Thrifty Love Gift Exchange

<center><a href="http://nickandcarina.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h471/punkpumpkinpeanut/thriftylove200.jpg"/></a></center>

I'm pretty excited about this fun little project I get to do with some of my favorite people.

Any chance I get, I hit up my local antique store for some fun finds. This of course just gives me another excuse to do something I love and bless someone else.

Below are all the details.

Join us.

It's gonna be legit.

so what is this thrifty love gift exchange?

a fun new way to get to know some fantastic bloggers who share a love for thrifting!

get paired up, hit the thrift shop for that perfect little treasure, and send it to your new bff.

if you are interested in participating (and I know you are), here's what you need to know:

1. send an email to carina at punkpumpkinpeanut {at} gmail {dot} com by july 5

2. include a link to your blog and a mailing address (only to be shared with your match up!)

you'll get your match no later than july 10. 

at that point you can get to know your new blog buddy and set to thrifting!

spending limit is $10, which is like lottery winnings at the right shop.

all packages should be in the mail no later than july 25.

if it turns out you can't participate, please let carina know by july 20 so we can set your match up with another buddy!

get your blog posts ready with a full report of your thrifty love for a huge blog link up on august 6

{exchange open to U.S. residents}

hosted by hannah, danielle, sarah, jami, heather, esther, stephanie and carina!

"we encourage" - A Manner Worthy

This jumped out at me during my quiet time...again.

{Phillipinas 1:27a}

Convicting.
And I love it.
I could coast along.
I'm not doing too bad. I spend time with the Lord, help at church, try to help others in need if at all possible.
But when I read this again, I had a moment.
A moment when I realized these are a very small part of "conducting myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ".
 So I began to pray on what this scripture should look like in my life.
Do I live as though I am forgiven, or do I hold onto guilt?
Is my first priority to share the good news and salvation I've received through Christ with others, or do I avoid it out of fear of rejection?
Do I show love to my Hubby and children when I'm at the end of my rope or do I snap and show my frustration?
Am I truly considering others above myself or must it be convenient for me?
On any given day you could probably find me on both ends of this spectrum.
My heart is in line with this verse.
My prayer is to line up my conduct.
Of course I will never live out the christian life perfectly. And only God can direct me to the way I should be living. It is clear to me that I need to be in prayer for more specific direction from Him. Not fall into this habit of doing things because I know they are "good". But asking specifically what He has for me each day. I want my heart and conduct to be only in line with His will for me.
What am I thinking, saying, reading, watching?
Am I serving in a manner that uses the gifts He has given me or am I fitting myself into something because I want to do it?
Is it all worthy of the gospel of Christ?
I intend to take stock  and change what needs changing. All while praying for His perfect guidance.

2 Years Old

Baby C turned 2 this week.

Does that mean I have to stop calling her "baby C"?

I hope not.

I'm so thankful for her.
I always thought I would have 2 kids.
Now here I am with 4 and I can't imagine my life without her.


Charlotte,
You are a true gift. You make me laugh everyday. It's obvious already you are very independent and know exactly how you think things should be. I pray you always know how much Daddy and I love you, exactly the way you are.
Happy birthday sweet pea.


Love,
Mommy

Oh Yah, I Have a Blog

Well...

Obviously I'm on full Summer mode.

Just can't seem to find time to sit down at my desk to write anything.

If anyone wants to get me a present, a lap top would be awesome.

So here is just a little bit of what we've been up to.

Hubby is home from Haiti so we are slowly hearing about all his experiences there.

So far our Summer has consisted of exactly two things...

A lot of this

And a ton of this...

Dance parties included.

The kids and I have a full on obsession with the High School Musical movies.
I don't think I'm being dramatic here.
Best lip syncing, dancing, crazy fun we've ever had.
No joke.
Also, part 3 is the best, hands down.
Those songs can turn a frown upside down.
We are still trying to get Hubby on board.
I think we're close.

I'll try to be back sooner rather than later.

"we encourage" - Thank You

This is a very special post for me.

A few months ago I wrote this.

Hubby and I had already turned in a preliminary payment for his trip to the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

I was nervous about the cost of the trip but also trusting that God would provide.

I knew Hubby was meant to be a part of this missions team.

So we humbly asked for help.

And as usual God worked it out.

With support from friends and family we were able to raise every cent we needed.

I can't thank you all enough.

I am grateful to everyone who wanted to be a part of something bigger than each of us.

A special thanks to my sponsors who contributed. Some of whom have never met me.

I am blessed beyond measure by each of you.

I will have trip updates soon.

Be encouraged that your hard earned money was used to spread the good news of the gospel in a part of the world that needs some hope.

Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain to them.
Colossians 4:4

XOXO

Finally, a Finished Project

I have so many projects I want to get done around the house that sometimes I get overwhelmed.

A lot of the projects require Hubby's help so that makes it even more difficult.

But, yay,I finally finished a little project that I could do all on my own.

My chalkboard wall...

I'm in love!
And look, I didn't even clean it up before I showed it to you.
{that's how you know I really like you}

The top has my favorite hoop from Ally. Go get one.

The other hoops are just doilies I found at an antique store.
I hung my prints from Jessi on simple clips.

{and yes, I still have to iron the doily on the top. who thinks that will actually ever happen?}

These are the sweet notes my babysitter leaves for me. Ok, not so sweet, but I still love her.
And I'm still hoping she will decide not to go to college and live with me instead.
Is that selfish?

I bought chalk pens. I have the world's worst penmanship but these pens and this wall make me not care. So
there.

Let's hear a big cheer for finished projects!

Summer, Summer, Summer

Yes, when I say "Summer, Summer, Summer", I am definitely chanting it exactly like the first scene from High School Musical 2.
Don't get me started or I may just sing the whole song.

All that stands between us and Summer is 2 half days of school.
I CAN NOT wait.

My prayer for this Summer is simple.
Connection.


Making memories doing things the kids love to do.

I'm hoping myself and my 2 oldest will get some reading in during Baby C's nap time.
With some puzzles for Nathan we should be able to get that accomplished.
I can see a lot of time spent at the pool.

My hope is that we can really enjoy our time together, and some time with friends.
So, here is how I began my Summer prep...

There are enough art supplies here to choke a horse {isn't that a saying?}.

Anyway, my kids were beyond excited.

There are water colors, finger paints, play dough, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, markers and big pads of paper.

They are all in a bin, sitting outside just waiting for free time. I have a table with a happy oilcloth and 4 chairs just waiting to be filled.

And of course no Summer is complete without a fun sprinkler toy to run through.

Look how happy those children look. How can I go wrong?

I encourage us all to make the most of our time this Summer. As my kids get older I realize more and more how busy we can let ourselves become. I want to slow down, rest and play.

What are your plans this Summer?

What kind of memories are you hoping for?

And if you have any great activities or ideas to keep all our kids from boredom, please share.

Family Day

Just a couple moments from our weekend. 

Saturday was family day.

No friends, no commitments.

It was great!

We went to the park and everybody biked.

Ok, I walked. But I walked as fast as I could. And pushed a stroller so that should count for something. 

We laid on our blanket and just hung out.

But these are my favorite moments.

Just the expressions and the little things I catch.

It really turned into the perfect day.

Can't wait to do it again.