books, books, and more books

I finally pulled the huge containers that were holding all of my books out of Graham's room yesterday (well, Jonah and I did this together, because they were heavy) and with my precious Jonah's help, we put the books back onto the shelves that are in my bedroom. 

And basically, I am forbidding myself to purchase any more books forever and ever.  Or if I do buy books, I have to get rid of some.  Or maybe I just need more shelves.  I don't know!  I love books.  I have a slight problem.  (More than slight, according to my best friend.)

At one point during this process yesterday, I admitted to Jonah that I have a problem.  My entire bed was covered with piles of books, and the cedar chest at the end of my bed.  I even have an entire shelf of journals.  What does one do with all of those?!  I don't want to get rid of them, because my entire life for the past thirteen years is written down inside of them. 

My entire faith journey is in them, even more so than my actual day to day life, and to remember all that God has done is to honor Him, and I don't want to just throw them away.  Eventually, I'll buy a container specifically for the journals and store them inside of that.  I cannot bring myself to part with them.

All of these were inside of two containers, and I still had one more to go.  It got way worse before it got any better. 

We finally got them all stacked and organized, and here is the final result.

WE ORGANIZED THEM BY THEIR COLOR. 

Sorry I yelled, but do you know how happy this makes my heart?  The idea was not my own, but one I got (I believe) from Anne Bogel, or Modern Mrs. Darcy.  Also this picture does not do them justice.  It looks so much better in person than it does in this photo. 

I love it, though, and thankfully, I remember what all my favorite books look like.  It'll still be easy for me to find the ones I want to go back and re-read this year.

Also, I love getting my mail nowadays, because people keep sending me free books to read and review on reading websites.  I got this one in the mail back in October, but have been waiting until January to start it.

I'm also on launch teams a lot, to help some of my favorite authors promote their books, and they send me preview copies as well. 

I just love books.  Some girls like shoes and jewelry, I like books.  I don't always read a lot, and fast.  I go through dry spells, when I won't pick up a book for a couple of months sometimes, but I really want to read more.  Not necessarily in the new year, just period.  I think Netflix messed up my reading habit, so I need to exercise some self control in this area.  I read two and a half books in December, and I'm still working on that half one.  When I finish it, I have two more to read immediately, but a new-to-me author, Katie Ganshert.  (I'm journaling all about my books this year, too, in a cute new journal my friend Andrea gave to me.  I have never done that before, believe it or not.)

Plus, I'm traveling next week, and I like to read when I go on trips. 

Hopefully I'll read a couple between now and then, and I'll write more about that trip in the next few days. 

I have laundry calling my name and then I want to go make my bed and get semi-dressed for the day.  (I'm not leaving home today.)  And tonight, EVERYTHING in my room and bathroom gets put back into place!  This will be my last day to do my makeup downstairs!  I am so excited and can't wait to post pictures. 

Thanks for reading!  Love to all. 

a little perspective

I've embraced this philosophy, of sorts, over the past twelve or thirteen years of my life.  I posted a little about this on social media yesterday, in the description of a picture I posted, but I thought I'd share a little more about that today.

*Disclaimer: this pertains to NOBODY except for me, and I am not judging anyone who does things differently than what this post is about.  This is what I have discovered works best for me.*

I started thinking about this on Thanksgiving night, as we were pulling out all the decorations and bringing them downstairs to decorate for Christmas.  I also read about this a few short days after I started thinking about this topic, and I will do things VERY differently this year, as far as decorations go, when it comes time to decorate again for the holidays.

It used to be that decorating my house was an all day event.  As each year passes, it takes less and less time.  Part of this could be because of my amazing go-getter sons, who are so great to help me and can fly through putting a tree together.  But really, it's because I have been putting out less and less each year.  I want it to look beautiful, but I've learned that I can do a few simple things to make it look that way to me.

I say this in part because I am over the flashy and glittery decorations that I've used for years.  Some of it I have bought, but most of it was given to me.  When we clean out our attic in a few weeks, I am going to get rid of a ton of stuff.  I want to use things that would look fine being out all year long, instead of just for a few weeks.  Nothing with glitter looks natural, either, and I want things to look more that way (natural, that is) this year.

(This is where you need to go Google Cozy Minimalist.)

The thing I love about Christmas is about how pretty things look with twinkling lights and warm lighting.  I can create that effect by using lights, maybe more white for this year, and turning on lamps.

(This whole lamp thing is the bane of my husband's existence, by the way.  He does not at all understand my need for pretty lighting, and why I even turn on one single light during the day when the sun is shining.  He has switched all of our bulbs over to the low efficiency type, to save on energy.  I'm fine with that, as long as it doesn't look neon or baby blue.  I like warm white lighting.)
I plan on scaling way back on Christmas decorations this coming December, because when it becomes a burden to do so, the joy goes away.  I don't want it to be stressful, or cluttered, and putting out less will help me to avoid those two terrible things.  I have learned that I like what I like, and even if it's not trendy, if I like it, then that is all that matters.

I have learned to have what I love and to love what I have.

And because everything is always a picture of the spiritual side of things for me, this somehow reminds me of what Paul writes about in being content in all circumstances in Philippians four.  I learned this a long time ago, but it's like the Lord brought it home for me again in the past few weeks.  (Yes, I know the situation in which Paul writes about is vastly different, but the Lord just used this illustration I write of to remind me of what is important.)

In prayerfully reflecting upon things I want to concentrate on in twenty eighteen, this is one area.  I mentioned how I want my goal to be to honor the Lord in every area of my life, and that includes in how I spend my time, money, and the things I think about.  Because of my stature in life right now, I could easily be swept up in keeping up with everyone around me, but that is not what the Lord wants for me.  He protects me in so many ways, and this is just one small way in which He does so.  He has given me a very different way of thinking so that I will not be bitter or full of envy.  That doesn't mean that I can't be that way sometimes, but for the most part, He keeps me in check by recalling a few passages of scripture to my mind.

He is teaching me more and more with every single day, to depend more upon His word and in prayer, than in anything else.  When I have a thought cross my mind that may be full of envy or bitterness, I confess it immediately and then ask for forgiveness.  When I become jealous of what someone's house may look like compared to mine, I start to praise Him for always being our Provider, and thanking Him for all that He has given us.  Everything we have is from Him, and I don't want to forget that.

He protects me by helping me stay away from a love of shopping and perusing through magazines, even though I love to flip through a good decorating magazine.  There are a million little ways in which He is so kind and loving toward me that I could write about all day, but I'll wrap this up.  If this is an area in which you struggle, pray!  I had to learn to do that a very long time ago.  I promise, He will help you.  His word says in Psalm 145 that He is our Helper.  He also lovingly guards us, and He will do that for you.  I pray this reaches someone who needs to be reassured in some way today. 

(This is how He works in my life, too~through a silly little illustration that has to do with Christmas decorations, but He is so good to do that for me.)

Thanks for reading.  Love to all.

simply Tuesday

I am so glad it is Tuesday, and that we can all be on our way back to the everyday normal that is life.  Surely I'm not the only one?  I especially want this because of the turmoil that has been our house the past week or two.  

I mentioned that the older boys got separate rooms and new furniture for Christmas.  In making that happen, stuff had to be moved out, a room had to be painted, and before that could happen, wallpaper had to be stripped.  In order to keep it a secret from Jonah and Noah, we did all this under the guile of having our bedroom and bathroom redone as a gift to each other for Christmas and birthdays.  So, the week before Christmas, it all started.  The halls and all the rooms were filled with stuff from the rooms we were having work done in, and all the furniture in our room was pushed to the middle.  

But yesterday, the last of the work was finished!  I'm so thankful.  Right away I started cleaning and vacuuming and dusting all the furniture, because when the walls get sanded, it flies everywhere.  Our room is partially done now, and here is a sneak peak.

The furniture is not quite in place yet, but it's close.  We didn't want to push anything against the walls yet, to let the paint dry completely.  We will need curtains (eventually) and I will work on hanging things and putting my book shelves together again in a new, fun way.  I can't wait to share about it tomorrow!  

Also on the to-do list for today is vacuuming the downstairs (it's atrocious) and doing more laundry.  The upstairs is clean, though, praise God.  I don't say that jokingly.  Hopefully by tonight it'll all be put back together and I can post more pictures tomorrow.  Our bathroom was painted a really pretty gray color, and we're getting new fixtures and towel bars/hooks for the walls.  Everything is a rubbed bronze that we bought, and we bought a new shower curtain rod and curtain, and I bought new hand towels.  The color scheme is the gray paint (and matching rugs), navy blue, and white.  It will all arrive on Thursday and Friday, thanks to Amazon Prime.

We will also have new lamps in our bedroom, on our nightstands.  I have a lot of cleaning out of drawers to do today and tomorrow, and I will have all our clothes and stuff put back in place inside them.

I love days like this.  I love organizing things, and having it all look clean and fresh.  

I'm ending the day by going to see The Greatest Showman again.  This is a good, beautiful, simply cold Tuesday.  

Love to all.  

Happy New Year!

We ended twenty seventeen in my favorite way: by going to church that morning and by celebrating the coming new year with friends and family.  It was simple and sweet, and there weren't many of us, but nowadays, that's how I prefer things. 

Our pastor preached a wonderful sermon yesterday, as usual, for a new year resolution challenge to all of us, the church.  That was this: Honor the Lord in your life.  I used to make goals, and I used to have words I focused on being throughout the year, but I haven't done any of that in a while.  But this?  I will make this my prayer for twenty eighteen.  I pray that I will honor the Lord in every area of my life: in my thoughts, my words, my actions, and how I spend my time. 

Here are some small things I am doing to take steps toward that prayer. 

I am writing out scripture, every day, for the third year in a row.  I use the guide that Shannon at swtblessings.com gives on her blog. 

I am going to read through the bible in chronological order, using a bible my dad just finished yesterday and brought to me.

I am going to ask God to help me prioritize time with Him every single day, even if it's not first thing in the morning.  (Having a puppy has thrown me off my normal routines, and I've been beating myself up over the fact that I've not done this first thing everyday.  I'm letting that go, because the Lord doesn't care much about my time schedule.  Any time with Him is better than no time.)

I am going to enjoy my family and my friends, and I am going to love them more, with the Lord's help.  I will ask that He will me to show His love to everyone I come across, regardless of who they are or their status in life.

I am going to enjoy life and laugh, and I really want to try to play more games, like this crazy one we played last night.

I am going to soak up all the little things in life that mean the most to me, like cuddling with my sweet little Christmas Chip.

What are some things you aspire to this year?  Share with me, please! 

Thank you for reading, friends.  Happy new year to you, and love to all. 

house stuff and Todd's birthday

For Christmas, Graham and Drew got separate bedrooms and new bedroom furniture, including the beds and new bed coverings.  The playroom is going away and will become Graham's room, Drew will stay in the room he's been in, and Jonah and Noah will stay put.  When Graham leaves someday, that room will go to Drew, and one of the twins will move out of the small room. 

Since all this was taking place and to hide what was happening from Jonah and Noah (if they had found out, they would have known their big gift was), Todd and I decided to make our Christmas gifts to each a bedroom and bathroom makeover.  Our walls (and the playroom) had paint over wallpaper, so for a week now, we have had workers here stripping that and getting the walls ready for paint.  The trim will be painted, and the ceiling in Graham's room was painted.  His room is done now, paint wise, and we will move him in tonight.  Drew's room will be better with Graham's stuff out, but our room is still a mess.  The paper is gone from the walls, but I'm not sure when it'll be finished.  The guys couldn't be here today, and possibly won't return until Tuesday.  (Insert crying emoji here.) 

This was our room yesterday afternoon.  The trash is gone, and we vacuumed and dusted, but everything is just hanging out in the middle of the room.  We were able to sleep in our bed last night, and for that, I am so thankful.  I wasn't sure we would be able to.  The bathroom is not being used currently and will not be until it's all done.

The walls and trim will all be painted, and we took down the huge mirror in our bathroom and will replace it with individual ones.  The other things we'll be getting are all decorative items, and I can't wait to see what it all looks like.  I'm especially excited about our bedroom.  It really needed sprucing up. 

Here was Graham's room while they were painting the trim yesterday afternoon, before the walls were done.  I can't wait to see what his room looks like! 

I am very anxious for it all to be done.  I'm in a holding pattern with the entire house, it seems.  One room just kind of overflows into every other room, and while the upstairs is a giant mess, the downstairs isn't that bad.  However, I really, REALLY want to take the Christmas stuff down, and I don't know if I can do that until the rest of the house is finished.  All of a sudden, I hate all the Christmas clutter.  I might work on that today.  Or I might sit in my chair and alternate between the book I started yesterday and watching Gilmore Girls. 

Because that's how I cope.

Anyway.  Todd was able to work at home yesterday for his birthday!  I loved having him around all day.  We went to dinner last night with his parents, per our annual birthday tradition.  We ate at Gus's, because we're fancy like that.

It was SO GOOD. 

Cuties.  I'm so glad I have a girl to hang around with nowadays.  I love this sweet one so very much.  While we were gone, her sweet sister stayed at our house and watched the pups for us.  I know Chip was glad to not have to be in his kennel. 

Then we went to The Peabody. 

And yes, he is crazy and took off his coat and shirt for this picture.  It was FREEZING.

I was cracking up.  We walked around for a bit, then left to do what Todd wanted to do for his birthday, which was hand out blankets and sleeping bags to homeless people we saw on the streets.

We also gave away the food we had leftover from dinner and a granola bar, which I had stashed for when I'm out and get hangry.  I might have cried quietly the entire time. 

I'm so thankful for this man I am married to, and how he  thinks of others. 

It was such a sweet example to our sons. 

It was a perfect night of celebrating, and I wouldn't have wanted to do it any other way.

Thanks for reading!  Love to all. 

It was the most wonderful time of year...

...and now I'm ready for all the Christmas stuff to go away.  It's a battle every single year.  Usually it all comes down in the day or two after Christmas, but this year is different because our entire upstairs is torn up.  I'm hoping that will all be done by Friday, and in the process of cleaning up from the aftermath of all the work we're having done, I can also work on the Christmas decorations being put away.

It was a wonderful few days!  I saw "few", because that is how long it took us to celebrate.  On the day before Christmas Adam, we had Christmas dinner with Todd's parents.  I got an early gift!  I saw it, because it couldn't be wrapped, and my sis in love let me bring it home.

Then on Christmas Adam we met for breakfast at Cracker Barrel, then headed to the in-love's house for gift opening.  We were there all day until we left to go take some pictures, then we headed home soon after that.

This is Todd's brother Tim.  We always love getting to be with them, since we don't see them often.

I was at church on Christmas Eve at nine for a sound check for the praise team, then we had a normal service, minus Sunday school.  We all went our separate ways after this, and my step dad Bill and I enjoyed a little "daddy and daughter" date.  We ate lunch and then each went and ran our own errands. 

At four that afternoon, we had our candlelight service.

This is my favorite service of the entire year.  I practically weep through the entire thing.

Then after this, we went to Daddy's to celebrate with him.

I love all their decorations.  It was a lovely evening, and we enjoyed being with family we don't get to see very much.

Todd woke us all up at six thirty on Christmas morning, and it was mayhem as everyone opened gifts.  Graham and Drew knew what most of their gifts were, and had picked them all out.  They are separating into their own rooms for the first time in about sixteen years, and got new furniture that they will take with them when they get married someday. 

Jonah and Noah were surprised by everything.  It was a wonderful morning!

We headed to Mom's at noon.

It was Mom, Bill, Trish, Devin (my nephew), (another nephew) Tyler, his fiance Terri, Todd's parents, and the six of us. 

It was a wonderful, wonderful day.  We are so blessed and fortunate, and I thank God for the ultimate gift that He gave us in His Son Jesus. 

We came home at about four, and my dad and stepmom came over to see all the gifts the boys received, and to snack on goodies leftover.  This is always a favorite tradition of ours, and theirs too, I believe. 

And then that night...

I made our bed with our new blanket that we received as a gift, and then sat and cuddled with my littlest Christmas present.

It was perfect and magical. 

Thank you for reading my blog!  Love to all. 

Life Lately

I didn't intend to take a blogging break, but it became one, so I thought I'd play a little catch up, for the sake of memories I don't want to forget, and for anyone who cares. 

I'll start with last week.  Graham took us all out to dinner on the night of my birthday last week.  The bummer part of it was that I didn't feel well.  Looking back, I think I might have had a mild stomach bug.  I sat through dinner, and even ordered something, but I had to bring it home with me, because I couldn't eat.  I did eat it about an hour after we got home.  Wasn't that so sweet of him?  It is not cheap to take six people out for dinner.

On Friday I felt better, and we went out to lunch with my dad for my birthday.  He took us to O'Saka, which is one of my favorite places to eat.  We sat at a hibachi table and had the whole experience.

So fun.  That night I made a yummy chicken casserole that my friend Lorri gave me the recipe for, and I doubled it, so we could have leftovers.  Um, so we had extras that night, and there was enough leftover for Todd and myself to have for lunch the next day, and that was it.  I guess they loved it as much as I did.  He worked that night, with the sheriff's department.  (Friday/)

On Saturday, my bed skirt came in, so we made our bed with all the new coverings, and I love it!

Our gift to one another this year is a new bedroom and bathroom.  We are having them both spruced up and we're adding new fixtures, drawer pulls, and paint.  We haven't touched the way our room looks in the fourteen years we've lived here.  That night, the boys and I hung out here, and in a very rare move for him, he went and had a guys night with some friends from the sheriff's department.  Well, he and Graham both went, and Rachel and I watched a movie downstairs while the others hung out. 

(The Circle wasn't quite what I thought it was, and it ended horribly.)

We spend Sunday morning at church, and then my bestie and I attended a wedding together.  I was her plus one, since her hubby had to leave for work.

Let me say here, that the wedding was magical and right out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, as was the reception.

DANG IT, I should have had a Christmas wedding, like I wanted!

I'm still mad at myself.

The Quonset was a cool place for a wedding reception, with beautiful brick walls inside and magical lights everywhere.

After this, we ran and got pizza, then headed to community group.

These arrived over the weekend, and I proceeded to bawl like a baby.  I didn't think I'd react that way, since I just had one graduate last year, but that wasn't the case.  It hit me really hard when I saw these, and Todd just laughed at me, but it'll hit him too, most likely the week they go to youth camp, like what happened with him and Graham last year on the last night.

Isn't he so handsome?

So I have had a pot rack hanging over this peninsula you see to the left for FOURTEEN years, and when Todd and Noah took it down the other night so we could raise it, when I saw how much bigger the room became without it, we left it down, and I am in love with the way the room looks now!  I cannot believe we just left it all those years.  It wasn't anything I needed, it was just something I liked.  So if you're in search of a nice pot rack, we are selling ours.

Oh, Christmas Chip.  This is what we do.  All day long.

The only other exciting thing that's happened this week, was our Christmas party last night for the junior girls.

It was so much fun!  We ate yummy food, we did facials, manicures and pedicures, we watched Santa Clause 1 and 2, we talked about how good Jesus is, and we laughed our heads off.  It was such a fun night. 

Today we have painters here!  I'm so excited about our projects, but I'll write more about that after Christmas.  Thanks for reading!  Hopefully I'll be back on here soon.  Love to all.