"Pinterest Makes My Life Better"

A year or so ago, I got a text message from my sister-in-law, Sarah, telling me that, "You have to get the Pinterest app. You will be addicted." So, I downloaded the app and couldn't figure the darn thing out. It didn't make much sense to me when she was explaining it. "It's a bunch of pictures of things and you can create boards and pin them." I'm thinking..."Why do I want a bunch of pictures of random things?" But, o.k. Sarah!" I found out that you have to be invited and blah, blah, blah. Sounded like too much work to me so I just dismissed it.

A few weeks later she asked me if I ever figured it out. I told her I just didn't understand it. But, she convinced me that I needed to try to figure it out. So, I checked my email and got "accepted" and started figuring it out.

She was right...I was addicted from the "get-go." I loved looking at the humor board. It's still one of my favorites! I LOVE E-CARDS!! They make life so much better!

You can always tell when I'm on a diet because I start pinning in my "Yummy Food" board along with my "Fitness" board. You might see pins for cookies and homemade cheese sticks...and then just to make myself feel better I will pin the 100 Ways to to make your tummy flat! Yeah right!

I love the Education pins! I've used SO many cute things from there in my classroom! I just don't understand why we (teachers) feel the need to pin so many "School Things" over the summer!! I'm guilty, too!! However, I've learned you have to Pin fast because it may go away if you don't act quick!

From the start, I would show pictures to Jake. I would say, "Let's do this to our bathroom." or "I want to go here." It wasn't until I made something from my 'Yummy Food' board that he realized that Pinterest is ALL that it is cracked up to be! I've made several recipes from Pinterest that he loves and when it comes to food...that guy is very hard to impress!!

Last weekend, for our camping trip, I made the "Best Pasta Salad EVER" to take with us. He loved it! The Flourless Cookies (That's got to be healthy, right?) were also a pretty big hit. One night this week I made baked chicken/potatoes/greenbeans. I kind of figured it was not going to be a favorite. But, Pinterest did it again. As he was eating he said, "Pinterest makes my life better." I had to laugh!!

You will never find my husband on Pinterest but he sure is glad that Sarah convinced me to figure it out. Thanks, Sarah!!

Here are two of my recent "CrAfTy" Pinterest projects!

Blabber Mouth

I saw this on Pinterest and I thought it was hilarious! This is true with little ones. They don't have filters. They tell everything they know. This has happened so many times in my 10 years in education. Parents would die if they knew all that was told to us!

I've learned this from personal experience. Now that I have a child I realize that now it is going to be me that is "talked" about at daycare and school.

This summer has been quite different than all of the past 4 summers. Halle is very independant now and I can get so much done around the house. Last summer, I couldn't even leave the room without her yelling, "Mommy, where are you?" It drove me nuts. I blamed it on our house being so big but I think she just had seperation issues. So, this year I can tell she's really starting to grow up. However, with the growing up comes the "Telling Everything You Know to Daddy."

We used to be able to go eat lunch or go shopping and Daddy would never find out. It's not that I ever had anyting to hide...he can look up on our bank account info at any time and see where we go and what we do. He never freaks out about spending money. But, there are some things that you don't just offer up the minute he walks in from work.

UNTIL NOW...

As soon as Daddy walks in the door the first question he asks, "What did you guys do today?" Halle responds, "We went to eat at Ho Wah and then Mommy bought me a new pair of shoes." I cringe...Of course Daddy thinks Halle has too many shoes already. And why didn't we eat lunch at home where it is FREE? HaHa!! Or "We ate at El Tapatio with Grandma and Nina today." UGH!! Or better yet, I don't think he heard this one because he was in the shower...and I changed the subject with her very quickly. "Mom got this new little purse in the mail today. It's kind of like this..." AHEM! "Hey, Halle WE DON'T HAVE TO TELL EVERYTHING WE KNOW!!!" Seriously!!

I had this conversation with Jake the other day. He thinks it is hilarious, of course!! Me...not so much!!!

Every Girl's Dream

Ok...so maybe it isn't every girl's dream to visit the American Girl Store. But, I know if I had the opportunity as a little girl to experience that, I would have absolutely been in heaven. Today was so much fun! Maybe I'm living my "little girl" childhood through Halle but I was in awe of every little detail!

My husband thinks it is absolutely nuts to spend that kind of money on a doll! But, I'm telling you if he had seen the look on Halle's face when she walked in and saw everything...we would have walked out with the $225 Loft Bed...and possibly the tent! Ha Ha! We refrained from over splurging...but I could totally see how one could get carried away.

My cousin, Amy and her daughter, Jozlyn went with us. Jozzy got a bitty baby for Christmas and one of their dogs got a hold of it's little hand. They had to admit the baby into the hospital (no joke) to get it fixed up! They dressed her in a hospital gown and all! It was so cute. Amy even said that if a child is extremely attached they will send a doctor out to explain to the child what they will do to ease their fear! HAHA! I love it! Sure, it may be a little over the top but how cute is it for little girls?

I was so happy that my mom and my neice, Alyssa came with us on our first trip to AG! Alyssa has never been into playing dolls. I'll never forget the Christmas when Mom, Sarah and I all went together and bought her and Emma the "knock-off" AG dolls and accessories from Target! We were all so excited to see them open the horse and the little scooter. As they ripped off the paper, we asked Alyssa if she liked it and her response was a very loud, "Noooooo!" I'll never forget that! I'm pretty sure we have that on video somewhere! This past Christmas I liked to fell over when Alyssa asked for a Tangled Barbie doll. Then, the other day when she heard us talking about going she said, "I want to go, Nana." I asked her when she became a girl...she laughed!

So, Amber had two AG dolls in her basement that her grandma gave her. She never played with them. They were more for looks than playing with. I told her she needed to get them out and let Alyssa play with them and see if it will be worth it for her. Since then, these two little dolls have went everywhere with her. She even buckles them into the backseat! HAHA!! I never thought I'd see the day that one of Amber's girls would actually like dolls!

It was such a nice day with the girls!! I can't wait until we can do it again!

Best of Both Worlds

I have the best of both worlds! I get to do what I love to do...and know that I am called to do it...TEACHING! I also get to spend 3 1/2 months out of the year doing something else I love...being a stay at home mom. I love both of my worlds and I wouldn't change it for anything!!

I am so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to do both of my jobs. I feel that I do them both very well. Is it stressful to work outside of the home and maintain a happy & healthy family? Absolutely! Sometimes it is overwhelming. But, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. The positive impact that I can make in a child's life far outweighs any stress that could come my way throughout the school year.

I admire both sides of the fence. The "stay at home" Moms have a tough job! Being the constant caregiver is difficult. There are never any breaks...especially if there are several children involved. The "working" mom also has a difficult job. They have to go out of their home to help make a living for their family. Time with children is limited to evenings. It isn't ideal but they do what they have to for their family!

I've said all of that to say this, "I am happy that I get to jump the fence!"

It creates a very good balance for me!!

God's Promises

I will not be sharing this with the Facebook world. However, I don't want to miss the opportunity to blog what just happened to us recently. If you happen to stumble upon this--then it was absolutely meant for you to see. Maybe your faith has been tested recently.

Just as mine has.

My husband and I have been TTC for 1 year. We finally hit our 1 year mark this month. It has been a complete life changer for me. Around the 6 month mark I found myself really becoming angry. I kept questioning God. Why are you allowing all of these people around me get pregnant? Everyone except me? Girls who are unmarried and unable to support babies on their own? Girls who kill babies...girls who don't love their babies as I know can?

Why? Why? Why, God?

I know I've went through different stages throughout the year. I started the year really feeling positive. "Awh...well, maybe next month?" or "It will happen on my birthday. Yeah, God wants to give me a birthday present I will never forget." or "Maybe Christmas morning?" "I know Mother's Day!" This went on for months. Each day being as positive as the last. Until finally I just fell before the Lord and just laid it all out. I had a complete meltdown in January. That is when God began working His beautiful work in me.

I now have complete peace about His plan. When I say complete peace...that is exactly what I mean. Nobody understands why I just don't push my hubby to go to the doctor...or why I just don't jump at the fertility options. I have grown in my faith so much since January...that I just don't see the need to go any further than the feet of my Savior! He did it ALL already. Why would I seek anyone other than Him. Babies are a gift from God. He is the one that gives each and every one of us everything!

About a month ago, Jake's friend, Josh, from Washington State came to stay with us for 12 days. Josh's dad came over to visit one Sunday afternoon. Jake and I were working in the yard and Halle stayed inside playing with Josh and his wife. They came outside and were getting ready to leave for church and Josh's dad (who is an extremist and has a prayer life like nobody we have EVER met) walked up to Jake and said, "Do you want a baby boy?" Jake said, "Huh?" He said, "Do you want a baby boy?" Jake said, "Well yeah?" He said, "Good because God just showed me, while I was watching Halle play in the living room that He is going to bless you with a baby boy." We were absolutely blown away. This man who doesn't know our situation at all. Who had no idea that my heart has literally ached for a baby for an entire year just told us what God had showed him. I was amazed!

Later the same day this was revealed to us, my sister-in-law told me they were going to have vasectomy reversal so they could have another baby. I know that God is an "on-time" God...but WOW! I believe that He wanted to make sure that I knew He has heard my heart and He is going to bless us at just the right time. It may have been extremely painful to hear that my brother and sister-in-law, who have 3 perfectly healthy children are going to try for 1 more after all I've been through this year.

God is sooooo GOOD!

So, I've been standing on this promise! Praying that God would just have His way. I've completely given this to Him....knowing that none of it is in my hands anyway.

This morning, Jake came in and said, "Listen to this!" It was a voice message from a complete stranger. It said, "You don't know me but a friend of yours gave me your name and number told me to be in prayer for you to conceive a child. I want you to know that I've prayed for you and asked God to show me what to pray for you about. He said to tell you that you will conceive VERY soon. I've not seen your friend since. But, I wanted to let you know that I have prayed and God has heard." We later found out that this man came as a guest speaker during a baby dedication and has prayed for many couples who have trouble conceiving...and many have been success stories of God's miracle hand at work!

Again, WOW! Really? All I can say is the God we serve is absolutely awesome! What was promised to us a month ago has now been confirmed by a complete and total stranger. As I sit here today I am completely overwhelmed with joy because I know what is coming. What God says He will do--- will absolutely happen!

What a joyous day it will be when I can tell all of my family and friends that I am expecting. I have faith that the day will happen SOON! Thank you, Jesus!!

Bittersweet Birthday

Today is my beautiful daughter's 4th birthday! I can't believe it has already been 4 years. She has made me so happy! Each day she makes me laugh with her wonderful sense of humor! I honestly can't imagine my life without my Bug!

In all honesty, this morning was a little emotional. I had imagined celebrating her 4th birthday either big, huge and pregnant or with a newborn baby in tow. I now know that wasn't God's plan and I have accepted it. Eventhough I'm a little sad, I know His plan is far greater than I can imgaine...His word tells me so!! :)

I've been redecorating Halle's bedroom. When I decided on her nursery bedding 4 years ago. I decided that I wanted to go with something nontraditional. I didn't want the pastel pinks and purples. I went with a really cute set with red and black. Dragonflies and butterflies...

We transitioned from crib to toddler bed two years ago. The toddler bed didn't last long and we went right into the full size bed. I kept the same color scheme and we still decorated with some of her nursery things.

For months Halle has been begging me to redecorate her room. She really wanted her walls to be pink. "Like a princess.." So, for her birthday we got her new bedding and I just painted her walls a pretty pink. This meant that the last of her nursery was packed up and put away. I couldn't help being a little sad when I put her crib comforter and curtain valances in a trashbag and walked them to the basement. That was the last of the baby phase.

My baby girl is getting to be so big. My life would not be complete without my girl! My friend, Annie found out a couple of weeks ago that she is expecting a girl. She is scared to death. I keep telling her that it is the best thing ever and there is nothing to be scared of! Once she lays eyes on that sweet baby girl...she won't be able to imgaine life any other way. I know that I have a best friend for life. Of course there will be times that she won't be able to stand me and she will think I am the worst Mom in the universe. But, I know that will only last for a season! WE will forever be shopping buddies!! I taught her an important lesson this week. I was cleaning out my closet and she said, "Mom, you have too many shoes!" I said, "Did Daddy tell you to say that?" She said, "No, but why do you have so many shoes?" I responded the way every girl should, "A girl can NEVER have too many shoes! Remember that honey!"

Happy 4th Birthday, Halle! Momma loves you more than life itself!!

MY GIRLIE GIRL! :)

"I eat banana peels...What?"

"Let's Gooooo Miss Wilson, Wilson, Wilson...Wilson is Number Oooone!"
"I eat banana peels...What?"
"I'm a chinese pussy cat!"

Oh the joys of teaching young children! These are all things that I heard in the last few weeks of school. Kids are so fun! I really do enjoy my job! Even with all the added stress that comes with it, I can't imagine doing anything else. This year, we ended the year very stressed out. We were all glad to see May 17! At times, it seemed like summer would NEVER get here. I am so glad that we finally made it!

So, now I am back to being a "Stay at home Momma." I love being home with Halle everyday. But, it takes some adjusting. When you are used to a routine and going to work and having adult conversation everyday it is so different! My question for my sister-in-law yesterday was, "How do you keep from spending so much money?" All I want to do is little projects around the house. But, those little projects add up. I want to decorate my newly remodeled bathroom. I want to redo Halle's bedroom. I'd like to organize my pantry with baskets (expensive!) I want to repaint my living room. I also want to make some Pinterest projects. I always kid myself in thinking, "Oh I will save so much money in daycare over the summer." Yeah right! I have more time on my hands to think up of reasons to go to Wal-Mart, Big Lots, Hobby Lobby, etc. Who am I kidding? I am so thankful for my school district who always takes care of us over the summer (career ladder, opportunities for extra money). We truly are blessed at Central!!

I'm looking forward to a summer filled with making memories with my sweet little family. We are enjoying our camper every moment we get! We are in the process of making some very important decisions that will affect our family. I'm excited about all it! I can't wait to see what is in store for us!! :)