Ephesians 5:25 Love

My Sweet Husband hasn't had a proper closet in 3 years.  From the moment we learned we were pregnant with Ruffles {{March 27, 2009}}, his belongings have been relegated to one of those rickety 'travel' closets.  Sure, he had a few complaints, but he knew it was the only solution we had that was workable.  He is a BIG Believer in "Sacrificial Love"...it's what "marriage" is about...well...it's what marriage SHOULD be about.  Loving your Spouse as Christ LOVES His church.


My Bubby {{my nickname for the Hubbs}} works two jobs.  He graduated from college  {{Ruffles was 8 days old!}} with a degree in Geomatics and...something something something...basically he is a Licensed & Registered Surveyor in our state.  He also has a part time job working as tech support for our local Supervisor of Elections Office.  With election season upon us he is SUPER busy right now!  Besides working 10+ hours of OT for his regular job, M is logging quite a few hours at ''the other office'' as well.  


Except for today...today he got up early {{on his ONE DAY OFF}}...went to LOWES {{HE HATES LOWES}}...and bought supplies to build a new walk in closet.  For.  ME.  {{I do so love that man.}}  (=  


While trolling FaceBook a few minutes ago, I came across this video {{by a new artist that I am thoroughly enjoying BTW}} entitled 'Sex, Marriage & Fairy Tales//Spoken Word'.  Having already been humbled today by the Grace of God in blessing me with such an AMAZING Life Partner, I was increasingly grateful after watching the video.  I mean~I know that my 'M' is amazing {{didn't I just say that!?!}} but it always helps to be reminded.


Whether you are married or not, this video shares an important message regarding marriage and God's plan for it.  It is definitely a "MUST WATCH" in my book...Enjoy...

A 'Little' Something EVERYONE should Know...

STROKE: 
Remember The 1st Three Letters... "S.T.R"...

'During a party, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They offered to call ambulance

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food~while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital~at 6:00pm, Ingrid passed away.
She had suffered a stroke at the party . Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.'

Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this...

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

{{Neurologists say that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.}}

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Remember the 3 steps: STR . Read and Learn!
{{Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.
The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions :}}

S * Ask the individual to SMILE .
T * TALK. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently & without Slurring) (eg 'It is sunny out today').
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the ambulance and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE : Another 'sign' to look for 
~Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
  {{If the tongue is 'crooked'~if it goes to one side or the other~that is also an indication of a stroke.}}

Neurologists/Cardiologists say if everyone who gets this status shares it; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.......

My Mother In Law suffered multiple strokes one Wednesday afternoon in the Fall of 2002.  She had been ill with pneumonia and couldn't get out of bed easily so my {{then future}} husband and I would check on her every day during our lunch breaks and after work, bringing her meals and making sure she was doing well.  That day we were both running late after work and didn't get by her house until after church services.  As soon as we saw her, we knew 'something' had happened.  We asked how she felt and she said "fine".  She had experienced a 'dizzy' spell on the way to the restroom and "that was all"  She felt okay and had no idea that her face was showing obvious trauma from strokes.  Of course we were WAY beyond the magical '3 Hour' time frame and as a result D suffered partial paralysis on her right side from tip to toe as well as other neurological damage.


Of course M and I beat ourselves up for years about 'What could have been'...'If only we had checked sooner'...'If only we hadn't been running late'... But eventually we understood that what happened in D's life wasn't under our control and we weren't to stress over what did or will happen.  Jeremiah 29:11 says " "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." "  And personally I like this one... 1 Peter 5:7 "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."


Despite that , we also understand that our Lord...'The Great Physician' allowed us this insight into the human body.  Not so we would shrug it off and say "It's in His hands" or "I couldn't remeber that anyway" but so that we could grasp the importance of recognizing the signs of a possible stroke and knowing what to do next.  I pray {{and I mean I literally JUST prayed}} that all who read this post will take it to heart and learn the steps to recognize and seek treatment for a possible stroke victim.  Hang it on your fridge, read it once a day or once a week even.  Keep it fresh in your mind.  So many things in life we have no control over but this...this is so easy and could help to spare years of trauma or even save someone's life.


{{D's Birthday is coming up this Saturday and we know she will be celebrating in Heaven.  She always loved Birthdays {{even her own}} and though we have missed her for almost 5 years now, it is good to know she is healthy now and no longer suffering...}}




**Note** I can not validate the truth behind the illustrative story.  I have read it MANY times and on many public forums.  I merely use it as an example of how easily a Stroke can be overlooked and the {{possible}} dire consequences...

Mommy's Baby Girl

 I am SO VERY TIRED today...but I just couldn't resist my Lil'Ruffles this A.M. She lost her 'bebe' {{aka Pacifier}} and I heard her wake up {{because at 5 A.M. I was BARELY ASLEEP!}} and calmly say "UhOh~Bebe"..."Daaadyyy"..."Bebe~UhOh Bebe."  Well, said Daddy was sleeping VERY soundly and had to get up for work in two hours.  On the one hand I could reach over Robot {{who was contentedly taking up  MOST of the middle of our bed}} and nudge Daddy awake {{because I do LOVE that Ruffles call HIM in the wee hours!}}.  Or  I could get up myself~since I wasn't sleeping anyway~and get the plug.  However I knew if I did the latter I would not be going back to bed alone.  Sure enough~when I gave her the new bebe she lifted up her arms and sweetly informed me "Pumis Mommy Leap" {{Come With Mommy to Sleep}} and then she lay on my chest WIDE AWAKE for the next two hours!  She rolled and squirmed, occasionally trying out the pillow and mattress {{but only for a moment!}}, she would whisper and sing...and I. JUST. WANTED. TO. SLEEP.


First thing her Daddy said upon waking?  "Who is in my bed!?!"  {{I wonder if it was the fact that his hiney was barely hanging on the side that tipped him off to the newest occupant?}} "Everyone," I replied.  And Ruffles chimed in "I nuddle Mommy."  

Okay, so after two hours of the wriggling and whispering, I plopped her~ever so gently~back into her own bed, so we could both catch a few Zzzz's before we started our day {{very late at this point!}}

Now she is constantly coming up to me at the computer saying "I need Mommy" & "Rock Me Mommy"...I oblige.  Even though she is growing up WAY to fast into a 'Big Girl' she is PROUD to be 'Mommy's Baby Durl'...and I  ♥  it! (=

Another Day...Another Giveaway...

Okay~so I didn't win the 6 Free Patterns )= ...but today is a NEW DAY & there is a NEW Giveaway! {{smile!}}.  Stitch Stash Diva {{in conjunction with Whimsy Couture Boutique}} is giving away 10 Fat Quarter Bundle of Dessert Party OR a $25 Gift Certificate!!!  I have already earmarked a few selections for Robot's 7th Birthday Party coming up soon...a SUPER HERO theme {{he is SO Excited!}}  Here are a few pieces I will pick up to collaborate with my friend Karen from Snails, Pails & Ponytails to make him a Super Fun Super Hero Birthday Outfit...

SUPER HERO FABRIC From Michael Miller

SO MUCH planning to do...and so it's "Off to the Races" with me...{{Toodles!}}

The Wonderful World of FaceBook

I love trolling FaceBook...I can stumble upon the most amusing stories or educating articles.  Quotes that uplift, inspire or even Tick Me Off {{!!!}}.  I now do a lot of shopping on FB as well.  In fact, about 90% of my kiddos wardrobes come from FB.  Many people say how 'nice it must be' to not have to shop for school clothes and such...but "HEY!" just because we homeschool doesn't mean that I don't want my children looking their best.  After all~my Mama took pride the appearance of her young daughters and I picked up on that and carried it through to my two Sweet Ones.  My Little Man {{Robot!}} is the Cool Dude with the modern flare.  He looks good in his skinny jeans and Chucks.  We love to accessorize with hats, ties, vests & sunglasses.  My Little Miss {{Ruffles}} is all Sweetness.  I love to dress her in a classic timeless fashion.  Bishop Dresses with Ruffled Diaper Covers...MaryJanes and BOWS, BOWS, BOWS.  I prefer to see Ruffles in matching sets while Robot looks cooler with mismatched patterns and pieces.  Granted, he's not PUNK...I mix his skinny jeans with a classic button down from CHAPS or GAP and a Fedora or Newsboy Cap.  


That being said, I do NOT have $$$$$ to spend on whatever suits my fancy.  Being a SAHM Mommy whose Hubby makes "not what he's worth" doesn't lend itself to shopping sprees...Enter the online world of shopping.  And more specifically FB shopping.  I can support our habit of having well dressed offspring without busting the bank.  We'll probably never have closets full of Matilda Jane or Mini Boden but with careful shopping {{and some FANTASTIC shopping friends/gurus/muses~like Milliepaige Couture}} R&R can look like a million bucks on WalMart Prices.  {{ChaCHING!}}


Of course, I do like to sew pieces for R&R myself as well.  But even that can get expensive!  I try to use Big Crumbs every time I visit a fabric site {{though I did forget the last time~DARN IT!}} and I ALWAYS hunt for coupons before checking out.  Then again FREE is {{ALWAYS}} BEST!!!  Today I have entered a GIVEAWAY for {{SIX!!}} free patterns by a designer of the MOST GORGEOUS WHIMSICAL FRILLY Concoctions...Whimsical Willows Couture.  Click HERE to enter the drawing yourself! You can enter once a day with up to {{SEVEN!}} entries!  I never win giveaways though, so I may just wait for a coupon code to her Etsy store or maybe even make a purchase form her on YouCanMakeThis.com.


Okay~Now I am TOTALLY in the mood to sew something...as soon as my newest fabric shipment comes in I will be tackling my first 'Knot Dress' in a 'Hungry Little Caterpillar' theme...for now...my sewing desk and craft desk need to be cleared before ANY magic can happen! :)


And so I leave you with a picture of what was waiting on my doorstep today when we arrived home from the grocery store...I can't wait to tear into those babies!

A Bit of Randomness...

So, I've been working on this page for a few days now, wondering...'What should I write about?'  I mean~I ALWAYS have comments and quotes and random thoughts popping through my mind uninvited, so I figured 'start a blog'~RIGHT!?!  Only, since I went through all the trouble of setting this up, it's been REALLY quiet up there.....chirp chirp chirp...those are the crickets I hear instead of the usual random interesting thoughts... chirp chirp chirp...Go Figure. 


I suppose the chirping could have something to do with the fact that I've been stuck on the couch all week unable to do ANYTHING interesting {{old back injury flared up}}.  Being bored out of one's mind and unable to do anything constructive could definitely lead to lack of conversation material...even if the conversation IS only with oneself...hmmm....


Vacation was supposed to start today...4 days of FUN in the North Georgia Mts with my 'Happy Little Family', my parents, my sisters, brothers in law & nieces & nephews.  Darn back injury ruined that & we had to stay home.  But I VOW that we will get to the snow! {{Even if it is manufactured!}} We are now {{re}}planning a trip to Snow Mt for later this month...SO Excited!!!


Instead of vacationing, I am now hoping to "de~Christmas" {{FINALLY~and against my son's wishes}} our home this weekend and celebrate my Birthday {{32}} with the family that decided to stay home like us...I also have about 8 loads of laundry to fold, 2.5 sinks full of dishes to wash, a full basket of ironing, dirty floors and my sewing table is hiding under two feet three feet four feet well, let's just say a LOT of back log! On that note, I just received in the mail the CUTEST pattern from Portobellopixie~ the Analise, just before she sold out.  I got it for a steal and am so excited to try it out {{as soon as I learn to sew beyond a beginner/intermediate level!}}...I just LOVE her collection of fabrics and patterns!


But first~clean the house...why oh why did I not have children sooner so that they would be old enough to help out this week? ;-)


Maybe I'll make some cookies to help celebrate my Birthday weekend...I {{literally}} just came across this recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookies that sound YUMMY.  Normally I would go for my FAVORITE Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies, but I am trying want NEED to lose quite a bit of weight and so am going to try and stick with healthier {{albeit YUMMY!}} desserts by Chocolate Covered Katie when I need a 'Sweets' fix.  Who knows...maybe this time next year, I'll look {{and hopefully FEEL!}} like a new woman!


For now however, it is off to my couch...to watch some 'Wings' on Netflix {{I heart Netflix}} and rest my aching back...I really need a COKE...