Time Flies!

Okay, so there is good reason that it's been awhile since I have posted. SUMMER! I feel like it's the season of time warps. It goes by so fast, yet nothing seems to get done. Hence, why I haven't posted in awhile.

I have some amazing pictures of Abby's 2nd Birthday party that I have been meaning to post, and eventually will. I love photography and scrapbooking, yet these are the 2 hobbies that have seemed to go on the sidelines until I manage my ever-growing pile of coupons. Yes, I have turned into a Krazy Couponer. I am not too extreme. Just learning the ropes really.

So beyond just being busy with loving on my family. I have been working on building my Lia Sophia Jewelry business. I want to be able to do things for my family that are just currently dreams. I love wearing the jewelry too!

Scott has been staying busy between work, Navy, & volunteering for church whether in the Preschool or doing Video.

Speaking of preschool, Abby was accepted into the Big Little School and will be attending this Fall. She is so excited! As soon as daddy came home the day we received the letter, she told him she needed a backpack. We were both taken aback. I didn't tell her that was an item she needed. She figured it out all on her own (well, I think Dora & Elmo have helped).

Signing off for tonight, but just sayin'...TIME FLIES!

I am valuable too!

I am like many other moms out there. I have always put my daughter ahead of myself and have sacrificed everything for her. But God’s been adjusting my perspective lately and showing me that there’s a difference between sacrificing yourself for the sake of your children and neglecting yourself. One notion that has always been hard for me to understand is the “love yourself” mentality. I wear sweatpants/jeans, a t shirt, and pull my hair back. Yes, motherhood has taken over! Makeup... Why? That is not the woman I used to know. She cared about her appearance. When I go shopping or am out with girlfriends, the only thing I can seem to accomplish is find things that will look great on Abby, create something for her, or talk about her. Whatever happened to just sitting around sipping a glass of wine and enjoying a conversation that is more than what happened on the latest episode of Dora. I need deeper connections and some juicy gossip to go with it. I need true girlfriend friendships that sweep me off into another realm.

It wasn't until recently, that I figured out how much I have been doing for her and how little I have done for myself. I prepare all of her meals, but yet, I myself forget to eat. It isn't until I am shaking that I finally realize that maybe, just maybe, I should take the time to eat something. I praise her, yet I tell myself frequently that I’m ugly, I need to lose more weight, and I beat myself up for the littlest mistakes I make. I make her go to bed at a certain hour because she needs her rest. Yet I stay up late, I ignore the clock, and I am frequently tired because I don’t go to bed at a decent hour myself. I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. I was out walking with my husband earlier this week and I mentioned that I have felt that so much of the old me has been missing. The confidence, the self-esteem, the strength and determination, and the feeling that I can do anything God sets forth to me all have seemed to vanish right before my eyes. I was a model, but you wouldn't have guessed that by looking at me. I asked him, "what can I do to get these feelings back?" My husband is amazing, but all he said was "ok, well you aren't a model now." Yes, that is obvious honey. He then said "you can't be one of those women from Desperate Housewives, it's not real." Okay, he got me. Yes, I love the show.

It was then that I realized that I was mistreating myself. In doing so – whether physically, mentally/emotionally, or spiritually - I am dishonoring my Creator. He made me, He called me by name and said “You are Mine.” He sees me as being valuable to Him, He has my name written on His hands, His thoughts toward me outnumber the grains of sand on the beach, He gave His own Son to die for ME. If God did all of that FOR ME, is it not RIGHT and GOOD to take care of myself and so honor the One who made me? 

I love being a mom and I adore my daughter. I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I have realized in the last week, that more words are being spoken to me then ever before. Yes, I am actually listening and hearing that I am valuable too!

The Road to 2

I am a planner. I love to organize, plan, whatever you want to call it - but I love to put on events. I started pre-planning her birthday party right before Christmas. I did ask her what type of party she wanted. She said Care Bears (really?). I didn't like her answer, so I went into creative mode. I decided that for the first 3 years, it's up to me (it's really about us parents at this point, right?). Then she will get to pick. 

I have been shopping and planning for all of the details since March. I am beginning the creation preparations for her "Butterfly Kisses" themed party.  I can't wait to post pics! Here is her photo that we put on her party invitations. I had Natty Sue Designs make her invitation. Her is a link to her blog: http://nattysuedesigns.blogspot.com/

We had this one made: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuT3ZRDdxd18ulc2gvdVFJkp6iFS_HQop-qG_B7q71jDI0m5qQr-yKQySe2c6JLDbv5RnrCTV7GWKhTL9gpuJke4UFKcCbV1g0w_B-qC5OrgxkDsmYefmZlWOfEb3oE8Jz048ihLhyphenhyphen_uP/s1600/Butterfly+Wishes_edited-1.jpg

That is it for now....

Abby

Abby decided that she wanted me to take some photos of her. I just loved this one!

New Beginnings

So here is my first attempt at doing a blog. I have no idea on what this will turn into, but I thought why not give it a try.

My name is Nicole. My husband - Scott, darling daughter - Abigail, and I live in Oregon. We are all natives and love it here. Well, we could use more sun! My husband is a United States Navy Chief Petty Officer and for his civilian job works in IT. Our daughter will be 2 soon (enough said). I am currently a stay at home mom, but have been in sales my entire life (it seems). Yes, selling candy bars and Girl Scout cookies count! Last September, I became an Advisor with lia sophia jewelry. I love their products. My thought was, jewelry has always fit me no matter what size I am at the time (pregnant or not). I am a BLING! girl and knew this was a good way to fulfill that need too. I love to volunteer for various organizations in my community, church, and anything I can keep myself busy doing. I am a scrapbooker and make handmade cards. I truly enjoy any type of craft that lets my creative juices flowing. I have been actively involved with pageants for just about 28 years.

I hope you enjoy more updates, as they come!

Nicole