Tapping in to my creative side

Are you a creative person?  Prior to beginning this blogging experience, I would have said NO to this question.  However, as I am reading through lots of other blogs, I am learning to become more thrifty and yes, even more crafty and creative. 

I now have a list of projects I want to try thanks to several new bloggy "friends".

Have you tried any of these? 

Do you have any more creative projects for me to try?

If you like the ideas below, be sure to give them love!
NOTE:  Quite a few of these came from Kim over at A Girl And A Glue Gun, or AGAAGG, for short.  Check out her blog, she has TONS of crafty ideas!

"Because I love you" Frame

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Looking for a cute way to display family photos?  How about a family tree?

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Recycled T-Shirts
#1

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#2

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Rolled Fabric Flowers

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Tissue Paper Pom Poms

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The tissue pom poms I have actually done for Aubrey Lemon's birthday party.  **Thanks Tiffany for introducing me to these.  I love them!!

These are just a few of the crafts that I am anxious to try for myself.  Do you have any DIY projects that you can share with me?  I am hoping my list keeps growing and I keep learning!

Graduation Celebration

Well, folks, I did!  I have completed my MBA!  I doubled up on classes (mostly because I'm impatient) and finished my degree in 13 months.  I am almost at a loss now as to what to do next.  The good thing is that I trust God.  He will show me what is next.  In fact, I'm counting on it!

I had a dinner to celebrate my graduation!  Thank you to all the family and friends that were able to make it.  Those that couldn't make it were greatly missed!




Best Friends/Family a girl could ask for!



Madelyn May & I

BTW, if you haven't been to Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney lately, check it out.  We dined at Paradiso 37 and it was fantastic!

Many Thanks!!!

Well folks, it has been about one month since I began blogging on a regular basis.  I just want to say thank you to each of you who are reading my blog, those who have commented, and those who are sharing my blog with others.  Keep the comments coming!  Keep sharing my blog with others!  Keep me smiling!

I have met some wonderful people through other blogs and I hope the same thing happens with my own blog.  If you aren't following me, please take the time to do so.

Keep the comments coming!  They truly make my day!

                      

Love you all!

Bestie's

Do you have a person in your life who is your best friend?  Or Bestie, as I call mine :)  Someone you can tell everything too?

Is it your sister?
A Roommate?
A Friend from church?

Mine is actually all of the above.  Who is she exactly?  Well, let me see if I can paint you a picture.

My bestie.....

• is sweet, kind, loving, fun, and ALWAYS the life of the party/event (when she shows up....lol).
• is loud!  (So is the rest of her family).
• has the kind of spirit that just draws people to her.
• loves throwing "themed" parties.  If you haven't attended one, you are missing out.
• has my back no matter what!
• loves Elvis, Fergie (from BEP), and You Tube. 
• would lay down her life for her nieces/nephew.
• never sits still. 
• laughs at EVERYTHING.  Seriously!  And she makes those around her laugh about it too.  It's infectious.
• has been through a lot and still always comes out on top.
• listens to me when I just need to vent.
• challenges me to become the best version of myself possible.
• is always ready for the next adventure, whatever it may be........Tony Danza, Skydiving, exploring Colorado, Cruises, Rachel Ray, NYC, numerous beach trips, and Parasailing, just to name a few of our adventures.

God put her friendship in my life at a time when I truly needed it.  I don't know what I would have done over the last 8 years without her.

So, Danielle Daku, thank you so much for your continued friendship.  I can hardly wait to see what we get ourselves in to next!

BESTIES - 4th of July 2011

" A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."

- Arabian Proverb

Know Any Good Books??

If you know me, you know that I am an avid reader.  I love to curl up with a good book.  Below are some books that are on my list to purchase. 

RECENTLY READ:

The Help (Kathryn Stockett)


The Bride Quartet (Nora Roberts)


Reshaping It All (Candace Cameron Bure)


The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (done)
The Girl who Played with Fire (1/2 done)
The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Next (up next)
All by Stieg Larsson

UP NEXT TO READ:


Adoption Books


101 Tees: Restyle*Refashion*Revamp by Cathie Filian (found at AGAAGG)



The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)

Have you read any good books lately?  Have any recommendations?  Let me know.  I'm always on the hunt for a new book.

What If...

I love this question.  Sometimes I just sit around and think about what if's.  Have you ever done that?  Some hard hitting what if's, like what if I had gone to college right out of high school rather than waiting until my mid-20's?  What if I had picked a different job than the one I have now?  And some less important what ifs like, what if I had worn my hair curly  today instead of straight?  What if I had gone to this place for dinner over that one?  My favorite though is what if I won the lottery? 

The state of Florida (which is where I live) offers the Powerball lottery ticket.  This jackpot often soars in to the 200+ million territory as it rolls over from week to week.  It is fun to think about what I would do with the money if I got it. 

Me?  Well, 10% goes to the church, automatically (yes, even though it is lottery winnings).  A LARGE chunk would be invested.  It is important to me to have the money wisely invested so that it might benefit my grandchildren, great-grandchildren, even great-great grandchildren, and so on.  You get the point.

I would then take care of those people who have taken care of me for so long.  Family (certain ones) and friends (who are family).

My school loans would be easily paid off.

I would travel.

I would buy a house (and land).

I would be able to adopt a child(ren). (Which I will still do, but if I won the lottery, the financial burden would be removed).**

Since I can be honest here, I will say that I would probably "blow" a good chunk of it too.  I am an avid shopper and my current funds do not always support that.  :)

My biggest splurge?  Season tickets to the Orlando Magic.  Floor seats.  Cost.........A LOT! :)

Another large chunk would go to various charities that I have fallen in love with, Visiting Orphans, A Gift for Teaching, The Florida Baptist Children's Home, and many more. 

After that, who knows!  The skies the limit.  What would you do with the money if you won the lottery?

**The financial burden of adopting can be overwhelming at times, but often times I think it brings a person closer to God and strengthens their walk with Him.  We must fully rely on Him to make it through.

1st Day of School

It's that time of year again.  School is officially back in session.  This year Alexandra is in 1st grade and Madelyn is moving to a new class as well.  I am praying for them, their classmates, and their teachers as we begin this school year.

Good Luck Girls!!!

Cha Cha is praying for you and cheering for you!

She just loves her new Harajuku Mini backpack



Sisters





Say Cheese!



Stress & Worry!

If you read my previous blog, you read # 9 where I said I was good at a lot of things, but not great at anything. Well, I might have to amend that because there is something I am great at……stressing and worrying. The Lord tells us not to worry about tomorrow and I cling to those promises more than most. I also know that I am human and I definitely falter in this area.


What am I stressed/worried about right now you might ask? Money…specifically repaying my student loans. I continue to struggle with being the best steward of the financial gifts God has given me, but I try my best. Now I have completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree and it is time to begin repaying my loans.

This is very personal for me and not something I would normally share in such a public forum, but I believe in the power of prayer. So that is what I am asking you. Please pray for me over the next several months. I will be re-figuring my budget to include the repayment of my student loans along with my current bills and continuing to tithe.

My parents told me numerous times growing up that continuing to tithe often did not work on paper, but through God’s provisions, there was always enough money in the bank for all the bills and their tithe. I am going to cling to these promises of God as I begin my own financial journey with God.

25 Things You Don't Know About Me

If you have ever read an issue of US Weekly, you will find their column 25 Things You Don't Know About Me.  It wasn't easy to come up with 25 things, but I finally finished the list.  I hope you enjoy this list of 25 things you may not know about me.

1.  I have loved He-Man (and Masters of the Universe) since I was 4 years old (and continue to love him).
2.  I want to adopt a child (or children)....possibly in the near future.
3.  My favorite downhome restaurant is Fat Boys in Kissimmee, FL.
4.  I wish I had more time to volunteer and more money to help the less fortunate.
5.  I want to own my own hotel.
6.  I love Calamari and Gator bites.
7.  Nothing beats homemade Sweet Tea.
8.  My favorite color has always been purple.
9.  I am good at lots of things, but not GREAT at anything.
10.  I have two cousins that are closer to me than anything.  They are more my brother and sister than cousins.
11.  My best friend and her family are the best/truest example of "family" I have ever seen.
12.  I often talk first and think second.
13.  I love puzzle books.  They keep my mind alert!
14.  I am a read-a-holic.  I will anything {almost} that I am given!
15.  I LOVE the Orlando Magic.
16.  I have never been to Europe, Asia, or Africe.  I am hoping to change that in 2012-2013 by visiting both Africa and Europe.
17.  I am addicted to Switchflops by Lindsay Phillips.  Genius Idea!
18.  I have never truly been in love.
19.  I believe ALL birthdays are special days and should be celebrated in a BIG way.
20.  A genuine belly laugh from a baby is the best sound in the whole world.
21.  I am left handed.
22.  I haven't seen my natural hair color since I was 16, but I think it's a light brown.
23.  My dad and I have a special relationship.  We hit a rough patch for a few years, but I am so thankful for where we are in our relationship now.
24.  I am afraid of costumed characters!  Irrational? Yes!  But a fear nonetheless.  I've gotten a lot better over the years.  I can be in the same area now, but I can't look at them and I panic if they come near me.
25.  I suffer from anxiety (as most of us do), but have been controlling it {without meds} for the last four years.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me a bit better.  I hope it inspires you to make your own list.  Trust me when I say it will take longer than you think.  If you do, make sure you send it to me.  I would love to read more about you.

Sunday School Teacher

Yesterday, Ashley and I completed our first year as Sunday School teachers to the younger 3's class.  This was my first time being the teacher in the room.  It was such a blessing.  I have grown to love these kids (well, most of them - lol) so much.  It was actually much tougher than I thought to say goodbye to them when I left on Sunday.  I knew that when I arrived next week that it would be to a whole new group of kids.

On Sunday, one child in particular gave both Ashley and I homemade cards to say thank you.  Ava Kennelly is such a sweet girl.  I am so thankful to have had her in our class for the first year.

Below is the card she colored and the sweet note from her (I think her mom probably helped :) )

This Sunday brings an entirely new group of kids.  They will gain a new place in my heart, but this first group of kids is something very special that I can never replace.

Henry in Parenting magazine

Marvin is one of my co-workers at work.  He came in this morning beaming from ear-to-ear.  It didn't take me long to figure out why.  His grandson is featured in the September 2011 issue of Parenting magazine.  He is one proud grandpa!  If you get this magazine, check out Henry on page 102 and in a full page spread on page 110.  What a cutie!!