Quiet Time

It's been quiet here and I do apologize. Between morning sickness, my household duties, spending time with my husband and son, and various things on the calendar, there hasn't been much time for blogging. And to be honest, I haven't had a lot to write about. I suppose it's good to be quiet from time to time.

So please bear with me. Lord willing, I will pick up blogging full-force again very, very, very soon.

Changes Ahead!

Created to be His is about to get a totally new - and permanent! - look! It will be quiet around here for a few days while the designer "does her thing" but expect posts and news and all things "His" to come back very soon!
Until then....

Shutterfly Photo Books

Yesterday, I received a lovely little "gift" in my email inbox. What was it? $20 from Shutterfly! To be used on any Shutterfly project. Eeeeeeeeeee!! Can you tell I like Shutterfly? :)

Back before Christmas, I attempted to make my first "photo book" and I did it for my Mom. With the sneaky help of my sisters, I collected various pictures of us growing up, threw in some of my favorite quotes on motherhood, and created a book of memories for my Mom for Christmas and....she.....LOVED.... it. Actually, when it finally arrived in the mail, I was tempted to just keep it for myself. hehe. While I was busy putting it together, I began making a few for myself and Grant, but I hadn't ordered any....until yesterday. Thank you, again, Shutterfly!

Below are my projects thus far. To be honest, if your friend or loved one simply LOVES pictures, this is THE gift to give. :)

The cover of my Mom's photo book

the first page

one of my favorite "sister" pages...

I also made individual pages for each of us.
This is Noel's page

Jamie's page

Brooklyn's page

Mercy's page

Melody's page

Melody's graduation and my first page

My page

The rest of the book were various Christmases, snow fun, birthdays, and random craziness throughout the years. I loved it and my Mom REALLY LOVED it.

For myself, I decided to go back and collect pictures and various journal entries and blog posts and make a photo book documenting my pregnancy with Nathan. This is what I ordered yesterday. (Excuse the "warning" icons. They were being annoying and difficult. :p)

The cover of my pregnancy photo book

The first page

"bump" pictures :)

I CANNOT WAIT until this book is in my hands. I am SO excited!! I will definitely be making one of these for every child I have if the Lord chooses to bless us with more one day. I am already beginning to put one together documenting Nathan's first year, month by month. SO FUN! :) I would love to have a collection of each year for him, documenting his firsts, his adventures, his likes and dislikes, and how he grows. What a treasure that will be!

I currently have two left to finish and order. One is from our wedding. On that one, I added pictures from the photographer, along with various photos that friends and family took on our wedding day. To make it different than just a photo album (which I already have) I also included our wedding invitation, our wedding program, the lyrics to the songs sang during the ceremony, our vows, and various other things that meant a lot to us on that day. I'm excited about ordering it soon. ;) Here is a tiny preview:

*sigh* Happy day.... :)

The last project is a photo book that isn't quite ready to be ordered. I still have some work to do on it, but it WILL eventually be Grant's and my story. I'm going to tell the story - in his words and mine, which we wrote down before we married - and compliment it with pictures leading up to our wedding day. If I can ever get it completed, it will be wonderful. :) When it is finally ready, I will post about it. Until then, go find some pictures, create a Shutterfly account, and have fun!!

A Lot of Different Annes

"There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I was just one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable but then it wouldn't be half so interesting."  - Anne in Anne of the Island

Sweet September

Hello September!!!

After scorching heat and record breaking temperatures, I have to say that I am glad we are about to experience some cooler weather down in the Bible belt. September 1st is here! This month will mark the beginning of autumn. The leave will begin to turn and, soon, fall to the ground. The wind will begin blowing and the cool breezes will remind me that winter is coming. And speaking of....Christmas is nearly three months away! Wooooo!!!

This weekend, Grant and I will be taking Nathan and heading out to celebrate Labor Day with some of his family. I'm looking forward to getting out of the house, relaxing, visiting, and eating some good food!

Hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!

May I Have Your Vote?

I have been honored by a nomination for one of the Top 25 Faith Blogs at Circle of Mom's! If you have been encouraged in any way by my writings, please consider voting for me!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

It is possible to vote every 24 hours if you so wish. Thank you in advance!

Tres Trois Três

THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1) Kristen
2) Kris
3) Cuz

THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
1) vitality31
2) royal_rosebud31
3) krislee31

THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1) My determination
2) My eyes
3) My passion

THREE THINGS YOU HATE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1) I have a tendency to be way too stubborn.
2) My impatience. I'm workin' on it.
3) I can get too busy to stop and smell the roses.

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1) Irish
2) German
3) French

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1) Sleep, food and water
2) Prayer
3) The love of my husband

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1) orange/red t-shirt
2) black dorm pants
3) headband

THREE OF YOUR FAVOURITE BANDS (or artists at the moment):
1) Francesca Battistelli
2) Kari Jobe
3) Keith Green

THREE OF YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS AT PRESENT:
okay....other than hymns...
1) "This Is the Stuff" - Francesca Battistelli
2) "Lead Me" - Santus Real
3) "Glorious Day" - Casting Crowns

THREE NEW THINGS YOU WANT TO TRY IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS:
1) I want to try and ride a roller coaster
2) I want to plant a garden
3) I want to finish writing my book

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP (love is a given):
1) Faithfullness, loyalty, honesty, trust
2) Laughter
3) Godliness

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in random order!):
1) I can open doors with my feet
2) I have never fallen out of a tree
3) I want to play the voice of a character in a disney movie

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1) Smile
2) Eyes
3) Broad shoulders

THREE THINGS YOU JUST CAN'T DO:
1) I cannot whistle!
2) I can't read music
3) I cannot abide liberal talk

THREE OF YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBIES:
1) Writing
2) Reading
3) Spending time with family and friends

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1) Crash on the couch with Grant and Nathan
2) Chocolate. And lots of it....
3) Write a song

THREE CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING:
1) Evangelism
2) Writer
3) Wife and Mom (actually, I'm all three!)

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1) Itally
2) Ireland
3) Disney World

THREE KIDS' NAMES:
1) Kayle
2) Jane
3) Ethan

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1) Write songs or books that will touch people
2) Make a difference
3) SPREAD THE GOSPEL.

Happy Birthday - to ME!

Today was my birthday. My 25th birthday, to be exact. It was wonderful and I was so blessed by all the messages, phone calls, emails, and texts from friends and family.

So, how did I spend my first birthday as a married lady? Well, I was fortunate enough to spend it with my husband!! HOORAY! I was able to go with him on a business trip so it was nice to be able to go to restaurants and stay in a hotel....although I am quite ready to be home. *smile* I had a wonderful day and thanks again for all the sweet birthday messages. I am so thankful to the Lord for giving me another wonderful year. Now, I am looking ahead to having a baby boy around for the rest of my birthdays! I'm anxious to share a piece of birthday cake with, not only my hubby, but my son too! I'm looking forward to receiving handmade cards and "presents" with sticky hand prints all over them.

God is good, and life is rich (and sweet!)

Happy birthday to me!

Girly Weekend Pics!

Thought I would share some favorite highlighted pics of my girl's weekend!

We had to have a cake!

Me at 29 weeks!

Playing "Dangerous Hunter" on the Wii!

Goofing off

Such fun!

10 Things I Love

Today, I have been trying to think of everything that makes me happy; all the things that make me smile. Some days, when Satan lunges out at you, it is good to remind yourself of all the blessings God has rained down upon you. From the biggest and sweetest, like salvation, forgiveness, freedom and joy, family, friendship, and love to the simple things like chocolate, photo albums, and window shopping. Of course, there is the obvious: my husband makes me smile. My baby boy on the way makes me smile. My family makes me smile. My sisters can create instant laughter and hysteria on command. My cousins, when we are all together, provide ample entertainment and I love being with my aunts and uncles, hearing stories of when they were younger. My Church family and my best friends also bring a smile and a sweet joy to my life. There are obvious things I love but, today, I want to name 10 different, not-so-obvious-things that bring a smile to my face.

1. Squirrels - An odd way to begin a list, I know. But since I married and moved, I have taken great delight in squirrels. Why? Because we have a family of them that live on our property. I see them climbing up the tree in the front yard, playing in the grass, investigating the back porch and playing "catch" on our roof. They are cute. And they make me smile.

2. Flowers - I'm a girl. 'Nuff said.

3. Ice cream - Who doesn't like ice cream?? Summer days, winter days... it doesn't matter to me. I love making myself a bowl of yumminess and enjoying! Want to know my favorite? Blue Bell's Strawberries and Homemade Vanilla. Take my word for it, it will change your life....

4. Tender hugs - I love hugs. I love them from friends and family and from my husband. On good days and on bad days, in the morning and in the evening. I love hugs from those I love.

5. Music. I love music but there are some days when I LOVE music. You know those days when you are driving down the road and the perfect song begins to play on the radio and suddenly you find yourself weeping, worshipping, or shouting the lyrics at the top of your voice? Yeah....

6. Smiles from strangers - I'm from the south. Here in the south, we wave to each other as we pass them on gravel and country roads, we say "y'all," we cook with grease, we drink sweet iced tea, and we smile as we walk past each other. Southern people are just NICE....(well...usually, anyway). And I love it.

7. Books - You can ask my husband. When we walk into Mardels or any Christian book store, he must restrain me and hold me back from running down the aisles. He usually puts me on a time limit. Does it work? Occasionally. But I love books. They make me smile.

8. Baby animals - Years ago I had a kitten named Wonka who, unfortunately, couldn't stay out of the dog's mouth. The dog wasn't trying to hurt Wonka, he just liked to shake him around. Well, after several episodes of that, we noticed that Wonka's growth was....well....stunted. He would remain a tiny cat forever (at least until he endured one shake too many). I loved it. I love small animals, baby animals. If I had my way, I would freeze a puppy or kitten or bunny in time, keeping them small and cute and adorable. Unfortunately, that can't happen, but it's something I would love!

9. Dresses and skirts - I'm a country girl and I wear jeans. But there is something about a dress and/or skirt that makes me feel like a lady. I love the beauty that comes with flowing skirts and the elegance and grace it brings out in a girl...or, in ME, anyway.

10. Christmas! - No, it's not because Christmas is just a few days away. It is not because there are decorations everywhere. It's not because Christmas music is constantly playing, lights are on the houses, or because Christmas commercials and movies are on. I just LOVE Christmas! I love the lights, the tree, the music (*sigh*), the hot apple cider and hot chocolate, the wrapping paper, baking cookies, the hope of snow, the excitement, the traditions my family has...I love it all! I love sitting down with "White Christmas" or "Holiday Inn." I love the stockings full of fruit and candy. I love decorating. I love watching "The Nativity Story" and remembering the reason we celebrate!


What simple things do YOU love?