Divine Country Blessings

Monday, April 28, 2014

Easter Treats

Honey Bunny Cakes!

I decorated these cupcakes with bright green frosting as grass, a few colorful eggs, and peeps!

They are so simple and fun to make!

Little ones will love to help make this cute cakes!

I like to add fun flavors to the frosting and batter to give it a fun taste.

These were vanilla-lemonade.

Happy Easter to all!

Saturday, April 5, 2014

After a very difficult year for Brendan, I decided to give him the only thing he really wanted for his birthday, a trip home for him and his son to spend time with his family. While I myself had been having my own issues, I decided I needed a break and that I would join them for my first real vacation. And just like that we headed to Australia.

I knew that this would be a very special trip for all of us but I didn't know just how much it would help Brendan and Cameron grow as father and son. I am so proud of Brendan and the father he has become in the past few months. It was my pleasure to share this trip with them and capture some of their special moments. Enjoy!

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Welcome Little Liam

I am a little late but I would like to introduce my baby cousin William Monse!

He is the most perfect little boy in the entire world. I love him soooo much. It has also made me love my cousin and best friend in the entire world even more too. I am so proud of Jenna. She is such an amazing mommy. Liam is a very blessed little boy to have her as a mom. I cannot think of a more special woman in the entire world than my cousin Jenna. Sadly, I didn't get any photos of her during my visit. I did, however, capture a few shots of Bill with his son. Bill has been an absolutely amazing father as well. He is so hands on and loving.

Liam is definitely surrounded by so much love.

Welcome to the family baby Liam!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

ACOA

I decided to blog about something very near to my heart in honor of recovery month. In fact, I am not sure if most of my friends even know this about me. I like to think that I am pretty open, but it does take me a while to warm up. One of the reasons that I majored in Chemical Dependency Counseling in college was because it holds a very dear spot in my heart. I am an Adult Child of an Alcoholic, and it has undoubtedly shaped me into who I am today.

After having a few conversations with other ACOA's I realized that this was not something I talk about too often. I wanted to relate to the many friends I have who are also ACOA and let them know that although some of us may not feel comfortable going to ACOA meetings and support groups, we are not alone. Many of us face the same struggles on a day to day basis. My hope is that in speaking about some of the characteristics that I most identify with as an ACOA others may be able to open up about their life as an ACOA.

Characteristics of ACOA
1. They feel they must be in control of behavior and feelings at all times. This desire to control may be an overreaction to growing up where active alcoholism is present. This tendency to want to be in control at all times is grounded in fear. If all aspects of their life cannot be controlled, it will automatically get worse.

Control is one of my biggest issues involving my life today. Losing control is an emotional roller-coaster with me!

2. ACOA’s struggle with intimate relationships. Being intimate requires releasing some control and being vulnerable. This is difficult. Love is often expressed as rescuing people or trying to fix others problems, rather than being a partner. A survival skill growing up may have been the need to hide feelings and not express them for fear of consequences.

I do not know if I have ever been in a relationship where I haven't been trying to rescue and save my partner!

3. Perfectionism, heightened sense of responsibility. Children in alcoholic families learned that if they were ‘perfect’ they might get positive attention. In many cases whatever they did was not enough. Self-esteem comes from how they are viewed by others. They can be extremely self-critical, never attaining the ideal of how good they ‘should’ be.

Self-esteem is purely based on pleasing others.

4. A tendency toward compulsive behaviors. Being a child of an alcoholic increases the likelihood the child will become addicted to alcohol. It is also noted however, a tendency toward other compulsive behaviors such as gambling, sexual promiscuity, disordered eating or addictive relationships.

I have had every single one of these issues besides alcoholism and drug addiction.

5. Abandonment fears. I believe this stems from the learned uncertainty in childhood of not knowing what was coming next, a hug or a slap. Adult children often believe that any relationship, no matter how bad or abusive, is better than none at all. Often they will do anything to hang on.

"Because if this relationship doesn't work, I would be alone forever."

6. Judge themselves without mercy. There is no excuse for failure or disappointment.

7. Overreact to changes over which they have no control.

8. Constantly seek approval and affirmation. Because unless we are pleasing someone we are not doing enough. Is it good enough, did it make you proud, what would be better?

9. Usually feel that they are different from other people. Nobody could ever understand what I have gone through.

10. Super responsible or super irresponsible.
I seem to take on odd responsibilities that have nothing to do with me but that end up consuming my time and energy.

11. Extremely loyal, even in the face of evidence that the loyalty is undeserved. Because next time they will change and it will be better. They would never hurt us again with their behavior. This time its different.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Joachim and Ambrosia Eitenmiller: Part 1

This weekend I was honored to celebrate the union of my dear friends, Joachim and Ambrosia. The wedding was absolutely amazing and the company couldn't have been better. We spent the weekend together in Crosslake at Pines Peak Event Center and Lodge. I would highly recommend checking this venue out to any new brides. (http://pinepeakseventcenter.com/) The owners were beyond kind and such a pleasure to work alongside! Thankfully, I was able to capture many photos while still being in the wedding party!

Here are a couple of my favorites of the bride and groom!

Once again, congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Eitenmiller!

I wish you a life of love and laughter.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Sweet William is on his Way!

This weekend I was thrilled to host my cousin Jenna's baby shower. She is due early February with a sweet little boy named William and I cannot wait for his arrival! Jenna was blessed to have such a wonderful turn out at her baby shower. It was an amazing afternoon spent showering Mommy and offering words of wisdom into the journey of parenthood. Thank you to everyone for making this day so special!