Monday, January 30, 2012

Her lips were red

Yesterday Shelby wore red lipstick.  It was Sunday so we were at church and a lot of people saw her.  No biggie, right? Well..let me explain...

Shelby has large, beautiful lips.  Larger than normal lips.  Angelina Jolie lips.  I don't know where she got them.  They are a gift from God,  I'd say. 

She was allowed to wear make-up starting in 9th grade (this school year).  In preparation, she and I had many conversations about the way to wear make-up.  What looked modest and what didn't.  I told her that she should not "pile it on" that less really is more.  She doesn't "need" make-up.  She "wants" to wear make-up. She is a girl and it is fun to add some color here and there.

We also discussed, beforehand, that she should not accentuate her eyes AND lips at the same time.  Yesterday she wanted to put red lipstick on.  She put very little eye make-up on. She was following what she and I had discussed before.  I knew she had it on.  We talked about it that morning.  It was all good until someone decided to make a statement about her red lips.

This person thought it was ok to tell my daughter what they thought about her red lips and what they thought was appropriate.  They felt that a certain age was needed to be obtained before she should wear red lipstick.  They asked Shelby her age and she wasn't at that "ideal" age so when she answered she said she was never so embarrassed to be her age. 

Thinking about this later, I was really quite upset.  I don't understand why someone would intentionally make my daughter feel embarrassed or less because she wasn't follow what they thought was "right".  She was well within our guidelines as a family.  I was completely aware of her choice and totally supported her.

Shelby is an amazing girl.  She has high academics.  She has good morals.  She believes that "true love waits".  She has a killer sense of humor.  So many attributes that we are so proud of.  I know that this incident will not weaken any of these attributes.  But it might to someone else. 

All this to say, I really hope that the next time someone tries to instill their beliefs into my child, that they stop and think first.  Maybe talk to us, her parents, first.  I know they weren't trying to be mean, but sometimes what we say doesn't always come across they way we mean it. 

And the winner of "The Good Wife's Guide" is......

SHEENA STEPHEN!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, SHEENA!!!!

I guarantee you won't be disappointed with this book!  Please contact me and give me your email address and I'll send it to you right away!

THANK YOU to everyone who followed my blog and entered! I hope you enjoy reading and following my posts as much as I enjoy writing them.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon for ONLY  $4.95!!!

Blessings




Tuesday, January 24, 2012

It's baaaaack...on my finger


A while back my wedding ring broke.  It was in the spring last year.  I put it in my jewelry box and forgot about it.  (That's what I normally do when I put something out of sight..I forget about it)  For Christmas my husband took it to the jeweler and had it fixed.  Not only did he fix the part that was broken, he had the stone remounted.  One of the issues with my ring was that the raised stone would catch on everything.  In the washer, in the dryer, in the dishwasher,..pretty much the places I spent most of my time.  I love my new to me ring.  LOVE IT!!

In my previous blog about my broken ring, I said I didn't ever want an "upgrade".  And I still don't.  However, after looking at this new setting, I do believe we can add on to this quite nicely...**hint** **hint**

Monday, January 23, 2012

My husband went to the Atlanta airport and all he got me was this Tshirt

AND THAT'S A GOOD THING!!

You see, my husband went to the Atlanta airport and he was thinking of me and bought me a Tshirt!  It made me feel good that he bought if for me because he was thinking of me.  I felt loved. Oh and the Tshirt looks good on me, too!!!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Book review "The Good Wife's Guide" by Darlene Schacht



Last year I was blessed to be able to contribute on a blog about marriage at www.timewarpwife.com. Darlene asked me to review her brand spanking new ebook, "THE GOOD WIFE'S GUIDE", and I am so glad I said yes!

This book motivated me, made me say some "AMEN'S", and encouraged me.  While society is not a proponent of building a marriage through biblical foundations, Darelene is.  This is an extremely refreshing book. 

From the beginning, Darlene states we need to have our top 2 priorities be FAITH & FAMILY--IN THAT ORDER!! Everything you do and every way you do it has to be done to please Jesus Christ...not society! She further states "our husbands are an extension of our relationship with God, not the root". We need to keep first things first.

I hadn't thought of "spoiling" in such a way until I read "As a keeper of the home, I am entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of the things that we have.  My husband supports our family financially, so if I make a big supper and leave the leftovers on the cupboard to spoil overnight I'm wasting money that he has laboured for.  Or, for example, if I'm not diligent to turn off the lights when I leave a room or turn down the heat at night, I'm showing disrespect to my husband and setting an example of disrespect to my children."  I will certainly remember this point forever.


Not only does Darlene give us biblical guidance, she also gives us PRACTICAL applications as well.  I have followed her house cleaning schedule for over a year now and cannot tell you how it has drastically helped me and taken the burden off of my shoulders.  It has immensely helped my marriage because "having a clean house" is a love language of my husband.

You can purchase this book on Amazon for $4.95 (yes, that's it! Skip a Starbucks run and buy this book! You'll be glad you did!)  And because I give this book 2 BIG THUMBS UP, I want to share it with you! I am giving away a copy of "THE GOOD WIFE'S GUIDE" from my blog!!!! Simply follow my blog and on January 27th at 5:00pm I will randomly choose a winner. Believe me when  I tell you that this is a book that every "wife, mother, homemaker, or hopeful bride" should have and read often.

You can follow Darlene on twitter@darleneschact
and on facebook@Time-warpwife

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Reason #1,799 why I love SpringHill Day camp

Reagan was blessed to be able to go to the SpringHill Day camp that was held at our church last summer.  It was a FABULOUS week.  To say it was TONS of fun is an understatement!  I bet you're wondering why I'm talking about a summer camp in January, aren't ya? And no, it's not because I have cabin fever! Yesterday Reagan got THIS in the mail..



It is a card from her counselors from SpringHill!!! Looking at this picture brings me JOY and it made Reagan's day.  I'm so thankful for people who pour their lives into little kids. 

Wanting to know where SpringHill will be this summer?  Check 'em out!! springhillcamps.com



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Our eating machine isn't eating well right now

This is my August.  She can, and often does, eat twice her own body weight.  She's a thin as  a rail.  She is a swimmer (a very good one..remember, I'm bias).  Yesterday she got this contraption in her mouth called an expander.  I know it will be good in the long run, but right now it's not so great.  You see, August's favorite activity is eating.  This nasty contraption is preventing her from doing that right now.  We've made several smoothies to help her get some nutrition. Some say it could take up to 2 weeks for her to adjust to this contraption.  I'll be praying for her.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

My family cleans up nicely!

I was able to snap 1 picture of my family when they were all clean and dressed up at Christmas.  I cherish the family God has given me and I am so incredibly thankful.


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Computer scrap booking

I admit it.  I had great intentions when I purchased all of the supplies to scrap book many years ago.  I really wanted to capture my girls' lives as a keepsake for them.  Truth is, I'm just not dedicated enough.  I have, however, found a way that works for me to capture events for my girls to remember in the years to come.  I have created a gmail account for each girl.  They do not have access to this account.  When I take a picture or when they say something funny or noteworthy, I simply send an email with the picture attached or write a message.  It is soooo easy to do!!!!!!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Catching up from the holidays

Tim's side of the family

Tim's mom & dad

I think this is a cool picture

Today was the first day my kids went back to school after Christmas break.  That means that today is the first day in 2 weeks that I've had the computer.  I thought I'd share some of our memories from the holidays in picture form.


it was nice enough for the girls to take the card game outside

playing in the pile of leaves in the big garden

ready for chow time

Katherine looooves her brother!

sibling love

I think Faith is hugging Shelby here...

The gang

Daddy's girls


cousin love


Shelby & Faith are...thinking???

We had a wonderful time and are so blessed!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The best part about lots of snow











Our dog LOOVES to be out in the snow!


Reagan and her BFF, Allie had some fun in the snow!!!


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

2012..The year I ask for you to hold me accountable

Here we are...another year has flown by! And just like most every other year, I really have had a great year.   When I reflect on 2011, I am so thankful for all that has been given to me.  My marriage,  my family, my church, and my friends.  So what in the world could I want for 2012?  Let me tell you...

I tend to keep big things I want to do in my head.  That way, I'm the only one that knows I didn't do it. Less accountability that way.  This year I have a lofty goal and think one of  the only ways to stay on task is to ask for help in keeping me on task.  That's where this blog comes in.  Having others know my goal could be just what I need to accomplish my goal.  So...without further delay, I present to you my 2012 goals!!!!

1.  WRITE A BOOK--I know that I have been called to do this.  I remember the day like it was yesterday.  And believe me, it WASN'T yesterday. I have been putting this off for YEARS!! The desire to obey and write recently resurfaced during a recent home group bible study.  I believe it's time for me to write.

2. BLOG 125 POSTS--considering last year I did 48..125 is a big increase for me.

3. COUPON MORE--don't misread this.  I by no means desire to be "Extreme".  I have friends who are good  at couponing and I hope to learn from their wisdom. 

That's not much, you say? I think with all of my normal day to day stuff, this is pretty big! If anyone has any suggestions on how to accomplish any of these, feel free to let me know!!