What’s in a Name? · Max Lucado

What’s in a Name? · Max Lucado

Give that a listen. It's only about 30 seconds long.

I was wondering about this subject recently- Will my name still be "Brooke" in Heaven? I also wondered because some people have truly terrible names and I wondered if God would make them keep what their mother cursed them with.

I have so many questions about Heaven. I'm very excited about living there someday! I'm curious what my Heavenly name will be. I also wonder if we will recognize people- people we know now, here on earth, like our friends and family. And if we will just know who Peter is.

Whenever I get frustrated with the things of this world, I am comforted to remember that I was not created to be here- that my longing for something better will be quenched when I'm united with my Heavenly Father in person. I wonder what he looks like. I want Him to wrap me in a huge bear. Heaven!

Collin Tuesday!

He's giving kisses now too... very selectively though. 

Etsy Find Friday

I love personalized items! There is just something so much more special about giving a gift that is specifically for the recipient. It shows you care, that you were thinking specifically of them and didn't just pull something out of your gift closet. 

First off: An Address Stamp. I like this one because it is simple, classic and elegant. 

Address Stamp $22.95

Well, I think it's obvious why I like this necklace :O) Besides the "B" I like the antique, vintage feel. Its not so big that it screams at you but it's big enough to stand out as a unique piece.

Initial Pendant $52

And why not something sweet for little beebs? How precious these would be for newborn photos! They come in a variety of colors too. 

Personalized Infant Boxer  $13

If you've ever been to NYC you've seen the street artist that paint your name in bright colors and each letter looks like a clown or a dolphin or something equally juvenile.  This, I believe, is the artfully mature version. I like how the photographer finds letters in unlikely places. This would make such a unique wedding gift. 

Letter Photo Personalized Wedding Gift $36

Happy shopping friends!

Collin Tuesday!

Well, it's been an eventful week in the life of Mommy and Beebus.

We visited Anthony's Coal Fire Pizza on Friday evening with Grams and Aunt Bethany.  We were told we had a 15 minute wait so we sat on the bench outside.  Bethany was holding Roo when she sniffs and looks down at her arm. Poop. SOMEONE (Buff Puff) had applied the diaper crooked leaving little bums to squish poops out the sides and out his pant legs. Attractive.  As soon as we discover this our table became available.  I told Mom and Bethany to just go sit down and I would take Roobis out to the car and get him cleaned up. To my complete and utter dismay I had NOTHING in the car. No wipes, no diapers, nada.  I found a blanket in the trunk and walked my gross kid inside the restaurant and straight to the lady's room.  I stripped the little booger and gave him a bath in the sink. I put his poo clothes in the zip lock I had his bottle in and used the blanket as a diaper and used the sweater I had intended to later wear at a movie to clothe my child.

"What the heck mom? ALWAYS be prepared!"

We also acquired real high chair of our very own! I had been feeding the wiggle worm on the floor and decided that was no longer a proper parenting technique. And I was so proud of my recent ability to stay away from Target... oh well. It was a NEED. 

Stink eye

And finally this morning: I woke up and went in to get Collin out of bed.  He was all wrapped up in his blanket, so cute!  I picked him up and the stench assaulted my nose. His diaper had not contained all of the... everything from the night's rest.  BOO! Yesterday something similar happened, but I had just gotten him out of the car seat, sniffed and found poop all down my arms. Delicious. This kid gets more baths because it just seems easier to bathe him than to struggle with butt wipes and his kicking. 

The adorable-ness that preceded the stink.

My kid has a lot of nick names. Get over it.

um..... Something... Saturday...

I haven't been very good at keeping up with, or coming up with new themes for each day.  Tuesday is DEFINITELY "Collin Tuesday" because I always take his picture on Tuesdays because he was born on a Tuesday.  Makes sense.

"Etsy Find Friday is fun." I like it anyways :P

I've decided to indefinitely suspend "Mission Monday" due to such a low readership (Hello Emily).  At the rate I'm going I don't have enough interest in my blog to have enough interest in this particular day to generate interest in whatever I might be auctioning off for a donation to a mission. So, I will think of something else for Monday until you tell your mom, your friends, and everyone you know to read my silly blog. Haha!!! Then maybe someone will want to bid on a Stella & Dot necklace, or a cork board, or some candles, or a gently worn and cared for article of clothing (usually size M-L...unless I was feeling skinny (and stupid) and I purchased a Small and then there's the obvious reason why I must get rid of it- It's toooooooooo small).

So I have two days of definite posts.

I'd like to leave off with a song:

Etsy Find Friday

Pretty Towel  
$14 Screen printed hand towel. I love the pattern! It's so fun and whimsical!

Blue Bracelet
$12 Blue vinyl bracelet. Made from upcycled records! Green and creative.

Pink Wrap Bracelet
$42 Pink rhodonite wrap bracelet with a fun vintag-y button closure.

Lovely Lady
$20 5x7 print of my good friend Pam's pen and ink and water color original artwork.  I love the mixing of medias! The adding of the fluid, beautiful shades of blue really make the black and white lady pop. And just look at that gorgeous hair!!!! I love you Pammy Cakes :O)

Collin Tuesday!

Quite possibly going to turn out being MY favorite day of the week!

My super sweet little kiddo now has his two bottom teeth, and has for a while. But now his two top teeth are popping through. He looks like a little beaver! haha!

I'd show you a pic of his new teeth... but it would look like I was abusing him.  He does not like me prying his mouth open :P Can't imagine why!

 My kid LOVES foam! He absolutely, 100% enjoys bath time.

Another love: Waffles.  Here he got a hold of the waffle I set out for Daddy.  The dog is more than happy to eat the crumbs Mr. Baby is offering her.  Grrr!

Cousin Tara visited this weekend.  Daddy took this particular picture.  We went to the park Sunday afternoon. 

Tara and I (along with her 2nd shooter Alex) shot a wedding down in Miami Saturday night.  We had loads of fun getting lost in Miami and coveting the wedding shoot at the Eden Roc. The ceremony was at a really pretty Presbyterian church and the reception was at The Alexander. The couple were adorable together!

Mission Monday

In an effort to clean out my house, purge, and to donate some dollars to Christian organizations, beginning next Monday I will be auctioning off random items.  Everything will be usable and in good condition with full disclosure and photos. 

It will be silent auction style.  I will have a picture, an estimated value, and a starting price and you can just comment with a donation you'd be willing to make.  If you win, send a check payable to me and I will cash it and stash it in a jar until maybe $50 has accumulated then send a check to the particular organization.

Suggestions for organizations to receive donations will be graciously considered.  Please write a small blerb on what the org is and why YOU have a heart for them. 

I would appreciate you sharing my blog, at least on Mission Monday with your friends and family so that there can be more potential for a greater donation. Thanks friends!

Etsy Find Friday

I believe firmly in alliteration.

If you've never been to Etsy, it's time you go.  Some find it daunting. It's an endless world of crafts, art, supplies and other things that I generally love.  It can get aggravating if you are looking for something specific, but to just troll for stuff, I could do it for hours sometimes.

One of my favorite parts of the site is the Recently Listed page.  Its a streaming list that is constantly updating live of what people have JUST listed.  TREASURES GALORE!!!!

First up: Super cute little boy clothes!  Take it from me; finding cute garments for boys is difficult.  Walk into Carter's.  90% of the store is lovely little girls clothing. Then shoved in a corner is a sad excuse for a boy's section.  Talk about aggravating! If you have a sweet little pumpkin that could use something to wear day-to-day check out this Etsy shoppe.   This listing is for 1 shirt or onsie at $23. Very cute!

Crocheted dishrags/washcloths. If you've never used one of these for either function its time you give them a try.  They are wonderful at scrubbing the cruddies off your dishes and oh-so-comfy at sloughing off in the shower.  This listing is for 8 cloths at $30. 

Last but not least: Personalized wine box! What a lovely wedding gift this would be!  This box is listed at $34.99.

However, if you'd like something a little more ornate, and capable of enclosing more booze, Wine For A Wedding offers beautifully engraved 3 compartment boxes to stow a, "wedding night," "first anniversary," and "5 (or any) anniversary" bottles.  Clever idea!

What's the Point?

I've been looking though lots of blogs lately.  Some seem to have a general concept, and others have segments.  Both ways have merit. 

General concept- share art, recipes, family life, coupon clipping, whatever.  Makes sense. 

Segments- choosing a set topic for each day of the week. This would help in the writing process, I would think, because if Monday is "Mania Monday" and you write about something stupid people are doing every Monday.... well, by George, that's pretty easy. Especially if you live in Fort Lauderdale and you have to deal with all the certifiably MENTALLY HANDICAPPED drivers. 
Then perhaps "Tart Tuesday" you post a pic of the back side of some girl you have stumbled across at the mall who is an obvious floozy. 
"Wicked Wednesday" is dedicated to your latest encounter with your mother in law.
"Thug Thursday" Similar to "Tart Tuesday" and generally self explanatory.
"Fridge Friday" Could be a sweet pic of the inside of your refrigerator and then a shared recipe using only the ingredients you can see in that photo.
"Soup Saturday" Why not post two recipes in a row?!?
"Sanctuary Sunday" where you recap the pastor's sermon.

How long until you get sick of Thug Thursday? How long until your readers get sick of Soup Saturday?

Is keeping to a stringent schedule of writing any better than winging it? 

Well, since I've had a case of writer's block of late, I think I may start some sort of schedule, just to keep me writing and sharing everyday. If you don't like it.... Boo to your face!

I'm open to suggestions for each day of the week.  HOWEVER- I will NEVER participate in "Woof Wednesday."  I do. not. like. dogs. They are adorable and all deserve loving homes. Just not on my blog, ONCE A WEEK. I'm a cat person anyway.

Suggest away.

Love Bags

Love Bags

Have you noticed that there are more homeless people with signs, begging on the side of the road, or at the off ramp of the highway?

I know a lot of people are really busy and it's hard to take time to go out and do any sort of volunteer work or missions.  Or maybe it's just a little out of your comfort zone.  We'll here is an easy way to help someone in need, show them you care, and it takes mere minutes.


How to make a Love Bag (taken from the "Love Bag" website):

It’s Simple!

All of the items in a LoveBag can easily be found at your local grocery store, or even online too.  Scroll down to see what to do.  Oh, and don’t forget about our iPhone app (for when you’re staring at an empty shopping cart trying to remember if you’ve got everything)!

It’s ok to be creative too.  If it’s cold, maybe some hot chocolate or some hand warmers.  And, a personal note, just to say you care, sometimes means the most.

 These are some extra snack I had in my pantry that I will not be able to consume before they expire. So why not share the over abundance that God has blessed me with, with someone who has nothing?  It's all God's anyway- and it's better served in someone's stomach than in my garbage can in a few weeks. Do not however put in stale old snacks.  If you wouldn't eat it, you shouldn't expect someone else to.

 I divided up the snacks into sandwich sized zip lock bags and then put a few snacks into a larger gallon size bag.

 Put all the Love Bags into a bigger bag and keep it in my car for whenever I pass by someone that needs something to eat.

So, there. An easy way to share the love of Christ and all you have to do now is roll down your window :O)  And you're not giving them money to support their not-so-healthy habits.