Updating your centerpiece for spring

So, I've been thinking a lot about updating my centerpiece for my table.  BUT, I always have a couple of dilemas.  First of all, I love Pottery Barn.  It's one of my favorite stores ever.  I just love walking in there and taking in the sights and smells.  I love their clean, somewhat farm, somewhat modern style.  So, what's the dilema, you might say?  Well, I like their stuff, but I'm way too cheap to purchase it;  I feel it's way over priced.  That would be one dilema.  Next dilema is I still like it, so then what?  Well, I'm pretty persistent, so I usually find a way.  And, I do admit that I have a secret weapon, my woodworking hubbie!  He amazes me with how he can look at something and recreate it so easily. 

Well, Saturday, I went to Little Rock to meet some girlfriends for lunch and we just so happened to be right across the road from my favorite store, Pottery Barn.  Yep, I had to go in.  I walked around, looking, but also taking pics with my phone this time.  I wanted to recreate one of their centerpieces, but for a fraction of the cost.  So, this is what me and the hubby came up with. 

This was lots of fun to do.  First of all, the tray is pretty amazing.  It literally took Lance a few hours, I know, sickening, but great for me!  :)...The pots were purchased at Hobby Lobby for $1.50 each and the fern inside was a stem from Hobby Lobby for $3.50 that I took apart and put in each pot.  I added some spanish moss and voila!  The candles were also purchased at Hobby Lobby for half price.  They were my most expensive purchase.  For all the candles, $18, but I figure they'll last a long time and you just can't have too many candles in my book.  The tray was free, thanks to the hubby.  He used some old wood he already had and we keep stain around b/c we do so many projects.  I toyed around with the idea of painting and distressing it, but the wood was so pretty, I just couldn't do it.  I already had the table runner, it's actually my one and only purchase from Pottery Barn and was clearanced out after Christmas.  So, all in all, it turned out pretty cool.  If I didn't have small children, I would add some filler around the candles, like rocks or moss or something, but that would not be a good idea for me.  I could just envision the boys having a rock fight at dinner and it's not worth it!  :)

Here are some more close-ups of the tray: 

I think comparably, it all went pretty well.  I spent around $30 for all and still felt uneasy about spending that much, but considering just one of those little pots at Pottery Barn is $20-$40 and they're PLASTIC!  Seriously?!  I'm not doing that.  Some of their trays are hundreds of dollars too.  So, I was pretty excited about our little recreation for way less.  Hmm...now what???  :)

 

What's your spring style?  Have you started cleaning and updating yet?  :)

Love! It's a powerful word.

I believe in the power of words.  The bible tells us that words can bring life or death.  Words can pierce the heart leaving a stinch of bitterness or lift the heart up like never before.  Words can give life. 

I want to pour life and goodness into my children's souls.  I have had this thought etched in my mind and heart this year.  Pour life into your kids!  Pour life into them!  What an easy word to say, but so difficult to do.  How many times do I lose my patience and instead show them harshness and essentially, death.  My unkind words do not speak life into them.  So, I will again and again choose to speak life into them.  When I mess up, I will ask for their forgiveness because they know Mommy isn't perfect.  Oh, how they know that! 

This year for Valentine's Day, I wanted to do something for each of our children that will let them know with our words how we love them.  They need to hear specific things that we love about them, not to puff them up, but to encourage their souls.  This wasn't fancy.  I cut out a heart from construction paper.  On one side, I wrote a few of the things that I love about them.  And, I tried to make it short and sweet, and understandable for them.  On the other side, their daddy wrote things that he loves about them.  Tonight, we were writing these and Lance said, "I forgot to tell Ella that she's beautiful."  I reminded him that I had written that, had it covered..."No, she needs to hear it from her daddy", he said.  So, he found a way to squeeze that on there. :)...Words can give life.  Our 20 month old, Ella Kate, will hear that she's beautiful. 

We will also share with them who is the giver of love, God our Heavenly Father.  We love only because He first loved us. 

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son.  Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life." 

The stuff that godliness is made of

I've been reading this book, "The Mission of Motherhood", and it's really caused me to see motherhood in a new light.  Yes, some of the concepts in the book aren't new, but some are just great reminders for me to keep going, don't give up.  Sometimes the daily, repetitive work of being a mother is hard.  We get up and do the same things over and over, yet that is what is good for the child.  I don't know about you, but my kids thrive on order and sameness.  They love that we do pretty much the same routine every day with little bits of excitement here and there.  I try to spice it up a bit.  For example, if we have visitors, I tell them they're "suprise visitors".  They enjoy guessing who will come and it's always more fun that way. :)

But, what is all this for anyway?  Are we just supposed to make our children our central focus, pour everything in them and then turn to mush when they leave?  I hope not!  While my kiddos are small and in their formative years, I want to be with them to direct and guide them, teach them, and pour into their hearts and souls.  But, as they grow, I hope they learn that Lance and I are focused on giving to and loving others as well.  Right now, I feel like they're my main ministry.  My focus is to pour into them.  But, gradually, it will change, as they change and grow and need us less. 

It's been so hard lately, with Sophie coming along.  I find myself wishing time away, to finally see her.  But, at the same time, I don't want their time to go away.  I've got to live in the present.  And, boy, is that hard for me!   I need this time with them.  Tonight, my middle child, Jacob and I spent the evening together on a little date.  We went looking for something to create, (since he likes building and getting his hands on things), then had to make a quick stop for icecream and let Mommy listen to some Jacob stories.  I sat there in Chic-fil-A, just soaking this little 3 year old up.  I could be sad so easily at the thought of this little man growing up, but I choose to have a different perspective.  I'm going to live with the excitement of what God has in store for him.  Each year is another year that I get to know him better and tell him about God.  I fail a lot, but thankfully it is God who is working through me and helping Jacob to know Him.

I've been thinking a lot about how it's been almost 7 years since Lance and I made the decision for me to stop teaching full time and stay home with our newborn son, Luke.  I remember how hard I had worked on my classroom and how I loved the school that I taught at.  It was sad to pack up, but I've been so blessed by it.  I've been on this wonderful journey with these kiddos, 4 of them almost now!  There have been some hard days.  There have been days that I've longed for adult conversation or to just get away for a little while.  But, then I feel the peace of God that lead me here and it's a great feeling.  Our pastor has been leading us through a series about the Holy Spirit and some of what I've taken away is that the spirit isn't some force, it's a person that actually leads you.  I can see, looking back how the spirit has lead me.

This all goes back to the mission of motherhood that God has called me to.  Maybe my story doesn't look like yours.  Not everyone will look the same.  Not everyone is able to have children or be home with their children like they would like to.  But, we can all know that God is able to complete His purposes regardless of our circumstances.  He has a specific purpose for each of us. We can be used to glorify Him no matter what.  I hope you are encouraged today.  I hope you know how much God wants to use you to bring Himself glory.  Thank goodness we don't have to come to Him as perfect moms, perfect women.  He is able, He is always able. 

Cherishing the little stuff

I found this book the other night that I started for Luke when he was about 3 years old.  I titled it, "Funny Luke sayings".  I started reading some of it to Lance and we had so many laughs thinking about our little boy and how witty and funny he is.  Luke is approaching 6 years old and I just can't believe it!  My oldest little boy is turning six!  REALLY?!  How does time slip by so quickly? 

One thing I've been thinking a lot about is nurturing my children's souls and hearts and making sure that I don't let the little moments pass by without cherishing them.  That's a difficult thing to do.  It's hard to delight in your children when you spend most of the day tending to their basic needs.  But, God's been putting on my heart to make sure that I spend quality time with each of them and pour good things into their hearts and souls.  I don't want them to be the focus of my life, but I do want them to be a focus in my life.  There's a difference.  I've figured out that Luke loves to get up early in the morning and sneak away from everyone else and go have breakfast.  It's not fancy, he usually picks McDonalds!  But, he loves that it's just him and me.  We talk about the latest Mario games or whatever is on his mind.  It's not easy for this girl to get up early, but it's SO worth it!

A goal I have for this year is to make each child a little book to record things about them each year.  I want to have this as a reminder to me of how God uniquely designed each of them.  I don't want to take any of this "little stuff" for granted!

Here's a few Luke sayings for you.  Hope you enjoy!

Dirt
"Dirt makes me strong and happy and angry."

Obeying
"I don't want to 'bayo'.  Stop saying those nasty words."

Scripture Memory
"God said, Let us make apples."  Gen.1:26

Brother Jacob
"This is my baby sister brother Jacob.  He's just a baby.  I'm a big boy"

Boogers
"Here mommy.  Here's a piece of my nose.  It's just a booger."

Prayers
As Luke and Daddy were eating one day, (after Luke had been sick with a stomach bug), Luke said, "Stop!...", then proceeded to pray and thank God for healing his stomach...
Later that night, Daddy said, "Come on Luke, let's go say our prayers and get ready for bed."  "I don't need to pray", said Luke.  "God already answered all my prayers." 

Beautiful things for the new year

"If someone could see the inside of your soul, the pathways of your thoughts, the flow of your worship, the landscape of your thoughts and attitudes, what would it look like? Would it hold beauty or ugliness?

A beautiful soul is cultivated and crafted over time by the elements that surround it and that pour into its inner chamber. One lives and pours out words, behavior, attitudes, goodness or evil from what is dwelling inside it’s borders.

In the same way that if one fills a pitcher with lemonade, and lemonade pours forth, so one must be careful to fill one’s soul with all that is beautiful, true, lovely".

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Phil. 4:8

I love these thoughts!  This is taken from a devotional I've been reading called itakejoy.com.  If you get a chance, look at it.  The writer provides such wonderful insight.  I have gained so much from reading it. 

Lance and I briefly talked about New Year's resolutions last night.  I'm not big on them, as they usually don't change much of anything.  Instead, we want to take a different approach.  What is God putting on our hearts for the year?  What ways can we fill our hearts and souls with good things?  What do we need to stop doing?  And, not just each of us individually, but together, how can we bring goodness to our children?  What books will we read to them?  What ways can we specifically help their souls grow in beauty this year?  

There are things that God is already bringing to my mind and I can't wait to have some time alone to really think about how we will grow this year.  Have you taken time to think about it yet?  I encourage you to make time alone to think about how God is directing you.  A new year beginning could mean a wonderful change for you this year.   

Thank You Lord!

Wow!  What a day today has been.  It started off bright and early at 6:00, with two different alarms going off.  Had to get up and be ready for my appointment with the specialist.  If you've been following my blog, or know me, you know that this pregnancy has been a rough one.  Had a hemmorhage at 10 weeks pregnant, which left me with a big ugly blood clot behind the placenta. 

Baby didn't mind at all!  She just kicked and moved and kept on growing;  good news for us.  But, it bothered me bad;  bothered the doctor worse.  Every appointment he told me how bad it was, trying to prepare me for the worst.  At one appointment, he said, "Pray, do what you can, we'll do what we can.  That's all we can do."  I knew it was bad.   So, I just prayed.  And, I think more than that, many other people prayed.  I have been so humbled by so many prayers for us.  Did it mean it was gonna turn out like I wanted?  I didn't know the answer to that;  but I know that I prayed for God's will for this child.  I still do.  She is doing well.  I am rejoicing.  I have this day.  That's all I have.  I don't know about tomorrow.  I can't worry with that.  I know God answered me today. 

Today, I went in to the doctor and saw her sweet face.  She held her little hand to her face, trying to put it in her mouth.  She is a blessing.  The ultrasound technician looked and looked for the blood clot.  I knew it wasn't there anymore;  I just knew.  I honestly haven't even thought about it in weeks.  That's what God does, He takes our burdens.  And, even though maybe I should've worried about it, fretted somewhat, I didn't.  I have been at such peace and it's been good to be here.  It's good to be God's child.  I know bad things can happen and do.  I've seen the pains of this world.  I've experienced them, watched loved ones experience them.  But, if I choose to worry, what will it get me?  God says it won't add one day to my life, not one.  Even in the midst of this rejoicing day, the day I've waited for for 13 weeks, the enemy tries to steal my joy with worry.  The doctor says, even though the clot is gone, you're still at risk for premature labor.  There is a reminder that I don't have control.  I'm good with that.  I know that, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."  Romans 8:37

Are you tempted to worry about the future?  Are you like me?  I struggle with it daily.  Remember, "He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope."  Psalm  130:5
Where will you put your hope today?  Write His words on your heart, put your hope in them.  He won't let you down.  "The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."  Psalm 147:11

A servant heart

“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. John 13:14

Children can easily become the focus of well-intentioned mothers. Wanting to meet their needs, win their hearts, give affection, speak words of life, give the best input and instruction and lessons, and before the family knows it, the child is the center of life. Now, moms do need to return their hearts toward home. But, Christ, His kingdom and His work must always be the center of our lives.

Wow!  What a perspective!  I found this from "I take Joy", a blog that was introduced to me recently.  I love that God is changing my perspective.  How easy it is to get caught up in our children because we love them and want the best for them, but all of a sudden realize that we're not bringing out the best IN THEM! 

Throughout this pregnancy with #4, I have been in awe of the work of my Heavenly Father in our home.  I have seen His hand in my life and have just been in awe.  Tonight, as I thought of the hardship of not being able to lift my youngest daughter, Ella, I was also reminded of what a blessing this has been for my oldest, Luke.  Since I cannot lift Ella, Luke does.  And, he being big 5, feels even bigger and like Mommy's helper because he can lift her for me for her naps and even help her get in her carseat if we absolutely need to go somewhere.  I have seen such character develop in him through this.  Today, I noticed when a drink spilled, he ran, got napkins, and began cleaning the spill off the floor, without me even asking him to.  And, this has brought joy to Luke, (and me).  Instead of being totally focused on his own needs, he's more aware of the needs of his brother and sister, and mommy.  Today, he figured out he can get his own drink, but he decided to take it a little farther.  He decided that now he can get drinks for his brother too.  It makes him happy.  He lights up when he is serving others.  I have heard people say, "Poor Luke, he is having to help out so much right now."  But, I have a different perspective.  I know that Jesus said to serve and follow him in this way.  He served, we should too.  How easy it is to want to be served, but the joy comes in the serving others!  This, I want to teach my children!  And, oh, how I pray for a servant heart for me too!  Lord, let me serve them, but also teach them how to serve others, therefore pleasing You.