Our Kitchen Update

When we bought this little quirky ranch,

the first thing we knew we needed to tackle was the kitchen.

It had no dishwasher, (gasp*)

moldy rotted out cabinets, (the horror*)

a pipe sticking out of the wall and into the cabinet, (what the huh?*)

and its overall look was pretty weird and depressing, (all right let's do this!)

We felt that we wanted to use a practical IKEA kitchen for our little space,

I wanted a cottage kitchen look, open shelves, white cabinets, farmhouse sink,

all desires IKEA could deliver!

So we got to planning, spent a couple hours purchasing,

drove back home with our sink in our car,

and waited to find some professionals who could help us get that pipe back in the wall

and who could wire an outlet for a dishwasher.

We demoed, added a door to the pantry/laundry/mud room,

scraped and painted, 

had a wonderful electrician (Tate & Sons, Louisville people!) 

and an incredibly kind plumber (Jamie Beeler Plumbing!) fix our problems,

painted the existing vinyl flooring, and began installing our new kitchen.

It was really discouraging and tough on some days, 

but I am so thankful and pleased 

every time I step into our little kitchen, 
and if I am ever ungrateful, 
I need to pull out this post to remind me 
of what it used to be,
and how for a month I washed dishes in the backyard. 
Enjoy the crazy transformation:


When you first walk into our galley kitchen,
this is the photo that was on the listing,
note the fly tape hanging in the laundry space.

taken by the listing agent

this is real lighting, not wide angle, when we first moved in, no dishwasher.

door, hidden dishwasher, open shelves, freshly oiled butcher block, ahhh*

Then you turn and look at the other side,

taken by listing agent

just a dreary mess, got some good use out of that pizza stone
in this project.

so much to love in this photo!!

Looking straight down the galley,

taken by listing agent

that door makes a world of difference,
and still need to finish that piece of trim.

We aren't fully finished with this project,
but it is beautiful and functional already!
We hope to add backsplash, finish some of the trim work,
touch up the floor, and maybe change out some lighting.
It is so fun to work in this kitchen now!

If you have any questions on that how to of any of our projects,
(painting a floor, working with an IKEA kitchen, butcher block care, etc.)
let me know and I would love to help!

beginning a new season

Here I am, again, 

sitting at this little notebook,

wanting to write out a few feelings,

thoughts, and experiences as of late.

I am peering out of our big, dining room windows,

at the smoky thunderclouds rolling in,

in our new quirky cottage under the big oak tree.

Occasionally, I am snapped out of a day dream to the shrieks

and laughter of the girls dancing in their dainty bedroom 

which is now a good mix of 

Paris,

Pandas,

Pink,

Pale Green,

and 

Horses.

Outside, the cool wind is dancing through the trees,

 grasping at little leaves and carrying them across my view.

For the past three weeks, this has been our home,

we are settling slowly, into a new place,

with new faces, places, and food, good good food. 

This little place has lots of little rooms, 

and every room needs a little bit of love.

And I hope to document the changes and love added here, 

because I am excited at the transformations taking place in the near future.

When we bought this house, we had such a mix of feelings,

it wasn't the giddiness of the first house, 

it wasn't the easy excitement of a brand new house

(and this house is no Schuber Mitchell),

it was eagerness to live together in our new city,

it was nervousness about taking on a "fixer upper" without Chip and Jojo's help,

it was a bummer at the state of the little place,

and the constant flood of ideas for the potential.

So quietly, holding hands, we waded into this new season together.

But it is merely "brick and mortar" a place to be together,

and even though it needs quite a bit of love 

and the backyard has been let go for +5 years,

thats enough time for random small trees to be a nuisance, 

we have lots of love for it!

For Mother's Day this year I asked for flowers to plant,

I will be asking for this every year.

By our little lamp post,

which is constantly covered in bird poo from a fat, greedy robin,

my girls each picked a flower,

yellow dahlias,

light pink petunias,

and violet bacopas,

to plant. 

Right out of my dining room window, I get to watch those flowers,

(and that robin, he has become just a silly bird to us),

and I am thankful for this quirky place,

this neighborhood with its tall trees and kind folk,

this city and our season to love well here.

silly me

not in the funk...yet

I thought I was in the February Funk, turns out it's not specific to a certain month,

it's a lifestyle you have to break out of fiercely. Super.

As a former winter lover, I have grown weary of the teases of spring followed by sheets of ice, dropping temps and frozen pipes.

So I really want to dump this cold pity party,

and choose joy, choose gratefulness,

and choose happiness.

You know what I did,
I stopped keeping up with my "Eucharisteo".
I know, I know, it's bad. 
I love how something so simple could tie me so close with the Giver of all gifts.
I hate how easy it is for me to stop focusing on the thanks and wallow in my self pity.

SO…
I am writing a simple list here,
join along, because it is wonderful putting the focus off of ourselves,
and focus on thanking God, and even the minute things we have been given.

-a surprise package waiting at the door from my brother and sister.
-kleenexes
-hot tea & honey
-messy side ponytails from playing so hard.
-giggles from a slow draining tub
-confidence from a flattering, well fitting swimsuit, thanks Mom!
- buckets full of grace constantly poured on our little family
-days full and days of relaxing
-tulips
-singing with my littles in the car.
-wonder of Penny as she really sees & processes new things
-friends who check on you, cheer you on, and pray for you
-a dependable car
-fresh perspective

lap and heart full, thank you Lord!

Also, real quick before I duck away for the weekend,
fellow stay at home moms, do you give yourselves sick days? 
How does that look for you? Or is the guilt too great? 
Also, what are your most recommended ways of clearing painful congestion in the sinus region? 

 Happy Weekend friends!!

"eucharisteo"

Right now, I am enjoying the book,
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.
I have been recommended that book by many friends,
(read my inspirational friends blogpost that mentions it),
and even while I was at the library holding it in my hand,
a new friend raved about it to me.
I couldn't wait to read it, and now it is kicking my rear.

After so many days of being ungrateful, coming down hard on myself,
and completely stressed as a mom with 3 under 5 (not for too much longer)
I began reading this poetic story, challenging my heart and mind.

So today, after an exhausting, stressful morning of grocery shopping,
preceded by a night where 4 1/2 hours were devoted to helping my girls sleep
(thank you husband for letting me try to catch up this morning)
I am going to write a list of a few the things I am thankful for today.

enchanting foggy treetops
hugs that make amends
husband -- in his entirety
chocolate cheers with Nora girl
reading Little House on the Prairie with my oldest 
a baby that pats your back during hugs
cup of coffee that warms my hands
my unconditional love for my girls
His unconditional love for me
big puddle splashes
rain boot squeaks
heavy wool blankets
the taste of a perfectly ripe banana
fun mail days
the thankful heart of Cordelia
fresh herbs
brand new turquoise moleskin notebooks
of which to fill with "eucharisteo"
literally translated - give thanks.

I am anxious to learn to live life with thanksgiving to My Savior,
My Creator, My Father.
 I am encouraged by the words of Ann Voskamp:

"I am mother-tired, 
but when my soul doth magnify, 
my time doth magnify."

May you all have weekend 
full of thanksgiving and joy!

We're back!!

Over the last week, we packed up our little car,

dropped our daughters off at their Gram and Pop's,

and drove all the way to Pensacola Beach.

Three full days of sitting at the beach!

We were giddy, and exhausted,

looking forward to a restful get away.

We drove through Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama.

We saw cotton fields for the first time,

swamps, and the USS Alabama.

We suffered through miles and miles on tiny one lane highways,

passing farm after farm
after farm after farm.
We talked and asked each other lots of questions,
it was weird with no one yelling in the back seat.
We listened to our music and some comedians too!
After 13 long hours, we made it,
checked in, and crashed.

The next morning we woke up early,
ate a scrumptious hotel breakfast, and walked along the beach.
It was cool and cloudy,
we couldn't believe we were there.
Really, it took about 1 1/2 days to get into vacation mode.
I joke about parenting other people's children while I was there,
and sadly it was a little true,
I was not used to being off mom mode for more than a few hours!

But once we got into the vacation lifestyle,
we lived it up, hours on the beach, yummy restaurants,
and we even rented beach chairs on Thursday.
We felt fancy, and had a blast people watching, reading,
and taking breaks from sitting to search for shells and sand dollars
to give to the girls.
The weather was gorgeous!
Sunny, high in the 70s and a nice breeze.
Ahh, the life.

Thursday night, we paid for a walking pass on the pier.
We watched the sunset,
took pictures, and saw a pod of dolphins!
There were a myriad of fishermen,
it was fun watching them toss fish over the side of the pier,
smack them on the ground, making an art out of their work.
It was so peaceful watching God's glory set on the horizon.
(more pictures to come later of this adventure)

Friday was great/terrible.
We followed our usual routine,
we had grown accustomed to relaxing,
and we liked it.
After a few minutes on the sand,
we got pretty hot and headed into the water.
A girl asked us if we were brother and sister,
which Levi began nodding his head yes.
Another girl told me about her crabs at home,
Freddie and Mr. Spongebob Krabbs.
It was cute and made me miss my girls even more.

While looking for shells,
we found numerous tiny crabs still in their shells drifting along with the waves.
I was a little creeped out, and began walking so cautiously around.
Then I spotted it, a perfect sand dollar, white, that was the size of a half dollar,
(we had only found pieces, many pieces of sand dollars, no whole ones,
we joked about us vacationing to a "sand dollar graveyard", 
it was funny to me, maybe you had to be there)
I bent down to pick it up and found one silver fish with a yellow tail
(if you clicked on the link, I couldn't narrow it down to any specific fish, 
because as you can see there are many silver fish with yellow tails)
started swimming all around my legs,
and soon more appeared, really freaking me out,
chasing me away from our perfect sand dollar.
Every step back I took, more appeared,
it was completely irrational, but I thought,
what if they bite?
Shortly after they got tired of scaring me,
someone found a jellyfish nearby.
I was done.

So I parked my keister, do people use that terminology still or is it just me?
Anyway, I sat down to read more,
but it was so hot in the direct sun,
so I moved to the poolside under a free umbrella, and that was nice,
then I started to feel a heat rash,
it burned and itched,
so I went  upstairs, showered and took nap,
it finished the trip nicely.

check out the couple walking the beach, so cute!

We headed back,
after a few minor setbacks,
one being my first flat tire,
past the millions of farms,
we made it home to an adorable banner,
and three snoozing loves.

We were so thankful to have had the opportunity to go,
and so happy to be home with our girls again!

What have you all been up to?

prayer and giving

I am holding my children close today.

I am treasuring every moment.

Image via Facebook

I am waiting for this storm to pass,

but for many,

life is completely different.

Already.

Words cannot describe the deep sorrow

I am weeding through now.

And,

God is bigger.

He is there, in Moore,

helping rescuers,

holding scared children,

comforting hurting parents,

and strengthening communities.

He is here,

comforting our souls,

and moving us to act. 

And while we can't all go to Moore,

our phones have made it 

so easy to help.

Here are two ways to help:

The Red Cross

Text REDCROSS to 90999 

LifeChurch.TV

Give to Relief and Restoration

or

text RELIEF & donation amount to 86613

So,

I am holding my children close today.

I am clinging to my Savior.

I am praying for the hurting.

#nomakeup430 with Guest Blogger, Molly Coburn!!!!

So, after two weeks of not wearing make up,

something in me clicked.

I really didn't think about it,

it stopped being my routine,

lining my eyes,

shadow,

bronzer,

blush.

I appreciated the ease in which I left the house,

I loved how my skin felt,

and even though I may wear it again,

I have grown to love (seriously!) how natural my face looks.

When I set out to do this challenge, I invited any one who wanted to join me,

and some one did!!

I was thrilled so I asked her to write about her observations at the end of the challenge.

Molly is a stay at home mama of two sweet, adorable girls.

She was actually a friend of my older sister,

and we attended church together growing up.

She has gorgeous blue eyes,

a great sense of humor,

and immense love for her girls.

Here are her thoughts:

challenge: accepted 

Let's see, I joined in on the fun because you wrote about the idea on your blog. I thought, "let's do this- I shouldn't need make-up to feel normal."

Let's go back a little bit. I have never worn much makeup, nor have I ever spent much time "primping". I am laid back about my hair and makeup, but I always wore a little. I would color in my eyebrows, brush on some mascara, and try to even out my skin tone with foundation. That's not "too much", right?  No, I don't think it is, but I pretty much felt like a tired looking slob, without it. Even if I didn't wear makeup all day, I would put a little on, to feel good about seeing Jacob when he got home from work.

Giving up makeup this month has forced me to be okay with (what I saw as) my frumpy, naked face. Since I couldn't fix my imperfections, I had to be okay with them. Now, I look at my naked face and don't notice my light brows and rosy cheeks- I notice how losing some baby weight has changed the shape of my face (and I look healthier).

I took a break from wearing makeup this April, and I think I like it. I can't promise that I won't wear makeup in May, or June, and after, but I think I'm over "needing" it.

As for my daughters, Zoe (almost 3) and Alice (1), I hope they see me as a good example. May they grow up thinking that makeup is a want, not a need.

Molly and her youngest at the beginning of the challenge! Beautiful mom and daughter!

I love that!! I hope the same for my daughters as well.
Thank you so much, Molly!!

On to more challenges!! Happy Weekend All!

#nomakeup430

Wow, guys, thank you!

Your kind comments regarding my last post 

made me feel very encouraged

and I hope that I was able to 

encourage you all as well.

...

So, this no make up challenge 

has been just that, a challenge.

There have been quite a few mornings

where I tell myself, 

A little eyeliner would make your eyes look so much better.

Its okay, you didn't get any sleep, and your dark circles are rough.

Then on Saturday,

I woke up to a HUGE zit on my cheek,

whaaaa?

But, every time I close my make up bag,

give myself the "You CAN do it" pep talk.

I try to focus on what I really like about my features.

My eyelashes rock,

my eyes are a pretty color,

my nose isn't THAT red,

and that scar on my nose

is just so me!!

I walk away from the mirror

back straighter,

smile brighter,

and more joy in my heart,

because HE created me,

and that is the most incredible feeling.

Halfway there!!

my new specs from BonLook

Also check out this great documentary from Dove on real beauty

What do you like about you? I really want you to go to your mirror and find your best feature and focus on that! I would love to know what you discover!

Full

As a very young mom,

with three very young daughters,

strangers often feel that they know me.

I often get asked if they are all mine.

I am told at least twice anytime we go out, 

"You've got your hands full."

(We have heard that so much, Nora asked what it means.)

I usually try to respond to those people with,

"Full of sweet, good girls"

But, sometimes,

they just don't want to hear me.

People of the World!

I don't regret for one second 

my three precious, sweet gifts.

I always, I MEAN ALWAYS,

wanted to be a mom.

It happened sooner than I expected,

but seriously, I wouldn't trade my life 

for anything!!!

(Sorry, for yelling. Stepping off soap box now)

Yesterday,

We made the trek to Wal*Mart.

While desperately trying to find bananas that weren't bright green,

a woman walked by saying, 

"Oh Honey, I feel for you!"

I may have responded with a very annoyed look on my face,

but was quickly distracted by the toddler yelling, 

"BAPPLES!"

to which, I met with a mimick and a quick tickle to her ribs.

Shaking it off, I looked up to see another woman looking at me.

She said, 

"Congratulations on your three beautiful, well behaved girls.

I can tell you are very passionate about being a mother.

Thank you."

With a huge sigh, and tears welling in my eyes, I whispered,

"Thank you."

OOOHH,

I wanted to hug her, 

say, "Thank you for understanding, I am completely blessed. You have made my day.

 God has been so so good to me."

But, I could barely get out the thanks.

I think she did understand though. 

So my challenge to myself and you, is find someone this weekend

and encourage them, help them, make them feel respected.

Because, I know, that it can stick with them,

and drastically improve their day.

Happy Weekend All!

Let's go play!

30 day no make up challenge

My dear friend, Aanna, wrote this post on her blog a couple months ago.

(good stuff, huh?)

30 days with no make up? ehh no big deal.

I thought, I could totally do that.

But...

I didn't,

couldn't.

Why?

I was too insecure.

My nose is too red,

my eyes are too dark and tired, and 

my eyelashes are too unruly.

The words of her post stuck with me.

"she wanted to be comfortable with the beauty that God gave her."

duh,
that's pretty inspiring.

As a mother of three beautiful tiny girls,

I want to be an example to them

of that comfort.

I want to be a mom 

who is secure in her own beauty,

who embraces the camera.

(because let me tell you, trying to capture a picture of me, let alone no makeup me, is quite awkward)

day 1 - see, awkward!

 So, let's do it!

I don't wear much make up, 

I think I am making up for junior high Eden 

with the white and light blue eyeshadow, YIKES, 

but I am now going without

for 30 days.

My new morning routine is

-- exfoliating scrub

-- lotion with sunscreen

-- fix my hair

-- pinch the cheeks 

day 2

I will definitely let you know how it goes! 

disclaimer: This is a personal challenge, I am not judging you on whether you wear make up or not. I simply want to be an example for my daughters. I want to push myself to love things about me I shy away from. If you want to try this challenge with me and need support let me know, I am all about encouragement. 

how long could you last without make up? a day? a week? forever?