an overdue thank you

Well, a crazy thing has happened, I realized that I know nothing and God knows everything.

The blatantly obvious truth of that statement is easy to dismiss when you are just saying it,...or reading it. Of course that's true! But sometimes when you are living it, the truth in that statement isn't as obvious. I had a plan, and as I am always learning, God doesn't feel confined by my plan for my life. I think sometimes He humors me by letting me think I know what is going on, but in reality I don't.

Anyway, I have realized that I thought I wanted one thing...a job in a design studio then maybe one day I would have my own design business. I thought that was what I was waiting for, a job to open up. But turns out, God has had me where He wanted me all along...and now I am starting to see that it is a much better place for me than the one I thought I wanted.

I've been so blessed. I fell into doing freelance,...not really thinking much of it. And suddenly, I'm busy with work. It seems the moment I finish a project and start thinking "ok, well,...what now?" something else comes along. I realize this could sound like I am "tooting my own horn" but I am not...I am just so thankful.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Even when I am unaware of it, God is always looking out for me. He leads me to where I need to be. When I am earnestly following Him, He guilds my path even when it doesn't seem to make sense.

"I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.

My soul will boast in the LORD;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the LORD with me;

let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears."

Psalms 34:1-4

Often these days, our lifestyle is on a day-to-day basis, which if you know me, you know I like to have plans. But, I have been learning, in real-life experience, to trust the Lord...and He has never failed me.

picking colors

I have blogged before about our second living room with the lime green carpet. Well, I am soon-to-be renovating that room and...I am thinking about doing the walls purple. So the room would look kinda like this picture. It would be one of the 3 rooms that I used a non-white color in. I don't know. I am still thinking; but I think it would be fun. Maybe even with a subtle pattern or design in the paint job (i.e. matte/gloss design, or hue/tint design). Who knows, however, I have picked out the color scheme for that room and I am excited about it! It (well, the plan for it) is the only room that will embrace mine and Jeff's funky, fun, bright, cheery styles. This may very well be my favorite room of the house when we are all done!!

ALSO, what do you think of this chair? I haven't decided. For now, I just say "...interesting."

baking ideas

Let me tell you, I am so full of holly in my heart and these cookies cutters make me just want to go bake and have a wonderful time decorating cookies!

So, I am needing an excellent idea for holiday treats and I am wondering if anyone out there has any good suggestions.

What is your favorite holiday goodie?

rug-a-licious

So, I am in total decorating mode...finally time to make this place our home. However this is such a long process! At first I was so excited; picturing myself in a cute little apron making our home! Unfortunately, doing it mostly by myself in between working and life, it becomes very daunting. I just keep telling myself, one step at a time. Between decorating our home for our first married Christmas, renovating, moving in, and sorting through stuff,... I am starting to see small victories and it makes me ever so happy!

As one of our wedding presents, one of our dear friends is buying us furniture and a rug. Picking the furniture is a lot harder than we had anticipated. I will show you pictures of that whole process later. But for our big living room, we are getting a rug. Finding a rug we actually like, was difficult. I love this sculptural rug (above) from Gandia Blasco. It would be too small for our space. CLICK HERE to see a few more Blasco rugs I love...not for our house, but still lovely. However, I believe we are going with the rug shown below. We both really like the reverse skin, tan zebra...I never thought I was an "animal skin" person, but as I have been looking for things to decorate our home, I definitely see a zebra theme arising...which reminds me of Kelly.

pumpkin time

We didn't get to decorate pumpkins this year due to our busy schedules. However, we along with some other MS1's are going to decorate "thankful" pumpkins. So, I am working on my pumpkin idea!

Have you decorated pumpkins this year? Please share!

good day, sunshine

Oh what a beautiful sunrise we had today! So, of course I grabbed my camera, ran outside, and took pictures until my feet were completely frozen. Next time I should grab shoes!
Oh, so lovely! I really can't decide which one is my favorite...you should really look at all of them! Check out more HERE.

rain, rain...

Today it POURED down rain...so, of course I got drenched taking pictures.

so much fun!!! Look how good they came out and these are only a few of them. Then, Jeff scared me when he came up behind me yelling my name. Of course, I was under some plants in our backyard, engrossed in my picture-taking. And to be far, I think I scared him too because the whole house was open, my car was in the driveway and I was nowhere to be found...but clearly, this means I am on an adventure taking pictures in an obscure place. He should know that. And since I was in a picture taking mood and he came outside, I took pictures of him too!

Look how cute my baby is!!

decorating

My mind is on decorating, specifically how I can make our new home special. As we renovate and create our home I will periodically update you all on our progress. We want to share our journey with you all. Here are some images that I am finding inspiration in.

We have one room with lime green, shag carpet...it has a lot of character that we want to embrace. I am thinking of doing bright, beautiful colors in there to make it fun and funky.

We would love input if you have ideas, comments, or see anything lovely you would like to share!

new website!

My new website is now up!!! You can view my portfolio online at jessicahopkins.net. I welcome any and all comments. You are also more than welcome to pass this on!