The Wardrobe

If you are female, there is no doubt whatsoever that a slice of you gives considerable thought to your dress. Don't try to deny it! We all do it, to one degree or another.

With the upcoming change in seasons we often start planning all the lovely outfits we would like to wear, fantasize about a new wardrobe for summer, and then try revamping the clothes we have accumulated over the past years. There is a challenge here that we ought not to overlook: God has surrounded us by beauty, and we want to be a part of it.

Beauty is an amazing gift to be treasured, but not hidden; displayed, yet not flaunted. There is nothing wrong with desiring to be beautiful or wearing pretty clothes. The Lord encourages this in Psalm 45 ~ Then the King will desire your beauty. Because He is the Lord you will bow down to Him. The Kings daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is wrought with fine gold.

In Proverbs 31 we are told her clothing is fine linen and purple. Esther, Ruth, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, etc. are noted for godly character and physical beauty. They may indeed go hand in hand.

Man is of an evil heart, and every good gift can easily be misused and perverted by that evil heart. However, there is nothing evil about beauty or food or music in and of themselves. If we abuse God's gifts they will become stumbling blocks and sins. Christian women have a duty to be beautiful as a testimony of God's goodness. People are very ready to admire beauty - mountains, flowers, paintings, on and on it goes.

Young women, daughters, are to be a support and adornment to the home (see Psalm 144). A house needs to be filled by precious and pleasant riches (Prov 26). Do not be consumed by your looks. Simply be thoughtful about them, wear a dress you love, have a favorite pair of cute shoes, have fun styling your hair. Wear make-up not for covering up yourself, but for showing what the Lord has made. After all everything He makes is good.

My husband daily tells me I am beautiful, and I think this does more to cure my vanity than anything. He loves to see me dress well, loves my face at anytime, and likes my hair done fancy or simple. My infant son has learned to smile whenever he is asked is someone is pretty. This is delight to me, and all the ladies in my family. :) I want to be beautiful, because it pleases my husband. The Lord is also pleased by beauty, so I shall also try to be beautiful for His glory and because of His love. He speaks of adorning His Bride in the Old and New Testaments. So when you plan your spring/summer wardrobe, have fun and admire the creativity and beauty that the Lord fills these seasons with and allows us to share in. I plan on having a beautiful summer with my son, my pregnancy, my husband, and my life!

for more beauty inspiration go to:

Saltwater Clothes

&

Shabby Apple

House of Love

So after nearly 18 months of wedded delight, and 6 months with the most smiley baby boy ever, the Lord has decided we are ready to expand our family. Yes, we are expecting a baby in Sept. making Ethan a 14-month old big brother. I think he will be delighted with the role.

I remember once reading a little book entitled "The House of Love" one of the beautiful Lamplighter Publications. The story has nothing to do with this situation, but I find the title to aptly apply to our household in a variety of ways. Roman has a love which overflows infectiously into his life; it is bright and cheerful, also tender and comforting. In his role as husband and father he gives a strong foundation of love on which to lean. Ethan's love is shone by the delighted smiles and squeals whenever Mummy or Daddy give him attention. His eagerness to enjoy life is clear, and he brings sunshine to every gloomy or sunny day. As the son he brings liveliness to each moment (I'm sure this will be true as a brother too)! Then there is my role, wife and mother. I am of a much calmer nature than my husband and son, the soothing constant in their lives, learning to enjoy all of their joys, comfort any fears and hurts, and be there for their needs. The wife and mother is doubtless the beating heart that fills the home, secure in my husbands love. This new baby, whether girl or boy, will add to the the love that fills our house. They too, will have a role to fill and it will be a joy to watch.

Of course, we can only be a house of love as long as we are grounded in the One who is Love. It is because He teaches us that we are able to love. God Almighty is the definition of Love, the creator of it, and the only teacher thereof. I know by experience that I do love anyone who loves me - my parents, sisters, husband, etc. I know that the Word proclaims the truth was given to us not to destroy us, but to demonstrate God's vast love for us. The truth is love, and love is truth. When these are entwined in our minds, hearts, and lives then we can build a house of love. That is our house, our habit, our home. Lord willing, the Roman Mallery family will always dwell in a "House of Love."

Ethan as a newborn (above) and at 6 months (below).

Music for the Season

Christmas time is filled with products to delight the senses, elements that evoke the "Christmas spirit." The tongue is warmed by hot cocoa and soft gingerbread men, the eyes catch glimpses of bright reds and greens and the lights that glitter in every home, the nose is tickled by the crisp scents of pine needles and cinnamon candles, we love the feeling of snowflakes on our face and the soft new dress for a Christmas party. But the sense the is most evocative of emotion, memory, and mood is probably the ears.

Take away for one minute the carols, the silver and jingle bells, the laughter and squeals of excitement from the children. Close your ears for a second. Doesn't that change everything?

It is one of the few times of year that Christians have an upper hand in the world. Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ, and while mingled with songs of snowmen and reindeer, so many beautiful hymns are played, that tell of the birth as well as the life and purpose of Christ. Three Kings of Orient bearing gifts for a king, priest, and death; a little town in Bethlehem, with shepherds and angels; promises of Emmanuel; holy nights, glorias to God, even a sweet little drummer boy has a gift for the Christ-child. These songs are the timeless ones, they live on in a degenerate and dying world, and even the most secular of artists recognize their timelessness.

Musicians can be quirky, obsessive, and more than a little passionate. Christian should triple the passion and be even more obsessive about music, because it captures the attention, arresting the mind and forcing it to dwell on a picture. That picture is an opportunity to tell the Gospel. It is out there right now, take the "Christmas spirit" and run with it. Sing along the to "What Child is This?" in WalMart. Say Merry Christmas, and smile about it. Talk to people in those long lines about all the wonderful Christmas plans and blessings you have. This is our holiday, so lets claim it. It is our responsibility to spread the Gospel, and Christmas is an open door. We just need to step through it.

Here are a couple videos that may inspire you musically.

Silent Night ~Lindsey Stirling

Carol of the Bells

196,481

After a Year

Last year when Mother took our engagement pictures we were very excited. It was the one time through our courtship and engagement that we were really close together. We did not hold hands, give hugs, and absolutely no kisses until the wedding day. Roman and I both agree that we would not have it any other way. The is nothing to compare with the delight of that first kiss, which Roman's sister Raydeemie described as "steaming!"

After a year of marriage we really enjoy kissing, find holding hands a delightful pastime, and just plain enjoy being with each other in many and varied ways. Our engagement photo shoot last year was fun, filled with new experiences, yet slightly overwhelming. Our wedding photos were also filled with new experiences as we started learning more about each other by being close together.

This year's family photo shoot (done by my talented mother and aided by my wonderful and funny father) was very easy. We are closer to each other without any hesitation or awkwardness. Roman and I are happier this year, in a quieter way. Content in the joys of seeing one another every morning and evening, this makes us comfortable with each other in every circumstance. Ways we have changed, Roman is calmer and more thoughtful (though he is the more excited between the two of us), I am more flexible with change and happier (since I tend to be the realist who overworks every situation).

Add to the delights of one year of marriage, a handsome baby boy. Ethan smiles reflect his daddy's joyful personality as much as his hair reflects mine. His happy noises delight us daily and watching him grow in these past 7 weeks has been an amazing experience. What a wonderful year this has been, and all the changes have been very good, because every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights!

Smiling at each other!

Happy with Mummy!

Four Generations

My mothers mother Vikki, my mother Rebecca, myself, and my son Ethan. When I was a year old we had a four generation picture taken with Vikki's mother Norma. She passed away just a couple years ago, so I had the blessing of knowing her more than a little, I also knew several of my other great-grandparents. I am so delighted that Ethan should know not only is grandparents, but most of his great-grandparents! Ahh, how good God has been.

Grandpa Blair (the first boy in his family for a long time).

Great-Grandpa Ron, a retired firefighter

All the adoring aunts with the happy parents. And of course the darling boy!

The Growing Family

Here we are, a happy family! The Lord has been very good to us in bringing little Ethan Patrick into this world. July seemed like it would never end and then he waited even longer to come into the world. The waiting did become rather difficult near the end. The Lord has a lot to teach me about His timing. I far prefer my own, so I can make my plans and move on with life. Yet the Lord shows me again and again how much better His plans are. Courting and marrying Roman was not my plan, but it is a perfect one. I love Roman completely, because he is the one God chose for me, rather than I chose for me. I did not plan on having a baby right away, before our first anniversary even. But the lessons I have learned in pregnancy and the many ways it brought Roman and I closer together show me how much better the Lord knows. Now Ethan is here and I can make new plans for each day with him. Still, everything is subject to change, and since flexibility of life is not my strong point I think I can safely assume that the Lord will continue to change my plans for His infinitely better ones. By this I learn to trust in Him and acknowledge Him in all my ways, because whether I like it or not He does direct my path. Right now I am very excited about that path!

Enjoying Life

How come we find the little details of everyone's lives so intriguing? Maybe it is because we find it interesting to see how others live and compare it to our own ways. Hopefully we can find things useful and encouraging. Never should we look down on others for how they schedule things, the music they listen to, or how they decorate. So how can we show interest in others without tearing them down? I think it just comes from being interested in them for who they are. We should not expect anyone to live like us, and should certainly be glad for whatever glimpse of their lives they choose to give us. All that being said, here is a little glimpse in the life of Roman and Caitlin Mallery.

Easter Sunday and all dressed up!

Progress on the baby's crib. Soon we shall have this beautiful piece of furniture in our home.

I stop here just for the parking space, though I also found the diaper bag I will be using soon. I have been collecting many of my essentials through garage sales, and what a blessing that has been. We found a carseat for $10!

During a game of hide-and-seek with Titus and Adeline, the children of Roman's sister, Roman made this charming discovery.

We took a trip to visit Roman's sister Rayia and her family last weekend. We enjoyed a delightful county picnic, playing with the kids, and in general had a relaxing visit. Thank you so much Rayia and Jonathon!

Now we have been happily married for eight months, and the only thing we "argue" about is driving. We both like to drive, a lot. Well, it keeps us paying attention. Roman is very difficult to argue with because he is so sweet about everything. And he has learned how to give a wonderful massage!

For anyone who read and enjoyed this little part of our lives, thank you. For those who share about theirs, thank you for sharing the delightful pieces of your lives. The Lord has given us all so many things to enjoy in our lives. May the Lord help us to enjoy all the gifts He gives us!

A Sunset and a Crib

It is so nice to be living above ground to see the sunset. I think the strangest transition in being married was moving from a birdhouse to a burrow. I think I now live in a happy medium, out of the basement and not on the second floor. It is wonderful to see things like rain, green grass, and lots of mountain bluebirds, among other birds. Binoculars will be great to get, after we get everything for the baby.

Roman has worked very hard on the crib for our baby. He has put together all the sides, and the next step will be to make the legs and bottom for the crib. It has been a couple weeks since I have seen it, otherwise I would have more pictures, but I'll get them soon enough. This beautiful crib will be a wonderful heirloom piece for our family. We hope it will be able to hold lots of babies. We thank the Lord for all that He is giving to us as we prepare to raise the child He will entrust us with. What a marvelous thing it is!

A Glimpse of Baby

About four and half months along, and the wee bairn is making it's presence known, by flutters, bouncing, and hiding in a bottom corner. Clothes are starting to take a new shape in front, and I am looking forward to the progress towards a baby in my arms. Little Saoirse or Ethan will be most welcome. This weekend Roman and I will be moving into our two bedroom apartment and I am going to begin setting up the baby's room. Everything should be ready by the end of July. Hopefully, it will be a due date baby!

Click the link

Here is a little video you all might enjoy. My husband showed it to me one quiet evening, just to add a bit of emphasis to his point. Visuals always aid a conversation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI4lu7c0zL0

Enjoy "The Long and the Short of It"

Honeymoon

Roman and I are safely back and well settled into our home, so now it is time you will see just a little glimpse of our honeymoon. The first night was spent at a lodge on Big Mountain, so not a long drive. We left late Sunday morning and drove to Moses Lake, WA. Seven wonderful hours in the car, visiting, listening to John MacArthur, sharing stories, and enjoying music and silence together. It really was the first time we had been alone. No siblings or parents close by, just the luggage. We both were so glad that we waited until now to hold hands and hug. It was easy to settle in and the waiting had taught us both a great deal of both patience and self-control. I can say very honestly that I do not regret the boundaries we set in our courtship and engagement.

Now all is very delightful indeed.

We reached our destination Seaside OR on Monday after several hours in the car. I was thrilled when Roman told me that we were going to the coast. It has to be one of my favorite places on God's earth.

Long beach walks and picnics was how we spent the time. It was so nice to just relax, and not have to do anything at all.

The locals were very kind to ignore all the romance of a happy, young couple.

The driver did a great job, never got lost once. That was the navigators fault (yours truly).

We are praising God for the work He has done for it is wonderful to us. May God bless you as you see His work in your lives.

Caitlin