California

Friends... a LOT has gone down in the last 5 days.

1) I was "let go" from work. I was super upset (and I'm still a little confused..). 

I loved working there and had no idea it was coming.

2) I have an awesome husband, family and crew of friends. They are all so encouraging.

 I can't tell you how blessed and humbled I feel with the amount of 

emails, texts, comments and phone calls I received. 

You all ROCK.

3) Mike and I realized neither of us have committed jobs here. We don't have a house. Our rent is set up in such a way that we can break our lease with minimal financial penalty (we did that should have to move this year). We have been thinking, discussing and praying about the distance between us and our families for a while. There are more Paramedic jobs open in California than there are here (I know, I was shocked too). 

4) Pray pray pray pray, think, talk, repeat.

5) Decision to move is in place. 

Mike and I will be moving back to Cali on the 19th or 20th.

We are feeling the push and we're taking the step!

I know this is all written in a whirlwind. But man, this life itself is a whirlwind. Enjoy it! 

~Emily~

Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

FYI... We are selling some things on Craigslist. Check out the links below!!

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/fuo/3313980424.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/fuo/3313816128.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/hsh/3312253438.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/vgm/3312229989.html

Mean... Why you gotta be so mean?

Why do people feel called to be mean? 

What's the point? 

Do some people really feel better when they pick on others? 

The times that I have done or said something that hurt somebody emotionally I've felt horrible. 

I can't imagine saying something to purposefully hurt them. 

I'm not talking about the times where you have to confront someone or tell them the truth about something. 

I'm talking about the times that people bully, pick on or are just plain mean to people. 

We are called to build each other up and to love on each other! 

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29

  Go out and encourage one another today.

Here are some ways to encourage each other...

• Write an encouraging note. It could be a nice long letter or something as simple as a post-it note saying that they rock!
• Phone a friend.
• Compliment a stranger.
• Offer to help someone (at the grocery store, your neighbor or family member).
• Celebrate each other's victories. Large and small.
• When you introduce someone, add words of praise to the introduction.

Can you think of any other ways to encourage one another? 

Because, seriously... Why you gotta be so mean?

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11


"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Hebrews 10:23-25


"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:"
1 Peter 4:8-10


"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
Ephesians 4:29

  
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. " 1 Thessalonians 5:14

 

Just keep swimming

Friends, I know I haven't been around much lately.

 I've just been chuggin' along in some other areas of life as well as

 simply enjoying the people in my life.

Does anybody else feel like they are a bit overwhelmed or stressed? 

In the words of a very wise fish... "Just keep swimming".

 {head above water}

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Lost and Found

My jewelry likes to run away from me. 
Here is a list of examples and a very big highlight at the end!

1) My 1st promise ring from Mike ran away 
and then returned after he had replaced it.

2) Mike got me Betty Boop earrings during high school. 
One of the Betty's just up and ran away. 
I purchased a new pair (which he didn't
 know until this post. Sorry honey).

3) One of my lovely earrings from Stuff that the Mike got 
me for Christmas a couple years ago walked out. 
Luckily the artist could make a replacement.

4) Wedding ring #1. Gone. I'll go into that later. 
Way too much to type with all of the other excitement. 
Replaced with an antique ring that we love!

{Wedding ring #1}

{photo:kaylajphoto.com}

{Wedding ring #2}

5) On a work trip one of my diamond and opal earrings ran away to hide. 
And that's all it was doing. 
It was hiding for 5 months.
 I am SO SO SO happy to report that it came out of 
hiding tonight and has been reunited with it's twin!

{opal & diamond earrings}

{opal & diamond earrings}

I am so thankful and happy. 
Who knew finding something that you had written off as a loss would 
bring such thankfulness and (surprisingly) relief?

Mike says it might be a while until I get any jewelry (especially earrings. 
Dang it, because I love jewelry.

~Emily~

P.S. My first piece of jewelry from Mike is a 
diamond stud necklace, more like a diamond chip. 
It should be noted that it has never been lost.

Avalee's Whimsical Baby Shower

Avalee is the daughter of mine and the hubs sweet friends. We can't wait to meet her!

A couple of weeks ago, I co-hosted a baby shower for Avalee. It was so fun! The decor was great, the food and, of course, the people were wonderful also.

To start the baby shower, Carissa (my co-host) came up with a wonderful idea. We all gathered together and each took a turn praying for the new parents to be and Avalee. 

What. A. Sweet. Time.

Here are some photos of the fun day celebrating Avalee!

Enjoy!

We had the baby shower at Carissa's home. Isn't is it beautiful!? I love the beam in the ceiling and the brick mantle. She made that awesome garland hanging from the mantle. Amazing! Ok... back on track. :)

{Carissa's home}

Up close view of the canvas' Carissa made. She also made the triangle bunting. 

Both of these are in the nursery... Go Carissa!!

{Nursery canvas art} 

Chair of honor for Momma Jamie!

 (Also made by Carissa. I promise. I did do something. ;)...) 

{Special chair}

The mobile I made for Avalee used as decoration for the party. (I told you I did something!) 

{mobile} 

Random note: This is a little decoration in Carissa's home. 

She has a style that I would love to learn to incorporate into my home.

{Random home decor} 

The food room!!!! 

We used random containers to hold food and had a fun, mismatch setup.

{Food table}

Strawberry cake! 

The hubby baked it (I was working. He ROCKS.) and I iced it. 

It was fun. I will ice something this way again. It's easier than it looks!

{Cake}

Flowers Carissa made for the light fixture.

These are also being used in Avalee's nursery!

{Flower decor}

Sweet Friends.

{Carissa, Jamie (momma) and me}

Does anybody else have any showers or parties coming up? 

What is your theme? 

Are you DIYing it or purchasing decorations?

I hope you are all having a great, short work week! ;)

~Emily~