Last week, the amazing Bonnie at A Knotted Life and Nell over at Whole Parenting Family mentioned my little blog on their blogs. I woke up and saw my stats abnormally high and felt like a little blogger turned superstar for a day. It was exciting to get those little shout outs and very humbling!
This blogging community has been such a gift of encouragement, mama-support, and fellowship that I never anticipated. So many wonderful new friends that I'm so very thankful for! Years ago I blogged so that extended family as well as friends near and far could keep up with our little growing family and I couldn't be more thankful that I did. So many gifts have come from it. So many blessings and friendships!
Continuing on with wonderful blog friends, Aimee at This Darling Day has shared a couple of my photos and has made me feel kinda awesome! I've been working on taking more pictures that capture what my heart sees. Her choosing some of my photos to share on her blog has been so affirming and makes me feel like I'm improving!
Outside validation not only on my little blog space but also on my photography has really just made my month! Thank you all so very much for being so encouraging.
On that note, these are going to be my photos for the Finding Beauty Friday link-up. It's a couple favorites from our visit to the pumpkin farm.
I treasure this photo because I know my boys won't always look to hold my hand. Right now, they're so sweet about it. Holding his precious little hand makes me happy. I love walking along with them. Moments I want to hold on to. Thankfully, we have cameras nowadays to snap so that we can keep and treasure these moments forever.
Have any beauty finds that you've snapped lately? You should join in on the fun!
Moving on to a little update. My back is doing worlds better than it was last month. I went from having 75% limited mobility (even after all the medication and shot procedure) to having 10% limited mobility. How amazing is that?!! I haven't taken medication in weeks and overall am functioning better with day-to-day duties. Thanks be to God.
I have another shot (Last one for forever, hopefully!) scheduled for next week and physical therapy has been going really well. I''m so ready to put this all behind us and God-willingly not have to deal with this severe of a scenario again until I'm 80!
So, thank you everyone for your prayers and for those who have asked me how I'm doing. I'm doing very well and couldn't be more grateful!
St. Gemma Galgani, thank you for your continued prayers.
Okay, now onto something amazing! I won two giveaways in one day! What? So crazy! Sarah from Two O's plus More had a giveaway for a St. Nicholas DVD for kids and Christy from Fountains of Home had a giveaway for SoulCore, a workout that involves praying the rosary. I am so excited about both of these! Thank you both so much for that!
And, lastly, I found a red lipstick! Oh my goodness! I think the last time I purchased a lipstick was back in high school. And, that's a maybe! I've always done glosses (even on my wedding day). It's just how it's been. Lip gloss for my big lips and slight tints to go with my skin color.
With some encouragement from Jacqui and Jenna, I was able to find one while out with a good friend. In fact, my friend had this lovely number in her possession and thought that I should try it. Tried it I did and felt so pretty, classic, and all kinds of fancy!
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| Cider Berry by Clinique |
Thanks so much for stopping by! What have y'all been up to these last weeks? Fun All Hallow's Eve? All Saint's Day? Pumpkin farms? Kid crazies? Funny kid words or to-dos? Share in the combox! :)
Linking-up with Jen for 7 Quick-Takes and Aimee for Finding Beauty Friday. Thanks ladies for doing what you do!
No wonder Aimee featured you on her blog! Your pics are gorgeous girl...keep shooting, you've got quite a talent. :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks so much Tami! As much as if love a new camera I'm trying my best to stay content with the one I have and focus on improving capturing photos my heart sees. Thanks for being so encouraging!
DeleteOh, I like that red! I'm way too much of a wimp, I think, to do it! But I'd like to try it in the privacy of my bathroom maybe :) And congrats on all the good news of the week! So glad you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteMary, find yours! I thought I never would have gone here. But here I am and I'm so glad I tried 😊 let me know if you end up giving it a go. Also, thank you for your prayers! You have been so thoughtful since this whole back thing happened. Really means a lot to me! *hugs*
DeleteStopping by from the Finding Beauty link-up! These photos are so pretty! The one from Halloween is precious.
ReplyDeleteThank you and thanks so much for stopping by, Caitlin! Hope you'll stick around! I caught that photo on a whim and was so happy with how it turned out. Love when that happens!
DeleteI had a great red lipstick, but then it ran out and I haven't found another I like half as much and the one I loved is discontinued. I just might have to branch out of the Wet n Wild aisle and really explore some better options.
ReplyDeleteDo it! I honestly went into the store thinking I'd walk out with nothing other than my powder. I'm so glad I tried though! At the very last, you know that red is something you can do 😊 I thought I would never see the day! Would love to know if you find another one. Then you'll have to do a lip-sync with it on! So fun! PS I just love you and your blog!
DeleteI came over here from Conversion Diary and feel like I found such a gem! Your photographs are so beautiful!! The ones from the pumpkin farm made me miss my home in South Dakota! And I, too, wore lip gloss on my wedding day, and have been considering finally growing up and entering into the red lipstick realm. Thank you for the encouragement, I will let you know if I find my red! :)
ReplyDeleteYay, Kristen! So glad you're here! Where are you now that you aren't. in S.Dakota? And yes, I totally feel like I've grown up a bit since sporting the red! Can't wait for you to find yours!! You'll have to share on your blog!!
DeleteLove the red! I'm a red girl too!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever read mamrazzi? ItS a super easy to read photography manual for moms. Beautiful pics and lots of inspiration. One of my favs, actually. Photography is one of my most beloved hobbies too! Keep it up! You're doing a great job snapping pics! 😀
Colleen! Thank you!! I'm going to look for that book this weekend! If you like it you can bet I'm going to look into it. Your photography is always so gorgeous!
DeleteAww! The one from Halloween is adorable. (Well, they all are, but that one is my fave!) Also - momography! Lol I have never heard that before. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kelly! I am loving taking pictures and capturing our moments! I feel mama-tographer captures more of what I do. Lots of photos of my kids and family, not really a full blown photographer. :) maybe some day!
DeleteOne of my favorite transitions that takes part during the toddler years is when my little one will hold my hand. I'm not super touchy-feely, but holding hands is so sweet. I love when my little son wants to hold my hand. I am totally with you on that!
ReplyDeleteAlso, as I said in IG - red is universally flattering! You look beautiful! My favorite is MAC Viva Glam I, but I do like dramatic makeup. I don't wear it a ton because I swear I have sensory issues and I don't like the way it "feels." But it's beautiful and classic. Lipstick can go a LONG way toward making me feel put together each day. Lipstick and earrings. hahaha
I remember your make-up at Edel and thinking, "If only I could rock those colors like she does!". You're so stunning and the colors you use are so flattering! You have a knack I've never claimed to have, so you can imagine how exciting this tidbit of color has been for me! lol Thanks for your sweet words! :)
DeleteYay! I love that you got a color you like :) I tend to feel like my lip color can really change my day and mood (is that bad? eh). You love gorgeous, love!
ReplyDeleteYes! Mood-changer fo' sho! My youngest decided not to nap today and spent a good deal of the afternoon fussing and crying. My afternoon is need of some red. Thanks so much for the encouragement and the new tube of happy.
DeleteLove. That red is SO pretty. I might have to take the plunge and look for it. One day. ;)
ReplyDeleteAlso, SO glad your back is feeling better. Hope it doesn't give you trouble again ever!
You should! It's fun :) It's just fun knowing I have found a color that actually fits! You'll have to let me know if you find one annnd share your lovely self wearing it too! And, I am hoping the same thing, Gina! Gee whiz has life taken us on a ride with this mess. Now to find meaning in it! Come Holy Spirit, because I got nothing right now.
DeleteYour pictures are really beautiful, Amanda! I loved the one from Halloween. My heart thrills a little each time one of my kids holds my hand.
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE that lipstick. Maybe I should head over to the Clinque counter.
Oh, Bonnie, thank you tons! My heart does that exactly too. It's so warming! And, Yes! You look beautiful in the reds you've worn below! I wonder how this one would look! My friend who already had it and shared it with me is much fairer than I and it looked almost pink on her, while it looked for fall almost darker red on me. Crazy!
DeleteThat lipstick shade really is the cutest! I never wear any because it always dries out my lips, but I love how it looks - really takes things up a notch :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean! I also didn't care about lipstick for forever because of the texture and my larger lips' tendency to chap. I've been putting my usual chapstick first then the color :) Works so far!
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