One BLESSED mommie

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

~ Dream BIG ~

Hey there!

Before I tell you all about "the Fight" coming up in the next post,

I feel like I needed to take you on a personal journey and give you a little insight and background about the business called:
One BLESSED mommie.

One BLESSED mommie

was originally opened in March 2010.

But, wait- let me back up a little bit more...

The beginning of 2010 was a tough time. It was then I realized that the insurance was not going to pay for the Special power-chair Denalli desperately needed. It was an overwhelmingly big fact to face. The need for the power-chair and the price tag that went along with the power-chair was enormous.

But- against all reasoning-

I made up my mind that Denalli was going to have that amazing chair, that would ultimately impact her life so much.

Well, as the adage goes- "If there is a will, there is a way"...

So, "with scissors within reach and the sewing machine beside me", I began to make and sell cloth alphabets and letters. I was able to make several sets of alphabets and sold them through friends and through the One BLESSED mommie etsy store.

By God's grace- I had friends and neighbors stand up beside me, and helped raise and donate the funds we needed to purchase the awesome power-chair for Denalli.

It was truly amazing!

Shortly after all the of fundraising had ended, I still felt like I needed an outlet for my creativity/sanity.

I needed something to do.

Personally- I needed to be able to help with the impending needs of our medically fragile daughter. I needed more organization in my life. And, in all honesty- I needed to be able to "control" something in my life at the time. Because, at the time- I felt like I was getting lost in all the diapers, dishes,

appointments, medical learning, ect..

I just craved a place my mind could go to "escape" from it all.

Even if is was just for a few minutes.

A place I could share my ideas with the world

and help someone else.

I remember it very clearly- It was the middle of November 2010 that I created the original Jewelry Organizer, and November 30th 2010 that I sold the first Jewelry Organizer on etsy.

(don't laugh... this is where it all began... )

Then in December 2010, I sold 5 more Organizers on etsy...

I was ECSTATIC (to say the very least...).

Up until that point- my husband, some of my friends and family just thought I was plumb crazy... Seriously, it was so funny! I would excitedly tell them what I was creating and what I was going to do, then I would get the whole,

"smile and nod" with the deer in the headlights look saying:

"nice idea- but its never gonna work...".

But, I did not pay any attention to that and charged on ahead. Countless hours were spent looking for better ways to do things, I would give away organizers to anyone that would take one-

just so they could try it out, and give me honest feedback.

I was bound determined to make things work.

I was told to "Dream BIG" as a kid-

and "Dream BIG" is what I did.

Well- lets fast forward a few years a few kids and a couple hundred Jewelry Organizers....

Enter into the scene: Ryka Kathleen

and SMA diagnosis 1 week after birth...

(This will probably always be the 2nd hardest time in my life...)

After we were able to work through the initial realization and the weight of the diagnosis became tolerable,

I started to think about all the things Ryka would need-

just like Denalli.

I knew that our ranching lifestyle would not always be able to cover the costs. Therefore, I needed my business to grow, so I started doing some advertising on blogs and giveaways and such, to continue to grow the

One BLESSED mommie business even more.

The advertising did help.

But it also took away funds that I was saving to be put toward a vehicle down-payment, or medical equipment for the girls.

So, as time went on, my shop continued to grow little by little.

I put more time into creating new items and

I got better at what I did.

Eventually, the first product I made (see picture above...) evolved into what it is today...

The Jewel Board.

It is a complete Jewelry Organizing system that eliminates tangles, beautifully displays the Jewelry you own, and

(the best part) allows you to "grab and go".

But, in the end- it is much, much more than that...

It is part of a down payment on a family vehicle.

It is Ryka's independence in the shape of a

manual wheel-chair and power- chair.

It is Denalli's leg splints and

extra things and vitamins to help her thrive.

It is my way to help this family share the weight of SMA.

The One BLESSED mommie shop has been such a blessing!!!

I have been able to ship hundreds of Jewel Boards to every state in the USA, and all over the world.

It has helped the SMA finances flow.

I have been able to give to charitable SMA organizations

to help CURE SMA.

And I have been able to share my creativeness with the world! ;)

-The Never Give Up 3D Wall Deco-

In all sincerity- My heart in this Journey of life is to help others.

A time may come when we can't handle the financial burden of SMA alone-

but for now,

we are going to do our best,

we are Dreaming BIG,

and leaving the rest to God.

Stay tuned for "the Fight" and a personal favor!

One BLESSED mommie

Click HERE for a direct link to the shop

or see tab at the top of the page.

~In Question~

Here it is:

Another day in Paradise at the Voss residence.

Kids up, fed, dressed, laundry going, dishes done, floors swept, laughing and playing in the background....

and big question(s) on my heart.

When is it time?

When is it time to go back to El Salvador?

When is it time to get Ryka her manual wheel chair?

When is it time to get Denalli a power stander?

When is it time to get Ryka a power-chair?

When is it time to move?

All life changing questions, with un-determined answers.

We are seeking the Lord in these issues-

and ask that you would pray along with us.

We would like to take the girls back to El Salvador again and be immersed and encouraged by the faith and teachings there.

Ryka is needing a way to move around and do things on her own. She is "borrowing" Denalli's equipment, but it is too big for her and (of course) Denalli is still using the equipment. Consequently- she really needs her own equipment!

The dream of getting Denalli a power-stander has never went away. Obviously, she would GREATLY benefit from being up-right just like everyone else, we just have to continue to find a way to make it happen.

When do I start "the fight" for Rykas powerchair?!?
God is working in her. This we know.
But, I don't know when the healing will fully take place.
I am not doubting God will heal her.
I am looking at her and seeing a precious daughter that can not move, and wanting to give her that independence if I can...

the next post will cover starting this fight...

and then the last question: "the Move"

When is it time to move our family to a warmer climate where the girls can thrive and enjoy a full life? Here in SD- they are kept inside 6-8 months out of the year, due to the cold temperatures. They are not able to do the therapies that they need, and this way of living is not fair to anybody.

Yes- yes. All in God's timing.

I get that, and I do my very best to follow His lead.

But - I am not one to stand aside.

I am here to make a difference.

And with the Lord's direction- things will happen.

With your help and prayers-

we can answer some of the questions looming over our heads!

Stay tuned- I have a favor to ask of you.

Blessings~

One BLESSED mommie

Saturday, July 5, 2014

~ Happy Cows ~

I love being able to get away from the house for a few minutes and go look at the rest of our "family".

These are some of our baby mama's. They will provide our family with cash flow next year and give some lucky person a hamburger.

Their life is pretty great right now...

It includes:

eating- posing for pictures, and hanging out with the boyfriend...

Some of the girls even have a sense of humor and like to throw in a little "photo bombing" !

See, They are all naturals! Line up and say "cheese"!!

Piece of "cake" really...

When we came by the big ol' boyfriend-

Our neighbor thought he needed some TLC as well.

Pasture bulls are not generally this sensitive,

but this one really does have a soft side.

I am pretty sure our neighbor could have had a full time job scratching him behind the ears,

but like all pasture bulls- he had a few jobs to do...

After looking through the cattle- we took a drive to the top of the hill and soaked up the view.

I love this country- You can literally see for miles and miles and miles and ... you the idea.

Its fun to imagine the history that took place on this land.

The wagons, the cowboys, the indians-

if only the land could talk...

Gotta love this land of the FREE, because of the BRAVE~

Happy Independence weekend everyone!

~*~ One BLESSED mommie ~*~

Thursday, July 3, 2014

~Sunshine and Wonderful Rain~

I thought I would share some more pictures that make me smile...

This Spring/Summer has been such a dreancher here on the ranch.

Every thing is as green as it gets.

The country side is a site to behold.

We have had a few calm days where our road just starts to dry out...

And then another rain cloud rolls over and makes it all gooey again...

I think we have had more days with rain this season than we have had in the several previous springs!

This is a seasonal crick- On a "normal" day- it's bone dry...
I believe 2+ inches of rain had just come our way!

This green lushnesses goes on for miles and miles...

(lushnesses- ie: the state of profuse lushness,
you have to add an extra "es";) )

And the sweet yellow clover...
I bet them bees are going haywire... Sweet times ahead!

And the BEAUTIFUL clouds and sunsets...

I took a walk outside and watched this little
storm move right along.

The clouds were spectacular.

And the night was so peaceful and calming to the soul...
As the cool evening moved on, I watched this cloud open up and pour out it's goodness on our neighbors.
While watching- I hardly saw any lightning in any of the clouds.