My Husband Rocks: The Return Vol. 2

I got this idea from a blog I read almost two years ago when I first started my blog. It was called The Great Adventure. Basically how it works is this:

Every Sunday, I will be posting a story, or photo, or quote about how and why my husband rocks! And I invite you to do the same!

<center> <a href="http://thegrowingtreeblog.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20Husband%20Rocks"><img alt="The Growing Tree" src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh534/thegrowingtree/myhusbandrocks.jpg" height="200"/></a></center>

No husband is perfect and it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how I set myself up to think about him. If I focus on his failures, his annoyances, or ways in which I’ve felt hurt by him, then I will interact with him as a hurt and frustrated and disappointed wife. That makes for miserable living for me and my husband and those around us. But if I focus on his strengths, his potential, and the ways in which I feel blessed by him, then I will interact with him as a forgiving, blessed, and contented wife. And there’s no greater need a man has than to feel respected by his wife. If he feels like all he does is hurt, disappoint, and frustrate, then the same atmosphere and the same actions will be perpetuated. But if he feels that his wife can be happy and responsive regardless of his shortcomings, he feels respected and empowered. Then a positive atmosphere is perpetuated and actions, once destructive, can improve in an environment that is rich for cultivation and growth into deepened respect and intimacy."

(from the From*me Tees Mission Reflection)

::Taken from Katy Lin's blog::

If you would like to join in on My Husband Rocks, just write a post about how your husband/significant other ROCKS and why! Then mosey on back here and link your post with mine with the tool at the bottom! It's that easy and fun!

 

 

My husband rocks this week for his excitement at our two doctor's appointments this week! I'm not ready to tell you details just yet, but let's just say that we found out the gender of baby #2!

 

 

He was so excited, and so am I! I was worried he wouldn't be, but I don't know why I was worried, because he is just over the moon! I can tell he can't wait to get started again, and I agree. I can't wait to meet this little one!

 

I want to hear all about the loves of your lives!

* If you would like to participate *

Blog about anything you want, it just has to be about the love of your life! Then come back here and link up in the collection at the bottom of this post. Please grab the button and use it in your post, or post it somewhere on your blog!

The only thing I ask is to follow my blog via GFC or facebook or twitter (icons at the top of the page) and take a look around at the other blogs linked up and leave them some love too!

* If you want to add the blog hop to your post *

If you want to participate in the hop, just click here and copy and paste the link into the HTML of your post! That's it! Simple!

* If you would like me to add you to the advance email*

If you would like to receive the code for the post before it goes live, send me a message with the subject Send Me the Code to:

 

See you later lovebugs!

 

Rachael

On My Heart...


This will be my first time ever linking up with Amanda @ A Royal Daughter. Amanda's blog and the way she lives her life inspires me, which is what this post is all about.

 

I've started to notice a trend with some of the bigger blogs that I follow and read on a regular basis.

 

 

SPONSORSHIP.

 

 

It's becoming a lot more popular, and it almost seems like if you want to "make money" or "be popular" or "have a lot of followers" you have to sponsor, and buy sponsorship from other blogs. At the same time, I have seen a lot of the blogs that I follow saying how they don't like how much time that sponsorship takes up for them, so they aren't doing it anymore. I have also seen a few that now pay for a virtual assistant, because of how much goes into sponsoring blogs.

 

I've tried it. I focused on it for about four months. It was....HARD. It was a lot of work, for very little gain. Sure, my blog went from 30 followers to about 80, but how many of those people really read every post I write? Not even half. Quite frankly, I barely have time to blog, let alone focus on helping someone else get exposure through my little teeny blog, so it really isn't working out for me. I'm often nervous about contacting the blogs that I love to ask them if they will swap buttons with me, because (A) who would take that exchange? Not a big time blogger who already has like-a-million-followers and (B) who am I kidding? They probably haven't ever read a thing that I write and don't have any intention to read anything I write in the future.

 

And you know what? I'm starting to figure out that it's ok. I really want this blog to go back to where it was when I started. I started this blog to document my wedding, and share my ideas with my friends. Then when that was over, it became more personal. Then I got pregnant, and I shared my daughter with you. I want to get back to the point where I write to share, not to make my blog popular. I also know how much I love reading about other people's families, and how much I hate filler posts (GFC follower link-ups especially) and find myself skipping over sponsor posts more often than not. So, I don't want to become that kind of blog.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love a good link-up, and this doesn't mean that I'm going to stop doing EVERYTHING except journaling our lives. I just really want to share MORE of the things that mean the world to me, and less of the things that I was doing JUST to get people to like me.

 

It will be hard because I am a people-pleaser. I am happy as long as everyone else is happy with me. If I have an issue unresolved with someone, it drives me INSANE. It's just the way I am. But I'm hoping that those of you that read will stick around because you love seeing my family and care somewhat about my successes, and commiserate with my failures. Because that's what this community has been for me: support, friendship, comfort and reassurance. And I hope I can give all of that to you as well.

 

So, this is the start. Thanks for reading!!

 

 

And if you have time, and would like to check out some of the wonderful blogs who have inspired ME, I have a new blog love section on my sidebar. None of those ladies asked to be there, they are there because they are important to me, and women who I love to read about. I hope you will read too!

 

Until later lovebugs,

 

Rachael

My Husband Rocks: The Return! Vol 1

I got this idea from a blog I read almost two years ago when I first started my blog. It was called The Great Adventure. Basically how it works is this:

Every Sunday, I will be posting a story, or photo, or quote about how and why my husband rocks! And I invite you to do the same!

<center> <a href="http://thegrowingtreeblog.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20Husband%20Rocks"><img alt="The Growing Tree" src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh534/thegrowingtree/myhusbandrocks.jpg" height="200"/></a></center>

No husband is perfect and it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how I set myself up to think about him. If I focus on his failures, his annoyances, or ways in which I’ve felt hurt by him, then I will interact with him as a hurt and frustrated and disappointed wife. That makes for miserable living for me and my husband and those around us. But if I focus on his strengths, his potential, and the ways in which I feel blessed by him, then I will interact with him as a forgiving, blessed, and contented wife. And there’s no greater need a man has than to feel respected by his wife. If he feels like all he does is hurt, disappoint, and frustrate, then the same atmosphere and the same actions will be perpetuated. But if he feels that his wife can be happy and responsive regardless of his shortcomings, he feels respected and empowered. Then a positive atmosphere is perpetuated and actions, once destructive, can improve in an environment that is rich for cultivation and growth into deepened respect and intimacy."

(from the From*me Tees Mission Reflection)

::Taken from Katy Lin's blog::

If you would like to join in on My Husband Rocks, just write a post about how your husband/significant other ROCKS and why! Then mosey on back here and link your post with mine with the tool at the bottom! It's that easy and fun!

 

 My husband rocks this week, because he has been letting me pretty much go crazy and buy a new purse and all the matching stuffz from Thirty One. I lurve Thirty One bags, and I am actually having a party in a few weeks so I can try and get my baby bag as well!

Here is what he's gotten me so far:

 The Inside Out Bag

The Soft Wallet

 

Keep it Caddy

 

 

Not Pictured:

 

 Key Fob (keychain)

Small Thermal Zipper Pouch

 

 

On My Wishlist:

 



Organizing Utility Tote (to use as my baby bag)

Cosmetic Bag (using the big one in the baby bag, small one in my purse)

 

Coupon Clutch (2 - one for receipts, one for coupons)

Fold and Go Organizer with Notepad (for my purse)

 

Weekender Bag for Nana and Mawmaw's house

 

 

 

Either the Party Thermal

 

or the Out and About Thermal for my lunchbox for work

 

 

And the Cindy Tote for my computer bag/(eventual) camera bag

 

 

I also want a Retro Metro tote in Florida State but that I have to pay full price for, so I am hoping that I get enough money from my Gender Reveal Party on March 9th to be able to get it! If anyone wants to help and order, I will be posting the link here on my blog and instagram/facebook!

 

 

The point to all this is that it is SO out of character for my husband to just say "yes" with no issue, but when it came to these bags he almost knew BETTER than to say no.

 

Now if I could just convince him to let me be a consultant! I'm workin on it. *hint hint hubby*

 

I want to hear all about the loves of your lives!

* If you would like to participate *

Blog about anything you want, it just has to be about the love of your life! Then come back here and link up in the collection at the bottom of this post. Please grab the button and use it in your post, or post it somewhere on your blog!

The only thing I ask is to follow my blog via GFC or facebook or twitter (icons at the top of the page) and take a look around at the other blogs linked up and leave them some love too!

* If you want to add the blog hop to your post *

If you want to participate in the hop, just click here and copy and paste the link into the HTML of your post! That's it! Simple!

* If you would like me to add you to the advance email*

If you would like to receive the code for the post before it goes live, send me a message with the subject Send Me the Code to:

 

Little Miss Natalie

Lately I've been thinking about how I have a hard time remembering the little details and quirky things that my girl does, says, etc. I am also really bad about writing it down in the pretty little notebook that I bought for her.

SO, I thought maybe what I can do is write it all down here, document with photos and then print them all out and turn them into a book for her someday down the road. It's a great idea in my head, so I'm going with it.

Some things that I really want to start with is this. Natalie:

• I love how you spin around in circles to make yourself dizzy, and turn your eyes the opposite way to which you are spinning. You are so silly!
• You are learning things so fast!
• You brought your name place mat to me, and started saying the letters in your name.
• You are saying "mommy, daddy, cook, up, bye-bye, see you later, juice, and night night" I know there is more, but those are the ones that stick out to me right now
• You know how to put your coat on, and can almost do it by yourself. You even know that it zips!
• You climbed into Daddy's shoes and started walking around!

• You are starting to pay attention to movies - you watched The Lion King all the way through with Mommy last Friday!
• I love how you are with your baby doll. You feed her, give her a paci, hug her, read to her, and carry her around. You are going to be a GREAT big sister!
• You are SO well behaved. You eat great, sleep great, don't fight your carseat, and you are so laid back when plans change and you don't get your nap.
• You are always so happy and smiley! Mommy loves to make you belly laugh by blowing raspberries on your belly and tickling your feet.
• You love your hockey jersey! You brought it to me, and asked to put it on, and then went and got your hockey stick! You are definitely your father's daughter!

• I love how you dance right now, lots of clapping and stomping at the same time, although you also sway back and forth if it's a slower song like "Twinkle Twinkle" Or "I Love you"
• You LOVE Barney! You ask Mawmaw to play your video multiple times a day when you are with her!
• You love pizza! You can even hold a small piece and tear it off yourself!
• You have become very cuddly lately, especially when you are tired! Mommy loves it when you are asleep from the car and I pick you up and you stay on my shoulder, or when you cuddle in when it is time for bed. I know you won't do it much longer, so I am savoring it!
• You also love Daddy's hats! You take them from his head or if you see on laying around it eventually ends up on your head!

• You give hugs like crazy right now! You run back and forth between us and give us hug after hug and say "awww." It makes Mommy melt!
• You love bathtime and always try and make Mommy and Daddy laugh and get soaked!
• You love your "teetee" (kitty) Eddie and pet him and give him hugs all the time!

I love you little girl, more and more each day and I am so proud of how you are growing up and learning so much already!

Row Merrily my beauty,

Mommy

Re-evaluating and adjusting

Since I started my new 52 in 52 list I haven't really done much with it. And now, with coming back to blogging, a lot of things have changed and a lot of the goals are no longer relevant. While I don't necessarily want to start over (because I do that ALL the time - seriously, I think I re-vamped my 1,001 list 3 times in the three years) I really feel like this time, I need to.

A lot of my goals are going to remain the same, and some I won't even be starting until the baby is born, but I feel like I won't have enough time to finish most of the goals that I had set, so I feel more comfortable starting over.

If you would like to see my list and cheer me on, click here!

Until later, lovebugs!



Rachael

Next Sunday! Be there!

I know that I promised a while back to start back up with My Husband Rocks, and I am so sorry that it took this long to get back! I hope you all are still with me and ready to celebrate your hubbies because next week is our first official link-up!

<center> <a href="http://thegrowingtreeblog.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20Husband%20Rocks"><img alt="The Growing Tree" src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh534/thegrowingtree/myhusbandrocks.jpg" height="200"/></a></center>

I am super excited! I can't wait to show you the awesome-ness that is my husband this week! Trust me, it's SO out of character for him!!

 

 

 

Take care, lovebugs!

 

 

 

Rachael

Just a lil somethin...

So, while I have been gone something big has happened, and now that I have some concrete answers to go on, I wanted to go ahead and announce...

We're expecting baby #2!

He or she should be arriving sometime in July, and we will be finding out the gender in approximately three weeks!

So excited!

Later lovebugs!!



Rachael

Just Stopping In...

So, it's late and I really need to go to bed. But, before I do, I wanted to just pop in really quick to say that there are a ton of new posts on the way to go with my BRAND NEW LOOK!

Seriously, I worked on it for almost two days straight this weekend, and I am super proud of it! Tell me what you think! Is any of it hard to read? Do you like it? Does it look amateur? TELL ME!

I have so much to catch you up on, so I'm going to do it little by little. Starting with our trip to the pumpkin patch this past fall along with Halloween!

See you later lovebugs!


Rachael