Thankfulness Day 202:: New Tutus!

The new Cinderella Themed Birthday Tutu!

Baby Einstein Themed Birthday Tutu!

Today I am thankful for these fun ideas to make a great birthday memory!

Thankfulness Day 201:: As for me and my house

Below is the latest blog post from In His Steps International, what an amazing thing!

As For Me And My House...

Church should be a gospel-oriented community: a place not only to worship and learn, but to share in the lives of fellow believers and build each other up in Christ. This is a beautiful but also challenging privilege, and we at In His Steps take it seriously. Gospel Community Church Saang has been holding services at our Foundation Center property since July of 2010, and since then there have many significant events in the lives of our congregation. Recently, another milestone was passed as we held our first child dedication service!
The Khmer people have been taught that evil spirits, dead ancestors, and karma are what brings curses or blessings to their families. Frequent sacrifices at temples and ancestor shrines are viewed as a way to take care of yourself and your family. That makes it somewhat radical to dedicate your child to Jesus, a God who requires neither sacrifices nor offerings! But the parents and guardians of 6 young boys and girls chose to break with cultural traditions and entrust their children to God. By dedicating each one to Him, they were declaring their commitment to raising their families according to biblical principles, with the prayers and the support of the Saang community of believers. We are so excited to see what God is going to do in each family as they walk in his steps!
Please join us in praying:

• That God would watch over and care for each child as they grow to know and love him
• That parents in Saang would have wisdom and discernment in the way that they raise their families 
• That unbelievers would see that the true God is more faithful to his children than any carved image or stony relic could ever be

Today I am thankful to hear that families in Cambodia are taking huge steps of faith in Christ!

Thankfulness Day 200:: My Best Friends Wedding

Today I was blessed to be the 'Maid of Honor' at my best friends wedding.  I was honored and it was a beautiful day! 

The wedding was overlooking the beach with the perfect temperature!  Seriously Southern California is like no other and I really never appreciated the beach until I moved away. 


Today I am thankful I got to be apart of this amazing celebration!

Thankfulness Day 199:: Psalm 121

Psalm 121

  I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from?   My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.
  He will not let your foot slip—
       he who watches over you will not slumber;
  indeed, he who watches over Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.
  The LORD watches over you—
       the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
  the sun will not harm you by day,
       nor the moon by night.
  The LORD will keep you from all harm—
       he will watch over your life;
  the LORD will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

Today I am thankful that I am not alone and have a savior who is with me always!

Thankfulness Day 198: Bloody Nose

We visited a friend and came home kind of late.  Huzz is on a Men's retreat so it's just me and the boys this weekend.  I pull up to the parking lot of our complex and park.  Kai is passed out in his seat, NOTHING is going to wake him!  Nash is laughing and playing with something.  I go around to get Nash out and realize he is playing with blood splattered all over himself!

Blood was gushing from one side of his nose and I couldn't stop it!  I'm screaming for him to hold still, screaming for Kai to wake up, and of course Kai was still sleeping and Nash is now crying.  I run over and shake Kai to get up while trying to hold Nash and get the bleeding to stop.  Kai rolls over and falls out of the car onto the pavement and starts screaming.  Now I have two screaming boys and lots of blood! 

Huzz is gone remember?  I dragged the screaming boys through the parking lot and knocked on my neighbors door to ask about the bloody nose since I've never had one.  She assured me he would choke the way I was holding him and told me to lean him forward.  The blood subsided, Kai ran off to bed, and I was shaken the rest of the night.  I checked on him maybe 10 times. 

All is fine now.

Today I am thankful that it was JUST a bloody nose!

Thankfulness Day 197:: Lost Identity

I had the pleasure of going to Costco ALONE!  I'm use to the boys fighting over the seat, punching each other, and just being loud.  My mom offered to watch them and I couldn't say no!

So off to Costco I went, just me and my list.  What I didn't expect was to feel VERY alone.  So alone that I started to feel like I didn't know who I was without shopping with the kids, I felt shy, and a bit uncomfortable.  I'm so use to having them there that I somehow I find comfort in hiding behind them?  I can't put my finger on it exactly but the feelings eventually faded and I enjoyed my time all by myself. :)


Today I am thankful that I got that moment to feel kidless again while shopping.

Thankfulness Day 196:: Wordless Wednesday Project Runway

I LOVE this show!  It's so inspiring and I hope to sew this well one day.  Anyone with me?

Today I am thankful for inspiration, it's all around us!

Thankfulness Day 195:: Fly on the wall

Dear Fly on the Wall,

You are a nuisance.  I don't like you much and you buzz around the house like you own it.  I pay good rent and am not sharing with you or any of your little friends.

Not only that but you know too much.  You see me lose my temper behind closed doors.  You've seen me spill on the floor and be too lazy to clean it up.  You know about my secret M&M stash.

I killed you once in mid-air and I was super proud of myself.  I looked around to see if ANYONE saw that amazing swing but alas you came back to life once in the trash can.

Sorry fly, you just don't fit in here and it's time to go. 

Cheri

Today I am thankful that I don't live in Illinois with mice in my house anymore.

Thankfulness Day 194:: My husband

We live in a world surrounded by broken marriages.  I would say these days more marriages fail then succeed.  We've had our fair share of troubles, trials, and tribulations!  In fact we are STILL currently in one, that NEVER ends!

Our marriage isn't perfect but I'm proud to share these messages from my husband this week.  It shows that you can make it through plenty of job loss and instability and still make it, happily.

Hi. Thanks for bearing with me through my jaw pain/headache last night. I affirm you for being such a good steward of our finances. I hear horror stories of shopping wives but you just save and cut corners to keep us on track. Thank you for being the best partner in the world. 

 

HI. I want to affirm you for being such a woman of God. I am so thankful that you pray for me, with me and with the boys. Every day, I hear you sharing Jesus with our boys and it shows in their answers. How many boys do you know that say they are thankful for God and how he loves them? It's even better knowing that he ...doesn't say anything for approval. He is who he is.

You are beautiful inside and out. I am a blessed man to share life with you.

 

I don't know what I did to get so lucky. I'm so blessed to do life with you. You're thoughtful, caring, compassionate and funny. I had fun last night playing cards and winning a lot. ;)

 

You make me smile and laugh when we are together. I love how this new home is drawing us closer and that we are working together even better. I affirm you for always looking to care for me. I'm the luckiest guy in the whole world with a wife who supports and cares for her husband. Even during the most difficult times a...nd crazy life struggles, you ALWAYS look to encourage, support and stand by me. I am blessed.

 Today I am thankful for my husband.

Thankfulness Day 193:: Laura Rauch Photography

Go to  

Laura Rauch Photography 

on Facebook and click on Just Be Contest.  If you 'like' her page and then 'like' Nash's picture I could win a photography session and I've never had a professional family picture so I really really want it! 

Hint hint! He's the one in the life jacket!

Today I am thankful for giveaways!  They are the best!

Thankfulness Day 192:: NOT so thankful

I've had a hard day today.  I don't feel thankful today, in fact I feel so burdened and worrisome that I'm just trying to survive.  I'm still waiting for my miracle, a financial miracle, and I'm going to praise God that He is trustworthy and has it all figured out.  I think I vary from worry to trust.  I hope I get to just trusting.

Today I am thankful that I still have my faith.

Thankfulness Day 191: PB & J

Does Peanut Butter & Jelly have any nutrients?  What if you give it to your kids EVERYDAY!??  I have to fight with the kids to get them to eat anything other then PB&J for lunch.  I try to use whole wheat bread and no sugar added peanut butter but you can't go sugar free on the jelly because that just doesn't taste good!

So....are my kids going to stunt their growth with THIS much PB&J or is it serving some nutritional purpose?

Today I am thankful that I have something that easy to give to my kids and they'll eat it!

Thankfulness Day 190:: A Wedding

I'm going to be in a wedding next weekend and today I bought THIS dress!  It's so cute and I would wear it again which is rare for the wedding party right?  I haven't bought a new dress in at least 3 years.

Today I am thankful for my friends beautiful marriage!

Thankfulness Day 189:: Wordless Wednesday Giraffe

Nash "For my Birthday I want to go to the zoo and brush the Giraffe"

And really how could you not want to brush this face?

Today I am thankful for the amazing animals God made.

Thankfulness Day 188:: New Purses to Support Cambodia

The ministry that I'm going to support through Sweet Lily Tutus is In His Steps.  The Women have been rescued from Human Trafficking and brought to a safe location and taught various skills to give them a new life.  One of those skills is sewing and they've made these beautiful purses. 

I'll be having a 'Purse Party' soon to support these beautiful women and this ministry. 

Today I am thankful to be able to help others thousands of miles away.

Thankfulness Day 187:: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

 This picture doesn't do this recipe justice but this is really good!  My hubby wants it weekly I think so I'm sharing it with you.  Not the healthiest though...

 Chicken Enchilada Casserole

What You Need

3/4 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa, divided

2 cups  chopped cooked chicken

1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 lb.  (8 oz.) VELVEETA Mild Mexican Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with Jalapeno Peppers, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

6 Corn tortillas (6 inch), cut in half

Make It

HEAT oven to 350°F. Reserve 1/4 cup salsa for later use. Mix chicken, soup and VELVEETA until well blended; spread 1 cup onto bottom of 8-inch square baking dish.
TOP with layers of 6 tortilla halves and 1/2 each of the remaining remaining salsa and chicken mixture; repeat layers.
BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until heated through. Serve topped with reserved salsa.

Today I am thankful that I found a recipe that I can add to my favorites.

Thankfulness Day 186:: Neighbors

I spent all day playing outside with the boys and inside cleaning while watching them play outside.  I've never seen my boys so happy. 

Today I am thankful for my son's new friends.

Thankfulness Day 185:: Pottery Barn Drapes

I wish I was more of a Hoarder sometimes.  You know those things that you just wish you held onto or kept?  That happens to me ALL the time because I can't stand clutter!  And because I can't stand clutter and like to feel organized I tend to give/sell too much!  So you get to gain!

I'm selling these Pottery Barn Drapes on Ebay.  They are super long and big and beautiful.  The color is a deep olive green and they have a bit of a metallic texture.  Perfect condition and only used 2 years!  They are going for $41 for both right now on Ebay!  Get them before they are gone (so I can come hunt you down years from now when I wished I kept them!)

Today I am thankful that I was able to own such beautiful drapes.

Thankfulness Day 184:: New Place

I am really enjoying our new place.  I just want to sit here and do nothing because it's so calming knowing that we aren't burdening my parents and the kids aren't getting into their things.  The boys play outside everyday and are making lots of new neighbor friends.  So far I'm feeling very thankful for it all!

Today I am thankful for our new place.

Thankfulness Day 183:: Happy Nails

ATTENTION::  A GREAT DEAL!

If you live in Orange County, you have to check out Candice at Happy Nails in Foothill Ranch.  She offers a Recession Deal Thursday where a 1 hour facial with a mask costs only $40 and if you add on a 15 massage it's only $10 more!  So that's 1 hour 15 minutes for $50 and it's really relaxing!  She is great, super nice, and I would go there again for sure!

Today I am thankful that my dad blessed me with a facial.

Thankfulness Day 182:: Wordless Wednesday

Toy Story Mania, my favorite ride when I'm with the kiddos at Disneyland!

Today I am thankful for my disneyland passes.

Thankfulness Day 181:: Jesus

 When I ask Nash what he is thankful for every night he says "Disneyland." 

When I ask Kai what he is thankful for it varies but Sunday he told me this:

"I am thankful for what Jesus did for me."

Today I am thankful that my son is starting to get what this life is all about.

Thankfulness Day 180:: Freebie Website

A while ago I stumbled upon The Freebie Blogger and was very pleasantly surprised by what I found!  She posts free things all the time and I've gotten many samples mailed to me by just simply inputting my info.

She also tells you about deals at local grocery stores etc.  Check it out!

Today I am thankful that some things are still free!

Thankfulness Day 179:: Devotion

This spoke to me today, I hope it blesses you:

Incline your heart to Me, and attune your ear to My voice.  For I would speak to you, and I have an urgent message to give you.
Do not set out to establish your own designs.  I have already set in motion My divine will and purpose, and I would not have you interfere.  I am jealous of My children;  They are Mine and you shall not intrude in any way to hinder My plans from working out.  Yes, you may do many things, but only that which I direct you to do can have my blessing.
Resign all into My hands-your loved ones as well as your own self.  Be obedient to the still small voice.  Your own imaginations may speak more loudly, but wait upon Me always.  You will see the wisdom in this in due time.  Fret not about carnal things, but concern yourself first and always with spiritual values.  Truly, my promise is still: "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all the other things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33 

Thankfulness Day 178:: Hike

Today we went up a ski lift and hiked down the hill.  Have you ever been to Big Bear when the snow is gone?  It's really weird!  Pretty in a different kind of way.  

Then we visited a beautiful cabin decorated to the tee by a former Rams player.  We finished the night with mud masks from the Dead Sea.  After putting mine on it started to STING so bad!  I decided I needed to wait it out and see what happens, that must mean it's doing something good right?
HA!  I took it off and my face was beat red like a heat lamp was on it!  Allergic reaction???

Overall the day was a blast and I'm so thankful!

Today I am thankful for the great group of women I have found and call my friends.

Thankfulness Day 177:: Big Bear!

I'm leaving to Big Bear today and I'm so excited!  I'm going with my Women's Bible Study group and we are just going to enjoy fellowship.   I think I really need this after a rough moving week with the boys!

Today I am thankful an opportunity with just adult conversation!

Thankfulness Day 176:: Big Boy Bed

Please please tell me HOW to keep your 2 year old in a Big Boy Bed when he says he wants his crib back, runs around the room playing with toys, engages older brother in play instead of sleep, and runs down the hall!  Wow what a night!

I also had a scare with Kai as I had to save him during his swim lesson!  Seriously a bad hard day.  Please pray for us and this move.

Today I am thankful that I was watching Kai to save him in the water.

Thankfulness Day 175:: Wordless Wednesday

12 Month Cupcake Onesie on SALE for $14.99!  Makes a great gift!

Thankfulness Day 174:: Furniture

 I overheard Kai today tell Nash all about the move and how it will be great.  He encouraged his brother and told him about their room and all their new friends.  I'm so glad Kai is taking it this well because every other move he revolts!


Today I found an end table for $22 on Clearance.  It's good wood to, already assembled!  That's a good deal right?  I still need a coffee table and maybe more storage items but we are getting there! 

Today I am thankful for great deals to furniture our place.

Thankfulness Day 173:: Bruises

We are still getting settled in.  My husband has had to work everyday with no breaks so I've done all the moving and I'm all banged and bruised up.  Seriously I hurt and I'm looking forward to being all moved it!


In other news...they delivered the wrong rug to me!  However it was my colors and I think it's a bit bigger so I decided to keep it!  I told them about it and they said my next rug will be discounted.

Our room is a disaster but the boys room is ready to go and livable.  Isn't that how it always is?  Kids first and then us. :) 

Today I am thankful we are FINALLY moving out!

Thankfulness Day 172:: Condo

As I unloaded box after box and had to walk them to the condo I realized that the proximity of our place is very close to the street and it could be MUCH worse!  In fact I was praising God that it wasn't farther and realized how very thankful I was that this place was  in such a great location.  I get to have the kids playing right out front of our condo, it's not too far a walk from our parking space (it's set up like apartments), we have no one on the right side of us, my soon to be good friend Christy lives across the way with her three girls, I have a screen on my door, my neighbors told me I could just walk in if I needed anything, AND there is a 16 year old girl who hosts a kids "Jesus story time" outside of our condo!  Does it get any better then this?

Well maybe it does but I think this is just what I needed.  We will be officially in probably tomorrow or Wednesday. :)

Today I am thankful for all of the above!