Pinterest Challenge: Getting My Crayon On

Today I am participating in (cue sport's announcer voice):

 

 I'm so excited! :) I love reading both Young House Love and Bower Power - two of my favorite blogs - and it's been fun to think about actually DOING an art project I've pinned on Pinterest and not just thinking about it. :)

My idea originated with this pin, 

Source: helpinglittlehands.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Michael's room is in need of some decorating and I thought I could use this idea/tutorial as a jumping off point for an "M" themed piece of art.

Project cost:

• Canvas: Already owned and re-used (it was a failed painting from awhile back) Free
• Crayons: Were in the throw-away pile in the church craft area Free
• Candles and Lighter: Already on hand Free
• TOTAL: FREE!! I love projects that are f.r.e.e!

So while this project was free for my wallet it was not free when it came to time! It took about 6 hours to complete it, but it was a mindless activity once I got the hang of it - I completed it during a baseball game, a chat with a friend during nap time and evening alone at home. :)

I'm really happy with how it turned out!  

 I really like polka dots and this texture brings them to mind.

Layered colors.... might be my new favorite thing. This project has me thinking about how I can incorporate more layers of color into my home.

 

Check out what the link-party hosts did in responce to this challenge!

• Katie @ Bower Power  (My kids need this)
• Sherry @ Young House Love (Loved her go-with the flow attitude when working on her projects!)
• Kate @ Centsational Girl (I've been thinking Brad and I need to tackle a carpentry project together... hm)
• Michelle @ Ten June (SUPER CUTE!!!)

Have you made any art pieces for your home lately? Anyone else addicted to Pinterest? 

To My 2 Year Old Daughter

 

 Her first single french braid,

 Her first pig tail french braids. 

 Play Dough has been a fun activity lately - you do really well making "pancakes."

 Love the look of consentration. 

 

Her prompted smile.

 My little ballerina.

 Dancing with Caroline

 I love the action in this picture. 

 

 Dancing must build quite an appetite - because you brought Caroline quite a treat after your routine. 

 Such a fashonista.

 My helper, washing potatoes

Dear Lucy,

You are TWO. Seriously - Momma can't believe you've been in our family for two whole years. In some ways it seems like you've been with us for f.o.r.e.v.e.r, it's hard to remember what life was like when you weren't in daddy's and my life. But in other ways, it seems like we just had your first ultrasound, picked your name and brought you home from the hospital.

Lu, you are such a wonderful mix of a little person. You can be moody, you can be sweet, you can be selfish, you can share, you can cuddle, you can need your space, you can be extremely intelligent and you can do silly things.

You are NOT a morning/after nap person. You sang me parts of "you are my sunshine" the other day and made me cry. You hit Michael with a toy today, when he went to play with it. You offered some of your cake pop, your most favorite treat, to your brother saying, "Try some Michael, real good!"  You counted to 14, when I thought you could only couint to 11. You threw down your food, in defiance, when i told you to take two more bites. The other day, I had a (HUGE) zit on my face, you said, "Bubble mamma. Hurt?" When Michael is sad, you let me know and provide a solution, "Michael crying! Jumpy Seat?" The other morning you went in, while he was still sleeping and told him, "Good morning Michael, mamma get you!" You spelled your name while we were coloring yesterday, I wrote and said "L" and you said "U. C. Y!" You think all letters are Q, R or O. You are independant and definitely an oldest child.

Sweet girl. You pray every night, thanking Jesus and telling Him you love him. You request "Jesus Loves Me" often. We have a kissing routine: Cheek 1, Cheek 2, Nosies (Eskimo Kisses), Regular kiss, Forehead Kiss (which you made up - we touch foreheads). You thank Jesus every night for our friends Josh, Laura and Kaelah, Mamma and Daddy, Michael and Ellie. Some nights you mention your bed, our house and food. :) When you are struggling to go to bed, we go in and pray with you that Jesus would help you obey, you seem to be very receptive to prayer.

It is our hope that you know how much Jesus does love you and our prayer that your love for Him continues to grow.

I love you my big girl,

Your Mamma

Relationships, Restored

Have you ever had a day or week that you just weren't "jiving" with your spouse? That's been us around here for the past few days, no details are needed - we just were having a difficult time getting along. Last night, after a most difficult trip to the grocery store, we got the kids fed and in bed and were able to sit down and talk. Apologies were made, forgiveness extended and eventually, we prayed together.

Earthly relationship - restored.

Today, in the quiet of the morning I knew I should have a repentant spirit and confess some of the heart-issues that were tied to Brad's and my week. But my journal entry this morning started like this: Jesus, My heart is so hard. I wanted to confess but didn't know where to start and honestly, part of me still didn't want to go there.

As I continued to journal my prayer or, more accurately, as I started defending my sinful actions a verse my dad had me memorize as a kid kept coming up in my mind, "Put away all bitterness..." I couldn't remember where it was located in scripture, so I looked up "bitterness" in the back of my bible and the concordance pointed me to Ephesians 4:31.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, underline mine)

Your Word is living and active, cutting to my very core.

My eyes skimmed the rest of chapter 4 and I knew the Holy Spirit had a renewing work to do in my heart.

Here are my observations from Ephesians 4, I pray they are an encouragement to you today.

I am called to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel (4:1), no longer am I to be content in my old way of life (4:17) - defined by selfishness and hardheartedness (4:19) - but taking Christ as my EXAMPLE (4:20) I am to renew my mind (4:23) and put on my new self which is created after the likeness of God (Gen 1:26), untainted with sin, in true righteousness and holiness (4:24). Because of the TRUTH that is in Jesus (4:21) - the fact that I was lost in my sin and he died to pay the penalty for all my wrongs and now, because I believe his sacrifice was enough and accept it on my behalf - I am sealed with the Holy Spirit (4:30) and am capable of putting away (4:22, 25, 31) my old self, complete with the old ways of communication (4:25, 29, 31) and capable of being kind and tenderhearted and quick to forgive (4:32). ALL BECAUSE GOD IN CHRIST FORGAVE ME (4:32). 

I set down my bible and journal this morning with a fresh appreciation for the gospel. God met me where I was at. He reminded me that he saved me, loved me and has not only called me, but equipped me to live to a better life.

He can do the same for you. 

Heavenly relationship - restored.

Plaid Short Day

Due to the fact that I have a son and a daughter - my kids can't match very often but I often have them coordinate. Why? No other reason than I think it is adorable. :)    

Example: Plaid Short Day

I didn't anticipate Lucy being such a camera-disliker.  We are working on it.  Michael, for now - will still look when I call his name but Lucy.... oh man.... she becomes very engrossed in her current activity and will not look my direction. I'm hoping it is just a stage.

Michael LOVES his sister - he loves watching her play, he loves it when she talks to him, he loves it when she sings to him. And for the most part, she does really well with him. :)

I did say for the most part.... we don't usually encourage the eating of feet. :)

I think plaid shorts are pretty cute... what about you?

Bucket Boy

You know the feeling. 

You are rolling around, minding your own buisness, having a great time and all of a sudden, you find yourself stuck inside a bucket!

Michael found himself in this exact situation the other day.

I actually saw the roll that landed him in the bucket - it was laying on it's side and he just pivoted himself right in. :) It was pretty cute, would you agree?

Five Months

 5 Month Accomplishments:

• Rice Cereal! See previous post for details. :) 
• Rolling like cRaZy. If rolling was a sport in the olympics, Michael could try out. He does not stay still - very different from his sister who never utalized her rolling skills to move very far - and often cries out for rescue when he gets stuck (ie. rolls into a wall or under a table). 
• Bumbo Boy. If Michael isn't rolling around on the ground, he is in the Bumbo seat - he LOVES to be with people (such a socialite) and really enjoys sitting with us at the table in his special seat. 
• Teeth! Michael got TWO teeth at 4 1/2 months old, two weeks sooner than his sister!
• Laughing a lot. It doesn't take much to get this little boy to grin, let alone giggle. There were two instances this last month that I merely smiled at Michael and he laughed uncontrollably! I guess I do look silly sometimes. :)

Remember you can always click on the image to see the captions on a larger scale. :) 

To see Lucy at 5 months, click here.

Photo Journal: An Average Monday Morning