28 on the 29th!

Today is my 28th birthday!

I haven't planned to go anywhere in particular today; nevertheless, I have hopes that this day will bring some sort of chocolate my way!

Birthdays are a wonderful time to reflect on the love of Jesus. After all, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him and I wouldn't have made it this far if it wasn't for him! So, I am jamming today to an old favorite by Kirk Franklin: Love. I especially love the version in the clip below because it features CeCe, of course:)

I'm over here thinking about all the ways God has loved and cared for me "down through the years" and singing along with Cece and Kirk; "He loves me, He loves me, He loves me." Why don't you help me celebrate by listening and joining in too!

Invisible Woman

Do you ever feel like your labor goes unnoticed? Do you ever feel unappreciated? Is it difficult, at times, to keep the importance of the time and investment you are making in your marriage and your children at the forefront of your mind?

Join the club.

If you are like me, and need occasional reminders of the eternal significance of your role as a wife and mother, you'll enjoy this clip. It is another good one from Nicole Johnson and I dedicate it to you "with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

~Invisible Woman by Nicole Johnson

Swagger Wagon

(Note* This was so silly, I just couldn't resist.)

My hubby was dead set on getting an SUV instead of a minivan for a long time because he felt like he was too young to have "his style cramped" by a minivan. Hubby now has an ongoing joke with one of our friends about how he too will eventually have to "join the club" and break down and buy a minivan. Our friend holds that he will never break.

If you had to drag your husband to the dealer when you finally bought your minivan and/or if your husband says that no matter how many kids you have, he will never drive a minivan, introduce him to: The Sienna Family.

Sure, they have a minivan for the space, but they "fill it up with their swagger."

My Bestie is Crafty

My friend Tiffany is impressively crafty and quite the seamstress. She made the skirt she is wearing in this photo as well as the ruffles on that shirt. Perhaps you might remember the chef aprons and hats she made for my girls at Christmas?

For a gal like me, (who can barely sew a button on a shirt), I never cease to be amazed by Tiffany's ability to design and make new things. I especially love the fact that she has an appreciation for modest fashion and loves to give gifts (is this not the perfect combination of characteristics for a friend of mine, or what!?)

If you want to see more cute stuff from Tiffany, you'll be excited to know she has recently started a blog called Meek and Chic! Go ahead and check her out, you might become a "modest fashionista" yourself!

A Joke for *Real* Coffee Drinkers

On Wednesday night I had this conversation with Noelle:

Noelle: "Mommy, I'm sick. I don't want to go to bible class tonight."

Me: "What?! Girl, don't you know that the church is a hospital? That is where you can get your healing!"

That conversation led to this conversation on Thursday morning:

Noelle: "Mommy, I'm still sick. You told me you would give me some Vicks."

Me: "I did say that. I forgot. I'll give you some later. Right now, put on your shoes so we can go to Dunkin Donuts."

Noelle: (looking baffled) "Oh. Is Dunkin Donuts a hospital?"

At first, I didn't get it. But then, I remembered the conversation we had last night. After I had a good laugh, I answered:


"Yes baby. For many, Dunkin Donuts is a hospital."

Photo Credit: The Honey Bunny

The End of a Thing

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." -Ecclesiastes 7:8

I can't think of a better way to describe the end of last week than Ecclesiastes 7:8. Yesterday marked the end of my week home without hubby, and boy was I glad to see it finally arrive!

It just so happened that hubby had 3 different out of town trips scheduled all last week. He left last Sunday and was only in Chicago twice throughout the week to get more clothes and to transfer from one trip to another. He finally returned for good this Sunday.

As for me, it just so happened that this same week called for many errands and important plans to be tied up on the home front. Can I just say that after being responsible for running all over the city of Chicago to take care of business, still taking care of 3 kiddos, being 5 months pregnant, and by myself, I am convinced that there ought to be a national holiday to acknowledge the work of single-parents! Seriously, in case you were wondering: yes, division of labor is a beautiful thing!

By the end of the week, I was both frazzled and fragmented and in actual physical pain! Needless to say, I thank God for my parents and for hubby's parents who were a big help by taking care of the children while I went to my prenatal visit on Wednesday and while I "recuperated" from the week on Saturday.

I thought about using my time alone on Saturday to go get my hair done at a salon; however, I quickly realized that my aching body would benefit more from of epson salt and ice packs than deep conditioner and a curling iron. Thus, I dropped off the kids around 11am and because my motto is simple: There is no relaxation independent of iced coffee, I picked up a venti iced caffe mocha from Starbucks before going home to soak and ice.

Hubby finally returned from his final excursion on Sunday, and we met him at church. Afterwards, we went with our dear friends, the Grimes, to a great little restaurant called Take Me Out. The restaurant is known for its signature wings known as "little hotties." They are worth a trip to Pilsen if you are ever in Chicago!

Here are couple of pictures we took after dinner:

Smile

In case you've noticed, I'm "sprucing up" around here.

Initially, I have to admit that I was a bit annoyed that blogger decided to come out with all of these new and innovative ways to make your blog look better and more functional. I thought, "Pleeeeaaase, where was all of this when I was up until 3am trying to manipulate html codes all night?!" *arms crossed*

But, why be bitter, right? The more I looked at the new design features, the more I became captivated by all of the possibilities for this here blog! Thus, you have coming the fresh, new Virtuous Living!

Bear with me while things are under construction. I'm not sure how I feel about the color schemes and background just yet. Also, you may go to click on something that is supposed to be a link only to find you're still here!

Oh, you want to know what's up with that picture above? I just wanted to see how large I could make my photos on this new template. I also just think that kid in the picture is really cute and I like to look at him as much as I can;)