:: Authentic Self ::

“Your real, new self (which is Christ’s and also yours, and yours just because it is His) will not come as long as you are looking for it. It will come when you are looking for Him. Does that sound strange? The same principle holds, you know, for more everyday matters. Even in social life, you will never make a good impression on other people until you stop thinking about what sort of impression you are making. Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it. The principle runs through all life from top to bottom, Give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death, death of your ambitions and favourite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end submit with every fibre of your being, and you will find eternal life. Keep back nothing. Nothing that you have not given away will be really yours. Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead. Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”
— C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

*I found this on E's blog, loved it, stole it ;) It perfectly sums up some issues I've been having lately. Seester, do you agree?*

:: Overwhelmed ::

:: Happy Weekend Lovlies! ::

:: We've been busy little bees this weekend, as of Friday we listed our little love nest for sale. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing {which seems random as it means selling and buying the biggest item we own!} ::

:: Anyways, I wanted to write and let you know about a super sweet post one of my fabulous friends wrote --- seriously, I was floored by her sweet words and I am truly flattered to call her my friend! ::

:: So go here and visit her blog - she is a SAHM with superpowers! You can also check out her just bloomed photography company Red Fish Blue Fish Photography ::

:: Mo, you are a woman with love, grace and such a way with words! Love you fo 'eva! ;) ::

:: V-Day Date ::

:: We had a lovely date for Valentines day -- we celebrated on Saturday, it's more conducive for actually enjoying the celebration of love ::

:: First we headed to Earls to enjoy dinner ::

:: Then Starbucks {ugh, my favorite!} ::

:: Then we went to the Kings Speech - it was phenomenal! No wonder it's got so many nominations! It was long, but SO good and totally worth it! ::

:: We then went to where we always go on our way home from dates, to the car lot. Usually I get out and entertain Mr. L by looking at the cars with him. But this night it was rather dreary out and so I stayed in the car while he yelled the stats to me from across the lot. I sat and took pictures ::

:: On to the next lot, I'm dead serious people -- we do this for fun! ::

:: This is what I did while he was cruising the car lot...a la Shawna ::

:: We then headed home {the boys were with G&G overnight *insert angels singing*} so we took a photo together, to prove that we actually together ;) ::

:: Then had some tea and enjoyed a few treats -- including a red velvet cupcake ::

:: Valentine ::

:: Mr. L and I celebrated our Valentine's last night and here is the look that I was going with... ::

:: ...The greatest of these is L O V E ::

* * *

::Items in this set::

	Gumdrop Detective Coat 190 CAD - modcloth.com Short trench coat »
	Balenciaga trousers BLACK 870 CAD 435 CAD - matchesfashion.com Black pants »
	EVIE 350 CAD 94 CAD - kurtgeiger.com High heels »
	Coach Signature Hamptons Carryall Tote Handbag: Clothing 300 CAD - amazon.com Tote handbags »
	Lucky Brand - Jane B Hammered Round Hoop Earrings (Silver) - Jewelry 19 CAD - zappos.com Hoop earrings »
	Cream Ruched Detail Scarf 32 CAD - topshop.com Cream shawl »
	Coach Poppy Eau de Parfum, 3.4 oz - Perfume and Cologne - Beauty - Macy's 80 CAD - macys.com
	RED VALENTINE (delivery included) | floral arrangements | valentines | Jays... 125 CAD - jaysonhomeandgarden.com
	Kate's Paperie : Shop : Valentine Card, Handmade Heart, Red on Silver Metal... 7.91 CAD - katespaperie.com
	Lindor Truffles by Lindt: Do you dream in chocolate? lindtlindortruffles.com

:: Random. ::

:: I have registered JJ & Coley to their appropriate schools since Monday ::

:: I then re-registered them in different schools, we're indecisive peeps around here ::

:: I detailed and washed my car yesterday, as it's been beautiful here ::

:: It's raining here today, but my car is nice clean! ::

:: Wednesday consisted of bible study for the morning, birthday party for the afternoon and shopping in the states for the evening - phew - Wednesday was a long day! ::

:: Thursday I tried to recover from Wednesday, didn't really work. ::

:: I've made 48 red velvet cupcakes today ::

:: But none of them are for us :( ::

:: Never thought I would be caught dead using this stuff, but "couponed" it - so it was almost free ::
:: I surprised myself by liking it, the washroom smells super fresh and lovely - Like a freshly cleaned washroom. It's just so great! ::

:: Tonight is a quiet night at home, curry is for dinner ::

:: Can you say YUM?!?! ::

:: Tomorrow is work day around the house. ::

:: But a date with Mr. L tomorrow night has me just buzzing! ::

:: I think on the menu is a dinner out and the Kings Speech - should be fabby! :::: On a totally different topic, I asked for new runners for Valentine's day - this is the actual phone photo I messaged to him. Boys need hints people, very clear concise hints. :::: I'm a die-hard romantic ;) ::

:: Happy weekend Lovelies, I hope you have time to enjoy the love that is around you! ::

** Edited to Say**

:: Just heard on the news that the average a person spends $116.00 on Valentines day. We however, do not. We are using a gift card {from two Christmas' ago} for dinner and some coupons from the back of our cereal boxes for our movie. And those shoes of mine, a whopping $34.99 - And the kids off to G&G's for the night {yessiree, the whole night} = priceless!!! ::

:: What I'm loving Wednesday ::

:: I'm loving this cool little gadget called a VIOlight - it's a cleaning container for your cell phone. Just the thought of how dirty my cell phone is gives me the geebies all the way up my back - blech! This sanitizes your phone in 4 minutes. Your can find it at Brookstone ::


:: Would love to get these super cute little shirts for my boys --- might just be a little Easter treat ;) -- they are by Honey Bee and can be found here ::


:: Super love for this case, I have a blackberry and truly abuse it. I asked for this little beauty for Valentines day - find one you can personalize on Clairebella ::


:: I'm LOVING painted furniture, specifically colour painted furniture...ahhh, so fresh, so alive! Sorry, can't remember where I saw this! ::

:: I'm really enjoying my bible study based on Beth Moore's "so long insecurity" book. Last week was the first week and I loved loved loved it, but I love how BM speaks, so it was really no surprise, but I can't wait to head off to bible study this morning! ::

:: Can't believe it's already Wednesday, hope you're enjoying your day, week and February {still can't believe that it's FEBRUARY!!!} ::

:: New Kitchen Blind ::

:: Happy Monday Lovlies! ::

:: Back a while ago I wrote about finally finding a perfect blind for my super-sized kitchen window -- well, a couple weeks ago the blind arrived and my DH got it installed {without me EVEN asking!} ::

:: Here is the result of the great blind hunt, originally I would have gone with one espresso coloured but I didn't think that it should be matchy-match. So I ordered a more natural coloured blind and took a chance. I don't like doing that but the matchy-match was not the look I was going for ::

:: So here it is, 1/4 of the way down the window ::

:: All the way down, there is no privacy liner and is just strictly a bamboo blind and is very, very private ::
:: Here it is almost all the way up ::
:: Square on view ::
:: All in all, I am SO delighted with the blind, it was super easy to install {10 minutes max}, super great quality, and better than I imagined! ::
:: Oh happy day! ::

:: I was away all weekend at a women's retreat with my church, we had an amazing time of praise, teaching and just sister bonding time...so I'm working on getting up a post about that. But I've got a very full plate for the next few days, so I'll see if I have time ::

:: Here's to another great week full of joy, joy that comes from within ::

Stay consistent and persistent as you build your life on God and His promises. He will never fail you: 'When the storm is over, there's nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren't even fazed.' Proverbs 10:25

:: WIWW & I should be in bed! ::

:: I should be in bed, really I should. It is 12:45 am -- I'm leaving tomorrow mid afternoon for the weekend, I have umpteen things to accomplish in a shy 2 hours while I only have one child in tow tomorrow morning, let alone the fact that my EVIL clock is set for 6 am to get my run on downstairs on our treadmill! ::

:: But I really wanted to join in on this weeks WIWW with Pleated Poppy --- I don't have photos, well, I have a few, but nothing really worthy of posting ::

:: See, I've been wearing my current favorite boots, these boots ::

:: I have seen multiple outfits worn by PP with these super cute boots, I then stalked down where she got them, and then wrecked my keyboard by drooling all over it. Just kidding ::

:: So, when we were in Arizona and I was shopping my face off, I found these $49.99 leather boots discounted for $34.99 then discounted again for $24.99. I declared to my Marm that I NEEEDDDDEEEDDD them. And found Mr. L to show him them. I wasn't looking for his opinion, I was just showing him what I was going to buy. He disagreed. He told me that he didn't think I should get them. I was {to say the least} disappointed, but respected his opinion ::

:: All through our trip I longed for these boots, I couldn't get them out of my mind, I LOVED them. So every Target we would drive by I would say "oh, we gotta go in and see if they have the boots!". Everyone moaned as Target stores are as frequent as Starbucks in Vancouver! ::

:: Finally, after the car show I ran to the Target store to have a look and see if the boots were there. They were, but they were priced at $34.99 not $24.99 so, sadly they stayed on the shelf! ::

:: It was the night before we left and there was one last Target we had not hit. I was determined to hit it up and see if we could find them. So, again, everyone entertained the crazy-boot-girl and came in with me. We all parted ways and I bee-lined it to the shoe section. I found a size 6. That won't fit my lovely monster of a size 9 flipper! But I was so disappointed as they were only $12.49!!!! Then the heavens opened {kidding, kinda} and there was a whole shwack of other sizes and one solo pair of size 9's with a $12.49 price tag on 'em ::

:: I ran to Paul and he said, well now that's better! And that was it, they were mine! ::

:: So here is the kicker, I was truly disappointed that {at the original $24.99 sale price} Mr. L didn't think they were worth it, however it wasn't worth me kicking up a fit and not respecting his opinion. I chose to leave them even though my heart r e a l l y wanted them and respect my husband instead. I prayed about it and left it with God. I feel that God respected me for my honor and respect for my husband and in turn got the boots for the best price possible. Isn't that great!??!! ::

:: Any way, now it's 1 am and I must hit the sack...Hopefully I'll get some actual shots of me in my new boots for next weeks WIWW! ::

:: Happy Friday Y'all! ::

:: Still ::

:: I have a few friends that are having terrible days, stinking terrible days today. Today my day is okay, but I do understand the feeling of a terrible day...and just so you know I have plenty of my own "terrible" days ::

:: I saw this youtube video posted on one of my friends facebook pages...and it reminded me of so many things, but one person in particular ::

:: This is her song, and every Monday, Wednesday & Friday when I walk into school with JJ and say hi to her son and he puts a huge smile on his face and sometimes I even get a wave or a high five I can't help but think that she has had her "terrible" days too and yet she still rests in His arms. Her life is a testament of God's unfailing love and faithfulness {just read her blog, she exudes grace & His love} ::

:: May this song bless all those I know, close and far that are having one of "those" days ;) ::

:: A few changes... ::

:: I have been having some issues with what I have been eating lately -- I have found that I react poorly to some different foods - have yet to put my finger on what triggers it, but in hopes to banish the excessive bloating and random hives, I have decided to take out wheat, and pretty much all grains except Quinoa & Flax ::

:: Long story short, today I was making a batch of Quinoa up in a pot on the stove and Jacob comes to me and asks me what I am making. I say oh just some food for Mama. He looks at it, pokes it and then replies - that is not for Mama, that is for the birds! ::

:: Oh, so precious, apparently JJ and Grampie feed the birds stuff that looks just like Quinoa - HA! ::