Postponed

I have always loved the idea that whenever our friends and family wish to get updated on our life they can simply take a look at this blog and have a pretty good idea of recent happenings, complete with photos and video. That was, in fact, the sole purpose of creating this blog. I do not make a habit of using this blog as a journal in which to capture my daily thoughts - not that I find anything wrong with that, but that isn't why we created the blog. I do love journaling, but it often captures more personal information than I care to post on a blog for so many eyes to see. There are just many aspects of our life that we prefer to keep private, and thus off the blog.

However, if we as a family hide the struggles we are facing, are we really giving you an accurate picture of our life? Probably not. I think there are a lot of people today, Christians included, who are afraid to let others in on their personal struggles, for fear of appearing like they don't have it all together. A wife is afraid to admit her marriage is in turmoil. A husband is afraid to admit that he lost his job. A couple is afraid to admit their infertility diagnosis. Are we helping ourselves get through these struggles by not sharing them, or are we hindering ourselves? Because the truth is that none of us have it all together.

The Bible instructs us on the importance of lifting one another up in prayer and encouragement, and I think an important part of that is sharing with your friends and family what they can specifically be praying for on your behalf.

A few months ago we decided we were ready to pursue our second IVF cycle. We passed all the right medical tests and did all the right planning. Today is the day we were supposed to leave for Seattle to "make it all happen". Unfortunately, last Friday they discovered a cyst on one of my ovaries and our cycle was indefinitely postponed. I have a follow-up appointment in a few weeks to check on the cyst.

We trust in God's plan and timing, but that doesn't mean we aren't disappointed. Please be praying with us that God would remove this cyst and that we would be able to reschedule the IVF cycle in the near future. But mostly, please pray that we would be blessed with patience as we learn to wait on Him.

Thank you!

Ten on Tuesday

1. It has been somewhat of a discouraging week (the details of which I will share at a later date), but we know that God is still in control. In praying with my sister on Friday she mentioned a wonderful study she was doing on Habakkuk. Then today I found this scripture on another blog:

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." Habakkuk 2:3

I think its time that I read Habakkuk again.

{**Yes, it certainly is! After publishing this blog post I did some online research on this passage and realized that my use of this scripture is out of context. In this passage God is referring to the upcoming destruction of Judah - obviously not really applicable to our current circumstance. So I apologize for my lack of knowledge on this book of the Bible. However, God goes on to say: "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." Here is a neat commentary I found on this passage: "Just as we do not always understand the reasons for suffering and violence in a particular situation, Habakkuk did not understand the reason for the righteous to suffer along with the wicked in God's punishment of Judah. God simply tells Habakkuk that the just live by their faith. It is our faith that keeps us going in times of suffering. And by our faith we are confident that God is with us and that He works all things together for good to those who love Him (Rom. 8:28)." We may not understand why we face certain trials in this life, but through faith we can know with certainty that God has a bigger plan. My mission this week is to read through Habakkuk; I will report back to you on it soon.**}

2. My hubby turns 30 this week. Happy birthday, babe! As I am three months older than him, I always love this time of year, when our ages match each other for the next 9 months. Whatever it takes to make me feel like I am not the older spouse in this marriage, right?

3. I tackled another household furnishing project this weekend: a fun chair to go with my new craft desk. In true "decorating with what you have cuz you don't have a whole lotta money" fashion, I dug out this old hand-me-down from a simple dining set we had in our early married days.

BEFORE:

Please don't ask about the visible upholstery stain because I have no idea what happened there, nor do I want to know.

AFTER:

What would the world be without spray paint?

4. I am sending out some blog love this week. These sites are really inspiring my home decor and new found furniture hobby:

Pure&Lovely
Perfectly Imperfect

The Frosted Gardner

5. Have I told you that my husband makes the world's best meatloaf?

Well, he does.

6. My fall love this week:

mums...

...and football.


7. Disney Movie Trivia: "Your ma ain't crazy. She's just broken-hearted. And it ain't nobody's fault you got them big ears...As a matter of fact, I think they're very decorative. You know, lots of people with big ears are famous!"
{Last week's answer: Toy Story 2}

8. You would think my kiddo has been reading Webster's Dictionary with how many new words he is learning these days.

9. Justin has requested a homemade cheesecake for his birthday dinner this weekend. I love to bake, and I love cheesecake, but I have never baked a cheesecake before. Wish me luck!


10. This Week's Blessing: Learning (once again) to trust God's plan and timing.

Our Early Halloween

Here is our little Jedi, or Padawan to be exact.

Note: Did you know that there is a Wookieepedia? (think Wikipedia for Star Wars) No, I am not kidding. How else would I confirm how to spell Padawan?

On Friday evening we took Kendry for his first trick-or-treating experience in downtown Clarkston, where they close the main street and the businesses host all the little kiddos. Kendry was so excited to have such a large open space to run that he hardly bothered with the candy collection. He only came home with 5 or 6 pieces. Apparently his sweet-tooth mommy needs to teach him a thing or two about free candy.

He also had his first fire engine experience - a fairly anti-climactic event since he has yet to understand what a fire engine is/does.



Jedi Lesson #1: Keep all vital body parts clear of your light saber.

Okay, so he has a lot to learn before he is an official Jedi. But he did seem to understand that the light saber was a crucial detail to his get-up and he carried it everywhere.

Then on Saturday Kendry got dressed up again to see his great-grandparents.

Even a Jedi needs a cookie now and then.

And a little cuddle time with Great Grandma.

This year I remembered to get some video as well:

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

Ten on Tuesday

1. I finished Kendry's trick-or-treat bag this weekend by stitching a candy corn print fabric to the handles. I also added a "K" in the same fabric.


2. I am an auntie again! My little niece, Londyn Marie, was born on October 20th.

3. We are currently in the market for a training potty. No, I don't think Kendry is ready just yet to start potty training, but I like the idea of having one in the bathroom to perk his interest a bit.

4. My fall love this week comes in the form of the beautiful maple trees my hubby planted in our back yard a few years ago. They are called October Glory. I'm sure you can see why.

5. Disney Movie Trivia: "I'm packing your extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes just in case."

{Last week's answer: Alice in Wonderland}

6. To all you Washington voters: don't forget to mail in your ballot this week!

7. After slacking off for way too long when it comes to introducing ourselves to our neighbors, I have met four of our neighbors (and one neighborhood dog) in the last two weeks. It feels great!

8. I met one neighbor at her recent yard sale, where I found a spectacular vintage piano bench to restore. This neighbor had so many wonderful things that were right up my alley when it comes to decor. She just might end up being my very favorite neighbor.

9. I love being a parent with my hubby, and can't wait to do it again...and again...and again, God willing.

10. This Week's Blessing: Our kiddo learning how to pick up his toys! Apparently he has been doing this for awhile at daycare, but he knew how to play the "baby card" when we tried to get him to clean up at home. Not anymore, kiddo!

Fabulous Furnishings and Fall Film Festival

In my efforts to be frugal over the last few years I have discovered a new passion of decorating with what I already have - or decorating with what other people are getting rid of for cheap. Specifically, I enjoy finding good quality pieces of furniture that just need some TLC. And by refinishing them myself they become unique additions to our home.

My most recent project was an old desk given to me so generously by my in-laws. I was in dire need of a simple desk to place in my spare room (where I keep all my crafting supplies), but I could not justify spending the money on a brand new desk. Fortunately, my in-laws were doing some re-arranging and decided to get rid of this piece in the process.

Here is the desk before its facelift. The top was in such poor shape that my hubby removed it and cut a new one for me.

After a lot of sanding and attaching the new top, we moved it inside for painting.




Finally, the finished product:




Yes, I am aware that it looks totally girly in this color, but that is exactly what I was going for - and it fits in with my spare room decor. This will serve as my sewing, crafting and scrapbooking space, so I wanted the desk to be an inspiring piece. I plan to spend a great deal of time here over the next two months in anticipation for the holiday season.

Which leads me to the second part of this post: my fall film festival. When I am crafting I love to have pretty music or a fun movie on in the background. Since I have quite a few projects ahead of me I made a list of some of my favorite movies to keep me company. Most of them have a fall or holiday theme.

My picks:
1. One True Thing (a great mother/daughter movie)
2. When Harry Met Sally
3. You've Got Mail
4. Planes, Trains & Automobiles
5. Little Women
6. Stepmom


Can you think of any others I should add to my list?