These are a few of my favorite things...

So, I was just thinking this morning about how much I really liked a few things in my life these days... Simple things. Everyday things. And honestly, this time around, perishable things... There are, of course, the deep, sentimental objects/times/memories/places that I could never put a price tag on.... BUT the things I am going to post about today do have price tags. They will fade. But they're some of my "favorites" for now anyways... I love to see what other people love & use everyday. I mean, let's be honest...Oprah's favorite things show is one of the most watched ever - I think we all love to go into the closets & pantries of people to see what they love! So with that, here are a few of my favorite things!

1. Numero Uno on my list these days is....... Mary Kay TimeWise Skin Care & make up line. Oh.my.goodness. I have had issues with my skin since the day I turned 13, and this is the first time in my life that I can consistently say "I love my skin!" I have a friend that is a new consultant for MK, so I wanted to be a good friend & support her by attending one of her parties. Little did I know that I would come out with the best skin care I have ever used. I love it. Seriously. love it. (PS the link is just so you can see what it looks like... I don't know who Sandy Johnson is). ha!
2. Next thing in line: Old Navy 5 in Perfect Khaki shorts. I've always tried to dress modestly, but as a mom, these are a must-have. Seriously these are the perfect length. And cute. And affordable.
3. JoAnn Fabrics. I could seriously spend all day in this store. I would like to say that Hobby Lobby would be my favorite fabric/craft store, but the closest one is about 35 minutes away... So for now, Mrs. JoAnn takes that first place spot.
4. And another beauty product on the list, would be my shampoo & conditioner. TRESemme Naturals. Radiant Volume. You're awesome. And (again) affordable!
5. A great hue for the nails this summer would be "Peachy" by Revlon. The perfect hue of a summer breeze. You may even be able to hear waves crashing & smell suntan lotion while you're painting your nails. Maybe...
6. Target sandals. These specifically. Seriously $15, and they are yours! So versatile. Wear them with a t-shirt & kacki shorts or a long maxi dress. Thank you, Target!
7. Camelback Water bottle. You're pretty. And pink. And you encourage me to drink more water. And my child can drink out of you easily too. You rock & you will join me on all my summer outings this year. :)
8. Elnett Hairspray. And Umberto Hairspray. I use hairspray almost everyday. I like a solid hold - but not sticky or one that will tangle my hair. Both of these are great holds & disappear when you brush. Love 'em.
9. So this is something that I got to splurge on a little bit... I received a watch for Christmas, that I LOVED, but when it was shipped, the face was cracked... The company my MIL bought it from did not have anymore watches, so she just gave me what she spent to pick out a watch on my own! I picked this one... Fossil never fails. Tortoise shell. Hello!!
10. My new best friend. This little lady. She has kept me company late hours in the night. She can get a little attitude, but she seems to straighten out pretty quickly. My sewing machine. Ahhh...

These are just a few of my favorite things lately... I'd love to hear of some of your favorites too!

on my mind...

Few things on my mind...

- First of all, I would like to say how inspired I am to look at other friends' blogs & see all their updates and pictures and stories about their lives/kids/etc... Then I realize that I haven't updated at all in months and have to laugh at myself! :) I have been journaling to Harper & writing down her stats/stories/etc there, but I wish I had the motivation to post here too! I get this weird perfectionist thing going when I think about it though... I feel like I would need to post back all the way to her H's birth, realize that was over a year ago, and so I just don't... Now, I know I wouldn't really have to do that, but I feel like I would? Silly excuse, if you ask me. :)

- Secondly, especially since it's Easter and it's so fresh on my mind, I'd like to say that I don't think the story of the cross & Christ's sacrifice will ever get old to me. I think of my life - how I've tried to glorify Him and how I've failed miserably... I think about His grace and how undeserving I am... I think of how He knows me, but loves me anyways... and I get overwhelmed. To tears. I think of God giving His son for me, and I cannot fathom that love! I am thankful everyday for that sacrifice, and I'm thankful that I can celebrate that gift EVERYday...not just on Easter!

- I'll have to say that growing up as a daughter of a pastor probably prepped me a little bit for this next thing on my mind... I have loving parents that brought me up in a loving home, provided for all my needs (and so many of my wants), supported me, were my number one fans, etc etc etc! I could go on forever and ever about how great my parents were (and still are)! I watched my Dad love & serve on good days...and on rough days too. I watched him step out on faith almost 12 years ago and start WCC...definitely a step out of his comfort zone. We've walked with him when things were great & encouraging, and we've walked through seasons of torment, gossip, and just plain junk as well. To say "I'm proud of my Dad" does not do justice to how I feel about him...and then let's talk about Mom too... Here's where I'm learning...(majorly) learning. I cannot tell you how many bible studies she's taught, powerpoint slides she's made, prayers she's prayed, songs she sang....all while working a full time job, waiting on me to finish (insert sport here) practice, taking me to piano lessons, helping with homework, counseling me, taking me shopping, (then later in life) helping me plan a wedding, (still) counseling me, spending time with grandkids, etc etc etc... And I'm one of FOUR of her kids! :) She did this all with a smile on her face and a "thank you, Lord" fresh on her lips. I covet that balance she displayed, and I'm thankful for the example she set for me. I just thought life was crazy before I had a child... Don't get me wrong, Bubba is incredibly involved and supportive. Like gets up with Harper in the middle of the night (he's awesome). He would do anything in the world for us, and I'm thankful to be his wife. I'm just in this new season of life - learning to be a full time mom & wife. Learning to find my purpose, joy, hope in Christ. All while wiping runny noses, working through teething, cleaning food off the ground, changing poopy diapers, and sometimes not showering until after noon some days. :) I am thankful, 100% thankful, to be a mom, but let's be honest...it can be a tough job! I find myself getting discouraged a whole lot easier, but I'm thankful for the foundation of faith I have. How do moms that don't know the Lord get through their day? I do not know what we would do if Christ was not the center of our home. Our rock. Our victory. Our peace...

- On a much lighter note, I am now a mother to a "walker." She figured out this whole walking thing about a week ago & has not slowed down a bit. We have already gotten a few bumps & bruises, and I'm sure there are more in our future! We love to see her walking around - even though she's almost 13 months, she still seems too little to be walking! :)

- We had her one year apt last Friday. Pricking the finger & shots were on the agenda as well. Poor kid. She hated it. Officially terrified of the DR now. She is weighing in at about 18.5 lbs, 29ish inches long, and I honestly don't remember her head measurement. Her stats are all still in the same percentage range... 5th% weight, 25th% height, and 30th% head circ. Wears some 9mo clothes, but mostly in 12mo. Size 3 diapers. Size 2-3 shoes. LOVES to talk & walk around. Extending her vocabulary. And we're attempting to wean her off the bottle (seeming impossible). :) Sleeps about 10 hours/night, but still wakes up once most nights. Eats & falls back asleep pretty quickly. We've tried everything we know to get more calories in her during the day, but she is just so small, I'm guessing she can't hold all of what she needs some days! :) I'm thankful she's just up once a night, if at all... She's starting to look more like a little girl to me - not so much a baby anymore. Her little personality is blossoming too. Loves to say "no no no" while shaking her pointer finger OR shaking her head 'no' if she's not in agreement with you. :) I promise I did not teach her that! She's a blessing. Couldn't be more thankful to be her mom!

it's been a while...

Well, friends, I've officially not blogged in a few months! Harper girl is 10 months old (& 1 day...but who's counting). She is really growing & changing so much!

We've got a cruiser, crawler, talker, eating, waving, patty-cake-ing little girl! She is still teeny tiny, but her personality is not! :) At her 9mo check up she weighed in at 16lb 5oz and was around 26 inches long. She can still wear some 6mo clothes, but is mostly in 9mo. Wearing size 3 diaper and size 2 or 3 shoe. Starting to get more hair on her head...which is great for BOWS of course! She got three teeth in 10 days at the end of Dec/beginning of Jan. She's been working on the fourth tooth since then too!

We battled the flu a couple weekends ago. By far the scariest time we've had with her. Fever spiked to over 104, seizures resulted from the fever... Tamiflu and Lebonheur Urgent Care were also involved. Thankfully she began to feel better within a few days... Only evidence that she even went through all that is a runny nose now... We most definitely praised the Lord for healing her little body!

As far as the rest of us... Bubba ran the St. Jude marathon in December. We weren't able to go cheer him on, because H was sick that weekend too! I promise she's not always sick.. :) Bubba has really been incredibly disciplined in running. I wish I had half his will power... He is going to try to run the Chicago Marathon this year! He is also staying really busy with church. Being the Media, Recreation, and Adult Discipleship Pastor means there are some 7 day work weeks... But we absolutely love our church family & are thankful for the opportunities the Lord has provided! I am still at home with our little girl & loving it. I'll be honest...it's alot tougher than I ever thought it would be! I wouldn't trade this time with her for the world though. In January, I also started watching my best friend's little boy! They live in our neighborhood & go to church with us, so it is really just the perfect situation! He is such a sweet & easy baby; we've enjoyed having him here with us! Harper adjusted well to him being here. I didn't know how she would handle it! Maybe it is good practice for her future siblings....

That's a little update from the Crowders. Sorry no pictures! I still haven't uploaded pics onto the computer from Dec - Jan... Maybe I can get that done today! Promise photos in the next update! :) I'll take any reason to show off my beautiful daughter! :)

Could this be your child?

I was just catching up on reading my friends' blogs & this one really stuck out to me. I wanted to share it with all of you, just in case the Lord was already working in your heart and within your family.

If it's not your responsibility to adopt this sweet boy, then please pray for the family that is supposed to welcome him in.

God is good.

Whit