changes!

I was just re-reading a lot of my older posts and saw how much has gone on in this past year. With the thyroid issues, the melanoma - it has been rough. I remember thinking that God MUST have a plan for this. There were so many nights and days for that matter, that were filled with tears and worries and I really began doubting God and His work. No matter how many times I have told that to a friend that was struggling or a family member that was sad - it was HARD to live it out in my life. But seeing how far He has brought me since then is amazing.

First off, my sweet husband got a sort of promotion at work where he makes more money - which is such a blessing. First time in our marriage we have not been stressed about money. It's a good feeling!

Second, I got a check up on all the moley moley's I have and... SUCCESS! All moles checked out to be good and I had a clear check up! PRAISE JESUS!

Third, the thyroid FINALLY got regulated! Which meant that not only did I began feeling a lot better in day to day life -- but also dreams of pregnancy could finally happen!

Fourth...... drum roll....... I am PREGNANT! Almost 5 months - which blows my MIND. The baby literally drop kicked the doctor yesterday at an appointment when he/she was getting it's heartbeat checked!! Let me tell you, I have been nervous - this being my first child - it is filled with crazy worries! Thank goodness for family and friends that are understanding AND for a doctors office that checks me out for everything! :D

God has brought me through SO much. Things were brought in front of me that I never dreamed I would have had to deal with - but it all worked out in a way I am so blessed to be a part of. Prayers of thank you and prayers of protection are sent up everyday for this little bug. J and I love him/her so much already, it's crazy! God DOES have a plan for everything - He really does. He has a meaning and way. 






P.S. & BTW -- crafting will began again VERY soon! Life had been busy busy! :D

I sure do love felt!

I miss doing all my crafts. A local shop has asked me to put my items in it! Do you realize how excited I am? Here is a glimpse of all my craftiness. Love it. 

Sweet yellow rosette wreath!

Did I mention I love my PomPom hairbows??

My handstiched felt critter hairbows!

Pixie Rosettes! 

I deleted Facebook. I did it. My husband and I had been thinking of doing it for so long and we finally did it. It came about due to a LOT of issues. I am feeling a lot of relief actually. Now there is a whole lot more of my focus on our relationship and on this blog!

Our local fair came through this past week. We ended up going twice. So much fun. I think the fair is my husband and I's favorite thing in the whole fall season. We ate way too much food and had so much fun. We went one day by ourselves and then last night with a group of friends. Loved it!

I am so thankful for my new friends that have been popping out of nowhere! God is truly blessing Josh and I with some great people in our lives!

Do you have a Facebook? If you don't, why not? 

My back is fully healed. I joined a gym and almost started to cry because I was so happy to MOVE. I did ZUMBA today with my best friend. We laughed. We sweated. It was so much fun! Sometimes I really cannot believe ALL that happened this summer. ALL the ways that the Lord has brought me through. What ways has God brought YOU through rough times?

I have been gone for so long, wow. I have to say this past summer, summer 2011, has been one of the most  stressful and hard in my entire life. I was diagnosed with melanoma stage 0 mid July. I remember making the appointment to go and get the mole checked the day after my 26 birthday and being so nervous. It was an appointment on a Thursday and I was scared. They took the mole off and sent it off to be biopsed. Within a few days, I got a call saying it was melanoma stage 0. Stage 0? What is that? I was confused and so was everyone around me. I ended up looking up this stage, because really, how can something be a stage 0? Thankfully, it was the BEST time to find a melanoma - it was completely superficial. As you get further into the stages, the deeper it goes and the more serious it is. praise #1. 


I went back into the doctor for the surgery. Stressful, I must say. Even though it was a stage 0, the thought that were was cancer in my body sent up alarms. All those times in the tanning bed in high school. How dumb I was. I look at my skin these days, its white and healthy and back then it so dark. Almost orange. Not a good look. ((Please, ALL you young girls AND adults. Don't go to tanning beds. It's not worth it. You don't have to have moles to have skin cancer. Okay? Please. Spray tans are amazing these days - do it. Enough said.)) Back to the surgery. They ended up taking out as deep as about 5-8 quarters. Gross. It was not a good time. They stitched me up and sent me off to heal. Little did I know, this healing process would take up the rest of my summer. But, praise Jesus - they got the cancer! praise #2.


My stitches started popping open. True story. Where it was located, (lower mid back), your muscles are so strong and it's a very hard place to heal. The doctor, whom will remain nameless - due to his toolness, decided to take my stitches out EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT READY. Fail. I ended up getting a huge, deep hole in my back. This was not fun. I had to go BACK in to get MORE stitches in. I then had to take a lot of time of my job to let the stitches set in a lot better - and they FINALLY did. praise #3.


I had our annual family beach trip the week after I got the stitches in. Fearing I would not be able to swim in my beloved ocean, the husband and I went back to the doctor to get the stitches checked on and to talk about our vacation. Thankfully, the doctor said ocean water would do wonders on the wound, "JUST KEEP IT CLEAN!". We kept that sucker clean and guess what!? It healed amazingly! We came back and it was healing from the inside out, just like it was supposed to. praise #4.


Yesterday, I went back to the doctor to get the stitches out. They literally were hanging out of my back, gross, I know. I waited an hour and a half in the waiting room. Ridiculous.  BUT, when they took them out - I FELT NOTHING. It's healing still - but it's almost there! Thank goodness. I do not think I could have gotten through all of this summer without my family and WITHOUT MY PRECIOUS husband. He cleans my back EVERY morning and EVERY  night. God has blessed me for sure. praise #5. 


Now, onto the husband and I's next endeavors. Adoption? Prayers as we think about this and what our next steps should be.

Love you all friends!

Life is scary right now. I am awaiting the results of the biopsy on my mole. He said it could be melanoma or an atypical mole. Please be in prayer. :(

I turn 26 tomorrow! Woah!

This coming week is full of momentous occasions.

1. I turn 26 Monday. Sad, but true. Is that a wrinkle on my forehead? Why yes. Yes it is.
2. I go back to the endocrinologist for a check up on the ol' thryoid. Nervous about this for SURE.
3. I found a suspicious mole on my back and am going to get it checked out!
4. I get to start figuring out how I want my very own preschool class layed out. It's gonna be a cute one.

I hope I am in your thoughts and prayers this upcoming week. There are a lot of things that I am scared about and nervous about. I just really want to get through it ALL with flying colors. God has a plan for all - but I hope it's ALL good. :) 

Look what I made today!

It is the "Lemon Rosette Wreath" - is it not lovely?

You can see more of my products at Brown Eyed Susan

Crafting injury!

In the process of making a new super cute wreath - I literally burnt the junk out of my hand. My PALM to be exact. Of my right hand. It's awful. I have a huge blister and it has made me sad today. The husband and I have holed up in the apartment and decided on a cozy afternoon of movies. We are watching....

Does anyone else LOVE Zack Galifianakis as much as us?

I am going to try to make some hairbows. I ended up buying some black tulle at Hobby Lobby and am super excited about using it! Here are some pictures of the new wreathes that I have made this weekend! I am quite proud of them. The first one is the one that burnt me so bad.. Hah! 

How was your weekend? 

The husband and I are going to...

today!

Have you ever been? This will be our first time - but I have heard such great things. Plus, I am signing up for a local craft festival in July. Pretty excited about today's events!

CPR training!

Today I have CPR and First Aid training at my job. I must say that I do love knowing how to do these things not only at my job, but in my day to day life. I am the aunt of FOUR beautiful babies. Ranging in ages 7 all the way down to a newborn! 1 boy and 3 girls! I love being an aunt more than anything in the whole world. :) I like knowing that I know how to take care of them completely if I am babysitting them or just hanging around with the family.

Oh, did I show you what I made Thursday? I attempted PomPom hairbows! Let me tell you, I have FALLEN in love. They are so cute and fluffy. Here a few that I have made! If you want to purchase any, please feel free to comment on here or email me.

Pale Pink pompom

Tan pompom

Beige pompom

Bright Pink pompom

Purple pompom

Look what I made today! 

True Life - my sister is a better artist than me.

My sister is a talented artist. She JUST needs to get out there and start doing it more! She can paint a bouquet of roses and it look completely life-like. It's crazy and somewhat annoying that she is so good, (kidding). She really has to find the confidence in what she does and sell it. Find the THING that she LOVES to do and work at it! For reals. Look what she did for my dad's basement/shop.

Her and her husband sanded, stained, painted, stenciled. Then they added eye hooks on the back. It looks like a "beach-driftwood/old timey thing".

That is my encouragement to you as you go about your day. Find what you love and do it. Don't keep procrastinating and making up excuses. GO FOR IT. Even if it's silly and random. God wants you to be fulfilled in your life and to enjoy it. Find that craft, hobby, workout or whatever it is - and DO IT!

P.S -- post coming about my MOM'S talent. It's crazy. My family has insane craftiness in their bodies.

Oh, and by the way..

WE ARE CUTE!

Kids Wall art!

I just painted some wall art for my mom. She has made a "grandkids room" out of my brother's old bedroom. It is a beachy/Pottery Barn Kids room. It's precious. She found twin sized head boards at Goodwill and completely revamped them, (pictures to come soon). Here is what I did:

I think it's pretty cute, don't you?

Cute and pink!

FYI : this blog is going to probably look different every time you come to it. I am trying to figure out how I want it to look! So please bear with me! Any ideas!?

I feel like I am in a rut. Have you ever been there?

I guess the fact that I am turning 26 in a few short weeks has thrown me for a loop. Am I doing what I was meant to do? I know for a FACT, the main thing I want to do is be a good Christian loving wife to my husband. I want to be a mommy, raising and taking care of some cute little hobbits. I want to do my art and make my little business grow. I think it's time I get back on the wagon. Get going on my health, my business, my marriage, everything! Life is too short! I want to get closer to Lord and in turn everything else just falls into place. (ALTHOUGH- I did find a small wrinkle on my forehead. eek. That's another post for reals. Ah!)

Tonight the husband wanted to rent a man movie - so he rented...

Yuck. I am for reals not into this type of movie. He tried to play it off in being like Inception - but that did not work - I know his schemes. :) It's just way too intense for me. Meanwhile, I have been working on my blog. TRYING so very hard to change the font on it - but it did NOT work. Sad days. I will keep trying and WILL master it at some point! Anyone know how to do it? Easily? I am struggling. Help!

Can we talk about this for a minute?

This post will be quick because my confusion on this subject continues to get bigger. Bristol Palin's face. Listen, I am a fan of her mom. I like her and how she is taking care of her baby. BUT, I am confused. Someone. Please. Help me. Surgery? Weight loss? I don't know - but I want to know. That's all.