Five Minute Friday --Relevant

It's Five Minute Friday... and I've got nothing!!  Nothing Relevant, that is! :)  So I decided to look up the definition like that might help me!

rel·e·vant/ˈreləvənt/

Adjective:	Closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand.
Synonyms:	pertinent - appropriate

Nope, still got nothing!  I would love to be closely connected with the women at Relevant 11 right now, but instead I need to be closely connected with my kids, who are home from school today (teacher in-service).  I would love to be more relevant in my blogging... Someone once told me (when I was struggling with my blogging)   "Write about what you know instead of about yourself.  If you want to write about yourself keep a diary."

So I know how to give thanks, I know how to make cute cards, I know how to cook/bake, and I know Jesus.  Those are some of the things I blog about, those are the things I will make an effort to keep blogging about, and maybe NEXT YEAR, I can go to Relevant, and learn how to be more "closely connected to the matter at hand".... what ever the matter at hand may be! :)

STOP

Lots of Five Minute Friday posts today on "RELEVANT" are written by some of the sweet ladies that are enjoying the conference! Go to The Gypsy Mama to check them out!!

Thursday Thanks

Today is Thursday and I am giving thanks for Erin from Home With the Boys! I have been enjoying her blog for a while now.

She is also the co-founder of The MOB Society.  I only have one boy, but I find the information on that site very valuable! I don't want my son to get lost in the shuffle of all the girls!

I just wanted to let you know that she is hosting a giveaway of my handmade cards on her blog today!  Go check it out!

Blog Bash 2011

I love parties... they normally mean food!  However, this is a Blog Bash and I am going to have to make and provide my own food for this one because it's all online!

Courtney from WomenLivingWell is our beautiful host for this blog party.  She listed some categories of  blogger types and right away I was stumped... I am not sure I see myself in any of these categories exclusively. If you are a regular reader of my blog, tell me in the comments what category you see me in!

The categories are:

Devotional and Inspirational Bloggers {I try to be "inspirational"}

Recipe Bloggers {I occasionally post a good recipe (or at least link up to some good ones)}
Marriage and Family Bloggers {I am all for marriage and family, but that's not really what I blog about}

Homeschool Bloggers  {I don't homeschool}

Health/Fitness/Beauty Bloggers  {There is no health, fitness or beauty going on here}

Organizing, Decorating, and Crafty Bloggers  {I am improving my decorating skills and I love being crafty... but mostly paper crafts}

Adoption Bloggers  {I am not pursuing adoption... although I am thankful for my adoption into the family of God}

Foreign or Missionary Bloggers {I am not foreign/missionary}

Money Saver, Product Review and Giveaway Bloggers  {I would love to do product review and giveaways, but haven't gotten into it yet}

So to sum it up, I see myself as a sometimes Crafty, sometimes Inspirational blogger, with some recipes thrown in, who is also open to giveaways!

In case you want to know a little bit about me... Random things

In case you want to see some of my cards ... my posts w/ cards  

It's way past time for a new family photo, but here's a pic of my family this summer!

and a few more random things about me...

I am on a Psych rerun kick (hurray for Netflix)... which makes blog writing take twice as long! :)

I have chickens (3 hens and rooster...which wasn't supposed to be a rooster)

I wish I was at Relevant but didn't have the guts to ask my hubby if I could go

so say "hi" in the comments and let me know what brings you back to a blog and then go join the party!!!

The stuff kids say...

Just wanted to share a funny little story that reflects on my housecleaning habits...

I was Windex cleaning the large bay window in the living room yesterday in preparation for winterizing it with that shrink wrap plastic stuff. And I was dusting off the picture frames, etc. that sit on the window sill. My sweet little 3 year old came up to me and said,



"Mama, why you cleaning?  Is Grandma coming to visit?"

I totally burst out laughing... apparently I only deep clean when we have company!! :)

Starting again

Well, I am counting again, writing down, not just recording it on twitter and facebook, but writing them down in ink!  I had an old plain notebook that we jazzed up in our mom's group last year, but I never used it, so I pulled it out for something pretty to have on the counter/table/floor/wherever I am at the moment notebook, so that I will WRITE as things happen!

 my new #1000gifts journal

originally, I was going to write them all in the same pretty pen, but then I knew I would get frustrated when I couldn't find the pen, so it's just gonna be written in whatever pen I can find close by!! :) (maybe even in crayon some days!)

This week was the normal ups and downs of life, but there were some special events thrown in! We made Fall themed cut outs... this was a 2 day event. One afternoon to cut and bake the cookies, and one morning to frost the cookies. I took so many pictures I made collages to share with you!

Day one: rolling dough and cutting shapes!

Day Two: frosting cookies and adding sprinkles

I try not to be a perfectionist, especially on their own cookies, so I set aside 2 trays for me to decorate myself!  By then we were running out of orange and had too much red and brown, so I still had to let "perfect" cookies go! But they still taste great and that's what matters!! :)

We also had a great day on Saturday, participating in and helping out with our church's Fall Fun Day for the community... everything is FREE!  ...food, games, hayrides, pony rides, kiddie rides, music, juggler, etc!  So much fun!

Also had a little fun on a windy day with my 3YO

So here are my gifts this week...

starting again in counting gifts, blessings; giving thanks
the moon in the morning sky
winning  battle of the wills with my 3YO
watching my 3 YO cut, glue, color ... with her left hand!! (I am a lefty and proud of it, and she is the first one to show signs of still being a lefty!)
all my kids cleaning their plates at dinner... it seems a rare meal that I can make that EVERYONE likes
reviewing Psalm 106 in depth at Monday night Bible Study... continuous grace!
early morning start in God's Word
taking the kids to the library
attempting a high school soccer game (last home game of the season for our Christian school)
MUD ... even on my kids' school clothes!
church friends buying chips for my kids, because I came so unprepared!
SUNSHINE... always give thanks for sunshine
finally getting 3 eggs in one day... all my hens are laying for sure!
listening to my 6 YO reading... she loves to read
3 YO eating raw green beans ... she hates veggies
enjoying the pin wheel on a windy day with my littlest girl
mini cupcakes
being all alone for an hour or two!
Nathaniel seeing smoke outside/ turning off the breaker to our furnace (black stinky smoke was coming out of the chimney and I panicked. they are coming to look at it tomorrow. in the meantime, I am FREEZING)
kids playing outside... those days are rare now
making fall cutout cookies with the kids
big band music on Pandora
lighting candles
clean bed sheets
chaos of noisy children playing (and fighting) together
frosting cut out cookies with kids
date night/ babysitter!
sharing a latte with Wes
No rain on Fall festival Day... although it was quite chilly
pony rides for the kids
hot spicy chilli
kiddie rides andk iddie games
smiles and laughter
Hayride
funny tv
The gathering of believers on Sunday
voices raised in praise to God
warm sunshine
taco soup
kids doing chores...

and I will keep counting, won't you join me?  Please leave a blessing or two in the comments so I can rejoice with you!  Or make your own list and link up with Ann Voskamp!

To Infinity and Beyond!

BEYOND

 

START

When I saw the prompt for today's Five Minute Friday, I knew immediately that I was going to talk about my sweet 3 Year Old!! After every meal, she stands in her chair (yes, I let her for this brief moment), spreads her arms wide and shouts "Tooo Afinity and Deeeyond" otherwise known as "To infinity and beyond" ... occasionally she looks at me and says "what's the words again?" But always she spreads her arms wide and JUMPS!! :)

Quick notes on this picture... why would anyone put carpet in the dining room???  Not complaining because I LOVE this house God has given us to use for a time, just wondering.  Also... that green thing under the chair? It's called a Kaboost and it is the greatest invention for toddlers/preschoolers ever!!  (we have 2 of them)

anyway, back to my 3YO, I pray that she will always be willing to jump and go beyond ... to dream big and do great things for God and His glory, thinking on what matters for infinity...er, I mean, eternity!

STOP

Will you go "BEYOND" today? and join up with The Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday! or just check out all the other great submissions to BEYOND, today!!

Birthday cards

It's been a while since I shared a crafty post.  This week I participated (in between real life) in two crafty twitter parties.... #Craftsocial and #Crafterminds!  Both were great and I wish I had been able to participate the whole time, thank heavens for hashtags so I can review the conversation!  It also remotivated me to put more time into my online notecard shop... if only I had more time! :)

Also, today is my brother-in-law's birthday! And while I make cards all the time, I am NOTORIOUS for never actually mailing them out... So Jeff is not getting a birthday card today, instead I am posting some birthday cards on my blog for you to see!  Happy Birthday, Jeff!!!  He doesn't read my blog, so he will never see this anyway, unless I tell my sister! :)

I made this card back in June... now that I think about it, I posted about birthday cards on my sister's birthday too... aren't I original? anyway, I made this card

My mom requested some last week, but she wanted some different colors, so I got to work creating some for her and some to add to my Whimsical Words Shop. For some reason the paper I had on hand didn't lend to super creativity and I ended up with blue/green and pink/green as my other options, so hopefully she has some men and women to send birthday cards to.  I have never been very good at taking pictures of my process, but I thought I would try to walk you through some of the steps in case you like the card ... or you can just go to my shop and buy the purple ones, or the pink ones, or the blue ones!

The first step is the candle flames. I hand cut a TON of little flames from different shades of yellow paper. I accent the edges of the flame with colored pencil (orange) and then spray all the flames with glimmer mist to make them sparkle!  This took forever, but I just love the effect it gives!!

Then I pick 4-5 sheets of scrapbook paper that coordinate and start cutting strips (about 3/4 inch wide). Then I cut them into various lengths (Longest is 4 1/4 inches, shortest about 2 1/2) and then I mix them all up for different cards, so each card is unique!   I take a black inkpad and rub the edges of the paper to accentuate them better on the card ... like I said, a lot of hands on work!

after that, I hand stamp the sentiment and add little stamped candles inside the card and on the envelope to coordinate it all together!

I just love the finished look. What colors would you use for a birthday card?

and I am linking up to a few crafty parties!!

Women of Influence

Sue ... she has been a mentor to me, a prayer warrior for me. She keeps me real and corrects me when I beat myself up over past mistakes. Her kids are grown (I give her advice on how to be a better mother-in-law) :) She has been through it and encourages me!

Amy ... one of my few college friends that is still local (well, that's a lie... we knew each other in college but really weren't close friends) Our husbands roomed together and when we both ended up back in "collegetown" area, we reconnected and are closer than ever. We worked together for about a year. We had our first kids 6 months apart and we get together often.  She is a true friend in that she recognized that I needed help after baby #4 and she wasn't afraid to confront me about it. I began seeing a counselor thanks to her and she keeps me accountable to keeping my attitude in check.

Jeni ... another "friend I knew in college, but didn't really KNOW her until later in life" We connected at church about 7 years ago. She intimidated me in college so I was nervous when I saw her at church, but NO FEARS... She is AWESOME (and down to earth). She has challenged me in my devotional, prayer life. One of those people that isn't afraid of what people think when she speaks her mind about hte truth of God and God's Word.  She has encouraged me to pray out loud. The devil can't hear our thoughts like he can hear us SPEAK God's power over situations in our lives.  The bible talks time and time again about our VOICES and praying God's power out loud.  I am still working on this... SUPER self-conscious!

Joanna ... the perfect example of a Titus 2 Woman. She goes to my church, although I met her when my husband was in Seminary (she was a faculty wife) and I gleaned much from her teachings in seminary wives meetings. Then we ended up in the same church and I am still gleaning from the wisdom God has given her. She has been married 45 years! and just spoke to our mom's group last week on Philippians 2 and how this applies to our marriages! I also have the privilege of attending her Monday Night Bible Studies... this fall we are studying Psalm 106 and God's Continuous Grace ... oh how I see myself in the Israelites and Moses!

Women in my church growing up... to this day, I still remember attending Wednesday Night Prayer meeting as a young girl/early teen and listening to the older women pray when we broke up into small groups for prayer.  I think churches need to get back to this prayer time with older women praying with younger women (and older men with younger men). I have greatly enjoyed being a part of my current church's prayer group on Sunday night ... once again I am listening to the older women pray (and praying with them)!

Cathy ... another friend that is right there in the thick of it with me. We talk, commiserate, encourage, and help each other out. She does such a great job of encouraging me and being there for me... I only hope that I am doing the same for her!!  She gives even when there is nothing left to give!

My Mom ... not that she was perfect, (after all, I did get my housecleaning skills from her) but the things I remember most about growing up is always finding her on the couch in the morning, reading her Bible and praying.  AND that will do more for my kids than all the other "Stuff" in life!!

and some online influential women...

Ann Voskamp (A Holy Experience)... reading her blog is what challenged me to get back on track in counting my blessings. Her book always said the right things at the right times (finding God in messy stuff, too) Her way with words, her peaceful voice, her encouragement, the reminder that ALL IS GRACE!!  Go read her blog, go buy her book!

Courtney (Women Living Well) ... a godly woman striving to be a Titus 2 Woman online. Her blog greatly encourages and motivates women to living Biblically in their home (and she's real about it, too... she shares her mistakes and failures)

Beth Moore (Living Proof Ministries)  I first did one of her Bible studies 5-6 years ago and they are life changing! She gets into the Word and speaks truth...(and she's funny!!) I can't even begin to tell you what her studies have taught me. and to be reading her blog regularly has been an encouragement when I am not focused on a study. I have been taking part in this year's Siesta Scripture Memory Team and while I will not be able to go to Texas for the Celebration! :(, the verses I am working on are just what I need in my life right now!

This post was written as a part of Home With the Boys' 31 Day's series

and is linked up with TopTen Tuesday with OhAmanda!

GLADitude

Call it what you might, you still must do it!

Give thanks, Gladitude journal, Counting 1000 gifts, One Good Thing, Counting your blessings.... I have been doing this on and off for the last few years in an effort to have the right perspective, in an effort to be positive instead of being such a pessimist all the time, in an effort to pull me out of postpartum blues, in an effort to choose joy, etc!

It started in August 2005... I was challenged to keep a journal... by an online article of course...

Here are some of my gladitude notes from 2005 to 2008...

~kids bible songs
~a day at the Erie County Fair
~Wesley making pancakes Saturday morning (6 years later and he still does this!)
~Oreo cookies and chocolate milk
~clearance racks
~hearing new baby's heartbeat (no. 3)
~thunderstorms
~blowing bubbles with the kids
~apples for applesauce
~Christmas lights, Christmas music
~finding Christmas fudge in the freezer (in February)
~giggle fest with baby
~Motrin/Tylenol for sick kids
~iced coffee
~Isaiah 49:16 I am engraved on God's hands!
~having another birthday
~the birth of another child ... no complications in all 4 kids!!
~seeing the many times God provided for us financially
~my kids breakin' it down on the dance floor at my sister's wedding to "flight of the bumblebee"
~60 degree weather in November (hoping for that again this year)

kinda gave up in November 2008 after a few stops and starts along the way! but I started again with a One Good Thing Journal at the suggestion of my dad. instead of trying to right down ALL the gifts I received, just focus on one good thing each day!  I started this in March 2009. Here are a few of my "good things" from March to October 2009
~taco soup
~steak on the grill
~sunshine, baby kisses
~family trip to Cabela's
~getting a massage
~ "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North
~a Mother's Day necklace
~fireworks
~eating bacon :)
~farmer's market, breakfast in the park
~Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord
~making pumpkin cookies with the girls
~surviving the "Swine flu" ... yes, I got it, and survived!

I quit writing my blessings until I joined up with Ann Voskamp's Multitude Monday.  here was my first post.
and then when I reached 1000 on August 1, I started to struggle again! but I am not giving up... pray for me as I start writing again that I will stick to it!

Here are a few blessings from the last week or so...

"tea parties" with little girls
gorgeous sunny day for BBC's Alumni Day/Homecoming
Psych reruns on Netflix (shallow blessing, but still fun)
cheesy eggs made from our backyard chicken eggs
going to the park on Columbus Day
Pumpkin Spice Latte in a Starbucks cup
Pizza and movie night with the family
Glorious sunrises, spectacular sunsets!
New-to-me dishwasher semi installed and running!
having a home "where the buffalo roam" (about 2 miles from our house)
finally getting a picture of said buffalo! :)
making pink birthday cards

thanks for sticking with me as I count... join me!! Share One Good Thing with me in the comments today!

Five Minute Friday --Catch

It's Friday... almost bedtime Friday, but there is still time for Five Minute Friday with The Gypsy Mama...  Here's the "rules"

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!
OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

Catch…

START

Catch a falling star...  Catch a falling snowflake (but hopefully not for 2 months)  ... catch the beauty of the day that God gives!

Catch a glimpse of deer in the field today!  Catch the laughter of a child! Catch a moment of peace, catch your kids doing good.  Catch a sunrise... or a sunset!

Catch a great deal at the store (school uniforms discounted at Target today)! Catch a minute (or 20) to make some birthday cards!

Catch a phone call with a friend, catch a cup of coffee! Catch a great blog post or two!

Catch a smile and a kiss with my hubby! (as soon as my 5 minutes are up)

Catch some time in God's Word ... this really can't be caught, it must be planned intentionally.

Catch a great song on the radio.

What are you catching this week?

STOP

Sharing...

Haven't had much inspiration, or time, or motivation, or topics for blogging lately, so I thought I would just share a few things that I needed this week.  Maybe something can touch your heart as well!!

Just the song I needed today in the car!



and some great blog posts!

From The Gypsy Mama... For the days you want to quit Motherhood.  (Today is NOT one of those days, but I have had plenty and I am SURE I will have more!)  :)

From The Better Mom... Grace in the moment.  Oh, I have been working on giving grace... and receiving grace!!

and From Time Warp Wife... In search of Security. because I can always use some perspective in marriage!


Something I want to make...
a photography light tent

and something I want to make... and then devour!
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes

and lastly, one of the beautiful sunrises I enjoyed last week!!

hope you enjoyed what I have been enjoying this week!

Ordinary

It's FRIDAY!!  Time for Five Minute Friday!!!

Want to join me in the fun of just writing and not worrying if it’s just right (or on time) or not?

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 

2. Link back to The Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in. 

3. Go all out encouraging the writer who linked up before you.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes:

On ordinary…

 

START

What comes to your mind when you think ORDINARY? It's not usually something that people strive for.  I have been feeling very ordinary lately... nothing extraordinary around here. But maybe, just maybe ORDINARY is okay.  I am working on being content with ordinary... an ordinary blog, an ordinary life, ordinary kids, ordinary marriage, ordinary days.

Mostly, it's the ordinary blog I have been focused on. I love blogging, but I get easily discouraged when there aren't comments and praise and encouragement... even though I tell myself time and time again that I am not doing it for others (but maybe I am a little). I myself am an ordinary blog stalker... I read a lot but don't take the time to comment. I am going to work on that.  So for now, an ordinary blog is okay, although I would like to find a niche.  Am I a parenting blog? a crafts blog? a recipe blog? a PR and giveaway blog? a Spiritual encouragement blot?  or am I all of these things?  Not doing one niche extraordinarily... just ordinary posts about ordinary things in my ordinary life.

So what's your thoughts on ordinary?  Good or bad?

STOP

Is my home a haven?

Oh, I so want it to be. I want my kids to WANT to be at home, to enjoy the time we spend there, to have good memories of their growing up years!!  So with the helpful challenge of Courtney at Women Living Well, I am joining up with her fall challenge!  Please take the time to read her post this week about being engaged in your home... I fail this EVERY DAY!!!  but I will not stop trying!

So this week's challenge is to buy a large candle and light it every day.  Then when you see it flickering remember to pray for the peace of your home.  I was unable to light a candle on Monday... I was in and out all day long and I have a tendency to forget to blow it out. So I did NOT light a candle in order to promote peace so my husband wouldn't be mad if he found it lit and me not home (That has happened before).
I did light one yesterday and today... I do love candles so much!  Here is today's lovely flickering flame... pray for the peace of your home!

still counting the 1000, the infinite gifts

So while there are so many great bloggers attempting 31Days of blog posts... I'm just gonna take October off... just kidding, but I definitely will not be attempting a blog post every day! However, I did miss my Multitude Monday post and I did say I was going to keep counting, so counting I am!! Here's some gifts from the last week.

#1174-1201

a night out with my husband
celebrating God's goodness at his annual work dinner
GREAT FOOD!
enjoying an almond latte
stocking the freezer
lightening storms (which are impossible to photograph, but I still tried)

double yoke eggs

Half price day at the Salvation Army
watching my son do a little skit in school chapel
visiting with a friend
making brownies with my 3 YO

eating brownies with all my kids after school
praying with older ladies in my church
making some coffee themed notecards

tea parties with preschoolers
finally getting our other car back... and an affordable fix!!
taking advantage of one of the last warm days... playing at the park after school!
making MORE cards for World Card Making Day!

kids leaf jumping!

soup season... chili, lasagna soup...
Great preaching on Sunday
Installation service of our new lead pastor
Leftover food to take home
dry erase crayons

hubby making me a cappuccino
surviving the dentist
meat for my freezer from a friend!!
getting back to Monday night Bible Study... studying Psalm 106 this fall!


I'm still not doing a great job of writing the gifts down daily, but it is still encouraging to go back through twitter/facebook and my camera photos and see what I am thankful for each week!

Counting with A Holy Experience!