girl talk...make up and such

How's about a little girl talk....make up and such :)
I walked into Macy's a few months back to get the perfume I've worn for years (Coco Chanel Mademoiselle)....around here, Ulta and Macy's are the two choices to buy it from and I was closer to Macy's that day- I came in through a side door, which required a walking by the Mac counter- As I was walking by, I remembered a tutorial my faceobook friend Kayla had done about different Mac lip liners and thought I would stop and browse (I had meant to do this after her tutorial during the winter and somehow it kept making it's way farther down my to-do list until finally making it's way off...I had every intention to make my way to the Mac counter the day after her you tube tutorial posting)...
I walked away with Mac's Mahogany Liner....love!!
After buying the lip liner it dawned on me that I was just about out of blush- Mary Kay's Dessert Bloom had been discontinued (boo!!) so it was time to find a new favorite.....I checked out Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Lancôme and could not find the right color- by this time, I had circled enough of the make up section that I had brought myself to the perfume counter- As the most adorable sales lady was ringing up Coco I mentioned my quandary about finding the right color of blush....
She asked if I had ever heard of Louis Vuitton....
I was sold on whatever she was going to mention next cause this mama drools over his purses, luggage, anything and everything Louis Vuitton....
He has a make up line that is affordable- Benefit.....Benefit has the blush color 'Dallas' that has made our local Macy's biggest seller list-
I now have it in my make up bag and really like it- It's no Dessert Bloom BUT it's near close.
The same most adorable sales lady who had sold me the perfume and now the blush looked at my eye brows and said 'have I got the stuff for you!!'
We weaved around Louis Vuitton's Benefit makeup and came to the Chanel Counter- this time it was not the perfume but the make up- I sat down in the swivel bar stool and she used a #30 brow liner on my lop sided brows....
Chanel knows their perfume AND how to make an outstanding brow liner....worth every penny (can't remember how much it was)
It was a good day at Macy's.....a good day indeed!

A few other make up favorites as of late and a re cap on the recommendations above:

• Mac's Mahogany Lip Liner....it gives you color but is not over powering- it is also long lasting
• Benefit's Dallas Blush....neutral color that does not stand off your skin but blends nicely
• Chanel's #30 Brow Liner....Yes Please!!
• Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Brick Compact....My friend Michelle was wearing it just before summer started and she looked angelic....it really does make you have a glorious glow- I ordered it after seeing it on her and have really enjoyed it- It will be a staple in this chic's make up bag
• Mary Kay's 'Steely' eyeliner....it gives a nice color without standing off your lid too much
• Bobbi Brown's under eye concealer.....love love love love- it's creamy and covers without caking
• Urban Decay's eye shadow 'Snake Bite'....a deep brown that can give depth to any eye color (I have my friend Deb to thank for this little number)

I have also been using straight coconut oil as a moisturizer at night on my face and putting a honey mask on several times per week (straight honey- letting it sit for 20 or so minutes)....Would recommend both.

Hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday!
Steph




'

susan, samantha, and ellie

I remember when the first thought that adoption may be a possibility for our family struck me- prior to that I was certain that a child was missing from our family but had only considered that one day I would become pregnant again…..

It was almost 10 years ago and I was sitting in our Church Foyer holding baby Samantha.  Samantha had joined my friend Susan’s family by way of adoption- Don was our Associate Pastor at the time and he and his wife Susan had followed God’s leading and adopted.  They, like Matt and I, had 2 biological sons- Nick and Parker.  A year after Samantha was born, their son Isaac was born- Samantha’s birth mother had become pregnant soon after she was born and given birth to Isaac.  Don and Susan knew that God had called them to adopt Isaac also….I admire their courage in expanding their family from 4 to 6 in a little over a year’s time and for thriving in the busyness that 4 kids can bring….especially when 2 of those 4 are only a year apart!

As 2009 found our family moving to Hawaii, it found Don and Susan seeking God to determine if it was time for Don seek out a church looking for a senior pastor.  By 2010 the Lord opened the door for their family to move to a small high mountain town in Colorado.  A Senior Pastor position was available and Don and Susan were God’s selection for the job.

The Youth Pastor at my church was married this past weekend- Don and Susan were able to attend the wedding- while they were here, they, along with our Pastor (Pete) and his wife Kathy were able to come out to our place to fish-

After holding Samantha that morning in church so many years ago, I came home and went on a long walk- For most of the walk I prayed about adoption- Asking the Lord to let the thought settle in my heart and grow (and settle in Matt’s heart and grow) if it was something He had for our family.  I also watched Susan, what adoption was like for her…..I remember having several conversations with her regarding what the behind the scenes was all about- God used Don and Susan’s obedience to His calling on their family’s life, adoption, to spur us on towards the adoption of our Ellie….

I could tell that Ellie liked Susan immediately when they got to our house this past Monday night- this was the first time that they had spent any amount of time together- Ellie was a baby the last time they visited.  Ellie wanted to show Susan her room- I peeked in at one point and saw Susan sitting on the floor with Elle’s as Ellie was talking her ear off- such a sweet moment between them (I wish I would have taken a picture!!!) and a sweet reminder that God is using you and I in the lives of others like He used Susan in my life to spur on our adoption.  We never know who is watching us- who is looking to see Jesus in our lives…..We never know what impact we are having on other’s while we follow where the Lord is leading us- Susan didn’t know that I was watching their adoption(s) so closely and that the Lord was using their story to impact our family’s adoption…

Thank you for your example Don and Susan…..May God Bless and keep your family as you serve Him and thank you for the wonderful evening!

p.s. Thank you for coming out Pete and Kathy- It is always such a great time visiting with you guys-

 Hebrews 10:24

'And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.'

Don and Susan (L) Pete and Kathy (R)

Love you Susie!!

Left to right: Parker, Nick, Isaac, Susan, Don, Samantha

Ronald Reagan's Caterer Gladyce

Ronald Reagan was the Governor of California for two terms (67' and 71') before serving as our United States President from 1981-1989.  During that time Al la Carte Catering was dishing up food in the same vicinity as where the Governor lived- Al la Carte was owned by an early 30's entrepreneur who had both a practical side and an edge with making delicious food.  Gladyce's practical side made for consistent dependability to her company and her knack for dreaming up recipes that were delicious were the icing on the cake.
Word had gotten out about Al la Carte and one night, over 40 years ago, Gladyce had some unexpected company at a party she was catering.  It was not until the next day, when a call came in from the Governor's office, that Gladyce learned that some of her party guests had been people who worked for Governor Ronald Reagan- They had heard about her catering and wanted to check it out for themselves.....was she all the hype that others were saying.....if she was, the Governor was looking for a new Caterer........
Gladyce worked for Ronald Reagan for the duration of his time as the Governor- making many a meal for he, his family, and those that Mr. Reagan would invite to his company. 
Mr. and Mrs. Reagan were blessed to have Gladyce.....
Likewise, she was blessed to have them.....

Several months back, our youth pastor became engaged to beautiful Meckenzie- They were set to be married August 23- At least 500 people were expected at their wedding and they were hoping to feed every last one......not just cake but a sit down meal.....all done in an affordable but classy way...

As the 70's made their way to the 80's Governor Ronald Reagan went on to become President Ronald Reagan.....moving from California to Washington D.C.
As the 70's made their way to the 80's Gladyce went on to relocate from California to a mid size town in Oregon- She found a home church that suited her and settled in- She began using the knowledge she had gained serving food in this home church of hers and has spent many an hour in our church kitchen dishing up a delicious meal.

I was able to be part of the food preparation for our Youth Pastor's Wedding- I, along with Robyn, Aimee, and Gail were able to serve along side Gladyce and hear the story of how she became a caterer for Governor Reagan- In the 4 hours we worked together yesterday I watched her, learned from her, and appreciated the humble practical heart from which she works and serves.....

God places us all in positions through out our life that we are able to use as a platform for Him- He gives us talents and skill not so we can boost our own ego but so we can give Him Glory.  Gladyce did not limit her serving to just the important- she uses the talents God has given her to serve....all on donated time...to those that need her.

Pastor Spencer and Meckenzie's reception was beautiful and classy- All the 500+ in attendance were served a delicious meal.....and standing behind one of the metal serving dishes dishing up pork and chicken to those 500 was the youngest 80 year old you will ever meet....

You ROCK Gladyce :)



Gladyce (L) Gail (back right) Robyn

Aimee is on the far right

   

Spencer and Meckenzie (photo courtesy of Tailssyn)

put it in forward and pull the anchors

When you live on a private lake
(not because you could ever afford to do so, you only have this privilege because that's where the husband's job has taken you)
And have a pontoon boat that sits out on that private lake....
It's fun to take it out every once in awhile.......
(but remember to put it in forward and not reverse when trying to get it off shore AND remember to pull the anchors up when looking to cruise around the lake- failing to do these things will severely dampen your experience)
It's especially fun when you have 3 friends willing to join :)
(our friend Treva was supposed to join too but her back went out- sorry Tre'ba feel better soon)

Deb, Janelle, and Kristi-

Thank you for the wonderful night of laughing, eating (Chipotle Rocks the house....or in our case boat), and chatting it up- Let's do it again.....

 

 

sometimes

I know I said I was taking a blogging break....and I am....kinda....at least I am trying to take a break :)

• Sometimes we go through seasons that we seem to just make it through....not thriving but yet not dying- It's in these seasons that survival mode is easiest to function in....the encouragement that God is not wasting even one moment of any season and the promise that He is bringing about our good and His Glory can spur one on........this would be called the season of faith.
• Sometimes I wonder how almost 40 years has passed that my lungs have been filled with earth's air.... and sometimes I wonder what getting older will be like....to be honest it scares me- to have youth flee and age find.  The encouragement that the world is wrong when they demand wrinkle free beauty- they are wrong when they demand body size- they are wrong to demand forever young.....standing in the minority, having confidence and being comfortable in age will be a challenge..............did I mention that I love me a good challenge :)
• Sometimes I wish I could rewind and replay.......I can't even type the next sentence without crying....rewind just a few years and replay my boys growing up starting in kindergarten- When Family time was a given and not a luxury.....The encouragement of seeing what fine young men our boys have become and the blessing of having so many precious memories both behind and still to come is worth it's weight in gold- I am thankful with a full heart and I would not change a thing- even given the chance..........but sometimes you will see this mommy, sitting on her couch with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face remembering the before...before my boys done went and grew up.

My boys and their cousin Shad (middle)- Welcome home Shad Bear- we love you and missed you!! (Shad just spent a month in Italy and a month in Florida with Teen Missions)

santification...

I haven't blogged for several weeks and have about another month of 'summer blogging break' but thought I would post tonight....

Earlier this year I grabbed a five star 'Mead' notebook and filled up 2 pages. 
That's It-
Just 2....after those 2 there are 298 blank- I will usually write out journal type entries in my Bible but this day, I was feeling wordy.....I needed to get it all out.....spill my guts (Tre'ba you taught me to say spill my guts....love you friend) to our Heavenly Father- To the One that hears our hearts so intimately, understands so divinely, and comforts so completely....

I happened to open the drawer where I put the notebook tonight and glanced over what I had written in February......This past February was a month of pruning in my own personal spiritual life- Our family was getting ready to visit Hawaii for vacation and I knew my boys wanted to move back...maybe not immediately but that it was on their minds as a possibility- I didn't know if this trip was going to seal the deal and confirm that we would be moving back....It has never been a secret that the time we spent living in Hawaii was a difficult season for me- It was a season that the Lord brought me face to face with a lot of my short comings and had me see myself for who I really am outside of Him....without Him guiding me I am selfish, strong willed to the point of destruction, arrogant, mean, angry, the list could go on.  As our visit to Hawaii was getting closer I was having to revisit those old tendencies and lay my bare vulnerable heart before the Lord....If moving back to Hawaii was what was best for our family then I would go and do it (through God's strength) better than what I had before....

My Utmost for His Highest was my devotion and the day was Feb 8- The cost of sanctification...

'Sanctification means to be intensely focused on God's point of view.  It means to secure and keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God's purpose alone.  Are we really prepared for God to perform in us everything for which He separated us?'

 

After reading this part of the devotion I grabbed a pen and that empty five star mead notebook and wrote the following prayer....

 

'Heavenly Father, being sanctified to the point that I am completely out of my comfort zone is scary to me...It makes me think of a season of life where every comfort I knew was stripped away- It left me feeling isolated, lonely, bare, depressed.....Father I feel like living that far out of my comfort zone both strengthens and tears me down inside.  It tears down the personality I feel like you gave me but strengthens the dependence I have on you....

The road to Sanctification 'feels' heavy right now....drudgery, overwhelming, like something I will keep pursuing because you have called us to be sanctified and I want to please you but my heart feels heavy when I think about it.  Please Jesus let your truth sink to the inner most parts of my heart....please let the places in my heart and life that I have allowed to become oppressed with 'feelings' be replaced with your joy and peace....

Please let sanctification mean being part of a community of believers that are thriving and grow in you.  Please let it mean a 'family' feel...please let it mean joy and laughter with others...full of support during hard times.  Please let it mean both physical and emotional serving...please let it mean both the receiving and giving of unconditional acceptance in a healthy way.  Please let it mean healthy Godly confrontation when needed and not passive aggressive confrontation.  Please let it mean discernment and wisdom....Please let it mean wise humility.

Father please gently help me understand how to live this sanctified life (not a religious life but a Godly life)....I love you Lord Jesus'

 

After writing this prayer out I had a peace- A peace that passed all of my human understanding...followed by a deep understanding that God's way was what I wanted to follow even if I did not understand it in the here and now.

We had an amazing visit to Hawaii but realized that in this season we are in, Oregon is our home- Hawaii will always be in our hearts but for now and into the distant future it is not our home...

 

'He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.'

Phil 1:6

p.s. Reading back over this prayer also made me appreciate my Church Family here in Oregon and the precious Godly friends I have who do not attend my church- ladies the Lord has allowed me to walk life with who are being sanctified also...a family of Believers who, by example, taught me how to verbalize the above prayer- It's what I have in my home church and my Godly sisters now (family feel, joy, laughter, support during hard times, etc.) ...such a blessing.

 

Thanks for spending time with me this evening- May God Bless and Keep each one of you...

 

Steph

 

As I took this picture, I smiled and imagined that the light spot in the clouds was indeed the heart that it looks like and that God was telling us how much He loves us :)

 

 

 



be back soon....

Good Afternoon!!

Just wanted to let you all know that I am taking the summer off from blogging.....I will see you all again in the fall- Thinking September(ish).  If anything really important happens I will make sure to post- If not, have a fun rest of your summer and we will catch up soon!!

Warmly,
Steph

p.s. for those that would like to get a hold of me you can e-mail: blessingofadoption@hotmail.com

p.s.s. In place of blogging I have been doing a 90 day read through the Bible Challenge......the structure of the reading is set up so that you read 12 pages of your Bible a day- It takes about 45 minutes to one hour and your eyes are a bit fuzzy from all of the small black print when you are done...WAIT maybe it's not from the small black print but instead because I need to go get reading glasses :) I started reading a little under two weeks ago and am on day 6 (should be on day 12)...I am ordering the Bible on Audio so that I can have the option to listen (I spend a lot of time in my car) or read.  Excited to make my way through- Always amazed that no matter how many times one reads their Bible, God brings to light new things (that have always been in the Bible but my brain has never retained). 

Again, have a great summer and will see you this fall!!