Weekday Wear

Weekday Wear by messybunch featuring wrap boots

  Let me tell you...baseball practice is not for the people who fear the cold. I would be one who fears the cold! Yikes...the wind was whipping and the temp. said 54 degrees, but with a very cold wind and no sunshine, it makes for a very chilly time. That's the inspiration for this outfit. 

  Everything you need to survive a cold evening in a park watching your boy play some ball. Starbucks to warm the hands (grande white chocolate peppermint mocha, of course!) some tunes to keep you company, a blanket to warm the lap (or block the wind on your back!), some very warm Uggs, scarf, and a beautiful Peacoat for warmth (or just because it's pretty!), and of course polish yourself off with beautiful jewels! These are my favorite out of the entire collection of lia sophia. Love this Jenny ring and earrings! The ring reminds me of those old signet rings that a king might have worn...there is something about old school Renaissance era that I love. Don't know why, I just do. Maybe it's all the gowns, candles and wigs? (Sorry I get sidetracked easily!) Who knows...I do know however that I love the look of this outfit!


What's your favorite cold day piece? The coffee or the clothes? :)

Vision Forum

  I hope all of you have heard of and shopped with Vision Forum. The last few years, this is where almost all of our Christmas gifts have come from, for our children. They have wonderful toys, books, cd's, dress up clothes, and so much more. They encourage boys to be real men, and girls to be feminine ladies. How often do you find that in a store? Alexis our 10yr old very much enjoys all the dolls and books. Addison our 3yr old loves dressing up the Liberty doll. Our boys, Ty 7yrs and Gabe 5yrs, love the swords & shields, the military garb, and marshmallow shooters! :)

Jonathan Park adventures are wonderful to spark the imagination in you children!


  There is plenty for us adults too. I love these dvd's  homestead blessings, the how to's of baking, gardening, and even candle making.

  I have officially become an affiliate with Vision Forum. Meaning that when you click on any of the ads on my blog page and purchase from Vision Forum, I receive a percentage. I really felt like this is a great way for me to help out financially without being gone from home. So please, if you are wanting to purchase from Vision Forum, click through one of my links. It doesn't cost you anymore than if you were to go directly to Vision Forum yourself. So, why not just go through here! :) Whether it be an ad on my sidebar or from this posting, it all works the same. And they are having a huge sale 40-70% off!

Their dvd's are inspiring and educational. They also have great family flicks.

Blessings~Heather

Don't Be Fooled

  One of the most disturbing problems with all this technology now a days is that nothing is as it seems. It is so easy for everyone to post on their blog, send emails, comment on Facebook, etc. And those reading it believe it. It's a dangerous position to put yourself in. A few months ago I almost gave up blogging all together. I know I don't write much and don't have the biggest following, but it's just fun. But a few months ago as I was reading blogs, I started to become discontent with my life. I'd read what these so called "Christian super moms" had the time for, the energy for, the projects, how we are supposed to raise our families in the Lord, and started to doubt what I knew God had for our family. Yes, some pieces are good. Some are very inspiring. Some light that fire in you that you needed. The thing that bothered me was how people would follow without any questioning it. Are we really that desperate to be like others? Are we really so in need of direction that we can't even listen to God because someone who is living it today says to do it this way? And the past week this has really stuck out to me again.

  Don't be fooled! Anyone can make themselves look like they have it together, know what it is we need, look as though their family life is wonderful, that their children are such blessings, or look as though they aren't struggling financially on a computer screen. I remember mentioning once to a friend how this one particular family looked like they had so much fun on FB and how our life was so bland in comparison. Their pictures were always beautiful, adventurous, and the husband and wife look so in love. Yet this friend knew this family's life and said, "Don't believe everything you see." It made me think. (Nothing else was said, but never the less, it made me think.) Maybe they don't have such a loving, wonderful, exciting life. Prior to that statement though, I started wondering what was wrong with our family. How is it that we never go on vacation? Why don't we look that happy? It's a dangerous pit to fall into! It made me start doubting our choice to pray and trust the Lord for our family size (which we both felt God called us to do). If our family keeps getting bigger we will never be able to enjoy those things. The money will be going to food, instead of fun. *sigh* What were we thinking! Then the Lord showed me again that we are following HIM, not the things of this world. Money or a vacation can't give us the happiness of a full house. It can't replace the fact that we are trying to bring up children who love the Lord and will hopefully be warriors for the Kingdom. Following God gives us hope. It fills any void we may find, if we turn to HIM. 

                                                Source: google.hr via Ivana on Pinterest

  How about the mother who writes of her children as being such blessings. Yet, is yelling at her children as she spends too much time on FB, on the phone, doing selfish things. We read her postings in awe of how she gets it all done. Yet, she stays in her pajamas all day, sitting around idol. We read his postings on how he provides for his family and God has called the men to do this. Yet, he is unemployed and isn't out looking for a job. Nothing is as it seems! That is why it is so important to live your life to the best of your abilities with the leading of the Holy Spirit, aspiring to be like Christ. Our in person lives are a huge example to those around us. As compared to just what we say when people can't see what our daily life looks like. A friend reminded me of this country song by Brad Paisley a few days ago, that talks about how he's so different online. 

Here are a few of the lyrics:

I work down at the Pizza Pit
And I drive an old Hyundai

I still live with my mom and dad

I'm 5 foot 3 and overweight

I'm a scifi fanatic

A mild asthmatic

....

That you need to see
Go checkout MySpace

'Cause online I'm out in Hollywood
I'm 6 foot 5 and I look d*** good
I drive a Maserati
I'm a black-belt in karate
And I love a good glass of wine

...

But there's whole ‘nother me

I’m so much cooler online
So much cooler online

  It's a song that is so true, on so many levels. Which brings me back to the whole point of "Dont' believe everything you read." The Bible says what God says. He calls each one of us to be different parts of the body. 1 Corinthians 12 talks of these giftings. Just because it works for one family, woman, or man, doesn't mean it is what God has for you. God has created all of us with different needs, strengths, and weaknesses. I encourage you to pray and seek the Lord's leading, if you are feeling convicted by a post, pray that He would give you good discernment. That you would be able to see the Truth and not what others want you to see. Always measure it with God's word.

  I have been guilty of some of what I mentioned above at one point or another. I know I don't have it all together...so please don't think I do! I struggle with things just like all of you. I am a sinner, thankfully that has been redeemed by the grace of God! I'm not deserving of it, but thankfully God is loving and merciful enough to have sent His Son to pay the price. Thank you, Jesus!

Blessings~Heather

Weekday Wear

Weekday Wear by messybunch featuring an isabella oliver maternity

  I thought I'd do a little maternity post for this week's "Weeekday Wear", in honor of announcing the addition of a new baby, Lord willing, around October 15th to our household! Let's just say that these last few months have not been a cake walk like they usually are for me. I've been feeling lots of nausea, been extremely fatigued, and a bit snippy. I'm pretty sure I still shouldn't be complaining since many friends and family members receive a horrible dose of all of it most of their pregnancy. I am blessed...just not use to this sort of thing. 


  An outfit like this one makes me smile! It gives me hope that someday soon, the temperature will match the beautiful sunshine that has poked her head in our windows. I'm sure I'll regret that statement in the dead of summer when I can't bear to go outside because it is in the 100's but, for now I'll enjoy the thought. ;) Every piece included here is super versatile. Each one can be worn with many different pieces from your wardrobe, thus causing it to not be crazy expensive in the long run. The total w/ jewelry is $247...w/out jewelry $121! Can you believe these sandals are only $17 ??? What a deal! I love the fact that the purse ties in all the colors. Usually I shy away from adding so many colors. I have this matching problem. But, I tend to be much bolder while I'm pregnant, not sure why, I just am. So this works for me. The Mystique ring pulls the beautiful purple from the bag, and the Sea Glass necklace really ties in the yellow from the sandals and the blues from the bag and top! Love it!! 


  What are your favorite things to wear during your pregnancies?

Can You Handle The Pain?

  This morning as Ty, our 7 yr old, took out a dirty diaper to the garbage cans, discovered they had already been taken to the curb. He proceeded to run out to the curb and dispose of the diaper. On his way back he realized he couldn't get back in through the gate. Did this little boy choose the front door as option 1? No! He figured he'd climb back over the fence. That did not work out so well for this adventurous boy! While climbing the wooden gate/fence barefoot, he cut the bottom of his big toe pretty bad. Then proceeded to climb under the fence...instead of using the front door. Why? I don't know, I'm not a 7 yr old boy. So then he comes in crying about his poor toe. I look, call the hubby and decide that there is no way I'm touching his toe!

  Over the last few years I have discovered something about myself that I'm not a big fan of. I am weak. When it comes to cuts, blood, and pain, I can't handle it. It send pain down my spine, makes me feel queasy, and I feel like I need to close my eyes and hide. Doesn't matter who it is, I can't handle it. This is a big problem when it comes to being a mom. Especially a mom of more than a few children. Praise God, that Bob was working down the road from our house. He ran over and did his "thing" that he does best. My husband has the greatest ability when it comes to pain. Maybe it's because he is the king of wounds and gashes. Being as he has had many, and most of them being major injuries. He has the wonderful way of distracting while getting the job done.

  As Ty was whimpering while Bob was cutting away the loose skin, Bob started the "technique." Bob: "So Ty, do you remember what happened to Daddy while we were at elk camp last year?" Ty: "Yeah." Bob: "Well what happened?" Ty: "You cut yourself with a knife." Bob: "I did, didn't I? That's why I always tell you to be so careful, right?" Ty: "Yeah." Bob: "Then what did I have to do?" Ty: "You had to clean it and bandage it." Bob: "That's right!" (All the while, Bob has managed to cut of most of the skin and pulled out quite a bit of sand from the wound, without much fuss from the wounded one.) It's amazing. I know it's simple, but it just amazes me at how calm and natural it is for him to be concentrating and fixing all while he's distracting and caring for the kids. If it were me, I'd be the one going, "Ok, this is really going to hurt!" Cringing, and gagging while my spine creeps with sympathy pain.

  Bob left me to finish the job. Let's just say, "I didn't get very far." Ty was so brave! He tried clean it with a new toothbrush, scraping the sand out with the end of a mechanical pencil, and spraying it with the sprayer in the kitchen sink...all to no avail. (Yes, I realize none of this is very sterile, but what else do you do without paying a $100 copay for urgent care?) Ty decides that he should try and suck out the sand with a vacuum. I don't let him. Bob comes home from work and says, "Why don't we try getting it out with the vacuum!" Seriously? Guys really do think alike! :) Yes, they tried...didn't work. All that's left is to clean it out with hydro. peroxide and add some ointment and a bandaid.

  Unfortunately for Ty, he has baseball try outs tomorrow afternoon. We'll be praying that he can at least do halfway descent. He's a good little player, and I'd hate for this to get in the way of getting on a good team. This is the first year he is old enough to play at the competitive level! We've been wait for a long time for this. Our family is a bit competitive! :)

  We shall see what comes of all this and if we really do end up at urgent care. Praying we don't, but sometimes that's all you can do. Hopefully you moms are braver than I. I know my mom is!

Blessings~Heather

Weekday Wear

Weekday Wear by messybunch featuring a folding umbrella

Crystal earrings are a beautiful addition to this casual outfit.  In tribute to St. Patty's Day this week, we're going green! :) It's also a rainy day, in which an umbrella might come in handy. Isn't it adorable with the sunflower on top?

Did you know that St. Patrick used a three leaf clover to help spread the message of Christianity? Each leaf represented the pieces of the Holy Trinity...the Father...the Son...the Holy Spirit.

Weekday Wear

Weekday Wear by messybunch featuring a lace tee

I was going for a little more feminine today! I love this floral top and basket weave flats. The lia sophia Matte Gold Textured earrings and Multiplicity bracelet go perfectly with the different textures and color shades going on in this outfit. Spritz on a little body mist and off you go!

Mrs. Campbell

Here is a beautiful snippet of a mother's love. Read it...make sure you have some Kleenex...pray for this family...what a beautiful thing the Lord has allowed in their lives!

  I have been following Campbell's Hope blog for a long while now. She shares the most beautiful thoughts of her children. Biological and Adopted alike...this is a family with a love that is infectious. They are an eclectic mix of beauty inside and out. We all could learn so much from this woman...this family. Makes me ashamed of how we don't find this joy in our own home at times. We allow things of this world to turn our eyes away from the really important parts. We get busy, we consume our thoughts and time with things that don't really matter. We are raising children to love, fear, and obey our Lord, not how to be the best sports player, or best dressed. Why do we allow things like this to over shadow the truth? Don't get me wrong, I'm sure their home is full of trials, big and small, just like the rest of us, but the way they choose to honor God with the blessings He has given them is truly a gift in itself.

   Could you imagine giving away your child? Jo's mother is a strong woman. A woman who loves him like a true mother. Wanting to save him, instead of loosing him. Yet, at the same time she had to loose him, in order to save him. How heart wrenching it would be, to be so selfless...

  Do not waste the gifts God has given. He blesses us, yet we allow that blessing to fade into the background. Imagine what our world would be like if children were considered gifts by all. Imagine the different out look everyone would have.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
(Genesis 33:5 ESV)

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
(Matthew 18:2-6 ESV)

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
(Mark 10:13-16 ESV)

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
(Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV)

My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster from them will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
(Proverbs 24:21-22 ESV)

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children–
(Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV)

Some food for thought~Heather

Weekday Wear

Weekday Wear by messybunch featuring a wrap cardigan

  Simple should be a must when you're a mom. I think it is so overwhelming to try and figure out too much with one outfit sometimes. If you are like me you either go all the way, or don't go at all. Not saying that is a good thing...perfectionist to a fault...but there is hope.  

*This outfit has 6 pieces...Sweater...Jeans...Boots...Purse...Earrings...Ring. 

  Simple right? Yet, doesn't it look so pulled together?! The one thing I recommend investing in is, accessories & shoes, if you are wanting to invest in pieces for your wardrobe. These sizes don't change! You can gain 20lbs and your earrings are still going to fit! You can lose 50lbs and yet again, these items will still fit! The beauty of accessories. :) 


  The #1 thing that changes an entire outfit...*drum roll, please*....your attitude! Start your day off in God's Word. That is the "breakfast of champions" (not the Wheaties!) Being close to the Lord will illuminate you from the inside out...that is where true beauty lay. No matter what you put on, whether accessories or beautiful fabrics, nothing can out shine the Holy Spirit that is alive and active in you. You won't need your bronzer if the Lord's light is the one illuminating your face! :)

Hebrews 4:12 
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.


Blessings~Heather