It takes real talent.

You've seen those posts on various social media sites that start off "It takes talent to fall UP the stairs...." and etc.
Well friends, I have some real talent... I can fall up the stairs, trip over nothing, choke on air and manage to get hurt in the funniest of ways.

For example.. I'm not sure HOW I did it..but I was getting into my Jeep one day...and I'm all of five feet tall, so I always have to stand on the runners to get into it.. I managed to half knock my head off on the roll bar of my Jeep. *Yep...That Is Talent right there.

Then I can't forget to mention that one fun family vacation was spent during the Fourth of July on the beach.  We were watching fireworks and started walking back to our condo, when I turned to look at this huge firework that was lighting up the sky, only to face-plant into the sand.. Nothing caught me either. I didn't have time to react.. I was upright, and the next second I was face-down in the sand.  My husband and kids, who are use to me having all this talent just kept right on walking as if I didn't even fall. (but they were laughing.. I saw them when I managed to get my head out of the sand enough).  Meanwhile I start laughing so hard that I couldn't even stand up.  Some random young man came over and asked  "Ma'am are you OK?" with this really concerned look on his face... I was so embarrassed and laughing so hard that all I could do was shake my head.

Now lets fast forward to just the other day.....
My youngest daughter wanted some wrapping paper to wrap up her best friends birthday present.  So, being the good mom that I am, I go into my closet to get it.  I notice its on the top shelf but I didn't want to walk to the garage and bring in the ladder.  So I study the shelving that we have (I know..bad bad bad bad bad idea).  The shelving isn't those wire shelves, instead these are wooden shelves.
So I step on the bottom shelf so help me reach the top shelf a little better, and my foot slips. *Of course it did*  I feel myself falling as I grab for the wrapping paper. (Hey, at least I got the wrapping paper) and I crash down to the ground right on my bottom. (Its tile floor and dang did that hurt). meanwhile as soon as I'm hitting the ground, I see a suitcase that was on the top shelf fall...and it falls right on my head!
(You can laugh now.. I did).. Well I laughed until I realized that I was stuck and couldn't get up! My entire left side of my body felt like I had been hit by a truck.. So I'm half laughing/half crying and trying to yell for one of my kids to see if they can hear me. (They couldn't)...
Finally about six minutes later, my youngest comes running into the room wanting to know what was taking so long for the wrapping paper.... (hey, at least she came and realized mommy was slightly hurt.  

But in all honestly though, its more embarrassing or humiliating than anything else. I thank the Good Lord that I didn't get injured more than I did. My wrist felt a little sore/sprained for a few days, but now its all better.

What are some things you have an weird talent for?  I actually joke around and tell people that I just do random gravity checks.  

Musings from a tired mom.

Its been a while since I've written, and WOW how things have changed..
Back in December, we were pretty suddenly relocated from everything the kids and I have ever known as home, to another state....in a place we had never even visited.  Well thats not true exactly.. The weekend for we got the official confirmation, we took a quick weekend trip to check out our possible new home town..... We went back, and the next day we got the confirmation. This was December 22.. We had Christmas at our home and the moving truck arrived on December 30.  New Years Eve 2017 we were in our new home, in our new hometown, in a new state...

Its been a good relocation so far.  The kids have adjusted pretty well.  *Thankful for facetime, so they can talk to and see their friends anytime they want.   For me, its been a bit harder.

You see, I LOVED the church we were in back home.  Back home was comfortable for me.  The very few (and when I say very few, I mean, like 3,  people) that I ever talked to were there.  Im an extrovert.. But that doesn't make moving to a new place easy at all. I'm more picky with whom I trust with my friendship now days.. When I was younger I didn't care.. The more friends, the merrier!  Not anymore.. Id rather have a few good TRUE honest friends, than a a bunch of backstabbing, just wanna be friends when its convenient for them, friends.

I knew back home if I wanted desperately to have a few minutes of Kid free, Talk about crazy things and no I wouldn't be judged, I could pick up the phone and call my best friend, and we could meet on her lunch break for less than an hour and chat... Although this really didn't happen much. *Seriously, maybe twice a year).

Since moving here, I've learned just how lonely life can be.  I still talk to my best friend on the phone as much as I can, but its different.  I feel like between the kids and their new activities, I'm being pulled in so many different ways, and still have made NO friends.  The churches we have been visiting are great, but they are mega churches with anywhere from 15 thousand to thirty thousand people. Which makes it impossible to actually meet Christian friends.  Unfortunately, even though they do "small groups" types things, its always at a time when there is no way I can make it.




The hardest part it seems, is knowing that GOD brought us here for a reason...They way the timeline worked and how everything was pieced together for this move, its the only explanation. Its a GOD THING., but I feel further from God than Ive ever been.   It feels as I hardly have a relationship with him any more.  When I pray, I feel nothing.  Maybe I am doing it wrong?  All I know is something is going on and I don't like it.  My life feels like turmoil nonstop.. When one things starts going good, twelve things start going back.  My relationship with my kids is strained to the max. 
If im being one hundred percent honest... It feels like they would rather me be a silent mute and be non existent than ever even talk to them. I can look at them and say Good Morning and it starts an argument.  (Yep that's my superpower.. I can walk into the room, and make people mad without even talking!)
I feel as though Im trying so hard to raise respectful, obedient and Godly children/teens and yet at the same time Im doing something incredibly wrong to have this sort of disrespect from all angles.

Now, I know I could possibly sit back and not try to discipline my children when Ive asked a million times to do something, and they don't do it.. but to me.. That is just wrong.  I'm trying to teach them!
Who knew that by asking your seven year old to brush her hair that world war III would break out and you become the most hated villain in the world by everyone in your family....

Oh and the weight gain! Goodness gracious, Ive gained a little over 20 lbs in just six months!  Its insane! I feel like there are days where I hardly even eat. and yet still gain weight.. That part is just miserable! and it really puts a damper on your self confidence!!!

If you've read this far, I promise I have a great life! My husband is a great provider and has been since we married...He works hard at his job and loves his kids...and I know I shouldn't come off like I'm complaining, but I'm not going to hide my feelings because I know they are real.

Once upon a time, I use to be a strong, confident woman/girl..and while I've always cared what other people have thought, I wouldn't ever knowingly put someone down or hurt their feelings..I know without a doubt that I am nowhere near that person today..... Im at the tail end of finishing my masters degree and yet, I feel like I have lost myself somewhere in the last fifteen years.  Its like I have taken on just the identity of wife and mom, but somehow hidden everything else.

I read somewhere this happens to a lot of moms/wives.  They lose site of who they were and become miserable and depressed..Because you take on this role where your kids and your husband are more important than anything else in the world and you will do whatever you can to make sure they have food, clean clothes, and are healthy. You take care of them when they are sick..etc.. but you've lost site of who you are to the point when you finally get a few minutes or an hour completely alone, you have NO IDEA what to do with yourself...
but I feel like it doesn't have to be this way.. You can get your identity back, while still being a great mom and a great wife.... Im not exactly sure how but Im going to work on it.

I'm no good to anyone, if I can't be the person that God wants me to be.....I just gotta figure out how to find him again, and how to get that relationship back....

This may not make sense to anyone out there, and then again, you could be reading this thinking "I could have written this"... if you have read this far, thank you for reading my nonsense musings....

Hi- I'm so sorry it's been several months since I've written anything. I'm a horrible blogger of you haven't noticed yet.  I keep telling myself remember to blog everyday or at least once a week but I usually forget.   So. Here's what's been going on..
I had stopped working out since I had my surgery in April 2014. I thought I was doing ok health wise and keeping up with my busy family.  But the scale kept raising.   Let's face it- I'm short. I'm 5" tall and even packing on 5 lbs, you can tell-
But I seemed to have not let it bother me.     In June, I got a KILLER migraine headache.  I'm not stranger to migraines. I use to get them all the time but it's been s good long while.
I was in bed for three days .  I was throwing up, dizzy and just plain miserable.
The doc had put me in some sort of steroid to take for ten days.
I started taking it and realized quickly that I was dropping weight.  I'll be honest. It freaked me out.
I finished my ten days and realized I had dropped about 7-10 lbs.   I had blood test done because I was terrified something else was wrong. (Dr.google is NOT good for peoe to read...at all).   Turns out. My sugar was a bit high but other than that I was ok.  The doc said the steroids usually make you hungry and you gain weight and I should be happy that I was eating and loosing.

So. I decided to take advantage of it and start back to the gym.
Wow.  In completely dedicated to the gym now and get frustrated if I have to miss more than a day or so.  Working out makese feel good all over.  I'm not down officially 13 lbs I believe and have lost 5" total between my waist and hips.    I weight now what I weighed about 12 years ago.  I still have about 7 more lbs to go but I'm not stressing because I feel like I look good.  If I don't lose those 7 lbs it will be fine- Why?  Because I'm working out and eating better and overall I'm the healthiest I've been inkre than a decade.

I did however decide after tons of research to do a cleanse.  It's called SkinnyMint TeaTox.

I chose the 28 day teatox. I love tea. And this is all kinds of herbal tea mixed together. You drinking the morning Boost everyday and the nighttime cleanse every other night.

I'm in day 4.  Here is how I've done dso far

Day 1: morning boost. Was delicious.  I felt a tiny bit more energized but not asucb as I do when I drink my
Morning coffee.
Day 1 nighttime cleanse:  It had a good taste.
I didn't have Nytbingbappen at all that night but around 1 am I had to pee.
Then again around 3.   Then around 5 my belly has some light has like cramps.
I finally went and had a BM around 5:30 AM.  (I usually get up around this time so no biggie). The. Had 3 more within the hour.   It was not a RUN to the bathroom thing either.

Day 2: Morning Boost. / delicious. Ate a light breakfast and got my three kids off to school and went to workout. NO more BMs

No nighttime cleanse tonight since it's every other night.

Day3: MB- this time after letting it steep I put ice in it and drank it cold. A little different but still delicious.   got up. Are breakfast.  It was Saturday so I slept in till around 9

5:45 pm. Ate dinner and drank the night cleanse.
Slept all night. Woke up around 5 am to Pee

Went back to sleep till around 8-830. When I woke up the urge to have a BM hit me.
I had three this day.    It's day 4 and  down 2 lbs.


No night cleanse for me tonight since it's every other night.  But I'm excited to see how the rest of the 28 days go- I already feel better and my tummy it's slimmer/less Bloat.   #skinnymintcom #daretobegorgeous

Our journey to Gluten/Dairy Free..........and why!

This might be a long post...
A year ago, our daughter  (now four) had a crazy reaction when she was eating our All time favorite food (Pizza).  Her face got red and swelled up. She had to put ice packs on it to make it quit burning.  Thankfully, it didn't cause her breathing to mess up in any way, but it was enough to scare the living daylights out of all of us. (Especially her brother and sister).

We ended up going to the doc, who send us to an allergist, who did all the necessary testing, and came up with EVERYTHING negative.
At the time, they told us they thought it was probably just a freak incident, where the wheat or yeast used could have been rancid or something like that.

Her pediatrician ended up giving us an EpiPen to keep on us JUST in case it happens again. Especially since we had so many question, and NO answers..

Off and On over the past year, her face would get this red angry looking rash when she would eat certain foods.....  Sometimes it would get puffy and a little swollen and then there were times where she would run to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face, or put icepacks to her face to cool it down.

So much benadryl has been given to her to calm down her reactions.  Then of course, we found all about Essential Oils, so we used a Allergy trio type blend to help as well. 

November 2014, She was in a Play through our Churches homeschool co-op. One of the characters was using Wheat in the play, and it was on the floor.  
Alba was playing on the floor with another little girl and rolled all around in it and within minutes, her entire face and arms had a red angry rash.

Two days before Christmas 2014, she got the Flu.  She is already Allergic to EVERY antibiotic you can take, but since none of THOSE are actually in the tamiflu, we decided to try it.   After only two doses, crippling pain, and a high fever of 105.5 we were in the ER where we realized she was having an adverse reaction to the medicine and told to stop it completely.  
So here we are back at home, with a very sick little girl and im looking up EVERY essential oil remedy I can find to help her feel better.
A friend sends us an oil that I didnt have and we used it, along with a few others and within 24 hours she was basically symptom free, except for a FEVER and no appetite (no appetite for a whole week!! Seriously).

From that moment on, every single thing she ate, caused a reaction in her body. Rashes, puffiness..etc.) 

Finally in January 2015 her doc decided to send us to another allergist/immunologist to see what in the world is causing all of these.. In February we had our appointment.

Turns out, sometimes when you get a viral infection, such as the FLU, your body can go into a hyper sensitive mode and anything that enters is, your body has a reaction too. This is why sometimes allergies are more noticeable during this time.

We find out she is allergic to cats and dogs..But that she also has a very high intolerance to GLUTEN/ Dairy, and MOST Spices.

So..let the adventure of Gluten Free/Dairy free and a lot of Spices free lifestyle being for my crazy, very picky four year old..... When I say Picky.. I mean it....

What we've been up too?

I can not believe it has been more than a year since I have written on this Blog. Life has been somewhat busy to say the least. In January 2014 (one year ago) we made the decision to start homeschooling our children. At the time, our kids were in 3rd and 5th grade, with a three year old. We had home-schooled our oldest before, when he was in Kindergarten. He had been in public school from first grade through fifth grade. I get asked all the time, "WHY" did we decide to home-school our children. I keep thinking to myself, I wonder if I just answered with "I got tired of waking up early"..if people would stop asking.. Its really no ones business why we decided to home school. They may sound like I am being rude, but what if every time you turned around someone was asking you "Why" you decided to go to send your kids to Public school, or Private School, or "Why" you decided to go to Publix instead of Kroger? I mean seriously, we get asked ALL the time. The answer is simple. "We just decided it was best for our family, at this time to home school.". I'm gonna be 100% honest with you.. I HAVE NO MORE PATIENCE than any other parent out there, If you ask me, I have LESS patience that most parents do.. There are days I want to give up. There are days that I want to send my kids BACK to public school. There are days that I don't even know if we are all going to make it through the day with school. There are days that I wonder and question if my kids are learning or if I am letting them down....but then I test them and realize, they KNOW this stuff. But there are also GREAT days.. Days where I can SEE stuff clicking in my kids heads when they finally figure out how to do something they are learning in school. You just can't beat getting to sit and cuddle with your kids, or being told "Mom, your the best mom ever!" because you helped them with something, or for no reason at all. I mean, what parent doesn't want extra cuddles from your kids, or "I love you's?". We have a pretty great life!! My favorite question is "Do your kids actually get to have "real" friends? " Yah, they do. Just the same as YOU, or I, or your kids do.. The only difference is my kids don't pick their friends based on their ages or grades.(not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that). My kids pick their friends based on what they in common or not in common with others. Let me ask you this.. are ALL your friends the same age as you? I know that Mine are not. IN fact, I have maybe ONE friend who is the exact same age as me.. The rest are older and younger.. BY YEARS.... My kids have no problem sitting in a group of kids that range in age from 3 to 18 and carry on a conversation. My 6th grader will talk to ANYONE, and if you like video games, well, He may NOT leave you alone.... EVER. My 4th grade daughter will sit and talk to ANYONE as well. It could be a teacher, parent, high school-er, or preschooler. Our FOUR year old.. well she's four.. but LOVES the fact that at any time during the day, she has her brother and sister around. We also are extremely active in Church.. and our kids go to a co-op, all day once a week with other homeschoolers in our area. They LOVE it. They also ALL dance. Even our son. He's an amazing Hip Hop dancer! Well that explains what we have been up to since LAST January. If you follow my Bridal line or kids line, you'll see I have posted much on that in the past year. But, its because I had taken a break. It was a good break. As much as I LOVED sewing and designing, sometimes it just gets overwhelming and you just need a sabbatical from it. Mine just happened to last about a year. Just over Christmas Break, I decided to start back to sewing. I've had a lot fun and I've missed it a TON. The moment I decided to start back, I was asked to participate in a really amazing collaboration. Its top SECRET for now, but its with an AMAZING makeup Artist who I really admire......Its set to go down in April! Last year, this same amazing Makeup Artist did a photo shoot.. I had taken an old 70s era wedding gown and made it more modern! Here is what I did:
I took THAT dress above, and cut off the big poofy sleeves, it also had a TON of see through lace that went around the top of the dress,well I TOOK ALL that off as well. I took the ZIPPER out of the back and make it a Corset. I pintucked the front of the dress, to make it flow better as well. This was the end results, before it went off to the photo shoot:

After I sent this gown to the amazing Ashley of True Bella Makeup Artisty, she did this:

Isn't it Amazing!!!!! The model in the photo's is her cousin!!! She is a beautiful young lady!!! Ok, Well enough about that for now!!!! I'll try really hard to get back over here and update more of what's going on!


You can click on True Bella Makeup Artisty to see more of the amazing Work from the Tennessee Based Ashley of True Bella!

Not enough?

Ever get the feeling that you're not doing enough?  Your not good enough?  Your not crafty enough?
When is enough, in fact, enough?

I feel this way a gazillion times a day.  Growing up, my mother kept the house spotless. When I mean spotless, I'm serious. White Glove Approval. She was the ideal, stay at home mom.  She was up before all of us each morning.  Normally we had a hot breakfast, unless we chose cereal.  Many times we we got home from school, there would be cookies, brownies or something else she had made as an afternoon snack.  She drove us to all of our sports practices until we were old enough to drive ourselves. (And there were a lot).
I remember my mom driving me to my much anticipated gymnastics practice 3x a week and during that same time she would be dropping my older brother off at Karate and my other brother had to be across town for Piano Lessons.
As we got older, we all did a multiples of sports. My brothers did track, soccer, golf, wrestling, and I did gymnatics, tennis, track, golf.  I bet when I got my liscense, she was able to rest..but nope, She still drove out out to my tennis matches, and drove me and the other tennis girls to our matches across town, out of town, etc.   I always wonder if she felt the way I do now..and my kids are are still little.  I never remember hearing her complain, unless we were all fighting.
I wish I could be like that.  When I think of the Proverbs 31 woman, I always think of my mom.  She was up early, stayed up late, drove us around everywhere, Made sure we ate healthy, had our proper checkups at the doctor, made sure my father was highly respected. As we got older she started a small business on the side which kept her busy until after I married. Today, she teaches Children in the Church preschool department on Sundays, and also helps out my father around his business.  

I wish on many days I could be half of what she is.  I wish I loved to clean (or even liked to clean) a fraction as much as she did.  I wish that I didn't feel burdened to take my kids to all their practices. ( I don't always, I actually enjoy it but some days, I feel really stressed).  I wish I could have my kids respect me, the way I know me and my brothers respected my parents.    It's bitter sweet.

I often wonder if even though my mom always has gone beyond the call of duty, if she ever felt like she didn't do enough?  In my opinion she did too much.  She didn't have to keep the house extra spotless. She could have put her foot down and said that we were involved in to many sports.. But she never did.
She wanted to have a clean house to show respect to my father who worked many long hours. She wanted him to come home to a clean house with hot food ready to be eaten.
She wanted us involved in any extra curriculuar activity that we wanted because it was "good for us". It taught us responsibility, disipline, and how to be on a team.  In her words "Your kids are only young for a small amount of time, let them be kids, enjoy it."  While it seems like that "short amount of time" that they are kids is going by so small, I quickly realize my own oldest turns 10 in a few months, and I have not been NEAR the mother he has needed.
Maybe I've been to busy doing what "I" think it important instead of thinking about "what would be good for my kids".    They get to do a lot.  We take a multitude of family vacations, and yeah, I'll admit it.. Those three kids are pretty spoiled.-But is it enough?  Have I been showing them the love of God?  Have I been a good example to them?  Am I setting a good example to them?
There have been many times where they've walked in the room to me reading my Bible or a devotion, but its not a habit for them.  I use to get up early to have a few minutes with my GOD alone before I got them up for school, but then I realized really quickly, that I needed those extra few minutes of sleep. (I'm a certified GROUCH) if I don't get sleep.  But am I putting God on the back burner? Yep. I mean, seriously, how can i set a good example and teach my own children about putting God first if I don't even want to give up a few minutes of sleep for him.?  Hypocrite much?  Yep.
That's why I am doing what I can to slowly change.   Trying my hardest to watch what I say.  Taking a deep breath when I start getting agitated.  Slow changes.....

Who I am hates who I've been.-

Is your BFF Jesus?

Of course it's Easy to say "Jesus is my BFF? because in truth, he's always there for us, even if we don't realize it.  But is he truly your BFF.  Do you put everything or other things in front of it?
I was reading through today's mother/daughter devotional that I bought last year when we attended the Secret Keeper Girl tour that came to town. (Excellent, highly recommended if you have a tween/teen daughter).

The Disciple John had a Bff. His name was Jesus.  For Jesus to live as a human in the world, John knew it was a really really big deal. He respected and honored Jesus' position. For Jesus to be such close friends with John was a wonderful and great privilege
Did you  know that the book of John in the bible was written by none other than JOHN himself.  Did you also know that in the book of John it mentioned "The disciple that loved Jesus". In today's world some would consider that a little conceited. Writing a book about you being the ONE who loved Jesus.?  .
But can you just imagine the closeness of the relationship between Jesus and any of his disciples?  They actually got to SEE Jesus, walking, talking and doing things with People. and they JOINED Him on his journeys. In John 13:21-26 you can see that John was actually leaning in close to Jesus.  Can you imagine being so CLOSE to Jesus that You could actually feel his heartbeat!  Imagine that!

When John called himself the "disciple who loved Jesus". He was not merely bragging.  He wasn't bragging like "Hey World. LOOK WHO IM FRIENDS WITH?"  No, he was merely showing the world that Jesus LOVED Him.  A human. He actually LOVES him!and guess what. He loves you and me too!

In John 19:26, it describes Jesus on the Cross just before his death.  Jesus looked down at Mary (his mother) and his wonderful friend, John. He tells his mom and John to take care of each other.  Jesus must have thought a TON of John, to trust him to be like a son to Mary.

Have you ever been around someone that has made you feel like the most important person in the Universe? Don't you think that is how Jesus made John feel?  When John was in the presence of Jesus, he was consumed by a big love. The Love of  a Savior.

Wouldnt that be awesome to feel that kind of love? Do you ever feel it?  I think there are times in my life where I can feel the presense of something much more powerful than what is normal, but those times are few and far between in my personal case.  But I'm trying to put more and more and ALL my trust in Jesus.

Just today, I was reading about some friends of mine who are Missionaries, going into the JUNGLE. They moved to a foreign country and just had their second child.  They are on a journey that I couldn't imagine having that type of Trust in Jesus.  Here they and their kids are going into areas where the Gospel of Christ hasn't been heard of...and they are teaching the local Tribes about Jesus Christ and his Love for us and during this process they are seeing with their OWN eyes, the Miracles of God.  Local tribesmen are becoming CHRISTIANS, and are forming that one on one personal relationship with Christ and they are going back to their houses and preaching it.  They have this excitement in their eyes. A true Happiness...

In my own house, can I honestly say the same about my own children who have been in church since they were born?   I wish they had that kind of excitement for our Savior, but are they just not as excited because my own light has become dull in this crazy, not obsessed about Our Lord and Savior world?
I want my light back and its becoming harder and harder to grasp it, but I'm trying...

I want my best friend to be Jesus.  Do you?

Are we sure this isn't Monday...

It sure feels like a Monday. A cold, non fun Monday..Yep! That is exactly what it feels like. I'm trying not to get the Monday Blues, since it's Tuesday..But its not helping. This morning has started off much like other mornings, with a little extra oomph added to it. Not the good oomph..that bad oomph.
For ex.  While getting ready for school, my son drags his backpack into the living room and plops it down and then sits next to it.  While getting up to head out to the bus he realized the top came off his water bottle and has spilt EVERYWHERE. Now his bag, and pants are SOAKED.. Seriously, they had about 2 minutes to get out to the bus. So he heads to change, comes back mismatched and has to change again.
I'm hurrying him out the door, into the freezing 20 degree weather, with shoe laces untied right as the bus is pulling up... Yelling "tie your shoes, tie your shoes"... Poor Kid. His day didn't start off so well. Which means mine so far hasn't started off so well.  I'm praying a prayer for him to have a better day as I type this, because let's face it. Sometimes we NEED an extra prayer in for us.  I could have handled it better, but at the moment, ALL i could see if him missing the bus, me having to quickly get dressed, get the sleeping toddler up (not fun) and then take him to school... Thankfully, and only  by God's Mercy, the bus was an extra minute later than normally or he would have missed it.
Kalli had a decent morning though, except she is in this stage now where one tiny flyaway of her hair, will ruin her entire day.  When I was her age, I'd just throw my hair in a ponytail and head out the door. I don't remember caring to much about my hair...but that's where she and I differ.  Where I was an avid gymnast who lived in pony tails and gymnastic leotards a t shirt and workout pants, she's a dancer who always wants to be glammed out in jewelry, fixed hair, flashy shirts (like seriously, glitter, lacey, etc) and decent looking jeans. Don't forger her ever so fashionable sparkly, glittery, light flashing twinkle toes.

Somedays I'm not sure if I can handle the teen age years that are up ahead. The beginning of the tween years has been yard enough.. (Sign...)

There is a verse that My son had to learn for awana the other night that I have challenged him too. Great thing about Awana, is that while they are learning the verses..They have the meaning to several of the words in the verse so you can study them more.
This is my challenge verse for him (if you have a child who is always wanting to be first, everywhere, and constanly trying to get attention my impressing others, then this is a great verse.

Phillipians 2:3

Let nothing be done through Selfish Ambition or conceit.
But in lowliness of mind. Let each esteem others better than himself.

(Selfish Ambition=wanting to be first)
(Conceit= being self centered, trying to impress others)
(Lowliness of mind=putting others before you)
(Esteem=consider)

When you replace the words with the meanings, it helps children understand it better

Let nothing be done through wanting to be first, or by trying to impress others.
Always put others before you and consider then before yourself.  (This helped a lot)

Another verse we've been encouraging him to study harder this week is

1 Tim 4:12

Let no one despise your youth,
But be an example to the believers,
In word, conduct, in love, in spirit, in Faith and in Purity.

Despise=look down on
Conduct=behavior
Believers= those who have trusted Christ as their Savior. Christians

"Let no one look down on you because you are young.
Instead, be an example to other Christians , by the way you speak, the way you behave, the way you love, your spirit, your Faith and your purity."

See..Word studies help out a lot!

I hope you all have a great day.... let's get through this Tuesday..Tomorrow is the halfway mark! Woohoo!

God KNOWS!

To say this morning has started out successfully would be a severe understatement.  I didn't want to get out of bed. It rained all night. The wind howled and I didn't sleep good.
Kalli, got up fairly easy, no problems there (surprise..she is not normally a happy morning person), but Jaden...well..He didn't get up so easy.. First, he had forgotten to bring his clean clothes upstairs and put them away, which mean he had to half dress and walk downstairs in his pj's and finish getting ready in the guest bathroom.   Then he realized he had forgotten to do his script for his anchor position with the school's broadcast team.  It's due the day before he goes on air, but he'll have to turn that in, the day of....AGAIN.  I reminded him about this on Friday, I mentioned it on Saturday and I'm pretty sure I mentioned it yesterday as well.    Usually, I would sit down at the computer, and do it for him..but I've decided that, as a parent.. I must teach him responsibility. He is the one who wanted to do this position. He tried out for the position and He goes to the meetings for it. Not me.  While I want him to be successful in school. It will NOT happen if I am always coming to the rescue and doing his work for him.  He is a smart, and intelligent child, he CAN do this....its just going to take some time for him to realize he has responsibilities.

So this morning didn't go so well..  As Kalli and I sat down to do our devotion this morning, He didn't want to be involved. Although, its a one year Devo book for MOMs/Daughters, I've always tried to change it up a bit to include him. It hasnt been so hard, since it deals with tweens/teens , its not hard to adjust some of it to where he can be involved.  Normally we read a bible story from another book, and then continue with a devotion.

Todays devotion hit home. It was on feeling "Blue" and the various ways people can praise God while they are feeling this way.  It went on to talk about how this one young lady, gets her guitar and plays worship songs, while another will paint.  
It was based on the verse Ps.121:1-2 "I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 
I told Kalli, that this was also in a song..She knew exactly which one it was, so we pulled it up on the computer and both of us started singing "Praise you in this Storm" by Casting Crowns.  I immediately felt better about my morning with Jaden and asked him if he understood the devotion and different things he could do when he felt upset, angry, or sad.  He wouldn't talk, as he was still in a grouchy mood, so Kalli answered. She loves to sing and is always making up songs...

Then , after they left for school. I saw a post on facebook by a good friend of mine about Praying for our sons.
Which led me to a website called Warrior Prayers...Which I noticed had now become "The Mob Society"-For moms of boys, by moms of boys.  I saw they had a book of Warrior Prayers to pray for your boys and many other great things.  Raising them in God's word, etc.  
It was JUST what I needed today.  In light of everything, I want my son to grow up loving God and knowing that he is a GOOD child... We talked about that this morning and how he can change the way his day starts, all by changing his attitude.  I Hope he understood...... The last thing I want is an argument or something at home, to cause him problems at school...today or any day...

But the title of my post "God Knows".... God knew what was going to go down this morning in our household. That is why the devotion we did today was based on Turning to him when we are "down" "Blue" "Angry".  That is why he put the Casting Songs Crown answer in Kalli's head, that is also why he had me go to those websites.... HE KNEW!  He knew what was going on in my head, in my home, and with our family.

My book is on KINDLE!

Yay! My book is finally out on Kindle!!!  It was published years back, but I finally was able to publish it on Kindle!!! I'm so excited!

Temporary Route: Trouble Along the way
$2.99 on Kindle Download.
If you download it PLEASE leave me a review!
I am in the process of writing book 2 in the series now.

Happy New Year

 Happy New year! It's been a really busy year!! I am so sorry I have no updated in what seems like forever.!
I've been running races, doing Advocare and have also designed an entire new line of clothes for girls.
It's called Kalli+Alba.  It's a modest and FUN line for girls.  The Bridal Line is still going strong too!

This past summer my husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage and we had a vow renewal at the beach! IT was so much fun and such a special time in our lives. A few pics below!


I am loving everything new that has been coming our way, and I am going to show you some new pictures from the past year!!!

In the post below, you can see a picture from this past summer of our Vow Renewal.
We still love to make all the vintage inspired gowns as well!

Vintage Lace Beach Bride gown with Cathedral Lace Train

 The "Alba" Flower Girl Gowns

 The "Emma" Short Empire Waist Gown"

 A beautiful Tulle Bridal Skirt

The Sunset Bride Gown

Another view of the Sunset Bride Gown

Sunset Bride Gown

 Sunset Bride Gown

 This is one of my fave shots of the sunset bride gown

SPring photo shoot of our girls clothing line : Kalli+Alba

Kalli+Alba pajama

Vintage inspired beautiful flower girls gowns "Kalli" Style

The ribbon corset back of the Kalli gown, the smallest girl is wearing the "Emma" gown.

These two beautiful girls are wearing the Amalie (youngest girl, empire waist gown) the oldest girl is wearing the"Ariana"  This has several different colors of layered tulle.

This gown is a white gown with Crimson Ribbon and Corset/Lace. This is the "Kalli" Style gown in different colors.

It has been forever since I have written anything! I think my last entry was back in October, and for that, I am so sorry!
Life has been nuts since then though! Lets see...Christmas was fantastic! We went to The beach for New Years, which is something we've never done before, as we are usually spending Christmas near the Disney Parks. But it was awesome.
I started back to school full-time, online and have been swamped with classes and studying. Plus, I reopened my Etsy shop, Kalli Alba Bridal, and it has really been picking up.
Ive had several orders for International Shipping. Since the 2nd week of January when I reopened, I have had 10 orders!
This summer, my husband and I will celebrate TEN years of marriage and with that we are celebrating by renewing our vows. We are going to have an awesome intimate, small ceremony with only our children and us. The designer of the girls gowns --Me!

IN the past few months I've been able to design a gown for the CMA awards.(November)
I have designed two gowns for a Bridal Shoot for adults. I've been working on a Prom dress, and Im still making all new designs whenever someone needs something a bit different.

School so far is going great. I've managed to keep ALL A's. and even scored perfect scores on a couple tests, which is amazing since my first try at college a decade ago, I was not exactly a "good grades student".

Alba will be two in a few months, which is INSANE.. She's already started potty training and is VERY smart. J & K have managed to make straight A's all year long. Whoo hoo!

A New way to look at my kids.....

I did a search this morning, because more than ever I want to be closer to God. I wanted to find an online daily deovtion for moms, to help get my day started.  I came across this really neat site, called Manna for Moms.

ON it I saw this poem and I knew right away that I had to share this:


Loving Jesus
I started my day early,
Before the room was light.
I lifted my son from his crib
And wished it was still night.
But as I held him close and said,
"Hi, Kenneth, precious one,"
I knew that as I greeted him,
I greeted too God's Son.

When my daughter woke up later,
Calling, "Mommy! Mommy! Down!"
I picked her up and hugged her
In her worn Elmo nightgown.
I know she felt the closeness
That a mother's touch affords.
I welcomed not just Ellie,
But so, too, the Lord of Lords.

That day, I mixed some formula
And opened jars of peas.
I fixed some "pizza butter" bread
When she grinned and said, "Pleeeeease."
I heated up some leftovers;
I had to nuke them twice.
And when I fed my children,
I was feeding Jesus Christ.

I made some funny faces,
And "played puzzles" on the floor.
I dressed kitties, ran around outside,
And played with them some more.
We laughed and jumped and tickled,
Making memories to be stored.
When I spent time with my children,
I spent time with my Lord.

I wiped up sticky cereal
And washed the dishes clean.
I straightened, picked up, put away,
And dusted in between.
I did six loads of laundry
And folded it like new.
When I cleaned for my children,
I cleaned for my Savior, too.


When my children were both crying,
I held them in my arms.
I cuddled them and whispered
That I'd keep them safe from harm.
I told them how their Father saved them
With His perfect Lamb.
When I comforted my children,
I comforted I AM.

Later on that evening,
I put them in the bath.
I washed their little bodies
As they kicked around and splashed.
I dried them in soft towels
And put their jammies on.
When I had washed my children's feet,
I'd washed the Holy One.

I cooked and cleaned and rearranged,
Made beds and taught and played.
I made sure that we had food to eat
And that we often prayed.
I died to self. I made a home
From ordinary things.
But when I served my children,
I served the King of Kings.

To some, I have done nothing,
But to two, I've done the world.
I made eternal difference
To my precious boy and girl,
And to the One who watches over
Every pathway that I've trod.
For when I've loved my precious children,
I've loved Almighty God.

Wow..its been few months..im sorry!!!

A few days after my last post, Tornados ripped through the Southeast.  My area included. We are all okay..but several were hurt and lost everything. The F-5s ripped through an 1/8th of a mile from my house. We could see the circulation and the lightning going around in circles from our windows.  The kids were hunkered down in their bathroom complete with bicycle helmets on their heads and pillows and blankets under, beside and on top of them.... I don't think anyone expected the weather to be that bad.  We lost electricity for a week. Most cell phone towers were down.  Wierd thing was, even though we couldn't recieve text, or calls on our cell phone.Facebook still worked. This was one way we were able to find out if our friends and families were okay...
The next morning, we were able to get out of our neighborhood and the shock set in. Total devastation and destruction were everywhere around us.  The community pool was completely destroyed.  There were only slabs of concrete where houses once stood, total neighborhoods were wiped out.  We were some of the lucky ones.. There was NO harm to our neighborhood... I have no idea why God spared our neighborhood, but I am so thankful that he did.  Our 8 (then 7) year old son was praying non stop all morning and afternoon during these storms.

Enough about the sadness of the storms.....

Fast Forward to today.... My husband and I celebrated our 9th anniversary. Yes, NINE years!! We celebrated by going to Cancun.. and visiting one of the wonders of the world.. Chichen Itza!~ It was pretty amazing.  The life that the Mayan people live is totally different than the way that we live and I am much more appreciative of what We as a family have, than I was before I went.. Upon returning home we moved into our new home.. The kids have really enjoyed it a ton!  We have a huge inground pool...and so far, our kids are having so much fun jumping and doing all sorts of tricks off the diving board.. It didnt take long for our middle child to get over her fear of deep water and start jumping in without a float. (All of two or three days, maybe)....
The baby even loves the pool. First thing she does every morning is run to the back door window and stare at the pool and point.. and boy does she get mad if ANYONE goes near the pool and doesnt take her!!!

My business has grown a bit since the last time I wrote as well. Upon moving to our new house, I have my own small sewing studio in one room.  This has been AMAZING!  Orders have been coming in like crazy.. So much so, that I can barely keep up (NOT COMPLAINING)...Its so much fun helping Brides design their dream gowns for their wedding parties..and in the very near future, I will have my own line of wedding gowns.. I've already been conjuring up all sorts of designs in my head!! What a fantastic thing!!

I sat down the other day after taking a small break from sewing some flower girl gowns, and I grabbed some spare fabric I had lying around and in less than 45 minutes, I had a new style dress all designed and sewn!  I made it so my daughter could model it and she LOVED that!  

I've been having a ton of fun doing this business and I've often wondered why I didnt start doing this years ago..... Its so hard to believe that I've only been sewing these gowns for 6 months now.... WOW.......

The German word for worry means "to strangle." The Greek word means to "to divide the mind." Both are accurate. Worry is a noose on the neck and a disstraction of the mind, neither of which is befitting for joy. So give your worries to the One who will take it all away! 

Some very Exciting News!!!

Steph's Designs (My Business)  had the opportunity to work with
Green Tree Photography and Bohemian Lily Photography
yesterday.
We did a fantastic photo shoot with a tea party included.
The tea set was mine when I was a little girl!
It added a nice little vintage appeal to the shoot (my opinion).
The dresses were designed and made by me (Steph's Designs).

Jan of Green Tree and Stacy of Bohemian Lily were FANTASTIC with the girls.
They were both so full of energy and patience and it was a FANTASTIC experience!
The girls had non stop energy, so it was good that both Jan and Stacy were so great with them.
I can not say enough good things about the photographers!
They are just excellent all around.

These pictures were just some snaps taken with my cell phone, so the actual pictures will be MUCH better..
but if My little cell phone took these, can you imagine what the photographers captured!!!
Please go to their facebook fan pages and "LIKE" them right now!!!!
I'll be adding more great info as soon as I can!!!

Green Tree

Bohemian Lily

ok, so here is a Final Edited Picture! (One of them..just a little Sneak Peak as Green Tree and Bohemian Lily's fabulous work.

Please go over to http://www.stephs-designs.com/ to check out all the other great pictures! I think they turned out pretty amazing.

I put coconut oil in my coffee.

Today I put coconut oil in my coffee. I put one tablespoon in my Coffee.
Not before you say "Ewwww. Gross!!!!!!" 
It was REALLY good!
The coffee tasted really creamy and I really enjoyed it.

Now, I normally have coffee about once a week or so.   I use to drink it every single day, but have cut back a lot.

I have no idea if it was the Coconut Oil or not, but I have had SO MUCH energy today that I have not wanted to sit down much at all.
I'm forcing my self to sit still and write this blog right now.
Everytime while cleaning that I even thought about sitting down, I just didnt want to.
So, Happily my kitchen for the most part is clean,
The clothes are folded, and/or hung and put away.

Also, I am really happy right now that the last can of Lysol that I bought was scented, because
It has been used quite a bit today as I have a sick one (*tummy virus*) home from school today.

So far, I still have a lot of energy left, and it doesn't feel like its letting up anytime soon!!



Try some Coconut Oil on your food or in your drink soon!
Amazon has a great deal where you get now get TWO jars for only a few dollars MORE than what it cost to buy ONE jar with less in it!!!!

Coconut Oil has some amazing health benefits!!! Check the out for yourself, Don't take my word for it!!!

Day 3

I have actually gone three whole days without raising my voice to my children. No Yelling, Screaming or raising voices!-This doenst mean that they have not yelled, whined or screamed at me but I have responded back each time with a soft voice.
The "Raising Godly Tomatoes" is a really special book.
I'm really learning a lot from it and by applying some of these techniques, its actually

making our house more peaceful.  The children know that we want them to respect and to Obey us.
Afterall. God commanded them to "Obey your parents".
Anyway, its not all Peaches and Roses but its been a LOT better that it has been

and I am really enjoying not having to yell or raise my voice to get their attention.
Stay tuned for more changes.
If you are not following my design blog, please consider following it over at

http://www.stephs-designs.blogspot.com/

My New Book!

So. My new book came in the mail yesterday, along with my journal that I got in a giveaway for Revive your hearts!I'm so excited
Elizabeth Kruger did a great job writing "Raising Godly Tomatoes".
So far, I've already read several chapters.  I agree with pretty much EVERYTHING she says about raising children.  So now comes the hard part... Actually DOING the things that the book recommends.
Basically, of course its BE CONSISTANT.  I've talked to SEVERAL WOMAN who have read and used these Biblical Principals in raising there children and HARMONY has been brought into their homes.  Some of them may have NEVER had the harmony in their homes before now.
No! It's not a MAGIC PILL type of book that will take away every problem you've ever had with your children, but it will HELP!
Her ideas in this book are amazing and its things that most of us already know but maybe aren't sure how to implement it.

If you arelooking for a Biblical Approach to parenting that focuses on the heart of your child as well as his/hear outward actions, then you really need to check out this book!  --This was taken from the back of the book.

Check out what Tomato Staking is all about and how it really helps in raising your children!

I can not wait to start living in harmony with the children once again!!!
Get the Joy of parenting back!!!

Bought A New Book

Well I did it!
I finally broke down and bought the book that came to me as a suggestion all those many months ago from a dear friend. A book that I have read countless reviews on how life changing it is.
I can not wait until the day it arrives at my house. I can not wait to read the
awesome life lessons written in there by another Mother!Raising Godly Tomatoes by Elizabeth Krueger"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
- Proverbs 3:1-3
　
(This is the overview from Amazon), but I found it cheaper on the actual website, than on Amazon.
If you are simply looking for a straightforward Biblical approach to parenting that focuses on the heart of your child, as well as his outward actions, then Raising Godly Tomatoes is for you. In these pages you'll find a wealth of common sense and godly wisdom, a guide to applying reasonable discipline, and instructions on how to build a close relationship with your child.
Raising Godly Tomatoes encourages parents to keep their young children -- their little 'tomatoes' -- lovingly staked to them, in order to train and apprentice them in a godly way of life that will prepare them for Christ's calling in the future, and render them a pleasure to live with today.　If you havent had the chance to visit the site: Raising Godly Tomatoes (dot) com
then do so.. Its a great site and a I've heard wonderful things about the book!!

When you Carry the Bible, Satan gets a headache.
When you open it, He collapses.
When he sees you reading it, He faints!
When he sees that you are living what you read, he flees.........