The Sickness Has Passed! Oh And....

(Be aware this post is very scattered) 

Well remember that little cough sickness I mentioned in my last post...

turned out to be not so little. In fact turned out to need days of recovery. 

My poor Jasha had a fever off and on for a few days & thank goodness I never did, but it was still very yucky. 

But Hallelujah it has passed & we are well.

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So today is a special day because it is my little brother's 11th birthday.

He is a gem. I consider him to be truly one of my best friends despite his age. He is so unique & interesting & I can't believe 11 years has already passed since he came home...

All 10 & 1/2 pounds of him. 

Man I love this kid.


& My husband's family dog Rio wanted to wish my brother a Happy Birthday as well...

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In other news

my little Asher is a kicking machine! He moves so much I constantly see my belly jump, or see him more on one side. It is very fun to watch to say the least. I already feel like he is so big in there. I believe this week he passed his 1 lb. and 12 inches mark. Now it's just time to build up his fat. I won't lie I hope he is a chubby one. 

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Finally some very exciting news..

Jasha & I received an amazing surprise in the mail this week. An anonymous envelope with a hefty sum of money in it. Due to my detective skills I was able to figure out who it was from, and let me just say this couple has a heart for the Lord & I believe they will do great things in His Love. Well we had been saving up for a car.... since we came to Virginia with just one of ours: a little neon coupe... (Our ole jetta had to retire. He was living on a prayer. Literally) 

Which is very reliable and what not, but we knew I would need a car with four doors and more space for when Asher is here. With this extra money we were able to buy...
Ms. Daisy Mae... as I have dubbed her... our "new" (at least to us) 2001 Jeep Cherokee.

I love how she drives, and I feel high up, and like I'm in a tank.

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With all that said and done I fell very behind in the Celebrate 31 Challenge. I decided not to beat myself up about it and just skip ahead to the day at hand.

Day 6.  Jaded beauty.  Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?

source

Mirror Mirror on the wall...

Oh this world.

Beauty is portrayed everywhere and in my opinion most of the time it is shown wrong.

Of course it effected me growing up... I don't think I look very classic "American" or Southern and growing up in TX... well yes at times I wanted blonde hair.

Growing up with not a lot of money... I wanted better clothes.

I wanted things so that I would feel like I was pretty.. like I was worth something.

It wasn't until later I learned the truth..

My value and beauty is in and from the Lord, and if I put it in this world I will only get disappointed.

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Can't wait to get back on track with this challenge. I love it!

& Please vote for my blog (it's only two clicks)

Sick Day & Uniquely Me.

Jasha & I woke up with some coldish sickness.

Not fun.

BUT last night we had an amazing time at the Prayer Furnace.

Truly it was just the message we needed to hear.

Anywhoo... thank you for all your wonderful comments on my day 1 post of the Celebrate 31 Challenge. 

I haven't gotten the chance to read too many yet, but I look forward to following many of you on this journey.

DAY 2: What Makes You Uniquely You?

My name is...

Or Ellie to my Hubs &

I have a story that only I can tell.

As I believe we all do.

My pains, my joys, my laughs, my wrinkles.. 

my memories... all tucked within my little self.

I am unique because I was created to compliment Joshua James 

(or Jasha to me...)

perfectly.

God made me unique just as he made us all unique.

Just like He is making my son unique and just like He made you unique.

It is a simplistic beauty...

To be unique is to be alive.

Day 1.  What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2.  What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3.  Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4.  Style 31.  Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5.  Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6.  Jaded beauty.  Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7.  Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8.  Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)?  Share, please!
Day 9.  What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10.  What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11.  Post a recipe.  Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12.  Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13.  Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14.  Style 31.  Post an outfit pic!
Day 15.  Write to encourage a friend.  Inspire her beauty.
Day 16.  Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life.  Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17.  Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18.  Describe your personality.
Day 19.  Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20.  Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.  
Day 21.  Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22.  What are some needs that need to be met in your community?  Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23.  What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?
Day 24.  What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25.  Style 31.  Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26.  What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27.  Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28.  Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29.  Write about "a day in the life of me."  (Pics are great!)
Day 30.  Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31.  Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!

31.

Since moving to Virginia I feel like the Lord wants me to really learn to have a gentle & loving spirit.

I have always been a bit more on the loud & fiesty side of things... but I long to really embody the woman of Proverbs 31.

I feel like these months before Asher is born is all about learning, listening and growing in what the Lord is telling me.

Therefore I was excited to see on my friend Mandy's blog at She Breathes Deeply

this Celebrate 31 post.

So here's the deal :

For 31 days, blog each day about things that celebrate your God given beauty, and the beauty of the women around you.

Want to join? Go over to Mandy's blog & link up!


It officially starts tomorrow but I jumped ahead a day so I can do my 23 week post tomorrow.

Day 1: 

What Does Beauty Mean to you?

Source

Beauty is so multidimensional to me.

Beauty is time. Aging. Grace.

Beauty is Jesus.

Beauty is seeing a new life begin. A full life end.

Beauty is watching my husband sleep, smile, and grow.

Beauty is feeling my baby kick.

Beauty is seeing my features in my family, and knowing they will continue on.

Beauty is dancing free in front of the Lord.

And then beauty is feeling broken, and breaking in this world to hopefully know God better.

Beauty is like water in that it is constantly changing form...

Changing how it makes you feel.

A raindrop and a storm are very different but then again they are still both forms of water.

That's how I see beauty.

Source

Here the list to follow: 

Day 1.  What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2.  What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3.  Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4.  Style 31.  Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5.  Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6.  Jaded beauty.  Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7.  Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8.  Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)?  Share, please!
Day 9.  What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10.  What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11.  Post a recipe.  Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12.  Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13.  Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14.  Style 31.  Post an outfit pic!
Day 15.  Write to encourage a friend.  Inspire her beauty.
Day 16.  Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life.  Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17.  Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18.  Describe your personality.
Day 19.  Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20.  Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.  
Day 21.  Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22.  What are some needs that need to be met in your community?  Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23.  What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?
Day 24.  What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25.  Style 31.  Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26.  What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27.  Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28.  Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29.  Write about "a day in the life of me."  (Pics are great!)
Day 30.  Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31.  Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!

In other news stay tuned for more Asher related posts.
I cannot wait for my little boy!

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