Prayers Please

Please join me in praying for cancer to disappear for my friend Kristi.  God hears our prayers!

Kristi is a "member" of our Cancer Club (she's the one next to me), she is super sweet and needs our prayers!

Red Rug & Piggytails

Love this girl

Decorating

I'm almost embarresed to say that Lila is going to be 2 in April and I JUST got done decorating her room.  For the LONGEST time she had NOTHING on her walls.   They were just a pale yellow (which is what we painted it when we thought it would be an office).  The other day I told Matt that I wanted to paint her room.   He wasn't to happy about that.  At all.  (Matt is not so fond of painting).  So, instead I decided to embrace the color and roll with it. 

It started with a good cleaning.  (aka get rid of almost everything). 

All of her toys went into her closet.  She doesn't have that many upstairs, and the ones that she did have, she really doesn't play with, she much prefers to go in her brothers room and play with the ones he doesn't want her to. 

Next was finding the fabric to do this project (which I've linked to before, I knew I wanted to try it, just didn't know where).  I originally wanted to find a red background with white polkadots.  But after walking around the fabric store for a while (being led by a defiant toddler that screeched every time ANYONE came near her), I found this instead, and it was on the clearance rack.  $3.47/yard.  That's a deal!  So I settled.  (which I still have mixed feelings about).

I got a picture printed from when we were in Florida last year (12x18), Lila was wearing a red and white striped outfit, and she looked pretty darn cute, hot glued some ribbon to the back and hung it up.  So easy!

Next I printed a "Love One Another" sign from Becky Higgins. I printed mine in an 11x14 size, I knew that i already had a frame for that size, so this was perfect!  I'm still undecided about the feather, but for now it's pretty securely up there!



(Before starting this redo I hadn't noticed how much yellow and red she already had in ther room... books, frames, letters... all kinds of stuff)

While surfing blogland yesterday I spotted this:

JoJo's Room via the boo and the boy

I wanted to do something like that garland hanging on the wall, but I couldn't tell exactly what it was.  So I made up my own idea.  I had a bunch of random ribbon and a piece of nylon string.  Again, got out the trusty hot glue gun and glued away!  I ended up with this:

(Don't mind the humidifier, I have kids that get lots of bloody noses, this is supposed to help.  That's what they tell me at least)

After hanging it I had Matt come look... he walked in the room and said "What IS that?"  OK, so it may not be his favorite part of the room.  Whatever!

Years ago I had purchased a BUNCH of cheap white frames from Ikea.  I had planned to hang them up long ago, but again, never got around to it.  I had pictures in almost all of them, and I got three pictures printed for the ones that didn't have any yet.  I turned to my now good friend, hot glue gun, yet again!  I had started a "ribbon" theme and wanted to continue it.  So, the frames all got ribbon attached to them.  This is where Matt's help came in.  He's the math guy.  He's the perfectionist.  If it were up to me, these would have been hung in a more "Good Enough" fashion.  But, luckily it wasn't up to me. 

He got out his level and his ruler.  He then he gasped when he found out that all of the ribbons weren't exactly the same size, they were going to have to be hung at different levels to get the frames to be even.  But, humored me and went with it.  I have to say, I'm pretty happy with the end results.



And, do you want to know the best part of all of this (in Matt's eyes at least)?  If we moved out of this house tomorrow (or redecorated or something insane like that), there wouldn't be one hole in the wall or any additional paint to paint over.  Everything is removeable.  3M is going to have to start paying me (although they don't), I promote them so much. 

I think this may be my favorite room in the house now, and I think it will grow with her, we will probably put her in a big bed sometime this decade and I'm sure we can find a quilt or comforter to match something in this room!

Lila even likes her new room.  She loves to look at the babies on the walls, she loves to sit in her chair (which I realize doesn't match exactly) and read her books, and she loves to go to bed.  OK, maybe not that last one.  But she does like it!

(For some reason the "yellow" paint is looking all kinds of wonky colors, peach, tan, cream... but I promise, it's pale yellow)

Looking around to see what is next!!!

Simple

So, I've said before that my word is "SIMPLE".  I have it written above my computer and look at the word often, but I will admit that I'm having trouble embracing it.  I have clutter everywhere.  We have far to much stuff in our house.  To many papers, to many games, to many books, to many doo-dads, to many clothes, to much food, to much laundry (which is in direct relation to to many clothes), to many toys, to many tv's.  I want to clear it all out.  But, I know that that is not practical either.  So, slowly I'm going to start going through things, making things simpler and neater and more appealing, clearing out the clutter.  Getting it all ready for our GIGANTIC garage sale this spring. 

I love to watch hoarders.  The saddest part of that show though is that I understand how people get to be that way.  I understand being emotionally connected to things.  I have gotten much better with age, but I used to want to hold on to EVERYTHING because it inevitably had some kind of emotion attached to it that I couldn't let go of.  Something that my mom had, or made or something that my kids used when they were little.  As I've gotten older (and wiser of course) I've been able to realize that they are just things.  They have no place in our eternal future, therefore are not necessary in this life either.  I think of how little some people have, and how happy little things make them.  I think of my kids and how they seem to appreciate nothing.  Because they have so much.  Were going to make changes here.  Were clearing things out.  Were not going to make unnecessary purchases.  Were going to keep things SIMPLE. 

And, with any luck we'll sell enough at the garage sale so that I can get the new lens I've been lusting after for years!  Oops, maybe I'm complicating things. 

Permission to...

After doing some blog surfing I always get inspired.  Inspired to create something, or inspired to write something or inspired to better myself somehow.  Amazing how a blog can do that.  Today, I was inspired to give myself permission to do something.  Permission to do eleven things to be exact.  Eleven things in 2011.  (Get it???)  The only problem?  I don't know what those 11 thing are yet.  I've started a short list (on the piece of paper in front of me, which I know, does you no good)... but it's a work in progress.  I'm thinking that since it's February and there are 11 months (including this one) left in the year, I'll add one per month???  We'll see how that goes.  I think I'll add it on the sidebar, or maybe on the bottom of this blog. 

What do you need to give yourself permission to do?  Leave me a comment.  Inspire me...

Out East

Most of you know by now that I took a very spur of the moment trip out East a few weeks ago.  But, I wanted to share more about my trip... and how it came to be.

My good friend EJ moved to Vermont back in the summer of '09 (or was it '08)????, anyway, it's been a while.  I've wanted to go visit her for about that long as well, but the price of a plane ticket just didn't fit into my budget.  And, I felt guilty taking a trip without my family, or at least my husband.  So, I kept talking about it, but never went.  Since EJ has moved she has had two babies (to go along with her other two boys).  Each time she has a baby my desire to get out there and see her is even greater.  When EJ had her first son I spent a LOT of time with him (and her), and then I had Landon 18 months later.  When EJ had her second son I had a baby (Bailey) 13 days later.  Our kids were close.  We were close.  We had gone through a lot together.  When EJ had her third son I couldn't be any closer than a phone call.  It sucked.  And then, only 18ish months later she had her fourth son (yup, four boys... bless her heart) and I still couldn't be there.  It sucked again.  EJ has been home two times since moving east, but it's never for long enough. 

Anyway, around November my friend Anna and I had discussed flying, saving money, getting tickets etc.  It WAS going to happen, we were determined.  Then came the text message. 

"Hey, have you talked to our friend out east lately?" she asked. 

"What are you doing this weekend?" I asked.

Fast forward a few hours.  I call EJ...

"Hey, what are you doing this weekend?" I asked.

"No WAY!  Are you coming?" She said.

And two days later we were headed out at 4:30 in the morning.  We traveled across Michigan, across the border, to Canada, through Canada, through upstate New York (definintely not to be confused with New York city... there is NO confusion, let's just say that we passed through Carp capitol USA (don't blink or you will miss it) and an indian reservation where apparently everyone smokes.  A lot. I would say that tobacco shops outnumbered the houses.  A lot. Oh and somewhere in their there was a Bingo hall, just in case you need to stop if your ever in the area... fishing for carp or something).

We got stuck behind a school bus that stopped at approximately EVERY house on the main road through "town", which just gave us a chance to really appreciate the landscape.  Really really appreciate it!  Then we hit Vermont.  A few hours into Vermont we finally arrived at EJ's house.  Around 5:30pm.  Pretty good time, we thought!

 It was so good to see her.  So good to see where she lives.  So good to meet Julian and to see Rowan, Austin and Denver again.  We visited, ate dinner, visited some more and then Anna and I crashed.  
 

Friday EJ had to work so Anna and I headed out to Church street.  We had directions to Pine street as well, but we never made it there.  We shopped for a while and then we headed to a main attraction.  Think "Everything but the...", "Chubby Hubby", "Half Baked", "Fossil Fuel", and "Mission to Marzipan".  Did you figure it out?  No?  We headed to Ben & Jerry's for a factory tour. 

Friday night we headed out to dinner, just the three of us.  We sampled some fine Vermont cheeses, the girls sampled some beer, I enjoyed the water... and most importantly we enjoyed visiting and catching up!  Good times!  (End of first day)

Saturday we were able to go watch Denver play basketball and score a basket!  Good stuff!  We did lunch together and then us girls and baby Julian went shopping for a while!  We picked up Thai food at night and played some Bananagrams!  (End of last day)

Sunday morning we were up bright an early again (ok, so it really wasn't bright, but it sure was EARLY).  We headed back out at 5:30am.  At one point, the GPS got confused and tried to tell us that this would be a good route to take back home.  We disagreed. 





After following a few snowplows on the highway in Canada (for about an hour... at 35 mph) we were ready to start moving.  We made it home by about 6:30.  It was a short trip, but it was a good trip as well, good to spend time with friends, good to laugh, good to shop, good to get away!  So glad to have been able to do it and so ready to go again!

Singing Valentine

The Cityside Middle School Choirs (Landon is in the choir) have again decided to share their love with the Zeeland Community this Valentine's day.  All proceeds will be given directly to Zeeland's City on a Hill.  If you would like to send a "Singing Valentine" to a friend or loved one and support this great local cause, please  visit the choir's website here before February 9, 2011.  All calls will be made on February 14, 2011. 

There are 9 different songs to choose from and each call is only $1.00.  Seriously, what a sweet valentine and for only ONE dollar.  Can't buy flowers or even a card for that!

drains, doctors and dilauded

In lot's of ways this week has flown right by.  In many other ways, WOW, it's been a long week!  With surgery, anesthesia and pain pills everything that has happened from Monday on has been a blur.  If I've talked to you please know that I didn't mean to forget everything you and I said, I just did.  I had this after my previous surgery though as well, and kind of expected it.  Still stinks though.  The first few days home were horribly painful.  Yesterday I had the desire to get out of the house to go check out a sale rack at a store downtown Zeeland (important stuff, I know)!  I barely made it back home before throwing up.  Not sure what all that was about. So, then I went back to bed (on the couch). 

Last night I started taking one pain pill instead of two and feeling a bit more with it because of that.  This morning I actually felt pretty good.  I stayed on the couch until 10ish though, there is nothing I can do when I get up anyway.  I went to the doctor hoping to get the two drains out.  Actually, I was more than hoping.  I was planning on it.  Dumb.  Don't ever plan on anything.  I left that visit with two drains, same as when I went in.  The drains go right into my skin (or something) and suck the blood/fluid out so that it doesn't accumulate under the skin causing swelling and pain (that's my definition at least, not saying it's 100% accurate or anything).  The problem with carrying these drains around with me, aside from the fact that they are big and gross, is that my showers are limited to sponge baths right now.  I feel gross.  I've washed up a lot, I know that I'm clean, but there is something about the water running over your body that makes you feel cleaner.  (I promise, don't feel like you have to try that one out on your own). 

I made it through my appointment and my first haircut... and then quickly went home, took two pain pills and passed out on the couch.  I haven't moved yet.  My husband deserves a very big award for all he has done and is doing for me.  He is the best.  He doesn't complain, just does what needs to be done, expecting little to nothing from me.  I know that I'm lucky!

Long term my biggest issue is going to be not lifting Lila.  I've already forgotten a few times and attempted to grab her but was quickly reminded (and then consistently reminded for hours afterward) that she is above the recommended lifting limit.  We've got it figured out that she can climb on my lap and snuggle, but even then she somehow knows where to hit me, kick me or push on me to cause the most pain.  Oh well, this is it.  This is the end.  Wow!  The end, didn't know that I would ever be able to say that!  :)

Surgery Update

Just a quick update... many of you may already know from facebook.  I definitely didn't anticipate feeling this awful after surgery.  In fact, I anticipated being great by now, able to get out and about etc.  I knew that I wouldnt' be able to lift Lila, but didn't think I would still be stuck on the couch popping pain pills every four hours.  Due to the pain pills I can't keep my eyes open either.  Blah!

I ended up with two drains in again (same as when I had the original surgery).  The drains mean that I can't shower until they come out (hopefully on Friday).  I'm feeling rather gross right now, but have been able to wash up a few times and Matt helped me wash my hair this morning (luckily it's pretty easy these days). 

Prayers for quick healing and pain relief are much appreciated!
Thanks
Lynette

Short and Sweet

Tomorrow is the big day!  The expanders that I've had in since my mastectomy get to come out and the new, saline implants go in! 

Currently sugery is scheduled for 9:30am, it's an outpatient surgery so I should be home in the afternoon.  Surgery could take 1-3 hours.  Prayers are welcome and appreciated!

Simple

Did you make a New Years resolution?  How is that going for you?  Are you out to loose weight?  Get more organized?  Spend more time with God?  Spend less $?  Be on time?  Slow down?  All of the above?

I don't typically make resolutions.  I've learned in the past years that I can't keep them.  Ideally I would love to do all of the above.  And, ideally I will strive to do those things every day, resolution or not.  This year though, I decided to work on a word.  If you don't know about this fad, it's something I've seen on blogs and other sites, to pick a word of the year and make that your focus or resolution for the year.  My word is going to be Simple.  I went back and forth between a few words before settling on simple.

I need to keep things simple.  As shown below there are a LOT of ways to describe this word. 

When planning an activity with the kids or family, a lot of times I will get so involved in working out details that I miss the whole point of the moment.  Or I get crabby when it doesn't go according to my plans.  Life would be so much easier if I just kept things SIMPLE. 

When at the store I see some toy on sale that I'm sure the kids would love and so I get it for them.  When in reality, they would be happy if I SIMPLY got them chapstick.  (or better yet pulled one out of the drawer). 

You will hopefully be seeing more posts on this topic in the coming months and with any luck I will learn to be more simple (and no I don't mean unlearned)!  ;)

sim·ple   /ˈsɪmpəl/
[sim-puhl]

adjective, -pler, -plest, noun
–adjective
1. easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: a simple matter; simple tools.
2. not elaborate or artificial; plain: a simple style.
3. not ornate or luxurious; unadorned: a simple gown.
4. unaffected; unassuming; modest: a simple manner.
5. not complicated: a simple design.
6. not complex or compound; single.
7. occurring or considered alone; mere; bare: the simple truth; a simple fact.
8. free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional: a frank, simple answer.
9. common or ordinary: a simple soldier.
10. not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious: a simple way of life.
11. humble or lowly: simple folk.
12. inconsequential or rudimentary.
13. unlearned; ignorant.
14. lacking mental acuteness or sense: a simple way of thinking.
15. unsophisticated; naive; credulous.
16. simpleminded.
17. Chemistry .
a. composed of only one substance or element: a simple substance.
b. not mixed.
18. Botany . not divided into parts: a simple leaf; a simple stem.
19. Zoology . not compound: a simple ascidian.
20. Music . uncompounded or without overtones; single: simple tone.
21. Grammar . having only the head without modifying elements included: The simple subject of “The dappled pony gazed over the fence” is “pony.” Compare complete ( def. 5 ) .
22. (of a verb tense) consisting of a main verb with no auxiliaries, as takes (simple present) or stood (simple past) ( opposed to compound).
23. Mathematics . linear ( def. 7 ) .
24. Optics . (of a lens) having two optical surfaces only.

Links I love... and projects I've made!

So, my posts have been sporadic at best.  I get that.  We've been busy.  But, I'm back!  I got up this morning and actually got excited that I may be able to do a blog post.  One that wasn't just words.  One that might include some pictures and links!

First... some of the projects I did this winter (Christmas presents mostly)...
My friend Kim taught me how to follow this pattern and sew this purse!  This one was for Bailey.  I made one for myself too (ultimately I'm not happy with how long the strap was though, but I made another one too, it's gray with black dots and ruffly)!

 I made these pillows (which I'm noticing now you can't see all that well).  The one that says "Bailey" was for Bailey (surprise) and the "peace" one was for my sister Angela for her birthday.  They both have some old chenille fabric on the front (w/ dots, something I got off ebay YEARS ago and finally was able to use) and a printed fabric on the back, the word is appliqued on.  The first one took me forever, the second one wasn't that bad (cutting out the fabric letters is actually probably the worst part of the whole process).  (There was no pattern for these, I bought a pillow from JoAnn's (on sale) and did the rest on my own)

There is also a brown and gold blanket there that was for Landon.  The brown is what the kids called a "squirrel fur".  Just a very soft material, but a nightmare to sew with.  There was brown fuzz EVERYWHERE.  Even sticking to the walls!  I made two other similar blankets as well, with minky fabric instead of the squirrel fur, but didn't take pictures of those.  They are nice, warm blankets though!

 And this is the advent "calendar".  Just a bunch of felt stockings that I sewed one afternoon with lot's of ric rac on them.  I love ric rac.  So fun!  Ultimately this will not be something we use long term, but it did what it was supposed to do.  The kids enjoyed looking in each day and finding what the surprise was and what story in the bible went along with it!  I always have good intentions on December 1, but by December 20 we are a few days behind and it get's overwhelming!  Each year I say we will do better! 

So, those are a few things I've made.  I haven't made anything in a long time now though, I'm sure I'll get the itch again soon and start back up!


And, on to the links!  Here are a few things I want to do when I do get that itch.  (some of them are just dreams, but cute ones!)

How About Orange is one of my favorite blogs to follow.  I've been following for a long time.  So much cute (orange) and modern stuff!
These flowers are fun...

These fabric wall decals:

These ornaments are fun... I know, wrong season, but I'm just catching up on a lot of my blog feeds:

I just (literally JUST) discovered this blog: kojodesigns
and look at these pillows:  I haven't had much time to surf around the whole site, but you can bet I'll be back!

And, there's the Tater Tots and Jello site that is always good for some fun ideas:
Here's a wooden name sign  (love the book one underneath as well) (actually made by the kojodesigns friends):

So much fun stuff, now to only find the time and the ambition!  Let me know if you find something you like or even better link me up if you try any of these!

The tree that DIDN'T fall down

I am the type of person that is easily consumed by fear.  Ever since I can remember I've been scared that my house will catch on fire (resulting in my death, of course).  Or a tree will blow over (in a gentle breeze or a wicked thunderstorm) and come crashing down on my house, smashing all occupants (I've even been known to make my whole family sleep downstairs if there is a threat of storms at night). 

These are "what if's".  I have no logical reason to fear these things.  I know they are silly.  These are things that Satan put in my head to turn me away from God. 

When I was little and started to get consumed by these things I couldn't stop myself.  I would end up sobbing and shaking (no dad, it was not my attempt at stalling bedtime), it was very very real. 

As I've gotten older I've found a real cure for this fear.  Something that really does calm me down.  Completely. 

Faith.

Knowing that God will protect me and that whatever happens is up to Him, puts me at ease (and to sleep).  And really, the worst that could happen is also the best that could happen. 

Looking over my BSF notes from this year I've noticed that God is teaching me more about this. 
Some notes I've jotted down regarding fear and faith:

• Fear grows when we see circumstances from a human perspective, Faith grows when we see circumstances from a God perspective.
• Some wise man once said (sorry, I don't know who this wise man or woman was): I am a man of many trials/troubles, most of which never happened.
• If we look at things from God's perspective they aren't as big or awful as they seem. 
• Faith looks to God to save instead of human effort.  Where am I relying on someone else or something to save me?
• Fear of God is living by letting God be God.
• Resolving to trust God over and over again builds a life of faith. 
• We choose what we fix our minds on, God or our circumstances.
• Satan makes us think of the things that could happen but rarely do.  God wants us to stay in today.
• We can't control the oppositions/fears that face us, but we choose how to react.  Trust or give in?
• Behind a life of great faith is a life of faithful prayer. 

There is so much more that God is teaching me as well, but that is for another day.

I will add that I've been doing BSF for many years.  It takes both time and commitment.  Some lessons are really hard.  Some are very convicting.  But I love it.  If your looking for a great study, you should check it out, there are men's classes, women's classes, day classes and night classes, and classes for the kids (during the mens or womens study. (or email me and I can give you more information.  bell(dot)lynette(at)gmail(dot)com )

What we need?

Amazing how when I start doing my bible study in the morning I don't always know what I need for the day and just start reading, sometimes out of many books, sometimes BSF lessons, sometimes straight from the bible.  God always seems to know what I need though and directs me to it.  It doesn't always happen instantly.  Sometimes I will page around in a book for a while before I settle on a passage or story to read, but when I do settle on something, it's usually something I need, whether I knew it or not!

This was from Moments of Peace for a Womans Heart.
There are no limitations on  your relationship with God.  Your earthly social, & cultural standing are of no importance to him.  Your gender, age, and your parentage ore of no consequence to the ruler of heaven and earth.  He accepts you fully and completely as you are.  You can count on that.
Galations 3:28 (msg) In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.

Happy Wednesday!