our very real texas house

on March 1, 2013 in Ramblings

I’ve had to really work (pray a lot) about my attitude with this house.  I’m very grateful, don’t get me wrong.  It’s a shelter that keeps us warm – well cool (we are in Texas now) and it’s clean.

One of the main reasons I’m having a hard time with my attitude is because it doesn’t get a lot of natural light.  I need sunlight in my home.  It does a lot for my mood, which sounds really weird saying that out loud to y’all, but I’m just being real here!

Not a lot of light also makes it harder for taking pictures.  I’ve not had my camera out these days like I used to.  I decided today that’s going to change.  Light or no light, I’m taking pictures again.

txhouse3

This was why I got my camera out.  I wanted to work on some stuff I’m painting and he wanted to “do art” with me.  It was nice having a painting partner again.  Aside from Jaime, this will be the only paint partner I’ll accept!

txhouse2

I’ve had several people ask to see pictures of our new home.  Why I don’t know, but I guess I get the curiosity.  It’s nothing much.  I guess I’ve been putting off showing y’all because I just can’t figure out how to make our stuff work.

But I’m over being all worried about that.  It is what it is.  Looking at this picture of our family room reminds me of how much I’ve put off painting and re-doing some pieces I had put away in our other home.  Really need to get workin’ on that list!

txhouse

txhouse4

Somebody thinks when I have the camera out it’s always to take pictures of him.  I can’t imagine why that is.

txhouse5

You like how I didn’t even bother cleaning up all the toys and cords and “junk” scattered throughout?

Keepin’ it real here, girls!

Despite the light and the size, I do love the layout of the main area of this house.  In my head, when I picture a “dream” home, it’s open like this.

txhouse9

We brought out Lil’ B’s old changing table that Jaime and I made. I’m repurposing it in the kitchen.  I really should tidy up that bottom shelf.  Keepin’ it real here girls, just keepin’ it real!

txhouse6

What, your kid doesn’t watch his cartoon from the kitchen counter?  This is his newest thing.  He hops up all by himself and plays in the sink.  Every day.

txhouse8

Oh my word, those  little feet!

I think I have a hundred pictures of his feet.  I’m the kinda person who hates feet.  Don’t dare touch me with your feet – Gahross!  But this guy’s little feet… precious.  One day they’ll be all big and stinky, I know, so I’m soaking up these days while I can.

txhouse7

Comments { 4 }

giving it all away and a free printable

on February 26, 2013 in Ramblings

If I know anything, it’s that God’s timing is perfect.  I mean, absolutely PERFECT.

I’ve had to be proven this a few times in my life already and I know that God will show this to me again before I die.

I mostly think of his “timing” being applied in the “big” things.  I forget that God is concerned in even the little things too.  These little things matter to God.  They are things that some people easily chalk up to coincidence.

luke6_38vt

~Luke 6:38 (MSG)

I was having a down day.  Those are easy to have with all the new changes in our lives recently.  I feel at home here in Houston.  I love absolutely everything about this city and our new church home.  But y’all, this girl has never done well with change. I’ve dealt with it.  I’ve accepted that it’s apart of life, especially ours.  But that doesn’t mean it comes easy for me.

I feel the enemy constantly waiting for a weak moment to whisper little things in my ears.  And they aren’t even lies, but they also aren’t really true either.  I have seen how important it is for me to throw myself into God’s word, his promises, his wisdom and his truth at the BEGINNING of every single day that I wake up.  If I don’t, I know these little whispers will hit me and I can melt in a second.

Do y’all know what I’m talking about hear?

Well, I had this little Daily Devotional in my inbox for a week at least.  Hadn’t had time to read it but caught what it was about and knew I’d want to.  Yesterday was my catch up day with household things and emails.  This was there… waiting for me.  Perfect timing.  I needed it and needed it hard!

“You cannot out-give God. The more you try to bless other people in the world around you, the more God says, ‘I’m going to pour blessings out on you. We’ll play a little game here. Let’s see who will win. Let’s see who can give the most. The more you bless others, the more I’m going to bless you in return.’ ” ~Rick Warren

God has been dealing with me a lot on this matter.  I’m finding different ways in which we can do this. One of my prayers for the longest time has been that God would allow us to give to others and be a blessing to others the way that so many people have done for us.  I keep waiting.  But God is telling me now to quit waiting.  He has already enabled us with the means and opportunities to give – our money and especially our time.

 In Luke 18, Jesus says,

“I guarantee this. Anyone who gives up anything for the kingdom of God will certainly receive many times more in this life and will receive eternal life in the next world to come.”

I needed this encouragement.  And how precious of God to know exactly when I would need it and how sweet of him to just say, “here you go darlin’, I know you need this.  This is the truth.  It might feel hard, but this is the truth.  Believe this.  I won’t let you down.  I won’t forsake you.”

scroll

Feel free to click on the picture and download or save.  It’s nothing fancy by any means.  It was just a quick little doodle I did at the moment I needed it.  Lil’ B contributed by leaning over me and jumping around me the whole time ensuring nothing would be perfect!  I’m always trying to teach him that things don’t have to be perfect, he just wanted to help, right?

Comments { 1 }

you’re the best in my book

on February 13, 2013 in Ramblings

kachow1

Really, you are.  You are the best.

I don’t have any excuses for the fact that it really has been almost a month since I’ve been here.

In fact, I miss being here.

We are all loving Texas!  There is just something about Texas that I can’t describe.  Maybe it’s because we are in the good ole’ South again, but it’s just so warm here.  And I’m actually NOT talking about the weather.

We are loving are new church home.  Bart is having a blast with his new team and Lil’ B is lovin’ pre-school.  I’m up to my ears in bible studies, well actually just two, but I’m lovin’ both of them.  One is still with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) of course, and the other is with our women’s ministry at our church.

I figured they would be a great way for me to be proactive in meeting people.  I was right.  I’m enjoying both the studyin’ and the women.

kachow2

So really we’re all good.

I just can’t seem to find my rhythm in my days yet.  The past two years, I have had this routine, even though I didn’t realize it then.  I would wake up earlier then everyone else and have some time by myself.  Me, my coffee, and my bible.  When Lil’ B would go down for his nap, I would usually paint, craft, blog or all three.

Here, this isn’t happening.  Lil’ B isn’t sleeping so soundly yet and is waking us all up bright and early.  He also no longer thinks napping is cool!  Who does he think he is?

He still has rest time in his room, but I’m desperately needed every ten minutes or so to do something for him.  Which is my priority of course, so I don’t really mind.  This just makes my time to do the stuff I used to do difficult.

I’ve contemplated the fact that maybe it was time to stop blogging.  Maybe that season for me is over. But I really don’t want that and don’t truly believe that’s the case at this point.

And every now and then I get a sweet email or comment on here from someone who can relate to our story in some way and they kindly send some sweet words my way.  This, of course, inspires me to want to be here more and more.

With all that said, I hope you don’t mind my inconsistency here.  I hope you’ll be patient and hang around is I find my rhythm in this new season of our lives.

The connection I have been able to make here with y’all has been such a blessing.  Especially during a point in my life where connections for me had become few.  I honestly have a place in my heart for y’all and this blog.  I pray for each person who stops by here!

Comments { 2 }
← Older posts