love

SUNSETS!

~ Laura ~ Leave a comment

This is a Facebook post from my personal page. This isn’t a “normal” blog post, nor does it have anything to do with baking, but everything to do with LOVE, SIGNS and SUNSETS.

 

15621868_10103550817375369_1058234644136233353_nI love sunsets. Yes, they are pretty, but to me they are so much more. I can’t tell you when it started, but I can tell you why. I have alluded to sunsets before tonight, but I have never shared exactly why they mean so much to me (with anyone).

16998157_10103751230820219_9099789378870496058_nThis post is for my family that is hurting and grieving in a way I have never experienced personally. I love them deeply and my heart aches for them, and I pray their memories, and love for each other keeps them strong during the difficult time. 

13726789_10103153513490539_4611357999121582467_nI can’t tell you how many times I have asked God when my life has felt crazy out of control and I have felt at a loss, “Why do I keep getting tested? “What is going to be so bad that I need to be so strong?” “Please give me a sign things will get better – I need things to get better.” A few years ago, I believe I figured out what my strength was needed for and I surprised myself with how much courage I found within myself, and like many times before, when I have been struggling, the SUNSET was breathtaking that night. I was never walking alone. SUNSETS ARE MY SIGN. 

21728405_10104404122924209_1488864282375343796_nTonight, as I was driving alone in my car, I started to pray for my family and friends who are grieving. I felt the need to pull over so that I could really focus on what my heart was feeling, asking God to grant them strength and courage to face the days ahead; to let them see the SIGNS that their loved one is near; and to know they are not walking alone. When I looked up the sky was amazing. My sign was once again there to greet me. 

21740454_10104398149799399_7393540964662194307_n💗MUCH LOVE TO MY JAMES FAMILY! I hope your signs are all around you! 

No Regrets

~ Laura ~ Leave a comment

This is a Facebook post from last year on this date …  I know so many people that this still rings true for. Sometimes we need to put ourselves first – as hard as that is for some of us. Sometimes you just need to find someone to listen, sometimes you just need a hug and a shoulder to cry on, and sometimes you just need someone to SEE you.

“I know several ladies right now that need to hear this message in this picture. I truly share this with every ounce of love I have to give you and from a place of having been there.
This post is a personal one and “scary” to post, but if I truly want to give you strength and courage, and ask you to be brave then I need to be brave and honest enough to tell you my story.
I had to jump in the dark off a deep cliff once and I was surprised to find a soft landing. Fear can be crippling but the relief that comes after the first steps and jump are made is so indescribable.
One of the lessons I am still working on is if you don’t make yourself a priority and love yourself first – no one else will. A very wise person recently told me “you have to take the flight attendant’s instructions – ‘put your oxygen mask on first and then help others.'” I had to learn to save myself first. I had to overcome my thought process that saving myself first was selfish – but what good am I to my beautiful little girls if I am falling apart at the seams from the inside out? I am not. It is a falsity. I am not teaching them strength and independence that way.
I have laid in bed sobbing thinking how did life get like this? Where did I go wrong? What did I do wrong? Why am I not good enough? Telling myself over and over that I am not strong enough for this.
I made it through. It wasn’t easy, but it was way less harder then I had thought it would be. I had to learn to ask for help and learn also that it wasn’t a weakness to do so. I had to learn how to remove the voice in my head telling me I was worthless and stop it from repeating every negative name I had been called. I learned to breathe again. I learned to give myself permission to live my life the way I wanted.
I will always be here to listen 💗 XOXO”

Baking is LOVE made visible – Unknown

~ Laura ~ Leave a comment

baking

Not everything I make needs to have an occasion. I had this talk with my daughter last night. She kept asking, “Is it someone’s birthday?” “Is someone paying you to make these?” “Why are you making sweets?” My responses were, “No, No and Do I need to have a reason?”

Many times I do make things for co-workers and/or friends birthdays because who doesn’t like to be treated to something delicious and slightly over the top for their birthday? Who am I kidding – any day really! My co-workers are spoiled when it comes to goodies. I usually try my best to bring enough for the whole class, and  yes, there are times that I just treat one department.

I bake for many reasons, but the end result is always the same – something created with love. As cliche as it may sound it is very true. I LOVE to bake. I LOVE the way my mind can find a calm and peace,  and my hands take over the thinking and creating. I LOVE the smells that take over the kitchen. Baking takes over all of your senses and can transport you to another time and place.

Baking and cooking is just one of the many ways I show family and friends my love and appreciation for them.

It’s Not Always Frosting and Sprinkles

~ Laura ~ Leave a comment

img_1501I know several ladies right now that need to hear this message in this picture. I truly share this with every ounce of love I have to give you and from a place of having been there.

This post is a personal one and “scary” to post, but if I truly want to give you strength and courage, and ask you to be brave then I need to be brave and honest enough to tell you my story. I had to jump in the dark off a deep cliff once and I was surprised to find a soft landing. Fear can be crippling but the relief that comes after the first steps and jump are made is so indescribable.

One of the lessons I am still working on is if you don’t make yourself a priority and love yourself first – no one else will. A very wise person recently told me “you have to take the flight attendant’s instructions – ‘put your oxygen mask on first and then help others.'” I had to learn to save myself first. I had to overcome my thought process that saving myself first was selfish – but what good am I to my beautiful little girls if I am falling apart at the seams from the inside out? I am not. It is a falsity. I am not teaching them strength and independence that way.

I have laid in bed sobbing thinking how did life get like this? Where did I go wrong? What did I do wrong? Why am I not good enough? Telling myself over and over that I am not strong enough for this.

I made it through. It wasn’t easy, but it was way less harder then I had thought it would be. I had to learn to ask for help and learn also that it wasn’t a weakness to do so. I had to learn how to remove the voice in my head telling me I was worthless and stop it from repeating every negative name I had been called. I learned to breathe again. I learned to give myself permission to live my life the way I wanted.

I will always be here to listen 💗 XOXO