Staying Up Late

Man you can get a lot accomplished when you are falling asleep at 8pm! Last night Sam went to a meeting at 7 and I was determined to get some stuff in the living room done. I quickly did a Pilate's DVD and then turned on The Holiday and tackled the decorating.

I wanted to put maps on the walls and stain them with a lacquer that is tinted brown to make them look old and used. I got the beginning of the project done and will finish them in the next couple of weeks. I put the maps on cork boards and will paint the wood a dark brown and then add the aging lacquer another day. :) I loved the idea of maps when I saw it on a Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware website I was looking at the last month or two. Sam and I both have such a heart for the world, not just seeing it but being a part of God's story in the world. We have no idea where we will end up over the years but our hearts are both spurred by stories in the world and the untold stories we see.

OH! And Sam's mom painted us the Fiji map on the wall. She had it at their house when we went over for the 4th of July and Sam asked who did it and whose is it? Sam's mom shyly said, "I made it for you two but didn't know if you would like it." :) Sam loved it and I was thrilled because it was very cool, special and of course means a lot to us. I didn't have a Fiji map and thought it only right that I should at least have a map of Fiji up in our house seeing that is a main reason we are married. :)





I also did a wall of pictures...it's nice that I have always LOVED lots of pictures and now am married to a photographer :) Slowly I am gathering frames and putting up pictures, but it is so fun to have pictures on the wall!



Sam's parents gave us this incredible chocolate brown leather couch. We felt so blessed especially because our whole marriage we have only had a love seat! A full couch was a great addition!! Especially since I seem to fall asleep every night before I actually make it to bed!





As Sam pulled in the ending of The Holiday was playing and I was cuddled on the couch under a warm blanket with the candles and heater going. He was SHOCKED to see me still awake at 10:30 and I laughed and said, "You can get so much accomplished if you stay awake past 8!"

It's amazing how a few decorations and pictures can bring warmth and security to me. It's just a frame, just a map, just a candle...but to the feeling that comes is one that I love. I am already looking forward to hanging out in the living room tonight...though I might be asleep well before 8 after that "late" night!