Look what came in the mail today

Hayley had a contest on her blog last week...and guess what, I won! :) She made these cute little headbands. The contest was for one headband but she was so sweet and decided to make another one for Katy! Thank you Hayley! The girls love them.


I decided to take some pictures of the girls modeling the headbands. I had a photo shoot envisioned but it didn't really turn out how I wanted. Oh well, you get the picture! The headbands and the girls are still cute (in my opinion) despite my flopped pictures! :)

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Although I have never met her in person I "know" Hayley from MANY years ago when Fairlight and I published HopeChest together.  She was a subscriber who often contributed her writings. After I resigned from Hopechest I lost contact with many people from that era of my life. So it was fun to reconnect via Facebook and blogs awhile back. It has been neat to see how the Lord has led her and see the beautiful family she has been blessed with.

If you would like to see a tutorial on how to make these headbands you can find it here on Hayley's blog. Or if you just want to "meet" a beautiful woman of God visit her blog. I guarantee you will be blessed!

A night to remember

*Written about my last girls night out on August 5th. I am starting to realize that I may not get caught up on my blog as it is taking me too long. I may just have to skip to the present pretty soon here. : )

My friends arranged to have a fun girls night right before we were to move away. It was decided that we would go to the cheesecake factory (which is located at a mall) and then do a little shopping.

These are the beautiful woman who were able to come that night. There were 12 of us.

I was craving a salad....and salad I did get. This picture doesn't do it justice, Oh my word, it was the biggest salad I have ever seen. :)

After we finished eating it was pretty late and there was only about 10 minutes left to shop. So we had a mad dash out the door. Everyone scattered in smaller groups and went to their favorite places. Somehow we all managed to find one another again in the middle of this outdoor mall. The stores had closed but no one felt like ending the night just yet. Janel announced that we needed to make this a memorable night. She suggested that we go run through the water fountains. We all walked over there admiring the view at night. It really is a lovely place to go at night with the streets being all lit up and soft dancing music being played for the enjoyment of all

I didn't really think that anyone would ACTUALLY do it. But three of my friends (Janel, Jenny and Nicole) decided it really would be fun to run through the water.

Standing there watching them (and laughing) I thought, "I really wish I had enough guts to be that fun." Oh be careful what you wish...

I laughed so hard watching them that I nearly wet my pants! :) I asked them to get together so that I could take their picture. They had asked if I would like to join in the fun but I had declined using the excuse that I needed to take pictures.

Next Pam (my friend who takes amazing pictures) offered to take a picture of all 4 of us. She made me hand off my camera. They decided it would be nice to hug me, getting me all wet in the process.

I should have known it was coming, but the next thing I knew after a wet embrace was that I was being dragged into the fountain. :)

And before I know it I was running through too. Forgetting my age, forgetting that this was my last night out, just being caught up in the joy of being together and having fun like I was a child again.

I have not laughed so hard in so long. This picture truly captures the essence of the evening for me. It was definitely the BEST girls night we have had in a long time.

Thank you sweet friends for giving me the greatest gifts. The gift of laughter and the gift of your friendship. I treasure each and every one of you. Thank you for giving me a beautiful night that I will always remember!

A time to laugh

We have been so blessed with a wonderful group of friends from our church. Saturday evening we got together with a few of those friends for a little fun. It was just what I needed for a little de-stressing. After non stop packing and feelings of being overwhelmed, it was so great to step back and take a break from it all for just a little bit. I haven't laughed so hard in awhile. :)

Me bowling...my highest score of the night was an 87 I think. Nicole and Jenny can correct me if I'm wrong. :)

Bill, because I think he's cute in bowling shoes (shhh, don't tell him I said that. :) )

Jenny showing us great form. LOL

Bill and Reed

After I think the 2nd game of not doing so hot, the girls and I decided to do different things for fun. One frame was for speed, one was for perfect form, one was for a certain number of pins, etc. It made the game fun and certainly gave us more to laugh about. This is Nicole bowling for form.

John

Bowling shoes are so fun and retro...and uncomfortable...and maybe even a little gross. :)

The girls. Me, Nicole, and Jenny. We may have lost to the guys but we definitely had great spirit.

What a great night! I am so thankful for laughter and for friends, and for a breath of fresh air!

A new look

I went tonight to get my hair cut with my friend Janel. It has been WAY too long since I last cut my hair (try 2 years). I decided to grow it out so I could donate it to Locks of love.

This is me before.

Drum roll please....................

Ta da! 12 inches off!!!

We had the hair stylist snap our picture before we left to capture our new looks. Thanks Janel for inviting me to go with you. I'm glad I did it! I was so ready for a change.

I feel like a new person. I love it! It feels so free and clean and light!

Now I just need to loose the rest of that baby weight! :)

A day out

My friend Janel and I had been planing for this day for about 3 months. I had gotten a $100 spa reward through a promotion at Walgreen's. I was pregnant with Claire at the time and didn't think I would get a chance to redeem them, so I gave them to Janel, who was going though a rough time. When Janel tried to redeem the spa rewards she found out she couldn't because they were in my name. Then we found out that the rewards could be redeemed for a prepaid visa. So, Janel gave them back I sent it in and got the visa. Since I had given the spa rewards to Janel to begin with, we decided to do something fun with the money...split it and and go shopping together. :) Imagine $50 each to spend...guilt free!!! When does that ever happen? Never!

Yesterday was the day we planned to go shopping. The morning started out rough on my end (James ingested a bunch of Tums and I had to call poison control...fyi, if your child eats less then 25 they will be ok!), and hectic for Janel. But, we managed to finally get out (kid free, except for Claire who came along because she still needs to be with me all the time) around noon. Our husbands both lovingly agreed to watch all the little ones so we could have a day out.

We picked up coffee and then hit the mall. We literally shopped till we dropped. Both of us were feeling stressed that morning, but thankfully once we got out were able to enjoy the day. We had so much fun trying on all kinds of clothes and shoes. It is so much more fun to shop with a friend that can tell you their honest opinion about whether you look great or hideous in an outfit!

By the end of the day I ended up with a GREAT pair of jeans; who doesn't love a comfy pair of jeans, esp. when the tag said size 6 and they fit (I'm not bragging about the size, it just felt great to get out of maternity...I still have about 18 pounds left to loose). And I got 4 really cute tops, that cover up what I don't want showing! :)

What a fun day full of laughter. We were both exhausted by the end and couldn't wait to get home to our families. We didn't get back until 9 p.m.!!

I am so blessed with the friends God has placed in my life. My friends have been there so often when I needed it the most...especially lately, with the birth of Claire, and with life being so uncertain right now. I am so thankful and so blessed.Janel and I at the end of a long fun day!

You are Good

I have to say I feel very blessed. I am so thankful for the church family that God has placed us in. They have just poured out love to us and been so supportive. I had been really nervous about adjusting to having 4 little ones. Bill had to go back to work that Monday after Claire was born, so I was on my own! I don't have a mom that can come over and help out. I don't have my family close by that I can call to pick up and help out whenever. I'm not complaining about that, it's just that way things are. However, we have been so blessed with friends from our church who I consider to be like family, and have stepped in often times and filled in where there was a gap.

I have had so many offers of help lately. I have had a few friends come over so I can run Claire to the Dr. or get to the grocery store. We have had meals and gifts...we have been so spoiled! I am without words to express the gratitude I feel towards everyone.

Last Sunday was our first time taking Claire to our church. I love how excited everyone is for us and the love that has been shown. It is so great to be in a place where life is embraced and celebrated...the world is so opposite of that. There is something so comforting about being surrounded by people who love you and desire to help you raise your little ones to be godly.

I mentioned that when I was in labor I listened to the CD "Sing Over Me". My friend Bethany had recommend it to me, and I am so glad she did. I was listening to it the other day and the song, "You are Good" really struck me. God has blessed our family so much...through good times and bad. He has given us everything we need. This song embodies everything I have felt over the past year. It is a beautiful love song to our Heavenly Father.

We praise you God because you ARE good! Thank you for the hands that you have lent to help us out when we have been in need. Thank you for loving us and for your grace. I pray that my life can reflect You, and that you will use our family for Your glory.