Playing

I am over social media at my job which is kind of fun for me! I don't always get a lot of time to work on it considering I wear about 5 more hats in my position. My favorite part about this specific part of my job? The return of our summer missionaries!

I get to click through and download all of their photos from their trips for our use. I love going through the photos and seeing those precious faces. My heart is and has been for Africa for a long time. My heart melts at the sight of their adorable faces and happy smiles.

Several weeks ago my boss mentioned that disciplining a child in Uganda is much different than here in the U.S. Time out is pretty much useless. He said it's because the children have no toys there so if you put them in a corner they will still play. I thought it was interesting that he said this as I ran across these photos of the kids playing with just about anything:

We take for granted so much! We have tons of toys laying around our homes and still remain bored. We are never satisfied with what we have and always longing for more. A part of me is jealous that these children experience contentment which is something the rest of us long for often times. Just check out that last picture of the little boy playing with a deflated soccer ball. He's just as happy to play with it deflated as he would be if it was inflated.

Oh to be content with what we have...

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Tuesday Glam Party #44

Sorry that this is up late, but we flew in late last night after a weeks vacation to Georgia where I visited my family. My nieces & nephew have a way of stealing my heart while I'm with them causing me to forget about pretty much anything else.

Loving these monogrammed initials from Grunged, Glittered n' Branded!
I'd love to do this for above our fire place or even to give as a wedding gift. Gorgeous!

This chest from Designer Garden sure is a beauty! You must check out the before & after photos because this is truly a beautiful piece!


Check out this glamorous hand painted zebra dresser from Tres Chere! Not to mention she has some other great before & after shots in the same post.

Can't wait to see what you have to share!

Do me one favor and link back to my page with either my button or text link.
Also, go ahead and visit the 2-3 people before you and leave some comment love.

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Mommy Mondays: Freezer Cooking

I am Kallie a 20 something stay at home with a sweet little boy, Copeland. Thanks to the blog world I “met” Jana and later found out that I know her cousin from high school and that her and I actually go to the same church. (Singing it’s a small world after all in my head)

I have fallen in love with blogging at Learning to be. My favorite thing to blog about is my adventures with FREEZER COOKING.

Definition:
Freezer Cooking- is where you pick a day to cook enough meals for (fill in the blank a month, week, two whatever). Also known as bulk cooking, once a month cooking or OAMC.

Why: I dont know about you but after a busy day the big, annoying thing staring me in the face is the fact that I have to come up with and prepare a meal for my family. So when I heard of the Freezer cooking idea I thought... One day of crazy cooking, oh and it will be crazy, and I will be done for the rest of the month. To me that meant... One day of many dishes, one day of standing on my feet on the tile floor and one day of being creative with my meals. One day provides me with a month of creative, healthy, hardly any clean up, ready in no time meals that will cut back on time spent making and cleaning up dinner. Also it cuts back on nights of "honey I am so tired can you just pick something up?'

At the end of each month I compose a list of recipes for breakfast lunch and dinner and then at the beginning of the month I go grocery shopping and start my cooking. At this point I have it down to a pretty nice science.

Freezer cooking does take a lot of prep work but then it is easy breezy for the rest of month.

I believe in the “family meal” and cooking at home. I know not everyone has the time to do the prep work so I do it all for my readers and then post what we are cooking for that month and encourage others to join me.

During my journey have started change my family and household to a natural eating/living family. (That is a journey within itself) I post the recipes in a way that anyone can join along but add little tips on how you can make it more “natural.”
Example: because cans can contain BPA I make my own cream of mushroom.

We have had a few bad meals but mostly good ones.

My whole family loves that we have good food on the table each night, a stress free mom and extra money for ice cream after!

I would love for you to join me. It really has changed how we view dinnertime and I give you all the tools you need.
Tip: start out small; try cooking for a week or two first.

You can check out all my tips and recipes at Learning to be. Come on by and introduce your self. Pin It

Post Card Love

Can I just say that I am LOVING receiving all of these postcards? Snail mail is the best & it's so cool to see all the different post cards coming in. I've now received a second batch of postcards and it's getting me excited for receiving even more!

These first two are from Cecilia over at Heavenly Handmade! These two came all the way from South Africa!! Pretty sure I want to pet that cub even if he might chew off my hand...


And here's New York from Carolyn over at Composing Nows!

Here's Virginia from Yvette over at Aqua Seventy 6!

This one from Oregon is from Robin who is not a blogger, but still deserves attention none the less. Thanks Amanda for setting it up!

Check out this handmade beauty from Mary Rebecca in Georgia!!

Arches National Park in Utah was sent in by Jamie at It's a Morris Thing!

So here's what we have so far which makes up 8 states & 1 country!

So what's the verdict so far? Best post card? Cutest? Most creative? We are most definitely voting in the end!

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Relationship Ramblings: Sponsor Q&A

If you haven't visited my sponsors yet then you need to because they are all simply amazing!
I decided to interview them about their relationships.

So here are all of my beautiful sponsors responding to my relationship questions:
We have Randi from Dukes & Duchesses, Mallorie from Home is with You, Alyson from Eisley Rae Clothing, Tara from Beautiful Blendings & Emily from From New Jersey to Texas!!

1) What would be your ideal date night? (Money is no object)

Randi - An overnight stay at a hotel with a great dinner out at a restaurant I’ve never been to before. A leisurely breakfast in the morning.

Mallorie - Anything from the Bachelor/Bachelorette...you know- a helicopter that lands you on a glacier, a boat ride out to your own personal island and having a picnic there, dinner in the center of the Bellagio fountain...etc.

Alyson - If money weren't an object...we'd hop on a private jet in the early afternoon, fly up to Napa, tour a few wineries, taste some delicious wine and have a private, candle lit dinner on top of a hill in the middle of a vineyard!

Tara - My ideal date night would be cooking a delicious meal with my fella. With a glass of wine in hand, some great songs on the iPod and our goofiness; we make the best date nights. Oh and movie, cheesecake and snuggle time for dessert. Of course.

Emily - Maybe dinner and a show? Simple :)

2) If you could take an all expenses paid vacation where would you and your honey head?

Randi - Italy. I’d love to roam the cobblestone streets and drink great wine. If I can’t have that, a beach with white sand and blue water.

Mallorie - We would probably head back to our honeymoon spot in Jamaica! We've been dying to go back ever since we left. That or a trip to travel all over Europe...

Alyson - To Italy! I've been, but my husband hasn't and we're dying to go together.

Tara - New Zealand. He's already been because our good friend from college lives there. But we've talked about how it's the perfect location for a destination wedding. Beaches, adventure and one big beautiful island. Can't go wrong.

Emily - To NJ first, then to Italy! :)

3) What nicknames have you given your man?

Randi - I could tell you but I’d have to kill you. :)

Mallorie - No real specific nicknames, but I call him all kinds of things- sweetheart, babylove, boo...you know, all those extra manly names...but he's my Superman too :)

Alyson - His name is Matt and I often call him Matty! He'd kill me for telling anyone...hope he doesn't read this. We're not really big on nick names though. Hon, every once in a while too.

Tara - Babe, my fella, Brewmaster (he is a professional brewer)

Emily - The usual...Babe, Baby, Darling, Dear, Sweetheart, Bugga Boo

4) What is your favorite thing to do with your husband/boyfriend? (Nerdy answers completely acceptable!)

Randi - Go out, just the two of us. Even if it’s just to the grocery store. I love having alone time where I don’t have to compete with the kids for conversation.

Mallorie - Our favorite things to do are just snuggling up and watching random things on Netflix, playing board games, and just plain going out to dinner.

Alyson - We love to go to Disneyland! It's something we've always done often and always enjoy it so much.

Tara - Beat him at cribbage. Drink french press coffee in our pjs at 12pm on a Saturday morning.

Emily - Follow TV shows together :)

5) What's the one characteristic in a man that you can't live without?

Randi - Honesty. It’s crucial. A cute butt doesn’t hurt either.

Mallorie - He has to be hilarious, I love to laugh...and have as much of a passion for life as I do! Luckily Dave has all of this and more :)

Alyson - Understanding! I'm anal and anxious and probably pretty hard to live with at times. Thankfully, my husband has learned to shake his head and walk away. haha. He's so understanding now of my little quirks or things that I "have" to do, even if he doesn't get why.

Tara - Respect. In all forms.

Emily - Protective.

6) Give one piece of advice for what makes your relationship work!

Randi - Listen more than you talk. Pray instead of nagging. That’s two pieces of advice – sorry.

Mallorie - Don't sweat the small stuff, I think the key to happiness in general is just that simple...otherwise you might end up fighting over nothing, and no one wants that...

Alyson - COMMUNICATION!! I can not stress that enough. Things haven't always been easy for Matt and I. (not that marriage is supposed to be) We actually went through a month long separation just over a year ago and thanks to months of therapy, we were able to repair our relationship. We learned while in therapy that while we thought we had GREAT communication, we actually were quite terrible at it. Or should I say, he was! Really...I was great about being loud & proud about how I felt and he wasn't really sure how to get it out, so he would bottle it up. Through our therapist we learned that I needed to let him know how I felt and instead of insisting that he respond to me immediately, I needed to give him time to think about things and then talk to me about it. None of it was easy, but we're so much happier now and have a pretty awesome marriage!

Tara - Always be supportive even if it's a bad day. Sometimes we have to let each other just vent, get upset and then be there to help them back up again. It is not easy. You have to want to work at it but when you do; your reward is great love.

Emily - Communication...big time communication. Love isn't always romantic, it can be ugly and messy sometimes.

What would be some fun questions to ask my September sponsors for a Relationship Rambling Q & A? I think this will be a new tradition for the blog!

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The Bump: 24 Weeks

I popped at 23 weeks. I went to put on my usual Sunday morning t-shirt and it was suddenly a little smaller. I just knew Cody had given me the medium I used to wear but it was the large.
Little Miss Emily is taking over the belly! Cody got to feel her move at 23 weeks which was very exciting. It was also neat for me because I finally got to see her move. I catch myself staring at my belly waiting for her to move around.

I had an appointment this week with the doctor. I was shocked by my weight, but she didn't seem to be so I guess that's a good thing. I have to remember that I'm carrying a baby.

And here's a cliche' picture just for kicks and giggles...

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Recent Bodysuits for Baby

Two weeks ago we attended a baby shower for a couple in our home group. We purchased some things they needed but as a creative I can't show up with one of my creations. She's already purchased a tutu set for her little girl so I decided to make some cute bodysuits.

The first one I made was designed specifically with them in mind. Her husband is a photographer so of course she needs a cute camera onesie.
Turned out cute didn't it?

Her little girl is dues in September so I thought she just had to have a cute halloween onesie too! I wish Emily would be here so I could make her one, but not until Christmas.

I've got a lot of custom orders right now so you should be seeing a lot of photos soon of all the custom orders I'm making. Some really cute stuff should be made here in the next two weeks. I'm pretty excited!!

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Tuesday Glam Party #43

You all continue to amaze me every week with the wonderful things you link up!
I'm starting with food this week as it seems to be my weakness lately...

Check out these delicious smores in a pan from Truly Lovely!
This is such a great idea for someone like me who enjoys them but would prefer to not be that close to the fire place.

How cute are these cupcakes that look like popcorn? Props to Living My Life On Purpose for this creative dessert! I need to find some red & white striped cupcake liners to make it even better.

And since school started this week, check out this easy art center from Burton Avenue. This would be great for a classroom or your own home. Love it!

Of course I always have a weakness for gorgeous red furniture like this beautiful red dresser from Aqua Seventy Six! I think I'd like it displayed somewhere in my home.


Can't wait to see what you have to share!

Do me one favor and link back to my page with either my button or text link.
Also, go ahead and visit the 2-3 people before you and leave some comment love.

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Mommy Mondays: A Mom with Multiple Sclerosis

Thank you so much Jenni for sharing your story though it's been a difficult journey! Please leave some love for Jenni & thank her for sharing her story with us today!

Hi Giggles, Glitz and Glam readers! I'm Jenni and I blog at Ragamuffin Beauties, about being a homeschooling Momma of two, a wife to my high school sweetheart and my love for Jesus with his amazing grace, sprinkled in with a few fun yet less important topics. My blog name has changed a few times and I finally settled on Ragamuffin Beauties, because it so a reflection of who I am in Christ. He sees me as his beautiful child, yet each day my life looks more like a ragamuffin.

When Jana first mentioned needing guest posters for a series on motherhood I was all on board. I mentioned I had Multiple Sclerosis and we decided to run with that. In preparing I thought it would be great to get my kiddo's perspective. What I had not prepared for was what their answers would be. What it did reflect was that I am not being the face of Jesus to them. As a Mom, I was crushed as this is (in my opinion) my most important role. {You can read about my MS story here to get the back story of where I am at physically and spiritually on this journey.}

I want to first say, that I am not holding back and this may just be one of the hardest posts I have ever written. I won't ask you for grace, because He has poured out more than is sufficient and without the truths I found in my sweet babes voices I would not been on a path to healing and improvement as a Mother.

1. What is the biggest change you have seen in Mommy since being diagnosed?

• attitude is worse, argumentative with Daddy, not as playful/nice, stressed, mad easier, cuss more

2. What are your feelings about MS?

• sad/mad/upset, not as active, happy you are better

3. What do you want other kids to know about being a kiddo with a sick Mommy?

• enjoy that she is alive, be thankful for her, pray for her, help, obey, do chores

Earlier, that day we studied in Ephesians for church and two verses stuck out to me:

" Be completely humble and gentle; be patient;
bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:2

" Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29

Can I tell you what an encouragement to my soul it was to know God was preparing me not only for that conversation, but for the changes that are unfolding. The truth is Multiple Sclerosis is hard. Being a Mother is hard. But, I do believe God gave me a chance to experience both to be his hands and feet. When I allow my MS to dictate the way I mother I will always fail. I would be remiss if I didn't say there are days when choosing joy feels harder than facing the hardest of obstacles, but as a Mommy it is worth it. More than anything my children are looking to me to see how I respond to this disease. Do I seek the Lord, do I trust his ways, am I reflection of his love? Hearing their answers may have saved my life. I don't mean to be dramatic, I truly want to be transparent with how God can use Mothers faced with some of life's challenges. I want to encourage you Mommas to dig deep out of that place of pain. Maybe you don't have MS, maybe you are battling depression, or finances are affecting you, maybe this season of motherhood is especially trying...whatever your story, HE wants you to know HE loves you, HE is for you and you will always deserve His grace and comfort. My life verse is,

" Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Romans 12:12

It's a reminder of what to strive to be, because Lord knows it is a work in progress! I pray my story encourages you to know that you are not alone and that He can carry any burden you are facing. May you find joy in the journey of motherhood!

Thank you Jana for letting me spill my guts to you and your readers!

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Patio Furniture Complete!

I painted my patio furniture back in March, but have yet to do anything to the cushions. It's been on my to-do list! Small disappointment...I didn't redo the patio cushions myself. I decided to purchase them after finding these beauties at Garden Ridge!


I'm in love and can't wait for cooler weather so I can enjoy it!! :)

Now I need your help...scotch guard the cushions or not??

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Flint Knapping

Many of us are creatives in some way whether it be crafts, photography, graphic design or so on. I have met many people who create various different things. However, I have never met anyone who is a flint knapper until this past year. My co-worker, Angela Parker, is indeed a flint knapper. She was recently interviewed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine. Check out the video below to find out a little more about flint knapping.

You should most definitely check out her work over at Native Primitives!
Be sure to like her new facebook page too! Pin It

Relationship Ramblings: Fancy Date Night

We never go out for a nice dinner. Okay I lied, in November for our 1st Anniversary we went out to a really nice restaurant and we will likely dine there again this year for our 2nd Anniversary. But in general we tend not to go out somewhere nice. I thought it would be fun to dress up even though I didn't really own anything nice in maternity. Then I remembered I bought this dress for a wedding in September.

This week is restaurant week in DFW and a lot of the local nice restaurants are having a 3-course dinner for a discounted price. So we thought why not try out a place we've been dying to try out in the first place. So we headed to a local steak house called III Forks! Very tasty filet mignon & shrimp with III Forks salad and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.

After dinner the night was still young so we wanted to come up with something else to do. With it being 110 outside patio options were a no. Bowling was a no because it was fancy date night. Bars aren't very thrilling when you can't get anything on the menu. We decided it would be nice if we could find a quaint coffee shop in the area but we are heavily over populated by Starbuck's around here. And then we remember a place called Aperitivos Coffee & Wine Bar. They had live music which was nice, but it was also ladies night which was a little loud. We stayed long enough for me to enjoy a cup of decaf cafe' mocha. It was delish!

It was kind of nice to splurge for once. Now back to our normal cheap dates which often include a free movie outing.

Do you ever splurge on date night? When's the last time you dressed up all fancy for your date? Any fun dates?

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