I Love You Because...

I started a new Bible Study with some of the ladies from my MOPS group yesterday. We meet on the off weeks when the full group isn't meeting... anyway it's a study on marriage. We read some great scripture and I learned a lot about God's design for marriage. Lots of great stuff, truly.

One thing in particular that we talked about was taking the next few months and studying our husbands. Really taking the time to watch and learn... and make a list of the very specific things that we love about them. Things that are public and maybe things that are private... whatever it is for you.

I sat down today and thought about it while the boys were at school, and made an initial list... lots of little things about John that make me love him more every day. I tacked that list up on the bathroom mirror, and didn't say anything.

Tonight when he came home, after his initial tackling from the boys -- he went into the bedroom to change his clothes, and he saw it. He came right out and gave me a kiss and said he loved me too - it was a really sweet moment.

The idea is that I will add to it as things come to me, and keep it up -- John can read it while he's getting ready in the morning and know all of the reasons why I love him. I can't think of a better way for him to get psyched up for going out in the world everyday.

I heard on the radio today that a study was done recently that showed a positive correlation to men kissing their wives in the morning before leaving the house -- lead to higher salaries and fewer car accidents! Amazing!

If just showing our husbands how much they mean to us can keep them safer and make them more successful -- can you imagine how much better off we all are? I love the idea that just loving someone can be so powerful. I hope that it puts a little pep in his step, and shows him just how proud I am to be HIS wife.

Take a minute, if you will... and consider doing this for your own husband. Our study leader cautioned us against asking for our husbands to reciprocate -- most probably would, but don't make it about YOUR feelings... make it all about him and focusing on what you can do to improve his self esteem... while thinking about all the little things that you love about him rather than the little picky things that might be negative.

What Makes You, You?

Yesterday in MOPS, we were asked to describe ourselves -- without saying anything about your husbands or children. Lately, I'd say that has become more and more difficult for me... because my life is my husband and children. I love them dearly, and focus my time and energy on taking care of them.

So, it was a challenge for me to come up with an answer. Many of the things that I truly enjoyed have taken a backseat to the everyday things that have to get done. Did you know that 40% of our happiness is genetic, while 20% is based on our situations, and the remaining 40% is purely our choice?

What is it that makes you happy? I mean YOU... not happy through the lives of others... but something just for you.

For me, it's writing... fundamentally, it is a great way for me to process through things. It makes me feel better to get things out on paper, and makes me feel more grounded and balanced. Lately, it has taken a backseat to so many other things -- but I'm hoping to change that starting today. No promises about a timeline or anything like that, but I'm going to give my promise that I'm going to write as often as possible.

A second thing that makes me happy is seeing the success that I've experienced with Scentsy. This isn't a sales pitch, but I want to tell you why it makes me happy. I am an incredibly shy person...painfully shy. I'm the wall flower at parties unless someone else engages me into conversation. So how is it that I can be successful at selling a product? Well, it helps that the product is amazing... high quality, and beautiful. These products sell themselves, but also give me a reason/motivation to step outside of my comfort zone with some really successful results. Sales are really easy with these products, and I love sharing with people how happy it makes me... so it's a win/win situation. If you'd like to know more about shopping with Scentsy or about changing your life by joining my growing team... please don't hesitate to email me.

A couple of other things I enjoy are reading and baking -- there isn't much time for all of these hobbies, but I am grateful for any time that I can spend recharging my batteries for taking care of the little men that require all that I have to give on most days.

So... take a minute and tell me what makes YOU happy...

1st Day of School

I really don't have many words... the cute speaks for itself!

Sweet Tyler wasn't too sure about this backpack business

James loved it, and in fact was really upset that he had to take it off to get in the car.

Walking to the car... so big and so little all at the same time.

Big boy just walked in and started playing - he loves this kitchen. So cute! I hope that he's been a good boy. It's his first time eating at a table without a high chair, and first time napping on the floor. We could have some cranky boys on our hands tonight!

Ty wasn't so confident, but didn't cry either - they took him from Daddy and I got one more picture before we left...

Sweet kiddo, it's his first time eating at a table and napping on the floor too. He is a bit less active though - so I suspect that he wouldn't put up as much of an argument about napping. We shall see in a little over an hour.

Mommy spent the morning at the orthopedic surgeon's... but I did get my steroid shot in the joint... which hurts like hell, but in the end... if it helps me be able to pick up a sippy from under the couch without crying... it's worth it. If it's not better in a month, he wants to do an MRI to see if I have a torn rotator cuff.

I'm a Blog Star too!

Hi there! I'm stopping by today to tell you a little bit about me... First, my name is Kim and I'm the author behind Faith Grace & Giggles - where things can be funny, crazy, and messy... but we do our best to keep it real.

I am a Christian. Wife. Mother. Daughter. Sister. Sister in Law. Aunt. Friend. Weight Loss Surgery survivor. Infertility survivor. Adoptive Mother. Former NICU parent. Writer. Stay at Home Mother. Scentsy Consultant. Stella & Dot Stylist. Cook. Baker. Reader. Photographer. Pet Lover. Retired Database Manager. and Social Media junkie. The last one is really a means of outlet because I spend 80% of my day with two littles that don't talk much yet.

Lets dig a little deeper into some of these, shall we?

I'm a Christian above all else, because I've learned that without God - I'm not any good at any of the other things in my life. I almost lost my marriage before finding my Savior, and was unable to see a light at the end of a long infertility battle... with my faith - I was able to find resolution to both of those.

I'm a wife to my amazing husband, John. We met online about 13 years ago when I was still in college... married 3 years later, and just celebrated our 10th Anniversary in February. We struggled for 8 years with infertility... so we had a long time to grow as a couple and become a true team before our family grew to what it is today.

I'm a mother to James (23 months) & Tyler (17 months). We had a failed adoption placement just 2 months before becoming parents. James was our precious gift given to us by God through adoption. The day we signed his adoption papers at the hospital and brought him home - we found out that we were pregnant. Six short months later, Tyler joined our family... and these two give me a run for my money every single day! They are polar opposites in just about every way - which is challenging, but I wouldn't trade any of it for a minute.

The daughter part is fairly obvious - so we'll move to sister. I became the middle child at the ripe old age of 25 - for the first 25 years of my life - I had two older sisters, Cathi & Cindy. At 25, my Dad & stepmother adopted two babies from Guatemala - and I became the older sister to my brother and little sister: Josh & Gabby.

John also has a sister, who I love dearly... and then I have 3 brother in laws that are wonderful! Additionally, we have 5 gorgeous nieces ranging from 16-4.

I've got some dear friends in my life. People that really are more family than just friends. Sadly, we moved away from most of the people we love last June, and meeting new folks has been slow going here in TN. I'm starting to find some lovely ladies to spend a little time with around here - and I'm sure by the time we move back to TX - I will be sad to leave them too.

In 2007, I had a gastric bypass - which was the reason I started my blog in the first place. I would do it all over again every day of my life - I believe it what it allowed for my future. Would I say that I reached every goal that I set out - not at all. I did not lose all my weight, but I was able to essentially cure my diabetes and blood pressure issues. Since having a baby they are creeping back up a bit, BUT they are far more manageable now.

I mentioned before I suffered through 8 years of infertility and all that comes along with that. In September 2009 - we were told by our reproductive endocrinologist that they couldn't help us. That we'd never have a child biologically. While that was the most unbearable thing to hear - I was okay. It opened the door for our adoption... and so much more!

I'm also a former NICU parent. Tyler spent 12 days in the NICU when he was born, and it was really hard. It was a struggle, but I couldn't have been more grateful for the resources and care that we were given - and I've got a healthy 17 month old boy thriving because of the little bit of extra help that he needed and received at birth.

I sell Scentsy to help make a bit of extra money for bills and activities for the kids. I am currently working on building a team of fabulous Scentsy consultants - I want to go to convention next year with some friends and celebrate our accomplishments. Additionally, our incentive trip qualification period just started - so it's a GREAT time to get involved and earn an all expenses paid trip to one of 6 locations!! Free trip to Hawaii anyone?! I'd be thrilled to help you host a blog or catalog party for either one - and earn free products in return if you're interested.

I love trying out new recipes... and do it almost daily if possible. I write a recipe blog called Momma Hawk Cooks - to share our recipes, but also to keep them handy so that I can access them anywhere. I've got a dog and a cat... love taking pictures of our family... love writing... and so much more! I'd be honored to have you stop by and visit our piece of the web sometime!