Category / Texas Lovely

by Bethe

The Mullet Quilt

For my mama’s birthday I just knew I wanted to make her a quilt. It was a big milestone birthday and it deserved to be marked with an extra-special gift.

And then I got that pesky morning sickness that is STILL lingering, and all of my quilting dreams went out the window. I haven’t even turned on my sewing machine since November. I would have gone through withdrawals if I had had the energy to care… but you and I know that when you’re too sick to care about taking a shower, you don’t give two thoughts to things like crafts. (PS – I’m showering again, in case you were worried.)

But God came through in his perfect timing, just like he always does, and granted me a nausea-free day (and a day off!) just a few days before the party. So after a marathon session in my beloved but lately neglected sewing studio, I was able to whip out this little beauty. I call her my Mullet Quilt. You know why? Becuase it’s neutral in the front…

And a party in the back.

I was determined to branch out from my regular chevron pattern, but (1) I found these two gray fabrics and fell in love, and (2) it’s already getting hard for me to get up and down off the floor, and I’m getting pretty fast at whipping out chevron patterns and don’t have to do as much work on my hands and knees laying out patterns. I have a feeling the more pregnant I get, the less time I’ll be spending crawling around on the floor. Which means Baby Girl may be getting a chevron quilt too (which would be fitting, because it’s my favorite pattern).

I quilted a straight line along the zig-zags to make the pattern pop. I bought the fabric at my new favorite quilting store, Cabbage Rose in Fort Worth, and it’s so unbelievably soft. And gorgeous. Mr. Right talked me into buying the crazy floral backing, and I’m now so in love with it that I may use some of it for the nursery. He’s good at making me branch out of my comfort zone like that.

Later this week I’ll post about the party we threw my mama for her big birthday. In the meantime, happy birthday mom – I love you! And I can’t wait to get back to my sewing machine for the next project.

by Bethe

Look who’s back

People have promised me all along that one day a switch would flip and I’d miraculously feel better.

That didn’t happen for me. You know I’ve had a bit of a rough go at this (everybody knows – I admit I’ve been a bit whiney). But little by little, over the past two weeks, I have started to feel better and better. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some rough moments (like my date last Friday with Mr. Right where I got sick at the restaurant and couldn’t eat any of my food and had to go home and go to bed – talk about a romantic evenening killer), but overall, I feel like a new person.

My head is clear. I’m getting hungrier. I’m staying up later (hello 9:30 – I haven’t seen you in awhile). I’m skipping doses of my nausea meds. I went to ESL.  I cooked dinner last night for the first time this pregnancy. I ate chocolate pie for dessert. And I didn’t regret it afterward.

I will not be running any marathons. I will still firecely guard my schedule. I will refrain from committing to anything big. But I can’t wait to go on a walk with my husband. To sit at my sewing machine. To organize my closet (oh my word, if you could see my closet you would not be my friend). To begin my day without fretting about how I will possibly make it through.

I’m back, my friends.

by Bethe

Bump Diaries: Maternity pants, where have you been all my life?

Being pregnant is kind of like becoming a living science experiment on display for everybody else to enjoy. The other day a 60-year-old woman, who is typically pretty conservative, told me, “Oh my goodness, your boobies are HUGE!”

Yes ma’am, I agree – they’re one step away from getting their own zip code.

(10 Weeks)

And I get it. I’m in on the joke. It is really strange to watch your body expand and change shape by the day. Or the hour, depending on if I had Mexican food for lunch. I’m kind of intrigued about just how big I’m going to get. And how I’m going to keep from toppling over.

(13 Weeks)

But there are still those weird expectations I place on myself. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Like, most of what I read said a first-time mom won’t show until around 16 weeks. And so, for some reason, that number has been in my head as the ideal time to start a bump. Unfortunately, my body decided to start growing a bump around 10 weeks. So I got six weeks of “Wow, you’re showing EARLY!”

And now I’ve magically hit the 16 week mark and I feel like I can finally be proud of this round belly of mine.

(14 Weeks)

We girls and our arbitrary rules. For this reason, I’ve avoided buying maternity pants, instead surviving off a belly band (man, those things are wonderful), and each week my pants zip a little less.

Last week Mr. Right brought me home some maternity capri pants that are work appropriate, and I decided to give them a try on a warm January day. IT WAS LIFE CHANGING. Like, the greatest thing ever. So great, in fact, that I wore those capri pants when it turned bone-chillingly cold. It didn’t matter – you couldn’t rip those maternity capris off my cold, dead body.

(15 Weeks)

And so this weekend I finally broke down and went to the pregnant lady store (which is SO unfashionable – but that’s another post), and bought two pairs of maternity skinny jeans and one pair of dress pants. And I am in heaven. I haven’t been this comfortable in 10 years.

(16 Weeks)

I have a waistband that rises all the way to my arm pits, and I’m okay with it.

 

 

by Bethe

Be joyful in hope

About a week ago, during one of my many hormone-induced tearful meltdowns, Mr. Right kept asking me what was wrong, what I was upset about, and I couldn’t even verbalize it.

In our house, we call that fracturing from reality.

Does that mean I’ve officially punched my ticket to the crazy train? When you’re sobbing and you can’t even explain why you’re upset? How do you give words to that crazy cocktail of fear and nausea and exhaustion and frustration with not feeling like yourself for ten weeks in a row. And I think there may have been a discussion about childcare in there somewhere (which I can’t think about right now – it’s too hard).

And then, as Mr. Right did his best to talk me off of my cliff and bring me back to reality, he did that thing that drives me crazy in the moment (pitfalls of marrying a minister) but really gets me thinking later. My husband is incredibly wise.

He asked me to tell him one thing God has been teaching me through all this.

Which is totally the right question – how has He redeemed the past ten weeks of nausea and complications and sitting on my couch watching 13 seasons of Law & Order SVU while sipping on red Gatorade?

What made it worse was that I had no good answer. I don’t know. I can’t see it yet. After being so sick as a newlywed, I was able to look back and see so many things God taught me. But right now? Right now I just can’t see past right now.

It may take awhile to be able to answer that question. But in the meantime, I will choose to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.  And Baby Right, as tough as this is, you’re worth it.

Scripture print available here

by Bethe

New Texas Lovely Print

I’ve been busy hibernating (and staring blankly at the television) and haven’t had much time to create anything, but today I was inspired to try something new. As I start to think about new, fresh art for our nursery and the rest of our home, I thought that this is a verse that I definitely want celebrated in my house, as a reminder of who we serve.

Available here

by Bethe

Guest post

I guest posted over on my hospital blog this week, and I would LOVE it if a few of you would mosey on over and leave a few comments. It’s kind of like going to a junior high dance – nobody wants to be the first person to ask someone to dance, but once people do, everybody else follows. It’s like that with comments sometimes – care to break the comment ice, for a friend?

Here’s the post

XOXO, Bethe

by Bethe

2012 Year in Review

It’s my sixth anniversary for my annual year-in-review. It’s crazy to look back at 2007, 2008, and 2009, 2010, and 2011 and see how much life has changed. Each year holds a new adventure, and 2012 had plenty of adventures.
Where did you begin 2012?
We rang in 2012 at our friends and mentors’ house, Pam & Greg, with a bunch of our friends.
What random cool things happened in 2012?
Mr. Right traveled to India.
I started Texas Lovely, my online Etsy shop.
Mr. Right started a new real estate business.
We got pregnant.
Mr. Right became a licensed minister.
Mr. Right preached in California, and we turned it into a little vacation, visiting Colfax, Sacramento, and San Francisco.
We traveled to Marco Island, Florida for Mr. Right’s work and a little R&R for me.
I went to Portland, Oregon for a marathon race director conference.
We continued to teach ESL and recruited some really amazing new teachers to help us.
We planted a garden and expanded our patio. We had some success (hello rosemary and tomatoes) and some horrible failures (almost everything else).
Books read in 2011?

Alex Cross, by James Patterson

Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

The President’s Club, by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy

11-22-1963, by Stephen King

Real Marriage, by Mark & Grace Driscoll

James: Mercy Triumphs, by Beth Moore

Do anything embarrassing?
I got asked if I was pregnant about a dozen times. You know, before I actually was pregnant. 
Did you know anybody who got married?
My best friend Katie…
Lori & Randy…
Amy & Andy…
Joe & Joy…
And Mr. Right and I helped coordinate Hannah & Todd’s wedding (which is why I’m wearing the apron).
Did you move anywhere?
No.

Describe your birthday:

My 32nd birthday was one I’ll never forget. It was the day I found out I was pregnant. Well, technically, it was the day of my birthday party that I found out I was pregnant… and then my actual birthday (Thanksgiving) we got to announce it to both of our families.

So anyway, back to the day we found out. A week before I had a quick case of food poisoning, and I just couldn’t seem to shake the nausea. I was suddenly really tired, just couldn’t seem to bounce back after being sick. So I finally decided to take a pregnancy test… and, well, the rest is history.

After I got the good news, Mr. Right and I spent the rest of the afternoon in the Emergency Room – I was having some symptoms that are dangerous when you’re pregnant, my doctor’s office was closed for the rest of the week because of Thanksgiving, and they told me to go to the ER for tests. About four hours later, we had the good news that we were indeed pregnant, that everything looked fine, and then we had to go to my birthday party (Mr. Right had to leave me at the hospital to go home and grab my cake and a change of clothes, and I changed in the hospital bathroom), then go straight to my birthday dinner.

For two people who are terrible at keeping secrets, not telling folks at our party made us both want to explode. It was SO hard.

You can totally tell in these pictures that I don’t feel well. That was the beginning of this two months of non-stop nausea.

What’s something you learned about yourself?
I feel like I really stretched myself creatively through opening Texas Lovely.
I learned a lot about faith when Mr. Right quit his job and started a new real estate business.
Were you in school this year?
Mr. Right and I did some more ESL training (we’re officially certified now), and Mr. Right continued on in seminary. He’s down to SIX classes left (out of 98 hours total) and should finish in 2013… praise the Lord. I can’t wait to plan his graduation party – it’ll be a biggie.
Any new additions to your family?
In June 2012 I welcomed my nephew Luke James – first son of my sister Sarah and her husband Philip. Luke was a week late but totally worth the wait.
In August 2012 I welcomed another nephew, Jack Henry – second child to Mr. Right’s brother Grant and his wife Michelle. Jack Henry was a bit of a surprise, coming eight weeks early, but by the grace of God he is healthy and growing quickly!
Favorite night out?
Of course I have several…
While we were vacationing in Marco Island, Florida last spring, we picked up chinese food and took it to a pier overlooking the ocean. At sunset. And there was ice cream.
There was our anniversary get-away… a night at a fancy hotel, dinner at a fancy steak house, and then lounging around and doing absolutely nothing productive the rest of the time.
There was our epic camping trip – when Chef Right cooked me a gourmet dinner and breakfast. The weather was perfect, we took a long hike the next morning – the only downside to our romantic night under the stars was the group of 12-year-old boy scouts at the site right next to ours.
And then there was my secret date – the one that I planned – where I took Mr. Right to the Concert in the Gardens and had a big picnic. It was one of my favorite dates ever.

What do you want to change in 2013?

What, besides becoming a family of three? I’d like to relax more and worry less.

 

Where did you spend most of your time?
I spent most of my free time in 2012 sewing in my sewing studio. I knocked out 10 quilts – and I love each and every one of them.
Do you have a new year’s resolution?
Last year I was 0 for 3 on my resolutions. This year, I only have two:
1. Have a baby (I think I’ve got this one).
2. Create a more organized system for our mail/bills/family paperwork.
Did you get sick this year?
I had one ER visit for an asthma attack, and I’ve been quite sick in my first trimester.
Start a new hobby?
Nope, but I stayed plenty busy with all that quilting.
What are you hoping and planning for in 2013?
I can’t wait to meet our sweet baby – to hold him or her for the first time. I can’t wait to find out if it’s a boy or a girl, to decorate the nursery, to experience all of his or her firsts.
I know 2013 is going to be a very special year.
by Bethe

Christmas Card

I just barely managed to get my Christmas cards out this year. Here’s the final product – photo courtesy of McGowan Images.

My nausea is back with a total vengeance. Not exactly how I want to spend my Christmas, but I’m thankful that this baby is still in here cooking. So for that, I will choose joy, as I imagine next Christmas with a smiling 5-month-old sitting in my lap as we open Christmas presents.

Now, off to go toast another bagel.

by Bethe

Some favorites… and a shop update

I don’t want this blog to be all baby talk, all the time, so here’s a little bit of Friday Favorites… on a Monday. I’m either really late, or really early. I’m choosing the latter.

You can click on the picture to be taken to the original source.

I remember back when pink was the new black. And then it was gray. And brown. This year, Tangerine Tango is the new black.

Actually, it’s just the 2012 Color of the Year. You can read more about what’s hot for 2013 here. My first print of 2013 may need to incorporate some of these colors – a girl’s gotta stay hip.

If you’re an Instagram addict like me, you probably need something to do with the million photos in your account. Here’s a way to put those pics to good use, by creating a calendar – a new picture to enjoy every day.

As soon as I’m off this couch and back at my sewing machine, this is going to be one of the first quilts I tackle. I love the simplicity, and the scale of the pattern. I think I could whip this out in one or two Saturdays.

And speaking of sewing – if we end up with a little girl, these skirts will be one of the first clothing items I tackle. The cuteness is overwhelming.

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And a little shop update – If you’d like to purchase anything for Christmas, you’re about to run out of time. At this point it’s too late to order a custom print unless you’re willing to print it yourself. If that’s the case, we can still work something out.

If you want your print mailed before Christmas, Wednesday (two days from now) is the deadline to order. If you’re willing to print yourself (or if you’re a local friend and can pick it up in person) then you’ve got until next Tuesday, December 18.

Here’s a link to the shop… Thanks to everyone who has supported us. And thanks also to everybody who is praying for us. We are very grateful.

by Bethe

Food

I’m sorry for the deluge of baby-related posts. But since right now I’m not doing normal things, like quilting, crafting, socializing, or say… leaving the house, there’s not much to write about. I promise I will regain at least some of my normal energy as soon as I put this first trimester to bed.

In fact, the biggest drama in my life the past three weeks (besides a little visit to the ER where we found out that baby Wright is fine), was when my doctor wasn’t available to refill my Zofran (nausea meds) and I almost ran out. The desperation I felt yesterday as I tried to stalk anybody who could help me out (or write me a prescription) was sort of at epic proportions.

PS–Disaster averted – I got my refill lat night – just in time.

So in the meantime, here’s a list of foods this baby does and does not like.

This baby likes: crackers, croissants, bagel chips, bread, dinner rolls. Basically any sort of bland carb.

This baby does not like: meat of any kind.

This baby likes: water with lemon or lime, ginger ale, and sprite.

This baby does not like: coffee. Gag me. (my old favorite drink).

This baby likes: green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, plain hash browns, and soup.

This baby does not like: vegetables, or any fruit except grapes.

This baby likes: chocolate fudgecicles.

This baby does not like: any sort of sugar except for chocolate fudgecicles.

This baby likes: Italian food – spaghetti and tomato/mushroom pizza (well, most of the time).

This baby does not like: anything else not mentioned on this list. And sometimes, some of the foods on this list. This baby is a bit high maintenance already!