A New Year Update...

It has been almost 3 months since my last post. It has been somewhat intentional and somewhat inevitable as life has just been so busy. I thought I'd start the new year with a post as a general update about our crazy life right now.

I started a new job as the Elementary Coordinator at our church. I oversee the 1st- 4th grade program of about 200 kids a Sunday. I'm absolutely loving it but its been a huge adjustment working again after being home with my daughter and only Nannying for the past couple years. It has been a great outlet for me to pursue my other gifts and passions outside of motherhood and domestic home life.

Avaree, our 2.5 year old started preschool 2 days a week while I go into the office. She is thriving and LOVES it. Every night she asks me if she gets to go to school tomorrow. When I dropped her off even the first day she told me "go Mommy, go home, I play with my friends!" I cried a little but so thankful she is so independent and confident. No separation anxiety in this little fireball. Here she is on the first day of school...

My husband is still working two jobs to take care of us. He is so amazing. We are praying this fall he will be able to find a teaching position again and also begin work on his Master's degree. He has put so much on hold to allow me to stay home with our daughter and I'm pushing him to pursue his dreams and trust the Lord to provide some of the financial relief we need. Excited to see what God's going to do. Currently, he has to work most evenings which is so sad for our relationship and as a father it just kills him not to be home to eat together, or put Avaree to bed, etc. This will become even harder as we have recently learned that we will soon be....

A family of 4!!! Yep, I'm pregnant! We are thrilled. I'm 15 weeks and have had it rough so far. So thankful to be into the 2nd trimester and praying to escape the extreme "all day" sickness I've had. Avaree is so excited to be a big sister and has already been a big help to Mommy. She is convinced its a girl of course, and my husband is sure its a boy. I have no premonitions so far. The plan is for me to continue to work after some maternity leave... I am only 20 hours a week and have amazing flexibility and ability to work from home most days. We are blessed.

The thing thats been missing lately is any projects, crafts, or creative outlet for this girl. And I AM GOING CRAZY. I did get some pretty decorations up for Christmas (ha, actually they are still up- don't judge hehe) but I haven't taken any pictures. It is time for some projects and now that I'm feeling a bit better, I can't wait to get started. So, I'll do my best to get some pictures up. This blog is one of my New Year's resolutions because I realize how much I just love and need this creative side of me. I've been craving the inspiration of my blogger friends and dying to know what everyone's been up to lately. So, I'm back. I am putting no pressure on myself to meet any blogging goals or expectations. But, simply to continue to use this blog as a chance to connect with others who inspire me, and to give myself the chance to share my own passions and gifts. Thanks to everyone who reads and visits here. I've missed you all!

(Our New Year's Eve dinner party table) 

Here's to this new year and all the little surprises to come!

Welcome to Burlap & Buttons!

“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.” -Matsuo Basho

Welcome to Burlap and Buttons!
Here's a bit about about myself, my family, our home, and my attempt to Blog about it all...

I have been married to my incredible husband, Tyler for four years. We have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, Avaree, who is almost 2 years old.

We desire to be a family who loves and serves the Lord in all we do.

{Photo Credit: Char Beck Photography}

Home has always been an important place to me- the place I can create for my family, and where we laugh and grow together, the place where our memories are made.  But, our life has been a whirlwind and we have moved seven times in less than four years.

 I have learned the true meaning of "home" truly lies with those you love and not where you live

I have always loved decorating and crafts but I never had the confidence to consider myself creative or artistic and we never had enough money to buy expensive home décor. So, when I started trying my own projects and thrifting, I started to realize I had lots of ideas. I decided to stop second-guessing my style and just go with what I LOVE. I started Burlap and Buttons simply as a way to show family and friends some of my projects and share about our life. I knew nothing about followers or link parties or sponsorship etc. As I’ve grown a bit I have realized that blogging is not only so much fun and a great outlet for me but that it comes with new friends and incredible opportunities. I even started selling some of my creations in an Etsy store! I’m honored by every follower or comment… 

My goal is to inspire others to keep creating HOME even if that might be a tiny space on a strict budget or a new apartment every year. 

Keep reading to find a bit more about the things that inspire me....

Old, Rustic, Chippy Things...

My love for antiques is passed down from my Mama... The house I grew up in is FULL of amazing pieces that have been in the family for years. Each picture, doily, chair, and vase has a story. I love to sit and hear Mama's stories of summer evenings chasing fireflies on the farm, picking raspberries in the garden, and canning jelly and pickles in the cellar.  I grew up surrounded by the faces of my family from years ago and antiques passed down for generations. I love the heritage of my family and know I am deeply rooted in faith and love as I look around at these "old" things passed down.

My Mama & Grandma in the garden on Mama's
17th Birthday. Mama and I restored this
red picnic table this summer and we still eat
out on the patio almost every summer evening at
Mama and Daddy's house.

My Grandpa who died before I was born...
 He made this clock and it has sat on my parent's mantle
since before I was born.
 





TO BE CONTINUED...