Our Mission Field

We are foster parents.

We started fostering while we already had two small children at home.

Children who don't quite understand and whose innocence we still needed to protect.

When we accepted our first placement (you know him as little man) we decided to share a little bit with our kids about foster care. Only enough that they would understand that the child they knew as their brother could one day leave our home. We worked and prayed hard to find the right words. The words that would inform but not rob them of innocence.

Not knowing what our cases would look like, we simply told the kids that the babies who came to stay with us had another mommy and daddy who couldn't take care of them right now. That we didn't know their situation yet but they might be sick or have to go away for a little while. If they got better and were able to take care of the baby, the baby would go home. If the mommy and daddy stayed sick or in another place then the baby would stay with us forever.

Talon who is still only two, had no clue what we were talking about. Rhiannon who is 4, seemed to understand quite well. She is proud to be a foster family. She informs people often that Little Man is our foster baby but he is still her brother right now. When she grows up she wants only one baby to come from her belly and the rest will be foster babies. She wants to love and help the babies and their mommies. 

She got it. We were good. We thought.

Then this week as we talked about the new baby coming soon, As we shared our joy of baby Corbin, a look of fear washed over her. She looked at me and stated sadly "and if you and daddy get sick, he will go live with another family".

My heart broke. While trying to protect her we put fear in her little heart. We had explain a little bit more about Little Mans family. We spared as much detail as we could.  It was still more than we wanted to say.

The truth is, we live in a broken world. We live in a world full of scary and not so nice things. Things no child should have to try to understand. 

We speak often about how our home is a mission field. By being foster parents we are reaching out to a broken world starting right within our own walls. This is the first time our lives have really had the effect of it all. It was rough.

As I sat saddened by the fact that my four year old had to hear of some of these things, my heart ached. It ached even more thinking of how my one year old has had to live through them. He had to witness them first hand. 

Our baby who is only one has lived and seen more of this broken world than many adults. He didn't have parents who were protecting his innocence. 

But he does now. 

Our children need to be protected. They need to be allowed to believe in a world that is better. 

They also need to understand that we live in a broken world. A world that needs Jesus. That they are the light that can shine for Him. 

I just wish it could start later than four years old.

My girl knows The Lord though. She knows that she loves Him and He loves her. She wants to serve Him. She already desires to mother orphans. To follow His will. 

Foster care is tough but it has built us up. It has helped us grow. To serve. To love. It has molded and shaped all of us. 

It has done this by breaking us first. We have to surrender daily. We have to seek The Lord regularly. He have to be ready to hear from Him and trust in Him to help us answer even the tough questions. 

What I Wore: Maternity Style

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the VIP Grand Opening of The Land of Nod at South Coast Plaza. As I have mentioned before, dressing the bump is tough. It is only getting harder.

Until...about a week ago when I was able to start wearing pre-pregnancy pants again, with a belly band of course. Ohhhh how life is making it easy on me. Thrilled. Like, on the real, I got giddy.

32 week baby bump

 Jeans: Target ::Not Maternity::
Hidden Belly Band: Motherhood Maternity
Tank: H&M
Cardigan: Target
Sandals: Big Surprise...Target again
Necklace you can't see: Premier Designs
 

Oh and for your viewing pleasure, this fab accessory is from The Land of Nod.

Land of Nod Grand Opening

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Land of Nod, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #NODinCA   http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”

I've been daydreaming for sometime now about walking into The Land of Nod. To actually touch and see the items in real life. For a couple weeks I stalked their Instagram, waiting patiently impatiently to storm through their doors. It all looked so fun.


Let me just start by saying that Instagram does not do the new store justice. As I walked into the VIP grand opening on Thursday, I literally stopped in my tracks. It is beautiful and colorful and so much fun. Mini rooms set up so you can actually see the what the furniture, bedding and decor would look like in your home. Garlands and art covering the walls. An amazing art backdrop with oh so many sweet toys (that need to come home with my kids). It was all so perfect.
 


The party itself was a blast with delicious food and drinks, a staff that clearly is ready to serve and a fun photobooth that we couldn't get enough of.

Still on my wishlist

The store really puts you in a place of imagination and wanting to be a kid again. I cannot wait to go back with my littles. I was such a good little shopper and stayed right on budget with my must have RIGHT NOW purchases but I have a list a mile long of what I'll be going back for.

You all need to go check out the store. There is a good chance that you will bump into me, I'm thinking of just camping out there for a while. It's that awesome y'all.



If you are local, I suggest you grab a few friends and head over to South Coast's Crystal Court (3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626) on the 3rd floor to visit The Land of Nod. Bring your kids along but beware they WILL want it all. I mean I am 27 and want half the store.

The big kids have stolen Corbin's new goodies. I'll allow it until the nursery is ready.

If you live somewhere without an actual store, no fear, their on-line store is equally rad with all the same amazing products. I've touched and seen for you and yes, you want it. (Please don't tell your husbands I am approving all purchases. But for real, I am.)

Check out the Land of Nod On-Line

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Maternity Shop Update

Alright, change of plans. A few weeks ago I gave you all dates for maternity leave. We had it all planned out and were excited to work up until the end. Baby boy has different plans. Apparently, this is a big baby or something. I am measuring 5-6 weeks ahead of schedule. The size of baby and me pushing myself to hard to run a busy little business while chasing around the other three kids is really taking it's toll on my body.

So, as much as I wish I could continue working until 37 weeks, I just can't. I will be taking maternity leave and closing up shop early. 

We will stop taking orders at 10pm PST on Sunday June 2nd and will not resume business as normal until the end of August. Please make sure to get your orders in ASAP. 

Like many of you, I need to create. It helps me keep my sanity. Plus, I just bought some super cute canvas for our leather fold-over clutches. I would hate to wait until baby comes to put them together.  So health permitting, I will be sewing on occasion and maybe even throwing in some Instagram or Facebook Frenzy Sales. Make sure to follow us on each so that you don't miss out. 

Thank you all for sticking with me and continuing to support this business of mine even through all of my chaos. I have the best customers around.

A Girly Little Shower

This weekend I had the honor of co-hosting a baby shower for one of my best friends. Since Stefani is expecting her 3rd baby girl, our friend Bryanna and I teamed up to throw a girly, more classy and intimate shower. It was so fun to see all of the ideas that were floating around in our head come together.

We got some inspiration from bloggers on pinterest and incorporated our own ideas in with them. We wanted something that shouted girl but wasn't quite as baby as most showers. We went with a pink and grey color scheme and just had fun with it.

To keep it intimate we kept everyone at one long table. The runner and centerpieces were inspired by the Anthony & Stork blog but made by Bryanna and myself. We put the place settings at each seat and wrapped bow sashes around each chair. The outcome was so pretty.

Since the shower was later in the day, we decided on a dessert shower. Bryanna was able to borrow a bunch of beautiful vintage serving pieces that we placed atop Rhiannon's dresser. Hung a fun banner and tutu balls above it. Loved!

We used our vanity as a drink table and covered it with stuff for coffee and yummy sparkling drinks to go into our champagne glasses.

For favors, we gave out Nail polishes and decals from the mama to be's  shop. Chevron decals to match the decor, of course :)

The shower was kept simple with an awesome devotional shared by Bryanna and Gift Time Bingo. For prizes I made up a couple of Fold-over clutches.

All in all it was a beautiful day spent celebrating Stefani and Baby Bridgette.

Photo Credit:
So I was lame and forgot my camera. Phone photos were not cutting it with harsh lighting. Luckily, our sweet friend Babara from Chase the Star was there to save the day and snap most of the photos :) 

Linking up at Sew Chatty, Whimsy Wednesday, Chase the Star,  Lil' Luna and Ginger Snap Crafts.

When the Surrender is Tough

Sometimes it is hard to have faith. Sometimes the world seems like it is crashing down on us. There are times when surrendering things to God is the hardest thing you have to do. There are moments when the possible outcomes look so horrendous that you would like to run a million miles away from where you are.

This week was one of those times. This week I received a phone call that stopped me in my tracks. That took me from a place of joy to complete and utter panic.

As I sat in bed and wept, I found myself praying that God would remove us from this place. That He would keep us all safely together. That God would take away this fear.

While I prayed, I felt a subtle reminder of a message our pastor shared recently. We should not be praying for safety but instead for boldness. God does not call us to play it safe. He surely did not want us to play it safe when He led us into this world of foster care.


God calls us to be bold.

What does that even mean?

I can't tell you much about our personal journey in foster care (yes, I know I sound like a broken record saying that all the time). I can tell you that we are part of a system that is broken. Seeing a little bit of the inside of this world, I am amazed. Things are not working. The system needs to be fixed. These kids need to be fought for.

How would praying for our safety help that? It wouldn't. We need to be bold. We need to fight. Not only for Little Man but for all of the kids in this warped world.

Boldness. Standing up for what is right. Standing strongly and distinctly.

The world pushes us down. Satan wants us to live in fear. I say, we take that fear and use it to our advantage. The more afraid we are, the harder we fight.

In our current state, I am referring to foster care. The fight to keep our child or make sure he goes to a safe home.

For you it could be anything; a job loss, missions, leadership.

Let's be bold. Let's fight. Let's use our fears to rock this world for the Kingdom.

We don't have to be held down by fear anymore. We can surrender our worries before the Lord and ask to be used in mighty ways. We don't need to run away but straight at the issues that want to keep us far from God's plan.

My Our worlds might be crashing down on us but I serve a God that already has victory over this world. He can help us put the pieces back together. The puzzle may not fit the way we think it should but with Him, it will fit more beautifully than we ever imagined.

Land of Nod

Going on baby number four, I have had the time and opportunity to really pin point our nursery style. Something modern and fun but still holding onto the sweetness that every baby should contain. Land of Nod offers just that: beautifully on trend items that are well made and pretty affordable.

Animal Wall Art

We have been glancing on-line lately, looking for new pieces to add some new furniture and decor to what we already have. I am really hoping to give our new little guy a space of his own even though he will be sharing a room with his very girly sister. The biggest piece I am hoping to add is a comfy rocker or glider for late night nursing and just good old snuggling. 

Swivel Glider and Ottoman in Aruba

When I saw this one, I about died. It looks so comfy and practical and the color. Oh, the color. I would love to sit in this chair. To have memories with my sweet little one rocking by his crib.

Oh and if the little ones are anything like Rhiannon was when I brought Talon home from the hospital, they will want to be involved in every little detail of baby boy's day. That includes rocking and nursing time.

Sailboat Nod Chair

I want them to feel welcome to be a part of everything. To help and keep me company. A chair like this, next to mommy's chair would be so much fun. Plus, do you know how stinkin' cute my kids would be hanging out in this thing? I mean I will use any excuse to add this to our home. Ha!

As you could guess, the second I found the Land of Nod site, I was putting things on a wish list like a mad man...until I discovered that they had a registry. Of course I set one up. Who cares if I already sent out my invites, I will be sending everyone there. I want it all!!!!

In case you haven't caught on, I am beyond stoked about my new find. If you could only imagine the pregnant cartwheels I did when I heard that Land of Nod is coming to California!!!!  Not just anywhere but only miles away at South Coast Plaza. ::Enter school girl squeel here!:: Dying you guys, dying!

Decor on Safari - Zebra

This zebra just might be found in a store I can send my family to...you know the family who won't dare enter their credit card number on the interwebs (yes, there are still people who won't and I am related to all of them).

May 31st, the grand opening of Land of Nod at South Coast Plaza will be happening. You need to be there. Like for real. There will be giveaways happening all day and customers who come to shop early will be getting free goodies. And let's be real, with products like that ^^^ do you want to miss the opportunity to win or receive what they have to offer? No? Me either.

I cannot wait to go and shop the store. Until then, I will be stalking the website. Making sure I didn't miss anything I want or need.

If you can't make it to the opening or you aren't local, it's okay, you can find them all over online.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Oh, one more thing...

Land of Nod- Real Families

The Land of Nod is having a Win a Room Sweepstakes that runs from now until 11:59 PM CT June 17, 2013. With a grand prize winner receiving a Room designed by The Land of Nod, including:

(1) Design consultation with The Land of Nod design team.

(2) Room makeover with selected product from The Land of Nod.

(3) Feature in The Land of Nod Real Families section of an upcoming Catalog.

Total Approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $4,000!!!!

You can thank me now for sharing that. I was almost greedy and left it out to better my chances. So, you are welcome. 

Let's have some fun, head over to their site now and come back to share with us what items are on your wishlist! 

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Land of Nod, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #NODinCA   http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”