I am grateful

I am loving the idea of this link up! I have become quite fascinated with themed link ups since they give me a chance to post, build followers, and follow other amazing blogs all at once! 

I am grateful for the big man upstairs. My lord and savior Jesus Christ. What an amazing and selfless love he has for me. Dying for my sins. No matter what, I am never alone. He is always there to guide the way. When the going gets tough, he is a source of comfort and helps build my strength to just keep going.

I am grateful for my family. They have always been there to guide me in the right direction, even if at times I did not follow on the path that they wanted me to sometimes. They always have my best interests at heart and they truly have an unconditional love for me.

I am grateful for my one and only tough guy. He works so hard to provide for Madison and I. Enough to pay our rent and bills, food, diapers, etc while I have the chance to be a stay at home mom for the time being. I enjoy being a mom and I am so grateful that if I choose to stay home, that I can. Even though it has been a tough road, our love for each other has increased and he has become a true best friend and great companion. And Madison just adores him!

I am also grateful for the little things listed but are not limited to.... coffee, netflix, scentsy warmers, glee, my iPhone, Demi Lovato, Jackie Collins books, gripe water, hobby lobby, forever 21, cardigans and scarfs, pinterest, and social networks.

Last but not least, I am grateful for the best little thing to ever come into my life. My sweet Madison Grace! I am so grateful that I get to be her mom. She may not have been planned but little did I realize that I needed her in my life. I cannot imagine a life without her. She is my whole world :)

Midweek Randoms

This is my second mid week random and I love it!

• So on Monday I took a spur of the moment trip to my parents house with Maddie Bug in tow and it was quite the surprise! It is so great to see them since visits are not as often as I would like

• Maddie got some new toys! Had to get her something to chew on for her teething! Can't wait for those little teeth to come in!!

• So in about 2 weeks Justin and I will be going on vacation! We will be going to Austin, Tx. We are taking a much needed break from parenthood and work. We are desperately needing some US time since we haven't really had any since Maddie has been born! 

• My sister made these amazing blueberry muffins with cinnamon toppings! They were so delicious and I wish I had a picture to document it!

• Tonight I am making enchiladas! Something quick and simple since I just got home from my parents house

• I'm thinking of putting up a recipe for zucchini cake! I'm really craving it and want to bake! This dessert is seriously TO DIE FOR!!

• I have been very frustrated with Tarleton financial aid since they decided to lose my paperwork that I faxed to them. School starts in two weeks and I still have no clue if I will have enough financial aid!

• And here is another darling pic of Maddie Bug from the trip to my parents

Much love from Maddie Bug And I XOXO

Inspirational Mondays: The Two Pots

So before I start Inspirational Monday I just have to share a funny picture I took last Friday.

Justin and I just started laughing because she looks like a nun. I'm sure Justin would approve of her nun lifestyle if that is what she wishes ;) Oh the catholic church will never be the same again. And she just looks too happy. I am so blessed to have such a joyful baby and she turns 5 MONTHS this coming Sunday! AHHH where does the time go???? Okay so on with Inspirational Mondays!!

The Two Pots

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a

pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in

it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion

of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house,

the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only

one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the

perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for 

which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own 

imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of

what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a

bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side?

That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table.

In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.

So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws.

Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.

Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes."

Social Sundays!

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I had always dreamed of being a successful pediatrician or a nurse. I also dreamed of being famous actress or a singer.

2. What was your favorite way to kill time as a kid?

I would read.. A LOT!

3. When did you get your first cell phone?

When I was in the 7th grade I believe. I was the first one in my grade to get one. It was one of the many perks of my dad working for Sprint!

4. What is your favorite magazine to read?

Cosmopolitan!

5. What is the one random object people would be surprised to find in your purse?

I actually don't carry a purse. I'm not a big fan of them. I carry around a wallet clutch just to hold my cards and keys. I think a random object I have in there is probably a library card haha!

Craft Mania

I never classified myself as the crafty type but as soon as I found out I was a mom, the craft bug entered my body. I have found that it is easier and cheaper to craft your own things instead of buying them. For instance BOWS! As soon as I found out I was having a little girl I started buying hair bows left and right. I then realized how much of Justin's money I was spending... Whoops! But then I sat down and decided to try them out myself... So stinkin simple! And it literally only cost me pennies to make. Then of course I learned to make them more extravagant. And then I learned how to make tutus and even bow holders. Even though I do splurge on custom bows and outfits from time to time! I mean come on I still love the thrill of shopping and buying new things ;) But with that being said I have thought about putting up some tutorials of how I make items for Madison to share. Here are a sample of things I have made!

My FIRST BOW!!!

Maddie's Bow Holder

 Fourth of July bow!

Tutus!

So watch out for some upcoming tutorials and watch my crafting skills expand! Subscribe and STAY CONNECTED on upcoming blog posts! Happy Friday! :)