such a mess!!!

The finished product (minus the mailbox!)

She was so proud of the flowers.

Leo

I've mentioned this before, but we sponsor a child through Compassion. His name is Leo and he lives in El Salvador. We've been sponsoring him since last November and even though we'd written several letters we hadn't heard from him. I knew this would be the case as it can take a while for the letters to be processed and meticulously translated but I was still so anxious to hear from him.

I had started wondering if what we were doing mattered. Was Leo getting any of our letters? Were we just throwing away money? I know I jumped the gun. I was impatient. I think living in the day and age of the instant makes it difficult to sit back and wait or even appreciate "snail" mail. Anyway, God and I had been having lots and lots of dialog about this very thing. I felt like Thomas, wanting to see and feel before I could truly believe. I tried to be patient, I tried to be confident but I failed time and time again.

Then today, brought by the hands of God, this came:

and I believed.

Leo wrote to us. He sent us a Valentine's day card and two precious pictures of himself. I cried. I knew God brought these letters to my doorstep. Today and not yesterday. Not because He had to. Because He loves me enough to know that I needed to see and touch and breathe in the life of this little boy through his words. I needed to know that he loves to draw and that his favorite Bible verse is Psalm 119:105.

I lost it when I read these words of Leo's:

My oldest brother is very intelligent, and my 2nd brother is loving, but I was in need of a little sister, so I am happy to know Lauren. She is so beautiful and her birthday is on July 21st, just like me. 

Yes, dear child, you have a sister now. And she has a brother that she will grow up knowing about and praying for.

Leo happened to mention that he loves the ocean so you better believe that boy is getting some ocean themed stuff! I hope he delights in his letters as much as we did his.

I cannot encourage you enough to give Compassion a thought. Pray about what you can do. There are lots and lots of kids like Leo who need sponsors. I can tell you now from experience that it matters. It matters a whole lot.

dangerous decorating

A few weeks back I was shopping with some friends and we started discussing the shape of my mantle. I actually brought it up, but these girls have seriously good taste in decorating and I wanted their opinion (or for them to just come and do it for me!) I wanted something lighter than I had previously had up there. I just bought the stuff and kind of went with it. I'm still not entirely convinced it all works, but I like it.

I made the little chalkboard sign (I am a little obsessed with the chalkboard paint right now) and I thought it helped give the arrangement a little more depth. The vase on the right is actually a pretty blueish color but it reads lighter in this picture. I love the candle holders (Hobby Lobby) and the canvas is from Pier One.

Here is a more panned out view of the mantle. Don't tell me if you hate it. ;)

miss her...

...but I bet she doesn't miss us. I've got to work tomorrow so she is soaking up some extra time with her Grammy and G-Pa. I can't wait to see her again.

I even miss our living room looking like this...

progress

I think I failed to mention in my last post that we are also in the process of gutting the front landscaping and completely re-doing it. Yes, also. We are crazy. We are. We know.

Our little helper:

The before pictures:

And the after (so-far) pictures:

We removed most of the ugly rock and the bushes that were overgrown and hard to manage. Next, we'll be filling back in with dirt and a layer of that plastic stuff. We still have to pick out the plants/bushes we are putting back and then we'll top it off with a new stone border and mulch. We are adding new light fixtures and some pretties like hanging baskets and window baskets full of flowers too, but those will have to wait until the hard work is done. Will it ever be done? My back sure hopes so!!!

random nonsense

I feel like I've been pretty sparse around here lately and every time I try to sit down and write something I just can't form the words. I'm going to try to do a little bulleted list of what I've been up to lately.

• We are in the process of renovating our kitchen. We aren't removing the cabinetry because...well, that would cost way too much. We may decide to paint them later, but I think that would also be a TON of work. Anyway, we are getting new countertops (to be installed next Wednesday!!!!) and we also got all new appliances!!!! But right now, my kitchen looks like this:

• Jillian and I are reconciling. With summer around the corner and sleeveless dresses to wear I realized that I had to just let go of some of the hate and make up with her. Try as I might, I just could not do THE SHRED again. I still need some time, people. Instead, I picked up this jewel of hers. The term jewel is used here very loosely. 

• Lauren is growing and learning more and more every single day. I'm noticing just how particular about things she is going to be (1st child?!?!) and it both frightens and pleases me.  For instance, if she sees a piece of trash/dirt/crumb/etc. on the floor she says "Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh..." until either Shawn or I notice. She will pick it up and throw it away, but she wants to make sure everyone knows that something was way out of place! She is also talking a lot more. She tells me she loves me and gives me hugs around my legs. Is there anything more precious than that? She loves nothing more than to be outside. I'm looking forward to a good tan this summer!!!

• I got a new phone!!! An iPhone!!! If you need my new number email me. I had to get a new one. :) Also, if you have any suggestions for apps, let me know. Right now I have the facebook, Pandora, and Scribble apps. That.is.it. :)

• I'm in the market for a new swimsuit. I like these because they are cute AND they cover the belly. ;) Jillian, help me!!!

• Shawn and I are going on a date this weekend with our good friends, Tanner and Kelly. I seriously could not be more excited. A.DATE.WITH.OTHER.ADULTS! This is how we looked a long time ago. This was before kids and I think we were getting ready to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Oh dear have times changed!!!

• My mom made me the most beautiful and meaningful bracelet. It is based on the Fruits of the Spirit. I love wearing it as a reminder and it matches almost everything. :) She has started making jewelry and I am so excited that I get to be the recipient of her talents!!! She also makes earrings and necklaces. I'm so proud of her!!!

• This is what the sky looks from a picnic blanket on my back. 

• Dogwood trees are my favorite part of Spring. Probably because as far back as I can remember my dad brought my mom freshly cut branches from the farm to put in a vase on our dining room table. I will never forget that. Shawn even brings them to me now. Love that. Love that very much. 

quote

“Do you want me to tell you something really subversive?  Love is everything it’s cracked up to be.  That’s why people are so cynical about it.  It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for.  And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.”

Erica Jong

Good Friday

"Look there below see the child
trembling by her father's side.
Now I can tell you why.
She is why you must die."

World Autism Day

Today is World Autism Day. Do you know someone affected by it? I don't personally, but my wonderful blog designer and great friend Traci has a darling son who was diagnosed with Autism. Hop over to her blog here and learn about her sweet boy and the journey their family has been on the past few years.