House Projects

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I like to think of myself as between Type A and Type B.  I like to have things in order, organized, and some sort of plans with certain things....but if it gets messed up, I usually let it go and take on another plan.  

In my second trimester, I made a list of everything I wanted to have organized before Hudson's arrival. [This pretty much any closet, drawer, cupboard....Am I right or am I right? Things that we can shut a door on usually don't get much attention].  Slowly, I started tackling that list.  Of course, in my head, I'm envisioning beautiful bins and labeled containers that all coordinate and such, because that's what I see on other blogs and well we all "picture" our home projects like magazines.  *Ahem*...  Then I realized how expensive organizational items are....so I worked with what I had and bought a few things. That list is almost complete.  Even though it does not have the gorgeous organizational bins, it is organized and each item has it's own place.  I felt like it would feel so good having an organized home with a new baby!

We also had some home projects that we wanted to accomplish before Hudson's arrival.  Two major things got done; one being to my SURPRISE! :)

First. We brought life to our single-color painted house.  

Well, these quick working, precise, talented painters brought life to our living room and kitchen. [These painters tackled this whole project in one day...like a 8:30am-5:00pm day, woah].  The whole house was the same color (except for Hudson's room now).  Our living room IS most of our house and as you can see there really is no break into the kitchen.  We chose a light grey and a darker grey for the colors.

[BEFORE]
{these pictures were taken almost a year ago, some changes have been made since then}

[AFTER]

I've always loved grey with accents of white, browns, golds, light blue. Lee was convinced and we were both inspired after visiting the Restoration Hardware store [which is gorgeous] in Dallas.  Isn't it amazing what some paint can do for a house?

Also, do you see the lovely painting above this side table?

This is a beautiful painting done by Leslyn from Leslyn's Lovely Life!  Lee built the wooden plaque that it hangs on (love it).  A long time ago, I saw a post that Leslyn did and she was advertising this artwook and she had the ability to replicate it with your colors of choice.  I had been searching for a perfect piece of artwork for that area and I knew I should contact her about it.  She created a beautiful piece for our home and we still love it! Thank you, again, Leslyn!

Second.  At the end of February/beginning of March, I was in Dallas for a week for my friend's wedding festivities and Lee was going to meet me there on friday for the wedding.  Every evening when we talked on the phone he would say he was working on a "project" and "I would never guess what it would be".  He is RIGHT, never would I have guessed!

[Left: BEFORE; Right: IN PROGRESS]

[AFTER]

{All we have to do now is put on these pretty knobs and drawer pull I picked up at Hobby Lobby}

A long time ago, we had talked about how it would be nice to re-do our pantry, because the space could have been used a lot better than the original.  Lee took out all the existing shelves, painted the pantry, installed two shelves, two sliding shelves, and one big deep sliding drawer! He thought of everything.  He even bought a pretty rack to hang my aprons! What a guy.  I love the sliding drawers because it helps me see everything.  It's so easy to not be able to see the food you have and then go buy more ingredients and waste money! 

Now onto my boring "House Organizing List" that consists of things like "organize tupperware cabinet". Oh my gosh. Best afternoon of my life. [That was sarcasm, Sheldon. Big Bang Theory, anyone?]

This is Why I Celebrate

{source}

Note: I am not a great writer or communicator. I am writing this to celebrate and so someone will read about the Hope that I have and the reason for today.  I am writing this because His name needs to be known and I fail to communicate this message often.

Truly, it is something to celebrate everyday, but today is a day that has been set aside to celebrate the true meaning of Easter together.  Jesus Christ suffered a horrific death, so that we would no longer be separated by our sin and we could have eternal life with Him.  Because of His sacrifice, we are able to have a relationship with Him.  No, it is not a to-do list for just another religion.  It's a relationship where we can live for more than just the here and now, more than just the labor of the day, but for a greater purpose and fulfillment - to live through Him and His love and to proclaim His glory and that is what is to be known.  That is living, that is LIFE and life abundant.  We are not made or purposed for the temporary things of this world that we so desperately chase to fulfill and emptiness that is meant for our Lord Jesus Christ.  No matter what you're chasing, if it's anything but Him, I promise you will come up empty.  Jesus Christ was crucified, and today we celebrate the day that the tomb was EMPTY.  Meaning He defeated death....He defeated the death that we would know because of our sin.  If it wasn't for His sacrificial love, we would have no hope, meaning we would come up empty again and again until death took us and there would be no hope beyond that.  Therefore, as someone said in church this morning: "An empty heart + an empty tomb = Life Change".  

I am sorry if you've experienced a Christian and the only thing you could say would be "there is no life change there"...."they don't act like they've been rescued from death and hell".  I'm sorry that if a Christian hasn't proclaimed the gospel well with how they've lived and treated you.  An explanation to a true Believer acting in that way, is because we are broken, sinners, because we are not perfect and we still have choices to make everyday.  That's why it's a relationship with Jesus Christ, not a robotic response.  He wants us to make the choice to love Him and glorify Him daily, and sometimes we fail in that.  But the great hope is that even though we fail, He has forgiven us by His death on the cross and defeated the power of sin in our lives by His resurrection.  How GOOD is that love? He constantly love and pursues and grows us each time we fail.  He is unfailing.  Because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, Satan has no grip on me.  The only good in me is Jesus Christ.

Today, we celebrate that He is ALIVE and He has defeated the very thing that causes us to fail and the very things that keep us going deeper and deeper into a hole of zero fulfillment, yet at the same time is full & drowning us of everything we chase to make us satisfied.  

If none of this made sense, or if you've never heard about this before, or if you are in doubt please let me know, because I want you to know about this Hope.  His name is Jesus and He has taken a sinful, broken girl like me and died for me so that He could have a relationship with me, despite all the mistakes I make, and He wants to spend eternity with me.  It is absolute nothing special I've done to make this happen or to accept this Love.  I want you to know this Love....this Glory...this Hope!  

This is why I celebrate!

A Quiet & Courageous Heart

[source]

"Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good.  As I accept the given portion other options are canceled.  Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter...A quiet heart is content with what God gives."

- Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart

"This is the blessed life - not anxious to see far in front, nor eager to choose the path, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time....The Oriental shepherd was always out in front of the sheep.  He was down in front.  Any attack upon them had to take him into account.  Now God is down in front.  He is in the tomorrows.  It is tomorrows that fills men with dread.  God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass Him before they can get to us."

- Rev. F.B. Meyer, Streams in the Desert 

I wanted to quickly share these two quotes.  Both quotes deal with discontentment and fear. Each of us deal with both, whether on a small or large scale.  You could also replace the word "fear" with "worry".  Each "tomorrow" that He is in has been "measured and controlled" for our eternal good.  What we do with those "given portions" and how we react to them is what matters.  [Matthew 6:33-34 tells us how to move forward without fear]. This is a continual learning experience for everyone and something we will always have to fight.  I wanted to share these to encourage anyone who needs it, because I know they encouraged and challenged me when I read them.  These may be mountains that we face.  It is good to wake up and face that these will be things that we will have to fight.   Being equipped for the day by the Truth of our Almighty Jesus Christ. 

Mr. Hudson Update!

I've been randomly writing little blurbs on here each week, so I could do a bigger update later on. So glad I did that because I don't think I would've remembered what new thing each week has brought...

:17 weeks:

felt the first "popping popcorn" sensation....feeling our baby move!

:18 weeks:

Found out we are having a sweet BABY BOY!!! Hudson Lee, we love you so much already.  Wow, we will have a son. Our son. Our baby. When the ultrasound tech announced "it's a boy!"...my mouth dropped and I began to smile so big and continued to say "oh my goodness...oh my goodness!".  Lee took a video and you can hear him saying "YES!...ALRIGHT! A BOY!" It's so so sweet.  I just look in shock in the video, I think, because hearing those words made the reality of having a baby.....our baby....even more real.  It was the BEST feeling.

:19 weeks:

felt like my lower stomach was twitching and it was doing it rhythmically....baby hiccups?

:20 weeks:

going to bed and felt my first big  five kicks to the side! And Lee got to feel the kicking the next day :) That made me very happy!

:23 weeks:

sitting on the couch, I see limbs poking out my skin and a lot of flipping sensations. I just started laughing out of happiness and just stared at my stomach to continue to watch him move.   Is Hudson a kung fu master??

:27 weeks (Currently):

We have a very active little guy on our hands! It is not unusual to see my stomach moving or popping out in different directions.  It cracks me up sometimes to watch it.  I so wish I could see the movements he is making inside of me!

Random Note: For girls, winter brings on the fashion addition of boots.  Well, this winter (especially the last few weeks when belly has grown), I have come to realize that it is extremely comical to watch a pregnant person try to put on or take off boots. Just ask Lee. 

Last weekend, I was able to make a trip to Dallas to be at my Sister-in-law's baby shower for my precious little nephew, Isaac! His arrival is getting closer and closer and I could not be more excited to meet him.  I truly get so giddy thinking about being an Aunt.  I am so happy that my son will have a friend and cousin so close in age - what a fun blessing!  I'm praying for Erin and Isaac as they near the time he could come! :) 

My mom - proud Grandma of two grandsons!

Treasured being able to see these two - Jen and Lindsey! 

Our two main pieces of furniture for the nursery were delivered! This was SO exciting.  I still just walk into the room and think "our baby boy will be in this room so soon!" Being a mom and dad is becoming more and more real by the day! 

Big brother checking out the new additions to the house, haha!

I mean, how great is THIS sight? My hott husband putting together our son's crib. I'm beginning to think my husband has become even more attractive (if it's even possible) as he has become a dad, hehe. I know my heart will melt when I see him holding Hudson for the first time. My heart and love grows for this man daily! Truly.  

Lee's thoughtful mom sent him a reminder how "cool" he really was :)

Speaking of food, (wait...what?) Ok maybe we weren't speaking of it, but my mind was because that's what it thinks about these days. I eat and think about food like a teenage boy.  I still cannot get enough of fruit, smoothies, vegetables...really just COLD things.  Unfortunately, chocolate has been added to that craving list.  A friend of my recently told me she read that when pregnant with boys, women have a bigger appetite and eat more (uh-oh!).  I am not sure if that's scientifically true, but it's ringing true in my day-to-day. 

Now, I will go raid our pantry and refrigerator :D

Oh, Hudson says hello...he is currently stretching and kicking like a crazy little boy! 

Raw Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge (Surprise Ingredient)

I've been wanting to try this fudge recipe for some time.  You'll notice a few things that are different from the normal fudge recipe: No sweetened condensed milk, no butter, and with most versions; no sugar.

I've been wanting to try the recipe because everyone seems to be raving about Coconut Oil for different uses.  This is a key ingredient in this recipe, so I wanted to see what it could do!  This recipe comes from this blog.  She changed up the recipe just a tad from the original recipe from PaleOMG.  I followed the recipe from the first blog listed.

I am SO surprised by the result of this recipe, and that result would be named: DELICIOUS. Oh my.  First lesson learned - don't be afraid.  Second lesson learned - don't make delicious, healthier fudge when husband is out of town.  Now I will learn a lesson in discipline.  Pray for me, yikes.

Note: I did not have unsweetened peanut butter. I just used my regular peanut butter I use, but it is one without too much excess sugar.

Raw Chocolate Peanut Butter

1 cup organic Coconut Oil
1 cup organic, unsweetened creamy peanut butter (PaleOMG used almond butter)
1/3 cup raw honey
1/3 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
1 tsp vanilla extract
a pinch of salt
5 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
handful of almonds (I used slivered almonds)
semisweet chocolate chips
a sprinkle more of shredded coconut

Combine the first six ingredients together. Take half of the mixture and spread in a bread pan or 8x8 or smaller pan.  Sprinkle with semi sweet chocolate chips. Stick in freezer until hardened.

Add the cocoa powder into the other 1/2 of the mixture.  Add some almonds and maybe a few more chocolate chips :) Pour this mixture on top of the first layer.  Can top with some shredded coconut.  Freeze for 20 minutes.  Cut and serve.


Don't judge the ingredients and scrunch your nose at "raw", "organic", and "unsweetened".  Get in that kitchen! :)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Love: Lee, Amanda, and Baby Hudson

Within the past month, I have realized my favorite line of any Christmas song

"...a thrill of hope

a weary world

rejoices..."

Jesus Christ IS our thrill of hope.  Without this much anticipated birth of a baby boy, there would be no hope.  No hope of eternal life.  No hope in the midst of pain, death, or hardship.  No hope of joy.  No hope of any purpose in life.  It is all about Him.  

[Note: I am typing all this while eating a Christmas cookie with my coffee.  yes, it is 8:30am. Proof, I do completely enjoy the commercial things of Christmas. Amen.]

Even though the presents, food, delicious Christmas treats, family, Christmas lights, hot chocolate, presents, and stockings are so enjoyable and fun (nothing wrong with them)....when we take our gaze off ourselves "And look full into His wonderful face. The things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace" [Turn Your Eyes On Jesus].

I absolutely LOVE Christmas time.  I love everything that I listed above. And I enjoy them each year.  But in the light of His grace and His birth, they do grow strangely dim and suddenly seem so insignificant and fading.  

This year, I wanted to be intentional about all the while enjoying baking, lights, the trees, presents, and family that I would look fix my eyes on Jesus....who is our thrill of hope.  This world is so very weary without Him.  And with Him we can REJOICE.  

Should I grab another cookie? 

Max also wanted to say "Merry Christmas" with his jingle bell collar. [We were laughing when we put it on him and it was jingling so much, he got embarrassed and hid under the coffee table :) ]

Size of an Orange and A Lesson on Worry

Around 10 weeks is when I noticed the first sign of a "baby bump" no one else could tell except Lee and I, but it was so fun to see the sign of my baby growing.

Around 13 weeks....if I wore a fitted shirt it would be that "She-kind-of-looks-pregnant-but-it-would-be-safe-to-not-ask-because-maybe-she-gained-weight" stage ;-)

Now at 15 weeks, its becoming more of "baby bump", but I think only people who know that I am pregnant would know it's definitely a baby growing (which I love to think about)! Others are keeping it safe by not asking, haha.  From what I read, our little son or daughter is about the size of a navel orange and can now wiggle fingers and toes and clench fists. So sweet to think of a human so small who is already so well developed! I cannot wait to feel that first movement.

From about 9 weeks - 14 weeks, all I wanted was COLD food - fruit, popsicles, smoothies, etc! Now at 15 weeks and that I am pretty much over the ever-so miserable "sick and nauseous" stage, I do enjoy more a variety of foods, however my go-to/craving is fruit, popsicles, and smoothies! When I was working nights, I would wake up at 5:00pm for work and ALL I could think about was a popsicle.  Needless to say, we had to stock up on them :)

Energy.  I have felt a wonderful boost of energy starting at 14 weeks! I still get tired easier than usual and do need a nap (which I never did) most days, but I love how good I feel most of the time.  Maybe it's just a wonderful difference between now and 1st trimester.

We went for an appointment this past tuesday....No sonogram, but we did get to hear the heartbeat, which is the most beautiful sound.  We got the news that on December 17th we will find out the gender of our sweet little baby! GIRL OR BOY? I have no idea. A lot of moms-to-be have a "feeling". I have none at all and have no preference at all. I just can not wait for that appointment!

We will find out very soon!

I must brag on my wonderful husband.  During the time I felt close to death (weeks 9-12), he was so amazing in keeping the house clean, having something for dinner, and on! I am so thankful for a man who steps up where I could not and sometimes cannot keep up these days.  My love for him grows daily!

Quick something on "Worry".  I have never been one to worry or stress about things that much. When I need to do my part in something I do it to my best ability and hopefully with excellence, then I let the rest go.  I've learned early on from different experiences, stressing over anything does nothing.  Unless it leads you to the feet of Jesus and on your face in surrender.  Now that I have our baby (wow!) growing inside of me, I have already had to fight worry.  With very realistic but scary thought such as "is the heart still beating?", "Is the development and growth happening the way it should?", "Am I doing what I can to keep this baby healthy and growing?".  I've realized with the wisdom of moms that I will have to fight that worry the rest of my life.  I had my first realization of needing to surrender and give this life to the One who created him or her and had the first thought of my baby.

My God is a good God.  Period. I have chosen and have to choose daily to surrender not only my worry but my child to the Great Protector, the Great Provider, Creator, and Giver of life.

It's that weird spiritual tug-of-war of knowing that surrendering is good, commanded, needed but you keep wanting to say "but....but..."  and pull back to your side a little bit.  I need to drop the rope of tug-of-war and walk over to the same side of my Jesus, grab his hand and walk this journey of motherhood with Him, through Him, and because of Him.

I am so thankful for the beginning of this lesson early. Now....the daily choice of obedience.