day in the backyard

What a beautiful day! I thought it appropriate to play outside and get some fresh air. We've been cooped up inside lately since the weather has been so atrociously hot and miserable. It's amazing how refreshed and energized pulling weeds and mowing the grass can make you feel. There was a cool breeze and the sun was shining, birds were singing, butterflies flying around us as we played outside and kicked the soccer ball around. Almost one of those surreal days you want to push the pause button on. And who can resist a game of hide and seek with a toddler?
Lately we've been having so much fun with peg people. They're cheap, easy to paint, and throw a paper mache house in to make a complete set. It entertains us for a long time. Also, some slate boards and chalk help pass the time. It reminds me of playing pioneer school as a child. My husbands kids that I play with Edens toys more than she does. Then I found my little girl sitting and quietly reading in the corner of our music/office/sewing/library room. Yeah, I know!! Maybe playing so hard outside made her want to have quiet time. By the way, the blue walls? they were like that when we moved in and it needs some new paint. Anyhow, just a peak into our day. Have a lovely fall weekend.

listening

Fridays are our days to be outdoors. To explore. To be quiet and listen. To feel the Lord through nature and His creation. He is the most incredible artist.

desk

Here is her desk and chair in the living room. We picked leaves and pinecones from our walk in the park and they are on display here for autumn. (but they often end up other places!) My favorite vintage phone! We play with that quite a bit. Eden likes to sit here and talk to herself in the mirror. Full ongoing conversations. Too cute.

changes

Heres a quick tour of edens halfway finished room. I have the before and after pictures, I sort of miss how bold and colorful it was, but it was too dark. I like the simplicity of white and variety of colors I can use now. One wall is completed so thats the wall I'll share. The embroidered bird and leaves pillow was made by my grandma Dorothy Hoak and I worked on the other half to complete it. Its the most special handmade thing in her room! The green fabric in frame was made from a table mat from anthropologie. The frame was on the side of the road and I painted it. The wall decal is from the land of nod, and E and bird house is from a craft store. I found a pinecone and random crate from around the house. The fabric birds were from a pattern online (from sewliberated.typepad.com and spool)and branch from our tree.

kitchen play

Another inspiration of mine? Kitchen play. Let me re-phrase that. Kitchen play with wooden utensils. Simplified version. I found an old bathroom shelf and converted it into edens new kitchen. I found a bookshelf and kitchen shelf at a garage sale for under $10. I would love to cut a round hole in it to put a metal bowl in for a sink, but it will have to do for now. I love playing in it with her! And to complete the set, today we were given 2 new vintage style children's aprons! What a gift! I love these. They have so much character, color, and are exactly what I've dreamed of giving eden. I'm sure they re-make these somewhere and sell them for a fortune.
Eden is so fun to play with. She always shares the felt food I made for her. My generous toddler...and she sticks things up my nose. It makes us laugh every time.

daily rhythm

Rhythm. An interesting word. I've learned I'm a random personality, the opposite of my husband, the analytical personality. You can imagine my idea of a schedule or daily rhythm. I don't plan as well as I should. For instance, my husband calling me from work, "So, what's the plan for dinner? Silence. Do you have anything planned...I mean, you're planning, right?" Of course, I always manage to get a hot meal on the table in time, but I do wait til the last minute. Until recently, my thrifty and incredibly wise husband suggested I plan the meals throughout the week, (I had gotten off track) and make a list so I cut down on trips to the store and stick to our budget. It's working great. Until I find a project like painting my daughters room light green to make it more sunny feeling. Or making an art project, handmade somthing that will absolutely have to be done immediatley because it's going to consume me til its done. It's priority. Mhmm. Over let's say, dishes, or making that important phone call or setting up an appointment. I make a list, then throw it out the window at the last minute. Hopeless? Not entirely. Random. So, that brings me full circle to rhythm. Rhythm in the home for my toddler. We have our routine and this week I've made it more detailed. Each morning we wake, eat breakfast, I clean up dishes while she finishes, then we play. Then she naps. I've designated Tues as creative day where we finger paint and create art. Wednsdays are busy for me so we make it a reading day/snuggle on the couch look at books day. Or visit the library. Thursday is focused on worship. We dance and sing. And Friday is our outing day in the great outdoors enjoying nature and sunshine. This is just a rough outline for the main activity for the day. Then the same routine for dinner and after dinner we clean up the toys, put on pajamas, brush teeth, read a book together/pray and put her to bed. She thrives on routine! It'll be fun to see if she remembers what days are for what. What are your routines?

she digs indian food...

Some would say were crazy. We decided to be adventurous and continue to take our toddler out to eat with us to try new things. We love indian food, so why not let her see if she does too? Oh boy, does she love it. We have evidence, and after begging for forgiveness from the restaurant employees for the rice on the floor, ceiling, chairs....we walked out with big grins on our faces. The night was a success.

birds

Lately I've been inspired by so many (too many to count!) projects online. This particular one I can't wait to make for edens room. Im going to paint her room a sunny light green and then add a branch with these birds on it. I found an old bird cage that Ill spray paint white and hang somewhere or prop on a dresser. I dont know why but Ive been in the nesting mood latley! I want to paint a wall with chalkboard paint so I can encourage Eden to draw and write...and I can pretend Im teaching her in the classroom of our living room. Today I found a great white vintage style phone that she's loved playing with, Ill show you a picture in the next post. Be inspired!

a glimpse

I love these fun moments. A glimpse into a weekend in Des Moines.

arkansas & jefferson city

Times of refreshing. Waterfall in Arkansas with grandma Sue. Training for business certification in Jefferson City Missouri. Hubers Ferry Bed and Breakfast. One right after another. The Bed and Breakfast was so relaxing especially in our private cabin. It was so beautiful to wake up in the morning to have breakfast delivered to us and then to sit out on the porch and watch the river wind through the bluffs below us. There's nothing like getting away from the city and taking hikes and walking through gardens and reading. Eden loved it. To top it all off Garth passed his test and became certified through the state of Missouri to qualify to start our own business.

no electricity

This past week we had a devestating storm that left our neighborhood with trees down on top of houses, cars, blocking roads, and a new addition to our neighbors back yard...a shed from a few doors down.
I romanticised our bleak situation of no electricity and made the best of things. Candlelit dinners, lanterns in each room...good old fashioned evenings. Somehow the dinner fairy managed to show up for every meal! Life sure was difficult...our fridge was on thanks to the generator fairy and we could access ice cold drinks in this 105 degree weather. Thanks mom and dad....i.e.fairy.
We had it pretty good, but it was a wake up call. We realized we had no food rations to last us more than a week, no extra fresh water and no game plan. If this was a natural disaster and things shut down for real...you can imagine our situation. My goal is to be wise and be prepared. There isnt anything worse than not being prepared for a storm on the horizon.
As Im stranded without a car this month, I'm committing to pray like it's my job. I feel the spiritual storm on the horizon and I want to be ready for when it hits. I'm feeling the weight of what I do with my time really matters. I dont want to settle for a dry and complacent heart. Theres a river of life that will sustain and refresh the weary! I dont have to live unsatisfied. I dont have to live thirsty. Come to the waters and drink. It's free and you'll find life for your soul. He will satisfy all your longings.

corners of my home

When your cars in the shop for a month, things start to get done around the house. Lets just say I've kept myself busy with little projects here and there! Eden now has a book sling on the wall(tutorial by pennycarnival.blogspot.com), in her very own reading corner. The house has had a few changes since she's become a toddler. She follows me around the house with her books, and we snuggle in and read together. I made a shelf for her in the living room where she sits inside and reads and plays with some play felt food I made for her. I always love starting a new sewing project of some crafty somthing for eden to play with. My grandmother Dorothy was artistic and made things for me growing up. Each time I finish somthing I remember how my grandma must have felt when she presented somthing crafted with love.

summer days

We just got back from the lake over the fourth of July. Eden had a mild ear infection, she's feeling much better thanks! It was so much fun to see her run fearlessly into the water and let those waves knock her over. It was sheer bliss. I'm sure the thought crossed her mind, "It's too bad we don't have sand in our back yard." I'm a thankful we don't! It has a way of sticking to every part of my child and finding its way in every nook and crany of the house. What a relaxing weekend.

grandparents

Somtimes I realize how fortunate I am to have such amazing parents and in laws. They are extremely supportive and always there for us. Did I mention extremely youthful, vibrant and provoking at times in their energy levels? Yeah, dad and Sue are in their 60's! Does it look like it? NOPE. All three have a common thread. Enjoy what God has put in your life, and laugh....a lot.

may 1st

This weekend was so much fun, the forecast was mostly cloudy with rain showers and storms and it was clear skies with sunshine!! The most gorgeous spring weather we've had yet. I was praying so hard...the Lord cares about those little things. It was a kiss to my heart. Eden loved her grandma Sue. As you can see, she kissed her and fed her birthday cake. The petit fours were a success, (thank you Sarah and Liz for helping me make them the day before) and both grandmas made homemade chicken salad, shredded beef, and croissants for the spread. Delicious! It was FUN. Eden may not remember but she'll have the pictures to prove how special it was.

significant in eternity

This week has been difficult. Eden's teething and I hardly recognize the child. The sweet, gentle, joyful child has been replaced by a cranky, and irritable child. My patience has been tried. Let me tell you, lack of sleep is such a way to reveal who you really are deep down under the surface. If you want to see the real me, see me when I havent slept and Im exhausted...and you will see brokenness and weakness. I have such a need for the Lord to forgive me and set me free!
I did find hope in the fact that what I do throughout my day, whether its dishes, or laundry or groceries...the only things that matter are the things that matter for eternity. The Lord measures greatness in meekness, love, laying down our life for another, humility. etc. I like to have a clean house at the end of the day (it speaks volumes to my husband, who feels supported) but if I have a clean house and a dirty heart I've missed it. I want a clean heart at the end of the day. I want to pour my delight and affection into my child and spend time with her. Just enjoying her for who she is and not what she can do for me. Even if were both cranky. If we feel loved and enjoyed by God. We win.