Reclaim that Old Kitchen Table

I'm a country girl turned semi-suburbia girl so people who know me get a little confused when I tell them I'm from the country.  I grew up in a little town that had one stop light at a main intersection and just a quaint little grocery store.  When we first moved into our house, there wasn't a street name, just a Route #.  A few years after we moved in to our house our Route was named Black Snake Rd (yes you read that right).

In the center of our dining room sat a large, round oak table.  I remember eating many breakfasts and dinners there, as well as painting my nails and spilling some nail polish (pretty sure I got a switch for that).

This past year my husband and I purchased a home and were in need of a 2nd dining table.  My parents reminded me that they still had that old round oak table.  They offered it to me on one condition:  it has to stay in the family (I'm a purger, so family heirlooms have been known to make their way to Goodwill and other consignments fairly regularly - oops).  I sat there remembering that oak table and while I remember the beauty of it, I just couldn't get over that basic country style that just didn't go with our more modern decor.

My parents ran a furniture business for years and as part of their business they fixed broken furniture (armoires, kitchen tables, chairs, and the like).  My dad offered his expertise and suggested I take the table and distress it to make it look weathered (after all that is all the rage right now) and paint it to match the color scheme in our pool room.  It was a big task, but I was ready to take it on.  Many folks have asked for tips and tricks on this updated table, so I will walk you through my steps.

Here is the before picture:

Materials:
9 inch foam roller
paint brush
220 grit sand paper
80 grit sand paper
rasp
Lacquer Thinner
Old white rags
0000 Steel Wool
Latex Satin White paint (or Furniture paint from Lowes)
MinWax Woodstain Classic Grey

Step 1: Prepping the table
I took some old rags and some lacquer thinner and rubbed the entire table down to remove the original clear lacquer.  Do not pour the lacquer directly on the table. If there are still some remnants of shine, or it's slick, take some 80 grit sand paper and sand over those spots going WITH the grain.
Next take some 0000 grade steel wool and go over the table lightly to make sure it is smooth.
Tip:  the table should be tacky feeling when you're done
Disposal:  Lacquer thinner is combustable, so be extremely mindful of disposing your rags.  I layed each of mine out on our driveway (I was lucky that it rained the next day) and once they dried from the rain, I washed them.

Step 2: Painting the table
I used Sherwin Williams Latex Satin White for the base and Minwax Wood Stain Classic Grey for the top.  We already had these sitting in our garage so there was no cost.  Our minwax stain was the smallest can (32 oz) which you can get for $7-8 at Lowes.
I painted the base 1st with a foam roller and used a sponge brush for the grooves in the claws.
Tip:  I would suggest painting the base last as some of my stain speckled the feet when I painted the top.

I stained the top with a regular paint brush, going WITH the grain, because I wanted it to have some streaks (natural lighter application spots where the original wood color would peek through).  I did not wipe any of the stain off because I wanted a darker look but if you want a lighter stain, you can wipe as you brush it on.  The longer you leave the stain on, the darker it will become.
Tip:  Only paint and stain when the weather is dry.  I stained the top while it was raining and had to strip it and then re-stain.  Do not paint when it is raining, or following a rainstorm when it is very humid out.


Step 3:  Distressing the table
Once the paint and stain have dried (at least 48 hours) you can start distressing the paint.
I used a rasp and some 220 grit sand paper (you can use a rougher sand paper but this was my first time and I didn't want to strip too much).
I suggest sanding and rasping edges first then the claw feet.  This will give you an idea of the distressed look and then you can strategically sand and rasp in larger areas.  The good news is if you mess up, you can just paint back over a spot and start over.


Step 4:  Admire your table
We moved our table into our pool room and I am absolutely in love with how it turned out.  My dad is painting our chairs to go with it and I can't wait to update you all with the table and chairs!


Good luck!  I can't wait to see your finished products!

Big Faith Gets Bigger Results

Ever since we met, my husband has worked in the food and beverage industry.  When we started dating he was the Marketing Manager for a local restaurant and bar and was continually promoted over the years.  The food and beverage industry is one that requires a lot of odd hours and I knew this before we were ever married or had kids (I too worked in the restaurant industry for several years).  I understood the demands of running a restaurant and that he would be away many nights and would always work weekends.  I was okay with this...until we had kids.

In January, my husband was the General Manager of a local restaurant where he worked days, evenings, and weekends.  As a full-time working mom of 2 under 2, I was struggling to keep it together.  Exhaustion doesn't even explain it, and "single mom" was uttered from my lips more times than I would like to admit (I am in no way saying I am a single mom, and I truly have no idea how you singles do it, kudos to you!).  My husband was complacent in his job, so he wasn't looking for other opportunities even when I would beg him to try and find something else (usually after he closed 2 nights in a row during the week, and I had crying babies all around me).  Then it happened, it hit the fan.

It was the end of January and my husband got the flu.  He got a doctor's note for work and then was out for several days (in restaurant industry, there are no sick days, someone has to cover your management shift if you are out).  By Wednesday he was starting to feel better and closed down the restaurant that night and the next night, he was also scheduled to work that Friday night as well, but had the weekend off at least.  And thank goodness, I was "single mommy" to 3 kids that week!  But then, the inevitable text from his boss came Friday afternoon:  You're going to need to work Saturday and Sunday to make up for your missed shifts this week.

My husband texted me at work informing me of the text he'd gotten and how upset he was.  He was so frustrated that time and time again he was working nights and weekends away from his family and was missing out on spending quality time with our boys.  I remember reading his text and hearing the frustration.  I immediately texted back: why don't you just quit.

Wait, what?  Did I just type that?  Am I telling my husband, the bread-winner, to quit his job?  I'm a teacher....in North Carolina....I am POOR!  What am I doing?  (God??)

I started looking at our bank account, and realized between our checking and savings we could survive without his paycheck for a while.

Wait, what?  Why am I looking at this?  (God??)

I printed out our bill calendar, started calculating and realized it really was possible.

I left work as soon as the bell rang, and my husband met me at the door.

"Seriously, just quit.  Here are our statements and bill calendar, we can make it work."

Wait, what?  Are these words really coming out of my mouth? (God??)

Excitement hit!  My husband felt joy!  Then he became uncertain..."You support me doing this?  Just up and quitting my job?"  I really did, I truly believed the timing of his illness and the requirement to work yet another weekend, was a sign from God.  God had been whispering for me to support my husband and help him transition from a stagnant job this whole time. 


My response, "Go into work today and give your notice."  I read his face and knew that this was what he wanted to do, but there was still uncertainty.  He hadn't applied for any jobs, he had nothing out there waiting in the wings.  He asked me to pray with him.  We joined hands and began praying to our Heavenly Father, asking for guidance and for Him to speak to my husband and tell him if this was the right move.  If this is what He was asking of us.  After our prayer, my husband left for work still unsure of what his next step was.  I remember telling him as he walked out the door, "You will have an answer when you pull into your parking spot."

Fifteen minutes later, I got a call.  My husband called to tell me he knew what to do and was walking in to give his notice!  Let the application process begin.

We were blessed that we could still afford childcare which gave my husband the opportunity to apply for jobs full-time and schedule interviews.   He was unemployed for just over a month.  his last day was February 12th and he was offered a job on March 18th.  Fun fact:  This job was the 1st one he had applied for!  Another fun fact:  During the interview, the owner mentioned how he serves in his church and the phrase "family-oriented" was used multiple times.

Since starting his new job, my husband has been praised and appreciated more than in his previous career.  And to top it all off, this job has provided a financial raise that we couldn't have foreseen.

Pause:  I'm not here to brag about money, I'm here to brag about God.  He is the one who provided the guidance, He is the one who provided the finances while we lived on 1 salary, He is the one who is increasing my husband's potential.

We prayed: And He gave us the best answer we could have ever imagined.

My husband is home every night and weekend now.  My husband is serving in our church because he is free on Sundays.  My husband is watching our boys grow and is molding them into godly young men.

If you feel like you're in need of a change, I urge you to pray and ask God for guidance.  He will fulfill all of your needs beyond what you can imagine.

Infertility Journey: You Are Not Alone

A flood of emotions have run through me as this week, National Infertility Awareness Week, comes to a close.  It wasn't that long ago that my husband and I were on the Infertility Journey ourselves.  The journey itself is draining, emotionally, physically, and financially.    Imagine yearning for something your entire life, knowing in your heart that you will become pregnant one day, only to be told that your body isn't capable of creating life.  Sitting through multiple doctor's appointments each week, requesting off work, being poked and prodded regularly, and spending every dime you have to hear the words "you can't conceive naturally".  The journey itself is very lonely.  But I am declaring to those migrating through infertility, "You are not alone". 

God tells us in Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 

Infertility is an isolating disease, impacting 1 in 8 couples.  You sit in the waiting room with several other couples, making eye contact, wondering what their diagnosis is, and yet while you're all experiencing the same struggle you feel completely alone.  However, we are not alone in Christ, there is no need to fear infertility.  Each time you walk in that waiting room, Jesus is walking next to you.  He's holding your hand while you get blood taken and have ultrasound after ultrasound.  He's embracing you when you discover you aren't pregnant again or miscarry, and through Him you find the strength to continue going to the doctors and seek treatment.  He is whispering to you, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you" (Isaiah 43:2).

Your hope to carry a child comes from God.  I remember finding indescribable comfort in Psalm 62:5, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him".

About half way through our journey, I remember doubting my dream to be pregnant and thinking "maybe this isn't God's calling on my life, maybe I'm not supposed to carry a child, maybe I'm not even supposed to be a mom."  Then one day, I prayed asking "God I have this yearning, this desire in my heart to have a child.  I want to carry a baby, but Lord I don't know if this is my own selfish desire or if it is Your calling on my life.  Heavenly Father, I am bringing my desire to you, and I am asking you to remove this desire if it is not Your will.  If I am not to conceive or carry a baby, I ask that you remove this desire from my heart and give me peace."  Can I tell you, after I prayed that prayer the desire in my heart only became stronger!  God was reaffirming, "Yes!  My calling on your life is that you will carry a child.  Trust in Me." 

God reminded me then to "Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:3-4).  

Trusting in God is what brought us through so many painful appointments and consultations.  Our story is so different, as is everyone's infertility journey.  For us, we decided to walk away from treatment, stop "trying" and just lean on God.  In just four months we were pregnant, but miscarried; the next month we were pregnant, but miscarried.  At that point the doctor wanted to have a consultation and I remember him saying "Well, you couldn't get pregnant for years and now you've gotten pregnant twice.  We need to figure this out."  I looked at him and boldly told him, "We don't need to figure it out, God is working."  You see, I don't believe that God gave me two babies and took them away, no God does not intentionally hurt us that way, but I do believe he had been healing me (I had Stage 4 Endometriosis).  

After each of those miscarriages I thanked God and I began repeating Psalm 52:9, "I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good.  I will praise you in the presence of your saint." 

That is not to say that we didn't mourn those miscarriages, but instead of focusing on the loss we decided to focus on the gain (getting pregnant).  Only through the strength and peace of God were we able to be thankful. We are reassured in John 16:33, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world."

In January 2013, we discovered that our miscarriages had lead to a blocked fallopian tube; one more obstacle to overcome.  "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5:10).  

We didn't seek treatment to unblock my fallopian tube, we sought God.  We prayed, we believed, we quoted scripture, and we took action through tithing.  Spring of 2013 we found ourselves experiencing an incredible amount of peace; a God-given peace.  I wrote several verses on my bathroom mirror and around my office at work.  Matthew 21:22, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" was a go-to verse for me.  We had been praying for four years to be blessed with a child, but had we been believing?  I mean truly, 100%, without a doubt, believing that we would become pregnant?  I don't think we were.  I think there was a little self-doubt for me, each month, when I knew in a few short days I either would or wouldn't be pregnant.  I had doubt, I didn't fully believe.  But when we made the decision to fully trust God, putting all of our faith in Him, that doubt was removed.  In April 2014 we welcomed a healthy, full-term baby boy and in November we will be welcoming another precious child.  Only through Christ Jesus is this even possible.

So I'm asking you: remove the doubt, forget what the doctors have said, rebel against the earthly answers and shout out to God.  He is sitting patiently, waiting for you to call on His name and believe that He will fulfill the desires of your heart. 

I am praying for each and every one of you who is on the infertility journey.  You are not alone.  

Here are some more verses we leaned on during our journey:
Psalm 33:20 "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield."

Psalm 39:7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."

2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Galatians 6:9 "And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint." 


In Christ,

Sarah

3 Things People Should Stop Saying to Small-Framed Women After Childbirth

For the most part, I have pretty thick skin and don't get offended very easily.  But over the last 10 months, I had so many people comment on my body that it made me think about what is being said to small-framed women.  Apparently when you're thin, petite, and short, many folks assume that you are open to discussing your weight.  I understand that most people are trying to offer a compliment but maybe it's time we start choosing our words more carefully.  If these statements bother me, I wonder how much it bothers someone who isn't thick-skinned.

1.  "You're SO tiny!"
First of all, when did "SO tiny" become a compliment?  Maybe you're just confused because I was SO big when I was 9 months pregnant, but this is not complimentary.  Yes, I am 5'0" so that already makes me small, but "tiny"?  The very definition of tiny is "very small or diminutive (extremely or unusually small)".  Tiny is not a positive remark.  While your intentions are good, try finding another word or phrase...a generic "wow, you look great" would suffice.

2.  "Have you already lost all of your baby weight?"
This is probably the phrase I've heard the most.  Maybe it's because of my #losebabyweight on my Facebook posts, but before I got pregnant and it was #goalweight no one was asking me how much weight I had lost....
A friend of mine (who is of a larger frame) and also recently had a baby, witnessed someone asking me this one day...and she was shocked!  Once the person left, my friend and I began discussing the situation and I realized, she had never been asked this question...but why not?  Because it would be rude to ask a heavier-set woman if she had lost her baby weight?  Why is it rude to ask her, but not rude to ask me?
Which leads me to the next comment....

3.  "It must've been easy for you to lose your baby weight!"
Oh I see, because I got back down to my pre-baby size quickly you assume it was easy.  This statement is typically followed by "well, you ate really healthy during your pregnancy, so I'm sure you didn't have much to lose."  First of all, yes I did eat healthy during my pregnancy which does help when it comes to losing baby weight; however, I still gained 45 pounds and left the hospital only 5 pounds lighter.  I had 40 pounds to lose so in response to the statement, "No, it wasn't easy to lose my baby weight but I was dedicated." I counted calories, I worked out, I cut out the soft drinks, sweet snacks, and fast food.  It was hard work.  Just because it came off quickly, doesn't mean it came off easily!

I'm not shy and typically don't even shy away from these statements, but I do think about the women who internalize these comments (or the women who overhear the comments and haven't "lost all your baby weight" and aren't "so tiny").  There is so much pressure on women to "lose the baby weight" quickly after childbirth because our culture is fixated on being thin.  I just ask, that you think about what you're saying and how you're saying it before approaching a new mom.  Everyone's body is different and our bodies go through so much during and after pregnancy.  Some moms are working really hard to lose that baby weight but it just isn't coming off.  Have a little grace :)

Biggest Loser 2015

Our school's Biggest Loser competition has commenced!  While I'm excited to get motivated to lose the rest of this baby weight, I know that it will be a true challenge.  You see in the past, I wasn't a mom (obviously) so I had lots of free-time (LOTS of FREE time).  I'm talking for-real free time to work out and stay fit; I combined my exercise regime with working out at Planet Fitness and taking classes at Sassy Girl Fitness.  Each day I dedicated 3 HOURS to working out - this was FULL, HARDCORE lifting, cardio, and core training.  I know that I will not be able to dedicate this amount of time now to exercising that I'm a mom.  However, I refuse to let being a mom become an excuse to not work out and live a healthy lifestyle.

The Fantastic Five are five tips that I give to my Biggest Loser Participants each week when we head off our competitions.  I thought I would share them in case you too are in need of some beginning of the year motivation :)

1.  Set Small Attainable Goals
Starting off a weight loss competition with the idea that you're going to cut out sugar, soda, caffeine, and processed foods is a map to Quitsville.  If you haven't cut these foods out before, trying to cut them all out at once will drive you insane.  Start with a small goal, like cutting out soda for a week, once you attain that goal then you can ADD to it.  

 
2.  Motivate Yourself
Sometimes we just need a visual of what our end goal is.  Going on a trip?  Take a picture of your destination and put it on your bathroom mirror and refrigerator door!  Can't squeeze into that favorite pair of jeans anymore?  Hang them on your bathroom door!  Seeing your goal every day will help keep you motivated.  

 
3.  Adopt the motto "after 8 is too late" for snacks after dinner. 
Snacking late has lots of negative effects.  First of all, when snacking late we tend to choose less healthy food option (chips, popcorn, candy, etc).  Secondly, at night our body is in rest mode, so our metabolism is resting and we are not as active as we were earlier in the day. This causes our snack to settle and we are not burning the calories that we are taking in.
Check out this article on tips for breaking the late night snacking habit!

 

4.  Meal Planning - Weekly
 Oh how I LOVE meal planning - Sunday night my husband and I talk about what dinners we will be making over the next week.  We are foodies so this is fun for us.  Not everything on the menu has to be perfectly healthy, but having our meals planned keeps us from making rash, unhealthy decisions when we get home from work.  It also helps us avoid the annoying "what do you want for dinner" conversation. 

5.  Stay on Track
Get a fitness/calorie counter app (like MyFitnessPal)and use it every single day.  If you're keeping up with every morsel you eat, you will be more aware of the foods you're eating and you begin to eat/snack less.  I mean really, who wants to spend 3 minutes logging in one hershey's kiss?  I'd rather just pass!
Other fitness/calorie trackers that are pretty popular:
FitBit
Calorie Count App
Health App (available on Apple iPhone 5s and 6)

Disclaimer: I am not a fitness trainer or doctor.  I am not affiliated with Biggest Loser in any way.  This is a friendly competition that my co-workers and I use to help us get motivated and lose weight.  The advice and information contained on this website may not be appropriate for all individuals. I accept no responsibility for and exclude all liability in connection with browsing this Web site, use of information or downloading any materials from it, including but not limited to any liability for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or misleading or defamatory statements.

Blueberry Power Muffins

I love blueberry muffins, but they aren't something I typically go out and buy. When I saw a recipe recently for the power muffins I knew I could tweak it a little and have a deliciously healthy snack. These things are so yummy!  I'll definitely be making these more often!

You’ll need:

Makes 12 regular muffins (depending how full you pack your muffin tin)

no-stick cooking spray

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup oats–quick or regular oats, plain

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 ounces honey nonfat greek yogurt 

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup fresh blueberries

Heat oven to 350°.

Coat muffin tin with cooking spray or use cupcake liners. 

Combine flour, sugar, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.

Combine yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla in a second bowl.

Fold yogurt mixture into dry mixture; stir to combine completely.

Gently fold in blueberries.

Spoon into muffin tins.

Bake until top is golden and springs back when you gently touch it, 20-25 minutes.

Pickles, Ice Cream, and Flatulence Part 2

Here is the long awaited for Part 2 of Pickles, Ice Cream, and Flatulence.  I hope you're ready because it only gets better from here!  In the race to have babies, Barrett and I apparently ran a marathon instead of a sprint.  After 4 years of trying to get pregnant it is safe to say that we have a LOT of friends who have had babies.  These friends have been wonderful when it comes to preparing me for pregnancy, but sometimes I think they forget about some of the symptoms they had.  Now, every pregnancy is different so not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and heck maybe the joy of having your little one in your arms causes you to forget about these weird changes in your body, but here are a few more things that I think got left out of the advice.

Spreading:  I don't know if there is a medical term for this....so I will just call it what it is "spreading".  Here's an idea of what spreading feels like:  Think back to when you were about 10 or 12 and riding your bike.  Mine was pink and white, I loved that bike!  Now, think about getting your speed up, you're standing up on your pedals trying to build your speed, but then your foot slips off the pedal and you go crashing onto the metal bar, straddling it!!   Remember that?  That's what spreading feels like, bruising your lady parts.  I like to believe this is when waddling begins!  It's not a constant pain or uncomfortable feeling, but every now and then you'll feel like you've been kicked in the crotch and waddling is the only way to walk comfortably.

Unwarranted Advice:  Oh this one is tricky.  I was warned that people would be giving me lots of advice and I am welcome to listening to it.  I will even take your advice into consideration and weigh my options.  However, there are some women who give advice in such a negative, Debbie Downer kind of way that it becomes annoying.  For instance, I am aware that my time will be depleted - I am having a baby: he will not sleep through the night, he will be fussy, he will poop his diaper right after I've changed it, etc etc.  But it's the way these women give their advice with condescending tones in their voices "Oh honey (little snicker) you won't have time to wash your hair or even do your make up, much less use the bathroom." And the advice and negative tones just go on and on.  I can only imagine how it gets after the baby comes....oh my!  Earplugs please :)

Immobility:  Here's another symptom that folks semi-warned me about.  I was told it would be difficult to put on my shoes and socks.  I was told that I wouldn't see my feet for while - seriously I know they're there, but I'm not sure what they look like anymore.  I do not feel that I was fully prepared for the inability to move though.  Recently I dropped some of my dinner on the floor, and typically the 5 second rule would take place (5 seconds? yeah right, it's gonna take me about 7 minutes to squat down and pick that up) so I called out for our dog, Buckler, to come clean the floor instead.  Good thing he likes steamed vegetables.
Side note:  As soon as you find out you're pregnant, get a dog!  He will help keep the floor clean when you can't reach it anymore :)

Maternity Clothes Don't Fit Anymore:  You know that maternity wardrobe that you excitedly bought when you were 3 or 4 months pregnant?  Yeah, they don't fit any more.  Those cute little tunics, now look like belly shirts and those maternity pants are starting to cut off your circulation or press on your bladder even more than your baby.  If you're in your 3rd trimester, switch to leggings and wear them for the last 3 months! 

Leaky Breasts:  Your milk's in!  Congratulations!  Now, this doesn't compare to what will come after the baby is here, but the first time you experience this you might freak out a little bit.  I had NO idea what was going on - "why is my boob wet?".  Since it's clear (it's actually colostrum) I frantically ran to research it and text one of my girlfriends to make sure I wasn't a freak of nature.  Side Note:  Please inform your spouse of this new side effect before you get intimate again.  He doesn't want that surprise - trust me!

Leaky Lady Parts:  Are you in your 3rd trimester?  Have you peed your pants yet?  If not, consider yourself lucky.  This is one side effect that is certainly different for every woman.  Some may never pee their paints, but for many moms-to-be at some point there will probably be a little leakage.  Most likely this will occur when you are: laughing, sneezing, coughing....talking, walking, sleeping, who knows.  Just be prepared.  Take an extra pair of panties with you EVERY where you go, or wear a panty liner.

If you're reading this and your pregnant:  Congratulations!  I hope this isn't scary or intimidating...I just want you to be prepared.  And remember, like my husband has said many times: "I'm sorry, but I relish in your uncomfortableness because I know that means there's a growing baby in there!"

And don't worry friends:  I will be posting plenty when the baby arrives...I won't be sleeping so I might as well write my blog, right?

Until next time.....