a flower in the rain

{the october dress project} Day 1, 2, & 3

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 01:38:00 +0000

The October dress project is something that has been done before, but this is my first year participating. I am so excited to be stepping out on a limb, going out of my comfort zone, and doing something so simple, yet so beyond... me.

For 31 days I am wearing the same dress. Every day. It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Jesus. He calls us to be less so He is more. To do less for ourselves and more for others, so I, and a bunch of my friends, are doing something. The ODP is part of a larger event called the 12 x 12 Project (see the page on FB for more info) and this is the first month. In addition to ridding ourselves of excess this month, we will be raising awareness for the people of Uganda. While we live with abundantly more than we could possibly need, there are people around the world starving, without homes, clean water, and basic necessities.

While it is easy to seem like one person can't make a difference, I beg to differ. Even small purchases, like my dress from One Mango Tree, contribute to changing lives. This company makes clothing from seed to sew and supports women fairly so they can take care of their families.
You can do it too!

I have two friends whose families are both adopting two little boys from Uganda. How awesome is that? It has been amazing to follow their stories the past few months and has stirred my heart for international adoption. They are changing the lives of 4 little boys. Those little ones will never be the same because of these two families obedience, sacrifice, and most of all, their love. Could you help them on their journey? If you are interested, comment below and I will let you know how YOU can help and be a part of their journey.

It is not to late to be a part of these projects. We would love for you to join us in the adventure of a lifetime. But whether you participate in 12x12 or not, don't be content to just sit back and go along for the ride. Step out in faith and dare to love those who have no voice. Be the hands and feet of Jesus. Reach out to the "least of these".

much love,
bc

Day 1:

Pink Tank, Black Flats, Uganda Bracelet

Day 2:

Yellow Scarf, Black Flats

Day 3:

White Tank, Blue Uganda Beads, Gold Sandals

{Treasure every moment}

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 13:45:00 +0000

[Apparently, I took a summer break from my blog.

I can't believe it's been four months!]

Every once and a while, the hubs gets really sentimental.

Last night was one of those times.

He practically had me in tears, but reminded me of something valuable.

(hey, it happens once and a while)

It is so easy to get frustrated and see how busy we are

and how our kids don't eat or sleep or calm down or help or

keep their room clean or keep your house clean or

leave you alone for five minutes to use the bathroom.

But…

One day they will grow up.

Your influence in their life will be greatly diminished.

Your time with them will be greatly diminished.

And you. will. miss. this.

They will go off to college but you will remember taking

them to their first day of preschool.

They will get married, but you will remember dancing

with them in your arms in the living room.

They will have children of their own,

but you remember a tiny baby nestled in your arms.

You will miss snuggling your little one at

1:00am and again at 4:00am and 6:00am.

You will miss hearing the scrambling little feet that found you

when you were hiding for just two minutes of peace and quiet.

You will miss the 400 questions every day from your preschooler.

(I promise, you will)

And you will miss the days your kids just needed to snuggle on the couch

even though you had 1,000 other things to do.

So, don't view them as interruptions or inconveniences, they are blessings.

Sometimes you will have to look really hard to see the blessing.

Like when your daughter decides to color on her light bulb

and almost sets her room on fire.

Take each moment

and treasure it.

Our Accidental Butterfly Garden

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Last year, we planted a few butterfly plants in our raised bed in the back yard.

Among those we planted was a milkweed bush.

Towards the end of summer the seed pods burst open.

We had fun blowing the seeds all around the yard and watching the wind carry them everywhere.

I knew that they wouldn't sprout in the yard because Josh mowed regularly (haha.)

In our back yard, there is a small section that sits between the fence and the house, and apparently, doesn't get mowed.

Imagine our surprise when we happened to glance around the corner and found this.

The milkweed seeds had gotten trapped in this corner and

this year sprouted into a bountiful butterfly garden!

I guess I should be glad my hubby wasn't mowing back here?

Its been fun every morning coming out to hunt for caterpillars.

There are tons of Monarch caterpillars munching leaves everywhere.

We get to see them eat, grow, build their chrysalises, and then hatch and test out their new wings!

Its been quite the educational experience for Madi. Homeschooling at its finest! :)

The very hungry caterpillar.

Searching for a good chrysalis making spot.

When they make a "j" and start getting darker, you know they are making their chrysalis.

Chrysalis almost ready to hatch!

It's empty!

I couldn't catch a picture of the new butterfly. It was very skittish and as soon as it saw me flew clumsily away.

Isn't this cool though?

If you'd like to come visit, just let me know! :)

much love,

Redeemed {Review and Giveaway} ((closed))

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to
MANDY
You have won the Redeemed Wallet!
(winner chosen by RaffleCopter with random.org)

Redeem. To pay off, buy back, recover.

All of those, and more, describe what Jesus did for us. He paid the price for our sin. He LOVED us so much that we were worth dying for. He redeemed us from our sin. He paid the price for our eternity.

We are beautiful, valuable, loved, treasured.

I am so thankful to be reminded of how important I am to my Savior.

I was contacted by Dayspring to do a review of their new Redeemed Makeup Bag and Wallet.

They are awesome! Not only are the patterns beautiful, they are embroidered with scripture.

The makeup bag has inscribed "truly beautiful Ecc. 3:11" and the walled has "truly treasured Rom. 8 28".

They are both made from glossed canvas and oil cloth.

Take a look.

The makeup bag is roomy and can be used as a clutch also. Or, if you are a mom, a nice little take along wipe and diaper case. :)

The wallet has a snap enclosure and an adorable chevron pattern across the front. It has just enough room for some, important cards, and if you are lucky enough to have some, cash and change! :)

Don't you want one? You'd like the chance to win the Redeemed wallet?

Well, enter here! (winner must cover shipping costs)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was given the products by Dayspring to review for free and all opinions are my own.

I love Lakeland.

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:38:00 +0000

As a teenager, which is pretty normal, I couldn't wait to get out of this city! I thought there was never anything fun to do and I was always soooo bored.

But now, as an adult, wife, and mother, I love Lakeland! It is such a great mix between a big city and a small town. And while yes, the ever increasing traffic is giving my patience a run for the money, there are so many things I love about it. I have lived in other states so I know what else is out there, and nothing has felt like home quite like here.

I LOVE that almost anywhere I go, I run into someone who I know.

I LOVE that we have events like First Friday, Pics on the Promenade, and a great Christmas Parade where the attraction is more the fellowship beforehand than the actual parade.

I LOVE that I have a group of friends who we have grown up together and now are having babies together.

I LOVE that my husband is a pastor at the church where we have attending almost our entire lives and now, where my children are growing and learning.

I LOVE that I live in central Florida and the beach is an hour in either direction.

I LOVE that the weather is beautiful, and while this summer promises to be scorching hot, we don't have to shovel several feet of snow. Ever.

Most of all, I LOVE that I am growing my family surrounded by a great community. A "village", if you will, full of church family, MOPS family, friends of all ages, and an ever changing flow of people God puts in our path to serve every day.

I don't know why I felt the need to write about this, but if you are a part of my Lakeland family, or anyone we have had the privilege of crossing paths with, know that we love you and are so glad to have you as a part of our life.

thankful,

Purity - Fighting for Our Children

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:28:00 +0000

If there was ever a topic that is near and dear to my heart, it's purity.

My husband, Josh, and I dated for over 6 years and we were able to exchange vows to one another on our wedding day knowing that we kept our hearts and bodies pure for one another.

This world is trying to steal the purity of our children. It doesn't just start once they become teenagers. We have to begin praying, teaching, and guiding our kids from preschool age. We have to fight for our children. We cannot just sit back and let the world decide what they learn and know. The media, even some "children's" programming, is saturated with sexuality. It teaches our young ladies that is ok to show off parts of their bodies and boys and girls that there is nothing wrong with exploring sexuality before marriage. Satan will use whatever means necessary to steal a generation from knowing and loving marriage the way God intended.

Seeds Family worship has long been a favorite in our house. It is plain and simple. Scripture set to music. Word for word, without extra fluff.

Its great, not like those annoying children's songs that make you want to pull your hair out. Instead, I enjoy listening to it right along with my children.

Seed has just come out with a Purity album. {{Big Smile}}

I have only listened to one song, but its fantastic!

They are marketing it to youth aged children, but there is no reason preschoolers cannot begin to hide these words of purity in their hearts.

The entire album is just $9.99 and you can purchase it here:

http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/purity-album

If you would like to receive a free download of the song "Your Word" and a free devotional download,

you can take the Parent's Purity Pledge here: http://parentspuritypledge.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3k1/

Teaching purity won't be taught in schools and it isn't the sole responsibility of the church,

it begins in our homes. Pledge to begin instructing your children in purity.

Teach them that real love and lasting relationships don't come from anyone else but Jesus.

much love,

Valentine's Day Strikes Again

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:15:00 +0000

So, Josh and I don't have the best luck with Valentine's day. I know some people are of the mindset that you should show love all year long and that it is silly to celebrate such a holiday... but we are of the mindset that we do show love all year long and Valentine's day is a special day set aside to celebrate how blessed we are and how much we love each other. You can't plan special dates, surprises, and buy flowers and gifts every day; at least, we can't, we don't have the money to. So, a couple of times a year (like valentine's day and our anniversary) we treat and spoil one another. :)

Anyway, Josh was determined that this Valentine's day would be different... seeing as how our past history included no dinner reservations, trying to make reservations a few days before, failed back-up plans, or nothing at all. And people, that went on for 12 years... This year, Josh made reservations (!) and he made them 7 weeks in advance (!!), which was a miracle in itself. He didn't tell me any of the plans just that we'd be gone for several hours and to wear something dressy.

Valentine's day just happened to fall on a Tuesday and you all know that means its a MOPS morning! So, the day begins with a special MOPS. We had a couples panel (3 couples) that answered a few questions and shared about their Godly marriages and how they handled different circumstances through the years. While one couple was sharing, in comes my husband with 3 dozen roses, a giant bunch of balloons, a card, and a box of chocolates. Now, mind you, this is in front of about 70 ladies. I was blushing as red as the roses he brought in, but can I tell you, it was the sweetest thing. He strolls in looking as proud as a peacock and I am a little shocked that he even attempted such a thing. It was a little out of character for my man, but completely and utterly wonderful. The flowers were beautiful and the card, perfect.

That was just the beginning of the special day he had planned.

Following MOPS we went to lunch with some friends and then I ran out to find something to wear. I found a beautiful top at Versona - I love that place!- and then I raced home to get ready. I spent the normal amount of girl time getting dressed and fixing my hair and then by 4:55pm I was ready to go.

Now, the babysitter had arrived and received instructions and we were all set to jet. He walked me to the car and in my seat was another rose waiting for me. Then, we got on the road and headed to Orlando. I knew this was going to be a night full of sweet surprises.

I wish I could say the night continued in lovely bliss as we drove into the sunset, but alas, it was not meant to be. Headed down the parkway, I get a call from the sitter. My dear, sweet, precious son could be heard screaming in the background. The sitter informed me that he wouldn't drink from his bottle and was now inconsolable. After sharing all my tricks of the trade to get him settled down with no results... we had no choice. We had to turn around.

It was on the drive home that my husband informed me of the plans he had for the rest of the night. Dinner at my favorite restaurant, Seasons 52, a table reserved on their back deck overlooking the lake so we could watch the sunset together, dessert, and then to see a movie I've been looking forward to for months. Awesome, right? Yeah, thats what I thought too.

So, while Josh was canceling our reservations, my thoughts were swinging between love for my precious husband who went through so much trouble to make the night special, sadness for what was not meant to be, and thoughts of peril that I might never be able to leave my son again, that I would forever have a permanent accessory... (haha).

We get home and neither of us could get Jake to drink the bottle. I was trying to refuse giving him exactly what he wanted, because I still wanted my hot date. But, he wouldn't take it, and I'm not going to let my son starve. He ate and as soon as he finished we, the three of us now, went on the prowl for a something to eat. Now, remember that Josh and I are dressed quite nicely: he in a suit jacket and me in my dressy black pants and new top. Of course, we all know, me especially, that you cannot get into a restaurant on Valentine's day, even more so a nice place. We quickly eliminated the obvious non-contenders like Bonefish, Louie Mack's, Carrabas, then eliminated the second place choices like Outback, Mimi's, and Abuelo's, and then realized we didn't have many options left.

And then we saw it. That famous (at least around these parts) little man wearing an apron and a cowboy hat. Oh yes, we were so going to do it. We are going to eat at this barbecue joint wearing our dressy best and toting along a little munchkin who was not on my favorite list at the moment.

Our valentine's day dinner was going to be Sonny's.

We walk in amid several people wearing jeans, shorts, and t-shirts and are given slightly confused glances. We put our name on the list because even Sonny's is on a short wait, and then step back to wait our 10 minutes. We even see a couple from church sitting across the room so we go over and say hello, and then resume our wait. Now, the humor of the situation is not lost on us. We stop and laugh every few minutes. And my poor husband ruminates on the fact that he actually planned valentine's day this year and we are still eating at Sonny's. There is nothing wrong with Sonny's, we eat there on a regular basis. But it wasn't a place that had any special meaning to us. And didn't exactly strike us as romantic.

By the time we were seated, Jake, our little third wheel, was asleep. And y'all, can I tell you that what followed was the BEST date we have been on in a very long time. As a part of MOPS we are doing the 4 great dates and we were on date #1. We had a fantastic night of conversation, fun flirting, and we reconnected in a way that we've needed. Looking across the table at the man I married, eating a "big deal", I fell in love with him all over again.

We ended the night going to Walmart to get Ben and Jerry's and a movie. I know, the date locations just keep getting better, haha.

After getting home to put Jake to bed, we snuggled on the couch while our babysitter (who was also my sister) snuggled in the chair beside us, and watched Inception.

The perfect Valentine's day.

Shatter the Box

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:08:00 +0000

What a great day it has been today! After taking a small hiatus from the blogging world to thoroughly enjoy my new baby boy... I was inspired today to share with you a small excerpt from our MOPS this morning.

A friend of mine shared with us today about the incredible things God is doing in her life and how He is using her family in incredible ways for His glory. She shared with us how we often put an invisible box around God and keep things need and tidy in our relationship with Him. Yes, God is good, yes, He loves us, yes, He takes care of us... and we completely miss out on how INCREDIBLE He truly is. We forget about how huge and awesome He is. How He is able to do more than we can possibly imagine. That He is still performing miracles - even healing the blind and sick - all around the world.

We need to SHATTER THAT BOX!

Are you limiting God in your life? Do you really believe that He is all powerful?

Do you live like He is all powerful? Do you believe in faith that He can actually

do what you are praying for?

Do you risk everything that you have and step out in faith every single day?

I know this is something that I need to work on.

I would like to share part of her notes:

"The issue comes down to how much of ourselves we invest in Jesus.

Have we held some back for ourselves - just in case He's not as real,

as powerful, as active as we thought? Just in case He doesn't come through?

Just in case He can't be taken at His word?

Or have we banked everything we have and everything we are on the

reality that Jesus Christ is Lord of all the earth?"

God is who He says He is.

He is unchanging, worthy of our trust in Him, and ALL POWERFUL!

Trust in these things and don't let your fear or doubt hold you back!

God has called us to so much more.

much love,

Betty Crocker Giveaway Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Congratulations to

Amy Dearie!!

You gift pack should arrive in 2-3 weeks :)

The 20 Hour Giveaway! A Gift Pack from Betty Crocker

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:04:00 +0000

Warm your family’s hearts and home with a fresh-from-the-oven treat that won’t have you spending hours in the kitchen. New Milk Chocolate Traditional Brownie mix from Betty Crocker^® can help you simplify your brownie baking regimen and get a head start on homemade.

Betty Crocker has remade their brownie mix, but don't worry, it's better than ever!

I was sent a box of the new mix and Madi and I enjoyed making them together. They were delicious - so moist and chocolatey. Would you like to try them too?

The holidays are filled with desserts of every kind...
add to the Christmas cheer with some brownies!

Enter this giveaway...
all you need to do is leave a

comment with your favorite dessert and you are entered.
This is a quick giveaway so tell your friends to enter before its too late!

If you win, you will receive a Betty Crocker Apron, a 9x9 pan with lid, a box of Betty Crocker's new brownie mix, and a red melamine mixing spoon. Everything you need to make these brownies but the eggs and water!

Giveaway ends at 4pm Friday afternoon!

Disclosure: The product, information and prize pack have been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.

{my baby} Jake Timothy

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:38:00 +0000

Well, it's been several weeks since I have blogged anything, and that pretty much has to do with my new little bundle of joy - Jake. Adjusting to a life with a preschooler and newborn has been tough, but I think we are finally getting into the swing of things. And I didn't want to post about anything else until I had posted about him!

Jake was born October 14th at 8:30 am weighing 8 lb 5 oz and measuring 21 1/2 inches long! He was a big boy for being a week early! After a routine c-section I spent 3 days in the hospital and came home Monday morning. The recovery wasn't too bad and at the end of two weeks I was having to slow down and remind myself that I had just had major surgery!

I will post a more detailed "birth story" later on, but for now, I just want to share some pictures of my new little guy. If you follow me on facebook, you've already seen them, but if not... here you go! (And yes, they are done by my most favorite photographer - Kellie Day. See more about her here.)

I have to include one of the proud big sister... :)

Well, I hope you love him as much as I do!! :) I can't wait to share plenty of sibling adventures in the near future.

much love,
bc

{baby jake} The Nursery - Part 3!

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:43:00 +0000

Ok, so since the last post, I have added a few more things... mainly all the stuff that needed sewn. I am still on the hunt for a small, dark wooded table to use as a side table, so if you see one for cheap (or free!) let me know. :) And I need to find a lamp for those late night feedings. But, I am so pleased with how the rest is coming along!

I am very proud of myself for my newly acquired sewing "skills". I use the term skills very, very loosely. My friend Steph came over and helped me figure out how to get the bobbin right and thread the machine... try not to laugh too hard at me. And once she got me set up on that, I was on a roll! I made a nursing cover (which I need to take a picture of and post!) and my most adventurous project was slipcovering the old glider chair. Remember what it looked like? See it here. And look at it now! A vast improvement. And if you don't look to closely at the slightly uneven seams, it looks great! And the color looks very close to the inspiration photo.

This side of the room as a whole is looking pretty good. The crib bedding is in and though the sheet isn't exactly the right color, it still looks good. I haven't had a chance to sew one in the right fabric. :) My Grannie Verne sewed the bumper pad and the crib skirt and they turned out great!

See... I told you this side is looking a lot better.

The white trees are coming for the wall behind the crib, I just haven't ordered them yet because we haven't had a chance to put them up. And, its not exactly pertinent to Jake's care.

I do have the pieces to make the mobile, I just keep forgetting about it. If I can summon the energy tomorrow, I will make it and then have Josh hang it up!

Madi wanted a picture by the bed, so of course you know I have to include her cute self. She is thrilled to be a big sister on Friday! Please note the new pumpkin earrings. Its the first time they've been changed out since the initial piercing a couple of months ago and she is so excited. I do make her put the gold studs back in each night though.

Well, I might post about Madi and my special lunch tomorrow, but if not, the next time I do will be after baby! I can't believe Jake will be here in less than 36 hours. We can't wait!

much love,

{baby jake} 38 Weeks!!

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:12:00 +0000

Well, it's finally time! In 3 days, baby Jake will be here! I still don't know what time yet, but I will find out Thursday... its funny that I won't know the time until the day before. Lol.

I have been having some really random thoughts lately and I'm trying to reign them in, but ya know, last month hormones are a little crazy. Enjoy -

-My dreams lately have been terrible, when I can sleep, but what can I do? I only have about 3 shirts that still fit. I toss and turn all night long so I end up not having covers or taking them all from Josh... haha... but its ok, because I am going to have a baby in 3 days!

-I go between being calm and being anxious with thoughts of the surgery Friday, so I could definitely use prayers on that front, but I know that God in in control and everything will go according to His plan. And, I am in such capable hands. My doctor is a Christian, so I know that the entire procedure will be bathed in prayer. And my closest friend in the world (also a mother/baby nurse) will be right there with us just to keep her eye on things. :)

-We finally have a full name for the Baby Jake... barring any mind changes (again) between now Friday... and we love it because his initials will be the same as Josh's... J T C. :)

-I cried at the most ridiculous movie this weekend. Real Steal. Who cries at a movie called Real Steal? Me apparently. Well, pregnant me. But there was a really touching scene between a father and son, and you know... it needed some tears.

-The nursery is almost finished. Minus about 3 things. (whoo hoo!) I am ever so grateful to my family and friends who have helped clean, helped sew, and helped me become addicted to my sewing machine. :)

-I cleaned out the car and got it all beautiful only for Madi to dump about 30 books all over the back seat again. But, better books than cheerios and milk.

-I am trying to rest this week, but its hard! I have so much to do! In fact, I am missing my MOPS friends at this very moment in hopes that I can rest and get a few little things done.

Well, I am sure you are bored with my ramblings, so thank you for reading! I can't wait to share pictures of my beautiful baby boy. And, before then, I will update you on the nursery status.

much love,

{baby Jake} The Nursery - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Well, with Jake's arrival imminent, I am trying to tie up loose ends... and the nursery is definitely one of those.

We have the furniture in, its just the accessories that need polished. Here are a couple of pictures as it stands now, and I will fill you in on what is missing. :)

On this wall you will notice we are missing: the big white trees (they are on their way... ), curtains, the bumper pad (we have the fabric, now it is being sewn), the mobile (I am making it this week), a small table by the chair, a slipcover for the chair (which hopefully I will be able to sew this week with a little help from my friend), and a lamp. Whew, I am tired just thinking of all that. But it will get done! And if its not done before he gets here, that's ok.

This side is a little more finished. All that is missing is hanging a couple of the pictures that are sitting on the shelf right now (who knew frames came without a picture hanger), a few accessories to put on the shelf (it is really hard to find cute owl things that aren't cartoonish), and I need to make the mobile to hang above the changing table. This side is more done. :)

I am excited with how things are turning out and pretty excited that it ~~actually resembles~~ is the same color as the inspiration photo a little. I would eventually like to get a rug for the center of the floor... but, it doesn't have to be 100% completed before he gets here. Good thing too, since that is just over a week away!

Well, I hope you like it!

much love,

Fun at the Corn Maze

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:52:00 +0000

I have been wanting to go to a corn maze during autumn for a couple of years now, but the timing/location never really worked out. This year, however, I was so excited to hear about Cornfuzion Corn Maze! It is located in North Lakeland, off of Old Polk City Road.

We had a great time and the weather could not have been better!

Click on the collage to enlarge the pictures.

Madi was estatic as soon as we got there. She had been talking about going for days and Josh and I were glad to see so many activities for her.

-Playing in the corn pool was awesome... and a great idea. It's a lot less messy than sand!
-She loved the little train ride - and the fact that she got to go all by herself.
-The jumping pillow was great fun. Madi ran, bounced, and even played tag with Daddy.
-We went on a hayride, which toured around the middle of the farm around the 8 acre maze, and Madi enjoyed her snow cone enroute.
-After the hayride, Madi took a picture with the pumpkin truck and picked out two small pumpkins - one for her and one for Jake. :)
-There was a place to race rubber ducks with water from the water pump. It is hard work and Madi persevered until her ducks made it to the finish!
-And finally, we went through the corn maze. The corn wasn't as high in places as I was expecting, but it turned out to be a good thing. When we were looking for a way out, it was nice to be able to see over some of the stalks to look for another path. :)

It was a great family affair and was the perfect way to spend the day. Madi was worn out which, if you know her at all, is always a good thing. I highly recommend that you take your family during October! You can see their information on facebook here.

I hope you are enjoying the semi-fallish weather. For Florida, anything that is less than 90 degrees feels great!

much love,
bc

Why I Am Having A C-Section....

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:15:00 +0000

Now, this might be too much for some people to read, and that is ok.

If you don't like medical stuff, then you probably don't want to read it.

However, many people have been asking, so I wanted to clarify why I am having a c-section with Jake. :)

Madi was delivered naturally (even without pain meds!) but, during my pregnancy, the doctors discovered a fibroid tumor on my uterus that grew increasingly larger as I progressed. By the end of the pregnancy it was bigger than Madi's head. Because the pregnancy hormones caused it to enlarge, we were hoping that once Madi was born, it would shrink down again. When I went back for a check up a couple of months after Madi's birth, the doctor did a check and the tumor had not shrank any, in fact, he thought at first that I might have been pregnant... not what you want to hear when you just delivered a baby two months ago... haha.

So, because the tumor was so large and could cause further medical issues, especially if I were to get pregnant again, it had to be surgically removed. The surgery, whoo hoo, ended up being like a c-section. Instead of having two horizontal scars (one outside and one inside), like you would with a real c-section, I have a horizontal scar outside and a vertical scar inside. Because of the vertical scar inside, the likelihood of a uterine rupture at the scar site during labor is increased to a 10-12% chance and that is just not worth the cost.

Thus, we are having a c-section on October 14th. Its kind of nice to be able to know when the baby is coming. I can make sure everything is ready and we can plan our schedule a little bit. I am a nervous about another surgery, but I know that God is looking out for the both of us and keeps us safe in His arms.

Your prayers for a safe delivery will be greatly appreciated!

Oh, and there have been no tumors with this baby, yay!

much love,

Capturing Memories

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:59:00 +0000

Almost four years ago, a friend of mine began taking pictures professionally and I asked her to take some of my then 1 month old little girl.

Kellie Day Photography

She did more than I ever expected or imagined and has continued to do so ever since.

Recently, my friend Kellie (and team) took pictures of our family and then some of my expecting self, and they turned out so beautiful that I just needed to brag about her a little bit. Kellie and her husband Clint are the incredibly talented photographers behind Kellie Day Photography, and recently, Brittany (Kellie's twin sister) has joined them. Together they take some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen.

Here is a little collage of a few from our most recent photo session. (Yes, my precious little girl has grown up a lot from that little cutie in the photo above.)

Kellie Day Photography

Words cannot describe how thankful I am to have Kellie, Clint, and Brittany in my life. Their ability to capture precious moments in our life and preserve them with such artistry and beauty means the world to me. If you ever need someone to take pictures for you, there is no one I could recommend any higher. They are gracious, kind, and beyond talented.

Thank you Kellie and Kellie Day Photography for being a part of my family!

I love you all,

My First Football Game

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:28:00 +0000

I really don't know what I am going to do in five weeks once I can't blame pregnancy brain. I guess then it becomes newborn brain, then toddler brain, then pre-teen brain, then teenager brain... Hey, I'm good for a long time! lol.

Sunday, I went with my husband to the Bucs game in Tampa. I was so excited to spend quality, uninterrupted time with my husband and to go to my first NFL football game ever, that I totally forgot (or completely disregarded) the fact that I am almost 9 months pregnant.

Let's just say that sitting in the very top of the stadium, in 103 degree heat, in direct sunlight while very pregnant probably wasn't the best idea I've ever had. I may or may not have had to get up and seek shade and shelter after the first quarter.

My poor husband had to get up during the second quarter and come find me to make sure I was ok. But, it wasn't just me. There were tons of people everywhere feeling the effects of the heat. Even the football players. But hey, carrying a growing baby has to be more taxing than running around on a field in who-knows-how-many layers of padding and uniforms.

I must say, seeing as how it was the 10 year anniversary of September 11th, they opened up the game in a very special way and I am so glad we were there to see it. Thousands of people singing the national anthem and paying respect to those we honor with that day was pretty cool. They even spread a flag over the entire football stadium. It was moving.

But, the Bucs didn't even play well. Don't tell the people we were sitting around, but we were rooting for the Lions anyway. Josh has a slight crush on Chris Johnson. :0)

I enjoyed spending time with my husband- even if it was super hot, and my heart was racing, and I couldn't stop sweating. (they wouldn't let me bring in my mister fan. it could have been used as a missile. you know me...) Josh could have asked one of his guy friends to go, but instead was thoughtful and kind and sacrificed his precious tickets for me. :)

Love you babe!

Cleaning Below the Surface

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:12:00 +0000

We've all had those days when we're a little behind on house cleaning and then realize company is coming in a couple of hours. So we pick up here and there and then do a quick surface clean - just enough to make the house look like it’s clean without really get down deep.

I often have spiritual revelations in the most odd situations, but as I was cleaning the sink in Madi's bathroom (with a Clorox wipe, just enough so that it looked clean) I realized that often we do this with our lives. We struggle with sin in our life, but instead of "deep cleaning" our heart and getting rid of the root of the problem, we just do a quick surface clean. Erase the signs people can see in our lives and then just ignore the heart of the problem.

Psalms 51:10 says, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." God wants to help us clean out the root of our sin and not just it's manifestations in our life.

As moms, its hard to teach this concept to our kids. We want them to obey because they love us and because they want to honor God. But in their eyes it often translates to obedience because they don't want a time out or consequence. It's so typical of humans. We are sorry because we get caught. So we straighten up and put on a good front for the world to see without ever addressing the real issues.

I want Madi to obey out of a clean heart and pure motives, but half the time I don't get it right. I want to keep my heart pure before God, without sinful motives behind what I do.

So, today, as you are cleaning your house or washing dishes or even working, check your heart and take a good look. Are you just wiping away evidence here and there or have you really gotten rid of the root of that sin in your life?

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up"

1 Thessalonians 5:11

much love,

{baby jake} 31 weeks!

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Holy cow! 31 weeks!

Time has been flying by and now seems to be dragging... but its a good thing since I still have yet to do anything to the nursery since painting. We finally got a dresser yesterday and we are working on the crib. We drove all the way to Ikea last night to get one and they have had to send all their cribs back to the factory to get some kind of safety label put on all the boxes. Fun times.

Baby Jaker (as Madi calls him) is growing strong and healthy! We recently had some 3D/4D ultrasound pictures done and it was precious to see him. I can't wait to hold him in my arms! Check out this picture... as soon as the ultrasound technician turned on the machine, his first look was a smile for his mommy and daddy.

Isn't he precious? And yes, his nose is looking a little squished in this picture, but its just because it was sticking out of the frame a little bit.

So anyway, this pregnancy is going well. No swelling, diabetes, or any other issues. I don't feel like I am HUGE yet, but I know thats coming. Of course, not having a giant tumor this pregnancy probably helps (more on that in another post...)

Maternity clothes are starting to get tight... and baby Jake is riding low, so that makes shirts quite difficult when they don't want to cover the bottom of the belly. :)

Madi is so excited to meet Jake. She talks to him all day long including giving him hugs and kisses constantly. Every doctor appointment she asks if its the day he's going to come out, and is slightly disappointed when I let her know its not time yet. Hopefully this excitement continues once he is born and demanding a lot of my attention. I think she is going to be a big helper though.

We are so blessed and cannot wait for this little miracle to join our family!

much love,

Back in the Swing of Things

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:58:00 +0000

Our summer has been anything but boring, in fact, we have never been gone/traveled as much as we have this summer!

However, life is about to get even more crazy and hectic.

Josh is starting his second master's degree (yes, he is crazy) on Monday. So, because he is driving to Tampa for school 3 times a week, he will be gone all day Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (because of church), and then Friday mornings - and throw in the normal work hours Thursday and Sunday. It is going to be tough to be a single mom those days. Not to mention, a newborn baby boy is arriving in the middle of October, so that will add a nice little bit of extra chaos to the mix.

I would definitely appreciate any prayers you can throw our way. Mainly for sanity and that we will still be able to spend quality family time together in between church, homeschooling, daddy's school and homework, MOPS stuff, a new baby, and everything else that's contained in a day.

How do you balance life's craziness? Let's pray for each other!

much love,

Our New Adventure/My New Job

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:24:00 +0000

We have been praying for weeks for God to provide a way for us to make some extra income to alleviate some of our financial needs, and he opened the door in a unique way. He introduced us to a new friend and she in turn introduced us to Body By Vi. If you have heard of it before, you don't have to keep reading, but if not, I'd like to share a little bit about it. I promise I am not going to start filling my blog with it, but I would like to share one time.

(PS - If you do stop reading now, please at least pray for us as we start this journey...

but I would like for you to keep reading!! :) )

Body By Vi shakes are not only great for weight loss, they are also great just to keep you healthy. Madi loves having one for breakfast, and I, even being pregnant, enjoy one for breakfast also. They have the nutritional equivalent of a meal with 8500 calories and over $100 worth of food all packed in to one delicious shake with less than 250 calories. Josh has been drinking the shakes for over a week now (consistently) and has lost over 5 pounds. The shakes are so easy to drink because there are so many different recipes; you never get tired of them! In fact, there are over 400 recipes already and even more being added daily.

If you are curious as to how they taste and live in our area, I would love for you to come by our house for our introductory shake party on Saturday August 20th at 2pm (let me know if you are coming!) or just email me/comment and I can mail you a sample packet that includes a sample of the shake mix and a couple other goodies. :)

Body By Vi has done a lot to make the shakes affordable. For every three people you get started on the BBV shakes, you get yours free! And, the shakes are affordable on their own.

Right now, the company is doing what they call the "90 day challenge" which gives you a discount on the products. And enters you to win great prizes from Visalus.

- If you are interested in weight loss, you would replace two meals a day with shakes. That package is $99 a month - which averages $1.50 a meal! (a huge savings on groceries)

- If you are interested in just maintaining nutrition or maintaining your weight, you would replace just one meal a day. That package is $49 a month.

- If you are interested in adding nutritional vitamins and supplements to maximize your weight loss, those packages range from $150 to $250 a month.

There are thousands of success stories I can share with you, but its always more effective for me to see it. I encourage you to check out my website: bcranor.bodybyvi.com. You won't believe those before and afters, plus, there is a TON of information on there.

And if you are ready to join the challenge, get to that website!

much love and thanks for reading,

Seventh Generation Diaper Giveaway Winner! :)

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:42:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone who entered.

The winner is...

Akritical

Congratulations!

Stay tuned for more giveaways. :)

much love,

{{Closed}} Seventh Generation Diaper Giveaway!!

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:01:00 +0000

Seventh Generation has redone their diapers. They were kind enough to send me some diapers to sample and I am excited to share with you.

See what they have to say about their product:

With the same great performance that parents have come to expect from Seventh Generation, Free & Clear diapers have a brand new look that makes it ‘clear’ what makes them so special.

What Seventh Generation leaves out is just as important as what they put in. Free & Clear diapers do not include chlorine processing, fragrances, latex and petroleum based lotions. In an effort to contribute less overall landfill waste and continue to ensure a premium standard of absorbency, the new Free & Clear diapers have been redesigned with a lighter-weight core. With processed chlorine-free wood pulp in Free & Clear diapers, Seventh Generation also makes certain that no chlorine is released into the environment during the totally chlorine-free (TCF) whitening process of the diapers and training pants. Seventh Generation has also reduced the size of the diapers’ plastic packaging, meaning that each pack now contributes even less overall landfill waste than before. In fact, Seventh Generation Free & Clear diaper packaging can now be recycled at local supermarkets where plastic bag recycling collection boxes are available.

And because they are so wonderful, MyBlogSpark and Seventh Generation gave me a sample of the diapers to try. Now, my baby is still growing and won't be introduced into this world until October, so I had a couple of friends try them out for me. They all agreed that they were very absorbent and while not the most stylish of diapers, they worked just as well as huggies or pampers. They also liked how they were made without dies and chemicals. One friend whose son has very sensitive skin, noticed less diaper rash.

Would you like to try out a pack of free diapers? Yes, that's right... FREE DIAPERS! There are 4 ways to enter this contest:

1) Required Entry: Comment on this post and tell me what kind of diapers you usually use and then why you would like to try Seventh Generation and what size you would need - 2, 4, or 5.

Additional Entries:

2) Subscribe to my blog or leave a comment saying you already do!

3) Tweet/Facebook about this contest (or both) and leave a comment letting me know when you do. (Good for up to two additional entries - one for twitter and one for facebook)

The contest will end next Tuesday August 9th, so spread the word to all of your friends!

much love,

Disclosure: Thank you MyBlogSpark and Seventh Generation for sharing the diapers with me. Then opinions expressed are mine and my friends.

Going on a trip - Why I am going to MOPS convention.

noreply@blogger.com (the Cranor Family) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:22:00 +0000

This has been a crazy summer of travel for our family between vacations, student camp, and mission trips. And Wednesday I am leaving my precious husband and daughter for four days to travel 12 hours in a van to Nashville, TN. Being 7 months pregnant, I am sure it seems kind of crazy to travel such a long distance by car, but I assure you, there couldn't be a better reason.

My friend Ida and I get the privilege of coordinating MOPS at First Baptist Church this year. MOPS is an incredible organization dedicated to one thing - making sure no mom is alone. If there is one thing I hear from moms who are now grandmothers, it's that they wish something like MOPS had been around when they were parenting their children. MOPS is a place where mothers of preschoolers can come together and be refreshed and renewed just by spending time with other moms.

But, for Ida, myself, and the entire MOPS organization, it is so much more than just a mom social club. It is about reaching out to moms in our community who don't have the support we do. Its about showing moms that joy can't be found in circumstances and people alone, but in Jesus Christ. We are determined to make a difference in our community and not just to reach one another, but reach out to those in our city for Him.

I joined MOPS two years ago and my life has been forever changed. Being a mom can be a lonely job. You are cooped up in the house with people who are shorter than you. And while you can carry on a "conversation" with a 3 year old, answering "why?" for the 1000th time that day gets a little old. When I found MOPS Madi was 1 1/2. I was very lonely. I didn't have a lot of mom friends, let alone friends who understood what I was experiencing. MOPS gave me a place to study God's word and gave me friends who were in the exact place I was. Moms who are parenting children and trying our hardest to mold and teach them to grow in Jesus. I can't imagine my life without this wonderful group of ladies. It is an honor to be leading this wonderful group of women and it is a privilege I don't take lightly.

That is why I am going to MOPS convention. This is not going to be just another year of MOPS for us. God has given us a strong and clear vision for this year. We are going to do everything in our power to make an impact on women's lives... and by going to convention, we are equipping ourselves to do just that.

There is nothing magical or any special formula. We are going to pick up our knowledge from convention, fill our hearts with the vision of this ministry, and then bring it home and love on some mommas.

Now, don't let me fool you, I am also going to convention because its FUN! There is something special about being with a group of like-minded women. Women united by a love of moms and Jesus. When I experienced it last year, I couldn't wait to come back! And I can't wait to travel with my friends to Tennessee. We are going to have an awesome and, I'm sure, crazy time. I can't wait to come back with stories to share.

So, even if you can't make it to convention this year. Why don't you go to mops.org and find a group of moms in your area to join? If you live in the Lakeland area, check out our blog at mopsatfbc.blogspot.com.

much love,

PS - See why my friends Ida and Jennifer are going to convention!