Easter Hoppenings

When it comes to Easter, I am so behind the 8 ball this year. I have exactly ZERO decorations up. We are preparing for this glorious holiday at church and my bible study, but I want to prepare our hearts through crafting and talking about the reason we celebrate Easter with the boys.  I hope to do a little of that this weekend.

I'm not quite sure how Easter became a holiday of bunnies and chicks when it's really all about the cross and it's saving grace. However, I'll use any cutesy craft, baby bunny and sweet treat necessary to find fun ways to talk with my boys about the new life we have because of Easter and how sweet that gift truly is and always will be.

bunny ears via the house that lars built

 egg hunt signs from world market

bunny basket via mer mag

miffy bunny diy via everything emily | basket in a jar via target

I love so many of these ideas. We'll be doing the basket in a jar for sure and a few washi tape eggs as well. As much as I love finding clever new ways to share truth with my boys, nothing beats a good old fashioned bible and resurrection eggs. How do you share the real meaning of Easter with your littles? 

Hoppy Easter Crafting Weekend - xo

beautiful colorful eggs via handmade charlotte

Friday Gems

Gems? Yes gems. Like diamonds in the rough. At first glance it looks like nothing, but look closer and a treasure can be discovered. My treasure in that heap of mess above? Well, two treasures really... the process of creating and the book I'm currently reading about it. 

A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman, has struck a chord with me. At times, it has struck a nerve. And I like that. It's opening my eyes to so much and driving me to create. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it. Here are just a few excerpts from the pages I read last night for the chapter entitled, "See"

"When I am free and in good places, I trust their art {the art others make} and look to them to learn more of myself..."

[When I'm not] "Instead of being a friend, their art becomes the enemy... "

"To carry on [like this] is to worship the art rather than the Artist with a capital A. To carry on is to be pushed around by fear."  

"Fear drives out the love."  

Hello, Can I get an amen? This isn't what God wants and it isn't what He created me for. She proceeds on a positive note...

"The world needs you awake and alive. Does the world need another book? Song?  Painted living room? Not necessarily. But the world does need you to come alive right where you are and not where you WISH you were. If writing books or songs or painting living rooms is what makes you come alive, then that's what you'll need to do." (emphasis added by me.)

He has given each of us gifts and talents to be used for His glory. Far too often I squelch the fire within me to create because of a fear that it isn't good enough. No more. The idea is to create period because when I do, I feel connected to The Creator. And that is good. That is a gem, no matter the end product and how many "likes" it receives. Get ready world!!! I'm not quitting!

This little guy is one of my greatest creations to date. By God's grace I get to pour into his heart and help shape his world daily. Both of my boys inspire me in so many ways. 

For a little more motivation, check out this great video on "How to be Awesome" by the lovely Alison of The Alison Show. It's good stuff. So, what's your gift? What is the passion God has put within you? And more importantly, what are you doing with it? xo

Winter Wonderland (Texas Variety)

It's been a little over a week now, things are just getting back to normal. Icemageddon paralyzed our city, shut our schools down and broke numerous tree branches. (That's what happens when most of your trees still have their leaves and the branches can't bare the weight of all the ice.) Since Texas rarely gets snow - we played, went on walks and enjoyed the calm beauty in the midst of the chaos.

Although storms can be devastating and destructive, there is something so serene about everything just stopping for a while. One's focus is drawn back to the things that really matter...family, neighbors, provision and the often overlooked gift of quiet. He uses all things to reveal His glory. xo

Around the House: Thrifted Treasure

From most, myself included, a set of four vintage plates with a stellar design is a total score. Especially when all four plates totalled $4.00. However, with a slight change in perspective I find myself viewing these four plates as much much more. A thrifted treasure...

Having a need for plates means that I am blessed with food. Four plates mean that I have family or friends to share meals with. Even with just two plates, I have someone to share my thoughts with - or a date night with my husband. And with one I have a message board to remind myself and/or others of truth and love. 

At every angle, these four thrifted plates are a blessing as long as I view them as more than just a good deal. And that friends, is the best deal. xo

Boston

Words fail. So I will just pray and let the Holy Spirit speak for me. xo

image source: Boston

Beauty from Ashes

Behold, He makes all things new. Happy Easter. xo

image via saipua

The Journey

Life is full of many unexpected twists and turns. This journey we are on is not for the faint of heart. Press on brave ones! At the end of the adventure lies great reward. And so we press on, leaning on Him for all things. xo

*image via tiny evil hog's flickr

Christmas Traditions

Traditions are a funny thing; how they get started and then handed down generation to generation. I don't know why I see them as funny, I just do. Don't get me wrong, I love them; but once we moved to Texas, I don't really remember much tradition in my family. I think that's why it's so important to start them with my littles.

My hubs has his crazy family traditions: socks and underwear (always) and poppers every Christmas Eve. And so we pretty much stick to his, but have also added a few of our own as well. One that I wanted to share with you guys today came from Ashley of Under the Sycamore. A couple of years ago she shared that she and her crew write down a list of hopes and wishes for each family member for the new year to come. They put the lists in each stocking as they take them down and pack them away for the next Christmas.

The next year as they unpack their Christmas decor and get ready to hang their stockings, they read the lists aloud. We have adopted this little tradition in our home for the past two years and we love it! We gather as a family and read the lists aloud with cheers and jeers for each accomplishment or missed opportunity. We don't dwell on what didn't come to pass, we simply encourage for the coming new year and celebrate victories. It is such a sweet time and we I will save those lists for years, hoping to pass them onto my littles when they are no longer little but have some of their own. (Oh that I would be so blessed.) It goes by so quickly, I want to be sure and capture all that I can. This is a great way to do just that. Thanks Ashley.

If you ever wonder whether God hears our prayers... My oldest likes sports and he really likes winning. Competitive is an understatement. So last year I wrote on his list that I would like him to learn how to lose with humility and dignity. I had completely forgotten that prayer until I hung our stockings this year, but God answered that request in a big way. Jude has played with his little soccer team for 3-4 seasons now. It was a random team that we got placed into but we have come to love each and every member. Spring season 2012 they did so great they got moved up in ranking. Fall season 2012 they didn't win a single game. Not. One. It was awful - for the kids, the coaches and the parents. They played with all their hearts every game. Not only that, but our coach's 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia. It was challenging all around, but we grew as a team and became stronger in our faith and our walks because of our many challenges. I'm happy to report that Jude no longer cries when he loses a game. Instead he focuses on his team and their strengths praising each player when they do a good job. And our coach's daughter is doing extremely well with her Leukemia almost 100% at bay. We serve a very BIG and very intimate God. Blessed.

Happy Friday Homies. Make it a memorable one. xo

Trick or Treat

Please excuse the crappy photo and focus on the message. I penned this little festive ditty on my dining room wall as a part of our Halloween decor. I think this could be the best treat all year long and it's what I want to teach my littles that Halloween is really all about! xo

Interrupted

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My life has been interrupted by a fallen world where there is pain, sorrow and tears - my Dad is in the hospital and we are waiting for a diagnosis. I will trust in the Lord and His goodness. And, be back when things are a bit more settled and clear. 

In the meantime, please pray for my family - my Dad and Mom specifically.  Thank you sweet readers. Have a wonderful weekend embracing family and friends. Life is shorter than we think. xo

Around the House: In the Key of G

I scored the above lovelies while in Round Top for a mere $1.00 each.  I love the rust, the detail of each one and the fact that they're all so unique, yet similar.  In a way it reminds me of us/people. You know...similar but so different. A bit beat up and weathered from the daily struggles of life, yet beautiful in our own way.

I go to a Women's bible study every Wednesday and a few weeks ago I heard the an awesome teaching on the "Keys to Worship." Give it a listen if you can. It's inspiring.  Kay, the teacher, shared that God is the grooves on the keys. He creates the notches in our lives that give us access. He gives us access to wisdom and understanding. Awesome stuff.  i knew what I wanted to do with my keys...

entryway before:

entryway now:

I love it.  Every time I enter my home, I am reminded to let Him be the grooves in my life.  The life I desire and strive for daily. Happy Monday! xo

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving Tree

I love any reason to give thanks. In fact, that is pretty much how we start every prayer in this house...by remembering the ways God has blessed us and thanking Him for those blessings. It cultivates a heart of gratitude; one that I pray I am sowing into my children's hearts. And since Thanksgiving is all about "thanks" why not display the many reasons we have to be thankful? Hello Thanksgiving Tree.

My oldest is doing this at church as well, so we're tag teamin' this season. So far, he's thankful for God, Jesus, food and most recently..."oxygen". Pretty good huh? Leave it to a little to remember the big stuff.

For our tree, I'm using tags that I soaked in coffee to "age."

 Now that the tags are dry, I'm stamping a reason to be thankful on a tag each day until Thanksgiving.

Once Thanksgiving is here, this little tree of ours will be full of blessings. That's gonna be cool. xo

PS - can you count how many times I said "thanks" or "thanksgiving" in this post? ha ha ha Oh well, 'tis the season. Right?

Weekly Challenge: Date God

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It's said that the more you know Him, the more you will trust Him, love Him and believe Him. So I thought, "hmmm... how do you get to know someone?" You go grab coffee and ask questions. Right?

Here are some of the questions I jotted down to ask God:

What are some things You love?

What are some things You hate?

How would others describe You/ Your personality?

When You feel distant, where do You go?

And this is what I discovered. When you make plans, they often get derailed. Don't be defeated. After one early morning date that was interrupted by my oldest (hello 6:30 am) I went into a complete tailspin. Then came the lightbulb. When your friends have to cancel, you just reschedule. So morning dates got changed to lunch dates and late night conversations. It hasn't been perfect, I don't have all the answers I'd like - I mean I think I know, but I need to really know. Ya know? So the dates will continue and I will not be so hard on myself, rigid or legalistic.  Funny, it's not really what I planned, but I'm learning and growing in Him. Isn't that what matters most? Besides, I know God will never break-up with me. That gives me great joy. Happy Weekend. xo

PS - GO Rangers!

Weekly Challenge: K.I.S.S.

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Remember that little phrase that you heard in school all the time? KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid? This week it has never been more appropriate. Sometimes life just moves at the speed of light and there's no way you can keep up. It's like God's reminder that you are NOT in control He is.  

This week I have been on bended knee for so many of my friends.  The mom in me, and let's be honest - the woman in me, wants to fix it... make their hurt go away. There is no fixing the loss of a loved one, the bad news from a doctor, the sickness of a child, heart-break or the conflict that comes with life. What is one to do other than K.I.S.S. it?  So I pray to the One who is in control and knows what each friend needs infinitely more than me.

Simple is beautiful. xo

The Fighter.

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"I chased my enemies and caught them; I did not stop until they were conquered. I struck them down so they could not get up; they fell beneath my feet." Psalm 18:37-38

Remember last Friday I told you that the Lord had taught me something while the hubs was away? Well, that Psalm above is it. Pretty powerful stuff huh? Night one I read it. Night two, BAM, there it was again! Night three... really God? Again? I was pretty sure I was suppose to learn something from it. And while David was fighting actual enemies, I couldn't help but hear the Lord whispering to me, "Your sins are your enemies. You can conquer them. Do it. Fight!"

So fight I will. I am gonna step into that proverbial boxing ring and kick some serious tail. It's high time I start making "...the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to Him." Psalm 19:14  Watch out world; my spiritual life is about to get ripped! BOOM BOOM POW! xo

Weekly Challenge: The Power of "P"

As a mother of two and the youngest of two I have the following beliefs... 1. The youngest gets away with murder. 2. The youngest usually gets the shaft, hence the getting away with murder.  My parenting is mostly geared toward my oldest. I can count the number of Sesame Street shows my youngest has watched on two hands. He was typically woken up from naps to pick his older brother up from school - I would have never woken my oldest up from a nap. NEVER! And at a tender three years old, my youngest knows about Star Wars, Power Rangers and potty centered humor. And my oldest knew his colors, numbers and alphabet by age three...easy. My youngest doesn't know his alphabet and mixes up yellow and pink quite often.  This week, I vowed to change all of that with a focus on letters. Starting with "P".

We did our P drawings on paper plates. Using paste to adhere paper and pompoms.

We painted with food colored ice cubes outside.

We went to the pool.

We had a fabulous playdate.

We ate pizza, popcorn and popsicles.

And just me and my little went to the movie theater to see Kung Fu Panda. (One of his faves. He calls it Kung Tu Panda.)

This weekend we will have a Pajama Jammy Jam, make paper plate pirates, read The Night Pirates and look for treasure in our backyard using a pirate map I made from their painting.

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(map of backyard with silly names)

(I cut a branch in half and hot glued the fabric ends to the sticks to make the scroll.)

Their treasure will contain ring pops and coins. And never one to miss the opportunity for teachable moments, after they've found their treasure and are sucking their delish ring-pops, they will learn the parable of The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10). I want my youngest to have learned the letter "P" and the sound it makes. I want both of my boys to have learned that God's treasure is their hearts and just as fervently as they looked for their pirate treasure, God pursues their hearts and He will never give up!

How's that for a nice reminder of the letter "P" and God's love for you as we roll into the weekend? Enjoy! xo