Project 365-Week 10

This has been a very heavy week with many tears and loss felt by close friends. A week of feeling helpless but doing whatever I could to help. There have also been moments of fun and of course some goofy kids to help remind you that life goes on.

Sunday

After church today I took the boys with me to Sam's Club to get some things for group tonight. I don't know what struck them but they got a serious case of the goofies! They were snapping while walking here....



Kind of like a bad rhythm pair from West Side Story! It was hilarious and caused others shoppers to grin too!

Monday

I received a heart breaking text tonight.



A dear friend's life had been struck with tragedy as she lost a very special person this evening.


Tuesday

Spent some time with my dear friend today before I had to go to work. These would have been in order for us.



So many questions of "why" and knowing that even through the hurt that God has a plan and that we have to rest in it.

Wednesday

I had to work for a little this morning. When I got off I got to do something rare and special...



I got to pick Kyla up from school! I hardly ever get to pick her up anymore because I am usually at work. It was so fun to see her come out and hear her talk about her day on the way home.

Thursday

Leave it to the girls to always bring a smile to my face. They decided to wear new swimsuits that Gram got for them today.



Can you see their underwear sticking out? Too funny! Does anyone else have children that love to play around the house in their suits? In the summer they will probably want to wear their snow pants!

Friday

Tonight after work I attended the visitation for the young man who lost his life earlier this week.



This family has been amazing to watch over the past few weeks. It has been my honor and privilege to walk with them through this tragedy.

Saturday

This morning was the funeral. I of course did not take any pictures but the visions I saw are forever burned in mind. I watched a young widow caress the box holding her husband's remains. Caressing that box and smiling an innocent smile of lifelong love.
I watched the father, the patriarch of this family who has stood strong over the past two weeks, then carry and hold that same box. While he would talk to people I would watch his thumb stroke the side of that box. Confirming that he would take care of everything.
It is a reminder to us all to hug a little tighter, laugh a little longer and to treasure every moment that God blesses us with here.

When I got home Grammie was here. She and Grandpa just got back from a month long vacation. Here is something she brought the girls.



Ocean and beach treasures...some with sand still in them!

I hope that you have had a good week and that you hug someone a little longer this week!

Project 365-Week 9

I really thought my life (job) would slow down after Christmas. No such luck! This week has been full of a lot of hours away from my family. I am tired and quite frankly disappointed in the things that I have had to miss. I am trying to be thankful that I have a job, guess I need to focus on the gratitude a little more! Here is my week.

Sunday

This is what we drove to church in this morning.



Can you tell that it is ice? It was icky and it kind of hurt walking in to church.

Monday

Went to work at 9:00 a.m. this morning. Was supposed to work until 5:30. Unfortunately many people were sick and we had a new line set, so I didn't get to leave at 5:30. Here is a picture on our microwave at home with what time I got there.



Yup, that would be 12:40 a.m. Can you say exhausted?

Tuesday

The girls wanted to fix me lunch today. Isn't that the sweetest? Here was my buffet.



Nothing better than a little play dough and clay food that I didn't have to fix! :)

Wednesday

When I left work today I went here.



My mom was returning home from Arizona, so I picked her up.

Thursday

Someone lost another tooth!



She got it out herself again. Such a big girl! As a side note, she actually lost it. Couldn't find it any where. Thankfully the tooth fairy was able to locate it for her.

Friday

Had to open at work today and due to some continued illness issues at work, I had to stay and close Gymboree. So went in at 9:00 and left at 9:30. I didn't take a picture today but I will put this one up.



That's my family. If you see them, tell them that I love them and miss them!!

Saturday

Today was the Pine Wood Derby for Ethan. I had to work, so I missed it but Kevin was able to get a few shots for me.



Do you see the blue #48 car in the back? That is Ethan's. It actually was Kevin's car from when he was a kid. One of the wheels broke off of Ethan's car, so they got Kevin's and repainted it. The car did not fair very against all of the more aerodynamic designs, but it was a good experience for Ethan.

I hope you have had a great week!

Project 365-Week 8

This week has seemed very long. It has been emotional on many fronts and exhausting, but as always, God continues to provide just what is needed at just the right times. Despite everything there of course has to be pictures!

Sunday

I had to work all day. When I came home I saw this.



All of our kids plus Carrie's two "A's" having popcorn and watching a movie.

Monday

I had a long night and needed to head back out today but found this before I left.



I found the clump of blonde hair on the floor with scissors nearby. I only have one child with long enough blonde hair for this! UGH!!!

Tuesday

It warmed up a little today and when I came home the girls were having a ball outside!



I think it is funny to see them zooming around on their scooters with all the snow in the background. That's life in Indiana!

Wednesday

Any ideas what this is a picture of?



Let me hear your guess!

Thursday

Tonight Bryce and I went to see Ethan in his school play. (Kevin and the girls went Wednesday night). The play was 101 Dalmations and Ethan was Pongo.



He did a great job!!

Friday

Today was letter "X" day for Kyla at school. They made this adorable craft...



Isn't that a cute X-ray?

Saturday

The girls put on dress up dresses tonight and were being silly. Big surprise, I know!



They make me smile and I needed some of those this week!

I hope you have had a great week!!

Project 365-Week 7

Another busy week done but not without fun moments and smiles. Here's a look at the week.

Sunday

Small group over for Super Bowl party! I had to work until 6:30, so I arrived fashionably late! This was floating around the house so I had to capture it.





Here are both of Carrie's "A's" as Cheese Heads! Quite literally I would say!

Monday

On the way home from work I had to stop and pick up some items to run dinner to our sweet Michelle who had her baby! Outside of the store and all through the plaza there were ice sculptures. I took this one especially for Rita since her son does sculpting.



Pretty amazing talent, wouldn't you say?

Tuesday

Look who I found all cuddled up watching TV.



Can you see what she is laying on? That would be the dog's bed. He wasn't in there though!

Wednesday

I was off today and Ella was having a really hard day. She didn't want to get out of the van to go to school. After she got home I took both girls for a little treat. Some girl time with Mommy.



Can you see the design on their nails?



Kyla chose purple.



Ella chose pink.

Thursday

I woke up with a horrible headache today. So bad that I was throwing up...yuck! I did learn about this product today though.



All of these years with horrible headaches and I never knew this worked so well! Thank you to Anna for sharing (and Emily the next day at work)

Friday

Today the girls helped me draw the names for the Mud Love give away I did.




If you missed my post on Weds about Luke and Mud Love, please check it out! He is amazingly talented and is impacting the world globally with his art and ministry!

Saturday

The girls helped me put together Valentine goody bags for my co-workers.



You're never too old for a goody bag in my book!

Hope you have had a great week!!

The Winners!!

We have winners in the Mud Love give away! And please note, I did say winners! (Sorry for my delay in getting this up) Here are my trusty assistants from the accounting firm of Bathing Suits and Candy to confirm the results.

Congratulations everyone for winning! (Tawn I will hook you up with something too!)

Here are the official results:
Sara won the black Grace bracelet.
Rebecca Jo won the black Faith bracelet.
Shell won the pink Love bracelet.
Christine won the purple Grace bracelet.
Amy won the Grace pottery vase.

Please email me your information so I can get your prizes to you. And don't forget when people ask where it's from to send them to Luke's sight at Mud Love!

CSN...Destination Amazing!

Have you heard of CSN? It is an amazing web destination with just about everything you could think of for your home. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find anything you need whether it be office furniture.

I am so excited to have the opportunity to review a product for CSN!! If you are looking for something to do on a blah wintry day, heading to CSN's website is a great idea! You'll be glad you did!

For the Love of Mud and a Give Away!!

Have you seen anything like these before?



On Sunday I introduced you to this young man......



Luke. Luke is an artisan who owns a business called Mud Love. I spent a lot of time talking to him over the weekend and was so impressed with him, his craft and his call to serve the Lord.

Luke is a 25 year old who listened to God calling him to serve Him with his talent. Luke has his own shop in Winona Lake and makes all kinds of pottery. For every $5 a customer spends, he donates $1 to a clean water effort in Africa. That $5 spent gives clean drinking water to someone for ONE YEAR!!

Luke's work is beautiful with a very organic feel. These are something that really caught my eye.



Luke calls these Lovebands. They are hand stamped words into a pottery "bead" and put on all different colored adjustable bands. You can have any word, verse, etc put on. These are great for churches, youth groups, family members, Bible studies and the list goes on. Maybe you have a life verse that it could be or a word that someone needs "spoken" over them. Just a great reminder.

I am thrilled to be giving away some Lovebands and one of Luke's mini vase's.



All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with what cause is special to your heart. I will draw the winners on Friday.

To check out more about Luke you can go to his Mud Love site or on Facebook Mud Love Pottery. You can also read a great article that was published about him here.