Motherhood and Gift Ideas

From the time I was a young girl I just knew that when I grew up I wanted to be a mother. In June of 2000, I learned that my dream was becoming reality and later that autumn, I learned that I was going to be a mother of a...GIRL! My thoughts turned to pigtails, dresses that ballooned as she twirled, nail polish and all things "girly". Most of all I thought that my heart might burst with love and joy for this precious life to come.

I'll never forget January 31, 2001. The day I welcomed my beautiful, Emily Claire. In many ways her birth day was far from the "fairy tale" I had always imagined. In fact, it proved to be one of the longest, most difficult days of my life. But when I finally saw my precious 5 pound 4 oz girl, it was LOVE! She is the most precious gift I have ever received.

I'll be honest and say that these past 11 years of mothering have been HARD. Some days it's not all roses...in fact usually the flowers I get are hand-picked straight from the back yard: dandelions! But let me tell you that when your little girl comes with a twinkle in her eye, a big (at times toothless) smile, a simple "weed" from your yard has never been so gorgeous!

 
Each season we have gone through has had challenges, but I would NOT change it for anything this world has to offer. I am beyond blessed to be a mother...and the mother to a fabulous young lady!

I also need to give a little shout out to my mother...she's pretty fabulous as well! (Hi, Mom! I love you!)

And...drum roll please...I have some great news to share with you!

NO...no more babies! 

I recently became an affiliate for

the Christian subsidiary of Hallmark. I have several items that I have purchased from them and a few that I have been gifted. They have absolutely beautiful products and I am so excited to be in the know on great deals and be able to pass them along to you.

Since moms deserve a little recognition and Mother's Day is not that far away, starting today, April 19 through May 14th, Dayspring is offering a Mother's Day Special- 30% off Select Items with code MD30off, providing you a perfect opportunity to select a beautiful gift to say Thanks to your mom this Mother's Day!

What are you waiting for? Click the link, buy something for your mother (and maybe treat yourself, too)!! And if by chance, you feel led to pick out a little something for me...well, I'll make it easy for you. How about this beauty?

This is the Day the Lord Has Made- Bird Cage Card Holder

*Affiliate links used in this post*

Daring to Dream Because I Don't Have to be Perfect

Dreams and perfectionism. You might think those two would be a good combination. In your dreams everything is perfect, right? Well, in my case dreams and perfectionism don't get along quite so nicely. You see, I get grand dreams of things I would like to try or would like to accomplish and my perfectionist tendencies hold me back. What if if doesn't work? What would others think of me? What if...I FAIL? So often my dreams have been crushed or at least set aside in the name of fear. But what if I could dare to dream and remember that I don't have to be perfect? Well, I may now be in possession of a couple great little reminders.

Remember my post about (in)courage's inRL "un-conference" that's coming up in April? (By the way-there is still time to join me!) Well, co-founder of (in)courage and author, Holley Gerth, and Dayspring (the Christian subsidiary of Hallmark) have teamed up to bring us an amazing new line of products inspired by her most recently released book, You're Already Amazing.

Thanks to Dayspring & (in)courage, I am blessed to be one of the lucky ladies reviewing a couple items as part of the March (in)spired deals.

I recently received the Perfectly Loved Journal and the Dream Canvas Wrapped Block.

The journal is bound in soft fabric in a lovely shade of light blue and the cover verse is a beautiful reminder that we are loved by the One who truly matters and loves us like no other regardless of our imperfections. "She didn't have to be perfect because she was perfectly loved."

I can't wait to start using the journal to leave my insecurities and imperfections behind on the pages as well as to document my blessings and dreams.

Which brings me to the "Dream" block. This beautiful blue canvas wrapped block showcases a bird flying free from its open cage and the words, "Dare to make that difference, take that step, follow that dream" and the scripture verse, "All things are possible with God".

May I remember to keep dreaming and to know that I CAN make a difference, take that first (sometimes difficult) step and follow my dreams. I just need to release myself from the "cage" of fear and fly free.

Be sure to head on over to Dayspring and do a little shopping. I think you will be as blessed by their products as I have been!

Get Real with the inRL Conference

I am thrilled that this April I will be hosting the inRL (In Real Life) Conference. What makes it even more exciting is that women all over the world are able to attend this conference with no trouble and no travel.

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to finally have a conference that I can attend. With inRL there is no financial strain (registration is just $10), no packing, no need for gps or an airplane ticket, no need to worry what everyone else will be wearing or the fear of not "fitting in". It's a come as you are party...right where you are! So get real and join me for inRL this spring!

Stop by the inRL site for information, check out the promo video and watch for more details here about how you can join me April 27 and 28 at my host site for some encouragement and fun.