Domestic Detergent

This weekend I made my own laundry detergent! I was a little questionable about this, because I am very picky about my laundry detergent... I was currenty using Tide liquid pure essentials, which can be some high dollar stuff with the amout of laundry that seems to accumulate around my house! I knew there had to be a better way, and I wanted to discover that before I am washing clothes for a possible family of 5 or six!!! Thanks to a very wise woman ( my sister ) she had the answer for me!!!

My sister has been very inspiring to me about finding ways to save money on house hold products, as well as informing me about the toxins that are in the everyday products that we are using. I have adopted many of my sisters "ways of life," and I am loving the results!

I must say I was very impressed with this detergent! My clothes looked clean, felt soft and my whites were amazingly white! Way to go Lyns! You are billiant.

To check out more info in this and to see the recipie for the detergent click HERE

Six months and Beautiful

I can hardly believe that our baby girl is six months old! I guess time really does fly when you are having fun. Ava has brought so much happiness to our lives. I have learned so many things over the last six months. Here are a few of my reflections on being a mother:

1.) Children really do grow up way too fast!! I have always heard people say " you better enjoy every minute, because your children grow up before you know it." I have already witnessed this. It seems like yesterday we were preparing for this precious baby...and now she has been a part of out lives for six months!

2.) I do not remember my life with out her! It is true, once you have a baby, you cannot remember your life prior to children.

3.) Being a mother helps me better understand my heavenly fathers unconditional love for me!

The past six months have been full of many challenges, a few sleepless nights, but mostly full of happiness! It has been a great joy to share all of this with my amazing husband. He is a great father, husband and leader. Thanks honey!

It is amazing how much she has changed and accomplished the past six months. Ava is now eating foods. She loves sweet potatoes!! She is rolling all over the place and sitting up on her own. The other day she started drinking from a sippy cup! Big girl!

Here are some amazing pictures that my sister took of Ava. She is an amazing photographer. I am so thankful to have her to capture some of my most precious memeories.

The Greatest Commandment

"So chosen by God for this new life of LOVE, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, WEAR LOVE. It's your basic, all purpose garment. NEVER be without it. "
Colossians 3:12-14 taken from The Message

Since today is Valentines Day I am evaluating how I am loving the people in my life.

Am I putting them before myself???
God calls us to "submit to one another out of reverence to Christ" ( Eph 5:21) Submit, meaning to put others before ourselves.

If I love God then I should love others in a Christ like way. Meaning forgiving others as fast as I have been forgiven, putting others before myself, not holding grudges( lev 19:18) etc.
The best way to share Jesus with people is loving them like Christ!!!!

We are told that "where your treasure is there your heart will be also," matt 6:21 So if we love God with all our heart then the things we treasure should reflect Christ.
I feel so much conviction in my life about the issue of materlism. Am I living for the temporary or am I living for what is eternal???

It is so easy to get side tracked on what really matters...... God does not care how cute my house is, if I am wearing the lastest fashion, if my house is spotless, etc.

In the end what matters is ....did I live my life in a way that was pleasing to the Lord.

With all of that said.... how are we suppose to Love other people when ...they get on our nerves, they have a difference of opinion, they have different political views, they hurt us, whatever the reason maybe.....it is easy! The supernatural work of Jesus in us allows us to love others.


Happy Valentines Day!!!

Here are some pictures of the Loves of my life!!!!!

Thanks for my Valentine outfit Nana!!!!

..Light unto my path....

Today as I was in Ava's room changing her diaper( a blowout) , my ever surprising husband walks into the room and says "come into the bathroom and look what I did."

As a sweet and wise wife I replied " okay let me finish this, and I will be there in a minute."

As I am finishing the diaper change, I had some very interesting thoughts but mostly fears running through my head, and I think I repeated the phrase " come into the bathroom and look what I did" about 4 times!

If my husband were 25 years younger ( yes he is 30!) I would have been in a mad rush to put on some gloves and a mask, and probably find a fire extinguisher. Needless to say I was very nervous.

As I start my treck across the house, I am wondering, if what I am about to encounter is as atrocious as the present Ava had just left for me.

Upon entering the bathroom, all things seemed to be in their place, and I was still able to breath throug my nose, if you know what I mean ....BUT I did notice something strange. There was more light than normal. I walked a little further to figure out where the light was coming from, THIS is what I found....

Yes folks, this is a lamp on top of the cabinets above our toilet!

You see, my husband shaves while he is in the shower and he aparently got tired of not having enough light.

I always knew it botherd him that there was not a light on this end of the bathroom, but I never thought he would go to these extremes to put one there. I guess learning to do some electrical work is in out future!!!!

Oh how I love my husband. He keeps my life interesting.

Since this blog is suppose to be about Ava here a some news pics of her.

She is learning to sit on her own!!

Sweet daddy time!