My little sis has big chopped

Last Friday my little sis big chopped, and when I say big chopped, I mean; Big. Chopped...in its literal sense. As in, cut all her hair off.You may think this isn't too much of a big deal, but this girl is a self confessed glam queen. She likes, for the most part, her hair to be long and straight, which would usually mean she'd be rocking a weave of some sort. She is very experimental too, so they'd be colour, tracks, shaved one side, short and relaxed, you name it she's done it.

When my other sister and I went natural, we'd drop hints that she should join us, and she wouldn't regret it, but she was having none of it. She complained that her hair was 'too hard' and she couldn't deal with a 'fro' and natural hair wasn't for her, but slowly her opinion began to change. I also think she was becoming discouraged with the health of her hair. She had been trimming frequently to remove the breakage, but still relaxing and colouring, so the health of her hair wasn't really improving. It was dry and weak and I think she just got fed up, so drastic measures were required.

Fast forward to last Friday and I accompanied her to her local salon where her hair was snipped to about an inch from her scalp. The transformation was fantastic. Her natural hair is so soft and black and glossy, I think she was in shock with how good it looked. I was so proud.

Well done little sis for jumping feet first into your natural hair journey and embracing the hair that God blessed you with. The journey will not always be easy but I promise you, you will not regret it xx

Silent Sunday

Friday Reflections - Week 4

This image has very little to do with this post, but my sister took it (she is in Barbados enjoying these views as I type) and I love it, and it is very uplifting don't you think?

Exciting news alert!! Yesterday I bought my wedding dress!! Hallelujah! Praise God! I could gush about my ridiculously fabulous, bargain basement find, but I'll save that for another post....today is reflection day and I want to do as the title suggests so here we go....

On Monday afternoon I had the most wonderful experience with my children. It was so simple yet it made me so thankful for the three little lives the good Lord has blessed me with.

We were on our way home from school and my eldest was telling me about her day in a really odd voice. I asked her why she was talking that way and then I noticed her very wobbly, bottom front tooth pointing out awkwardly. I started saying (in the funny voice she had been using) 'Hello there, my name is toothy and I'm going to be falling out soon...' well that just tickled her beyond belief and she started giggling hysterically. It doesn't take much to set her off and when she starts she doesn't stop and it is very infectious. So there she is laughing away, which sets me off, then mid mimmick I get the most hilarious bout of hiccups (that'll teach me) which of course sets my little boy off. He starts copying me so every time I hiccup, he giggles manically and copies my hiccup and then daughter number two starts laughing and my eldest is pleading with me to continue doing my silly 'pretending to be her wobbly tooth' voice, and I'm trying to do that whilst driving, still hiccuping and lil man still copying me and lil sis giggling. It was complete chaos, but I can honestly say my heart was so swollen with love at that moment I thought I would burst. I was so completely happy and the reason couldn't be more simpler. Love and laughter. Thank God for moments like these.

Taking the dress shopping seriously

After a long hard think, I've come to realise that I really must get out there and start trying on bridal dresses. I know that's usually a given, but I've been so rushed off my feet that I've been trying to do everything the quick and easy way, but that way doesn't always work. Especially where getting married is concerned.

Oh and before I forget, my sister saw me in the dress I bought online, the one I thought was bleurgh and she loved it. Admittedly it is way too big, but she loved the colour and style on me. Plus she took some pics, and when I saw them I was quite surprised. It did look pretty good. Goes to show, a second opinion really can make all the difference. The dress will still get returned, but it got me thinking that I really do want to try and find a 'proper' dress, so I asked my sis to have a little search for some local boutiques as I've had zero success at finding any. Lo and behold 5 mins into the search she found a local wedding dress shop which is closing down and is selling bridal dresses, shoes and accessories at a fraction of the cost. Please excuse me whilst I pass out with EXCITEMENT!!!

So tomorrow my little sister will be accompanying me whilst I go and try on dresses. Hopefully I will find the dress. God willing.

Yes, yes and YES!!

Well despite OH not being able to make the fast track passport appointment last Saturday, guess what? His passport came in the same time frame anyway. Woohoo! Praise the Lord! We saved at least £200, as we didn't need to pay for petrol or the premium rate passport fees. God is such a magnificent God!! Nothing is too difficult for Him. Our little man's passport will come tomorrow, I can feel it. Excuse me whilst I give my God a praise.

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever"

Psalm 118:29

I must admit there have been moments of brief doubt when I have thought to myself, what am I doing? Or, how is this going to work out exactly? But it's not for me to worry about the details. God will always make a way where there seems to be no way. This is what He specialises in. Can I get an Amen and a Hallelujah!

So the passports are here...(yes I trust and believe) and I bought a more traditionally styled wedding dress online last Friday in the hope that it would be what I envisioned it to be when I put it on. Well it came and I tried it on and it was too big and maybe ivory is not my colour, so at least I know that much.

I'm aiming to return the dress some time this week. I've been searching high and low online for a more traditional dress which does not cost the earth but to no avail. I'll keep searching, I know something will crop up, only a matter of time. If I'm honest I think I need to get out there and find some wedding dress boutiques.....*breaks out in cold sweat*

In the meantime I do believe I have a last minute holiday to book.....

The late post....

This is the post I wanted to blog last Friday (19 Oct), but got totally caught up with some pressing matters....so here is what I wanted to say then. My next post will follow with what I have to say now. Hope that all makes sense ha! *please bear with me*

So........to update on last Friday's super charged post. OH got a dose of man flu on Saturday, (wouldn't you just know it), so he wasn't up to making the 10 hour round trip to the Durham passport office. No biggie though. His application along with our son's, were completed and countersigned with all the relevant supporting documents and I special delivered them on Saturday morning. So that's done. *air punch* We should get them back by the first week in Nov. Yes Lord!

In the meantime I've been keeping my eyes peeled for last minute package deals, and I also enquired at a hotel in Barbados re their very reasonable wedding packages. I told you! Ain't nothing stopping me. God is working in me and my situation and I'm stepping out in faith.

On Friday I ordered a lovely dress from Asos, that got delivered yesterday afternoon. I think it could work pretty well as a bridal dress. I'm going to get a second opinion from my sis (shown her and she likes it a lot). I've also seen a more classic style dress on the Monsoon website, but it's currently sold out. Natch. I've been scouring the Debenhams website too and there was one dress that caught my eye. It is rather plain but I'm sure it'll do the job if I need something more traditional. But maybe I'm rushing the whole dress situation and need to slow down?? Hmmm...

I've bought my son's outfit and shoes, just need to get him a little shirt and I bought my daughters shoes. I feel like I may be going slightly mad because here I am getting stuck right in, buying and planning for something which hasn't been confirmed, (well not as far as the OH is concerned), but I know that with God by my side everything is going to work out. Probably not in the way that I'm planning. But the end goal WILL be achieved!!! Thank you Jesus. Amen!

Love

I saw the cutest couple ever today. They must have been in their late 70's early 80's but they looked so in love as they tenderly held hands and spoke softly to one another. It was such a pleasure to see and something I hate to confess, I don't see often enough.

I was in two minds whether to take a photo but their love just seemed to radiate towards me and I felt compelled to capture the moment.

Just goes to show that despite the challenges, true love can indeed stand the test of time.