8 moves in 7 years

A peek into our journey so far...

July 11th, 2009 we were married. 

1st move : our housing fell through so we lived with my in-laws for a few weeks. 

2nd :: We moved in with Zach's brother, his wife & their two boys for almost three months.

3rd :: Finally our first home of our own! A 950sq ft 2 bed 1.5 bath apartment. 

4th :: I became manager of the complex so we moved into the 1500 sq ft 3 bed 2 bath manager's unit. Penny's first house! 

5th :: I quit to become a stay-at-home momma so we found a 2 bed 1.5 bath apartment attached to someone's shop. It was a wonderful home & Lilly's first house! 

6th :: Bigfork! Zach's office moved so we moved to be closer to his work. 2 bed 2 bath with shag carpet and popcorn ceilings..every renters dream! 😂

7th :: The big house that broke the bank! We desperately wanted to be back in Kalispell (especially after Zach's work moved offices again!) so some friends offered us an opportunity that only comes around once in a lifetime. Gorgeous home & an awesome 40 acres to play in. We set up a cross-country ski track, had a herd of elk pass through, bonfires, and many wonderful memories were made in that home. Unfortunately the utilities were astronomical for us & we just couldn't afford it any longer. 

8th :: back to the in-laws! With most of our belongings in storage! 

I honestly couldn't ask for better people to do this season with. My in-laws are some of the greatest people to walk this earth. We are so incredibly blessed by them! 

Right now we are looking to purchase a home! 

We've put in an offer on one, but it was refused. 

So we're working on patience. Playing the waiting game. Holding out for the perfect house that God has planned for us! 

I grew up in the same house my first 18 years.

Zach's dad was a Marine so they moved every three years. 

I crave stability.

Zach loves the unknown.

I'm wanting our forever home.

Zach is intrigued by investment properties.

Ultimately "home" is wherever my family is. 

BLOG MERGE!

Dearest readers, 

I've decided to merge my two blogs. 

I had this grand plan to have an Instagram & blog solely for our home decor/updates/diy/etc. but quickly figured out I'm not cut-out for the one theme thing! 

So the next few posts are going to be posts from my other blog - I apologize if you were following along and are now seeing these a second time.  

Now, my hope is to keep up with THIS blog. 

Prepare for a hodgepodge/mishmash/multifaceted/eclectic collection of writings!

So much love to all! 

Enjoy!

   

 Nicole

Learning a thing or two...

6:30am      

I'm awoken by the shrieks of Lillian. 

I grab her & head back to bed.

Only I'm not going to try and sleep anymore.

I'm getting on my phone to browse Instagram & then Facebook.

Jealousy. Insecurity. Bitterness. 

Just a few nasty feelings that like to creep inside my heart & mind while scrolling.

A peek into my thoughts...
Here we are in-between houses and everyone is posting pictures of their perfectly decorated living room where 10 friends are gathered around a gourmet spread of yummy treats.
1. Where was my invite?
2. Darn you for having a home!
3. I like food. 
**Seriously?! What the HECK is wrong with you Nicole!?!**

But here's the thing...I know I'm not alone in thinking this way!

In this day and age it is easier than ever to compare yourself to other's.
Social media has created an instant way to feel insecure, jealous, and bitter about anything and everything you struggle with.

"Comparison is the thief of joy!" Theodore Roosevelt

Well ain't that the truth, Theo - thanks for those wise words!

"The bad news is - time flies!

The good news is - you're the pilot!"

Michael Althsuler

The other day I decided it's time I start to count my blessings!
Life is way too short to be jealous of others.
I need to get up off my bum & create the happy life I'm so bitter about everyone else having.
I need a heart check.
I need to alter my mindset.
I need to focus on LOVE & JOY!

Love yourself!

Love your friends & family!

Love a stranger!

Love doing what you do!

Love your life!

Be truly happy for other's & encourage them!

I'VE GOT THE JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY - DOWN IN MY HEART!

You were not called to live someone else's life. 

You were called to live your life. 

NOW is the best time to start being the best you!

Love, 

    Nicole

Marriage Is What You Make It

Marriage is seriously all about what YOU put into it.

You can't change your spouse.

But you can change your attitude.

Sometimes you won't like each other, but always chose to love through it.

If you both give 100% that's when things jive!

Pray for your spouse daily. 

Pray for your marriage.

Protect your marriage.

Don't speak ill of your spouse to anyone! 

Find out your spouse's love language. 

It may change constantly.

Loving your spouse well makes a huge positive difference.

You should be able to express an opinion without an argument ensuing.

Not everything has to turn into an epic battle!

Fight FOR each other & not against each other!

In my short 7 years of married life I've noticed seasons in our marriage.

Really good & really not good times.

I can almost always correlate it with what I'm putting IN.

Be intentional. Mix it up.

Love. Love well. Love always.

4 Ways To Be "Wild" When Married and/or A Parent

Dearest friends, 

How are you? Truly? 

I am coming out of a season of depression. But it was also a season of growing & learning.

And a season of figuring out what's most important to me.

I've been realizing how many different ways life can go. 

As a wife & mom I pride myself in being the source of stability. 

I am the constant. I am who they can always count on.  

I get the mundane daily tasks done. 

But I also don't want to get so caught up in routine that life looses it's fun-factor! 

I just read a quote :: wild wife = wild life.

So here I have written :

Four Ways To Be "Wild" When Married and/or A Parent

1. YOU NEED TO BE A LITTLE SELFISH!

*This is the toughest one for me because I constantly think 

"how will this affect my husband/daughters?"*

Get to know yourself!
What makes you happy?
Take time to meet a friend for coffee/wine/whatever floats your boat.
Go for a drive or run errands - all alone!
Then you can come back refreshed - even if it was just a five minute drive to the gas station to pick up anti-diarrhea meds.
Being a little selfish doesn't mean leaving on a month-long sabbatical to get your head on straight while spending gobs of cash that you don't have to spend. I know we could all use one of those - but don't be that selfish!
Most of the time when you take time for yourself you become a better, happier you.
Happier you = happier people around you.

2. LET LOOSE!
Spilled milk? I'm pretty sure someone somewhere has given a tutorial on how to clean it up.
No need to throw a bigger tantrum than your two-year-old.
Practice being care-free.
Roll with whatever life throws your way.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Daily dance parties!


3. CHANNEL YOUR INNER-CHILD
Again - daily dance parties!
Kids do stuff without caring what people think - you should follow suit.
Quit worrying about being judged.
Let your insecurities fly out the window.
Laugh! Have fun!


4. PURSUE NEW THINGS
Don't be afraid to go on adventures together.
The thought of a whining child, or a complaining spouse are enough to make anyone want to turn around. But I encourage you to push through!
Have an interest in something but it's too expensive? Search Craigslist or Facebook Sell Sites.
Ask friends & family if they have one you can borrow, give you, or chip in for.
A lot of times you just need to vocalize your want in order to receive it.

I hope you all feel a little more confident finding your WILD!

* wildflower * wildcat * wildfire * wildcard *wildebeest

So much love to you,      

                                   Nicole

An open apology to a FedEx delivery driver.

Well, this is embarrassing to admit. I thought I had posted this the day I wrote it. 

Apparently my life is crazier than I thought and my brain has gone on vacation! 

So here it is, three weeks later! 

Happy New Year!!

To the FedEx delivery driver who showed up at 11:20am on New Year's Eve ::
I would like to apologize!

My house looked like I hadn't picked up a single thing or done dishes the whole year.
My oldest daughter (age 2.5) was crying hysterically because she forgot how to stand and did a "trust fall" straight to the floor.
My youngest (11 months) was pooping. You could hear and smell this process from the doorway.
I know you know it was her, but maybe you thought that smell was coming from me.
And I don't blame you if you thought that.
My appearance would suggest it was me, as I hadn't showered in three days. My hair was wild -- really wild! I had no makeup on. I also didn't sleep the night before due to my 11 month old who had screamed the whole night. So those dark circles under my eyes may have lead you to believe I was a vampire/zombie and not a human being.

I apologize because I'm sure you didn't want a peek into this world.
I'm sure you wanted to hand over that package to a normal, presentable looking human.

This is my life. My messy, beautiful life that I wouldn't trade for anything.
But I am apologizing, because you looked horrified.
Standing in your shoes, looking in, I honestly don't blame you one bit!

I hope your other deliveries offer more sane, cheerful experiences!



Happy New Year to you, sir!

Nicole -- a stay-at-home mom who did NOT have it together when you showed up today!

Children's Books :: Intro

My mother was a librarian for 14 years of my childhood.
I spent a lot of time at the library.
I became a lover of books.

When I found out I was pregnant the first thing I purchased was a book for new baby.
It was a book that I remembered loving, one that my little's collection NEEDED.

Geraldine's Big Snow by Holly Keller

 

Growing up in northwest Montana I was used to snow, but this book somehow made it magical!
I also love the artwork and it has few words on each page.

Something my husband hates is when a children's book it "too wordy." For the most part I agree -- but I have a few exceptions.

******************************

Since we're in the Christmas season I thought I would share our collection of Christmas books with you. Our collection is no where close to complete. I keep my eye out every time I make it to the thrift store. I have a feeling we'll add to it every year.

A classic!
I also love that it's Liam Neeson who reads on the cd!!

This one is pretty short, but very cute and fun.

Three classics that I found at a thrift store. I had all of these growing up.

Classic story..but I mostly liked the visuals in this one. 

This one is fun! I found it at a thrift store with all of the ornaments still intact.
I don't think we'll ever take the ornaments out.

My mom loves Little Critter, so she gifted this one to us. 

Penny spilled water all over it so the pages are wonky. :(

I love lift-a-flap books!

Thank you Jesus for sending your Son!

What are some of your favorite Christmas books?

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Here is our complete collection of Children's books (minus Christmas - I put those away each year).

I plan to post on each book.
Almost every single one has been found at a thrift store.
For my Flathead Valley readers ::
The Bigfork Thrift Store (Reloved) gives children's books away for free.
Most other thrift stores sell them for a quarter.
Or you can hit up Target and pay about $10 per book! [Insert shocked & sort of disgusted face here!]

While at the thrift store recently I found quite a few amazing books. As I was thumbing through making sure they were in good condition a mother and her two children were walking by.
Little girl : Ooh mommy! Can I get a book??
Mom : No! You have way too many books!
Little boy : I just want one book mom.
Mom : I said NO!
ME : [staring]!!

I honestly don't think there is such a thing as having too many books. And if a child wants to read..that's amazing!!
In a day and age where most kids plop down in front of the tv (or other electronic screen) and have little to no sense of imagination, I think books are one of the most important things we can give our children!

********************************

This is Penelope's favorite book right now.

llama llama nighty-night by Anna Dewdney

What is your favorite children's book?
What is your child's/children's favorite?

Lillian's favorite is any one she can get her hands on and chew! Ha! Little stinker is teething like crazy!

I hope you enjoyed this first installment of Children's Books. 

Keep watching for my next post (hopefully next week!)!

Well, we're off to read a couple books now!