wee bit wednesday v.3

{one} have you ever won a trophy? if yes, for what?i've actually won a lot of trophies.. for academics through most of my school career.  but one of the most recent accomplishments or recognitions is that my name is written in the Library Book of Congress in honor of New Mexico's Women's History Month in 2008..who worked hard, made sacrifices & rose above challenges for the community.  it was a very special honor.
{two} what was your favorite subject in school?biology/anatomy & math
  {three} what time do you get up in the morning?anywhere from 5:30-6:30 am..too early!! 
{four} if you could open your own business, what would it be?i would own a clothing/jewelry boutique for women!  woot woot!
{five} if you could spend the evening with one rock star/band, who would it be?john mayer.  and my hubby is invited, too!  ;-) & celine dion.  {six} what sitcom character reminds you of you?geez. i have no clue.  i asked my husband & he said jael from destination truth.  so there you go!  {seven} what are the 3 most important things to you?my relationship with God, my family, helping others  {eight} chips or popcorn?chips: salt & vingar, sour cream & cheddar, spicy cheetos with lime.     {nine} have you ever ordered anything from an infomercial?no, but i have wanted to on many occasions!  {ten} what is one thing that you are grateful for today?above all else, i am so grateful for God's forgiveness & for loving me so much that He sacrificed his son to die on the cross for me.. because even when I feel down.. or may not feel like I'm enough or that I'm worth a fighting chance, that to God.. I am enough.. I am precious in His sight.. and I was worth it all for him to sacrifice His son.  now it’s your turn!

fox's first guitar lesson

i've probably mentioned it like a hundred times about my hubby being a musician.. and a great one at it!  well, it is my desire for fox to learn to play guitar.. or piano.. or any musical instrument.  and i'd love for him to sing, as well.  

sometimes, at the dinner table, brandon will grab his guitar & play a little diddle while fox finishes.  and fox loves it!  he loves to strum the guitar...or beat on it.  so i hope this is the beginning of something good!  

i was able to catch brandon giving fox his "first" guitar lesson.  hope it sticks!

sorry, the video's a little chopped off on the side... 

Britax B-Ready Stroller Giveaway

hi lovelies,

i wanted to give you a heads up on a pretty amazing giveaway being hosted by Sugar Pop Ribbons.  i can't tell you how i love reading her blog, looking through her pictures, & entering her giveaways.  i won that black pearl necklace & some dippy cups from her site.

she's currently hosting a giveaway for the Britax B-Ready stroller.

{Source}

some of it's features:

• Reversible top seat with 3 recline positions
• Large under seat storage accessible from all sides
• Large canopy with sun-visor and ventilation window
• Simple fold with automatic chassis lock
• Adjustable handle height with comfort grip
• No re-thread, adjustable, 5-point harness and head pad
• One-step, linked parking brake with indicator
• Comfort ride 4-point suspension
• Removable storage bag with insulated drink holders
• Included accessories: adult cup-holder, rain cover, CLICK & GO BRITAX CHAPERONE infant car seat adapters

Honestly, I would love to have a stroller like this.  It has many extra features that my stroller doesn't have.

You can watch the product video here.

Don't miss your chance at winning this stroller.  Head over to Sugar Pop Ribbons & enter to win!   Good luck!

fox's little "girl"friend

well, i guess i never told ya'll about our time at family camp back in june.  i meant to.. but apparently, never got back around to it.  well, our church has an event that they call "family camp".  in the church growing up, we always had events for the kids & youth.. such as kids camp, youth camp, youth rallies, etc.  did you ever attend any of those?  well, that's where my hubby & i met when we were 13 years old.  well, the church here.. has a camp for the family.. and i was so excited about going.. about still keeping up with the traditions of camps.  i was excited about taking my son to something similar to where my hubby & i met.  


we are really good friends with our pastors...like family.  i have known my pastor since i was about 7 yrs old.  well, brandon has been with him in magnolia, to new york, to new mexico, & to arkansas.  we're that close.  ha!  marcus & brook have 3 kiddos.  brook & i were both pregnant at the same time & she had ainsley in may.. fox was born in july.  they, also, went to the family camp.  and we all had a great time.


well, i am so happy to have ainsley in our lives.  she is such a doll.  she is so sweet & petite.  and i just love her.  but i wanted to show you pictures of them at family camp in june & pictures of them on labor day!  

family camp:

labor day:

for labor day, we all went up to a local lake.  and just walked around & enjoyed the beautiful weather.  and i was able to capture a few more sweet moments with our babies.

this was the most adorable thing i have ever seen.  i wish i would have gotten it on video.  

now, after this display of pure cuteness... do not tell me that they are not meant for each other?  i am really hoping i can arrange this marriage between fox & ainsley.  

September 11

Where was I when the attacks of September 11th happened? I remember hearing about it during my 3rd or 4th period geography class.  I was in the 11th grade.  I can't believe that was 9 years ago.  I didn't really understand what was going on or the extent of the attacks.  I didn't really understand what terrorism was.. I just knew that what happened was bad.  very bad.  Later in the day, in my 6th period, Honors English class, we watched the news.  My teacher's daughters were in New York & she would talk to them during class.  And that's where I was when the attacks happened.  I remember going home & watching the news for days & weeks & crying.. and being terrified that this country was going to be bombed & we were all going to die.. and that I would never get married or children.  And to this day, it all breaks my heart.  I don't understand the evilness in people's hearts or intentions.  But we all know that evil does exist.  But I am thankful for God's amazing & saving grace.  

Today, I am taking some time to remember the lives lost during the attacks & all these years following September 11, 2001.  I am thinking & praying for the families that lost their loved ones on that day.. and who have lost servicemen & women.. or anyone that has sacrificed their lives for me, my family, my community, and my country.  

Have you ever been in a situation where you know that what someone is doing is for the better good.  It shows that they are brave or courageous, but you wish they would have chosen to do something else?  I know we probably have problems like everyday.  

Today, I am talking about my youngest brother being deployed in Afghanistan.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for all the men & women that continue to sacrifice their lives for our freedom & protection.  I am forever grateful for them.  My baby brother joined the Marines.  I am so very very proud of him.  But I wish he was here & somewhat "safe".  I don't keep up much with the news & now through the years, the "news" of what is going on overseas has kinda died down.  I don't really keep up with politics.. or know why we still have men & women out there.

But honestly, I am scared for my brother.  I don't want him to die... I don't want him to die at the hands of hostiles.  I know we are all "born to die", basically.  I just hate waking up & praying against receiving a phone call that will deliver bad news.  I want to be selfish & have him here instead of out there.  

After dealing & still currently dealing with the death of my Mom, I don't want to have to go through the pain again.  And everyday, as much as I can.. I pray for my brother, his unit, his commanders.  That's all I can really do.  I'm gonna be honest & say that I'm having a hard time trusting God to protect my brother.  I am believing & trying my best.  But when my Mom died, I felt like God disappointed me.  I wanted it so badly.. I wanted my Mom to healed more than anything in my life.  I had complete & total trust that God would give us a miracle.  And cancer won.  Cancer is an ugly, ugly thing.  But ever since then, I have had a hard time trusting God.  I knew that God was able, but why didn't he heal her, you know?  And I know that for everything there is a reason...but I'm still trying to figure out what the reason was.. and it may not be time for me to know.  

I just love my brother.. and want my him home.. safe & sound.  And until he is.. I'll just continue to pray & try my best to give it all to God & trust him.  And I ask that you, also, pray for my brother, Aaron, & his unit...for their safety & protection.  Thank you.

thankful on a thursday

today, my heart is a little heavy.. and i promise to make a different post on it.  but in spite of it all, i am thankful.

13)  i am thankful for nonnie & aunt kaci that will drive up 4 hrs tomorrow to watch fox.. so brandon & i can drive 2 hrs to see john mayer & stay away for the night
14)  i am thankful that we can afford this date/overnight stay.  brandon & i need this.  we have neglected to date each other since fox was born.. & we have been trying hard to date.. so this will be great for our marriage
15)  i am thankful for my hubby that works super hard to make some extra income so we can play
16)  thankful for the rain storm we had yesterday.. it feels a little more like fall
17)  thankful for life groups & new friends.. i need life giving friends
18)  thankful to know i'm not the only person going through certain issues... glad to know i'm not alone
19)  thankful for our military.. that sacrifice their lives to fight for our freedom & protect us
20)  thankful that even though i don't understand things in life, if i put my trust in God, he comforts me & gives me peace
21)  thankful for the power in prayer
22)  thankful for our new house.. i honestly sleep better..and it's big & comfy
23)  thankful for my happy & sweet baby.. he's been hugging me like a spider monkey & giving me sugars lately
24)  thankful that fox hasn't gotten sick since the fall semester started.. and i pray he doesn't!
25)  thankful for a great daycare & great teachers that love my baby & treat him well.. puts me at ease

Be joyful always;  

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances, 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

wee bit wednesday v.2

well, here we are again.  it's wee bit wednesday.  and you get to learn a little more about me!  

{one} what’s your favorite day of the week and why?saturday.  no work.  and usually spend the day with my little family
{two} if you could have a glimpse of your future, would you choose to see it and what time would you want to see?i think i would.  but i'd be scared that my future had me dying at a young age.  i want to see at least 60 years. 
{three} if you could be any animal, which animal would you be?hmmm... i would be a lioness probably.  like the ones off lion king.
{four} do you have a lucky number? i guess it's number 7.  when i was younger, it was 8.  but i will go with the "perfect" number.
{five} if you could bring one famous person back from the dead, who would it be and why?i would bring princess diana back.  i have always been fascinated by her.  and i remember when i was younger watching documentaries & such like with my mom.  but if i could bring anyone back from the dead, it'd be my mommy, of course.
{six} fill in the blank: peanut butter and ____________.peanut butter and strawberry jelly
{seven} would you rather live by the mountains or by the beach?how about a little bit of both.  maybe washington state.  off the coast.
{eight} do you have any tattoos? no, i've seriously considered getting one, though.  i would do a double heart.
{nine} if you could retire tomorrow, what would you do?i would be a stay at home mommy
{ten} what is your favorite all time movie?pride & prejudice with kiera knightley
okay, now it’s your turn!