I don't want to give away what I named this little gem, so go read on and see what this is about!

     I have come up with a BRILLIANT beyond brilliant idea! Here it is...

You might thinking that this is just evidence of my enormous sweet tooth. You might be wondering, what is this all about? Well, have no fear because I am here to tell you!
The Hubster and I were talking last night about the fact that he sometimes has to go on business trips and how I have a hard time the first couple days (ok, let's be honest - I FINALLY adjust and come to terms with him being away the day he comes home *giggle*) . Anyways, thinking that I am sure there are lots more wives out there than me who deal with the same thing I decided there should be some type of "Husband Business Trip Survival Kit" and then this was created! I can't honestly tell you why there's Jet Puffed Marshmallow Creme included, it just seemed like a good idea as I walked through Target.

Now this isn't the ENTIRE kit - as I forgot to grab a book and bubble bath to include with the other goodies, but I figure it's a good start. And maybe you know a [newlywed] wife who's husband is going on a business trip for the first time and you want to try and help the transition (it's not easy saying good bye to your spouse, even if it's just a short trip!), you might want to make her a little "Survival Kit" like this one.

Ideas of things to include:
Brownie Mix (or already baked brownies)
Cookie Dough (or cookie mix or already baked cookies)
Marshmallow Creme (again, don't know why it just sounds good right now)
A chick flick or two (or if she's not into chick flicks, some movie that she would like)
Bubble Bath
A Book
New Nail Polish
A Starbuck's gift card perhaps
A journal with encouraging notes already in it




An encouraging bible verse

Put it in a cute basket and tie it with a bow and you've got the "Husband Business Trip Survival Kit" and hopefully a wife that has a bunch of distractions while her hubby is away!

I know the Hubs and I came up with it (ok, I came up with it - he agreed it was a good idea), but I think it's an absolutely brilliant idea and I think it would be a nice little thing to do for a wife who's struggling with her hubby being gone!

Bunnies!

Pocket has a new friend!
Internet world - meet Hershey!

He's the big dark one that looks like a chocolate Easter bunny. He's the sweetest thing ever and they are getting together wonderfully! Hopefully, he will be her bunny husband and she will be his bunny wife soon!

(don't worry, they are both fixed so we will not have a bunch of baby bunnies running around.)

I'll post more up to date pictures soon enough :)

Hooray for bunnies!

It's gettin' crazy!

Hello Family & Friends!
Just a quick update :)  Things have been going well here, A is building his business and it's going well. He launched a groupon that was very well received so he's been pretty busy in the salon lately. I have started booking make up clients again - took a little hiatus to recover from the craziness of the holidays and to continue recovering from the car accident we were in (my back is still messed up from it, but at least I can now push a stroller at work and go on 40 minute walks... only took a bit over a month to get cleared for that....). I put in an application at MAC for a freelance artist and am waiting to hear back from them, but the manager has pretty much made it sound like I have it. Other than that, we're in the process of looking for a new apartment and am thankful God for the blessings He has graciously given us here in Arizona!

We hope you're all doing well!
All our love,
S

God’s Timing; healing

It is difficult to see something prayed about consistently appear to go unanswered - but that's just it- "appear". Just because it is unseen does not mean that God isn't working to heal the situation. Some things just take time to recover from, we have all learned that lesson in some way or another. It is difficult from the outside looking in, feeling utterly helpless and wanting to make things better - wanting it to not hurt anymore, but I think that it's much harder from the inside looking out. There is much we may hope for- things we can do to help, things to say, but in the end it all comes down to God and His timing. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Everything God has done is according to His plan, His purpose and His timing. Nothing can be done apart from God, and nothing can be done before God wills it to be. God has also made men for His eternal purpose- each one designed to fulfill God's will in some way - and with that we get the departure of some of those we hold most dearly far before we are ready to see them go. It is heart breaking and difficult and it takes time to accept it, to heal from it-although often times you won't be fully healed. Things are never the same and the memories are never gone.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Today we rejoice in the fact that my cousin & dear friend, Jeffrey Michael Ogle, went to his heavenly home 5 years ago. I will never forget the impact you had on my life, your love and fire for Christ, your impressions, your big bear hugs, your willingness to stick up for me when the boys were picking on me when we were younger (out of love of course),  and the unconditional love you showed me when I needed it most 

Wedding Bells!

     On Sunday, I was blessed to be able to attend the marriage of two people who mean a great deal to me: Jon & Katie. Jon took Tony and me through our premarital counseling and more importantly performed our ceremony and married us over a year ago & Katie has been my friend for a few years now and has always been able to give me sound advice and a good laugh.
    Sadly, I left my camera in the car, so the only photos I have are on my phone and it's a bit difficult to get them off my phone. But here are a few I was able to get, thanks to my sister emailing them to me after I texted them to her. She's pretty awesome like that.

 

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  It was honestly the most beautiful wedding I have been too and the most anticipated wedding too! Katie was the most beautiful bride & I have never seen PJ that happy or goofy! My heart just overflows with joy for them and I am so excited to see how God uses them!

Post Thanksgiving

I love this time of year! Family, friends, colder weather, cozy sweaters, Christmas music and family. :) This Thanksgiving we were blessed with being able to spend it with Anthony's side of the family. It was nice to Moms & Pops again and it just made me more excited to be able to see my mom, siblings, niece, nephew and my in-laws next month! This year we are thankful for SO many blessings! I launched my business and it's been successful, I was able to reflect on 2 wonderful years with the best little ones ever, we made a big decision to leave Cali and move to the Zona, we were both blessed with jobs here pretty fast, we've made more friends and we adopted a bunny. We've had some downs, but the ups outweigh them. We've learned even more how important prayer and family are, and it has pretty much solidified my desire to have a big family again :) This week A's work has really taken off, and we continue to pray that it will continue in this way. Sunday we have an appointment for Christmas pictures, which I'm not quite sure A understands my excitement on it, but I'm really excited for it haha! I'm also looking forward to decorating for Christmas and getting the kids gifts! It's amazing to see how God is working in our lives here, sometimes it's hard to believe the blessings He has poured out on me and A over the last 3-4 years, seperately and together. God is so good and we are so thankful for all He has done and are looking forward to the things He will do in the future.

We hope that all our friends and family had a great Thanksgiving and that you were able to reflect on all the blessings God has graciously given to you!
In Him,
S