Nursery Time!

I haven't posted anything meaningful in a while. I guess I've gotten kind of weird about the blog world. I still love to read others' blogs and enjoy blogging as a means to keep up and maybe learn a few things. But I'm wary about how people can become absorbed in how they portray their life to others via popularity contests through the internet... I think it can easily lead to pride and the secret hope that others will put you and your portrayed life on a pedestal, and I'm not really into that. But despite it all, I'm sure I will get over my blog funk soon and promise I will write a meaningful blog when I do (there's been one I've been meaning to write but just haven't gotten to it yet).

For now, I'll entertain you with another baby post :)

We weren't going to have an actual nursery... until we figured out how we we could move our desks out and rearrange some things to work the spare bedroom into a bedroom/nursery. After a few weeks and some creativity, I am very happy with the result! I spent less than $150 total on this little makeover, and the really cool part is that actually includes the baby furniture, typically the most costly purchase of a nursery! Most of it was homemade projects that I'll share below.

The picture was the 'inspiration'. I found it at Hobby Lobby for $15!

Then I bought some matching fabric (loved the colors and pattern- so fun) and my mom made the curtains. Here's a close up of the pattern

The crib/changing table and this beautful rocking chair I got off Craigslist for only $50. What a great find!  The bedding and baskets are shower gifts.

This is a piece of wall art I found at The Christmas Tree Shop (who would have known) for $19 and I thought it was darling.

I found the wooden flower dowels from Hobby Lobby for $2 each, painted them white, and nailed them to the closet doors. The dresses were both loving baby gifts worthy of display (one is handmade!)

Here is our extra bed and dresser (had these since graduation, from Ikea). My mom made a matching pillow and I created the wall art by framing pieces of scrapbook paper. I used PaintShop to scribble out the middle picture because I stenciled in a letter and didn't want to give away our potential baby name! :) The outside frames are old white ones I already had. The middle frame is a black metal one that I spray painted.

These are some shelves Ben put up from Target. The vases are leftover wedding center pieces (we got them at Ikea for $1 each). I filled them with flowers from Hoby Lobby.

This lamp shade is homemade, too. I found a nice lamp with a white fabric shade at Target for $16 and then covered it with a half yard of fabric.

This is a nursing pillow one of the doctors gave me from the hospital where I work. All I needed was a new cover that matched ($10). The little sock monkey is from Walmart ($3).

 I have felt so blessed and loved ... my wonderful mother-and-sisters-in-law hosted a beautiful baby shower for Ben and I and my mom came all the way from Florida, my sister from Boston, and my step-sister and friend from Atlanta. It was so much fun. I'm so thankful for two amazing families.

Ben was such a trooper :)

The six girls from my small group at church had a little baby shower that was just beautiful during one of our usual group meeting times (there are 3 of us pregnant which is so exciting). Also, my wonderful coworkers totally shocked me on Thursday with a surprise baby shower. I was blown away by their thoughtfulness. I don't have pictures, but they had a beautiful little cake that said "Welcome Baby G." I don't deserve any of it but feel incredibly blessed.

That's all for now!



Happy Valentines Day!

Our homemade Valentines dinner consisted of pork tenderloin with avocado and black eyed pea salad, tomatoes au gratin, and mashed parsley potatoes. And don't worry, that's not wine, it's sparkling cider.

Our desert was delicious dark chocolate fondue.

Baby Update

Well I just had my 31 week appointment and it went great! Baby girl is about 3 pounds and my doctor said she's growing perfectly. I was a little concerned with the whole weight gain thing, cause I've only gained  13 pounds and everyone says it should be between 25-30 pounds, but he told me that what's important is the length in inches and that I gain at least 10 pounds. He said he was really pleased with the progress. I also got back my glucose test results which were normal- yay! He could tell the baby was in the head down position, which was exciting because she was breech when we had the ultrasound. I know, I know, the baby can move at any moment, but it's still exciting to know she's normal for the time being!

5 most life-changing books, according to Lisa

I got to thinking about the question: "what have been the most life-changing books for you?" and decided to share my thoughts. Sometimes you read a book that is not just 'good' (as in moving, enjoyable, or meaningful), but is one that truly changes your life in some way. The following are the top 5 books I've read that fall in this category. Enjoy.

Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn: this book is quite life-changing. If you've ever read a "Christian finance book" (i.e. Dave Ramsey, Suzie Orwell, etc) this book is not one of those; it's not a how-to manage your finances so you're 'set', throwing in a chapter on giving. It's actually quite the opposite. It's an unforgiving look into how our temporary use of money and accumulation of possessions directly relates to eternity, and according to Jesus, why it is one of the most important aspects of our earthly lives. It deals head-on with issues like materialism, debt, prosperity theology, etc. It will challenge you, irritate you and, if you can find the courage, change the way you live your life.

The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun:  an autobioraphy of Brother Yun's experience preaching the gospel throughout China. Remarkable story of God's call and power. I would say this book was life-changing because 1) it opened my eyes to the importance of writing scripture on your heart and 2) it redefined for me what it means for "the word to come alive" and change one's life on a daily basis through the power of the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by Brother Yun's vivid stories. He memorized almost the entire bible, and God used it powerfully throughout his life at key moments. This is probably one of the most incredible stories I've read... other than......

Brutchko by Bruce Olsen: an autobiography about a man who redefined missions and brought the gospel of Jesus to entire people groups in Columbia. It challenges the American Christian mindset that faith must be westernized, and instead shows the raw power of the gospel in reaching other nations when reduced to its simplest tenets of love, sacrifice, peace, joy, faith.

Heaven by Randy Alcorn: this book discusses the often glossed-over topic of heaven, and how indeed the bible has much more to say about eternity than we think, and how God wants us to live and yearn for our true 'home'. You may not agree with everything written, but it's very eye-opening.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers: a fictional novel that powerfully portrays the unconditional love and redemption of God.

28 Weeks