tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527755131159355992024-03-05T01:56:05.928-08:00Random Thoughts by Jewels~Random Thoughts by Jewels~
A little about being a wife and mom, a little about adoption, a little about cooking, a little about Jesus, a little about this city girl going country and a lot of random thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-80686438117073188212023-11-21T20:57:00.000-08:002023-11-22T13:19:36.455-08:00Senior Year Series: Big Brother <p>You begged us for a little brother since you were around 3 years old. I always knew you would be the <b><u>best </u></b>big brother. Everyone says that about their first born but I believed it deep down to my core. Your kind heart, selflessness, empathy for others and strong leadership tendencies showed me that you were born for this job. Giving you a brother took a lot longer than we thought. And what I had pictured (you watching my growing belly and finally meeting your little brother for the first time in the hospital) did not turn out at all like I had envisioned. We say this to y'all and so many others all the time though - God's plans were always SO much better than ours. When we told you we were going to adopt Ethan you were so excited. You couldn't wait to meet him! I hated that you had to watch Dad and I go to the hospital for all of those weeks and you were never able to go meet him since you were not old enough to go in the NICU. But, as always, you were such a trooper. You loved looking at pictures of him and helping to prep things at home for him. </p><p>The day we brought him home was one of the most precious days of my life. I will never forget watching you lay eyes on him for the first time. Your emotions were palpable - overwhelming and unconditional love.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH50qQQuJ7wVJyy6FZgHTE9TBpHxXd1KXs2lkK7rMBIP6b3iVgsHT8nv2MEkAknsu9o8Q2iN-mRPk3Zjft9YYp2jcj7YeE-g0kFbK8zrPzWEBa5vWF6GE4lp_02g60ENbsct6x0UyyPiyGyVzjzf7REDN9vv-JpKT8qRMaiqyWn_nEe5c1RHadDKoEZ1s/s960/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH50qQQuJ7wVJyy6FZgHTE9TBpHxXd1KXs2lkK7rMBIP6b3iVgsHT8nv2MEkAknsu9o8Q2iN-mRPk3Zjft9YYp2jcj7YeE-g0kFbK8zrPzWEBa5vWF6GE4lp_02g60ENbsct6x0UyyPiyGyVzjzf7REDN9vv-JpKT8qRMaiqyWn_nEe5c1RHadDKoEZ1s/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLvP5visgE8gtmnxpgPPgD9yHkMSkiyIoJQHl5r3dn4o6iM0ChLYjpO8OC4oiaDTalWKRgkTXkmqbsvA9em_D0M3Uh43MAjGK8AFNe7JTbgQsG33IDGj6khaEllA7tbMUll1l6AISFMVE96eDLlq9OvQdwd-C_DRL9M-AERh3a4kVbOoKpDfWzIvFytY/s960/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLvP5visgE8gtmnxpgPPgD9yHkMSkiyIoJQHl5r3dn4o6iM0ChLYjpO8OC4oiaDTalWKRgkTXkmqbsvA9em_D0M3Uh43MAjGK8AFNe7JTbgQsG33IDGj6khaEllA7tbMUll1l6AISFMVE96eDLlq9OvQdwd-C_DRL9M-AERh3a4kVbOoKpDfWzIvFytY/s320/8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg860f4X54i9r_3a3fJdCtaYlRInis3w30C0UGC021aNkqQCNpCxL81o1MtBXPIoXT44LFa0S9lD2vW6sZX3iZ_ACaIDEOx09VtfYc99COVqpzdPfpdMC5MPKM0s3ic86zFZaYtU_HS6rvQyddSowrE3ZjW-4zWSLZHpXgPDVrRaqT4ZqhXn62q-bmyPYA/s960/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg860f4X54i9r_3a3fJdCtaYlRInis3w30C0UGC021aNkqQCNpCxL81o1MtBXPIoXT44LFa0S9lD2vW6sZX3iZ_ACaIDEOx09VtfYc99COVqpzdPfpdMC5MPKM0s3ic86zFZaYtU_HS6rvQyddSowrE3ZjW-4zWSLZHpXgPDVrRaqT4ZqhXn62q-bmyPYA/s320/10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeFxCoQTr0qQiTzVbl-QJCZt7ViYzFLA5C7BZEg1dr5vcHIAxX1ToKrAEJhgI65UW7VuYG1CbtUO2dsIfPJUQCpeINX1ZuWpTG15a9TidIHknFJImNtYUxWfIkRcMJ5caVeqd0mn0Aj_QQRp7J_3l1J2zg2ZWFLCGmFn-vYO_6KvyulPz5GFJqsfzN2U/s960/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeFxCoQTr0qQiTzVbl-QJCZt7ViYzFLA5C7BZEg1dr5vcHIAxX1ToKrAEJhgI65UW7VuYG1CbtUO2dsIfPJUQCpeINX1ZuWpTG15a9TidIHknFJImNtYUxWfIkRcMJ5caVeqd0mn0Aj_QQRp7J_3l1J2zg2ZWFLCGmFn-vYO_6KvyulPz5GFJqsfzN2U/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Now let's keep it real...you haven't always been an angelic big brother. Just like he hasn't always been an innocent younger brother. You had your moments, just like we all do. But you have continued to gain my admiration and respect over the years for the love, kindness and protection you continuously show to Ethan. You were never, ever too cool to play with him. You truly are incredible, Garrison! Ethan is so blessed to have you by his side. Friends come and go but you will be brothers forever. Please don't ever forget that. Don't ever let anything or anyone come between y'all. Love him well and look out for him always. I know you will. <div><br /></div><div>These are just a few of my favorites of y'all over the years. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJU1EG98TWScDr2k7dSzUs9ndXRMbR92V4pvNNDs-3PoSZ-WBoQ1_0AUt_KQVhz08g3Emi8nDiV3LlQzJ-O2sZoTJd_noqIxTxyNvrUPEbs_t7dpuIj__pu3dJjYH5DGKgoS6gId5dPuLiCT0SchE4ZwAL5jBTjkeF8ZvMjd87KqGdIwbafO6AfWJo_U/s960/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJU1EG98TWScDr2k7dSzUs9ndXRMbR92V4pvNNDs-3PoSZ-WBoQ1_0AUt_KQVhz08g3Emi8nDiV3LlQzJ-O2sZoTJd_noqIxTxyNvrUPEbs_t7dpuIj__pu3dJjYH5DGKgoS6gId5dPuLiCT0SchE4ZwAL5jBTjkeF8ZvMjd87KqGdIwbafO6AfWJo_U/s320/11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lB2-o8uxcr1ALYLyi9exfx2yWxdkoBSZXUFpRFanPfBAcl04OJhsgNA7WAYIWEk3fHApZNrJrTnruMl-QYXlVt2PALeWcD4KX4L11afouvwJ-GdlwrQ4j2Q_ZHeJ5AOeJAebboKRz0yRdFNHgfif2TdpaLuLzzve2EJUyf24RVcq57nTgWWpsYkRrfQ/s2048/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lB2-o8uxcr1ALYLyi9exfx2yWxdkoBSZXUFpRFanPfBAcl04OJhsgNA7WAYIWEk3fHApZNrJrTnruMl-QYXlVt2PALeWcD4KX4L11afouvwJ-GdlwrQ4j2Q_ZHeJ5AOeJAebboKRz0yRdFNHgfif2TdpaLuLzzve2EJUyf24RVcq57nTgWWpsYkRrfQ/s320/21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Some people don't believe in heroes. But they haven't met my brother." -Unknown</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." - Proverbs 17:17</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Mom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><p><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-8329685676434308162023-11-04T19:29:00.004-07:002023-11-04T19:29:54.070-07:00Senior Year Series: Heart TransportingThe love of a mom is vastly different than any other kind of love. I never fully understood this until you made me a mama. I have heard many describe motherhood as their heart expanding. I think I would say it is more like heart transporting. It is seeing a piece of your heart in human form - a heart that smiles up at you, sheds tears and seeks comfort in your arms. Nobody ever warned me there is also a desperate need to protect that heart with every fiber of your being. <div><div><br /></div><div>I frequently laugh at a memory from when you were about 4 years old. I dropped you off at daycare one morning and you sat in your little chair at a table with your classmates. The little girl across from you looked up at me and said, "I got donuts!" <i>She sounded like an ogre or a cavewoman but maybe that's just my biased memory.</i> I smiled at her and then she looked at the girl next to her and said loudly, "Don't be his friend today!" Until that moment I never thought it was possible to have such animosity toward a child. My smile turned into a grimace and Mama Bear came out. I glared at the cavegirl and sternly said, "Hey! Maybe I'll tell her not to be <i>your</i> friend today?" She just started at me with donut on her face. "That's what I thought," I said. I hugged you goodbye and walked out of that door. I'll admit now that wasn't my most shining moment but dang did it feel good!<br /><div><br /></div><div>I have always felt completely capable of loving others deeply but nothing prepared me for the love I would feel for you. Oftentimes I would find myself just watching you sleep and listening to the sound of your soft breathing. You could be doing the simplest, most mundane activity like breathing and it filled me with wonder and awe. I used to sway side to side while holding you. To this day I randomly find myself swaying side to side for no reason at all. Even when you aren't physically with me, you are. That is something that brings me comfort as I try to imagine dropping you off at college in less than a year. You will not physically be with me but you will always, always, always be a part of me. And I will always be a part of you. No amount of distance, time or life circumstances will change that.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkqPrgQhs1ic6oXEfgi1MlTKLTrho39Zvt9zm0FQQqZRrVIvw95v164dtGq5XzUORGRn25eJ_GccGJgwvPufq7Ho7qIby8mxkP04sflTROEhuiGkKqumMa8G3pfJw4BsQDUE-gv_LABfAz4TIqYgRrmb8PgPwEdXWzOZY7L11eofw6qi42FfJ4uXmny0/s604/G4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkqPrgQhs1ic6oXEfgi1MlTKLTrho39Zvt9zm0FQQqZRrVIvw95v164dtGq5XzUORGRn25eJ_GccGJgwvPufq7Ho7qIby8mxkP04sflTROEhuiGkKqumMa8G3pfJw4BsQDUE-gv_LABfAz4TIqYgRrmb8PgPwEdXWzOZY7L11eofw6qi42FfJ4uXmny0/s320/G4.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="604" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72EUWzaXyudFrOh9hYELwAAhzsgGpmrXl-QJMudU3Z2aexdA5e8YfzskuPOcYSBYR2wjkvpiHvqZV7tQFQ55p9BhcS_8ImNV7t9k7Cu_RgF1OjCXig_r5cCarssVBXp3MnxJbIGveNNzhtL5910b6Nekq5zBt5aD4UA3MMMcyaekndRRap8L6d5DzSeI/s320/G2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihfR69W79itr8MphKbVGVKmj1r2If9tHTx8mIHUYk8Bw_rUtT0iYIleTXat_VNR5r4h_YZTdiLFHAKzpxl5x5jEFqYY33KKk-JDsOicY6syZkkeet19tsAxYbr2MoT8wW1P0vXMw_9gLJUtg7AIxERHWcdOiwlte6X3Exu8dnmr8WWTxzDeYWbEVplYU/s400/G3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihfR69W79itr8MphKbVGVKmj1r2If9tHTx8mIHUYk8Bw_rUtT0iYIleTXat_VNR5r4h_YZTdiLFHAKzpxl5x5jEFqYY33KKk-JDsOicY6syZkkeet19tsAxYbr2MoT8wW1P0vXMw_9gLJUtg7AIxERHWcdOiwlte6X3Exu8dnmr8WWTxzDeYWbEVplYU/s320/G3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8wipYRXDwSkSs74iAZh1SgZ_RkJaFHkoBnaPKn-A5XagMbjqZCPLYuUNFPT3OYQBI4cBVN3YCXoTSWSWwk9I3HSsI7l_mKhbJYOv_mPWzOoASMKyzkE9KBnz0Pen9FzBfZz9RNlhZfN_9k29taDbCEoUn-yxE7O2cTrMdrTDRfVd3qHnUHH4nGX7EVk/s604/G5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="604" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8wipYRXDwSkSs74iAZh1SgZ_RkJaFHkoBnaPKn-A5XagMbjqZCPLYuUNFPT3OYQBI4cBVN3YCXoTSWSWwk9I3HSsI7l_mKhbJYOv_mPWzOoASMKyzkE9KBnz0Pen9FzBfZz9RNlhZfN_9k29taDbCEoUn-yxE7O2cTrMdrTDRfVd3qHnUHH4nGX7EVk/s320/G5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuNJYyth9Gd3vJ1VyH5RK6yrcFiJT0LJ4SVtaF2vClbC-idB4KTo81D_mmV9uW_4zH23OlpUJgUY798DxQKOsKVGJQ5teV6Ms_x2WGZ1JEn4YJK9BynXog8nTnDldL_7M4YrNgLteZXTSZ107FynSYy2ebUQo_DgCwfjWrg82rn-BgAFy7WVlYXqRcAo/s604/G6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="453" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuNJYyth9Gd3vJ1VyH5RK6yrcFiJT0LJ4SVtaF2vClbC-idB4KTo81D_mmV9uW_4zH23OlpUJgUY798DxQKOsKVGJQ5teV6Ms_x2WGZ1JEn4YJK9BynXog8nTnDldL_7M4YrNgLteZXTSZ107FynSYy2ebUQo_DgCwfjWrg82rn-BgAFy7WVlYXqRcAo/s320/G6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>"As as mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you." - Isaiah 66:13<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-91751800956221743092023-09-19T09:55:00.002-07:002023-09-19T09:58:05.255-07:00Senior Year Series: Surprises<p><b>Intro</b></p><p>It is sloooowly sinking in that my oldest is actually a Senior this year. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DIl0MXVnCzS0sGSXALbLcLDcu_vror24le7zrNO0_aNZy70dzYx_CAoNXNlvLqW21Scsi7pRKsZ37ah7M_rPc-4LYOUxDZLVFud_pTfZ03CNGB5S5X97lmOii4pueCv6bv1pnL0nqS6BCkjYI_-yMYiV94nr3KYJs5R09H1sKafeYv0c3DWYInvbj8M/s1440/Garrison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DIl0MXVnCzS0sGSXALbLcLDcu_vror24le7zrNO0_aNZy70dzYx_CAoNXNlvLqW21Scsi7pRKsZ37ah7M_rPc-4LYOUxDZLVFud_pTfZ03CNGB5S5X97lmOii4pueCv6bv1pnL0nqS6BCkjYI_-yMYiV94nr3KYJs5R09H1sKafeYv0c3DWYInvbj8M/s320/Garrison.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>You've heard all the cliche sayings. You know, the ones the old ladies used to tell you when you were balancing a baby and a diaper bag while wiping spit up (projectile vomit in my case) off your shirt rushing through the grocery store? </p><p><i>It goes so fast. </i></p><p><i>You'll blink and he will be grown.</i></p><p><i>It won't be like this for long.</i></p><p>These were the sayings I would just sweetly smile at and then brush off. The sleepless nights, sicknesses, and learning to balance being a working mama while protecting a little human's life were more than I could handle at that time. I didn't even have the capacity to understand that those moments truly were fleeting. That one day, almost 18 years from that point, I would be looking back and wondering...</p><p><i>How did it go so fast?</i></p><p><i>I blinked and he grew up.</i></p><p><i>I miss that stage...and that stage...and that stage.</i></p><p>Hence, the reason for this blog series. I've never done a series before and I am excited that this will be the first. I want Garrison to be able to see the last 18 years from his mama's perspective.</p><p><br /></p><p>Garrison Robert...this is for you.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Surprises</b></p><p>It was January, 2005. Dad and I had been married almost 2 years. He was in the Navy and we were stationed in Virginia Beach, VA at the time. We were not planning on starting a family just yet. Neither of us wanted to raise kids too far from their grandparents. But God had other plans that, as usual, were SO much better than ours. I had been feeling a little off but the idea I could be pregnant didn't even hit me until I came home from work one day. Boogie, our oldest pup, who always pounced up on my stomach to greet me, jumped up and just stayed "standing" in the air. He rested his paws ever so lightly on my stomach and then calmly sat down and looked at me. And I looked at him. And we just stared at each other for a few minutes. (Side note - are dogs not the most amazing creatures?! When you get older and have a place of your own, get a dog. You won't regret it.) The next day I picked up a pregnancy test on my way home from work. I woke up the next morning and took the test. Surely my eyes were still blurry from sleep because I saw the faintest pink line. That couldn't be right. I just needed to get to the doctor to be sure. I was waiting for the nurse to come back in and tell me the test was negative when she busted in the room and yelled, "Congratulations, Mommy!" Ummmmm...huh?! I was in complete and total shock. I remember walking to my car feeling like I was having an out of body experience. I couldn't tell Dad this over the phone so I decided to drive to the base and tell him in person. (I called Grammy on the way because I just had to tell someone, so technically she was the first to know.) Dad was as shocked as I was. I remember we just stood there leaning over the railing looking at the ocean in silence.</p><p>As shocked as we were at first, it didn't take us long to be so incredibly excited about you. The love we felt for you was instantaneous. I knew you were a boy from the very beginning. Let's be real - can you picture me as a girl mom? Okay, back to the story. We knew we had some things to work out. We didn't think Dad would even be in town for the birth because he was scheduled to be out to sea on deployment. Also, I had an unsettling first appointment at the base. Picture the corpsman doing routine blood work. He hits a vein and blood starts spurting out of my arm like a horror movie. He literally crouched down in the corner and I was calming HIM down. Yeah, not okay. With the odds stacked against us, we decided it would be best if I moved back to Texas to have you. So, at 5 months pregnant, my unconditionally supportive parents made the drive to Virginia to pack up the cars (along with the pups) and head "home" to Texas. They had just downsized their house by the way. Go figure.</p><p>Fast forward a few months - one month shy of my due date...the doctor told me I had pre-eclampsia and he had to induce me asap. I pleaded for just a little more time so Dad could try to be there. He ended up not having to go on as long of a deployment so the timing actually worked out. He flew to Texas for the weekend to see you, his first baby boy, being born. The funniest memory I have was in the delivery room when I wasn't dilating like I should and the doctor said, "It looks like we are going to have to prep for a c-section." Dad's response? "I don't think I can do that." To which the doctor wittily replied, "Well, YOU don't have to do that. She does." I truly thought Dad would faint right then and there. Thankfully things progressed quickly and no c-section was needed. </p><p>We were surrounded by so much family that weekend it was incredible! KiKi and Chris (my sister and her husband of one month) even drove from Houston during a HURRICANE to meet you - their first nephew. So much love! My most vivid memory of that whole weekend was Dad's goodbye to you. Talk.about.hard. He only had the weekend off and had to fly back that Sunday. I have never seen your father cry like he cried that day. And I haven't seen him cry like that since. We prayed together. And then Dad held held you (wrapped up like a baby burrito) in his arms. He rocked you and soaked your face with tears. It was hard. It was sweet. It was beautiful. Kind of like the next 18 years would be.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDchmGzLLwuPnA-dDwil_XVWVd2lIIRRb4QLVGHwMBPHdoTvq751MAkDxJnNBLCnMj4ual9K55kRKy-v2RBm2ygj__4PlaBencXpsPYuEp0AVTf93mEFpzGJQ737FcCfNuxZKeXljrurXHpk3NOAvxlwilHQYlPdv4FdGGZOGDOPfsube3wkxJiNS-qQ/s720/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDchmGzLLwuPnA-dDwil_XVWVd2lIIRRb4QLVGHwMBPHdoTvq751MAkDxJnNBLCnMj4ual9K55kRKy-v2RBm2ygj__4PlaBencXpsPYuEp0AVTf93mEFpzGJQ737FcCfNuxZKeXljrurXHpk3NOAvxlwilHQYlPdv4FdGGZOGDOPfsube3wkxJiNS-qQ/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP0e27n-ouE8MO6jpeeVjPfpfGAFx_9l5oF4W4gxzt-iMIZQAV0Ke-qnv7_TAKEdOf4gIwoahz7abMpo72dtBvz1HNQrtiYo8Txi7fpQXdm3qeiERx6p4G_lmokqW1fEQI9gx-3D0so-hIDVEnmB03e1hFnLci5WjfQ2OPrx15iF_XZTMPEPSuKthygA/s720/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: proxima-nova, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><i><b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." -Jeremiah 1:5</span></b></i></span></p></blockquote><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-39117951331827649902023-02-23T07:27:00.002-08:002023-02-23T07:27:54.234-08:0020 Years ~ 20 Things I've Learned<p>Today my husband and I have been married 20 years! It still sounds insane to say that. How am I even old enough to be celebrating a 20th anniversary?! Well, clearly I am. We are so blessed to be in Belize celebrating this milestone! My husband is sleeping in and I was sitting on the sun porch of our beautiful room listening to the wind and reflecting on the last 20 years when I felt the urge to create a post on this special day.</p><p><br /></p><p>We have lived in 3 states, 5 cities, raised 2 boys and 4 pups. We have SO many good memories to look back on. We also have a lot of hard times to reflect on. I do not claim to have all the answers on a successful marriage. I do not claim to have more wisdom than someone who is in their first decade of marriage. I just know that I have learned some things along the way and would love to share those. I am someone who loves to glean any bits of wisdom I can from others who have "been there, done that".</p><p><br /></p><p>So, here we go...20 things I've learned in 20 years:</p><p><br /></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Be best friends. You will have to live with this person without the distraction of kids, sports and busy schedules one day. You should probably like that person. Have fun together! LAUGH, be goofy, poke fun at each other.</li><li>COMMUNICATE. This keeps you connected. Give yourselves at least 10 minutes of uninterrupted time a day to catch up and connect. Even if that means connecting about the kids and work. You don't have to have deep, philosophical conversations to connect. If you are in a busy, chaotic stage of life talk about your days - your highs and lows of the day.</li><li>Have regular date nights. Even better, take trips together ALONE if you can. In the beginning of our marriage when we didn't have a lot of extra money we did little weekend trips. It has truly helped our marriage to have that time with just us. Girls trips, family trips and trips with other couples are great but (back to #1) if you don't enjoy time with just your spouse that will make for some pretty miserable empty nester/retirement years.</li><li>Be honest with each other. Don't ask your husband if something looks good on you and then get all pouty when he says it doesn't. Seriously, just don't. </li><li>Never stop growing. I remember my grandmama saying she was still spiritually growing in her 80's. We are never done growing - as Christian followers, spouses, parents. There is always something to work on and something to learn.</li><li>Be on the same page with your parenting - or at least try your hardest. I'm not saying don't ever fight in front of your kids (I actually think that is bad advice). I'm saying talk about plans and consequences for your kids with your spouse before talking to your kids. It will make for a much more peaceful home.</li><li>Compromise. You are NOT going to always agree with each other. You are not always going to have the same views on finances, parenting, etc. You have to compromise. </li><li>Take risks. About 7 years ago we decided we were so sick of living in the Dallas area. We absolutely hated the traffic and crowds. So, we up and moved to the hill country - just like that. And we haven't regretted that decision one day in the last almost 7 years. My husband has been wanting to start his own business for as long as I can remember. He finally took the leap and did it. It has been one of the best decisions we have made for our family.</li><li>Encourage each other. Referring back to #8, I have been urging my husband to start his own business for several years because I knew he would be successful. When I have hard days and feel like I am failing everyone he reminds me that I am a great mom and wife. </li><li>Fight! It's okay to disagree. Sometimes you need to just fight it out. Get it all out there and then work through the mess that's out there. Holding in your resentment and anger creates a ticking time bomb. </li><li>Be you. Ladies, if you hate cooking don't try to be The Pioneer Woman when you get married. You're setting yourself up for failure and misery. I'm not saying don't cook for your family but don't try to be someone you aren't. I hate sports (unless they are live or my kids are playing them.) I will watch the last 5 minutes of a great game but I'm not buying a Luka jersey and sitting on the couch pretending like I know what the hell is going on. Guys, don't go shopping with your wife and pretend you like it if you don't. I mean, c'mon. I see y'all out there carrying her bags with a look of complete misery on your face. Why?!</li><li>Lean on each other but be independent. This was a hard one for me to learn but thankfully I learned pretty early since my husband was in the Navy for the first four years of marriage and he was out to sea quite a bit. It's good to rely on each other but don't completely depend on your spouse for everything. If they are having a crazy week at work pick up the slack at home. If my husband can't get to something he would normally take care of I may have to step out of my comfort zone to get something done.</li><li>Let it go! If you choose to forgive your spouse for something they did or said in the past you have to let it go. Bringing up past hurts is toxic. Fight but fight fair!</li><li>Mom, Dad, In-Laws, skip this one. Sex is important. It's so important. And if you have been married for 10 years already and still don't enjoy sex, do something different. Don't look at sex as a chore or something to check off the list.</li><li>Be patient. Everyone grows at different rates. If you decide to change your life and go on a health kick, great! But don't expect your spouse to join in with you. If you start growing spiritually don't expect your spouse to be right there at the same level. Give them some time.</li><li>Respect your spouse. Don't put yourself in situations you wouldn't want your spouse in. If you wouldn't want him going to happy hour alone with a female co-worker then you don't go alone with a male co-worker.</li><li>Talk about your future. Future plans can constantly change but knowing what your spouse wants for the future is important.</li><li>Compliment each other. Not just, "You look nice" on a date night but really compliment each other. And talk positively about your spouse to others. Ladies, there is nothing worse than husband bashing on a girls night out. Venting frustration and seeking advice from a trusted friend (or better yet, taking it to Jesus) is so much more effective than talking bad about your spouse to a group of friends.</li><li>I'm saving the most important ones for last. Give it to God! I mean it. Give your entire marriage to God. Surrender it ALL to him. I promise you will not regret it. (Go back and check out some of my past posts on marriage for my experience with this.)</li><li>PRAY for your spouse (and your kids) daily. If I'm being honest, I just started doing this several months ago but it has truly been life changing.</li></ol><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2EH9pOuJpExbLM9dS8jIXusfjOFEnGWflUQ-8LX5GDHPuPBgEAa5uQ_cH_fqO5QkU3jVZUKNzFdyB_LgquKZ6PsjJI96XxdSHeSfylHdDushsARhjmJ-0V1lbNiC9M4blrVomYrKVyUw9BS26MgQ6-J_h6FZTIUQ-KdsfmkvSpqKBo35LlgzC-yQ/s480/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2EH9pOuJpExbLM9dS8jIXusfjOFEnGWflUQ-8LX5GDHPuPBgEAa5uQ_cH_fqO5QkU3jVZUKNzFdyB_LgquKZ6PsjJI96XxdSHeSfylHdDushsARhjmJ-0V1lbNiC9M4blrVomYrKVyUw9BS26MgQ6-J_h6FZTIUQ-KdsfmkvSpqKBo35LlgzC-yQ/s320/1.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1EEVOS4QykFSzFgzyhTd6B1TGSgenKXMXGmZdfehpT3qqwtMPblKEkXWmS_AiAE7EmRYrnCArXv-ykpJUIsiP5LJAiEN5_dWX2naAuC7O_J7k2cquIKMdJk2vHfQ_v2TH0KA3jchyjTh92ttjtw7YcppGy5L8bnvxTsIypAhZAlURwooaY9f2riT/s286/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYcSLK1u0vInKLyxOGTuyXksVXAIJLv0LU0Djxqvj9eUjgPQDoYsEFWInSTBKzV3djp4OzSyGeSwnQnX6aRTyc8ptU1ffGHcaIa_OBrkbXfm0CJBwRGEYglsFB44Zqo_zcSK4UDKMjoaYfHnu9k1bWWSR_mnAc8HSOLosclsqLXsvhpqf5YreeM0f/s320/14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZfvTloLxT_3x6AezMDOPs0VbB7mLh0tFvIW3seaZCzdFggZAl7jSVLmmORsKVTAT-FmBJOVonFpRhJaXRz0zaPOAlRThW1rhae8EtAbo0PitgVm0STCUGsqjqP-qOnEG_cX6v9AQKkHVmkaC-4dcuK4PnW6aMU8UwVLATv_e6bksJExPW-OGBeFx/s1440/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZfvTloLxT_3x6AezMDOPs0VbB7mLh0tFvIW3seaZCzdFggZAl7jSVLmmORsKVTAT-FmBJOVonFpRhJaXRz0zaPOAlRThW1rhae8EtAbo0PitgVm0STCUGsqjqP-qOnEG_cX6v9AQKkHVmkaC-4dcuK4PnW6aMU8UwVLATv_e6bksJExPW-OGBeFx/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Cheers to 20 more!!!</span></i></b></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-35090650824173814952022-12-22T09:02:00.002-08:002022-12-22T09:02:56.501-08:00They are HisThree years since my last post. For a while, I felt like I just didn't have
the time to write. And then I felt like nobody would really want to hear my
"random thoughts". But I have realized recently that I don't necessarily write
for others. It is somewhat of a public diary - something I hope will be out
there for years to come, possibly something my boys and grandkids can read one
day. I see them looking back and saying one of three things (1) I'm so glad my
mom recorded these things (2) My mom actually was kind of funny (3) My mom sure
did love Jesus. If I'm being honest I'd prefer they reflect on that third
thought more than the others. I will share updates in upcoming posts and I
definitely plan to write more frequently. <div><br /></div><div>This Christmas, more than all the
others, I have been reflecting back on December of 2013. This was the time Ethan
was hospitalized for pneumonia with plural effusions. I will not go into all the
details of his sickness, complications and hospitalizations in this post.
<a href="http://randomthoughtsjewels.blogspot.com/2014/01/overwhelmed-and-overcame-and-major-recap.html">You can read all about that time right here.
</a>
I do have some thoughts that I am not sure I ever shared during that time of our
life that I feel so compelled to share now, 9 years later. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the first time in
my life I was angry with God. Really, really angry. Why would God give us the
gift us this child, this precious boy who shared a birthday with Jesus, the boy
who came to our family in such a miraculous way...only to potentially take him
away? We had followed God's will. we were obedient. We trusted Him all through
Ethan's adoption process. I worked full time during the day, went home to be
with my husband and oldest in the evening and went to cudddle skin to skin with
this boy (falling asleep multiple times only to be waken up by NICU nurses)
before I even knew he would permanently be ours. Garrett spent weekends at the
hospital with Ethan bonding with him. We did this for 6 weeks. We brought him
home - nurtured him, cared for him, gave him everything he needed and more. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why
would God do this to us? I remember having all these thoughts one night in the
hospital after Garrett and Garrison had left and I was alone in the room with
Ethan. It was late. I was exhausted. Beyond exhausted. I was so tired of seeing
my little frail boy growing weaker by the day. And I did something completely
opposite of my feelings and emotions. I cried out to God in worship. I sang
praise songs in that hospital room. I didn't care who heard. I didn't care if
they thought I was crazy. I was crying out to Jesus. All the desperation, pain
and despair turned into praise for Him and who I knew He really was. I knew he
didn't mean harm to us or Ethan. I knew he didn't want us to suffer. I just did
was I was created to do - I praised him through it. It hit me in that moment.
Ethan was not ours. Yes, we legally adopted him. Yes, we cared for him. Yes, we
loved him and gave him a home and so much more. But he didn't belong to us. (And
neither did Garrison.) He was God's. God entrusted us with Ethan, just like he
entrusted us with Garrison. God gave him to us and he had every right to take
him from us in His time. And I had to trust that no matter what the outcome was
Jesus had a plan. Selfishly, I am grateful God chose to use that circumstance to
strengthen my faith beyond measure and let Ethan stay with us here on earth. </div><div><br /></div><div>I
am forever changed by this experience. It drew me closer to Jesus than I had
ever been in my life. We have a powerful enemy that we need to be aware of. And
he comes to steal, kill and destroy. But God....He wants us to have life to the
fullest (John 10:10). </div><div><br /></div><div>I share all this so that you may have faith, hope and
trust - especially this Christmas season - in the One who created you. Life can
be hard. Really hard. But Jesus knows the plans He has for you - plans for hope
and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). </div><div><br /></div><div>I pray that no matter where you find yourself
this Christmas you feel the love and presence of our Saviour. After all, He is
all you will ever need (John 14:8).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-70538601242523641372019-01-24T20:39:00.003-08:002019-01-24T20:39:53.697-08:00Invite Him InSo, it's been two years since my last post. Wow! Blogging used to be so therapeutic for me. While I think the hills and quiet country life replaced that therapy I certainly miss blogging. Rough as it may be, here it goes...<br />
<br />
Marriage is hard.<br />
<br />
Parenting is hard.<br />
<br />
Being a good daughter, sister and friend can be hard.<br />
<br />
Well, that about sums it up....jokes!<br />
<br />
Rewind about 10 plus years. My marriage was rough. Really rough. There was no infidelity or mistrust. (My husband has always had the "gift" of honesty, albeit too much honesty sometimes.) It was just plain rough. And I tried everything. I mean, I'm a pretty smart girl. I was a Navy wife and made it through plenty of deployments. Even at 19 I was independent and resourceful. I did not have a college degree but I had worked hard to make good money to help support my family. I didn't need help from anyone...or so I thought.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I tried to be the perfect wife. </li>
<li>I tried to stand my ground and be stubborn and independent.</li>
<li>I tried to involve my husband in every aspect of the kids' lives.</li>
<li>When he became addicted to video games I tried to let him do "his thing" and the kids and I did "our thing". I don't know why. Maybe to show him what he was missing out on?</li>
<li>In the end, it all failed. </li>
</ul>
<br />
I can honestly say it was not until I 100% gave my marriage to God, surrendered it ALL to Jesus that night on my knees in my bedroom closet, that things starting turning around. <br />
<br />
<br />
Rewind about 5 years. God gave us a beautiful, precious miracle through adoption. His name was Ethan. He.was.special! He was loving, joyful and affectionate. He was also stubborn, feisty and the most strong willed little man I had EVER met. Prior to Ethan, my husband and I thought we had this parenting thing down. I mean, we were seriously experts! We would look at other parents and wonder why in the world they didn't just get control over their kids. Give them a spanking! Give them a talking to! What in the world was wrong with these people?! (Bahahahaha, joke's on us!)<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I tried being consistent. Boy, did I try.</li>
<li>I tried being understanding and compassionate.</li>
<li>I tried disciplining even more regularly than I did before.</li>
<li>I read so many parenting books.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Again, it wasn't until I asked God for wisdom that I learned how to truly reach Ethan. I can't even say He gave me one specific parenting method. He just gave me patience and wisdom on a daily basis so I could be a better mama to my baby.<br />
<br />
Here's the thing y'all...we were not created to do it all on our own. God did not put us on this earth to see what a perfect wife we could be or to test our supermom strength. You know how they say it takes a village? Well, it certainly does. And I have learned that the head of my village has to be Jesus. Invite Him into every relationship in your life. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Inviting God into your relationships </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">takes the </span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">pressure off of you. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">He WANTS us to NEED Him!</span></b> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
That is the key though. You have to invite Him in. He is not a forceful God. And inviting Him in does NOT make you weak. It makes you strong. It makes your relationships strong. It changes your life. Trust me on this! <br />
<br />
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint." ~Isaiah 40:31<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtpEbp2TgMWI_v7MLNt1hcXJrcA7i8YkrxPuRbVlXlmJ3GEFnVs2l69pCxyd4IvOyECrdkJor5qHN3IoPqED6j0H4L8Wza6DZ8DNWZuwbC-2L4rgVkzCmE_RFxas3ZwyMV3C7ZXFTzLY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtpEbp2TgMWI_v7MLNt1hcXJrcA7i8YkrxPuRbVlXlmJ3GEFnVs2l69pCxyd4IvOyECrdkJor5qHN3IoPqED6j0H4L8Wza6DZ8DNWZuwbC-2L4rgVkzCmE_RFxas3ZwyMV3C7ZXFTzLY/s320/1.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To read more about my writings on marriage, mommyhood, adoption (or even if you just need a laugh) click one of the labels on the right hand side of my blog page. Two years is a long time and I have so much to update you all on so I will do that in time. And my pictures are all so old but I don't have the heart (or energy if I'm being totally honest) to change them yet. Just getting back into the swing of things. <br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<br />
~Jewels*<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-63931039786441142522017-01-25T10:23:00.001-08:002017-01-25T10:23:42.784-08:00A Strong WomanAfter reading about the Women's Marches around the country last week I was so tempted to write a post with my feelings and response to this march. However, as I sat down to pull my thoughts together I found myself going an entirely different direction. Instead of slamming other women I choose to encourage them. I hope my story will help you reflect on your own. And I hope you will realize the strength you so desperately crave is right there waiting for you.<br />
<br />
My name is Juliana and I have been married to my high school sweetheart for almost 14 years. I have two incredible boys, ages 11 and 5. I was blessed to be able to experience motherhood through childbirth and adoption. Life has not been full of sunshine and roses. My faith has allowed me to grow, mostly during the worst of times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlqDZCILvNpTbxo2xfjhkHAUF4jsLG-SsM_nYQZbeV7dN_HJb2pXvAIA8Sm5i0sHT52e7jqQOfp-tuHfgdFwG9CW_0ULPC2pca1BLkqxKoziULjaKiQuXTes4Q51EYjQc7PIZB8Q-c3I/s1600/74.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlqDZCILvNpTbxo2xfjhkHAUF4jsLG-SsM_nYQZbeV7dN_HJb2pXvAIA8Sm5i0sHT52e7jqQOfp-tuHfgdFwG9CW_0ULPC2pca1BLkqxKoziULjaKiQuXTes4Q51EYjQc7PIZB8Q-c3I/s320/74.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is my journey of becoming a strong woman.<br />
<br />
<b>When my husband was in the Navy and had to go away on repeated deployments I felt incredible loneliness. </b><br />
God used my loneliness to build a sense of confidence in myself and my abilities. He showed me that I am strong with Him. These years also built the foundation for our marriage.<br />
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<b>We had a beautiful son. A few years later I learned my husband did not want any more children. I was heartbroken, devastated, questioning God's plan for my family.</b><br />
A few years later another strong woman became pregnant. Instead of aborting this baby she chose life for him. Through a series of incredible events God orchestrated a beautiful adoption story. (Read it <a href="http://randomthoughtsjewels.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-first-new-blog-ethan-gregory-thomas.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) <br />
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<b>We had several extremely difficult years in our marriage. The time came where I had one foot out the door and no plan or hope for a saved marriage. I literally cried in my bedroom closet asking God why. God pointed me directly to scripture showing me that my husband and I were one and He gently commanded that I stay. I surrendered my marriage (all of it) to Jesus that night - the hurt, anger, confusion, bitterness, loneliness - all of it.</b><br />
God gave me the peace and comfort I so desperately longed for. I learned that my fulfillment comes from Jesus alone. I learned that when I surrender everything to God He makes me whole. And over the next year God completely restored my marriage. He brought more joy and life to my marriage than I could have ever dreamed of. He transformed my husband and me, individually and together. <br />
During and after these years God used my pain for His glory. He put women in my life and allowed me to walk alongside two of them during divorce due to infidelity. And He allowed me to see beauty come from ashes. Both of them found incredible, Godly men a few years later. God also allowed me to walk another friend through a very difficult time in her marriage. She too had one foot out the door but God asked me to keep speaking truth into her life. She always tells me I saved her marriage. The truth is God used me as a tool to save her marriage and for that I am grateful.<br />
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<b>My youngest son was hospitalized twice with double pneumonia. He was almost 2 at the time and losing weight rapidly. The antibiotics were not helping and they attempted surgery but it was unsuccessful. I was terrified and honestly, angry. Why would God give me this beautiful gift only to possibly take him away?</b><br />
I found myself on my knees night after night in the hospital room praying over my son and singing praise songs. These nights were some of the darkest and scariest nights of my life but also the most beautiful. Through this time I learned that my boys are not my own. They are God's. And he has given me the privilege to love them and raise them to know Him. This experience made me a completely different mom.<br />
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So...what is a strong woman?<br />
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A strong woman finds her fulfillment in Jesus.<br />
She trusts God's plan for her family.<br />
She is obedient to His commands, even when she thinks her way is better.<br />
She knows that every precious gift is from Him and she treasures those gifts.<br />
She supports her husband and his dreams.<br />
She allows her husband to help even if he doesn't do it her way.<br />
She asks God to bring the dreams in her heart to fruition.<br />
She stays up all night with babies and soothes them back to sleep. <br />
She keeps her cool while her toddler is throwing an all out tantrum in the store.<br />
She disciplines her children and gives them the boundaries they need.<br />
She does the all too often unappreciated tasks like laundry, cooking and cleaning.<br />
She drives her children to what seem like endless school events and sports practices.<br />
She is the glue that holds it together when life gets crazy.<br />
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Your story may be different. Maybe you are single, unable to have children or have chosen not to have children. You may be striving for a certain career or are passionate about missionary work. You may have a heart for kids (fostering/adoption) or animals. Whatever your story is, do not let anyone tell you that you are not strong enough or that this world owes you something. <br />
In HIM we find an endless supply of strength. (Isaiah 40:29)<br />
In HIM we find an endless supply of hope. (Psalm 147:11)<br />
In HIM we find an endless supply of love. (1 John 4:7-8)<br />
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<i>"Love is not about what I can get from this world. Love is about what I can give to this world." ~Lysa TerKeurst</i><br />
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~Jewels*<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-82766451059955069222017-01-11T20:42:00.000-08:002017-01-11T20:42:23.204-08:00"Just" a Wife and MomI feel like I have started my last few posts out like this but I cannot believe it's been 3 months since I posted. My good friend sent me the sweetest surprise in the mail over Christmas. It is a journal that says "Random Thoughts" which she said reminded her of me. It encouraged me to pick back up on the blogging. It truly is therapeutic for me and I love the idea of having written documentation of these chapters of my life to look back on.<br />
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This post has been simmering for a while. And it all started with a simple conversation in the car with my 11 year old son a couple of weeks ago. It went a little something like this:<br />
G: "Mom, what did you want to be when you grew up?"<br />
Me: "Well...." <I was truly trying to think of something profound to say so I could encourage my oldest son to aspire to big dreams.><br />
G: "Well?"<br />
Me: "Well, I wanted to be a teacher. But I'm glad that didn't pan out because I know a lot of teachers who feel like they aren't able to really teach because of all these standardized tests and having to deal with crazy parents. And I wanted to be a nurse but I was really bad at science." <Just keepin' it real.> "But you know what I truly always wanted to be?"<br />
G: "What?"<br />
Me: "A wife and mom."<br />
G: "A <i>WIFE and MOM</i>?"<br />
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I suddenly felt deflated. As if, yet again, what I always wanted to be was not good enough. As if it was not worthy enough. As if it was not important enough. But I explained to my son that I feel God called me to this very important role and I am so grateful he did.<br />
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Here is the thing, y'all. I feel like in this modern age women like me are looked down upon. We are considered old fashioned, too submissive or not goal oriented enough. Why is that?! I am not ashamed to say that I never needed to have 5 sexual partners to make sure my husband was the right one for me. I did not need to travel the world and "find myself" before settling down and having children. I did not need to experience other religions and cultures to know that Jesus is real and alive and has great things planned for me and my family.<br />
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Please hear my heart on this. I am not saying that women with goals are evil. I am not saying it is wrong to want to experience life before settling down and having children. I am just saying it is NOT wrong to know who you are, who God created you to be and to be satisfied with being "just" a wife and a mom.<br />
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You know where I feel I have learned the most in life? Through my relationships. Specifically my relationship with my husband and my children. God GIVES us these relationships so we can have a small glimpse into unconditional love, sacrifice, compromise, patience and grace. <br />
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Lately I have realized I have a choice. I can choose to fill my time with "things" OR I can spend this window of time, small chapters of my life, developing a more intimate relationship with my husband and teaching my boys about Jesus' love and how to be men with a heart for God.<br />
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My relationship with my husband has always been my second priority (just behind my relationship with Jesus) because we need to be united to raise these boys. I still want a best friend after my boys move on with their lives. <br />
"What God has joined together, let no man separate." -Mark 10:9<br />
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And my third priority is my boys. God has given me these gifts and they are mine and my husband's responsibility. I am charged with caring for them, raising them to know Jesus and praying boldly over them. <br />
"Start your children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." -Proverbs 22:6<br />
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I feel like I have not really been able to put into words why we moved way out to the country. Why we wanted a more simple life. But this...this is a big part of it. I feel like God is telling me that my role as "just" a wife and mom mean so much more than I have ever believed. <br />
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Don't allow your role as a wife and mom to be diminished. Allow God to mold you and work on your heart through these relationships. Trust that He is using you in BIG ways to impact your family. Be bold in your faith and confident in your abilities as a wife and Mama...even when you have days like this.<br />
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My Instagram post today:<br />
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<i>Because us moms don't post enough "real life" pictures.</i><br />
<i>Because sometimes it's 2:30 and you still haven't showered (or washed your hair in three days).</i><br />
<i>Because these roots are OUT of control.</i><br />
<i>Because when you're had company for the last month straight you are happy to just have thirty minutes alone to not be productive at all.</i><br />
<i>And what the hell is this pubic hair like grouping coming out of the back of my head?!</i><br />
<i>Can ANYONE else relate to these things?! Anyone at all?!</i><br />
<i>#nofiltercanhelpthismess #keepinitreal #aaaaaandihaveapimple </i><br />
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I also wanted to use this post as a catch up time. So, here goes...<br />
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In the beginning of December we got a new puppy from the local pound. Someone dumped him and his sisters on the side of the road. Thankfully his sisters went to a rescue and this cutie patootie came home with us. We named him Willie, after Willie Nelson of course! ;) </div>
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This was taken this morning. I can't believe how much he has grown! And he makes a great bible study buddy! :)</div>
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These guys... <3 </div>
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We went to Luckenbach with my cousin and her boyfriend to see one of our favs, Max Stalling. Garrison learned to 2 step at school (thank you, small town school) and he swung his Mama around the dance floor a time or three. Lucky Mama! :)</div>
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Garrison's baseball team, Kaos, won 1st place in one of their tournaments. So much fun!!!</div>
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We had an amazing visit with some of our best friends from Dallas! </div>
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Garrison and Daddy got to go see the Harlemn Globetrotters! They had a blast!</div>
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Just a boy and his dog! </div>
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We had three rounds of Christmas! </div>
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Round 1 - Christmas Eve/Day with my parents. </div>
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To say I am excited they made the move here is the understatement of the century. SO grateful!!!</div>
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As a reminder, Ethan's birthday is also Christmas Day... How in the world is he 5 already?! </div>
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My in-laws came for a visit and we took E to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate his birthday! </div>
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We did our traditional "Christmas" over New Year's weekend with my sister and her family! </div>
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So much cousin love!</div>
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One of the perks of living on 5 acres is a private fireworks show! </div>
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Due to an infection in her foot my sister is yet again stuck on a scooter. She doesn't let anything stop her from having fun though! Oh how I admire this girl so! She is SUCH an inspiration!!!</div>
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Until next time...<br />
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~Jewels*</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-314415530674360882016-10-21T20:05:00.000-07:002016-10-21T20:05:58.274-07:00Boogie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We adopted Sox aka Boogie from the Humane Society when he was just 8 weeks old. That was in March of 2003, just one month after Garrett and I were married. I remember when we first got him. He was the softest dog I had ever touched in my entire life. <i>That never changed.</i> Garrett was in the Navy and we were living in Connecticut at the time. We thought it would be good to name him after our home state of Texas so we first called him Rio. We quickly realized that name did not fit him at all. He was tan with all white paws so we thought Sox was a much better fit. How we came to call him Boogie I do not recall. I just know that was his name for the last 13 years.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had to put our sweet Boogie down yesterday. He had been suffering from kidney failure for a while and in those final stages we could not bear to have him suffer. I had been praying for confirmation for a week. I needed God to give me a sign that it was time. When I spoke with the vet she literally said, "It's time". And as hard as it was to spend that final night and morning with him I never once regretted our decision. That morning the boys and I said our goodbyes and prayed over him. When I left our neighborhood to drive them to school we drove through a really thick fog. My heart felt heavy and thick just like that fog. I was praying for comfort and peace. Within a few seconds the fog completely lifted and I saw the sun shining through. It was one of the most peaceful moments I have ever experienced. </div>
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My husband, my ROCK, took him and stayed with him during his final moments. I could not bear the thought of remembering my sweet Boogie like that. I wanted to remember him as I knew him best - following me around from room to room, snuggled up next to me on the couch or in bed. </div>
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Boogie was always there to provide comfort. He just knew when I was sick, sad or in pain. He was my guard dog and my best friend, especially during those first couple of years when Garrett was gone on deployments in the beginning of our marriage. He loved us unconditionally. Even in the final days when I think he knew his time was nearing he was giving us kisses to comfort us while we were crying over him. He was truly the most selfless creature I have ever known. </div>
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"The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog." - M.K. Clinton</div>
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I wanted to share some pictures of our sweet Boogie over the last 13 years. </div>
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The day Garrett brought him home</div>
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They really did have a special bond</div>
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He LOVED the water! This was on a beach in Rhode Island.</div>
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And a lake in Connecticut</div>
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Snow in Connecticut...I'm surprised he was able to stay above it! </div>
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Boogie and Tex checking out the view from our new house in Virginia Beach. He just loved chasing the ducks around the pond out back. He would jump our 6' fence regularly to chase those ducks!</div>
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He was so good with the boys. Garrison loved to feed him from his high chair.</div>
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Always nearby for protection</div>
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When Ethan came along Boogie was so excited to have another little one in the house!</div>
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Sweet hugs!</div>
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Just a boy and his dog</div>
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They loved Christmas morning!</div>
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Snow!!!! In Texas!!! I think he felt like a puppy again!</div>
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I think Stoic described him well.</div>
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This was the day before he went to be with Jesus. I miss him so much but I am incredibly grateful he is not suffering.</div>
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Brothers. Tex just doesn't know what to do with himself. I think he is confused and slowly realizing Boogie is not coming home.</div>
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I was able to get a picture of the boys with Boogie on his last day with us. We all miss him terribly but know he is in a better place.</div>
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Thank you for teaching me how to love completely and selflessly, Boogie. Until we meet again my precious boy. ~Mama</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-26246844486608988692016-10-03T08:49:00.002-07:002016-10-03T08:49:18.079-07:00Health Journey, Week 5I don't have a great update today, unfortunately. I stayed the same weight as last Monday. The weird thing is I weighed in Saturday morning out of curiosity and was down 2 lbs from last week. I guess I gained those 2 lbs back in the last two days though. Ha! <div>
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We did go to Dripping Springs for a baseball tournament so there was definitely more eating out than normal. I did the best I could but did splurge a little Saturday night when we had Mexican food. My body has always been a bit odd though and I can gain or lose 3 lbs in a day just from water weight or bloating. Probably TMI but I don't have periods anymore (take my birth control continuously to help control endometriosis). But I think my body still goes through PMS and I have been a little more emotional and quite a bit more hungry the last several days. So I'm going to blame it on that too. As women we have the ability to do that, right?! </div>
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I did not take my BLOCK every day last week. I think I only did it 3 days. It is hard for me to remember since it is not a daily habit. But I am committed to taking it every evening this week to see if that helps. I also need to up my water intake. I've been doing pretty good but definitely not sticking to the 100 oz plus per day like I was doing before.</div>
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Here is a great recipe I tried last week and we loved it!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Garlic and Paprika Chicken</span></b></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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6 chicken drumsticks</div>
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1/4 cup olive oil</div>
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4 cloves garlic, minced</div>
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1 Tbsp smoked paprika</div>
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Pinch red pepper flakes</div>
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2 Tbsp fresh parsley</div>
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1 Tbsp fresh oregano, chopped</div>
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Salt and Pepper to taste</div>
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<b>Directions</b></div>
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1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.</div>
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2. Clean and dry the drumsticks and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.</div>
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3. In a small skillet heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes and herbs. Cook for about 1 minute over medium heat. (Careful not to burn the garlic.)</div>
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4. Place the drumsticks in a 9X13 baking dish and pour the olive oil mixture over the drumsticks. Make sure they are coated thoroughly. </div>
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5. Bake for about 45 minutes or until chicken legs are cooked through. </div>
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Before Baking</div>
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Tada!</div>
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~Jewels*</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-80355768061097056062016-09-30T19:03:00.000-07:002016-09-30T19:03:16.831-07:00Garrison's 11th Birthday Weekend (Family, Paintball and Baseball)Garrison's birthday was last Friday and we were so excited Nana and PawPaw (Garrett's parents) were able to come in town. We had such a good visit with them! And I'll tell you in advance all photo credit in this post goes to my father-in-law.<div>
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Friday night Garrett grilled out steak (Garrison's fav) and I made a cookie cake. Garrison loved opening his gifts!</div>
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"Happy Birthday to you!"...Ethan's face - bahahaha!</div>
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Love these sweet brothers!</div>
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I had to include this one because it cracked me up that Garrison held the shirt right in front of his brother completely blocking him out of the picture.</div>
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I think he was slightly excited about his gift from Nana and PawPaw...</div>
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...a guitar!!! This boy is seriously talented and I can't wait for him to learn to play!</div>
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He thought that was all but then we told him we had another gift for him in Daddy's truck. We opened the tail gate and there was his ping pong table! He loved it!</div>
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The next day we had his birthday party with his entire baseball team. Every kid except one came. That made this mama heart SO happy! (I later learned the kid who didn't come was too scared because his cousin told him how much paintball hurts. Poor thing.)</div>
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He was SO excited!</div>
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I took this one and my heart about exploded when I did. </div>
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STOP growing!</div>
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This sweet boy...I love him so!</div>
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I think they're ready!</div>
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I love this shot of Ethan!</div>
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I think Garret may have been more excited than Garrison was.</div>
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Where's Ethan?! Bahahaha!</div>
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Ethan and Nana...how sweet is this?!</div>
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Dirty face...check<br />Dirty hands...check</div>
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Cupcake...check</div>
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As if the weekend wasn't eventful enough Garrison had a double header on Sunday. I am SO glad we found this team! The kids and parents are incredible and seeing Garrison happy is SO worth the hour and 15 minute drive to practice twice a week. Yes, for real. </div>
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I love these shots of him doing what he loves!</div>
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I also had to add these photos my father-in-law took while he and my hubby were dove hunting a couple weeks ago. We grilled the dove earlier this week and they were DE.LICIOUS! </div>
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When we started dating I wondered if he would always make me feel the way I did then. Ya' know, the butterflies in the stomach, the mmm mmm mmm factor. (I'm sure our family is gagging right now as they read this.) But he is SO much better than he was 17 years ago! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmuwQGUtHfU5RVcrrtMaligeinjc0vzi84Zs2u6dnUMgxFtDkPyHSYSYbbr8FJyKCOS0NaGbw6hukNHPIX6nUvAJP9-djxkGi-RAAdGkHSlQO-WOiNe3w8FZuxrvnZITwmrtpJyzDtwI/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmuwQGUtHfU5RVcrrtMaligeinjc0vzi84Zs2u6dnUMgxFtDkPyHSYSYbbr8FJyKCOS0NaGbw6hukNHPIX6nUvAJP9-djxkGi-RAAdGkHSlQO-WOiNe3w8FZuxrvnZITwmrtpJyzDtwI/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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~Jewels*<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-22962812539811767902016-09-26T09:06:00.000-07:002016-09-26T09:15:42.726-07:00Health Journey, Week 4 I had my weigh in this morning and here is my update:<br />
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I lost 3.4 lbs last week!</div>
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I am down 12.6 lbs total!</div>
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I am pretty happy with the progress I made last week. And I realized that having ONE cheat meal through the week has actually helped me lose a little more. I'm not talking a Snuffer's loaded cheese fries downed in ranch followed by a cheeseburger with more fries (not sure where that came from but dang, it sounds good!) cheat meal. I'm talking about pasta at our local Italian restaurant cheat meal.<br />
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Of course I am still on my Plexus Triplex. This week I am going to add in my Plexus Block. I have not taken it since I started my new health journey a few weeks ago. This stuff is amazing - it actually BLOCKS 48% of carbs and sugars. That being said, my plan is to take it in the evening before I have a little wine and what is usually my biggest meal of the day. <br />
Check it out at www.jewelsplexus.com and then click on Products and Block.<br />
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Now, for the recipe. I made this last week and it was a pretty big hit! If you have read my blog for any length of time you will notice I don't tend to follow recipes exactly. I have included my comments/substitutions in the recipe.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies</span></b><br /><b><br /></b>
INGREDIENTS:<br />
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (I used 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts)<br />
16 oz baby red potatoes, halved (yep, forgot to half these)<br />
16 oz baby carrots<br />
16 oz green beans, trimmed (I bought the packaged, already washed and trimmed green beans at HEB)<br />
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves (didn't have this so didn't use it)<br />
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FOR THE SAUCE:<br />
1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce<br />
1/2 cup honey (Yeah, so I forgot to buy honey and after a quick Google search I decided to use brown sugar and water)<br />
1/4 cup ketchup<br />
2 cloves garlic, minced<br />1 tsp dried basil<br />
1/2 tsp dried oregano<br />
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (I used cayenne pepper instead)<br />
1/4 tsp ground black pepper<br />
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DIRECTIONS: After looking back over this recipe I realized I did not read the directions clearly because instead of mixing the sauce first and then waiting until the last 30 minutes to add the green beans I literally dumped it all in the crockpot together (below is my before picture). Hey, it cooked just fine!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP5ahLOVrDgEfE4qTo3iDmNj67LQQPgfDfq4muCY6w6_kjtcBfjn8aW4PPHYC8XQr1EMxuAHLmp1no6z4YAZGeWiFYzujNWIGOLrLPhH2xhbpBJAHnM2GovRiGVFdaPb2H_GoCSm4C2I/s1600/honey+chicken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP5ahLOVrDgEfE4qTo3iDmNj67LQQPgfDfq4muCY6w6_kjtcBfjn8aW4PPHYC8XQr1EMxuAHLmp1no6z4YAZGeWiFYzujNWIGOLrLPhH2xhbpBJAHnM2GovRiGVFdaPb2H_GoCSm4C2I/s320/honey+chicken.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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So, here are my recommended, non-complicated directions. Dump it all in the crockpot, cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours. BOOM!<br />
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Final Result:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qnsiMakfKfu1FfVu-eI2BxP_IMjZYU4FTVBfzGjho2-v5y_by-468FxcHPC7Dc7wn6h1458_mDqxDdm1-acBwSSI225WgnY_gZJPx9kDHMS7C3lzh7BXXthcope0HeZ8vAW3RGX5MCk/s1600/honey+chicken+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qnsiMakfKfu1FfVu-eI2BxP_IMjZYU4FTVBfzGjho2-v5y_by-468FxcHPC7Dc7wn6h1458_mDqxDdm1-acBwSSI225WgnY_gZJPx9kDHMS7C3lzh7BXXthcope0HeZ8vAW3RGX5MCk/s320/honey+chicken+2.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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~Jewels*</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-61085087585455547802016-09-19T08:42:00.000-07:002016-09-19T08:42:28.908-07:00Health Journey, Week 3Happy Monday!<br />
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For those of you who missed my video post on Facebook last week, here it is.<br />
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https://www.facebook.com/juliana.t.gerber/videos/vb.575945942/10154352513480943/?type=3&theater<br />
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As promised I am going to start blogging on the progress of my health journey. My goal is to get a post up every week to share my progress and a recipe or two along with any other tips/tricks I am finding to be helpful.<br />
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For those of you who could care less about my health journey, no offense taken. I will still blog about other random happenings in life.<br />
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I know it is odd I am starting with Week 3 but it is what it is. <br />
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Let me rewind a few weeks. I was sitting on the couch...ahem, IN my workout clothes, watching Fixer Upper, and just finished some nachos for lunch. Yeah.<br />
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I sent this picture to my cousin and sister asking them if they wanted to try to get healthy together and hold each other accountable. They were both all in. <br />
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I realized, as mentioned in my video, that I was no longer using Plexus (www.jewelsplexus.com) as a tool in my weight loss journey. I lost quite a bit of weight and inches when I first got on it because it reduced my sugar cravings and curbed my hunger. For the last 15 months I have taken it consistently and I am still finding amazing relief from endometriosis, plantar fasciitis and allergies but after our move to Bandera I started eating and drinking more due to extra downtime. Plexus is not a diet. It's not a magic pill. It's a TOOL on your weight loss journey. And I have decided to make changes with my diet to allow Plexus to do everything it can for me. I will eventually get back into an exercise routine but this girl likes to take baby steps. <br />
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<b>Update</b><br />
After just TWO WEEKS I am down a total of 9.2 lbs! Wooohoooo! I have a looooooong way to go but I'll get there. Again, as mentioned in my video, I have never lost that much weight in such a short time, especially in a healthy way. I know I started eating healthier and drinking more water but I have done this many times before and I certainly give the credit to my Plexus products!<br />
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<b>What am I doing? </b><br />
I am on the Plexus Triplex which includes three products, Pink Slim, Pro Bio 5 and Bio Cleanse. Here are some videos I made (a few of which include my adorable little E man) a while back to help explain these better. (Click on the words below to take you to the videos.)<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/juliana.t.gerber/videos/vb.575945942/10153806404010943/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Plexus Triplex Overview</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/juliana.t.gerber/videos/vb.575945942/10153822526910943/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Plexus Slim aka Pink Drink</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/juliana.t.gerber/videos/vb.575945942/10153824667345943/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Pro Bio 5</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/juliana.t.gerber/videos/vb.575945942/10153827410335943/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Bio Cleanse</a><br />
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I am also eating less and healthier and cut back a little on my wine drinking at night. Notice I didn't say I cut out all of my wine or all of anything. It's about balance. That's seriously all I'm doing, y'all. No exercise...yet.<br />
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<b>Recipe</b><br />
I wanted to share this ridiculously easy and yummy breakfast recipe with y'all. It will fill you up but is super low in calories.<br />
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Breakfast Sandwich<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
Light Whole Wheat English Muffin<br />
1/4 cup egg beaters<br />
1/2 slice of cheese (I use gouda)<br />
1 slice canadian bacon<br />
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Directions:<br />
Toast the english muffin<br />
Heat the egg beater in a coffee cup (I grease mine with PAM spray with olive oil) for about 45 seconds in the microwave<br />
Heat the canadian bacon for about 15 seconds in the microwave<br />
Slap it all together and you've got a breakfast sandwich ready in less than 3 minutes!<br />
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*Forgive my man hands in this picture. I seriously thought I had feminine hands until I saw this. Ha!*<br />
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I'll be back next week for another update and recipe. I am an incredibly open book so if you have questions for me about my journey or Plexus products I am here to answer them!<br />
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~Jewels*<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-32525544626671272322016-09-06T19:15:00.000-07:002016-09-06T19:26:36.451-07:00Port A, Round 2This past weekend we went to Port A with my parents. We have been to Port A with my parents before but this time seemed to be a little more special now that we live six hours from them. It was truly a weekend full of laughter (as always) and joy of being able to enjoy each others' company.<br />
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I would list out what all we did but honestly we did what we always do when we go to Port A...we go to the beach and RELAX!!! It was heavenly!<br />
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Garrett grilled steaks the first night. Due to a lack of steak knives Mama decided to use a butcher knife. Only this woman could still look proper and graceful holding a butcher knife. Ha!</div>
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Ethan "playing chess" with Papa. He has his own rules.</div>
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Okay, normally all of my goofy pictures are of Daddy but this was too good not to share. She CRACKS me up!</div>
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Have y'all seen Notting Hill? Remember the guy with the goggles?</div>
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Mama and I thought of him every time we saw Ethan in these goggles.</div>
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So glad my mom got all of these adorable close ups of E playing in the sand. I mean...bestill my heart!!!</div>
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And this guy...sheesh! No wonder he already has about 7 girls at school that like him. He is starting to get annoyed with this by the way. I told him I am more than happy to buy him a shirt that says "I'm unavailable, ladies. School comes first. If you have a problem with it take it up with my Mama."...or something to that effect. </div>
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My guys in the waves...I know they look like little dots but this was just such a great view!</div>
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I love how they love each other!</div>
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Sigh... <3 </div>
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This boy has a huge chunk of my heart....HUGE!!!</div>
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My man!</div>
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So, this brave boy tried oysters and he actually liked them (despite the fourth picture). He even ate two! GROSS!</div>
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Port A sunset...no filter. No words for this beauty!</div>
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This mama is missing the beach already...until next time, Port A!</div>
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~Jewels* </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-67535875169166060832016-09-01T17:58:00.000-07:002016-09-01T17:58:13.217-07:00If I would have left him...Marriage has been heavy on my heart lately and I honestly do not know why. But I know this. When something tugs on my heart I write about it. I don't know if someone needs to hear this or it is just something I want documented in my blog to be able to read back and reflect on some day but either way, here it goes...<div>
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I often wonder what my life would be like if I would have left my husband when it felt like the best, right, easiest thing to do. I had one foot out the door several times in the first 8 years of our almost 14 year marriage but God always brought me back (more on that later). And I don't just wonder about my life. I wonder what his life would be like. And I wonder what our boys' lives would be like. </div>
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If I would have left him...</div>
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I would not have grown into the woman I am.</div>
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I would not have had the joy of watching him grow into the father he is.</div>
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I would most certainly not be the mother I am today.</div>
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I would have missed many years of someone to laugh with, share my sorrows with and share my dreams with.</div>
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I would not be as brave as I am today. I certainly would not have been able to move 6 hours away from all of my family.</div>
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I would have missed out on watching God transform his heart and grow him into a better man.</div>
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I would not have Ethan. I would not have experienced the beautiful gift of adoption.</div>
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And I would not have been able to experience God's redeeming grace or watch how he can turn brokenness and grief into beauty and life. He literally can transform our hearts and minds to love like He loves.</div>
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About six years ago I gave God complete control of my marriage, my feelings, my happiness and my future. I remember it vividly - sitting on my closet floor, sobbing, and telling him I give up. Over the next couple of days, through prayer, scripture and song, God told me to stay. He asked me to trust Him. He asked me to give Him time to change Garrett, to change me, to change our relationship with Him. </div>
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I love looking back at parts of my life and seeing how God was at work. Sometimes it is so hard to understand why things are happening in our life but I have finally learned to TRUST and PRAISE Him in all circumstances. He has a plan that is SO much bigger than one I could ever imagine. See, God had been planting seeds of desire for adoption in both mine and Garrett's hearts all throughout our marriage. Had I given into my own selfish desires to leave my husband and not been obedient to God's calling we would not have Ethan, our little Christmas day miracle who has literally changed all of our lives.</div>
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Maybe your marriage is strong and built on a solid foundation of Christ. Maybe not. If you find yourself in a place of doubt, hopelessness or just a want for more in your marriage, listen to me - THERE IS HOPE! God is so much bigger than you. God is so much bigger than your spouse. God is so much bigger than your daily problems and struggles. He sees you. He loves you. He wants more for you. Today I encourage you to give up control - control of your marriage, your parenting, your future to the One who created you. He's SO got this! TRUST Him!</div>
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I wanted to leave y'all with some pictures of me and my love. Looking back at these stages of our marriage I see constant growth. We are certainly not perfect and God is continuing to grow us both daily. And I am grateful.</div>
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~Jewels*</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-46572863458462234822016-08-11T17:10:00.002-07:002016-08-11T17:18:40.714-07:00Summer Fun...Here, There and Everywhere!We have really been trying to squeeze in a lot of fun this last month before school starts. From Dallas to Houston to Port Aransas we have been some traveling fools. And I have LOVED it! <br />
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I have taken a long break from social media. I just realized one day I didn't want my face in the phone all the time so I made an intentional effort to take a break. It has been really nice but the downside is that without my phone on me all the time I have not had immediate access to a camera. I did capture quite a few fun memories though and I definitely want to share them here on the blog. Hope y'all enjoy!<br />
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The kids have been learning a lot of new things. For instance, Ethan learned how to play dead in the bath tub. I joke. But really, he asked me to take this picture and send it to Ki Ki (my sister). I try not to judge because I was quite the weird kid myself.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dallas Trip</span></div>
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We took a week long trip to Dallas for Garrison to participate in the World Series. That part of the trip didn't really go as planned but we had so much fun spending lots of quality time with family. Kicking myself for not getting pictures of the boys with all of their grandparents. Next time!</div>
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This looks like PaPa is teaching the boys how to play chess. And you might think he let Garrison win a time or two, right?! Wrong! PaPa taught Garrison how to play chess a few years ago and he taught him well...I am pretty sure they ended up tied by the time we left. </div>
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Ethan must have partied too hard the night before. This is how I found him in the morning. Very Wizard of Ozish, right?</div>
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Sweet Cousins! So glad we got to spend some time with these sweet kids (and Kyler)!</div>
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Addison and Ethan</div>
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Garrison and Keaton</div>
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Garrison had his best friend spend the night and they had a blast playing in my parents' pool! And we had a blast with his parents (our best friends) the night before. Miss them so much!</div>
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We went to Jump Street the next day and these boys had a blast!</div>
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<b>Back in Bandera...</b></div>
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As much fun as we had in Dallas, NOTHING beats this view! This was my Monday morning view driving out of my neighborhood taking Ethan to daycare. I mean, c'mon! How can you have any regrets moving to a place this beautiful?!</div>
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We have been wanting to turn Ethan's room into a Cowboy Room. So after we closed on our house (Woooohooooo!!! Hallelujia!!!) Garrett and I hit the antique store in town and picked up some really cool things for his room. He was one happy boy!!!</div>
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Cowhide Rug</div>
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Love this sign!</div>
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Cowboys Only...except Mama of course!</div>
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Authentic horse shoes</div>
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<b>H-Town</b></div>
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After Dallas my mom took Garrison to Houston for a sports camp with his cousins. </div>
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Ethan and me heading to H-Town!</div>
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These dogs cracked me up. One (don't ask me which) is Charlie, my sister's dog, and the other is one they were dog sitting. They look like twins!</div>
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These kiddos had so much fun at sports camp! And the E's (Ethan and Ellie) loved seeing each other, even though it was only for a day.</div>
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You know we squeezed a girls' dinner in. We closed that Italian restaurant down...what, what?! Seriously though, haven't laughed that hard in a LONG time! Love these girls and definitely feel so blessed to have them both in my life!</div>
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<b>Port Aransas</b></div>
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The Thomas family loves us some Port A! We decided to take a quick weekend trip and had such a great time!</div>
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So, Ethan asked me to do a "Kings and Queens" video of him. Not sure if y'all have seen Audio Adrenaline's Kings and Queens video but you really only need to watch the first 10 seconds to know what he's talking about. Feel free to keep watching though for a great song/video.</div>
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAlE2EnUP5A</div>
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And here is E's version. This is his absolute favorite song by the way.<br />
Love that kid!</div>
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Some skim boarding action from Garrison. He LOVES this skim board Nana and PawPaw bought him a while back! </div>
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We went out to eat Saturday night and Garrison decided to put some "muscles" aka rolled up paper in his shirt. Oy vey.</div>
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Of course little bro couldn't be left out!</div>
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So when we went to Dallas we boarded the dogs at a place in Kerrville. I was not happy with the setup and of course Sox ended up getting bit by one of the dogs. It was a terrible, awful, horrible experience and so I was SO grateful to find another place in Pipe Creek (closer to home) for our Port A trip. The dogs LOVED it! And they even printed me out this sweet evaluation after their stay.</div>
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We loved Port A so much we decided to plan another trip with my parents over Labor Day weekend. They were supposed to come see us that weekend anyways so we figured why not?! Can't wait for more beach time!</div>
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<b>Back to Normal...</b></div>
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My cousin posted something about her health journey on Facebook the other day and it really inspired me to get moving again. I feel SO good when I exercise and how can I not exercise in this beautiful scenery? So, Garrison and I have been taking breaks in the afternoon and I <strike>trudge drag climb </strike>walk while he rides his scooter. I am not a complete lazy butt. I say that because our hills out here are CrAzY so it's a killer workout! </div>
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<b>And then there was today...</b></div>
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Let me just tell ya about my day. I left the house at 7 to take Ethan to daycare. I'm about 3 miles from my house (where I get NO cell reception) and my tire literally pops and starts spewing out air faster than a man who just ate three bean burritos. Truth. I had about three seconds to decide what to do. An image of me carrying Ethan 3 miles back to the house (up those crazy hills) flashed into my mind so I floored it back to the house, cruising on almost the rim by the time I got into the driveway. I'm pretty sure it was a nail because I found one in the driveway later this afternoon. I come home to get Garrett's truck keys and they are nowhere to be found. I call him and he tells me he has them. <Insert Juliana's "what the hell?" face>. So I worked from home today with my 10 year old and 4 year old home with me. About halfway through the day Ethan asked me to make him a puppet. When I didn't do it right he told me he wanted to go to Ki Ki's (my sister) house. Really?!</div>
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About an hour later I call to check on the status of our AT&T rewards card (close to $900 to pay off our T-Mobile bill from when we switched providers) and was told we were not eligible because we did not have a trade in. The salesman clearly told us we just had to purchase new devices, not have a trade in, to get the reward card. After calling the store, speaking with the salesman and giving him some not so nice feedback I hung up and called the store back. I spoke with the manager who assured me he will take this to his manager and see what they can do for me. Dang right! </div>
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THEN I find out Garrison very likely has ringworm on not only his foot but his belly button and scalp. Awe.Some! <br /><br />
At least Ethan had fun playing doctor. #scarydoctor<br />
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I saw this picture later in the day and it made me laugh out loud. </div>
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The only thing that got me through today was knowing that I leave tomorrow ALL BY MYSELF for H-town for our Adult Girls' Cousin Camp. Did you hear me? I said ALL.BY.MYSELF! <br />
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Stay tuned for more summer fun from the Thomas family...<br />
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~Jewels*<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-54050552126660798092016-07-13T07:59:00.000-07:002016-07-13T08:14:06.921-07:00Cousin Camp 2016We had such a blast at Cousin Camp last month. It was so fun to be able to host this year! As always my sister worked so hard and planned a fantastic few days packed full of fun! And Mama got to come this time too! Yay!!!<br />
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I am so grateful God chose this girl to be my sister. And these kids just make my heart happy. <br />
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This year we did something a little different and did video recaps of each day. Garrison went through my phone and deleted all the videos last week because he thought we didn't need them anymore. Sometimes I wonder about hat boy. Haha. But I went back and recreated the videos...and he's not allowed on my phone anymore for the record. :)<br />
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Wednesday night we just hung out at the house and Garrett let the big boys shoot the bee bee gun.<br />
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Thursday we went hiking in the state park right behind our house. We had lunch in town and then went to an awesome little water park at a local dude ranch. You read that right.<br />
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Friday we went to the Alamo, had lunch and a boat tour of the Riverwalk and even made it to the Wildlife Park.<br />
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Saturday we went to a creek near the house, watched a fantastic thunderstorm from the house and then went to dinner.<br />
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Sunday we went to church, had lunch and said goodbye.<br />
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Another successful Cousin Camp in the books with lots of laughs and memories made! So grateful for my family!<br />
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~Jewels*<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-35698862751984116432016-07-02T08:00:00.003-07:002016-07-02T08:06:56.390-07:00City Family Gone Country Oh my gracious! I cannot believe it has been five months since my last post. Let me fill y'all in on the recent changes for the Thomas family.<br />
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We sold our house in Wylie that we had lived in for TEN years! I was offered an incredible opportunity to work from home and took that job at the end of March. My husband was offered a transfer to the San Antonio office and he is loving it there. All of these things allowed us to fulfill a lifelong dream...we made the move to Bandera and got a house on 5 acres with a breath taking view of the hill country. </div>
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I have gotten so many questions about our recent decisions so let me just answer those here. </div>
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1. Why?</div>
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You laugh but I have seriously gotten this question so many times. </div>
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We have always loved the hill country. Most of our weekend getaways have been to Wimberly, San Marcos, Fredericksburg or Bandera. </div>
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We have been wanting land for a long time and couldn't afford it in Wylie. </div>
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We were oh so tired of the 1 1/2 hour commute (for 20 miles) to Dallas for work. </div>
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We desperately wanted our boys to grow up in a small town with a more simple way of life. </div>
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And why not? Why wait until our boys were grown and gone to fulfill one of our dreams? Why not let them experience this with us and see how possible it is to follow your dreams? </div>
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2. How are y'all going to move away from your family?</div>
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When we got married 13 years ago I left my family and moved 3,000 miles away to start a life with Garrett. It was hard. Very hard. And I knew it would be hard again this time, especially having kids now. But we truly felt like God was calling us out here. For what reason I still don't know. Dallas is less than 6 hours from here though and in the last (les than) month of being here we have seen my dad once, mom twice, sister and family twice and my in-laws are here this weekend. And we are going back to Dallas in three weeks. We are blessed to have family who supports us, loves us and even helped encourage us to follow this dream.</div>
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3. How do you stand being so far away from everything?</div>
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I love it! We are 15 minutes outside of town. There is a higher priced grocery store in town, a few restaurants, shops, salons, etc. and I truly don't mind driving 40 minutes to HEB for my weekly grocery trip. After all, that's half of my old commute to get to work and that was five days a week! </div>
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4. What about all your friends?</div>
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The good friends I have are friends for life and me living six hours away won't change that. And I know as soon as we get plugged into a church and baseball we will make even more friends. </div>
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Speaking of church we tried a cowboy church...yes I said cowboy church last weekend and loved it. We tried two other churches before that and they were okay but finding a church like we are used to in a town this small is not an easy feat. We are excited about getting plugged in there.</div>
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I have so much more to say - some of my (hilarious) experiences about transitioning to life in the country and of course our amazing cousin camp but I will save those for separate posts. <br />
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I wanted to share some recent pictures with y'all.<br />
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Our first dinner out as Bandera residents</div>
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My parents came the weekend we moved in and helped A TON!</div>
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Beyond grateful for them.</div>
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Sweet moments</div>
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A little back porch sing-a-long session. I had no idea these two knew SO many songs...from the 70's! Haha!</div>
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Our sweet neighbors brought us flowers from their own garden to welcome us to the neighborhood. I am loving this country hospitality!</div>
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The boys on one of our afternoon walks (before it got too hot to take afternoon walks).</div>
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We finally have a flag! Love it!</div>
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Where we do all of our front porch sittin'!</div>
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My sister came in town and helped me decorate the house. She did an AH-mazing job! It's not all completely finished yet but I am loving the way it's coming along! We got this entry table at a cute little store in Fredericksburg and it's one of my favorite pieces in the house! It now holds a really cool record player - my husband's Father's Day gift.</div>
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Our dining table we got from the same store in Fredericksburg! Love it!</div>
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Open concept and I love it. The kitchen is most definitely my favorite part of the house with the chef's gas range/oven setup.</div>
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View from the back deck. Who knows what we will have in the cross fenced section some day...goats, chickens, donkeys?! :)</div>
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I thank God every morning for allowing this to be my drive to Ethan's daycare. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy His beauty every single day like this!</div>
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Garrett installing back porch lights. This guy works SO hard all day in the heat and has been coming home every night to work on something at the house. So grateful!</div>
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Lovin' this final result!</div>
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A little checkers at Cracker Barrel</div>
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Right before our tour of the Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio. It was 99% humidity in the caves so trust me when I say you do not want to see the after photo. ;)</div>
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This is what my buggy (yes, I said buggy) looks like after a weekly trip to HEB. Loaded down. And this crazy kid is licking a bag of chips. Whatever keeps him entertained! :)</div>
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I can't wait to share more of our adventures with y'all. Ethan is loving his daycare and making lots of new friends there. His favorite thing to do is some front porch sittin' and enjoying the "biew" (view). Garrison goes to camp (for the first time ever) in a week. We go to Dallas in three weeks and then Garrison will get to go to Houston with my sister and her family for a week. Prayers are much appreciated as we continue to adjust to this new way of life! I am soaking up His truths!<br />
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~Jewels*</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-57798947452049856822016-02-10T17:58:00.000-08:002016-02-10T17:58:18.174-08:00You need to hear this...Just Do It!!!Once again it has been far too long since I have posted. I went back to glance at my last post and found it ironic that the theme carries over into this one. But not really. I know God has been putting some things on my heart over the last several months and each seed He has planted has carried me to different phases of following dreams.<br />
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Go ahead and breathe a big sigh of relief because this is not a Plexus post. Ha! <br />
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People used to talk about dreams. I would often ponder the idea of my dreams and....nada. Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Some would say they always dreamed of being a teacher. Or a singer. Or a missionary. Or whatever. Seriously, I felt like something was wrong with me for not having a big dream I was striving for. <br />
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I always knew I wanted to be a wife. And I'll be honest...the first 7 years or so of our marriage was far from what I had pictured in my dreams. <i>Anyone with me? Anyone?! </i> Good thing we have learned A LOT and are in a great season in our marriage right now. I truly am married to my best friend. And we are now working toward big dreams together! <br />
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Being a mom did come very naturally to me and I was so blessed with a great first baby. Garrison changed my life. He made me grow up very quickly. He made me much more selfless, patient and nurturing. I am forever grateful to him for that.<br />
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My "dream" was to have another biological child. Little did I know God would be planting seeds in mine and Garrett's hearts for the next several years about adoption. The truth is I never could have dreamed of something as precious and dear as adopting. Ethan was truly a dream come true. <br />
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I don't know if it was a matter of not thinking I was worthy of more or if God just knew I could only handle so much at once (fighting for my marriage, becoming a new mom, going through the adoption process). I don't really need to understand why I didn't dream big earlier in life though. Because I have seen time and time again that God's timing is perfect. Always. Perfect. <br />
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I don't have a big announcement or purpose of this post really. I simply want to encourage every single one of you to follow your dreams. Life is ENTIRELY too short to sit back and watch other people live life to the fullest. YOU live it to the fullest. Enjoy being in the moment with those you love. Take that trip that may break the bank this one time. Go on that mission you have always wanted to go on. Want to adopt? DO IT! Want to foster? DO IT! Shoot, do you want a dog? Get one! <br />
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I fully believe I am on this earth to serve Jesus and bring glory to Him. And I also know that He wants to fulfill the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). I kept encountering the scripture Psalm 46:5 for the longest time. So much so that I decided to get the phone cover. <br />
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I absolutely love another version I saw of this verse.<br />
"God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns."<br />
How comforting to know that we will NOT fail with God by our side. We will NOT be moved or shaken when God is in us. <br />
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Read that back to yourself and let it soak in. And go follow that dream.<br />
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~Jewels*<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-50391556835770475502015-12-19T20:16:00.003-08:002016-09-19T08:46:57.961-07:00Stop Living in Fear...Take the First StepYou know those people who have big dreams but always settle? Those who may seem confident on the outside but inside have the fear of failure? I used to be one of those people. <br />
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Let me preface this post with this. I have been so very grateful for every job I have ever had. I have met amazing people along the way, learned new skills, worked my way up to a salary that someone without a college degree can be proud of and have been able to substantially contribute to my family. But...<br />
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Sitting behind a desk all day is not my dream. Thinking about the things I could be getting done at home or the extra time I could have with my kids on slow days is not my dream. I dream of so much more.<br />
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I want to be a stay at home mom. Hear me out on this. I don't want to be a stay at home mom so I can be involved in the PTA, the Booster Club or be a room mom. (No offense to you moms who take on these duties. It's just not part of my "why.") I want to be a stay at home mom so I have time to work with my kids on their homework while it's still fresh on their minds. When the nurse calls telling me my son is sick... actually, the exact words were "he is miserable and just wants to come home"... I don't want to get the voicemail after a meeting and have my son wait an hour for me to make the commute to his school. I want my face to be the first one they see after school. I want to be able to take them for frozen yogurt and have a real conversation about their day - not a rushed, "How was your day? Okay, we need to hurry and get dressed for baseball and we'll pick up something for dinner on the way."<br />
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I want to foster or adopt again. I don't want to take a couple weeks off and go back to work. I want to be present for this child, whether it be an infant or a troubled 3 year old who has suffered unimaginable circumstances and only wants to be loved and nurtured. I want to do everything I can to make this child feel welcomed into our family and surrounded by love and security.<br />
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I want to travel the world with my family. I want my family to do mission work in other countries. I want our family to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To serve the orphans. To love the unloved. <br />
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I want to bless others financially. I want to be able to give without worry. To give school supplies, clothes, fresh water and food to those here and abroad.<br />
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These are my dreams. And I am sick of saying:<br />
"They are too far fetched."<br />
"That's not reality."<br />
"That won't work with my finances."<br />
"Maybe one day..."<br />
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Why not today?! <br />
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God tells us to not fear because He is always with us (Isaiah 41:10). God tells us He has big plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). The time has finally come where I can see truth in those scriptures. <br />
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I love this quote I saw the other day and I love it!<br />
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So, how do I plan to make this possible? I am certain God brought Plexus into my life for several reasons. I know y'all think I'm just a crazy Plexus lady with all my posts but let me tell you a few things about Plexus. <br />
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1. These products have changed my life. Food no longer controls me. I no longer plan my day around meals. I have the energy I need to keep up with my kids. I no longer NEED naps. I have gotten rid of my coke addiction that I have had for years and years. I no longer have to take allergy medicine. I no longer have pain (endometriosis pain or plantar fascitis). I have lost 20 lbs and 30 inches. Although I am far from my goals I feel better than I have ever felt!<br />
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2. We have found the answer to my youngest son's chronic constipation. Any of you who have ever had to give your toddler an enema or take them to the ER for constipation knows how miserable that is, for you and them. Truly an answer to prayer for him.<br />
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3. I have watched my sister find relief from her chronic, daily pain as a result of her spina bifida. This alone has been a huge answer to prayer for many of us. I have watched her attitude and demeanor change drastically due to being pain free.<br />
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4. I have been able to contribute even more to my family financially. We are not living paycheck to paycheck. We had Christmas completely covered this year without putting any of it on charge cards. I have covered my ENTIRE mortgage payment every month with my Plexus check alone!<br />
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5. I have watched SO many people I personally know transform their lives with the generous compensation plan Plexus offers. From a newly single mom being able to support herself and her daughter (above and beyond what she hoped for) to a teacher who was able to retire and stay home with her son (making twice as much as she did as a teacher). <br />
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I unashamedly say that I sell Plexus. Because these products work. They are changing peoples' lives. This company has a compensation plan that is transforming peoples' lives. They are fulfilling their dreams they used to think were unrealistic. <br />
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I used to watch my best friend's sister post about Plexus all the time. This went on for two years. At one point I was so annoyed I almost defriended her. And then, one day, I realized she was obviously on to something. These products really were changing peoples' lives. This company really had brought her financial freedom. So, I jumped in with both feet. And every month since I started I have completely covered my mortgage, plus some - simply by sharing with others how great these products are.<br />
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Here are some of my before/after pics. I still can't get over the difference in my face alone since starting these products.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sha0vOV3EYiXD7H36ef9ISIrdAKE8sMBVoJLmEoQW9lvU4cVlramAnOl8Q3VH2yMZ75hDkzxRRamDtUQkSptSNbufM6Y2iMzU3KDbwGr3lEy4aMN0srUJ2WWWWmuMfwbpH64v96qngw/s1600/beforeafter4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sha0vOV3EYiXD7H36ef9ISIrdAKE8sMBVoJLmEoQW9lvU4cVlramAnOl8Q3VH2yMZ75hDkzxRRamDtUQkSptSNbufM6Y2iMzU3KDbwGr3lEy4aMN0srUJ2WWWWmuMfwbpH64v96qngw/s320/beforeafter4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have a special going on right now where you can join as an ambassador for only $22.95. I would LOVE to have you join my team and fulfill your dreams. I am here to coach you every step of the way. I promise you won't regret it. Don't wait 2 years like I did.<br />
<a href="http://www.jewelsplexus.com/">www.jewelsplexus.com</a><br />
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~Jewels*</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-68446601971011796862015-11-10T20:22:00.000-08:002015-11-10T20:22:18.123-08:00Mom Life Humor...and the REAL Supermoms!Okay, y'all. Let's get real for a minute. Being a mom is hard. So freakn' hard! Getting slapped in the face by your 3 year old, cleaning poop off the toilet seat, grinding your teeth in frustration while patiently waiting on your son to figure out a math problem, playing the same song for the two hundredth time to appease your son, trying to answer a question (one you've been asked four times that night) in your sweetest and most patient mommy voice when you really want to just hide in your bathroom and drink your glass of wine in peace... and that was all just this week. Aaaaaand it's only Tuesday.<br />
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By the way, funny story for those of you who didn't see it on Facebook a while back. I took Garrison to the ER (ya' know, one of our regular Mom/Son date locations these days) and while the tech was taking his x-rays she was making small talk. She asked what his favorite Halloween candy was.<br />
Garrison: "I love all candy, even licorice. My mom HATES licorice, don't you Mom? But she LOVES liquor."<br />
All you could hear was laughter from outside the curtain from all of the other patients. The only thing I could come up with in my defense was this.<br />
Me: "I don't drink liquor, Garrison. I drink wine."<br />
<br />My cousin sent me this picture the other day and I'm shocked something like this hasn't come home in Garrison's folder yet.<br />
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I've had several friends tell me how patient I am with my kids. <br />
<i>How do you NEVER yell at them? </i><br />
They obviously didn't see psycho mom come out the other morning when E slapped me in the face.<br />
I've had friends tell me what a good wife I am. <br />
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<i>You cook your husband dinner EVERY night?</i> <br />
They don't realize that cooking is therapeutic for me and allows me to take a few uninterrupted sips of wine and dodge 4th grade math homework...albeit while dodging nerf gun bullets flying at me from the other room. <br />
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I've had friends ask me how I stay so organized.<br />
<i>How do you remember everything you have to get done?</i><br />
If they sat with me more than 15 minutes they would hear an alarm going off in my phone with yet another reminder. I literally have about 10-15 of those going off each day.<br />
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<i>How do you have the energy to do it all?</i><br />
PLEXUS, duh! But really... since starting Plexus I have truly been able to at least keep up with the mad chaos that is our life. So grateful to have that little bit of extra help.<br />
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I am not downing myself as a mom. I do have my downfalls but I feel God has given me the patience, love and grace I need to be a patient, loving and nurturing mama. That being said, I have encountered many moms lately who I feel deserve a HUGE shout out. My friends who think I'm super mom should take a glimpse into the lives of women like these.<br />
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<b>The Widow </b><br />
This is the mom who held it together for her kids when her husband unexpectedly passed. The mom who stayed strong because she knew she needed to be. The mom who has suddenly had to learn how to be a father and a mother. The mom who, instead of giving up, pushed on with bravery like a soldier gearing up for battle. She likely cried in peace and only allowed herself minutes each night to give into the grief. And the next day she woke up to face the world again. Alone. Strong. Brave.<br />
<i>"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." - Unknown</i><br />
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<b>The Foster Mom</b><br />
This is the mom who took in someone else's child who needed food, shelter and most importantly - love. She struggled to find just the right balance of meeting the needs of her biological children as well as her foster children. She prayed over these kids' hearts and futures. When she wanted to be angry with these kids' parents she found it in her heart to have compassion for them and pray for them. She may have even had to say goodbye to a child she had come to love as her own.<br />
<i>"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - Winnie the Pooh</i><br />
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<b>The Unshakable Wife (and Mom)</b><br />
This is the woman whose heart is bruised, damaged and broken almost beyond repair. She has been hurt so deeply by her spouse that she has almost lost hope for the future. While her family is falling apart she is rapidly trying to repair the cracks. She is embarrassed by her situation and is sick of defending her stance to others. She is hurt, angry, afraid and alone. She realizes God is her only hope. She seeks His wisdom and strength day and night. She has grown closer to him now than ever before. She keeps looking forward and continues to raise children who will know that no matter what their God will NEVER leave them or forsake them. <br />
<i>"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." -Proverbs 31:29-31</i><br />
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<b>The Grieving Mom</b><br />
This is the mom who has lived through hell on earth. She faced extremely hard times but turned her life around. She lost her daughter and had to raise her granddaughter. Then she lost another granddaughter and had to relive unimaginable grief again. Instead of sinking into a deep hole and turning from God she immersed herself in His word. She accepted the strength God clothed her with to walk her own daughter through the same grief she had experienced just years earlier - the loss of a child. Her strength is relentless. Her faith is unwavering. Her God is real and alive.<br />
<i>"Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress. I will not be shaken." -Psalm 62:6</i><br />
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On the days where I am frustrated, annoyed and exhausted I need to remember that there are moms who would give their last breath to have their child back in their arms for just a few moments. There are moms who don't have a husband to lean on and laugh with and cry to at night. There are moms who are facing daily struggles far more difficult than my own. <br />
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Today, in the midst of our crazy and chaotic life, I choose to treasure this life God has given me. I choose to use the gifts He has given me for His glory! I choose to do the best job I can in raising these children He has entrusted me with - to be a more patient, loving, nurturing mom who actually lives IN the moment with my children. And I will thank God for allowing me to be their mom for as long as He will let me. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-21590895913737661072015-10-24T08:29:00.001-07:002016-09-19T08:47:22.345-07:00DC Recap and More<div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have not posted in forever. It feels good to be back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Garrett and I just took a trip to Washington, DC. I qualified for the Leaders Retreat with Plexus and they paid for our trip. To say I’m grateful is an understatement. We had SO.MUCH.FUN! The weekend getaway was definitely needed. I’ll try to sum up our time with a few photos and captions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I flew in on Thursday around lunch time. Can you tell I was excited?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I met a really great girl at the airport and her husband. I learned that her husband was the lead singer of the Scooter Brown Band. I knew I had heard some of their songs but I recently downloaded their albums on Spotify and I am loving their sound. Y’all have to check them out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We got to the Gaylord in National Harbor, Maryland and the area was so cool! Restaurants, shops, bars and even a huge ferris wheel lined the streets leading up to the Gaylord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spent the evening with my amazing, incredible, fantastic…did I say awesome…upline, Rayne. This girl is a jewel…literally, too – she’s a Diamond in Plexus which is the top level of the company and she has re-entered the company with me on her second leg. How cool is this company that they let you re-enter to reach Diamond again?! Pretty sweet! Anyways, she took such great care of me introducing me to everyone and making me feel welcome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They closed down the street, literally, for our Plexus street party! SO cool!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Garrett flew in about midnight and I think I popped my head up from the pillow to say Hi! I was exhausted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thursday we took a tour of DC and it was so cool. I never thought I would have the chance to visit and I’m so glad we did. We did lots and lots and lots of walking. Lots.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had dinner at a ridiculously yummy place (definitely a splurge) called Joe’s. Delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That night we did what any kid free couple would do. We went to the local market, picked up a 6 pack and bottle of wine and headed back to the hotel to binge watch Blacklist. Haha! Seriously though…such a great night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Friday we slept in, went to lunch and then Garrett went to the Plexus session with me. I just loved seeing all of the winners of the contests. There were so many $2,000 check winners and $5,000 Bloomingdale’s shopping spree winners. I told y’all this company was awesome. And then just as we thought it was wrapping up they brought JEWEL out to sing for us. WHAT?!?! She is amazing! I mean truly amazing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That night we decided to try out the local restaurants so we had a drink and appetizer at each one. Such a fun way to experience the atmosphere and food of these fun places. We made a quick appearance at the Halloween party and then headed to bed. I knew 3:45 am was going to come SUPER early…and it did. Good thing I consistently took my Plexus while on vacation!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Y'all, I know I post about Plexus a lot but for those of you who really know me you know I have never done MLM. I am not one of those who has tried it all to make a buck or two. I signed up as an ambassador for this company because:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(1) I whole heartedly believe in the products</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(2) This company has truly brought financial freedom to so many peoples' lives</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(3) I WILL stay home with my boys because I know I will never get this time back</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(4) I thoroughly enjoy helping people improve their health and finances</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am amazed at how quickly I have built my business. In just my first two weeks of selling I covered by car payment, utility payment and had some extra money. My first full month I was able to cover my mortgage and my husband's car payment. My pay has been consistent since that point. I am just getting started, y'all. The sky is truly the limit with this company. And I know, without a doubt, God brought this opportunity to my family so we could have freedom in our lives and eventually bless others with our finances. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I watched Rayne post for TWO YEARS about this company. I even got so annoyed with her posts I almost defriended her - no joke. While I regret waiting so long to start I am SO glad I finally said YES! If you really love sitting in traffic every day, working in an office watching the clock and being away from your kids then keep on doing what you're doing. If you have bigger dreams and goals for yourself and your family I would love to be able to tell you how awesome this company is and how you, too, could be on your way to financial freedom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I also wanted to share another story with y'all. On the plane ride back from DC I glanced over and saw a lady who, from the side, looked exactly like my Grandmama. (For those of you who don’t know my Grandmama passed away in January of this year. I miss her terribly.) This lady had cotton white hair and even red glasses just like Grandmama. I sat there and stared at her. Just stared….for a good 10 minutes. I have had many of these moments since my grandma passed – moments where the sadness just overwhelms me and I miss her so much it hurts. But then I have other moments. Moments where a saying or a scripture or a joke remind me so much of her. And in those moments I am reminded of the legacy she has left behind. A legacy of wisdom, truth, love, compassion, humor and faith. She made me want to be a better person – a better soldier of God’s army, a better wife, a better mom, a better woman. So while I miss her so much it physically hurts I am grateful to have loved someone like that. And I am grateful that God put a woman in my life who had that much impact on me and those around me. Today I encourage you to treasure the gifts and people God has given you. Allow God to mold you into the woman or man He created you to be. Ask Him what it is He wants for you and surrender yourself to Him. His ways are far greater than ours (Isaiah 55:9).</span></div>
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~Jewels*</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-40920588857801234292015-08-24T17:57:00.003-07:002015-08-24T17:57:54.328-07:00First Day of School Revelation The first day of school is never easy. Not for this mama at least. <br />
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It wasn't easy when Garrison was a Kindergartner...<br />
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And it wasn't easy today with him as a 4th grader (last day of Elementary)!<br />
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I had a revelation today as I was driving away from school. I was praying for him and I suddenly realized I am no longer praying for God to shield him from this broken world like I used to. I am no longer praying for God to keep him sheltered from all the things I have always feared as his mama and protector. I know that sounds strange but follow me for a second.<br />
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I used to literally want to keep him in a bubble. I used to want to shelter him from all of the brokenness in this world. But as I was praying this morning the thought came across my mind, "Break my heart for what breaks yours." And it hit me. I WANT Garrison to see the brokenness in this world. I WANT him to have a broken heart for those that are far from God. I WANT him to see that not everyone is like him. I WANT him to see that some children don't get love and attention from their parents at home and maybe that is why they act out at school. How is he ever going to learn to have compassion for others and love them like Jesus loves them if he doesn't see first hand how broken our world is? <br />
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And all of these recent situations started flooding through my mind. <br />
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I am GRATEFUL he had class with a kid who acted out (big time) in the classroom last year. This kid cussed at the teachers, threw desks, ripped up kids' papers and eventually got kicked out of school. But you know what? Garrison showed him Jesus. He tried talking to the kid and being a friend to him. He tried telling the kid he wasn't going to make friends if he acted that way. And we talked about this kid and how awful his home life must be if he feels the need to act like that in school. And we prayed for him.<br />
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I am GRATEFUL Garrison was bullied at Alpha Best this past summer. It was HARD for this mama to watch and my mama bear was right on the edge of coming out. But you know what? Garrett had a talk with him about how he had to learn to stand up for himself. And Garrison conquered the situation - yes, by punching the kid in the face, but trust me, after he slapped, punched and choked Garrison he had it coming. And Garrison learned independence, self worth and confidence in that situation. <i>Just to clarify, we do not condone violence but we do want to encourage him to stand up for himself when he is being physically bullied. </i><br />
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Now, I'm not saying I would have wanted him to be exposed to all of this at once as a 6 year old Kindergartner. But what I'm saying is I am learning that it is okay, even good, for him to start seeing the brokenness in our world. How else is he ever going to have the passion to change it if he doesn't see it? <br />
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So my revelation today was simple. I want God, in His time and His way, to break Garrison's heart for what breaks His. I want him to start shaping and molding my 9 (almost 10) year old into the young man God has designed him to be. And some days that will mean I need to let go of my control freak, mama bear, protective nature. Because God is constantly reminding me that these boys are His, not mine. And while I am entrusted to raise them, a big part of that is showing them that our God is SO much bigger than the brokenness of this world. And part of our job, as His followers, is to remind this world how great He really is. <br />
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Here is a picture of both of my loves this morning. Ethan started Pre-K B today. He decided to wear his new (hand me down) Cowboy boots. Great choice, E! It may be 100 degrees outside, but great choice!<br />
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~Jewels*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-25454667028758609402015-06-23T18:43:00.003-07:002015-06-23T21:07:33.696-07:00Catch Up TimeOh my gracious... it has NOT been 2 months since I last posted...but it has.<br />
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If I'm being honest, my mom brain will not be able to remember everything that has happened over the last two months so I will just share my updated pictures.<br />
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I know I'm partial but I mean...c'mon! <3 </div>
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Baseball, baseball and more baseball. This boy has improved SO much this season and I'm so very proud of him! AND his Daddy! </div>
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COUSINS <3 At my cousin Kaitlyn's rehearsal dinner</div>
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It doesn't get much cuter than this folks. ;) </div>
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Fun day out with Grammy and Papa. We had an adventure and took the Dart down to Mockingbird station. After lots and lots of stairs we made our way to a great little Irish pub.</div>
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We went to a winery in Rockwall to celebrate my beautiful Mama's birthday! Excuse the hair...it was pouring down rain all day/night.</div>
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Dinner at Bin 303 in Rockwall - amazing food and great atmosphere!</div>
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First swim of summer!</div>
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My sister and cousin came in town last weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday. Whadya' know - back at the same winery in Rockwall! ;) We had such a great time!</div>
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I love this family photo from my cousin Ashli's wedding!</div>
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I mean....</div>
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He's a little dancing fool!</div>
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Family Photo...minus the old timers who left early. :)</div>
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Nana and PawPaw took the boys to a really cool place in Rockwall and this little daredevil didn't waste any time climbing to the top of whatever he could. Oy vey!</div>
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I am loving my newest journey in life. I have been reading about Plexus for 2 years now and FINALLY decided to give it a try. (Well, that's not entirely true. I did try it almost a year ago but it was for about 4 days, I wasn't consistent with it and it was a different product combination than what I'm taking now.) Anyways, after reading so many testimonials and knowing so many people (health conscious people) who have had great success on this I decided to jump in with both feet. I not only signed up as a customer but also as an ambassador too. I wanted to try and track my progress on my blog for those of you who are interested. <br />
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<b>Week 1 Update:</b><br />
I lost 6 lbs!!!<br />
Arms - I lost 2 inches in each arm<br />
Bust - I lost 2 inches in my bust (sorry hubby, haha!)<br />
Tummy - I lost 2.5 inches in my tummy (wooooohoooo!)<br />
Thighs - I lost 1.5 inch in each thigh<br />
TOTAL - 11.5 inches GONE<br />
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I can't tell y'all how incredible I feel. I can't remember the last time I had this much steady (non-jittery) energy. Here are some things I have noticed just in the first week of taking Plexus products.<br />
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<ul>
<li>I wake up with energy. </li>
<li>I am able to lay down and go right to sleep at night. </li>
<li>I have not had one sinus headache. </li>
<li>My endometriosis pain has been excruciating the last couple of months and as of last week - completely gone. </li>
<li>My allergies are under control. </li>
<li>I am no longer having crashes in the afternoon. </li>
<li>My cravings are gone. I pass up sweets with no second thought. </li>
<li>I haven't had a coke in over a week. </li>
<li>I have reduced my wine intake by about 75% (BIG deal for me). </li>
<li>I am no longer bloated. </li>
<li>My feet don't hurt (plantar fascitis). </li>
<li>I am eating about half what I used to just because I'm not as hungry.</li>
</ul>
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It is truly life changing and I have NO REGRETS for jumping in full force. If you can't tell, I'm slightly excited. <br />
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Check out my website to view the entire product line. Don't wait like I did to start the journey to a healthier you. It's SO worth it!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.jewelsplexus.com/" target="_blank">www.jewelsplexus.com </a></span></b><br />
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~Jewels<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252775513115935599.post-69167390194179133412015-04-19T15:01:00.000-07:002015-04-19T15:17:30.136-07:00Skinny Shrimp (or Chicken) Alfredo Pasta - Yowsas!Y'ALL... you know I'm excited when I start a sentence with that... I tried this Pinterest recipe the other night and was blown away by how incredibly delicious it was. I love me a good alfredo sauce and never thought there could be a skinny version as good as the full fat thing. But there is! This recipe came from <a href="http://damndelicious.net/2014/08/06/shrimp-alfredo-pasta-bake/" target="_blank">Damn Delicious</a>. I think the name fits. :) We love shrimp in the Thomas house but if you are not a seafood fan you could definitely sub chicken and it would be just as tasty.<br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (I buy the frozen kind)</li>
<li>2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided</li>
<li>Kosher salt (or regular) and ground pepper, to taste</li>
<li>8 oz whole wheat penne pasta</li>
<li>1 (14.5) oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained (I left these out)</li>
<li>1/2 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I used cayenne pepper)</li>
<li>2 Tablespoons grated parmesan</li>
<li>2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (I left out)</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<b>For Alfredo Sauce</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>2 Tablespoons unsalted butter</li>
<li>4 cloves garlic, minced (I used 4 Tablespoons of the pre-minced garlic in a jar)</li>
<li>1 Tablespoon flour</li>
<li>1 (6 oz) can 2% evaporated milk</li>
<li>1 ounce light cream cheese</li>
<li>1/4 cup chicken broth, or more, to taste</li>
<li>Kosher salt (or regular) and ground pepper, to taste</li>
</ul>
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<b>Directions</b><br />
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<ol>
<li>To melt the alfredo sauce, melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, about 1-2 minutes.</li>
<li>Whisk in flour until thick, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in evaporated milk, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in cream cheese and chicken broth until smooth, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Add more chicken broth as needed to reach desired consistency. *If you have a warmer place the pan of sauce on the warmer. If not, it's okay to set aside while you move on to the shrimp since you will reheat it later.*</li>
<li>Preheat oven to 400 degrees. </li>
<li>Thaw shrimp, if frozen, and remove tails. Put in bowl and pour in 2 Tablespoons of oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly. </li>
<li>Pour shrimp onto greased baking sheet and roast until pink and cooked through, about 6 - 8 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.</li>
<li>In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.</li>
<li>Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Lightly coat an 8X8 baking dish with nonstick spray.</li>
<li>In a large bowl combine shrimp, pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, red pepper and alfredo sauce. Add pasta mixture to prepared baking dish and top with Parmesan.</li>
<li>Place in oven and bake until golden brown and cheese has melted, about 10 - 15 minutes.</li>
</ol>
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*Not my photo but it actually came out looking pretty similar*</div>
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What's that you say? You want to see more pics of my handsome guys? In the words of any successful Chick Fil A employee...My Pleasure!</div>
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This boy seriously impresses me. So much improvement in such a short time.</div>
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Taking a little rest. That catcher stuff is hard work!</div>
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I mean... I really have no words. This guy truly leaves me speechless sometimes.</div>
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Make it a great week, y'all!<br />
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*Jewels<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1