Nesting

One of the most exciting parts to me about having a new baby is decorating the nursery! I had so much fun doing this that I kinda feel bad that my other children probably won't get the same time and effort put into their nursery. I just couldn't help myself.

The Before

The room used to be a catch all room and Matt used the room for his closet. Matt once had dreams of using the room as a Man Cave, but that just never happened. Here is a picture of the room last summer before the floors and trim were updated after the flood.

This is my poor mother. She spent about 10 hours of her life completing the chevron wall that I was just a little too particular about. I was actually not allowed to touch it, so I just project managed, informing her of any angles that needed fixing. I don't think she appreciated my side comments too much.

The After

Here is the completed chevron wall. Pink and White. Perfect in every way. 

Overall picture of the room. Three walls aqua, accent wall chevron pink and white. 

Triangles Rug in Gray: Pottery Barn for Kids

Curtains fabric: Joanne Fabrics; made by my mom and Auntie Jenny

The Crib

Fisher Price 3-in-1 convertible in Misty Gray compliments of Mom and Dad Loerop

Bed set is Circo Geo Girl from Target (this was actually my inspiration for the color scheme) compliments of Evergreen Academy Teachers and Staff.

Circo Fitted Crib Sheet in Elephants from Target compliments of Uncle Taylor and Auntie Jamie. 

Wall collage designed by me

The Wall Collage

I really wanted something special over the crib that really tied the room and all of it's colors and themes together. I was inspired by Pinterest and Etsy, but most of the design is my own. 

Love mirror: Hobby Lobby

Elephant Chevron and scripture sign art: Etsy (seller karimachal) This also includes a Monogram of her name, but I am holding back on framing that until after she is born.

 The next three pictures were designed by me. The frames were purchased from the dollar store. I painted them using the left over paint from her room. The first image is Psalm 139:14. I thought this was appropriate since Baby Girl is a gift from God.

The second image is a quote from one of my favorite children's books, "Love you Forever" by Robert Munsch. 

The third image is of themes that I hope my Baby Girl develops over her lifetime. Hope in her God, Believe in her God, and Love her God.

The Rocker and Chifferob

Eddie Bauer Chair and Half Rocker in Gray: Target; Compliments of Grandma and Grandpa Loerop

Decorative Pillows: Etsy (seller: PillowsbyJanet)

Chifferob: This is a family heirloom. My Grandma Boender used this for all of her three daughters, my mom and aunts used this for their babies, and now I get to use it for my babies. I painted the drawer and door faces gray to compliment the rocker and crib.

Circo Changing Pad Cover in Pink: Compliments of my Aunt Cindy and cousins, Faith and Kayla

The Bookshelf

Room Essentials Three Shelf Bookcase: Target

Lamp: Ikea

Elephant Bank: Tiffany & Co, compliments of my very good friend Sara. 

Basket o toys: Karis Jordan and family; toys are purchased from friends

Books: Friends and Family

The Storage

3 Floating Shelves: Ikea

3 Storage baskets for diapers, pacifiers lotions, and other baby type things: HomeGoods

Chevron Laundry Basket in Pink and White: Target, compliments of my Aunt Cindy and cousins Faith and Kayla

Bow Rack: Frame is from Hobby Lobby. I nailed fishing line across in three locations. The clips have small gray flower stickers on them.
All the bows are gifts from the baby shower. I think she is set for a life time.

As you can see, I just couldn't help myself. 

5 years

Five years ago, at about 5:30 pm, Matthew and I said our "I-dos"in a small church in Lansing, IL. In all honesty, it is quite a miracle that we even got married with how screwed up our pasts were. God knew what He was doing when He allowed us to meet at Anderson University. He knew that even though we were quite sinful and living how we pleased, we were meant for each other. He knew that we would choose to use our marriage to glorify Him.

We took vows that day.

Vows that promised to be constant friends, faithful partners, and each other's great love from that day forward.

We promised to be faithful in sickness and in health. This may seem trivial and many marriage vows say that exact line, but when I honestly think about it, it can make or break a marriage. It's easy to be happy and joyful when you are both healthy, but it's a whole different scenario when some one is "sick". God knew Matthew and I were meant to be.  I don't know who I would have wanted to share the journey of infertility with besides him. God blessed me with such a patient, loyal, honorable, and loving husband. God knew this "sickness" that became our marriage would only make us love each other more.

We promised to be faithful in good times and in bad. Another make or break marriage-type-vow. In five years, I would say Matthew and I have had our share of good times and bad. We've have many great adventures together by going on many different trips to explore the world around us, we've ate good food, drank good wine, and just had those Friday nights were we just wanted to watch a movie and eat pizza. We've also endured fights, a house flooding, a dog dying, cars breaking down, and the obvious, not knowing if we could conceive. God has been there through it all. Five years later, I can honestly say I wouldn't change any of it.

We promised to be supportive in each other's goals. I am a goal oriented person. In fact, this may be a quality my husband gets annoyed with because my goal oriented personality also means I struggle to have patience when completing my goals in a timely matter. God knew Matthew was meant for me. Matthew has been there as I took on two years of Master courses, redecorated our house (and spent more money than I should have), needed things done "at this moment", and nesting this summer. Nesting could have pushed him over board, especially since I needed certain things done in a specific order, but being the patient husband that he is, our house is perfect for baby's arrival. God also knew Matthew needed me to be patient and supportive as he figured out what his purpose and career should look like. I think he's finally found his niche in landscaping, ponds, and plants. God has given him a career, he finally has a passion for and that is something you can't take for granted.

We promised to cherish each other for as long as we both shall live. In the first year of marriage, newly weds probably don't really know what it means to cherish some one. Life at that point is still rainbows and kittens, but as life gets "real", you learn what it means to cherish someone. I know that Matthew and I still have a lot a head of us and a lot of cherishing to learn. I am honored to have gone through what we did because after five years I can be cliche and say, I love Matthew more than the day I married him. I can only imagine what our next five years will bring on.

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:9-10 This was our wedding verse. It is most difficult to honor another before yourself, but if you try just a little a married life is worth it.