Hallway gallery

A few years back, I made a gallery wall in our family room and it is by far my favorite project I've done.  This is my post about making that wall and the tips I learned along the way.  

When Violet was born, I walked around our house looking at the pictures on my wall and the table frames that I have placed atop our pieces of furniture.  It didn't take me long to realize that I was absolutely not taking anything down or switching pictures out!  So...I found another wall. 

The wall in our living room has a very eclectic, vintage feel to it because I chose random frames from Goodwill and classic pictures from our past and present.  These are a few of my favorites from that wall. 

 

This time around, I decided to make a gallery down our hallway so I chose all white frames.  I wanted to keep the space light and airy since it's a narrow hallway.  I didn't spend very much on this project either because I literally bought every frame at Michaels that went on sale after Christmas (you can double up and use the 40% coupon app plus the 50% off sale)!

Also, I shopped my attic and found a few frames that hadn't made the cut with our decor in the last few years.  I still had a little bit of my Annie Sloan chalk paint left from my my nursery furniture project so I painted those and added them to my collection. Oh...I also had a handsome helper. 

{old frames}

{Hottie}

This display is mostly filled with our family photos and a few wedding and engagement pictures that are special to me.  I also wanted a few detail shots on this wall.  There are certain pictures I have that are priceless to me like my sweet Violet's hand at a week old and Abigail's beautiful curls that I hope are here forever! 

One day I found this adorable shadow box at Hobby Lobby that was 50% off so it found its way into my cart!  This is an easy way to pin my favorite instagram photos and it adds a little flare to the wall.   

Oh, and then I found this fun little bird cage at C'est Moi and decided it needed to come home with me too.  I found a perfect spot for it at the end of the hall! 

I am really pleased with how my wall display turned out and I love looking at all my favorite pictures as I walk down our hall each day.  These are frames that I can easily switch photos in as our girls get older.  Of course, there's always the wall up into the bonus room if I get too nostalgic and can't take any down.  Bless my heart. 

What I learned from my two year old

Have you ever prayed a dangerous prayer?  Maybe I shouldn't call it "dangerous", but a prayer asking for God to do something big in your life?  At the beginning of the year, I prayed that God would teach me more about His love for me.  I asked Him to grow my faith and allow me to know more of His nature and character in regards to his abundant love.  

As a pastor's wife, I have the joy of telling others about Christ's unwavering, unending love.  I have encouraged other women by reminding them that no matter what they've done or how far they've turned from God, He is always there with open arms.  His love is not contingent upon our behavior or our good deeds.  It is constant.  Always.  

I was reminded this week, that even though I know this in my head, I needed a refresher course.  My Savior who knows what I need to learn did not teach me about His love for me in a warm and fuzzy manner.  Instead, he revealed some of my deepest idols and showed me a picture of His heart for me.  

It's really hard as a mom, to not make your children the centerpiece of your world.  I am guilty of this and I constantly battle the need to be filled by the love and approval of my babies.  Violet is young of course, but even so I can see the pattern that I have developed with Abigail.  I love them so much and I really want them to love me back.  But what about when they don't?  What about when they are older and I have to discipline them or set boundaries to protect them?  If my girls are filling my need to be loved, then I will be left in despair, because momma will not be their favorite when I enforce their curfew! 

This week, my sweet Abigail allowed me to have a teachable moment with Jesus.  You see, I absolutely adore her and she loves her mommy.  But she is going through a phase, where she would rather be with anyone but me.  Sometimes it's Mike, and sometimes it's a new friend at church!  But lately, my momma heart has been bruised with rejection by my daughter.  

A few nights ago, she kicked and screamed as I tried to rock her at bedtime.  She wanted Mike, and she was adamant about not wanting me to put her to bed.  The next day was my day off, and I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could.  But she ran away from me as I picked her up from her Mothers Day Out program.  It hurt.  With tears filling my eyes, I prayed that God would help me to love her through this phase.

My dear sister in law spoke wisdom into my life while she was visiting this past week. She reminded me that we can often feel entitled to our children's love and affection.  We can feel that it is our right to have love reciprocated from our spouse, or friend, or even our child.  But Jesus gave up his rights.  He gets in the trenches with us and loves us unconditionally while we are kicking and screaming at Him.  He doesn't give up on us when we go through our phases of rejection or when we run to anyone other than Him.  He is constant and His love endures.  He is a good father, and the moment we turn into his embrace, He holds us close.  Always.  

So if your two year old decides one day that you are the last person on earth that she would rather be with, rest in this truth.  Jesus loves you.  He loves you when you turn away from Him and He loves you when you are consumed by his affection.  There is absolutely nothing in this world, that could separate you from the love of Christ.  This is one of my favorite worship songs, and I hope the lyrics will fill you with hope and joy as you rest in our Savior's love.   As we celebrate Valentines Day later this week, I plan to spend some time with the only one who can love me with a perfect love...that never fails. 

Violet {3 months old}

Little Violet Anne is three months old today.  I have been pretty tearful most of the week with my return to work and leaving this sweet little baby at home.  Thankfully, twenty hours a week is not the end of the world, and I love being a physical therapist. I am often struck with the realization that I get paid to love on people and help them feel better! 

Violet is growing and changing so quickly.  It looks like we will definitely have another little blue eyed girl!  Here is what Violet is doing at three months old: 

* Finally likes her bath and kicks her feet around in the water
* She is sleeping longer through the night.  She was still waking at 4:00 whether she was hungry or not so we moved her bedtime earlier and it seems to be extending her nighttime rest.  Praise Jesus on that!
* She is getting more alert and social.  She watches Abigail and smiles back at her. 
* She is almost rolling over.  She is really high with her prone on elbows and occasional falls into a roll.  
* She looks like Mike...shocker

I feel like I have found my groove with two little girls and I'm enjoying them so much.  Abigail loves Violet or "Biolet" as she calls her.  She follows me down the hall when I get Violet up from her nap and yells "Hello Biolet"!  

Hopefully, this week will be a little easier on my heart as I leave these babies and go to work.  If you stop by on one of my days off, I can promise you that I am in my pajamas with baby spit up all over me, toys sprinkled across the floor, and dishes piled in the sink. I am finally learning the lesson that those things CAN wait until my girls go to bed and time is precious.  A friend recently posted this quote on her instagram and it is now on my chalkboard wall because I need to remember it. 

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow
For babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow,
So quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

{Happy Birthday Abigail}

Today we celebrated Abigail's second birthday with friends and family.  We have been singing to her all week and talking about her birthday.   She also had cookies with her Mothers Day Out class to celebrate.  But today we finally had her birthday party and she had the best day!   I will always remember her sweet little face looking up at me and saying "Gabba-gail's party"!  
  

I can't believe how much she has grown and changed in the last twelve months.  Last year on her birthday, she wasn't even walking.  Now she is running, climbing, singing, dancing, and spinning in her tutu. 

There is something magical about watching your child experience things for the first time, and Abigail had a lot of firsts this year.  She went down the slide for the first time.  She learned to say her name.  She recognized the animals at the zoo and called them by name.  She discovered how much she loves baby dolls.  She saw Christmas lights and learned about Jesus!  She had a fabulous year.  Here are a few things I want to remember about Abigail at two years old:

* She picks out her clothes and shoes 
* She calls pancakes "cake-cakes" and muffins "puffins" 
* She reaches to us and says "Get you" which means pick me up.  I think this came from Mike chasing her and saying I'm going to get you. Adorable. 
* She loves her MDO and starts dancing in the carseat when we pull in the parking lot 
* The Chica Show and Super Why are her favorite television shows 
* She can climb up on our bed and get down by herself 
* Her favorite foods are smoothies, pancakes, muffins, and Chic-Fil-A chicken.
* She loves her purses, hairbows, and shoes
* She loves playing in her kitchen and with her basketball goal (my girl!)
* She loves our worship leader Josh and thinks he sings all the songs on the radio (in her defense, he does sound a bit like Chris Tomlin!)
* She became a big sister and loves Violet! 

Here's a quick look at a few of the details from Abigail's birthday party!  I love a house full of people and an excuse to make cute banners!!  

I printed my favorite Instagram prints using the Kanvas app.  I was really pleased with how they turned out and I think I will use this app again.  I didn't have a specific theme for Abigail's party this year, but I tried to pick things that she loves and recognizes.  

I am so grateful that Dee Dee made all of her cupcakes.  They were delicious!  I'm also thankful to all of our friends that came over to play.  This is where the action happened.  Have I mentioned how much I love our bonus room?

Happy birthday sweet Abigail Elizabeth.  You are such a blessing and I thank God everyday that he allows me to be your mommy.  

Two Years Old

Another Favorite! {Blueberry Flaxseed Muffins}

I promised I would share my other favorite muffin recipe with you and here it is!  If you are on Pinterest, I have the original recipe pinned there and I have substituted things to make it a little cleaner.  These are also toddler and husband approved! Abigail is a tiny little girl, so I have to get creative in finding ways to give her good fats and healthy calories.  Hope you enjoy these!  Please keep sharing your favorite recipes too! 

Preheat your oven to 375.  Add all ingredients except blueberries to your food processor or mixer.  Mix and then fold blueberries in.  Oil your tin with coconut oil.  Bake for 18 minutes and enjoy! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/4 cups almond flour
• 1 1/2 cups oats (Costco)
• 1/3 cup organic flaxseed meal (Costco)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• (6 oz)organic greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup organic Maple Syrup (Costco)
• 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil (Costco)
• 1 large egg (I have substituted a banana and they held well)
• 1 cup organic blueberries, fresh or frozen (Costco)
  

Applesauce Muffins

I love Pinterest.  I love being inspired by pretty pictures and taking risks to be creative with DIY projects.  I have been inspired by many of my own friends and so when I find something good, I want to share it!  

And so we have the applesauce muffin!  I tweaked a recipe that I found and this has quickly become a staple in our home.  Abigail will ask for these and as small as she is, she can eat three or four at one time.  Since they are loaded with fruit, coconut oil, and flax seed, I hand them over with a smile.  Winning!

I should mention that I am by no means vegan or gluten free.  I try to help my family stick to an 80/20 rule.  You will absolutely see me out eating pizza or enjoying my favorite doughnut from time to time, but I try to aim for clean eating the majority of the time.  So here is the recipe.  Tweak it to your liking and I hope you have a happy toddler as well!  I should also mention that you can find ground organic flaxseed, organic applesauce, and organic coconut oil in bulk at Costco.  

Preheat your oven to 350.  Mix all ingredients (I use my Ninja processor) and scoop into your oiled muffin tin.  Bake for 25 min.  This recipe will make 12. Keep in the refrigerator after baking. 

• 1 heaping cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 banana
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 2 cups flour (I use 1 cup oat flour and 1/2 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup ground flax seed )
  
• 1/4 cup organic sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 cup raisins (optional; I leave them out)

Violet ~ 2 months old

Two months ago I held this sweet baby for the first time.  She has filled my heart and my arms with so much love and I am grateful that the Lord gave her to me!  In the last few weeks she has really started to wake up and notice her little world.  She smiles while she watches her mobile and she really loves that left hand! 

Life with two little people is not as scary as I thought it would be.  Lucky for us, Abigail loves being a big sister and Violet is a very easy baby.  I feel like we are adjusting well and finding our new rhythm.  I'm sure it's time for these girls to mix it up and keep us on our toes! Until then, I am going to enjoy a few peaceful moments sipping my coffee and looking at this sweet face. I love her little double chin!

I have four more weeks of maternity leave before I go back to work and it's a good thing I love my job because leaving this little girl at home is going to bring a few tears.  

Here is what Violet is doing at two months old:
* Weighs 10lbs ( 50% height, 25% weight )
* Starting to coo and make silly sounds
* Sleeping good and only getting up once at night
* Hating tummy time.  Miller is there to supervise of course
* Survived having her sister toss a blanket, a rattle, and a cabbage patch doll on top of her while she tried to sleep...swaddled of course.  
* Loves being in the Balboa ring sling (I will use my ergo when she gets a little bigger, but the sling has been great and I like it better than my mobi wrap. I don't have to keep adjusting it to keep her snug)
* She follows Mike's voice with her head every time he comes in the room.  Precious!
* She is tolerating her bath, but not sure if she wants to smile or scream just yet

It's hard to believe eight weeks has gone by so fast.  Thankfully, I learned with Abigail that every stage is my "favorite" so as I pack up her newborn clothes this weekend and bring out all my three month boxes, I will try to console myself with that reminder!  

Violet Anne, you are already adored by so many!  Your big sister is such a Daddy's girl so you just remember you are a Mama's girl!!! At least for now of course...