one man's trash...

We have high ceilings in our living room, and for awhile now, I have been dissatisfied with the picture/sconce combo hanging above our sofa. The picture is horizontal, not very tall, and does not complement the high ceilings at all. So, I've been searching for something inexpensive to do (artwork is pricey and Baron & I are cheapskates). Anyway, I stumbled upon this idea in Martha Stewart's Blueprint magazine (I love this magazine, and just as I was introduced to it by my co-worker, she informed me that it was discontinued...boooo), and this is what I've decided to do:

{Click Here to read the article}

I have already started to collect my frames from local flea markets, and I will paint them once I have my collection complete. Here's my question: what color do you think I should paint them? Our couch is sort of a dark green (not hunter, but not sage...) and the walls are neutral. I thought about a bluish-green or yellowish green, but I am very indecisive. Should I go bold for a stark contrast against the neutral wall, or should I go more subdued since my sofa is a dark color? Thoughts?

the ultimate trophy husband!

50 things I love about my husband:

1. The way he makes me laugh.
2. He ALWAYS opens the car door for me. (I don’t think he’ll ever know how much this means to me!)
3. He doesn’t pick fights.
4. How incredibly cute he is when he smiles.
5. He doesn’t talk bad about me to other people.
6. I don’t have a reason to talk bad about him to other people.
7. He is a spiritual leader at his job, to our friends, at our church, and in our home.
8. How disciplined he is about exercising. (Fortunately my blatant laziness doesn’t rub off on him!)
9. He tells me when I look nice.
10. Sometimes he makes the bed for me.
11. He doesn’t get mad when I pick on him for leaving his shoes out.
12. He does laundry & dishes without me asking him to.
13. We have the MOST fun doing our Celine Dion impersonations.
14. He handles our finances very responsibly.
15. He is an awesome example for me by the way he has lived his life.
16. He makes me want to be a better wife.
17. Teenagers look up to him. (And not just literally!)
18. Adults look up to him.
19. I am proud of the man he is because of what he has been through in his life, and I am VERY proud of the work he is doing at PCA.
20. He goes to Wal-Mart for me when I don’t feel like going. (Which turns out to be quite often…)
21. We get to have ice cream a lot because he loves it so much.
22. He cherishes his mother.
23. He has rediscovered a relationship with his father.
24. How he plays with children – he will make an amazing father!
25. When he goes out of town, he leaves me little notes to remind me that he loves me.
26. He respects me.
27. He is SUPER talented with his sports figures. Seriously – I am constantly impressed by his work! (And I get offended when customers don't show their appreciation - not naming any names!)
28. I am truly happy to be married to him.
29. His height. (that’s hottt)
30. He is super attractive.
31. How much fun we have when we go on trips together.
32. He cuts the grass.
33. If I ask him (nicely, of course) to do something for me, he is always willing to do it.
34. He is patient with me, even when I am moody.
35. He cares about other people.
36. He is a really good teacher, whether it’s at church or at school.
37. He lets me give him fashion advice.
38. When I told him I wanted to start trying to have a baby, he reluctantly agreed, but now he wants a baby just as much as I do. And even though he gets frustrated that we are struggling to get pregnant, he is WAY more patient than I am.
39. He makes really good tuna salad.
40. We have survived 3 hurricanes and a tornado together.
41. It makes me happy that I talked him into us getting a dog, and now Toby is Baron’s best friend.
42. He is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.
43. My family loves him.
44. I love his family.
45. He is the most dependable person I know.
46. His “man room” at the house is finally presentable.
47. He helps me clean the house when I ask him to.
48. Steamroller!
49. He is physically strong.
50. He considers me a blessing after a really tough previous relationship, and he is open about telling other people what a blessing I am. I have done nothing to deserve him but we are absolutely perfect together!

{this list could go on & on, but I cut it short so as not to take too much of your time :-)}

wilderness

Have you ever felt called by God to fulfill a role? Ministers, missionaries, teachers, doctors...God calls people to so many different roles. I've never felt "called" by God to take any specific career path. That is, until I began to feel the strongest instinct I've ever felt - a desire to become a mother (yes, I do consider motherhood a career!). Almost 2 years ago, Baron & I decided it was time to start a family. God had a different plan for our lives. So, I have felt this calling from God...and I have to wait for it. Have you ever experienced that? It's like when you answer the phone, and the person on the other end says "hang on" as soon as you answer. Wait a minute - you called me! Why do I have to "hang on"? What sense does it make for God to call me to something and then make me wait for it? I thought about this question the other day, and it suddenly hit me that Baron has been through that same experience, and he was much more patient than I was. While he was working at Alfa, he knew that God wanted him to be in ministry. But at the same time, he also heard God telling him "Wait." So Baron waited, and God provided. I had no idea at the time what a wonderful example he would be for me. It is a little easier for me to "wait" on God having seen an example (through Baron's life) of the awesome blessings on the other side of waiting.


Please continue to pray for us. In my head & my heart I know this is God's will for our lives, and that provides me with so much peace...but I still get frustrated, upset, and confused at times. Thanks for the continued prayers!

pest control

We've hired a new pest control guy. Check him out:

therapy.

I had a bad day today. I've had a rough 3 weeks at work, and then yesterday it finally got better, and then today was a bad day. And since Baron is out of town until tomorrow, I didn't have him to come home & vent to & be comforted...so...I went shopping. :-) Here is my therapy - new bedding! Shhhh...Baron doesn't know about it yet. :-)

I love this show!

One word: FREAK.

mullett & old man tights

We went to the beach last weekend, but we forgot to take pictures until Saturday evening. And by then, I was nice & greasy from the tanning oil/lack of shower, so I'm afraid I won't be posting the pics of me. :-) However, we did manage to get a shot of an awesome mullet and an old man with legs so white it looked like he was wearing white tights. Enjoy.

And here are a few more pics from the trip (sans my greasy self):

{this is where we stayed}

Oh Canada

Happy Canada Day, Brett & Judy! :-)