we have our own water slide and swimming pool in our back yard.
and who needs swim trunks when you've got underwear?
yes that's our recycle bin.
and could someone tell me why avery has to do a double peace sign in every. single. photo???? Pin It
Friday, May 28, 2010
sometimes i feel like we're redneck.
we're so awesome.
we have our own water slide and swimming pool in our back yard.
and who needs swim trunks when you've got underwear?
yes that's our recycle bin.
and could someone tell me why avery has to do a double peace sign in every. single. photo???? Pin It
we have our own water slide and swimming pool in our back yard.
and who needs swim trunks when you've got underwear?
yes that's our recycle bin.
and could someone tell me why avery has to do a double peace sign in every. single. photo???? Pin It
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
my favorite time of year.
it finally feels like summer.
all of a sudden it went from cloudy, dreary days to hot & sunny.
just the way i like it.
i love our days spent outside.
a little sunshine makes this mama a happy mama.
i feel like the boys truly get to be boys in the summer.
it's one long stream of muddy knees, dirt under the finger nails, bug bites, popsicle mouths & sweaty heads.
and oh how i love this baby's curls.
the only one of 3 to get his mama's hair.
and this little man had his last day of preschool today.
it makes my heart hurt.
i'm grasping at time.
and so happy for these long summer days to spend soaking these three sweet boys up.
Pin It
all of a sudden it went from cloudy, dreary days to hot & sunny.
just the way i like it.
i love our days spent outside.
a little sunshine makes this mama a happy mama.
it's one long stream of muddy knees, dirt under the finger nails, bug bites, popsicle mouths & sweaty heads.
and oh how i love this baby's curls.
the only one of 3 to get his mama's hair.
it makes my heart hurt.i'm grasping at time.
and so happy for these long summer days to spend soaking these three sweet boys up.
sweet, chubby, crossed ankles. oh my, i love those little feetsies.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
one million arrows blog tour!
remember this post?
did you watch the video?
a few months ago i was asked by Julie Ferwerda, author of One Million Arrows to join the blog tour to spread the word about her book.
i just finished it this weekend and it is so, so good.
i could hardly put it down and i underlined on almost every page.
here's a summary from the website:
Will the world change our children...or will our children change the world? Time is short and lives are at stake. Right now, God is inviting our families to become part of a bigger story—a vision that will engage hearts to make a radical difference. One Million Arrows is an inspirational call to raise our kids to impact their culture, community, and world for Christ. If we want our kids to discover their purpose, if we want them to live with passion for the Kingdom, if we want our family to go down in His-Story, accept the mission...and leave a mark for eternity.
well i definitely want my kids to change the world, not the other way around!
i've been reading passages of the book out loud to AJ because it's just so good.
the timing of this book is amazing.
God has been changing us and challenging us more and more to detach ourselves from this world and attach ourselves more to Him and to Heaven, our real home.
Psalm 127:4 says, "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth."
in the book Julie writes about our children being arrows that we sharpen to then be launched for God's work. she highlights several families that are already in the process of shaping their arrows and how they're doing it.
i underlined so many passages from One Million Arrows that i can't share them all (you should just read the book yourself) but i love this one:
"Raising arrows isn't just another formula to follow or another list of to-do's. It's a mentality, a lifestyle, and a change of priorities that permeates the whole family's lives and schedules, centering everyone on God's priorities and plans. It's rejecting the status quo of settling into the patterns of this world (Romans 12:1-2) and asking ourselves every day, "How can my family glorify God today? How can we train our kids to think about living for the big picture and not just for the here and now? How can we live for others instead of being out for ourselves?" And most importantly, How can I be the spiritual leader my children need today?"
she also writes a lot about investing in orphans and orphan causes worldwide. she says, "The earth is not our home. It's more like a stay in a temporary hotel room. Why would we invest a ton of money into something that we're not going to stay in permanently-something that's really not ours to keep?"
i believe every christian family should read one million arrows.
after AJ gets done reading it, i'm going to read it again and try to soak up some more.
we get one chance at this life on earth and we want to live it well.
i really encourage all my sweet readers to check out the one million arrows website. there are many great tools and resources there. also grab the book at your library or amazon or bookstore and get your highlighter ready!
oh and the best part, ALL profits from the book go to international orphan care and ministry! Pin It
did you watch the video?
a few months ago i was asked by Julie Ferwerda, author of One Million Arrows to join the blog tour to spread the word about her book.
i could hardly put it down and i underlined on almost every page.
here's a summary from the website:
Will the world change our children...or will our children change the world? Time is short and lives are at stake. Right now, God is inviting our families to become part of a bigger story—a vision that will engage hearts to make a radical difference. One Million Arrows is an inspirational call to raise our kids to impact their culture, community, and world for Christ. If we want our kids to discover their purpose, if we want them to live with passion for the Kingdom, if we want our family to go down in His-Story, accept the mission...and leave a mark for eternity.
well i definitely want my kids to change the world, not the other way around!
i've been reading passages of the book out loud to AJ because it's just so good.
the timing of this book is amazing.
God has been changing us and challenging us more and more to detach ourselves from this world and attach ourselves more to Him and to Heaven, our real home.
Psalm 127:4 says, "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth."
in the book Julie writes about our children being arrows that we sharpen to then be launched for God's work. she highlights several families that are already in the process of shaping their arrows and how they're doing it.
i underlined so many passages from One Million Arrows that i can't share them all (you should just read the book yourself) but i love this one:
"Raising arrows isn't just another formula to follow or another list of to-do's. It's a mentality, a lifestyle, and a change of priorities that permeates the whole family's lives and schedules, centering everyone on God's priorities and plans. It's rejecting the status quo of settling into the patterns of this world (Romans 12:1-2) and asking ourselves every day, "How can my family glorify God today? How can we train our kids to think about living for the big picture and not just for the here and now? How can we live for others instead of being out for ourselves?" And most importantly, How can I be the spiritual leader my children need today?"
she also writes a lot about investing in orphans and orphan causes worldwide. she says, "The earth is not our home. It's more like a stay in a temporary hotel room. Why would we invest a ton of money into something that we're not going to stay in permanently-something that's really not ours to keep?"
i believe every christian family should read one million arrows.
after AJ gets done reading it, i'm going to read it again and try to soak up some more.
we get one chance at this life on earth and we want to live it well.
i really encourage all my sweet readers to check out the one million arrows website. there are many great tools and resources there. also grab the book at your library or amazon or bookstore and get your highlighter ready!
oh and the best part, ALL profits from the book go to international orphan care and ministry! Pin It
Friday, May 21, 2010
revamped purse
i've been wanting a new summer purse/bag.
i'm not really a purse girl but with a toddler still in diapers, it's a neccesity.
i also get tired of purses really quick so i didn't want to spend money on one.
then i had the brilliant plan to revamp a purse i already own.
i got so giddy at the thought of sitting in my pile of fabric scraps and creating.
i got this great bag from my sister in law for christmas.
i've used the heck out of it so it's starting to rip and also just looks a little wintery and tired to me.
first, I cut off the leather binding around the top.
(okay actually first i cleaned out all the junk in the bottom of the purse, raisins, gerber puffs, receipts, etc.)
i also wanted to create new handles but i couldn't find anything in my fabric scraps that would work or look right.
so i just decided to leave them because i wanted this project to be free.
then i just dug through my big tub of fabrics until i found some that would work and be springy.
i just made it up as i went along.
i never use a pattern for anything. that is way too rule-following for me.
first i folded over and pinned some bright turquoise floral fabric where the leather binding had been.
then i quickly stitched it in place.
at this point sawyer woke up from his nap. for the rest of the project he sat right beside me, squealing with delight every time i pushed the foot pedal.
again, just making it up as i went along, i found pieces of fabric and ribbon that would fit and sewed them on.
i left the edges rough to give it a vintage/funky feel.
i ruffled up the last scrap of navy ribbon i had and stitched that on.
the top need something so i cut three random cirlces, made a little button with a button kit i found in my sewing box and hand stitched that all on.
then i took an obnoxious amount of photos of my revamped purse
this was such an easy and fun project.
i loved having no plan and just stitching stuff on willy nilly.
it's so springy and lively now.
so what about y'all? do you use patterns? or are you a sewing rebel like me?
i'm curious, so i put a poll on my side bar.
vote and tell us where you fall in this very-important-matter-of-life-and-death topic. Pin It
i'm not really a purse girl but with a toddler still in diapers, it's a neccesity.
i also get tired of purses really quick so i didn't want to spend money on one.
then i had the brilliant plan to revamp a purse i already own.
i got so giddy at the thought of sitting in my pile of fabric scraps and creating.
i got this great bag from my sister in law for christmas.
i've used the heck out of it so it's starting to rip and also just looks a little wintery and tired to me.
(okay actually first i cleaned out all the junk in the bottom of the purse, raisins, gerber puffs, receipts, etc.)
i also wanted to create new handles but i couldn't find anything in my fabric scraps that would work or look right.
so i just decided to leave them because i wanted this project to be free.
then i just dug through my big tub of fabrics until i found some that would work and be springy.
i just made it up as i went along.
i never use a pattern for anything. that is way too rule-following for me.
first i folded over and pinned some bright turquoise floral fabric where the leather binding had been.
then i quickly stitched it in place.
at this point sawyer woke up from his nap. for the rest of the project he sat right beside me, squealing with delight every time i pushed the foot pedal.
again, just making it up as i went along, i found pieces of fabric and ribbon that would fit and sewed them on.
i left the edges rough to give it a vintage/funky feel.
i ruffled up the last scrap of navy ribbon i had and stitched that on.
the top need something so i cut three random cirlces, made a little button with a button kit i found in my sewing box and hand stitched that all on.
i loved having no plan and just stitching stuff on willy nilly.
it's so springy and lively now.
so what about y'all? do you use patterns? or are you a sewing rebel like me?
i'm curious, so i put a poll on my side bar.
vote and tell us where you fall in this very-important-matter-of-life-and-death topic. Pin It
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
quickie
little things make me happy.
especially little things that cost one dollar and 50 cents.
remember this mail holder i have in my office?
remember i got it last summer at the thrift store and it looked like this?
pretty, no?
well anyhow, i felt as though it was lacking a little somethin'.
so i picked up these bad boys at Hob Lob
i quickly typed up the words i wanted & printed them out on scrap paper.
a little glue dot later and now we're cooking with gas!
a quick little project to keep me sane until i have time to do another big project.
you know my mind is just always spinning with projects.
so many ideas (and so many kids incidentally), so little time! Pin It
especially little things that cost one dollar and 50 cents.
remember this mail holder i have in my office?
well anyhow, i felt as though it was lacking a little somethin'.
so i picked up these bad boys at Hob Lob
a little glue dot later and now we're cooking with gas!
a quick little project to keep me sane until i have time to do another big project.
you know my mind is just always spinning with projects.
so many ideas (and so many kids incidentally), so little time! Pin It
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
the B-I-B-L-E
about a year ago my friend Melody decided to start a scripture memory group.
she was raised watching her parents memorize large portions of scripture and host similar groups.
she emailed out a bunch of our mom friends and called it "young mamas memorize the word."
we met that first tuesday morning last May at 6am and our little group was born.
it's just one hour long and it's a time that our husbands are home to watch the kids & we don't have other responsibilities.
we drink coffee.
we quote our verses.
we read scripture, pray and we're out.
it has changed my life.
i've known Jesus all of my life. i grew up in church. i read the Bible daily.
but committing to memorizing His word has changed me.
God's word is power. and speaking that truth out loud changes things in the unseen world.
i've certainly seen it change me.
throughout this year when i've been going through whatever is on my plate at that time, i've been able to think through my verses and ask the Lord which one I should be meditating on in that moment.
just to be able to speak those words of truth from memory is amazing.
after birthing 3 babies, i was pretty sure i left a good portion of my brain and memory at the hospital.
but God has been faithful to help my mind expand and memorize.
i also love that my boys are watching me memorize. i can teach them all day long to hide God's word in their heart , but if they are watching me do it, it is so much more powerful.
plus they've learned a lot just from hearing me quote them out loud.
i cannot say enough about scripture memory. i've always known it was important.
and i've worked on it on my own.
but it helps so much to have that accountability. knowing that i have to quote them out loud to the girls is definitely a motivator to get it done!
i so want to encourage others to do this. start a group. it's super easy. one hour a week. find a time that works for you.
gather a few committed girls and watch God work.
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even to diving soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Pin It
Friday, May 14, 2010
friday randomness by sara
because why wouldn't you stuff a car into the tissue box?
it's pretty much a monsoon around here lately.
i'm ready for the sunshine and a tan on my face.
i've been surprised by people's reactions to my tattoo.
mostly more positive than i expected.
people that i imagined would have the worst reaction, had the best. even if they don't understand it, they understand me and they know my heart. and that feels good.
i was surprised that there were some people who don't even know me that were offended.
it makes me sad when people who love Jesus don't act right.
some people just want somebody to talk about.
i guess it makes them feel good to determine if somebody else's decisions are right or wrong.
can we all just give each other some grace possibly??
and possibly not use Bible verses out of context to prove your point?
let's all just love and love and love on people like Jesus told us too. k? thanks. ;)
oh and it's almost the weekend!!!! woo hoo!!!
i love all my sweet readers! thanks for all of your lovely comments.
have a good friday. do some lovin' this weekend. Pin It
Thursday, May 13, 2010
quick change
i wanted to give my giganto chalkboard a little character and depth.
here's a reminder of the teal frame:
it just looks a little too perfect for my taste.
i grabbed my trusty craft paint.
i used a dry brush (one of my boys' paintbrushes actually) and a paper towel and just kind of brushed it on and wiped it off willy nilly.
i did this while dinner was cooking.
it took me 3 1/2 minutes.
i can't decide if i like it.
part of me likes it and part of me thinks it looks like my kids rubbed their dirty hands all over it.
thoughts? yay or nay? it won't hurt my feelings if you hate it. ;) Pin It
here's a reminder of the teal frame:
it just looks a little too perfect for my taste.
i grabbed my trusty craft paint.
i used a dry brush (one of my boys' paintbrushes actually) and a paper towel and just kind of brushed it on and wiped it off willy nilly.
i did this while dinner was cooking.
it took me 3 1/2 minutes.
i can't decide if i like it.
part of me likes it and part of me thinks it looks like my kids rubbed their dirty hands all over it.
thoughts? yay or nay? it won't hurt my feelings if you hate it. ;) Pin It
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
now, don't freak out.
mom, you may want to sit down for this one.
okay, nice deep breaths . . .
in through the nose, out through the mouth. . .
it's gonna be okay, i'll walk you through it.
the nervous/excited before smile. . .
the laid-back, no big deal, i'm used to having a needle stuck in my wrist repeatedly smile. . .
how i really felt . . .
ouch. okay so that doesn't feel great.
my friend erin was with me for moral support. . .
and to document the whole thing in pictures....
and to comply with my demands to tell me stories or dance or do whatever to distract me.
it really wasn't that bad and travis the tattoo guy said i took it like a champ.
so there you go, i'm a tough chic.
yay, it's done!
now the story. . .
so, i've been wanting a tattoo for while. i wanted to be 'marked' for my Jesus.
i've been praying about it for the past few months.
a permanent mark is definitely not something i would go about lightly.
aj and i talked about it a lot.
i wanted it on my wrist as my constant reminder of my first love.
my God who redeemed my life and gave me a new life.
He is all that matters after all.
the morning of the tattoo i was praying again and asking the Lord to give me unrest in my spirit if this was not of Him.
i wasn't looking for a specific verse, i was just reading my Bible and writing out my verse for my scripture memory group.
the verse happened to be Deuteronomy 6:4-9
"5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. "
when i read this part: "bind them as a sign on your hand," i knew it was the Lord giving me His blessing. i felt peace.
i have a new urgency to live worthy of His name.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14
Pin It
in through the nose, out through the mouth. . .
it's gonna be okay, i'll walk you through it.
the nervous/excited before smile. . .
the laid-back, no big deal, i'm used to having a needle stuck in my wrist repeatedly smile. . .
how i really felt . . .
my friend erin was with me for moral support. . .
and to document the whole thing in pictures....
and to comply with my demands to tell me stories or dance or do whatever to distract me.
it really wasn't that bad and travis the tattoo guy said i took it like a champ.
so there you go, i'm a tough chic.
yay, it's done!
now the story. . .
so, i've been wanting a tattoo for while. i wanted to be 'marked' for my Jesus.
i've been praying about it for the past few months.
a permanent mark is definitely not something i would go about lightly.
aj and i talked about it a lot.
i wanted it on my wrist as my constant reminder of my first love.
my God who redeemed my life and gave me a new life.
He is all that matters after all.
the morning of the tattoo i was praying again and asking the Lord to give me unrest in my spirit if this was not of Him.
i wasn't looking for a specific verse, i was just reading my Bible and writing out my verse for my scripture memory group.
the verse happened to be Deuteronomy 6:4-9
"5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. "
when i read this part: "bind them as a sign on your hand," i knew it was the Lord giving me His blessing. i felt peace.
i have a new urgency to live worthy of His name.
Monday, May 10, 2010
monday.
i had a great mother's day weekend.
i got to spend time with both of my moms who live close.
yesterday morning started off my favorite way....with all my boys piled up around me.
aj gave me an ipod shuffle for my running. it's so small! i love it.
he put a running playlist on it called, "sara, the runner girl." :)
it starts with U2's beautiful day. perfect.
i ran 2 miles this morning. getting a little closer each day to my goal.
i got to take a nice long nap yesterday. i rarely take a nap so it was a treat.
today is laundry day and meliyah day. i have a moutain of laundry i'm working my way through.
it's rainy and dreary and pretty cool. a good day to drink some hot chai, i say.
today is also a day, like every other, to find my one year old up his shenanigans.
i love how he's looking at me like "what?"
and his other favorite activity. . . digging through the boys' bathroom drawer, dumping the contents into the sink, & gnawing on their toothbrushes.
also, i think he's gonna be crafty like the rest of us. he already loves to color.
come back tomorrow to see what else i got for mother's day.
it's not your typical mother's day gift. i bet you'll be surprised. ;) Pin It
i got to spend time with both of my moms who live close.
yesterday morning started off my favorite way....with all my boys piled up around me.
he put a running playlist on it called, "sara, the runner girl." :)
it starts with U2's beautiful day. perfect.
i ran 2 miles this morning. getting a little closer each day to my goal.
i got to take a nice long nap yesterday. i rarely take a nap so it was a treat.
today is laundry day and meliyah day. i have a moutain of laundry i'm working my way through.
it's rainy and dreary and pretty cool. a good day to drink some hot chai, i say.
today is also a day, like every other, to find my one year old up his shenanigans.
and his other favorite activity. . . digging through the boys' bathroom drawer, dumping the contents into the sink, & gnawing on their toothbrushes.
also, i think he's gonna be crafty like the rest of us. he already loves to color.
come back tomorrow to see what else i got for mother's day.
it's not your typical mother's day gift. i bet you'll be surprised. ;) Pin It
Sunday, May 9, 2010
happy mother's day mom! (X3)
i want to wish a very happy mother's day to the 3 special moms in my life.
my mom, aka grammy.
my step-mom, who is much more than that, aka grandmama.
and my sweet mother-in-law, aka grandma.
i am so blessed to have these lovely women in my life who love me unconditionally and have taught me how to be a mom. i want to keep on learning and growing and becoming the mom God made me to be.
love you all--sara Pin It
my mom, aka grammy.
my step-mom, who is much more than that, aka grandmama.
and my sweet mother-in-law, aka grandma.
i am so blessed to have these lovely women in my life who love me unconditionally and have taught me how to be a mom. i want to keep on learning and growing and becoming the mom God made me to be.
love you all--sara Pin It
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