Things I've come to know. Part 9

~Not many people see "behind the scenes" in our lives. But it's the behind the scenes that matter.
~Those silly run-around errands on the weekends- they mean something to the kiddos. It's time together.
~Spiritual teachers are all around us. Listen to them. It's food for the soul.
~Ponds dry skin cream. Best $4.99 I have spent all month.
~Pray. Take the time. Keep it simple. It's powerful.
~You can be crazy confused about life stuff but still have faith!
~Listen to the old folks. They matter and they know more than we give them credit for at times.
~Cook together. The kids learn and I think it's romantic with the hubs.
~Tell the truth. All the time. No matter what.
~Pick a word for the year. Not a resolution. Then reflect and pray about that special word. You will personally look back, remember that word for years and how you grew and were inspired by it.
~Coldplay's new album: awesome.
~Treat those friends that mean a lot to you good.
~Snow sucks after the month of December.
~You can't have lovely looong gorgeous hair if you weren't born with lovely, luscious gorgeous hair!
~Take your kids to Disney World in the winter and before they leave for college in a couple years.
~As an artist, it's okay to change and grow and try different ways to paint/create/write...
~Thank goodness God's mercy, grace and forgiveness is new each day.
~Get involved with girls to exercise. Like, WOW. (Love our WorkOUT Wednesdays!)
~Keep it simple. Keep it real. Keep it loving. Keep it clear.
~We ALL can make better choices in the zillion choices and distractions we have each day.
~Find amazing people online that have blogs that inspire you...follow them.
~Work as a team as a family. It makes it more peaceful. Don't fight all the battles. Choose them.
~Eat when you are hungry. What your body craves. Then stop.
~Love fair trade.
~Love your furry fellows. They have souls.
~Anything can change in a month. Drastically.
~I so very much desire to be a positive, good, loving force and influence in life.
~Young mommy's: when older mom's tell you to enjoy your little's because you will blink your eyes and they will be 16 before you know it. Believe them! They are right.
~Devotional apps rock.
~One of my favorite things to do is to listen to Josh (upstairs) rock on his guitar/sing downstairs. He doesn't know how good I can hear him! (Shhh.)
~To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart.

"So you think there's a grand plan? Why...this or that happened? There's a plan. You go on living the best you can and you try to have some fun along the way. Then one day it's over. You wake up and there's an angel at the edge of your bed. The angel says "okay, you can ask me all those dumb questions...because I've got all the answers now."           -Unbroken

More here if you'd like to continue...

Things I've come to know...or reminded of lately. Part 8

- The core of the human spirit comes from new experiences. Go and do! (Go on...get off your phone!)
- The best t-shirts ever are so thin that they are somewhat translucent.
- Never carry more life "stuff" than you can hold.
- Me and morning time will never be friends.
- Dove dark chocolate. Oh how I love you right after dinner.
- We are all so small, but have a big gift of ourselves to give to the world.
- Marijuana is stupid. Period.
- Have family dinners together. A lot of them. It's so so important.
- Making beds is a waste of life.
- Our world. It troubles my heart to see the things happening. War, weather, drugs, refugees, poverty...
- I love to follow lovely lady bloggers that decorate, encourage and DIY. (And try not to have envy.)
- We all want to feel connected to something.
- We ALL are fighting some kind of battle of some sort.
- I need to be my husbands biggest fan.
- Local grown, organic awesome meal delivery? Yes, please. This is who we are trying right now.
- Dogs get sad and have high anxiety at times. Poor Polly.
- Continuous grey rainy icky gloomy skies puts everyone in a sad and irritated state.
- Some people live for drama and issues in their lives.
- Johnson's baby powder is a great dry shampoo.
- Bees. We Americans need to make big changes so that we don't lose them. It is so serious.
- Dreams deep down can come true.
- 90 percent of incredible art (from music, decorating, paintings, writings, etc) is because it makes someone FEEL something.
- Never underestimate the value of giving something time.
- Never underestimate the value of a real listening ear. Everyone wants to be heard. Everyone.
- Pray to want what God wants for you.
- Right when you want to give up, something wonderful will happen.
- Surround yourself with wise friends. Who you surround yourself with really matters.
- At the end of the day, it's not how much money you have.
- Get rid of noise. Quiet is good for the soul. So good.

- Hi.
- I know this blog post is getting a little out of hand... and long now. Hang in...

- Conquer a fear. Big or small. It is freeing.
- Garage sales are so fun to only some people.
- Call your Mom (and Mother-in-law) more.
- It's possible to buy the perfect pair of jeans (or shoes) online without even trying on.
- Lauren and I can become obsessed with YouTube makeup tutorials. You can learn a lot!
- Create a "In our house, we..." family mantra. And post it somewhere where it is seen every day.
- Documentary's. I love to watch them!

I know.

You want one too?

- American suffers big time from hunger despite the obesity problem.
- If you don't get back to a text right way...it's OKAY.
- Anyone can find you online. At anytime.
- Wear fun striped Tom's shoes.
- If you have waves and curls. Set them free already. (I'm still workin' on this!)
- Go and splurge with fun stuff at Victoria Secret. Go!
- Wish I would have know back then, what I know now.
- The right things happen just as they are supposed to.
- Kids can keep adults in line sometimes.
- Every 20 seconds a child dies due to lack of clean water and sanitation. This is NOT okay.
- Don't kick a soccer ball too hard in Converse tennis shoes. You will ruin your toe for a long time.
- Don't feel guilty if you need rest. Some people need more. (Um, me.)
- Ocean. I desire you!
- Some (maybe most) people with show their true colors eventually.
- Stay humble. It's a fab quality to have.
- There is nothing you can do about getting older. Nada.
- Life is so much sometimes.
- Oh you darn hormones. You make me crazy sometimes. (Along with my daughters!)
- Sometimes you just gotta hold on and let go at the same time. Crazy, huh?
- Find something creative to do. It's in there. Bring forth from which you were born.

More here if you'd like to read on!

"For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline."

2Timothy 1:7

Things I've come to know- Part... I dunno

              Things I've come to know- PART 7

in no particular order or whatever.

-This is going to be a tad long.  I suppose I have a lot to say. 
-It's a good thing when you use your head alongside your heart.
-We are ALL busy. It's not an excuse anymore.
-Grocery bills. Um, reaaallly?!
-I heart Tenth Avenue North band.
-Make sweet time with your kids when they are itty bitty and cherish it.
-Me no likey mindless mind clutter.
-My girls inspire me each day.
-I really want to learn Photoshop or Illustrator.
-It's all gonna be okay.
-Art in many forms can be a true gift to people.
-I heart Jimmy Fallon.
-Spontaneous get-together's are always more fun.
-Tidy house= sanity and peace
-I so so so have a passion to decorate on a budget.
-God will exceed your expectations if you believe, stay hopeful and faithful.
-Art/Yoga retreat with Colleen in Bali. Dreamin'...someday.
-Our dog snores, burps, does high five's....and has a soul.
-It's okay to just listen. It's important sometimes to just listen.
-I want to meditate regularly and not fall asleep.
-When you are free, comfortable and vulnerable- others will be that too with you.
-Facebook. Sometimes I wonder about it. A social hug for many.
-I love intriguing friendships full of heart and life stories.
-We all carry around a layer of protection from pain, to protect ourselves or others.
-People don't surprise me.
-It's hard to run here in the winter. Even with "couch to 5k" app and a good friend.
-The good-ole things that I grew up with are now called "vintage or retro".
-Men can be good cooks. That includes Josh.
-Love. It's for taking and giving.
-Dropping your iphone is not good.
-Every thought or worry is bigger in the middle of the night.
-You can have a huge vitamin D deficiency even in the sunniest and most outdoorsy state.
-Modern learning curriculums in schools are a good thing these days.
-I miss my Dad more and more.
-We are all born EXACTLY how we are supposed to be.
-I need and so really really desire a cleaning lady.
-Super Soul Sunday. Love.
-Marriages need playful silly giggly fun and adventure among the chaos of everyday.
-I'm convinced that sections of a 11-14 year old brain stop working due to growing up too fast.
-Technology can be such a waste of life and a time sucker.
-Pray. More.
-Screen-free days for my kids are a good thing.
-I heart my new blender and good-fer-you smoothies.
-Politics: I wish we would all just get along.
-It's hard to dream brave and bold.
-It's hard to stay patient and confident.
-Sprituality: I wish so many would know the real truth.
-I want to love and feed homeless and hungry children. Kisses from Katie.
-I am convinced that some women have more time, endurance and energy than me.
-Brene Brown, Anne LaMont= fabulous.
-One day we will have a shower that doesn't grow anything or need any huge amounts of human power or toxic fumes to clean. One day.
-Men. Their hearts soften as they age.
-A 14-year old and a 40-year old can get along remarkably well.
-It's a good thing to feel free.
-It's okay to have moments of "OMG is this for real, i AM getting old."
-Be sure to step away from our frenzied, frantic, pressured, too public, too fast, overachieving, materialistic, over-scheduled, over-digitalized world.
-Pioneer Woman rocks.
-Buddism= not a religion, not a way of spiritual worship. Rather a way of being awake and mindful in the present.
-A good movie to me is one that leaves your heart with thoughts and ponderings.
-Those small voices tell you a thousand times over. Calling you. Don't resist them.

This was fun for me to do!
Go here for more if you feel like it.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.   -Ephesians 2:9-10

Things I've come to know- lately.

Random ponderings, thoughts and delightiful things I have come to know. Part 6, I think.

-I am done with the winter wonderland here.
Mr. Old Man Winter needs to get his act together. I'm about to wring his neck!
-Root canal pain hurts. Braces hurt. Dental bills hurt.
-Love and happiness...and a sense of  belonging and worth are universal.
-Everything. Every detail. All the days= a greater purpose than we know.
-Hannah looks WAY cuter in my clothes than I do.
-Hannah rocks at Spanish. And LOVES it. (I wish I knew what she was saying half the time!)
-Turning 40 is not a bad thing. Embrace it.
-Music can fuel your soul.
-Eating healthy does not taste very good most of the time.
-Blink too long and the moments/days will pass you up.
-Vacuum your couch. Under, over, in between. What a village will be under there!
-Laughter and friendship go hand in hand.
-I'm glad that my girls know the importance of manners, and use them most of the time.
-It's okay to let your kiddos watch every Brady Bunch episode ever made.
-Dogs are a good judge of character.
-When you aren't looking for something when you shop, you find it.
-I am writing down 50 things I want to do before I am 50. Stay tuned.
-Trust in any relationship is a really, really big deal.
-Blizzards are beautiful and peaceful. Just not in May!
-There is lots and lots of good in this world, despite the evil.
-Do you need an insane amount of rest to function how you want some days? I do.
-Speaking of simplicity and relaxation in our fast-paced world...
between society pressures, emails, voicemails, texting, apps, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest...
life can be way too overwhelming and distracting-what happened to the good-ole-days??
-Having a husband that seriously rocks at building stuff, well- rocks.
-Best friends are good therapy.
-Get a nice cushy memory foam/gel bed mattress topper. You won't regret it.
-Hold close to those you love.
-Everything in my being is excited and positive about my new shop opening soon.
-There is freedom in Christ.
-Really, really fabulous life perspective is a good thing to possess.
-Give your 13 year old room to grow and change.
-In TX people say "ya'll" and "bless your heart"...in CO it is "I know, riiiight" and "no worries".
-It's so delightful to carve out some time for what you loooove to do.
-God's grace and truth are enough.

Yay! That's it for now. If you want more, go ahead here.
xo.

Part 5: random thoughts

-

Random things I've come to know or reminded of lately: Part 5
-Miracles happen every day.
-Life is fragile and can change in a split second.
-A huge deer with an 8-pt rack can total a car.
-Your child can tell you new ways to use an iphone (of which you've used for years).
-A husband that often brings you breakfast in bed is a keeper.
-Sisters love eachother one minute and want to strangle eachother the next.
-It is really hard to bake at 6500 ft of altitude.
-Pinterest oh Pinterest, you are a fascinating black hole to get stuck in.
-Dr. Dennis Gross facial peels, etc will dramatically change your skin for the better.
-Organic coconut oil is superb for dry skin. (And BONUS- you can pretend you are at the beach!)
-I love love love Lush products.
-You are officially old if you look forward to watching Wheel of Fortune and/or Jeopardy.
-Get a good piano teacher for your kids. They will surprise you how amazingly they can play.
-My hubby makes me smile every. single. day.
-In the heat of motherhood? Is your child three or almost thirteen? Same heat.
-It's okay to be scared and confused sometimes. We all are.
-Yoga and pilates can (and will) kick your butt.
-When Daddy/husband travels almost every week for work= tough.
-If you listen to a lot of 80's music, your kids will eventually know all of them and sing along.
-An indulgent vacation with best friends is purely priceless.
-Leave responsible kids at home and trust them- you might be surprised when you come home to a clean kitchen, dog bathed and bathed girls!
-Encourage and let your husband enjoy what he is passionate about.
It's important.
-Many of us need 9+ hours of sleep regularly to function properly.
That would include ME.
-We ARE going to a beach- ANY beach- in 2013.
-Having an Etsy business rocks and a HUGE part of each and every one of my days.
-At times there are too many female hormones circulating and colliding in our home. It just happens.
-Outdoors=fuel.
-We love getting letters from our little girl, Hellen in South America. (Compassion International)
-Sometimes I believe that my Dad is rocking on our front porch with me.
-Give kids the real facts, then let them make their own decisions.
-Everything you put online is very public. Be aware and careful. Creepy, really.
-A tidy house is a good thing. Clean house? That's another thing.
-I am still growing up. Aren't we all?!
-I am secretly kind of excited to turn 40 soon. I know, crazy... but the best is yet to be! Riiiiight?
-I love and delight in the marvelous layers I have in my friendships.
-The perfect pair fitting jeans are at American Eagle. (the slim boot)
-Believe it when someone tells you to enjoy your kids because they grow up too fast.
-Is it just me, or did the holiday's just sneak up on us?
-God is in all the moments of the days and weeks. Pray through it all. 
-Find something to be grateful for each day. Find lots! It helps so much.
-We all have wings waiting for us to fly into whatever awaits.

Pssst: Go here to see more of my random thoughts if you want.

things i've come to know

Things I've come to know lately- or reminded of:   PART 4 in random order
~Having a milk man deliver the freshest milk on the planet to your house is awesome.
~I can get 5+ Etsy orders in one night.
~Boy, oh boy...sisters can f-i-g-h-t, and do it often.
~The heart speaks way louder than the mind, if you listen.
~Good dental care is so important.
~Huge life, important things can change drastically in a day.
~Hermit crabs will go to hermit-heaven if neglected.
~I am not a "doomsday prepper" and never will be.
~Hand, body lotion and deep conditioner is so essential to living here.
~I heart Pinterest.com. (omg, it's a world that will suck you in.)
~Trials definitely create perseverance and character. And patience. And faith.
~Kids grow overnight.
~It's a lonely job being your own boss.
~It's great to listen to Dave Matthews band every time you paint.
~It is often well with my soul even in uncertainty and chaos.
~Being 12 is being stuck in between childhood and teen-hood.
~I yearn to draw.
~Those tween Disney shows on t.v. always make me giggle.
~Friendships always comfortably grow and blossom beautifully in time.
~Being a Momma rips your heart out.
~I love my "Sweaty Bums" breakfast girls.
~I so need an organized desk.
~Your personality can (and will) show through email/text.
~It's a good thing to work like an adult and play like a little kid.
~It's warms my heart when the girls ride their bikes to Nana's house- to say HI.
~God wants us to be uncomfortable at times.
~Spring here rocks.
~Take advantage of the fun, innocent kid-things when your kids are still kids.
~It's good to be reminded that love is the ONLY thing that matters.

(if you feel like seeing the other 3 "things I've come to know" go to my creative juices on the left side-n-click on it)

things I've come to know- part 3

~prayers are powerful and are answered (already really knew that, just confirmed again:)
~kids are like sponges, especially (and more important to know) when they grow older
~there's always a rainbow behind the clouds of life
~there's enough time in each day to remember to be grateful, joyful and seek grace
~all women carry their our own loads of hurt, stress, pain, loneliness and feelings of inadequacy
~if you have enough smiles and laughter in your marriage, it thrives
~babies steal your whole heart when they smile
~decorating takes t-i-m-e and money and energy- and you lose it all quickly
~a warm, stinky dog by your feet ALL day long IS ok
~it can snow over a foot and in 2 days melt away
~Incredible deals on groupon.com and livingsocial.com- sign up!
~Proverbs 3:5-6
~playing the guitar for hours soothes my husbands soul
~so thankful and thrilled over the 20+ orders on Etsy in 8 weeks
~ladies can get to know eachother quickly over a hot cup of coffee
~I don't have near enough sweaters coming from TX to here
~I get excited to watch Nate Berkus Show, Storage Wars, House Hunters (eek!)
~Hannah has seen every episode of the Three Stooges 3x over (n giggles every time)
~disorder and busyness can eat me alive
~been cherishing the spontaneous, grab-a-bite to eat times with my mom
~if you give yourself enough time being strong and brave, everything gets easier
~most all of us go through the same stuff in the world of parenthood at one time or another
~a daughter in Girl Scouts is a full circle moment for me
~my sweet neighbor friend Kim, Alexe and Imogen= blessings.
~hot electric blankets are the way to go tucked underneath the sheet on your bed
~every day does have the possibility to be FABULOUS. right, Josh?

In case you wanna know...
here's: part one and part two.

Hey Alison-- you won the $30 GIFT CARD to spend on my shop- yay! 
Love ya sweet friend! I'll get with you about it.

randomness- Part 2

Some things I have come to know these past weeks. In total random order. 
Here is Part 1 if you wonder.
- Moving and getting settled IS totally one of the top three most stressful things you do in life.
- My husband is a work-horse. And still brings me flowers on a day when I needed flowers.
- Boxes will sit around if you let them.
- Boxes will drive you a tad crazy.
- You can't trust a paint color by a tiny card.
- You can paint close to an entire house in about 3 weeks.
- This blog is the only creative expression I've had in the past 4 months.
- My inside's are screaming to do any sort of art.
- You can have sleepless nights even when completely exhausted.
- Merlot. Ice cream. Guilty pleasures. 
- My new favorite place to be is swaying on our front porch swing with breezes/butterlies/mountains.
- For under a $100 you can get an enormous amount of awesome stuff at garage sales here.
- You can have more recyclables than garbage.
- Texting a BFF your frustrations during the day is a good thing.
- You can totally negotiate super terrific prices between Lowe's, Sears, Home Depot.
- You don't know sunburn until you get a Colorado sunburn.
- Churches/religion that are open and expressive are not just in the South.
- I miss my TX friends like something crazy.
- It's possible to wear a jacket/sweater in July.
- You can connect w/ a brand new friend when shopping -n- laugh like silly's on day 2.
- When you get overwhelmed etc, close the door and cry- it makes it better.
- Sisters rock. Babies rock. Daddy's rock.
- Families are forever.

a journey.

 What I've come to know these past weeks: 
    (in no particular order; just as they come to me)
- always dress in layers in Colorado
- dry air= dry skin= Aveeno heavy moisture cream
- miracles happen every day
- you can meet a new forever friend in a day
- teeny tiny babies are only teeny once
- parks are good for your soul and for homeschooled kiddos daily built up energy
- homeschooling?? see the next blog post :)
- it's good + so hard at times to be patient
- some days are incredibly exhausting and difficult at times: pray through them
- we are all connected; every one of us
- Grandma's rock (and family in general I must say)
- it's a fab-u-lous thing in Stacey-world to have Target, Michaels, Chickfila in walking distance
- second floor apartments and dogs don't gel
- little boys named Tristan are full of sugar and sweetness
- creative artsy dreams are always in reach
- there's nothing like the smell of a newborn baby
- you can trust your inner, delicate instincts
- true friends are never far and always true
- appreciate your hubby that works so hard every day; and tell him often
- a bank lender these days dissects every penny of yours when buying a home
- you can sell a car on Craigslist in less than 12 hours
- you can buy a car on Craiglist in less than 12 hours
- it takes about 5x to become used to/comfortable with new things
- you can live with far less than what you have
- every detail of every day works out according to God's delightful timing