FBFF Bonus Round!

Just a heads up -

I wanted to give you a little bonus FBFF action today - there's a great giveaway going on over at Fashion Momma! She's giving away gift cards, jewelry, and tights... so get yourself over there and comment to win! :) Enjoy your weekend, lovelies!

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday (FBFF)

Today's FBFF is actually doing some nominating for some blog awards. Since I haven't been into this fashion blog stuff very long, I'm going to share a link to a new blog I've found instead.

Fab Finds Under $50 is a blog I have recently discovered. What I love about this blog is that Kimberly creates "outfit inspiration calendars" for each month. The link above will take you to the calendar page. Each day of the month, she has a picture of an outfit that her readers submit and she draws inspiration from the picture while getting dressed. It's like a color-by-number for your own closet. Genius! How many times have I stood in my closet, thinking, I have a lot of clothes but don't know how to mix & match them all together"? I'll tell ya: a lot of times. These pictures just give you a way to start thinking of creative ways to wear what you already have in your closet - as well as wardrobe staples you might purchase in the future. What a fun way to play with your clothes and gain confidence in your fashion capabilities!

She also shares where she purchased every piece of her wardrobe and usually, she's gotten some STEALS! I guess I need to increase the time I spend shopping to be able to find those kind of deals.

I hope everyone is having a fun Friday! My babylove has been sort of sickly for the past few days, and I think he's cutting his molars, which = no fun for anyone at my house.

laying it down

Why is it so hard for us to give the Lord control? Why can't we simply trust His sovereign plan?

There's a certain issue that I have really been struggling to hand over to the Lord. About 3 weeks ago, I felt strongly the Lord saying, "Stop trying to take control of this issue. You trust Me in all other areas of your life; trust Me in this." Well, I was so excited that I felt I had heard from the Lord regarding this issue, and went on my merry way for a couple weeks. Ho hum ho hum.

An opportunity presented itself for me and my husband to serve in an out-of-the-comfort-zone capacity, and I started getting excited about it. I started making plans and just automatically assumed that the Lord's plan was for us to BOTH do this mission trip. I started trying to conform God's will to my purposes and plans again, and was running up against some brick walls. On the way to work this week, I spent a little time with the Lord and heard Him whispering softly to me, "Loved one, we just learned this lesson a few weeks ago. Have you already forgotten?" I had picked up my burden again, and had started trying to shove it into my little bitty box labeled, "Kami's view of God."

Our God is a big God. He is omnipotent, sovereign, and loving. And He wants what is best for His children. He knows the choices we will make before we make them, but gives us the free will to choose.

I, once again, choose to lay the control at His feet.

Friend Friday: Loving My Body

I'm linking up with Kimberly over at Fashion Momma for Fashion Beauty Friend Friday. Today's topic is loving your body and this is something I have been thinking about a lot lately. Kimberly always has interesting posts and I love seeing how she puts outfits together - sometimes thinking, girl, that would look awful on my body type, but you're rockin' it! (but that's not how it should be... I should have a little more self-confidence in what what look "good" on my body type-

always enjoying checking them out.

Until a few weeks ago, I didn't really read other blogs unless I knew the person in real life. Lately, I've been branching out and finding all kinds of new, sweet friends who have all sorts of interests and talents. Fashion blogs were something I thought I probably wasn't interested in as a mommy of a one year old, and all that means for my body, wardrobe, and budget. I was wrong.

This is a topic you'll probably be seeing a little more of on my blog. But first, let me get to the questions.

1. Since you started blogging,

has your image of yourself changed?

I'd have to say yes and no. No, because I have known who I am in my heart and have felt loved and secure in my marriage, family, and with friends for a long time. And yes, because I have changed my ideas about what I want to wear, what image I want to portray, and what I want my overall demeanor to be. By reading other blogs, especially those on fashion, I have realized that folks of all body shapes and sizes are out there looking fabulous and loving themselves (and...*cough* not spending a fortune). I have also realized that a lot of "fashion" is simply self-confidence, and if you love what you're wearing and feel confident in it, others will think that you look "fashionable." I simply want to present a generally stylish, put together appearance that reflects the fact that I thought about and took time with what I was wearing.

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself?

If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it, or do you post/talk about it anyway?

I am just now getting into this fashion/beauty blogging world, and I must admit that I am self conscious about lots of parts of myself. Since I haven't been really blogging about my fashion choices, I guess this is a hard one to answer. Let me just say, that yes, I downplay some "problem areas" while I am getting dressed or buying clothes. I am an open book and as you probably know already, I'll share most details of my life if you want to know.

3. Based on how you're feeling now,

what do you think the future holds in the evolution

of your body image?

Well, I love my body. Even though it's not perfect, even though my belly will never be flat again thanks to my babylove, and even though my thighs are jiggly with cellulite. My body is exactly the way that God created it to be, and He loves me just the way I am. My husband, also, loves me just the way I am. After those two, I don't really care what anyone else thinks about my body. Now, fashion is another thing altogether. I have been timid in the past in the world of fashion. I am a Southern belle through and through, and feel that sometimes classic is more classy. My wardrobe currently consists of mostly greys, blacks, and browns with just a handful of colors thrown in. But I am hoping to expand my fashion comfort zone. You only get one life. You should wear things you love (and I believe, surround yourself with things you love in your home, but that's another topic altogether.)

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog?

If so, how do you feel about the experience when

you're having your picture taken?

If you choose not to post pictures of yourself,

what prompted that decision?

I haven't really put a lot of photos as far as fashion goes onto this blog. There's always a few of me just because I love to post pictures of my family. I'll probably start doing more of that coming up, too, because I'd like to chronicle how my style changes.

5. What would you want everyone who struggles

with body image to take to heart?

Girl, we're all different! God created us to each be unique, down to the fat cells in our thighs and how they metabolize energy. Seriously. During my gross anatomy class in OT school, I realized that each person's muscles, fat distribution, tendons, ligaments, bones, everything - they're all in slightly different places on each person. You can't change the DNA that makes up your body. You can choose to dress to flatter your figure and improve your self-confidence, but don't stress about your body. Now, that brings up my second point here.

Don't dress to impress other people. I hope you realize that this is not what I am talking about. I am simply talking about feeling confident in yourself. I have found that when I take the extra time to fix my hair, iron my clothes, and put makeup on (even if I am only wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes), my self-confidence goes through the roof and I am much more productive. On the flip side, when I don't shower, stay in my pj's all day, and lounge around, I can't ever seem to put my tail in gear and get chores accomplished at the house. So that is something to think about, mommies. I know it's hard some days to want to get out of your jammies. Since I have been a (mostly) stay-at-home mommy I have challenged myself to get dressed, put my contacts in, put makeup on, and feel good about the way I look most days. That outfit may or may not have applesauce and cereal bar smeared on it by 10 a.m., but at least I feel that I have made an effort in my self-image. I want to quote someone here. The girl who wrote this is an 8th grader, homeschooled, and obviously has maturity beyond her years. A few days ago, over on Pioneer Woman's homeschooling blog, she wrote,

Let’s face it, unlike Barbie I won’t ever have a toned stomach and permanently shaven legs. I’ll have to shave my whole life. But who wants to walk on their tip-toes all day anyway?

Well, folks, that's all I have for today. Just some food for thought as we head into our weekend. I am looking forward to a lovely shower for my sweet friend Shanna tomorrow and then church & home group on Sunday. Last week I worked in the nursery with my sweet babylove and his friends, and the past two weeks before that we were not able to go to church, so it's coming up on 4 weeks since I have attended church. Heathen, I am. In all seriousness, I am ready to participate in worship and hear the Word. Enjoy your weekend everyone! :)

Fun Things Friday!

It's STILL snowy here. I haven't left the house since Tuesday. Babylove and I are almost going stir crazy! So, in honor of the cabin fever that seems to be overtaking most people I know, I thought I'd post a couple of fun things this morning.

First, there's a Lisa Leonard giveaway going on over at The Pilot's Wife. She is super sweet and her posts are always encouraging. You should check it out, because Lisa Leonard is a fabulous artist and I love all her jewelry! There's a $50 gift certificate up for grabs!

Second, here's a pic of something that Babylove got for his birthday:

Okay. This thing looks weird and we call it the "hot dog" because of its resemblance to the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. But has become his favorite thing to play with! He usually doesn't ride it, but walks behind pushing it. The casters make it turn very easily and he can zoom all over the house with it! Just a suggestion for a very fun toy for the 1-2 year old crowd.

...and, third. Just a photo from happier, snow-free times.

That, my friends, is Key West, Fl. And I would looooove to be sitting there, soaking up the sun with a drink with an umbrella in my hand.

Update

So a couple days ago, I posted regarding my battle with hormones. God is so very faithful to give me just what I need, when I need it. On Monday night, I went to dinner with a couple of lovely ladies in my family - my third cousin who is my age (and growing up, we looked a lot alike) and her aunt, who was visiting from Texas. In the conversation, something came up and we got to talking, and my cousin is experiencing the exact same issues with her hormones as I have been. What a way for God to let me know I am not alone! She has been through many of the same medications and attempts to control this situation, and is just as frustrated as I am. Interesting, right?

Last night as I was reading our chronological one-year-Bible out loud to Hubs (our nightly routine), I came across this verse in Exodus 14:14 -

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

I feel like that was just what I needed to hear regarding this situation. It stood out to me as though it was written on a neon flashing sign. So, friends, that is what I am going to do. I am no longer stressing out about it. I am no longer seeking an answer. I am going to be still and let the Lord fight this battle for me. How precious it is to know He cares for us in such minute detail.

Snowmaggedon! Remix

Well, praise the Lord for neighbors who love us. J&C, who live 2 doors down, drove 30 minutes in this mess to pick up my husband from work and bring him home. I can't tell you how excited I was! I made a big pot of chili, an apple pie, and then we made snow ice cream to top it off. What a fun end to our crazy snow day! :)

Not the best mommy fashion - but it's Snowmaggedon for crying out loud.
Me & my baby boy!
He loved laughing at Daisy, who was bouncing all over the place.
My heart!
Love love LOVE these boys! :)
Measuring the snow - we ended up with a little over 7 inches.