{ goings on }

Life this month, has been super sweet albeit a little a lot on the crazy side for us. But if you look at our track record, that is nothing new.


  We are giddy over this sweet up and coming girl-baby of ours. Take your pick on what you'd like to call her for now anyway. She has multiple nick-names: Tulip ( started by the P's ) Paprika ( what her uncles call her) or Buttercup ( circa Auntie Roo ) and she is going to be here and will be needing a proper name before we know it...and we are beside ourselves with anticipation.  

  Oh and our house sold. Just like that. We are still sort of reeling over that one. The first couple to walk through, obviously fell for it and made an offer the next day. And I win " the bet " as I had been telling David for months..." I really wouldn't be surprised if the first people to look at it, buy it babe. " I have had many mixed feelings over all of it. At the time I promised David that it was okay with me to go ahead and list the house for sale, I was in a rather energetic stage in my pregnancy...that of course came to a screeching halt, just as soon as we'd signed the papers for the sale of our home sweet home and I have since then quickly transitioned into the highly emotionalwreck/nesting phase, also known as the third trimester. But as always, God has met us with all the grace we could possibly need, and His love has pulled us through...on my dark doubting days, on my how is it ever all going to work out days...as we face the coming months of change. He has blessed us with such a beautiful community of family + friends who pray us through, who refrain from calling us insane ( to our faces anyway ) and who love us and take our children and offer to help in any way we might possibly need. And we are feeling humbled and overwhlemed once again by His daily goodness and blessings.   

  After looking at twenty some houses, and making an offer on one, that wasn't accepted...as much as we hate the thought of moving twice, we've switched gears and decided to rent and were able to find a really sweet little house ( God bless Craigs List ), for a really sweet little deal on which we only had to sign a 4 month lease. That will take off a whole lot of pressure to buy on such a short time-table. We really didn't want to just settle for anything short of something we love for the next little place to call home, and this will get us settled in plenty of time before Tulip/Paprika/Buttercup/ arrives. Oh and here is an interesting sidenote, we close on our house exactly a year to the day we moved in, Feb. 28th. Isn't that wild?

  Upon the sale of said home sweet home a certain very generous/smoking hot husband of mine, has promised me a camera. And not just any camera but one that I can get serious with in pursuing some of my photography dreams...and a get-away to the ocean for a few days on top of that...And yes, for the record I am feeling utterly spoiled and a little guilty about these luxuries.

  I was really longing to go into this year with lots of time for reflection and well just with more intention + focus about so many things...heart + soul sort of things mainly. I really wanted to choose a word for the year. But I am still waiting for one to grab me...and I haven't even had time to think about making resolutions... But as we slip away this weekend, I am looking forward to quiet time, and reading a whole stack of books, and kite-flying...and playing and laughing and resting... for time to listen, to be with Jesus, for sweet time together, for time to just breathe a little. 


  Going to wrap up this way too long post with these two pictures from yesterday afternoon of Annabelle and Jack dressed up as bride and a groom...I couldn't get over how cute they were.   

{ Excerpt }

By the deep + luminous Ann Voskamp .

{ Huge Crush }

Oh Jack-Jack, how many times a day do you make my heart swell in happiness + delight until it feels like it's about to pop.

The way you say " yay " instead of yes...

The way you squeeze me with both hands all way around my neck when you hug me

How you always asks first thing when you wake up in the morning, " Where's Dada? Where's Sister ?"  And how after I tell you, you always says..." oh."

The way you are instantly sorry and try and comfort me, after you've pulled my hair again.
That you always say "muahhh" when you kiss
How your twinkle-blue eyes, blonde widows peak and back of your neck make me coo-coo brained.
How much you loves looking at books and making us laugh
The way you tromps around in the house your overalls,
And the way you love to help.
Your all contagious belly laugh.
The way you say "bo-mp," being half bonk and half bump...when you get an owey.
Your whole miniature boy lingo... " Iwannawa "...( I want a waffle )
With the majority of your vocabulary consisting of truck, tool and food related words.
Oh and how can I forget how you unmistakably whispered into my ear during church last Sunday in the sweetest possible way..." I love you..."

   

Seriously you guys, I am a total goner.

{ House Tour }

For Christmas I made David a book with before + after pictures and a detailed description of our start-to-finish house project. I thought you might like to take a peek. If you ask me, it is beyond dream house material. 

All after pictures taken by the ever amazing Andi Mae Photography. 

And I just shot off an email to Country Living. I would be so happy to honor some of the very dearest people in my life, in at least attempting to get our little house into a magazine. I know, I know I dream big. But there's no harm in trying.  

1. so had to try this...., 2. Pom-pom garland, 3. Vintage Bottles, 4. Untitled, 5. candy shop, 6. merry and bright, 7. G I V E , 8. Wood hanging, 9. Sleigh Ride, 10. Untitled, 11. the lady of the house, 12. Holiday Lights, 13. Untitled14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

{ source }

Today... 


I love the smell of:the piney perfume of our Christmas tree, floating upstairs.


I love the sound of: this beautiful Christmas Carol


I  love the taste of: baby oranges

I love this thought: " We need to think of ourselves as gifts to be given and to think of others as gifts offered to us.  -John Powell 


I love the sight of: my littles splashing together in the bathtub


I love the feel of: this baby girl tumbling around inside of me

{ source }

{ A touch of the Merry + Bright }

We are so excited to hang our stockings up on this pretty mantel!

Our first fire in the fire place, we celebrated with yummy orange rolls +

Trader Joes Cinnamon Vanilla Black Tea ( a current favorite of mine )... 

Loving the sight of  my little vintage winter village,

given to me last Christmas by my Mom,

who is the best ever present giver!

Annabelle's little *purple* Christmas Tree, a advent gift from Mommy. She'd been asking for " a pink tree + colored lights."

Sledding with Daddy...the kids were in heaven .

Annabelle couldn't stop gigling and all Jack could say was " wheee" !

The ever so dear + lovely Jess of Living a Swell Life was so sweet to feature my Vintage Christmas Garland Tutorial on her Hoilday By Hand Mini Series today over at her gorgeous, little, better-than-a-trip-to-Anthropolie-blog.

"Christmas renews our youth by stirring our wonder. The capacity for wonder has been called our most pregnant human faculty, for in it are born our art, our science, our religion."  - Ralph Sockman



Wishing you sweet, sweet December days my lovely friends...

{ a *good* cry }

" The Value of Cheerfulness " being the title of my blog, I normally choose to focus on writing about joyful, happy things.
And I try to keep a thankful heart.
But in the spirit of keeping it real around here I just have to say that things are often far from rosy and perfect, as my blog mostly portrays. Take yesterday afternoon for example, out of nowhere I broke down sobbing at the kitchen sink. Just because.  Sure I was feeling really discouraged about a couple things...The main one being Jack's skin condition, which has become more + more severe in the last couple weeks, even though we've got his diet down to only the foods that are the least allergenic. Anyway the whole reason I am writing about this, ( besides the keeping it real part :)is so that someday I will read back over this and remember that as I stood there, dish towel in hand, crying my eyes out... God met me right then and there...in my messy state of heart...as my legs were instantly wrapped up by little arms and sweet pats came from my beautiful daughter and tender hearted son as they hushed and comforted their Mommy. They both had such concern in their eyes. Which only makes me cry again to think of it.

 I am beginning to realize that it's not only okay to give myself permission to come unraveled but that it can be really good, and even healthy for me to be that honest with myself and with God and my family when I am feeling sad or angry. Maybe this is the very best and safest place for me to be in. After all healing comes out of hurt and redemption comes out of loss, so that we may comfort those with the comfort with which we've been comforted.

" I will have nothing to do with a God who cares only occasionally. I need a God who is with us always, everywhere, in the deepest depths as well as the highest heights. It is when things go wrong, when good things do not happen, when our prayers seem to have been lost, that God is most present. We do not need the sheltering wings when things go smoothly. We are closest to God in the darkness, stumbling along blindly."


 Madeleine L'Engle

Hello December...

( source )

                                            
We have snow. Record breaking amounts of snow even. Every day we notice new evergreen wreath with bright red bows and twinkle lights, sparkle at us from the front doors and porches of our neighbors. David and I have been spelling out secrets to each other which leads to lots of giggles as we see the wheels turning as Miss Annabelle Lucy trys so very hard to figure out what we are talking about. And I am so excited about this little ditty that I learned from my sweet friend Andi, in regards to our family Christmas gift giving this year. " Something you need. Something you want. Something to share. Something to read." And to that I have added, something homemade.

But most of all this December I am looking forward to celebrating Advent, for the very first time. I have been working on a advent calendar that is going to look a lot like this one made by an amazing friend of mine. So far I have five pockets sewn on and my first number.  Hoping to get that finished, filled + up on the wall in the next couple days.

We tucked a very special surprise for Annabelle into this first day of December...her very own tiny ( violet colored ) Christmas tree for her room. It makes the sweetest night light. She and Jack are just enchanted by it. And I have to admit, so am I.

I've been pouring over the Advent posts of this dear, dear friend... I am so inspired and wishing to follow her example of the beautiful + meaningful traditions she + her family hold dear.

Excited about going through this ( free downloadable ) daily Advent Devotional. We read it together tonight as a family. It was so, so good.

" The spirit of Christmas needs to superseded by the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christmas is annual; the Spirit of Christ is eternal. The spirit of Christmas is sentimental; the Spirit of Christ is supernatural. The spirit of Christmas is a human product; the Spirit of Christ is a divine person. That makes all the difference in the world. "  

-Stuart Briscoe

Abundant.

       " I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

I've ran out of time to finish up my 30 days of gratefulness like I would have liked to. But tonight my heart is overflowing with the beauty of the goodness and nearness of our great God. Take my heart dear Jesus, as I  pour it out in thankfulness and praise to you...more than words can say.

{ Jenny & Tyler - This Is Just So Beautiful }

Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.

-Madeleine L’Engle

{ 30 Days of Gratefulness: # 16 }

Today I am thankful for:

( source )

Our beloved Mama B. (David's Mom) who's birthday is today. I doubt there has ever been a dearer soul on this earth. ( Except for maybe her mother) I cannot even begin to tell you the blessing she is in our lives or how much we adore + admire her. She's makes Nov. 16th a beautiful, beautiful day!

Making headway on cleaning the house.

Sweet phone calls.

That I was able to get Annabelle out of the dining room closet quickly, after realizing and bursting into tears that she had locked her self in.

Dryers Limited Edition Peppermint Ice Cream. It's seriously, dangerously good. Thanks a lot Andi. ( it's her favorite and I hold her completely responsible for my addiction to it :)

This really, really good sermon on Fear + Anxiety and Jesus. I did not know until today that Jesus said, " fear not..." more than he said anything else.

Annabelle's precious bedtime prayers to: " Dear Jesus, please fix little baby Ella's body so she can live."

The man of my dreams, who just called down the stairs to me, "Chelle, bedtime."

Thankfuls ( last weeks )

( find this free Thanksgiving printable here )

  I have neglected to post an entire weeks work of daily thankfuls, haven't I?  Not because there is a lack of things to be thankful for by any means, but it's been extra busy around here this past week. David is home from work now, as paving season is over for the year. We are all as tickled as can be about that, and love these special days with him and plan to make the most of them while we have with him here at home with us, during the lull between paving and winter work. 
So in looking back on this happy little week just gone by, I am grateful for:

  How Jack soaks up time with his Daddy's and watches David's every move around the house as he puts finishing touches and touch ups on things around here. All day long Jack carries around his " tool-tools" hitting stuff, and I am thankful for our dear little man in the making, even if it means two cracked + broken windows, two days in a row.   We are seriously wondering if he has a arm of steel, as we've puzzled over how a little person can break windows with three swings of his plastic toy hammer?

  So very thankful to our sweet Jesus for the miracle of little baby Ella, born earlier this week. For the outpouring of prayers and love for her and her dear Mommy, Daddy and two big brothers. And for the sweet hours spent together with really special + gifted friends this week, praying our hearts out and sewing up a little a baby quilt for precious Ella.

This E.Elliot quote: " Of one thing I am perfectly sure: God’s story never ends with ‘ashes." ( taken from These Strange Ashes )

Getting so close to checking off, " hang pictures on the walls " from the to-do list.

Asking Annabelle what her favorite thing of the day was: " the little pink christmas tree with lights that we saw at the store mommy! "

Jack and Annabelle's melt my heart baby crush on this scrumptious little baby boy that we are all so in love with.

Havarti cheese ( my #1 pregnancy craving ) in my fridge to snack on, a gift from previously mentioned " scrumptious baby boy's"  nice + pretty Mommy .

Tea partys and matching hoodies and darling little friends.

Sunday morning fresh out of the oven cinnamon rolls before church.

Steaming cups of Trader Joes Vanilla + Cinnamon Black Tea with honey + cream.

Annabelle's adorable new nick name for Jack: Dinky.

This pretty little spot that's: " a shared collection of ideas + links + inspiration for creative, crafty, party throwing, homemade gift loving, and sometimes homeschooling mama/artists... "

Big pots of Potato and Ham + Ham and Bean Soup. Obviously I am on a ham + soup ( with homeade bread ) kick.

{ Thankful : Days 5 + 6 }

Friday, Nov. 5th :

  Making cookies with Anniebelle's to raise money to for our Operation Christmas Child project...

  A impromptu date-night of fajitas + flirting...

  Anniebelle's fun sleep-over with Auntie Roo...

  How David always says to Jack..." oh, he was a good little monkey...but always very curious..."

Saturday, Nov. 6th:

  The golden kaleidoscope of leaves out our windows, spinning downward in a morning sunburst

  A entire two hours spent in the craft room. While Jack napped and Annabelle happily cut and pasted a clown and I  worked on BLESSED banners.

   David stashing a little bag of chocolate covered gummy bears in our cart and  kissing me right in the middle of Winco.

( source )

  Watching this " Random Act of Culture " with tears streaming down my face and some serious goose-bumps. And the email I got back from Grannie Annie after she'd watched it too..." That was SO beautiful! Oh my, I hope that catches on! Oh, I hope they do this here! I think that is a lovely, lovely thing to do and I hope it catches on! It was delightful, hallelujah! Pass it on! It really was delightful! IT's worth your effort!"

  Jacks new love: tilapia. He's on a 30 day elimination diet right now. A really strict one and he can only have turkey and white fish for meat. On top of his already, no gluten, dairy, eggs sugar, soy, nuts, most fruits and some veggies, our try-to -figure-out-what-this-kid-isn't-allergic-to diet.

Pouring out thanks...

Nov. 3rd :

   For Jack's appointment with a new doctor that was a total answer to prayer and that gives me hope for getting to the bottom of his allergy/skin issues.

  Craft night...which included a bunch of wonderful, creative ladies, busy with a fun Advent project, yummy treats,  yards and yards of burlap and laughter + chatting until well past midnight.

  A vase full of colorful leaves.

  For a little shop update.

  Sweet baby flutters.

Nov. 4th :

  For a sweet Bible study time this morning. I think our little group is starting to feel a little more brave and safe to take things to a deeper, more honest + real level. For a lot of conviction on my part as we read through the chapter in our book: Profile of the Lukewarm.  I wanted to jot down some quotes here but after I'd scoured the house for it, I realized that David must have taken it to work with him, which makes me so happy and thankful to know he's been reading it on his own.

  Delighted in these three beautiful little girlies and their matching pig-tail braids...another one of this sweet + darling friend's, 1000 + 1 talents.

The silly telling of a bedtime story by Anniebelle's to her Daddy that started  like this..." Once upon a time Daddy there was a rabbit who had a tail made out of cheese. And who walked on his ears. And had two bellybuttons for eyes..."at which point they both dissolve into silly, silly giggles.  

  Thankful especially for this day because it was on this very day 29 years ago that this most amazing + beautiful lady was born.  Struggled all day understanding why God would allow her birthday to be turned upside down by something really scary happening to her just as amazing + beautiful little daughter. All day + evening I worried and ached for them and for other dear friends who are hurting...and then came David's gentle encourage-ment to " not doubt God ...to just trust that He knows  and allows what's best for us and those we love so dearly. And by last night the prayers  of so many were already being sweetly answered, worries stilled and from the sound of things, it has been a really happy, normal, celebrating + making up for lost time, sort of day for them.

 

{ 30 Days of Gratefulness}

Thankfuls:

Novemeber 1st - 

 
  That afternoon I had bought a 50 lb bag of flour at Costco and somehow managed to get it into the back of my car...and then later called out the door to my just home from work husband..." hey would you mind bringing in the flour in for me" as he magically pulled not one,  but two bouquets of flowers from behind his back. Talk about perfect timing. You can imagine my shock... and my delight. Today I cannot see them without smiling and remembering with particular fondness, the giver of my yellow + orange spray roses. 

  A evening family walk in the rain to stalk up on "Wa's" ( waffles) for Jack. And thanking Jesus for gluten free, dairy free, egg free breakfast food that I can just pop in the toaster.

  Snuggling + three hundred bedtime kisses from our littles...

  This quiet little space to stash away bits of beauty + wise words.


November 2nd - 

  That it was warm enough this afternoon to leave the back door open and let Jack play happily out in yard for over 2 hours.

  For two huge loaves of homemade bread that perfume the entire house.

  For miles piles of clean laundry, because it means we have clothes to wear. 

  For an ugly disagreement ( because are lives are far from polished and perfect )turned to forgiveness, humility and tear-stained kisses. That make me think of the words to this song:

" Well “I Do” are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another, I’ve heard, is a good place to begin‘Cause the only way to find your life is to lay your own life down
And I believe it’s an easy price for the life that we have found

And we went dancing in the minefields

We went sailing in the storms

And it was harder than we dreamedBut I believe that’s what the promise is for "

taken from Andrew Peterson's, Dancing in the Minefields

  The cute letter Annabelle wrote today for our little baking fundraiser:

" Dear Everyone,

Would you please like to buy cinnamon rolls, bread or cookies for shoe boxes for children who don't have many things? These children get really excited when they open their Christmas shoe box. And it's fun to make them happy.

Thank you very much.

Love,

Annabelle XOXOX  "

Oh, how I love her heart!

Saying Goodbye to October...

 One of our very sweetest + busiest months of the year so far.

Now for some pictorial proof:

( our first school outing, apple-picking with dear friends ) 

 October just wouldn't be October without:

making caramel apples

autumn treasure hunts

finding heart-shaped leaves

wagon rides

cute pumpkin faces from Grannie Annie...

and being spoiled x 29 for my birthday, some really, really special visits from precious friends family of ours, lots of hot soup + homemade bread, finally getting to hear that little baby heartbeat, stacks + piles of books about apples and Abraham Lincoln and acorns and butterflies,birds and babies and fun preschool projects, a really lovely group of bible study ladies, the trio of pumpkins and  vase full of amber/orange leaves on my dining room table, Annabelle reading a book to David with 22 words in it, a fun + yummy early Thanksgiving dinner with good friends , the birth of this dear to my heart baby boy, the kids "sledding" down our stairs, havarti cheese ( oh dear me ) my daily pregnancy craving and the culprit, I fear of more than a couple extra pounds, a entire hour of quiet to spend with Jesus on Thursday afternoons, Jack's funny faces and " WoW's!" ( usually in reference to a big truck ),  the splendid sun spilling over the leaves + trees outside, glowing like the colors from a stained glass window...all the Annabelle + Jack adventures we've had this month, great and small, makes me think of this sweet song ,and the great anticpation of the joy+ love that's yet to be...