Rounding a Corner.

Filed under Family by Jenny on January 26, 2012 at 8:27 am {10 comments}

Just lately something has changed for me. My girls are growing up. This morning I thought, when they get up in the morning I feel like I get to spend the day with some of my best friends. I`m just really loving my time with them lately.  It`s not that life is perfect for us, or that I never get annoyed at them….

…But the way they: imagine, make me laugh, EXPRESS affection, see the world, and create things on their own really brings me JOY right now. This morning I felt really grateful for this time in our lives.

What is your overwhelmingly big or small blessing from today?

~jenny

A Tribute.

Filed under Family by Jenny on January 17, 2012 at 7:20 am {33 comments}

My friend Susanna, posted this song on Facebook this morning. When I heard it, I knew I had to share it.
Sometimes a song plays and words are not needed. Your Spirit connects and bursts open. Sadness, longing, joy are felt. So many emotions…..
Over Thanksgiving I lost a baby at 9 weeks. It felt like an old, old story for me. I had 2 losses before my Elle and every baby we get to receive feels like an incomprehensible gift. This last loss was greatly different, amidst the reverence of the two little girls we have. But devastating in a quiet, calm way.
My heart had been with, and longed for adoption as well. I feel like some of the gifts God has given me, groan and long to be used in this way. I desire with God`s help to nurture a broken child. But this may also never happen for us.
God holds the plan for our little family`s life in his hands. I trust Him so deeply.
This morning, I bathed in this song, sank into the deepness of it… and I let myself remember…..
~~~
I have known so many friends that have experienced the pain of wanting children. And month by month goes by, and the hole in their heart is still empty.
This morning I honor you. I remember just what it felt like.
God… someday?
I pray the song of Ortega`s loss will hold you and comfort you.
Love you!

Days at home.

Filed under Family by Jenny on January 14, 2012 at 8:58 am {12 comments}

Well, I`m just sitting here on a lazy Saturday morning drinking my java. There is snow outside. Snow makes me happy in the way “going to Florida” makes some people happy. No, really, I get a little lift in my spirit when it snows. And, this will not be a long post about snow- something every person round here has- (it`s not real news). When it snowed last night I was going to write about snow in my Facebook update, then I decided I won`t, because snow is probably the new “Tebow”.

Speaking of Java. Has anyone noticed it`s now an event, not just a food? Especially with women. You can have it as part of an outfit ensemble in Pinterest, and when you drink it, it worth posting about. Like I just did. And you can go out and do it, and it`s a thing- like sushi. No one ever says,

“Hanging with friends at Molly`s- drinking milk.”

“Just sitting here around the fire together. Everyone is eating grapes.”

“Stopped in Richmond to meet Roger for a quick grits date.”

(Except the grits date might actually be kinda cool, because it`s so random. Strike that one. You know, grits is like, their “thing”.)

Which goes to show, even food deals with cliques and cool groups. Poor meatloaf.

I do think coffee is a social drink for us, Mennonites need their wine equivalent! Everyone needs a social liquid to tap into, that alters their personality just a little.

And please, I do all of the above. So don`t think I`m making fun of you- I`m making fun of ME!

One time I was going off about this whole subject with one of the high-schoolers (my husband is a high school teacher). And we talked about how the travel coffee mug is now the adult man`s security blanket- (wrap your hands around it tight) and etc. Later, he told me he saw I posted a photo and a blurb about the  coffee I drank on my blog. I think he thought I was a real hypocrite.

“No”, I said, “I was making fun of myself. It`s the funnest person to make fun of, because then no one can get mad at you when you do it!”

Self deprecation. Other people like it.

Things strike me as the oddest- when they remind me a little bit of myself.

But anyway, this is not even remotely what I was going to post about when I sat down. It`s ok though.

Rambling can be good.

Awhile back, I was reading my blog when it was on xanga. I missed it. I felt like it was an old friend that I had completely forgotten was there. I also think I liked my style better back then, because there was none. It was more just like a rambling, messy, chronicle of life at home. Not really a lot of structured subject material. I don`t know why- but I think now I feel like I have to follow a subject head in order to post. I don`t know why. My favorite posts of others are when they just TALK, about whatever/whenever.

So maybe we’ll get back to that here.

Maybe that`s why after all these years, this lady is still my favorite blogger. And please don`t be offended, I have probably 25 favorites and then another 50 adores.

Exaggerating to make a point.

I was really inspired by ALL the comments on my last post. I was out walking one morning before light, and had little frozen tears of joy on my cheeks around my eyes. Yes! From the sweetness and words of TRUTH from you all.

But something that came out of the comments and stuck with me is: what if we women are being TOO HARD on ourselves (sometimes)? There are 20 more paragraphs that could be written to expound on all THAT, but what I have been struck with lately is the beauty of SIMPLIFYING.

And here is a good place for my #2 favorite quote right now:

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.~Leonardo da Vinci

(Taking a break here for a “mommy eyed” Laila, holding a silky blanket, with a forbidden nippy in her mouth.)

I was saying,

Simplicity. I have been really blessed by it lately.

The other night, good friends of ours had people over for desert and coffee. Then, earlier this week, one of my girlfriends text ed me, and asked if we want to come over for pancakes. Both events, an extra fun time and yet, so simple. I was so inspired! So.

I have literally stopped having friends over (have some of you noticed? ha) in the last year, because cooking up a big spread was just too overwhelming for me. By the time I had myself in order, cleaned the house, and had the girls in clean clothes… ok…. it`s time to COOK.

Maybe I don`t do something right- but by the time I had started on that part (cooking)- the first 3 parts had went to ‘h— in a handbasket’. I just gave up.

Wednesday morning of this week- I had my mom and sisters over for breakfast, and so inspired by above, all I made made for my ‘company’ was a pan of Red Raspberry Baked Oatmeal with yogurt. Very easy to make. And I had juice an coffee, but that was ALL. And it was great. I made it the night before, so when my family came, I was rested/happy/eager etc.

I will be doing this simple thing more.

Another area I am learning about simplicity in is: women friendships. I read a blurb in the Reader`s Digest this month about how it gets harder to make new friends when you are an adult. Actually let me copy it here.

Her name is Rachel Bertsce, 29 and she says,

“I still have this image in my head that my new best friend will be the same as my best friend in grade school. We’ll talk every night, and hang out every weekend. That`s not reality for adults that have other commitments. Seeing someone once a month is good- once every 2 weeks is amazing!”

I thought this was so TRUE. I often think it`s odd that I probably see my good girlfriends once a month (if that) and, couple friends- probably once every 3 months! Like she said, with schedules (and precious nights at home that must be kept sacred)- it`s just hard to find the time.

I like to know- it`s OKAY.

This brought to mind another conversation I had with some girlfriends. We were discussing how in the winter, during the day, we might just be at home for days in a row. I always thought I was weird like that. Once it`s cold, I like to hunker down. My husband has a car, but he likes mine better. So most every morning before school he`ll ask me- if I`m not going anywhere- “Can I take your car?”

I like to treat him often, because secretly, I LOVE when he takes my car. Now Walmart cannot twist my arm to come visit- for something silly like detergent, because I CAN`T GO! It makes everyday life so calm and easy.

It`s unreal how much gas & grocery cash I save, when I just. stay. home.

You know how you`re driving and you see a row of houses and they all look so empty, deserted and quiet from the outside? You think subconsciously that surely no one is home in there. Well, inside there probably is an active hub of people- little and big- that have happily been hunkered down in there for a few days now. Depends on the house you`re looking at, of course.

(I don`t have to drive kids to school yet- that helps me to be able to do this for sure.)

Well, I guess I will close. It`s Saturday and my husband is gone again today at a guy`s thing. all i have planned today is the girls have some little friends coming over tonight. My husband took my car and left me his laptop in exchange. Great trade for me. So yeah, maybe I will go nurture my girls now, and then do something clean-y/artsy!

Sounds like a day I am happy with.

I`ll close out with a few shots.

Little kids made puppets. Elle felt they needed a “theater”, she came up with the idea to use this old thing. :)

“Psst! girls, there is a audience member blocking the stage!”

Backstage with the master puppeteers.

To point out Elle`s love for detail- please notice how she colored each one of her turtle`s  scales a different color.

I wanna color too!

We put together a Fun Box for my brother who is at EBI. We hope you like it, Jason! (Who am I kidding, he will never see this.)

Then 4 of us, walked to the post office to mail it. It was blow-y, COLD, and rainy- a fun little jaunt.

The girls last night watching a favorite You Tube video. (something from improv everywhere)

And I will end with this picture. It`s on my fridge and it made my day this morning in a new way. I think it shows well, to me, our personalities.

Have a fab weekend, ya’ll!

jenny

PS. Anyone else notice how blogging is a ‘winter sport’- seems like my blogging friends have twice the posts to read these days. Love it.


Life & Peace.

Filed under Inspirational, discussions by Jenny on January 9, 2012 at 8:01 am {32 comments}

You know how you have all these thoughts rattling around in your head? And all at once, one day, standing by your washing machine/sitting in church/ laying in bed (hating insomnia)- you get it- and it all matches together.

And you feel like the oddest little conversations or encounters with people you had in the last 3 days, something your little daughter said in passing, verses you came in touch with, a sermon at your church and a fight you had with your husband (only hypothetical!!) ALL tie together with something that GOD is trying to show you.

And then you feel you want to try to share it all with someone (I do), but you aren`t sure if it will all make sense. But here I am. And I will try.

So help me God.

And, that sounded like I was cussing. I meant that literally.

Let me start with yesterday, our pastor, Burnell, preached on the New Birth, and what stuck out to me the most, was what he said at the end, about God and how He brings us to growth. He isn`t the grating, sinister voice of condemnation I hear rasping in my ear. He is the gentle, LOVING voice calling me to deeper conviction. Calling me to be more in tune with him than I was yesterday.

So. Condemnation/Satan. “Just try harder, Jenny. If you could just be more disciplined on your own- you could maybe, possibly one day be  the mother you dream of being. Pull up them bootstraps. The Bible is ok and all- but read more parenting magazines and chat with your friends more. They are so much more practical for everyday life and easier to digest”

Gentle Calling/God. “Be with me. I love you. I have the answers you are looking for. Read my book.”

This whole train of thought was not new with me. But felt new again.

And as I was praising GOD for showing me this again; I really came captivated with this passage- below.

~~~

Romans 8: 1 -8

(English Standard Version)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

~~~

Isn`t that so good? It`s like the whole passage was new for me again. ha. Actually, maybe new for me for the first time- really.

And now I want to talk a little bit about the parts of the passage I highlighted.

No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Mom guilt anyone? I am going to be completely honest. Sometimes mom guilt almost completely eats me alive. I still remember before I had children (and was wanting them badly) I heard a Focus on the Family program about that very thing- Mom Guilt. My mouth was just kinda hanging open. I didn`t have children- I had no idea this monster was out there. I thought about that program for DAYS after- and just chewed on it in my head.

And then I had two (thank you, JESUS.) And ever since then, MG has kinda hung out with me.

Here is how it manifests itself for me. It`s Monday- everyone/everything needs me. The house is all piled up with work. My calendar looks full for this week. So MUCH on my mind. Words, sad stories, and relationships- all that other stuff is crowded in there too. I feel so HEADY. Like my head is all stuffy and I have no visible path to walk on. Well, the girls are going to be knee deep in playdough, movies, and art projects on the table for today. My girls are almost-3 and 4, and they can go “auto- pilot” pretty easily actually. They are happy mostly- it kinda works.

drawing fruit.

typical kitchen table.

We go this route for 2 maybe 3 days, and I am axing things off my mental “to do” list.

On day 3, once life has slowed down for the week, any of the following could happen: I am inspired/condemned by all the “do it with your kids” pins on Pinterest. Someone in my Facebook feed really goes out of their way and does something amazing with their children. I dwell on the fact that teaching is not my gift. I am horrified by a sad story of a homelife of someone else- fear grips me- I think, what if that happens to us if I don`t Quality Time my girls enough. I read a Bible passage, and it condemns me- not convicts me. I let MomTalk make me feel failing. I feel too tired (I have nothing left to give) to read stories, and dream of being a better me.

Then that night, resting festering in bed- I let MG take over. I feel condemned for my weaknesses and any TINY fault I see in my girls I think.

Have I made them this way with my dysfunctional, human ways?

I lose sleep that night. The next day is rough. I feel, not clinically depressed, but down. Feeding the guilt and feeling empty with nothing left to give- I take some “Me Time” that day. I need to relax, maybe.

I take a long walk, I read, I watch a movie, I take a hot bath, I sit on Facebook, I buy groceries alone, I surf Pinterest, I text or message with a friend, I read a magazine.

NO. ARGH! THIS IS NOT WORKING! THERE IS NOW SO MUCH “I” IN MY LIFE!

This is making it worse! Now I am snapping at my family and my husband comments that he is a little concerned because my disposition seems a little bit…. grouchy???

Really?

…who walk not according to the flesh; but according to the Spirit.

Ah…. I get it now, God.

I had “Spirit” on a diet- and meanwhile was bingeing, and having midnight feasts with “Flesh”. What you feed, grows apparently.

No wonder I feel so gross mentally, spiritually, emotionally.

…but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Life and peace. Yes please! I`ll have more of summa that good stuff. The WORD refreshes and encourages. It starts my day right, and guides it with wisdom for my girls, and STRENGTH & STABILITY for my emotions that I didn`t even know was humanly possible. Oh wait, it`s not (humanly possible).

And here are my wants for today:

I want to find myself drawn to my recliner, and Galen`s awesome new Study Bible when I have free time.

I want to feel woo-ed and drawn away from, Hulu or a chick flick that in no way brings glory to God. I want to eject it in the middle of watching it if i need to, and walk away in peace, knowing I do not “need” what it has to offer me.

I want to start my day praying. Praying that when I see “odd people” in town I will see a heart that Jesus is in love with.

I want to spend time watching YouTube videos/online radio of teachers I love that speak TRUTH in a dark world. Louie Giglio, Chip Ingram, Beth Moore, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Alistair Begg, Paul Washer, David Platt, Al Menconi, Francis Chan, and Mark Driscoll are a few I have loved already in life.

I want to speak kindly to my family- not because *I* am so sweet or so self-controlled in myself, but because mom is so full of Jesus, His JOY just spills out of her.

I want to want to give more of my time to others. Hard for me.

I want to enjoy the little earthly things in life: a lovely new bowl-set from the thrift store, the morning sunlight coming through the window, a bird singing, my new Country Living magazine, the fact my windows are clean (they aren`t- that was hypothetical), a clean house, something fun I sewed, a girl`s night out, a letter from a friend, a long walk alone…

…as part of the joy of my earthly LIFE, but not as my Soul Food.

That`s all, friends! I don`t fancy myself a Bible teacher, and if you got anything out of this- well, praise God. Part of the reason I blogged about this was to make is more real for me. Something outside of just my head.

I`d love to hear what is on YOUR mind in all this. There is so much joy in being open with each other and honest about what our lives really look like. And when you pray- pray for the christian women in your life. You can pray for me!

We need each other- christian women looking out/loving/encouraging other women- is a beautiful thing.

PS. This post seems like a little bit of a joke to me- since I had to neglect my girls while I wrote it. Life.

PPS. If you want to read an “Oh my stars great!”  mom-style blog-post- then do not miss this one.

God bless your day!

jenny

~~~

A few pictures:

mismatched sisters.

they love rough, fun play.

this daddy is nuts about his girls- all 3 of us.

gingerbread making expectation!


failure in every way.

A few snaps from Christmas….

Filed under Family by Jenny on January 5, 2012 at 10:08 am {2 comments}

I just uploaded all 127 pictures off my camera from over the holidays, etc.

I can`t help but share a fewsies.

When I snapped this picture, I heard:

Laila: “Baby Sydney! I LOVE you.”

Elle is not sad. She is feeling intense. Whenever she feels strong emotion or love for someone- she clenches her jaw, and gets very solemn. I love when she hugs me and her jaw is clenched.

Isaac, you so cute!

Even some of the guys helped make gingerbread houses. Thanks, brotherinlaw, Jason!

You will always find a cluster of kids around Vincent and Joy! ♥

Jordan, Elle, and Brother-Jason waiting to open goodies.

Beautiful gifts were given….

Us adults did a $10 exchange. It was so much fun- between thrift stores, homemade and sales- some really pretty gifts were given.

This is from Joy to Julana: lip gloss in a tin, a ribbon necklace, and a stack of gorgeous old, white plates. (I was jealous.)

Out for breakfast to the Berlin Farmhouse.

An old crate I got from my mom~ LOVE it.

Back in the day, when every day at 10:45 am, more Christmas mail dropped thru your front door.

Man, I miss those days. So many snazzy cards.

Ok, well, maybe one day I`ll post the rest of my pictures. Happy Thursday to ya!

jenny

Thoughts are Everywhere.

Filed under Family, Humor by Jenny on January 4, 2012 at 4:06 am {29 comments}

They are. My thoughts are all over. That`s a lot why I post so little. I can never pick just one topic.

So, I`ll write about a few.

#1. How your kids make your day in the tiniest ways.

Like this morning, when Elle was up early with G and I- and she sat with us while we drank our coffee and prayed. Then, when her daddy was ready to leave, she wanted us to kiss, so we did. A peck.

“No, a longer one”, she said. So we did a longer kiss just for her, and she just smiiiiiled, like she had never been more pleased.

And that pleased us, to see her so pleased.

Or, like right now when her and Laila wanted another sausage, and I stuck it in the microwave and promptly forgot about it, and about 5 minutes later I hear her little voice, with a gentle reminder:

“Mom, I can hear a beep coming from the ‘marker-wave’ “.

Just the way she says ‘microwave’ makes me happy and filled with mirth.

Or like last night I was reading her a story and Elle said,

“That flower is the most beautiful.” (She never looks at anything, without pointing out her best thing on the page or whatever it may be.)

“It is a lilac”, I said.

And she said,

“What ‘zactly is a lilac?”

And  I knew she threw ‘exactly’ in there, just to hear me go off about “HOW do you know how to use that word correctly!?”

And she said in her usual fashion:

“I just do.”

If I say,

“WHY are you so smart?” (Because apparently all kids enjoy hearing that.)

“I just am.”

I love her so much.

I love my other one just as much- I just didn`t chose to post on her today.

#2. Why do I meet all the strange people when I shop?

For instance.

Yesterday I walk into Dollar General to grab 2 items: Tide and Mentos. (I had good coupons.)

I walk up to the cash to stand in line with other shoppers. As usual, my mind is thinking thoughts outside of the Dollar General.

A very usual-looking man walks up to stand in line behind me and another woman.

“Hey Guys! Wait I guess I should say LADIES!” He says and laughs riotously.

Odd.

The woman in front of me and I both turn around. I look around to see who he was talking to. See no one. Forget in the next second he said anything. Continue blankly staring at the tabloids. Spend thoughts thinking about how silly it is that Camilla Parker-Bowells wouldn`t want to be queen. Waste more thoughts thinking Demi and Ashton may never repair their marriage.

(Demi. If you had asked me whether it`s a good idea to marry a man your daughter could be dating…… Well.)

Spend one last thought thinking how dull and desperate I must look, even looking at the tabloids. I look at the gum again. So many brands- yet they all taste the same. I glance at the store gift cards lustfully.

The line is not moving.

When it is my turn to pay, the Lurking Man behind me says to the female cashier:

“What is with all the bashful women? That first one just ran out the door with out saying a word to me. She was a bashful one all right! And that`s a bashful one right there.” (He jerks his head sideways to me.)

(Oops, I guess he was greeting me earlier.)

Another woman walks in the door, Lurking Man greets her and then comments,

“Now THERE was a friendly one! She was friendly.”

After I handed cashier my dollars, and was about to walk away, Lurker turns to me and says,

“Hey, hi there, doncha need to be scared, it`s not like I`m gonna kill ya or anything, lady!”

I stared at him and not a word came out of me. Not because I was so scared- OR BASHFUL- I just couldn`t say in all honesty:

“I know.”

I have stories like that various times.

#3. Why do I hate getting dressed up these days?

It`s an older thing.

The older I get, the more I want to cuss feel irate whenever I have to get dressed up.

When I was young in my late teens or early 20s, give me a banquet/date/fancy night to anywhere- oh give me a crowd to work! I will work it. A little make-up. Yes! Itchy, tight clothes. Sure! A lot of chatting? Yes! Meeting people I don`t know- making small talk? Bring me those and a few more.

Now.

I torture myself with the fact that I am rusty at people skills, and I like comfy clothes the best. If it`s knit, velour, or breezy cotton I will like it. I like to stay at home. “Home is what I like best”- as Elle would say.

Going out is stressful. And I don`t mean going to a friends house to chew the flab. That can be done in a sweatshirt and a face rubbed with bar soap- that can be done with ease.

I mean anywhere where make-up would be in order.

I blame it on my children.

(Don`t let this family photo fool ya.)

Take Sunday morning for example:

I wake up in good time.

My first thought as I see a morning mirror always is: Is that me? I really, really don`t look like me first thing in the morning. I try to fathom that by 9:15 this morning, I will look like me again. I shake my head. I have a long ways to go.

I Shower. Now it`s time to wake up the girls- and like most Sunday mornings they wake up crying. I bath them, or Galen does, and then I go to wash my hair. When I am done with that- I see the girls are playing with water in the sink, they have a few little dolls and are bathing them. The bathroom floor is wet. This is super irritating to me, especially since the bathroom didn`t get cleaned the day before, and I am mentally adding all the water on the floor to the germs and disgusting crusties I know are lurking everywhere. A tiny bathroom HAS to be clean, or it`s just a riot in there.

I kick a towel around try to soak up the water. It`s kinda works.

There are now 3 wet towels, a half a bag of bath toys, and a whole collection of other clothes we have shed that morning on the floor. I am not fine with it.

I walk over to our room (with the unmade bed) and step on a tiny doll and 2 hangers. I kick the hangers down the steps (they need to go to the laundry room) and the tiny doll gets flung into the girl`s room. The girl`s room looks cluttery which leads me to make the mental note: We need to take another load to Goodwill.

The girls are now dressed, and G gives them breakfast downstairs. They come back up with milk down the front of their dresses. I mentally kick myself for not giving them breakfast in their underwear. We change dresses, but now the hair is all tufty from pulling the dress down over.

The shoes are all wrong with the new dress. We re-comb the tuft, and switch shoes. Now the bow is all wrong too.

I try a side-ponytail on Elle, and she feels it up with her tiny hand. It`s not right. It`s on the side. Horrors.

[The look I was going for.]

“One ponytail!” she requests. Her usual.

I promise her a treat, if she will for one Sunday PLEASE let me try a new hairstyle on her.

She is unmoved.

I promise her a dollar to buy a toy.

“I don`t need anything”, she says.

Well, I can`t argue with that.

Laila picks then to have a “needy moment” and wails to be held. I hold her and rock her in a brisk fashion. My brisk fashion only adds to her despair. She wails on. My heart really goes out to her.

Elle, you too? You want to be held to? I try to hold both and finally, seeing the time, I beg off.

It`s time to get mom dressed. Now I am feeling hot. Hahaha, not that kind of hot- I mean the warm kind. When I get stressed, I always feel really hot. when I am hot, the last thing I want to do is be dressed nice.

I crank up my hot iron. I mean, I may be a Mennonite lady, so 99.9% of my hair goes up, but we do need the flat iron for those 5 other hairs. I feel a tug on my leg.

“Hold me.”

I take a much needed break, and sit on the bed for 5 minutes holding girl 2.

Oh look at the time!

As I`m back at it, and reaching for my $30 pot of magical blush I realize at the same time:

1. Laila ate my blush last week, and smeared the rest on the carpet. I don`t have my magical blush pot anymore.

2. There is continued effort of tugging on my leg.

This time I am sick of the tugging. I try to remain nice (sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn`t) but inside I want to kick things off of my legs.

“Go. play.” I say, and smile woodenly.

Next, WHERE is my blouse. It`s not ironed? Honestly, Jenny. Really, you didn`t have time to iron that on Saturday?

My iron is in the basement. I run down 2 flights of steps. Run back up 2 flights up steps. I am in my room again. An undershirt. Really? You forgot that too? It`s hanging in the basement where my laundry room is. I do the down and up thing again. Galen seems worried I won`t be ready in time. Panic sets in. I am now wondering the same.

Gah! honestly, hair. Could you just be cool for a change?

I end up wearing a cardigan that isn`t my favorite. The color is odd with my blouse but my more-white cardigan is missing. And… it`s lotion time. Lotion is smeary and oily and makes me feel gross. I grit my teeth feeling the smeary-ness of it.

I can`t find any of my ‘pretty things’- as Elle calls my make-up- so I leave most of it.

As we go out the door, Elle says,

“Where is my shoe? I lost my one shoe!”

G says,

“Which coats are they wearing this morning?”

Bless my husband’s heart, he is a trooper.

We go to church. Church cheers me up. I have some good conversations. I feel connected again.

We come back home, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, half of my hair-bun fell down, and is dangling there, mocking me.

(Happened last Sunday.)

“Was it like this the whole time?” I holler over to G.

He has no idea.

I think it was.

I sigh.

I put on my pajamas. Everyone but G changes to pjs…

(He is notorious for forgetting to take off church clothes. One Sunday we vegged all day and at TEN O’CLOCK AT NIGHT I see he is still wearing his dress clothes- and Oh my stars, he is still wearing his shoes and socks from church that morning. I thought I might die laughing.)

…We are spending the rest of the day at home. I think of how un-cool I am. But I am happy. Happy to be at home with the people I love.

A clause: (This is kind of all our worst mornings rolled into one. It`s going better. I lay out clothes the night before, and try to clean the bathroom on Saturdays now.)

#4. I am an under-achiever; with high expectations for myself.

(Which is illustrated over and over in my story above.)

I am not going to say a whole lot about this. But in my little head, the two schools of thought, really war against each other. I`m sure you can imagine.

[I want to live cold winter like this (above). Do minimal amount of chores, read a lot, drink hot things together, sit around with my girls during the day and talk... it`s blustery out, after all!]

Yet, feel torn to be more like this lady and GET MORE DONE! Paint our room the way I have been dreaming of for 2 years now. I have the supplies. Sew those cute dresses I have the pattern, ribbon and fabric for. Iron all ‘however many’ of Galen dress shirts all at once- for a change. On and on.

It`s like I am a really hard-working, lazy person. (I wish I could call it well-rounded, but I can`t.)

Maybe I`ll write more on this later.

[Was weird, after I wrote this, I saw this. ^^ Seen here on Knack.]


Please someone else talk now!

jenny


What-not.

Filed under Family, Friends, Home Decor, Humor by Jenny on December 16, 2011 at 4:00 am {4 comments}

Fellow bloggers, do you have files and files of pictures you never posted? I do, and I`m not sure why it bugs me. It`s like unseen pictures in files aren`t pictures at all to me- they are forgotten and sad. Which makes me think I am using this blog as a “crutch” for not really keeping up babybooks very well. Or at all. Throw stones at me, it`s the truth. I suffer from guilt for it.

anyway. Here are some pics from this summer/fall.

Sisters.

Black and White Sisters.

Daddy is Home.

Playful.

My Faithful Little Art Companion.

Girl`s Night. Silla shines. I do not.

Vinos.

Cousin Fun.

She Picked Me Flowers All Summer.

Sounds like a hit single- go ahead and use it Taylor Swift, I won`t be needing it.

Fresh Flowers in Little Bathroom.

Band-aids in an old Eddie Bauer candle jar that a friend gave me in the early 2000s.

Lails, in an ‘All Thrift Store’ ensemble.

Really, cracked me up when I stopped to notice it.

I had a Vintage Book Storyhour at my house one night.

Gotta showcase my beloved books, you know.

(Missed mom and Jacinta- think they were in AZ.)

More Story-hour.

Oh, How He Loves Us.

***

Yup, not feeling very wordy today.

Have a super weekend! me

Paper Lovin`

Filed under Family, Home Decor, Repurposed Junk, Thrift by Jenny on December 12, 2011 at 9:49 am {23 comments}

It is SO amazing what ugliness can be transformed with paper! I am just astounded.

I confess- I am a paper junkie. Pretty paper “gets me”. Pretty packaging- yes, that too.

Pretty paper book- $20 at Joann Fabrics (used a 50% off coupon)- a multitude of opportunities.

The temporary (there is also permanent) double sided tape is my second best friend!

Anyone else ever feel the urge to snap a picture- when you have the camera out anyway- of an oddly CLEAN house? Hurray for the 5 minute joy! Btw, cruddy floors make me go funnyinthehead.

(Right now I am feeling VERY funnyinthehead. It`s Monday morning.)

When G and I were in Pa we went on a hot date the one night while his mom watched our girls. We wiled away a lot of time at Barnes and Noble (dream night) and all I actually purchased was this pad of paper. I love that it`s practical- I use it! It kind of gave me jollies, when I randomly saw it on the family bulletin board on Modern Family (a TV show).

Yes, a neat fridge is blog-worthy! (To me)

I may have splurged on $8 magnets but it was so worth it. I can`t even tell you how ugly/trashy/everything falling off/ my fridge was. I got the inspiration from my sister Joy, her fridge front was so NEAT, straight, and fun- yet totally covered with fun papers, cards, pictures. I wanted me some of that Fun Fridge joy. And now I got me some too! :) Thanks, Joy (for the fun fridge joy).

This was so much fun, my kitchen shelves needed another coat of paint. We used paper (lazy lady) instead.

This picture makes it hard to see the paper- but I tried. I WISH I WAS A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER! Gah.

I am VERY happy with how it turned out. I got to clean the kitchen while I freshened it too.

Bottom shelf. Holds all my collected bowls from thrift stores and all over. I mostly look for writing, plain white, and pale green plates.

A bowl in my kitchen where I collect ‘perty tangs’- to use kinda wherever. Gifts, mostly.

These are 2 of the books in the bowl. Not sure what I will do with them yet.

Another illustration of DARLING paper.

These pages could be used as wrapping paper, be framed as art, papered onto a wall or child`s dresser drawers, made into gift tags, or just read as a story to a child- the ideas are endless!

Has anyone else ever made a purchase for the pretty packaging? Marshalls or TJMaxx is a bad store like that for me.

I save all my BodenKids catalogs in a jar. My #1 source for sewing inspiration.

Is it just me, or is that first picture a little creepy? Like a girl in a jar.

And my favorite paper of all…. my girl`s art. They LOVE to do anything creative with paper. I get so proud of them sometimes!

So, I`d love to be inspired- how are you making Christmas creative with paper this year?



{all images found on Pinterest}

**For more cool paper ideas, You Are My Fave has some really cool ones right now I noticed.

All these photos were so moving (in an artsy, not spiritual way) to me…. I`d love to try it. We will see.

Your turn!

Forever Home.

Filed under Inspirational by Jenny on December 8, 2011 at 5:32 pm {5 comments}
What is this post about?
Mainly.
Adoption.
And a chance for you to buy a T-shirt (or sweatshirt), and help be a HUGE part in bringing a precious baby safely home. ♥
My sister and her husband (Jason & Julana) are in the process of adopting a little girl from Ethiopia! (Excited eeeek!!!)  It is SUCH an exciting thing- and such a beautiful story- the whole adoption process. To say we support them, and want to be prayer warriors with them, in this, is an understatement.
One day I *dream* of experiencing this journey along with so many of my friends- and now family. Only God knows.
↑ This is NOT, and I repeat not the literal girl they hope to adopt- but a girl from Google Images from Ethiopia. I like visuals- they help things to be more real.

So much more to be said- obviously- I`ll leave it at that for now. :)

So the shirts for sale. All prophets- nope, profits, from the sale of these shirts goes 100% into baby girl`s adoption.
Shirts can be SHIPPED for $5 for all items ordered. (That is cheap, folks!)
New Edit: The men`s and women`s t-shirts DO have kid/youth sizes too. Small girls or boys (ages 5-8) med. girls or boys (ages 10-12) Children`s size t-shirts look just like the adult shirts.

Please contact Julana directly if interested!

Message me (Jenny) if you would like her phone number.
Thanks! I`d LOVE to get some orders for her- so order away. :) :)
***

Adult men`s sweatshirt – $50 (sizes only- xl, l, m, s)

Back shown. The front says JAMES 1:27 on the front middle.

***

Men`s T-shirt – $20 (adult sizes only- xl, l, m, s)

Back shown

Front shown

***

Lady`s t-shirt -$20 (adult sizes only- xl, l, m, s)

Back shown

Front view

***

Lady`s sweatshirt $50 – (adult sizes only- xl, l, m, s)

Front view

Back shown

***

Thanks for reading!

jenny

(Literally!) Life in a Doll House.

Filed under Family, Humor by Jenny on December 7, 2011 at 8:35 am {5 comments}

^ When your floors as far as eye can see, look like this…

^ …sometimes the inner OCD innate desire to play with toys mother doing normal daily duties, sits down for awhile quickly to make things look like THIS. (Picture toys in their bins and uncovered floors all around this picture.)

Ahh, Sweet Order, how I have missed the beauty of you.

Lots of fun is happening in the dollhouse- now that the hair chair is reunited with the baby (for instance). Come on, let`s take a tour, and join in the fun!

^ Here is grandma back with her wardrobe.

“How can it be I`ve been shopping for 50 years and still have nothing nice to wear!”, she sighs.

Grandpa hollers from the downstairs,

“Just wear one of those elastic-waist pants you bought in a pack of 4 from the shopping network!”

^ Out back, Uncle Bobby makes awkward small talk with the plantation`s pretty new ranch-hand, Lucy.

As his nieces and nephews watched from the window, they once again comment that Uncle Bobby uses his basketball way too much like a “security blanket”.

Lucy muses, high water shorts = out of touch with reality…..

^ What ‘goes down’- when mother steps out to buy hairbrushes (and slips in a quick stop with her doctor, the plastic surgeon)………

^ All the little dogs respectfully called Old Whitey ‘The Boss’.

What they will never know, was that their affections would always go unreturned since he was actually just Polly Pocket`s plastic toy doggy.

^ In the bathroom, twins, Eva and Geneva, find closure when Geneva confesses she was often jealous because her hair was always “dull and flat” next to Eva`s.

^ When Mrs. Noah, Queen Majesty, and Mr. Farmer realizes they are lifetimes apart, they sing ‘Deep and Wide’ to create a sense of unity on the road trip.

^ Venturing out on a first date, Moose and Turtle had the keen sense that The Pairs were watching them.

^ Mrs. Noah could never quite put a finger on what is was, but she always felt an inborn desire for leading pairs of things.

^ She`s back!

All the Little People called the beautiful, little big, blonde in green- “Gulliver”. She was a beloved heroine among the people.

^ If you hear Mrs. Noah and the horse crying- you know there must be a diaper change in order.

~~~

enjoy your Wednesday! me

(My whole upstairs is screaming to be cleaned for a change today- (dread) this was a great mini diversion. Thanks for letting me procrastinate with you.)

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