Being a girl

Ok..most people that know me would say that I love being a girl! : ) 

I do very much.

However, I over the past few years have little time or funds to really appreciate all my girliness!

I struggle to find that urge that used to keep me in the bathroom for a good hour getting ready for anything or to change outfits before finding the perfect one. 

These days I'm lucky if I'm clean, my clothes are clean and we actually make it wherever it is we are going.

Well, I've decided to change this part of me.  I'm going to spend a little more time on me...mainly because I know it will more positively effect everything else. If I feel better about myself then my relationship with my husband and kids will be better.

So for my birthday, I used my gift money to buy a few shirts, earrings and shoes to help me get excited about making sure I take a little more care of me. After the baby came I also chopped my hair off...because I like it short and I was hoping it would prevent me from putting it into a pony tail everyday. : ) It's helped a little, but I'm just not great at styling it. 

I need to get some nude fingernail polish to paint up these glorious healthy nails I've been rocking (for me at least). I know they may not last forever...and it's something I've wanted most of my life.  Never have I had nice looking nails.  They've always been thin and peel very easily.  Even in pregnancy, I just knew that prenatal vitamin would help a girl out.  But to my dismay, Miss Liv must have been stealing all the goods because I kept my horrible nails, but hers however came out looking gorgeous.  Thankfully, ever since I had her they've become quiet lovely if I do say so myself.

Now I just need a pedi, my lip gloss I'm out of, some black board shorts, personal trainer, weekly massage and stylist.  Well, I think a few of those last things were just me dreaming! : )

I do find beauty and "mommy time" inspiration from my monthly Birchbox!

Remember, my friend's awesome Christmas gift to me.

This month it was all "green" products.

So far I've only tried the lip balm and facial scrub...

Love them!!!

Over the past 4 months, I've found some fav products.

Scott even bought me perfume for V-day because I loved one of the samples so much.

Birchbox your marketing schemes are working on this old girl!!!

Here are a few pics of the loveliness that is Birchbox.

 I get so happy seeing that pink packaging knowing this awaits me.

 They always put this in here to describe the products. 

Makes it super easy if you like one and want to look it up online for purchasing.

I'm a sucker for packaging and they always do such a great job.

I'm so silly, but I like saving some of them just because it's fun to have new products to have...that way I can spread them out. Enjoy the fun for several weeks until my next box arrives.

What are ways that you pamper your inner girl?

My arms are soo full...

so many years I prayed for a child.

now I have

 not one

 not two

 but three

(oops, didn't mean to post it the other way.  thanks for all your sweet comments and help. this mama needs a vacation to get her brain working correctly again.)

three blessings

my cup runneth over

I'm linking up to Embrace the Camera

31...

This is weird.  I went to bed last night and I was just now 30.  Feeling fresh and still just a little over "i'm in my twenties." But I woke up this morning and I'm 31...i'm now entering into my "thirty something" years.  WHAT????  That was that weird show for people who looked old.  Do I look like that now?  It's kind of the reverse of looking at kids in college now and thinking they look like babies.  Know what I mean? 

Anyways, because this is how I roll....I'm going to celebrate this season even though I'm not so sure about it.  Here are 31 things about my life at 31...

1. My favorite book is Anne of Green Gables.
2. I joined the iphone bandwagon this year and I'm pretty much addicted/in love.
3. My favorite snack is microwaved pepperoni slices, cheese and kettle cooked chips...healthy, right?!?!
4. On this very day there are people meeting to decide on a court date...the actual last court date before    an adoption can take place...and they have no idea that their decision will affect the rest of my life.
5. I have like 12 different projects going on right now and none of them are almost finished.

6. The three most frequented websites on my computer is facebook, blogger and pinterest (usually in that order)

7. Sometimes I'm shocked that I'm actually a photographer...dream job came true

8. I don't have a problem getting a shower everyday, but I do have trouble fixing my hair so it just looks like I have a problem taking showers.
9. I have like a bazillion pictures to print.
10. 2 months and 3 days ago I was still growing a human...now that human smiles when I talk. : )

11.  I can go all summer on one pedicure and my toes still look pretty.
12. I fall asleep to the television.
13. I love to cook...but make some sort of pasta for 70% of our meals.

14. I always have to have a glass of ICE water before bed...it has to have ICE.
15. My favorite thing to read to my kids is The Jesus Storybook...seriously, rocks this girl's world...not just for kids : )
16. Last movie I watched was Dirty Dancing...one before that the new Footloose...think I need to go dancing sometime soon.
17. I'm in love with color, yet most of my wardrobe is black...what's wrong with this picture?
18. My favorite thing to shop for is thrift/junk store finds.

19. I still sleep in the Notre Dame t-shirt that I had in high school
20. I'm 31 years old, stay at home with my kids and still get that pit in my stomach feeling every Sunday night.
21. Yellow is still my most fav color...though turquoise, green and a sherberty peach are shortly after.

22. Loves music...specifically music with good lyrics yet rarely takes time to listen to the play lists I make.
23. I live in a tiny little brick home under 100 year old trees, with original "loved" hardwood floors and it's constantly under construction with one project after another.

24. I detest coffee...the taste, smell and my husband's breath after he's drank it : )
25. A dream afternoon would be a bookstore, some tea and a friend to flip through magazines with.
26. I sing songs to my kids all the day long...kids songs, praise songs, and even ones i've made up. I would do this even if they didn't like it.
27. My current favorite tv shows are Parenthood, New Girl and Blue Bloods
28. My husband is who I laugh with most, tell my embarrassing secrets to and have to call when something big happens...best friends

29.  I love looking at fabric....too bad I can't sew!
30.  Procrastinating is still my worse flaw... terrified I'll never shake this bad habit.
31. I need Jesus just as desperately as the day I started following him 19 years ago.

and just because...one more picture

Conquering my Ai

I'm a complete visionary. A dreamer. I get excited over ideas, plans and hopes.

The problem is that I'm not as much into the details and have a hard time carrying out my vision. Then I get discouraged and possibly almost give up.

I was super encouraged by God's word today and the devotional that went along with the text.

Here is the scripture:

Joshua 7:1-6

¹ But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the LORD burned against the sons of Israel.

² Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “^[a]Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. ³They returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up; only about two or three thousand men need go up ^[b]to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, for they are few.” ⁴ So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled ^[c]from the men of Ai. ⁵ The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them ^[d]from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

⁶ Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.

Joshua and his men assumed they would conquer there enemies in the city Ai as they'd done before. But they failed. They also didn't follow as they should...they took things that had been forbidden to take under the ban. They had failed and obviously putting tearing their clothes and putting dust on their heads showed just how discouraged they were. BUT...

Joshua 8:1

Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.

God wasn't finished. He had them go back to the place of their failure...the place where their sin got in the way of their vision. He had a different plan. Maybe to remind them to follow Him closely or that it's his timing that is best. I'm not sure, but I do know I relate so much to the Israelites.

My vision since becoming a wife and mother have been strong, hopeful things. I want to please my Lord with every moment of my day, be a helpful wife and a patient mother. I long for my husband to boast about how happy and easier his life is because of me. Or to see how behaved and joyful my children are after our day together. But the truth is I'll get excited about my duty as mother and wife....only to fall to discouragement when I fail. For instance, when I don't read the Bible to my children (or any books for the matter) during our day. When I'm short and needy when Scott gets home from his day (even though his was just as long and demanding as mine). Or if the house duties get totally away from me and I'm searching through piles of laundry for some clean panties for my potty training toddler. Many days I get up with mercies anew and dreams in my heart, only to end the day with dirty hair and sweat pants...trying to frantically clean out a sink of dirty dishes, snapping at my children as they ask me the 100th question of the hour all as my baby is crying in the background. I feel overwhelmed, tired and defeated. My sin, selfishness and failures can leave me wanting to give up on my dreams of what type of mother and wife I'd started the day wanting to be.

I feel that discouragement that Joshua felt. Though I don't tear my clothes and put dust on my head. I however might end up parking my butt on the couch for the rest of the night eating a bag of Cheetos puffs.

Praise the Lord that He is bigger than my failures and that He has even HIGHER visions for me. I was reminded that God may send us right back into the places where we failed HARD. And if you are like me...it's the very place I wake up to everyday. Take heart, Joshua and the Israelites conquered Ai. And with God's help...we can too. We may not get to every devotion for our children, we may even put in a frozen meal for dinner and we might end up loosing our cool with our husbands. But we cannot give up...because there are moments of victory. If you look real hard.

When you hear your five year old repeat something to his little sister that you've told him a billion times and were sure he'd never get it. Finding your second wind during the afternoon in time to actually make a real dinner. Quietly sitting nursing your newborn and knowing you are doing exactly what you should be at that time. During those moments of sweet laughter between your spouse and you. Being revived from God's Word because you chose to read it instead of doing something else during the children's nap. And feeling so blessed and full...that you had to immediately go and share it with someone else.

As the devotional that went with the Scripture today said....

"Return to that abandoned goal, dream or vision that is essential to your arrival on the moon (they were using the analogy of the first man on the moon mission). Face it, overcome it and conquer your Ai!

Play Date for the Mommies : )

I LOVE LOVE LOVE play dates!

They make my kids happy and they make me happy.

They get to play and I get to talk to adults.

Usually, though it's always kid related...

the place, the food and the activities.

So I'm trying to be more diligent for finding ways to make both parties happy.

For instance, my Moma, Sis and her kids came to my house for a play date.

So I decided to actually make it special for us.

I made big people food: my fav pasta salad.

It's super easy.

Mix together tri-color rotini, fresh mozzarella pearls, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, vinaigrette and a few tablespoons of zesty Italian dressing.

While I fixed lunch and the babies slept...Moma and Johnah took the big kids outside to play.

so I could finish the pasta salad

and make the kids lunches....like my little man pb&j sandwich?

: )

I even used my favorite serving pieces...

which make me happy...

my Nanny's snack plates, the vintage table cloth my Moma bought me, little bowls, nice flatware and my chalkboard glasses.

The sandwiches, I found recipe out of a Food &Family issue.

They are turkey, baby spinach, Cesar dressing and Parmesan cheese put inside a pita pocket.

It was sooo good and easy...my new go to sandwich.

oh and just because here are the baby cousins in all their cuteness!!!

I can learn a lot from my kids..

Kids are brilliant!

I've realized lately that they have a lot of what I want.

A little neighborhood girl is constantly in our yard and my kids love having a friend over.

If she sees us out, she comes over to ask to play.

They aren't biased or prejudice in whom they play with.

Maybe some kids are or they learn to be...but my kids are not.

They don't care if someone looks different, dresses weird, seems a little dirty or even when someone talks strangely.

It doesn't matter.

All they see is a playmate.

Someone to be friends with.

That is all I want.

To go through life and being open to meeting friends.

Friends that need the Lord.

That I can share His good news with.

I don't want to be distracted by our differences or blinded by my opinion of them.

It's funny that we've lived in this neighborhood hoping to build relationships that God would use us through them for FOUR years. And now it's taken our children to make this happen.

Please Lord, make me more like my children.

Bathing Beauty...

Here is my sweet bathing beauty...

taking a soaking in the sink.

i could just eat her up, she is so cute!!!

brother and sister wanted to help.

don't worry, I was close by to intervene if they got to excited splashing with their sissy.

I showed them how to be easy and drip water over her.

she just sat there and loved it!!!

here is big sister pouring the warm water over her sister.

cute little pruney toes!

she loves the warm water and is always so content.

taking a bath is hard work.

sitting here while they washed me, tuckered me out!!!

I'm loving this season and trying to take in all these sweet moments.

Mommyhood is a hard job, but it sure has lots of fun benefits!!!

Sunday afternoons

Sunday afternoons have to be one of my most favorite times.

Especially now that we can be outdoors too!

My Lilly of the Valley is up and simply gorgeous as ever.

We veg, take naps in the cold sheets (yes our ac is on) and spend lots of time together.

Oh and then this one sleeps some more. She is mega talented at winning who sleeps the most in this house.

I'm really enjoying our outdoors after all we got done to our plants and landscaping this past week.

This man worked soo hard last week on his spring break.

He even bought and planted me a cherry tree!

awesomeness

And if you can tell, this pic is an instagram

didn't want to join the bandwagon, but couldn't help and now I'm

ADDICTED! : )

if you are a fellow instagramer,

look me up, I'm sbmommytothree

What does your family do on Sunday afternoons?

Just a few more Easter pics...

This is kind of lazy post.

I haven't edited any of these pics.

I still have to get some from my parents Easter dinner/hunt because my battery died...yep. Happens to me too! I know a photographer should be a little more prepared...but it happens.

So here are a few more of our Easter celebrating!

One from our Easter basket fun...Sunday morning.

Isn't she a cool cat?!?!

My oldest girl is the biggest slacker of an egg hunter I've ever met.

Every hunt this year, she was dead last. Not because she is slow.

Because she doesn't care...she wants to open every egg and eat the candy.

yep, she's my girl!

every first is such a joy!

Thanks Nana for my bib!

The kids table with baskets and cards!

our mantel and Easter Greetings sign...love it.

$7.99 at TJMaxx forever ago.

glass vases full of cheap plastic eggs and a chalkboard platter that says,

He is Risen

Fresh flowers from a friend, bunny cake from Papa and Key

this is my favorite little plate.

All Happiness for Spring...is what it says!

sweet bunny!

I love this holiday and kind of sad it's already over.

Praise the Lord, the hope that the holiday represents is never over!

Christ has risen from the dead!

Amen!