Oh April, how I love this month. The beautiful blooming trees, sunshine, and the ever so waited anticipation of Summer. These past few days have been absolutely gorgeous here in NJ. Just yesterday I was looking out the window and pulled my husband over, every tree in our neighborhood is in full bloom, and looking out our living room window you could see the pinks, whites, yellows, blues, and purples. It is simply magical, and something I hope to never take for granted.
Happy Easter everyone! Let me tell you, this post has been a long time coming. What I originally wanted to do for this post was share some family photos and explain what Easter Sunday means to our family. I wanted to share with you one of the 8 principles of peace, and how one in particular seemed to be more relevant in my life, as it is something I have to continually strive for every single day. After whats been going on the past week or so, it just didn't feel right sharing what I had originally planned and the story I had to go along with it.
As some of you know, this week we had some pretty bad scares and some bad news about my pregnancy. It's been a rough week for our family; so many tears and so much fear of the unknown. This trial has brought us to our knees, and ultimately tested our faith. Since we received the bad news, I've been really down in the dumps. Thats not like me, I'm more of a glass half full type of girl. This particular trial however, is something I have now experienced three times. As some of you know, I had both of my boys at 27 weeks gestation. It is something i've had to accept and try to move past, as my body just can't seem to keep babies past this week. After Beckham was born, we swore up and down he was our last. His birth and NICU stay was very traumatic, and it's not something I share too often because it was a very heart breaking time in our life. Even so, as the years past we kept feeling like we were meant to have one more. It started the day we attended the temple for my sister in laws wedding, and we both tried to ignore it; saying there was no way we could handle that again. Another year past, and it started happening more frequently. After a good four years, we both knew it was time. As scary as that was, we couldn't ignore the fact that we both strongly felt there was a little spirit who was anxiously waiting to meet our family.
The day we found out we were pregnant was surreal (and scary), but we both had such high hopes. We started talking to specialists even before I became pregnant, and had done everything we possibly could to ensure that this little one would make it to full term. Countless doctor appointments, preventative medicines, bed rest, etc. After some pretty scary complications this past week, and some really bad news about the babies brain; it feels as though i'm experiencing the horror all over again. I've had to rely on Faith, that sometimes things are just not in my control; and I need to trust that our Heavenly Father will take care of us and especially the precious angel I am so grateful to be carrying.
Faith-
This is something I have to work on every single day, it is something I have to continually rely on and know that sometimes after all is said and done, I need to trust that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants whats best for me. Sometimes I just have to rely on him and ask him to lift my burden and take on the weight of something that is impossibly hard for me to handle. I honestly hate the saying, "God will never give you a trial that is too hard to handle." I don't believe that in the slightest. I do believe however, that we WILL have trials that are too hard to handle, but he promises to help lift our burden and help us through if we let him. If we have faith in him. These trials are meant to mold and shape us into who he wants and needs us to be. To bring us closer to him, to make us better people, to serve others, to be more compassionate and understanding, and to be a beacon of hope to others who later might go through this same trial.
Now here I am, on Easter Sunday (my favorite Sunday of the entire year); on bedrest while my husband and boys are at church without me. It's been a rough few months full of ups and downs, but somehow I feel nothing but love. Love for this little one growing inside me, love for my husband for being a super human and taking on all of my regular mom duties along with his own, and for my two sweet boys who bring me so much joy and happiness. More than I ever thought imaginable. With all of the unknowns in life, I know one thing for sure. God knows our name, he knows our hearts, and he will always be there to lift us up if we let him. I have faith that no matter what the outcome of our current circumstance, everything will be okay. Why? Because Heavenly Father will help us through it.
I know without a doubt, with every fiber of my being, that Christ lives. I know that God sent his only son to die for us. I know that because he suffered for us, he knows exactly what we are going through. He knows every pain, every sorrow, he knows our hearts and he knows our names. I have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and I love him. In this world full of doubt, let this Sunday be a reminder to us all that we are loved and cared for. “In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen."President Thomas S. Monson Do you, or do you know someone who exemplifies one of the 8 principles of peace? Id love to hear your stories, and encourage you to share them on social media using the hashtag #PrinceOfPeace. Visit mormon.org to learn more.
If you follow me on Instagram, you might have read about my eventful week. To say it's been a bit chaotic one would be the understatement of the century. Now that I am at home, finally able to keep food down, and on bedrest; I figured it would be a good time to get caught up on blogging. I'll try to update you all on what exactly is going on, so stay tuned. :)
I just wanted to stop in quick and let you all know that my absolute favorite bell sleeve spring floral blouse is finally back in stock! You guys, it is seriously too cute! Not only is it the most darling floral print, but its also bell sleeved with a scalloped hem. I mean, it doesn't get much cuter than that! Am I right? Plus, these nude perforated wedges are actually pretty comfy and are the perfect spring/summer shoe.
I've also linked some of my favorite floral print tops below. Can you tell i'm obsessed with florals? Yay for spring and lots of sunshine! Hope you all are enjoying your weekend.
Thank you Lord and Taylor for allowing me to choose this adorable outfit, and for sponsoring todays post. As always, all opinions are my own.
Happy Wednesday, friends! Today is one of my favorite sales of the year, the Lord & Taylor Friends and Family sale!! Now is the time to grab some of your favorites for spring and summer for a great deal! This bell sleeve top for instance, is a wardrobe staple. It can be worn dressed up or down, and the sleeves give it that little extra flare. The best part? It's currently on sale for under $30 with code FRIENDS at checkout! I paired it with these perfect distressed denim with un-hemmed ankle, these adorable studded sandals, and a pink bag for a pop of color. Almost everything I'm wearing is apart of the sale, and you won't believe the prices! See HERE for exclusions.
I've featured this Chicwish ruffle top a couple times now on my instagram, and am still just as much in love with it. Lately i've been all about the ruffles- I love how feminine they are, and how they can make even the simplest clothing look chic and beautiful. This blouse is no exception. I mean, lets just talk about the delicate color and glorious sleeves. This beauty also comes in white, and is on sale for under $50 in both colors.
