Ladies, You Are A Treasure!
I have this quirky thing about me. I watch people's behavior and I wonder why they are the way they are. I don't mean in a judging kind of way, either. It's sincere. I'm a big believer that whatever surface behaviors I see are just the symptoms of something deeper, something unspoken many times. It's the things unseen that I wish I knew so I could be of some help some way.
Because of my own past, I'm very sensitive to this sort of thing and I often find my heart broken for other women who just don't know a better way or who can't find it within themselves to believe in themselves. Knowing I can't fix it or eliminate it, I choose to pray and say what I can {if the opportunity presents itself} in a loving way.
One thing that truly, truly breaks my heart is when I see a lady, a sister, a woman, trying to put on someone else's skin. She will admire someone so greatly that she literally tries to become her and/or outdo her. There is NOTHING WRONG with who you are. There is no need to try and become someone you can never be. That's true for friends, family, movie stars, you name it. You can only be who you are.
In a class I took recently, our teacher {and a wonderful woman, I might add} said,
Ladies, YOU ARE LOVED...just as you are...You are a treasure.
As you face the rest of your day, pick your chin up a little bit. Know that you're amazing, and beautiful, and perfect just as you are.
Because of my own past, I'm very sensitive to this sort of thing and I often find my heart broken for other women who just don't know a better way or who can't find it within themselves to believe in themselves. Knowing I can't fix it or eliminate it, I choose to pray and say what I can {if the opportunity presents itself} in a loving way.
One thing that truly, truly breaks my heart is when I see a lady, a sister, a woman, trying to put on someone else's skin. She will admire someone so greatly that she literally tries to become her and/or outdo her. There is NOTHING WRONG with who you are. There is no need to try and become someone you can never be. That's true for friends, family, movie stars, you name it. You can only be who you are.
In a class I took recently, our teacher {and a wonderful woman, I might add} said,
"God doesn't make junk. He doesn't. When He looks at you, there is a banner over your head that says, 'You are loved. You are loved. You are loved!'".How true those words are. We need to get it from our heads into our hearts.
Ladies, YOU ARE LOVED...just as you are...You are a treasure.
As you face the rest of your day, pick your chin up a little bit. Know that you're amazing, and beautiful, and perfect just as you are.
Ever Evolving, Ever Changing
We all reach times in our lives when we can feel it's time to shift into a new gear. That exact feeling is what I've been pondering presently. In more ways than one, I know something new is on the way for me and my family.
In the fall, I'll begin homeschooling my little ones and I'll be spending this summer in preparation for that. This is an obvious gear shift, though. It's something that's been on my radar for a few months now.
I feel the big changes live under 2 different umbrellas...and can mean many different things for my family. The first is our house hunt and the second is the son or daughter who only lives in my heart for now. We continue to search for the home God has for us. It seems that they're selling pretty quickly...so quickly that the most recent one we saw was pending an offer the very day we saw it {probably as we were looking at it. lol}. This house hunt is teaching us how to wait on God's leading so we're thankful for the process. And yes, I did say something about adding another child to the family. This is not a biological child, though. This is the child we will adopt.
My heart feels so heavy for this 4th child. I'm not sure where he or she will fall on our timeline but I know that I'm already in deep thought and prayer for him or her. The possibilities for this addition are many. We could adopt after getting settled into our new home or as late as when the kids are grown and gone...only God knows when. But the thing about this unknown child is the hubster and I have wanted him or her since before we had our own children. Yes, this has been on our hearts for around 6 years now.
The anticipation of all this change is so high for me right now. It's like the last bit of "clicks" up the hill before going over the edge on a roller coaster. I'm excited for the new things coming our way and wonder what it all means.
In the fall, I'll begin homeschooling my little ones and I'll be spending this summer in preparation for that. This is an obvious gear shift, though. It's something that's been on my radar for a few months now.
I feel the big changes live under 2 different umbrellas...and can mean many different things for my family. The first is our house hunt and the second is the son or daughter who only lives in my heart for now. We continue to search for the home God has for us. It seems that they're selling pretty quickly...so quickly that the most recent one we saw was pending an offer the very day we saw it {probably as we were looking at it. lol}. This house hunt is teaching us how to wait on God's leading so we're thankful for the process. And yes, I did say something about adding another child to the family. This is not a biological child, though. This is the child we will adopt.
My heart feels so heavy for this 4th child. I'm not sure where he or she will fall on our timeline but I know that I'm already in deep thought and prayer for him or her. The possibilities for this addition are many. We could adopt after getting settled into our new home or as late as when the kids are grown and gone...only God knows when. But the thing about this unknown child is the hubster and I have wanted him or her since before we had our own children. Yes, this has been on our hearts for around 6 years now.
The anticipation of all this change is so high for me right now. It's like the last bit of "clicks" up the hill before going over the edge on a roller coaster. I'm excited for the new things coming our way and wonder what it all means.
Paint Chip Bouquet DIY
Are you looking for a completely cute but inexpensive gift to bring to a teacher, friend, or hostess? I have JUST the idea for you {and it's not too shabby, if I do say so myself}.
I wanted to come up with something clever that was my friend's style so I could have something to give her when my family went to her home for a visit. I know she likes the paint chip DIY projects on Pinterest and I prefer to bring flowers. Combine the two things and, "Voila!" you have yourself a neat little DIY gift.
What you'll need:
3. Holding the rolled up paint chip tightly, tape it into place.
4. Gently pull out the separate pieces to open up the flower and then run your thumbnail along the back of each piece to give it a slight curl.
5. Put the straw in the bottom of the flower and...
And that is my finished look!
Alright, now. Go create some of your own and have fun!
I wanted to come up with something clever that was my friend's style so I could have something to give her when my family went to her home for a visit. I know she likes the paint chip DIY projects on Pinterest and I prefer to bring flowers. Combine the two things and, "Voila!" you have yourself a neat little DIY gift.
What you'll need:
- Paint chips {good news! These are free! Just don't go crazy, mmmkay?} I used the Behr paint chips that are short and wide.
- Scotch Tape
- Floral Tape
- Straight Drinking Straws
- A Vase {I picked mine up at the dollar store!}
And should you choose to make a little personalized note like I did, you'll need a machine that can embroider letters.
- Take the paint chip and cut some fringe on this. Now, I did this by hand with scissors but some crafters have handy, dandy paper cutters that may be able to do this a lot faster.
When I cut the fringe, I tried to make sure the cuts ended at the same point and were about the same width.
2. Tightly roll up the paint chip, colored side in, along the portion that was not cut.
3. Holding the rolled up paint chip tightly, tape it into place.
4. Gently pull out the separate pieces to open up the flower and then run your thumbnail along the back of each piece to give it a slight curl.
**For variation in size, I cut some paint chips to be a little smaller.
**Now...it's time to grab your floral tape and straws.
5. Put the straw in the bottom of the flower and...
tape it into place.
6. Twist the floral tape tightly around the base of the flower and all the way down the straw.
At this point, your flowers are good to go! I had to add a finishing touch to my project, though, as it was for a dear friend. So, I grabbed yet another paint chip and headed to my Brother Laura Ashley Innov-is machine.
This is what I made. {The scripture referenced here says "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you".}
So, by selecting "Character/Decorative" on the touch screen, I found letters to use,
typed it out,
and that was it! I trimmed the threads, cut it down to size, added a couple hole punches, and tied it with ribbon to the vase.
And that is my finished look!
Alright, now. Go create some of your own and have fun!
Putting HUGGIES To The Test! {review}
When it comes to diapers, I'm pretty picky. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg but I also need to consider my kiddos. For example, my second born child has very sensitive skin. It seemed most diapers gave her a rash and we had to stick with a brand we could trust. HUGGIES is a brand that never upset her skin or gave us a problem otherwise. Since learning that, we've bought this brand time and time again with confidence.
I was recently sent the new Snug & Dry diapers to try with Mikayla. Since she's 4 months old, she's not very mobile. However, she does lay down on her gym mat, sit in her supported seat, ride in a baby carrier, and spend a lot of time in her car seat as we travel around. Some of these positions put us at risk for a "blow out" situation but I can tell you, I never once had a problem with these diapers while trying them out. There were no leaks, no rashes, and Mikayla seemed quite comfortable in them. These diapers feature a leak lock system that locks wetness away to prevent leaks. They also have a SnugFit Waist to get the best fit possible.
In addition to the diapers, I was also sent wipes to try out. The One & Done Refreshing Wipes I tried out were scented with Cucumber and Green Tea. The scent wasn't overpowering at all and was actually very clean smelling. Beyond using them for diaper changes, I used the wipes on hands and faces as well. What I like about these wipes is that they're thick so they can handle a big cleanup while being gentle enough for delicate bottoms.
What do you look for when choosing diapers/wipes for your family?
Psst...Keep up with HUGGIES on Facebook and Twitter.
**I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central for Huggies. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.
We're Growing Butterflies With Insect Lore!
So, I told you all about how we're going to begin homeschooling in the fall. My son will be in Kindergarten but we want to do learning activities during the summer months as well to get us into the swing of things before we officially begin. One of the ways we're doing this is by using the Butterfly Garden Pavilion from Insect Lore.
Our kit arrived not too long ago. Inside, we found 2 jars of caterpillars, 5 in each jar, the butterfly pavilion, and special instructions on how to care for our caterpillars, their chrysalises, and the butterflies. Also, there was a great catalog of items available from Insect Lore. Alex wants one of everything, I think. That makes me excited to try different kits as we go through our homeschooling years.
These tiny caterpillars came with their own food. All the kiddos had to do was handle the jar carefully as they observe their new friends. At the top of the jar is paper for the caterpillars to attach to when they're ready to form their chrysalis. That paper is then removed and pinned to the inside of the pavilion.
There is a zipper on top of the pavilion to make attaching the paper an easy task. Just open it up, pin the paper to the side of the pavilion, and zip it shut.
And when we need to add food to the pavilion for the butterflies to eat, I can open the bottom zipper to safely put food in without disturbing the butterflies too much. {Our butterflies haven't arrived yet but I'll be sure to share photos once they do.}
The pavilion neatly collapses to make storing it away easy. This means we can use it year after year!! I'm really happy about this and my kids are loving the experience so I know they'll look forward to doing it again.
Here is a look at the instructions that come with the caterpillars. I like the pictures included as it helps the little ones understand not to put them in the sunlight and what the caterpillars will look like when they're ready to form their chrysalis. There are also some fun facts about Painted Lady butterflies in the booklet. Alex is still in awe at the fact that they have 10,000 eyes. {Me too!}
Our caterpillars grew and grew! Then, they began to form chrysalises and I was able to transfer them to the pavilion.
I was waiting on the caterpillars in the second jar to finish up. Surprisingly, we still have one caterpillar that is not in a chrysalis yet. I call him a late bloomer or "slow to grow" while Alex calls him Wilbur since it's a "runt". lol
We have had so much fun so far with watching our caterpillars grow and make their chrysalis. It was exciting every single time one caterpillar began to transition into the next stage. As I said earlier, I'll be sure to share photos once the butterflies emerge.
Whether you're homeschooling or not, this is just too miraculous to miss. I give Insect Lore and their Butterfly Garden Pavilion two thumbs up! The experience is amazing and we're having a great time learning about the life cycle of a butterfly.
Buy It! You can purchase your own Butterfly School Kit with Live Caterpillars for $52.99. There are other kits available as well that are not as large or as costly.
**Thanks to Insect Lore who supplied the items to facilitate this review. I wasn't compensated in any way for this post. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the items mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**
25 Years Of The Graco Pack'N Play {GIVEAWAY!}
Alright, mamas...or mamas to be...it's time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Pack'N Play from Graco! For 25 years, they've been providing a cozy place for little ones to rest and play while also making it portable so it can be used anywhere. The Pack'N Play has become a "Must Have" on Baby Registries and is probably near the top of any expecting mom's list while she's preparing for baby.
This year's newest style of the Pack'N Play is the Playard with Reversible Napper and Changer {pictured in Soho Square}. While I've never used this particular style, I've always used a Pack'N Play with my little ones and have loved the convenience of owning one. We've used ours in the home, taken it to use in a 5th Wheel Camper, used it in a hotel, and while visiting with family at a park and in their home. It's been used for naps, playtime, and diaper changes. Really, I can't imagine parenting through babyhood without a Pack'N Play.Here are some fun facts about the newest Pack'N Play for you {courtesy of Graco Baby}
MSRP: $99.99
Available: Online and in stores at Babies ‘R Us, Target, Walmart, Amazon.com, GracoBaby.com, Buy Buy Baby and specialty retailers
Features:
- The first playard to feature a reversible napper
and changing station, all-in-one
- Toy bar features soft toys to amuse baby
- Removable, full-size bassinet provides an
extra-comfy spot for infants to nap
- Convenient carrying bag for no-fuss travel and storage
- Beautifully-styled, soft fabric cuddles baby for
naps while the wipe-clean fabric resists messes
THE GIVEAWAY!!
As a proud member of Graco Nation, I have been given one Pack'N Play Playard with Reversible Napper and Changer to giveaway!! {Pattern preferences can be requested but not guaranteed to be in stock.}
Join In The American Girl Read-A-Palooza! {giveaway}
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| photo credit: American Girl |
This summer, American Girl has launched a Read-a-palooza, aimed at girls ages 8-12, in an effort to encourage literacy and support the cause of Save The Children's U.S. Literacy program. By visiting AmericanGirl.com/reading, you will find bookmarks to create, ideas on how to begin a book club, a schedule of free reading events at your local American Girl store to fill up your summer, and more! American Girl also offers a large selection of books to choose from in topics like fiction stories to craft ideas and beyond.
Also, when purchasing books on American Girl's website, keep in mind that $1 from every book sold will go to Save The Children's U.S. literacy program {from now until Sept. 3}. So by stocking up for the read-a-palooza in your home, you're also helping to make a difference in the lives of little ones who live in impoverished communities and are in need of learning materials. I love this idea and see it as a "win, win" for all who want to get involved.
THE GIVEAWAY!!
American Girl wants to help get one of you off to a great start for a Read-a-palooza in your own home! The winner will receive the books pictured below {a $60 value!}.
**Thanks to American Girl who supplied the items to facilitate this review and giveaway. I wasn't compensated in any way for this post. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the items/event mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**
Her Essence Is "Joy"
I just had the most fun experience with my little Mikayla and I, like a good blogger, wanted to come here and share it right away.
Before I get to the sharing, though, I want to just chat about little "Mik" for a moment.
This girl...
She is her mother's daughter.
She looks like me and I'm beginning to see sparks of my personality in her lately too.
In a conversation the other night, the hubster was talking about the difference between Mikayla and Eliana. Our Eliana is a sweet, sweet girl. She's very loving, loves to take care of everyone around her, and has this contented spirit about her. That's not to say her big brother can't ruffle her feathers and get her mad from time to time. That's just to say, she's overall a very pleasant little girl. {And she's a girly girl too!}
Mikayla? We describe her as being "pure joy". She just oozes this essence of joy and it is very contagious. When she smiles, look out. If you were trying to stay in a bad mood, you just can't after Mikayla smiles.
What is so wonderful about the hubster and I landing on the word "joy" when talking about Mikayla is a memory of mine from my childhood. I had some pretty cool Aunts, Uncles, and cousins growing up but one of my favorite homes to visit was that of my Dad's sister Carol and her family. This family knew how to have fun and knew how to laugh...oh, how we would laugh when we got together.
I remember this one time we arrived at their home. I went up to say "Hi" to my Uncle Eddie and he smiled and said "Hi, Joy". I laughed and corrected him to which he responded that I was the one who needed to be corrected. When he saw me, he saw joy.
Now, I was very young when he said that and as you can see, I carried that with me throughout my life...even through those really ugly times. When my Uncle saw me, he saw joy. I hope people still see joy when they look at me but I'm just tickled to see it in my Mikayla.
Speaking of "Joy", I was supposed to share some with you. {My apologies for it being so shaky. I was laughing so hard. LOL}
enJOY!
Before I get to the sharing, though, I want to just chat about little "Mik" for a moment.
This girl...
She is her mother's daughter.
She looks like me and I'm beginning to see sparks of my personality in her lately too.
In a conversation the other night, the hubster was talking about the difference between Mikayla and Eliana. Our Eliana is a sweet, sweet girl. She's very loving, loves to take care of everyone around her, and has this contented spirit about her. That's not to say her big brother can't ruffle her feathers and get her mad from time to time. That's just to say, she's overall a very pleasant little girl. {And she's a girly girl too!}
Mikayla? We describe her as being "pure joy". She just oozes this essence of joy and it is very contagious. When she smiles, look out. If you were trying to stay in a bad mood, you just can't after Mikayla smiles.
What is so wonderful about the hubster and I landing on the word "joy" when talking about Mikayla is a memory of mine from my childhood. I had some pretty cool Aunts, Uncles, and cousins growing up but one of my favorite homes to visit was that of my Dad's sister Carol and her family. This family knew how to have fun and knew how to laugh...oh, how we would laugh when we got together.
I remember this one time we arrived at their home. I went up to say "Hi" to my Uncle Eddie and he smiled and said "Hi, Joy". I laughed and corrected him to which he responded that I was the one who needed to be corrected. When he saw me, he saw joy.
Now, I was very young when he said that and as you can see, I carried that with me throughout my life...even through those really ugly times. When my Uncle saw me, he saw joy. I hope people still see joy when they look at me but I'm just tickled to see it in my Mikayla.
Speaking of "Joy", I was supposed to share some with you. {My apologies for it being so shaky. I was laughing so hard. LOL}
enJOY!
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