One Woman's Walking Shoes

THE WEDDING DRESS~

2014-10-22T11:15:00.000-06:00

POST MAY BE LONG AND TEAR FILLED WORDS CAN NOT ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE THE EVENTS OVER THE PAST 16 YEARS, BUT I WILL TRY~

IN 1998, MY HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART, ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM. WE WERE SO YOUNG, NIAVE AND INSEPARABLY IN LOVE. A FEW MONTHS LATER MY FIANCE JOINED THE MILITARY AND INFORMED ME THAT HE WOULD BE GONE FOR ALMOST A WHOLE YEAR. I WOULD STAY BEHIND AND FINISH MY LAST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND PLAN A WEDDING. HE WOULD SECURE A WAY TO PROVIDE FOR US ONCE WE STARTED OUR LIVES TOGETHER.

WHEN I SAY THE FIRST FEW MONTHS APART WERE EXCRUCIATING, I'M BEING KIND. I THINK I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED DEATH. THIS WAS BEFORE CELL PHONES AND EMAIL SO WE WOULD WAIT ANXIOUSLY EVERYDAY FOR THE NEXT LETTER TO ARRIVE. EVERY WORD REREAD OVER AND OVER. BUT SOON THOSE LETTERS STARTED TO COME LESS AND LESS. THEN THE PAIN LESSEN TOO. WE WERE GROWING APART~

EVERYONE AROUND US CONTINUED TO PLAN A WEDDING. EVERYTHING FROM THE COLORS, THE FLOWERS AND INVITATIONS WERE BEING DECIDED. I REMEMBER THE DAY WE WENT TO PICK OUT THE WEDDING DRESS. AS THE LADY PULLED IT OUT A LITTLE FOR ME TO VIEW, IM SURE THERE WAS A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN SHINING ON IT, AS IF IT HAD ALREADY BEEN CHOSEN FOR ME. IT WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY WEDDING DRESS I TRIED ON THAT DAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER GOT TO WALK DOWN THE ISLE IN THAT DRESS.

I MESSED UP, HE MESSED UP, WE ALMOST LOST EACH OTHER~

ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WERE WE ABLE TO RECONCILE AND STAND HAND AND HAND TODAY 16 YEARS LATER.

JUNE 14, 1999 IN WAUKEGAN IL , WE MADE IT OFFICIAL. I DIDNT HAVE ANY FAMILY THERE BUT SOME OF MY HUSBANDS FAMILY DID COME. I THINK THEY WERE GOING TO TRY TO TALK HIM OUT OF IT AND I DONT BLAME THEM.

OH, THE TEARS I CRIED OVER THE PAST 16 YEARS. HOW I WISHED I COULD HAVE A DO OVER. HOW I WISHED OUR LOVE STORY DIDNT HAVE SO MANY ROCKY SPOTS. HOW I WISHED MY FATHER COULD HAVE WALK ME DOWN THE ISLE AND HOW I WISHED I COULD HAVE WORN THAT DRESS.

BUT GOD SAW EVERY TEAR AND CAUGHT EVERYONE OF THEM. EVEN THOUGH MY OWN SINFUL BEHAVIOR HAD LED ME NOT TO HAVE THAT PERFECT WEDDING. GOD WAS GOING TO SHOW ME HIS LOVE AND REDEEMING GRACE THROUGH THIS.

FAST FORWARD TO SEPTEMBER 28TH 2013~
AFTER 14 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, MY HUSBAND AND I REALIZED THAT WE HAD ONCE AGAIN LOST SIGHT OF OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER. SO, WE DECIDED TO RENEW OUR VOWS. WE DROVE TO OURAY CO AND ON A MOUNTAIN WE PRIVATELY AND MORE LOVINGLY THAN THE FIRST TIME, EXCHANGED OUR VOWS AGAIN. THIS TIME ALL OF NATURE STOOD AS OUR WITNESSES.

SEPTEMBER 25TH 2014 (ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER) AFTER DRAGGING MY FEET FOR SOME TIME I HAD FINALLY DECIDED TO START MY OWN PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS. WITH A WEDDING BOOKED, I KNEW I WOULD NEED A SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER. SO, I COMMISSIONED MY SWEET HUSBAND. THURSDAY MORNING, JUST 2 DAYS AWAY FROM THE WEDDING, MY HUSBAND ASKED ME IF HE COULD TAKE SOME PICTURES OF ME WHEN HE GOT HOME FROM WORK. HE WANTED TO PRACTICE USING THE NEW CAMERA AND LENS. RIGHT THEN I KNEW THAT I NEEDED TO BE IN A WEDDING DRESS FOR HIM. WHAT BETTER WAY TO PRACTICE FOR A WEDDING, RIGHT!

SO, I STARTED CALLING LOCAL BRIDAL BOUTIQUES. IM SURE THEY ROLLED THEIR EYES AT MY REQUEST. HI, IM A PHOTOGRAPHER. I'D LIKE TO BORROW A DRESS FOR FREE. TODAY! I KNOW THAT THIS COULD ONLY BE GODS DOING AND HIS PLAN BECAUSE ONE LADY SAID, YES! I QUICKLY GOT READY AND HEADED DOWN TO THE BUSINESS.

(NOW STAY WITH ME FOLKS, IT'S GETTING READY TO GET GOOD)

WHEN I ARRIVE AT THE BUSINESS I CHUCKLE TO MYSELF AND TEAR UP A LITTLE THINKING ABOUT HOW THIS WAS THE SAME PLACE I HAD COME TO GET MY WEDDING DRESS 16 YEARS AGO. THE SWEET ELDERLY LADY GREETS ME AT THE DOOR AND USHERS ME OVER TO THE WEDDING DRESSES IN MY SIZE, WHICH I HAD STATED TO HER OVER THE PHONE. SHE BEGINS TO PULL OUT THE FIRST DRESS HUNG BEAUTIFULLY IN ITS PROTECT PACKAGE AND I CATCH A GLIMPSE. IMMEDIATELY I KNOW, THERE IT IS! THERE IS MY DRESS! THE DRESS I WAS SUPPOSE TO WEAR 16 YEARS AGO. I WOULD GET TO WEAR IT AFTER ALL. I TRY TO KEEP MY COMPOSURE BUT MY INSIDES ARE FLYING. I DIDNT WANT TO GO INTO A LONG TEARFUL STORY WITH A LADY I JUST MEET SO I HOLD IT TOGETHER. WE CASUALLY CHAT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN I SLIP ON THE DRESS. I WALK TO THE PLATFORM AND STEP UP ONTO IT. IT WAS DE JA VUE! ONLY THIS TIME I SEE MYSELF MUCH OLDER, WISER AND SO MUCH MORE APPRECIATIVE OF THIS DRESS. THE SWEET OWNER OFFERS TO LET ME TAKE MY DRESS AND ANOTHER HOME FOR OUR PHOTO SHOOT. I THANK HER AND WE LOAD THE DRESSES INTO THE CAR. I SIT IN THE CAR FOR AWHILE WITH MY DRESS IN THE BACK SEAT AND JUST CRY TEARS OF JOY AND THANK THE LORD FOR HIS LOVE FOR ME.

NOW TO MAKE THIS OFFICIAL I WOULD NEED A BOUQUET SO I HEAD DOWN TO A FLORIST SHOP AND AGAIN THIS COULD ONLY BE GOD. HI, IM A PHOTOGRAPHER, I NEED A BOUQUET FOR FREE. TODAY!
( OF COURSE IT WAS SAID A LOT NICE BUT THAT WAS THE JEST) I OFFERED TO REFERR THEIR BUSINESS IN RETURN. SHE SAYS YES! THEY ASK ME WHAT I WANT THE BOUQUET TO LOOK LIKE. (SUNFLOWERS ARE MY FAVORITE FLOWERS) SO, I SAY MAYBE JUST A FEW SUNFLOWERS AND SOME GREENS. THEY QUICKLY WHIP UP A SMALL BOUQUET AND I HEAD HOME TO SURPRISE MY HUSBAND WITH ALL OF THIS.

WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I TELL MY DAUGHTER THE WHOLE STORY AND SHE WAS EVEN AMAZED. SHE THEN HELPS ME GET READY SO HER DADDY COULD SEE HER MOM IN THE DRESS SHE WAS SUPPOSE TO WEAR ALL THOSE YEARS AGO. WE TALK ABOUT HOW WE WILL BE DOING THIS WITH HER ONE DAY AND WE BOTH TEAR UP AT THE THOUGHT OF THAT. SHE TELLS ME I'M BEAUTIFUL.

IN THE MEANTIME DAVID HAS NO IDEA. HE HAS NO IDEA I HAVE THE DRESS. HE DOESNT EVEN KNOW WHAT THE DRESS WAS SUPPOSE TO LOOK LIKE OTHER THAN WHAT I TOLD HIM ABOUT IT 16 YEARS AGO. I'M TEXTING HIM THE WHOLE TIME ASKING HIM WHEN HE WOULD BE HOME SO I CAN BE STANDING AT THE DOOR WHEN HE WALKS IN. WE SEE HIM PULL INTO THE DRIVE WAY AND I POSITION MYSELF SO I WILL BE THE VERY FIRST THING HE SEES WHEN HE OPENS THE DOOR. I PLACE THE VEIL OVER MY FACE. THERE ARE NO PRECIOUS STONES OR GOLD THAT COULD COMPARE TO THE PRICELESS LOOK ON HIS FACE WHEN HE SEES ME. I TRY TO KEEP FROM CRYING. HE LIFTS MY VEIL AND KISSES ME AND THROUGH A SMALL CHOKED VOICE I SAY, THIS IS THE DRESS I WAS SUPPOSE TO WEAR TO OUR WEDDING 15 YEARS AGO. HIS MIND IS SPINNING. ARE YOU SURE? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? I SAY, I'M 100% SURE AND THE ONLY WAY ITS POSSIBLE IS BECAUSE OF GOD. WE EMBRACE AND CRY OVER THIS AMAZING GIFT.

EVEN RIGHT NOW AS I WRITE THIS, I AM AMAZED. AWE STRUCK. THAT THIS STORY IS TRUE AND ITS MINE. HOW GOD CAN TAKE A SINFUL UNDESERVING HUMAN AND REDEEM HER AND BLESS HER. HOW HE KNOWS ME AND MY PAIN. HOW HE LOOKS FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW ME HIS GRACE AND MERCY. I THINK THAT THIS IS WHAT THIS STORY IS ALL ABOUT. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT. TO WAIT FOR THE TIME WHEN IT MEANS THE MOST. TO WAIT FOR THE TIME WHEN GOD REVEALS HIS UNENDING LOVE FOR YOU. AND THIS TIME HE GETS ALL THE GLORY!

SO NOT ONLY DID MY HUSBAND GET TO SEE HIS BRIDE IN HER ORIGINAL WEDDING DRESS THAT DAY. HE ALSO GOT TO BE THE PHOTOGRAPHER TO CAPTURE HER IN IT! HOW AWESOME IS THAT~

Antique teacup and saucer project

2014-09-17T12:17:00.000-06:00

I was recently given a box of old mis-matched tea cups and saucers. Many of them were chipped and cracked.

Amazon.com Widgets

Since it would break my heart to just throw them away I thought about a way to extend their life for just a little longer~ I have been wanting to get some LED lighting to light up the walk way to our front door. I wondered if there was a way to attach the tea cup and saucer to the LED light. I remembered I pinned a video of someone drilling a hole into a tea cup. I watched the video and ran to the store to get what I needed to drill the hole. Here are the items I bought for this project.

( FYI, This kind of glue took forever to dry. Like 2 days)

I really have the sweetest husband! He is so gracious and willing to work along side of me to complete these projects I come up with. I don't know what I would do without this guy!

(Attached the drill bit to drill)

Here we go~

Once we had the holes drilled we placed the LED post through the hole. We then placed a couple rubber washers to hold it where we wanted it.

Next we applied the glue to bottom of cup to secure to saucer. Then we attached the LED globe which sat snug inside the cup and hung it upside down to dry. We also added glue around the rubber washers. You may want to check around for different kinds glue to use. Unless you are very patient.

Wanna see how this beauty turned out?

She's a beauty at night too~

I hope this tutorial was helpful and if you decide to make one, please shoot me a message. I'd like to hear all about it~

Linking up @

http://vintagegwen.blogspot.com/

When people hurt people

2014-09-11T15:33:00.000-06:00

Here is a picture of the utter devastation caused by terrorist on 9/11.

Today has been an exhausting day. Not only because of the horrific events that happened 13 years ago, but because of my own personal tragedies. I would never want to compare my pain to those who lost loved one on 9/11 or the trama that they may still be dealing with. You see I'm hurting because I've hurt people.

I recently heard a sermon by Michael Youseff and he stated that a women had written a letter to his ministry office and given a huge check. The letter went on to state that the money was to go directly to the aid of muslim evangelism. Here's where I get choked up every time. You see, her son was killed by a muslim terrorist in front of a military personal building in Little Rock Arkansas, 2009. I have tried to put myself in the parents shoes. I know that what she is did is right and not only that, amazing. But sadly I don't think I would have responded like that. I probably would have hated every muslim I ever encountered and cursed them to death.

After hearing that sermon I am all the more convinced that that kind of forgiveness is not only supernatural (meaning it could only come from God) but it is so important to be able to go on. To fully live.

I have hurt so many people in my life. Some so deeply that I know that only God's sovereign hand could cover and heal that pain. My selfishness has taken me to some dark roads and I have all but murdered innocent people along the way. That is why I pray fervently for them and I ask God to bring to mind those that I'm not aware that I've hurt. Not so I can have the satisfaction of being forgiven but that they would have the ability to forgive me so they can fully live. That the hurt I've caused doesn't sway them from compassion or harden them. That my name wouldn't bring pain at just the mention of it. That I wouldn't be the cause of someone wanting to end their life. These are the things we never think about. We don't want to think about them. Hurting someone deeply could be as simple as bullying someone in school. Making fun of someones looks. Outcasting someone because they are different than you. How about absent parents. I know so many hurting adults because they had absent parents. All kinds of little ( or so we think) things that could have lasting effects on another human being. Now lets not mention the big ones~ Rape, Molestation, Adultery, Murder. Selfishness always at the root.

Galatians 5:19-20 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

I feel so much regret. So I pray that those I've hurt can forgive me and I pray that those who hurt us 13 years ago can be forgiven. Not to diminish the pain they have caused or I have caused but that those who have been hurt can fully live.

Where I lay my head

2014-09-10T11:39:00.001-06:00

So after showing you pics of my daughters day bed in my last post, I thought it would be fun to show you where I lay my head at night. I have had my room decorated this way for about a year now and I am still in love with the look that was achieved. Here is a little back ground story. As I have gotten older I am starting to really find what my style is. I'm gonna call it eclectic/antique~ For so many years I was trying to copy different peoples styles but thankfully I came to senses and just did me. I realized through this process that I really loved the color blue. Although if you ask me what my favorite color is I'll tell you all of them. Every color has a purpose and is beautiful in my eyes. In saying that there are some colors that I would not paint my walls in or base a whole room around. In the case of my room, blue was the starting color. The kicker if you will. I decided first to sell my whole bedroom set and piece together furniture that sang to me. I ran down to me favorite antique shop and began the hunt. I found three pieces. A dresser for me, one for my hubby and a tall wardrobe. I can't remember the exact cost but if I had to guess it would be around 500 hundo for all 3. They were all different wood colors but mainly in darker stain. This is where my love for blue and spray paint collided. I'll post pics of them in another post. My bedroom adjoins to the bathroom/closet/makeup/sitting area. It was painted with a really cool technique. I believe its called venetian. I wanted to save it so I choose a color that was close, for the bedroom. A color called champagne is what I ended up what. Almost white with a little pink. I wanted the pieces I had painted and distressed to pop and be focal, not the walls. The bed was pretty easy. Antique beds do not come in the regular sizes we have today and if you are spoiled by having a king, its hard to go back down to a full. Instead I opted to keep the king and just get a frame. The headboard was made from some really cheap wood we bought from lowes. I found the idea on pinterest. (here) lizmarieblog.com We bought 2 sizes and randomly cut and stapled to wall to a king size headboard dimension. I then stained the wood in ebony. We didn't get to sleep in our room for a couple days due to strong smell. Also make sure that you allow wood to shrink or dry. The wood we got ended up shrinking after we hung it so I have little gaps. Its not major enough to take it all back down but just a note for anyone who may try this project. The bedspread was one I had before the room transformation and I loved it so I just changed it up with pillows and bedskirt. My favorite pillow is the ornate one in the middle. It makes me happy! So without further ado. Here is where I lay my head at night!

linking up @

My Repurposed Life

http://www.classyclutter.net/2014/07/creative-collection-link-party-2.htm http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/one-project-link-party-5.jpg

Showcasing my teen and her daybed

2014-08-27T13:13:00.000-06:00

I have this teen and she's a beauty!

But you see, she has some insecurities. Like all teens she is searching for significance and her purpose in life. I remember being her age. Oh, how I hated that time. Kids can be so cruel. That's one of the many reason we decided to homeschool our children. But, even though we are sheltering her from the outside influences, she is still searching for that validation that she is special. I have told her over and over how beautiful she is and how wonderful she is, but she is wanting the world to agree. Our society teaches girls these days that they should be beautiful, skinny, expensively dressed and popular (perfect). Basically they should look and act like a celebrity. How do our children compete with that expectation? How do we teach them that there significance is not found in things or how many likes they get on their instagram pics.

Romans 12:2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

As I write this post, I evaluate why I write on this blog. I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to be liked. Its probably one of the strongest desire we have as human beings. The question I'm asking is WHY, why do we do what we do? As christians, we are called to do everything to bring Glory to God. That is what we are created for. So I ask my teen, do things, (clothes, latest and greatest gadgets etc..) and popularity, really bring us significance and happiness?

Matthew 16:26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

I would say they hinder us for the real purpose we as Christians are called to do.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Now I'm thoroughly convicted. I was writing about my child's struggles I am being reminded that I too have some work to do in these areas. We all do! It is a constant battle between the Spirit and the flesh. That's why is so important to stay in the word and be transformed through it.

Now can I ask you a favor!? Can you help me showcase my sweet teen today?

The homeschool room use to be a spare bedroom. When we took the queen out, our son asked if he could have it instead of his twin. I didn't want to get rid of a potential bed for quests so we decided to make a daybed for our daughter to read, play or have her quest sleep on.

I had seen the pallet beds on Pinterest and thought it would be cute for this purpose. We added chalkboard wall paint for her to doodle on and some fun string lights to eliminate her work.

I put the verse there this morning, for this post. While she was asleep! I wanted to drive home the point of this whole post!

Thank you for making me so wonderfully Psalms 139:14.
If the God of this universe says you are wonderfully made, than who can say your not wonderful?

As far as the color scheme goes (mom) had some say in that. We have had fun mixing the oranges and teals together. I think it turned out sweet and spunky! Most importantly, my teen likes it!

In closing I want to add this little note to my daughter. I love you, I am so proud of you and I'm so blessed because I get to be mom to someone who is so wonderful! Love, Mom

linking up @

The Heart of a Sunflower

2014-08-23T13:24:00.000-06:00

Have you ever seen the heart of a Sunflower? It is exquisite! I love Sunflowers! So when I saw my garden beauties had opened up, I ran for my camera. After, I reflected on what I had captured. Their faces are warmed by the rays of the morning sun. The light eliminating the beauty from within. They stand tall and brave through the heat of midday and their crowns bend in submission to the evening sun. This made me think of my daily walk with the Lord. My mornings should be flooded with light (God's word). My heart open to His love and amazing grace. My mind reflecting on what great things he has done for me.

Psalm 143:8

8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

I stand tall and brave in the midday sun. My time with the Lord in the morning has encouraged me and equipped me with the strength to get through.

Isaiah 41:10

10 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Then my evenings should be filled with humble gratitude. My head bent in submission to my maker.

1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

I don't know if I can ever look at a sunflower the same way. How about you?

(SPRAY PAINTED FURNITURE BABY # 3) HOMESCHOOL CHAIRS~

2014-08-21T09:41:00.000-06:00

Have I told you guys how much I love spray paint? Well if I forgot to tell you let me fill you in now, I LOVE SPRAY PAINT! I love paint in general and I'm not the all white kind of girl. I love the look of a white on white room but for some reason I keep going back to color. So when it came to the homeschool chairs it was no different. Yep, you guessed it, they started out white. I had originally wanted to get some metal chairs from Target but when my parents offered me a free table and chairs, I knew the chairs were destined to hold little bottoms. Sorry that I do not have before pictures. I was to excited to get them done. Seeings how I waited till the last minute to paint them. (Like the day before we started school, last minute) Just picture the typical white legs and back, with a oak stained wood seat. Here is what it looks like today~

I'll try and walk you through the steps to getting this look. When I first started out I only planned to spray paint the white parts of the chair red. 2 things happened here. I got the red overspray on the seat and I ran out of red spray paint. (I was able to do a light coat on majority of the legs and back.) So, plan B commenced. I went looking for something to cover the rest of the white, preferably something red. I didn't find anything. What I did spot was some teal blue latex paint that we had used to paint my daughters room. I decided to cover the whole chair with this teal and then sanded it off lightly. Thus leaving the red and white peaking though.

The seat has the wood showing on the edges. The look that I ended up with is funky, bold and has antiqued charm. I love them! I also added a red chair cushion for extra comfort.

I hope that this post has inspired you to use spray paint for your next furniture project. And as always, Have a blessed day!

Linking up @

Life and Peace~

2014-08-19T18:42:00.001-06:00

I would like to start this post with a verse that spoke to me as I prepared to write about our day.

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 ~ Stay with me as I try to make this post, make sense.

Homeschool went amazing today. After all my bellowing in my last post you would have thought it was hopeless. (I know, my Zhu Zhu pet reference was a little over dramatic.) We started on time and things moved along fairly quickly. Then we came to language and we had to take a couple minutes for a short lecture. The teacher didn't approve of the eye rolling and "yah I know mom", stuff. Geography was fun! They used a orange as a pretend globe and sketched out the equator with as many continents as they could fit on that tiny little thing. We were trying to understand how a round globe can be put on a flat piece of paper to use as a map. They then peeled their orange and was asked to make it flat. You see in homeschool, mom allows you to play with your food and calls it school work. Around noon we started art. The kids were asked to cut out pictures of people from different countries to make a poster. They would keep these in their geography notebook and we would pray for these people throughout the year. The kids were having so much fun that I decided to make one as well. The posters turned out nice but they are heartbreaking at the same time.

I look at the faces of these people and I wonder, what is their life like? Are the children in school, do they have food, are they warm and happy and most importantly do they know Jesus? I try to put myself in their shoes and I'm torn between sadness and confusion. These people seem so ancient so separate from today's modern culture. I sit here typing on a fancy computer, in a fancy house and I wonder, what is it like to be them. Then I loath myself for being so self centered and so sinful in my worldly desires. The project asked the kids to place the verse John 3:16 on their poster after they finished glueing on the pictures. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. How often do I think about the people of the world? If you have a minute, right now please join us in prayer for these people. That they would come to know Jesus as their savior. He is ultimately our only source of life and peace. Our fleshly desires (sin) only leads to death. As I stare into these faces right now, Im thinking I want to see you in heaven one day. Wouldn't that be so cool! To have prayed for one of these people who we will probably never meet in person and then to see them in heaven one day. Wow! Chills!

So I'll close now and leave this heaviness with us.

6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

What does the Spirit of God want us to set our mind on everyday?

to be continued..................

First time for everything~

2014-08-18T10:58:00.001-06:00

Last Friday was our very first day of homeschool~ My husband has Fridays off so we decided to start the first day of school together as a family. We got off to a late start (don't ask) so it was around 10am when we actually began. The prince-A-pal as he refers to himself started things off with a discussion of why we are doing homeschool and the benefits of it. He talked about our freedoms in this country and how fortunate we are that we CAN do homeschool. I think this was very clever seeing how we will be studying different cultures around the world this year in our curriculum. He then went on to state the importance of bringing God into their education and how everything from our language to our ability to think is because of a supreme creator. Just writing that out right now causes me to ponder on the the complexities of God and say WOW! My husband closed us in prayer and the fun began!

For those of you who know what a Zhu Zhu pet is, you will get the compassion.

Just like the Zhu Zhu pet we chattered and toddled along until we hit our first wall. Then we would try to back up a little bit, straighten ourselves out but inevitably hit the wall again. Eventually we would get ourselves turned around, just long enough to hit another wall. This continued for the rest of the day until we decided at 4pm to call it quits. (with still more work left to do) We were all exhausted mentally. On saturday the kids worked on a few things they still had left to do. We plan to do a science experiment today to complete the first days lesson plan. Tomorrow we will be caught up and ready to go.

I know this will get easier. The Lord has walked with us this far and He will continue to provide the necessary provisions to get us through every day.

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:23

Affiliate programs may be included in this post. If you click or buy through my blog I get a tiny percentage from sending customers their way. I'm not making much but as you know every penny counts. Thank you!

Amazon.com Widgets

Seriously~ its been way to long!

2014-08-16T09:28:00.001-06:00

In the words of slim shady, Guess who's back, back again................ Where do I begin? Well, I guess I'll go back to 2012 when I decided to go back to work (hence my 2 year blog hiatus). I guess I should rephrase that I didn't just decide to go back, I needed to. You see, I had felt the Lord telling me to take my children out of public school for quite some time. I couldn't fathom homeschooling due to my lack of knowledge (I will get to this in another post) so private school it was. Although my husband has a great job it still wasn't going to cover the high cost of tuition. Anywho, the Lord made a way for me to work at the private school as a kindergarten teacher's aide and because I worked there I was able to get a discount on the kids tuition. Hallelujah! God is amazing and if he puts something on your heart, listen! He will make a way! We completed 2 full school years at the (christian) private school. This year we are doing something new. Drum roll, please.................. You guessed it! HOMESCHOOL~ Looking back I can see how the Lord used the time I was working to instruct me in teaching and strengthen me for this journey ahead. With that being said this blog will be taking a little different approach. Just like every season in life, time changes, circumstances change, YOU change. I will still have recipes, DIY projects, and photography, with splash of homeschool and my christian faith. I hope that my blog serves as some encouragement for other moms going through the same day to day decisions. This isn't a keeping up with the Jones' or redo my whole house blog. Just a day to day account of one women, walking in her own shoes. Somedays with sore feet and other day painted toes peeking out of her favorite shoe! May you be blessed today! Oh and it's good to be back :) P.S. I also started a photography blog be sure to check it out~ trinityphotoghaphy.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas!!!

2012-12-10T20:30:00.001-07:00

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Sunday Giggles ~ July 8th

2012-07-08T18:55:00.000-06:00

Hello Sunday and fellow bloggers! I hope it's been a great weekend for ya! I spent hours today going through the photos on my camera card and deleting some to make room for an upcoming camping trip. I thought I'd share some of the funny shots before I deleted them. Truly, they are to funny not to share. I'll try and narrate for you.

Ever been hair slapped before?

Ask me to walk like a model and I'll laugh ever time.

Ice skating in high heels and grass. There's a first!

"Oh no you didn't" face:)

Yes, I had goats at one time and I loved them to pieces, up until they started to eat everything in sight. Even my dress:)

Her Obituary reads: she fell down the stairs and died from toxic armpit fumes.

The neighbors were outside staring at me while I was taking these pictures. Embarrassing but funny!

Did I get a laugh out of ya? If not, go look for your sense of humor! giggle, giggle*

Amazon.com Widgets

4th of July Breakfast Muffins

2012-07-01T20:46:00.003-06:00

In honor of this fine country we live in, I present to you, my 4th of July Breakfast Muffin.

I found the recipe for Banana/Strawberry Muffins here:
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/banana-strawberry-muffins/f5158a26-77a6-42e8-adf8-0bac9bb9a5c0#

After they have cooled, add your coolwhip and fresh fruit. I promise you everyone will be delighted to have a few of these in the morning with coffee or even as dessert.

Happy Independence Day America, this ones for you:)

Linking up @

Amazon.com Widgets

Sunday Giggles

2012-07-01T12:14:00.001-06:00

This is to funny not to share. This morning half awake, I walk into my dinning room/entry way and see this.

To help put this into perspective, he's sleeping on tile floor, by the front door, inside a laundry basket.

Sounds like a restless nights sleep to me! He'll probably be upset if he finds out I'm posting these pictures but one day he'll look back on this and laugh as hard as the rest of us:)

Amazon.com Widgets

Spinach & Banana Muffins, oh my ~

2012-06-29T16:05:00.011-06:00

I know what you thinking. It doesn't sound very good, right. But actually these healthy muffins are not that bad. I'm not going to say they are my favorite. My favorite muffins require way more sugar, atleast 1000 calories and must be extremely bad for you:) I can't remember how I stumbled upon the recipe but it was perfect timing because I had a huge package of spinach I needed to use. Here is the recipe that I copied from Fun & Food Cafe website.
http://www.funandfoodcafe.com/2012/04/healthy-green-muffins.html

APRIL 16, 2012 BY MANSI

Green (Spinach & Banana) Muffins
Prep Time: 10 mins
Bake Time: 25 mins
Servings: 6

Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/3 cup white or brown sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 medium-sized banana
1 cup packed baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Method
Preheat oven to 180C (350F). Grease or line muffin tin with paper liners and keep ready. Mash the banana and set aside.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk the sugar and egg until creamy and fluffy. Stir in oil, yogurt, lemon zest and mashed banana.
In a food processor, blend the spinach leaves until very finely chopped. It will almost look like a pesto, and that’s what we need. Coarse grind the pecans in another grinder, or just pound them with a mortar-pestle; you can even just chop them lightly if you like texture.
Fold in the chopped spinach and half of the pecans into the batter, leaving some of the nuts aside to sprinkle on the top. Fill batter into prepared muffin tin, filling them upto the brim. Remember, this recipe uses whole-wheat flour, which does not have as much gluten as AP flour, so the muffins will not rise too high, so fill the tin upto the brim.
Garnish each muffin with the remaining pecans. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
These muffins are best enjoyed warm. So store them in an air-tight container, and whenever you want to eat one, pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds, deck it up with a dollop of butter or whipped cream, and pop it in your mouth for one flavorful bite! The fiber and protein in this recipe will fill you up without adding on too many calories, so its a great treat even for people who count their calories.

Source: funandfoodcafe.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I modified the recipe a little bit. Here is my version.

It's almost the same except for these few changes. I didn't have whole wheat flour so I used white flour. I added about 1/8 cup of flax seed to my food processor and then added that to the recipe to give that whole wheat texture.

I didnt have a lemon for the zest but I think that could be optional anyway.

Here is how mine turned out.
Looks pretty close to original and probably taste just as good. One of these days I'll get all the right ingredients and make it like the recipe says, just to compare. If you decide to make these don't tell anyone about the spinach. It's so much fun to see their faces afterwards when you tell them what was in it. Or if you have a picky eater like I do, don't ever tell:) Good Luck!

Linking up @

PicMonkey and Old Hollywood Collide

2012-06-26T12:56:00.002-06:00

I love PicMonkey! I can spend hours editing and playing around with the different features available on this site. I can even airbrush my wrinkles away:) YAY!

Here are a few pics from my Old Hollywood photo shoot, that I've tweaked a bit.

I love how my eyes peek out from behind the rose vine.

I saw this photo of Marilyn on Pinterest a couple weeks ago and feel in love with it. This is a beautiful photo of Marilyn Monroe from her last photoshoot by Bert Stern. Look at the sadness in her eyes. Its captivating!

I had never seen her like this before. She is usually so happy in her photos. Just for fun, I wanted to try and convey this same emotion in my photo shoot. What do you think?

This dress was to big for me in the shoulder area. It kept wanting to fall. So I used the tulle on the dress to cover up any what could be embarrassing moments. I think it made for an interesting shot.

This is my personal favorite. As if you can't tell from the huge photo you get to see when you open my blog:) It best portrays my personality and what I consider most beautiful about me.

I hope you guys get a chance to play on PicMonkey soon! Have a blessed day:)

Linking up @

Amazon.com Widgets

A Monday Reminder

2012-06-25T18:07:00.006-06:00

Isaiah 41:10

'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Source: schoengeistig.tumblr.com via Holly on Pinterest

I hate to struggle with things in life. I just want everything to go smooth. But life is a daily struggle and the struggle can actually be beneficial to us in the long run.

This story is a great example of that:)

Once a little boy was playing outdoors and found a fascinating caterpillar. He carefully picked it up and took it home to show his mother. He asked his mother if he could keep it, and she said he could if he would take good care of it.

The little boy got a large jar from his mother and put plants to eat, and a stick to climb on, in the jar. Every day he watched the caterpillar and brought it new plants to eat.

One day the caterpillar climbed up the stick and started acting strangely. The boy worriedly called his mother who came and understood that the caterpillar was creating a cocoon. The mother explained to the boy how the caterpillar was going to go through a metamorphosis and become a butterfly.

The little boy was thrilled to hear about the changes his caterpillar would go through. He watched every day, waiting for the butterfly to emerge. One day it happened, a small hole appeared in the cocoon and the butterfly started to struggle to come out.

At first the boy was excited, but soon he became concerned. The butterfly was struggling so hard to get out! It looked like it couldn’t break free! It looked desperate! It looked like it was making no progress!

The boy was so concerned he decided to help. He ran to get scissors, and then walked back (because he had learned not to run with scissors…). He snipped the cocoon to make the hole bigger and the butterfly quickly emerged!

As the butterfly came out the boy was surprised. It had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. He continued to watch the butterfly expecting that, at any moment, the wings would dry out, enlarge and expand to support the swollen body.

But neither happened!

The butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.

It never was able to fly…

He later learned that the butterfly was SUPPOSED to struggle. In fact, the butterfly’s struggle to push its way through the tiny opening of the cocoon pushes the fluid out of its body and into its wings. Without the struggle, the butterfly would never, ever fly.

As you go through life, keep in mind that struggling is an important part of any growth experience. In fact, it is the struggle that causes you to develop your ability to fly.

Linking up @

Amazon.com Widgets

Old Hollywood~

2012-06-22T12:36:00.007-06:00

I love Old hollywood actresses! I love the hair, the makeup, the gowns and the refined beauty. True Beauty, I think! What I day dream about most days, is of being an old hollywood actress. I'm in my dressing room, my gown is made of the finest silk and my skin feels caressed by it's softness. I stare into the mirror as I fix my eyeliner so the corners lift up. My eyes sparkle under the bright vanity lights. My lips soft and puckered in red and I practice my lines. Every word is spoken in a whisper as I preparing myself for the leading role and I try to convey the emotions of the character the producers want me to play. They say, I'm wounded by heartache, I'm scared to love again but his charm weakens me and I find myself falling for him. LOL! You thought you were reading one of those mushy romance novels there for a minute, huh!?!?
It's so much fun to play! So here is some shots of my Old Hollywood photo shoot.

Taken by my 11 years old daughter. Yesterday she told me she wanted to do photography as a profession when she gets older. Which I think is a perfect idea! But the funny part is, she asks me to pay her for her work. LOL! I said " Just consider this excellent experience and payment for the 9 months I carried you and then pushed you out! HA! I must say, she is a really good photographer and I'm excited to see where this takes her in the furture. Oh, and did I mention she beautiful. She has a models body to boot. Life is so unfair:)

What are you day dreaming about today? (x's and o's) Jamie

Linking up @

After 13 years, I still Heart you! A romantic (dine in) date night~

2012-06-21T11:59:00.007-06:00

This post is a week behind. Our actual Anniversary is June 14th. I wasn't feeling well that day so we didn't do anything to celebrate. Since the kids were at the grandparents house yesterday, I figured I'd better take advantage of the opportunity to make it a date night. Dine in style:)

I spent a long time yesterday thinking about what to make for our dinner date. You guys are gonna laugh when you see what I finally decided on. Just take into consideration that he is a meat and potato kind of guy and I'm a one pot kinda gal. Hence, Chicken Pot Pie~

You know what they say, the way to a mans heart is through his stomach:) He loved it!

After eating, we sat and smiled at the silliness of our long over due date, like we were teenagers again. A couple kisses, I love you's and a conversation without distractions stamped the seal of approval to the end of a perfect evening. My hubby then motioned in the air as if speaking to someone and said, "Check, Please." I laughed. It was perfect.:)

Here is a look at our romantic (dine in) dinner date!

So, after 13 years of marriage, I still HEART you (David).
x's and o's Jamie

Linking up @

Amazon.com Widgets

Spray Painted Furniture Baby #2 and A Breakfast Nook

2012-06-20T12:11:00.016-06:00

Good Morning! It is a beautiful day here in NM, not to hot (yet) with a slight breeze. I enjoyed a cup of coffee at my new breakfast nook this morning. I opened the window to feel the breeze and hear the birds sing to each other. It was so relaxing and refreshing.
I have been wanting a breakfast nook in my kitchen area for some time now. The space that makes the most sense for a nook is a small spot. I had been looking on Craigslist for some cheap furniture and saw a dinning set with a bench, corner seat and a table for 50 dollars. The only problem was it wasn't in great shape. I usually steer clear of project pieces because I wouldnt consider myself talented in reconstruction but I have a want to be good at it and thats what gets me into trouble most of the time. I have to say that this time it worked out in my favor:) A little spray paint and a canvas drop cloth go along way, baby! Take a look at my newly reconstructed bench seat.

I'm not sure what the seat is made of. I'm thinking a cheap vinyl. So, I took a chance and spray painted the top (Back) of the bench with spray paint for plastics. It worked out so well that I will be spraying vinyl furniture forever. The only thing is, I sprayed it with a clear enamel to keep it protected from scratchs and I don't like the look as much as when it was just sprayed with the spray paint. It looked just like leather before I clear coated it. Oh well, it still looks fabulous! The seat was in such bad shape that spraying it wouldn't fix it. Here is a pic of what it looked like before.

Luckily the seat and the back came apart. I bought some high loft batting and placed that over the seat, then the drop cloth and stapled it underneath. Good thing no one can see the staple job underneath, it's ugly:) I still need to scotch guard the drop cloth. You guys don't let me forget, OK?!?!
I'm telling you there is something about a bench seat that is so inviting. Do you ever notice how when you go to a restraunt and they ask you if you want a booth seat or a regular table seat, that you always go for the booth. Well, atleast my family does. I think it's the bench seat that wins me over everytime. Now my bench has extra cushion and is so soft that I may never eat at the regular table again. The kids are at the grandparents house so I might surprise the hubs with dinner tonight and dine in at our romantic booth table. Here are some more pics of how it turned out.

You can't tell me that this doesn't look inviting:)

Sit, please:)

I better get going and start brainstorming for my romantic date tonight. Have a beautiful day! Jamie

P.S. No babies were harmed in this blogpost! I just call then furniture babies because I'm so proud of them. It's like giving birth. Please tell me you guys understand:)

Linking up @

Amazon.com Widgets

Closet Cabinets~ painted and distressed

2012-06-19T11:26:00.009-06:00

Hey Blogger Babes! I don't know about ya'll but it has been a busy summer for me. Lots of projects and lots of changes around the house. I have so many to share but first I want to show you the finished cabinets in my closet. You know the ones that I decided not to sand. LOL:) Well, they turned out real nice after all. I painted the cabinets the same color as the wall, which is a light gray. Then I distressed them with a black and brown stain. I used a rag and a paint brush to apply the stain. Then I sanded a few spots down to the wood to give an aged look. For the final touch I used white paint and a brush to contrast the dark stain. Check it out~

Not to shabby, huh!?! My husband is such a sweet guy. He tell me "I think you're ready to go pro" Right, and these pants don't make my butt look big either! LOL:) I have to admit though, for the headache that these cabinets cost me or maybe I should say, for the headache I cost me while being lazy while painting these, I think they turned out pretty darn good. They have added extra storge and function to my fabulous closet. So, I quess in the end the headache was worth it and the story does make for a good laugh. I hope you laughed today! Jamie

Link parties:)

Lesson Learned ~ don't be lazy, do it right the first time!

2012-06-15T11:35:00.007-06:00

Remember in my last post when I alluded to a funny story about the cabinets in my closet. Well the truth is, what happened really wasn't that funny to me. It was a lesson for me to learn about doing things right the first time. Let me set the story up for you first and you might understand why things happened the way they did. As you guys have read from my previous post, the closet project took longer than expected. I was hoping for a week tops to complete the job but it actually turned into 2 weeks and some change. That's a contractor in my home from 9am to 4pm, Monday thru Friday. It is a weird feeling to have a stranger in your home for that long. I didn't even want to eat, because I thought it would be rude. What if he's hungry or thirsty? Do I offer him something? If I sat down to relax I felt guilty. He's in there working and I'm sitting on my rear. I know I over analyze, and I was paying him to do the work so I didnt have to, but it was still stressful for me. Not to mention that my clothes took up residencey on the guest bedroom bed during the remodel. It was like an episode of hoarders in there. LOL! There were lots of decisions to make, lots of running to Homedepot or Lowes to get this or that and LOTS of mess! So by the time the contractor was finished I just wanted it to be over with so I could feel some kind of normalcy. Unfortunelty, I had decided that the cabniets did not match the gray color scheme so I needed to paint them white. Ok, so here is where my laziness cost me. I decide that I didn't need to sand the cabniets. I get the primer that he used for the wall, which he suggested that I buy from a paint store called Kwal. I'm thinking this must be some high quality stuff. I have 5 gallons of it and I dont want to run to the store to get something else, so I start priming the cabniets. As I'm painting I notice that it is bubbly looking. I try to rationalize that it is because Im using a roller so I switch to a brush and that seems to calm my fears enough to contiue on. I primed everything except the doors and drawer facings and then take a break. When I came back to see if it had dried, I noticed the bubbly look again. I softly ran my finger nail over the primer to see if it had adhered to it. It didn't:( I quickly grab the kids and rush to the store for some better primer. Something that will adhere so I dont have to sand anything. When I get to the store a gentlmen ask if he can assist me. So I tell him that I need primer for some cabniets and I dont want to sand. He strongly suggest that I sand before I prime. I roll my eyes internally and just get some primer that claims that you don't have to sand and rush home. By this time my husband is home and he suggest that I prime a small section to see if it will work before I reprime everything again. Wow, he's a smart man! So after I test a spot and see that it scrapes off just as easy, my husband looks and me and says "you need to scrape all of that primer off" I'm thinking to myself is that even possible? Well folks, I'm here to testify that yes indeed it is possible. With lots of elbow grease and help you can scrape primer with the best of them.

Thats a scary picture for a lot of reasons! Wow, I need a bath! Fortunetly I didnt have to scrape alone. My kids thought it would be fun to help mom, which I'm ever so grateful for!

Let's not forget about the mess this made! Feeling sorry for me yet?

Needless to say, after all the scraping, I sanded everything. Lesson Learned! Pictures of the finished project to come. Stay tuned.... x's & o's Jamie

Linking up @

Amazon.com Widgets

Upgrade me ~ Closet Progression

2012-06-07T17:32:00.001-06:00

I wish that I could convey in words how exhausting remolding truly is. My house has been in shambles for days now. The entire house is covered in a white dust and the laundry is growing like a flesh eating disease. Overwhelmed might be the best word to describe what I'm feeling right now but I know that it is all worth it in the end. So, here is some shots of how its coming along.
Here is the mess I was telling you about. Literally covering everything!

Drywall and Plaster

Texture

Paint and Tile

Beginning of built in shelves

Funny story about these cabniets in my next post:)

Gray and white color scheme.

Figuring out the lay out of your closet is not easy! I decided that I didnt want to walk right into the closet and see clothes or dirty shoes, so I placed theses two cabinets on either side of my new fancy mirror.

Welp folks, there's some pics of my big messy adventure. More to come! x&o's Jamie

Amazon.com Widgets

Duct Tape Wallet

2012-05-25T21:42:00.008-06:00

My little girl made a Duct Tape Wallet a couple weeks ago and I have been wanting to make one for myself ever since. Today was the kids last day of school and they were released at 11:30. So I figured today would be a good day to sit down and make one of these wallets with her. We found this paisley print at Office Max and the pink at Walmart. Here is the tutorial with instruction from my 11 year old daughter:)

First things first, there is no certain way to make these other than some basic steps to follow. They can be different in color, shape and size. Just play around with it until you get just the perfect one you want. Get out a ruler, measure 8 inches and cut. Do this 4 times. Overlap those 4 pieces as much or as little as you want. For bigger wallet overlap less. Measure and cut 4 more. Overlap the same as you did the first 4 and place one set on top of other. Sticky sides together. Trim the edges.

Working hard:)

Now you should have the shell of your wallet. Fold in half long ways. This is where it gets a little tricky to explain so hopefully the pics will help. After you've folded in half,( p.s. it doesn't like to stay folded) cut two 12 inch strips and place them on top of the other. Sticky side together. Cut them every 3 inches. This will give you 4 strips. Place two on one side of the folded half and 2 on the other side. The one at the bottom, overlaping the one up top. This makes the pockets. Once you have them placed, cut a strip of duct tape and lay it down the middle to hold your pockets in place.

We are in the home stretch now. Unfold and run a strip along the bottom the length of the wallet to secure the bottom of pockets. This will keep your change or credit cards from falling out the bottom. Now tape along the sides as well. Trim any excess as you go.

When your pockets are all taped in, fold in half again. Pockets to the inside.
All done! Sit back and admire your master piece. Now all that is left is to fill it with some moolah:) This is a perfect mother/daughter project. Your preteen will love you for it:)

If you have any questions about tutorial, leave a comment and I'll try to answer as best as I can.

Have fun playing with duct tape! Jamie

Link Parties

Amazon.com Widgets

Colossal Closet Update and Photo for May 23rd.

2012-05-23T19:09:00.001-06:00

I'm worried folks! This closet is colossal in size and It's freaking me out. It's not that I don't want a huge closet, what girl wouldn't? But it's just OUT THERE, like Oh my gosh Becky did you see her....... Closet:) It's gonna be great eventually. Right now its all brand new and the room isn't square anymore and the doors are gone and its dusty and dirty. I just need to be patient and trust that my vision will turn into something amazing. Here are some pictures of the progress.

See what I mean!?!? We are talking 6x22ft. I was going to keep the wood floor but after closer inspection, I realized that the wood is running in opposite directions between the old closet and the extended part. Looks like tile is in the works now. Better get to Home Depot and pick something out quick. More updates tomorrow!

May 23rd's Photo~ Technology

To Blessed to Be Stressed! Jamie
Link party

Amazon.com Widgets