Summer in Cream Puff: Just the Beginning

This summer we have committed to make memories in Cream Puff!  To be coined “The Summer of Cream Puff”

We had a GREAT start a few weekends ago.  A home away from home in Pismo, Cali, our little family has found a place to make memories…

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Snow Day!

Here is Swee, so sweet and snuggly!!

I have been wanting to get our family to the snow this year (I’m not sure where this year has gone by the way), and had been thinking about this weekend being a good time to go.  BUT, I also had a (task) list of reasons why we couldn’t.  So, when our friends called and asked us to join them for a stay at their cabin and snow day, I knew it was meant to be!

However, just going for the day rather than overnight was our compromise to handle my mental madness, and it was nothing less than perfect.  The Johanson’s are dear friends of ours and our family’s love each other, so it is always just so easy…

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Busy life don’t go too fast…..

Easter 2012

Easter has always been a favorite holiday, and recently even more; as it is the first holiday now BOTH of my children celebrated in their little lives.

Symphony’s first Easter (last year):

Leading up to Easter in this home is always a bit more hectic (then we already are).  Jon and his worship team put in more hours, thought and  creativity than usual; which means for longer rehearsals, and more nights rehearsing.  HOWEVER, it’s ALL worth it!  We had an amazing church service where nearly 30 people came forward to give their lives to Jesus for the first time, or rededicate themselves to Him.  (Isn’t knowing Him really what that day is all about?)

After service we celebrate with Jon’s side of the family.  This side of the family is SO special.  We are all in the season of life where we are growing our families with littles and they are growing up together.  It doesn’t get any better.  I am so grateful for this large family!  For the past few years we have been able to take advantage of beautiful weather and Jesse and Allie’s pizza oven!

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Hope your day was as fun and sweet as ours was!

You Have My Heart…

Christopher… even as I type your name about to dig into the emotional reservoir I have for you, I can’t help but be overwhelmed with such a deep love for you my son.

Never could I have imagined how much fulfillment you would bring into my life.  Today  you turn 4.  (I’m not sure how this is happening because just two weeks ago, you promised me that you would stay 3 forever for me.  However, the time machine is inevitable for us all, thank you for being willing.  ;) )  I thank God for you EVERY DAY.  I really do.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I gave birth to you, and couldn’t take my eyes off of you.  Every stage of your little life I have tried to cherish and soak up.  If I could bottle moments, I would make the current reality show ‘Hoarders’ because I would have no room for anything else.

Christopher, you make your dad and I so proud.  You are sweet and caring.  You love to help!  You, like me, are a doer.  And you ARE our best little helper.  You always want to cook with us, you have fine taste buds little one… from PB&J to crab, you’re pallet is advanced to say the least.  You love the beach and the beat of a drum.  Music is an obvious love –  definitely not from me.  ;)  THOUGH, we do often make up our own songs and they quickly become our favorites.  Your favorite color is still blue – dark blue.  You love to hide and be found.  You love to make us laugh.  You have a strong hospitality gift and are the BEST Big Brother!!!

Your sister loves and trusts you.  You have learned to be so gentle with her and love to make her happy.  You will most likely enter preschool this year, and more than ever venture in finding your own little self.  I’m hoping you’ll always kiss me and hug me in front of your friends.

Though I know I can’t keep you three forever, I do hope that I will always be a mom that, just as you do now, can trust me for all things.  I commit to do my best to preserve that trust with you.  I love you more than words can write Christopher Daniel.  I am SO GRATEFUL God has given you to me for this lifetime – you have made me very rich.

You have my heart Son and I hope you feel SOOO much love today on your special day!

xoxo,

Mama

Current Nick Names:  Jovi, Shark, Shark Bait, Favorite Son and Jovi Monster!

Christmas Traditions

This year I wanted to have matching pajamas.  A  sweet friend, Jenica made these for us and I just LOVE them!!  The ladies have a glittery nose and a rhinestone blinged out bow!  Could they get any cuter!?!  They were a big hit!  Christopher still (in late January) wants us all to wear our matching ‘moose’ jammies!  ;)

As we build our holiday traditions with our family, I have three favorites that we do each year.  First, is that we attend People’s Church Christmas Eve Service.  It’s a beautiful service and we always get to visit with old friends we love so dearly.  This year our church had our own service and right after we headed over to People’s, it’s is that special.

When we come home that evening, we get the kids to bed and get ready for the next day.  A longtime favorite tradition on my side of the family is homemade eggnog.  You have to start this recipe the night before.  SOOOO many calories, but I DON’T count when it’s the holidays.  (Well, I really don’t count when it’s not either.)

Then my last and sweetest tradition has become the party!  While Christopher is sleeping, we blow up a bunch of balloons and fill his bedroom, the hallway and around the tree for the big birthday party!!!… after all, its really about the gift of Jesus isn’t it!!!

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What are your traditions?

Christopher’s Christmas Tree

I know we’re almost half way through the new year (well at least it feels that way for me), but this is more for my own feeling of accomplishment, rather than timely posts – maybe one day I’ll catch up to myself.

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This year, I had the privilege and opportunity to decorate The Fairwinds; a very classy retirement home in North Fresno, where I used to work as the Activities  Director.  (Yes, I got to plan parties for Senior Citizens – AND IT WAS MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE JOB TOO).  So 4 trees, balcony garland, fireplaces and nooks and crannies decorated, this year the Shabaglian home got leftovers!

A little worried about what I had to work with, I resolved in my heart (also justifying what could be a potentially crappy looking tree) that for this year, Christopher could choose the decorations!

So with our mix of gold, silver, champagne, red AND turquoise (a few black glitter  feathers I was able to convince the 3′ tall designer were best in the back of the tree), I was surprised and happy to say that we didn’t do half bad!

The Decorator inspecting his work.

Symphony's first Christmas tree - it was very fascinating...

This was our favorite ornament all season!

Christopher's 2011 Ornament of course made it onto the tree. Crush and Offspring!

Not too bad. I realize I cut off the top which was a very large gold glitter star with two golf glitter feathers on either side... to look like a bull horns???

And just for fun, because I love her!

MadeForThem – My non-profit

Yes!  We are in FULL swing!!! swooshhhhhhh….. (did you feel the breeze?)

As I said to you a few months ago, ‘God Said, “Yes”‘ to starting a non-profit to raise awareness and support for human trafficking and human rights issues, through the vehicles of fashion and the arts.

After amazing testimony after amazing testimony, in just a few short months, I have a great board, a fantastic and supportive board of advisors, an incredibly talented (and fun) design team, our logo (ya’hoo), our name trademarked AND in just three weeks after submission to the IRS – our FULL tax exempt status!!!!!  If you know anything about submitting for your status with the IRS – this is an UNHEARD of miracle!!!  I know people now who have been waiting 14 months – and are still waiting!

Our Mission Statement:

It is the mission of MadeForThem to combat human trafficking and promote social justice and human rights through design, fashion, and the arts.

Our Vision Statement:

MadeForThem is a non-profit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and human rights issues dealing with abuse, neglect and exploitation. We fund-raise through the vehicles of design, fashion, and the arts to raise awareness. Resources are directed to support committed organizations who are making a significant difference in these areas.

100% of the net profits go toward combating human trafficking and other human rights causes supporting local, state, national and international organizations.

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I ask that you would continue to join me in this great venture!  It’s going to be a lot of fun and a wild ride, and I am surely not supposed to do it alone!  Follow our FB page here and check back in about a week to peek at our website.  If you would like to get involved with this MadeForThem team and feel a stirring in your heart, e-mail me andrea@eventsdivineonline.com (MFT e-mail coming soon).

MadeForThem will deliver for you some of the best quality and uniquely designed garments and OF COURSE some of the most creative and amazing fundraising events!  Can’t wait to share more with you!

For more resources on Human Trafficking you can see our likes on our FB page.

Doing this journey with you!

xoxo. Andrea