Happy Birthday, best friend.

My amazing hubby turns 29 today. Yes, if you're remembering this post and this post, you're right. He's younger than me. (Praise the Lord he didn't overlook an older woman!)

I could (quite literally) write a book when it comes to sharing the things I love about my husband. Today, I'll spare you my tirade and share with you just a sampling.

He loves me unconditionally.

He is my very best friend.

He has an amazing sense of humor

(and can always make me laugh).

He has a heart for God and seeks Him continually.

He always put others before himself.

(he is selfless)

He loves his family and strives to serve & honor them.

He is an incredible daddy.

(and isn't afraid to be silly with his boys)

I could keep going, but you get the idea. I adore my husband, and am thanking the Lord today for his birth.

We had a little get together with family last night, and I made this slideshow to share with them - and now I'll share it with all of you, too.

Happy birthday, Josh! 

I adore you.

Josh's 29th Birthday from Kristy Heilman on Vimeo.

Embrace the Camera: A Day at the Park

It's Thursday, and that means it's time to... Embrace the Camera!



The weather has been awesome here in Iowa (until the last couple days, of course) and we've been taking full advantage of it and getting OUTSIDE! (Lord knows these boys need to burn off some steam)

This past weekend we took the boys out to a park we hadn't been to before, and it turned out to be great. We went there to take Zack's 5-year pictures (I WILL get a post up about them. Soon. Really.) and I lucked out and managed some outfit pics, too.

But some of the pics I like best are the ones I didn't know were taken. My hubby caught a couple moments of me with my boys...

 

Ok, now it's your turn - go Embrace the Camera!

Love and Loss

When I left on my 6-week ‘hiatus’ I was excited for when I’d return. (and not just because I knew I’d miss blogging). I was excited to share a secret. I was going to get to make an announcement – and not the kind you have to say “not that kind of announcement” – because it was that kind of announcement.

Was.

Life can change so drastically in just 6 weeks.

I thought the hardest part of those 6 weeks was going to be staying off Facebook, and not getting to read the many blogs I love. Isn’t it amazing the things we think are “hard” when there’s nothing truly difficult going on in our lives?

One life-altering event can change your entire perspective. One event that changes your ‘will’ to a ‘was.’

Was.

I told you all before I had more to share. And I honestly have been praying for the courage to share it all, and be truly transparent. I think know I’ve been avoiding writing this.

I felt called to share my story to encourage others, but I’ve been worrying over the details.

But God is in the details.

I’ve been worrying people will think I’m searching for sympathy.

But I’m not.

So, I’m finally going to take the leap, and pour my heart out.





In early January, Josh and I found out we were expecting our third bundle of joy. We were so very excited. Our usual routine is to call every family member with the news as soon as we know, but this time we had a different plan. Zack's 5th birthday was coming up, all the family would be at his party - so we would tell the boys and everyone else then. We were so excited for that day to come.

It came.  But it wasn't at all the way we thought it'd be.

About a week before the day we planned to share our news, we started having complications. There were days of tests, and waiting, and not knowing. Honestly, that was one of the hardest parts.

The waiting.

On the 5th day there was no more "not knowing." On Thursday, February 3, 2011 our sweet baby went to be with Jesus. Just two days before we planned to share our news.

I have thought for years that I would never be able to survive a miscarriage. Never. Ever. That it would destroy me.

It hasn't destroyed me.

Not to say I'm not broken over it. I can't begin to describe the pain. But my God has sustained me and is walking me through this fire. I wholeheartedly believe He was preparing Josh and I for this time, so that it would not destroy us.

He is faithful.

Physically, I'm now healed. Emotionally, I'm still healing. I've come to realize so many things through this time, and God is still teaching me. I want to share more with you - about just how specific God was in preparing my heart for this time - but that's for another day.

I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!” 

The Lord is good to those who depend on him, 

to those who search for him. 

So it is good to wait quietly 

for salvation from the Lord.

Lamentations 3:20-26

New Favorites: Bold Scarves

This weekend, we took a little field trip out to a fun park in Altoona. The plan was to take Zack’s 5-year pictures (more on that later), and have some playtime. Both goals were accomplished, along with an added bonus...

Outfit pictures.

If I’m being honest, I’ve gotta say I’m not sure I’m still loving this outfit. And I’m certainly not loving the jeggings bunching up above the boots (something I haven’t been able to nix yet, as the jeggings are too LONG for me). But the thing I am loving is the scarf.

Yes, I realize scarves are nothing new, but they’re a new venture for me. I love them – but usually on other people. Mostly, because I’ve never felt that I’ve been able to master HOW to wear them.

So, I’m trying to overcome those reservations and just go for it. I even bought another scarf today.

(Three scarves? I may be out of control…)

 

  Scarf: Old Navy, $5 (clearance)

Cardigan: Old Navy, $15 (sale)

Long-sleeved T: Target, ?? (old, can’t remember!)

Jeggings: Kohl’s, $15?? (clearance)

Boots: Target, $20 (clearance)

Confession

Did I make a B-Line for Starbucks as soon as I dropped Zack off at Cubbies?

Yes.

Did I "forget" to order a LIGHT Carmel Frap instead of a regular?

No.

I wanted the whipped cream.

Did I crank old-school O.C. Supertones in my mini-van after getting said Frap?

Yes.

Did I have the window rolled down while I sang along...loudly?

Yes.

Do I regret any of this?

Absolutely Not.

Glory

Sometimes a mamma's just got to live a little.

Embrace the Camera: Family Outing

So, you’d think after 6 weeks away I’d have loads of photos stockpiled. Well, not so much. But I do have SOME and I figured since it’s time to embrace the camera – it’d be a good time to share (since I actually was IN some of these)





A couple weekends ago we took a trip to the Build-a-Bear Workshop. The boys each had a gift card from Papa & Grandma burning a hole in their respective pockets. So Grandma and Aunt Cassidy joined us to find the perfect bears. (poor Papa had to work!)

We hadn’t ever done the whole Build-a-Bear experience before, so the boys were very excited. Zack even picked out his bear online before we ever got to the store. (which was quite handy)

Add a sound? I think not.

Adding stuffing. Austin tried to just STOMP on it and be done.

Zack giving his new bear an "air bath."

Austin washing the important areas.

Looking for an outfit for "Doggie"

He chose a Hawkeye t-shirt and a football. What else?

Busy, busy boys.

Grandma helps Zack make his bear a Jedi. (complete with light saber)

 

Austin was DETERMINED to carry his own.

It was a fun experience, and the boys are still carrying ‘Luke’ and ‘Doggie’ around everywhere (In fact, when Austin saw me looking at these pictures he immediately went and got ‘Doggie.’) Thanks to Papa & Grandma for the gift cards and the chance for the boys to have such fun!

Now YOU go and “embrace the camera”!

Giving Thanks

Things I'm thankful for today:

- WASHABLE colored pencils

- Mr. Clean Magic Erasers*

- Sudafed (the real stuff)

- Less coughing

- Naps

- Boys who can make me smile

*Yes, the first two are directly related.

6 Weeks

Six weeks have come and gone. To be honest, I have so much to share it’s overwhelming and I’m completely unsure of where to start. I suppose the best place to start is with the basics, right? Ok, let’s do that.

(If you missed the story on where I’ve been the last 6 weeks (and why) you can read up on it HERE.)

The fast itself went very well.  Was it difficult? Yes. (but it’d have been pointless if it wasn’t) Was it worth it? Absolutely. In fact, I’d do it again.

Some of the things I’ve realized:

• I can sometimes take for granted feeling “connected” to people online – and not really “connect” with them in person, or on a deeper level  

• I’m thankful for ways to reconnect with friends/family who are far away

• Those “few seconds” you take to “check” FB, Twitter, or blogs add up VERY quickly
  • Consequently, NOT having access to those things leads to a significant about of extra time
•  I sometimes use FB, Twitter or blogs to distract myself from things I don’t want to think about

• I’m frequently very selfish about “my time”

• Put down the phone and look around – often you’re missing out on precious times with loved ones.

• ‘Everything in moderation’ is exceedingly good advice

Those are actually just a few general things I’ve realized. To be honest, it’s not even scratching the surface.

I expected to come back after 6 weeks with some exciting things to share. That’s not to say I don’t have plenty to share, but it’s not at all what I thought it’d be. It’s amazing how drastically life can change in 6 weeks. The life-altering events in our life didn’t have anything to do with my fast, but I believe there was no mistake in the fact that my fast overlapped with these events. God’s timing is perfect. That’s a truth that’s been solidly reinforced to me in these past weeks.

There are more blog posts to come - I’m praying for the courage to be completely, utterly transparent with all of you – and I’m excited to share with you all God has been teaching me.