Sunday, October 20, 2013

Oh life

Well I'm doing it. I'm doing life.

Took Melody to Disney World for the first time. Se absolutely loved it! And so did I! Really hoping we can go back soonish!











We also now have a TON of pins, but we love them.

I have also made pillows for my couch.

A wreath for my door that stills needs to be hung up.

Some little monsters for our windowsill.


And also glittered a pumpkin.

I also have the most adorable child ever. Like really.




Sunday, September 15, 2013

Deciding to be better

I still haven't been around much but I'm still working on coming back. I'm supposed to be getting married next Saturday. I have my dress, his ring, my garter, and 400 napkins with our names and the date. And I haven't heard from him in 2 months. I'm just trying not to think about it. I have a wonderful baby girl and a good job. I have learned to be independent and to rely on myself. It is hard not thinking of the way things "should be" or "would have been" but God has this and His way is the way things should be. I'm okay. Also my parents are taking lovebug and I to Disney World next week! Cause no one can be sad at the happiest place on earth, and I have to say I am pretty excited.

I also found a "Dear Me" challenge I'm going to start doing.

Day 1: Write to yourself about 10 things you love about yourself, 5 personality and 5 appearance.

Personality

  • Patient
  • Determined
  • Ambitious
  • Faithful
  • Humble
Appearance
  • Eyes
  • Freckles on my nose and cheeks
  • Hair
  • Nose
  • Legs

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Mug swap 2013

This year I participated in the mugswap, I love mugs like a lot. I collect the Starbucks mugs from different cities and I just have a thing for mugs. But sadly my kitchen storage space is limited so I had to cut down greatly on my mugs. I've been looking for an excuse to get more and this seemed like the perfect one!

I went to Etsy, Starbucks, and all the little shops I could find to get that "perfect mug" for the blogger I was paired with. I finally found one at Tuesday Morning (you need to go if you've never been to one.)

But I wanted to mention the one that was paired with me. Ashley really went above and beyond with this and it just means so so much. Not only did I get a mug
with an owl on it nonetheless! She also sent me a book to help me through my break up 
And even a wonderful bible for Melody!!
So Ashely if you see this I just want to give you a huge thank you, your gift has been such a blessing and actually made me cry. 

Monday, August 19, 2013

Home management binder



I finally managed to create a home management binder and I must say that I'm in love with it! It took forever finding the printables I wanted (please don't ask me to do it again, but I probably would try!). I have five sections; daily (this includes the quote, daily tasks, to do, cleaning sheet, and chore chart),









then there's important information which includes health information, emergency contacts, and this lovely "kids information" sheet.

Next up is food! We have the meal planning work sheet, pantry and freezer inventory list,  and a refrigerator and freezer food life span cheat sheet.
We also have the reference section; how to get stain outs, things in season, and my bible plan.
And last is the bill and budget page, which I sadly still need to fill out.


Do you have a home management binder? What are your favorite things in it and has it been handy?

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Be soft

"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place."

I never realized how hard that was to follow. This has been my mantra for so long and sure it's difficult but it's never been as hard as it it now. "Do not let the world make you hard," is so so hard. Especially when the whole world seems to be against you. Marriage? Nah your fiancĂ© will choose to leave 2 months before the wedding. Here's a job that'll give you a discount on your kid, but you'll always butt heads with your coworker and you won't make enough to support yourself at all. Friends? Hahaha that's funny. 

How do you stay soft and sweet? Everything is telling me to turn my heart to stone, to become bitter and hard. Life is much easier that way. 

"Come to me all who are burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11-28

And that is how we stay soft and sweet. The world may tell us to be one way but what's the point of living if you're bitter?

Monday, August 5, 2013

Picking myself up

I'm meeting with the boy tomorrow, I haven't seen him in 3 weeks and he's barely talked to me. I have never felt so defeated and lost. My whole world is falling apart. And I've been sad, really sad lately. I have BP2 and now this on top of it is making life so hard (thankfully I've finally started to look into getting professional help.) But then I remember "If God is for me then who can be against me?" His strength rises when all else fails and He will never leave me. It's still hard and that doesn't fix anything but it gives me some peace to know I'm not alone in this.

And then I remember them.
My girls. Most single or double orphans. My girls whom have no parents. Are completely hopeless. My 6-9 year old whom have been raped, starved, and beat. My girls whom have every right to hate the world. But they don't. I went there to give them hope, to spread love, and teach them about the Father they never have. I went there to give them life. And instead they're giving me all of that and more. 

Life is hard. Life is crappy. Life seems impossible. But you just have to keep going, no matter what.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Zulily

I just want to mention how much I LOVE Zulily (I am not being paid or endorsed in any way to make this post). THey have everything from clothes to shoes to furniture to books to kitchen essentials. And everything is on sale and oh so cute. I wish I had so much more money so I could get everything I want. If you haven't checked it out already I think that you should!

So far I've gotten Melody and I a pair of shoes, a puzzle pack, and books. There are a ton of "big" items I'm trying to save up for (furniture wise) but everything is so wonderful it's hard to pick! Also they tend to have dress up shops come around often, it's that time to start thinking about Halloween! Costumes for $20? I think yes!

Do you online shop? What's your favorite place to do so?

Monday, July 29, 2013

Bandana skirt

I finally did it! I made a skirt out of a bandana and I will definitely do it again! 
Heres what the bandana looked like to begin with
Then I just cut it in half, sewed right sides together to make it into a tube, sewed some elastic around the top and BAM!
A skirt made in less than 10 minutes and for under $5 (including cost of elastic)

It was western day at school, I think baby girl played it off kind of modernly

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Life turned upside down

My fiancé decided he wants a "break" from our relationship. This was 2 weeks ago. He took back the ring and had me move out. Life isn't being very easy on him but I'm so lost and confused. I haven't seen him in 2 weeks and we've barely talked. He won't say he misses me or anything, but he is going to come over next Sunday. I know God is working on his heart and I need to trust in Him more. But this is literally killing me.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

So here I am

So I have been gone for the longest time. i really didn't think I'd be back but I think blogging is kind of good for me, it at least lets me release everything. While I've been gone I got engaged, went to Africa, turned 21, and became a preschool teacher. A lot has gone on. But it's whats happening recently that made me want to come back.

 My soon to be father in law has cancer. Really really bad cancer (like theres a good kind anyway.) But everything is up in the air right now, no one is too optimistic but we're hoping God will make a miracle happen. Due to this we are postponing the wedding, which of course broke my heart. It's only 3 months away and everything is taken care of and paid for. But it's very important for his dad to make it and enjoy himself.

So I'm trying to be understanding, though I want to just go to the jp and get the paper signed. I need my husband and I need to be a wife. I need a family. Now I'm getting worried it won't ever happen though, I know if we can make it through this we can make it through anything. I just have no way to relate so I don't know how to be there for him, trust me I am trying. But, he is also isolating himself and pushing me away. I just feel so lost, there's nothing I can do. I keep thinking if we just get married everything will be okay but I also now I can't push that subject. All of this is taking such an emotional toll on him, which is what's worrying me. I'm worried he'll decide that it's just all too much and ask me to leave, permanently.

Prayers, words of encouragement, or anything at all is appreciated.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

About me: Melody style

So Melody turned 3 at the very beginning of March and I've been so busy I completely forgot to make her "about me" picture! So I finally did it tonight! Though I just realized I forgot to add her favorite song.... And it may be tiny bit hard to read but I am not very Photoshop savvy yet, definitely hoping to get a lot better with it!

Friday, March 15, 2013

InstaFriday!




I got Melody Merida's bow and arrow from the Disney store last week and we finally decided to try it out since warmer weather is finally starting to come! She's still a little small for it and doesn't quite get but she still loves it and I think with some practice she'll be getting it down.


Melody started sports class this week! It was a little difficult, only one other student who did not want to participate and it was in the middle of nap time. Overall I would say it was successful though! Melody started with t-ball where we learned she's a left handed batter! She does everything else with her right hand so this was fun to learn. She got to practice hitting the ball a bit and then played a music game while running the bases, I'm pretty sure that was her favorite. Next up she played some basketball! She got to stand on the dot and shoot some baskets and then practiced passing the ball with the other student and well, neither of them were very good at passing, but they tried and thats what counts! Last was some soccer! Melody got to make goals and even practiced a little bit of dribbling! We got to finish with some stretching! Which, she enjoyed since it was similar to things mommy does at jazzercise!


I keep Melody's stroller just sitting on the front porch, probably not the best place but eh, it works. So, some days when we get home from somewhere she just climbs right on up there ready for a walk, even if we just came home from jazzercise and mommy is tired.


My reception napkins came in!! Aren't they wonderful?? Too bad I ordered them before we cut down the invite list so we have 400 napkins and roughly 100 people to invite, at least we'll be able to use them after!


During the summer I had gotten an eye ulcer and haven't been able to wear contacts since. Apparently, this caused a large scar on my cornea which meant I may never be able to wear contacts again (lame!). So I had to go see a cornea specialist that told me I should be able to wear contacts! Though I cannot have LASIK but I may be able to get a PRK, the painful version of LASIK. Right now I'm just happy that I'll be able to wear contacts at my wedding!


life rearranged

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Busy busy busy!

I have been so busy planning for the wedding! Who knew there was so much to get done?? But it's a blast and I love it. I have also learned just how wonderful Pinterest really is, check out my wedding board! We also had our engagement pictures taken last week which, I think, turned out wonderful!

Tell me all about your dream wedding!!

Friday, March 1, 2013

Why I haven't been posting...

I'M GETTING MARRIED!!

And since I'm no longer constantly dying from excitement I will hopefully start posting more soon!


Thursday, February 14, 2013

Valentines Day!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day! I tried to make Melody a Valentine's Day dress, it didn't turn out like I wanted but it also didn't turn out too terrible.     
Ignore the lip, she tripped yesterday and of course hit the spot where her scar is. It bled A LOT and freaked me out, I did not want to take my baby back to the ER to get stitches but it ended up not being too bad.


We also got us some Tinkerbell wings! Tinkerbell has been our new favorite thing and I'm pretty sure we've watched the movie everyday since we've got it. The employees at the Disney store also know us by name and I'm not sure if thats a good thing or not but Melody is a favorite there!


Monday, January 28, 2013

Try, try, and try again

So I want to be crafty. I want to be able to sew, knit, and just make adorable things. But as y'all know I am not the least bit crafty. Sure I try, you can look back and see my attempts. But to put it really simply, I just suck at sewing. I watch tutorial after tutorial and nothing turns out well (I also have this problem with make up and hair).

So who is going to waste money on fabric to attempt to make Melody a valentines day dress? I am! Though I did but a dress just in case... But you know what they say; try, try, try again and eventually you will succeed! At least that's what I'm hoping for... I told my mom I'll be on project runway when I'm 55 cause that's how long it'll take me to get the hang of it. Lets just hope it really doesn't take that long.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Dry season

I have been going through a rather rough dry season with my faith, for it seems to be the past year or so. It's not like my faith has gone away. it's just there. Not growing, wavering, or anything really. Just there. And it shouldn't just be there. I want it to be growing, I almost feel spiritually dead and it's terrible. I still pray everyday, try to read the bible (willingly and excitedly) every day, and nothings happening.

I recently told a good friend about it whose in ministry school and he said it's like what happened with Job, and I don't know about you but I don't want anything that's related to Job, just not as extreme. He had his dry season where he didn't hear from God and all he could do was persevere and wait for it to end. So apparently that's where I'm at and it's not even like things are bad, life has actually been pretty great recently and I've been really blessed.

Even though life has still been good I can't wait for this dry season to be over. It's like when your sick and trying to eat something but it just doesn't taste like how you know it should. But I guess all I can do is keep on persevering!


    "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Snack trays

I first saw this idea on Life Rearranged and thought it was absolutely wonderful! Melody is a snacker, which she gets from me, and she always wants to pick what she snacks on. We end up having tons of fits due to this. I try to only keep good for you things around so she has good things to choose from but we also have "special" snack food; fruit gummies, the rice puff popcorn, animal crackers, and goldfish. And those are always what she picks!

 I figured it was time to change that. So I found our cupcake tray and located 12 different snacks and just filled up each little container. Now I did include some "special" items such as cheetos (her absolute favorite), whole grain cookies, goldfish, and some apple jacks. But I was able to also include veggie sticks, cheese cubes, yogurt bites, and snap pea crisps.

All I had to do then was set it put and tell her those were the snacks for the day and she couldn't have more of one until each section was gone. It worked like a charm! She got to use her independence to pick her own snack, was able to snack when she needed to, and was still able to get some good things in her without much of an argument. Of course she went for the "special" snacks first but when they were gone that was that, no fit what so ever! I hope we can keep this up!

I have also concluded that Mel has the most adorable coloring face. She just concentrates so hard!

What are your favorite snack time snacks?





Monday, January 14, 2013

Sickies

Melody and I caught the stomach bug this past week and I must say it was absolutely terrible! I caught it first; had a fever, was throwing up roughly every 30 minutes, couldn't walk without almost passing out, and all around ickiness. I'm pretty sure I looked like death. Luckily for me my mom was there to watch Mel so I could quarantine myself with the hopes she would avoid catching it. Luckily for me I started feeling a whole lot better on day 3 but sadly that is when Melody caught it. Poor baby girl couldn't grasp the concept of throwing up in a bucket so we went through A LOT of pj's and blankets. Good thing was it didn't hit her as hard so she recovered pretty quickly.

Next up is potty training! Now I have been trying to potty train her for awhile. Every now and then she'll go in the potty and get really excited but we have gotten to the point to where she'll hold it until I put a pull up on her. The only times she would get pull ups were going out, naptime, and bedtime. We tend to go to a lot of places so she didn't have much time being out of pull ups. I decided to start doing a terrifying thing -  keeping her in big girl undies when we go out and about. Today was day 1 and we went out to eat with no accidents! But also no actually going in the potty.

How do you deal with sick kids?

Have any potty training tips?