Desk Makeover

I love taking old pieces of furniture and restoring them to a fresh new beauty. I love reviving them and restoring their purpose.

I have saved our family much money by simply taking pieces we already possess or those given to us and giving them a little loving. I have restored end tables, a vanity, Ellie's crib and bedroom suite, and as of this weekend, a desk.

This little desk was my husband's when he was a kid; and he has carted it with him all through life into adulthood from apartment to apartment and house to house. I nearly ditched it as we prepared to move into our newly built home; yet, I decided the desk may be able to serve our family again one day. Besides, it was not hurting anything to hold on to it.

This week in the new home, I have been piddling in the "Africa Room" putting it together. Some friends who read know about our Africa Room but for some background for those who are not sure what I am talking about: My husband and I took a mission trip back in 2014 to Uganda to help a team who provides villages with clean water. I had always felt called to Africa and God finally presented me the perfect opportunity to go and serve and love others in this beautiful country and continent, as well as to be touched by the lives of these people and their beauty. Eric and I fell in love with it all and bought many artifacts and paintings made by the people and brought them home to display them in what is considered for most homes, "the study." Our Africa Room serves a purpose as our library, craft room, and will be Ellie's homeschool room.

Speaking of homeschooling, we circle back to the desk. I had found her purpose and now she just needed a face-lift. I wanted to make her beautiful so that she could be Ellie's desk for homeschooling and crafts! Of course, the homeschooling portion will be quite a time from now.

I discovered restoring furniture with chalk paint and wax many years ago at a shop in downtown Greenville called Vintage Now Modern. There, I was provided the supplies I needed and an excellent lesson on how to get the best results from my piece. I was instructed on how to get a traditional finish or a distressed finish. While I love antiqued looks, my personal style for my own home is a traditional flair. Not overly fancy, comfortable, practical (especially with a near 2 year old running around), but beautiful. So, I redid the desk in the same way as I have done my other pieces in the past. I used Annie Sloan's Honfleur color of chalk paint, her black wax, and a creme wax finish. Then, I replaced the knobs. I am loving how this piece turned out. Now to add a chair!

Ellie's First Race

It's no secret I am so excited for the days Ellie will get to run races with me! She has rode in the stroller for a couple of races, now, but today, she sorta ran her own race!

Zoom Through The Zoo is one of my favorite races I run. This was my 3rd year running this race. (Side note: participants get a free guest pass for the zoo!) I love it because they have such a fun environment and great fun music. The shirts are excellent....shirts are a big deal to me in races Lol! And who doesn't love to run among wild animals?!

But the coolest part ever is they include a kid's fun run!! (.7 mile) Eeeekkk! Super exciting and adorable. 3 of Ellie's other little friends ran today too which made the event far more special! Go Nolan, Thomas, and Joanna! So proud of you sweet little friends! Rockstars!!

Lately, Ellie has actually taken a genuine interest in running! It makes my heart so happy. She always cheers me on and loves watching me run. And now, at home and on the playground she has started running a lot and as she does so, she chants happily, "Run run!!!" Smiling all the while. However, Ellie is still very timid to new things. Once introduced to an activity 2 or 3 times, it becomes second nature to her. Yet, the first time, she needs time and space to observe and understand. Naturally. I am the same way. So, as expected today, Ellie started off shy. We crossed the Start line with her in my arms. But not very long after our start, Ellie wanted down and she wanted to run! She took off like a baby cheetah....for a little while, then she was enjoying watching others run and began clapping for them and soon we were at the back. So, I scooped her up and ran up the hills for her with her in my arms, then right at the very end again, I put her down and we crossed the finish line holding hands. We finished just after Nolan and he was soooo proud of himself and he came back and got me and Ellie. So awesome! Ellie then got her medal, but not before she first saw her daddy and wanted him first as her prize. I can relate. After my first full marathon in Charleston, I collapsed crying into Eric's arms and he was all I wanted. The medal meant nothing but his love and smile and support were the world. (Still the case!) And so it would seem Ellie felt the same. She grabbed her daddy and he cheered her then sent her for her medal. I absolutely cannot wait for more of these moments in the future. I know that one day I will be busting my tail to keep up with Ellie! She and I are good for each other.

Then, as is now a little family tradition, Eric, Ellie, and I participated in the Zoo 5k. It is a mostly uphill race actually but because it is such a fun race it doesn't kill the motivation or joy. I pushed Ellie in the stroller and still finished under 30 minutes which I consider great when pushing ~45 lbs uphill in rain and a crowd of people! I always have to set my competitive self (with myself) to the side and remember it is about the family experience when racing together. Eric crossed shortly after us and we got to cheer him on!! Ellie saw her daddy cross, and smiled so big, pointed to him and said, "Dada, it's Dada!!" We had planned to attend Artisphere after with a change of clothes packed, yet the weather was too wet for our liking so we went home and napped hard! Happy lazy afternoon with my family! I am so proud of my family and excited for Ellie to keep up this activity with me! So long as it makes her happy!

Why Our Kindermusik Class is Tops

After a few months post-partum, I began to gain some confidence in my "momming" and I wanted to start putting Ellie into every adventure possible. I desire daily to offer her the best Eric and I can give her. The best for her joy, happiness, education, and childhood and enjoying that fleeting precious time of life. I believe Kindermusik held at Village Arts is one of the ways we provide these good things.

I saw an opportunity to send Ellie to a one day sampler with Kindermusik led by Rosalind Cross at her business called, Village Arts, last summer and I jumped on it. I unfortunately was unable to attend but my mom took Ellie to this first time event. My mom raved over how wonderful Mrs. Rosalind was and how Ellie enjoyed watching and observing. Ellie was filled with wonder and amusement the entire class. Ellie was in the baby class at this time and it is incredible to think how much has changed in nearly a year since having began the Kindermusik class.

So let me explain why it is our number one cannot live without class.

First,  our teacher, Mrs. Rosalind Cross is unlike anybody I have ever met. She is truly one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met but also she is very interesting and full of so much wonder. This characteristic makes her excellent for instructing itty bitties...they sense her wonderment, too. She does not hold back. She is so very loving and personable with the parents/grandparents/guardians and the children. I am always impressed how quickly she seems to pick up a child's name and their special characteristics. It is evident she truly loves each child regardless of anything at all. She is patient, compassionate, understanding, and a true leader. She loves the children as if they were each her own and that speaks volumes to me as she is loving on my child. I want my child to feel that sort of adoration from everyone she encounters. I know she won't; but, I am thankful we have found that in Mrs. Rosalind. she also pours into me as a young first time mother. When I signed Ellie up for her first round of summer classes last year, I remember I was super tense and nervous because Ellie wouldn't always do "exactly" what was being done in the class. Mrs. Rosalind very quickly reassured me. She calmed my nerves and she encouraged Ellie's exploration. She let Ellie be a major factor in where that class went while still staying on track of learning all the things that have helped Ellie to develop so strongly in character and education, already! She checks in on me as a mother and makes sure I am standing strong and confident and energized. Sometimes just making eye contact with her makes me feel like I am absorbing her own maternal love and it is super uplifting. She is truly the most gentle, funny, fun, and loving personality out there. I am thankful she is ours. She is really a treasure. She is 75% of my total devotion to our Kindermusik classes. She makes the difference in my child's life.

Secondly, Our Kindermusik class is Tops of all others offered because we are located in Mrs. Rosalind's beautiful new building space for her business, Village Arts. Here she encourages art in children, creativity, good messes, exploration, discovery, and socializing the children and teaching good "playground" manners. She also offers cookies, coffee, and tea on occasion which is kind of amazing. Her classroom is bright, colorful, and an environment the children feel safe and cozy in. They take it to themselves as a piece of home.

Third, these classes are in my opinion and through my observations of Ellie's growth and character are essential. Truly, essential. I would never not put any child of mine in Kindermusik at Village Arts. I will scrap for every penny if I have to to make sure Ellie is part of this incredible adventure in play and learning. She has learned so many life skills that sound small but are so huge. Anytime we ask Ellie to put things away, she respects that command through a song we have learned and she has never questioned it. She has learned so many songs, rhythms, instruments, ways to play with the most basic things ever. Like seriously, Kindermusik at Village Arts has truly shown me my child never needs toys. We can do so many things with the most basic househeld items. And honestly...the kids love these items she provides way better than any of the toys. She stretches their minds and the class molds their brains and creates new pathways and the repetition of the songs and dances has made such an impact on Ellie's conversation skills, her mobility, her fine motor skills.....like I truly could not say enough. I feel that this class has given us such an amazing start and I will keep Ellie involved until she ages out. She gets new books, CD's, and instruments each "Semester". Most of the games we play around the house stem from the ideas or concepts presented in the class and I can truly state I believe it has given Ellie a joyful, strong, and confident start to life. They also encourage cuddle and bonding time. But Village Arts' Kindermusik courses off of Laurens Road in Greenville are where it's at.

My only regret is that we didn't start as soon as she was born. These classes are a huge blessing to us.

Hike it Baby April 30 Challenge

Whew y'all! I am loaded up with challenges this year it seems! Haha! April, particularly. For April's Hike it Baby April 30 challenge, Ellie and I had no 0 days. Meaning we did not have one day in April where we did not get outside and play and hike or walk together. I love challenges. Oh man I am so driven by a challenge. That adrenaline pumps and my competitive soul thrives. I mostly just compete with me. I challenge me. And I love that. April was a perfect month of sunshine, warm weather, and beautiful scenic places to visit. We were even able to do a little swimming in the creeks of the waterfalls! We sunk our toes in sand, got covered in mud, climbed mountains, and explored new places. I even hiked 1 mile wearing two toddlers at once. Tandem carrying is no joke so to my mama friends who do this on the regular.....cheers. Y'all are beasts. I couldn't lift my arms.

Catawba Falls was a new one for us this month and it was super beautiful and special. I loved venturing out there to climb and explore. Moore Cove Falls was also a success this time. The last time I went there was almost a year prior with Ellie. She had just been placed in the structured carrier on my back versus riding up close to my chest snuggly and warm. That adventure ended in us running the entire trail back to the car to get a squawking Ellie home.....the running put her to sleep. This time though, she enjoyed watching the waterfall and stealing her friend's snacks. Bless.

I love HIB30 because while I am already determined and love to go outside and be active, the challenge gives me an extra boost of determination and desire and it gives me goals. I love accomplishing goals. I love having something to work towards. Sadly, HIB will only be doing two 30 challenges a year now instead of four. So, until fall, I will have to wait. You see, we also get super cool stickers when we achieve the challenge goal....so....it's pretty awesome. Just sayin'.

I am trying to get Ellie walking just a bit. She is one who lovessssss being snuggled up to mommy though and is far more contented to hold my shoulders and play with my hair than to walk. Fine by me. I like to move fast, anyway. But I will still continue to encourage her to try little by little. 

Women's Backpacking Weekend April 2019

When my friend, Tabitha Cooper brought to life the beautiful idea to go backpacking and presented us with a thoroughly planned opportunity, I had to jump on it. I LOVE camping and hiking and just being surrounded by the beauty God created. I also love the company of encouraging friends who I can just be raw with. It was a super big bonus that the location was one on my hiking bucket list. Laurel Fork Falls. An 80 foot waterfall that cascades into lake Jocassee.

The hiking with a loaded backpack was easier than carting Ellie around in my structured toddler carrier for hiking. My pack also didn't wobble around and demand milk. I had my own pack loaded and ready to go. Eric once carried a backpack to Europe when he was my age for his traveling (though he did not actually backpack through Europe, haha!) I took one of the two he owned and just as the crew was ready to load the packs into the truck and head out, mine broke! Perfect timing because if it had broken on the trail I would have been in some struggle for sure. Luckily, our trip was taken care of by a most wonderful establishment called Mountain Goat and they were able to immediately supply me with one of their packs. To give you a little insight on this company, Mountain Goat, it is most important to state that they are a huge blessing to the Greenville community. They are fairly new and beyond worth checking out for your daily coffee or tea or for grabbing a beer with a buddy. Here is what they are all about:

"Mountain Goat is a family-friendly cafe, bar and bike shop in Greenville, South Carolina. We are proudly located in the Poe Mill neighborhood and exist to build a community around our partner non-profit, GOAT (Great Outdoor Adventure Trips).

Whether you’re stopping in for a coffee on your way to the mountains or catching up over a beer on your way back, everyone who walks in the doors of Mountain Goat is helping to give the gift of the outdoors to at-risk kids all over the state of South Carolina."

The trip we took helped to support at risk children and give them a chance at a better future through the ministry of Mountain Goat and their beautiful work. Major bonus for me just doing something I love! Check them out. https://www.facebook.com/pg/mtngoatgvl/about/?ref=page_internal

This trip was so good for me. It gave me time to just be plain old Emily again. The Emily God created and no other roles attached (though I am SO thankful for my roles in life!) Sometimes it is really just good to discover yourself again as it can tend to get lost in serving others on a daily grind. I was able to be a little wild, a little quiet, a little daring, and a little reflective. I grew close relationships with women I have only met through this experience and to hear their stories and respect them.

My favorite parts were definitely making smores and eating our freeze dried meals around the campfire, relishing in what we accomplished that first day. I loved the views I got to take in and the overall experience of going somewhere new just an hour away from home that I have never seen before. I loved spending time with my friends and having one big sleepover.

I believe there is no better surrounding than being out in nature where it is quiet and raw.

We were all pretty cold at night because spring in the mountains means 50 degrees at night which is quite chilly...at least for me. I bet my Michigan husband would have loved it. But we all sorta snuggled up close and inside our sleeping bags and fell peacefully asleep in a perfectly dark place on top of a waterfall...the perfect natural sound machine. Lots of funny stories when waking up in the morning as we recounted our night. Not many of us slept because we were cold, or had to pee but were too cold to get out of the bags to go pee, etc. Personally, I wanted to sleep and knew I wouldn't if I were holding it in the remainder of the night. But my little headlamp was a dud and really was useless. I am blind without contacts.....like...really really near blind. My glasses Rx is like 15 years old and I merely use them as a bedside aid. So in the dark of the forest night, I ventured out into the woods to find a spot to ...well...go. Except I couldn't see. If a deer cam had been on me it would be hilarious I am sure. I walked into so many patches of things I knew were not where I should be so then I would back up and try another way but then there was a tree. After a few minutes of not being able to see a lick of anything I finally just decided that where I stood was good enough! Then as I crawled quietly back into my sleeping bag I peered out of the weak frames of my glasses into the woods and saw these glowing things....running....moving quickly...on the ground....NOT lightening bugs. Their lights were almost white fluorescent and they could turn on and off but mostly they just stayed on. Glowing and moving. Let's put it this way....so bright I could still see them without the glasses. I decided I would just close my eyes and go back to sleep. My friend Kristen said she saw it too and it was like eyes looking out! Hahaha!!

In the morning we slowly rose with the sun and packed and made breakfast over the fire. Most of us walked a mile and a half to see the bottom of the falls we had slept on top of. What a beautiful waterfall. So peaceful. We came back a shorter way making our hike a total of 15 miles. Then we went to Sassafrass mountain to the new lookout to see the view from the highest peak in South Carolina! Also very close to the camp spot and home. Then, us girls went for pizza in Pickens at Main Street Pizza and we ate like ravenous wolves. Exhausted, quiet, dirty, smokey, happy. The van ride back to Mountain goat was filled with all the stories of our wild births of our babies and the 3 poor girls that are not yet mamas....I hope we didn't change their minds about having babies in the future! Hahahaha! They were very quiet....oh but we laughed! Motherhood and sharing it with others is a necessity and a great blessing!

This trip was amazing and everything good. It allowed me to find the Emily that existed when it was just me. I mean, I still am that person but she gets put in a corner sometimes as I serve the needs of my family (which is a great honor and blessing I would never ever want to be without). I just felt like 20 year old me again. Going off and doing whatever I wanted on my own terms with no agenda or worry. I was free to relax and explore and free to breathe and be quiet if I wanted. I was free to do what I love doing. I cannot wait for another backpacking trip in the future. I surely missed my family before I ever fell asleep that night. Missing them actually hurts. I pine for them when I am away. But, it is also very good for myself to do these things. Plus, the greeting I got when I arrived home was so lovely and warm. Worth it every time!

Doing Life

We talk about how we can’t wait to “do life” with our significant other. We get the ring and we think about all the life ahead of us and how we get to do it together. We go in knowing hard times will come but we never consider what they could be or how long they could last. For me, “hard times” would be deaths or maybe job changes. I never imagined that sometimes huge blessings that God grants can come with hard times too. When I pictured “doing life” I pictured snuggling on the couch and not having to go home because I would already be home. I pictured vacations, adventures, dogs, cooking and food experiences, travel, and promotions. I pictured growing old and our hair turning white and our butts getting saggy together lol! But I never imagined that a season could last so long or be so hard even when it is really a blessing.

Right now, Eric and I are doing school. He is the one enrolled in courses and working full time and I am the cheerleader on the sidelines. Being a cheerleader for this college boy looks a lot like making sure he has food to keep him nourished, energized, and give him focus. I cheer him on by giving him a clean and de-cluttered space to come home to that is relaxing and that will offer him a safe haven from the busy day. I cheer him on by cutting the grass. 9.2 miles by push mower since we can’t seem to get the riding mower belt working longer than 1/2 an acre. Cheerleading looks like preparing his clothes for the next day, running all the errands, caring for Ellie, teaching Ellie, and a lot of lonely times. (Which as an introverted person is not terrible)....I just miss my Eric. I miss having long conversations and being slightly more care free. I sacrifice a lot of self care and time to unwind for myself.

Eric sacrifices more important things like being able to see and experience all the cool things I am privileged to take Ellie to do. He wants more than anything to be present but his schedule is impossible in this season. He sacrifices almost all sleep as he gets up before the sun and comes home long after it has gone down. He comes home and studies. His weekends are not weekends, they are a few hours of reprieve that he invests in his family before having to study or work on projects again.

This all started 3 years ago just before we got pregnant with Ellie. We planned school, Ellie, selling and building a home all at once but not necessarily to be done all at once....it’s just the way God willed it. Which is what keeps me going, knowing this is God’s plan. Most of the time, God’s perfect plans looks and sound insane to us. Like....”you’re kidding right, God?!” He wants us to trust Him and He wants to strengthen us. That doesn’t mean that these such times aren’t frustrating and hard and annoying. They feel impossible and burdensome. Eric has done so very well and continues to do so. For a long time, I held in my loneliness and stress. I felt in order to support him I couldn’t tell him how hard this was on me. I WANT him in school. I WANT him to achieve his dreams and goals and passions. I would be disappointed in him if he did not. I would be disappointed in me for not pushing him to those ambitions. But it is hard on both of us. He misses us and we miss him. We are exhausted and stressed and only get weeks in between semesters to feel like a family again. But that is “doing life”. Life is what God says it is. God gave Eric and I partners in each other on earth to help each other “do” life. Whatever that life looks like. One day, we will be finished with this season and we will be so strong and better for it. Our teamwork together will give us such a powerful stepping stone in marriage. His hard work and work ethic will be such a beautiful example for Ellie. I am one proud wife. This is the hardest life I have ever known up until now. I especially feel most people don’t understand how much it is I am actually doing here at home or how much work I am picking up that is usually shared between two people. I have desire only to spend weekends with my family because otherwise our family would never have any time together. I am a family woman and I am in love with what God gave me. They come first on this earth and are only second to God. I feel that people don’t realize how much Eric is actually doing and taking on. Because on top of this ridiculous schedule of work and school, he is still first focused on his role as father and husband to is and he excels there too. My heart breaks sometimes knowing how silly, goofy, laugh filled, joyful and care free this man is and seeing him so weighed down by the weight of this season of life. It is so beautiful to see him have a moment of relief and see him laughing and relaxing. Apart from my daddy, I have never met a man who worked as hard as he does while still putting his family first. Never complaining.

And why is it taking so long? 5 years to be exact for 2 normal years of school. It is taking so long because Eric is taking only a couple courses at a time so he can keep working full time so I can continue to stay home and care for our Ellie. The man is so so so good to us.

I am so thankful for the very true friends God granted me who understand this season of life and are prayer warriors. They understand when I would rather just spend my free time with Eric. They understand family is first. They understand because they feel the same. They pour into my soul and pray for me and Eric when my soul is too burdened to pray. I just lay st the cross and ask the Holy Spirit to speak for me. It is a joy and honor to “do life” with Eric. I will be so so so happy when we can be through this time and He can see the fruit of the seeds he sowed in this journey. Life doesn’t
 always feel like a sunny beach day complete with a cold drink in hand. Sometimes it is pretty hard and a struggle. I am happy to do life with Eric and am immensely proud of him. We need prayers every single day as we follow the path God has laid for us and as we work our hardest to remain faithful and seek Him in every step. One day, he will wear a cap and gown and have that Clemson ring and his smile will radiate all the way up to those beautiful gray hair on giant head and his dimples will be so deep and I will cry huge tears of pride and joy in my husband. He will accomplish this. I believe in him and I most importantly believe in the love and faithfulness of God Who holds us in His strong right hand. We can “do” this, E!