I don't understand

skirt:  tjmaxx   tank: shadeclothing  maternity   vest: loft    necklace: groopdealz 

I don't understand how I'm supposed to sleep comfortably in my bed after finding a tick crawling on me the other night while in bed, and then another one on our wall the next day.   And I don't understand why I felt the need to take a picture of it and share it with you.  I'm sorry.  It really it too disgusting.  

I don't understand why my belly has started growing sideways instead of straight out.  Isn't that the wrong way?  I don't understand why last week I lost more than a handful of followers and how to not let that bother me a little. I don't understand how I am supposed to have energy after school when it is in the upper 80's outside and I'm in an non air conditioned classroom with 21 sweaty, restless kids who are ready for summer, with a pregnant belly that makes me even more sweaty and tired.   I don't understand why all shows end in May.  I would much prefer 90210, Modern Family and Parks and Recreation to continue throughout the summer.  Speaking of tv shows, I don't understand why Netflix sucks me in with the first two seasons of shows like Sister Wives and Hart of Dixie, but doesn't have the rest of the seasons available.    I don't understand why my sister has to go back to Vermont after visiting this weekend.  Wishing she could stay! and I don't understand why I forgot to pick a winner for the Target giftcard giveaway.  Congratulations to Deborah Rose!  Email me at katiejvale@yahoo.com and Lindsay and I will get you your prize.  

Real Community

dress: target   necklace: groopdealz   boots: dsw  

I read a lot about the blogging community and have loved others I've met and do feel like it has been and will continue to be a blessing.  BUT it cannot compare to real life community. 
I've been thinking a lot about the blessings that come from being in a community with others, as I have been feeling very blessed and encouraged lately by those who have prayed for us the last two years and are already in love with our daughter. It made me so grateful that I was in a relationship with so many others, whether my small group, my girls' night group or friends at school, throughout our whole struggle. 
There were a lot of times during those two years that I had a hard time being around others.  Each of my different social groups (church, school, friends) were all in the young kids, pregnant, baby phase and there were many times when it was a struggle to be around them, as it was a constant reminder of what I didn't have but so badly wanted.  
I remember a few times telling Chris I just wanted to move away and it just be the two of us, as that seemed easier.  For you it may not be a baby, but maybe others around you have a house you want, a job you're wishing for or a season free of life's trials.  Whatever it is, I think it's easy to want to be by yourself and distance yourself from others, as you feel like they have no idea what you are going through. Which is probably true.  But there is no way others can pray for you, encourage you and help if you don't let them in to what you are going through.  

This is not to say that I don't think it is wise and necessary to say no to things and take some breaks from things sometimes, as I did.  But I'm thankful that I had friends and family that were invested in praying for me and encouraging me, as I can't imagine going through life's struggles without real community.  And it makes going through life's joys even better!
I'm so thankful to be surrounded by real community during our struggles and to be continued to be surrounded by community during our celebrations.  

The greatest blessing

 

skirt: target     cardigan: loft    necklace: groopdealz 

There are so many things I am thankful for.  My husband, my family, our house, my job, this precious baby girl that I will get to met in July. 
These things are amazing blessings that God has given me.  But without a doubt the thing that I am most thankful for, and often take for granted, is that God sent His perfect Son to pay the price for my sins so that I could spend eternity with Him.  
Reminded on this day of the price He paid for my sins and praising God for the greatest gift I could be given.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. (2 Colossians 2:13-14)
Happy Easter!
He is Risen.  He is Risen indeed.  

Life doesn't always go according to pinterest

sweater, maternity jeans, wedges: target    necklace: groopdealz 

Well I'm sure this is no new news to any of you, but sometimes in life and especially the blog world it's easy to assume that things are always organized, happy and in place for others.  We all know this isn't true but I think it's important to share those non-perfect moments. 
This weekend we started the first phase of getting our nursery ready.  We had to move Chris' home office down to the basement.  This room wasn't just an office, but has been our "extra" room, which just means lots of crap that's been there for too long. 
Chris did the big furniture a few weekends ago and what was left was just piles of random stuff to sort through.  Oh and cobwebs, dust and all sorts of lovely things. 
I got back from running some errands on Saturday morning and he had already done a majority of the work with bags full of garbage and less piles left.  To which I failed to say how happy I was that he started the process while I was gone. 

A few words exchanged and miscommunicated.  Along with a brief conversation about a large shelf on the middle of the wall.  Chris wanted to just leave it there because "we can just put stuff for the baby on there anyway, right?" To which I was too dramatically surprised that he thought it was a good idea to plan all our furniture and decorating around a shelf that was already there.  
I ended up sitting on the floor, sorting through piles in tears.  A few tears may have been justified, but the 20 minutes of tears I'm blaming on pregnancy hormones. 
A few apologies exchanged and things were completely okay.  But let's just say it didn't match up in my mind with this great, exciting and tender starting of our nursery. This moment was far from "instagram" or "pinterest" worthy but this is real life.  
I was thinking about it a lot more the day after and realize I have all these expectations for these exciting things that are coming: registering, preparing the nursery, organizing multiple things in our house, projects and others.  To which I blame part of it on pinterest, blogs and other unrealistic expectations.  Yes, they will be exciting, but yes they will come with their stress, miscommunications and emotions and I'm sure a large amount of them won't get done.    Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to try to do a lot of them, but I don't want my expectations and planning to get in the way of what we are really excited about and that is our sweet baby girl that is coming in July, who be happy and loved regardless of what projects or things I have completed.   

Want to be this happy?

Want to be as happy as my dog Molly?

Who seriously smiles in every picture we take.

Then you should sponsor my blog in December, 

as I'm quite confident I can help grow your blog or shop.

Current Stats: 

(hey look - I used an abbreviation without even thinking about it.  I think I can handle stat.)

Followers via GFC: 1,115 +

Daily page views during the week: over 600

Monthly page views: 16,000

I currently have a few large ad spaces available for $10 and medium spaces for $5.
Email me at katiejvale@yahoo.com or read here for more information.

And if that doesn't make you happy, perhaps another polka dot outfit will.


dress: old navy   sweater: banana republic outlet   boots: dsw  necklace: groopdealz

Hope you're having a great week so far! 

Colored Denim Obsession

jeans: target  boots: dsw (similar)  tee: old navy   necklace: groopdealz

It appears as though I have a new obsession for colored denim jeans. 

I want to wear them all the time. 

A few observations about my ability to style colored jeans: 

1. These outfits together are bordering on bright color overload.  

 2. I like to buy things in primary colors.

3. I wear my grey Target wedges all the time. 

(At least I'm getting my $9 worth.) 

4. It appears that I only wear stripes and polka dots with my colored jeans. 

5. It makes me want to wear some more "subtle" tops with them. 

                                      Like this white sweater          or             this grey one: 

buffalo jeans

Now what colored denim do I need next? 

Linking up to: Sunday Style  YOLO Mondays
Monday Mingle  Life of Meg

So long summer . . .

tee: old navy  short& sandals: old navy  bracelets: chloe vs. tank  necklace: groopdealz

I'm thinking this will be my last time wearing shorts this year.

 Whether the weather agrees with me or not, now that it is September I want to put my shorts away and move onto Fall clothes. 

Even though school has started and I feel like summer is already over, 

this weekend seems to make it more official.  

Here are some of my summer highlights:

camping with my family

taking my niece to Medieval Times for her birthday

spending a day in Lake Gevena with Lauren

spending time (and even making a craft) with Lauren and Lauren 

getting an extra week with some alone time with my nephew and niece

trying to be more adventurous

accomplishing some successful projects (sailboat tee, maxi dress, statement necklace)

I hope you had a great summer and are ready for Fall!

Now when is it an appropriate time to put up Fall decorations?  

because I am ready. 

sunday funday
YOLO Monday