Wednesday, June 30, 2010
fun with cardboard
We had a couple of boxes lying around after my parents visited...
they brought us lots of good stuff,
which I promise I will share...someday!
So, what's any good parent to do?
Throw the box away? no.
Recycle the cardboard? eventually.
Store morejunk stuff in it? yes.
Make something fun for the kids to play in?
after it was used for storage.
So, I decided to make the kids a car to play in.
Micah was mad at me throughout the process
because I wouldn't let him play in it.
they brought us lots of good stuff,
which I promise I will share...someday!
So, what's any good parent to do?
Throw the box away? no.
Recycle the cardboard? eventually.
Store more
Make something fun for the kids to play in?
after it was used for storage.
So, I decided to make the kids a car to play in.
Micah was mad at me throughout the process
because I wouldn't let him play in it.
He doesn't really like to wait.
Once it was finished and they decorated the car with markers
they were off on many adventures.
They went to church,
to the circus,
I'm pretty sure someone got married
(someone gets married everyday in our house)
and I think they even drove all the way to grammy's house.
Surprisingly the car is still alive...
but sorely neglected...
because of something else that has played the
BIGGEST trump card of ALL time in this house.
More on that later.
Here's the car.
Yes, they are still in their jammies.
Once it was finished and they decorated the car with markers
they were off on many adventures.
They went to church,
to the circus,
I'm pretty sure someone got married
(someone gets married everyday in our house)
and I think they even drove all the way to grammy's house.
Surprisingly the car is still alive...
but sorely neglected...
because of something else that has played the
BIGGEST trump card of ALL time in this house.
More on that later.
Here's the car.
Yes, they are still in their jammies.No, I will not tell you what time of day it was.
Monday, June 28, 2010
lights...csn....action
So I've been doing some more searching on the CSN stores websites...
and have found some gems! The lights they have are amazing!
If you've been to my house (and know my taste)
you know that I really don't care for the light fixtures in my house.
Seriously dated!
I found these awesome ceiling fans
that would be so cool to put in my living room.
The lights in there currently is an pendant fixture
hanging down from the vaulted ceiling
and I think this fan would look awesome!
I'd also LOVE a new chandelier for our dinning room.
Check this out! Gorgeous. Classic. Timeless.
That would look incredible above my dining room table!
Still trying to decide obviously...soon enough the suspense will be over!
and have found some gems! The lights they have are amazing!
If you've been to my house (and know my taste)
you know that I really don't care for the light fixtures in my house.
Seriously dated!
I found these awesome ceiling fans
that would be so cool to put in my living room.
The lights in there currently is an pendant fixture
hanging down from the vaulted ceiling
and I think this fan would look awesome!
I'd also LOVE a new chandelier for our dinning room.
Check this out! Gorgeous. Classic. Timeless.
That would look incredible above my dining room table!
Still trying to decide obviously...soon enough the suspense will be over!
on my mind
I know, there are no pictures in this post...
BUT DON'T SKIP IT!
Please read on.
I know, I know, if you're anything like me
you tend to skip the posts without the good photos...
but this one is better than photos, trust me!!!
Sundays lesson in Bible Class was REALLY good.
Outstanding if I may say so myself.
Usually I find myself following along and nodding in agreement,
but not writing anything down and not contributing.
Today I could not get my pencil to move fast enough
and I said more out loud than people knew I was capable of.
God is definitely stirring inside me.
Something has been asleep too long.
Complacency, taking things for granted...you name it.
It starts with the dumb smelly sheep post
and just keeps on working and working.
Thoughts, ponderings, wondering, musing...
BUT DON'T SKIP IT!
Please read on.
I know, I know, if you're anything like me
you tend to skip the posts without the good photos...
but this one is better than photos, trust me!!!
Sundays lesson in Bible Class was REALLY good.
Outstanding if I may say so myself.
Usually I find myself following along and nodding in agreement,
but not writing anything down and not contributing.
Today I could not get my pencil to move fast enough
and I said more out loud than people knew I was capable of.
God is definitely stirring inside me.
Something has been asleep too long.
Complacency, taking things for granted...you name it.
It starts with the dumb smelly sheep post
and just keeps on working and working.
Thoughts, ponderings, wondering, musing...
SOooOOoo...
I wanted to share here what I was writing down during Bible class this morning. In Bible Class for these few weeks we're going through the readings of the church year. You see, in the Lutheran Church there are three cycles and we read through the whole Bible (minus a few verses) every three years. So my hubby has been teaching on the readings for the day, in order to get more out of them and make connections between the Old Testament Readings and the New Testament Readings...there are reasons for the verses that are chosen for each specific Sunday. It's not done just willy nilly.
Let me give you the scripture verses we were working from and go from there.
Luke 9:51-62 from the English Standard Version (ESV)
A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” [1] 55 But he turned and rebuked them. [2] 56 And they went on to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus [3] said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Some of that sounds kinda harsh right? Well, let's dig a little deeper.Okay, check out verse 54. The disciples ask Jesus if He wants them to call down fire on the Samaritans who didn't receive Jesus. But Jesus rebukes them. Why? Well, it's simple really (but not really simple) The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of GRACE not a kingdom of power! Jesus didn't want the disciples to call curses and fire down on people, He wants them (and us) to show people LOVE, GRACE, COMPASSION...not fire and brimstone.
Moving on...
So the first guy (vs. 57) says he'll follow Jesus wherever He goes. But what is Jesus trying to tell him by saying, "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head"? It won't be easy to follow Jesus. Following Jesus doesn't involve creature comforts. Following Jesus is a life of sacrifice. For example there may be some things that we'd love to do but really shouldn't as followers of Christ (disciples). It's about self-denial. You've heard the saying before "being in church doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a car" Well, that's what I think Jesus is saying here. It's not going to be easy. It's not going to make you popular, or rich. But you will have a fulfilled life. A life full of GRACE, TRUTH, LOVE and FORGIVENESS!! What more could one ask for.
Jesus says to the second guy (vs 59) "follow me" and he states that he will but after he burys his father. We don't know if this means "the funeral is going on I need to attend it" or "when my dad dies someday, then I'll bury him and come follow you"...but really it doesn't matter. Jesus tells him to let the dead bury the dead. Seems harsh right? Well what is Jesus trying to tell us? Don't make excuses. Don't put other things before HIM! Even things that are good and pleasing shouldn't keep us from Christ. Sometimes our schedules can even be a problem, even when we fill them with good things. Sometimes those good things can keep us from a TRUE, PURE relationship with Christ.
The third guy says (vs 61) i will follow you but first let me go say goodbye to my family. That seems like an honest request right? Well, what does Jesus tell the man? “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Wow! How do you answer that one? Think about your family for a minute. Hopefully you have a loving and supportive family who wants you to succeed and do your best, wants the best for you. Imagine for a minute that you don't have that. You go back and tell them you're going to follow Jesus at all costs, think they may talk you out of it if they aren't believers? Think they may tell you no? They will probably want you to stay back with them in their lives of sin and not follow Christ. Now, what if we do have a supportive family then why couldn't we say goodbye? Again, I think it's about following Christ FIRST and foremost. It's like the acronym my mom teaches to her second graders JOY - Jesus, Others, You! Makes sense right?
Okay, here are a few other tidbits that I picked up...
*no one is suitable for the kingdom of God except Jesus. THANK GOD for GRACE!
*The sinful flesh is VERY patient and will wait. It's just waiting till we let our guard down. until we get complacent and then it sneaks in and gets us all messed up again...when we least expect it
*Do you have flesh? Is the devil around, alive and well in the world? Then you will be tempted, you will fall short...then you NEED JESUS! CRAVE CHRIST!
*We are ALWAYS relying on the GRACE of God! Whether we realize it or not!!!!
Awesome, awesome stuff. Just what I needed to hear. Along with some blog posts by amazing people and I'm ready to try again. Start each day by drowning my sinful flesh (which is a VERY good swimmer I might add) and picking up my cross to follow Christ. It won't be easy. I will drop my cross many times each day. But you know what they say about people who fall...you just gotta get up and start again.
That is my plan.
Just keep living for Christ.
Be a light in the dark world.
Show kindness.
Be GRACE-filled.
Share CHRIST!
CRAVE CHRIST!
You with me?
Just keep living for Christ.
Be a light in the dark world.
Show kindness.
Be GRACE-filled.
Share CHRIST!
CRAVE CHRIST!
You with me?
(Oh and my hubby preached a GREAT sermon on the Gospel reading too. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. Just go to Mt. Calvary's website then click on video archives and scroll down till you see June 27th. It may not be there right away but please check back and listen to the sermon. You can fast forward to the sermon if you just want to hear that. Don't mind the lady in the front row...Naomi insisted on sitting in front. Not my choice but we did it! That's a whole other post!)
maternity photos
You know why I became a photographer?
Because I LOVE taking photos...
I LOVE having the ability to go back to a place and time
simply by looking at a photograph.
I LOVE seeing peoples faces when they look at photos I've taken of them.
I LOVE seeing my work in peoples homes (yes I'm vain)
but most importantly
I LOVE capturing memories.
I LOVE to relive those special moments and days.
I LOVE being able to do that for my family and others as well...
that's why I am a photographer.
Do you know why else I'm a photographer?
I have a bad memory.
Photos help me remember what we've done,
where I've been and
who I've been blessed to spend time with.
I get to capture the moments and memories of my family and preserve our legacy.
So, with all that being said, here is my
mini maternity self-portrait photo session!
So I can remember this time in my life...
24.5 weeks pregnant with my third little blessing.
Check out a few more on my photography site.
Because I LOVE taking photos...
I LOVE having the ability to go back to a place and time
simply by looking at a photograph.
I LOVE seeing peoples faces when they look at photos I've taken of them.
I LOVE seeing my work in peoples homes (yes I'm vain)
but most importantly
I LOVE capturing memories.
I LOVE to relive those special moments and days.
I LOVE being able to do that for my family and others as well...
that's why I am a photographer.
Do you know why else I'm a photographer?
I have a bad memory.
Photos help me remember what we've done,
where I've been and
who I've been blessed to spend time with.
I get to capture the moments and memories of my family and preserve our legacy.
So, with all that being said, here is my
mini maternity self-portrait photo session!
So I can remember this time in my life...
24.5 weeks pregnant with my third little blessing.
Check out a few more on my photography site.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
unexpected surprises
Don't you love surprises?
I mean really, who doesn't?
Even those people who SAY they don't love surprises...
I'm sure they really do.
A surprise is someone saying,
"I care about you"
"I value you"
"I want to do something nice for you"
Because when was the last time you were surprised
with something horrible?
Okay, I know it can happen,
the death of a loved one, an illness...
but MOST surprises are
GOOD
FUN
EXCITING
and just plain
AWESOME!
I mean really, who doesn't?
Even those people who SAY they don't love surprises...
I'm sure they really do.
A surprise is someone saying,
"I care about you"
"I value you"
"I want to do something nice for you"
Because when was the last time you were surprised
with something horrible?
Okay, I know it can happen,
the death of a loved one, an illness...
but MOST surprises are
GOOD
FUN
EXCITING
and just plain
AWESOME!
We were surprised today when we left church.
Someone had left these games/puzzles under our van.
I hope they knew it was our van and not someone else's! ha!
Naomi was SO excited and could hardly take a nap because
she wanted to start playing with the new games.
I don't know who left these games,
but I wanted to say a HUGE thanks!
If you want to let me know who you are
so I can thank you in person that would be awesome...
But if not,
thanks for saying you care!
Thanks for the random act of kindness!
The kids are excited to try out some new games...
after nap time of course!
Have you surprised anyone lately?
I'm thinking that
RANDOM ACTS of KINDNESS
are the way to go.
This RAK has prompted me to think of a way
that I can surprise and be kind to someone else...
I'll let you know what I think of...
any ideas? thoughts?
This may have to become something bigger...
I'll think on it and get back to you!
Someone had left these games/puzzles under our van.
I hope they knew it was our van and not someone else's! ha!
Naomi was SO excited and could hardly take a nap because
she wanted to start playing with the new games.
I don't know who left these games,
but I wanted to say a HUGE thanks!
If you want to let me know who you are
so I can thank you in person that would be awesome...
But if not,
thanks for saying you care!
Thanks for the random act of kindness!
The kids are excited to try out some new games...
after nap time of course!
Have you surprised anyone lately?
I'm thinking that
RANDOM ACTS of KINDNESS
are the way to go.
This RAK has prompted me to think of a way
that I can surprise and be kind to someone else...
I'll let you know what I think of...
any ideas? thoughts?
This may have to become something bigger...
I'll think on it and get back to you!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
csn stores and a coming review
I was contacted by the promotions department
at the CSN Stores and was excited to hear they'd
like me to review their websites and a product...
and when I say websiteS is mean websiteS!
Over 200 stores to choose from.
What's a girl to do?
How in the world will I be able to choose just one thing...
VERY carefully!
Check back for a review coming to a screen near you!!!
Should I go with something practical?
something for me?
something useful?
something to help the kids learn?
or something really fun?
What would you get?
I know, there's LOTS to choose from!!!
at the CSN Stores and was excited to hear they'd
like me to review their websites and a product...
and when I say websiteS is mean websiteS!
Over 200 stores to choose from.
What's a girl to do?
How in the world will I be able to choose just one thing...
VERY carefully!
Check back for a review coming to a screen near you!!!
Should I go with something practical?
something for me?
something useful?
something to help the kids learn?
or something really fun?
What would you get?
I know, there's LOTS to choose from!!!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
the circus
We had a blast at the circus.
We got there 90 minutes before the show,
and were able to go see the animals before hand,
and a few pre-circus little shows.
Naomi didn't like the clowns up close when we got to see them before the show.
But when they were far away and acting silly she liked them.
Micah wasn't sure what to think at first but he did like all the action.
Micah was a little antsy, but it was nap time, can you blame him?
Once my dad bought some popcorn at intermission he was good to go!
That boy and his love of food!!!
Just a little photo disclaimer,
I didn't use my flash...that's why most of the photos are blurry.
I would have missed all the colors had I used my flash!
Yes, I know I dressed them alike,
I did it on purpose!
And did you know that red is the easiest color to spot in a crowd?
That's why they are wearing red (and it's my fav color),
so that I could spot them easier if they got away!
We got there 90 minutes before the show,
and were able to go see the animals before hand,
and a few pre-circus little shows.
Naomi didn't like the clowns up close when we got to see them before the show.
But when they were far away and acting silly she liked them.
Micah wasn't sure what to think at first but he did like all the action.
Micah was a little antsy, but it was nap time, can you blame him?
Once my dad bought some popcorn at intermission he was good to go!
That boy and his love of food!!!
Just a little photo disclaimer,
I didn't use my flash...that's why most of the photos are blurry.
I would have missed all the colors had I used my flash!
Yes, I know I dressed them alike,
I did it on purpose!
And did you know that red is the easiest color to spot in a crowd?
That's why they are wearing red (and it's my fav color),
so that I could spot them easier if they got away!
The elephant painted a picture and got two loaves of bread as its reward!
And this is what you get on the way home!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
amazing giveaway
You've got to check out the all-time best giveaway.
No, it's not here that you'll find it...
but just one little click and you'll be there.
So, I don't normally blog about other people's giveaways,
but this one is just too good to pass up and NOT get extra entries for.
This machine looks amazing!
And yes, the cricut is cool, but with the silhouette, it's like a printer,
you don't have to buy extra cartridges,
just hook it up to your computer!
HOW COOL IS THAT?!!
So again, go enter and if you win be nice and invite me over to try it out!
No, it's not here that you'll find it...
but just one little click and you'll be there.
So, I don't normally blog about other people's giveaways,
but this one is just too good to pass up and NOT get extra entries for.
This machine looks amazing!
And yes, the cricut is cool, but with the silhouette, it's like a printer,
you don't have to buy extra cartridges,
just hook it up to your computer!
HOW COOL IS THAT?!!
So again, go enter and if you win be nice and invite me over to try it out!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
i'm a winner! yay!
I won!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my name...
so excited to check out this shop...
hope it's okay to wait till October to order my 25 prints!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my name...
so excited to check out this shop...
hope it's okay to wait till October to order my 25 prints!
dumb smelly sheep
"The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want" -Psalm 23:1
Last night in our ChristCare small group we took time to
be still,
to listen,
to meditate,
to think on God's words in Psalm 23.
I couldn't help but think of myself as a dumb, smelly sheep...
which is what
I am.
what we all are.
We are sheep who have gone astray.
Sheep who wander off.
Sheep who don't listen.
Sheep who don't notice the danger lurking around us.
I know that I all to often take ALL that Christ has done for me
for granted.
I know that I wander off
A LOT.
I know that I don't listen
very often.
I know that I don't notice the danger
lurking around.
The thought struck me,
how many times has Jesus had to leave the 99
to come look
for me?
How often has he left the faithful sheep
to come find the wandering one,
me.
I praise God that He does leave the 99
in search of me.
Because he loves me THAT much.
I praise God that even when I'm acting
like a dumb,
smelly,
wandering,
not listening sheep,
He still comes after me.
I praise God that I can start over.
That my slate can be wiped clean,
every day,
every hour,
even every minute.
I praise God that He sent Jesus
to be my shepherd.
To lead me.
To keep me in the fold.
To find me when I wander off.
What an amazing gift I've been given.
You've been given.
I cannot keep it to myself.
People need to know of this
awesome,
loving,
tender,
forgiving,
forgetting sin,
SHEPHERD!
Last night in our ChristCare small group we took time to
be still,
to listen,
to meditate,
to think on God's words in Psalm 23.
I couldn't help but think of myself as a dumb, smelly sheep...
which is what
I am.
what we all are.
We are sheep who have gone astray.
Sheep who wander off.
Sheep who don't listen.
Sheep who don't notice the danger lurking around us.
I know that I all to often take ALL that Christ has done for me
for granted.
I know that I wander off
A LOT.
I know that I don't listen
very often.
I know that I don't notice the danger
lurking around.
The thought struck me,
how many times has Jesus had to leave the 99
to come look
for me?
How often has he left the faithful sheep
to come find the wandering one,
me.
I praise God that He does leave the 99
in search of me.
Because he loves me THAT much.
I praise God that even when I'm acting
like a dumb,
smelly,
wandering,
not listening sheep,
He still comes after me.
I praise God that I can start over.
That my slate can be wiped clean,
every day,
every hour,
even every minute.
I praise God that He sent Jesus
to be my shepherd.
To lead me.
To keep me in the fold.
To find me when I wander off.
What an amazing gift I've been given.
You've been given.
I cannot keep it to myself.
People need to know of this
awesome,
loving,
tender,
forgiving,
forgetting sin,
SHEPHERD!
Monday, June 21, 2010
new FREE class from jessica sprague
Do you like to make cards?
Do you love photoshop?
Well, sign up for Jessica Sprague's new FREE
Computer Tricks for Cards class!
I already signed up and can't wait.
The great thing about these classes
is that once you sign up you can see the class for life.
I have gone through three or four of her classes
and have learned SOOO much!
Check out the free ones and then you'll probably
find some paid ones that you could benefit from as well.
It's good to go through the class the week they do the class.
But you don't HAVE to, if you get busy or whatever,
so it's just a good thing to sign up at least and do what you can
while they are actually having the class.
I usually end up going through the lessons at a later time.
But everything is still accessible to you after the week of the class is over!
Do you love photoshop?
Well, sign up for Jessica Sprague's new FREE
Computer Tricks for Cards class!
I already signed up and can't wait.
The great thing about these classes
is that once you sign up you can see the class for life.
I have gone through three or four of her classes
and have learned SOOO much!
Check out the free ones and then you'll probably
find some paid ones that you could benefit from as well.
It's good to go through the class the week they do the class.
But you don't HAVE to, if you get busy or whatever,
so it's just a good thing to sign up at least and do what you can
while they are actually having the class.
I usually end up going through the lessons at a later time.
But everything is still accessible to you after the week of the class is over!
Would LOVE to know if you sign up!!!
father's day shirts
I love making shirts for my kids to wear.
I've made them one for each of the past three Father's Days.
This year, I was struggling with what to make,
but then it hit me and it was a quick little project.
Here are the kids in their,
I've made them one for each of the past three Father's Days.
This year, I was struggling with what to make,
but then it hit me and it was a quick little project.
Here are the kids in their,
"my dad is the BOMB!" shirts!!They got these new battery powered cars from a family at church,
they don't know how to drive them yet,
They got these new battery powered cars from a family at church,but they LOVE playing on them and pretending to drive!
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