This Christmas season has already been a challenge for me. I adore Christmas and all that comes along with it. However I just can’t get into it this year. We are somewhere new. No family in the area.  I feel lonely. I don’t even want to give my kids presents (at certain moments of the day) as they don’t seem to be grateful for the ones they have.

Gratefulness. There is so much in that word that doesn’t come naturally for most of us…or at least me. It is one of the things I want to learn the most in my life. I want to be content with what I have and even more then that grateful for it. I don’t want to care if we could have something bigger or better or more of  something. I want to be thoroughly happy and enjoy immensely what everything I have. Take nothing for granted.

So today I am choosing to be grateful.
Grateful to have family that loves me and are blessed with homes to keep them warm no matter where those homes are.
Grateful to have children who play with their toys that are littering their floors.
Grateful to have hands that can help them pick them up.
Grateful to have a home that our family can stretch out in and play in and share our love in.

Grateful for what I have.
At this moment.
In my home.
In my heart.

I found this video and just made me really ponder these things. They are grateful for cup of noodles and cards from strangers. Hence a few more things I am grateful for.

Grateful to have the freedom to walk out my door and to a mall and not have to worry about being blown up at a stoplight.
Grateful to be able to worship a Saviour that came to earth freely and with no fear.
Grateful because soldiers through time have spent their Christmas away from families so that I can have these freedoms.

So to these soldiers, on behalf of a grateful heart today, thank you from every corner of my heart!

This is the first of my Sunday Song posts. I will be sharing music that has inspired me. It won’t just be a song but a post about what this song means to me. This first one is going to be kind of long and the next couple might as well as I am going to recount the story of our last year: My hubby’s lay off and God’s leading to move our family to Texas! So hit play and read part one of our families story!

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Why is it that we seem to so easily give praise to God in the good times? Why is it hard to trust Him when everything seems to be falling apart. This is going to be the first post detailing the amazing changes God has worked in my family, home and my life in the last year.

About a year ago, the Review and Herald Publishing Association, one of our denominations biggest publishing houses announced that they were going to be laying off about 40 people.  Trent had worked there for over 19 years. We played many scenarios out in our heads, some involved Trent being laid off others didn’t. We were trying to prep ourselves for what many in America face frequently. We had just enrolled our daughter, Boo, in our church’s private school since we got some subsidy and life seemed to be going pretty good.

The next few months are a lesson in learning to trust in God and that He will do anything to save us. But that is getting ahead of myself. Back to the story at hand

We knew the day it was going to happen there was a buzz going around that lay offs were going to start. I remember praying like I hadn’t in years that God would spare Trent, asking family to pray for us and what we may have to go through. I never really thought it would happen. I just held out this hope…but God had another plan…something much bigger and larger then our own little imaginings for our future.

I remember clear as day the phone ringing and hearing my husbands voice on the other end.

“They called me upstairs”

We knew immediately what was going to happen. I got off the phone with tears streaming down my face and called my mom. She reminded me not so gently, but lovingly that this wasn’t about me and I needed to be strong for my husband. I knew she was right, wiped the tears from my eyes and when he called again told him we were on our way down to help him pack up his office (it was effective immediately). I collected some boxes, grabbed the kids and was out the door.

The rest of the day was kind of a blur…we packed up, picked Boo up a little early since I didn’t really want to see people, and headed home. The next morning we woke up together very early and just talked. We both felt really strong moving forward not knowing the road ahead but knowing we were going to just move forward together.

Later that evening, Trent got a call from one of his friends, Mark, who lived in Texas and worked for the Union office. He said he had heard about Trent’s lay off and wanted to tell him about a possible job opportunity. He had heard from a secretary who had heard from her brother who had heard from his wife who just happen to be Trent’s sister. Apparently Southwestern Adventist University was looking for a person to help start up a graphic design emphasis in their communication department. He wanted to recommend Trent.

Trent has always wanted to teach and this seemed like a dream. He talked to someone a few weeks later, but we didn’t really hear back from them for a long time. We were trying not to tell anyone either since we had no idea what was going to happen. During this time Trent took on designing the teen weekly magazine Insight.

In January we decided to go up to Philadelphia for 3 days since I had always wanted to go and you never know if we might move. On the last day while driving around Valley Forge, Trent got a call from the University asking if he would come down for an interview in February for a few days.

Working up to it we went through a ton more scenarios in our head. We knew it wasn’t a full time job, so he could probably still do Insight. But we couldn’t afford the move and they don’t move adjuncts. We didn’t want to get to hopeful since we were unsure if he would even be offered the job. He had been disappointed a few other times so we were opptimitically cautious.

The girls and I sent him on his way and this weekend was the start of feeling like my life was falling apart, but really it was just the beginning of understanding who God is and the lengths He will go/allow to let us have faith in Him.

The song selected for this post is a perfect reflection of where I was when I started this journey. I felt pretty ok about my relationship with God, I always wanted something deeper but didn’t really know how to get what I wanted. I found out that what Josh Wilson writes is so true:

Part 2 Next Sunday

I remember I was sitting at my desk at work.
I remember I had been married for less then 6 months.
I remember that it felt to quiet in the school hallways.
I remember getting up and walking down the hallway.
I remember stopping in the religion room.
I remember the tv being on.
I remember seeing the second plane hit.
I remember calling my husband in shock.
I remember the Pentagon newsflash
I remember the prayer circle outside around the flag pole
I remember hearing about a 4th plan possibly headed to the mountain behind us
I remember the fear that it could hit us
I remember being so happy to be able to hug my husband.
I remember the tears
I remember the fear

and then I remember

• the patriotism that flooded the nation
• the pride that looking at our flag could evoke
• the friendliness that was more apparent on the streets

since then I remember

• seeing a soldier and telling my kids that is what a hero looks like
• seeing a soldier and tearfully telling them thanks as the nation forgot to remember and started protesting what was happening.
• seeing soldiers walk through an airport and the entire place erupting in clapping and tears
• seeing and knowing soldiers and their families who are still dealing with the repercussion of that day.

I remember growing up and going into my moms closet and loving her shoes. She had all these great boxes of dress shoes. She still loves shoes although I think her collection contains more flip flops then dress shoes these days. I love shoes but rarely buy myself anything that isn’t practical. I did recently purchase some of the awesome nude/tan color ones that I loved, but who am I kidding they are still practical! So I have always wanted though a pair of impractical red shoes. Not just any but shiny red shoes with a heel!

Since moving, I have made great friends with Michelle. Our families love hanging out and she is also a deal finder. The other night, while at the Rangers game with their family, we were talking about my desire to get some shiny red dress shoes. She showed me a pair on JCPenny’s website and I liked them. I told her if she was ever out and found a pair to call me Conversation (kind of) forgotten!

Today, I get a call and I can’t answer it. Then comes a text! Found red shoes what size are you? So I call her back. Yes pick them up and I will pay you back. A few hours later she comes in with two large bags…all with shoes she picked up for me!!! Would you believe finding $65 shoes for only $5! Even my hubby thought it was a great deal! Seriously check out this stack of shoes…just begging for me to put them away in my new walk-in closet. Wonder if I could convince Trent to move his shoes somewhere else for my new lovelies.

I couldn’t believe it when I saw them and she said she just knew my style and couldn’t resist! So today I am thankful for Michelle who found a great deal AND knows my style. So here it is my parade of awesomeness! I am going to the beach in Florida next week…not sure which pairs will be making the trip now! Also, the pictures aren’t the best but they were taken with my iphone LOL. I really need to keep our nice camera out so I can use it more! So there aren’t picks of all of them on my feet but here is the whole line up…plus a few closeups…and one final line up!

Red Shoes that started it all

My Favorites…I am totally in love! So in love in fact you get to see them a few times LOL

Not on my feet…yep they are awesome!

Flower details

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As the saying goes…if the shoe fits buy it in every color! Or if you find a sale buy every style!

Every since we got married, I have had this weird dream to have this incredible backyard oasis. I have bought gardening books, plants, pots…it never really came together . I tried…I really, really did. Just the properties never seemed to want to work with me.

However because of this distance between our last home property and this one they haven’t had time to talk and conspire against me (HAHAHAHA) so I am going to sneak up and attack it .  The first step after having read my books for so many years is to decide what you want to use your backyard for. Thats an easy one…I want an oasis. A place to eat, relax, pick flowers and dream the day away…when I have nothing else I want to do (as if my addiction to Pinterest will ever let that happen…or my kids)

So we are going to be working on our backyard in stages. Stage 1 is the patio/terrace area. We have been blessed with a big slab which totally aids in the eating/relaxing areas. In the picture you can see the chairs and lounges we bought at Target. Nice for relaxing but not so great for the eating.

Our Slab in Backyard Oasis: Stage 1

Welcome to one of the joys of Texas living! You see patio furniture comes out in the stores at about the time I wouldn’t want to use it down here…SUMMER! Seriously everyone keeps saying this summer is so different then normal, but I haven’t really ever wanted to spend time outside since we moved here. If I wanted to be in 100+ degree weather, I would have my bathing suit on and be in a hot tub or sauna.

Another shot of Stage 1 – Slab improvement

Anyways, back to patio furniture. Well all those stores that had the lawn furniture are now prepping for Christmas (Yay) so that means great sales at the perfect time to start eating outside. So I headed over to Lowe’s today after looking around the other night and me and the girls picked out a table, chairs, umbrella, torchs and pots for our patio area. We are hoping to get it set up on Sunday prepping for Labor Day. So because I want a place to record all the changes we make you get to see the backyard become my oasis (unless it gets a telegram from PA)

So the stages in my mind so far:
—WE R HERE—->Stage 1 – Slab Improvement
Stage 2 – Border Plantings (thinking these will be herbs mixed with flowers…we’ll see)
Stage 2.5 – Set up Our Tool area in out building
Stage 3 – Landscaping around out building
Stage 4 – Raised bed garden
Stage 5 – Children’s play area
Stage 6 – My reading/relaxing nook (this needs to involve a hammock or a comfy swing)

So this is long term planning (Daddy, you will be around for stages 3 and 5 right But I find having it written down helps a ton. Oh and you will never guess where I am getting a lot of my inspiration!
Pinterest! Check out my gardening boards…I will be adding more to it!

BTW…look for some crafty blog posts coming soon…and some cooking ones. I am having a get together with a new friend (hi Darcy if you read this) and we are going to craft from Pinterest this weekend YAY!

Good night for now! I will dream of Stage 7….RELAX IN BACKYARD!

Ok…here it is! My official life blog. This blog is going to be a record of  our life through my eyes.

A great friend said my life was like a kaleidoscope and I think that is very true. When you look through one all these little pieces combine to make a picture. It is rarely the same picture with the twist and turn of a wrist or a day later. But all those pieces are still there.

My life is much like that. There are so many pieces to me. Things that make me who I am. But because life changes and just the regular twist and turns we go through I am constantly changing. I am still the same person…just you see different sides of me at different times.

I am a passionate person. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I struggle with depression yet I love life! I am me…the person God created me to be! Ever changing to be more and more like Him and struggling with how to be that person. I am vulnerable. This is me it is who I am.

I am an east coaster who has recently made the move to Texas and am enjoying it. I love it here (which may come as a complete surprise to many…most especially me!) We moved here to follow God’s leading which lucky for my husband was to let him live his dream of being a teacher.  I will be posting the story of God’s leading in this because it is an amazing story with many tears, frustrations and ultimately triumphs!

So a  little more about me and what you will find here:

• I am a wife to the man that God had waiting for me, Trent. He is the love of my life and I can’t remember, nor would I want too, life without him. He is a talented graphic designer who is finally getting to live his dream of teaching. He has always encouraged me to be creative and eats whatever I put in front of him! I love him with ALL my heart!
• I love being a mom! God has blessed me with 3 beautiful girls. Since this isn’t private they all get fun nicknames too! Boo, 7, my oldest, is brillant and amazes me with how fast she comprehends stuff. She loves music and is always making up songs and trying to learn to play the piano by ear. We are hoping to get her in some lessons. Roo, 5, is my twinie. She is our middle girlie and has brown eyes just like me! But above that we are still very similar. She is very caring, compassionate and emotional! She is our little artist. They all like art but she LOVES art. Finally is little Loo, 3! Polite is her in a word…and heartbreaker. She is a happy outgoing little girl who loves nothing better then smiling and hugging you.
• I am embarking on a new adventure this year…Homeschooling. I have written my own Unit Study for my kids for social studies/science. So you will see a ton of US Geography based stuff on here…just a heads up! This blog was partially created for that reason. To chronicle our school year and what we do.
• I love to bake and cook. You will see posts with recipes…hopefully a lot! I adore it but it is always a struggle to balance that love with real life. So I am going to be trying to be better at menu planning and prepping ahead of time.
• I have a home based business, Usborne Books and More. This blog will not be post after post of me trying to sell you stuff…but you will get a picture into my life doing this as well. I believe that illiteracy plagues much of America and provided with engaging material in the youngest years we could reverse this trend. If you don’t have a library in your home for you and your kids you are missing out. Yes you can borrow books, but seriously there is nothing better then having a familiar book to go back to and read. Ok stepping off bandwagon now
• I love to read. You will also find random book reviews because I ADORE reading. I believe in lifelong learning. We are never out of school…we just are self taught after college graduation.
• I am a scrapbooker. This is my outlet of choice on stressful days. I am a digital scrapbooker and designer. You will see my layouts and maybe even some of my own kits on here. I may share some tips and tricks…who knows.
• I am Creative. If you have never heard of pinterest you are missing out…seriously. I am going to make an effort to share the things I create from there and just in general. This is my therapy…and I love it
• I thinking traveling expands horizons. We don’t have the budget to be exotic…but I believe that taking my kids to explore the world around us helps them become more rounded individuals. So you will see a glimpse of that here on this blog.