Lessons from my week and those new Oreos

We have had a good, busy week.

Lots of wiping green snot these days.
I didn't know the green snot rule--Wilder didn't get to stay in his MAPS class; I was mortified!
This week was one for realizing that loving people and having them
"be my drug" (it seems that is my tendency) can sometimes have its pitfalls...
like times I read too much into a verbal comment then decide my feelings are hurt.

It was for realizing that I have a husband and best friend who truly wants what's best for me, Wilder, and Story. That the hard work we are putting into our marriage is so paying off.
That going to God first, not friends or Facebook, really has its perks.
That the 100-anniversary Oreos with sprinkles in the center are just so-so.
That Target has cute $2.78 bunting.
That when I'm misunderstood, I must understand that God understands.
That taking Wilder to preschool on his first day will have me quite in shambles; I will be that mom with the camera and running mascara. We are waiting until next fall (he has an August b-day; he will be 4) and got him into the Christian place that is 1.5 minutes from our house. Just two mornings a week, from 9-11:30a.m. So I can still "home school" if I want (which better mean baking cookies and going on nature walks!).Spray tans really do make me feel a little more confident/positive self-esteemy.
And tousled hair is perfect for a lazy day.
have you ever tried taking a pic of the back of your head?

That, as a mother of two, this was a successful,
FUN week and no one is going to punch me if I say,

I'm proud of myself, darn-it!

Grey, Mustard Yellow, and Ivory Yarn Wreath

While these sweet babies napped today, Ash and I crafted while taking in some inspirational praise/worship on Pandora.

I finished the grey, mustard yellow, ivory and burlap yarn wreath
I've been working on for a client.

It is my favorite to-date!

Thanks for being my accountability not to nap, Friend!

xo!

Day at the museum

Dress: Old Navy, Blouse: vintage, Leggings: Target, Shoes: Payless,
Earrings: handmade by me

Tornado simulator; Sissy loved it but Wilder had nothing to do with it

Do veggie chips count as veggies?

Several meltdowns later, this momma was done! :)

Sponsor spots available for March!

There are so many networking opportunities available in the blogging/handmade community. If you think marigoldroad is a good fit for helping you with your growth goals, then send me a wee note today. Monthly sponsor ads are fairly priced and swaps are still welcome, too!

Thank you!
marigoldroad (dot) blog (at) gmail (dot) com

About Moving More Slowly

This is a letter from our MAPS director (Erin Self) to us moms, in our weekly newsletter. I asked Erin's permission to post it to the blog because it just spoke to me SO MUCH.
It is right on the money!!

I've been thinking a lot about moving more slowly. How I run through my days, and especially how I've been running through my son's childhood (in 13 short years, he won't be living with me anymore. 13 years...). How Jesus calls us to give Him our burdens and in exchange He will give us rest. I am pretty sure that Jesus never said to us, "Get over here! I have a lot for you to do!" A good Christian woman serves God. That's what we are supposed to do. Sure. But are we supposed to run ourselves into the ground? Do I want my children equating ministry, being a wife and mother, with exhaustion and meetings and tasks that don't always really fit who I am?If I think I'm doing all of this to please God, well, I think I've got another thing coming. Because to be truthful, I don't know the last time really that I handed God my day or my agenda and just asked Him what He wanted me to be doing. I've been doing what I've been doing for some time now and I think it's started to hit me that what I'm doing and who I'm wanting to be just doesn't always fit. I often feel like I have been round-hold/square-pegging it for awhile. Longer that I want to admit. Longer than I may even know.So I'm left with some questions. Should I keep on doing and doing and doing, or can I stop? And if I just stopped for awhile, what would that mean, what would that look like, and dare I ask what's really deep down - what would other people and God think of me? Who stops? Who isn't busy? No one I know. But I'm letting myself realize and re-remember that God called me to an abundant, free, joyful life, not a packed-out, constricting, complain-y, busy one full of activities that just endure and that sometimes make me cringe. And, this is the best part, bottom line, my Heavenly Father's going to love me no matter what. Even if I stop. And even if you do, too.So, moms, think about it. Are you running too hard, too fast through your life? Consider stopping, breathing, resting, and finding the real you underneath it all, asking God what you should be filling your time with.

Even if it's just for a little while.
~Erin SelfMy guest post and store credit giveaway is over at Lil Noodle Bug today!
and the one over at EisleyRae is still going on, too!

Estate Sale Finds-Color Edition!

Wonderful, unique finds! What a rush.

Thursday afternoons I get a bit of "time off." I go to any appointments, lunch with a friend, and, lately, estate sales. Recent finds:

Kitchen linens; want to keep them all (rather than sell)

I don't know if I will be able to pull off the busy print on the right, but someone will!Canister set! $8; not the best deal but still great
Bag is cute. Boy is SUPER cute.
On another note,
I have been to Aldi three times this week.
I am not a details, listy person...just ideas and wild dreams all the time,
brain always whirring and busy...very disorganized...signing up for too much,
so it makes sense (dumb sense) that I always forget that onion or parmesan cheese
while on an intentional "meal plan minded" grocery run.

I need help! Someone organize my life!

Anyway,

Sweet Aldi checker gal Katy and I are on a first name basis, plus she knows the kids' names. I guess Story's sweet spirit/adorb factor and Wilder's gorgeous grin/tip of the nose specs are unforgettable.
Duh. Of course they are.

I told check out lady Katy that today we made no-bake cookies and were just enjoying the weather.

She said, "awwww I am so jealous."

Friends, this was just the jolt of reality I needed. So often I take for granted that I get to stay home with my babies, making cookies, making messes, adhering to very lax schedules. And not every mom who wants to do that, gets to. It just helped shift back my focus a little.

Thank you so much, check out lady; throw in some free chocolates and you'll never get rid of me.

This Valentine's Day, Get to Know What I Love Most

This Valentine's Day, get to know what I love most: our little FAMILY

prompts are from the Joyeful Journey blog

1. Words that best describe us:
loud, messy, honest, affectionate, make guests feel at home, outgoing
2. Favorite thing to do as a family on the weekends:
grocery shop
family cuddles in bed
W's new big boy bed

3. What we value the most as a family:
treating others with dignity, respect, and the love of Christ

4. What we value the most in relationships: honesty, humor, loyalty, quality time
5. Weirdest thing about us: the laundry mountain in the basement

6. Favorite family movie: Charlotte's Web

7. We like to eat: spaghetti, rotini, chicken-noodles
crud...a lot of pasta!

8. We are for: Jesus; dinner at the table every night (if possible);
being intentional with our children

9. Favorite Bible Verse:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:1710. Our most annoying habits:
we are perpetually late; Sunday mornings are stress.FUL
Forgetting trash day
Losing shoes and socks

11. Parenting style: authoritative (not to be confused with authoritarian)

12. Phrase that is way overused right now in our household: NO.

13. What we're most likely to be doing if you stopped by: listening to Pandora praise/worship and coloring/reading

14. Our newest endeavor: a chores schedule (for the grown ups)

15. Our most endearing quality: besides VERY attractive offspring, I think what's most endearing is that there's just a lot of LOVE and GRACE to go around. And we're all on the same team. Support & respect for each other is big.