Home

I have had this idea in my head for awhile now and I hope I can accurately dictate what I've had on my heart into words.

I've been thinking a lot about the meaning of the word HOME? When I hear it feelings/words come to mind...

• Dwelling Place
• Comfort
• Relaxing
• Freedom
• Love
• Heaven

But what about what it takes for a home to be a home? Depending on how you define home: your house-city-state-country-world. For a home to be all these things listed it takes something more.

• Sacrifice
• Hard-work

I get frustrated when I see and hear people (including myself) wanting things without working for it. *don't worry I'm not going to get political*
We live in an age where there is a sense of entitlement. I think we can look at our country and see how this is a dangerous attitude to have. *okay maybe slightly political*

Very simply- a home takes work and sacrifice. Today being Martin Luther King Jr. Day reminds me of that, work hard for what you believe in.

Recently, one of my favorite country singers (I can hear you saying, "enough with the country already Jessica!") came out with a song called, "HOME". I was lucky enough to hear him sing it in concert, the words are PERFECT for what I've been thinking about. Even if you don't like country, listen to it, it doesn't hurt that he is easy on the eyes either.

I'm blessed enough in my life to know men and women who have fought for our country. They have sacrificed greatly to give us a home.

I'm lucky enough to have a husband who works incredibly hard for us so I can stay home with Everlee and take care of our home.

Most importantly, I'm covered in love and grace by God who sacrificed His Son for me so I can have a Heavenly-Home.

I know I take advantage of those who work hard and sacrifice so I can live freely and comfortably. It's been on my heart lately to NOT do that. I pray I will continue to remind myself to work hard and make my home a place that I can be proud of as well as always remember the sacrifice of others for what I have.

What would YOU do with 2 uninterrupted hours?

I don't know why but when Wednesday comes a long I feel like taking a 3 hour nap. I'm not sure if its that Monday and Tuesday are usually crazy or I'm anticipating needing some extra energy for AWANA. Whatever it is, today I felt like I needed some definite "me time", well would you look at that... it's one of my Yearly Goals, who says you can't accomplish a New Years Resolution (yeah, well it's only January 11th, talk to me in 6 months).
Anyway, our little home was very pleasant for an two and a half hours this afternoon. I took advantage!

I pulled this scrumptious beauty out of the oven- Homemade Artisan Bread and yes it was as good as it looks!

Source

Folded all this laundry while I watched a couple episodes of my favorite TV Show The Office. I was pretty impressed with myself for getting caught up on laundry today. This probably hasn't happened since Everlee was born!

I'm not sure they were impressed with me as much as I was! They were however very impressed with my bread!

This little darling was being so sweet and played until she fell asleep. She's good to her momma!

Even though there was more to do I decided to take a little break and make myself some tea, have a slice of yummy bread and cuddle in...I'm not sure how many people are like this but I usually have 3-4 books going at a time. This is quite the eclectic mix, and yes, that is a book about zombies, don't judge it's pretty good!

Ahhh...a good day!

Nom nom nom nom

Last night we gave Everlee her first taste of  "real" food...

I Think...

 

She Wants...

 MORE!!

Needless to say she liked the rice cereal. I made her some apples today and she LOVED those better (I don't blame her!)

 

Welcome 2012!!

This year we rang in the new year with Matt, Andrea and Ethan. It was so much fun! We played "Wipe Out" and "Just Dance" for the Kinect. One word- HILARIOUS. I'm so glad we feel comfortable around each other because I'm sure we all looked a little silly. Greg has never been much of a dancer, in fact for our wedding it was the ONE thing that he really didn't want to have at the reception! I was pretty shocked that he wanted to try the Just Dance. We all gave it a try and I don't want to speak for Andrea but I think watching Matt and Greg was the best of the night (that and the yummy food)!

This pretty much sums up the night.  I have more "incriminating" photos of us dancing but I'll spare you...

 New Years brings so many things...more people at the gym (at least until February), Pins about decluttering your house and of course the dreaded "resolutions". Are you a New Years Resolutions person? I've never been, I secretly want to be I just always find some sort of excuse...
This year I do have two goals (I feel like if I don't use the word 'resolution' it will be easier. ha!)

1. Get back to organization
I use to be good at organization. Then I had a beautiful little girl and well, you know where that went. I have to be honest, I was a little naieve in thinking I would have MORE time when Everlee got her...yeah...that didn't happen.
My goal this year is to re-organize my week from cleaning to cooking. Greg bought me a sweet planner from Erin Condren I think this will help me stay organized! *hopefully


2. Have some ME time
I really didn't intend for all my 2012 goals to sounds like I'm blaming them on Everlee, sorry sweetie...
This goal may sound a little selfish on the surface but I promise it's not. If I'm totally transparent 2011 was not a good year for me when it came to my quiet time with the Lord. I really struggled to have a consistent time that was just between me and God.
This year is going to be different! I'm going to have some time dedicated to God. I would really like to read through the Bible this year and journal what I've read. I did this while I was at Masters and I think it's time to do it again.
Along with a dedicated quiet time, I want to read more. I LOVE to read, I'm a lot like Kelly I can read a book or 2 a week. I haven't been able to read as much as I would like, I started using Goodreads, thanks to Andrea and Kelly, I've found a lot of books there that I would like to read. I'm thinking a book a week is a good goal...what do you think?! Now I just need to go get a library card!


Do you have any New Years Resolutions? I'd love to hear what you all are doing, maybe we can hold each other accountable!

Look who is 4 months old!

4 months old

16 lbs 

Wearing 6 months clothes

Rolling over both ways

Jibber-jabbering a mile a minute

Sleeping through the night 10-11 hours (wahoo!)

 Thinks that mom and dad are really funny (for now at least)

E's Resting Place

I realized that I've never posted pictures of Everlee's nursery. I'm pretty sure the 5 people that read my blog have seen it in person but it's still fun to share :) (all photos are from Andrea)

My mom, Julie and Andrea all helped out with putting together the perfect place for Everlee! I didn't really want a "theme", instead I wanted more of a color scheme that could grow with her. I spent months putting together some ideas on my Pinterest Baby Board. What did we do before Pinterest?!

My mom found a sweet desk and side table that Greg and I painted a fun bright turquoise w/white accents. The doily is from my Great-Grandma Eva.

The print is from The Wheatfield, she has the cutest prints! I want to get a few more for her room. The pink mirror is another find from my mom, it was this awful gold color, I painted it a pretty pale pink.

BEAUTIFUL quilt made by Andrea, she found the perfect fabric and did a wonderful job!

The desk, turned changing table. I really didn't WANT a desk for a changing table but the more I see it the more I like it because she can use it later!

I found this mobile through Pinterest (where else?!) and Julie made it for me via a free pattern from Spool Sewing :) Too cute huh?!

I found the lamp at Target and added the little flowers with more left-over fabric. The rocking chair has been in my family for years, my mom gave it to me.

The left over fabric was used for the bird mobile and the circles above the crib. The sheets were also handmade by one of my friends Cindy.

The GIANT bear from my brother sits opposite the rocking chair and yes, there are stuffed animals in her crib *gasp* don't tell the doctor! They are very special to me, one is my brother's stuffed monkey that he slept with growing up, the other is the stuffed koala bear that I slept with and the last is the koala bear my brother bought Everlee before his accident.

I love her room and I hope she does too! :)