Sharing

I'm doing a theme song each day this week. Yesterday was the one I posted below. Today's is:


I launched my etsy store over the weekend.  I'm really excited about it!  I also added a "Shop Me..." section in the right column at the bottom.  I'll be tweeting as I work (as opposed to whistling) if you are interested in that.. You can find me at BornBeloved.

I have many other things to share, but am wrangling a preschooler and eight month old on very little sleep so it will have to come another day.  Today's goals are:

• Shower
• Laundry
• Try to resist feeding the preschooler McD's for dinner tonight

Excitement & My First Giveaway

I created a facebook page for my jewelry sales!  It's called Beloved Garden.  Here's a link:



I'm nervous and excited.  I'm wondering if I have enough stock or too much.  It's a wonderful adventure and a way to do something that's my own.  It's also a chance to be able to contribute to my family financially.  In honor of my grand opening I'm doing a giveaway!  I'll be giving away 1 Alice ring on May 17th.

To enter:

• post a comment below (on my blog, not the facebook note that this post generates)  

You can get additional entries by:

• liking Beloved Garden's facebook page (1 entry)
• "sharing" Beloved Garden's facebook page (1 entry)
• posting about this giveaway on your blog, facebook, or twitter with a link (1 entry each)

To collect these entries just post one comment for each.  The winner will be chosen at random next Tuesday evening.  Good luck everyone!

A New Venture

I've decided to start selling the jewelry I've been making.  I should be posting on FB & probably here as well within the next week.  I'm excited, but nervous.  It will be the rings & bobby pins I posted.  I'm also going to be selling some necklaces like this one. 

 

I've decided not to make or sell anything that costs over $10.  I want it to be things I'd be able to afford and would want to wear.  I'm really enjoying making it!  I'm going to give each of the pieces a name that fits it.  Anyone have fun suggestions?  It is all pretty retro so I'm thinking older names.  The ring from the last post is "The Alice" in honor of my friend Theresa whom I made it for.  I name everything so I think this part of it will be fun too.  I might even do a giveaway on my blog so keep an eye out for that!

Updates, Creations, & Searches

What am I up to these days?  Lots!  Here's a quick run down.

• I'm nurturing my 6 month & 3 year old daughters, working on being a more loving wife, and seeking God.  I feel like I'm doing better in these areas than I have been in a long time.
• I'm considering working out.  For some of you this may be a no brainer, but for me it's not.  I hate working out.  I've never been a sporty girl.  When I was younger I loved no work out exercise like walking places, skateboarding, etc.  Lately I've been much too inactive and I don't like it.  I don't like the way I feel or the way it looks on me.  I know myself well enough to know I need to find something I'll enjoy or I'll never stick with it.  I enjoy out Wii Fit+, but it's broken right now.  Any suggestions?
  
• I'm crafting for the first time in a while.  I had been knitting a lot, but have put that on hold for now.  I recently began creating jewelry.  I'm loving it!  It's fun, easy, and the pieces make fantastic accessories.  Here's a pic:

• I'm researching tattoo artists in the bay area and planning to get my tattoo for my birthday in August.  If you have a suggestion let me know.  I need someone who is good with lettering and, of course, works in a clean, safe shop. 
• I've been feeling inspired to start sewing again.  I'd like to start making things for my girls.  I'm basically a beginning sewer.  I took sewing in jr. high and made several things.  In high school I made one of my halloween costumes by following a pattern.  I hadn't used a machine in ages until two years ago when Kacey helped me make a quilt for my mom.  Now I want to get a sewing machine.  Anyone have suggestions for a good machine for beginners?  I'm not even sure how to start comparing them or what to look for.  Here's a pic of me holding up the quilt I mentioned:

• I've fallen into the busy day to day and haven't been spending time on myself.  I want to remedy this for myself, but also for my family.  I want to look nice for my husband.  I want to set an example for my girls.  I'm teaching them that inner beauty comes from loving the Lord.  It shines through love and kindness that glorifies God.  It comes from your character and it is the most important kind of beauty.  I'm also teaching them that caring for yourself and your appearance is important too.  The fact that it is less important doesn't mean it is unimportant.  The best way I can teach them these things is by my example.  To do that I need something easy so I'm working on a "five minute face" by trying new make-up tips and products.  I'll let you know what I find.  Please share if you have favorites I should check out.  

"Ooooh, Corey, Accessories!"

**For those interested the dresses from the last post are from Mod Cloth, Old Navy, Park Place Vintage, Pin Up Girl Clothing, Victoria's Secret, Steady Clothing, & Ruche.

I plan on continuing this style series for a while, but it will be on and off for the most part.  This time, however, I'm doing two in a row.  From now on I'll include links in case anyone likes the items as much as I do.  Now for accessories....

 True Love Cardigan

Cherub Docs

Necklace with my girls' names

Leather Cuff

 

Cascade Earrings

I want to share something else I've discovered.  I celebrated the marriage of two dear friends this weekend.   

Congrats, LB and Bobby!

At their reception I had the most amazing cupcake!  It was a mocha cupcake from Just Baked by Julie.  If you're in the bay area I encourage you to try them!  Amazing!!

"Every breath is a second chance"

That is a line from Switchfoot's new song "Your Love Is A Song."  I love it.  It is such a perfect reminder as a new year begins.  I usually don't do resolutions.  This year I've decided I'm going to.  Here are a few of them:

• Be more patient.  I guess really my resolution is to get more time with God so that more of the fruit of the Spirit grows in my life.
  
• Reconcile with my Wii Fit.  We had an argument a few months ago when it told me I'd gained 4 pounds since I'd started using it.  We haven't been on speaking terms since.
• Be the best wife & mom I can be (with God's help).
• Do more silly things just because.
• Show those around me just how much I love them and not be afraid to be vulnerable.
  

Good-bye 2009.  You were a good year all in all, but with some horribly difficult times.  Thank you, Lord, for being faithful to see us through another year!  Thank you for every new day and every "second chance."

Visits, Dream Shopping, and What Really Matters

I've had more of those wonderful reunions since I last wrote.  My family and I were able to celebrate Thanksgiving as well as Nana's 80th, Richard's 29th, & Lindsey's 27th birthdays in Portland with my mom's whole side of the fam.  It was wonderful!  I also got to spend the day today with Amaya who is home from NY.  It was so good just to be with loved ones.

Warning : This is going to be a fluff piece.  I'm feeling fluffy ;)

I'm still contemplating a tattoo.  I want the theme to be unconditional love.  If you can think of a line, phrase, pic that exemplifies me please post it so I can include it in the ideas I'm mulling over.

I love wishlists.  We've been over this.  My lists are full of things I don't need, but still love thinking about.  I think they are the most fun right before birthdays & Christmas because of all the possibility.  Currently there are a few things I've been drooling over.  One of them is in my "lately" list to the right.  I saw it at Nordstrom tonight and now I'm longing for it.  Gorgeous and fun while still pulling off sophistication.  I'm also loving Hobo's Lauren wallet in Mogano.   My Sephora wishlist is bursting.  Amaya got me one of the fragrances I'd been wanting - Saint by Kat Von D.  The other one I'm wanting is Unconditional Love.  Sorry, for all the silly gushing.  Amaya & I wandered the mall and I got all starry eyed.

Here comes the substance:

With Christmas coming I wanted to let folks know of some great places to donate to help those in need.  A number of my friends & family are donating instead of exchanging gifts.  I think it is awesome and wanted to encourage my readers to do the same.  These are only a few options.  There are so many other places to give.  Please consider giving gifts that will last and change lives this year. 

Heart to Heart International
Community Pregnancy Centers 
CityTeam Ministries
Living Water International
Covenant House 

Needless Information

In case you are interested in what I've been into lately I've added a new little list to the right hand column of this blog.  I'll keep it updated with books, music, movies, shopping, websites, and clothes.  I hope you enjoy it.

Jut wondering

Where did the cent sign go on the keyboard? Wasn't it there when I was a kid? I'm virtually positive it was.

Unveiling

Here it is...

(flat ironed)

(post shower)

Much thanks to Jac, Jenn, Kacey, and Boston!!

Here is a bonus pic of the cutie this morning:

Medical Insurance...Do Share

Peter & I have a meeting tomorrow to get our medical insurance figured out. Peter's main job is a contractor so we have to get our own medical insurance. We currently have a Blue Shield P.P.O. that has been wonderful medically but more expensive than we can afford (read, premiums more than our rent and we still owe on our 18 month old daughter's birth - time in the N.I.C.U. is expensive, but priceless). Recently our monthly premiums were raised again and we decided it was time for a change. We have looked at H.S.A.s, high deductible P.P.O.s, Kaiser, and have thought about an H.M.O.

I've never had an H.M.O. so I know almost nothing about them. I know the main difference is that my General Practitioner would have to refer me to any other specialists, but not much else. What are the groups in this area? Do they include any of my current doctors? Would we still get to go to Good Sam?

I've never had Kaiser either, but at least 3/4 of what I've heard have been horror stories. After watching how they've handled Lenny's Grandpa after his stroke this past week I'm honestly somewhat frightened for their patients and have no desire to be one of them. Am I wrong? Are there others of you out there who have had wonderful experiences with them?

Please share. If you live in California (or used to) let me know what medical insurance you have or have had and what kind of reviews you'd give it. If you are involved with the medical community please share your thoughts. The more information we can get when making this decision the better. Thanks in advance for your help!!

Pink Is The New Grout

I just finished cleaning my entire kitchen. "Why?" you might ask. Today my husband and I both tried unsuccessfully to pour Cherry Pomegranate Crystal Light (at different times). We both spilled Cherry Pomegranate Crystal Light all over the kitchen. It got everywhere. It was a lovely, red, sticky mess. Now after using every clorox wipe in our apartment, not to mention a bathroom towel and plenty of paper towels, it has been cleaned up. Our grout is pink even after all the scrubbing. During the cleaning I decided a few things:

1. I can be angry with an intimate object...like my malfunctioning pitcher for example.
   
2. We are no longer purchasing this particular flavor of Crystal Light, even if it does have antioxidants.
   
3. The artificial colorings used for this drink have no business being in our bodies if they can stain my kitchen.

It has been a crazy day. I prayed earlier that the Lord would help me learn to be content regardless of my circumstances. My prayer is being answered. He is teaching me. I say this only partly due to the fact that since I began typing this a few more exciting things have happened:

1. My husband informed me that our water has been turned off without notice by the plumbers working on our building.
2. My daughter dumped chocolate chips all over the newly scrubbed kitchen floor and began to eat them.
3. I cleaned up said chocolate chips (yes, I did eat the last few left in the bag afterward).
   
4. I realized again I haven't had any coffee all day.

Despite all this I am laughing as I listen to my husband and daughter play. I am learning the lesson I asked for and I am glad; however, next time I pray that prayer I'll be better prepared for what may come next.

This post is lovingly dedicated to Peter who graciously watched our little girl so I could write it with only a few interruptions.

Do Something, Anything

My husband and I watched "Slumdog Millionaire" last night. It was a good movie, but it was horrible to watch. I recommend it anyway, but be prepared to have your heart broken. After watching it I needed to process. My first reaction, in all my shallowness, was to want to never, ever go to India. In my humanness I wanted to get, and stay, as far from that human suffering as possible. Just typing that honesty of my own failings makes my eyes well up with tears and my heart with shame. Once I got past that innitial reaction I wanted to go there and do something, anything, to make a difference, to help. The problem there is that in this season of my life I can't. God has called me right now to make a difference in the lives of my husband, my child, and the people He has placed around me here. For a moment I felt powerless, but then I realized something wonderful. "The people He has placed around me here" includes my close friend Sarah who has been to India to help the children there and stays in touch with people who live there making a difference everyday. Even in staying here God has given me the means to make a difference on the other side of the world. Here is my challenge to you - join me. Let's reach into the "little" we have (which is callous and laughable when compared to the little they have) and give. I'm going to talk to Sarah to find out how best to do that and I'll post more information. If you are interested please get in touch with me by leaving a comment or, if you know me, by e-mailing or facebook messaging me. You can also go to WorldVision and do a search to sponsor a child in India. There are other organizations doing good work over there, but I don't know enough about them to know which are reputable and which aren't. Please, think it over, pray about it, research the conditions there, whatever you need to do, just do something.

Lessons Learn-ing

God has used all kinds of things to teach me about Him, His love, myself, and life. Lately He has been using my daughter. This makes a lot of sense since most of my time is spent with her. I thought I'd share what I'm learning.

1. God really does delight in me and rejoice over me with singing (Zeph. 3:17). I do these things as a mom all the time without thinking anything of it, my Perfect and Loving Heavenly Father does the same. AMAZING!

2. Stop to smell the roses. Feel the sun on your face. Take time to enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Life will be better if you do. YOU will be better if you do.

3. "Tantrums don't get you what you want." I have said this to my daughter multiple times, and yet I'm only starting to learn it myself. I want to give Aubrie good things. God wants to give me good things. (Matt. 7:11) We just need to learn to ask instead of throwing a fit or trying so desperately hard to get it ourselves.

4. Express yourself. Show and tell people how you feel (Prov. 27:5). Whether it be on your face, in your words, or with what you are wearing show the world where you are inside and who you are. This is really a repeat of several of Aldeana's lessons.

It is worth repeating, because this lesson in particular is hard for me. For years I have been a "stuffer." I rarely deal with my emotions in what one might call a timely manner. When my Grandma died I feverishly wrote a paper for school that wasn't due for days. When my mom's dad died (closing the door on my ever getting to meet him) I ignored it until years later when I came across a bracelet he & his wife had gotten me and sobbed. When my Grandpa died I built a jumperoo. Anyone who knows me knows almost any given break-up I had was briefly cried over before I moved on too quicky, only to try to then try to heal from the last relationship in the midst of my new one (F.Y.I. horrible idea). Part of my difficulty is that I have also mastered the art of denial. Growing up, in any given family crisis I pretended that either everything was fine or that it would be. Recently I've remembered times when my parents were sick (even in the hospital) when I was young and only now am I being able to deal with the fact that only by God's grace are they still here. When Amaya moved I spent months ignoring it. Then, the week of, I switched over to "stuffing," knowing I'd probably have a break down when she showed up to say goodbye. I didn't. I couldn't. Only as she drove away did I lose it. Later that day I took stock. I realized I've been stuffing so long I can hard "unpack" the emotions. I prayed and God is helping me. I'm learning to be real, but it is unbelievably hard. He is helping me to express myself, but more often than not it takes a while. For those that love me, please have patience and call me on it if you catch me stifling.

Rediculpus

Yes, the title is a typo, but I love it so it stays

I did it. I created a blog. I have always used social networks to blog. I had one on Friendster (now deleted), Myspace, and I leave notes on Facebook. I think I have found comfort in how temporary they feel. This one is all mine and permanent. That is a little scary (so maybe I haven't fully conquered my fear of commitment). I actually created this blog days ago, only to realize I'm avoiding writing in it because it means I have to stop and process. One of my closest friends is moving across the country today. I'm trying to ignore that I'll say goodbye to her in 3 hours. I don't want to cry and I know if I write more I'll cry so instead I'll just post a pithy picture that relates.

Random Fact For Distraction Purposes - Bob Dylan is one of my favorite poets.