{Featured Lovely+Giveaway}Meet Michelle of Heartfelt Balance, Handmade Life

I was born and raised in Florida.  

I lived in Tallahassee, 

where I attended Florida State 

to earn my degree in 

fashion.  

I met my hubby on a cruise. 

Six years later, I moved to Ohio.  

I've been in Ohio for 12 years now and

my hubby and I will be celebrating our 

10 year anniversary 

this year.

I have a wonderful husband 

who is a carpenter.  

And 
I have two kids--

an 8 year old boy and 

a 5 year old girl.  

Logan, my 8 year old 

is into anything LEGO 

and has recently found out that he 

loves swimming.  

Jaycee is my funky little diva.  

She is one of the most active people I've ever met.  

It is sometimes a challenge keeping her busy!

Heartfelt Balance, Handmade Life is 

a Mish-Mash of mommy stuff.  

I float back and forth between different topics.  

Sometimes I focus on cooking and recipes.  

Sometimes I focus on crafts.  

Sometimes I might write heartfelt mommy thoughts 

or show you a little bit of the local fun. 

I've recently started doing a "Daily Fashion Post", 

where I create an outfit of the day.  

Since I earned my degree in fashion, 

I miss the clothes!  

It's a way for me to feel like I'm still involved.

I've recently started selling mark. cosmetics.  

It's another way I can stay in touch with the beauty/fashion world.  

It's been a lot of fun so far.  

I can't wait to see where it takes me!

***
Courtney here:
I "met" Michelle via the MayDay Follow Fest!
I really like her daily outfit posts 
and was happy to hear that she started a mark. business.  
They have such trendy and affordable cosmetics!  
Michelle recently mentioned that she is growing out her gray…
and I have to say…I'm super impressed by her choice!  
I hope that when my hair starts turning that I will look as stunning as she does!  
Doesn't she look amazing!?


You can connect more with Michelle here: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest.


Don't leave yet!  
Michelle is generously giving away some mark. goodies 
to one lovely Baxtron{Life} reader!


Enter via the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Meet&Tweet}

Today I'm thrilled to be co-hosting a twitter party with Laura from Our Reflection!  


I hope you'll join in on the fun - 
I have come to love meeting other bloggers through this party!  


And seriously…
now that I have my shiny new iPhone, 
I'm even more of a twitter-hollic!  


I can't wait to meet you and follow you via twitter, 
so if you are new, please say hello!

Here's how this Meet & Tweet works...

HOST

Laura @ Our Reflection

This week's co-hosts are:

Courtney from Baxtron Life

Jess from Jess Is More

L from All Glorious Within

Kendall from Songbirds and Buttons

Helen from Eat.Enjoy.Live.

Christine from The DIY Dreamer

Jennifer from Mommy Huh 

The Rules

1. Mandatory you follow your hosts

{They are the first 8 in the linky.}

2. Follow at least 5 new people via Twitter

{Or more! Introduce yourself... Its a great way to make new friends!}

3. Tweet about the Meet & Tweet!

You can use "Meet new friends & gain new followers! Join the Meet & Tweet at @_laurahernandez aka Our Reflection blog. I did! http://our-reflection.blogspot.com/"

4. Spread the word!

The more the merrier! Grab a button and add it to

your blog, Tweet or Facebook about the link up.

<div align="center"><a href="http://our-reflection.blogspot.com/" title="Our Reflection"><img src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g383/_laurahernandez/MeetTweet-2.jpg" alt="Our Reflection" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

One lucky link up person will WIN a FREE

solo guest post on Our Reflection blog!

Drum roll please....

Last weeks Meet & Tweet winner is Amanda from Royal Daughter Designs.

Congratulations!

Please link up your Twitter account, not your blog.

Want to be a future co-host?
Only requirement is your become an Our Reflection sponsor.
Email Laura at momsgonnasnap@gmail.com.

{TacoWraps}

Don't these look delicious?  Head over to Girl Meets World for the recipe!!

{Coffee Date}

I've been meaning to sit down with you and share a cup of coffee for some time now.

If we were to share a cup of coffee today, I'd tell you that my heart is filled with a mixed bag of emotions…that I need to just purge for a little while if you don't mind.

I'd start our conversation by focusing on all the lovely things that have brought joy to my heart in the past few days.

I'd tell you...

How Zion's 2nd Birthday was beautiful, filled with close family and friends.

How I slaved away to make her a six layer rainbow cake with homemade buttercream frosting…mostly to prove to myself that I was capable.

How she lit up the room with her excited response to everyone singing Happy Birthday to her.

I'd share...

How great it felt to treat my in-laws to a fancy steak dinner at one of the best steakhouses in New York City (for Mother's Day)…a gift that Jerry and I have been dreaming of giving for a few years.

How Jerry received a bonus that was much higher than we expected, and how we've paid off our highest interest/high balance credit card in full!

I'd probably gloat a little about the fact that today we ordered my iPhone 4S in white, of course, and how I can't wait to destroy my current "smartphone" by smashing it to pieces.  Yes, I'm really going to do that.

And then of course the conversation would probably move toward some of the minor struggles I've had over the last couple of weeks….

I'd share that…

It is hard to admit to myself that my daughter (my sweet little baby) is now 2.  And I secretly hate the fact that we took away her pacifiers the other night, even though she is doing fine without them.

I felt awful that she ended up getting her blood drawn on her birthday and how they couldn't get her vein to stop rolling so she had to get poked in both arms.  I wanted to punch the nurse, and cry too, but of course had to be strong and reassuring while she looked at me with those big tear-filled brown eyes.

I would tell you how I haven't quite got back into the swing of things with my blog or other projects, and that I am allowing myself to be okay with that for now.  Time away is good for regrouping and refocusing, always.

If we were to have coffee today, this is probably the point where I'd grow a little quiet and seem a bit distant, as I stripped away the layers and moved closer to the deeper things going on in my heart.

I would probably get a little choked up as I told you…

How the last two weeks I was convinced that I was pregnant again.

That I had all of the normal symptoms I had with Zion…that I couldn't wait to test myself yesterday, only to find that I was not pregnant, and then shortly thereafter have confirmation of that.

Then I would tell you how I'm afraid that I won't get pregnant again easily…how I'm worried about running out of time.  How my dream of having a big family seems like it may not come true after all.

I'd probably finish by saying, I still trust God, and know that He has perfect timing…and that I will still rest in that and believe and hope despite how I currently feel.

I'd then tell you how terrified I am about what God is currently doing in my life…all of it good…but incredibly scary for me.

I would tell you…

How I got asked to speak at a conference and said yes, even though every part of me wanted to say no, because I knew it was God's will.

I would tell you that I am more nervous about delivering the right message than I am about the actual public speaking, even though that part terrifies me a little bit too.

I would tell you that I know I will never be the same after sharing this part of my story…because once it is out there…well…there is no turning back…no more secrets.  I'd also tell you that I know this is part of God's plan to bring greater healing and wholeness to my life, yes, but also to the lives of others.

I'd finish probably by apologizing for talking the whole time and not letting you get much of a word in, and I'd thank you for being there for me, for praying with me, for encouraging me, for being a part of my life.

Lastly, I'd ask you to come and share a cup of coffee with me again…sooner than later…and promise to listen more than talk this next time around.




Linking up with Alissa & Dana.

{24 Months}

Today my little baby sweetheart is officially 2 years old!  
While, we didn't do anything amazing today, we had a full weekend…a Rainbow birthday party,family visiting from Ohio,and a beautiful memorable Mother's day!
My heart is happy and sad at the same time.My baby is really not a baby anymore…she is a sweet, spirited, little girl.

{Remember}Mother-to-Daughter

Origin Unknown

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter

"My dear girl, 

the day you see I’m getting ...old, 

I ask you to please be patient, 

but most of all, 

try to understand what I’m going through.

If when we talk, 

I repeat the same thing a thousand times,

 don’t interrupt to say: 

“You said the same thing a minute ago”

... Just listen, please. 

Try to remember the times when you were little 

and I would read the same story 

night after night until you would fall asleep. 

When I don’t want to take a bath, 

don’t be mad and 

don’t embarrass me. 

Remember 

when I had to run after you making excuses 

and trying to get you to take a shower 

when you were just a girl? 

When you see how ignorant I am 

when it comes to new technology, 

give me the time to learn and 

don’t look at me that way… 

remember, honey, 

I patiently taught you how to do many things like:

 eating appropriately, 

getting dressed, 

combing your hair and

 dealing with life’s issues every day… 

the day you see I’m getting old, 

I ask you to please be patient, 

but most of all, 

try to understand what I’m going through. 

If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, 

give me the time to remember, 

and if I can’t, 

don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. 

Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. 

And when my old, tired legs 

don’t let me move as quickly as before, 

give me your hand 

the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. 

When those days come, 

don’t feel sad… 

just be with me, 

and understand me while I get to the end of my life 

with love.

I’ll cherish and thank you 

for the gift of time and joy we shared. 

With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, 

I just want to say, 

I love you… 

my darling daughter. "

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!

-Author Unknown

I received this via email from my Dad's girlfriend

…and felt it was beautiful and worth sharing.  

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Wishing you a blessed day!

{MemoryLane}13-23 Months

where did the time go?

{SunBerry}Spa Water

Continue reading at Through the Eyes of the Mrs.

{MemoryLane}0-12 Months

p.s. I know the image quality isn't great on some of these..but I haven't had a chance to go back and edit with my new editing super-skills, so I apologize for that.

{Crazy Hair}

Striking similarity!?

We took this the other morning…

Zion's hair was in rare form.

When Jerry mentioned she had Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka hair, 

I couldn't resist but put the two of them side by side.

In other news…

It's going to be a bit quiet around here this week,

my in-laws are coming in from Ohio.

And we'll be mourning celebrating 

Zion's 2nd Birthday!

I will miss you while I'm taking a break!  

I'll be back soon, 

but in the meantime,

why not check out some 

oldies but goodies:

Zion's Rainbow 2nd Birthday Party Pin-spirations

Lessons Learned in Seasons of Lack

5 DIY Fancy Coffee Drinks

12 Days of Delish

Reflections

No Safe Place 

Battling Through

{Outside the Box}

I am by no means a crafty lady, but occasionally I do like to try things that stretch me outside my comfort zone.  I've really enjoyed seeing gallery wall ideas on Pinterest, and other people's blogs, as well as in homes of some friends in my neighborhood.  So I finally decided to pull out my craft supplies and attempt one myself…see how I did it, today on Imprintalish!

{Priorities}

by Kristin Smith

Finding balance in my life 

has always been a

challenge.
Continue reading at Our Reflection...