Almost a month?!

Time flies-especially when you're under all of the symptoms of a new pregnancy. I've felt more myself the past few days than I have in a few months. I'm hoping it will continue. I've just been so down on myslef for not being everything I want to be. I haven't scrapbooked or created in 6 weeks now-you can't even walk into my studio it's in such shambles. The house is in pretty good shape, so that eases my pressure. I was assigned the leader of our new Women's Bible Studay at church-that's been the highlight of the month! I really feel called to be exactly where I am. Praise God for that. We have had immense trouble with our renters (previous) in Kansas. It's been almost unbearable (and I haven't even been dealing with it directly), prompting a 3 day trip to KS for Chris and the 2 littlest (DYING to be with grandma). Jace and I had an uncomfortably quiet weekend, I tried to make it special for him. Now, I'm seeking motivation, having begun my Monday morning with pharmacy frustration costing me $100 for a ruined RX. Ugghhh.... I just thought I should start blogging again-even if there's no pictures and it's a little down for my personal taste! lol. Hope all is well for any of you that still check this thing! Blessings.

Clay Balls

A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel. APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLETHING YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS!LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!Pass this on to another Clay Ball!!!
Do not ask the Lord to Guide your Footsteps if you are not willing to MOVE your Feet'

The origin of pain is revealed

Although my husband feels the subject a bit too personal for the cyber world; I'm a 'lay it all out there' type girl. Always have been. That being said, I almost blogged earlier about my agonizing pain and worry. A few days ago, I mentioned my abdominal strain to the mid-wife, and since it's not accopmanied by bleeding (thank God), she said it's ok, just drink more. There have since been times that the stabbing has brought me to my knees. Knowing that this didn't feel typical, I called again today to share how intense it has become. Worried it may be an eptopic pregnancy, I was scheduled for a sonogram and lab work this afternoon. I wish I had a picture of the baby bean to share! The good news (best news) is that the baby is exactly where it's supposed to be, and it's heart beat is strong. *sigh of relief. The not so good news? I saw 2 large 'things' in the sonogram, and asked the technician what she was looking at. I promptly got an, "I'm not at liberty to say." Thanks. Well, apparently they were the 2 golf ball sized cysts taking up more than their fare share of space in my right ovary-thus causing the excruiating pain. They should take care of themselves within the next few weeks, and meanwhile, I'm trying to be tough (percocet's help)! So it's almost my birthday (June 30th), I'm pregnant, and I have 2 large cysts-I think that qualifies me for some extra TLC (involving greasy food)! Please keep us in your prayers. Yours in Christ, Brynn

LOOOOOONG Overdue Post

Hey there! We've got a LOT to catch up on. I haven't blogged in 2 weeks becuase we took an impromptu trip back to Kansas for what ended up being 10 days! My husband was offered this for work, and with all expenses paid, we returned to see family! And.....while we were there, look what we fond out!!!.....
Yep. Baby #4 will join us next February!! I am SO excited. And-I may have gon a LITTLE overboard on the confirmation-but my mother-in-law gave me a hard time about the 'cheap' test I took first, so-I just wanted to be sure! lol

We let it process a few days and then shared the news. The kids are beyond excited, already making plans to share their toys! Today, I am 6 weeks pregnant, and feeling like I'm 4 months. No morning sickness, but I am tender, and expanding, and loving it! And it got even better when my husband surprised me yesterday with the 'Cherished' pregnant woman Willow Tree figurine for my collection! The thoughtfulness and love overwhelmed me. I am so thankful to the Lord for him. Now-take a second and we'll move on!

My dear blogger friend Julie accepted my donation offer and sent a lovely paper package. Thank you Julie. You are appreciated and treasured. Here's to YOU and your consistency, friendship and success. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

My NM-BFF Brandi was kind enough to house sit and take care of the animals. I am so VERY grateful she's a part of our lives. She loves cupcakes so I found some great Doodlebug cupcake papers and embellishments, plus a pink CHI iron and a bottle of Cupcake Wine! It's the least I could do for all she has done. It's not nearly enough though-how do you express your absolute AWE for the people God has placed in your life? Scrapbook supplies just don't cut it-ya know?! And not only her-but the previously mentioned, and Chrissy, Danielle, Katelyn, Michielle, Hueslman, my sisters, ....I could go on and on. I am so blessed. I am so very thankful for each person and think about them. Am I rambling?! It's gonna be one of those! lol

I have unpacked everything and returned it to it's place, except for Chris' suit case. I kept thinking he'd unpack it but it's still sitting here! lol. I have hundreds of pictures that need to be filed, I'll try to share some more later. I suppose I ought to feed these kiddos lunch-and me too! The way I'm feeling, I expect to find out I'm carrying more than 1 little miracle!

*THANK YOU DEAR LORD for absolutely every person you have blessed me with in this amazing life you allow me to lead. Please protect us, and continue to shed your love on us.

In your name I pray, AMEN.

Where the Wild Things Are!

They are definately here! lol. I went and purchased a new editon of this book with a layout in mind for kiddielit, however today is the 1st, and I'm pretty sure that was the deadling-and the book's still in the sack! No excuses, just life. I've been working on my hair accesories, cards and other things. I have pictures to post, but I haven't loaded them-maybe later. I've really been trying to promote my Close to My Heart venture-their products are just phenomonal! If you would be interested in helping me, you would be greatly rewrded, both with free products and my eternal gratitude! I want to succeed! www.closetomyheart.com I am waiting for my business card to arrive to officiate my personal website, so as of now I will have to take your order(s) and enter them manually! *Free ink pad with orders over $25, Free Reflections book with orders over $100. The Reflections book is AMAZING, as is everything from them! I look forward to hearing from you!

Website?!

I would like to promote my website. It is bought for 2 years, but I have no idea how to code or what to do, and I don't want to pay a company $200 to do it! Any suggestions?! Do you know anyone who could help me?! I would be willing to trade scrap supplies, services, and/or creations! I NEED HELP!

Friday Fill-ins, a bit early!

1. Moving __is horrible! And next time, I'll pay others to do it!

2. _My favorite price is _ free.

3. My best quality is _my sense of humor and ability to make others comfortable_.

4. _It's all about the_ details.

5. In nearly 10 years, _I have changed my life into what I'm wanting it to be____.

6. _A hug__ is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _the scrap stash swap_, tomorrow my plans include _a baseball game and dinner at The Melting Pot for my husband's work_ and Sunday, I want to _be creative with hair things_!