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rods, a family picture from the 1980s, the dress my mom wore to my wedding, old makeup bags, board games, and lots of out of date clothes.)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