The End is Here!

The end of summer. The end of my time in Texas. (for now) The end of being separated from my husband. The end of being unemployed. (hopefully) The end of my time taking care of my sister and nephew.

It's been a crazy and wild past 3 months. So much happened. I found out my sister is expecting baby #2. Crockett went to boot camp. My sister began having complications with her pregnancy and moved home so I could help take care of my 1 yr old nephew. I quit my job. We found out the baby is a BOY. Crockett graduated from boot camp. We cancelled our move to California. (Crockett changed jobs in the CG) Crockett spent an extra month in NJ on medical hold. I went on a cruise with my family to Mexico. Crockett got his orders for East Tawas, Michigan.

So here I am. Reflecting on all that has passed and getting ready to go pick my husband up from the airport so we can move tomorrow morning. We get to start our 3 day journey (dogs in tow) bright and early. It's mind blowing how fast things can change. I've always heard, "If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans." I know that God's plans are much bigger for me than my own and I'm so grateful he's been teaching me to relinquish control of my life and my circumstances. This summer would have been that much harder if I had been desperately trying to forge my own path. I can honestly say I have enjoyed resting in God's peace knowing it will all be ok. Of course I had my days where I stressed about the details and was anxious about how things would line up, but I feel  like I've gown so much in the last 12 weeks or so just resting with my father. It has been a huge blessing to be in a season of turmoil and feel total peace within.

As excited as I am about moving to Michigan and finally living with my husband again in our own home and experience a northern fall and winter, I am very sad to be leaving my family behind in Texas. 

Here are some pics from my wonderful month and half with Noah & Sister.

Find a cuter kid. That's right; you can't.

1. Husband bought me these adorable heels from JCP while he was home on leave. Have I mention I am spoiled rotten?

2. Sister's complicated pregnancy leaves her dizzy and out of breath if she exerts too much energy. Even simple things like walking will exhaust her. She wasn't too excited about having to ride in the motor buggy; I on the other hand would milk that!

3. My little nephew on the way!! :) I can't wait to hold him.

So long Texas. You will always be home and I will carry you in my accent heart.

Fill in the Blank Friday

I'm linking up with Lauren again! Check out her blog and all the link ups @ thelittlethingswedo

1.  Right now the weather where I live is     nice. We're having a cold front here in Texas and it's making it bearable to be outside. Who knows how long this will last though. However, tomorrow I am moving to MICHIGAN and am very excited about the current weather there. High in the 70's, low in the 60's. Sounds like perfect fall weather to me.

2.  The best piece of advice I've been given is   Let Jesus be your God. This wasn't necessarily advice I was given, but more of how I was raised. I learned very quickly that I make a terrible God and so do boys. When God is in control life is better for everyone involved. (And I don't mean on a happy/emotional level. I mean on an inner peace/joy level.) When I try to be in control something inevitably goes terribly wrong.

3.  My most favorite person in all the world is    my husband. There is no one on this earth I love more, enjoy spending time with more, cherish more, respect more (although my mom is a very close second), or trust more. God is number one in my life and Crockett is number two. Nothing (not even kids) will take him from that spot.

4. If I were to have a "mission statement" for my life, it would be    "Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your life, in your love, your faith, and your purity." - I Timothy 4:11-12 I strive to make much of Him and less of me in all that I do.

5. My most favorite item in my closet is   my blue and white striped flats. I got them from JCP this summer and they are my most favorite shoes EVER.

6. The best cure for a bad day is   worship. No matter what is wrong or devastating or frustrating in my life, I have yet to find anything that worship does not fix. When I worship my Savior I am reminded that no matter what is going on here on Earth my heart is fixed on things unseen. When I praise my God for saving a wretch like me it doesn't matter what is wrong around or in me, all that matters is that I am His and He is mine. I am brought to my knees by His grace and mercy and thankfulness, adoration, and love pours out of soul. Nothing sets my perspective right like focusing on what truly matters.

7.  Today is   a day for rejoicing! My darling husband is coming home from New Jersey and tomorrow morning we will begin our 3 day drive to Michigan. We are finally going to be living together after nearly 3 months of separation due to the military. My heart is on fire today.

Wreaths!

My very favorite time of year is among us and my favorite way to celebrate fall is to decorate my house. Each year my husband and I buy one new piece of fall decoration to add to our collection. This way we didn't spend too much of the money we didn't have our first year of marriage and by the time we have grandkids we will have a gorgeous house at fall time. For this year's new piece I made this easy and simple wreath. This was my second attempt at wreath making and it could not have been easier.

I found the wreath itself in the dollar section at Target for only $2.50. They can be really expensive at craft stores so I snagged it up really fast. Next I bought the ribbon, the small pumpkin, & 2 pieces of the berry limbs from Hobby Lobby. (All of which were on sale getting me out of the store for less than $8.) I spray painted the T white and when it was dry added a layer of varnish since it will be outside. Next, I hot glued everything in place and added the bow for the final touch. It was seriously the easiest thing ever. About 20 min. worth of work including dry time and all for about $10? Yes please.

My first attempt at a wreath did not turn out quite like I was hoping, but I'm fond of it none the less. For this wreath (which I made as a Christmas gift) I used one pinner's suggestion of foam tubing from a hardware store as the base of wreath. As you can see, the tubing does not make a complete circle. It's a little off, but if you don't mind that then I suggest using this method. Craft circles for wreaths are around $5-8, I got 6 ft. of the foam tubing for $1. I cut the tube to the length I wanted and used packaging tape to make the "circle."

Update! I heard through the grapevine that if you cut the foam tubing all along the edge so that the diameter of the tube is no longer connected, but could theoretically be folded flat fixes the non-round-wreath problem. After you make the cut, allow the flap to overlap until it makes a circle! Clear as mud? Ok, great!

Next I wrapped the burlap around it, hot gluing every now and then to secure it. (I got the burlap on sale for $.83!) I painted the C and added varnish since a wreath is typically exposed to the elements. I added the bow on top and then began my work on the fabric flowers. I had left over fabric from a skirt I made so there was no cost there. This is the video I followed for the flowers. (Warning: I used hot glue because I didn't have any fabric glue. It worked just as well, but I burned myself with EVERY single one, there really is just no way to avoid it.) It took me a minute to get the hang of this, but once I did it went quickly; I could have been spittin out fabric flowers all night!