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Friday, February 10, 2012

threads of afternoon sunshine

sometimes in the beautiful world of motherhood or wifehood or plain life, the days are long and hard and i end them slouched on the couch, wondering if i spent my time filled with anything valuable. while hoping i did, praying i did, i rest on the hope of tomorrow and the new mercies the morning can bring.

then there are some days i never want to end. my life flashes before me, the minutes seem to skip to the beat of my heart, the hours move like a freight train, i beg it to stop... big brother kisses little sister out of the blue and whispers an "i love you" that makes her smile like it's going out of style.

can't every day be like this? can't every moment be so sweet? then i remember there is Eternity for such things. and my soul wells up as i crane my neck toward the sky and rejoice. because really, all i can do is rejoice, as hope of forever spent with the Creator fills me to the very brim.

all the precious goodness down here is just a mere foretaste of glory divine. this makes me smile. every single day i wake, even on the hard ones, there is joy to be found knowing my hope rests in the maker of heaven and earth. when Eternity is my perspective it's possible to count it all as joy. threads of afternoon sunshine remind me to lace this hope around my very thoughts.

linking with Rachel today. and it's her birthday! happy birthday, my friend.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

a piano banner and a prayer jar, all in the name of love.

taking care of business first. the winner of the Oreck AirInstinct Giveaway, valued at $499.99 is: da da dum... comment #115 - Lily from a Lil Story! congrats, girl! i know you are going to enjoy it as much as we do.

what is free and beautiful and joyous, something you can give, something you can receive, something you can delight in, something that comes from above? L-O-V-E. it is more than just a mushy, well written Gold Crown card. it is the best of all, more precious than any other gift. it can melt a heart of stone, it can rip down walls, it can make you feel deeply, it can bring you to your knees, it can save your very soul.

love is in full swing this month and i'm taking the opportunity to really teach my kiddos about the Father's love for us, what it means to love others, and how we can love because He first loved us. inspired by my friend's prayer pail, i knew i had to make a prayer jar. out of, of course, my favorite kind of jar, a mason. because to love is to pray for. our friends, family, neighbors, are all planted in our life for a reason and one of those is for prayer. i'm thankful to know we have friends and family praying for us; i want our family to be that for others as well.

one of the best parts about this? it cost me $1. i raided my single rubber maid keeper of craft supplies and determined i'd make it work with what i had (minus the $1 paper heart doilies). it also took me five minutes or less. probably less. best kind of craft? yes. now, i'm certain you can figure this out on your own. even so, here's the rundown.

put your people's names on pieces of paper.

if you want to be over-the-top, attach a little label with something about love or prayer or both.

fold all the paper names in half and fill your jar on up.

mix them around and draw a name. bingo! you just found the day's prayer request.

the paper heart doily has many purposes. and they are all wondrous, i'm sure of it.

also while in the craft rubbermaid raid, i found some baby clothespins i bought in the fall for a baby shower. they are the cutest little things and i officially want to use them in every craft i ever make (which is not really saying much, since i make two crafts/year, but still. i do. i am devoted to these things). i felt almost as genius as Sasha the Queen of Crafty, (almost. Sasha, don't be offended. please?) when i pulled together the country goodness of some twine, paper heart doilies and mini clothespins. it kind of makes my heart pitter patter.

i strung them across our beauty of a piano. but wait, it still gets better.

my mom was over and randomly found some pictures and put them along with the hearts. she totally gets the Sasha award.

i am pretty convinced that my piano will never again go without a banner.

so that's how we're celebrating this month of love around here. how 'bout you?

Monday, February 6, 2012

miscellany monday

grab the button, write your randoms and join in below.

1. what's on my nightstand lately? glad you asked.

a) just finished He Heard Hannah, a true story that leaves you speechless and in awe of God's sovereign plan. a review and giveaway is coming soon.
b) i read Morning and Evening constantly. it's the only devotional you'll ever need to own.
c) this one is the kicker: Lies Women Believe. if a Christian woman had to choose one book outside of the Bible to read, this would be it. Lies Women Believe hits you square in the face while reminding you to fight for Truth in your life.
d) finally started the pioneer woman's love story, Black Heels & Tractor Wheels. it's absolutely CUTE.
e) my honey and i are about to start Tim Keller's The Meaning of Marriage. Keller lets go of the sentimentalism and embraces the reality of marriage pointing to a greater picture of Christ and the Church. i have a feeling i'm going to learn a whole lot.

2. our valentine photo shoot started and ended all at once:

3. the best way to take pictures of children: occupy them with a swing,

or a see saw (hint: don't get the see saw in the shot),

or a bicycle. (watermark fail)

or a daddy.

4. my boy. see all the green hues in the trees? spring is here, i tell you. we've had consistent 70 degree weather for weeks now. someone out there please enjoy winter for me.

5. a rough beginning: pictures with mommy did not rank on her priority list.

Sage finally gave in. how nice of her.

6. they tell each other they're best buds for life. and they aren't kidding.

7. it goes from brownies last week to broccoli. sorry for the let down. this is, however, the best tasting broccoli i have had. it's entirely simple as well.

the best broccoli of your life from Amateur Gourmet

preheat oven to 425 degrees

put 4-5lbs of broccoli on a baking sheet

toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper

add 4 peeled and sliced garlic cloves

roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until crispy tender

drizzle with more olive oil and 1/3 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese

8. if you have not yet entered to win a $499.99 Oreck Air Purifier, why the heck not?! click here to enter. giveaway ends tomorrow evening (Tuesday, 2/7).

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<h2 class='date-header'><span>Friday, February 3, 2012</span></h2>

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my boy is three, but my baby he will always be.
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