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Feathers, eggs and painted wood…..

April 22, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 26 Comments

Today, I’m giving you a sneak peek into my ‘Cottage Kitchen Makeover’. And I’m planning on hosting a Mr. Linky party of my own Monday when I make my big reveal. I hope you’ll join me…this is my first attempt to host…and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that maybe a few a you will show off your ‘Painted Wood Projects’ then. If you’ve painted any wood surface (cabinets, floors, picture frames, ANYTHING—-or if you’ve been wanting to paint some wood surface in your house but haven’t gotten around to it, link up and show us your plans. Spread the word on your blog and let’s get everybody painting this weekend. Of course we’d love to see stuff you painted months or years ago too. That’s this Monday April 26th.

Now for Mrs. Nester’s Linky party, I have a confession to make. I have no L.Herbert Feathers and Eggs prints….. at least not yet. I’m always late for the show. Two seconds too late. Johnny come lately. Like those ten years I kept wearing blue eye shadow when everyone else had moved on to the natural look. I do have a couple spots where they’d be perfect though.

First, in my guest bathroom that has also recently had a makeover, I’d love to exchange my faux eggs print (that I printed off the internet from this site) for 3 or 4 authentic ones.

It’s pretty cute but I need something bigger there.

Or maybe in place of this bird print that’s hanging on my newly painted kitchen cabinets.

Or maybe here….in lieu of plates. I love the plates but I never know when to stop with an idea. We have nothing to eat dinner on because all my plates are hanging on the wall.

And now for more teasers……these cabinets were very standard oak finish with the doors ON.

So my painter and I have been very busy this week.

And because my kitchen is 10 years old and not built by me, the lighting has always been an issue for me. Hence, the 17 lamps I used to have in the kitchen. But I bought these little bookshelf lights from IKEA and voila……custom lighting.

Make sure you come back on Monday for the rest of the reveal.

And link up with me for the love of painted wood!

Thank you my friend Mrs. Nester for hosting and for so graciously sharing all of your wonderful ‘nesting’ ideas!

Grace and Parenting

April 20, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 17 Comments

Gracie and I–7 years ago

One of the speakers at the homeschool conference had a session titled ‘The Education of a Child–the Wisdom of Fenelon. I was intrigued–so I ordered the book on Amazon before the trip and read it on the way. Francois Fenelon was an archbishop in the Catholic church in France in the late 17th century, along with being a writer and poet. One of his books, called ‘The Education of a Daughter’ is fascinating if you can lay aside your feminist sensibilities long enough to get past lines like this, “…they need not be learned, per se…it is sufficient if they (girls) know how to govern their families and obey their husbands without reason”. I am not easily offended, so I read on, and am certainly glad I did. His overarching message for parents: grace and unconditional love, exercised with humility, reaches a child’s heart, and not just his behavior.

The speaker, Mark Hamby, from Lamplighter publishing, used Fenelon’s points to drive home the idea that parenting is about seeking relationship and not merely behavior from our children. Far too often, I find myself so determined to achieve a certain level of obedience and respect from them, that I’m oblivious to what is really at the heart of their ‘discord’. And admittedly, the desire for prompt obedience is often self-centered. We want our children to make us look good; to prove to the world that we are indeed good parents. We’re so afraid of letting them make mistakes. We parent them more like drill sargents than we do loving mothers and fathers. Have we not been given the unconditional love of our heavenly Father? Do we not defy and disobey and display profound ingratitude to Him daily? And what does He do? He welcomes us with open arms…..the arms of One who poured out His life for us on the cross to ransom us. He forgives and forgets. His mercies are new to us every morning. God gives us grace, pressed down, shaken together, running over and yet we measure out to our children tiny doses of mercy laced with hosts of rules and scoldings and “I told ya so’s”.

Our authority should be exercised with humility. Christ is our supreme example: His humility cost him His very life. We often associate authority with power and might, but as C.S. Lewis once said,

“Authority exercised with humility and obedience accepted with delight are the very lines along which our spirits live.”

We must surrender our need to always be right and humble ourselves in service to our children. As foreign as that may sound, that is exactly what our Father has done for us. He could have come in power, seized upon our frailties and weaknesses and demanded right behavior. But instead, He took on human flesh and died that we might have life.

Does this grace and humility mean that we have no rules, no boundaries. On the contrary. Those whom the Lord loves He chastens. It is our primary job to ‘discipline’ our children, but that word means ‘teach’. I think we often jump right to ‘punish’—which should be reserved for extreme cases of direct defiance. Likewise, God has given us rules, that if followed, will lead to happiness and unity. His standards are incredibly high, as should ours be for our children. But the final answer does not lie in following the rules. He has not been content to see our behavior realigned. He went to every length to reach our hearts: His grace and mercy cannot be exhausted.

You might think that I am providing the solution to our parenting conundrum as a simple ‘Show more grace to your children’. I am not.

The solution is always Christ. I will always fail to bestow enough grace. I will always, even in my best attempts, fail to love them unconditionally. The real answer for us all is the forgiveness and mercy of the One perfect parent, whose love has no limits and whose grace knows no bounds.

He alone can restore the years.

I’m linking with Emily from Chatting at the Sky as we celebrate ‘thankfulness’ and ‘noticing’. You’ll love her blog!

Prom Night and fighting back tears……

April 19, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 12 Comments

I cried silent tears at least half the way home from Cincinnati today.

I know it should be a fun day.

A day filled with joy.

And it would be…..if this weren’t another ‘last’.

So, I listened to Matt Kearney sing ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’……

and I sighed heavy and remembered how

blessed I am to be a ‘joyous mother of children’.

(Press play to your right and you can go down that weepy road with me)

Breathe in, breathe out

Tell me all of your doubt

everybody bleeds this way, just the same

Breathe in, breathe out

Move on and break down

If everyone goes away

I will stay

We push and pull

And I fall down sometimes

I’m not letting go

You hold the other line

‘Cause there is a light

In your eyes, in your eyes

Hold on and hold tight

From out of your sight

And everything keeps moving on

Moving on

Hold on and hold tight

Make it through another night

And everyday there comes a song, with the dawn

We push and pull

And I fall down sometimes

I’m not letting go

You hold the other line

‘Cause there is a light

In your eyes

in your eyes

Yeah, there is a light

In your eyes

In your eyes.

Breathe in and breathe out

Look left, look right

To the moon in the night

And everything under the stars

Is in your arms

‘Cause there is a light

In your eyes,

in your eyes

Yeah, there is a light

In your eyes

Breathe in and breathe out

Breathe in and breath out.

100 things (painfully continued) Edition 3

April 15, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 27 Comments

First, peak in on my project but be careful….there’s stuff everywhere!
My cabinet project is going well. I’m taking the cabinet doors off and embracing open shelving. They are soaking in SEVERAL coats of ‘Roman column’ paint from Sherwin Williams. The bottom cabinets are a nice hue of blue and they will be sanded and distressed.

and then there’s the kitchen walls…….not such good luck. If they looked like they look in this picture, I’d be happy. But they don’t. It feels like you’re sitting in a 1950’s ice cream shop where lime sherbet has been smeared on the walls. I’m trying a new color called ‘Hemingway’ tomorrow. Say a little prayer.

Now back to the list of 100 hundred things you never wanted to know. For editions 1 and 2, go here and here.

41. I speak from experience when I say that having children who are compliant can give you the false sense that you are an extraordinary specimen of a mother. And on the contrary, having strong willed children will have you convinced that you are not capable of parenting at all. I have both varieties in my little family. Until you’ve parented a strong willed child, it would be wise to save all your statements that start with “Well, if that was my child, I’d….”. Give people the benefit of the doubt and spend the time you might judge them–saying a prayer for them instead. This is no task for the faint of heart. And grace and mercy need abound.
42. My favorite color is tiffany blue. I have plans to paint my craft room that color. Last year, my favorite color was orange. I’m wishy washy like that.
43. My favorite southern city is Charleston. My favorite northeastern city is Boston. My favorite midwestern city is Chicago. My favorite place to spend time in the summer: on the lakes of Minnesota.
44. I dream of lazy days reading and baking and making crafts with my children while the smell of clean laundry and fresh bread tickles my nose. No wait, that’s what I get to do everyday. Someone pinch me.
45. My favorite tree is the southern magnolia. It looks beautiful and stately in the yard and its branches frequently adorn my tables inside. Neither Emme nor I, however, like the smell of magnolia.
46. If I could live during any historical time period, it would be colonial America. Maybe that’s why I love Boston so much. I would assume the role of Abigail Adams.
47. My favorite movie is The Notebook . Or maybe Office Space. I also love Steel Magnolias and Little Women. And The John Adams series. And of course Coal Miner’s Daughter. Then there’s Slingblade. And Pride and Predjudice. Picking one thing has never been my strong suit.
48. Steve introduced me to Martin Luther and bird watching. I introduced him to C.S. Lewis and cornbread. I’d call that even.

49. Each of my children has altered my life in some profound way. They have taught me and changed me and made me a better person. I have learned patience and humility and loyalty and compassion. They continually force me to reevaluate my preconceptions and prejudices. I owe them a debt of gratitude which will be impossible to repay.

50. My hair is blonde. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

51. I’m pretty sure I could quote most of the Dr. Suess book “Yertle the Turtle”. I cannot, however, seem to remember where I put my car keys or parked my car or laid my book. I now remind my children to watch where I put my cell phone. Between all of us, we can usually find it. Usually. And whenever I’m frantically looking for it before we walk into dance class, I’m usually talking on it.

52. I am an ‘early to bed, early to rise’ type. I could never stay up at sleepovers when I was a teenager. I always ended up with shaving cream in my hands and other girly pranks. My daughter inherited this gift and thinks it’s pretty pathetic.

53. I dream of living in the country in a big white farmhouse with a huge front porch and chickens and goats and dogs and pigs. Or on the lake in a cute little 2 bedroom cottage. Or in a downtown loft in Birmingham. If only there were more time here on earth……**big sigh**

54. There have been people through the years who have had a dramatic impact on my life. They are numerous and I wouldn’t even attempt to mention them all. One of those people is Susan, who I met when I was in medical school. Her children went to school with mine and she taught me so much about mothering children and nurturing a family. I remember her growing ‘creeping fig’ on the side of her old brick house. I found some this weekend and will plant it in her honor.

55. I was a gymnast as a young girl. I can still do a back bend with a kickover. I might see stars and need to see a chiropractor the next day, but I can do it all the same.

56. My youngest brother has Down’s syndrome and I have an aunt with cerebral palsy. I’ve been bowling with the CP group many times and used to help with special olympics. I’m thankful for them in my life (even though my aunt once chased me around the yard with a butcher knife and then would repeatedly ask me if I thought she was ‘going to hell’) and I think it gives you an understanding and comfort of the handicapped that is invaluable. I love DS kids and have a special love for parents of children with handicaps. Christ always values the weak and vulnerable in society and we should too.

57. I frequently speak to Caiti and my sister and JamieKnoxville in my native appalachian tongue. Almost every morning as Taylor and Caiti leave for school, I yell out the door, “Caaaiti, don’t git in no fites today and uh…..I luv u better’n anythang”. It’s like our own private dialect. It can be scary to a northerner. Or to small children.

58. I am terribly addicted to my own bed. I love my bed and my pillows. All three of them. Feather of course.

59. I currently have 33 lamps in my house. I never. NEVER. turn on overhead lights. Ever.

60. I once glued someone’s eye shut when I worked in the ER. It’s a good story. Maybe I’ll tell ya sometime. Suffice it to say, I will never live that one down and as it turns out, an opthamologist told me “Aw, don’t worry, people do that accidentally with super glue all the time. It’ll come out in a few days.” Maybe the public is safer with me here at home!

Welcome back!

April 13, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 21 Comments

A few things I learned during my comment-fast:

1. As soon as I typed the words “I’m closing my comments during Lent”, I instantly regretted it and wondered if I’d be able to hold out for forty days. I knew it would change blogging for me. I knew it would help to clarify the ‘medium’ of blogging—that it would solidify in my mind the fact that this medium is not neutral. It conveys certain information better than others. It favors short inspirational blurbs and beautiful photographs. There are temptations lurking everywhere but especially those that threaten to steal our time. Time that might be better spent with our ‘in-the-flesh’ family and friends or reading a great book or serving our neighbor. I developed a healthy ‘detachment’ during the Lenten season that enabled me to step back and regroup. That said, I still love this community. I still love to write.

2. Who knew that with the closing of comments would come a curious case of writer’s block? Apparently your feedback motivates and inspires me to write—and without it, I don’t seem to be bringing my A game. So, I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed your encouragement. Maybe I’ll get my ‘mojo’ back.

3. I have used the ‘extra’ time I’ve had productively. Be patient as I readjust and try to hang on to the balance and priorities I nurtured during Lent. Inevitably something suffers when we try to ‘do it all’.

4. This ‘fast’ of sorts helped to set the rhythm for Lent and even if just in a teeny way, was a good exercise in denial of the flesh. The flesh wants to be gratified…..instantly……in every way. And sometimes just the smallest denial is enough to gain momentum against its onslaught. Do I think I became more ‘spiritual’ because of this. Absolutely not. If anything, I became more keenly aware of how weak and undisciplined I can be. Thanks be to God that He has given salvation to us freely through faith in Christ. When I am weak, He is strong.

In other news, I decided to forego the expensive and generic senior pictures/senior announcements and do it on my own. I did a little photo shoot with Taylor and got some great pics to use for his open house invitations and his announcements……

this one’s my favorite

I’ve also been FRETTING over paint colors for a week. I’m still not exactly sure what I’m choosing…..but when I go to Lowe’s at 7 am, I’m sure I’ll pick the right cabinet/wall/ceiling colors for my kitchen. By the time you read this, it’ll be too late for you to help me but I’ll be sure to show you the progress!

One more thing. We are going to the Midwest Homeschooling Convention later this week. I’m so excited to hear Susan Wise Bauer, Jim Weiss, Jay Wile, Mark Hamby and others. Do you have any advice for me? Have you ever been or better yet, are you gonna be there? Are there any other speakers that I must hear?

So now it’s your turn. If you’ve never introduced yourself before, I’d love to hear from you. If you’re an ‘old friend’, then reassure me that I can make it through this week; I’m having some painting done in my kitchen, going to Cincinnati for the homeschooling convention, and my two teenagers are going to prom this Saturday!!!

He is Risen!

April 12, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 1 Comment

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom.8:29

He is risen! He is risen indeed!