What I Wore (to work) Including Fuschia Suede Heels

Shirt-Maurices

Tank-Charlotte Russe

Jeans-Kohls

Shoes-Target $6

Necklace-Laceymade

Rings-vintage

Sunglasses-Rue21

linking up with Pleated Poppy WIWW

How I Handled Story Turning TWO

God certainly knew what he was doing when He blessed Shawn and I with a daughter.

When we were first talking about having kids, I told Shawn I wanted a boy first. I said, I just don't think I would know how to be a good mom to a daughter. It terrifies me to think of how badly I could mess up. The truth of the matter was that I had old wounds in my heart that needed healing, and that's why the notion of having a daughter terrified me so much. At that point in my life I wasn't really free to give of myself in the ways a mommy wants to give to her daughter.

So God blessed us with sweet, perfect Wilder and paved the way toward ultimate healing in my heart.

We didn't find out Story's gender while she was still in my tummy. The whole time I was thinking, "wouldn't it be neat that now that I'm ready for a mother/daughter bond, now that I'm healthy and have dealt with some things, God would give me a daughter? A little girl to name Story? A baby girl with a story so new, a legacy that begins with her birth, not with my past?"

And then Jesus did it. He gave me my Story girl.

And I was forever changed.

From her chocolate brown eyes to her cute girlish legs, I adore her.

 

 

 

 I guess one of the reasons why I'm so proud of her is because she is living proof of God's compassion and generosity. Of his healing.

He saw the broken heart of mine. Healed it. Then put the "cherry on top" by blessing me with Story.

 So if you see us out in public and I am squealing up a storm at my WildMan and Sissygirl. Don't mind me.

 Quite frankly I can't contain myself.

 For those of you who've never met Story, here are some of her "isms", 

quirks and ways as a now-two-year old:

~Could read with us for hours

~Fiercely independent-"I do it too!"

~Infectious personality

~Outgoing

~Wears the biggest, prettiest, ear-to-ear grin, virtually full time

~Knows a few songs. Silent Night, Twinkle Twinkle, Come Into My Heart

~Can count to 10, sometimes 20 (some of the numbers get a little mixed up)

~Enjoys dressing up in anyone's shoes or clothes that aren't hers

~Tans within 2 seconds of being in the sun

~Can hold a crayon the correct way

~She is our dancer

~Insists on brushing her own teeth
~Follows directions very well; we only really have trouble at mealtime
~Says:
I love you too much!
Goodbye. See you next time!
Sweet dreams. Go night night!
And pretty much anything we says, common nouns, phrases, etc, she repeats.
~She is very verbal; advanced in that area
(this is my one time of year to brag her up)
~Confident and capable
~Getting some tough skin from being around older brother
~Adventurous
~Smart and curious
~A born nurturer

 

Happy, happy birthday to the most amazing girl I have ever met!

***

Our legacy starts here, Sissy.

My Sweet Summer

Shawn has off Friday through Monday.

I can't tell you how much his presence boosts my morale!

We have been both lazy and busy.
There have been slurpy popsicles from the ice cream truck, its tune never missed by the kids.

Soft breezes of summer.

A three mile run in new kicks.

Moments of reflection and meditation at the park.
Gazing into the clouds.

Watching birds disappear into the sky. So high they look like specks of ground pepper.

They are less flying than they are riding on the wind.

It carries them.

We have a little family trip planned.

The camera is charged.

See you when we get back!

Story's Hello Kitty Party-TWO

 We had Princess Story's 2nd birthday party earlier in the week. She turns TWO on the 28th; I'm sure I'll have a full-blown emotional post that day. I love my "real, live doll baby"! She is so spoiled and I'm not quitting that til I absolutely have to. I tell her constantly, whisper in her ear: "I adore you." 

 

 And she says back, "adore you."

Party details

Bunting on table: Target

Bunting on backdrop: sewn by friend

Hello Kitty cake: Julie

Cupcakes: recipe here

Paper straws here

Hello Kitty supplies: WalMart

Recipe: No Bake Energy Bites

Sweets are one of those things I have yet to get a handle on in life. A "food mentor" recently told me to try not to have sugar and carbs past 2pm. While I don't always follow through with that, it's really been helpful in controlling my "bad food" intake. And it means I still get to eat some sweets! I try to eat all my "big meals" and sugar before 2pm so I have the rest of the day to burn it off.

I found this No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe on Pinterest. It was easy to make and the little bites are so delicious! This is way better than eating gobs of cookie dough. Just a couple of these satiate that desire for baked goods (even though these aren't baked!).

Click here to read the original article.

No-Bake Energy Bites

Ingredients:
 

1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)

1 cup toasted coconut flakes

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ

1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp. vanilla

Method:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like, or about 1 inch diameter. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls.

Mindy's Tip:

Omit chocolate chips and use all-natural sugar free peanut butter to make this snack even healthier.

Toast the coconut by preheating oven to 350 F; spread coconut on a baking pan; bake 5 mins then re-spread it out. Then another 5-10 mins.

 *****
On another note, I'm doing a giveaway here this week; check it out!

After Nearly 1,000 Blog Posts, There's Still More to Say

I have written 931 blog posts, including this one!!
Boom.
This is my diary, my electronic journal, a place I'll come to years from now to:
A) realize how blessed I was/am
B) realize how little I knew
C) cry over how much the babies have grown
D) thank God for inspiring me with creativity

I think we should party it up for my 1,000th post, don't you?

***
There's this cute Family Table Talk booklet at the boutique I stole some questions from for today. Mix it up a little...
 
What is one thing you would like to ask God when you get to heaven?

Will you please forgive me, over and over? Will you hold me, please?

If you could have picked your own name, what would it be?

I have grown to be more comfortable and proud of my name over the years, simply because it's fairly uncommon.
I maybe would've liked Ray (spelled Rae for girl) or Lula after my deceased-how-I-miss-them grandparents.
 

If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be?

Pug or Boston.

What is the nicest thing a friend has ever done for you?

Taking care of my babies while I recover from post partum pre-eclampsia (after Story).

Is there something you have done that you are truly proud of? If so, what is it?
 Interning at a nursing home my last semester at K-State was one of the most rewarding, challenging, amazing things I've ever done. But nothing trumps birthing and parenting my sweet kiddos.

What is something you can do to serve and bless someone else?

With the stage of life I'm in right now I can't give monetarily or gifts-wise in the ways I would like to, so, it would be a listening ear, an encouraging word, or simply being there when a friend needs help (servanthood stuff like meals, childcare, note in the mail, etc)

Is there anything you pretend to understand, but really don't?

Directions and locations. I am quite pathetic.

If you are feeling sad, what is something that would cheer you up?

A chocolate chip cookie from Panera (doughey, not burnt)

What is something that really scares you?
Harm befalling the kids. The house catching on fire. Being a widow. If someone I love isn't in heaven with me.

If you could tell your mom to never fix a certain meal again, what would it be?

Salmon patties! Beets!

Can you think of something you would like to invent?

An inexpensive Total Home Cleaning Robot and Laundry Assistant