A Living Room Reveal

So, a long time ago, I wrote about helping my friend Hope with her living room.  She was eager to make the room reflect her personality better, and she really wanted a space that felt breezier, fresher, and more inviting.  It whole thing was a process instead of an overnight venture because Hope, like most of us, had a budget and a hectic life.  Well, this morning, she sent me pictures of the room how it looks today, and I thought I would share.

First, just as a reminder, this is the photo Hope ripped out of a magazine as her inspiration.  She loved the green, blue, and yellow all together, the pictures over the couch, and the farm-fresh feel.

White slipcovers were not an option with four little boys, but we did manage to capture a more casual feel in Hope's house.

Here is the fireplace before...

and after:

Before, the dark colors competed with the yellow walls, and the blue curtains seemed out of place:

... but now everything works so harmoniously:

Before:

After:

Check out that gorgeous photo gallery wall!!

Isn't it fantastic?  I think we're going to move the photos down a little bit and leave room for a gallery light above them, which would just be the icing on the already-delicious cake.  

The tan love seat you see in the foreground is an awesome story.  Hope had these two dark chairs that are not that old, but the filler was falling out of them.  She called Macy's to ask if there was anything they could do, and they promised to send new cushions free of charge.  That was good because they were expensive chairs, but the bad part is that the chairs did not at all fit the design of the room, and we couldn't figure out how to make them work.  

At least with new cushions, Hope could justify the cost of slipcovering them, which she was considering.  However, that was still going to be costly, so we were sort of ignoring them for the time being.

Then, a few weeks later, Macy's called her out of the blue and told her that they no longer made the correct inserts for that chair, so they were just going to give her a store credit to use instead.  Enter the new loveseat!

We were limited by the amount of money Macy's offered and the selection they had, so we chose this very neutral piece that had the same shape to it as her existing couch.  It clearly doesn't "match" the room, but it blends in beautifully.  Now I just need to look for perfect pillows to tie the loveseat to the other furniture!

Besides the obvious couch and picture frames for the gallery wall, the other new big piece was the fantastic rug.  I was ecstatic when I found it.  It ties the blue, yellow, and green together perfectly and brings the whole room together.  Plus, it is soft and able to be vacuumed.

The other changes included new throw pillows, new, inexpensive lamps, and a few white accessories (including several picture frames that got a facelift with spray paint).  

All in all, I'd say that Hope's version of country chic came together perfectly for this beautiful family of six.  What a joy it was to help someone else fulfill a vision and feel more in tune with her surroundings. I know I, for one, will smile every time I sit in that room enjoying a cup of coffee.  Love you, Hope!

Cora's Big Weekend

The last three days have been big for Cora.  On Saturday morning she went to her buddy Dylan's birthday party.  It was her second ever birthday party, and she just loved it.  For two days after the party, she recounted details to anyone who would listen: "Cake!  Trains!  Dylan!  Happy birthday to you! Pretty!  Garden!  Water!  Fun!"

The party was at Cheekwood Garden, which is an absolutely beautiful area in northwest Nashville.  There was a train exhibit that the kids were able to enjoy, and after a little time wandering and running around, the kids had cake, which was Cora's favorite part.

Her other favorite part was probably playing with her buddy, Joshua.  She is absolutely crazy about him, and I'd say it's mutual.

On Saturday evening, Cora went to her first ever ball game.  We went to a Nashville Sounds game, and we made it halfway through the game without having to head home, which I would say is pretty successful with two small children.

While Cora cheered for the team, Brennan and his buddy Mason were only interested in being crazy together.

The biggest deal for Cora came on Monday morning.  It was her first day of Mother's Day Out!! Truthfully, I don't know who it was a bigger day for, Cora or Mommy.  But both of us did really well.

It seems like Cora has grown up overnight.  Sometimes I just want to freeze time.

Lakeview at Fontana

Jim and I just got back from a glorious weekend in the North Carolina Smokies.  I am refreshed and recharged, and I only wish I could have stayed longer!  I really think I'd like to go back with some girlfriends for some R & R sometime. (Any takers?)

The place to which we escaped is a little place called Lakeview at Fontana that was featured as a Living Social Getaway.  It is described as "rustic chic" which is a perfect explanation.  Think of it as camping for the person who hates camping.

We didn't get a suite, but I would definitely spring for one next time.  Our queen room was just big enough for a queen-sized bed and there wasn't much counter space or anyplace to sit down and relax comfortably.  It was also super old.  It was only a place where we slept and showered, and it was not a room we would hang out in, strictly because of space.  However, it was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the shower was hot, it did have a little charm, and it didn't really matter to me that I couldn't hang out in it because this is what awaited us outside our door:

Each morning I spent hours with my reading material, my own pot of french press coffee, and a stunning view.  The first morning I sat out there for about three hours by myself while Jim slept in.  It was glorious.

The second morning I only had about an hour and a half out there because we had to go get our hot stone massages.  Did I mention this place has a spa?  :-)

Each morning there was a delicious European-style breakfast, and it was hard not to go back for second (or third) cream puffs.

I couldn't bring myself to stay indoors for breakfast, but had it been raining, the cafe would have beckoned me.  It was soooo charming.

On Saturday, when I finally decided to pull myself away from the deck, we decided to go into Bryson City to pick up some sandwiches for a hike.  We headed to a nearby area popular for tubing and hiking.  We saw a few beautiful waterfalls...

... and we persevered past the masses of people walking with giant tubes to an area that was restricted to tubers.  From that point on, we didn't see another soul for hours.  We found this charming little area where we enjoyed our sandwiches...

... and then we felt a few drops of rain.  We decided to take a different way back to our car, which was not the wisest decision.  It was a straight uphill mountain hike on narrow, switchback trails, and it started to pour.  We were in the middle of nowhere in a rainstorm, miles from our car, I was getting blisters on my ankles, and I was dizzy from the twists and turns and having to focus on my feet.  At one point I just stood still in the rain and said to Jim, "What in the heck are we doing?!?!"  We both just laughed.  It was refreshing, ridiculous, and a little romantic.

When we got back to the resort, we were filthy, wring-out-your-clothes wet, and my ankles were really ripped up.  But I was thankful for an awesome memory.  We got cleaned up and went to an awesome coffee shop / wine cafe in Bryson City for crepes and wi-fi (we didn't have internet, a television, and I had no cell phone signal while we were there!).  We did a little window shopping, stopped and got ice cream, went back to the resort, and read until we were ready for bed.  It was an awesome day.

This was exactly the kind of weekend we both needed.  We needed to unplug, unwind, and take life slowly.  We needed to be quiet, enjoy simple pleasures, and laugh.  Usually I'm a get-up-and-go kind of vacation girl, and I am not a beach person because I can't stand lying still for so long, but this was our own version of a beach trip.

I'm so thankful to my in-laws for allowing us to have this weekend.  We couldn't have afforded to pay for it all by ourselves, and we needed it.  Plus, my mother-in-law happily watched the kids while we were away, so I was able to rest easy.  That was a huge gift, too.  Thanks, Sharon and Jim!

I have a much healthier view of life right now, and I am excited that one week from today we will know the name of Brennan's kindergarten teacher!

Here's to celebrating eleven wonderful years of marriage!

I've Been a Bum(mer)

I haven't been much of a blogger lately.  I could say that I've been too busy, but that would be a lie.  I've just been unmotivated.  I don't know how to do light-hearted, silly posts when my heart is heavy, and I'm tired of focusing on difficult things, so I have just avoided writing altogether.

It is hard to explain why I've been so down.  Life has just been hard.  Our medical bills have been causing a lot of stress, several friends near and far have been through huge, life-altering things lately (major surgery, a nearly fatal car accident, cross-country moves, marital problems, grief, and fertility issues), and the summer heat (and humidity) is oppressive and feels endless.

Yesterday I headed to the dentist for my cleaning, and I was sick with dread.  I have noticed for the last two weeks that one of my teeth is looking funny and appears to have something terribly wrong with it.  I was just sure the dentist was going to have really bad news.  I kept thinking about thousands of dollars in dental work and how we just don't have it right now.  I kept picturing an ugly smile and how self-conscious that would make me.  I sat in my car before the appointment and prayed to / pleaded with God to spare us one more thing right now.  At the end of the appointment, when the dentist told me that everything was fine and was nothing to worry about, I actually started to cry.  It hadn't seemed possible at the start of the appointment that everything would be okay.  But God can do anything, and He did.

That dentist appointment somehow felt like a turning point for me.  It was the first good news I've had in a while.  It was like a huge ray of sunshine in the middle of storms.  God is working on my behalf, and He chose to show me when I needed it most.  This is a difficult season, but it will end at some point.

We are entering a new season, and I'm ready.  Right now everything is in limbo, and I am ready to stop worrying about change and get started.  I'm ready for cooler weather, a routine, and a new normal.  Let's get this party started.

Life is a Bowl Full of Cherries

Yesterday we spent the day at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital having tests done on Cora.  She had an ultrasound and a VCUG (Voiding Cysto-Urethogram) which basically involved a catheter, dye, tons of x-rays, and lots and lots of tears.  It's a very invasive, frightening test for a little person, and Cora had it done on no sleep, right in the middle of naptime (not my choice).

We found out that Cora has something called VUR (vesicoureteral reflux), which is a pediatric condition that allows urine to flow backwards from the bladder to the kidneys.  If untreated, this condition can cause kidney infections, kidney damage, scarring, high blood pressure, and other issues.  Fortunately, we should be able to keep problems at bay with a daily low-dose antibiotic and monitoring by a urologist until she outgrows the condition.  If you want a simple, easy-to-understand explanation of VUR, check this website.

This diagnosis comes on the heels of a lot of other medical stuff we've had going on.  Cora has been sick on and off for about a month (related to the VUR), and before that, if you remember, I hurt my back and had to have x-rays and chiropractic care.  To add to the fun, Jim had to have a root canal and a crown a few weeks ago, to the tune of $2000.

We haven't had too many breaks in these last twenty-one months and neither has our bank account.  Colic, reflux, milk protein problems, ear infections, tubes, VUR... It is all starting to take its toll.  I'm tired and I'm discouraged.  I'm concerned about money and how we will get through any more emergencies.

Each day I find myself scheming for ways I can make a few dollars.  I've looked into tutoring and selling craft items as well as a few other things, but none of them seem right.  Deep in my heart I know that my attempts to find a financial solution are really just me not trusting God.  I truly, truly believe that I need to focus on my family this fall.  We are on the brink of so many changes: kindergarten, seminary, women's ministry, and several other new things that are new to our plates.  And every money-making thing I think of feels like more of a distraction than a blessing.  Unless I can find a job I love that pays me to work only two days a week while Cora is at Mother's Day Out (also a potentially new thing this fall) and doesn't require extra time on the side, I can't see how the income could be less than a hindrance.

And still I fear.

Last night I led a Bible study on the parable of the sower from Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.  This is one of Jesus' more well-known parables about the seed being scattered on different types of soil.  At the end of his explanation of the parable, Jesus says this:

"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."  Luke 8:15

I LOVE that when I looked up verses yesterday for my own life (unrelated to my preparations for the Bible study), I found Jeremiah 17: 7 and 8:

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

I just don't think these connected verses are a coincidence.  I can't claim to be good soil and have God in charge of my life if I'm not bearing fruit.  And I can't bear fruit if I'm afraid and trying to control everything.  So even though I don't know where our money will come from, I will try to stop worrying and trust that God will provide. (Matthew 6:25 - 33)

Even though I don't know what will happen with Cora's health and kidneys, I will believe that God has a plan for her life and wants to prosper her and not harm her. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Even though I'm intimidated by this huge time of change our family has ahead of us, I will believe that God is leading our family and will honor our desire to serve Him. (Matthew 6:33)

I'm eager to produce good fruit, but some days I just crave chocolate.

A Busy 4th of July Weekend

Independence Day weekend was super busy in our house!  Here is how we spent our weekend:

Saturday:

Our friends Josh and Cat came over to help make placemat purses for the girls we sponsor.  We sponsor a little girl named Mayerli who shares Cora's birthdate, and Josh and Cat sponsor six girls, five of whom can receive small gifts through the mail.

I loved the idea of making and personalizing a bag because it's useful for any age, and a placemat purse seemed like a great option because it's so easy and inexpensive.  Plus, this size bag would actually fit in the envelopes allowed by World Vision.

If you've never made (or heard of) a placemat purse, just google it to find plenty of online tutorials and videos.  Basically, you take a placemat, fold it in half, stitch up the sides, make a few more stitches to form the bottom of the purse, and add some ribbon handles.  It is seriously easy for anyone who can sew a straight line on a sewing machine.

Everyone got in on the action, and it was especially fun watching Jim teach Josh how to iron.  :-)

When the bags were stitched together, we used freezer paper stencils and fabric paint to add the girls' names.

Partway through the morning, Jim received an awesome - but crazy -  text message:

He recently applied to take some online classes through Dallas Theological Seminary, and this is how he found out he was accepted!!  Have times changed, or what?  Anyway, he registers this week and starts his first class at the end of August.  He is hoping to get a Masters in Christian Education.  It will probably take around six years to finish the program because he is only going to take a few classes at a time, but he does hope to eventually finish.  Exciting stuff!

Anyway, back to the bags.  

Brennan worked on drawing pictures for the kids while I wrote letters and everyone else finished up the bags.  In the end, I think they came out super cute.

One of Josh and Cat's bags was still drying, so they just have four here to show off.  I think the kids will just love them!  And they only cost us about $4.50 each!  Rock on!

Sunday:

We joined our friends, the McGregors, at the splash pad in nearby Smyrna.  The kids played in the water, and when everyone was worn out, we had a picnic dinner in a beautiful area with perfect weather.  

I realized when we got home on Sunday night that Cora is starting to become like one of the "big" kids.  She went on a little walk with Alana, Brennan, and me and kept up with all of us, she sat at the picnic table and ate her dinner, and she made her needs known throughout the day.  Where has time gone?

Monday: 

We had a lazy day, cooked hot dogs and brats on the grill, and at night Brennan and I drove over to the nearby elementary school to watch the local fireworks.  They didn't start until 9:30 PM, and fifteen minutes into the show, Brennan fell asleep.  He startled awake at one point and begged me to take him home.  I watched the finale through my rearview mirror and had him in bed, sound asleep, while most people were probably fighting to get out of the parking lot.

Since I have no good pictures to share from Monday, I'll show a few pictures of the kids dressed for church on Sunday.

I bought their outfits last year at after-holiday sales, and it was so fun to see them on!  Someday I'll probably get most of my money back as I consign them.  It will be hard to part with this dress, though.  It's just so sweet!

I hope you had a great Independence Day!  What did you do to keep busy?