What do you think of when you hear "feed the hungry"? Kids in Africa? The man that stands at the freeway exit down the street? It's easy to want to feed the hungry children...after all, they are helpless and innocent. But what about the ones that are hungry that we pass by everyday? The ones we can't trust? I love what Isaiah 58:10 in the Message says, "If you are generous with the hungry, and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.." So, we might not always know if they are truly hungry or if they will throw out the meal you give them, but we know that God knows our heart and he takes care of the rest...and it's still doing something inside of us. We won't always know everyone's motives...that's just life...but it's a good thing God knows ours. Just sayin'. 

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I recently met Maggie and was amazed my her talent! She makes the most beautiful pieces and I just wanted to share them with you! ;) I'm all about supporting Mom's...especially local ones so please LIKE her page on Facebook, Seeking Pearls Handmade, and check out her work! 

(Hope you don't mind that I'm stealing your pics for this post!! Or that I'm posting this at all!! Ha!)

Beautiful, right?! You are awesome Maggie! ;)

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Just came across this project through an old high school friend. LOVE it! I am ALL about helping those in need....especially children. Please help my friend John raise money if you feel compelled to after watching this video! Let's support each other in making a difference! (The link to his page is after the video..)

http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=185288

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I get SO tired of cleaning up the SAME messes over and over and over....every single day. Anyone with me? I feel like it's all I do and there is NOTHING to show for it! I do the dishes, then we eat lunch, I do the dishes, then I make dinner and we eat....on dishes! Then I vacuum up the crumbs Presley left, then guess what? Find more crumbs and pieces of cheese in her play kitchen. Oh and don't forget the toys...so exhausting! That is why I love my bedtime cleaning...the house gets cleaned before I go to bed so at least it stays clean for a few hours. And I know that somehow, my mind is comforted while I am dreaming, because the sink is empty. BUT, tonight....I kinda lost it. Obviously I'm not in bed, so the house isn't clean. I came home from the gym and found a cup of milk laying on the carpet, Chex Mix all over the ground...not just full size Chex Mix, but stepped on, tiny crumbs Chex Mix.....and of course TOYS everywhere...AGAIN. I got frustrated, I yelled...don't judge, and don't act like you haven't done it before. No one was helping me....AHHHH. Then my little Malachi looked up at me and said "Where is my nice, sweet Mommy? Hmm, maybe she is in my pocket." Frustration stopped. John and I looked at each other and just laughed. How cool did I feel in that moment? I hate when I loose my temper and don't act nice. I teach my kids to talk nice....then I don't. I'm not perfect and sometimes it takes a 4 year old to remind me of that. DANG IT! Parenting is stinkin' hard. And if you don't agree, then either you aren't a parent or not trying to be a good one. I need a nap... ;)

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So it's no secret that I love arts and crafts....and some times I love them with my kids. Well, I found a cute Valentine craft on Pinterest that I remember making when I was a kid, so I did it with my kids today. I explained and even showed Malachi a picture of what we are making and then I let them both paint on their hearts. Well, Malachi started drawing people on his heart and the little craft perfectionist inside of me got so frustrated. What the heck?! Why would you draw people on the face of your Valentine Heart Guy! You are supposed to be painting 2 eyes, 1 nose, and 1 mouth..duh! So, as calmly as I could, I explained it again and we started over. Then he started painting eyeballs all over the face and I almost gave up (SOOO ridiculous, right?! He is freaking 4 years old!) Well, it happened, I got frustrated. Then I had to seriously give myself a pep talk and reminded myself that he is FOUR! And this is HIS project, not MINE! (What?!? haha) The whole reason in doing this is for HIS creativity and to have some FUN! Well it isn't very fun when Mom gets frustrated because they aren't doing something the way we think it should be done, right?! UGH. Fact is, craft time stresses me out when it doesn't go according to how I think it should, but it's good for me! Good for Malachi that he can step out of the box and make a 4-eyed Valentine! I mean, after all, I'm wanting him to be creative and make his own, right?! Lesson learned.....until the next time I screw up again ;)

Attempt #1 (which I should have just let him keep...dang it!)

Malachi's Final Valentine...with 4 eyes! Isn't he cute!? And I almost ruined it... 

Presley's Pretty Valentine :)

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What an amazing weekend!! My church hosted a Feed My Starving Children Event and I am so proud of everyone who made it happen! With the help of over 600 volunteers, we packed 124,416 meals for starving children around the world! All because one person listened to God and stepped way out of her comfort zone. UH-MAZING!! What is God calling YOU to step out and do?! 

Here is a little video my husband put together from this weekend:

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I thought I would take easy way out and try to make Valentine's Day Subway Art on a canvas, but when I realized this was turning out awful...I quit and had to think of something else to do with it. Bummer! Guess I should break out my Cricut and actually start using the thing! Right?! So here is a pic of the mess I made:

So I painted it all pink, got out my coffee filters and glue gun, mapped out my heart and started gluing. 

Final plan B product: 

MUCH better! Haha!

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We all do it, some more than others, but we all have and will do it. Compare. I am the worst! I am constantly comparing myself to other women, moms, girls...comparing my kids to their kids, my family to their family...it's so exhausting, right?! And I find that I don't compare all the bad stuff...I compare the good stuff. It's like I pick and choose what I wish I had from other people...their home, her hair, those kids (hahaha jk!), her car, her sense of humor...the list goes on. So after I take what I like from about 30 people, I compare THAT to me and my life. So I constantly make an unrealistic list of how I should or how I want to be and I can never measure up to that...especially because I'm not 30 other people, I am ME. Dang it! Haha ;) I loved this post about comparison by Crystal at http://moneysavingmom.com/  ...maybe because I struggle so much with it! 

About six weeks ago, I had a little extra time one day and was perusing blogs. I somehow stumbled upon this beautiful blog written by an even more beautiful woman.

As I read her posts, I began to feel very inadequate. She was pretty, in shape, creative, witty, had a gorgeous home, had more children than me, and really seemed to have it altogether.

I started to feel ugly, disorganized, out of shape, and like a really pathetic woman in comparison to her. But I kept on reading–and continued to feel even worse.

Then I landed upon a post where she talked about this woman that she so admired and wanted to be like. I was shocked when I clicked on the link and discovered the woman she was referring to was me.

Yes, this woman whom I felt I paled in comparison to wanted to be like me.

And then I realized how silly this was. Here she wanted to be me and I was secretly wishing I were her.

It hit me anew just how easy it is to want what we don’t have–better hair, better decorating skills, a better personality, more creativity, more spunk… there’s always someone who it seems we’d like to trade places with because they have what we want.

But trading places with someone wouldn’t fix anything; we’d just inherit a new set of things we wish we could change. No one has it altogether. Everyone has struggles and difficulties.

Comparison only leads to discontentment.

We can’t change who we are, but we can make the most of our situation. We can’t choose the personality we are born with, but we can choose to be thankful–even in the midst of difficulty.

And we can choose to be intentional and purposeful in how we live our lives so that we make the most of all that we’ve been given instead of wishing we were someone else.

I loved this part of Amy Lynn Andrew’s post on The Trouble With Blogging:

…Never forget that what you see on the screen is not the whole picture.

Never forget that the people behind the blogs are, well, people…with unorganized cupboards, unmanaged time schedules (ahem!), cranky children (ahem again!), painful stories, crafty train wrecks, struggling marriages, unpaid bills and burnt meat loaf. (Those are the examples I use, because those have all been me behind the scenes.)

Never forget that their story and their journey and their choices apply to them, not to you.

You are who you are for a reason. You are where you are a for a reason. Don’t do what I do and beat yourself up for not being where someone else is. It’s a colossal waste of time.

Appreciate everyone else’s outside, but embrace your inside. (Read the full post here–it’s fantastic!)

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Another post stolen from Chris Spradlin. Loving his blog :

http://www.epicparent.tv/

I am sure that many of the EpicMom’s struggle with the same thing!  You doubt if your good enough, you doubt if you will ever get it all done, you doubt if your truly depositing Jesus into your kids and  you doubt, _________________________________.

So if your a mom that struggles with doubt…

Here are 3 things that every mom needs to hear and let it sink deep into your heart, soul and mind!!

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139: 13-14

• DON’T FORGET WHERE YOU HAVE COME FROM!

“  For you created my inmost being;…” Psalm 139:13

Mom’s when you are having a bad day, when you don’t like what you see in the mirror, when you feel like the top candidate for the worst mom in the world, or when you are screaming mom  don’t ever forget where you have come from.  You are a DAUGHTER OF THE KING!

• GOD DESIGNED YOUR DNA!

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb Psalm 139:12

I remember when all of our kiddos were young, 3 under the age of 3, Jodie broke down one day and yelled, “what is my purpose in life”?  She was neck deep in diapers and was struggling to find God’s call and purpose for her life.  The reality is that God has crafted each and everyone of you intentionally, he designed your look, personality and DNA!  If you struggle with purpose, please know that God has designed your DNA and has a purpose for your life.  Here are several verses every mom should memorize…  Genesis 1:27, Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10

• YOU ARE FEARFULLY & WONDERFULLY MADE!

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13

We live in a world where many mom’s are discontent with what they see in the mirror.  If you have enough money you can make big stuff smaller, small stuff bigger, get nipped, tucked, injections and tightened.

The reality is that all mom’s are fearfully & wonderfully made!

NOT BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE – BUT BECAUSE OF WHOSE YOU ARE!

You are fearfully & wonderfully made because you are a daughter of the King, because you were created by perfection, because you were created by a good God!

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I struggle with anxiety. Bad. So much so that I am on medication. I worry....about EVERYTHING. I think of the most impossible scenarios and think they will happen to me. I'm scared of dying. Yes, I'm a Christian, but I am terrified on the unknown. I'm scared of loosing a child. I'm scared of loosing my husband...my family....anyone I love. I'm scared of getting shot every time I'm stopped at a red light and a ghetto, loud car pulls up next to me. NOT EVEN KIDDING. I'm ridiculous. Up until last July, I was terrified of being put to sleep... Fear paralyzes me. WAY too often. I don't need to hear "God is in control" I know that. God's plans scare me. I started doing so much better with my anxiety and fear, and then I lost my son. He doesn't make sense to me. I wish He did. I wish he sent me daily emails to explain everything to me and tell me "Breanne...today you won't get shot through your window and John will make it home safely." "Breanne, Jackson is sitting on my lap and he is healed and he loves you. Lives were changed because of this baby. There was a reason for this and it's this......" OR maybe one that said "Breanne, you will get pregnant again and have a beautiful/healthy baby and you won't bleed to death. You will raise that baby, along with your other two beautiful kids and watch them grow up and have babies of their own." Well, as you know, God doesn't work that way. Why the heck not?!? Well, I guess we wouldn't need faith then....sounds good to me! Faith is SO stinkin' hard...I have trust issues. Duh! 

On Tuesday I went to see my amazing Doctor and had an ultrasound done to check and make sure everything has healed properly. It's been past 6 months...wow! Are you kidding me?! So, everything looked good, got the big OK to start trying to get pregnant again. AWESOME?!? Right?!? No. Well, yea. But no. For 6 months I worried about getting pregnant again, but didn't REALLY worry about it because we couldn't for 6 months. Now that time is over and it's up to me. Well, John too...but ya know what I mean. Freaking SCARY! Another baby?! Another pregnancy? What if my placenta ruptures again?! What if my uterus ruptures this time?! What if I bleed to death and leave my husband with 3 children to raise?! What if.....trust me, the list goes on....and on......and on.....everyday. Over and over in my head. Yes I'm still on medication. I'm jacked up. And that is why I listen to this over and over....because someday I'm going to freakin' win this battle and not let fear captivate me anymore. Because IF_________, then GOD. And I need to rest in that. Listen to segment from Beth Moore's Esther series....you won't regret it....unless, of course, you never fear anything...ever. 

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Came across this post from Chris Spradlin tonight and had to share :)

http://www.epicparent.tv/5-things-every-son-needs-from-his-mom-2011-revisited/

http://www.epicparent.tv/5-things-every-young-lady-needs-from-her-mom/

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I found this on http://puppydogtails.blogspot.com/

and this on http://www.abcand123learning.com/

And I just LOVE any artwork made with handprints or footprints so we had to make these cuties! Malachi also painted some fruit for the hungry guy. And notice the tripple chin on Presley's caterpillar...haha. Make sure you paint the antennas on the right side of the head! Oops! 

We didn't have any red or green construction paper so we had to improvise. I just cut of leaves from scrapbook paper and used pipe cleaners for the caterpillar. Then I just hot glued the little guys on the leaves and we punch some holes. Easy schmeasy. 

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If you follow anything I post, I'm sure you have heard about Feed My Starving Children and the event our church is hosting in Feb. Well, next month is freaking FEBRUARY already! So if you were wanting/are wanting to get involved, now is the time! You can sign up to serve at Journey Church or online when it gets a little closer. Or you can still give! It's going to be amazing and fun and you don't want to miss it...just sayin'. ;)

http://www.avjourney.com/index.php?page=special-event

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John and I did our very first Photo Shoot together yesterday! It was so much fun! Well, kinda. Cameras frustrate the life out of me...but John did great! We photographed The Beautiful Elmore Fam! These are just a few shots from my humble little Nikon, John got some great shots from another camera...he still has to edit his and then we will give ya'll a sneaky peaky! 

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Welp! In a couple more hours we say goodbye to another year! A freaking crazy year. Here is what my year looked like..

We reunited with The Branson's! And met the newest member of The Bran Clan :)

Presley turned ONE! And Malachi turned FOUR!

Went to the Long Beach Aquarium, The Fair and hung out with our Chicago friends :)

Celebrated Holidays of course! 

Gave birth to my third child....and then said goodbye to him. But, also realized how loved we are...was, and still am, completely overwhelmed with all of your prayers and support! You guys amaze me and we are TRUELY grateful for everything!

Taught Malachi at "Mommy School", swam, went to the zoo, started crafting and got addicted to Pinterest! Malachi got his first bike! 

Said bye Uncle Nick who moved to Hawaii this year! We miss him and Greggy ;) Went to the beach, learned about Noah's Ark at the Skirball Center, went to Disneyland and got a trampoline! 

Reunited with my Dad after 2 1/2 years!! Malachi learned how to ride his new bike, he started Rainbows at First Assembly, went to a Dodger Game, and went camping in Ventura.

Praying 2012 is better for The Blanchard Family. Please join us in praying for wisdom for what comes next. We would love to expand, but obviously scared of what that looks like. Pray for peace as we still struggle with our loss. How can we pray for your family as we welcome a new year?

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So I'm in love with the blog DashingDish.com, it has amazing low-cal/healthy recipes and lists the calories for you...love it! All of my dinners and lunches have been coming out very delish so I thought, these blueberry muffins....got this! Ahahaha nope! STILL not a baker. I'm real new at this. I mean, I have the boxed-add eggs, water, & oil-desserts down...but not this real stuff. It's no fun..yet! Check out the blog and if you bake these, let me know how they come out...I think I just had a flour problem. Bummer. Until I try again...

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In other news...this made my day better ;)

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So today, of all BAD days, FedEX decides to show up at my door and drop off a brown box. Inside it was Jackson's Memory Box I had made a few days ago. Mr FedEX tried to drop it off yesterday, but I wasn't home so, I got it today instead. God, your timing doesn't make sense sometimes... Anyway, I am VERY happy with it. It's beautiful. Paper Coterie did an amazing job and I am so thankful that I have something so nice and personal to keep Jackson's stuff in. John and I spent some time putting his things in the new box together...so bittersweet. 

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Malachi told me the other day that we needed to get presents and a stocking for Jackson. I reminded him that he is in Heaven with Jesus, which he remembered, but still totally didn't get why we wouldn't buy him presents. I told him that if we bought him presents, we have no way to give them to him because he is all the way up in Heaven... he just looked at me like I was stupid and said, "Yes we can Mom, we can drive there!" I just love this little boy and how much he thinks about his little brother. Not a week goes by without Malachi mentioning our little Jackson...warms and saddens my heart all at the same time. So grateful to have such a caring son ;)

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