Best Christmas EVER!

This year was amazing. I went to open my presents with my family this morning. Every year, my nan usually gives us all envelopes with money. I was expecting this on this particular year to save for my camera for my new business. I've been borrowing a friends camera to do sessions to save up for my camera. I am half way there. Well this morning I didn't get an envelope. When we were opening our boxes that we get every year, the camera I needed and was saving for was underneath some baby food!!!! I started crying. I haven't been that surprised and happy since my husband asked me to marry him. This business is such a passion of mine. This meant my family believed in me to invest in me and I was so thrilled.

So tonight I used my savings for some business cards and a strap for my camera and a case. I'm so excited!!!

My little guys got some clothes and games and they are content with our new puppy as well. Good times!!

Christmas

This morning I went to my MOPS group which is MoMS of preschoolers. It gives me a chance to be around other moms and chill by myself without my children for a couple hours. It's very nice. Anyway, one mom read an excerpt about of Max Lucado's book. It was 25 questions for Mary the mother of Jesus asked while she was raising him. It's so perfect for this holiday season. A time to really revel in our Savior and his life and how he gave us his sacrifice so that we may be new and whole and have peace. It's amazing how much we forget this. Here are the questions.

These are from Max Lucado's book God Came Near.

1. What was it like watching him pray?
2. How did he respond when he saw other kids giggling during the service at the synagogue?
3. When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood?
4. Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world?
5. When he saw a lamb being led to the slaughter, did he act differently?
6. Did you ever see him with a distant look on his face as if he were listening to someone you couldn't hear?
7. How did he act at funerals?
8. Did the thought ever occur to you that the God to whom you were praying was asleep under your own roof?
9. Did you ever try to count the stars with him....and succeed?
10. Did he ever come home with a black eye?
11. How did he act when he got his first haircut?
12. Did he have any friend by the name of Judas?
13. Did he do well in school?
14. Did you ever scold him?
15. Did he ever have to ask a question about Scripture?
16. What do you think he thought when he saw a prostitute offering to the highest bidder the body he made?
17. Did he ever get angry when someone was dishonest with him?
18. did you ever catch him pensively looking at the flesh on his own arm while holding a clod of dirt?
19. Did he ever wake up afraid?
20. Who was hi best friend?
21. When someone referred to Satan, how did he act?
22. Did you ever accidentally call him Father?
23. What did he and his cousin John talk about as kids?
24. Did his brothers and sisters understand what was happening?
25. Did you ever think, That's God eating my soup

Year in Review

We're almost to the end of 2009. Can you believe it?
All in a year:

1. Had a baby boy
2.Started my photography biz : http://eebeeimages.blogspot.com
3. began a daily devotional called Good Morning Gals.
4. Made long lasting friends in MOPS
5. Got healthier in Mommy & Me.


And it goes on and on. But those are some incredible goals that I have achieved and am grateful for the outcomes and what it continues to do in my life.

well i just haven't blogged in awhile. so what. i had a baby. i got my lady junk taken out.yeah a partial hysterectomy. my baby is not sleeping. he's three months so he's teething...i'm done. yep. all done. just on a break. and it's ok to do that. i love my family. started a photography business. love life. good times. so that's it. bye.

A picture in my mind

It will happen and I am happy about it. Being a photographer will be so exciting. I will get to share in the happy moments of people's lives. This is going to be a journey I begin this month. I have two sessions planned with my little nikon and then I'm currently teaching myself and learning photoshop. It's so hard to learn something the older I get I noticed I want to know it yesterday. But I know part of this life is growing always. Never stopping to learn how to be a better person, or grasp a new concept or learn a new way of something. We get labeled or have complexes throughout our lives. My personal quest is to beat these head on with this new found time I have as a stay at home mom. Yes I have personal free time little minutes here and there throughout the day. So far I am mastering cooking. I always ran away from the kitchen growing up. My sister and mom could cook so well. Unless I was good at it, I didn't want to try. That makes no sense I know. So I'm quitting being immature and learning.

I try a new recipe or two each week and so far I"m doing fabulous.

With this photography thing, I've always spent time editing pictures and taking them wherever I am I want to. It's such a passion of mine. If I master photoshop this year, then next year I'll get a CANON SLR Rebel camera. Or ask for it because it is a hefty price. Please if you are out there reading this pray on this venture for me that I enjoy every step of this and continue with it.

Free Pumpkins

Two years ago I lived in an apartment and we had our first halloween with our baby.
Well I put a pumpkin out on our porch and was happy. A day later, it was STOLEN!
Yeah I was skeptical of all carved pumpkins after that and had a sick feeling every time I saw a pumpkin. Well today when I came home from working out, there were TWO ..TWO PUMPKINS sitting on my porch! Someone just gave me pumpkins. How cool is that?
Two babies later and a house, I'm with free pumpkins! I'm so happy.

So here they are painted!!!!!!

One Month Old

I can't believe it has been an entire month of newborn heaven for mommy. If I knew how easy it was going to be using the bottle, I wouldn't have done anything different. Haha. I nursed my first one for six months, then got sick. This time around I was planning on doing the same as long as I could nurse. Well I tripped in the middle of the night and hurt my back so I had to stop because of meds.

My little guy is sleeping thru the night and I have myself back. I've starting a Good Morning Gals group that is just fabulous. It's really blessed me. All you do is send a bible verse to a group of people in your email. It's very simple and then you can write something about it how it has touched you.

Well I better get to the day.

One choice from Together

The new TobyMac cd is coming out in February and this is one of his singles and it's just amazing. I love the sound and the message. CITY ON OUR KNEES

Jesus gave the thief everlasting life right there just before he was about to enter the threshold between life and eternity. He gave him a choice and he gives us all a choice. No matter how bad we have been, how long we have sinned. We have a chance to come together now in this life and become a city on our knees. Why not now and why not here? Why wait till we get more time or more money or just after we finish this one thing. Lets make it a priority today to start now. In attitude, in mind, in spirit. IN all we do.

I'm soooo tired! The baby kept me up all night and no reprieve with any naps today. It was a tough time. One of my friends reached out to me and it was unexpected and very needed. I was angry. And sometimes we're just ANGRy and sometimes we're just not sure what the plan is. But God has a plan. And that is what matters. He loves us.

A Reality Comic Strip

Husband enters bathroom.


FFRONT VIEW WHILE SITTING ON TOILET



SIDE VIEW AS HE YELLS OUT TO ME...

Honey, is there anymore toilet paper? I'm sick lying in bed and start laughing hysterically! I was just in the bathroom and noticed this scenario and didn't take the time to put it back in the closet, but I did put the new role on the dispenser.

CLASSIC!

Pigeon Amongst the Flowers

When our new boy arrived last week, I was surprised to see him come a day early. I guess he had to be born on the same day as my first one. Just a different month. It was weird because my sister, brother, and I were all born on the 2nd of our respective months. Now we have our boys each born on the 13th of their months.

Anyway all went well and this week has been amazing. Yesterday we had the best weather. Fluffy clouds, cool breezes, and a 2 dollar sprinkler was calling my 2 yr olds name. He ran thru it while I let my new baby boy have some sun. My husband and I sat in lawn chairs and took it all in. Our family is complete.

The night after I got two four hour stints of sleep and felt so refreshed! My pediatrician is amazing and was able to calm my fears of an impending ear infection and cold. My little guy has the sniffles. He's ok though back to his birth weight and nursing like a champ.

My 2 yr old is really getting the hang of being a big brother.
The sweetest thing about this week is all the out-pouring of love from our dear friends all around us. We got cards from people from our church, food from my workout group at the Y, and good food at that!, and even a package here and there from family around us.

It's just a beautiful concept that it takes a village to raise a child. This really has been a true blessing to us and we can't be more thrilled. I am healing very well so far and able to get off the pain meds that make me loopy..

Loopy Example: My husband and I were driving to our in-laws and I loudly exclaimed;
LOOK, over there in the flowers....A PIGEON!!!!!!!!!
Immediately I looked my husband and the face and began hysterical laughter.


No reason why the pigeon caught me off guard as an image of magic. Who knows. Maybe for a split second I thought I had seen a magical new species.

Introducing Baby #2

Can you believe it? God is such a wonderful wonderful being.
We have our little blessing home in our family is complete!!


I actually went into labor! I started contracting at 1 a.m Thursday evening and didn't realize it was contractions until 4:30 that morning. I called the doctor and we went in. Once there we went straight to get the c-section and had baby number 2 at 6:15 a.m.

He is amazing. So peaceful and relaxed. Not anything tough ladies. The only part that was tough was me not resting and feeling the pain. I have to take my time. It's so amazing being a mom to two little guys. Also amazing is my husband who is taking on all my duties while he is home with me for the week.

A very special thing that happened this time around was I saw how incredible my friends have become to me in my life. It's incredible to have woman I work out with lifting me up and my family with their cooking for the week!

It's so refreshing to be able to lean on them thru our Lord's work in them.
In so many ways he's showing me how we can work thru him outside of church.

I even started my Good Morning Girls group this week. So far so good.

We'll see what happens.

Love Liz

Mysterious Ways

THIS IS ARTIE.
Yesterday I went to spend the day with my mother-in-law. She is amazing. We were sitting outside while my two year old was playing ball in the yard. A west highland terrier was prancing down the road hiking his leg up on mailboxes. He didn't have any tags or a leash so we got ahold of him and tied him up with some water. I took him to a local animal vet and had his microchip scanned. Nothing. I gave him a flea pill so in case I took him home, I wouldn't get unexpected company. He was an amazing dog. Very laid back, didn't bark, and just sat down in the car. I took him home after a bath and brush. Set him up in the kitchen and waited for his owner to claim him. I had visions of if he would be part of our family, but didn't get too excited. I'm going to have our second son next week.

A call came in just after I made dinner and it was his owner. She was very grateful that he had such care. She gave my 2 year old a little westie toy and me a card. After they left, I opened it. It was a $50 bill and card saying thanks.

My husband, two year old and I went out for ice cream, got some curtains, and a candyland game. We also needed some groceries so that helped out so much. It's amazing how God works. He provides just when we need for exactly what he knows we need. It was nice to be able to do that and have my mind on the dog and fun for a day.

MAJOR nesting..

When it's time for a new little baby to come into this world a mother to be can exhibit extremely irrational bouts of anxiety on how her home looks. May it be the impending guests who are there only to look at the new life, but she assumes she'll be embarrassed if all isn't in order? Could be the raging hormones finishing up the last couple of bits of MAKING life? Who knows. Whatever it may be, this extreme tension is all but gone for little Zachary's arrival and I couldn't be happier to show you what I did in one day. Well first I saw this picture on a fellow bloggers website.



It was shutters on the fireplace. For some reason I decided I should have shutters on my fireplace. I looked around and my mom had some old bar swing doors in her garage. She gave them to me. EXHIBIT A. It's a pair. This is one of them.



Upon inspection, I would've in the past completely ignored them, but I didn't thanks to all my crafty bloggers out there who have inspired me to look beyond the horridness. My mom also thought she'd save these coffee cans for me. Gave me four of them. I like things in threes so I took three. EXHIBIT B.


And furthermore, teeheehee, I painted them with some Behr paint I had leftover from my trim work. This gallon has lasted me ages. Mixed up a little of the blue Glidden quart I got for free from their giveaway a month ago. Then I painted the coffee cans to match the blue. CLEVER!

Here is the finished piece.



Also my sister came over today with her drill and I was able to hang a series of pics that I was inspired by THE YOUNG HOUSE blog to do. It's not anything close as cute, but good enough for me. Also I have this stupid side door in my living room and it bugs me. I covered it up with sheers from the dollar store. My sister hung them for me!! God Bless her soul.



Just picture a white door with three tier windows in it. We took a piece of white fabric to cover the door first so it wouldn't show thru the sheers. Then hung the rod a couple inches above the door. Then the sheer panels. $5 bucks at dollar store!

GLAMOROUS ...OOH THE FLOSSY FLOSSY.

Tubes Tied

Here we are at this point in my life. I'm 27 years old and saying no more children thru pregnancy. At first discussion of this I went into tears. It was a weird concept that I hadn't considered. After Eric and I discussed it further though I really dont' want to be pregnant again. It was nice being pregnant twice in my life and all is well. I am going in for a c-section next week and then they are going to cut my tubes while they are doing it. The doctor said it would only be five more minutes of work while she is in there. Wow. That's amazing. Five minutes and I'm done having babies.

So then I thought about it some more and we will always have the adoption option if we want another child and that is something Eric and I have always had in the back of our minds. It's so amazing this miracle of childbirth and the whole process. I really am grateful for the friends, and family who have helped me get thru this pregnancy so far. It's been tough. With the bleeding, not working out at the end, and pre-term labors. So we are at the end here and ready to see our new baby boy. I'm so excited for him to be a part of our family.

It really feels like my life has been on hold in a way. I've still cooked and cleaned as much as I could but I have had to sit a lot more and it takes me twice as long to do things. All is well though and I'm grateful for what God has blessed our lives with.

With love

Liz

I won!

Just wanted to say thanks to
Courtney for the most awesome giveaway ever! A spiritual guide to help remind me to sit in God's word. There are so many reasons today that we put our bibles on the shelf and read a million other things; grocery lists, magazines, our friends twitters, etc... This couldn't have come at a better time for me because there will be sleepless nights nursing in my near future and what better way to spend in surrounded in God's word. Thanks again! Also I'm starting a personal bible study group in the fall so this may work out to be the center of it if all goes well.

PEE

Well I started the potty training process a couple months ago and it's been a steady declining process. You know how you get jump started doing something with a lot of energy and passion and it just dwindles? Well that seems to be the case with my 2 year old. He was peeing in the toilet standing up and even he pooped a couple times. But then bam nothing. He would say he wanted to use the potty but he just forgot how I guess. Well today I decided I would put regular undies on him and he is just peeing in them. I don't know if he even cares. I keep bringing him to the toilet. Maybe I just need to wait. I don't know.

POOP

Baby Zach -4 weeks away!

Here he is! Isn't the ultrasound 3D amazing? This is my 35th week and I'm ready for this little guy to meet us. I'm 3 centimeters dilated today so we'll see. I'm scheduled for c-section on August 17th. I may not make it that long. They say he is a good size and should average 8 lbs by the time he's ready to get here. Isn't that crazy? Things are great. I have been relaxing around the house and folding little clothes for him. Big brother is ready to meet him.

Want Grocery Relief?

GO HERE!!!!!!
e-Mealz-A Meal Planner

Moms out there who hate coming up with a grocery list every week.
Then you have to pick out recipes. You get in a rut and have to make the same meal every week. My hubs one day said "sigh" garlic chicken again?

He found this website and it has just changed our lives! It's so awesome.
It's five bucks a month but it's so worth the money you save b/c you are never wasting food.

You go there, choose the plan you want. We use the lowfat Wal-mart plan. I can go to Aldi's too for cheaper items if I want. You can really be flexible with it.

Print out the two weeks worth of meals. Then you can go thru them and see what you want and substitute if you don't like a meal. Then you have a grocery list with the prices suggested right next to it and the final tally at the bottom. This way you aren't surprised and embarrassed that you overspent at the checkout.

It's the best. I put this on my fridge and get to figure what I'm gonna make for the day. I can defrost that way and get things ready.

The chart you print out has the meal, then the ingredients you need next to the meal, then the directions on how to make it!! All on one chart to stick on your fridge.

I just love this site so much. I hope it helps you as much as it has helped our family.

An Octagon

I haven't written on here in awhile. I guess it's because I've been so happy. My aunt told me a funny saying that is out there.

The first three months of pregnancy - You're Leary
The second three months of pregnancy- You're Cheery
The third and last three months - You're Weary

I have done what I said I was going to do this summer and floated mostly in the pool going swimming with my little guy and enjoying him as much as I can. I talk to him about his brother coming. He seems pretty excited about it. We'll see what happens when he's actually here. I have dilated a half centimeter every week I've gone to the doc so I am on very limited movement and that has been tough. I've gotten a lot of stuff done and NOT done around the house. I keep sitting in places looking around going hm..What can I do with that spot. IT BUGS ME!
I redo or work on it and just having an idea of what I am going to do pleases me. I have some pictures saved of ideas. My husband is working diligently on the back door.

We had to have it replaced since the thing was old and the window broke.
See lots of things going on to catch up on.

In the midst of all this, I was driving over to spend time with in-laws, YES I LOVE THEM! On the drive we stopped at a stop sign. My 2 and a half year old little guy tells me "LOOK Mommy, AN OCTAGON!".

I register what he just said and realize indeed the STOP SIGN is in fact in the shape of an Octagon. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like a sponge I tell you what. I was so thrilled with his observation I just sat there for a minute getting honked at. I didn't care. It's the simple things in life.

Wandering Eyes

How many times when you were dating your significant other did you wonder if it was for real? When did you know you got a good egg or a bad one? Hopefully you didn't stick yourself with a smelly one. Or at least if you did you make them wash once in awhile.

What I'm saying is that I tried to call everyone I knew to shout this awesome present I got from my husband last night.

He and I were talking about explicatives around our children. The fact that we have to filter areas b/c our two year old is a repeater and to a point we have control over who and what is said around them.

Well then he tells me that day at work he was offered free lunch by his boss to go for a "psuedo-meeting".

When they were about to leave one of his co-workers walked up to him and said I guess you aren't going. He says yeah I'm going after all. Then he said where they were going. It was one of those boobie hang out the butts restaurants with the good hot wings ya know the one I'm talking about?

Well when he heard that, my HUSBAND tells the guys he's sitting that one out. The co-worker asked him why he wasn't going and he said he had his wife at home to look at. He didn't need to set himself up to look at anyone else but me.

I was like what??????

How much worth did that give to me? Can we say brownie points????

So I just had to shout out to the rooftops in blogworld how amazing of a husband I have. Give props to your man for the things they do for you out of pure love.

God is good.

Mind Play Tricks

No matter how much confidence we gain from the things we do, acquire, or learn about ourselves, there is always that nagging negativity that creeps in here and there.

The kind that begins as a small voice and if you allow it will grow into possibly an anxiety attack. Guess what? Most of the time it's baseless. You may have a feeling about how something came off, but really? Is it even there? Conspiracy theories, insecurities all of these things rip us ladies of our energy. It's not necessary.

I am learning to conquer a lot of this stuff by a few excercises.

1. Recognize the voice when it begins. Tell it out loud shut up or stop.
(eventually this will trick you into listening and attacking it back)
2. Combat the issue before it becomes one. Whomever told you something or looked at you a certain way. Just confront them. This is tough. Most of the time we even are in that situation is a lack of communication from us. Just ask what they meant or where it came from. Most of the time this diffuses it immediately and should be the first thing done.

3. Have a trusted friend to vent to when you get that way if its' out of control. In love they should help you figure out that its not anything you should worry about.

I'm sharing this because I have been tackling a lot of things in my mind because I have the time and trying to be a better person overall. Almost all my anxiety is gone based on having God at the center of my life. He gives me a peace that passes all my understanding.

My husband is really good at helping me realize a lot of what I come up with is too much thinking into it. For example.

I will sit here and look at peoples actions and go hmm..Was that directed at me?
A few situations have occurred lately and instead of focusing on the positive parts I'm looking at what may have been. With later dealings, realizing it was all for not.

The other part is your worth. My husband said a wonderful thing to me that I wrote and hung up next to my computer. I was wondering if I was a good enough friend to people and wondering why I didn't have more...etc..etc...

He said Liz,

Any person would be lucky to have you as a friend.

How is that for worth? Amazing. I encourage all of you to knock that off today. Use the things I shared as excercises and see how much more content you are in your day.

Love

IT's HOT!

Wow. What a day. I woke up this morning so early with my baby boy. He is amazing. I wish this time would last forever. He's so sweet and charming to everyone. We go grocery shopping and he waves and smiles at everyone. He hugs old ladies legs. He's just adorable.

I finally tackled his nursery today to update for the baby and clear stuff out. It's tough with pregnancy brain to filter thru all the stuff. I just knew I had to get it all in order b/c I would be sitting there nursing and seeing all the clutter. That would've driven me crazy. Its so weird how slow I'm moving these days. My baby in my tummy is just stretching me out and so low that I have back pain and just have to take things slow. That doesn't agree with my brain. Oh well.

It took me the better part of the day and a short nap but I got it done. I'll have my hubs vacumn tonight and take out the big bags to storage.

A funny side story.........................

Yesterday I took my new car in that we just bought to make room for new baby on it's way right? Well the shocks were a little worn so I took it in b/c it's still under warranty.
I get a call from the receptionist telling me that she had bad news. My heart sank. I'm thinking they found a serious issue with my NEW car.

No...The repair guy accidentally broke the hood of my new car! I HAD to laugh when she told me that. She was so apologetic. I just couldn't believe how freaky that is.
So while it's getting replaced, I'm driving a rental vehicle at their expense.
The manager came up to me when I went in to pick up the seat and other stuff. He looked like he had a tail between his legs. I told him it's not problem as long as they take care of their mistake they've done a good job. I'm not upset.

When I went to pick up my rental car, the guy there asked me meekly if I was ok to drive this specific model. I told him of course. I guess there are people out there that take advantage of freak things with a bad attitude. But I would say hey ALL GOOD.

That morning I bought hubs some undies, and my 2 year old let his grandfather "POC" know that they were for his "willy". But he said the scientific word.
Then when we went to pick up the rental we were still carrying the undies and he told the salesman there they were for daddy. He made the UNMENTIONABLES "MENTIONABLE">

HAHAHHAAHHA

Dunk:Disclaimer POOP

Go let Dad smell that. Not mommy.
I just said that to my 2 year old after he announces to me he just pooted.
I wish I didn't misread that this morning. It was a nasty mess.

I hear him say I pooped in the cup. I just assumed he pooted in the cup. I'm sitting there while he is bathing putting on my makeup. I can't see the inside of the tub happenings.

A few minutes later, he says hey mommy, I pooped in the tub and it's nasty.

I get up and I hear that jaws theme song playin with a mixture of the pycho theme song ree ree ree ree. Yeah you get the picture.

Not just one baby ruth, I'm talking 3 dumps in one, with floating seeds and mess all over the bottom. Somehow he managed not to get it on him. Weird.

When that happened the one time thank goodness, it was only once. I wonder. Will the next one be more poop? I just wonder.

At least I didn't take a picture.

He is amazing, my two year old. Really he is fabulous. The other night at the grocery he told the clerk his hair was all kinds of crazy.
I love him so much.

To keeping life interesting.

All is Well

I went to the doctor today and she said that everything should be ok. Just if I feel any labor at all to call. So I am back to excercising and doing all that I would like to do. Woohoo!

Home from the Hospital

We're home from the hospital. Went in at four for a checkup to see if it was anything to do with the placenta and they said my cervix looked short. Like pre-term labor short. Sent me to triage for another hour and monitored me for contractions. When no contractions were there, they sent me home and told me to come back on Friday for another check. So basically I get to sit around and not clean or excercise or crud while I wait. I can do that. I'm just blessed for your prayers and the love I felt when I was sitting waiting to hear nothing. Hopefully this is just a fluke and I can have a healthy pregnancy the remainder of this time.

Hmmphhh!

I am collecting data on a certain specific candle chain on their customer service tactics. Have you ever been out shopping and you have only a specific amount of money to spend and you are so excited to buy your specific little trinket whatever it may be, and the sales person says "It that all you're going to buy?".

Excuse me, but I'm buying something. Don't make me mad or I'll walk out with zero sales for you missy.

Has this happened more than once in one specific location? Well it has for me. Hahahaha.

I was out with my hubs and we were just browsing. I was able to convince him that we really needed this tiny little smelly yummy votive to put on our candle warmer at home.
A 2 dollar sale I believe. Maybe less than that.

I put my purchase on the counter. The salesPERSON says "Is that all you're buying"?

Yep I exclaimed proudly.

I even paid with quarters.


Fast forward about 5 months and we were able to purchase a new car!!! Woohoo.
Go us. We needed room. I only had one working seatbelt in the backseat of my 2 door car from college.

Of course you have to have a personalized smell in your car and hopefully mine isn't B.0. Hahhahahaha.

No I have a specific smell that I enjoy. Guess what? It's time to go back to this specific place that I love oh so dearly.
I go in and choose the specific air freshener in a packet of one!

The sales PERSON sees my request lying on the counter and says "You have to get the 3-pack."
I quickly tell him that my hubs and I agreed on just one.

Then I ask the person if it's more expensive to ring up the sale than to sell it to me or something in a light jovial nature.

The sales PERSON then says crudely "It actually costs me more to stand here and listen to you talk!" WHAT???????????????????

I just laughed and said I didn't feel guilty and walked out proudly.

When I got home, I was telling a few friends about the experiences.

One of them actually had her own story. There is supposedly a candle ettiquette.
Yes. That's right. A specific way to smell a candle if you are looking to purchase one.

This individual buyer went in to purchase a candle at this specific candle location and was lifting up the biggest ones they sell, opening up the lid, and sniffing into the candle. Apparently (and unbenownest to me) this is incorrect.

Appalling actually. According to the version of this story, the sales PERSON walked up to her, and let her know she needed to pick up not the biggest version of that scent, but the smallest, open the lid, and sniff the lid, NOT the inside of the candle.

Wow. Are you serious?

So here I am revelling in the funniness.

I think for our next excursion I shall go in and purchase the smallest priced item and pay with pennies. Teehehehe.

Peace in Turmoil

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phillipians

I never really quite knew the meaning of this verse until I experienced it last night. It's amazing how real scripture knocks you down when you suddenly realize what it means.

Last night after a long day of doing errands, making dinners, etc, I was putting my pj's on ready to retire for the evening. I felt something run down my leg. I thought it was weird so I went to the bathroom and it was blood. At six and a half months that is not something you want to see.

So I told my husband and he called his mom. I called my doctor.

She called me back and let me know she wanted me to come into the hospital.
When we were getting ready to leave I started freaking out crying, cussing, just losing my head. I was trying to hold it in because my 2 year old gets upset when I'm upset so I was quiet about it mostly. But I was about to lose it and then all of a sudden it was as if someone shot me with a tranquilizer gun and I was completely content and peaceful. I was actually giggly. It was really weird.

I went to the hospital and my husbands' mom met us there in case she needed to take our toddler home for the night. We had no idea.

I sat there for an hour while they monitored the baby and I was telling my mother in law what happened to me and she said that everyone was at home praying.

When I told my mom about it she said Liz, this is the place where this verse comes in. A peace that passes all understanding.

Amazing. I was totally grateful for my Lord and the sheer power of prayer and the love in my life all around me I'm protected from myself and all my sin.

Don't ever waste that or take that for granted. If you say you are going to pray for someone, that is nothing to take lightly, or if someone asks you to pray for them.

It's serious and amazing.

Our God is an awesome God.

So today we have an ultrasound to see what it was and try to figure what my fate will be for the next few months.

I'll keep you posted.

Big Dreams

When I first met my husband, my mom and I clashed and there was a rift between us for several years. I grew up in her love and constant friendship. She is an amazing woman. For this mother's day it meant all the world to me to be where we have in our relationship today. We had a lot of issues just butting heads with my marriage and I growing apart in my own ways. It happens in every relationship. We came back together a few weeks ago when we went to a quilt show. It was incredible. It was just like we were back where we used to be and had a quiet understanding.

My mom is an incredible artist. She threadpaints. I have talked about that in previous posts. It was like growing up with a family member being a movie star I guess in a sense. I never realized the potential and wonderment that having a mom as an artist actually was. I took it for granted. I did learn a lot from her but I was so my own person and never tried to be in her grace of what she knew.

I guess now I see what we can ultimately be capable of when we just open our eyes. Who cares what we can't do or probably can't do. Why not try something and see if we love it!! What are we missing out on when we fear the unknown?

I'm starting a new project with my mom soon. I will be launching a blog, videos, and patterns that will be simple things to do for you who have a free moment and want to delve into the world of creativity. Anyone can do it.

I'm looking at this and coming into it with no sewing experience, and little design knowledge. But as an apprentice to my mom, we will be sifting thru all the awesome designs and the fun things people our age want that we can't find or is too expensive to just buy.

I hope we can share this together. I am so excited for it.

On another note with this new sense of perserverance, here is a pic of my mommy and me class. I have been working out hard. Trying to keep myself together. Haha.

Alive and Kickin'

This week has been so amazing. I got an opportunity to work for a guy from church just for this week for a little extra spending money. My mother in law and sister helped on watching my 2 year old so that I could get there. I really appreciate their help.

It has definitely made me appreciate staying at home though. I am so tired when I come home and the house is messy and I don't have any desire to clean it because I missed playing with my toddler all day. It just gave me a great new appreciation for staying home. I love it. I miss it. I knew that would be the case once I would start working again.

In other news, I also received a gift from my grandfather who passed on five years ago. God provides. Just when our vehicles that we have had since college crapped out, we get this just in time to get a new family car.

I can't wait to get back to working out next week also. Well back to relaxin'..

Oopsy

I haven't posted on here for a little bit because I've been so thrilled and happy and content. For me I guess I like to write or vent if something is tough or I get more introspective if I'm down and think of writing. While I'm riding this happy train, I wanted to share some awesome news.

My mom invited me to go on a trip with her to the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah last week. I was really excited to have a day for just mom and I. It had actually been over a year since that happened. My sister came home and I have my 2 year old with me if ever I go see her. So this was really good for us.

We had a two hour drive there and back to just talk about things. It was so refreshing. She was so encouraging to me. I got to see the world my mom had been immersed in for the past couple years. Her and my stepdad quit their jobs to pursue her dream of being a threadpaint artist. This is painting with thread. The technique. She had a blog of her own HERE.

It was so amazing to see her associates and how she inspires people she is around.
All the people we met were so fun and sweet.

When we went to lunch with one of her associates, they were brainstorming future projects. I was so inspired. My mind was really alive and passionate in that environment.

All of a sudden my mom and I were brainstorming an exciting creative project for ourselves. We can totally do this. We spent the drive back just figuring everything out and coming up with ideas. Then we made plans to meet to do a business day.

The black cloud is gone. I had this creative block for such a long time. Gotta go!

I can do it!

The last few days have been amazing. I don't know if it's just me or my little guy and me just realizing he's ready to click with it. We have been watching Potty Power vids and I'm a Big Kid Now propaganda has been in our home 24/7. I can do it. This is the motto. I have "let" my two year old put his socks on, take his shoes off, pick what he wants to eat (he has nutritional choices of course), etc. I was really holding on to the last two on the list of must dos. Potty in the Big Boy Pot & Sleep in the Big Boy bed. I have had the potty chair sitting there looming at me for several months now. I have the pull ups getting dust. I have the Big Boy bed propped up against the wall. It's just that once I did those last two things, he would be on his own. Well he still needs me to dress and feed him so who am I kidding. I just said hey lets go potty the yesterday and guess who just let it go. Yep. *Tear* We called everyone and gave them the "GOOD News". Then I got around to rearranging his room and putting his "Big Boy Bed" on the ground and decided I wouldn't put sheets on it yet. See what happens. He jumped on it and Daddy says the other evening, you want to sleep on there? He says "YEP". I said "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! in my head as I went to get the sheets.
He slept on it and didnt' even get up! That was one of my secret fears that I would not have control about sleeping in because he would wake up and look for me, but that didn't happen. The sweetheart still yells for me in the morning and waits for me to come get him out of bed!!!
So there you go. My little boy now. But it really is amazing and a joy to see him growing up and I know I'm going to be greatful that I got him out of diapers before I get the next little guy. If you are holding on, it's ok to let go. It's so fun. We all have to grow up with our children just as much as they do I guess.

Tea Party

Yesterday made history when groups of people from ALL WALKS OF LIFE made a statement by protesting in Tea Party all over the country. There was one here in Indiana that my relatives went to. The point was to express that the conservative movement was still alive and well and we were disapointed with how we are represented in both parties. The definition of conservative to me is a personal accountability for myself and my family. I take responsibility to pay my taxes, work for my needs, and I expect government to regulate not delegate my life. With the new administration there have been very clear cut things done and put into place that elude to a socialist movement. As well as a rising debt that has no relief for our children's children. My husband sent me this link and being a former person of news, I was disgusted. You can see for yourself but we have no opinion in news. We are supposed to be objective. An editorial, blog, or interview opinion is where we place how we feel personally. Not in a report for an event we were assigned to. I'm not saying just because she was covering something I was for, that I was ashamed, but in general for anything when I see a reporter showing clear disdain for a situation, this isn't the place.



http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/checker.aspx?v=ydSUqGSUaG

Instead of seeing what the real point of this event was, we only see that someone was against Obama which isn't even the point. But with any protest you are going to have a mixture of extreme opinions. Instead of focusing on that, she should've reviewed the entire point of the event.

Smells of Heaven

If there were smells that heaven would smell like or a smell that causes happiness, it would be the following.

My Husband






I have this burning in my living room.





There are so many things in life that can set us off track. But these are the little things that can simply alter your mood or add to your happiness. I had the best day in my Mommy & Me class. I felt so fullfilled just by having the fellowship of these awesome women. They are funny, and spiritual women. I am just so glad that I have stuck with this. It's kept me happy in myself also.

Funny

Even though Adam Lambert is my favorite for American Idol this year, I just thought it was really funny that while watching this latest performance my hubs tells me he sounds like Herbert the Pervert off Family Guy. We are regular watchers of this so I immediately start cracking up. It ruined the song for me. But if you want to see what I'm talking about I arranged them in succession so you can see for yourself.




Ok you listened to that...Now listen to this...Resemblance?

Family Guy Herbert Song @ Yahoo! Video

Easter Egg Hunts

I promised pics of the buckets I made for my niece and nephew. I just painted them for an Easter present since it was Chloe's last hunt unofficially. haha. They had an awesome time. It was our two year old's first easter egg hunt ever and he loved it. Pics below.

Pretty Pretty Princess

Ever since my sister moved home it has been so delightful. I cannot believe how much a part of me was missing since she was gone. She was in the Air Force every since high school. I have said this before that we shared a room and if we got mad at each other we couldn't go to sleep until we made up.

So yesterday my sister called me in the morning. It was one of those lonely stay at home mom days where I did not have any errands to run, no money to be impulsive with, and no projects currently on tap for me to mess up. We discussed what the other would be doing that day. She is staying home until she starts school in the summer. So this is the time where we can catch up and spend good moments together.

You know that part of you that is insecure that is like a black void that is really obnoxious? Well I have one. I hinted here and there to her that I could come over but she didn't catch the bait. She was cleaning her home that day. I had already cleaned.

I went to lay in my bed. What? Defeated so fast?
I told myself I wasn't going to let myself be like that and called her back crying.
She told me to get my butt over to her home. Then she said she had a prize for me.


My younger sister is saving me again! From myself. Anyway we went to the mall and she had this VS gift card and bought me some body spray that I really enjoyed!!
Spray along with lip gloss and lotions are my obsession. Yes I am a junkie.

Anywho is was an amazing fun day. Good Good.

Today I straightened my 2 year old's room and got it ready for the baby so he could get used to the stuff around his daily routine. I have the crib on one side and his little big boy bed on the other. Pics will come but not until it looks cool. I have a plan to paint a mural on his walls and that is when I will decide to put pics up of his room.

It's getting very dark outside. Today is going to be a girls day out for me, my sis, and our mutual gal pal. Yes we have one of those. She is amazing to how she handles both of us. Haha. The whole jealousy thing isn't there. It's like she is our third sister. I got a gift card from them at my baby shower to get my nails done so it's good times.

Till next time.

Wordless Wednesday

Clean Freak

Now that I'm feeling better, I decided to go shoppin' for a belt for my vacumn. I sucked up one of my 2 year old's toys one day and i knew I messed it up. It didn't suck right for 3 weeks I let it go. I used the hose to get the big stuff but my carpets have a layer of nuts, crumbs, and dust bunnies gathering to attack my nose. I took the plunge today and wrote the model numbers down and went on a trip. I got the best pic of my toddler on a john deer tractor but I dont' know how to put phone pics on here. Anyway I vacumned my heart out this afternoon and plucked some spring and brought it inside. I feel great. My new me of just doing things is really working out. I made easter buckets yesterday for my niece and nephew but of course my battery on my camera died so no pics of that until easter. In the meantime I hope you all enjoy this happy spring day.

Trippin'

The past few days I have been in a funk. I relayed that earlier. It started I believe from lack of endorphins from working out. Today I went to church and I believe God had a message for me. Stop whining. Get up and just do something. I don't care what it is but don't talk yourself out of it. My friends just surrounded me this morning. I received a present for the baby of amazing little baby boy outfits. Then I received a jar of handmade lotion!!! One of my sisters made me lotion. It made my hands so soft too. And let me tell you this gal and her family are struggling. They are really struggling with her hubby's health. And she just made some lotion. Here I am tip top health, fine time for me to have quiet time, so what is my deal? Well I made myself look really pretty today. You know when I feel crappy I try to look the best I can on the outside. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to put heals on. I sang on the praise team this morning so after we were done I sat down and slipped off my shoes. When it was time for us to sing again I went to get up and I flew down smacked on my rear. I tripped over my shoes! The heals that I was afraid I might trip in, instead I tripped ON! It hurt my back so bad but it was hilarious.


I feel like it was really God sending me a message to wake up and smell the roses. Shut up and get going. Enjoy this time. I made a list of things to do that I would enjoy. Tomorrow I'm going to get started. We have an annual Easter egg hunt so I'm going to fill eggs with candy. Good times. Who cares if it's not brain surgery or something completely flabergasting going on. Just be still and know he is God.

Good times.

Bring the Funk

It's amazing how much one little sidestep can totally knock you off your track. Ever since I pulled my side muscle and the doc told me I couldn't go work out, I have been depressed. But the rain is good sometimes. Sometimes we need it to wash over and get rid of all the dirt we have collected when all was well right? We don't notice how much it builds up until we have to take a bath. If I don't have something to do, I sit here and sulk. I know that's not right. But I don't know how to make up stuff.

If I see someone doing something and it seems like I can do it too, then I try. So I have been working on perserverence. Trying to stick to things for longer than quitting. Just keeping myself busy doing at least one thing I enjoy. I have been looking at different pictures and then I will try to make my house look like that. That's fun.

I started learning how to play the piano. I have always wanted to. Now I have the time.

When I took my 2 year old to the mall the other day while it was raining, I asked a lady if she was a stay at home mom. She said no, she works most days. There is nothing wrong with that. But I would really like to meet a stay at home mom and see what they do in a day. I need to know what you spend your time on. I am so used to having some kind of structure. Can I just be Que Sera Sera?? What will be will be and just enjoy this time?? I have the love of my life. I have a home. He has a great job. I have a healthy healthy boy. I am so blessed. But its hard sometimes just being normal. if that is what I am.

You know buying things, or going places is only temporary. We have to find happiness in ourselves. That is my goal. Reading scriptures, enjoying playtimes in the moment. Not waiting for the next thing. I think I have learned to master the time issue and just sit and enjoy...Listen to some music.

It's so weird to just have free time..It doesn't feel right. haha. Is it? haha.

Oh well. My sister saved me today and took me to the mall and we bought Yankee Candles. That made me happy for now.

Baby on Board

To ring in Baby #2, my sister threw me a shower this weekend that was so nice! We enjoyed a strawberry cake, homemade bread, quiche, and several silly games. I already had a lot of things from having first baby, so I got diapers galore and wipes. It was awesome. It's nice to spend some time with friends. I joked that I must've had candy perfume on because the tripletts were there (my 2 year old's friends) and they were on my lap, sharing my chair, and following me wherever I went. It didn't bother me at all though. It was very endearing. Here are a few pics. It was so chaotic, I only got a few pics in. It means so much to have such wonderful people in my life. Thanks!

Sunburn,PB&J, & Aminals

My sister recently moved into town from being out of town since we were in high school. It's been so wonderful having her around again.

We grew up sharing a bed or sleeping in the same room. It used to be if we were mad at each other we had to sort it out before we could go to sleep. We were tight. Well today we decided to take the kiddos and have a trip to the zoo. She starts school after being in the military in the fall so she has some free time with her children. It's amazing to spend my time with her. I love it.

Anyway we went to the zoo and had a blast. Here are some pics. We also went with our mom and our mutual friend Kim and her daughter. My sister's little guy and our friends little girl look like brother and sister. It's so cute.

Worthy Cause

Every day we caught up in our every day junk..The thoughts that fill our minds, the irritations that we think are for real. Etc...All this goes to crap when I see a video like this one. Sara Groves is a singer and you may have well heard of her but I just discovered her tonight. I was asked to sing special music in two weeks at my church so I'm rummaging thru songs to find something that God wants to put in my heart for whomever needs it. That's my process so it's real.

Anyway I stumbled across this video but I know it was meant to put on here.

It reminded me of a mission trip I took to Mississippi right after Katrina hit the area in Gulfport. We took 14 youth kids down there and I had never been on a mission before. It was weird. One night I dreamt I needed to do it. I didn't think I could pull it off, but I went to my pastor anyway and suggested it as a thought that someone else could do. Then I left the meeting with a date and amount needed. Two weeks later we raised the money. We were off. I didn't even think the kids would come but they did. It really truly was if you build it they will come.

How many things do you shrug off that God puts on your heart however small? He gives us all gifts and sometimes out of fear or insecurity we shrug it off or find excuses to save us from it. Just do it. Nike says.

Well anyway here's the video.

Spring Fever.

Today was amazing. I went outside after a great workout and got some much needed Natural Vitamin D. THE SUN! Our family finally raked all the leaves. We had a blast outside. My sister came over with her little guys and we let them jump into the leaves.

Myths Don't Work

My hubs and I wanted to try for another child. We were the obnoxious ones that start and four months later we're pregnant again. No wondering or waiting on us. The second I'm off the pill, there was the double lines. So first of all to all of those moms out there who have to had a lot of patience, I don't have any. So that's probably why I didn't have to wait. I will learn patience another day. For another reason I'm sure.I really admire all those moms' out there who have had to endure many trials and you are superwoman!!!

When we were trying, it was fun because the first time we just got pregnant right off the bat. So we were really able to plan this one. When I found out I checked up on the chinese calendar and did some different myths like the string that swings whichever way.
All signs pointed that we would be having a girl. There was a group of people surrounding me saying I would be having twins. I wasn't fond of that thought. By no means am I saying we were upset. I didn't care either way.
So we went to the ultrasound today and first thing we see is little winkie. Yep.

A BOY.


But since we found out and I had said it would be fun to have a girl, some people went oohh are you upset? Or you can try again. I'm like no I'm soo happy with this. I don't mind what the sex is. ROCK ON BOYs!

I really am excited. I know it's such a blessing and our son is so amazing. He will only benefit from having a brother. They can bunk and we don't have to buy another house for a new room. We have all the clothes for the most part.

He is so beautiful. I know he will be amazing in his own special way. I was the girl who hung out with the guys growing up so why not have my family be surrounding me with guys? Love it.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Free Rice

Since my 2 year old was up all night with a nasty cough, I decided I'm going to lay around today with him. I was thinking of my family and people and my niece popped in my head. She told me about this website called free rice. You go on this site and answer vocab questions. Every question you get right gives rice to kids who are hungry. Her teacher in school told the class about it and she wrote it down for me on a piece of envelope so when I'm sitting around with free time, I could do that. Isn't that so sweet? Anyway for those times when you have a spare minute and want to feed the hungry. Go here.

Bathroom REDO

So my hubs and I moved into our home about a year ago and it's a 40's home so there are plaster walls, and it was all painted crappily white when we moved in. Lucky for me I have a friend who gave me some great deals on paint. So I have been busy trying to make it look homey. So far its as good as I can do. Of course I have been looking online at all of your beautiful homes so this is our home and I'm very happy with it and humble. I just love looking at before and afters so it was about time I put some of my own on. I also am on my computer for the first time so I have all my old pics. Usually I'm on my laptop. So here is my bathroom when I first fixed it up.

And here is the new latest version.
I didn't take a before pic of the closet because it was just a big mess without a door. The door was banging into the other door all the time so I was going to put a curtain on it until I saw this great idea in
Family Circle to do an open closet.

I can't find the pic but this is a great mag with tons of ideas for family and home decor.


My sister and I went to an antique shop finding all the glass containers, fabric is hung up on the bottom portion of the closet with cup hooks to hide laundry and vacumn. I spray painted (sadly first time doing so) the tins. They were bright hideous rusty blue to match. The box is a hat box.

Then the rest of the bathroom I found a little bird at Hobby Lobby for 80% off. Love it. That's what this brown thing is on the shelf. I don't have the best camera.


So there it is. I am very happy with it. Have a great day and good times making your homes your home.