Ree

About a month ago, my dear friend and I spent Valentine's Day together. Being single, this was greatly appreciated and I loved an excuse to stand with her for hours.

Christi and I are quite infatuated with someone known as The Pioneer Woman. And if you don't know who I'm talking about, SHAME!

No that's not nice, but really. You should at least click on this link to her website to see exactly what I'm talking about and share in our affinity for her.

We couldn't believe months before that she would be gracing us with her presence in Dallas and I thought, 'Its not even a question. I'm going.' I have to pause and give props to my oldest sister for telling me about Ree back in 2009. Thank you, thank you!

Okay, so back to Valentine's Day, we went to Borders in Dallas to see her. But early that day, on my way to class, I stopped by to grab the wristbands that account for your placement in line. Good thing I did because we stood in line for 3 hours, I believe? And they weren't even halfway through the line at that point.

pheww.

Anyways. I wanted to share with you the EPIC experience.

It. was. surreal.

When I walked in, I saw the back of this.......

uh, hellllo marlboro man.

*He signed my book. I drew the line there. Picture with him, no. Picture of him, yes.*

One of my favorite people of all time. I think we met....almost 20 years ago. 20 years.

Standing in line for that long can really do a number on you. But it doesn't shake the excitement.

There's the back of my head. And probably the moment when I was telling her how my sister wanted so badly to be there but she was literally about to go into labor so....and then she replied with an, 'oh I wish she would have. I would have loved to deliver her baby, I'm serious.'

Oh Ree. Considering all you accomplish in one day, I'm sure you could have.

Do you ever see pictures like this with someone you don't know, and wonder why everyone looks so uncomfortable. Well its because YOU'RE NERVOUS and SWEATING PROFUSELY. And thinking, 'man I really hope the way I'm standing doesn't look funny'.

Well personally I think I looked ridiculous but I was also still completely excited. But she was a doll and I loved meeting her.

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Short story behind this picture:

My sister gave me her book for Christmas and it came in February. I was just so excited to have it in my hands so I was taking a picture of it, obviously.

But then my best friend Meredith convenient calls me as I'm doing so and here's our short conversation:

Me: Hey

Mer: Hey what are you doing?

Me: Uh, just taking pictures of my book.

Mer: You're taking pictures of your book?! WHO takes pictures of their book. Shouldn't you be reading it?

Me: Listen, I just got it and I'm really excited about it so leave me alone.

Maybe you had to be there. But I took a picture of this too.....

Love you too, Ree.

Love you too.

the epitome of a teacher

I have two older sisters. One is a kindergarten teacher.

All bias-ness aside, I have never experienced such a phenomenal teacher and a blessing. She puts herself last in respect to her students and no matter what, loves the children she's been given and pursues their hearts and minds with fervor, compassion, and love.

I have never met someone with a heart quite like hers. As my sister, I know her quite well. Spending the majority of your life sharing a bathroom with someone you get to know them fairly well. And when they let you sleep in their bed with them until a ridiculous age, because of your personal insecurities, you get to know them even better. She can be a spit fire. She can burst into song. She can be bossy because that's the way God made her. And as a younger sister, there were plenty of times that I didn't understand or appreciate those good qualities in her. But I realize now, those are the perfect qualities of a kindergarten teacher. Are they not?

Mel, I know that the past few weeks have been really rough. You have been doing a phenomenal job on your first year. I simply want to reach out for a minute to say I love you, keep it up, and the best is yet to come. I know the uncertainty of life is breaking your heart. I know there have been plenty of things pulling at you, testing your heart and spirit in every facet of your life. But you, my sister, have been created for such a rare and special reason. You have qualities that outweigh many others. You have compassion that transcends any heart ache. You have endurance that knows no bounds. You have a way of loving little ones that is restorative and many wish they knew. God created you in such a specific and majestic manner. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Even though you don't know what lies ahead for this part of your life and feel just so uncertain, don't you forget that He knows exactly what He is doing.

Even in the moments where you can't imagine it going well or working out, it always does and always will. Why? Because you know the God of creation who establishes your steps. The same God who commands the morning and causes the dawn to know its place knows the plans He has for you. And without a shadow of a doubt cares deeply for His daughter.

Even now, you set examples for me in life. You show how to trust and obey and how to praise Him even in moments of weakness. I love you so dearly. Please come over soon and hang out with me.

P.S. you still have my nail polish.

let me show you random pictures to explain what I've been doing instead of blogging.

Hi, hello. remember me?

maybe?

my ability to stay away from this part of my life, is officially 22 days. that makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it. So those of you who have gotten on to me about it, thanks. Getting in trouble is a great motivation.

Let's play a game of catch up called, 'let me show you random pictures to explain what I've been doing instead of blogging'.

Of most importance, however, is this...

There is a new man in my life.

Yes, you heard me right. All 6lb. 14oz. of a handsome little man.

And NO he is not mine, just so we're all clear on that one.

I'm not even dating anyone.

After three sisters, two nieces, and a lifetime of female pets, this family has been in need of some more boys. And praise the Lord, my sister had one a few weeks ago. And that is where I spent most of my time, with everyone.

Becoming an ace at making chocolate milk and learning how to make sure there are no monsters in the bedrooms, even though I might have just encouraged that fear with all my good intentions :/

Look at him! So tiny. My expression doesn't look too enthralled to see him but trust me, I am relishing in the fact of his existence, that's all.

Having after school snacks, solo, for the first time. Let's just leave it at 1) it was sticky and 2) we changed clothes when we got home.

So much enjoyment in this picture.

Not having grasped the fact that, yes, my two and three year old nieces do know how to use my phone. I would find pictures on it like this. That was SELF TAKEN. And sometimes there would be videos. VIDEOS.

I was impressed. And a little nervous that it would join someone else to the bathroom and end up in the toilet.

But because I was around so often, I was able to capture phenomenons such as this.

Maybe I'm a bias aunt, but what three-year-old can cut out a circle in such a careful manner?

And can make a 'dinner' for mom right after she had a baby?

There was a lot of determination in this one effort.

Yes, potatoes shoved in a coffee pot = dinner.

mmmm. How precious is he?!

There would be be those moments, though, where I'd have to remind myself,

'She's three. She's just having a difficult time away from parents and all this temporary instability. She does love me. She does love me. Its just a glue stick. She'll be fine.'

And then I would wake up quite often with a two year old staring at me at 7:05am on the days that I didn't have to go to class...my first thought,

'IIII am definitely not ready for children.'

But then I realized they are so precious and I love them and now they've been out of town for two, almost three weeks.

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Oh and to top it all off, I went on my first ever road trip, a nice 14 hour drive to Florida with three of my sweet, wonderful, upbeat, patient, and hilarious friends. Let's just say that me and the beach spent 95% of my trip together. The other we were probably falling asleep at 8:30pm in all honesty.

Despite one person suffering from some questionably strange and painful sun burns, it was a wonderful and remarkably cheap. We didn't really take any pictures though. Our last evening there we caught the sunset but the five pictures I have are all a tad blurry. Its sad that we didn't think to take many pictures but we were too busy laughing and sleeping and getting tan and sleeping.

Here is the least blurry picture I have.

But let's end on this note....

Please grasp how small he is.

He's coming back this week. He'll proabably come back with facial hair and an attitude for all I know. Three-ish weeks is just too long.

When two or more are gathered...

Yesterday was long. Everyone has those days, some longer, some more difficult. But in that moment, trying to keep my self together for a second, praying for some endurance, I checked my e-mail.

Well, I don't normally share everything I hear about but a certain e-mail from yesterday really struck a chord with me. From what I can tell, the sender sent this to someone else, who sent it to someone else, who sent it to my aunt, who sent it to me.

Confused yet?

I don't know all the details nor do I know her personally. It's about a young girl in her early 20's who is currently suffering from tremendous illnesses. She began with cancer in her jaw 5 years ago and after having many surgeries, going through remission, it continued to show up again.

It has spread to her brain.

She can no longer see and has lost her hearing because of the tumors.

Here is the e-mail I received with her mother sharing her heart and plead. You'll want to read this:

"L has her good days and bad days. Over all, she is much better than the first of December. Most of you know L is in hospice care and we are doing the care through our home. She does not fully understand the intention of this care. We recently decided to ask for an MRI, which usually means you have to come out of hospice care and can return back, but were able to do so without dropping out of hospice care. Friday afternoon she had her MRI and did very well staying still for it. This is the first time in a long time that she was able to stay still. [Her dad] received a call today to let us know that the tumor appears to be stable in some areas including the brain, but has small growth in another area. Considering L’s medical history the doctor’s do consider this to be tumor, but it could still be an issue caused from radiation/chemo treatment. The only way we would know is to biopsy, which cannot happen. We will continue as we have for the last couple of months.

We ask that you please pray for L and our family. I ask that you please pray for L, us to be able to accept whatever the outcome is in her life, and for God to give us (parents) the wisdom we need in her health care.

I would like to share something that L has felt and believed through this struggle over the last 5 years. Most of you know L has always kept a journal of her daily thought. She showed us her journal about a year after she was diagnosed with cancer. She had written in it that she had been praying for God to give her testimony, because she felt she did not have one to share. L felt that by growing up in a Christian Home and attending a Christian School that she just really did not have something to share with the lost. Boy, did she get one! She told [her dad] and me that one thing she wanted to see out of this experience with cancer, would be for lives to be changed and people to come and know the Lord. There are many family and friends that L had told us she was concerned about their Salvation and praying for them. Now, for the ones of you that do not know the Lord as your personal Savior, please do not think there is not a God in all of this who does not care. God has never left her or our side. The Bible says the just and unjust will all suffer. That means none of us are immune from suffering. Being a Christian does not mean you will not suffer or you will stop sinning. I often feel like the apostle Paul. He said he was the chief of sinners. Well, I believe I hold that title. Please do not look at my life and make a decision based on my daily living. I am just a sinner saved by God’s wonderful grace. Salvation gives you eternal life with Christ Jesus. You see, L wanted a testimony that she could share with the lost and lead them to the Lord. She wanted to see souls saved. I am not telling you anything she not has not told her family, friends, or church groups. With L not being in her right mind and able to share this, I want to share her message that she has shared with us. What ever happens in her life, God had a reason. He in control!

This is one of the hardest updates I have written! We want to share L’s testimony and her story, of what she wants told to all. Please feel free to share with others. This is L’s wish and what she would want to share with everyone hearing her story. She does a much better job at sharing it than me."

Um, this was terribly humbling to say the least. How awful to suffer such a painful and life changing illness and at such a young age. Talk about someone who needs to be lifted up in prayer, who needs endurance, and hope. Being in the same stage of life really made me think, 'what if that was me? I couldn't imagine what that would be like.' And it just simply places me right back in the place I need to be. Thankful.

Thankful that I have eyes to see, feet that can walk. Endurance to keep treading through life. Hope that never dissappoints. A peace that trancends all understanding. And moments like these that remind me how blessed I am, even in the really tough parts of life.

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Here's what I'm thinking. This blog averages about 120 visitors a week right now. Wow, I'm not complaining about that!!! Some of you are believers in Christ and some may not be. But for those of you who are willing, won't you join me in lifting this girl up in prayer?

Prayer is one of the most powerful of movements we can act on for one another. Lifting one another up through prayer, a bended knee. What if each of us, after reading this, prayed for her once. That would be at least 120 people this week. How wonderful.

I felt compelled to share this with you today. So much so that I hope my urge for prayer would stir in your heart so deep that what ever you're doing, you would be willing to stop life for a moment, and lift up our sister in Christ. She is hurting, she is weak, and she needs to see the power of prayer.

In Matthew 18:19-20 it says this, "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

Again, I know we aren't all together physically but....maybe you have someone who would pray alongside with you. I don't know. What do you think could happen? I, for one, know that my God is full of love, compassion, and healing. He is also just in every way, sovereign, and full of grace.

I know in the deepest depths of my soul that He hears me when I pray. I've seen it proven true time and time again.

So I urge you, only in a willing and compassionate heart, would you join me in praying for this girl?

Thank you so much for reading such a lengthy, probably repetitive, and probably confusing post.

I appreciate you so dearly.

jars...

Don't you love the title? It's all I could think of...

In order to aid in my pursual to utilize all of the glass jars I've recently come into ownership of, I found some really neat and different ideas from others.

{via how about orange}

LOVE this! Wouldn't this be a great way to recieve a little gift?!

{via}

This makes me long for summer.....its coming, slowly but surely.

{via ruffled}

Great idea for a party or reception, except I would nix the old rusty vintage ones and go for the clean new ones like these :)

Ooooo...

{via}

Awhhh.

{via}

A jar snuggie?

{via}

{via funky junk interiors}

{via}

Candles! Always a good idea, especially with these beautiful aqua jars.

{via}

Um, I couldn't help but post this. But I probably wouldn't do this myself, it looks like a jail cell for fish.

{via}

pantry style, love it.

{via}

Okay, I take it back this could be another favorite. LOVE the peonies.

{via ruffled}

I may or may not be saying 'love' way too much in this post.

LOVE LOVE LOVE all of these, I hope you enjoyed them. Now I'm off to tackle my paper for class...

Ball, Kerr, Atlas, Knox...Gangs all here!

First, name that movie. If you're a girl, you should know that reformed quotation from that one movie....such a good chick flick!

Secondly, we had a little bit of ice in the area a few weeks ago which meant no class, no commuting, and staying in my p.j.'s. perfect.

Well I got bored and had wanted to take a picture of the loads of jars I brought home from my great-grandmother's house. I literally did not make a dent in her collection. I just couldn't keep everyone waiting on me as I sifted through all the jars.

So again, I just wanted to take a picture. a picture.



But she had some really great different brands....




But I was really bored and needed to get out of the house, even if for only a few minutes.


So then it went into a few more minutes....But aren't these jars pretty?!




Oopsies. The crazy wind blew this one away. And you can see that not much is going on outside...



I think we're channeling a little Andy Goldsworthy now, kind of. But I thought it needed more color.....so much ice and snow! and so bored.

Keep an eye out because now I have to find places and purpose for each of these jars.
Some will go to my sisters and some will find their places with me.

I'm finding a lot of inspiring ideas so I'll be sure to share them with you soon!

And then...


Right when my hands and face were going numb, the flower that was in the middle flew off into pieces all the way from the front yard to the back. I'm sure my neighbor thought I looked ridiculous running around the house after pieces of pink...
A good day.

resiliency

I sit here completely unable to fathom why I haven't been around my blog in the past few weeks. I think life is catching up to me. And when that happens sometimes I have to prioritize, which is a good thing, of course.

Earlier this week we welcomed a sweet, little addition to our family. My nephew (oh that's strange to say) is the first little man of the family, and we are all so very excited to finally meet him.

I've been able to help around here and there with my nieces while my sister was busy having her baby. Watching these two girls (both under the age of 3 and a half) deal with their dad leaving for weeks, and figuring out why mom isn't home, is quite and experience to be apart of. Taking them to the hospital to meet their very own brother was one of the most priceless experiences I've ever been able to be apart of.

Pure excitement. Life changing in moments. Complete gentleness.

Then after a few minutes my oldest niece said, 'mom can I have a snack?'

It's been hard and still is for them. You see it in the way they talk and the different needs that change, like being held more or wanting to be completely independent. They might not completely grasp the great shifts in their family or know what will come of this new tiny person, but they adjust. And they turn out just fine. There might be moments where they need to cry or might act out of frustration or confusion, but they'll be okay. They are small but mighty. And with a little help from others who love them, they'll keep adjusting and then it will become more natural.

I'm so proud, just to watch the way they show complete trust and reliance in their parents. And let me tell you, these girls go through more changes and strange schedules and structure than most little girls. So it is even more incredible to watch them now, on top of everything else.

Talk about resiliency.

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I think so much change and adjustment has happened lately in my own personal life that I've almost naturally stopped pursuing, stopped living life in the way I was before. Sometimes there are moments of weakness or frustration in every one's life when you almost make life come to a halt and think, 'I cannot adjust, I just can't find the means in myself to continue certain matters of life, I cannot do it'.

Sometimes I need to be still for a time, that's also just part of the type of person I am, I guess. And there are moments in life, especially now when I fight against frustrations, ignoring the completely unignorable (is that a word?), and try to continue with life. Being in seminary adds a whole other complexity and adjustment to this part of life. Its unreal and completely wonderful to be there but sometimes I question my abilities.

Then I get knocked back down to my knees in prayer and am reminded that I didn't get myself there, I didn't even have going there on my radar months before I pursued it. But it happened and is wonderful and a complete blessing. I could not be more thankful.

Sometimes there are things unexpected that happen without real preparation of the heart. Those things are always such bitter yet sweet things. They hurt, literally and emotionally, but they remind you of how little you are compared to the Father, who actually heals those hurts. These things can also compromise other parts of your life, rendering you unwillingly dependent at times. But they only last for a moment, they only last for a moment.

These moments in life, moments of adjusting to newness and change, can naturally have its frustrations. And not knowing what lies ahead of them is, for me, more nerve-wrecking than anything else. But then I'm reminded again that, that's actually the point. While I can't see what lies ahead, I pursue with blind faith that my God, who sees and knows absolutely everything, cares for me and is leading me.

I just hope that I will be obedient no matter what's required of me or the circumstance.

And I hope to be as resilient and patient as my little nieces.

Do you not know?

'Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might He increase in power.

Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait for the Lord

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary.' - Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASB)

Keep Calm & Love on.

HAPPY FEBRUARY!

This month is supposed to be one reminding us of the ones we love and telling them so.

Although, we should do that every month, no?

However, the past few days have been tragic. Not on a personal level, but from people who have informed me and been asking for strong prayers. It's almost unreal how many people I've heard about who are severely injured, in critical condition, or even some who are no longer with us.

This has to be tragic in the least for those who love and care for those who are suffering or for those who are grieving their loss.

So today this is not about how you can cover your house in paper hearts or how to make a wreath out of all things red. Today is a reminder that for those of you who are either suffering, mourning a loss, or trying to persevere through prayer for the sake of someone you love, please be mindful that you are probably being lifted up in prayer more than you even realize.

And better yet, the God who created you, knows exactly how much you're hurting, and is sufficient in being the ultimate Comforter and Healer. He knows you inside and out. And whatever is currently happening to you or someone else, it will be used for His glory and for good.

Be comforted in the fact that God has you completely in his hands. Nothing is out of His control, even though it might feel like it is.

As I write this, I am truly overwhelmed by nothing but the gusting, mighty wind outside. It's constant, it never ceases. Even throughout the night, it blew and blew. And its reminding me of one, so very important thing; God never slumbers nor sleeps. He doesn't peace out, He never tires. (Psalm 121) And His understanding no one can truly fathom (Isaiah 40:28).

And He is strong and mighty!

I think this week, I'll continue on this just because I feel like...

So maybe this week, let's be mindful of those around us who are really hurting... And maybe even to be mindful of those who don't show their hurt and how deep it runs. Let's show them a little love and let them know they are cared for.

{via tatertots and jello}

Romans 5:3-5 says this:

'...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does NOT put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.'

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If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior who died on the cross for your sins, so that you can have life, and follow Him in life, and have a personal relationship with Him, then you're missing out on the greatest sacrificial gift.

And if you're hurting and don't know Him, then searching for that perseverance and hope is not lost. It's only found through Christ. And only through Him can you truly be fulfilled and satisfied in that.

He created you. He loves you. And He is for you.

A Tu-Tutorial

I recently had a custom order for a tu-tu. Hence the title :) And they are super easy so I thought I would share an easy tutorial for anyone who is interested. So here!

SUPPLIES:

- favored colored tulle (mine are light pink, hot pink, and black)

- soft, knitted elastic

- Scissors

- A rotary cutter

- cutting mat

- a ruler or straight edge

- tape (optional)

You'll notice that I have a few spools of tulle and one cut by yardage. It was MUCH easier to cut with the spools. It takes less time and is simply more organized.

Start by unrolling tulle like ^so^

Tape edges to stay in place.

And place straight edge on the tulle.

Cut along the edge of the ruler. I made my strips a little over 1'' wide.

Cut and scootch. cut and scootch.

Then cut the ends of the strips and lay them aside. I made my strips about 19'' long. They need to be longer than necessary so that you can half them and trim them later. Remember, I'm making mine for a newborn so depending on yours, you might need the strips to be longer.

{think, 19'' - half - some for knotting and trimming = about 7 inches for me}

Now repeat these previous two steps 142 more times. Perfect.

Tip: I actually ran out of the light pink tulle, so I replaced every third light pink with a pink ribbon. It softened up the tu-tu and gave me more of the light pink to be able to finish!

Caution: Tulle is messy. They love to stick together like really clingy relationships, if you will.

(they also cling to your clothes, and shoes, and find there ways into other rooms. so beware)

So don't throw them in piles as I clearly did. This will make them super difficult to separate and they eventually stay in the crooked, crinkly mess they sit in. So try to lay them straight.

Grab that elastic. Lay it straight and cut the desired length. Mine was for a newborn so it turned out very small.

But if you have access to the person you're making it for, simply measure wherever it will sit on their hips, and take off about a half an inch to one inch, so that it will stretch.

If you dont just make it a little bigger, so they can maybe grow into it!

Now that the tulle is cut into strips, I grabbed two pieces of my hot pink and folded it in half and grabbed it like so around the elastic.

Then pull the long pieces thru the loop at the top.

Adjust tightness and placement.

HINT: For this one I used THREE strips of the light pink because I wanted it to be more full and balance with the stronger colors.

Find a pattern of the colors you're using that you like and make sure the knots look similar to this.

(New day, new shades of pictures haha.)

Once you get a few inches away from finishing all of your tulle, sew together the elastic.

I pinned my elastic together first, sewed it together a few times then used a v-stitch (not the correct term) on the lowest numbers and just went back and forth a few times before I felt it would be able to hold.

Caution: This is what happens to me when I left all my strips in piles instead of laying them more neatly. If this happens, you can grab a steamer and steam away, combing them with your fingers as you go.

If you don't have a steamer, hanging it in a bathroom and turning on a hot shower can do the trick too.

Also, this is the time I like to trim off the edges to make it the right length and make it look a little less messy.

It still needed a little more trimming at this point, but I actually added some pink ribbon throughout the tu-tu to soften it up a little.

HINT: triple knot the ribbon. They can come undone with ease.

What's that? The flower totally matches the onesie? And the headband too?

oh yea, I guess it does :)

Just so it makes sense, The ruffle on the onesie is actually in the shape of a 'V' for the baby girl's name! How fun.

Now wasn't that so super easy?!

If it turns out this is too itchy for that person, try adding some cute leggings or tights!

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I'm linking this post to these parties!

Go check out the other links, you'll get some great new ideas!