If you came to link up to the mantel party, scroll down to the bottom and show off what you have going on this week. If you want some answers to all those great questions you asked me a few days ago, read on...
My Marriage
Anonymous said…Can you tell us if the issue from your very first blog post has been resolved. I've been praying for you and your family. ...just want to know if you have peace with what it is you blogged about.
So many of you have written me privately to let me know that you have been praying for me, my family, my dad’s cancer, and my financial situation. Thank you! Anonymous, I have been blogging for just over two years now. My very first post ever written was about the trials of living in the city. I’m guessing that maybe you are instead referring to my first post written at the end of 2009? Either way, I am at peace with my life, and I’ll get into what’s going on with me further down the page J. Thank you, thank you for your prayers.
Anonymous said...
You hinted in one of your posts about your marriage that you and your husband almost divorced. I was wondering if you felt comfortable telling more about what happened. I'm having major problems in my marriage and I found what you shared encouraging.
I am so sorry to hear that you're at a place where divorce seems like the only escape from the pain. Marriage is such hard, hard work. People think that if it’s a "good marriage," it should be easy. I disagree. Anyone who is married long enough is bound to hit some major bumps that threaten to derail you off course. It’s not easy. Matt and I have had more than our share of bumps….more like brick walls…that have threatened to destroy our life together. I am not able to go into great detail on the blog as to what happened, but I invite anyone struggling to email me and we’ll chat. You don’t have to suffer in silence without support.
Cancun for 10th (X) Anniversary, 3/2009
This is a follow-up question to your last post of the 2009. What kind of work does your hubby do? Is he still employed? How are YOU doing? Just wondering...I hope all is well. Lisa
Thanks Lisa J. Matt’s job is confusing. He works at a college as the Director of National and International Ministries and he teaches a few courses. He is in charge of coordinating all of the service projects and missions work that the students do. The college only pays 1/3 of his salary and Matt is required to raise the rest. In this economy, that is just NOT going well. He was told officially this week that his position will be dissolved after this school year. Matt will be unemployed in May.
How am I? Freaking out and in denial. However, I have seen God provide for my family in amazing and miraculous ways. (How many of you have had envelopes of money from two different people on two different days slipped under your door with notes saying, “God laid this on my heart to give to you?”)
A practical question that no one asked, but you may be wondering, How can I afford to decorate if we’re so broke? Good question. In some ways I probably can’t and shouldn’t be. In others, it is what keeps me going, filled with hope, and passion. I try to sell a ton of things on Craigslist and use that money to fund my passion.
Cancun 2009
What is your idea of the perfect date night with your husband?
XOXO
Jen
At this point, any time we don’t have the kiddos with us is pure bliss! Matt and I have a ton of fun together and are very playful. We have a blast just hanging out in a coffee shop analyzing life. If /when we have some money to play with, I love the dates which involve something outdoorsy followed by something lush and pampering. I blogged about one of my all-time favorite dates with Matt here if you want to get a glimpse of our love story. Virginia Staycation, 6/2009
My Family
I have a question about your boys :) I love their names and the fact that they aren't very common. So my question is: How did you and your husband decide on their names? Are they family names or just ones you like?
My husband and I are expecting our second child in July and are completely stuck as far as names go. It is such a big decision!
Congrats Chelsy! Isn’t choosing names so hard! I chose both my guys names based on the following criteria: Biblical, good meaning, unique. (Matt just went along with whatever I wanted J.) Asher is Hebrew for happy which is so perfect for him! Zephan is short for the book Zephaniah and means “one who is treasured by God”. My parents were a bit mortified by both names, but I didn’t care. Naming a child is a very personal matter. Everyone will have an opinion on the subject. However, it is the one decision you have complete control over! And in pregnancy, as in life, you can’t say that about very many things. All the best to you as you choose a name for your little blessing. What is the one thing in your life that you would love to do but you know you will never accomplish?
I would love to have a little girl. It is not going to happen for me and sometimes that makes me very sad. I think I would have made a great mom to girls. However, I believe the Lord hand-picks the children he gives you. I just have to trust that in His wisdom He knew boys were better for us. Photo credit: Maren Ogden (This is my best friend's gorgeous niece.)
Kathy from the Creative Home Expressions Post Examiner here, Beth. : ) Have you ever thought of moving to Virginia, near or with your parents?
Many, many times. The cost of living is much more expensive in Virginia and the job market competitive. We honestly don’t see any way right now that we are able to afford to move without significantly changing our standard of living. As Matt looks for jobs, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for something closer to “home”.
1. How many siblings do you have of each gender and where do fall in the birth order?
2. Who was the artistic one in your family as you were coming up...aside from you?
3. What is your favorite creative past time?
1. I have two amazing sisters. Kim is 39, I am 35, and Christianne is 30.
2. All of us share similar giftings, but I am the LEAST artistic out of the three. Kim is the true artist. She can do anything, and do it well. Here is a pic below of some of her recent creations.
My little sister, Christianne, is a talented blogger who I've mentioned several times before on my blog. You can check out her blog
here .
3. Blogging is my favorite creative past time. I seriously would put one of those, “I’d rather be blogging” stickers on my car. Okay, no I wouldn’t because they’re tacky. But if they weren’t…I’d be all about it!
I don't have my own blog but am thinking about starting one. I recently discovered yours and love it! My question is, if you don't mind sharing, how much money do you earn by blogging? Do you charge sponsors or advertisers a monthly rate that you set? Do you only earn money if someone clicks on a link? I don't understand how that part of blogging works. Thanks!
Every blogger charges their sponsors something different. I don't make enough to brag about :). If anyone is interested in advertising on my blog, I am open to discussing prices.
I want to know:
1. What is your most favorite makeover you've done in/around your home?
2. Did you have a project that didn't work out the way you planned?
1. Well, my most favorite project "around" my home is the design and vision I implemented next door. I was paid to design everything for our neighbor's home and I love it. You can view it here . 2. I rarely if ever have a real plan in mind when I tackle a project. Almost all of my projects sort of unfold as I'm doing them and almost all of them involve several four letter words muttered under my breath :).
I struggle with finding time to blog and work on projects and mother and clean and do laundry, etc. How do you find time or rather, make time for these creative endeavors while still doing everything else?
The short answer is....I don't. Something is almost always being neglected and typically it's the house. So many times when I'm taking beautiful pics of an area of my house you would laugh to see the disgrace happening in the rest. To answer your question in a more helpful way, I try to be creative in the evenings. I don't watch a ton of tv and use my spare time to craft, decorate, and blog. (Insomnia proves helpful at times too. :)
Thanks for all the questions. That was fun :).
Now let's see those mantels!
