So, I got my mom in our family gift exchange this year.. and I wanted to try and do something unique she could treasure forever!
We rounded up all of her grandbabies and remade Taylor’s Shake it Off video.
Here it is!
fall fun
November 13, 2014 Leave a Comment
We are pretty spoiled!
We received leaves from three different family members this year! So my kiddos were able to play and celebrate fall with leaves from Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Colorado!
Here are some photos from the fun.
Happy Fall everyone!
“leaf” a note of thanks
October 28, 2014 1 Comment
So, I had my family sit down and do a dorky little project Saturday.
Our lives have been so busy lately (which is another topic in itself) and it was a time when we would actually be able to sit around the table and spend a moment together.
The girls and I traced and cut out leaves (with the stencil below)… then we all took turns and wrote down things we are thankful for. I know it’s a cliche thing to do this time of year, but I don’t care. It is still good for all of us to sit and think about the countless ways God has blessed us and continues to do so.
I know it was good for me.
I feel like I have been battling once again the same insecurities, the same struggles, the same demons. And it’s discouraging at times. But, when you sit back and think on what the Lord has done in your life… you can’t possible feel discouraged or depressed. You get pumped up! You wanna sing at the top of your lungs praises to His name… because He is so good.
Even the times when things have been hard.. you can look back and see how God has used it for good.
Anyways, I just wanted to encourage you to take a minute and try this with your family.
As you can see below.. it certainly isn’t the most creative or coolest “pinterest inspired” design… but that’s ok. It’s the point of doing it and reading them each day again and again that has been so great!
And here’s the stencil we used.. feel free to just take it and use it too!
sweet little boy
October 2, 2014 Leave a Comment
This little guy… He’s the cutest.
This is our foster son.
He has changed our lives, no doubt about it. We have been blessed to have him now for 15 months now. And while there were points during that time (including ones recently)… where it hasn’t been easy, the blessings have far outweighed the hard parts.
I wish I could tell you his whole story on here. Because it shows how God pursues and love us.
But, believe me when I say that this little man is here for a reason. He is such a stubborn little guy… but I think in many ways that’s why he has persevered through so much already.
I just know God has incredible plans for this boy. And I am so thankful He placed him in our home.
If you can, please add this sweet child and our family to your prayers. The next couple months will be big months for him. We want to pray for wisdom for the judges, case manager, and state. Their jobs certainly aren’t easy.. and there are more cases then ever right now. We are really praying that his story and case can be a blessing to everyone involved. And God can use this to impact others.
I am excited for what the future possibly holds. And I do trust the God has been and will be in control.
Bub (his nickname) and I had a little time yesterday morning together… so I tried to grab a few shots of him. Such a handsome boy!
kira’s frozen birthday party
September 30, 2014 Leave a Comment
My younger daughter Kira turned 5 a couple weeks back. She like many other children, loves the movie Frozen. So, naturally that’s what she wanted her party to be.
At first, it was a bit challenging. There wasn’t a winter decor item anywhere, it’s September! Haha!
So, we had to get creative.
The girls and I made homemade snowflakes, which ended up being really fun.
I looked up a couple ideas on pinterest as well.. and the party turned out to be pretty fun!
We had a couple activities planned for the kids.
Kristoff’s Ice Game- I got the ice cubes at Bed Bath and Beyond (with a coupon $3). They used the tongs to race picking up the ice cubes and place them in the bowl.
Pin the Nose on Olaf- I just made Olaf out of a cardboard box… and cut the noses out of construction paper.
Do you wanna build a snowman?- We used marshmellow, pretzel sticks, chocolate chips, and candy corn. Plus it was yummy to eat!
Snowball Toss- This game was just some styrofoam balls and a couple hool-a-hoops. The kids could toss it and see if they could get it in the circles.
And, we had a bounce house. Who doesn’t love a bounce house?
We got Kira’s dress from Sofia Grace’s Boutique on Etsy. It is so adorable!
And special thanks to my friend Brenda for making the cake and cupcakes.
Thank you so much to everyone who came! It was a blast. And even though it was super hot (September in Florida)… As Olaf says, some people are worth melting for. 🙂
when life is crazy
September 16, 2014 Leave a Comment
Life.. it’s always an adventure that’s for sure.
Today started with a frustrating morning. My dog ran away. My foster son has screamed so many times I think I am going deaf (which may be the silver lining haha). I went to Target just to return something and pick up a few other things quickly… but didn’t notice that my foster son had emptied different contents of my wallet while we were shopping. That was fun to go back and find all of cards and important items sprinkled through the aisles (NOT). Then, I got in my car and my key broke in the ignition. Maybe I should just laugh now?
I was tired. Irritated. Wrestling some major lies. Feeling like I can’t keep up and fail in all aspects of life.
Being a mom, wife, business owner, friend, etc. It’s a lot to manage. Anyone else feel this way at times?
I don’t like it – being annoyed by my kids, irritated, out of balance. So I was tempted to just go home and cry.
Well Praise God that He is good. I also had Bible study this morning. And decided for some strange reason that I should still attend.
And today’s topic we discussed was perfect.
We were learning to stay strong when things seem to be out of balance. To have realistic expectations for yourself and others.
So in an effort to give myself a bit of an attitude adjustment, I’ve been reflecting on what is important.
I need to be honest with myself. I am not going to be in perfect balance…. most of the time.. or ever. Especially in this stage of my life. I have three little children. Sanity is not always an option.. haha. But, I can look at my life each day and keep focused on what’s important.
I can accept that if I don’t get to everything on my to do list.. it doesn’t mean I have failed or I am a bad wife, mom, friend, etc.
I do what I feel God has called me to do. I follow Jesus. I love my husband. I love and teach my children. I do my best to show Christ’s love to those around me. I fill my life with those things. It doesn’t mean it will always be easy or peaceful. But.. it does mean that I have purpose and meaning. And I can find no greater joy than that!
One of my friends reminded me today of how life is short. It truly is. And when I think back on mine so far and all of the things I have been given.. how can I deny how blessed I am? Even on days like today.. my life is so very blessed.
Thanks for letting me share what I am learning. 🙂
kira grace- happy 5 years
September 15, 2014 Leave a Comment
Today is a very special day, because it is the day when I first saw my sweet Kira.
Happy Birthday to my lovely daughter! No matter how old you are, you will always be my little baby. You are beautiful on the inside and outside. I love you sweet girl!
q&a- elena joy
August 10, 2014 1 Comment
Today’s Q&A is with my oldest child… Elena Joy.
We went on a date this weekend. So I took the opportunity to ask some random questions. (I also did this with my other daughter, Kira, a few weeks back.. so stay tuned for her interview tomorrow).
Ellie will be starting 1st grade TOMORROW! When did she grow up? (Sniff)
I had to fill out a little info sheet about Ellie for her new teacher… and it asked me to describe her with a few words. I feel like this little girl has many amazing qualities, but the ones I put down were…
Leader (She is an incredible big sister and leader among her buddies)
Creative (She is artistic and always making up games, stories, activities, etc)
Giving (This girl gives so many things away.. and always is asking to do it more)
Compassionate (Ahh, something I wish I was better at! Ellie is so great at feeling emotion and love for others and understanding what they are going through).
So, without further ado.. Here’s my precious Ellie Baby. Sporting her super cute new haircut (because she just donated 9 inches to Children With Hair Loss.. Her idea!)
Her favorite thing to do with her new cut.. haha
So, Ellie.. What’s currently your favorite thing to do with….?
Your Family- Spend time together at the lake
Daddy- Go Fishing
Mommy- Go to the park together and look for butterflies
Kira- Pretend we are doggies together
Jax- Read him books
What makes you really excited?
My birthday
What’s your favorite color?
All shades of blue, because it looks like the sky and ocean
What is something you have learned recently?
How to do cartwheels
What are you looking forward to the most about 1st grade?
Learning fun things with my teacher
What’s something you think everybody should know?
About God’s love and Jesus
What’s your favorite song right now?
Away in a Manger
What’s your favorite movie?
Frozen
What always makes you laugh?
Tickles and Fart noises
What’s something you want to do for someone else?
Give shoes to kids who don’t have any
And, what do you want to do when you grow up?
Be a mommy
🙂
mirror, mirror
June 29, 2014 3 Comments
Ok… so I am gonna be real with ya’ll for a moment. This isn’t something we as women love to admit we struggle with.
But, after speaking with a few different women this week on different occasions… about the same exact topic… I realized this struggle is serious.
It’s real for me. Real for most women.
BODY IMAGE.
Come on, it’s true. Most of us notice the woman who just had a baby and is back into normal jeans a month later. We notice the woman who seems to have perfect hair and we wonder is it just naturally that fabulous? We notice the girl who’s taller… shorter… probably something we aren’t. But isn’t this just something women do?
The question is: why do we care so much?
Ive had a lot of body image thoughts swirling around in my head the last few weeks.
It started on the cruise for my 30th birthday. One, I had just turned 30. I realize that things are going to change now… they are going to get… um lower.. wrinkled.. and well you catch my drift. So I have that in my head… and I look around while we sit on the pool deck at all of these beautiful young women. They are strolling in their itty bitty bikinis… no stretch marks from having children… everything is still perky (haha)… and I did it! I was comparing myself. Immediately I felt fat, scarred, and old.
Also, everyone knows you gain a few lbs on a cruise (hello, tons of delicious food). So, since I have been home.. I have really being struggling with the way I look.
I know it isn’t right. I know it’s getting out of control in my head.
DISCLAIMER: Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely think eating right, exercising, getting proper rest, and most importantly, spending time with the Lord are all important parts in taking care of the temple that He has given us (our body).
But, the problem with my thoughts lately… they are convincing me that my appearance is what gives me VALUE. And that is so far from the truth!
When the Lord formed us in the womb, I am certain He was thinking about more than our stretch marks, varicose veins, and saggy skin. He was thinking about the person He created us to be. The person He gave gifts, talents, and a life with purpose to! Our value comes from Him and for what He has in store for our lives.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16
Thanks for listening to my confession/rant.
I am planning on continuing to do my best to take care of this body I have… but I am going to keep the “why I am doing it?” at the front of my mind.
And not only that, I want to teach my daughters how to view themselves the way the Lord does! Not the way the world does.
What about you girls? Anyone want to share a time they have struggled in this area? What are some things that have encouraged you?
Plus, how awesome are these definitions of who we are and the verses to show you that truth!?!
fishing birthday party
June 3, 2014 Leave a Comment
My foster son turned 1 this past weekend. We had a blast celebrating this big occasion.
He loves, absolutely loves, to go fishing with my husband. Since he was just a few months old, he sits in the carrier and is fascinated with it.
So, we decided to put together a fishing themed birthday.
Here are a few images from his party below…
And stay tuned in the next few weeks… I will be posting more about this precious boy and his story.
Photos from his first year.
My friend Shelly made his cake. The cupcakes were little pretzel fishing poles with string and swedish fish.
We had a little fishing game and also a game of “pass the fish” (hot potato).
Happy Birthday Bud!
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