[love] Featured Post

Just popping in to say that I hope everyone has had a fabulous week!

Head on over to Katie's blog at ...for Lauren and Lauren, where she is featuring my blog along with two other fabulous bloggers! Katie is one of my absolute favorite bloggers and someone who I know I would be friends with in real life if she didn't live so far away! Stop by and tell her helloooo for me!

Have a great weekend! Only FIVE MORE SCHOOL DAYS until SUMMER BREAK! I can't wait.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

[make] Tissue Wrapped Flower Pots

As the "pastor's wife" of our church, sometimes I take it upon myself to plan and coordinate holiday and special event functions for the church: a job I LOVE! If I could be a party planner or event coordinator, that would be my dream. job.

Anyways, for Mother's Day, I knew Nate didn't want to make a big fuss during the actual church worship service because our focus is not on our mothers at church (yes, even on Mother's Day): our focus is on Christ and worshiping Him alone and making His name famous. Nate did have a small recognition where he had all of the mothers' stand up and he gave them a small commission on raising their children. But I knew I wanted to have at least a small token from the church's behalf to wish the mama's a Happy Mother's Day! So...

Enter $1.69 potted flowers from WalMart (not the best selection, but work with what ya got)
Pink tissue paper
Pink tulle
Scrapbook paper
Computer printed card
Craft scissors

With the help of my family who was visiting for the weekend, we were able to knock out 30 of these tissue wrapped flower pots in about 30 minutes. Time flies when you're having fun!

They are so easy to create: Wrap the tissue paper around the base of the flower pot (they were plastic), use tulle to tie around the tissue paper to hold it in place and to also make a fabulous bow, add the card created with scrapbook paper and craft scissors, and ta-da! Hard to tell in this picture, but they were pretty adorable. The ladies at church were very appreciative! I had my tween bible study girls pass them out to the moms as they walked into church on Sunday.

The card created for each plant and then adhered to colorful, floral scrapbook paper as a backing.

What did you give your mom for Mother's Day? Do tell, love to see all of the fun gifts! Not that gifts matter, but you know what I mean!

Happy Tuesday!

"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Deuteronomy 5:16

See where I link up: Monday Made it @ 4th Grade Frolics, Blog Hop @ Naptime Review, What I Whipped Up Wednesday @ Sugar and Dots, Craft-O-Manic Monday @ Craft-O-Manic, Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T./Lines Across/Uncommon Designs/That's What {Che} Said/Creatively Living, Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts, Show Me What Ya Got Linky Party @ Not JUST A Housewife, {Wow Me Wednesday} @ Ginger Snap Crafts, Link Party @ Destination: Craft, The Creative Spark @ Clean & Scentsible, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Weekend Wrap-Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello, What I Wore Wednesday @ The Pleated Poppy 

[love] Happy Mother's Day!

I was so glad that my parents, brother, and sister in law were able to come visit us this weekend for Mother's Day! We had a great weekend of relaxation, eating good food, putting together a puzzle (our favorite past time as a family), assembling flower gifts for all the mom's from our church (a different post for a different day), and watching the pups play together: my brother and his wife have two dogs too, so we call all of the pups "the cousins". Yes, we're that kind of family! We gifted my mom a photo book containing photos from our last cruise vacation: she loved it!

After church, we headed to eat some yummy Mexican food and commemorated the day with a photo: love my family, so incredibly blessed by them all!

Other photos from the weekend:

Snippets of my mom's Mother's Day gift: a photo book from our cruise vacation!

Nate cuddling with our pup-niece, Bella: she has the prettiest eyelashes!

Bella and Ralf, the pup-nephew!

Getting kisses from Ralf

We love puzzles!

I hope all of you who are mothers had a fabulous day of being spoiled and pampered! You are all fabulous!

Happy Monday!

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her..." Proverbs 31:28

[love] Really?

Dear Mom and Dad,

We haven't eaten in "ages". We are "starving". Stop what you're doing and fill up our bowls, mkay? Thanks!

Chloe and Oliver.

[Their food/water bowls are nearby where they are laying down in the dining room]
Wow.
"Ages", as in this morning.
"Starving", as in they just had a small snack a couple of hours earlier.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
#puplife #spoiledrotten #yesijustusedhashtagsonablogpost

Happy Thursday and Happy WEEKEND! My parents, brother, and sister in law (and their pups!) are coming in town this weekend for some Mother's Day action. Can't wait!

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13

[make] Family Yearbooks #24

24. Create yearbooks filled with photos from throughout the year (build book on Shutterfly or something of the like)
First yearbook arrived at our house on May 7th, 2013

Developing film/photos is slowly becoming a thing of the past and digital scrap-booking, etc. is starting to become more and more popular. Shutterfly (promise this is not an ad for them; I'm just a fan!) makes it SO easy to make beautiful albums and to make them quickly! I used their "Simple Path" method where you upload your photos, select a theme for your book, and it uploads the pictures into the book. So easy!

However, I wanted my photos in chronological order, so I had to rearrange a few, but that process was easy as well. Also, a few of the pictures were a teensy tiny bit fuzzy, but that was most likely due to the size I chose. Normally, a "warning" sign pops up on the photo and they advise you to select a different photo with a different quality, but sometimes they don't catch them all... and with differing screen qualities, it's hard to tell when you place your order. But overall, it's such a cute book!

I stole this idea from John and Sherry at Young House Love: instead of photo albums, they make a family yearbook commemorating the events from the past year (they use My Publisher)! A great way to display photos beautifully and in fun ways! I want to go in order of our marriage, so I began with 2009 and will add on with 2010 (which I've already started), 2011, and 2012. I'll do 2013 next year! I'll probably order one/month until I get to 2013: don't want to blow my cash in one spot! Here's a peek!

 

Just realized I took photos of two of the exact same backgrounds: I promise there were a variety of others, ha! I used the "Confetti" theme for this book. It's so cute: bright colors and punchy patterns like polka dots and chevron. 

Cute, right?! I'll use different book themes for each book. I ordered the 8x8 hard cover book and I really like that size. It's not TOO big, but a nice size and easy to hold. Who else uses Shutterfly for their photo needs? Their company is so fun, modern, and produces good quality products. I am definitely a fan!

Happy Wednesday!

"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12

[teach] Teacher Appreciation Day

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day to all of my fellow teachers out there! My day included two sweet cards, chocolate, a new children's book, gift certificates for school things and Whataburger, plus a free makeup makeover that two of my parents nominated me for (and I WON) at a local spa. I also went shopping at a boutique next door where they gave teachers a free gift and 20% off shopping. AND a church member was so sweet to give me a gift card to go towards a bag I really wanted and Nate covered the rest of the cost as my Teacher Appreciation gift from him. I've been spoiled today!

 My new Consuela tote bag: I was so excited, I took a picture in the car as soon as I got inside! It's huge, durable, waterproof, and has leopard print on the inside! And the embroidery is gorgeous!

 

Gifts from school:

After my makeup makeover when Nate picked me up! The spa used Glo Mineral products: each product felt fabulous! The only thing I was unsure about was the liquid eyeliner they used on the bottom of my eyelid... a bit too much for this natural-loving girl, but I felt fabulous afterwards!

My free gift from the boutique next door to the spa: super cute, right? It's a long necklace with gray quatrefoil patterns on it. So pretty!

The gifts I purchased for myself with the 20% off deal the boutique had going on today: a new wristlet and "J" pennant banner. Great finds indeed!

Now we all know teaching isn't about the "spoils" you get, but about the impact you are making in the life of a child. So from one teacher to another, whether you teach as your profession or you teach in another form or fashion as a mentor, Sunday School teacher, or leader of a company or group, just know that your influence means a lot to those around you: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! On the hard days when no one listens to you... on the great days when everything falls into place... you have a meaningful job with a wonderful purpose! Thank you for all you do!

Happy Tuesday!

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

[windowshopping] Marshalls

This weekend, Nate and I took a date night that included dinner and some shopping. While he was checking out Bass Pro Shop for his next-day fishing trip, I scooted on over to Forever 21 and Marshalls: I got a bracelet and headband from Forever 21, but this post is to share about some sweet goodness I saw at Marshalls. If only money were not an issue... Don't get me wrong, Marshalls has fabulous prices. But I couldn't buy EVERYTHING! Now I am not paid nor perked to share these things, just a fan of the store! Here are a few goodies I wouldn't mind having in my home:

First up, these fantastic stools, which could also be used as end tables. They were weighty, almost like a ceramic material? Don't remember... But I really like their modern look in solid colors. Cute!

Now I wouldn't buy this, but it gave me inspiration to make my own: succulents, glass jar, soil, pebbles. Adorable terrarium!

These pillows would be a great inspiration piece to pull colors from for all of the rooms in your home: I wouldn't mind having these pillows in my living room! It has the green for my kitchen, blue for our guest bath, and the warm, cozy colors in our new kitchen rug. Yes please! And I think these cost somewhere in the teens... $15, $13? Don't remember. Great prices!

Wouldn't this galvanized tin tray look great on an entry table or coffee table as a catch all for mail, remotes, or other knick knacks? Goes great with our farmhouse modern decor style! And I think it was $9 or $10.

 I would love to get this for Nate's office! We are hugeee Rangers fans!

This is what I ended up purchasing: another "J" to add to our collection! I hope to have a wall of J's, like Emily at Jones Design Company has in her home. Gorgeous!

Do you have a Marshalls near you? Do you like to get inspiration while you are out and about? Window shopping is half the fun!

Happy Monday! And Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of my fellow teachers! Two of my parents nominated me for a makeup makeover tomorrow at a spa in our community and I WON! So tomorrow at 5pm, Lord willing, I'll be getting my pamper on :) Happy Teacher Appreciation indeed!

"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." Jeremiah 31:3