A first, but not the last!

Today was a wonderful day!  I have been looking forward to it for quite some time!  It was my first HM open house....celebrating "Christmas in July!"  Must admit.....getting some decorations out, listening to the Christmas music, and enjoying good friends really puts me in the "spirit!"  


A special thanks to everyone who came!  It was so much fun!!! Will definitely have to do it again. Nothing like a morning with the girls! Even got to see an old friend who I haven't seen in many years! (So good to see you and your precious little girl, Jenny!)


With all of the excitement, I did forget an important part of the party!  the drawing for the FREE square flip book.  So, after everyone left, I folded up all the cards and had my "little helper" draw a name out!

Who will be the winner.........?

????????

Brandi Hinnant!!!

Congrats, Brandi! When I called her to tell her, she said..."I never win anything!!" =) Hope you enjoy making your book!  With 4 little ones, I'm sure she can find some pictures to put in it.  

Sadly, it is the very last day of Christmas in July.  I will close the workshop out tonight late, so if there is anyone who wants to get in on the last minute special savings.....order your credits now, then work on projects when you get the chance! I am here to help you get started, and all along the way.  Lots of great ideas were shared by the group this morning and there was great excitement for getting their "jpeg's" put to something they, along with their family, can be proud of! 

By placing an order today, you receive a free credit for a card as well as a FREE month of premier membership!  This means you have complete access to ALL templates and can use that to make any projects you have purchased credits for.  Be sure to contact me today by phone or e-mail for more info. 

Hoping you and yours have made lasting memories this weekend! 

A new favorite!

"...mesSIahhhhh  ......ALL names......redeemer......MANuel........for sinners....HEAVen.....mesSIahhhhhhh ...lord of all"


OK, so if you didn't get that, it's the version of Jesus Messiah sung by a 3 year old who is just learning it and loving it! It's her new favorite!


Here's the song:
"Jesus Messiah, Name above all names.  Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel.  The rescue for sinners,  the ransom from heaven.  Jesus Messiah, Lord of All."


Savannah heard this song on Sunday, by way of television in her class at church.  It was played while a young girl performed a drama during the main service. On the way home, she started singing parts of it, so we joined in!  Then, I remembered I had it in the CD player.  Well.......... now, we play CD 6, #1 ALL the time.  And my heart so swells to hear her singing along.  


Tonight, on the way home from church while the first verse was playing she says from the back, "Mommy, I want the Messiah one."  =) She's not too fond of the verses, but oh how she loves that chorus.  And you know what....I do too!  What a song!  And though my 3 year old may not understand everything she's singing, I believe those words are being printed on her heart.  


Thank you, father....for the faith of a child.  
"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger" (Psalm 8:2)

Feelings...

"I'm overwhelmed..."  


We've all said it at some point...I can think of no one who is exempt from this feeling.  Though the cause be unique for all, the feeling exerts a similar emotional state and we feel defeated.  


There are moments for me when "I'm overwhelmed" is an understatement. When I saw this post on "girltalkhome," I read with great interest! If you've never visited this blog, it is a "goldmine" of spiritual encouragement for wives, mothers, and daughters.  It is written by 4 ladies...a mother and her 3 grown daughters.  They share about their family lives growing up with a minister father....and offer so many wonderful "family time" ideas; as well as their current lives with young children and the joys as well as challenges of motherhood.  Wisdom is shared from other contributors and you can find topical studies/series on issues such as spiritual growth, spiritual disciplines, prayer, relationships, fear, beauty, and the one that grabbed me  today....feelings!  


So whether you're overwhelmed by a difficult job situation, finances, a busy  day at home with the little ones (that's me), or what to cook for supper, I hope this is as good to you as it was to me today.  


...and may we all "cultivate gratefulness" (as mentioned in number 5)


Feeling Overwhelmed?
1. Cast your cares on the Lord because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Pour your heart out to the Lord. He already knows the details of your life and what is causing you to feel overwhelmed.
2. Remind yourself that you need a Savior. Feeling overwhelmed is often a sign that we’re trying in our own strength to do what He’s called us to do. We will never succeed with mere physical and mental stamina. We desperately need His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. He has made us to need Him. If appropriate, repent of pride and declare your complete dependence on Jesus. Tell yourself the gospel in detail. Here are a few sections you can look up to soak yourself in the truth of the gospel: Romans 3:23-26, Romans 5:6-11, Romans 8:32-39. Also consider reading The Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney.

3. Also, meditate on Scriptures to remind you of the truth such as:

Psalm 94:19: When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Nahum 1:7: The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

Isaiah 40:11: He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Isaiah 40:28-29: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 41:10: Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

2 Corinthians 12:9: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

4. Guard your mind and enjoy today.

Matthew 6:34: Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. [Also see Matthew 6:25-34.]

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Psalm 139:1-3: O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with my ways.Isaiah 26:3-4: You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.

Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

5. Cultivate gratefulness. Start with the gospel and consider all of the other categories of your life (husband, child(ren), home, church, friends, food, clothing....). It may be helpful to write this down.

Nothing gives the believer so much joy as fellowship with Christ. He has

enjoyment...in the common mercies of life, he can be glad in God’s gifts and God’s works; but, in all these separately, yea, and in all of them added together, he doth not find such substantial delight as in the matchless person of his Lord Jesus. -C.H. Spurgeon

My Father, thank you for caring for me.  Surely if you're eye is on the sparrow....I know you're watching me.

Mommy, Where You Are....There I Shall Be!

This was the state of our kitchen at approximately 5:30 Thursday when I was trying to cook dinner and feed the kids before VBS!! Nothing like making tacos with a little fella who finds so much joy in dumping crayons everywhere! Yes, that's his little head surveying the scene he just created....while he repeatedly mumbles, "uh-oh...uh-oh...uh-oh..."   

We were indeed late to VBS, but I can't place blame on little Noah.  It was just one of those afternoons. But a great night at Bible school! 

  

Noah particularly enjoyed the streamers!!

Mrs. Kristin White even let him have his very own backstage pass. He was the youngest ever..."bouncer in training."  So cute. 

And this was the last night of VBS....for us, that is.  Savannah was not feeling well Friday and we stayed in.  Looking forward to posting more pictures soon from the week! Lots of cute faces to show! =)

Good night.

Birthday Fabric!!!

Does fabric make anyone else smile besides me?  It's so enjoyable to try to "think up" projects for a really pretty piece of cloth! I received some money for my recent birthday and knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.....buy FABRIC!!! I've been wanting to make some curtains and found these "pretties" at the fabric store....they make me smile.  

Also found a "frenchy" fabric not pictured that I'm going to use first! Found a great tutorial on-line for a shade, so I'm going to give it a go.  Hoping to do several as well as some other smaller projects.  We'll see what happens....

Hoping you all take the opportunity to do something that makes you smile today! (although my project may have to wait until 10:00pm)

First Night of VBS!

Tonight was Savannah's first Vacation Bible School.  She didn't know what to expect.  But after arriving and getting her "backstage pass," the excitement began to build! She saw friends and had a great night learning, crafting, eating, singing....and being Savannah! =)

Many more fun nights to come...we're sure!  And hopefully, more photos too!  

For now, good night. 

"School" supplies, Dora panties, and a new book....loving the small things of life!

Ever since I was a young girl, the smell of a brand new box of crayons has made me smile.  I have always loved "school" supplies and it was always one of the hi-lights of the new school year..... to go and purchase these brightly colored necessities.  Admit it, you must share these feelings too! Well, Savannah is not in "school", but WalMart already has their school supplies on sale.  We go through markers and crayons quickly around here, so when I saw these in large bins for $1, I couldn't resist.  Crayons were only 25 cents! For $4, we brought home some supplies that will keep Savannah busy for quite a while!  And she'll love every minute... Except, I am going to open the crayon box first! 

Potty training is still a part of our life; however, it is much easier now and Savannah is doing so well.  It was time for new "undies" so I let her pick at the store today.  She chose exactly what I would have expected...Dora.  We decided to get the 4T even though she wears a 3.  (We wash LOTS of "undies.")

And in other news, my $4.65 book arrived this week!  (used from Amazon) I had read other "mom blogs" where this book seemed to be quite the resource!  It is full of creative, educational, low-prep, fun activities for young ones!  Great for rainy days, HOT days, and holidays.  I already have several picked out and stashed up my sleeve ..... I'll be sure to post some of our "busy" activities.  

Loving the small things of life today...

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."
-- Vincent Van Gogh