My Week in Pictures

I'm adopting this idea of sharing my week through the use of pictures taken only with my phone.

Jeannett started this sharing of pics over at liferearranged.com. 

Most of my pics are instagram.

So here's my week:

Forgoing the sink full of dishes to watch a movie with the family.

We watched, "We Bought a Zoo."

I think Nathaniel wants to buy a zoo now.

Breakfast for dinner, yes please!

I love when a little bit of the syrup mixes with the scrambled eggs.

Yum!

Last food one, I promise.

A Target date the boy child.

We love pretzels with cheese.

You have to go the Target out on 63 to get a bigger side of cheese.

It's the little things :)

Out on our date.

I'm pretty sure I dragged him along thrifting.

I may have made him believe it was his idea.

I'm not sure.

Madelynn's roses are blooming.

Nathaniel suggested we take some to her.

My heart is always happy when I see the beautiful roses blooming.

A project worked on.

Shiny white IKEA cabinet turned into distressed red something.

I think it's going to become a special wedding piece.

A Hobby Lobby item that sparked some interest.

A total, "I can make that," moment.

Got some ideas for some frames sitting in my garage right now.

Janell and Jason watched War Horse.

Janell wants to read the book.

I brought two copies home from school.

The kids and I are reading it together.

Taking turns reading it out loud.

So much fun.

There are certain times that it becomes quite necessary to have a stash of sweets in the desk drawer.

I don't usually have candy in my desk at work.

This week just called for a little extra TLC.

Those Reese's minis are super yummy.

The Werther's are caramel filled.

Oh. My. Goodness.  They are every caramel lover's dream.

(Overkill alert!)

Twizzlers nibs are my Kryptonite.

Then they went and made super long nibs.

It's all downhill from here.

This is Nathaniel and Billie.

She loves Nathaniel.

She is the sweetest little five year old you could ever meet.

Such precious hands.

Finger nails painted so pretty.

She brings joy and happiness to those around her.

Nathaniel doing his hair for church, making it look like Daddy's.

He's getting so big.

He's seven already.

Where has the time gone?

He is sweet and caring.

I see a boy with a heart for those suffering.

He brings us a lot of laughs.

I mean a lot of laughs!!

But no matter how big he gets, he will always be my baby here on Earth.

His blankie was his dedication gift from church.

It is worn and tattered and in some spots barely hanging on.

He loves the "stringies."

The one in the picture is his special one.

He holds it by his nose and puts his thumb in his mouth.

I promise he only puts his thumb in his mouth when he is extremely tired.

Such a sweet moment.

He was laying next to me in bed because he felt like there was a really big spider in his closet.

He was scared.
Or just wanted to be with me.

I'll take the latter.

Today I heard great news.

The group that I am a part of, A Legacy of Love, was granted non-profit status.

We will be able to do more with this designation (including receiving donations).

There are so many plans that we are working on.

Currently we meet once a month at GateWay church for a support meeting.

This group is meeting a need in our community, reaching out to those families who have suffered a loss in pregnancy or the first year of life.

We are also working on developing and acquiring resources that can be given to families in the hospital or doctor's offices.

So many opportunities!

How was your week?

What were your blessings?

Always finding the blessings,

Denise

Housekeeping! You want me fluff pillow!

Hello, My name is Denise and it has been way too long since I cleaned a toilet, sink, tub, or shower!

I admit, I am a terrible house cleaner.

I have always been bad at it.

My dad used to take pictures of my messy bedroom to show my children one day.

I used to tell my mom that it would be different when I was an adult.

I would want to keep my very own house clean.

Yeah right!

I don't spend a lot of time in the bathroom so this picture is somewhat true.

Don't look for too long and you won't see that thing growing in the corner of the shower.

Awe yes, that's why I don't clean like I should.

I'm out living my life, changing the world!

Uh huh!

photos from Pinterest

Come on, you know this one is a little bit true.

I'm guilty of thinking it.

Justifying my disgusting habits of non-cleaning.

I am good at putting things away.

Things stack up and then I find a home for them.

I can make my downstairs looks clean.

But please don't swipe a white glove across anything or

God forbid pull back the downstairs shower curtain that's kept closed when friends come over.

For this would expose my faults.

Tonight I couldn't take it any longer.

I kept hoping that things would miraculously clean up.

Mary Poppins would snap her finger and little soldiers would clean up.

Ummm, not so much.

Tonight I went for it.

Gloves on.

Master bathroom full assault.

The whole time sweat is dripping and I'm angry at myself for not staying on top of it.

If I would just clean up every day/week.

Just like I tell Janell to do with her clothes.

But, yeah, not so much.

I started scrubbing.  

Every part needs to get cleaned.

I can't stop.

I become obsessed.

I'm frustrated because the shower is out of control.

It's gonna need the big guns for a complete clean.

Why do I let it get like this?

Cleaning is not the only area I do this in my life.

I'm like this with my relationship with God.

I know what I should be doing and how I should be living.
I know what is right and I do these things.

My life looks cleaned and organized.

I've thriving in stepping out of my comfort zone to develop relationships with other people.

But in some areas I keep the lights off.

The curtain is closed hiding what it is going on.

However, I keep plugging away until finally I can't take it anymore.

Things are all out of whack.

I know what I need to do to fix this.

I need to clean my heart daily with His word.

Study it so it is a part of me.

Pray daily.

Do this before the ick has a chance to settle in.

To be honest, in my life right now the ick is creeping in.

Anxiety is rearing it's ugly head.

 (Hello state testing and a misguided education system)

Doubt wedges itself into my thoughts.

(Am I where God wants me to be?  Can I do something with these new passions I have?)

I've been relying on myself to get passed it.

Well, we all know that at some point that just ain't gonna cut it.

I'm in that place right now.

It's time to started scrubbing and polishing myself.

Allow God to do what He is so patiently waiting for me to let Him do.

I really hope that I'm not alone in this.

Do you feel the ick creep in when you haven't been spending time with the Lord?

What are some special things you do to spend time with God?

Finding the Blessings,
Denise

What I'm Wearing These Days...

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

It's another what I wore day!

Or something like that.

I'll be honest.

I'm having one of those weeks months where nothing is feeling good.

Some might say that I am in a funk.

There are just certain times with nothing works.

I know all you ladies reading this are giving me an "Amen, sister!"

I've been using my new phone to take the pics.

It makes it much easier.

Maybe some day I'll get a tripod so I can go all catwalk on you for some fashion pics :)

Oh, I'll need a remote too.

Well, here's what I have to entertain you with for this week:

 Church day! 

I grabbed this top off the floor and gave it a quick once over with the iron.

The shirt was a Lane Bryant find.

Jeans are from Fashion.

Side note:  Did you know you can use your Lane Bryant card at Fashion Bug?

Awe, accessories.

A girl in a funk's best friends.

Here's I'm wearing a cross necklace from I don't now where.

The hair bow was a scrapbook embellishment clearanced at Target.

I just hot glued it to a large bobby pin and walaa, Hair Beauty.

And outfit number 2: Which I am currently wearing!

 Sorry for the blurro-vision!

The weather is warming up so it's time to get out the short sleeves.

I love the color of this shirt and the cool shoulder thingies!

I think I got the shirt at Kohl's along with the pants.

 Here's a closer shot.

I know you wanted to feel a little closer to me.

The necklace has a bunch of gold leaves on it.

A red sticker find from my favorite place, Target!

The angle of this shot is making me laugh.

Umm, let's see, I do believe my lady friends look a bit exaggerated.

Or I'm in complete denial and need to get a nip/tuck ASAP!

(no need to inform me if I'm in denial, let me soak in it)

Shoes, shoes, shoes.

The Lord blessed me with size 11 feet.

Can you believe that?

Not sure what he was thinking on that one!

So I snag up the clearanced flats at Target all the time.

These lovely leopard print flats were one of those gems.

I wore those today with the turquoise shirt.

So there you have it.

Two outfits from this week.

Here's some insider information for you (in case you were wondering):

1- picmonkey.com is very user friendly and I have been editing my photos there.

2- I use the airbrush feature to hide my hideous skin.

I call it late onset puberty. 

I had clear skin growing up when it was supposed to be funky.

But no, now it's all funky!

I'm trying to figure out what it takes to clear it up.

Hence number 3.

3- I am on a makeup hiatus, trying to see if my skin will clear up. 

Or maybe I'm really trying to start a revolution! 

Come women and join me! 

Say no to makeup! 

Let's love the skin God gave us!!

4-  I need to prayer to get out of this funk and off my butt!  Time to get moving!!

5- my computer is running really slow and is making this already irritable woman want to throw it against the wall.

A bit aggressive I know!

It's a few minutes away from an ole heave ho!

Must say ta ta for now!

To save the computer!

Finding the blessings,

Denise

I've linked up over with these great gals to peek into the fashion lives of others:



"We're Getting Married!"

Yes, you saw that right, 

We're getting married!

Aren't you super excited?

We're thrilled.

We all can't wait.

Wait, there might be some confusion here.

Yes, Jason and I are married.

August 14, 1999 to be exact.

A beautifully fun day, almost 13 years ago!  Wow!

So what does this mean, "We're getting married!?"

Jason and I have been so fortunate to have found a community of friends we call family.

A group of people that God has so intricately woven together.

Some might even say an unlikely assortment of people :)

A community where we are truly ourselves all the time.

Each appointment divinely set for us to get to know each other and become a part of each other's lives.

Dinners at each others houses.

Kids getting along with each other.

Praying for each other.

Opening up to each other.

True community where we are building each other up, investing in each other.

Well, two of the people in this group are getting married.

Wahoo!!  Married, and in one month!

Before you whince and wonder why the rush...

This couple has been flourishing in a new relationship with God. 

 Attending church and small groups.  

Healing family relationships.  

Seeing that they needed to make they're relationship pure in the eyes of God.

So, why wait longer than necessary.

The excitement is in the air.

A proud mama who will watch her first born get married.

Married before a family of believers.

A marriage that will begin with God at the head.

We are all thrilled.

We all want to be a part of making this day special for them.

We're throwing in our skills, our talents, and our time.

In conversations while making plans we say, "We're getting married."

Or, "our wedding starts at..."

How about, "the theme of our wedding is..."

We all get a kick out of it, how we have all jumped right in.

Everyone one of us wants this to be such a perfect day for these two.

A beautiful day celebrating marriage and God's blessings on new beginnings.

So, I must be off to Pinterest as I continue my research for centerpiece ideas.

I'm part of the table decorating team :)

This is going to be so much fun and beautiful!

Perfect!

You know why, because it is God centered.

He is the focus and the reason we are in community with each other.

His blessing have been found here,

Denise

Indescribable Joy!

Have you ever felt so much joy that you even had the goosebumps?

or chickees and Nathaniel calls them :)

The overwhelming feeling of just pure happiness.

Tearing up because the joy has just filled you completely.

I mean joy was just oozing out of your pores!!

This evening I experienced that indescribable joy.

There just aren't words for it.

Here is the source of this joy:

Perfection!

A true miracle, a blessing straight from God.

You see this little boy was born today to a family that went to great lengths to bring him here.

His mommy and daddy had to say goodbye to four of his older siblings.

Carried into Heaven in the first trimester of their existence.

They weren't even sure they wanted to attempt the road to bring him here.

The losses had taken a great toll.

The pain of another loss to great to bear.

But a sweet (and sassy) six year old girl deserves a sibling.

They wanted that for her.

It was scary.

Would God even grant them this blessing?

They made a decision.

They would step down this path.

Many trips to doctors would be necessary.

Mommy had to endure painful procedures.

Daddy held her hand and hoped for answers.

Answers came and prayers were answered.

Mommy and Daddy were on the path.

Scared to be happy and excited.

Fears and anxiety sometimes too much to handle.

As weeks and months pass, a little bit of relief could be felt.  (only a little bit)

Always the thought, would this baby stay here on earth with us?

Well today, a big sigh of relief.

That surreal moment.

The perfection that can only come from God.

This baby boy is here.

Beautiful, loved, perfect, a little brother five times over.

Love fills the room as Grandma holds her miracle.

I hold him.

Gazing at his perfect skin.

Watching the sweet faces he makes.

Looking over at his relieved mommy.

A sense of peace and awe all around her.

This miracle from God.

An indescribable joy!!

Finding the blessings,

Denise  

Snapshots of Spring Break

One of the perks of being a teacher is being able to have the same vacations as my kids.

This last week I was able to have time to be crafty and time to be mom and time to be with family.

Here are some snapshots off with my phone of my week:

My parents pull their RV over Morro Bay every Spring Break

The kids and I headed over Friday after school got out.

Spent Saturday hanging around Morro Bay, SLO, and Cambria.

Kids got a kick out of visiting Gum Alley in SLO.

Here's their contribution:

We came home Sunday because I was missing Jason.

It's just not the same when we go without him.

Easter Week is like the SuperBowl of Church events.

He was busy.

While Grandma and Grandpa were at the beach we stopped by their house to clean the catbox.

Reminded me of my youth :)

The perk of this job was the visit to Scotty's which is around the corner from the house.

Oh yes, life was how it should be that day:

At the beginning of the week the kids put together eggs of candy to take to the Rescue Mission.

We are teaching them about giving and being a blessing to others.

The weather was so nice during the week that the kids played outside with the neighbors, a lot!

I was able to spend time getting crafty.

I had bought some 5x7 frames from Target.

I decided to embellish them with my infamous rosettes!

I finished another art project to hang above our mantle.

It's our family verse, Romans 8:38-39

I also committed to finish refinishing the dining table I inherited from my parents.

The table belonged to my Grandparents.

The paint was courtesy of a giveaway of Annie Sloan Chalkpaint from Embellish and Restore.

It was tough work figuring out technique and finding out the amount of paint to use.

Here is the finished project:

I wanted the table to have a distressed beachy feel.

The centerpiece came from things around the house.

I have to say that I loved the experience and have a bug for wanting to do more.

On the Saturday before Easter we attended GateWay's Easter Egg Hunt.

They always have drawings for Easter Baskets and Bikes.

I always ask my kids to not put their names in and explain that it was important for visitors to win.

For kids who might not have a bike to win one.

This year they asked to put their names in and Jason said they could.

Well, Nathaniel won a fishing theme basket and Janell won this:

I have to admit that I was so excited for her.

Janell didn't have a bike.

She really wanted to win that bike.

Ironically, it was a bike Jason picked out when they were picking up the bikes.

I explained to her that I really felt God was blessing her for

her faithfulness in helping others earlier in the week.

Needless to say, we had one excited 10 year old girl!

Family bike rides are in our future.

That night Jason received a text about meeting for ice cream.

I said let's do it.

Well, we didn't know that the text went out to our dearest of friends.

We met at Mearle's on Main.

We took over the place.

We fellowshipped together and shared life!

Sunday was a celebration of life!

The resurrection of Jesus.

Because He lives, we can face tomorrow.

After a family BBQ the four of us went to visit Madelynn.

We took her new flowers and a pinwheel.

Yesterday we took Miley to the groomers and just hung out together.

It was a great week.

So many blessings found,

Denise

PS:  Follow me on Instagram, @itsneeser


I've linked up here to share my life through phone pics:


I've linked up over here to share the table and crafts:



It Changes Everything...

For the last several months I've really been digging deep to figure out my place in this world.

(go ahead, sing it like Michael W. Smith)

This process really began after Madelynn passed away.

This unthinkable event changing everything.

Which direction would this path I'm on go?

My story (our story) is not uncommon.

Families are experiencing loss daily.

Luckily for us, our story was immersed in prayer at the moment of loss.

Prayers for peace and comfort.

Things we felt instantly.

I am so thankful to have been spared anger at Him who created our perfect Madelynn.

I learned in that moment that absolute power of prayer, 

and the peace that can only come from a loving God.

In the months following this new journey I started to notice a change in how I thought about things.

Tragedy changes you.

It's an inevitable process.

For me it had become about what really mattered in God's eyes.

My concern wasn't just about the good things we have in our life.

I started to really think about others and what they are going through.

I felt a greater purpose to what I was I supposed to be doing.

I had a story that I knew I needed to share with others.

I had/have a heavy burden to care for others, compassion for others.

But how is that going to look in my life?

My dilemma was time.

I work full time.

I'm a mom of two kids here on earth that needed me.

I'm a wife.

I'm not a night owl or a morning person.  (double whammy)

I'm tortured because I feel I can't devote the time to things that had become so important to me.

I need to make a change.

What is that change, I know not!

But, change scares me.

No, strike that, it terrifies me!

You see, at 34 years old, I was really just learning to trust God and put all my faith in Him.

Trust Him to provide.

Now two years later, I'm really working on having faith.

I feel like Indiana Jones as he set his foot out to take that first step on the "invisible" bridge.

My foot is out in front of me.

Except I lean forward and then pull myself back.

I'm lucky, I know it's there.

Yet, I waver.  Yes, No, Maybe, Yes, No, Maybe, YIKES!

I suppose I need a gentle push, or maybe a swift kick in the pants!

So here I am, 36 years old.

Things are good, but are they the best?

I'm starting to break out of my box that has been oh so comfortable.

I'm still digging deep inside my heart.

I'll be honest, I feel in limbo.

Not sure what is going on.

I feel God is speaking to me, just not sure exactly what He's saying.

I struggle with discernment and clarity.

I have a hard time knowing if it's God guiding me or me telling God that He's guiding me.

(not sure that makes sense without me telling you in person without the oh so helpful hand gestures)

The part I lack in is studying His word.

I need to make that time my first priority in each day.

That needs to be the source, the place I put my trust.

 I need to equip myself with His words.

Too be ready for what He has for me.

(And airplane writing in sky wouldn't be so bad either though!)

Finding the blessings,

Denise

Random Thoughts

So many random thoughts to share with you.

I'm constantly thinking about what I'm going to blog about.

Today my thoughts kept getting interrupted by the busyness of life.

The van went into to get serviced and to check out the constant squealing I was hearing.

I noticed it  last week.

The windows were down and the music was quiet.

Hmmmm, wonder how long that's been squeaking?

Took it in to find out we needed new front and rear brakes with a fluid change for good measure.

Yikes!  Just what I wanted to drop some serious cash (credit) on.

I had so many plans for that money.
It was supposed to go to other bills, not create new ones.

But, I must remember that my car is now safe.

And also pushing 95,000 miles!

This week I finished reading 7 by Jen Hatmaker.

OMG!  Literally!  Oh, my God!

How He was speaking to me through her journey to reduce a life of excess.

To lead a life surrendered to Him and to leading others to a life in Him.

To use what we have been blessed with to help others.

I walk around the house antsy thinking of what we can part with,

and what I can pay off with that money.

I crave being in a position free of debt so that I can use the money I make to reach out and help my community.

Now I've started reading the book Interrupted also by Jen Hatmaker.

This book tells her story about how her comfortable life was interrupted.

The American Life: college, home, everything you want, the perfect pastor's wife, etc.

God breaking through all that to reveal a greater plan for her, to stir a passion in her.

A plan that causes us to step out of the greatness of our life to find what's best for our life.

But not without gut wrenching tension, a revealing of what is happening around us.

A coming to grips with this new path that God is calling you down.

Seeking His face and trusting completely.

That's kind of how I feel is happening in my life right now.

This good life I have right now being interrupted by a new passion.

A passion to reach out of my comfort zone.

Something that takes the best of me to complete.

Which then is the best for furthering God's kingdom here on earth.

Finding the blessings,

Denise

Whew!

This weekend of the year is always my favorite.

Report cards are done and ready to go home.

Grading is all caught up (had to get done to do grades).

I can feel the stress aches of my body going away.

Oh, that pain that's been bugging for a month seems to not feel so bad tonight.

Imagine that!

For you all non-teacher folks, it's not all weekends and summers off hooray!

It is an exhausting adventure.

But, I know you know that.

Most people are super respectful of the job teachers have in this day and age!

I thank you for that!

Tonight I went to another meeting for A Legacy of Love.

This is a pregnancy and infant loss support group.

It's so nice to be able to be in a room with other moms who know this road.

We don't sit around and have a, "woe is me" attitude or wallow in our grief.

We share what's going in our loves.

We give advice to someone struggling with a decision.

We talk about how we deal with different aspects of loss.

We listen to each other.

We laugh,

We cry,

We feel connected.

If you know someone who could benefit from this group 

please feel free to share my contact info. or direct them to 

A Legacy of Love. (also on Facebook)

So, Fridays are supposed to be about frugality and/or finances.

I wish I could say I've done an incredible job.

But, I haven't.

I'm addicted to the red stickers at Target.

I convince myself that each killer deal has a purpose and a place in my house.

I am working on having self discipline.

I went to Target two nights ago to get the men of the house some things.

Nathaniel got two pairs of shoes (one with a red sticker) and daddy got some stuff.

My only clearance buy was a pair of gray flats with a black bow for $7.48.

Come on, you know that a deal like that cannot, I say cannot be passed up!

I also took my First Friday of the Month visit to the Visalia Emergency Aid Thrift Shop.

Why you ask?

Because it's 50% off the whole store that day.

I bought a couple of candle holders and a curtain from the '60s or '70s.

The curtain has a burlappy look and was only $1.00.

Gonna make something purdy with it!

Eventually!  hehehehe

Anywho, we have managed to knock out a few bills, which always gives me a rush of excitement.

After reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker, 

I do find myself becoming more passionate about getting this all under control.

The truth of the matter is that I want to be a good steward of what God has blessed me with.

I want to be in a position that when a need arises in my community I am able to step up and help.

It is tiring to be strapped to debt.

We are slowly cutting away the binds.

This week we were able to help some friends out.

What a blessing to know that we are being God's hands in our community in a time of need.

We are excited for the plans God has for us as 

we become free from debt and become surrendered to His plans.

I want to end with some thoughts of gratitude.

Since I missed Thursdays post.

Yeah, was in bed by 8:30 pm.

Like I said, report cards, conferences, oh my!

I am thankful for the skills that God gives people in a variety of areas.

A couple weeks of ago our upstairs bathroom flooded.

Quick shout out to my boy child who loses focus easy and left the water on full blast after brushing his teeth and then went downstairs to take his bath! 

You the man!!

Servicemaster came in with their pleasant sounding fans and dehumidifiers to dry everything out.

Insurance came and gave us money to get repairs done.

Somewhere along the lines I assumed that the insurance organized the repair work.

Silly me!

Jason was able to get everything organized.

Last weekend and this week everything was repaired.

Good as new.

I am so thankful to the men who blessed us with their talents in construction.

They came in and did a wonderful job.

God blessed us with a painless fix to the flood in our life. (yeah, I know, Cheesy!)

Well,

It's late.

It's been a week.

I want to enjoy the extra sleep I get by sleeping in tomorrow.

Lord knows I'm not gonna like losing that hour tomorrow night.

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead!!

Can't wait to share a weekend wrap up with you as I will be getting my craft on this weekend!

Finally!

Finding the blessings,

Denise

Oh Yeah, I Wore it!

Sometimes I crack myself up you know.

Do you ever just sit back and make yourself laugh?

Okay, so I've been really trying to do new things, but have sort of hit a brick wall.

I've just been so exhausted.

I'm lucky to make it to work on time.

I do have some pictures to share because I know how much you all want to see what I wear :)

Now, ladies (and the occasional gentleman) I'm bringing it!

Up first is a shot of me after my new haircut.

Genius work of April Warford at Eclectic Chic.

Of course it only looked this awesome that day.

I need an extra set of hands that can do the back of my hair.

Not sure when I wore this outfit.

Shirt is from Target,

Jacket from Lane Bryant,

Pants from Kohl's (Killer Deal)

 Can't really see it in the pic, but this blouse also has a leopard pattern.

Meow!

See new wild purchase below.

I love shoes.  

Especially the kind that are 70% off.

And you know why, because when clothes don't fit the shoes always do!

Sort of.

 You know you want a pair!

Here's me thinking outside the box.

The vest was like $6 from Kohl's.

Not a bad investment to try something new.

The shirt is from Lane Bryant from many moons ago.

Wasn't able to wear it for a couple of years.

Some major gappage if you knows what I mean ;)

I also wore my black boots over my jeans.

It was a real stretch for me!

Well, that's all folks!

Until next week,

may the fashion be with you!

LOL!!!

So witty tonight!

Finding the blessings,

(and new clothing ideas)

Denise

Go over here to see what other fun stuff gals are doing with the stuff in their closets!


Go here too:
Momma Go Round