The Latelys.

I'm still kind of in blog neglect. Writer's slump. Creative slump. Whatever it is - I've just been doing lots of other stuff lately and haven't really had anything meaningful or cute or crafty to post but...

• I celebrated my 26th birthday Sunday.

• My sweetest baby boy turned 3 on Monday. I swear I never really understood the phrase "bittersweet" until he started growing up. I mean, that squishy little newborn with his magical baby smell and complete dependence is all of a sudden a walking, talking, strong willed, energy filled little boy with his own personality. THREE?! How?! When?! Has it honestly been three years?! I am a proud Momma though - I have no doubt that he will bring some awesomeness to the world someday somehow.

• There will be another fun update to put here later ;)

 Other than that, I've been patiently waiting for warm weather to arrive....permanently... and it looks like it's here to stay. This back & forth spring to winter thing had overstayed it's welcome. So I'm off to enjoy it...

Cara Box {April}

I participated in the Cara Box exchange again this month. (You can read more about the Cara Box Exchange here. It's fun, you should try it!)

I sent a box to Ashely @ I'm Always Ashley. Ashely is a beautiful gal with a heart for Jesus & I enjoyed learning a little about her. You can see it here!

I got my box from Michele who e-mail signature states "Sent from the Millenium Falcon" so I imagine we would make great friends. She blogs over at Heart Made. I loved my box (represented by this poor quality cell phone picture. Sometimes cell pictures look great - sometimes they don't.)

I got some wonderful natural beauty products & soaps, reusable food storage like a printed Ziploc bag, handy little tool that turns bags into reusable snack containers, a reusable tote with a really cute seahorse print. She also got some snacks (already ate them all - very good!) She was thoughtful enough to throw Zeke some organic lollipops, plum organic mashable, & a car plate in the box which I thought was ever so awesome!

Thanks Michele - you rock!

Go check out the Cara Box exchange & participate in next month's swap!

The Spring Itch.

If you haven't noticed the lack of craftiness, refinishing, & thrifting that has been lacking from me lately, then you probably haven't been reading this blog at all. Frankly, winter sucks. I'm one of those seasonally affected people and my creativity & drive to create in the winter pretty much hums down to nothing. BUT my 10 day weather forecast shows warmer temperatures and more sunshine in our future and I'm starting to feel that all familiar tingle of creativity and drive. The itch to be productive and to give life to ideas and other people's junk.

YAY SPRING-TIME!

In other words, you should see more creative stuff in the works soon if that's what your here for. If not, you'll probably see whatever else it is you are here for, too. 

Cara Box Reveal {march}

Last month, I participated in the "Cara Box" swap over at Wifessionals. (You can check out details there) It general you send a fun little gift box to a gal and a different gal will send you a box. It follows a different "theme" each month. "Cara" means beloved friend so the whole concept is to meet some new friends & show them some love.

Our theme was to fill the box with the first letter of the person's name. We each got a person to send & receive with a "J" name. This month I got to send a box to the lovely Jennifer at Bubbly & Buttercream. You can check out what I sent her here because I'm a goof who forgot to take pictures of what I sent her. :)

Joy over at The Sowell Life sent me some really awesome stuff! Joy is a super sweet gal and she picked out some great stuff!

A new journal, some jewelry (i.e. a new bracelet in my favorite color!), some Starburst jellybeans which are proving really handy for potty training Zeke (& also hiding so he can't find them) , a fun jewelry holder, a lovely new nail polish color, & the 'Just Go With It' movie. Thanks Joy...I love my surprises!! :D

It was nice to learn a little bit about both of you gals & I love the Carabox you sent me Joy! I'll definitely join in again...it was fun to have a little creative shopping for someone else. (I love giving presents!)

If you wanna join in the Carabox, go visit Wifessionals to sign up &  learn more.

Bookwormish. (Literary Junkies #5)

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.
City of Bones -The Mortal Instruments. I haven't ready a YA Fantasy in awhile. I honestly expected it to "grab" me more than it does. I think that the age of the characters really bugs me. I mean, the girl is 15. Come on, dude. I guess that's the point of YA and all. It's not a bad book by any means but I find that I can "put it down" which doesn't happen in books I love.

2. Recommend a book that has changed your perspective on life.
Ann Voskamp - 1000 Gifts. Amazing book.

3. What book do you recommend the most to people?
I recommend the Outlander series & the Game of Thrones series a lot.
4. What are the top 3 books on your “to-read” list?
(I'll make this my top 3 looking forward to coming out books.)

• The next Outlander book this Fall. Most excited about this.
• Shatter Me #3 (no idea when this is coming out)
• Divergent book #3 (This Fall, too I think)
  

5. What do you “do” while reading? (i.e. listen to music, eat) Any weird reading habits?
I read wherever I can when I'm really into a book. Waiting in line, in parking lots on my lunch break, or while cooking dinner. I prefer to either read while taking a nice, long, hot bath or while snuggled on the couch (after Zeke has went to bed of course.)

Linking up with my fellow book nerds at Pink Heels, Pink Truck & By The Porchlight

One Thousand Gift {book recommendation}

My friend let me borrow "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp last week. I'm about a third of the way through it & I have to tell you that I love it.

Picture from: http://onethousandgifts.com/

It's like poetry for the soul. Seriously good stuff. My eyes have been opened to how much I hurry through life & let so many pretty stellar things I should really see & be thankful for just fly by without recognition.

Eucharisteo. It might just be my next tattoo.

(I wasn't paid or anything to recommend this book. I just really like it.)

Fairness. {thankful thursday}

I'm in the midst of the "Missing Pieces" bible study by Jennifer Rothschild. It's so so so so incredible...in that "ouchie" kind of way. It's a thought-searching, soul-changing, deep look into the questions we all find ourselves asking God. (Are you there? Do you care? Are you fair?)

So today I am thankful that God isn't fair. Yes - you heard me right. I'm thankful that God ISN'T fair. Let's be honest: If I really got what I "deserved", it'd be death and the 4 letter "H" word that no one is fond of. It's true for all of us. As stated in the video we watched in our group last night, anything God gives me (even my worst sorrow) is a mercy compared to what I honestly deserve from Him. His love for me is still more than I can comprehend.

Aren't you thankful that He isn't fair, too?

Perspective.

Last week, I found myself...again...in a cycle of doubting & self-pity that...again...quickly turned into complete wallowing in the "woe is me" attitude. It's a cycle where I can find myself in high spirits, hoorah for God, & appreciating life for what I've been given on each particular day but slowly the enemy creeps in and one tiny "harmless" negative thought turns into this cycle of big negative thoughts that leave me feeling hopeless and full of the ugly thing that is self-pity.

I remember driving home one evening last week trying to push my thoughts, my anger, my irritation, my "stuff is unfair" complex out of my head. I tried to put life into true perspective as I should to see all the abundant abundant blessings (which I obviously don't deserve) God has given me. I made the mistake of not "capturing" my thoughts but I was determined to change them. At the same time, I could literally feel my flesh side saying "BUT look at the bad in YOUR life...who cares about those problems...let's focus on what's wrong in your life." Talk about spiritual warfare. You ever wanna truly live FOR God and not yourself? Look out for it. It creeps up from every crevice and every crack of weakness you have. I'm not trying to be "preachy"...I'm just trying to be real.

Anyways...back to the topic. Perspective.

Think about it. Seriously.

• Kid's cranky and getting on your last nerve? Allowing that to set the mood of your whole day? Are they healthy? Do they have congenital heart defects? Cancer? Leukemia? ... No? Then be thankful for the healthy children God blessed you with. Crankiness or no crankiness. I have a friend whose 2 year old was diagnosed with leukemia in recent months and it's so saddening to see the battle they are facing. Even to see some of the prayer's she requests, show how many children & families suffer through this.
• Hate your job? Be thankful you have one. With the high unemployment rates in this country, be glad God has provided a way for you to support your family. I'm serious. Do you know that children really do work in sweatshops or that in certain areas of India children work in dangerous mines so they can help support their family and there really isn't another option for them? Lots of people in your community can't find work and some can't feed their families. If that happens in your community in the great USA, imagine how much worse it is in other countries?
• Life is too hard? See above. Do you have a roof over your head, food to eat, & clean clothes on your back? Congratulations your officially better off than 75% of the world (according to the internet - I could be wrong.) I mean seriously...have you ever even really starved?
• Too much to do in one week? Is that really a reason to feel miserable or resentful or unhappy? Be thankful for mobility of your body. For clarity of the mind. For life.
• I really don't even want to start on the list of petty things I find myself concerned over. (I wish I had THAT car or THAT house or THOSE clothes. Blah. Blah. Completely irrelevant stuff that make me wonder how I ever consider a those reasons to be unhappy.)

As I'm learning in my Bible study, don't stomp on your manna in search of meat. When you think you "deserve" something from God or from life, remember that you don't even deserve the life He's given you. Cause we are all wretched sinners. He deserves an awful lot more than we ever have, ever can or ever will give Him. As I've seen posted online before: If God was only to give you what you thanked Him for today, what would you have?"

Me? I'd have almost nothing.

 Please note: I'm not condemning anyone here. I understand that people have real & very painful issues that make life seem unfair. (Including myself) I know that some people reading this may have literally been starving before or have a child with a serious illness or can't find a job. I didn't write this to judge or make people feel bad. I wrote a lot of this for myself so when I find myself on the journey to self-pity I can look back at this and remind myself that my cup runneth over.

So to myself: Your cup runneth over. Don't forget it.

Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser {product review}

I have a candle fetish. I really love lighting candles in various rooms and settling in for the night. It makes my house feel cozy & smell nice. If I am at Target, you will likely find me scouting the candle aisle for any clearance candles. (Cause for real - candles can get expensive!)

The only drawback to using candles primarily to scent my home is that you really need to be home (of course) to keep them lit & the smell dissipates not too long after you blow them out. Recently, I thought I'd try the Glade Oil Differs & Expression Mist to try a couple different ways to keep my house smelling fresh.

The Oil Diffuser is great. I chose the Lavender & Juniper Berry for a nice relaxing scent in the living room. (You can also get Pineapple & Mangosteen or Fuju Apple & Cardamon Spice.) It's discreet & decorative enough to set atop the little table near my front door and gives a nice fresh scent when I enter the house. Kudos for that because that means it also gives a nice fresh scent when guests come over.

The Expressions Mist works much like a traditional air spray. Instead of a bulky metal can out in view you can easily peel off the label to leave a sleek holder that blends with your decor for easy access. The fine mist eliminates odors & refreshes the air with a variety of scents like Cotton & Italian Mandarin or Spring Showers. (You can find more here.)

I can't complain about either. I've enjoyed using both to freshen the house. Last week, I picked up a little & sprayed the fragrance mist to trick Noah into thinking that I had cleaned. (Sorry babe. Haha!) Both are great products at a good value.

Have any house scenting tricks? Do you ever trick your husband or guests into thinking you've cleaned by spraying the house?

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I am a BzzAgent and received free product coupons in exchange for my review on Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser & Fragrance Mist. The opinion is mine & an honest one at that.

February Self Portrait: Reflection

 

Note: It's slightly awkward to take a picture like this without blocking your face with the cell phone.

I feel kind of MIA these last few weeks but as seasons of life come & priorities get a little shifted. Right now I'm juggling a few new different things..new small group for marriage, new 6 week bible study, working hard to make exercise an everyday thing and really buckling down to get to that healthy point for me. I'm find myself not home at least 3-4 evenings a week right now & haven't had much downtime for home projects or crafting. I've been trying to focus more on relaxing & reflection when I can...it feels right for once. The control freak inside of me really hates this "off schedule" feeling but I'm trying to embrace it for what it is. Seeing that the themes for my year seems to be surrender & trust, I'm surrendering my controlish nature to God and trusting Him to open up new views on life and new vision for me.

Fun tidbit: I'm an anti-hoarder except when it comes to sentimental things. I love seeing things that remind me of little happy moments. My rearview mirror is an example. See the macaroni strands? Zeke made that necklace for me last year for my birthday. I also keep a strand with an elephant charm, a windmill charm, a charm from my dad, & a cross charm that's literally been in every car since I began driving. I joke it's my lucky charm - I've never gotten a speeding ticket. There is a clear sparkling necklace that makes the sun dance around my car on pretty days from my neice, and an way old air freshener that reminds me to "Be Free". It all makes me smile.

Want to embrace your self this year? Join up with some of us gals committing to a self-portrait each month.