My new thing:  Taking pictures!  

Today, I did some maternity/family pics for a great friend.  I think they turned out terrific! 

thankful for snow and much more...

It has definately been a "winter wonderland" around here, (that's what Lance keeps calling it).  I love snowy days.  They force us to slow down and enjoy what is close to us.  Today we did a whole lot of  just that.  We ate a big breakfast this morning, played the wii and hiho-cherry-o with Luke, sat and watched the snow, laughed at Jacob's funny sayings, smiled at Ella's new top teeth, and sat and watched the snow some more.  It was a good day.  Days like these make me thankful to be here and appreciate all the good things that God has done in my life. 
I always think, what was I doing this time last year, because the days, months, and years go by so fast.  This time last year I was awaiting our sweet baby Ella, who now happens to be one of the greatest joys of my life.  I had had a long, rough pregnancy, and I was ready for it to be over.  Early on in my pregnancy with Ella, I had a placental abruption that caused a severe hemorage, and ended with a  bloodclot that lasted for about 17 weeks.  During that time of weekly ultrasounds, and a lot of uncertainty, I was certain in one thing, that God would bring me through it.  And, He chose to not only bring me through it, but her too.  She is here, she is well, and she is so beautiful.  Now, don't get me wrong, I think my boys are handsome as ever, but she is the most beautiful thing to me.  Her eyes are sparkly blue and her cheeks are so cute!  God says that He'll bring us beauty out of ashes.  And He did.  I was in such a rough place last year, only able to look to God for peace, not knowing if Ella would survive.  And, now this year, seeing a sweet 8 month old happy baby girl, who laughs and plays with her big brothers, and watching the snow, is such a sweet dream.

(Ella's first experience of the snow this morning)...Apparently, princesses do not like the cold.  I don't know if you can tell, but she's really pouting in this picture.  I was really trying for a smile, but it wasn't happening. 

So we came in for a warm bath...

More snow pics...

Give, Save, and Spend...

Our family is on a big journey...learning to manage the money that God has given us.  And, not only just manage it, but do it well.  We've had our ups and downs, but we're not giving up!  We know that God wants us to be debt free and that is our goal for 2011.  But, we're not stopping there.  We feel deeply that it is our priority to teach our children to manage money as well.  And we don't want to wait until they're 18.  We want to begin now. 

These are our oldest son, Luke's, money jars.  The first one is the giving jar, second saving, and third, the spending jar.  We want Luke to know how important we feel it is to give first, save second, then spend out of what is left.  And, let me tell you, he is so excited about this!  He loves helping me around the house. And there are a few things that I pay him for helping me, such as making his own bed, picking up his toys, and mopping, (with the swiffer jet). 

Tonight, as we were talking about the importance of what we do with our money that God gives us, Luke said, "Momma, can we talk about God?"  (Well, of course!)  He said, "There's some good news and some bad news about Him.  (I wondered where this was going).  First, the bad news...you can't see God.  But, the good news is, you can feel Him, and you can talk to Him."  How profound is that! How could I have known that a simple lesson about money would lead up to a "talk" about God.  We spent awhile talking about those three things, as we were lying in his bunk bed.  It was a good talk;   I'm glad we had it.  You just can't separate God and money, they're so connected.  Because, "where your treasure is, there your heart is also". 

waiting for spring...

"For being the shortest month of the year, February can sure drag on and test our grit.  Instead of fighting winter to its bitter end, try embracing the subtle ways nature can sustain you.  Take a walk around your yard.  Listen for the first birdsong.  Turn your face to the warmth of longer sunlit days.  Spring is just around the corner."  Jane McKeon (senior associate editor of better homes and gardens). 

I was thinking tonight about enjoying the last days of winter, which seem to be the hardest for me.  Being a stay-at-home mom, I long for warm days and time to spend outside.  Instead of moaning and groaning, I hope to embrace the last days of winter, by looking for God's signs of spring.  Today in church, our pastor talked about how God clothes the flowers better than any girl will ever look on her wedding day.  I'm so excited to see the ones he dresses this spring. 

I found a canvas tonight and decided that since I can't look at all those pretty flowers yet, I'll just paint some.  This is an acrylic floral. 

My newest crafting entertainment...bows!

So, I went into Hobby Lobby today...I know, big mistake!  I can never come out of there empty handed, and it's usually some sort of idea for a new craft or hobby,( I guess that would be the point).  But, nonetheless, I went in to pick up some scrapbook stuff and decided to try out this bow making thing.  If you haven't noticed, bows are the cutest thing ever for baby and little girls, besides flowers, (they're my true favorite)!  So, I decided to make some...and now I'm hooked!  And, for those of you who make them, ribbon is half off right now at Hobby Lobby!  Anyway, here's a few that I made.  I'll post more as I make more;  if you want me to make you one or some, shoot me an email.  khristyoden@yahoo.com

I thought they would be fun stacked!  What's the most fun about this project is that I get to try them out on my best clients, Ella and Tenley!  Can't wait! 

Taking a break!...sort of... :)

So, I decided to take a break from facebook, about a month ago, not sure if I would reactivate it or not.  I was having these "I'm so overwhelmed!" days and since it's not an option to run off to the beach for a  break, I started thinking about how I could simplify my life.  I believe that God wants us to simplify and focus on Him;  although it's incredibly hard in a world full of stuff, technology, and choices.  Taking a break now and then from all the technology that's supposed to make life "easier",  is such a good thing.  It allowed me to get my focus back and not feel "tied" to a computer.  Isn't it funny how attached we get to our stuff!?  I also realized that if you're constantly on the computer and unable to focus on, say a face to face conversation with others, without messaging someone back, consider giving it a break.  You'll be glad you did.

Another way to de-stress is to practice being thankful.  There is always something to be thankful for;  on the other hand, there's always something to complain about.  What kind of person do you want to be remembered as?  I want to be thankful.  So, even though I do get caught up in complaining from time to time, I try to stop and make a habit of pausing during the day to  thank God for all that He has given me.  Like this morning, Jacob snuggled up to me and said, "Momma, you my es-fend.", (my best friend),...and it melted my heart.  I am so thankful for him...And, again, I've been praising the Lord that Jacob is finally potty-trained!  This has changed my life...you moms out there know exactly what I mean.  Having one in diapers is okay, two is just plain hard.  But, nonetheless, he got it!  And, we are so thankful.

I haven't been doing much painting lately, which is another de-stressor for me, (so I need to get back to that)...but we have been working on a major project.  And, when I say "we", I mean Lance.  We decided to install a fireplace, hand-crafted by Lance.  And, again, when I say "we", well, you get the picture.  I'm not taking any credit!  ...He has all the major construction finished, now we're down to the ticky details.  I am so ready to see it in the house.  I love fireplaces; I think they add such a comforting feeling to your home. 

I'll post more pics later of the final product.  Remember, practice being thankful today, you can do it with me.  If you hear me complain, you can say, ehem...be thankful remember.  Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week. 
"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything."  Ephesians 5: 19-20

who doesn't LOVE picket fences?

So, today was my day to go visit my booth at "The Picket Fence" in Malvern, AR.  If you haven't heard of it, well, you shoud've!  You must go by if you're ever in the vacinity.  It's a great display of everything vintage, along with some new.  I've had a booth there for a month and a half, and it's oh so fun!  This is something I've always thought of doing and I'm lovin it!  Everytime I'm there, I wish I could stay longer and look more!  But, I'm usually busy rearranging my booth and adding more junk, (I mean, precious treasures!)...Today, I added some Christmas lights to the arbor entry way that my wonderful hubby made.  Check it out!

Here's some photos of my booth.  It's really filling up!

It's official, business cards and all!

Lastly, you MUST check out these beautiful window displays!!!  They are so cute, made me want to do a blue and white Christmas tree this year!

Don't forget to stop by The Picket Fence!  ...And, look for "The Painted Nest, #19"!