Dear Friends,
When we started this blog almost a year ago, we had NO idea what we were getting into or what we were doing. I convinced my "artisitic partner in crime" to join me on this journey of making our private creativity public, and so we started to post!
It was with true intentions that we hoped to post regularly and offer you great ideas. Our real purpose behind the blog was to become a community board for many of you to showcase your creativity too! Well... some, but most of that didn't happen.
While Rachel and I talk about creative things on a daily basis, we also have a deeper relationship that is grounded in Christ Jesus. Lately, our conversations have become more intentional about making sure that things in our lives are purposeful and that time spent with Him comes FIRST in our lives. We both still have little ones around the house that consume our time and blogging has just not been a priority. Mutually, we decided that keeping up with this site was becoming something that wasn't a priority, or something that was of utmost importance to us.
SO..... as of today, Rachel and I will no longer be blogging together. We ARE BREAKING UP THE BOY BAND! She is painting quite a bit, so who knows, she may suprise us with a site of her own down the road. I am still going to keep this site open for my painting projects because I have received some really good feedback from so many of you! THANKS!
If you are willing to "hang in there" with just me (Amy), come back often... not everyday! I will have some neat Christmas things to share with you this month.
CHANGE IS GOOD! Especially when it is out of obedience God... the one who gave us our gifts and abilities.
Blessings!
Amy & Rachel
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Pillows Everywhere!
We are in the process of re-doing my son's room, and he chose a vintage baseball theme. I was having trouble finding cute throw pillow for his bed, and then it hit me... I'll paint some! Here is what I came up with.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
7 X 7
Many of you have followed a sweet blog called BRING THE RAIN and the author Angie Smith for quite some time now. Well...she has done it again. She is challenging us to pray for our precious children 7 times a day, 7 days a week. I have felt my heart leading me in this direction for a long time. I do pray for my children everyday, but not in the way that I should. I am more concerned with teaching their hearts than how much info I can cram in their little heads.
Here is what Angie wrote on her blog about how she is implementing the 7X7. Enjoy the read and I will be praying for you that you will follow through with this very important commitment.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Seven Prayers A Day
*** In answer to some of your questions, I wanted to let you know that I do pray these out loud. This morning, I kept my hand on Kate's head while I read, and she smiled the whole time...and sat still!!!!!!! Praise God for small miracles....:) OH, and also thank you to the sweet reader who noticed I had written Ephesians instead of Philippians on the last one!!! I was tired last night:) It's corrected now!!!! Thanks!!!***
I don't really care that much about whether or not my kids are book smart.
Let me explain.
I do care, I just don't care as much as I care about other things. I don't sit around and pray that my girls will learn to read today, or that they will understand a foreign language by the time they are 6, or that they will know their times table by next week. I do spend a lot of time asking God to give them "undivided hearts (Psalm 86:11), " and praying "that they will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel when they open their mouths (Ephesians 6:19)." I pray that God will help them to be good stewards of their time, their money, their words. I pray for their character, their faith, their decisions, their husbands. I want them to be wise, Godly women who chase after the Lord.
I'm thinking that instead of getting a "My kid is on the honor roll" bumper sticker, I may create a "My kid has an undivided heart" one. And then people will make ones that say "My kid kicked your 'undivided heart' kid's butt" stickers.
Maybe not.
But, the point is that one of the most important things I am privileged to do as a mother is to pray for my children every day.
The other day I came across a verse that God used to prompt me to write this post. If you are a mom (or have someone else you want to pray for specifically), I hope you will join me as I do this for the next 7 days. It struck me that I need reminders during the day to be praying over my girls, and I decided to choose 7 events in a day that would remind me to do so. Then, I chose verses that had to do with that time of the day (for example: as my kids are getting dressed in the morning) and then I put them on notecards.
Here are the events and verses I chose:
1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)
2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)
3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)
4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)
5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)
6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)
I feel like God has been reminding me more and more lately that I need to live my life in prayer. For my children, husband, family, friends, country, those in need, etc., etc. As a mother, it has been so pivotal for my children to hear me praying out loud over them, and I want to commit to do this every day (seven times a day!) for the next week. If you care to join me, just copy these verses onto index cards (or, if you came here from Jessica's blog, feel free to print them on pretty scrapbook paper and embellish your little heart out....:))
Let me know if you decide to join me, and please keep me posted (either by comments or emails) if God reveals anything to you/your children this week.
Have a great (and prayer-filled!) week. And may God bless you and your babies richly.
Angie
Here is what Angie wrote on her blog about how she is implementing the 7X7. Enjoy the read and I will be praying for you that you will follow through with this very important commitment.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Seven Prayers A Day
*** In answer to some of your questions, I wanted to let you know that I do pray these out loud. This morning, I kept my hand on Kate's head while I read, and she smiled the whole time...and sat still!!!!!!! Praise God for small miracles....:) OH, and also thank you to the sweet reader who noticed I had written Ephesians instead of Philippians on the last one!!! I was tired last night:) It's corrected now!!!! Thanks!!!***
I don't really care that much about whether or not my kids are book smart.
Let me explain.
I do care, I just don't care as much as I care about other things. I don't sit around and pray that my girls will learn to read today, or that they will understand a foreign language by the time they are 6, or that they will know their times table by next week. I do spend a lot of time asking God to give them "undivided hearts (Psalm 86:11), " and praying "that they will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel when they open their mouths (Ephesians 6:19)." I pray that God will help them to be good stewards of their time, their money, their words. I pray for their character, their faith, their decisions, their husbands. I want them to be wise, Godly women who chase after the Lord.
I'm thinking that instead of getting a "My kid is on the honor roll" bumper sticker, I may create a "My kid has an undivided heart" one. And then people will make ones that say "My kid kicked your 'undivided heart' kid's butt" stickers.
Maybe not.
But, the point is that one of the most important things I am privileged to do as a mother is to pray for my children every day.
The other day I came across a verse that God used to prompt me to write this post. If you are a mom (or have someone else you want to pray for specifically), I hope you will join me as I do this for the next 7 days. It struck me that I need reminders during the day to be praying over my girls, and I decided to choose 7 events in a day that would remind me to do so. Then, I chose verses that had to do with that time of the day (for example: as my kids are getting dressed in the morning) and then I put them on notecards.
Here are the events and verses I chose:
1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)
2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)
3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)
4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)
5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)
6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)
I feel like God has been reminding me more and more lately that I need to live my life in prayer. For my children, husband, family, friends, country, those in need, etc., etc. As a mother, it has been so pivotal for my children to hear me praying out loud over them, and I want to commit to do this every day (seven times a day!) for the next week. If you care to join me, just copy these verses onto index cards (or, if you came here from Jessica's blog, feel free to print them on pretty scrapbook paper and embellish your little heart out....:))
Let me know if you decide to join me, and please keep me posted (either by comments or emails) if God reveals anything to you/your children this week.
Have a great (and prayer-filled!) week. And may God bless you and your babies richly.
Angie
Decorating Bookshelves
For most of us, the thought of decorating shelf after shelf on our built-ins or bookcase seems exhausting. Where do I even begin, you may wonder? We all know that bookshelves aren't just for books anymore. Look at them as an opportunity to display artwork, photos, or any knick-knacks. Your bookshelves, done the right way, can be an instant warm up for any room. Let's get started...
When looking through your home or if you are out shopping remember it is good to repeat color, texture, and/or theme in your bookshelf. This helps maintain a complimentary "flow". Not all shelves have to have a cluster of things...some accessories are bold enough to stand on their own. Clusters are good, however. Layers create dimension so don't be afraid to overlap art work or photos. Collectibles are good in a cluster as well. Don't overdo the cluster because you will want to keep an "airy" feel about the shelf.
Definitely use your books...that is if you have any. If you don't, you can always buy some at your local flea market. When using your books, mix up your storage. Stack them horizontally and use as bookends, alternate with standing them up or casually lean them against a neat stack. I like to even stack photos on top of books that are stacked horizontal to add height. Be sure you get a balance throughout the shelves when using books.
Just be creative in your accessory decor. Tip something over for a great bookend, tilt your bowls or fill them up. Mix old with new and shiny with dull. Don't forget you can change the accessories with the seasons, occasions, or just on a whim!
Go for it!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The First Gift of Christmas!
Okay... I totally took the title from the movie The Polar Express, but that is exactly what crossed my mind last night when I was painting this. I am giving it to a friend today. It truly is the first thing I have made for Christmas.
I will have many more Christmas pillows to share in the coming weeks. I have some GREAT ideas in my head! If anyone needs these as a gift or wants one for their own, I will be taking orders until Thanksgiving. Let me know!
Amy
**** UPDATE *****
Here is one in RED!!!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Presto Change-OH!
This is what I did yesterday...
I finally took down the last of the "smiling" jack-o-lanterns and replaced them with plain pumpkins. I took down the bright colored orange decorations and set out items that had deeper orange hues. The leaves started falling around inside and landed wherever they pleased. The glitter has been wiped off the tables and Fall berries have now taken center-stage. Since orange is one of my favorite colors, I love to keep it around as long as possible.
As we turn our focus from a commercial holiday to a time of being "thankful" I like to decorate my house with things that represent beauty, change, family and thankful hearts. I will be posting more soon but here is the start to the change!
Enjoy!
Here is where some of the leaves fell.
I finally took down the last of the "smiling" jack-o-lanterns and replaced them with plain pumpkins. I took down the bright colored orange decorations and set out items that had deeper orange hues. The leaves started falling around inside and landed wherever they pleased. The glitter has been wiped off the tables and Fall berries have now taken center-stage. Since orange is one of my favorite colors, I love to keep it around as long as possible.
As we turn our focus from a commercial holiday to a time of being "thankful" I like to decorate my house with things that represent beauty, change, family and thankful hearts. I will be posting more soon but here is the start to the change!
Enjoy!
I had an old mantle outside so I spray painted it brown, added a stencil and propped it up against my brick fireplace inside. No long term commitment there!
Here is where some of the leaves fell.
The rest landed here!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
VOTE
Pray the Vote Prayer Points
For prayer and faith to be in the forefront of the campaigns
For candidates to be forthcoming and transparent regarding faith, prayer and key issues
For God’s will to be done throughout the campaigns and in the elections
For godly leaders to be elected
For people to desire leaders who will honor God and His will
For spiritual discernment by citizens
For spiritual discernment by candidates
For all Americans to be involved
For truth to be revealed
For a minimum of negativity in campaigns, debates and the media
For God’s Protection over the candidates, conventions, delegates and the nation
For members of the media to report with truth and integrity
For citizens to take their responsibilities seriously
For excellent voter turnout
For accuracy and excellence in voting machinery and officials
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Happy Birthday, Liv!
Today is my neice, Olivia's, 2nd birthday. We wanted to wish her a special "Happy Birthday."
We love you,
Aunt Rachel
Saturday, November 1, 2008
HALLOWEEN HANGOVER
It's the day after Halloween and my we're all feeling a bit sluggish as my dad would say. The overdose on candy last night has put me on the sofa...down for a nice afternoon nap. The sad thing is now we can't quit. The amount of M&M's I have consumed in the last 24 hours is sickening. And my kids...Help us all...have too much to choose from to just settle on M&M's. When will it all end? We have to stop!!
Halloween night was a blast. The kids, adorned in their costumes, hopped on the trailer for a trick or treat hayride through the neighborhood with friends.
The adults managed to make their way in the back of the neighbors truck so they could keep up.
Before returning home the kids found a "haunted house" to go through. The older ones said it was no "Big Deal" and my five year old promised that next year when he's six, he'll be brave enough to do it himself!
We ended the night with lots of appetizers...I had a date with the bowl of guacamole...and a big bowl of chili. The kids crashed hard once the sugar rush was gone as did the parents. And today we have a Halloween Hangover!
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