Colorado Christmas

... just a little afternoon stroll

This little girl of ours makes me the happiest I've ever been! 

Thank you Lord for such an amazing gift. 

Sunday's Song

... let faith arise ...

Spring has come

{via}

Yesterday was the first official day of Spring!!! Spring and all its beautifulness are in bloom, the birds are chirping, the days are longer and the Springtime sniffles have sprung (at least for this household)! Besides the horrible Spring allergies, I really do enjoy this time of year and there are so many exciting things I am looking forward to this season! Blaykleigh will get to experience her first Easter; even though she is still a tad too young to grasp the importance of it, I am still excited to celebrate it with her. In a few years I plan on doing something like this - Count down to Easter but for now, we will read her this My Little Easter Book and fill a cute little basket with some goodies suitable for an almost one year old girl! Then comes the month of May and our darling Blaykleigh will be turning one -- an event that will definitely be bittersweet. My Mom will be coming out to celebrate her first year of life just as she did her first day of life, that will definitely help take my mind off the fact that my little girl is growing up way too fast. There are officially 7 weeks left of this semester which means I am that much closer to completing my degree!!! Can I get a "hooray"? Then there is our little vegetable & herb garden (a garden post soon to follow). Last weekend we slaved for an entire day filling our raised garden beds full of dirt and then planted the little darlings. Super excited to watch them grow and produce some homegrown goodness! And with the arrival of Spring I am planning on a lot of family fun time outdoors; picnics at the park, walks along the sandy beaches, bbq's with friends, getting Blaykleigh a little patio splash pool ... I think you get the picture! 

12 in 2012

I have never been one to make a 'real' list of resolutions at the beginning of each new year. The lists I have made were more mental and didn't have the best of success rates! But this year, this year is going to be different. I am not wanting to recreate who I am nor am I looking to conquer the world. But, I do have belief in my ability to kick some bad habits, create a few new healthy ones and overall, sort of polish myself into a better version of myself!

Here is my list:

1. daily devotions - I used to be really good at this one. Somehow, I let life and it's business take it's place more often than I would like to admit. I must slow down and make Him a priority each and everyday again. Super duper excited to get back into this habit!!!
2. improve my physique - not wanting to lose a ton of weight by any means but those last few pounds that are clinging on for dear life since having B ... well it's time for them to disappear. This also means that I need to find, make or if I have to, ADD an hour to my day a minimum of 3 times a week to get in a workout!
3. become better organized - I need to plan it into my day - everyday! Do a little something here or there each day even if it is only 15 minutes. Have I ever told you how much I hate putting away laundry? Well, I do. Washing and folding are fine but the 10-15 minutes it takes to put it away is pure torture. So this means no more clean laundry sitting out waiting to be put up.
4. create a daily schedule to help guide the time in my day - this one is to help me mainly with numero tres on my list. I think I work best with a schedule; when all my 'to-do's' are written down, staring me in the face.
5. fine tune my diet - extra fruits and veggies please! hold the sugar!
6. start using reusable grocery sacks - I started collecting them awhile back but each time I go to the store I forget to bring them ... go figure.
7. random words of kindness to those around me - I LOVE this one. Bad days happen to the best of us and sometimes it's nice to hear a kind word or two to help perk up the spirits. I want to be that person to light up someone else's day whether they are having a good day or a bad day!!!
8. grow my own vegetables - Jason has already allotted me a piece of the backyard where I can make this happen. YAY!
9. date night(s) - a baby can change so many things in your life, now that Blaykleigh is 7 months old I think it's time and important that Jason and I get one night a month just to our selves!
10.  drink more water - I was really good at this while pregnant but not so much anymore.
11. more time each day with Blaykleigh - she won't be little forever and so I need to soak up as much of her at this age as I possibly can!!!
12. crafting - this is my "me time", helps me unwind when the creative juices start flowing. So it would be really nice if I could fit in a crafty project once a week and start knocking out some of those ideas on pinterest.

found.

Here's to turning over a new leaf! 

Through the eyes of a child ...

Too precious not to share. 

The story of the birth of sweet baby Jesus from the most innocent of beings.

How blessed are we?

Once again,

MERRY CHRISTMAS. 

November 30 days of thanks

Day twenty eight.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go to his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name ... Psalm 100:4 

3. Thankful for relaxing bubble baths. After a long day like today, a soak in the tub is just what I needed. Not to mention that it is 58 degrees (that is basically freeeezing down here in Sparkles) making a warm bubble bath even more enticing. What a lovely way to wrap up ones day! p.s. World Market has the worlds best bubble bath that of which I am sure of.

November 30 days of thanks

Day twenty four. 

7. I am thankful for today!

most beautiful little turkey around. 

The Thanksgiving decor.

** in love with my thrift-store milk glass vases and little bird s&p shakers from Pier1.

The Menu.

smoked turkey breast

corn bread and herb stuffing

cheesy carrot casserole 

green chili corn casserole

yeast rolls

and

streusel pumpkin pie 

The family.

What. A. Wonderful. Day. 

November 30 days of thanks

Day twenty one.

Be thankful and say so to Him ... Psalm 100:4 

10. Thankful for these delicious cookies! They are heavenly. Gingersnaps all the way from Sweden and I do not lie when I say that we are already on our 2nd tin within a month - we like our food in this house. Thin, crisp and full of flavor makes them hard to resist. And the tins are super cute; would make an awesome gift to give a 'foodie' and can be purchased at Cost Plus World Market (one of my favorite stores). 

Insta-Friday

a peek into our week!

"does someone need a hug?"

"it's delish, this teething biscuit is."

"see! proof all over ma face."

"what do you mean it's allllll gooooooooone???"

"oh. hi."

"feets."

flowers made me smile. okay they are prob weeds but nevertheless they looked kinda pretty sprouting between the crack. 

(hahaha) had some dental work done this past week ... my pucker was a tad off for a bit 

P.S. I can't stand the dentist but I have a new friend; nitrous oxide.

such a big, big girl

praising Jesus!!!

Mannie: You talkin' to meh?

"Mama! I do's your makeup for you."

So precious. Caleb and Blaykleigh. Thanks to Heidi, I have been able to go to my last two study sessions before my A&P exams.  

Yup, yup. She has been sleeping in her big girl bed. 

November 30 days of thanks

Day seventeen. 

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure ... Hebrews 6:19

14. I am thankful for hope. This picture was taken out by a field not too far from our house. I pass by it rather frequently, it's never anything less than renewing! Jesus. Our. Only. Hope. Still. 

November 30 days of thanks

Day sixteen.

found.

15. I am thankful for all the things I use on a daily basis. Day to day life would sure be a lot more complicated if I didn't have the following: a tooth brush and tooth paste to freshen my morning breath, a coffee pot that brews my daily energy (but then turns my minty fresh breath into coffee breath - yummy!), clothes and shoes so that I can fashionably present myself in public and a washer and dryer to clean those clothes (can't imagine having to do all our laundry by hand), a set of wheels to get around town in - I am not really a bus person, my cellular device to communicate with my people, this here laptop I am currently using, a beautiful bathtub to clean off any daily odors on my bod and a razor to remove the prickly leg hairs, wipes to clean the bum of my baby and diapers, which for the most part do a wonderful job at keeping life in general cleaner .... okay I think my point is made. Anything and everything I use on a daily basis I am thankful for. I probably left out like a 100 of other things if not more but I will leave those to the generalization of all things!

November 30 days of thanks

Day fifteen.

For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving ... 1 Timothy 4:4

16. I am thankful for our furry friends. We've got four of them. We started off as a 'blended' pet family and then for some reason we decided we needed a fourth (mistake or not, you decide). They each have their own unique personalities, one in particular that is far more prominent than the rest. There is Lillian, a pretty kitty I rescued while still living in Colorado. She is an elegant furry. Super snuggly. And at times obstinate - like in the morning when she won't stop bothering me until I top off her half filled food bowl with some fresher food; not sure why she can't snack on the food that is already in her bowl?  Then there is Patch, Jason rescued this little buddy shortly after he moved to Texas to keep him company. He is a tenderhearted furry. Long and lean. And a big chicken but I blame that all on the fact that for the first several years of his life he was a prisoner of greed, living within the walls of a puppy mill. Sad story I know. Another sad story is that of sweet Beasley (forgot the "e" in the above pic, I am a horrible pet mom). Jason adopted Beasley to help keep our little chicken company while he was away at work and from what we know of Beasley's prior life, he lived in fear in a home full of abuse. So this furry is timid, often hiding in his cage especially when we have people over. But over the years he has started to come out of his shell a bit more and is really an affectionate little guy, just yearning to be loved. Then....there is Mannie, short for Manhattan (What can I say? My husband is obsessed with KState). She was not rescued, we purchased her from a breeder. She is a Bengal and for those of you that don't know what a Bengal is, they are a fairly new hybrid breed of cat, mixed with that of a domestic feline and an Asian Leopard cat. She is an exotic beauty no doubt with a coat filled with Leopard like spots. But a personality enough for 10 cats - no exaggeration here, I promise you. She is a menace, always getting into stuff she shouldn't be. She can't stand to be still for more than a few seconds, so snuggling with her is out of the question. She literally sass talks when she doesn't get her way and scales the door frames, blinds and walls within our home. And more stubborn than I ever thought was possible. But because we are animal loving folks we still love her and will continue to put up with her wild demeanor. She is after all, an excellent hide and seek partner and plays fetch better then our two dogs put together. 

November 30 days of thanks

Day fourteen.

Thank you God. 

17. Yup, yup. I am thankful for Target <insert ear to ear smile>. We only have one here in Corpus which is still hard to grasp being that I came from a state that has Target stores on just about every corner but nevertheless I am thankful to have our one! I can spend a good 2 or 3 hours just paroozing around the store and not even realize how much time has passed. They have anything and everything a lady like myself could ever need, minus the fine home furnishings but they have lots and lots of pretty stuff to accent those fine home furnishings in mi casa. And somehow a fountain diet coke and freshly popped popcorn tastes so much better when consumed within the walls of their store. 

November 30 days of thanks

Day thirteen. 

"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"

found.

18. I am so thankful for my good health and the health of my family. 

November 30 days of thanks

Day twelve.

May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans ... Psalm 20:4 

found.

19. I am thankful to have the opportunity to further my education in pursuit of a nursing degree & for all those who support me in this journey. Even though most days I wish I didn't have to study; I have a goal in mind and I will reach it! It has taken longer than I wanted but I honestly don't think I would want it any other way - what is life without a few unexpected bumps in the road anyhow? 

November 30 days of thanks

Day ten.

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving ... Psalm 28:7 

she gets a wake up song sang to her each morning by yours truly ... I know what you are all thinking "I can't believe she doesn't have a record label out yet!" ... All joking aside, I am well aware of my mediocre singing voice. But best of all, her smiles 

melt.my.heart.

21. I am thankful for mornings, sunrises and smiles from my little bird. 

November 30 days of thanks

Day nine. 

How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him ... Psalm 147:1

found here

22. I am thankful for my creative side, it must come from a family rich in artists (said with a french accent). But being a full-time mom, school, working from home and everything else 'in-between' it is hard sometimes to find the time to be creative. Nevertheless I must continue to schedule it in because it keeps me in my right mind when certain things in life seem to be spiraling into a hundred different directions. ... It's my "time out". 

November 30 days of thanks

Day eight. 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God ... Philippians 4:6

(isn't this a great photo? not just the two beauties in it (wink, wink) but the photography itself - if you are in the Denver area and in need of a photographer you should check out Vanessa Kruse, she is a good friend from high school and her work is amazing.)

23. I am thankful for the strong bond I have with my mother. Not all mothers and daughters have such a great relationship, but we do and for that, I will forever be thankful! I know that I am a better person because of our closeness ... I can tell her anything and everything that might be on my mind without the fear of judgement, if she were my only friend I would not fret because I would never be lonely; she certainly is wonderful and our relationship is a gift no doubt. I pray that when Blaykleigh is older, that we will have our own mother-daughter closeness similar to that of mine and my mother's.