Smile And Wave

Goals for 2015 - Better Late Than Never

I stopped writing down New Year's resolutions in college because I'm pretty resistant to change. However, I'm relearning how positive goal setting can be, whether I reach my goals or not. It's about a fresh perspective and a new intention. 

My goals this year aren't as specific as lose twenty pounds (yes, that'd be nice) or remember to send cards on every friend's birthday (I forget to take out recycling every other week) as they are areas in my life that would benefit me and my loved ones if I focused on them more. 

Gratitude: Switching out my longing for what I don't have with thankfulness with what I do.

Vulnerability: Finding that soft place to land within those friendships that are meant for it rather than pulling away when things get hard. Who is to say they aren't also moving through something hard and need me, too?

Communication: Being more intentional in responding to texts, committing to social engagements, inviting people over for casual get togethers, letting people know where things stand instead of waiting until it's all ready to share, not assuming people know things and actually talking about them. Why this is so hard for me, I'm not sure. 

Paying Attention: I tell Sebastian and Ruby over and over to pay attention to what they are doing to help them avoid accidents, spills, injuries but so often my focus is split, too. Always working on setting aside my mental to do lists and fully listening and engaging with them. 

I could easily keep finding things I'd like to change or improve upon and I am all for continually trying to improve one's self but I feel strongly that these four things will be plenty for now. 

Have you been working on any goals for 2015? 

-Rachel

Photo Credit: Sarah Rhodes of Arrow and Apple.

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Master Bedroom In Progress

None of our rooms really feel finished in our current place but since that day might still be a ways off, I thought I'd start sharing more glimpses into our semi-finished spaces. This rental is a four bedroom with three bedrooms upstairs and a room downstairs that has been turned into a bedroom. The front porch wrap around was cut in half and turned into a walk-in closet for this space and the downstairs bathroom is also a walk through that connects this room to the dining room. It was advertised as a possible media room or bedroom. 

It's on the dark side of the house so I knew it couldn't work as a studio space and neither of the older kids were feeling brave enough to make it their room because no one wanted to be downstairs by themselves at night. So, we opted to make it our bedroom. It's a good fit other than having a tiny bathroom because we have a walk in closet and a little nook that has room to keep Smith downstairs with us for the time being. He'll eventually share a room with Ruby upstairs once he's able to sleep through the night.

You really have to figure out how your space will work for you when you move into something new. I imagine it's a little easier if you get to design it yourself but even then, what works on paper might not feel great in real life. We had a large, vintage dresser that we were going to use in Ruby and Smith's shared room until we realized we were needing all of his clothes downstairs where he was sleeping. So, Brett and I gently and carefully hauled it down our twisty stairwell and set it up in our bedroom. You can't see it here as it's on the wall opposite the bed and under a pile of clean laundry. 

We haven't purchased anything new for this space since we moved in other than those flannel sheets from Target, but I'm hoping to get a large rug to cover some of this floor space and cozy it up a bit and maybe add another rug under Smith's crib. With such high ceilings downstairs, my original curtains were all too short so those are in the process of being replaced with simple white cotton fabric that I'm sewing to fit. 

There's also plenty of wall space above our dresser for a gallery wall or a large mirror to help with reflecting a little more light into this space but those will get some attention a little further down the road. I do love the walk-in closet. It's carpeted and has a little window and we keep Smith's dresser and changing table in there and still have plenty of space for all of our clothes and shoes. I also love that the door to the walk-in used to be the exterior door and has beautiful lead glass and intricate wood designs on it. It's a true beauty.

I'm learning more and more about patience as we transition into this restored Victorian. We are renting with the option to purchase but are still figuring out if we are ready to land in this neighborhood or wait for something similar to hit the market in another part of town. We are so close to downtown and love getting to walk to some of our favorite new coffee shops but there are still a few things we're making our minds up about. In the meantime, I'm enjoying this beauty of a home and feeling so thankful we were able to find it. 

It's got great bones and great light and so much more space than we've ever had. It's kind of dreamy even if it's got short curtains on half of the windows. 

Rachel

Details: Platform bed, handmade by me. Buffalo plaid sheets, Target. Duvet and crib, Ikea. Duvet cover and faux fur throw, handmade by me. Sequin cross pillow, tutorial here. Side table and chair, vintage. Curtains, repurposed and handmade. Crib sheet, handmade. Lion baby blanket c/o Roxy Marj. 

 

Collaborative Art with Ruby

Ruby has always been a girl that loves a good art project. With new blank walls in her new room to fill, I decided to repurpose some canvases that I'd been holding on to since Sebastian was the only child on the scene.  

To prepare them, I gave the smaller canvas a few coats of white tempura paint since I had it on hand and then coated the larger canvas with that lovely minty green acrylic paint. I then told her we were going to be working on a fun art project together and that she could choose any of the pre-selected colors to use on her canvas. By pre-selecting enough complimentary colors that I knew would look good in her room, I was able to offer her some freedom to choose her favorites without ending up with an orange, purple, and red explosion. This was a win/win. 

I gave her free reign on the oval canvas but I added some geometric shapes to the smaller one before giving her a turn to see how she wanted to add to it. 

She was happy to fill in some white spaces for me and I was pretty pleased that she was so interested in sharing a project. Her oval piece features a girl holding a tray that carries a snowman made out of caramel to a table at a restaurant. It's complete with a neon pink ceiling, some clouds, and the sun up above. It's finally dry and waiting to find it's spot on the wall in her room. 

This last painting was from a time when I was really into abstract clouds. I think Ruby was just a new little thing when I first started it. Instead of painting over it, I just let it become part of her background. She's finished this one as well but you'll have to wait to see what she added when we find a spot for them in her room. I'll give you a hint, though. It has lop ears.

Have you ever painted over a previously painted canvas? Do you ever feel a little bit guilty about it? I think unfinished projects that sit and sit are hard to let go of but after awhile, if they've got the potential to become something better, I give myself permission to take them apart and start over. 

-Rachel

Introducing Rebel and Bingo

I'd like to make it official and introduce to you the two newest sweeties under our roof, Rebel and Bingo. They have been named and renamed but I think it's safe to put it in writing at this point. Brett's mom kindly checked in with us about getting the kids bunnies for Christmas and we decided it'd be a great idea. It was actually on my own (semi-kidding) Christmas list two years ago to get one! 

She surprised the kids and they were pretty excited about them but Ruby has almost claimed them both as hers. She's our animal lover. I told her she should think about maybe donating a few of the stuffed animals that she's had for awhile since she got a few at Christmas and she got big crocodile tears and told me she didn't think she could because she loved them all so much! 

We slowly introduced the bunnies to Sunday, our lab/weim mix, and she's decided they're welcome. She sniffs them and has licked their heads gently but mostly they just kind of sit near each other on the rug. The bunnies aren't scared of her at all and while we wouldn't leave them out while we're not at home, I'm pretty certain they're going to be friends. 

It's been a great lesson in responsibility for the kids as it's their job to feed, water, and pick up bunny poo. Ruby gets them out as soon as she's home from school at lunch time and they roam around downstairs for a bit. Smith shrieks with delight every time they hop near him but still needs a little assistance in being gentle with them. 

We're learning so much about caring for them and all that they need but we're so thankful for what they've added to our home life. 

Oh, and they're both boy bunnies. Yeah, that was triple checked.

-Rachel

Contributions to A Beautiful Mess and Some Thoughts

I'm here to share the last few projects I've done over at A Beautiful Mess in the last few weeks before I forget. The top one, a woven mat, was inspired by a similar project Free People did a few years back but I made a few adjustments and love the outcome. It was a fun punch of color during a few weeks of grey skies and already has me ready for warmer weather.

I've also got an incredibly simple patchwork quilt tutorial that keeps the steps simple for beginners but still gives you an interesting design. This one is folded over the back of our wingback chair in the living and gets plenty of use next to the fireplace right now. It's a great lap-sized quilt but would also be great for a toddler/baby quilt. 

And even though this one was technically for the holidays, this wire place card holder idea could easily be translated for any dinner party you might be having this year. 

I've enjoyed giving a little more time to contributor posts over at ABM in the last few months and am excited to continue that into 2015 but it's also been a big season of change in our schedules and rhythms as a family. Moving, job changes, holidays, a baby that likes to stay up late and wake up often-all have left me with little energy to keep up with regular posts over here. I feel guilty about it more often than not but I'm also trying hard to give myself permission to let it be what it needs to be.

In times of incredible change, incredible amounts of energy are spent keeping the seemingly ordinary things running smoothly. What is left over has been spent sending ideas elsewhere in the form of an e-course that has been months in the making and trying to put our house together. I've told myself I'll invite people in when it's all ready for their enjoyment, both online and in real life, but then I always see the piles and the messes and the unfinished rooms and cringe at not having things in order.

It's one of my biggest struggles right now! Learning to let people in, especially people in close proximity to my house, and trusting that my acceptance of myself and the constant struggle to keep things tidy will create some room for their acceptance of it. And maybe even make them feel a little bit better about their own possibly messy houses? 

With that said, I'm still working towards getting this house organized and fleshed out. It's happening on a shoe string budget and I'm making peace with how long it will take to afford some things I'd really like. I'm holding on to that attitude of contentment for dear life some days! It's good to have to wait for things sometimes. It gives you time and space to clarify what you really want and helps ensure a deeper appreciation for it if/when that thing does come into your life.

It's also incredibly freeing to realize nice things are nice but that life happens in the interactions between hearts that are learning all of these lessons and that sitting alone in a beautiful home is a little bit lonely. 

Your turn. What have you been sensing you need to work on as we move into another calender year? Are you feeling motivated or overwhelmed by it?

Rachel

Bits of Christmas 2014

Christmas in a new home is always both exciting and overwhelming. We've moved enough times now that I've learned how to use what I have to work with the home we're in that year and let the rest stay in boxes for another Christmas. I've also gathered so much over the years from flea markets and thrift stores that I have a few different color schemes I can choose from. What I don't have, I fill in with handmade or store bought. I always get out my favorites and I hope they are the things that the kids remember being special parts of these childhood memories.

This Christmas was the pause before Brett's new job started up. It meant filling in the gaps between paychecks by selling things we didn't have use or room for, resisting the urge to buy anything extra, making smart grocery lists, cutting ALL the fat, staying up late to finish contributor posts, mending the holes in thrifted jackets, counting our blessings when we found a second unexpected amount sitting in an old bank account (check your old accounts!), taking advantage of free holiday activities, splurging on hot chocolate and marshmallows, learning to not just be thankful for what we have but seeing how much we still have. 

We ditched the Advent Activity Calendar this year for a few different reasons but still managed to include a few inexpensive or free holiday activities. We made gingerbread houses from graham crackers and homemade frosting. I let the kids pick out two bags of candy each and I don't think I can ever go back to the kits. It was so fun doing something a little different and the frosting held up so well. 

Our new rental, sweet rental is only a few blocks from downtown Springfield so we were able to walk to the Christmas parade this year. I remember taking Sebastian as a little boy and freezing as I held him all wrapped up in Brett's jacket. This year I bundled Smith up and wore him in my Ergo and forced a jacket on Ruby before heading down the street. 

The kids got more candy than they did at Halloween and finally got to see Santa after countless promises to drive to Bass Pro and give him their wish lists. It was much more fun than standing in line for two hours. 

We had a Christmas countdown but Ruby decided it needed a holiday scene so she added Santa and his reindeer. And Olaf. Then we just stopped trying to keep up with the countdown so it stayed at 16 for about a week. 

I made mostly new stockings for the banister. I reused one from a DIY last year and then made coordinating ones from fabric and an old sweater. Lest you think this is some sort of sneaky announcement, we only have six stockings because Ruby was convinced Sunday needed one, too. The pom poms are handmade and the adornments are various ornaments and letters I've collected.

Smith has found the stairs, folks. We have purchased a baby gate but laundry baskets have been standing in as well.

We spent some time with Brett's family prior to Christmas and then came home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to repack, do laundry, drop off gifts, and enjoy a break from all of the driving. It was a little odd as it's only the second time we've been at our own house on Christmas Day but it was also really special waking up to our own tree and opening the presents Santa brought!

We then headed to Oklahoma to see my side of the family and had three more rounds of Christmas gatherings before coming home on New Year's Eve. Brett has been preparing to start his new job in life insurance this week so we got back in time for him to study up for the next round of training. I cleaned and organized our closet and bedroom and set up Smith's crib so that he can start napping and sleeping there at night (at least for the first few hours).

I'm ready to take everything down and hit the refresh button on some newly unpacked spaces. It's time to go buy a few plants, decide on a rug, switch my studio with Sebastian's room, replace some stand in curtains that aren't quite long enough to cover our tall windows, and keep working towards making this place our home, however long that may be.

Have I mentioned our home is gorgeous? Have I mentioned I love the huge kitchen? What about the light that it gets or the beautiful trees in the yard? That's a whole different post to share in the coming weeks. 

Whether your Christmas looked a little like ours or completely different, I hope it was special. 

-Rachel

 Christmas in Colorado 2013

Christmas in Colorado 2012

Christmas in Springfield 2011

Christmas in Springfield 2010

Christmas in Springfield 2009

Christmas in Springfield 2008