The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it.

- David W. Orr 

Pending

I want to write about our home buying process but at the same time I don't because blah.

To sum it up in one word: tiring.

It is so very tiring. Let's just say it starts off as exciting then a little bit scary, maybe even daunting, but then it's exciting again, and then (briefly) boring and it goes on and on until all you're left with is this weariness settling into your bones and you don't even have your new home yet.

I'm complaining. It's all worth it in the end - I know that. I just want that condo! We have so many ideas on what we want to do, how we'll start decorating, etc. but we can't do any of that. To sum this part up: I am impatient.

I am also embarrassed to admit that I have never lost my patience this many times in such a short amount of time. There are so many papers to sign I want to cry. To add on to that, it is our first time trying to buy a home and (and!) it's a short sale. Whomp whomp. But I will keep chanting my mantra that it is all worth it in the end.

God is providing for everything we need at the exact moment we need it. It's like the manna falling from the sky. We're on the fringe of worrying that we don't have enough of something and then bam! God meets our needs. It feels like everyday I am reminded of my lack of faith. But yet, I worship a God who is full of grace and that is enough to bring all the joy back.

I'm so glad that I am going through this home buying process with Russell. Sometimes, we'll joke about being homeless or broke, but then we'll smile and say that even if all those things were true, we are still married and happy and at least we have that. I know, sappy. Love blah blah blah. But it's true guys, love sustains.

Anyways, I am off topic now so I'll end this here. I need to go back to internet hunting and coveting pretty house things I can't buy (yet) (hopefully).

Budding Goods (A Shameless Plug)

Hey guys, this past week has been crazy. Lots of house news came and went (which I will save for another post) as well as our first Crafter's Fair!

Russ and I attended a fairly small Crafter's Fair hosted at Laguna Hills Mall this Memorial Day Weekend. It took place over three days and we learned a lot from it. As we prepared for the show, we swung between strong emotions of feeling super unprepared and overly prepared. We had no idea what to expect.

It ended up going great. We sold about half the things we brought which is not too shabby. Our proceeds are going to my little brother's missions trip this summer.

Here are a few of the things we made and sold:

Hanging Macrame Planters

I made a few more other macrame planter versions but didn't take pictures of them, because I wasn't sure they would sell. I'm so glad they did though - they have just the right amount of funk to them. I love them because their form almost look like wall tapestries.

Mini Zen Planters

Russell designed and built these and I planted the cactus and succulents. They're so pretty. I think this was the product we got the most compliments on. They're interesting to look at and so sleek. And the wood! The textures really pop out.

Magnetic Mini Flower Arrangements

Okay, so these were kind of a fluke. We had 1" cubes which I painted and/or stained. Russ drilled holes in them. We intended to buy air plants and stick them in there and sell them as little planters. However, since air plants are becoming quite popular, it was impossible to find mini air plants at an affordable price. I came home a little discouraged about having all these wooden cubes and no plants to put in them.

I was in my parents' backyard and noticed all the dried flowers I had hanging around. I hate throwing out flowers that Russell buys me so I usually end up drying them before they wilt. I ended up using these dried flowers and creating mini flower arrangements by gluing them into the cube and adding a magnet on the back. People loved them. I sold out of them on the second day and had to go home to make more. I already received another order for 20 more of these (woo!). They're so cute and affordable. I love them because it's a little way people can take home our creative work with them.

Our signature framed succulents

Colorful wood with hanging succulents

Here's a picture of our booth that Russ built:

A week before the show, we were still trying to figure out how to display our items. Russ did amazing though at conjuring this up. The only drawback was that little kids loved running through the middle of the booth and a few would pull on the hanging macrame planters. But it was endearing to watch.

I think that's all for now. I can go on and on about this show and about our items. I enjoyed the Crafter's Fair because there were so many people who came up to us just to encourage us and to compliment our work. After a crazy week dealing with escrow and house paperwork, this became a nice break for me and Russ.

Feel free to visit our Etsy shop: Budding Goods

We also have an Instagram page I update on whims: Budding Goods on Instagram

The Henrys are Back in Orange County

Hello! Russ and I are currently living in my parents' house. You read that right. I am moving backwards in my life and am currently typing this from my childhood bedroom. Who knew things would come in full circle and that I would end up back in this room, only this time with a husband and a dog.

In all seriousness, my parents have been so nice in letting us stay with them while we wait for our condo to close. Hopefully, we will get to move into our new place at the end of this month. I'll joke with friends and mentors how I'm going against the natural current of life by moving back into the house I grew up in. But most people just smile and remind me that it's a strategic move. Russ and I decided it'd be smarter to live with my parents for a month rather than find a place that'll allow a one month lease. All in all, it's been great living here. Lewis is always tired so there's no need to take him on long walks. I've been able to catch up with friends. I help my mom out with a little bit of cooking. And the laundry here doesn't need quarters!

I'm a bit antsy to get the condo already. Russ and I look at way too many home decor/woodworking Instagram accounts. All I want is to decorate a home. All Russ wants is to make stuff and have space for it.

Speaking of which, Russ has lots of space in my parents' backyard to do woodworking. Which comes in handy since we're doing our first Crafter's Fair at the end of this month! It'll be a fairly small show which is good for us since I'm not entirely sure if we even know what we're dong. Stay tuned to when I post pictures of what we're making.