This. Just This.

I wasn't going to post today. I've had a rough day.
Not in the whole scheme of the global world kind of rough day.

But just a "it's hard to be a mom of a 3 year old who will not listen to a word I say, is into everything, won't obey, all I do is discipline all day long......................." kind of day.

I feel like all I do is try to make Harper be "good".  I'm terrified of what everyone at church and MDO and the grocery store think of my child and how they must whisper when I walk off about how I need to get control of her.

She's not a terrible child. She's a wonderful blessing to me.  She's just a very sprited, strong willed girl. But I worry every minute of every day that I'm not doing the right things as a mother and that she will turn out awful because of it.

And then I followed a link to this post.

http://lysaterkeurst.com/2012/01/i-dont-want-to-raise-a-good-child/

And I cried my eyes out.

I desperately needed to read that today.

Maybe you did too.




And P.S. When Harper is a missionary in Africa and I never get to see my grandkids I guess I'll just laugh at all the times I have prayed over and over "God use her in awesome ways - I want her to have a passion for you above all else". 

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Don't forget to scroll down to the next post and shop the almost 350 shops!!! WHOOO - there are some CREATIVE women out there!!!

I wanted to share two very sweet things that we received this week and a party we went to today.  Yesterday we got a note and a present from an 11 year old girl named Taylor in NJ.  Taylor shares a birthday with Harper and has followed her story since she was born. She used her own allowance money to buy Harper a doll that plays "Jesus Loves Me".  Isn't that precious? Harper slept with the doll last night - she loved her! I had a hard time getting Harper to hold the doll, the sign and smile all at the same time - this was the best we could do.  Taylor - thank you! What a sweet girl you are to think of another little girl so many states away!!!

And one of my oldest friends who I have known since she was Harper's age and is now 30 sent Harper these two books about little girls who have "special ears".  I loved that one of the girl's name is Laurie. We had had kind of a down week and these books came at such a neat time. I thought it was so thoughtful for her to think of us and find these books - I just cried and cried when I opened these.  I'm so inspired by these two to find small things to do for others to brighten their days.

One of Harper's friends Ella Kate turned four today and her mom had her a special "girls only" party (at EK's request) at a little art place in town.  Harper was SO excited to go!

Each girl got to paint a plate! Harper had a lot of fun making hers!

It was a Wizard of Oz theme and everything was so cute. Isn't this the cutest cake EVER?

My friend Robin made the cookies - this picture is a little blurry but they were so cute!

And look at the favor boxes? And they had little wands and ruby slippers inside - everything was just precious!

Ella's twin sisters - Ruby and Molly

Ella's beautiful mom, Amy, just had brain surgery 3 weeks ago.  She is so amazing. The mom of 3 girls under four and she always is so calm. (I know she would say she isn't - but she is such a sweet spirited mom to me).  She pulled off the cutest party after having major surgery and Christmas. I would probably still be laying in the bed. :-)  I'm so thankful Amy is doing so great - she is fine! She's an answer to prayer!

Sweet birthday girl! I still remember having her baby shower and her mom went into labor with her later that night.  A few weeks early!

Neely, Harper and Emily

The girls got to have their faces painted and Harper wanted a butterfly just like Emily! She had the best time!

We are still a little under the weather - Hollis has an ear infection and has been pretty pitiful.  So we are laying low the rest of the weekend.  Hope your weekend is great!

SUYL - Show us What you make or sell

I love to buy from crafty women. I think etsy.com is one of the best inventions ever! I have no creative bones in my body - but thankful other people do and will share with me!

I also love to support small businesses and women who have little side shops to help their families. For this reason - I love to do this every few months. I hope if you have a little etsy shop or business - that you will share it with us. And if you do or don't  - I hope you will shop, shop, shop!!!

And I want to spotlight the 3 "sponsors" I have on my sidebar.  I'm featuring 3 (or 4) small businesses a month for free to try and help women help their families. I'm starting small and maybe I can make it bigger in months to come to help more!

Polka dot posies.com is one of the BEST places to get your big bows for your girls! They are AMAZING prices, great quality and ship freakishly quick! She has all sizes and colors! I have bought from her several times and you will too if you try her once! My favorites are the 6.5 inch bows. They are the perfect size!

I don't think you can have ENOUGH Scripture in your home. I love having God's word in every room of my house.  NapTime Diaries makes awesome scripture prints that you can take and frame how ever you want. She has tons to choose from or you can work with her on a custom design. I love these prints you can have made for your children or as a baby gift!

When I was looking for Harper's first birthday outfit - I found the cutest little site called She She Made.  And since then she has become a friend and I have had her made a lot of cuteness for the girls.  A lot of the baby gowns Hollis wore her first month or two came from She She.  She makes the CUTEST things for both babies and kids.  And lots of cute boy things too.  She just had a boy - so her boy stuff has become even cuter! Isn't the gown above the sweetest? (I'm looking back and I think I may have over used the word "cute" but I can't help it. I should have thrown in a darling or precious somewhere. ha!)

PLEASE ONLY LINK ONCE PER BUSINESS.  IF YOU LINK MULTIPLE TIMES - I WILL PROBABLY DELETE ALL BUT ONE.  I WANT TO GIVE ROOM FOR EVERYONE!