So Sweet..

This past week we went on a Mini road trip to Greenville, SC with Stephen's parents to visit his Grandmom (Gracie's Great Grandma) whom she's never met and her new cousin Lucas- plus his parents Jim and Ilma from Lithuania and other cousins, and Aunts. Her most favorite was a sweet little boy named Elijah:) She love, loved him so much. She would kiss his head, rub his head, want to hold him, hug him, and "try" to take care of him- needless to say it was REALLY so cute and it makes me think of the future so much more! She will be a wonderful Big sister "one day":) I love seeing her interact with little babies!




Here are a few pictures from the Griese Family Reunion- Enjoy!

Meeting 3rd Cousin Elijah

Meeting Great Aunt Ilma

Brothers and Sisters

2nd and 3rd Cousins!

KIM

Brand New ME!!

Today, I got my haircut! I love, love it.... I have always had my hair done by my mom but since we have moved up here to LC, I've had a hard time finding someone as great as her (love you, mom). I had a friend from MOM'S Club tell me about Southern Exposure and so I gave them a try and this is how it turned out.......

'

I love it so much, don't you?!? Because of a sweet friend I was able to get pampered by my hubby and feel good about myself too...

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

 LOVE

Wacky Wednesday!

T

First off- Let me tell you why- I called today Wacky Wednesday is because of this picture right here! Gracie ALWAYS- ALWAYS manages to get out of her straps. Yes, I know its dangerous, Yes I know she will get hurt badly if we were to wreck.. BUT- we have tried everything- its tightened and we have even changed car seats but this little Miss Smartness knows how to open them. What we found is if we tapped the thing closed it makes it harder to open it... HAHA I posted this on FB so that people would see how funny she looks when she throws fits (they are a daily thing now a days) and everyone went crazy over the strap issue!! Haha Just goes to show you- maybe its not a good idea to post -EVERYTHING on FB!!

 LOL

On to Target- I just love Target! I love everything about that store! When you walk in they have their new carts- The $1 section is so fun too!! I love their clothes and shoes for Big girls aka me LOL and for little girls aka Gracie! The other day at Wal-mart I bought a really cute bathing suit- so I thought- well, today at Target I found one even cuter!! Gracie Birthday party is at a Splash Pad so she needed something cute....Here are a few pictures of what I found today:) I love having a girl to dress up! OMW its so much fun! 

All a $1 each:)

Isn't this the cutest!

Her Easter Dress:)

Free Shout Color Catcher Sample

Free Shout Color Catcher Sample

Who likes Free Stuff.... Me, Me!

I love FREE stuff! Since I married Steve, he has made me a caffeine loving, Ibuprofen taking, coupon clipping machine.. LOL


Lately, though I have been one upping him in the coupon saving department and I have been getting FREE samples.. Yeah, I know what your thinking- Sample?! Who wants those, the stuff is usually small and you dont get much of it.. Well, let me tell you I have found where you can get not only "small" samples but also "BIG" samples- Free coupons for food items is one thing and then actual full sized products.


Take what I got today in the mail for example: I saw on Keeping Cents (you have to check this site out- too cool) where if you signed up for Target Beauty Bag they would actually ship you free sample stuff PLUS over $25 worth of coupons what I didn't know is that it would come so soon and in such a cute little case!

You can find Keeping cents on Facebook (add her as a friend) or you can click the link I provided!


Being a stay at home mom- means we have a tight budget which in turn means "Not" much shopping so finding these cool samples makes my day!


A few tips when doing samples:
Never give out your actual email- make up a new email that is only for samples because you don't want the junk mail!




This was a day maker for me! Try it you wont be disappointed.. PROMISE:))


PS Check out All You because they will actually email you the new hot samples of the day too!! 

My Little Model

My Sweet Gracie Lyn...
I love you so much, because of the laughter you have brought into my life.
You are such an amazing little almost 2 year old.
I love your kisses, your hugs and I "Wuv You's"
I love when you wake up in the morning saying "Mommy, time to get up"
I love the person you have made me become. Because of you, I have purpose.
I love your messy face when you get done eating.
I love the handprints you leave on the back door's window.
 I love how your my little buddy and side kick!
I love it when you play dress up and have to wear my heels!
I love to hear you sing sweet songs, especially "Jesus, Loves Me"
I love how smart you are, and remember things so perfectly.
Most of All I love the little lady your becoming, my sweet Gracie Girl.

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.  ~Author Unknown

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.
 ~Author Unknown

A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer.  ~Author Unknown

A mother's treasure is her daughter.  ~Catherine Pulsifer

90 Minutes in Heaven

 Ever wonder what Heaven will be like? Ever think about the people who have since passed and wonder what they are doing? I have been pondering this for awhile. I also have been worrying about the future and what it will hold too. The Lord has been working on my heart and letting me know that its okay to ask questions but in the end to know that we have to put our trust in him and not to worry about things that we can not handle. I am reminded of this verse. Hope it puts some ease in your mind if you struggle with worry too!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation

I found a book called 90 minutes in Heaven and its an awesome read! Its short book (just how I like it, because being a mom- its hard to find time to read) and really uplifting. Its a True Story about a man by the name of Don Piper who actually dies at the scene of a car crash he was involved in. For at least 90 minutes he is dead then because of prayer he comes back to life and shares his story of what he saw in heaven. One thing I really thought was neat is that when he got to heaven there were people who had lead him to Christ waiting to welcome him in. He said it was so amazing that he had a hard time describing it. He also said that at the end of the 90 minutes he heard singing and it was like everyone was singing songs to God but all at one time and he said that it was so beautiful. 

If Heaven wasn't so far away!

Today, my sweet Papa Ray came to my mind. He was actually my "Step" Papa but he never acted like it. When my mom got remarried to my dad, Papa Ray got himself 2 grandkids and he was so happy and excited! Me and my brother Jarrod were only 4 and 6 years old when they got married. 


There is a song that is out called "If Heaven wasn't so far away" and I always think of him when I hear it. I had only known him for prob. 5 years before he passed away but it seemed like a lifetime. The day he died I cried and cried... We lived on his property in Plant City and he moved to the Panhandle with his other son (Uncle Bill). He would visit some, and we would visit him. My brother, and I loved when Papa Ray visted because that meant CANDY and lots of it, and TOYS (anything we wanted). He would lose things from time to time like his glasses and then pay us to find it. I remember one time I wrote on the back of my parents seat with a permanent marker, when my dad found out he was going to spank me but Papa Ray told him no, that I didnt mean to do it:) He was so kind, so sweet, everyone who knew him loved him you couldnt help but love him! He was such a wonderful and caring Papa! 


I dedicate this post to my Papa Ray who has been gone for quite some time now. I wonder what he would think if he saw us today, if heaven wasn't so far away!


Love you, Papa Ray!




You'll need to scroll down and push pause on my music player before listening to this song:)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Everyone!
We didn't do anything really fancy today, just me and Gracie went shopping and had a lot of Fun! She got a newly  used doll thats a cheerleader and she loves it! Last night at church we ate the traditional Corn beef and cabbage (not a fan). Then, today I dressed Gracie in green and took some really cute pictures!


Enjoy:)

An Irish Prayer: 

May God give you...For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer.

Thankful Thursdays!

                                                     “Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
                                               and his courts with praise!
                                        Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
                                                   ~ Psalm 100:4 (ESV)



I just love the sound of Thankful Thursdays!! Lately, the Lord has been working on my heart with different posts I see on FB or even in dreams- he's right there telling me what I need to hear. So many times in our everyday life we forget to stop and say "Thanks" we are always asking for things (yes, they are just things) and then say well "Thanks, Lord" why not dedicate a whole day to being thankful? I stumbled upon a blog that touched my heart so much I cant express it! Her, name is Kellie and one month ago today she lost her 4 month old baby girl to SIDS! Today, she challenged me to have a thankful Thursday and I did just that! So, today I have posted a few pictures of Gracie playing in the park (as per Kellie's request) and also a link to her blog (must read, she has amazing strength)

The 10 things I'm Thankful for today:


1. Jesus- who died to give me life and for that I'm forever thankful
2. The Sun and nice warmth it brings (Spring, YAY)
3. So thankful for my loving, and caring Husband: Steve who loves me even with all my faults
4. My sweet Gracie who is growing up right before my eyes
5. Laughing in the car 
6. Music and the sweet lyrics that always get to me
7. Being able to stay home with Gracie
8. Family: Who are always there when you need them
9. The MOM's Club and the sweet friends I have made from it
10. God's Word 


What are you thankful for Today?

Going down the slide

I love this picture of Gracie.. She was chasing after the bubbles

Talking with a friend.. Everyone she meets is a friend to Gracie <3

Gracie wearing her Big Bow in Memory of Maddie

What is it about Spring...

Spring is one of my top favorite seasons! I just LOVE LOVE when the weather gets a little warmer and the flowers start to bloom. I think most of all though I really love Spring because thats when Gracie was born! 


I cant believe in April it will be 2 years since I saw her precious face for the first time. I can not begin to express to you the Love I have for that little brown eyed girl. Everyday she says something funny and learns something new and I just cant get enough!


Spring also is a time of "Spring Cleaning" and today I have did my fare share of it:) I took so many bags of old clothes and things lying around here hoarding my house! I even put Gracie's winter clothes away to make way for her Summer ones!


Have I mentioned how much I love SPRING?!!?


I will leave you with this passage from the book of Ecclesiastes:
To Every Thing There is a Season - Ecclesiastes 3. 1-8

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Something you HAVE to try:)

I recently have been selected into the Purex insiders group. Which means I get free samples of upcoming products that will be released and then I tell Purex if I like it or not! Well, this week my first FREE sample was for the Purex Crystals Softeners and WOW it is great! I do not normally use softeners because they always leave a residue but with the crystals you just pour them directly on your clothes and they smell great and leave no residue what so ever! If you go to the link I have posted you will be able to get a $1.00 OFF coupon or if your really intrigued send me your email address and because I'm an insider I can get you more coupons!!

Please try this product and let me know if you like it or not!! You will not be disappointed!

Kim

http://www.purex.com/MXTQEPZOXYOMU16538AXODMQMFIYLHZ