SLIDER

Friday, November 30, 2012

How I Want To Be Remembered


What do I want people to think of
when they remember me
my friends, my family, my observers and passer by-ers...
I was thinking about the things I don't want people to think of me
the other day,
things that I know people have,
assumptions or conclusions people have made about me
with very little knowledge of my story 
where I have been or where I am going
People have decided
This is who she must be
Without every really knowing who "she" is.
Those who have spent hours upon hours
talking to me,
laughing with me
crying with me
know that I have a story, 
but very few know the whole story.
But as we all do at some point,
we make a guess of what is going on in another persons life.
As much as I don't like to believe I care what others think,
to some degree we all do.
But all I can do is strive from this point on
to be the person I want people to know
The person I want people to remember
What would people say about me if I was gone?
Would they cry
While just a year ago they were talking about me behind my back?
Would they care?
Or would they think to themselves
would they say outloud to others
She was a wife to her husband,
I remember how much they laughed,
how much they cried, 
but in the end how earnestly they loved.
She was a mother who adored her children
and they were completely in love with her.
They had her wrapped around their fingers.
Life got a little crazy and chaotic for her
but she laughed in the face of tears.
Would they say
She was brave, She was strong
She finally found where she belonged
Her heart had beauty etched in it
because she shined with the beauty of the one she loved most,
 her Jesus.
She worked hard to point others to the love of Jesus
She was a worshiper without the music
She was a preacher in the non traditional form
Even though she was busy with her kids and her life,
She was a friend who didn't give up,
a friend who was there if you needed her
She cared for people.
She saw the broken and knew they needed hope.
She was a writer, an artist, a poet...
Yet so few knew
In her life, she emanated the Joy of the Lord and the Glory of God
When she laughed it made others smile,
When she cried it stirred compassion to reach out
How do I want to be remembered when I die?

I want to be remembered for the passion behind my words,
the sparkle behind my eyes
the compassion overflowing in my veins
and the lover of beauty seen through the eyes of our God.
I don't want to be remembered as a sad story,
a story of regret, a wasted life
I want to be someone people will miss,
because they will miss the passion and beauty that was placed inside me
I want to be sure people know that I love them,
not just with weak human love, as great as it may feel at times
but with a greater love than I can make sense of

I believe the person of Jesus had so much more beauty and integrity and love,
laughter, joy, faith, encouragement than we can ever really fathom.
I want to be like him.

How do you want to be remembered?


A  beautiful girl I want you to know...

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Am I A Bad Mom? (Mommy Brain Mixer)


I've been posting a lot of fart/poop posts lately.
I'm not sure this is conducive to trying to spread the love of Jesus.
But in all reality, I do have kids.

And I do buy them books like the one above...

or like this,
the one below
Does that make me a bad mom? Or just a fun one?

Actually, I think Uncle Clayton bought them this one.
Yes, I blame him.

P.S. I have also cursed myself with such a dog. His name is Lukas. Ugh.

------

Welcome to week 18 of the Mommy-Brain Mixer, ladies!

Last week we had 70 link-ups! Please help spread the word so the Mixer keeps on growing!

Before we get started, I have some awesome news!

The Mommy-Brain Mixer is taking on two more permanent hosts!

Please welcome Cassie from Live.Laugh.L0ve and Julie from From Awkward to Art ! 

If you haven't noticed, one of our favorite things to do is to share stories about motherhood and our littles. One of our favorite things about sharing these stories is your comments with stories of your own children!

Welcome to...


At the Mommy-Brain Mixer, we will be linking up our writings about anything and everything motherhood!

We want to see funny posts, serious posts, sweet & sappy stories, mommy-brain episodes, memories from when your older children were younger, thoughts & lessons learned, and anything related to motherhood or little people. You know that post you wrote yesterday about your teething baby? Or that hilarious post you wrote about your 2nd grader's school play? Those are perfect, so link 'em up! 

The Mommy-Brain Mixer is the perfect place to find some great new blogs to follow, make some wonderful new blog friends, and enjoy some entertaining new reads!

To make things even more fun, our friend Mar, over at Raising Bean, is hosting a sister link-up for you to join, too!

Head on over there after your finished here and link up your recipes, DIY, arts & crafts, and sensory activities!  

Let's get to it, friends!
 
RULES:
1.Follow your hosts 
{the first three in the linky}:

 Cassie from Two In Diapers
Cassie from Live.Laugh.L0ve

If you are new to the Mixer, please leave us a comment so we know to follow you back! We try to get around to all the posts but, as the Mixer is growing, there are some weeks that we are not able!

2. Follow your co-hosts
This week's lovely co-hosts {the next 3 on the linky} are:

Meg from Megs 7827
Jennifer from Pushing The Lemons

3. Link up your mommy post!

4. Make sure to visit some of the blogs in the link-up and maybe even follow them!
{and comments are always loved} 

5. Tweet about the Mommy-Brain Mixer to help spread the word! 

 

6. Grab this adorable button and place it somewhere on your blog!

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7. Don't forget to check back throughout the week, as we gain many new links throughout the week!

If you are interested in co-hosting a Mommy-Brain Mixer, send me an email at twoindiapers@gmail.com!


Like my blog? Don't forget to vote for us! One click on the banner below = one vote for our blog, and you can even vote daily to keep us at the top!

A beautiful friend I want you to know

This One Time...Girl Behind The Blog

Well, here it is!
My turn to co-host Girl Behind The Blog with 5ohWifey
My favorite blog link up on the planet.
I'm so excited. 
You will notice this by the amount I laugh and smile in my video.
Perhaps we should have went with a different topic,
because I am way too happy & excited telling my stories.
You know how I always say, I used to be a really happy smiley girl..
Yes, well here is a good example of that.

I apologize for the crappy quality. Of course the week that I would co-host ,
my camera would break and I would have to use my phone to record..
For the prompt this month, you can click HERE or read below!

Hope you have fun watching, listening, chuckling at my embarrassing stories.





 Today... we invite YOU to get silly and real and share a funny story about yourself. And maybe make a few new friends. All you have to do is follow both of our blogs, post a button anywhere on your blog, and post a short vlog answering the following questions. You'll only have to link up on one of the host's blogs because our links will be interlinked. We really hope you join us. You can grab a button below to put up on your blog. Spread the word and lets get to know each other a little better! Here are the deets... feel free to make your video your own but please try to stick to these prompts and the time limit.


The Girl Behind The Blog- This One Time...
Time limit: Vlogs should be 2-3 minutes long
Introduce yourself and your blog
Tell us a funny or embarrassing story about yourself

P.S. I'm going to be, and my scheduler doesn't work, so I am posting this now...
Sorry, but the link up wont go live until 12:01 PST 11/28/12
Stop back and link up!
 
5ohwifey
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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Things We Cannot Change


There comes a time when we have to move on.
To accept that things aren't always going to be the way we want them to be.
People aren't always going to be who we think they should be.
Life isn't always going to treat us fairly.
We all have people in our lives who simply don't apologize for things
that were said or done that hurt us.
So we learn to accept that, this is just how it is.
We learn to be "the one to apologize" just to smooth things over.
Being frustrated, holding grudges, begging them to change, to apologize, to explain...
will never mean anything, because it was You doing the work
that someone else never thought to do on their own.
Or it was never in their heart to do..
Change has to happen from the inside out,
not from the outside in.
It's sometimes a hard lesson to learn, and mentally exhausting,
learning that we cannot change people.
People have to want to change. People have to want to say "I'm sorry."
And if they don't, they don't.


How do you accept that sometimes you will never get an apology, an explantion,
an "I handled things poorly" or an "I should have never said that to you."
I was talking to a friend long ago, and she told me "Julie, some people will
never give you closure, never give you an apology. You just have to learn to accept
that is the way it is, it's the way they are."
That is something that has always bothered me, not just in my own life, but when I see family
or friends obviously hurt, sometimes their lives nearly destroyed
 and the people that hurt them are so stubborn, that they never
give the simple closure of an true heartfelt apology or explanation...
so instead they have to learn to move on without it,
to love that person they way Jesus loved us...

I never understood how people can think they are so right,
or perhaps they are so prideful
that they simply will not apologize for hurt they have caused others.
It pretty much drives me crazy,
because if I have hurt someone, I want to know about it.
So that I can apologize for it. So I can make things right, instead of letting people
just move on with their lives being forced to accept what I have done.
No, I'd much rather them accept my apology.

They questions is how do YOU want to leave things?
Knowing YOU did your very best? Tried YOUR hardest?
I know I do. I want to give life my all. Give people my all.
And If I mess up, I want to fix it. 
Circumstances happen in life.
Sometimes we end up jobless. Sometimes we end up broke.
Sometimes we end up sick or our family members do.
Sometimes we end up broken hearted.
Sometimes our friendships fall apart... our relationships... 
Some of these things we can change by the sweat of our brow, trying to make
things right over and over, perhaps a change in our diet or lifestyle. 
Some of these things we cannot. The changes happen to us,
and we have to accept it. Even though it is usually never easy.
And sometimes we have to make choices, whether we want to be at home 
with our family while having little to no money, 
or whether we want to live a little more "high maintenance"
 only to then miss out on the precious moments with the people we live for.
There have been changes in my life, that I have learned to accept,
that for now anyway, this is how it is.
Perhaps in the future things will change. Actually because I know my God,
I KNOW things will change, but while we are in this season,
I continue to grow & learn and rely on Him.
But these things I am not willing to "go out of my way" to change in this moment,
even though I could. Even though at one time things were different, 
We had more. But I've gotten used to having less material "things"...
but in return I've gained so much more in the areas I really needed.
There have also been things that I have wished & tried desperately to change
that I simply had no power over,
and every day it is a decision to accept, it is what it is... 
and it's time to move on. 



We have to know what we want out of life to know what we are willing to 
change and what we are not.
We have to realize what the end result will be in our decision.
And we have to know that we can never change peoples hearts
and some circumstances we can not change on our own.
Only God can change a heart.
Sometimes, Only God can bring restoration to broken body, a lifeless friendship,
an empty bank account.
There are certain things that as bad as we wish we could change them,
only God can change them. Only God can open those doors.
I've been thinking a lot about this lately.
Thinking over my life, and talking to other people.

I've had to pray, Lord, If I cannot change this, either you have to work on this situation
for me...or you have to give me the peace of mind to accept that this will never turn out the way
I want it to. I only have to accept that your plans for me are far better than my plans for me.

I guess it is my version of the serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the
things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I cannot and the wisdom to
know the difference.

Are you thinking of things in your life that you wish you could change?
People you wish would say I'm sorry? Circumstances you have no control over?
Or perhaps circumstances you do have control over but haven't been willing to change yourself?
I know I am. All sorts of things come to mind.
All I know is if I trust in God, ask him to show me where I, myself, can change to either accept
certain things, or to better certain things, then I can have the peace I long for and no
matter what the situation is in my life, I asked Him to help me do my best.
Ultimately, my faith is in God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways, acknowledge him and He will make your path straight...
Proverbs 3:5

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Monday, November 26, 2012

Only Look If You Can Handle TONS of Adorable!


Every now and then I have to share a little bit adorable with you.
I say it all the time, but I am lucky to have a sister that loves to take pictures.
And she loves to experiment on my girls, mostly.
AND she lives next door.
So this is what happened at my place a few days ago.
A little impromptu photoshoot...
Try not to fall in love too much. They're mine. ;)

I feel so blessed to have not one, but TWO beautiful, little, fun girls

My little blondie. I wonder how long that blonde will stick around.

Are they naturals or what?

Well, of course they melt your heart! Why wouldn't they?

  This is what I get to do every single day. Wow!

This girl loves to pose. xoxo

Snuggles with Momma.

Loving my babes so much.

This proves they work well in any conditions. Haha! I love Leila's hair.


The super aunt behind all the adorable photos, my sister, Joanna.

For more super fab pictures, visit Joanna Photography on facebook!
linked up today with one of my Influence Conference Roomies, ALLI for
Life Lately! Go link up. You will love her!

check out the Advertise Page for more deets

Friday, November 23, 2012

Blessed: Thankful for 16 Years of Marriage to My Best Friend


Ahhhh, yes the last of my thankful posts. And what do we have before us?
A t-shirt? She is thankful for a t-shirt on black friday? Well, yes, who doesn't love tshirts?
 But that is not what this post is about. It's about what is on the t-shirt.
Two bunnies in love.
Are you ready to gag?
Today is my 16 year anniversary to my husband, Jeff... Or Jeffy baby
as it says on my phone. Or Bunny, as I used to call him and he used to call me when we first got married.  Don't ask me how that happened. I don't remember.
Nor do I remember how it stopped.
But I saw this t-shirt online last week and I immediately thought of Jeff.
Do you know what we used to say? Instead of saying "I love you"
we would say "Bunnies Love." AUUUUGGGHH, I'm gagging right now typing it out.
But I swear I am going to get that t-shirt.



Jeff, I don't even really know where to begin with this. This public love letter to you.
First of all I want to say thank you for loving me, for taking care of me, for being there
for me, even when I didn't deserve it. You have always been so steady in being a rock
to me. That is the only way I know how to put it (and I know what you are thinking, weirdo.)
I'm serious.  Even if it affected you, hurt you,
you still tried so hard to be understanding and be there for me. You will never know
how much I love you for that and am thankful to you for standing by me and never
giving up on me. You exceed the lengths most people would do for someone they love,
but I believe it's because you truly know how to love.

You are my very best friend and I think about that a lot. How much we laugh together.
How much we annoy each other. How we know what the other is thinking.
How I can sit and bawl my eyes out to you about something for an hour and you sit and
listen to everything on my mind, and try to offer up your best encouragement or advice.
And how you give me massages...every-single-day. And good ones.
And how you try to plant your "words" in my mouth all the time. You know what I mean.
And I think a few of my friends do too ;) wink wink.
But even though you are so jr highish and predictable, I must love you for it,
because I still end up laughing every single time at your disgusting terminology.

Sometimes, it still weirds me out that we ended up together. You would think I would
get over it, but nope. Still kinda weird. But I am so thankful that God has given me
someone that is so compatible with me, makes me laugh non stop and acts so ugly that
it's cute. You have been my everything for 17 years now and today we celebrate 16 years of marriage.
I love you. Happy Anniversary.

Lord, you knew the man I needed to teach me how to love. You knew what I needed to 
make me smile, laugh, feel safe. And I thank you today, this week of Thanksgiving, and for the rest of my life for bringing Jeff to me to watch over me and love me. Today, I am blessed.


Link up all your thankful posts with Tico and Tina and myself all week long. 
Everyone who links up will be entered in a giveaway. We are giving away a $10 Starbucks giftcard PLUS each of us are giving away a one month spot for our "In Post" Ads! 
 That's all you gotta do! Be Thankful and link up!



Thursday, November 22, 2012

Blessed: Thankful for Calvary

Wow. This really goes without saying...but what would the point of being saying I am thankful
for anything else at all if I didn't say how grateful I am for the cross.
There really are no words for this. I am in awe of the love of God, sending his son to die...
for me...for you...
Tonight as I worshiped God at church, I was lost in a unexplainable...I don't know, I want to say 
emotion, but emotion seems too imperfect and human for how thankful I really am.
It can only be explained by looking in my heart,
and at least I know He an do that.
God, I am so thankful for your son going to the cross, for redemption, for salvation, 
health, provision, joy, peace...and everything else you provided when Jesus went to the cross.
I don't know how to say it, nor do I feel I could say it enough, so I ask you to look into my heart,
and know how much I love you.

Link up all your thankful posts with Tico and Tina and myself all week long. 
Everyone who links up will be entered in a giveaway. We are giving away a $10 Starbucks giftcard PLUS each of us are giving away a one month spot for our "In Post" Ads! 
 That's all you gotta do! Be Thankful and link up!

Photobucket


Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner: Amber McCain. Please email me when you have a chance!
Congrats!


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Girl Behind the Blog Prompt-This One Time...

I haven't made it a secret that my first few months in blog world were disheartening.
I had no clue what was going on. I had no idea so many people blogged.
I had no clue that I could make friends blogging.

Honestly, I just thought all my family and friends would love to hear what amazing words of humor and wisdom I could manage to drum up.
Sadly, that didn't happen. I am ever so thankful for those of my family & friends
that have mentioned, "Hey just so you know, I do read your blog, I just never say anything."
That has made me feel a lot better over time, knowing I had their support.
However, when I first started blogging and didn't know about this great big blog world,
I was in tears, thinking no one cared.
Then one day I discovered Girl Behind the Blog somehow.
It was my first round of  Girl Behind The Blog , acutally THEE first round I believe...
And ever since then, I've been addicted. I think I missed only 2 because I was on a blog 
break at one point and out of town once. I love the entire idea behind it, getting to know people just a
little better as you hear and see people in animated form =) And not just in pictures.

So, anyways, I guess you know what I'm about to say. Last month I had the fabulous
opportunity to meet Ashley, the mastermind behind Girl Behind the Blog and 5ohWifey at
where else, but Influence!!
And I love how encouraging she has been to me in subtle ways.
I was so excited to not only take this picture with her...


but, naturally, I was the lame one who embarrassed myself and told her "I love you"
because she was standing behind me talking to either 5ohHubby or 5ohBaby or someone she loved on the phone and she said "I love you." And what else would I say when 5ohWifey tells 5ohHubby
"I love you."  Uhhhh... duh.... I tell 5ohWifey..."I love you too."

And those are the kind of cool, super amazing, awesome and embarrassing moments that brings us to today! If you know anything about me and my blog, you know that I like to tell funny stories about my life! I have no shame.
And guess what? I get to co-host The Girl Behind the Blog 
ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! Woot! I am pretty sure it's because of my spoken love. Yes?

  So, Wednesday, November 28, 2012... one week from today... we invite YOU to get silly and real and share a funny story about yourself. And maybe make a few new friends. All you have to do is follow both of our blogs, post a button anywhere on your blog, and post a short vlog answering the following questions. You'll only have to link up on one of the host's blogs because our links will be interlinked. We really hope you join us. You can grab a button below to put up on your blog. Spread the word and lets get to know each other a little better! Here are the deets... feel free to make your video your own but please try to stick to these prompts and the time limit.


The Girl Behind The Blog- This One Time...
Time limit: Vlogs should be 2-3 minutes long
Introduce yourself and your blog
Tell us a funny or embarrassing story about yourself


5ohwifey
<a href="https://www.5ohwifey.com/search/label/TGBTB" target="_blank"><img src="https://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc416/5ohwifey/Blog%20Tools/NEWtgbtb.jpg" alt="5ohwifey" width="200" height="200" /></a>

P.S. Link up all your THANKFUL posts this week to the BLESSED series going on all
week. Most recent BLESSED POST right below this one =)

Blessed: Thankful for Jada

Today is my baby's birthday. Well, I say baby hesitatingly because my baby is actually
my middle daughter who turns 7 years old today! What kind of Mom would I be if I didn't talk about Jada a little bit today, the day before Thanksgiving, her birthday.


Dear Jada, as I type this, I have to stop to yell at you because you are teasing.
You are always teasing. Non-stop teasing. Most people don't get to see it.
I see it every single day. You, by far the the silliest, most mischievous, 
weirdest of our little family. Oh, the stickers. what can I say? You started this obsession 
probably when you were 3-4 years old. Today, you are 7 and I'm looking over at you
behind my computer screen with a piece of masking tape stuck to your forehead.
I wonder if it will ever end. 
Remember what Mommy always says to you.
"I got my fingers, my cup, and my tape so I'm all set." When you were 6 months old,
you start sucking on your two fingers. I thought, hey, no biggie. It's easier than a pacifier.
My dear sweet daughter, you are 7 now. Time to stop sucking on the fingers. And while we 
are at it, the sippy cup must go too.


Jada, you by far have always been our most expressive child.
I always tell you how happy you make Mommy. (Even though I just got done 
screaming at you again for teasing.) I will never forget how happy I was when you 
were born and your daddy brought you to me and I told daddy, "Look at her eyelashes.
She looks like a girl." You were so perfect, my first girl. I don't know what I would do 
without you in my life. I am so so thankful that God gave you to us.
You keep us laughing all the time. You are that child that consistently has Mommy laughing.
And sometimes I get sad at how fast you are growing up, but at the same time I look
forward to watch you as this comedian personality type of yours develops.


Jada, Jada, Jada, Jada, Jada-Marriiiiiaaaaa! (sung to the tune of Karma Chameleon),
I love you so much. I am so incredibly thankful for you jokes and pranks
and all the laughter and love you have brought into our lives. I know you
can't even help it, it's just you. Crazy, goofy you.
And I love all of you. Happy Birthday, Jada Wada.

Love, Mommy

Lord, I am so thankful that you thought so much of us to give us so much fun in the
form of Jada. She brings a definite unique personality into our family.
One I can't even describe. And so much of it she saves just for us. At least now she does.
I pray that you would continue molding her and making her into a Godly young
lady who can make people smile and bless their lives with joy.
Thank you for letting us raise her and continue teaching us what would be best for her
in each situation. Today, on Jada's 7th birthday, I am blessed.


A little example of the crazy Jada we experience at home!


Link up all your thankful posts with Tico and Tina and myself all week long. 
Everyone who links up will be entered in a giveaway. We are giving away a $10 Starbucks giftcard PLUS each of us are giving away a one month spot for our "In Post" Ads! 
 That's all you gotta do! Be Thankful and link up!

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Also Linked up here:
Becoming What I always Was
Wild and Precious
Kincaid Parade
Julie Ann Art

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Blessed: Thankful for My Parents


I am so blessed to be the oldest daughter of these two right here.
My parents have set such an example of faith, of never giving up, and of never wavering.
Like most children, I can't say that we have always seen eye to eye on everything,
but I am so grateful to have each of them in my life. Sometimes, especially lately,
I realize how quickly time is going by. Life is just flying right past us all.
It seems like just yesterday I was arguing with my dad about what time I came home last night,
or with my mom about, well everything. Because that's how I did.
But that was already half my life ago!
I am so thankful they were so balanced. It sounds strange, but they were. 
They were balanced with me in discipline, with handling the teenage years, freedoms and 
restrictions, church, my wedding...everything. And I do treasure both my freedoms,
and my rules that they set for me as I was growing up.
I respect them and am thankful that they pushed through the doubts, the hard times...
and kept following the plan of God for their life. If anyone is to be role models to their
children in certain things, in working hard, in loving Jesus, in loving one another...
 it should be your parents. And they are...just that to me.
Dad & Mom, I love you. I am so very thankful God placed me into your arms.
I really do realize how blessed I am to have been raised under your protection and
guidance and love.
Thank you for all you have done for me, Jeff and our kids.
But also, Lord, I thank you, for giving my mom and dad to me. Someone had to get 
the best parents around, right? Today, I am so so blessed.

Link up all your thankful posts with Tico and Tina and myself all week long. 
Everyone who links up will be entered in a giveaway. We are giving away a $10 Starbucks giftcard PLUS each of us are giving away a one month spot for our "In Post" Ads! 
 That's all you gotta do! Be Thankful and link up!


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