Moved

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Random Photo #1

So, my mom made it quite clear that whether I have something to say or not, she'd like to at least see a photo.  Perhaps this is a sure sign she's feeling better because she's bored.  You know, Mom...we were never allowed to say that when we were growing up. :) Maybe you should go dust or vacuum. Haha!

And, because I really don't have much to say today...here is the random photo per her request.  Homemade Chicken Alfredo on Spinach Fettuccine.  Yum, Yum, Yum.

Upstream

Living in big cities has taught me a few things about myself.  One--Just because all the girls are wearing it, doesn't mean I have to join the crowd. Two--the work will still be there in the morning.  Three--When it comes to the norm, I have a hard time swimming upstream.

As I got ready for work this morning, Pandora was blasting on my phone.  Songs like "Wonderful" and "Glorious God" loudly streamed from the speakers, and before I realized it, tears were rolling down my cheeks.  I put my hairdryer down, stared at the face in the mirror and realized I hadn't prayed to God all week.  I'd thought about him, and I'd pondered my temptations and struggles in life, but I hadn't stopped and actually talked to Him.  Work, life, projects, all of it had gotten in the way.  The emptiness inside suddenly felt overwhelmingly big, and for the first time in a long time I accepted the fact that I've been trying to survive on my own strength.  When my heart has hurt, I've attempted to calm it with my own hopes.  When I've been faced with temptation, I've relied on my own (humanly weak) strength to walk away.

How is it that a girl like me--someone who grew up in a Christian home, practically lived at church, and has seen the awesome wonders of God--so easily has fallen away from even talking to that same God?  As I drove in to work, "It is Well" came on, and the tears started rolling again.  I looked up into the sky and imagined Jesus returning from Heaven on His white horse, parting the clouds as they obey His every command.  I wondered what I might be doing at that moment, and it was then I saw how I've been sucked into the city life of living on my own time and my own interests.

This habit won't be an easy one to break.  It feels daunting, and even impossible, but the emptiness inside feels even bigger.  I imagine God was standing beside me as I looked into that mirror, watching my tears roll.  He probably had His hand on my back quietly whispering, "You are my beloved.  You are mine.  You are loved.  I am the answer."  I imagine He smiled when He saw my heart break for Him.  And I imagine His own heart has been breaking as He's waited for me to turn toward Him.

All I hear right now is "You are my beloved."

French Country...Heather Style

I've been slowly making my apartment feel more like my home. While I verge on being obsessed with keeping things tidy, I'm not a fan of stark white walls and clean lines.  In fixing my place up, I've discovered my style...french country with a twist.  And this weekend, I added to it a new fireplace mantel!

Before

After!!!

Painting furniture has not been one of my so-called talents, but I think I'm getting the hang of it now.  I'd originally planned on painting a few coats on the mantel and distressing it in places, but after I saw the look of one coat, I was sold.  Confession: I woke up thirty minutes early this morning (sans alarm) and flew to the living room to decorate it after letting it dry all night.  The mirror was a special find...only $39!!!

My $16.99 table lamp

Framed Grandma West's cross-stitched tea towels for the kitchen

snow....SNow.....SNOw.....SNOW!

{Insert White Christmas train scene as Bing and crew sing my favorite "snow" song....}

This morning, I woke up to a blustery day.  Add some snow to that swirling wind, and you have a DC Metro blizzard (which really just means light snow flying violently through the air trying to cling to anything it can safely land upon).  We got just enough to make the barren land beautiful again.  What a beautiful way to wake up to a Friday. Hutch wasn't quite as fond of the beauty as he couldn't figure out how to pee without being blown over by a white cloud.  Nevertheless, he got the job done, we ran back inside, and now I'm stuck at work to wait out the day until I can return home and enjoy my cozy home.

Pictures of my latest project coming soon. :)

Paints & Glues

Mom is home, daily building strength and catching up on sleep.  Dad is relieved to return to some sort of normalcy, and I'm sure both of them find comfort in the safety of their home. And me...well, I'm back to the grind but have decided to spice it up a bit.  This girl has taken her many hours of Pinterest explorations and has applied it to life as she knows it.  

Last night the red paint, foam brushes, and recycled pizza box helped transform some blah frames to cheery homes for my grandmother's cross stitch work.  Hutch's leash hook has been livened up with a wooden plaque and fabric.  Oh, and this just in....my area rug arrived!  And after looking at this photo, I think perhaps a window treatment is in order. Whomever designed hanging blinds had absolutely NO taste...

The list of craft projects and home improvement ideas is probably unrealistic, but at the moment, I'm loving the creativity.  

Jesus With Skin On

After sitting in the hospital for two weeks, in the same chair, wearing the same jeans, eating the same food, and watching the same television shows, I've come to some conclusions.  1) Never take urinating or any other bodily functions for granted.  2) Pinterest does not have enough original DIY/Craft ideas when checked on an hourly basis.  3)  Nurses need to be served too.  And 4)...the biggest conclusion...My mom has an impact on everyone around her that would put all of us to shame.

I've always known Mom was special.  Sometimes her specialness drove me nuts--especially during those teenage years.  But as I've sat here in the same chair, wearing the same clothes, I can CLEARLY see she IS NOT THE SAME as everyone else.  Mom has a gift to reach those around her.  Nurses request her, NAs stop in to visit, and lab nurses stick around much longer than it takes to draw blood.  I can't count the many times I've heard things like, "I want to hang out in here all day," and "Hello family" and "I walk in here and feel love."  That's all Mom, sharing Jesus' love.

When they discharge her, Mom is going to be missed.  I know for a fact there are nurses in this wing who will be disappointed when Room 3060 vacates.  I know this because they hug her good bye every time their shifts end.  I won't lie--I'm looking forward to returning home and being free from this chair of mine, but the opportunity to watch Mom has been one I will never forget.

For some people, Billy Graham is the ideal example of living God's will.  But for me, it's my mom who shows me what it means to live as Jesus with skin on.

Leave the Worrying to God

When hard times happen, I'm always reminded of God's presence and faithfulness.  When I was a tiny morsel of a girl, I can remember the night my dad was rushed to the hospital due to his brain tumor.  At the time, I was confused and frightened because all I knew was that something was wrong.  I can remember sitting at John & Becky Nagle's dining room table as they prayed for Dad and Mom.  God had never felt so important to me.  He felt big and powerful, and Pastor John helped me see that it was okay to feel scared, but there was no need to worry.

This past week felt much the same.  When I received news that Mom had been rushed to the hospital because of kidney failure, the helplessness returned.  With no immediate flights available, I was forced to sit and wait for the clock to make its rounds.  None of us got much sleep that night, and all I could think to do was pray and beg God to keep Mom here on earth. I just kept thinking, Dear God, I still NEED my mom here.  The memory of sitting at the Nagle's table returned to mind, and I remembered it was okay to be scared, but there was no need to worry.

I'm thankful God has chosen to let us keep Mom longer.  I still can't imagine what life might be like without her right now.  And through this whole experience I realized something--I never was worried about God taking her.  It would have been terrible--awful--devastating.  Losing Mom would feel like the end of the world.  But, knowing she'd be celebrating Jesus beside her own mom leaves a sense of peace.  Until you face the reality of losing someone you love, you don't quite realize how you really feel about it.

It's okay to be scared, but there's no reason to worry.

Getting the Job Done

This week has proven to have a more-than-usual busy and demanding workload.  From early morning meetings on base to late night scrambles to complete proposals, this week has had its share of tired moments.  Starbucks is my friend in the mornings, and Coke-Zero is my buddy at night--anything to keep these droopy eyelids from giving up the fight.



Last night, Hutch decided it was time to go home.  He enjoyed running the halls at work for several hours, but when 9:45pm rolled around, he'd had enough.

Friday is always a good day, but it's especially welcome this day!

One More Coat to Go!

Just one more coat, a quick upholstery job, and this once very gross dining room chair will be as good as new! DIY projects are always worth it.

Tiny Boy

This is the little face I turned down yesterday.  Alvin was hard to deny, but in the end, I decided I better wait until I add a 55-pound dog to my life.  But I won't lie, it was a hard decision to make.

In other news, my dining room chair has its first coat of yellow paint.  (Had to find some way to get out my disappointment, so I attacked the chair with vigor).

Missions Impossible

I was on a mission this weekend--several missions in fact.
1.)  Find an electric fireplace with a mantel on sale. Status:  Unfound, and unconvinced it's possible.
2.)  Make a decision on a second pet.  Status:  Waiting to hear back from an English Bulldog breeder in Richmond, and currently on the waiting list for an orange kitten at the local shelter.
3.)  Refinish the dining room chair.  Status:  Still ugly as ever.

Burlap with Flair

So while none of my missions were completed, I did make some progress on some.  I won't be buying an electric fireplace just so I can have a mantel in my home.  After visiting seven stores, shopping numerous online retailers, and continually coming up empty-handed, I decided perhaps now was not the time.  My beautiful mantel idea will have to wait.  Additionally, I'm waiting to see what comes through on either a dog or a cat.  The puppy is already potty-trained by the way.  And the chair can wait.  Motto from this weekend: WAIT.

What I did accomplish this weekend was baking chocolate chip cookies, cleaning my home, creating a new wreath for my door, and watched the Seahawks slam the Redskins into the ground (Sorry, RG3).  Over all, it was a good weekend....now if I'd just get a call about that adorable puppy.

I came across this photo on my phone...one of my all time favorites!

Kelton keeping mommy warm

Settling In

Getting back to the grind has proven to be harder than expected.  It's funny how quickly my little ears got out of practice from ignoring apartment noises.  I've considered posting a sign near the public stairway saying, "Please walk quietly--I hear every step!"  But, then I realized it just sounds creepy, and if I were the one walking, I think I'd stomp harder out of spite.  So instead, I place a pillow over my head, and resemble my father as I sleep.

On a positive note, it's good to be back on a schedule and return to some projects I've been looking forward to.  I have a dining room chair to repaint and upholster and a crazy quilt to begin. Winter is still around me, and I'm set to make use of the time inside my home.  It doesn't hurt that I also have a massage waiting for me tomorrow morning....I'm spoiled, I know.

Happy Weekend, and stay warm to those who have white winter lands outside their doors.

Saying Good Bye

Thank you, Dad and Mom, for a perfect Christmas vacation.  I realize you don't control the weather, and despite what she believes, Mom cannot  make it snow, but even that was perfect.  Hutch wasn't the only one who enjoyed looking out the window at the snowy white scape. :)

Thank you for your hospitality, delicious meals, fun adventures, all of the laughter, and most of all the time we spent together.  These past two weeks have been refreshing and an answer to prayer.  I love both of you very much. Looking forward to March!!!

Christmas Recap

Minnesota has a bad rep for her cold winters.  When I told friends where I was headed for Christmas, the concern fell over their faces and their first question was "why?"  In reality, Minnesota really isn't all that bad.  Yes, it can be cold, and yes it can snow quite a bit...but where else might you see this?

West Farm 2012

Okay, so today happens to be 14 below 0...so perhaps I spoke too soon about it not being unbearable.  But we definitely had days where we got to venture outside...

Uncle Alan taking Kelton for a tractor ride

But some of my favorite memories were made inside in the warm, cozy house.  It's a treat to watch Holly be a Mom.  She's an incredible Mamma.

Course, it isn't hard to love someone so sweet...

Kelton watching the birds

 The five of us went out for a nice dinner, giving Holly and Kent a break from parenthood while Tom and Diane babysat.  It was fun to get dressed up and eat a yummy dinner by the fire.

 Family photos on a day when it's in the teens is a tad bit adventurous...no one can say we're boring.

Did I mention I'm in love with this little man?

And Kelton is in love with Hutch

 This Christmas vacation was filled with many new memories.  Loved every minute of it.