I have been curious about the new Victoria and Albert movie that has come out. Has anyone seen it yet? I do hope they did a good job on it. I think it is scandalous when someone takes a beautiful story line and chops it to smithereens. Anyways, do let me know if you have seen it and what you thought about it :)

Much Love

Morning Bread

Reading from Romans this morning:

" Let love be genuine;

hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 

love one another with mutual affection;

out do one anther in showing honor.

Do  no lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you;

bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those weep.

Live in harmony with one another; 

do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;

Do not claim to be wiser than you are.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil,

but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.

IF it is possible, so far as is depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Beloved never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God;

for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord."

No, "if you enemies are hungry, feed them;

they are thirsty, them something to drink;

for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome with good.
Romans 12:9-21

Winston's Baby Blanket

I got Elizabeth's baby blanket finished. Unfortinately my baby got his hands on it and loved tasting it. He left little patches of cousinly love (dirt) for little Winston.

Here is the pattern I used:

 Just CS (chain stitch) to the length you wish to have your blanket.

After that you just SC (single crochet) one and DC ( double crochet) one. The border is a scalloped edging. 

Motives Monday

Well, I have decided to start posting a new makeup item that I happen to be loving at the time and would like to review it every Monday and call it Motives Monday.

I will be posting a week out in advance so as to always be ahead of schedule to satisfy all my readers. I am so excited about this and I hope you will stop by, especially on Mondays. Thanks so much!

God Bless!

Catching Up With My Mom and Dad

Sorry it has taken me almost two weeks to catch up with the lovely visit of my parents. I got so many pictures of them with Zane and cousin Winston and I was so excited to post them.

My mom holding little Winston.

My Dad Holding Winston for the first time.

Of course Zane loved his Grandpa's Air-Plane rides. I don't know if he could get enough kisses and tickles from Grandpa.

Zane just loved and admired his Grammy's pearl necklace.

He loved it even more when she let him play with it and put it in his mouth to chew.

The visit was so delightful. We got to celebrate my moms Birthday while they were here. Elizabeth and I made her a custom blend liquid foundation, and a custom blend mineral powder foundation. We also had fun making a mineral blush of her choosing. On Friday they took Elizabeth and I to get our nails done. I had forgotten how nice it was to have pretty polished finger nails. Thank you so much Mom and Dad for all your love and care. You spoiled us rotten while you were here. Jon and I miss you and love you so much.

Some little man learned how to stand up in his crib while Grandpa and Grammy were visiting! He was so proud of himself when he found that he could hold himself up and even risk a couple jumps up and down.

I was so glad I was there to get pictures.

These are the roses my dad got us three girls for Valentines day.

I still have to post the pictures of my other flowers Jon got me. So many beautiful flowers in one month. Elizabeth got flowers from the church for the birth, My dad's roses, Jon's flowers, Elizabeth's roses that Benjamin sent her for their Anniversary, ( that she left here because she couldn't possibly take them on the plane with the baby.) I have a house full of lovely flowers. I have come to the conclusion that if ever I could afford it I would have flowers in the windows, and on the mantle, and dinning room table, and piano every day of my life! I'm sure you are thinking, "Wouldn't we all"

Granny and Grandpa also got us CHOCOLATE!!!!!

This is my new "Favorite" now! I love all the different flavors each chocolate has. My favorite flavor is the coffee with cream :))

I had to post some pictures of the Cutie Pie while I was posting. Can't resist his chubby face and chubby sticky hands. And those cheeks are just too cute. Jon and I can't stop kissing him. Jon is always smelling and kissing him every chance he's in his arms and of course while he is asleep. I still thank God for such a wonderful husband, best friend and father to my baby. I couldn't have gotten a better man. I tell him that I struck gold when I married him :)

Baby Shower Fun!!

Saturday morning Elizabeth and I drove over to the church for Elizabeth's baby shower. The church was so good to throw a baby shower for Elizabeth. Our friend Julie made the cake which was an art piece and I wish I could frame it. She used the tea set pattern that Elizabeth and I love so much as her design.

Little baby Winston slept through his baby shower.

Zane had fun playing with Aunty Jodi and also discovering new toys that other babies had brought to play with.

Elizabeth is now in Jacksonville getting settled with Benjamin and the baby, they left Saturday evening.

Zane misses his cousin. He loved touching and kissing baby Winston. I think we need to get him a baby brother :)

We sure are missing Elizabeth, but I am happy that she is with Benjamin and baby. I can't wait to visit their new home and new state.

We miss you cousin Winston and Sister Elizabeth we love you so much.

Many blessings and wishes on your new Journey along side your amazing hubby.

Happy Valentine's Day

I have had such a wonderful Valentines weekend. Jon and I went out on a date Friday night to Mimi's cafe. My parents watched the little lad for us. We had so much fun. We ordered the Valentines special. It was a 3 course meal and it was so yummy! I gave Jon his Valentines card which I made with much love and devotion. He loved it :) Saturday afternoon I found a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a lovely home made card with a box of chocolates and a " I love you" balloon in our bedroom from Jonathan.

I love you Jonathan. Thank you for being such a wonderful Husband and father. There is no one like you, and I am so blessed that you are the one that is mine. I love you Valentine.

I wish everyone a a wonderful Valentine's Day!

The night was dark, The moon was high, He stopped the car, She wondered Why, He moved in close, Her heart went pitter pat, He whispered softly, The tyre's flat.

Homemakers Unite

I was reading my friend Lizzy's Blog at

I'm Carried to the Table

and I just loved what she wrote. It really spoke to me and made me think about my life and it really encouraged me concerning it. Some times being home all day gives me a whole lot of emotions that I struggle with and fight down. I felt exactly as if being a wife and mom just doesn't count in this world. Well, I will let you read her words for yourself and I hope they will bless you like they blessed me. Much Love to all you dear readers :)

Homemakers Unite

By: Lizzy

a few months ago, I was in my ladies' Bible study group and through tears shared with them how transitioning from working full-time for 5 years to being at home was challenging. i would not deny it was. looking back, I can remember feeling almost guilty when we would periodically go around the room and state our name and 'what we did' for newcomers. I would sheepishly say, "I'm Lizzy and right now I'm a stay-at-home wife." not even a mom, yet! "just a stay-at-home wife"...hmm...for months after being newly-married, I really struggled with my identity. "i worked so hard all my life to get to the point of being a teacher and having an educational career. i then worked in my field for five years. now, what am i?? i need to do more, be more involved, be productive, be something..." now, let me preface this whole post by saying that staying active, productive and serving your community and church are all WONDERFUL things! it's just that my own heart's motive was not so wonderful. i felt almost useless at times because I wasn't out 'in the real world' doing something for the 'betterment of society'. although I actually loved being at home doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, having friends over, spending time in God's word on my porch, practicing with my new camera, tending to my plants, etc. i felt guilty at times for taking such delight in these simple aspects of domesticity. we have to grapple with the question: "is it really okay to shout from the rooftops that it's awesome to be a wife, mom, and homemaker??!" of course, if the Lord calls you to work outside the home for a season, He gives us such grace! He is such a big God who is not confined by our sometimes legalistic ideals and rules. and my heart is to not project a tone of condemnation for those of you who either feel a strong calling to work in some capacity outside of the home or need to work to help supplement your family income. but it is so sad to me to see my own sinful heart at times...to see how i can be so easily swayed by the priorities and thinking of this world. namely, that if i am not working outside of the home, i am 'oppressed', 'unfulfilled', bored, or unproductive. these are lies, my dear friends! if you are a young woman who has valiantly gone against the tide of our culture and the feministic mandates it aggressively places upon women, you are a hero! if you are single lady who works full-time (or part-time) and seeks to practice hospitality within your home to bless others, you are a hero! if you are a young wife who delights in cultivating a warm, hospitable home for your husband and for others who cross the threshold of your front door, you are a hero! if you are a woman who works part-time to serve your husband in supplementing his income while striving by God's GRACE to fashion a beautiful, harmonious home, you are a hero! if you are a woman who has children and is submitting to your husband's desires to work outside of the home due to serious economic circumstances while attempting to fill your home with love, order, joy, and peace, you are a hero! if you are a new mommy who has chosen to leave a 'career' behind to embark upon the glorious full-time CAREER of raising your little ones to the glory of God while keeping a home and cheering your husband on in his God-ordained calling, you are a hero! Please shout it from the rooftops! Please be a voice within our culture that so desperately wants to crush the godly ideals of marriage, home life, and the family unit! We can be proud homemakers (proud in the good sense, of course! :) and be a beacon of hope for other women out there who are seeking answers. We, who are blood-bought daughters of the King, hold the answer and it goes far beyond keeping a home, loving one man faithfully, and rearing children...the answer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! the Gospel is to permeate every facet of our lives, daily invade our heart and minds, direct our every step, guide our every action. it's not sinful legalistic do's and dont's (ie. you SHOULD stay home, you SHOULD have at least four kids, you SHOULD homeschool, you SHOULD use cloth diapers, you SHOULD make your own baby food, you SHOULD eat only organic, the list goes on and on!!!) it's ultimately about loving Jesus, following Him with humble hearts, being voices in the 'wilderness' of our lost culture with the life-giving message of Jesus' work, and walking in the life and victory of His redeeming, undeserving love for us!! I'm currently reading a book calledPassionate Housewives Desperate for God. it's been so encouraging for my heart as I am learning to better see the beauty of my calling as a woman. here is an excerpt that gripped my heart recently,

Jesus made Himself of no reputation. He did not seek after degrees or recognition.

He was content to stay in a tiny area and minister to a miniscule group of people whom the world viewed as insignificant. Kind of like a homemaker, under the authority of her loving husband, ministering to the children who need her.

wow. that pretty much rocked my world. yet it is filled with hope. washing the dishes, making a simple meal, picking up dirty socks, changing a diaper, kissing a boo-boo, cleaning a toilet, cleaning up other things :) being available to your husband, paying bills, running errands, washing the windows...these are all sacred acts of worship much like Jesus reaching out to touch the twisted limbs of the lame man or the crusted eyes of the blind beggar, gripping the offensive, smelly hands of the leper, washing the filthy feet of His disciples, gently lifting up from the dusty ground the half-naked woman caught in adultery. These acts were looked upon with disdain by the Pharisees...much like how the simple, seemingly mundane acts that you daily perform behind the scenes in your home are treated with disrespect and disgust by our feminist culture. Lift up your gaze and see the bigger picture. You are walking in the footsteps of Jesus Himself as you daily fulfill your calling. it is indeed a noble one. Don't hold back from proclaiming it to be so!! :)

here a link to the blog, Nourishing Days, and she wrote a post about this very topic that was quite encouraging. i pray it encourage you as well!! God bless you in this beautiful journey of pursuing your calling as a 'woman after His own heart'! He loves you!!!

Precious little Winston

ELIZABETH'S BABY'S HERE EVERYONE!!! And he's such a darling baby!

He arrived Early Saturday morning.

Elizabeth and Benjamin are such happy parents.

Zane is just now kissing and he got to kiss his little cousin!

Black and White Living Room

I have been having so much fun adding black and white in our living room.

Jon finished sewing these pillows which I love.

We found the inner - curtain material at Ikea which was 2 dollars a yard. Jon made the curtains at my request and I love them because I can see out but no one can see in.

I found these two picture frames at Hobby Lobby for 5 dollars. I can't wait to put pictures in them.

Of course I can't make a post without posting my little Lad.

He loves tasting his toes.