* The JOY of having a custom fit bra
* The right to preview/delete any or all pictures taken of me
* Hiding the pores on my face (Thank God for mineral makeup)
* The importance of 8 hours sleep
* The VERY LOUD ticking of my biological clock
* Wearing 2 inch heels all day
* Eating dinner before 7pm
* Going out in public without makeup
* The advantages of under eye cream
* Comfort being a factor when selecting an outfit
* Quality over Quantity, when it comes to friends
* Building my 401K
* Saying "I love you" EVERYDAY to those around me
* How close the hospital is to my home
I know some of you out there are going to point out that I passed 30, 6 years ago....Well YES i did (thank you) BUT I'm realizing how different my thinking is now than before that milestone!!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday go to meeting clothes!!
Once a year my church has a "Back to Church Sunday"!
It's a time where the men wear suits and the ladies wear dresses and hats:)
It's a time where we just loosen up and dress up! Always a fun day. We even breakout all the "old" songs, you know the ones from the 80's, hahaha!
I LOVE my church and the family that I have there! We have been truly blessed with so many GREAT friends and relationships!
When we first came to Light and Life Downey, we were hurt, broken and in need of acceptance and love. What we found when we got there were people willing to mend us and help put us back together. People that would accept us regardless of our pasts, present or how we looked. What we found was Jesus with skin on!
I just have to take a moment to thank all of my family at LLCF Downey!!
I can see the Lords hand a year ago. He was leading us into relationships that would help support us both as we went into this hard year. Friends that would hold me while I cried over the death of my sweet dog, friends that would listen to me as I shared the news of my moms cancer tests, and friends that would laugh with me and friends that would ALWAYS turn my eyes back to Jesus!
Since we have been at LLCF Downey, we have been involved in Youth ministry, Women's ministry (which is a seperate blog all together) and Trav has done most of the Photography for the church! (that is why he isn't in any of the pics)
We felt so blessed that we just had to give back to the people and serve at the church!
As we grow new friendships and help heal, mend and love on other broken people.... We just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all our church family!
Gods love grows out of each one of you, and extends to all around you. We are truly blessed to be a part of LLCF Downey!
It's a time where the men wear suits and the ladies wear dresses and hats:)
It's a time where we just loosen up and dress up! Always a fun day. We even breakout all the "old" songs, you know the ones from the 80's, hahaha!
I LOVE my church and the family that I have there! We have been truly blessed with so many GREAT friends and relationships!
When we first came to Light and Life Downey, we were hurt, broken and in need of acceptance and love. What we found when we got there were people willing to mend us and help put us back together. People that would accept us regardless of our pasts, present or how we looked. What we found was Jesus with skin on!
I just have to take a moment to thank all of my family at LLCF Downey!!
I can see the Lords hand a year ago. He was leading us into relationships that would help support us both as we went into this hard year. Friends that would hold me while I cried over the death of my sweet dog, friends that would listen to me as I shared the news of my moms cancer tests, and friends that would laugh with me and friends that would ALWAYS turn my eyes back to Jesus!
Since we have been at LLCF Downey, we have been involved in Youth ministry, Women's ministry (which is a seperate blog all together) and Trav has done most of the Photography for the church! (that is why he isn't in any of the pics)
We felt so blessed that we just had to give back to the people and serve at the church!
As we grow new friendships and help heal, mend and love on other broken people.... We just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all our church family!
Gods love grows out of each one of you, and extends to all around you. We are truly blessed to be a part of LLCF Downey!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A new "normal"
Wow! It has been WAY too long....
So much has happened this year, so much has changed...I just couldn't find the words to describe the pain that I was feeling or I'm not sure that I wanted to invite the world into MY journey these past 7 months.
BUT, I know that if I share my experiences, that somewhere out there, my life may help, reach, teach, heal, or help others that are going thru the same thing.
Changes:I fear change to some degree, I LOVE to change my hair, my furniture or even my style of dressing....One thing that I assumed would always stay the same was MY FAMILY.
My family adopted a new "normal" in May of this year. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. She has gone thru surgery, and is now is Chemo.....
I have seen my mom go thru so many different emotions and feelings. I have seen her be STRONG, I have seen her WEAK, I have seen her CRY, and I have seen her LAUGH!!!
My mom is an AMAZING woman!! Not only is she an INCREDIBLE woman, she is a woman of the LORD!!!!!
Thru all the ups and downs of her new "normal", the one thing that is consistent, is her faith in the Lord!!! She has NEVER wavered from that! She knows that she is in the Lords hands, she knows that HE is in control!! She knows that she is a testament of His love for her and His faithfulness:)
So, mom.....thank you so much for the example that you have been to me. Thank you for the early morning encouragement that you send me! Thank you for being honest with me, thank you for pointing me to Jesus when I felt hopeless, thank you for being the strong woman that you are, thank you for praying for me.........Most of all I thank you for letting the Lord heal your body and your spirit, thank you for letting me watch you grow deeper with the Lord as your body grows weaker, thank you for sharing yourself with me in new ways, and thank you for always letting me ask questions....
I am truly blessed to call you my mom!!!
I have seen a new strength in you mom...I know that it is not you, but it is the Lord!!!!
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
So much has happened this year, so much has changed...I just couldn't find the words to describe the pain that I was feeling or I'm not sure that I wanted to invite the world into MY journey these past 7 months.
BUT, I know that if I share my experiences, that somewhere out there, my life may help, reach, teach, heal, or help others that are going thru the same thing.
Changes:I fear change to some degree, I LOVE to change my hair, my furniture or even my style of dressing....One thing that I assumed would always stay the same was MY FAMILY.
My family adopted a new "normal" in May of this year. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. She has gone thru surgery, and is now is Chemo.....
I have seen my mom go thru so many different emotions and feelings. I have seen her be STRONG, I have seen her WEAK, I have seen her CRY, and I have seen her LAUGH!!!
My mom is an AMAZING woman!! Not only is she an INCREDIBLE woman, she is a woman of the LORD!!!!!
Thru all the ups and downs of her new "normal", the one thing that is consistent, is her faith in the Lord!!! She has NEVER wavered from that! She knows that she is in the Lords hands, she knows that HE is in control!! She knows that she is a testament of His love for her and His faithfulness:)
So, mom.....thank you so much for the example that you have been to me. Thank you for the early morning encouragement that you send me! Thank you for being honest with me, thank you for pointing me to Jesus when I felt hopeless, thank you for being the strong woman that you are, thank you for praying for me.........Most of all I thank you for letting the Lord heal your body and your spirit, thank you for letting me watch you grow deeper with the Lord as your body grows weaker, thank you for sharing yourself with me in new ways, and thank you for always letting me ask questions....
I am truly blessed to call you my mom!!!
I have seen a new strength in you mom...I know that it is not you, but it is the Lord!!!!
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Christmas "Kick off"
This weekend kicked off our "Christmas season".
First we had our annual Decorating Party at my mom and dads house:)
Every year, we decorate to my favorite Christmas Album... Amy Grant!!!!!!,
Dad and Christian pick out the tree.
Alicia and I bake something yummy:)!!!
Trav and I plan the games and we top it all off
with a White Elephant gift exchange and a little game of Farkle!!
Then on Saturday it was off to my work Christmas Party!!
My boss always cooks these AMAZING dinners for us! This year it was short ribs, green beans with hazelnuts, homemade lemon meringue pie, and a chocolate torte!
Food was wonderful, as usual, and its always fun to hang out outside of the office:)
My co-workers have become my "extended family" after 12 years of working together, that's only natural!!
This was a very busy weekend! But an amazing one for sure! I was able to take my mind off of "things" and just relax and celebrate with those that I love so much!
Oh yeah...plus I colored my hair!!!
First we had our annual Decorating Party at my mom and dads house:)
Every year, we decorate to my favorite Christmas Album... Amy Grant!!!!!!,
Dad and Christian pick out the tree.
Alicia and I bake something yummy:)!!!
Trav and I plan the games and we top it all off
with a White Elephant gift exchange and a little game of Farkle!!
Then on Saturday it was off to my work Christmas Party!!
My boss always cooks these AMAZING dinners for us! This year it was short ribs, green beans with hazelnuts, homemade lemon meringue pie, and a chocolate torte!
Food was wonderful, as usual, and its always fun to hang out outside of the office:)
My co-workers have become my "extended family" after 12 years of working together, that's only natural!!
This was a very busy weekend! But an amazing one for sure! I was able to take my mind off of "things" and just relax and celebrate with those that I love so much!
Oh yeah...plus I colored my hair!!!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Patience has NEVER been my strong point
Patience is a "virtue", patience is a "blessing", patience is "character", patience IS SOOO HARD!!!!
As many of you know we are going through Infertility treatments. Needless to say this has been a tough, grueling time for us. It's been emotionally and financially draining.
The doctors didn't find any specific reason for my infertility, however have put me on Clomid. Clomid is a fertility drug used to strengthen the egg. The pill (clomid) is taken for 5 days on certain days of a women's cycle. It can increase your chances of having multiples (only 5%) but most get pregnant using Clomid within 6 months.
Clomid is only effective for 3 successful cycles. A successful cycle is weighed by the level of progesterone in your blood on day 21 of your cycle (or of course if you become pregnant). The progesterone should be higher than 15, no less than 10!! This indicates a successful round of Clomid. Clomid looses its effectiveness after 3cycles.
I am currently on my second cycle, however the first cycle was NOT successful, so this could be my first "successful" cycle. Thus enters the PATIENCE, or my lack thereof. Today was day 21 of my cycle so I gave blood and wait for the results.
My patience is thinning, due to the fact that I feel like I'm been doing all the "right" things, but still seeing NO results.
I'm sharing all of this with you, to ask you to please pray for T and I. We are very discouraged. We have been trying to conceive for 2 years, and have been waiting for the Lords perfect timing. I do know He does have a perfect time, and His timing is NEVER my timing...
Each month is such a roller coaster of emotions. Clomid has its own side effects, not to mention that as a rule, I am an emotional person...top my natural emotional self with a ton of extra hormones...all I can say is POOR TRAVIS...
Thank you for your prayers for our family!!
As many of you know we are going through Infertility treatments. Needless to say this has been a tough, grueling time for us. It's been emotionally and financially draining.
The doctors didn't find any specific reason for my infertility, however have put me on Clomid. Clomid is a fertility drug used to strengthen the egg. The pill (clomid) is taken for 5 days on certain days of a women's cycle. It can increase your chances of having multiples (only 5%) but most get pregnant using Clomid within 6 months.
Clomid is only effective for 3 successful cycles. A successful cycle is weighed by the level of progesterone in your blood on day 21 of your cycle (or of course if you become pregnant). The progesterone should be higher than 15, no less than 10!! This indicates a successful round of Clomid. Clomid looses its effectiveness after 3cycles.
I am currently on my second cycle, however the first cycle was NOT successful, so this could be my first "successful" cycle. Thus enters the PATIENCE, or my lack thereof. Today was day 21 of my cycle so I gave blood and wait for the results.
My patience is thinning, due to the fact that I feel like I'm been doing all the "right" things, but still seeing NO results.
I'm sharing all of this with you, to ask you to please pray for T and I. We are very discouraged. We have been trying to conceive for 2 years, and have been waiting for the Lords perfect timing. I do know He does have a perfect time, and His timing is NEVER my timing...
Each month is such a roller coaster of emotions. Clomid has its own side effects, not to mention that as a rule, I am an emotional person...top my natural emotional self with a ton of extra hormones...all I can say is POOR TRAVIS...
Thank you for your prayers for our family!!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Felt like Home:)
We had an AMAZING Thanksgiving! This year we were spending the day with Travs family in Orange County.
The day started off slow, really relaxing...we weren't expected at their house
until 2. We watched a movie, had breakfast & hung out in our pajamas! It was perfect, until we started out to the O.C.
TRAFFIC...ugh. There was so much traffic that it took us 35 minutes to go 5 miles.
When we did arrive, the day just got better. Trav and I have been married almost 4 years, but I can honestly say that this was the first time I truly felt like part of the "Covey" family. It was such a great feeling to be accepted (even though we were late) and just loved on. My mother-n-law, Karen, was so open and I really felt like she was enjoying my company. I even helped with the dishes!! (now that's family)
So, I was so very thankful this year that the Coveys and I have grown closer and our relationship keeps developing!
God is so faithful!! I know I keep saying that but its so true:)
The day after Thanksgiving we invited T's parents over for a decorating party at our house! In my pajamas, I decorated the tree with Karen and T and his dad hung the lights and did all the "manly" stuff. Again, I am so blessed to have been given such cool in-laws! Karen and I bonded over Amy Grant:) and told stories of Christmas's past. I do think I may have cried too:) We ended the night with a friendly game of WII bowling!!
We ended our Holiday weekend by throwing a Family Game night at our house! Mom, dad, Alica, Christian and us:) The WII was the center of the "gaming" but we did play 4 games of FARKLE! My mom won all but one:(
Family, Fun, and lots of thanks!!! That about sums up my Thanksgiving!
I could truly go on and on about all the things we are thankful for!! This past year has been an amazing one...We found a Church Home, T got promoted, We finally started fertility treatment, I have made some new girlfriends, we joined a marriage group, we realized that God can still use us:), and there is just too much to name here, but again...GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!!!
The day started off slow, really relaxing...we weren't expected at their house
until 2. We watched a movie, had breakfast & hung out in our pajamas! It was perfect, until we started out to the O.C.
TRAFFIC...ugh. There was so much traffic that it took us 35 minutes to go 5 miles.
When we did arrive, the day just got better. Trav and I have been married almost 4 years, but I can honestly say that this was the first time I truly felt like part of the "Covey" family. It was such a great feeling to be accepted (even though we were late) and just loved on. My mother-n-law, Karen, was so open and I really felt like she was enjoying my company. I even helped with the dishes!! (now that's family)
So, I was so very thankful this year that the Coveys and I have grown closer and our relationship keeps developing!
God is so faithful!! I know I keep saying that but its so true:)
The day after Thanksgiving we invited T's parents over for a decorating party at our house! In my pajamas, I decorated the tree with Karen and T and his dad hung the lights and did all the "manly" stuff. Again, I am so blessed to have been given such cool in-laws! Karen and I bonded over Amy Grant:) and told stories of Christmas's past. I do think I may have cried too:) We ended the night with a friendly game of WII bowling!!
We ended our Holiday weekend by throwing a Family Game night at our house! Mom, dad, Alica, Christian and us:) The WII was the center of the "gaming" but we did play 4 games of FARKLE! My mom won all but one:(
Family, Fun, and lots of thanks!!! That about sums up my Thanksgiving!
I could truly go on and on about all the things we are thankful for!! This past year has been an amazing one...We found a Church Home, T got promoted, We finally started fertility treatment, I have made some new girlfriends, we joined a marriage group, we realized that God can still use us:), and there is just too much to name here, but again...GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!!!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Not your typical Womens Retreat!
I had an amazing time at the retreat, but not for the obvious reasons. The teaching focus of the weekend was "The bride of Christ"...
The speaker was just not my style. I had a hard time focusing on what she was saying and felt myself being easily distracted. That's NOT to say that I didn't learn anything, but not in the typical way.
What I walked away with was an AMAZING look into my heart & the motives of my actions or lack of actions regarding our finances. I hate conflict, so if there was any "issues" with our finances...I would just ignore it until we got paid again. I know some of you think I'm CRAZY, (I am) but I was just so uncomfortable talking about anything regarding our money.
At the retreat I attended a Budget & Finance workshop (at the nudging of the Lord) I actually felt like this was tailored just for me. My heart was so burdened that weekend with the fiances, and I just felt like "this is why I am here".
As I sat in the workshop soaking up all the information, my heart became more heavy by the minute. I knew the way I had been "avoiding" and making decisions without consulting T was WRONG...I heard it LOUD & CLEAR!
AS soon as the workshop was over, a nap was in order! After the nap, I spent some time with the Lord confessing, thanking Him, and praising Him! He has been so faithful even thru my avoidance He has always provided for us!!
But...my heart knew that there was more to be done...I had to confess to T, and ask him for forgiveness as well. T was way excited about the pending new financial plan, he forgave me right away and jumped on board!!!
I went into this weekend expecting to meet with God, but never imagined it would be in my checkbook! He never ceases to AMAZE me and SURPRISE me!
Below are some of the "budget tips":
Spend all your money on paper BEFORE you cash your check.
Create a zero based budget: List out all your monthly expenses & zero out all money
Then:
Step 1- Set up an emergency fund (at least $1000.00)
Step 2- Put all extra money towards paying off debt (including cars, credit cards)
Step 3- Save 3-6 months of expenses in bank
I was intimidated at first! But the whole point of step 1 is so if anything comes up unexpectedly you don't have to stop paying down your debt, you just take it from your emergency fund and you continue paying down your debt as planned.
As you are paying down your debt you start with the smallest debt to the biggest debt. Pay off the smallest one first, then apply that money to the next debt in line. Soon you will be making large payments in your biggest debt, therefore, you are well on your way to being DEBT-FREE!!!!
P.S. We are still on Step 1....this is a process people!!!!!!
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