Creative Itch

Ok, so since I've been nauseous on the couch all summer due to our little surprise, I haven't been able to work on the projects I normally undertake during my break. I'm feeling a bit better now and the itch is really starting to build up.

Today I (meaning Nick and I) moved our old church pew from the outdoor walkway into my foyer, layered it with old floral pillows and drug our bedroom rug into that space. The two framed topiary prints that I got from a garage sale are being re-purposed: the frames will be sprayed black and will now showcase Harper's masterpieces from art camp this summer. Frames from Hobby Lobby would've cost me $60 (with the 50% off sale), and this will cost me the price of spray paint, maybe $5. All I have to hunt for now are a few more floral granny pillows for the bench and possibly some wood crates or baskets for underneath, just for visual effect. Voila! New colorful, floral foyer.

Next I had Nick center the new bargain rug (found it yesterday for $20, huge wool PB rug with butterflies) under the bed in Harper's room. We moved Baylor's crib to the guest room to await the new baby. Just the addition of the rug transformed the feel of the room. Softer now. I have big ideas for that room but I have to wait until after the first trimester.

I will soon be hunting for 2 wood shutters, floral L-brackets, round or oval ornate mirrors (2), pink glass cabinet knobs. If you have any of this or know where to get it, please comment below. Also would LOVE an old quilt...think pale pink and creamy white. If you have an old granny quilt to give, trade, or sell please comment below.

OK. I also really want to re-do some old furniture. If you read this and know of a good upholstery person in the Ruston area please give me their info. I want it to look good and I am afraid to learn on these particular pieces.

Girls Trip

Girls Gone Wild Wood

Dara, Brooke, Missy, Julie, Keri, Klancey, April, Marissa, Jaime, Cheryl

Girls. Girls. Girls. My life seems to revolve around girls. The Cauley Girls, Girls of Grace at DHS, I'm the youngest of three girls....you get the idea. Last weekend I got to hang with my high school girls. Actually, most of us have been friends, or at some time frenemies, since elementary school. We all bleed purple, love our Hallsville Bobcats, and hail from the class of 1997.

Eleven girls in one cabin might scare off some folks. I'll admit, I wasn't sure how the chemistry between 11 different women would mesh, or combust if things went awry. But like most fears mine were senseless. We had a great time! Shortly after we were all reunited the competitions began, of course. First was the head stand competition and I must admit that I was a contender. In fact, if it weren't for Klancey's toe poking me in my unmentionables, I might've been the champ. Then the leg wrestling commenced. I knew I didn't stand a chance so I just sat on the sidelines, or couch, and watched. The winner held an undefeated title all night and it is clear that Miss Keri Jean is the LWC (Leg Wrestling Champion) of the Class of '97. However, I have a strong inclination that Dara and Missy are spending extra time in the gym to claim the title next year.

At moments we were grown up versions of the girls we used to be, and at other times we were clean reflections of the women we have become. It is so neat to sit back and observe the idiosyncrasies that have been apparent in these girls, as well as myself, since third grade, yet we are different. It is like we are still those girls only secured now by a blanket of maturity and life experiences. I will admit, it is hard NOT to compare yourself to other women in general, but equally difficult not to compare yourself to the girls you grew up with...in all areas: physique, career, family, world travel, success in general. But if these comparisons did occur, and I am sure if we are all honest they did to some degree, they were internal. It wasn't a dog and pony show of "Look at my life and all I have accomplished!" It was real. We laughed and cried and loved one another the way real friends do. I must admit that I received the most sincere, touching compliment from my friend Marissa and it made me proud to receive her words. She told me that she could see my spiritual maturity, that it was evident in my writing and how I managed to cope (really I was just surviving) with Harper's sickness. That made my heart smile so thank you, Marissa, for your gift of words.

By the way, if you head to Beaver's Bend you need to know that Girls Gone Wine is not a vineyard. In fact you don't even see the winery. It is more like a wine bar with a really cool gift shop. Basically it is a spending trap for women. Be warned!




We kayaked, sang, danced, ate, cheered and bounced all over Broken Bow, Oklahoma. I strongly recommend the white chicken pizza from The Grateful Head pizza house and brewery. The house band was a hit too, just too much pelvic thrusting from the side kick cowboy. (see below)

GOOO Bobcats!

To you eleven girls...women, thanks for growing up with me. I wouldn't change a thing and I can't wait until next year!

Missy's famous Big Toe!

A Literal God

During Harper's first hospital stay a friend brought me this devotional, "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence." I've commented before on the comfort these words have brought me ever since the book was placed in my hands. I've shared the words of the author, Sarah Young, with other friends and learned that one of my new friends, Jackie, is reading this very same text, drawing on the prayers for strength in the midst of a storm.

And before, I have said that I appreciate the times when God has been very literal in revealing Himself to me. No games, just God. I like that. And in one of His Majesty's finest showcases, He again revealed Himself to me in a literal form.

On June 13 my devotional reads: "I AM CREATING something new in you: a bubbling spring of Joy that spills over into others' lives. Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for it in any way. Instead, watch in delight as My Spirit flows through you to bless others. Let yourself become a reservoir of the Spirit's fruit."

And on that night the Lord revealed to me just what He has in store....


And on the very same night, my confidant of this exciting news, Katie Hall, read these words just before her head hit the pillow for the night...

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

So, thank you Lord, for your gift. I promise to do my best.