Surprise!

The girls and I spent a wonderful week in Florida last week enjoying family and friends! On Wednesday it worked out for my mom and I to surprise the girls and take them to Disney World! I was so excited to see their faces when I told them how we were going to spend the day! They woke up to Minnie Mouse shirts and breakfast waiting for them. Our first stop was Animal Kingdom where we went on Safari, scaled Everest, dug for dino bones and barely escaped the bug show!! Next we were on to the Magic Kingdom where we saw princesses, ate Mickey Bars, went on Splash Mountain, a magic carpet ride, climbed Swiss Family Robinson's tree house, sailed through the Pirates of the Caribbean, took a train ride, and more! The girls had a blast and I enjoyed watching them and riding with them and was so glad Mama was able to come, too! Today they have recreated the rides and spent all afternoon reliving their trip to Disney!

Product Highlights and February Deals!

NYR Organic has so many incredible products. Over the last 4 months my family and I have tried numerous products and I have talked to many other ladies who are reaping the benefits from the soaps, cosmetics, balms, lotions, shampoos, deodorants and essential oils that NYR offers. Not only do they feel great on your body, that they are certified organic by the UK's Soil Association - and from the research I've been doing recently that is a big deal to me. Seeing that what my daughters put on their bodies is absorbed within about 20 seconds makes me want to know what's in the products they are putting on their skin. Amazingly, their many skin issues have been resolved since we replaced everything they use with the pretty little blue bottles! =)

Here are some of my favorite products and also a few of the wonderful deals we are offering this month! Here is a link to my website - please take a look at our catalog if you have a moment. NYR Organic is a very ethical company - one of the many reasons I love it! Any questions you have about the ingredients of our products should be available on the site. If you have any specific questions, I'd love to get the answers for you! Please don't hesitate to call or email me!

Favorite Product #1

Beauty Sleep Concentrate - a nighttime serum that supports your skins regeneration, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while the aromatherapy blend enhances a restful night's sleep. One pump (not 3 or 4!) does the trick and I use this every night in place of my moisturizer. It smells wonderful and I really can tell a difference in the appearance of my skin!

Favorite Product #2

Luscious Lip Gloss - this lip gloss nourishes as it glosses! It has an essential fatty-acid rich Organic Beauty Oil and USDA -certified organic Castor Seed Oil with a fabulous flavor of organic sweet orange. I wear this if we are going out on a date or if I working in the yard all day. My lips have stayed smooth through the winter and I love how the gloss smells!

Favorite Product #3

Sage Eye Shadow - NYR Organic carries the ONLY CERTIFIED ORGANIC cosmetics in the world. I love how the eye shadow goes on, stays on and the colors available! (The Truffle is another one of my favorites!)

Favorite Product #4

Calendula and Oat Lotion and Calendula Bar Soap - My daughter, Reagan, has suffered with eczema since she was a baby. We have tried all kinds of creams and lotions - over the counter and prescriptions. Within 2 days...YES...2 DAYS her skin was better than it had been since she was 2 years old! We all use these two products now and through winter weather, running our heater, burning yard debris, playing outside, doing home projects our skin has remained smooth!

Favorite Product #5

Lavender Essential Oil - I love to burn this in the afternoons in the kitchen or drop a few drops in a hot shower. It smells so good and is so soothing!

OK, my list could go on and on. =) I'll give one more favorite!

Favorite Product #6

Rejuvenating Frankincense Collection - Morning and Evening I look forward to my special "treat"! I use the cleanser, toner and moisturizer within the Frankincense Collection. Pretty much every woman I know who uses NYR and is over 25 uses the Frankincense products. They smell wonderful and leave your skin feeling and looking amazing!

Click HERE to see some of our fabulous February Deals. 20% off some of our luxurious treats!

Our Wild Rose Beauty Balm (I use this all the time, too!) is $35.00 with any $65.00 purchase.

(What a deal on a product that won't disappoint!!!)

Who Am I?

A couple of weeks ago I received a package I had been waiting for in the mail. I was so excited, only when I opened it up I realized I had made a mistake and ordered the wrong thing.

And it was a heavy thing...

Oh, and I did mention it was MY mistake...

So shipping it back was going to be expensive.

I hate making mistakes like that. I started calling myself names like "I'm such an idiot, I'm so stupid," etc...I know, I know - real mature! Reagan stopped me and said "Mom, why are you saying those things about yourself? You really shouldn't - it's not true." Gulp. I stopped. And I thanked her. Later that night, I was thinking about my costly mistake again and those words began taunting me again - along with others like "failure, you just disappoint others, you're so dumb you can't even order something online right", etc., etc. - In that moment I felt like the Lord stopped me and said "This is who you - and maybe others - say you are - but who do I say you are? Look to Me. Look to the Truth in My Word. I call you by these names:

My beloved.

My friend.

My child.

Saved.

Clean.

Forgiven.

Called.

Chosen one.

Dearly loved.

This is my true identity. This is my identity IN CHRIST. Not because of anything I have done or have not done, but because of Who HE is and what He has accomplished on that rugged tree.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above,

where Christ is,seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above,

not on things that are on earth."

Colossians 3:1-2

Lord, keep my eyes off myself and on You. Thank you that when my eyes are on You, and how You love Your children, I can't help but want to worship. Thank You that You are always faithful to Your promises and You never leave or forsake the one's You draw to Yourself.

100 Plus Joys

2 winters ago I spent a little time just recounting some of the gifts from the Lord that bring joy into my life. I've had them on my side bar, but am trying to update. I'm adding them here so I can look back when needed! =)

1 - That my Savior would call me His and that never will He leave or forsake me!

2 - When Jordyn runs up to me, squeezes my leg, gives it a big kiss and tells me she loves me!

3 - Holding Steve's hand!

4 - Going to get Steve a Slurpee even if it is 40 degrees outside!

5 - Drinking hot tea with a dear friend!

6 - Cooking for my family and friends!

7 - Sitting on our front porch and reading while it is still really quiet in the morning!

8 - Wrapping Christmas gifts for our family!

9 - Watching my husband grow in the midst of everyday life and learning from him!

10 - How it feels after a good, hard workout at the gym when I've been pushed to do things I didn't think I could physically accomplish!

11 - Reading Reagan's stories she's writing for school and watching her smile her toothless smile!

12 - Snuggling with Sydney when she lays down for her nap and talking to just her for a few minutes!

13 - Talking to my mom on the phone after I drop our babysitter off after CG!

14 - Seeing my friends with their two new baby girls from China and their love and compassion that is truly a gift from God!

15 - The treat of sipping on a hot peppermint mocha from Starbucks!

16 - Playing hopscotch in the living room with the girls!

17 - The time I get to talk to Camille every other week as we drive to and from our houses!

18 - Playing Hungry, Hungry Hippos with the fam and Reagan giving up the pink Hippo so I can have a turn!

19 - For God's strength to take care of a sick little girl!

20 - For God's perfect sovereignty when His plans aren't what I have in mind for the day!

21 - Watching Reagan make Sydney sweet "Feel Better" cards and loving her little sissy!

22 - Working in the kitchen next to my 6 year old while she makes her lunch just because she wants to help me!

23 - Snuggling on this cold day and having a Little House on the Prairie marathon with my girls!

24 - Hearing Laura from Veggie Tales sing her song over and over again as the girls play with their nativity set!

25 - Thinking about the hot chocolate chip cookies I'm going to make for my man in a little while!

26 - Cristina making a super yummy dinner for all of us while I continue to do the constant cycle of laundry today and care for now 2 little sick ones!

27 - Rocking my babies in front of our lit Christmas tree with the winter landscape in the window behind!

28 - Experiencing God's grace as my girls ask me to pray for them instead of them complaining. I've been overwhelmed today by their attitudes and how much they have just wanted prayer because they know that God hears our prayers...and He answers us!

29 - Sitting in total silence for what may only be a moment. Yep, just a moment! =)

30 - Praying with my friend while we eat her yummy chocolate chip hazelnut cookies!

31 - Seeing my man after he's been gone all day!

32 - Trying to find the Teddy Bear at Trader Joe's with Reagan and Sydney so they can get a treat!

33 - Watching them enjoy their treat!

34 - Eating dinner with Ben and Cristina and Steve after all the kiddos are tucked into bed for the evening!

35 - Listening to C.J. remind us to keep the Gospel in front of us daily and worshiping God with other believers and friends!

36 - Giving the girls their cream sodas because it's Sunday!

37 - Talking to Steve and praying together so that hopefully we'll both learn to understand each other and encourage each other more...daily!

38 - Holding my sweet pregnant friend's squishy, sweet little girl for a few minutes at church!

39 - Getting a hug from Sheila!

40 - Seeing the first snowflakes of the season!

41 - Listening to the girls talk about what they learned at Sunday school this morning!

42 - A kiss from my hubby as he leaves to go to work!

43 - Listening to 6 little girls playing house and all being sweet to each other!

44 - Reading Reagan's creative little stories she writes for school!

45 - Thinking about seeing our family in 2 weeks!

46 - When hubby comes home from being gone all day!

47 - When hubby brings home special treats like flowers and Slurpees...just because!

48 - Listening to the girls laugh hysterically while being entertained by their Daddy before he prays for them and puts them to bed!

49 - Being able to make dinner almost every night for my family!

50 - Getting mail that isn't junk. (Like presents I've ordered or a note from my sister =)!)

51 - Hubby helping me when I'm not feeling so great!

52 - Hearing the girls laughing and having fun with Cristina and Luke while they make Gingerbread men!

53 - Having friends who care about my soul and listen and speak Truth into my life!

54 - Warm clean sheets, hot tea and soft socks!

55 - Snuggling and watching Robin Hood with my man!

56 - Reading a card my sweet Reagan made me today saying she saved her gingerbread man cookie for me!

57 - Family worship time!

58 - Holding Jordyn and praying for her before I put her in her crib!

59 - Watching little sissies love on each other after they have been encouraged by their Daddy to do so! =)

60 - Being able to run at the gym!

61 - Fresh haircuts and a fun stylist to talk too!

62 - Anticipating a date night out with my man!

63 - Having time with the ladies in our care group and seeing God at work in each of their lives!

64 - Reading about Jesus' birth with the kiddos!

65 - Being able to get up in the morning and spend time in the Word being envisioned by God's Truth.

66 - Being able to work out at the gym with a trainer and being able to talk to her about what's going on in her life. And being able to pray for her and let her know it!

67 - Listening to little girls talk and giggle 'till after 10 last night when they had one of their dear little friends over to spend the night!

68 - Having a girls' night in with Ashley and Cristina and laughing through the movie we watched!

69 - A big pot of home made soup cooking and bread baking while I write a few cards!

70 - Letting Jordyn "help" me wrap presents this morning!

71 - Going to a Christmas program with our sweet neighbors!

72 - Talking with Steve late at night!

73 - Knowing and believing that "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love...He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us." Ps 103:8, 10-12

74- Cleaning my home!

75 - Watching and listening to little girls play with Legos for hours and hours and eating their Lego cupcakes and cookies!

76 - Listening to the girls playing mommy and baby...it's very revealing, too!!

77 - A kiss good morning from my man!

78 - Baking goodies for our friends and neighbors!

79 - Helping the Hartman's move into their new home!

80 - Getting our home ready for our Care Group's Christmas party!

81 - Reading with the girls by the fireplace after our CG Christmas party has been canceled due to icy roads!

82 - Bringing goodies out to people who've been trying for hours to make their way home only to be stopped in traffic in front of our house!

83 - Playing Scrabble in front of a warm fire with my man and laughing at his goofy faces!

84 - Checking on Jordyn before I go to bed at night...being able to give her kisses and cover her up with her multiple blankies and give put her baby doll and puppy dog back in her chubby little arms!

85 - Being able to read "The Gospel for Real Life, Shopping for Time and my Bible and drink my Awake tea before anyone else (but of course Steve) is up in the morning!

86 - A phone call from a friend inviting me to go over for dessert!

87 - Making cookies with friends and talking while 12 little kids run circles around us!

88 - Getting Reagan and Sydney dressed up and ready so they can go on a date with their Daddy! (Dinner and Shopping!)

89 - Going out Christmas shopping with Jordyn and listening to her as she has an opportunity to talk since her two big sisters are elsewhere!

90 - The quote in my text by Jerry Bridges!

91 - Talking to one of my dearest friend for a LONG time on the phone about anything and everything!

92 - Taking Christmas goodies and cards to all our neighbors!

93 - Going and visiting my great aunt who moved here from California!

94 - Watching my girls faces light up when they get to buy presents for their Daddy!

95 - Helping Reagan hand sew Sydney's Christmas present and watching her wrap it all by herself.

96 - Snuggling on the couch with Jordyn and Sydney while we read books together!

97 - Playing games in the van with the girls while we are driving here and there and everywhere!

98 - Listening to Steve read the Christmas story while we are all in our new Christmas p.j.s that he picked out special for each of us!

99 - Thinking about having the whole day with my little family tomorrow without a big agenda other than celebrating our Savior and enjoying each other!

100 - Watching Reagan sing with the children's choir at church as we celebrate our Savior with our church family and hoping the Lord uses the words to soften her heart towards the Gospel!

(Um, I think I'll just keep going!)

101 - The uninterrupted time Steve and I were able to talk on our drive down to Orlando yesterday about our goals and hopes for 2011!

102 - Seeing my Mama last night when we arrived at her home which she so graciously is giving up for us this week!

103 - Getting a pair of very special earrings that I have wanted since I was a child!

104 - Eating cheese and sausage biscuits and having an unhurried morning with the girls and Steve!

105 - Playing Trouble with the girls!

106 - Getting back into a "normal" routine and having play time with the girls. Laughing with them as they make up silly ways to play their games and listening to them encourage each other as they win or lose!

107 - When my 6 year old sweetie pie asks if she can have a private conversation with just me to talk about something that happened while she was with some other children today and being able to point her to our Savior and pray for her!

108 - Walking around my in-laws home for the last time on Sunday and remembering all the wonderful memories we shared there. Then thinking ahead with JOY about the memories to be made in their new home in a new city as they follow God's will for their lives.

109 - Snow days!

110 - Reading Joni Eareckson Tada's testimony in her book "The God I Love".

111 - Talking over the 31 questions from the Romantic Vineyard's blog with my man and learning more about him!

112 - Big cups of cold water and mugs of hot tea!

113 - Snuggling with Sydney when she just wakes up from a nap!

114 - Having friends over and listening to 8 little girls playing together!

115 - Being able to have people in our home on a regular basis for food and fellowship!

116 - Walking to the mailbox with my man!

117 - Being able to thank God everyday for how He provides for us and blesses us and knowing that He will never leave or forsake us.

118 - Being able to read for an extended amount of time!

Growing Girls

Time is zooming by. I mean seriously, is it already February? Is my seven year old really so tall? I can just hope her jeans are shrinking and she didn't really just grow another inch, although I'm sure that is not reality. And how is my five year old a snaggle-tooth already? One day I will miss the adorable toothless giggles that greet me across the table during breakfast. And my baby - well, she's twirling and whirling and coloring and keeping up with the big girls. And, oh, yep - her pants have decided to shrink, too! =) Sometimes I don't want to blink. I just sit and watch and listen and try to soak in the sister-love that's going on around me, the silly giggles, the corny knock-knock jokes, who's hanging from the swing set, and who's in control of the Rapunzel dress at the moment.

Other times I don't mind the change. I love watching the girls grow and change. I love seeing God's hand at work and wonder what He has in store for their little lives and am in awe that I actually get to live life with them day in and day out. Learning about history, reading Swiss Family Robinson, Little House on the Prairie lunch "dates", Bible around the table, working in the yard together, playing "maids" to get the house in order, hide and go seek in the dark, having actual conversations about life, playing freeze tag, seeing what bug Reagan decides to surprise me with (at least the last one was a dead lizard!), watching the girls grow and want to help each other and other people...these things and many more make me not mind "blinking".

So, yes, my last post was October. A lot has happened since then. There has been much laughter, many tears, lots of sugar eaten, disciplines given, chores taken care of, snuggles, boo-boos, school work, swinging, sliding, twirling, piano practicing, loosing of teeth, books read, bubble baths, doll playing and dress up. Whew, all that just happened today! I can't wait to see what's in store for tomorrow!

Here's toothless Wonder Girl - another one has fallen out since this shot last week!