Our Family Has Grown by 4 Feet!

A few weeks ago I shared with you all that we were looking to adopt a dog and to help fill a hole.Well after many trails and tribulations, and meetings with shelters we have finally found our new family member. 

It is funny how it all worked out actually. The kiddos and I headed back to Ohio for the weekend and a few meetings with shelters. We meet this amazing Pitt mix and we felt like he might be the one to complete our family. While we waited to hear back from Rescue K911 we went and looked at two more dogs, they both were not a good fit for our family.  My mom had mentioned that a lady from her salon was looking to find a new home for their dog, I agreed to go see this pup. We got there and it was love at first site. He is a Chocolate Lab, German Shepard, Black and Tan Coon hound mix. He will be one on April 1st. He is so calm, well behaved and loving. He was AMAZING with the kids. So I knew I just had to bring him home with us. 

So I would like to introduce you all to our new four legged family member! 

This is our big boy Lando.

We look forward to all the fun we will have with him at the lake and on the trails this summer!

Registraiton

We are registered for Homeschool. I spoke with our enrollment advisor today and set up our meeting. I am so excited and nervous for this new chapter in our life.  This journey is one I am really looking forward to. God has truly given me the connections, the insight and support that I need to make this happen. I am in awe of how excited my daughter is to go on this amazing journey with me.

God has shown me time and time again that this is the correct path for us and I am thankful for that. I am sure I am not alone in the feeling of being terrified, and uncertain about taking on this role. We as homeschool mothers not only have to balance meals, grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, kids activities, work, are husbands schedule and life in general, but we also take on being a teacher to our children. This is something we choose to do not because we want to be the super hero, earn the mother of the year award, to feel superior to any other mom, we do it because we have felt the calling to do so. This allows us have a little more say in our kids education and allows us to be involved more in their lives. I want to give my children the best education that I can. 

Thank you for all the love and support. I look forward to sharing all the craziness that comes a long with this chapter! 

The Start of Race Season

So my husband is a race junkie and loves to get out in to the wilderness. I on the other hand like the parks, playgrounds and the beach. However I have made the commitment to get more active and more involved in what my love loves to do. So about a few months ago he asked me to partake in what is called the Raccoongaine. This is an orienteering race, you get a map with points on it. You take your compass and a camelback and head out into the woods. The object is to find the most amount of check points and earn as many points as you can.  So this past weekend was the big day! I geared up and joined my husband on this big first race of the season.

I have done the Susan G Komen 3 day walk, a warrior dash and this Raccoongaine. They have all been fun and life changing in their own ways. The 3 day walk was inspirational, moving and powerful, Warrior dash was exhausting, challenging and fun and the Raccoongaine was fun and helped to connect me back to nature and God.

During the Raccoongaine my hubby told me to enjoy the day and to just have fun. So thats exactly what I did. I looked around at the beautiful scenery, took in the wilderness and enjoyed Gods Grace. I stopped to take pictures and look at some strange planets sprouting up from the ground. We ended up having positive numbers and made it back in the 3 hour time limit.

I challenge you to get out and do something you never thought you would do. Experience something that your spouse is passionate about. Reconnect with God, nature, and your soul. You may be surprised as to what these things can and will do for you and how they will change your life.

Psalm 24:1-2 - The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for God has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.

Even though it was cold, and exhausting it was beautiful and and so rewarding! 

Follow "The Yellow Brick Road" of life

The topic of The Wizard of Oz came up in our bible study class a few weeks ago. Since then I have been thinking about it a lot. The Wizard of Oz is a story we all know pretty well, right? A young girl gets caught up in a twister gets knocked out and ends up in the Land of Oz. She comes across the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.They go on this big adventure down the yellow brick road to see the Wizard.

Take a step back and look at the story from a biblical stand point. Lets pretend for a second that you are Dorothy, and the Yellow Brick Road is your life. Your ultimate goal in life is to stay on the Yellow Brick Road of Christanity, that leads you to the "Wizard" better known as God. Along our journey we struggle with many things such as "The Big Twister". The Twister represents life without Christ. Our world can be flipped upside down and we will get tossed all over the place without Him. Next symbol in the movie is the Scarecrow, he doesn't have a brain.  Sometimes we don't think before we speak or act. God gave us this amazing organ that we really should use a little more in life. By using our brain we will be able to think about others, help share the word of God, and be mindful of our actions. The next thing "Dorothy" encounters on her journey is the "Tin Man". The Tin Man represents not having a heart. In this instance this to me resembles the hurtful things people say, or do to each other. The world we live in today is filled with judgment, pain, anger and sadness. So many have seemed to have lost their way, we need to spread the love and joy that Christ has shown us. Next encounter is the Cowardly Lion. To me the Cowardly Lion represents the fear that we live with, the fear of not being accepted, told that our way is wrong. We as Christians have allowed God to be taken out of school, work, Government and the list goes on. We need to find the courage to stand strong for God.  Along the journey you will encounter the "The Wicked Witch" better known as the Devil. He will do what ever he can to pull you from "The Yellow Brick Road" and keep you from becoming the Godly person you are meant to be. With the heart, brain and courage we can conqure the "Wicked Witch". We cant forget about "Toto" he represents a friend, you are to reach out your hand and help your friends and family to find their way to "The Wizard" God!

Stay on The Yellow Brick Road and you will Meet The Wizard!

So as you can see this childhood favorite is a lesson worth teaching. We have to stay true to who we are no matter the circumstances. God created us to be this Smart, Loving, and Strong person we can only do this if stay on the Yellow Brick Road that God has laied out for us, Keep moving forward and not stray off that path.

Now sit back and Watch one of the most loved movies of all time in a new light. Share this lesson with your kids and watch them follow the "Yellow Brick Road".

Deuteronomy 5:33 Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

#wizardofoz #yellowbrickroad #godspath 

Liebster Award!!!

Blogging is something fairly new to me, I first started blogging when my daughter was first born. This is was my way of keeping the family in the loop since we had moved away. I didn't stay with it like I would have liked to. Recently I started this blog, still trying to get the hang of it. Much to my surprise a dear friend of mine nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award this award is a way for up-and-coming bloggers to connect, share and learn more about each other. Thank you Amy, for nominating me for this award!! 

Amy's blog is a beautiful piece of art. She is an author of the book To Love Twice (go buy it!), and she is working on another novel Called Back to December which will be out hopefully in June. In her blog you will be able to follow her journey with these romance novels as well as read her shorts. I love getting to watch her grow in her passion and express herself in word. Please take the time to check out her blog Romantic Escapes, you will NOT be disappointed!

So In order to accept the award, you have to follow these steps:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and answer the questions they presented.

2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.

3. Copy & paste the pink Liebster Award logo to your blog.

4. Nominate 3-5 blogs to receive the award who have less than 3,000 followers. Create a new list of 11 questions for them.

5. Inform them of their nomination.

I nominate these following ladies because they and their blogs brighten my day!
1. Erin Thompson Real Words to Renew, Refresh and Re-Envision Today's Women
2. Heather Stanbro- Life Decluttered | Simplify my Life, home, and business 
3. Sherri- God Life Happy Wife

Here are my answers to my questions asked by Amy:

1. What was the main reason you created your blog? Being a SAHM,Christian, homeschooling, Paleo momma gets a lot of questions. So I felt that maybe a blog will help out moms just like me. Its a fun way to see how my kids, hubby an I Grow. 

2. What is your favorite color and why? I like yellow. It is a very cheerful color full of happiness and new beginnings. 

3. Are you an only child? If not, how many siblings do you have and where do you fall in line? No I have two older brothers who I love dearly! I am blessed to have them in my life and I love that they are older then me because I have learned a lot from them. 

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why? Australia, Why not? haha. 

5. Beach, Mountains, Plains? Why? Mountains. I love to go hiking with my family. I idea of getting to the top and looking down on the surrounding area is breath taking. It gives me a glimpse at what God can see as well as his amazing creations.

6. Do you prefer Winter or Summer? Summer! Warm weather is my kind of life. I love being outside, in flip flops, shorts and t-shirts. 

7. What is your favorite beverage ... adult and first thing in the morning? Adult beverage is wine. I love me some wine. Morning beverage would have to be coffee, I make my own fraps. Typically a double shot of espresso and with some Chai. So best of both worlds

8. Are you an early riser or a night owl? I am a little bit of both. I like to stay up late and enjoy the peace and quite that comes with the night. Early riser because I like to get up before the kids and get a few things done (sometimes). 

9. A tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it. Describe the sound it makes. LOL I would say the same sound it makes when someone is around to hear it ;o)

10. What is your favorite sea creature? The Seahorse, It is an amazing tiny little creature. I have a skeleton of one that my grandma and grandpa gave to me. It was a lucky charm of theirs. 

11. Are you a cat, dog, fish or bird person? Dog. I love how they have so much love to give and how expressive they are. 

And here are your questions:

1. What/who pushes you every day to be the person you are?
2. Who do you look to as a role model?
3. If you could go anywhere for 2 weeks where would you go and why?
4. When you were 10 what did you want to be when you grew up?
5. Pool, Lake, River or Ocean?
6. If you could go back to when you were 16 would you change anything?
7. If you could sit down and talk with any one person dead or alive who would it be and why?
8. What drove you to start writing a blog?
9. What is your favorite book?
10. Share your favorite quote.
11. What is one thing you would like to learn or study?

Get Back To Dating

Dates are a staple to any relationship. You go on many dates with many people until you find your spouse. It seems that once you get married dates stop. Why is this? Is it because you got them already? Is it because you feel like you don't have to try anymore? Divorce is at an all time high, I wonder why!

Dating your spouse doesn't mean you have to go out to a fancy dinner, or a play all the time (All though it would be nice). It means connecting with your spouse with no distractions, put down the phones, the iPads, turn off the TV and talk, Connect, Grow your relationship. Get back to the basics; get back to why you both fell in love.

Marriage is not always easy, no one ever said it was. It takes work, commitment, love and communication. The one thing that will cover these things is getting back to dating. It gets even harder when you have kids. So my husband and I have made it a priority to date each other as well as our kids, as well as have a family date day/night. our Favorite Family Date night is turning our living room into a big comfy bed, and watching a movie while eating a special treat, like popcorn or ice cream.

So we know how to date our suppose, right? You have done it before. Its easy just get back to the basics. But how do you date your kids? This is pretty easy as well. Plan a special day just for that one child, Take him or her out on a one-on-one date. Connect with her/him, find out what is going on, find out what they like, what they dream to be, just have fun. This can be simple as well, go to PetCo with a smaller child (cheap version of the zoo). Starbucks date, my kids love that one. Go to the park and ACTUALLY PLAY WITH YOUR KID! Take them out for dinner, movie, shopping. Anything As long as they are the only kid going. This makes them feel special, connected and it will grow your relationship with them. You will never get these days back. So DATE THEM!

Here are a few One-on-One Date ideas for your kids
Starbucks
Movies
Home depot Kid corner craft
Library
Book Store
PetCo or other pet store
Mani/Pedi's with your daughter
Park
Ice cream
Local Animal Park/Zoo
Science Center
Natural History Museum
Children's Museum
Jump Zone

Growing Our Family and Filling a hole

When my husband and I bought our first house we new we wanted a dog. We were blessed by this adorable brindle colored boxer at 2 months of age. Every time i go up and down my steps in our home I think of the day we moved into our home, he would follow me up the stairs and by the time he got to the top I was on my way back down. His little body was so tired by the end of move in day. He was our first baby and we loved him so much. When he was one I noticed he seemed a little sick so I took him to the vet, he was a happy up beat boxer (anyone who has or has had a boxer knows what that means). Pij did some test and said he probably has a cold, so we went back home. The next day she called me and asked is we were still in Ohio. I informed her that we had come back home then asked her why. So said please load Jango back up in the car and head back to them. So we did! When we got there they called us back and informed us that our bay had Kidney Disease. Our hearts sank, and tears came to everyones eyes. She said that he would probably live another 6 months if he is lucky. My husband and I couldn't see how this was possible, he is a one year old puppy. So we knew we would do anything and everything we could for him.

Our first baby was there to see our first born come home from the hospital, he stood guard over her and protected her as she grew. Then he was there the day we brought home our second born, again he stood guard and watch over him. He was the most loving protective dog, and we got an amazing 7 years with him. When my daughter was almost 3 and our son was 5 months old we had to say goodbye to our sweet Jango. The kidney disease had come back with a vengeance, and we knew how lucky we were to get 7 years with him. In october of 2011 we had spent our final moments with our first baby boy. 

Fast forward to 2 years and our daughter misses Jango so much, as do we. Moments of tears and loneliness comes over us. There is something about a big dog that makes you feel safe and full of joy. We have a cat, and a beagle pup who is 8 years old. I know our Pup misses Jango as well. Well after much time, thought and prayer we have found us back on the path of growing our family by 4 more paws. 

The dog search has proven to be difficult. We are looking to adopt from a  shelter. We want a pup that is not a puppy, a little trained and great with kids, dogs and cats. I have been looking every day for 3 weeks now to find the perfect dog for our family. We are on a wiring list for one dog that we are in love with. We went to go meet another dog that sadly didn't work out as planed. I know God has a plan and I know we will find the perfect pup to add to our family. It will take time and a lot of heart ache but we will get there. Keep an eye out for a picture of our new addition whenever he or she arrives!

Our last family photo with our baby boy Jango. 

Frozen party with a twist

I love to go big with birthdays. I fel that each birthday is a big deal and should be treated that way.  Our daughter turned 5 in February and for her birthday we took her to go see Shrek the musical, which she LOVED!
She was dreaming of a magical party geared around the popular movie Frozen. I wanted to make this magical dream come true.

Our beautiful cupcakes made by my best friend Amanda. She has been making the cupcakes/cakes for my kids birthdays for 3 years now. She such an amazing talent and a steady hand. I love how she creates masterpieces out of icing. My daughter was blown away by these beauties and so was I!

This is the winter land cupcake with with pearls and coconut on top 

Adorable Olaf If he wasn't so yummy I would say he is to cute to eat. =)

The center piece of the table. I went to Joan's and in their floral area I found these beautiful pieces. I just looked so elegant, and wintery. I was pleased with the way it turned out 

Edible Icicles are a must. Rock candy will never go out of style!

The desert table. I layer down a blue table cloth and covered it with a sparkly tulle to give more of a snow effect.

The drink station. I made a punch with blue punch, sierra mist and vanilla ice cream. The kids LOVED it! and of course melted snow (water) for all to enjoy

Snowman arms, frozen grapes, and jello squares as ice cubes were also a must

Snow balls: powdered donuts and marshmallows dipped in white chocolate and then dipped in white and blue sprinkles  

I think my little "Queen" was very happy with the end result! 

We played toss the snowball. The kids had to toss a "snowball" at "ice cubes" and knock them over. They also did a build an Olaf using this print off http://www.catchingupwithkate.com/free-disneys-frozen-olaf-printables/
I also printed off a big Olaf for our front door. Olaf is by far my favorite disney character ever =)

My signs where printed from http://pagingsupermom.com/2014/01/frozen-birthday-party-ideas
She does some beautiful work. I also cut Styrofoam balls in half as card holders.

Big thank you to my friend Amanda for making the cupcakes and my hubby for supporting my crazy obsession with birthday parties.
I love the move #frozen and I know many others agree. It is a very beautiful film with a great message. We watch it just about every day now that it is out on iTunes =)

Hope you enjoy the break down of our #frozen birthday party!