A Jolly Little Fellow

Yesterday was Saint Patrick's Day. That does not really mean much to me. I know it's Irish...I know Saint Patrick was catholic...I know there's a lot of green involved, as well as four leaf clovers and the like...but that's about it. Really. And today being our day to do errands in town, there was a large amount of green to be beholden. You know, that sickly bright green? Hats, shirts, scarves, jeans, shoes...you name it, there was sure to be somebody out there who had it on. There was even a guy with green tinted sunglasses shaped like four leaf clovers! And it bugged me. Just because it was so pointless and ridiculous.

And then I saw a leprechaun in Walmart.

At least, this jolly little fellow looked liked a leprechaun. I don't know much about those mythical little men who preside at the end of rainbows with their pots of gold...or looking back at this sentence, maybe I do. At any rate, I most positively do not believe in them. But the idea is rather fun.
Anyway, I was happily sighing over plants, seeds, dirt and the like in the garden section (Spring fever. I've got it terribly), and then started off to look for my family. At a brisk pace, I entered the store, only to slow  my steps at the sight of the short man plodding down the aisle towards me.The first thing I noticed was his height. He could not have been more than 4 foot 10, no joke. His thick white beard and twinkling eyes shone out from beneath a dark green hat, feathers sticking  jauntily out the back. I smiled at him as he made eye contact with me and I remembered this post. And then I noticed the coat. It made me all smiles outside and inside. It was just...smile worthy. A dark green velvet waistcoat with brown buttons fit snugly over his slightly bent back, the coattails hanging just inches off the floor. Nothing bright. Or sparkly. Nor was it cheap looking, loud, or ugly. Just a charming coat to match perfectly with the neat white beard and the wrinkled old hands. He gave me a knowing little smile back...it was a moment that would have made this ladies heart do a happy dance. And I just wanted to share that piece of happy with Y'all.
I wonder if when he was younger he had red hair...

In Christ,
Jillian

Blairs Bug

(Not my photo)

For those of you who don't know, my Dads first name is Blair. And last Saturday, my plan ahead, consider carefully Father woke up with a little red truck in his garage, and went to bed with a shiny Volkswagen beetle in its place, along with a family who were still gawking at this seemingly whim-of-the-moment decision.  He had been thinking about trading his truck in for something that did not take up as much gas and insurance money, but he was just thinking about it... someday. Well, last Saturday being that "someday", he went to town to do errands with his family, took a couple cars for a test ride, and bought the beetle. Just like that.
Now everyone wants to ride in the beetle every chance they get. Its weird how much people smile and wave at you when your riding in stylish little beetle instead of a family van...I have to say its really fun! But its his work car, so we won't be riding it much. But it'll make it a more of a treat when we do.
My dads coworkers quickly named it "Blairs Bug".


How much more fun can you get than a Volkswagen Beetle?

In Christ,
Jillian

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"

Sun, Come out, Where Ever You Are!

"I miss summer fruits the way a plucked flower misses sunshine. After three months of ice and bluster, I’m pining for the return of strawberries and peaches. I dream about buckets of glossy cherries, and my first watermelon wedge of the season."
(Quoted from The kitchen generation)
 
Why is it we all go a little crazy in February/March, longing for the sun to spend long days here, and the trees to start showing their little green buds? Despite the fact that bugs and sunburn and sweaty days in the garden come with it?  

 I was talking with Caitlin, and she agrees that this winter has been long and gray for everyone this year. Never before have I felt so stuck inside our house...never before have I missed getting my feet thoroughly dirty quite so much. I want to see Montana's little wild flowers and weeds bravely add some color to our little world of gray and white and brown. I want to weed the garden. I want to have a picnic decked out with messy watermelon and loads of cool potato salad.

Am I making you discontent?

 Sorry.

This brings me to a question. How can we "spruce up" the inside of the house, instead of longing to be outside, anywhere else than where we are?



There is a point where cozy teas and reading by a fire just doesn't quite...do the trick. And while were on the subject, how about just brightening our lives in general? Me and my family have recently been on the look out for anything new. New movies to watch, new things to get involved in, new ideas and crafts and projects and books and thoughts...new, new, new. Perhaps not exciting (though we can make it so) but different.
And a huge factor in all of this is a budget. So all of these questions have to be asked with that in the back of our minds. How do we do it with only so much to do it with?

That just kind of has to be worked out and done differently in each home. Putting out a list of ideas doesn't really work...you've gotta know the the family, house, situation, etc to really get some relevant and do-able ideas.


But if your Saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ, then prayer to God for contentment and happiness right where we are is the best thing to do. That's what I did. So I guess this post was just me getting around to saying that I think I am finally learning to be content, and really, TRULY happy. Right where I am. And I want to share it with you.

I have often heard that phrase "finding joy in the little things":
















...phrases like that don't really mean anything to a person till they go through something to make that saying make sense (If that made sense).

So, I'm determined to love it even when I don't feel like loving it, find something good in it even though it may not seem like there is much good in it, smile at it when its funny or happy, and trust in God when its sad or difficult.

What is it? Well, you fill it in.
And in the case of wanting spring... I'll think up something else to be happy for, with the Lords help. ;)
I have learned so many new and exciting lessons in the past month and a half about walking and living in Christ as a young Christian lady, being content and quiet and thoughtful and kind, and the list goes on. Now I've got to put those lessons into practice, as I continue to learn. This is the biggest one. I thought maybe I could pass it along to someone out there.

In Christ,
Jillian

News

This July/August, Roman and Caitlin are going to be the proud parents of a little one!
We are all looking forward to a new member to love, and welcome into the Carstensen/ Mallery families.
Can't wait!

Just a Thought...

 

"Reading a great work of literature can truly be likened to having a conversation with a great mind." -Jennie Chancey