Getting there.

I would love it if eventually my home was organized and decorated all cute. This is my dream and I know once we buy our own home and I feel like we're going to stay put for a while I will be decorating and creating things for my home like crazy! For now I look at pictures of other peoples homes and droole and dream. We'll get there and when we do the girls will be old enough that I can put "pretties" out and not worry about it getting broken. Kylie is crawling everywhere and soon will be pulling herself up on everything... I remember this stage like it was yesterday with Mya. I even had to get rid of my coffee table because it was a hazard. --> up side: more space in my living room. (Trying to look at the positives.) The day when toys are not covering every inch of floor will come, but by then I'm sure I'll have baby fever. lol. I'm sure someday, hopefully someday soon, I'll get around to all those projects I've been working on... Preject Life, the girl's scrapbooks, the lamp made from a metal bucket, and the frame with chicken wire as backing so I can hang my pictures! Hey, if I'm going to dream I'm going to dream big! 

Cultivating A Good Life.

"Part of cultivating a good life is determining at least one thing you can do today that will make it a better day than yesterday." -Becky Higgins

Love this quote! The last few weeks haven't been easy but I won't complain because I am thankful for all the things I learned from my experiences. That quote has been on my mind day after day and making everyday better than the last. What a joy! Spending more and more time with my girls always helps make my day brighter, or eating right and going for a run, or working my hardest to serve others and bless someone else. These are a few things I've been doing to make each day better than the last. What will you determine to do today so that today is better than yesterday? 

 

Joy.

The house is quiet this morning. It feels strange. It makes me think of what life will be after all the kids move out. Somedays, I'll be honest, I can't wait for that day to come. (Those are the days I usually call up my mom and bag her to take the girls and don't give them back until they are under control. lol) Other days, which is most days, I'll think I will miss them and miss hearing them laugh, cry, needing me, hugging me, and all the other little things we do together as a family on a daily basis. I feel so blessed to have married my best friend and know that we can make it through anything, and the beautiful babies we created just add to the happiness I feel when I think about my life. I can smile. A smile seems so simple but there is power in it! It can brighten someone's day, or make someone who is crying feel better, or build a connection. So smile about your life because everything works out in the end. When it seems real hard and you don't see an end to the madness, someday you'll look back and be happy that you had that experience because I bet you learned something about yourself you never knew. I know I do. So find something that makes you happy and hold onto it during the ups and downs... you'll need it to see some calm in the storm. For me it's Jesus. I cling to him at all times. He brings peace and understanding in my life. What brings you joy?

I hope everyone has an awesome day.

Blessed Beyond Words.

I have a BIG vision! A big vision will result in big results if I commit, stay excited, and push threw! I stinkin love my job and I'm so happy God has brought this blessing into my life. He knew I would need Premier. Seriously, ever since I've started selling Premier Jewelry I've seen God's hand more in my life than ever before. I'm loving it! 

I got a phone call from my brother today (he's in Afghanistan right now). That made my day until my phone died on him. Seriously, my phone is always dying. LAME! Anyways, he is coming home soo soon... I just can't wait! My little brother is one of the coolest guys alive! If you don't know him then you're missing out!

On another note, everyone have a blessed day!

Oh How He Loves Us.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"

How many times do you check yourself in the mirror daily? How many times do you make a negative comment about your body? If you're anything like me it's too often. I am critical about my outward appearance when clearly that does not define who I am. I am an unique individual full of gifts that the Lord has blessed me with but I let my insecurities hold me back too many times. This is so silly to me when God clearly states that the heart is what matters. So I'm getting to the bottom of why I do this to myself...

I need to get over myself and being so concerned about what others think of me... So hard when this world is geared toward looks but that doesn't mean it can't be done. I need to be secure in who God has made me to be... live out the plan He has created me for. He does have a plan for me and I can't wait to unfold it... He IS working on me daily, molding my heart to look more like how He wants it to look.

Dropping all judgement and just loving others. Encourage one another. My challenge this next week is to compliment someone not only on their outward appearance but also on their character every chance I get. What will you do this week to encourage someone?

A New Adventure.

So I held a Premier Design Jewelry show at my home and came to the conclusion that being a stay at home mom is right for me. SOO I quit my job and became a stay-at-home mom and jeweler. That's right, I am now selling Premier Design Jewelry! I'm super excited for this and I'm so happy to be back home again with my girls. It's weird that I have to adjust back to being a full time mom. lol. I did it for the last 2 years and I get a job for 2 months and it I have to relearn how to keep my cool so I will be a HAPPY mommy. lol. I think this will be the perfect balance for my family. I get to pick my own hours and get out at night to hang with the girls. =) Please keep me in your prayers as I am training and trying to kick off my new business! I'd appreciate it!

I'm sure I'll be doing some giveaways on here too. Now what woman doesn't want free jewelry?!?

P.S. Mya just put a hole in her balloon and is now crying that "it broke... Baby did it." Baby is taking a nap. LOL. Everyone have a great week!

TA-DA.

WARNING: Today's post is going to be all over... random!

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July! Mine was great even though I had to work. We had breakfast at my parents where I made breakfast pizza (mmmm) and then after work I rushed over to my in-laws where my family was and watched the fire works with everyone. It was worth the rushing around to get there... Mya was adorable. She oooed and awwwed and gasped. Love her.

On another note, I never let you all know how my 5K went... well, I made it without stopping to walk although some of the time I was running as fast as the walkers. lol. So happy that Marcus did it with me. He stayed by my side the whole time encouraging me and pushing me. Half way through I turned and said to him, "I'm going to die!" He just laughed and told me to "pick it up". lol. I really didn't want to let myself down and I didn't. I'm proud of myself for doing it. I loved every painful moment.

So a funny Mya story... Mya and I had a mommy daughter date the other night (because I messed up on dinner. lol.) and as we were waiting for our food I asked Mya, "How old are you?" "Two," she said. Then I asked her, "What's your name?" She answered loud and proud, "Princess!" I couldn't stop laughing. She is in the stage where she says the funniest things all the time. Let's not forget about Kylie... =) She has two bottom teeth and just started eating baby food. She is in love with her food and wants to feed herself already. She has the cutest smile, you can see her two bottom teeth.

I also just recently had a Premier Designs Jewelry party. It was a lot of fun... getting free jewelry is always fun. right ladies? Anyways, I'm thinking about becoming a consultant. I really love their jewelry and they are an awesome Christian company. If you could all keep me in your prayers about this, I'd appreciate it.

One more random thing... A NEW RECIPE!!! Made Cookie Dough Cupcakes for my jewelry party and they were sooo delicious.

For the cookie dough...

2 sticks of softened butter
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
4 tbsp. milk
1tbsp. vanilla
2 c. all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. mini chocolate chips

Combine butter and sugars in a mixing bowl and cream on med-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

For the cupcakes...

1 box of white or vanilla cake mix {along with ingredients for the mix}

FREEZE THE COOKIE DOUGH

Let cupcake cool a few minutes then core the middle of the cupcake and pipe the cookie dough into the middle. Let them completely cool then frost with vanilla iceing. Add mini chocolate chips to top it off.