Vintage Ornaments & Journal.

Our pre-lite 3' faux Christmas tree for $3 at Goodwill. Below are pictures of the ornaments I found at the ARC for under $2! I love the vintage look!

I also found a bag of mirror ornaments for $1 brand new. They add so much!

This reminds me of the Nutcracker Ballet.

I love these mirrors.

This is one of my faves.

Our cozy little basement home.

One of mys gift from Ted was this very old journal which was made in Japan.

I am in love with it... and him of course :)

DIY Project: Homemade Books.

This is a little glimpse of the book I made Ted 3 years ago this upcoming Christmas.

Enjoy, then make one for someone you love!

(Supplies needed list below.)

Buy an old book from the thrift store.

You can paint the outside of the book or sew/stable on a fabric cover.

Write down a summary of what you want this book to say or show.

Go through the pages and decide the layout.

Then begin.

For this book I choose things associated with a memory.

Hence the Sugar in the raw and honey packet.

I used an old guitar string packet for a pocket. You can also use envelopes.

Or you can make your own lil pocket with paper, a needle and thread.

I used some of my journal entires or poetry in his book.

 You can use a letter, scripture, poems, famous quotes, lyrics, etc.

Add photos.

After you finish a page, sew it to the next page to add something more and some bulk.

(Remember when choosing a layout for the book, skip every other page so you can sew pages together.)

Lightly draw a design and carefully trace over your design with a needle and thread.

Use fabric! It's kind of blurry but I used fabric to make 3 flowers.

Walaa.

The end.

Well of that book anyway. :)

I am currently working on another book for a different loved one.

It's a good christmas/birthday gift. You can also add a page or two encouraging them in their giftings or passions! It can be a great tool to encourage and remind those you love of just how much they mean to you.

Helpful tip:

Over time I've collected/saved random tissue paper, magazines, quotes, photos, newspapers, fabric, random scrapbooking things, stickers, strings, etc. If you label a box named arts and crafts (or something) and fill it over time, you will have a lot to work with!

Supplies used:

An old book

paint- for the book and pages

needle and thread- for stitching in designs or the pages together

pencil/pen- for drawing a design or writing

magazines- use to cut out words or pictures

photos- if you sign up at shutterfly, seehere or kodak you can get prints free :)

scissors

fabric- for either a cover or for decorated the pages

rubber cement or photo slips

Scrapbook paper plain or with designs

My mind is going blank. Add questions if you need to!

Down in My Heart.

Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy,

Down in my heart.

Abigayil Reed

My youngest sister.

She's quite the girl. Seriously.

Me.

Me, dos.

Abie's sunlight jump.

I adore her.

She's a little piece of joy, deep down in my heart.

Love you Abs.

Always, Sometimes, Never.

I Always...

Want to blog about something.

Had the desire to be a momma.

Think family should come first.

Find a reason to take a picture.

Seem to lose to ruin the cell phone I own.

Enjoy thrift store shopping.

Love sweets.

Prefer laundry to cooking.

Feel really proud when Ted introduces me as his wife.

Seek truth and justice.

Discern.

I sometimes...

Am reminded of Thailand in the little things around me.

Waste my time and regret it.

Wish I was better at the things I am passionate about.

Talk gibberish with my baby boy.

React before thinking.

Wound easily.

Forget to send the Thank You's I write and find them much, much later.

Have terrible nightmares that I can't shake.

Run errands in sweat pants.

Head to the home decor section and wish we had a long term home to decorate.

Keep silent when I have something to say.

Wonder if I am parenting Chase right.

Cry.

Try to be an extravert at YWAM then come home exhausted.

Think I live in a bubble.

I never...

Realized how selfish I am until I was married (and now with a baby).

Thought it would take so long for me to get pregnant.

Expected labor to be so painful. (I really thought I was dying a few times.)

Had more than $4,000 in our bank account as a couple and that was a one time deal :)

Like confronting people.

Feel completely secure in who I am. (Working on that.)

Want to forget what Christ has done for me.

Want to forget the things I am most passionate about.

To Write Love...

On Her Arms.

Today I write on mine to represent them.

This hits close to home for me.

It's on my heart now that I have freedom to see those hurting freed.

Today is a day dedicated to remembering those lost,

to pray for those who are struggling with depression

and to hopefully change a life.

Wearing it today to support a great cause. One of my favourite t-shirts to date.

From the TWLOHA facebook;

*****To Write Love On Her Arms Day is a day where anyone can write the words love on their arms, to support those who are fighting against depression and those who are trying to recovering. On this day, just write love on your arms, and show it off, other people will ask why you have love written on your arms, and you tell them you are supporting to write love on her arms day, and how its benefiting a non profit organization helping stop depression, and make love the movement ♥

Unfortunately, no one asked me why I had love written on my arm, and I did feel kind of silly doing so, but to me it was worth it just to see love written here all day and remember to keep praying for my loved ones that I know are dealing with this very thing. It's such a battle and I believe it can be won.

Thank you Jesus for healing us.

Please help others find freedom too.

Want to buy a shirt to support this cause? Click here.

The Tough Questions.

Today when I was writing one of my dearest friends an email,
I was reminded of what God spoke to me two years ago September when I was questioning him
with the "whys" and "where were you when..." and about hurts, etc.

He said,
"I trust you to trust in me."

It was so simple, yet it stuck.
I needed to hear Him speak.

And He spoke exactly what I needed to hear.

Initially, it wasn't what I wanted to hear and it wasn't easy to do.

Actually... it still is hard (hence, last nights blog)

It is hard, but today I'm reminded of this and giving it ALL to him.

Thank you Father, for allowing me to ask the tough questions and thank you, even more, for answering my cries with what I need to hear you speak, rather than what I want to hear! You are trustworthy. I know this.

I am a bottler.

Bitterness.

I can't sleep tonight because of this lovely word.
I am wrapped in this very thing tonight.
Even the word itself is so awful, but this feeling is so much worse.

I am hurt.

I am frustrated.

I am bitter.

And I can't sleep because of it.

I am a bottler.
I bottle, bottle, bottle.
Then explode (usually in tears).

Healthy, huh?
Yeah...I'm working on that.

Part of why I am upset is because I witness injustices and I bottle them up.

Wanting them to be made right.

Yet they go unattended, ignored, avoided... never to be made right.

I have eyes and a heart for justice and I can't seem to grasp the mercy part.

Yet they go hand in hand (I've blogged about this before).

I guess it has just added up and I am weary of carrying this.

We are being wounded left and right and it seems like we aren't getting a break.

I've begun to see people for who they truly are.

Their true colours despite their facade.

I don't understand what exactly is going on.

People choosing the cause rather than relationship.

We live in a seriously fallen world.

And I also know that "hurting people hurt people".

But somehow that doesn't make this any better.

It also doesn't help that I am also easily offended and hurt.

Oh golly, I've got a long way to go.

This is me, "unbottling".

Trying to get this out and hopefully I will sleep better tonight.

I'm going to need the help of my Father on this one.

God, thank you so much for being so gracious and merciful.

I have a lot to learn from you!

It's pathetic the things I hold onto sometimes and even more pathetic that I lose much needed sleep to them.

I'll take the food poisoning, please.

Yesterday I was extremely sick with food poisoning
But that isn't what aches the most.

My closest loved ones are hurting.
One possible more than ever before.
And the other is in utter confusion and despair.

I have been challenged to trust God despite the circumstances
But today I stand in frustration and confusion. Why is everything around us falling apart?

How could God bring my sister this far, only to take away the very thing needed the most?
Healing, positive people surrounding her, a time set apart with Him.

She too has such a hard time trusting God and then this?
I am at a loss of understanding.

I don't understand why people couldn't help her and those I know that could have but just didn't.

I wish I had what she needs to stay.
I wish I could have helped, even just a little bit.

I was thinking about what I could sell this weekend but it's too late.
The grace period is up...

God, it's hard to understand what you were thinking here.
And it makes me wonder, are really controlling this situation?
I mean, is this your doing?
I am realizing more and more how hard trusting is while living in this world of sin and selfishness.
Please, Father, guide her, love her, speak to her and if possible MAKE A WAY for her to stay!
All things are possible with you.

That is what I will cling to now.

An Insecure, Dissatisfied Jami,

Today I have really struggled with being insecure and dissatisfied with where we are in life.

I want, I want, I want;

• A place to call home, A place to settle in. Roots, A HOME of our own, with a backyard, A home for me to decorate, To eat healthy. Organic even! Gym passes for Ted and I, new clothes for Ted and I, a nice, reliable, new car,..... there is so much WANT in me right now!

I don't know what is going on. I feel like it's an attack.

I know that the wants and the desire for these things is stemming out of being dissatisfied with myself in other areas.

Ultimately, it boils down to feeling disgusted with myself for not trying hard to lose this baby weight, for the way I eat and what I am eating/drinking, I shouldn't have lost a pound.

I am frustrated with myself for not spending the time I do want and need with God, for not using my time wisely and doing the creative projects I desire to do.

I am dissatisfied today. Immensely so!! I feel like I am too far gone to do anything I really desire. I have always had desire to create, to live life to the fullest and to not waste my time and I feel like I am stuck.

The only thing I feel encouraged in today is the fact that Chase is secure in knowing he is loved. You can honestly just tell. He is such a truly happy and chill little guy. I spend a lot of time with Chase, talking with him, hanging out on the floor playing with him, singing, going for walks, getting out for the day, etc. It is the one area I feel like I am doing good in.

Ugh, please pray for me. I've been working on the fruits of the spirit and I am failing miserably.

suchprettyrain.blogspot.com

Let's Walk Then.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who areChrist’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:16-23

I want to walk in the fruits of the spirit.

I mean r e a l l y WALK not just talk about it. I'm tired of the talking.

I want to grow in each and every one, as they go hand in hand! But there are a few of which stick out to me as extra difficult; longsuffering, self-control and kindness.

I spent the last few weeks taking things into my own hands. Handling situations on my own. And I am weary. I'm weary because I know there is a better way and I'm not walking in it.

I believe that if I really walk in who I am in Christ I will portray the fruits of the spirit. I also want to work on being more mercy oriented rather than justice oriented. It's super difficult for me, but I am tired of constantly trying to make justice happen even everyday battles which mercy needs to be shown.

It's difficult but doable. Especially when I recognize I'm not doing this in my own strength.

Amen for that.

suchprettyrain.blogspot.com

DIY Project: Dried Mixed Bouquet.

We received a lot of beautiful bouquets while we were in the hospital after Chase's birth. I didn't want them to go to waste so with the help of my mom(because I needed help with everything at that point), we recycled them. We dried the flowers for one week and they dried amazingly. I sorted through all of the bouquets we received to make one beautiful one.

I do know that sometimes dried flowers can look ugly or even cheesy as decor but check out how beautifully these dried. It is still vibrant in colour!

Combined into a beautiful, dried bouquet!

Simple, cheap & beautiful living room decor.

suchprettyrain.blogspot.com

09.09.09.

9 Random Things In Our Home

(09.09.09 gave me a reason to blog)

::01:: oldschool lamp.

::02:: thailand memouries.

::03:: baby einstein.

::04:: potpourrii.

::05:: my current DIY project. (Coming soon)

::06:: candle.

::07:: baby books.

::08:: antique dresser w/lion knobs.

::09:: baby vans.