A Short Long Day



classically crazy

Today was one of those days: It wasn't a Monday, but it was the first day of the work week since yesterday was an observed holiday. That meant that everything that is typically Monday gets loaded onto Tuesday, along with Tuesday itself. I started out the day with a client tour on-site, and after that headed straight into the office. I don't think we stopped to breathe but a few times today, and the first time I looked at the clock after getting here surprised me when it said 1:36pm. By 5:00, I wouldn't have been able to tell you which way was up verses which was down, let alone where the entire day had gone.

It wasn't unproductive, though, I'll tell you that. Today was absolutely fruitful, but chaotic nonetheless.

And that's the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it.

That's pretty much all I can say about today.

We're halfway through the work week almost. That's a good sign :).

xo | cmd

Labor Day Projects

Happy Labor Day!

I find it particularly ironic that I was off work today, while my husband, who works for the government, was at his desk for a large portion of the day. Interesting.

I'm not complaining at all though; I had the entire day to spend with Sydni, which is a rare occurrence these days. It was a long overdue Mommy-Daughter day, and I soaked up every minute of it.  We ran all kinds of errands to continue tying up all the ends for the wedding, and we even took on a project together. She pooped out on me halfway through it, which was okay, because spray paint and nails really aren't appropriate for toddlers.

Spray paint and nails?

Yup. Let's backtrack to a week or so back when Meagan planted the idea in my head of an idea she'd seen for a jewelry rack. It was perfect timing, since the current setup I have at home is apparently failing, miserably. For a long time, my system seemed flawless - I had one of those brushed chrome shower caddy things on a hook hanging over my closet door, from which I hung everything from necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and even clipped on any accessories that lacked hooks. What I didn't realize was that, because I'm constantly producing new pieces, that sucker got pretty heavy. About a week ago, Sydni flung the closet door shut and the whole operation came crashing down, breaking several pieces and creating a huge mess.


step 1 [top left]: detach ugly picture from neat frame
step 2 [top right]: attach leather thread & nails
step 3 [bottom left]: spray paint and wait....
step 4 [bottom right]: hang!



Long story short: this idea of Meagan's requires an empty picture frame with wire/ribbon/string across the center for hanging things, and some nails along the sides for additional space. I jumped all over that, and used it as a viable excuse to head to Goodwill. I don't ever need an excuse to go there, but it didn't hurt. I found the perfect frame, surely passed by because of the rustic artwork it held, and snagged it up for a whopping $3. My next stop was Hobby Lobby, where I grabbed some last minute bead needs and a can of textured spray paint for $7. I had nails at home, along with a great scrap roll of leather string, so the whole project cost $10 and took about an hour from start to finish.



before & after



I have to admit, it does look much better than the shower caddy, which still hangs in its old spot but is now home to a small variety of cords, cables, and camera accessories. It's still useful, but in moving jewelry over, I realized a few pieces had been hidden in the condensed clutter, so everyone wins with this one.

AND!
While I was waiting for the paint to dry on the frame, I went ahead and wrapped up something that's been on my creative to-do list for just over a week now. Diana had brought me an earring whose match she had somehow lost over time, and didn't want to wear the rest of the ensemble until every piece was in tune. I couldn't find the exact beads, but I did my best with what I had to re-create a similar idea.



original in the center, mine on the sides



Doesn't look too bad, right? :)

So, by the time Joe got home, we had all kinds of things show him. He only laughs, because he's well aware of how nutty I get when it comes to making jewelry or taking on other miscellaneous projects.

This is going to be a short work week, and I am A-OKAY[!!] with that.

Happy Labor Day!

xo | cmd

If You Want Me To

The pathway is broken, and the signs are unclear.

And I don't know the reason, why you brought me here.
But just because you love me, the way that you do,

I will walk through the valley, if you want me to.

Because I'm not who I was, when I took my first steps,

and I'm clinging to the promise, you're not through with me yet.

So if all of these trials bring me closer to you,

then I will go through that fire, if you want me to.

Though it may not be the way, I would have chosen,

when you lead me through a world, that's not my home

But you never said it would be easy.
You only said I'd never go alone.

So when the world turns against me, and I'm all by myself,

and I can't hear you answer my cries for help.

I'll remember the suffering your love put you through,

and I'll go through the valley if you want me to.

***

I sang that in church today, and the more I think about that song , its lyrics, and its ultimate meaning, the more I love it. This is such a powerful song, and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to share this with my Towerview family. Ginny Owens is one of my favorite Christian singers, and this song was perfect for me today.

***

After church, we headed out to Eckert's with the Page family for lunch, and then back to their house for a short little visit. Sydni absolutely loves her time with Miss Carlee and Miss Loralye, if for no other reason than the fact that she gets spoiled beyond belief when she's there. 

See that girl there?
That's her throne that was set up for her by the Page girls; she soaked up every minute of having her very own special seat on the couch - complete with headrest, footrest, and personal blanket.

So silly. :)

Sundays are beautiful. They really are.

xo | cmd

Baby Beads

First things first:

See that?

Yeah.
That's a big smiley on what is now my clean, clear coffee table.

I am celebrating because this marks the finishing date of all those wedding programs!
After almost 2 and a half months of meticulously laboring over these things, I tied the last ribbon and glued the last insert today! [Woo!] It's official: they are now boxed up and I won't see them again until the big day. I'm ok with that. :)

In other news, it just sort of happened that the ladies at my work enjoyed some of the jewelry work I've done, so I started taking orders. One of my biggest challenges thus far hasn't been the designing or creating, it's actually been completing the process while a 2-yr-old tries to touch everything I'm doing. 

Solution? 

I got Sydni a long, solid elasti-plastic beading cord and some of those plastic heart beads with holes easy enough for her to maneuver. She flatters me in that she always wants to be doing whatever it is Mommy or Daddy are doing, and I could tell right away that she felt like the biggest of big girls as she sat alongside me on the couch for nearly an hour making her own strand of pretty colors. Every few beads, she would stop, hold it up, and say, "Mommy, Look!"

Eventually, though, as with all her toys, she remembers that the floor is still clean, and we must, at that point, remember that she is still at toddler with the innate abilities to create a mess twice the size of what an average adult could probably make if he/she were trying. It took just shy of five seconds for the spotless floor to become the spotted floor. I'm sure there are a few renegade beads are going to remain hidden behind the couch, tv stand, and desk until those pieces of furniture are moved. It was worth it.

We're on our way to a good weekend!

xo | cmd

 

Farewell, Karen :(

Today was Karen's official last day here with our office. We decided an office potluck was in order, so we all chipped in and brought our dishes to share when the lunch hour rolled around. I made a pitstop at the Christian bookstore right down the street from me and snagged a little something for her as well as making her a necklace she said she'd liked.

  

It's definitely going to be different without Karen around. We spent a large part of the lunch discussing all of our favorite 'Karen-isms' that never failed to get us laughing.

We wish you nothing but the absolute BEST of luck in your next endeavor! Don't forget about us - you'll have to come and visit :)

All in all, not a bad Friday at all. I topped it off with a nice relaxing night with the husband and daughter at our church's Koinonia small group.

Life's good, yeah?
Yeah. :)

xo | cmd

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, SYDNI!!!!

Yesterday, she was 1.

Today, she's driving.

Tomorrow, college.

I know I'm not the first mother to say this, but for the sake of saying it anyway: I can't believe how quickly time is soaring right on by. It was two years ago today, when I woke up at 6:45 in the morning thinking that the day was going to be the day that we had a baby. I was right. The memory is still vivid: Joe's mom and sister came to keep me company, and just as Kalyn showed up with brand new, itty bitty [then puppy] Cayenne, it was time to go. 

Twenty minutes later, there we were, trying to catch up with what had just happened, as I held our daughter for the first time. It was the rush job of the century, I felt, and it's not slowed down since. While I can still feel the fear of thinking I was going to have a baby in the passenger seat of the car, I somehow don't remember the sensation of frustration that came with the sleepless nights or relentlessly crying infant. I have no recollection, really, of the constant chore of nursing or pumping, and cleaning bottle after bottle after bottle. I know those things happened, but they seem so distant. And now, she's 2. Incredible. 

In just two years, we've moved twice, bought a new car, and joined the United States Air Force. It's been a wild ride of prayer, anxious nerves, and patience-testing trials. We've tested some limits we never imagined testing, and found our strength stemmed deeper than we knew. This is a learning experience for all of us, and so far, I think we're doin' okay. 

We took monster to Chuck-E-Cheese's today to celebrate her big 2nd birthday and let her romp around like the toddler that she is. She had a blast. Mama & Daddy did, too, but it never ceases to entertain me how much joy a kid can get out of nothing more than flashing lights and life-size cartoon animals.  
We're gearing up for the real birthday photo shoot, which will be taking place a little bit later on in the next few weeks. I'll be sure to keep those pictures posted.

Happy birthday, to the most amazing daughter I could've imagined.We love you so very much, and can't wait to see what this next year holds.

xo | cmd

My Husband, the Speaker

joe leading bible study

That handsome fellow there is my adorable husband.
I felt compelled to dedicate this entry to him simply because of how hard he works to make this happen when he's asked.

Wednesday nights at our church are a great opportunity for more fellowship and for learning in general, the lessons we have before us as followers of our amazing Lord. We have been blessed over the past few weeks with the opportunity to lead these Wednesday night sessions. I say, we, like I'm actually a part of it all - what I really mean is, Joe is blessed.

But not just with the opportunity - Joe is an excellent public speaker, and he puts all of his heart and his focus into presenting a good message. I won't go on, but for every ounce that it's worth, I am so proud of him, his drive, his passion for Christ, and his ability to let our Lord speak through him.

Great job, again, tonight, Joe.
I love you!

xo | cmd