A case of the randoms

Today actually feels like Monday to me. I started this morning with a good amount of energy. I'm now to the point where I am a little tired and a little restless. Hence, the feelings of Monday.

Last week, I gave up wedding planning for the week. Not because its bad or wrong, but because I needed to take some time to step back from the weddingness in my life and put my attention into other areas. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be. I was also busy which always helps as a distraction. But I'm back to wedding planning this week (at least in my head).

I also have a goal this week of putting off going to the grocery store as long as possible. I have a tendency to buys lots of things with good intentions of trying that new recipe or making a certain type of meal. However, if you often look in my fridge and pantry you will find lots of random ingredients from those recipies that I didn't end up making and I probably ended up eating cereal instead (still yummy).

So I'm trying to use those ingredients this week to see what I can come up with. Last night, I made a rice, bean, vegetable combination in attempts to make something I had at this place the weekend before. It wasn't quite the same but it still ended up pretty good and, as Jake put it, "its on the make again list."

And for those of you facing many challenges and life changing experiences this week, remember to stay focused on the big picture. Take time to decompress and experience whatever it is you are feeling. But most importantly: have faith.

Take some time to enjoy the little things.

Welcome

Just yesterday, a dear sweet friend of mine brought a beautiful baby boy into this world. She is the first of my friends to become a parent. And today as I watched her with her little boy, it was somewhat strange, yet so natural to see her in her new role. Holding and caring for her child.

Baby Evan was born at 1:27 p.m. weighing in at 7 lbs 9 oz.

There seems to be nothing just as exciting as new life entering the world. Baby's are a prime example of how God works and how He performs miracles everyday. To me, babies are miracles. They grow in their momma's belly and come into this world with all working parts. Miracles. So sweet and so small.

I'm excited to watch my friends start on their new journey of parenthood. Erica and Jimmy will be wonderful parents. They are so lucky to have each other.

Life is so full of great works of God if we just take time to be still and notice.

Maybe I should take my own advice.

Today & Everyday

Happy Valentine's Day.

I hope you are surrounded and feeling loved in some capacity today. Whether it is from your spouse, parent, child, friend, co-worker, dog...whatever it is, I hope you are feeling loved.

Typically, I would have prepared for today. I would have some sort of handmade craft or food to give to my valentine. However, this year I am not so prepared.

Today I'm thinking about the beach and how just 24 hours ago I was in sunshiny Florida sipping coffee and reading this book in the Florida room. Chatting with my grandmother about cooking, weddings, and life. Spending time just sitting and relaxing and existing.

But today I am back to the grind, struggling to get myself to focus and be productive. Dealing with a little post-vacation bummedness (I just made that word up). And tonight I will go home, exhausted and feeling a little grouchy because I'm still not recovered from our 4:15 a.m. wake up call to make our flight back home. I will put on my sweatpants and new Mickey Mouse sweatshirt, make a delicious dinner with Jake and some red wine and snuggle in for a movie. Enjoying the little moments of love. Nothing grand, nothing spectacular and, do to saving for the wedding, no gifts. Which is perfectly a-ok with me.

Because honestly, almost everyday is like valentine's day. I rarely go a day that I don't feel or know that I am loved. I am beyond blessed by my future husband, grandparents who still take walks on the beach together, family, friends and a God who, despite my feelings and worry, loves me regardless.

So, Happy Valentine's Day to you today and everyday.

Florida + Pillows

Well, I am Florida bound in a 17 hours. Yep, I can't wait!

It was a little impromptu visit to see my grandparents who snowbird down to Florida to escape the cold Midwestern winters. Although, this year really hasn't been so bad. Makes me nervous for the summer. I think it'll be a hot one.

But I wanted to share with you my recent DIY. I love them. Super cute pillows that can be added to any rustic chic space. I made these for my mom's birthday and will soon be making myself a pair.

I didn't use a pattern but if you need to you can find any basic pillow pattern. Once I cut out my sides, I used an acrylic pen to outline my letters. I stenciled the letters by placing a print out under my fabric. Burlap is pretty see through so it's easy to follow the lines. Then you can fill in the outline with paint.

Let the paint dry.

Then it's time to sew! I used my new Christmas present for this one. Sew the two "right" (or the two sides you want to be on the outside) together and leave a hole so you can flip and stuff the pillow. If you can't sew, that's ok, you can use fabric glue. It works well also.

Once you've sew them, all you need to do is invert them through the hole you left. Next, stuff them and make sure you get all the corners. Then stitch up the hole and you're done!

Pretty basic and they are so cute. What a great way to remind your spouse what side of the bed is theirs!

Ok, that's all for now. Time to finish packing up!

Change

Happy Super Bowl Monday! If you're from Indiana than it's been nothing but Super Bowl for the past few weeks. There has been a lot of buzz going on and a lot of new visitors to the state. I headed downtown on Friday to join in some of the festivities and it was amazing how much the city has done for this event. There were so many people there and it was just really cool to experience it.

On another note, my mom also had a birthday this weekend. Yay for her! We gathered together and celebrated. My brother was also in town and the five of us had a wonderful time being a family. It was so great to be with them.

This is a big year for my family. There are two weddings and two new people joining the original five. It will be a lot of change. But change is good, right? That's what they say. It's good but not necessarily natural or always easy.  Change usually excites me but I am particularly bad at change when it comes to my family. It can sometimes be hard for me to adjust. I can be kind of stubborn.

Change can make us better. It causes us to stretch and grow. It eventually causes us to look outside ourselves and see a bigger picture. I am excited about this change in our family. I am looking forward to adding a sister and a husband. To adding new traditions and new norms. Change is good. This is good.