(Can’t get over this cuteness!)
I have a story for you today…
As I mentioned before, I have been going to Beth Moore’s new study, Mercy Triumphs, with other women at our church. In last weeks video lesson she told a story that struct a cord in me. You see, when we go to Florida we typically go to the same place and coincidently eat at the same restaurants. There is one restaurant in particular we go to once or twice every time. One night, my sisters, brothers, Tony and I leave the kids with my parents one and go on a triple date to get appetizers. In Florida, it is common to have an attendant in the restroom at nice restaurants. In the women’s restroom the lady has an assortment of items you may need, like hair spray, mouth wash, lotion, etc. She also hands you a paper towel after you wash your hands and has a tip jar if you are feeling generous.
As ridiculous as it is, I normally get nervous about going to the bathroom when we eat at this restaurant for multiple reasons; 1. While on vacation I rarely have cash on me, Tony does but I don’t. 2. If I were to tip the lady every time I went to the bathroom I would end up paying her more than my meal costs. 3. I don’t know the proper etiquette… Is it okay not to tip or are you considered extremely rude? How much are you supposed to tip and so on… So, what I normally do is say “Hi” when I enter the bathroom, do my business and then race to get my own paper towel after so I don’t have to feel guilty for taking hers and not tipping. I do a lot of ignoring in the process. Then I leave the bathroom feeling guilty and praying I can hold my bladder for the rest of the meal. See, ridiculous! (Not to mention rude and a little embarrassing to admit.)
So back to Beth Moore, she shared a story about arriving at the airport, getting off her plane and rushing to the bathroom. When she walked in, a lady sitting attending the bathroom (a lot like in the restaurant in Florida.) As Beth walked by she said something to the affect of “Hi, how are you doing” (Sorry I don’t remember the exact words) and then went in the stall to go to the bathroom. As she was going to the bathroom the lady told her she was a nice lady. After Beth was done, she spent some time talking to the lady at which point the lady also told her something like, “Most people don’t even notice I’m here”. Beth then discovered they were sisters in Christ and they had a big hug. Amazing the ministry that can take place in a bathroom right?
Beth Moore used this story to show the importance of simply noticing people. That sometimes we might not have money to give but we can still notice someone and share Christ’s love. I immediately thought of the lady in the bathroom in Florida and how I go out of my way to act like I don’t notice her, just because I might not have cash. But being noticed and treated with respect goes so much further than a dollar. Even if I don’t have money, I can still treat her with kindness and love. And, why not be more intentional about having a dollar to give? After all, she needs food to live on too. A situation that seemed so small before is all of a sudden a huge deal and something I want to make sure to improve on! Next time I’m in Florida, whether I have money or not, I intend to push through the awkwardness and strike up a conversation. Here at home, I want to go out of my way to notice people, make sure they know I value them, and most importantly make sure they know God values them!
My sister-in-law and I went thrift store shopping last year with the goal of finding clothes we could fix up. I purchased this sweater vest, among a few other things. I wish I had a before picture for you but basically all I did was cut the sweater up the center and embellish it with satin strips and flowers. An easy way to make an old sweater new.
Happy Valentines Day. I pray you feel loved today and that you get to show someone else how much you love them. My Mother-in-law sent the kids a stamp with 1 John 4:19 on it; “We love, because He first loved us.” A great verse to keep in our mind and on our hearts.
Last night we had a Valentines Day Party with the cousins. I planned three games for the kids and then my mom and sister made pinwheels with/for them. I think the kids had a blast and I enjoyed using Valentines Day as an excuse to have some fun. One of the games we played was Bingo.
We also did a “Puzzle Scavenger Hunt.” I hid puzzle pieces around the house and then read off clues to the kids. As they found the pieces, they put the puzzle together. I think this was one of their favorites. I will say, I made the mistake of hiding a few pieces in the refrigerator. This morning I woke up and found a book in there. After the party, the girls had planned their own scavenger hunt with books.
The last game we played was Pin The Heart On The Donkey. This was a fun one too. They actually did quite well.
Target is great at reeling me in with their coupons/deals. Today I found a $3 off coupon for Liz Lange Maternity. I was thrilled. I shopped the sale section and was able to get a new top for really inexpensive (pictures to come.) You can find the coupon here.
For a long time I have randomly seen LittleMissMatched while traveling and I have always wanted to go in. Their stores are full of color and color always draws me in. Last October, while at Disney, I finally went in the store and browsed their socks. Immediately I wanted to get Sienna about ten new sets of socks! If you read this post, you know I hate matching socks so the MissMatched part had me from the beginning.
The socks are adorable for little girls, along with everything else in their store, but the prices aren’t as adorable. This lead me to the idea of making my own missmatched sets of socks as gifts. I know this idea would drive some personalities bonkers (if you are one of those people, I apologize ahead of time) but not mine. The kids and I went to Walmart this week and picked up two sets of six socks, grouped them into three (just like LittleMissMatched), and now they are inexpensive Valentines. A set of three at LittleMissMatched is almost $8 more than what we spent at Walmart per set. Best deal of the year so far.
Random thought of the day: I realized Sienna is growing up really fast… I even teared up about it last night; soon she is going to be driving a car and then out of the house. A little dramatic, I know, but she seems to get more mature every day. I’m very proud of my little princess!
In other news, check out Valley Church Women’s Ministry’s February Footnotes. I wrote an article titled Don’t Let Your “Measurements” Steal Time. I Pray you are encouraged!
Starting New Years day Sienna has been asking me what the next holiday was and when we could start getting ready for it. She was delighted yesterday because the day had finally arrived.
Both of the kids love any excuse to get the stamps out. Stamping has become a frequent activity this winter so it only seemed fitting to incorporate it in a Valentine.
Making the Valentine tags was really simple. We cut out three different sizes of tags in three different fabrics (one being white so the stamp would show up.) Stamped the white fabric and tied the three together with ribbon.
I know we should show people we love them every day of the year but I still think Valentines Day is fun. It is also a good time to remember how important it is to love people, not just our husbands but our friends and neighbors too. Let a friend know you love them today.
“A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 (NASB translation)
And as the New Living Translation translates it: “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need”
This is a picture of my every day life. I like to talk fashion. I like to dress up. I life to sew clothes, but the truth is most days I wear a comfy T and stretch pants or a stretch skirt like pictured here. At least until we leave the house, which sometimes isn’t at all, and even then I don’t always change 
. I almost always have hair rubber bands around my wrist in case Sienna or I suddenly need to get our hair our of our eyes. And, last but not least, if we are at home Weston’s pants rarely find their way back on after getting a diaper change. Don’t worry our house is nice and warm
Sienna and Weston have started getting excited about their baby brother or sister. Sienna will frequently bring the baby toys or ask to give it a hug. Weston likes to show us where the baby is, though sometimes he does point to his tummy. Today, I pray my kids love for each other never ends. Even more so I pray that they won’t only be biological brother and sisters but they will be brother and sisters in Christ! I pray they will be bound together by the unbreakable bond of living in God’s grace!
“And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, ‘Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.’” Matthew 12:49,50
My sister is one of the most beautiful people I know inside and out. She is also one of my favorite people to make clothes for because she has great style. She always encourages and supports me in what I want to do in life and take good care of me too, after all she is my big sis!
As the Bravo Gala was approaching she couldn’t find a dress in this city that she liked but she had an idea of what she wanted. We searched the web for an affordable yet beautiful sequin fabric. It wasn’t easy but I think we found the perfect one. I went to work and this is what we came up with. Isn’t she gorgeous? Her hubby is a lucky man
A fun project for sure!
This is the dress Jenise found that we used as our inspiration.
