Yeah, so I know that I haven't posted since November. Wowza! Sorry guys. Anyway, I've been pretty busy with family and business lately. The Lord has truly blessed our little family over the past few months. I am very grateful. :) 

This is a picture of my hubby and I at Wisp Ski resort. We went on a little holiday over New Years. My first time. Let's just say...next time I'll be on the bunny slope and taking lessons. I wanted to take a class - but our friends said, "You'll do great!" and the next thing I knew, I was on a lift all the way to the top. Yeah. I'm lucky to be alive. LOL. 

Hope all of you had a lovely holiday season! I know I did and I am ready for much warmer weather! Ready to open up these windows and let the warm Spring air inside! :)

Blessings ~ Melinda

Wow. Sorry for the lack of updates folks. It has been a crazy few weeks. I have been throwing more Thirty One parties than I know what to do with! I don't think I've ever partied so hard in my life! Ha! 

So...I've been doing a little primping lately. I never 'pamper' myself, and I just got down right tired of that! So, I have settled in my 'new body'. Not really new. Not new at all. I am just finally happy with myself. No more worried about trying to be a size 0, no more trying to fit in 'those' jeans. 

I have found a wonderful store (when I say found...I mean I found it like 3 years ago, but just now started shopping at it regularly. New York & Company. What a wonderful store! I love it!

So anyway - here are some pics from the past few weeks. Love my new hat! Which, that is another new development...I have started wearing hats! Who knew!?! LOL. I love them! I think I might just be growing up. Ha Ha.

May you all have a joyful and lovely holiday!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

xoxo

Crafts, Books, Photography, Pumpkins, & Mums

My Mommies Group craft for today. 

#1. Construction Paper

#2. Scissors

#3. Glue

#4 Green Glitter

#5 Tongue Depressor

#6 Popcorn

"Breaking Dawn Part II" is almost here. A re-read is a must. 

Learning to love me. I may not be perfect. Or a size 0, but I am beautiful just the way God made me. 

My front porch. :)

Fall is such a beautiful time. :) 

**Yes, those are door mats - well - step mats. When we moved in our new place - these were laying in one of the sheds out back. I cleaned them up and put them to good use. Weather proof too. Pretty awesome update. The best part? It was FREE. :)**

Birthdays, Balloons, Piles of Leaves, Hay Rides, Marshmallows, & Cupcakes!

So far this month we have celebrated...

1. Edward's 2nd Birthday =)

E.J. loves balloons!

2. Fall. What fun is the Fall season without jumping in a pile of leaves?

3. Hay Rides. Because they're awesome! =)

4. Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows. Need I say more?

5. Thomas the Train. My boys love him. =)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I am so excited for the Holidays. We have our pumpkins, mums, and hay bails out on our porch. I am baking brownies tomorrow.Campfires have begun. Febreeze has come out with their Fall line of room fragrances. Dancing around the kitchen and singing Christmas music with my youngest - just because we can. Spilling milk all over my thermal tote, kitchen counter tops, kitchen floor, and then laughing about it because - honestly - who cries over spilled milk? Watching "Abduction" with my Mom because even she, at 65 years old, loves "Twilight" and its cast members. Taking my youngest out for a lunch date to the Olive Garden because I have finally gotten over the whole "I'm not taking my child to a restaurant like that because other people are trying to enjoy their meal, and he'll just get fussy." Guess what? I took him. And you know what? He did just fine. We laughed, we colored, we enjoyed our salad as E.J. picked out only his favorites - black olives, tomatoes, croutons, and red cabbage. He then proceeded to flirt with every waitress in the restaurant. Mommy was pretty calm too - so glad I chose to do go out despite my former fears of doing so. 

I'm learning to grow into my age. If that makes any sense. I have learned I don't have to try to be like everyone else. I choose what I wear because I like it. Because it looks good on me. I choose what I want to eat because I can do that. No one can take that away from me. I choose to raise my children the way I know God would want them to be raised, and the best that I can. Not how someone else thinks I should. I'm learning to live. To love. To grow. 

2012 has been a fabulous year. Compared to 2011 it is Heaven. 

Definitely ecstatic about 2013. 

God - You have been SO good to me. Thank You for Your blessings.

You continue to bless - even though I don't deserve it. 

Thank you. 

=)

Thirty-One Gears Up For Fall

I am so excited for Fall. Pumpkins, Pumpkin Pie, Leaves, Crisp Air, Campfires, Sweat Shirts, and more. It is just a wonderful time of the year. My favorite. *smiles* I'm also excited about my Thirty-One business. I have never been happier 'working' in my entire life. I have been blessed with a good friend that introduced me to this company back in 2011. In March, I hosted my first party for her. June 1st of this year, I became a consultant. I am so happy with my decision. I am able to stay at home. Take my son to school. Come home and spend time with my youngest. And best of all - still have fun doing something that makes financial sense. I love the new catalog for Fall and Winter. *smiles* This was my Add-On Kit and I am absolutely in love with it. 

Looking forward to a fabulous Fall! My calendar is already booked for October!

Mommies Group

Today was my very first Mommies Group. I created it. I am also the leader of the group. I named it "Little Blessings". Today we had fun and enjoyed fellowship together as friends. Our devotional today was based around Proverbs 31. The story of the Virtuous Woman. I love that passage of scripture! We also had a drawing for a prize, word search for the Mommies, Animal Crackers and Yoo-Hoo for the kiddies, and we made a lovely "Back to School" craft. I enjoyed the day very much. I look forward to our next group. 

Apple Paper Plate Craft

{I used a store brand paper plate, a pipe cleaner, construction paper, wiggle eyes, finger paint, and a crayon for this craft.}

Super easy and SO fun for the kiddies!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

Wow. I really don't post very often do I? Well, it needs to happen more often. I need more things for 'me'. I believe I will try my hardest to update this blog more often. At least on a weekly basis. *smiles at the thought* Going through a lot of trials right now. I know God never gives us anything we cannot handle. He gives us strength to get through each and every day. I am thankful for His mercy and grace. 

Just a few things we've been up to this Summer...

Cupcakes for my 25th Birthday Party

A lovely night with friends on the patio

Me and my best-est best friend

Me and my honey celebrating my birthday at the movies

~Fall is just around the corner.~