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This life is hard. The longer I live, the more people I meet, the more stories I hear. For a long time, in my innocence of youth, I felt like life was pretty good. Thanks to my parents for giving me a happy childhood, and great friends for meaningful memories as a teen. I'm so grateful for those years, and I think it is truly a time to be treasured. No, don't get me wrong, there are SO many good things about this life still. I am blessed in many ways, and I'm not just talking about in material things. But I have come to realize that there really are times where we ALL walk in the valley, as well as times when we stand on the mountain.  The God of the mountain is still God of the valley Something that I have come to recognize more recently, is that EVERYONE STRUGGLES. Some struggle in obvious ways, such as the loss of a child, addictions, hurtful relationships, abuse, and so on. Others struggle in ways that many times go unnoticed. I think we all have internal heartaches that we are reluctant to share. We feel like we are alone in our pain, or wonder what people will think of us. The truth is, we all need somebody to come along side of us and help. We need encouragement, support, and love. We need to be understood, open, and honest.  It is hard to see so much pain, when all we really want is unity. I believe Christ is the only One who can truly bring that. But He calls us in many ways to not only share our burdens, but also help others carry them. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12 We are here on this sin filled earth for a reason. When you feel that nudging thought to ask someone about their struggles, do it! When someone needs a helping hand, a hug, a meal, a visit, and kind word, give it! And... when YOU are the person in need of these things... accept it!  Skyler holding and praying with his sister just a few weeks before he saw Jesus It hurts to see so much pain. We get pushed out of our comfort zones to share our hearts. We want to hide from the hurt and put on masks, pretending that life is just fine, when in reality, those masks pull us deeper into bondage. May we come along side of each other, praying for each other, and being the people that God has called us to be. His grace covers all. He wants to take all of our pain. And some day, that perfect unity will come. Disclaimer: This is also written to myself! I have in NO way mastered any of this, but I am inspired to share my thoughts. 
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In this life we grow so much. I’ve been watching my kids grow and learn. The world through their eyes is so amazing! From the time we are born, we grow in many ways. The tiny baby’s eyes light up as they learn to recognize the people who love them. Their pride when they take their first steps, or learn to ride a bike. The inches on the measuring stick getting higher off the ground. But in so many ways, even when we reach the highest point of our growth chart physically, we are just beginning to grow in other ways. This, of course, depends on each person and their life experiences. As we leave the comfortable nest of our parents’ home, and stretch our wings to fly, we often take a few spills, or battle through some fierce storms. We face the world on our own, or find a partner to struggle through with. Many of us start our own families, and we try to teach our little ones some of the lessons we learned. But mostly, learning and growing come through experience. As I look back over the past year, I am filled with many emotions. I remember the gut wrenching pain of holding my lifeless child. I remember the joy of realizing that one of my own is Home. I have felt anger and frustration. I have felt peace and comforting assurance. And through all of this, I know that I am being molded into the person that God wants me to be. I feel like I must have had a lot to learn, for something so hard to happen to teach me. But I know we don’t have a God like that. He doesn't wait, just looking for His next 'victim' that He can teach a lesson. He feels our pain, cries with us, and knows our sorrow. But He turns all things for good. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28  The balloons going up to Skyler at a get together today that was organized by some thoughtful friends. <3 So much of me wishes that I could go back and not learn. Or maybe I could be growing and learning in some easier way. But I am starting to see that God works in mysterious ways. In my own experience, it’s in those darkest, hardest times that I have felt His arms wrapped around me the tightest. He is teaching me to trust. Teaching me patience and faith. He has a plan here for me, and he’s making me into the person who I need to be to finish that plan. We talk about ‘teachable moments’ in regards to our kids. Do we look for the teachable moments for ourselves? I pray that I will be a soft clay. That God will mold me into the person he wants me to be. The refining process is hard. The heat from the fire of the trials is hot. But… …Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour… Isaiah 43:1-3 I have a long ways to go. A lot of learning left to do. The growing pains will be there, and they can be scary, but I know that I have a God who is with me always. May we all allow Him to work in us, becoming the people He wants us to be. Always clinging to Him as we face the storms, as well as the sunshine. Always praying… “Lord, keep us safe from the battle.”  One of my very favorite pictures of Skyler, recently given to me by another thoughtful friend We miss you Skyler. This year without you has been hard. But your year with Him has been beautiful!  “Tis’ the season to be jolly” or at least, for most of the world. It’s been a tough month, and the holidays have kicked us hard. I expected it I guess, but it’s never quite how you think it will be. It hits you worse on days you wouldn’t think, and then days you are prepared, it turns out easier than you thought it would.  Thanksgiving isn’t a day that I have a lot of memories connected to Skyler. For us, it’s not so different from the typical day, except we get together with around 60 people for a crazy lunch. It’s hard to even make sure your kids get food in a crowd like that! I thought Thanksgiving would be no big deal. We had some overnight company that week, and Jethro and I snuck out for a bit while they watched our kids that morning. We went to see this for the first time:  That didn’t help much! But in that crowd of people, Skyler was missing. There was a huge hole. Is it just because everyone was there except him? Even though I didn’t have special memories of him relating to that day, he was still gone. And since then it hasn’t been much better. Pulling out the Christmas stuff wasn’t the same. Last year Skyler (being the oldest and remembering the details) was the most excited. He wanted to help put everything together and had so much fun. The kids enjoyed themselves this year, but there were some things that I couldn’t do without him. Maybe next year. I've been cutting myself some major slack, and doing pretty much the minimum when it comes to anything and everything, especially Christmas related.  Last night we went and looked at Christmas lights in town and had supper and a treat. He was supposed to be there. Today I wrapped gifts. His were missing. I miss his laugh and his smile. His hugs and his comforting arms when Mommy is sad. I miss the way he took care of his brother and sister The way he got all hyper and excited. The way he wrestled with Rystin and protected Vayah and grinned when he felt Janae's baby kicks. The way he was always happy about going somewhere with Dad. His sensitive nature. His generous heart. His wisdom beyond his years. Some days now, more than before, I say WHY?! It’s normal to have him gone now. We are adjusting to being back to three kids, age 3 and under, instead of the four kids, age 5 and under that we should have had. But it doesn’t make it easy. Now most days when I count out four plates to set the table, I don’t always think about how there should be five anymore. When we all load up in the car, I don’t always think about how there should be one more car seat filled. I don’t always think about that other set of teeth that should be there to brush, or that extra laundry that should be in the pile. But lots of times I do. I know I'll think about it when we take our annual kids in front of the tree picture this year. We'll never again have a picture with everyone in it. -- I've been going through pictures the last couple of days, because I'd like to start working on albums. I gotta say, I'm SO thankful that I was so photo obsessed when Skyler was little. I don't take pictures AS much as I used to, but still often. I have probably thousands of pictures of Skyler! I'd encourage you all to take pictures of your kids. You'll never regret it! --  The Sunday School Christmas program at church the other weekend was tough too. The kindergarten class proudly marched up to recite their lines. They sweetly sang their song, ‘Jesus Loves Me’. But there was one face missing. One proud smile gone from the group. But I COULD still hear his voice. Skyler sang that song countless times, and I have several videos of him singing it. So in my mind, I could still hear him. I just wanted to see him too. He would have been so proud when his brother Rystin got up there with his preschool class and loudly and clearly sang “In a Little Stable”, just like he had the year before. “You did so good, Rystin! I could hear you when you sang your song”  Tonight as my family and I made some yummy goodies, we listened to Christmas music. One song came on… “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you…” I thought how true that was. Then a bit later another song… “I’ll be home for Christmas…” Sadly I thought if only that were true. Then I realized how true it really was!! SKYLER IS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! He’s more ‘home’ than he’s ever been here with us. He is Home, sitting next to our Lord who we are celebrating now. Because of that first Christmas night, Skyler is “Alive in Heaven” as Rystin always likes to say. Because of that Precious Child, we have the promise of Eternal life. We can be ‘Home for Christmas’ and always! So come, let us adore Him! As my mom wrote in her Christmas letter, we truly have learned that He is Emmanuel, “God with us”! Although the days are sometimes difficult, and we live one at a time, our Lord is with us each step of the way.  The theme of ‘Hope’ continues on… This has been “my” verse lately: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13 A thrill of HOPE this weary world rejoices!
Merry Christmas, from my weary, yet rejoicing heart!  It’s been awhile since I’ve written. I still have plenty of things to share. Because my thoughts are all mixed up and jumbled today, I’m going to give you them in list form. A few random bits in no particular order… -You never expect your family to shrink. Growing and multiplying, yes. It’s not supposed to get smaller. I can’t even explain the feeling of going from three kids to only two. Looking at Rystin and Vayah and thinking “these are ALL of my kids now!”. So so wrong. When I had Janae, it helped a little, but it still felt like there should be four. She was my fourth baby… someone was still missing. It was only for 6 weeks that I went back down to two kids, but it will be forever that there’s one still gone. I still have that feeling that I'm missing one when we’re not at home and I’m trying to keep track of them all. Will it always be? -It also feels like I’ve gone backward in time. My oldest was learning how to write and spell. Now my oldest is only just learning his letters and numbers. . My oldest used to be able to help buckle himself and his brother into the car. Now my oldest just figured out his own buckle. My oldest used to be able to help gather clothes, shoes, and coats for the family. Now my oldest struggles to get himself dressed some days. And on and on it goes. I have to continuously remind myself that my oldest is 3, not 5. I cannot expect the same things from him that I could of his brother, who was two years older.  -The above quote is only half true. At this point, I cannot say that missing Skyler has gotten easier. Actually, I think as reality has settled in, and he seems further away, it has been harder now. But I do find it comforting to think that I’m one day closer to seeing him again, instead of thinking that I’m one day further away from him. It’s a scary thing to think that the memories of your own child may fade away. -Being busy helps. I never have been one to love things to be crazy all the time. I like routine and schedules. I like knowing what is coming and planning ahead for it. The last 6 months have been completely upside down and very busy. God must know that’s what I’ve needed. Now as winter settles in and we don’t have plans every day, I am seeing how much better we do when we’re busy. Maybe in the long run that isn’t good. I know we need the time to think, process, grieve, and grow. But being around other people still helps. -I still can’t believe that Skyler has been gone for over half a year. It is sometimes so hard still to comprehend that it’s even true, much less to think that we have survived the way we have for this long without him. I have been around a nephew lately who was born two days before Skyler. That’s been tough in some ways, neat in others. He seems so tall and grown up. Would Skyler be that tall after 6 months of growing? What would he act like? Reminding myself again that Skyler’s plan never went that far. He was only meant to be here for 5 years. -Sometimes life gets discouraging. I see my own pain and sorrow. I see so many others hurting in similar or very different situations. I see the way the world is living. But I know that God is still in control. He is lifting up His children and holding them close. He still has a mission for us. There are so many out there who don’t know Him, and need this hope.  And one quick story to share... Awhile back we were looking into what we wanted on Skyler’s headstone. (Something that just isn’t right to have to figure out!) Because I enjoy design, and wanted it to be more personal, I told the company that I would come up with something and email them what we wanted on the stone. I did a quick google search to get some ideas, as well as images we could use. It didn’t take long and I found this…  Yes. There is no doubt that that little boy could be Skyler. I loved the picture, and when Rystin saw it he was SO excited. We decided to use this image, so I included it in my design and sent it off. Later, the man we were communicating with asked if I had a clearer copy of the picture. I didn’t, but told him I would go back to the site and see if I could get it in a bigger file size. After much google searching, trying many various key words, and going back to my browser history, I’ve never been able to find the picture again. They were still able to use this copy for the headstone, so that wasn’t a problem. But for me, it feels like it’s a picture just for us, of our little boy with Jesus. Praise the Lord, they truly are together for eternity!! Oh what a day that will be, when we can all join them there! Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13  
In case you haven't noticed, I've been posting on here a bit more frequently these days. I'm hoping to stick to it, and keep on top of things better than I have in the past. Heard that one before? Hopefully I can do a better job this time, but to help, I am considering doing some guest posts. This will not only help me, but maybe keep the interest up on your end also! I don't want to make you listen to just me jabber all the time :) So here is the first Guest Post on Whispers of Joy! I'd like to introduce a good friend of mine, Carissa, who is devoted to her Lord, and has an amazing heart for encouragement. She is a wife, and mother of two little boys, and is wading through the ups and downs that these jobs entail. Carissa has a gift at sharing her thoughts to uplift others who are fighting the same battles, and enjoying the same blessings as she is. She doesn't have a blog of her own (YET! Let's cheer her on so she starts one up!), but plans to share her thoughts with us here occasionally. Here is Carissa... 
As I’ve prayed about what God wanted me to write about, my heart kept getting led back to this topic. I didn’t want to open up about it. It’s embarrassing. My pride said, “No way!” But God kept bringing me back to it, so here I go, baring my soul, knowing that it’s only God I should strive to please. Looking back, I think it all started when the kid behind me in class was offering me some of his candy. As I took some he told me that I was skinny & needed it. That hurt. To me, he just said I wasn’t attractive & in order to be, I needed to gain weight. (Looking back now, he was just being a typical teen kid & teasing me. He didn’t mean anything by it.) I grabbed the candy, threw it in the garbage can as I walked out the door & to my next class, fighting back the tears & hurt. After that time, I was self conscious about my weight. Most people probably looked at me & thought I had it made. I was thin & could eat whatever I wanted without it affecting my weight. I, on the other hand, saw all the girls with curves & longed to look like them. To me thin, not-so-curvy girls like myself, weren’t that attractive. A girl I worked with had said one of her guy friends told her that guys like girls that have more to them so that, along with similar comments over the years, fed my secret worries later as a married woman. 
Over the years, I always had someone commenting about my weight. “You’re so skinny, why do you need to eat healthy?” “String bean.” “You’re so tiny!!” “You disappear into the couch, you’re so skinny.” The list could continue on. I realize now that all these people did not know what their comments meant & did not mean them to hurt me the way they did. But Satan used them mightily in my life. I hated being “skinny.” I wore certain clothes & avoided the ones that I thought made me look even thinner. I worried that my husband found other women more attractive, you know those ones with more curves? I secretly feared that he wasn’t being honest with me when he told me I was beautiful. I compared myself all the time. While I was doing all that, I would wonder why in the world I struggled with it! Outward appearance isn’t everything & I knew that. I would feel so silly & wish I could get over it! I would beat myself up for worrying & dwelling on something so superficial & unimportant! To this day, I don’t quite know why I struggled with it. All I know is I wanted to be beautiful & attractive. But I mostly came to grips with how I was made for a few years. I learned to not take people’s comments to heart & just be grateful for the fact that I didn’t have to worry about gaining weight. Then I had kids. That did a number on my “feeders.” I didn’t get many stretch marks but my “feeders” are not pretty (in my ever so self critical opinion). I wanted to hide myself from my husband. I’d cover them up during our alone times. I feared he thought they were so ugly & longed for the way they were, before our boys came along. (Our boys are SOOO worth it! I wouldn’t trade them for the most perfect “feeders” in the world. ) :D No matter what my dear husband said, Satan was always in there telling me that he was just saying that to please me. That he would never tell me what he really thought because he didn’t want to hurt me. In the study, Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow, there was a chapter on being content with the way God made you. “Have you ever thanked your Creator for His loving supervision of your creation? Have you praised Him for creating your personality? Can you say with David, “I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made?.....You will never really enjoy other people, you will never have stable emotions, you will never lead a life of godly contentment, you will never conquer jealously and love others as you should until you thank God for making you the way He did.” When I read that I started crying. I didn’t want to thank God for the way He made me because I thought He could have done much better! All I could think of was all the hurt & pain from comments over the years about my size. I thought of all the longing to be outgoing, funny & bubbly that I had done. I had argued with him in this area much of my adult life (short as that has been since I'm still not quite a grown up;) ). I told God that it would be a while before I could thank Him. But God delivered me & gave me victory!!!! 
I praise Him for never giving up on me & always working in this heart of mine. I can truly say I am content with the way He made me! It brings tears to my eyes saying that! :) I wish I could convey how intense this was for me at times & how FREEING it’s been to truly embrace what I’ve always known to be true. God thinks I’m BEAUTIFUL!! :) I love the saying that comparison is the death of contentment because I have found it to be so true! I am learning that instead of comparing myself with other women, to instead think, “She is beautiful. But so am I!” God hand crafted each of us & when He looks at us, He thinks, “She is beautiful & perfect. Look at what a fine job I did!” I am learning to embrace the stretch marks & imperfect, well used breasts as beauty marks. My boys are well worth it! My Savior has scars on him from bearing the cross for me so that I can have life, in the similar way that I have scars, in a sense, from bearing & giving life to my boys. When I look at my imperfect self now, I think of how my Jesus has scars on him from me. It was me that sent him to the cross to die. Now, I know not all thin girls have or have had struggles like mine. We are all different. Just because I struggled in this area doesn’t make me any less than you. Just because you may not have struggled in this area does not make you any better than me. We are all traveling this road together & each has our unique struggles. You may not struggle with outward appearance but are you content with yourself in other ways? Are you content with the personality with which God has gifted you? Are you content with the talents & gifts He has given you? I used to joke with friends that I got jipped in that department because I can’t cook great, play an instrument, sing, sew, create- you name it, I probably cant’ do it! I did not think about it very often but would joke about it occasionally. It hurt God when I would compare & wish I looked like that, had a personality like so & so & was gifted like her! Now, I’m ok with not knowing if I have many gifts. I KNOW that God has gifted me somehow. I’ve moved passed wondering what my gifts are to just praying that God will use my gifts, whatever they are, to glorify Him & encourage others in their walks with Him. “God is painting a picture on the canvas of our lives. Our bodies are merely the frame. God intends to paint a beautiful picture-a picture to others of our character and unique expression of Christ’s life-and place it in this frame. But He can’t create this work of art without our cooperation. It needs to be a lifelong joint project between God and us. If you choose to criticize the frame or resist God’s brushstrokes, you will not find contentment. It will elude you. If you focus on God’s vision that integrates the picture with the frame, and the development of His message through you, you can say, “I am content to be me.”” -Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. (Highly recommend that study!) In the words of songwriter Johnny Diaz, “There could never be a more beautiful you!” :) 
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Carissa! Come back again soon to enjoy more posts from this encouraging woman! (and more projects and updates from me too!) :) Thanks for stopping, God bless your day! 
I have discovered the greatest career in history! Literally...from the very beginning when Adam and Eve laid eyes on their first child, I believe this has to be the #1 'job' that ever was and will be. Right up there with 'wife', the title of 'mother' is such a JOY! The two short years I have had the privilege of bearing this title have been amazing!  I will also admit, that being a parent is one of THE toughest things I have ever done. Not that I have had any extreme experiences in my lifetime thus far. But really, would you apply for a job that involved working around the clock with no 'real' breaks, no (monetary) paycheck, major (and many) responsibilities, no paid time off, dealing with tempers, tantrums, and tears, being in charge of discipline, and so on...!?!? No, that sounds ridiculous!  But what if the same job offered no chance of layoffs, unimaginable love, partner support, and endless lifelong benefits ranging from huge smiles and hugs to "I wove you, Mommy" every day. From rocking a cuddly baby to laughing a silly antics. From endless fun to fresh beginnings. From soft little coos to hilarious giggles. From unlimited teaching opportunities to watching learned skills. From "I'm sorry" with a hug to awe and amazement. The list is endless. Sounds pretty worth it if you ask me!  Remember to thank God if He has given you the amazing blessing of being a parent. Children are gifts from Him and I can think of no greater gift except for the Son that our God GAVE to us for our benefit of eternal life. Take hold of that gift, then treasure the gifts that He has given you. Love them, teach them, care for them, and give them back to Him. This 'job' is not a calling for everyone, and I know there are so many other blessings in this life that are ours for the taking. I just wanted to share a few of my own thoughts and maybe give you a little inspiration to love your job that much more! I better run... one of my little blessings just woke up from his nap and wants his Mommy! :) Thanks for stopping by!  When decorating for Christmas this year, I turned to quite a few different blogs for ideas this holiday season. At one of those, I picked up this idea. Sorry, but I don't remember which one so I can't credit the creator. I love using frames in creative ways, and thought this was such a neat way to display a nativity-type scene in my home, as I haven't had anything in the past. It IS the true meaning of Christmas, and the most important part to remember!  For this project, I followed a fairly simple process. I think I had it comleted in less than a couple hours. I found some silhouette images online, printed them, and cut them out. The cutting was most time consuming!! I then took the glass and backing out of various sized black frames that I had around the house. I then hung them on the wall with a tack and some Christmasy ribbon, just looping the ribbon around the top of the frame. Using double sided tape, I placed the images directly on the wall inside each frame! See... simple! You could use this idea with so many things!  For unto you was born this day, a SAVIOUR, which is Christ the Lord!  Sorry about the goofy lighting and picture quality. I did have the time/patience today to mess with my camera settings or edit them before posting.
Wishing you all a VERY Merry Christmas from Whispers of Joy! God bless you and yours Is it? Maybe... I'm not sure yet. I've been searching for my lost motivation and inspiration. Ideas seem to be waking up from hibernation and starting to stretch and wiggle. I've got something in mind for a new line here at Whispers of Joy! We'll see if it keeps growing and blooming and appears here sometime in the future. I'll keep you posted on the progress!  (Why does inspiration seem to come during the busiest times...
or when I'm trying to avoid things!? My dirty house is calling me!!) Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20 I've once again been bombarded with needs. Ok... wants. I was bloggering (ok, what's the word for blog 'surfing' anyways) on different craft blogs last night, and I wanted to drop everything and run to the nearest fabric store!! There are SOO many fun projects out there that I WANT WANT WANT to do!! I went to bed a little unsettled, with ideas running through my mind, wishing I had the budget to just go get whatever I needed to create all these fun things!  I actually mentioned feeling this way not long ago, in a previous post about decorating my home. That feel of discontentment creeps up and you without warning, and soon, you just want, want, want. Or, in my mind, need, need, need! Well laying in bed, I reached for my daily devotional and noticed the verse for the day, Hebrews 13:5!! How fitting! And I didn't even realize until this morning, that is the same verse I posted last time about this subject. :) Then, browsing the internet a bit ago, I ran into it again. (OK... I'm listening!!)  Hebrews 13:5 KJV Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So let us all (myself mostly) remember to be content with where we are in life. Be content with what we have. Be content with who we are. Always striving, always growing and learning, but always content.
Wanted to add a little summer to your day, with the colorful flower photos. They were actually taken on our honeymoon, the summer of '08. Also, keep checking back here! I plan on working on getting some new designs up for the Perfect Pacis!! It's my main project for today, so I'm hoping to get a good start on it. Yes, I am the type to have 18 projects going at once (give or take), and eventually have to force myself to just finish one thing before I can start another. This would be why my "new January products" never happened. Oops! I'd better get busy! :) God bless your day, and grant you the contentment you need! -MJ So here is a fast and easy way to make a basic, every day item add a little more color to a room. I have been looking for ways to add various shades of green to my kitchen/dining area. The walls are painted a minty shad of green and it's a little hard to match, or coordinate anything with. (Once again...we are in a rental) I decided to just pull out various shades of green and combine them, for a cleaner look. Here I sound like I am this great decorator that knows just how to do things! Ha!! I also wanted a more attractive way to display the Christmas photos that we received last month. So to add a little more color to our dining area...  Here is the plain cork board style bulletin board that I started with. It's held many treasured photos for me in years past, and always has looked ugly! :)  I cut my fabric about 3/4 extra inches on each side of the cork board. Using a spreading knife from the kitchen, I pushed the fabric under the silver metal edge.  I was fairly happy with the result, though I am now thinking that a solid color fabric may have made it look a little less busy. Oh well... it's better than what is was! I always think bulletin boards are a little tacky, but they're so easy to improve! I'd like to do something with the edge eventually too... any ideas? Oh and by the way, the wall in the last picture really does not look like the shade it really is! Did you send a card this year? Do you see yourself?? ;)
I have also re-formulated my re-decorating plan in my head. I am still looking for frugal ways to improve my home, but it is not a priority. I hope to still make some things myself, find deals at discount stores, and hit up some garage sales and such, but I don't want to get so focused that I end up letting it consume me. It really isn't that important of a thing! I think about all the thoughts I've had of what to do to make my home more beautiful (which is part of our duty as a wife), and then I think of all those across the world who don't have a home to do anything with in the first place! How selfish I am! Think of this verse, when things of this life consume you, or you find yourself wanting more. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5, KJV -MJ |
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