WHAT WE WORE WEDNESDAY.

Today is going to be one busy day! We have E's lawyer coming over at 4:30 and then our foster licensing specialist coming right after that at 5:30. I got word last week from our Case Manager that there is Foster Care Review Board Meeting scheduled for E on September 15th. The Foster Care Review Board advises the juvenile court on progress toward achieving a permanent home for a child or children involved in a dependency action and in an out-of-home placement. The well-being of these kiddos is the highest concern to these board members. I am so grateful that they can be a "voice" for them, because a huge majority of them don't have a voice. They are placed in a home with people that they have never met before and just have to adjust. I am so thankful that E has been placed with us and that she is adjusting and growing in our home with us. I am so thankful that Josh and I accepted God's calling for us to love and care for His children. Our journey so far doesn't have any words to describe it. We have been taught so much and have learned so many things along the way. Our faith has grown tremendously and we have learned what it means to really truly trust God. Fostering has been one of the best experiences of my life and I cannot wait to see what God has planned for E and for our family. Sometimes I get this feeling like I wish I could help out more and do more. I wish that I had a humongous 20 bedroom home that I could fill with these precious little kiddos...but I don't...and that's okay. Whenever I feel this way, I always hear a sweet whisper from God telling me that I am doing enough..that I am doing more than enough and that I am changing lives one child at a time. God's surprises and His blessings are always so wonderful!  I love my God so much. He is so good, so faithful, so loving and so merciful. I don't know what I would do without Him in my life. Please keep E and our family in your prayers during this time of changes and transitioning. Thank you!

(me) skirt: Nordstrom Rack // shoes: Zulily // purse: TJ Maxx // shirt: thrifted // 

sunglasses: TJ Maxx // earrings: Chicos // watch: Target // bracelet: Ettika

(e) top: thrifted // skirt: thrifted // shoes: Payless // hairclip: Dollar Tree

FASHION FRIDAY LINK UP: PRINTED MAXI

Happy Friday to you! Hope your week has been good to you. I am glad to have you 
here for today's Fashion Friday Link Up...so make sure to link up your outfits below!

Last night we met our new Case Worker. She is really nice and seems to be on top of things.
We have had E since April and her case plan is scheduled for nine months. As of right now,
her Mom is completely MIA and is not doing the things that she needs to do in order to have
any chance of getting E or any of her other children back. It's a really sad situation. I hope and pray that her Mom would realize just how special E and her other children really are. I also pray that her Mom will find healing and that she will be able to start making right choices to put her back on the right path, even if that means that her children won't be placed back with her. I pray for God's will for E, her siblings and our family. Josh and I would love the opportunity to be able to adopt E because we feel like she fits so well in our family and has been such a huge blessing in our lives. We will continue to cherish this special time that we have with her, continue to watch God do a work within her and continue to trust God knowing that He is able to do what may seem impossible. 

Tonight we have a meeting with E's lawyer who will hopefully have some more 
information to give us. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers at this time. 

Top: Thrifted // Skirt: Down East // Shoes: Zulily // Earrings: Chicos // Sunnies: TJ Maxx // Bracelet: Ettika // Watch: Target

An InLinkz Link-up

SHOES SENT FROM HEAVEN

A few weeks prior to my Dad passing, he would call himself "Mr. Melancholy". Out of the blue one night when I came home from work he called me into his bedroom and told me that he found this website called Zulily and he wanted me to pick out a few pairs of shoes and some dresses. Well this one night turned into a couple of nights here and there and before I knew it, I thought he bought me enough shoes and dresses to wear a new dress with a new pair of shoes for each day of the week. I kept telling him, "Dad...I really appreciate all this but you really don't have to buy me all this stuff." He would always reply back with "I know I don't have to..but I want to. It reminds me of when you were a little girl and used to open up presents and I loved to see the smile on your face and how happy you were...you do the same thing now and it makes me feel so good." He was such a giver and was always so generous...that is one of the things I loved most about him.    Within about week or two, shipments of shoes and dresses started to arrive at our house here and there. My Dad was the cutest because whenever a shipment would arrive he couldn't wait for me to try them on and model them for him. It brought such a smile to his face and we would both just sit back and laugh.
Two days after my Dad passed, the last thing on my mind was shoes, dresses or anything else for that matter. All I thought about was my Dad and how sudden his death was and how much I missed him. The doorbell rang. Josh answered it. He stepped back into our house holding a package. I knew exactly what it was...another pair of shoes. I was hesitant to open them, because I knew I would get really emotional and my emotions were written all over my face at that moment. Josh came over and handed the box to me and held onto me for a few minutes. "Just think of these as a little gift from your Dad in Heaven. I think you should take them into his room and open them as if he was there." I took the box from him and went into my Dad's room to open them up by myself. I needed this moment alone. As I unwrapped the paper and opened up the box, my eyes immediately filled with water and I started crying. The door opened and Josh walked in to comfort me. " I just wish my Dad was here to see me open them and try them on!" I said. Josh said, "He is here honey...he can see...he can hear. Will you do me a favor? What I want you to do is try them on and model them like he was right here in this room."  I looked at him with a half cracked smile and thought he was silly. "I'm serious!" he said. "Please...do it for me. I think it will make you feel better." So I did. For him. For my sweet Husband whom I love so very much. I put the left heel on and then the right one. I looked over at Josh feeling pretty silly, then got to my feet and started walking around my Dad's room. I walked back and forth a few times in my new heels. Josh was right, my tears faded quickly away. I felt happy and peaceful. A few more shipments have arrived since then and every time I open up a new package, I get so excited. Now every time I wear a pair of shoes or a dress that my Dad bought me I think of him. I think of how much I miss him. I think of how much I love him. I think of how very blessed I am to have a Dad like him. 

dress: Down East Basics // sunnies: TJ Maxx // Shoes: Zulily // gold bracelet: Ettika // watch: Target I would love to see some of your outfit posts too! Link up below!

Ettika: Midnight Wrapped In Love Bracelet

  Happy Tuesday! I hope that the start to your week is fabulous! Do you guys see this bracelet I am wearing? Don't you love it?!?! I have been literally been wearing it every single day. I love the look, style, detail, and how it wraps around your wrist and fastens into place. Ettika has so many different jewelry pieces to choose from. My favorite pieces are the Ettika jewelry stacks. They are so pretty! Visit Ettika today and check out what they have to offer. You won't be disappointed I can tell you that!  

Purse: TJ Maxx // Jeans: Ross // Sweater: Thrifted// Sunglasses: Tillys // Bracelet: Courtest of Ettika

Use coupon code EXCL25 which is good for 25% off

 

Win $100 To Ettika!

Happy Thursday!
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**Make sure you drop by tomorrow and link up your outfits for Fashion Friday Link-Up**