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.~

Wow. It sure has been a while. Since my last post, we have cancelled our Disney vacation till next Summer. Our Heating & Cooling unit went out on us the first week of hot weather - back in May. We had to wait almost a month for them to come out and fix it. *sigh* That was interesting. The Lord provided, as always. I'm so thankful for His mercies. :) 

Little picture update? I think so.

E.J.S.

Isn't he just adorable? He is growing up so fast! I can't believe he will be 2 this Fall!

And The Answer Is...

DISNEY WORLD - GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT AND SPA!

I AM SO EXCITED!

Clue #3

Still no guesses...geez. I guess I'll just keep posting for my own enjoyment. LOL.

Sand. Palm Trees. Hammocks. Sunshine. Beach.

Resort & Spa. MAGICAL.

Any guesses?

Clue #2

Well, you know there are palm trees where we will be going.

Really?? No guesses yet?? I guess no one reads this blog anymore. lol.

Eh. Oh well. I haven't blogged in quite some time. No room to judge. Hee Hee.

I'll still keep the clues coming till Friday or Saturday...then I'll do the reveal.

It's That Time Of Year Again

It's almost Summer. *hmm* I am so excited that we are planning another great family vacation! Can you guess where we are going this year? This photo is a 'clue'.

Take some time to think about it.

I will post pictures the next couple of days to keep you guessing. *winks*

I will announce on Friday. :)

Thankful For A New Year. A New Me.

Wow. Sorry it has been so long, folks. Wow. I am trying to wrap my mind around how I have been doing lately. I have been so busy. There has been so much happening in my life right now. Things I never thought I'd go through, I did. God gave me strength to get through each and every single circumstance. Which, way down deep in the bottom of my heart...I knew He would, of course. *smiles* I am learning to let go. I have faith. I am practicing my faith a lot more. This new year. This 2012 - we have big plans. My husband and I are falling in love all over again and we are falling in love with our children all over again. It is just amazing what God can do. How he answers our prayers...and in HIS time. Not ours. When we but listen to Him, and stop talking. Stop whining. Stop mumbling. We can truly be blessed and learn something. I know I have.

Movie recommendation: "Courageous". Highly recommend. My husband and I sobbed like babies. It truly hit home.

Most exciting moment this month: (can't tell ya that one. *winks*) Close second: Hubby bringing me a dozen white long stem roses home in a nice clear vase with a big white ribbon around them. They were stunning. He knocked on the door when he came home last night, and I opened the door to find him holding them. *smiles* Totally made me blush.

I don't think I've smiled this much in months. Maybe even a couple of years. Or a few. I feel like this is the best it has ever been. And I'm looking forward to our future together. As a couple. As a family.

Lord, thank You for Your many blessings. Amen.

*hugs family tightly*