Words.

I read chapter 40 of the book of Isaiah today.

I read it out loud as I was rocking Oliver to sleep for a nap.

The final verse of this chapter is very familiar to me, and probably familiar to most. It is a beautiful reminder of the source of strength, often quoted when someone needs to hear words of encouragement:

but they who wait for the L o r d shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings like eagles; 

they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

I often forget about the rest of the chapter, though. Reading it today was like reading it for the first time. It was new and it seemed to be written specifically for me, for this day.

And I was reminded that God's word is alive and it will speak to anyone who is willing to listen.

Verse 8 says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms; 

he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:11 ESV

~Bethany

Fall Wardrobe Preview: The Fringe

My sister, Vanessa, recently brought fringe shirts to my attention. I instantly loved them and even created my own version out of one of Nick's old faded tee shirts. 

Vanessa never actually got around to buying or making a fringe shirt so I decided to create one for her. However, she is a tiny person and I worried that a fringe tee would look very bag-like on her small frame. Instead of a shirt, I decided to create a fringed vest for her. 

I cropped a black Mossimo tank top, cut fringe around the bottom, and attached some sky blue beads to a few random fringe pieces to give it a little dimension. The result was stylishly amazing and perfect for fall. To illustrate my vision for the vest, I assembled an outfit that encompasses my vision for fall fashion. Nick was nice enough to take a break from the Oklahoma/Florida State football game and snap a few pictures of me playing dress up. 

Gap shirt, 7 for all Mankind Skinny bootcut jeans, Re-purposed fringed vest, Cathy
Jean boots, Rose Gold Michael Kors watch, Piero Guidi cross body purse


This fringed awesomeness will soon be making its way across the country to Vanessa via the United States Postal Service. For everyone else, use this as inspiration to re-purpose your own fringed clothing and then email photos of your creations to me at mrsb.sellai@gmail.com. 


I am excited to see all of your amazing ideas!

This image is the essence of my fall style.


Stay crafty my friends...


~Bethany

my growing boy

My precious little boy turned 4 months yesterday.

I say this every month, but it is always true. I can't believe how quickly he is growing and changing and becoming his own little person. He screams and wails and laughs and babbles to me, his toys, his daddy, anyone and anything that will listen to him. He has an obsession with ceiling fans and light fixtures. He is constantly distracted by them when I am trying to feed him. He sometimes drives me crazy when he cries for no real reason at all except that he wants my undivided attention, usually when I am trying to do housework. But when I stop what I am doing pull him into my arms, he rewards me with one of his radiant joyful smiles, one hand in his mouth and the other clutching tightly to my shirt or arm or hair. Oliver helps me remember that joy can be found in little things: rocking a sleeping baby in my arms; singing and dancing around the kitchen looking completely foolish just to hear Oliver's laughter; watching Oliver play with his cousins on the floor at Grammy's house. 

My heart swells with gratitude for this precious little boy I have been blessed with.

welcome home, brother

This past week, my brother arrived safely home alive and well from South Korea. 

He had been stationed there for over a year and missed so many things while he was away. Holidays, birthdays, Oliver's birth...we felt a lonesome place in our hearts for each milestone that Bobby was unable to share with us.

 Tuesday we finally got our brother back from his soldier duties.

Nick captured a few photos of our joy...

So he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Luke 15:20 ESV