Praying.... Now Ready, Set, Go

   I feel like I've been spoken to so much today. I almost feel like God is yelling loud and clear, "Okay Mia, I'm speaking to you and asking if you are listening?!" It ha touched me so deeply I wanted to jump on here and share. Maybe this is a turning point, a new beginning to my life goals, the shaping of my future and my dreams actually starting to unfold... Maybe this is a learning experience and motivation to move forward with encouragement that God hears me, but may not be ready for me to start my new journey. I'm not sure, but I do know that very loudly and clearly He has lovingly spoken to me and shared signs with me since late last night. This is just the most recent touching experiences, but honestly my experiences since middle of September have been walking me down a path that truly constantly screamed God has His hands wrapped around myself and my lovely family.

   Specifically to share today's experiences you would have to know that in hindsite I see it started last night when I saw a post on Facebook sharing the story of Joanna Gaines (extremely talented and beautiful person inside and out with a lovely family who has prospered under God's guidance as well) who is the star designer on HGTVs Fixer Upper with her husband being the star contractor and building director). Herself and her husband Chip Gaines have stepped out in faith and, as she stated in her short video, have been placed now on a tremendous platform allowing them to touch so many people's lives while fulfilling their family dreams... This video brought me to tears and spoke so deeply to me at this exact moment in my life. I have included link because it may touch you as well. https://vimeo.com/125510141?outro=1

   Now moving into my experiences today, which I realize link into my yesterday now, I've had so many things cross my path relating to others touched as well by God today and it keeps coming up. My sister spoke to me early on today very touched by the Joanna Gaines video I shared, then we had a very long heart to heart that brought a lot of thought and clarity to my vision of my professional and personal life right now. This all could be described in far more detail, but suffice it to say my day rolled into this evening and then I run across some amazing articles written by powerful Christians. This evenings events that i just began to reference were as follows, I'm reading this blog and the words are so well spoken and speak so clearly to me and again exactly where my current mindset is. This blog post suggests at home work and then it's an amazing article that suggests books to read for virtual assistant type of work making around the income I make now. The writer of this article beautifully articulating why many people from many view points desire more schedule flexibility and hers being her children which is exactly where my heart is as a mom of a three year old and a three month old at this moment. So I download two of the many books her article suggested and the very first one to come up for sampling on my Kindle app is written by a Christian lady who wrote it with the want to stay home, but contribute income and she sounds like she is literally in my head at this very point in my life.... Literally, I cannot tell you how loudly this book slapped me in the face with the introduction... 

   So now I'm searching, praying, and reaching out in hopes that all of these beautiful moments and signs that have crossed my path are a call to action on my part. I'm sharing because I hope this encourages someone reading this as their words encouraged me. I am praying that if this is a fork in the road that takes me down a new and wonderful road of blessings for my family that I can share the journey ste by step to encourage others as these powerful writers I have run across encouraged me and as most importantly an effort to share God's love and guidance in my life so that you can know as well He is there and carrying us every step of the way. 

   As I research and learn I will share more through posts here and I hope I have a lot more to share in the coming weeks and months! 

Lots of Love and appreciation for your visits to my blog! 

Momma Mia 

As an addition, I wanted to share the eBook about at home work and virtual assistant guidance because I appreciated it so much and I am still reading it at this moment. I just realized j spoke so highly of it in this article and then never actually noted the author. The author is Lisa Morosky and her book is titled the Bootstrap VA. 

Lamp Shade Redo ~ Mini Blog Post :)

   So this post I labeled a MINI blog post :) mostly because well first of all I should have gotten more pictures along the way and saved a little more detail to share..... I wasn't thinking about blogging this little project when I did it..... The thought came after from my sister so I'm sharing what I have. Mostly the mini thing refers to the fact it was a super short and sweet DIY project. :) 

   So I had a lamp that I love, but the shade had seen better days. Finally a week or maybe a month ago :) (since the addition of our second sweet baby my concept of time is off more than usual even) the lamp shade was so badly in need of love I just retired it into the trash can, but not before saving the metal framing for a possible project later :). Soooo I had been looking at some of my favorite spots to shop for supplies and crafts, but I was finding nothing! The shades were either super expensive or just a paper form with lots of love needed. I ran across a lamp shade that was too long and lacked any character really, but it was a good width and I had my fingers crossed as to the cost. It was unmarked and all alone on a random shelf. Surprise for me because I get to the register and it was $8 on clearance! 

   I get home and decide I'll try it as is, but it was awful. You couldn't reach the switch at all once I put it on. So then I decided I would cut it down and just go from there. I took a small knife from my kitchen for this project. A crafters knife of any sort would have been more helpful, but this was the closest thing to me when I decided the lamp shade was going to change and work for me if I had anything to do with it! I sliced around the entire form to shorten the length and repeated a couple of times until the length looked really cute. Remember to slice away from you at all times. This specially was a project where the form slipped some while working with it so it made me a little paranoid while cutting  Then, I grabbed a small belt I never wear and thought I might use it as an accent detail around the base... I decided against this, but will use this concept again because I liked the look of a thin braided belt as an accent. I ended up choosing some pretty ribbon that complemented my bedroom colors and the lamp shade just in a simple easy solid color. It was a navy shade and now a simple white ribbon. To do the project I just carefully used hot glue because the lamp shade material and ribbon fabric were perfect for this simple choice to just hot glue. (I love my hot glue gun!)

   The lamp shade is now much better than before and only $8 for it! Simple fix. Maybe 30-40 minutes to just get the shade length to what I liked and add ribbon! 

   Basically, do not give up on a redo you have in your mind. Don't necessarily get your mind set on a certain path either. Look in clearance, look in odd places, grab what looks like it may not work yet has potential and the best things often come from these purchases!!! Pictures attached below of final lamp with new shade!!! :) I am happy and hope this offers some inspiration for a project on your shelf at home as well!! :) 

~~Momma Mia 

Family of Three Now a Family of Four! ;)

   Since my last post we have joyfully welcomed our second sweet little angel into the arms of our family. It's an overwhelming happiness and love that fills you beyond anything you can plan to expect. I'm sitting here right now watching them both as they nap with sweet peaceful little faces that light up my world! 

   You wonder all kinds of things as you find out you are expecting your second child... One of my main concerns (that was more of a pre-baby arrival concern) was a healthy pregnancy and safe arrival of our little guy. We have had some wonderful and special people around us go through some very tragic experiences. The weight of those experiences left a lot of fear in my heart and mind. I just wanted to be sure to do all I could to make baby healthy and myself healthy because my oldest needed me and our little one needed me to make sure I did my part to be healthy for him as well. I am beyond thankful God brought us both safely through. It was a healthy pregnancy with little issue except I throw up all 9 months with my boys! :) They are worth every bit of those minor issues though! The key in all of my worries is to trust and try to find calm in that we can only control we we can which are the daily choices of how we treat our body's while pregnant and if we are making every effort then let the worries and concerns go because those are harmful to you as well as the baby. Let go of your fears and let trust God has His arms around you. 

  One of my top concerns for after baby arrived was making sure my oldest felt included and still special along with making sure I loved on the second as well. I promised my oldest the entire pregnancy that if he was just patient I'd be back to normal soon and we could jump and play just like we always have. We also made sure to explain how much baby brother loved him and how he could hear him in my belly while I was pregnant even to encourage his feeling/knowing there was a special connection already between him and his brother. Since baby's arrival my oldest has had his moments of needing attention, but that's to be expected! However, he absolutely endlessly loves our littlest and just yesterday told his baby brother he was his best friend in the whole wide little world! So all is going extremely well on the new family member front!!!!! 

   My biggest thing to share and be thankful for is how I see our beautiful family growing and progressing. We are still adjusting to all of life's little changes since our newest addition, but we are ready and enjoying the ride! 

   I am just very thankful for all we have been blessed with and hoping to encourage others through our experiences. 

Lots of love from Momma Mia and family

From One to Two Beautiful Blessings

 Tomorrow morning I leave for the hospital. Scheduled to be induced for the delivery of our second baby boy. I just wanted to share my thoughts before it all changes tomorrow and our family of three becomes four. 

   First thing is I'm scheduled to be induced because I tend to deliver quickly and my doctor is concerned I will deliver before arriving at the hospital. I'm not a fan of this idea either. I want our baby here safely and further down the list of importance ofcourse I really want an epidural! So there is the reason I am being induced this time. My prior pregnancy was due to preeclampsia just three weeks prior to my first little guys due date. 

   My little boy is so excited to meet his brother with moments mixed in of hesitancy and "That's my baby stuff so why am I going to have to share it again mom?" He has such a beautiful heart and disposition though that I know all the kinks will smooth and he will be amazing to this new little member of our family. I've been directed and informed by wonderful blessings around me who have gone through this transition. They have offered me ways to hopefully make my oldest know how special he is, how big of a helper he is to me, and how needed and loved he is by all of us including our new little one. Thankful for this advice and nervous for tomorrow's events to unfold. I'm just going to pray, kiss my little guy a million times, and focus on getting home and loving on our newly increased family!! 

   I thank God for my family and friends that surround us with love and support and before I fall asleep tonight I will pray a thankful and excited prayer for the blessings we are experiencing. 

   To my oldest blessing and heartbeat, "I love you my sweet oldest angel and eagerly anticipate introducing you to your little brother and our newest little blessing tomorrow!"

   Thankful for a healthy pregnancy and praying for a healthy and smooth delivery tomorrow. 

So much love and thankfulness is in my heart tonight

~~Momma Mia~~

Sharing a friends new creation :)

   This is just a post to share a friends recently published cookbook! It's filled with delicious desserts planned around being able to ship them to loved ones and also able to just be made for your loved ones nearby as well. I just had to share because I'm excited for her and wish her the best success following her passion to make wonderful things for her family's enjoyment in the midst of a very hectic professional life as a wonderful high risk OBGYN. Just love her and wanted to share her new project! 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1490882537/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?qid=1440819102&sr=8-1-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=dr+kathleen+edmunds

Thanks for stopping in!

Lots of love,

Momma Mia :)

Baby Brother Soon to be Here !

Big brother ❤️

Little brother ❤️

   In just a couple of weeks our new little addition will be arriving and my sweet little three year old baby will be promoted to Big Brother! We all are so excited and as it comes closer my whole hope and focus is to make my little one feel a special part of it all and my new little one transition and thrive happily! 

   It's funny how your thoughts change from the first blessing to the second. The first only makes you worry about everything being perfect still but in a very different way! With my first I wanted the nursery perfect, the clothes ready, toys and accessories for every need in place, and me to do the best I could taking care and chugging water to nurse him successfully. My whole focus was on one little angel coming home healthy and happy. 

   Well, as a side note, we were ready with supplies and accessories, but I had to have an emergency delivery due to preeclampsia with that little man so things went a little differently than planned. I did not nest, but instead my lovely mom did for me! Specifically she emergency nested in forty eight hours and throughout the night after I was put in the hospital! She was a huge blessing and the reason things were organized when we arrived home. I kept thinking I had time and surprise I did not! :) 

   Back to the things different for me this pregnancy, I am nesting and possibly not even the natural nesting, but more of the panic nesting in case something crazy happens! :) We have most of what we need so it's just special purchases for our new baby and special things for his brother. Most importantly though, my mental planning is so different. I want so much to make sure my oldest feels a part of everything and knows how special he is to us all while bringing our new little one home! I want our new little one to get all of the attention he needs as well! It's iust strange how from one to two little ones the planning for me mentally seems more intense. I just want the love to be felt from us abundantly and in a special way for both little angels in our family. :) 

   Currently my son is so excited and just keeps asking when his brother will be done growing? "Is he still growing, growing mommy?" He asks me often. Hehugs and kisses and talks to my belly often and his little brother responds to him like no one else! It's precious and I'm so excited to see when he gets to welcome him home! 

   Praying for a safe delivery and arrival home with a healthy happy new little angel. I am thankful for the blessing of another sweet little gift in our lives and just hoping and praying to do my very best at every moment for our family! 

   I just had to share an update and hope to be posting more often soon! This year just seems to have been so crazy, but I'm thankful for the crazy it has been too!!! 

Baby necessities: Newborn fishing hat ❤️ and precious little super soft baby accessories! 

Thank you for stopping in and continuing to follow!

Lots of Love

Momma Mia

DIY Table Layout! Handmade Place Settings

So my latest project was a simple, no sewing involved, project for my sisters new house! All you need for this project is the fabrics of your choice, a glue gun, a ruler, and scissors.

    She loves natural yet delicate combinations for her decorations and really favors burlap and lace detailing. She just refinished her kitchen table with white paint and wood accents so this was a perfect gift for her.

      Below you can see I just purchased my burlap and cut in length and width I desired. Be sure and place your utensils set or one of similar size into the pockets prior to cutting them and gluing to ensure the place settings are oversized by a little. This allows utensils to fit without hassle and gives a little flexibility if another set is purchased. I would always make sure they are made a little larger rather than smaller just to be safe. As a side note, I purchased a large section of burlap rather then pre cut rolls of burlap because it was much less expensive and it gave me flexibility to really choose the width I wanted without limitation. I made a set of eight for her. 

      I ran a small strip of hot glue on the inside edge I was folding up and over to create my pocket as shown below and then ran a thin strip of glue around entire parameter of the back of the place setting to stop any edges from shredding and shedding those little strings on the burlap. If you don't do this they really will shred quickly. I was having a difficult time just avoiding losing more fabric than I wanted to while I was cutting and placing everything like I wanted it. 

   After my pockets where glued I cut my lace in strips and just used hot glue sparingly and carefully to secure the pieces of lace down into the pocket so the ends were hidden. I also used a touch of hot glue around the back of the place setting so that the edges were all secure and concealed from the front view of the place setting when in use as well. 

   The finished product is below!!! I hope this inspired you to create your own special touch at your kitchen table with burlap place settings or any fabric that fits to your style and preference! This was a fun, no hassle project and I plan to make a set for myself as well!!! Thanks for reading and give me your thoughts on this project! Also, please feel free to share your special kitchen table project ideas with us!! 

~~Momma Mia~~ 

:D