That's So Handy

Hey guys, let's have a baby...umm... how about...Tomorrow! Husband and I have been preparing to go to the hotel, I mean the hospital, for quite a while now. Bags are all packed, car seats installed, coverage secured for our oldest son, nursery decorated. Seems like everything is all set. The most important thing was preparing our mind. This pandemic has changed so many things about this pregnancy compared to our first. Luckily, I didn't need to purchase new maternity clothes because we haven't needed to go many places. However, we weren't able to have an in-person baby shower. We had to improvise with taking maternity photos. We also haven't been able to have visitors or go and visit others. This is very different from before. When we go to the hospital tomorrow, it will just be my husband and me. When we come home, it will just be my husband, our boys, and me. Although I am going to miss having people come celebrate with us, I am glad to be abl...

Smile today  Simply put, the past few months have been a little uneasy for multiple reasons. When I tell you, the big things that I have been so worried about have been miraculously working out! God is good. The one word that I have been trying to draw my attention back to is the word "content". In the Bible, Philippians 4: 11-13 (NIV), Paul writes: "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength". My name is Crystal and I AM CONTENT! Everything is not comfortable like I would like. It's funny because it often seems like social media is stalking my life ready to show me how much everybody else seems to be abundantly striving in the areas ...

I'm blessed & I Matter  No, I haven't tested positive for COVID. But this pandemic has given me plenty of time for sitting, reflecting, and dealing with my thoughts; some positive and some negative. This week in particular has had moments where I was beating myself up over the things that I'm not being consistent on. I've been focusing a lot on changes, things that aren't going right, things that aren't happening like I want. And I've come to the decision that it's time for me to turn some things around in my mind and refocus on the positive. Today I really just want to encourage you as I encourage myself. You matter!! I don't care what you've been doing or not doing during this time. You matter. There are plenty of opportunities to look at others and feel like your stuff is miniscule, like no one cares. Like you're alone because you aren't doing what everyone else is doing, not getting attention and recognition like your s...

A little bit of my story is that I lived with my parents until I was 27 years old. Yes 27! That's when I finally graduated from college and started my teaching career, but that's another story for a different day. Growing up, many things were taken care of for me. I didn't share that often in responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, etc. because my mom did a lot to take care of the house. Some might say I was privileged, spoiled, or sheltered but that's neither here nor there. I was now grown and starting my career, away from my hometown, which meant that clearly I would have to move away. Moving out by myself for the first time felt a little iffy. I had no clue how to adult by myself. Luckily, God made it so that I would have a roommate who took care of me like a sibling. I called it my own little halfway house before I was really ready to be out on my own. While in my "halfway house", I started to date the most amazing man. I moved by myself soon therea...

So I'm on my way to the doctor for a baby check-up yesterday. I make it about 3 minutes from my house. There I was at a stop sign where you either turn right which leads to a dead end (the only people who would go that way are the people who live in the two or three houses that way), or you can turn left and then you'd hit the main road. Well, a police car was coming down the way I just came from. I make it to the main road when I notice that the cop made a u-turn. I immediately knew he was coming for me. What's he gonna make up that I did? I'm not speeding...is it a brake light out or something? I don't have time for this; I'm going to be late for my appointment! I pull over and he comes up to the car to tell me that he pulled me over because I didn't stop completely at the stop sign. Seriously?  The whole time, I was not scared, but I also was not patient and smiling like usual. I was actually angry; furious. All I wanted to do was get to my appointme...