Balance, focus, and finding center in our life

In the yoga class that I have been going to the instructor continuously tells us "Focus on a point ahead to keep your balance".  Since the first time I heard her say that I was quickly reminded of Hebrews 12:2 "fix your eyes on Jesus..."   I find that concept of finding balance in finding a focal point so true in our life with Jesus.

So many things go around us, so many things that at times feel like were spinning. Yet despite this we can control it more effectively with finding that center point in our life.  In finding our center we come to see that Jesus is the center not only of the universe but yes, even our very own life. As we place ourselves in Him we then focus on Him bringing stability and peace to anything that may be spinning.  We can live balanced and focused as we keep our eyes on Jesus.

If your like me you may have asked how do we this 'keeping our eyes on Jesus'.  The Message Bible tells us to study Him:

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.  

                                                                            Hebrews 12:2 The Messaage

As our instructor says, "we practice" how much more can we also practice what Jesus did! I am inspired to study Jesus even more in the scriptures knowing that I will continue to fix my eyes on Him bringing center and balance to my life!

Updating our new painted living room.

In having new paint, a new color it changed our living room. At that point we knew it was time to update with a few touches in the decor.  Novogratzes have become our new term we use in our small decor language.  We decided to add a pop color in our living room thanks to their inspiration.

Here is a preview of our updates....our next phase in updating is painting the remainder of our house.

If they can do it then why can't I....WE DID IT!

That's right! We went for it and painted our living room! Saturday morning we woke up with the urge to just paint the living room, just to go for it.  We watched a few 'how to paint' videos on YouTube which really gave us that confidence that we could accomplish the task at hand.  My husband ran to Lowes and bought the Valspar paint, rollers, edge brush, and whatever else he thought we needed. This really took away some of the fear in doing things our self.  My favorite part in this experience was working with my husband. In some way it just brought an extra strength to our marriage....we can do anything together!

What's on the menu?

What's on the menu is an order of my morning prayer with the kids.  As I find myself home once again I picked up the custom I had before (before as in when I was a stay at home mom the first time) of praying out loud in front of the kids.  Praying out loud started for me because I would get frustrated with the day in and day outs of a 9 month old, a 1 year old and an almost 3 year old.  I needed the release and the peace that trusting in prayer brought me.  Praying out loud worked every time to settle me, calm me or bring me an idea in how to approach the needs being required of me.

As many parents know a house with young kids can tousle a mom's hair, to say the least.  So not only did I need the prayer but the kids as well.  Kids pick up our habits, they pick up how we deal with situations, kids pick up everything from us.  In knowing and acknowledging the astute minds of my kids I knew this time around it would be important for them to participate with me. I combined a confession we say to them at night with a simple prayer that we repeat at breakfast. They know this prayer now so when I say 'guys it is time to pray for our day' they chant with me....ok not chant but engage.

Not only is this a prayer but it is a declaration of what we want the Yanez family to represent.  In writing this down we are setting a vision before us and reminding us (me mainly at times) that we are a family of love,peace and joy....not only for us but for all those around us. 

If they can do it then why can't I....Paint continued

 I am setting July as our paint project month and so we have been sampling paints.  We picked up paint cards the last time I blogged about our process however the colors bombed. I have the whole look, design in my head but cannot get it out so our walls have patches every where of paint.  It is getting to where I am just going to paint white because the mess is past 'oh were sampling paints' or 'oh you know we have kids'.

We are looking at have a blueish color in our living room to blend with the dark leather/camel suede sectional we have and the darker woods. The halls and kitchen looking at a tanish/yellowish that will blend with the living room yet help make it seem open and bright.

In midst of sampling paint I am processing in my head 'oh my goodness we are going to paint ourselves'.  I continue to think that my main concern is edging.  If your great at it I will not mind if you want to come help us out because that would just be inspiring and appreciated! 

BUT tad-ah! We have selected our colors! Saturday night we happened to be watching HGTV when there it was the look we are going for.  Not exactly but the palette and tones and feel of welcome to our home.  Ultimatley not only are wanting a home where are kids will grow up to be all who God has called them to be but a home for others to feel the love of God.  So we see this house as a vechicle for raising our children and reaching people as we invite them in.

I was able to find a picture, even though it is not quite like seeing the whole space and colors but you can get the idea and link to the design we are going for:

 

Cape Cod Cozy HGTV Summer Homes

If they can do it then why can't I....Paint

I am setting July as our paint project month.  My husband and I went to go look at paints at Lowe's on Saturday and returned with questions like 'do we know what we want', 'do we know what we are doing', and 'can we find an interior designer'.  Even though there was a bit of trepidation in can we do this I am not giving up in my desire to this on our own.  If they can do it then why can't I?

We returned with one sample and will test the paint in a few areas around our house along with some other colors once we go back.  In my quest for inspiration and tips I was directed to http://www.younghouselove.com/ where she has such a good post on Keeping Things Cohesive With Paint.  Something in the way she has mapped out where in the house she painted has really helped me in narrowing down what I want the end paint project to look like.  I am ready to venture to Lowe's again for two or three paint samples in creating a color palette for our house.  I can see this now in my head how, with the color we choose, the house will look like.


These are diagram that really brought cohesive ideas in my not so artistic brain:

My engines are getting reved up for this project...well at least the part of finding the color that will emphasize the welcome we want every person to feel when they are in our home.  Taking one bite at a time as I know the actual laboring part will be that labor.

If they can do it then why can't I?

I am looking at embarking the journey of painting (and if successful some other do it ourselves projects) our home with my husband.  The painting that has taken place in our house since we moved in was contracted.  However I am feeling like I, like we should do it if all these other people do...why not?

• Maybe why not because in certain projects I do not have the patience.
• Maybe why not because the edges are intimidating....I am perfectionist so if I think it is not going to be straight then get a professional
• Maybe why not because patience......

Okay so in trying to make this list of 'why not' I am seeing that there really is no reason we cant do it!  There are so many blogs on people who redesign their home or show how to that I can grab inspiration from.  I invite you to join the journey of "If they can do it then why can't I"?   I will post our true honest pictures regardless if they look good or bad.......here goes to building my home even if I am not creative, artistic, crafty or handy!

On this note we are headed to search for paint....