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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Well it's kinda wordless....
Here's a sneak peek into our Christmas pictures for this year.
We did them ourselves... by ourselves meaning we brought the tripod and set the timer on the camera. And... can you say "hard work". Omgoodness to set the camera_ run around & get in place_ make sure your hair isn't all crazy_ quick give your face pose_ tell the kids to smile & don't move_ all while trying not to trip in your heels that are sticking into the dirt...work_ but worth it!;)








heather.



Monday, November 28, 2011

Some Apples with our Caramel


Over the next couple of days I’ll be sharing what our holidays consisted of last week. 
With J home all week and the kids home for 5 days straight we were able to have a lot of quality time.
And one of the things we did was make caramel apples.
Hubs had actually picked up a kit at the grocery store and I thought originally it was the strips of caramel that you just kinda work around the apple. But it turned out that it was the kind you cook on the stove… make your own caramel, which I had never done before with the box mix.
You were supposed to chill the apples beforehand, something I didn’t do. 
So the caramel didn’t want to stick the best…you can see it wanting to slip off of them. 
But they didn’t sit long enough for anyone to really mind.
What did slip off, we scooped up and ate with a fork. 
And later when catching up on twitter I saw this tweet posted from middle….


She cracks me up... and somehow she managed to not 
get in a picture of eating her apple all ladylike with a fork. 
I didn’t even realize it til’ later. 
I was too busy myself eating my spoonful of caramel… 
yep, a spoonful.




Linking up this Monday with heather for 
Heather :)

Friday, November 25, 2011

Christmas Follow Fest

If you are new here thank you so much for stopping by!
I'm Heather_ married to my high school sweetheart for 15 years_ and together we have 3 beatimus kiddos.

I started blogging last year to document our life.
It excited me to think about keeping, almost like a journal, that I could eventually turn into a book to give to my kids. I would love to know that I could read over my mom or dad’s thoughts & struggles while they were my age/ in my stage of life. 
And so initially, that is why I started.
My hope is that our kids will have something to look back on and know that their struggles were normal.That they will treasure the life in photos & words that were typed out for them each week.

Obviously though, I gained so much more than I ever thought when initially starting 
my blog. I’ve really pinpointed the things that I enjoy doing
and I have friends now all over the world!



Back in August I launched my shop, “heathers happys”.

The idea was born out of the desire to create handmade goodness in
hopes of bringing a smile to a face.
The idea that when receiving or giving a "happy" to someone it would brighten their day. Whenever I receive a random "happy " from someone it always means so much to know that someone was thinking of me.
Or whenever I get to send a "happy" to that someone that's been on my heart it's always so much fun_ to be the giver of some sweet goodness! 




It's about the being able to create_  I love it!
As a wife & mom my first priority and #1 job is my family.
But just like so many of you_
I also feel like God has gifted and given us creative ability for a purpose...
to be used.
How sad would that be to hide it... to have it go unused or untapped into.
And for my kids, I want them to see more_ to know and witness first hand to go for those dreams & desires_ and pursue life unashamedly.




So many of you contact me and say how you would love to open an Esty store
or you've been thinking about blogging but just haven't.
Let me encourage you by saying try it.
You just never know what opportunities are out there and what you may discover about yourself that you had no idea of before.
One thing I do know is that you will meet a ton of other women just like you and build some really great relationships along the way.

**Special Friday sale going on in my shop for 20% off any item and free shipping!
Put in code Friday at checkout.




So happy to be linking up with 


Heather :)



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

What's Up Wednesday

Just wanted to give a few random happening's over here...

1. I couldn't resist the crazy Target lady. I love her!
I think partly because I can relate to her {hee hee}... it's all about a sale.
We think she is hysterical and now my kids wait for her to come on in between show's.
There's usually a lot of snorting and loud noises that always follow...I mean it's an ad for Target for goodness sake and who doesn't like Target?


2. Hubs has been doing some projects around the house this week. Decided against painting our cabinets {too big of a project for right now} and instead painted a bathroom and....the front door.
Just sayin' it may be a pretty shade of blue right in time for my Christmas wreath to be hung on it.
Can't wait to show ya'll pics.

3. Today starts the first of the kids holidays off from school. We slept in this morning... actually they are still sleeping. I love those days when the alarm doesn't go off at 6am!

4. Oh, and we finally can park our car in the garage! You don't know how big of a deal that is for us. Before we moved we couldn't ever use our garage because it was used for storage and since moving into the new house we still had so many boxes in it that there wasn't enough room....but not anymore.
We moved some to the attic_ unpacked some_ threw some out_ and now we can actually pull into the garage. I told J that I'm afraid I'm going to run over the door when backing out in the mornings. I'm not used to having to wait on a door to open, you know. So yesterday when I went to leave the door was sitting open for me...

5. I have a hair appt. with someone new today and I'm a little nervous. Because remember my last episode where I had like 2nd degree burns on my scalp and such. So I've been trying to decide if I should just go all one color or what? I get soooo tired of the up- keep with highlights, would love something simpler...we'll see. Really hoping I like the new girl and that I have no reactions to the  product.

6. I'm excited and thankful that my whole family is off and together for the next couple of days. We are gonna be snug as a bug in a rug just being together. I'm dreaming of staying up late watching movies_ having some friends over to play some cards_ hot chocolate with marshmallows_ cooking tomorrow_ and decorating for Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Much love,

Monday, November 21, 2011

Guest Post_ Meet Jami

Jami is one of the first friends I made through the blogging community. 
She is a gem and I always look forward to hearing from her. 
Her and her family have the opportunity to go on a missions trip and I wanted 
ya'll to have a chance to hear and be a part of their story....
*******************************************************

Hi, my name is Jami and I blog at Call Me Blessed. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share with all of you a missions project my family is working on.

For the past two years Hubby has gone to Mexico with our church to build houses.  I am still amazed that this can be done. A group of people can go for four days, be the hands and feet of Jesus and completely change the lives of another family.  These families live in shacks made of pallets and cardboard. Sometimes they don't even have that. These are families just like yours and mine.  Families with Moms and Dads who love their kids the same way I do. Kids who just want to play, be carefree and have a bed to sleep in.

Hubby, I and my two oldest kids have the opportunity to go and give a family some security. A dry place to lay their heads. The kids and I will be able to play with the local children. The group even does a Vacation Bible School while we are there. We are so thankful for the opportunity to get our hands dirty with our kids. To show them how blessed we truly are. To experience how taking just a small bit of our time and resources, and sharing the love of Christ can change everything for someone else.  I won't pretend that I don't have any nerves about this trip. After prayerful consideration and seeing the pictures and videos Hubby has brought home, I don't see how I can't go.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48

pictures from Hubby and W's last trip.


We are traveling with a missions group called Yugo. Please go to their website, see the amazing work they are doing and help us spread the word.

We are trying to cover all of our own travel costs but still need to raise money for the building materials. Every dollar helps. Instead of buying a Starbuck's coffee or a magazine today, will you consider helping us change lives in Mexico?

I hope you will consider partnering with us in this journey. The more money we raise, the more houses we can build. We would also love to have you praying for us. Praying for God's provision financially and safe travel.

To donate, you can simply visit Call Me Blessed and click on the "donate" button in the left sidebar.

I can't wait to share the pictures and memories we bring back with us.
************************************************************************
Also, I'm guest posting over at enoughfaithfortoday.
So go check out the 20 random questions Kimberly asked me to answer!
Have a great Monday!

Heather :)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Insta-Gram Friday

So I haven't done an Insta-Gram photo dump in awhile. 
And I don't have much... but I wanted these babies to get some use. Lol
The other day I found these cuteness owls at the Dollar Tree...holla...for a dolla. 
I wanted to get a few maybe to use on my Christmas tree but they only had 3. 
Got them anyway and I'm thinking of some other uses for them.


I seriously haven't won too many things in my life.. or at least I can't remember if I have. 
Now don't feel bad for me, I'm just sayin'. One time though, when I was in 5th grade I had entered 
my name into a drawing at the little store on the corner where I grew up. 
It was for a Coca-Cola 3-wheeler (ATV)_ they had a big display of the drinks and then the 3 wheeler 
sat on top of the display. Well I put my name on a piece of paper and put it in the box not thinking another thing about it. Meantime my Aunt had brought me_ my mom_ and brother to DisneyWorld. 
So we're on vacation at Disney for the first time and we get the call saying I had won the 3-wheeler.... 
I can still remember where my mom was standing talking on the phone when she told me we had won. She was on a pay phone over in Epcot by the restrooms, and she had to put some more coins in 
because we were talking way too long. 
Well ya'll I won this this past week! All this colored twine from the Twinery. 
I have wanted some for so long and these colors are delish.. I could eat them!
With the holidays here and the "happys" that I send out it will surely come in handy.


Do you have a certain hat or beanie you like to wear?
Because here's me sitting at the red light wearing my "dirty hair" hat.
One of my faves. It's a lifesaver on those days when I just don't have the time nor 
energy to wash my hair.. I wear this hat. 
And you still can look half put together but if you saw what was under that hat_ 
it would not be good.


This package from MawMaw came for my kiddos yesterday. 
Just a little "happy" she sent with a card saying she wanted them to know she was thinking about them. And MawMaw had shopped at Aeropostale ... what a blessing to them and their momma. 
The kids were all smiles sporting their cute things. 


I recently listed some new "happys' in my shop.
I now have 2 sizes of "happy fabric flower necklaces"_ a few clips that you can clip to a sweater or a beanie hat or wherever_ some new kid's hair pieces. 
So hop on over and check them out if you get a chance. 


And lastly, guess what? My hubs gets all next week off. You know what that means dont'cha?
That means we get to have some long overdue date days. He said we may go see the Twilight movie or paint our kitchen cabinets and guess what else? Did you know that starting today thru the 20th from 2-5pm at Starbuck's is there buy 1 holiday drink get 1 free..yep, uh huh. 
Peppermint Mocha_ Caramel Brulee Latte_ Gingerbread Latte.. I think I might have to try one a day.
 So next week if I'm a little MIA I may just be sittin' in Starbuck's sippin' a Mocha with my hubby man.
Happy Friday Y'all.



Heather :)

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thinking on Thanksgiving

I love this time of year....Thanksgiving and Christmas and decorating and Christmas music
and lights and cooking and the Macy's Day parade... oh my, the parade.


One day we will go to that parade.
It's a family little goal that we've said we would love to do..one day, maybe, hopefully.
So our day usually starts out with getting up_ putting on the parade_ and watching all of the people freeze to death while they try to sing & dance. I always feel bad for them but thankful for being in the warmth of my home still in my pj's. ;)


We have sort of a small breakfast meanwhile I'm cooking all the while. 
Getting everything ready for our Thanksgiving dinner. We've lived away from family for awhile 
so we usually do it with just us. And if we have someone we know who doesn't have anywhere to go 
or no family we invite them to come too. When the food gets ready usually around 1ish-2ish, we eat

We started a few years back with our kids where we go around the table and each one of us has to say what we're thankful for and then we have to give a compliment to each person or communicate what we're thankful for them in particular about. I cry most of time and I'm not a big crier but it 's just something about the holidays and thankfulness that always starts me off with a hu-uge lump in my throat and then I have to let it out. After dishes are all put in the dishwasher and food put away hubs has to put on football and I start breaking out the Christmas decorations



We usually get our tree done and if I feel like doing some of the other house I do, if not I leave it 
and for the next couple of days we get them all put up. 
Hannah gave me the idea where she starts on Thanksgiving by giving some small gifts to each family member in preparation for Christmas that's coming. I love that idea and this year I'm starting it.
Just small little happys that I'm going to give to my kiddos and hubs. I'm trying to really put thought into them and one thing I know I'm going to do is hubs and I are going to write a letter to each of our kids. Just about things that have happened throughout the year with each one.


We close out the night with usually playing a game while drinking some hot chocolate
and feeling more than full. Full of food & dessert of course, but also full because of how extremely blessed we are. 
It's overwhelming for me when I think about it all. 
And sleep always finds us with full hearts.....

**These pictures are from last year... so bear with them. They are very blurry..pre-camera days
and pre-knowing how to use one...lol.**

Linking up with Gussy Sews

Heather :)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Praying over our kids


Years ago a great friend gave us this list of a few things that we could pray over our kids.
Obviously, these aren’t the only thing’s we should pray, but it gives us a good start and it has helped me to focus on days when my words seemed few.
One of my greatest desire's in life is that my kids grow up to love the Lord with their whole heart.
And I always want to stand in the gap for them... 
There is so much goodness in these and so I wanted to share them with you....

Monday: Ask the Lord to completely surround your children with emotional_ physical_ and spiritual protection.

Tuesday: Pray that the Lord will strengthen your children’s faith and fill them with a passion and desire to know Him_ His word_ and His will.

Wednesday: Ask the Lord to give them wisdom in choosing their friends and to give them strength and courage to boldly take a stand for what is right.

Thursday: Pray that the Lord would renew their mind helping them to remain pure in their thoughts.

Friday: Ask the Lord to extend blessing over their activities, both academic and extracurricular giving them alertness and clarity of mind. Also, for encouragement in their defeats and humility in their victories.

Saturday: Pray that your children will be sensitive and compassionate to the needs of others and that  the Lord will help them act in love_ joy_ peace_ patience_ kindness_ goodness_ faithfulness_ gentleness_ and self control.

Sunday: Pray for those in authority over your children asking the Lord to give them wisdom and understanding as they instruct your children.

Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6






Heather :)

Monday, November 14, 2011

A frame for them all


I love my kid's artwork. 
I have so many of their pretty little pieces that they chalked or painted_ 
that they erased & then erased some more to then trace over in marker_ 
self portraits_ sports figures_ I wish I could frame them all. 
Actually, when I do get a new frame and can frame another piece I never can choose. 
It's so hard to pick just one out of the bunches b/c each one is special. 
Each one I either wonder what they were thinking when they drew and picked the colors for that particular one. Or I know what they were thinking when they did a certain piece because it was something they were interested in at that time. So I always feel torn and have trouble making the 
"what to frame" decision. In every house we've ever made our home this one piece done by my son when he was in the 3rd grade has hung in the kitchen. 
It's just kind of my staple piece..that goes with everything..it just does.


The kids have a front room that is "their room". It's a play room_ where their books are kept_ 
their book sacks_ dolls_ art stuff, etc. It's where I've hung many of their special pieces from 
over the years. Including the top flower piece that middle won and was featured in our local art 
museum for a whole month. She is extra proud of that one and whenever someone new 
comes over, she has to tell the story all over again.



Well this morning when the kids were just about to walk out the door, youngest handed me this and said "oh here, I made this Friday in art" you know, because I always get stuff after the fact or told a project is due the night before. So she says "we had to say what we were thankful for" and that was that, out the door she went. I hung him up on the refrigerator to enjoy but I know the time will come for him to be taken down and put away. I wish I could bottle them up_ I wish I could hang them all_
 I wish I had a frame big enough for them all.... :)


Linking up with 
      
Heather :)


Friday, November 11, 2011

Green Grass


This is one of those posts that have been on my heart but has sat in my inbox for a couple
of days. Not even sure why all the way, but usually I have found that
means definitely I need to hit "publish". :)
So here goes....I was talking with my cousin the other day when she said something that struck me. 
She said "I have looked at your family and wondered how you do it all". 
How do you have what you have_ afford it_ do the things that you do....  
I too have been guilty of the same. 
That she would share with me those feelings_ the thoughts that she had. 
She knew they were wrong and she communicated to me that she was sorry for voicing it to others.

She's younger than me and though I've never had a sister she would come the closest. 
We spent our days, everyday as kids together. 
My mom worked full time and so my Aunt (mom's sister) kept me. 
I got off the bus at their house and many days ate supper with them. 
We spent our Summers riding 4-wheelers_ swimming_ playing office_ having dress-up contests_ fighting and then making up.... like we were siblings.

For me, it was humbling and confirmation because just prior to that I had had this conversation with another family member. You know the ole' saying "the grass always looks greener on the other side",
  on someone else's side... and even though we know this to be false, sometimes the feelings_
thoughts come and reasoning falls by the way. 
You see others who have so much and who don't seem to have any struggles financially and you wonder how they do it? How do they afford the extra curricular activities all 4 of their kids are involved in_ insurance_ the new clothes that little Susie needs because she's outgrown everything from last year_ food_ their beautiful home decor_ and now Christmas coming_ 
the list can keep growing. 
On paper so many times our finances haven't cut it, but you know what.... we have never gone without. Why? Because of the Lord. Jode and I have always tried to put Him first in everything that we do.. have we been perfect at it? gosh, no! Do we still have instances arise that we don't know how we're going to afford or come to do? yes, of course. We struggle with different things_
sometimes we struggle in life_ but we have hope_ the Hope.
Just recently Jode was able to pick up some side jobs as well as play guitar for a church that will
bring in some extra money for Christmas... we know these opportunities only come because of
God and His faithfulness to always meet our needs. He has done it in our past and so I rely on that
past faithfulness for our future needs to come.

I try to be as honest and "real" as I can be on this blog sharing here the days that take more effort as well as the days that seem perfect. But we all know that's never true_ nothing is perfect. 
And that's just the beauty of it_ There will be times when I share what we're going through that may not be pretty but I never want to spend too much time there....to camp out there for too long. 
I feel like it elevates and puts too much focus on the one who wants us to fail_ that comes to steal_
kill and destroy. So I choose instead to focus on God's goodness_ His perfect plan...because even though sorrow is sure to come we know His joy will always follow in the morning. 
and "I've come to realize that the grass is pretty green over here." 




Heather :)