Live Life, Celebrate Life

This past weekend I was given the opportunity to photograph a beautiful Engagement Party for some vey close family friends that I so love and adore. We have been friends since I was a kid. In fact I babysat the soon to be groom and his brother when they were kids. Not only that but once I showed up at this event I felt right at home. Many of you know that I come from a big Italian Family. You may see a lot of photos on my Facebook or Instagram of my family because my immediate family is all I have in AZ. I never grew up with cousins or distant relatives. I have one Uncle that lives in Arizona who is the coolest guy you will ever meet and sing just like Frank Sinatra. I had one set of Grandparents on my mothers side who lived in Arizona as well. My grandfather passed when I was in Jr. High and my grandmother passed when I was in college. Eventually my other set of Grandparents on my father side moved to Arizona and I was able to spend many precious years with them too before they passed. Originally with family being from Italy most of our family migrated primarily to the Chicago, IL area and to Canada. Thankfully my mom worked for the airlines so growing up we traveled a lot. My sisters and I LOVED Summer vacations. It never failed the night before a big trip us sisters wouldn’t be able to sleep because we were so excited to go see family. When we returned home from our trips my parents would hear endless cries that were more like sobbing as if we were mourning a death. OH BOY! Did we ever pile on every kind of guilt trip you could imagine as to why we had to leave and why, OH WHY, Did you make us grow up in Arizona??!! Oh goodness it was awful. Just thinking about it I have to say I’m so sorry mom and dad. But I know my sisters would probably say “nope we aren’t sorry," LOL! We still have our moments trust me. Just last week my sisters and I were talking about our childhood memories visiting family and no joke we were all in tears. 

But somehow, someway my parents made a way to integrate the Italian culture even though we were FAR from it living it the sunny state of AZ. We attended lots of Italians gatherings and had a lot of friends we called Aunts and Uncles and their family we would call our family. If you know anything about the Italian culture you know we do everything BIG! The food is a BIG, our music is a BIG, the memories we create are a BIG, which makes our celebrations VERY BIG, which then leads to the LOVE we feel, express and give is VERY BIG too. To people we might sound like we are yelling at each other but all that is, is the passion we have to LOVE so BIG that we just can't help but to yell and sometimes YES when there is a disagreement that breaks out you better believe there is some REAL YELLING going on too, haha! There is no shame in hiding or expressing our feelings. 

Every culture has something we gotta work on right, haha!    

I say all this to express the joy I felt attending and capturing this beautiful engagement party. It felt like home to me, the minute I walked through the doors people I didn't even know were greeting me with hugs and kisses and even the soon to be Brides Nonna starts speaking to me in Italian. I would just smile and node my head just the way I used to do with my grandmother and what was so great is she even did what my grandmother used to do, she would grab my face and think the world of me too, lol! I left with my heart filled to the max and the minute I walked out of those doors I called my mom and went straight to my parents house to give them a hug. I know family is something not everybody has nor do you stay on good terms with. Trust me we have plenty of that in our family too. But can I just say no matter who you call family make time to hold them close. If you have kids teach them the essence of what Family looks like and teach them to celebrate life, food, people and culture in a healthy and beautiful way. It may be foreign to you or it may be very close to you. Either way I encourage you to discover it and create it today. We can all learn from each others ways and see culture and diversity as a beautiful thing. So, today I am happy to share my beautiful culture with you along with some very beautiful people that have worked so hard to be where they are today. 

Meet Evan and Erika, they have been dating each other for nine years. Over Christmas Break Evan propose to Erika in the beautiful Napa Valley, CA.

Evan Graduated from ASU with a four year degree in Criminal Justice with moving onto one year in the Police Academy. Erika has a Masters in Speech Pathology from ASU, and studied abroad three different summers in Italy. To see their family and friends come along side them, support them and now celebrate them was a very beautiful thing to witness.

All the food and pastries you see was all made from scratch even down to the herbs and lemons straight from the backyard and much much more. I shot over 500+ images and somehow narrowed it down to 230+ but here on the blog I am sharing as many as I can with you. This celebration was one to remember and I hope as you look through these pictures you are inspired to celebrate life, share life and create one beautiful life to live. 

Thank you Brenda for this wonderful opportunity to allow me to capture a very special moment in your family's life. Evan and Erika I will always and forever remember this beautiful celebration. What a beautiful life you have ahead of you. Wishing you the very best.  

And Nonna thanks for making snagging me away to capture this sweet moment with you. I felt my grandparents smiling down at me this evening and it felt like home.  

Why I Love This Time of Year...NOW

Why do I love this time of year NOW? 

Because I remember all the years I didn't enjoy it. I mean there were aspects around this time of year that I did enjoy but for the most part when this time of year rolled around, let's be honest, I didn't enjoy it. Our schedules were bombarded with an immense amount of duties. From one event after another, from one party to the next, family time was clouded with other priorities, readjusting the actual celebration of Christmas was missed due to an overloaded career that YES we chose but also when I think back our whole life was twisted in every which way. The lifestyle we had caused a lot of friction not only in my family but it trickled down into our extended families. Celebrating Christmas with my family and my husband's family was honestly not pleasant. It was stressful. I can ramble on and on but when I go to post pictures about my family I understand how it can appear as though life is just honky dory. 

What is easily ignored is how hard of a fight it has been to create what "family" actually looks like on both sides. Pictures and social media is funny like that. So can I just say it has been quite the journey to NOW be able to post an honest and real photo of happiness, this is pretty neat. 

This happiness I am talking about is why I believe we actually celebrate Christmas. It's not to gain more presents or things or to set new goals to hopefully obtain. It is simply to celebrate a life that was born that truly changed every ounce of why we are here. It's about a life that we should take time to honor. Realizing that we all have a responsibility as to why this time of year is enjoyable or not is simply up to us. Either we create what this season is all about or we allow a million other things to cloud our mind with filtered unrealistic thoughts that detour us only away from what the true meaning of Christmas is. This season can bring a lot of heart ache, it can cause emotions to rise up about the ones that are no longer with us, it can cause us to look at everything we don't have or are unable to give. Can I just say I get it. All of those thoughts and emotions are so normal. I think we should sit around a table and think of those we miss, talk about them, remember them. I think we should think about what we don't have and be grateful for what we do have. This time or year does not always bring happiness but it sure does remind us of a high power that is much greater than us. Even if that higher power is Santa at the moment hey that's a start. He is good and jolly, he is magical and fun. But the greatest gift of all is Jesus in my life. He is my higher power and my savior. He saved me and my family from a lot and now during this season I am reminded about how he truly turned my life around. We've taken some time as a family to not partake in the busyness this season brings BUT to enjoy it as a family because there was a time we never were able too and now we get to and for that I am grateful. 

My friends whatever this season may look like for you know that the very one who saved you is with you. You may not know it yet but I strongly believe He wants you to know He is there. Jesus was born for you and for me to save and to heal, to restore and to mend, to bring life and not death. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

 I just want to say I love you Jesus and Happy Birthday to you. 

This time of year I truly enjoy because of you. 

WAKE UP AMERICA

Last time I checked a man or a woman does not dictate how I wake up in the morning regardless of his or her position, power or control. 

Although, I do remember a time in my life where men and woman did dictate pretty much the way I lived my life, my beliefs and my responses. How did that happen? Well, I allowed it. I cared so much about what those men and woman said. I put all my hope and trust in them. I tried living my life up to the standards that were portrayed on a platform setting and not in an everyday life setting. The limelight of their world out shined mine. So much so that I took on their characteristics, the way they talked, dressed and lived. Therefore, I forgot who I was. I didn't know my value and I didn't know my place and I didn't even know my own home. I had forgotten my roots and took on a very prideful way of living where I thought my thoughts, my beliefs and responses were all right and true. I thought I was living an amazing life until I lost everything in my life. 

Sometimes I think it takes loosing something for our eyes and ears to be open to really see and hear the environment we have chosen to live in for what it really is and not for we wished and hoped it would be. I wish it didn't have to take a loss, or a lost battle, or life altering situations to determine these things, but in reality that's just the way life goes sometimes. 

If I have learned anything from my own experience just a few short years ago, that is to NOT repeat that cycle of my life ever again. Now, I can feel a man or woman's control and I can feel any kind of limelight put on a person and, quite frankly, I HATE it with every ounce of my human existence. Maybe one day I will find a happy medium again, but for now this is where I am at and this is what I have seen taken place in our world today with this presidential election. We have placed a man and a woman in the limelight that is outshining who we are as human beings and we are forgetting very quickly that we have all been here before. Our life is not held in the parties that we vote for, but we are acting as though they are. My kids will not be conformed by a man or woman because neither party is raising them. I am, and my husband is. My job, my income, where I live, where I visit, my friends, my family does not fall on the weight of politics, but on the weight of the love I choose to give. Last I recall every presidential election was ALWAYS a big deal and so what makes this one any different? NOTHING! Why? Because it's another human being that will be in office for 4-8 years and guess what? We will be moving on to the next election. 

It's my job as an American Citizen to stay constant and consistent in my world. The job I've been given is my job and no one else's. If I want to make money, I make it. If I want to teach my kids to love or hate, forgiveness or resentment then I will teach them. One thing I must remember is my actions speak much louder than my words. It's up to me to do my due diligence and play a part in this world just like you do too. 

If you feel like you lost in this election I am very sorry. I know what it is like to loose and it is very painful. But I also know what comes after pain, and that is there comes SO much beauty. I pray your eyes and ears will be open to see and hear that your true responsibilities are not in the arms of Donald Trump or if this was switched around they would not be held in the arms of Hillary Clinton either. I also pray that the beauty you receive is knowing who you are and what a difference you make in this world. 

I will ask you the same question I asked myself today when I woke up. “Am I still the same person I am when I went to bed after I heard who was president or did I wake up a different person?” 

My response was YUP! I am still Gina Dobmeier and YUP! I am still a mom and a wife. I made my kids breakfast, I packed them their lunch, took them to school, picked them up from school, took them to dance class, fixed dinner and in between all that got some work done, encountered great people with a smile on my face and loved on the people that I was able to love on today. HECK! I might even have sex with my husband tonight too (yes I just said that) and guess what? No woman or man can stop me from doing ANY of these everyday things. And I most certainly bet you woke up as the same person too. 

When we take a step away from the promises of a "MAN" or a "WOMAN" then those promises won't matter or dictate our life or the way we respond or the way we wake up day to day. Living and thinking this way is what makes a difference and this is what creates change. Everything we do starts within the home. So why not start there. WAKE UP AMERICA IT IS UP TO US, WHAT WILL YOU DO? And WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE? BE THE CHANGE, it all starts with me and you. Reality check: Our kids will follow, they are watching and listening.  

With Love, 

The Wonder of a Child

Thank you for stopping by I Am Crowned Project. The heart beat behind every project is to not only share my story but to share the stories of others too. We all encounter a road, a path, a different environment, a different struggle a different sense of wonder. I have gained great insight into my own life when I hear the life of someone else's. So often times we think our story is not worth sharing and we think who would care to hear about my journey. I know because I have struggled with these very same thoughts. What I have discovered is how powerful is it when we allow others to share their story as we may never know how it may touch not only our life but the life of someone else's too. May we always remember that this life we live is an ongoing journey. Beauty awaits us and may each of us discover the beauty within our story that whatever was is now Crowned in Glory. I am happy to share my first project with you. What great joy it brings me to introduce to you my Beautiful sister Lisa and my Handsome brother in law Kevin. May you enjoy a glimpse into their story and may it bless you.  

The wonder of a child. When will my child’s story begin? When will the moment come when we will meet face to face? What will we name you? Are you a boy or girl? 

As I search my heart, one thing I know is I have prayed for you long before I carried you. Since I was a little girl I was dreaming of you. I was writing out names, I was guessing the color of your eyes and the color of your hair you may have. I would go back and forth through my baby album laughing at the faces I made and only wondering the faces you will make. When I met your daddy the wonder grew more and more. My heart would melt at the looks of your daddy’s baby pictures, his round face and my round face too so maybe that means you will have squishy cheeks through and through.

Soon this wonder grew into a true wonder if we would ever really meet or if we were even capable to have a baby. With three years of pursuing, seeking, researching, scheduling, planning. This wonder truly became a wonder. I would go back to my innocences but quickly be gripped with fear. Although, a great meaning surrounded me as I read James 1:17 “Every Good and Perfect Gift comes from Above”. Knowing that in God’s perfect timing He would bless us with the most perfect gift from above. 

The thoughts that tugged on my heart as time grew, with all the hate that is going on in this world I wondered “Is the desire to be a mom even worth it? Is birthing a child into this world even worth it?” I would cling onto more words that remained true in my heart…"That we are the salt and light of this world” as I read Matthew 5:13-16 over and over again.” Knowing above all else, above all my doubts, above all my fears this life that I so desire is coming near. 

Your dad and I believed and we prayed and now the day is soon approaching for us to say “yes I may have wondered but here you are to have and to hold to raise and to see your plans unfold.” 

It’s true, every child’s story begins long before you are in your mommy’s womb and every child is worth wondering before the dream even comes true. 

Mommy and Daddy love you sweet baby and I pray for every one out there that may be wondering, hoping and believing that you may come to know and be reminded that yes His promises are true. Trust His perfect timing, He only has the best in mind of you.

Thank you for allowing us to share a piece of our story. 

-Kevin and Lisa Weed

Thank you again for visiting I Am Crowned Project.

What Could Have Been...

Have you ever experienced a simple ordinary day and right in the middle of it life surprises you with a thought about what your life could have been like? Have you noticed these thoughts can cause either regret or sadness or it can do exactly opposite and cause you to be in complete gratitude and joy? 

Today life approached me with this very thought. I have officially entered into a new season of my life. Both of my girls are now off to school full time. I've gone through so many different thoughts and emotions about this new season which I am currently writing about in another blog. But I wanted to take just a moment and hit pause on that blog as I jot down the thoughts that greeted me today. 

If you've read some of my previous blogs then you know two years ago we lost our third baby girl Annabelle Grace as a still born. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her, but it's not everyday that I have a moment like this. So when I do, I take time to embrace it. 

If I really think about this season of life I can’t help but think about how it has come up too soon. I mean, it wasn’t supposed to be this way. If we didn’t live in an imperfect fallen world thoughts like this wouldn’t exist. If there was no such thing as loss then technically I should have a two year old little girl right now. I would still be that mom with a little one at home while her big sisters are at school. It's a bit hard to think about because even though that is what my life should have looked like, it just isn't. I don't have a two year old to physically hold, chase after or to cuddle with. 

I know many of you have endured thoughts like this. Maybe a loved one of yours passed too soon, maybe a marriage ended too soon, maybe the career of your dreams ended too soon, maybe an injury occurred that cause you to never play your favorite sport again. 

This past week I have sat with two very close friends of mine. One just lost her 26yr old brother and another friend is in the midst of loosing her dad. As I've seen my friends and talked with my friends my heart can't help but grieve with them. 

The questions that consume our minds in a tragedy causes us to look at life differently. It challenges us in ways that we have never been challenged before. For some, it causes you to slow down just so you can become aware of your surroundings and to hold on to life a little bit more. For some, it causes you to push through any obstacle that comes your way and that tragedy that you endured somehow fuels you to want to never repeat history again. For some, it may cause you to grow weary, weak, brittle and distant from all that this life has to offer and life begins to feel completely empty and hopeless.  

Our life is not promised tomorrow. Everyday is a gift. As morning comes and night falls we have no way of predicting what life will bring our way. Our life display's a reflection of who we are and what we believe about ourselves. The reflection may be hard at times based on the expectations we put on ourselves. Not to mention maybe the expectations we think others have of us. It's not by accident that we are here, as we are here for a purpose and for a reason. I remember finding this very thing hard to believe at one point in my life. The fact that my life actually means something was hard to find. I know it's easy to get caught up in the routine of life and the those expectations that I was talking about can become very overwhelming. But today I was blessed with a gift. In the midst of my friend who is loosing her father I was able to watch her two year old little girl. What turned out to be a blessing for them turned out to be one of the biggest blessings for me. What I love about blessings and giving is it works both ways. Just as much as my friend needed some help today so did I. Somewhere in the midst of trials, hardships, and pain is beauty. And today I got just a glimpse of what my life could have been like. I chose to not live in regret or sadness but I chose to embrace gratitude and joy. In the midst of loosing a life, one of the hardest things to face is the reality that life is in constant movement. As much as we don't want to it to continue on, it must.

I love the scripture that's says... 

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is so true. What if we can live a life for Christ and know to die is gain. What an amazing life we can have with this perspective. To know that when we die it is really a gain. We pass on from one life to gain an even greater life full of freedom. 

My friends, today may not be an easy day for you. I want you to know that you are not alone. If you are experiencing a loss of any kind I want to encourage you to not loose hope. When you can, take a minute for yourself and do something you normally wouldn't do for yourself. I know it's hard to walk away for just a minute, but if you take the chance I believe you will find hope again. 

It has been so long for me since I have had a little one with me and I am so glad I took a minute for myself to say yes to this day. I am so glad that in the middle of an ordinary day blessings come as a reminder that life is precious. Life is worth living. I pray that through your pain you too find a life worth embracing and living out loud. I am praying for you and I want you to know that you are loved. 

God bless you my friend.  

A Note To All Mom's

While living in Arizona during the summertime, staying cool and swimming is just the thing to do. So the other day I took my girls swimming. We played the game "colors," raced up and down the length of the pool as my oldest tried to do EVERYTHING in her power to make sure I did not win. Where my littlest out of NOWHERE asked to take off her floaties when I usually have to beg her and bribe her to NO end to do so. We packed up an easy lunch that consisted of sandwiches, mangos and cookies. As my youngest surprised me again... she normally refuses to try mangos but for whatever reason she said yes on this day and then learned she LOVES them. Haha!

I share this all to remember, as I remind myself, to celebrate every win that happens in your day. From small to big and everything in between. It is in the celebrating that gives us hope for times when we have to hunt, dig and search for things that seem there is NOTHING to celebrate in. 

My girls are growing up. There is no doubt about it and as they are getting older I am realizing this motherhood thing just keeps getting more and more exciting. People have stopped me in grocery stores and even when we were at the pool this day a dad had stopped me and said "girls get harder as they get older." But does that mean it is not hard right now? No. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, I am learning every stage of life has moments of being hard. We can label the different stages as hard, harder, to the hardest, but is that true? 

It is very easy to forget the beginning stages of motherhood as our kids get older. I want to remind you to NOT forget. Remember those countless nights when you used to cry as a young mom hearing the cry of your baby not knowing what they wanted or why they were crying. Those moments I'm sure all moms could label as the hardest. But you get through that stage and then guess what? Another stage approaches you. Side note: Mom's with newborn's you might be in this stage right now and I want to remind you that you WILL get through it. One day your baby will talk and express themselves in different ways and you too will get through that stage. Does every stage of life come with challenges and more responsibility? Absolutely. The real question is will you be able to celebrate each stage of life when the challenges and responsibility changes? I hope our answers as moms is all a BIG FAT YES! 

My mom told me this years ago...as I tried to remind my mom that I was growing up and I didn't need her as much (FYI: never a good thing to say to your mom). But she said to me "GINA I AM YOUR MOTHER, THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN SAY OR DO THAT WILL EVER TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME, I WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR MOTHER." At the time I was mad my mom said that because I was stubborn and didn't want to hear that. But, today I am grateful because as I am raising kids of my own I hope they will always know they have a mom that will always be there mother. 

"My responsibility as a mom never stops." 

When they get into trouble, I want them to know I am there. When they don't have enough money, I want them to know I am there. When they are lost, I want them to know I am there. When they are in a bad relationship, I want them to know I am there. Within EVERY SINGLE CELEBRATION of life, from their very 1st car, graduation day, wedding day, to the day they have kids of their own and so on, I want them to know I am there celebrating with them every step of the way. I know my mom did not agree with every decision I made and there were plenty of opportunities in our relationship to grow distant rather than growing closer. But I am sure glad my mom chose to tell me that "she will never stop being my mom."  So today, whatever stage you are in, whether you're in the newborn stage, toddler stage, child stage, adolescent stage, young adult stage, adult stage, middle age stage, to a grandparent stage...celebrate each day and each moment. Remember their wins and their losses, remember the times that were easy and the times that weren't so easy. 

My dad tells me "Gina things in life come full circle." So what may seem hard or discouraging today may come full circle and seem easy and beautiful another day. Life has a way of doing that. So to ALL the moms out there with little ones to big ones, celebrate! Find something to celebrate in today! Your tomorrow and kid's future will thank you. 

He Knows.

He Knows. 

It was Friday, May 6, 2016. Yup, just two days ago. I just picked up my little girl from preschool and came home real quick before I had to run out again to do some Mother's Day shopping. I'm never sure when emotions are going come for a visit. They show up unexpectedly and unannounced. However, I have caught on to a slight pattern and noticed they usually catch me when I'm a bit overwhelmed and thoughts are running wild and I can't seem to catch a breath. But here they were knocking on my throat. I tried clearing my throat but they kept knocking and decided to come by and say a quick hello. 

My daughter was laying on my bed as I was finishing up getting ready and I just broke, yup tears came streaming down. Mylee came over to check on me and gave me a hug and then walked off to let me have some time. About 10min went by and I got up and looked at myself in the mirror and did a little self talk. I learned this a while back that in order to keep moving forward in this beautiful life I've been given I have to take a moment and encourage myself. I mean let's face it when emotions hit us who's around? Usually no one right. All you have is you to face and in that moment we must realize there is a big world out there that needs us. Someone, somewhere needs to hear your story and needs to be encouraged but that can't happen until you encourage yourself. So that's what I do. It is more than just encouragement though. Along with my self talk I have a conversation with God too. Because (part two) in this realization of this "let's face" moment I can encourage myself all day long but I've realized too there are just some days where I don't even have the strength to do that. So that is when God steps in. He has a way about doing the unimaginable in any situation. He has a way of reminding us that He is God and that He is in control. I trust Him because He has taken me from a place of feeling all alone not knowing how in the world I could move forward in anything to showing me how in every moment He is there. He carves out every little detail and whenever we decide to realize where he's been He will show us. So I do, I trust Him with my life and on this specific day I was trusting Him when nothing made sense. 

My first errand was stopping at Hobby Lobby. I ran in thinking "I'll be in and out" haha Yeah right! It's Hobby Lobby I have to walk around and see what is 50% off. So I did. I found what I needed and then I found a little something extra. I found something for ME. A little black/white/gold crown picture that was 50% off. Crowns are something special to me so I grabbed it and proceeded to the checkout line. I was standing in a line that was taking a bit long so I moved over and stood in another check out line. I was unaware of really anything as I was already thinking about where I was going to put this cute crown in my house. I love seeing my little Annabelle in ways no one else can see and try to imagine what she would look like today or how we would look as a family of 3 girls. But these specials finds of little crowns help remind me that she goes everywhere with us. I see her just in a different way. 

So here I am, working through all my thoughts as a very subtle moment happened. I see this sweet lady bend down to give my little girl a pretty pink box with a pretty gold ribbon around it. She said "give this to your mommy." So Mylee turned and said "here mommy." I was kind of taken back and didn't know if this pretty pink box was for my daughter or for me. I said "is this for me? It is so pretty." She said "Happy Mother's Day, I had this in my purse and made it and saw your sweet girl standing there and knew I had to give this to you." I was so grateful that I said "I have to give you a hug, thank you, this truly blessed me today." We said our goodbyes, I checked out, got in my car and sobbed again. 

In the midst of one day. One moment. Someone came along and so tenderly said "Happy Mothers Day" without knowing one thing about me and she lit up my day. It is within these moments I quickly realize how God, well, He knows. This sweet lady had no clue what my day was like but God did and somehow our paths crossed to remind me that He knows, He is present and He cares. 

Mom's on this Mother's Day there may be a void in your heart. I know I have one. I have a place in my heart that will never close. A place in my heart that remains open. People tell me all the time how blessed I am to have two little girls and I must admit I am. But I must say a loss is a loss regardless. A loss can't be compared to anyone else's loss because no matter what there still is a place that lays deep within and the truth is no one will ever know how deep that hurt goes and that is okay.  

I have had a song on repeat this past week and I'd like to share the lyrics with you. There is a part in the song that I cling to and it is 

                                                    "Wounds that no one else has seen

Hurts too much to show"

In all of us are wounds, wounds that no one else has seen. Those wounds hurt. You move forward in life and begin to live again but I believe those wounds are there to help us never forget how far we've come. Some of you may be in the midst of a very fresh wound and some of you may be years into it but it feels as though your wound is still raw and exposed. I want you to know. He knows. Along the way He wants to show you He cares for you. Beauty surrounds us, miracles surround us. I'm so glad I decided to go to Hobby Lobby on Friday and unexpectedly change checkout lanes to meet a very sweet lady named Kelli. God's Beauty and Miracles surround us everyday. God has a way of showing us. Usually it's when we are not even searching or even aware until it catches our eye quick enough to realize He is there. 

This little pretty pink box with some yummy chocolate holds a very precious meaning to me on this Mother's Day. I will never forget this moment and I share it with you to know God hasn't forgotten about you. He loves you and cares deeply for you. He knows.

Enjoy reading these Lyrics and if you want to enjoy listening to the full song click on the link below.

P.S.: Annabelle, mommy misses you and loves you. We are another day closer.

  "He Knows" ~ Jeremy Camp

All the bitter weary ways

Endless striving day by day

You barely have the strength to pray

In the valley low

And how hard your fight has been

How deep the pain within

Wounds that no one else has seen

Hurts too much to show

All the doubt you're standing in between

And all the weight that brings you to your knees

[Chorus:]

He knows

He knows

Every hurt and every sting

He has walked the suffering

He knows

He knows

Let your burdens come undone

Lift your eyes up to the one

Who knows

He knows

He knows

We may faint and we may sink

Feel the pain and near the brink

But the dark begins to shrink

When you find the one who knows

The chains of doubt that held you in between

one by one are starting to break free

[Chorus]

Every time you feel forsaken

Every time that you feel alone

He is near to the brokenhearted

Every tear

He knows

He knows

[Chorus]

Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful moms 
noticed and unnoticed 
you are a mom 
and you are loved.