The day after Valentine’s Day. After opening our cards, eating some chocolate.

The day after planning sweet little surprises for your loved one.

Seeing daddy take his little girl out on a special date. Just the two of them to grab a milkshake together.

Snuggling with my little guy at home and giggle at cartoons.

Snuggling with the hubby and enjoying time alone together.

Hearts full, happy home. So blessed.

I love the day after Valentine’s Day.  Because you get to recount the memories you experienced with loved ones and express gratitude that you get to experience another day with them.

Have a beautiful Wednesday.

<3 Tiff

Today I am celebrating my Valentine with some special things throughout the day.  I hope he enjoys them.  I love surprising him.

Happy Valentine’s Day friends. Whether you are single, married or engaged, enjoy this day to express love to others around you.  Don’t be deterred by the commercializing of this holiday. Enjoy the day.  Spread Love.

<3 Tiff

The other day I read an incredible news story regarding a young Victoria’s Secret Model.  Who loved Jesus. And quit her dream career to honor the Lord and her husband with her body.

Kylie Bisutti decided, after modeling with infamous lingerie company, to leave Victoria’s Secret after she began to experience God’s conviction regarding her showcase of her body to those other than her husband. She wanted to be a role model for those who looked up to her, especially her young cousin who one day said to her:

“I think I want to stop eating so I can look like you.”

My heart dropped reading that statement, because the reality is so many girls feel they must look, behave, dress and eat (or not) in order to be beautiful.  Kylie gets it exactly right when she states: “Thousands of girls that think that being beautiful is an outer issue and really it’s a heart issue.”

Modesty is sexy.  It means you value your body so much that you are willing to preserve it for the one person you will be married to. And if I can take it a step further, I believe you may be more confident because you don’t need to reveal in order to appeal.  In a day and age where sex sells, modesty can seem unflattering, as if those of us who choose dress conservatively wear unflattering moo-moo dresses.

But it isn’t.

I am so proud of Kylie who chose to do the right thing (for herself, her husband, and her love for God) and walk away from a dream.  It was probably very tough. But I am positive that God will be faithful and honor her obedience.

Modesty is sexy.

<3 Tiff

*Story and quotes are from ABC News.  To get full article please click on the hyperlink at beginning of post.*

So many of you read how my cute, sweet, lovable son lost my iPhone.  So I practically went two weeks without a phone.

But I am now back with the real world.

I had been displeased with ATT and their customer service towards me for the last couple of years, so I felt this was the perfect time as any to make the switch.  I switched phone services, and was able to grab a great deal on a new smartphone.  It isn’t the iPhone, but honestly, with trying to pay off our debt this year and focus on other things I decided not to buy the iPhone 4S.  But the phone I got is still an upgrade from my old iPhone. So I’m pretty excited! I now have video!! Yay!

Please be prepared for me to bombard my Facebook and your newsfeed with tons of videos of my awesome kids. Because I know you wait all day for me to post them.

Can I just tell you that being without a phone is actually kind of peaceful?  It is tough, but you can do it surprisingly.

I know this was a random post but I thought I would share my good news with all of you. More substantial posts to come in the future lol!

<3 Tiff

I have been enjoying some really indulgent meals the last couple of weeks and I can totally feel its affects on my body.

Getting off track can happen when we are surrounded by tons of activity and family. While it is completely fine to enjoy life and enjoy these kinds of foods once in awhile, at some point you need to put yourself back on track with a healthy diet and routine.

In order for me to get my body and my eating back in line, I put myself on a 7 day clean eating challenge.  I will mostly be focused on consuming:

Limited Carbohydrates: None after 3 PM.  Carbohydrates are not bad. I do not believe in fad diets. However, limiting certain foods for a short period of time will help my system function.

Fruits and Veggies: Try to consume more of these items raw instead of always cooking them.  Fruit is easy to eat raw but a lot of us have a hard time to do the same with veggies!  Pair veggies like broccoli, Kale, carrots with Hummus

Eating like a pauper at dinner: This means mostly protein and greens.  Since I will be limiting my carbohydrates to earlier in the day, this is a must.  Hard, but for 7 days it will be fine.

Water: Drink a lot of it.  At least half of your body weight.  I know water can get a little boring.  So if you need to jazz it up try adding sliced fruit in a pitcher overnight.  Subtle fruity flavored water.  Yumm!

If you want to participate but have no ideas what foods would be good (or better  for you) consider signing up for a free Team Beachbody Membership. There you will have access to a fantastic tool called Michi’s Ladder which categorizes certain foods in piers of health.  It is excellent and I use it often!

I hope you will join me on this fun challenge. You don’t have to be perfect. Doing something like this and changing the way we eat can be really difficult.  So try your best and focus on changing one thing in your diet.

And be sure to post how you are doing on Be A Size You!

<3 Tiff

Dan and I had the opportunity to attend Mark Driscoll’s Real Marriage conference at Crossroads Christian Church this weekend and oh my goodness what a treat!

Dan and I really enjoy Mark’s teaching and Dan really respects a lot of what he has to say towards men and how to lead a family as well as a ministry.  This conference did not disappoint. And a bonus, Mark’s beautiful wife, Grace, was there as well to offer her perspective and wisdom on issues that were covered:

Sex

Friendship with your spouse

Self control

A serving relationship or a selfish relationship (this one hurt. I am a selfish person and God was absolutely convicting me of this throughout the entire session!)

The conference was based upon Mark and Grace’s new book “Real Marriage” which Dan and I will be going through together.

Overall, Dan and I walked out of that conference more determined than ever to be best friends in our marriage and to not allow Satan to have a foothold.  For a couple like us who is heavily involved in ministry to other people, it is so important that we spend far more time nurturing and serving the lawn that is our relationship to keep the weeds out and stay strong. Together.

If you feel like this is something you and your spouse could use, I highly recommend you find a conference near you!

<3 Tiff

I haven’t blogged too much this week.  Quite frankly the only productive thing I have done all week is search frantically for my cell phone that my adorable son decided to hide in his secret place.

The place no one knows about apparently. LOL!

I have ordered another one so hopefully that arrives soon and I can get back to business.

Some random things:

*I had great intentions to participate in the Love Challenge over at Leading and Loving It. I am embarrassed to say I have failed the first two days already. *bad wife* February is not over yet! There is still hope!

*I have yet to print my photos for Project Life page for January. Must get on that now.

*Did I mention my son lost my cell phone? While I have enjoyed the peace and lack of phone calls, I really do need one as no one can get a hold of me unless I am on FB or attached to my email.

*Today and tomorrow Dan and I are attending Mark Driscoll’s Real Marriage conference.  We have been reading his book and we love it!  So excited to not only hear Mark, but also have some time alone together. Thanks Mom and Dad Harper for watching the babes!

*Sean can now say his name. He calls himself “Seany”.  Melts my heart!

*God blessed us this week with lower rent for our current apartment.  Love how He provides unexpectedly!

*I have 3 gals in my February challenge group (one started last month) and we are so excited!  I am pumped!

That’s all for now folks.  How has your week been?

<3 Tiff

I am just going to be honest and say that the cold, winter months are not my favorite.

While I know living in Southern California our winters are laughable compared to other States but still, I don’t particularly enjoy cold weather.

I am ready for fun, pretty pastels and warmer weather.  Dare I say I am ready for Summer to show up again?

Here is what I am loving right now:

Pretty Spring dresses from Ruche

A lovely Valentine’s themed display at Target

I totally want to purchase either the Whale or elephant cookie jars and place sweet Valentine’s  in them. Simply adorable.

What are you loving right now?

<3 Tiff