To Sew or Not To Sew?

Some might be shocked, but I actually don't know how to sew! What?! Yes, that's right folks, this former Girl Scout & crafter of all things doesn't know how to sew! Jay-man's costume wasn't made using a sewing machine....it was made using Hot Glue (one of my favorite products)!

The whole costume in it's entirety! Even the crown was made by hot gluing 2 pieces of felt together!

It's hard to see, but his Aunt made him the other crown--to completely match his costume! Thank you Aunt Jena!

As you can see, I'm pretty proud of my work with the hot glue gun! Let's not forget these adorable little bow ties!

All made with hot glue! 

I did "learn how to sew" when I was a Girl Scout, but I never pursued it anymore because I absolutely had no interest. So now I am kicking myself for not asking my mom to teach me and not even taking a home-EC course in high school! Because I see all of these cute things on Pinterest that I WANT TO MAKE! (Examples: Dino Tails or Plush Alphabet or even something for myself A pretty Skirt!)

So this morning, since I couldn't sleep I got out of bed, came into the "new office"--well someday soon...hopefully (lol). I enjoyed some quiet time with Jesus & then I got on YouTube and watched my very first sewing video! I can't wait to get started!!!! I just have to buy some things first, but fabric is NOT one of them because I have been stocking up for quite some time on that! :)

I will update y'all later on how I did! Oh and did I mention that I will also be teaching myself how to sew by hand? Because I received this pretty dress & it has a rip in it. And I can't bear to let it go just because of that tiny little tear! I want to be able to wear it this summer while we are on vacay!

I hope y'all have a blessed Thursday!



But if we are living in the light as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

What Love Is

In our women's bible study group at church we just started the book What Love Is by Kelly Minter. I am only on Day 2 of "homework" and I must say that I am hooked. Taking a dive into the Letters of 1, 2, 3 John and the love he had for Jesus and for all those to know about Jesus has actually got me quite hooked!

This morning, while reading Day 1 of our "homework" something really caught my eye was this quote from Kelly: "The Lord calls each of us to our own unique race, just as He called a fisherman named John."

We can't compare ourselves to everyone else, because then we aren't opening our hearts, ears and eyes to listen to what God has called us to do. I know as a woman, I can't help but compare myself to other moms. Whether they're more stylish than me, they're skinnier than me or if they're cooler than me. What I do know is that God doesn't care about any of that and I have to be willing to listen because he called me here for a specific reason!

This study was just for me. In the time I needed it the most. Staying true to myself, to my family and most importantly to my God. I look forward to reading more, and learning exactly what Love is and how I can actually put into words & actions the kind of love God has for me.
 

Have a blessed Saturday!! 

Public Apology

Long time, no post! Every time I have wanted to post, life got up and said "No, you need to do this!"

I hate when that happens. So now, I am up early, enjoying my coffee, enjoying some time with Jesus and now I am here. I was on Facebook looking at some people who are my family and thinking "I haven't seen them in awhile, I need to see them." I am a family person, but only when I'm accepted. I love seeing family, whether by blood or by marriage. Or that was the case, until almost 3 years ago when my daddy went to his forever home. Losing a parent has changed my life, my way of thinking and my way of doing things. I don't take things for granted as much, I take a lot more things to heart and if I get ignored or something similar, my feelings get hurt.

If I left you abruptly, didn't talk to you for awhile, or cried in your presence recently, I am sorry. I truly am. Feelings come over me, reminding me of how certain things wouldn't have been had at my house growing up and then the tears flow.

With this being said, my family, by marriage or by blood is my everything. I can't change who I am and I won't. My daddy was one of those parents who said "if they hit you, you hit them back" and my mom was just the opposite, telling us that it was wrong." I have learned from the best and depending on my mood, I could do one or the other.

And you want to know something so extremely odd that I have learned in this grieving process? As the years grow longer since my daddy's passing, I am not crying every month, but sometimes if something triggers inside of me, most often when I am with a large group of people who happen to be my family, whether it be a past feeling, a past memory or whatever, that is when I notice the pain/joy I have in my heart.


I went down a rabbit hole, but here's the gist of the post: I am sorry if you have questioned my act of selfishness. Can't promise it won't happen again, but I'm hoping with time and prayer and my God beside me, that I will be better able to control the pain.


God Bless always.

Christmas Pics 2015

It's me again! Do you know what time of the year is drawing near? CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

If anyone knows me, they know that I love all things Christmas. Growing up, that was my favorite time of the year and it still is to this day! My daddy would get so excited about Christmas, my mom would stuff our stockings full of cool things, daddy would record us opening all of our gifts (no joke--4 hours worth- at least!!). Christmas has always been a special time of year for me. Not because of the gifts, but because we get to rejoice in knowing that Christ was born to later die for our sins! Yes, FOR OUR SINS!! And I love spending time with my family.

Well, anyway, back to my point.
Every year, we would always put up the tree AFTER Thanksgiving--that's a shocker for those who have known me in the most recent years. I always said that when I'm either on my own, or married--whichever came first, I would put my tree up the FIRST weekend in November. I have done just that since Brady and I have been married.

Don't get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving. I love gathering together, giving thanks for the many blessings in my life and EATING! But....we've never had Thanksgiving here, and even if we did, my tree would still be up. Lol I just know how much I loved Christmas growing up and I want to pass on the tradition to Jayden.

Sooooo.....in October (yes, October) we had our Christmas pictures done. I love them. My boys look so handsome! I love that she captures the love that we share in pictures! Donna with Captivate Photography is my bestest friend, my Sis {in Christ} and my favorite photographer EVER! (If you visit the above link, you'll see my Bridal pic as her cover photo---yes, I'm bragging!) This year we didn't do the "normal Christmas colors" because Jayden's awesome Mia (my mom-in-love) bought him this adorable outfit and I just loved the colors! And the leaves changing and the beautiful pond in the background, well you'll just have to see for yourself! So, without further ado, here are a few of my favorites!

 

God Bless Each of you!! 

P.S. HAPPY VETERANS DAY!! Thank you to all the men and women who have served to keep our country the Land of the FREE! Without your selflessness, we wouldn't be able to walk, talk and praise our God. Thank you so very much, your service never goes unnoticed. 

Have a blessed week! 

3 years old today!

Our little man is 3! It doesn't seem that long ago that he made his grand entrance into this world and on his own terms AAANNNDDD sharing a birthday with his Mia! That was an exciting & stressful 26 hours of labor, BUT I wouldnt have him any other way. He reminds me of a certain person--oh wait, that's me. ;) 

We will celebrate tonight & tomorrow! Because turning 3 is just that AWESOME! 

To my precious Booger Bear, you are loved by daddy, me, your grandparents, your Aunts & Uncle, all of your cousins and friends, but most of all, you are loved by the God who created you! Never forget that my baby love. Keep on being spunky & silly, because that's just who God made you to be. I love you to the last star punkin'! 

P.s. I might or might not be crying. My baby boy is growing up. 

Crafting with Kim

Good morning! Sorry, I haven't posted in awhile. I have a perfectly good reason, well 2 reasons! 1. Summer came & went and school has started back and today is our first MOPS meeting for the year! 2. My keyboard on my laptop is messed up, causing me not to be able to type much, so until I let go of my laptop for the Hubbers to fix, I will just use the app on my phone. I just wanted to show y'all what I've been up to this summer! So without further ado, here's some pictures! 

Just a few of Jayden's party things. Can you tell what the theme is? ;)

And here's what else I've been working on! 

MOPS decor! 

My fall decor! 

Decor for the home! My kitchen is now coffee themed, so that's what the canvases are for. I actually already put them up! 

And a wedding present. I'm positive they love it! :) 

Have a blessed day! 

Potty Training is an Adventure

About 3 weeks ago, I decided it was a good time to start potty training Jayden. He was curious about where it was going, about sitting on the potty and he even would tell us when his diaper was wet or he went #2. So all the signs pointed in the right direction.

The first day was overwhelming. I was constantly washing 6 pairs of underwear, I couldn't do any other chores around the house, it was just awful, but I didn't give up. We had more accidents than I can count and I prayed more than I have in the parenting department thus far.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 2--you do what you gotta do to keep him on the toilet. lol

I think by the 3rd or 4th day, he really started grasping the fact that he needed to go tee tee in the potty. Each time he went tee tee, I would let him pick out 1 sticker to put in the box. If he went poop, he would get 2 (more on that later). Every time he peed, we made a HUGE deal out of it! In fact, he still makes a big deal out of it!

Day 4 came around and he was really getting the hang of it. 

By day 5, he was so close to filling up his first box. {Once he filled up his first box, he got his first surprise}

Day 6! Look at the sweet smile!

The more he filled up boxes, the more excited he got! He would tell us when he had to go tee tee and he would climb up onto his potty and go, therefore giving him another sticker, filling up another box and getting another surprise!

Day 8

Day 8 earned him another surprise! 

By July 7th, Jayden filled his entire posterboard full of stickers and received 6 prizes. All for peeing on the potty and telling us when he needed to go! He's got that part down 98%, pooping will take a little longer. In fact, yesterday he said "I get another surprise." I had to remind him that he's received all of his surprises for going tee tee. I said "if you go poop on the potty, you'll get a surprise." His response "I don't go poop on potty, I go in underwear." (he had just lost the battle to holding it in until we climbed on the potty. lol)

And everyone clapped because both mom, dad & Jayden made it through another parenting phase alive!