11-12-13

The title of this post really has nothing whatsoever to do with what I'm going to write, I just wanted to call it that.
So, for some time now Mommy and I have been making soaps together completely from scratch (lye, oils, and all that good stuff) and really enjoy it. We've made some really pretty ones lately and are looking forward to taking pictures of them to list in our Etsy shop that we hope to start soon and hopefully sell some. They're really pretty and smell really good as well, I'll post the link whenever it's up and running.
Right now I have my own Etsy shop where I sell my handmade earrings. Mommy just got that up and running for me last night and there are some Christmas earrings there, too, so please check it out. A part of the proceeds I hope to make from my earrings I'm going to donate to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as it has forever been my dream to somehow donate to them and it has always been so dear to my heart and I just hurt so much for those children. And whenever our soap store is running we're going to make a specific kind of soap so that each bar of that which is sold we will donate the full amount to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society as that is something that is very dear to our hearts as well.
Our goal is to eventually make some other things to sell, like lip balms, candles, and whatever else we can think of, so we'll see how that goes.
It's so fun to do things with my mommy and we always have such fun together no matter what we're doing. And it's so great that we can make our soaps together and everything and I wouldn't have it any other way. She's my best friend and there's no one on earth I would rather spend time with than her.

In other news, we got some snow last night! Unfortunately, it's mostly melted now and later on in the week, the temperatures are supposed to be back up in the 50's and 60's, which isn't cool for me because I prefer the cold weather and was so happy about the snow. Oh well, hopefully we'll get a lot more later on this Autumn/Winter. A white Christmas would be quite welcome as well, we'll see.

Grace be with you.

I've Started Another Blog!

So my favorite grocery store in the whole world is Kroger. Mommy and I go there almost everyday and I go in with my grocery list (and the beautiful grocery bags she made!) while she waits in the car. So many times I surprise her by how little I spend and so she suggested that I start a blog about my love of Kroger, so I did.

http://thekrogerqueen.blogspot.com/

I'll try to update as much as possible.
Now if only I could think of more things to write on here...

Grace be with you.

Long Overdue

Back in early June, my best friend and her husband drove here from PA to visit the Creation Museum and to see me. I've been meaning to post pictures, but obviously never got around to it....until now.

Brittany and me standing with Moses!!

The cute couple: Jim & Brittany.

Brittany and me again. Our white tops weren't planned, ha.

:)

We had an awesome time. The day they came down here, Mommy & I took them out for dinner, which was a blast. Then the next day, the three of us went to the Creation Museum and caused some trouble (not really) and they took me out for lunch and brought me home and stayed for a few minutes. Then they left the next day. It was an awesome time. She and I have been friends for years but never met face-to-face until then, it was great and she rocks...and she's preggers and will be a great mother. I love them.

It's such a blessing that I was able to meet two of my best friends within 9 months when we had never met in person before. Such a blessing and I thank God for them and for the time that He blessed us with.

Grace be with you.

Lovely Day

Pictures from when Mommy & I were out today.

God's creation is stunning.

Despite the fact that it is miserably hot, it is still a gorgeous day....and I'm listening to Christmas music.

Grace be with you. 

The Duggar Famiy

Mommy and I just love watching the Duggar family's show. We've been watching them probably from the beginning, before they even had a regular show. They're so inspiring and such a sweet family, rooted deep in their faith in God and love for Jesus...an inspiration to all.
I'm reading their book "A Love That Multiplies" and am thoroughly enjoying it. All of the stories they share of their hardships and all that they've gone through and yet still trusting in the Lord that He will bring them through everything, and clearly, He has. With all of the criticisms they face everyday, it's amazing to see how they respond to it. Jesus told us that in this world we would face tribulation and that we would be persecuted for our faith in Him (Matthew 5:10-11), but to "take heart" because He has "overcome the world" (John 16:33). They hold fast to that, as should all who God has called to be His children.
It has always been my dream to have a ton of children after I'm married. Watching them really has made me want it even more (not for the fame or anything like that, but because of the love they have for each other, the joy of having so many little ones running around and all of the friendships you have just in your family, no one is ever bored or lonely...it sounds fantastic), but I realize God might have something else planned for me. Just because it's MY dream doesn't mean it's HIS plan, indeed, that's often not the case at all (though I'm not complaining).
Mrs. Duggar gets so much criticism for having all of those children and not doing something to keep it from happening, but I think she's amazing for having all of them. Though everyone is allowed their own opinion, there is no good reason to criticize her or her family. They're a wonderful example of a Christian family and everyone (Christian or not) can learn from them. It's a sad, twisted world where people are criticized because of the size of their family, there's no reason for it. Why people have to make it their business about the size of someone else's family is beyond me, just because they don't want a big family themselves, that doesn't give them the right to criticize those who do.
I love that the Duggars don't have cable and don't watch television, that they always find something to do, and I hope to have that with my own family someday.
I love that they homeschool (my brothers and I were homeschooled as well) and hope my children will be homeschooled as well.
I'm not saying they are perfect, no one is, they're just a lovely example of a loving, Christian family.
My family and I are conservative as well, just in a bit of a different way. Mommy and I do believe in modesty and we do wear dresses/skirts because we feel more feminine and it's just our preference. We have a lot in common with the Duggar girls, I think, and we kind of aspire to be like them.
Mommy & I admire the Duggar family and are always inspired by Mrs. Duggar and her older daughters. We think the little children are just as cute as can be and they never fail to make us laugh.
There have been those certain episodes where I just couldn't help but cry with them and those when I was so excited for them. Actually, just last night I made a playlist on YouTube of older episodes that I love watching over and over again, particularly the ones about Josh & Anna's engagement, wedding, honeymoon, etc.
Obviously the show can't go on forever, but it'll be sad once it's stopped.

I suppose that's about all. I've just been wanting to write about them for a long time and since I've been reading their book and am otherwise engaged recuperating from my surgery and have a lot of time on my hands, I thought I'd write it now.

Grace be with you.