Heart to Heart

This is going to be one of those heart to heart_ tough to put out there posts’. I try to avoid writing or sharing too many of these bc I would rather hold things in_ not cause any ripples, you know. But as a good friend said this week "it's when we hold things in that the enemy has the ability to keep using it in our thought process and lives." 

This week has been a rough one… an emotional one

I am an extremely loyal person probably even to a default sometimes. 

Because when I open myself up for others and when they don’t feel or reciprocate that same loyalty, I in turn get hurt. This blog and heathers happys has been so many things wrapped up into one big ole' package and sealed with a kiss & hug. 

It’s where I share our joys’ & pains, where I try and capture little things for my kids to have to look back on. I imagine them all grown up showing their spouses’ and kids “look what mom used to do. She was so crazy and what was she thinking.” Hopefully, they will have great memories of their childhood and others will be penned down for the ones that manage to slip away.

But what do you do when someone repeatedly makes the decision to take something from you that you’ve put time, energy and creative juices into? I felt like the air had been sucked out of me and I wanted to throw up my hands and just let them have it. All of it....that's how I felt this week.

Yet I wondered is it really worth it.? 

When we lay our head on a pillow at night we have to wonder about our motives. 

And what are our motives?

I’m a stay at home mom to a 12, 11, and 9 year old trying to do my part in the household by using my talents to help our family. Thankfully, blogging doesn’t define me, having a little handmade business, none of that is where I find my worth or significance. 

It’s a byproduct of who I am and how I express who I am. It’s fun and I find so much joy in being able to make an item and have someone like it . And for you to purchase it is like a cherry on top of my already sundae. 

But still it has the ability to sting…to hurt. 

So I have to go back to blogging 101 and remember why I started it to begin with and why I chose to make things.

At the end of the day my loyalty to other’s is bigger ….no amount of money or popularity would ever be worth it.

And when I remember and go back to Jesus101 and what he says I read:

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10 

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:17 

So I take some deep breaths, I pray a whole lot, I go sit on the couch with my love’s, I keep on creating handmade goodness that makes me smile and 

I keep on telling my story. 

Because your story and mine is ours and no one can ever take that from us.

Happy Weekend!
heather.

Wordless Wednesday

heather.

We Encourage Tuesday

Today I just wanted to take a minute to highlight different events happening within some of my friendships here in blog land. They each have encouraged me and I'm so grateful for each one of them.

First, there's Laura from Bits of Splendor. She's added and re-opened her shop with some new pieces of beautiful jewelry. I like them all but 2 of my personal fave's are....

Then there's Leslie from top of the page. Her husband is going to embark on an adventure leading a team up Mt Everest to raise money for an organization that supports families with children of disabilities. You can go here to find out more about this and how you can help.

Oh my, and have you guys' checked out Erin's artwork? They are so meaningful and you know when seeing them that she has put her heart & soul into each one.

 

And I'm in love with heather's bathroom makeover. I mean she had me at the Coral and aqua combo.
It truly turned out be-au-ti-ful and heather from Moreygirl is oh, so talented in so many ways. Just trust me when I say you need to check her out.

Lastly, Mrs. Kinze over at Schilling times is one of the prettiest prego ladies that I ever did see. Her and her hubs have 3 kiddo's with #4 on the way. Kinze is sunshine and as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. They also are renovating an old Airstream....um, yea. Pure awesomeness. You can check that out here.

Today I'm linking up with Jami from Call Me Blessed who encourages us every Tuesday. I'm thankful for her and her linky. She is one of my BFF's on Insta-Gram and I always love her witty & fun comments. She keeps me smiling. You should go follow her.

Happy Tuesday!
heather.

11 Years

I wanted so badly to get your post up yesterday Gabi girl, on your birthday. But the day just wouldn’t allow it. My heart has hurt as I’ve watched you sick since Friday. High fever, sore throat, and now some pretty nasty congestion. You’ll be fine and you’ve handled it so well but I wanted the 24^th to be a special day for you as we all celebrated your life. 

We did celebrate though. And for the last 3 days you’ve spent them right by my side. So maybe it wasn’t all that bad. We said goodbye to 10 and hello to 11 years of your growth. Because grow is what you've done. In height, knowledge, in the Lord, and even your hair. I figured you would want me to put that in there. You're pretty proud of the fact that it’s now the longest it’s been since you were like 2 years old.

Take a walk with me down memory lane now, if you will. 

On Saturday March 24, 2001 I assumed it would be like any other day. But it wasn’t. As I got up to get dressed for the day I couldn’t put my finger on it... but something felt different. Something felt off. I called the doc explaining to him how I was feeling and he said to come to the hospital immediately…so I did. 

In no time they diagnosed me saying my amniotic fluid was leaking and doc was going to go ahead and break my water. It was time…your time. I hurriedly called your daddy to tell him he would have to cut short his hunting trip bc we were going to meet our baby girl today. Labor with you was fairly easy and I only had to push maybe 5 times before you were born. You were born weighing 7 pds 5oz with a head full of dark hair. Perfect…all knitted together in detail by God while in my womb and given to us.

We now had a boy and a girl and I was tickled and knew that I was beyond blessed.

Grayson couldn't get enough of you. He was so gentle and he just wanted to love on you. My days were consumed with one of you in each arm while rocking each of you to sleep in the rocking chair.

You’ve heard us tell you the story many times about how you were born with a tiny hole at the end of your spine. They put you through numerous tests and had us very worried bc they kept talking about spinal bifida & such. You looked fine to me, though which is just how everything turned out. Your spine was completely developed and the hole healed to be normal. Only something God could get the credit for. He was working miracles while you were in my womb and he’s never stopped.

We picked your name Gabrielle and daddy said let’s call her “Gabi”…so we did. You have fit your name from the start bc you do like to gab and you’re usually never at a loss for words. You're full of spunk and your ability to make others feel at ease and the warmth that you exude are a gift. You have been given gifts and talents that are a fit just for you. You are unique just as the thumb print on your fingers are like none other.... so are you. 

We love you Gabi girl and will always be proud to call you our daughter. 

HaPpY 11th BiRtHdAy!

Love, Momma

This & That Thursday

Spring has sprung and so has the pollen that 
float's around and cause's major sinus pain.

I’m not a name-that-plant and tree person so I couldn’t 
tell you the name of these tree's but they have bloomed to the 
fullest in their pink and violet shades. 
They really are something to see, especially 

if you find a bunch together…b-ea-uti-ful I tell ya.

But I hear that’s probably the cause of my itchiness 
of throat and eyes lately.

Still I'm taking it all in and enjoying 

our days that are now filled with warmth, 

just the right amount of crispness in the evenings, 

and some awful pretty sunsets.   

   

Neely is starting to fall into the rhythm of our family.

He has grown to like his leash and will now go for walks.

We’re working on the constant nipping & {biting} though. 

He wants to bite us, our shoes, toes, pant leg... pretty much 

anything that comes into contact with his mouth. 

And I think he's probably thrilled to see nighttime come bc he 

knows that's when he'll finally be able to get some rest.

Lord knows, he ain't getting any right now.

Youngest thinks he's a baby, her baby, and she wants 
to tote him everywhere she goes.

And he seems to love the basketball just as much as oldest does.

We realized this while playing the other day and it came

bouncing towards him. All I kept thinking was we had an Air Bud 

on our hands {i think my kids watched every one of those movies} 

and there were like what, 10 of them? Seemed like it, if not.

Saturday we get to celebrate middle's birthday. 

11 years old....I can't even believe it.

Time is passing so quickly.

This week has passed so quickly. 

Did I mention that last night our washing machine overflowed and water 

came pouring out of the ceiling into our kitchen...uuuugh. 

And middle got in the car from school today telling me she was freezing.

So I decided to take her temp just to see and she had 102....uuuugh 

and right here at her birthday. Needless to say this week has been a full one.

Some bad, but a lot good, and hopefully a lot more goodness to come.

We're looking forward to the weekend and 

right now... we're just glad that Spring has Sprung.....:)

heather.