Tales of a Crafty Mama

over the weekend...and then today

{the tree in our front yard. I am madly in love with it.}

Over the weekend...

It was rainy + windy, so we spent lots of time cozy inside.

Erik + I finished watching the first seaon of  this via Netflix. For book club last month we read Into Thin Air and ever since, I have been what Erik would call annoyingly facinated with Mt. Everest. I have absolutely no desire to climb it myself; I just find those who do + their stories to be so interesting! Next up are: this one + this one. Then I just probably take a break from Everest mania.

I slept in on Saturday and Sunday.

We had a super yummy Thanksgiving inspired dinner with dear friends. Felt like we went home in a serious food-induced coma, it was all so so good. We brought whole wheat rolls, green beans with bacon vinaigrette, and that chocolate cake I am in love with. 

We invited Erik's grandparents over for a Sunday afternoon lunch. They will be leaving soon for their annual winter migration to sunny skies in Arizona, so we wanted to have some time with them before they left. Usually we only see them at family get-togethers, so it was fun to have Oma + Opa all to ourselves! We love you guys + will miss you so much! 

I edited and edited and edited...

Working on this beautiful friend's photos...

Oh, and this beautiful family too...

I am really, really behind on my editing. I need to come up with a better system/schedule for getting it all done. Fellow photographers, any tips on creating an editing routine?

Audrey + I went on a date to the library and the store. Daddy + Elliot went on a date to Home Depot. Elliot loves that store so much.

Had a phone date with my mama.

It was all really lovely + really sweet.

Then came today...

Not so lovely + definitely not so sweet.

I woke up late and in a bad mood. Not a good start to the morning.

Elliot and Audrey woke up grumpy too. Things headed downhill fast.

I was impatient and for sure not the best mama I could be.

They would not stop fighting about EVERYTHING. And they were naughty. Oh, so naughty. Like purposely peeing on the bed during naptime, wiping syrup everywhere at breakfast, naughty.

You would think that I would have stopped and asked the Lord for help. But no. Instead I decided to just feel sorry for myself and continued to be in a bad mood.

Then I checked facebook. So so much heartache and tragedy in people's lives today. A plane crash near my hometown. A friend from high school + his wife lose their little twin boys at 20 weeks in utero.

And I couldn't find the words. Only tears. I had no right to wallow in my grumpiness. There is so so much to be grateful for. Joyful for.

And those kids of mine. Sure they are naughty. And sure I was ever so grateful to put them to bed at 6:30 tonight (they fell right to sleep!). But oh, I am so thankful for them. I am blessed beyond words by them. Even on the rough days.

So tonight, I am putting the day behind me. My heart is still heavy with grief for friends who are hurting right now. But as for me and my little ones, tomorrow is going to be a new day. A fresh start. I am going to bed early (11:00 really IS early for me) and tomorrow is going to be a good, good day.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I am so  thankful for...

51. Elliot's mischievous smile

52. Audrey's stories

53. Elliot's questions about God tonight. It was the first time ever that He had asked about Him and oh, it warmed my heart. "Where is God, Mama? Outside?"

54. Audrey's feistness

55. Elliot's constuction projects scattered around the house

56. Audrey's creativity

57. Elliot's eagerness to help

58. The way they both love books and fight over my lap or "armie".

59. Listening to them play together.

60. Being able to sneak in their room at night while they are sleeping for a peek, a kiss, and one last prayer.

61. My children's health

62. One very loving + involved Daddy to them both

Oh, I am a blessed mama indeed.

 

oh, so grateful

{photos taken on our autumn train ride this last weekend}

And my heart continues to pour out thanks to Him...

31. My sweet girl asking for "more school!"

32. Orangette's "The- Winning- Hearts- and- Minds- Cake". It was the very first recipe I tried from her lovely book last year and it is one of the best things I have ever tasted. So so yummy and a cinch to make. And perfect for...

33. Celebrating my amazing friend's birthday with her in person for the very first time. Words cannot express how grateful I am for her and her friendship. Just know that she is truly as sweet and wonderful as she appears to be on her blog. I love her dearly.

34. Elliot's random humming. So, so cute.

35. Crisp, clear autumn days.

36. Falling asleep under two heavy warm blankets.

37. Autumn train rides

38. Creme brulee lattes

39. Books that remind me to stand in awe

40. Being with family

41. Elliot really, really making significant headway when it comes to potty training! (I know I mentioned this last week, but we're so excited about it, it really deserves another mention!)

42. Friends who have beautiful hearts

43. Having a camera to capture all the little bits of beauty in my every day and all the random memories.

44. The way my little boy insists on setting up a "truck" or "ambulance" in his room every day. (upside down small table + bed= truck/ambulance)

 45. A daughter who calls herself "the Memory Girl". It is so true. The girl remembers every.single.detail.about.everything.

46. Coughs + colds disappearing. Thank goodness for that!

47. Leaves changing color

48. Book clubs that make me think and are super fun

49. Celebrating another sweet birthday this week. Remembering back to two years ago when we were not sure if he or his mama were going to be okay. So so grateful they are both here!

50. Quiet, restful afternoons.

 

rest upon us

Oh, it has been a long day. Not much sleep last night- I was up coughing so much, not to mention the fact that little Elliot snuck in under the covers sometime around 2am. Slept in a little, then tried to get some housework and schoolwork done with the kids. Around 4pm, I was feeling a bit better and the sun was shining so brightly and was beckoning us outside. I took the kids to one of our favorite parks to gather leaves and run around. We had so much fun, but I came back feeling so much more weary than before. Thank goodness for early bedtimes and a sweet, helpful husband!

I stumbled upon a really lovely and encouraging Cademon's Call song recently. I picked up one of their cds at the library that I was not familiar with and this song captured me from the very first listen. Every time I hear it, I find it hard not to sing along; the words completely echo my heart during this season of my life.

{listen to the song here}

Rest Upon Us

My soul is weary, and my cup is dry,
I am so in need of you,
though my rightesousness is rags,
your mercies are new

So Lord, come down to me,
so my heart can see,
how encompassing your grace can be

Holy Spirit, rest upon us,
breath of God, touch my soul,
come unfailing love of Jesus,
rest upon us, rest upon us,

My mind is heavy and my days are long,
I lift my eyes up in the night,
my heart it weighs me down,
but your burden is light,

So Lord, come walk with me
until my heart believes
all the bounties that your grace can bring

Holy Spirit, rest upon us,
breath of God, touch my soul,
come unfailing love of Jesus,
rest upon us, rest upon us,

I will wait for you
I will wait for you
you rest upon us
come rest upon us

Laura Story and Andrew Osenga

Continuing to give thanks. Even though I am sick + weary, He is still so very good...

16. early bedtimes

17. the book of James in the Bible. Our church is currently doing a series on it and it is so convicting + inspiring

18. a little boy who is finally, finally starting to show signs of being ready for potty-training

19. autumn temperatures outside

20. homemade chicken noodle soup

21. books that make you think about your story

22. that He and His grace and His love and His Spirit are resting on me

23. the freedom of imperfection (I am not really familiar with the rest of her blog, but that post inparticular really resonated with me)

24. a little girl who is happy to create art all.day.long

25. a husband who brings me popcorn + ice-cream in bed when I am sick

26. friends who love crafting as much, if not more (!), than I do. Really really grateful for them and their creative, inspiring spirits.

27. sweet, thoughtful comments on my blog. Each and every one blesses me so much!

28. Breathe Easy tea. A lifesaver.

29. a surprise lunch from a favorite restaurant from my husband

30. hearing her ask, "Just one more page, Mama?", when I am reading aloud

 

giving thanks

I am going to start joining in on Ann Voskamp's Gratitude Community, listing my own One  Thousand Gifts (and then some, I hope!) every Monday. I have done versions of this on my blog in the past: my weekly Small Joys on Fridays, taking the month of November the past two years to set aside 30 days of Gratefulness. This is no different, I guess. I just feel like it is a great way to start the week- reminding myself of all that God has done and all the big and little ways He blesses me every single day. Feel free to join in- in the comments or on your own blog! And if you get a chance, please, please take a moment (or many!) to check out Ann's beautiful and thought-provoking blog. It it is truly one of my favorites.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

01. His mercies new every morning

02. cuddling with my little ones

03. a hard working husband who provides for us

04. autumn scented candles

05. heavy rain after a long, hot week

06. the joy of learning together with my children! Homeschooling is so much fun so far.

07. Honeycrisp apples, fresh from the farm

08. planning autumn crafts + baking

09. an unexpected but oh, so needed, long afternoon nap

10. music that makes me smile

11. family movie night- snuggling on the couch, eating popcorn, holding hands during the "scary parts"

12. candy corn

13. the Lord's quiet whispers

14. my five year old's questions about heaven + God

15. a warm cozy bed after a long day