Angie Smith

I am thrilled to start my new Bible Study, Seamless by Angie Smith.

I have known Angie's "story" for many years now, but while preparing for this new study I ran across her testimony on YouTube.  Even knowing her story for many years, hearing her speak it takes on a new meaning in my life.

 

I love that she and her husband chose to "carry on" after hearing their daughter's diagnosis and that they give God praise for the precious time that they shared with Audrey.  I know that it would be really easy to be mad and bitter with God for taking Audrey's sweet life.  However, I am grateful that Angie chose to praise God in the midst of the storm and by doing so, they touched many lives and hearts.

 

Blessings my friends!



My Weight Loss Journey

On a cold February day I pulled up to the mall during my lunch break to quickly grab something for Addison.  A Valentines Day shirt...each year she had a Valentines Day shirt, but as she was getting older holiday shirts were becoming less and less common in her size.  I parked my VW way away from the mall as I always did...I hate worrying about dings from the car doors from others. There was a chance of rain in the forecast, however it was still sunny.

As I purchased what I needed and headed to the exit, I could see people coming in with umbrella's and shaking off the rain as they entered the mall.  The rain was coming down in sheets!  I of course, left my jacket and umbrella in the car at the end of the parking lot.  I had two choices...to either walk to my car and get soaked or to save as much time as I could and run to my car.

I chose the latter and dashed to my car.  As I ran to my car, I was surprised that I had made it all the way there without running out of breath.  I thought back over the past year, a year ago I could not have dashed to my car without running out of breath.  Actually, walking to my car at the end of the parking lot would have probably been all that I could have done...especially if I had to carry Finn.  A year ago I was 50+ pounds heavier.

On January 1, 2015 when I made my New Year's Resolution there were many reasons why I decided to lose the weight.  Honestly, looking better in my clothes was one of the last reasons.  My top reasons were to be able to play with my children without tiring out.  I absolutely hated being the mom on the sidelines.  I wanted to be able to run and chase my children without doubling over out of breath.  I also wanted to teach my children that I was unhealthy and I was not taking care of my one body that Christ had given me.

I had gone to my doctor 2 times before January 1, 2015 and requested to be put on a diet, however each time I failed.  I got tired of taking the medication, counting the calories and exercising.  However, this time was different....very different!

Shortly after I started my diet, I heard a sermon.  The key verse to this sermon was Philippians 4:13

 

I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

 

Philippians 4:13

 

 

I wrote this verse in many times, but I recited it daily as this:

 

 I can (lose weight) through Christ who gives me strength.

 

 

I constantly prayed this every morning.  When I craved mozzarella cheese sticks  or a peanut butter milk shake when driving home from work, I prayed that God would curve my cravings.  I prayed that God would change my eating habits and to help my children see what eating healthier looked like. 

 

 

Slowly, but surely the weight began to come off! 

 

One of the best days was when I was buying some shorts to go to FL in September.  I went into Old Navy and found a cute pair of shorts that I had been admiring  for quite some time.  The shorts were now on the clearance rack, but they were still 3 sizes smaller than I had wore in the past.  I decided to try them on and I was so excited when the zipper zipped up and there was still an inch or so of room in the waist!

 

 

Even though, I'm still not quite where I want to be with my transformation, I am getting closer each day.  I still fail miserably with my snacking and eating choices, but I am so glad that God is slowly changing me!  I am so happy that I am more active with my two children and I am living a much healthier lifestyle than I did 5 years ago!

 

 

I see so many women putting themselves down when trying to lose weight.  I have been guilty of putting my face on a celebrity's toned body in a bikini and calling myself names like "big fat cow" or "fatty" when I have been dieting.  However, I know that this is not the best solution to losing the weight.  God does not like to see us put ourselves down and he also does not like for us to compare ourselves to others.   We are beautiful creatures created by Him and when we talk negatively about ourselves or compare ourselves to others, it only makes his heart grieve. 

 

 

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

 

Psalm 139:13-14

Friday Favorites! Friday, March 18, 2016

Hello Friends!

I am so thankful that we have made it through another week!  I'm counting down the days until Spring Break! I simply cannot wait to spend some extra time with the feet that run around my home!  Life has been slightly chaotic around my home lately.  Things have been great and we are excited about the new opportunities that God has laid before us (more on that in due timing), but we have spent lots and lots of time in prayer. 

Through all of these challenges, I bring to you my favorite things that have made me smile over the past week!

 

 

 

 

 

I loooovvveee this song!  I heard it first at church a couple of weeks ago and I sang while the tears flowed down my face.  I have listened to it almost daily ever since.  No offense to Elevation Worship, but I think that our worship team at church knocks this song out of the park!  They always do such an awesome job each Sunday and I could honestly sit and listen to them sing for hours!

 

 

 

I know that St. Patrick's Day was yesterday, but I hate seeing the green day over because that means that my favorite dessert is gone for another year.  Such sadness!!  My husband introduced me to this milkshake when we were dating and I may or may not have my fair share of them during March!

 

 

I love a good country song and this one makes me me smile each time that I hear it!  It takes me back to before there were 2 little pairs of feet in my home and my husband and I left work early on a Friday evening and drove to a bigger city to see the guys from Rascal Flatts in concert.  Such a fun night! 

 

Last, but not least I love these adorable Converse sneakers!  I saw one of the cute girls in youth group wearing these on Wednesday evening and I squealed when I saw them (she may or may not have looked at me like I had grown a third eye)! They are absolutely adorable (I'm positive that she went and threw her shoes away after an old foggie asked her where she got them ).  Anyway, I came home and told "Spunky" that these were  at the top of my Birthday list! I'm sure that it's obvious, but my husband and I are obsessed with Converse sneakers.  We have multiple pairs and colors, our kids unfortunately do not like  wearing Converse sneakers, but I may or may not be planning a family photo of all of us in converse sneakers!


Have a blessed weekend! 



Wreath making IS NOT my calling...

Hello!

I'm still alive & breathing! 

I am sorry for the delay in posting.  Last week was a bit overwhelming to say the least.  You could say that I was buried in deco mesh....and I'm not exaggerating!

You see a few weeks ago, I "auditioned" to be in a craft show (i.e. I sent pictures of my wreaths to the business that was holding the craft show, to see if I could be selected to be a vendor in their craft show).  All of this was on a complete whim...I mean, I liked my wreaths, the people that I have gifted wreaths seemed to like them, so why not try and help my family get ahead a bit by selling the wreaths at a craft show??  Anyway, I was selected!  I jumped up and down when I got the notification!  However, I only had 2 short weeks to make all of the wreaths.  I stayed on Pinterest & Etsy for many lunch breaks, late evenings and any chance I got to open my creativeness for different spring wreaths.  Lunch breaks were spent finding the perfect pale yellow ribbon and seeing who had deco mesh on sale that particular day.  One Sunday afternoon was spent in the Wal Mart craft session for over 2 hours looking at ribbon, silk flowers, deco mesh and anything wreath related.

Through all of this, I didn't have peace about the craft show.  I ignored my gut and powered through. I knew that it was a huge time constraint and I was neglecting my family and my own spiritual needs.  I was positive that I was going to provide my family with a little extra money to get ahead on some bills.

Last week was crunch time...I made 1-2 wreaths per evening on top of caring for my family and neglecting my housework.  I stayed up waaayyyy too late each evening, only getting around 5 hours of sleep each night. I cut flowers, wrapped deco mesh, got too many glue gun burns to count, but in the end I made 20 or so wreaths and center pieces.

When Saturday morning arrived, I was exhausted.  I should have known (again) that this wasn't meant to be when I got my display all set up and it came crashing down...on my head 5 minutes before the craft fair started. With assistance, I quickly set up my display for a second time.  When the doors opened, I stood by my wreaths on the white lattice display and held my breath.  I watched lady after lady rush into the art studio and run right past me...not even looking at me (covered in glitter from all of the fallen wreaths) or my display.  My heart completely sank.  I wanted to scream "do you not see all of the hard work that I have done"?? 

Two hours into the craft fair, I had a few people stop by my display to comment that my wreaths were beautiful, a few people gave me sympathetic smiles as the other vendors sold their goods right and left as I stood their and patiently smiled.  Finally, one small frail lady stopped by and purchased a center piece that I had discounted.  That was my first and last sale of the day.

Fifteen minutes before the craft fair was scheduled to end, I called my husband to pick me up and to assist me with breaking down my display.  I gathered all of my wreaths and walked out the door.  I felt like I had failed myself, my family and I felt like I was a big joke! 

I went home and lied on the couch with my favorite grey blanket covering my exhausted body.  It didn't take long for me to drift off to sleep for a long (much needed) nap. 

I woke up later that afternoon when my husband walked into the living room and declared it date night!  A date to the small cafe in the city that I had always wanted to go.  We had attempted to go a couple of times in the past, but weren't able to go because the line was too long or parking was impossible.  Tonight, we were going to trudge through and make sure that we went!  Our children were spending the night with their aunt, so time was not an issue.  Date night was fabulous!  The small cafe was more beautiful on the inside than it was on the outside.  We enjoyed holding hands and walking on the streets and holding each other tight as we waited outside the cafe for a table (I'm sure that onlookers thought that we were on our honeymoon). 

After Saturday evening, I learned that the craft fair maybe wasn't so much of a disaster.  I learned that I often times overwhelm myself  with too many commitments.  I also learned that I can use my wreath making gifts to bless others, just not at craft fairs.  I also made a new friend, the sweet vendor beside me helped me set up my display (twice), helped me break down my display and we encouraged each other throughout the morning.  I was so happy when she sent me a friend request after the craft fair. 

Even though I didn't sell many wreaths, I would call the event a success. I just won't quit my day job to sell hand made wreaths.

I know that God has bigger plans for me.  I'm just not sure what they are just yet.  I know that God wants to bless me immeasurably, in his timing!

 

God can do anything, you know- far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!  He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

 

Ephesians 3:20

Called to write...

Some have asked me why I have decided to blog.

For starters, I wouldn't say that I decided to blog, but that God called me to blog.  A few years ago, I had a blog for my family.  Mainly documenting activities that we did, our vacations...etc. I loved blogging, but I also got lazy and I didn't update as much once facebook came around.  I also got concerned about the securities of the blog.  It seemed unsetteling that my children's pictures were on the internet and that anyone could see them.  My husband and I do have facebook profiles, but they are extremely priavate, so I do feel safe in knowing that only our friends can see our children's pictures.  However, I also loved reading "Mommy Blogs" such as Kelly's Korner, Boomama, McMama and Blonde Ambition.  I still love reading blogs, but it seems that there isn't as many blogs to read.  One day I was venting my frustration in my head about the limited amount of Mommy Blogs and I heard God's voice say "why don't you start a blog?"  Of course, I hesitated with this telling God that I didn't have enough time to blog and other excuses...

Anyway, when God wants you to do something, you should just do it.  In December, I was reading "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson late one night when everyone was asleep.  I read the words "called to write" and they jumped off of the page an my stomach did a friendly flip flop.  I knew that God was again calling me to start a blog.

A few days later, I was at church talking to L about social media while the children were playing during children's worship.  I remember telling her that I used to blog, but I stopped and that I missed writing. I told her my idea of starting "With These Feet" and to make sure that there wasn't any security concerns that I would only show pictures of my children's feet.  She told me that she liked the idea and that I should go for it.  She's always so encouraging!

A week or so later, I heard a sermon at church.  The entire sermon was focused on "What has God asked you to do, that you're not doing?"  Yup...this blog was on my heart. I knew that I needed to start it, but I didn't know why or how or when I was even supposed to. 

Weeks went by and I still felt God nudging me to start "With These Feet".  On a Saturday when Addison and Finn were napping, I went online and registered the blog site. I had my husband take pictures of my feet and posted them.  I then,  started my first entry, but got distracted and went on about my day, never finishing the post.

I thought my first post all week and knew that the first post stunk and that I needed to write another one.  The next weekend I came to my lap top again and watched the cursor blink for about 10 minutes before I started my first entry again. I finally took a deep breath, and wrote and posted my first entry.

I am always encouraged and sometimes a little shy when people tell me that they read my blog.  The truth is, I'm usually blogging for myself! I hope that this blog is an encouragement for others and puts a smile on your face.  However, I just want God to know how awesome he is!  I want to look back at my entries later in life and see how God carried me through these difficult times.

So, if you're still reading...thank you!  I hope that you enjoy it!   I hope that I can put a smile on your face, a bounce in your step and that you feel God's love in your heart!

Blessings my friends!

Coffee Dates with my people!

It was a cold rainy Monday evening.  I had been home for a little over an hour when I changed my shirt 3 times, bathed my children, put on some made up and backed my VW out of the drive way to meet 4 other pairs of feet for coffee.  I had been looking forward to seeing their friendly faces all day!

These pairs of feet are such special ladies in my life.  I have prayed for years that God would bless me with such sweet Christian friends.  I treasure the moments that we spend together.

Mrs P was one of the first people that I met when I started attending our church.  She taught Addison in her small group class the first Sunday that we attended.  I was so surprised when I received a card in the mail from her the following week saying what a sweet child Addison was.  I was blown away with her kindness!  Since then, she has continued to show me kindness and I have loved getting to know her.  One one particular challenging day, I received a phone call from Mrs. P saying "God put you on my heart to pray for you today, can I pray for you?"  Tears sprung to my eyes that anyone could possibly be so generous. 

I first met L over hotdogs at a church picnic over the summer.  One of the first things that I noticed about her, was that she had everything together for a mother of three!  She was so kind to her children and her girls looked adorable in their matching outfits.  Since then, I have learned so much from her by working with her in the nursery and children's ministry.  I love that she always encourages me and that she has a huge amount of faith.  I am so excited that she and her husband are expecting their forth child!  I am praying for her little family as it grows and that she will have a blessed pregnancy.

I remember the first time that I saw A....or the back of her head anyway!  Her dark hair was pulled into the most perfect bun during Sunday morning service. She sort of resembeled Joanna Gaines from "Fixer Upper".   That evening, she and her husband and four precious children were at our small group.  I squealed "That Joanna Gaines girl is here".  Spunky looked at me with a confused look and said "Huh?? What are you talking about".  Nothing. Just nothing.  Our friendship has blossomed over the past few months and I love having her family over for dinner.  Our children get along perfectly and I can't wait to see where God takes our friendship.


Sweet K is one of the sweetest people that I know.  When I was sick with the stomach virus a few weeks ago, she sent me a text asking if she could keep my children so that I could rest.  She also had nursery duty the Sunday that Finn apparently wanted to see how long that he could hold his pee, which didn't work out too well.  Poor kid completely soaked his entire outfit, down to his socks!  Sweet K didn't sweat it at all, even finding clean clothes so that I could enjoy the rest of the Sunday morning service.  I felt so bad, but she assured me that all was well!  I am so thankful that God moved her and her family from the middle of the state to our little town.  Especially since her cinamon rolls are heavenly!

These precious ladies and I meet for coffee every other week or so.  Although, we are all running a 5K in April, so we may need to switch our coffee dates to the track.  I'm also thankful for their husbands who watch the children so that these Mom's can meet to talk about everything under the sun! 

I prayed for these sweet friends for years and there were times when I wondered if God was going to answer my prayer.  I know that God sometimes has us wait for a reason and these awesome ladies were worth the wait!

Love you friends!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.  If either one of them falls down, one an help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10