It's How She Rolls

Test Post

2012-01-05T15:09:00.001-08:00

Your new signature is as shown below. It will show up on new posts. You may edit or delete this post!

Challenged To Honor....

2012-01-03T21:58:00.000-08:00

At the risk of exposing family dirty laundry but in an effort to be real and authentic I am going to write a painful post that doesn't feel good to write. I believe in covering nakedness and not exposing things to make anyone feel ashamed. But if my words can reach anyone... even one person, then I know it will be worth it. I pray as I write that this story could make a difference to someone.
My blog is Esther based. Believing that I can change things with my influence if I am only brave enough.
Writing this post takes courage. Believe me. *tears falling*

I have always tried to be me on my blog. I am passionate about a lot of things and I have written about many of them with conviction. I wrote about my word for the year on January 22, 2011. My word was "honor."

I had no way of knowing at the time that one little word would challenge me on so many levels. Before I share what happened, let me give you some equally painful background.
My son, Jordan was rejected by his father primarily because he was born with Down Syndrome. He didn't have the character or integrity raise a child with special needs. In fact, he was even too ashamed to tell people he had a son. So, for the most part, he didn't. Only his family knew and that was because he and I were still together and talking about a future when I got pregnant.

How anyone could walk away from my sweet boy is beyond me, but it was truly his loss.

Over the years when I thought about him, I recognized the character flaw and accepted that he just didn't have it in him to do the right thing. But here's the thing that disturbed me the most, he is one very flawed man but he has many brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews. When I say many, he has 16 siblings. Family gatherings can reach numbers in the hundreds. But not even one of those family members had the character to reach out and find out how Jordan was doing. No birthday or Christmas cards, no phone calls... nothing. Ever.

I was a 20 year old single mom with a new baby with Down Syndrome and no one ever cared to find out if we were doing OK. We were. Jordan brought joys and blessings into my life that I never could have imagined at the time. I have said before and I will say again, he taught me more than I will ever teach him.
He is truly a gift and I am not just saying that. Even in the hard times, I can count it all for joy.

Jordan was not the only abandoned child in my family. There was a lot of abandonment. Of course this is something that really shaped who I am, how I feel, and why I have some of the very strong convictions that I do.

It wasn't long into 2011 when I found out about another child who had been abandoned. Not in my family but by my family. The shoe was suddenly on the other foot. Someone who I am related to had a child, and walked away from the pregnant mama. With the birth of that child was also born a devastating secret. A secret that would be kept for 10 years. Please understand me, the devastation is certainly not that the child was born, but that his daddy walked away and kept it a secret.
And we became that family. The one who allowed a little boy to grow to be 10 years old without ever knowing if anyone on his daddy's side cared for him.
There was some debate about who knew and who didn't, who may have suspected but lived in denial, and honestly a lot of pointing fingers and blame.
But the bottom line is that NOW we knew. And what were we going to do with it?
The truth was out, the secret exposed and plenty of shame to be had.

It seems that it should be a very clear answer as to what to do, but it wasn't that easy. Things like misplaced loyalty, and defense mechanisms came into question. We were never meant to carry such guilt shame and it is a heavy burden. It makes it pretty hard to see the forest through the trees.
But... My word for the year was honor. And while I was not even thinking about that at the time, my heart ached with desire to act honorably. To bring honor to a situation that was just the opposite.

My husband and I agreed that no matter what anyone else would do, he and I would do the best we can to do the righteous thing. The honorable thing.

There are still gaping wounds in our family over this situation. We are praying for healing and restoration. We have begun to have a relationship with a sweet little boy who deserves to know that we care.
The boy's father needs prayer. He has another child too who is suffering while he is unable or unwilling to be a good parent. I have always believed in second chances, you may have chosen wrong at the time... but what will you do when you know better? Every day is an opportunity to turn the ship around. We are thankful for grace as we walk through this journey and search for answers in how we can make a difference.

It is not lost on me that I am in the middle of this. Who better to speak into the lives of alcoholics, someone who has never had a drink or someone who lived it and recovered? I know what it's like to feel abandoned and I know what it's like to raise a child who was. Now, I am put here "for such a time as this", hoping to influence and change the course of events. Praying I can show understanding to the mom who has raised this little boy by herself. Praying I can show compassion for the broken man who walked away. Praying we will have the open door to begin the healing process with everyone involved. Praying I have the wisdom and courage to help lead a family back into honor.

I am thankful that choosing one little word, ("Honor") even without realizing it, would prepare me for events I never could have anticipated. It was a guiding light in the dark. It was the one clear truth and the only answer. "Honor." It still is.

But I think this year I will choose something lighter... perhaps "fun".

Yesterday and Tomorrow...

2012-01-02T23:56:00.000-08:00

This is my living room all set for Christmas. It came and went so fast. Aside from the gifts that have all been dispersed and opened, this is still what my living room looks like. I will be sad to take it all down and put it away. It really seems like it was only yesterday that we put it all up. I am enjoying it a little longer this year than most because I am waiting for Jack to come home and help me put it all up, so for now... I am sitting in here right now, next to the tree and the fireplace... contemplating the things I want to achieve this year. Is it ironic that I am surrounded by trappings of the past but planning for the future? Maybe...

In any case here are a few of my goals:

1) Project 365. I want to take a lot more pictures this year, taking at least one per day should help me achieve that.

2) One Little Word. (Ali Edwards) As I did last year, I plan to choose a word and make it my theme.

3) Bible Studies

4) Live in the moment

5) Blog, Write, Create

These are just a few of mine... what are yours?

Restored & Refreshed for 2012

2012-01-01T18:19:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Friends. 2011 is behind us and a fresh new beginning has arrived. I tend to be nostalgic at New Year's. It's not because I don't want to let go of the past year, because I generally meet a new year with hope and high expectation. I get sentimental because I reflect on the past year with joy in my heart for the good memories and a bit of angst over the rough times. But either way, ready to start anew.

2011 definitely brought us our share of both blessings and challenges. Throughout it all, I found it difficult to blog this past year. There are multiple reasons for that: I ran into obstacles that squelched my creativity, negative people who I allowed to get under my skin, and personal insecurities that seemed to have a loud voice and more muscle than they ever should have had.
I have realized that while the enemy had some good days in attempting to take me out, he couldn't even conquer me on my worst day.

I am back, I am strong, I am determined, and I have joy that can't be stolen and hope that can't be deferred.

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Our family saw some major changes this past year. My courageous husband took a leap of faith and left his job with a company he had worked with for 22 years. He did it because he could see the writing on the wall and that the company was heading for trouble. He knew that it would be too late to make a move if he waited for the public announcements confirming his gut feelings.
It was a scary move and not without sacrifice. The new opportunity took him away from us and out of the country for 4 months. The new job was not guaranteed; he had to pass training, which was very difficult. Very difficult! But Jack has the personality to buckle down, focus and study hard. Not only would he pass, he would do it with high praise. The company my husband worked for is American Airlines. They recently filed for bankruptcy. Unlike many other pilots and families at American right now, we are not worried about his job security and our future. That man is my hero.

My word for the year of 2011 was, "Honor". Little did I know at the time how much I would be challenged when it came to this word and my attempts to live by this standard.
The opposite of honor could arguably be shame or disgrace.
Sometimes you come to an unexpected place in your life with a fork in the road and it presents you with a choice. One road before you is honorable and one road is shameful. At the point of reaching that fateful decision, you may have been traveling down one of those paths already, whether you realized it or not.
What happened in our family this past year came as a shock that revealed both shame and disgrace, and without even realizing it, we were complicit. But we met the fork and I am proud to say that we are now in the road towards honor. This is a journey, not a destination.

What we experienced this past year, and what we are looking forward to this year, are all blog posts waiting to be written. With that said, I return to this world that I have missed so much. The friendship, support, creativity and connectedness.

Thank you to those of you who have been encouraging me to come back, to those who checked in on me to make sure that I was OK, and to those of you who stopped by and even wondered where I was.

I am so excited about sharing 2012 with you,
and the journey begins now.

Happy New Year!

Things That Matter

2011-04-19T23:35:00.000-07:00

When my dad left, I thought I was no longer a whole person. I felt different. Transformed into a partial person. I didn't even think I looked the same anymore. To say that my world was rocked would be an understatement.

I ~~spent~~ wasted years being bitter, and feeling sorry for myself. I kept a record of wrongs for every birthday that went ignored, every family event I didn't get invited to and every father/daughter moment that I felt entitled to... that I didn't get. He didn't understand me. He couldn't comprehend my pain. Or what I needed from him.

In trying to fill the void he left, I made terrible choices. I allowed myself to be abused and mistreated. I truly didn't know that I deserved any better...

Until I began to feel the love of a Heavenly Father who thinks I am a princess. Who lifted my chin, and brushed off the dirt, bandaged my wounds, and made me feel special.

Do you know what that did for my earthly father? It let him off the hook. I could see him then as a man. Who was just as broken as me. Trying to make a way, with circumstances he wasn't capable of managing. He did the best he could with what he had at the time.

My hard heart started to soften. And then I got the call.
He was in a hospital. He'd had a sudden heart attack. He had died and then been brought back to life.
But... he was unconscious, and it didn't look good.

I raced to the hospital and I saw him there in all his humanness. All I could think was that we were still unfinished. Too many words unspoken. All of a sudden, it didn't matter if he called me or I called him... but just that the calling took place. In an instant, I realized that I had to accept him for who he was, and not who I wanted him to be.

I was never more painfully aware of things that matter... and things that don't.

My dad got a second chance at life. And while our relationship is still a bit distant...
I have forgiven you, Dad. And in making that single decision... I am also free to walk out my life
with love and grace.

I hope you all will think about things that matter... and things that don't.

This post was inspired by lyrics from the Rascal Flatts song "Things That Matter"

Sometimes he lets that boss get in his head

He can't see past that mountain of deadlines on his desk

5oclock he's that last one out of the gate

And he gets cut off flipped off ticked off out on the interstate

And he wonders why this world won't leave him alone

Till he hears that little voice holler “daddy's home”

Things that matter

Things that don't

She's held on to that grudge all her life

Had thirty years of anger

Since her dad walked out that night

She thinks of all the moments that he's missed

All the birthdays ballets first dates

That seems too much to forget

She gets that call that said he don't have long

She walks in

He starts crying

The past is gone

Things that matter

Things that don't

Time ain't on my side

Don't want to leave this world

With why didn't I?

Why didn't I?

Yeah why didn't I?

Sometimes I take on this world by myself

Thinking I got all the answers

Don't need anybody's help

Well god was right there waiting for me all along

To fall down on my knees surrender all

Things that matter

Things that don't

Things that matter

Things that don't

Let your minds and hearts be made new. ~ Ephesians 4:23

Unstoppable

2011-04-19T00:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have posted and even now I stare at the screen and wonder where to start. How do I begin to explain the range of confusing thoughts and feelings that come flooding in when you put yourself out on the internet and expose who you are. For a while, I lost sight of why I was writing. I began to feel violated knowing that certain people stalk my blog only to look for negative and hoping to see me (and my husband) unhappy. Although I want to keep it real here (and the truth is, I have bad days... We all do) That is not the tone of my blog. I believe those bad days serve a purpose. There is a lesson to be learned, and there is no time to lay down an wallow in it. There is more work to do. Life is just too short.

So, today marks my return to my blog and kicks off a series of posts inspired by music. This is Rascal Flatts week. The song, "Unstoppable" is my inspiration for today.

I will tell you why... because these things are on my heart.

*At times, I forget the power of my faith. But when I remember that with God ALL things are possible, I feel "Unstoppable".

*My husband and I spend a lot of time apart, and it can easily appear like we are living separate lives, but when we connect, I realize the absolute strength of our love, devotion and commitment to each other. He and I... We are "Unstoppable".

*My son, Jordan... teaches me the value of the simple things every day. He looks forward to knowing what's for dinner, watching Dancing With The Stars and American Idol, and knowing what time it's on, even though he can't tell time. He loves me 5 minutes after I have hurt his feelings, and he thinks I am "gorgeous" in the morning. His love is so pure and that is "Unstoppable".

*I have dear friends who offer the simplest word of encouragement that breathes life into me when I feel discouraged. Their faith in me, makes me feel "Unstoppable".

*I have been disappointed and broken hearted. I've made mistakes, lived with regrets, and lost opportunities. But I have seen the beauty of hope rise again... and forgiveness. and love that doesn't fail. That is "Unstoppable".

These are the lyrics that are lifting me up today, I hope they inspire you too:

Yeah yeah yeah..
Hey

So, so you made a lot of mistakes
Walked down the road a little sideways
Cracked a brick when you hit the wall
Yeah, you've had a pocket full of regrets
Pull you down faster than a sunset
Hey, it happens to us all

When the cold hard rain just won't quit
And you can't see your way out of it

CHORUS
You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable

Love, it weather any storm
Bring you back to being born again
Oh, it's a helping hand when you need it most
A lighthouse shinning on the coast
That never goes dim

When your heart is full of doubt
And you think that there's no way out

CHORUS
You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable

Like a river keeps on rolling
Like the north wind blowing
Don't it feel good knowing
Yeah

CHORUS
You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable

Love is unstoppale
So you made a lot of mistakes
Walked down the road a little sideways
Love, love is unstoppable

A Word To Live By.....

2011-01-22T00:26:00.000-08:00

Honor. Yes, it's my "One Little Word" for 2011. It's a noun and a verb.
It's a word to live by and live with. It's something to strive for. To teach my children. Something to give away and something to carry myself with.

No wonder you can't believe. For you gladly honor each other, but you don't care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God. John 5:44 NLT

The word honor chose me this year. I really wanted a different word. I really had a lot of awesome words in mind.
Something like illuminate. Sparkle. Glow. Brave. Reach.
Or even something bold like radical. or transform.

But as many of you know...
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

So while I was contemplating a much flashier word, there was a calm but persistent whisper that kept saying, "Honor". "Honor". "Honor".
The more I think about this word, the more I know it is the perfect word for me.

I think this word really ties in with all of my goals this year.

These are some of the ways I plan to apply the word honor to my life this year:

Live my life in a way that is honoring to God
Lift up and honor my husband
Honor my children by listening to them
Celebrate and honor relationships by sending out more cards
Honor time by making the most of it

What's your word for the year?

In His Absense...

2011-01-21T00:02:00.000-08:00

my heart grows fonder.

We live this lifestyle and it's not easy. He comes and even faster, he goes.

Even, when he's home, his suitcase is always packed. Always a reminder that in the blink of an eye, he will be gone. Again.

We don't take our time together for granted. We can't afford to.

While he's gone, I stay busy. I have an endless to-do list that I work on. I'm strong.
But I miss him.

Tomorrow... He's coming home.
And for a short while,

I will forget about the days apart. I will ignore the packed suitcase because I will wake up to his face.
I will smell his cologne throughout the house and be thankful to have my husband home...
if only for a moment.

Spirit Of Discouragement, Joy and....

2011-01-19T04:43:00.000-08:00

The Words Written In Red....

Today I planned to post about my word for the year, "Honor"... but instead I have something else on my heart. It's my secondary word for the year, "joy". And also...the opposite of joy.

Although I am one to write out and actively work on New Year's resolutions, I love Ali Edwards concept of focusing on "One Little Word" for a year and seeing the impact it has.

When I was seeking my "One Little Word" to focus on this year, the word "honor" came to me. It was not a word I wanted. I contemplated words like "light" or "illuminate", "hope" and "believe".
I wanted an easier word to swallow than "honor".
When I decided that my one little word this year is "honor", I acknowledged that it was because the word chose me, not the other way around.

But there was another word that has been a lighthouse in my life for the past couple of years. That is the word "joy". It's something I see shining out in the distance. I am always trying to get there, through the storms, through the rough waters... through the darkness. Typically, when I get to calmer seas, and have achieved a level of peace, that is where I rest. Sometimes I feel like all I can hope for is peace and that joy is just still too far out into the distance. But I recognized some time ago, that joy is a choice. It's something that I need to actively seek out and choose daily, despite disappointment, despite hurt, despite injustice.

Today, I fought with a spirit of discouragement. It was telling me that it's hopeless. too hard. unfair. and worst of all... give up!
I have become very aware of how this spirit has visited me regularly throughout my life.
I used to listen to it. It was so devastating.

I am thankful that as I have matured and my faith has grown, I have also been given the tools to claim victory against this spirit.
See, people are.... well, let's face it... they're people. And they disappoint me. (don't get me wrong, I am one of "those" people and I have certainly disappointed my fair share of people.)
But still...
I get discouraged at the greed and selfishness of people. I get discouraged at the lack of compassion and concern for fellow human beings. I get discouraged that things aren't fair... and that "right" doesn't always win.

I recently read a story that has bothered me for days and days. A beautiful young girl committed suicide. And after she died, evil showed up to celebrate it's victory. I was sick to my stomach at the huge number of people who flocked to her Facebook page to write disgusting things about her. To say that she didn't deserve to live anyway. To say that she was trash. Disposable. And not worth anything.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing and I have to tell you that it wasn't just 1 person. It was a "mob mentality" where sadly it was so. many. people. More people wrote hateful things about her than people who where there to honor this girl's memory.
If one person tried to defend her, that person was viciously attacked too.
Trust me, there is no match for this kind of hate and evil.

I literally cried for this girl. And her family. And friends.

The inhumanity I witnessed just makes me shake my head and say,
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?
There is no hope for the world."

I can easily translate something like this to the things in my own life that discourage me.
It's amazing how fast that can spiral into an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
And since often, hope equals joy... It is very difficult to find any joy in hopelessness.

And this my dear friends, is exactly how Satan wants to steal all God's promises away from me.
Like this one:

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
—John 15:11

The other day I was talking about that voice in my head that tells me that no one cares whether I blog
or not. That too is the spirit of discouragement.
I am a very blessed woman with a supportive and loving family. We are healthy and happy.
And I am not lacking confidence. But, yes... I get discouraged.
It can start with being out of cream for my coffee and within 15 minutes I am thinking that no one should bring babies into this broken and ugly world.

I can look back over my life and all of the very poor decisions I made that were out of that same discouragement and (hear me please) what I believed to be at the time, something that would bring me joy. And make me feel whole.

As I was talking to my sweet husband today about this spirit of discouragement, I was in complete recognition of what it was and even told him that I am fighting it.
Jack reminded me that Satan knows me so well, and he knows the things that hurt me that is why he uses those same things over and over again. I really appreciated my husband's simple but powerful reminder that this is truly a spiritual battle.
But the victory has already been won.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

I can claim joy is mine and capture it every single day. Even at the same time as I am living with disappointment and heartache. Ugliness, greed and selfishness. And injustice.

I don't have to let anyone steal my joy. (neither do you)

Peace is good. but just not good enough anymore. ( for your either)

Joy. And nothing less. (it's there for you too, no matter your circumstances)

.... for the joy of the Lord is your strength Neh. 8:10

Needless to say that I am on a journey in 2011 to choose joy no matter what.
To not just claim that victory but to really capture it.
To realize that I can be discouraged and still have joy.
Because... discouragement will happen... "in this life you will have trouble" John 16:33

but again... God's promise is this...

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

—John 15:11

He keeps His promises.

I Have No Idea What I'm Talking About, Do You?

2011-01-16T23:54:00.000-08:00

I HATE it when my favorite bloggers don't post regularly. I go to their blogs day after day in anticipation of their words and their pictures, but my shoulders fall as there is nothing. Nothing.
But somehow in my little world, that doesn't relate to me because I am not anyone's favorite blog.
No one really is wondering what happened to me and why I haven't been posting regularly.
Oooh it's that hateful voice inside me again. It usually sounds a lot like me. I'd be a rebel against that kind of talk if it came from anyone else, but when I do it to myself... I believe it.
(but that is going to be a separate post that makes a lot more sense than this one)

But it's a new year... ("And a new dawn and a new day" according to the lovely Jennifer Hudson who sings this through my TV every 15 minutes, and serves as a counter to the destructive thoughts that try to assail my mind.)
... and I am trying to recognize that voice as not being mine but that of something that seeks to keep me down. Just knowing there is a spirit working to hold me back is enough to bring out the strong in me.

So, I said all that to tell you that while I've been quiet, I've been doing lots of .... stuff. Really important stuff... like taking people to the orthodontist. Little people. Lots of little people.
And... finding lost stuff, ~~like my mind~~ That the little people lost.
And downloading and watching the wrong video for my bible study... (Yep, Marlece... I did that.)
And missing my husband who has been gone... A LOT.
Here is a picture of that...

(that's Jack, gone.)

And not winning the Mega Millions, but if I was playing BINGO I would be in good shape! (trying to see the glass half-full)

OH and my daughter turned 13 and with that came a Facebook account. #havemercy
But she is not the only one with a birthday... my husband, my dad, my mom, my sister-in-law, and my brother all have birthdays in January.

My youngest daughter has gone from wanting a hamster to an iPod touch to wanting to start a cleaning business to wanting to be an actor/movie producer all in about 2 days. I do not like hamsters, she has ~~no money~~ $23, she does not clean, and although she is dramatic enough to be an actress we do not live in a city conducive to that.

This post is ~~kinda~~ random, I know... but I gotta get back on the horse somehow.
You all probably think that my little-self-doubt-talk is code for, "I took up drinkin." But no... I assure you
that I have not been drinking (well aside from my coffee and Diet Coke, ~~but not at the same time~~ well maybe just that once.

So, the moral of this story is never drink Diet Coke and coffee while looking at an empty chair wearing glasses that make you hear voices in your head that keep begging for hamsters that choose your lotto numbers and post them to Facebook.
Or you will end up with a post like this.

Post Christmas Catch-Up

2011-01-04T00:03:00.000-08:00

I am running a few days behind the rest of the world right now. I feel like I am just getting started on the New Year though everyone else started days ago. My internal calendar is just a bit off.
We did not have our Christmas until December 27. My husband had to work. So we waited for him. I am so proud of my kids for being understanding and patient enough to watch Christmas come and go while we waited.

But it came... and so did Santa.

Though Christmas was late, we really enjoyed it.

Wanna know what I got?

Whooga Ugg Boots

My girls got me these boots from Forever 21 that I fell in love with...

My daughter got this for Christmas...

We danced for days!!

But Christmas came to an end and we danced our way into 2011.

Jack and I took our last pictures of 2010.

Happy New Year Everyone. I am really looking forward to a fresh new start in a brand new year.

I have always struggled with good-byes.
I hate them... even when they are necessary.
So, although I love having new beginnings, it's mixed with a little bittersweet letting go.

I am letting go of my Christmas decorating, and welcoming a fresh clean house.
I am letting go of unfinished projects last year and welcoming new ones.
I am letting go of some painful memories and welcoming joy.
I am letting go of bad habits and welcoming new resolutions.

What are you letting go of?

I am so comforted to know that as seasons come and go, there is truly a time for everything.

Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

It's A Wonderful Life... It Really Is.

2010-12-18T22:11:00.000-08:00

In a previous post I gave a teaser about my Christmas card this year.

I am ready to reveal it....

The inside is full of pictures of our kids and here is the sentiment on the inside:

"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" ~Clarence Oddbody

{It's A Wonderful Life}

Thank you for touching our lives.

It's A Wonderful Life is my husband's favorite movie. I watch it with him every year. For a couple of years now I have wanted to use the movie as inspiration for our Christmas card. It was settled in my heart that this is the year.

I had my cards made and already sent out when I watched the movie with Jack this year. When it was over I was so totally moved by how appropriate our themed card is this Christmas.

George Bailey didn't recognize that he had a wonderful life. In fact, his life was full of suffering, hardship and trials. He was a good man who had big dreams of his own but made many sacrifices in the name of doing what he believed was the right thing to do.

As if his life didn't already have many challenges, George struggled with a selfish greedy banker who was always trying to take everything.

Things got so bad that George even considered ending it all.

It was only after an angel named Clarence gave George a glimpse of what would have happened to the people he loved had he not been around. He had no idea how much his life impacted others.

In the end, George is redeemed. REDEEMED.

The community rallied around him. And the good guy wins.

Back to my life.

This year has been a hard one for my family. Like George we have experienced some trials and extreme lows. While we never considered jumping off a bridge, it certainly appeared that the only light at the end of the tunnel was the oncoming train.

We didn't have an angel in search of his wings to encourage us, but we learned to celebrate the small victories. We saw many miracles this year. Just when things seemed so dark, hope would arise and

bring the sunshine. Hope. And... redemption.

Luke 18:7

And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?

In this season of miracles...

I hope that you recognize the importance of the lives you touch.

I hope you have faith in justice for the good guy.

I hope you experience the peace from a Savior that hears your cries.

It really is A Wonderful Life.

My 10 Holiday Survival Tips

2010-11-25T20:23:00.000-08:00

I worked many years in retail. I was the display manager for a department store for a long time. I had to be at work at 3 AM for Black Friday. I was the one that would pass out the freebies, and sometimes dress up in a costume to take pictures with kids. After working full time (retail) during the busy holiday season, I learned a few tips to help survive.

Gifts to ship? We typically ship gifts to several different states each Christmas. It's a lot of work. And it's expensive. Even with shipping discounts it can add up to cost more than the gift. We have learned that the way to go, is actually shop online and have it shipped directly to them. Most online stores offer gift wrapping for a small fee. Amazon.com has a Prime membership that gives you free two-day shipping. You can try it for free and get all your Christmas shipping done. Many other stores also offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount. Pay attention to that because sometimes you can buy one more thing and spend less by the time the shipping is deducted.
Christmas Cards. We love to send out photo cards for each year but find it impossible to get us all into one photo (or one good one with everyone smiling with eyes open.) I don't stress about it anymore, I just send send collage cards like these Tiny Prints Christmas Cards.

Tiny prints has a huge selection of adorable and unique cards to choose from.

Tiny Prints provides stylish, modern and unique stationery from photo cards to personalized greeting cards to thank you cards and business cards. Offering exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities. With Tiny Prints by your side the Holidays will be a cinch! They offer adorable Thanksgiving Cards, Christmas Cards, Hanukkah Cards, and even New Years Cards. All fully customizable and personalizable.

Shopping.

Budget

Decorating

Wrapping.

Cooking.

Tradition.

Be Flexible.

Give.

It feels so good to give and bless others. There are so many people in need and hurting right now. For those of us on a really tight budget it may seem hard to find any "extra" that we can give away... but I think most of us can find a bit here or there. My family is on a far smaller budget this Christmas than we were last year... but we still are so blessed with a warm home, lots of clothes and food. We will look for places we can sacrifice in order to be a blessing to others.

You can't out-give Jesus.

“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NASB).

I hope these 10 tips are helpful for you. I would love to hear your thoughts and survival tips. I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tiny Prints blogging program,

making me eligible to get a $75 Tiny Prints gift certificate!

For more information on how you can participate, click here.

These Hands

2010-11-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

These are the hands of my best friend...

They are the hands that work so hard for our family...
They take care of me when I am sick.
They console me when I am grieving.
They reassure me when I am scared.

They love me and cherish me.
They hold our family together.
They are the hands that wipe my tears. Tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that support me and celebrate with me.
They give me strength when I struggle.
And encouragement to chase my dreams.

These are the hands that make me swoon, as they play the drums.
They dance with me and give me hi-5.

These are the hands that took this picture, while I was doing a wedding: Reflecting on our own vows.
These are the hands that tenderly father our children.

And lastly....
these are the hands, even wrinkled with age... will still be reaching for mine.
Still giving the same unspoken tenderness, with just a touch.
Just a touch from these hands.

I am thankful that God gave me this man and put me in these very capable hands.
Have you thought about the hands of the people you cherish lately?

Why Do Today....

2010-11-19T22:43:00.000-08:00

what I can put off til tomorrow.

How is the cleaning going, girls? *Just look straight ahead*
OK, I know I dropped off the planet for the last week, and I have a lot to share about that.
My husband and I went to a marriage retreat. It was SO. Good.
I had a birthday. It was SO. Good. Too.

Time goes so fast. Doesn't it?

So... I guess I said all that to say that I have been having too much fun to clean.

But, I am committed to a Clutter-Free Christmas.
Last week was the office. This week the kitchen.
I am now behind and have some making up to do. I think I'm going to skip the office for now. I am going to get my kitchen clean. It will be nice to have that done by Thanksgiving.
I will pick the office back up later.
If you have no idea what I am talking about, you can catch up here

For those of you who have been cleaning along, I hope you have found (like me) that you can breathe easier.
The areas of my home that are clean and de-cluttered are SO enjoyable. Clutter clutters your life.
I cannot wait to get it all done.

Here is my strategy for getting the kitchen clean in the next few days:

*Tackle the kitchen in small sections. I do not plan to go in and clean the kitchen from start to finish all at one time. I will start in one corner and get it done. Go back later and do another.

*For all drawers, cabinets, cupboards and the pantry I will take everything all the way out, purge, clean it, then put the rest back.

If you want to join in and get your home clutter free by Christmas, just get to work. Pick the worst area in your house first. Take some pictures. (before & after if you're brave) and blog about your progress.
Oh, and don't forget to grab the button in the sidebar.

Next week is Thanksgiving and it's a week off. But, I may clean for a couple of days to catch up.

But I have other things to write about too. I have some thoughts. Really. I do.
So, if you are bored with me talking about cleaning, I am sorry. I'll be back to regular scheduled programming tomorrow.

Here is the link if you want to join in... I am using the same linky so if you have new posts for this challenge just link them all with a separate link so we can find all your posts at one time.
I'm just going to keep the same one going for a while.

Clutter Free Laundry Room!

2010-11-05T23:13:00.000-07:00

I did it! I got the laundry room done. And it feels SO good to get a room done that was high on my priority list.

Do you remember the pictures from yesterday?

Traumatizing I know.

Well, here are the after pictures of my laundry room. (And NO, I didn't do it in a day... It's just the magic of scheduled posting.) This project took me a lot longer than I thought it would. SO much stuff to sort through and organize. Not to mention laundry to catch up on.

Other than a new washing machine, which had to be done anyway, I didn't buy anything for this room.

I already had the bins. I left the right side empty for my husband to use as storage.

It's hard to beautify a laundry room, but I am sure you can see that just the organization of it all is SO nice.

Week one of the Clutter Free Christmas Challenge down. Next week will be the next worse area.

For me, that is my office/ craft room/ closet/ dressing room/guest room. It's all one room. And it too has a lot of stuff crammed into a small space.

If you have a different area that needs to be done first, go ahead and focus on that one. If you want to link up and join us, It's not too late!! You have all weekend to tackle a room and be ready to move on next week. Just take the red button in the sidebar and link up here or here. Even if you just do a junk drawer, you'll be on your way.

I will re-post the linky when I post my goals & before pictures for next week.

I have to say I am sitting in my bed right now with a perfect view of the laundry room and my husband's desk area and I can breathe a little easier.

I am SO excited to be clutter-free & organized by Christmas.

Clutter-Free Progress

2010-11-04T23:38:00.000-07:00

How is the cleaning going, girls? It's a lot of work, but SO worth the payoff. I have been working in my laundry room. It's been fun because the cupboards in there were packed full of all kinds of junk, but also... some treasures. I found an old CD with some pictures I didn't know I had on there.
Way too cute not to share:

My little girl used to dress like this all the time, just around the house.

My man, stealing my heart with his drums.

My daughter, Jasmine at the beach. LOVE. THIS.

I have been under a bit of pressure to get the laundry room done this week because my washing machine broke so I was getting a new one delivered. Having no washing machine has caused me to be a bit behind on my laundry, but I still needed to clean out the laundry ~~closet~~ room to be ready for the washer.

So, I promised before pictures of my laundry room and I am going to show them.

~~Lord, I cannot believe I am doing this.~~ I'm totally brave, right?

OK, first of all, here is my disclaimer:

We have a fairly small house with a large family. My husband and I blended families into one home. So we have made some adjustments to make it work for us. We really have to be organized to fit everything in and to make it functional, comfortable and beautiful.
My husband and I turned the downstairs family room into our bedroom. So, the laundry room is in our bedroom. The kids seem to think the down stairs is a laundry chute. This is as far as they manage to get the dirty laundry.

There are hampers in each room, but when I am doing laundry and I ask them to bring the laundry down, this is what happens. I don't even have words for this.

Here is a wider view:

As you can see, this is where the clothes land in relation to where the laundry room is.

Yah, I don't know what happened. ~~We were gone and someone ransacked the house~~.

~~The maid just up and quit~~

~~Washington State had a major earthquake~~

OK, the laundry room is just a mess. But that is why I am fixing it first.

Oh, and just a reminder that my washer broke.

#notaproudmoment

Here is a peek inside the cabinets:

(no excuses for this disgrace!)

What is all that stuff? I. Don't. Even. Know. Actually, I do because I am almost done cleaning it now. It's a lot of trash and a few good things.

This is going to be a MAJOR transformation! I CANNOT wait to show you my progress.

I think I will be done with after pictures to share by tomorrow.

But let me show you one of my previous projects:

Do you remember this before picture of my hubby's desk area?

This is just to the right of that laundry room door.

Well, Check it out now:

I bought a couple of bookshelves at Target. (I returned a pair of shoes.)

I spent days sorting, shredding, filing and organizing. It's time consuming to deal with a lot of paper, but it's done and has a system that is much easier to maintain.

I would show you a few more pictures, but Blogger is acting weird. Maybe I put too many pictures in this post. I will try again tomorrow.

OK, Ladies... more tomorrow.

If you would like to join along in this clutter-free Christmas challenge, please do.

Here is the original post. Just grab the button & link up:

The Shutterfly Effect This Christmas

2010-11-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

I am a cardmaker. I am absolutely addicted. Stamps, paper, ribbon, brads. I LOVE it all. I make cards for most occasions BUT when it comes to my Christmas cards, my tradition is to send out photo cards.
Here is my Christmas card from last year:

My sister-in-law took this photo and edited in the family members that weren't with us that day. It's pretty funny.
I recently came across Shutterfly.com who has an amazing collection of cards for ALL occasions. They have cute cards to choose from whether you are using a photo or not. As a card lover, I wish I could get some for every occasion. They are irresistible.

I always love folded cards the best. I also tend to look for something unique. Because it is so hard to get a single good picture of my whole family, I usually pick collage cards with spots for uploading multiple pictures.
I seriously love every single one of these Shutterfly cards. Although you should see the beautiful pictures they use in them. I think they're inspiring and give me great ideas for my own cards this year.

I have had an idea for my Christmas cards for a couple of years now. I've just been waiting for the right time to use. I think 2010 is a perfect time to combine my special idea and Shutterfly cards.
Though I can't share my surprises for this year's Christmas card, I can tell you that I am so excited to get started on it.
You might also want to think about making calendars as holiday gifts. We've done this before and they truly are enjoyed and appreciated all year long.

I will be revealing my 2010 Christmas card on this blog after I have mailed them out. Be watching.

This post is a part of a sponsored series by Shutterfly.

Clutter-Free Christmas

2010-11-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

Well, Halloween is over and that means today officially starts the holiday season. Christmas will be here before you know it. I always have such great intentions of making homemade gifts & crafts and never get to all the projects I want to. Christmas comes & goes in the blink of an eye.

I recently found a 10 week challenge leading up to a clutter-free & beautiful home for Christmas. I joined late and worried that I wouldn't be able to catch up. I was able to catch up but unfortunately the blogger ran into some hard times and wasn't able to keep going with the challenge.

I decided to come up with a plan of my own to be ready for the holidays and thought maybe you might want to link up.

This is going to be a bit hardcore because we need to be done in 5 weeks. (Well, 6 total but taking Thanksgiving week off to enjoy that holiday too.)
We are going to do the worst first leaving smaller jobs for last.

I am going to give you my plan & make suggestions for how to do this. Your areas do not need to be the same as mine, you will know what areas need the most attention in your home. You can join this challenge anytime. Just pick up with us by starting with "the worst goes first".

You do not have to go through your whole house to join. Just do what you can. Think about areas that are disruptive to your daily life and tackle those. You can choose junk drawers, dressers or closets.
Though mine will be entire rooms... just take on what you think you can manage.

Grab the button, Give us your plan for the 5-6 weeks (or however many are left when you join) show us before and after pictures, and link up each week.

Here is my plan by the week:

November 1-7 Worst Area #1: Laundry Room
November 8-14 Worst Area #2: Office/Craft room
November 15-21 Worst Area #3: Pantry/Kitchen
Thanksgiving Week Off
Nov. 29-Dec. 5 Worst Area #4: Bathrooms
Dec. 6-Dec. 12 Final Area: Bedrooms

When you do each room: clean, de-clutter, organize and beautify. In that order.
When you are organizing & beautifying look around your home for items you can repurpose.
Shop your own house before going out to buy anything you may need.
Always do the shopping last even though it's the most fun.

We all have our daily chores that we have to keep up with, so I here are a few of my tips for getting through this.

Have a plan: I follow a similar schedule for my housework each day/week. I also plan for the days I am going out of the house to do errands & shopping to limit the days I am running around and give me more time for home. I actually write down my schedule for the week.

Time yourself: After I get up each day & make beds, I spend 20 minutes running around the house and picking up any clutter, gather trash, take laundry down, etc. You'd be surprised how much you can do in 20 minutes. When I am cleaning rooms, I time myself for 20 minutes and move to the next room done or not. After making my rounds if a room needs more attention, I go back for 20 minutes more.

Multitask: I am a big multi-tasker. I will sort, file & shred papers while watching TV or dump out a junk drawer. Sometimes at night when I am watching a program I will get up and clean a nearby room during each commercial. By the time the show is over, I have made big progress in a room, but I didn't get bored or feel like I worked too hard.

I plan to do a giveaway (or more than one... still working on details of that) for those who complete the challenge.

So ladies, let's get our home in order in time for a joyful, clutter-free and organized Christmas.

I'll be posting some pictures and more on my own progress in a few days.

Dove Self-Esteem Weekend Follow Up... My Girl.

2010-10-26T23:57:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post a follow-up to the Dove Self-Esteem Movement Weekend. The ultimate goal of this movement was to build Self-Esteem in a young girl. (And spend quality time together)

I posted previously about the movement and What I Wish I Knew When I Was 13.

Well, it just so happens that I have an almost 13 year old daughter and this was a VERY big weekend for her. Very big.

I got my sweet daughter Jasmine all to myself on Saturday. That alone is a pretty rare thing.
Although I really enjoyed spending time with my girl: getting ready together, taking a drive out of town, singing to the radio and talking like two girlfriends, going out to lunch and doing a little shopping, that is not what this day will be remembered for.

On October 23, 2010 my daughter met her brother for the first time.

Like an episode of The Locator, emotions ran high as brother and sister hugged for the first time but instantly fell in love. I will never forget how my heart swelled as I heard him say, "Hi Sis..." and I knew how much my baby's cup was overflowing at that very moment.

He is older. 21 years old. He only lives 30 minutes away. It's hard to talk about the reasons they had never met. For now, I will just say that they have the same dad... and he has not been involved in Jasmine's life. Sadly, their paternal grandmother recently passed away and although she prayed for this moment, she never got to see it. I am certain that it was the fruit of her faithful prayers that this meeting took place and was filled with so much warmth and love.

I just love this picture!! What little girl doesn't want a big brother??

And this photo is just a perfect commentary to that image.

She could not get enough of her big brother. He was so sweet to her. He asked a lot of questions showing real interest in getting to know her. He instantly displayed an instinct to protect her. He has called her almost every day since the meeting and he just talks to her.

I love him for that!

I love him for giving my little girl a feeling of family from a side that she felt abandoned by.

There is so much I could say about this... but right now, it's hard to make words out of the overwhelming emotion. I am sure I will write about this again...

But for now, I want to say that I can't imagine another thing my girl and I could have done that would have boosted her self-esteem more than meeting her loving big brother.

Dove sent me a package and in it was a bracelet that says "Real Beauty". I plan to give this to Jasmine. I don't think she will need a reminder of this past weekend, but I love symbolism and the phrase fits so perfectly.

Challenges, Not For The Faint Of Heart

2010-10-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

So, I looked up the word, "challenge" in the dictionary. I think I was looking for some sort of mercy. I am drawn to challenges which according to my dictionary is, "A call to take part...".
That is exactly how I feel. Called to take part. But there's more... Oh yes, dear friends... more.
There is another definition to this noun that seems so harmless: It is, "a task or situation that tests someone's abilities." A-ha!! I knew it. They're trying to kill
me! Or prove I am a fool. Either way, I am going to see these challenges to the end.

Challenge A: Making Your Home A Haven Challenge (read test of Gina's abilities)

We are almost done with week 3 which is to clean up your clutter. This is CLEAR-LY more than a week long project in my house, but that is why I am also taking on Challenge B.

So, in order not to completely set myself up for a major fail the areas of clutter, this week I am focusing on the areas that also happen to be the same ones as the other challenge I am doing: Bedrooms.

My hubby's desk. Oh Lord.

Here it is:

I. Know.

First, a disclaimer: My husband has limited time at home. The mail piles up while he is gone. And... if you could see this desk from an arial view, you would see that everything is in perfectly neat stacks & rows... there is just no desk to be seen.

I chose this area to de-clutter because it is in our bedroom, which should be peaceful. But, I know this mess is actually representing a lot of time that my poor hard-working hubby just doesn't have to spare.
It has taken me a lot of hours to clean off his desk and file or shred his papers, but it's done. Yay, victory is mine! That clutter is not the boss of me!
I am now working on the entire corner surrounding the desk. I hope to post before and after pictures of of our bedroom within the next couple of days.

I wanted to do an area of clutter in each of the bedrooms this week, but this area was labor intensive.
I will have to catch up.

The 2nd part of Challenge A, Week 3 (still with me?) is to clear out the spiritual clutter.

I John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Here is mine: I have been harboring anger and unforgiveness. This has been something that I have been working hard to overcome. It's not really unconfessed because I have confessed it, just not publicly. I am sharing it here with you all because I want to be real. I have a hard time dealing with injustice and I have a strong sense of right and wrong. It's so hard for me to let go of wrong-doing.
A friend posted a quote on Facebook tonight that really spoke to me:
"There's no money in revenge". Some might think so... but I will say that there is a terrible price to pay for seeking revenge and evil, because we absolutely reap what we sow.
We have been commanded to:
Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.” But, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good."
Romans 12:17-21

I am working on it. I am a flawed woman.

Now on to Challenge B: Decluttering, Beautifying, and Creating.

Week 1 was to clean out the front closet & extra closets.
I have 2. A front closet & a linen closet. Luckily both these closets were already pretty clean because I joined this challenge late.

So, I tackled a bookshelf in our front entryway...

I colorized the books. I have a photographic memory so if I am looking for a book it's easy for me to find it, I know what color it is. This bookcase was becoming an area that was collecting clutter.
Something had to be did!! (Yes, Mom... I know I said, "did")
It is now a breath of fresh air and I love to walk by it. {which is good because it is literally right in the middle of everything in our home}

Week 2: Master Bedroom
Week 3: Extra week for Master Bedroom
Week 4: Bedrooms (although I am STILL on the Master)

I have to say... It is a time consuming project to tackle some of these cluttered areas but so worth it.
Clutter attracts more clutter. It's. So. True.
And clutter robs you of your peace and joy in your home. It's also a time and money stealer. Time because you can't find anything. And money because you will go out and buy things you already have because you can't find them or they got damaged in the mess.

If you need help getting organized there are a of great resources available. I really like the Flylady.
(Although I do not like to clean with my shoes on. I am a slipper socks kinda girl.)
Or maybe you are like me and enjoy pull-your-hair-out deadlines with "challenges" that test your abilities. If so... Join in.

Look for more pics in the next couple of days.

Oh and did you know that it's A Dove Self-Esteem Movement Weekend?
I am participating... Please read my post about What I Wish I Knew When I Was 13.

What I Wish I Knew...

2010-10-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

I am supporting the Dove Self-Esteem movement this weekend. I LOVE this movement. I have mentioned before if there is just one thing I get right with my girls, I hope it's building their self-esteem.
This is something so near and dear to my heart.

This is for the broken hearted little girls...
The ones who are still little and the ones like me, who grew up.

I have been asked by Dove to share what I wish I knew when I was 13.
(Why 13? According to Dove research, “Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem,” the self-esteem tipping point happens when the transition to teenage years results in loss of trust and communication with adults. 67% of girls ages 13 – 17 turn to their mother as a resource when feeling badly about themselves compared to 91% of girls ages 8 – 12)

What I wish I knew when I was 13....
I wish I knew that I deserved better.

I didn't know.

Every decision I made in my young life was because I didn't think I was worthy. I made horrible self destructive decisions in search of something to make me feel whole. To make me feel loved. To make me feel... worthy.
I didn't think that I was beautiful. I didn't even think I had a future that was worth fighting for.

I don't know what happens to a young girl to make her feel so broken. For me, my parents divorce and my dad's leaving was something that made me feel discarded. I wasted so many years of my life being unhappy and feeling like I would never be anything if I couldn't make someone love me.

I wish that I knew that I was fearfully and wonderfully made. I wish that I knew that the only thing that could ever fill the God-shaped hole inside of me was in fact, God. No man ever could. I wish I knew that while my own father is human and will let me down, I have a heavenly Father whose love can reach the depths of my soul and will NEVER let me down.
I wish I knew that I was a princess (hear me... not a princess to be served, but to serve). And the joy that I would get from making a difference in someone else's life.
I wish I knew that losing my dignity is always too high of a price to pay... for anything.
I wish I knew that some people come into our lives for a season and some for a lifetime... but always for a purpose. The difficult part is knowing the difference and realizing that purpose may not even be about me.
I wish I knew that in order to have a love that is worth giving away I must first truly love myself.
I wish I knew that I never had to try to earn anyone's love... but just be myself.

When I look in the face of my daughters and their friends... I pray that I can help them to see one thing...

That they are always worth more than they think they are.

YOU are worth more than you think you are.

If you want to support the Dove Movement for Self-Esteem this weekend you can do so by going to
Dovemovement.com and find out about activities you can get involved in where you live.
Just spend an hour building up a girl this weekend.
Like them on Facebook

Tweet your support on the #Dovedifference hash tag

According to Dove research:

When girls feel bad about their looks more than 70% (age 15 to 17) avoid normal daily activities such as attending school, going to the doctor, or even giving their opinion

51% of all women (46% of girls 15 to 17 and 53% of women 18-64) report that they wished their mother had talked to them more often about their beauty and body image when growing up.

The top wish among all girls is for their parents to communicate better with them which includes more frequent and more open conversations as well as discussions about what is happening in their own lives.

What I Wore

2010-10-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

You would think over the past couple of weeks that I have NOT been blogging I could have at least taken pictures of what I wore... but I didn't. Although there have been a lot of very unglamorous {is that a word? I don't think so but I'm goin' with it.} days I still could have taken some pictures.
I need to get over that I am a bit of a perfectionist and I don't like poor quality photos. It's SO hard to take good pictures of yourself. If any of you who do "What I Wore Wednesdays" have any tips for me, I would love it!!

So, in an attempt to get back in the routine of things, I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy....

So... these pictures are just not very good, but...

I am wearing my favorite jeans lately

Levi's Superlow- Kohls

T-Shirt- I.N.C Macys

Scarf & earrings- Charlotte Russe

Sweater- Kohls

I did my hair in a messy bun which has also been a favorite lately....

I LOVE these boots.

They are 2 Lips Too and I got them at Ross.

They are SO comfortable.

Center pic: My mom & I
Right: My girls at Jasmine's volleyball game.

This day, I didn't really get any full size pictures...

Same favorite Levi's from Kohls.

Military jacket: Victoria's Secret

White T-Shirt- I don't even know...

Boyfriend Jeans: Ross

White T-Shirt: I.N.C Macy's

Black lace t-shirt: Kohls

Bootie boots: Ross

Necklace: Forever 21

Challenges, October and Updates...

2010-10-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

It's been a little while since I have posted...
OK, a long while. It seems like once you stop writing for a minute and you get busy with life it's easy for time to just slip away. The next thing you know there has been an APB put out on you.

Some of you may know and some may not, but my husband is an airline pilot and so...he is gone a lot. When he is home I try to make him my priority. I also try to do the bulk of my housework when he is gone so that I am available to help him with whatever he needs and give him my attention during his time at home. He is not demanding nor does he expect undivided attention... this is just my choice. I want him to know where he stands in my life.
So... when my blog is quiet, It's usually because I have gotten involved in life in ways that just don't leave much time. But I assure you that I am always thinking about getting back to it, reading your blogs and connecting with you again. I go through withdrawals.

So... what have I been up to??

Well, I have taken on a couple of challenges...

Courtney from Women Living Well has had a "Making Your Home A Haven" challenge.

That has been a very rewarding challenge so far.
Week 1: Light a big candle in your home and everytime you walk by it, say a prayer for peace in your family. I like to buy the jar candle sets at Wal-Mart. Tropical fruit smells so good and you get a lot of candles. I burn them in multiple places.
Week 2: Play soft music.
I like to turn on the contemporary christian music station on my cable TV. This truly makes a huge difference in my mood and attitude in my home.
Week 3: Which we are in right now is to list a few areas that make me stressed do to clutter. Then clean it up and do some spiritual clean up while we're at it.
I am going to get to that but, that leads me to the other challenge I have been doing.

It's the 10 week challenge over at Sunflower Schoolhouse "Decluttering, Beautifying & Creating".

This is challenge that gets your home clean and beautiful just in time for Christmas. The process will help you to be organized and ready to create Christmas gifts as well. This is a great project and I love the timeline.
Week 1: Front Closet and Extra Closets
Week 2: Master Bedroom
Week 3: Extra week for Master Bedroom
Week 4: (which we are in right now) Bedrooms

Well, I have a few pictures that I will share tomorrow about my challenges. I have too much other stuff to share tonight. This is what happens when I don't blog in a long time. {besides that I miss you all}

I started a little bit late, so I am still catching up a bit but feel good about my progress.

My goal with Courtney's challenge is to improve the spiritual atmosphere in my home while
my goal with Sunflower Schoolhouse Challenge is to get my house decluttered, organized and beautiful in time for a relaxing holiday.

So... aside from all that:
It's October, which is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

This is my sweet boy, Jordan. Having him in my life is truly one of my biggest blessings. He fills each day with a predictable love that is truly unconditional. Jordan teaches us what life is all about.
He is 20 years old and in his very last year of school. I have written about him many times here are some of my posts:

The Day Down Syndrome Rocked My World

21 Things About Jordan

2009 Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Adventures In Car Washing

He Is My Reason To Walk

Where's Jordan?

Words Do Mean

Steppin' Up To The Plate

I know that October is awareness month for a lot of other causes as well, but I wanted to give you the face of my lovely boy, Jordan for Down Syndrome Awareness.

... Another thing that has kept me busy is my daughter Jasmine started playing volleyball. I think she found her sport. She is really good. She loves it too!!

My daughter Isabelle had a birthday. She just turned 9. We had a birthday party but after major invitation fail it was mostly family that made it. We had a nice time though...

I made the birthday banner & the cupcakes. The banner is the 2nd one I have made and we use it for every birthday... Here is the other one I made:

I will try to do a tutorial on these banners soon. They are easy {though they take some time}... but they look so festive.

Oh... My hubby and I went to the pumpkin patch:

We found a cute little pumpkin patch here in Olympia, I think it's called Ashley Creek Farms. No hay rides or corn mazes but really nice pumpkins, great prices and well organized. It was a beautiful day so that made it even more fun!

I am sure there is SO much more that has happened around here in the past couple of weeks... but for now I will leave you with this:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

I'll be back tomorrow with more to share.

My 2nd Card Challenge For OWH

2010-09-30T00:27:00.000-07:00

I found another card challenge for Operation Write Home over at SRM Stickers.
This challenge made me realize how badly I want a rounded corner punch. The examples for this sketch are SO cute. You can check them out over on their blog.

So Here is the sketch:

Here is my card:

I wish I had rounded corners.