happy days

i think i can

2012-02-13T00:00:00.009-06:00

patrick is home today, thank you, lord! this morning we have an early appointment, then we play!

this afternoon, we'll be rowdy with little pals and valentines. elijah is excited, but he is always excited,

so i am not sure if he cares about the cookies and company or not. i'll let you know how it went, tomorrow.

this boy.

my little elijah grey. he has been super smiley and funny the last few days. i love it. it really makes the constant action a bit less burdensome. see, in this photo, he's taking a little break. i was shocked to even get any face shots like this at all. anyway, elijah is a busy one. as in, from the minute he opens his bright eyes

in the morning until he finally passes out at night: on the move.

climbing

running

door opening

door closing
closet plundering

cabinet and fridge emptying...

into the dirty laundry

clearing the pantry shelves

clearing the book shelves...

foam sword fighting

play doh ~~eating~~ creating
~~snapping crayons in half~~ coloring...

this is part of the maddening.

but it's also part of my growing. so i can do this.

not on my own, but in his strength. i can.

{print from jill mcdonald}

happy monday, dear ones. make it great!

a few more valentine's day ideas

2012-02-11T00:00:00.004-06:00

since earlier this week, i've found loads more valentine's day ideas!

here are just a few:

valentine's card creature printable from made by joel

valentine fortune teller printable from draw pilgrim

mix cd sleeve printable via design mom

more fancy valentine goodness over at creature comforts.

also, i adore this 'valentine's day in a box' idea from you are my fave.

giveaway from sassy lemonade

2012-02-10T15:05:00.000-06:00

hello, friends! today i have something for you from shannon at sassy lemonade!

shannon is one of my sweet sponsors this month!

she wants to give one lucky winner a mini shopping spree at her shop!

win a $25 credit to sassy lemonade!

how to enter:

{leave a separate comment for each}

:: visit shannon's shop and tell me your favorite item ::

:: follow/subscribe to the sassy lemonade blog ::

:: "like" sassy lemonade on facebook ::

:: follow sassy lemonade on twitter ::

that's four chances to win!

this giveaway begins now and will end on wednesday, february 15, at 11:59pm.

a winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on thursday, february 16.

open to u.s. residents only.

please leave your email address with your entry, if it isn't attached to your profile.

this way it'll be a breeze to contact you when you win! thank you and good luck!

a ready refuge

2012-02-10T01:37:00.001-06:00

it's maddening really.

being the sort of tired that is beyond physical. i mean, i think my body is tired, too, but i can't slow down enough to feel the strain of it. this is the sort of busy that can't be helped, a calendar that has no free space. because there just isn't a day of "free" in the page of february. this is unfamiliar to me. i don't like it. but this is the way it is right now. each little marked up date is necessary and i need to just keep up with it somehow.

the spending of my minutes is wearing me thin. my mind is thin. the calculating of budgets and appointments, repetitive phone calls, the juggling act that is having only one car to get it all done. these things teeter atop the mountain of my normal. laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, bill paying, meal preparing, family loving...i need leveled. i need rest. i need relief.

this is my prayer. in the sweet moments and the difficult. i need his mercy always. but sometimes.

some days i really feel that need. often when i am this exhausted, i simply have no words of my own.

in the psalms, like this one, there are always words. prayers ready for me to cry out to jesus.

i want to encourage you today. whatever your storm, take refuge in him. seek out the truth of his word, and shout it aloud to him, if you have the strength to cry it. i've not been able to muster much more than a whisper lately. either way, he hears us when we call. he carries us when we are weak. he fulfills his purposes for us. even when we can't see a glimmer of sense in it all.

trust him with me today. rest with me this weekend. in the midst of our crazy, let's take refuge in him.

hello, february sponsors!

2012-02-09T16:36:00.001-06:00

happy thursday, friends!

i've unintentionally taken a break from my internet home. we are busy little bees over here.

i am so grateful for my sponsors. hopefully you're familiar with the sweetness in my left sidebar.

if not, today's the day you can meet a few!

these are wonderful blogs and shops that i hope you'll take the time to get to know!

stephanie :: the honey pot

Hi. I'm Stephanie. I blog at The Honey Pot.

This is me and my man.

We will celebrate our 24th anniversary this year. Boy, do I love him.

You can read about our story {here}.

I have a little {Etsy shop} and I'm really excited some new stuff I've been working on...

especially the newborn headbands that are so sweet it makes me giddy.

Hannah asked us to share what we're loving at the moment in a sentence or two. Gosh, that's hard...there is so much. But if I must choose, it would have to be this wonderful season I'm getting to share with my middle daughter....she's getting married in June and we are smack dab in the middle of wedding planning and projects and I'm loving every second of it. This is my second daughter to get married and I think it's like having babies...you're nervous with the first one but when the second one comes you know what to expect and you're more relaxed. Yeah...I'm loving all things wedding at the moment.

You can find me lots of places... Blog. Shop. Facebook. Twitter

I'd love to have you stop by and say hello.

ferial :: ferial shmerial

I'm Ferial and I blog over at Ferial-Shmerial. On my blog you will find updates on my life and experiences living, loving, and teaching (in South Korea!), thoughts on faith, recipes & DIY projects, the occasional book review, and other odds and ends that strike my fancy. I am loving being a part of this
wonderful blog community and I'm so thankful to Hannah for having me!

::: blog ::: google+ ::: twitter ::: pinterest :::

kelly :: life is a balancing act

Hi there! I'm Kelly from Life is balancing act a lifestyle blog all about living, loving and design your life. Where I generally babble about my quirky thoughts, perspective on mama-hood, my spastic designers eye, some tasty treats and my adorable son, Quinn. Right this very minute I love this scripture. I love my super sexy husband and his perfectly spiky hair that always smells delicious. My adorable son whose personality is blossoming everyday and is such a joy to simply be around and salted caramel cupcakes!

blog :: twitter :: facebook :: pinterest

kristen :: ahoy graphics

I'm Kristen, the freelance graphic designer behind Ahoy Graphics.

I specialize in branding small businesses, indiepreneurs, and bloggers. Right now,

I'm in love with bold color and painted textures, my Pinterest account is full of these inspirations.

blog :: website :: google+ :: twitter :: pinterest

joy :: small town joy

Small Town Joy is about the everyday adventures of living in a small town and serving our great big God.

My love for serving children with special needs and their families has recently been blessed

by the opportunity to serve on the board of directors for Noah's Hands of Hope, Inc.

You can find my favorite verse in the Bible at Hebrews 10:23:

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."

ashley :: the pink ruffle

Hi, I am Ashley and I blog over at The Pink Ruffle. You will find me talking about my life, fun little family, faith and my etsy shop! Right now, I am loving and enjoying my sweet daughter and husband and making every day intentional! I also am loving the verse Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

blog :: shop :: facebook

shannon :: sassy lemonade

Hey there! I'm Shannon, you will find me blogging whenever I get a chance to at Sassy Lemonade.

I'm a Miltary Wife and Mother of 4 who loves designing Jewelry. My Shop Sassy Lemonade has been

open for about 6 months and I feel very blessed for all the lovely people I have met along this journey.

Whenever you have a Moment stop by the Blog or Shop and say Hi. For Friends of the Lovely Hannah,

Save 20% off your next purchase from my Shop use code: Hannah.

sarah :: the fontenot four

I love blogging as a way to share the blessings in my life through life's challenges and to be an encouragement to others facing challenges of their own! I also enjoy sharing about my journey with Christ along the way. In between you'll find me writing about family, food, and other randomness! Right now, I'm just loving my husband. He's truly a good man with a great heart. He loves his family more than anything and he does everything he can to provide for us, including working two jobs because I have to stay home with our special needs/medically fragile daughter. I love how much he loves me and our two daughters. I have an ongoing fundraiser in my Etsy shop. Hand-knit reusable coffee sleeves sell for $4. $3 from the sale of each sleeve sold is going towards my friend Jessica's adoption fund. She and her husband are in the process of adopting a baby girl from China. I know they are facing some big expenses right now, so every little bit helps!

blog :: shop :: twitter :: facebook :: pinterest

carina :: a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut

Hello! I am Carina and right now I am loving crazy good thrift store finds, the ability to drink a whole cup

of coffee while it's still hot, and the super entertaining conversations with my newly talkative 2 year old.

My blog is a place for faith, adoption, funny stories, tasty treats, and pretty much everything else.

right now, i'm hosting a book drive for the joyful life library!

please stop by my blog today and get the details.

blog :: facebook :: twitter :: shop

andee :: bearing fruit

hi all, i'm andee from bearing fruit, and i'm so excited to be included among the awesome group of hannah's sponsors! stop by and check out the relaunch of my shop: bearing fruit baby, an exclusive custom baby line. as i sew i pray for mom, dad + baby by name, folding in prayers as i go, and baby will then be covered, quite literally, in prayer. right now i am loving the awesomeness of God in all His redemptive glory.

thanks for having me over, hannah, i love you girl!

blog // shop // facebook // twitter

marie :: found by marie

hi friends! (any friend of hannah's is a friend of mine) my name is marie and i am a wife and homeschooling mother of 3 precious ones. i am a completely creative soul who is always exploring new artistic mediums. i blog over here, sell amazing fabrics here, and my own crocheted and sewn creations here. right now i am loving my james bible study, my husbands winter beard, my children starting to fall in love with reading, and interesting designs. building community and relationships is important to me and i am just beginning to realize the amazing friends that can be made in the online community:) so please stop by and say hello (introduce your amazing self to me), and if you

see something you like in my handmade shop, use coupon code TAKE10 at checkout for an extra discount!

blog :: shops

angel :: living with moxie

I share my heart at Living With Moxie. Investing in women to inspire them to live wholeheartedly for Jesus is my passion. Oh man, do I love Jesus! He rescued me from a deep pit. Guess what else I love? My twin girlies. It is their birthday week. To celebrate we are having a spa party for ten of their friends...updos, manis, and pedis all around. I must be crazy. Teaching all three of my girls about femininity that pleases Jesus is so important to me.
I would love for you to stop by my blog, say hello, and follow along.
Meeting you would be my pleasure!
living with moxie blog

happy valentine's day! {next week}

2012-02-07T11:36:00.000-06:00

something elijah finds thrilling: taking a big swig of water, then spitting it onto the floor.

something i do not find thrilling: see above.

happy tuesday.

i feel like i didn't get any sleep last night. could be because i didn't.

neither here nor there, here i am. and i'm thinking about valentine's day!

lord willing, next week we'll have a few little pals over for a party. nothing fancy, or terribly organized.

but we'll have treats. and valentines and laughter.

i was thinking cupcakes, until i saw these:

strawberry cake mix cookies with vanilla cream cheese frosting

from love veggies and yoga

yes. i am totally making those. and maybe cupcakes, too. ha.

i purchased this adorable printable set for elijah to give to his buddies:

get some! from life made lovely

are they sweet as can be or what?

also, here's a free printable i found that i love.

and who wouldn't want to give two valentines?!

and i think i have some extra little bugs somewhere!

head on over to dandee designs for the free download!

i'm hoping time allows, because i'd love to make a festive little banner.

some version of this is my first choice:

from simple as that

this looks precious. make edible paint and get creative on your dishes:

what a fun idea for a meal shared with your sweetie!

see the tutorial here on how about orange.

what are your valentine's day plans?

a cute kid, a recipe and a prayer request

2012-02-06T00:03:00.000-06:00

there was a football game yesterday.
not caring for either team, and having an assiduous little boy made it easy to miss. i enjoyed some alone time. chips and salsa were in hand as soon as the kiddo fell asleep. patrick was out at a big manly party. i hardly know what to do with myself when i have free time like that. surprisingly, i didn't clean a thing, just relaxed and did nothing. i liked it.

i hope your weekend was a joy, i want to hear all about it!
here's a bit of miscellany for your sweet monday:

lately, it's either zorro or the lone ranger for my boy. he loves the action in both shows. and the masks that each hero wears. elijah looks adorable in his own little mask, some day i will get that on camera. if his usual mask isn't handy, a spiderman mask is a fine substitute. good gracious, i love my funny kid.

also. elijah is in great need of a haircut. most days it just sticks out all wonky and adorable like this. cute as it may be, it bugs me. please pray for a hair cut to happen soon. this requires a special miracle from the lord.

also a miracle, elijah facing the camera. ever. and i caught him.

***

last week i made a little batch of fudge. well, i call it fudge. and i mean, it totally is, but it feels like i am cheating when i make it. it's super easy and i love it. and so do other people! and i'm pretty sure they all think it's legit fudge. and that maybe i slaved over it. anyway, here's the recipe:

fast fudge

1 bag chocolate chips (i use dark most times)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla

optional: chopped nuts, mini m&ms, mini peanut butter chips...

melt chips in microwave until smooth. stir in condensed milk and vanilla until well combined and smooth.

i often add chopped nuts, either stirred in or sprinkled on top. spread evenly into 8x8 dish and place in fridge to harden. usually cut-ready in two hours(or less). yum!

***

one more thing. would you please visit my new blog friend? joy's family needs our help praying for "pie".

hop on over and read all about her prayer request! she's even got a button to grab, to remind you to pray for pie and to help spread the word!

linking up with carissa, she's fancy.

a little insta-friday

2012-02-03T19:57:00.000-06:00

i had plans for a couple blog posts to close out this week.

yeah. not happening.

what is happening is a lot of this:

100% cranberry juice.

and not because it's my favorite juice, which it might be.

i'm drinking it like it's my job. for medicinal purposes. annoying.

annoying for anyone at any time, but especially when you've got a toddler on the loose.

also, i think medicinal is a funny word to say.

i change my kitchen towels once a day, at least. this one is my favorite right now.

i love the colors, such a cheerful palette for a dreary day. of cranberry juice drinking.

and the motif is super cute, right?

another funny word to say.

remember those horrible "fill in the circle" tests?

what are those called? i bet it's a funny word.

well, i've been doing a few of them for some things we've got going on.

good. grief. why i ever thought they were a treat to fill out, i will never know.

the best part is, i spent entirely too long searching my home for a pencil. my preference is pen.

always has been. in recent years, these are my very favorites. i have many colors.

each used for different things in my planner and on the calendar. i'm ~~ridiculous~~ organized like that.

oh yes. the pencils. actually one. i found one pencil.

and i may have used a makeup sharpener to make it useful.

speaking of useful, i miss encyclopedias.

remember when they were a thing?

i'm in a funny spot. very much immersed in the age of the world wide web and

the instantaneous search results. but i also spent a lot of time pouring over actual books for information.

i still do. it's just something i will never tire of. flipping through pages, browsing through the library. love it.

i have a set of old chilcraft children's books. the "make and do library".

as a little girl, these were what i spent hours "researching".

science projects, animal facts , craft ideas, fairy tales and stories about children around the globe.

i learned so much from this collection.

i read through several of the books on a regular basis with elijah.

(even if he's just running around, i read anyway. it's good for me and him!)

even a quick glance at a single page rushes my childhood to the front of my mind.

don't you love when something transports you like that?

my sweet child is already asleep. praise jesus.

my husband will be home from work any second and we will have a date night in. holla.

so. tell me. what's your weekend looking like?

and feel free to lend advice on the juice situation :)

think spring {sunshine in my soul}

2012-02-01T00:00:00.012-06:00

it's february. this means that i survived one of the hardest months of the year. for me.

winter is, and always has been, a season that i struggle with. gloom and despair tend to seep in.

they like to have a little picnic in my heart. a grey, quilt-less and dessert-less picnic.

this is my third winter in north dakota. surprisingly, these winters have been the easiest ones for me.

they have also been the longest and the coldest of my life. but easier still! praise jesus.

it "warmed up" to 30 degrees yesterday, melting things a bit. only until it froze up again.

now a dangerous ice covers all the land.

or at least where i can see.

and that's the thing. it's only as far as i can see.

somewhere,

there are pebbles in a flowing, not frozen brook.

there are leafy green trees and bright green grass.

a lunch shared by girlfriends, on a patio, in the sun.

somewhere there are birds chirping and kids getting exhausted from swimming outside.

so. instead of letting the gloom carry on any longer, i will look beyond what i can see.

i'll pull out some bright, cheerful colors and imagine lots of sunlight.

source

i think i'll make a fruit salad, and bbq chicken for dinner. channel summer.

or at least spring.

sunshine. new growth.

those things can be had now, in winter.

when i look beyond what i can see.

happy are those who hear

the joyful call to worship,

for they will walk in the

light of your presence, lord.

{psalm 89:15nlt}

have you ever heard this old song? it's a goodie:

"There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my Light.

O there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,
When the peaceful, happy moments roll;
When Jesus shows His smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

There is music in my soul today,
A carol to my King,
And Jesus, listening, can hear
The songs I cannot sing.

There is springtime in my soul today,
For, when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart,
The flowers of grace appear.

There is gladness in my soul today,
And hope and praise and love,
For blessings which He gives me now,
For joys “laid up” above."

{eliza e. hewitt}

happy wednesday to you. make it sunny. make it great!

i've got a crush on treasury list makin'

2012-01-31T00:00:00.069-06:00

sometimes, i am so out of the loop.

i only just realized that anyone can create an etsy treasury list.

i thought it was only for fancy handpicked folks.

now that i have this knowledge, i am smitten. since i usually have more plans than free time,

who knows how often i'll be collecting pretty things for treasuries, but it.is.fun.

therapeutic even. it even makes me feel like i have been out shopping!

anyway, i thought that you might enjoy seeing my collections. maybe?

'be mine {valentine}' by wifeysinger

Adhesive Fabric Tape x 4 DobleEle $12.00	Hey Y'all Sign Southern ... SlippinSouther... $50.00	RED and SILVER Leather Bangl... theadoptshoppe $20.00
hand stamped valentine neckl... SweetTeaShoppe $39.00	Child's scandinavian sof... Janefoster $24.00	Valentine's gift for her... foundbymarie $24.00
kiss me skippydesigns $30.00	Summer Cardinal & Birch Tree... strawberryluna $25.00	red "be mine"...ca... DearNicole $10.00
White and Pink Gooseberry Py... VintageSoup $55.50	Letterpress Valentines Coast... fluidinkletter... $6.00	Daffodil Floral Necklace NestPrettyThin... $32.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

'black and white' by wifeysinger

1930's Royal Touch ... BrooklynRetro $300.00	Gathered clutch with ha... foundbymarie $28.00	black and white polka d... shopstitches $20.00	this is the first day o... cleanwash $4.50
Japanese Washi Tape Bla... PrettyTape $4.00	Wholesale 8 yard roll o... caramelos $6.45	Beauty Tips Quote Art P... breedingfancy $16.00	The typographer print blancucha $30.00
iPad cover / iPad Case ... chubbycloud $25.00	Black and White Retro M... AmandaCatherin... $15.00	black geo earrings amerrymishap $14.99	Bob Ross mug squackdoodle $10.00
1 strand abstract shape... oddlyevensuppl... $9.00	25 Yards of Black and W... londontierney $7.00	Where You Love Art Prin... wickedpaper $16.00	Black and White Stripe ... CupcakeSocial $3.25

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

i've created some other fun ones, too. see them here!

do you create etsy treasuries?

leave me some links, i'd love to see your collections!

streaming memories {conversation hearts}

2012-01-30T00:02:00.000-06:00

my mind is often filled with thoughts of my past and hopes for my future.

lately i find myself pondering some part of my childhood almost daily.

sometimes the memories are very painful, sometimes very sweet and special.

it's always a joy remembering the seemingly unimportant, fun times though.

when i was a little girl, i spent many early mornings on a school bus.

from kindergarten to third grade i found my learning at a small private school in a tiny mississippi town.

the bus picked me up from my house sometimes, but most often from "the square" downtown. the school was only about twenty minutes away, but the ride was much longer with its many stops down country side roads. i spent much of my bumpy ride talking loudly with my little friends. i talked loudly, because who wouldn't want to hear what i had to say? really because the rickety windows made quite a racket with every pot hole our bus rolled over.
i think pot holes are mississippi's state bird. or something.

i had nearly the same classmates every year, mostly girls, four boys. i still remember everyone.

their names, hairstyles, what toys and books they loved, who they "liked".

we mostly all got along. except when we didn't.

we had pretty elaborate school parties. i think because most of the moms were very involved,
and they must've really loved parties. maybe that's why i love party planning so much?

i think valentine's day may have been my favorite school party day. each year i remember loving coming up with my mailbox design. pretty sure i even thought about it other times of the year. they weren't that amazing, but it was just fun to create them. and dream about all the awesome goodies that would fill them!

the candy was my favorite. even our school cafeteria celebrated.

around valentine's day, they offered little boxes of conversation hearts for a quarter.

now, i almost never had money for lunch or candy.

my parents always packed a delicious homemade lunch for me. and i always appreciated it. HA.

i often traded it. my silly friends always wanted my stupid lunch. suckers!!

now, i clearly see that i was the sucker, trading my homemade cookies for

twinkies and cafeteria chicken nuggets. blech.

my dad did try to make sure i had a quarter to buy milk. i almost always chose chocolate milk.

unless i secretly chose candy instead. our cafeteria sold airheads for a quarter, too.

in february, i always said no to milk and heck yes to candy.

those little boxes of chalky, necco sweethearts were too much to resist.

their fun flavors and cute size were enough, but the words. oh, the words! "ur cute" "kiss me"...

i think they even said "pen pal"...now they say "text me" and "ur hot"...

talk about conversation hearts. we elementary school kids went crazy with those words.

i remember lots of laughing and a little bit of blushing.

i mean, it was all legit. much like the folded paper fortune tellers.

it's such a sweet thing, to be reminded of my little self days. simply by tearing open a little box of hearts.

honestly, i'm not wild about the taste of this candy anymore, but i love it. and will always buy it when i can.

i never want to forget being a sweet-toothed, school party-loving, loud-talking little girl ..

happy weekend

2012-01-28T08:25:00.000-06:00

something delightful about blogging {more on friendship}

2012-01-25T10:15:00.000-06:00

i wanted to tell you something else about friendship.

it's crazy, and it even sneaks up on you.

that saying about 'strangers are just friends you haven't met yet' could not be more right on the money.

since my early friend-making days, i've been pretty proactive about getting to know people.

in preschool through elementary, i was possibly even bossy. like, "you wanna be my best friend, because i want to be yours, ok?" now that i'm an adult, i am a little less bossy about it.

in that quick post i shared yesterday, the friend i mentioned that called me.

i've only seen her in person once. truth. we met 'in real life' at blog sugar a few months ago.

we have known each other for almost a year now. through blogging. how is that possible, you ask?

because praise jesus, he can make friendships happen any kind of way he wants to!

the sweetest part is, this friend is just one of many that i have made through blogging.

last year i wrote this:

as bloggers, we love keeping in touch with family and friends,

running a handmade business, reviewing fabulous products or

inspiring others to deepen their relationship with christ.

no matter what we are blogging about, we are blogging us.

i blog me.

it's this that knits a reader to my own heart and i to theirs.

blogging about my life and my heart let's you,

the reader, in right away.

think about your friends.

that one deep chat.

maybe at starbucks, after a concert or

even after the loss of a child.

that talk, opening your hearts,

finally brought you closer together.

likely it wasn't when you first met that person.

getting "close" and "knowing" someone takes time.

lately, blogging has given me a head start.

fast friends are made when you get deep right away.

not even "life" deep, but just my likes and passions.

you see them right away.

you can search my blog for what you want to know and

shazam! there it is, neatly labeled.

many people i have known for years,

know as much about me as you do as a reader.

you may even know more!

crazy. also very awesome.

it was only about two years ago that i actually began leaving comments on blogs i'd been reading for awhile. it was weird. for some reason, i always thought that all commenters really knew the blog authors. i felt like i was crashing a fancy reception, but i just decided to respond one day. i don't remember what the post was, but i remember that it moved me deeply. so deeply that i felt connected to this person who wrote it. i've felt that way while reading books. it's a neat thing indeed to be able to shoot off a quick note or appreciation to the writer. blogging offers this opportunity. anyway, i left a comment. and later that day i left another comment on another blog i loved. the next day? i got responses from those bloggers. this freaked me out and filled me with joy. not only the bloggers themselves, but the community of others leaving comments, it was a beautiful new world for me.

listen to me. some of the closest friends in my life right now.

the ones who stir my soul and often encourage me the most.

i have never met them in real life, or only once(so far!) given them a real life hug.

this may seem weird to you. who said weird can't be AMAZING at the same time?

we pray for each other, share scriptures, or even funny youtube videos with each other.

i've even discovered favorite new shops, because some of these blog friends

are also creative and sell lovely things for me to buy.

they are real life friends, we just maybe haven't breathed the same air yet.

now, i don't have much "reply time" these days. but know this. your comments are read and appreciated.

and, i pray for you, whether you like it or not. when i have time, i love visiting the blogs of those

who have taken the time out of their day to comment, to connect with me.

and what a sweet surprise when an unexpected friendship blooms from this world of blogging!

{source}

there's encouragement just waiting for us! in this fancy year of twenty twelve, we have tons of ways to connect to people. it isn't all bad! some of it is so life-giving. there are others out there that "get" you.

baking, crafting, adoption, infertility, infidelity, pastor's wives, missionary families, stay at home moms,

working moms, special needs families...on and on! there are people you can connect with.

people who will minister to your soul. even those that you can comfort or encourage.

there are probably friends out there.

hello.

2012-01-24T23:35:00.000-06:00

i'd love to have you here next month!

email me or click here for the details!

are you a good friend?

2012-01-24T14:57:00.002-06:00

it's so crucial for me.

to call out to jesus when i am weary and lonely. i need him.

i also need the friends he has placed in my life. he's given them to us you know.

he knows our need for another human soul to connect with. to build with, laugh with and grieve with.

friendship is important.

nothing seems to be going right. just about every thing that has a place, is not in its place.

my child is obsessed with the fridge. and emptying its contents.

baking cupboard emptied. jars of sprinkles are opened and scatter into a rainbow of mess

on my kitchen floor. the floor that hasn't been mopped in...i forget how long.

days like this are just about my normal.

a few days ago, i was exhausted, frustrated and on the verge of tears or screaming probably both.

it's cold, we don't have the car most days, so in no time, i have cabin fever.

on this day, i said out loud to myself, "i am dying here and nobody even cares!!!!!"

about one minute later my phone rang.

it was a friend, calling to say hi and see how i was doing.

her voice was refreshing and cheerful, which instantly calmed me. she's a mama too.

she knows a hard day. she knows that a quick chat with a friend can make your entire day turn around.

i bet that's why she called.

because a good friend will tell you when they are thinking of you.

a good friend will ask you how you are doing. and really listen when you answer.

a good friend cares for you, even when they are about to have a baby, grieving the loss of a parent,
getting ready to move...when it's not convenient for them, you know?

how often do you do things that are inconvenient to bless another?

i'm, not saying ignore your family to check up on a friend,

or to not feed your family dinner because you're laughing it up on the phone, or leaving sweet blog comments.
but, i do think it's important to be aware of the opportunities we do have to be better friends.

probably a few times a week?

really, i am swamped and barely find "free time" to blog,

but how long does it really take to send a quick text message?

i'm intending to snatch up those little minutes strewn about my week.

instead of deciding if i want to cry or scream from frustration, i will send a text message

or jot down a quick note and pop it into the mail.

i'm so grateful when my friends think of me. it encourages me like crazy.

i want to remember my friends, no matter what i'm facing.

because i want to know what they are facing, too.

a few things

2012-01-23T00:12:00.000-06:00

i feel like i am always saying "wow, i totally can't believe that it's already monday!"

so i won't say it.

last night my sister and ben-in-law joined us for dinner.
i made this and served with tostitos lime chips, sour cream and cheese.
we munched a few cuties, too.
why is it that cuties are the only orange
i can ever peel successfully? seriously. make that soup.
it's thick and delicious and i make it every week!

we have some things to do today, but all i want to do is bake cupcakes.
{which really means all i want to do is eat cupcakes, similar to baking cookies}
i've been collecting recipes. a few cupcake pins here and some that i'm eyeing
in cookbooks i have. and of course they must be baked in happy cupcake liners.
sometimes, if it's gloomy out, i just look at a few cupcake liners.
it's almost like a ray of sun:

oh! the sale i mentioned on adorable liners, they've still got a few if you need some.

i ordered some mini ones. nothing cuter i tell you.

actually, elijah might be cuter.

i took this last february at disneyland. it was not a very good shot, with the shadows and all,

but i really love it. his eyes make me all melty hearted. his whole self does, really.

time to get back into the swing of letter writing. for real. i am such a slacker with it lately.

the one cent price increase for the stamps has been depressing me before it even went into effect.

am i a nerd?

speaking of stamps, i think they're just beautiful to look at.

i love how you can really add art to an envelope by simply adding that postage.

these, these and these. and gregory peck. swoon.

which designs are your favorites? i especially love vintage and foreign stamps.

i think this project using stamp images is adorable:

diy postage stamp coasters via design sponge. fun city!

i hope your monday is a delight!

i'll be chilling out to one of my favorite "chill out" albums:

i'm grateful for this

2012-01-21T19:11:00.000-06:00

today was difficult. patrick left for work way early and elijah was cranked up to the max.

we managed some fun anyway. didn't get the boy a bath tonight, a battle i chose to pass on.

another battle i dodged was pants. the kid has an aversion to them lately. so no pants.

yet he traipses around in my huge snow boots all day. maybe he thinks the boots are pants?

patrick fell asleep with elijah on the sofa just now.

they're so sweet, i might not wake patrick for dinner. nah. i love dinner with my husband.

and it's early yet, so we may get wild and watch a movie, or play the wii. we so crazy.

i'm grateful for my messy sleeping sweetie kiddo.

i'm grateful for my soon to be awake husband who'll laugh with me tonight.

i've been marinating in this today, wanted to share it with you:

i'm grateful for scripture, the truth and comfort the spirit brings through its pages.

and i'm free to read it whenever i want. grateful for that.

i'm forgiven when i don't read it often enough. i'm challenged to read it more. grateful.

enjoy your weekend, friends!

what are you grateful for right this minute?

join me and link up with alysa and spread that gratitude around!

when life gives you gators {make gatorade}

2012-01-20T00:00:00.001-06:00

my sister says that. it makes me smile.

we enjoyed some sweet time together with patrick during his time off from work.

we also had some tiring times. i mean, everything can't be "fun" all.the.time.

we had appointments to get to, dangerous temperatures keeping us otherwise indoors, laundry to do, etc.

really, i think we did a fine job of making our days as fun as they could be, now that i think about it.

i've also been thinking about how far i've come since this time five years ago.

i'm peaceful, hurting less. joyful more. i'm a mama-my heart is full with the beauty of this gift.

sometimes, i believe it's good to think on old trials. those discomforts and great pains of the past.

they help me have a clearer view of grace. they make me grateful. for the getting through them. for the one who carried me each step of the way. i'm never alone. i'm never alone. i'm never alone.

do you ever chant such things to yourself? i do. i need to, because there's usually a mighty loud voice inside of me that is roaring the exact opposite of whatever i'm chanting.

right now i'm chanting these verses:

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

{isaiah 55:1-3esv}

i'm memorizing this with this group on angel's blog.

i've learned it before, as a little kid and in the king james version. it's been on my heart a lot lately,

so i decided i wanted a fresh look at it and to commit it again to my memory.

god's nourishment lasts. it's eternal and it feeds my soul.

he calls me to "come, buy and eat" and without cost! it's free. for me, from him.

a gift, his grace, mercy, strength, power, endurance, forgiveness.

his "food" satisfies! listening to him, delighting myself in him, soaking up his word. that's how i get this freely offered nourishment. this that sustains me more than any feast. i've been starving myself by mixing up my focus. do you know what that's like? to get obsessed with the thing or the problem.

sometimes life is just hard. and sometimes i just wear that difficulty. it's strapped to my back, i lug it around all day, broken and sweaty from the burden. exhausted from carrying it all alone. oh. wait, i am never alone.

"lord, please help, lord, send me strength to carry this burden all by myself"

that is practically what i have prayed before. so holy, so right.

no. sadly, i too often get all wacky like that and mix up myself with my life giver.

you know what that chapter says in a few verses down?

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

{isaiah 55:6-9esv}

he pardons me, abundantly. my little finite self. when i try to take on the burden alone, figure out the trouble, twist it all into what makes sense. he forgives. his thoughts are higher, his ways are higher.

i just need to call to him, and he will help me to trust him.

so, these tough spots, these troubles that come my way, i give them all back to him.

they are his plans. his purposes will be fulfilled.

today i praise him for grace for my thick head,

when i am so foolish to try and understand what he's up to in my wonderful, colorful life.

pray for me. pray that i would trust him.

how can i pray for you this weekend?

let me tell you {about my january sponsors!}

2012-01-19T00:00:00.032-06:00

hello, friends!

i'm sure you've noticed the lovely sidebar full of sponsors to your left.

this is my first month to offer advertising on my blog.

hopefully you've already clicked through each one and done some exploring!

today, i'd really like to introduce you to each shop and blog

that have chosen to join me for the month of january:

mandie :: moxie mandie

I'm a girl that loves coffee, fabric, design, & my husband- not in that order.

I like to make pretty things & must sell them because I've begun to run out of room for them all. ;)

I write here about anything & everything and I tweet random things here.

kristen :: ahoy graphics

Proud Navy wife and momma of two Jack Russell Terriers. A homesick Tennessean with a love for bookbinding. An art educator turned graphic designer. I partner with small business owners, bloggers and indiepreneurs to design professional brands that increase visibility, trust—and ultimately, sales.

{see her amazing work in the design recently created for rags to stitches!}

kristen also has a brand new book available! not a graphic designer? no problem!

diy brand design is available in ebook or softcover and can be purchased here.

be sure to check out the brand new ahoy graphics website & portfolio

kristen can be found here: google+ :: twitter :: linkedin :: pinterest

erin leigh :: art by erin leigh

My name is Erin Leigh and I create inspirational and scripture mixed media collage

in my little home studio, which I also sell in my etsy shop,

which helps me stay home part time with my 2 boys.

On my blog you will find pieces of my life as an artist, a child of God,

a wife, a mommy, a first grade teacher, and my latest Pinterest obsession.

Every single one of us has been given a gift. When you use your gift, you come alive.

You breathe life into your life. And life into this dark, this fallen world we share. And we need your life.
All of us need the life that only comes from giving our gifts away.

My favorite print at the moment is this one because, as a mother of 2 small boys,
I need this on a minute by minute basis. I hope you enjoy it. This is me, attempting to be brave.

Receive 20% off of any purchase in the shop. Coupon code: Hannah

Connect with me. Facebook. Pinterest.

amber :: life...unscripted

my name is amber branconier i am a canadian girl, soon to be mrs., coffee drinker, and sinner saved by grace.

i blog at life...unscripted where i share diy's, recipes, life, and faith.

starting in february there will be a series on my blog about weddings and marriage

since that is the season of life i am heading into right now. i would love to have you stop by!

i also have a little etsy shop, owls&lilies where i sell some of my crafted goodies.

blog :: shop :: pinterest

katie :: minivan diva

Hi sweet friends of Hannah! I'm so thankful to be here today. I love miss Hannah! I began my blog journey after our family had a few years of hard hits. I was diagnosed with lupus, my son was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, and my husband was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. All by the time we were 30! I felt the need to share our story and encourage others. I continue to focus my blog on connecting with moms with all things family related: food, projects, faith, and the ups and downs of motherhood. Come on over to visit and read our story. Let me know who you are. I'd love to get to know you!

minivan diva blog

paige :: pink lemonade

Hello. I am Paige. A 15 year old homeschooled teen.

Follower of Jesus. Daughter. Sister. Blogger. And owner of Pink Lemonade.

I love creating pretty things. My shop is my outlet for that! In it you will find a variety of jewelry and accessories (necklaces, earrings, headbands, and lots of other fun stuff) all handmade by me!

blog :: shop :: twitter :: facebook

receive 30% off in the pink lemonade shop with code "happy"

sarah :: the fontenot four

My name is Sarah. I am the one behind The Fontenot Four! I am in love with God, my husband {Ron},

and my girls {Moira and Peyton}. I am a stay a home mom of two girls (7 and 5), the younger of which

is special needs and is medically fragile. I started The Fontenot Four as an outlet for me to write about the blessings in my life. The good stuff. Nothing negative. I figured if I focused on the positive for a change,

it might really help me work through life's challenges. I decided somewhere along the way that I could

really use my blog to help people. I love to blog about the blessings in my life, my faith,

the occasional book review, recipes from time to time, musings about my family, and so on.

I have an Etsy shop where I sell little knitted goodies. One of the best sellers

has been these cute headbands! I would love to offer your readers a

10% discount in my shop using the code HAPPYDAYS.

blog :: shop :: facebook :: twitter :: pinterest :: bloglovin'

stephanie :: the honey pot

Hi y'all. I'm Stephanie. I'm a southern girl whose joy in life is being a momma to three gorgeous girls,

a "Honey" to three amazing grand-kids, bride to my high school sweetheart and lover of Jesus who is changing me daily. He has blessed me with the ability to stretch a dollar, make something from nothing,

and see the beauty in junk. I love creating pretty things.

I share about all of the above on my blog.

And I have a little shop too if you'd like to check it out.

I'd love to have you stop by and visit. If it were in person, I'd fix you a glass of sweet tea or a hot cup of Community Coffee with chicory... but since it's not, you can track me down here on Twitter or Facebook. I'd love to get to know ya! :)

blog :: shop

sundi :: cheap chickadee

Hi I am Sundi, the Cheap Chickadee. My blog is all about whatever I want it to be about...most of the time that means sharing tutorials! I love to figure out my own clever, creative way of doing things. I love to sew and paint and anything DIYish. The difference with me is that I do things quick, simple and cheap! I don't enjoy doing week long projects (my attention span doesn't last that long), so, most of the projects on my blog

can be completed from start to finish in a few hours (naptime baby!).

{this ruffled shirt tutorial and this six handmade gifts for girls post are a couple reader favorites!}

I am a simple wife and mother with a super quirky side and a desire to share my deep and sometimes

strange thoughts with the world. Come on over and check it out!

blog

mary :: mary in married land

I blog simply to capture the life God has blessed me with. I'm surrounded by love and beauty and

just want to share it. I also desire to have a real, raw voice that shows that even when life is hard and

not perfect- God is still in control and loves us deeply! I shower the blog in lots of photos simply

because I ADORE MY CAMERA. I'm also a wife and dietitian living in beautiful Tennessee.

learn more about me here!

blog :: twitter :: portfolio :: nutrition blog :: tumblr

ashley :: sugar mama bakeshop

Hey there! I'm Ashley and I bake & blog over at Sugar Mama Bakeshop.

My favorite product in my shop right now is the DIY Cupcakes for Two kit!

It is a perfect little Valentine for you and your lovey :)

I love to post reviews of recipes I find as well as my own originals on my blog.

They are always gluten free & almost always vegan too!

I'll also be doing a giveaway soon so stay tuned :) Thanks so much for having me Hannah!

blog :: shop :: twitter :: facebook :: pinterest

shannon :: sassy lemonade

When growing up would make myself a Necklace or Pair of Earrings whenever I needed

something to match an outfit I was wearing. Decided to try to open up a Shop on Etsy last year

just to see what happens. Making Jewelry is my outlet and addiction,

you'll usually see a new piece up weekly!

blog :: shop :: facebook :: twitter

kelly :: fly with me

hi friends of hannah i'm kelly and i blog at fly with me. it's a little space where i blog about the things i love.

i've been married for 13 years and have two amazing sons. a little fact about me me...

when i fall in love, i fall hard and forever. oh and i like to make silly faces.

so nice to meet you all. i do hope you'll stop by.

blog :: twitter

angel :: living with moxie

Hello, friends of Hannah! My name is Angel. I blog at Living with Moxie. Moxie is actually

the name of the women's ministry of my church that I am blessed to lead. Moxie means having courage, fearlessness; facing difficult situations with spirit and backbone. Living in such a way to the glory of Jesus Christ is my aim. I started blogging as a way to communicate with women of Moxie on a consistent basis, however, blogging has also given me the opportunity to meet lovely women like Hannah and like you! Please feel free to come over, creep around a bit, comment a time or two, and choose to follow along. If I can help you grow in the discipline of memorizing scripture, or challenge how you speak, or encourage you to embrace femininity my heart will be content. I love women and really love helping women know and love Jesus more and more. I'm already looking forward to meeting you!

Yep. I'm eating a scorpion. You can read all about this fantastic snack adventure here.

kelly :: the spunky little monkey

hi, i'm kelly! I'm mom to a 3 year old little boy, a bookkeeper by day and crafter by night.

blog :: shop :: facebook

carina :: a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut

Hello friends! I am Carina, mama to a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut.

I spend my days loving three little men, baking up way too many treats, thinking up fun things to craft, ignoring the never ending pile of laundry, and maybe watching a little too much reality tv.

I blog about daily life, my faith, adoption, and all the funny things that happen along the way,

hopefully all with a spirit of gratitude. I also have an etsy shop,

lovely little whimsy, which is a fun creative outlet, and a way to raise money

for our next adoption! So please stop by and say hello - I'd love to have you!

blog :: shop

sara :: twillypop

I'm a stay at home, homeschooling mom of three precious "chickens", just discovering my inner jewelry designer/photographer/social media maven/blogger :) My shop of handmade ribbon jewelry and accessories is called Twillypop, which started out as one of a myriad of nicknames my husband invented for me.

this post is my all time favorite on the blog. stop by and say hello!

blog :: shop :: facebook :: twitter

ashley :: the pink ruffle

I am a wife to a handsome man named Grant and a mom to the sweetest little blessing, Emrie.

I love Jesus and He is the reason I live! When I became pregnant, I started making headbands for Emrie because everything in the store was too expensive or just not my style.

It became a hobby of mine and then when people started asking about where I got them I decided it

would be fun to share my joy with others and create something unique just for them!

My blog is a space for me to share my new creations, but also give you a peek into my life.

this is one of my favorite posts, stop by and say hello!

blog :: shop

joy :: small town joy

Small Town Joy is the place where everyday life pales only to the greatness of our extraordinary God.

Joy, a small town girl with a big God, and her family share their adventures of faith, family, foster care,

and living in a small town. With her thick southern accent and sassy-tallking mouth, Joy strives to glorify

God through her transparent writing. Come on over and join the adventure, bring a friend,

leave us a comment. We can't wait to meet you soon! God is good, all the time!

blog

andee :: bearing fruit

Thanks so much for having me over, Hannah! I'm Andee and I blog over at Bearing Fruit. I blog to love,

to laugh, to share, to know we are not alone in the journey of life, to open my heart and to hear yours.

There are times when I blog about what is deep to my heart.

I may blog about struggle or about triumph. But I also blog about the sweet and simple.

The best part about this whole blogging adventure is the community we are creating.

I can't wait to meet you! You can also find me on facebook, twitter and pinterest.

***

what a fabulous group, right?

be sure to say hello to these lovely folks!

and don't miss the sweet coupon codes up there. yay!

five-o-rite {hearts}

2012-01-18T00:00:00.074-06:00

patrick goes back to work tomorrow. the party's over.

not really, we party every day.

today, i'll show you five favorite hearts finds.

valentine's day is less than one month away. are you looking forward to it?

i am. i love any excuse to celebrate. and celebrating LOVE is way fun.

bushel and a peck handstamped necklace from the sweet tea shoppe

my heart sings for you art block from john w golden

mint green heart post earrings from dariami

hearts washi tape from lebox boutique

rainbow mini heart sprinkles from sweet estelle

what fun finds are striking your fancy this week?

wait, what?

2012-01-17T00:00:00.006-06:00

that's what phrase keeps repeating in my mind lately.

wait, what?!

our insurance doesn't cover that at all?

it's -15 and elijah tore off his clothes and darted outside to holler off the porch?

i miscalculated the budget by how much?

perfectly encouraging notes and treats arrived in the mail at exactly the right time?

i haven't sent snail mail in how many weeks?

it's the third week of january and i have only written like 3% of my christmas thank you notes?

i mean, without elijah's help, none would have been done. what a great kiddo.

also, wait, what?! how is he so great? and so incredibly cute?

wait, what?! my cute child still won't allow a haircut?

and how is my funny little niece ivy turning one in less than two weeks?

good.ness. just breathe. i will catch up to all this crazy, all this lovely.

how about you? anything sneakin' up on you?

oh, and post script: i wrote a little guest post at jami's.

i'm trying to be present, so i can quit the constant wait, whattin'.

impromptu

2012-01-12T20:34:00.004-06:00

my husband scheduled some vacation time for these upcoming days, for a few planned events.

turns out, we don't have any plans now!

he decided to keep several of the days off. for just us. to just be.

so, i'm taking an impromptu* break here for a few days. looking forward to time with my boys.

{source}

before i go, enjoy this random survey. she made me do it.

current guilty pleasure: stella artois. i never have her on hand, but patrick got me some for my bday!

current nail color: opi sanguine

current playlist: boyz ll men and brooks ritter

current read: smooth stones and oliver twist
current drink: water
current food: chips and salsa

current favorite show: zorro dvds {because elijah adores it!}
current wish list: sleep. and a date night.

current needs: more patience.
current triumphs: elijah slept all night last night!! and went to bed immediately just now #lookingood
current bane of my existence: my shower. it needs cleaning and i don't have a maid.
current celebrity crush: i don't know. hard to top denzel and sean.
current indulgence: hanae mori.
current blessing: this song.

current outfit: jeans, striped button down shirt, a lego pendant, and my husband's socks:)

current excitement: patrick doesn't work again until next thursday. holla.

current mood: fidgety and fussy
current link: i kid you not, i have been reading this nearly every day since it was posted. praise jesus.

see you next week!

*you know what? impromptu is another word i can't say. it comes out improntu most times. good grief.

coffee break {links for you}

2012-01-12T00:00:00.005-06:00

it's thursday. january 12 of 2012. is that a cool day?

i'm not all math-y, so i'm not sure, but it looks close to a cool day at least.

we have appointments this morning, then we'll be up to our usual silliness about the house.

i will be sure to brew at least two pots of coffee, that is also usual.

how about you join me! with your cuppa coffee, tea, coke...what do y'all drink, by the way?

sneak a moment to sit and scroll through these sweet links:

lovely naomi at works of anselm shared a peek into her little girl's room. swoon.

i think this new letterpress card from cleanwash would be great as a valentine.

cutie leigh-ann at freckled nest collected some awesome finds. clocks. the green one is my fave.

the birthday house is having a fabulous sale on cupcake liners. better hurry!

this three minute video, 'david, goliath & the gospel'. if you haven't seen it yet. get it done. excellent!

pizzazzerie has featured a few adorable valentine's day printables. for free.

and i love this. via wit+delight.

enjoy your day, make it great!

what fun have you spotted lately?

grace for my thick head

2012-01-11T11:14:00.002-06:00

i've said this over and over again, even on the blog.

a lesson i will always be learning, always be reminded of, is that my plans are not what happen.

sometimes i forget. i get caught up in dreaming and planning how our future will look.

sometimes i forget to bring those dreams and plans to jesus as prayers and not commands.

sidenote, i often wrestle with god that way, actually trying to command him. sick.

i was reading a few days ago, and i don't even remember where i was reading,

but it was on john chapter 1. the first bit, verses 1-5:

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him,

and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life,and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

that third verse, about "all things were made through him..."

it reminded me that i am created by god. which means i have no foundation for pride.

apart from him, i am a sick sinner, incapable of being or doing anything eternally meaningful.

without him i am not living with purpose, not living as who i was made to be.

with him though, i am unique, and valuable.

praise jesus for his forgiveness, long suffering and mercy. for i mess this up, get it backwards too often.

i act like i am the creator of my life, my purpose, my ideas, rather than the other way around.

HE made me. HE has plans. HE is big. HE is here.

after i read that sermon, i cracked open my real bible, not the one on my phone.

i read john 1. asking the lord to show it to me again and again, who he is, who i am.

HE is the light, i only reflect it. He is the grace giver, i always need it.

it was like the day after this john 1 thing, that i saw a new product tweeted, from a favorite shop:

{print from naptime diaries}

this print from a verse from the same chapter i was neck deep into.

i love this print! even more, i love the scripture, the truth, the comfort of grace upon grace.

because i get that. i know what it feels like to get grace from him over, and over and over again,

when i am ultra undeserving and in my most sinful state.

so thankful, incredibly thankful that i am given fresh starts when i've ignored my creator

and his purpose for me. fresh starts to trust him and his ways over my own.

do you know what i'm talking about?

i want to share a poem, that i just love, by beth moore. a funny thing about it first...

this poem, i posted it several years ago, shortly after a our first ectopic pregnancy.

it really ministered to me then. the crazy thing is, it's on my mind about once a week.

that's when i check my blog stats. that post is my most "popular" post.

like the most viewed every week, month and year.

cuter than the three stooges

2012-01-10T00:00:00.008-06:00

in a perfect world, or at least one in which i have my way, i'd post a bunch of sweet photos of elijah.

he's the cutest. he is fun to watch and i try to capture his charm, i really do.

even with a decent dslr camera, which i am learning slowly how to use properly, it's just plain tough.

for today, in lieu of a peek at elijah, i give you a few of his best buddies.

we picked them up when we were at disneyland last year!

my kid adores the muppets.

this makes me especially happy because

patrick and i love the muppets, too. holla.

i highly recommend the newest muppet movie,

we were able to see it in the theater and it was delightful!

sometimes we borrow old muppet show episodes from the library.

alice cooper and julie andrews are a couple of my favorite ones. obviously.

and of course the muppet movies! i love all the cameos of celebrities, you know?

the great muppet caper and the original muppet movie are on heavy rotaion in our dvd player.

excellent, hilarious entertainment for all!

who's your favorite muppet?

mine's kermit. and grover if you count sesame street. which i do:)

happy things

2012-01-09T00:55:00.000-06:00

{i chose a winner for the shabby apple giveaway! was it you?}

i totally get that life does not consist in the abundance of things.

but. sometimes, things really bring me a heapin' helping of joy.

mostly if those things came to me by way of a friend who thought of me.

last month, i celebrated my birthday. i was thought of by others.

i received sweet cards in the mail. two from my pops(they almost always send two, really cute ones.)

this girl and this girl know me. their gifts of starbucks keep me happy for sure. holla.

tweets, emails, calls and texts wished me well.

man, technology really helps boost your mood with all those avenues of communication, yes?

i received a special gift from my pen pal, jami. that adorable little hoop art?

yeah, i've been wanting it since it was listed. i'm actually in love with everything in the shop it came from.

also, i love the girl who owns that shop. aly tucked in a treat from her with my gift from jami.

sweetness overload much? the true crazy blessing of it all is that this little box of happiness arrived

on a hard day. i'm pretty sure it was the hardest day of the month. no accident i'm sure. because i was

close to the depths of despair, crying out to jesus for a bit of sun in my burdensome gloom.

and what do you know, he used two friends to send me some sun. some happy. when i needed it.

when the cares of my heart are many,

your consolations cheer my soul.

psalm 94:19

i'm always in awe of his hand. in the big, crazy things, and more so in the little things.

i'm so grateful for my friends and family who think of me. i'm grateful when someone takes that extra step

and tells me they think of me. a little gift, a quick text, all of it uplifts and encourages me.

praise jesus. when i'm so blessed, over and over, i just want to pass it on.

who are you thinking of today? who do you appreciate?

have you let them know?

{i appreciate YOU!}

insta-friday {and some thanks}

2012-01-06T00:03:00.000-06:00

happy friday, y'all!

it seems that i forgot all about insta-friday, since my last one was in november.

not much, but i do have a few little snaps from our week:

1. happy red flats. they are proving to make winter-stuck-inside-syndrome a little easier.

2. elijah turned three two days after christmas. i was on my deathbed, so the "party" was postponed

until this past week. it was relaxed and funny:) three little boys and their awesome parents joined us for cupcakes, and hollerin' fun. as in, it was very loud, but very fun.

and elijah gave each friend an old school slinky for a party favor.

he was smiling so big handing them out!

3. ok. this recipe is killing us. with deliciousness. and it's butter content may also be killing us.

who even cares? butter is my love language. kidding. sort of.

seriously, go try this baked corn goodness! now.

4. and lastly, inside my colorful dishwasher. one more thing that helps a winter blues kind of day.

call me crazy, but lots of color in the kitchen is the only way to go in my book.

also, my dishwasher period helps. i can't believe i once loved standing at the sink and doing dishes.

i don't hate it now, but i love and adore my dishwasher. praise jesus.

speaking of praising jesus. these two boys. oh my.

patrick walked elijah across the street to drop off our rent check.

i wanted a better photo, but a) i was in my jammies and b) it was like 7 degrees outside.

i'm thankful for my family

i'm thankful for being blessed with colorful things that cheer me up

i'm thankful for a cute, warm apartment downtown

i'm thankful for new mercies each day

what are you thankful for today?

let those who delight

in my righteousness

shout for joy and be glad

and say evermore,

“great is the lord,

who delights in the

welfare of his servant!”

then my tongue shall tell

of your righteousness

and of your praise

all the day long.

{psalm 35:27-28}

and linking up my thanks with alysa at inspired rd!

how was your first week of twenty twelve?

so, my christmas tree is still up. {and what i'm aiming for}

2012-01-05T14:56:00.001-06:00

i told patrick this morning that i couldn't even put into words how annoyed and pained i am that i can't.get.anything.done.

i told him this as fixed elijah's breakfast, and glared at my christmas tree. i glared at her, because old girl is still up and lit and trying to make christmas last forever. well, i love christmas, and i mean to keep it all the year, but i don't need my tree around for that come easter. at this rate, easter is about when taking it all down will get done. i suppose i could be taking it down right now, but here i am blogging instead, because there is no telling how soon elijah will wake from his surprise/miracle nap.

i am trying to not be so annoyed at having to leave my precious to-do lists alone.

instead, i am trying to just enjoy my days. even if they are a mess. or decorated for christmas.

my current job is my favorite ever. being a mama and being at home with my boy. i love it!

i don't love my dusty house, dirty shower, piles of laundry, a fridge that needs cleaning, closets that need organized, and the list goes on. i wish it all didn't bother me so much.

is it possible to just get over it? get over being so finicky about being organized and clean?

i think i will always be "this way", but i can see that i have relaxed so much.

almost exactly one year ago, i wrote this post.

praise jesus, i can tell you that i have made progress! there are countless times i can think of where i have even chosen to instigate extra painting or and extra game of chase with elijah. with a sink full of dishes.

what have i become?! i have begun to let go of some things sometimes. and it is okay.

i have one shot. one go 'round as a wife and mama.

only once will i get to experience these days with my family.

i won't get any of this time back.

one shot at all of it, my family, my friends.

i know better than to make "big resolutions" for this new year.

i am making plans though. after all, if you aim at nothing, you're sure to hit it!

my plans include things like:

framing and hanging sweet things i've collected to pretty up the house.

continuing my blog and documenting my thoughts and my life.

organizing my home so it makes each day spent here simpler and even more enjoyable.

planning little vacations, we love road trips!

most importantly, i aim to:

be present in my home. more present as a mama, less impatient and more giving and nurturing.

my special, darling boy needs so much from me. and you know, i really need him too.

to be more cheerful, even when i am exhausted, for my husband. he works very hard, too.

i want to be more romantic with him, laugh more with him(if that is even possible, he is pretty funny).

the key to hitting these marks will be filling up with jesus.

soaking in his word. making more time for it.

and that is pretty much it, because everything, everything else flows out from that.

teach me your way,

o lord, that I may walk

in your truth;

unite my heart to

fear your name.

{psalm 86:11}

maybe i'll get my blessed christmas tree down tonight.

if it doesn't happen though, it'll be due to extra books at bedtime with my boy

and extra snuggles with my man.

a few faves from shabby apple {and a little giveaway!}

2012-01-04T00:00:00.003-06:00

the winner is comment #35:

congratulations to nessa!

***

happy wednesday!

you're probably familiar with shabby apple and their lovely dresses and accessories.

in case you are new to them, or need a fresh peek, here are a few things that i'm loving right this minute:

winter gloom settling in? these cutie turchino turquoise burst earrings

pack a perfect little punch of summer color to brighten your day! or my day. i want them.

this dress is lovely. the color is one of my favorites, and the petal detail at the top is adorable.

this dress is called mariposa grove. every time i hear "mariposa" i think of this barbie dvd.

i know you've all seen it. i've seen it about fifty times with my niece, bright.

speaking of niece...both of my nieces would look completely precious in this little midnight princess dress!

the pattern mix and color palette are so cheerful and fun.

i'm such a sucker for pretty little necklaces. this key to wonderland necklace is my favorite

at shabby apple right now. partly because it makes me think of alice in wonderland love,

and also because it's long. i like that a lot.

something else i like a lot are giveaways.

handy for you, shabby apple is giving you a chance to win this very necklace!

enter to win the key to wonderland necklace

*mandatory entry, 'like' shabby apple on facebook*

additional entries, leave separate comment for each

:: visit shabby apple and tell me about your favorite item! ::

:: follow shabby apple on twitter ::

:: subscribe to the shabby apple blog ::

:: tell me somthing you're grateful for today ::

that's a possible five entries, kids!

this giveaway begins now,

and ends sunday, january 8th, at 11:59pm.

giveaway open to u.s. readers only

a winner will be chosen via random.org

on monday, january 9th.

{please be sure to sign in and leave your email address

with your comment so you can be notified if you win!}

{note: i am a shabby apple affiliate. because i adore their wares. feel free to shop until you drop.}

a future i do not know

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-06:00

not that i ever have known my future.

this new year ahead though, it promises much. and some of it, i can already see, is difficult.

i'm not a worrier, but sometimes i shrink back. sometimes it takes me a bit to just face things.

this year, i'm aiming to be different.
i want to trust him. the one who created me and ordained each day i wake up to.
i don't want to hold back, i want to walk with him into my future. the difficult along with the easier bits.

i am marinating in these words i read last week from phillips brooks:

"in our own lives, it is the discovery of god in life and the certainty that he plans for us
that gives us a true, deep sense of movement, and lets us always feel
the power and delight of unknown coming things.

it is good to come to a future which you do not know.
it is good if god brings you to the borders of some promised land.
do not shrink from any experience merely because of its novelty.
do not draw back from any way just because you have never traveled there before.
oh, my friend, go into it today without fear!

only, go into it with god, the god who has always been with you.
remember what he has already done for you,
and the new life to which he leads you shall open its best riches to you.
for he who most humbly accepts what god already has given him and taught him
is surest of the best and deepest blessings which god has yet to give."

this is exactly my prayer about this future i do not know.
that i would be fearless and fully rest in his hands. he is leading all the way!
remembering that he governs all wisely, first for his glory and next for my blessing.

May the God of hope
fill you with all joy
and peace in believing,
so that by the power
of the Holy Spirit
you may abound in hope.
romans 15:13 esv

hello.

2012-01-02T00:00:00.003-06:00

it's a new year! twenty twelve is upon us!

i think it's especially fun to say "twenty twelve", don't you?

i trust your christmas and new year celebrations were a joy.

ours were. even though i was sick.

double ear and sinus infection of death.

my sister said, "i thought only babies got double ear infections?"

well, believe me, i was acting full on baby. whiny, helpless mess. praise jesus it's over.

the sad thing is, i didn't really pull out the camera. the happy thing is, we smiled and laughed a lot.

christmas morning was magical. elijah was an adorable bundle of excitement.

he loves paper and ripping it. he was in heaven with several sweet gifts to open!

patrick was off work for days, which not only blessed our holiday even more,

but really helped the old sick mama;)

two days after christmas, a certain busy boy turned three!!

his little party was postponed due to my near deathness.

later today though, three little friend fellas will join us for cupcakes

and such to celebrate our little elijah grey's birthday!

my sister and her sweet little family joined us new year's eve.

they were away for christmas, so we celebrated christmas again with them.

delicious snacks and drinks, delightful conversation and laughs made it a cozy holiday night.

what a blessing that they live so close!

also, we have snow. finally. our christmas was a warm forty degrees.

super weird for this usual frozen tundra we call home.

from now until spring, i will live in my big, comfy boots.

since it's a brand new year and all, i thought i'd freshen up my bloggy home.

a happy new button included:

annnd, i am now offering advertising! read all about it here. january is free. holla.

happy new year to you, dear ones!

i'm eager to learn and grow, how about you?

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness

and the power and the glory

and the victory and the majesty,
for all that is in the heavens

and in the earth is yours.

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,

and you are exalted as head above all.

1 chronicles 29:11 esv

sharing christmas :: the incarnation

2011-12-23T00:00:00.002-06:00

{if this beautiful spoken word video doesn't appear fo you, watch it here}

i'll see you in january, friends! so grateful for all of my sweet readers,
family and friends who love and support this blog.
what a gift it has been to me. thank you!
praying for new things in the new year, trusting the king to guide us!
xo

"I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, 'My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
isaiah 46:9-10

sharing christmas :: movies

2011-12-22T11:58:00.000-06:00

as i began this post last night, i was planning to share why i love each of these movies.

now? well, now i am sick. like near my death bed. maybe i am being dramatic.

besides, my sweet boy can't be trusted while i rave about these amazing, fun movies.

anyway, i love christmas and the films it brings.

i've gathered a few of my favorite christmas movies.

fourteen. that's a few. trust me.

it's a problem, i just can't pick faves.

since i'm not feeling well, i'm probably watching a few of these as you're reading this!

1. elf

2. jingle all the way

3. while you were sleeping ok, this may be a super fave

4. home alone

5. die hard i know this tops your list

1. how the grinch stole christmas

2. muppet christmas carol oh! another super fave!

3. a charlie brown christmas

4. the small one

5. rudolph the red nosed reindeer

1. it's a wonderful life xoxo

2. a christmas carol {with george c. scott} and this is my number one mostest favorite.

3. white christmas

4. shop around the corner :)

i wanted to mention christmas in connecticut, a christmas story, the nativity story,

and miracle on 34th street and maybe more. you see? christmas movies are my favorite!

are these familiar to you? you must watch them. all.

tell me about your favorite christmas movies!

sleigh ride

2011-12-22T11:45:00.000-06:00

please enjoy this jolly song until my next post:)

sharing christmas :: shannan

2011-12-21T09:18:00.001-06:00

happy wednesday, friends!
already today isn't going as planned. we all know how much i love my plans changing.
i'm thankful for reminders that it's ok. letting go of my way has only proved healthy for me!

my dear blog friend shannan is here today. she blogs at flower patch farmgirl.
i regularly have my socks rocked over there. always edifying and enjoyable reading.
she's a charmer. a wise, hilarious darling of a girl.
i'm so grateful that shannan is sharing a little christmas with us!
***

Every Christmas has a twist all its own. Each year, it feels a little different.

There have been years where I have focused on all the wrong things

and years where I just haven't focused at all.

Some years I tried extra hard to think on the "right" things and walked away believing that I had failed.

I've bought fancy paper and coordinating ribbon. I've fashioned tags from vintage playing cards before playing cards were even cool. My tree was the perfect blend of quirky and cool. Every bulb was lit.

This year, I fought the grumps while stringing lights on the tree

wearing mens sweatpants with an eighteen-inch rise. I let the kids help - like, really help.

Two days later, the bottom third of the tree went dark. One more, and the top third followed suit.

So what we have here is a chaotic tree with a belt of lights.

The gifts are wrapped in 2010's left-overs with sticker tags slapped on top.

I've let some things go. I've had to.

Because what rises up from the inside and fills me up is this idea that the gift is the Giver.

The Baby came to save us. This world, this temporary rental house with the blue carpeted kitchen,

the faces around my dinner table, they are all freely given, not earned.

So, this year, the bulls-eye is the life being lived beyond and around the holiday.

It's the people I know and the hurts I see for myself. It's being intentional and aware.

It's being ready to act, without excuse. I carry around the heft of this truth and it feels so good in my hands.

It feels safe and for real. It feels like the very best way.

Ruby helps Aunt Keisha pack boxes for Samaritan's Purse

We look for opportunities. They don't hide well. We look inside the box and outside the lines.

Our traditions bend a bit at the edges, because sometimes that's what has to give. We have to be willing to trade what we thought was sacred for something that really is.

The season is flying and where I used to feel that dread, that lonesome pit of "I need to slow down and enjoy this", I mostly feel a gut-deep calm - this isn't about me. If we're double-busy living life this year, then so be it. We're having a brand new kind of fun. The moments of receiving are just one more shiny facet of this thing. They all come together and teach us something new about what a gift really is.

We deserve nothing, none of this, and still, we receive.

My hope is that one month from now, the only thing that looks different is the corner of my living room.

The half-lit tree, all shining and reminding will be back in its box. The paper chains will be long gone.

But the heart and soul and the newborn truth of Christmas

will continue to burn up to the rafters of who we are.

***

shannan, thank you for this encouragement to keep christmas, the truth of this season, always.

y'all be sure to visit shannan's blog, guarantee you'll want to move right in!

sharing christmas :: gingerbread

2011-12-20T00:00:00.017-06:00

i often call gingerbread cookies my favorite christmas cookie.

really they aren't so much a favorite as they are the most meaningful.

these jolly things are loaded with christmas spirit. you know what i mean?

growing up, my mama baked these every.year.

her recipe is the only gingerbread i will eat. i am such a snob!

we'd all get to help decorate!

we kids were pretty good little decorators, if i do say so. mama would set aside "family" cookies.

these would have each of our names written in thin white icing across the belly.

i am making family cookies this year:)

when i was a little girl, my school always let out for christmas break right around my birthday. i'd bring gingerbread cookies to school. each classmate had a personalized cookie. i was extremely popular on this day. my pals would start asking near the beginning of december if i was bringing 'those name cookies'

for my birthday. they were just that good. and that adorable. thanks, mama.

like most of you, our life is hectic right now. i can't even believe i got any cookies made at all.

being short on time, i had to choose one kind to make. gingerbread was it.

i am slowly collecting cookie cutters that i like. somehow i have no snowman. awful state of affairs.

the snowflake and the standard gingerbread man are my favorites right now.

i did rustle up a number three. elijah celebrates his third birthday next tuesday!

oh, my. elijah is head over heels for these spicy little treats! even ones without icing.

i caught him sneaking a few, in addition to the too many i allowed him:)

seems the only time i get to snap a few photos is at night. i guess the tree makes a better background

in the dark anyhow. these are worlds better than the mess i posted a couple years ago.

just wanted to give you a little peek at something that makes me super happy at christmas!

so, tell me about your christmas cookies! do you have a favorite?

linking up with darcy today!

sharing christmas :: carina

2011-12-19T00:00:00.017-06:00

it's less than one week until christmas!
we're busy cookie baking, story reading, music listening and movie watching.

i'm loving all the christmas-ness i'm seeing around blogland.
new recipes, awesome craft ideas and sweet traditions abound!
today my sweetie friend carina is here to share a way that
her family celebrates the savior this special time of year!
***
Hello friends! I get downright giddy when it comes to Christmas.
Everything about it makes my heart soar: the lights, the treats, the spirit of giving all around,
the jingle jangle of bells on every corner, the music,
and of course, that quiet, glorious miracle of love
that took place in an old dusty barn two thousand year ago.
That's what makes it all so incredible and beautiful,
and even if people don't realize why we're celebrating, that is the reason:
Jesus.

Christmas became altogether more magical when we had our kids.

Traditions became more important.
What did we want to pass on to them?
Would we create new traditions with our little family?

We both grew up believing in Santa,
and wanted the jolly old guy to be a part of our kids lives, too.
Especially since the tale is rooted in the reality of the beautiful life of St. Nicholas.

But most importantly, we wanted our boys to know that the real celebration
was for Jesus' birth and wanted to do something special to make it about that.
I've planned fun Christmas activities for all of advent: making crafts, baking cookies,
praying for our friends and family, reading the story of Jesus' birth, decorating, reading
The Night before Christmas, writing letters to Santa, making birthday cards for Jesus...
all leading up to Christmas Eve, which is when we have
a birthday party for Jesus!

Every Christmas Eve we make a cake together, light the candles, put on the party hats, and sing our hearts out. We say a special prayer of thanks for the gift of Him in our lives.
And because my kids are kids and get pretty darn excited about presents,
we say thanks that He lets us open presents on His birthday.

More than anything, I want my kids to have a love in their hearts for Jesus
so deep they can't put it into words, and to know that they are loved and cherished by Him
more than anyone else ever could. I want that to be a part of our everyday,
but even more extravagantly during this very special season.

I hope you feel that love in the depth of your heart this year.
much love and merry Christmas!
Carina
xoxo

***
carina! thanks so much for sharing these special family traditions with us.
i adore the birthday party idea. fun!

y'all be sure to visit carina's blog and say hello. she'll bless your heart!
{also? she has a sweet little etsy shop!!}

sharing christmas :: song

2011-12-18T12:44:00.000-06:00

o holy night is one of my favorite christmas songs.

there are so many versions, i usually enjoy any i hear.

i am liking the celine dion one today:)

the one version i love most is not recorded. except for in my mind.

as a little girl i heard him sing for the first time.

he was a man in our church, a father to my friend. our neighbor.

he was a man's man, rugged hunter type, but so kind and funny, too.

every year at christmas, dave would take his place behind the pulpit in that old mississippi church.

silence. and then the music would begin. and he would sing o holy night.

he would sing it with power and emotion. sincerity covered each note. it was real.

those lyrics combined with dave's voice melted me right there in the church pew.

each year i looked forward to hearing him belt out that christmas song with his unique and gorgeous voice!

i've grown up, moved to new towns, new states, far away from dave and his singing.

it plays clearly in my mind every year. and even the memory weakens my knees and softens my heart.

i weep. grateful for that sweet memory, but even more thankful for the song and its meaning.

o, night divine!

image source

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

do you love this song like i do? what's your favorite rendition?

sharing christmas :: stockings

2011-12-17T00:00:00.001-06:00

today is my birthday.

my husband is due home later with a perfect pizza and cold stella.

and i will have as many peppermint andes mints as i want.

christmas is next weekend, friends! lord willing, next week i'll share my favorite christmas cookie and my favorite christmas movies. i've even got a couple more amazing friends sharing posts, too!

today i want to show you our christmas stockings:

my sister made them for us last year and i absolutely adore them all.

we don't have a mantel, but we do have a sideboard that works just fine.

this year, patrick and i will stuff each other's stockings and skip "regular" gifts.

elijah's will likely get filled with trinkets and treats of all sorts. who knows what santa will bring;)

growing up our family had one stocking hung. it was my dad's when he was a boy.

it's one of my favorite christmas things, that old flannel stocking. i never even wanted my own stocking.

it seemed perfect to share that blessed thing with everyone else.

years later, my aunt sent us a cute stocking she made. we all shared that one, too.

most years they had cards and goodies from out of town family stuffed inside.

you know, the money cards.

man! there is nothing like opening up one of those

long rectangular envelopes and seeing that cold hard cash.

call me superficial, but it was nearly the only time i ever had any real currency.

you can bet i spent a decent chunk, maybe a whole ten dollars, at the claire's store in the mall.

scrunchies(i do not miss these), bracelets, anklets...

and once my ears were pierced, earrings and more earrings.

the rest of my money bought candy(razzles) and various hello kitty or lisa frank necessities.

time moved on and my taste would change.

victoria's secret body lotion,

a hot new single on cassette

or even splurge for the compact disc!

makeup, nikes...

the gap would soon be getting all my christmas money.

today the gap still gets most of my christmas money.

i love that my sister put gingerbread cookies on my stocking.

she copied their decoration exactly as my mama taught us. i decorate my cookies very similar to hers.

partly because they are cute this way, and partly because it makes me think of my mama.

i always had good times cookie decorating with my her.

well, always probably isn't true, considering my sassy nature, but there were good times.

i love our christmas stockings and i can hardly wait to fill 'em up!

so, tell me!

do you hang stockings?

are they handmade or the ever coveted pottery barn ones?

sharing christmas :: linnea {my sister}

2011-12-16T00:00:00.001-06:00

this picture is quite horrible, but it makes me laugh.

my brothers and sister. and me with an awful haircut.

goodness why do i always end up with those?

we generally move through life this way. blurred and wild to the onlooker.

my sister sent me this photo just now. she always makes me laugh and always has only fabulous hair. i would be jealous of her, but i'm not. she deserves some type of reward for surviving through my pre-teen and teen years.

here she is with her darling family:

fun fact: people often think that linnea and i are inlaws, and that patrick and ben are brothers:)

linnea is sunshine. actual sunshine, folks.

she beams with cheerful smiles and her quick wit keeps me jolly.

having her for a sister has been one of the most wonderful things i've experienced in my life.

i'm grateful to also have her as a friend.

i asked my baby sister to join me for sharing christmas.

i am humbled and embarrassed by what she sent to me.

because i think she is a champion and sweet as pie, i am posting it for you to read.

***

Merry Christmas! Thank you Hannah for inviting me to your blog today.

When Hannah asked me to share on her blog I thought I better make it good because I’ll never have this much attention ever again.

I decided to tell you about one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season. Along with celebrating the birth of Jesus, every December I celebrate another birthday; my sister’s. My sister has often told me that she prayed and prayed for a little sister. I never got the chance to pray for a big sister, because my life came with one already! My mom told me recently that my sister was everything she wanted! She was having her first baby and said she just wanted a sweet baby girl. And she got her wish with my sister!

My sister’s birthday is on the 17th, so we always recognized it with gingerbread cookies or a party with Christmas music playing. She probably got sick of that. I pretty much have always gotten her a Christmas themed present. An ornament, or decoration! I suppose she doesn’t mind because she LOVES Christmas.

Speaking of gifts, my sister is the female version of Santa Claus. Besides gifts she showers on me all through out the year, she has always been generous at Christmas. In this time of her life, it is necessary that she be more frugal, and I often hear her say “I wish I could buy you EVERYTHING YOU WANT.” I know she really means it too. Gosh, she is so silly. I try to tell her that she has lavished such generosity on me since I was a baby that even if I never received one more gesture of affection or material gift from her I still would never be able to repay her in 10 lifetimes. She just gives, and gives, and gives.

My sister is about to turn 31, and she says she is discouraged because she didn’t meet a lot of her goals she had for this year. Hmm, maybe she didn’t. But let me share with you 31 acts of kindness from the past few years off the top of my head:

1. She brought me dinner one snowy night, after SHE had a tough day. It was venison stew, complete with rolls and dessert.

2. She made me a “hospital necessities” bag for when I went to the hospital to have my daughter.

3. She brought me homemade cookies at work.

4. She made a special Christmas Day dinner for us! Complete with crackers and stripey straws.

5. She threw me a Book Shower after my daughter was born. Wow, it was fancy. Fancy food and decorations. She even contacted friends from afar to send me books.

6. I admired her beautiful camera strap . . .so of course she bought me one.

7. She took lemonade to her resident managers.

8. She sends encouraging notes & packages far and wide.

9. She went to walmart to buy me “the biggest pads you can find” in the middle of night, so Ben could stay with me after I miscarried. She laid in bed with me and hugged me.

10. She hugged me so many times during that tough time I don’t even know. And cried with me too.

11. She and her husband paid for my cash strapped brother to come visit so he could have a chilled out relaxing week.

12. She has made sacrifices so she can stay at home with her dear son.

13. She has worked hard to make sure he is a happy boy even if it’s the dead of winter, making effort to take him to indoor play areas.

14. She has brought me icees.

15. She has brought me Starbucks. . .yum!

16. She called the po-pos and maybe saved a girl from victimized by her violent boyfriend!

17. She has successfully mastered many recipes.

18. She has bought my daughter more clothes than I can shake a stick at.

19. Before my daughter was born, my sister came over with her old changing table and “set up” the baby’s room. She filled the changing table with diapers, cremes, lotions, new mat, new mat cover, beautiful bins from land of nod, and even washed and folded new baby clothes.

20. She took her son to DISNEYLAND. okay, that is really cool.

21. She loves her husband unconditionally. And prays for him. You can just see it.

22. She loves Jesus, boy does she love Jesus.

23. She has been at my beck and call. If I am having ANY SORT OF TROUBLE at ANY time of day I know I can call my sister in the middle of the night, and she will be there for me. This may or may not be a text I have sent before “PLEASE PRAY FOR ME. I can’t go to the bathroom and am in extreme pain.” (women who have had abdominal surgery...you KNOW how that is..). That might have been too much information for such a classy blog - but I wanted you to have a full grasp on how my sister literally lifts me up in prayer down to the nitty gritty.

24. Hannah had a wonderful fund raising get together to benefit a girl who needs adopting.

25. I got roped into hosting a tupperware party . . and SOMEHOW it ended up being at my sister’s house?! Haha! That should give you some insight into our relationship. She always comes to save the day!

26. I called her the other day and said “I am SO STRESSED OUT.” and the first thing out of her mouth was “How can I help you?”.

27. She thoughtfully considers her husband, all the time, always taking steps to make sure he doesn’t need to feel unnecessary stress.

28. She puts up with me. I am . . . something else?

29. She laughs at my jokes! I’m glad someone thinks I am funny.

30. She makes me see things in a new light. Like, wait, maybe I shouldn’t be watching that TV show?!

31. She has sustained this blog, that I know inspires many readers daily.

Hannah Rose, this saturday you turn 31! I love you and I am just so thankful for you. You are one of the greatest things about December! I also insist you forget being modest for one day, and post this on your blog.

***

linnea ruth! you are too much. i love you to the moon.

even if you did share another hideous bangs photo of me.

hop on over to linnea's blog, and while you're there, tell her to blog more often. thanks.

sharing christmas :: nic

2011-12-15T00:03:00.001-06:00

today i have a special treat. my dear nic is here to share a bit of christmas with you!

months ago i stumbled upon her lovely blog, seventy piggies.

her way of weaving words captured my heart in a way that i did not expect.

she is a sweet blog friend, a dear sister.

i am so grateful for her and so glad she's here today:

when i plumb the happy well of christmases past, my bucket pulls up full every time. there's the year i turned eight and got the deeply pined-after barbie mcdonald's (with the hamburger patties and the trays and the bitty spatula that still make me weak in the knees). or the year we couldn't afford a tree, so a friend climbed his roof and lopped off the top six feet of his giant evergreen, which sat zany and beautiful in our living room. or the year we flew from oahu to indiana and my aunts and uncles smuggled us up the farmhouse lane and through the back door to nearly knock my grandparents clean over with surprise. the places and colors vary with time, but a single thread of belonging runs through them all. i grew up loved down to each last freckle, happy and secure and wanted. and i so much yearn for this for my quintet of kiddos, to cherish them so completely that they don't have to waste an ounce of thought on self-doubt or preoccupation. that they are freed up to love their Savior and see the messy people around them as some of God's very favorites.

it's our five-year-old's first christmas with us. possibly his first christmas ever, as he has no memory of celebrating in ethiopia. and we are filling it with festive trees and hot chocolate with sprinkles and candlelit hymns. but mostly, we are centering on the hope of His kingdom come,

on the bright and sturdy wonder of God With Us.

hallelujah, hallelujah

heaven's love reaching down to save the world.

hallelujah, hallelujah

Son of God, servant King, here with us.

You're here with us.

***

thank you, beautiful nic. this is christmas.

please visit nic's blog, richest blessings and pointing to the king await!

sharing christmas :: kacie

2011-12-14T01:32:00.000-06:00

ten days. until christmas eve. can you believe it?
i've been hustling and bustling to get some gifts together and ready for shipping.
also, why does shipping cost a million dollars?
almost all of our family are far away, so i need to be ready now.
this year, we have cut way back on many things,
gift giving is one of those things.
and that is ok.
one thing i haven't done much of lately is make gifts myself.
i totally want to, it's just not for me right now:)
hopefully next year, i'll have the energy, time and less toddler interruption:)

one thing i'm sure to be using in my future handmade gifts is glitter.
i love glitter. so, naturally, i LOVE what kacie is sharing today.
kacie is a darling blogger friend and i'm thrilled she's sharing christmas with us!
***

hi all! my name is Kacie and i blog over at two downings a day.
i spend most of my blogging time talking about my sweet, sweet Jesus, my husband Todd (TA),
our little English bulldog Singer, and our little one due in June.

a Christmas tradition i've started since i've been married is to make handmade gifts,
mostly for my mom, mother-in-law and other family members.
and if they aren't completely handmade, then i run to Michael's
and grab as many cardboard ornaments i can and paint them.
and you know what all of my gifts include? lots and lots of glitter.

we usually spend the months after Christmas still finding glitter on the floor
or on the counter, but i really can't help myself.

it helps make this magical season just a little bit more magical.
(my little trick is, and you may know this already.. i hairspray the glittered pats of the project.
it acts as a sealant and keep most all of the glitter on the object.
which, as you may also know, is KEY to any glitter project.)

mini church ornaments i painted white and glitter-fied last year

family members have become to expect glittery gifts from me and to me..
that's a magical tradition to keep up.

i hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

***
thank you, kacie!
y'all be sure to hop on over to kacie's blog and say hello.
you're gonna adore her:)

sharing christmas :: one gift

2011-12-13T16:00:00.000-06:00

fact: i am a michael mcdonald and a james ingram fan.
both of them have voices that move me.
combine that with the christmas season and you have me smiling from ear to ear.
are you familiar with this song?
it's catchy and true. also feels a little old school nineties-ish (of which i am also a fan). enjoy!

So many will worry
On this christmas day
But worry just goes so far anyway
When the shopping is over
It's all said and done
The story's the same for everyone
'cause one gift
Already given that will stand the test of time
Love and mercy
Sweet forgiveness
A gift from god the father to all mankind

Hallelujah

Christmas is special
The time that we share
The joy and the music fill the air
But let us remember
The message is clear
He sent us a savior to draw us near
With one love
From the beginning
That will span the rest of time
A child is born to a world that lies waiting
To prove our father's love for all mankind

Hallelujah

This good news
The greatest gift we share
So let us have no fear
As we sing hallelujah

'cause one gift
Already given
That will stand the test of time

Love and mercy
Sweet forgiveness
A gift from god the father to all mankind

Hallelujah

what not-so-traditional christmas songs are you loving right now?

{and don't miss your chance to enter the little christmas giveaway! choosing a winner at noon tomorrow!}