It's the Little Things

Clean sink. Good morning hugs.  Camping. Laughter. Anniversary's. No laundry. Serving. Vacuumed floors.  Crafting. Families. Rainy day. A good book. Pedicures. Hugs. Friendship. Late nights.  Church. Sewing. Love. Smiling. Photography. Cookouts. Walks. Feeding the ducks. Natalee. Growing in God. Helping. Confidence.  Tithing. Beds made. Cuddling. Football. Clean bathrooms. New earrings. Vacations.  Feeling loved. Rocking your baby. Rootbeer. Rainbows. The color green. Girlfriends. Organization. Central heat and air. A daddy's love. Parks. Tickling. New pens. Hobby Lobby. The Bible. My husband. Work.  Cars. Our house. The "bleach" smell. Letters. Dave Ramsey. Gift Cards. Fun. Swimming. Nature. Carmex. New mascara. That baby smell. Lotion. Bubble Baths. Playing. Long-lost friends. Spending time with family.  Frozen yogurt. Animals. The lake. Dalhart.

That's quite a list. A lot of "little" things that add up to the beauty of my life. I'm sure there are some "little" things that I have forgotten, mainly because I take a lot of these things for granted. Can I live without some of them...yes. Am I glad that I don't have to at the moment...YES! I am so blessed for the life that I have, and just wanted to take a moment and reflect on the "little" things in my life. After looking through my list....I realize...it's not "little" at all. Thank you God for all of the "little."

Krystole

"Giving thanks always and for everything to God our Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" Ephesians 5:20

Me Monster

Being content... 
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5.

This is SO hard in the society we live in today. No one lives contently. We are built on a foundation of selfishness, wants, desires, and instant gratification. If you want a new car, get a loan. If you want a new house, get a mortgage. If you want new clothes, put it on your credit card. Everything we are surrounded by is "instant." TV...instant...internet...instant....microwave...instant...cell phones...instant!!
(side note: Dave Ramsey would be SO proud of this paragraph!)

Learning to be content in a world that tells you otherwise is tough. I know I have my fair shares of "me monsters" and "I want it nows" and I am not proud of that. One of my biggest struggles right now is being content at my place of work. For those of you who know the whole situation at hand, you couldn't agree more I'm sure! In my mind, I'm trying to be content in working at St Paul's, but my mind and heart are WAY different things. I'm in a place of constant longing to stay at home with Natalee. It's all that I have to just go to work each day.

What can I learn from this you ask? To thank God for the many blessings He has given to us. I need to learn to be more content (glad I got that off my chest). Instead of dreading my job each day, I should thank Him for the income that it provides for my family. I know many a people desperately looking for a job and more money. Instead of longing to stay at home with Natalee, I should remember that He blessed me with the ONLY job that I didnt' have to be away from her.

Positive thinking...many counselors have said it's the right thing to do! (maybe I should look into one of those!) Jesus asks us to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). I know that I trust in the Lord...and I know there's a LOT I don't understand...so why is it so hard to combine the two?

As long as God wills it, I am planning on quitting my job in December to stay at home with Natalee and our future children. I hope that I can look more "positively" about the blessings that God has given me, and not take this time for granted. Always hoping for the "next stage" in your life to happen, wastes the "current stage" of life that you are living....wow...that was pretty good, maybe I should write a book or something...

I encourage you to live EACH day to its fullest. To love and trust the One that we are living this life for. I'm sure the "me monster" will be back very soon, but when it does, I'm hoping to remember to be more content!

(after I quit my job, I may need to refer back to this post, to remember to be content about money!! I'm sure that is a whole other "me monster" waiting to happen....)

Krystole



I can't help but LOVE this girl!





Jesus Took the Wheel

Let me take you down a walk in memory lane. This is not one of those "fun-filled-mushy-gushy-life-is-perfect walks either." This walk will ONLY let Jesus be glorified. This walk proves my Jesus is mighty to save and an ever-present help in time of need.

Let the story begin on a Sunday afternoon, August 17th, 2008. My best friends were throwing Jeremy and I a house-warming party! YAY for new houses, and new stuff to go in it! My mom came down the Friday before to help me get the house in order, which, for those of you who really know my mom and I, meant rearranging pretty much every room in our 5 bedroom house! We had a great time finishing up some much needed projects in order to get our home "guest ready" for the shower on Sunday. This meant an exhausting weekend of late nights, soreness, and double-vision from lack of sleep!

At this point in our lives, Jeremy and I were members of West A (we still LOVE those people!). We were also leaders of the college group and the teachers for Sunday morning class. Due to the fact that my mom and I were up into the wee hours of the morning, my gracious hubby took his OWN car (I will explain this later) to church to teach, and let us sleep in. This NEVER happened, we always rode together....

My mom and I met Jeremy at West A in time for "big church" (yes, I am 27 and still call it that). After church was over, Jeremy headed home, and my mom and I headed to Braums on Western and Plains to swing through and grab a bite to eat before the shower started at 2. We left the church, and went our separate ways.

Now, let me interrupt this story, to bring you a little background info. We (my family) are from Dalhart, TX (GO WOLVES!). It is a very small town. You don't lock your doors, you don't lock your cars, you don't wear seat belts. OK, back to the story.

My mom and I are driving down Soncy, headed towards I-40. Jeremy and I had just gotten a new-to-us car, which had that ANNOYING bell that would ring until you put your seat belts on. My mom and I are enjoying conversation when I hear, "ding-ding." I say, "mom, put your seat belt on." We keep driving, and are now up on I-40 and I hear, "ding-ding." I say, "Mom, PUT your seat belt on!" We take our exit at Western (right next to Blue Sky) and get stopped by the stop light. Again I hear, "ding-ding." I say, "MOM, PUT it on! It is just going to keep ringing until we get home!" So, she reaches over, and snaps it into place. Ahhh...silence. The light turns green, we go under I-40 and come to a complete stop on Western due to all of the traffic at lunch. I turn on my blinker to turn into Braums.

Silence.

Then out of no where, my car is moving. I will NEVER be able to forget the feeling that I was no longer in control. I remember screaming out, "MOM, MOM, MOM."

Silence.

We had been hit. Rear-ended actually. By a man in his 40's, driving WAY over the speed limit. During the moments of "the wreck" I felt like I was in the Matrix. SLOW-motion, and NO control...two of the scariest emotions that could be felt at the same time.

It's funny how things work. The very sound I had been wanting just a few short minutes before (silence) was now the object of my horror.

Another interruption for some details. When this man hit us, we were completely stopped, waiting to turn left into Braums. Both of our seats broke and fell backwards upon impact, which meant, I could not see where I was driving. If you remember, I had come to a complete stop due to all of the TRAFFIC. All I knew to do was turn the wheel to the right, because I new I didn't want to also hit oncoming traffic...and was hoping I would not hit anyone else to the right.

The car stops. I'm running on sheer adrenaline. I unbuckle my seat belt and step out of the car. I look around, turning a circle, and then it hits me...my mom is in the car too. The place where the car stopped was actually up and over the curb and straight into a fence (we didn't knock it down, we just came right up to it). 

PANIC.

I jump over the hood of my car and run over to my mom's side of the vehicle. (I see the man that hit us, I ask if he's OK, he shook his head yes. I ask if he had a cell phone, he shook his head no. Then he climbs back into his car and shuts the door.) Her door is jammed locked, and I can't get to her. Every window of my car broke upon impact, so I can lean in and touch/talk to her, I just CAN'T get to her. She is laying down (because our seats broke), with her feet on the dashboard, not breathing, and having a seizure.

At this point, I'm delirious. I'm trying to "pry" her door open with my church clothes and heels on. I'm yelling at her, "Mommy, Mommy"....silence.

I stop, and I literally CRY OUT to God....."I CAN'T DO THIS," "I CAN'T do THIS," "I CAN'T"....and that's when I hear the sirens. 3 men pull me away from my mom and the horrifying scene at hand.

All the details get a little blurry from here, but I know I used a woman's phone to first dial Jeremy: who wasn't home yet, Mary Lodholm: to leave a message for her to get a hold of Jeremy and tell him to call me, and to my Dad: to tell him that it was bad, and he needed to get to Amarillo now. I know I called these 3 people, but I don't actually remember talking to any of them. The firemen take me to a stretcher and load me on the ambulance.The jaws of life had to be used on my car to get to my mom. They resuscitated her and they loaded her on the ambulance with me.

Silence.

The ER team is working on my mom, talking to her, trying to keep her conscious. They ask her, "Ma'am, what is your name?" Silence. "Ma'am, what is your name?" Silence.
Then she speaks..."Where's my daughter?"

The silence was finally broken. I reached over and grabbed her hand, and said, "I'm right here mom."

They then asked her, "Ma'am when is your birthday?" Her response, "December...." Her birthday is April 15th.

She ended up staying in the ICU, and had a brain bleed on the left-side of her head. This started a two year journey for her with memory loss. She couldn't remember the order of events, or even words to speak correctly. 

That should be the end of the story....if it weren't for Jesus. Let me explain all of the details that MY Jesus did for us:

1. That annoying little "ding-ding" saved my mom's life. She snapped her seatbelt LITERALLY two minutes before this happened.
2. Jeremy and I NEVER took 2 separate cars to church. We did on August 17th. He would have been in my back seat. I didn't have a back seat left.
3. Even though our seats broke on impact, and the traffic was VERY heavy, I didn't hit oncoming traffic OR anyone to my right.
4. The ambulance just happened to be stopped at the light at Western and Plains. They WITNESSED the wreck happening, and were at the scene instantly. Without this, my mom probably would have died that day.
5. Neither one of us had a single broken bone. I had a bruise on my elbow, my mom had a scratch on her ankle.
6. An hour or so after the wreck, I felt something poking me (in the ER on the stretcher) in my arm. I called the nurse in becasue I was strapped down and couldn't move. She pulled a 5 inch piece of glass out of my sleeve cuff, that never cut me.
7. The man who hit us was said to be driving in speeds 70+....and we surrvived.
8. Julie Helms couldn't make it to the house warming, so she gave our gift at church that morning. I didn't open it. The day after the wreck, I went to get our belongings out and remembered her gift. If was sitting on the console, the same place it was when the wreck occured. The first thing I opened was supposed to be a candle. It was shattered beyone belief. The next thing I opened was a CROSS. A good size cross, with stained-glass in the center. NOTHING chipped, NOTHING cracked, NOTHING broken. My God was there with us.

Our God is an Awesome God He Reigns
From Heaven Above
With Wisdom POWER and Love
Our God is an Awesome God.

Needless to say, we spent our house warming party in the ER.

My mom is now fully recovered (well, as good as it's going to get, right mom?!)....and I still don't drive up Western unless I have to.

God was with EVERY detail, and always is.

"God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in time of trouble." Psalm 46:1

Krystole

Thank you Lord for every detail.

KG Photography

Well, it's official. I love having too much on my plate! Not only have I expanded my BOWtique business, but I have also taken up photography! I have always LOVED photos, but the birth of Natalee really blew the word "love" out of proportion! I think I have captured 95% of her life on camera...and I wouldn't trade it for the world! Jeremy bought me a fancy-shmancy (yes, that's the technical term) camera for Mother's Day! He is always so much better at giving me gifts. My first time to use it was over the Easter holiday. I have never seen a more clear picture in my life! I felt like I could reach in and touch Natalee in her pretty flowing Easter dress! She looked absolutely adorable by the way!


Ever since I got photoshop for Christmas, I have been dying to get my hands on some good photos! It's such a stress relief to me! To free myself from "reality" for a few minutes to capture that one perfect shot! I have always loved a challenge, so it's like the perfect "game" for me! Needless to say, my daughter is the perfect model, and she really doesn't take a bad picture!! No, I'm not biased...I am her mother!


Photo shoots have started trickling in little by little! I have 2 weddings booked this year, a one year old birthday party, and several family shoots lined up! I am so excited....like a kid in a candy store! It's always exciting to use your gifts...no matter how big or small they may seem.

Krystole

Here are a few shots from recent shoots: (I would love to add more photos, but the uploader is taking FOREVER!!)

My very handsome (and single!!) brother!

Sweet Kamdynn, only 10 days old!

The Chavez Girls!

Bloomers

I am happy to announce that God has placed a business opportunity straight into my lap (He's cool like that.) All of my BOWtique stuff is now in a new floral shop in Dalhart, appropriately named "Bloomers!" This store is opening August 1st, and as of now, will be decked out in rodeo wear for XIT! I'm so excited for this opportunity, and can't wait to see the blessings it brings to my family. I love crafting and look forward to being able to do more of it. I pray that God will help me prioritize my life, and help me not to procrastinate....of course...this could be the "test" that He is also trying to help me through! Anyway, keep your eyes peeled for the cutest little cowgirl gear!

Krystole



Krystole's BOWtique
Dalhart, TX
Bloomers Floral and Gift Shop



Love IN Marriage

The title of this post is very fitting to me. So many people say, "love AND marriage"...but I think a better way to look at it is, "love IN marriage." "Love" and "marriage" should not be two separate things. I want to have love IN my marriage! Yes, I am talking about mushy, gushy, head-over-heels love IN your marriage.

Jeremy and I just celebrated our 5 year anniversary on July 29th! FIVE whole years of bliss! OK, maybe not every waking moment....but most of them. Jeremy and I have such an amazing marriage. It is God-centered and selfless. He really is the man that God needs him to be for our family. Having God be the focus of our marriage is by far the best decision we could have made. I strive (long) to be the bride of Christ and the woman that God is talking about in Proverbs 31. Am I perfect at this? NO, not at all! Does this mean I just give up because I will never be that perfect woman? NO, not at all! God has so much in store for us as husband and wife. I will continue to press on to be the woman that God has called me to be.

Now for some details: Our 5 year anniversary was spent in Santa Fe, NM! The weather was amazing, the shopping was amazing, the food was amazing, the time alone was amazing. There's just something about that cool mountain air, and the rugged-hotness of my husband! We had a great time walking around the downtown area. We enjoyed an appetizer from one restaurant, a carmel-apple at a home-made candy shop, and of course, lots of good mexican food! This weekend was sponsored in part by: My parents, who kept Natalee for us, Mary and Kyle Lodholm: who watched our animals, and Christina Guy: who gave us an amazing deal on a hotel room with her employee discount! Talk about having some great people in our lives!

We struggle everyday to be the people that God has called us to be. Every day situations arise, and I don't always make the best choice. The point of my story is, I'm not giving up. I will not allow Satan to win. We are really working harder at specific areas in our lives to be more Christ-like. Some of them being: our finances (we LOVE you Dave Ramsey!!!), our parenting (we LOVE you Natalee Grace), our friendships (you know who you are!), our quality time (bring on the family night), and our healthy habits (I don't quite love the gym as much as I should....), like I said WORKING on it!

I pray that each of you continue to fight the GOOD fight, and press on towards the ultimate goal: a closer relationship to the ONE who loves you. (I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14) Not being perfect is something that is always going to be there, giving up means that Satan has won. I would rather fail a thousand times, knowing that I tried, than give up and let Satan have a hold on me. Continue to grow in the Lord, together with your spouse. It will be the greatest blessing...and will lead you to love IN your marriage.

Krystole

Still loves to kiss his bride!

5 year anniversary!

Loved this day!

^{Proverbs 31:10-31
10 [b]}A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.