"I would wear it everyday"

"If I gave you a sweater, and you loved it, I would know because you would wear it so much you'd be on the verge of wearing it out, because you loved it that much.  It would be the sweater you wear on Christmas and to get coffee and that you sleep in sometimes and that you drag around in the back of your car and tie around your waist.  It would start to smell like you, and it would get snags and get all stretched out, and just looking at it would make you tell a thousand stories of where it's been and who you've been in it.  

That's what I want my life to be, like a well-loved gift.  I think life, just life, just breathing in and out, is a great gift.  God gives us something amazing when he gives us life, and I want to live with gratitude.  I want to live in a way that shows how much I appreciate the gift.  If life were a sweater, I would wear it every day.  I wouldn't save it or keep it for a special occasion.  I would find every opportunity to wear that sweater, and I'd wear it proudly, shamelessly, for days on end.

...and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift, who will use it up and wring it out and drag it around like a favorite sweater." 

Cold Tangerines, Shauna Niequist p 231-232, 235

I LOVE LOVE this book! If you haven't read it, it needs to be the next book you pick up! Seriously.  It literally played a big part in how I view my daily life.  And what I quoted above says it beautifully.

I want to celebrate today.  I want today to be the best day of my life.  Not yesterday.  Not that day 5 years ago.  Not waiting for tomorrow. Or the next.  But today.  

Today is the only day that I know I have.  Yesterday is gone.  Today is here, and I want to live it to it's fullest.  To enjoy every blessing.  To see this day the way God sees it. 

I have concluded that if today is going to be the best day of my life, I want to wear my favorite outfit. To wear it "proudly, shamelessly, for days on end." (Shauna Niequist)

So that leads me to my "sweater" -- right now for me, its my sweatshirt.

In my confusion of what my wardrobe actually is & what style I actually am... this is my favorite because it is the perfect combo of who I am.

Here's the how to:

 1. Buy a larger sweatshirt
(mine is an XL from Walmart -- fits boxy-- length is good in the arms + really wide, but not long- comes just bellow my belt-- which is what I wanted)

 2. Find + cut lace.
I had an old vintage tablecloth that I had found at a thrift store.

Here's what to do if you are cutting your own lace:
-find the 2 sections you want to use
-cut out your selection with fabric scissors -- mine are 10 in. length (5 in front, 5 in back) + 6 in. width
*I cut the inner edge by my neck straight, all other edges I cut around the pattern.
-run fabric glue around the edges with a q-tip (or your finger) to seal the edges from fraying

*If I were to do it again, I would find a thicker lace that is maybe even cut in the shape that I want -- I thought about using cloth doilies.

3.  Place the lace on the sweatshirt, pin it in place.  Then take a section at a time & glue it down with the fabric glue.  Make sure you do the edges well + places inside the middle of the pattern so that it stays flush on your sweatshirt (you don't want the center to be flopping around).  Press down as you go along. Let it dry & you are done!

*The fabric glue turned my lace a little yellowish, which is why I suggested to find a thicker lace -- I'm assuming it did that because it was old & thin.  So hopefully if you use a thick and/or newer one you will be fine! But I don't mind the yellowing anyways, it just makes it look even more vintage.

*PS I literally have worn it the past 3 days in a row since I made it.  

  

simplify.

So, as I mentioned the other day... { Everything must have a "home"!  If it doesn't fit, nicely, it needs to go }  Therefore, I have been on a "simplify the house cleaning extravaganza" Between my desire for our house to be clean & tidy AND my new found cleaning system, I feel like a new woman! And my house is looking awesome!  

Here are a few things I've done...

               Fridge: AFTER (don't have a before, sadly)            Laundry room: AFTER*    
 
*Our iron & ironing board used to be where the brooms are hanging -- but I moved them upstairs & hung them in our bedroom (in an out of the way place that you can't see from our bed!) I figured this way we will actually iron when we pull a shirt out vs needing to go downstairs to do it!

                                 Pantry: BEFORE                                          Pantry: AFTER

   Pantry: BEFORE                                          Pantry: AFTER

My weekly "3 times a week" extra chore list is actually getting crossed off! YEAH!

new toys = fun

 { photo: Wes at his first birthday party }

Our little guy just had his first birthday!  And we were so blessed to receive so many great new toys!  Wes was thrilled! ...for about 2 days! Then... it happened.  He got bored! All these new toys & he could care less.  I was devastated.  So, thanks to my genus mom & sister, the toy rotation plan came to life & our boring toy problem has been SOLVED!

Toy rotation plan:

> divide toys into 3 piles = 3 week rotation (I tried to put similar kinds of toys in separate piles) *I do have a few larger toys (like his "ride on" car) that I just rotate every other week- so if it has been out, I put it away - if it's put away, the next week I pull it out
> buy 2 plastic bins (size according to your size of toy pile)
> leave one set out/put away in toy bins/baskets
> put the other 2 sets of toy piles into the plastic bins & store -- store away, but also still easy access for you to make switch time easy -- I stack mine in a closet (the bin on top is the bin that I will pull out to play with next)
> play with toys for ONE WEEK
> Sunday night when he goes to bed, I pull the old switcheroo!  (Again, I put this bin under the other one in our closet so that the bin on top will be easier to grab the next week)
> Monday morning = Mondays that can be so drab are the most exciting day ever!!!! NEW TOYS!!!!!!

...This morning... I can hardly get a bottle of milk ready without Wes flipping out because he wants it sooo badly!!  (him wanting the milk badly is every morning!) And we were walking from the kitchen into the family room where I give him his bottle... he's frantically following me UNTIL... his eye catches the magnetic farm on our fridge!  "That wasn't there yesterday!!!" He thought to himself.... You are right my genius child.  It is NEW. But old.... shhh don't tell him it's his.  I can't tell you how much he loved that farm today!  And he hasn't played with that in months! So fun!  I love our toy rotation!


{ photo : Wes playing with his new birthday toys at his party }

Westin's first steps!

Westin took his first 2 little steps July 19 & is quickly gaining more & more ground!

This video is from Thursday, where he really started to get it!  He took more later that day but we didn't catch it on video.

I'm kinda glad he's starting to walk because he is such a fast crawler!!  He can already get into everything that he wants to!  So I think it will be nice not to have his knees all bruised up and his hands dirty :)  He still prefers to crawl.  But I think living with 4 other toddlers/kids is getting him excited about walking- they all love to show him how to do it! So cute!  He's going to miss all his buddies!

I'm so proud of my little 10 month old!

strength.

So I've been thinking a lot about strength lately.  I think because I feel so physically weak!  Carrying my big little boy up & down stairs & lugging our stroller & chairs & all we need to get through the day... I'm tired.


When I think of the opposite of strength, I obviously think of being weak.  And when I am weak, I am fearful.  I'm fearful... that I won't fit in, not having close friends, not being beautiful, not making a difference, missing out, not being pursued (by my hubs & by women friendships), that I'll be rushed through life, and well, just not being perfect!


What I desire... I desire to fit in, have close friends, be beautiful, make a difference, never miss out, be pursued, to slow down AND... to be perfect :) I know, I said it. But that's what I want. Perfection.


Why do I desire perfection?  Because God planted perfection in our hearts! Desire is a good thing! And to desire perfection is good.  But, only Jesus can fulfill that desire!  Only He is perfect.  (I need to remind myself of that every day!) 


So what do I do with all these desires that I have that lead me to being fearful?  


"The “desires” of the heart must be desires that are satisfied in more of God in more and more ways. If that were not the case, we would not truly be delighting in God as an end in itself but only using God to get what we enjoy more than what may be found in him alone." -John Piper via Sam Storms (emphasis mine)


OK, so I'm supposed to delight in God.  Check. Or... no check... do I really want to do it? Do I actually delight in Him more than these other things??


Delight is a command.
Delight (or  joy) is a feeling.


Few.  So I can obey & choose to delight.  But, it's also a feeling!!


I know how to delight in things.  Like I delight myself in chocolate by eating it. I delight myself in my husband by spending time with him. I delight myself in Westin by playing with him & making him laugh.  But how do we delight ourselves in God?  Sam Storms suggests 4 ways:

1. Intellectual fascination- Know Him!  I have this "thing" where honestly, I just don't really care that much about people I don't know.  But what's so sweet of the Lord is that within seconds of meeting someone... sometimes as quickly as hearing their name from their lips, my heart is filled with care & love for them. I desire to know them.  And to do that, I talk with them, spend time with them, get to know their personality & character- what makes them, them.  I think that's how it is with God.  To know Him, I need to engage my mind, & become intellectually fascinated with Him!

2. Aesthetic adoration- we are drawn to beauty & repelled by ugliness.  "God is ultimate Beauty.  To delight in Him is to behold His beauty in all its vast array." Look to Him for beauty.  Thank Him for His beautiful creation.  

3. Emotional exhilaration- our affections are also designed to find their focus & fulfillment in God- with the Spirit's help we must learn to cultivate & re-direct all affections so that they are rooted  in Him & riveted on Him- all of our zeal, love, devotion, delight, fear, passion, gratitude, hope, etc. I need an emotional makeover!!!

4. Volitional dedication- the engagement of our wills & the choices we make.  Obey His commandments & choose to avoid all He has prohibited. Obedience nourishes delight & joy.

So you might be thinking, "where is this really going? You're all over the place!"  Well, I might be, but I have a point.  

See, the root of my fears, the things I think I most desire.... they all tie into these 4 ways that we can delight ourselves in God!  The only One worthy of our desire!

Intellectual fascination- root: I desire to be known & to know others

Aesthetic adoration- root: I desire to be beautiful & to be surrounded by beautiful people

Emotional exhilaration- root: I desire to be loved & fulfilled

Volitional dedication- root: I desire my own way, to choose my own path

These fears that I have are because of my desires, desires that should be rooted & fulfilled in Christ.  

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" 2 Timothy 1:7

Thank you, Jesus!  It is through Him, through His Spirit that I am able to be strong!  Strength comes from the Lord.  My desires can change.  They can change because of His Spirit inside me who gives me the ability to choose Him over all these other desires.  

Let me make this really clear...

I desire to... 

...fit in & have close friends ... The Lord is my strength to choose Him- to be so satisfied in Him that I am free to love & be loved by whomever He chooses.

...be beautiful ... The Lord is my strength to be so captivated by His beauty that I see myself as His beautiful creation that I am.

...make a difference ... The Lord is my strength to choose to live for Him & follow His ways so that my legacy lasts for eternity through the souls of man.

...never miss out ... The Lord is my strength to choose to follow the Spirit's leading in my heart so that I never miss out on what He wants me to do.

...be pursued ... The Lord is my strength to see Him as my ultimate pursuer & be satisfied in His passionate love for me.

...to slow down ... The Lord is my strength to stop & enjoy Him, His creation & His gifts.

...be perfect ... The Lord is my strength to look to Him & be satisfied in His perfection.

The Lord is who I desire.  The One I find my joy in.  The Lord is my strength.  I am strong because He has made me strong.

"The joy of the Lord is my strength" 
Nehemiah 8:10

enjoying the weather.

 This was on our walk yesterday -- 62 degrees!  We walked to Kroger & I got a coffee & rented a movie for the evening.

Today it's only in the high 40's, but it still feels really nice in the sun!  Wes loved our walk so much he fell asleep.  Love this little guy!

Christmas card photo shoot.

Well, I decided to give you a sneak peak at our Christmas photo because I LOVE it & can't help myself to not share it now!

This photo shoot was our best yet!  Thanks to my sis & her hubs, I got a remote for my camera for my birthday... I don't know how I ever survived without it!!!  It was soo nice to just set my camera up how I wanted it, then to just click click away!  We took so many, and I never had to run back & forth!

Here are some of my favs.

Enjoy.

{ the Christmas card winner }

 haha... caught in action spitting up!  Amazing.

 little man isn't too happy... we had to take a nap break...

 had to add my favorite hat on Wes cause he looks just soo adorable I can't stand it!

 I love both my men in hats!!!

words can't describe how much I love these two & this photo :)

Happy Thanksgiving.

I love Thanksgiving.  Not only is it a really great holiday with lots of family & good food.  But I get to celebrate my birthday too :)  

 me & my little guy on my 27th birthday celebration.

 Happy Thanksgiving!  

Nana got the cousins santa hats.  So cute!  We did a little photo shoot (of course).  

{ Since it's my 27th birthday & Thanksgiving, here are 27 things that I'm thankful for right now }

1. my relationship with my Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ

2. my amazing husband who loves me so well

3. my sweet baby boy

4. my family

5. all of my extended family

6. our home to live in & enjoy our friends & family in

7. laughing with friends

8. my mom's homemade bread :)

9. game nights with the family

10. being able to stay home & take care of my baby

11. working for a ministry that loves Jesus & takes care of me like a family

12. being a part of a godly legacy that I hope & pray to pass on to Westin

13. the smell of a fire on a cold day

14. waking up to a fresh cup of coffee

15. enjoying the stillness of morning with my little one

16. waking up to the sun

17. the magic hour

18. my health, even though I have a cold :(

19. hugs from my niece & nephew

20. heated mattress pads

21. Christmas lights

22. cuddling up on chilly nights

23. sweet friends

24. our new FREE king size bed

25. shopping with a budget (I know, that's weird, but I love figuring out how to stay in budget & it's so freeing!)

26. the Thanksgiving meal

27. having so many things that I'm constantly thankful for!

my mom's birthday.

we went to the Lebanon Applefest for my mom's birthday. It was a beautiful fall day. We enjoyed walking around -- it was Westin's first time in his stroller!

we ate a yummy "whacked apple" from Iron's Fruit Farm

isn't she beautiful?!

I love Maggie (dog) on the back of the chair! haha -- Nana & Great Nana loving on Westin!

we spent the rest of the day watching football & hanging around the house. What a nice Saturday. Happy birthday Mom!!! I love you!

Westin Alan Ebsen.

September 7, 2010

9:49pm - 8 lbs 2 oz - 21 1/2 in

our crib is here.

we got our crib!!! (thanks mom!) And my sweet husband put it together for us. I love it. It fits perfectly in the little nook.

Now for the bedding... and the decorations... and the bookshelf... and the...

{ 33 weeks } Maine

we went up to Maine last week for vacation. It was so wonderful just to sit by the lake & relax, we needed it. And just in time too, because in just 1 week, I'm not allowed to fly anymore :)

view of the lake from our boat ride.

me & my hubs on the dock at sunset.

Scott's sister & brother-in-law & us.

Scott & I with his parents at Jordan Pond House- mmm, popovers.

us taking a break from a walk around Jordan Pond.

one night we went to dinner at Jordan's -- I had fried haddock & soft serve ice cream, it was sooo good!

now we are back home, trying to get everything in order & ready for the little man to come. We'll see what really gets done :)

when in Rome...

befriend a good barista who always smiles & who will treat you well & make pretty designs in your cappuccino with chocolate :) mmm.

make sweet friends like these ones & have a lot of good laughs together!

go to the best gelateria & be patient waiting in line so you can eat the yummy stuff!

find a beautiful piazza & spend time there each morning. Spend time there with Jesus, with friends. Just start your day with a good cup of cappuccino & a cool breeze.

eat lots of chocolate cornettos -- and if you're pregnant, you just might get another one for the little bambino!

Roma { 26 weeks }

sorry I have been leaving you in the dark... internet is easier than last year to get in Rome, but still not as easy as the states! So I don't have an official belly photo for you, but you can pretty much see it in this photo with me & my hubs at the Colusseum with Constantine's Arch in the background :)

Saturday we went to the Hopper exhibit down in the city center. It was really fun to see the beautiful art with a big group of new Italian friends!

{ photo found here }

this was one of my favs- I love the colors!

after Hopper we went & got gelato together. My new favorite gelato combo is chocolate & coconut, mmmm! Although I have to admit, I've had way more crepes with nutella & rice krispies than gelato. It's SOOO GOOD!!! I joke about making my crepe disciples, many of the girls have now made the nutella & rice krispie combo their fav too :)

hope you are enjoying your summer! Oh, and Happy Memorial Day!

love from Roma. Ciao!

garden tea party.

for all my senior ladies that graduated this weekend I threw a "garden tea party" this past Thursday night. It was a perfect evening to be outside on our back porch. We celebrated our year together with tea, dessert & sharing memories from the year together & their past 4 years in college.

I also made them a little take home gift with a list of "what I've learned" & "Kristen's recommended reading list" to pass on to them as they move on to their next phase of life.

aren't they beautiful!? I love these ladies!

thrift store finds: 3 candle sticks (Scott spray painted them white for me), 2 candle holders, 3 tea cups & lace tablecloth. I filled the tea cups with pink chrysanthemums.

for dessert: chocolate chip cookies, brownies, angel food cake with cool whip & strawberries, crepes with nutella & raspberries, tea & coffee.

it was a beautiful evening celebrating as the sun went down & the cool breeze came in.

Hope you have many lovely summer evening in your future with sweet friends!