Family

I've been in thought about family and what it means to be apart of one. Is it birth,  adoption,  who you choose to be with, who you spend your time with, church, marriage? Yes, to all. I grew up in a great family for the most part my dad worked full time providing for our family and my mom was our care taker and household manager.  I found an old calendar of my mom's from 1986, the details she kept track of were amazing for everyone in the family's lives. I have an older sister and two younger brothers. As I look back on my childhood I have a pretty beautiful memory.  Until family was changed in my view my sister chose not to be apart of our family she cut us all off 100%  in fact I personally haven't had communication with her since 2009. Honestly over time it has just been the way things are and it doesn't really bother me anymore.  The other thing that has changed my childhood view of family is marriage, as my husband and I developed our family together. I have been blessed to add my in laws as my parents and friends.  The parents you are born with are amazing but, in laws are really special as you get to know them you one gain more insight into your spouse as to why they do different things, you also get to have an additional set of caring eyes and ears on your life. I'm so grateful I get to share my life with them and know that they care about me just as much as one of their children the raised. The other view of family that has changed my view on family is friends who are closer to my heart then any sister by birth ever could be. 3 woman have been there for me for so many years to know my heart, my struggles, my weakness,  to remind me if my strength,  to make me laugh when all I want to do us cry, to call me out when I'm being dumb, and so much more.  They are my family. 
Family builds you up, points out your failings, makes you cry, makes you laugh until you can't breathe, cares so deep they feel your struggle,  wants what is best for you not just what you want, family is friendship,  love, support,  anger management training,  and so much more.
I am so grateful for my family by birth, marriage,  and friendship.  That is the joy and blessings of life.

Making the old something special and new

This weekend my son and I refinished his dresser. The dresser was my husband's when he was a kid and looked very 1980's it was in major need of a makeover. We went to Lowe's and picked out the paint together and matched it up to my son's sheets. Which are cute space and rockets theme something that he can mature with for the next few years. Next time redo his room will probably be when he's about 13. So, this is big kid decor :)

good-bye old and outdated

Supply List                                 

• Sand Paper                                          
• Primer
• Paint
• screw driver
• high quality paint brush

removing the hard ward

Step one we had to remove all the hardware. It took a little longer then it should, because my son learned how to use the screw driver. He was so proud of himself he removed all but the first two handles.

sanding away

Step two we sanded down the top layer of finish. My son realized it took more arm muscle required then he first thought. Although he did a great job for the first drawer, mommy had to complete the rest. I sanded it just enough to get it smooth and take out the small nicks and dings that the last 30 plus years had created.


Step Three we primed the dresser and drawers and after this step is when my son got board and went to play with friends outside.

Step Four my favorite part color...I used 4 different colors so, it is fun and happy in his room. I also saved money and got a brushed nickel spray paint for the old hard ware which I think gave it a fresh new and updated look compared to the brass that it was.

Finished dresser back in his room.

Step five put it all back together and this is the final result.

Our color inspiration

The project took my 5 hours, one coat of primer, 3 coats of each color all painted by brush (I think it gives better results than a roller), and about $30.00 for all the paint and sandpaper. A little money saving tip I bought the small color sample sizes at $2.99 for the yellow, orange and light blue in semi-gloss and one quart in the navy also in semi-gloss. So, these colors should be durable and kid friendly. My son and husband love it and that's so important. It's so great to turn something old and apart of the family into something brand new for the next generation.

Worry and praise

The peace that passing understanding. Such an easy thing to say, but a hard thing to do. When casting all our cares upon the Lord, He says "Don't worry about anything." Anything? Really? Is that possible? I joke with all seriousness that when God gives you a child what you don't see with the bundle of joy you've been give is a huge bag of worry strapped to your shoulders. I wish I didn't worry...I worry about money, health, safety, the future, the what if's, the how to's, and the if only's. Mind you I function fine and with the utmost positive outlook on life everyday. It's when my head hits the pillow to close my eyes and rest my weary head. BAM like a bolt of lightening the worry is turned on! These verses from Philippians 4:6-7 have been playing in my head like a broken record. "tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers." I've been coming to God with my "to do list" my whole life, because that's what I'm supposed to do throw everything at Him. Then all my worries will vanish. With this thought process I get let down and my worries seem to multiple. The part of the verse that never stood out to me was "and don't forget to thank him for his answers." The old and classic hymn that has been playing in my head must have been inspired from this verse (although I have no facts on the hymn, I've included the hymn below). Have you ever sat down and counted your blessings? I mean every single one. From the air we get to breath, to the food we are blessed to eat, even the job we are dissatisfied with, or the the lessons God is teaching us? That's been the challenge I've been giving myself. Right now there are so many things in my life that are falling apart and that are causing me to worry, but everyday God is providing and blessing us and somehow outside of what my husband and I can do things are falling in place and we are being blessed by God. My prayer life is turning into more of a praise session then every before. Yes, there is still some worry, but my trust in God honestly is stronger then it has been in years. So, I will continue to count my blessings and thank God for all He is doing and providing in my life. 

Count Your Blessings | Johnson Oatman, Jr.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

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