~Why Do I Wait So Long?~

Yes, Its official, I'm a bad blogger.

It has been 1 1/2  years since I blogged here. 

Yes, ONE IN A HALF YEARS!

WHY DO I WAIT SO LONG?

Ok, for now I'll start with an appology for those who follow this blog. I appreciate everyone of you who has stuck with me for so long. I'm trying not to turn this into a post full of "excuses" so I'll give you a little update on whats been happening in my "Stay Beautiful Within" life.

1. Our oldest son got married this past summer

2. Our 2nd son started college last fall and is already into his second year

3. Our daughter got her drivers license

4. Our little boy started kindergarten

5. Our tiny princess started pre-school.

6. Our veggie stand was open all summer and we are now selling Christmas trees

7. I've lost 30lbs

I really want to update all of you on these "HIGHLIGHTS" of our life more with photos and stories. This is something I'm promising you for 2014.  You can also find me at 

FaceBook Page: Stay Beautiful Within w/ 21,500 followers

Pinterest: Erica Lenker~Stay Beautiful Within~ w/ 2,250 followers

Instagram: Stay Beautiful Within w/ 270 followers 

~All My Love To You And Your Family This Christmas Season 2013~

~Stay Beautiful Within, Erica~

7 Days of Marriage Tips

Our Wedding Day, June 30, 1989, 23 years ago

7 Days of Marriage Tips

 

{Day 7} : Keep in mind that time affects all of us and no one remains the same as we were when dating.  Life's circumstances can make us lose our sense of humor change us physically, act less romantic, etc.  Take some times to find those two people who fell in love and reconnect. 

{Day 6} : Love "Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." {1 Cor. 13} Choose to believe the best about your spouse, even when they aren't communicating well. Sometimes it is hard to find the right words to express yourself. Some folks find it hard to communicate with words at all. Grace, grace.

{Day 5) : Be intentional. Every day, look for a way to bless your spouse either secretly or openly. A thankful, giving heart will repulse the weeds of blame and discontent.

{Day 4} : Greet your spouse with a kiss. It's a mood enhancer. Science says touch releases endorphins, so you begin to associate seeing your spouse with a pleasant feeling. And you can't say anything you'll regret when your lips otherwise occupied. Voila! Mood enhanced!

{Day 3} Make it a point to give your spouse the best of you: the best of your smiles, the best of your touch, the best of your (good) attitude, the best of your laughter, the best of your words, etc. Don't always bring them what's left of you after the world has drained you.

{Day 2} Nobody is perfect. Don't let the world at large find out about your spouse's imperfections via your mouth. "The heart of her husband trusts in her..." {Prov. 31:11}

{Day 1} Be the person you'd like to be married to. If you'd like a little more grace for your faults, give a little more grace for theirs. If you need more love and understanding, give more love and understanding to your spouse.

~23 years later and still going strong~

~Stay Beautiful Within, Erica~

{19 Things we should say to our Children}

{19 Things we should say to our Children}

1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.

2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!

3. It’s all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. Big people cry too. I do.

4. You’ve made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It’s all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.

5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn’t easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.

6. I’m sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.

7. You can change your mind. It’s good to decide, but it is also fine to change.

8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!

9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!

10. I have a surprise for you. It’s not your birthday. It’s for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.

11. I can wait. We have time. You don’t have to hurry this time.

12. What would you like to do? It’s your turn to pick. You have great ideas. It’s important to follow your special interests.

13. Tell me about it. I’d like to hear more. And then what happened? I’ll listen.

14. I’m right here. I won’t leave without saying good-bye. I am watching you. I am listening to you.

15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to use them, will you remind me?

16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!

17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it. Let’s see. I’ll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.

18. I’ll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you? If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it by yourself, but I’m glad to help since you asked.

19. What do you wish for? Even if it’s not yet time for birthday candles and we don’t have a wishbone, it’s still fun to hear about what you wish for, hope for, and dream about.

~Coffee Filter Wreath~

 This coffee filter wreath is adorable and easy to make.  I've seen it made a few different ways, but this way worked out the easiest for us with great results. My 3 y/o little girl and I made this together.

Found these at my favorite thrift shop: Wreath $.50 & Pins $1.00

I started to crinkle the filters and pinned them to the wreath.

Didn't take long to get one side done.

Flatening out the filters first gave them more of a fluffy look then a wrinkled look.

This is what one looks like alone before I pinned it in the wreath.

1 hour later... Finished Product. 

My simple "white" collection. :)


~Stay Beautiful Within, Erica~

....meanwhile down on our farm.....

4H Dairy Feeders

MOO....

Little Moo....

CrabApple Tree starting its amazing blossoms....

Chores...

Spring is in the air.....

Early Spring 2012 has sprung in NE Indiana.  Myself and my family have been enjoy the 80+ degree weather.  Hubby has been planting early corn and I've been out snapping some photos of the early blooms. 

"For behold the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone. 

The flowers have already appeared in the land;

The time has arrived for pruning the vines, 

And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. 

The fig tree has ripened its figs, 

And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. 

Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, 

And come along!"

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

~Happy Spring 2012~

~Stay Beautiful Within, Erica~

~Happy 3rd Birthday~

~~Spring is in the air and our baby girl turned 3!~~

Happy Girl!

Party starts with a simple pink table setting including bubbles to blow! 

Pretty in Pink!

My homemade 5 layer "lopsided" cake. It weighed 3 pounds!

Cake Pops are always a great hit at parties!

#3

Pretty Cake for the Princess that she is and always will be....

Amazing!

The cake turned out perfect. Love the color variation of pinks!

Happy 3rd Birthday Baby Girl!

~Stay Beautiful Within, Erica~