Marriage: Forgiveness

You guys know that I try to keep it real around these parts, don't you?  I love reading newlywed blogs because I feel like we are all going through the same learning experiences.  It's always nice to find someone new that I can relate to or learn from.  Because I draw so much positive influence and inspiration from all of your blogs, it's only fair that I put out my own little brand of marriage-lessons-learned, right?  
Last week, I wrote about how I was being selfish and not considering what my husband needed.  In that situation, I was in the wrong.  I admitted it.  I apologized.  I tried to make it up to him.  Honestly, nothing I ever say or do will undo my selfish actions from last week.  Sure...I apologized and expressed remorse.  He accepted my apology.  We moved on, and were fine.  But my apology did not erase what happened.

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But what do you do when you feel wronged and you've heard no apology?  
The Bible talks about forgiveness in many different places.  It's a key part of the Christian faith.  To summarize, we were forgiven by God and are to also forgive each other.  Matthew 18: 21-23 specifically instructs us to forgive each other repeatedly.  Whether or not you believe the Bible to be true is irrelevant.  Obviously you have forgiven people more than once, right?  As a Christian, I turn to the Bible for guidance. 
²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

 ²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy time seven times.  ²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

This passage of scripture mentions nothing about an apology, does it?Has anyone ever forgiven you for something that you didn't apologize for doing?  (Before you say no...think about your parents.  I'm almost positive that at some point in your life, your parents forgave you for some sort of pain or hurt you caused them, even though you didn't ask them to forgive you.)  It's easy to say "Well, that person owes me an apology."  It's an easy-out that allows us to continue holding onto our  grudges.  

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It's sinful to hold a grudge...it's not fun to hold a grudge.  I'd be willing to bet that none of us could think of one person who we (a) currently have a grudge against and (b) still love being around them.  You can't have it both ways.  Forgiveness is a huge part of life...it's a huge part of marriage.  Right now, I'm having a hard time forgiving and moving on when I haven't heard an apology.  He shows no remorse for hurting my feelings.  (And yes, he knows my feelings are hurt.)  He feels like he's done nothing wrong...

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I was raised to apologize for hurting people, even if my actions/words were not intentional.  He was raised to apologize when he was in the wrong.  Those are not the same things.  And because I was raised differently than him and was taught to apologize even if I'm not wrong, I feel wronged because I haven't received an apology because he felt his actions were justified.  Basically, what it all boils down to is the fact that maybe we're both making mountains out of molehills.  Neither one of us did anything that's worth the farm.  Forgiving each other isn't easy, but it's absolutely necessary.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that in marriage forgiveness is either giving each other a break or reaching your breaking point.  I pick him.  I pick my husband over a grudge, over hearing an apology where I feel one is due, and over being miserable. 

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  So...y'all know my tattoo obsession...maybe I need to look at getting a tattoo about forgiveness to help remind me..

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It all boils down to one thing..

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Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Walk-In Closet

My husband I are blessed in the sense that we have somewhat stumbled upon a HUGE house!  We are living in the house my parents built in 1998.  It's enormous and we have plenty of room to grow.  However, I've already lived there.  I lived in a house that my mom decorated, so it's been really difficult for me to think outside the box she created.  I'm running into problems such as...
Books go here.No, the phone book goes in this drawer.That's not where cups and glasses go.This room is a tv room - not an office.
Do you understand why this has been so hard?  I am all about thinking outside the box.  Heck, I live outside the box.  I love everything odd and quirky and weird and different!  So why I am having such a hard time with this is beyond me!  
The closet in the Master Bedroom is amazing.  It's huge.  Hubby has one side, I have the other side, and we still have room for all of our suitcases and a huge gun safe.  But our bedroom just feels so TIGHT.  I hate it.  Beside the master bedroom is a a teeny-tiny bathroom.  Beside the teeny-tiny bathroom is what I have always called "The Den."  My parents used it as an extra TV room and had my dad's PlayStation hooked up in there.  Here's the basic floor plan.

Last night, we were laying in bed and I told my husband that we need to just get rid of the den and make our bedroom HUGE.  He said that would be a great idea.  OR I could just take over the den and make it a walk-in closet!  Famous last words, folks.  My brain immediately went into over drive!  I gave him the Husband of the Year award.  I kissed him.  I was so excited!  He drifted off to dream land and I laid in bed, wide away, for hours.  Day-dreaming and drooling over what I will soon make a reality.  I am SO excited!! It's an idea I never would have thought up on my own because, in my mind, that room is an extra TV room.  Do we use it?  Nope.  Will I now?  Ab-so-lutely.  
SO, I've been on Pinterest.  There are tons of amazing ideas there for walk-in closets.  They key will be finding ideas that I can use in the space I have.  Also, we have no money so we won't be calling in a construction crew to change the build or structure of the house.
Okay, enough yappin'!  Are you ready to see the pins?!?!
You are creating a dressing room for only one person... you. Let your imagination run wild and create the best possible room that is not only practical but suits your personality perfectly.
Wall Color = White

Source: houzz.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Can I pretty please frame my wedding dress & have it displayed in my dream closet?!

Source: ckeventspassionateforweddings.blogspot.com via Kristina on Pinterest

I'll also take a dress form and the biggest mirror ever, please.  :)

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A wire closet system would probably be my most affordable option.  

Source: google.com via Dana on Pinterest

After doing a ton of research, I think that this is the system that would best suit my room.  It's $99 and I would need two of them.  Click Here to see it on the ClosetMaid website.  

That will take up two of the four walls.  Then another wall will be used for the mirror & dress form.  And The fourth wall for my framed wedding dress or accessory storage?  Can't forget accessory storage!

Source: 6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com via Kristina on Pinterest

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Source: thisbirdcansing.blogspot.com via Kristina on Pinterest

I also have a black cedar hope chest that I would move into my dressing room.  I would want a chair.  There is a built-in bookshelf type nook thing that I could use for shoe storage.  It current houses books, while I'm SO excited about moving into the living room!  My mom kept books in that little nook, so I put all of our books there.  However, books in the living room = a million times more me!  I'll of course want a chair or a bench in my dressing room.  
I've seen where some people create a vanity and make-up table in their dressing rooms.  I don't think I'll do that.  I make such a mess & our bathroom is huge.  I don't really need my own space for just makeup.  That would completely CLEAN OUT our bathroom.  Haha.  Besides,  I enjoy sharing space with my husband.  I just need more closet space.  We are good on bathroom space.  
SO, what do you think?!  Anybody have any pins or pointers they'd like to share?  Or just compliments?  You know I just looooooove a good compliment.  
Oh.  & I have a brand-new Pinterest board for my closet!  Check it out if you'd like!  
Oh, & I know that I already did a Pin-Party link up today.  I know.  I'm doing ANOTHER one.  This is a post full of pins.  You can't stop me from linking up.  ;)

Oh, How Pinteresting: The Eyebrows Edition

It has been too long since I linked up a Pinterest post, so today I am pop-lock-& droppin' it at the pinning party going on at The Vintage Apple.

Oh, How Pinteresting!  

The Eyebrows Edition 

Everyone want's what they can't have, so I'm sure I'm perfectly normal.  

If you have boobs, you want less.  If you don't have boobs, you want more.

If you are tall, you want to be short.  If you are short, you want to be tall.

If you are thick, you want to be think.  Some think people want to be thick.

Well...I want pretty eye-brows!  I want them more than anything.  Sadly, here is what I have when I'm fresh out the shower:

And here is what I have when I pencil them in a bit:

So, after years and years and years of waxing, plucking, and a few times of shaving them myself (bad, I know)..I've decided that I've got to stop!  I am trying to let them grow out.  So, I've been looking for eyebrow shapes that I think I could do!

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Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lauren on Pinterest

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Source: google.com via Melissa on Pinterest

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I will be the first to admit that I want what I don't have when it comes to eyebrows.  I think my ugly, thin arches make me gravitate towards thicker & more dramatic.  But, to continue being honest...I don't know if I could pull it off without looking like a lesbian or a man.  No offense to lesbians or men - I'm just a heterosexual woman and have no interest in looking like I'm not.  Ya dig?  Anyway.  Sigh.  To have pretty eyebrows.  
I've decided to not pluck for a while.  Let my brows take on a shape of their own, look like a lumberjack for a while.  AND THEN I'll go to a professional, picture in hand, and walk out with stunning eyebrows.  :)  That's my plan.
So, what are you pinning?!

The "I Love You" Board

I feel like all of my great ideas come from Pinterest.  Maybe one day I'll have an original idea.
Not today!  :)  Have you seen this on Pinterest? 

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Kristina on Pinterest

I just thought this pin was the cutest thing, ever.It is decorative.It is romantic.It is a great way to keep the romance alive!  :)  
So I made one out of scrap pieces of paper in coordinating colors.  I hand wrote "I love you because" because we don't have a printer at home and I'm Cricutless, and I was being impatient.  We are constantly leaving sweet little notes for each other.  :)  

Mine is not as cute as the one I found on Pinterest, but I've accepted it and moved on.
I know that handwritten decor is not as perfect or photogenic, but (to me) there is just something special about it.  
We proudly display our "I Love You" board on the dresser in our bedroom.  It's right in front of the light-switch, so we look at it every day.  Excuse the mess on the floor.   

Do you have an "I Love You" board?Do you leave love-notes? 
Is your floor cluttered and gross?  :)

Ink.

This post is about my tattoos.

I know that a lot of people are against tattoos for a variety of reasons.  Some people just don't like tattoos.  Some people are against tattoos for religious reasons.  Some people think tattoos on women are trashy.  If you have negative opinions or feelings toward tattoos, that is fine.  You don't have to read this post and/or look at the pictures.  All I ask is that you be respectful and polite in your comments, regardless of your opinions.  You are more than welcome to express your opinions.  I don't mind at all and I even encourage y'all to comment as you see fit.  Just be nice.  :)  Thank you.


I have four tattoos & want more.  This post is about the tattoos I have, my beliefs about tattoos & how that fits into my Christianity, and the tattoos I hope to get in the future.

Oh, How Pinteresting {Wednesday} Numero 6

This is my 6th link-up with Michelle over at The Vintage Apple.  I love this link-up because (1) it's super fun, (2) gives me another reason to go on Pinterest, and (3) was the first link party I ever participated in.  Y'all should go play along!  :)

Spaghetti Jar, Olive Oil, Picture

We've all seen the picture in a jar of olive oil on Pinterest right?  If you haven't, all you have to do is go to my Pinterest page and look through my boards.  You'll find it.  :)  You should totally be following my on Pinterest anyway.  I'll forgive you just this once.  :)  Anyway, this is my little take on the project.  Enjoy!

Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments

We made ornaments out of salt dough, painted them, and hung them on our tree.  It's a great alternative to spending a lot of money on expensive ornaments, it makes our tree our own, and it gave us some extra QT together!  But let me start from the beginning...

Dandelions and a Tobacco Basket

Mr. R and I are living in the house where I grew up.  It's been a very long process of moving our stuff in and moving my parents' stuff out.  Last week, my mom came over and cleaning out the curio cabinet.  She left behind some glasses that they received as a wedding gift from some friends of theirs.  For now, they are still in the curio cabinet.  They have what looks to be dandelions etched into the sides.  Aren't the amazing? 

Source: google.com via Sara on Pinterest

(A dandelion, for reference)

Today, my grandma brought me over a basket of goodies!  I can't wait to go through it after work, wash everything up, and check out the treasures!

You might not be able to see it, but behind the basket is a black umbrella.  Guess what.  It was my great, great grandmother's!  How amazing?!

Also, I have come into ownership of my very own tobacco basket!  I didn't get a picture of it yet...but here are some pictures I found on Pinterest.

Source: asoftplace.net via Amy on Pinterest

Source: shoppingcandy.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

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The one that I now have?  Well...it's on it's way to my house.  :)  My grandpa is taking it by and dropping it off while I'm at work.  It won't fit in my car... But it came out of my great grandparents' pack house.  My grandma and my dad both worked out of that pack house when they were younger.  The basket even has our town's name stamped on the side!  It's is great shape, and I am so excited about having a piece of our family history to display as decor.  It amazes me that this is apparently a trend?  I had no idea.

I'm thinking of making a coffee table out of it?  I can't find anyone else who has done this and posted pictures online.  You guys know I've been looking for a cool coffee table.  :)  Or I could just hang it on the wall.

They look pretty awesome.

I'm so excited!

What kind of family heirlooms do you have in your home?

What would you do or what have you done with a tobacco basket?