Helen's Corner Blog

Updates on the kiddos... and a winner!

2012-01-24T16:07:00.000-05:00

Some of you have asked me how the kiddos are doing.

As a mom, I'd like to believe that my children are the BEST! And THEY ARE!

I have a few rough days here and there... and believe me... they are ROUGH!

But for the most part, Joshua and Elsie are pretty happy, healthy, and energetic kids.

The Winter months are extremely tough on Joshua, since he's my outdoor-lover boy.

Like father like son.

Joel loves to be outside... and he instilled that spirit in Joshua at an early age.

Remember this shot? Joshua was about 2 months old then...

So needless to say, when it's snowing outside and the temps drop to single digits, Joshua's stuck at home...

But a couple of weeks ago, Joel decided to hook our snow sled to one of his tractors (again) and take us for a ride...

It was fun!

As for Elsie (who didn't seem to enjoy the snow...)

She turned 6 months on the 13th... she's so sweet and so feisty at the same time.

Such a mommy's girl, too.

Here's a few shots of my baby girl...

Okay...

And finally, THANK YOU so much for everyone who took the time to enter the DaySpring giveaway.

It was SO touching to hear your stories and learn that there are so many out there who are struggling and needing an extra word of encouragement. My heart truly goes out to you guys, especially those who are walking closely with those hurting, grieving, and in need of encouragement.

I wish I had something special for each and everyone. Know that my prayers go out to you!

And the randomly chosen winner was...

#8 comment:

"Sharmon said...

I would send a card t my dear friend Kari, she just lost her Grandmother. She is having a tuff time, they were very close."

Congratulations, Sharmon!

Since I don't have a way to contact you,

please contact me at helenscorner1(at)gmail(dot)com

to claim your$20 giftcard!

You'll have 48 hours contact me, ok?

Feeling the Love...

2012-01-20T12:32:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week, a new found friend posted a Featured Blog Post on ME!

Her name is Joii (isn't that a beautiful name???)

and you NEED to check out her blog. She approached me a few months ago and asked if I would consider sharing some thoughts on her blog. I was HONORED to do so, and said YES right away.

Joii is so inspiring... she's a beautiful woman throughout and I would LOVE for you to meet her, too!

If you want to check out the post, click here.

Also, don't forget to check out my current GIVEAWAY here.

It'll end early next week.

Blessings...

Autism... raise awareness through Sevenly!

2012-01-17T08:49:00.001-05:00

Yes, it is NO SECRET...

I'm totally coming alongside Sevenly to raise awareness and help raise funds for another cause...

Check Out This Week's Cause Tee - Now at Sevenly.org

Autism.

Have YOU or a LOVED ONE been affected by it?

If so... what's your story?

Encouraging Through Words... Pass it on (a Giveaway!)

2012-01-16T22:43:00.000-05:00

If you remember my very first post of the year, I wrote about two of my "resolutions" for 2012.

One of them was to "Be more thankful".

I gotta tell you, letting others know about your resolution really keeps you accountable.

But I am SO glad I did.

One of the most special ways I've decided to put this ATTITUDE of THANKSGIVING and encouragement into practice was through writing and sending cards. I am a big fan of snail mail (for those of you born after 1999, you're probably wondering... "what's that"??? I love writing letters, and sending cards and postcards. There's something special and personal about it (remember this post?).

It can bring a smile to someone's face, or a tear of joy in the midst of hopelessness. It can tear hard bonds and break hearts of stone. It can make the distance a bit smaller, despite miles in between. And it can express thanksgiving and encouragement when spoken words aren't fully there.

A good example is Ruth Ann. She's a sweet and faithful servant of God at our church. She's been taking care of the babies in the nursery for many years. Despite her humble and quiet demeanor, Ruth Ann possesses the biggest heart I've grown to know. Both of my children are under her care at different times during the week. If it's not on a weekly basis on Sunday mornings, she has now begun to watch both of them once a month on Wednesday evenings while I go to the prayer meeting or help out with the youth group. And what a prayer warrior she is, too! I know she was praying for me as I carried Elsie in my womb, and now that she's over 6 months old, Ruth Ann cares for my daughter as if she was her own.

SOOO...

How could I find the words to truly express my gratitude for her service and care for my children?

I couldn't...

So I sent her one of these...

If I were to develop and nurture an ATTITUDE of thanksgiving and encouragement, and commit to let people around me know how I feel about them, I believe I would be more patient, less angry, less anxious and stressed. Because if I truly believe that being more other-centered is a calling for every Christ follower, then my life would reflect the character of Christ...

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

...

Right???

So, who do YOU need to encourage and thank today?

Have you taken the time to THANK or ENCOURAGE someone lately?

I had the privilege to get the Hope and Encouragement card set from the Holley Gerth's line, from DaySpring. It had the most beautiful cards, with the most beautiful messages and Scripture verses.

Holley Gerth's Hope & Encouragement Card Set from DaySpring - 10 cards

These cards are perfect reminders of God's hope, grace, provision, and comfort.

If you want to join me and start sending cards to those in your life who need an extra touch of love, visit the (in)spire DaySpring site to get your own set of cards. They carry several different ones, from greeting cards to thank you cards.

And THANKS to DaySpring

I have a $20 giftcard

to give away to one of my blog followers.

(Please note that shipping charges will apply. Minimum purchase of $20 necessary in order for $20 code to work)

Here's how to enter:

- Leave a comment about to who you will be sending a card, and how that person has impacted you. (1 entry)

- Blog, Facebook, Twitter about this giveaway (1 entry each)

Giveaway will run until Monday, January 23rd, 2012 at 11:59pm.

I will pick a winner through random.org

Disclaimer: The cards were sent to me for review by DaySpring. All opinions stated are my own.

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day... Where were you?

2012-01-12T14:58:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, 01/11/12, was Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

I was SHOCKED (and somewhat not surprised) that I didn't hear a thing about it on the news, on the radio, or read it on the paper... NOTHING.

It was as if the world had silenced itself.

But I became aware of this very day by following two AMAZING organizations that are investing every minute, resource and personnel to bring the issue of Human Trafficking to the forefront of our minds.

Sevenly's Purpose is to

" learn the issues that break God's heart, engage with the people who are called to the issue, and create awareness and a funding movement that supports them in their efforts."

For one entire week, Sevenly promotes a specific cause, such as hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, medical, slavery, and others, by selling t-shirts. Amazing designed t-shirts, by the way. $7 of each t-shirt sold (thus, the name Sevenly), goes directly to the organizations with which they're partnering during that specific week.

I've been rocking my Girls Not For Sale t-shirt since then...

I was totally moved by the work that

Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) are doing. According to the GEMS Facebook page, GEMS is the nation's largest nonprofit organization specifically designed to empower commercially sexually exploited girls and young women, ages 12-24. They're based in New York state. In 2010 alone, they were able to provide counseling, job training, access to health care, and crisis housing to more than 328 young women, and outreach to over 1,000 youth. Please check out their Facebook page for more information, links, pictures, etc.

Well, but Sevenly did not stop there.

THIS WEEK ONLY!!

Sevenly is working together with the Somaly Mam Foundation, a nonprofit charity committed to ending modern day slavery in North America and around the world. All t-shirt/hoodie purchases will provide water, nutritious meals, medical and psychological aid to sex-trafficking survivors staying in a shelter in Vietnam.

Watch this video... it broke my heart.

I don't consider myself a hardcore humanitarian.

But I KNOW that when I see the injustice that's placed on young girls, my heart breaks and I get a glimpse of what righteous anger looks like. I get angry. Yes, I do. I CANNOT image the pain, the nightmares, and the scars that these girls experience as a result of the dirty abuse.

I call it SIN.

And God sees it as SIN.

As a parent of a young baby girl, I ache even more. If such acts were placed upon my very own child, I could not find human strength or grace to deal with such injustice. In God's eyes, how can He? I know God's heart breaks... He weeps. And my prayer is that I would begin to see and experience what's like to see the world and the people in it, as God sees and experiences.

So, next time you see me, I might be rocking one of my new wardrobe pieces...

which one will you be wearing??

Disclaimer: I am not, in any way, being sponsored or asked to share the messages of any of these organizations. I am sharing my own thoughts and opinions about them. All images/video were taken from their website.

10 Ways for a Busy Parent to Slow Down and Breathe

2012-01-04T23:07:00.001-05:00

It is no secret that when you become a parent,

your focus, energy, and time revolve around that little person.

It is also no secret that in order for a parent to survive parenthood (and life in general),

they need to BREATHE.

In yesterday's post, I talked about our need to rest and take time to breathe.

But how are we supposed to do that, when kids are crying, jumping around, wanting you to read a book, or play with them?

How are we supposed to "take time" for ourselves when the 2 year-old needs to eat, the baby needs to be nursed, the phone is ringing, and the oven is beeping?

And that's not including the mountains of laundry, dishes, and toys everywhere that need to be put away, washed, or folded. *sigh*!!

So, here are my 2 cents on this whole thing called "breathing"...

1. Have your kids entertain each other... and breathe.

2. While one is napping (because the 2 year-old refuses to nap these days...), offer the opportunity for "quiet time" to the one who isn't napping. It's not "sleeping" time, but it's sure nice to slow down. Then breathe.

3. While your spouse (or other care giver) is in charge of baths, take an extra minute or two on your own... and breathe.

4. Car rides are perfect for a little breathing time... kids are distracted (not always, but often), and those possible quiet moments can be quite refreshing before hitting the store or unloading groceries at home.

5. When I'm tempted to answer that phone call or text a friend back, I use that "ring" as a reminder to slow down, let the answer machine do her job, and give myself the extra seconds to breathe.

6. Dessert time is always breathing time!

7. IF I'm blessed to get the kids napping at the same time, or playing quietly by themselves, I make myself a warm cup of coffee, sit on my couch (or at the dinner table), and quietly breathe.

8. At night before I go to bed, I take some time to breathe and watch the beauty of silence in the house.

9. I cut TV time to breathe (this is an IMPORTANT one).

10. And one of my favorites... when I'm nursing the baby... I take time to breathe.

No, it's not perfect, but it's a start.

Remind yourself that breathing is vital for a living (and sane) parent.

I don't always do all 10 of these. But I DO try to take the time to interfere the mundane routine. It's easy to find ourselves on auto-mode.

Let's NOT!

Recovering

2012-01-03T15:47:00.000-05:00

We had a ton of snow on the ground (and falling...) yesterday.

I think it was our first REAL snow storm of the season. I'm definitely not complaining. It's been rather a mild Winter for us here in Indiana.

Joshua wasn't sure how he was liking all the falling snow.

So Joel took him outside.

When Daddy tells him that he's going outside, Joshua automatically thinks that he'll be playing or working on Joel's tractors. And this was not an exception.

Not sure who had more fun... Joshua or Daddy.

But that was yesterday.

Today Joshua appeared really tired all morning, but REFUSED to take a nap. Hmm, a 2 year-old refusing a nap? Who would've known. He's been passing on naps for the last 2 weeks, but TODAY...

I asked him if he wanted to "rest his head on the pillow" in his playroom. "Yeah!" and he ran to the futon! After about 5 minutes, I couldn't hear a sound... not a word... I let another 10-15 minutes go by, then decided to check on him.

This is what I saw...

...my tired Joshua recovering from all the parties, snow playing, and late nights.

How about you? How are you doing at taking the rest you deserve and need? Have you recovered from all the holiday festivities, late night parties, family and church gatherings? Have you given yourself time to recover. And I'm not talking about cleaning the living room from decorations, re-organizing the kitchen, or doing the mountains of laundry that needs tending. I'm talking about sitting down, taking a deep breath, letting the Word and the voice of God speak and give you REST.

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

"The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:28-31

I admit... I'm guilty of not letting the LORD renew my strength and give me rest. I'm guilty of auto-functioning and going through daily life without taking deep breaths. But it is only by HIS grace and mercy that I'm even able to do that, isn't it?

I hope I can [at least] be more aware of my need to take those deep breaths. And I pray that I can REMEMBER to get on my knees to refuel and ask HIM to renew my strengths daily.

So...What about you? Are you needing to slow down?

Welcome 2012!

2012-01-01T23:23:00.000-05:00

I'm looking forward to what 2012 will bring. There's always an exciting anticipation when the NEW YEAR rolls around, isn't there? It's a cool feeling! Today I'm going to free-flow my thoughts... I hope you're okay with that. On this first day of 2012, I can't even begin to express how blessed I feel. I have a loving and wonderful husband, who loves the Lord and his family. I have 2 beautiful children who are healthy and full of joy (not always, but often). My immediate family is across the country and the world, but we manage to stay in touch and care deeply for one another. And God has placed us in a warm and wonderful church family.

Today also marked the day in which we officially dedicated Elsie to the Lord in front of our family, friends, and church family. It was a special day for Joel and I, to be able to present Elsie to God and commit to raising her in a Christ-centered and God-fearing home, as well as care for her spiritual formation. It was great to initiate the year with such a significant event in her life, as well as ours, as parents.

And last but not least, I would like to officially write down my TWO "resolutions" for this coming year:

1. Be more thankful

2. Grow in knowledge of God

To put them into practice, I've decided to do 2 things. I've decided to bring back the lost habit of writing random thank you notes. I'll share more about this at a later post. And I've also decided to 'attempt' to read the entire Bible this year. More about this later as well. I'll keep you posted on how things are going. Until then...

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T15:26:00.000-05:00

Easy?

2011-12-09T16:18:00.000-05:00

Today's thoughts are coming from a heavy heart.

Despite the many blessings in my own life, there are quite a few people around me who are suffering and struggling with some difficult things.

Some are grieving,

Some are anxious,

Some are awaiting death... some with hope, and some without.

Some are confused,

Some are lonely.

Some are in pain,

And some are in need... deep need.

It would be so easy to go on with my own life, thinking and believing that my circumstances are more important then the rest of the world. But that's far from how God intended and created me to be. God created us to live in community. God delights when His creation thrive and grow, loving and challenging one another. And that is why our innate desire is to always see another person growing and doing well.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you."

2 Corinthians 13:11

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

So, what do I hang on to? I hang on to the TRUTH of God's Word, which speaks directly to situations like these. I KNOW that God is near to those who cry out for His help. So I KNOW He will be near those who are grieving, in pain, dying, crying, anxious and in need. After all,

I KNOW that I KNOW that God is in control!

You know what else?

God finds IT easy... He can take care of every need we have, comfort, do a miracle, relieve pain and restore the brokenhearted. And He finds it easy. How do I know that? Pick up your Bible and read the story in 2 Kings, chapter 3. It is an amazing story of how God provided. And not just in the way that we would have imagined. He came through in a way that was above and beyond what a human eye could see or a human mind could comprehend. He took care of the details and made His faithful ones victorious.

"This is an EASY THING

in the eyes of the LORD."

2 Kings 3:18

So, if you're hurting, anxious, or in deep need of hope, remember those words. On the other hand, if you know someone who's hurting and is in need of encouragement, do your part and point them to the true source of hope.

Will you join me in spreading this TRUTH?

11-11-11

2011-11-11T00:06:00.014-05:00

Thank you...

... John, Eric, Doug, Joey, Chris, Rich, Charlie,... men of courage.

Feeling Blessed and THANKFUL

2011-11-10T14:49:00.002-05:00

Lord,

THANK YOU!

Today at MOTTTs I had the privilege to be in the presence of some really amazing women. They are mothers who love You and daily rely on Your strength. They are fighters who unconditionally love their children and pray for them...despite rough mornings and nights. They are grace-filled servants who create and develop a love for You in their daily tasks.

Lord,

THANK YOU!

I also had the opportunity to pray with and for them, all 40+ mothers in the room. Some are full of praise, some are grieving, some anxious, some hurting, and some are truly needing a miracle! But I KNOW You are GOD and I KNOW You hear our prayers!

Lord,

THANK YOU!

I came home, and forced myself to my knees... because I have been ungrateful at times. And that breaks Your heart. In the presence of other women, other mothers who are struggling and seeking Your wisdom, I was able to breathe new perspective in me. And for that...

THANK YOU!

NO WAY!!!

2011-11-03T14:06:00.000-04:00

WHAT???

It's November?

What happened to October?

I've been so out of the loop that I confess... it's hard to get back into things.

I've been blessed with an amazing sense of God's peace lately.

I know I should be stressed,

sleep deprived,

and lacking contentment at the sight of 2 VERY energetic and "picky" children.

However, I've recently been blessed with a not-so-NEW and refreshing perspective:

GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Wait... that's nothing NEW, Helen!!

I know, I know... in my head I've always known that God is in control of this entire universe.

Right?

But in the day-to-day life, it's easy to FORGET about the important and eternal things in life.

SO...

I have no excuses for leaving things undone,

or neglecting friends,

or not blogging for almost an entire month.

But I am reminding myself daily that, regardless of what life brings my way,

GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Until I blog again...

September 2011 Favorites

2011-10-01T15:13:00.002-04:00

A quick September favorite moments post:

Labor Day on uncle Jake's boat

Spending time with cousins (Maddie & Joshua)

Watching Elsie sleep on her Bumbo

Watching Elsie and Joshua "talk" in the morning

Late bloomers

Watching Joshua enjoy his first ride...

Getting flowers from the hubby

Crying during this entire movie... and being challenged to become the best parent God created me to be!

Evaluation

2011-09-26T15:09:00.002-04:00

I have to confess...

My attitude has not been the greatest lately.

I've been inpatient and short with my children...

I find myself having no tolerance for the smallest things, and no patient to deal with yelling, whining, crying, or plain defiance.

Sometimes parenting can feel like a chore, when I KNOW in my heart and mind that parenting is so much more than feeding, cleaning, disciplining, and wiping bottoms.

But it's been tough to REMEMBER the good and the blessings that come with bearing children.

It's been also difficult to emphasize the joy when stress and anxiety blind me from truly seeing the divine moments, the miracles.

I don't want to forget.

But once again, I have to confess that it's been quite a challenge to create time and energy to rest.

Isn't that ironic?

It takes energy to rest... huh?

But today I got this card...

and my dear husband quoted Darius Rucker (see video below)

and reminded me that "It won't be like this for long..."

Today is my 34th birthday, and I AM BLESSED! I really am.

Blue Orchids from the hubby

Thank you, babe!

Thank you, Joshua and Elsie!

I love you all!

Darius Rucker's "It Won't Be Like This For Long"

God's Truth and Backyard Pretties

2011-09-22T16:51:00.000-04:00

The pretty flowers from my backyard reminded me of God's love for me today...

One of God's biggest provisions

2011-09-21T16:24:00.000-04:00

It has been a little over 6 months since we moved from Cleveland, OH to Goshen, IN.

The uncertainties of moving and changing environments, churches, "jobs", addresses, and circles of friends were many. And that didn't include the uncertainties that were coming with the birth of a second child.

In my personal prayer life, one of my biggest requests was that God would provide a community of like-minded women with which I could grow personally and spiritually. I also prayed that God would provide a group of little friends for Joshua to play with. I briefly blogged about this a few months ago here.

And God heard my prayers...

And He was very quick to PROVIDE JUST WHAT I NEEDED (and asked for!!)

The answer to my request came in the form of a "program" called MOTTT's.

What is MOTTT's?

It stands for Mothers of Tots To Teens.

I first heard of MOTTTs from another pastor's wife who had recently moved to Ohio. She attended MOTTTs for years before moving, and could not say enough good things about it. She actually described it as one of the things she missed most... and spoke about it with shy tears in her eyes.

So I knew she was sending me to a special group of people.

My first day at MOTTTS, sometime in late March, I was welcomed by Pat, one of the leaders of the group. She was SO SO SO nice and kind to show me around, direct me and my son Joshua to his class (YES, they offer child care!!!) and lead me to the main meeting area. She introduced me to another young mom and said, "here, you can sit with Krysten!" What a divine moment, let me tell you... To make a long story short, Krysten became one of my good friends since the move. We've been able to share life together and that's made a huge difference in my personal and spiritual life.

On to what MOTTTs offers...

We meet every Thursday morning, from 9-10:30am. Breakfast is provided by different moms, whoever signed up to bring something. It is SO yummy! I'm not sure about everyone, but I was introduced to this thing called "baked oatmeal" and I love it. It's almost guaranteed that we'll have some sort of baked oatmeal, an egg casserole, fruit, granola and yogurt! Love it!!

The MOTTTs leaders also choose a book for the "study" part of our meetings. According to them, the books focus on 2 different topics/ideas. One year it's all about parenting and child rearing. Another year the book focuses on OUR personal relationship with Christ and our faith journey. And the latter is what we're focusing on this school year.

The book for this year is Lysa Terkeurst's Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl
. If you follow my blog, you KNOW that is one of the books I read this past Spring/Summer and really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read it again with an amazing group of women.

So, how did God answered my prayers? He provided a community of like-minded women, friendships, and little playmates for Joshua... isn't that exactly what I asked Him for?? He knew what I needed and provided just that!

OH, check out Darcy's blog post about what MOTTTs has meant to her, as well as some pictures of last week's kick off meeting. Thanks Darcy!

Late, but... we have a winner!

2011-09-21T14:42:00.000-04:00

Thanks for everyone who entered the Performance Colors giveaway!

I was supposed to announce the winner on Sunday... and here we are, Wednesday! My apologies, everyone!

The winner is Stephanie, from All Things Beautiful!

Congratulations, Stephanie!

An email has already been sent...

Gearing up for more posts and the last of this month's giveaway... stay tuned, everyone!

It's gonna be super exciting!

Unexpected changes...

2011-09-17T14:00:00.000-04:00

Due to some unexpected changes in schedule, I've been away from blogging these last few days.

We decided to go back to Cleveland for a few days to take care of some house stuff. Our house has been "officially" for sale (by owner) for about a month. However, there were some "fixing up" that needed to get done a long time ago... and we finally decided to get it off our to-do list.

I spent most of the day yesterday taking care of the flower beds, which looked absolutely horrific!! I wish I had my camera with me... So, after hours and hours of weeding and trimming, my hands, arms, and back were a bit sore. I came back to some pretty tired kids...

Today Joel is "back at it" but I stayed with the kids instead... they're still exhausted, and that makes for really grumpy and fussy kids... Anyway, all that to say...

Due to some unexpected changes in schedule, my "blogging everyday in September" has officially ended. I still have some exciting things ahead! So, don't give up on me, guys!!

Ok, AND REMEMBER...

Today is the last day to enter the Performance Colors Giveaway!

See you soon...

Meet Tiffany from Performance Colors - A GIVEAWAY!!! - CLOSED

2011-09-13T08:05:00.002-04:00

Remember yesterday's post on "my little secret"??

Meet Tiffany... she's the person behind one of my secrets. She runs Performance Colors, an Etsy shop I stumbled upon while looking for the perfect taupe cream eyeshadow. My goal was to find a pretty color that I could wear all over the lid, since it's effortless when getting ready in the morning. I also wanted to support a fellow Etsy seller, so I searched for that right person "out there".

Tiffany offers the most amazing colors in her collection. She is also SO sweet! I contacted her with a million questions (ok, maybe not a million, but quite a few...) and she was quick and prompt with her replies. She is always so willing to answer any questions you might have about her shop or any of her products.

Babycakes

Oilslick

Sweetdreams - MY Favorite!

Khaki

Recently I was able to preview her NEW LINE of cream concealers...

and OH MY GOODNESS... amazing stuff!!!

So, here's a little more info on her...

1. Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Tiffany. I live in a small rural town in New Jersey with my wonderful husband. I grew up where there was a family business where we all pitched in every day. So having a small business feels very natural to me and makes me feel very productive and happy as a person. My grandmother was an oil painter and a gardener and she introduced me to those hobbies when I was a very little girl so those are big loves in my lives. My grandmother and mother taught me so many old world crafts like canning, sewing, knitting...even tatting (lace-making!).

2. How did PerformanceColors start?
I had been dabbling in skincare and makeup for several years. My husband who has allergies had also gotten a bad skin condition as a side effect of diabetes so I got really curious about the ingredients in skincare products.

3. What is your inspiration for your shop's products and colors?
I am inspired for colors every day by living! Gardens, flowers, picture books, old paintings, kimonos, fabrics, saris, magazines.

4. What is your favorite item in your shop?
My favorite item in my shop is the one I create tomorrow. Lol. I say that because I have an obsession with creating better things that are affordable. I like having a problem to solve. It keeps me positive and my mind busy. That way if I am frustrated at my day job or any of those little daily things that can get one upset I just start thinking about how I would solve the challenge I have set for myself.

5. Do you have any hobbies?
I like gardening, oil painting, and cooking.

6. What are your goals for PerformanceColors?
I am a new shop. It took me a long time to have the courage to put my product up on Etsy even though me and my girlfriends had been wearing it every day for the better part of a year. Now I am releasing the creamy concealer and I have been working on this since January, over 8 months. I'd like a line of compacts for sammples and cream to powder foundations. I'd like my website more complete. I am working on a smudge-proof pencil. I haven't worn pencil in 3 years. Every time I do it is halfway down my face by noon. When I started the concealer project back in January I bought over $300 of competitor's products to test against. It feels great to finish that project. I just started the pencil project the day I finished the concealer. What a mess and a total failure. But I am not giving up!

You can reach Tiffany directly at Tiffany.milan@hotmail.com or by sending her a private message (convo) on her Etsy shop, Performance Colors.

OKAY~!

NOW to her MOST GENEROUS GIVEAWAY!

Tiffany has generously offered to give away an exclusive kit to one of my blog followers.

This kit includes a set of 3 cream eyeshadows (Smog, Cornflower, and Sweetdreams), 1 lipcolor (bubblegum), 1 lid primer, and 1 cream eyeshadow sample (champagne), along with 2 small brushes (dual eyeshadow brush and lip brush).

I wish I could win this myself. The colors are so pretty!

How to Enter:

1. You must be a follower of this blog (1 entry).

2. Check out Performance Colors and let me know what is your favorite item/color (1 entry).

3. Share about this giveaway (Facebook, Twitter, Blog) - (1 entry each).

You will have until 11:59pm of Saturday, September 17th 2011 to enter. Winner will be announced on Sunday, September 18th.

ALSO:

Tiffany is offering all of my blog readers a 10% OFF DISCOUNT on Performance Colors!!

(Enter code HAPPYDAY at checkout).

My Secret to Looking Bright and Awake after 3 Hours of Sleep!!

2011-09-12T16:43:00.000-04:00

For the last 8+ weeks,

I've been averaging about 3-4 hours of sleep every night, due to my darling newborn.

It's crazy how one's body can adjust and "survive" on so little sleep...

Believe me, I could go on and on about how tired I am and feel, and how exhausted I look.

But I won't.

Everyone knows that this stage will soon pass,

so I'm hanging in there without much complaining.

I don't claim to have a magic formula for functioning on very little sleep...

but I have to confess...

I have a secret that totally works for me.

When I was in college, I had a wonderful professor who always looked amazing, despite the fact that she slept very little. It was a known fact that she was way over committed, but managed to show up for class with the most amazing smile and glowing face.

One day I said to her, "Wow, Dr. 'N', you look so refreshed! Have you gotten some well deserved rest??", and you know what she said?? "Thank goodness for makeup!!"

I smiled and never forgot her statement.

So, I am here today to pass on her secret... THANK GOODNESS FOR MAKEUP!

I have a new found secret obsession for makeup. I'm not a shallow person... believe me. I am one of the most low maintenance persons out there. But I gotta tell you... makeup is IT. I'm able to look decent despite very little rest. I do rely on a VERY FAST routine, since my time in front of the mirror is LIMITED to 3-5 minutes, if that!

If you're still skeptical about putting some color on your face,

REMEMBER...

Makeup is not about looking FAKE...

It's about enhancing your features.

So, here is what I do:

1. Cleanse and moisturize.

2. Conceal and Cover - Concealer and either Tinted Moisturizer or Foundation.

3. Add Color - Blush or Bronzer. Eyeshadow (cream color all over the lid), eyeliner, and mascara. Lipgloss or tinted lipbalm.

It literally takes me less than 5 minutes to put on a "rested" and glowing face.

I don't wear this everyday, but on days I need to go somewhere and appear a bit together,

I know I can count on this "little secret".

So, now that you know my secret, STAY TUNED!

I contacted one of my "secret" providers and I'll be doing an entire blog post featuring HER.

There'll also be a giveaway!!

I'm so jealous... I wish I could win the kid that's up for grabs!

SO EXCITING!

It should be coming up very soon... so, STAY TUNED!!

God is in Control

2011-09-11T22:46:00.000-04:00

Psalm 46 (NIV)

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
   an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
   and the mountains quake with their surging.
⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
   God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
   he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The LORD Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.
⁸ Come and see what the LORD has done,
   the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
   to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”
¹¹ The LORD Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.

04/04/43 - 09/09/02

2011-09-09T13:47:00.000-04:00

Dad -

It's been 9 years.

Life is so different now.

You would've loved your son-in-law...

You would've loved your grandchildren... they're pretty great, Dad :)

Would you still be preaching, teaching, guiding, and comforting others?

Would you still be going for daily walks?

Would you still be loving that nice warm donut and hot tea?

There are many who still remember you as their pastor, others as their mentor, others as their professor.

Many still remember you as their friend, neighbor, brother or uncle.

But I...

I remember you as as my Dad.

The one who called, the one who spoke, the one who disciplined in love.

I...

... miss you.

And the way you guided and directed, taught and lived.

May my life continue to reflect your legacy.

Thank you!

I rejoice, for another year, that YOU GET TO ENJOY HEAVEN.

Being in the presence of our Almighty God and Creator!

And that makes me smile :)

Winner announced...

2011-09-09T13:13:00.000-04:00

Thank you everyone who entered the Lauren Wisburn Fat Quarter Set giveaway.

We had about 24 entries (so you ALL had a pretty good chance of winning...).

Random(dot)org picked entry #12,

which was LIZ!

Liz, I'm sending you an email to notify you!

Stay tuned, EVERYONE! I have 2 or 3 other giveaways this month!!

And they're REALLY REALLY exciting!!

Just as a quick reminder, don't forget to check out Miss Sarah's Blog for a

Discount Code for Helen's Corner!

A simple post...

2011-09-07T21:54:00.000-04:00

My little 8 week-old girl isn't feeling well today... Woke up with a stuffy nose, and because she is SO young, she probably doesn't quite know how to adjust and breathe or eat right...

So, I've been trying to soothe her ALL DAY!

With that, I want to ask you for your prayers... Hopefully she'll get some rest...

Until tomorrow...

The Fun of Sewing and "Collecting" Fabric - A GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

2011-09-06T10:22:00.001-04:00

I miss sewing...

I confess I haven't done much of it since Elsie was born... almost 8 weeks ago!

My love for pretty fabrics began when I started researching different fabric designers, and finding the wealth of resources and inventories on Etsy! What a rich community, don't you think?

Anyway, I also started playing around with my sewing machine over 2 years ago, and since then, my love for pretty fabrics just grew and grew. :) I get giddy when I see all the fun patterns!

What are some of my favorites? I could come up with an exhaustive list, but I would have to undoubtedly list Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, Riley Blake, and most recently... Laurie Wisburn.

This morning as I was going through my stash, I found a set of 4 fat quarters from Laurie Wisburn's Tufted Tweets collection in Orchid.

Laurie Wisburn's Tufted Tweet in Orchid

What do you think? Isn't it the perfect set and colors for this upcoming Fall? It was released last year, but I think it's still VERY fun!

Laurie Wisburn Tufted Tweets in Orchid

Do you want to WIN IT?

I decided to share this set 4 Fat Quarters with ONE OF YOU!

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Follow my Blog (1 entry)

2. Spread the word about this giveaway (Blog, Facebook, Tweeter... 1 entry each)

Simple enough? I'll randomly pick a winner on Thursday, September 8th!

Hurry, enter and spread the word!

Until tomorrow...

Lazy day of rest, AKA "Labor" Day & a BLOG feature!

2011-09-05T21:57:00.000-04:00

How ironic... most of us celebrate LABOR Day by RESTING or enjoying the day with family and friends. Why is Labor Day even a holiday? I could do a little bit of research, but I'm feeling a bit lazy (sorry...just being honest here, guys!), so I'll just continue to wonder...

So, what did YOU do today? I got to enjoy some time with Joel's family at the lake cottage. It was fun. I'll try to get some pictures posted tomorrow.

In the meantime, I AM SUPER EXCITED to let you know I'm being featured at Joyful Service, Miss Sarah's blog. So, go check her out by clicking HERE. Follow her blog and let her know I sent you. She contacted me a few weeks ago, asking me if she could share a little bit about me and Helen's Corner to her blog readers. She was so sweet, so I agreed to answer some questions about me and my business there. Also, there is a special DISCOUNT CODE being offered there as well. Thank you, Sarah!!

Until tomorrow...

Fill in the blank Sunday :)

2011-09-04T08:30:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I came across this post from the cute Michaela's blog. She might not know me, but I feel like I know her... she goes to my Alma Mater (SPU) and is studying to be an Interior Designer. I can totally see her doing that and being GREAT at it! She has the prettiest sense of style! I'm so 'envious'! Anyway, Thanks, Michaela, for sharing this sweet little post.

Fill in the Blank Sunday

I am happy that... September is here and Fall is just around the corner!

I am excited because... I see God at work in the people around me.

I'm craving... dark chocolate covered strawberries in vanilla ice cream, with the best cup of coffee from Vivace's (oh, how I miss you!)

If I had 3 wishes they would be... 1. Have an Ono-Family reunion, 2. My dad would meet Joel and the kids, 3. Joshua would be potty-trained!!

I miss... Seattle.

I love... God. Family. Coffee. Chocolate. Sunsets. Fresh flowers.

I'm thankful for... salvation, family, health, church family, friends, a/c...

And now it's your turn! You fill in the blanks!

New shirt idea

2011-09-03T16:45:00.000-04:00

Happy Saturday!

This will be a quick one...

Just wanting to get some feedback...

I put this together for a friend's possible fundraiser, and it ended up just sitting on my desk.

But, what do you think?

Should this be a new shirt design for Helen's Corner?

I really liked it and thought, "why not use it?"

Let me know what you think...

1 Corinthians 13:13

********************************************

Don't forget!

20% off your total order at Helen's Corner ends tonight at 11:59pm!

(enter SEPT20 at checkout)

Day 2 - Blogging Everyday in September!!

2011-09-02T14:23:00.001-04:00

I got a lot of well-wishes yesterday, after I announced that I would be blogging everyday in September. I have to admit that part of me is a bit scared to disappoint myself and fail such challenge... but here it is.

Day 2.

I have quite a few posts planned out already, but today, I clicked on "new post" and started typing away. I figured this would be the best way for you to see how my mind sometimes work. Wow, am I really free flowing right now? YUP! Ok, so... what to write... what to write... The kids are napping, which means, this is the perfect time for me to get my chores done, right? I've been struggling with this lately. On one hand I want to "get things done", but on the other hand, I REALLY NEED some ME time... time to relax, read, have dessert, or blog. OR sometimes, I just need a good NAP. But here I am, I chose to spend a few minutes in front of this computer, sharing with all of YOU what's on my mind today.

This morning, while Joel took Joshua out to run some errands, I found myself holding Elsie and realizing that this very moment will pass me by and never return again. The speed to which she is growing and developing is unbelievable! I don't want to have any regrets. And if I "miss out" on some individual freedom, so what? I am truly trying to enjoy these special moments with her.

But, LET'S BE HONEST, Helen!!! (*ok, yeah, I'm talking to myself...*) Don't I wish I could have some time by myself, to go shopping, get myself some Starbucks, get my nails done, do some reading at Barnes&Noble... sure, I "wish" I could! These days if I go to the grocery store by myself, I consider myself a happy mamma. Taking a shower at night is considered my time-out from the kiddos... and ahhh, that feels so good at the end of a busy day! So, YES, I do hunger and thirst for some Me-time.

BUT...

I remind myself, once again, that God has blessed me with the wonderful responsibility of being a parent. I cannot and will not trade this role for anything! How else do I exercise the amazing gift of LOVE, unconditional LOVE, in the flesh? How else do I experience God's eternal love for me? It's only through expanding His gift to me, through me. Does that make any sense? It does to me.

So, there... I'm giving you a glimpse of what's on my mind... And that only took me about 8 minutes. If you're thinking this blogging thing takes too much time of your day or mine, think again... it can be quite fun!

Enjoy your Friday!

I'll see you tomorrow!

Welcome September!

2011-09-01T14:53:00.001-04:00

It is officially the beginning of a very special month for me.

So, I'm INVITING YOU to celebrate this month with ME!!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you KNOW that September marks the BIRTH of Helen's Corner. This year, Helen's Corner is turning 2! For all of you who's supported me during these last 2 years, THANK YOU!

For the ENTIRE MONTH, I'll be sharing special discount codes for you to use

at Helen's Corner.

It is also my birthday month, which means... I'm getting a year older and a year wiser, and I celebrate God's mercies and grace in my life.

I'll also be BLOGGING every day this month (or at least attempting)! There will be random posts, photo posts, attempted tutorials, stories, recipes, giveaways (OH... I'm SO excited for this one!), and special interviews.

So, ARE YOU READY??? Celebrate with me! It's September and I'm SO excited!

And to kick off...

For this first week in September, I'll be offering 20% OFF your entire order

at Helen's Corner!

(enter code SEPT20 at checkout)

So, HURRY, and place your order before 11:59pm on Saturday, 9/3/11.

Firstborn Son

2011-08-31T16:13:00.000-04:00

Today's post will be all about my

Firstborn Son.

Since the birth of his little sister, exactly 7 weeks ago, Joshua became my "big boy".

I find myself craving alone time with him...

Sometimes I see it in his eyes that he longs for his alone time with mamma too.

"Am I patient enough with him?"

His vocabulary is growing.

We like playing the Mamma-Joshua game (where Joshua says "mamma!" really loud, and I say "Joshua" back... hmm, you gotta be there to understand how entertaining this can be)

I see his hesitation to approach his baby sister - but his growing concern for her distress.

He enjoys the outdoors.

He enjoys books.

He enjoys tractors, trains, trucks, and cars.

He enjoys company.

He prays for Mamma, Daddy, Josh, and "Ah-die" (his version of Elsie) every night.

He possesses the greatest smile!

And the loudest scream when hungry for attention.

But... Oh how I love my Firstborn Son!

Encouragement in Song

2011-08-25T15:19:00.001-04:00

I have SERIOUSLY been playing this song in my head throughout the day...

It's kept me going for the past 2 weeks, and I hope it's an ENCOURAGEMENT for you as well.

Do Everything - by Steven Curtis Chapman

You’re picking up toys on the living room floor
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost
Cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips
and head out the door
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you

Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

OOoh ooooh oooooh

Maybe you’re that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day

Little stuff big stuff in between stuff
God sees it all the same
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you
To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do

Well maybe you’re sitting in math class
Maybe on a mission in the Congo
Maybe you’re working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe you’re dining at a five star
Or feeding orphans in Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere you are
Whatever you do it all matters
So do what you do and don’t ever forget
to do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace as you do
Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do

Ooh oooooh
Every little thing you do

The beauty in the routine things of life...

2011-08-13T17:23:00.000-04:00

Life's strangely busy when you're transitioning from having a family of 3, to a family of 4...

(If you're a family of "many", you probably KNOW more about this subject than me...)

For the past 4 1/2 weeks, my routine has been surrounded by the basic needs of a 2 year-old boy, and a 4 1/2 week-old precious girl. OH, HOW I LOVE THEM BOTH... despite the crying, screaming, whining, messy diapers, and more screaming.

But, really, how can I forget the GOODNESS of my Heavenly Father in moments like these. God continues to bless me with health and enough strength for each day. So, here is when I pause to highlight the BEAUTY I'm able to find in the routine of each day...

1. Sleepless nights

- extra moments to rely on God's strength and patience.

2. Nursing a hungry baby

- moments to memorize her face and praise God for her existence in mine.

3. Reading books to my 2 year-old son (for the 5th, 6th, 7th time in a row)

- praise God for a boy who likes books!!! Right???

4. House chores (dishes, DAILY laundry, cooking, picking up toys, etc)

- blessed to have the ability to move.

5. Dirty diapers

- hmmm... no words to follow that.

6. RESTING when THEY REST!

- Amen to that!

I'm learning daily that having a routine, rather it's busy, boring, monotonous, tiring, or just plain slow, is a blessing. I know others who live an unpredictable life... a life that requires constant vigilance due to fear, lack of safety, and continuing chaos. So, nothing wrong with my routine, I'd say.

So, what did I get to do today?

Rest, feed/nurse, change diapers, read books, eat breakfast with my family, laundry, dishes, pick up toys... OH... I also got to see a friend and her kids, walk around a nearby local town, check out the local candy store, and even watch an ugly storm approach our house (just to miss it completely!).

What about you?? Do you see beauty in your routine?

Welcome to the world!

2011-07-16T15:34:00.000-04:00

Elsie Grace

July 13th 2011 @ 3:06am

6lbs. 14oz.

20 inches

4th of July Weekend in Review

2011-07-05T15:15:00.000-04:00

We had a full weekend!

I can't believe I'm still going-going-going and this baby hasn't come, yet!

I'm thankful, though... and feeling healthy and ready for what's ahead.

This weekend was packed! I was hesitant to go to all of the activities on our calendar, but trusted that God would bring this baby at the right time.

So, on Saturday, we ventured out for a fun afternoon with some friends at the Old Bag Factory here in Goshen, IN. Failed to take many pictures there, but managed to take these shots... Joshua LOVES going on slides and this one he could not resist! 5 minutes into it, he was already going up and down by himself!

Then, he experimented with those "bouncy/blow up thingies", and he LOVED it, too! Of course, since I couldn't go in there with him, daddy had to join in the fun.

On Sunday we had our church service held at the local park, then, ONCE AGAIN, a rich picnic potluck did not disappoint. We couldn't stay long, since we had plans to join Joel's family at the lake cottage. Here are some of the fun shots of Joshua, enjoying the water with his cousins.

After an exhausting Saturday and Sunday, my plans were to lounge at home and enjoy the holiday with my family... not going anywhere.

BUT, we decided to explore our local Blueberry Farm.

AND OH... THAT WAS FUN! I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES!

Have you ever experienced going to a place where you "thought" you knew what you were getting yourself into, UNTIL YOU GET THERE!

I had NEVER seen such big, plump, and sweet blueberries in my ENTIRE life!

I am NOT joking!

Joshua was in heaven! For the first 15 minutes, he kept either eating blueberries from our buckets, or picking them from the bushes... one after the other! I think he ate so many blueberries that he started to get sick!

After picking these wonderful berries under the hot high-80s weather for about an hour, we decided it was time to retreat and go home. Needless to say, Joshua DID NOT want any more blueberries when he got home.

So, what did we do with all 14 pounds of blueberries we picked??

Keep reading...

After a LONG afternoon nap, Joel surprised me by showing me the "first pickings" of our garden:

Green Beans galore!! Can you believe this??

So, we sat outside and snapped beans for a little over an hour, while watching Joshua wander around the yard with his wheel barrel, lawn mower, big wheels, or... by foot. I love that boy! Oh, and once in a while he would come by to grab a green bean to eat "on the go". Yup, this boy was eating raw green beans!! So proud!

We feel so blessed!

That night, after putting Joshua to bed, Joel and I decided to end our 4th of July day (a day that was supposed to be lay back and restful) by processing and canning the green beans

and making a few pints of blueberry jam...

YUM! Yup, that's what I ended up doing with some of the fresh berries.

LOTS of work but OH SO WORTH IT!

The rest of the blueberries are now nicely sitting on my freezer in the basement.

I feel so blessed!

ps: Quick update... went to the Dr. today and no progress, yet... hanging in there, until this baby decides to come into this "busy" world. Can't wait!

Rainy mornings...

2011-07-01T12:44:00.000-04:00

I have a fond attraction to rainy mornings.

There's something so calming about waking up to a cloudy day, listening to rain drops and distant thunder.

Today was one of those mornings...

For the past 2 weeks, my dear husband has taken my toddler to my in-laws, to do some work in their farm, to bless Joshua with some grandma time, and to bless me with some deserved rest. One of the blessings I'm given is the opportunity to sleep in... and this morning I did just that! My heart is so full... and waking up to a dreary, cloudy, and rainy day did not just bring a calming start to my day... it truly blessed me.

The view from my bedroom window

With a cup nice cup of Chai/Coffee mix, I opened my Bible and read this:

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

Psalm 90:14

And that is how I feel today.

ON THE OTHER HAND...

Rainy mornings reminds me of FOND MEMORIES I have of waking up in the beloved city of Seattle. Oh, how I miss those mornings... those days, those years. If someone were to ask me where I would most likely be if I could CHOOSE to live anywhere, I would, without hesitation, answer them: "SEATTLE". I can vividly remember the smell of the streets, the faces of dear friends, my freedom to grow, laugh, walk, challenge myself, hurt, heal, and even fall. Those were critical years in a life I WOULD NOT CHANGE for anything.

Maybe that's why rainy mornings are so dear to me.

Isn't God wonderful?

He chooses to gift me with a wonderful family, new friends, and PEACE. In a world where chaos and uncertainties mark the attitudes of so many around us, I can wake up in the morning (after sleeping in...) and be reminded of God's unfailing love, fond memories of a physical place in Seattle, and the faces of those who made me who I am today.

What do rainy mornings ignite in you?

Growing Up Too Fast

2011-06-29T15:19:00.000-04:00

"I'm ready to shave, Dada!" -

Joshua, 2 years old

A few more weeks to go... and a challenge to YOU!

2011-06-27T14:34:00.000-04:00

I've had a lot of people ask me if I'm "ready" for this baby.

To be honest, I don't fully comprehend the question, and can't even begin to answer it. YES, I'm ready to LOVE another human being, experience the miracle of growth, and once again... feel in the flesh the meaning of God's unconditional love for me (and humanity).

Sure, there are fears. The fear of the unknown (once again), of how Joshua will react to a baby sleeping in his "old crib". The sleepless nights, the constant feedings, the crying... Or how my attention could ever be divided. Or how in the world could I love them the same? I know it's possible, and I know in my heart of hearts that God is shaping me to understand HIS love for me. Did I say that God loves me UNCONDITIONALLY?? It's the only way He knows how to love, and I'm thrilled that I GET to experience a small dosage of what that means.

So, am I "ready"?

Sure!

Are YOU?

During quiet times of reflection, while Joshua takes his nap... I REMEMBER the first time I felt that warmth of God's love in my heart. Then I grieve for those who's never experienced that in their life... sometimes out of ignorance, sometimes out of rebellion, and sometimes for lack of opportunity. God is "there". God is HERE. God whispers your name when you (who's searching) cries out in search for answers.

So, ARE YOU READY to experience

God's unconditional love for YOU?

"For God SO LOVED the world, that He gave His ONE and ONLY Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life."

John 3:16 (NIV)

ps: That is my prayer for my own children... that they would come to know, understand, and experience God's unconditional LOVE for them at an early age.

Joshua's Book Rotation

2011-06-23T15:06:00.001-04:00

I thought you might want to have an idea on what's on rotation as Joshua's

FAVORITE books lately.

So here it goes:

Good Night Engines

by Denise Doowling Mortensen

The More We Get Together

by Caroline Jayne Church

Waiting for Baby (My New Baby)

by Rachel Fuller

Good Night, Gorilla

by Peggy Rathmann

My Big Truck Book -- 2002 publication

by Priddy Bicknell books

We can sit through the same 5 books and read them OVER and OVER and OVER again... He loves looking at them! I get tired of reading them OVER and OVER and OVER again, but I KNOW I won't be able to take these sittings back once they're gone.

For any suggestions on books he might like

(on tractors, trucks, anything with wheels...), let me know!

PS: By the way... the first 3 books listed here belong to the local library! I've renewed them twice (we've had them for over a month now!), so I'll really need some new books to entertain Joshua and get his mind off of these... Help!

Our Summer 2011 Garden!

2011-06-22T22:11:00.000-04:00

Some say it's ENORMOUS...

others say it's GREAT...

some others say it's BEAUTIFULLY GROWING...

but...

I say...

... it's a BLESSING!

(especially since Joel has been doing all the work... tilling, planting, weeding, tilling some more, fertilizing, and protecting it against bunnies...)

What do YOU think?

Happy Dada's Day!

2011-06-19T21:56:00.000-04:00

To my wonderful husband...

A Reminder...

2011-06-16T23:15:00.000-04:00

"Whatever you do,

work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord,

not for human masters."

Colossians 3:23

Joshua is TWO!

2011-06-13T22:26:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday was Joshua's second birthday!

I really cannot believe how fast this boy is growing... and getting older, faster, smarter, naughtier, messier... but more loving, handsome, and definitely more curious about the world around him.

We had a small get-together with his cousins and a couple of his new lil' friends.

I totally failed to take more pictures, but I DID manage to snap a few of the infamous cake (thanks, Darla P. for your HARD work on this fabulous replica of the "green" tractor! You're a true artist!),

and of the other "treats" for our guests.

Joshua, mama is so proud of you!

Mama loves you lots!

Me?? Joining a Book Club??

2011-06-08T16:54:00.000-04:00

I LOVE to read.

I LOVE sitting down with a cup of coffee and a good book at hand.

I LOVE ending my day reading in my bed.

So, wouldn't it make sense for me, a book lover, to join a Book Club?

For the FIRST TIME in my entire adult life, I can say that I've "joined" a Book Club.

It is one of the ministries of (in)courage called Bloom (in)courage. This is the same Book Club I followed when reading

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (another MUST READ!!)

I am absolutely enthralled by the new book in their study, "The Fitting Room" by Kelly Minter.

The foundation for this book is Colossians 3:12: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Remember my last blog post?

How cool is it that the Lord chooses to speak to me through books like this one?

If you're looking for good - and at times quite deep - reading material, check Minter's The Fitting Room. And let me know what YOU think of this idea, of putting on God's virtues BECAUSE He has chosen me, loved me, and made me holy. It is not the other way around. We don't "wear" God's virtues, such as compassion, kindness, humility and self-control to become better Christians. We GET TO wear them BECAUSE God's chosen us.

Our job is to learn to wear them.

WHAT A GIFT!

Change = Growth?

2011-06-07T17:07:00.000-04:00

Recently, a friend and past co-worker of mine blogged about the subject of CHANGE. One of the thoughts she had was that, despite our desire to experience new things, change is still scary and unpleasant at first.

According to the good ol' Webster's... CHANGE can be defined as "to make different, to replace with another, to make a shift, to undergo a modification, to undergo a transformation." And the list goes on and on. But you get the idea, right? To CHANGE means to ACTIVELY EXPERIENCE something other than what you're familiar or used to.

So, what are my thoughts? I am a strong believer that in order for us, human beings, to grow, develop, and improve ourselves, CHANGE is absolutely pivotal to such processes. Between Sunday School lessons I've been sitting in, books I'm reading (The Fitting Room by Kelly Minter - EXCELLENT, by the way!), and my personal devotional times with God, I've been coming back to this idea of putting off my old self, putting on the new self, which should be a reflection of Christ's character and values in my life. CHANGE is required if I want to maintain continued growth in my physical, spiritual, emotional and social life. I DO NOT want to live life stuck in ruts... I want to "[forget] what is behind and [strain] toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13b-14.

I need to admit that CHANGE can be scary sometimes, too. Last night was Joshua's first time sleeping on a "real" bed. We have been planning to transition him out of his crib and into his full-size bed before Baby #2 arrives in July. So, last night was the night. As a mom, I couldn't help but hesitate to leave him in his room, by himself, on his "big" bed.

What if he falls?

What if he wakes up and doesn't know where he is?

What if it's too cold?

What if it's too warm?

What if he doesn't like it?

What if he can't sleep?

WHAT IF HE FALLS??

Joshua is 4 days shy of being 2 years old, and for a split-second last night, his entire future flashed before my very eyes. I started thinking about how fast he is growing, how he will one day be in school, graduate, find a wife, get married, and I'll be a grandma... WHAT??? I know, I know, I know!! I KNOW I'm overreacting, but seriously, putting my baby in his own bed last night made me realize (once again) that life is precious and I won't be able to take these early years back. And when Baby #2 comes...

CHANGE will really park in my driveway and stay for a while.

However, I can't help but rejoice in what God has gifted and blessed me with during these last few years of my life. There were CHANGES gallore and looking back...

CHANGE brought GROWTH, joys, pruning, new friends, and freedom...

My friend ended her blog entry with this statement, "in the end, you'll never know if you never try." And I couldn't agree with her more. Thanks, Meredith... for making my thinking wheels turn.

A few images of Spring!

2011-06-02T15:46:00.000-04:00

We've been blessed with amazing Spring (and even Summer-like) weather!

So I thought I'd post some images of the last few weeks...

"I wanna be outside, mama!"

Joshua loves being outside, so when the weather started to get nice, he would look out the window and wonder: "Is it time for me to go outside, yet?"

"Is it time to go outside, yet?"

Also, the farmers around here had started to work on their fields. Unfortunately, it didn't last long, as the "land" is way too wet due to the nasty storms.

We also had an all-church picnic a few weeks ago, so Joshua enjoyed playing outside with his friends...

and with his Daddy! :)

And last, but not least, this past week we hosted a Memorial Day Cookout here at the house.

The boys cooling down in the playroom...

Enjoying the shade

Dana, Jeff, and Mike joined us from Ft. Wayne (thanks for coming, guys!)

We had almost 40 people join us that day!

It was fun (and HOT), but people managed to find some nice shade in our backyard.

Being able to see some old friends, and spend the afternoon with some new ones,

was truly a blessing.

Spring Giveaway Winner!

2011-06-01T14:09:00.000-04:00

Thank you EVERYONE who entered this giveaway! It's always so fun to bless others with "something fun". This year's Spring Giveaway WINNER is.......

Jessica from Crafty Creations!

Congratulations, Jessica! I'll be contacting you shortly.

Everyone else... thanks again!

Free Shipping - Memorial Day Weekend!

2011-05-25T21:52:00.000-04:00

That's right, friends!

FREE SHIPPING

on all orders placed from NOW until MONDAY, May 30th, 2011. No Codes Needed!!

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend by shopping at Helen's Corner!!

(By the way, all orders placed during this promotion will be shipped AFTER the holiday weekend... Thanks!)

Today

2011-05-24T17:06:00.000-04:00

I've been keeping a journal for over 22 years. That's right! I started keeping a "diary" back in my elementary school days, when I NEEDED a safe place to share my thoughts about my biggest crush, daily events, and secret feelings. I never thought I would still be journaling... some 22 years later. LATELY, though, my journal writing/recording has been focusing on immediate, intimate, and somewhat identical topics:

(WOW, I actually found 3 words that start with the letter "I"!!! Yay!)

God's GRACE

God's LOVE

God's GUIDANCE & PROTECTION

God's PURPOSE for ME

Yesterday was a tough day... I felt inadequate, under-equipped, tired, and frustrated. Despite pouring my heart out to the Lord during my "quiet time", I could not find the peace I needed to get my attitude in the right place...

This morning, I woke up with a simple thought. I knew it was God's still small voice, speaking directly to me as I was opening my eyes and welcoming a NEW DAY.

"Helen... Take every opportunity to LOVE on your child."

God says, "I do". From the rising of the sun... to the end of each day, that's what God does to me. He takes every opportunity to show me His unfailing and unconditional love.

What about YOU? What has God been showing you lately? What have you been journaling about? Is HE speaking to you as you welcome each day?

Spring Giveaway!

2011-05-20T17:03:00.000-04:00

About a year ago I held a very special giveaway to welcome the Spring season!

So, I'm here to announce that the SO POPULAR GIVEAWAY is BACK!

(remember those cute Praise Flowers???...)

I absolutely LOVE Spring, especially when it starts to get sunny and warm outside. I've had the pleasure of wearing flip flops these last few days and I am in pure paradise! Ok... I might be exaggerating, but... seriously, if I could wear flip flops all year long, I WOULD!

Ok, for those of you who aren't familiar with these cute flip flap flowers, here's a quick description by 'yours truly'. It's a solar-powered power Praise Flower, which will "dance" and "praise the Lord" as long as it's showered by sunshine! So, place it by a window and you'll see it "dance" all day long!

1 Thessalonias 5:17 says "Pray continually".

This year I decided to give away the PINK one with the word PRAY in it. Lately I've been really focusing on my prayer life... my alone/quiet time with the Lord, or my daily and constant conversation with my Creator. I am realizing more and more of how much I depend on His strength.

I am also GIVING AWAY a $10 Gift Certificate to my Etsy Shop,

Helen's Corner!!

There will be many different ways to enter this GIVEAWAY.

Please leave one comment per entry.

Please leave your email address on each comment.

1. Check out my Helen's Corner Etsy shop, then leave me a comment with your favorite item from the shop (1 entry).

2. Become a follower of my blog, then leave me a comment letting me know you did so. If you're already a follower, leave me a comment letting me know you're a follower (1 entry).

3. If you win this GIVEAWAY, where would you place the Praise Flower (1 entry)?

4. Blog about this giveaway, then leave me a comment with a link to your blog posting (2 entries).

5. Add a link of this GIVEAWAY on your Facebook status, then leave me comment letting me know you did so (1 entry).

EXTRA ENTRIES:

6. Make a purchase on Helen's Corner Etsy shop, then leave me a comment here letting me know you did so (5 extra entries).

This GIVEAWAY will end Tuesday, May 31st, 2011, at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 1st, 2011.

Mindless afternoons...

2011-05-17T15:37:00.000-04:00

This will be a quick one...

You guys KNOW that I love testing new products and scoring some FREE stuff, right? Most of you out there already know about SWAGBUCKS (which, by the way, I JUST scored enough points... just by doing my daily internet searches... and will be redeeming them for a $50 Amazon.com giftcard! I am so excited!

Ok, so, recently I've been experimenting with this new site called CRAWDTAP. Crowdtap is an online community that connects consumers with brands so we, as consumers, can directly influence new products and marketing ideas... you can earn cash and FREE stuff. And you know I LOVE finding new deal, right? Crowdtap sounded really interested. Oh, I didn't mention this... 5% of your earnings will go directly to the charity organization that you choose (they give you some options on the site). It's pretty cool! I've only spent about 20-30 minutes on there and already got a few points towards some rewards... like I said, pretty cool! You can check them out by clicking here.

Ok, I said this was going to be short... so I'm out!

Will be back for more meaningful postings later... just wanted to share something I found on this MINDLESS AFTERNOON.... haha. :)

Thoughts on being a Pastor's Wife

2011-05-03T15:11:00.001-04:00

Almost 4 years ago, Joel started his full-time pastoral ministry as the Associate Pastor at Trinity Church in Middleburg Heights, OH. For some reason the role of the Associate Pastor's wife was quite subtle and somewhat comfortable for me. No expectations, no pressure, no "real" demands... except, of course, the true calling to be the encourager and supporter of his ministry. And that I did. I did it well. I suppose being the "second" pastor's wife in the congregation also helped. (Donna, if you're reading this, THANK YOU for your example and support during our years at Trinity!)

But now I am officially the Pastor's Wife. THE Pastor's Wife. Joel became the Senior Pastor of Bethel Church here in Indiana at the end of March, and so far... I must say... my role as the Pastor's Wife has fit me quite comfortably as well. I know it's only been a little over month, but I haven't felt the pressures, the expectations, nor the hard demands from others OR myself. Believe me, I am aware that this might all change at some point. :)

So, what does it TRULY mean to be a Pastor's Wife TO ME?

IMPORTANT NOTE: (As a pastor's granddaughter, pastor's daughter, pastor's niece... and now a pastor's wife)

My thoughts... in my HUMBLE opinion...

- Being Joel's supporter and encourager

- A prayer warrior for Joel's personal and spiritual life

- Being the best mother for my children

- Being the encourager of the ones around me, especially my new church family

- Creating a welcoming environment for my church family

- Developing the specific gifts which God has given me, and passionately pursuing the ways to use them

- Exercising wisdom and discernment

- Growing in my own personal walk with the Lord

- Being sensitive to the needs of the church family, and being available whenever needed

NOW...

This above list DID NOT include:

- Getting involved in ministry, "just because"... meaning, filling needs as they come

- Wearing certain outfits (although I believe in appropriateness, of course!)

- Participating in EVERY event (although I have been enjoying EVERY gathering... maybe because of the food!)

- Being a good public speaker

- Raising the MOST behaved children (believe me, Joshua has been RUNNING around the building and at every Bible study, prayer meeting, or special event... during prayer times, sermon times, or any other time!)

I've been slowly learning that I am simply a loved daughter of the King. God has created me uniquely for this role and for such a time as this. I love being a wife, a mother, and now a Pastor's Wife. I truly appreciate the prayers of the saints, the encouraging words of every person I encounter, and the support and love of this new church family.

This past month we started hosting our "Alphabet Dinners". Our desire was to host every person in the congregation in our home. Since the house isn't huge, we decided to divide the church directory alphabetically, by last names. We came up with 5 different groups. So far we hosted 2 of the 5 Alphabet Dinners and it's been a true joy to have them in our home. I'm learning, more and more, that despite the work that is involved, God grants me pure joy in those times. I have to say, HOSPITALITY is NOT one of my spiritual gifts, but the Lord is faithful and has provided me with physical strength, energy, and time to cook. People have also been generous in offering their help, especially by bringing side dishes, desserts, salads, etc... I can't imagine having to DO IT ALL! Praise God that things have fallen into place!

There is so much I'm thankful for... I also strongly believe that God has answered my prayers for friends, fellowship, and little friends for Joshua... but that is a post for another day.

One of the books that I've read recently (I'm doing some book reviews soon, as I've been able to READ before bed, instead of watch TV... yes, we got rid of our TV), is the same book that challenged me a few months ago at a Pastors and Wives Retreat. I was given this book and read it that same day, in less than 1 hour. So good, so challenging, so refreshing, and so TRUE! If you have a chance to pick this little guy up, DO IT!

It is titled "Nice Girls Don't Change The World" by Lynne Hybels.

Do yourself a favor and read it! It's a small book... Like I said, I read it in less than ONE hour!

Moving in... and moving on!

2011-04-06T17:18:00.000-04:00

Our Welcome sign!

Wow, I really cannot believe it's been almost 3 weeks since our move to Indiana! It's funny how time is relative when it comes to transitions. Some people say "it's just gonna take some time to get used to things...", but to be totally honest with you, I feel really "at home" here.

"Front" view of the church building... parsonage on the right.

Church Parsonage - our new "home".

The changes are obvious:

1. I now live on a "county road", as opposed to a Street, Avenue, Drive, or Lane.

2. My neighbors are a "ways" away, sometimes a whole "urban block" away!

3. I see Amish buggies pass by our front windows daily.

4. John Deere tractors come by to transport "goods" here and there... (what? really? YES... and Joshua loves it!)

5. The nearest Walmart is "only" 8 miles away.

6. No commuting to church!

7. Going to the store is not something you just "hop in the car" and do it. It's a planned activity.

8. We'll have a garden without a fence around it (No, I will NOT miss having the deer in our backyard!).

9. No TV (we didn't bring ours from Ohio).

10. Staying at home FULL-TIME to be a mom to dear Joshua (and Baby #2).

The boys working the garden

... HOWEVER, some of the changes aren't so obvious.

They're quite subtle:

1. I can drive 8 miles to Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Panera, Starbucks, Kohl's, and Aldi, which are CONVENIENTLY located almost NEXT to each other! Yay for proximity within my favorite shops!

2. The rain and the wind during a Spring storm sound and feel the same... like a breath of fresh air. I love rain!

3. Fabric stores galore!! Love it!

4. Looking forward to fresh produce around the "hood", I mean, around the "county".

5. We have a lovely church family.

6. I have a garage full of Joel's "toys"... meaning, tractors and more tractors.

7. The Bunn still brews delicious coffee in the morning, no matter what kitchen I'm sitting in.

8. Friends are only a phone call away.

9. We're covered with people's prayers, from all around the world.

10. God is near me, all the time.

So, as I reflect on my new residence, I am truly thankful for God's faithfulness in bringing us to a place where "home" would be felt so early on. I can truly say that if it weren't for God's grace in the process, I would still be yearning for a busy life. That's how I was born and wired to live. Isn't it ironic how God also calls all of us to BE STILL and to REJOICE in the midst of trials?

Here's an excerpt from one of my recent journal entries:

"...God has been faithful in providing people to make this transition so much smoother than we could've asked for!... There are really no words to describe how PEACE feels like in times of transitions like this. I know this is where God wants me now. Despite having a hard time transitioning to being a full-time mom, I'm at peace, feeling God's hands of grace and protection. He reminds me... 'eucharisteo' precedes the miracle, as I read in a book recently. I am enjoying the small moments with Joshua. I know these moments are precious and I won't be able to take them back once Baby #2 arrives. Joshua is a gift. I praise God for gifting me with a healthy, curious, and loving boy. He's transitioning really well... as much as a 22 month-old can, I suppose."

Looking forward to what's ahead...

Do you know a TRACTOR lover & collector??

2011-03-10T21:29:00.000-05:00

If you DO, join the club!

My husband is a HUGE tractor junkie... actually, he specializes in Antique Garden Tractors... those Sears Suburbans from the 60's... it's insane.

But in honor of his "hobby", I decided to create one of these...

And check out Joshua! He's truly his father's son.

He also LOVES tractors! Here he is... rocking out his new shirt!

So, do you know a TRACTOR lover?

Get one of these shirts here.

I just added them to my Etsy Shop.

Back from a LONG hiatus...

2011-02-23T13:25:00.000-05:00

WOW, has it really been almost 3 months since I posted anything?

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED!!

... AND SO MUCH IS YET TO HAPPENED in the next 3 WEEKS!

In a nutshell, the TOP 5:

1. I'm 20 weeks pregnant

2. I'm resigning from my job

3. My husband got a new job

4. We're moving to Indiana

5. Packing, sorting, and cleaning became the daily chores

So, with that said, my time has been very limited. I haven't done much with my Etsy shop and my blog. By the grace of God I still get a few sales here and there... and some lovely messages from my blog followers. Thank you so much for encouraging me along the way.

I haven't forgotten about any of you. I still keep up with my blog reading (I'm an avid follower of a few...) and still find a few minutes to browse around some Etsy shops. I'm always amazed by the talent out there! I've been eyeing and "hearting" some items... hopefully I'll get to post some of my favorites here soon.

I'm also reading some amazing books!!! So, stay tuned for some reviews.

I'll be back soon... (with pictures), I promise.

Winner of Mama Hoot Designs Giveaway!

2010-12-04T11:19:00.000-05:00

Thank you so much to everyone who entered this giveaway!

The winner was chosen via Random.Org:

And entry #2 was from Jessica or Amy from Baby Cakes and Makes!

Congratulations!

Please contact me to claim your $25 Gift Certificate!

Giveaway Extended...

2010-12-02T11:40:00.000-05:00

Hi readers!

Due to my being out of town and being a procrastinator, I've decided to extend the Mama Hoot Designs GIVEAWAY until THIS FRIDAY, December 3rd at 11:50pm EST.

Winner will be announced on Saturday, December 4th 2010!

Thank you!

Cyber Monday Free Shipping

2010-11-28T23:22:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post to let you know I am offering

WORLDWIDE FREE SHIPPING

on Cyber Monday, November 29, 2010 on ALL ORDERS!

Happy Shopping!