He Is

* hard working and committed
* faithful
* compassionate
* thoughtful
* sensitive just when he needs to be
* smarter than he gives himself credit for
* kind-hearted
* creative
* a problem-solver
* a night owl
* a Mr. Fix-It
* messy (although he has gotten better)
* stubborn
* hilarious (sometimes when he's not even trying to be)
* a wonderful Daddy
* a perfect partner in crime
* my best friend
* a gift from God
* my husband

A Shower Cleaner That Really Works!

I like things clean, neat, and organized. However, the everyday task of keeping things that way isn't always fun. I am always on the lookout for shortcuts that actually work, and if they save me money at the same time, that's even better. A penny saved is definitely a penny earned (and money in the bank for something I actually enjoy doing).

So, I am here to share my most recent discovery, thanks to a couple of friends who tried it before me and were kind enough to tell me about it. It's so simple, you will probably be a little skeptical. I certainly was at first, but now that I have tried it, I will never go back! The best part is, you probably already have the items you need on hand!

Here's what you need: 

1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
4 Tablespoons baking soda
1/2 cup blue Dawn dish detergent
cloth
small scrub brush


Here's what you do:

Pour the vinegar in a medium-sized microwavable bowl and heat in the microwave for 90 seconds. Allow the vinegar to sit for about a minute in the sink before adding the baking soda. (It will bubble!) Then, add the dish detergent and stir if necessary. (You could also try putting the mixture in a spray bottle if you have one on hand.)

Pour or spray the mixture in the shower, using a cloth or scrub brush to make sure you really soak the tough spots. Leave it alone to do its magic for about two hours. Then, using a cloth and the scrub brush, wipe down the shower starting at the top and working your way down to the bottom, rinsing with warm water as needed. (I made sure I had some of the mixture on my cloth when I started this process.)


The results: 

I was simply amazed! I didn't have to do any heavy scrubbing. There was even a little mildew around the edge of the shower, and there was definitely a good bit of soap scum. An extra bonus is that it actually smelled good while I was cleaning. With everything else I have tried, I felt like I had to wear a mask in order to safely clean the bathroom. I challenge you to try this in your own home, and I would love to hear your feedback. Happy (and frugal) cleaning!

I Just Realized...

My little boy is not a toddler anymore. He's a preschooler. I guess I've known it for a while, but it really hit me hard this evening as I watched him play with all his new toys, and then as he sleepily crawled up into my lap, ready for his pjs. He didn't want the green dinosaur ones tonight. He wanted the red fire truck ones, and he told me so.

He's potty trained, he has mood swings (pouts and complaints included), and he makes up his own silly songs. He remembers things that happened over a year ago with pretty accurate detail, and he knows the words to lots of books and songs we have read or sang together. He can (mostly) dress himself, and he now often has input on what he wears when we go out. He even knows what he likes to eat and drink at various restaurants and can tell the person taking his order what he wants. His jokes sometimes even make sense now, and he knows how to flash that sweet dimpled grin to get himself out of trouble. (In other words, he knows he's cute.)

He gives sweet hugs and kisses, and he loves to tell secrets. His facial expressions give him away. He can count to 20 and spell his name (with help; it is 8 letters long, you see), he plays well alone, and most of the time he gets along with other kids, too. He likes making messes, but he likes for things to be in their place as well when the day is done. He hates having his hair washed, but he loves taking a bath. He enjoys being naked and would run around without clothes more often than not if we allowed him to.

He loves the people in his life with his whole heart, and he talks about all of us often, naming each of us regularly. His giggles are contagious. He likes to help out in the kitchen, and he even helps clean up around the house. He gets excited easily and his little eyes dance. He has a wild imagination, and he hears everything we say, even when we think he's not listening. He says a short and sweet blessing at meal times (or designates someone to do it instead), and he says sweet bedtime prayers, too.

How is it that almost 4 years have come and gone so quickly? I never knew I could love someone the way that I love my sweet and precious little guy. God must think I am very special, you see, because he chose me to be this sweet little boy's mama.

 

It Hits Unexpectedly

First of all, I am in no way comparing my grief to the grief of those who have lost a child that they held in their arms. Although I think we can relate to each other in some way, it really is two different kinds of grief.

Having had 8 miscarriages, I have learned that grief can sometimes overcome a person at some of the most unexpected times, like in the middle of Target when you are Christmas shopping, or when a certain song comes on the radio, or at a nice restaurant on date night, or when your three year old is crying with a tummy ache and you feel helpless at making him feel better, or standing in the rain at the gas pump, or even lying in bed next to your husband, who is grieving in his own way (and others often forget).

It's a feeling that runs deep in your bones. It become part of who you are. Yes, things get better over time, but you never forget the one who left you. You never stop thinking about what could have been- what was supposed to be.

Others make pregnancy and birth announcements, and while you have joy for those families, your heart breaks once again as the memories come flooding back like a raging river. The grief never completely leaves, and it's hard, but I have also learned that God takes care of His own. Although we sometimes feel alone, He never leaves us, even when we don't know how to pray. 

Thank You

"Thank You" just doesn't seem to be enough.

Those two little words seem so little compared to all the prayers that have gone 

up for us, the sweet cards and notes that were sent, 

the food that was prepared, and the hugs that were given

in our time of grief...again.

If I tried to list everyone who has encouraged us in the last week,

and even in the last couple of years,

I would surely leave someone's name off, 

but please know that your kindness has not gone unnoticed.

We appreciate everything.

The prayers are felt, 

and we ask that you continue them.

Sometimes, it's hard for me to pray, 

so your prayers are what help me make it through. 

 

Tonight, a good friend asked me how I was doing,

and I told her I was doing okay, that I am tough.

She sweetly reminded me that I don't have to be tough all the time.

I guess I forget that sometimes, 

but I have learned that God truly doesn't give us more in this life

than we can handle.

Sometimes I think he has just a little more faith in me

than I have in myself.

Together

This photo was taken moments after we said "I Do", 

which was incredibly almost eight-and-a-half years ago.

Our wedding wasn't over the top, but it was nice enough, and we both had a good time. 

We were just happy to finally be together. 

We had bought a house, and we were excited to start our new life as husband and wife.

Our life together hasn't always been easy. 

We've had a lot of rough times and a lot of heartache, 

but the good definitely outweighs the bad.

I couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone else.

This man is my rock.

He has seen me at my best, and he has seen me at my worst, 

and he has stayed beside me.

That alone speaks volumes. 

Most of the time,

it doesn't really matter what we do,

as long as we can be together.

That's why, when I found this a few months back,

I had to get it.

It hangs over our bed as a reminder of the promise we made to each

other before God, friends, and family. 

 

Linking up with...

 

Ordinary

I'm just an ordinary girl from an ordinary family. I married an ordinary man, we bought an ordinary house, we both have ordinary jobs, we have an ordinary son, and we live an ordinary life.

You get the picture.

However ordinary my life may be, God wants my life to be extraordinary, and if I lean on Him, there is no reason that it can't be.

You see, He has given me gifts and talents, and He expects me to use them for His glory. Do I always do this? The simple answer is no, and when I stop and think about it, I am ashamed. Sometimes I have a bad attitude and I complain about things rather than soaking in all the blessings that He has bestowed upon me.

I really need to just stop and reflect more on the wonderful things in my life, and I know if I do this, that I will realized all those ordinary things, they won't seem so ordinary anymore.

Linking up with 

Lisa-Jo Baker at: