Stitch fix #5

So I had all but given up on stitch fix and they sent me a coupon code for my stylist fee because I hadn't ordered so long and I thought, "what do I have to lose?" So here goes need your opinions!! 

It looks like there are a few keepers! And on the stylist card I have almost all the items to style one look like my stylist says! Yay! 

Shirt number one. It's like a half shirt half sweater thing. It's super comfy but I feel like it cuts me weird and it's a little long. 

Shirt #2 I kinda love how this drapes and I love the color. 

Sweater: I'm not sure how I could not love this! 

Skirt: I kinda like it, and I kinda don't. I think it's a tad long. But I like the print. 

Jeans: boyfriend cut jeans. Super comfy I'm just not sold on the fit. 

Wanna get your own fix? Here's my referral code! 

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4875861

Tell me what you think 

Struggle well and be brave, 

Brandie 

"Better get right with the Lord", wait, what?

I am a Christian. I love Jesus. People think these are the endtimes... and maybe, they are. But over the last few weeks I have seen several people in my facebook feed say "Better get right with the Lord". I realize this is an effort to promote the Kingdom and right living... but I feel like it's doing more harm than good for His Kingdom.

You see we are already Holy and Blameless because we are God's Children. As a follower of Jesus Christ I'm already viewed, flawless and perfect in God's eyes. This isn't a free pass to live my life any old way I want. I think we are always on the pursuit of Righteousness and to be evermore like Jesus. And when we have real relationship with him that's what we want to do, it isn't work! But I read this a couple times and I started thinking "Oh, Crap! am I right with the Lord?"

There are so many "Christians" that have a hard time with their spiritual walk because they feel they have to be perfect in order to pursue God. I think this "better get right with the Lord" statement perpetuates that thinking. I'm never going to be good enough, I'm never going to live my life perfectly. If I could do that, I wouldn't need Jesus. I'm never going to be a "model Christian" at least to those that know me best. But here is the GOOD NEWS, I don't have to be! Christ died for my sins, the ugly, the angry, the impatient, all of it! It doesn't mean I live my life just doing those things because Christ died for me to do it, because He didn't. It's not a free pass, He died to forgive me. And he will but I have to have a repentant heart, and that comes from saying "Look, I messed up, but I don't want to live in that place anymore, I don't want to be that person anymore! I want to be better! Help me to be better!" You see the attitude is that the sin is still yucky in my life, even though God sees me as perfect.

I also think that saying to someone "you better get right with God" implies you have it all together. We all have junk. Sometimes our junk is just not as apparent as others. And pointing someone else's junk out is hurting our witness. Be who you want your friends to be in Christ. Quit accusing others and just work on you. Then God will work on their heart by seeing your example. (Probers 27:17). And I think there's that whole planks and specks thing. (Matthew 7:1-5) Just sayin. 

I can't "get right with God" in one moment. It's a process. No one is EVER right with God in the sense that we aren't going to mess up, but as a Christian we are Right with God. When we accept Jesus that's all that God sees, the Jesus in us. 

Stitch fix review number 3 and 4.

So... I ordered my third fix. Super ecstatic about receiving it and then I opened the box and went through each piece just praying there would be one thing in there I would love. See I hadn't even paid my stylist fee because I had some referral cash...yes!!! And I really didn't want to waste that credit on ....nothing. I was super bummed because I didn't like anything but I decided no matter what I was going to try it all on anyway. It didn't help. I still hated every single piece. Well disliked one, hated all the others. And the one I disliked was more for price point than anything else. So here it is fix number three: 

Are you with me? I feel like somewhere along the lines I morphed into a 40 yr old. The dress was okay but it was $100 and while nice dresses cost that much, and stitch fix's clothes seem to be extremely well made, I'm still nursing and don't really have many places to wear a dress to, so I didn't feel I could justify that. 

I was so sad and at the encouragement of some Facebook friends I contacted stitch fix and they stated they really wanted to make me happy and would style me again without the fee! Okay! I mean how could I say no? 

So...I rescheduled my fix immediately and anxiously awaited my new fix just knowing that they would send me some pieces that matched my awesome personality ;) but alas this box wasn't that much better. However, I did at least feel like she tried. Somehow they have construed me as someone who dressed much older. But hey she looked at my Pinterest and sent me the exact shirt I had pinned. So there was some effort and I can't be mad about that and I did find one piece I liked! So here it is fix number 4:

I kept the gray shirt. It's fun. It's young. It's versatile. The black jeans are like maternity meets straight legged jeans meets jeggings. They are pretty strange. The floral top I actually really liked but I feel like it was a little too long and just a tad moo moo ish. The blue top was the one I had pinned on Pinterest it has a pretty cool stud detail that I liked but when I got it, it was one of those shirts that has a cami and then the sheer top over and I 1)already where too many layers due to nursing and 2)those types of shirts just aren't my friend. But I appreciated the thought. And the olive

Blazer. It was definitely better than the other blazer I was sent but it just didn't work for me. I looked even bigger and since I'm already bigger on top I just felt like I was emphasizing that more. 

So there it is my last two fixes. I think i might give it one more try. I love the idea of stitch fix so I really want it to work. 

If you would like to give it a try even after my very honest reflection. Here is the place to sign up :) https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4875861

Stitch fix review number 2

So... I was soooo excited to get this fix I could hardly contain myself! 

I told my stylist I was going to the beach and I pinned stuff to my stitch fix board on Pinterest and I felt she really took both into consideration. All the tops she sent me were warm weather, thin material to help me stay cool this summer! I really appreciated that! 

When I got my fix I tore it open and looked at the card and thought seriously! This is the best fix!! I'm keeping it all, I just know I'm going to love it! Everything she picked was so cute and my style! Amazing how after just one fix that happens. :) 

Here's my style card she sent me: 

Unfortunately, I had to try things out. Let me say this in her defense, in extremely critical of myself so I think that comes into play here as well :) 

She sent me these awesome lace shorts that are made of cotton so I would stay cool along with an elastic waistband, can we say hallelujah!!!!! And then picked out this coral print top to go with them because I had told her on my Pinterest how much I LOVE coral :) 

(Um...er... Excuse my no makeup and crazy hair--but honesty I look like this 90%of the time)

I loved both but I felt there was something about the shorts just a tad bit off and the arms of shirt were a tad big. 

But she totally got me in making sure all my shirts hung off me! Thank you Allison! 

2nd top: 

This navy blue knit tank with really cool wide straps. This shirt is super comfy and I love wide straps! I hate when my bra straps are showing when I'm trying to wear a tank. But all in all it's a basic navy tank. And again for some

 reason the arm holes were a tad big. 

3rd tank:

Also in my Pinterest board I said I like floral, and I do if done right, I feel like this shirt is so right! It's probably my fav. I love  that it's dark, it hangs nice, it's interesting, and so girly with that crocheted bottom! Arm holes on this are a bit big too but not by much. 

4th and final tank: 

I kinda love the color block on this tank and it's made of a silky material. However, the top white section is almost completely see through and I'm not about that life. But other than that I love it. 

So: what do y'all think? What's your favorite? What should I keep? What should I for sure send back? Leave me comments either on here or fb and let me know! I have decisions to make :) 

And if you are interested in scheduling your own fix please use my referral code, I get a credit! I would so appreciate it! https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4875861

Struggle well and be brave

Brandie 

Stitch fix review

So... I did this totally awesome fun thing! I stitch fixed!!

I consider myself pretty frugal and usually shop only off the clearance rack. However, I have been scouring the internet learning what I can about capsule wardrobes. I am not a super fashionable person (like I would wear my pjs everywhere if it was acceptable) but I WANT to be fashionable! A capsule wardrobe is the idea that you have a limited number of things per season in your closet and it has to be things you LOVE! This is the best way to figure out what YOUR style is. And then you decide what you need to add to it for the upcoming or current season.

So I decided I wanted to do this, but I wanted to have quality pieces. Enter stitch fix --> I'm terrible about picking things out that actually look good and fit on my body. Like seriously I tried on 9 pairs of jeans at nordstrom rack the other day and still walked away without a pair of jeans. I have seen review after review of people doing stitch fix and getting well fitting jeans the first time. I figured I would give it a shot and you can do it up to once a month or as infrequent as you like. You pay $20 for your stylist fee, you fill out a stylist profile, they pair you with a stylist, they handpick things just for you and then ship it to you. You try it on, and then they send you a postage paid envelope to ship back the things you don't like. If you decide you want to keep anything your $20 fee applies towards the cost of the items. Completely risk free!

It was so fun and exciting! I couldn't wait to see what my stylist had picked out for me!

The box comes all packaged up so pretty!

It includes a note from my stylist, A postage paid envelope, and card that shows you how to use the items they send. 

The first item they sent me was this layering necklace. I'm not huge on accessories but I did try it on just to make sure! (That's me being open to possibilities) 

She sent me this striped layering tee and cargo type vest. Since I'm picking items for my spring capsule I chose not to keep this layering tee (you know since I live in Texas) and I didn't love the way I looked in the tee alone. I thought the horizontal stripes made me look wide. She sent me the vest as a way to camoflauge the tummy and while it worked and did make me appear longer it was just a tad too small to actually button. 

Let's talk about how much I LOVE this pink shirt. But it was also a tad too small (and I was SOOO sad). I did however keep the jeans I tried on. While they are something I would have NEVER picked out for my self (they remind me of granny jeans) they made my rear look better than I think it normally does and they were so comfortable! 

So there you have it! My fix. 

I can't wait until the change of season (that's when I'll update my capsule) to have another fix sent! 

If you want to fill out a style profile and help this momma out with some fix credit (for you using this link to sign up) please do that here: 

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4875861

Remember be brave and struggle well

Brandie 

He just needs a friend.

" She has a daughter also with Downs. Non verbal, I think she is 6. Play date possibly?"

This was a response I saw on a Facebook post. It sparked some thought in me. The lady that originally posted also has a non verbal girl with Down syndrome. I thought two girls that can't talk "playing" together. Where's the benefit? To me, it seems like that's a meet up more for the moms to bounce ideas off each other and feel a little less lonely in the world as far as being a parent to a special needs kiddo goes. But with the amazing abilities of social media you can join Facebook groups that do that same thing.

The lady that posted the reply meant well. But as a parent of a special needs kiddo I can tell you that while I welcome play dates with other special needs kids, I have found that most of the time special needs kids don't always react the way you would expect when placed with another special needs kiddo. Many times it compounds the issue. What I mean is that special needs kids many times are still trying to figure out the world in their heads, it's confusing to them. They get used to how the nuero-typical world works and then you throw a wrench in the system.  Many times they understand their issues but they don't understand others.

I would love and welcome play dates from nuero-typical kids that have been taught tolerance and acceptance. That go out of the way to see that they are literally changing a life. I would love to see parents showing their kids what that looks like.

I remember a few years ago we had gone to Hawaiian Falls waterpark and I had bought some cushy water balls to take with us to play with. Cade was in the water trying to convince Addie to play with him, but she wanted to do her own thing. Along come two preteen boys. At first I was a little concerned. What were this little punks were gonna do (because all teenagers are up to no good, right?) and then, they started playing with Cade and his toys. I'll be honest I kinda thought they would decide to play "keep away" from him and I would have to intervene and help him. But then my faith in teenagers was restored as they were letting Cade throw the balls to them and then giving then back to him. It was such a sweet moment for me as a mom and they totally made his day! They asked me if Cade could go different places with them and while I was a little skeptical as to WHY these boys would want to hang out with Cade I allowed them to take him and explained some of his challenges. They were so sweet. I tried to buy them ice cream and cotton candy, they would not let me. I told them how much they had blessed me, they told me it was no big deal and really nothing special. It was truly what Cade needed, he needed friends, he needed someone that could recognize he was different and then give him grace. There are times that special needs kids just can't extend grace to each other. That takes reasoning skills they often times don't have.

I also remember one time Addie's kindergarten teacher brought her to the car at pickup. She explained that Addie was so good at befriending one little boy in particular. He was in regular classes but had some "issues" that caused many kids to not like him or want to play with him. Not Addie! She tolerated him, she accepted him. The teacher said if he hit her, she would just hit him back and they would continue playing. It just worked. I might have cried! I just looked at her with huge tears in my eyes and thanked her for being nice to a boy that no one else wanted to be friends with. Thanked her for showing him what a real friend looked like. It was a sweet moment.

But I can't say that I would have always encouraged that. There was a time in my life where people with special needs kinda frightened me. I'm sure much of that was out of fear that I wouldn't know what to do if something happened. I also know that those with neurological disorders can be volatile and I never wanted to place myself in a situation where i didn't know what to do. So God made me a mom. Of a special boy. Life is unpredictable. What will upset him is unpredictable. And you just roll with the punches.

Id like to teach my kids to love special friends better than I did, or better than I knew how. I would like to instill in them understanding for what other people are going through or how they are feeling (sometimes I really struggle here too) and I would like them to know that sometimes just being a friend in that moment might change someone's whole day!

So sometimes what I really need is for my special needs kiddo to be able to play with nuero-typical kids and them know and understand he has challenges. That he may say or do something that seems odd. That he might want to play weird things. But for today, he just needs a friend.

Stevie Rae King’s Journey Earthside

I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions since I was about 18 weeks. I realized that I would have them when I needed to go to the bathroom.  Aaron and I had gotten into a bad habit of going to bed semi-early and staying up very late watching TV. On June 21^st it was business as usual.  I started having “Braxton hicks” at about 12:45am and I ventured to the potty. I got back in bed and realized, even after emptying my bladder I was still having them. I started timing them. Ten minutes apart. Aaron came to bed about 1:15-1:30am and I told him, “Just so you know, I think I’m in labor”, his reply, “Oh Great !”. I told him to try and get some sleep and I kept timing them. After timing them for an hour and realizing they were, in fact, very regular, I text my midwives (Donnellyn and Lizzie). I tend to have babies very fast and wanted them to know I was in labor. They recommended taking a warm bath and seeing what my contractions did. So I did. After I got out of the bath I couldn’t really feel them and they were very irregular. I text them back and told them I was going to try and get some sleep. My biggest fear in choosing the birthing center was that I wouldn’t make it there on time (It’s about 45 minutes away with no traffic). I did finally drift off to sleep about 3am. At 4:07 I woke up! My contractions were very much contractions and not Braxton hicks, but not painful, but they were 4 minutes apart. I decided I would take another bath and see what happened. After my bath/shower they were irregular but hurting some. I thought I would try and watch a movie and just wait it out. About 5:15 they were hurting more but still irregular, about 2-5 minutes apart), I decided that I would text my midwives, and wake up Aaron.

It was the plan that we would take the girls to Aaron’s parent’s house and that Cade would go to the Birth Center and hang with Papo (Scott) while we had the baby. I had text my mom earlier at about 1:30am to let her know I was in labor and hadn’t gotten a reply. Aaron had text his parents about 2:00am and also had no reply. Now that it was go-time, we tried calling. Since I have never gone into labor that early in the morning, and because all the kids were sleeping, I thought it would be best that Aaron’s parents come to our house until the girls woke up. Aaron called and called, no answer, I called my mom, no answer. What the heck was going on! I started to panic because my contractions were really starting to hurt and all I could think was I wasn’t going to make it. I think it’s possible my midwives started panicking for me as well! Aaron decided he would drive to his parents house and wake them up. I called Scott’s phone waking him up. He in his groggy sleep mode handed the phone to my mom, who realized very quickly, as I was having trouble talking through contractions, that it was go-time, and they were on their way over! I was home with three kids, alone, in serious labor! It was intense! I gathered all my things together, and I sat down, my midwives told me to lay down and not get up, not even to pee!!! My car had NO gas and Aaron was going to go put gas in it, at this time his mom was almost to our house and just suggested we take her car since it was full! About the time that his mom pulled up, Cade woke up, and my parents pulled up, we threw shoes on him, loaded the car, and we were OFF!! I was still timing my contractions and while they hurt they were still very irregular, 3-7 minutes apart.

Aaron was so funny! On the drive he was getting cut off by people everywhere, it was like they knew I was having a baby and it would be funny if we didn’t make it. At the airport (we drove through) he chose a lane with no cars and at the last minute someone jumped in front of him, he rolled down the window and was saying, “PREGNANT WIFE, WE GOTTA GO!!” We finally arrived at the Birth Center at about 6:30am and I hadn’t had a baby in the car! Yay! As soon as I arrived they took me into an exam room and checked progress, I was at a 6! Donnellyn was surprised and thought that maybe I was at a 3. After that, I went to the birthing suite I had chosen. It was in my opinion, the most private, yet still large suite. It’s the suite that when I first saw the birthing center, I wanted to birth in. I changed into a dress, and they brought me a cup of Red Rasberry Leaf tea. I had been drinking red raspberry leaf tea for some time; however this cup was particularly strong. Aaron and Mandie were sitting next to me in some recliners. We were chatting with my midwives about previous deliveries. I took a couple large gulps of my tea as we were talking. A couple minutes later I looked over at Lizzie and said, “I don’t feel good, this is making me sick” one of the assistants went to go get me a bowl, but before she could get back I got sick, I tried to hold it in, but instead it went everywhere, and unfortunately all over my sister, who was sitting next to me. Fortunately, it was JUST TEA so it wasn’t terrible, but I felt so bad

After that, I walked some around the birth center. Donnellyn applied some essential oils and then I got in the tub they had prepared for me.  My contractions were pretty intense but spread out for varying amounts of time… I felt like it was taking forever. With both of my other girls they broke my water and in 20 minutes I was having a baby. This time we were going to let my water break on it’s own. I stayed in the tub for a while, but seemed more relaxed and contractions were slowing so I got out and they made me do this thing that Donnellyn likes to call “tilt a whirl” I had to lay on one side for two contractions, get on all fours for two contractions, and then the other side for two contractions. Aaron and I were both very tired so we laid down for a bit, but I, of course, couldn’t sleep so we decided to do some homeopathic remedies to get things going. These worked like a charm. I was taking them every ten minutes. I sat on the birthing ball and rocked back and forth and breathed through contractions, trying to really take in my music that was playing in those moments. I always had my worst contractions on the potty, and I was using the potty quite often. I stood up to go potty and realized I had some bloody show and then more when I used the potty. I had never had that before being that I was always in the bed birthing in 20 minutes after my water broke. They could tell my contractions were harder and so they asked if I wanted back in the water. I said yes, and they filled it up for me! I laid there and had several more contractions; they were hard, but manageable.  I remember my mom telling me how great I was doing and how peaceful I seemed, and truly it felt that way! I remember one time saying,” I feel like I don’t want to do this anymore”. While I was in the tub I remember actually feeling her head go down. It was so strange, she moved and within minutes I told my midwife that I thought I needed to use the restroom again. I got out to do that and when I tried to go realized I didn’t need to go potty, I needed to push.  I finished my contraction on the potty and then got back in the tub, they called everyone in the room. I only pushed for four minutes. On the last two pushes she literally SHOT OUT like a rocket! Aaron said it was the strangest thing; she was not there, and then there. It was also the most painful part of her birth! Donnellyn said that she’s not seen anyone try and crab walk their way out of a tub, but I was just trying to escape the pain. On the next contraction she was born in water. I pulled her up on my chest as far as I could get her; she had a very short cord. I didn’t even care what she was at that point just that she was born, and she was mine! I did look and announced, “It’s a girl”. She was perfect and precious! We got out of the tub and into the bed to deliver the placenta which took what seemed like FOREVER (45 mins). In that time she nursed and her cord finished pulsating and was cut. We then took an herbal bath together to help aide healing for me and lung function and health for baby!  After wards I showered and then we took baby to bed while they did a newborn exam. She was 7lbs 8oz and 20” long! She was extremely passive, something I felt she was in utero as well.  We then dressed her, packed her up and home we went! I loved being able to go home to rest! It was an amazing experience! By far the best birth experience I’ve ever had!

 Stevie's Birth Video