Imperfections

This afternoon I finally finished my wedding gift for Deven and Kaylee. They tied the knot March 25th, I had a shower for K two weeks before that and had intended to give her this gift then. Issues arose.

Today, April 27th, the coffee table is finally a part of their first nest. I bought the piece from the KSL classifieds almost 3 months ago. I have seen a lot of furniture in my work, but never have I encountered a piece just like this. It is the most unique thing I have ever seen. I have no idea when it was made, but love for the shape and the lines convinced that nothing else really mattered.

True antique? No idea. Worth more than 40 bucks, probably not.

Upon close inspection of the coffee table you will see many flaws. It has been clearly used. I opted for a light sanding and spray paint in a high gloss, white. Now, most designers would tell you not to 'high gloss' anything that doesn't have a perfect finish because all the flaws will immediately be seen. But, I felt that the imperfections in this piece added to it's charm and beauty and needn't be disguised.

Each ding has a tale to tell, each scratch an event lived through. Personality in a piece of furniture is not something that can be falsely created.

And so I ask, "What makes a person beautiful and valuable?"

So often we compare ourselves with another shape or finish, or falsely assume that our imperfections are in high gloss. I often I am tempted to feel that my flaws are what make the Me, and that my value decreases with each scratch and ding.

I wish that we could stand back from ourselves and see the way we appear to our Heavenly Father. Are we timeless and unique in his eyes? Are our scratches and loose knobs part of the priceless piece?

I think so. I know so!

It is something that I must remind myself all the time. A lesson that is continually learned. It's not that I often feel like a cheap piece of furniture, more that I wonder about whether or not I am really special and valuable. (Is it so hard to believe that I feel a little unimportant when the world is in complete raptures with Kate Middleton? Seriously, I had to quit watching TV. 'Royal Wedding' extravaganza is making me nuts.)

I am glad that the atonement makes it possible to fix the real bangs. The ones that need putty, and sanding and a fresh paint job. But, may I close this rant with the thought that the small imperfections we posses are part of our unique art. Quirks, features, shapes. Certainly there are those who love us solely for being the only one like us. And, are most cherished by the ones who lovingly crafted our form, and paid the purchase price.

P.S. My camera is not MIA, but 'presumed dead.' The photo above is of a room I finished this fall for a client in Logan. I thought it appropriate because there were many imperfections about this room. We had to meet a tight budget, repair walls, use hand-me-downs, repaint a few KSL steals and sort through a LOT of junk. The result of this project was truly breathtaking. It was one of the few rooms where my own tears where shed when I presented it to it's owner. (Check out the purple marble goose on the bedside table, FABULOUS!)

Vitamin D

This afternoon was spent soaking up the first really beautiful day of Spring. Me and the girls (DJ had to spend the day working at the Scrap Yard and we miss him fierce.) went to Wellsville to spend the day with G-ma and G-pa Norr, Ike and Jenna too. We made a fire and roasted hot dogs and mallows, jumped on the trampoline, fed the ponies and hunted Easter eggs.

We girls spread blankets on the grass and stretched ourselves out to dose in the sunshine. Jenn shared news of BYU and finals. The boys, (including a few of Ikes college buddies) were eager to get on any and all vehicles with two wheels. Grandpa was popping wheelies in the drive! I wore just a light jacket, the girls were playing hard enough that they insisted they didn't need jackets, or shoes.

My grandfather Vaughn, and his wife Rita came over to sit with us for a bit and share a few dogs and our cabbage and pink salads. We had a small debate about whether or not vitamin D can be absorbed through clothing. Either way it felt good coming in through my face!

We announced the big news! All smiles and hugs all around. I related a little of my previous months battle with heartburn and other unmentionable yucks. But mostly, just the good stuff was shared. Like how I can smell like a mother bear! And, how Talia is already telling me that she can see I am getting round, and will expect a bigger belly each morning from now on. She is seriously considering a few of her favorite names, and thinks that DJ and I should do the same.

Now I have to go and shower off the first fire smell of the year.

Twas really an exceptional day. One to treasure up in the heart.

In Our House Tonight

In our house tonight there is a girl party going on. Daddy is away with the Scouts for one of their 'camping' trips. (Downata Hot Springs, with the trailer! Roughin' it.) We are having my favorite pizza from Papa Murpheys' and watching the much anticipated "Barbie, A Fairy Secret."

In our house tonight there will be an open bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs! As soon as the pizza is sufficiently consumed by the wee ones. We had veggies for lunch.

In our house tonight the fire is on. The sun was out to play today, but it was still surprisingly cold. I bundled the girls into coats and we took the princess cruiser for a spin around the park. T is much more attentive behind the wheel than last year. I let her drive herself to our neighbors house for a play date early this week, it was the cutest thing ever. She obeyed all the laws of the road.

In our house tonight there will be three bodies in my bed. Whenever the Daddy is gone we girls like to snuggle up together and have a slumber party. It lasts until the girls fall asleep and I bring them to their own beds! As much as I adore them, I cannot sleep with any other company than DJ's.

In our house tonight I will stay up late and read Emma. I am certain that I am not the only one to think Jane Austin the cleverest woman to ever live. I look forward to cuddling up in my blanket with the book for as long as I please, I don't look forward to the Tums that will be consumed to counteract the Cadbury eggs.

I hope there is peace in your house tonight.

While I Was Out

I am ashamed by the length of my absence. I thought often of my blog, only to think more fondly of my bed. I am happy to say that many a happy day passed, sorry to know that it was without record.

I have a really GOOD excuse for my disappearance. I have been very busy growing a baby! Yes. It is true! Really true!

Even though I have spent many weeks with nearly constant heartburn, and an equally constant feeling of . . . yuck, and my pants only stay buttoned while someone is visiting or I have to go out. It is still hard for me to fully wrap my brain around the reality, and all the implications that come with it. A NEW ONE! I can hardly stand it. I am very happy. A lot of other emotions are present as well. None of which need to be dived into at this time.

There endless pages here on the web in which I can share my pregnancy/motherhood related chatter. I do hope it will be sensible. I still have a few more weeks to endure before the light will begin to shine on me. Thus far, I have only had to achieve between 12-14 weeks of pregnancy before I begin to feel like myself again. Easter weekend will be the completion of 11.

We have yet to inform our immediate family members. (To some choice friends and workout buddies the news has been spilled. A girl has to tell some one!) We are planning an announcement that involves a very large plastic egg. If there are any of you out there who have not lost faith in my writing and and still visit this humble site, you might perhaps have a surprise spoiled this weekend. Sorry about that.

It was DJ and I together who wanted to keep the joyful news 'mum' this long. The funny thing is, the first months are the hardest for me to endure without support. It is so difficult to pretend that I am having a swell time. All my normal tasks still had to accomplished with a smile so as not to alert the relations. It's exhausting. (I will admit that I have not mopped my floor for many weeks. I lost count how many. I am not proud of this, but something had to be sacrificed.)

Surprise!

Here's to the beginning of a whole new life, and my re-emergence from a hazy world.

Looking forward with joy to the 2nd week in November!