The Tuesday Ten. {vol 6}

For my Tuesday Ten posts, I normally have random pinpoints and ramblings that have nothing to do with each other, just little tidbits that are jolting through my brain at the moment. Every once in a while, I want to switch it up and have the post be about one category with ten things to go along with it. So for this week's Tuesday Ten, I am going to jot down a list of ten things that are simple pleasures I enjoy in life. That list could go on for......................................EVER, but I'll just list ten. :)

Ten Little Things I love in Life:

1. Coffee. Hearing it brew, the aroma and richness, iced on a summery day or in a hot mug snuggled up when its chilly. It's comforting and delicious!

2. Babies. Miracle babies, first born babies, twins, long awaited babies, their smiles, coos, preciousness, tender spirits, and innocent dispositions. What marvelous miracles.

3. Good hair and makeup days... Need I say more?? :)

4. Weddings. The groom's reaction to seeing his bride, the written vows of devotion to one another, the pure beauty and love radiating from the couple, the celebration of it all.

5. Hospitality. Cooking, even when you are full to the brim. Hugs, when you need them most. and a gentle listener and friend.

6. Friendships. The hour long calls of laughs or empathy. The sincere loyalty and compassion for each other. The silly memories of the past. The smiles ahead in the future. New and old.

7. Holidays. The warmth and spirit of Christmas. The patriotism of the Fourth of July. The romance of Valentine's day. The reflection and sacrifice of Easter. The thankfulness and gathering of Thanksgiving. The excitement and silliness of a birthday. The compassion of an anniversary. Love it all.

8. God. His mercy. His grace. His consistency. His promise. His word. His Love. His protection. His goodness. His blessings. His comfort. His plan.

9. Dessert. Especially when stressed, notice how stressed says desserts when spelled backwards?!

10. Sunshine. When it rises. When it sets. Cast over a lake. Peering through the blinds. Shining through a window. Warming up a beach. Radiating from someone's heart ♥

Xoxo happy week,
KESS

Wordless Week. {Father's Day}

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