April Sponsor Spotlight: Would You Rather...

Who doesn't love a good little game of Would You Rather? Enjoy getting to know these ladies a little better while reading their answers! Now: would you rather...?

 

Name: Elizabeth Burns

Blog: That's Mrs. Burns To You 
Go on a relaxing Caribbean vacay OR backpack across Europe? Caribbean vaca for sure! I think a vacation should be relaxing and I would love nothing more than the beach and fun in the sun!

Travel back in time OR travel to the future? I would go back in time as there are conversations I wish I would have had with loved ones that have passed. 

Have a rewind button on your life OR a pause button? Pause button - it seems like the great moments in life go by too fast!

Be able to talk with animals OR be able to speak every foreign language? Every foreign language! I might have to reconsider that previous answer about the Caribbean vs. Europe question....

Have mermaids be real OR unicorns? Mermaids for sure! I loved Little Mermaid as a child and was convinced Ariel was somewhere under the sea!

Eat a doughnut OR a cupcake? Cupcake - There is a local cupcake specialty store that has the best cupcakes around!

Wear only 80s clothes OR wear only 80s hairstyles? I will go with big hair over jeggings and unitards!

Connect with Elizabeth

Twitter // Bloglovin' // Pinterest

Name: Lizzie

Blog: Lizzie Somerset

Go on a relaxing Caribbean vacay OR backpack across Europe? Relaxing holiday in the Caribbean! That would be a dream come true. I've backpacked around Oz & I've been to St Lucia on honeymoon, right now I could easily go back to Sandals with a cocktail. Yess.

Travel back in time OR travel to the future? I'd go back & spend more time with my grandparents

Have a rewind button on your life OR a pause button? Probably pause, I want to keep these babies a little bit longer

Be able to talk with animals OR be able to speak every foreign language? I'd love to speak French or Spanish, so I guess languages would be cool.

Have mermaids be real OR unicorns? Erm hard one for me can I choose fairies instead? Ha!

Eat a doughnut OR a cupcake? Both please (can you tell I'm indecisive)

Wear only 80s clothes OR wear only 80s hairstyles? Clothes for sure, I loved my bubble skirt fiercely 

Connect with Lizzie

Twitter // Instagram // Facebook
 

Name: Karen

Blog: Kensington West

Go on a relaxing Caribbean vacay OR backpack across Europe? Backpack across Europe, hands down. There's so much to see and do here and it's especially convenient from London! 

Travel back in time OR travel to the future? Back in time. I'm a nostalgic person and there are so many sweet moments I'd love to re-live! 

Have a rewind button on your life OR a pause button? Pause button for sure.

Be able to talk with animals OR be able to speak every foreign language? Speak every foreign language, the world is a beautiful place and I want to connect with everyone! 

Have mermaids be real OR unicorns? UNICORNS! 

Eat a doughnut OR a cupcake? Both. Buttt if I must pick, cupcake! 

Wear only 80s clothes OR wear only 80s hairstyles? Big hair all day, everyday. The higher the hair, the closer to God ;) 

Connect with Karen

Pinterest // Instagram // Twitter // Bloglovin'

Name: Laura

Blog: The Ozinga Outlook

Go on a relaxing Caribbean vacay OR backpack across Europe? Europe! I'm a beach girl but also a history buff, so Europe is the best of both worlds. Greek islands, anyone?! I'm not sure the beaches get better than that.

Travel back in time OR travel to the future? History buff...back in time! Don't ask me to pick just one era. I couldn't do it. I want to meet all the people in the Bible I so admire, Constantine, Da Vinci, Elizabeth I, Churchill, the list is endless. 

Have a rewind button on your life OR a pause button? Pause button. Life is lovely right now. This stage that Man Cub is in is just perfection. 

Be able to talk with animals OR be able to speak every foreign language? Just call me Dr. Doolittle. Oh, how I'd love to speak with the animals. I have a knack for foreign languages ( I took both Spanish and German in high school at the same time), but to truly relate to God's animal kingdom? Bring it!

Have mermaids be real OR unicorns? Mermaids! I was a competitive swimmer as a kid. There was no keeping me out of the water. My parents still are avid scuba divers (the hubby and I are too), and my mom would come home from dive trips with wild tales of mermaids. I was convinced Ariel was real well into elementary school. 

Eat a doughnut OR a cupcake? Donuts! Specifically, a Bavarian filled long John. Why do they have to be so tasty and so horrible for me? I eat one maybe once a year, if that often, but every second is bliss. 

Wear only 80s clothes OR wear only 80s hairstyles? Oh, the 80s hair! I can rock a perm with the best of them. Well, ok, it was cute on me as a kid. Still, I'll take that over the clothes any day!

Connect with Laura

Bloglovin' | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Now hop on over these girls' blogs and say hello!

The Ozinga Outlook

Howdy!  I'm Laura, the gal beyond The Ozinga Outlook.  I'm a Kentucky girl raised and living in Texas.  My hubby Isaac has a sweet job at NASA, and our little Man Cub is 8 months old.  Honestly, we say we have 3 kids because we're pretty partial to our fur babies too.  Our family motto is Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ JEsus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  We've found our calling in educating those we meet about modern day slavery.  We also work with an orphan prevention ministry in Zambia called Alliance for Children Everywhere, and we probably talk about what God is doing there a bit too much.  It's just too fabulous not to share!  We're taking our first time with us this summer, and we're so excited!  Yep, the baby is coming too!
 

I'm so excited to be guest writing for Elise today!  She gave me free reign on what I wanted to write, and it took me a while to pinpoint what was on my heart to share.  As a 6th grade teacher and an educator for over 10 years, nannying for ages, and now being a mommy, kids are a passion of mine.  I see so often that when a child is successful or struggling, the parents immediately get the credit or blame.  And we hound the mommas or we get jealous of them.  Why do we do this to each other?  Oh mommas, here's my heart for you:

Momma with the new baby who can't see straight from exhaustion, I see you.  Those feelings of inadequacy...they'll change.  Soak up these moments.  It's a lie that the days feel like years but the years feel like minutes.  The days feel like minutes too.  Those go so quickly!  Hold on to each one.  Be all there, through the exhaustion and the spit-up and the explosive diapers.  Flood that tiny babe with kisses and cuddles, songs and stories.  Hold him close and tell him over and over again of the goodness of Jesus.

Momma full of joy as you chase your child through times of play, I see you.  Those smiles as big as dinner plates, the giggles that echo throughout the house, and the bikes parked haphazardly in the front yard.  Soak it up.  Revel in it, and store away those grins for later.  Share that joy with others.  Remind those mommas around you who are in the valley that a season of joy is coming.  Encourage them.  Take a meal. Babysit.  Arrange a girls' night out with your hubby as babysitter for all.  Drop off some groceries.  Show Jesus in your season of plenty.

Momma with empty arms, I see you.  I see your struggle and your pain as you ache for a time when your arms won't be empty.  Babies gone too soon, babies that just won't come.  It's not fair, and it's ok to remind us.  Will you let your friends come alongside you?  Will you let us pray for you and over you so that we too can glorify Jesus as we watch Him unfold your ashes into beauty in His time?

Momma with the rebellious 8th grader who doesn't want to do his work, I see you.  That flippant attitude and poor report card grade do not reflect you.  Don't believe that lie.  These kids, they have to make their own choices and learn the consequences sometimes.  Keep loving that wild boy, that strong-willed girl.  Keep praying.  Turn that child over to Jesus each day.  He's listening.  Talk to her teachers.  They know you're doing all you can, and they're doing all they can.  Overwhelm that kiddo with loving firmness.  Jesus alone can fix what you can't.  Rest in that.

Momma with new-found freedom from discovering an empty nest, I see you.  The struggle to find yourself again, the joy in not having triple the amount of laundry, the bittersweet realization that dinner is just for two tonight.  Rest.  Soak up the warmth of seeing your fledglings take wing.  They'll come back.  That lonely table will be full again, soon with littles and double the joy and laughter.  Love on a younger momma.  Share her joys and her fears.  Allow her chicks to fill your need for chubby hands and sticky hugs.

Mommas, we need each other.  Our children needs us to need each other.  Our honesty and transparency with one another allows us to pray specifically for each other and watch God at work. Don't hide behind your failures and don't be embarrassed by your successes and triumphs.  Motherhood is a glorious business that God has called each of us to do.  Let's work together to honor Him in it. 

I hope you come visit me over at The Ozinga Outlook!

 Head over to meet Laura at The Ozinga Outlook...! 

March Sponsor Spotlight

Source

Spring is here! And today these lovelies share their top 5 fave things about spring. (It's so hard to choose just 5 spring things though, isn't it?!) :) One of my favorite parts of spring is certainly birthdays! My husband and I are May babies, my sister is an April baby, and now Nancy will be an April baby too! Spring and new life...bless it! Now say hello to these cuties!

 

Name: Elizabeth Burns

Blog: That's Mrs. Burns To You 

1. The smell of rain. After living in a frozen tundra for months, the smell of rain reminds me of new life and makes me happy!

2.  The 50% Dutch girl in me loves tulips in the spring. So pretty!

3. My birthday is in April so I have to put this on my list! It's my last year in my twenties so I better make it count. 

4. Sock freedom! Socks make me sad so when pedicure season comes back around, it makes me so happy!

5. After months of being cooped up inside during the winter, I love seeing our neighbors again. It's like making new friends all over again!

Connect with Elizabeth

Twitter // Bloglovin' // Pinterest

Name: Lizzie

Blog: Lizzie Somerset

1. When I think of why I love Spring I have to think about Easter.  The hope I have is in the One who gave himself up on the Cross for me (& you!), I also love Easter eggs, Easter works for me on so many levels!

2. I also love a good old Spring clean & clear out! It's good for the soul to declutter & spruce up the corners that have been neglected over winter!

3. I love getting the outside ready just as much as the inside! Sweeping out the porch, getting some new plants in & praying hard for some warmer weather!

4. The other great thing about Spring is we're getting closer to Summer, to BBQ's & days at the beach.

5. Lastly, I just love the feeling of hope I have this time of year, of feeling like anything could happen, I'm not afraid of change, this is one of the best times of the year to implement all of those hopes, dreams & goals.

Connect with Lizzie

Twitter // Instagram // Facebook 

 

Name: Karen

Blog: Kensington West

1. Sundresses and sandals, who can say no to that, right?

2. Being able to sit outside of pubs and have drinks with friends

3. London in the spring is one of the most beautiful sights

4. Flowers, flowers, flowers!

5. Lots of yummy salads, fruits, and juices!

Connect with Karen

Pinterest // Instagram // Twitter // Bloglovin'

 

What are you looking forward to this spring?  

 Head over to meet Laura at The Ozinga Outlook...! 

February Sponsor Spotlight

In the spirit of love month and all things love/heart related, let's hear from these darling ladies about all that they're currently lovin'! Be sure to say hello!! 

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, pop on over this way.

Name: Elizabeth Burns

Blog: That's Mrs. Burns To You 

CURRENTLY LOVING...

Song: “O’Lord” by Lauren Daigle. I seriously love this entire EP and cannot wait for her full album but this song is awesome (link to song: http://youtu.be/wp0ADHpZ1Zw )

Read: I always have a stack of books that I need to read but I am still reading the “Rizzoli & Isles” novels by Tess Gerritsen

Food: We had some awesome crab the other night - who knew you could make it at home (in South Dakota)?
Outfit: I dress up every day for work so I am currently loving my yoga pants and a t-shirt!
Recent Purchase: My husband and I ordered a custom chair for our living room that will get here this week and I am very excited about it!
Quote: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style” ― Maya Angelou

Connect with Elizabeth

Twitter // Bloglovin' // Pinterest

 

Name: Lizzie

Blog: Lizzie Somerset

CURRENTLY LOVING...

Song: I love anything by Taylor Swift at the moment but if I had to choose one song it would be 'It is Well' by Kristene DiMarco from the 'You make me brave' album // (Bethel Music) it's really speaking right to my heart
Read: 'She Reads Truth' lent study
Food: My hubby Jon has been using our bread maker to make our own dough, his homemade pizza's are amazing!
Outfit: We're going to a 40th birthday party in March which requires a 1920's outfit (soooo excited!!!). I love getting dressed up and I'm loving pulling the outfit together. I don't do fancy dress, it has to be something I'll wear again to make it worth the splurge! So I'll likely pop it on the blog so watch out for it!
Recent Purchase: Sequin & Feather skirt from Topshop in the SALE!! £95 down to £20....for the said 1920's themed PARTAY! Squeeeee!!
Quote: It is well with my soul

Connect with Lizzie

Twitter // Instagram // Facebook  

Pop on over to Cayte's blog...this month's champagne sponsor! 

January Sponsor Spotlight

Can you believe January is nearly over?! Craziness! Before it passes by, be sure to say hello to these wonderful ladies and read their goals for this fresh year. Love their hearts!!!

Name: Elizabeth Burns

Blog: That's Mrs. Burns To You 
Best Part(s) of 2014: This is tough!!! One thing that happened in 2015 was that my husband and I finally started going to church together. He was raised Catholic and I was raised Protestant. It was a tough journey and we are still on it, but we are on it together.
Looking Forward to in 2015: Again, so tough! I am going through a leadership program right now and I am really excited to see how I grow, as well as the new friendships I am forming through it. There are also weddings, babies, and trips to look forward to!!
Do you have goals for the New Year?: I have three resolutions and so far, I would say I am doing "okay" with them, not perfect but not terrible! To learn more about them, check out my post Resolutions for 2015

Connect with Elizabeth

Twitter // Bloglovin' // Pinterest

Name: Lizzie

Blog: Lizzie Somerset

Best Part(s) of 2014:  

In blogging terms it had to be going self-hosted! A friend of mine, Harry, took my Pinterest board for inspiration http://uk.pinterest.com/lizzieroles/blog-design/ & using the colours I liked designed the blog header.  Another friend Veronika then changed up the font & voila! I'm so grateful to these friends for their gifts of time & creativity!

My bro in law is a web designer for major & uber cool companies, his name is Jason Bradberry & Jase did my move to self hosted for me & I couldn't be more grateful to him.  It meant I could finally move forwards with my hopes & dreams for the blog.  Check out his cool website here: http://jasonbradberry.com  Best bro in law a girl could hope for! 

Looking Forward to in 2015: Everything.  My little girl turning 2, & my little boy (not so little now turning 5), savouring all the day until my little boy starts School in September. Our all inclusive holiday to Spain in May. Spending time with the people I love most.  Just cherishing every moment with these precious babies while I can & with my husband Jon.

Do you have goals for the New Year?: Loads! Grow my blog, connect more with people, get outsie, be consistent, exercise, love in full measure, invite friends & others into my home are the top ones! I hope so much I will become a better inviter this year. I'm hoping for warm & imperfect hospitality, I believe that's where God is leading me. To invite and not worry about what it will look like. If all we have is beans in the cupboard then beans on toast it will be!  I hope for a house full, I hope for consistency in blogging & concentrating on letting my yes be yes & my no be no. Really working on that in all aspects of my life!

Connect with Lizzie

Twitter // Instagram // Facebook Cheers to 2015!   

Be sure to pop over to Lena's blog -- January's champagne sponsor!

Perspective | Elena's Story [Guest Post]

It's all about perspective. Lots of it. And we can only gain more by looking beyond ourselves. I am  so thankful for this bloggy friend of mine and her heart to share her story; I am thankful for the deeper perspective I gain from reading her words. Meet Elena...

Hello Cheers Y'all readers!  First off, a huge thank you to Elise, isn't she just the sweetest thing and the cutest pregnant girl ever?  My name is Elena and I blog over at Baby Ridley Bump.  To some of you I might be a familiar face and to others you may have never heard of me.  When Elise told me that I could post about whatever I wanted I was kind of overwhelmed!  There are so many things I could talk about and you'll notice I can be long-winded, because I love to talk, but I thought I would stay true to my heart & my purpose, and talk about my advocacy for infertility awareness.  

Sometimes I think I sound like a broken record, that every guest post I've ever done has been about infertility, maybe for once I’d talk about something else, but when you’re an advocate for something and you’re given a platform to talk about anything you want, then you take that opportunity to spread the word about that advocacy.  So here I am today, broken record or not, to tell you a little bit about something I consider myself to be an expert on and that’s infertility. 

To me, infertility is not talked about enough.  I think some couples feel shame when they learn they might be infertile and that it's something that isn't that common.  Did you know 1 in 8 couples is infertile?  That’s a lot!  Think of all the people you know, think of that statistic, and then think about how many of them (or maybe even yourself) actually struggled in some way with infertility.  It’s an astonishing number!  With my blog my mission is to make the word “infertility” accepted and take away the label of infertility being taboo.  Don't be ashamed or scared of it, say it out loud, and make it known or just understand that it is a serious disease that many couples go through and I cannot stress enough the importance of talking and spreading awareness about when to seek treatment, and what kind of treatment is out there.   Especially because there have been so many wonderful advances in science that have helped many couples get that miracle that they hope for.  

When I started blogging in 2012 I had no idea the direction my blog would end up taking.   What I once thought would be a blog about getting pregnant and raising a child has now, almost three years later, a year's worth of fertility treatments later, 2 IUI's later, 1 miscarriage later, and 3 failed IVF rounds later, turned into a blog about sharing my story of infertility and still trying to get pregnant.  I share every nitty-gritty detail because to me, it could help the next person who learns they are infertile.  I do it for anyone who needs someone to relate to, for anyone who feels like they are alone because they aren't.  I’m here to say don’t give up, keep the faith, and be brave.  

I hope that my passion, positivity, and conviction towards my advocacy shines through to you all in this post and you can maybe get a glimmer of what kind of blogger I am.  I am open and honest which to me is the the most important quality a blogger can have.  Sometimes my posts come from the raw emotion that infertility causes, and sometimes they come from what my favorite monthly products are, or  new favorite recipe, or how the house we are building is coming along.  It’s not all profound messages about infertility it’s a little bit of everything and I welcome anyone who wants to follow along!

Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to thank, first, my fellow infertility bloggers, you ladies rock! And second, all the other bloggers out there, the fashion, the lifestyle, the little bit of this little bit of that bloggers because you all have been overwhelmingly supportive.  Even if you may not ever experience infertility or totally understand the lingo and the terms and the situation, so many of you have shared your words of encouragement and support and for that I am eternally grateful!  I hope I didn't ramble too long, I could go on for days!  Thank you again Elise, we've been blogger buddies for a while and I can’t wait to follow you along on your journey of parenthood and watch little Miss Nancy. 
 

Be sure to pop over to Lena's blog -- January's champagne sponsor!

December Sponsor Spotlight

Have you heard of this kind of Christmas list before: something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. As a teacher, I ran into many families who used this list when buying Christmas gifts for their kiddos. I love the idea, and today, I'm using it on these fine women!

Name: Elizabeth Burns

Blog: That's Mrs. Burns To You 
Something I Want: a 7+ cup food processor. I love my little 4 cup one but I want to be able to chop up more stuff at once. The struggle is real, folks. 
Something I Need: When I really think of the word "need"...there isn't anything that I absolutely need. I suppose I need to be reminded of this fact more often. 
Something to Wear: I have been looking everywhere for a deep, royal blue, solid shirt to wear under my suits for work!
Something to Read: I want to read the Orange is the New Black book. I have only watched a few episodes but I think I would find the book interesting. Any opinions out there?

Connect with Elizabeth

Twitter // Bloglovin' // Pinterest

Name: Lizzie

Blog: Lizzie Somerset

Something I Want: You Make Me Brave Album (Bethel Music) CD to play in the car LOUDLY!

Something I Need: Socks!  Abit boring but my sock drawer is full of odd ones!

Something to Wear: I'm hoping I'll get a nice pair of fluffy slippers in my stocking this year

Something to Read: I'm really looking forward to my Hello magazine Christmas addition, the subscription was a gift from hubs for our 6 year anniversary, so I can keep up with the Wills & Kates of the world & their wonderful Christmas plans.

Connect with Lizzie

Twitter // Instagram // Facebook
 

Name: Ashley
Blog: Sweet Carolina Belle 

Something I Want: A Holiday vacation to somewhere tropical.

Something I Need: My Holiday vacation to get here quickly. Looking forward to having time to spend catching up with friends and family.

Something to Wear: My favorite oversized sweater with leggings and boots.

Something to Read: I'm currently reading Where'd You Go Bernadette and loving it so far.

Connect with Ashley

Bloglovin' // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Pinterest

Happy season of giving!