How Do You Spell L-O-V-E?

Is it your kiddo's smile?

Your husband's eyes?

Or is it with the Brother Personal Labeler Machine (PT90)?

Yes, sirree, this organizational freak got an Amazon gift card from the hubs for Valentine's Day

and recently had a little shopping fun.

I'm sure your normal girl would use a gift card for some make-up, a cute pair of shoes, a new handbag, or even a few new books.

Not this gal.

The gift card took a little while to arrive so I had ample time to brainstorm my options.

I finally narrowed it down to the label maker or a 3M respirator.

No really, I'm completely serious.

I've been doing a lot of sanding and painting lately

and finally realized it was important for me to have proper safety gear.

When it came down to it the decision between the two was quite simple.

 Its not too different from the basic 'chicken and the egg' principle:

{How am I supposed to label the respirator if I buy that before the label maker?}

I knew you would understand.

Now let the fun begin!

A Thrifty Thursday

Over the last year I have cultivated an intense love for thrifting.

Yard sales, craigslist, thrift stores...

I love them all!

This intense love could quite possibly be transitioning into an addiction,

but we won't dwell on that today.

Some people wouldn't be caught dead in a thrift store.

If that sounds like you, I'm here to tell you that you are seriously missing out.

Yes, thrift stores can carry a lot of useless junk,

not to mention some pretty icky items.

Used lingerie anyone?

But you can also find some great treasures.

Want proof?

Beautiful cake platter - $5

Adorable miniature barstool - $1

Before:

After a brief makeover with paint and glaze:

But this find takes the cake this week:

Youth sized Gonzaga cap for $1.99 - just in time for March Madness.

GO ZAGS!

Are you a thrifting addict like me?

Wordless Wednesday

Ten on Tuesday

{ONE} 

First and foremost, thank you for the outpouring of love, prayers,

encouragement and support over the last few weeks.

Amazed isn't the right word because we already knew what

amazing family and friends we are blessed to have in our lives.

Moved would probably be more appropriate.

You have moved us so deeply with your love.

Thank you.

{TWO}

I'm sure you understand why my heart hasn't been in blogging mode lately,

but I'm slowly coming back around...

...the ideas are a-flowin', so keep checking in!

{THREE}

My favorite Kendry statement of the week: "Yummm, broccoli!" 

Ahhhh, music to a mama's ears.

 

{FOUR}

I am aware that its been nearly two months since my last Blogolution Update.
What can I say? I've been busy.
I am making progress; its just slow going right now.
So until I can give you a legitimate update, here is a sneak peek at Gert (aka bench for the spare room) to tide you over.

If those appear to be pages I tore out of a church hymnal I found at Goodwill thats because they are.
I am such a rebel.

{FIVE}

My women's Bible study just finished Crazy Love by Francis Chan this week.

 I challenge you to read this book; I guarantee that it will stretch you.

 

{SIX}

Last weekend I registered Kendry for our very first parent and tot swim lesson.

Class starts this Saturday.

{SEVEN}

Note to Self:

Buy toddler swim diapers.

There is no way Kendry still fits in the swim diapers I purchased last summer.

{EIGHT}

Second Note to Self:

Make sure my own swimsuit still fits.

Fertility meds are not kind when it comes to weight gain.

{NINE}

This Week's Blessing: a surprise date night with the hubby.

What I thought was going to be a Kendry and Mommy night at home while Daddy watched basketball with the guys turned quickly into the greatest date night ever! 

Maybe it didn't rival Tina Fey and Steve Carell in Date Night, but it was certainly one for the books.

The babysitter pulled up a few minutes after I got home. Justin already had Kendry's PJ's laid out on the changing table, dinner for the kiddo and his babysitter in the oven, and Kendry's humidifier refilled for the night.

{ You can't make this stuff up, folks! }  

We enjoyed a delicious dinner

(deep-fried ravioli appetizer and a bowl of salsa corn chowder, two of my faves),

actual adult conversation, a movie,

and - wait for it - Cadbury Mini Eggs!

(which we totally did not sneak into the theater in Justin's jacket pocket)

Can you hear me swooning?

Look out, fellas - my hubs has officially raised the bar when it comes to date night.


{TEN}
We said our official goodbye to Mr. Binky this week!

K, our wonderful babysitter, deserves the accolades on this one.
While Justin and I were enjoying our date night, K put the kiddo down for the night sans Mr. Binky - and wouldn't you know he went to sleep just fine.
When Justin and I discovered this the next morning we were elated.
Here was the window of opportunity we had been waiting for!
Mr. Binky and each of his body doubles were hidden from sight that very day.
There were a few minor protests from the kiddo at bedtime,
but he was sleeping soundly within ten minutes.

And that, my friends, is how its done!

{FAITH}

{FAITH is...}

believing that our God is bigger than any challenge that comes our way, including infertility.

{FAITH is...}

knowing that He would turn our family of two...

into a family of three.

{FAITH is...}

believing that someday I will meet my three babies in heaven.

{FAITH is...}

knowing that His plans for our lives are greater than we can fathom.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

{FAITH is...}

acknowledging that God can be glorified even though our heartaches.

{FAITH is...}

trusting that our family of three will someday be four, and five...

in His time.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1