Freedom Friday!

I didn't go to work today. I had a good excuse. I AM FREE!!!

Honestly though, my morning did not start out well at all. I had all my running gear set out and my alarm set for 3:57a.m. I was going to run, shower, get ready for work, etc. Well, instead I was awoken around 3a.m. to my little girl, crying hard. I knew that meant she probably filled her diaper with more runny poo and it was hurting her sore bottom. So I changed her, gave her a bottle (because when she wakes up between 3or4, she is hungry and won't sleep without eating...) and put her back to bed.

40 minutes later, I heard her again. Same cry, same poo. Only this time she was pretty much hysterical. She didn't want to lay down, she didn't want to sit up, nothing helped. So, I had a new clean diaper underneath her and was letting her sit there for a minute to dry off before I lathered her up with aquaphor and put her diaper on. Then the flood gates opened and she threw up Everywhere! All over me, all over her, the changing table...everywhere! Then, she was just sitting there in her own throw up, crying. I almost didn't know what to try and do first.

So, I just grabbed her towel, carted her into the bathroom and hosed her off. Came back into her room, stripped the changing table cover off and laid her on her towel. After getting her into new pj's, we rocked and cuddled for a while. It was really nice, even if I would have rather been fast asleep.

That is when I decided we would be staying home today. I didn't know how much of this would continue throughout the day, and I definitely didn't want to leave that mess with Elise. That wouldn't have been very kind. She has actually gotten a little better, except for the dirty diapers which are still bad. But, still, didn't want to chance anything.

And even though my reason for having to stay home wasn't great, I am so glad to be here! We put away laundry, vacuumed, played, and are just having a great day! I am free from work until Monday and I am free to do whatever I please with my family! (O:

Here's a picture of E, playing in her room (O: Have a lovely weekend!

Project Weekend!

With Emilia's birthday and birthday party creeping up on me (only a little more than a month away!!), I really need to get crackin' on all the wonderful ideas I have swirling in my head. This weekend will be the first Project Weekend, with many more to come!

First up for this weekend, a birthday shirt for Emilia. I spent some time googling different party ideas a while back and came across this great website (http://www.polkadotbirthday.com/). Awesome website with oodles of great ideas! This lady also has another great website (http://www.isaiah43project.com/). I really love what this project is all about. I have seen other shirts like hers with kids names on them, but I liked being able to link it to Scripture and putting a message of God behind it. So, that is when I decided to make Emilia a shirt like this for her birthday party! (O: I'm going to the fabric store after work to pick out the perfect fabrics and then tomorrow is a sewing day at my Momma's house to get 'er done! I am so excited I could pee!! I'll make sure to post a picture of the finished product. (O:

The second product goes along with the birthday shirt...a TUTU! Last month I made a tutu for my best friend Jessca's 3 year old daughter Brooklynn's birthday. I was nervous because I had never done anything like that before. But, luckily for me, there are plenty of good tutorials (on just about anything!) out there, so I survived. It turned out really sweet and sealed the deal on making one for Emilia too. (O: I will be picking up the tulle for E's tutu today also and will probably start on it this weekend and maybe finish at our Girls Night on Tuesday! Woo!! (O:

Here's a picture my friend Elise snapped at the bday party of Brook with her tutu (Thanks Elise!) (O: (It was a dress up party...that's why Brook is in an even fluffier dress than her new tutu)

Third, polka-dotting plates and cups! Originally, I had priced out what pink and orange plates, cups, napkins, etc. would cost and had planned on biting the bullet to purchase them all. Then, I had an epiphany in Target...why not just get white plates with wide edges, find some paint daubers and polka dot my own plate edges?! So, that is exactly what I am going to attempt. This is an experiment and I have no idea how successful it will be (I came up with this one on my own...no google...aren't you proud??) But, if it works, it will have saved me about $20 in plates and cups. If not, that is OK too. I'll let you know when I find out! (O:

And one project on Jason's list (if I can convince him to get it over with instead of waiting until the last minute...)- spray painting the white baskets orange. The centerpieces of the party tables are pink and (will be) orange baskets with sugar cookies on sticks in them (standing up by the help of potting styrofoam).

And yes, I realize this party is waaaaay beyond "precious" at this point and is on its way to over-the-top. But, it's her 1st birthday party and we don't plan on throwing on every year, so I'm making this one big!

I hope you all have some creative things happening this weekend! (O:

Today is a new day!

Alright, now that yesterday has passed! Whew! I woke up this morning with a refreshed mindset. Emilia woke up around 3:30 and so around 4:00 I gave her a bottle and back to bed. I noticed yesterday that she has shot up again. Before, her pj's were a little long, but fit everywhere else. As of yesterday-ish, the length is perfect and they are almost baggy everywhere else. So, I think part of the craziness of this weekend can be attributed to a growth spurt. She is getting so big! (O:

Anywho, as I sat here this morning checking some items on ebay (yes, I'm still addicted and no, I do not feel bad about it), I made the decision to make today a great day. A day is only as good as you allow it to be. My brother-in-law used to always say, "You're only as happy as you decide to be". While we don't always see eye to eye, I completely agree with this one! Being happy and enjoying life starts with making a decision to do so. Will work still be stressful? Yes! Will there be people whose bad attitudes will and try to bring me down? Of course! Do I have to power to choose how these outside factors affect my day? Absolutely. So, here's to a great start to a great week! Hope each of you decide for a great one too! (O:

Ugh is the word of the day.

I just want to say that I have been really excited about blogging lately. I have even stopped to jot down some thoughts for future posts once or twice (I have an awful memory and jotting notes it the only way I accomplish anything). I have been so glad to see comments from all of you, my friends. It has helped encourage me to keep up with this, once again. I even saw my friend Jaime last night, rocking the scarf look. Yes, I'm jealous.

Anyway, none of these things are lifting my spirits today. Emilia has been fighting this cold, or whatever it is, since Wednesday and the cold is winning the fight. Today has been to worst so far. Our day started at about 3:30 a.m. She has thrown up twice- like, spit up but gobs of it, mixed with snot and drainage...there's a lovely mental picture for ya. I'm pretty sure I still smell like throw up, even though I'm in different clothes. She hasn't napped all day. In fact, I hear her now...we thought she might nap this afternoon...we made it 30 minutes. (She must have just been rolling over, because it's quiet again).

I don't know why I'm typing about this, it's not like I'm even complaining. I know everyday isn't sunshine and rainbows with kids. And I consider myself extremely lucky and blessed because Emilia (when she isn't sick) is an absolutely wonderful little girl. She is joyful and fun, sweet and lovable. I guess I am just tired and felt like I should post something since it has been a couple days. Probably should have thought of something a little more happy, hm? Sorry to anyone that wasted time reading this. I promise to do better next time.

Scarves...The New Black?

Yesterday I visited my sister's college to attend her Senior Chapel. It is exactly what it sounds like- each senior must organize, plan and execute a chapel service. It doesn't count for a grade, but it teaches them how to put together all the elements of a worship service. That isn't really what I was going to blog about this morning though...I want to talk scarves.

Yesterday, I was observing all these college students hustling and bustling, chatting and laughing, waiting for chapel to start...I couldn't help but notice all the scarves this kids were wearing. They were in all colors, lengths, etc. Did I miss a memo??

I knew there was somewhat of a scarf movement going on out there in the fashion world, but I didn't realize to what extent! And, apparently, these scarves don't even have to match one's outfit? Is it better if they don't match? I don't get it! I know this probably makes me sound like a fuddy dudd who knows nothing about current fashion trends, and that is exactly it. I am too plain to care about the newest, hottest style. I'm still wearing gap jeans and plain colored gap tees most of the time.

Also, it seems that these people leave their scarves on all. the. time. I am way too hot-natured for that...it would be like an everyday sauna for me to try and keep a scarf (of any sort) on once I have removed my coat upon entering a building. I could start sweating just thinking about it! (Gross, but true).

What's the magic? Do they cover up our unflattering body parts? (Can't say that wouldn't be welcomed!) Or is it just a college thing?

...I realize this post has nothing to do with anything, except helping me understand the scarf phenomenon I witnessed yesterday. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against those who chose to wear scarves as often as their underwear. I just didn't realize how big of a deal scarves have become. Are you a scarf wearer? Can you fill me in?

Whirlwind Weekend

Whew! Whoever thought traveling to 2 churches in 2 days for 2 separate interviews was a smart idea might need to have their head examined! But, that is what my last 2 days consisted of....that plus a 3 year old's birthday party and a super bowl party. Needless to say, I am exhausted.

While I did not enjoy being worn out and crabby today at work, it was well worth it for all the fun that was had. Both churches seem interested in Jason and we would be happy at either. He should hear back from them within the next couple weeks to see if they want to continue the interview process with him. Finally! We are moving forward!! (O:

Saturday, we got back into town around 2:30 (did I mention these churches were 1:30-2 hours away? Not bad at all, but still..makes for a long day in the van with a 10 month old!) We went directly to my friend Jessca's daughter Brooklynn's 3rd birthday party. It was a dress up theme and it was so cute! If I could get the SD card from the camera to cooperate with the computer, I would show you some pictures of the super fun tutu I made for her! But, alas, I fought technology, and technology won. Maybe another day.

Sunday, we got back about 3:00. Just enough time for Jason to nap for a little bit before going to pick up our snacks and head to the party. Jason insisted that we order 100 toasted ravioli instead of just 50, as I suggested. He kept saying that last year, they 50 we brought were gone too quickly and we should bring more. I conceded, only because he promised to call me out on it if we did, in fact, run out of them. I am a SUCKER. We had at least half of them left by the end of the night, and now I have 50ish toasted ravioli(s?) sitting in my refrigerator. Don't get me wrong, I love them enough to eat them for breakfast this morning (cold on the way to work) and again for dinner (reheated in the oven). But, come on man! I should have listened to my gut (figurative and literally) and only ordered 50. I learned my lesson. Anywho, the party was fun. The men were in the living room engrossed in the game and all the girls were in the kitchen chatting, playing fun games (that I STILL don't know all the rules to!! Margo, Jaime, Erin- I KNOW you're reading this!) (O: It has been a while since our whole fun-loving group has hung out together and it was a great time.

So, all in all, being worn out and crabby at work today was worth it...at least as far as I am concerned...my office mate may have a different opinion! (O:

Here's to a great tomorrow! (O:

God's Many Blessings

You know when you let something go for way too long, and then it is too hard to try and catch back up? That is where I am at with this blog. I let it go to the way-side for months, through the holidays mostly and now it is February and I still have no posts to show for it. I kept thinking about all the things I needed to catch everyone up on. But, most of you already know the daily happenings of my life (the perks of most of my readers being my best friends/baby-sitter/work e-mail buddy/etc.) And those of you who read this who are not part of my daily life, I promise, you are not missing much at all!

I have been mulling it over in my mind for a couple weeks now how I would go about getting back into blog world. I still maintain that my life has nothing out of the ordinary or overly-intriguing to share with anyone, but I am working on self-reflection and taking time to think about how God is working in my life every day. So, tonight as I sat here, sorting/cleaning/folding 3 weeks worth of laundry, I started thinking about how amazing our God is and how immensely He has blessed my life. I am going to take a few moments tonight, on my first blog of the New Year (a little late coming, I know) and share with you some of the biggest blessings in my life. I hope this post will encourage you to take inventory of your own life and that we can all stop for a moment to thank our Creator for truly caring about us on a personal level and loving us enough to give to us generously.

God has blessed me with a perfect family. While we are not perfect individually, and we ALL have bad days, together- we are perfect. I thank God every day for my wonderful husband, who, through all his flaws (real and exaggerated in my own head at times), supports me fully, loves me unconditionally and is working his hardest to provide a great life for us. He is an amazing father and is my best friend. God brought us together at a point in both of our lives where we knew we needed to get things back on track, and through each other we were able to do so. We have made each other better people. Of course, the most recent blessing in my life is my daughter, Emilia. I smile every time I think about her. She has spunk, gumption and no inside voice. She will be 10 months old this coming Sunday, I cannot believe that! She has taught me patience I never thought possible, helped me laugh and smile more often than before, and breaks my heart in the best way possible.

God has also blessed me with the most amazing friends. I think if I could have made up lists of all the qualities of a best friend, or of several best friends, I would never have close to describing all the fabulous qualities that my friends possess. Every single one of them is a gift from God because they each mean something different to me and we connect on different levels. I have friends that I have know for (what seems like) forever, friends that I am just now getting to know, friends I know I can turn to at any moment with any situation, friends who always make me laugh. I have favorite friends to hug, make goofy faces at, make laugh, quote TV shows and movies with, the list goes on!

I am blessed through my life experiences in ways I never would have guessed. My mother is a pillar of strength that I continually look to for wisdom, courage and encouragement. She got us through some rough years and all the while, raised us up to fear the Lord. I know, by looking at her and where she came from to where she is now, that I can do all things through Christ. My life experiences prepared me for all the situations I have ever found myself in. I am thankful for all these things, even the times that hurt- for they were all for God's glory.

I am blessed because my God has a plan for our lives. While we are still waiting to find out what the next step of the plan is, I know He is in control. It truly is a blessing to "Let Go and Let God". I am not worried about what tomorrow holds, or where we may end up moving for Jason to work in a church. I know God will provide and I am super excited to see what He has planned for us. I am, of course, scared to leave my home. I have grown up with some super amazing people and have lived in the same area for nearly 17 years. It is hard for me to imagine my life without my friends and family only across town. It is hard to imagine not seeing all my favorite people every Sunday at church, or spending time with them at Small Group, girls nights, date nights, etc. But, those fears are so faint compared to the excitement and passion I feel for following God's calling.

As you can see, I am a very blessed person! Not because of anything I have done, and definitely not because I deserve any of it. All of this is because I serve an Awesome, Loving, Compassionate, Tender, Gracious, Forgiving, Generous God!

Who is the God you serve? I would love to hear how God is blessing your lives!