thoughts.things.

1. & 4.  even though there's snow outside, there is some bright life inside.

2.  love this old mug.
3.  sleepless nights - Judah is definitely battling teething & a nasty cold/fever bout :(
5.  despite the busyness, still taking moments to peruse for spring inspiration.
6.  my life is being over-run by corrugated boxes - p.s. how did we get so much stuff?
7.  my newest kitchen find - copper lamp [ikea].

I've been so caught up with our move, that even our daily/weekly routine is out of whack (which I anticipate it will stay that way until we're settled).  Meals?  Who makes 'em anymore...kidding, but almost the truth.  Six days until we get possession, 9 days until the big move....so excited!!

side note: posts will be intermittent over the next week or so and I should be back to regular blogging in April... thanks for understanding!

simple.

"Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful."

John Maeda

There's something about living a simple life that grasps the essence of my dreams.  The way of life that doesn't require much...except for a pile of love and gratitude. 

Lately, we've been all too busy.  Packing to move, business decisions/opportunities/year-end, fighting sickness, preparing for the new house, sleepless nights (I think Judah's teething again??), working weekends, family events, extra-cirricular activities (or lack thereof)...blah blah blah.  We've let the right-now, "obvious" things in our equation take the importance of our time.  Over multiplication of things we've, in a sense, chosen the road of complication.

No one else is responsible for the lives we live, but us.  There are elements, yes, that we war off/accept that can change the course of our path.  But how we utilize our time and see it's outcome is something only you or I can determine for ourselves.  Our attitude and credence of value starts with a decision - a decision to not get wrapped up in the obvious.  

Simplicity is a choice.  As is chaos.  What do you choose for your time?

pic pix: some simple moments with my husband & son, 17.Mar.2013, down the street from our house

colorboard / no.10

color: monaco blue

word of inspiration: reverie [1. state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream 2. music - an instrumental piece suggesting a dreamy or musing state]

source of word: "Sit in reverie, and watch the changing colors of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1. gah, love me some blue suede shoes! /2. 'tweet' watercolor /3. i'd very much like these right now /4. and this too /5. another pair of monaco colored shoes? why not! /6. could use this accent in my new home /7. j'adore this journal, well, all leather journals /8. staple for the summer

nine months ...

Ahhh ... I can't believe my baby is already 9 months old!  I remember thinking, "When he gets to nine months, all of these [initial] days are going to seem like eons ago."  I was right.

Call me quick, call me funny ... just be sure to call.  I love when people call mom me during the day to chat.  It's the greatest when you've called right when I'm playing with something as I take that opportunity to hold up that toy/spoon/nounours right up to the phone for you to see.  Mama seems to think this is funny every time (though, it's pretty easy to make her laugh, I do it all the time!).

I'm serious about calling me quick.  Not only have I mastered the army crawl around the apartment, I'm now walking along walls/furniture/rocking chairs - you name it - just to get to where I need to be.  Usually with my hammer in hand, hitting things as I go.  I've got places to go, things to do (knock over garbages, pull toilet paper, grab blinds, play on the instruments, 'sweep' the floor with my mouth hoover.....).  I don't know how kid's keep up on things once they go to school (?!?).   

Mama and Papa have taught me some new mad skills that we usually practice around the dinner table. Though, they don't consider me using their hair (Mama's ponytail & Daddy's beard) to stand up a "trick" (???).  A few of the new ones: "je ne sais pas." - I just lift up my hands & shrug my shoulders; "praise the Lord" - I raise my arms; "clap clap clap" - need I explain? the usual "hi" and "bye" - though I have been creative with my wave, now I wave side-to-side and move my wrist.  Those are just a few ... Mama says I've got to stay modest.

I've also made some new friends lately and have gone on some play dates with them (and some of my old friends too!).  "Playing" for me consists of eating their snacks and watching them play while I eat.  Gotta say, I really enjoy our play dates...!!!  My other new "friends" are called cardboard boxes.  While Mama packs them, I bang on them, climb in/out of them, rock them.  A buddy's best friend right there.

This next month holds so many new things and big changes, I'm glad I was able to get these experiences under my belt to prep me for the excitement up ahead!

pic pix: the little goof ball wouldn't give me a smile, but gave me everything else! 13.Mar.2013, at home

a dinner time giggle.

close your eyes with that rhythm. from Sarah Nadine Arsenault on Vimeo.

consuming His love.

The sovereign Lord is my strength!  
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. 
Habakuk 3:19 NLT

There is no better way to start my Monday morning than with this very thought ... I am able to tread [walk along] the heights despite the weather I'm facing.  I am surefooted [unlikely to stumble or slip ... confident and competent] as I take each step.  All because the Lord is my strength.

For every weight, for every joy-filled moment, for every struggle, for every overwhelming thought, for every abundance of blessing: He is my strength.

In painful times, God is strengthening you.  
In peaceful times, He is restoring you.  
In all times, He is loving you. ~ source unknown

Join with me today as I revel and consume His strength, restoration, and fierce love.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!


pic pix: a view from the most amazing hike of my life (so far!), Mount Sparrowhawk, Spray Lakes AB, 10.Jul.2010

thoughts. things.

Cold Break 
I took an unexpected hiatus from blogging this week because of a stinkin' cold that is hanging on ever so slightly.  Thankfully, Judah nor Matt got it and I'm almost over it.  On the bright side, I've been thoroughly enjoying my tea and oranges...staples as of late.

Picking and Packing
We move in 3 weeks...ahhh!!  And packing has only just begun!  Though I haven't gotten far putting things in boxes, I've been mentally preparing how to do it all (printed these labels, got a system for where to hold boxes in the interim, visualizing where it'll all go, etc.).  Some other people may call this procrastination(!), but I'm pretty confident in saying that it's going to be productive when it comes to moving day.  I've also been picking colors for our new walls {glee!}.  Keeping a pretty simple palette, and who says walls can't be painted again (if you're reading this Matt, ignore the last sentence!).

Things I Overlook
So apparently, I have saved every magazine I have purchased - or so it appears!  I've made piles: give away, keep, maybe... I may give a few magazines away, rip out pages and toss the rest, but the majority of them still end up in the "maybe" pile.  What do you do with your magazines?  Maybe I should just give in, keep them all, and do this (!) or wait till I have this many to do this.

Beach Time
In the middle of April, we are going down to Mexico for my sister-in-law's wedding.  We HAVE to go, so we might as well enjoy it right?!  Haha...it's going to be great and the closer we get to it, the more excited I am!  Last time we were at the beach, we were only there for a day or two and I can't wait to see Judah in the ocean again.  I am desperately needing some sun, so this will be good for my health too(!).  For a swimsuit, I'm thinking something along the look of these one-piece suits... 1. 2. 3.

Happy Weekend
Hope that y'all enjoy your weekend!  I'll be back to regular posting next week...

"We much teach our children to dream with their eyes open."

~Harry Edwards

color board / no.9

color: mint & gold

word of inspiration: timeless [not affected by the passage of time]

source of word: Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever. ~Tinkerbell

1. dreamy swimsuit /2. this photograph looks like watercolor /3. summer top /4. gold flatware = need! /5. sweet sign /6. delicate cup /7.  antiques never get old /8. stud-ly earrings 

perfection.

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor.  Give all of your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you. 

~1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT

So be content with who you are and do not put on airs.  God's strong hand is on you; He'll promote you at the right time.  Live carefree with God; He is most careful with you. 

~1 Peter 5:6-7 The Message

I'm sitting here, speaking this mainly to myself right now.  My laundry is half folded on the living room floor (started from this yesterday morning), my vacuum is in arms reach but hasn't done it's duties on the floor since last week...projects that I've started are still in that exact state: started.  My fridge is empty because I forgot to get groceries yesterday...And honestly, the list of "imperfections"/incomplete duties continues (ugh).

I got to the point of utter frustration last night with all of these things, seriously ready to come unglued.  I felt like I was seeing no productivity, no effeciency.  "How do other moms do it?"  I asked.  "Why can't I just get it together?!" was basically what I kept complaining.  

Matt started by reminding me that I can't compare.

How many times will I have to get this principle knocked into my head?  I sometimes don't even realize that I am doing it until I start talking about what is bugging me.  Like the beginning of the passage above says, "So humble yourselves under the might power of God...So be content with who you are and do not put on airs..." it's about being modest.  By giving into the vicious cycle of comparing, I become prideful and discontent with the woman God's made me to be.  Believing the simple lie that "I'm not doing it like so-and-so," opens the door for huger lies to take over.  And fast!  God's strong hand is upon me (and you!) and He will lift us up at the time(s) He would like to use us.

Secondly, my dear husband reminded me that I can't carry all of my burdens or the destiny of my actions.

We serve a God who always has a greater purpose than we even want to or are able to see.  Why do I try and control everything in front of me as well as the end result?  It's like I actually forget that He cares for me.  If my 8.5 month old complained every single time I tried to dress him, feed him, or simply take care of him, it would be a constant battle to just give him his necessities let alone bless him with anything beyond that.

"God cares for me..." and wants me to entrust Him with every part of my life.  I need to act on that, and receive living a life "carefree" with Him.  For me, it's living a life void of stressing, comparing, complaining, etc...

He cares for you, and wants you to release any burdens to Him today.  Will you?

pic pix: there's something so beautiful & perfect about winter, Dec.2011, down the street

our day in pictures.

1. morning coffee with a special friend.
2. & 3. amazing smells coming from this place! 
4. why is toilet paper so fascinating for wee hands?!
5. a beautiful day for a walk ... the sky and trees said so!
6. while he plays, i saturate my brain with home ideas.
7. breakfast for dinner?  yes!