525,600 Minutes

2010 in review.

Family. Friends. Love. Lots of snow. Drs appointments. Budget cuts. Pictures. Spring. New business. Garage sale. Saying goodbye. Saying hello. Laughter. Wisdom teeth. Tears. Great Plains. Knoxville. UT. Smoky Mountains. DI. Surprise Birthdays. KC Trips. Cousins. New bike. With a basket. Hay bale jumping. Sleeping outside on a blanket. Junk repurposing. Farmers Marketing. Porch swing sitting. Las Vegas. Wedding. Down home reception. Visiting friends. Flooding. Editing. Tree cutting. Website building. Painting. Basement. New family room. New home studio. Niece. Nephews. Jokes. Corn. Junk Bonanza. IKEA. MOA. Bike rides. Crafting. Serving. Playing. Faith. Growing. Persevering. Praying. Surviving. Finding joy. Looking life in the face- ready for more. Hoping.

Talk to Me..... Thursday?

So I'm obviously enjoying my break..... I've officially lost track of what day it is.

I was taking a break from editing today to catch up on blogs... and noticed Feisty's new TTM post. But she was obviously ahead of the game because it couldn't be Tuesday yet..... right? Uh.... oops.

Break is obviously going way too fast because apparently Tuesday has come and gone and tomorrow is the last day of the year. Yikes.

Today's Talk To Me...(Thursday) is:

What's something you're hopeful for in 2011?

I ditto what Feisty said. We've been praying about it for forever awhile.

I'm also hopeful about {cb}h. I cant wait to see what He has in store for {cb}h this year. I have some big ideas of where I would like to be with it by the end of 2011.

I am looking forward to the start of the new year. I'm thankful for the growth 2010 brought but I'm ready to see what 2011 has in store for us! I'm looking forward in Hope. For us and for you, too!

Next week's:
What's a verse that you are leaning on right now? (Could be your all time favorite but doesn't have to be.)

Next, next week's:

Readers choice. Comment, inbox me, facebook me- leave me ideas for some 2011 Talk To Me Tuesdays. :)

Hope.

photo credit: manywallpapers

Alternately titled valleys.

"You're in a valley right now. We don't know for how long, but you're in it and you're in deep. You have to keep going through it. It seems daunting but you will make it through. And while you're here, God is going to teach you about yourself. He's going to teach you about your marriage. He's going to teach you about patience, about perseverance, faith, love, hope, goodness, about life- and you better be paying attention."

The valley.

Are you in one right now?

Is it dark? Daunting? No light in sight?

Are you questioning why He has you there? Are you trying to make sense of it? Are you losing heart? Are you ready to give up?

At one point or another (or many), we're all in a valley and it can be so. so. hard. It can be so hard to keep. going. through. it.

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.

As we look at Psalm 23, it can be comforting. He reminds us that it may be hard, but He's with us in the valley and that we will get through it.

But what if.

What if we looked at the valley differently.

A valley is defined as lowlands (usually in between mountains and along a stream). Sounds like a place where the grass would be growing green.

In Psalm 23, the valley is being walked through by 'sheep' led by the Good Shepard. 'Sheep' walking through the valley in the foot of mountains. 'Sheep' in the valley of green grass. The green grass that feeds them. Unlike the surrounding mountains.

For the sheep, the valley is probably not a bad place to be.

What about for us?

What if we held on to the truth that we are going to come out of the valley well nourished? Fed by Him? Stronger. Healthier. Wiser. Better.

Knowing more about ourselves, our marriage, patience, perseverance, faith, love, hope, goodness, life and Him.

Would it be worth it?

Would the valley still seem daunting or

would the valley be

hope-filled?

Before the Morning

A & I were talking about this song and how it can be so hard to believe even when you know it as truth. Glory is coming though, A. Hang in there!

Do you wonder why you have to,
feel the things that hurt you,
if there's a God who loves you,
where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can't see
and all those things are happening
to bring a better ending
some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see

Chorus:
Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
and you know where you're going,
you just don't know how you get there
so just say a prayer.
and hold on, cause there's good who love God,
life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,
but you'll see the bigger picture

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning
yeah, yeah,
before the morning,
yeah, yeah

Once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
memory, memory, yeah

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

com'n, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the hurt before the healing
the pain you've been feeling,
just the dark before the morning
before the morning, yeah, yeah
before the morning

BEFORE THE MORNING - JOSH WILSON

Merry Christmas.

I've been terrible at taking pictures of life lately. The last few years I've put together photo albums from our Christmas get togethers and I just realized I have no where close to enough photos for an album- and barely even enough for a blog post. (And what's worse is the ones I have for the post weren't even taken by me!)

But we did celebrate Christmas (of course) and I do want it documented (at the very least in my blog scrapbook). We had round 1 of Christmas two weekends before with my dad's side and 'the Oklahoma cousins' (you also know them as Amy's family). We were so excited to have them over (even Junior the elf found them all the way here and came to visit).

That Saturday, we had Christmas at Hillary's house. Mo & Madd sang carols to us and we tried to get the grandkids with great grandma shot. Not too shabby....

The next weekend we had Christmas at the cabin with R's mom's side. Other than the pictures of R and Colson and the cabin itself (from my 365 blog), I didn't get nearly enough pictures!

Once we were out of school, we headed south. They were still in school on Christmas Eve eve so we were able to get Mo & Madd after school and spend the afternoon with them. We even got there in time for some of Madd's school party. Lucky us. :)

They were shocked at their videos from Santa. Mo decided that Santa must have cameras EVERYWHERE watching EVERYTHING. "Pretty much like God." Umm.... or not. :)

That evening, we went caroling and handed out some goodie bags that Mo and Madd (mostly Mo) put together. We decided that next year we should include earplugs in the goodie bags. (We need to recruit more singers as well!) :)

Mo got to hold a REAL candle at candle light service this year- she was excited to hold a candle for Jesus' Birthday party.

Christmas day we had Christmas at mom's house. I think the kids made out pretty well in the gift department though Mo was worried about her new Baby Alive. Now that she was two she asked, "How am I going to take care of TWO babies???!?" Todd kept us pretty entertained in the dancing department. (Someone got Just Dance 2 for Christmas.)

Here is R&my Christmas photo for the year..... we're beautiful, huh? :)

The following day, we had R's family over for Christmas. It was the perfect laid back, relaxing Christmas to end all of the celebrating on.

Our nephew was on clean up duty....

Dakota is now Mal's buddy. He talked her in to staying and watching a movie with him (his favorite thing to do now is watch tv- we think with the new style now that he can actually see what's going on). We watched Inception. Have you seen it? What do you think of the ending? Is it real?

And that sums up our Christmas celebrating for 2010. It was a great time with family and one of our most stress free Christmases ever. Hope yours was the same!

Love.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

Here's another recipe (again from Amy). I'm including it here because I tried doing a blog search for it and realized I didn't have it. (Yes, I'm treating my blog as an online cookbook that I can always access in case I'm at the store and don't know what to get.... )

Talk To Me: Christmas Goodies

This Week's Talk To Me:

Fill in the blank with a food item: "It wouldn't be Christmas without _______." (recipes welcome!)

Aunt Diana's homemade caramels (this year they were made by Amy!)
I can't think of a Christmas that's gone by without them.
I'm recording the recipe here because I've asked for it (and lost it) about a hundred times.

Aunt Diana's Caramels

2 C white sugar

1 3/4 C white Karo

1 cube butter

2 C whipping cream

Boil sugar, karo, butter and 1 C cream briskly. Add rest of cream. Boil until 246 degrees. Pour into 9x13 inch buttered pan. Let cool. Cut into small squares and wrap in wax paper. May be kept in freezer.

We also have soups (usually oyster, potato, and chili) every Christmas eve and the big meal Christmas day. Sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes are two of the mainstays. Grandma's red, white, and green layered jello is usually there too.

Whatever is at your table this year, hope you have a Merry Christmas!!!!



Next week's:

What's something you're hopeful for in 2011?

The next, next week's:
What's a verse that you are leaning on right now? (Could be your all time favorite but doesn't have to be.)

2010 Christmas Card

I had good intentions of getting all of our Christmas cards out by now.... does the thought count? :) So in case you didn't get your card from us (there's a lot of excuses as to why... it might be easier for you to just stop by the house and grab one yourself...), here's our Christmas greeting to you. (I realize it's only slightly better than the year I changed our facebook profile pictures and had people print out their own cards. I apologize!)

Merry Christmas!!!

And for other cards, check out the Card Carousel... I'm guessing most of these cards actually got sent out to all of their list. :)

Oh, Baby

A college classmate just posted this on facebook. Like I said on my 365 today.... how can you listen to Christmas music and not smile? (This counts as Christmas music, right?) :)

Craftasticly Junky

I started my Saturday by updating my facebook status.

(R really does say that about everyday. My facebook picture really is fraggle rock. Yes, I've been informed fraggle rock doesn't count as a cartoon character.)

I ate breakfast with some fabulous women. Since R wasn't around, it was my turn to say the blessing. Yes I say things like "Hey, Jesus" and "craftastic" when I pray. Sometimes I even call him "dude." I don't think He minds.

Breakfast was followed by a morning long meeting with the SUPER CRAFTERS. Yes, they are amazing women. (No, we didn't make the capes for ourselves. Yes, we made better stuff than capes but those are top secret until after Christmas.)

H, Kari, Ashley, Jen

Jaren, Lisa, Anne, Molly

After crafting, J&I went on some Jolly Junking. She's really good about supporting my junk habit. She's patient with me, pushes me on great deals, and holds me back on too crazy ideas.

On the way home, my fairly new tire blew. Yup. I saw the thing flying away through my rear view mirror. Luckily, we were still pretty close to the Junking which is pretty close to our good friends' house. Jaren's husband, Nick (whom we had just been talking about that morning as not being the sweetest guy in the world), came to our rescue. He had us changed and on our way pretty quick. He may not be the sweetest guy in the world, but he'll drop anything to help you out when you need him.

Once we finally made it home, my adorable neighbor girls came over to trade some adorable smiles for some crafting supplies.

We really are blessed by the people that surround us. We have some really great friends. With friends like ours, even a day with a flat tire along the side of the interstate can be the best day.

PS- Craftastic Days are not invitation only. Just let me know if you want to come to the next one! We are planning to do a kid friendly one soon too! It's gonna be sew much fun! ;)

Is it Really Okay?

A few weeks ago, in the middle of a study on Psalms, we were studying a Psalm of lament. A Psalm of anger, mourning, sorrow.
Anger.
Since that study, the issue has come up time. and time. again. (Does the phrase, 'getting hit over the head' sound fitting to anyone right now?)
I've had person after person, passage after passage, pointing towards being angry with God. People telling me, "It's okay to let Him know you're angry."
But how do we claim Him as Good while being mad? How do we praise Him while crying to Him? How do we remain faithful when we're questioning?
I don't really have the answers. I typed that intro out a week ago thinking the answers would come.
They didn't.
But as I kept asking them, a peace came over me. A calm. An "It's okay, H- you don't have to have it all together all the time. It's okay to have your feelings hurt. It's okay to be disappointed. It's okay to not be good enough."
Because I'm good enough for Him.

TTMT: Gettin Crafty

This week's Talk To Me:
What is your favorite craft project? (tutorials welcome- hint, hint, wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

I really wanted to come up with a new one to post here today but I'm stuck on the metal stamping. I finally found the right metal (other than the spoons) and finally figured out a few other things that help (tape. you need tape.) and I'm on a roll.
You can metal stamp just about anything. Necklaces, gift tags, garden markers, book marks, anything (anything metal that is)!
Here's a quick necklace tutorial.

And the jewelry goods are 50% off at Hobby Lobby this week!!

So what are you crafting right now? Come back and share your link in the comments!

Next Week's Talk To Me:

Fill in the blank with a food item: "It wouldn't be Christmas without _______." (recipes welcome!)

The next, next week's:

What's something you're hopeful for in 2011?

The next, next, next week's:
What's a verse that you are leaning on right now? (Could be your all time favorite but doesn't have to be.)

Tis the Season

When you think of Christmas, how does it make you feel? What do you think of?
Do you get excited about seeing family and exchanging gifts? Do you look forward to Christmas pageants and church programs? Are you anxious and stressed about getting all your gifts bought and all your food made and all your Christmas functions attended? Do you picture Jesus as a baby and tell Him happy birthday? Are you running from store to store and cleaning your house for guests? Do you drop a dollar in the red bucket when you hear the ringing of the bells?

One thing that's been noticeable to me this season has been all the stressed out facebook comments. The people angry with family. Stressed about getting from one place to another. Fed up with gift buying. It can be so easy to let Christmas become what society has created. It's so easy to forget why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

This year I vow to not stress about cleaning, cooking, gifts, or family. I vow to enjoy the season. I vow to remember that it's still His birthday whether I come up with the best gifts or not, whether or not my floors are clean, even if I don't make it to every family function, and even if I don't come bearing gifts.
So you may see me as a little not put together this season, but I'll be a little less stressed while I'm there.
I wont be stressed about cooking and cleaning and gifting. I'll be thanking Him for coming here as a baby so He could go to the cross for me. For unprepared, owner of a messy house, scarcity of gifts under the tree me.

Done and Done.

With the 30 for 30 that is. Hallelujah.

I'm so excited about being done- but I did learn a lot. I look at my clothes differently. I can honestly say (and believe) that I don't need any clothes and I actually do have something to wear. I'm not afraid to shop my closet one bit- I am excited to start shopping the rest of it. And REALLY excited to stop having my picture taken each day. My photographer is probably excited about that as well! I think packing for trips will be easier now. My Toms are coming out of hibernation and I can finally get out some more sweaters. I know, I know- my life is exciting.

So here they are- the 30 for 30 {worn by} heidi pieces. Amen.

Wrapping Up The Remix...

28-30.

I may have jumped the gun just a bit. Like an early out on the last day of school, I was ready to get it over with. It's been fun (and I learned a lot!) but I'm glad I've got my 30 in. Yes I may have changed part of the outfit, realized they were still remix items, and taken a second picture in one day.. but it still counts, right? So here they are. My last three. Yippee!

Scarf: Kohl's- $3!!!!! (90% off!!)

Headband: {created by} heidi (scrap fabric braided together)

Shirts: Gap

Jeans: Express

Socks: Target

Shoes: Buckle

Hair: Yesterday

Scarf: {created by} heidi (inspired by the $3 Kohl's scarf with ugly fabric donated from someone's grandma- it may just be my new favorite scarf!)

Sweatshirt: J. Crew clearance rack... oh I'm kicking myself for not getting more.

Shirt dress: American Apparel

Boots: Madden Girl

Cardi: Gap

Shirtdress: American Apparel

Necklace: {created by} heidi (it says 7.21 -our anniversary)

Belt: NY&Co

Skirt: Target! (My friend's husband said he couldn't believe I remembered where my clothes are from. I even remember when I bought most of them.... this skirt was one year when Jen & I were skipped out of an ISU football game and went shopping instead because it was cold out!)

Leggings: Kohl's

Boots: Madden Girl

TTMT | Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things........ (You did sing that right?)

This week's Talk To Me:
What are a few of your favorite things (think Oprah)?
Tab & I thought this would be a fun one!

As I started typing it, I realized this was a little like that one outfit dejavu....

Not that long ago, I posted a {recomended by} heidi post. Remember......

But for the sake of TTMT, I'm going to add to the list (some smaller items and maybe not right now... but when I have time). You can check the other ones out below. :)

{recommended by} heidi

After I posted an (almost) handmade Christmas ideas, I started thinking about people that purchase big ticket Christmas gifts (for the record- we are not those people). I was thinking about some of our best investments over the last few years and thought I'd share. Most of these are things we had wanted forever before we actually got them. These are some of our favorite things (did you sing that?). Zero buyer's remorse included.

1. DSLR camera
Specifically the Canon T1i. It's not a professional camera but it's not a point and shoot either. There's lots of versatility with it (lens wise) and I take it with me 99% of the time.

2. Navigation system for the car
Neither of our cars have a built in system so the portable version was great for us. It's been a huge time (and dare I say life?) saver for us. Can't imagine driving in a new city without one now.

3. King Size bed
We didn't even have a queen before so our upgrade from a full to a king was huge. Huge. HUGE. Really. This was such a good investment. We'll never regret it!

4. Kelly Moore bag
R wouldn't put this on his list but it's definitely on mine! Best purse camera bag I ever had. Okay. Fine. So I use it as a purse. But can you blame me? It's adorable (I have both the grey hobo and the mustard messenger- the hobo is by far my fave). It's pockets are amazing for anyone that lives out of their purse. And it protects your camera. What more could you ask for? And since there's little compartments inside- it's a super fast switch for me to go from everyday use to a photo session. I absolutely love it! I think the messenger one would make a good diaper bag too!

5. Sectional
Yup. I'm putting a couch on the list. It's a U-shape sectional with a chaise on one end. It's comfy. I think it looks nice but not too nice so you still feel comfortable on it. I like it. A lot. (Once I got over the coffee table issue and found the perfect 'coffee table' I loved it a lot more!)

6. Toms
You know the ones. The ones I wear pretty much everyday. That is until the 30 for 30 started and I didn't put them on the list. Yeah. I don't know how that happened either. Really. I'm still debating switching out another item for a pair of them.
Seriously. They are super comfy. Versatile. Amazing. What's awesome is I got a pair on sale for $20. What's even better is since they give a pair when you buy a pair- it was like 2 for $20. Can't beat that!
I want them in a couple other colors but since we are being good about not spending and all I have to pass. For now.
Oh- and if you plan to buy some, I know they say to stick to your regular size but all of mine are 1/2 size bigger. I think some people's look too stretched out and I've had no problems with mine being too big. They kinda form around your feet.

7. Pampered Chef Knife Set
It's one of the few PC purchases I've made (we were blessed to have a PC wedding shower and I've also earned most everything else PC that we have). We, of course, got the good deal on the set and it was worth it. I never knew what a decent knife cut like. It was life changing. Or something like that.

And I'd say my computer would make the list but I'm afraid that would jinx it and Macxine (that's her name) would crash on me. I would like to bring her little Pro nephew home one of these days. But not for long long while.

__________________________________

Next week's TTMT: What's your favorite craft project? (Tutorials welcomed!) :)

Hey, Ladies!

So I just saw she was going to be here this spring. Who's going?!?!?!

remix 26-27

We are getting sooooo close to 30. :)

Dress: Gap

Sweater: Target

Necklace: {created by} heidi (I've been on a necklace kick lately- finally figured out a better way to make charms. I'll have to get some posted soon! Maybe I should take Christmas orders on them. ;)

Leggings: Lauren Conrad/Kohl's

Boots: Madden Girl

Scarf: Gift from Jaren! (THANKS!!)

Shirt dress: American Apparel

Leggings: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's (I'm outwearing them. Really should probably get them in other colors!)

Today deserves a lot more of a post than this quick recap.... I'll get to the rest of the story later.

But for now, know that my morning was craftastic and my afternoon was 'junk.' :) I have good people in my life.

25 of the remix

I know I just said that the remix is getting fun again. And my face in this photo looks like I'm having anything but fun. But really. I'm happy. I just hadn't woken up yet. But seriously, it was a Friday and I was wearing my conquer the world boots, how could I not be happy?!

Cardi & Belt: NY&C

Cowl Neck Sweater: (Yes, it's sleeveless) Buckle

Jeans: Gap Skinny (I feel much better about not washing them after Kels' post about this!) (Yes, I called her Kels to give her a 4 letter name like everyone else.) (No, I didn't ask her permission.)

Boots: Madden girl

Oh- and I didn't mark them and you can barely see them but my earrings were cute. (Express I think.) And for the first day in a long time I didn't take them out before the end of the day. Amazing. The headband is probably Wal-Mart. For the life of me I can't remember. OR find my crafting rocks. But that's a whole other story. Ay yi yi.

Reviewing the Remix

Six More Down!!!! (And since I'm late in posting this, there are really only 5 more to go (4 since I already know what I'm going to wear today)! :)

I'm learning that the remix is a little like a school year.

It started with anticipation. Then routine set in. All of a sudden it shifted into survival mode. And now with less than a week to go, it's getting fun again. Maybe that's only because I have a cute outfit planned for today (Saturday. It will be my #26. I also hope it's as cute on as I have planned in my head. Oye.).

So here it is. The remix in review thus far.

(Updated: I realized this post could alternatively be titled "Seeing Stripes" as I'm wearing stripes 5 out of 6 days this time.)

remix | 24

Day 24

Scarf: Valley Junction

Sweater: Target

Shirt dress: Old Navy

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Ugg

My 7

I was tagged by Snappy Casual to tell seven secrets then tag seven to do the same. I may be a little slow on the ball... but I'm finally getting around to spilling the secrets.

1. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

2. My husband cleans and cooks and irons and washes clothes and...... well you get the idea. Yes, I teach family consumer sciences and my husband does these jobs around our house a lot of the times. (Not all the time... and I use the term 'cook' very loosely here. But he still deserves a bone thrown his way for it.)

3. I like nick-knacks and shelf-sitters. I think they are cute. However, my like for them doesn't outweigh my hate for dusting so we don't own 'em.

4. I like the hammer pants. I want to own a pair (only I would call them slouchy trousers of course). Preferably in grey.

5. When asked if I had a 'redo' in life, I usually say something acceptably trite like "I wouldn't change a thing- it's all made me who I am today." The truth is, there's a lot I would change.

6. We've been facing infertility over three years now. Though I was first told to prepare myself for it somewhere around 8 years ago.

7. I peed my pants in kindergarten. Yup. I did. And I've been keeping it a secret all these years. Whew it feels good to get that out in the open. ;)

Now it's your turn!

1. Lisa (I was typing your name and you just walked in.) :)
2. Laura Jean
3. Tab
4. Jill
5. Ashley
6. Mary
7. Molly

still remixing

I think this is day 22 and 23. Though I'm too lazy uhhh... busy to go check.

Day 22:

Cheater, cheater, scarf repeater.

Yes, I wore that scarf yesterday. I tend to do that a lot with accessories. If I throw them on the dresser (vs. putting them back where they belong) I end up wearing them again in the near future. But don't worry, I did in fact take it off in between remixes.

Day 23:

I thought this was a stroke of genius (or luck) on my part. The only two shirts I had hanging up today (from the 30 pile anyway) and I had never paired them. Dark purple stripes. Yellow cardi. Why hello. I'm super pumped about my last minute outfit. That is until R is taking my picture and says, "Haven't I seen this one before?" Ummm. No. No, you haven't. I'm really sure you haven't. This is a completely new, completely original, never before seen remix. I'm sure. I think. Maybe?

Turns out he was half right. Go back just a few days and you'll see this outfit's not so long lost sister. That's okay. They didn't mind sharing clothes (and shoes, and...) just this once. But hey, it's still a new remix. And I didn't see anyone today that I saw that day. (Well except for the photographer.... but that was just for a brief moment of the day.) :)

Happy remixing. Here's to a more creative outfit tomorrow.....

PS- Are Hammer pants (Harem? Slouchy Trousers?) making a comeback? Am I really that out of the loop?