A New Do in North Dakota

~ Needless in North Dakota ~

We are on a
vacation in
North Dakota! ...

and for right now, and this moment,

I don't need anything more.

To describe this moment as being content is an under statement.

Is it weird to be SO in love with my husband's family?

Ben's sisters and I just ... jive.

and me and his mama...

well she's wonderful.

Although it is bitter-cold here in North Dakota and the drive here was a total nightmare...

I am happy as a clam.

We have been visiting, playing ping pong, we went swimming at their rec center, my sister-in-law- Holly -

cut my hair (more on that later with pics :), and today, Holly and I are going to go play volleyball at the rec center! I haven't played volleyball for like 8 years... hope I don't throw my back out. lol!-

Anyways, just thought I would stop by and give y'all a quick update -

we made it here safe and we are having a fabulous time.

Hearts,

upon a somber morn...

4 weeks ago or so,
I took a pregnancy test
it was positive. At 3:30 am
the following morning

I lost it.

There were signs.

Nothing definite and I wanted to believe

everything would be okay. But it wasn't okay.

It had happened before but no one is ever prepared for something

like this. No one. It was early, I am thankful for that and really, I am thankful

to God for the natural way of things. His ways are best and I know this - it's still hard.

I've grieved,

we both have grieved.

My husband, bless his heart, has

been so patient, so helpful, so attentive.

I'm so thankful for him and my two beautiful boys

who, in the midst of all the heart-break, taught themselves how

to go play together and were so good while I would lay on the couch,

or sit in my chair as I took the time to be still and let the hurt pass me by.

I cannot

be more sure,

at this point, as to

why things like this happen.

But what I do know, is that my

heart is even more thankful for my brown-

eyed healthy boys, even more thankful for sisters,

friends and mamas, even more thankful for a husband who

always knows just what to say and just when to say it - Truly Thankful.

Now,

I'm going to

take a break and

I want you all to know

I love you dearly and I'm off

to go on a vacation with my family and

also welcome my sister and her daughter as they

are moving in with us and I am SO excited for this change.

So lots of things coming up and in a few weeks from now, I'll be

back with lots of new pictures, new stories, new beginnings to share... with you.

The Lord

 is my shepherd;

 I shall not want. 2 He

maketh me to lie down in green

pastures: he leadeth me beside the still

waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me

in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea,

though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will

fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest

my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in

the house of the Lord  for ever and ever. 

Psalm 23: 1-6

~ a tadpole and a froggy ~

~ sometimes , a girl has just got to daydream... ~

Daydreaming is one

of my favorite things

to do. Especially since 

when it comes to



daydreaming, you get to make your own rules...

source

First, daydreams must include dutch doors with crisp coastal furnishings...

source

gorgeous kitchens with open shelves begging to display my anything and everything...

source

 breezy bathrooms with a tub I can soak in for hours and hours...

source

quiet rooms that are slip covered and stacked - quiet rooms where I can sit with my love and just be...

source

beautiful fresh linens where I could hunker down all morning with a cup of coffee and my blog...

snug-as-a-bug.

source

 & bring on those beachy whites, industrial touches, and swanky chandies....

oh yes, sweet birdies...

dream on.

a big thank you & a winner!

Oh. My. Goodness
that Blog Hop was
loads of fun! I adored
reading everyone's blogs
and seeing such amazing

artwork!

You Brave Girls are such a blessing to me.

It was so fun!

Thanks again to Judy for doing all the organizing -

Girl! You rock!

Now for the giveaway winner!

Drummmmmm Rolllll!

The winner is

Lisa from Schnauz Scraps!

Congratulations, Lisa!!!

Please email me your mailing address and I'll get your packaged mailed.

As for you all - I wanted to leave you with something that actually Lisa reminded me of and that is...

The Starfish Story

by Loren Eiseley

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So - for me, this means wherever you are,

whoever you are,

YOU

can make a difference for somebody.

And even though you might think that what you are doing is so small and minuscule -

chances are, it means a lot to the person that is receiving the blessing.

God Bless you all and have a fabulous week!!

~ Brave Girls Club Soul Restoration and a Giveaway! ~

Have you ever had someone
share information with you, and
you found that information to be

extremely sacred and valuable?

The information was so genuine and splendid
that you were giddy to share it with everyone you love.

The information was compiled so very beautifully...

 From beginning.

To end.

You pictured the person that was sharing the information with you -
thinking through the curriculum,

mulling it over and over.

You know that they must of slaved over
every.
 precious.
 detail.

Meditating over it.

Praying over it.

Fine-tuning each and every tool
so that it may speak so perfectly to your heart,

your sisters' hearts,

(my sisters Jodi (left) and Casi (right))

and their sisters' hearts.

You got a sense of peace and trust from the person
that was
teaching and sharing with you

You knew they had been where you are.

Clueless.

Lost.

Frustrated.
Hurt
Worried.
Overwhelmed.

You collected the information in the

deepest part of your being.

Your heart soaked it up.

You're so very grateful to this person
because you know,
that you've just been given

a precious gift...
valuable knowledge...
divine empowerment...



There was a rush of emotions ranging from:

Excitement
Energized
Fear
Doubt
Encouraged
Confidence



Change was inevitable

and

Healing DID take place.


The precious information, combined with your faith, your beliefs, your goals, your dreams,

 a little bit of sunshine, mod podge, glitter and paint -



all of these ingredients melded together and you found, your precious soul opened up and
was able to receive sweet messages of truths.

For me,
I found all of this and more in the
Brave Girls Club
Soul Restoration.
 By:
 Melody Ross - Artist, Product Designer and Writer.
Together with her sister,
Kathy Wilkins,
they founded the Brave Girls Club.

So.

This is me being giddy about the valuable information I learned
 and
I'm sharing it with someone I love...

psssst! ... that's you.

Soul Restoration Part 1 - Finding Your Truth (6 weeks)
April 5, 2011
 Session: $99 - Register HERE.
and
Soul Restoration Part 2 - Living Your Truth (6 weeks)
For graduates of Soul Restoration 1 - June 7, 2011
Session: $99 - Register HERE.

And if you are one of my Brave Girl sisters visiting through the
Brave Girls Club/ Soul Restoration Blog Hop -

I love you, too!

I've been also so immensely blessed by the Brave Girls Club Online Community.
I have adored getting to know a lot of you
and if we haven't been introduced  -
Hi! I'm Sami Jo!

Wife to Ben, Stay-at-home mama to Paul and William,
Daughter, Sister, Mother Blogger (as my husband calls me), and
I praise God everyday for my life and his many blessings.

So Brave Girls go find me on the Brave Girls site and let's be friends!!!

All of you please take a moment to enjoy my little blog.
You can go HERE to see how God led me to even know about Brave Girls/Soul Restoration and
then HERE to read the poem I wrote while going through the Soul Restoration healing process.

Now, for those who stuck around through this extremely long but fabulous post -
a surprise giveaway!

 I will be giving away this cheerful pennant bunting for you to hang up maybe in your crafting corner, kitchen, laundry room - wherever your heart's desires.

Any place where you'll look at it and it's playful colors and shapes will put a smile on that
Brave Girl face of yours.

AND

my ultimate favorite, I will also be including in this giveaway, one large pencil starfish.


Simply leave me a comment at the end of this post.
Please, in your comment share with me where you will hang this colorful bunting if you're the winner
and also leave me one of your favorite Truths, Quotes or Verses.
Lastly, make sure that I have a way to contact you if you're the giveaway winner.

You can sign up for the giveaway until Sunday night at 11:59pm MT -
I will announce the winner on Monday, March 7th!
Only one entry per person, please.

If you are following the Soul Restoration Blog hop you came from
Stephanie - My Creative Wish
Awesome title, huh!

and now, you're headed to
Rebecca - Flyover Pilgrim 
As the title says, it is truly - Art. Life. Beauty.

Also,
if you just joined us and want to start from the beginning -
start with this lovely gal who organized it all
Judy - Be Present - Be Real

I am so happy you stopped by and please know,
 the door is always open
for you 
here at
herHousehold.

By wisdom a house is built,
by knowledge it's rooms are filled with
rare and beautiful treasures.
Proverbs 24:3-4

Upcoming Blog Hop, Hair Chop, and Giveaway!

So just a quick
heads up! I will
be participating
in a Blog Hop! &

I SO want to chop on my hair. So below you will find a few pics.

You tell me which one you like and we'll see...

A. Long Bob... a little blonde??

B. Keep it long and add some wispy bangs... and a little blonde?? 

Ya think I want to be blonde? 

Well... maybe just a little bit.

C. Let it grow! Let it grow! Let it grow! ??

D. Trendy Bob with Bangs and maybe a little RED!???

oooo la la! red!

All right!

There's the options. You tell me which one you like the best.

I'd love your input!!!

AND

Back to the Blog Hop - it will start early Friday morning and I'm going to run it through the weekend...

There just may be a giveaway so make sure to stop by and check it out!

Loves ya,