birthday girl's day

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I'm hosting with Natalie, Beth Ann, and Jordan to share the blessings

God has placed in our paths during the week.

We would love to have you join us! Make sure to grab the box and link-up with us today!

Saturday was Adeline's 2nd birthday and we spent the day letting her enjoy herself and tell us (as much as she could) what she wanted to do! We had quite the fun day before her party that evening at our house (more to come on that in another post)! Because the day was such a blessing, celebrating our sweet little thing, I thought it was only fitting to share on the Blessing Box post!

balloon surprise to wake-up the birthday girl!

checking out the beginning of the birthday table decor for her party

 sprinkle covered cinnamon rolls for breakfast!

 opening her birthday shirt!

her favorite...qdoba for lunch!

 Our next stop was Cabela's to see the fish...one of Adeline's favorite places!

Adeline decided the aisle of bobbers was crazy exciting! She picked out a pink one as her birthday treat from Cabela's. ha! Love this girl!

 

 

 

 

Finally, after a long nap and some errand running for her party, we surprised Adeline with her very own fish tank with three fish! She was a (tad) happy as you can tell!

Such a blessing of a day spending it with our special 2 year old!

a birthday blessing

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I'm hosting with Natalie, Beth Ann, and Jordan to share the blessings

God has placed in our paths during the week.

We would love to have you join us! Make sure to grab the box and link-up with us today!

Today, the blessing on my heart, is my husband! His 28th birthday is Friday...so what better topic than to share how crazy blessed I am by him!

Adeline and I are so blessed to have this man that...

has an amazing servants heart for God.

is a wonderful, patient husband.

is the best hands-on, fun-loving Daddy there could ever be.

and always puts family at the top.

We are truly blessed by this man that I get to call my husband 

and Adeline gets to call Daddy.

Happy Birthday, babe!

What blessings has God placed on your heart?
Take a moment to thank Him, the One from whom all blessings flow.

forever my heart will sing

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I'm hosting with Natalie, Beth Ann, and Jordan to share the blessings

God has placed in our paths during the week.

We would love to have you join us! Make sure to grab the box and link-up with us today!

Today I'm showcasing five blessings on my heart.  Five of SO many.  God's love amazes me.  The fact that He paid it ALL on the cross but yet His love doesn't stop there. That he blesses me daily with things that leave me speechless.

The way He pursues me and loves on me even though I'm so undeserving baffles my mind.  T love the words of Phil Whickham's worship song "Cannons"...

We're singing you are
Holy, Great and Mighty
The moon and the stars
Declare who you are
And I'm so unworthy
But still You love me
Forever my heart will sing
Of how great you are

(One.)

Gator ride with Nanna on the farm!

 my momma. for the mom she is to me and the grandma she is to adeline.  words can't fully explain the blessing she is.

(Two.)

this girl.  her joy for life. the joy she shares with others. she's just precious inside and out and I get to be her momma!

(Three.)

 my mornings almost always look like this.  including a warm cup of coffee and my bible app.  y'all have no idea how much joy it brings me to know that God has gifted me with this. there were so many painful, tear-filled moments when I didn't think I would ever be able to be without a full-time outside-the-home job.  crazy blessed.

(Four.)

 my dad.  he's just as much of a blessing in our lives as my sweet momma. such a man of determination and love.  truly a blessing.

(Five.)

this man.  the Christ follower he is.  the husband he is.  the daddy he is.  so full of love. so full of understanding. and so ready to hand out grace.

I have been redeemed by an amazing God.  A God that has blessed me like crazy for His glory.  A God that I pray my heart will forever shine of His love.

What blessings has God placed in your path this past week?

blessings in words (link-up)

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I'm hosting with Natalie, Beth Ann, and Jordan to share the blessings

God has placed in our paths during the week.

We would love to have you join us! Make sure to grab the box and link-up with us today!

Words are powerful to me.  I have always enjoyed quotes and lyrics of songs.  I eat them up.  Back in High School and College, I used to fill journals and pieces of scrap note paper with quotes and lyrics I loved.

So one of my favorite parts of Pinterest is "hoarding" these powerful words and quotes I find. Add the fact that they are always so pretty and creatively displayed...and I'm in heaven! The words are true blessings to me when they speak to me the way the ones below do.  Here are a few of them that have blessed my heart here lately...

source

source

source

source

source

What blessings has God placed in your path this past week?

messy blessings

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As you are probably getting used to seeing on Tuesdays now, I'm hosting with Natalie, Beth Ann, and Jordan to share the blessings God has placed in our paths during the week.

I have joined a local MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) group this year for the first time and oh how I'm enjoying it! There is just so much to be said about surrounding yourself with Mommies that can say "amen" and "oh my heavens, yes!" to so many things you face on a daily basis.  But in the end...remind you (as you remind them) to point straight back to Jesus.  That has been a HUGE blessing in and of itself.  But our theme this year is "A Beautiful Mess".  A constant, precious reminder that our lives are messy, but by golly, our lives are BLESSED.

My current messy blessings are...

-eating breakfast on the couch with Adeline most mornings of the week because I have been gifted with spending my days with her
-my sweet girl loves to paint and make a huge mess which means she's creative and artistic
-that I have piles of laundry because it means my home is full and alive
-that there are perpetual leaves in our foyer because it means we have a precious home with a beautiful surrounding
-my (very) full calendar because it means our lives are rich with church, family and community events
-my relationship with my husband because it means that we love like crazy and pour grace into our days together
-my kitchen sink because it means that we have food to eat and time together to eat meals
-Adeline's room that has toys all over the floor, at times dirty diapers thrown to the side, and clothes scattered throughout, because it means we have the blessing of wonderful little girl in our life
-my dog-hair covered floor because it means our sweet "pup", Boone, that was our first "baby" and is now Adeline's best friend is still alive and going strong
-the rug in our living room that is filled with spots as if it's a pattern in and of itself, because that means we have a warm place to put our feet and a cozy living room to snuggle as a family
-our basement because it means we have more than enough when others don't have all they need
-our tattered hallway carpet that is long in need of being replaced because it's a reminder that God has taught us to be wise and patient with our money
-our ongoing backyard projects because it's a reminder that my husband does such a wonderful job of dreaming and implementing creative/useful outdoor spaces
-my heart because God's still at work in me and has great plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11)

Need to turn a negative mood around or just remember how blessed you are amidst the "mess" of your own life? Let me encourage you to write your own messy blessings list.  Your heart will be instantly transformed in that moment.

What blessings has God placed in your path this past week? We would love to have you join us!

Make sure to grab the box and link-up with us today!

date night blessings

Today, I'm linking up with Natalie's Blessing Box.

I need to share this blessing with you in hopes that it may also bless you.  (It's one of those things way too great to hold onto as a secret.)

Justin and I have started "Thursday Questions"...an idea I got from the fabulous Loerke's from Today's Letters.  This fab couple started asking four questions to each other each week in which they coined as "Tuesday Questions".  They've shared their questions on their blog and encouraged other couples to use them.  They have been such an amazing blessing and inspiration to Justin and me.  Now each Thursday, whether it's on a walk, at a restaurant, over dinner at our kitchen table, or just sitting on the couch, we ask each other these four questions....

1. How did you feel loved this past week?
2. What does your upcoming week look like?
3. How would you feel most loved & encouraged in the days ahead?
4. How would you best feel pursued in sex / intimacy this week? 

Seems simple? Maybe it is...but it's exactly what we needed to stir up more intentional communication in our marriage.


This past Thursday, our date night included dinner out (thanks to a gift card from last Christmas).  Next we went to a special light show that is in a mega cavern that runs under our city.  Crazy, huh? It was so neat to drive through this awesome light display.

Justin was excited to be driving underground

We ended our night shopping at Kohl's for our Angel Tree kiddo from church.

What a blessing of a night with my hubby.  Love you babe.

blessings and 30 for 30 update

I'm linking up via Natalie today! Thankfulness is in the air right now.  And I'm so thankful that Natalie gives us an opportunity each week to link-up our amazing blessings!

God's really been working on my heart lately.  (Isn't He always?!) However, I've just been so blessed the last couple months with how God has been drawing me more and more into an intimate relationship with Him.  We talked in Sunday School a few Sunday's back about if we feel that it is easier for us to have a relationship of reverence with God or an intimate relationship with God.  Of course He wants us to have both.  But lately especially I feel that I've struggled growing more and more intimate with God.  Through prayer and more intentional, devoted time with Him, I've found him wooing me.  It may be through the lyrics of a song, a bible verse, or even the way He has answered a prayer.  Isn't our God awesome?!

As far as the 30 for 30 update, I guess I can consider it a blessing too.  It really is teaching me to be content and helping me to take my focus off material possessions.  It's helping me to realize that I could be okay with a little a lot less!

{Day 4 of 30 Outfit}

 *My day:  Work and then Grad school at night.*

From 30:  Gray long sleeve sweater/shirt, white t-shirt, black leggings, black flats; Accessories:  black headband (not on in the pic...it had given me a headache at this point in my day);  i LOVE this outfit.  It feels like I'm wearing my pajamas!

{Day 5 of 30 Outfit}

*My day:  Work and then dinner out with Justin and my family.* 

From 30:  Dark casual jeans, green sweatshirt jacket, tan and gold t-shirt (you can't really see the design on it due to the lighting of the pic), tan flats; Accessories:  brown, beaded dangly earrings

Okay, 1/6 of the way through. I think I still have quite a few outfits up my sleeve.  My next goal is to add a belt as an accessory to add a little pizazz to some of my outfit ideas.  Look out...I'm branching out! ha!

And drum roll please....

For what I feel very blessed with at this moment...

I'm out of school for the next 3 days.  That's fabulous!

Happy Thanksgiving pretties!

p.s.  My little brother has a friend that has a 3 month old little sister.  Recently they have found numerous tumors in various parts of her body.  At this point, the doctors really don't see much hope.  However, we know our God is bigger than that outlook.  Please join me in lifting this precious little one and her family in your prayers.  The prayers would be greatly appreciated!

the blessing box

I'm linking up with the lovely Natalie!

Today I'm blessed.....

with my wonderful my family.

to have great friends.

with the opportunity to spread the light of Christ to 22 kiddos each day whether I can use my words to do so or not.

with a husband that sits down and just talks things out with me when I just can't figure things out on my own.

that God pursues me into an intimate relationship with Him and he doesn't give up on me.

with blogging friends that inspire and encourage me.

a warm home.

love and laughter.

What are your blessings?

the blessing box--the beatitudes

My pastor is doing a sermon series on "Living Under God's Blessing".  This Sunday's message was of The Beatitudes from one of Jesus' messages.  This was really eye opening to me and such a nice refreshment on the fact that I am blessed simply by who Jesus is and what Christ has done in my life.  I don't need anything else.  Jesus' view of blessings are a far cry from the world's view of blessings. Although the worldly things are from God and are a blessing, we should feel most blessed because of what God does in our lives and who He helps us to become through His grace.

Matthew 5:  1-12

 ¹Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ²and he began to teach them saying:
 ³"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
 ⁵Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
 ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.
 ⁷Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
 ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God.
 ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God.
 ¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ¹¹"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessings!

top 10 blessings of the moment

My Top 10 Blessings of the Moment

(in no specific order):

1.  The fact that I have had extra time on my hands to take care of our little bungalow.  (Hence, getting oh about 5 or 6 loads of laundry accomplished!)

2.  It's the week before Fall Break.  Let me repeat...it's the week BEFORE Fall Break! That means a week long break is next week.  WEEK long!

3.  My hubby has been so supportive lately in some things I have been struggling with.  Whether it's my own sinful nature or pain that has been brought on by the action of people around me that hurt my heart...he has been my shoulder to lean on and the one to point straight to our God...the One that he knows can heal my hurts.  I'm so thankful for a Godly man as my partner in life.

4.  Sweet times with friends.  We spent a wonderful Sunday with our friends, the Withrow's.  Love them dearly.  Pics to come tomorrow!

5.  My creative juices are flowing a bit more.  It's slow...but coming! I actually spent some time on Saturday evening sketching in my sketch journal.  So freeing!

6.  Our pup.  Yesterday we were playing fetch with his beloved Nylabone.  In the midst of teasing him and pretending to throw it, he grabbed at it and nipped my finger.  Of course he is one that literally plays with a spider if he sees it.  Harmless.  But he got excited playing and thought he was grabbing his bone.  Well he heard me say "ow", dropped his bone, and walked over and started kissing my finger.  Sweetest thing ever.

7.  Prayer.  Although it hurts and causes my mind to wonder...even unanswered prayer right now is a blessing.  I know God is building character and developing perseverance.  Although I'm stubborn, He's breaking down walls and I know He is good.  He loves me enough that He'll build me right back up more in the image of Him.

8.  Coming in $20 under grocery budget for the week.  Enough said.

9.  The Holidays are close.  I don't like to wish time away, but I love the Holidays and all the time with family!

10.  This week at work is the least stressful week in the plan book that I've had on my desk all year.  Whew...sigh of relief!

Blessings on your Tuesday!

the blessing box--much needed

Taking some time out to focus on the many blessings in my life is something that is much needed right now.  I'm really in a funk lately.  Just so many things on my mind and on my plate.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel coming....fall break.  However, there are quite a few hurdles to jump over before I get there.  I feel like I'm jumping and jumping and jumping right now.  Barely able to catch my breath.  Barely able to enjoy the blessings around me.  It's times like these that I feel myself gripping tighter and tighter to worry and stress and less and less to my Savior.  So out of my fog of stress and worry and discontentment...I can find joy in how God blesses me.  How wonderful that He continues to love us and bless us through forgiveness even when we are so naive and weak to give into the world around us.

Doors being open.  It's neat to see how God opens doors that cause you to stop and think about where they might be leading.

My twin neices, Hadley and Gentry and my nephew, Cooper.  We spent time at my sister-in-law's and brother-in-law's tonight.  It's amazing how much weight is lifted off your mind and how much joy creeps in just by hearing the gurgling laughter of babies and the innocent mealtime prayer of a four year old.  So sweet.

Seeing a precious student interact with another student that others have trouble being around and communicating with.  This same sweet girl is always complementing and encouraging others, including myself.  Her sweet smile and innocent, genuine personality are such a gift in my classroom.

The new young adult Sunday School class I am teaching.  How powerful it is to see God working in your own heart and mind as He works through you to prepare to teach others about Him.

Cutting our cable and internet bill in HALF.  Yes, half.  Don't worry...a post is coming about this.  I need to share my tips with you in hopes that you can also defeat those utility "bullies".

Head over and join Natalie.  Take some time to reflect on your own blessings! Here's to hoping you have a peaceful, restful night.  A sleep that blesses you and wakes you to the promises of tomorrow.

the blessing box

Blessing one--Contentment.  I've seriously felt God's presence this year in how He has given me contentment with my job.  To be honest, teaching is a struggle for me at times as far as trying to figure out if it's truly my calling.  It's mainly an emotional and spiritual struggle because I have felt so natural at it and things have gone so well as far as feedback on my teaching.  However, that's where the battle comes in.  In the past, I have wondered fiercely why God would have something seem so natural, yet be so not at peace within me.  Well this year, He has gifted me with contentment.  I hope it lasts.  I pray it lasts.  I just want to be in His will...wherever it may be and I want to be content.  Thank you Lord for answered prayers.

Blessing two--My mom and dad.  My sweet momma commented sarcastically the other night that they haven't been mentioned as a blessing yet.  I was getting there.  I know she was joking, but I wanted to make sure to mention how much of a true blessing they are in my lives.  Oh my...every child should have parents as supportive and caring as mine.  I can't even express how grateful I am to have the relationship I do with my parents.  (Hope this shout out suffices, Mom...you know I can't put my gratitude into words....it just doesn't do it justice.)

Blessing three--Time to clean my house and catch up on life.  What a wonderful refreshment to be able to have ample time at home to catch up on cleaning, laundry and organizing.  This weekend was just what my heart and soul needed.  Nothing's better than time at home.

I've mentioned a few times about the blessing I have in my husband.  I'm blessed right now that we both have some time together at home, so it's time to wrap up computer time.  So, this week's post is short, yet the list of blessings in my life sure aren't.  God is so mighty and so good.  I pray that you're able to find blessing after blessing in your life this week that reminds you of His passionate love for you.

Now, go join the lovely Natalie and share your own blessings!

the blessing box

It's Tuesday again...which means that it's The Blessing Box time over at Natalie's blog.  Click the button to head over and join yourself!

Blessing One:

That I married a man full of patience and love for me.  Lately I have been in a funk for some reason.  I guess it's just all the fresh pressure of starting a new school year and starting back to classes myself.  My mood has been one that is harsh and my tongue has often been quick.  Absolutely nothing I am proud of and something God is working on me with.  However, Justin is so amazingly kind and always wanting to know how he can make things better.

Blessing Two:

My church family.  This Sunday we had a "Camp Meeting" Sunday where we stayed after, ate potluck lunch together, and had some amazing Bluegrass music playing live.  I'm so blessed to have a church where it truly feels like home and a church family that is literally an extension of my own family.

Blessing Three:

Allergy medicine and kleenex.  The runny/itchy nose, watery eyes, and scratchy throat always seem to hit me this time of year.  It's not that it's really painful, it's just such a nuisance! Allergy medicine and kleenex are blessings to me during this time so I can find some relief!

Blessing Four:

Finding new music that seriously warms your heart and soul.  I love to listen to a song for the first time and take in the lyrics word by word.  I recently heard the amazing song, "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry.  (I will warn you that if you've lost a loved one recently it may strike you in a completely different way.)  I am loving this song, though, and the lyrics that just sooth my heart with contentment for where I am in life right now.  I don't think God's finished with me yet.  But if I die young...I feel like God has used me and blessed me tremendously.  Every extra day on this earth that He gives us is truly a blessing that only He is worthy of.



Blessing Five:

Our home.  I am beyond grateful that Justin and I were blessed enough to close on a house before our marriage and move into our own little bungalow when we came back from our honeymoon.  I love our home and am so thankful that we have a roof over our heads.   Every time we are working on our budget and talking about money, I am always reminded that it is an absolute blessing that we can afford to live in our home and that the issue never comes up whether or not we have a place to stay or can pay our mortgage.  It always brings us back to reality as we know there are so many in the world without a home.  It makes me want to fill our extra rooms with people that don't have homes in order to bless them with our own blessings.

the blessing box

This week is Natalie's first "Blessing Box" Tuesday over at her blog, Extraordinary Love.  I was very excited to join in!

Blessing one:

Really, my mood is a blessing right now.  With starting school tomorrow, I really wasn't sure if I would be in the "mood" to join in the blessing box this week.  However, I have been hanging onto my Savior and praying for my heart and mind to be in the right place as summer comes to an end.  Just as always, He has answered my prayers in His time and in His perfect way.

Blessing two:

The first blessing leads me to this blessing....my classroom is finally "complete" and ready for my 22 kiddos to arrive tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.  I feel very blessed to work with wonderful people and have a job that is such a blessing.

view from the back of the room

view from our "sink room" door (it connects my classroom to the next door classroom)

view from the classroom door

Blessing three:

I feel really blessed when I get deals like this.  I feel like saving money on groceries and other necessities is a blessing from God in order to stretch our budget.

Kroger has a deal right now where if you buy $20 in school supplies (brands include: Papermate, BIC, Expo, Avery, Sharpie, Crayola, Planahead, Mead, Five Star, Carolina Pad) you get a $4 Catalina. (Coupon that prints out as money toward your next purchase.)  FYI:  The regular price is the price counted toward the $20.

Transaction 1:

Purchased 11 Crayola Crayon 24 count at $.25 each (regular price is $1.99)

Total: $2.75 and received $4 catalina

Transaction 2:

Purchased $9.98 worth of groceries

Used $4 catalina

Total: $5.98

My total spent was $8.75.  The Catalina basically made all 11 packs of crayons free and then gave me $1.25 off my groceries that I needed.  It's definitely a blessing to get paid to shop!

Blessing four:

I'm blessed to have these two in my life...they make it so joyful! They came to help me in my classroom this afternoon as I was putting finishing touches on things.  (And the McDonald's they brought was pretty nice too!)

Boone as a baby

Blessing five:

Summertime.  Need I say more?