Welcome inside my world...

Rogue

2012-01-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

So a while back we adopted a lil kitten from the York County Animal Shelter. It was so great our 1st adoption! Our beautiful cat Chewy ran away when we moved back to SC. It was very sad for our family. So we wanted to get another, well me and the kids did. :)

We went to the shelter and picked her up. She was in need of a loving home bad! Our family, even Luke, have had so much joy from getting her. We named her Rogue after the x-men character. She fits in with our zoo perfect.

It has always been a dream and strong desire of me and Luke's to adopt. Adopting Rogue, as silly as it may seem, has reminded me of this love and dream. It is my hope to start taking classes within the next 6 months and maybe in the next few years to adopt!

On a little side note Levi is doing much better in the pooping area :) I am doing my best and failing sometimes with the dairy free thing... but moving along :)

Thankful for all things today :)

Christmas 2011 Told In Pictures: Part Two

2012-01-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

Please forgive any red eye :/ When you are going from place to place, traveling with 3 kids... Perfection does not really happen all the time lol

We left Ohio the day after Christmas and drove to KY to see My dad, step mom, and all my beautiful brother's and sister's.

Then we went home for a day unpacked, repacked and went to FL to see Luke's side of the family.

We made a cake for Jesus' Birthday

Happy New Year!!

We were trying to spell Jesus...Can you see it? It's backwards

Luke's self portrait

That was a fun day :)

Then I got to see a side of my family that I never get to see, but loveeee so much :)

It was a joyous reunion!

I thought this was so funny :) Grammy looks so pretty and Levi looks crazy lol

I love this picture and how it turned out...

Sorry this took so long :) Hope you enjoyed thank for stopping by.

Big Granny January 14, 2012

2012-01-14T10:43:00.000-08:00

This morning around 6am my Great Grandmother aka Big Granny went to be with Jesus. This fact in it's self is a great testimony of the saving blood of Jesus. My Granny was and is very dear to me, we have always been close. I always felt like she saw me, the me I wanted to be. This said my Granny could also be a hard women to love. She had a mean side to her. Don't we all I guess... But despite these very mean things she could do and say I know that she loved us all. And like the rest of us I think had her own regrets, sorrows, fears, imperfections, and insecurities.

This teaches me something. I to need to be careful that my own failures, fears, and insecurities do not affect the way that I treat those I love the most. For whatever reason Granny always saw a side of me that I could not even see, a good side, a side that I longed to be true about myself ; she believed that it was true always true. For this I am very thankful. It has been good to have someone like my Granny in my life to believe in me. She always told me to trust Jesus and it would all work out, and she was right.

This past year I also lost my uncle. He was 34 years old, to brain cancer. Death is a hard thing to understand for those of us left here on earth. Loosing my uncle was harder in many ways than my Grannies death, because he was much younger. I am thankful that my Granny got to see all three of my babies.

My mom my Nana and my uncle were there with her when she died. Mama said it was peaceful and with her family. Wish I could be there. Although I would just be crying probably so I would not be much good. It was her time and I think that she was happy to go in many ways. It's funny you can know it's coming but it still hurts...Levi was born exactly one month before Grannies Birthday. So she was 86 years older.

She gets to see Jesus now and maybe my uncle Darin too. Her son also, my uncle. I am sure, no I know with out a doubt that getting to be face to face with Jesus is wayyyyyyy better than being in bed sick!

Love you Granny see you when it's my time!

Martha Slone Dec.9, 1926- January 14, 2012

She had 3 children

and

3 grandchildren

9 great grandchildren

3 great great grandchildren

Love this one of her ^

5 generations Granny, Nana, Mom, Me, and Haddie.

Thank you for your love and care

Thank you for my Nana

Thank you for believing in me and always seeing the best

Love you very much and will miss you till I see you again

You loved to sing, I loved to hear it

You told me to clean later and love my babies now

A lesson I know you did not learn till yours were gone

I will try my best to make my life one that you will always be proud of

Thank you for every failure and success

I loved you for both

Love you Granny and miss you so very much

-Brittney-

5 years

2012-01-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Five years ago today Luke got down on one knee, @ the lake where we would later get married, with candles all around him, minus one spot for me to come in. In a black tux with two long tails, ring in one hand and a bouquet of red roses in the other.

He called me and asked me to meet him down by the lake, the spot where we had had our first kiss. As I crested the hill I could only see the circle of candles. I knew that he was in the middle on one knee; I had known that it was coming and would be in January from a dream the Lord had given me before I had even met Luke. Then the Lord had spoken to Luke that it would be in January . My dad had given his blessing and we knew it was right. None-the-less my heart skipped a beat. I felt nervous, excited, scared, happy, and unworthy all at the same time.

He asked, I said yes, and I would never do any thing else! I say yes again and again every day. Truth is he makes it easy for me.

Luke and I did not deserve the love that we have for one another, or these beautiful children, or this life that we have together! It was a gift from a Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave His life and every good thing that we have.

Luke, you are my true one love

you are my sunshine when life is grey

you never forget to love me and in return teach me so much

my life was hard all the years with out, thank you for showing up

thank you for all the laughter and joy you have given me

thank you for my babies, the proof that we are one

I thought that I would never know love, not a love like this

I remember the first dance, the first glance

I would walk down that aisle all over again to your loving arms

to your loving care, I trust you and that's hard for me to do

some how you stuck in there when all others before you had throne in the towel

I love you Luke Stasi with all that I am

You are and will always be my greatest gift from a loving redeemer

love your wife

Thank you to all our family and true friends who have loved us, helped us, and been there for us in these past 5 years. You make our life happy :)

2 months

2012-01-10T17:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Levi turned 2 months. Goes by so fast. He is such a good baby! We traveled a lot over the holidays and he did great! He is having a lil bit of a gas problem so...I am going to try and cut out all dairy and see if that helps. I know this will be really hard for me but good to learn from :) One friend that had to do this for the same reason has given me some info but if you have any thing else let me know.

Today we went to his 2 month check up and he weighs 13.12lbs and is two feet. He was 7.14lbs and was 20" long when he was born. He got his 1st shots today... He did good. So thankful for my lil Levi, my handsome Stasi baby.

Children are a heritage from the LORD,
   offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
   are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
   whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
   when they contend with their opponents in court.

Psalm 127:3-5

So cute!

To ink or not to ink??

2012-01-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

Never thought that I would want a tattoo but...I do! It is simple and some may say silly. I just want Jesus on my wrist with a small bird as the Holy Spirit. I am His and He is mine. He tattooed his love for me on His wrist's so I want to do the same. Also my inspiration comes from this verse

Place me like a seal over your heart,
   like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
   its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
   like a mighty flame.
⁷ Many waters cannot quench love;
   rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give
   all the wealth of one’s house for love,
   it would be utterly scorned.

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Oh how my heart earns for more of my Savior. His Love is so intense, I want to love like that...

This is where I want to get the tattoo at. On my right wrist.^

I love the size of these.

I like the script on both of these.

So these are the pictures that I have found so far. Just some ideas on script type and such. What do you think? Yes or no?

To see more check out my Pintrest here

A few Christmas Thrift treasures

2012-01-05T06:41:00.000-08:00

The reason for the season...Jesus :)

Love this lil head piece..she makes it better!

.50 cents I just love this! Reminds me of Haddie and Judah playing.

$4 and $3

Christmas 2011 Told In Pictures: Part One

2012-01-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

I had a great Christmas this year. My hormones were going crazy and I was soo sleep deprived that I was feeling...in a word, emotional. So...we left a lil early and went to my mom's house. I got to make cookies with my family and snuggle. I also got a break and some sleep!! Then a few days before Christmas My best friend and her two kiddo's came out to my Nana's. It was a blessing!

Christmas Morning...

This is the essence of Judah...oh brother!

My love

B A M... My brother and sister. Brittney Andrew and Mallory aka BAM

The Vaughn Family. Yes there is 8 of us. Funny to me this looks like a small group, I counted everyone because I thought it looked small. lol

From our little crazy family to yours :)

Captivating

2011-12-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

... To have a gentle and quiet spirit is to have a heart of faith, a heart that trusts in God, a spirit that has been quieted by his love and filled with his peace. Not a heart that is striving and restless. A woman in her glory, a woman of beauty, is a woman who is not striving to become beautiful or worthy or enough. She knows in her quiet center where God dwells that He finds her beautiful, has deemed her worthy, and in Him, she is enough....

Captivating By: John and Stacy Eldredge Pages 134-135 ( For a link to the book click here )

Wow what words! They get me right to my center! I read this book back in 2005-2006 during a very very hard time in my life. Since I was a child I longed to be looked at as beautiful. Doesn't every lil girl? Now that I have a lil princess I understand the things that have gone on and do go on in my hearts mind.

My parents are divorced and tho they love and loved me very much this makes for a hard place for a lil child's heart and mind to grow up in! The confusion can seem endless to a child's heart. Wanting to be held tight and feeling like your heart is just out there for the wind to take. Having Jesus there with me was my safety, He kept me close and saw me for who I was and what I could be, because I was mostly rough on the outside.

So I came to know Him as my safety and the one that I could ALWAYS count on. But for some reason I did not and still struggle with the thought that He likes me. In my life I have had a lot of people that love me maybe because they HAVE to. But do they like me? Do they think kind thoughts of me? Do they find me as a blessing or a curse in their life? Weird I know! My heart asks am I beautiful to you?

Then the Lord gave me a great gift. One that I thought was far out of reach. Luke Stasi. He not only loved me but has and continues to help me see and understand how the Lord feels about me. Luke later in our relationship, but not to much later, :) told me that the Lord had shown him that I was like a pearl in an oyster. Now there are many things about this that are true :) But it made my heart jump! Could it be that the Lord finds me to be beautiful? And not only Him but someone here on this earth to love me? But how could it be I have made way to many stupid mistakes... But He is faithful even when we are not.

So why do I still struggle with striving to be beautiful? It's like a sickness in my hearts mind. Jesus holds me and tells me that He loves me I just have to believe it! I have to not care what only some men of this world think and I have to believe the God of the universe.

" You have stolen my heart, my sister my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace... You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon."

Song of Songs 4:9,15

She is so cute! This was my proud princess on her 2nd B-day :)

And don't be fooled lil boys ask the same question. Am I good enough?

Hope that you are doing good and being loved. Jesus never leaves :)

Cristmas Wreath

2011-12-22T07:25:00.001-08:00

Hi hope your Christmas season is going well so far :) I wanted to share my wreath that I made and tell you how easy it was so you could feel inspired to do the same. I love making things and doing small crafts, makes me feel sane :) But as a mom I try and keep them small and short so that it does not become a burden
:())
Side note, my sweet lil Haddie girl is sitting on my lap "holding" me as I write this. What a blessing!

All I did was take the clippings from our real tree and place them in a some what circle on the floor. I took some green floral tape and just started taping the piece's together. It kinda got crazy for a minute there and did not look much like a circle but I just kept going lol. I think that's how it got so big so watch out for that. Another side note; now I have sweet lil Levi my lil pooh bear grunting away on my lap lol.

Next I took pieces of red ribbon and started tieing my loose pieces up really tight with it. Then I took the ornaments that I bought on major sale after Christmas last year, and placed them where I wanted them. I took another piece of ribbon and hung it on my door. BAM there you go messy, not perfect, fun and easy :) And it smells great :)

Have a great and wonderful Christmas May Jesus Bless you and yours :) Being thankful is the key that I keep coming back to. Hope that helps :) Bless you!

Making Christmas Presents....

2011-12-19T18:28:00.000-08:00

This year was the 1st year that I had the kids make Christmas presents. We had a lot fun on our back porch :) They were so proud of themselves that they were making gifts for their family.

We have lots of family.

They even decorated the bags that they put there gifts in. Hadassah painted her bags and Judah put space stickers on his.

My little guy even come out with us and enjoyed the fun.

I am still learning this mom thing but I sure do love it. Letting them make gifts for their family taught them a lot of good things. It was one more mess for me to clean up and one more thing on my list of things to do... But in the end a great memory and what moms have to do lol

Have fun with all your Christmas fun!

We got a tree and had fun doing it!

2011-12-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

I love getting a real tree and having that smell in the house :) The guy at the place gave us $10 off because it was Levi's 1st Christmas. I teared up because it was so nice. I took the clippings from the tree and made a wreath. I was really proud of myself lol

Hope that you are having a great Christmas. I am trying HARD to remember all that I have and how blessed that I really am. Sometimes what goes through our heads is not reality :) Bless you!

Merry Christmas!

¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ¹¹ for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Thank you Jesus

Love Brittney

Time...

2011-12-13T18:32:00.000-08:00

Time...where does it go? We need it, so much of it but it just runs past me and I am like "Hey wait, come back here!" I am really taking a long look at my life, where am I and where am I going? What do I spend all my time doing and how well am I am doing it? What is really important to me and if that is true how much time do I spend on it?
I have noticed in my pondering on time and things of importance how much life can vary. I may be giving birth while someone else has died. One person may be sick while another is getting over a sickness. Someone could be saving a persons life while another is taking someones life...And so on it goes. Solomon talkes about this in the bible. There is a time for everything under the sun.
Our life over the past two years has been craziness. Full of good, bad, and ugly. Our family has gained good from these things and bad. So now that we are coming up on a new year and a new chapter I guess I find myself yet again, seems like I am always doing this, evaluating and making adjustments.
Back to the time thing again... I guess what really got me thinking about this, and does every night as I lay down to go to sleep, my kids. How much one on one time did I spend with them? How many times did I yell and freak out? How many times did I say, "Mommy can't right now hunny, go play."? Where did I spend all my time? I mean yeah I am home with my kids all day long. I cook, clean, wash, feed, kiss, spank, hug, clean, and clean...oh I said that. But is that all that my time consist of. Oh and of course checking fb and other odd things here and there. Is that wrong? I am sure that a huge part is just TIME management. Then add ministry and friends and some kind of a love life...Where is the time?
My son Judah has been very difficult for a while now. I know that it is my fault as a parent, it always is remember that! My husband and I have reevaluated over and over again what we should and should not do. We have succeed lots of times in crossing off the list what to not do and to do. We went through a hard time with Haddie as well, BUT every kid is different. A lot of the same rules apply, but it's not a one size fits all thing. For this I am grateful it is what makes each of our children unique yet it is, in my opinion, one of the hardest things. Why? Because every personality, mind, and heart is different and as a mom I want to be aware of this in each of my children while still raising them to be disciplined, godly, kind, loving people.
So I guess all of this has got me thinking about my time. Maybe what I am saying, to myself mostly, is that when I am spending time doing something 1. make sure that it is worth my time 2. be purposeful with my time, be in the moment.
Luke and I were watching the movie Super 8 and in that movie the boys mom dies. Later he is watching a home video of her with his friend and he says something about his mom that I can't get out of my head. He tells his friend that when his mom would look at him she would really look at him. He says that he felt real like he was really there. That is how I want to make my kids feel. I know what it feels like to be a kid and feel like the adults in your life don't want you there. I NEVER want my kids to feel that way.
So yeah, this is just what I have been thinking about lately....What has been on my heart...Who I am today makes who I am tomorrow...

I took these pics of Haddie when she was two, as a self portrait, of myself. Get it?

My very first Thanksgiving :)

2011-12-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

This was my first year doing Thanksgiving by myself for my lil Family. It was really fun and nice. We had a great relaxing day.

I had to call my mom... a lot lol

We took a lil shooting battle break... and yes Judah was half naked... lol

Kept it simple this year. I Just had a baby :)

Yeah he's cute!

2011-12-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

Forgive your debtors.

2011-12-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

What is the difference between not forgiving and just not trusting a person, or being completely broken hearted by them? Jesus said in Matt. 6:15 that if we do not forgive that we will not be forgiven by our Father in Heaven. I want to be forgiven and honestly I truly want to forgive! But my heart is afraid with certain people. Or maybe I don't understand what forgiving is? Does forgiving mean that I open myself back up to that person?
Now some people we can forgive and get over things and they never have to be in our lives again, so that makes it a lil bit easier. But those that we love and are in our lives for good; once that trust has been broken after so many times and you are finally broken by it and have closed yourself off, then what? You have finally said I will not be hurt by you again, I love you and I am happy to have you in my life, I just don't trust you. Does that mean that we have not forgiven or does it mean we just finally got smart and set good boundaries?
Honestly I am sick of asking this question over and over again in my heart. Wrestling with it in my conscience. For so long I have not known what is right in this situation, I am like a double minded man when it comes to this! As a child I was put into situations that I had no control over so my only choice was to open my heart to those around me and trust them. As a child you know nothing else. You should be able to trust this right?
As I read the Lords prayer about the part, 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.Matt 6:12 my eyes fill with tears. I hate that I struggle with this, but a heart can only take so much. How did Jesus do it?
I wish that I could go back to being a child and love everyone never thinking that they would not love me back. But I guess that is not what love is, love is loving someone even if and when they do not love you.
I think that 95% of the time when we are holding things against someone it's not because we are mean and wanting to be unforgiving, it's because we are hurt, afraid even. This is where I need grace. This is where I need the perfect love to drive away all my fears!
In the past two years I gave up trying to do this in my own strength, I can truly say I am waiting on the Lord in this now. I may be adult in a lot of things but sometimes my heart feels like a lil child lost and afraid. This is what keeps me always falling back on the Lord, He is my shelter.
Here is something I wrote in my journal a lil while back...Just me raw and open.

Fear grows in my mind

But I just said that I would trust you

Doubt pulls @ my heart

But I just said have your way

Do I know your way?

Do I walk with your voice in my ear? or mine?

Do I see what I want to see? or do I see what you want me to see?

Am I like a wave tossed back and forth on the shore?

Like a man who does not recognize his own reflection?

I call

You answer

You talk

I listen

You are faithful, just, and true

Make my mind and heart one with you!

I know that you know,

That you see far beyond the mountain and tree tops

So... while I am only a small stone cooled by the water that runs over me day by day, here in this valley,

I will believe that you are who you say that you are

the sun shining, ever shining, seeing it all, big picture, and little one to.

I guess this is a cry for help, a cry for understanding!!

Levi's Birth Story 11-9-11

2011-12-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

My contractions started @ about 1am but were far apart. At 5 am we called Luke's mom in Jacksonville and told her to come that we thought he was coming. I was able to have a contraction and then go back to sleep. I knew that it was the real deal because of how intense they were and that they did not stop. I was able to sleep until 8:30, thanks to Luke :)

We finished getting the house ready and everything that we needed for the birth. As we worked, the contraction got stronger but not closer. Luke's mom got to the house @ 11am. We went to the store and while we were there they got closer and soo strong. We got home and put music on and opened all the doors and windows. In between the contractions I was fine, during... they hurt. When Jordan got to the house @ 3:30 I thought maybe I would be like 4 or 5 cm but I was 7 and going fast. The contractions were getting stronger and closer.

Laboring at home with worship music and my kids playing was so peaceful. Outside it was a beautiful warm SC fall day. Being in my room with my family and Jordan who I trust and love was just right, and natural, that is the only way I can really put it.

I was able to reach down and feel my baby's head this gave me the last bit of excitement to do the final push. Wow! What an amazing birth. I thought that Hadassah and Judah's births were good but this was GREAT!

Thank you to everyone who helped! Love you and you were the best support team a girl could ask for!

They just woke up from their nap.

Put some music on and update facebook :)

My sweet helper, she did so good :)

Thank you Hunny for letting me choke you!

Levi, Jesus gave me a dream of you before I was even pregnant with you. In the dream I was at home, there was peace in the room that only Jesus could bring. You came out fast and when I pulled you up on my chest I saw that you were a boy with dark hair. So when I told daddy and he said we should name you Levi, I knew it was perfect. This year was a hard year and having you has brought so much joy to our family. Each of us loves you and you have captured our hearts!

Love you baby,

Love mama

Counting my blessings today.

2011-11-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

So I have been struggling a lot lately. This past year well, two and half years really, have been very hard on all levels and fronts. Haddie getting that sickness a day after Levi was born really did me in. An emotion that I tend to show, no matter how I really feel, is anger.

I was just done with the enemy stealing all my joy. I know that I can't blame it all, I have a lot to learn too. Trust is a huge part of it to! Being a mom and a wife and a Christian is hard and all together even harder lol. Yet more blessing and fulfillment is found in these things than anything else. Courage and strength are needed everyday to do each of these, all by their selves and together well...

Probably sounds like I am complaining, maybe I am, but these are real issues that moms struggle with or at least I am right now. Who am I, what am I, how do I raise my kids to be Godly men and women when I have so many issues myself?! How do I keep this house clean lol

Yet, I look around me and see how truly, awesomely, amazingly, blessed I really am!

Just the beautiful sunshine outside is a huge gift and blessing to me.

My fashion girl who loves to play outside. AKA my mini me.

Love this boy and his choice of boy outfit lol

My hardworking amazing, supportive husband.

Beautiful Boy :)

Yesterday I let all the bad things consume me and overtake my day and life.

Today I count my blessings and lean into Jesus.

⁸ To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; ⁹ not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:8-9

Baby Levi

2011-11-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

So as you all know I had our beautiful baby boy. Levi Paul Stasi

November 9th 2011

7lbs 14oz

20"

5:13pm

I am working on the pictures from the birth and the birth story so that will be coming. For now a lil sneak picture from the New Born shoot that we did with him today :)

Diary of a mad pregnant lady!

2011-11-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

So I cleaned the house like crazy. Finished up all the work stuff I had to do and all my baby projects I had on my list. Did all the laundry. My mom came to be here early and ready, she cooked and cleaned as well. My original due date when I was 2 weeks pregnant was Nov. 5th. When I had my ultra sound done she said the 1st. So of course I started going by that date, the 1st. No big deal, right? It was only like a 4 day difference...Yeah right! So we walked and bounced and ate and hiked and all that good stuff to motivate a sweet lil baby to come and see his mommy and family that are super excited to see his sweet face and kiss it. The stress of moving and traveling months ago had made us all think that he would come early or at least right on time. I almost had to go on bed rest. But then everything just STOPPED....

Day after day went by then on Sunday morn my mom had to go back home and still no baby Levi. Now you may be thinking come on it's only been 7 days since the 1st and that's your own fault for thinking that was your due date and not the 5th. Your right. that's true. None-the-less I have been pregnant for 9 months I want to see my baby and NOT be pregnant. I am looosing my mind ahhh. At one point today my 3 year old was saying, "Honey just calm down, baby's take a long time to come out, honey." haha

I have like no clothes that will fit lol Judah keeps saying " Mommy your belly so big!" lol

I know he will come and that I need to trust the Lord...But I really want to have him lol

We went to the thrift store and ate some spicy Chinese. That helped me to get my mind off not having him yet, a little :) Now I am going to watch the Eagles vs. Bears game. Usually these are my two fav. teams but tonight me and my husband will be against eachother as we root for opposite teams :)

Go Eagles and common Levi!!

Nov. 7th

Made a head board for my bed :)

2011-10-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

Some great friends of ours Michael and Amanda Elk gave us their queen size frame about 3 years ago. Joann Fabric's was having a big fabric sale so... I got the idea from some a HGTV show or a BHG magazine, to make our own head board to go on the frame that we had. Luke and I spent about 2 hours picking out the fabric and our kids were troopers :)

We had some left over wood from something else that we had made. We measured the frame and then decided how much bigger that we wanted it and measured that. Next we designed how we wanted the head board to look, aka the fabric, which determines how many different kinds of fabric you need and how much of each. We got the fabric cut according to the measurements. Also, the ladies helped us figure it out at Joann's they are very helpful.

This was how we decided our design in the store on a sticky note.

Then we picked the 1st 3 smaller fabrics that we liked. We put them next to each other and put some back and got new ones down. These were our final choices. Then we picked the fabric for the bigger piece. We then got padding to go between the fabric and the board.

Then, I with my great sewing machine, took the 1st two pieces sewed them together and then the next one to that and so on till they were one piece. I forgot to take a pic of this part :( Sorry.

Here is the step by step process of how we made it. (Sorry all the pics were taken with my phone :) )

Luke measures for the bolts.

To cute <3

Then he drilled the holes in the old head board frame.

Next, Luke drilled the holes in the wood and put the bolts in.

I then took my staple gun and stapled the padding to the board.

Now I put the fabric on with my staple gun. Luke helped me to pull it super tight as I stapled.

The corners are important, so take your time and use lots of staples :) It should look something like this in the back. You learn how to do this by just doing it :) You can always pull the staples out and try again. Just be careful when pulling them out. Remember to leave extra fabric on the edges when measuring. I don't cut the extra off till I am done with my project, especially on a project I have never done before.

Now we slowly put the head board onto the frame. Be careful that the bolts don't come and poke through your fabric.

The final product!

This was a lot cheaper than buying a brand new bed and we had fun making it and picking it all out :) And we did lots of recycling.

Thanks honey for doing it with me!

Well still waiting for # 3 to come. Sleep is getting less and less so I know that means soon :) My mom will be here on Wednesday so I guess waiting till then is good any way :) Patiently waiting!

HAVE FUN!

Large and in Charge!!

2011-10-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I am full term now 38 weeks :) We are so excited about #3! I had my home visit with Jordan my awesome Midwife and every thing is good and ready to go for a great home birth! I ordered and washed the cloth for my G-diapers and I also have the biodegradable inserts. I am really excited about the whole cloth diaper thing. I think now that I am having #3 and doing this, it's much more doable .. Ha. We will see :0) I can't wait to see his face :)

Zao

2011-10-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

The reason that I wanted to go to ministry school was because I wanted to be a missionary in Africa. I have never been to Africa, but as a lil girl Jesus put Africa, with the children and people in my heart. The first night that I met Luke a group of us 1st year students went to get some frosty's from Wendy's. Luke making small talk asked me what I wanted to do. I said, "I am going to be a missionary in Africa!" No question, no doubt. I didn't know when or how I would get to that point, still don't fully know... haha. But my dad told me lots of times as a teenager, God has put a fire, a passion in you, get the understanding of what that is and follow Him in Faith. There has been a lot, and I know a lot more, faith walk over many years since then. It has been really, really, really hard to follow Jesus and to walk in faith and I have made SOOO many mistakes and I am sure I will make more :) But He is always faithful. Faithful to forgive, to love, to cover, and to finish what He has started in us!

When Luke and I knew that it was God's will for us to be together we began to dream together and get more puzzle piece's of God's plan for us and Africa. This is our heart to change the World for Jesus because He changed us and gave us every good thing that we have! But a huge part of our heart is Africa, I want to die there, and I am sure in more than one way I will! :)

I am overwhelmed by the Goodness of Jesus and humbled!

So as of today it is official Luke and I are taking over Zao Life Missions to bring h20, hygiene training, and most of all the Gospel Of Jesus Christ to Africa, India, and Haiti ( and any where else that Jesus leads).

Check out Zao's website and look for us to post more on fb as we move forward! Thank you for all your love and support and prayers as we walk into our dream!

http://zaowater.com/

More Fall Pics I had to share :)

2011-10-17T05:38:00.000-07:00

So I found more great and beautiful ideas on BHG web-site. I had to share them :)

Have fun with these and I would love to see pics if any body does any thing. I love new ideas and seeing everyone's creativity :)

Fall decorating ideas you can do with what you have! Fun!

2011-10-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

These are all such cute idea's for fall and your thanksgiving dinner table, that you can do with what you have! Yours does not have to look just like these just use them for inspiration :) Last year I used pomegranate cut up and put in the bottom of a clear glass vase with a lil water. I got lil gourd pumpkins and cut out the top and put flowers in them. It turned out really cute, cheap and I had fun doing it :)

I also painted everyone's letter on a lil pumpkin for thanksgiving dinner. As a mom it is nice to take time and do these lil things it's fun, BUT not if it becomes a chore! Don't feel like you are less than if you don't get around to doing all this extra stuff. Just have fun with it!! Adding beauty to your surroundings makes life seem a lil pit richer :) Have fun!!

Happy Fall!

P.S. I get to have my fall baby soon :) I told Haddie and Judah they will know it's time for baby Levi when all the leafs have changed color. So now both kids are noticing how all the world is changing and how excited they are b/c it's getting soo close :)

9 Months :) Last stretch!

2011-10-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

So I am in the last month with #3! I am getting so so excited and yet I have felt the most patient with this pregnancy, so far. This has been a really busy year and a really busy 9 months. So when he comes is good and I am OK with waiting. I feel that this shows me growing up a lil, but only a lil. This coming up week we have back to back weddings in the hills of PA! Pray that I do NOT go into labor :) Truth is I am really done being pregnant but I really want to have him in November. Every one says I look great and to a 9 month pregnant lady that is great to hear:) But I still have a big baby inside of my body lol. But I know that I am blessed to feel these uncomfortable things and that they are really a blessing. Hmmm... maybe there is a life lesson in that... Tho things may be uncomfortable and even painful, irritating, and not yourself, they are a beautiful blessing from the Lord! Being a mother teaches me so much and I am truly thankful that Jesus has blessed me with all the life lessons that come along with parenting :) It has been really fun sharing this journey with everyone and I hope that it has blessed you all in some way! Not that it is over, no it has just begun :)

Thank you Luke for these great pictures :) Can't wait to see the WHOLE shoot on the OVP blog :) Love you!

Before and After projects

2011-10-07T18:08:00.000-07:00

Luke got this for $15. I got flat green paint to make it look more vintage :) I love how it turned out.

I got these chairs off of craigslist for $20 and I painted them and recovered them.

This cute lil dresser was given to me and I turned it into a coffee/tea dresser.

I needed more room for my jewelry because of being in a small space. I knew I needed to use my wall space. So I took a spare piece of wood that we had painted it with left over paint and put nails in it...Now I have lots more room :)

That's all I have for now :) I feel like the house is finally ready for baby Levi to come. Being in a small space can be challenging but I have really enjoyed it so far. Getting rid of stuff we really don't need and like wise not buying more stuff we really don't need. It has been fun looking for cute decorating, storage ideas. Makes you get creative :) I like it! I made Levi's blanket and recovered his rocking chair WITH the help of my Nana :) Bless you all and thank you so much for checking out my blog. The Lord bless you and keep you may his face shine on you! Remember Jesus is faithful even when we are not! His love will cover you, His grace will get you through it. Always be thankful no matter what it will help your heart to stay soft and to keep your sanity :)

Levi's Space

2011-09-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

I have my birth kit and I am checking things off my list... We are getting so excited about # 3 all 4 of us :) Haddie wants to teach him how to walk and change his diapers. Judah is so excited about being a big brother. Jesus is faithful no matter what! I know that bad things can happen and hard times come and they always will, but above all Jesus is ALWAYS FAITHFUL, even when we are not!!

Have a great weekend all <3 ya all!

The House :)

2011-09-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

So we moved into our SC house and have been hitting up the thrift stores to find all the great deals to make the house beautiful, artsy and cozy homey! So here are some of the final projects :)

This beautiful retro love seat Goodwill $40. It is in perfect condition to :)

This awesome trunk that is in perfect condition and adds so much storage to a small space $40 on Craigslist!

The Couch is from Value Village Thrift for $12! <3

The end table Goodwill $9.99 and The Lamp Salvation Army $4.99

The old dish from a cute lil Antique art store in Fort Mill $8.

Salvation Army The house one is an old whiskey bottle from Philly 1840 $2

and the Tall one $5

The purse basket at Goodwill for $1

Old Nikon (even tho I am a cannon girl :) ) From a friend who is so sweet to me :)

Got this at an Antique store in the mountains of Virginia. It is a battery radio from east Germany. And it still works. $22

Luke's Grandpa made this horse for him when he was two and then Luke's Dad and Mom redid it for Haddie when she turned two. So beautiful!

Bread Box for my bread $2.00

Old cigar box :) Free

We got this lamp at an antique store in the mountains of Virginia

$20
The big brown book is from 1873, it is The complete works of John Bunyan. It is beautiful and was a gift from My grandma :)

Yard sale $5 or $7 I can't remember which one now lol

I got two real 60's covers for the stove still in their boxes for $4

$.99

All 4 at .99 cents each

1 Corinthians 13:2

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

² If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Also, please pray for My friend Becca who is in labor! Thanks all, love ya!

Our Travels

2011-09-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

So over the last few months Life has been one big road trip. Since June we have been living out of of suitcases it seems. We have been to Erie, PA, Buffalo, NY, Angola, NY, Scranton, PA, Columbus, OH, Somewhere in MI, The Mountains of VA, Then we moved back to Fort Mill, SC at the end of July. Since we have moved back we have been back to PA twice and to Lexington, KY and next weekend we are traveling again for more photo shoots. Wow, just writing it all down makes me tired.

These months have come with great joy and great sorrow. In the mist of all this there have been terrible things that have happened in my life. But looking at my life and remembering the God that I serve and how much He loves me, I can't help but be happy. Jesus has blessed me more than I can say. A beautiful baby boy grows inside of me. I have the two most beautiful children in the world who bring me sooo much joy. I love my husband so much and could NEVER imagine being without Him he has been my greatest gift from my loving God! The blessings go on and on... Jesus I will serve you no matter what happens in my life, and I am still blessed beyond words! Thank you! We have to remember to be thankful no matter what!!!

Here are a few pics from all our travels...

Be Blessed!!

8 months :)

2011-09-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

I know these pictures are not that great.... but my life is busy lol and I wanted to put these up. Judah wanted to take pictures with me this morn. To CUTE <3

I am now 8 months wow wow wow has #3 gone by fast and I still have sooo much to do :)

I can't wait to see his beautiful face. Love!

Cowboy Boots and My little sister

2011-09-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

This is my lil sister Patience. We went to my family's house over the weekend. We went out to shoot some guns, which I will post later, and she put on these cowboy boots. I thought she looked so cute and I felt inspired. Me and Pati are 16 years apart and like all my siblings, I love her sooo much. She is sweet and I am so proud of her. Here is the beauty! :)

A little bit of summer 2011

2011-09-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

This is when I was 6 months. We took the picture in Erie, PA @ a photo shoot. I forgot that we had it :)

Before I died my hair at a wedding with my camera around my neck :)

This is when we cut off all bubs curls :(

Haddie did her make up with Chalk

Bubbo got war paint with the chalk lol

We went to MI for a day, with Luke's side of the family for a family Pig roast. This is at the pool of the Hotel.

We also went to VA with my family for a lodge cabin vacation for a week.

Luke jumping off the diving board.

Nana's B-day :)

Nana made party Hats out of newspaper

A lil dance party lol

And of course lots and lots of photo shoots

Hadassah Life...My beautiful Princess

2011-08-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."
Luke 6:20 -Jesus
I have been wanting to blog these pictures for a while.

A few years ago when I first started my blog I wrote this blog about Haddie, MY how we both have changed since then :)

http://brittneysrabbithole.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-little-wild-baby-girl.html

Hadassah is my first born and at the moment my only girl. In a lot of ways she is my mini me lol She loves to dance, sing, love, care, boss, and help her mommy and daddy. She only really likes to wear dresses but loves to be outside :) She is so excited about her (and I mean her) baby Levi coming. She loves to do "school" with me. We have started to do some school and she eats it up! Doing school is fun for us and gives both my kids one on one time. I have made the dining room of our house into a craft/ school room/ coffee nook for mommy :) It has turned out so good so far just need a lil round table.... Picture will be up as soon as I get my lil table.
Today we watched the birth videos of Haddie and Judah... I had them watch with me and they were not phased by it at all. The kids just oooded and awwed over the lil babies lol (them haha)
So we have been working hard on getting the house unpacked and beautiful :) Feels like home already. I will put pictures up soon of it all when we are done, but for now I have to show you how the fire place turned out :)

And one of the walls in the living room :) It is all turning out soo great :)

OK Last but not least... On one of the blogs I follow she shared a link to a blog she follows. I was so blessed by it and have the same convo with myself and husband...I had to share too.

http://www.shebreathesdeeply.com/2011/08/about-as-real-as-it-gets.html

Enjoy :)

Jesus said something...

2011-08-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

"But love your enemies,and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

-Jesus

Luke 6:35

Wow! This goes against all my sinful, evil self! But I know that this is the true pursuit of righteousness. It's the pursuit of Jesus Himself! That I/we would mirror Him, be like Him!

Oh Lord my heart longs and earns despite myself!

While I am on my computer this morning Haddie Girl is on hers :) Love that smart girl so much!

The outfit that my creative lil babe picked out for herself today :) LOVE it!

All moved in and getting Settled...

2011-08-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

Days Before the big move back to SC from Scranton, PA. I had to keep laying down my feet were turning into balloons. Of course you can't see it in the picture but Levi is going crazy doing his karate moves lol

My beautiful babe sleeping with me in an empty room with only our mattress on the floor. Beauty!

Paul and Laurie, Luke's Mom and Dad, laying the new floors in our house. The people that were renting from us ruined the floors in the whole house. So while the 26 foot Penske truck sat in the drive way they laid the floors for us. They went a few days before we got there and started the cleaning and ripped all the carpet up! They saved our butts! Thank you and we love you!

My beautiful babes in the closet in our room watching TV on the computer while we lay floors and unload the truck. They did so good!

Adam and Luke taking down wall paper. Adam was a HUGE help! We got so much done because he came to help us move in! Thank you Adam!

The truck was loaded to the top all the way to the end!!

Haddie helping Grandad put her big girl bed together.

Of course Judah has to help to! Sooo cute how he loves tools, 100% boy :)

Shoes I found for Levi while we took a break and went to a thrift store lol

Judah and daddy driving the Big Truck

He thought it was the coolest thing ever. I could just kiss that face off, soooo cute!!

In our house in SC on air mattress before the truck was unloaded. We had family sleep party :)

We took a lil break and took the kids on the train to up town

So we are all moved in now and unpacking. 3 months to get ready for baby Levi :)

Thank you to everyone for your help and prayers! We are happy to be home. Also, if you could please pray that our beloved cat Chewy comes home she has been missing since the night we got there :(

My beautiful family, that I am sooo in love with!!

2011-08-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

This is a picture from April of 2009, the last family pics that we had done. This is a lil Haddie girl and an even littler Bub. It still amazes me how fast a family can grow. Look at her lil head with hardly no hair, oh what a cute lil princess!!

This next batch of pictures, that are SUPERB, were done by our good friends and wonderful fellow photographers The Lanphear's. Here is there web-site if you would like to check them out. http://www.rhemaimagesphotography.com/

My handsome man

Baby Levi Paul Stasi

I am so in love with Luke! He is my better half and anyone who knows us knows this to be true :) The day I met him was ordained by Jesus, a gift to me because for some reason Jesus loves me so much that he gave me this GREAT man!! I love you babe!

I am so in love with these two! I can't wait to meet Levi and see how he adds to our already amazing, loud, crazy, fun, hyper family :)

Packing, again!

2011-06-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

Since I was little I have moved a lot! Truth is it never really bothered me. I guess you could say it prepared me to be a missionary. Since Luke and I have been married (4 years now :)) we have moved 5 times making this move # 6!

But now that I am pregnant and we have two lil ones and our own business that we have to relocate, whew!

The kids are excited about the move but cannot understand the time frame or what is going on when I am packing every thing.

Movers best friend!

I know that it is all going to work out, but man it can all be over whelming! Each hardship in life teaches us the things we need to know for all the rest of life. It builds our character and makes us who we are.

Me in all my packing glory...haha

5months 18 weeks :)

I find out on tuesday if the baby is a boy or girl...

I think he's a boy :) We'll see...
Also, one more thing, leave a comment if you like my new blog layout :) Thanks!

Baby3... 4 months and counting!

2011-05-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

My new glasses, I love them and not just b/c they are the right prescription.

16 1/2 weeks...4 months

Cheesy smiles :)

I love this picture of the 3 of us...Look at those lips :)

I am having a home birth with #3 and we are so excited! With both Hadassah and Judah we had what I would call a home birth in the hospital :)

I am extra excited b/c Jordan Swingle was our doula for both kids and now she will be my home birth midwife for this baby, now that we are moving back to SC :)))

I had a dream about this baby long before I was pregnant and the dream was so peaceful...now that we are moving back into our lil peaceful home in SC I am so thankful for that dream. The Lord was letting me know he had it all under control. We had planned on moving later after the baby was born but I am so happy that we are doing it this way now...God is so good:)

This is my favorite time of being pregnant cute lil bump and for the most part I am feeling great :)

The beautiful Jordan with Haddie and Judah :)

This was me in the middle/end of my 1st trimester

My wish list...

2011-05-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

I would feel like a pregnant Goddess in these beautiful new clothes....mmmm

I find that when I am pregnant it is more important to me than any other times to "look like, what I want to look like"...if that makes sense?? But this only seems to be in the beginning then my hugeness kicks in and the only thing I care about besides getting all the babies stuff together, is labor! But I am not there yet, so shop away??!

But in the mist of all this we are moving so this may put a cramp in my style lol

I have also found a bedding that I would love to have for this baby... but I have a feelin I may have to give him hand-me-downs. Witch with every thing else I don't care and I will, but I may need convincing for this bedding thing :)

I just love this whole room! It looks so peaceful....

All of these clothes and accessory's are from this great website

http://www.chicwish.com/
that I found from this blog

http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/
That I found from this blog

http://bohobabybump.blogspot.com/

ENJOY!