Giveaway over at Tales of the Motherhood

I have blogged about this amazing lady before.
She was an actress when she was a kid.
She's a God-lovin' crazy mama.
She's my friend.
She totally rocks.
She wrote an awesome book you should all buy.
She has a super hilarious way of telling mom's about real life! And she's got a cute family, to boot!

And she's hosting a giveaway on her blog today! With one of my bags!

Also, a couple other prizes. But how sweet is she?! Head on over and check out how to win.

DIY Wreath Roundup

Hi all! Since I didn't have time this week to do my own DIY, I thought I'd give you guys a bunch of cute ideas for decorating your front door for the holidays.  For your crafting pleasure, I present...wreaths of all kinds! Ta-da!

Clothespin Wreath

Acorn Wreath

felt flower wreath

Pencil and Cork Wreath

Shimmer Wreath

Non-creepy Halloween Wreath

Yarn and Felt Wreath

Tulle Apple Wreath

Paper Leaves Wreath

orange burlap wreath

evergreen wreath at BHG

Martha's Autumn Wreath

I hope all have fun looking at these and getting inspired to decorate!
Blessings!

I know way too much about Zachary Levi and James Roday.

I'm not really into TV. My friends and family know this. Of course there've been exceptions.  From time to time I decide to work my way through an entire series, which I've done with the Cosby Show, Alias, Lost, Gilmore Girls, Monk, Psych, and Chuck.  These shows have been, for the most part, pretty appropriate and clean.
There are, however, times in my life when I do get into a few shows at a time, and right now, I'm pretty excited about two particular ones starting up again next month that I've been following since the beginning.

and

 It is also possible that I've googled and youtube'd Zachary Levi and James Roday, and subsequently know way too much about them, like who is engaged, who can sing, who changed their names, etc..  It's possible.
Not sayin that's what I did.
Cuz that would be kinda super creepy and a little very weird.

Anyway, these shows start up mid-October and I'm sure you'll be seeing references to them on this here bloggy thing.  I like the charity that Zac Levi promotes called Operation Smile.  If you haven't heard of it, go here and check it out.  Very cool.

Have you ever thought to pray for a celebrity? I don't know quite why, but ever since I started walking with the Lord, at certain points in my life, I've felt compelled to pray for a certain celebrity. Particularly those who are trying to live as a Christian in that world. I can imagine it would be nearly impossible, aside from making sacrifices and choices that would not be popular there.

The star of Chuck who I mentioned above, Zachary Levi, is a Christian.  Years ago, more towards the beginning of his career, he did this Q&A with Relevant Magazine.  I was honestly quite surprised at some of his answers, and don't know if he still feels the way now that he did then.  He did another interview with them a few years back and said that yes, he indeed still loves God.  From what I can tell, Zac has maintained a personal relationship with Jesus even in that world. How, I really have no idea. The parties, temptations...yuck.

So it may seem silly to you, but I'm praying for him, and for celebrities like him, who desire to live for God. Who may feel ashamed for choices they've made that they felt were beyond their control. Who maybe feel like they can't come back to God because they've denied him too many times, or played roles/said things/did things that weren't glorifying to God.  Or maybe they think they're doing just fine, walking the line between living for God or for the world and success. Or maybe they really do love Jesus, and they just want to keep on loving Him.

Either way, next time you hear of a Christian in Hollywood, pray for them!

DIY Matchbook Style Mini Notebooks out of Paint Chips!

Cost: $0.
Fun: Lots.
Cuteness: off the charts.

I thought this is a really cute idea to make for a stocking stuffer for Christmas, or you could make a bunch of them, put them together in a set and give them as a gift! Add little stickers or stamps to them to make them even prettier, or personalize them with initials, etc. So many possibilities.

Go get your stuffs!

Supplies:
Paint chips (Lowe's, Walmart, Home Depot, just go grab a handful in all sizes!)
Paper
Pen
Scissors
Stapler

1. Take your paint chip and fold the top down, I'd say about 3/4". Like so.

2. Fold the bottom part up so that it tucks under the top flap. Like so!

3. Cut your paper to fit inside. I cut mine about 1/4" smaller than the inside of the packet.

4. Tuck your paper in under the top flap and staple it in.

5. Tuck your bottom flap under the top to close your notebook and voila! A cute little matchbook style mini-notebook. :) You like? I do!

Go check out this tutorial also, for some cute ideas on how to personalize these little notebooks! Bye now!

I may or may not have lost it.

My mind. I may have lost it. Or just about.
But thankfully, I have a husband that can tell when I'm on the verge of losing it.
When my firstborn goes off to Kindergarten, my 4 year old goes back to preschool, and I find it ridiculously hard to adjust to our new life.
Then, the aforementioned husband does things like this:

I love my man and he loves me. And boy, does he know me. Cherry Garcia? Hello. Get in my belly.

Still don't believe it.

And don't even try to convince me, ok?
Cuz I'm not buyin' it.
It is not even possible that Rowan is in Kindergarten.
Is it?
It is. Ok.

I need a sec.

I'm sort of a freak. I still can't get over it.
Why is it so hard to believe how far he's come in the past 2 years?
I mean really?
I think about what Ro was like before we started the GFCF diet, all the other treatments and the ABA therapy. 
Before he could even tell us his name, what he wanted for breakfast, if he had to go potty, if he was sad, mad, if he wanted us to stop what we were doing...he couldn't communicate at. all.
And I remember being in the pits of despair last year, wondering if God was even real, and if He is, what in the world was He thinking? Does He even know what is going on here?!

Things are always harder when you can't see what they're good for.  What possible good could come out of Ro having autism right now? What possible good could come from going to the darkest place in my heart? What could possibly be the reason for the agony our hearts went through when we were told that our firstborn son was not what we dreamed he would be.

I'll tell you what good came of it.

This.

And this.

And this.

Because God IS real, and He works all things together for the good of those who love Him.  Sometimes, the only way to see the reason for things is to get to the bottom of where you are so that all you can do is look up and see God. And give it all up. Ya know? Anyone been there too?

Ro is in a mainstream class. Doesn't even need a 1:1 aide.  I never knew if I'd ever say that. And you know what his teachers say?

"Rowan is amazing! He keeps surprising us with things he knows and can do! I can't even believe it! He is such a joy."

I still believe he will be healed. Because whether now or later, God's glory is gonna be shown in his life, even more than it has been thus far. And because we asked Him to heal him. And because I believe God is bigger than autism, and in His perfect timing, He'll do it. Someday.

In the meantime, I enjoy every second with Rowan, where he's at and all of the things he's learning and growing in.  I take none of it, not even one second, for granted.
And with my family.
With these children who keep me on my toes and drive me to the brink of insanity while at the same time causing my heart to burst out of my chest with love.  I savor every moment with my husband, watching him raise these kids in integrity and in the Word. Teaching them about the Lord.  

And just to brag on Joel a little, here's something that happened that made my day.
The kids came down this morning and this was our conversation.

Asher: "Hey mommy, God spoke to Samuel!"
Me: "Well, yes He did honey."
Asher: "Yeah, and Samuel heard Gods' voice."
Me: "Yeah!"
Bella: "Samuel said, "here I am, Lord."
Me: "Wow you guys, you know all about Samuel! Where did you learn this?"
Asher: "Daddy teaches us in our room when we go to bed. And mommy, Jesus lives in my heart."

Yeah. That's my husband. And I'm keeping him forever.

The hard stuff is worth it.  The sacrifices are always worth it, if God is telling you to go for it. Whatever it is that you are battling, don't be afraid to dream big and go for gold. Go for God. Believe that He really does know what He's doing. You can be mad that you're going through it. You can even be angry that God is letting it happen.
But do not, for one second, forget that He is good. Above all, He is good. And He knows what He's doing. And there's a peace that passes understand, and you can have it, if you want it. Just ask and wait. And believe He's still on the throne.

He can heal Ro of autism. He hasn't, but He can.  That should make me mad but it doesn't. Know why? Cuz He's God and I'm not, and He loves Ro more than I do.  Once I really believed that, the peace came.

Go for the peace, friends. He's got it, and it's free for the taking. Just believe Him.

DIY Fall Felt Leaves Garland

What?! Another garland?!
Yes but aren't you so glad? This one is just what your house needs to feel like fall is here. Believe me, this is coming from a girl who hates avoids decorating for the seasons.  This garland is the least cheesy kind of ornamentation for your home, and I think could be left up well past fall and into the winter! Let's get to it.
Ok, supply time.

Supplies:

Embroidery floss in a fall-ish color. I like yellow or orange.

Embroidery needle (Super cheap at any craft store or Walmart. Might come in a pack of needles.)

Felt

Scissors

1. Cut the leaves.  Super easy! And very imprecise. Don't you dare use a template! No two leaves should be the same.

2.  Thread your needle and start stitchin'. Just do a running stitch that looks like mine, all the way through your leaves, until your garland is as long as you want it!  *Mandatory. Must have cute kid walking around in background.*

3. Hang it up over your door, mantle, bed frame, mirror, whatevs! Enjoy your new fall festiveness!

Blessings! Happy fall. :)

First Day of Kindergarten...WHAT?!

Last night was one of the hardest nights of my life. Because I knew that in the morning, my 5 year old baby was no longer a baby, but a kindergartner.
As I packed his lunch box for the first time ever, I imagined him being out of my reach and control for 6 hours the next day, and I became anxious.
I am not ready for this. But you know what? I don't think we're ever ready to let our kids go.   Last night, lying in bed, Joel and I prayed that we'd be strong enough to release Rowan fully to the Lord, and trust Him completely to take care of him in this strange new place.
I hate for this entry to sound complainy but I'm just being real.  It's only 11:30 AM and I miss him already! I thought I couldn't wait for school to start and now that it's here and he's gone, I do not like it one bit!
Ok, maybe I like it a little.  It's really nice to have some alone time with Ash and Bella while Haven naps. Sometimes, in a home with a special needs kiddo, it can be tricky to spread your attention evenly between the kids so that the others don't feel neglected.  We've been careful about this, but now it is going to be much easier to spend some quality time with them.
Public school was not our first choice for Ro. We wanted him to attend the Christian school with Asher, but the Lord made it clear that it wasn't time for that.  So in the meantime, we are really believing that this is the best arrangement for him and we are actually quite excited to see how he grows here. His teacher is fantastic and truly loves her job, and I can tell she already loves Ro. But seriously, how could you NOT love him?! He's totally rad.
So, a couple pics for you from my crappy phone, because I forgot my camera, because I forgot my brain this morning.

See his name?! He did. First thing.

Showing the aide the letters on the wall

reading books at his desk

My big boy!

I can't even believe it. I'm still in denial I think.

It's gonna be ok.

RIGHT?!!!

:)

Bedroom Makeover!

That's right, folks. I'm on a makeover kick and I am lovin' it! I'm not quite sure I'm 100% settled on the bedding in my room, but let me know what you think. Here is the before of the room:

BEFORE w/ a cute kid

BEFORE

Although it was cute before, it didn't really fit with my style (that I'm still discovering.) I LOVE the headboard still, but I was really looking for a brighter, happier room, as opposed to the somewhat dingy looking walls and dark comforter. The curtains we had previously were cream also, which I've developped a dislike for and prefer bright white now. So, without furhter adieu, the new bedroom!

Isn't that so nice?! Greyish white walls, bright white blanket, colorful pillows and a new happy garland.  Like I said, not totally set on the pillows but I dig it right now. As for the curtains, check it:

Bright white. And I added this sweet mexican tapestry to the closet that was previously curtain-less. Do you see that super cute sconce next to the window? It used to be brown, but since I needed more color...

BRIGHT BLUE. I'm in love.

And lastly, just an added little bonus for Joel, above his dresser:

L.O.V.E

 

And there you have it, friends!

Next on the list, Ash and Bella's room. And I'm repainting it a neutral, whitish color because apparetnly I'm obsessed with white walls!  Scananavian, maybe?! I do have an unnatural love for Ikea....

Hmm..
:)