Is It Me?

I'm going to pretend this has nothing to do with my mothering skills.

This one holds her fork in one hand while eating her food with the other...


And I often find this one eating on top of the table.


Until they grow out of it I'll just enjoy how cute they are.

Encouraging My Sponsors

Today I want to encourage my wonderful sponsors. They have all graciously donated to Danielle's adoption fund and I'm so grateful for them.
Please go visit their blogs and shops, you won't be disappointed.

Here is a little about them...


"Heather Boersma is a Canadian Christian speaker, writer, wife and mother who loves wake boarding, drinking tea and making people laugh. Heather blogs over at "dreaming big" (www.heatherboersma.com/blog), where you'll find tools, motivation and encouragement to pursue your big dreams!"  

blog: www.heatherboersma.com/blog

twitter: HeatherBoersma

Hey there! I'm Ashley. I love to create delicious gluten free & vegan desserts and recipes. You can buy mixes at Sugar Mama Bakeshop and they make perfectly sweet little gifts for anyone on your list! (Have you thought about teacher gifts? Best friend? Your grandma? The mailman?)Baked goods make such a lovely gift and especially if you know anyone with a restricted diet (no gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, etc) I can promise you they will be thrilled to have holiday sweets they can actually enjoy :)

I'm offering 25% off your order with the code MERRYCHRISTMAS. Woo! OR get free shipping when you order 8 or more mixes! Just enter OVER8 at checkout! Also message me if you need them individually gift wrapped and I'll hook you up :)

shop . blog . twitter . facebook

i am wife to my high school sweetheart, momma to a sassy 2-year old daughter [with another one on the way], lover of coffee and all things crafty, hopelessly in love with my Savior. my utmost desire is to love the Lord with all of my being... every day to know Him more and love Him better. i sell lots of pretty things here  and i write frequently over here.

get 20% off with code "BLESSED20"

Hi, my name is Heather and I blog over at Finding Beauty in the Ordinary-- a lifestyle blog about faith, marriage, and adventures in my new city with my fabulous hubby of almost 5 years and our sweet puppy, Hartley. I'm a 26 year old, self-employed blogger, photographer, mommy-blogger-assistant, contributing writer, and travel/wine lover who loves Jesus. I desire to find beauty in all of life's moments-- even the ordinary ones. 

Blog // Twitter // Facebook 

My name is Jen and I blog over at Jennifer March. I am a law school student, believer, and fur-mom to 2 beautiful dogs :). I love to write and take too many pictures. I have a heart for helping the disadvantaged and offer ways for others to help through my blog as well. I would love it if you'd stop by my blog and I look forward to getting to know you! You can visit my blog here or find me on twitter here. 

Hi y'all! I'm Amanda, a country girl from Texas. I'm a Christ Follwer, a wife, a foster mom to three boys, a graduate student, and a work-from-home freelance writer and graphic designer. Yep - I'm a busy lady! I blog and design at Royal Daughter Designs, and you can find out about the real me over here at DAES of Our Lives. 

web | blog | facebook | twitter

hello there! i’m carina: hair stylist, mama, wife, thrifter, coffee lover, crafter, procrastinator, blogger, and reality tv watcher. my blog is about our day to day, my random musings on life, all things pretty, and just about everything in between. i love Jesus, and my highest hope is to love my kids in such a way that they know He loves them and they want to love the world right back. i have a shop that i started to help with the adoption of our fourth baby. stop by and check it out!

blog ::  shop

I'm a follower of Jesus, wife, mother of 2 who tries to keep it in that order.  I blog about my faith, life, craziness and crafty ventures. I love to sew, hike, travel and chat with others over coffee....hope you come and stay awhile!

 blog :shop

Hi there! My name is Laura and I blog over Splendor. I love to write about any and every thing and hope to bring inspiration, encouragement and God's love with each post. I am mom to 3 kiddos. Asher is my mama's boy and will be 6 soon. Isabella Grace {Bella} is 3 1/2 and keeps me on my toes. And our sweet Mia Glory will be 1 very soon. They keep my days busy and my heart full. I will also celebrate my 7 year anniversary with my awesome husband Brandon this week! He is my polar opposite and perfect balance. I am a blessed girl.  

I also have a shop, with lots of fun vintage inspired jewelry and just began Project Hope where we are working towards making and giving 50 memory boxes to women in the hospital who have lost a baby. Want to know more about it? I would love for you to! Just click over to the "Start Here" button on my blog and catch up. Also be sure to say hello, I would love to meet you!! 

blog : shop

I want to thank each of these women for being so generous and for giving me such great blogs to visit. I know you will love them.

Please visit the "sponsor" section to see all the new information.

And Christmas is Here

I don't do anything "Christmasy" until after Thanksgiving.
I refuse.
Don't decorate...
Don't listen to Christmas music,
Don't even really feel in the Christmas spirit.

But the day after Thanksgiving?

Look out!


I'm pretty sure the number of lights I have on my tree is a fire hazard but I won't tell if you don't.

Christmas is finally here...and it's lovely.

Thankful

We had a truly wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm as full as I could be with blessings {my tummy is quite full too!}.

I'm thankful for...

The grace and forgiveness of my heavenly Father.

A Hubby that loves and takes care of me. Yes, I said "takes care of". I'm old fashioned like that and I don't plan on changing.

Four healthy and energetic kids.

Wonderful parents.

A brother and sis-in-law who are not just family, but friends.

Whipped cream in my coffee.

Pecan pie.

A warm cozy bed,

and elastic waste bands.

Thought I would share a couple of my favorite moments from our day...

W & baby C


N telling me he had only had 1 cookie when I know he'd had at least 4. Who could argue with this face?


W & his cousin watching some football. Well, his cousin was watching, I think W was just relaxing.


J & her Daddy. I think this is my favorite. I love catching these moments.

"We Encourage" - Thankfulness

It's the week for Thanksgiving so this is a no brainer right? I want to encourage all of us to be thankful for the ways God has provided.

This is timely for me because lately things at our house seem to be breaking and falling apart...expensive things. Like if my house completely fell over tomorrow I don't think I would be surprised.

That's ok.

It's ok because on Thursday I get to spend the day with my entire family.
My wonderful Hubby and 4 beautiful children.
My parents and in-laws.
My brother and his family.
Even one of my Aunties.

What a blessing.

It's ok because this week we get to provide food and shelter for a family of 6 through our church {and by "we" I mostly mean Hubby}.

It's ok because tonight I get to spend some special girl time with my oldest daughter.

I pray a wonderful Thanksgiving for each of you. May it be filled with family and special memories.

My Lovely Little Helper

I will admit I strongly dislike doing dishes. Especially because I think I do them 20 times a day.

It does however make it much more enjoyable with this lovely little one to help me.

Changing Lives in Mexico

I'm excited to tell you about a missions trip my family will be taking in January.

For the past two years Hubby has gone to Mexico with our church to build houses.

I am still amazed that this can be done. A group of people can go for four days, be the hands and feet of Jesus and completely change the lives of another family.

These families live in shacks made of pallets and cardboard. Sometimes they don't even have that. These are families just like yours and mine.

Families with Moms and Dads who love their kids the same way I do.

Kids who just want to play, be carefree and have a bed to sleep in.

Hubby, I and my two oldest kids have the opportunity to go and give a family some security. A dry place to lay their heads. The kids and I will be able to play with the local children. The group even does a Vacation Bible School while we are there. We are so thankful for the opportunity to get our hands dirty with our kids. To show them how blessed we truly are. To experience how taking just a small bit of our time and resources, and sharing the love of Christ can change everything for someone else.

I won't pretend that I don't have any nerves about this trip. After prayerful consideration and seeing the pictures and videos Hubby has brought home, I don't see how I can't go.


From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:48


pictures from Hubby and W's last trip.


We are traveling with a missions group called Yugo. Please go to their website, see the amazing work they are doing and help us spread the word.

We are trying to cover all of our own travel costs but still need to raise money for the building materials. Every dollar helps. Instead of buying a Starbuck's coffee or a magazine today, will you consider helping us change lives in Mexico?

I hope you will consider partnering with us in this journey. The more money we raise, the more houses we can build.

You can simply click on the "donate" button in the left sidebar.

I can't wait to share the pictures and memories we bring back with us.

linking up with my friend Casey.

Be Still My Heart

I don't have a lot to write today. I'm working on a little project I'm hoping you can all help me with.

Until then... I captured this picture of my boys and it just about makes my heart stop. So thankful for them!

We Encourage - Self Sufficiency

I had an off week last week. I'm not sure exactly why. It could have something to do with the fact that it gets pitch black at 5:00. It could be that I'm staying up way too late and not getting enough rest.

I was feeling very unmotivated. Do you ever feel like there is so much to do that you opt to not do much of anything?
That is how I was feeling. Not sleeping enough, not being disciplined about quiet time.

Feeling guilty for not being disciplined in my quiet time.

On Sunday night while I was ironing the kids' uniforms {a rare occurrence} I popped in my earphones and listened to a song I had completely forgotten about.
Last month at the Casting Crowns concert the opening act was Lindsay McCaul. If you haven't heard of her you're missing out.

As I listened to this song {over and over and over again} it washed over me.

All week while I was in a funk, I hadn't leaned on the Lord at all. I hadn't prayed about it, hadn't read scripture. I was relying on me.

How foolish. While I was busy feeling ovewhlemd by my "to do" list, I forgot one thing. I can't earn His favor, I don't even need to try. I could have everything checked off the list.

Clean house.

Well behaved children.

Caught up on laundry.

All phone calls and emails returned.

The satisfaction would still be temporary. I can only find rest in Him. He promises us that His burden is light...I had forgotten.

I hope this song encourages you as it did me.

Come Rest


busy busy me
full of self-sufficiency,
i have tried so fervently
to earn your love.
but any joy that i once found
is wearing off
is winding down,
and i can hear you in the madness calling out.
when you say "come, rest"-
should i be working so hard?
when you say "love, rest", did you want hands or my heart?
'cause i have done my best and still i miss the mark,
but i remember you said, "it's done", so i come.
so convinced that it was right,
adding weight to what was light,
seeking value in your sight, but i was wrong.
for all the labor i have done is but a candle to the sun,
and i can see that it would never measure up.
when you say "come, rest"-
should I be working so hard?
when you say "love, rest", did you want my hands or my heart?
'cause i have done my best and still i miss the mark,
but i remember you said "it's done".
so i come to the water's edge, i rest in your promises,
that all you ever wanted was me here.
and if there's nothing more that i can give to earn the love i need from you,
then all that's left to want is to be near.
so i come, when you say come.
when you say "come, rest",
should i be working so hard?
when you say "love, rest", did you want my hands or my heart?
'cause i have done my best and still i miss the mark,
but i remember you said "it's done".
so i come.

A Lovely Heritage

J has been working on a heritage project at school. It was a fun opportunity for her to learn about some of our ancestors.

where they came from...

when they came to America...

and what one of their traditional meals were.

She had such a great time calling her Granny to ask for all the information she needed. The culmination of the project is a Heritage Feast at school. The parents come and everyone brings a dish from the country they did their report on.

J did her report on Yugoslavia and her dish is mostaccoli, which is a pasta with meat sauce.



Doesn't she look very prepared? Here is the lovely part...

I have never made mostaccoli, and don't have any plans to.

Luckily for J she has a fabulous Grandpa who also happens to be a wonderful cook. So these two spent some time together cookin up a storm.
I don't think it could get much sweeter than that. And it's safe to assume everyone will enjoy the meal at school. I'm not sure I could have guaranteed that if I had cooked it.

A Perfect Afternoon

This Sunday I had a perfect date with my Hubby. My wonderful parents took my oldest three kiddos after church for several hours. While baby C slept here's what we did...

We got comfy on the couch



Strategically placed the big bag of Halloween candy in between us



and watched a few episodes of Friday Night Lights. Perfect.

We Encourage- Project Hope

Today is a very special "we encourage". My lovely friend Laura is visiting today to tell you all about an amazing project she is working on. I know so many hearts will be touched and lifted up by the work she is doing. I hope all of you will consider helping her in any way you can.

Thank you Laura for giving us the opportunity to participate in this with you!

Hi there! I'm Laura, the girl behind the blog Splendor. 

I am so honored to be here with you today, sharing something that has a huge part of my heart. Project Hope. A project I recently started in order to reach out and offer hope to other mom's like myself who have lost precious babies.

When I lost my first daughter Grace Ann at 20weeks, I was given a box filled with sweet little things to remember her. It meant so much. I couldn't believe people I had never met could care so much. Instead of leaving completely empty handed, I had a box full of special little things to take with me. Her little life valued and honored.

When we lost our second daughter Faith Marie at 24 weeks, we were given a box again. In that box was a little pink bear with a small blanket attached. I can remember holding on to it that night, telling myself I would have another healthy baby girl and I would give her that bear as her own one day.

We were blessed with another baby girl. Our precious daughter Mia Glory. That little bear is her favorite. She has to have it with her all of the time. To see her with it, means more to me than I can ever say. It serves as a reminder of her sweet sister, and of God's goodness and promises fulfilled.

To read more about the heart behind this project you can start here.

I have teamed up with an organization called Threads of Love that makes these memory boxes. I am working with one of the San Antonio chapters, but the organization is nation wide.

October 15th, Project Hope was launched with a goal to make 50 of these boxes.  I am beyond blessed by the hearts of women who have wanted to donate not only their time, but their gifts and talents as well. Each item that will go into these boxes is handmade. Crochet hats and booties, handstamped tokens with the word Hope, and prints of the verse Jeremiah 29:11 are just a few of the items that have been so graciously donated.

Currently we are in need of craft supplies to make these boxes. Each box is decorated special and unique. We need any kind of craft supply you could think of: scrapbook paper, modge podge, lace, strands of pearl, ribbon. 

Also, if you crochet, we could use more hats and booties. These can be used by the mom to be put into a shadow box and made as a memory of the baby. 

Monetary donations can also be made. Funds will go toward the purchase of craft supplies as well as the boxes. 5$ will buy one of the craft boxes that can be purchased at Hobby Lobby.

You can also go here for a full list of the items needed for the boxes.

If you would like to partner with us to make this possible, I would love to hear from you. You can email me at bitsofsplendor@yahoo.com.

Also, to get updated on all of the Project Hope posts, just click on the "Project Hope Start Here" button on the sidebar of my blog.

You can also help by grabbing a button and spreading the word about Project Hope

<br> <a href="http://www.bitsofsplendor.com/search/label/project hope" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb380/CaseyWiegand/Sponsor%20stuff/3-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br>

Most of all, please keep this is in your prayers as we strive to bring hope to mom's in the moments of their greatest despair. We can't give them all the answers but we can point them in the direction of the One who can!

Thank you for allowing me to share this Jami! I love your beautiful heart! 

Insta-Friday - It's a Long One

Here are a few of my favorite moments from this week...

Prepping their Halloween costumes


Hubby was fabulous, woke up with the kids, got the older two off to school. I will say though that seeing baby C set up watching CNBC did give me the giggles. I hope her portfolio is strong.


She loves to help with laundry...


but apparently hates apples.


I saw this at the bookstore. Is there another kind of mom? I've never met one.


It may be time for some new pajamas.


I found this in my bible.


We had a fun day of puzzles.


Is there anything more frustrating than this? I don't think so.


Have a wonderful weekend friends!