Shutterfly Promo

I have to tell you about Shutterfly's great promo they have going on right now especially for bloggers! Write up a post about Shutterfly & you will get 50 free holiday cards!!!! I mean come on what a great deal! I have to say even without this deal I really do love shutterfly! I have ordered multiple prints at a great price from them. I have also made several photo books as gifts for my Mom & my MIL, which they loved!!! Their prices are great, low shipping cost (if you even have to pay any!), & GREAT turn around time. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for any sort of photo gift. They have so much to offer like mugs, calendars, ornaments, they even have a book that you can add in your childs face to become part of the story!

I think I am going to have a hard time picking which one I like most for our card this year. I am usually really picky but this year I have several favorite designs for. Now comes the hard part...picking one. Which one do you like? Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3? So what are you waiting for, if you have a blog just hop over & check it out!

Amazing God How Can It Be

I've been thinking a lot about my strength in God. Just things in life these past few weeks have brought up many questions on strength. Strength when you are going through hard times in life with work, strength with your children, strength with your marriage, strength with your family, just strength in general. Even times when I think I have no strength left, I seem to find it and be strong when I need to be.

God protects us, God never fails us, God loves us, God comforts us. All these thoughts come to my mind over and over a lot lately. How do you find strength when you need it most? Unfortunatley, I've had to find a lot of strength over the past years even.

I went through 2 miscarriages - I had to find strength.

My sweet little boy Caden was born with a kidney disease and has gone through two surgeries. I had to find strength, LOTS of strength!

My boss at work passed away back in January. I just broke down and lost it. I soon had to gather my strength to be able to get through the days to come.

My little boy started having some scary visions/nightmares, not sure what it was, but I had to find the strength to comfort him even when I was terrified myself.

And many more things!

So, how do we find strength? The only way I know to find it, that is turn to God! Turn to God for everything. No matter what the circumstance, God will have the answer for you. God will comfort you when you need it, He will protect us when we need it, He will NEVER fail us. That is a hard lesson to learn, that He won't fail us.....but the bible is true and His word says that God never fails, so I have to believe that!

I find myself lately praying without ceasing. The bible says to pray without ceasing. I really never understood what that meant, but lately I'm beginning to grasp that concept. I talk to God all the time. Just like He's my best friend. Unfortunatley, I started that because I got so scared after Caden had his little episode of seeing someone in the house. (Or thinking he did) It scared me so bad, I had to just constantly talk to God to protect us, protect our minds and thoughts and protect my house and family. I'm sure God is trying to teach me to lean on Him more, that He will take care of us. Whatever He is trying to tell me, I'm listening.

I'm just really rambling in this blog, but I just wanted to post some of the things I'm learning lately. Finding strength is constant in life and God will always be there to give it to us. Pray all the time and always turn to God no matter what the circumstance!

Our Newest Addition

It's Been A While

Wow, so it's been a while since I've been on my blog. I guess life's been a little crazy around my house. First of all, we found out we are having a little girl, Ansleigh Grace due on Christmas Eve. Only 10 more weeks for me! That will be here before I know it! I'm already getting excited fixing up the nursery...



and picking out sweet little clothes for her, like her coming home outfit....


and sweet little shoes....

and getting to see her precious little face.....


and her Big Brother Caden is getting excited too! He says he's going to be such a big helper with feeding her, changing her and giving her a bath. Of course, that is with mommy and daddy's help only : ) He can tell you her name and that she'll be born in December. He's really excited to be a big brother, I think. He will be 3 right after she's born. He's growing up too fast!

So, as you can tell, there has been lots going on in my world lately! It's hard for me to keep up and I'm sure it will be harder once Ansleigh is here with us : ) I'll try my best though. Until then....

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday! This was created by my bff Cassandra. Jump in on the fun and tell us what you are most thankful for today!
I am going to write about my most wonderful mother! My mom is one of the if not the most important person in my life! Aside from my husband and son of course! I was raised in a very good Christian home with a wonderful upbringing. My mother was the mother when growing up she wasn't your friend, she was your mother, your leader, your punisher, your guard, your comforter, your strength, your shoulder to cry on, she was my everything! My mother spanked, punished, grounded, took things away, yelled, got her point across, taught and raised us in a way that we learned to respect, appreciate, love, care for others and love Jesus with all our heart! My mother is my hero!

I always told my mom once I was older and married, "Thank You!" for spanking me, punishing me, grounding me and not being my friend. Thank you for all those times that you had to set me straight no matter how hard it was for you to have to be the "mean" one. Thank you! If it were not for her, I would not be the person that I am today.

I talk to my mother every single day at least twice a day usually! I have to talk to her every day or I would be lost! My mother is the best grandmother ever! She loves her grandchildren just like they were her own. She loves them, yet she will punish them to when it is needed! My mother is not scared to stand up to anyone to protect her children and ALWAYS has just the right answers and advice when we ask for it. My mother has been there for me my entire life and continues to do so! She was there every step of the way for us when Caden was born with his kidney disease. She was my voice when I couldn't do anything but cry, she was the one that would listen to all the doctors as the hosptial when I wasn't able to "listen." She was the one that comforted me during the hard times with our son. She is the one who is going with me today to see my baby's heartbeat for the first time (my hubby couldn't get off work) and she is the one who will be there when our baby is born! (Along with about 10 others...no joke!)

I love and respect my mother more than any other person I know. My mother means everything to me and I thank God everyday for giving me the mother that He gave me! She has raised 4 beautiful girls into 4 beautiful women! She can do anything in my book!

Mom, I love you!