Try New Things...it's Fun!

Husband and I, well, we're a little on the crazy side.  We proudly refer to ourselves as hippies... we love the green, and we're kind of on the free-thinking side of life.  Not when it comes to morality and our faith, but when it comes to going against the flow.... trying not to do things just because 'everyone else is doing it.'  


Our hippie-ness has led to a very bright home.  Color-wise.  Our kitchen is purple with old 70's orange counter top, a golden dining room and a green, light seafoam-ish living room....  I know is sounds absurd, but really, it's fun and elegant in its own way.  The bright is accented with black and white randomly placed here and there.  I'm not one for the neutral colors....  I like them, they look beautiful in other people's homes, but I think it would stifle the creative genius in my brain that is fighting to release itself....


I've been on a kick to get new things put up and finished, the little things like pictures on the blank walls, knick-knacks on the shelves, etc.  So, we decided to paint our hallway because it was so boring and bland still.  Our house is in the shape of a square so the hallway opens up to both the dining room and living rooms, which are connected to each other.  So, I decided to paint the hallway blue...  and I don't mean a light, calming blue, it is BLUE!  BLUE!!!!  A very bright, not matching, carnival fun house kind of blue...actually Husband says it looks like a 'Saved by the Bell' blue, it belongs in a high school girl's room.  So, I tried painting some designs in black to see if we could save it...


Needless to say, we repainted it last night to orange.  And yes, I know orange doesn't sound any tamer than the crazy bright blue, but in our house it actually goes with the color scheme instead of totally working against it.  And now, we love it instead of going, 'I kind of like it, do you, I don't know, maybe not...'  

All this to say, TRY NEW THINGS!!  It's fun.  I would have always wondered what a blue hallway would have looked like had I not tried it.  A boss that my husband once had told him, 


"You always have the rest of your life to never try it again."  


So, give it a try!  If it doesn't work, there's always orange paint.

GROW!

Be careful what you pray for.

Seriously.

Husband prayed last year for patience and endurance.  I know that I learned both of those through my pregnancy.  And I'm continually learning them through motherhood.

I tend to pray for growth.  He sure is growing me.  I feel stretched to the limit, for sure!  But, then as I think about it, life would be boring if we weren't growing.  If we never had to rise up against new challenges, or take on new responsibilities.  That's how God is growing me.  Responsibilities.  A youth group and a baby, He's trusted me with both at the same time.  With His precious children.  He obviously thinks that I can handle it.  But it is taking some growth and stretching on my part to be able to handle all this the way He wants. 

So, the lesson I learned today, if I don't turn to the One who has led me here, I'm going to wilt.  If I sit in His light, I will blossom and grow and the colors of my petals will be vivid and extraordinary.

ENERGY!

I knew I was tired when I was a pregnant woman, but I'm just now beginning to realize how tired I truly was.  I feel like a brand new being, up early, and not due to heart burn, actually accomplishing things around the house and getting really pumped for the things I have to get done today.

We are at the end of my second year as an official 'youth minister' and it has been quite a ride!  Challenging, but rewarding all the same.  I have watched these kids grow so much and fall so in love with the faith that I almost can't handle it!  Last night was our last night for the high school and the things they told us they've learned....it makes me happy to know that we as a team were able to help them grow in the most important aspect of their lives....

I can't wait for Wednesday to see what my middle school kids have to say!!!  Those are the kids that really surprise you!!

All this to say that even with having a baby in the middle of the year, or maybe especially because of that, the year went by WAY too fast!  I've fallen so in love with these kids and the volunteers that teach them.  I may think that God gives me too much responsibility, but I feel so incredibly blessed that He trusts me with such an important and life-giving job.

Just like I told the kids last night, it's soul-feeding to do what we do.

Sunday Drive

Today is Sunday.  A day of relaxation, for the most part. We like to attend Mass on Saturday evenings to give ourselves a day to sleep in.  And it. is. glorious.  Late breakfast of burritos and homemade hot sauce (salsa for those of you from not around here..) and freshly ground coffee all while listening to the coos of our sweet baby girl.

Husband is still spinning with excitement from his first CD being out and he got his first internet sale last night!  Our house has been invaded with piano meditation paraphernalia and thoughts on marketing and really, the house has exploded with excitement of dreams being fulfilled and future dreams are being conceived.  It's inspiring to see someone's dream cone to fruition and actually see so much positive response from others.

So, I have decided that I should do the same.  Maybe that's why I've been back into the blogging world.  To start unleashing the artist within.  To let myself create.  To color world with vibrant thoughts and big  dreams.

I've been reading other blogs and sites and trying to connect with other bloggers around the globe, and one thing that really gets the passion to flow is knowing that there are other people with the same types of dreams.  Many of those dreams become reality, and all because we take the time to connect and support and throw our dreams into a big pot so that somehow they become a melded giant ball of dreams and goodness.  And with the combined dream, we can all partake, have a piece of the confetti cake with rainbow chip icing.  Man, is it delicious and soul-healing.


So, for today, feed your inner-self:  Take a Sunday Drive.
Not necessarily an actual drive, but take 10 minutes to relax.  Spend time enjoying the family.  Eat something amazingly delicious.  Take a walk.  Do something that feeds your soul.

And, check out pianomeditation.com.  Share a piece of the dream.

8 Small Things

Today I decided to play along with my friend from The End of my Rope who plays along with Magpie Girl.  Today's project: list 8 small things you are grateful for, and seeing as I need to get out of this black mood that seems to match the dreary weather outside, here I am.

And here are 8 small things I am thankful for:

1.  Being sandwiched between the two loves of my life. (The husband and the kid.) Nothing can make you feel more loved than that!

2.  This amazingly delicious steaming cup of freshly ground coffee.

3. Being able to take a jog last night.  The first of many since Evalyn was born!

4. Baby cuddles.  They never get old for me.  Hopefully they won't ever get old for her, either!

5.  Being Catholic.

6.  Scrabble with the husband.  (Mostly because I'm winning this time. ;)  )

7.  Living among a community, and actually knowing people.  It's a nice change from the nomadic life I held before.

8.  Thoughts.  Being able to think for myself.

What are you thankful for?

The Goal of our Faith

1 Peter 1:8-9

"Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls."


The goal of our faith, the salvation of our soul.

We have faith, and we believe, and there is a purpose.  It is not to throw it in others faces or to condemn.  It is not to induce judgement or to be boastful.  Our faith is not intended to give us an air of superiority.

Our faith, its sole purpose, is the salvation of our souls.  To grow closer to Christ now so that we may live with Him eternally.  So that we may love one another now so that we can soak in God's love in Heaven.  To glorify Him in all that we do so that we may one day see first hand His amazing glory.

This is the goal:  The salvation of our souls.

Goals and Deadlines

I have learned that without specific goals I get nowhere.  Not only do I need goals, but deadlines are helpful.  I guess that's procrastination at its finest.  So, I'm trying to set definite goals.  Like blogging every day to help my creativity flow.  So, here I am, blogging so that maybe I can let out some of the creative tension that's starting to build up inside my soul.  I can tell this is happening because Husband has looked at me the past two nights and said, "Have you blogged lately?"  He knows it's my creative outlet.  And he encourages it.  Makes me love him even more.

But, alas, I have drifted off topic.  Goals and deadlines.  Another goal that I am going to set for myself is that I write and article for Helium once a day.  Well, every weekday.  This way, even if they are of poor quality to begin with, they will hopefully grow as I write.  If I never feed my creativity, it will never grow...

It's a pretty hefty goal, but I believe I can do it!

Motherhood

Once again I've been absent for too long from the blogging world.  With good reason, but still I think my soul is starting to rot without my creative outlet.  So here I am.

I have so many things to write about and I just don't know where to start.  Having an infant in the house does interesting things to a person't psyche.  Which I knew going into this, but I don't think I KNEW...  Everything from the interrupted sleep, to the cries of hunger (hers and mine), to the never-ending flow of laundry and diapers to that stupid nose-sucker-thingy... (Evalyn and I both despise it, her more than I.)  But that's not the part that messes with your brain.  The part that messes with me is that I actually enjoy it all.  I love it...  all the gross stuff that I want to hate.  I guess superhuman-mom powers really do get born with the baby.  What else would explain it? 

Well, it's either that or the delirious state that I'm in from exhaustion...  I'm not sure which...

Methodical Madness

So, here I am, up bright and early for a change.  And, can I tell a secret?  I kind of like it.  It's peaceful, tranquil, and it makes me think that I may actually have a productive day!  I laid in bed for an hour before I finally got up. All I could think about was all the projects I want to get accomplished today.  Starting with breakfast for Husband.  Of course, it's still too early to start that, and I had an itch to write.  Just simply write.  And seeing as I can't (or maybe don't want to) hunt down my journal, here is where I turn.

I just caught up on the blogs that I have neglected to read due to my absence from the blogging world...  and one of my favorites was my brother's.  I don't know why, but it really gave me a chuckle.  Well, if you knew my brother you would understand!  And, from it sprang a fun phrase for me to meditate on....  Methodical Madness.

Methodical Madness....  I think that is the order in which God lives by.  Everything on our end seems like madness, but for Him, oh there is definitely method behind it.  Like 9 + months of pregnancy, or meeting the man you're going to marry and then not dating for 4 years, or giving someone like me the responsibility of an entire youth program at a parish, or free will.....

The list could go on and on and on.  And as I look back on what I just wrote, a lot of them are ways in which I think God is teaching me patience.  I really wish Husband would stop praying for that.  ;)  The point (if there is one) is that what is on the outside, the nuttshell, if you will, is only harvesting something much much bigger and better, the fruit or the nutt of life...
All the things we see that we can't find a reason to, well, it's there, we just may never know what it is.


Hmmm  I wonder if that analogy will make any sense when I come back and read that tomorrow....

Here's to a day filled with blessings and love.  And productivity.

The End

I've always heard the last few weeks of pregnancy can really be a drag.  I'm really trying not to see it that way.  Of course, I have reached the point in which I just don't believe that a baby is actually in there....  and Husband said he reached that point this morning.  I really have convinced myself that I will be 400 pounds with a 4 year old in my uterus...  Might make a good TV show.

I've decided to make a list of everything I have done that I wouldn't have if I didn't have a baby to wait on:

Found a great little antique/ flea market in Levelland
Started blogging again
Cleaned and organized the house in like and hour (I felt like I was on speed that night)
Sat at the goosepond (a pond in Levelland geese visit in the winter) on the one gorgeous day we had this week
Haven't gone to work in 2 weeks
Missed a great concert (it was 2 1/2 hours away)
Got addicted to Live! with Regis and Kelly, along with The View
Spent part of Spring Break with my mom in town (missed going anywhere for Spring Break)
Still sitting in PJ's at 1 in the afternoon (shower soon to follow this post)
Sit around wanting excruciating pain to start (seems a little crazy)


And here is a list of all the things I will get finished today due to this kid staying cozy:

Finish the pajama pants I started to make for Husband and I
Clean the house again
Make Husband dinner
Hang out with the bestie?  (I should call her...)
Go to work for 30 minutes to finish some things I need to finish
Pray


I think if I add anymore on to the list I won't get anything finished and then I would be really sad...  So, here's to a productive day!!!  Wish me luck!!!

Wishcasting Wednesday: Take a Break

Today is Wishcasting Wednesday.  And I have been so absent from the blogging world that it took a lot for me to come back even though it is so relieving whenever I post.  So, I am re-emerging myself into this space, with quite a question from Jamie this week.

What do you wish to take a break from?


Hmmm.....

I'm actually tired of taking a break.  I haven't been to work in a week and a half and I don't really want to go back.  Being around people right now is so taxing.

I guess you could say that I want to take a break from being on break.  I'm ready (ish) for this new change.  I'm ready for life to get back to normal.  Well, as normal as it can get after a baby is born.  I wish to take a break from my own brain, from the waiting, and most of all from my whiny self.  But, all that aside, life is life, and I really am blessed with an amazing husband, a great job, a loving family, and that is what I never want a break from.

Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

I don't really know what to write about right now, but I had the inkling to post, so here I am.  A relaxed night in the McNutt household.  Although, I really need to finish the laundry, finish the dishes, and find some more food...  Hmmmm...

This week has been great, but I am going back to the phase of feeling unproductive.  Ugh, it's because I haven't been able to sleep less than 12 hours a night.  I know what you're thinking, that that is a crazy thing to be annoyed about, but seriously, I wake up feeling like I'm getting nothing accomplished.  This morning I actually got up to go to Mass, I ate breakfast with Husband, and then he left for work and I still had almost an hour before Mass.  So what did I do?  I fell asleep on the couch.  Yep, and then I didn't wake up until WAAAAAAYYYY later....  So once again I wasted a morning away, and the crazy thing is I'm fighting to keep my eyelids open right now.  Pregnant body is so crazy.....  I guess it's just preparing for life with a new baby around.  I know I won't be able to sleep at all then....

But, I am blessed enough to be able to sleep in when I need it, even if it is an entire week of it.  We'll see how life goes in the next couple of months.  It should be interesting for sure!