One our newest family pictures.

The kids home made tree ornaments.

I didn't have to buy much for this easy project with the kids. Really already had most of it, but this is what we used. 

The air dry clay (I paid under $5 for this at Walmart)

kids paint

pipe cleaners (.89 cents)

Cookie cutters

A straw to make a hole 

 I rolled out the clay and let the kids use the cutters to make shapes for their ointments. Use the straw to make the holes in the top.  It takes about three days to dry. Then I had my kids Paint and use marker to decorate them, put the pipe cleaners through the hole and then hang them on the tree.  

Our day.

What a great week. My husband has been home for most of it, so it was a great time to have fun and relax. Yesterday my son and I went to one of the many local missions to help and and serve food. When we got there I noticed that they had a LOT of volunteers and wasn't sure what we would get to do. Really we didn't do much, Glenn and I picked up trash and walked around talking to people.  Later on I was able to talk to Chaplin and found out that they had 170 people signed up to help and twice as many come. There was about 3 volunteers for every homeless that got served. I tried to explain to Glenn why we were there and what Thanksgiving was about, I feel like it went in one ear and out the other. We did have a good time just the two of us though. 

Glenn and I out side the mission. 

Later we finished the kids ornaments, (see new post) then we went to a friends house from church and enjoyed a wonderful meal with friends and out kids. We were stuffed and tired. I hope you all had a great day. 

So I skipped yesterdays photo share, which was my favorite color. If your wondering it is purple. Today is someone you love. This is my son, and tonight he lost his first tooth! I have to tell you, I am super excited about it. I am wondering how soon it will be till the next tooth gets loose, Maybe he could sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth". HAHAHA!!!! My little boy is growing up, and you know whats funny to me? I still feel as young as I did when I had him! 

Just in case your wondering, this is what I am following. Tomorrow is day 6. 

Photo share- Clouds

What I wore today, (an awful picture)

This was all I had, my full body picture did turn out.

My head band was made by my friend Betsey @ Framed living Boutique

My scare I bought at Goodwill, I am wearing a black tank top from Target and a black sweater from a friend, no tag. Then I wore jeans from Old Navy I have had for like 5 years. 

Tomorrows photo share is Clouds. 

I am late, and almost forgot, what a week.

I wanted to start my photo share on monday, but it has been one busy week. The first day is a self portrait.  I really like this one. it is one of my fav's I feel amazing in this one. if you want to do this with me link your picture in the comments below. Tomorrow will be what I wore. 

11/11/11- Man what a year.

I am still up at my wonderful and amazing woman's retreat. I have been thinking about how last year at international conference in TX what a tough time I was going through and how depressed I was feeling so alone and out of touch. My husband was deployed and had only been gone for two months at that time and boy could I not wait till this year was over. It amazes me that it is one year later. I have been through so much, not sure how much I have grown from it all, but I know I have learned many lessons. I am here feeling that this year I will learn to do much more with my life for God and have more direction. (which is a huge blessing) I am not here asking for help and seeking for God to heal my wounds, I am here with a heart to grow and be more for God. My wonderful sisters and I have been so blessed to have heard from a great speaker and author Lysa TerKeurst, she had amazing words from God to speak into all our lives tonight I wish I had video taped her, because not only was she funny but very encouraging.She talked about how she improved her prayer life, and so long story short she told us about a family tradition she has, that on Christmas she and her family give a gift to Jesus during breakfast, (something like, I will try to be better at obeying my parents, or I will pay more attention to my wife...) anyway there family said this... "I ask lord that during my day you bring someone into my life, interrupted me, so I can be an encouragement to this person, or so that I might bless them with some cash I might have, or that I may pray or help this person, Everyday lord bring a person into my life. So that by the time this time next Christmas I may have touched 365 people for you lord." So they have 7 people in there family, that is 2,555 people that they touched in one year for Jesus Christ. Can you imagine praying that every morning, instead of something too the effect of... Lord please bless me today as I go forth with my day with my kids or work, help me to be a positive and Godly woman. Sounds great right? But to me it also sounds a little selfish, God wants me to impact others for him and spread his love. Do you think you can do that? I think I want to try. Well I learned so much today,but I am tired and it is now way past my bed time. Love to you all.

He is Mighty to Save!!!

As a military wife there are times that I only truly feel at home with other military wives. I am so blessed this weekend to be attending the Southeast regional PWOC (Protestant woman of the Chapel) woman's retreat at Ridgecrest North Carolina. To come together with other amazing ladies that understand what my life is like on a daily basis and want to give God praise for everything even in the crazy times that the military gives us. The feeling of seeing an old friend from another duty station or making new friends from where you are at already is a gift from God, these are bonds you make that you will always have, no matter where you are you can call on that friend.

One of my favorite seasons is Fall, you get to watch the beautiful leaves change colors and to me that is true beauty. Driving up here today I was in awe of the creation around me, it makes my heart jump. During our wonderful worship this evening I just kept thinking of that scenery, loving all that God does for us and around us. What a mighty God he is!!

This evening we were so privileged to get to have Laura Story as our worship leader. She is amazing as well as humorous. She was a riot. In the midst of laughable moments she brought up an amazing point that we so often forget, "Not my will, but your will be done". How often do we make planes for our lives and also say that we give our lives to God, you can't have both, and I feel that this is my most recent struggle. Will I ever learn to give it all and understand that God has my best in mind? I never thought I was a person that needed to be in control so much of the time. Although I hear that being in the military you feel that they take so much control away from you, that you hold on to all you can.

It is amazing what getting away from our day to day life, secluded up on a hilltop with 400 ish other woman praising and seeking God will do to your heart. The true test is what you do with that now renewed heart. Are you able to go home and continue the love and prayer you seek with God on that daily or weekly basis? I know it is tough, I at times feel that I continue to take baby steps always questioning what is to come next. What am I willing to do or maybe give up to be that woman of God, God wants me to be? What kind of person am I to be to raise the children God wants?

I hope you get to feel that love I feel when I sing to the God almighty. The filling of peace and pureness.

Lord, bless this weekend as my sisters in Christ are here to give you praise and learn to live you out in our lives. We thank you so much for all you do whether we ask for it or not. Your love is all consuming and everlasting. I pray you open our hearts to learn what you want us to, and be a friend to those who are in need.   Your loving and grateful daughter, E


Currently listing to Laura Story, 'Faithful God' (amazing)      

My little helpful tip for the day!

Did you know that Green Tea is a great snack! There is no Calories in it, which I didn't know. But I put milk and honey in mine so it changes it a bit. But still, if your trying to cut out meaningless unhealthy eating, try a cup of tea or a glass of Water. It will help curb your hunger until a proper snack time or your next meal. 

We made Body scrub!!

So fun and so easy. My friend Kristen (Mrs T.) and I made body scrubs today. There where two different kinds that we made, it was so easy. I got the directions from my Pintrest pictures I found. 

You will need:

2 cups Epsom salts or organic cane sugar
1 cup coconut oil
8 drops essential oil(s)
1 drop food coloring
Special equipment: plastic pipette, canning jars

This is where this came from.

We used Epsom Salt, Coconut oil and Lavender essential oil.

Mix it all together and ...

Tada!!! 

We put it in fun jars, and later I will make them cute. 

We also made a brown sugar scrub that turned out well. You can find that recipe here.

I Heart Faces- Black

I am reposting this picture for my IHF entry. These are the two joys of my life. We were having a good morning, and I am so glad we took advantage of the sunny morning and went for a walk.

My brain hurts.

I have so many things on my mind this week, I just really want a break. Lets see, if I sound negative and like I am venting, please just let me. I think a list would let it come across better.

1. We suddenly out of the blue got orders. If your not military, it means we are leaving here, but don't know where to yet. In March Weston goes to school for recruiting. I don't even know what to think about this. when ever I start to think about it I get knots in my stomach and start to fret.

2. I am hormonal this week. I think this needs no explanation.

3. Have you ever felt like you are constantly being over looked? Well lately I feel that way. I have a photography business that I have been trying to grow for months, and have yet to go anywhere. Am I doing something wrong? I am still an amateur but my cost reflects that and I believe they are very reasonable. Have you looked at how much it costs to get your picture taken lately? I had my first paying job in months, but I was unable to keep the shoot as I already had a previous out of town engagement. in just one year I have really seen my pictures improve and that make me so happy.

4. I can't wait till my son goes to school next year!! Having both my kids home right now is really making me nuts. He asks all the time if he can play with his friends, but all his friends are in school. He is 5 but did not get into the state funded pre K program. He has so much energy and with all the other things I do I don't know how other moms do it. Cleaning a house and having kids seems like a full time job to me. how do I get anything else done with out pushing my kids aside?

5. Maybe it is because of the above, but I have not felt like I want to have another baby, at least not any time soon. Nothing against the other moms I know, there babies are all great, but whenever I see a baby cry or fuss, want food or poop, I just think to myself how I don't want to do that again right now. Living on a half nights sleep, waking to the slightest little moan or peep. My husband and I have talked about adopting in the past, and I just keep having that on my heart more and more, like I would like it to happen sooner rather then later.

Just what is on my mind. Please keep me in your prayers.


Please join me as I start this on the 14th. you will be able to link up with your blog.

Source: theglitterguide.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Are you getting enough water.

Do you drink enough water during the day? Well I heard this great tip for making sure you do. Put rubber bands around your bottle or cup, and when you finish take it off or move it down. I should drink three of these bottles a day, so I put four on just for good measure. :) You should  drink half you weight in oz. so I am 140 lbs, so I should drink 70 oz a day.

Hope this helps. Heres to good health. 

My favorite buy today

I have been looking for a furry vest lately, but had yet to find one till today. I stopped into American Eagle this afternoon because I had a 20% off coupon. Long story short I found this, saw that all there outerwear was an already 30% off, plus I was able to use a military discount. So I was able to get this for under 30$ I was so excited. I admit this is more then I ever spend on one piece of clothing, but I can't find it cheaper.  Even after looking at a few consignment stores in town, the price was the same but the size wasn't right. Anyway I am excited to try it with a few things in my closet and hope that it looks as cute on as it does in my head. Pictures to come. 

I want to share with you one of my new favorite you tube channels. check her out I think you will like her. Also where I go my new scarf fetish. 

Yesterday was day 1!

Yikes! That was tough, and it was just the fitness test. One point I felt like my leg was a piece of lead. This morning I felt ok and even thought about going to the gym for Yoga. So glad I didn't. I have been doing house work all morning and my muscles are sore. the muscles in my back and legs don't want to do much. I wonder how I will do tonight, or feel tomorrow morning! I will post pictures when we do our second test at day 15. 

November 1. Quick question??

So today is the first. hard to believe maybe, but yet I am glad for so many reasons. But we will go into that on another post. Today I wanted to ask you....

What are you most Thankful about right now in your life?

We all have days that are frustrating and wish would go a different way, but I try to remember my many blessings and what I am thankful for. November is one of those months we are all reminded to do just that, so I want to hear about yours.

And if you have a blog that I don't follow let me know so I can check it out.