Thankfulness Day 171:: Couch

Yes I realize all these posts are about furniture but I've got one thing on my mind and that is moving and furnishing our place!  Here's the deal we got today:

It may not be the most comfortable sleeping couch but it fits the space and has a place for hubby's legs!  This little beauty for $348 New in Box!

Today I am thankful for this new couch we found.

Thankfulness Day 170:: Bunkbeds

Have you ever looked for used Bunk Beds on Craigslist?  It's  like gambling and they are posted and sold on the same day!  I just couldn't seem to 'win' and I was getting frustrated!  So I decided to try my luck out at Ebay which I've only bought 1 item from ever!

I searched Ebay for Bunk Beds in my area and found Bunk Beds, Matresses, Sheets, Blankets, Matching Desk, Nightstand, Mirror, AND Dresser all for only $300!  What???  So I bought it and thanked the guy in Irvine for posted such a great deal for me as I was losing all the bunkbeds on Craigslist as they went like Hot Cakes! 
"What, I should have posted it on Craigslist and got more money?"  Is all I think went through his head....Oops!

Today I am thankful for this amazing deal I got and I can spread all the pieces out all over the condo :)

Thankfulness Day 169:: Rug

Okay I realize I've been behind,  you can just say that I'm MOVING and leave it at that :)

Here's the rug I got, 7X9 for only $150 and FREE SHIPPING off of Ebay!

Today I am thankful for finding this great deal.

Thankfulness Day 168:: Wordless Wednesday

Moving is stressful.  I really want to go here, anyone want to come with me?

Today I am thankful that moving only lasts a couple of weeks and God made places like this to enjoy!

Thankfulness Day 167:: New Church

The hubby is leading at a new church and recruited me as his back up singer, yikes!  It's a small church in Huntington Beach and has a 'older' kind of vibe.  We aren't sure if this is going to be for us but it's exciting none the less.

Today I am thankful for new opportunities to visit churches and see what the Lord is up to.

Thankfulness Day 166:: New Design

Introducing the latest design:

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

I am welcoming any birthday ideas you have to help launch new creative items!

Today I am thankful for the new bunk beds I purchased.

Thankfulness Day 165:: Happy 6 Years!

Dear Huzz,

These past six years have been full of ups, downs, and all arounds!  I would never describe them as easy but one thing is for sure and that is that we've grown together.  Through kids, job losses, big moves, and family trama we have stuck like glue to each other when the world tried to drive us a part.  I'm proud of you, of us, and all that God has been doing in our marriage.  You are a truly different man today then the day I met you and the Lord is making you more like His reflection day by day.  I love you and look forward to many other happy anniversaries!

-the wifey

Today I am thankful for the beautiful wedding we've had and the tremendous amount of growth we have gone through together as a couple.

Thankfulness Day 164:: Giving

We went to church tonight and I felt challenged.  I'm so use to worrying about my own life and finances that I can't seem to look outside myself sometimes.  It makes me ashamed to be honest.  We don't know how we will make rent next month or how God will provide for that but we STILL have ALOT more then the rest of the world.  I'm stressed about finding furniture that I like or is sort of my style off of Craigslist yet there is still people out there who sleep on the floor.  I have a good friend who doesn't have a car and is a single mom.  She can't even get a job because she isn't sure how she will get there.

Surely there is some way I can help.  Jesus highlights the widow who gave her last penny as a tithe when she had nothing.  Is God calling me to give out of our savings even though we aren't sure how we will make rent?  I'm praying through this but I will say that I felt moved today by a couple who adopted two abused little girls and then again at church thinking about giving to people around us in need. 

What is God calling you to do today?

Today I am thankful that I have a car that I can rely and depend on.

Thankfulness Day 163:: Garage

As I'm anticipating the 'move' I'm starting to realize this will be the first time in 5 years that we won't have a garage.  If you think about it a garage is much more then a place to park your car but a very good use of storage!  I just assumed we would always have one for our xmas stuff and keepsakes.  I guess I took my garage for granted. 

Today I am thankful that I've had a garage for the last 5 years.  I didn't know what a luxury it was until I didn't have it anymore.

Thankfulness Day 162:: New Bed

Have you ever bought anything on Craigslist?  It's cut throat let me tell you!  I was 'outbid' 'outlasted' and 'outplayed' on all accounts and lost many bunk beds and Queen Beds.  I did manage to snag this beauty for $345 with mattress, originally priced at $700.  It was on Craigslist for $270 and then a bidding war happened! 

Can you believe this?  Is everyone moving out of their parents house with my SAME taste?  Yes I guess so.  I did win buy it though so tonight when I get a truck it's officially mine!

Today I am thankful for that first piece of furniture for our place.

Thankfulness Day 161:: Wordless Wednesday Caption This!

Caption This is a fun game where you make up silly captions to what may be going on in this picture!  Go ahead and give it a go!

Today I am thankful that even in the wrestling, hitting, and biting there is love :)

Thankfulness Day 160:: I Won!

Remember when I won the Dermalogica Anti Aging Serum?  Well I just upgraded and won something else even better!!

B.Y.O.G. hosted a Giveaway here along with Eli's Lids & Blessed Nest for a free labor & delivery gown AND $75 cash and I won!!  What?  Is this my first miracle?  I believe so!

When I heard I won I went into tears because of God's amazing provision!

What is a labor and delivery gown?  Well remember those ugly ones you had to wear in the hospital?  You won't have to wear one again if you stop by her shop www.shopbyog.com

The gowns are so stinking cute and really wouldn't you feel much more attractive after your 24 hours of hard labor (okay that was just me?) if you had this on?  Absolutely!

What am I going to do with one?  Well that would be the 3rd miracle I'm still praying about ;)

Today I am thankful for God's provision and this wonderful giveaway!

Thankfulness Day 159:: Proud Renters

We are now proud renters of a condo!  Yes that is right we are moving on from my parents home to a condo all by ourselves!  This is truly done on faith as the hubby's job is just a temp but for some reason everytime I prayed about this I felt that I was suppose to move out in faith and just watch God provide.  This is not good for my anxiety, or maybe it is?

Nevertheless I listened to Him and we will be in our new place as of August 1st!  Now the hunt is on for all furniture as we have nothing quite yet!  Bunkbeds are a must!

Today I am thankful for this next stage in our lives, being an independent family again and being on our own.

Thankfulness Day 158:: Tomorrow

So we find out tomorrow about the condo.  Hubby and I are having mixed feelings about the whole thing but it's good to get out and start our life with just our family.  I've been so busy lately that I know my blogging is quite boring to say the least and I find that I barely have time to blog.

So I will just ask for prayer.  We need furniture, everything, in order to live on our own in a condo.  We also don't have much money to buy anything new so everything needs to be used or given free, that is our prayer.  We moved out of the Illinois 3,400 square ft home to now probably a 1,100 condo and we sold everything we had.  God is faithful to restore us and meet our needs so I'm praying for a miracle all the way down to a hose!

Join me?

Today I am thankful for my prayer blogging/internet/facebooking friends.

Thankfulness Day 157:: Etsy Feature

I was featured on Etsy today!  My tutus were featured in the Children's section and showcased.

Because of this I got a few orders and good questions/discussions.  It was exciting, fun, and I'll do it again soon when I'm not too busy I can't even blog!

Today I am thankful for being busy with orders.

Thankfulness Day 156:: Moving on

So we looked for a  place to live today.  I think we are ready to move out, by faith of course!  I'll keep you updated on this next uncertain adventure.  I will say that it is hard going from a house to an apartment.  Going from granite counter-tops and wood floors to tile and stucco.  I just have to keep in mind that we are blessed to have any place to live and as long as we are together we can make it a home.


Today I am thankful that I live in such a nice area as Orange County.

Thankfulness Day 149-155:: Yosemite!

We had a GREAT trip!  It was lots of work with two little boys and no hubby to help but we survived!  Yosemite is so beautiful, filled with God's creation and I really feel that He blessed me in big ways when I was there.  Each day he would bring along a blessing in nature and it got to the point where He was outdoing himself everyday!

Friday-Thankfulness Day 148::  I saw a dear 5 feet from me just staring at me! I am very thankful for such a sight.

Saturday-Thankfulness Day 149::  We hiked up some of the little waterfalls with the boys and there is nothing like the beauty of a waterfall.  Today I am thankful for this opportunity.

Sunday Thankfulness Day 150::  We went down the river on a boat with some mild rapids, then played at a beach next to our camp where these HUGE butterflies were flying all around us.  I've never seen such beautiful colors on a butterfly.  The kids had so much fun and I'm so thankful for that experience for them.

Monday Thankfulness Day 151:: We saw a deer with two babies nursing.  Have you ever seen such a thing?  It was amazing!  Then there was a bear going through our camp but I only got too see it's poop.  ;)  We also had lots of birds and squirrels all around us.  I am so thankful for the animals because they really make our world so unique.

Tuesday Thankfulness Day 152:: I was still on my bear hunt so I started to pray that God would bring a long a bear for me.  Later that day I saw three different ones!  Including one right next to my tent!  So naturally I followed it but by the time I got my camera he was a distance away.  I'm so thankful that God brought this bear right to my door step. :)

On the way home there was construction, a winding road, two vomiting children, a smelly car, traffic, combined with a 9 hour car ride.  Which brings me to......

Wednesday Thankfulness Day 153:: REST, I'm so thankful that we came home a day early and just rested all day.

It was such a great trip and really got me back to the right perspective.  I think everyone needs a vacation every once in a while to clear your head and realize what's important in life.

Thursday Thankfulness Day 154:: Today I am thankful for all the extra hair business I've gotten since being home and some tutu orders I need to work on.

Thankfulness Day 148:: Perseverance through trials

I've had a grumpy attitude lately, well maybe on and off for the past 4 months to be honest. 

So here I am in Romans 5 and I read this

 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us (AMEN!!), because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

I read on in other verses about people throughout the Bible who suffered through dieing family members, persecution, beatings, etc and they STILL kept the faith.  Not only that my sisters (and maybe brothers?) but they rejoiced through it all keeping the faith because faith is what moves God!  He will restore us all and He is good promising to bless us with greater things then what we had to give up.  What an amazing God.  He died for YOU, not just for all of us but for YOU!  What a hard thing to grasp and a gift that we could never top. 

I just had to go on that tangent because it's so real to me and quite life changing.  We are going on 15 months with no permanent job still in my parents home and life seems uncertain, even very down at times.  I'm choosing to believe God through faith today that it's going to all be worth it and I'm living for Him.


SIDE BAR:: I'm going on vacation tomorrow and will not be blogging until next Thursday.  I will continue my thankfulness on paper and type it all up when I get back.  I will miss you all!

Today I am thankful that I have an eternity to look forward to.

Thankfulness Day 147:: Wordless Wednesday Yosemite

I'm going here in two days!!  Jealous?  Maybe not when you hear that hubby is staying home for work and I'll be running this ship alone!  Yikes, but it sure is beautiful!

Have you ever been to Yosemite?

Today I am thankful for a much needed vacation!

Thankfulness Day 146:: A Boutique!!

So we are officially going to be in our FIRST Boutique!  It's a Country gift shop located in Huntington Beach and has some awesome children's gifts in there!  It's called Springdale Country Store if you want to shop there yourselves! The owner Karen is so nice and I would give her my business any day.Our tutus are not in there yet but will be in the next few weeks. 

I'm so excited!

Today I am thankful for this amazing opportunity God has opened for me at this Boutique.

Thankfulness Day 145:: 4th of July

We had lots of fun on the 4th!  This is Nash's first sparkler and Kai's first memory of one!  All the boys could say is "I got fire mommy, fire fire!"
It was a simple day of just hanging with old friends and wishing I lived in this amazing neighborhood!

Today I am thankful for our country, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Thankfulness Day 143:: An attempted run

Today I thought to myself "Self you need go to and get a good run in this morning!"  So what is a mom to do when she has to bring two boys along? 

Well Nash went into the stroller and Kai went on his scooter.  As we started off my mom said she would take Nash back home so my hands were free to save Kai if need be.  This should be easy I thought!

My 30 minute run turned into a 50 minute walk, stop, run as Kai every few minutes needed to stop and rest.  "My knee is hurting, I'm getting tired, I just need to touch this pole, I'm going to sit at this bus stop for awhile, I have to pee!! (followed by us hiding in an industrial bush!) and so on.  When we got home he said he was so tired he just needed to rest on the couch and put up his feet for awhile, this child is 4!!

Needless to say this will be our last mommy and me run for awhile!  Next time I will say "Self you are crazy and there will be no run unless it's with just you and me."

Today I am thankful for my good mommy and Kai moment and teaching him how to pee in public. :)

Thankfulness Day 142:: Encouragement for today

I've been in a slump.  Don't you agree?  I think I may be on my way out of it!  I got this devotion today and it put me in tears.  It's just what I needed to hear to keep the faith no matter what comes my way or doesn't!

I hope it blesses you as it has me:

The Call of Abraham


    ...And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, "Unto thy seed will
    I give this land: and there built he an altar unto the Lord, who
    appeared unto him."  --Genesis 12:7


Am I not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Did I abandon Abraham when
I asked him to leave his homeland, his family and go to the place that
I marked out for him?  And did he not experience famine, disappointment
and trials on the way? It is true that he experienced this before he
even arrived at his destination, yet he continued on this path that I
set before him. He went forward as I called him for he knew that I am a
God of great promise and provision. I called him to be the father of
many nations...and so it was.

Now, I am calling you in this same way that I called Abraham. Do not
see your 'famine in the land' as a burden too great for Me to handle.
What appears as a very large conflict in your sight is but a small one
in Mine, for I see all things from the beginning to the end. I am
omniscient and omnipresent, and I see from every angle.

There is nothing hidden from My sight, and nothing in your heart that
I don't see. Keep your faith strong in Me, for I will cause all things
to be known to you in due time. You will know what it is I ask of you.
I am working in you to build you and fortify you for the journey ahead.
You will over come any obstacles and road blocks that come in against
you just by keeping simple faith in Me.

I will see to it that you over come, for I have already decreed My
purpose in you. I have set it to be fulfilled in you, just as I did
with Abraham. You will overcome dear ones--not by might, nor by power,
but by My Spirit. My word cuts through bone and marrow; the spirit and
truth and it will bring you into My very promise.

So, be not discouraged on your way when it appears to be marked by dark,
or shifting shadows of despair. I am the God of illumination and I will
cause your spirit to come up higher in Me when you encounter a famine
in the land.  Know that I allowed it to cause you to walk into your
destiny. I am causing you to be united to Me, knit to My spirit, so
that you might do My good purpose as I send you out before Me.

Abraham responded with obedience, trust and faithfulness. As with him,
so do I ask it of you.

So, stand strong in My presence; stand in the shadow of My wings. I
will cause you to come into My presence and My glory. Trust Me in this.
You will see My promise born to you, just as Abraham saw My promise
born to him when I blessed him with Isaac and made him the father of
many nations. Yes, I will bring you into the land that I have called
you to, just as I brought Abraham. I will make you great among your
descendants, and you will affect the nations of all the earth. I will
bring you to a new spiritual place, a new dimension and dwelling in My
Spirit and a new territory that I have marked out for you. 

Dear ones! When you hear My Call, remember to respond in simple trust.
Simply know that I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and just as
I was with them, so I will be with you.

Today I am thankful for this word, especially when I needed it so badly!

Thankfulness Day 141:: WANTED-NANNY

NANNY WANTED::

We are looking for a Nanny who will help with the boys.  

Here are a few expectations:

• Must watch 4 yr old closely so he doesn't take switch blade and cut things in the garage unattended
• Must be okay with 2 yr old whacking himself in the head if he doesn't get what he wants
• Again must be okay with supervising 4 yr old at 6am as he gets butter knife to make a pb&j
• Watch for fruit voluntarily being thrown in the trash 'because it looked old' 
• Must be more strong willed than the 2 yr old who won't clean up his toys and outwit a 2 hour sweaty screaming tantrum
• Has to know when to put mommy in timeout so she doesn't lose it with the kiddos
• If you dare to serve rice, must know how to calm 4 yr old down when he spots it on his plate
• Must hold 2 yr old in an arm lock so he doesn't jump into 4 yr olds swimming lesson
• Must see the humor of the 4 yr old streaming his pee all around rim of the toilet to 'clean it' and onto the floor
• Also must be okay with 2 yr old waking up and telling you his finger has poop on it
• Must be okay with hubby working late and then coming home and checking out immediately once he spots the mood of the wife

If this is you, and I sure hope it is, please contact me ASAP because the above list only reflects the last 24 hours!

Today I am thankful that it is almost bedtime and my nights are my time of recuperation!