Hibernating Bear

Lately, I've been feeling like a hibernating mama bear!

I did have strep throat this week and CANNOT sleep at night very well.

I can however fall asleep anywhere else.

Watching a show with the kids, in the shower, in the car waiting for L to come out of school and maybe even standing up.

Don't worry, I don't let myself fall asleep when it could be dangerous : )

I know God is preparing me for when little Liv arrives.

So I'll take naps right now whenever I can.

It's hard growing a human.

: )

I feel so connected to her these days.

I know her schedule and feel her move according to the way I move.

7 more weeks.

I can hardly believe it and am so excited for her to be here.

We are so thankful to the Lord for a healthy pregnancy.

Every doctors appt. has been easy peasy because she always says we are right on track with everything looking great.

My sweet husband took the picture above of me and it really gets my sentimental pregnancy hormones going.

I prayed a long time for this pregnancy and I want everyone to know that I praise God for such an answer to prayer.

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139: 13-14

Oh Glorious Day

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. Ps. 51:12 We are getting ready to have a "revival" of sorts at our church. It is actually called the "Why Jesus" Community Event. But needless to say the pastor has been preparing the members to be preparing personally and asked us to invite others to attend. We've had a focused prayer time with our small group, sermons and a prayer outline given to us. It has had me reflecting on my own devotion to Christ and my love for the gospel. I'm pretty sure most people that knew me would say I'm a Christian and some would say I'm vocal about my faith. But do others see the AMAZING and AWE INSPIRING work of salvation in my life? Have I lost the excitement or joy of my salvation? I want to say no because I'm thankful everyday for the work of the Son of God in my life. I am constantly encouraged by the grace covering my sin daily and the hope I have because of Christ. My dependance on the Lord is heavy most everyday. So I would say surely I still have the excitement and joy of my salvation. But if I did wouldn't I share more of my faith with anyone I come into contact with. I always talk to anyone who will listen about my husband, kids and family. Because I love them and I'm always excited about what is going on with our lives. I guess I wonder if I really had a LOVE for the gospel that has forever changed my life, wouldn't I be sharing it just the same as I do with stories of the funny things my kids have recently said. I have to say music is a huge way that makes my heart flood with emotion towards this beautiful story of redemption. I love the "gospel song" Glorious Day by Casting Crowns. It is actually an old hymn put to new music. I love this song and LOVE when we sing it at church. It is such a blessing to my heart to hear again over and over the love the Savior has for us. Here are the lyrics and I pray it blesses you. May you joyfully share the gift of Life with Christ with others as God brings the opportunity.

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a Virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

'Cause living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
[- From :http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/glorious-day-(living-he-loved-me)-lyrics.html -]

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore

Death could not hold Him
The grave could not keep Him from rising again

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far awayRising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day, oh, glorious day

Oh snow days, how do I love thee....

Let me count the ways....

*The best reason is... Daddy is home!

*Sleeping in under warm covers.

*Daddy getting kiddos up and making breakfast so I can get up slowly : )

*Coloring with my newest FAVORITE product...Color Wonder!!!

Seriously, try these.

*Lounging around cuddling on the couch with my man while the kiddos play around us.

*Helping mommy!

*Making cookies. There is actually a LONG story with this part of the day, but for times sake...let's just say the cookies eventually got finished.

*Playing out in the snow with Daddy.

*Getting out LOTS of energy.

*Mommy getting to stay in where it is nice and warm just watching out the window.

*Getting my kitchen clean and getting ready ALL BY MYSELF in complete quiet.

*After coming in from the snow, heading to Great Harvest for an awesome lunch.

*My fav sandwich....I used to get this a LOT when the Man worked there.

I miss it! : (

* Enjoying eating lunch together, during the week with all three of my favorite people!

*Ahh, playing hard in the snow produces the BEST naps.

*Like the "we are so worn out, I think we'll sleep 3 hrs." kind of naps.

Mommy and Daddy love these kind too!

*Snow Days don't always bring friends/family over. But since this was pretty much nothing but maybe 1 in.... we were excited to keep our plans of watching Fynn and Iylee!

She is soo precious.

*And cousin play time is the BEST! They ran ragged all night long together.

What a great {snow} day!

Artland!!!

I love doing fun/creative things with my kids.

Especially, when they are free!

Artland is something our local Art Museum does for our kids.

It's a free activity where the children can do an art project.

They get to color and draw on a big easel.

He LOVED it!

They also made a Valentines card for someone.

He gave his to his little sister.

How sweet is that?!?!

I love his creativity and what he is into drawing.

He always asks me to help. I'm often informed the picture needs at least one snake, some worms and a spider! I love having a BOY!

The fun of being a girl!

I have to say I love my son.

He is so much fun! Creative, curious and a constant source of laughter.

Our lives wouldn't be the same without him.

But I also have to say I'm very excited about raising daughters.

sisters.

I love being a girl. I loved growing up with a sister.

I loved having girl friends be a MAJOR part of my life through childhood and high school.

I loved having TEN different girl roommates in college.

and I loved living with several of my good friends while I was single after college.

I also love my husband and am so glad that He made me his bride.

However, I have missed living with girls just a tad bit.

I have missed the late night chat fests, pedicures, sharing clothes, giggling till all hours of the night, praying together, helping dress each other up for important events, decorating together and just huddled on the couch watching a chic flick while reading magazines.

I'm so glad that I'll get to do most of these things with my daughters.

I know it will be different, but we will get to share a lot of fun of being girls together.

I really see Miss "E"s girly factor setting in.

She loves dolls and babies of any kind.

She likes to dress up and change clothes often.

She always wants "wipstick" and make up that I use.

I told her a few days ago that I was going to "do" her toes and she wouldn't let me forget.

She kept asking me when I was going to "do" her toes!

So welcome the other portion of our girl club....

all the more pink, giggles and sweetness is all the more fun!

A few of my favorite things edition!

Over the weekend, we were busy but home a lot too.

I thought I'd take a few pictures of a few of my recent favorite things.

Cannot get enough of this smell.

Eucalyptus Spearmint

I'm not sure whether it is because we've all been having sinus problems or because it's winter, but I'm in love of with this fresh...make you really breath product.

This is another pregnancy craving.

I'm addicted to this cereal and so is the Man (not sure what his excuse he has).

We go through a box pretty quickly.

For Christmas, we got the wonderful gift of Apple TV and then subscribed to Netflix.

It's amazing to have all sorts of things to watch when you want (we don't have dish or cable).

I've been watching lots of Bones and the Cosby Show when the kids have gone to bed!

Found a new flavor of soft lips I can't live without.

My fabulous honey put this in my stocking.

Winter Mint

You think I've got a thing with mint or what?

Please share your new favorite things.

I love me some good products/food!

Finally following up...

Finally following up on a picture and old blog post that I promised to give more info on.

I always say I'll tell more about this or do a whole post on that...but usually forget to do it.

But this one didn't get past me! : )

My sweet bestie, Rach gave me the coolest Christmas gift.

Birchbox

Pretty much what this is... a poor woman's dream!

They send you HIGH END samples and fancy products each month.

I LOVE fun and expensive products, but cannot justify buying expensive face masks or polish.

Birchbox sends you about five product samples in the cutest packaged box for only $10 a month

And my friend got me a YEAR subscription!

Holy cow, that's a lotta love and a very happy me!!!

This was my first box.

It included:

1. Jouer- Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink : )

2. Laura Geller - I-Care Waterproof Eyeliner

3. Oscar Blandi - Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo

4. Harvey Prince - Yogini (perfume)

5. Prep ShowStoppers - Designer Fashion Tape

6. Recharge EBoost - Orange Natural Energy Booster

And that was just my FIRST box.

I cannot wait to get my January box....woo hoo!!!

Another cool part of Birchbox is that you can answer questions to help them send you samples that are most like you.

Anyways, check out BIRCHBOX, you'll LOVE it!

I carry your heart

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)There is something beautiful about sisters.

I honestly can't sum it up any other way, than she is always there.

No matter the moment, she shares it with you.

Every sorrow and joy isn't felt alone.

Never pretending to be anyone but yourself because she already knows all of you.

I'm so thankful to have my sister.

It was a joy to be pregnant together.

It's an even greater blessing to introduce my sister's daughter, Iylee Dale.

Welcome to the world little one.

Your cousin and best friend will be following soon.

Making the Walls come alive

I'm pretty sure my title of this post sounds like a horror film!

haha!

Ok, so I haven't really been hearing my walls talk or anything else that seems creepy.

I just meant, I had this wall in my living room that was blank after moving some furniture.

The Man and I envisioned many possibilities for it, but never could make up our minds.

I scoured magazines and pinterest with no hope of what I was imagining.

This is often my downfall. I dream something glorious only to not have anything to go off of when actually putting it together. Usually, that adds up to disastrous for me.

Anyways, finally we just went with it.

So what do you get when you put nasty 2x4 boards

A few hours of sitting and working sanding blocks (throw in a pregnant woman's stiff back/legs)

and finally lots of paint=

No more boring, blank wall!

Here is a shot of the whole collage.

So pretty much we just took some old 2x4 boards we had and my fabulous, F-I-L, Herman cut them into squares for us. Then I sanded them as smooth as I could (I kind of liked them to be a little rough...the texture was cool). Painted the squares, modge podged pictures on them and voile...custom wall art! I had thought about ordering photo canvases, but it would have been super expensive. This cost almost nothing! : )

Here is a side shot from the hall looking into the living room.

We were soo happy with the way it turned out.

It's nice having another place for pictures and add pops of color to our room!

What do ya think?