Pink Paper Peppermints Sweet ♥ Crafty ♥ Goodness

five happy things

ONE

My sweet husband just brought me orange juice in a pink glass. 

orange and pink, sweet husband, healthy drink.  happy.

TWO

I just took a photo of my pink glass of orange juice with my cell phone, sent it to twitpic and uploaded it here, all without getting out of my seat. 

happy.  (although my rear could use more getting out of my seat, not less..heh-heh)

THREE

I am finally getting back into the swing of things after a long, lovely summer. 

routine, cooler weather, school with my boys. happy.

 

FOUR

I discovered the 5 Minutes for Mom community.  

moms, blogs, chatting, twittering, sharing, laughing, praying. happy.

FIVE

I'm crocheting pink and orange granny squares.

crochet, pink, orange, granny squares. happy.

 

Five happy things.  Hope you have some happy things today.

Peace and Grace,

♥ Melissa~

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"Day and night I'll stick with God.  I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.  I'm happy from the inside out-- and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed."

-Psalm 16:8-9 (msg)

make your own foam soap refill tutorial!

 
Although being a one-income family has always meant that I have to be creatively frugal, these days, like most mamas, I am trying to cut the grocery budget down even a little bit more. 

One of the ways I've been doing that is learning how to make homemade versions of some things I would normally just purchase new. 

It's not always a huge savings, but often times it's "luxury" items that would just be cut right off the list like paper towels and sugar scrubs and foam pump hand soap. 

So today I thought, "I should really tell my bloggy friends about some of these." (my bloggy friends--that's what I call you guys in my head) and thus "Homemade Homemaker" was born!  And since I can't just do a post about something, I have to make a matching button.....

Ta da:



So this week I thought I'd tell you about foam pump hand soap (and in a couple of weeks I'll tell you my sugar scrub recipe...so easy and so awesome!)



I just love the foamy soaps don't you?  The only problem is that  you can't refill them with regular soap and the "special" refills are absurdly expensive for what they are, but thanks to some crafty experimenting on my part I can now tell you how to make your very own, super cheap refills!

Of course you have to make the initial purchase of the foam soap to get the special little foamy pump (I haven't figured out how to make *that* myself yet...heh-heh).



 
The one I'm using for the tutorial is the kid's soap Kandoo.  My Little-O *loves* this stuff and making my own refills saves lots of cash (and a little nagging from me about only pumping one time!). 

Step One

So the first thing you do when your bottle is empty is to wash it out with warm water. I pump some water through a few times too to make sure there are no clogs.

Step Two



Next fill the bottle about one third of the way full of regular hand soap - any brand will do.  If you have a warehouse type membership you can get the gigantic bottle of liquid hand soap for super cheap.

Step Two
 
Now, slowly fill the bottle up the rest of the way with water.  Do this gently so your soap doesn't foam up on you.

Once it's filled, you want to *softly* tilt the bottle back and forth to mix up the soap & water.  Don't shake it or it will get all bubbly and won't work right.




That's it!  Now you have an almost free, foamy pump hand soap refill!  Neat, huh?  And this works in all the brands I've tried including Bath & Body soap! 



 

Hope you're having a great Monday!  I'm still packing and cleaning and doing laundry and getting ready for our trip.  I'm trying to keep reminding myself that we are only gonna be gone for a week and a half and probably don't need to bring *everything* we own (I tend to over pack...heh-heh).

See you soon!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~

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"He saved us because of His mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning" - Titus 3:5

summer crochet & such

Well hello there.  I thought I'd pull the dust covers off the furniture and open up some windows here and say hi again.  How are you all?

I've been busy, busy with wrapping up school, church activities, learning new craftiness and all sorts of fun things.

You may remember me learning to crochet awhile back. I'm completely head over heels for it now.  I want to crochet *everything*. 

I found a blog by a lovely lady named Lucy called Attic 24 that is just the most fun, eye-tingling, inspirational place you can imagine. 

The colors she chooses for her pretty crochet-y things are fabulous and she has lots of *free* patterns and tutorials!  She has such a fantastic way of explaining how to do the stitches that I feel like I can tackle the most complicated pattern now! 

I'm in the middle of finishing several of her patterns right now. The most wonderful, amazing, colorful, yarny bag (I'm not quite finished with it yet, but you can see it in the background below) and flowers and flowers and a little granny square pillow!!  It's crafty heaven, I tell you, working with all these beautiful, bright colors!

 

 

 

 

If you've never tried to crochet you have to pop over to Lucy's blog and read through her instructions you won't believe how easy (and addicting) it is once you get going!

Well, I'm busy packing for our summer trip to Wisconsin and looking forward to lots of summery, lake-y, road trip-y fun.  {I'm especially looking forward to another visit to the amazing Red Lead paper art store!)

I need to load up the ipod with lots of crafty podcasts and some good faith-building ones too as it's a long two-day drive up.  Any suggestions of favorite podcasts??  I'd love to find some new ones to listen to.

O-man & Little-O in Wisconsin last summer.

These last few months have been very busy and at times quite trying and I really need the rest.  Some time away to think and pray and visit with far away family that we love so much and see so little...it will do me well I think.

What are your plans this summer?  Have you learned any new craftiness?  I would love to hear what you're all up to.  I've missed you!

Grace & Peace in Him,

♥ Melissa~

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"Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves." -Mark 6:31-32 (the message)

did someone set my clock forward early?

I was at basketball practice with my boys for fourteen hours today.

Then it took me four hours to drive home.

Then hubby called me with a dead battery and it took me three hours to pick him up.

Now it's like 3 am or something.

Ok, I may be exaggerating a tiny bit on the hours...but where does the time go??

Still working on posting those gorgeous Caddo Lake photos.

In the meantime, here is my new favorite quote...

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream.
It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same,
or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and
our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

- Ronald Wilson Reagan (1911-2004)

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"Whom the Son has set free is free indeed."
-John 8:36

ten things God wants you to remember

I will give you rest.


I will strengthen you.


I will answer you.


I believe in you.


I will bless you.


I am for you.


I will not fail you.


I will provide for you.


I will be with you


I love you.

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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  -Jeremiah 29:11

more than you ever wanted to know

In honor of my 100th post (which went by many moons ago):

100 Things About Me

1 I love Jesus and have for 25 years. Before that I just didn't know Him, but I would've loved Him if I had.

2 I met my husband thirteen years ago in a christian chat room called "net central" .

3 I feel awkward telling people that.  It sounds so cheesy.

4 I haven't been in a chat room since shortly after we met.

5 I lived in Africa with my family for almost four years when I was in high school.

6 It was absolutely some of the best memories of my life so far.

My brother and me at a church service in Africa.

7 I spent the summer in Italy when I was 16.

8 I had a 110 camera and still cringe when I think of the missed photo opportunities.

9 It was so beautiful though and I hope to go back with my husband someday.

10 I won a coloring contest when I was in elementary school and the prize was that I got to be in the Ringling bro circus. It was pretty cool for a little kid.

11 I don't enjoy the circus now and will probably never take my kids to one.  I think it's mean to the animals. It makes me sad.

12  I used to teach cake decorating and make elaborate cakes. I even owned a cake decorating business for awhile.  You cannot believe the amount of money some moms are willing to spend on a birthday cake.

13  I was a preschool director for a few years.  It was not an easy job, but I loved those kiddos so much.

14 I was an elementary ed major, but if I could go back (when?) I would (will?) be a photography/graphic arts major. Is that a major?

15 I would rather be cold than hot.  If you're cold you can always get warmer.  You can snuggle with someone, put on a jacket, start a fire, wrap up in a warm blanket.  When you're hot you can pretty much just get naked and then you're still hot...and naked...which in itself could be uncomfortable.

16 I graduated from bible school, Christ For the Nations Institute, before I went to college.

17 I feel like I should know more scripture due to number 16

18 I'm also a homeschool graduate (and shockingly I'm not socially stunted or inept at life).

19 My family and I lived in Memphis when I was five and I have been told that my two best friends were the mayor's daughter and Jerry Lee Lewis' daughter. I can't really remember that though.

20 I love a hot chai latte, even homemade with *egad* a mix.  There is something so soothing about a cup of warm spicy tea.

21 The style of decorating that I love and the way my house actually looks in most rooms are worlds apart.

22 Sometimes I get sad about this, but then I just remind myself that it's a process and everyday and every trip to an antique store or flea market brings me a little bit closer to my vision.

23 I am not a mall person.  I really just like being home, but if I'm going to go somewhere the mall is absolutely my last choice.

24 I overuse exclamation points and ellipses (and apparently the words "just" and "so")

25 I am not a grammar fan

26 In spite of what the two above may imply I love the English language and words.

27 I love the color red

28 I love the color pink

29 I really love pink and red together (and sometimes orange and aqua blue)

30 I refuse to pay money to watch a movie with a sad ending (actually I won't watch a sad movie for free either -  ha!).  I mean isn't life sad enough for a lot of real people without me paying to cry about a fake person's fake life??

31 I hate when I misspell a word so badly that the spell check offers me choices that aren't even *close* to the word I was trying to spell.

32  I could eat Mexican food everyday for the rest of my life. Fajitas are my favorite.

33  I love being a stay at home mom, more than I ever dreamed I would

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Stay tuned for part 2.  (or if you are bored beyond belief just come back Monday...heh-heh)

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~

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"You have looked deep into my heart, LORD, and You know all about me. You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven You discover my thoughts."
-Psalm 139:1-2

yes it is

Originally uploaded by Chris[topher] Lin

108 yesterday... 106 today ...too... hot... to....blog.... somebody fan me...

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They're like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season."
-Jerimiah 17:7

I used to lie and cheat and step on people's feet

Oh my goodness this is fun:

(the song starts at 59 seconds if you want to fast forward)

Off to the new church!

God's Grace & Peace friends,

♥ Melissa~
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"Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new."
-2 Corinthians 5:17

the summer sun's callin' my name

I think I'll go for a walk outside now, the summer sun's callin' my name...

summer evening

summer splashin'

summer swimmin'

summer toes

summer swingin'

summer squash

And a recipe for the summer squash:

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

This is so moist & delicious!  And what better way to eat zucchini than with chocolate??  (you can replace the oil with applesauce to lower the fat content a bit too)

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp cinnamon
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 cups peeled and grated zucchini
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F

2. Grease and flour two loaf pans (bout 8"x4").

3. Sift dry ingredients (flour, salt baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon)

4. Cream wet ingredients (eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar) in a large bowl.

5. Add sifted ingredients to creamed mixture and beat well.

6. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips, mix gently until combined.

7. Pour into prepared pans

8. Bake for 35  to 55 minutes (depending on your oven and the size of the pans) or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

9. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes and remove from pan allowing to cool an additional 10 minute before slicing.

And just in case that song is not already stuck in your head from the title of my post, play this while you're whipping up your zucchini bread it will make you smile:

Hope you're havin' some sunshine days!

Peace and Grace,

♥ Melissa
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"Oh, how sweet the light of day, and how wonderful to live in the sunshine! Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted.  Take delight in each light-filled hour..." -Ecc 11:7

Just Run To Him

Click Play for a beautiful reminder.

Have a Blessed Sunday!

God's Mercy, Grace and Peace,

♥ Melissa
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"Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

(As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, Who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

-Romans 8:35-39

mug heaven

I have no time to blog today* so instead you get to see a snap of my new favorite mug. 

Hubby bought it for me on our trip to Austin and I *love* *love* *love* it.

It is just the right size and heaviness and I adore the handmade shape with all the little crooked spots and dimples. 

The pink flower and "inspire" sentiment make me smile every morning...

And it's pink inside!

What more could you ask for in a mug?  Pink, flowers, inspiration, handmade...it's mug heaven!

Do you have a favorite mug?  I would love to see it!  Blog it and leave me a comment!

Hope that inspires you a little today.  See you tomorrow!

God's Grace and Peace,

♥ Melissa~

*interpreted: I wasted my blogging time today looking at crafty stuff on the internet.

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"Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your wonders.  From where the sun rises to where it sets, You  inspire shouts of joy."
-Psalm 65:8

m is for the million things she gives me

M is for the million things she gives me
O means only that she's soft to hold
T for the things she tries to teach me
H is for her heart of purest gold
E for her eyes with love light shining
R means right and right she'll always be

Put them all together they spell Mother,
A word that means the world to me.



♥ Melissa-
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"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' "
-Proverbs 31:28-29

ode to a hubby

Today is O-man's birthday.  He is really and truly the most amazing person I've ever known. 

If you are married I am sorry, but you are married to the second-most wonderful man in the world because I got the first most wonderful man. heh-heh

Not a day goes by that he doesn't do or say something kind to/for me and his children.

He is funny beyond words.  (I often come close to spitting out various drinks in laughter - which sounds like a bad thing, but really it's not)

He has taught me about mercy and grace in a way only someone who truly practices it can. 

He loves God, he cherishes his children.  He understands sacrifice and lives it everyday. 

He will not say no to a "play with me" request no matter how tired he is.

He will wash dishes, fold laundry and cook dinner. 

He makes coffee most mornings and holds my hand every night until we fall asleep. 

He is what Paul meant when he said, "love your wife as Christ loves the church".

And I can't imagine what I did to deserve that, so I am just so thankful to the Lord for the grace He has poured into my life by giving me this man to love.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart.  I love you!

♥ M~

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"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her..."
-Ephesians 5:25

five mamas

You guys know how much I love a "blog party". 

And I discovered a new one!  It's for Mommies and I think you're gonna have a lot of fun.  There are prizes and special speakers and all kinds of neat stuff! 

So right in the middle of our 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days we're gonna join in the Mommyfest party!  Yee-haw! (pretend I didn't just say yee-haw, would ya?)

One of the first opportunities to win a prize is the "High Five Photo Contest".  You can win a 1lb box of chocolates!!

For a chance to win just head over to the Mommyfest blog on Monday, May 12th and vote for your favorite photo (mine *cough*) or enter a photo of your own (the deadline is tomorrow though so hurry)!  Edited to add:  Go vote here now!

For the photo part of the contest you have to post a picture of "5 somethings" to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Mommyfest.

I thought about somehow taking a picture of the 5 lbs I would probably gain if I won that 1 lb box of chocolate, but then that didn't seem too appetizing, or practical...and plus there would be the whole "taking a picture of *5 lbs of me*" (ewwww) and....yeah...that idea went out the window.

Fortunately (for all concerned) I thought of a better idea. 

I decided a photo of five mommies would be appropriate for the Mommyfest 5th anniversary and also since it's almost Mother's Day, I thought it would be a nice tribute to some of the Mamas in my life.



The top center frame holds an enlarged photobooth photo of my mom and me.

 
On the second row, from left to right is a photo of my paternal grandmother (granny) holding my cousin, my maternal great-grandmother (nannie) holding *my* mama and her brother, me with my little-O and finally my maternal grandmother (nannie dusty) with me.

It's kind of neat seeing those all together like that.  (I had to move them from various places to put them together.)

And it's strange to think how fast time passes.

How quickly you go from being a little girl, to a mama, to a grandma, to a great-grandma and then to a treasured memory. 

Makes me want to go hug my boys.

And you know....eat some chocolate.....heh-heh.

Hope your Mother's Day weekend gets off to a great start!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"I worship you, LORD, just as my mother did, and you have rescued me from the chains of death."
-Psalm 116:16 (contemporary english version)

hot dog hot dog hot diggity dog

we are home from austin.

mickey mouse club is on.

eating honey nut cheerios.

just bit my tongue.

crazy busy weekend ahead.

teen-O's birthday.

chocolate cheesecake (again).

friday fitness - ha.

this is my 100th post...100 things about me coming soon.

31 flowers starts monday!!

have a great weekend.

Grace & Peace mixed with Faith,

♥ M~
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"I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts He has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus."
-ONE Corinthians ONE verse FOUR

ten on tuesday - austin edition

ten random thoughts on tuesday - this week from austin, tx!

one

Our hotel has sleep number beds. At first I thought it would be great to be able to try them.
I was wrong. They are like giant, expensive blow up mattresses.  I'm not kidding.

When my husband gets up I sink a little.  And when you adjust the "number" it sounds like a vaccum
cleaner!  I am officially not a fan of sleep number beds.

two

We saw the bats a little bit last night.  They didn't come out until moments before it got
dark and then they were on the other side of the bridge from where we were so they were
really just tiny little black dots in the dark. 

three

But it was astonishing how many of them there were!  (In truth it made me kinda *glad* they were on the other side of the bridge from us-don't tell the boys.)  I think we're going to try and see them again tonight though so I may get up close and personal with one of the furry ones yet.

four

Our hotel has a coffee maker in the room which is nice for that first cup when you're not
ready to face the world.  They have a little tray with coffee cups, packets of
coffee and packets with stirrers, napkins and what they consider coffee condiments.

five

One thing I've never understood about hotels who have these little packets is that inside the packet there is *one* package of sugar and *one* package of powdered *gag* creamer.

ONE. 

Who uses *one* package of sugar and creamer?? 

They may as well just put a *picture* of sugar and creamer in that packet.

six

Speaking of gross packets of things (don't worry it's not as bad as it seems).  We had supper at El Arroyos yesterday.  I guess it's a "first-night-in-Austin" tradition

We sat on the patio and it was beautiful, but the birds were kind of maniacs.  They kept flying in and landing on empty tables to scavenge what was there. 

seven

One of them actually got a packet of sweet & low and *opened it* and ate it!!  (Doesn't he know how bad that stuff is for you??)  I have a photo, but I forgot to bring the card reader down here to the lobby with me. *ugh*  I'll post it later.

eight

Little-O and Daddy-O went for a swim yesterday afternoon.  Last night as we were getting
ready to go to bed (on our *awesome* sleep number pool floaties beds), Little-O tells us
he has an idea.

Little-O:  "You know how we do story time and brush teeth time and snuggle time before sweep(sleep) time at home?" 

Mama-O: Yes? 

Little-O: Well I fought of anudder thing to do while we are here.

Mama-O: Oh? What is it? 

Little-O: "Swim time! We can just go for a yittle swim before bed."

Mama *and* Daddy-O: Oh...Uh...um...

We stumbled around and came up with the fact that the pool was closed at night, "but great idea sweetie!"

nine

The April heART & Soul ezine is ready!  Lots of fun birdie links and stuff. Plus a cool birdie, spiral mobile with pattern!  I hope to get it uploaded tonight.  Go sign up so you'll be the first to get it in your inbox!

ten

Here is a little sneak peek:

Click the button in the left sidebar that says "heART & soul ezine" to subscribe and get *free* paper goodness delivered to your email box (about) once a month!

Grace and Peace,

♥ M~
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"Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds."
-Matthew 6:26

He holds us all together

This is so neat and *so* God. 

I {heart} science and Jesus. 

Take a minute to watch it and you will be blessed!

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
      He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
  for through Him God created everything
      in the heavenly realms and on earth.

   He made the things we can see
      and the things we can’t see—
   such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
      Everything was created through Him and for Him.
  He existed before anything else,
      and He holds all creation together.

   Christ is also the head of the church,
      which is His body.
   He is the beginning,
      supreme over all who rise from the dead.
      So He is first in everything.

   For God in all his fullness
      was pleased to live in Christ,
   and through Him God reconciled
      everything to Himself.
  He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
      by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

 -Colossians 1:15:20

I pray for Grace and Peace mixed with Faith for each of you reading this,

♥ M~
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"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.

May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.

He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.

For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, Who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins."

-Colossians 1: 11-14

the adventures of the cereal box boys

The boys had a blast cutting up giant cereal boxes (we have to buy cereal by the cubic ton) and making helmets out of them the other day. 

One of the millions of reasons that I am so appreciative of the ability to homeschool (no matter how I spell homeschool spell check doesn't like it??) our boys. 

They would never get the opportunity to be so close if they were both in an institution all day.  One would be in kindergarten and one would be in high school and they probably would never even see each other, never mind enjoy each other's company.

Teen-O is so sweet with his little brother and Little-O just adores him.  It blesses me so much that the main role models in my little guy's life are his brother and dad, kind, loving, men of God.

   

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the life God has given me on a day like this, watching them laugh and play and learn together.  And I am humbled that God trusts me with this. deeply humbled and grateful.

Who knew cereal boxes could elicit such introspection?

♥ M~
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"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him...Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus."
-1 Timothy 1:12 & 14

ouchie ow ow ouch

just got back from the dentist.

mouth hurts.

on painkillers.

have to go two more times next week.

yippee.

♥ M~
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"All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."
-Romans 8:28