these are a few of my favorite things (living room transformation).

Yessss, we get to finally knock a project off of our list of things for the condo.   The laminate flooring we put in completely opens up the room!  I am pleasantly excited about our living room.  Here are the BEFORE pics of what it looked like when we moved in, what it looked like after we painted a bit (midway) and what it looks like NOW--finished!  (The lighting is terrible).

Final Product:

 

 

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These are a few of my Favorite Things:

1.

This is on our dining room table, and they are lyrics to the song we danced to in our wedding, a song that brings a lot of meaning to us-- "You Make it Real" by James Morrison.

All I did was get a piece of wood, a wood heart, paint, glitter and adhesive paper flowers to make this. I ended up not using the paper above.  It took very little time and was simple to make, but I love the warmth it brings to the table.

2. 

 

This was my very first real painting.  I had a friend, a professional artist, help me create this look with paint that I bought that I felt would go with the room famously.  It brings so much character to our condo and every time we have people come over, it's the center of attention.

3. 

 

I don't know what I love about this little corner the most:  the birdcage clipboard with special photos on it, the candle holders I got at a garage sale for 50 cents, the fabulously fun curtain covering the window looking at our porch, or the blue photo frame with a tree decal I stuck on.  It may sound silly, but these all are special pieces to me.

4. 

My grandma took a photo from our honeymoon and turned it into a painting.  Two years ago when we came to Colorado, she surprised us with this.  I just love it.

5. 

This coffee table is the only plain object in this room.  I always contemplate on whether I should paint it or not, but for now I like it white.  I love the simple touches you can add to a plain coffee table like a table runner, candles, and baskets used as storage bins.

6.

 

I love love love love pillows.  You can do so much with them.

The one in the front is my favorite pillow and was $15.00 at Pier 1, and the one in the back was from a garage sale.  I think I paid $1 for it.

7. 

This mirror is the bomb (is that a cool word anymore?).  I got it at, yes, a garage sale-- and it was only $13!  I'm telling you, that's where you find real treasures.  The woman who sold it to me said, "This mirror brings good vibes to your room" and she was very correct.

So, there are a few of my favorite things.

Thanks for checking it out!

the journey.

Every day is a step in the journey.
The journey is the life God has planned for you
and you must live it out.

Sometimes this is an easy quest and it isn't hard to pick up your feet and follow the path, but other times it's the opposite and your feet are heavy and your soul is weary.

My husband and I have been through a lot of both just this year alone.  There have been trials we have faced, and tremendous joy.  We've been so blessed in the midst of everything, yet there are moments I wish we could have taken back, or done differently.

But that's the journey for you.  You don't get to choose the elements you face.
And every day is a test.  You have to take each day with a step of faith, because it's more than you can handle on your own.  You aren't suppose to take on the burdens of this world by yourself.

I'm so thankful that I've known Jesus since such a young age.  I have messed up so much, my hands are anything but clean...but he died for me and all my mistakes.  He took the place on a cross when I should have been there.

We're undeserving.  We're imperfect.  We're broken.  We're reckless.  We're lost.  We're human.

But with Him, we are more than conquerors (romans 8:37).
That's something to get excited about.
Now, thank Him for taking your place, and abandon your fears.
Move forward with confidence.
We are meant to live for SO much more.

We're warriors.  We're strong.  We're unbeatable.  We're found.  We're deeply love.  We're children of God.