It’s our sixth wedding anniversary, but we are making this a week-long celebration. This week’s grocery bill was a tad bit higher than usual. I went full-out at Target and bought all of our favorite goodies that we limit ourselves from buying on a regular basis. No party poopers here! Lightening up the chores is another way to honor the festive mood. Maybe I should also wear my wedding dress around the house too? Who am I kidding, I don’t fit into it anymore. My husband, on the other hand, still wears his wedding suit on occasion. Now, that’s dedication to his healthy lifestyle. Respect!

Speaking of diet, ever since I married this man of mine, I’ve been eating a lot cleaner! I used to think that eating wheat grain bread over white was “clean eating.” It never crossed my mind that I may be gluten-sensitive altogether. Marrying Thaddeus has opened my eyes in so many ways. In fact, he has taught me a lot of things throughout the years.

In addition, marriage itself played a huge role in shaping who I am today. It has taught me to be more understanding, patient, compassionate, kind, loving, generous, and lots more! I believe that six years can cover a lot of ground. By now, we’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t for us, specifically.

Comparing our family to others is a big “no-no” for us. Everyone has their own story and we try to focus on writing ours. Doing everything together makes us a stronger team. Forever on each other’s side, we pray to be in-sync even when we are not spending the day together.

Xoxo’s and the 'I love yous’ are pretty generous around here. Oh, and if we are having a bad day, love always wins in the end. One of us eventually breaks and starts cracking up. Honestly, marriage is a blast (most of the time!). No doubt, marriage can get tough. That’s why focusing on your family’s priorities is super crucial. Couples have to work on their marriage every single day. The fire of love needs to be fed with fuel. Where there is effort, it doesn’t go unnoticed. That means no slacking and no days off.

If you’re considering getting married, we strongly recommend it. ESPECIALLY when it’s based on God. When the relationship triangle between God, husband, and wife is healthy, marriage will be a success.

In the past year or so, I have been praying to God to reveal His purpose for me. I wanted to know what I could do to glorify His name with my existence. As I was desperately waiting for my response, I came to realize that I already had my answer. For this particular period of my life, I was destined to be a mother. God entrusted me with two living and evolving human beings. Two souls ready to be shaped and guided into God’s admirable children. Wow! Now that’s a blessing no one can replace.

As many of you are mothers yourself, you know how difficult it may get. It is not an easy purpose to attain. Waking up early for some “scheduled alone time” has been a saving grace. Some quiet time to get my thoughts together and write a blog. I also believe that having my own blog where I can share my testimony is also part of my purpose. Although it’s not something I do every day, it does take a minute to produce. But I am grateful for the opportunity to get on here and explore how beautifully crazy motherhood can get.

For example, no one really told me about the difference between having one child and having two children. It’s like day and night! I am personally still adapting to being a mother of two. With one child, I was able to enjoy basic luxuries such as: shower, relax, take a nap, work on my blog, drink a cup of matcha, read a book, shop online, etc. All of that was done while the child was napping. That’s 1-2 free hours a day of doing whatever my heart desired. That's even plenty of time to clean the entire house! Although it was tiring, I always ended up having energy leftover. I thought that since I have extra love, time, and energy to give, it was time for baby #2.

Although baby #2 was not a mistake (never!), it’s quite a different challenge. Along with double the blessing, now there is double the responsibility. That means that I am officially outnumbered (especially felt when my husband is at work.) Both girls are incredible angel babies, but mom doesn’t seem to be kvelling about her own accomplishments. It almost feels like I'm doing something wrong here. Something isn't lining up and getting the hang of this is still difficult even though I’ve already done this before - raising my first baby. I know for sure that I am fulfilling my calling this way.

When toddler #2 is napping, toddler #1 is playing or staying busy. This is the ideal time for me to spend quality time with her. We can play together or simply have a conversation. It’s my opportunity to introduce her to a new Biblical story or talk about the familiar ones. But I also need her to practice her alphabet, numbers, and poems. I am fulfilling my calling this way. While she has my “full” attention, I can multi-task and prepare lunch or even dinner. That is not always the case but it’s quite an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Speaking of two birds with one stone, I can finally check my emails or dms while using the bathroom during my “alone time.” However, that personal time STILL gets invaded by two little girlies who love me so much and don’t even mind the discomfort lol.

Everyday looks different for a mother. Another day, another opportunity to fulfill my calling as a mother. The older one started a Preschool Program at home, which usually takes 1-2 hours a day. Going through her curriculum is quite enjoyable because she is a quick learner and fun to be around with. I like knowing that I am fulfilling my calling this way. I may be terrible for this but it bothers me that everything else at home is on pause lol. I try so hard to control myself and not rush through the lesson. I guess my household chores can wait! My child’s education and preparation for kindergarten is far more important than a clean and tidy house. I am finding that home is where there are signs of kids. Where books and toys lay around the floor. Where the matching sock is nowhere to be found because little feet get hot multiple times a day.

Oftentimes, I pour myself a morning glass of water and forget to drink it because someone else needs me more. It sits there until I have a moment to think about what I was doing earlier. Now it’s 10a.m. and I remembered about my glass of water from 8a.m. Perhaps that’s a fair reason why I began skipping breakfast overall. That’s me fulfilling my calling.

Throughout the day I fully dedicate my mental and physical self to my girls. I have bigger priorities now therefore my personal needs are my last resort. I would give my life for them. They are my walking and living testimonies. As overwhelming as this sounds, deep inside I feel SO extremely lucky to live for someone else. I am their everything. God trusted me and still does. I am completely humbled at His decision. I plan on serving in this ministry as well as I am able to for I am raising daughters for Christ. Some days are harder than others but that’s not a valid excuse to give up.

The next time you run into me, I hope you understand why I feel or even look a certain way. Life can feel overwhelming during this season of my life. When I think of other mothers, I say a prayer for you. Only God from above can supply us with an extra source of energy, love, and patience. We still got this, mamas!

God bless you and your babies.

Happy fourth birthday to a girl who wants to “never grow up.” No, really, it’s so cute how comfortable you are where you are. You never take beautiful moments for granted and you always wish to freeze time. Growing up makes you feel somewhat melancholy. It might be your way of saying you feel safe and sound in this moment. So glad you have a place for you to take a breath.

Four years later and you still want your milk in the mornings. You always switch between oat and goat. You set up a tiny bed for yourself in the living room. A blanket and a pillow under your head and feet for optimal ergonomics. Every detail is considered in your morning routine. God-forbid there is a miscalculation. Staying clean is also part of your routine. You wash your hands many times a day. You eat pizza with a fork. In addition, you always have a napkin within reach.

You might seem so grown up and mature to others but you’re still our baby girl. We see a silly face when the rest are met with a serious look. We get to know what’s really going on in your head when it’s silent to the rest of the world. We get to experience your sense of humor firsthand. Thanks for all the laughs.

This is your second year of being a sister to a little girl. After each fight, you two manage to find a way to reconnect with endless hugs and kisses. Together you guys are unbeatable making mom do whatever you wish. You’re so good at what you do! I love that you get to be an example to someone younger than you. I hope you always see this responsibility as a blessing.

Josephine, you’ll always be my baby girl. Your age doesn’t change who you are to me. Although it is bittersweet to see you grow up, I am happy for you and your decisions. You haven’t made lots of them yet, but I can tell where you’re heading. Straight to God’s arms you go. You do not go a day without talking about Jesus. He is your source of life. You always have Him near enough to whisper a prayer. God loves you very much! May He always live in your heart. We love you so much, baby girl❤️❤️

Our dream girl, Simone,

Your name has an entire meaning behind “God has heard.” It was a long awaited answered prayer. A spared blessing that we get to keep forever. It is true that God has favor upon your life. You are chosen❤️

From the day you were born, we knew exactly how awesome you were about to be. You came into this world with a loud entrance. No matter what kind of face you made, you still ended up looking exactly like your dad. The entire delivery experience and the hospital stay was smooth from the start. And now you charm everyone around you when you rest your head on one’s chest.

It’s been one year since you’ve joined our family. Honestly, a perfect fit! You give the warmest greetings to papa after a long day at work. You always remind mama how lucky she is to have you. You are just the right wing girl to your older sister. Always there by her side encouraging to be silly. You love a good laugh!

You are a little girl with a big heart who is destined for a bright future. With so much uncertainty in this world, thank you for melting our hearts on the daily. Nothing else matters when you’re all snuggled up in our arms.

Two guardian angels for you, our sweet girl. You deserve the world and so much more. May God protect you and keep you safe as you discover more. Remember: He is all you need. In Him, you are absolute!

You are so loved! Happy birthday our little girl.

This time it was Josie (my 3 year old) packing her bags and leaving us for a few days. She traded in our extreme Minnesotan cold for a sunny beach stay in the Dominican. Sending her off was tough, especially for me. I wanted to see her reaction when she first walked into the ocean. So, I requested an endless flow of videos and photos. Also, the beach happens to be my favorite kind of vacation. I wanted to be part of it as well! Haha. But we are all adults here; so, no hard feelings.

I truly am happy for what my daughter has accomplished in her three years of life. It was our parent’s first vacation EVER and our toddler managed to tag along at no cost. Of course, being the firstborn grandchild has its perks. Honestly, I want to be Josie when I grow up.

With Josie being gone, the house got really quiet. I have more free time on my hands. When I’m not playing with my baby girl, Simone, I’m taking this opportunity to really de-stress. No new tasks, I'm on vacation myself. I didn’t know how much I needed this mini break until it actually happened. I highly recommend parents to try this challenge. Even one night goes a long way.

Now that there is only one child that I am responsible for, it reminds me of how easy it was having just one. I used to think the opposite. Toddlers are actually a lot more difficult to manage. They require a lot more attention, more entertainment, and more energy. They keep us on our toes.

I really miss my toddler. I cannot wait to have her back home with us. I’m excited for what’s ahead of us as I brace myself for the incoming torpedo. Pray for me.

Simone, Simona, Simonachka, Simosha, Simka, Rimmka, or how your sister calls you “Simonatsa.” What a blessed year for our family to have you join us six months ago. There are no words to describe how complete you make us whole. In our eyes - you are perfect. You’re an answered prayer. A living miracle. God’s Grace on display.

Baby, at this age you are pure delight. You’re gentle at touch and content at cuddles. You have the kindest eyes and the sweetest heart. You attract kisses and lots of them. You are one special icebreaker. You are always looking for opportunities to socialize and communicate. You sure do know how to keep a conversation going. Better yet, you love a good laugh.

Simone, you are super ambitious. You fight to get your way and you won’t stop until you get it. Especially when it comes to car seats. You will use your powerful voice and act on it. You’re always pushing yourself to achieve new milestones. If you continue in that spirit and with that energy, you’ll be going places!

Apart from your looks, there is a noticeable difference from your sister. Baby, you and I have the same love language. If you could spend all day snuggling with your loved ones, you would. That explains why nursing time is a special time. It is a perfect chance for you and I to lose track of time.

6 months flew by quickly. If we could pause time, we would. But we will not be selfish and let you grow up. Your chunky thighs, dimply hands, and chubby cheeks will be greatly missed. We love you, pupsik.

Our family just turned 5 years old. That’s 261 weeks and 60 months spent with my favorite people. It’s been exhilarating, overwhelming, busy, emotional, and nothing but the feels. Many stories were created, some to share and some to keep. It is in my heart to share our journey in the past 5 years in 5 paragraphs.

During the first year of our family, it was just the two of us in our surreal honeymoon phase. My husband and I working day jobs, treasuring the evenings and weekends getting to know each other better. That first year’s determination was undivided attention. We were learning to share, compromise, grow and even grieve as a couple after a miscarriage. Through all of it, we became more powerful as one. We secured a strong bond.

“There is alway a rainbow after every storm.’’ Ours was a living miracle. A beautiful baby girl was gifted to us from above. Then, just like that there were three of us. Super new at this whole parenting thing, we learned from our mistakes. Camera roll was full of the newest family member. Attention had to be shared. She was the cutest third wheel ever. Turns out that babies are not that interested in big crowds, loud people, or even late nights. We had to learn to slow our pace.

There were three of us during our third year of marriage. Honeymoon stage continued when the toddler was down. Traveling as a couple really helped with maintaining the flame of our marital love alive. Date nights were crucial to catch up. Fortunately, our toddler was super easy going along and well-likeable. We didn’t mind trading in our date nights for a family night in. In fact, we had recently bought our first home. Which was exciting and a lot of work to remodel!

It also turned out that we had more love to offer. We prayed for a new family addition. While we were waiting on the response, it was our priority to spend as much quality time as possible with our only child. We began to pray and work on a plan for our own future chiropractic clinic. By the end of our fourth year together, we came up with a name for our clinic and a name for our baby #2.

In honor of our five year anniversary, God has granted our wishes. We had another beautiful baby girl. In addition, our first family business was born - Chirohouse Clinic. By answering our prayers during uncertain times of a global pandemic, it was revealed to us that we have God’s permission. We have His “ok” to keep on growing, expanding, and living. We will continue to grow deeper and deeper in love. Expanding our knowledge and learning new skills. Living to the fullest, soaking in life. And working hard to provide our children with the best future. God, we pray you always stay near.

I’d like to share with you what the current reality actually looks like at the Sharikov residence.

When people asked me what I’m most nervous about when the second baby comes along, my answer was simple: balance. My biggest fear was not being able to divide equal attention to both my girls. Not being able to catch one fall because I’m with the other. Or even witness one’s milestones. To be there 100% for both the girls is nearly impossible.

For me to succeed as a mother means to fully be there when they need them. To help them find their God-given purpose. To be fully present to my best ability. The only way I can accomplish those things is by asking God for wisdom and guidance.

After being discharged from the hospital, we came home to reunite with our toddler, Josephine. Our two daughters meeting each other for the first time was such a precious moment. Suddenly, Josie became almost unrecognizable. She seemed so grown up and different in a good way. It made me emotional about having to split attention between my two girls. It’s because they deserve more than that! That night and the following, Josie left to her grandparents house for a sleepover.

The first two nights at home with the baby were easy - breezy. Simone kept sleeping her new life away while my duty was to keep her awake while nursing. Teddy was the husband of the year and took exceptional care of the baby and I. It was peacefully quiet until Hurricane Josie arrived back home.

Teddy’s paternity leave was over after two days; suddenly, I became outnumbered. Josie quickly “forgot” how to manage daily tasks on her own. She was unable to brush teeth, wash her hands, or even use the bathroom on her own. Her self-care routine grew into a problem instead of being an enjoyment. She also got carried away with the “reverse psychology game.”

Josie acting up really upset me in the beginning. I was asking God for patience, guidance, and extra love. Prayer really works! I began to learn to understand why she’s acting the way that she is. Bringing a new baby home can be traumatic for the “only child.” She missed all the attention. She just wanted to be understood. After 3-4 days of struggling, things began to settle down and we were back to being best friends. She began helping out without being asked. She’s always there to watch and learn. It's so cute how Josie sings to calm down Simone.

A week later, our life is starting to feel normal again. I’m getting the hang of the routine and surprisingly, managing it well until my next “breakdown.” During Simone’s naps, Josie and I spend a lot of quality time together. I try my best to be fully present and soak in every moment.

I’m starting to get comfy in my messy house which is so unlike me! Cleaning happens when Simone is asleep and Josie stays busy. But skipping meals is not an option. I need all the fuel to have enough energy to keep my girls alive and my husband happy.

I wouldn’t change my life for anything. Having a family is my dream come true. I hope you all get to experience what it’s like to be a mother. It’s the most beautiful challenge!

June 19, 2021 ~ the day Simone Rimma joins this world.

Once again, God shows His unconditional love and mercy toward us. We are beyond touched at the work of His hand. This time around, everything went according to plan. How often does that happen?!

Ever since we got pregnant, we were praying for this birth story to go smoothly without any unexpected, last-minute changes. For starters, there was a chance that I could’ve been delivering with a different OBGYN. My original OBGYN was planning to go on vacation on the 25th when my due date was on the 22nd. I really enjoyed getting to know my doctor and began to fully trust him. It would’ve been a bummer to not have him there during delivery. But God approved of him and Simone arrived three days before my due date.

When it comes to birthing, my husband and I always draw more towards the holistic approach. Even though natural birth can be scary, I grew a pair and held up my end of the bargain. I did it! I finally gave birth without the epidural!! And...I almost died. Ok, I may be exaggerating a tad here - but let’s be honest, it was extreme.

Holistic approach? You’re probably wondering why we had an OBGYN instead of a midwife. Well, as we all know, not everything in life can go according to plan. I wanted to experience natural birth with my first child, but that never happened. And I’m glad it turned out the way it did. It rewarded us with a beautiful, healthy baby girl. You can read more about Josie’s birth story here.

My contractions began at night on Thursday, the 17th. They were mild and strictly 10 minutes apart. By 5AM, my contractions slowed down and I got to sleep for a few hours in the morning. On the following day, they continued throughout the day and began to be stronger towards the evening. I packed the rest of my hospital bag to be fully ready. I mentally prepared myself for another sleepless night. My water broke at 1AM and we were already at the hospital by 2AM. I was dilated 7 inches and my contractions were 5-7 minutes apart. Once I was ready to push, I pushed for 30 minutes and the baby was out at 5:13AM.

It felt unreal. God trusting us with another human in this life is so humbling. I couldn’t hold Simone and compare her to her older sister. She looked different and it felt different. Meeting Simone was a separate story. Can’t wait to meet the little lady that she will one day become️

June 19, 2021 was such a glorious day for my little family. On that day, arrived a perfect little human - Simone Rimma weighing 8.2 pounds being 19 inches long. From the birthing experience to the subsequent 24 hour hospital stay, we would rate our experience 5 stars.

I finally did it! I sat down, but only to be proactive this time. So here goes my “long overdo” blog post:

We are now half-way through pregnancy!! We can finally identify the baby when speaking about her to others. Yes, we are having another GIRL! Woohoooo!! To be honest, we can’t imagine it to be any other way. Josephine gets herself a best friend for life and we have the honor of raising a girl gang. Growing up with two sisters, I cherish and understand the value of sisterhood. Like always, God knows exactly what we need for our family to be a complete even number. My husband is officially outnumbered not once - but twice! He is absolutely head over heels about being a girl dad. He will be more than fine as long as we have at least one son down the road, haha.

We didn’t throw a gender reveal party to announce the baby’s gender. To be fair, we didn’t do it with our first pregnancy either. We simply ask for the ultrasound picture that reveals the baby’s gender to be placed in an envelope. As soon as we walk out of the doctors office, we open it in the lobby while documenting our reaction. It’s our family’s special moment and we like to keep it to ourselves. Trust me, it’s as exciting as it is throwing a party. It’s our own private party.

There might be a slight difference in how we proceed with our plans this time around. When it comes to birth planning, we haven’t done much planning. We’ve learned with our first experience that anything can happen and things don’t always go according to the plan. You might end up switching to a medical doctor last minute and getting an epidural. You can read more about my birth experience HERE. So, we are playing it by ear as we do minor planning. We definitely want the birth to go as natural as possible, but that’s all we know for now. What I do know is that I want to be breastfeeding this daughter, as well. I had it easy with Jo and I’m praying for this experience to be just as smooth.

One thing for certain, we know what her name is going to be. We are all set on the first name, but are having trouble picking a middle name. I’m sure we will figure it out sooner or later. The new baby will be sleeping in our bedroom for the first few months. Josephine will be moving to her “big girl” room when she turns 3 at the end of August. We are hoping that Josephine will be big and brave enough to sleep in a twin bed without safety guards. That’s when the baby moves into her nursery.

The cutest thing about pregnancy #2 is that Josephine is in the loop with what is going on. She calls the baby by her name and doesn’t forget to kiss my belly now and then. She goes through the baby’s new clothes and admires how tiny they are. She impatiently waits until summer because that’s when the baby arrives. She looks out the window with an upside down smile and says, “esho zima..” translates to “it’s still winter..” On the daily, she stays busy preparing to be an older sister without even fully realizing it. All of the sudden, she is super into nurturing her baby doll. She became very caring and overprotective about all of her toys. Her crib is packed with stuffed animals and knit dolls and she refuses to set them free. They probably throw a party in the middle of the night while parents are catching some zzz’s.

I’m telling you, lack of energy during the second trimester is real. I constantly have to push myself in order to get things done around the house. The only way to get things done is by getting myself super excited; even if it’s something simple - like folding baby clothes or enjoying a cup of matcha. I give myself a deadline or else it’ll never happen. Thinking about the near future helps a lot as well. Not that I can't wait for this pregnancy to be over, but because there’s something more radiant about the newborn stage. The feels and the smells of a newborn is my biggest weakness.

We’ve prayed about her for the longest time. She is our other biggest blessing and we thank God for her everyday. The day she joins our family will be the most beautiful day. The birds will sing louder and the sun will shine brighter. June 22nd will be unlike any other. We will gain another promised daughter. God is good!

Hello again and Merry Christmas!

To be completely honest, this has been a great year for our family. Because of God’s mercy toward us, we have had an incredible year filled with so many great new experiences and then memories. We are overflowing with gratitude that brings us tears of joy. God has blessed us with a second little miracle that will be joining our family this upcoming, June 2021. We CAN NOT contain our HAPPINESS! We are so ready to be a family of four. I can already see Josephine being the older, more mature sister. She will show the new sibling her way of life as we die from laughter! She is one rare character that always attracts.

Just because things have been going great for us, doesn’t mean that it has for you. Hopefully at the end of this year, you find yourself surprisingly at peace. Remembering that Jesus Christ heals, cures, and makes us whole again. May it be a merry merry Christmas for you too! Much love!

Honestly, no, time hasn’t flown by fast. Getting married four years ago feels like forever ago. I’m certain we feel this way because we’ve created immeasurable memories that it would be impossible to fit them into a smaller time frame. And I’m glad it works this way.

In the past four years, we’ve experienced incredible blessings along with unfortunate ones. It was always God’s will from the start. From the very first connection we had to the wedding day, there were no obstacles. It was natural, it was pure. Our first year living together as newlyweds seemed so surreal. I always felt like I was floating above and watching our life from a distance. I had a hard time being present, in the moment. With my whole being, I couldn’t believe that this was my INCREDIBLE new life. My new life felt so undeserved and I was humbled at God’s grace toward me. To this day, I’m still touched.

Later that year, our life took a sharp turn. Our dream to start a family had been shattered in pieces when we realized that we lost our first embryo. We’ve prayed and grieved keeping a dark secret in our hearts. Having people know and feel sorry for us wouldn’t change anything. In addition, it hurt a lot to talk about the loss of our “so awaited” child.

Experiencing an early pregnancy loss has taught us many things that we are thankful for today. It’s better off to grieve together than remaining closing up and feeling all alone. We understand that in the midst of sorrow we can lose our focus and start blaming God. It’s important to remain faithful because the trustworthy God has a plan. In our case, a plan far more promising and bright - a rainbow baby.

A few months later, we conceived the second time. God knew exactly what was going on in our hearts. Faith with a side of fear and optimism with a chance of pain. So one morning, reading the Scripture before work, I asked God to give me a clear answer about this child I am nervously carrying. I randomly opened the Bible and there was a verse promising that spoke directly to me about my unborn child. Woah! I was startled at the quick response and cried from happiness. God kept His promise and we have birth to our beautiful firstborn, Josephine Yael. She is our brightest, biggest blessing with many more to come.

God takes care of His people. In the Bible, we read about how He is so fixed on Israel and craves their repentance. And yet, it was up to them to make that step and turn to Him. When we turn to God, this allows us to build a stronger bond with the Almighty God that we get to call “ours.” Making Jesus the foundation of our household has brought us abundant blessings and advantages. We get to live peacefully even though we are two different people. Because of God’s love, we learn to love unconditionally. No man (woman) left behind, we grow together in every aspect of life.

Yes, four years feels like forever ago because they’ve been fully satisfying. Everything that happened brought us here today. My life with him is perfect in every way.

Over the course of human history, being a true person of faith has always been a challenge. It’s a constant spiritual battle that we have to face every single day. Long before Christ, men of God would fear Him because He would appear and show power in action. They lived by the commandments religiously. During Christ’s days on earth, followers got the privilege of sharing the same air as Jesus while observing Him in real life. When religion got in the way of mercy, Jesus broke the rules. It baffled the people and divided the spiritual from the religious. Although God always remains the same, the way Christians approach their faith is quite different than it used to be. All modern Christians have to focus on is having a friendship/relationship with Jesus. Just like having a genuine friendship with anybody else; friendships consist of loyalty and love expressed through sacrifice. Standing up and taking care of the weaker ones. As well as being willing to suffer because the depth of your love is deeper than the ocean. So you do it because you love Jesus that much. In addition, the Holy Spirit within you helps keep you sane in the middle of all the chaos. Overall, being a follower of Christ is not as easy as it may appear. Those blissful moments that Christians often experience sometimes only happen after hours and hours of prayer.

It is proclaimed that as a Christian, there are protocols that we “have to follow” or else we are considered “close minded.” In light of recent politics, it is clear that there are organizations with good intentions that we MUST support. However, oftentimes those organizations aren't even centered around Christ. We hear that Christians should be proactive and vote for the future. If they won’t vote, they are neglecting and dishonoring the country. However, we can’t forget the part that every human is unique as an individual. We are unique in our service calling to God. It's important to have an open heart and hear what God has to says specifically for us. Then we take the next step with a clean concious. There is beauty in being different as we work towards one goal.

This world has so much to offer, but there is so little time. As Christians, we need to optimize our time wisely so that our “priority time” with God isn’t during our “spare time.” A devoted day would start off with a morning devotion and end with evening worship. According to King Solomon, all the works done under the sun are all “vanity and vexation of spirit.” The time of planning, the effort of building and seeing good results are all signs of vanity. Even the most graceful events and the beautiful dresses can carry us away. There’s only one way we can be “in the loop” and not get carried away - not losing our focus on the main thing. The one goal that unites us as a whole is glorifying God through our lives.

It is a blessing to have a Bible for every believer. Not too long ago, Bibles were torn away from the homes of our fellow brothers and sisters. No matter how hard they tried to hide the Scriptures, they were found and burnt. Today, we have the freedom and the ability to read, learn, and take away from our personal Bibles. If you think about it, we live in a magnificent time. We have all the time in the world to dwell and study the most popular book in all of history. While we are taking advantage of having the Word, let’s not forget that our personal Bibles can get taken away any day. The Bible is meant to be acted on and implemented into the core values of our life. Let us do our best in prioritizing our time with God and make the best of our time here on earth. God should always come first and never the last!

Being a Christian in 2020 takes a lot of courage, dedication, patience, compassion, self control etc.. Which all can only be accomplished through Christ Himself. We already know that nothing good ever happens without God’s consent. Everything in this world is temporary, but God’s love is forever. God continues to overwhelm us with His merciful approach toward our sinful nature. His love is undeserving; yet, we still get chances after chances. We must be the luckiest people in the world to experience God in our life.

I just want to encourage my, brothers and sisters to continue shining God’s light through your lives. You’re doing awesome and it won’t be ignored. Stay blessed!

Who doesn’t cherish photoshoot sessions with their entire family in it? Although “behind the scenes” with a child isn’t always as pretty as the results, it can still be manageable. When shooting with a child, I’ve compiled a few tips and tricks on how to get that perfect shot (results may vary). We personally love taking photos of/with our daughter. Along the way, we’ve learned how to make her cooperate. Sometimes it can take an entire team to make it work. Let’s get started!

You don’t have to be a genius to know the first rule to shooting with a child. Hint: nobody likes to deal with a cranky baby! Make sure to work around your child’s nap schedule. Shoot when the baby is well-rested and well-fed. If the child missed his/her meal, prepare a snack on the go and feed during a short break time. A clear mind and a full belly will put anybody in a vibey mood.

It’s all about earning the child’s trust. Both the photographer and the parents concentrate their efforts into earning that trust in the shortest period of time and proving to their child that this is not betrayal. A child is most comfortable and calm in a familiar space with familiar faces. If the space happens to be a new environment for them, remind them of what they already know. Meaning - surround them with their favorite toys, blankets, and music. Once they recognize what’s theirs, they will learn to trust the process. Make certain that your child has their eyes on you at all times. If it’s just the child being photographed, stand in front of them and best of luck to your entertaining skills. If you’re in the photo with a child, have that moment to yourselves and act like nobody's watching.

When Josie was an infant, “Baby shark do do do do do do” was the one song that hyped her to move and dance. Now that she’s a toddler, she gets going to “Finger Family.” I don’t know what it is about those two songs, but they sure did help me capture cute and silly moments on camera.

Another way to convince your child into taking photos is bribing them with their current obsessions. It can be a favorite snack, dessert, or a drink. You can also promise them something that brings them true joy. For example, their favorite show, their favorite game, or their favorite park. That stuff works! Our toddler is currently obsessed with breath mints. Promise her a mint, and she’s all yours. Except you can’t fully rely on a child’s attention span because that stuff only works for three-five seconds. Which is why it's important to keep it quick and short.

Things to remember:

1.) A well rested baby is an angel.

2.) A meal before a shoot is important to prolong the experience for “as long as possible.”

3.) Bring along a bag of goodies from home.

4.) Be visible to your child at all times because stranger danger is real.

5.) Have a charged phone to play your child’s favorite music in the background.

6.) Bribing goes a long way.

7.) Keep it short and sweet.

Good luck and be sure to let me know if any of these work for your next photo session! Also, enlighten me on your way of capturing cute moments of your cutie!

We made it happen! We shot photos at our own place at our own pace and we enjoyed it! It feels great to finally reveal bits and pieces of our new home. For now, this is it! Once we finish our final touches to the house, we will share Before and After photos. Thank you so much for being so patient. Mwah!!

P.S. Steffen has grown into such an amazing photographer who creates an unforgettable experience for his clients. We love shooting with him and only him! Check out his work and book him fast!

SHOP POST HERE:

So this is what two looks like? I have to say, it’s quite adorable. The random tantrums, the bold attitude, and the surprise hugs are what make you officially a toddler. Except you’re not like any other toddler, you’re our stinker! Josie, thank you for the awesome experience of being your mama and papa. We love you more than life!

You are absolutely entertaining. You are super hilarious. You are a world-class actress. I’m not trying to be biased here, but you are actually very obedient. It’s mama’s and papa’s word over anyone else's. With a kind heart like yours, you’re always gifting people with your friendly smile. Your passion to help is inspiring and truly touching. The way you generously give melts our hearts. Life is a bliss with you in it.

I will never forget the car rides home during a beautiful sunset when you point to the sky and yell “JEJUS!” I genuinely cherish the three seconds that you sit still with me. You’re a rocket always fired up. You’re constantly on the go, cutting corners (which usually lead to injuries). You are quick to forgive and forget. You set a good example.

You are so enthusiastic, positive, and passionate about anything you lay your hands on. You make everyone (including your dolls) feel special and never left out. When mama or papa returns back home, you’re the first one to greet. We will never forget those tight little hugs around the neck. Before we even finish our lunch, you grab us by the hand and lead downstairs for a dance party. At this age, you really enjoy jumping and dancing around. If a catchy song turns on, you're stealing the show whether it’s during worship in church or the supermarket. Which is why a carnival theme birthday party sounds about right. Knowing you, the bouncy house will be your favorite.

Happy birthday Josie, the love of our life.

Hello friends!

Is it just me or are people actually afraid to fully relax and enjoy this season due to all the breaking news released lately? It’s good to know that people are staying alert and cautious. I hope that everyone is staying safe, healthy, and positive through hard times like these. With that being said, we have to continue living. No matter how hard the challenge is, life is a beautiful gift and opportunity.

Let’s catch up! I’ve been absent for some time on my blog now and I have a good explanation (or should i say excuse) for that. Let me update you on the 10 random things in our life RIGHT NOW that manage to keep us busy.

1.) We are still in the process of remodeling/decorating our new home. During the cooler days, we were fixing the interior of the house. As the temperatures began to rise, we shifted our focus on projects outside. We gave our house a facelift which makes it almost unrecognizable. We’ve completely changed the look of our landscape. Randomly-planted shrubs and annoying weeds were pulled out with their deepest roots. New flowers and shrubs were planted meaningfully. Slowly but surely, we worked our way to the side of the house and on to our backyard. The reason why it is taking us longer than usual is because we are doing this part-time. We still try to find time to travel and enjoy living in our new home.

2.) It's difficult to admit that summer fun is halfway over. It is even harder to admit that our daughter will be turning TWO next month! (ugly crying emoji) Her birthday happens to be at the end of summer and that makes us excited! It will be a close family party once again. Once she becomes older and gains friends of her own, she can then decide who to invite.

3.) Speaking of our daughter: Josie knows the majority of the English alphabet. This is a proud parent moment and we can't contain it! Our goal is to teach her the full alphabet by the time she turns two and then have her fully read before she turns three. I’ll let you know how that goes! LOL

4.) We are expecting two new family members this year or possibly the next! The Prosanovs are having another baby boy! That’s another nephew for us. The other boy isn't a baby whatsoever. He is a big boy and becoming a husband to our sister, Susana! That’s another brother for us!

5.) Susana’s and Vitaly’s wedding is coming up and we are not quite ready! We are still working on our speeches and coordinating our outfits as we prepare mentally. Weddings are so much fun but can be emotional when it’s a wedding inside the family. Getting ready to use up a lot of tissues here.

6.) I have joined my husband on the dark side…We are officially a couple that eats clean. We try our best to avoid processed foods, sugar, and are gluten/dairy free. I'm done messing around. We are what we eat. I am taking on full responsibility for what I put into my body. I have to admit - French macarons are my weakness. Macarons are typically spotted at weddings or other events. I bet you know where I’m headed with this. Yes, even then, I am doing everything in my willpower to avoid those pretty little things. It is tough in the moment but it pays off well. I live with clearer skin and flatter belly.

7.) Speaking of weddings, this is the year we’ve attended a record number of weddings. My husband has been MCing weddings for a few years now. It’s always fun working on ideas together as we prepare. We love making the couple’s special day extra special.

8.) I am officially part of a women's Bible study group! I’ve been wishing and praying about this moment ever since I moved to MN. I am super grateful to the ladies who’ve accepted me to be part of this community. We discuss motherhood, share our thoughts and concerns, and pray about one another. Everything I've ever looked for in a women’s group..

9.) After we completely finish working on our backyard, we will need outdoor furniture to complete the look. I am having a hard time finding good deals. The stores that usually sell furniture for affordable prices seem to be sold out by the time I get there. I want to pay a fair price for pieces that still look chic without having to compromise the quality. If you have any suggestions on where to look, I will be grateful to you.

10.) Before the year ends, it would be an awesome experience to travel with our toddler. Lately, my husband and I usually end up traveling with just the two of us. It saves us time and can be convenient especially since we are always on the go. For our next trip (wherever it’s going to be), we will slow down and enjoy the challenge as we travel with a two year old (who now needs a full price ticket).

Thanks for staying until the end. You’re quite a trooper! I‘ve done enough typing for today, so let's hear your plans. Share with us how you’re staying busy and what keeps you going:)

New York, New York! It’s been too long! When an opportunity like this arises, I grasp it. I would never miss the chance of going to New York City. Growing up, my parents used to take us there for “business” only. They would visit the embassy of the Russian federation to renew their documents. I would be so desperate to spend more time there but it was never a “play” trip. I chose to tag along even when it wasn’t convenient for me. It was always a breathtaking experience for me. I loved the busyness of the crowds and the honking cars. I dreamt that one day, I will be living in NYC, working as an editor at one of my favorite magazines. But life chose a different path for me.

Finally, when I got a little older, a group of my friends gathered and we spent the day exploring the city! I remember New York(especially Manhattan) as a whimsical city with a tight grip on me. It would take over my mind and my soul. It had something on me.

Going back this time was a whole different story! I came back with my husband who’s never been to the big Apple before. He’s traveled the world, but has never had a good reason to visit NYC. Ever since we got married, NYC has been on our travel list for the longest time now. I thought I would introduce him to a blissful land that can make your dreams come true.

So we show up and can’t stop grinning! We made a list of the things we would like to see and the foods we would like to eat. The more time we spent in the city, the more disappointed I would get. I was so determined to sense that spark again but it never happened. For some reason, it didn’t feel like my “dream” city anymore. Lol I’m not sure if it was the fact that I got older and my perspective changed or the fact that it’s COVID-19. Either way, NYC seemed so corrupt, polluted, and dangerous. I have officially changed my mind about living there one day. Once I’ve shared my thoughts regarding my disappointment with the city, I felt relieved. I began to enjoy my time being a tourist.

All sadness aside, it was the most fun we ever had. On the first day, it was just the two of us. My husband and I researched a few vegan restaurants that we found interesting enough to stop by. We had a lot of authentic French food that day. From vegan crepes to macarons, our regulars date nights wouldn’t stand a chance. Putting on 7 miles, we couldn’t walk normal anymore. The mopeds saved our lives and we miraculously found more energy to explore. We met up with the fam at Times Square when it got dark. Times Square was super empty and very awkward. The good news is that we got to take photos without strangers photobombing. The day ended with us enjoying the skyline view from our hotel room.

The next day, we had a party. We celebrated the beautiful bride-to-be, our sister Susana. It was a party of seven, hungry people. The first thing we did was discover a food joint and then a coffee shop. After fueling up, we biked in Central Park. I was love-struck. I always had strong feelings towards central park. I admire the scenic views and the local houses built around the park.

We’ve changed our mind about the bikes and rented the mopeds instead. That way we got to see two of the boroughs in one day. We were going 25 mph on the Brooklyn bridge causing a lot of traffic to slow down. We were laughing too much to even care. We took lots of photos to remind us of the awesome time we had. Being so active on our feet, we were constantly looking for places to eat. A lot of striking restaurants/cafes were closed due to COVID-19. The shops that were open required customers to wear masks at all times. Gucci almost checked our temperature before they let us shop.

Right before midnight we returned to Susana’s hotel room and changed into lounge wear. We ate ice cream in bed and talked about our day. This was a bigger number that included three beds and a bunk bed. We all got to enjoy our last night there being all together.

Until next time! So long, New York!

We are all different and that’s the beauty of humans. Some are given the chance of starting a family while others are assigned with another purpose. My husband and I were blessed enough to have our wish granted; that was to start a family of our own. Heaven sent us a daughter and we enjoy every minute of her ambitious, energy-draining, little heart. We get to call her “ours” no matter how hard it gets.

My whole life I was 100% certain that I would end up with my perfect other half. I prayed hard and I believed even harder. There was no way I was going to live this life with somebody who I wasn’t completely in sync with. With somebody who wouldn’t completely understand me. My biggest fear was to end up with someone else’s other half. I waited patiently for mine and eventually received. He was raised almost the exact same way that I was raised. He was molded into the man I was praying for. He was prepared for me and I was ready for him. We got married and started a family.

When thinking about children, I would pray about their distant future. I would start practicing healthy habits, plan out dream routines, and picture their success in my head. At a certain point, I was so fixed on the outcome that I forgot to focus on the process. When the child finally arrived, it was only the process that actually mattered. Our child was fully dependent on us. She was our full responsibility. Our purpose was to make sure that she was well-fed, well-rested, and well taken care of. Even though she was outnumbered, her needs had to be addressed first.

The most intimidating part has to be the fact that we are the parents in this situation. We are raising her as she forms into her own confident self. When the right time comes, and it’s God’s will, she will be leaving us for her own perfect other half. It will be the most humbling experience when she is told that she’s everything he ever prayed for.

Parenthood requires lots of faith and courage. God gave us a big test of faith that we had to go through. After giving birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl, we woke up one day to a transformation in her appearance. Without any accidents or trauma, her left eye was randomly stuck in one position. Also known as esotropia, her eye was faced inward giving off a “cross-eyed" appearance. We were heartbroken. It was hard to recognize our own daughter.

We were informed that there was an issue with her optic nerve. The eye muscles did not appear to be affected (surgery is not an option here). The specialist gave her two weeks to recover but that wasn’t long enough. The doctors then gave her a recommendation for an MRI hoping to find the cause of this problem. Luckily, the results came back all clear and we were relieved to know that her brain is perfectly healthy. The doctors were confused about her condition and had come to a dead end. That's when we realized that we have to fully rely on God in this situation. My husband is a chiropractor and he was checking her nervous system daily. We didn’t go a day without the sticker eye patches. We made sure that her stress levels were reduced and she was getting enough of the right nutrients. We did the best we could from our end and let God do the rest. We prayed and fasted religiously. Faith played a huge role in this trial. Six months later, she was completely healed with no evidence of damage!!! It was a miracle! God brought her back to us! To this day, we still thank Him for hearing us and answering us.

For a family, it can be a blessing in disguise to have to go through hardships and painful life events. There are better days and then there are days that can be better. It’s all included in the process. And honestly, that's what family is for. To be here today, in the moment, taking care of one another. All together, we create life. And how we do it will affect our distant future.

Special thanks to my little sister, a new photographer, for capturing these beautiful moments and creating art.

I am the one who spends the most time with her throughout the day. As she lives her life blissfully unaware, I plant seeds into her. I watch her mimic me in every way as she lives and grows. As a result, there will always be a trace of me in my daughter’s nature. I’m grateful that God can protect Josephine’s heart from my (unintentional) mistakes.

Seeing life through her eyes relates to being born again. Suddenly, there’s a whole different perspective on life. It causes me to slow down and to really focus on the minor details. Down to the intricate details that sum up every living creature. Her eagerness to learn a new word, new sound, and new taste is truly inspiring to me. She’s always willing to try new things because she trusts me. She is wise but naive. She is pure but risks voluntarily. Even though I’m the one behind those tears, she still chooses to run at me for a tight hug.

Having a kid makes me a better person. If I become better, she becomes the best. I can no longer hang out in my bed early in the morning. I have an overnight diaper that needs me to report for duty. Only then, I can grab my munchkin and have her join me in cuddling. I am no longer selfish when it comes to my food. My husband didn’t expect me to share food with him at all. In fact, I still offered but secretly wished he rejected my offer. These days, my food gets taken away from me before it even reaches my mouth. And guess what? I’m completely okay with that! As long as the food reaches her mouth without being accidently dropped on the floor.

I am usually super strict with keeping things where they belong. Of course, there are times that I forget because my mind is going about 1k miles per hour. As a result, accidents occur because of my lack of mindfulness. Items that were normal for everyday use transform into dangerous weapons for a 1.5 year old. The speed of my little girl is compared to a lighting bolt. She makes me practice on my reflexes everyday. It does come in handy, I tell you that.

Josephine reminds me that the only reason why I’m cranky is because I’m bored! According to her, life is pretty sweet when you’re involved. Even if it means following the orders of picking up trash that doesn’t belong there. Serving and helping satisfies the heart. Giving is a big one too! That’s something we all forget to do when the focal point is comfort.

I love how my kid is making me a better version of myself. I will always cherish the motherhood experience because it is a blessing for me. It is also a blessing to the people around me. I am now an utter pleasure to be around with! Lol

A beautiful young lady is in the making. One day, she will spread her wings and fly solo. She will be a breath of fresh air to everyone that runs into her. I am certain that God sent Josephine into this world to make a visible difference. Little does she know, I feel her impact each and every day.

SHOP THE POST

Let’s face it, this world is going through a crisis that is affecting lives, businesses, economies, and etc. we are told that nothing works better than taking isolation precautions. We are locked behind doors with only one thing to do: stay healthy.

Schools and daycares closing down causes uncertainty and even anxiety for families with children. It is a real struggle for big families to supply children with meals at home. That also leaves many jobless. People are stocking up on toilet papers and other essentials. While others fill up their cupboards with immune-boosting supplements.

It is a powerful blessing to be able to control the fear with the help of our Lord. He is our best hope at overcoming the unknown.

It is only a matter of time before the coronavirus pandemic withdraws and we get back to living a normal life. In the meantime, there’s actually one critical action we have to take. Building and supporting a bulletproof immune system will keep you and others around you safe.

There are plenty of other stores besides Target and Walmart that still have water, produce, and supplements on their shelves. The key is to find a local, preferably organic store that has the right immune-boosting supplements available for you. They come in drops, capsules, or even syrups and will leave you feeling like a superhero.

During our quarantine, we made sure to have all sorts of immune-boosting vitamins and foods. I’ve included a photo of our everyday essentials. We also make sure that Josie gets her daily dose of vitamins. The supplements that our 18 month old takes come as syrups to avoid a choking hazard. They are actually quite tasty. The elderberry syrup gets added to her water bottle, herbal tea, and bedtime nosh. It makes the liquids turn a lavender color and tastes like berry juice. The propolis drops also occur in her herbal tea. I make sure to include the maple syrup as a tea sweetener. She loves it. We love it.

My husband and I take the rest of the supplements on the photo. I have to inform you that the most horrible tasting one has to be the oregano oil. I force it down my throat as I cringe like there’s no tomorrow. It’s so bad but so good for you.

A great way of consuming “bad” bacteria fighting foods is by eating fresh garlic, lemons, ginger, and turmeric. I’m sure there are more foods of such but these are the ones that we prefer. Add these ingredients to your meals consistently. It doesn’t have to be a lot of it, a little goes a long way. The kick will come in after.

“Good” bacteria actually helps stimulate your immune system so that it’s ready to fight off anything that comes its way. We take our probiotics through kombucha, as well as “gut shots”.

Now that we are healthy humans and our energy levels are super high, we need to stay active! We clean, play inside, play outside, eat, play some more, eat again. I try to keep Josie busy by including her in yoga stretches, cleaning and cooking. She includes me in coloring, building blocks, nannying her dolls, and washing her bum.

Stay safe out there. Take your vitamins❤️

This person rocked my world. I get to spend every day with this person. This guy lives everyday to prove his love for Jesus. He is devoted to his family and worships what brings him true joy. He is absolutely loved. Thaddeus is my paradise.

Hey babe!

Even though you dislike being the center of attention, I believe that it is appropriate to celebrate and honor you on your birthday. Since you’re my “regular guest of honor” on my page, I think it’s only fair people got to know you better. I made a list of the things that you would normally not share with other people. Haha don’t worry, it’s nothing too personal. Just a few brief informative points. You can start cringing now…

He EATS gluten on occasion! I said it! Ever since he tried the gluten crust at Punch, he can’t resist it anymore. He breaks his own “no gluten” rule more often than just for the 7communion.

He’s a nerd and a cute one. He dwells in ancient history. From historical books to historical museums, he is super attentive. Some of our movie nights consist of watching nature documentaries with complimentary ice cream. I just stare at him during that time. Just kidding. It’s not that bad. But nature documentaries wouldn’t be my first option.

He is involved in anything that I am planning. I don’t include him because I don’t want him to feel left out, I include him because he has brilliant ideas! Anything coming out from our family is both of our work. I proudly admit that we make a good team.

I bet that you didn’t know this, but he is an introvert. Being around people all day long gets overwhelming. While he’s being very fun and friendly, I know that he would rather be at home, in his sweats. He chooses to stay private about his life and I am fond of his decision.

He does make an incredible best friend. If you’re his person, you will have one absolute friendship experience, guaranteed.

He travels the world with Sharikov Ministries but has never been to NYC!! Now that my parents live an hour away from the Big Apple, it is my goal to get my husband to experience the city. I know it gets my heart to skip a beat every time I am there.

He never gets nervous! How crazy is that?! Stress is common, but never a nervous breakdown. Unless he’s about to propose to me one more time.. that got him good! Hehe

Not a cat person. Never was. Never will be. I am confident about that because I feel strongly the same.

He is overprotective. Overprotective about his people and his things. In other words, he takes care of his people. Just the way I always envisioned my husband to be. This character trait of his makes me feel all kinds of braveness.

The only REAL sport he actually enjoys playing is hockey. He is amazing at hockey and kicks butt all the time. Good luck being on the opposite team!

Now that I’ve introduced you, it’s all out there. I might’ve accidentally forgotten to ask for your permission to share. I apologize for the inconvenience. But on the other hand, I just did you a favor of introducing you. Now you can go back to being an introvert. I’m just glad I got to share more about the person I live with. Happy birthday, my amazing husband and best friend❤️

I thank God for keeping you safe all these years for me.

My warm-weather loving family left the comfort of balmy Charlotte to visit us this past weekend. Their trip happened to land on the most brutal, frigid days of the Minnesota winter. My sister, Tanya, her husband, Nick, and their son, Nazar finally got to experience what 0 degrees feels like on the precious face. I really enjoyed watching their reaction!

When my sister and her family flew in, we were right in the middle of a blizzard. We immediately took them outside to go sledding. I could almost hear Christmas carols in the background! It was certainly fun while it lasted. Before we knew it, our kiddos got cold very fast and the rides weren’t quite as fun. Granted, it was Nazar’s very first snow day. Josie showed him how it’s done.

After warming up inside, we went out for some comfort food. North Coop’s Fried Maple Bacon Chicken hit the spot and my usual “thank you, I’ve tried my best” joke landed.

Next day: We had the entire Saturday planned, but God chose a different route for us. After having a cozy morning inside, we put on our winter gear, grabbed our kids, and drove out towards Minneapolis. Our initial plan was to grab sushi and head to the Mall of America. The roads that day were horrible. No salt could handle that ice! We were crawling along at 30 mph. After fifteen minutes and only three miles in, Josie vomits all over herself. That was clearly a sign for us to go back home. Yup, I am one of those moms who forgets to bring an extra outfit for her toddler. From that moment forward, Josie’s temperate was super high and she lost all interest in her appetite. Our baby girl was teething again and she just wanted to cuddle.

Our husbands dropped us off at home and went to grab us that sushi that we craved. God kept them safe on the road as we chilled in our cozy home.

Super random but did I ever mention what my husband is most excited about in our new home? His infrared sauna! Every night was a spa night for him and Nick. Meanwhile, Tanya and I drank tea by the fireplace as our babies slept.

Sunday was another great day. Due to the extreme cold and a sick toddler, we decided to stay home and sent our husbands to church. After having another relaxing morning, we began to get dressed for lunch at our parents house. We spent a few hours there having delicious food and pleasant company with my husband’s family. Afterwards, we headed to the mall of America as promised.

On Monday, my wonderful husband had to go to work to provide for the family. But the rest of us went to spend that money on caffeinated beverages. We went to one of our favorite coffee shops - Spyhouse, where they served us the most delightful lattes. We met up with a friend and took lots of photos! Ended the night with board games and pizza! It was Tanya’s first time playing this board game and she won. I claim that it was “beginner’s luck” because I had the same thing happen to me when I first played it! Lol

My family left super early in the morning. Waking up to a quiet house felt so weird at first. Josie was looking for her little cousin, but couldn’t find him. He wasn’t there to greet her after her nap. They need to reunite asap! And so do we! Looking forward to our family reunion in April️️ I’m feeling extra blessed.

Hello charming!

Only a year ago, Yael and Yarn came to existence and changed many lives since then. Let us fill you in!

Our company is based in a state where it gets quite cold. Once, there was a day in January of 2019 when Minnesota had recorded colder temperatures than Antarctica. Ouch! Although I should probably mention that it was summer in Antarctica.

In any case, during the colder weather it can be difficult taking the baby along during errands, trips, and to other gatherings. We began searching for a way to keep our babe warm as she kept her mom company. Finally, we created a warm, functional, and beautiful product - our original Infant Car Seat Cover. The first 100% Wool Infant Car Seat Cover was made for our very own Josephine Yael.

Formally, Yael and Yarn is very popular for it’s original winter Wool Infant Car Seat Covers. Parent’s from the warmer regions of the US also found our Infant Car Seat Covers to be helpful during their cooler days. I can’t tell you how many questions/compliments we’ve been receiving about our 100% Wool Car Seat Cover. The chic, fine wool is not only pleasant to the eye but also feels soft to the skin. You will be surprised at the silky smooth texture of the fabric. The wool traps the heat inside the cover as the cold tries to creep in. That means less layers of clothing on and off the baby in transitions between indoors and outdoors.

The 100% Wool Infant Car Seat Cover is suitable for most infant car seat sizes and styles. We are also able to provide modifications to your unique car seat. The car seat cover includes 5 slits to attach to the adjustable straps in the car seat. Our newest addition to the car seat cover is a dust bag that will protect and create a safe environment for the product when not being used.

Throughout the winter season, we launch 2-3 new collections. Stay tuned for more colors and styles! Each item is hand-made that is celebrated for it is unique and sustainable. Below are images of our well-designed products. If you are interested in owning a Wool Infant Car Seat Cover for your own convenience, please allow a two week turnaround.

New year, new me? How about this year: new year, it’s me!

I’ve figured that before I go on setting new goals or challenging tasks this new year, I need to honestly evaluate year 2019, not to mention my life in general.

To sit down with a blank piece of paper and a large bouquet of memories is momentous and overwhelming. Where do I even start? Which events were a blessing and which were not? Which areas of myself can I improve on? It is important to understand that every day is a learning lesson and an opportunity to form a better, upgraded version of ourselves.

The actions we take every day are responsible for the moments we create, the relationships we build, and the happiness within us. This helps form our general state of well being. It is a lot to consider knowing that the past year was a direct outcome of our everyday actions. On the bright side, it is up to us to evaluate and then decide what stays and what goes.

Personal growth is something I want to prioritize in this new “self awareness” chapter of mine. This will include reading books, listening to podcasts & interviews, studying the Bible, etc. I wish to proceed growing every day for the rest of my life because it’s what keeps me feeling alive. Thriving to improve leaves me hopeful. It is staying for me.

It all starts with being aware of our own strengths and weaknesses. Knowing our God-given gifts and talents allows us to apply them into our daily lives. Although we all have a million things that we are not good at, each one of them can turn into are our strengths. When we focus on expanding what God has already given us, this will help us embrace our unique life calling. It is much easier to grow a talent then to grow a weakness. If we continue to proceed with daily action and persistent state of mind, we will succeed. Keeping this one too.

What goes today is my procrastination. Looking back into last year, I can totally see higher bars, bigger ratings, and larger numbers in my business life. It is my final decision to end all urging excuses and begin fully investing into my business. If you still haven’t checked out our children’s winter goodies store, we are here: www.yaelandyarn.com

Now that I have a clear mindset and understanding of what 2019 looked like, I can groove into 2020 with a beat. The outcome is clearly defined and the new beginning is crystal clear. If only you would know how excited I am for this new year. I have made so many awesome plans that will only uphold with God’s will. Blessings to you in this new year. Stay present and give more presents :)

Dear daughter,

It’s been a year since we first met. I still perfectly remember your nervous body shake when you entered this world. I can still remember the feel of your warm body against mine. Your soft, quiet cry made the moment surreal. I fell in love with the way you touch my soul.

At age one, nothing changes between us. You and I are a tight bond. Being inseparable, we will make a positive difference in this world. You are the oat milk to my matcha. You are the baby to my shark. You are the daughter I’ve always dreamt of. You’ve lit up my world with those tiny fingers of yours. You forever have yourself a spot in my arms.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such an easy - going baby. You made our first parental experience SO ENJOYABLE. You sleep through the night like no other baby. You managed to latch on and then eat solids with a super tight tongue (we are releasing your tongue tie in September.) It is incredible how your little brain develops so quickly and brightly. You make everyday special for your mama and papa. You are a special kind of special.

You now walk and you “talk.” Being super greedy, I pray for two VERY strong guardian angels to guide and protect you every second of the day/night. My desire for you is to love your Lord wholeheartedly.I hope you choose the right words at the right moment. I wish for you to remain bold and brave when you face difficulties in life. And when you need a break, it is OK to take one. Stay the kind soul that you are and you will continue making people smile. The world deserves to know more about a girl named Josephine Yael. The faith I have in you is bigger than the water in the ocean. You are out of the ordinary!

I love you so much,

Your mom

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“You have to love yourself before loving someone else.” 

We hear all the time that self-love is something that we all need. We are told that we need to learn to love ourselves before we can love others. And it makes perfect sense. Indulgent happy love.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I feel like it’s almost impossible to lack self-love in this present age. So many of us living in the United States don’t realize how much self-loving we actually do. We have so much more than many parts of the world who lack clean water, food, and shelter. We surround ourselves with the people that WE want to be around with. We treat ourselves to food that WE enjoy eating. We even sometimes buy clothes that WE can barely afford. We do all as an expression of self-love. The people who bring us joy, the food that brings us nutrients, the clothing we wear all has one sole purpose - to make us feel good. We do not lack self-love when we marry the person of our dreams. We love ourselves enough to blast the AC on a hot summer day. We do not compromise comfort unless we have to. 

Most of us have all the essentials for life - food, loving people, shelter and so much more. We are all equipped with the foundation to love others. To share, to give, and to sacrifice. As Christians, we build our life on the love that God shows us through Jesus Christ. I believe that God expressed love in its purest form - sacrifice. When Someone gives Their only Son for us, that is love! Jesus is our first love that inspires us to live a life of sacrifice.  He is the only one that can fill our soul with peace, love, and comfort. 

Healthy self love is a love that gives forth. It is so much easier to live when we base our self-image on the love that Jesus has for us. The Bible states that we should treat others like we want to be treated. When we understand the value of our life in the eyes of God, this will help us value other people as well. Now is our chance to give back and pass on love to others. 

Hey babes! 

Since I am willing to be an open book to some degree, I believe it’s only fair for you to get to know my family closer. We are a family of three who genuinely enjoy living life. Just like other families, we have certain beliefs and understanding on how to live this life. We try our best to stay true to who we are as we explore our existence on a deeper level. Before we get too deep, I personally think that the price of Chipotle is unbeatable! Preparing Chipotle bowls at home is more costly than at the restaurant. How do they even make profit? 

When the three of us are together, we take advantage of that time. Meaning - we communicate, play, and laugh. Quality time is both mine, and Teddy’s love language. Which is why for us, quality time is never neglected. Better yet, documenting the enchanting magical moments by video or photo is highly preferred. This family loves taking photos and recording videos! If we could do photo-shoots every day, we probably would! Lol That’s one way we make memories. 

We also try to the best to our ability to grow Spiritually together. One tradition we have is reading the Bible together. Many times it is simply impossible for an energetic child like ours to sit still. She plays with pens and random things that she finds on our coffee table. We try to distract her as we try not to get distracted by her. At the end, we are all happy because we are filled with the Holy Spirit. 

We try not to care too much about what other people think of us. If the Holy Spirit is convicting us of something, we will take action. If something feels right at the moment, we follow the heart no matter what. Living in fear is not worth living. God doesn’t grant fear. Everyone has something they’re amazingly good at, and then there’s something they can’t wrap their head around. But when we do care, it’s for us to maintain relationships. Honestly, we would rather save our fear for God’s judgement than the people’s.  

I am super proud of our yearn to save money as much as possible. We celebrate every time we snag a good deal. If the item is exceptionally high in quality then we are willing to pay full-price for the quality. If there is a small chance on saving even 20%, we are sold. Discounts are extremely helpful at this moment in our lifetime because we are saving up for a house! These adults over here have had a great start!

If you’ve stayed over at our place, then you would know that our guests often have to adapt to our eating lifestyle. We will serve you while considering your food sensitivities. We choose to eat especially healthy during the weekdays and then party with food over the weekends. We strive not to slip too much! For example, we continue avoiding dairy like we do so throughout the week. We’ve gotten used to eating dairy-free pizzas. Let me tell you that they are very yummy! Carbs are allowed during the weekends. That’s common sense, haha. Our eating habit consists of consuming a lot of veggies and fruits with plenty of fats and moderate protein. We continue drinking water, tea, and kombucha for the miraculous benefits. 

We live by the idea of honesty. Honesty reigns in this household! No matter how ugly or displeasing the situation is, we will always be honest with each other. Two and a half years ago we promised to “do this together.” We are soulmates and we are best friends. I can’t imagine not being authentic with the closest person in my life. Scheming and going behind someone’s back takes a whole lot of work. I am not fit for it. I would LOVE to use my energy towards something more meaningful. It is a beautiful blessing for a marriage to be pure, sincere, and honest. 

Growing up as a little girl, I’ve dreamt of  having my own family one day where I get to be a wife and a mother. I am currently living my dream. Thank you Jesus! 

My husband, Thaddeus and I had an amazing opportunity of going back to our wedding location. We couldn't miss the chance of renewing our vows while being in Israel. It was a beautiful moment for us.

Shalom, my friends! (insert cheesy smile here)

As magical forgein countries may seem, nothing beats the comfort and warmth of your own home place. Agreed? Traveling out of the country is always a blast, but it also makes you appreciate living in the States more. I assume it’s because the lifestyle we portray is very dear and close to our hearts. It’s all we’ve known. But it’s not all we’ve adapted. Traveling allows us to be more open to opinions and opportunities. It’s a big world out there!

This particular “vacation” for my husband and I has been unlike anything we’ve done before. It wasn’t just the two of us enjoying overseas; it was an entire tour bus that consisted of 45 people. It was a pleasure meeting new faces and getting to know new souls. Although, we did take a day off for the two of us and took a train to Haifa. That was perfect! It was exactly what we needed. The 10 days flew by quickly due to a packed schedule. In conclusion, 10 days will only show you 10% of what Israel + Jordan has to offer.

On our first morning in Israel, Teddy and I woke up very early and walked to Yad Hashmona (our wedding venue) to renew our vows. We couldn’t resist but to document this special moment, so we invited our favorite photographer, Steffen Sharikov. Going back to Yad Hashmona was so enchanting. In our heads, we replayed so many beautiful moments. I walked down to aisle to my wonderful husband who stood there and accepted me once again, hehe. It was so much fun creating NEW memories that associate with that location. Someday we will take our daughter there. And hopefully ONE DAY she can get married there too. Oh, that would be a dream!

During our ten day stay, we managed to cover the major parts of Israel. We started off our trip in a relaxed state of mind. Our two day stay at Dead Sea allowed us to unwind after our long air flights. West of the Dead Sea is an oasis and a nature reserve called Ein Gedi. We had an entire morning devoted to a hike in the trails that David took as he was fleeing from King Saul. Then, we took a road trip down to the southernmost point of Israel to witness a beautiful, life-size tabernacle. That was truly one of my favorite experiences. It was a great reminder of how to purely serve our Holy God. After that, we crossed the border and arrived to a Middle Eastern country called Jordan.

We begin the new day by boating on the Red Sea where most of us enjoyed snorkeling. Four of us made a choice of going deep sea scuba diving. So brave of them!

After spending several hours under the sun, we became SUPER hungry. We switched boats on water and had an appetizing grilled lunch. Right when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, we get informed that we are about to watch the sunset on our camels.

Wadi rum is a breathtaking desert valley in Jordan. We checked into our modern tents that surprisingly included air conditioning, king-sized beds, and even showers. To be honest, it was a bummer not to have wifi connection in that area. Except that didn’t seem to bother the local Bedouins. Other than that, they can take all of my stars for rating.

Their camels where something else! We rode at dusk and it was epic! Except the camel behind me seemed to have an attitude and I was praying so hard for it not to spook the camel I was on. I wasn’t in the mood to perform karate.

My MOST favorite moment of the tour was the time we had a group prayer night under the sky with our bare feet sinking into the desert sand. The stars shone brighter than ever while our prayers were stronger than ever. Our pains and needs were lifted to the sky and God was right there! He felt so near. He touched us. It was glorious!

On our last day in Jordan, we took a road trip to Petra (one of the seven new wonders of the world). I was in AWE! Despite the grueling 8-10 mile hike, I couldn't keep my mind and sight off the blush pink stones and the world-class archaeology. But then again, everything in a middle eastern country is so aesthetically inspiring! Teddy and I were taking notes for our future home design.

The next day we returned to Israel. Israel recaptured our hearts all over again. We’ve arrived to the Northern side of Israel and visited Capernaum. Walking the same ground that Jesus and Peter once did surely humbles your soul. It was a blessing. Next, we went on a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Remember that sea that Jesus walked on? That’s the same storming sea that Jesus calmed. With Jesus’s command, the apostles captured many fish there.

We spent the last two days in the Bible’s dear Jerusalem. We visited Jesus’s childhood town where he helped his parents and spoke to the crowd. You can almost hear Jesus in His childhood running around, gifting people smiles. We also got to see the full length of the Western Wall of Jerusalem. Yad Vashem, the Holocoust museum was sorrowful but crucial. Our quiet moment in Garden of Gethsemani was powerful.  

There was so much more to this tour, but then I would have to write a book. It would be easier for you to just join the tour next time. God-willing, that next time will happen in October. As well as next year, and the year after that. As long as our wonderful tour guide (aka Vladimir Sharikov) lives, the tours shall continue.  

God bless your decision to visit Israel. I hope that it was God’s plan for you all along.

We can all agree that the more valuable people we have in our lives, the more difficult it can be to maintain a healthy balance in the relationships. Every special person in our life needs our adequate attention. They depend on us to show up and follow up. It is in our nature to crave our loved one’s company and acceptance.

After having a baby, it can get challenging to juggle important relationships. My morning time with Jesus is now shared with little Josephine as I meet her needs. Our quiet “tea for two” with Teddy can involve baby toys flying across the table. I am super grateful and humbled by this opportunity for growth. With a baby in the mix, it is harder to give undivided and focused attention to my spouse. Which is why I am a firm believer in dating my husband for it allows us to be left alone. We all know that in order for relationships to stay strong, we need to feed the fire.

Reason #1: Growing deeper in love with your spouse.

Remember that person who took your breath away the moment you laid eyes on them? Remember that person you promised the world to during your wedding ceremony? If they’re still by your side, considering how complicated you can be, then you should feel blessed. No matter how far along you are in your marriage, intimacy shall always remain. Since your other half was approved by God, take care of them, consider them, and spoil them. If the both of you are not equally watering your love, then it will never grow.

Reason #2: Catch up on a spiritual level.

The beautiful thing about being left alone with your spouse are the heart-to-heart conversations. If the most popular topics at home revolve around your children, then use this time alone with your spouse to reconnect.  Ask about how they’re doing spiritually, mentally, and physically. Sometimes the things we barely talk about end up being the most genuine conversations we can ever have. Learn something new about their soul. Remind them of the treasure that they are.

Reason #3: Get your kids to miss you. Or you to miss the kids.

It’s not that horrible to disappear for a moment to experience short absence. It’ll make everyone appreciate each other more. The crazy thing is that my husband and I are leaving to Israel for 10 days and we are not bringing our daughter with. Trust me, I’m already missing Josie just thinking about it. Might be a tad too long of an absence, but that’s what the trip consists of.

Reason #4: Strong relationship between parents means strong family foundation.

Set a healthy example for your children because they grow up just like us! If mom and dad are on the same page, the kids will feel happy and safe. If a home is built around love, then that’s where you’ll see them coming back to.

Reason #5: Unwind, relax, and enjoy yourself.

Think of it as a staycation for a couple hours or even a few! I don’t know about you, but I can fully relax when I’m around my husband. He makes everything go easy and that’s the person I want to be with for the rest of my life. That’s the beauty of being yourself around your spouse and allowing your spouse to be themselves around you.

And just like that, our family reunion was over. Shedding tears so be right back.

Hey you! It’s been a minute. Last weekend will most definitely go into the top records of our dazzling family reunions. This particular “get together” was unlike any of the ones we’ve had before. Three new babes have joined our family. Josephine, Nazar, and Oliver are the cute new additions to the family that make the rest of us look good. Meeting each other was a shy moment but then they played nice until it was tiring.

This was our daughter’s second air travel. She was pretty amazing at containing her energy and soaking in every minute. Both ways, Josephine managed to nap during the flight which made things easy for us. We arrived to Charlotte, NC on Saturday, the 13th. The divine grill out prepared by the hosts hit the spot. Russian-style shashlik will always make you lick your fingers. Another big “YUM moment” is using the leftover shashlik on homemade pizza! Overall, the food we consumed this weekend was beyond delicious and nutritious.

While we were there, we couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to get our family photos taken. We hired a photographer and spent an evening capturing precious moments. Once the sun began to set, and the temperature began to fall, our poor babies suddenly became cold. That’s when we decided to wrap up the photoshoot session because babies come first!

I am so grateful to God for giving our family the opportunity to reunite once again. Late night talks and laughs allowed us to remember what it was like growing up in Pittsburgh (it was never boring growing up with two sisters and a brother). During free time, our husbands enjoyed board games for hours and hours. Babies on their laps didn’t stop the game even once.  

I’ve received a ton of questions of whether or not we would ever consider moving to Charlotte. My personal answer was always “yes!” I really enjoyed the nature because it always delivered on pleasant terms. I enjoyed the warm sunshine on my skin and breathed air that didn’t hurt my face. Charlotte’s modern and simple approach to life was inspiring. It definitely captured my heart the minute I stepped out of the airport.

What I love more than anything is spending quality time with my little gal. It’s been 6 graceful months ever since I’ve become a mother. Even though it may be tough, it is very important for me to always re-introduce her to the good. It is my job to show her the bright side of being morally right and fair. Even if things don’t seem clear at the moment, it will be rewarding in the end.

Right now, I am her most-trusted person. When meeting new people, she looks to me for approval. She craves my acceptance as she tries out new sounds with her voice. She curls in close enough to feel me breathe. She feels safe around me.

After our morning snuggles, she eats her breakfast first. I interact with her as I eat mine soon after. Silly faces and laughs are being exchanged in the a.m. When I do chores, she watches every next move. Vacuuming is probably her favorite to witness. The way the vacuum goes back and forth leaves her in awe. She keeps me company in her nuna leaf as I wash the dishes. I get a backup singer every time because she has my back and I have hers.

It’s almost like the two names we’ve given her weren’t in vain. The two complete opposite names perfectly describe her. She can be the most sweetest Josephine with angelic hands. Whereas Yael that can pinch you with a blink of an eye.

I know it sounds like she’s very intelligent and easy-going. There is another side to her - I can’t forget about how determined and firm she is in her decisions. At six months of age, she knows exactly what she wants and she will get it. She’s the perfect candidate and passes all of the exams to be the older sister one day.

The playful side to her is uncontainable. She loves her toys because they’re ready for her at 6 o’clock in the morning. She is an unstoppable little fireball who is full of energy and spirit. But when the situation calls for it, she will pull the “cute and shy girl” card when she’s feeling awkward.

These two versions of my daughter are remarkable. She is an angel from above that is best known for her ocean blue eyes and deep toothless smile.

P.S. This was Josie’s first trip to the museum. She won’t remember anything but we have pictures for proof. We had so much fun!

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I am currently reading the book of Jobs. It’s about a man who had everything! Job had an empire that consisted of wealth and health. The people in his life adored him. Even God found him pleasing in His eyes. Until one day, an enemy was permitted to take everything and everyone away from Job. Everything was lost within a short period of time. One would think that God wasn’t so fond of Job after all..
It made me wonder...how would I handle this situation?

Would I curse God like Job’s wife did? Or would I fearfully evaluate the way I’m living? Would I come to peace with the term, “God gives and God takes?”  How far in doubt would I allow myself to go?
After everything the devil put Job through, his faith remained stronger than ever and his eyes were fixed on the One Who’s able. This Bible character doesn’t choose to forget God. He wanted to understand God and His purpose. Job was there waiting for a response as he knocked and wept. In fact, he had arguments that we would acknowledge if we knew Job closely. Job had a clean heart. Innocent as he was, Job continued to battle his “meant to be” fate.

I can’t even imagine what it’s like to lose everything. Especially a family member. I’m scared to even picture myself being in Job’s situation. I’m so SO attached to the people in my life. I try to live life to the fullest. I’ve lived through pain and paradise. Nothing like what Job experienced, though.

God, if I’m ever in Job’s place, help me suffer faithfully. I pray to remain humble, faithful, and present. I ask to help me fear You, be patient with You, and trust You. Most of all, I want to find my strength in You.

“True strength is when you’re holding together when everything else is falling apart.”

Joy to all! What a glorious reason to celebrate! In Jesus we have life with abundance.

This Christmas card was special because we have a new family member. We figured it’s finally time to mail out cards since there’s a cute baby on the picture. Josie was a real trooper and didn’t give up until she got some great shots of herself. Haha

Merry Christmas!

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If you were following me on Instagram, you would know about our recent trip to Seattle. This trip was different - in a good way! This was our baby’s first trip. Overall, it exceeded our expectations.

Going into this, I knew that traveling with a 3.5 month old would not be simple. I told my husband about how excited I was to face this challenge. I tried my best to be prepared for what Josephine’s personality had in store for us. I opened my mind to be willing to learn and discover new tricks on how to deliver on being a super mom, hehe. Without a doubt, I do not like sharing advice unless I’ve experienced it myself.

This is how it all went down:
Before leaving to airport, Josephine decided that she’ll be good without food and rest. That entire morning I tried to feed her and put her to sleep - but I had no luck. That’s the part that frustrates me most. Little baby is already acting like a confident teenager that claims she knows best! Lol.
Not too long after, she snacked and napped at our gate. I would prefer that she ate and slept instead...
One thing to keep in mind while traveling is the baby’s endless curiosity. The reason why she has a hard time focusing during meals at new locations is because she’s a curious little George (anyone remember Curious George?). There are times when we call her, “Georgephina.” She’d rather learn about the world than eat! The distractions never stop and she has the world’s full attention. She makes me laugh a lot.

I was planning on feeding her again during take-off because that’s what other moms recommended. She was wide awake and alert and had no interest in eating at the moment. I kind of let that one go since she wasn’t complaining about her ears popping. The pacifier did it’s job and she kept swallowing her spit. Wooh! That wasn’t bad after all.
The entire flight, Teddy and I took turns holding her. She even fell asleep in our arms. She still refused to eat well. She adores people-watching and her favorite new toy.

Once we landed in Seattle, the pressure of keeping her well-behaved was released. Our friends, Andrey and Luda brought us a car seat and a stroller to borrow for the weekend. Once Josie was put into a car seat, she dreamt.

We had a busy schedule that entire weekend. Our goal was to see as much as we can in two days. I would say that we killed it! We squeezed out all of that lemon juice. We explored and ate on repeat. Josie’s feeding sessions happened in the car for the most part. It was impossible to feed her in public due to the “Georgephina Effect” that kicks in. At least she napped more than ever. She was tired like the rest of us.

When it was time to leave back home, we were sad to leave our friends behind. After two days, Josie became comfortable around them and she filled the room with giggles and smiles. I believe that this trip helped teach her how to interact with people she’d just met. She’s never seen this many “strangers” in her life. She was laughing and smiling at our kind stewardess on our flight back home. When it came to feeding, the same story happened on the flight back. She was napping more than eating during the flight. Towards the end, she was already extremely tired and wanted her crib back. In addition, it was past her bedtime!

During this entire trip we tried to maintain Josie’s bedtime routine. Josephine always came first! Anything and everything required for our sweet child to stay comfortable. She went to bed according to Central Time as opposed to Pacific Time. She had her swaddle, pacifier, and lounger to remind her of home. Once her head touched the Snuggle Me Organic lounger, she would immediately closed her eyes. Got to love a baby on her well-adapted routine. Life gets so much easier that way.

Would I ever travel with a three month old again? Definitely! Except, I wouldn’t be too harsh on myself about being late to nurse her or putting her to sleep on time. It’s “ok” to be a “good mom” sometimes. The natural “super mom” in me needs a break sometimes. However, the guilt of “taking it easy” haunts me down until I slip on my superpower costume. I was born to be a mom! I love it so much!

Is it really the middle of November? Is there a way to slow the time? Fast-paced, November will end in a blink of an eye. Before we part ways, I am sharing the 10 wonders that make this particular month - “major.”

1. JOSIE JOSIE JOSIE! Our daughter’s personality is showing through her facial expressions, sound productions, and focused attention. Everything about her is becoming more fun. We can now enjoy her company without being nervous. Her little smirks bloom into smiles that light up the entire room. She sings her heart out as she achieves the perfect vocal production;) She tears up and gets emotional when she gets super caught up in a song. It’s the cutest thing in the WORLD! Also, it is officially unsafe to leave her unattended at the changing station. She gets so hyper and scoots backwards on her feet. She will pull off the great escape. I repeat, she will fall off!

2. We are currently preparing for Josie’s first flight. In December, we are going on our first trip abroad with a baby. Figuratively speaking, I bite my nails when I imagine traveling with a baby. Teddy and I broke a sweat the first time she started crying during a church service... We’ve been doing our research on how to make this easy on all of us. Since many of you already gained personal experience on how to do this correctly, please enlighten us with your tips and advice. We will appreciate it very much!

3. We will be hosting a family Thanksgiving dinner for the first time. Good thing our family isn’t a small village. We can all fit into our quaint and cozy apartment.  

4. Our Christmas tree is up! Every year for no particular reason, we put up the tree before Thanksgiving. All of a sudden, the living room becomes merry and bright.

5. After fully recovering from my delivery, I’ve begun exercising. Staying as safe as possible, I’ve been building up my workouts. Last week, we hit Corepower Yoga for the first time since pregnancy. Thanks to my “@ home” workouts, I’ve managed to get through the one hour class. It felt great to be back. I’m proud of my sore muscles.

6. We are dedicating our daughter to the Lord at church. After our dad ( pastor) comes back from Russia, Josie will receive God’s blessing upon her. We fully believe in the power of prayer.

7. Every year, Teddy and his family do a secret santa gift exchange. This way, instead of buying every family member a gift, you only buy one and you get one back. My family, on the other hand, has always purchased gifts for every member of the family. Realizing that Christmas isn’t supposed to be stressful and expensive at all, we chose to exchange gifts through secret santa. Except, no secrets - we all know who we drew. We like to choose our gifts, haha.

8. Another year, another move! This month we’ve come to a conclusion that we want to move back to our first city. This time, we are getting a two bedroom because our family grew. I know this seems crazy but a good location is important for safety and convenience.

9. MORE PLANNING! This months seems to be the perfect time to plan out next year’s trips and events. God willing, we have this crazy idea of gathering a group of 40-50 people for a 10 day trip to Israel in the spring. This trip will include relaxation, exploration, and memories of a lifetime. We cannot do this alone, which is why we will have a tour guide with years of expertise - dad. Direct message us if you’re interested in joining.

10. Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without a youth conference. Our local church here in Shakopee, Minnesota will be hosting an annual youth conference. The Sharikov Band will be leading worship this year. Come and join us as we sing our praise to our well-deserving God. You will meet friendly people, eat Russian food, and experience the best of our northern state.

Happy Tuesday, loves!

Let’s talk about how we met. We either met online or in person. These days, there is no other way to meet.

It is safe to say that I am well-experienced at long distance relationships. Throughout most of my life, I’ve been meeting people from different “worlds.” Before having social media to rely on, we had to develop our creative state of mind. The snail-mail letters I wrote had to be entertaining enough to receive a reply. I would include photos of my family and I. When I didn’t have pictures to attach, I drew my own. Well, there goes a shared image without a delete button..

Along with letters, phone calls would last for hours. A lot of times they were long distance calls. Our poor parents were stuck with the phone bills. No matter how odd the early two thousands were, the simplicity of it all will be missed and honored.

Today, the digital age cannot be ignored. Social media is a huge platform where people can either exist bare face or wear a mask. These days, sharing an entire life on social sites is considered very “normal.” When social accounts are used correctly, nobody gets hurt. I’m certain that many friendships came from the world called, “social media.” Regardless of what the older generation thinks, the youth is passionate about finding their true soulmate online. It’s almost as if the millennial package comes with an Instagram handle. In this package deal, a profile should be vibey enough for us to follow and engage. If things go well (equally liking and commenting on each other’s stuff), we end up becoming friends in real life. How crazy is it that the profile we portray, defines our character and life? The image that we display to the world is how we introduce ourselves. “Am I the kind of person that people want to associate with? Will I attract new friends or push away acquaintances?” Whatever the intentions are, we have to remain true to our individuality. Why? Because lasting deep relationships are built on the way we actually are.

With every day that goes by, we get the privilege of meeting new faces. If not for social sites, we would have to write hundreds of letters. Feeling left out would be very common among friends. Can you imagine writing a personal letter to every person that you follow? That would be quite impossible considering the fact that many of us follow hundreds and thousands. Life gets busier and people change. I embrace the cyber world for giving us access to our friend’s lives without being there physically. Thanks to Instagram, I know the theme to my fifth cousin’s birthday party.

As we are our own judges, let us handle social media with care. Excessive intake of anything is never a good idea. If you spend your time wisely on social media, you will be left with enough energy for creating your own life. Don’t forget about the people you live with. Don’t forget your passions and goals. That’s the drawing you’ll never want to delete.

Note to self: Less creeping, more drawing.

Well, here we go!

The birth story of Josephine Yael is in fact, sure-enough a whirlwind. I remain to be thankful for the way things went during my pregnancy and labor. Every little obstacle was a learning experience. We were faced with challenges and had to make difficult decisions in our birth plan. The tough times forced me to count on our God. He was there for us through thick and thin. All in all, pregnancy was the best thing that my body ever put me through. During the whole process, Teddy was my biggest support. Truthfully, with a team like that, I would do it again! Again and again.

In the second trimester of my pregnancy, I was diagnosed with an infection. As it turns out, Group B streptococcus (strep), or GBS infections are common in pregnant women. Realizing that GBS may have a negative effect on my pregnancy, I played it safe. I chose to go with the antibiotic route. Ending the antibiotic treatment before the bottle was empty, Teddy and I begin to research more conservative ways to treat the infection without the devastating effects of antibiotics. I found that various sources supported what Teddy was recommending to me. We decided to gently treat the infection with probiotics and bring balance to my body through food-based antimicrobials. I started taking 2-3 garlic cloves a day. I would also consume probiotics through kombucha or kefir. As planned, in a week or so, the infection was gone. Thank God! That was my first obstacle.

At week 35, we checked for GBS again and the test results came back negative. However, due to the previous GBS findings, my midwife insisted on IV antibiotics during delivery. She was very firm on her position and made us feel that we are going to hurt our baby by not taking antibiotics. After researching GBS, we found that insistence on IV antibiotics during birth was based on very weak research according to Cochrane reviews (the gold standard for scientific research).

I couldn’t believe this was happening. I remember me being so upset that day. As expected, Teddy and I rejected that offer. That was the whole idea of us going to a midwife in the first place. We envisioned the birth of our baby to happen with as little interference from the outside as possible. IV antibiotics meant that the newborn baby’s microbiome would certainly be destroyed - especially in the critical step of its formation during passing through the vaginal canal. The microbiome is too valuable for proper function of the body - it’s even called the “second brain”.

To be honest, I was scared. The side effects of untreated GBS are severe. I prayed to God every day to give me enough faith through it all and wisdom for the right choice. I asked Him to speak to me clearly through my husband. And that is what He did! Teddy was firm in his beliefs and research that we are making the best choice in our situation. Looking strong on the outside, I broke down every time on the inside. I didn’t want to make any mistakes that will affect my daughter in the future. I didn’t want to mess up and then have to live with it for the rest of my life. Therefore, I prayed hard. I found the answer in my husband.

My recommendation is to develop a birth plan with your husband and have clear communication with the midwife from the very beginning before complications arise. Teddy and I, while flexible in response to reality, had a firm position on approaching birth as naturally as possible.

For us, the word “natural” defines simplicity. It defines trusting the body and using a minimally invasive approach.

For hundreds of years, women gave birth without an entire team of medical practitioners. Babies and mothers around the world survived the process of birth with several simple rules. Eat healthy, drink water, and stay active for 9 months and then push on the last day. God put the most amazing healing power within the body and our goal is to trust in that. That is why we did not go with IV antibiotics, vaccines, or even vitamin K shots after birth.

When I was in active labor, our midwife told us that she will not work with us anymore unless we would follow every medical recommendation (antibiotics, continuous ultrasounds, etc.). Quite the situation to have while in active labor. We ended up delivering with another doctor. Thank God she turned out to be absolutely amazing.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved working with my midwife. We shared personal stories and laughed about life. Overall, we had a great time together during every appointment. But once there were “complications” with my health, we begin to speak two different languages. I understand that midwives have to follow the system in order to keep their licenses; however, it wasn’t the greatest experience to have to go through.

Once my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart, we drove to the hospital early that morning. Although I was only 1 cm dilated, they decided to let me stay anyway. After a few hours, my contractions completely stopped. We did everything we can from our side to help them start again. Since I wasn’t sure if my water broke or not that night, the nurse suggested that I get pitocin to force the contractions again. In my situation, it was dangerous for the water to be broken for a long time. Considering the risk factor of GBS and not going through with antibiotics, pitocin was the way to go.

Just like that, the contractions were officially forced from 0-100. Being in SO much pain that followed up with vomiting 4x, I only lasted 2.5 hours without the epidural. At this point, the bath, the bouncy ball, or even my own husband couldn’t help me with anything. I successfully got injected with the epidural and dozed off. I got 3 hours of sleep before delivering our miracle baby. I began to push a little after 12am and got to hold Josephine at 2:43am.

Josephine was born absolutely healthy weighting 7.4 pounds. She passed every test that the doctor advised. After a 32 hour stay at the hospital, we were dismissed home on August 21st. That day all of our prayers were answered. A beautiful, baby girl has entered this world where SHE can be the helping hand.  

We’ve come to a conclusion that things don’t always go as planned. ESPECIALLY labor and delivery. While sticking as close as possible to the birth plan, we had to learn to accept the situation and make the most of it. Overall, I am happy with the way things turned out to be. The epidural allowed me to relax my muscles and prepared me for pushing. Would I go the same route again? Yes, in a similar situation! But under different circumstances, I would love to experience giving birth without any pain killers. I want to be completely in sync with my body as it goes through this wonderful thing called - birth.

These past six weeks have been the most beautiful days of my life. I am living the dream that I wish would never end. I won’t be lying if I told you that every morning is like waking up to the day of Christmas. The greatest gifts are right beside me. My husband makes sure we are warm and cozy. I make sure we’re fed and happy. Josie’s daily task is to remind us of how special and blessed we are today. She also makes our “baby talk” seem normal since we actually have a baby now.

I am grateful that I have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mother. This gives me the chance to feel more relaxed as I care for our little darling. After my husband leaves for work, our quality mother-daughter time begins. While staying at home, I can focus on spending time with Josie while maintaining a clean home with hot food on the stove.

These past six weeks have also been my most tiresome ones. How can I complain when I get this beautiful, little miracle in exchange? Every hour of my lost sleep is worth every second with her because my reality is better than my dreams. Luckily, I am slowly catching up on my sleep now. While Josie was a newborn, I woke up every 2-3 hours to feed her. On her one month birthday, she celebrated by sleeping for 6 hours without feeding. Last night, Josie slept for 8 hours without waking up. The blessings keep stacking up. Oh and by the way, the key is to keep her up during the day as long as possible and make her naps seem different than her nights rest. This is a whole different topic and I can cover it another time if you’d like me to.

To introduce you to Josephine Yael, she is one of the quieter ones. People were telling us that babies cry a lot when they’re being demanding. Not in our situation. At times, we had to go check up on her to make sure that she is breathing. Throughout the weeks, this shy and peaceful girl is making efforts to get noticed. It’s almost like she’s trying her best to fit into the family. At week 2 of her life, she was already supporting the pacifier with her own hands. At week 3, her cries started becoming louder. They’re louder, but still sound so sweet. At week 4, she began to hold her head for several seconds at a time. Today, she tries standing on her feet as she discovers and learns her surroundings. Taking photos is probably her favorite part of growing up. She looks straight at the camera while looking cute. If papa or mama are in the same room as her, she expects one of us to hold her tight. Obviously, she deserves all of the attention in the world.

Josie plays a huge role in making parenthood “so far so good & easy.” But it’s the little things in partnership that makes the big things so easy. Teddy makes an incredible husband and father. He is irreplaceable for Josie and I.  Always going an extra mile for his girls, he is one of a kind❤️

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On September 15, 2018, we invited our people to celebrate the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Josephine Yael. A diverse group of people made the party more intriguing. The welcoming atmosphere made the people stay. Or was it the warm food and the fresh cut flowers that did the trick?

Overall, the party turned out to be a success. We were super excited that my entire immediate family got to fly in. They got to meet our precious Josie and explore our city. I wish weekends like these can last forever.

This party wouldn’t have been the same without the help of our dear people. A sincere THANK YOU goes to our friends who love us enough to donate their personal time to help out. This memory will forever be engraved on our hearts.

With only two weeks left until our due date, we finally got the chance to shoot our first maternity session. For this shoot, we've decided to go with neutral shades, calm textures, and earthy tones to keep this collection everlasting. These photos will be hung in our daughter's nursery as a sentimental keepsake. We wanted the peace in our hearts that we experienced in the moment to be reflected in the images. We believe that @sesharikov had what it took to capture our last few weeks with our baby girl still in the belly. Enjoy the photos:)

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Throughout my years, it’s been proven that our God is always perfect timing no matter the situation. It’s been confirmed that everything actually happens for a reason, and when it does happen, there’s an explanation to why it never happened until today. I love living and knowing this! It makes my life easier knowing that God is behind all of my stories.

Following questions have been asked to self or another being: When is the right time for me to take a leap into a commitment? How do I know that i’m capable of loving someone more than myself? When is the right time to begin something big? Where should I start? What should I be doing to achieve my goals quicker? As additional questions are being raised, we think we are going to lose it! So many questions and so little time. Every decision in life is absolutely important and purposeful. Taking action toward achieving and answering our own questions will be dealt with stress if it’s without God in the picture.

First and foremost, I’m writing this as a reminder to myself.  As life gets busy, I tend to want things to be done immediately. And when my plans fall apart halfway, I know exactly why! I need to leave it to God because he is always perfect timing.

Pledging your life to another human is a whole-hearted kind of thing. One can tell if he or she are ready for a huge commitment when they’re loyal to simple things in life. For example, you can be loyal to your routine, diet, or brand. You are at peace with your rules of life. That’s actually so responsible of you! On the other hand, being loyal to God, your faith, or another person takes a lot more responsibility! You have a beating heart in your hand. A delicate spirit to impress. A soul that depends on you. Take good care of them for they are your safe place. It’s strangely beautiful when you have more to yourself than your own being.

To begin, find yourself someone you can trust. Someone who is interested in seeing you succeed. Wherever you can get it, it’s valuable to have someone else’s opinion. As I mentioned earlier, every decision in life is important. We know this because we get one life here on earth. We get a temporary chance to make a quick difference. We don’t throw out opportunities. Who has time to throw around words? For that reason, let’s consult our plans with God first. If you get the green light from God, there’s assurance that your people will support you as well.  The more hearts involved in your life, the easier it is to breathe. You have guaranteed relationships that will have your back when you are feeling down. You have spiritual, mental, and financial support when you’ve decided to begin something big.

If God thinks that your plan isn’t complying with His, that red light can bring us to confusion. Why the sudden barrier? This is when we stop asking further questions and trust Him from here on out. He sees the future that will eventually break you if you proceed. God’s actions have purposeful reasons that He may later open to us.

What inspired me to share this “reminder” is our busy life at the moment. One may think that being pregnant rescues you from overloading - but that is not always true. We are constantly planning out our near future. What are the things we want our daughter to take away from her daddy and mommy? We want to be fully prepared for taking care of a little human that is completely dependent on us. We are preparing spiritually, mentally, and physically. Goals are being set. Attitudes are being worked on. Everything is being set for the comfort of our little one.

The goal is to focus on what’s really necessary. Consulting everything with God and fully trusting Him through this process is what will keep our family blessed. God, if we have to yield, let us know!

I am very grateful for pregnancy at this time of my life. As usual, God is perfect timing!

Speaking of time, I’ve got the privilege to collaborate with one of my favorite watch brands. Daniel Wellington classic watches always impressed me with their perfect balance of simple elegance and minimalistic design. Looking down at my wrist reminds me of how fast time flies! Before we know it, we will meet our next generation. With that being said, use my 15% off coupon- JULS2018! It will expire on September 9, 2018 (very soon.)  Be one of the first to get your new, Classic, Petite Bondi watch, here. We can match:)

Let’s take a break? Usually, our weekends are booked with projects and events. When something isn’t fully finished over the week, we complete it over the weekend. Thank God for two extra days in the week when we can “catch up” on our schedules. That’s how we stay on top of accomplishing the responsibilities. Recently, the juggling is reducing in motion for us. We discovered that we have more time on our hands! Don’t know why exactly this has been granted to us, but we are thankful for the slow-down. Can it be the pregnancy? It sure can! I’ve finally come to peace that pregnant women just can’t keep up with the non-pregnant. My husband and I are taking things slow to get better results.

After understanding that “slowing down” will make me feel tremendously better, I am beginning to enjoy relaxation without feeling guilty. Over the weekends, we now have plenty of time to sleep in. After our good night's rest, we have brunch at one of our local breakfast places. With a full belly, I now have energy to hang out! By “hanging out” I mean taking a walk outside, doing mini photoshoot sessions, and the best part - lounging at home. Doesn’t matter what we end up doing, I always have fun with Teddy. He is just a super pleasant guy to be around and he makes me laugh a lot. This cool guy carries a hidden name tag that says “Instagram Husband.” Truly, that one is obvious according to my IG posts.  I am so thankful for a best friend who also shares the same interests as me.

With more time on my hands, I have the opportunity to finish my final newborn essentials checklist. Our baby registry is complete! The hospital bag is finally packed right in the nick of time. Our daughter’s nursery is coming together to look more lively and welcoming (I promise to do a nursery tour after it’s complete). Overall, life is pretty amazing at the moment. Thank you Jesus for sending me a daughter who will always remind me of my husband.

Since my pregnancy is coming to an end, I sure will miss wearing maternity clothes. Maternity dresses will probably be most missed items in my closet. In these photos, I got to wear an off-shoulder burgundy dress from Pink Blush Maternity. The easy going fabric and the color palette on the dress can be styled and layered differently every time. Who doesn't love variety?!

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Hello lovelies!

We are so close to the finish line! Many of you have been asking how I’m actually feeling.. It’s quite humorous when ladies tell me that I make pregnancy look easy. My response over and over again is “SERIOUSLY?!”

Even though I am striving to be progressive in most things, everything is 2x more complex after 30 weeks. It’s been difficult for me to stay active. Gathering my thoughts together can be a hassle as well. I can feel my energy being joint with another little human which makes me feel drained quicker. The round ligament has to be the most uncomfortable yet painful reality that I am dealing with. There are days when things go somewhat smoothly and then there are days when pregnancy hits a rough path.

The closer we get to the due date, the more stress I feel on my body. As the baby gets bigger with each day, she still manages to bounce off the walls. I felt her first kick at 20 weeks; since then, she makes me laugh at how much she loves her space. She makes me truly passionate about staying mobile. I choose stairs over the elevator every time to prove that I still can. My husband and I go on evening walks to stay in shape. I enjoy doing stretches to relieve the tension. I get chiropractic care to align my back and hips. At the end of the day, I get worn out physically rather than mentally.

Instead of counting down the days to the due date, I’ve decided to enjoy my pregnancy journey and our summertime together. Escaping from mental pressure creates an enjoying atmosphere for my baby and I. I put effort into ignoring any negative vibes that are coming from the current environment, people around me, or my self-consciousness. I am currently at peace with the place I’m at in my life. I can disconnect from the world and fully focus on the energy of the present moment. Pregnancy is the time for me to mentally enter the “stress free” zone.

As uncomfortable and merciless pregnancy may seem, look, or feel, at the end of the day I would never give up the opportunity of growing a baby. It is all worth it! Behind all of these gloomy and rough days, there comes a bright and beautiful baby girl. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because this all seems surreal. I’ve witnessed her foot stretching my skin as if she wants out. She also fist-bumped me that other day.. Too bad I can’t put a face to her! I can’t even imagine what she’s going to look like! I honestly love being pregnant. I’d do it 5 more times! haha

A few weeks ago, Teddy and I went to see a local tulip show here in MN. The tulips were so diverse and unique. We had a breathtaking experience and were in awe of God’s art.

The other thing that left me in awe was the flowy top that I wore that day. Somehow, this light purple maternity top was so lightweight and sweat absorbent! I wear my Pink Blush top on repeat!

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How I’m preparing for fatherhood.

 Babies have become the fuel of my life. These little humans make me happy. The blank spot that I used to ignore has transformed into a spotlight that brings a huge smile to my face.

 The closer the delivery date arrives, the more it hits me that there will soon be an actual human life that I am completely and utterly responsible for. My little daughter’s exploration of this completely new place – Planet Earth - will depend heavily on what I say, do or believe in. The opportunities that she will have and how she executes on them will be influenced by what kind of father I will be.

 With this huge opportunity comes huge responsibility. I know that I am only human and am prone to making mistakes. So, I want to place my trust in God through the entire process of raising my little girl. Nothing beats the blessing of The One. I want to focus on having a strong connection with God in order for my little baby to have that connection as well.  Can't serve from an empty cup. And there is no better way to have that connection than through prayer. 

 I believe that the most powerful thing is a thought. What we think eventually becomes what we say and do. Our thoughts become our intention, which grows into habits and eventually becomes our character. So, essentially the best thing I can do in preparing to become a father is to “get my thinking right”.  

 My mind has a whirlwind of questions. What kind of person am I currently and what do I stand for? Every day is a gift, how do I spend my limited time here on earth? Am I going for better at 70?

 With the million and one different lives that my daughter could live, which one will it be? What skillset and mindset will I pass on to my child? Will I raise someone who lives from a place of love, one who is kind and compassionate, one who is independent and loyal, one who is a contributing member to society and gives more than she receives? Someone who loves God and the people around her?

Julie and I stay up late talking about the near future and beyond.  We try to understand each other and what we both want so that we are on the same page.

 With that being said, no amount of research or late night dreaming can fully prepare us for what is about to come. These are the moments that make our life worth living. Our intent is to approach this with an open mind, with gratitude, acceptance and positivity. I love this quote by KW - “Be here now. Be in the moment. The now is the greatest moment of our lives and it just keeps getting better. The bad parts the boring parts the parts with high anxiety. Embrace every moment for its greatness. This is life. This is the greatest movie we will ever see.”

 Preparation for delivery:

This means snacks and a good playlist. I would love for the delivery to go as smoothly as possible with the result of a sweet memory for Julie and I.  

 With the current condition of the health care system, we really wanted to have our birth as naturally as possible. There is a wide range of options when it comes to birthing - anything from a scheduled medical C-Section extraction to simply delivering in your own basement. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for eliminating unnecessary intervention in childbirth. Unfortunately, 1 out of 3 births in the USA are done through a C-section. While there are definitely times when a C-section saves lives, we want to avoid unnecessary interventions. And this is why we feel more comfortable going through a midwife - someone who we know and understands our philosophy/needs. With that being said, we still want to enjoy the benefits of modern medicine so our location will be a local hospital.

 They say doctors are their own worst patients. I must admit, there are times when I definitely drop the ball in terms of taking care of my own health. As I am stepping into this new chapter in my life, I want health to be a priority for my entire family. We make time for moving our bodies, staying on that 8 hours a night sleep grind, spending time outside, eating clean-ish with plenty of probiotics. I even went on a 30-day detox. That was an awesome reset for my system and I recommend that for everyone.

 What I should be preparing for:

 Changing diapers-

The Digestive Doc aka “the poop doctor” per @sesharikov will finally have to do a natural application of his knowledge.

Swaddleball Champion-

It's as easy as folding paper airplanes, right? Those swaddles don’t stand a chance.

Staying up late-

I hear babies like to hang out late. Currently, I am enjoying my solid 8 hours a night. That will be the best part.

In this post, Julie had an opportunity to collab with Pink Blush Maternity once again. She claims that their stuff is super cute for expecting mothers and for those who are not. Check them out while the entire store is 30% off.

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I love the fact that my two sisters and I are all pregnant this year. It makes our pregnancy journey even more fascinating! As we are growing, we dream about raising future best friends forever. Three sisters living in different states doesn't always make it easy. Daily phone calls and animated Facetimes are our favorite ways to keep up with each other. Our devoted friendship and mutual support comes easily. There are many perks to being pregnant at the same time with your sisters. When one of us is enlightened with newly discovered products, hacks, or tips - the other two get promptly informed. That’s how we acknowledge our “coolest” pregnancy must-haves.

There are several pregnancy must-haves that I fully rely on to make my pregnancy the best experience possible:

#1: Prenatal Supplements

    -Throughout my pregnancy, I have been sticking to one prenatal brand that contains organic whole food ingredients. Garden of Life promises to supply mom and baby with the proper amount of nutrients to support the pregnancy. I also like the fact that they are organic because I want my baby to have the absolute best quality without harmful pesticides and other chemicals.

Personal experience: The MyKind Organic prenatal multi by Garden of Life was the first prenatal that I bought.However, I have detected a strong distaste as I experienced nausea with every take.I must admit, I bought mykind Organics Prenatal Multi three times before switching to another one. One day, I’ve decided that I’ve had enough!

Final choice: I’ve searched for other organic prenatals that would be satisfying in taste. I ended up going with Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal Multivitamin by the same company - Garden of Life.

This tasted way better. On top of that, this formula comes in capsules that can separate and the powder can be added into drinks. Vitamin Code raw prenatals also contain ginger for morning sickness. I just can’t stay away from Garden of Life!

#2: Prenatal DHA

    -Fish oil, fish oil, fish oil to help baby with development of brains, eyes, and nervous system.

#3: Collagen powder and bone broth

    - Did you know that pregnant women are supposed to be consuming 95-100 grams of protein every day? Collagen powder is a good way to receive protein along with some other benefits. Collagen powder also strengthens skin, hair, and nails. The intake of collagen powder can make you look younger and feel healthier as it supports your immune system. Also provides baby with the necessary building blocks that it needs for development.

#4: Digestive capsules

    -Heartburns during pregnancy is very common and normal. For some - it’s mild. For others - it’s rough. I’ve had gastroesophageal reflux disease in the past. Anything acidic would trigger my heartburns and they would last for hours. Dealing with heartburn was something I expected to go through during my days of pregnancy. When I started dating Teddy, he became aware of my problem. Teddy ordered me Pure Encapsulations to ease my heartburn. That was life changing. As of that day, acid reflux doesn’t bother me like it used to. Today, I only take the pills on an as-needed basis.

#5: Vitamin D

    -I take vitamin D to help support my bones and teeth. I want to have strong bones until I look intimidating, haha. Vitamin D strengthens the immune system and has even been linked to fighting cancer. It is especially important for those of us who live in northern states (like Minnesota), where we do not get enough sunlight, especially during the winter months.

Vitamin D also helps with depression (hint hint for postpartum depression)

#6: H2o

    -Water keeps your body and skin hydrated. That means getting proper nutrients to all of the cells, glowing skin, and a smaller chance of stretch marks. Water also softens stool! With the amounts of foods that I eat, I prefer to empty out my stomach before the next big meal. Life just gets easier that way.

#7: Coconut oil

    -Coconut oil is a natural way to moisturize dry and tight skin. Consume in foods to get your dose of the good fats. Rub it on your growing belly to reduce stretch marks. Apply coconut oil to the face for deep moisturizing. Coconut oil is far more beneficial than you think it is. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. There is even research that shows that using coconut oil in the third trimester reduces perinatal mortality by more than 50%.

#8: Pregnancy belly band

    -Oh, the comfort the belly bands brings! The bigger the belly gets, the more pressure there is on the low back and the pelvic region. A pregnancy band keeps the belly in place as it reduces the heavy tension. My sister, Tanya, can’t get enough of her maternity support belt. Unfortunately, my baby seems to dislike the extra pressing on the belly so she tries to kick it away. As a result, I end up wearing it for only short periods of time. But that is better than nothing!

#9: Baby journaling

-All of the awesome moments, the odd cravings, and the annoying symptoms go into my pregnancy journal. The Bundle of Joy baby journal/scrapbook is entirely designed with cuteness. With this journal, you don’t have to start from scratch. All you have to do is fill out the blanks as you have fun raising your 2018 baby. In other words, this journal is very easy to use and reflects the day and age we live in. Teddy and I already had so much fun answering some of the questions in our memory journal for baby’s first years.

#10: Caffeine

-Once or twice a day, of course! I have to take my daily caffeine or else you’ll catch me napping on a public bench. Surviving the day with only chamomile tea is almost impossible. Also, multitasking would be hopeless without my cup of tea or the occasional frappuccino.  Pregnant women get tired faster than a man trying to persuade a woman. Just kidding, way faster!

Special photo credits go to Haley, a local photographer here in MN, for collaborating with me on this blog post. We had an amazing time getting to know each other better as we ate ice cream in bed. Follow Haley to see more of her talent on Instagram here.

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YES - I turned 25 years young on Friday. Yikes! Turning 25, along with being married and pregnant nearly sets my mind on settling down. However, that is not happening. I will strive to continue living a fulfilling life as I bless God for it.

Over the weekend, my husband surprised me with a hotel staycation. I was so thrilled! Considering the fact that the third trimester of pregnancy isn’t the easiest when it comes to travel, we decided to stay local. Thaddeus still managed to make this birthday especially memorable. A one-night hotel stay created a relaxing atmosphere as I got to cool off and unwind. We enjoyed my birthday dinner at Cosmos with a beautiful view at the Loews hotel. The upper floor room with a city view made this stay even more lavishing. As entertaining as my 20’s are, I have put together a bucket list for experiences I want to have before turning 30.

Here are the 15 things I want to accomplish before I hit the big 30:

-have 2 kids

-take our children on a mission trip

-purchase our first home

-have my own garden

-take my husband on a trip without him paying a dime

-visit Israel again

-visit Italy and Moscow

-go on a “girls trip” with my sisters and moms

-bake a cake

-go snorkeling

-help our children find their spirit musical instrument

-take a helicopter ride

-grow my blog to 100k readers

-grow my youtube channel to 1000 true friends

-attend all of my single sibling’s weddings (that’s four weddings)

-design my very own product

Now let’s get to work!

In my photos, I got the privilege to wear the lace dress in navy blue from Pink Blush. This maternity dress made my night effortless because of the fine stretch the material has to offer. To find more maternity evening dresses that define elegance and taste, visit their website at www.pinkblushmaternity.com

We’ve got 1.5 years down together and many more to go! Where does time fly? I’m sincerely thankful to God that Thaddeus and I were able to take advantage of every day. Each new day was another opportunity to build a stronger family foundation in the Lord. Each new day meant another reason to fall more in love. Each new day called for another chance to grow closer. I love each new day. Even the ones that were hints to start over again.

The entire month of May is a colorful one. First off, the grass and leaves are literally changing colors. The other two highlights would have to be celebrating our wedding anniversary and announcing the gender of our sweet baby. So much goodness is going on in our life right now! New ways are being made. Showered with blessings, we stay near. Doing life with my best friend is an absolute honor! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, darling.

After being married to Thaddeus for over a month, I begin to realize that he is a sharp leader. When we got together, I willingly decided to pass the torch to the head of the household. I know for a fact that there cannot be two captains on a ship. My willingness to lead still remains appreciated by my husband since I’ve been leading the Partikevich siblings my entire life. Both of us know exactly what we want from this life. We work together and will go the extra mile to help one another achieve our goals.

If there’s one thing to know about Thaddeus and I, it’s that we are actually more alike than not. We are both strong believers in celebrating every achievement. He helps a patient overcome migraines through chiropractic - we both rejoice. He has a bright idea for his next business endeavor - we pray about it. We feel the baby kick - we go crazy. I create a new topic to blog about - we get ice cream (or anything edible). I try a new paleo recipe - we (he) cheer/s. I guess that’s what you call being married to your best friend. After months together, one begins to think, to solve, and to act the same way. Ahh I love being married to “the one!”

Here, we welcome contrast. Having our differences is something that can be celebrated as well. For example, when Thaddeus closes the cupboards after himself - he saves the kitchen from looking messy (and makes me ecstatic). When he wears his barely wrinkled dress-shirt for the second time - we save time on laundry. When I organize our document folder - life gets easier. When I make an insurance call successfully - we get insured. Through our differences, we’ve learned about each other’s values. Did you know that just by “trying” to impress the other person, there can be a huge difference on whatever the outcome will be?! A failed surprise is so worth the laughs.

Our proudest strength is our connection. We connect on so many levels - spiritually, mentally, and physically. We have a connection where one look says it all. One touch feels it all. One word melts a heart. We trust without a doubt. Wifi stands no chance! Our ridiculous weakness has to be our pro-baby talk when there’s just the two of us. Trust me, it’s something we don’t want to get into because of the potential questioning. I’m sure that we aren’t the only ones guilty of baby talk, haha.

Speaking of babies, we are ready to announce the gender of ours! To be honest, we’ve been ready to announce the gender for over a month now. We just didn’t have the right photo that would do it justice.

We. Are. Having. A. DAUGHTER!!! We’ve been bursting with excitement! Our hearts get this warm, fuzzy feeling every time we think of our baby girl! We are seriously in love with her! We cannot wait until August 18th to finally meet our beautiful baby girl. This is a blessing beyond measure. She stole our hearts.

Our family of three has a goal of making the most out of this brief gift, called life. We wish to make every day count for the future by making every moment of the day a highlight. We will empower our daughter to do more in life for the kingdom of God. The people that surround us will know what it’s like to have a place for God in their hearts. We will resemble Christ in every way possible. With His help, of course.

Thank you for getting to know our family better. We would love to know more about you as well! Comment below what you love most about your family.

We are back from our vacation! Well rested and thoroughly tanned, we are more than ready to dive back into "real life". 

A few days after arriving home from Miami, I got on a plane to North Carolina to host my little sister’s (Tanya) baby shower. I was devastated when I found out that I will be flying alone without Teddy. Stand-by tickets can be a treat and also a trick. The obvious pro of flying standby is that it saves money. The risky con of flying standby is that there can be a low number of seats available. This time, the return flight booked really fast and didn’t leave room for Teddy to return back home in time for work on Monday. Although I missed my husband like crazy during the 3 days we were apart, I had a blast in North Carolina. I got the opportunity to reunite with my awesome mom, my cool-cat sisters, and my fun girlfriends.

I flew in on Saturday just in time for the shower. We dressed up and left to the location of the event. Tanya’s sister-in-law was kind enough to let us use her spacious, country-style backyard. We embellished the simple decor, the cooks prepared the food, and soon thereafter the guests showed up with gifts. Everything became twice as beautiful every time our future mama smiled. Tanya looked especially radiant that day. Everything went as planned despite Tanya having a nightmare the night before about her baby shower being a disaster. Thank God for hope!

My program turned out to be a success. Thank God! The mama-to-be was satisfied, the games were engaging for all ages, and the atmosphere was relaxed. It was a pleasure hosting my little sister's baby shower.

I can’t stop talking about my pregnancy! Now, this is most likely a topic you’re not used to reading on here. I hope that you are as thrilled as I am about life getting more exciting with each passing day. I feel extremely blessed to live a life worth writing about.

I am in awe knowing that there is life growing inside of me. I adore the pregnancy journey. It seems like just yesterday we found out that we are expecting a baby. Now, I am at 18 weeks with a growing belly. Which seems to be growing really fast! Realizing that time is short, I try not to waste any time on nonsense. I spend my days brainstorming and planning. My current lifestyle and short-term goals include:

living a healthy lifestyle

eating proper nutrition

having a positive mindset

exercising lightly

showing enough love & attention to our baby

finding the perfect crib

shopping for a reliable stroller

preparing a nursery

planning our baby’s welcome party

To be completely honest with you, I have been slacking with my workouts. Snuggles and hot beverages are so inviting during the cold winter months in Minnesota. Although, I have been managing to get some squats and stretches in, it still feels like I am way behind my workout routine. I am looking forward to the warm spring days and the long walks with my husband. Speaking of my husband, Teddy has been the biggest support since day one. Thank you babe, for willing to buy me messy burgers. Thank you for providing me with the best care. Thank you for comforting me when I have crazy nightmares. We are both lucky to have you as a husband and a papa.

I am deeply in love with being pregnant. I try to filter everything that goes into my system. I listen and connect with my body like never before. Even though my baby and I have a special connection, we also have our differences. The baby is repulsed by the prenatal vitamins that I forcefully consume. The baby also doesn’t seem to understand why kale, broccoli, and cauliflower are so important?! Good thing I’m a cool mom! We both compromise. I’m just glad that we can agree on collagen powder, vitamin C & D supplements.

Throughout my pregnancy journey, I’ve been able to experience happiness, health, and satisfaction. I love you Jesus for making this process so easy and delighting. Our child belongs to You!

I do not know how to say this without grinning like we won the lottery! We are expecting our first child on August 18, 2018!!! We are so excited and thankful for the opportunity to become parents! Thank you Jesus for granting us this pure happiness! We would love and appreciate if you kept us in your prayers during our pregnancy - while we pretend like we know what we are doing.

Day by day goes by and some are still in search for new endeavors. Being bored is getting old. To be honest, we are all aging as well. With that being said, it is time to take control of our lives today! Babe, let’s be more productive - that is super attractive!❤️

The verifiable truth is that most of my readers are innocent, perky gals. I love the way you girls strive to become successful and intelligent young ladies. I want to thank you beautiful ladies for inspiring me to own my identity. This Tuesday, I want to chat about the astonishing power of a young lady in action.

We only get one life. Planning to live this “one life” average and ordinary should make you feel guilty. Keeping all of those bright ideas to yourself is not fair to the rest of us. Work on your dreams everyday. Your majestic invention may change somebody’s life. Your awesome achievement may benefit you and the rest of the world in the future. Think strategically about the different ways you can reach your goals faster. Every day is another opportunity to bring you closer to success. Now, let’s get to business.

“Actions, not words.” What happens today? Will today’s main priority be dealt with before everything else? Better yet, will that one important thing that you’re working on get one step closer to completing? Currently, I am reading a book called “The One Thing” by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan. This book drew my attention the minute I found out that it is about priorities. I personally love the idea of getting things done. The key is to fully focus with your heart, soul, and mind on achieving that “one” priority.

Gary Keller believes that “Success is built sequentially. It’s one thing at a time.” If your priority is family time this Tuesday, make sure to make note of your intentions. Be present and fully engaged. The people in front of you deserve your full attention and your life will seem richer.

The book also talks about the “Pareto Principle”. Richard Koch, in his book “The 80/20 Principle”, defines it as “the 80/20 Principle asserts that a minority of causes, inputs, or effort usually lead to a majority of the results, outputs, or rewards.” In other words, the majority of what you want will come from the minority of what you do. As long as what you are doing is the most important thing moving you closer to your goal. Don’t focus on getting everything done - focus on the most important priority. Even if you don’t get everything off of your “to-do” list, you still know that you did the most important things that are moving you closer to your success. Completing things step-by-step, one priority at a time is a good method for productivity. I’m positive those endorphin levels will explode once you reach your final goal for success.

What’s your calling? Find your niche, your passion, and work hard on developing the appropriate skills. I have to tell you this: you’re amazing at your “one thing”. If the risky chances make you nervous, think about why you started this in the first place. You can never forget about the purpose of your top priority. Adding on to that, commitment is very important when fulfilling your purpose. Take your priority into both hands and plant it. Don’t give up even after you see your seed grow!

My priority for today is to make my blog page relatable to my readers. I want to talk about the real things in life that we face each day. I enjoy chatting about the similar lifestyle that I share with my Christian young ladies. Also, I want to feel the connection once we open up our hearts. I pray that my blog's topics interest my beautiful ladies. Prayers go out to God for His creative input.

I want to always improve! I would heartily appreciate your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or even tips on how to make this blog a warm visit every time. Let me know what you’re interested in reading more about. Leave your comments below. My production for your engagement. This can be our little collaboration:)

I see many of you rolling up to a new year with so much certainty! Bravo, bravo. It’s easier when we know exactly what we want to accomplish this year.

Now for those who know little about what’s expecting them this new year, I understand. We don’t know what’s heading our way tomorrow.

“New year, new heart” is our motto for 2018.

Whether you are facing inconvenience, delays, difficulties, or headaches, a new heart will make certain that you’re prepared! I say, we set impossible goals and achieve them with God. That way, we can give glory to the Lord. He sets a strong foundation on the things that we want to build.

Want to work on this together? Here are the things that I would personally love to improve on this year. If you see spring flowers blooming through these five ideas, then you should join me on this ‘’new heart’’ wagon.

#1 Read more: Reading is a great way to expand your mindset. It allows you to learn, to grow, and to understand. If you want to join me in this goal, we should ask ourselves what kind of literature interests us. What catches my eye when I’m just window (book) shopping? Challenge yourself to read about something that you know little about. Dive beyond your comfort zone - that is where true growth happens! There are also amazing books on self- improvement, cooking, science, anthology, etc. that we can discover.  One book that I want to spend more time with is the Bible. It covers so many topics that will help me live my best life possible.  

#2 Self-care: I want to focus my mind, body, and spirit on what’s bringing health into my life. Positive vibes should be in the spotlight of our minds! Be conscious of what’s making us glow and decidedly reject everything that is stopping us from happiness. We only get one body - I have to treat it nicely! Exercise on the daily, eat nutritious foods, move with intention. I want to supply my body with organic, non-toxic products for my skin, hair, etc. I also want to keep my spirit clean from any evilness. I believe that darkness can’t resist light. Therefore, I want to stay close to God - the source of all light and truth.

#3 Save money: This might be a tough one for many people, including myself. There are so many convenient, beautiful, and brilliant things that I “can” invest in. But do I REALLY need it? Will my purchases bring long-term benefits to me and my family? I am willing to spend our money on necessary belongings, especially when there is the chance to save money. This upcoming year, I will focus only on purchasing items that my family “needs.” Oh, and I will continue shopping the sales. With finding steals, I can buy more groceries:)

(By the way, the entire outfit that I am wearing on these photos came from the clearance rack). Yup.

#4 New friends: I will try to be more open to the new souls that I encounter in my life. I want to make new friends and expand my circle! Once the new person enters into my life, I will make an effort to trust them. I will trust my new pals as I would trust myself. And if one day the trust gets broken, I will learn to move on. You miss all the chances you don’t take.

#5 Godly foundation:  I would be honored to have God participate in the building of my life. My prayer for 2018 is “God, break whatever it is that I’m building if it won’t make a positive difference in my life or the lives of people around me.” I do wish to unite with God in helping me reach my life goals. In the end, God’s approval of my dreams and goals is everything.

Stay warm lovelies,

Julie S

Fa La La La La

I’ve been yearning for a family reunion for the longest time now! My Christmas wish turned into a Christmas miracle! After planning and scheming, we finally made it happen. My siblings and I achieved surprising my parents this holiday. December is off to a beautiful start.

Hold up! Let’s backtrack a little.. We “wanted” to surprise both of my parents, but people insisted on us telling the “pearl of the house,” aka my mom.

Mom prides herself at being an exceptional host. The house has to be spotless and the food has to be served hot. Our pleasant surprise would have definitely turned into a stressful situation if we had left mom clueless.

She would be upset at herself for not delivering the exceptional experience that night. Let’s save her from extra stress and announce the visit. Less mess and more bliss.

As joyful as she was about our visit, mom recommended keeping this as a surprise for dad..

Ahh so good! The surprise happened and he still has a hard time believing this! Mom is smiling more than ever and the food is tasting incredible! It feels so good to be home.

December has always been the most festive month of the year for my family. Jesus’, mom’s, and dad’s birthdays happen to be in the same month. The celebrations were always lit. Which is why we couldn’t let this year pass without that extra festive touch that only family can bring.

We spent all weekend laughing, eating, and glorifying God. We exchanged Christmas gifts and celebrated birthdays. We explored our beautiful downtown as we hung out by the splendid skyscrapers. We took lots of photos (Tuna’s baby bump couldn’t get any cuter!) Yeah, that’s right - Tuna and Nick are having a baby this upcoming June!!!

On Sunday, our clan attended my former church. I sincerely miss the strong kindness in my Pittsburgh church. It's always a good place to come back to because it’s guaranteed you’ll feel accepted and welcomed.  

This weekend was by far the most precious and meaningful reunion for my family. I pray that we continue staying close even though we are scattered all over the U.S.

Dear friend, I hope that you find your family's laughter contagious because what’s there to be grumpy about?! Always look for acknowledgment from your closest people. Happy holidays!

Happy Tuesday, my main squeezes!

A friend inspired me to write about the beginning stages of praying together with your partner.

I feel like today’s topic should have been shared months ago. Most definitely because Teddy and I broke all sorts of barriers in our first month of marriage. I am aware that every couple is different. Breaking the barrier can take longer than anticipated. Some couples take longer to adjust when having a roommate and others make it click right away. One couple takes longer to date and others jump right into the next level.

In our case, things started moving fast. In no more than two months, we were engaged. I’m thankful that I got to experience what it’s like being an “official” girlfriend to a cool guy; even though it lasted for less than two months.

Everybody has their differences. We all grew up in different environments. Routines and habits are repeated daily. When you’ve come this far in life on your own, having to share it with somebody else can be scary. Some claim that they’re better off alone while ignoring the whole “acclimating” part of life.

Considering that ‘two became one’ causes you to start sharing. Everything hers becomes his and everything his becomes hers. Without giving it much attention, her favorite songs make it to his playlist. All of the sudden, his favorite interests become common to hers. Before you know it, his needs end up on her prayer list and her anxieties don’t make it off his prayer list. Always being there for one another, they are best friends.

Growing up, our parents taught us to say our needs out loud during prayer. I remember praying out loud in church. Speaking our prayers helps with expressing our communication with the Almighty. My favorite part about praying out loud is the “AMEN”  I hear after the prayer. It means agreement, fellowship, and unity.

For many people, prayer is intimate alone time with God. When we are used to praying with nobody around, having someone hear you express your innermost desires can be very uncomfortable.

One barrier that many couples face is breaking the awkwardness of praying together. I believe that spoken prayers have been very useful in our marriage. If you’re not practicing this yet, then I suggest you do. Speak your heart’s desire out loud. Your spouse’s presence during prayer shouldn’t be intimidating at all. In fact, it’s supposed to be an encouragement and support. There goes another prayer that will be answered due to the agreement of two (Matthew 18:19.) Don’t neglect that powerful spiritual connection that endures between you and your spouse.

The same goes for the couples that are not married yet. Start praying for your future together, your spiritual growth, and the strong family foundation. Pray about each other’s personal struggles that some call “flaws.” Thank God for the positive qualities you find in each other. Pray for God to forever reign in your future household. Don’t let anything get between you and God at any time!

Praying with my fiance before marriage really set the devotional aspect of our life straight. We both fell in love with the harmony of wholeness. We felt complete!

There are all sorts of barriers out there. Everything ranging from little awkward stages to serious stages that can be critical. Getting comfortable around another person can take some time. Don’t be shy and start taking down one wall at a time! Your relationship will thank you.

Mkay Bye

It's our one-year anniversary!!! Oh darling, I don’t even know where to begin.. This year has been grand for the both of us! This year, we learned to surrender and then we learned to fly. We managed to grow together, while keeping God close to our hearts. Supplied with eternal love, we are merry.

The incredible memories will forever be youthful in our minds. No matter the atmosphere, we always accomplish to make each other giggle. No matter the day, we bring out the fun moments. The way two people can fit each other so perfectly is still surreal to me. God definitely did not only have “something,” but “everything” to do with it. I bless our Father in heaven for showing me heaven on earth.

I wish I had the power to slow down time. It’s quite hard to believe that our one-year anniversary has come. But it is easy to believe that this isn’t the grand finale! We still have many stories ahead of us. I love you, my best friend! Lots of hugs and kisses!

I’d like to give a shout-out to the wonderful people who made this photo-shoot epic! Steffen Sharikov, the marvelous photographer captured us, love birds, excellently. Our charming florist, Marina Kuksenko, did a beautiful job at arranging the enchanting bouquet. Marina’s website will be launching soon! Follow both Steffen and Marina on Instagram so you don't miss a single project! @steffensharikovphotography @lovemkxo

“Why is God allowing strange things to happen to His children? Why isn’t He keeping us safe?”

Woah, slow down. We can’t blame the innocent. Evil hurricanes, painful losses, and unpleasant diseases weren’t God’s plans until today. God allowed a tragedy to enter your life. Here is another battle that you can’t win alone. You need the General that will guarantee victory. You need to conquer this moment with the all-powerful God.

None of God’s intentions are cruel. His actions are completed with purpose. Whether the purpose is to test your faith, to speak to you, or through you, there is purpose in the pain. You should rise again. Rise again, even if it means to be repeated. For encouragement, read the Bible verse written in 1 Peter 5:10, NIV, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

As strong as a bear. As firm as a soldier. As steadfast as an angel. Use the powerful name of Jesus to be restored.   

Why tell your heart to beat again?

Because you’re still alive!

Be thankful for the suffering that you’ve overcome. Thank God for His merciful grace. God has given you another chance at living!  As strange as it sounds, God is aware of all your difficulties. Your tragic loss, a.k.a. the heartbreak, God knows about it. Your tragic stumble and the great fall, God has the absolute knowledge of it all. Which is why He is here today, standing right in front of you. His palms are open and His heart is exposed. Run to Him.

Your heartbeat means that you’re ready to rise. It clearly defines your acceptance of the situation and the urge to fight for life again. “To live” doesn’t exactly mean breathe and exist. “To live” means to enjoy this day forth as you prepare for the next challenge. Trust me, you can live with a tightened waist-belt as you make the most out of life. For God’s love gave us another chance at life.

p.s. I pray that today’s bad news will make a difference tomorrow.

Be there for one another!

Stay strong, be courageous!  

                                                  -JS

Welcome back, loves! It's about time I share photos of our bedroom!

For our bedroom, we've agreed on creating a room filled with light and peace. The neutral, faded colors make it easy to take a deep breath! The soft and spacious bed makes it easy to take an even deeper breath! We wanted something that would guarantee to recharge our energy after a long day. The bedroom is definitely designed to be the most cozy room in our apartment. Oh, I just love having a private little space that includes a good-looking husband that I call HOME.  

"Mid-century modern meets contemporary" is how I would describe our space. With a name like that, you can design hundreds of interiors and still get various results. That's why there's nothing better than adding your own character into your designs. I voted for distressed duvets and all-time classic candle holders! 

Below is the clean simplicity of our bedroom shown on images.

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Bed set, here: Bed Bath and Beyond 

White throw blanket, here: West Elm

King sleigh bed, here: Schneiderman's

Audrey dresser collection, here: West Elm

Modern blue ceramic vases, here: West Elm

Oval wall mirror, here: West Elm

Brass candle holder, here: Amazon

Brass/White table lamps, here: Target

White picture frames, here: IKEA

Brass floating picture frame, here: CB2

Standing planter, here: West Elm

Fiddle-leaf fig plant, here: Bachman's

A crowd with one vision is the crowd with the most potential of capturing hearts. All it takes is one miracle and we're all fans!

You don't have to lose a family member to feel a powerful change in your life. You don't have to walk on hot coals or pay a fortune. All you need is a little "sacrifice." When you sacrifice "your way of life" for a short period of time for God, it becomes "His way of life." You learn to accept any situation or circumstance that you're in. You begin to change your thinking through diverse people and experiences. You begin to form into a grateful child with a heart filled with appreciation.

Going on a mission trip will reveal the real YOU! Underneath all of our filthy and self-centered selves, we can discover a new kind of energy! A rising flame for Christ! You begin to accept every situation and circumstance that you're in. You learn to interact with a great diversity of humans.

Here's to another annual tradition of serving overseas with my family. This year, we got an invitation to the Zakarpattia Oblast - which is located in the Southwestern part of Ukraine. The breezy air, the proud mountains, and the organic local-grown foods were quite the experience. The smiling, eager faces of the children were the highlight of our purpose.

In Ukraine, we worked with a local church to organize a week-long camp for kids and teens without the right guidance in life. Many of whom had been abandoned by their parents or taken away by the government due to negligence. A few of the children and teens in attendance were already introduced to Christ.

My husband and I got the privilege to work with the youngest bunch of kids. Their ages ranged from ten to eleven. They were so easy to work with, believe me! It's always a funny image when some kids try to prove that they know more than the others. And then they try to win over your trust. I loved reading them Bible stories in the morning and then hugging them tightly at night. Our youngest  group even managed to beat other groups at sports. Our crowd memorized more Bible verses than the other kids. Teddy and I had to gift them personally because they were shining stars! In fact, all kids are bright! I just wish for one thing: for parents to realize that their children will bring them a bright future.

It's rewarding to travel and serve God at the same time! There is one thing that we can't forget to do while evangelizing. "Proving your words through your actions!" We can't declare one thing and then do another thing. Carefully guarding your own image while staying authentic will keep you in safe grounds. We are weak, but God works in amazing ways through His children!

I am so embarrassed to admit my own absence. Returning home from overseas made me realize how behind I am on my schedule. No worries though! I am back on track, grinding! I definitely miss my readers! It is so good to be back with yinz:)  

I don't know how to describe my husband without making people jealous. Hehe.

All I'm trying to say is that my husband is my "dream man." Here are the reasons behind my glowing face:

~Every beautiful morning, he opens his sleepy eyes and tugs me in very close. Even if it means waking me up from my dream, I say it's worth it!

~He INSISTS on washing the dishes after I prepare dinner. Also, Teddy offers to cook for me when I'm not able to. I enjoy watching him do work around the kitchen.

~He doesn't care about the distance. Over lunch, he drives from his workplace to my workplace and surprises me with Starbucks. Sadly, our lunches only last up to thirty minutes.

~He makes me feel comfortable in every situation. Whether it's providing me with a human headrest or helping me escape awkward people.

~HE SHOPS WITH ME! Not only does he hold my hand at the mall, but he also helps me pick out my outfits.

~When the "big camera" isn't around, he takes out his iPhone to shoot me from different angles. Ahh, every girl's dream! Oh, and he doesn't mind being IN the picture too!

~He is my doctor. Teddy has a remedy for every sudden "caprice" of mine. But then he has the answers when it's actually something serious.

~Always fills me with positive affirmations. Perfect words at perfect moments. May God bless his enormous, generous heart!

~He makes me confident and brave. With him next to me, I can rule a country!

~If I recall, there was never a day when he didn't make me laugh or smile. I die from laughter and I grin like a monkey. Sometimes people wonder if we have recently begun dating.

~His "I love yous" are said with passionate affection. I know that he means it every.single.time.

Tomorrow marks nine months of pure bliss. These photos perfectly capture our relationship. It was such a pleasure to collaborate on this photoshoot with @Oksana_miro!

After hanging out with Oksana, I realized the power of connections. There is value found in people - because every person has a talent. Its a beautiful thing when passions collide! Oksana is a talented photographer who is always on the go. She literally collects cities. Go check out her work www.oksanamirophoto.com

Thanks for the beautiful memory!

p.s. Always be open to meeting new people. You never know when your paths will cross again.

It is so good to be home!!!

Happy Tuesday, darlings. Let's make it more interesting and start off with a fun fact: I love having people over! But most importantly, I love spending time with my husband at home. To make your space feel more comfortable and cozy, yet with character, you have to put in blood, sweat, and tears. 

 Kidding! The heart alone should be enough! 

I am sharing images of our living room and our dinning room. Bedroom pictures will be coming soon!

Little by little, our apartment has come to the finish line. In terms of decorating, of course. After many hours, days, and months of internet-searching and store-hopping, we've found our unique pieces. 

It is quite the pleasure walking into a home filled with your personal taste! 

One of my favorite decorations that we own would be the wall art. Our chosen posters from www.Desenio.com bring a vibe of peacefulness into this crazy world. So much life and depth in those posters! The quiet water with the still palm leaf literally brings nature into the room. When EVEN nature is obedient to the Almighty God, that's when we have to take note - surrender yourself and humble yourself. 

When I look at the poster of the girl, I think of freedom. As humans, we have the freedom to think whatever. Buzz kill here: don't forget that your thoughts travel on wings! As one wise person once said, "Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny."

The last poster is an inspirational black on white text. It reminds us to always pay attention to the positive side of life. There are always good and bad things happening around us simultaneously. It's up to us where we choose to focus our attention. No matter what is happening, remember: you're still alive, you're still breathing, all you have to do is smile for yourself. Choose delight! 

I am obsessed with our newest addition of quality posters! Now you also have the opportunity to save 25% OFF YOUR NEXT PURCHASE! You have three days to shop with my code JULIES25. They have hundreds of surreal wall art that you can mix and match. 

If you're willing to bring a fresh breath of modern and chic into your atmosphere, then start shopping now! 

For those who are in the process of putting together their home, here are the TOP 3 things to remember: 

  1. CUSTOMIZE IT: make it feel like it’s YOUR home by using Bible verses or inspirational quotes that’ll keep you moving forward in life. Your home is an extension of your message. Use quotes or verses that speak to you and your guests. Choose unique sayings that will make the guest read the quote until the very end.

  2. COLOR FLOW: do your chosen colors describe you? Brighter colors are clearly for outgoing people. Lighter shades are for those of us that are divine and carefree. Well, what about those who are in dark places right now? Does that mean you must paint your walls as dark as your soul? No. Let that ray of sunshine pass right through those thin cracks. Choose lighter/brighter interior colors to brighten up that gloomy face. But hey, if you want to stay mysterious, then use the darker shades. Think which colors reflect your character!

  3. LIVING ATMOSPHERE: in my opinion, the best decor you can display would be photos, candles, essential oils and living plants. Always choose life! Another opinion of mine? Geez, I knew you’d ask.. Family members enlighten the room and brighten the atmosphere. There is nothing more valuable and festive than your family gathered in the living room. Keep in mind, your entire house is the living room.

When somebody enters my home, I want this quote to run through their heads, “Living souls rule here.”

Enjoy decorating your place. Homes can give good first impressions too!

Wall posters- Desenio

Velvet couch- Macy'sfurniture

Leather side chairs- HOM furniture

Dinning table & chairs for 4- Ikea

Coffee table, end table, tripod lamp-  Schneiderman's

Pillows, brass lamp, blue vase- West Elm

Tall white ceramic vase- CB2

Round glass vase- Homegoods

Plant and planter- Bachman's

Wall plants, Bible verse- Hobby Lobby

Brass giraffe- Target

Ever wonder why you surround yourself with the people around you? There are many different reasons why we hang with some and chose to avoid others. They include everything from circumstance to politics. However, there are two main kinds of relationships that we need to cultivate in order to live a purpose-driven life. To live a fulfilling life, we must learn to lead and follow.

        1. Follower. You see the other person as your mentor - someone who look up to. You actually enjoy spending time with your “teacher’’ without feeling intimidated. The mentor leaves you fulfilled; this is perfect because no one likes to spend time in vain. At the end of the day, you learn a lot from that wise and intelligent mind. Plus, they make you look smart. In this case, it's thrilling to be a follower.

       2. Leader. You ARE the mentor. Throughout the years, you have learned a lot from the people around you. You have taken in a lot from the society you're in. You have also learned how to survive in all kinds of situations. You know all of the "life-hacks" that you want to share with the world. Your knowledge must be appreciated and you know it!

Being a follower and being a leader are both great qualities. In order to be a leader, you have to be able to always attract newbies. Those with a lot of potential in him/her can be useful today and especially in the future.

Being a leader means that you need to be good at finding needs. You are growing into a bigger person and your confidence is to die for. Meanwhile, being a follower means you have to learn from the leader’s mistakes and benefit from the leader’s knowledge. Oh, how humble is the heart of the follower! Although, followers do have the special privilege to choose their own leaders.

Since Jesus Christ is the leader here, we need to be open to new challenges and new opportunities. In the greatest challenges, there lie the greatest opportunities. As He leads us, we need to be ready to follow. We constantly have to crave His edifying Word. As believers, we have to do everything we can to stay connected as we continue developing a stronger bond with The One.

On daily basis, do what makes your soul shine for Jesus. On daily basis, surround yourself with Holy goodness, faithful people, and the Daily Bread. The Daily Bread is free from toxins, chemicals, and even gluten. It is the purest nutrition that will help your soul grow spiritually.

Here is a warning that I repeat to myself as I face a new day: “Do not let anything in the world come between you and your God!” You two are in the process of building that pure gold crown that you’ll receive once you meet face to face.

Become a follower of God’s Word and you will become a spiritual leader of our generation!

Here are the photos that we took on our 6 months anniversary. It was a lot of fun shooting them!

Over the weekend, my youngest sister got hitched. Blessing Nick and Tuna on their wedding day was easy for everybody. Seeing them together brought peace to the family and high hopes for their single friends.

The fact that my little sister got married basically means that she won't visit us alone anymore. The good news is that we like Nick too much not to welcome him to parties and/or reunions.

I don't know where to begin in thanking God for the family He's given me. Every person in my family is valuable and loved. The bigger my family gets, the better the chance of us taking over the world. Don't you worry, our intentions come from a good place.

It was finally Friday, the 12th. Steffen (my brother/photographer), Igor (my brother/volunteer wedding chauffeur), and I woke up around 2 a.m to head to the MSP airport. It was too bad that my husband couldn't fly out with us due to work conflict; because I sure did miss him tremendously that day. Our two-hour flight was composed of sleepy laughter and senseless jokes. We arrived to Charlotte at 8 a.m. and were greeted by my parents and the love birds.

Friday was the day I reunited with most of my friends. We enjoyed decorating the beautiful church along with the spacious reception room. Although we took breaks every hour or so, we still managed to finish the wedding decor before 3 a.m.

NOW we hear the wedding bells ringing!!!

Early Saturday morning, we woke up at Nick's parents house. I was really hoping to sleep in a little longer that morning, but the videogra'pher and his merry band of guys couldn't contain their happiness. To be honest, I had two jobs that weekend. My first role was to be the sister of the bride. I had to look out for the bride to make sure that all of the good things I've taught her were applied that day. My second job was to be a photographer's assistant. As her older sister, I've gotten to know Tuna's "angles" better than she knows her own. I also know her taste in most situations. And finally, I adore being behind the camera. Steffen gladly made my dream come true - photographing a wedding became a reality for me.

After the "first look" and the morning photo session, we headed to the church where the ceremony was going to be held. I finally got to see my husband there!!! As I was hugging my friends, I've noticed my husband walking towards me with the biggest grin. Ahhh that smile of his is always so mesmerizing. He was the most handsome guy at the wedding! I hugged the muscles out of him as he finally reached his destination.

My husband and his parents showed up a couple of hours before the ceremony began. Their tiring 20 hour drive finally came to an end as he entered into my arms.

All of the guests took their seats as the wedding party began to walk down the aisle. What a good looking bunch they were.

Speaking of good looking, Tuna and Nick definitely stole the spotlight as they entered the church. The beautiful couple was so radiant. Their smiles reflected their love toward each other. The happiness those two presented was contagious. Their eyes were connected to each other. On that special day, their lives were forever devoted to one another. United as one, they are now a power couple!

The weekend of Tuna's and Nick's wedding was the perfect start to this wedding season. Congratulations to my new brother and old sister. I love you guys so much!

Dear Julie Partikevich, 

One day, an amazing person will walk into your life. He will come in softly, without any kind of disturbance. You will give him everything you've got. You will do this voluntarily. You will do it with passion. 

Allow me to pinpoint that charming day that will consume your entire mind. Allow me to narrate the ideal person who will care for your beating heart.

Remember when you were on bed rest for a long month due to a snowboarding accident?! That is what brought you closer to your family and God. 

It's kind of sad that it had to come to that. Your attention was desired by God at that moment. He needed a second of your busy life. And in order for you to hear His voice, God had to stop everything.

You, on the other hand, had been thinking the opposite. You thought that you were forgotten and betrayed by your Heavenly Father. 

Just when you thought all hope was lost, God turned the key. An unexpected door opened widely and a Godly man entered your life. 

It was that "ideal person" that I have mentioned earlier. Your heart's ointment, Thaddeus, was perfect-timing.

Thaddeus will be your therapy and your life. You will fall for him in no time. 

That soul of his will breathe power into you. 

Those hands of his will pass courage unto you. In his eyes, you will only spot the light. 

That is the person you will marry; and your marriage will last a lifetime. 

The best of him and the best of you will be used to build a lasting family castle. And with God's Grace,  destructive words will evaporate by the time they are spoken.  

You will love your soulmate more than he loves you. You will be simply happy with your life, your marriage, and the world around you. You two will be blessed by God, Himself. 

***I finally put my "Dear single Julie" thoughts on paper. I always knew that the best of the best was heading my way. Also,  I've always been patiently waiting and praying for my future husband. 

Never underestimate yourself or your future. Keep high hopes for today, tomorrow, and always. 

Happy 6 months of marriage to the Sharikovs

Another conference! Woohoo!

Guess what?! I FINALLY got to reunite with my siblings and my very close friends!!! Oh how Great That Was! This past weekend was another good one due to an engaging church service and a blessed reunion for my family and friends. My Sharikov family rented out a minivan and we took it for a spin across the States. Counting the pit stops, it took us 15 hours to get from Edina, MN to our final destination - Erie, PA.

All of the gathered people spent the Saturday together in one building. The church service started at 1pm and ended at 7pm. The good thing is that we didn't sit on one spot for the entire six hours. We enjoyed an afternoon snack break along with challenging Bible games. Two of my pals and I helped with keeping score. After the Bible games, the crowd ordered pizza. Since Teddy doesn't eat gluten or dairy, we came to a mutual agreement to ditch the pizza party and go to Chipotle instead. Can't forget to mention that we took one of our "daughters" along with us. Lana was the perfect kid to take out that night. Not to confuse you or anything, but I've adopted a couple of kids here and there. Thankfully, my husband graciously accepted them into our new family. Sadly, my kids are spread out across America. The only thing that brings me peace is that most of them are not much younger than me. They are quite independent youngsters. 

For the after-party, everyone went to play some ball. Bowling was definitely the highlight of the night. The church that was hosting the conference covered the expenses. That sweetened the deal. After winning (and more winning), the game came to an end. Coffee Culture is open until midnight, so that was our last stop. Coffee Culture is the same cafe where Teddy and I spent time together for the first time. Since we met at last year's Erie Conference, this marks our one year anniversary. 

The next day meant it was time for worship - round two. Sunday morning, rain was falling. Skies were gray. But none of that nonsense crushed our spirits.

Our family participated in the Sunday morning service. This meant that voices needed to be warmed up, instruments needed to be tuned, and sound checks had to be completed. What a short Sunday though! We had to head back home to make it back to work on Monday; while our friends stayed for another night.

Ramen noodles, cozy cuddles and editing pictures composed the ride home.

Having girlfriends is just like having extra caramel drizzle on your Frap.

Prior to dating, you always have your girlfriend/s. Before you share that picture, you send it to your girlfriend/s. When you are craving good advice, you call up your girlfriend/s. Once you receive good news, you share it with your girlfriend/s. On occasion, you want to spill a secret. Who do you turn to? Your gf.

As I was preparing for my wedding, one of my best friends came up to me and said, “I have to look for a new best friend, now that you’re getting married.” This comment struck me. I never wanted to be one of “those” friends who forgets about her girls after she gets married. In fact,  I never understood those who would give up on their clique just because they are now settled down.  

Your settlement doesn’t mean that your friends have moved on. I am crossing my fingers and hoping that you haven’t moved on either. Your friends are still up for grabbing a cup of coffee. They are still willing to share their newest wardrobe piece with you. These friends still want to share this human life with you in all of its full glory. And when you are feeling down, those lively girls will be sure to put some cheer into your day.

Here’s an idea: How about you pray for your single friends? Pray for God to send them that one person who they’ll be obsessed with.

And vice versa - praying for your married friends wouldn't hurt their marriage either. In fact, it’ll bring them more blessings.

Throughout my short life on earth, I have gotten to know such incredible ladies who are so dear to my heart. The following camera roll photos are proof that I always had a blast with my gal pals. Miss and love you girls. I can’t wait to reunite with the finest gals on this planet. Cash me outside ;)

“Long distance relationships never work.” (insert rolling eyes emoji)

This is another lie you tell yourself and unfortunately, others. If you believe in yourself, you can make anything work - especially if there are two of you putting in the same effort and energy into your supposed future together. Your future depends on the way you handle this moment, the way you handle this day, and the way you handle this long distance relationship.

I acknowledge the fact that at times, long-distance relationships do NOT work. However, I will share with you how we made it work, and a sure-fire recipe on how you can now make it work, AS WELL.

Chasing after a better job offer, my family moved away to Pittsburgh. We had to leave behind our neighbors, friends and relatives. I remember people were judging my dad by saying, “What do you think you’re doing taking your family far away from everybody? Your kids will never get married like this!”

People like to assume..and people like to think they’re always right. Sadly, sometimes humans like to assume the worst, and consider everyone else in the room clueless. But not us, young adults! We don’t think we are right..we KNOW we are correct! (I’m speaking for all yinz out there, so don’t let me down). Let’s prove them wrong because God is with us.

My people, you will never have the “ultimate relationship” unless God is involved. You will never be able to have healthy relationships with people until you have a strong bond with God.

We will conquer the devil the minute we hear him wanting to battle. Why? Because 1 John 2:13! “...I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.” So let us go beyond the cross. Do more for the family, do more for the people around you, and do more for Jesus, who is your Personal Savior! As soon as you get God’s “ok” from Him, ask that significant other to pray with you about your intentions. Another verse that comes to mind is Matthew 18:19-20,  “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” There is power in couples praying together. Prayer will lead to long-term commitment and blessing.

Here are some moves you need to perform in order to get that endless flame:

1. Guys, you need to make the first move. Be confident in your decisions and believe in yourself.

2. Phone calls, Facetime, and texts is much needed to communicate.  

3. Agree to pray about your future together.

4. Travel as often as possible to see each other.

5. If you feel God’s favor on this relationship, then get married already! Why wait any longer when you finally found everything you’ve been looking for in that person?!

This last number 5 is for guys because your girl will never propose to you..she wants to be a wife already, for heaven's sake!

When communicating, always ask how your person is TRULY doing. Ask them how you can be there for them when you’re physically not. Ask your person how you can turn their bad day around. Also, don’t forget to write handwritten love letters, and don’t forget to send each other selfies. At the end of the day, make sure you make your person smile on daily basis as  you make them patiently wait for the next step in life. But don’t make them wait for too long..

You are at peace with God, your family, and yourself. You are now ready to go the extra mile!  Can you imagine how easy it will be to make a long-distance relationship work?! You might even have a crush. Or you might already love your person.  Don’t let that person get away. Chin-up buttercup because your time will come:) Now that you have a game plan, things should go smoothly.

No, it’s not weird if you go and create a wedding board on Pinterest. But if you already did, then give yourself a high five. It’s good to be prepared.

Spring is around the corner and only now, we finally went up north to Mille Lacs. Teddy, Susana, Steffen, Matthew and I are officially saying our farewells to this incredible season called Winter.

We stayed at the cabins in the camp that our Shakopee Church owns. Well actually, Teddy was going because he devoted his time and energy to adjust the elders of our church that were at the meeting, and the rest of us just tagged along.

By the way, my husband is a chiropractor whose patients get positive results in the least amount of time. If you need a great doc, I have one here for you. Come see him work his magic on you.

If I could describe this weekend in one word, it’d be beingadventurouswhilefacingourfears. We were adventurous by spending the night in the woods away from home. Doing exciting and dangerous things always gives us an adrenaline rush. We were facing our fears by petting the two huge German Shepherds. Just for the record, I personally wasn’t THAT scared. I was more afraid of the outcome after Susana screams as she sees the dogs running her way. They did chase us back to our rooms though..

We also faced our fears by driving on the frozen lake. I probably shouldn’t be saying “we” here because it was mostly Susana and I who were afraid! Haha.

And the guys were brave! Brave enough to Tokyo Drift on the frozen lake.

Waking up to the smell of waffles and burning wood was definitely lovely. And ending the day having a room party with the siblings was definitely splendid. In fact, we partied so hard with bunkbeds, popcorn, and coconut water that we all needed adjustments after that weekend.

It was time to go home. Finally, a warm shower washed away the smoke off of our skins. Spending the night in the cabins with sleeping bags and twin mattresses loosely attached, only made us appreciate our king size bed. Going over our weekend pictures while being treated to a bowl of Chipotle was a perfect end to this last  Winter getaway.

I know that it’s only February, but I’m already excited for the Spring transition. It’ll be Teddy’s and I first Spring together.

On Saturday, we had an early birthday celebration for Thaddeus. This day was all about us spending it together and making him feel special. We woke up earlier than the alarm clock because that’s how excited we got for the weekend. For breakfast, we went to the Black Coffee and Waffle Bar where he had his gluten and dairy free waffle. But me on the other hand, took advantage of that whip cream. Then after breakfast, we headed to the Russian Museum of Art where we purchased a Russian Art book for our coffee table as an entertainment for our guests. Afterwards, we went out for burgers. I had my burger and Thaddeus had his wings. Here are some photos from the marvelous weekend.

This blog post is quite different but very personal. Here is a letter entitled to my wonderful husband:

On a cold, crisp, January day, this world was gifted with a warm heart. Babe, you are now 26! But guess what? Age doesn’t matter anymore because we are counting our moments instead of our days. I want our days to be counted only after moments become memories. Then, remembering that day will grow a sentiment that is full of love and affection.

With only 26 years, you have managed to change people’s lives around you. You inspire, you support, and you help. You have inspired me to become a more passionate person. The passion in me started to rise when you made all of my dreams come true; from going to a missionary trip, to marrying the man of my dreams who happens to be a Christian model!

I am now more passionate about my teas… I use the french press instead of teabags!! I am now more passionate about cooking... I use more seasonings on my food than ever!! Also, I am now more passionate about having a big family, because you as well want an entire clique instead of just a couple of kids.

Thank you for coming into my life at the perfect time. At a time, when we were both ready to grow bigger together.

You support me when I don’t know exactly what I am doing. And you ALWAYS support me when I actually know what I am doing. You’ve supported my decision on starting a blog. You’ve supported my decision on going to choir even though that takes away our opportunity to stay in on Thursday nights. Overall, you’re a huge support and I will always return the favor. That means I’ll visit your hockey games once in awhile.

Goodwill. Not the Goodwill we shop, but the goodwill you grant because the help you bring to the table can change the world’s heart. You are a blessing to everyone who knows you.  

You are a blessing to those who can’t stand up for themselves, because they’re guaranteed you have their back. You are a blessing to those who don’t know how to calm down, because you have a special breathing method that I’m not entirely fond of. Once all the facts about you are gathered, you turn out to be one baller guy!

Before I end this beautiful novel, I can’t forget to mention how much I love the way you treat me and how I love the way you act around me. Thanks for being silly in public. Thanks for having me as your number one best friend that is not only confirmed on Snapchat, but in real life as well. Most importantly, thanks for being yourself. Teddy, I fall in love with you every day. And I will show our future children the appropriate moments when to fall in love with their dad. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HANDSOME!!! That warm heart of yours is contagious, keep us melting.

From our one time ‘planning our own wedding’ experience, we gained insight on how to play a stress-free wedding. A lot of people were surprised at how calmly and smoothly things were going for Teddy and I ever since we met. Therefore, I shouldn’t even be surprised that the wedding didn’t cause major difficulties. The only tiny difficulty we faced was the "bridesmaid drama."

All three of our bridesmaids are very picky in their taste for fashion and loyal to their own sense of style. And this is exactly why I love every single one of them. Tuna (my youngest sister), Susana (my new sister), and Anna (my sister from another mister) certainly know exactly who they are and they will wear what they’re comfortable in with pride. Therefore, only after we bought and returned three dresses, they finally decided to go with the last gorgeous blue. Good thing our styles are very similar and eventually we were able to make the final decision. I wanted our bridesmaids to end up with dresses that they can wear another time. No prom dresses or Princess Elsa-looking dresses were ever put into consideration. Also, we had difficulties finding the right shoes that each one of them LOVED. But that is a long story, and we have to get back to our topic...

Here are some beneficial tips to follow for an easy-to-breathe wedding event:

1. PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING. From that last makeup touch-up for yourself to that bipolar weather, pray! What can you accomplish without God? Your answer might be, “I can manage to get my friends to come to my wedding. I can find the perfect dress without anybody’s help. I can go on and marry the person I love because I know that we will last forever; we will make a strong team! I can even brew my own coffee.” Yes, you’re right - you are a capable and a strong person! Everything will go well. But if God isn’t on your side, then you’re done. Your plans will not succeed. Just know that God has the last word.

2. BE A COUPLE INVOLVED IN PLANNING. Communicate. Exchange opinions. Explore your style. Be honest. You’re planning a wedding with the person you will spend the rest of your life with. That means you guys will live together, you will design or decorate your place together, and you guys will shop for apparel together. Why not start off by planning a wedding together to get to know each other's way of putting things beautifully together?  I guarantee you, at the end of this planning process, the groom will know the bride’s least favorite flower, and the bride will know the groom’s least favorite color. Basically, all of the most important stuff.

3.FAMILY INVOLVEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Family always has your back. They are here to help and support. By asking for your family’s time, it  will only leave them grateful to you for allowing them to participate in your big day. So don’t be so certain that you have everything under control because when the wedding comes, you won’t...and you don’t even know it. You need people.

4. DON’T SWEAT LITTLE DETAILS.  Something's not looking the way you wanted it to? Don’t stress. Be flexible. It’ll look good on pictures, I promise! Especially, if you have a good photographer... Overall, your magical day will turn out to be priceless! You won’t even remember that little unfix-able stitch on your dress that kept bothering you all morning.  

5. TAKE YOUR TIME TO GET DRESSED. Guess who’s the center of attention on this big day? You and your spouse are! So take all the time you need. Maybe even wake up earlier for you not to feel rushed or pressured?! Keep that hair on fleek. And eyebrows too, if possible.

Weddings are fun to plan. Grab your coffee, or your Matcha tea, and skip through those wedding magazines as you point out your favorites!

November 2nd is when we will be celebrating our anniversaries, by the way.

Let us start off by thanking our family and friends who flew into Israel to witness Teddy and I exchange our vows. You are appreciated!

Our wedding day was on a Wednesday. Unusual, right?Well, not for the Israelites. That Wednesday was beautiful, not like any other Wednesdays. The leaves on the trees were still. The clouds were white. The temperature was high 60s. That morning was stress-free and free of trouble. The people that surrounded us brought engagement, bliss and pleasant support.

Our bridesmaids, groomsmen, photographer, videographer and our hairstylist were the perfect clique to complete this joyful day of ours. They kept us company while we were preparing for our first look. They had us smiling even before we saw each other!

Oh that first look was magical! I finally got to see Teddy for the first time that day. Not really a good feeling when you know he’s somewhere around but yet you can’t even peek at that gorgeous face.

After patiently waiting all morning, we exchanged our first looks. We were overloaded with happiness! We couldn’t get enough of each other. Beautiful memories were captured; but as we were capturing those memories, our bridal party was sneaking off to the reception with appetizers, where they greeted our wedding folks and ate their food.

Teddy and I got married under a Chuppah. A chuppah is a traditional Jewish wedding canopy with four open sides. The symbol behind the traditional chuppah stands for the new home that the newlyweds will create.

Chuppah decorations can be different, depending on your taste. For us, we adore fresh flowers. The more scented foliage, the merrier it looks!

As my dad was walking me closer and closer to the crowd, I saw my soon-to-be husband standing there among the breathing flowers and alluring view of the mountains. My heart raced. Teddy was my greatest view. The nature surrounding us only complimented my soulmate.

That emotional afternoon, we were officially married. The guests emptied the ceremony place and took off to the reception, which was held outdoors. So many good wishes were addressed to us and the program was very entertaining. Our wedding party was lit (tears of joy were included).

To end this perfect day, our entire wedding party went to Old Jerusalem, where we danced to the violin and then joined a crowd of Jewish young men singing their hearts out.

God is good. He only blessed us with good. So by leaving stress and weariness behind, we allow God to show us how attentive and caring He really is.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

I love meeting new people and when I met Thaddeus, I knew he was here to stay. I instantly thought to myself about how he is an interesting piece of art. I saw constancy and amusement in his eyes. His slightly excessive stares were not awkward at all…

We first met at the Erie youth conference, which happen on March 12, 2016. This trip to the conference caught me off guard. I personally enjoy youth conferences. I usually prefer not to skip any of them. The spiritual food, the late-night bonfire talks and hangs, and the bonding between the Russian-speaking Christian youth is important in order for the young hearts to grow into something so beautiful and bold.

I wasn’t planning on going to this exact event this time, due to the school and work hustle. But luckily, I have a very convincing sister who really wanted to get out of town that weekend. Shout out to Tuna! Teddy and I spent the Saturday evening and Sunday together with our siblings and mutual friends. This trip changed his and my life forever!

Our first date happened on April 8th, 2016, when we both travelled to California for D+D’s wedding. Just in case you were wondering, bicycles and sushi were involved. And then, one whole month and 18 days later, we were engaged.

Teddy and I chose to become “forever.” The forever that will overcome anything that you can think of.

We discovered pure passion. We developed unending interest in each other. We grew a love so deep that even inspired children.

Here is the story in short:

Teddy (Thaddeus) and I spent the weekend at little Mark’s house for the Lititz conference. This was the day after Teddy proposed. After observing us for two days, Mark says, “One day, I want to have a girlfriend too!”

One special technique to finally getting someone who checks off the list of best qualities, is patient prayer.

Your Matchmaker reigns in the heavens above. Your Wingman rules everything aournd you. So, the next time that you speak to God, mention your future soulmate. God knows exactly who you truly want or need.

But don’t forget that maybe the person you want today, is someone you won’t need in the future. Or maybe the person you need today is being rejected by your wants and desires?

Hey, it is worth the wait. For those who are still praying for their future spouse, I wish for you to find your Thaddeus.