an emotional day

I haven't gotten much sleep over the last two weeks. The worst thing is, there's not any real reason that I haven't been getting sleep. I just can't sleep, it's so frustrating! Either I can't fall asleep or I when I wake up in the middle of the night I can't go back to sleep. Last night Steve was so sweet and rubbed my neck and back to help me fall asleep, and I slept so well for about six hours. It was the longest stretch of sleep I've gotten in at least two weeks, and it felt so good!

I felt amazing when I woke up, and got dressed up and even had my hair curled and some make-up on before Riggs woke up (that is a true miracle). I had to run a few errands in town, so I decided to eat breakfast with Riggs at Turkey Red in Palmer. It was fun to have a date with my little man, and we were the only ones sitting down to eat so it was really quiet and relaxing.

It was a great way to start the day, but I was nearly worn out by the time we got home. I got on my computer to look for a recipe, and to check our local news. I was devastated by what I found there. Early Sunday morning an Alaska State Trooper Rescue Helicopter went down after picking up an injured snowmobiler near Talkeetna, Alaska. I had heard about the crash Sunday evening, but they hadn't released the names yet.

Today I found out that the pilot of the helicopter was Mel Nading, a man whose daughters I went to school with from kindergarten all the way through high school. I can't imagine what they are going through, and my heart is just hurting so badly for them. I remember Mel from elementary school mostly, when he was always so friendly and involved in his daughters lives. His had three daughters, each the same age as me and my sisters, and as a result we've all been sort of inter-connected for as long as I can remember. I haven't seen any of them (in person) in years, but I follow Nichole's blog regularly and I know they are a very close family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this hard time!

I had to get outside and go on a walk in the sunshine to clear my head. It was a pretty emotional day, with lots of highs and lows, and I just feel so tired. When I was putting Riggs to bed this evening, I couldn't keep the tears from flowing as I thought of the families of those killed in the helicopter crash yesterday. And I just prayed and prayed that Riggs won't lose his daddy too early. Steve's job is such a big part of our lives and I'm so proud of him and how hard he works, but it can be very dangerous. I try not to think about that too much, but it's at times like these that the statistics do start to creep into my mind.

pictures Steve texted me from work today

On my walk today by the river I just let the sunshine soak into my soul and warm me all the way through. There was so much beauty all around me that it was hard to remember all the ugly things that happen in this world, that there are so many people hurting very deeply. I'm so glad to have a heavenly Father that loves me and comforts me even when I'm at my lowest.

'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble'

 Psalm 46:1

life lately

L-R

top row:  Riggs & I lunching at Olive Garden (Beka was behind the camera) | Riggs & Steve first thing in the morning (it only happens once a week) | I love how Riggs wouldn't let go of his balloon  the  entire  day

middle row:  Steve & I cracking up on my parents couch | Tutka & Riggs playing with the balloon together, so cute | my handsome matching men before church Sunday

bottom row:  When did my baby get so big? | Cheesy morning grin and our beautiful tree | Riggs doing his thing while I work out

Happy Monday everyone!

our first date and some funnies

Steve and I went on our first date together in 10 months on Sunday.  That's right, it was the first time we've gone out alone for a meal and some quality time together since Riggs was born.  We needed it more than I realized, it was so much fun!  We were planning on going to see Skyfall while my parents watched Riggs after church, but that didn't quite work out during the timeframe we had, so we headed downtown for lunch at Nordy's (my favorite) and some shopping.

We were mostly just browsing around to see what was new at Nordstroms and in the rest of the mall, but there were definitely a few things I had my eye on.  Like nearly all of the gorgeous jewelry at the Kate Spade counter.  I especially loved the little bow bracelets and the bright bangles, so pretty.  I also had my eye on the big, bright Pop phone plug-in for the iPhone.  When I first saw them, I thought they were a little dorky, but they've really grown on me and I think a pretty pink one might make it's way onto my Christmas list.

Steve was really getting a kick out of some of the men's watches, and I'll admit, a few of them were pretty dang silly, I mean they were huge (no offense meant if you or any man in your life happens to like the big, oversized style)!  I realize that men need bigger watches because they have bigger wrists, but these were the biggest watches I have every seen and personally I think that unless you were Shaquille O'Neal, they would look ridiculous.

 the face of this watch is seriously at least 3" wide - no joke

top: loft | pants: target | shoes: target | necklace: loft

I was happy because I got to wear some of my the items I purchased in Washington with my mom.  I did have a beautiful gold necklace on when I arrived at church earlier that morning, but after Riggs nearly ripped it off my neck I tucked it away in my purse and forgot to put it back on before I left for our date!  Oh well...

And now it's time to link up once again with Michelle from THE VINTAGE APPLE for Oh, How Pinteresting.  First I'll list my favorite pins and then I'll list my top 3 repinned pins from the past week.

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Source: blogs.babycenter.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: shannondarrough.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: lifeisadance.xanga.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: forallthingslovelymr.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Whitney on Pinterest

:: top three repinned pins from last week ::

#1

25 repins

Source: diycrafts.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

#2

11 repins

Source: forallthingslovelymr.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

#3

7 repins

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Whitney on Pinterest

motivation, or the lack there of...

Sometimes you just have to turn on the Charlie Brown Christmas station in Pandora, lay on your bed, and make lists.  Of course, if you have a baby, you have to drag some toys in your room first and make sure there's nothing laying around that could kill or seriously maim them.

I have no motivation whatsoever today, so I thought making a nice pretty list complete with a glitter gold star would make getting things done a little easier, or at least a little more fun.  I don't know how things are in your house, but after a weekend with hubby/daddy home, there is a lot to do around here!  My friend Joree wrote a post on her blog recently that got me thinking.  She wrote about how hard it can be to feel motivated as a SAHM to get cleaning and chores done, and I completely agree.  When I worked, I could always find motivation to clean/do chores before work by reminding myself how nice it would be to come home to a clean house with dinner waiting in the crockpot.  When you're home all day it's often hard to motivate yourself because, let's face it, there's usually no reward.  Hmm...I'd better clean the living room so that my baby can tear it apart in an hour when he wakes up.  Or wow, I really should make dinner, except that I just cleaned the kitchen and I don't want to get anything else messy again.  Sometimes it's just easier to lay on the floor in your babies room, in your yoga pants and high school sweatshirt, while your child crawls all over you scratching your face and trying to stick their fingers in your mouth.

In those moments, it's hard to find the motivation to get up and get going.  There is one thing that is always in the back of my mind that helps to motivate me.  Wondering what that is?  Ok, I'll tell you.  It's the thought of my hardworking lineman, freezing his butt off for 10 hrs a day, 6 days a week all because he loves me and Riggs so much.  Just one thought of him coming home to utter chaos and no dinner always seems to inspire me to get up and get certain things done by the time he gets home each day.

Steve is on the left, old picture but you get the idea

My 'Steve list' includes having some kind of food ready for when he gets home, tidy bedroom with the bed made, a somewhat picked up living room and kitchen, and at the very least a stack of clean clothes in the bathroom for after he takes a shower.  I want our house to be a nice place for Steve to come home to, and I think it's a pretty easy way to show him that I love him.  Plus I've found that when I finally get up to get those 'Steve list' things done, I suddenly have the energy to do everything else that I need to do to!  What are some ways you motivate yourselves to get things done?

Lessons from Little Women

Little Morgan, hanging out with her Auntie

My little ray of sunshine, who always loves me no matter what :)

Jillian's Babyshower...can you tell it is a girl?

It was a long, busy, and emotion-packed day. Ben and Mercedes were here with little Morgan, and they had lots to do before they could actually hit the road for Homer. I got some much needed time with miss Morgan, who is getting cuter everyday. Steve is sick, so he is a little out of sorts. I have quite a bit of homework, but do not want to do it. Unfortunately, procrastination only makes me more stressed, and having a poor, sick husband to take care of does not help. Once the little Homer-bound family hit the road, I got the dishes and some laundry done before showering and heading to the church to set up for a friends baby shower with Kelsey. It all came together just in time, and the party was a successful two hours of fun and fellowship. 
Seems like I would have had a great day, right?'

Wrong. Once I got home, I settled into my recliner to finish Little Women. It is such a good book with a heartwarming story and realistic characters you cannot help but love. And it was written in a different time, and thus gives realistic insight into the day to day lives of women during the end if the 19th century. I cried bitterly tonight as the plot unfolded. Not just for what happens in the story, but also with disappointment in myself. How lazy and undisciplined I am compared to those "little women!" I have been struggling with similar feelings for weeks, and this book brought those feelings to my attention like a knife to my heart. How poorly I feel I do at maintaining my home and my tongue the way God had instructed me to do so in his word. Yet all I can do is feel ashamed, rather than making any changes! I try, but clearly I do not try enough because I know "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This includes living a life of responsibility and discipline, it must!

It isn't that my house is dirty or that I am often speaking negatively, although that is the case occasionally. It is that I know I could do even better at keeping our home organized, or at planning meals better so we waste less food and feel less tempted to "run to the store" for ingredients to make a certain meal, when we have food at our home to eat. It is that I could speak less and listen more, and save many conversations for my Heavenly Father. It is that even when I get home exhausted from work with school still to do, that I give my husband the attention and love he deserves, rather than expecting it all from him without giving of myself. It is all these things and so many more. I am praying that I may increase in Godliness each day and therefore improve in all these things I have mentioned and in those things I did not mention but that still weigh heavily on my heart. My tears can be shed in conversation with my God, who soothes better than any on earth and loves truer also. With these serious thoughts I bid you goodnight....

I love him

I had a long day today.  I came home in a rush to get ready for my online class.  I barely paid any attention to Steve, except a quick hug and kiss when I came in the door.  I sat at the computer typing away and taking notes and setting up my microphone for my online webmeet/elluminate class, and suddenly this beautiful plate of goodness was put in front of me.  I love my husband!

Proud of my boo...

Steve and I both had very productive days.  I was so proud of Steve's that I decided to document it and post it here.  He loves to work on carpentry projects, but doing so where we currently live can be extremely frustrating for him because there really is not anywhere to work on them!  He has been meaning to build himself some shelves to help organize his desk area for quite some time.

you can see why in this "before" picture:

His desk has been pretty dang messy for a while now.  I try not to nag, but it affects my blood pressure at an alarming rate.  I cannot stand clutter, especially clutter I cannot clean up and organize!  So I'm so thankful that Steve took the time to make his shelf today!

Installing it got pretty frustrating for a while...

But once it was up and getting filled up, it was all smiles again :)

The finished product.  Great job boo!  I love it (although it could be a little more aesthetically pleasing, but it sort of has that rustic look, I guess you could say)