Fall Vignette

Vignette

A vignette is a brief but powerful scene. A good vignette leaves you wanting more.

 

To get myself excited about fall (aside from spraying the house like crazy with cinnamon apple spray), I was inspired to make a vignette in my dining room.

From watching all those fun design shows on hgtv, I was reminded that a beautiful vignette does not have to be super matchy matchy. In fact, it is better to find things that are complimentary.

So I had a goal, and only a small window of time to do it (it was nap time, yay!).

As fast (and quietly) as I could, I went around the house grabbing all kinds of things that might work. Looking in closets and drawers. Paintings, candles, little toys, vases, and leaves rounded out some of the things I grabbed.

Once I had my loot, I started to play around with what should go where.

I tried not to only use the typical fall colors. So I found some pretty blue items to tie into the sky of the mountain painting that became sort of the focus along with the lovely round fall plate.

 

 

 

Overall I'm happy with how it turned out. I look at it and it reminds me of lovely memories. 

 

 

But if I get tired of a particular item, I can always switch it out for something else  (which I have).

 

The best compliment came from my four year old son. He was sitting at the dining room table eating, and looked over and asked if I had made that. I said yes. He said it was beautiful. Then he enthusiastically told his daddy all about it.

 

Moments like that melt my heart.

 

I hope you are inspired this Fall, and create something beautiful!

 

Helicopter Mom (with a dash of bubble wrap)

I'm that mom you see when you leave the house.

The one with the panicked look on her face. Watching her kid's every move.

Worried that they are going to get hurt, break something, or hurt someone else's kid.

Helicopter mom. Hovering, always trying to anticipate what my (as I've affectionately nicknamed them) little tornadoes are going to do next.

It's exhausting. I exhaust myself silly trying to box them in.

It drives them nuts, which drives me nuts. The circle continues.

It's so bad most days, that the mental struggle to leave the house and go out where people can see us (and what I think is going to be choas), is almost crippling.

Before we had children, I had this thought in my mind that I would be that free spirited mom because I'm so artsy. The one who was okay with her kid's getting messy while having fun. The calm mom who didn't flip over little things.

The reality became clear quickly. I'm more of a bubble wrap mom.

I hate it.

This new me and her fear and desire for control has got to go!

I know actions speak louder than words, so I've been praying that God will help me to let go of this fear and desire for control that I didn't realize I had until now. To release this stress to Him and let Him carry some of my burden. So I can be the best mom that He created me to be.

To allow my kids the chance to try things out and make mistakes along the way. So they can learn through these moments. To become adults who can take care of themselves, and know how to rely on God when life gets tough.

Some days are better than others. Those are the days that are filled with the most laughter (and dirty hugs and kisses).

But other days are still a struggle back into the fearful me I don't want to be.

I pray so hard that my children will see Jesus in me, despite me micromanaging them. And that He will continue to strengthen me to take one little step forward at a time. Give control to Him, and trust Him to lead my family.

One day at a time. One step at a time. One mess at a time. One moment at a time.

Giving my all to my heavenly Daddy, so that my children can have the best of me.

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

For I am the Lord your God

    who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

    I will help you.

Grateful vs. Overwhelmed

I'm tired.

My energy level is close to nonexistent.

But there are things to do. Kids to entertain and take care of. Chores piling up. Ministries we are apart of. Meals to fix (and hope the vegetables are eaten). Throw in some schooling, and these are just some of the things floating at the top of my head.

What has to be done, verses what can be pushed back for a little bit?

Life can be overwhelming.

But it doesn't have to be.

For me to not start the slippery slope of complaining, it seems to help to have things in perspective.

What am I grateful for on this day?

(Takes a few moments to jot some things down)

Just writing down some things I am grateful for, puts things into perspective a little bit and reminds me of how blessed I am.

I don't want to get so caught up in trivial things trying to fit the mold of this world that I lose focus on what is important.

Faith. Family. Friends.

I have a God who loves me. My family is taken care of and happy. We have what we need, and sometimes a little extra. We are blessed. I am blessed.

Today I choose to be grateful.
But if I do get overwhelmed (which I will, because I'm human and just sometimes life can be hard), I trust that God will hold me in His arms and give me some of His strength.

Prayer to start my morning:

Heavenly Daddy,

Thank you for another day to serve you.

Thank you for my family.
Please help me to be the wife and mom you want me to be.
Help me when I can't.

Thank you for providing for us.
Help us to bless others.

Thank you for all the wonderful people in our lives.
Help us to love those no one wil.

Thank you for protecting my heart.
Please help me and my family to stay focused on you.

I love you.
Amen.

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Isaiah 40:27-31 (msg)

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “ God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?

Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?

God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.

He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.