"Depraved Indifference"



Sunday after church I attended a meeting about a mission trip to Haiti in Summer 2011. I have a heart for missions and felt the need to be informed. I've been thinking and praying about it the last few days. Of course I've wondered whether I can commit to something like that, considering all the other stuff I'm dealing with. I think Eric Ludy's video may have just swayed me....

I had to share....

What do I love more than a newborn baby?

Two newborn babies.

Trina of A Country Farmhouse recently gave birth to her twins, weighing in over 7 lbs each! Healthy babies.

I couldn't think of anything more precious to share on this Monday.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

"For unto us a child is born...

And He will be called Mighty Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

-Isaiah 9:6

It's about that time

The snow has officially fallen, we've dragged out all the winter wear, and the first gifts have been bought. Christmas will be here before we know it. I always look forward to shopping with the crowds amidst the holiday madness. However, last year's trip to the mall two Saturdays before the big day was a disaster. I had three children in tow, and forgot the stroller at home:( So I paid to rent a two seater at the mall, it was equipped with an attached tall yellow flag. And it was like, "Thank you. Now no one will miss us." So, as I physically guided the massive stroller, with its tendency to veer to the left, and kept an eye on the third child who cannot, for the life of him, walk in a straight line, we ventured through the chaos. We battled the Target crowds for a good 40 minutes before I looked down and noticed that all we had in the basket was wrapping paper and scotch tape. I gave up.

 Then while in the long check out line, the 4 yr old "has to pee." Of course.

Me: "Can you just wait until we check out? Only a few more minutes."

Her: "No, it's a 'mergency. I gotta go now."

So, I stuffed the goods in a nearby rack and we made a mad dash for the facilities. I mumbled something about wishing she still wore a diaper and she couldn't understand why I would want her to resemble her little sister. You know, the one happily sitting in her soggy diaper, until there came a convenient time for me to change her.

As I helped the 4 yr old do her thing without touching and catching every germ within her short reach, I quickly turned around to catch the stall door that was being pushed open, when my cell phone flew out of my coat pocket...RIGHT into the toilet! Yup, perfect aim, Karlee. Even after drying out the water logged phone, I still had to buy a new one.
I really hope this year's shopping extravaganza is a lot more fun, and a lot less stressful. It's sure to be because I will be accompanied by my mom and some friends...no small children are allowed:)
So, with all that being said, please do not take your children to the mall shopping with you this month. Save yourself the stress.
And let us remember the real reason for the season:)

Patience

"Patience is not my ability to wait, but my ability to keep a good attitude while I wait."

-Joyce Meyer

"I've been redeemed"

I have to confess, I am in love with the Duggar Family. Seriously, I am. They have 19 freakin' children! And they don't sit them in front of the tv, or hire multiple nannies to control the chaos, instead they teach them to serve and love more like Jesus (those were actual quotes), while actually spending quality time with them. And as for Mama Michelle, her sweet voice never changes. Does anyone think she sometimes loses her temper and screams at her family? I like to think that it's happened at least once...

(this is an older photo. They've had 2 more since.)

Watch 19 Kids and Counting Tuesday nights at 9 pm eastern on TLC.

In tonight's episode, a group of the younger ones brought back some sweet memories with their rendition of:

"I've been redeemed

I've been redeemed

By the blood of the lamb

By the blood of the lamb

I've been redeemed

I've been redeemed

By the blood of the laaaamb

I've been redeemed by the blood of the lamb

Filled with the Holy Ghost I am

All my sins are washed away

I've been redeemed"

Search for the Messiest Closet?

Now, I wasn't exactly searching for the messiest closet, but I think I still may have found it. I spent some time at my parents' house over the holiday weekend. It was go-go-go time until Sunday rolled around. Mom and I were ready to hunker down and get some things accomplished. We planned to clean/re-organize her closet, and set up the tree. We only accomplished the first. And now you'll see why:

(I spy perm rods, a family picture from the 1980s, the dress my mom wore to my wedding, old makeup bags, board games, and lots of out of date clothes.)

No, this is not a joke. She and Dad have been living with this closet for some time now. It's not as if there was 20+ years of stuff packed in there, we did a closet overhaul a few years ago! Honestly, the closet belonged on TLC's "Messiest House." My inner OCD comes out in such situations and I actually enjoy making progress organizing.

We worked for 5 1/2 long, hard, hours, but not without some laughs. I threw out half of my dad's worn-out wardrobe, including a couple pairs of shoes. He gave me permission to get rid of the shoes above. He said, "Yeah, go ahead and throw these out. I haven't worn them since last year."

If you knew my dad and his dumb humor you would laugh. Clearly, the dust reads several years.

Mom found a picture from 1996, where we attended a cousin's wedding. She and Dad were in pretty amazing shape back then, not to mention, it was mid summer and Mom was rockin' a great tan. She showed my dad the photo and he couldn't believe how different she looked (or the fact that he had a comb over). To which he exclaimed,

"Is that you?! I thought it was Michelle Obama!"

After packing 3 large bags to go to Good Will...

 

One to consignment... (hi, layla)

and 10 bags of GARBAGE...

We have the end result.

(Those are not carpet stains, just shadows. Up until this point there has not been enough room to picnic in the closet.)

Can you believe the amount of trash we took out? What a transformation. And look at all the open space in that average size walk-in! Two things I learned:

Dad could use more clothes.

Mom doesn't need another thing:)

Does your closet look like the before picture? Or are you a naturally organized person?

*Comment to inquire about my hourly rates:)

 

I'm thankful

I truly believe the Lord allows us to endure hard times, blistery weather, and everything-is-not-going-my-way-moods so we can really appreciate the blessings. Not only the blessings, but the chance to turn to God when you're at "the end of your rope" and desperate for another line. Some of the greatest blessings arrive post stormy nights (or weeks). With that being said, don't give up hope that the sun will shine again and dry your tears, because it will. And He might even throw you a rainbow to bring a smile to your face. So, I'm thankful. Thankful for a loving, living God, a great husband, my incredible parents, my 2 favorite brothers, my furry daughter, extended family, close girlfriends, belly laughs, dancing shoes, newborn babies, white chocolate mochas, puppies, and worship.

Count it all joy

"Everyone goes through hard times. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes our prayers help us to avoid them. Sometimes not. It's the attitude we have when we go through them that matters most. If we are filled with anger and bitterness, or insist on complaining and blaming God, things tend to turn out badly. If we go through them with thankfulness and praise to God, He promises to bring good things despite them." -Stormie Omartian

I'll be taking a little break from Peanut's Gallerie to focus my attention on other things, but always remember:

"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."
-James 1:2-3

Im dying over this:

Who gets dramatic over dog beds? This girl does.

Layla needs one of these. Black trellis bolster arm dog bed? (in the larger size, of course.) Yes, pease. It even comes with a black monogrammed bone pillow with white piping!

I realize the photo is small, but enlarging it only fuzzed it up. Check it out HERE.

Grandma and Papa, if you want to pitch in for Christmas, feel free:)



Forgiveness

"Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different."

-Oprah

"If you can't see my heart you must be blind."

It's been a difficult week, and since "we're" being honest, it's been a difficult two weeks. But everything's ok in the end, so if it's not ok, it's not the end, right? I'm going to leave you with a song and send you on your way into a great weekend!

(Kid Rock is one of my guilty pleasures, don't hate me. The video was taped in Northern Michigan--Beautiful.)

Family Room/Office

Remember how I said that living in a small space requires almost every room to multi-task? Well our basement family room is no exception. I showed you the Guest Bedroom/ Closet, the Kitchen/Dining, and the Livingroom, which happens to be one with the kitchen & dining room, so next up is the family room.

Quick Disclaimer:: My camera has taken some really disappointing pictures lately, so bear with me. Try and ignore the blotches and dots.

Let's remember this is the basement, so the lighting is not very good.

Our tv was too large to fit into the built-in entertainment center, so we turned it into a bar.

Here's my little office corner, which works for now. I clearly did not choose the paint colors down there. I considered repainting the basement but decided against it. Which is probably a good thing, seeing how I have no idea how long we will actually be here. This may just be the last you see of our little log home.

Victory

"If you desire victory over your problems, if you truly want to live the resurrection life, you must have a backbone and not just a wishbone! You must be determined to have victory and refuse to settle for anything less than the best that God has for you."

-Colossians 3 Paraphrase- Everyday Life Bible.

what you've missed....

In the wake of hard times, I try to remember all that I have to be thankful for. Like my family, my health, my God, a dog who never tires of me, and beautiful fall days in Northern Michigan. My personal computer is still not in working order (ugh), so I am posting some recent photos from my parent's computer. This is what you've missed lately:

Gaylord Life Church celebrated "Lumberjack Sunday." Here's Mom and I on the hayride after service.

Jazlyn turned 8, complete with a surprise costume party.

Here's Houghton (20 months old), dressed as Woody and chowing down on some pizza.

Jazi, Her mom Felecia, and little sister Peyton- dressed as an 80's Madonna.

The little Pirate with Grandma and Papa

Me & the Birthday Girl:)

For my 24th Birthday celebration (Nov 5) some of my family came to town and we did a wine tour of the Old Mission Peninsula.

But unfortunately, the day started with someone accidentally locking the keys in my truck...so we got a late start.

Favorite cousin, Alyssa, and I at Peninsula Cellars

Some of the group, posing at Chateau Grand Traverse

Grandma and her girls:)

Lyss and I ending the night at our house with some oatmeal cake & ice cream.

Thanks so much to my family who spent the day celebrating with me. Everyone was very generous when it came to gifts- I received some cute boots, plenty of jewelry, a sweater, an eReader, money, and some incredible rabbit fur. Who says adults can't enjoy being another year older? Thanks for making me feel special guys.



Suffering

"He never said it would be easy, He just said it would be worth it."

A line I've heard many times throughout my young life, and I believe it to be true. No life is without suffering of some sort, whether it's the loss of a child, a broken marriage, a relationship of abuse, we all have our crosses to bear. How we handle them is what ultimately is going to count in the long run. Despite the difficulties I go through, I want to remain faithful to the One through whom all blessings flow.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."

(2 Corinthians 1:3-7)



You Give Love

"You give love

Love I'm not worthy of

Love

Always more than enough

Love, You give love.

With no conditions

And no restraints

I am in Your grace

This will never change

You give love"

-House of Praise circa. 1995

Despite our shortcomings, our unbelief, our stubborness, and our sinful nature, He gives love. I love worship that takes me back to the nineties. Back to the days we sang on stage with bright colored foam microphone covers, and I danced and sang in front of the livingroom mirror pretending to be Darlene Zschech leading my Sydney congregation into worship. "You Give Love" is on repeat as we speak.

Today

Today I'm wanting...

Peace & Harmony



Saturday Night Blog Surfing

It's been a while since I've done a post about interior design, which is more for my benefit than anyone else's. I'm a teensy bit obsessed with the above livingroom. To describe it in two words: Classic & Fabulous.

I'm quite anxious for the day we own our own home, as I've said time and time again. Hopefully we'll have an entryway equally as fabulous.

A room devoted wholly to my closet is a must. I'm loving the free standing racks as opposed to expensive built-ins. Every morning would be like a shopping experience, and we all know how much I love to shop:)

neglect

I've been neglecting my blog for a few reasons. The first reason being, our computer went kaput. It's infested with some serious hacker-style virus. Lisbeth Salander is on my trail. (If you haven't read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo books, you have no idea what I'm talking about.) So, needless to say we need to take it in somewhere and have it completely cleaned out.

The second reason is although I'm able to get online at work, I do not want to fill up my employer's computer with all of my pictures. And who really wants to read a blog without ANY pictures? Not me.

The third reason is we have been battling some serious winds and it's screwing everything up. I came home to an empty house Tuesday night, to find we had absolutely no power. Jake and Layla were out of town for the night, and I was supposed to sit there and attempt to read by candlelight or something? I would have been bored to tears. So, I headed to my friend Sara's and stayed with her. It was good to catch up and we slept in the same bed for the first time since the eve of my wedding. That's what happens when you get married, you don't have as many sleepovers:)

Hopefully everything will be up and running soon, I am going to have a lot of photos to share!

Someone buy me a puppy...quick!

I don't have the time for a real post, and I'm currently out of town, but I just have to say that someone seriously needs to buy me a puppy....or something. My landlord was so excited to share the news he and his wife just received- she will be giving birth in May....to twins! I was like, "Shut up, no way?!" Not, "Shut up, no way, that's so awesome!" It was more like "Shut up, no way, I'm so jealous!"

Help!

I just picture two little brown haired boys, with rockstar names, and dimples, calling me mama...and I melt.

Someone please buy me a puppy:)

Country Strong

I'm a big Gwyneth Paltrow fan. I love her movies and I love her style. I even got my hair cut to mimic hers one time:)

So, we know she's stylish. But check out her pipes! She's starring in the new movie "Country Strong," playing an alcoholic country singer, and she really sings, just like she did in "Duets." She even had to learn to play guitar. See the music video below.



Can't wait to see "Country Strong"!

Puppy Love

Have you ever seen something and you knew right away that you HAD to have it? Despite the cost, or the consequences, or even the added responsibility, it just must be yours?

I have.

Layla, 8 weeks old

I'm a big time dog lover. Sometimes I fall in love with dogs that aren't even very cute. I cry during "Old Yeller", celebrate my dog's birthdays, and would seriously clear out the Humane Society if my husband would let me. So, it's no surprise that when I saw Layla's sweet face back in November of 2007 while visiting friends in Nashville, I HAD to make her mine.

And the rest is history, she's just as much a part of the family as my brothers are. jk:)

Well, Sunday I fell in love again. Someone was giving away this puppy for FREE outside of Jay's Sporting Goods. He was so cute, and he had that incredible little puppy smell. And a sweet face, and he laid his head on my shoulder. I wanted him. He was a Beagle/Walker mix, which I have never seen before and is definitely not on my list of dogs I must have, but sometimes the logistics go flying out the window and all there is is puppy love:)

I tried to convince Jake to love him too, but no such luck. He's a little harder to crack than I am. So, we went home puppy-less. But I did say a prayer that he would go to a good family, seeing he was investment-free and all. But ever since Sunday, I've been feeling the itch. I want a puppy, and Layla needs a little sister or brother to play with.

birthday wish list

Am I too old to write a birthday wish list?

It's just a few weeks away. I wish everyone would make a list for their birthdays and Christmas. It sure would make holiday shopping a lot easier.

Canon SD750

Black Hunter Wellies

zappos

Audrey Dress

Boden

Nate Berkus Herringbone Throw

(on sale!!)

HSN

"Choosing to See" by Marybeth Chapman

AMAZON

"Beauty and the Beast" Limited Edition DVD

(no, this is not a joke)

AMAZON

Essie Winter 2010 Collection

available Nov 1st!

essie