Sometimes You Just Have to Use a Big Garbage Bag

I just read this amazing blog post Remove the Deadwood, Let the New Growth Begin and it spoke to my soul so perfectly and articulately that it brought tears to my eyes.  I'm not a waterworks facility, I have only cried at one of my children's birth...so tears for me, big deal.  So I want you to go read it...right now, then come back...

Wasn't his word picture fabulous?  I know it was for me.  The other day I was blessed to receive some second hand furniture: a bookshelf, a small side desk/table, and a computer chair.  Now I try not to take everything people offer to me for free, my home is not the dump.  However, I knew that I needed a few pieces of furniture to organize our stuff a little more, things we need/enjoy but were homeless in our house and created clutter.

So when I woke up the next morning my mind was full of thoughts of how to organize and make use of my new treasures.  The area I was planning on organizing was my crafting space.  This space is well loved and well used...the proof is in the threads on the floor, the scraps of fabric partying on my ironing board and the bags of notions still in limbo of use and put away.  Yet, the disarray of supplies was beginning to mess with my ability to work.  I was spending too much time trying to find things than I was sewing and creating.  Nothing crushes creativity like a disorganized mess--by disorganized, I mean you actually don't know where something is, not that everything is lined up like the shelves at the fabric shop.

I knew it was time to clean, to pass things on and make room for new ideas.  Yet, within all of us lurks a hoarder, the desire to hang on to the past for just a little longer.  In middle school I had hundreds of movie stubs cluttering my dresser top...I just didn't want to throw away the reminder of time spent with friends.  In high school, I kept every assignment, for all my classes, for four years because I wanted to remember every grade, every job well done, every word of praise from a teacher.  In College I kept all my clothes, the ones that fit and the ones that didn't because money was tight and I might not make it to the laundromat every week.  You get the point.

Now that I'm a mother, living in a small space with 5 kids and Husband I've given up on keeping all the little trinkets my kids bring home.  It isn't that the stuff doesn't have value to me, but that I know that more stuff will come and take the place of the things I've tossed.  Still, the memory hoarder in me has a hard time letting my craft stuff go.  Yet I knew that was exactly what I was going to have to do.  I was going to have to get rid of projects unfinished, fabric never used, supplies untouched and my stomach clenched at the prospect.

So that's what I did.  I tossed projects I've never finished.  I gave away fabric I hadn't used and I made space.  Space for new growth, space for new projects and space for my family to use more effectively.

I'm not 100% done with my organization but it looks much better.  I can actually find things again.  Because I got rid of fabric I'll never use, projects I'll never finish I also have more room for new fabric which is good because I just bought some :)

What about you?  Have you been cleaning and organizing?  Have you found how freeing it can be to let go of the overgrowth and embrace what you truly love?  It's been a while so let's chat!

A Princesses Kit to a Happily Ever After Marriage

source flickr.com via Ksenia Pascal via Pinterest

As little girls most of us dreamed incessantly about fining our Prince and getting married.  I remember thinking as a young Princess in Training that a wedding was simply the Prince dancing with the Princess, kissing her soundly and then everyone lived happily ever after.  The villain was dead, the threat was over what awaited my favorite Prince and Princess was wedded bliss.

However, having found my Prince I discovered that there is more to a wedding than just a dance and a kiss and that happily ever after is a lot of work.  So I have what I like to call ‘A Princess’s Kit for a Happily Ever After Marriage.’  

A bag. 

source vandco.bigcartel.com via Vanessa Christensen via Pinterest

If you’re gonna have a kit you’re gonna need something to store everything in.  However, this bag isn’t just any bag it is a visual reminder to you, Jenna that you need to “store up treasures in heaven.” (Mt 6:19-21) ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ Right now you are so excited to be getting married.  You’re heart has been captured by your fairy tale Prince and in your heart he always will be.  Yet you must always remember who first stole your heart, and has truly made you a princess.  That by putting God first you will always be the wife your husband needs.

Body Wash. 

source hotbeautyhealth.com via Shannon Spiegel via Pinterest

Every princess is gonna need to shower in the morning so she’s clean and ready for the day.  Yet I find that this is the best time of the day to talk with the Lord, to ‘cast your cares upon Him.’  Prayer is an essential part of marriage.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) You must constantly be in communion with your Heavenly Father about the ponderings of your heart.  Pray for your husband, that he will be the leader you need.  Don’t be afraid to tell God to talk to your husband for you and above all remember to ask God to guide you as you take on the role of wife.

Deodorant.

source etsy.com via Melissa Blom via Pinterest

Yes, it is true that even princesses have a certain ‘odor’ to us all but this goes further than any perfume or deodorant.  ‘For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.’ (2 Cor 2:15)  As you embark on this new life we must constantly remember that we are ambassadors for Christ and that you will stick out in the world.  This is good.  So when you’re out with your husband watch your actions, are you showing others how you love and respect him?  True submissiveness in a loving, godly relationship built on mutual love and respect is foreign to the world and is a powerful tool for spreading the gospel.   Stay on your guard for those who are watching you interact with your husband and may your aroma always be pleasant.

Toothbrush and Toothpaste.  

source urbanoutfitters.com via Nina Burk via Pinterest

With all your public engagements as a princess you’ll want to make sure your teeth are clean and your breath is fresh.  ‘Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.’ (James 3:5) Guard your mouth in dealing with your husband.  Words are immortal.  So think before you speak.  Trust me when I say that at some point (probably multiple times) you will nearly bite your tongue in half to keep yourself from saying something you’ll regret.  This is a great time to go brush your teeth and remember that you love your husband and that he loves you.  That even if you are seriously considering physical harm to him, what you both truly desire for each other is the very best and what is needed is fresh breathe to remind you of how  you’re words must be honest, but kind.

Sunscreen.

source marthastewartweddings.com via Kerry via Pinterest

The limelight is bright on the fair skin of our Princess and she’ll want to protect her beautiful skin from burning.  Stay on guard Jenna for ‘the sin that so easily entangles us’ (Hebrews 12:1).  In every marriage there are seasons.  Joyful times and sorrowful times, times of plenty and times of drought.  Temptation is always at the door knocking and we must be prepared.  Marriage is work, probably the hardest work of your life (yes, harder than working at Starbucks at 4am).  However, it will be the most rewarding and dare I say enjoyable work too.  Be proactive.  Date your husband, never stop talking to him, read books on marriage or blogs.  You can never know too much about communicating with your husband or how to make a marriage last. 

Aloe Vera.

source thoughtbyangel.blogspot.com via Pranava via Pinterest

Even sunscreen can wear off when we least expect it.  Sunburns are painful but quick and reliable treatment can keep the pain low and the scars at bay.  No matter how perfect life seems sin can blind side you, in your life and in your husband’s life.  ‘Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.’ (Col 3:13) Forgiveness, Grace and Mercy are crucial to a happy marriage.  Forgiveness is the Aloe Vera to a sinful sunburn.  And just like Aloe Vera works best right away, so too does forgiveness.  FORGIVE quickly and completely. Sometimes it’s yourself that you have to forgive.  Other times you have to forgive a hurt that the other doesn’t understand.  Whatever it takes don’t hold a grudge, for it is a poison that will seep in and destroy your happily ever after.

Tissues & Snickers.

source chow.com via Jaime Eggleston via Pinterest

source hollandcox.com via Dawn Ramirez via Pinterest

Tears and laughter are a part of every person’s life.  If you have to make a choice between crying or laughing, laugh…I mean Snickers always trump tissues, right? Embrace the moments of happiness and sorrow and share them with your beloved.  Don’t hide your joy and don’t bury your pain from your husband even in the smallest of matters.  It is hard to be that vulnerable but it is so necessary to create a new life as man and wife.  Remember to eat your fruit together every day for a healthy spirit. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.’ Gal 5:22-23

Last, a Tiara. 

source katelandersevents.blogspot.com via pc brown via Pinterest

Of course our princess is going to need the crown to complete the look, what Princess doesn’t have one?  A tiara is a loving reminder to you that you were bought at a price and because of that great sacrifice you are truly a Princess of the Most High God. ‘The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.’ Romans 8:16

The world will constantly be sending you and your beloved a barrage of temptations that will leave you dissatisfied.  What is more Satan will try to persuade you that you deserve better.  At these times you are going to need your kit to remember that while wedded bliss and happily ever after aren’t just for fairy tales, but to achieve it you must work for it.  And should you misplace your kit or forget what you need to do look no further than the Spirit living and working within your heart.

...in keeping with the Fearless Friday theme I thought I'd fearlessly share this devotion with you all.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

{{hugs}}

Buffy

Fearless Friday- Sleeping Children

So, today's Fearless Friday isn't a room of my house but a picture of my motherly affection.  You see I'm such a fabulous mom, Super Momma really, that I never forget about my children and let them fall asleep at the table while I'm say, sewing.

Furthermore, I would never shamefully take pictures of my children if they did in fact fall asleep at the table for some unknown and unimaginable reason.

I especially wouldn't display picture like that on the internet, for the world to see.

'Cause I'm Super Momma which is better than Mary Poppins, I'm not 'practically perfect in every way' I'm just perfect.

NOT!  I do love my kids very much.

Love it when they fall asleep in the oddest places.

With the oddest things.

At the most inopportune times.

And I'm not Super Momma.

But I am Super Loved.

I'm not perfect.

Though I'm loved Perfectly.

{{hugs}}

So tell me where is the oddest place you've fallen asleep?  Do you take pictures of your kids sleeping in strange places?  Forgot you left one up in the highchair?  Let's talk sleep.  Have a great Weekend.  Don't forget your Momma's on Sunday!

Fearless Friday

So after a week of sick kids we're finally getting back into the routine.  Vinny was home from preschool all week not because he was sick but because preschool was out for the week to do home visits.  Fortunately I had already had my home visit so we didn't have to stress about visitors.  Though now I am really ready for things to settle down around here.

Well are you ready for a picture into my real life again?  I thought so.  I know I already posted pictures of my dirty laundry and we won't say anything about me airy my dirty laundry on the internet will we ;)  However, I thought I might actually show you the disaster that is the laundry/sewing/crafting room/alcove.  It really is a teeny tiny area that most would call the mud room or entry way but a girl has got to make room for the craftiness that is her life right?

So here are the dream pictures:

Source centsationalgirl.com via Leticia via Pinterest

Oooh, could I please have this room?  I lurve it!!!  However, this is what I have:

The sewing/crafting area dream space...

Source Cat Morley via Pinterest

Honestly that is seriously the BEST sewing/crafting room EVAR!  It almost looks as if it is your own private shop...how cool would that be?  Yet, I am honestly very satisfied to have this simple, yet constantly cluttered sewing area...

Don'tcha love how the pins always spill onto the floor?

My ever to helpful helpers like to do that…a lot.

I know that there are lots of people who craft on their kitchen tables, have to put their machines away as soon as they are finished and I am so blessed to have a husband who understands that and allows me the luxury of a using space that could be used in other less crafty and messy ways.

It is because I have a space to work that I am able to actually do things and not just say I will.  Which leads me to some sneak peak pics of what I've been working on…

I know, it doesn't look like much but really I'm quite certain you'll love it when I'm done.  And because I can't let you go without a little bit of spring

Yes, it is was snowing again this morning as I took Samuel down to the bus.  Crazy!  I bought the flowers yesterday cause they were so pretty and I just needed a little bit of cheer in this seemingly endless winter...perhaps I should declare it Christmas next month that way we can have a little more cheer :)

{{hugs}} to you all and remember that the giveaway ends on Sunday evening so don't forget to enter your name!

Also, if you're really long on time or just need a good laugh or something to read I've posted my thoughts on laundry here.

Fearless Friday

Week Two of my new segment and what area of my house am I going to show off next?  Hmm, I'm sure you're all waiting on pins and needles.  Well, I think I shall show you what I'm always battling,..

                                                      

                                                        the Laundry!  

Yes is it true.  That while I wish my laundry piles looked more like this:

{Source fermliving via Winnie Sarah Dang via pinterest}

it really looks more like this:

and that's after doing the laundry all day!

It spills out onto the hall floors…

and when it is clean does it get put away neatly like this?

{Source closet-shelf via Valerie Neuschwander via pinterest}

Noooo, it amasses itself on what what most people call a couch…

I sure hope you all feel better, cause laundry for 7 people…one of which is a little girl who needs at least 2 outfits a day just because one is never enough for a fashionable girl like her.

Please leave a comment below.  Share a friendly tip about containing the monster that is dirty laundry.  What is your very best stain removal tip?  Tell me if you do laundry every day (like me) or once a week. Come on, I doubt very much that you just buy clothes when your soil your clothes so let's chat!