All is Well

This morning I awoke to a choral and orchestral arrangement playing on my alarm clock. It was from a 1980's era Christmas album by Michael W. Smith (and by the way, that CD has been in my clock since last Christmas - I just don't use the CD player ever).

All is well, all is well
Lift up your voice and sing!
Born is now Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia
Sing Alleluia
All is well!

What a basis for my joy! A solid bedrock for settled, determined joy! All is well for Christ has come. My sins are washed clean. My eternity is settled forever with Him. He tore the veil. He made a way for me to come with boldness before Him. He made the perfect, full sacrifice once for all people for all time.

My joy - when I'm focused on truth and when I'm thinking rather than just reacting - does not depend on the day's circumstances. It's not about what I accomplish or how my boys behave or how potty training goes today. All is well, for Christ has come. And He is coming again in righteousness to set all things right.

Sing Alleluia! All is well!

Our New Big Adventure

Yesterday my Wyatt was tiny.

There was a whole lot of crazy hair under that hat, and his worst cry was a wimper (compared to his little brother).

Today he's "big."

And tomorrow (unless it was a day like today) we start a big adventure. Potty training. Because I think he's ready. I'm thankful I'm loved by a gracious God who gives strength because I know myself. And I'm thankful for sweet mamas who have done this before and share their wealth of wisdom and prayers with me.

Let the adventure begin!

Good will for Goodwill

Wednesday my mom gifted me with a clean family room. Well, she gifted me with a whole day of childcare while I cleaned the family room. It. was. wonderful. Over the weekend Randy had finished sheetrocking the fireplace, we painted the ceiling and trim, and top to bottom deep cleaning could commence. By the end of the day the curtains were washed, the walls were wiped, etc. etc. AND the furniture was moved back in. Yay.

In the middle of the day I needed a little break, so I ran to Goodwill in search of a pair of lamps. I found several pairs, all in lovely shades of cream and gold or brass. I just wasn't sure if any of them were right, so I ran to Lowe's in search of lampshades. I found them. Two of the prettiest lampshades that said, "Take us home!" They came with me. And so did a can of Valspar's Mediterranean Blue spray paint. Back at Goodwill, I took a lampshade in to test it on the lamps I found. I loved them on one pair - the cheapest pair. I picked them up for $3.50 a piece.

Check out these beauties!

Here they are in their blue glory flanking my green couch.

This is my pillow fabric, partially cut and waiting for me.

An close up shot of my new favorites.

The lampshades weren't cheap - $20 each. And one of the lamps needed a new cord at $8. All told I spent about $58 on the lamps, so it wasn't the cheapest thrifting project ever, but considering a new lamp would have cost $60 I guess I got a two for one deal. But I love it!