When did I forget?

I'm forgetful.  Really, really forgetful.  Said forgetfulness causes much strife in my life...I'm constantly having to run back inside to try to remember where I left my phone...or my water bottle...or my coffee...or whatever it is that I can't live without, but simultaneously can't seem to keep up with.  But it's in the moments that I forget who God is and what he's done...that I'm met with the most strife.  

Recently we've had a lot of change.  Changing states and homes and jobs and schools and churches and gyms...adding pets...and MORE.  I wish I could say that I've done it gracefully, but honestly I've been anxious.  Anxious might not be a big enough word.  Panic stricken?  Apprehensive?  None of these seem to be descriptive enough.  

I was having a particularly anxiety filled day yesterday.  Let me tell you, I'm not always super pleasant to be around when I'm feeling anxious...truth be told, I can be a quite a turd. (My husband chuckled when he read that over my shoulder...it occurs to me that "turd" probably isn't the descriptor he might have chosen).  The alarm raged at 6:00 am and life was non-stop until 9:00 pm when there was FINALLY an end to this seemingly never-ending day in sight.  We were on our way home from youth group and Natalie Grant's, King of the World, came on the radio.  As I was driving, wishing the minutes in the car away, wanting nothing more than to be home where I could collapse into my bed, the lyrics played on..."When did I forget that you've always been the King of the World?...You will always be the King of the World."  The question wouldn't leave me. When did I forget?  The truth is I forget over and over and over again.  Why can't I just remember?  

Here's what I know: it's in these moments of forgetfulness that I become filled up with anxiety.  When I forget all that God has already done...all the many, many prayers that he has already answered so specifically...that is when I'm anxious.  The key to not being anxious is remembering.  Remembering what he's done.  Remembering the home he gave me, the neighbor he put right next door, the friend he provided for my son, the way he provided the extra space that was needed, the way he formed my family...I could go on and on an on. Remembering what he's done...remembering who he is...remembering who he will always be...that is the key to doing these hard parts gracefully.  But when I forget...I'm grateful that the God who was and is and will always be King of the World, loves me anyway.  

(And I'm grateful for friends who remind me too.)

King of the WorldNatalie Grant

I tried to fit you in the walls inside my mind
I try to keep you safely in between the lines
I try to put you in the box that I've designed
I try to pull you down so we are eye to eye

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you're the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world

Just a whisper of your voice can tame the seas
So who am I to try to take the lead
Still I run ahead and think I'm strong enough
When you're the one who made me from the dust

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you're the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world

Oh, you set it all in motion
Every single moment
You brought it all to me
And you're holding on to me

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you're the one who holds it all
When did I forget you've always been the king of the world
You will always be the king of the world

Written by Becca Mizell, Natalie Grant, Samuel Mizell • Copyright © Music Services, Inc, BMG Rights Management US, LLC

My thrift store junk...ahem, treasure...

My name is Jeanette, and I am a thrift store junkie.  Recently I've been in search of a cabinet with doors to store some of our home school stuff.  But being that our home school room is minuscule , the cabinet had to meet very strict size requirements.  I have been searching thrift store, retailers, and the web with no luck (unless I wanted to pay $400 for a tiny cabinet from Pottery Barn, which I didn't).  But then I ran across this "gem" in ARC...

I know what you're thinking...piece of junk, right?!  Yeah, trust me, that's what I was thinking too.  It was worse in person.  The shelves were missing, the card board back was falling apart, it was extremely un-sturdy, not to mention HIDEOUS.  So of course, for $19.99 I made it mine.  

I primed it...

I painted the inside yellow & the outside white...

I added shelves, bead board, paintable wallpaper, and new hardware...

And, TA-DA!  A cabinet to hide our not so sightly home school books (at least some of them)...

And let me state that the paintable wallpaper was my original idea.  But it turns out it was original to more people than just me, as there are paintable wallpaper furniture projects all over Pinterest!  Oh well, obviously I have awesome ideas!  

Stay tuned...I have more projects.  An antique dresser to upcycle for  our entryway and a coffee table that needs a new oak top.  More furniture blogs to come.  Yay!

Hawaii: Week 3

Day 15:

Another day at the beach.

A man kept bringing the kids baby fish he caught with his hands!  He even caught a baby balloon fish.  It was pretty cool and the kids loved it!  This is Isaac & Avonleigh looking at the fishies in their bucket.

Beach life makes me happy.

Day16:

Today was our last full day at the cabin.  We went to the beach morning, afternoon, and evening.  Lot's of fun and memories.  Here are some photos from the day:

Burying Mommy in the sand.

Who needs a swim suit when you can go in the water in your clothes and undies.
This photo has captured DISOBEDIENCE.

Day 17:

This morning we watched the dolphins play, so much fun!

In other new from today, someone broke into Denyelle's car last night.  She went out to start loading the car this morning and the glove box was emptied out into the floorboard, Cali's backpack was dumped all over the floor, and the seats had been moved.  Nothing was missing though (because there was nothing of value in the car).  We're just grateful they picked the car to break into an not our cabin!

Once we got home, we just spent the day relaxing.

Here are some pictures of the dolphins playing:

Day 18:

We went to Ko Olina today.  Really loved it there, great beach for the kids!

These kids were terrified of the water before spending a little time in Hawaii!

My little snorkeler

Dan Boy

Sweet Girls

Busy baby!

Let me start by saying that I have owned an iPhone for more than 3 years and I have never broken one.  But there is a first time for everything...when I was loading stuff in the car I dropped Denyelle's iPhone.  So we spent the rest of the evening at the Apple store so I could replace it for her.  And I do mean the rest of the evening!  I broke it on the day that the iPhone 5 released.  I'm awesome like that.  It was a madhouse in there!!!

Day 19:

Today we did nothing.  Unless you count watching movies as something.  After so many days at the beach it was great to have a down day.  



Day 20: 

Our last full day in Hawaii!  Sadness!  This morning we made it to the early church service (on time) with 5 kids in tow (impressive, I know).  And this afternoon we went to the Swap Meet so that we could grab some souvenirs.  Then we swung by the airport to pick up Nonna (Danny's mom).  And she is so sweet, after flying all day she offered to watch all 5 kids so that Denyelle and I could actually make it to a lū'au!  Thank you Mrs. Donna!  

Just a disclaimer (for my mom) the tattoo is fake.  They do them at the lū'au.  ;) 

Day 21:

Sad day.  Full of packing, resting, and prepping for a red-eye flight back to Denver, and ultimately saying goodbye.  

Hugs for Dan Boy.

Avonleigh was very sad that Cali put herself to bed before it was time to say goodbye...

Kisses...

& hugs for her sweet friend.

Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.
- G. Randolf

As hard as it is to say goodbye, I am so grateful that God blessed us with this sweet time together!  

Hawaii: Week 2

Day 8:

Today's funny statement is awarded to Isaac.  When we got to the picture perfect pool in the Keslar's neighborhood, Isaac took a deep breath in, a long sigh out and said:  "Mommy, THIS IS THE LIFE." Isaac, I concur.

"THIS IS THE LIFE"

A few more photos:

I checked in on my kids and this is how I found them sleeping.  So sweet!

...& I'm allergic to something.  I'm thinking fresh pineapple.
I've had it before, but today I had it in mass quantity...hmmm.  =(

Day 9:

Pearl Harbor

Today Denyelle took all of the kids to the park so that I could see the Pearl Harbor Memorial in peace.  A big thank you to you, my friend!  I'm glad that I got a chance to see the memorial.  Because words just don't seem to be enough...here are some photos from my visit:

A small section of the names of those lost that day.

We are now in this war, We are all in it--all the way.
Every single man, woman and child is a partner in the
most tremendous undertaking of our American history.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, fireside chat, December 9, 1941

Acts of heroism that day were
many and not all recorded.
Gunner's Mate Third Class Alvin H. Bruene, USS Arizona

Why them and not me?
Ensign Paul H. Backus, USS Oklahoma

No matter how severely injured, we will fight for life.
Seaman Second Class, Everett Hyland, USS Pennsylvania

Few islanders went to bed that night...Outdoors there was silence...
Shortly before midnight, the moon began to rise, and a vivid lunar rainbow,
the old Hawaiian omen for victory, arched over the dark city.
Gwenfread Allen, author

Dear Lord/ Lest I continue/ My complacent way/ Help me to remember
Somehow out there/ A man died for me today./ As long as there be war
I then must/ Ask and answer/ Am I worth dying for?
Poem Eleanor Roosevelt kept in her wallet during World War

I will Never forget.
Radioman Third Class Warren Verhomm, USS Keosanqua

__________________________________________________________

After Pearl Harbor we treated the kids to Chuck E Cheese for lunch, then we drove up the East Coast which was absolutely breathtaking.  Here are some pictures from the drive:

Day 10:

Today was awesome.  Today I skydived from 14,000+ feet.  And now I'm addicted.  I thought that I would be really nervous about the actual getting out of the plane, but I wasn't.  It was so exhilarating!  I'm in love with it.  I don't think that was the last time that I'll jump out of a plane.  Nathan and I have already talked about skydiving in Colorado next summer.  Anybody want to join us??  In fact we're even considering going to skydiving school to get AFF certified.  Then we could budget a skydiving date once a month...how awesome would that be??  

Meeting my instructor, George.
He's teaching me what I need to do when we  jump out of the plane.

Being interview by my camera guy, Brandon.

Views from the plane right before we jumped.

I don't think there is a better way to see North Shore!

A litte bit of upside down fun!

AMAZING VIEW.

I have to admit...this is the one moment that I was scared.
(when the parachute went up).

Day 11:

Today we tried to go to the swap meet, but they weren't having it.  So we "ran by" Old Navy to grab some flip flops for the beach, but ended up coming home with shorts, shirts, & flip flops.  How does that happen?  Oh, and we had Starbucks (pumpkin spice latte & pumpkin bread).  And pastries.  And doughnuts.  And cookies.  There is no photo evidence of this though... =)

Day 12:

We checked into the cabin today!

Sunset from the porch of our cabin.

Day 14:

A few pictures throughout the day.  I'm so in awe of how beautifully and uniquely God paints the sky throughout every day.  

I'm especially in love with this beautiful view.

We've got two more full days left at the beach.  We're pretty much eating, sleeping, and going to the beach while we're here.  And enjoying every moment!  I'll leave you with a link to one of my old posts that I've been reminded of this week:  How Great is Our God?