flourish.

A few weeks after I made this bag for my friend emily's birthday

she sent me an email asking me to make 15 of them for a women's retreat she was planning.

She had such cool plans for this weekend,

I couldn't say no to being even a small part of something so special!

I used the adorable logo as inspiration for the fabric selection.

One of my dearest friends, Allison, got to go to this retreat last minute

as someone was unable to attend and donated their ticket.

Allison is such a hardworking woman

(you know, one of those women that works 3 jobs

and still manages to be an amazing wife and mom, yeah)

and I could not think of a more deserving person to go.

It sounds like the retreat was a huge success and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it!

Read more about it at emily's blog.

modified wardrobe: knock off skinnies

This past Spring I was DROOLING
over my girlfriend's new grey and white polka dot skinnies.
And if you know me at all you know I'm major obsessed with grey.
As well as grey and white polka dots.
(I have a grey and white polka dot cardigan, scarf and {now} pants.
And they are my staples.)
So of course my first question was,
"Where. Did you. Get those!?!?"
Anthropologie.
Dang.
A few weeks later I got up the nerve to look them up.
Just to see if they were really that bad...
And they were.
Almost TWO. HUNDRED. DOLLARS people.
For skinny jeans!
There was no way these suckers were going to drop enough
in price to be even close to my budget.
So I planned on "borrowing" them sometime...
and then fleeing the country. ;)
THEN.
Last week. You won't believe.
Target. Had. Grey and white. Polka dot skinny jeans.
For $22!!!
Patience really is a virtue. ;)

The anthro jeans were a little paler grey and the dots were a little smaller,

but seriously, am I going to complain about a $180 savings?
I don't think so. ;)
My mint top is from Forever21 and I'm quite in love with it as well - $27 I believe.

 

Earrings are from World Market - $10.

You're welcome. ;)

she sits.

So Jia's 6 months.
Actually 7.
And a half.
And she's sitting up now.
And has her 2 bottom teeth.
I thought she was due for an update. :)
Around her 6 month mark I was starting to become slightly concerned
because she was not, and had no interest in, sitting up.
Jett was crawling at 6 months.
But I guess she just needed a little nudge.
My dad and I just started sitting her up
and splaying out her legs
a little each day.
A week or so after she turned 6 months she was doing it on her own.
Now she sits while she plays
and is SO much happier.
Toys are more interesting from this angle.
As are her brothers.
And mama is easier to keep an eye on. ;)

 

As you can see she still has her hair.
Her newborn hair has just gotten longer.
And thinner.
Its kind of a mullet-ish bob.
I love it.
I'm sure it will fall out eventually,
I'm just hoping all the new growth underneath
gets nice and long first. :)

 

My dad calls her Savannah.
My mom used to have my little brother & sister's
picture taken with a chimp at the fair every year (animal cruelty?).
The chimp's name was Savannah.
So my dad thinks Jia looks like a monkey.
Which she does. :)

 "Seriously Mom. Stop taking pictures."

guest post: Effective Exercise Basics for Pregnancy and Beyond

Hey all!

I have a guest blogger today!

 Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26

Effective Exercise Basics for Pregnancy and Beyond

What can reduce delivery complications, help with pregnancy fatigue, and make it easier to lose weight after pregnancy? Getting into shape is often a goal before pregnancy, but it gets put on the back shelf once the delivery countdown begins. Exercise is a very important part of successful pregnancies, however, because it optimizes nutrition, balances hormone production, and prepares you mentally and physically for labor.

Pregnancy offered me many opportunities to learn more about my body. Books and educational programs helped somewhat, but there is no substitute for pregnancy classes. Newly expecting moms should begin signing up for these pre-natal classes as soon as possible. Lamaze and Bradley Method classes are highly rated, and the birthing class hosted by the clinic or hospital is a must. You‘ll find more ideas from health providers and support personnel, such as a midwife or doula, about things you may never have considered before—like pain management techniques during delivery and cord blood banking post delivery. Exercise may also be a topic in these classes, but be sure to talk to your doctor before heading any advice or taking any action in this area.

First, Do No Harm
Before delving into some of the highest rated exercises, which will include a surprise for most women, there are a few precautions. All exercise activities should be shared with your health provider. They may offer extra precautions or advice. Other general rules include:

* Avoid overheating and always keep water handy.
* Use warm-ups and cool-downs to avoid abrupt changes in blood pressure.
* Regularity is the key to long-term gains, and your calorie intake needs to increase with regular exercise.
* Avoid contact sports and those involving serious risk of injury.
* Lying on your back is uncomfortable for a reason. It reduces oxygen flow to the placenta.

Exercising for Maximum Benefit
Most people think of walking as simply a low-intensity method of burning off a few calories. Walking early in the morning allowed me to have cognitive improvement throughout the day. Picking up the pace can increase production of mood-balancing neurochemicals and anti-inflammatory hormones. Several other exercises are great for any woman but especially beneficial during pregnancy.

* Kegel exercises strengthened my pelvic floor even when no one was watching. They have been proven to reduce delivery complications and reduce the appearance of symptoms like leaky bladder and hemorrhoids.

* Swimming and water aerobics together offer a great way to maximize blood flow and oxygen delivery as well as tone all the major muscles. Experts recommend this exercise commonly because of the extremely low risk of injury.

* Yoga for a pregnancy classes have become more common in the past decade. Yoga is a complete training program that includes stretches, using the body's resistance to build muscles, increasing awareness of different breathing forms, and increasing stability. This was my favorite exercise!

* For quickly toning the muscles without worry of injuries, nothing beats isotonic and isometric exercises. One example of an exercise I used to do was to clasp the fingers together in front of the body with one palm facing out and the other in. Use one arm to provide mobile resistance while the other arm pulls. The isometric finish utilizes every muscle fiber. Simply pull with both arms as hard as possible, and hold this position for ten seconds.

Combining these and other pregnancy exercises was a healthy way I used to reduce complications and to help increase my overall health—they are simple enough that any mother can do them and prepare herself for a healthy delivery and easy recovery!

modified wardrobe: floral & lace skirt

One time a dear friend of mine gave me one of the best compliments I've ever received.
Maybe she was just being nice but I'm going to pretend as though she really meant it. :)
She told me that I have a gift for looking cute without spending a lot of money.
She actually prefaced her compliment with "I hope this isn't offensive but..."
I said, "no way!"
I am proud of the fact that I don't spend a lot,
and according to my very fashion forward friend,
actually look cute some of the time! :)
I do try to utilize my wardrobe the best that I can and I DEFINITELY do not spend much on it.
And recently I have been modifying a lot of what I already have
since my normal budget is even smaller, as house buying and renovating is not cheap. ;)

I often feel one step behind the trends but its important to me to feel comfortable in what I'm wearing and for it to be "me". So if I don't love the trend I don't wear it, but sometimes, I just need a little more time to get used to it. :)

These fashion boards I put together last spring
are a great representation of my "style".
Vintage. Feminine. And a little bit country. ;)
I love cowboy boots, gypsy style jewelry, and vintage looking dresses.
And I am a wee bit cardigan obsessed.
My forever fashion goal is to find apparel and accessories
that fit my style without spending a small fortune.

So I thought I would share some of the things I've been working on
and hopefully inspire you to give new life to the wardrobe (or at least an item or two) you already have.
Your husbands will thank me. ;)
{And maybe mine will finally believe me when I tell him I spend next to nothing on clothes. ;) }

chambray shirt: Gap - hand-me-down from my friend (I'm a sucker for anything with cowboy style snap buttons)
cowboy boots: Burlington - $30, I needed them for the Garth Brooks concert a few years ago ;)
skinny brown belt: Forever 21 - came free with another outfit
earrings: Forever 21 - $3.80 
floral skirt: The Buckle (I think) - I've had this skirt since college. It had a handkerchief style hem that I eventually cut off and made even all the way around. I just recently added the lace. I just picked up a yard or two at hobby lobby and stitched to the inside of the hem. It was seriously that easy. And now I LOVE it! A skirt that I bought in college!

I know we're headed into Fall
{and here in Kansas we've been enjoying some major gorgeous Fall weather!!}
but I have a couple summery items coming up next.

Maybe you could work on your summer wardrobe over the winter and be ready to go next year! :)

amber Q&A

Over the past 2 years I've had tons of people inquire about my kids' amber teething necklaces. So I thought I'd write about it and then just refer everyone to this post. :) I think my friend Audrey was the first person to introduce me to them but I did a little research of my own and asked my go-to healthcare provider (dad) his opinion as well.

What are they?
Amber teething necklaces are made up of amber stones.  Amber is a gemstone made from fossilized tree resin (remember Jurassic Park? Same concept.).

How do they work?
Some believe that Amber contains healing qualities (I said qualities people, not powers) and when worn on and warmed by the skin, it releases soothing oils. So when babies where them around their necks, it helps soothe their jaws, gums, etc. while teething.

DO they work?
Jett was really struggling while teething and I was desperate to find a homeopathic remedy and not have a nightly routine of doses of infant tylenol.  So I decided to give amber teething necklaces a chance.  Within days he seemed calmer, happier and before I knew it his FOUR front teeth all popped through at the same time without so much as a peep from him! It may have been coincidence...it may not have.  My bible study childcare givers even told me they noticed a difference in his temperament. So who knows? He wore his non-stop until recently.

Jia has worn hers for quite a few months already.  Around 2 months old she started getting fussy, drooly and chewing on everything in sight so I put one on her.  About a week or 2 ago she was EXTREMELY fussy for about 2 or 3 days (even while wearing the necklace) and would scream in agony when we'd rub her gums. We knew she was close.  This past Sunday we could see white lines on her bottom gums, on Monday we could feel a tooth!  So she still had a couple of very fussy days when her teeth were super close to coming through, but for the most part teething has not been too terrible for her or us.

Are they safe?
When I first got Jett's necklace I was really worried about him wearing it to bed. But that's when he needed it most! I eventually got over my fear (good or bad) and got used to it. I know my mother-in-law (a nurse) about croaked and probably thought I was the worst mother ever but she seemed to get used to it too. ;) You want to make sure that they necklace is not too tight on their chubby little necks and you also want to make sure they're not too long and could get snagged on something and cause them to choke. I make sure Jett and Jia's beds are safe and free of anything they could get caught on. I also make sure to always tuck the necklace inside their shirts. They can't do any good if they're not directly on their skin and I like them tucked away where they don't even notice them.  Jia found hers a lot earlier than Jett did (go figure, gotta love little girls) but for the most part leaves it alone. You also want to make sure that once your baby has teeth that they're not biting the necklace. The stones can actually break and splinter.

So what do I think?
I'm undecided. Jett was inconsolable while teething.  After putting an amber necklace on him, he got ALL of his teeth (including molars) without fussing at all ever again. Jia has worn her necklace all along and has not been too bad except for those 2 or 3 days of bad pain and irritability. There is obviously no scientific proof that amber actually heals or soothes. But my view is, its natural and it can't hurt them so its worth a shot. If it seems to work and it takes the place of synthetic drugs then its worth it.
 
Where do you find them?
Etsy is a great place to find amber teething necklaces and I love supporting small businesses - especially  when they're run by other mamas! :) I ordered mine from this shop.

*Tip: I also love Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Tablets if you can find them. We've also tried Homeopathic Oral Gel but I didn't see a lot of results.

So yes, I recommend giving amber teething necklaces a try!  But I am not a doctor or nurse. So definitely do your own research and decide if they're a good idea for your baby and lifestyle. :)

exposing my ugly.

I really don't want to publish this post.
Nobody wants to spill their ugly all over the internet for the world to see.
But if I keep it locked inside I'm choosing pride over humility
and keeping others from learning from my mistakes.
And why else are we here if not to share our struggles
and point one another to the Light?
I like what Jami calls it... This is a "dark corner" of my heart.

I read a blog post recently that linked to a sermon about comparison.
I instantly thought to myself, oh, well that's something I've got a handle on.
Bloggers write about it all the time.
I know we shouldn't compare houses, lives, children, gifts.
I still struggle sometimes but it doesn't really affect me too much.
I know I have blessings to be thankful for, yada yada yada.
Then I read a little further...
And before I even listened to the sermon,
God slammed me in the chest and said, "BOOM. This is you. Take care of it."
So I'm trying to obey.

First and foremost, I love my sister.  A lot.
Seriously. Don't mess with this big sister.
I realized the depth and intensity of my love for her a few weeks ago
when I was ready to rip an interested young man apart, limb from limb.
He may have had respectable intentions, he may not have.
You don't want to see me go all Cullen, mkay.
(She'll appreciate that reference.)
And I don't just love the girl, I adore her.
We are friends as well as sisters.

So. Me and Cassie.
There are 11 years between us.
I was 11 when she was born and watched that sweet baby girl come into the world.
I was a really weird, mature, old soul kind of kid.
I loved learning about pregnancy and fetal development and loved being in the room for her delivery.
Crazy, I know.
I was the first to see that Cassie was in fact a girl
and I was the first to look down into her sweet, beautiful face
(a face that looked an awful lot like my own baby girl).
And the realization that I finally had a sister hit me.
This is the kind of love and relationship we have.

But as my sister grew into a teenager and then young adult
I started to compare her life with my own.
What she got and what I got.
Who she was and who I was.
Her life seemed perfect while mine seemed severely flawed.

And please. Do NOT get me wrong.
I had a wonderful childhood - not perfect by any means - but I would even go as far to say privileged.
But I couldn't help but compare my life with my sister's.

Cassie turned into a beautiful young woman
and completely skipped the horrible awkward phase that us mortals have to endure.
I had an extremely long awkward phase that lasted from 6th grade to my junior year of college.
You think I'm kidding.
I still struggle with what my husband lovingly refers to as "ugly duckling syndrome".
I don't think I'm an ugly duckling anymore. But in my heart, I'm afraid, I always will be.
Cassie was popular, a great student and a good athlete.
I got lost in the crowd, had to work hard for my good grades, and did not, ahem, excel in sports.
Cassie has boys truly knocking the door down.
I.......did not.
Cassie went to a very expensive private Christian school.
I was a face among thousands at a public 6A school.
Cassie got a BMW when she turned 16.
I got a Chevy Lumina.
I remember thinking, my dad wants me to look like a nerd!
(How snotty, selfish and shallow do I sound!?)
Cassie's birth parents are not divorced.
Cassie didn't have to choose between the two at ball games.
Cassie never had to feel betrayed, confused, burdened as a child.
Cassie will most likely marry Prince Charming
have a perfect marriage, a perfect life, never have financial struggles etc.
(I've seriously thought these things.)
While Jeff and I have endured some hard, hard times
both financially and in our marriage.

Why God?
Why did you give me so much to endure and bear as a child, teenager
and now wife and mother?
Why was I given such a heavy load...and Cassie was not?
Do you love her more?
Do you see me?

These questions started to eat me from the inside out.
They started to make their way to the surface.
Make their way into conversations, into snide comments to my parents,
but more importantly, into my heart and relationship with my heavenly Father.

And I realized it was the enemy speaking lies.
Controlling me with those lies.
Making me believe them.

You'll never be as good as her. 
Your parents favor her beauty and talent.
God loves her more.
Look how he left you to suffer, hurt, and struggle.
Look how he lifts her up
and hands her every desire of her heart on a silver platter.
Look how you've had to claw and scrape for any good thing you've ever had.

Lies.

I know the Truth.
And I'm appalled at myself for believing anything else.

But it's kind of easy isn't it?
It's kind of easy to believe all the bad things about yourself.
It's much harder to believe the good.

That Christ loved you so much that He died for you.
That God is there for you, no matter the trials and tribulations that come your way.
That you're beautiful.
And special.
And important.

And you know what's crazy?
I don't even struggle with the examples this speaker listed!
And I still find things to compare and complain about!
How screwed up is that?!

I was looking to my left and to my right and not at Christ.
Like Peter, I was worried about what John (Cassie) was going to have to endure.
Just to make sure it was "even", ya know?
And Peter loved John.
Probably as much as I love Cassie.
He wasn't wishing for bad things for John.
He just didn't want to be the only one having to endure them.
And Jesus said, it is not your concern! Look at ME. Follow ME.
{John 21:15-22}

I have battled this...well, lets call it what it is - JEALOUSY - for a long time now.
Years, in fact.
So, I realize its something I'm going to have to work at.
It's not going to get better overnight.
And it's not going to be better because I wrote this blog post.
It's going to take constant conditioning of my heart
because I will be bombarded daily with how our lives have been so different.

Let's face it.
This is not about Cassie and her "charmed" life.
Not one bit.
Its about the ugliness in my heart.
Ugliness that must be dug out and replaced with good stuff.
So that I can spend my time and energy doing what I'm supposed to be doing.
Furthering God's Kingdom.
Not worrying about Cassie, or John, or anyone else that seems like they have it better than I do.

Our Pastor said one time in a message that it doesn't say anywhere that God is fair.
Our God is just not "fair".
And that is enough. MORE than enough.
When I'm feeling low, invisible, or watching others be blessed over and over again
while I seem to be spinning my wheels,
and I'm grasping for some kind of hope or encouragement
I'll often hear God say, "I see you. Keep going."

I started this post some weeks ago
and already feel so much better just writing it out. Like a burden has been lifted.
My sin is just as ugly when put into words, but its not nearly as scary.
When Light is shined into the darkness (especially those dark crevices and corners of the heart),
healing can begin.

Influence countdown.

I'm so excited to be going to the Influence conference in October!

Its going to be such an amazing time of communion

with other women of faith.

The conference leaders have asked that we share a few things about ourselves so here goes!

  

3 get-to-know-me things:

My "3 get-to-know-me things" are my 3 passions!

Doing my best to live out Christ's mission for me in both motherhood and marriage and teaching my children to walk in the Light is most definitely a passion and priority for me.

I love creating and crafting and styling my home and family while trying to be a good steward of God's financial blessings. So there's a lot of bargain hunting, painting, sewing, building, repurposing and gluing that goes on in my home! :)

I love love love event planning and just recently started doing it "professionally".  I hope to remove the "quotes" in the near future. ;)

2 things I'm looking forward to about the conference:

I'm so looking forward to the fellowship with other bloggers and meeting and making new friends in the blogging world!

I'm also looking forward to having some uninterrupted talk time (something that is oh so rare with mothers of small children) with one of my besties and these 2 crazy girls...
 

1 thing I can't leave home without:

My breast pump! Which will be my bff while away at the conference as I'll still be nursing this little mama.

 
I hope to see you all there!

summer.

Today is September 1st 

- and a rainy one at that, thank you Lord for the rain! -

 and school was in full swing this past week

so I figured it was time to do my annual summer post.

Which is basically just a bunch of random photos I took while lovin' on summer.

This year they're all instagrams. Go figure.

Pickin' cukes.

Our first Sporting KC game!

No words really.

People watching at the county fair.

A long summer day.

Enjoying outdoor family dinners.

Chillin' after washing the car. Jett is naked. Of course.

I'm not too sad to say goodbye to summer this year.

We really really need the rain we've had today

and we have such exciting things happening for our family this fall!

Summer 2011

Summer 2010

Summer 2009