Birthday Love x 2

Today, the boy who made me a mama is 14 years old.  As I celebrate his birth today, I celebrate me as well and how far we have come.  From Pooh Bear to the young man that stands before me today.  This precious young man took his sweet time a coming (33 hours), and still takes his time wherever he goes. Ethan strolls. It is hysterical, he can be running late and he never rushes, he just strolls. Me, on the other hand, I rush. 

Time has gone by so quickly and I know everyone says that but it just confirms how true that statement is. My baby is 14.
He loves music and sports and can't wait to drive. His schedule is busier then mine sometimes.

Ethan made me a Mom. He blessed me so, he continues to bless me each day. I have prayed over him and with him, watched him grow, encouraged him, listened to him, wiped his tears, laughed at his jokes, disciplined him, been so immensely grateful for him, praised him, lifted him up when he has been down, spoke the truth to him. This young man has taught me so many things.. He has shown me what a true friend looks like by his actions, he doesn't judge others, he has taught me to slow down, he cheers me on and this blog, he is always willing to step in and help others, he is respectful and kind.
As I think about my birthday, I stop and think of the greatest gift that was ever given to me, this life,  the life and love of this young man, whose heart I guard and whom I admire.
I am so blessed and  undeserving to be so.
A very Happy Birthday to my Ethan...You are a light in this world and I love you so very much! I delight in watching you grow, change and find your place in this world. My God bless you and keep you every day Son.

Tender teen years

Today I am linking up with Bits of Splendor...Reflecting on this past week 

It was a good week, not special in any way but special in every way when I stop and think about where my little family is in life.  Our oldest son will be 14 this week, on my birthday in fact. 

I am moved to tears when I think about the kind of young man he is becoming. 

He got in trouble last week for not making good choices and it got me to thinking of the pressures he is facing at this tender age.  

Ethan is a really good kid, not perfect by any means, but he is a well mannered, a thinks of others kind of kid. When he messes up, it surprises me, because I know he knows better, it makes me pause because I don't expect him to be perfect...but he is an over achiever and puts a lot pressure on himself.

I think about peer pressure,  bullies, school work, sports and everything else he has going on. That is a lot for any young person.  As he navigates his way through this world he is going to mess up, to make mistakes. It is in the correcting and learning afterwards that means the most.  I was so disappointed in Ethan and he knew it.  He was being selfish and he knew that also.  It wasn't until a few days later when he prayed and reflected on the poor choices he made, that he came to realize what he had done and why his Dad and I were so upset. 

This is my pooh bear, this is the boy who sings Mumford and Sons songs so beautifully, this is the young man that scoops up his sister when she is hurt, this is the young man that takes my hand in the middle of the kitchen and dances with me. 

This is the boy that laughs at silly things and can't wait to drive. This is the soft spoken boy who plays his drums really loud. This is the young man that holds the door open for everyone, this is the young man that made me a mama for the first time almost 14 years ago.  This is the young man that is going to make more mistakes...but I pray, he will continue to learn and grow and pray for God's guidance in his life. I am cherishing these days that are going by very quickly.  It is hard to believe Ethan will be 14 this week. Makes me want to freeze these moments all the more.

So as I look back on the week, it was nothing special but it was everything special to me. 

              Link up and share about your "Bits of Splendor" last week.

Roasted Garlic Recipe

I am so excited to bring you a recipe today.  This is comfort food at its finest.  Roasted garlic was introduced to me by my Aunt Bea.  I attended a little dinner party at her home years ago and this was on the menu.  I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does, my children love this.  The garlic takes on a whole new taste once roasted.  Garlic has many health benefits also but this is sheer goodness on bread.
You will need Garlic, how much will depend on how many you are feeding..I like everyone to have a least one bulb for themselves.
Olive oil
Thyme (for this recipe, I used ground Thyme)
A baguette, French or Italian
Tomatoes
Mozzarella Cheese
Aluminum Foil you don't have a garlic roaster. (It is made of Terracotta)

You do not need to pre-heat the oven,
First, you will cut the tops off the garlic bulbs to open them up.  You will peel the outer part so that it looks like this, I also use kitchen scissors to clean off tops so the olive oil will be absorbed.

drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle Thyme on top.

I have a garlic roaster, but you don't have to use one. You can use aluminum foil, just double line a deep, oven safe dish or pan and cover with aluminum foil.
Put in oven and then set oven to 350 degrees.  If cooking in aluminum foil, I have noticed that you need to cook at a little higher temperature. I would set at 400 degrees.  You will cook the garlic covered for 1 hour.  Uncover and cook another 15 minutes to 1/2 hour until it is buttery soft. I usually take a butter knife and poke the garlic to see if it has become soft. 
While the garlic roasts, you will slice your cheese and tomato in to slices.

You will slice your baguette and I like to drizzle a little olive oil on top of the slices and put in oven just for a few moments to get it a little crunchy.
You spread the garlic on the bread and you can eat alone or top with tomato and cheese for a fresh flavor

It is so wonderfully yummy. Great for dinner with some pasta, or even at at a little dinner party as an appetizer. 
I hope you enjoy this this little slice of heaven.  If you like garlic, I promise, this will not disappoint.

Where do YOU blog from?

So, I have been seeing these nifty state blog pins and I never knew where they came from until tonight. I found this blog, check her out Here, That has the different states you blog from in the form of a pin, like this one. Brooke designed them and has the codes on her sweet and helpful blog.

This is so cute, right? If you want one...Go check out Design Space 365 and grab yours for free. Just show her some blog love!!!  Have a wonderful weekend lovelies!!!

Something sweet photo challenge

I am participating in Our Reflection Photo Challenge today...The topic is "SWEET".
I Couldn't think of anything sweeter this morning than my daughter Madison and her sweet candy kiss.

I would love to see your photos too. Link up with Our Reflection Photo Challenge and check out all the "Sweet" pics today.

What i wore Wednesday

I am really beginning to get into this Wednesday post about what I am wearing, besides the picture taking part. Hopefully that will get less embarrassing as time goes by.  I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy. I hope you will link up also.

I teach 5th grade so I don't have to really dress up for work but I do try to look nice. On Wednesdays we have Chapel so I usually wear a dress but today it is raining so I opted for pants. I have mostly girls in my class and they love to see what jewelery I am wearing each day.  

Today I am wearing white pants by Express that I thrifted last summer, (sorry for the wrinkles), a black cardigan from Banana Republic, a tank top from Gabriel Brothers that my sister found for me ( I love the black and white bow on it), and plaid wedges from target.  I am also wearing my Shine necklace by Ashley from The Shine Project and a fake pearl necklace that I wear as a bracelet.

Well that is it Lovelies, nothing too exciting today.  I can't wait to see all you looks for today! 

Tuesday 10...Shoes ahhh glorious shoes

Today's Theme for Tuesday 10 is Shoes...Gotta love it!!! I am linking up today with Mom2MemphisandRuby and Absolute Mommy for this fun post.  Come join the fun and show off your kicks.

 So here you have it...My green floral sling backs that are so perfect for spring. I got these at a store called Gabriel Brothers in Ohio (love that store), My Brighton boots that were gifted to me from a students Mom (I wear socks with them...so cute), My black platforms from Forever 21 that I got for 6.99, My yellow sling backs from Gabriel Brothers and I got those for 4.99 (amazing), My two tone tan heels I thrifted, My plaid sling backs I found on clearance at Target years ago, My brown glitter espadrilles are so old I can't remember where I got them, My black flats that look and feel like ballet shoes were gifted to me from a past student, and My daughters silver, glitter Toms that she was so excited to buy with her Birthday money from last year (because she loves that a child in Africa gets a pair too) <3. Ok so my most favorite that I have not been able to wear because I need them repaired is my black shoes with a buckle in front and they are super pointy but super cute and comfy. I have to get these fixed. Well, there you have it. I rushed to get this in because, well, what girl doesn't love shoes?

Good night Lovelies!!! Have an awesome Wednesday!

Why I blog

I have been asked this question more often lately and since it is a question posed over at
After Nine To Five for Positivity week, I thought I would reply.
I started out blogging because I love writing.  I really didn't know how this would all end up or how it would touch my heart, or get me to thinking how I could help others through a blog.  It all started with Ace the duck. I was house sitting for my sister in Ohio on her farm and Ace (my nephew's duck) followed me around the pond every day.  I fell in love with that duck. Silly, yes but doesn't inspiration come from many places?  Read my first post Here

I went home and started writing. I was instantly hooked, so much so, that when my sister returned home I convinced her to start her own blog also.  See her precious blog Here
I love serving others. I believe that is why God put me here. I want to show my children that even little steps are movement forward to something wonderful and unexpected.
I love this little space I have made here, I love the amazing women I am meeting, I love that maybe I am in some little way helping, or inspiring others. Most of all I want to glorify God in all I do or say.  I love that this is like a little love note to my precious family about our lives togehter.
I have big plans for this little blog, but who knows what the future holds. I would like to do this full time, to do some sort of non-profit to help others. We will have to see what God's will is in all of this. I thank God for the words, the inspiration and love, I also thank my family who have been so supportive through this process. My kiddos actually think my blog is cool and that tickles me.

Thank you to all of you who stop by and read my words....I hope it lifts your spirits,  gives you hope or makes you feel loved. I love hearing from you!!!

A BIG Thank You / Positivity Week

I am humbled to be part of Positivity week over at After Nine to Five. This is a wonderful way to lift others up and be encouraging to one another.  So I want to take a minute to say Thank you...Thank you to all the bloggers that I follow.  Your stories have touched my heart and I am honored to know all of you if only by reading about your lives. Thank you for sharing!!!
I have only been blogging since July of  2011, but I adore it so very much.  I try hard to find balance in my life and it has to mean something for me to spend time doing it.
 I have to say it was slow going in the beginning.  I had so much to learn (I still do) but I was so hooked that I stuck with it and what I have found is that...there are so many amazing, giving and lovely women out there who are willing to extend a hand, a kind word, or even help answer a question.
Putting yourself out there is scary at first, well each time I write a post that touches me, I am scared. You never know if you will be judged or get discouraging comments.  I have to say that has not been the case for me.  I  am so thrilled that I have a place I can share my heart and it is safe.  If you are a blogger or are thinking about starting a blog... go Here.  You will be encouraged.  Hope you have the loveliest of days.

Come see "Our Reflection" for huge giveaway

I am excited to be joining in with Our Reflection to be part of a huge giveaway.  It is another first for me.  One lucky winner is going to win big.  Go see for yourself...Check out her blogand all the prizes.  You will be told how to enter Here.  Hope all you lovilies are having a wonderful weekend, One of you is going to win big!!!





 Happy St. Patrick's
Day

What I am loving right now and a recipe

I am loving being on spring break with my kiddos, I don't want it to end.
I am loving soaking up all this sunshine we are having.
I am loving eating well and feeling better
I am loving seeing all the flowers that are blooming early
I am loving having two little pups running around.
I am loving meeting so many new bloggers this week now
I am loving all the new Spring fashions coming out

I am also loving homemade, yummy and healthy lemonade...So I thought I would share the recipe with you so we could enjoy it together.

It is so simple and lovely. This is to make about a gallon.  You take about 8 lemons and squeeze them or juice them if you have an electric juicer, 1 lime juiced also, fill pitcher with water, and then sweeten with agave nectar to taste. You can add as much or little agave as you would like. Then add the ice. It is so good, you can add strawberries, raspberries, we have added a kiwi before too. The kids love it and they are not getting all the sugar of store bought lemonade.
Hope you love it as much as I do. Have a wonderful, loving weekend!!!

I am linking up with Truly Lovely Fancy this Friday and Fab friends Friday over at I blog for me. Come check them out!!!

Guest Blogger today...Kassi from Truly Lovely

I am so excited to have my first guest blogger today.  This is Kassi from over at Truly Lovely.  She is a new blogger friend of mine and such a sweetie. Show her some blog love and check out the blog she and her sister have created...It really is truly lovely!!!

Hello there lovely 3 Wishes readers!!!

My name is Kassi and I blog over at Truly Lovely.

It's an 'all things lovely' blog created by myself and my sister, Kayli.

I am thrilled to be swapping with the lovely Janine this week! She is over at my place as we speak sharing a fun post! Hope you'll pop over and say hello there! :)

Today I have a fun DIY/Craft to share with you dolls.

The hubs and I made Pallet Welcome Signs for some friends of ours and I'd love to share the tutorial with you!

First, hubs cut up an old pallet into several similarly sized pieces. We decided three pieces would make a decent sized welcome sign. Next, I cut out some words in vinyl using my Silhouette SD to make some stencils.

I stenciled the words onto the pieces of pallet using the vinyl stencils, a small paint brush and some black acrylic paint.

We let them dry for several hours.

Once they were dry, we took the three stenciled pieces (per sign) and connected them using two Strong-Tie straps purchased from Home Depot, and a few well placed screws.

You can also see our sign "hanger" in the above photo. The barbed wire was the hubs' genius idea. Adds to the rustic look, don't you think?? We simply cut a small piece of barbed wire, bent it to our liking, then screwed each side down on the back of the sign.

So.... What do you think??

Hubs' was a great help on this one... It would appear he's got an eye for rustic design. ;)

THANKS so much to Janine for having me over today!

She's the Bloggie Bestie over at our place this week!

Hope you'll pop over and give her some blog love while she's there! :)

I hope you will pop over to Truly Lovely and see me today.  It is my first guest post. Thanks to Truly Lovely for this first!!

What I Wore Wednesday

I really hate getting my picture taken (I would much rather be behind the lens) so this represents a challenge when I would like to do more fashion posts.  I decided that today I would step outside my comfort zone and participate in "What I Wore Wednesday" over at The Pleated Poppy.

I love style and I love clothes, however having three growing children, it is not often that I shop for myself. I love putting on old pieces and figuring out how to give them a fresh look.

Today I am wearing black cargo pants from Forever 21, my shoes happen to be from Forever 21 also...Got them for a steal at 6.99 last summer in Ohio.

I am wearing a white men's t-shirt from PacSun (my hubby's) and a scarf and bracelet from The Icing.
My darling Cocoa decided to pose with me today.  Thanks to my Madi for taking pics of her Mama.
If you would like to see more of my style...hop on over to Pinterest and take a peek at my board called "my style".  I will try to wear something a little less boring next week.

Tuesday 10...Photos

Today I am participating in 10 Things over at Mom 2 Memphis and Ruby with co-host Laura from Our Reflection.  The theme today is your 10 favorite photos.  I  Love it.  Photography is such a passion of mine so this is a lovely theme for today.  I still have so much to learn about photography but I am enjoying it all along the way.

My Madison, she is a hoot to take photos of.

This is my son Cameron, he is 12 and hates to have his photo taken. He is usually bribed.

Ethan, my soon to be 14 year old, he is such a fun model

This is Ethan (in the air) and Madi at one of our family reunions in Ohio.

 My son Ethan again, he is always willing to model for me, that was him holding up his bmx bike also.


This was a lot of fun...I hope you will join in and link up your precious photos!


 Couldn't resist, just took this over the weekend of my precious daughter Madison. Had to share.