scattered

 

Whenever I get back from a trip I usually wake up the next morning and impulsively decide to quit everything.  The piles of laundry...smelly fridge...dusty surfaces and overwhelming stuff everywhere feeling about does me in.  That's where I'm at today, but yet here I am sitting at my computer editing pictures...sorting through memories.  Capturing and documenting my life.  It's what I do.  It's weird.  As much as I want to walk away sometimes and not have more to do... I just can't. 

 

 

 

Traveling home was exhausting.  It always is, especially at this time of year with everything else.  But in the end I'm always glad we took the time and made the effort.  Being with my people at the holidays is important to me.  We all lead such different scattered lives.  My brothers are a bit like strangers.  I hate to say that, but it's true.  The age difference doesn't help and living so far away has made it hard. 

I can't help but think about the future.  I think about when our folks are gone and wonder how often we'll come back.  I know this bubble...this time right now is precious.  I want to freeze it.  I love the ages of our girls, my parents...honey and I.  It scares me to think of how all that will change. 

 

We've moved away.  We've set up shop in a state far away, so I think about things.  I'm praying that friends will morph into family.  That church will become our second home.  That our girls will stay close and we'll have that unit...that core.  I know none of that is for certain...and so I have to just close my eyes and whisper a little prayer and trust that God will take care of the details.  See...going home makes me sappy. 

This week we revisited the past a bit.  We drove the girls by our old apartments and the church we got married in.  That house in the middle is a blog post on it's own.  May have one brewing.  We zoomed all over my hometown...no traffic jams.  No hustle and bustle.  That's one of my favorite things of all. No traffic, and all the ties I have with every area of town.  Good times...sweet sweet memories.  


And can I add that I had a list of goodies I was looking for and literally every single one of them miraculously ended up in my car...and for practically nothing.  It was an antique shopping high!!!  Yep God was smiling on me:) So I guess if He cares about those little things (and I really believe he does) on my want list...maybe just maybe He's got the big things like the future and our family situation covered.  I'm thinking I need to stop thinking;)

OH AND THE WINNER of the Trader Joe's give-away is: 

Michele at Hello Lovely Inc.!! 

Congrats girlie. 

Thanks everyone for your awesome beauty tips. 

Can't wait to try some of them:)

Be a blessing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

930. my bed

931.  my shower

932.  my sweet birds...who missed me 

933.  Virginia sunshine that greeted me this morning

 

Trader Joe's give-away!

 

Picmonkey posterize effect...the back of our Christmas card

 

Good Morning peeps!  We're getting ready to take off for Illinois and I thought I'd leave you with a fun little giveaway. 

 

 

The inspiration just came to me. I love Trader Joe's...maybe you do too.  So I went and gathered up some of my favorite things and put a little something something together for one of you:)



BTW see that coconut oil up there??  I am officially addicted.  I've been using it on my face at night to remove my makeup.  It works amazing and smells SO good.  The smell motivates me to wash my face!!  Just this morning I mixed it in my coffee instead of creamer.  You can use it as a moisturizer, deep hair conditioner, lip balm, mixed with chia seeds for an energizer...the list is a mile long for uses.  I'll include a list in the goody bag.  It really is a cool thing. 


Oh and the chocolate covered pomegranate seeds and roasted plantain chips are my kryptonite.  I only buy them on special occasions because they seem to disappear the second they enter the house.  The cookie butter I've never tried, but I've heard it's the bomb, so I threw a jar in there and then there's the new jute Trader Joe's bag.  It's just the cutest thing...I had to give-away one of those too. 

To enter just leave me a comment telling me your favorite beauty tip/product.  I'm always up for trying something new:)

 

 

 {our Christmas card 2012}

I'll announce the winner when I get home.  I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas. 

Love you girls!!!

**If you want follow along with us on Instagram...farmgirlpaints:)  See you soon.

Be a blessing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

923.  Trader Joe's;)

924.  the smell of coconut

925.  my little chick's school party

 

926.  rag roller curls for my baby...she said "momma do you ever feel so pretty you get nervous?" right before she bounced onto the bus!  sweetest words ever!!!

927.  basement projects coming together

928.  time with my family

929.  happy mail that came from a sweet friend at just the right time...

You never let go...

My day was spent in the basement again painting the final wall...the really cool wall I can't wait to show you;)  Oh what a sweet reward to get that gigantic project done.  While I was painting I listened to praise music the whole time (David Crowder Band) and mulled over memories.  Amazing what buried things surface while mindlessly painting. 

 

I've been really heavy hearted ever since the shootings and it reminded me of a time when I was a teenager.  There was a BoyzIIMen concert in a town near ours.  A group of teenagers were going to it that night, and as they were walking to the Stadium they had to cross a railroad track, and one of the girls tried to beat a train and was killed instantly. 


For some reason that news hit me in the chest like a bullet.  I lived and relived that scene over and over again like I was there.  I was one of her friends watching in slow motion. I was the engineer frantically trying to stop the train.  I was her mom answering that horrible phone call.  I was one of the concert goers hearing about it at the show.  It wouldn't leave me.  I wore that grief like a heavy garment over my shoulders for days...weeks. 

I remember talking to my mom about it and she said that we are all given different gifts...and one of my gifts must be to intercede.  That conversation never left me.  It comes back to me at times like this when I can't shake my grief.  When the burden won't lift and it stays on my heart...I know I must intercede.  We are all called to pray as Christians, but if your burden for those in Connecticut won't leave...maybe you have that gifting too.  Maybe your job is to continue to intercede for those left behind and for others to draw near. 

Last week has really made me draw close.  My mind is on Him all the time.  My skin prickles with His presence so near.  My heart is full and overflowing for the lost to be found and for every.single.person to know Him.  Maybe it's had that affect on others too, and God is going to move in a big way.  I don't know, but I do feel I'm called to pray...so pray I will.



I played this song about ten times in a row today.  So glad He never lets go...

Be a blessing.

 

918.  a painted basement
919.  His presence felt strong
920.  music that makes me worship
921.  the luxury of climbing into HIS lap and laying it down
922.  that God is working

present day

 

 

I'm sitting in my office.  It's starting to turn dark outside.  The house is quiet.  My honey is at the gym, and the girls are outside playing.  Today we celebrated our little Christmas.  We had to.  Next weekend we will make the long drive back home to Illinois.  And even though we can't wait to squeeze the neck of family and friends I think this may be the last year we leave home for the Holidays.  I just miss home.  I want to be in my Virginia home!  It's where I want our Christmas memories to be.

 

 

It's been a stressful week.  In so many ways I wish I could go back and have a redo.  Do you do that?  Wish you could rewind and do it differently??  I've officially closed my Etsy shop...until February.  It was with a huge sigh of relief that today the vacation mode was finally turned on.  I had no idea how busy it would keep me this year.  Such a financial blessing...thank you!!!  But also a very unexpected stressor.  Part of the stress revolved around my supplies not coming in and orders piling up.  NIGHTMARE!  Oh the joys of figuring out kinks.  Anyway next year I will hire helpers.  Next year I will close December 1st, so I can do everything else.  Next year...  It's so easy to look back and see how you'd do things after the fact.  Anyhow next year I will be more prepared...and have a different supplier:) 

 

 

But today was Christmas and we have a fun little tradition where we wake up and in our jammies go out for donuts. 

Then we come home and sing Happy Birthday to JESUS!  It's all sorts of good.  We get centered on Him and then completely pig out. 

Afterwards we open gifts.  The girls always make us some sort of card and give us something they either made, bought at school or found in nature.

Little Chick's gift:)

Big Chick's gift:)

It was so much fun watching them get spoiled this morning.  I know it's not about the gifts.  It's not about stuff...but it really did make me light up like a Christmas tree watching them love what we bought them.  And you know the best part...they kept saying thank you...over and over again.  They were blessed...but we were blessed even more by their grateful hearts.  The hugs alone were worth it!

 

I was painting the basement yesterday when Honey called and told me about the school shootings.  It did what I'm sure it did to most of you...it completely made me sick.  I was on my face sobbing for those families.  On my face pleading with God to cover them with His peace and comfort.  It is so beyond anything I can imagine.  I felt panicky inside...like I wanted to go to our schools RIGHT THEN and bring my babies home and keep them there safe forever!!

 

 

What made it even worse was finding out one of my Instagram friend's kids went to THAT school!  She was able to get her kids home safely, but they lost loved ones.  Out of all the schools in the country I actually knew someone whose kids were in THAT school!  It's just too close.  It's too much!  I could hardly sleep last night without being consumed with complete and utter despair for those families. 

 

 

I know we are living in the end times and this world is fallen...the only thing that gives me peace is knowing there is a PLAN.  Knowing HE is in control.  The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy, but our LORD will conquer all!!!  Let's remember to keep close to Him.  Let's remember that this life truly is fleeting, but eternity is forever.  There will come a day when every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that HE IS LORD.  I'm praying that as Christmas draws near...people will draw near to Him.  We desperately need our Savior...the one who was sent as a baby that day so long ago.  The one who took my sins and yours, and yes even that troubled sick man...He took them all. Thank you God for sending us your Son!! 

 

 

 

 

**My friend's name is Laura...Instagram name...Punkalotta.  Her blog is here.  I'm sure she'd love to hear how you are praying for her family and community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be a blessing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

911.  my family safe at home with me

912.  that my friend's family was spared

913.  for the blessing of Christmas gifts

914.  chocolate cake donuts

915.  a spa certificate that i desperately need to use...thanks babe;)

916.  for my savior that was sent to save this fallen world

917. for peace that passes all understanding

my holiday house and the BIGGEST discount ever!

Sign is from Between You and Me Signs

Good morning friends.  I thought I'd show you a few pics of our house this season.  It's not overboard.  We don't even have a big tree up.  Weird I know, but it's alright.  The outside won't be decked out or anything either because we are heading home for Christmas and it just felt like too much work. 

This is the front entry.  I like color so it's in bright fun cheery tones.  Bright blues...lots of RED!

My favorite little rusted out toy truck.  One of my treasures that I collected at the Whatever Craft Weekend.  It was $10!!  Score:)  I just happened to have a whole collection of vintage brush trees that I got antiquing the year before.  Perfect spot for them.  It's probably my favorite wintry thing I have out:)

This is the scene of our Christmas card picture this year.  I promise to show it to you.  Just haven't had a chance to mail them out yet.  I want there to be some sort of element of surprise;)  See that awesome quilt?  It's also from Kansas...$30.  I've got BIG plans for that sweet piece.  Just waiting for time to get it done. 

I made that O Holy Night banner from some burlap and chalkboard cloth.  I just clipped it to the string we had up there and voila...instant Christmas banner.  O Holy Night is my all-time favorite Christmas song.  It seriously makes me take a huge inhale...that part...FALL ON YOUR KNEES...O HEAR THE ANGELS VOICES!  Chills...tears...every.single.time.  As a matter of fact I have goosebumps just typing those words!!! 


That little tree in the corner is our Jesse Tree. We put up an ornament every night that ties in with the Bible. There is a little devotional that goes along with it. It's an awesome Christmas tradition that we just started LAST year! Better late than never;)



 

 

Baby Jesus!  My girls used to play with these little figurines all the time when they were little.  Several have been glued and put back together.  I miss those days.

 Sweet little Christmas banner from Target.

The star was from IKEA!  Oh how I fell in love with this giant star when I saw Meg's craft house.  I knew I had to find one.  Meg said they have smaller ones at Michael's too.  Ya might want to run to Michael's this afternoon to grab some.  They put off the prettiest glow!

So there you have the pretty part of my house...

 

You all said you want to see how the basement is coming along.  Let me tell ya...white is not fun to paint.  It wasn't hard or anything, it just wasn't satisfying.  And since I've never been an "enjoy the journey girl" I pretty much hated painting down there.  Hopefully when it's all done it will be worth it.  I've got a lot more to do.  Pictures will definitely come.  I've got to be patient too;)

 

I've been feeling so overwhelmingly blessed lately.  You have been keeping me busy...really really busy, and because of you I've been able to contribute to our family budget.  That's such an amazing blessing.  It's been a long time in the making.  Starting a business and actually seeing a profit takes awhile, but you've made it possible:)  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, and for all your sweet emails and posts on Instagram.  I appreciate you SO MUCH! 

 

 

 

Anyway my shop is closing this Sat. the 15th and staying closed until February so I can start working on some other things that God has put on my heart.  I'm offering one last coupon code...it's the biggest one ever!!!!  Enter reader25 to get 25% off your order.  That's major people!!!  Take advantage.  Love you...friends:)

Be a blessing.

 

 

 

 

 

907.  my big chick got to try out for the Sound of Music (her favorite musical).  she didn't make it, but we were reminded that regardless of big disappointments God has a plan.  there is always a reason a door is closed.  finding comfort in knowing we prayed for His will to be done.

908.  a phone call with my mom always makes things better

909.  peanut butter mm's

910.  friends who sit with you while you paint

 

 

 

pride, projects and WHITE walls!

Hello friends...It's almost been a week since I posted last!!!  Seriously that's like a record for me.  I feel like nothing is going on, but yet everything is going on all at once.  I haven't picked up my big girl camera in forever.  I don't really know how to use it with that new lens anyway;)  So instead of not posting anything I figured a few Instagram pics would do.  Is that okay??  I just assume you all have it, but I know that's not true.   If you don't sign up!  So FUN...my name...farmgirlpaints:)



We have been making progress on all the holiday stuff and got our gifts wrapped over the weekend.  I feel like maybe I'm the only person in blogland who does not enjoy wrapping gifts.  You are all posting gorgeous packages all tied up with string, and stamps and homemade cards and seriously I'm just thrilled if they get paper all the way around and don't rip before Christmas.  Is anybody with me??  Maybe it's the extreme agony of sitting on the floor for that long.  The achy joints and back pain that accompany gift wrapping.  Maybe I'm getting too old;)  OR I need a gift wrapping station!  HA!!  That would be a luxury.  Anyhoo I don't enjoy it.  Not even a little tiny bit...but my honey did make it fun...wink...wink;)

So I'm still taking orders.  The countdown is on.  My shop closes on the 15th and will stay closed until February....EEEEEKKK!!!  If you need something, want something, wish for something...tell me or have a loved one tell me.  I've got a couple of coupons out for 20% off...here and here.


Oh and that first pic is how I normally look when I create.  Nasty huh?  It's hard work being a Christmas elf...it just is;)  I know plenty of other Etsy women who look just like that.  I DO!  Now stop judgin'!!

Okay so I had a proud moment for my girlie this week.  She entered a PTA sponsored program at school with photography as one of the entries, and at the breakfast this week they announced she WON!  YAY Big chick!!!!  If you don't follow HER on Instagram you should.  My girl has a gift, and I'm not just saying this cause I'm her momma.  Go check her out and you'll know.  Her name is bigchick7. 

And last but not least...in the midst of cuff makin' madness I took a break.  GASP!  I know!!!  But we had two days in the mid-70's!!!  That's unheard of in DECEMBER!!!!!  Anyhoo I was outside in the flash of an eye with some projects that I thought would be a nightmare because I was going to have to handbrush them.  Turns out spay painting can also be a nightmare.  An entire swarm of gnats landed on my wet dresser.  We are talking around 200 mummified gnats glued to my dresser!!!!  Had a little panic moment but they came off and you just wait.  I'll show the end result soon enough.  It turned out gorgeous!!! 



Today I am taking another moment...because it's killing me and I'm painting my dark dungeon like basement WHITE!  I never in a million years thought I'd do that.  I'm a color girl.  It almost makes my heart hurt to do it.  Will I even see a difference as I paint the walls??  All that work and no immediate satisfaction:(  AAAAAARRRRRGGGGG!  Deep breaths.  It's gonna be great.  I have to keep telling myself that.  I have to do it.  The basement is so dark it needs me to do it.  So I will...I must!  Wish me luck:)




**OH and please continue to lift my Grandma and mom up in prayer.  She's lost 17 pounds since my mom and dad were out there a few weeks ago.  She's just stopped eating.  The staff says they usually do that in the end and maybe she has a week left.  My mom is doing pretty good, but the thought of her not hearing her mom's voice tell her she loves her or that she's praying for her hurts.  I can only imagine!!  Doesn't really matter how old they are does it.  Thank you for praying.  Praying helps SO much!

Have a blessed day. 

Love you girls...miss ya!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

900.  a homecoming waiting for my Grandma

901.  grace and peace that is waiting for my momma

902.  strength to get some to-do's done

903.  glorious weather

904.  talented children

905.  a honey that makes my heart skip a beat

906.  friends that make life better!