In Celebration and Praise

When We Fall

Lola has recently learned how to ride her bike.

She is eight years old and simply had no desire to do it before. She didn't even really ride her bike with training wheels...it wasn't important, she didn't enjoy it and she complained every time we encouraged her to do it.

It wasn't until I kicked her out of the bike trailer that her "want too" changed.



 I know that eight sounds a little old to still be riding in a bike trailer -it IS, but she is just a tiny little thing and just slipped right in there with Kolton...so until this year we just went with it.

She actually learned VERY quickly and took off like a champ!! She rode every day, her balance getting stronger and stronger! I love watching her...hair and skirts, blowing in the wind! But after a couple of weeks she started backing off her practice time. First it was a couple of days between rides. Then...an entire week went by.

Maybe it lost the fresh excitement or maybe it was too hot or too much work. Maybe she just didn't want too. I asked her about it and she simply responded, "I know (sigh)" and trucked into the garage and fetched her bike out.Off she went with a wobble, knuckles white and elbows out straight! Around the turn of the driveway she slowly went and CRASH! Legs and elbows scratched up and bleeding. She is upset. Upset that she fell, upset that she is hurting and upset that she "forgot" how to ride.

I cleaned her up. I loved her up and encouraged her to get right back on and try again. She was sorry and discouraged it had been so long she forgot. But she went out and picked up her bike...scared determination in her eyes.  She put that leg over, worked it around so she had a good starting petal...and with a big push, off she went again! Made it past the first big turn and then around the second. The more rounds the bigger the smile!

That afternoon she crashed a total of 3 times which is more than any other time she had ridden but she got back on and took off once more. I was so very proud of her!

This morning as I went for my run I was running through scripture verses in my mind.

Remember this post?

Well I quickly discovered that I couldn't completely remember most of them. Then I felt guilt ridden that I haven't stuck to my 2 verses a month! It had been since April that I had added a verse to my notebook...let alone continue memorizing what I had already THOUGHT I had learned. It had been so long that I had forgotten!I struggled through the last of my run (the time that I have devoted to Him).

Will I fail at this too?

Will I mess up this commitment like I messed up and failed at my scripture memory?

When God brings things like this to the forefront of my mind, I have a tendency to beat myself up. Big Time! I know that we need to hear what God is speaking to us, repent with a pure heart and move forward...but I tend to linger -getting mad at myself.I messed up again. Yep...failed again.

But God so lovingly brought Lola's bike riding to my mind.

I looked through these pictures of her and my heart was full!

Where is my want to? What is my NEED to!! When we fall we need to get right back up. God's arms are big and will lovingly pick us back up! His word will encourage us and we need to dust off and keep going.

I don't have to spend time with Him or memorize His word as a HAVE TO, I desire to want to!

It is more than simply being obedient.  It is love! His love first for us and then our loving Him.

I want to be obedient to what He calls me to do because I love Him. So often in my life I tried to be obedient for God to "love me more". To please God like I've tried to please people all these years and then of course fail and beat myself up for weeks.

I'm praying for my "want too" to change!  PRAISE God that He cares enough, loves enough to keep moulding me -each of us!  We will all fall. But it is getting back up and starting again. I thank you Lord for the opportunity! =)

"Let your roots grow deep into Him and draw up nourishment from Him so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done." Colossians 2:7

(A re post from the archives)

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As we end one year and start another,
may we not be discouraged and give up on the things the Lord is leading us to do. 

Just this week I read, "A habit is what we wear. A habit is the way we wear our days."

I loved that!

Personally I know I have many new habits that I desire to wear in 2012!

Here is to looking with expectant hearts into the new year! {Cheers!}

There's Love in the Air!

Love is in the air and I am just *SMITTEN* over this new fabric collection by Barb Tourtillotte! 

Some sweet Valentine dresses will be available within the next couple of weeks for all your little lovies! 

A new style of dress will also be making it's debut!{I'm so excited!  It is so easy to put on/off -AND- it's reversible!!  YAY!!}

Don't forget to send in your photo's for our photo contest!  Email HERE & details can be found HERE!

The Gift

Children's smiles, giggles and goofy moments flood back and fill, as I edit each photo.

Memories are now captured in time, I smile at their faces.  Excitement in the gift!

Wonder and anticipation filled each mad tear of the paper!

And now days later the presents unwrapped (and somewhat) put away, we move forward into a new year. I look at all these photo's and can't help but think, have I lost this excitement I see?

Right before Christmas I stood in front of the children and held up a gift.  I asked them what if we received a gift, but chose not to open it. We held it. Admired it. Maybe messed with the bow a bit...but sat it back down and walked away.

Of course they said how crazy that was!  Why wouldn't you want it?  Why wouldn't you tear the paper off and throw open the lid?  Why wouldn't you want the excitement, wonder and anticipation of the gift especially if it was the best Gift ever given...

Kind of silly isn't it?  To have the gift available but to never open it?

Well what if we have opened it?  What if we have taken hold and opened the Gift of Christ given...eternal life...our name forever written in the book of life.  Then what?

Isn't it when the Gift has been opened that we should be really experiencing the excitement and wonder?!

We can so easily get lost in the current in life.  Our mind can grow numb and eyes can lose sight of all the wondrous things around us....God here with us, God in us!  The opened Gift of life in Christ!

I look at Kolton's face and I smile.  May that be me today and everyday! 

May I SEE the gifts of  daily grace! 

May I be filled with wonder and excited anticipation with each mad tear of the day and year to come!

Give me your heart and eyes to see you all around me Lord!
Enable me to joyfully serve you daily in all things.
You have lavished me with this beautiful gift...may I never loose sight of that.  Thank you Jesus...

2011 Christmas Photo Contest!

Were right smack dab in the season with the BIG DAY drawing near...and as you wrap, prepare and organize I thought maybe we could have some fun!!

Personally I love photo's and with all the Christmas Dolls shipped out, I thought it would be fun to have a little Baby be Blessed photo contest!





Here are the categories:

~Children
~Nature
~Animals
~Around the World
~Inspirational

The only rule is that your picture must have a Baby be Blessed doll in it.

Be creative and have fun!!

We will vote for the winners right here on the blog the first week of January!
Each category winner will receive a Scripture Crown with matching Doll Dress and the OVERALL WINNER will receive a $56 Baby be Blessed Gift Certificate!

*Please email your photo's to babybeblessed@gmail.com by JAN. 1st, 2012

Can't WAIT to see them!

To: Mommy - From: Dade

Dear Mommy,

I'm writing you this letter today to tattle on Aunt Tina.  I was exhausted!  Playing, eating, crawling, zooming around in my walker and getting into the Christmas tree ten times over takes A LOT of energy! 

I told her I was tired with my monkey calls but she just didn't listen!

My eye lids were so heavy that I couldn't keep them open anymore.  My head felt wobbly and I could no longer sit up straight!  You would think that she, who loves me so, would feel compassion and put me to bed -but nope!  Instead she grabbed her camera and giggled as she took pictures of my head bopping around!

Can you believe that?!  *sigh*

I think I will get her back by pulling the garbage can over when she isn't looking.

Love you Mommy,
Dade

He makes all things new!

Last week today the rain poured down in buckets. Puddles, mud and mess was everywhere...inside and out! The clouds were gray, sun hidden for days and gloom seemed to lurk everywhere, especially in my heart.

It just started out as one of those days that you wish you could crawl back into bed. This household of six was running away from me. I was feeling the pressure of falling behind and quick approaching deadlines, a fussy baby who didn't feel well and two big dogs that have been couped up in the laundry room for days since their eviction from the mud room the week before.

{Which left one big puppy in deep trouble for digging a whole into the wall while we were away.}

Needless to say, the training cage was brought once again from the attic and sad puppy eyes cried out while I tried to fold laundry around them both. The muddy foot prints, dog hair and constantly being underfoot while I try to wade through the many days piles of laundry about put me over the edge! There was much more than my laundry was piling up...it seemed everything was piled high and about to topple over, so the dogs had to go out into the garage for a while.

An hour went by and I thought I better go check on those pups of ours as the bucket of drywall compound still sitting on the counter caught my eye from our current patch work still in progress. As I ran outside it started to pour. I opened the garage door and literally gasped! Two piles of poop and Natalie's bike down on the ground with the seat torn off into shreds. I didn't even know what to do. I just stood there with my hand over my mouth.

One dog cowered while the other jumped around with joy.

When I came somewhat to my senses , I grabbed the shovel and tried my best to clean up fresh piles of poop, smearing it all over and dropping half of it as I try to walk outside with a jumping dog next to me, the rain pours...

So after scooping, sweeping scrubbing and lots of scolding -I am done! Not just done cleaning up but mentally done. Kolton keeps yelling out the door to me that the baby is awake and screaming when the puppy runs up to him. He slams the door and the dog jumps mud all over the door and window.

My bottom lip quivers as I walk into the house. I grab the dog cage and as I am bringing it outside into the garage it caught the door frame and pulled the trim off. Yep...done.

My eyes well up full and the baby is crying upstairs and piles of laundry and stuff is everywhere and I bang my way out the back door and just stand in the rain.

It poured down steady along with my tears.

What else can you do in these moments but pray? As I cried out to the One who knew already my weakness and struggle I just stood there in that rain...like grace falling down.

Tyring, learning and choosing to praise Him for each very moment (especially through the hard) I cry out into and through the drops falling down!

I can handle this! If this is what the enemy wants to throw at me -THIS I can handle. All the sickness, death and horrible things in this fallen world...I can handle these things with a little smeared dog poop on top. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Thank you Lord for these small things. Thank you for the puppy who never stops and for the baby who is able to fuss and for all the things that still need done...for a house that is living full! THANK YOU!

The Lord washing me clean right there in the rain.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. " 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I can move forward joyfully because I know and trust in Him.

As I picked the kids up from school my heart feeling refreshed, it started to snow. Working with homework and after school chores I didn't even notice until Natalie shouted for me to look outside. The heavy rain turned to a heavy snow.

Everything white, beautiful and new!

I smiled. I think the Lord allowed it to snow just for me!

The kids started to giggle and laugh and dig out last years boots. The first snow of the year! Oh, the laughter!! It was a healing salve on a hurting wound. Snow balls, snowmen and fingers cold to the bone! Smiles and mittens and scarves!

All I could think of is that He makes all things new!

Isn't He the master of turning the biggest muddy messes into the most beautiful piles of beauty you ever saw!

We should expect it shouldn't we? Always keeping our eyes open and watching for it!

Oh Lord...how I praise you!

Cinderella Winner's!

Thanks for being sweetly patient!
Yesterday I realized that it had been a whole month since I've blogged! Can you believe that? I couldn't believe that much time had went by so quickly! I really want blogging to be something that the Lord leads me to do, not just something too do -ya know? PLUS -we are finishing up this years Christmas Cart and that comes first! =)

One thing is for sure. I've missed it!

The winner's of the Cinderella Dolls are.....

Lauren Seagroves & Stephanie Foster!

I will ship them to the address from your Show Hope donation.
Thanks to everyone who was able to give! You are a blessing!

I'm Here!

Everything has been so busy that the days have slipped away from me! I will draw the winner of the Cinderella Dolls tomorrow, so be sure to check back in to see if you've won!

May we Show Hope...

Please join us and support Show Hope! 

You can make the difference in a child's life today!  Isn't that exciting?! 

Last year in my gratitude journal, I wrote something that Steven Curtis Chapman said:

"a single drop creates a ripple that reaches out."

That really spoke to me.  I often feel like the problem or situation is too big for me to help with or where would I even start to help...or does it even matter (because it's one single drop).  But it does matter!  Everything you choose to do matters and YOU can change the world by being a part of this wonderful ministry!  Please visit their website (CLICK HERE) and seek God's direction concerning a sponsorship with SHOW HOPE.  TRUST that if He guides...He will provide! 

Over the next month we will be supporting Show Hope here through our blog by raffling off TWO
{Oh yes, I said two!} Asian Cinderella dolls! 

100% OF ALL DONATIONS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO SHOW HOPE!

The Cinderella doll measures 16" tall and has black minky hair with a yarn bun. She is wearing a sparkling tiara and a beautiful Dupioni silk dress!

 Her scripture patch has a copy of Maria's original flower and butterfly drawing and reads "Taste and SEE that the Lord is good."  Psalm 34:8 ----- In Memory of Maria, our precious Cinderella.  "I will dance with Cinderella, while she is here in my arms, 'cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight, and she'll soon be gone."  Always take time to dance, Steven and Mary Beth Chapman

This exclusive doll is no longer available for purchase.

Please enter to win by making a donation in the chipIn below.  $1 = 1 chance!



Winner will be randomly chosen on November 27th!  Perfect timing for Christmas!

In a recent mailing from Show Hope they asked the following... "Consider what role God might have for you in His Kingdom work of showing hope to orphans..."  Would you consider and pray over that today?

Thank you SO MUCH! 

Too Cute Tuesday!

Here is a picture of my youngest Logan and his BbB doll!
Thanks for all the cuteness,

Erika Teigland

Sooo sweet!  And I think his "buddy" looks so much like him!
Thanks for sharing!!

Busy Little Bees....

How are you?

I know I have been awfully quiet here on the blog and I thank you for understanding....

We have been like busy little bees...or maybe I should say like busy little elves, cutting -sewing & starting to finish up all of your Christmas babies!

I was able to work on some finished dresses over the weekend and just listed them this morning HERE.

Thanks so much for supporting us and please please keep us in your prayers if we would happen to come to mind! My hearts desire is to glorify God in all we do here. Have a fantastic day!

Pumpkin Patch!

Look who took a trip to the Pumpkin Patch with his preschool class! 
He loved the pumpkins, the two dogs and the big fat pig! 

This is the only pumpkin we have right now.
Hopefully the weather will be nice this weekend to gather up a few more!

It's a Marvelous Monday!

Have a good weekend?!
The winner of Yay...Free Friday is:

Tom Elenbaas said...
Super cute dress! Thank you for Free Friday's!

Please email me with your address Tom and we will get your dress shipped out to you!

Thanks to all who entered!

Weekends are for sitting still...

Sometimes it's good to just sit still.

We watched the sunrise...and held hands.

We smiled over squirrel's gathering nuts...

...and giggled over my boot booties, three pairs of long underwear/two pair of pants, three shirts a jacket two coats and a safety harness!  Boy I was warm but could hardly walk!!

Spending some time this weekend sitting still in a tree stand with my man!!  {Oh, yes I did!}  It was the first time ever and it was great!


Happy Sweetest Day Honey!!

Yay...Free Friday!

TGIF!!

Wow! It's been a fast/long week! Does that make sense to anyone but me?! =)

So thank goodness it's Friday which also means Yay Free Friday for all of you!!

This week we are giving away this Amy Butler print peasant dress.

To Enter: Please leave a comment below

Winner will randomly be chosen on Monday!

Have a wonderfully relaxing weekend!

Living Proverbs 22:6



Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Last night at Jr. Church Bible Study, I asked the children to choose one child and "Mummify" them in newspaper.  All month we are learning how to share the "Good News" by explaining our faith to others. 

Natalie was nominated and after lots of giggles {and tape} she was all wrapped up.  We did this right before class started and I asked her to stand mummified during our opening.  She sighed a little bit.  It was hard to move.  The paper kept dropping down over her eyes so she couldn't see.  It was a fun game to play and pretend at first but once that was over it was a bother to be wrapped up.

Since we are talking about sharing the "Good News" with others...I asked them to look at the newspaper articles, what was it full of??  Mostly BAD news right?!

The point:  The newspaper is filled with bad news, and people in our world can feel overwhelmed by bad news in their lives, even mummified by it!  But we have the Good News of Jesus and need to share it so people can be freed from the bad news of this world and made alive in Jesus! {Discipleland Cirriculum}

I asked Natalie to then break free of the "bad news" and live alive in Christ! She ripped that newspaper right off of her.  Freedom!

Even as Christians we can feel "mummified" by bad news, worries, what if's...you can plug anything in here!  It can consume us.  We can feel like we can't move or see past the situation and there is no hope.

But truth is...there is ALWAYS HOPE in Christ!  We need to litterally throw off those feelings.  They are just that -feelings.  Emotions that are like a battlefield within you!

When I get all wrapped up and messy {even before this activity with the kids} I've imagined a piece of paper in my mind...crumbling it into a tight ball {all the junk inside} and throwing it far away from me then I drop to my knees.  I need His strength!  I can't do it.

Just like when Natalie broke through all that paper and it dropped it the ground, we picked it all up and threw it away.  It's THEN we need to replace those lies, worry, and fears with God's truth. 

Who is He?  What does HE say about you or the situation?  What does His word speak to you?!

Such FREEDOM in Christ! 

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."  Isaiah 26:3

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7


You are loved and there is peace to be found in Christ even during the darkest times!  If you need us to lift you up today in prayer, please leave a comment below or send a private email.

Amigo

The Portuguese and Spanish word for "friend" is Amigo. 

And this Horse named Amigo is becoming such a good friend to Natalie! 

The girl who has dreamed of horses since she was two years old!

The Sunday before last, we were asked if Natalie wanted to ride in a local parade with Catalpa Point Stables which is where she takes riding lessons.  Her face lit up with bright eyes and a HUGE smile as she looked at me for a response!  What good Mama would say no....  =)

They all did a FANTASTIC JOB!  I was able to walk along with them and pass out information flyer's. 

My sister Michelle and three of her kiddo's were cheering us on from the sidelines!

Natalie and I with Amigo

It was a beautiful fall day and Natalie was on cloud nine!!  I am so thankful that though she does not have a horse of her own...she can still build a beautiful bond of friendship with this beautiful horse named Amigo!

...New Life!

"one Lord, one faith, one baptism" 

Ephesians 4:5

Last year as I was standing in the bathroom on a Saturday morning, Lola walked in and told me that God was telling her that she should be baptized.  My heart swells as well as the tears in my eyes.  She had already told me about the evening earlier that year, after a fight with her sister, how she closed her eyes in prayer.  Angry at herself.  Needing forgiveness for much more than just harsh words spoken.  

It was then that she professed her faith to the One who heals and restores.  

Last week when we talked about it she said that she has prayed and asked Him to be her Savior before...but this time...she just knew.  Her name was written.  She didn't need to explain anymore.   Experience speaks for itself.

So as I stood by the sink, my heart bursting right open, I squished her tight! I told her that we would talk to the Pastor about getting Baptized.  She smiled and shook her head yes as she turned to head downstairs. 

The next morning she handed me a card that she made to give Pastor Jim.  On the front a picture of her getting baptized.  On the inside it reads:  "Last Sunday I prayed to God about baptism and God said it's time"

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.  I Corinthians 12:13

I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.  Mark 1:8

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

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Oh, this sweet girl whom I love with everything in me!  A year had passed since that moment at the sink but her mind and heart stood strong.  October 1, 2011, Lola was baptized! 

I can only praise and give Him ALL GLORY for the wonderful privilege of coming alive in Christ!

NATALIE'S BAPTISM