Keeping the Spark Alive

Wow! Long time no post! Not because life has been uneventful...but who wants to hear about (or see) the aftermath of the flu!? Not even me...and I know coz I was there! At any rate.....

The Hubbs and I have been married for seven years as of May 29. We've had a happy marriage despite many (and sometimes severe) downs to go with the ups. We are a 'budget' family thanks to several student loans, our vehicle/house expenses, not to mention life with 2 kids. Money aside, we are both very busy and highly involved in the community. Amidst all of that, we feel that date night is extremely vital to the health of our relationship. But due to highly busy schedules and dwindling checkbook balances, we can't always afford date night out.

Plus it's evident all around us that you can't just put your marriage on auto pilot and expect to be on the 50% of marriages that survive. This scares me that in my group of friends it's very likely that at least some of them will be victims of that statistic.

In an effort to maintain our togetherness times, I started searching for some options....movie night and popcorn gets old after awhile...no matter how many efforts to 'change it up...' (Red faced wink!) Living 45+ minutes away from a McDonalds makes even the lowest cost intention not so low cost. We even tried making out grocery night and our date night one in the same....again not so good.

Plus as a stay at home mom it is very easy for me to view my husband as Daddy. You know the second string quarterback to give me some relief. Or as my complaining bucket....or as my back up chef...or as the enforcer. And while he is all of those things...I don't want to forget the spark that started our relationship. I don't want to lose the US in all of the chaos of life.

Plus I'm so keenly aware that he needs to be encouraged and built up too. He needs to know that I still find him attractive and I love him for him. Not just for the things that he does...or the fact that he's half of the reason I'm dealing with this chaos! Us ladies expect our men to shower us with compliments and encouragment...but we desperately need to return the favor. And isn't he just so wonderful! I still love and need him as much as I did almost a decade ago! (Ok...be right back...I drooled a little!)



So I found a few websites that I'd like to share with you. I hope that you and your hubbs will be able to carve some time (and resourses) out of LIFE and get reconnected! It's SO important! God created us for each other to love each other. So without further adew....I give you my top 5 'date your husband' sites.....

5.  Pinterest: a great place to find great ideas to love on your spouse. (If you aren't a member let me know and I'll send you in invite!)

4. Happy Home Fairy: www.happyhomefairy.com This gal has a zest for life, her family and her husband. There are many many good ideas not only for loving her man but for her family and her home as well. Good Christian input which is vital for me. I especially love her free printables. (Join me in praying for her and her family. God is doing amazing things for them: their second baby was born with some health issues. She's been so faithful to share their journey of faith through this.)

3. Women Living Well- http://womenlivingwell.org/2011/09/how-important-is-date-night-to-your-marriage/  This is more of an article about the importance (and 'evolution') of date night. LOVE this! Don't forget to read through the comments: there are a few good ideas that just might fit for you.
(Please also look through her site....it's amazing!!! Oh how your heart will swell!)

2. GraceFull Mama: www.gracefullmama.com (marriage tab) Joy has a beautiful heart for her husband and the Lord. Lots of good articles from her as well as guests.

1. The Dating Divas: www.thedatingdivas.com This is a blog written by I think 11 married gals with ideas from dates, to gifts, to beauty tips....and everything in between! This is not necessarily a Christian sight but from what I have read a wholesome pro-healthy marriage site. I will warn you (which they do as well) some of the post may make you blush and aren't for everyone. But some really great ideas! I love their motto which is "Strengthening Marriages One Date at a Time."

I hope that you will take the time to find some great ideas to do with your husbands. Second to our relationships with the Lord, our marriage is the most important relationship to keep healthy! I believe that when those two are healthy, the rest will fall into place. (I said I believe that, not that I'm always confident in it!)

Leave a comment to share your ideas and favorite date nights with the rest of us!

The Tupperware Lady Does Camping!

This is kind of an evolution of trial and error trips! Let me start at the beginning...and I should tell you that while I have tested this method I've not actually used it...so if you take my advice and it's a complete fail...please share! Or if it's a charm....also share!

So a couple of years ago, Merle and I and a group of people went canoeing...we bragged that since  NEVER tip, we would take all the coolers with lunch...and our dog. Well what do ya know...we tipped! (Thanks Bocephus!) Big time...and our sandwiches were packed in a bread sack...which is a perfectly good method for dry land picnic-ing....anyhow...so as we scraped soggy bread off of our sandwiches and ate river turkey...i thought...there has got to be a better way!

So when I became a Tupperware dealer, I discovered the value of the Modular Mates system. It is designed for the pantry...to keep moisture out (or in) as well as air and pests....super handy for those of us in old houses with mice!

Anyways...I packed our sandwiches in this modular mate (Rect 4) which held several sandwiches...I didn't count since I didn't know that I would eventually be blogging about it! Rough estimate would be between 12-18 sandwiches.

Anyways...Merle and I received a Coleman Xtreme Cooler for a wedding present and it ROCKS! I highly recommend it! Keeps ice for upto 5 days in 90 degree weather...no joke!

From Walmart.com

In this cooler the rectangle Modular Mates fit perfectly. Like so! (However the nice people at Tupperware have created not only rectangle but square, oval and super oval (as long as the rect but narrow like the oval)...there's a limited round collection as well.

In case you have a cooler of a different size)

(Mine are well used!) Anyways..you can stack them and mix and match them to fit.

1 Rect=1 square and 1 oval or 2 super ovals

1 Square=2 ovals or 4 rounds

I CANNOT handle when things get soggy from the ice melt...but i also dislike the room that ice packs take...esp since you can't refreeze them once you're already on the trip.

(Not that you can always buy ice but that's more likely...)

So in the modular mate system when the ice melts there is NO soggy food....no meat juice ice water either. I hate that! It makes me want to barf! In the picture above, there is room for ice to be dumped over and around the containers...I'm thinking I would probably fill a big one with water and freeze it or just fill it with ice cubes...I love adding ice to my water...but not the aforementioned meat juice ice. Or dirty little hands who drop the containers on the ground then put them right back into the cooler. I'm picky so sue me! :) What are the rules of my blog?

I did a little experiment to show the water tightness of the MM.

(This is not necessarily true of all Tupperware...just FYI)

Insert moldy piece of bread I found....

Yes that's my horse tank...Go big or go home!....

Floating upside down on the lid....Bubba's supervising...I have witnesses!....

....Even held it under water for a minute....

....The only water in it is what got in when I opened the lid....if it was actually food and not moldy bread I'd probably wipe the container off first.....

Good ole Chuckles (Lyla's mule) enjoying a Tupperware drink!

Ok so I've proved my point...now let me show you my thinking!

Ok so on a camping trip it takes lots of different foods in the same cooler. I typically brown our burger for tacos or whatever and put it in baggies and then in a TW container. Same with veggies, etc. However it didn't dawn on me until this trip that if I used the MM system to it's full potential it would fit in there so much nicer!

Is this confusing? Here's a pic....

Keep in mind I just used what I have on hand to demo....I don't typically take flower, sugar, etc camping!

Ok so you could put all your meat in one, veggies/fruit in one, cheeses in one, chocolate/snacks in one, juice boxes/packs in one, butter (this is a HUGE one for me!) in a small oval one, the list is endless!

I kinda want to go camping just so that I can try this method!

Here's a pic of my pantry....oh the perks of being a Tupperware lady! This has little to do with camping but lots to do with Tupperware!

When you aren't camping, the containers could be used in your pantry, bathroom, storage shed, toy room, etc etc etc.

(I use one for our dog meds since we for some reason store them in the bathroom where it's humid)

If you're interested in looking at the Modular Mates, check out my website:

www.my2.tupperware.com/lbierman

Other camping tips I've picked up along the way:

-Pack your deodorant in a plastic baggie and put in the cooler but it has the potential to get water logged so beware....melted deo does nothing for your B.O!

-always pack ziplock baggies...there's bound to be leftovers...

-...when you plan your menu...factor in leftovers. Eat leftovers for one meal, even if it's breakfast then you'll take less home. (I always worry about food spoilage and end up tossing out leftover food when I get home.)

-Freeze the Capris Sun juice packets. (Thanks Aunt DiDi for this tip) They can then be used as ice packs, drinks as they melt, or use for 'boo boo's, cut open and eat as popsicles, etc. Greatest tip ever!

-When you get home and clean out your cooler (I use Chlorox wipes) put a piece of cardboard (that leftover Capris Sun box works great) it will help keep out that nasty musty smell.

-Use ratchet straps to hang your clothes line or hammock. (Stole this one from our camp neighbors in SD) That way if you don't get it tight or it sags from the weight of the wet towels you can just tighten it up! Plus you're bound to have them to secure your load.

-I'm thinking about packing in one of those plastic drawer systems next time. Gotta use that vertical storage in a tent. It would be perfect for clothes, towels and drying dishes on top. Just pack in it and unload it. (Beware of it's non water tightness!)

-Save money by washing dishes. Chances are good that you have to wash your cookware so just take along 'real' dishes. We figure that if we used reusable dishes everytime we camp we could save $30 a year. Plus we only had to use one trash bag the whole time we camped...which was nice since we didn't have a fire to burn our trash in...darn burn ban!

-If you're camping with small children, get some glow sticks...you can put them on or around the tent stakes so no one trips, mark out the boundary so no one gets lost, subsitute them for fireworks, put them around the kids' ankles/wrist for easy ID in the dark, etc etc etc! I figure (esp since I sleep with a mask) that it could be handy to put one around the battery operated lanter or shoes for an easy find when you have to go out in the dark. No more rustling around the tent looking for the flashlight, etc.

-If you are camping with a group of people, split up your menu amongst you. This works out well because instead of packing 9 meals for a 3 day stay plus snacks/drinks, you only have to pack for say 3 meals. Plus it adds some variety to your menu. Be sure to check with the others!

-Take a big beverage cooler of water. You could pack drink mixes if you want some flavor. For instance on our trip to South Dakota, I just packed water bottles for each of us and I packed flavor packets for iced coffee. We saved so much money and since it was super hot I knew we were all getting plenty of hydration. It's easy to refill and I suppose if you wanted to pack just a few soft drinks you could clean the cans and put them right in the ice water.

(Thanks Mom and Dad for the use of your big cooler!)

-The last one is a tip from my mom that I'm still perfecting....Make a master list of all the things you know that you'll need everytime you camp. In my case I add to it every time because I always over look something! The last few times I've camped I've taken paper and wrote down all the things I've forgotten on that trip and added it to the master list. Do a Google search for some good ideas and formats. www.coleman.com has one that's pretty comprehensive.
My mom is the masterette of list making! I've really taken that for granted...

I suppose I'd better get going on the laundry and unpacking! The upside of no campfire is nothing smells like smoke! But still needs washed...so I guess it doesn't really matter!

I hope this post has given you some helpful tips for a fun and successful camping trip!

In the past month....

....we've worked, played, camped, read, cooked, finished, ran, sweated, paraded, grown, learned, celebrated, visited, loved and rested....and I got it all (almost) on camera!!

Worked: We've worked more on the bedroom, the garden, the lawn, our jobs...etc!

• Bedroom is nearly done...done enough for me! Merle still needs to trim the window and I gotta decide on what to do with the closet doors....it's so pretty...I wake up in the morning and just smile at the loveliness around me!

• Addy's Garden is growing well despite the dry weather. It's the first year since we put it in that it hasn't flooded! So I actually had to pull dry ground weeds like goat heads! The flowers are not as vibrant as some years but everything is doing well! We have our first (and only) apple! The high winds broke our flag rope so that stinks...

Also from the high winds brought lots of damage to my in-laws farm...so lots of work to help restore that...and get ready for Farmer's Market.

 PLAYING/CAMPING/SWIMMING/





 My kids love to 'act' for the camera! I love it! Happy face. :) Sad Face :(

 Mommy and P on the Ferris Wheel!

Daddy and Lyla (I love his soft spot for her!)

This year was too dry for fireworks (plus I really get nervous with sparklers and kids!) so we pulled out the glow sticks and shut the flash off on the camera and made some cool pictures!

Kids are ready for the river!

Merle and I took P on his first canoe trip...I think he had more fun with his cousin Evan on dry land than in the river!

Camping is always good for reading a good book! So far I finished:

-The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

 (terrible ending...like he ran out of time and needed to be done....there better be a sequel!!)

- A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury...

Super good book...downfall? Couldn't put it down and lost sleep! But yes I'll read the next one...and the next one....Hello Coffee Cup!

Currently Reading: Emma by Jane Austen

I find myself reading in a British Accent...is that odd?

Cooking:

Campfire cooking is so fun! Our favorite recipe is Walking Tacos (esp when you're feeding a group of newbies! They love this idea!)



RAN/SWEATED:

 

I ran a 5k in Ogallala on June 28 with a few gals....which proved to be a great time...despite the heat (104 degrees!) and time zone confusion! Then ran 2 miles with my Mama and a few others on the 4th....not as hot...still super fun!

 

 

Our shirts say: I've run everywhere, Man...the back list our runs. Ten cities for this mama!

PARADED:

We got to be in the Fourth of July Parade for the first time! Merle got to drive a team (a lifelong dream!) dressed as author James Herriot. The theme of the parade was the wonderful world of books...our book was 'All Creatures Great and Small' (Arnold Animal Clinic...get it? Coz he's a vet?) We don't think James Herriot had a wife in that book...but if he did...I tried my best to play the part of what she would have been like....in reality I had a BLAST! I ran out of candy prematurely...Merle kept telling me 'save it for the kids....Honey that's an old lady she doesn't need candy....Babe there's no kids in that group.' I pretty much threw candy at anyone who waved at me....SO FUN!

CELEBRATED/LOVED/VISITED:

Not my first niece but the first on my side! Audrina Anne arrived on Friday July 6...happy and healthy and darling...and I think looks a bit like Aunt Leron! :) She is so sweet! My kids absolutely love her! It's fun to have cousins on my side now!

(I had to get permission to post this pic...or else I'd have bunches more!!!

Darn overprotective bossy picture hogging first time parents!!! JK!)

Now we've had a few days to rest up and get ready for our family vacay to Rapid City...can't wait! And yet I'm a little tired just thinking about it! Be ready for more photo journaling!

A journey...a race...a song

It's been such a journey of so many emotions. Today's post should be the happier of the two dates...but I feel so much joy right now that I feel like I should explain the steps and the process that has gotten me here. Bear with me and please try to understand my heart...this will be a mixed up post...I don't really have a nice neat order to my thoughts today...and I'm not sure that I will be able to put them in order...but I really want to post this....so here goes...

Three years ago today I was in labor...still...and delivered a precious bundle of joy. Addison Rose. So much has happened in the past three years. June 12, 2009 I felt like my heart was complete...my family was whole. I felt happier than I've ever felt before or since. She completed me. She put the last piece of the puzzle into my heart. Or so I thought.

The day we brought her home I remember feeling that I was so happy...that we didn't need to have anymore kids. She was such a sweet baby. Oddly enough...I cannot for the life of me remember her cry. Surely she cried some....right? I remember her first almost giggle was right before she died...just days. I guess I'd rather remember her laughter than her tears.

I think of Psalms 127:1 'Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.' At the point where Addy was born I hadn't given my family to the Lord. I hadn't thought about what he might want. After she passed I realized that I had to give my family planning to the Lord. When we first got married we wanted like 6 kids...a six pack of Bierman...ha ha....then the contentment of having Addy...one boy and one girl...set in and I was good. But after we lost her, we felt like we should have another....but then we had a miscarriage on Christmas Day 2009. At that point, knowing that I was at only a 33% 'success' rate I had to prove to myself and the world that I could have another baby and that I could be a good mom....so not exactly letting the Lord build the house....and God and I have struggled with this one. The fact that adding more children will not make me a better parent...but rather following God's will and growing my faith in front of my child is what will count in the parenting stats....

Anyway...God blessed us with little Lyla love. And I was shocked when my heart didn't feel complete. And I got to realizing that I felt guilty that she didn't just click that puzzle piece into place like Addy. I felt broken still. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE Lyla. She is so precious to me. And I realize fully that she probably wouldn't be here without Addy's death. Not on purpose anyway. So that makes me stand in awe at what the Lord will possibly do with her life. That she is part of the Lord's blue print...plus she proved that God really does answer prayer....I prayed for the opposite of Addy...I thought that I'd go crazy if I had a baby who slept as much as Addy and was as easy going. So I got "CryLa"....I just picture God up there chuckling as I'm trying to praise him for giving me a healthy baby girl and pray for strength to make it through her temper/fussiness. Lyla is such a loving little miss...sometimes she just comes to me and it's like she knows that I need to feel loved and snuggles. I rock her for a while before nap and there are times when I just feel God's love surrounding me as Ly snuggles.

You remember my post about 'The Armor of God'....well I've been fighting tooth and nail. I used to be a crier...just bawl at TV commercials or crazy little things...but after Addy I couldn't make myself cry...and I'd get waylayed by a 'Bad Addy Day' and just be crippled by the tears. It's bothered me that I didn't feel like I felt anything anymore. I actually prayed that God would restore my emotions...for a long time I've had two feelings...'even' (like not happy not sad nothing) and mad. Even when I laughed it sounded foreign like someone else was laughing. I look at pictures and I'd lost the spark in my eye. People would comment that I was so fake...'You look like you hate being there'...and it was probably true...I saw it too...looked like a mugshot instead of a happy mama relishing the joyous people in her life.  I have tried to figure it out...I was in fear that this was how my life was going to be. Autopilot for the next how ever many years. Not that I was suicidal...just not looking forward to living another 70 years in this mediocre never happy never sad shell. I finally broke down on Easter...thanks to a particularly touching service. I went to the altar and wept to the song, "Because He Lives I can face tomorrow; Because He lives all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, and Life is worth the Living Just because He lives."  That song chorus says it all....Life is worth the living JUST because he lives.  I don't need any other reason to live my life to the fullest. Just knowing that I serve a LIVING God is all that I need. The same God who saw it fit to take my baby girl is the same God who comforts me and holds me and gives me strength. But not through osmosis...when I reach out for it. Nehemiah 8:10 says 'Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.' I tell you...I've struggled with this one! (what haven't I struggled with right!?) I didn't know how to GET the joy of the Lord. I wanted it. I pretended it. Just didn't feel it. So what gives? Then that little chorus said it all....I CAN face tomorrow...no doubt. That's a statement. All fear is gone...get rid of the fear...fear of the future. fear of the repeat of loss...fear of someone finding out that I don't really have it together...that I'm a fraud (of sorts...don't stop trusting me!) He holds tomorrow...so stop trying to hold it and mold it. He's got it. Life is worth living....so live it...LIVE it! For no other reason than because HE LIVES! Stop making it complicated! You're 27 with so much hurt and baggage. So what? You're also 27 with 7 years being married to a wonderful man who was made for you...and you have 4 children in your 'quiver.' Doesn't matter when I die...I will meet at least two little ones in Heaven. So it's not perfect and it doesn't fit in the pretty little frame that I once thought my life would fit in. I have felt my emotions come alive....in part to some medical findings...but I really feel that in part that has been because I've learned that the joy of the Lord is my strength...not 'My strength will produce joy...in the Lord.' I've also tried to learn how to release the fear of losing Lyla. I find myself doing things 'so that when she dies this is what I'll remember of her' like videoing her crying, laughing, sleeping, etc. It's creepy I know....but I've just felt like she has an expiration date...that it's only a matter of time until she's gone. Strangely I feel like I've accepted her passing....I know this is not healthy...but it's been true in the past. I'm moving past that. I'm learning like that song says to just trust the future. I'm learning not be live in fear. Be a brave Mama....we're gonna have all of our kids until we don't have them anymore...and that's it. And my memories will of the times that I loved them...and made memories for them....not being afraid that today is the day that I lose another one. (I keep praying that if God sees fit to give us more kids that He'll release that completely...Merle's theory is to keep having kids and see how much joy we can cram in these walls....slowly I'm beginning to agree...if the pitter patter of two pairs of feet fill my heart...how much more would more. This is a work in progress for sure.)

My faith has not wavered...which is weird to me....I've always trusted that this was God's will and I've accepted that this had to happen. I've prayed that it wouldn't be in vain. That some kind of good would come of this. I may never know the full extent of the good that came...but there's got to be some good some where. My faith is the one thing that I could count on. Just like Hebrews 11:1 says "Faith is being sure of what we know and certain of what we do not see'....I'm sure that God is still on His throne and that He loves me and that the gospels are true. I'm certain that, while I cannot see God or Addy, she's in Heaven with Him. And He's with me. I just opened the Bible and it opened to Isaiah 7:19...'If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.' I feel like that's a promise that I will stand again. STAND. Tall. Firm. Be at the top of my game again, if you will. And when I say it's weird it's just because I didn't think the faith part would be the easy part...and maybe it's because I'm just holding on to that as a cop out...(I'd like to think not....so we'll think of it my way...my blog my way...you know the rules!)

I've realized that what my family needs is not me to be strong. They need to see my faith in action. They need to see me grow in the Lord and heal. They don't need me to put a BandAid on it and wait for awhile and remove the BandAid and oh wow Mom's better. They need to know that it's ok to hurt and be torn apart....and that it's way ok to cry...they need to watch me lean on the joy of the Lord. Joy will return to our house. We're happy...we're healthy and we love each other. But what I want is that fountain of Joy...bubbling in every area of our lives. We're getting there. I think it starts a little bit with me....well no with me getting it from God...like a relay.

I feel that I want to weigh in on another subject...this one may be more sensitive to some of the dear mom friends that I have out there...I am not trying to lay guilt or make you feel bad..ok? About the time that Addy was born there were SEVERAL other little girls born within just months. Sometimes it hurts... a lot. Sometimes I just want to scoop their Addy-aged girls into my arms and play with their hair and do all the things I wish I could do with my three year old. Like her first dance recital...or whatever. I think about all the girls who are probably potty training...and talking and being sweet little three year olds. I want to play 'Babies' with them...I feel like a stalker typing this...I don't mean to. I am mostly blessed when I see these BEAUTIFUL girls...and in a way I live through watching them. I put myself in the place of their moms...just for a moment....to think, 'Wow this is what it would be like if Addy were here.' Yes it hurts...yes I get jealous...but mostly I just love them almost like an extended version of my love for Addy. I don't expect anyone to understand...just accept. Gosh I really feel like a creeper! I'm not I promise. I get to live vicariously through those girls. I won't forget or have to do the math in my head of what milestone Miss A would be at. I just look and see oh yes...PreSchool...Swimming Lessons...Kindergarten...4H...High School...Prom...Wedding...Etc etc. I am blessed when I see them growing and growing and getting more beautiful each day.

Back to the crying issue....I used to bawl at the beginning of a race. Well the past few races I haven't done that...and it bothered me. Most people would probably be glad to not blubber all the time...I missed it. I missed having that feeling in my chest. So anyways...Merle...aka Shrek....was putting in our ceiling fan in our room and all was going well and I was cheering and clapping and exclaiming...until he just broke the globe while screwing it on. Broke! I immediately burst into tears and left the room. This highly concerned Paxton. He comes in to where I was and asked why I was crying. I told him and asked him to just give me a minute. He goes and asks Dad why Mom is crying (which Daddy doesn't know coz it's been a while). He comes back and I've gotten it together...and he sits on the bathtub edge with me and says, "Wow mom...you cry A LOT quieter than me. A LOT. I cry really LOUD!" (For some reason I thought that was so cute!) Anyways...Merle and I just looked at each other...we realized how nice it was for me to be crying again. Is that weird? That a new found joy can be causing happiness over tears?

I ran a half marathon as most of you know from Facebook. And it was miserable. Reba pointed out that the last one I ran was in 2008 when I was pregnant with Addy. And this one was an attempt to get back out there and get in shape and get healthier. And to gain strength....so the half on Sunday was like coming full circle. I really felt some sort of closure. It was awful! I'm not sure I need to run a half marathon again. Oh I'll keep running but I think I'll take a break from those big distances....I have a marathon of my own to work out with grief. I can't really explain it but I feel at peace. Like of all that I've been through in 3 years its gonna be ok. Why? Maybe because I pushed through....found the breaking point....physically, emotionally, mentally...that I don't have to win or even be good at something to be worthy of completing it. Like the half marathon. I was like 4th from last with a time that was double that of the winner. 3 hours 39 minutes and 7ish seconds. I finished....I had a decent (fun for the first 10 miles!) time with someone who supports me and loves me for me....not because I'm fastest or best at dealing with pain or grief...but because she sees the strength in me and has faith that I can finish. And then when my mom came to join me on the course....it's strange because I thought I was gonna keel over, I don't know how I had any room for abstract thought....I realized that we're headed in the same direction...she and I have both lost daughters. That we are both strong women. Plus just jogging with my mom at my side helping me make it to the end was huge. I was crying as I crossed the finish line...and I think I was more impressed at my ability to let the tears fall than I was of finishing. It was an awesome finish....

Acts 20:24 says: I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.

I want these to be said of me when it's all said and done....

I don't want to live life just aiming to get to Heaven. I want to run the race...I want to live the 'life that's worth the living'...

So today, I realize that the journey is far from over but 'The Joy of the Lord is my strength...oh the joy of the Lord is my Strength.'

Happy Birthday Addy baby....we'll make you a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to You...and remember the joy that you filled our hearts with for 78 days. Your mama loves you so much. Kiss Jesus for me.

Thank you for stopping by and sharing in my journey of joy and faith...I value each of you and your support....

Update: One more step closer!

I'm pleased to announce.....we have texture AND a working closet!!!! Yes, at this point I'm squeezing all of the excitement out of this long drawn out process!

In case you can't tell...that's the texture. Funny story here....so Merle says, "Babe, can you come hold the cardboard while I texture around the windows and doors?" Me: "Sure! Should I change my clothes?" (My enthusiasm is because up until this point he has flat out refused ANY help with the mudding. I really wanted to help. But amateurs are NOT welcome to help with mudding...til now.) He replied, 'No they'll wash.'

(Ladies, at this point always get more clarification of that....I realize now that I should have asked a question requiring a more specific answer...)

So I hold the cardboard just so to keep our window, closet, etc from becoming covered in a 'heavy orange peel' texture. I positioned it...and I should have looked at my husband because I'm POSITIVE he'd have had a Texas sized grin on his face as he BLASTED me with texture! No joke I felt a little like the girl in Jurassic Park who pets the big brachiosauraus who lets out a big dino-sized sneeze and covers her in snot! I mean I might as well have just used my body to block the window! But of course I'm thinking this is probably very enjoyable for him...so did I complain? ZERO! I just stood there as he sprampted me with dry wall mud! I keep trying to think if there was a better way to hold it...or if it's just like a initiation into the 'secret circle of mudding experts.' I'll never know if he saw that coming or not...and there are no pictures of this because that would have outed my feigned 'aloofness' at the opportunity to be helping with the mud job. I took my glasses off and it was just like the cartoons....a perfect outline!

I hauled the dresser into the closet today so I can actually start putting laundry away as I get it done...because, thanks to unforeseen circumstances (ahem sanding!), most of our clean laundry that was folded neatly thrown in a heap outside the bedroom door now has a nice layer of dust and dry wall mud on it (ahem texturing with no door....awesome) so I'm very anxious to be able to PUT CLOTHES AWAY!!! I am aware that I still need to paint but I'm 1000% sure that I can paint without affecting the cleanliness of our clothing! I'm so happy to see that pile outside of our bedroom door slowly shrinking! And shoes have a home! Yeah...it's the small things for sure!

We are scheduled to paint tomorrow! Aka laugh, giggle, and pee our pants....and by WE, I in no way mean Merle and I...he hasn't been inducted into the 'secret circle of painting experts.' (so there!) I have a dear friend who most definitely owes me a painting favor....(you know who you are, Mrs. Owner of DownHome Emporium!)  I'd be tackling the paint job tonight but I've got a baby shower to host....and no way am I going to that all hyped up on paint fumes and with paint in my hair! One shower in a day is good enough for me!

So hear are the latest closet photos:

(Probably should have painted the dresser...another YEAR another furniture upgrade!) 

Today I also sorted out our hangers. My husband and I have severely different opinions of hangers. I will only use the plastic ones with the notch in them for shirts....he however refuses to use them! I have finally gotten him to convert a tiny bit to plastic hangers without the notches. I'm married to Shrek...no joke. He is so strong without even realizing it. I have seen him break a hanger and rip a shirt taking it off the notchy hanger. So I sorted them out. Mine on the right (same side of the bed I sleep on); his on the left. And yes our drawers are labeled...it's not really necessary...I just had a hay day with the labeler one day.

  I'm also realizing that the Hubbs made the closet considerably bigger...so thanks dear!

Bag #1 of sheets and linens...not organized mind you...but up and out of the way! Yahoo!

This little guy was absolutely necessary for getting said bag into closet! It's gonna be handy!

Mama's shoe hanger hung...now to find all of my shoes! This makes me more excited that I can tell you!  Can I get a Ka-Chi-ga?!

So thanks for stopping by today! I'd love to hear about your closet wars...my husband and I can't be the only kooks out there!

Update: Closet Frame

My dad came and helped Merle last night on the closet....(while Mom helped with the insanity of my children!) So they got it framed up...

It is so incredibly tall! I love it!!!

Took us a while....I'm a little picky....the lines HAVE to match up! They just have to!

Thank you gracious Hubby for putting up with me!!

Test run to double check that the bag will in fact fit! Thanks Daddy!

(Update...seeing the bag in there made us decide not to put a second shelf up there...I'd never be able to reach it!)

I'm a little A LOT giddy about this progress! (Plus we realized that we didn't get any shelving which might result in a trip to Menards....which ALWAYS means DaTe NiGhT!!! And since Tues is our SEVEN year anniversary...I see that as a very good thing!)

Linen Closet Madness

So lately my GREATEST obsession is my soon to be linen closet! I have never lived in a house with a linen closet and thanks to my wonderful hubby....I'M GETTING ONE IN THE NEW BEDROOM!!!

This is a crazy little dream of mine. Even when I was a little girl (ok maybe at least a teenager) I loved linen closets! I remember Gramma's always smelling so so so good! I love it when you have clean linen in a closet, a box or trunk and then when you open it...ah clean laundry smell. Well actually in this house my linens are a little like this....a sheet here in this drawer, a pillowcase in the buffet in the dining room....etc. It's crazy!

The linen closet of my dreams is like this....Baskets to hold the sheets. Each sheet set tied with a ribbon and a size label. Here are some pictures of my inspiration....(Can't stand Martha Stewart in action...but adore her organizational mind and crafty ways!)

Photo found HERE

Photo Found HERE

Photo Found HERE

I'm really quite glad that I'm not the only nut job that can't wait to have my linens in order! I have a plethora of towels so I'm sure that some of those will find a home in the closet as well. I should have measured to see if my upholstery cleaner would fit in there...but then again...we're going for pretty here!!

So a friend of mine sells Thirty One and I'm IN LOVE with their goods! I can't even say that I have a favorite because it's all so good! I have this huge bag (false, I have TWO of these)....

...and I use it for EVERYTHING! Load it with the grocery bags & take less trips from the car to the house, going to the lake/river/camping, quilting outings, laundry basket, traveling toy box, the list literally goes on and on and on!

Anyways as I was doing laundry and folding sheets and putting them in my large utility tote, I asked my Darling Husband if he thought that 2 of these bags would fit sideways in the new linen closet....he said, "Uh babe, Four of those will fit in long ways."

At that point I almost hyperventilated!

(He responded, "It scares me a little at the way that your whole face just lit up!")

(You can find these totes and SO many more at Amanda's website HERE!!! Double bonus for the company is that they are a Christian company based on Proverbs 31....love that!)  

So the storage basket issue is solved! Since the closet is so high, it won't be overly convenient to get in and out of so having the ability to just grab a bag and then slide it back up there will be nice. I'm still trying to decide if I should get them monogrammed on the ends so they are labeled....hmmm....thoughts anyone?

Ready to see the 'plans'?...they're pretty rough since I made them in Microsoft Word...but you'll get the point!

Isn't it great!? So it's going to be above our regular closet since in an old house you just have to take what you can get. We raised our ceiling about 13 inches or so i think which gives us 28 inches about the closet. (i think, don't quote me!)....

(stay tuned I just found and AMAZING idea!!!! Another day; another remodel!)

Above the four bag shelf will be another shelf....what to put up there? Just blankets? Misc Storage? Hmm not sure.....

Anyways...Wednesday the ma-in-law had a meeting in town, so the sis in law and I hit Menard's for the closet supplies. (Is it necessary to point out that we were able to do all of this without the assistance of a worker bee and in only 50 minutes? I think yes!)

 So technically, the following pictures are the 'BEFORE' photos of the closet....

(She was so cute holding on to it! Look at her white knuckles! We had to borrow Cowboy Paxton's rope to tie the load together so it wouldn't shift on them...(Didn't get his picture! :( oops!) Once I got out the camera she got all cheesy but before she was serious as can be...like she was thinking, 'Good thing one of us is sane!')

This was before the Wal-Mart leg of the journey! By the time we headed home, this what the load included: 8- 2x4 precut studs, 8-1x4x10s, 6- 1x6x10s, 1-1x8x10, 4 drywall corners (3- 6' 9" & 1- 9 ft), 4 sticks quarter round (8 ft), 2 children, 3 adults, 5 tiki torch sticks, big bundle paper towels, 8 Wal-Mart sacks, three birthday presents, toys/games for the kids & our lunch! There was no changing the radio or the temperature...well I could turn it up or down....It was an adventure! :)

I totally can hardly wait for Merle to be able to put this bad boy in! I'm giddy about it!

I'm listing a few of my newly found favorite organization blogs....

Vanilla Joy

FLY Lady

Organized Home

Simple Organized Living

I hope you all enjoy my ramblings...my bestie just can't believe I could obsess so much over a linen closet...she doesn't get it...her house is modern and has lots of storage, like her laundry that has it's own room...isn't that right Jenn!?

And now for that AMAZING storage idea.....

Find that link HERE. There's some neat 'history' behind the idea.

Speaking of stairs, look where I found my son sleeping yesterday morning!!!

Ok I believe that's all for today! Have a great day and thanks for stopping by the Pinwheel Pioneer!