What I Learned in 2018 | Strength

Wow, you guys. I have not touched this blog in over three years. It seems so strange that this little piece of my heart has just been floating around on the internet untouched for so long. So much has transpired during that time and I have learned a lot about myself. One thing I've learned is how my heart longs to be creative. And I love having this outlet to share with you.

This post won't have a lot to do with home decor or DIY, but come back tomorrow for a fun Valentine's Day project!

Today I just want to get my feet wet in the blogging world again.... you know, see if I still know how to do this thing.

In  2018 I turned 40. That is a big milestone - one I was actually excited to reach. I feel like a bonafide adult now. It was a year of self reflection and I feel I learned a lot about myself. Because of that journey, my list will mostly be things I learned about myself. Maybe you can relate?

 I am strong.

Yes, this is a bold statement. It's one I have mulled around in my head for quite some time, but have never said outloud. I don't know if it's women in general or just my personality type, but I have had a hard time admitting that

I am strong

. In 2017,  I started really building my physical strength and that has been an incredible journey. But I was strong long before I had muscles. I think if we all take a look deep inside ourselves and reflect on our lives, we will realize what has been dealt our way takes an incredible amount of strength to deal with. For me, sometimes being a homeschooling mom takes all of my strength. Holding up our home and taking care of our family while my husband is literally across the world requires strength for sure. Moving every one to three years is not for the weak. And losing my dad quickly to cancer while my husband was in Afghanistan and I had a one year old at home definitely took every iota of strength in me. I know there are many people out there who face much more difficult things every single day of there lives. But I think it is important for all of to stop an recognize that we have a mountain of strength inside us.

*When I started this post, I had intended for it to be a list: one post and done. But I got to writing about the first thing on my list and discovered I have a lot to say. So, I decided to make this a series of posts.

ABCs of Decorating | G

Life moves. Plain and simple, it just does.
No one lives in a state of stillness. No one. Our lives are forever changing. Up and down, left and right. We never know what is laying in wait around the corner of tomorrow. And in that spirit, our home needs to be filled with grace.

We need to extend that grace to our husbands, our children and even ourselves. Yes. You and I need grace too. Sometimes I need an extra large, heaping dose of it. Thankfully, grace is unlimited.

When I began this series, I aimed to post each new letter on a Wednesday. I've been pretty true to that schedule. All along, I knew G would be for grace. As life does, mine got busy with keeping up with my booth and homeschooling. My blog suffered. I took several months off. When I decided to only do consignment beginning this month, I was happy to return to my blog and this series. As grace would have it, G fell on Ash Wednesday. How appropriate! I was excited to publish this grace filled post on a day that we remember we are nothing without our Father; that we have hope because of the grace He has given us. Well, as God often does, He reminded me how much I need grace. I became sick yesterday and spent much of the day in bed. Nothing got done. I crocheted and that is about it.

This morning as I was sitting at our kitchen table working on spelling with my middle, I looked around at the chaos of our home. It reminded me life happens here in our haven. Everyday.

Life ebbs and flows. Right now, it seems we I am experiencing a downward trend. We aren't eating like I'd like to. Things are getting done as I would hope. And our home reflects that. And it is okay. I am extending myself grace.

As I write this, I overhear my two youngest laughing and playing. That is what matters. I don't want to hurt them or belittle them in pursuit of perfection. Their hearts are the ultimate goal in this life of mine.

As a wife and mother, I want this home to be a HAVEN. A haven is a defined as a place of safety or a refuge. This is a place of safety; a place to hide; a place to built up and loved. Yes, cleanliness is often much more comfortable than a messy home. But truly, truly there are times in life where it just isn't possible without paying a price.

I know you probably don't come here to see pictures of my messy home. I know this is a place of inspiration. At least, that is my hope. But I want you to know, my home and my family are real. Real life is messy. Real life is the best life. It doesn't put on airs or pretenses. Above all, that is what I want people to know and feel when they see my home: Grace lives here.

April Desktop | Better late than never?

We are currently smack dab in the middle of a transatlantic move. Things may be on hold here a while, but I greatly appreciate your patience. I plan to be back in a few weeks with lots of brand new home decor pictures and ideas as we set up in our new home in Florida!

Although super late, here is your free desktop for April. Happy Spring!

Declutter With Me On Monday | Week 12

Raise your hand if you or your family has had the stomach bug in the last two weeks. *raises hand and waves it back and forth* I am sorry for the silence around here for the last two weeks. My home has been somewhat of a small time infirmary and/or pharmacy during that time. It has not been fun. But that is life, no? Today we are working hard to get back on track. I have some fun posts in store for you this week.

 

Back to the decluttering! This week we are working in the bathroom. To be honest with you, I could go back into my own bathroom and declutter again. But I decided to work on our kids/guest bath.

• Clear out under the bathroom sink. 
• Declutter bathroom knick knacks and things on the wall. 
• Get rid of multiples of hair dryers and curlers. 
• Declutter the shower or bath area.

I honestly don't spend much time in here... ever. It gets out of control. It gets really chaotic. Here is our girls' bathroom before:

                                       

 
I didn't need to declutter so much as organize what was in here. I did throw out a few expired items and random things Sam had carried in here. Other than that, it was basic picking up and cleaning. Pretty easy. Now, who wants to come mop the floor?

 

Don't forget to spend 15 minutes each decluttering another bathroom or room. My girls and I actually set a timer and do this. Make yourself stop at 15 minutes. You'll be amazed at how much you can get done during that time!

 

One more week of decluttering and we will be 1/4 of the way done with 2012! Can you believe it?

Real Life Right Now

Real life is finding joy in the simplicity of everyday.

Real life includes sick babies, sick husbands and missed deadlines.

Real life is not decluttering on a daily basis, but rather on a weekly basis. This week, the sick baby did not allow for the decluttering.

Real life is always putting your family first and never regretting that.

Real life is needing a little time alone and going for night walks to catch some fresh air and a grip.

Real life is letting go of the idea of perfection. It is not reality.

Thanks for being patient with me friends as I take a breather from the decluttering this week. I promise to be back on Monday with week 9. Also stay tuned for new a new decorating post!

Declutter With Me On Monday | Week 4

Confession: I skipped this week. Partly because I had family visiting and partly because of what was on the task list this week: storage shelves and storage piles. We have a total of two storage areas in our home. One of these holds extra home decor items and tools. The other holds overflow materials for school as well as crafts. They both could use some organization. I'll be honest. I am tired this week. I've had a lot of other things going on and the last thing I feel like doing is sorting through school books and yarn. I have picked up where week 4 left off and started with decluttering candles. I will post pictures as well as explanation of week 5 on Monday as regularly scheduled. I hope my honesty is inspiring to you. I hope it helps you realize just because you let go of decluttering for a few days {or weeks}, you can just pick right up and join in on the current day. Don't worry about the days you missed. If you do, you will feel like you are constantly playing catch up. If you feel extra inspiration after you've completed the current tasks, then you can go back and make up what you've missed. And with something pretty to look at, I bid you adieu. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with lots of family time and relaxing! 

Lake Como, Italy | August 2011