Big Word....

Big Word..... PLANS!

We all want to make them.  We all set things up in our minds that we want, and try to make it work.  The thing is- most of the time things don't work as we planned.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

I always remind myself of this scripture.  I always claim to LIVE by it, but I've come to the point of realization that I haven't been living by it at all.

I'm always making my own plans.  I made plans to get married, graduate college, and then start having babies.  I got this....

  I know- she's the cutest thing ever ;)

I was blessed with sweet Layleigh out of my "plan".  I'm only a junior in college.  Totally off the plan.

I'm not going to lie.  At first I was upset with the fact that I was pregnant.  Terrible- I KNOW!  But I've learned so much from this little lady. 

Whether it was the wrong time or the right time, Layleigh was a part of God's plan for me. 

The Lord has taught me to choose joy no matter what road He is taking me down.  I've learned to choose to feel blessed.  (I TOTALLY am.)    I constantly remind myself of Jeremiah 29:11, He knows the plans He has for me.  They are not plans to harm me.  I mean He is the Creator of the University.  I say I know Christ. I say I trust Christ, but sometimes my flesh wants to lead the way.  I'm learning to put Stephanie on the back burner, and let Him be Him.  I'm letting Him lead and guide me.  I'm not going to let my flesh get in the way of the glories He has laid out for me.  When the unexpected happens, I remind myself that it's God's way of asking me- Who's in control here?  God or Stephanie.  I'm choosing God.  I'm letting God guide.  I'm letting Him make the plans for my life and my families life.

So maybe I don't know what is going to happen within the next year.  Or even in the next month.  But I do know this....

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 
Romans 8:28

Time to let go, and LET GOD!

All dogs go to Heaven

You've seen the movies- I mean surely you've seen one of them.  I'm pretty sure there are like four or something like that.  Anyways, tonight we came home to find Sparkle dead in front of house in the road.  (It's not a busy road at all!)  I immediately stopped the car, got out, and started crying.  I just sat down in the road and cried like a big baby.  We've only had Sparkle since the end of November.  She was Layleigh's "big" Christmas present.  I must admit she was more of responsibility then I would have thought, but I still loved her so much.  It's amazing how much you can love a dog. 

Anyways on with the funeral service.  Yes, it was dark, but Lewis insisted we buried her tonight.  I said we must bury her wrapped in a pink towel because that was her favorite color ;).  We wrapped her up, and put her in a huggies box.  We put some pretty putanias that I bought today on it.  It was nice, but sad.  I had intentions of planting those buy the porch.  I remember thinking today, well Sparkle is going to dig those up!  But she's not :(

I feel like all of this is my fault.  We never leave her out when we leave.  I had to run to town, and then go to a photo session.  I was already running a little behind, and Sparkle ran out the door with me.  She loves to play with the other dogs across the street at my Nanas so I just left her out.  Bad idea :(  I feel terrible.

Well we must move on.  I'm not thinking we are going to replace her though.  I don't think we could.

Sparkle and Layleigh on New Years Eve.

 Matching tutus :)

Matching bows :)

Yes my flower is as big as my head!  :)

Sparkles

October 7, 2010-April 8,2011

With sad faces,
The Sulli Clan :(

11 months of pure joy

So today our precious little girl is 11 months.  Can you believe that?  I can't!  I've been planning her birthday party for quite some time now (hmm I don't know maybe since 6 months or so ;) ).  I'm so very excited for the party, and I've already taken care of most things.  I've gotten the perfect outfit ordered from the most perfect boutique Stinkin Cute Designs.  I've ordered all the supplies, and I've highered a photographer.  Yes, that is right.  Momma will not be spending the whole day behind the Nikon.  I'm going to enjoy it, and be in the pictures without setting up the tripod/remote.  :)  The only thing I haven't done is invites and cake order.  For me, this is definitely being ahead of things, but hey your baby only turns one once!  On from the party, to the more important subject matter- Layleigh or the Princess.

The princess is growing.  She weighs 16 lbs now, which is a long way from her 5 lbs 5oz birth weight.  She's short, but I'm almost positive that is destined.  She says all kinds of things to me- most of which I can't understand.  She puckers her lips and kisses you forever.  Muuuuuuuuuuuammmmmmmmm she'll say why she is kissing you.  It is absolutely precious.  She plays peek a boo.  In May we will be taking her first vacation to Texas where she will be doing a modeling shoot with the totally awesome and oh so inspiring Paige Walker.  It's for Stinkin Cute Designs, and we are finally going to get to meet some of our favorite facebook friends- Shea, Mindy, and Paige.

Here are a few pictures of Layleighpie.

  On her birthday! 5 lbs 5oz on 5/5 :)  She's showing how smart she is in the picture :)

Her last night!  Modeling for another boutique called Taylor Tots Designs.

With a 11 months of pure joy gone, but many more to come,
The Sulli Clan :)

Fried Tators

Ok so tonight for supper I made fried potatoes for the first time since Lewis and me have been married.  I'm not real big on fried foods so I usually just bake everything.  Anyways, on to the story.  So I've never really been taught to cook fried potatoes so I just figured I would wing it.  While I was winging it, I started thinking about why I didn't know how to cook them.  You see I've never really had a mom growing up.  A lot of the time it was just me, my dad, and brothers.  My dad remarried and my stepmom and me took awhile to adjust to each other (now we are like best friends.)  However, no one ever taught me to cook fried potatoes.  So I put some grease in the pan, cut them up, and put them on.  They tasted ok, but they didn't look great.  The fried potatoes made me think of my mom.  Her life looks no good because it is no good.  While I was eating them, I decided I was going to make sure I taught Layleigh how to cook fried potatoes.  But not only this.  I'm going to be there for every moment possible.  Never will I go months and even over a year without talking to her.  Never will I miss her birthday, her dance performance, or any other major thing.  When she starts cooking, she will be able to say my mom taught me this!  Never will she be sad because she doesn't know me.  She will know me, love me, and know how to cook fried tators!


On a lighter note, the Sullivan clan loved them even though they looked terrible!

Picture of the fried tators!

Daddy and Layleigh with their bellies full!

With full bellies and smiling faces,

The Sulli Clan :)

Introducing the Sullivans....

We are, well, I guess you could say an interesting family.  For our first blog, I'm going to introduce you to each of us.  I know most of you reading this already know us, but someone might not know us and first impression is everything ;)

First there is Daddy- aka head man- aka Lewis.
Lewis is such a wonderful husband and dad.  He is a student at UALR where he is majoring in Engineering.  He currently works at Riceland as an Engineer intern.  Yes, he is a big NERD!


Next there is Momma-that's me :)  aka Stephanie aka wishes she was the head woMAN :)
I currently work under the little boss named Layleigh.  I'm also a student at UALR, but I'm not going to disclose my major because it may change :).  I also work as a photographer.  Check me out at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Stephanie-Sullivan-Photography/118811134854292 .

Now on to the Princess-aka Layleigh Don.
Layleigh is such a blessing.  Yes she is a little bossy and can throw a real big temper tantrum, but not a day goes buy that she doesn't make Lewis and me smile.  She is into pageants and modeling  :)  Shes more into eating whatever she can find and playing with mommy and daddy, but I like to pretend she is into modeling and pageants..ha ha!

Finally, there is Sparkle.  Our long haired miniature dachshund aka wienie dog.
Sparkle loves to chew up everything.  My house can be perfectly spotless when we leave, and when we get home Sparkle would have found anything to chew up and have it everywhere!  We still love her though!  Just have to get past the "puppy" stage.


Now you've met the Sullivans!

Until next time,
The Sulli Clan