30 New Do's

Just recently I ran across a great new blog at My Yellow Sandbox. The thing that really caught my eye is her new series '30 Do's in 30 Days'. Abby is doing a new hair do everyday for 30 days! Crazy awesome! She posts pictures and a video tutorial. 

 

I was so happy when I ran across this! I've had my hair this long (about mid back) since I got married almost 6 years ago. I've changed up the layers and bangs a little but it's stayed pretty much the same. Now I'm not the type of girl to keep her hair the same for this long but my hubby LOVES it! So it stays. I threaten every now and then to chop it all off. When Katie Holmes first chopped hers a few years ago, I really wanted that bob. But new layers and a fresh color kept me long. So I only have a few go to hair do's - down, ponytail, straight, curly, bun and sometimes a french braid. Boring. I am so excited to start trying these new do's! Here's my first attempt at the braided messy bun.

 

 Everyone warned me about those baby hairs. You  know. The ones you get post pregnancy when all that nice thick hair from the prenatal vitamins falls out and then starts growing in again. So especially on humid days, I get this nice halo of fuzz. Also, I think my french braiding needs some practice. This is what her more professional job looked like...

 I hope you pop over to My Yellow Sandbox and check out all the great do's!

SSMT

Proverbs 31:17-18 NKJV
She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.  She perceives that her merchandise  is  good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.

I am sad because I'm falling behind. I'm still picking my verses every couple weeks but I haven't memorized them as well as when I started. And I know I need to move forward and be committed! The verses I have committed to memory are sticking with me. They pop into my head when I need an encouraging reminder.

How do you re-energize yourself when you've fallen behind on a personal commitment?
What verses stick with you?

Reading Tab

After slowly updating my reading tab over the past weeks, I finally finished...

I like to read and often way too much! I can't tell you how often I stayed up till 2 am in high school because i just had to finish my book. I just couldn't put them down. If I was really desperate, I'd read the last couple pages and finish the book later. I still wanted to enjoy the story but knowing the ending brought me enough peace to sleep. Sadly I don't get to the library often enough. And when I do, I'm usually picking out books for Olivia. As a mother and housewife, my days of spending hours upon hours reading are few and far between. Now I do most of my skimming reading online via Google Reader. I usually find myself struggling to keep up with all the blogs I'm dying to read. Honestly I usually wait until I have a huge list of unread posts and then realize I need to clean house. But I end up with a nice core of favs!
Check out my core reading material right now or save it for a rainy day.

What do you enjoy reading these days? Blogs? Books? Tell me your favorites!

My not so Green Thumb

I am killing house plants right and left this week! Eeek! Here I thought the warmer weather meant that finally my plants would get more sunlight and warmth. Instead... DEATH.

Plant #1... my Heartleaf Philodendron

And yes I had to research to find that name. Do you really know all the weird names of your plants?!?
Now this lovely plant has been dubbed one of the most common house plants and easy to grow. I think that means it's pretty hard to kill - it takes talent. I have this. After 5 years, it's down to one very sad stem and a couple leaves. I noticed about a month ago that it wasn't looking the best. So I went to my go to fixes: regular watering, extra light and miracle grow. It still went downhill. Then just the other day, I left it outside for the day. You know, fresh air. It's good for kids and plants. Well I accidentally left it outside over night and it just might have been that night recently when we had frost warnings. So I think it's officially over for my poor Philo. RIP.

Plant #2... Aloe Vera

Yep I knew this one. I'm not completely brain dead when it comes to my plants. This is actually my second go around on Aloe plants. I have received 2 batches from Granny. She has a green thumb! But I apparently didn't inherit it. I started it in a small pot and when it started to droop, I re-potted it into a larger pot with some new soil. I think it's been struggling ever since. But I blame the final death stroke on Millie. Well sorta. This Aloe makes it's home on a nice bench in the sunlight in our kitchen. Sadly it's a the perfect height for Millie, so she's been pulling them out. I dug them back in and gave them a new home and some miracle grow. (It's my go to!) So I'm really hoping they'll still recover.

Plant #3... Christmas Cactus

I only know this one because I got it from my Granny and she has one that we compare notes on. Repetition will guarantee me remembering the name. This is my only plant that is thriving!! Yay! It doesn't get a many blooms as the picture but it is as full. I think we'll be ok until I have to re-pot it.

In the process of trying to help my poor plants, I ran across a new (to me) website. For your next plant emergency (or simple question) check out the Guide to Houseplants. Great advice and easy to find!

Happy Easter

This morning I woke up excited like it was Christmas morning. I love Easter! I wish I was this excited for church every week.

I love this song! Whether Christmas or Easter or a Monday, this song pulls on my heart strings. I love most songs that mention the veil being torn. That moment is so personally important. It makes my heart fill with joy!

Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin

He became sin Who knew no sin That we might become His Righteousness. He humbled himself and carried the cross.
Love so amazing. Love so amazing.

Jesus Messiah, Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all.

His body the bread, His blood the wine, Broken and poured out all for love. The whole earth trembled And the veil was torn
Love so amazing. Love so amazing, yeah

Jesus Messiah, Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

All our hope is in You. All our hope is in You. All the glory to You, God, The light of the world

Jesus Messiah, Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all.

Amen! Praise You Jesus! I am so grateful and thankful for Your sacrifice. May we all be reminded of what we celebrate on Easter everyday.

Mirror Mirror

I can't tell how many times I question the mirror...
"How do I look today?"
"Does this fit right?"
"Is this attractive?"
In fact when I have a real fashion dilemma I contact my mom and my sister.
I have trouble with new clothing or accessory trends. I look in the mirror and can't decide if I like the new look or not. I recently texted them a picture with options. I started with a plain blue tee and a short sleeve grey cardigan. I ended up adding a skinny black belt to perfect my outfit. Thanks sister.:) If not for my fashionable family members I think I'd be stuck in a t-shirt rut.
I think the biggest question I sometimes forget to ask my mirror is...
"Is this God honoring? And does my appearance deserve as much time as I give it?"
Thankfully I have a good sense of modesty that my parents instilled in me, but I think all women struggle with vanity or image or body issues somedays. While I strive to be a beautiful reflect for my Savior on the outside as well as the inside, I strive to make sure the inside is still my priority.

SSMT

Proverbs 31:13-14 NKJV

She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.  She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.