Monday, November 22, 2010

The Happiness of Turning 2: Part 1

Last week our favorite little girl turned 2! I cannot believe how fast these years have gone by. I try to soak up every second with her, but it is flying by!
We though it would be really fun to bring her into the city for a day at the aquarium.
We were right.
Isabella was dancing and squealing with delight at every turn! It is so wonderful to see her light up and be filled with joy and awe as she learns and discovers new things.
We saw sharks...
...she loved them!!
She got to pet a Blue Tongued Skink....
....and Sea Stars!

She pretended to be a penguin and went down the "ice slides" with Daddy.
We saw super cool jellyfish!
We had to take a picture of this sign. I thought it was so funny "Misunderstanding DOOM Sharks"
This lizard was just hanging out in the water.
We had a blast together, but all that excitement is tiring.
She has not stopped talking about petting the skink and the sea stars. And every 5 minutes she tells me about the sharks and fishies, and "big guys" (that's what we called the ginormous fish). I love that she had so much fun - we all did. It was a great family day, and just the beginning of a week long celebration of our sweet birthday girl!

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Monday, November 15, 2010

Explaining My Absence. Warning: Not a Happy Post

Well, here I am again. You may have noticed my absence from blogging for awhile now. And if you've been reading my blog for any length of time, or if you know me in real life, you probably know the reason why.
Yep. Another round of heartache has been generously dropped on us.
Funny how we've been through this so many times, yet each time I expect a different outcome.
But it's always the same story.
I get pregnant.
We get excited.
We think we will finally have another child.
I get violently ill and assume that's a good sign. (After all it's the high level of hormones that produces such sickness.)
Then we go in for a normal doctors appointment and hear the devastating news.
Again.
"I'm sorry, it doesn't look good. You will probably miscarry within a week."

Que the sounds of our hearts shattering.

I fall apart instantly and cry uncontrollably for what seems like hours. My husband tries to be strong, but he's falling apart too. Our 2 year old tells me "Mommy cry, Mommy sad. Bella sad too."

More tears.

Once again she is robbed of her siblings. And we are robbed of our children. And there is an ache that seems endless.

Last week we lost two more of our precious little ones.

Before you go and tell me that "God has a plan", and "there's a reason for everything", and 'at least you have Bella", "your babies are in heaven", "God is in control". Let me first tell you that I know all these things. I know God knows what he is doing - but I don't, and for us all we can feel is pain. And I know our babies are in heaven, but you know what? I don't want to be the mother of 6 dead babies. I know they are in heaven, but I want them here with me.
I am MAD.
There, I said it.
I hate the feeling of being teased by God. He allows me to get pregnant (which in itself is a really difficult process) only to take our babies away.
Don't judge me. I know he has a plan, and I know there is a reason. But for the life of me I can't understand why he would allow 6 of our babies to die.
Just imagine how we feel. Many of you are mothers. What if God decided to take away your child? Or 2 or 4 or 6 children??
It's easy to say "trust in God" but sometimes it's really hard to do. Right now it's hard.
It feels like we just keep getting trampled on, and every time we are about to get up we get knocked over again. And again. And again. We are broken and bruised. And tired.
I just want peace.
I want to remember what it feels like to not have a broken heart.
I want to hold my babies in my arms and kiss their sweet faces.
I want to know if I have sons or daughters....

It's just too much.

I'm sorry if you came here looking for an uplifting post. I know it's thanksgiving time and most people are posting recipes or the things they are thankful for. Believe me, I know I have much to be thankful for, I do not take those things for granted. But today I am broken and feeling defeated. So that's what I'm writing about.

I am reading Psalm 77 and relating to David in his distress. And I am clinging to His promises.
Praying for peace. Praying for comfort. Praying for miracles....


Psalm 77

1 I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[b]
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Peanut Butter and Chocolate...Need I say More??

I made these delectable treats several weeks ago, and I am still thinking about them.
Is there a better combination that chocolate and peanut butter? If so, you better tell me about it!
I was told to bring a "simple" sweet treat to a family gathering, and this was one of the things I brought. It's hard for me to be too simple when it comes to baking, but these were pretty easy and I just couldn't resist making them.
I really need to start writing down my "recipes" right away, so I remember how I made them. Hopefully I'm not forgetting anything!
(These are great for all of you gluten free people, too!)

Flourless Intense Peanut Butter Cookies
2 cups peanut butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar

That's all folks! Mix em all together and refrigerate for an hour.
Form into balls and place on cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork for a traditional pb cookie look.

Bake at 350 for 12 min. Cool completely.

To make them extra tasty, melt 10 ish oz of your favorite chocolate and dip each side of the cookie into it. Dip generously, kids, it's delicious. :)
Now for a little pizazz, I chopped 1/3 ish cups of honey roasted peanuts and immediately after dipping cookies into chocolate, I dipped them into the nuts. I made 1/2 with nuts and 1/2 without.


Make these. Your tummy will thank you!

But wait, there's more! Be sure to click here now! It will make you happy and save your sanity come Christmas time. Treat yourself and take care of all the gals on your "nice list".
C'mon, all the cool kids are doing it ;)
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Monday, October 11, 2010

Miscellany Monday

Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters

1.  I love this man.
  I love when he takes me on romantic dates in the city.  
I love when part of the day includes sushi and him buying me "whatever car I want" (sweet)!  
I will keep him :)

2. I love this girl. She can always make me smile. We're so happy to have her :)

3. The month long birthday bash for Bella Regali continues! 
Today is the LAST DAY to get anything and everything you like from Bella Regali @ Buy 2 Get 1 FREE!
But wait there's more! :)
See that Like Box to your right for my fan page Pearls and Petals?
Go ahead and click like! Become a fan and you will be the first to know about giveaways, sales, and new items, plus you will get more savings than anyone else! Become a fan today and the Buy 2 Get 1 Free special will also apply to my shop It's A 10 where everything is under $10!
What better time than now to start Christmas shopping! There's no better price than free!!

4.  Here are some of the new goodies you can find @ It's a 10.
These one of a kind bows are perfect for all ages. Me and my near 2 year old both rock the look :)
And these sweet flower clips are great clipped to a headband (included), clipped to a ponytail or directly in your hair, clipped to a purse or diaper bag to add some pizazz, or clipped to a necklace for a trendy look! 
Cute, right? And they look just as great on all ages. We are addicted!
With everything in my shops @ Buy 2 Get 1 FREE, why not mix and match and find a new must have accessory for you and some friends?
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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Cry Baby....

.....that's what I've become. 
Things will be going along just fine, and then out of nowhere something will remind me,  and I feel it coming. My throat feels tight, my eyes start to sting. I do my best to hold it all in, but lately I haven't been so good at that.  
I hate crying. Especially in front of people. I get so embarrassed; especially when it seems to come out of the blue and everyone around me is happy and laughing.  They must all think I'm crazy!
I even cry at parties.  
How sad is that??
My dear friend told me that I should just embrace it. That next time I'm feeling down I should throw a party so I can just ruin it by crying.
 Just want I want to be: The one who cries at parties. Nice.
I always feel awful when it happens, and I get so embarrassed. 

But the other day I had a epiphany.

99% of the time my tears are for my babies.  Feeling shame about crying for them is insane
They were my children.  Saying I shouldn't cry for them is like saying they aren't worth my tears. But they are. My heart aches for them, and I think it would be much more shameful for me to feel any other way.
So I will probably keep crying. 
I will probably cry at Isabella's party - because her twin brother or sister won't be there.
I will cry at Christmas because that is the day our baby was due to be born, but he or she won't be there. 
There are so many days that hold meaning for me, and on those days I will most likely cry. 
And that's ok.
I am not sorry for my tears because they are for my children.
I am sorry for making people feel bad, and uncomfortable.  I'm sorry if my tears come at an inappropriate time. And I'm sorry if my heartache puts a damper on your day. 

I have so very much to be thankful for, and much to be heartbroken over... and sometimes I just can't help but show it.
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Favorite Cake

I am joining in on Shutter Love Tuesdays - Fave Cakes at the Trendy Treehouse.
We are supposed to share photos of our favorite cakes and I can't think of a better cake to share than our baby girl's 1st birthday cake!

Do I get bonus points for making it extra delicious? ;)
Ha! She couldn't get enough!
She had to make absolutely sure every last bit was eaten.

I have never had more fun making a cake than I did with this one!
Now the question is.... what do I make for her birthday this year? It's coming up!


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Monday, September 20, 2010

Miscellany Monday

1. For the past few days my almost 2 year old daughter has been asking for kisses each time she gets a boo-boo. She really has been taking full advantage too. She may ever so slightly graze her finger along the couch, and she will run to me with her fingers in the air asking for a kiss.
I don't mind at all.
Today she told me her tooth hurt. I thought a kiss on the cheek might make her feel better.
"Bella, do you want a kiss?" I asked.
"Yes" she eagerly replied, and proceeded to open her mouth extra wide so I could kiss her tooth! So funny! :)

2. I need a kiss on my fingers.... they are sore from working hard on some intricate new jewelry designs for Bella Regali. Be on the look out!
3. You may be wondering what happened to all the fun headbands and flower goodies I was designing for Pearls and Petals. I am happy to tell you that I have restocked my other shop It's A 10 with lots of funky new designs for you to enjoy! Click here to check them out! Let me know what you think!



Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters
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