My Body is Heavy

Written by Shannon Leigh

Oh how my little grape-sized peanut is really taking a toll on my body.

Everyone told me I was going to be tired but I was not prepared for the “feels like I’ve been drugged” kind of tired. When I get home from work, I am totally worthless. This is really not a good thing, especially when I run a small business in the evenings and weekends. My poor (understanding ) husband hasn’t had a decent meal in weeks. (I did make a "real" meal last night. I was mighty proud and I'm sure Matt appreciated the effort).

I shot a wedding in Chicago on Saturday with the talented Matt DeBackere. An Indian Catholic wedding mind you... it was beautiful but it made for QUITE the day. Then on Sunday we had a family reunion of sorts (appropriately deemed Dudfest 09). Both were lovely but I’m pretty sure I still haven't recovered as far as sleep and energy are concerned.

Speaking of Dudfest 09, WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY! What a fantastic family of believers I have. SO much love, support, and friendship. It was GREAT to spend time with Granddad who has just recently decided to opt out of Chemo treatments. How proud we are of this patriarch. How much we adore him. How much we can praise Jesus for Granddad's life here on earth and praise him even more for his eternal life with Jesus. A man of faith and love that we all hope we have a piece of. A man who has made those around him feel like they were the most important, and special people on this earth. I only hope that my son or daughter will become half the man he is. I can't even describe the amount of love and respect I have for him and the impact he has had on my life.

I have been thinking and praying a lot about life and death recently so bear with me.

I've been trying to wrap my brain around the consequences of our sins and eternal life. It's been a battle in my heart and mind and I praise God for giving me a little bit more understanding in the recent weeks.

This is what I have come up with so far:

God created us as mortal creatures in the beginning but he provided for our every need, including the Tree of Life. It's purpose was to extend man's life and to stave off the forces of decay. Our number of days were eternal while eating from the tree that God had provided.

When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, God expelled mankind from the Garden, purposely separating them from the Tree of Life. Therefore human death and decay and separation from God became the payment for sin. We were intended to live eternally in communion with God in a perfect place provided by Him. Death became a constant reminder of the consequences of our sin. When Jesus came to earth he bridged the gap from death/separation from God to eternal communion with God. Jesus says in John 6: 47- 50...

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die."

"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:22-23

So we are left to struggle, strive and die (we will live no more than 120 years) as a reminder of our sin. On earth, if we believe and trust in Jesus as savior, we get to be sanctified, forgiven and set free. But as believers we have a choice when it comes to death. We can fear death or we can rejoice in it. We get to meet our perfect creator and live for all of eternity in the vastness of his glory. And a little encouragement about our sufferings on Earth from 1 Peter 4:12-14.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

In conclusion, our time here on earth is much better spent thinking of things above, for our lives are but vapors. The James 4:13-14 says...

"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'"

Granddad told us on Saturday that "this was one of the best days of his life" but hold on to your hat Granddad for In HIS presence there is the fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11)

4th of July Weekend

Written by Shannon Leigh

Wow I'm behind.

Since Matt and I had a 3 day weekend over the 4th of July, we decided it would be a GREAT weekend to tell our families that we were expecting.  We made my mom a little onsie that said  "I love Nana."  It took my mom a few minutes to actually get it but I think they were pretty excited once everyone figured it out.  My parents took my nephew Kellen camping  in New Salem so we headed out that way and hung there for awhile.  

Doesn't Keagan have the prettiest blue eyes??

Look at his CHUBBY legs!

After telling my parents, we headed down to O'Fallon to tell Matt's parents.  We got my mother-in-law a Willow Tree grandmother box.  We wrapped it up and gave it to her without explanation.  She got it pretty much right away.  I think they were all pretty shocked.  

Anyway, the Anderson's had a pool party on the 4th.  Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate but we all had a lovely time chatting and eating.  We headed to the river with whole fam to watch the fireworks that night. 

Celebrating with some of my favorite people...

Speaking of St. Louis, our friends Janna and Derek came and visited this weekend and they gave us our very first outfit for peanut.  It's a little Cardinal outfit, with a matching bib!  WAY TOO CUTE.  Can't wait till peanut can actually wear it (yes, I am aware that I actually have to gestate for 9 months first).

Lilies

Written by Shannon Leigh

Look at our pink Lilies in the front landscaping!  I can't believe how big they have gotten and they are still going strong!

Antique Fabric Squares Strike Again (reprise)

Written by Shannon Leigh

Ok ok, I promise no more projects with the antique fabric squares!  I just can't help myself.   They work so well, I am constantly looking for more ways to use them! So maybe this isn't the last project that they will show up but it's the most recent.

I finally put up curtains in my laundry room.  I can't stand clutter (it's true Mom, I know you thought you'd never see the day) and these 2 little curtains made all of my clutter out of site-out of mind! YEY!  We are planning on putting up some more shelves back there as well.  That will give me even more organization (I need all of the help I can get)  I am pretty sure the entire project cost me about $8 and I still have a ton of fabric left over.  I love cheap design!:)

A place to rest your bum

Written by Shannon Leigh

I have been super busy for the last few weeks (lot's of photo shoots).  I haven't had a lot of time to work on my half finished projects.  I can't STAND having half finished projects.  I sit at work thinking about them but I can't actually do anything about them.  Oh well... that's life.

A few weeks ago I finally got a legit office chair.  Thank goodness.  My bum was starting to get really angry at me.  Now I can sit and edit to my heart's (or my bum's) content.  

I am still scanning old family slides and photographs.  Right now I have my Grandparent's albums from 1962-1969.  Look at those album covers, totally psychedelic.  I'm sure I will share some images with you when I get the chance.

Happy Friday!:)

Right Now...

Written by Shannon Leigh

I just got in from planting flowers, Matty is mowing the lawn, and Izzy is drinking out of the toilet (someone always forgets to leave the toilet seat down).  

It's getting ready to rain so my flowers will get a nice big drink.  I think I'll get Matty a fountain soda, I think he'd really enjoy that.

Simplifying

Written by Shannon Leigh
I would never describe myself as simple. In fact I am incredibly complicated. My feelings are complicated, my wardrobe is complicated, my ideas/dreams are complicated, my LIFE is complicated. Most of the time I am a hot flaming mess.
I long to be simple.
I've been traveling a lot over the last few months and I have learned the importance of simple. I pack simple, I have a simple unpacking system, a simple shopping list every other week, simple expectations about time, etc. By being simple I have saved a lot of time and energy.
Most of my house is organized pretty simply. Everything has a place, even stray pencils and pens. There is one room, however, that is anything but simple...

my craft room.

It is stuffed to the brim with sewing things, scrapbooking utensils, old photography equipment, and all other things crafty. I have lots of hobbies... sue me.

For my birthday I ordered a slide scanner (I have a slight obsession with old family slides). That is one of the things I have missed the most from my photography school days. We had access to some of the most incredible equipment.
That, however, is really beside the point. When I got home from my parents yesterday I was TOTALLY overwhelmed with all of the crap in my craft room.
In college I would spend an exuberant amount of time cleaning my room and desk before I could start studying. When my room was cluttered, my mind was cluttered. I was so much more productive after my room was simple and organized.
That being said, I KNEW that I would never be able to start the scanning process until my room was nice and tidy. So last night my darling hubby helped me organize and reorganize our craft room to utter bliss. Simple Bliss.

Thanks Matty, now I get to simply create in my simple craft room.

Floating shelves from Menard's.

Bed roll, lamp, rug, and curtains from Urban Outfitters.
Jars from Hobby Lobby or thrifted.
Funny Bones Game thrifted.
I'm sure there will be me more updates soon, I'm still waiting for my chandelier, stupid ceiling fan. But for now, bring on the slides!

This Just In...

Written by Shannon Leigh

I FINALLY updated my photoblog. Check out the wedding images here.

{Spring} Cleaning/Crafting

Scrub the floors (on my hands and knees). Check

Wash the baseboards. Check

Clean behind the toilet (apparently I've missed that spot for the last 6 months). Check

Vacuum UNDER the furniture. Check

Get our comforter dry cleaned. Check

O.k. Spring, my house is clean! Can you {please} make it a longer stay next time?

I have a bunch of fun projects underway (I guess the few days of spring-like weather inspired me).

Some of them required paint and are still drying out in the garage (stupid cold weather). I can show you one...

I saw this somewhere awhile ago and I loved

it! All I did was cover cork board with fabric and tuck them in as the backing of some cubbies. I think I'll get 3 more at some point. They look a little smaller than I expected (I guess that means I'd have to pick out more of my fave fabric out of my stash... DARN).

A busy week in review.

Whoa Nelly,

Some how out of the short days of winter, spring crept in over night and caught me off guard. I know in the back of my mind that winter if far from over but I am enjoying the gusty "warm" weather by participating in some outdoor activities. In fact I took Izzy for a nice long run Friday night after work in full sunlight. I forgot how nice it was to go outside without 3 layers of clothing and mittens. Here's to praying that Punxsutawney Phil was wrong.

This week was a complete whirlwind with Matt's birthday, things gearing

up for training at work, getting a fence (I can barely contain my excitement there) and my parents coming to visit this weekend. I will try to recap with pictures.

Matt's Birthday Celebration:

Heart shaped-Chocolate Chip Pancakes for breakfast

A romantic dinner at a local Mandarin restaurant

An ice cream cake from Matty's fave- Marble Slab

My mom came and helped me make my first article of clothing using a pattern. It actually turned out to be pretty easy. I'm not sure if I like the fabric or the material, but it was very educational.

Our Fence was put in!!! YEY!!!

I cannot explain how elated I am... Izzy loves it and so do we. Now let's hope for some new grass in the spring and it will be heaven on earth.

A lovely shishkabob dinner with three of my favorite people.
The night was topped off by my favorite dessert, chocolate pie. I have never made it before so I took advantage of the extra help from my mom. Chocolate pie reminds me of spring because I always asked for it for my birthday which is in April. I hope Matty enjoyed it as much as I did! I know my dad did.

A Few Things

That made me happy this morning...1. A newly brushed/de-matted Iz.
Since spending time with the shitzu cousins at my parents house over the holidays, Izzy's chest was one giant hairball caked in dog saliva. I brushed the heck out of her last night and now I can rub her belly without the risk of losing my hand in a snarl of hair.


2. Kashi waffles.So I started working out regularly about a month ago. Since doing so I have noticed that I have more energy and I am in an overall better mood. But man am I hungry and I mean all the time. Take this morning for example. I woke up at 7:00 (this is earlier than usual mind you) and my stomach was already growling like an angry polar bear ( This may or may not be a reference to Lost). So I toasted up some Kashi Honey Nut waffles and ate them with devotion. If you haven't tried these delightful breakfasty treats I suggest you visit your neighborhood grocer's freezer section.

3. Smucker's Strawberry Syrup to go on my Kashi waffles.
I am crazy over this stuff. Maybe that is why I've had breakfast for dinner 3 nights this week. They also have blueberry and blackberry flavors. The best part? Matt doesn't like it, so that means I get it all to myself. Mmmm, sticky goodness.

Bonnie... the Baptist Bachelorette

I met Bonnie the first week of my sophomore year of college at the BCM. She had short blond hair and was the most Baptist girl I'd ever met. She was quiet and reserved. Our relationship went as far as saying hello at the BCM and when I came to visit Megan and Charvi in the dorms. I didn't find out until much later that she was in my music class that fall semester. I didn't notice her for a couple of reasons. I was madly in love for the first time in my life and I spent most of that class wishing I were with Matt or writing my name with his last name - &- I always sat front and center and Bonnie was more of a middle girl. Apparently she noticed me because I always came late in sweats with my hair in the highest, messiest ponytail she'd ever seen. We laugh a lot about this now because this pretty much describes Bonnie and I to a T.

After going through a severe depression that Fall I moved out of a sorority house and back into the dorms with a random roommate. My best friend Megan left school after that semester and I was terrified. She had been my rock and now I was going to have to make it on my own. However, I found out quickly that I was far from alone. Spring semester Bonnie (& Ashley) let me lounge around on their dorm room floor, eat their food, and allowed me to be me without asking questions. After that semester Bonnie and I only got closer and over the years we have both changed. As Bonnie's hair got darker, her views on life changed too. Although we both hit bumps on the road, we came out on the other side stronger, more determined, and most importantly... better friends. I respect Bonnie for her convictions, her strength, and her relationship with Christ. She isn't afraid to apologize for her mistakes and her love is genuine.

Last year, this independent Baptist girl met the man of her dreams in a red headed weatherman named Clint. Instantly she was smitten and I got to see a side of Bonnie I had never seen before. Next month she will become a wife and begin an adventure that she never expected. Bonnie is giving her future husband the gift of herself for the rest of her life and I think Clint would agree that he got a good one.

Congratulations Bonnie and Clint!

This weekend those who love her celebrated Bonnie by going ice skating in Forest Park and eating at the Old Spaghetti Factory. I think the photos will speak for themselves.