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. 

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?

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 fiancé 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?

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.

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?