Bracelet Making!

Take a look at what I made!

I used this video:

This was the best tutorial video I could find.
I'm hoping to make another one soon, using the irish linen and some turquoise beads I have!
This was something that once you get the hang of it you can do while watching TV and complete in about an hour or less, depending on how speedy you are!
Happy Crafting!

I hope you had a Blessed Tuesday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."~ Romans 12:4-5

Bottom line...

The bottom line is that we are having a baby in 5 weeks.
That's right folks, I have not just put on 29 lbs.
I didn't just let myself go.
No!  There was meaning and purpose and planning involved.
And yet somewhere in there I forgot that it all ends with having an actual baby.

I think I might be the only woman who ever went an entire pregnancy only to realize in the last few weeks that eventually this child has to emerge!
So what jolted me into reality?
The item that arrived in the mail today.

Our car seat for Bitsy Hitzy.
For some reason this item made me realize that we are really going to be bringing home a baby girl in a few short weeks.
Setting up the cradle a few weeks back seemed like a big deal, but maybe because I wake up next to it each day it no longer has an affect on me and I now just see it as another piece of furniture.
Or maybe it's because a cradle is something that even little girls play with as children whereas a car seat is not a normal childhood toy.
You would think that washing and hanging up tiny clothes would be enough to remind me that the inevitable is around the corner...but I guess that just felt, again, like playing house.
This car seat is the straw that broke the camel's back....it is my realization that my/OUR life is about to change dramatically.
Oh and let's not forget the even BIGGER moment I experienced.
When we put said car seat on the stroller base....I had to take a step back.

I will no longer be referring to this as a stroller, however.
I have a new name for it that sounds much cooler!
This is a baby mobility utility...BMU for short.
It's convenient, compact, light weight and cute gosh darn-it!
Oh and take notice of the purple and green hooks on the handle.
I ordered these because they make sense!
They hold a purse or other small bags so that you don't have to try to cram everything in the under BMU compartment.
And lest I forget to mention, this is probably the only item that I purchased (the car seat) that contains any pink.
That's right folks, I have been fighting the pink tooth and nail since we found out gender.
My husband has embraced it.
But, I did finally cave when it came to choosing a car seat.
It seemed that all the other car seats were patterns that would better be put as carpeting in bank lobbies, or safari prints, or uber boy themed.
The girl themed car seats were overly pink and girlie and I was searching a searching for something a little more classic.  That's when I found this beauty...no baby pink here...rather magenta!
Oh and the good news is that if baby number 2 (whenever that happens) is a boy I found a GREAT tutorial here that will show me how to recover this car seat (assuming this car seat still fits safety requirements) so that it fits my picky taste!

So to sum it all up...the bottom line is that our family of 2 (plus 2 dogs and a lizard) is about to expand.
Bud & I have had 7-1/2 years of marriage and nearly a decade of time together as just the two of us.  It's time to share this love that we've cultivated.  It's time to show that parenting is a blessing!  It's time to give God the glory and thank him for showering us with this blessing!

I hope you had a Blessed Monday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."~ Romans 12:4-5

Baby Diaries #25

How far along? 35 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 29 lbs!

Maternity clothes? For at least 5 more weeks!

Stretch marks? NO!  Yipee!!

Sleep: I've been sleeping heavy and hard each night.  The past few nights I haven't even gotten up for a late night bathroom break...it's been a little odd sleeping straight through the night.

Best moment this week: Our latest doctors appointment.  We got to hear Bitsy's heartbeat at a steady 144 bpm.  The doctor said she sounds strong and that she is VERY active...in fact the doctor was having a hard time at first getting a constant check on the heartbeat because Bitsy was moving so much.

Movement: We have officially entered the creepy alien stage.  I don't mind, but seeing a bump move across my tummy knowing that it's a knee, foot, elbow, or her but is something that you can't comprehend until it happens to you.  I love it.

Food cravings: Not really.  Bud and I both had a sweet tooth the other night and Bud made a late night run to find ice cream, or shakes, or something.  Everything in this town closes so early that he ended up at Wendy's to get a Frosty and then tried to use the excuse that his wife was craving something sweet...(he was equally as guilty).  Poor guy though said that no one even giggled at his comment.  I blame in on the fact that every other woman in this town is pregnant so I'm sure that they hear that line about 20x a day!

Gender: It's a Girl!  And so help me if that sonogram was wrong...we have too much pink and no way to return any of it in the event she wasn't a she!

Labor Signs: No.  I read that as you get closer to your due date and labor that baby moves less and less, so I feel comfortable in saying we still have some time...Bitsy is much to active for me to think she's settling down for arrival!

Belly Button in or out?  I don't think it's going in anytime soon.

What I miss: I've said this before and I'll say it again...I miss a nice cold beer.  Bud jokes that after I give birth he'll stand waiting with a cold one...I told him that just a sip would suffice!  But in all honesty it'll still be a while before I indulge any alcohol.

What I am looking forward to: We have our maternity photo shoot tonight and our hospital tour Tuesday night!

Weekly Wisdom: Some people will tell you that the last few weeks will drag out longer than the first 30-some weeks, others will tell you that it'll fly by.  Try not to get overwhelmed by either idea.  Continue to enjoy each moment.  If this is your first know that this is the first time you'll experience all of this for the first time, if this is your second, third, fourth.... child know that this temporary and try to relish this time and it has to offer you.

From whattoexpect.com

Your Baby in Week 35 of Pregnancy

Your baby is standing tall (so to speak) this week at about 20 inches and continues her steady weight gain (she’s about 5.5 pounds). While she won't get much longer, she will continue to pack on the pounds — including large amounts of baby fat — right up 'til delivery day. Something else that's moving at a mind-boggling pace these day: fetal brain development! There’s a lot going on inside that tiny head, which is, by the way, still soft to allow an easier exit through the birth canal.

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I hope you had a Blessed Sunday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."~ Romans 12:4-5

Book #21: The Help - Kathryn Stockett

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This is a book about Eugenia Phelan, aka Skeeter, as she returns from Ole Miss with a degree in journalism and sets out to begin her career as a writer.  

The only thing is that Skeeter is greeted by resistance each and every turn she makes.  

From a mother and friends who can't comprehend why she would want a career instead of a husband and children to employers who undervalue what she has to offer.

It isn't until Skeeter starts talking to Aibileen, a friends maid, for research on her "how-to" cleaning article in the paper that she stumbles across a brilliant idea.  

An idea that may not only get her writing something of value, but might also give value to those she's writing about!

This book takes place in the 1960s during a time when KKK activity in Mississippi was high and equal opportunity was hardly tolerated.

Skeeter, despite hesitations, convinces a group of maids to share their stories of what it's like to work for white people.

Some of the stories are funny and uplifting, while others are disheartening and sad.

The story is well written and a quick read for 522 pages.

The book is written from the viewpoints of Skeeter, Aibilen, and Minny (another maid).

The rotation of viewpoints in one of the factors that assists in this book being a fast read.  Each 'author's' perspective and voice is different and provides a breath of fresh air.

If you didn't read this book over the summer with everyone else, find time to read it soon.

After you read it make sure you see the movie 'The Help' as well!

Our book club, after finishing the book, met up to watch this movie tonight.

I loved the book.

I loved the movie.

However, as normally happens, Hollywood changes the order of events and cuts out parts of the book that it deems less important for the big screen.

This always bothers me because for a movie that is 2 hrs and 15 minutes I felt that there was plenty of time to include more of the story.

Some characters were not portrayed in the movie in the same fullness as they were in the book, where as other parts of the movie were exaggerated compared to the written version.

If you saw the movie, but haven't read the book I encourage you to read the book.

Take the time to learn more about these characters and grow to love and hate some of them with more tenacity than the movie gave you time for!

I hope you had a Blessed Saturday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."~ Romans 12:4-5

Bible Verse Friday #34

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."~ Romans 12:4-5

Each on of us is different and it is because of those differences that we should be able to bond closer together to accomplish God's will.
We need leaders and followers.
We need teachers and students.
We need men and women.
You get my drift.

Let's read a little bit of the surrounding passage from this verse:

"Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are.  Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.  Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.  In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.  So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.  If your gift is serving others, serve them well.  If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.  If it is giving, give generously.  If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.  And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly." Romans 12:1-8

I think I could continue on because I love this passage so much.
Paul is outlining how being a Christian changes us.
It changes the way we think and the way we act.
Becoming a Christian doesn't mean we become perfect.
I know that you've heard the argument from non-believers "Christians are a bunch of hypocrites"
"they ACT all perfect, but they are just like the rest of us".
It is so difficult to express my frustration over this common misconception.
I try very hard to explain that becoming a Christian doesn't mean we are instantaneously changed or miraculously reformed, rather it means we are committing our lives to living for Christ.
We are saying that we want to be Christ-like and that we want to do God's will.
We will still fall short of perfection.
Frequently and often, as we are not meant to be perfect.
I believe that the only way we can truly debunk this misconception is to do as Romans 12 asks us.

"Don't just pretend to love others.  Really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."~Romans 12:9-10

"Bless those who persecute you.  Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them."~Romans 12:14

I ask each of you to read Romans 12 in it's entirety this weekend.
All 21 verses and ask yourself a few questions.
Where do I excel and where do I fall short.
Then ask God to help you overcome the areas of your life that need work.
I ask each of you, that if you encounter a friend, co-worker, spouse, child, etc whom you know holds a wonderful God given gift that you will acknowledge them and tell them that 'God has blessed them with fill in the blank.'


Most importantly remember that "we are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."
So let's help build each other up!

I hope you had a Blessed Friday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."~ Romans 12:4-5

also linked up here:
Sundae Scoop
Polish The Stars

Blogger Befuddled.

That is what I am right now.
I'm trying to learn how to make this blog...better, more accessible.
How to expand and grow.

Some current goals I have:
1. Have a custom design done for my blog.
2. Create a Facebook page for this here blog.
3. Add a Facebook icon to the blog for easy access.

That's pretty much all I have planned for the time being.
Baby steps the way I see it.
As of right now I have item #1 in the works, I think I've found a great designer who I am planning to contact pronto!

Unfortunately, I'm stuck at creating a Facebook page....I seem to have hit a cul-de-sac.
By that I mean I'm going around and around in circles and I'm not quite sure where to turn off at.
I don't necessarily want it linked to my personal account, no offense I hope!
I want to set up a page that has a instant feed every time I post.
Also instead of adding a a widget with everyone's faces, I'd simply like a simple icon...

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If anyone out there has any feedback on how to do these things, please feel free to let me know!
In the meantime I'll be surfing the internet, contacting a designer (who probably knows all the answers to these questions), and more than likely losing time pinning things on Pinterest!

I hope you all had a Blessed Thursday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life." ~1 John 5:12

Bewildered

At first it was a Facebook message from Bud's childhood best friend SR asking,
"Did you guys feel the quake? "
After that it was a text message from my old co-workers back in Texas asking,
"Did u feel the quake? "
Bewildered I hopped onto the computer to see what everyone was talking about.
Quake...what quake?

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Oh!  That quake.

Nope didn't feel it.

Seriously, Bud & I were watching hulu and we didn't feel even the slightest vibration.

The boys didn't even flinch during the time everything happened, they laid passed out on the floor by our feet.

Odd, however, that my friend who lives about 20 minutes North of us said that their dressers were shaking and hitting the walls!

She attributed it to having been on the 2nd floor of their home.

I have people I know in Georgia whose Facebook statuses talked about feeling the tremors.

And yet Bud & I felt nothing.

I'm just glad that everyone is okay and that no one was seriously injured (according to source).

So beyond the news of an earthquake and the impeding hurricane...not much else exciting is happening in NC. 

I'll be watching the weather online to see how Hurricane Irene develops.  

As of right now it appears that if she hits North Carolina it'll be between Saturday afternoon & Sunday early morning.  

It would most likely be winding down from a category 3 to a category 2 and I have a feeling that since we are 2 hours inland we will get a lot of rain and some heavy winds, but nothing as severe as where they eye of the storm will pass over.  

I hope you all have a Blessed Wednesday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life." ~1 John 5:12

P.S.  Interesting fact.  Bud went to a small group last night and guess what one of the verses they were studying was....1 John 5:11-12!  God works in mysterious ways! 

Brunch Casserole

This recipe is a low-fat meal for 2-3 people, adjust accordingly.

Ingredients:

1 tube reduced fat crescent rolls

1lb  ground turkey

1 cup shredded cheese

1-1/2 cups egg substitute

1/4 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon onion powder

Preheat oven to 425.

Saute & chop ground turkey.

Spread crescents onto bottom of rectangular sprayed baking dish.

 Spread turkey...

...and cheese over dough.

 Beat remaining ingredients together.

(egg sub., milk, salt, oregano, onion powder)

 Pour over cheese, turkey, & crescents.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until eggs are set.

Serve with a side of chilled pineapple and ENJOY!

This was a VERY simple recipe that took me about 10 minutes of prep and then 25-30 minutes of cook time.

I hope you all had a Blessed Tuesday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life." ~1 John 5:12

Book #20: And Then I Had Kids - Susan Alexander Yates

"And Then I Had Kids" was a gift from a wonderful friend (KV) and one that I appreciate so very much!

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I do not yet have kids.
I will in about 6 months have my first child.
Right now it's easy to focus on where she is currently.
Tucked safe and sound in my womb where nothing can hurt or influence her (for the most part).
It hit me only recently that she's going to be making her grand entrance in a few short weeks and it's at that VERY moment that Bud & I's parenting really begins!
This book is a great introductory book into parenting.
There are 10 chapters that I'd like to briefly touch on.

Chapter 1: The Hassled Mother
Susan opens this book by introducing us to the fact that we are not alone.  As mothers there will be days when we think that we are the only ones struggling to raise our kids.  We may think that everyone else appears to have it all together.  Yet she assures us that we all face challenges and frustrations and that by naming those things out loud we will be able to better find ways to resolve them.

Chapter 2: Maintaining a Positive Self-Image
Frustration, Fatigue, Guilt, and Failure are all common obstacles that mothers hurdle over each day.  Again it goes back to comparing ourselves to others, being afraid to ask for help, and sometimes just taking too much onto our plates that will cause us to find fault in ourselves.

Chapter 3: Seeing Life In Seasons
Each season of our life is just that...a season.  It's temporary and although it may seem to take forever to get through it at the moment, when we reflect back we will see how quickly the time actually passed.  From Newlyweds to new parents to toddler years to teenage years to empty nest we fly through life all to often rushing towards the next season.  It's important that we relish the time and not rush it.

Chapter 4: Establishing Priorities That Work
There are 4 principles that should govern our lives: Our commitment to Christ, Our commitment to our families, Our commitment to a group of close friends, and Our commitment to our work.  The goal as a mother is to always remember our commitments and to keep them straight.  God should come first, if we honor Him we will find that everything else comes together as He has planned for us.

Chapter 5: Becoming a Best Friend in Marriage
"When you marry, you may feel you have in a sense arrived.  Marriage is often viewed as the culmination rather than the beginning.  herein lies the problem.  In reality, when we say, "I do," we are committing ourselves anew to work at the relationship."
Communication, communication, communication...cliche sounding I know, but OH SO TRUE!
Also learning to take time to grow together.  It is difficult with so many priorities and responsibilities, but continued courtship throughout marriage is vital.

Chapter 6: Solving the Discipline Dilemma
1. Determine procedures
2. Reinforce the positives
3. Establish consequences
4. Use preventative measures
5. Draw helpful distinctions

Chapter 7: Creating a Loving Atmosphere in the Home
A full chapter devoted to showing us how to Love, Forgive, Express Joy, and ultimately create an atmosphere where people, children, friends, etc want to be!

Chapter 8: Finding Good Role Models for Our Families
Biblical role models include (but are not limited to)- Eli: Model of a Poor Parent, Peter: Example of Encouragement, and Mary: Model of One Who Trusted.  However, what about earthy role models?  This chapter helps you define the qualities to look for and the proper perspective to have when searching for earthly role models.  It also closes by explaining the importance of being a role model for others.

Chapter 9: Shaping a Creative Christian Home
Prayer, Scripture, and the Encouragement of Fellowship are all vital elements in shaping a creative Christian home.
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." ~James 1:5

Chapter 10: Looking Ahead to the Teen Years and Beyond
The book ends by retouching on all the previous chapters feature points and reminding us that our jobs as parents are never done.  How our children need us will and SHOULD change, but we are always going to play a vital role in their lives.  It's important to put your focus in God as a parent because we will ALWAYS need him and we can ALWAYS be role models to our children of God's love.

I apologize for the lengthy review of this book, but I felt that it was necessary for you to really get a general grasp of what each chapter has to offer.  Maybe you haven't even thought about having kids yet, maybe you've already started raising your children,  maybe your children have left the house....no matter what though this is a book that you or someone you know could benefit from!  I highly suggest gifting this book to yourself or someone you know and love!  It's been a real eye opener for me and I know it'll remain a constant reference over the coming years!

I hope you all had a Blessed Monday!

P.S. I think something is in the water lately!  I now have 43 followers!  2 MORE in the last few days.  I seriously can not express how blessed I've been feeling lately.  The comments are encouraging and I'm in prayer that I'm blessing each of you.  As always if I can pray for you in anyway please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email and I will respond to you as soon as possible!  Thank you all so much for all your support!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life." ~1 John 5:12

Baby Diaries #24

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 28 lbs!

Maternity clothes? For at least 6 more weeks!

Stretch marks? I've been spoiled!  8-1/2 months and zero stretch marks on my belly!!

Sleep: 7 hours most nights and a nap most days....no pregnancy insomnia here.

Best moment this week: Last night while laying on the couch watching a movie with a friend, Bitsy got a bit rambunctious.  All of a sudden I could see her movements clear as day.  Punches and elbows and knees bouncing all around.  It felt like a scene from a scary movie only there was nothing scary about it!

Movement: Refer to "Best moment this week".  Also it seems more obvious now than ever that I have a night owl!  She really gets to thrashing around just as we head to bed each night.

Food cravings: Nada.

Gender: It's a Girl!

Labor Signs: Nothing different than last week.  I'm feeling great and Bitsy seems content with where she is hanging out right now.

Belly Button in or out?  I don't think it's going in anytime soon.

What I miss: I miss being able to put my shoes on quickly.  It now can take me quite a bit of time if there are any latches that need to be done.  It's quite humorous to watch I'm sure!

What I am looking forward to: I have another doctors appointment on Thursday!

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy watching your little one move around.  You get such a short window of time to fully experience this before they come.  I guess this boils down to enjoy each moment because it will quickly be gone, even after she is born I know that she will only be that age for a certain period of time and it'll fly by before I can blink!

From whattoexpect.com

Your Baby in Week 34 of Pregnancy

What's new this week? Your baby is clocking in at five pounds and could be as tall as 20 inches by now, and the vernix (the white coating protecting your baby’s skin) is getting thicker. In other baby-related developments, those tiny fingernails have probably reached the tips of his fingers by now — and getting ready for that first postpartum manicure.

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I hope you had a Blessed Sunday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life." ~1 John 5:12