Fox Family of Thr.....FOUR!

YAY!

I am SO SO SO excited to announce that as of early August 2014 we will no longer be the "Fox family of Three.." We will be fox family of FOUR!! We could not be MORE excited! We have seriously been praying so hard for this and God finally granted us our prayers. I SERIOUSLY feel like I am the most blessed girl in the entire universe to have such a supportive husband and to already be the momma of such a sweet, kind-hearted baby boy (He will be five in ONE week.. ahh, sad momma!!) AND NOW be the momma of another sweet baby! WOW! My heart is seriously overflowing with happiness!!! I can not even begin to express how thankful I am to God that He has blessed me SO abundantly. 

I do have to share how we surprised everyone! It was too fun!

{Robbie's Fam} Since Robbie's family lives like ten minutes from us we were able to surprise them in person... we decided we wanted to capture the moment, to have for forever... so, we got everyone together for a picture (We just said we wanted it for a project.. ;) ) and Robbie took it and said "Okay, on the count of three say "Amber's Pregnant!!" and the reactions in the picture are SO much fun!! At first everyone is just smiling... and then it goes to like shock in the next pic, to everyone smiling and hugging! I LOVE IT! Cannot wait to show our sweet baby someday! 

How cool are these?!! Such a fun memory to have gotten to capture!! 

{My Fam/Close Friends} I decided for my family and very close friends that we would surprise them with a cute picture of Aus... BUT, I made a shirt that says "Only Child Expiring 2014" It was too cute! And, I had a few fam members who didn't notice at first so they just thought that it was a pic of Aus and then I got the "OMG YOU'RE PREGNANT?!!" Shortly after. LOL I loved it.

Does he get ANY cuter?!! Sheesh, handsome boy!! 

Our baby is now 5 weeks and is the size of a seaseme seed! I am enjoying reading all about what's happening with our sweet baby Fox..it's truly amazing how God makes everything work so perfectly and how much our baby changes and grows every day! Pregnancy is truly beautiful. I'll be posting weekly/every other week pics with baby updates to keep everyone updated!

Needless to say, everyone is SO excited and this baby is already SO VERY loved by so many. Thank you so very much to everyone who congratulated us and has sent prayers and well wishes. We couldn't be more thankful or blessed to have each and every one of you!! 

Have a fabulous night all!! 

Xo,

Amber

DIY: {Raingutter Bookshelves!}

Ahhh! I am ALL about Do It Yourself  projects.. Pinterest and I are BFF. I actually found this project and kind of modified it to work a little better with what I wanted (I generally do that with about every project I do.) BUT, without further adieu ... ;)



Raingutter Bookshelves!

First, I would measure the space that you want to hang your shelves to be sure you cut it to the right size.

You'll need to head to your local hardware store .. (I went to Home Depot.) and get raingutters.. I used two! But, depending on the size of your area you may want more or less. ALSO, if you are going to do a shelf that connects to another wall like a corner peice.. you'll need to get that connector piece at the hardware store! (I didn't, I actually just used the ends and staggered my shelves on two different walls.. See pic above for mine!!)

*MAKE SURE you get the right and left ends to the rain gutters or you'll end up with no ends or two rights or lefts.. no bueno!*
(The ends look like this!!)



You'll need a small electric handsaw if you need to cut it to size.. you may want the full length.. up to you! OR just a regular old hand saw will work!



6-8 medium size screws PER raingutter (So, total 12-16 screws.) Depending on the size of the gutter!



An electric screwdriver.. (If you only have a regualar hand screwdriver that MAY work, but it would be hard!)



A stud finder.. (unless you're just naturally good at finding them! ;) LOL However, it's not a neccessity.. it will just help insure that the shelves will be sturdy!)



And, lots of fun books to put on them of course!!








NOW...

After you get your supplies ready to go... upon measuring your space.. you may or may not want to cut the rain gutters to a particular size with the hand saw..

Once you've got them to the size you desire, it's time to hang them up!

You'll need to borrow some muscles or someone to help hold the rain gutter up and make sure it's straight, while the other person goes on a stud finding mission.. When you find the stud, place the screw (closer to the top/middle of the raingutter) and screw it in all the way in. You'll just repeat that step until you get the rain gutter secured completely with the screws all the way accross the gutter.



Should look something like this.. once you get them screwed in (I like to include pics because I am more of a visual learner...SO they always help me out!)





The placement of the shelves is totally up to you! You can either put them on one wall, or do a corner piece, or stagger them on two walls.. (which is what I did!) Just play with it and find what you like and what works best for your space.. and you can do as many shelves as your heart desires!


Then, you'll just add the ends to the shelves and throw some books on the shelves and you're done!!

PS.
Some of the gutters have little marks on them just from being handled at the hardware store.. you can just use a little scotchbrite pad or soap and water and they rub right off!

My final product is above.. the first picture I posted!!






Happy DIY-ing!!

(If you have ANY questions.. feel free to comment below!!)


XO,

Amber

Food for Thought Friday: "Mistake."

Okay, so I'm still fairly new to this blogging thing so bear with me on this! Lol I've seen some "Food for thought Friday" posts on here and so I figured I would give it a shot! :)

This topic has been on my mind for quite a while now because I just feel like it's something that people mindlessly say without giving it a second thought because it doesn't really seem like a big deal, but it is! It's the word "mistake." And I mean it in terms of like saying "Oh, I didn't plan this baby.. it was a mistake." WOAH! Do we really realize how traumatizing that one little word can be?! Granted, most parents may say it jokingly or not to their children's face, but that can honestly completely deplete one's self worth/confidence and it's a scar they will carry literally the rest of their lives. Also, this post goes to those who may have ever felt that once before in their life.. like you've wandered so far from the path you felt God wanted you on or you've ever reached your rock bottom and felt like you didn't deserve to live because you've felt like you've let so many people down and that your life is a huge "mistake." I've got news for ya... you're NOT! Not even close.  Now that being said, this post is in NO way meant to offend anyone nor is it directed towards anyone.. just simply sharing my thoughts!

Mistake:

1. incorrect act or decision: an incorrect, unwise, or unfortunate act or decision caused by bad judgment or a lack of information or care
2. error: something in a piece of work that is incorrect, e.g. a misspelling or a misprint
3. misunderstanding: a misunderstanding of something

From this definition, I gather that most people do not realize the magnitude of the word itself.. It's huge.. no baby or person, absolutely none, is an unfortunate act. Children (ALL of Gods children)  are a BLESSING from God Himself.

 Mainly, I am speaking from this post as a mother and a young one at that. As many of you know, I had Austin at a very young age. I was only sixteen when I became pregnant and seventeen shortly after I gave birth. Although, the decision to have premarital sex was something that God frowns upon.. and definitely something that God has laid on my heart to preach to young women about the importance of waiting until marriage (because that is HUGE...and a whole different discussion itself.) I BELIEVE with my whole heart that he was a blessing from God, regardless of the circumstances. In no way, shape, or form was he a mistake! God knew exactly what he was doing and He makes no mistakes. All in all, being a mother has completely transformed my life and I will forever be thankful to Our Heavenly Father for such a beautiful gift to such an undeserving creature (me!)

You, whoever you may be, reading this are not a mistake! None of us are. We are all created by a God who makes NO mistakes. None, and we are beautiful to Him. He, THE creator of the universe,  knows each and every one of us by name! How awesome is that?! And, He loves us just as we are, just as we come.. to the outcast, the young mother, the underdog.. whomever needs to hear this. You are important and your life IS worth it. God has great plans for you and wants to use you in big ways.. you just have to open yourself to being used by Him. Just as He welcomes us with open arms, we have to welcome Him with an open heart and mind ready to be used in the way that He wants to use us. And, it can start today! Now, this doesn't mean that the instant you pray you'll get what you pray for or you'll have this amazing transformation instantly.. You get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work! It's a lot of hard work and you never stop working towards what we're called to be. But, I can promise you this... it will be worth it. Because, despite how lost you think you are or how worthless you feel your life is.. if God can use me.. He CAN and WILL use you! I cannot even begin to explain how God has completely transformed my life in the past year.. but, it's been totally worth every bit of pain, sorrow, and suffering. It has made me stronger. It will make you stronger.



"Let this be the day that joy takes the place
Of all of the years that shame tried to steal away
He is calling you
Lift your eyes to see His face
Come run into the arms of grace
You, you have been marked
You're set apart.
And He calls you His.
So you don't have to search
Don't have to look for where you belong

You are wanted."





So, my "food for thought" is this... Please be cautious and aware of the word "mistake." And, for those of you who can relate directly to this post please deeply consider and search within yourself to take the next step of handing your life to our God, let him shape you into the person He wants you to be and I promise you that when you let God take control that's when you will truly know peace, love, and happiness. You don't have to be lost anymore. Let go and let God!

Have a fab weekend all!!

Xo,


Amber

Power of Christian Radio

So, driving home from work the other day I was listening to Christian Radio and I heard a song that I've heard several times, but for some reason the lyrics really moved me this time and spoke directly to my heart. The song is The Proof of Your Love by for King & Country.. LISTEN! I know, I know I'm a woman and emotional and I sometimes cry watching the Voice, BUT this song really gets the wheels turning in your brain and could EASILY change your outlook on life.. The song itself is based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-7.. (which is really cool to me because the more popular/well known Bible verse directly follows.. "Love is patient..") It's about love.. and how without it in your life everything that you do is essentially meaningless...

It reads: "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."

Just reading that gives me the chills! I love that SO very much. I think that as a Christian it's easy to have this misconception that if you preach Gods word and you pray and you go to church that it automatically grants you access to Heaven... but, that's NOT the case. You HAVE to love with your whole heart and that doesn't mean loving selectively either.  Because think about it.. are we not ALL fallen creatures and sinners?! How can we chose who we think is a bigger sinner than us? Didn't God say that all sins are equal.. one is not any worse than the other. It is not our place to judge and ultimately love selectively! Think about it this way... God made each and every one of us. We are all of Gods creations.. and I will tell you this.. God is a beautiful artist. He makes no mistakes.

We are called as Christians to LOVE our brothers and sisters.. not gossip, hate, bully, point fingers, or judge. When we love, and I mean truly love each other something beautiful happens. God smiles. I believe it makes Him truly happy!

Listen to this song, read your Bible, and ponder about what it means to TRULY love one another and JUST DO IT!! I'm definitely going to work REALLY hard on this!!



Here's the video and link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-2dKOfbC9c

Have a great night all (sorry if this post is all a total ramble!!)

Xo,

Amber

This one's for the NEWLYWEDS!

So being a wife is NOT a piece of cake, like at all. But, I absolutely LOVE it. I would not change my life for anything and I genuinely mean that. It helps tremendously that I have such an amazing hubby (not to brag or anything ;) ) But, he is my perfect match and I could not be more thankful to God that He brought him into my life. ANYWAYS, I've compiled a few pointers to newlyweds (or not newlyweds) Just a few things that I've learned about marriage SO FAR.. I know I haven't been married long, at all, and I will never stop learning new things throughout our marriage. But, here's a few I've learned so far....

 

1. COVER your husband in prayer

 

(and I don't just mean a little bit..) you have to constantly be praying for him. Think about it, this is the man that you will be spending your forever with, the one that will be by your side throughout your life storms. You need him to be your strong, in your weak moments in life (and vice versa.) Our hubbies are the spiritual leaders of our homes. They are the protectors. They NEED our prayers.

 EVERY.  SINGLE.  DAY.

 

This is a little off topic, but I have to share just how powerful prayer can be.. It's amazing how The Lord can really speak to your heart when you call on Him. I was praying one morning after Robbie and I had gotten into a little disagreement and I can't even remember what it was about because it wasn't a big deal I'm sure.. but, I literally felt God speak to my heart and it was something to the tune of how God has forgiven even the unforgivable.. the least I can do is forgive as He has so many times for me. Whoa. It was crazy how easy it was for me to let it go just from that one simple prayer. I'm telling you..PRAYER CHANGES THINGS.  

 

2.  Laugh.. a lot.

 

You know the saying laughter is the best medicine? Well, it is. Seriously.. sometimes when life throws a curveball your way you have to let it go and just laugh it off. We all have those stories where the situation wasn't funny at the time and you can look back now and just laugh. Well, if we did that more in the moment, life would go a whole lot smoother (and that's not JUST in marriage.. at work, the grocery store etc..)  

 

In marriage, I truly believe that laughter is essential and one of the key ingredients to an overall happier marriage. Every minute that you let pass by without smiling or laughing is sixty seconds of happiness you'll never get back. Don't waste precious time! I'm one of those wives who truly believes that a lifetime is JUST not long enough to spend with my hubby. So, I want to make every moment possible cram packed with happiness.

 

 

3. Never stop finding new things you love about your hubby!

 

Everyday and I mean it, everyday I fall more in love with my husband. It could be the littlest thing, but I am constantly thinking to myself how blessed I am that God put him in my life. Sometimes we get into the routine of life that we forget how much we originally (and should daily) admire our husbands. It's so important to keep that fresh in your mind. I still get butterflies just thinking of mine and my hubby's first date. Cheesy, I know.. BUT SERIOUSLY. He's just awesome. You honestly don't even have to "look" for things to make you fall more in love with him.. you probably already do without knowing it. I don't think I'll ever stop falling in love with my husband... and that, my friends, is one amazing feeling.

 

 

4. Always remember that ACTIONS speak volumes louder than WORDS

 

When you get into an argument, whatever it may be, and you WILL. I know that NO marriage is perfect and probably not even close to it. I've actually had people tell me that my life was "perfect" and the reality is that it really isn't. But, I do work hard in my marriage to make it as successful as I possibly can. One thing to remember after an argument or disagreement is that you can say "sorry" or "I'll work on it" or whatever it may be ten million times and that still doesn't change anything.. you have to SHOW that change or apology. That is what truly shows that you are sorry. There are a lot of people that can say one thing and prove something totally different with their actions. I like this scenario of how "sorry" works... you throw a plate on the ground and it's broken, you say "oops, sorry.." what happens to the plate? It's still broken right? Saying "sorry" doesn't actually fix what is broken.. taking action and initiative to fix it is what works.

 

Admit your mistakes in your marriage, we are only HUMAN and they are bound to happen..

One thing that I think is cool to do, to help deviate from an argument, is if you have conflicting ideas about an issue and you cannot seem to get past it is to ask your partner how important on a scale of 1-10 to them and rate it yourself 1-10 and more than likely you can compromise from there, knowing how passionate your partner is about something helps you to budge a little in the matter and vice versa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Check your priorities: God first, husband second

 

God should ALWAYS be number one in your life. That doesn't change once you get married, ladies. I think even the most devout Christians can make that mistake in the midst of getting married and being in love and that love becomes so overwhelming but, what you have to realize is that the love you have for our Lord and Savior is above all else. If anything it should grow STRONGER with marriage because that is a bond that you should also share with your spouse. You'd be amazed at the work the Lord does in our marriages when we seek and work for Him as a couple. I honestly think that this is something you constantly should strive for with your spouse is a strengthened relationship with God. Never stop striving to please the Lord with your marriage and your life. That is one of the major purposes in life is to please the Lord. But, ultimately I think this next quote sums it up...

 

 

 

 

 

REMEMBER:

Don't give up, ever ever!! Remember your vows weren't a suggestion of rules to follow... they were a PROMISE to God.  Marriage is a lifelong covenant that is intended to reflect the covenant keeping heart of God. As He is faithful to His covenant, so we must be faithful to keep our marriage covenant. (Genesis 2:18-24; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; Malachi 2:13-16; Mark 10:2-12)

 

 

To be continued ;) Let me know what you think!

 

XO,

 

Amber

Praise Him in the hallway!

So, I've been thinking a lot lately about Gods timing in life. And, I know it's SO hard not to question it and just be like WHY?! Like, sometimes it's such an inconvenience to us to wait (God is probably laughing at me as I type, because He knows that patience is SO not my thing).. whether you're waiting on news from the doctor, a phone call, a loan to be approved, etc. WHATEVER it may be. You have to realize that God has a  reason! I mean His timing is perfect. Sometimes it's just hard to be patient when we don't see Him working in our lives... It's called FAITH.  

My dad always told me "Patience is a virtue." growing up.. I never really gave it too much thought until I got older, but it's SO TRUE! Being patient is just so hard..

“For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away and enjoy to the full what is promised.”- Hebrews 10:36

I love this verse because it reveals to us why it's so important to be patient! By being patient we can accomplish what God asks of us and what we are called to do. Maybe it's a time God needs you to simply sit back and count all of your blessings and stop worrying so much. A heavenly reality check of sorts? Haha!

I came across this today..

And I love it. It's almost a challenge (especially if you're as impatient as me!) It's so important to remember that even in our waiting moments that we've got to praise God. Be thankful for all you've got. Until God is ready to open the next door in your life, praise Him in the meantime...in the hallway. 

This all may be just senseless rambling, but it is my first post.. So, cut me a little slack (I'll get better at it in time!) 

I hope you all have a fabulous night & remember to embrace God's perfect timing!

XO,

Amber