simple solution

We've not even been in our house for two years yet, and our kitchen table setting has already been boring me for some time. It's just a little too drab.

Here it what it looked like:

I planned to change it up eventually, but when I came across a table runner in the clearance section of Target, I got inspired. A trip to IKEA (my first, in fact) provided the rest of the simple changes I was looking for.

The new look:

I think the little bit of extra color was just enough to make it more interesting. The circular shape of the new placemats are a good contrast against the rectangular table.

I kept the little birds since they were used in our wedding (though I did change out the tealight candles for something scented and more colorful). The placemats, metal vase, and roses in the arrangement were all from IKEA. The rest of the flowers were left overs from two of our wedding floral arrangements.

Not bad for a cheap, simple solution to the kitchen table blahs!

amazing love

It's been a long time since I've had a chance to blog, so while this adorable sleeping beauty is resting peacefully against me, I thought it'd be a good time to post a few words.

With Easter being upon us and my first mother's day quickly approaching, I'm feeling overwhelming blessed -- by His sacrifice for my sins and by His grace in placing this tiny child in my arms. He died so that I could live.

Amazing love, oh what sacrifice
The Son of God, given for me
My debt He pays, and my death He dies
That I might live, that I might live!


It can be difficult to fathom the magnitude of His sacrifice in giving His life for us when you think about how truly undeserving we are of such mercy. And even so, He goes on to bless us time and time again, despite us being as filthy as rags. That is truly amazing love -- a kind of love deeper and purer than we can fully comprehend.

I'm reminded of His love each time I look into my Natalie's sweet eyes. Her angelic face radiates the love of Christ back to me. How can we ignore His invitation of love when we look at all the ways He's provided for us? How could anyone say they know love and not know God?

Sometimes I'm still in disbelief that such a precious little girl is truly mine to love and cherish. She still has a lot of unhappy times and some days I feel like I'm barely hanging on, but she is fearfully and wonderfully made just as God intended, and I love her more than I thought possible. The Lord already gave me the best gift He could -- the gift of salvation. But He's also given me the next best gift -- motherhood. I hope I take both of these gifts and always use them in a way that is pleasing to Him. After all, that's the only way I could honor His amazing love.