Happy Birthday, Bunny!

My sweet Beauty, my Bunny...

Wow, you are ten!!! I can't believe it!!! I love you so much...more than you will ever know!
You are an amazing kid!!! You are smart and sweet!!! You are stubborn and kind.. You are amazing!

You are growing into a beautiful young lady. You went to your first POP conference this year, and you loved it!!! I am so proud of you!!!

It was my greatest joy to see you give your life to God and be there when He saved your soul. I wasn't there for your birth, but I got to be there for your "re-birth" and for that I am forever grateful!

You have your own room now. You still love Star Wars and Hello Kitty! You love Camo and want to to be a Designer! You are such a good mom to your doll...as long as no one is around.

You are finding your strength. You are finding your voice... sometimes it gets you in trouble.

You are getting into video games...like the picture below. You love parks and gymnastics! I'm glad you still love to play! Stay young as long as you can...growing is tough.

You are so smart..you have so much to give the world. You have worked so hard this year to pull your grades up and ended the year with amazing grades! You know, grades aren't everything...it was your hard work and dedication that makes me proud!

You are beautiful, but it's your inner beauty that astounds me. You always think of others...from wanting to feed the homeless to taking home every stray animal you see... you love everyone.

There are so many things about you that I love... You are amazing! You are my heart.

 I am so proud to call you my daughter!!!

I love you so much!!!

Love,

Mom <3

My Beauty, On Your Birthday

My Beautiful Girl, 
     Today you are EIGHT years old! You are my sweet girl, my helper...I am watching you as you grow, how you play with your sisters, and talk with your friends. You are so kind (most of the time. ;)  ) You are so giving, and you are always thinking of someone else. I am so proud of you. 

      You are so talented! You are becoming quite the little writer, artist, and you are learning to sew & weave. You love the piano, and you loving picking it out of songs on the radio, you amaze me! You are also learning to cook, you love cooking! 
You are so expressive with all of your talents! 

     You love going to do things! You love experiencing life! You are so energetic!!! I am watching that energy develop into a true zest for life!!! The world needs more people like you..you can be a whirlwind of change, and a true light in the darkness! 

    Just so you always remember, you are also experiencing your first crush! ~Oh Lord, please help your poor, old mother when the boys come calling! For now, you just giggle! It's kind of sweet, but I have the feeling you are going to be a bit boy crazy...no ma'am! ;) 

   You have such a sweet heart! You love animals, especially horses, cats, and dogs! Right now, as an 8 yr old, you want to be a mommy, teacher, and veterinarian. You have changed your life goals many times, and I am sure they will change many more~ you have a bright future! 

   I love you so much! You are one of the greatest gifts of my life! You know, it's funny to me that some people will praise your dad and I for adopting you and your sisters. I smile and try to be gracious, but in our hearts we know the truth~ you are the gift! You are the blessing! 

I love you so much!!! I will always love you... 

Love, 
Mommy

Happy Birthday, My Big Girl!!!

My big girl, my beauty, today you turn SEVEN! You are growing up way too fast for this mama!! I see you grow a little more everyday... You are slowly letting go of your fears and trusting & hoping, bounding and leaping! I am so proud of you!

You are becoming a happy, fun-loving little girl! I love that!! I know that it is your birthday, but you are truly my greatest gift!! You have taught my so much...about life and about myself, and bring so much joy into my life!

I love how you play, joke, and tell secrets with your little friends!! You laugh and you twirl!!! You are my girly-girl!

You are so smart!!! I love catching you reading.. You want read everything!

I was looking for a song for you...one that held all of the hopes and dreams that I have for you and I remembered the song that I played when you first came home. I have played this song so many times.. I want so many things for you my sweetheart, but most of all that you are loved~ especially by your mama! 

So happy Birthday, sweetheart! I love you so much!!!
Bonnie Jean Birthday Girl Polka-Dot Trapeze Dress - Girls 4-6X (Google Affiliate Ad)

Tub-Of-Tears to Soothing-Spa

Sometimes life just happens... Hurts come, sadness overwhelms, anger ensues, and we are left hurt & betrayed by our own emotions. 

What is a girl to do?? Find solace, let go of the facade, and just cry until the sweet numbing of emptiness comes and washes over leaving only the honesty of who we really are~ only then are we truly strong. The best place I have found~ my tub. 

So if you are in pain, celebrating, or just need to relax and detoxify  this post is for you. Because today we are going to talk MYO (Make Your Own) Bath Salts!  Just what every woman & tub needs... 

So this is a basic recipe that I compiled from a few others.. Feel free to mix it, and have fun making one that is just "you" and don't forget to put it a pretty jar! 

~Bath Salts~

 4  Cups Epsom Salt 

1/2 Cup Baking Soda

1/2 Cup Dried Rose Petals (from my garden, can also be purchased online) 

1/2 Cup Lavender Blossoms (from my garden, can also be purchased online) 

4 TBSP Pink Himalayan Sea Salt (See picture below) 

 8 Drops Lavender Essential Oil (dilute with 6 drops of olive, jojoba, or almond oil for sensitive skin) 

~Mix gently, but well. Store in a dry area in a pretty container for a best results.

 Add 1/2 to 1 cup salts to  hot* water, allow the salts to dissolve, sit back soak, and enjoy...  

~Pink Salt~

*Okay, lets be smart, not too hot of water and not for you pretty preggo people. Drink water! Even better...spa water! Recipe coming soon! 

Gorgeous Skin For The Journey!!!

It's the weekend!!! So for me that means lot's time out with hubby, and a great way to start a weekend is with a little pampering...gotta look my best for Mr. Hotness!!! ;)

So whether your weekend is soccer with the kids, a day at the beach, shopping with girl friends, or spending time with the love of your life get that gorgeous face glowing a little more with a little pampering!

Here are a couple of my favorite face masks, enjoy~

Honey & Oat      ~Great for dry, sensitive, itchy, winter skin!

• Oats, about half a handful..
• Honey, a good squeeze, about a tablespoon..
• About a tsp of (plain for sensitive skin) yogurt

Mix well, and gently slather on to warm damp skin in a circular motion to gently exfoliate....allow it to sit for a few minutes and gently wash off mask and dab dry with a soft towel. Use a gentle Toner (recipe soon to come) and follow with a nice moisturizer. Fabulous!!

Creamy ~ Dreamy Mask   

• 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado~smashed
• A good dollop of yogurt (lemon or strawberry gives you a mild antioxidant!) 
• About a tsp of honey
• A tsp-sh of aloe juice (optional; if you have a plant around the house) 

Whip well and apply to freshly cleansed & exfoliated skin ...leave on for about 30 minutes; which I use this time for a nice cup of tea and a girl movie of great book and just relax! Rinse face and apply moisturizer...then  go out and enjoy that beautifully hydrated skin!

You will notice I didn't put super strict amounts of the ingredients because I want you to make these masks your own... I want you to enjoy pampering yourself and believe in your abilities to take great care of yourself and bask in your beauty!

~Because you are beautiful...glow, baby, glow!!!!