Now We Can Have Easter

This post started out as a Facebook status. But it was just too good not to blog about.  I am sitting here at the computer bemoaning the cold weather when my 3 year old looks out the window.

Maddie: "The snow melted!!! Now we can have Easter!"

She was so excited, so full of hope, so full of life. I wondered if that's how the women felt when they realized Jesus was no longer in the tomb.

"The darkness has passed! We still have hope!"

I was so ready for spring. For warm weather. For sunshine. For hope. For life.

When we walked out of church Palm Sunday and the snow was falling I was crushed. I remember cold Holy Weeks, but never quite THIS cold. Never SNOW!

It also seems like there is so much turmoil around us in general right now. Facebook feeds are full of friends on opposite sides of the same issues calling for action, for boycotts, for their right to be heard.

And I think back to how confusing, and conflicting, and cold that first "Holy Week" must have felt. How overwhelming. A triumphant entry, a desire for salvation from their oppressors, the realization Christ hadn't come to over throw the Roman government. Watching the man they thought would save them die on the cross..... death... cold... "snow".... but then.... but then HOPE!

May this last push of winter remind me of the need for spring.

May this reminder of death remind me of my need for life.

May this darkness draw me to the light.

"Sorrow lasts for the night, but JOY comes in the morning"


Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.

Tacy Rae

We went to get our measuring/gender ultrasound. It was supposed to be in the morning but due to an 6 inch snow fall it got canceled. Thankfully we were able to get it rescheduled for later in the day! I'm not sure why it was so important to me except that things are a little stressful at home. Snow this late in spring is not good for car business. Especially car business that's already slow. I keep thinking about a phrase my dad shared during his Christmas sermon.

"It wasn't a good time to bring a baby into the world. It's never a good time to bring a baby into the world." Which is so true. And yet, the worst times to bring baby's in to the world is when we tend to need them the most.

Some how seeing that little baby girl on the screen seemed to make everything so much easier. I don't know what the future holds but I know this baby is wanted and loved.

Today is my mother's birthday. She shared her birth story on her blog today. Once Upon My Story. It's an absolutely beautiful story about her mother and her aunt. Please take the time to read it.

The More You Love Your Choices

I adore this quote. Oh so much. I stumbled across is on pinterest and found it's source. A beautiful little blog Little Reminders of Love. I suggest you look her up. So inspiring.

Sorry for the radio silence. My younger brother, his wife, and their four-month old are moving back into town the middle of next month and we have been busy getting our house ready for them to stay with us while they figure out next steps. We are so excited to have them back in town and even be sharing the house with them for a bit. Looking forward to the chance to snuggle with my sweet nephew Ezra.



Isn't he precious?! I adore him so much. Can't wait to see him and give him a little baby cousin to play with! Baby sticky is nice and healthy and should be making his/her appearance some times late July.

In the mean time we are getting ready for a cruise to Mexico and Belize next week. A perfect babymoon. Lots of pictures to come!

Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to Meli K. for winning the 31 Bags Giveaway! Sorry it took so long to post this. I've been pretty sick the past few days.

Keeping and Making Memmories (A 31 Bags Giveaway)

As I have shared on here before, one of my main goals with this blog, and my life in general, is to record my families memories. I've been attempting to do this more on paper as well so that my kids have hard copies of these memories and not just words on a screen. I have been trying VERY unsuccessfully to do Project life this year. I have pretty much given up on daily or even weekly but I have been capturing certain moments on paper in my own, very messy, way of scrapbooking. (Really I just like an excuse to buy pretty paper and tape!).  My favorite place to work on this is on the sofa, by the fire, so I have come up with my little mobile scrap-book center!

 



 

I LOVE 31 products. Though, as you can, see I don't always use them planned. This is the make up bag above and bellow is the note pad keeper that I use to hold my stationary.

 



 

Not only are 31 products great for keeping your organized while keeping memories they are great for MAKING memories! And, since I have an awesome 31 consultant who also happens to be a close friend, we decided to team up to give away a Hostess exclusive item that is perfect for memory making and keeping!



The Organizing Pack is an awesome one shoulder back pack that is perfect for family adventures. Best part is it has amazing removable compartments that also make it a great camera bag!



Bag Details:

Measures approx.: 16"H x 13"W x 6.5"D

So many uses! This Hostess Exclusive has interior compartments galore, making it a great camera bag or diaper bag … just fill it with whatever you need for the day! The inside organizing compartments can be removed and rearranged so they’re just the way you need them. It even comes with a thermal-lined water bottle holder in a coordinating print! Valued at $120.00, it’s a Hostess Exclusive. *From the 31 Catalog

Meredith is giving away this bag in the Pick Me Plaid pattern and I have agreed to ship any where in the USA! Simply use the raffelcopter bellow to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why Washi?

SO! I have been pretty quiet on here since last week and there is a very good, though very long, explication for all of that. I promise to share later. However, some times when things get crazy you just have to step back and focus on some fun simple things. So today I want to share some pretty inspiration with you.

I am sure that you all are familiar with Pick Your Plum! (If for some reason you aren't familiar with them they are a "deal" site that offers ONE craft/creative item daily at a really big discount.) My sister-in-law Marge got me hooked on them forever ago and I adore them! I have gotten amazing elastic, bakers twine, stamps, washi tape, hair pins kits, earring kits, and fabric from them.

Well last night I got a sneak peak at what today's "Plum" is......



Valentin's Day Washi Tape!!!!!



 

I am so excited! I was up last night thinking of all the ways I can use this. Doesn't matter that I already have some, I can always use more! It's one of my favorite craft supplies and one of my kids favorite's as well!

Just in case you need some ideas of what to do with this beautiful tape check out my Why Washi Pinterest Board.

So, tell me, why/how do you Washi?

Gratituesday

So I have a few friends who post Gratituesday posts. Liz over at Sincerely Liz Inc and Erin over at Better Than Doing Laundry.   (Though I think Erin shares hers more on her facebook then blog, but it's still a great blog to check out.) Any ways, I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and join in.



* I'm grateful my mother got to go back west and see her family. It was under sad circumstance yes, but it sounds like it was a time of reconnecting and telling old and new stories. I'm so thankful she had the chance to do that and I look forward to hearing some of the stories of where she came from.

* I'm grateful for the Starbucks gift card in my stocking that covered Maddie and I's Monday morning treat and had a little left over to bless the girl in line behind us.

* I'm grateful for the gifts of pretty paper and a tank of gas one of my favorite ladies bestowed on me yesterday.

* I'm grateful for the chance to break bread and fellowship with some amazing ladies tonight.

* I'm grateful for my kitchen full or reminders of people who love me and blessings God has shown.

* I'm grateful for the comfy new maternity sweat dress that some one bought me.

* I'm grateful for the warm weather headed our way.

What are you grateful for today?