A gift of calm

Truett was under the weather yesterday. He napped most of the day and went to bed for the night around 6. Poor guy did not feel good at all. Illness tends to befall us at the most inopportune of times. However, the further into this journey of motherhood I get, the more I am attempting to embrace what each day brings. Clearly, I would never wish sickness upon either of my children. Still, I am seeing God's grace and goodness in each moment. Unlike Maren, Truett turns into a cuddly, snuggly little boy when he feels sick. He spent his few awake hours yesterday in my lap resting his sweet head on my shoulder. Sure, I had lists of things to be done, but God had other intentions for how I would spend my day.

There are things to be learned in the calm, quiet moments of daily-bustle-interruption. I was able to think about and pray for some friends I know are hurting. I was able to enjoy some loving from my typically-busy-beyond-belief boy. I read some books...with pictures and without. Most of all, I was reminded of the sweetness that comes when we slow down a bit. 

Friends, don't wait for a sick day to bring pause to your daily happenings. Take a break today and make time for some stillness. Enjoy just sitting with your children. Read and listen to music. Watch and listen for the Lord to teach you something new. Often times, we simply need to quiet down a bit to hear His voice.

On loss, grace, and being a mom

Last week was an emotional week for me. If you know me in real life, you might be surprised to hear it. I guess I am able to hide emotions when I feel like it. Also, as an introvert, sometimes I find it best just to mourn quietly. It was what I needed to do last week.

I had tea with a dear lady from my church on Monday, and I cried through a good portion of our time together. My intent was to talk with her about potentially leading a Bible Study for some women in our church. We ended up sharing about loss...which brought on the waterworks. She listened and hugged me and made me feel safe and loved. Turns out God new exactly what I needed in the moment.

Last week was the week that our third baby would have been due. I was just nine weeks pregnant when we found out that our baby no longer had a heartbeat, but of my 3 miscarriages, this was the hardest. We had seen our baby through an early ultrasound, and had even seen the heartbeat just a few days prior. I'm amazed at how much bonding can happen in just a few short weeks. We went from being shocked and surprised to planning what our life would be like with a third child. For five weeks I threw up every day, dreamed about having a fuller, nosier home, prayed for strength to somehow know how to parent 3 children with 2 being just 19 months apart in age. I made the difficult decision to stop nursing Truett because of some medication I was on to help with the health of the pregnancy. So, losing a baby at 9 weeks left me deeply hurting for all that might have been.

Thankfully, my God is one who restores. As Brett and I have learned countless times before, God's grace is sufficient to carry us through the most difficult of seasons. A long-time favorite verse of mine is:

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Last week we experienced record highs here in Colorado. The kids and I spent lots of time outdoors, and it was refreshing for all of us. I like to think that it was a little gift from the Lord during a week when He knew I would be hurting.

I was also reminded this week of the miraculous gift that both of my children are to our family. The Lord alone is the author of life...and it is a privilege to have been called to serve as their mom. 

Truthfully, it seems like many days right now tend towards the longer, harder end of the spectrum. I'm learning to parent and discipline Truett. At 19 months, he's full of energy and brings plenty of challenging and puzzling parenting moments into my day. Don't get me wrong, he is an absolute delight. But, if you've been around a 19-month-old boy for any length of time, it's likely you can relate to the bursting-at-the-seems-energy-and-curiosity-and-general-craziness that fills my days. At the same time, Maren is starting to care more about her stuff and her space, which proves to be a difficult combination along with a curious and exploratory little boy. We're learning and growing together. And God is so gracious to grant me the patience and wisdom to face each new day. But, wow, do I ever need His guidance right now!

Happy Monday, friends. Thank you for sharing in this journey with me!

Oh, and Brittany...you won the giveaway! I'll be in touch shortly with the details!

Lately...

I don't know why it's been so difficult for me to get into the habit of writing in this new year. I suppose life has just been a flurry of activity...and I have so many things rattling around in my head these days. It's hard to know where to begin.

I've been reading this book:

I don't recommend picking it up unless you are prepared to be profoundly challenged...and changed. Honestly, I can't say much about it quite yet. But it is pushing me towards growth in a magnificent way. Also, it's taking me a long time to read. I am typically able to make it through just a few pages before I need to set the book down in order to engage in some serious thinking and praying. But it's good...so very good.

Brett and I also embarked on a reading-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. I've never done this before. Should I be embarrassed to say that as a 32-year-old? Truthfully, I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the whole practice. To me, it seems to take a fair amount of time, without allowing for much in-depth study or contemplation. (At least during this season of life...as a mom of 2 small children, I just don't have hours on end to spend daily in the Word.) The time I do spend with the Lord is so precious...but often brief and/or interrupted. I welcome the interruptions, as I know this is the season of life which God has called me to at this time.  So, all things considered, I'm reading the Bible through in it's entirety this year. The discipline has been good for me, and I am learning and growing. I'm especially looking forward to when the time comes to read through books I'm less likely to visit on a regular basis. Have you done this before?

I've spent a significant amount of time thinking about my Etsy shop. I'm hoping to make some changes in the coming month or so. I have some new products to list...and I'm researching some ways to get more traffic. The changes aren't really for me, though. I've been feeling a tug to give more away...we've been blessed so incredibly. The Lord has given me a passion for creativity...and time at home with my children. I'm praying about ways I can better use the resources He's given me to honor Him. I'll share more about this as it unfolds.

Well...if you're still reading, thank you!

How about a little giveaway? I've been doing more letter-writing this year, and I'd love to send one of you a fun little package. So, leave me a comment about something you're reading or learning about right now, and you just might get some fun mail from me next week. I'll announce a winner on Sunday!

Washi Tape Birthday Cards: A Tutorial in iPhone Pics

Good morning, friends. And happy 2013.

I've got a week's worth of posts in various stages of completion (or non-completion)...waiting to be finished. I intended to start the year off with some sort of deep, introspective post. Instead, a little washi tape tutorial. There you have it. And I'm using phone pictures. Welcome to the new year.

I ordered a collection of these cute washi tape spools from Le Box Boutique a while back, and have loved having the variety to play around with in my packaging. Stick around until the end of the post...I might just have a little discount code so you can pick up some washi for yourself.

One of my goals/plans/intentions for the year is to be better about sending birthday cards...good old-fashioned-post-office-mail. We're also trying to make better financial choices (hello, my husband is a banker). So, I spent a bit of time in my craft room last week making up a little collection of birthday cards to have on hand.

If you're human, you probably can look at a picture and figure out how to make these, but I'll go ahead and show you what I did.

1. Stamp something fun onto a gift tag...you could swap out any stamp to make a more generic card.

2. Choose some coordinating washi tape, and rip off a big piece to adhere the gift tag onto the card.

3. Add a second smaller piece of tape for a little added interest.

4. Wrap another little piece of washi tape around the envelope, just for fun.

5. That's all. So easy...but cute, right?!

You could also add some baker's twine to the top...

...embroidery thread would work, too.

So, go visit Lacey's shop: Le Box Boutique and use code OHWRITE10 for 10% off your purchase. Lacey sells washi tape by the foot...so you can start or add to your collection with some great variety.

You'll also find inspiring packaging supplies like these pillow boxes...

Happy shopping!