Becoming a Follower of Jesus and all our Blessings

An Amazing Day
Life has been blessing us so much lately. I recently found my path was with Christ. I’ve spent most of my life searching for what I needed. I thought I had found that in Judaism until I met my husband. He opened me up to a whole new way of thinking and always accepted me for how I am. Over the past 4 ½ yrs the pressing light has come more clear to me that Jesus had my heart and I needed to turn my life over to him and his good graces.
On April 6th 2011 I made my confession to my husband Justin to become a follower of Jesus. Now I must admit I’m a head strong person and had been so adamant that I would probably never become a Christian that I was nervous has heck to tell him. Took me two months. Ha
Justin being the patient and loving husband that he is took this in great pride and was so happy about my confession. I really don’t know what I was worried about haha just me being my worry wart self. I guess I figured he would laugh and think I was just joking. He took me seriously though and helped lead me my way.
That evening we were traveling and stopped in a hotel. He said he need to go get something and when he came back he had a gift for me. It was a beautiful rhinestone cross. Justin helped me put it on and I haven’t taken it off at all yet. I love this necklace so much! I love everything it represents, how beautiful it is and it’s made all that much more special that my husband gifted me something so perfect and beautiful.
This coming Sunday, I’m to be publicly baptized at the Enon Baptist Church. We’re not sure if we’re going to stay with the Baptist denomination as we move. But we LOVE this church. They are so welcoming (TO ALL), the sermons are amazing and the Sunday school rocks! We will be moving in a few weeks and our main goal is to find a church just like this one wherever we move. No church is perfect but this one is the right for us being able to say that about a church is a blessing in itself.
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The kids are doing so well. Charlie is smart ass a whip, we think she’ll be doing laps around us soon. Jake is loving his marble track and configuring all the different ways to make the marbles go through. Justin and I recently celebrated 4 wonderful years of marriage. We may have our ups and downs but through it all we are always at each others side. I could never have asked for a man as understanding and perfect in everyway for me. God really knew what he was doing when he made me into a match just for Justin. MacGyver has been shedding like a wild man enjoying the warm sunny days that North Carolina has blessed us with. That’s all for now. I’m going to go grab a tall glass of sweet tea and enjoy playing in the yard with the kiddos

One stop Garage Sale

Good garage sales get my blood pumping. There is nothing more I love than going out at 1030 for garage sale hunts. You that point where people are wondering about hauling all the left overs and that dread starts to sink in? That point is when I swoop in and snag all my amazing deals. I know I may miss some great finds but I'm always happy with what I do find so it's well worth it.


This sale was fun, it was my last one before my sister in law went back home. She found quite a few good finds herself. The guy kept saying a $1 a $1 a $1 so I just started shoving everything I could find into a big box of boy clothes I decided to buy that was $10, then work out a price after.

People truly get excited when things like this happen cause they know a bunch of their "junk" is leaving and they won't have to haul it in. Perfect time to negioate.

Now this $10 box was HUGE filled up more than half way with boy clothes. I popped in spare fabric. I'm trying to teach myself how to sew so I just need stuff to mess up without losing tons of cash. An Anne Taylor polo, a Gap cardigan, Banana Republic top, Nine West shoes in new condition (YAY), Nine West White Bag, Leap Frog Toy abc toy, elephanti shoes for Charlie and a crystal dish! Then my sister in law stuffed in a huge pile of books, a wreath, a couple clothes and a basket full of golf balls.

They started going through all of it doing the $1, $2 game and before they got far I was like how about just $20 for it all? They quickly agreed. I think the heat just helped and they wanted it gone. We got it loaded up and were off. My sister in law gave me $5 for her items so everything you see is my deals for $15 :) woohoo

Check out my crystal dish swoooooooon ;)

Not a bad sale at all

My thrift finds at the VFW

On Saturday on my drive to Goodwill my sister in law and I spotted a huge sale going on over at the VFW :) The place was loaded with goodies. I should have stopped by at other sales in the past. The deals! Oh the deals! lol NIP Twister Game, NIP Turbo Jam DVD (I've been wanting to try this), and a cheese dome! I've been seeing cheese domes all over the blog world and can't wait to do something with mine.

So what are your guess on what I spent???? I'll give you a hint, $1! Yup $1 on all of it. I was floored when they told me my total. The twister game still had the $21.99 price tag on it. I'll be watching thru the summer for more sales there :)

Home is four walls around the right person

We got an extension!!!! I'm so excited. It's just for a couple more months but I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders. We're both so thankful for this.

Justin has continued on with the job search it has been frustrating. I know something will turn up and hopefully it will be something he can make a happy career out of. At the very least something to get us through this huge transition.

I've taken to looking at century21.com whenever he gets job calls to check out the area...haha is it wrong that I do that? =P We definetely won't say no to any job because of the area but I'm so excited to be moving into a new home and hopefully bigger for around the same price our house costs now. Our area has very high prices since it is a military price so it's a supply and demand.

Home is four walls around the right person

I read this quote somewhere not sure who it's by but I LOVE it! No matter if our house is big or small it will be filled with love and the right well persons in my case. I could be without my babies, husband and Macgyver. They are my world.

$13.77 finds!!!

I went to my new favorite thrift store and scored some amazing finds!!! All toys and stuffed animals were 50% off!!! I was all on board when I found that out. Game on for Robin

I was so excited to find this beach tent. Last year when Charlie was a newborn I was wishing for one of these. Turns out they go for around $30 and just couldn't find one at a price we could afford. This meant much less time at the beach for us. I can't wait til this spring/summer!!! I got this baby for $4!





The diaper bag with accessories was only $1 with the sale price. The doll, rainforest ball drop, baby einstein color octopus, infantino rabbit, leap frog telophonics, tonka bulldozer.





Spy that little pink bear? I had one similiar when I was little and my first birthday photos were with my bear. We're doing the same photo and poses for Charlie in the same dress! So excited :)





The doll stroller and doll were only $3 together at the sale price!!!!

Valentines Day 2011

On Valentines Day my son and I were kicked out of the house for an hour while my husband could us an amazing suprise meal. The most fabulous lasagna ever!

With the help of my little partner in crime I found some amazing deals.For $5.99 I found this saucer in mint condition! Only thing missing is the tray cover.

This one got me excited. $4.99 for this kitchen and it was packed with tons of food and a hot pink toaster, blender and mixer to make it all girlie. Even a working toy phone on top!

Valentines Day was a beautiful day and my husband made me the most gorgeous box.

I think he is the best find of the day though ;)

3 am blogging

My head is swamped with thoughts right now. I can't even contemplate sleeping so blogging it is to cloud my mind with other thoughts. Yesterday Justin and me found an amazing thrift store on base! Oh where have you been hiding from me?????

Here is everything we bought for $13.50!!! Can you believe it? I can't! =]
So what is all in there? Well I consider these a steal b/c I'm an as is person. Being that way I prefer to only buy items that look new. Thrift shopping allows me to be picky where I otherwise couldn't be. If the women's shirts are all $2 why buy the walmart brand when I can get Ralph Lauren, Patagonia, j. jill, etc for the same price? Back to the items

1. 9 Tonka vehicles + 2 tonka rd signs. These vehicles sell for $4.99ea at walmart and target


2. A Brand new Large Whoozit! Both my kiddos have loved there whoozit items. This is by far the nicest "used" Manhattan toy I have found thrifting locally. It looks brand new!!!


3. 2 electronic play phones


4. Brand New Winnie the Pooh Happy Birthday to You Book


5. Sesame Street Dictionary


6. Puma Cosmetic/Wristlet/Pouch


7. Bundle of fabric


8. Baby Einstein Discovery Dragon


9. Lamaze Octivity - This toy was the number 1 hit with both of my children, whoozit was no2 to this one. They are pricey but worth every penny. My kids played from birth til about 2 with this one!


10. 12 rattles and teethers


11. Edushape sensory ball ~ The little man had to have this ball to add to his collection. For .25 what's a parent to do :)


12. 2 infantino animals the ones that vibrate


13. noise maker manipulator


14. NIP My vacation book for kids


15. 3 bath toys.


16. sz 13 Italian Leather dress shoes! These were $2!!!! I about died when I found them. It is much harder than you think to find size 13 shoes of any kind let alone nice ones not to mention at $2!!!! They fit Mr. Right perfectly. He wasn't too jazzed about them at first when he tried them on in the store to see if they fit. Cammies and Italian shoes don't mix. Once he got home though and tried them with jeans and slacks I think he got to see all the beauty I saw shoved deep in the back of that shoe pile. :)

I think this about sums it up. Remember I only spent $13.50 on the lot!!! Consider the brands and quality I'm so impressed.

Our baby girls awesome gift!

Check out this beautiful doll crib

and the matching doll high chair...

I'm in LOVE!!!!

My parents were wanting some ideas on what would be a great gift for our little girls upcoming 1st birthday. I found these on Amazon for an amazing price! While we all agreed she is probably a little to young to fully appreciate and play with the set it is something over the years she'll use more and more.

The plan was that they would get the high chair and for the holidays we would get her the crib set (yup the bedding is all included). My parents being the crazy grandparents they are decided to get both now for her. Charlotte sure is one spoiled little girl.

The best part is that it matches up with our daughter furniture in her room! We're all about woods matching. I love funky fabrics and things on the wall to make things more fun but beautiful furniture is a huge must for us.

I can't get over how pretty the whole set is. I think we'll both having playing with these for years to come (ha!).

Goodwill Finds

Tonight was one of those nights where I just needed to get out of the house. Justin decided to help me get the kids down earlier and I booked it right out. Now whats a 22 yr old mom of 2 to do on a wild Tuesday night? GOODWILL of course :)

Here are some of my finds. There were so many things I wanted to buy but I was trying to be resale practical since we'll soon be out of work (29 days and counting)

First find

• NWT Rare editions dress $1.39




• 2 GORGEOUS matching lamps $3 pair.





• Vera Bradley Mini Hipster ~ New, mint condition $6.99





• Jeep Jogging Stroller w/ipod hook up $19.99

Can't wait to see how these do :)

The future and EAS

These last couple weeks have been a whirl wind. While I promised at the start of 2011 to write on here daily I have failed miserably. Not because I don’t have things to say believe me I have plenty. I wish to write of happy things and crafts and lately I’ve just been down. As the date to EASing out the marine corps comes ever closer to my husband I feel lost. I know that God will not just let us fall down because we have two adorable children to support and two precious puppies.

The lack of plan and only a general direction to shoot for has me waning. I’m a planner always have been, I slowly have stopped planning as I became more of a military wife. Semper Gumby right? Well as EAS starts looming it’s big ugly head closer I feel more like a dried out Gumby.

Hopefully soon things will start looking up.

The kids are doing great. Our 3yr old self proclaimed Bumblebee (from transformers) is keeping us wildly entertained with all the new things he is doing. His speech is getting better every day. I decided to set aside time each morning right when he wakes up to work on pronouncing different words and the improvement has been dramatic. He’s such a quiet guy that prying words out of him is difficult but we love out little bumblebee

Hurricane Charlie is the complete opposite of her brother. She has a scream that peels paper but the cutest and sweetest look on her face as she screams that you can’t help but smile. She has 6 teeth in now! Still very little hair but our princess is almost one. I’ll be posting up details of her birthday as it gets closer.

That’s all for now. Please forgive me for not written. My mind is such a mess but maybe forcing myself to write everyday will help me to figure everything out.

In-laws

Man we had a surprise attack of the in-laws! We're loving having them here and the kids are digging all the attention.

Tomorrow the guys are going to start some minor this and that house repairs in preparation of us getting out of the miltary. I can't believe we have less than 60 days. When honey was deployed it just seemed so much further away but with him home we're both feeling the rush.

We haven't decided yet if we'd like to rent it out (our area in relation to base is ideal) or just outright sell. Anyone have thoughts? Its a 3bd with a double entry big bathroom and cute as a button

***Workout***
I haven't slacked off a day yet! I just started lifting light weights to get the tone. Really feeling the crunch and loving it! Hopefully work off some of that arm jelly soon!

Being Lazy and Working Out

Today was amazing! My husband surprised us early in the morning by tip toeing into the house to surprise us. I woke up because I heard someone roaming around and I so shocked to see him J I knew the date was coming up but not exactly when. He gave the kids little kisses since they were still sleeping as we just hung out till they woke catching up on all the photos we both had of what the last couple months had been.

Jake FREAKED out when he saw his Daddy! He went into our room to get me up and going like usual and the look on his face was priceless. He let out a big “Daddy!!!!” yell and jumped right on Daddy’s chest J
Charlie had a different approach. She is such a lover and sweetie but she was still like who is holding me???? She was only 6 months when Daddy left so we have to cut her some slack ;)

The rest of the day we just spent hanging out and I cooked and amazing turkey dinner with all the fixings and we opened presents since Santa was waiting for Daddy before he came by. Odd as it may sound I feel just completely relaxed since my husband has been home. He brings calmness to everyone around him and I just love it because I bring the chaos ;)

Got my workout in after the kids went to sleep. I ran for 20 minutes, did 500 crunches, and 250 squats! I don’t think I’ve done a squat since high school gym. Thankfully that was only a couple years ago but still far to long ago. My goal is to get a workout like this in the morning and the evening. Can’t wait to see those pounds start to just come right off.

My heart is Home from Afghanistan!!!!

Wonderful news!!!!

My husband got home from Afghanistan this evening. We’re so proud and happy to have him safe and home with us No more deployment!!!!!

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Ran 2 miles today and did 500 crunches woohoo