Just the way you are...

I read this post yesterday: A Little bird told me
It was perfect. I really do just love when I get a nugget of encouragement that meets me just where I am & feeds my soul.

I am always trying to tune out the voices that want me to compare my life, my image, my body, my spiritual walk, my mothering to evvveryyyoonneee else. It sure is hard living in a time where we are so connected to the rest of the world. There sure is a lot of people to compare myself to while looking at the television, the internet, my smart phone, etc all day, every day.

Enough is enough. I am enough. I am just who I was meant to be.
I am here to tell you; to tell myself today you are enough, you are beautiful and ...

Source: lindawagner.net via Brandon on Pinterest

Abso-freaking-lutely.
Absolutely.
Amen.
*sigh of relief here*

I do not believe that God wants me to be beating myself up for the mistakes I may have made today. He wants me to take the lesson and growww through it. 
Stop beating yourself up. Stop comparing yourself. Embrace the beauty of the creation of...you...just the way you are.

Source: thdandeliongirl.tumblr.com via Michael on Pinterest

Happy weekend everyone...

While I went into this upcoming weekend wanting nothing more than to be pampered this upcoming weekend; after my most recent awakening (as per yesterdays post) I wanted to also give myself some homework.

This Mothers Day I want to make a vow to my daughter to be a better Mommy.

I treasure the bestowing of our daughter to us.

Lilly is amazing.

I want all of her dreams to come true...

As you may have seen from yesterday I am working on me.

Its time for a new momma in this home.

Happy Mothers Day to you mothers out there! May you feel special this weekend.

P.S. Mom, I love you more than you will ever, ever know. You are amazing. Truly. May God Bless you. May He protect you. May He heal you. I am a better person because you loved me, because you continue to love me. Bless you today Mom. Love you, miss you (tons). oxox, Me

Here are some of my fav. tunes to get you into the weekend spirit whether that be happy, reflective, heavy, or wanting to get that groove on...(You know there is always music playing in this house so I thought it only appropriate)

Now, get your Mothers Day weekend groove on peeps...

For your chill moment try:




For your reflective moment try:




For your groove session try:

Dear Me,

It was such a blessing to come across this blog earlier this week.

I believe it was God saying; "Here beautiful daughter. You need some fixing."
Boy, do I.

As with any new website, or blog that I find where I find myself totally jazzed that I found in the first place I start digging through it.

I found Brave Girls Club blog through an old friends post on Facebook.

I dug and dug and then I found this video on the site...

The second my mind had processed what the message was portraying I pictured myself as the little girl and the second I pictured myself as a little girl, I realized how many times my spirit had been broken since that time. The tears were falling into my morning coffee.
With my own little girl in the next room watching her cartoons I realized that obviously I wanted to protect her (as any good mother does) but I also wanted to heal myself in order to be the best mom I can to my Lilly. As her mother I do not want the lies to win in her life. I do not want the people that have hurt me deeply to win.
There will no doubt be times that I can not protect my daughter from pain, from sin but I want to be there  at the end of the day to tell her that she is beautiful, that she is loved and she can triumph over her pain.

Its time for me to heal. What I want this Thursday is to heal. I want to get back to the happy & confident little girl that I know is still in there under all of the yuck.
There is a lot of yuck.

Toddler room redo: Part 105

Honestly, this transition to toddler bed will be hear before you know it.

In order to ease myself into it I am submerging myself with inspiration for this redecorating project. 

Here are a few more images that I found this week:

Since we have the stripes, I am thinking chevron curtains and a pop of a head board would be adorable!

Source: madebygirl.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

This would be too cute for when she gets a little older.
Great use of space!
I have had my eye on this kitchen set for quite some time!

Source: danielleoakeyinteriors.blogspot.com via Erica on Pinterest

Mac & sweet potato cheese

I threw this together a few months back. It sounded good again for dinner last night.

Boy is it good and next time I think I am going to forgo the cheese in order to truly have a food combined, guilt-free meal! :)

Source: kblog.lunchboxbunch.com via amanda on Pinterest

Here we go:

Sauce - 

1 Tbs butter

2 Tbs whole wheat flour

1 c. Almond milk & 1 c. veggie stock (room temp)

1/2 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese

2 mashed sweet potatoes

Stir until thick

Combine with cooked whole wheat pasta in casserole dish. (I love the shells)

Top with a little more shredded cheese and bread crumbs if desired.

Place into a 350 degree oven for 20 min.

Whaallllaaa... Enjoy!

If you do give it a whirl give me some feed back!

My Mothers Day wish list...

With Mothers Day fast on its way I thought I would throw out a few hints to someone who will remain nameless.

I have left a few sticky notes around the house as well. Lets hope the message is received loud and clear?!

Here are some ideas that I think would be fun:

Outdoor/ Indoor speakers

I would want the white ones...of coarse. ;)

We spend so much time outside and I always have the tunes going. I would LOVE some new speakers around the place.

This necklace from Carhoh.

They have a few different ones. All adorable!

Lets face it I need this reminder on a momentary basis these days. Why not have it around my neck?

Awesome!

I have had my eye on this beauty for quite some time.

Now, to find the perfect restaurant to make some reservations at. This mama is not cooking...

What are your dream Mothers Day plans?

To be honest it is a toss up between planting flowers with my family for the day or running away to do some mimosas, shopping and a movie solo...

Recharged.

I am thankful that he did sustain me.

I am happy to report that all I needed was a nice weekend. I was able to recharge the old batteries.

We had a lovely Friday night BBQ and fire.

Good lunch with good friends at a Otto in the city followed by a date night on Saturday.

...& rested on Sunday.

Thank you Lord.

Now, to conquer another week. Here. We. Go!

Source: google.com via Sandi on Pinterest

WTH Friday

The cherry on the Sunday is like every other beautiful, strong, independent woman/ girl child in my family Lilly has found her strong-willed voice (aka tantrum).

I guess this is a good thing?!

Last nights tantrum was a duuuuzzz and yes, I did consume a lot of wine.
No, she didn't throw up even tho she was screaming so loud and hard that she couldn't breathe. Thank God she didn't pass out either.
Ahhh, Karma...I know this is only the beginning.

Happy weekend everyone.

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via ❦ Pin on Pinterest

What I want today...

Validation.

There is only so much a 2-year old can do or say at the end of the day to make you feel like you did your job & well.

I can not help but bring my mind back to days where I had a list of meetings to attend, conference calls to get on, work trips to do & when I did a good job I heard from a handful of people what an awesome job that I did.
There were dinner plans throughout the week.
There were actual humans (lots of them) that I came into contact with each and every day.
There were phone calls coming in throughout the day.

These days I have been blessed with a beautiful healthy little girl whom I can stay home with. I can take pride in the fact that she eats well, she sleeps well, she has manners, she is happy, she loves me & for all of this I am very grateful.

I just miss hearing "How are you today?", "What is new with you?", "How was your week?", "You look upset what is going on?", "Are you okay today?", "Great job today!"

Am I the only Mother that feels this way?
Grown-up interaction is a powerful thing people.
Do not take it for granted.

Again, I am grateful for my life & what I have. I just get lonely. I just want to know I am doing a good job.
I need to remind myself that what I am doing every day is important even though I do not feel like it some/ most days.


I need to remember such things...

Source: beckyhiggins.com via Terumi on Pinterest

More outdoor inspiration for the week!

I am in the midst of perfecting the deck for the summer. It is getting there so I am hoping to light up the chiminea this weekend! 

PS Lets all pray those pesky mosquitos DO NOT grace us in such force this summer! We really love using our living space outside and those bugs truly ruined our last summer.

Take a look at some fun shots I am hoping to build on this week.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

oxox, Me

I love the aqua painted ceiling and floor here! So peaceful.

Source: designsponge.com via stacey on Pinterest

What a great place for entertaining. Whimsical...better yet at night once those white lights are shining I am sure!

Source: google.ca via Erin on Pinterest

I am LOVING the back drop here! That lantern above the table...yes please!

Source: myhomeideas.com via Sol on Pinterest

So cheery!
The use of curtains and lanterns in these pictures totally have my wheels turning today...

Source: casasugar.com via Cathy on Pinterest

Thai Glazed Salmon!

This just sounds good!