Another Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

I LOVE it when people nearly give away good stuff!  I found these on a yard-sale site for $25.  Great chairs, but just needed a little TLC.  Nothing a can (or two) of spray paint can't fix!

I forgot a total before picture.  I did sand these down a bit.  The one on the left is pre-paint.  

And now here they are!  I have some fabric I found on the clearance rack at JoAnn's that I'm going to try to make some cushions for them with.  I just need some foam and I'll get right on it!

April 14, 2007

 On April 14, 2007 I was nervous, anxious, excited, and ready.  I knew from the first date with James that I was going to marry him.  Well, at least I knew he was the kind of man I wanted to marry.  Since that day, we've lived in five houses (including our first apartment), lived in three cities and states, and have had two beautiful little boys.

To celebrate our FIFTH wedding anniversary, I'd like to share my five most favorite things about this man:

1.  He is who he says he is.  He does what he says he's going to do.  He lives his beliefs.  He is the same man on Friday nights that he is on Sunday morning.  It makes it sooo easy to trust him.

James 1:22-25: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

2.  Everyday for the past 5 years, I've had a goodbye kiss in the morning.  Whether I'm sleeping, snoring, or groggily awake, he kisses me regardless.  I love that. 

3. He faces trials with grace and dignity.  He lives Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails."

James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

4.  I have to come to love his quiet demeanor.  His silence used to drive me bonkers, but now, it's one of my favorite qualities about him.  He thinks about everything he is going to say.  He never uses his tongue to harm anyone.  Never.  He is slow to anger and chooses his words wisely even in arguments. 

James 1:19-21 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

5.  He loves me for me. Not for what I do. Beyond my mistakes, my mess-ups, and my failures.  He just loves me.  Even when I'm humongous and pregnant, he still tells me I'm beautiful and means it.  He tells me all the time that I don't need make-up.  I think he's crazy, but he just loves me.  And I love that!

I would follow this man to the end of the Earth if he asked me to.  I trust his direction for our family and absolutely can not wait to melt back into his arms. I am so thankful for the past 5 years and can't wait to turn it into 50!  Happy Anniversary to the most amazing man I have ever known!

I love you James Killian!

Through Connor's Eyes

Every day this week, Connor has jumped out of bed shouting "Mommy, Mommy, it's Easter time!"  He says it like he's saying it's Spring, Summer, Fall and sometimes does lump it all in there.

I've caught myself correcting him a few times, because I didn't want him to get confused on real seasons, like Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter or for fear that he might find out I am totally unprepared to dye Easter eggs, hide said Easter eggs, decorate or fill an Easter basket or trudge through lines to visit the Easter bunny.

I've thought a lot and prayed over how to handle holidays.  By choice, I don't talk about the Easter bunny because well, there is nothing (at least that I know of ) about the Easter bunny that points to Jesus.  At least for Christmas, St Nicholas was an actual Christian who delivered gifts to needy children.  That I can swallow.  But there is something about the Easter bunny that I can't.

Then it hit me.  Easter IS a season. I mean duh, it starts with Lent!  And for Connor, there is so much JOY in celebrating the life of our Savior. 

Every day this week, I've had a clear moment to share the story of Jesus' journey to the cross.  My feet were really, really dirty one night and I got to tell Connor the story of how Jesus washed the disciples feet.  While he was in the bath tub, I stuck my feet in, and proceeded to wash all of our feet as the story unfolded.

Today as I caught myself telling Connor "It is NOT EASTER YET!"  I was able to tell him the story of Good Friday and about how Jesus died on the cross. While we played in the garage, we brought out the scrap wood and built the cross.  We talked about how much it hurt, where the nailes were placed and why He had to do it.

As we were dying eggs, I had to remind myself that the eggs we were dying didn't have to be perfect.  They could be cracked, broken, or discolored.  In Connor's eyes, they were his masterpiece and they are beautiful. We too are broken and scarred, but we are God's masterpiece and in Him we are made perfect. 

Tomorrow, I am sure I will have a moment to reflect on the sadness his disciples and Mary felt as Jesus was buried in the tomb.  And on Sunday, we will get to SHOUT FOR JOY as we celebrate Jesus who rose from the dead! 

In Connor's eyes, it is simple.  There is no need for fluff.  There is no need for extras.  There is a need to wake up every morning shouting "It's Easter Time, It's Easter Time!"