Guest Posting!!-

**Updated to add the actual post...scroll down.

I'm guest posting today over at A Life Less Ordinary!  Go check it out! :)

Sara just had a new baby boy and asked me to guest post while she gets used to her "new normal."

I have never actually "met" Sara but we've become online friends through our blogs.  I ordered Christmas cards from her a few years ago and she's ordered baby things from me.  We read each others blogs and I think she's great!  I know if we lived near each other, we'd be real life friends!

Also, go look at her etsy shop, she designs the. best. cards.  She also takes amazing photographs.  You will want to start reading her blog too. :)

Thanks Sara!  It's a privilege to write on your blog today!

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Okay, I'm copying it here so I'll have it. :)
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Today's post is by Sara over at It's Good to Be Queen. She's mom to Avery, Finley and Sawyer. I've never met her, but from what I have learned, she reminds me a lot of the girls I was friends with in college (can anyone I went to college with tell me who you think she looks like? I think the resemblance is uncanny!). I love reading about her family!

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I love being a boy mama. In high school I always said I wanted to be a soccer mom and load up a van full of boys after practice. But I didn’t really know what that meant. When AJ and I got married we started dreaming of our future family. We thought we’d want a boy first. You know, to be the big, older brother who protects his siblings. And then whichever sex came next, didn’t really matter. We just assumed we’d have a combination of boys and girls. We thought we’d like 3, possibly 4 kids. Our first baby was a boy. Perfect, just what we wanted. Our next baby was a boy, great! A brother for our Avery. They’ll be best of friends. When we found out we were expecting a third baby, we tried so hard not to get our hopes up. We told ourselves it would be a boy so that we wouldn’t be disappointed. But, the closer and closer it got to the ultrasound, the more I started dreaming of the ultrasound tech exclaiming, “It’s a girl!” I imagined AJ’s face. I imagined crying. I imagined going out and calling all our family and friends to tell them. Then we would go out to lunch and excitedly dream about names, cutsie girl clothes, & long hair to brush. I would go shopping and buy something pink.

Well, it didn’t go quite like that. When I laid down on the ultrasound table I was shaking. I tried to prepare myself and be okay either way. I reminded myself that we just wanted to see a healthy baby. As soon as she put the wand on my belly, she set it back down and walked over to get some tissues. She handed them to me and said, “It’s a boy.” The floodgates opened. I bawled like a little baby. I thought I would be okay either way, but the disappointment took over and really surprised me. I was so bummed the rest of the appointment. I was thanking God for a perfect, healthy little boy, but I couldn’t stop crying. I just had a hard time wrapping my mind around all boys. I just had never really considered that possibility. After the appointment we went to lunch and I cried into my sandwich. It wasn’t that I didn’t want a boy. It was that I had to let go of the dream of having a daughter. I was almost more disappointed for AJ than I was for myself. I always knew he would be a great girl-daddy. He’s so kind and patient and a great listener. I wanted him to get to experience having a daughter who was a daddy’s girl. I wanted to see a little girl have him wrapped around her finger. I wanted to experience a relationship with a daughter.

But, slowly the Lord replaced those longings in my heart. He reminded me that He had a plan for our family and knew exactly what we needed. Throughout my pregnancy I started getting more and more excited about having another boy. My girl dreams were replaced with dreams of 3 boys who are the best of friends. 3 boys to take care of their mama. 3 boys to grow up to be men of God who change the world with His love. I thought a lot about the story of Daniel and how he did not blend in with the culture. He was set apart. He stood firm amidst temptation. I started praying that God would help my boys to be Daniels in their world. Then I had our 3^rd boy, our sweet Sawyer Daniel.

Having all boys has once again taught me God’s amazing love for me. Being a mama to all boys has blessed me more than I could ever imagine. I am so crazy in love with them it hurts. I love that they are always looking for an adventure and a battle to fight. I love that they love to give me hugs and kisses and tell me I’m beautiful. I love that they pick flowers (weeds) for me from the yard to put in a glass of water because “mamas like flowers.” I love that they want to marry me when they grow up. I love that they fight with each other and get over it just as quickly as it started. I love that they don’t care what I pick out for them to wear, they just put it on. I love that they dress up in a costume every single day that we’re at home. I love that they are mine. I love that God gave me 3 boys. I love that God’s plan for me was so much better than I could have imagined.

Psalm 127:3-5

³ Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.

⁵ Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them Pin It

10 month old baby boy

Our sweet little buddy is already 10 months old!
This first year with him is literally flying.
He brings us so. much. joy.
We are all crazy about him.
He wakes up with a big smile on his face everyday.
AJ and I race to see who gets to go get him first when we hear him jabbering in his bed in the morning.  He says a lot of "da da da da da" and "mmmmmmammmmaa". :)
He is a big fan of his daddy.  He gets the biggest smile when he hears AJ's voice.  He always reaches out for him, it's adorable.
He is also a big fan of our cat.  He get's so excited when he sees it and starts saying "a ta ta ta ta ta."

 

Thankfully, our cat is long suffering and takes the abuse attention quite well. He got a lot of practice when Finley was younger. ;)

He finally got his first tooth this past month...never thought that thing was gonna pop through.
He's also still army crawling all over the place.  He'll raise that belly for a few seconds, but when he's ready to get somewhere he just plops it back down and drags himself across the floor.  So funny!
He is definitely our laid back boy and for that I am thankful.  Avery was already walking at this age and I learned from experience not to wish for your baby to do stuff early! ha!
The boys are such a big help with Sawyer.  They sing him songs, bring him toys and push him in the swing.  They LOVE to make him laugh.  They'll do almost anything to get him giggling. :)
He's pulling up now so we had to lower his crib down.
(This was after I walked in to see him dangling over the side)
That just makes him seem like a big boy and makes his mama sad.
This mama business is hard stuff.  Your whole heart is wrapped up in them, but you're ever in the process of training them to move on.  grow up.  become independent.
I am so thankful for each day and each moment I have with these boys.  I am overwhelmed at the blessing. Pin It

Fall Decorating - Sara Style

This crisp, cool(er) weather has got me in the mood for Fall! 
As you know, I love the challenge of decorating on a budget.  I think it takes it takes a lot more creativity to use what you have and hunt for deals than it does to just pick the first thing you see in a store or catalog.  I'd rather save that extra money for something like, oh say, hungry children.
This year, I spent $4 on a mum, and that's it.  I don't really go crazy decorating for fall...or any season really.  I just like it to look cozy.
Like a fall-ish front door...

Doesn't a mantle just look better during the holidays?

I've had this pumpkin forever and a day.
I got it at hobby lobby like 5 years ago, half off of course.  I had some fall berry garland stuff I got last year.  I just plopped it on my cake stand and wrapped the berries around it.  I LOVE how it turned out. I love using what I already have in a new way!

Because I love it so much, I must post another picture of it.

I had these ceramic pumpkins that needed an update. You know what I did, I don't even have to tell you.

Oh, the $1 glossy white spray paint from Wal-Mart...how I love you.

Remember a few months ago when I spray painted that rack thing and didn't know what to do with it? Well, I've been fussing with it and putting different things on it.  I'm still not really happy with it.  I should probably just get over it and put it on the table with some fruit in it like Ballard Designs does.
Here it is with my white pumpkins.

And because nothing says fall like a jar o' candy corn . . .

 Now I feel the need to go make some caramel apples...

Happy Fall Decorating!!

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We went to the Fair

On Friday, my step-mama, little sister Hannah, the boys, & I went to the county fair.  They were having "kids day" and it was so great! Oh, how I love a county fair...in the daytime...you know,  before the creepies come out of the woodwork. 
We all had such a great time.

The kids got to pet all kinds of animals. 
Seriously, all kinds.   Goats, Cows, Snakes, Pigs, Chicks, Turtles, Camels, Hedgehogs. . . okay, so they just looked at those.

It was all set up so nice for the kids to wander around and see & pet the animals. 
They L.O.V.E.D feeding the goats. 

They even got to take turns milking the goat.

They had a petting area where they got to hold baby chicks.  So fun.

Hannah could have stayed in there and held the chicks all day.  She is crazy about animals.  Isn't she pretty?  Look at those eyelashes. :)

 Sawyer seems to really like animals.  He gets so excited & bounces up and down when he sees our cat.  He started breathing excitedly when he saw these baby chicks.  He even got to pet one. :)

He did his best to see all the animals from his stroller.

These pigs are named pork & beans.

There was even a monkey.  Right before this picture, it had jumped off of Finley's back.  Very exciting.

Have you ever heard of a zedonk?  Yeah, me neither.  Craziest thing, it made both a zebra and a donkey sound....a little bit creepy if you ask me. 

They even opened up the kiddie carnival rides.  I was so excited b/c the boys had never ridden a ride before.  Plus, they got the benefit of riding the rides, without having to come at night with all the crazies.

I wasn't sure if Finley would like the rides or not...he's my timid boy.  But he loved them! 

It was such a fun day!  I hope they have Kids' Day at the fair every year. 

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Why I love Garage Sales

I am so excited to show my newest project!
I have wanted a better light fixture for over our table for.ev.er.
This is the boring, builder, kinda-looks-like-a-boob, light fixture that has been over our table since we moved in.  It's fine, but it's so BO-ring for over a table. 

I wanted some kind of chandelier type thing...for cheap.  Since my decorating budget is next to nothing, I have to be creative.  I love the challenge!
So one Saturday this summer I was driving around and stopped by a yard sale.  It was a pitiful little yard sale, but it was at a nice house and I was just compelled to pull over.
I spotted what looked like a small chandy sitting haphazardly in a cardboard box.  I go inspect.
Looks good.  I ask the man how much......
$3!!!!!
I grabbed that bad boy up and had the cash out before he could change his mind.
THREE DOLLARS.  Wooty hoo hoo!
I was so excited and nearly skipped back to the car.
I so wish I had taken a before picture, but I was way too impatient and had the thing spray painted before I had a clear thought.
Here's a similar picture of what it looked like before:

 It had a different finish and only 3 arms.
Not bad, but I had plans.
So I bought a $3 dollar can of Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint and went to town.
I didn't even use half of the can so I can use the rest for other projects. yay.
Avery said to me today, "Mom, you spray paint everything."  Yes, I do.
I flipped the arms facing up and have been looking for shades ever since. 
I need cheap.  Why pay full price when it feels so good to get a deal?
Pottery Barn & Ballard Designs shades were around $15-$20each....well they were super cute but that defeats the whole purpose of getting a $3 chandy!
I have been patient.  I have looked at Hobby Lobby, Craig's List, Ebay, etc.
The cheapest I'd found was at Hob Lob for $2 ea. after the 50% discount.
But they were square and that read Asian to me.  Not the vibe I was going for.

Today the boys and I ran by this store called Oops!
Oh, Oops!, you are now my best friend.
We were wandering around, when the clouds parted and there was a big ol' display of lamp shades.
There were about 3 shelves of clip on shades.
I looked at the price................wait for it.....

50 CENTS!!!!!!!!!
I about wet my pants.  I may or may not have jumped up and down a little bit.
Then I grabbed 3 of them up and hugged them to myself. Seriously, I did this.
I may have some issues, not sure.
As soon as I got in the car, I called AJ to screach to him my good fortune.  He tried his best to be enthusiastic for me, bless his heart.

He really does put up with a lot. :)

Had to show this hottie in action gettin' it all settled for me.


















And look at it now! 

I LOVE it.  It is exactly what I was wanting.
It changes the whole look of our dining "area."  :)

Break it down sista:
chandelier: $3
oil rubbed bronze spray paint:$3
Shades:$1.50
Total: $7.50

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I am surrendering to Fall

Things I am looking forward to:

1. wearing jackets
2. pumpkin patch
3. more baking
4. nachos & soup
5. decorating the house for fall
6. yummy smelling candle burning every day
7. a hay ride
8. caramel apples
9. crisp day with leaves to play with the boys in
10. starbucks coffee with friends

Things I am not looking forward to:

1. how long it will take to get out the door when 3 boys have to have socks, shoes & jackets
2. busyness
3. okay, I can't think of anything else...so yay, more pros than cons! :) Pin It

He Is

I have always loved this song. Just needed to refocus myself a bit. In case you wonder what I believe...well here it is:



He's the same today. Pin It

Finley's 1st day of Preschool!

Today is our little Finley's first day of Preschool. This year he is going to a brand new school for all of us. He was beyond excited. He had already met his teacher and saw how great his classroom was last week, so he was ready to go!

He was really looking forward to wearing his back pack, seeing the classroom guinea pig, playing on the "park" (playground), eating snack, doing crafts, singing songs, & getting to do something that he could tell Avery about that Avery didn't already know. ;)
Ummm, hang on a second, wasn't he just my baby, standing in the crib saying mamamamama, like last week??

AJ went in late to work so he could be there for Fin's big day. AJ is super intentional about being present for the boys and making sure each of them feel and know what God's lavish love for them is like, as best he can. I could do a whole post about what an awesome daddy he is...but that's another time.
Fin wasted no time in getting down to business = art.
He had a great day and when I picked him up, he talked on and on about a boy in his class who had a star wars shirt. I'd call it a success. Pin It

the youngsters come a callin'

Saturday night Chris & Jill came to visit. Chris is in his 2nd year of medical school so he is a studying fool right now. Hence, we were super excited to get to see them for a little bit. We always have so much fun with them....as seen in the picture below. And, no Jill does not have a lazy eye, no matter what this picture might portray. :)

We sat out on our driveway and talked until late into the night...okay, late for parents, not so much for the youngsters. We always have great talks with them. We're so thankful they're only a few hours away.
We love you guys!
Come visit anytime and I promise next time I won't make you look at pictures of a dead mouse. You're welcome.
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Are you going to Chic-fil-A today???

Today, starting at 10:30 am, everyone wearing a sports team logo gets a free chicken sandwich. Wooty, hoo hoo! We love chic-fil-A and we love a free samich!

Okay, so I kinda hate crowds so I'm a little nervous. But I won't be deterred from a free lunch.

Also, it's not too late to be one of the first 250,000 who register as fans at The Chick-fil-A Chicken Wave website to receive a coupon by mail for a free chicken sandwich.

We are big Chic-fil-A fans. Who doesn't love eating lunch with a little Jesus music playing in the background?? Plus the sweet tea is super good.

okay, we'll see you there! :)
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I'm "in my 30's"

Turning 31 was actually much easier than turning 30. Although, I still don't really like the sound of it, I'm okay with it. One year closer to the prize, right? :)

It was actually an embarrassment of riches really (name that movie).

Friday night AJ and I went on a date...Emelias...YUM....thanks Mel. ;)
Saturday night I went out with Emily & Mel. We ate at Table Mesa...also Yum.
Sunday morning AJ made me coffee cake and we had a little birthday celebrating with my little family.

Looky, looky what he gave me...

Let's ignore all my freckles, shall we?
I have always wanted mom jewelry---cool mom jewelry. AJ, honey, you delivered. Love, love, love it!!
Monday the boys and I met AJ for lunch at Flying Burrito and then for dinner we met my dad, step mom, and little sister, Hannah at Market Place.
For a girl who loves good food, this birthday was the tops.
My best one yet. :) Pin It

On Seeking to be Reckless

"What, therefore, is our task today? Should I answer "Faith, hope and love?" That sounds beautiful. But I would say - courage. No, even that is not challenging enough to be the whole truth. Our task today is recklessness. For what we Christians lack is not psychology or literature... we lack a holy rage - the recklessness which comes from the knowlege of God and humanity. The ability to rage when justice lies prostrate on the streets, and when the lie rages across the face of the earth... a holy anger about the things that are worng in the world. To rage against the ravaging of God's earth and and the desruction of God's people. To rage when little children must die of hunger, while the tables of the rich are sagging with food. To rage at the senseless killing of so many, and the madness of militaries. To rage against the lie that calls the threat of death and the strategy of destrustion peace. To rage against COMPLACENCY. To restlessly seek that recklessness that will challenge and seek to change human history until it conforms to the norms of the kingdom of God."

-Father Kaj Munk, 1944 Pin It