Friday, December 23, 2011

On vacation

We are on day 6 of our 12 day vacation! It is amazing here! I will post more when I get home! But here is a few pics of what weve been doing





Tuesday, December 13, 2011

in the midst of the crazy world...there is still alittle pain.

I try really hard to be strong. (but if you are my friend on facebook you know that word just makes you feel better when you #fail) REALLY hard. but sometimes (like today) I suffer from Covet 2.0

God has a plan for me. He has his timing and I need to set my impatient booty down and let him run the show.

Since the "miscarriage" (still hate that word) I have had 15 (literally) friends announce their pregnancies or adoptions. I have to keep repeating to myself...Its not my time. Its not my time. God knows my time and its a perfect time. 

But in all rawness and reality. It hurts. Staying strong, staying positive is what I have to do to stay sane. Because I am blessed, I am very blessed. I have two amazingly beautiful daughters and an awesome husband who is stepping up like no ones business to make sure I heal physically and emotionally. 

I am blessed. and I praise God for those blessings.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Christmas Card Outtakes

I honestly didn't think we would get a Christmas Card out this year! The weekend I began the miscarriage I had scheduled for us to get family photos done. I, ofcourse, cancelled that. So as the days went ticking by I decided to whip out the camera and take some shots of the girls...I mean Todd and I aren't that important anymore!

So here are some of the "outtakes..."
 Aubrie brushed her hair over...and wouldn't sit down.....
 At this point she was belly roll laughing at herself and her swept over hair
 Told her to smile.....this is what I got.
 Cheese eater.....switched over the hair bow

 Open your eyes Madyson......
finally...a decent one!



Can't wait to show you what we actually used! (Todd picked this years card!)

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The new outlook on Laundry

For 3 years I have written about my love hate relationship with Laundry. It consumes my life, it always needs to be done. Just when I think I am caught up, I get another load....

It is something that has to be done, but is so annoying.

The other night I was serving at our church's clothes closet. This is a monthly thing for me that I enjoy doing. I always leave there with a life lesson but this past night was a huge exception.

A young mother walked in with her 4 children ranging from around 7 to newborn. She began looking through the racks when I over heard her say, "The temperature dropped so fast, and we don't have the money for winter clothes right now." She was standing in a short sleeve shirt, all of her kids were in short sleeve shirts and it was around 30 degrees.

I stopped and at that moment felt God thump me on the back of the head. No winter clothes? I thought to myself.. Here I am, a spoiled person. I don't spend alot of money on clothes. Most of the kids clothes are consignment unless mine or Todd's mom bought them for them as a gift. Mine are target/walmart/tj maxx, or burkes...Todd has the most expensive wardrobe because he has to be dressed for work everyday...but we have 5 closets full of clothes. Winter, summer, spring....fall....We get to change out our clothes as the seasons change....I get to have 15 baskets full of laundry to do at the end of the week. And that is a blessing. A HUGE blessing.

What if ....I didn't have clothes for my children?

What if....when the weather dropped they still had to wear shorts because thats all they had?

God blessed me that night by showing this family to me. What I feel like is a chore, would be a huge blessing to them.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Come to the Well....

This past weekend was one of those weekends that I looked at and said, what....have....I....done.

I served as "president" of our Dace studios Christmas Parade float this year. Which really, wasn't a big deal bc I had to co-vps that were amazing. They did all the work, I just helped put it together the day of.

This is our float! The theme of the parade was "Get your Jingle On" so we went with "Jingle in the Jungle" and did a christmasy jungle theme. It wasn't traditional, which is what I wanted...the unexpected. But it turned out AMAZING. so proud of our team! We took Grand Champion of the parade.


So a 12 hour work day Saturday was worth it. But sunday...a different story.

God blessed me a few months with an opportunity to work as a Local Coordinator for a large production company. It is a very special/stressful job but its once every few months and I love it. This assignment was the final performance of the "come to the well tour" with Casting Crowns, Sanctus Real, The Afters, and Lindsay McCaul. Saturday night I sat on the couch and lifted my hands to God. I prayed for Him to take the glory of Sunday. I knew going into this that my body was exhausted...its been a long week. I knew that I would be dealing with volunteers....which aren't always reliable. I knew things would come up that would take more strength than I had. And I gave it all to Him. I just simply asked for Him to step in and to give me strength to help promote an event that glorified Him.

Sunday, I had to report to work at 8am. My girls had spent the night with Todd's parents so I hadn't seen Madyson in over 24 hours and had only spent 2 hours with Aubrie on the float. I was exhausted and already ready to go home. I met with the tour manager and my boss of the day and we set out the guidelines of what was expected. I had 4 runners there that had to work 8am-12am....running errands for the bands. Thankfully they were great sports and amazing support. When I started the morning I had 27 volunteers lined up for the rest of the day. I only needed 20....By 9:30 I was down to around 10....I sat in my office and made calls after calls. I exhausted every resource I had.


After hours of emailing, texting, calling. I stopped and said GOD, I need you. By 4:30 I had 20 volunteers sitting in my office :) The concert was amazing. Worshiping the Lord in 1 building with around 5,000 people is powerful.

Here are a few cell phone pics from that night
This is during The Afters, Light Up the Sky performance. Everyone in the place was holding their cell phones up.

Backstage shot of watching casting crowns. During "I praise you in this storm" almost everyone was on their feet, with their hands above their heads, praising the Lord. It was powerful.
This is my little pass that I wore all day. It actually stayed on!
and this is me after hour 14 of work....super tired and ready for bed!


Oh and big news! after all this was over, I decided to jump into the plan and do the red hair for the holidays!
I need to touch up a few of the tips that didn't take, but for the most part, I like it! Its fun, different and festive!




Wednesday, November 30, 2011

after the doctors appointment

I promise not to do a weekly blog about having a miscarriage, but in case someone wants to know...Here ya go.

My appointment Tuesday went like this:

Blood pressure and weight. 2 weeks ago my BP was 140/92 today it was 118/78. I weighted 122.4 2 weeks ago, today I weighed 125.3...so I am an emotional eater....that's okay.

At our Dr.'s office you have to fill out this pink sheet everytime you go. It ask questions like allergies, medical conditions, # of pregnancies, # to term, # premature, # of miscarriages. It took all I had to fill this out and not cry. My goal today was to hold it together.

Next I had another ultrasound (yes, the embarrassing kind) All was going "on course" except my lining was still a little thick.

The doctor saw me next, and hugged me and really wanted to have a moment. But when I get upset I shut emotions off...so we just got down to business and she helped the lining begin to breakdown more. (if you want details, email me...)

Then she wrote me a prescription for pain meds and antibiotics. And gave the directions to "not try to get pregnant until 2 full cycles"

She told me to take it easy, and come back in January.

So that was the extent of my visit. Not to painful. And I only broke down once I was back in the safety of my own car and listening to KLove. When Natalie Grant came on....
"All the weak find their strength at the sound of Your Great Name".

Yes, yes we do.


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The adventures of Fluffy Ice!

For years I have wanted an Elf on the Shelf. But I was torn. I really want the girls to behave and do the right thing because thats what Jesus would want, not because of an elf who would tattle to Santa.

So, after my weekend of disappointments, I decided we needed some Christmas Magic in our house. So off to the "Elf Store" I went.

 I opened our little Elf and began what I hope is years of fun and tradition in our house. The girls woke up to a Northpole breakfast! And the initial meeting of our elf. The girls decided to name him "Fluffy Ice".

He is here for the weeks leading up to Christmas to spread Christmas Cheer. He does silly things, and brings little gifts and only goes home at night to sleep.

We went to visit Santa on Sunday to give him our Christmas List. When we returned Fluffy Ice had moved to his "perch" for the day!
Can you see him? We went to sleep that night and woke up to him in the morning, having a snowball fight with the snowmen!

He is a very silly elf! I look forward to seeing what all he gets into this year! Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? What's its name? How long has he/she been in your family?

Monday, November 28, 2011

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

The past few weeks have been a huge whirlwind of emotions. If you follow me on Twitter you know I have been back and forth to the doctor with good news/bad news.

Well, it started out like this.




To say we were super excited is a huge understatement. We did not believe we were going to be able to have biological children again after the bad pregnancies/deliveries of Madyson and Aubrie Kate.
3 years of no sign of conception, then a huge surprise.

We went to the doctor and had an ultrasound and saw a precious 5week3 day baby sac. I did blood work, and all was wonderful! I had to go back in 48 hours for more test.

48 hours later, more blood work was done and this time, the news wasn't as happy. The numbers went up, but didn't double. I don't know what all that means but I knew it wasn't good.

I began to loose it and called on all my Christian women friends to pray for me. My heart rate wouldn't settle and I was having a very hard time. My precious doctor wanted me to come back the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. I prayed and prayed. She had told me if there wasn't a heartbeat we would do a DNC. I can not begin to discuss with you my thoughts on medical intervention on life and death. My emotions are to raw right now. But after much prayer, I called and asked if I could have an extra week.

Throughout the time frame, I prayed to the Lord that if this wasn't going to develop into a healthy pregnancy for Him to have it end naturally.

The days went on and my pregnancy symptoms grew. Morning sickness, cravings, tiredness.....all I thought were great signs. Until yesterday.

Yesterday, I started to miscarry. A word that I can not stand to say. I spent the majority of the day asleep on the couch, to keep myself from loosing it. Then last night as I was watching Christmas Movies, the pampers commercial with babies and silent night came on and that was it.

I sprawled out in the bathroom and just lost it. I am not angry, and I have no right to ask why. I praise God for answering my prayer of it happening naturally. I long for a baby, and I know he has his plans for our precious #3. But right now, my emotions are crazy, probably do to the amount of hormones in my system....tomorrow I go to the doctor to confirm that "nature took its course".

To my sweet prayer warriors that have prayed for us through this, thank you so much. You have no clue how much they helped. My nerves were calm for a whole week and I know its from the comfort I felt through prayer.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

holidays

I have been reading a lot of articles and forums lately about the retail world and the debate of "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas"

As a person with a Marketing background, I see "Happy Holidays" to include all holidays from Thanksgiving-New Years. The time when consumers spend 46 billion dollars on goods.

Weather they are buying new table decorations for Thanksgiving, Emptying their accounts on $3 scarves on Black Friday, Purchasing tiny gifts for Hanukkah, Decking the Halls for Christmas, Food for Kwanzaa, party supplies for New Years....all Holidays all part of the "holiday season".

But there are forums and list circulating the web that contain list of stores that use the word "Christmas",  Companies that use the word "Christmas" infrequently and Companies against Christmas

The comments on these sights really open up my eyes. First you have the angry people that comment on everything and usually are on the "Don't say Merry Christmas to me List". Then you have the people who "Will take their money to the stores that promote Christmas, because Jesus is the Reason for the Season."...Then you have people that love their Lord enough to know that they "could not buy one thing from any retailer and still know they have the ultimate gift."

and yes the "quotes" are actual comments off one of the forums

Tonight, I sit and watch the interfaith service in Newtown, CT. Where every religion in the area is represented. Where Methodist-Jewish-Catholic-Pentecostal-and a whole bunch of others came together to pray to for their community, their state, our country....They came together as one family-in peace-for a country that is mourning the loss of over 25 precious lives. 

As I observe this service, I can't help but think about the debate over Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays. We are a country that is blessed with freedom of religion-yet we allow ourselves to become childish over store slogans and holiday greetings. 


  
  

Friday, November 18, 2011

Pin of the Week!

Gobble Gobble!!!! I am so excited that Thanksgiving is less than a week away!!!



Do you cook thanksgiving dinner? I do! I love a big feast! This year ill try to remember to take pictures! I am usually too busy eating.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Traveling with kids!

So i am busy preparing for our LONGGGGG Christmas Vacation and one of the biggest ideas pressing on my brain is the girls "travel bags"

We have traveled ALOT with the girls and I know the greatest thing is their Travel Bags.

What is a travel bag?

Well its starts with a cute backpack (or tote if its a car trip)
GO-GO BAG - OWL


Then it has stuff like their vreader and leapster and snacks


But i love to put new little gifts in there. so far all I have purchased is new mini American girls for trip.


So do you have any ideas of a few more little gifts i could do?







On Sale




Monday, November 14, 2011

A day at the Market...

Saturday Morning my mom and I had a girls morning, just the two of us. Todd was off work for the first time in a month and he offered to keep the girls so Mom and I could go and shop!

Our little town has a precious Market with lots of cute vendors. This year I stocked up on some UBER cute and amazing products. I have decided to link to the vendors facebook pages so you can go and see all the other fabulous products they have!

My first purchase of the day was from J&A Designs. Jonathan and Anna are fellow Clintonians...Anna and I were in the same "Social Tribe" in college and they recently purchased my grandmother's home, where I spent the first 11 years of my life! So to say our roots run deep is an understatement.  If you are on Pintrest you have seen their work. Amazing frames and the most popular stocking holders out there! I purchased 5 frames of theirs and I am looking forward to ordering 3 more!

My second purchase of the day was Lavender Oatmeal Goat Milk Soap from Bright Arrows Farm.  I am always in the market for some soap for madyson. After talking with the 4 girls that help run this farm. We decided on Lavender Oatmeal for Madyson's eczema. I have bathed her with it 2x and I can already see a difference. But the biggest difference is MY skin! I have had these annoying under the skin blackheads since i was 15. I have tried everything and nothing works....I am not lying (nor was I paid to say this) that in 2 days my face is almost cleared up...and my skin is amazingly smooth.

My 3rd and final purchase was from Bailey's Bowdacious Bows. Super cute and way affordable bows! Madyson and Aubrie Kate love the Princess bows! (Great stocking stuffers!)

Friday, November 11, 2011

Friday Pin of the Week:


Keeping with the Thanksgiving Theme....I believe we will be doing this in our Sunday School class this month.




But we will do the "cheaper" version. Toilet paper rolls, construction paper, paper plates

 So I ask...What is on your feathers this year?

......I am thankful for.....

Thursday, November 10, 2011

its a week~

This has been an overload week to say the least...Monday was a banner day in our house. I will explain more on that later this month..

Tuesday was a good/bad day! It was Todd's birthday! He had me drop our 2 puppies off at the vet to get neutered. Remember these "puppies" are a good 70lbs each. As we (Aubrie Kate and I) were driving to the vet (5 miles from our house) Bandit (the least favorite of the two) decided that he was going to "go potty" all over the back seat of my van. Roger (the smart, well behaved one) was sitting up front with me. Within 30 seconds of Bandit's episode, Aubrie Kate, myself and Roger all had our heads out the window and 2 of us were puking our guts up. We pulled over (across from the vet) and Aubrie, Roger and I bailed. I took Roger in and then asked one of the vet techs to go get Sir Poops Alot out of the vehicle. Then I called Todd...the van was not drivable until the "present" was gone. He switched cars with me and Aubrie and I headed on our way to school.

That night we went and had Hibachi with our friends Chris and Darla. A MUCH better end to the day.

Wednesday, I was in a funk and not really feeling well. The weather changing, the holiday TO-DOs.....all just are taking toll on me. So my mom stepped in and made some potato soup for us. Then I vegged out and watched the CMA's.



Which Brings us to today....Thursday. I have been busy at work today and decided to take a 15 minute break to try to catch yall up! Tonight and Tomorrow I will be working to help Darla get ready for Rachel's first birthday!

Saturday we have our holiday market here in town! I am so excited about going and picking up some Christmas presents, Then it is Rachel's party...Then Saturday night we are packing our Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

Such a fun weekend! Is anyone else in crazy holiday mode?


Friday, November 4, 2011

Friday Pin of The Week!

Its November! My favorite month of the year! Todd's Birthday, Operation Christmas Child Packing, THANKSGIVING and Black Friday!

So the Pin of the Week each Friday will be November inspired.






Are these not the most adorable thing?!?! I plan on making some for the girl's classes!

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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Hair Update and Christmas Plans~!

Well...I still have boring hair. My plan was to get it professionally done. But when I saw the price tag, I decided we needed groceries more. So I went to my local hair place and found 2 shades I like. They are now waiting to be applied to my hair! I just gotta get some courage!

I thought I would share our plans we have for Christmas this year! Todd's family use to spend the Christmas season in Northern California with his Aunt and they would go snow skiing. But when we got married we had babies back to back, then Todd's mom was really sick. So for the first time in 6 years we are going back to California!!!


I have NEVER been snow skiing! SO I am super pumped! This will also be Aubrie Kate's first plane ride and mine and Todd's first time to fly together! (He has been busy working while I have been plane hopping to the west coast!)


This is such an exciting trip for our family (with Todd's parents) and I am just praising God that Todd's mom is well enough to take this trip!! CANCER FREE FINALLY!!!

We will be gone for about 16 days (including travel days) So I am busy getting our packing list done, purchasing Christmas gifts to ship to California.....making sure we all have warm ski clothes and all that JAZZ!

Any suggestions on stuff I need? Todd has done this before so he has been helping me buy but I need some inexpensive boots for me and the girls....goggles, hats, and gloves....I have purchased all the snow outfits from ebay and zulily.



**PS I haven't forgotten to show you the pantry....I am just to lazy to upload the pictures!**

Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday Pin of the Week!

Here is this week's Pin of the week!! Sunday afternoon I am going to attempt a color between This....


Source: imgfave.com via Sarah on Pinterest




and this...




and if it doesn't work...then ill go darker...







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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Phone Dump Post

Life is uber crazy at the Broadus House. 

We have our Fall Harvest on Monday...then Life at Work will slow down! But in order to catch you up to speed. Here is a phone dump of photos!

 Aubrie kate and I made homemade pizzas!
 Then we made homemade pumpkin shirts
 Then we went to the mall and played at the makeup counter
 One day the sky looked like this
 She finally wore pigtails!
 The next day the day looked like this!
 Angry birds is the theme for the children's ministry trunk at trunk or treat
 This is betty butterfinger. She made her debut at church last sunday
 At home we are practicing beginning sounds
 Aubrie likes to wear this wig around church? (Todd dressed her. Its purple!)
 We went to the homecoming parade!
 Aubrie, Madyson, Holly
 We love Miss Taylor our babysitter! She was a homecoming maid! and later Princess!
 Waiting......
 Their she is!! And Holly's brother Dalton!
 We went to the Book Fair at school! And got balloon animals (and flowers)
 Friday was 50's day at school!
 I let the girls play in my wedding dress.
 It made me sad!
 We went to Bass Pro to see The Swamp People! The line was too long so we just looked at them from above!
 This week is Red Ribbon Week! Monday Madyson had to dress up as "what she wants to be when she grows up!" Can you guess?
 Tuesday we got mail from Disney!!!
 and we got school pictures!
 Mommy has been living on Cherry Cokes from Sonic this week bc she is so tired!!!!!
Today is Favorite Team Day! Madyson wore my cheerleading uniform!

WHEW! Told you weve been busy!