God Gave Me You

We are coming up on the month of Thanksgiving and I cant help but think that everyday we should give thanks for all the Lord has blessed us with. My husband is a huge blessing to me. He is the most sweetest and kindest person I know. He always says encouraging and uplifting things to me. I just cant imagine my life without him. 

My little doll baby- Gracie Lyn is also a blessing to me. All along I thought I was having a boy and when the tech said Girl- we were all surprised. She is best gift to me. She says "Mommy, your my best friend" all the time and it melts my heart to pieces. She is my shopping buddy and wants to go with me and do what ever I'm doing- like cleaning or folding laundry she's right there saying "Mommy, I'll help you".

There is a country song that is out right now from Blake Shelton that is called "God Gave Me You".. He is singing it to his wife, but I think it could be for anyone who has blessed you.

I think of my two most favorite people when I hear these words!

Hope your having a great "Fall" day even though it feels like Summer here :)

God Gave Me You Lyrics:

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
And watch as the storm blows through
And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you
Gave me you

There’s more here than what we’re seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
And I’ll be the flattered fool
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
He gave me you. 

Happy Fall Ya'll!

I love Fall. I love how the weather starts to change from being in the 90's to the 70's :)

I especially love PUMPKINS and everything orange and brown. Most of all though, I love what follows Fall- WINTER!! My most favorite time of the year. I usually decorate on Nov. 1st! I can't help myself... This year its gonna be extra special cause Gracie is old enough to understand what Christmas is about- I want to teach her its not about the presents but about Jesus. 

This year we are going to put out Santa's elf named "Buddy".... Buddy is Gracie's “Elf on the Shelf™” who arrives at Thanksgiving and stays until Christmas Eve.  The Elf brings a book with him to explain his visit,

“At holiday time Santa sends me to you.

I watch and report on all that you do.

My job’s an assignment from Santa himself.

I am his helper, a friendly scout elf.”

Each night he flies away to the North Pole to give his report to Santa. In the morning he sits on a new perch for children to find (its really cute and Gracie's Great Uncle Billy and Aunt Pat bought her the little Elf last year for Christmas)...

What is your favorite season!!

Have a great week!!

Love, Kim

P.S. Since Gracie turned 2 1/2 last week she has totally changed. The tantrums are almost gone and she is such a joy. She hugs me and kisses me all day! Tells me how much she loves me. I adore that little girl. I think too she can communicate better and I think that was what the frustration was about. I love this new phase!

Our Dog Daughter Bella

Over on Kelly's Korner Blog she had a "Show us your life- Show us your Pet's" post. I thought it would be nice to post about our first fur child- Bella Marie. 

Bella is very special to us because we got her when we had only been married a year. She was born on April 2, 2006 ( the day Stephen Preached at our first church). My mom's dogs are always having puppies and she came from one of their litters. Bella was the sweetest of them all and the laziest. We were going to name her Jewel at first or Reese's but decided on Bella because of a salon that I had saw- hehe :) 

When we first got Bella in 2006

She has always been so so smart and also scared of EVERYTHING- I think the funniest thing that makes her hide is a flashlight when its turned on. Which makes Gracie go crazy and chase Bella all around with it :) The main reason we believe that Bella is so scared is because when she was only months old- we let her out to use the bathroom and a lady came running to our door saying that she thought she had hit a dog. That freaked us out- we looked all night everywhere for Bella and we couldn't find her anywhere. I cried- we even slept in the living room that night with the back porch light on hoping she would come back- but she didn't. The next morning at 6am we got up and I told Steve we have to go find her- we hopped in the red car and drove everywhere. Like 45 minutes had passed and from a distance we saw a dog and it was BELLA! She was so happy to see us and jumped in the car. She must have slept all night in a field. She was not harmed at all- we think the car nipped her. 


Then when Gracie was born I was a little worried that Bella would be jealous of her. At first Bella didn't understand who this little person was, but after months- she got use to Gracie and now 2 1/2 years later they are the best of friends.

Our Christmas pic in 2007

Bella- is 5 years old and her age is starting to show some. She is not as athletic as she once was. She mostly sleeps during the day- all day and plays with Gracie from time to time. Gracie loves giving Bella her left over food and Bella has been the best at helping us clean up Gracie's messes!!

Gracie 4 months old and Bella

We are so thankful for Bella Marie and the joy she has brought to us. She has helped fill that sibling spot for Gracie right now and we couldn't imagine life without our first fur daughter!

Smocked Dresses

I admit it... I love shopping for Gracie...
Smocking is my favorite thing ever.  If I could pull it off, I would wear it myself.
The problem- smocked dresses are very expensive- if you buy them new they could cost you anywhere from $30 to I have seen people paying $60. I don't even spend that much on myself let alone on a toddler who will probably get the dressed stained hehe:)

How sweet!

 I have always bought "gently used" clothes for Gracie at our local consignment shop: Kids Patch. I would sell her clothes and then get money on my account to buy her things. I had never experienced consignment shops till I moved here. What I always thought was, whats the point of buying brand new clothes for your little one when all they will do is grow out of it?!?! I could find the same thing from "Baby Gap" or any mall brand at a consignment store so much cheaper than what the new one would have cost.

Gracie's Easter Smocked Dress for $5

I have kept a few things for our next kid (if its a girl then she'll be set) but a lot of things I have sold because to be honest I don't have the room to keep everything- This girl has A LOT of clothes and shoes.

I also LOVE bows for Gracie. I found off youtube.com how to make bows and so half the time I make Gracie's to match her outfits. Lately though, she has been not wanting to wear her bows or wear what I want her to. She has to pick her shoes and outfits- Uh Oh!!

I things embroider too!!

Being a stay at home I have found that ebay.com has the best prices in smocked dresses! I found a really cute pink Christmas dress with little skating bears smocked on it for $10- if you get really lucky you can find some for less than $10....

I love how smocked dresses  are flowy (is that a word..haha)- so if you get them a little bigger its okay because it just makes it that more Presh-- haha I said I would never use this word because IT CRACKS ME UP (it means precious, so many people on FB use this term:) I bought Gracie her very first smocked dress at a thrift store for get this- .50... Yes, for real-- its a 24 months but she has worn that thing for the last year and half:

Noah's Ark Smocked Dress for .50 :))

I also Love boutique stuff but I don't have the know how to make those things- so I found ebay that you can buy boutique things for a great price also... Just keep checking and I love to go to ending soonest rather than price- because sometimes you can scoop up the best deals that way!!

Boutique Jumper I just bought for $7 for Christmas!

On a side note: I guess I'm a little old fashion when it comes to dressing Gracie for church. I think little girls should look like little girls and I love putting her in dresses with frilly socks and little leather dress shoes and big bows! 


Happy Shopping!

Random Post on Random Things!

I honestly have not had much to post or for that matter anything really EXCITING to write about! We have been so busy with our new church (the good- so exciting busy) that I have been at a lose for words. 

We just got back today from the library story time that they have on Thursdays. Its so neat and FREE and Gracie loves it so much! She is getting to where she wants to go and do things and so I try to find fun things for her to do. She is in love with her Puggles class on Wednesday nights at church. I'm a helper in there and last night we had 11 two year olds. I love spending time with those kiddies and Gracie has learned so far that Trees and Flowers come from God and the days he made them! Every night when we drive home she passes out from playing so hard:)

After a very Fun afternoon at Puggles!

A couple weeks ago we took a trip to Disney and then to Daytona Beach! It was so sweet to see her reaction when she peeked around the corner for the first time and saw Mickey and Minnie waiting there.. She jumped up and down!! It made the trip for me and Steve. We love doing things with her like that:) My mom got to go with us- which was special this was her first visit in over 20 years- A lot has changed!!

Waiting to meet Mickey and Minnie

Flying her Kite on Daytona Beach

Lastly, I love fashion, and SAMPLES! You need to go to Keeping Cents and check her daily deals... Also, check out this site as well: If you say Sew she makes custom t-shirts for holidays and they are only $12 can't beat that:) 

Now on to TOMS! They are so popular these days and when you buy a pair they will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need (Pretty cool right) I've heard they are the most comfortable shoes ever but a little pricey! I found a coupon for $5 off a pair of TOMS (type code: CATALYST) Below are the two pairs I love- I like how this color can basically go with anything- I'm gonna Talk Steve into getting me a pair for Christmas- wink, wink!!

My FAV!

Love, Kim

A New Adventure

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 

I have been at a loss for words lately. Blogging and the internet period hasn't seemed that important to me, which is why its been a while since I've posted anything.

Gracie always makes us laugh ~ she said look mommy: Bella's a unicorn... Haha

We have had so many new things going on- that being busy is an understatement. We have some BIG news- we are going to a new ministry in Starke. The church is called Madison Street Baptist Church. We are thrilled because we know that this is where the Lord wants us to go. After much prayer (Stephen even fasted and had overnight prayer time) the Lord spoke to him and me during that time- we knew that the Lord was moving us into a different direction- a different path. What path we didn't know for sure- we had questions: would Stephen continue being a Senior Pastor or would he try a different role as Pastor of Children or Education (Sunday School) everything was up in the air- one thing we knew, was that the time we had at First Baptist was ending. I don't take moves lightly. Its hard saying goodbye to friends who have become your family- Gracie was born here- this was the church she was dedicated in- But when the Lord calls: You Listen and follow- it may not be comfortable- believe me the waiting game of where he wants you to go is difficult but when your obedient it brings blessings.

She's looking through her bible saying:" I don't see Jesus.. Theres no pictures anywhere"... Hehe she makes me smile

Things just fell into place and Madison Street called. Stephen is so good at working with any position in the church so this new position as Associate Pastor of Children and Education was something I knew Stephen would thrive in. I have to tell you that I'm really excited. I feel the Holy Spirit in that church. The members are so sweet and we felt soo welcome. We had a few people mention "Welcome, Home" to us. Gracie is in love too. Just last week we asked Gracie "Do you like your new church" she said "Yes" we said "What do you like about it, the playplace?" she said "my friends".. her heart is so special and she makes us smile with all the cute things she says nowadays.


Please be in prayer for this Ministry. We covet your prayers!

Have a Blessed Weekend!




Love,


Kim

Our Saturday...

What did we do before Phone Camera's?!?

Stephen had a funeral this morning to go to and perform. I would have gone but Gracie is at an age that sitting is out of the question. Even going to restaurants is horrible. I can't wait till she is out of this "2" stage. Until then I have to ask myself "is it worth the stress" and the answer is NO!

She has been behaving very well these last two days. I hope she keeps it up because she is giving me a glimpse of the future Gracie and its so nice. She is a busy girl and staying inside is out the question. She has to always be doing something or its meltdown time.

Today, I thought it would be fun to show you the day in the life of Gracie. I wanted her to have a FUN day and I think I succeeded:) I love spending quality time with her. She is a joy and the sweetest little girl. We have talks and she tells me how much she loves me. I just adore being her mom. I'm so thankful that the Lord gave me Gracie to take care of.

We stopped by the Duck pond by our church and she fed the ducks.

She loved feeding them bread and her favorite ducks were the white ones that looked like Mamaw's

We stopped by Blockbuster- Her Favorite:) I let her pick out what ever movie she wants!
I signed up for a Kids Special $4.99 she gets unlimited Kids movies for 4 weeks.




The two Movies she picked! She is really into Mermaids lately :p

We ate lunch at McDonald's. Its a cool place to relax and let her play.. She LOVES it!

I let her get a Happy Meal because today was special.
 She loved the little Smurf Farmer she got:)



Our Sleeping Beauty after a Fun filled DAY:) She sometimes falls 
asleep on the couch and she has to have her babies around too!

All and all- Today was a great day- as the Fresh Beat Band would say (if you have small kids you know this reference) Hope you enjoyed the pictures:)

Love, Kim