Decorator blog fail

I am not a home decorator. I actually would classify myself as the opposite: a home clutterer. I have very little concept of what looks good where, what matches, or what "works". Thankfully I married into a family where both my mother in law and sister in law are excellent decorators and have somewhat done my house for me.

Moving into a new house and designing the whole thing from scratch scaaaaares me. Don't get be wrong, I fully recognize how blessed I am to even have this opportunity. It's incredibly exciting to start with a blank slate and make our home our own. But...what if I make it ugly? I am legitimately afraid.

SO. I am enlisting your help, whoever "you" is. The following are some ideas we're going with. I would welcome ideas, opinions, pictures seen in magazines, etc. This is the exact opposite of those fun design blogs where you get all kinds of inspiring ideas. Now you have to give them :)

First of all, the kitchen. The shelving built into the counter is a concept we're working with. The shelving will face the living room and be divided into three sections: bookshelves on either end with a cupboard in the middle. Opinion question #1: Go with a white (or contrasting color) as in the picture, or stick to the same color as the cabinets?



Since the floorplan of our home is pretty open, I'm thinking of doing dark cabinets...possibly this color. Question #2 In your opinion, do you prefer dark flooring with dark cabinets, or light flooring? Here are two pictures of dark cabinets, one with each option:



Question #3: Are there any unconventional places you would suggest having an outlet? It was suggested to me to put at least one on top of my cabinets so that I can plug in christmas lights which I think is an awesome idea. Any others?

Those are just a few of the decisions I'm thinking about. I know that this is a matter of personal taste, but I'd still love to know what YOU would do.

Show a little love

I've spoken a few times on here about one of the pastors in our church and how much I enjoy his sermons. They are thought provoking, challenging, and theologically "full". This has been another one of those weeks where I've been thinking about a particular sermon since I heard it this past Sunday.

He spoke on love, both between spouses and also between us and Jesus. He discussed how a marriage in the first few months looks much different than a marriage after 10 years. There is often less passion, less "butterflies", but still a solid level of commitment and stability (hopefully, anyway). He brought forth this scenario: what if, after 10 years of marriage, your spouse walked in the door and said to you "I need to let you know that I'm not in love with you anymore. I'm not saying that anything will change though! I will still come home to this house every day. I will care for our children, provide for the family, and sit down to supper with you. I just...don't love you."

Ok...devastating, right? But. How many of us treat our Father the same way? We forget to maintain the passion of our relationship. We read our bible, attend church, sing songs of worship, tithe...but we don't actively love.

Just as we need to explore love languages in our marriages, we also need to explore those in our relationship with God. If you feel most close to God when you step outside into his creation, get outside!! If you draw near to him by worshiping through music, sing! Find ways to connect with Jesus in ways that you are most passionate about.

This challenge has affected me in a few ways. First of all, it makes me so incredibly thankful for my job at camp. I feel renewed passion for Christ every time I step onto camp grounds. We meet for staff meetings in the mornings and I am immediately renewed. I get to explore my passion at my workplace and this is such a blessing. I am also trying to be more aware of how I show love to my spouse. Often how we attempt to show love is not the same as how love is perceived. I need to remember to speak his love languages.

Anyway...just my thoughts of the week. You don't have you answer this on here, but think about it this week...how do you express your love and passion to Jesus?

Blessed

Time for a list...just to remind myself of the goodness of life:

My family. I watch my husband and wonder daily how I got so lucky. Not only is he exceedingly good looking, strong, and handy, but he also loves me unconditionally. He puts up with my severe mood swings, lets me buy multiple pairs of shoes, and buys me my favorite boards games, knowing full well that he will actually have to play them with me (board games are not his favorite things...haha)

I hold my baby boy and just sigh in contentment. Oh wait...rephrase. I hold my toddler. My little man. My ever growing, changing, wonderful little boy. He gives me kisses, holds tight to my finger while running through sprinklers, and laughs every single time I pop around the corner to "surprise" him. It's so nice to have someone who always thinks I'm funny.

My job. It's been 6 months now and I am still loving it. We are working out at camp now andw it is so. good. I get to go to camp and get paid for it! SO good! The staff there right now is awesome and I love the people I work with. And I get to go horseback riding. Can you do that at YOUR job?

BBQing. I don't do it MYSELF, but I do love it when Mitch does. Just thought it deserved mention.

Ok so this is not a new list...I mention these same things every time I make a list of thankfulness. At least PART of my life is consistant! :)

Just me?

Do you ever have the distinct fear that the more people get to know you, the less they will like what they see? That the more you open yourself up, the more ridiculous you look? That the passion that you show looks like foolery?

Just wondering.