Beautifully Different....

Prompt: Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful.
      Its hard to talk about myself. I feel kind of shy when it comes to things like that. For those of you that know me, i feel like i'm a better talker then listener (working on this one). I ask a lot of questions because i need to know all the details. I think i am pretty truthful and some of my friends would describe me as being too honest or brutal at times, but it's all in good fun:) My husband often tells me when we leave a party, "people around you are always smiling (probably thinking what a spaz i am) and listening to you and people are always telling me how much fun you are and how kind you are. I love being your husband." He's a pretty amazing man, husband, father and has helped mold me into the women, wife and mother i am today. I'm not sure how that sets me apart from other people. I know plenty of people who are fun and kind.
      Maybe i'm different because as mad as i can get at someone I always always always can forgive them. I may even initiate it. I feel like that could be a weakness, but i hear it is a talent. My heart is just too big to stay mad at anyone. Could it be because i think the most beautiful thing is the world are those last three days of being pregnant and the day you go into the hospital and give birth to the miricle you have made from love. I LOVE labor and delivery. I love the moment you know you are going into labor and how you can't control one thing you body does from that point on. I love everything about it. I love when the doctor tells you they can see the head. It's such a rush of excitement. Its such an amazing moment. I don't know a lot of people who enjoy that. That defiantly makes me different. I guess its my heart. I don't know. All i know is i love who i am (its taken a long time to actually admit that), whoever that is and i hope that makes me a beautiful person, a kind person and a good friend. To me real beauty is ....

These baby girls and the love that made them! There is nothing better. 

A December To Reflect....

I am so excited to have joined this new group called Reverb 10, check it out! It is a group of people who have gotten together to reflect of the last year and to talk about the year to come. They prompt you with a question everyday until the last day of December. You blog about it and then at the end you are able to look back and reflect on what you have done and what you are looking forward to doing. I thought it was such a great idea! Obviously i don't have a ton of time on my hand with my two little munchkins running around, but i think i can commit to writing a little each day. Thanks Dana for introducing me to it! So my first question is.....


Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

The community that i have connected with in a HUGE way this year was God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They showed me themselves in a big way. I have learned so much and connected with so many amazing people. God has brought truly wonderful people into my (our) lives this year. I have conquered so many hills and valleys in my life and it all because if the Lord. I have never felt him as much as i have this year. There is no better feeling in the world. I can do absolutely anything because he is on my side. I have done things this year that i would never have imagined myself doing. My soul seems to have been quieted and i feel so incredibly humbled. There is always work to do, but i truly feel like a new, different (in a great way) and confident person. I thank the Lord everyday for opening my eyes (finally) and using me to his utmost advantage. 

I also joined a great group of people all over the world in the Organic food movement and studied (thank you Jill) the effects that the American food industry has on our health and the health of our children. The importance of healthy eating effects everything you do and feel. It is a lot to take in and a lot to understand, but totally worth every bit of time spent. Not only are we eating healthier, but our children are learning to eat the correct way. I know lots of people still don't believe in it (i was the biggest anti organic before i did my research), but its worth every single penny and all your time, if not for you then at least for your children. Hey my mom has even jumped on, once she started researching it. Another fantastic group! 

As far a which community i would like to join in the coming year and become more involved in, i want to dive deeper in my faith, bible study and our couples small group. I plan on volunteering in a women's shelter. God has really blessed my family and i feel like we need to pay that forward and volunteer as much of our time as we can trying to make others lives a little easier. I want my girls to always know that serving others is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Lastly i would love to join a women's running group! I have been a runner for years now and i think it is so much easier to run when you have people supporting you. I have to start researching some groups in my area. 


What a fantastic way to reflect and get some writing in:) 

Starting to get easier....

As you all know we had out second baby in July, another little girl. Let me tell you two is much harder then one and one seemed like a lot of work. I shouldn't complain O was an amazing baby, slept through the night at 6 weeks and never really cried. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that she refused to breast feed and i had to give her formula. I don't know if it was the fact that it took her longer to digest it or if she was just more satisfied with it, whatever it was it worked wonders. She was wonderful. O is almost 2. I have no idea where the time has gone, but it has gone by fast! She is a tall string bean with the most beautiful blue eyes and gigantic personality. She is talking up a storm and climbing on everything. She is a little mini me. I love her to pieces. 

W is also a great baby, but she is a little different then O. First off i breast feed her exclusively, she has had the occasional bottle when i am at work or can't make it home on time and the breast milk i have pumped is all used up. She is defiantly more sensitive and gets up every 4 hours, still. The doctor said i have to start sleep training her. I haven't had the strength enough to do this yet. Probably because i am so tiered and because i secretly love laying with her in bed, but i know the time is coming, i need my sleep back! W is now 4 months and hardly cries anymore, she smiles all the time, talks, rolls and laughs. She is wonderful. I am so happy those four months are behind us now and i can actually take both kids with me in public.

I would have to say life is getting back to normal. Well as normal as it can be with two girls under 2! It's getting easier and i every time i look at my girls i grow more and more in love. Their smiles are the greatest things in the world. 

What a blessing tonight was....

As most of you know i am involved in a Beth Moore study at my church. This study happens to be Beloved Disciple, The Life and Ministry of John. Its a fantastic study and even though i don't always manage to get the whole entire study done every week i love it and learn so much from the other women in the study. I happened to only get three chapters out of the five this week and felt discouraged to even go, but i went and i'm sure glad i did!

Beth told an unforgettable story that absolutely disregards any scientist trying to disprove Jesus, God & Heaven are non existent because their "science" says so. Her intention wasn't to do this, but to talk about the grace God gives us in the face of adversity.

       When Beth Moore was younger she was part of a Moms group. There were three moms in particular that palled around with each other and Beth was of course one of them. They all had a couple children. Her friend, lets call her Mary, had a son who had gotten sick. At his funeral Beth and Judy (her other friend) were watching Mary great all the people who came to pay their respects. Of course they were sobbing at this site. There is something completely unnatural about a child's funeral. Mary was so embarrassed by them that she walked over and said, "ladies if you don't get a hold of yourself i'm going to slap you both in the face". God gave this women amazing grace at her own sons funeral. A few months later the three ladies were standing in her kitchen and were having a very delicate conversation about her little boy that had passed away. Beth asked "Mary when did you know your little boy was going to be with Jesus?" and she replied, "I didn't know until it happened. As a mother you will hang on and convince yourself that your child isn't going to die." Mary went on to say "He had been uncomfortable all day long, very fussy and we just couldn't console him. Jim and i were both there with him, praying over him and then all of a sudden he sat straight up. His eyes opened and his whole body was calm and he had the most calm look on his face." He then asked them look mommy & daddy do you see him? Do we see who? as their son is pointing right in front of them. They thought maybe he was hallucinating. The little boy looked over at his parents and said Jesus (with a "duh" face). His parents asked him to describe him. This little boy didn't have much church exposure so he wouldn't have know that the pictures make Jesus looks tall with dark hair. He described him as a man with white hair, piercing eyes and some sort of robe and as soon as he described him he left with Jesus and went home.

      I mean the tears streaming from my eyes were unconsolable. Just an absolutely amazing story and for that mom to know her baby boy was going to be ok and without pain, was such a gift from God. He gives such grace.

Beth went on to talking about an oncologist doctor who was an atheist before she started working in her field and after she started working, even though she saw beautiful children dying all the time she knew that Jesus Christ MOST certainly was involved in the lives of these children that she would meet. She said God is real, he is who he says he is.

All i can say is that i am so happy i went to study tonight and feel so blessed to be part of such an amazing group of women! Thank you Lord, you are so so so good!

Shutterfly 2010 holiday card collection!

Hi all you blogger friends out there! It's that time of year again! HOLIDAY CARDS! My favorite time of year! Shutterfly is having a promotional giveaway for their Holiday Cards! We have been using Shutterfly for a number of our gifts, invitations and Christmas cards! This year they have had the best Holiday card. Each year they seem to get better and better and the prices are unbeatable! They have a lot of multi picture holiday cards, which i like since i have two kids and we can never all take a good picture:) You have to check them out. Here are some of the cards that we liked.

Pretty sure we are choosing the last one! Even if you don't blog about it, its defiantly worth checking out! If you want to get 50 free holiday cards click here, 50 Free Shutterfly Cards! It's totally worth it:) 

Below are some links to a couple other ideas Shutterfly offers!

Holiday Cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards

Calendars: http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars

Photo Cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

The Vintage Pearl

The Vintage Pearl is a blog i have been following for quite some time now! They have the greatest name necklaces! Not to mention they are priced fantastically! They just opened a storefront and the owner is an adorable mother of 4!  Check out this heading, couldn't get any cuter then this. Go check her out: http://www.thevintagepearl.com/ ! They make fantastic baby gifts or push presents.

New Beginnings are always good!

After 20 years Grammie has sold her house and is moving up to the Lake with Nancy & Terry! It was bittersweet for Grammie, but i think a wonderful choice. She will be in great company and hopefully not so lonely anymore. This was taken right before she left. Strange to think we will never be back in that house again. Change is good and new beginnings are even better! 

Grammie with her 2nd great granddaughter and 4 great grandchild!