Girl time

A couple of weeks ago I attended our "Women's Connect Rally" at Church.

It was amazing and such a fun time! 

My sweet parents and my Aunt and Uncle came to be with the kiddos for the day so I could go to it. My Mom came for part of the rally, too. 

The beautiful decorations were all over. Although the rally was at the Church I attend, I felt like I was somewhere else. The decorations were so pretty and feminine! 

And there was a "Photo booth" area where you could "Snap a Selfie." I loved it! How clever and cute!!

There were different frames to hold up. Cutest idea ever. 

These gorgeous rustic doors were on the top of the original Church's doors. I mean, how pretty is that? A friend told me "I want to get married here!" That's how pretty it was!

This is a photo of my sweet friend, Rose, and my Mom. 

In the sanctuary and in other areas of the Church there were beautiful speakers to listen to and worship music for us. There was delicious meals for us women and even dessert at the end of the night. It was so lovely.

 I smiled, laughed and cried.::Joyfully cried:: It was amazing and just what I needed. Have you been to a Women's rally or to Women of Faith? I went to Women of Faith a couple years ago and I think this was like that. I loved every minute of it.

Romans 12:2 was on the side wall of the sanctuary. I Love that verse!

And I was so grateful to have went and feel so refreshed! 

Jamie :)

Beautiful day for the Zoo

I had made a list of things I want to do for the summer. The Zoo was one of them. When September came I was a little disappointed I hadn't taken the kids to the Zoo. 

So on Sunday when it was a beautiful 80 degree day I took full advantage and we went to the Zoo. 

It was the perfect day for it, too. 

But we almost didn't stay because there was absolutely no where to park. The Zoo was packed! We drove around for close to 45 minutes looking for a place to park. No kidding. Troy kept telling me to park in the grass. Sweet child, I really wish I could have. :) Austin would've been OK with just leaving because he was tired of driving around searching. It took us 50 minutes to get to the Zoo from our house.

We prayed that God would provide a parking place for us. Within several minutes...we were behind a family getting into their car to leave. Hallelujah! God is so good!!

I am so happy we went for it!

When we walked in we saw these beautiful photos. I had never seen such bright red flowers like them before. Gorgeousness!

When ordered food at the Cafe and watched the pretty birds while we waited. The kids loved seeing the birds and at that moment I was so grateful for coming. 

Troy loved the huge tortoises and couldn't believe how big they were. 

While we were walking by the "Seal's Island" we didn't see the seals out. And then an announcement came to tell everyone that the seals would be fed at 1:30. Which was 5 minutes away. Awesome! Here's Austin wiggling his loose tooth while watching the seal. It actually fell out that night :)!

My parents met us at the Zoo since they were already in the area. It was so much fun! Here's my sweet Mom and I.

I stopped taking photos after this because we were busy eating snow cones, watching the polar bear, gorillas, zebras, giraffes, penguins, wolf, buffalos, fish and walking through the "rainforest" and flower garden. 

Jamie :)

Friday Favorites!

I'm linking up today with these sweet-hearted ladies...

Andrea from Momfessionals, 

Narci from Grace and Love Blog 

and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything blog 

for 

These are some of my favorite feelings :)

{#1}

This quote of Holley Gerth's on Instagram spoke to my heart. It was exactly what I needed to hear on that particular day. 

Has that ever happened to you?  

It encouraged me and allowed me to "give it to God."  

Thank you, Holley!

{#2}

The weather has been so beautiful lately in MN. Windows open and I love it!!

 I'm so grateful. We've been having fun playing soccer in the yard, running around and playing catch. 

I mean, look at that sweet smile. He's so sweet and he loves him Mommy so much. 

{#3}

Speaking of nice days. On this particular day, My Dad went to the park with us. Austin and him were playing catch and I just loved watching them play. I remember when Austin was a little toddler playing with "Boppa" and now as a 6 year old he can play catch with him. They've went fishing together as well. I love seeing them together. Especially since my Mom and Dad had 2 daughters. They now have 3 grandsons and I think that is so special.

Have a great Friday!!

Jamie :)

A positive role model

 This morning I had a wonderful visit with my good friend Abriel over coffee and breakfast. We laughed and encouraged each other. She is full of the Joy for the Lord and I am so blessed to have her in my life. 

I adore all of my girlfriends!

They rock!

I follow Mandy Young on Instagram. She's so encouraging and a beautiful person in & out. I don't of course know her personally, but she would be an awesome girlfriend to have! She is a bright light for the Lord as well. 

I had to snap shot her post from the other day. I loved it!

{Be the Person you needed when you were younger}

Amen to that! 

I want to live my life where I can be of encouragement to someone younger.

Kids need it...

Teenagers need it...

They all need it...

I know I did.

I had some awesome girlfriends growing up as well as some positive adult role models. 

The day I got my driver's license I left home in a car my Dad had just fixed up. My parents didn't really want me to go but I wanted to hang out with some friends so bad.  Not even a mile from my house I slid through a stop sign (the roads were a bit slick with rain) and totaled my car and another driver's car. The air bag went off, I was crying and so mad at myself. I remember the cops coming and feeling so sad to tell my parents. I still think back to that horrific day and remember my parents showing me such love and grace. They didn't have to but they did. I also remember them telling me how grateful they were that I was safe and that God had protected me. He really did. My parents have been so good to me all of my life and still are!!

I remember babysitting at this one sweet family's house. I knew that when I grew up I wanted to be the same kind of Mommy with the same kind of values as she was. She seemed to have it all together and I loved it. I love that I noticed she wrote sweet notes to her husband in various places. She was a fantastic Christian role model. She impacted my life in a big way. 

One of my good friend's Mom was amazing, too. She really truly cared about me and some of the poor choices I had made. It almost brings tears to my eyes now looking back when she spoke to me about my choices. The truth and love she spoke to me made a huge difference. She was a wise woman of God and to this day I am grateful for her. 

God is so good and I am thankful he brought so many different role models into my life. 

It brought me to the place I am now. 

I'm forever grateful.

Who has impacted your life in a big way?

Jamie :)

Friday Favorites!

FRI-DAY has arrived friends!

Yessss!

This has been a fulfilling week. 

We've had a wonderful time celebrating birthdays 

and starting back up with Awana Cubbies and KidZone on Wednesdays.

Busy busy but oh so much fun! I love it!

I'm linking up this Friday with...

Andrea from Momfessionals, 

Narci from Grace and Love Blog 

and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything blog 

for Friday Favorites.

Here we go!

{#1} 

This kid right down there I couldn't be more proud of! Troy is a great brother and an adorable little 3.5 year old! My heart swoons for him. He's enjoying PreK 3 days a week and is talking more and more. He's needed some extra help since 2 years old with speech therapy. When I hear him talk non-stop during the day I am extremely grateful to God for answering my prayers for him to start talking more. I could never get tired of listening to his sweet voice. Such a big boy!!

{#2}

I'm loving my Young Living essential oils and diffuser. They are ahhhmazing!

 The "Thieves" oil is in my diffuser and smells very Fall-ish with its' cinnamony scent. 

And it's keeping my home clean and healthy. Even better! 

You can check them out HERE.

Do you use them? And if so, what kinds are your favorites?

{#3}

I think I've said it before but I LOVE 98.5 KTIS! I listen to it very regularly and it is very uplifting. You can listen online HERE. Their Fall SHARE is going on right now. On my way to work I was so moved when there was a  young girl who had called in to tell them that a song on KTIS stopped her from taking her life. She realized that God has a good plan for her life. If I could meet that sweet girl, I'd give her a giant hug. 

Christian radio does that for many people, including myself. I remember listening to Blessings by Laura Story and feeling so touched knowing that sometimes healing does come through tears. I am very grateful for KTIS!

Be Blessed.

Jamie :)

The pursuit of happyness...

When you read that title are you thinking about this movie?

Which, by the way, I thought was a very great movie! It's been a while since I watched it but I remember really enjoying it and feeling moved. I need to rent it again. 

Our service at Church yesterday got me to thinking about everyone being in the pursuit of HAPPYness. 

Being happy is what everyone really wants. I know it is something I want. But where we are getting our happiness is of most importance. 

I am going to talk about my happy shopping days (which are pretty rare these days :) ). I'd like to think that going to the wonderful smelling mall with all the amazing clothing choices made me happy then. 

When I would try on some super cute clothes and purchase them. To get home and take the tags off and try them on again. I'd be so excited to wear my new outfit to school. But the happiness of those new clothes would wear off and I'd want to go shopping again. That type of happiness is short lived.

I show you this photo below because that was one of my very favorite shirts from Abercrombie & Fitch. And I believe I got that shirt for Billy from Hollister. Which I will add he still has in our closet. Haha! The photo was from 2006... I think. Anyways, that shirt definitely shrunk up and I ended up giving it to the thrift store. 

Clothes shrink, go out of style, get too tight or too loose, they lose their "newness" after a couple of weeks. Therefore, the happiness wears off.

"Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” -Luke 12:15

My ULTIMATE happiness comes from my sweet Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. He fills me up with joy every single morning when I place my trust in Him. I knew Christ at a young age but my faith and relationship has grown so much deeper over the years. For that I am forever grateful. 

His love never shrinks, goes out of style, doesn't lose its' newness. It actually feels more new the deeper your relationship gets. I love it!!

My kids give me extreme joy as well. Their sweet and silly selves give me happiness. Children really are our gift from the Lord. 

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."—Nehemiah 8:10.

Jamie :)

I Love Sundays!

I might have said it before but I'll say it over & over....

I just LOVE me a Sunday!

My husband is always off work on a Sunday and it is the very best thing having all my loved ones wake up in the morning together. :) It's a relaxing day for the most part.

I love our Church family. 

I love praise and worship at Church. 

I leave Church feeling completely filled to the rim with joy and it's a wonderful start to the busy week.

I also love Sundays because I know so many people are worshipping God as well. 

That makes me happy! 

And I know that God loves Sundays as they are the Sabbath day. 

"Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy as the Lord your God has commanded you."

-Deuteronomy 5:12

Happy Sunday!

Jamie :)