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Kaleigh’s Dance Recital

May 19, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

Kaleigh had her first dance recital on Saturday. I was so proud of her!

She thought it was so fun that they got to put blush and lip gloss on. She wasn’t a fan of the hairspray though…I don’t blame her- I NEVER use it!

Their tap routine was done to a song from Chicago and they are dressed like flappers. Loved the little bow on their bottoms and those precious headbands.

Here is the video of their tap dance- I’m so glad this was posted to the dance facebook page. My video turned out dark. Thank you so much!

Their ballet dance was to “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, so of course this was Kaleigh’s favorite!

She had never performed in front of a big audience before (besides singing at church) so I was VERY proud of her! This made me realize how BIG she is, and how FAST she is growing up. Not too long ago she would have never done something like this.

We were so glad Bunny and Pop-Pop (Brooks’ Parents) were able to come watch!

Bowman greeted “Honey” with flowers, and Daddy took us out for lunch after to get Kaleigh’s favorite: Mexican…or really, just Cheese Dip!

She has been talking about it all weekend, and has watched the video over and over.

I am trying to soak this stage of her life in. Everything is so exciting, and she is literally “enchanted” by everything. Life in her eyes is a fairytale. I wish I could keep it that way forever. We are all so proud of you, “Honey”!!!

Filed Under: Get Dolled Up Boutique ·

Because there just aren’t words…

May 13, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

I’ve gotten a lot of emails from a small group of followers that read the blog, and I just wanted to let you all know why I haven’t been working/writing.

Last Saturday night I got the worst phone call I’ve ever received. One of my best friend’s precious baby girl, Arden, passed away at just 6 months old. I knew I loved all of my friend’s children, but I didn’t realize just HOW MUCH. My heart is crushed into pieces.

Photo: Don't just hug your babies extra tight hug all the ones you love.

The day of the memorial service, we all painted our nails blue to represent Arden’s beautiful baby blue eyes. Her eyes were breath-taking, and she had a sweet, angelic chuckle that would melt your heart. The last time I held her she just laughed, and laughed for me. I am so thankful I have that precious memory of her.

I am also so very thankful for the 7 other hands above. These girls are my family, and would do anything for me. Blessed beyond belief to call them my sisters in Christ.

The memorial service honored Arden, and glorified God to the fullest. I am amazed by my sweet friend, Abigail, and her faith. She has gone through MANY trials in her life, and through it all she continues to glorify God and trust in Him completely. The pastor closed the service by stating that Arden’s life was anything but normal. In her 6 short months here on earth, she touched and changed SO many people…including me.

I’ve realized “Normal” doesn’t change lives. “Normal” gets too comfortable and we take things for granted. “Normal” is easy and doesn’t take effort. If there is one thing I’ve taken away from Arden’s beautiful life, it’s to live anyway but normal…to stop right in the middle of cooking dinner for freeze tag…to close the computer in the middle of the work day and join the after school dance parties…and to turn off “my shows” and spend more time talking and laughing with my husband-even if it messes up our “normal” routine.

Thank you, Arden Piper, for changing my life FOREVER. As I told you when I kissed your sweet head for the last time- I will see you again one day! Until then, I will look at the blue sky, think of your gorgeous eyes, and replay that angelic chuckle in my head.

This has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. Squeeze your babies and your loved ones tight, and please keep my sweet friend, Abigail, her husband, and their precious little girls in your prayers.I will try to resume blogging later in the week. Talking about recipes and DIY projects just seem insignificant right now. Thank you for understanding, prayers, and for those of you that noticed something was wrong :)

Filed Under: Faith, famiy & fun ·

Resurrection Rolls – Not just for Easter Sunday.

May 4, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

I found the idea for these Resurrection Rolls floating around Facebook. We made these Easter Morning-Kaleigh and Bowman had SO much fun making them. They were excited about their Easter baskets, but this really was the highlight of the morning. Since Easter, we have made this at least once a week-sometimes more because they are just THAT good.

Here’s what you need:

1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough (represents the linens Jesus’ body was wrapped in)
8 large marshmallows (represents Jesus, white and pure)
Melted butter (represents the oils anointed on Christ’s body)
Cinnamon and Sugar mixed together (represents the spices anointed on Christ’s body)
The Bible or a Kid Friendly Version of the Easter story.

First, get your crescent rolls out and put everything in front of your little helpers.

Give each of your helpers a marshmallow, and tell them it represents Jesus. Have them dip it into the melted butter, and then roll it in the cinnamon/sugar mix. These represent the oil and spices used to prepare Jesus’ body for burial.

That part is messy, but they have so much fun doing it.

Next,have them wrap up the marshmallow tightly, pinching it closed as much as possible. The roll represents the linen cloths that Jesus’ body was wrapped in.

You may want to step in and make sure the rolls are sealed tightly at the end- if you not, the marshmallow will ooze out everywhere.

The recipe I saw didn’t call for this, but I use the remaining butter and cinnammon/sugar mix to sprinkle on top of the rolls. If gives it more of that sticky, gooey, sweet roll taste-yum!

Place your rolls into the oven, which symbolizes the tomb. Bake according to package directions.

While they are cooking, you can tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection. Since we’ve done this many times, we do different Bible stories each time.

We also use this time to make sure all the leftover marshmallows don’t go to waste ;)

Open the oven (or tomb) and you’ll see the only thing left are the cloths Jesus left behind! The marshmallow has melted leaving an empty “tomb”. Isn’t that cool?! Jesus has risen!

Celebrate His sacrifice with your babies with these fun and easy resurrection rolls. They really are super easy to put together, and Bowman approved ;)

I hope you have as much fun teaching your kids the true meaning of Easter as we did! God bless! :-)

Filed Under: Recipes ·

His timing is Perfect.

May 3, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you, but I am REALLY impatient. I like things done a certain way (which of course is the right way-ha!) and want them done immediately. I get frustrated when things aren’t finished and checked off my to-do list….and most of the time, I’ll turn my back on whatever it is and just forget about it because I’m THAT impatient.

I think every girl (at one time or another) has planned out just how her life is going to happen. Go to school, get married to prince charming, have beautiful babies…and everything will just fall into place, right?? I mean, if all that happens your life has to be perfect, right??? Unfortunately, the answer is no. No one has ever lived a perfect life besides Jesus. I don’t care how perfect someone’s “Social Media Life” looks…it’s NOT.

I get so wrapped up in my daily life that I forget how much hurt is in the world…or maybe subconsciously I’m just trying to ignore it and hope it all goes away. Have you ever done that with a situation or relationship that hurts your life? I have…and just recently learned a powerful lesson.

I had turned my back on dreams and relationships because I felt like they were so broken that no one could fix them. Not only was I turning my back on hopes and relationships- I was turning my back on God, His mighty healing, and power. I got impatient. Things weren’t mended in MY time and MY way; therefore, it was never going to happen, right?

After almost 13 years, I had forgotten about what now seemed like crazy dreams and unrealistic relationships- BUT God had NOT forgotten. They were ALWAYS on His mind, and His hand had ALWAYS been working. After 13 YEARS, God knew EXACTLY when to make His presence known, and EXACTLY how to fix EVERYTHING in HIS OWN TIME. I was able to see first hand that He knows when to sweep you off your feet and let you know He is there in the darkness. Once again, He grabbed me with His commanding love and let me know He will NEVER leave me, and He will always take care of me.

Time needed to pass, wounds needed to be healed, and relationships had to be gained through Him to be fixed. I was so frustrated, irrational, and impatient during the years that my vision wasn’t clear, and then finally I had just given up. When God brought healing in HIS time, I felt like He was probably shaking his head with a chuckle (knowing how impatient and stubborn I am) saying, “Katie, did you really think I’d forgotten you?” It was one of those moments when I wish I could just run to God and embrace Him. I was numb. I couldn’t talk. All I could do was cry. I lost hope in the Lord, but He continued to take care of me after it all. He is so merciful, and so forgiving.

Are you waiting for God to answer your prayers, dreams, and desires? Maybe you aren’t waiting for God, but still life isn’t happening the way you had hoped or expected it to. Does it seem like your hopes and dreams are never going to come true? Maybe you are waiting to meet the man you can call your husband, or you are longing to have that sweet baby? Or maybe you just need reconciliation with someone that wronged you? Psalm 37:4 tells us …

Sometimes it’s hard to understand why God doesn’t allow things to happen right away or give us everything we want. An important lesson that I am continuing to remind myself each day is that God works things out in His own perfect timing. Whatever you are going through, I encourage you to lay it upon the Lord. He hears all of our prayers…no matter how long it has been, how hopeless, or impossible is seems. Psalm 37 goes on to say…

If you take anything away from this blog post, and my personal short falls in my faith, I hope you can remember God has plans for your life. He knows everything about you. He made you. He loves you, and wants the best for you. He knows what you need more than you EVER will. He allowed his Son to die so that our sins could be forgiven. Jeremiah 29:11 says …

Even when it may feel like He’s not, He’s ALWAYS there. He will NEVER leave or forsake you. Trust in Him and His PERFECT timing.

I sing this song below on Wednesday nights with our youth band. I don’t think I’ll ever sing it without chills. BLESSED.

Filed Under: Faith, famiy & fun · Tagged With: God's timing is Perfect.

Emerald Green : The Color of 2013

May 1, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

Emerald Green is the color of 2013.

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It’s really everywhere. In make-up, fashion, and home decor. Every magazine I’ve picked up has a section about emerald green.

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I can’t go with the green lipstick, but I do like the nailpolish, glasses, purse, and shoes. I don’t think I could pull off the eye shadow either, but I saw a few tutorials on pinterest that used it and it was very pretty.

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It’s also HUGE for weddings.
Looking at all this wedding stuff makes me wish I could go make and plan mine all over again. Looking at all this stuff was so fun! I LOVE the hydrangea bouquet. It’s so clean and pretty.

SOOO…to keep up with fashion, Get Dolled Up is giveaway this GORGEOUS Green Handbag!

I loaded my new green handbag today. It’s HUGE and I love love love it. Can’t wait to share one with one of you!

Just follow the instructions in the box below to enter.

Congrats to Lyndsie Booker for winning the Keurig! Contact me so I can send it to you, girl!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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New Blog Design=Awesome Giveway.

April 23, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

Have you noticed our new blog design? I love how clean, yet fun it is. My blog was originally started to promote items for my business, and get better rankings on search engines; however, after this post everything has changed. I received so many emails that were uplifting, encouraging, and made me want to write and share more.

So, to kick off a new kind of blog- I thought we could celebrate with a new kind of giveaway!

keurig giveaway

Anyone close to me knows I LOVE coffee- it’s pretty much an addiction. So here’s me extending my love to you! Enter for your chance to win a Keurig!!!!

I’m SUPER excited about this. I got mine for Christmas, and remember how happy I was when I opened it. I can’t wait to share that feeling with one of you! There are many ways to enter below. The more things you do, the more entries you get.

Good Luck to everyone, and thank you for stopping by!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: giveaways ·

Enjoy Today, Momma.

April 22, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

Since we got back home we haven’t gone out at all. Bowman had what I thought was the stomach bug again for the third time in a month, but I knew even we couldn’t be that unlucky. He was getting sick, and then running around full speed ahead. I sure don’t do that when I have the bug, so we called the doctor, and realized he had a bacterial infection. He’s been taking medicine, and I’m praying the end is in sight- I love, love, love my babies, but cleaning up all this yucky stuff is AWFUL!

This picture was taken at my Aunt’s house while Bowman was sick- see what I mean? Full.Speed.Ahead.

They had the best time and are begging to go back. They stayed with my Aunt Becky a lot while we were down there- she was always the fun Aunt when I was little and still is! They both didn’t want to come home, and I can remember that same feeling after staying with her when I was little. I’m so thankful they have her.

I immediately started working on orders when I got home since I had been gone for 4 days. I kept Kaleigh and Bowman out of preschool since Bowman was sick and Kaleigh had been around him. Trying to work with them is HARD. Wednesday was a long day.

THE FIGHTING.

OH THE FIGHTING.

There are days I don’t know if I can handle the fighting one more minute. Do you know what I’m talking about?

But they love each other with the same ferocity that they fight with. Seconds after one match of screaming and wrestling for a toy they were snuggling on the sofa and Bowman said, “Honey, you’re my best friend. I love you”.

I can deal with a few screaming matches if we can have a few more moments like that.

I came across this. LOVE IT.

Trying to remember it daily.

For the first time in a long time we weren’t rushed because we couldn’t go anywhere- we had pajama parties, played beauty shop, and just had fun not having to “go”.

With the weather getting so pretty we are running out of reasons to delay putting up a swing set. We started prepping for it, and we are almost there.

Love these three.

I can’t wait till Summer. Weeks like these are nothing fancy in the eyes of many, but for me I couldn’t ask for more.

And on a similar note – Kelly Minter wrote a great post. If you feel like what you are doing is not significant or important ………..read this:

http://kellyminter.com/2013/04/quiet-and-small-its-okay/

Filed Under: Faith, famiy & fun ·

What if your healing comes through tears…

April 19, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

Sometimes it’s tough to see God working because I’m so focused on what’s wrong in my life instead of what’s working. I put my hands over my eyes and ears because I don’t want to hurt… instead I miss out on what God is doing in the difficulties.

My Grandfather had a heart attack over the past weekend. During my time in the hospital with my family I felt God’s presence in a powerful way…I also felt like we had a special guardian angel with us :) I saw people come together and relationships renewed. Isn’t it awesome how God uses every situation for good? Even when we can’t see it, He knows exactly what He is doing.

One of my sweet friends, Abigail, posted this bible verse on facebook page on my way down to see my Grandfather:

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;

He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Psalm 55:22

It’s so easy to worry, fear, and stress ourselves out during trials, but wouldn’t be even more easy to trust in Him? I know that is easier said that done (at least for me it is). That’s why I think having Christian friends are SO important. They keep me focused, and don’t let me stray from my faith.

My Grandfather is still in the hospital recovering, but is going to be okay. Thank you to everyone for all your prayers. They were definitely heard and felt.

During one of my “food runs” this song came on the radio. I’ve listened to it a million times, but this is the first time my heart actually HEARD it.

Thankful & Blessed.

Filed Under: Faith, famiy & fun ·

Sibling Day

April 10, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

So, today is National Sibling Day?? I didn’t know it even existed until today- oops!

I don’t think I can put into words how much I love my brother and sister, but I will try….to start, I am blessed. I’ve learned at the end of the day all you have is family. No matter how much they may get on your nerves, embarrass you, or make you cry- at the end of the day they love me for me- NO MATTER WHAT, and that is priceless. They know my good, my bad, and my ugly and still love me. I know I could call them at 3 o’clock in the morning, and even though they are two hours away, they would jump in the car and race up here if I needed them. They are ALWAYS there.

The saying that opposites attract fits Kelsey and I to a tee. I would love for Kaleigh to have a sister one day. Even though Kelsey and I can get in some pretty good disagreements-she is my best friend. We can talk about ANYTHING. She’s seen me at my worst, and loves me regardless. She knows all my flaws, but knows how to make me feel flawless. She’s helped me labor and welcome both of my children into the world. I couldn’t ask for a better Aunt for my children. She is the fun aunt for sure, but knows how to kiss boo-boos and make them feel better.

Kyle is the SWEETEST man in the world. I always say he and Brooks were seperated at birth. They have an awesome relationship, and I am so thankful for that. He would do anything for me and my children. He surprised Kaleigh and Bowman with kitties last month- THAT is Kyle. He’s been at every important event for the kids, and I know he always will be. Family is first to him. Whoever he marries will be the LUCKIEST girl in the world.

Our family is far from perfect. We’ve been through A LOT together. Everything we’ve been through has made us who we are- we “get” each other in a way no one else can. Kyle & Kels- I love you more than you’ll EVER KNOW! Exciting times are ahead for you both, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you!

Filed Under: Faith, famiy & fun · Tagged With: National Sibling Day

The Red “x” : End Slavery

April 9, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment

I wake up everyday and do what I want to. Now, it may not be EXACTLY what I want to do (like laying on the beach eating the orange squared crackers with peanut butter in the middle and sipping a coke zero) but I am FREE. I live in a country where I am free to be who I am, and free to serve a God that has paid my debt, and set me free eternally.

This is a glimpse of what the past 24 hours have looked like for my children.

This is a glimpse of what the past 24 hours have been like for children that suffer from child slavery.

Today, I woke up, worked, went on a run, picked the kids up from preschool, ran errands, played tea party, took Kaleigh to ballet, fixed dinner, cleaned the house, did bath time, answered more emails….I was exhausted at 11. Then, I looked at the red “x” that had been on my hand all day. Did you know there are 27 million slaves in the world today? I didn’t. Neither did the lady at the post office, the bagger at Ingles, or a Mom as passed a preschool today- all of whom asked why the red “x” was on my hand.

Can I stop slavery? No. But I will spread the word. I pray that by doing so the clerk at the post office, the bagger at Ingles, the Mom at preschool, or you reading this will do the same, and that people will learn from you and tell someone else. Hopefully the cycle will continue… and maybe…just maybe, someone knows someone, who will know someone, that can help. A symbol doesn’t change anything. People do. The gospel does. And if a symbol can help “induce cooperation” and inspire more people to the fight for freedom…then I’m in.

Do you ever wonder, “Why am I so lucky?” Today is one of those days for me. Humble and Thankful.

“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14

Filed Under: Faith, famiy & fun ·