"Wicked Cool"

We finally did it!!! Cooper's playroom is officially finished and it is totally wicked cool!! I'm sure you can tell by the pics but I will describe. The paint on the bottom is a dark grey (can't remember the actual pait color) and the green stripe is called Lime Pop. After we completed the paint I took multi colored card stock and cut it into different size circles and then strung the with white string around the top of the room. The numbers I modge podged on to canvas I got from Wallie World. The canvases were sooooo... cheap. The shelving unit we got from IKEA for like $30 along with the hanging balls ($4/ea.). And the frames I aslo got from Wallie World for $5 a piece and just took the glass out. I took clothes pins and hung them in the frames (u can see the one in the middle frame). These will hang Coopers art work. Finally we loaded his room with fun toys like the tent and tunnel, which he loves and made a floor couch from a fouton cushion we had and some large pillows. That's it and we totally had a blast.

First Step

I know this is going to sound really stupid but I took my first step today towards being a stay at home mommy!!! I down graded my cell phone .... BIG TIME!! The one on the left is my old phone, a blackberry, AKA mucho dinero, and the one on the right is my "new" phone. We started making cuts where we could and I know this is such a small cut but will save us $50 a month. Go Venables!!!

Found Treasure

So.. as many of you know I am now a die hard follower of Lisa Whelchel, Blair from Facts of Life and amazing Christian women, wife, and mommy. Now, I wouldn't follow her around waiting to get a picture with her even though she was trying to leave (Katie and Mel!!!) but I did purchase like 3 of her books. Any who... one of the books I got was "The Busy Mom's Guide to Bible Study". It has my name written all over it: Busy Mom and Guide to Bible Study. I am so clueless as to how to actually read the Bible and get something out of it without some sort of prompt or guide. In this Bible study Lisa teaches you different techniques in how to read a verse or a passage and like, get it. This morning the technique was to read aloud and emphasize one word at a time. She says, "By reading the passage aloud and emphasizing one word at a time, we'll capitalize on not just one but 2 methods of going deeper in the Word and allowing it to seep into our souls. Here's what I want you to do. Begin by reading the verse aloud and loudly. Now read it aloud again, stressing the first word for meaning. Read it again, accentuating the second word and so on." I thought, oh great!! I only have 20 minutes til I have to get Cooper up and get him ready. I don't have time to read and re-read over and over again a verse yelling out a new word each time (you don't have to yell, really). Well.... I did it and, WOW!!! The verse was Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." I understood the verse in a whole new way, different from what I thought I first knew. 3 things stood out to me: First, the word and. Not only are we able to receive true joy and the grace overflowing just by delighting ourselves in Him, but we get the desires of our heart too!!!! What a deal!! Next, He. He will give us the desires of our hearts. I know that unintentionally I look to other things to fulfill my desires: my husband, my son, my friends, the mall, my home... I could go on forever. But this verse tells me that it is Him - nothing or no one else. And finally, will. He will!! No if's, and's, or but's about it. It's right there, in His Word: HE WILL give us the desires of our hearts!!! I feel like my Father opened up another priceless treasure in my heart. Thank you Lisa and THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Cheerio!!"

I seriously think I have the cutest and sweetest little man in the world. I couldn't help but get this hat from Old Navy, especially after I sent it to some family who strongly encouraged me to purchase it. It was totally worth the $9.50. Just look at 'em!! I love being Cooper's mom.

I'm finally a blogger!!

Well.... I did it. I am officially a "blogger"!! What?!!! Yep! I felt so left out!! Just kiddin'. Actually, God is doing amazingly awesome things in my heart and in my life right now and I thought it would be neat to share those things with folks. Lisa Welchel encourages women to leave their legacy - documenting when and how Christ intercedes in their lives. So, here I am. I've never needed Christ more than I do now as a new mom and I love how I can look back and see how He has led me and will continue to lead me all the way. His fingerprints are all over my life and I hope you enjoy experiencing His grace over my life with me.