You are valuable.

Do you ever feel you have no value?

Have you ever looked at something at a garage sale and thought it would be perfect for something in your house?

I love to scour Pinterest and get ideas. Honestly, I rarely do any of the ideas I pin, but the color and creativity feeds my brain and soul. What intrigues me about garage sales is that so much of what is there is considered of little worth or value to the one who (once) owned it. Yet, the person purchasing the item sees the value in the piece and chooses to give it a second life, of sorts.

Sometimes I feel my love for garage sales (and even Pinterest) comes from an eye {and heart} that sees things that are perceived to have no value, to be restored and get a second chance.

Perhaps there are days when you feel like you have no value and might as well be traded in for the new model.

Your “dresser” of a self feels scratched, dented, and the paint worn thin.

Relationships, parenting, friendships, kids, work…they can all leave you feeling like you have no value, that you don’t know what you are doing, that you are a failure.

All those thoughts or feelings are not from the Creator…YOUR Creator.

Just as you lovingly look at your children and marvel in wonder at their perfect little faces, He looks at you, His creation, and knows He has great plans for you . His “plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” {Jeremiah 29:11}  

Our God is the master of making things that others think have no value and giving them amazing value.

YOU are that amazing thing.

When you feel you have no value, remember HE values you.

He made you and loves you dearly.

He makes your ordinary “dresser” a bright and shiny fun green…for all to see.

I’m praying for you today, that you’ll feel His pleasure and know the worth you have in His eyes.

Xoxo,  Kess ♥

Reflection.

I have debated over and over to myself whether to post this or not. I don't want to seem vain, or even seem ungrateful by any means. I really don't want to come across that way at all to you.

On Pinterest, I've seen tons of cute swimsuits that are so vibrant and fun, and lots in the store as well. With weather in the mid 90s in this beautiful Treasure Valley,  its time to hit the lakes and pools as temperatures continue to spike. The other day I decided to try on a fringy frilly swimsuit, which lead to lots of tears as I saw the mirror's reflection.

I am beyond grateful to be a mommy,  and I wouldn't trade it for the whole world. It changes you, in lots of ways. You ignite a part of your heart you've never used before,  you learn a sense of selflessness,  and the ultimatum of putting one's needs before your own. It changes you mentally,  AND I now realized physically.

My self-esteem has gone to crap lately. I've been working out on my own at home,  eating healthy, and trying to be active a lot. Its hard to see little to no results. It can't help that someone referred to me as the "fat oldest Smith girl" the other day. Hank has been a huge help. He is constantly complimenting me and assuring my self confidence,  but I wish I could believe it about myself too.

Please don't think all I care about is my looks, I would hate for you to get that impression. I just think every girl should love herself and see her own beauty, but right now I really don't. :|

It's a Date.

Yesterday was a great great day. And much anticipated to say the least!

Things have been pretty busy around here. Hank has been working 9PM-7AM,  so as you can imagine we are on completely opposite schedules. He walks in the door in the morning to call it a night while I'm pouring my first cup of coffee to start the day. With that, 10hr shifts, Henry, life in general haha, our relationship seems to be on the back burner a lot. Its not that its intentional, life has so much chaos and distraction lately!

Finally I decided to jump the gun and plan a date. Our sweet friend who initially was our real estate agent who has became a dear friend volunteered to watch Henry,  and we set a day! Initially it was supposed to be a surprise for Hank,  but that lasted maybe a day or two....haha I couldn't contain the excitement!

Yesterday I set aside the bathrobe and sweats, and got all dolled up. I rarely get the opportunity to get ready, let alone dress up so it was really fun:)

We both got in the car, and at first it was...different,  in a good way! It was the first time in nearly 6months that we had been alone as just the two of us. It was such a big deal! No bulgy car seat & diaper bag, no fussiness in the back seat, just...US! We had a great time being able to visit, laugh, be silly, and be in each other's company. We really needed that ♥ It was like a first date all over again. It's fun to date your husband all over again:) We went to Olive Garden (YUM!) and saw Identity Thief, which was funny.

We are going to make this a monthly occurrence now. A time to unwind from work and stresses, a time to see each other in a different light from our roles of parents. A time with no noise,  fusiness, diapers, and just being able to look across the table directly and connect.  I've sure missed it, and I already look forward to next time. ♥

Xoxo,  Kess♥

Wordless Week. {Classic Car Show.New Carpet}

Uncomparable.

 

 

 

Hello friend.

 

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend in this beautiful sunshine. :)

 

This morning I woke up with a word echoing on my heart.

 

COMPARISON.

 

I think as humans we all fall into this pattern of comparing to others, and ladies, I think we do it more often. It’s so easy to look at the woman across the room, across social media, across the classroom, across the playground at the park, thinking: “I should be more like her.” or "she's got it all"

 

We compare clothes, talents, our current stage in life, how many friends we have on Facebook. We crave validation and surely if we can be like the people we admire then we will have it all.

 

Yet God doesn’t compare you to anyone else.

 

 Not that friend whose house looks like a feature in Better Homes & Gardens magazine.

 

Not the woman at the friend get-together who knows how to make everyone laugh at just the right moment.

 

Not even someone who seems to have a direct line to Jesus while you feel like you’re dialing the wrong number.

 

 Not to any of those—or any other woman who has ever been or ever will be.

 

When you gave your life to Jesus you became a “new creation.”

 

Listen closely: it doesn’t say “a new human being.” A new creation.

 

In other words, God made you into something the world has never seen before and never will again.

 

I think it’s important enough to say this to you because women struggle so much with comparison:

 

You are a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, a custom design, a work of art.

 

And when there is only one of something, it’s impossible to compare it.

 

That means since there’s only one of you, you can’t be compared either.

 

When God looks at you, He sees His handiwork and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. That’s it. The only standard He ever asked you to meet is the one Jesus met in your place.

 

So you are free from being compared.

 

What do you do instead?

 

Be the you He has created, called, and redeemed you to be.

 

Develop your strengths. Discover your gifts. Do whatever you can to serve those around you with what you have. Display His glory by living fully alive, by beautifully reflecting the part of His image He has crafted into you.

 

Give yourself permission to stop comparing. Instead, start celebrating who you are and the God who made you that way :) Then let your heart feel His response…and His incomparable joy.

 

XOXO, Kess

 

The Tuesday Ten. {vol 5}

Hello lovelies! Good gracious, I just noticed I haven't wrote a Tuesday post in a month...good grief!  Here it goes:

1. Five Months.

Henry is 5 months old on the 27th, and I am in deep denial. Because that means he is 6 months in June,  and THAT means we are half way to his FIRST birthday. Nooooo way :"( My mommy heart just aches. Time needs to slow down. I find myself constantly cherishing and taking in the moments, counting my blessings with each day Henry grows; time is still flying by! I want him to stay my little one, my cuddly, tiny, little one. I truly don't take him for granted; he is so special ♥

2. Oklahoma.

I woke up early this morning, flipped on the tv, and instantly my heart dropped. ABC had an exclusive news story about twisters in Oklahoma. My stomach was in knots just watching the footage of home after home demolished by this monsterous twister. If you are able to, you can donate to Red Cross, Salvation Army, or Operation USA to give relief those families.

1 Peter 5:7 ♥

3. Proverbs.

I started reading my bible again, reading a chapter of Proverbs a day. I really like the book of Proverbs because it acts as a guidance on a multitude of situations you face on a regular basis...dont we all need that advise or what?! It teaches us that our words are carriers of either life or death, that a happy heart does us good like a medicine, and to trust in the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all of your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths ."
 -Proverbs 3:5-6

4. CARPET.

We bought our house in August 2011 and we have really enjoyed having a home. The house had a really bad eye sore....the carpet!! Its this nasty light green (i think its green?!) color and is extremely stained and worn down. I think the kids that lived here previously mustve rolled in mud and then sat down with cups of koolaid while painting haha its so dingy! No vaccueming or carpet cleaning we have done has done any justice. Well we finally are getting it replaced and I am SOOOO excited. You know you are an adult when home improvements make you giddy haha! We are getting it installed on Friday and I can't wait to see how our home will look. It will be so nice for when Henry gets crawling and stuff too :)

 5. China Hutch.

 Hanks mom had a china hutch, and it was passed down to him. It has been sitting in our garage for months now needing to be restored. Does anyone know how to restore or paint a hutch?! If so I really could use the tips!! I really want to restore it to a cherry red color and collect vintage Pyrex to display, as well as a china set from Hanks grandma. Here's some ideas of what I want! If you have any old dishes like this or know of where to get some, hook a sister up! :) 

6. Strength.

I have a sweet friend of mine that recently had her husband deployed and has moved back to Pocatello. I cannot seem to fathom what a mix of emotions and hardships that her heart must be feeling. Denial, fear, anger, loneliness, anxiety, I bet you feel it all at once, and each at intensified levels. Yet, despite all circumstances, she has shown true strength and support for her husband. Im so proud to call her a friend, and blessed I can be here for her the 9 months he is away. These men arent just gone for a weekend, or a simple work meeting, far from comparison to that!! They are across the globe, seeking and fighting for America and the home they protect and believe in. Youve got this girlfriend, you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you ♥

7. Graveyards.

Hank is going to be starting up the ultimate crummy shift soon, working 9PM to 7AM :( UGH! Need I say more?! This is going to be rough.

8. Playdates.

Recently, I met a gal around the same age as me, and she has a little baby boy 2months younger than Henry and it has been an extreme blessing. We have gone to the zoo, as well as out to dinner with our husbands. Its nice to meet new people and for Henry to have a little guy to play with as well:) We are going to start up working out together and even scrapbooking our little guys pictures really soon! We are going to have a fun summer with these guys!

9. Wise Words.

Need this as a daily reminder!

10. Argo.

Hank has been wanting to see this movie for a LONG time; so we finally redboxed it and I must say that it was a WONDERFUL movie. I highly recommend it; the suspense will about break you! Haha! Its also a true story, I really really enjoyed it. 

There is my Ten for Tuesday :) Have a blessed week, be kind to one another!

《Xoxo, KESS♥》  

Hey You ♥

Hey You,

I’m thinking of you today.

Maybe you’re out running errands, behind a desk, or curled up on your couch.

Wherever you are, if I asked you how you’re doing I imagine “tired” might be part of your answer.

We live in a rush-rush world. 

So in this moment, this quiet space, can I invite you to simply be still for a moment?

Exhale.

 Let the worries go. Tell God what’s on your mind, what’s happening in your day, what your heart needs.

Inhale. 

Listen for His voice in return. Receive what He has to give you. Feel His love. Remember He’s with you in every moment, including this one.

What did you say to Him?

What did you hear?

Let it change the rest of your day.

And maybe even the rest of your life.

Happy weekend to you, sunshine. :)

XOXO, Kess