{palette}

Pinterest has become a fun hobby for me lately. I have seen some beautiful palettes created from photos...so I thought I would give it a try myself. Here are some of the palettes that I have come up with. 

{heroism}

Today is the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It marks the day when our country went to war, when boys became men, when girls became women, men became heroes, and the world was changed. Everyday, I am so grateful to live in this free nation. It is not perfect, but I firmly believe it is the best that fallible man can create and govern. I am honored to support my husband as he serves, and glad to be able to raise my son here in this land of heroes. 


"Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue" ~ Admiral Chester Nimitz, when speaking of the Marines at Iwo Jima


According to the dictionary, a hero is: "a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities." This is one of the things I pray for my son most, that he would be a man of action, not of cheap words, and he would be courageous. It is good to have such examples of that is this great country. 

{legacy}

I often wonder what is the first impression others have of me. Is it good? Is it nice? Are people glad when I enter the room or glad when I leave it? 


When Princess Grace Kelly died, James Stewart gave this eulogy: "You know, I just love Grace Kelly. Not because she was a princess, not because she was an actress, not because she was my friend, but because she was just about the nicest lady I ever met. Grace brought into my life as she brought into yours, a soft, warm light every time I saw her, and every time I saw her was a holiday of its own."


I think that is one of the sweetest things someone could say about another person. I want to be that sort of person. 


I hope your holiday season is filled to the brim with blessings and joy. 

{merry christmas time}

With each change of the season, I get so excited...at the end of every season, I am glad for the change. But none excites me more than the beginning of the Christmas season. It is the day after Thanksgiving, and I am ready!

You would have thought it was magic when I plugged in that first strand of Christmas lights that I had placed in my son's sweet hands.

I cannot wait to soak in every day of this Christmas season.

{commission}

For almost a month and a half now, I have been a Second Lieutenant's wife. My husband has been in the Marine Corps since we met, but he took his oath of office at the end of September to become an officer in the United States Marine Corps. 

We were allowed to do whatever we wanted for the ceremony, so this was one of the first parties that I did everything for from start to finish {my wonderful mama did pick up all the food from Costco for me - you can only get so much done in one day}. 

We had lots of American Flags as decor and lining the garden beds at the park

I made the programs myself on my trusty HP printer

Swearing his oath of office

I got to pin his Lieutenant's bars on 

Foot-poppin' kiss!

All pictures were taken by Captus Fotography

 

{remember with honor}

We ask a lot of those who wear our uniform. We ask them to leave their loved ones to travel great distances, to risk injury, even to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. They are dedicated. They are honorable. They represent the best of our country, and we are grateful.

-President George W. Bush - 02 OCT 01

Today we went to a local restaurant that was giving dinners to those with active or retired military IDs. Walking into the lobby full of strangers was like walking into a room full of friends. All of the older women smiled at me holding my little baby...the men shared what branch of service they had served in...to me, to us, just starting this life, just starting the hardest journey of our lives, it was so sweet to be encouraged by women who know my fears, my heartaches, my tears in the middle of the night, my pride, my love for one man, my love for my country, my obedience to my God, and my determination to live this life well. 

My husband is not a veteran, yet...he has not served in combat...but when he does, I am encouraged to know that I am in the company of the best of our country. 

{semper fi and happy birthday}

Today is the United States Marine Corps' birthday. It's pretty special to be a part of this family, even if it is just by marriage. I didn't swear an oath of allegiance and service to the Corps, but four years ago today, I said, "yes" to his "will you?" {Yes, I am that much of a Marine Corps Hard Core wife, that I got engaged on the Corps' birthday}. And then, 4 months later, I made a covenant with God and my husband. And so, by de facto, I joined the Corps.

I was talking to a friend who is marrying a service member - and had to speak the hard truth: it is harder to be the one who stays than the one who goes. But it is good. I love my Marine. I love my country. I love our friends who serve.

Semper Fidelis...and Happy Birthday to all Marines, past and present, and their Families.

{feeling crabby}

I finished it! This quilt I have been working on for the past month or so was an attempt to use up things lying around the house without spending more money. {it almost worked!} I just used embroidery floss that I had around, and fabric that I had around. And my wonderful mama had an awesome coloring book at her house that I nabbed the pictures from! The only things I had to buy were the batting {because that is a bit pricey, I don't keep it lying around - I only buy it for projects when I really need it, but I had a coupon, so no biggie}, and enough material for the backing and binding {I was able to gauge it pretty well, so I didn't really have any left over! Yay!}

I have just been letting Jack play around on it - I think it is going to become our storytime blankie....

...now to get back to my million other projects that I have around here {I've got to start that Project Life stuff!!!}

{it came!...and will you join me?}

It came! My Project Life kit came in the mail today!! I am so excited! I am just shocked by how awesome it looks {and how much came with this kit}.

It is a system of scrapbooking that involves journal cards and photographs in special page protectors {on the left-hand side of the photo}. :-) I think it is going to be great fun!

I am just about to go put together my first layout, but I want to know...

Would you like to join me in doing Project Life? There are an abundance of journal-ing cards here, and I would love to do this project with you! If you are interested, I would love to share...please let me know via Blogger, Facebook, Phone, Email - If you live close, we can have a get-together, if you live far away, we can be Project Life penpals!

Have a great evening!

{a project a day}

Are you like me? Do you have so many projects you would like to do that you don't even know where to begin?

I love projects...and by projects, I mean crafts. I am not really an adrenaline junkie, I don't like computer games or electronic games, but I do love crafts {just look at earlier posts in this blog}. So, I decided to add one more project to my huge list of ongoing projects: Project Life {website: http://beckyhiggins.com/}. It is a new way to scrapbook based on journal cards, mementos, and pictures. I love traditional scrapbooks with all the pretty stickers and embellishments, but I have a son. And I don't think he is going to be as into that sort of thing as I am. So, I thought I would give this a whirl and see if it would make a good baby book for him. I'll post updates...we'll see.

For now, I have to finish my little quilt that I made using fabric and embroidery floss that I found around my house! {shows you how much stuff I have for projects}. I am almost done, and can't wait to show you!

Here's a preview with the pillow I already finished that will match the quilt:

PS - This is a quilt and pillow set for children - not all of my home decorations involve a lobster wearing sunglasses...although it could be fun...

{after a party}

Well...this has been the busiest couple of weeks... My husband got to take his oath of office and is now a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps...it was a big deal, and we threw a big party. Now I have the remains of a party to clean up. I usually dread that part. It is never as much fun to clean up from a party as it is to set up for one...but I have been trying to change my attitude about that. As I was folding napkins to put them away, I realized that the memories from the party are still there...I guess cleaning up can be a good way to reflect on the laughter and friendship that was present there... I will share pictures eventually - no one who brought their camera got any good ones, and we haven't received the pictures from the photographer yet.

{meaningful remembrance}

Through meaningful remembrance, the sacrifices of those who have gone before will not become distant memories. 

~James Conway, General, United States Marine Corps

Two years ago today, my dear friend Joe gave the last full measure of devotion to God and Country, and went home to be with the Lord in Glory.

And I have no words today to properly remember my friend. Words are not enough to express my gratitude for his choice to serve and defend our country. 

Today, I choose to remember his legacy with honor. 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

~John 15:13

{remembering: part three}

In the day of emails, texts, tweets, facebook posts, and blog posts, it is easy to forget to make a meaningful impact in someone's life. While those instant media channels of communication are fun, there is nothing like an in-person conversation with a dear friend, or a hug from someone you haven't seen in a long time, or a hand-written letter or phone call to a loved one you can't see in person, or even a smile from an acquaintance or stranger.

Today, I want to share with you the way that I remember my friend Joe every day:

Jack - 10 weeks old

This is obviously not a picture of Joe like the previous posts remembering Joe - it's a picture of my son, Jack. My husband and I knew the moment we found out Jack was going to be himself {namely: a boy} what his middle name would be: Joseph. We chose to remember our friend in our son's name.

Make sure to impact those around you in a meaningful way, and remember to honor those you cannot be with in a meaningful remembrance.

{remembering: part two}

Today I would like to remember how wise Joe was. I have many snippets of wisdom stored in my heart that Joe shared with me through the years that I knew him.

Joe hanging out in my favorite park

I would like to share just one: there was a time in college when a few not-so-nice things were said to me about me that were very hurtful {shocking, I know: gossip in a group of young college students}. Joe pulled me aside and I just remember him saying that the best way to react to something like that would be to make sure that my actions did not reflect others' words. If you are above reproach in character, untrue words won't go very far among those who know you.

I think that is a very important thing to remember. Make sure that your reputation is, well, reputable. Joe's character was reputable, and he was loved and respected among all his peers and the parents of all his peers.

{remembering: part one}

I told you this was my month to reflect and remember. A big part of that is because of Joe.

Joe was a friend I met when I first started attending community college during my junior year of high school. He was funny, wise, and the goofiest, wiriest person I have ever met.

Joe is on the right, with my husband on the left. Typical Joe. 

Today, I am remembering how fun Joe was to be around, how his sense of humor just cracked me up. Just to give you a sense of how goofy Joe was, I would like to share with you a "note" he wrote on his facebook. {please note: this is copied directly from FB as Joe wrote it.}

BOB! go to sleep. - written by Joseph White. November 18, 2008

"at first i considered him a mouse problem (i'm assuming he's a dude mouse because i'm uncomfortable with the thought of sharing the room i get naked in with a female). anyway anyone (even if it is a mouse) who steals cookies that my girlfriend makes for me is a problem. but he just helped himself to them like his mother never taught him manners. so i trapped him under a pillow one night and punched it as hard as i could (it was on my couch and i'd rather get rid of a couch pillow then have mouse guts all over my hand.) i heard something pop and thought it was the mouse but i'm pretty sure it was just my knuckles now because when i lifted the pillow he was no where to be seen. i took it as a sign to leave him alone (well more like i didn't want him thinking i was a problem and bite [me] while i was sleeping at night... well sleeping anytime really i'm not sure why i put at night.. whatever. i have serious ADD) so i named him bob and told him to help himself to MY cookies. i'm such a nice guy. i'm sure bob's forgiven me for trying to turn him into mouse sauce with my fist. at least i hope he has. i am sharing my cookies after all."

I am thinking that an adaptation of this would make a funny children's book. What do you think?

{the whole picture}

September is my month to reflect and remember {more to come on why that is}.

Today I would like to reflect on something I alluded to in my last post. When I was 17, I enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard, and went to Army Basic Training {"boot camp"} in the middle of summer at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina.

I am from the Seattle area. I am whiter-than-white {lack of exposure to sunlight}, and there is very little humidity here - it doesn't stay in the air, it condenses and rains. I live in a state that has real dirt, not sand. And we don't have cockroach problems, and our little black ants don't bite. Also, greens, lima beans, and squash are not usually on the everyday menu around here. So, needless to say, I was not in an environment I was used to {even minus the drill sergeant/boot camp part}.

Today I want to share with you a small part of boot camp: shin splints. Maybe you are a runner, maybe you exercise {see my last post to get an idea of how much I hate exercise}, but I am not athletic. So you can bet after running miles every day, and then wearing combat boots for days on end, I got shin splints. Now, being a non-exerciser, I didn't know what they were. By the time I finished boot camp {a story for another day}, and returned home, I had bi-lateral stress-fractures and painful shin splits from knee to ankle. Ouch! After a year of "Drilling" {one weekend a month training with the National Guard}, I was given a discharge from the National Guard because I was still not able to run a mile under 15 minutes {note: I can walk a mile in 16 minutes, so I am a really slow runner}.

I was bummed. And a bit angry. God had obviously orchestrated the channels needed for me to go to boot camp, He had been with me the whole way, and he could have prevented or healed the shin splints. But He didn't. He let me go to boot camp and then not have a career in the military. I didn't get my enlistment bonus, and they didn't pay for school. And I still can't run worth beans.

But it was worth it. I am so glad I did it. And I hope one day I get to see the whole picture. Even if it is the day I die and go to heaven. I want to know why. But now, I want to know why so I can marvel at His plan. I want to know whose lives were affected by me being there {in my earthly way, I kinda want it to be like "It's a Wonderful Life" and see what would have happened if I hadn't been there}. I am not angry anymore. And I am not bummed anymore. It's nice to be a mama to my sweet boy, and to be a military spouse now {note: being a spouse is harder than being the one serving, just sayin'}. And I have faith in His perfect plan. Although it is hard to be patient while He waits to reveal it.

Check back later for more on the boot camp experience.

{is this really me?}

I don't know who I am anymore...I am certainly not myself...my husband has noticed the change, too, and has threatened to take me to a mental health professional {okay, maybe that was just a joke}...but, seriously...

I am actually exercising on a routine basis...
No, really, I am. {Well, not this week because of the new job thing}, but I honestly have been working out more than my pre-pregnancy routine which was...well, once every 3 months was my old routine...

My sweet mama introduced me to Zumba. Yeah, it's a bit crazy, it's a bit edgy, but, my goodness, it is a lot of fun. Actually, I am sitting here in my workout clothes {be glad you can't see me!} waiting for time to go to the Saturday workout.

I love to dance, but I have a sweetheart who only danced with me when he was trying to sweep me off my feet. Now that I have been all swept up, dancing comes very infrequently...and then I found Zumba. {note: this is not the kind of dancing my sweetheart and I did when we were dating, but there's music and dance moves, so it counts to me!} And you don't need a dance partner, which is good.

But I hardly know who I am anymore - I honestly have not sweat this much since I was at bootcamp with the Army {did you know I was in the Army National Guard before I got married?} I haven't started to lose weight yet {hopefully because I am building muscle} but I am determined to stick it out and lose this pregnancy weight.

Lots of things I would like to share with you, but for now - time to go Zumba!

{convicted}

I am up very early (for me) today to spend some time with my little one before starting my third day at my new job...it is going to become a work-from-home job, but this week I have to go in - and, man, have I been missing my favorite little dude! But this is just a side note...

Lately I have been feeling very convicted...and I am wondering how fast I can learn this lesson so God can stop trying to teach it to me. :-) My dear friend, Glenda, blogged a series on "30 things to do when you are in a rough patch" just as I got stuck in a rough patch. And then the sermon last Sunday was also about faith in difficult times. And, of course, little snippets of conversations here and there have also convicted me about my attitude...yeesh...guess it's time for a big attitude adjustment!

My husband just got his unofficial notice that we will be moving to the opposite end of the country with the Marine Corps in April. I have been expecting/dreading this news since we got married 3 1/2 years ago. And now we finally have a sort-of-for-sure timeline (nothing with the Marine Corps is for sure until it's actually happening). And I am petrified. And I need a big-time attitude adjustment. Worrying about the future now is just going to detract from the special time I have now with family and friends. Time to focus on the present!! That's hard for me, though. It's hard to get my brain to not think about a million and one things, and just think about what is going on in this moment.

Well, gang, time for me to start my day and learn this lesson already!!

{a new memory}

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “- President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001

I don't know how old you were when the towers fell, but I was...young. And I remember it so vividly it hurts. Ten years ago today, I wasn't worried about much at all...ten years ago tomorrow, I was overwhelmed by the grief of our nation. While it is sad to remember the tragedy, loss and mourning, it is good to remember the bravery and self-sacrifice. It is good to remember that heroism is not a thing only found in fairy tales, but happens in real life. It is good to remember that men and women will rise to the occasion demanded of them...and it is very good to pray for the families of those who gave their all that day. They don't need a day to remember the lives that were sacrificed, their everyday lives serve as reminders in the absence of loved ones. 

{the promise}

Last night, my little family and I attended the wedding of a very dear childhood friend. It was truly one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended, and one of the most sincere and sweetest marriages to witness. My husband and I always seem to attend a wedding after we have had some petty disagreement or another, and I am always convicted of my selfishness at every wedding ceremony. The sweetness of last night has refreshed my spirit, and reminded me in a much-needed way of the sacredness of the covenant I have with my husband.

The first dance of this lovely couple as husband and wife was "Dancing in the Minefields" by Andrew Peterson...this was the first time I had heard of this artist (and this song!)...I just love it. Here's a snippet:

I was nineteen, you were twenty-one
The year we got engaged
Everyone said we were much too young
But we did it anyway...
We went sailing in the storm
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe that's what the promise is for
"I do" are the two most famous last words 

The beginning of the end

But to lose your life for another I've heard 

Is a good place to begin
'Cause the only way to find your life
Is to lay your own life down
And I believe it's an easy price 

For the life that we have found

'Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man

So there's nothing left to fear 

So I'll walk with you in the shadowlands 

'Til the shadows disappear 

'Cause He promised not to leave us

And His promises are true

So in the face of all this chaos, baby, 

I can dance with you

Dancing in the Minefields ~ Andrew Peterson

{a new resolve}

I think it is high time for a number of things...and since bullet points are just as much of a favorite of mine as elipses, here are the things:
 ~ more blog posts!
 ~ more meaningful blog posts...
 ~ allowing grace and mercy to abound in my day and relationships (grace and mercy are not my strongsuits...)
 ~ richer and deeper investment into the lives of those around me

     In case you cannot tell, I have been in desperate need of an attitude adjustment. So, here is the start. I think blogging (even if no one reads it) might help. But this won't be a whiny blog...I am going to focus on the blessings in my life. But for now, it is late, and before I know it, my little guy will be up needing some snuggles (but, oh, how nice it is to be the nightmare-chaser and protector of a wee man who is comforted just by being held)!
     And if you are in need of something good to read and have any sort of e-reader, I am being blessed by the entire works of L.M. Montgomery (free on the kindle app!)

{he's here!!}

Please welcome our sweet baby boy:

Jack Joseph

He is the sweetest, most easy-going little baby, and already we cannot imagine life without him.

{a quilt for baby jack}

From the day I found out I was expecting our first little munchkin, I have been debating and deciding what sort of quilt I would like to make for my own sweet baby. After months, I finally decided on a coastal living ABC quilt!

And I had received some very fun glow-in-the-dark thread from my own sweet mama for Christmas, and this seemed like the perfect project to use it on!

(Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of the process, mostly because of what my husband has fondly nicknamed "baby on the brain"!)

{a joyous morning}

"He Still Moves Stones"

written by Max Lucado

"The only ember of light on Friday is the small band of women standing at a distance from the cross - watching (Matt. 27:55).

Among them are two Marys, one the mother of James and Joseph and the other is Mary Magdalene. Why are they there? They are there to call his name. To be the final voices he hears before his death. To prepare his body for burial. They are there to clean the blood from his beard. To wipe the crimson from his legs. To close his eyes. To touch his face.

They are there. The last to leave Calvary and the first to arrive at the grave.

So early on that Sunday morning, they leave their pallets and walk out onto the tree-shadowed path. Theirs is a somber task. The morning promises only one encounter, an encounter with a corpse.

Remember, Mary and Mary don't know this is the first Easter.

They are not hoping the tomb will be vacant. They aren't discussing what their response will be when they see Jesus. They have absolutely no idea that the grave has been vacated.

There was a time when they dared to dream such dreams. Not now. It's too late for the incredible.

The feet that walked on water had been pierced. The hands that healed lepers had been stilled.

Noble aspirations had been spiked into Friday's cross. Mary and Mary have come to place warm oils on a cold body and bid farewell to the one man who gave reason to their hopes.

But it isn't hope that leads the women up the mountain to the tomb. It is duty. Naked devotion.

They expect nothing in return.

What could Jesus give? What could a dead man offer? The two women are not climbing the mountain to receive; they are going to the tomb to give. Period.

There is no motivation more noble.

There are times when we, too, are called to love, expecting nothing in return. Times when we are called to give money to people who will never say thanks, to forgive those who won't forgive us, to come early and stay late when no one else notices.

Service prompted by duty. This is the call of discipleship.

Mary and Mary knew a task had to be done - Jesus' body had to be prepared for burial. Peter didn't offer to do it. Andrew didn't volunteer. The forgiven adulteress or healed lepers are nowhere to be seen. So the two Marys decide to do it.

I wonder if halfway to the tomb they had sat down and reconsidered.

What if they'd looked at each other and shrugged, "What's the use?" What if they had given up?

What if one had thrown up her arms in frustration and bemoaned, "I'm tired of being the only one who cares. Let Andrew do something for a change. Let Nathaniel show some leadership."

Whether or not they were tempted to, I'm glad they didn't quit.

That would have been tragic. You see, we know something they didn't. We know the Father was watching. Mary and Mary thought they were alone. They weren't. They thought their journey was unnoticed. They were wrong. God knew. He was watching them walk up the mountain. He was measuring their steps. He was smiling at their hearts and thrilled at their devotion. And he had a surprise waiting for them.

"At that time there was a strong earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, went to the tomb, and rolled the stone away from the entrance. Then he sat on the stone. He was shining bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The soldiers guarding the tomb shook with fear because of the angel, and they became like dead men." (Matthew 28:2-4 NCV)

(Now read carefully, this is what I noticed for the first time today.)

Why did the angel move the stone? For whom did he roll away the rock? For Jesus? That's what I always thought. I just assumed that the angel moved the stone so Jesus could come out. But think about it.

Did the stone have to be removed in order for Jesus to exit? Did God have to have help? Was the death conqueror so weak that he couldn't push away a rock? ("Hey, could somebody out there move this rock so I can get out?")

I don't think so . The text gives the impression that Jesus was already out when the stone was moved! Nowhere do the Gospels say that the angel moved the stone for Jesus. For whom, then, was the stone moved?

Listen to what the angel says: "Come and see the place where his body was." (Matt. 28:6 NCV)

The stone was moved - not for Jesus - but for the women; not so Jesus could come out, but so the women could see in!

Mary looks at Mary and Mary is grinning the same grin she had when the bread and fish kept coming out of the basket. The old passion flares. Suddenly it's all right to dream again.

"Go quickly and tell his followers, 'Jesus has risen from the dead. He is going to Galilee ahead of you, and you will see him there." (Matt. 28:7 NCV).

Mary and Mary don't have to be told twice. They turn and start running to Jerusalem. The darkness is gone. The sun is up. The Son is out. But the Son isn't finished.

One surprise still awaits them.

"Suddenly, Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings.' The women came up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Go and tell my followers to go on to Galilee, and they will see me there." (Matt. 28:9-10 NCV).

The God of surprises strikes again. It's as if he said, "I can't wait any longer. They came this far to see me; I am going to drop in on them."

...And just when the road is too dark for Mary and Mary, the angel glows and the Savior shows and the two women will never be the same.

...God is watching. For all you know right at this moment he may be telling the angel to move the stone.

The check may be in the mail.

The apology may be in the making.

The job contract may be on the desk.

Don't quit. For if you do, you may miss the answer to your prayers.

God still sends angels. And God still - moves stones."

{sweet baby}

My sister informs me it is as if I have completely abandoned my blog...I haven't. I have been thinking about blogging ever since my last post, and then as time went on, wondering what to say to break the silence. My husband and I received some very exciting news: we are expecting a baby boy at the end of June! That is the real reason I have not been blogging - I have been tired. But, I am determined to start again. I really do miss it!

My sweet baby, Jack - 24 weeks