God and gardening

I have always enjoyed looking at beautiful flowers and even buying them. I know people spend hours taking care of their gardens and enjoy it, some people even say it makes them feel closer to God.  I never understood what those people meant, until I woke up one day and realized "I am one of THOSE people!"  

I actually have no idea what I am doing when it comes to gardening but I do know that I am enjoying the adventure and I without a doubt feel closer to God when I am outside working in the garden. I just love when God speaks to my heart as I go about my day!! 

As I went to town "trimming" my hydrangea bush I was reminded how easily my heart can go from overflowing with beauty to rotting. It seems to happen almost overnight, although I know that isn't entirely true. I had a huge hydrangea bush full of beautiful blooms, so many I used them to decorate inside my home and the bush looked untouched! I can't even begin to tell you how many times my heart is full of love and Jesus and then, almost overnight it is rotting. 

My heart seems to get overrun and needs to be cut back all to often. I have to pray through hurts, destroy idols, forgive wrong doings and most of all remember to run to Jesus and fill up on him daily.

At times I feel the work will never be finished, that my heart has had to much damage. I wonder if maybe I cut back to much, will there ever be new growth? Were the things I let go of really "that bad"? 

Sometimes I cut back so much I find new growth that had not yet been given enough light to really grow. After all the work, pain and time though comes new growth. A fresh start, beautiful and clean. The perfect reminder that it was all worth it.

And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Revelation 21:5 ESV

Works for me Wednesday

House Work

   Oh never ending house work, such a bittersweet love I have for you. Some days I am able to remember that I am blessed to have you in my life and other days you overwhelm me so much I want to hide. 

   Let me start by saying just because it does work for me doesn't mean I always use it. I still get overwhelmed (and sometimes just plain lazy) but the days I am focused this has been a huge blessing.

Go through each and every room with pen and paper and write down every little thing that needs to be done. Make sure to write down the big things (cleaning out drawers) and the little things (dusting) and everything in between

   After you have made your list go through and give each job a "how often" so that you know when you will need to do it. For example, I sweep my floor every couple of days but only clean out the fridge every 10 days.

Make sure to have your 2 year old help :)

Getting it all in order

   I personally used index cards but you can do what works best for you! I wrote the day of the week at the top of the card and then started adding the jobs. Sunday is my Sabbath so that day only has dishes and rest on it. I wasn't strict about the jobs, if the job landed on Sunday I would put it on another day and if one card was getting to full I bumped the job to another day. I am by no means trying to be perfect, I am just trying to take care of my family without losing my mind

All my cards in a basket ready to be used

Full disclosure: I don't always keep up with chores :)

   I have used many ideas and schedules through the years to help make life a little easier but I am hoping this will work for this season. I would love to hear what works for you!

   How do you keep up with housework?   

My Most Favoritest Mornings

   You would think as a stay at home momma I would make all my mornings my favorite. That I would remember what makes the girls and I thrive. The simple pleasures that warm our hearts and brighten our days. Sadly that is not the case. I find it is all to easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of life. I forget I can stop having a bad morning and change the pace of our day.

   It has been a fight, a fight that I have not yet won but will continue to partake in. A fight to remember what is important, who is important, a fight to live counter cultural. Some days are better than others but everyday is worth it, bruises and all.

   Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Psalm 5:1-3 

Even Mouse Trap likes to take it easy in the mornings

Taking our time working in the garden and helping it grow

Catching tiny grasshoppers

Enjoying the squash blossoms

Slowing down for a walk

An impromptu photo shoot...with a chicken walking by 

Playing chicken herder 

Turns out the chickens don't want to be herded 

Finding beautiful flowers for the table

Soaking in God's beauty

Who's kitchen is this?!

Growing up my siblings and I each had to make dinner once a week. I hated it! Each and every week I would "prepare" salad (from a bag) and baked potatoes. It was simple, no extra dishes or serving bowls.

Fast forward 10 years...

Fresh wheat berries waiting to be milled

Fresh milk being enjoyed

Buttery biscuits soaking overnight 

Clean jars ready to be refilled at the dairy

My new favorite cookbook that is covered in flour, butter and strawberries
Check out From Scratch here 

I would have never imagined this would be my life but I would not trade it for the world...unless I could get a self cleaning kitchen?!

Happy Birthday Lilah

It is hard to believe my sweet Lilah Belle is already 2... and it has taken me almost a week to sit down and write this

She is all over the place and keeps me on my toes

She loves her yaya (paci) and has no desire to potty train

She will talk your ear off and play momma with her baby dolls all day long

She is precious and I love her

Happy Birthday

I'm 2!

 Cheese

 Mean Face

 I don't want to be happy

 Sweet cake from Aunt Stephanie

Trying to open gifts all by herself