Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

First, thank you so much for your heartfelt prayers and good wishes for Nickie. She is still in critical condition in the ICU but her vital signs are improving and they have determined the bacteria responsible for her pneumonia so they can better treat it. She still needs your prayers for recovery. I am blessed and amazed at what a loving community I have found here that will stop and pray for someone they do not know. THANK YOU!

Secondly, thank you so much for all of the encouragement on my Lenten sacrifice. It was moving to read how others struggle with the same addiction and how people deal with it. My sister, Dawn even called to check on me when she read I was giving up shopping! He he! That is one of our favorite things to do together! I have already entered the "no shopping" zone mentally and even returned a few things yesterday that I felt like I really did not need.

See these adorable plates and trays? I had bought several of these and some other pieces for Kate's birthday party. However, I realized it was wasteful and unnecessary and I returned them! They are cute though, aren't they?

Finally, I want to thank two people who have sent me lovely things recently. I participated in the Pink Swap that Hopsy hosts this year. My swap partner was Jenny and she sent me such a fabulous package. My photos of it are terrible because I was cooking dinner, corralling kids and it was DARK and rainy. Plus, I was dying to dig into it and really look at all my goodies.

Jenny included such fabulous pink items. She sent me monogrammed notecards and stickers from here, fun personalized pink pencils, a delicious candle from Nest (love those), a fun LuLu Guinness book, a monogrammed kitchen towel, a pink pig bath mitt for Kate, Essie nail polish and more. I am delighted to have "met" Jenny through this swap. She seems so thoughtful and fun! Her blog is fabulous too.

Also, in the last swap I was paired with Norah ("Ruby's Fairy Godmother"). Actually, I missed the swap registration so Norah graciously offered to parnter up with me. We exchanged packages last Fall and struck up a really nice friendship. A few weeks ago, out of the blue I received a package (don't you LOVE when that happens?). Norah sent me a fabulous prayer journal. What I love about this prayer journal is that is has sections labeled Praise, Ask, Listen (to write down how God is speaking to you), Thank, Change (sharing our journey), and Love (prayers for relationships). It is making me pray in a better and different way. Thank you Norah!!!

Finally, Sweet, sweet Bevy has awarded me the Sunshine award. If you have not visited her blog, I encourage you to do so. She is so positive and inspiring.

The Sunshine Award is given to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world. Thanks you Bevy! That made my day!!!! I am such a rule breaker when it comes to these awards and I think everyone on my sidebar is positive and creative, so y'all get the Sunshine Award! Spread it around.

A friend of mine really needs some prayers. She is a Mom of three young boys and she is in ICU right now with double pneumonia. She is in critical but stable condition. My friend, Nickie is an otherwise very healthy and very busy Mom. Please lift her up in prayer as she has not been improving. Thank you so much. I will let you know as her condition improves.

Hello. My name is Kim and I am a shopaholic.

Yes, It is true. I have a real problem. I shop too much. I know you're all shocked, right?Luckily, this problem has not caused any significant problems such as credit card debt or damage to personal relationships (although Dave might argue these points a tad). But, I am probably teetering on the edge. I really like nice things but I DO know they are not what is important in life.

So this year,

I am giving up shopping for Lent!

That is right. I will not buy any bathing suits or cosmetics or cute little smocked dresses or Matilda Jane! No more Etsy or Zapppos! I will not be buying things for the house!!!! The only things I am allowed to buy are food and things like deodorant, cotton balls, etc. if we run out! I usually buy one bunch of grocery store flowers a week and that is going to be allowed. Someone (my friend, Denise) asked me if that means no Starbucks. I put Starbucks in the "eating out" category rather than the actual shopping category...so yes I can grab a Starbucks! Friends, this is going to be HARD. If you know me at all, you know that I probably buy some thing almost every single day. Like I said, I have a problem.

But, I am kind of excited for the challenge too. I am doing two Bible studies and reading The Purpose Driven Life so I have plenty of things to do with my extra time. Also, my friend, Diana will be traveling to China to get Sienna Grace and I will be posting to her blog. I had thought of giving up blogging (like I did 2 years ago) but could not do that while one of my best friends is in China!!!

I am also going to be doing some DIY projects around here that do not include purchases at this time (some things have already been purchased but I have done nothing with them).

In contemplating what to give up for Lent this year, I reflected on what gets in the way of my relationship with God (the computer, telephone etc). And shopping definitely does that. It puts my focus on the material world rather than where it should be. Then, last week in my Bible study, we read this scripture and I knew this what what I had to do...

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15-17

You do not have to be Catholic to do something to bring you closer to God for Lent. I would love to know if you plan to do something or give something up. It is supposed to be something that might not be realistic to give up forever (like shopping) but is doable and feels like a sacrifice for 40 days. I think I can do this for 40 days (February 17th -April 4th). I might need some support from y'all though.

Since Lent has not started yet, I did go to the Urban Market today and I found some goodies for the house...this lamp is one of them. Luckily, the next Urban Market is in May:) See, I am so weak.

Friday Finds~Bathing Suits

Okay, I have a little obssession with Kate's bathing suits. I have already purchased 6 suits for the 2010 season. I always have been that way though. Remember these?

Summer 2007

I LOVE Kate Mack bathing suits and usually buy Kate one or two a year. Remember this one?

Kate and Ruby~2008

I loved it and apparently everyone else did too because now there are copies everywhere. The original (which Kate wore for 2 years!) was pretty expensive at $58.

But this year several retailers are offering a similar look for less.

Janie and Jack has one for $32 and it is pretty darned cute. The color is a beautiful coral.

Target has a knock off for $9.99! It is cute too.

But I think the best one out there is from Old Navy...

It is only $16.50!

The pink is a little brighter than the original Kate Mack but it is adorable and it complements Kate's skin really well.

In addition to the Kate Mack suits, I usually buy Kate Emerson a few less expensive suits as well. This year I have found two others at Old Navy that I also love. Apparently, Old Navy has these on SALE right now (of course, right after I bought them). Thank you for telling us Denise and Mandi!

$14.50!

How cute is this bikini? Also, only $14.50!

And these darling cover-ups are also only $14.50!

You can find more "Friday Finds" here or add your own!

One of the reasons Kate has so many bathing suits is that we swim almost every day in the summer and we swim a lot longer year round here.

The layered look

Traditionally, I think I have always been drawn to a clean and more edited look in my decorating. In fact, I remember a visitor to our home commenting once on how I must like the "minimalist look." It was years ago and I actually felt a little insulted until I realized he was right. I haven't usually liked a lot of visual clutter. The images below have appealed to me because their light and clean look....

However, lately I am finding myself craving a much more cozy, layered look. I am currently looking for inspiration for two decorating projects this year (a sitting room and Kate's room). And I am finding myself drawn to a more cluttered (for me) and layered look....

Jane Coslick Design

This one REALLY has me wanting to hang our pots in our kitchen but I am not sure Dave will agree to drilling holes into our marble backsplash. What do you think, honey?

I actually blame Nancy Meyers for this change in my style. Her movie sets really make the layered look so appealing....

The kitchen from It's Complicated.

There are the pots again...really I LOVE that look!


Living Room~It's Complicated

The Holiday

And of course...Something's Gotta Give

Just to be fair, she does feature the clean sleek look in the Holiday too (see below).

Oh how I love those black steel french doors!!!

So, I am having mixed feelings about my decorating style lately. That is not like me, usually I know what I like and I choose easily. This is making it hard to pick things out and make decisions. Luckily, these projects are going to have to be done slowly due to something coming up soon (I will explain). How about you, are you the clean and edited type or the layered and cozy type?

I sincerely apologize for not crediting these photos. I have collected them over time in a personal file for my own design inspiration and I did not label them. I have learned a lesson and will always label the source from now on.

Black and White Wednesday~Scout

Lisa hosts Black and White Wednesday each week. I have wanted to participate for a few weeks but Wednesdays are hard for me to post for some reason. Yesterday, Dave had to go to urgent care and was on crutches for a badly injured foot (another Judo injury) and today Harry is extremely ill with constant pukes (fun, huh?) So, I am stuck home and decided to convert a photo of our wonderful dog, Scout. She is a schnoodle and we love her. You can see more B&W Wednesday here.

P.S. If anyone had any suggestions for how to keep Harry hydrated, I would welcome them. He is even vomiting small sips of water. Poor kid has had two recent bouts with strep throat and now this. Why do my kids get sick so much? We eat so healthy and take good supplements and wash our hands constantly!

This little light of mine~Kate's 3rd Referral Anniversary

Three years ago toady, we waited for the call. I was so impatient that I ended up making the call but that is another story.

Three years ago we fell in love with this little photo....

We laughed at how they had you out in traffic for your referral photo. And we were amazed at how big you were for your age (only 6 months old here)!

Today, I think of the Mother that carried you for nine months and gave you life. I thank her. I think of the Mother who raised you for 10 months in her home, you foster Mother. I am so appreciative of the love she showed you. I pray that they both have peace in their hearts knowing that you are loved beyond measure. I may never really know the story of exactly how you came to us, Kate but I believe that God always intended for you to be in our family.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

February 1st 2008

February 1st 2009

Today~February 1st 2010

Your new "favorite song" is this little light of mine and you wanted to sing it for me....

Don't you love how she says "Santa" instead of Satan?"

Kate you are a HUGE light in our lives. We love you!!!

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor touched...but are felt in the heart.

~Helen Keller