Friday Favorites! 12/29/17

Cute Image courtesy of  www.hallofquotes.com

Happy Friday everyone! I hope that your week was short and sweet!

I have a new batch of favorites this week, some of which happen to be Christmas gifts that I received

this week!  Let's get started revealing my favorites this week and you may have some new favorites

when we get finished!

Favorite #1: "All in All" Journaling Devotional by Sophie Hudson

I asked my darling husband for a new devotional for Christmas, I didn't give him any specific titles,

only that I wanted a "good new devotional".  Needless to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I

opened up my gift on Monday to discover Sophie's devotional.  I have been reading Sophie's blog off

and on for a couple of years and she always cracks me up. I am loving this devotional, especially

since her sense of humor is evident in this devotional and she has generously given adequate

journaling space for people with big messy handwriting like myself! I'm sure that you will enjoy your

own copy! So pick it up today!

Favorite #2 : She Reads Truth Bible

Another Christmas gift, but this one  I requested and I am so in love!  I have always loved reading the

Bible, but this one is so so good! I love all of the maps and other devotionals included in this Bible!

Not to mention that I love the coral color! They have a few other cute colors as well! I

find myself yearning to read my Bible more than I ever have!  I have even noticed my husband

reading some of the devotionals ! He agreed that this is an awesome Bible! Purchase your own She

Reads Truth Bible here!

Favorite #3: Ivy and Fig Tote Bag

Ummm....my Birthday is in 4 months and 4 days. I know that I recently switched to carrying a

wristlet from a purse because of years of toting a big purse to disguise diapers, wipes and leaky sippy

cups, but I am IN LOVE with this big tote! It also comes in so many pretty colors!

Grab your own Ivy and Fig tote

Last, but not least...

Favorite #4 : "Captain" by Hillsong

I'm so in love with this song. Just listen to it and let the words soak inside your soul.

Thank you for such an awesome 2017!

See you in 2018!

Good Gifts....

I love getting good gifts.  I love it when someone has put a lot of thought into a gift for me.  A few Christmas' ago, my sister bought me a birds nest necklace with two bird eggs (symbolizing Addison and Finn) and it brought me to tears. She knew that I had complimented her necklace for years and I had always secretly wanted one of my very own.  This was a gift that could not be bought in a store because her friend custom makes the necklaces and this one had been customized especially for me.  The entire gift brought me to tears and it was my favorite gift that Christmas.

I also really enjoy giving good gifts.  It was not so long ago that my husband and I could not afford to give each other gifts for Christmas.  Even gifting each other a $20 fast food gift card was too much for us. We sacrificed our gifts to make Christmas a bit sweeter for our children. During those years, we gifted each other hand written letters and placed them in each others stockings.  We were fortunate enough to be able to purchase gifts for each other this Christmas. We stuck to the 4 gift limit like we did for our children (which I loved and I will be doing in the future). The 4 gift limit encouraged me to put extra thought into what each person wanted and this was true for my husband as well. 

I have noticed that each time we visited the stores at Clemson, SC (his favorite college team) he oohed and ahhed over the sports memorabilia  and the photos of the greatest moments of the Clemson football team.  He had always said that he wanted pictures like this to grace his office.  While searching for a framed picture of the Clemson Stadium in my price range, I quickly discovered that it wasn't going to be possible to purchase this gift for him this Christmas.  However, I discovered the framed picture of Hunter Renfrow scoring the winning touchtown for the 2016 National Championship game.  This picture was in my price range, but I was still a little uneasy as I was shopping on Amazon and this vendor was not supported by Amazon Prime and there were very little reviews from this vendor.  I put my fears aside and purchased the picture anyway.  I was so relieved when the picture arrived wrapped in bubble wrap and everything was legit!  I showed my children who (thankfully) kept this gift a surprise and we all couldn't wait to gift it to Spunky on Christmas morning.  I could not wait to gift it to my husband!!!

Quickly after we saw the gifts from Santa on Christmas morning, Addison brought the gift out from under the tree and placed it in her Dad's lap excited to have him open it.  He looked so confused as he shook it and nothing shook because of all of the bubble wrap inside.  He was moved to tears as he realized what was inside. He was so excited and he couldn't figure out where I had found this gift.

I noticed him looking at the picture all day. He was like a little kid with a new bike, he showed everyone who visited our home on Christmas and called his mother in FL to tell her about the gift as well. My heart swelled knowing that he was truly happy with his gift !

My friend, giving good gifts is how God feels when we spend time with him.  God delights in us and he loves hearing from us, just like we enjoy receiving good gifts.

"For the Lord takes pleasure in his people. Psalms 149:4A

"The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves.  He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love.  He will delight in you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

God loves it when we spend time in his word and speaking with him.  He loves it when we speak of Him to others and sing his praises.  He loves it when we acknowledge Him in the good times and in the bad times.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

My sweet friend, may I encourage you to devote a daily quiet time? Spend time falling in love with God. He desires for you to have a relationship with you.  Devoting a daily quiet time does not have to take more than 10 minutes of your day.  I will be posting more about this in the near future, but for now Check out the First 5 App by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Simply devote 5 minutes out of your day by reading this devotional and praying each day.  Just see what a difference this will make each day.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." James 4:8A

Until next time....

A Different Spin on Christmas... and My First Giveaway!!!

Disclaimer... No offense to anyone who does not see Christmas this way.  I like to use my blog as a personal journal and to encourage anyone.  I do not judge you if you are purchasing 20+ gifts for your children. I just know that in this season, this is what is working for my family.

We're doing Christmas a little different this year.... Something that I never imagined that I would do. My name is Keisha and I am tired of stressing about Christmas. Tired of stressing about paying for all of the gifts. And frankly, I am tired of stressing out about making sure that my kids have as many gifts as so and so...  This year, we are adopting the 4 Gift Rule.

I first heard of this a couple of years ago from a wise friend. I chewed on it that Christmas as I struggled to wrap the 10 gifts each for my kids on Christmas Eve.  I strongly thought about it the following January when the credit card bills came marching in with their large minimum payment that was due.

However, it was not until I began reading " Raising Grateful Kids in An Entitled World" by Kristen Welch that I decided that we were going to "swim upstream" and only give our children 4 gifts each. For years, I had wanted my kids to be happy, proud of all of their abundance of gifts, but it was stressing my husband and I out keeping up with it.  It was not worth it. I was not doing my children any favors by getting them every gift that they wanted. I was not teaching them the value of saving for something that they really wanted. I also was not spending quality time listening and learning what my children really and truly wanted. I love the quote that Kristen says "The only thing that a child is entitled to is his parents love." All of the gifts are just extra things...

So far, I am a lot less stressed in the gift giving department.  My husband and I will also be only getting 4 gifts from each other.  The same 4 gifts that my children are getting.  I have also loved truly figuring out what 4 gifts each person really and truly wants.  My husband and I have also had a blast scouring the internet looking for deals and the perfect 4 gifts.

My children know that they are only receiving 4 gifts this year and yes, they are okay wit h it.  It has also been nice having the tags on the gifts so that they know what is inside the package instead of having to be badgered to death with the hundreds of questions about each gift.  But yet, they are still excited!  After I wrote on my gift tags, I found gift tags with scripture regarding the 4 gifts here and I will definitely be using these tags next year!

We are still encouraging our children to resemble Christ in this season and to talk about Him and the true meaning of Christmas (Matthew 1:18-25). We are also encouraging our children to be servants of Christ and to show His love to others around us by paying it forward and sharing the good things that we have been given. I want to raise grateful children!

What ways are you celebrating the season? Share your comment below, like and share this post on social media for your opportunity to win Kristen's book "Raising Grateful Children in An Entitled World"! One lucky winner will be randomly chosen on Wednesday, 12/13!

Festival of Holidays

The holidays are upon us, but I am reminiscing about The Festival of Holidays event that the women's ministry at my church hosted a couple of weeks ago.  The event was lovely, filled with great food, beautiful tables and a wonderful speaker, Brittany Price Brooker. 

Several of my friends hosted and decorated tables and they were all beautiful!

My friend, Amanda and her beautiful Thanksgiving table!

I just love sweet Mrs. Pat! She is always such a joy to be around and she is an encouragement to so many! I love calling her up and having coffee with her at a moments notice!

My good friend and life group leader, Ceal (center) was the host at the table that I sat at.  I loved the way that she decorated it with buffalo plaid and a rustic theme!  It was so fun to meet her daughter (right) and sit with sweet Sarah (left) !  Behind you can see these awesome men who worked all day and dressed up for the event and were our waiters for the evening! 

Ceal worked so hard on her beautiful table!  Sarah and I were joking that if we did a table it would be complete with red solo cups and plastic tablecloths! Ha!

Our speaker was precious Brittany Price Brooker.  She is a precious woman of faith and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her story. You can hear her story for yourself here. Warning, grab some tissues before you listen! She is powerful!

And...here are all of the other tables!  They were all so gorgeous!

This table was my favorite!!! It was the only table that I noticed had a New Year's Theme...

That centerpiece....wow!!!

It is hard to tell from the picture, but the placemats were made of black feathers and they were gorgeous!!! Each guest who sat here, left with a black party hat! So adorable!!!

I **may** get enough courage to host a table next year!!

Until Next Time!!!

Friday Favorites 11/3 Soup, Shirts, Songs and adorable clothes!

Happy Friday everyone!!!!!

I am so happy that it is Friday and I have NO plans for the weekend. Zero. Zilch. Nada. And I am completely fine with that!

And now it is time for my favorites for this week!

Favorite New Boutique Little Mistress! And yes, the name does crack me up!  I love the clothes, especially the dresses! I really really want to order everything on this site a few items!!!

Is it too early to order my Christmas shirt?? I don't think so!!!

Check Out these awesome Christmas shirts! From AwesomeThreadz.com

My favorite is  "Don't be a Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins!"

I really hate that time changes back this weekend.  The evenings are SO long when we can't spend time after dinner outside! I am striving to have more game and craft nights to keep the littlest one entertained without tv! Check Out these Cute Crafts! 

Annd it's also soup season!  I have been on the search for a new soup recipe and this one is my favorite!! Cheesy Enchilada Soup! Yumm!!! Check out the recipe here!

Romans 8:28 was everywhere I went this week!  I know that I posted Romans 8:28 from The Message Bible earlier this week, but I have re read it almost every day this week! I love it and IT definitely made my list of favorites this week!  Read it again here

And last, but not least....

I have begun listening to Spotify Praise and Worship on the way to and from the office and I love hearing different songs that you may not hear on the Christian Radio Station. This song had so many tears coming down my face that I almost had to pull over !! Listen to Bethany Dillon "I Believe In You"

Have a fabulous weekend!!!

xoxo

***Adorable Friday picture courtesy of Google Images

My Favorite Blogs...

Many people frequently ask me "So, you blog...why do you do that?" The answer always makes me blush, but I have always enjoyed reading blogs of other women, their words are always encouraging.  I remember reading different parenting blogs after having my daughter in 2006 and their words always seeped into my soul and left me feeling encouragement after realizing that parenting is much harder than I ever imagined.  When facebook and Instagram began to take off I noticed that most people began writing on their blogs less and less, but I still yearned for their descriptive postings and encouragement.  I began to get frustrated and I felt God tug on my heart and tell me one evening (while reading The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson) that "you are called to write." So...after procrastinating for what seems like eternity, I began to slowly put together my blog.

I also wanted to share a few of my favorite blogs to read, so that you may find encouragement also.

#1. Kelly's Korner  Kelly's blog is one of the first that I began reading.  She lives in Arkansas with her husband and 3 children.  I love Kelly's style, her openness about her faith and her honesty that parenting is HARD! I loved reading about her struggles with infertility and seeing how God provided 2 sweet girls and an (unexpected) baby boy! Kelly and her family were at Disney a couple of weeks ago when my family and I were and while my husband and kids were keeping their eyes peeled for Mickey, I was hoping and praying to bump into Kelly and her family (and no, I do not know her and I know that she wouldn't have a clue who I was, but we can all hope that she would have pulled me aside and asked to go and have ice cream with me in the castle)!!

#2 JoanneHeim.com I began reading Joanne's blog about 5 years ago.  Joanne has an amazing testimony from where God brought her through a massive stroke and the new challenges with life.  She has undergone intensive therapy and she now drives and does a lot of traveling!  She and her dog now help stroke patients as Maddie is a therapy dog! I love reading about all of her adventures and seeing God's faithfulness in her life!

#3 Before the Morning This is another wonderful story of God's amazing love!  The Williams Family has a special place in my heart (as their son, Jonah goes to school with my nephew). I began reading their story in 2008 shortly after Jonah was born. Jonah suffers from epidermolysis bullosa, which is a painful skin condition.  A better explanation is here. Parents Patrice and Matt have been faithful and done an amazing job taking care of Jonah and his new adoptive brother.  Their story always warms my heart!

I hope that you can find some encouragement in these blogs also!

xoxo

God + ? = Happiness

Disclaimer: This blog post forced me to be a little more open and honest than I like to be.  Nevertheless, I am choosing to share this because I always feel that sharing a little more, being a little more open and honest can only help someone. Lead someone to Jesus. This post has been one of the most difficult ones to write.  Praying for you as you read.

I experienced a break through last week, as I was driving into the office. 

I routinely listen to podcasts on the way into the office and New Spring Church in SC is one of my favorites.  The new series "Slaying the Giants" has been amazing and I have had my heart pricked each week, but this week was huge. Here is the link to last weeks podcast:

Slaying The Giants 

Until last Tuesday, most of my thoughts when I first woke up began like this "Oh heavenly Father, here I am again.  I'm doing the same thing that I was doing yesterday.  I'm not happy about it, but this is apparently what you want me to do. God, I know that you have the ability to change all of this.  But, here I go. Please bless today."

I would then go about my day, striving to see Jesus. Living each day on the edge of my seat, striving for God to pick me up and place me in a more desirable place in my life.  To place me in the place of my hearts desire.  Each day, I would come home a little more bitter than the day before.  A little more angry that God did not come through in the way that I thought that He should have (like I know anything). A little grumpier.  My house began to feel more divided because Mommy looked like a porcupine and if anyone got too close her quills may stick you. I was living my life comparing it to others around me and a fictitious picture of what I felt like my life should look like.

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I began to realize that I was not living like God was enough for me. I was discontent. I began to realize that I was living my life like a Math equation. God + ? = Happiness

If God came through the way that I thought that He should, I would be happy.  If He did not come through, I would be bitter, upset and feeling unloved. I made a list in my journal of all of the lies that Satan has been whispering in my ears.

The truth is, I could have all of these things and still be unhappy. The only thing that I can be fulfilled with is a true intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  Through Christ, I have more than all that I need.  What God wants me to do is to embrace this season that He has planted me in. To live in this season and to flourish. Not to compare my failures with the success of others.  Not to compare my possessions with the possessions of others.  Comparing only brings discontentment and Jesus wants more for me.

"I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." John 10:10

Comparison does not give me "better life" like He speaks about in His word.  God wants me to live freely, not worried about what others and what I do not have.  I have faith that He will take care of me and He knows exactly what I need, when I need it.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:28 MSG

Friday Favorites 10/27/17 Spooky Edition....

Hi everyone!! Happy Halloween to you and yours!! I love Halloween!! I love dressing my kids in their costumes and letting them carry their adorable Halloween buckets!! I know that everyone does not believe the same way that I do about Halloween, but I like this quote that I heard on the radio in regards to celebrating Halloween best "People give out free candy, just like the love of Jesus...it's free and you should take it!"

To sum up my feelings about Halloween, I would like to share this article from Focus on the Family.  My family and I have a few rules about Halloween:
#1. Have fun
#2. Share Your Candy
#3. No super scary costumes (Devil, anything that contains blood, organs or violence)

With that being said, it's on to my Halloween Favorites for 2017....

Favorite Pumpkins...

I adore white pumpkins!!! Melted crayons on pumpkins, who would have thought of that?? Read more about this cool idea here!

Favorite doggie costume...

Coco will not be getting a costume this year (because she cannot behave trick or treating), but there is always hopes that one day she will be able to behave!  Fellow blog reader, Karla has an awesome Great Dane and I just wonder what sweet Ranger is going to be for Halloween! Karla, if you need any inspiration please check this out!

Favorite Family Costume...

This was difficult to narrow down because of all of the awesome creative people out there, but I finally found the perfect one....

I have always wanted our family to do something creative like this, but it hasn't happened...yet!  I am still not giving up hope!   Check this out for more inspiration! And husband, if you're reading...you need to go ahead and see what you want to be next year for Halloween!

Favorite Halloween Read...

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

Both Addison and Finn have loved this book and they love reenacting the book as we read! The book gets them moving around and we laugh and have fun while we read!  Get your copy here!

Favorite Halloween Song...

Witches Brew by Hap Palmer

I love celebrating the Holidays with a dance party with my kiddos! It is so fun dancing around the house with them as we get ready for work and school!  This is a great silly one that puts a smile on our faces!

Favorite Halloween Nails

I know that I couldn't pull this off, but if I could.... Maybe I'll try without the pointy nails?? Unsure, but check out all of these adorable ideas here!

Favorite Halloween Decorations...

Need I say more? How cute is this??  Next year you can see this on my front porch, but until then check out these adorable ideas here!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please comment your favorite Halloween things! Have a blessed and Happy Halloween!!!

The beauty of community...

It is Sunday evening at 5:30 and I have already prepared for Monday.  The lunchboxes are packed.  Dinner for Monday is prepped.  Clothes are neatly folded onto dressers complete with a clean pair of socks. Homework has been completed and signed. Backpacks are in their proper spot for Monday morning with a jacket neatly hung on the chair.  My children are loaded into the car along with my husband as we drive to life group.  Life group, because we love doing life with these people.

It all began over a year ago when I made my way to the home of the slightly older and wiser couple.  I was nervous.  I had not attended many "small groups" in my past, especially not alone.  My husband was needed at the church on the evening in which the first session of life group began and he took the children with him.  I knew the leaders.  They were a nice and friendly couple who were always encouraging.  Although, I did not know anyone else who would be there. What would be expected of me? I'm not a Biblical genius, I thought to myself.  I remembered growing up in Sunday School when I felt horrible about getting the answer wrong and those memories began to stab at me.  I arrived at a beautiful 2 story home and I was greeted warmly at the door.  Sitting on the couch was another couple of whom I had never seen before. They did not know me either, at least that makes two of us I thought...  The conversation that evening warmly flowed and I left with a connection to 4 other people and knowing more about each of them than I did when I entered the door.

As weeks turned into months, more and more people began to show up each week.  Parking began to become a problem, but no one seemed to mind as neighbors began to share their driveways, we began to creatively park in the yard and on the side of the road.  A deep bond was forming as we all began to do life with one another.  Even my children began to ask on Thursday evenings "Are we going to life group on Sunday?" "Is Mrs. Ceal going to have cookies? and if she has any left over can you please pack them in my lunch box?  Pleeeaaasee!"

Our little group has grown and decreased in size a couple of times over the past 13 months, but we have truly "done life" with one another.  We have been through births of grandchildren, moving homes across state lines, operations, sickness, vacations, financial problems, financial blessings, but one thing remains..

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

We love meeting together, studying the Bible together and bearing one another's burdens.  We are quick to listen, slow to judge and our arms are always open to love.  When we "do life" together, we enjoy helping each other out.  Regardless if it is catching a rat while you are out of town, bringing a meal if you are sick and even offering to do laundry if your washing machine is out of order.  I love my community because I know that they "have my back" whenever I may need them.

God never intended for us to do life alone.  He knows that when we are alone that we are more susceptible to the attacks of the enemy.  When we have a community of people to help us along the way we are more capable of making clever decisions and seeking Biblical counsel. 

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16

My life group means so much to me.  I am thankful that we each have different strengths and come from different parts of the country and different backgrounds.  I am so thankful that God created this group from all different walks of life to study His word together and to have fun doing it! 

Friday Favorites 10/20/17

Thank goodness it's Friday!!!

It has been a long week, even though my week involved a vacation (I love you fall break)! Getting back to reality was oh so hard!

Let's move on to my favorites for the week...shall we?

Favorite #1 : My Beach Read for the Week Raising Grateful Kids In An Entitled World by Kristen Welch. This by far is THE BEST parenting book that I have ever read.  I love Kristen's biblical perspective that we want to raise children who do not feel that they are entitled to everything.  This book encourages you and your family to "swim upstream" & to "live more grateful lives."

Favorite #2 New VW Atlas!!  This week involved an overnight drive to sunny beautiful FL...in my VW Passat! I love my VW! I love the sport mode, I love the gas mileage, but on a long trip..ughh! It tends to get packed quick.  My husband has been encouraging me to begin considering to trade before our next vacation (I really despise car shopping)!  Although while on vacation I saw a commercial for the new VW Atlas and I was in love. I assumed that it was waaay over my price range, but it was more affordable than I thought!

Favorite #3 Osh Kosh B'gosh!  This week my sweet Addison turned 11 years old. Sniff sniff!! We are in the unique tween stage and she is a little too old for Children's Place, but still too small for Amerian Eagle and Abercrombie. She longed for more adult looking clothes, but it was so hard!! So thankful that I stumbled upon Osh Kosh and their fall line! So cute!  I also got an amazing coupon!

Favorite #4 John Crist video!!! Need I say more??  See below and warning: you will laugh!!

Favorite #5 this shirt! I feel so very blessed to have one boy and one girl and it is challenging to find shirts that support us boy / girl moms! This one is perfect and if anyone is already shopping for my Christmas gifts....hint! hint!

This wraps up my favorites for this week!  Hope that you have enjoyed them!

Stay tuned for my posts next week where I will begin posting about our latest Florida vacation (including Disney pictures)!!!

To get the TGIF picture go here

Women Who Inspire Me: Amanda

I remember first meeting Amanda two years ago.  I was at a dinner at my church for new guests who had been attending.  Amanda was also there, in her scrubs serving glasses of sweet tea and lemonade. She had worked all day and instead of going home and putting her feet up, she was there...making my day better along with others who had been invited to the dinner.

Amanda and I frequently ran into each other at women's Bible studies, she served at the coffee bar at our church and she is always there anytime the door of the church is open.  She is one of the most selfless people that I know.  And this is why Amanda inspires me....

Amanda works full time in the city, like me. She is also a single mother to 3 wonderful kids that she is doing a fantastic job raising as well as a college student.  Amanda continues to show Jesus to her kids on a daily basis, encouraging her daughter and sons to put Him first in their lives. She also is always the first one to always sign up to bring a meal to someone who needs it or to help with a Children's Ministry event.  Amanda always uses each minute of her time to better the lives of those around her.

Amanda is always the first one to pray for me whenever I am overwhelmed with life.  Amanda and I frequently talk on our commutes into the city and she is always quick to quote scripture or to always let me know that God is listening during difficult seasons of life.  I am so lucky to have her as a friend!

Amanda inspires me because I can always see Jesus in her, during good times and bad times she always shines the light of his love.  She is always quick to listen and slow to anger. She is a blessing in my life and she inspires me to show more of the love of Jesus wherever I go...

"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.  She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Proverbs 31: 25-28A

Friday Favorites 10/6/17

Happy Friday!!!

I am so thankful that the weekend is here!!! 

It is time to get started with a few of my favorites!

Favorite #1: ANW Boutique

I have quickly become obsessed with online boutiques and I have purchased a couple of adorable items from ANW Boutique.

I mean, look at these adorable items for women

Photo Credits: https://www.facebook.com/groups/472358912958068/

Aubree, the owner is always so wonderful to work with and I have loved my items!!  Check out the boutique on Facebook!

Favorite #2 : Jeremy Camp "Can't Be Moved"

I heard this song a couple of days after the tragedy of Las Vegas.  I was encouraged by this line in the song:
" When everything in this world is falling
We have a kingdom that can't be moved."

Credit: You Tube

Check it out for yourself and see if you are also encouraged!!

Favorite #3: "Whisper" by Mark Batterson


Photo Credit www.christianbooks.com

My husband was blessed to be a part of Mark Batterson's promotional team to promote this book. He is quickly finishing it so that I can pick it up and begin reading it before the official release date and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Hearing the voice of God is something that is often confusing to me, especially if I am not in the word like I should be.  Everything that Mark has published has been on my must read list and I am sure that this one will be no exception!

See you next week!!


Photo Credits:

Coco and the Sunflower...

That moment...

When all you want...

Is a good picture of your dog

the perfect sunflower and your milk can...

And then you realize...this is as good as it is going to get!