A different week of sorts

This past week has been a different week in our home filled with a lot of firsts for Dennis and I.

I'm sleeping a little less soundly
Cleaning up a few more messes...
and spending what used to be clothing money on medical care for this little guy...

It's true.

We are the proud (and slightly anxious) owners of a dog.

Meet Milo (pronounced Me-lo).  He is a 3 year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  A few weeks ago he was rescued from a commercial breeder and one week ago he was entrusted to us.

This could be a stretch, but we feel like this week has prepared us more for children than any other experience of our marriage.  It has forced us to consider something other than ourselves when making plans, which will continue to stretch us.

And because it must be said, we are oh-so-thankful for our small network of "doggy parents" who check-in daily offering encouragement, advice, and expertise.

What a difference one week can make.  Our little family of 2 growing to a family of 3. 



 

What I do when the Mr. is away

While the Mr. was traveling for work last week, I decided it was time to catch up on some house projects I've had on my list for awhile.  My goal was to spend as little money as possible and use some things that were stashed away in the guest room closet.  Just a quick trip to Home Goods & Depot and I was ready to get started.

Project #1: Chalkboard

I started with a set of wall prints that were on their way to Goodwill...

Bought a can of chalkboard paint for $9.99...

And rolled away...

2 coats later, and I have the perfect chalkboard to jot down reminders, notes, and grocery lists

Project #2: Frame makeover

About 9 months ago, I bought some Vintage Dictionary Art off Etsy and had been looking for the perfect frames to hang them in.  I couldn't find any matted frames in the right color for the right price so decided to create my own.

Thanks to the clearance shelf at Home Goods, I scored a set of matted frames for $18

Before painting them, I sanded down the wood to give the frames a distressed look

I used some leftover blue paint I found in the basement and brushed one coat on before lightly sanding again...

Viola!  I love how these turned out- a great addition to the guest room

I have one other project up my sleeve that I'll be finishing this week and will post pictures soon!  Hope you had a lovely weekend friends!

Wednesdays

Every Wednesday morning at 9:00 am I meet with a group of young moms and teach a parenting class.  The irony of this (ME teaching a parenting class) is almost more than I can handle but it's turned out to be one of the highlights of each week.  What started as a "how to" class has evolved into a conversation of sorts, in which we talk about where they have come from and how their culture, family, and history has shaped them to be the women they are.  And what began as me doing a lot of talking has transitioned to me asking a lot of questions.  In doing so, I have the privilege of hearing their dreams and fears and questions that have sometimes never been spoken. 

Their courage and strength is beautiful, and I often wonder if I would have the same amount of courage to leave everything familiar- my family, my language, my HOME-- in pursuit of a better life for my children.  These women, more than anyone, have given me the clearest picture of a parent's sacrificial love.  I always tell them that even though I am the teacher, I learn much more from them than they could ever learn from me.        

I love these women.  And it's our times together that get my wheels churning and my heart dreaming for the future.  Funny how something like a parenting class (that I never wanted to teach in the first place) has been a vehicle for growth and a tool in helping me realize my own strengths and passions.  So although I cannot {and should not} be an authoritative voice on discipline or potty-training, I can give them a voice to share their stories, in a way that {hopefully} empowers them to be the women and mothers they dream of.