Weakness

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Lately, I've been feeling very weak...  physically, emotionally, spiritually.  I've been frustrated, depressed, confused...  But it's time to change my perspective.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Romans 8:25-27

Over

Hi there!

 

My little helper...        ^^^^^^

Scarf: Old Navy / Tunic: Forever 21 / Leggings: Charlotte Russe / Boots: Kohl's

Here is a post of random thoughts...  and an outfit I wore way back in the beginning of November.  Since I haven't been posting at all for the last couple months, I've got a stash of old outfits that I haven't shared.  And I haven't even taken any outfit photos since December.  Well, other than a billion pics for an IG challenge I've been doing.  But more on that another day.  Everything in this outfit is super old, except the boots, which I bought last winter.  I don't even remember buying this tunic.  I didn't think I had ever even been to a Forever 21, until this past year, until I looked at the tag on this tunic and realized it was from there... 

I'm glad the Olympics are over.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE watching them.  That's the problem.  I watched Olympic coverage for hours and hours...  I could do nothing else!  I just love the stories of the athletes, and the history lessons, and the wipe-outs!  Good stuff!  But it feels good to not be glued to my television anymore.

I can't wait for The Bachelor to be over!  I'm pretty sure I already know who Juan Pablo picks...  and I don't even care!  I just don't have a good feeling about him, and no matter what happens, I don't think it's going to last.  But I can't stop watching, either.  This week the "women tell all."  That should be fun.  And then we'll finally have the finale and we can all move on with our lives. 

I also can't wait for winter to be O.V.E.R!  As I write this, it's currently -3 degrees outside.  The highest temp in our ten day forecast is 31 degrees.  Seriously?!  It's March, and we can't even get above freezing.  Sprrriiing?  Where aaaarrre yoooooo??

While I'm here, I'm curious what sort of posts you would like to see from me?  Fashion?  Personal stories?  Random thoughts?  Do you have any specific questions you'd like me to attempt to answer?

Are You Listening?

Do you hear that??







No?






Exactly!





Silence........




I have been neglecting this here blog for far too long.  And I'm not even sure what I'm going to say now.  I just feel like I should break the silence.  Initially, I just wanted to take a break to focus on Christmas.  Then, I needed to turn my attention to figuring out a better school routine.  And then I just started questioning why I was even blogging, where it was going, and if I should even bother.

I have had a few people ask me to get back at it.  That feels good.  I want to feel like someone is listening.  And that I'm making a positive impact on those who are.  So am I doing that?  Am I even capable of doing that?

And do I really have TIME?  I feel like I never have enough time in the day.  To do things I need to do.  And want to do.  And I'm struggling to prioritize.

So I'm not sure how things are going to look moving forward.  I do like blogging.  And I *think* I want to continue.  But I'm just not sure what or how right now.  I have all sorts of ideas floating around in my head.  So stayed tuned.  Who knows what will happen next...

Happy Birthday Baby

AND, another absolutely amazing, fantastic, fabulous thing that happens in the winter.....

Happy Birthday to my sweet Koen James!

Two looks good on you.  :)

I love you forever and ever.

Winter

Baby, it's cold outside!  But that doesn't mean you can't still wear all of your favorite summer dresses!  Today I'm going to show you how I took my Little Black Dress and made it appropriate for chilly weather.  Simply add layers!  Leggings and boots, a cardigan and scarf!  Cozy and warm. :) 

Dress: Forever 21 / Cardigan: Target / Leggings & Boots: Kohl's / Scarf: H&M

But don't get me wrong, winter can go away at any time...  I know it's only the middle of December, but I'm ready for spring already!  I miss being warm, playing outside, sunshine, not worrying about coats and hats and mittens, driving without slipping and sliding...  I can't think of anything that I like about winter.  I know, I know, there are those of you that think you want snow at Christmas, but the thing is, it doesn't just last a day, a week, or even the whole month of December...  It will be months until I see green outside.  I turn into a hermit in the winter.  And that makes me grumpy.  So if you do see me out and about, please, give me a hug!  I need it!

Okay, enough of my whining.  There IS one good thing that just happens to occur during winter.  We get to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.  I'm going to focus on that.  Yes.  Yes, I am.  In case you don't hear from me again before Christmas, please, have a Merry Christmas.  Even when the weather is frightful, we can rejoice in knowing that we are loved beyond comprehension.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:14

Linking up: Greater Than Rubies - Remix Rewear Restyle

Red & Green

How was your weekend??  Mine was fabulous!  It started off with a bang with a ladies night ornament exchange at my friend Courtney's house.  I stuffed myself with delicious food and stayed up way too late!

Then Saturday morning we ventured out to our local Festival of Trees, where the kids made some fun crafts and searched for their favorite decorated tree.

Then in the evening, we donned our full snow gear and braved the single digit temps to attend the lighted Christmas parade and fireworks over the frozen lake.  It sure was cold, but worth it.  We're making memories, no matter what the weather may be!

It started snowing over night, and continued all day Sunday, so I volunteered Daddy for playing in the snow with the kids after church.  The first time this season!  We had a nice, low-key day, and then I snuck out in the evening for a much needed haircut! 

Now, on the the "fashion" portion of this post...

Is it possible to wear red and green together and not look like a Christmas tree?  I say, YES! 

Scarf: GroopDealz / Vest & Chambray: JCPenney / Jeans: H&M / Boots: Old Navy

Red and green are complimentary colors, so they definitely look good together.  But I'm guessing most of us avoid wearing them together, because we don't want to resemble a decorated evergreen.  Or an elf.  Which is easy for me to do anyways, since I'm only 5 foot 2...  on a good day.  So yeah, how?  I think it just depends on the shades of each color, and how you wear them.  Olive is a great shade of green to wear with red.  You could also do mint!  Or darken both colors and do burgundy and olive...  Also, using an accessory of some sort for one of the colors is a good way to add that pop of color without being too overwhelming.  And pairing red and green with neutrals will definitely tone down the Christmas vibe.  Of course, I could be giving you crazy advice, I'm just making this up as I go!  Haha!

How would you wear red and green?? 

Linking up:  Greater Than Rubies - Remix Rewear Restyle

Advent Activities

Anyone out there looking for ideas for this Advent season?  Here's the list of what we did in 2012. 

1.  Festival of Trees and Christmas by the Lake (local activities)
2.  Visit Santa
3.  Hang candy canes on the Christmas tree
4.  Bake cookies
5.  Make paper snowflakes
6.  Drink hot chocolate with fun marshmallows (we had chocolate mint)
7.  Elf Yourself (app)

8.  Snow paint
9.  Make Christmas goodies (recipes to come...)
10.  Snowman pancakes for supper
11.  Make salt dough ornaments
12.  Play in the snow
13.  Make Christmas play dough (with glitter and peppermint!)
14.  Buy a toy to donate to Toys for Tots
15.  Make Christmas popcorn to share with friends
16.  Go to the library and read Christmas books

17.  Make (and eat!) ice cream cone Christmas trees
19.  Go to a Christmas party
20.   Koen's birthday party :)
21.  Make Christmas cards
22.  Make Gingerbread houses (with Grandma!)
23.  Open a present (new jammies!)
24.  Drive around looking at Christmas lights

We will be repeating many of these this year, and trying a few new things! 

Here are a bunch of ideas:

Watch a specific Christmas movie (Elf, Santa Buddies, A Christmas Story, The Polar Express etc.)
Watch TV Christmas specials (Frosty, Rudolf, Charlie Brown, etc.)
Build a snowman
Make snow angels
Go sledding
Bake a birthday cake for Jesus
Have a candlelit dinner
Sleep under the tree
Dance to Christmas music
Ring the Salvation Army Bell
Set up a Nativity
Give goodies to the neighbors
Make ornaments or other Christmas crafts

Who knows what we'll actually end up doing!  I just pick and choose as we go, whatever fits into our schedule.  I'll do my best to share along the way!

What are your favorite Advent activities??

Check out my Christmas Pinterest board for all sorts of fun ideas, crafts and recipes!