Friday Finds

I do a lot of window shopping on the internet. I love to see what crafts people are making, room makeovers, decorating ideas...really just about anything. In honor of the great stuff I find I thought I'd start a blogment called Friday Finds. This could be anything from blog posts to store items...really anything!

So here goes...I hope you enjoy!

1. Jimmy Pickles
First, who couldn't love the name of this store, Jimmy Pickles? Too fun! I love all things bright and 'pursy'. There are too many things on this sight that I want. Let me know what your fav is...it'll probably be more then one!

2. Crafty Girls Workshop
These rolled flowers are everywhere. My m-i-l took a stab at making them and did a great job. I want to make Livie a headband and these necklaces are fabulous. Check out the instructions.

3. Lemon Tree Creations
I know several of you look at this blog already but I thought this was such a neat idea. If you're anything like me you've got a lot of empty picture frames sitting around your house with no pictures in them...I know, sad!! This is a great way to showcase art and fill a big space on a wall. I like that you can make it your own style with color and designs of frames.

4. eighteen25
I love Valentines Day. I should have made it a mandatory holiday in my house...maybe I will. I love going to Target and walking through the Valentine isle. Pink and Red together make me happy. Having 2 kiddos still in elementary school I always want to make their Valentine cards, but seldom do. Here are some great ideas. It's gonna be hard to decide which I like the best. Stay tuned to see which wins out!

I hope you enjoyed my first 'blogment' of Friday Finds.

Happy Weekend!!

Kleenex Please

CAUTION: This will tug at your heart!!

Looking Up by Beth Moore

Life can be hard…sometimes to the point of feeling as though your struggles will never end and God isn’t anywhere near. In Looking Up When Life is Looking Down, Beth Moore shares a prosaic message of hope and deliverance taken from Psalm 40, helping readers discover they indeed are not alone and that God’s gracious provision of love and faithfulness is at work in their circumstances.
This lovely full-color gift book is based on Beth Moore’s best selling book, Get Out of That Pit.I

If you know Beth Moore, then you know she has an amazing way with revealing God's Word.  I have never read anything from her that didn't encourage or convict me in some way.  If you haven't read Beth Moore this small gift-style book is the perfect introduction. 

At one time or another we've all felt like we're in the pit of life, unable to find a way out.  Beth's book is full of godly insight on how we can get out of that pit and stay out...with God's help!!  She has a keen sense at looking at things in a positive light!  I strongly recommend this book to everyone!! 

Happy Reading!

American Idol Season 10

AI season 10 started this week.  This is a show we all enjoy watching as a family.  I must admit I wasn't sure how they were going to pull it off without Simon, but can I just say...I LOVE STEVEN!!!  He is SO funny and sexy (can I say that?).  I'm excited to watch the rest of this season.  Oh, and JLo is actually a lot better then I expected!! I'll be blogging about our favorites in the weeks to come...stay tuned!! 

Fall to Grace by Jay Bakker

If anyone ever had a reason to leave the Christian faith, Jay Bakker did.

At the age of only 11 his parents' global PTL ministry was engulfed by scandal and undermined by Christian backbiting -all of which played out in the 24-hour news media.

Disillusioned, Bakker turned to drugs and alcohol and left his childhood beliefs behind. But along the way, an interesting thing happened: Bakker came to understand, through his personal challenges and suffering (as well as the help of some friends), what God's grace was really all about.

In this book Bakker explores the true nature of grace--what it means for everyday living and the hot-button issues of our day. With disarming humility, poignant observations, and spot-on theology, Bakker both challenges Christians to reassess their understanding of salvation and encourages non-believers to see Jesus with fresh eyes.

Fall to Grace is an eye-opener to the power and impact God's grace should have on our lives as Christians. While I don't agree with everything Jay Bakker writes I do agree with his overall message of grace. It's interesting to me that most, if not all, Christians would agree that God's grace is a gift freely given to all mankind through faith. But as soon as a controversial subject is mentioned, or someones sin is in question, grace seems to go out the window and in comes vengeance...with a vengeance!

Grace was not taught in the church much while I was growing up. I think the hush-hush of this topic has almost made it feel like it's something only given to the 'privileged'...whoever that may be. Anytime grace is mentioned the first thing I think of are two specific stories of Jesus. The first being the story of Jesus forgiving an adulterous woman (John 8:1-11) and then Jesus with the woman at the well (John 4:4-26). Jesus loved both of these women even if at the time they were considered social outcasts.

And this takes me next to the greatest commandment, Matthew 22:37-39. Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'

I guess I've stepped up on my 'soap-box' a little but I think what we all forget in the grand scheme of things to love people. We don't have to agree with what they do but God tells us we MUST love them. I would highly recommend this book. Grace is an amazing gift we're given but for some reason we either want to keep it all for ourselves or not even accept it at all. Fall to Grace is riddled full of scripture and sheds great light on the reality of grace.

If you decide to read this I would love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!!

Dear Tooth Fairy

Olivia lost a tooth this weekend, her 6th. She decided to leave the Tooth Fairy a note. Phil went in her room before bed, saw her note and made a copy of it. It's things like this that make parenting so fun!!


Liv was a little disappointed the Tooth Fairy didn't leave her a note, but we decided the pen was probably too heavy for the TF to lift ;)!!!
Maybe next time Liv!!

Blogger for Hire?

Ok, so I get that the title of this post could be a little misleading!! Although I would love to be able to build really cool blog designs for people and sell them that's not what this post is about. Several of my friends have decided to hire someone to design and build their blog for them. I think the time has come for me to do the same. There are, however, a few down-sides to this for me...

1. I like change...often.
2. Who would I hire?
3. And the obvious one...price.

The positive is that I think they look so neat when they're done up right. I also hope that a new and more personalized blog would motivate me to be more regular in posting. Here is where I ask for your help. If you run across a super-cute blog please send me a link or the name of who built it. I would also love to hear what you guys have to say about how you think my blog should look (theme, etc.) that would fit our family!!

Love ya!! :)

Christmas 2010

God is amazing!! I honestly wasn't sure how the holidays would go for us but God came through...again. I'm not sure why I ever doubt Him.
Phil went to my family Christmas with me and the kids, and Jeana, for Christmas Eve. The next day we spent most of it with Phil's family! It was a great Christmas!

This free slideshow design generated with Smilebox

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!

Easton's 9th Birthday

For Easton's 9th Birthday he decided to have his party at the Warren Theatre to see Tron. He had a great party and the movie was just as good!!
The kids...

E blowing out the candles with Amelia!

Jared & Easton

Easton & Dad

Easton & Mom