Interiors: Tips on Rugs

I'm working with some friends interiors of their new bungalow. We are starting with their first impression once you walk in the door...the living room. Michael scored them a sweet find...these Le Corbusier sofa and lounge chair in white leather. I'm helping them find a rug to complement the pieces. One thing to consider when finding a rug, is to consider the entire space. In this particular instance, it's important that these beautiful classic furniture pieces are not overwhelmed or distracted. 

Then there's the question...should the furniture sit entirely on, or entirely off, or somewhere in between. Let me be honest and say I don't have a "professional" opinion, but would say that it depends on the thickness of the rug. I'd say that half on, half off, would be less desirable. 

Can I put a rug on top of carpet? Hmmm, that also really depends on the weight/thickness of the carpet and the thickness of the rug. A thin carpet can host a shaggy rug much easier than the opposite!

I am thankful for design tools when making decisions like this. It's so nice to be able to pop these ideas into 3D. It also helps to consider the drapery, pillows, coffee table books...tying the space together helps to see that the rug does not have to say it all. "All of the space" says it all. 

Now go ahead, and Get Ruggy With It. 

Kristyn

P.S. I think West Elm has a nice area rug collection. (I am not getting any perks for recommending this.)

House: Potential Buyers + My Game

So we've had some recent interest in our home. One individual would like the refrigerator in the kitchen, and a 2 car garage. So here was my response! "Yes ma'am, let's put that refrigerator in the kitchen...here's where it'll go! And go ahead and do that 2 car garage, lovely. I'm totally with you on that!" (Note: She didn't ask us to do these things, but these were her concerns...and our realtor replied on my behalf.) 

Then there are some other folks that must sell their condo first. 

Then there's me, over here, playing this game that Michael loves...

"Honey, what about a simple house like this...can't you see it...

This...

Could become this...(with a definite imagination...pop random windows into upstairs bedrooms...open 1st floor with windows/doors across kitchen and dining...deck across entire house and terrace big steps down into yard...)

This...

Could become this...

This...

Could be a symmetrical version of this...(or be asymmetrical if we build it out slightly into the dining room, also remove both windows, beams, paint woodwork or remove (yes, I said it.)...)

This...

Could house this...



I mean, isn't this game so much fun? For the low price of $19.99 each of the photos above could be turned into the photo that follows. I wish. But really though, we are either looking at bigger houses where wires have been pulled and plumbing is missing, or way ugly, slightly smaller, finished houses like this one...with wires and plumbing and HVAC, just lots of aesthetic remodeling to be done.

Thanks, Michael, for appeasing me by playing along in this exciting game.

Love,

Kristyn

Light: Bright and Good

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 

1 John 1:5

I am embarking on a busy couple of weeks of designing. I get a fast heartbeat and overwhelmed state when I try to think of the big picture. In order to trump that feeling, I will recite this verse in my mind. Simple, but so profound. And I will continually be encouraged by my dear husband, who is so helpful and present to me.

Conversations: With Our Big Boy

Mom: Tell me all about school. 
Tegegne: I was very nervous at first (Michael had to leave you in the cafeteria with all of kids and their parents who waited to walk them to their classroom.). Then more people came and I was less nervous...Recess was pretty good...played soccer, but I didn't see Kade. I didn't like that I had to wait so long for lunch. (That's my fault, son...we usually eat at 11am at home!) But we got to take a snack to recess! And I did see Kade at art...

Dad: What are your friends names?
T: Macy...and I forgot...Oh, and Towns!
D: I had Town's sister in summer school last year...he's cool!

M: And your helper teacher...what is her name?
T: Madam Prisca. She's chocolate like me. 
M: She's very pretty.
T: Yeah, she is.
D: Aren't there several chocolate kids in your class?
T: Just two. 

(Pointing at your first school worksheet of the alphabet...)
T: I colored these red and blue for the Jayhawks, and these are black and purple for the Cats.  
D: Cool, who told you that?
T: Macy. She sits at my table!

T: Towns was splashing me so much in the pool that my eyes turned red. I splashed him back. 

T: Mom, why do you want two hugs...cooome on! I've already given you one.

Then for tuck in after the second day of school I asked you the best and hardest parts of the day. The best part was playing soccer and the worst part was when the big kid pushed you because you weren't playing the game right.  I got Daddy because he has lots of experience with "bullies" on the playground. You two had a good conversation, and you know that your teacher is there to help.

We are so proud of you. A highlight for all of us in this new phase of your life, is that you get special time with Dad to and from school. So far that's involved donuts and a trip to the toy store. You two are thriving with this extra time together, and it's so neat to watch. Dad is extra excited to hear you speaking French, and overall we feel content. One of the few things your Birth Mama told us is that she wanted you to have an education. Her wish is coming true. You are witty, can converse with adults, and are at a school where people know and look after you. She would be so proud, Son.  Let's look to the stars tonight and say a prayer that she would somehow know that her wish for you is coming true. 

Love, love, love you,

Mama (You and Hensley have been calling me Mama, since that's what Fields says!)

A Mother: A Blessed Soul

Mother and Son

Hi there. It's a pony tail kind of day, or week for that matter. I've been busy with a design project, which has included many daytime phone calls, a site visit with 3 kids in tow, and many daytime hours in front of my computer. Sorry kids. I don't like being this distracted. I have battled being short with you, and reaching with all my might for patience and intentional time with you. A friend sent me this blog post about a mom who was overworked and yelled at her kids, and I cried. I notice when I am stressed with other things, I am much less patient with you. 

The week took a turn for the better thanks to two really wonderful times at church. They are doing Summer Institutes...classes that range from study of the bible, to African culture, to running club, to dancing. Michael and I are doing a study on 1 John lead by our pastor. It was so so refreshing to open the bible and study. It had been way too long. 

The other class I went to this morning was for Mothers. It was good for my soul. I sat down in the class, and Jessi, our teacher started speaking to us with her words of wisdom and I teared up. Motherhood, what a cherished and challenging job. She started our time by asking...who got others dressed besides yourselves, and fed others, and changed another's diaper this morning...she asked who helped someone in crisis. Most of us had our hands up most of the time. She noted Philippians 2:5-7 and pointed out that Jesus emptied himself. That is what mother's do. Emptying self all day, often into the night for the sake of their family.  In order to give, we must receive. Receive help from God. Jesus was able to empty himself because he was constantly with God.

She then had us share our birth and adoption and fertility stories in small groups. After that she shared more scripture and said that the bible is full of references to Mother's, she noted how God is like a Mother. Then she gave us a half hour to be by ourselves and reflect, journal, pray, walk, or whatever we pleased. It was such a wonderful morning. 

I, the Lord, made you, Kristyn.
I will help you.
Do not fear, Kristyn, whom I have chosen. 
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring. 
And they will spring up among the grass.

Tegegne will say, "I am the Lords"
And Hensley will call on the name of Jacob;
And Fields will write on his hand, "Belonging to the Lord..."

Rephrased these things and reflected from Isaiah 44:1-5. 

More photos of you, my beloved children, with your Mother...

Tegegne, I love laughing with you.

A new mother holding you tight.

Brand New Baby Fields with his Peaceful Mother.  

Hensley, you love to eat, just like your Mother.

I spy Baby Fields!

 

My 2nd Day as a New Mother

We were so worried about you, Baby Tegegne! (Well, you were 2 and 4 months, but seemed closer to 18 months.)

Brand new Baby Hensley and Tired Laboring Mother

Motherhood, an exhausting and beautiful and life giving journey. 

Love you children,

Your Mother

Hello From: The Place With Mauve Walls

Hi kids! So I put you down for your nap today, then took a little trip to the hospital. Really thought your brother was going to make an appearance today. The doc gave me this sheet of paper that said if this this and this happen call me. Well this and this (many close contractions + lots of bleeding) happened and I called but didn't get a hold of him. At that point I had to discern that it seemed to be an emergency, called dad, and got to the hospital. Looks like Fields is not coming today, but he and I are being monitored. Still having the this and this stated above, but not enough to do a c-section. Their goal is to keep baby brother inside for another week or two. 

As you can see above, I'm not in a lot of pain, just thought I'd give you a laugh! It is nice and quite here, with the sound of Fields really active heartbeat. 

Love you guys. Tegegne, hope your first day of school is super fun tomorrow. Can't wait to hear about it. Grandma and Ababayeh (and earlier Taryn and Micah) are helping me out lots, but I miss and love you both.

I'll be here overnight and will let you know when I learn more. Mmmmm, can't wait to find out my dinner options!

Love,
Mom

Dear Tegegne: You're Almost 5!

Dear Tegegne,

Hey little cutie. You’re turning 5 on September 20th, 

and we can hardly believe it. I think of the day we 

first met you and how much you’ve changed. I am so 

proud of the boy you are becoming. Thanks for loving

Ababayeh and I so much. Thanks for forgiving us, as 

we learn as we go just like you do. Thanks for being 

such a good big brother to Hensley. You are sooo

patient with her, and you often tend to her needs

before Ababayeh or I get to her.  

For your 5th birthday you’ve requested a bug cake,

which changed to Spiderman, then cheeta. You said

that it was okay if Fields was born on your birthday...

you’d share with him but you had an idea. He gets one 

present and you get lots of presents.You’re having four

friends over for dinner and a bon fire. The meal you picked

includes chocolate milk, chicken strips, and chicken fries. 

Your recent questions include: “Ababayeh, what is the 

fastest jet ever? Is a cheeta faster than that jet? Can you

run faster than a cheeta? Where do asternauts park their

rocket on the moon? Do you see that light? I think that’s

God shining. I want Norah and Jaylen to come on our

camping trip...and Hensley. How old do I have to be to

be in 7th grade?”

We were running errands when I started to go into early

labor and I asked you to pray for Fields and I. You 

started praying out loud right then, without hesitation. I love

you, Tegegne. Thanks for helping me out so much while

I am on “bedrest.” You bring me water and find my phone

multiple times a day!

You’re kind. You’re thoughtful. On a daily basis...”How was 

your sleep, Dad? Mom, how’s your dinner tasting? Hensley, 

here’s your bunny...can I have that toy back. please?” 

Love, 

Mom

For the Mama: And Her Ears

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry? I've been on the hunt for some new earrings. In fact, I'll just be honest and say that I've wasted several hours of moonlight looking for earrings while I can't sleep.

Happy Thursday!

Kristyn

(All earrings sourced here.)

Dear Michael: Happy 7th Anniversary

Happy Anniversary, dear!  Seven years and a day ago we were skiing together at the lake! We were young and in love. Now we're almost 30, but we are still young and in love...just with a few miles under our belts.

Love you so much.

Kris

Pregnancy: What's Up Doc?

A little update from my doc. 

(Good thing he's such a good doc, because he sure does keep ya waiting!)

Me: So when are we gonna get him outta here?

Doc: You'll stay on your contraction meds (Procardia) until 36 weeks, then we'll do another sonogram to see if you still have previa. If your previa has resolved, we wait until 39 weeks to schedule a c-section, or you can go into labor on your own. If your previa hasn't resolved, then we can do a growth scan and schedule it before 39 weeks. 

So that's that. I won't be 39 weeks until September 26th, so I ordered a jar of patience off Etsy. And I ordered a camo body suit so when I do go in public, I don't have to answer the kind inquisitive folks questions about twins, etc. 

My mom was just here for 4 days, and boy did we enjoy that. I have the kids and some books to keep me entertained during the day. And a really supportive husband who comes home after school. His dear class set up a meal schedule (mealbaby.com) for us during this time. 

Before we know it, Tegegne will be 5! (on Sept 20th) So we are discussing the details of his small but special birthday party. 

It's also quite exciting when Michael starts a new school year. The kids and I stop by the classroom, or pack lunches and join his class throughout the year. We love getting to know the students, too. He and I had a blast brainstorming decor for his classroom, and I love what he's done. 

Happy almost Friday to you.

Kristyn

(Etsy Honeycup.)

Baby Boy: Wants + Wishes

Wishes...

Simple little outfit by Mabo.

Winter knit hat from Zara.

This shirt comes in tiny 3-6 months and is only $7.90! Zara.

Blue skinny trousers. Zara.

Sweet little sneaks come in tiny size 2! Zara.

(Mabo, Zara) 

Wants... (I'd like to have the things below here when you come...which may be sooner than later!)

This little knot hat (want in black) is only $6.50! American Apparel.

An amazing Swedish snot sucker that several friends love. NoseFrida.

I love these blankets, but did you know there's like a super soft version and a sorta soft version? I think the super soft version is the bamboo collection and we can get them at Lauren Alexandra in Brookside! Aden + Anais.

A good friend got Hens one of these and woah soft and cozy. She sleeps with it every night. Little Giraffe.

American Apparel, NoseFrida, Aden + Anais, Little Giraffe