Favorite Things 2012

I am linking up with the Nester for her Favorite Things Party (gifts under $15).  Here are a few of my favorite things...

One Thousand Gifts

Still one of my favorite books, outside of the Bible or course.  Ann Voskamp speaks straight to the heart in this challenging and beautiful book on gratefulness and thanksgiving.  God has used this book to change my perspective and help me grow in many ways.  Click on the link above the image to order from Christian Book Distributors; currently they are selling it for only $7.99.  I bought this book for 3 of my girlfriends this year.

 Tazo Organic Zen Tea

I had this wonderful tea at a friend's wedding.  I have to quote Tazo and what they say about this tea, couldn't say it better myself, "Through the screened front door, zingy lemongrass and spritely spearmint coax contemplative pan-fired green teas to come play. Calmly, lemon verbena opens the door and invites them all to a cup of tea."  It also helped that the server brought me this tea with a personal tea pot and matching cup; made for a total whimsical experience.  $12.95 on Amazon for 24 bags (please consider using the amazon link found on our friend's blog to order, which will help support their upcoming adoption).

Chocola Tea (Loose Leaf Tea)

You can order Chocola Tea's loose leaf tea online (click on the link above the image).  One of my favorites is Princess Sarah (their own special blend of peppermint and licorice- herbal tea).  It sells for $2.85 an ounce.  I am currently enjoying a green tea blend from them, Green Christmas.  They also have individual tea bags/filters so you can enjoy a cup of loose leaf tea without making a whole pot; genius.  Can you tell I like tea?!  They also sell Rooibos tea, Cream Caramel is one of my favorites.  It also sells for $2.85 an ounce as well.

Paperback Swap

Some of my friends (homeschool moms) told me about this site (Paperback Swap).  It is a wonderful way to get rid of books you no longer want or need and get some that you do.  You have to post 10 books to set up an account, and then as people request your books and you mail them out (at book rate) you receive credits to order books of your own (for free).  I have received numerous books this way and it has been so fun; easy and affordable (you only pay shipping on the books you send out and nothing for the books you receive).  Just checked my e-mail and I have another book request waiting, yeah more free books!  Would you mind mentioning my name as a referral when you sign up?  It is free to sign-up and if no one from your address has joined this site before you get two free book credits.  Win, win!

Tiny Prints (Cards)

I have enjoyed ordering from Tiny Prints this year.  They have creative and quality products (cards, invitations, stationary, etc.).  I ordered some of our Christmas cards from them this year and was very pleased with them.  I also ordered a set of cards for a gift too. The card above starts at $2.39 each (if you order 10) and keeps going down the more you order.  They offer numerous on-going discounts as well.  If you order today (Monday, Dec. 17h) you can save 15%-20% on your holiday orders with code: dec20sw

Well, there you have it...5 of my favorite products from 2012. I hope this post helps you with any last minute shopping you have for Christmas or any gifts you may need in 2013.  Of course the greatest gifts are not things, but relationships and investing in the lives of those around you.  I am thankful for the priceless gift of Christ and how He is the gift that keeps giving, never breaks, and is just what we need and want; in Him is true purpose, fulfillment and salvation. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15  "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (vs. 15)

Our Fall Photo Review

Since I mostly write over at Deep Breaths, I thought I should pause and post some more recent family pictures here.

The fall of 2012 has been good and challenging too.  This fall kicked off a busy season in our lives; I miss the days that were more simple and less scheduled.  We are involved in two homeschool groups (which are wonderful, but keep us hopping).  This fall both Darling Daughter and Sunshine Head played soccer.  And all of us go to Awana each week too.  Thankfully we have a break from soccer for awhile (until Spring).

Here is our fall review in photos:

The beginning of the school year!

Our friend Kristin showed us this great small orchard that sells apples at reasonable prices, we enjoyed homemade applesauce from here.

Hubby joined in on the grape picking fun and helped juice them; yum!

We traveled down to South Carolina from my cousin Sarah's wedding; so good to see the southern relatives!

The kids all dolled up in their wedding clothes

I love this guy!

The kids had so much sweating fun at the reception.  Darling daughter, singing "Call Me Maybe" with the band.

Cold soccer Saturdays.

The cooperative posing that I am so thankful for!

The horse crazy one enjoying her monthly lesson with Spring Willow.

I took a photography class online this fall and started a photography business, Imprints Photography.  Took this photo to document our wait for baby #4. It has been quite the journey of ups and downs; in the Lord we keep hoping and waiting.

Hubby is growing out his beard!

Merry Christmas!  We hope you have had a great 2012.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Summer Mantel

 

When I looked up the word mantle, instead of mantel, one of the definitions was "a part of a bird's anatomy".  I found this interesting since I kind of went with a bird theme for our summer "mantel" (which is really not a mantle, but the top of our piano). 

The reason I went with the bird theme was because I have been intrigued with them lately.  My parents got the kids two bird feeders and a bird identifying book and it has been fun to see our new little friends in the backyard.

But, more than that birds have been a trigger of hope  The girl name we have picked out (for Baby #4) is a bird name, Larkin (Lark for short).  We liked the name, and then Hubby looked up the definition and it said larks are known for their melodious songs.  We were sold on the name then for sure; this time of waiting for Baby #4 (to adopt) has been marked by song.

I also love to get fresh bouquets from our yard; to bring the outside in.  For the two bouquets on the "mantel" I added some surprises; a flowering chive, a sprig of rosemary from the garden, and a few cuts of black raspberries.

I also redid the entertainment center "mantel" too.  I focused more on colors here; the bright yellow and turquoise.  "Give Thanks" is our family theme for this year, so I kept those pieces highlighted as well.  The piece of fabric wrapped around the plant also has birds on it.  As I mentioned in a previous post, one of my sis-in-laws gave me this cut of fabric to remind us to keep hoping and waiting for baby.

The best thing about the "mantels" is that I didn't spend any money, I used what I had or had been given to me (at one time I spent a few dollars between the two white containers and one of the birds).  It felt good to freshen things up without going shopping; just rearranging.

I have been drawn to these colors lately too, salmon, turquoise, red, chocolate brown, and bright yellow.  Reminds me of the bright colors of summer.

Hope you have a great one!

I am linking up with the The Lettered Cottage (see button below), for some reason I am having some trouble displaying the link, so just scroll below and click on their link.

The Difference a Year Makes

The earth rotates around the sun once.  A year passes.  We grow.  We change.  What a difference a year makes.

The peonies that once grew in my Poppy's yard; moved to my Mom's yard, then transplanted to our yard...grow thicker, more beautiful, more hearty this year than last.  One year of waiting brought more beauty.

We have gotten 10 "no's"....10 "not yets"...on Baby #4, waiting to adopt the one we love already.  Waiting longer than we anticipated.  Yet we grow closer, we love deeper, we communicate more openly....10 years, now almost 11; gift of grace, this marriage.  One year of waiting of made love truer.

He, youngest, grew up.  Almost four, and potty-trained just in time for birthday.  A faster runner, more independent, feet large like bricks wearing size 11 now.  He with the light in eyes and smile that melts, he grew.  One year of growing led to exit from toddlerhood to big boy emerging.

Last year I canned jam; delicious but taxing.  This year I did freezer jam, easier.  One year of "wising up" helped me learn that superwoman isn't a real person and I don't have to do all the things I think I should.  Celebrate small successes and shake off the guilt that accuses when you say "no" for the sake of margin and what is best for the family.  One year of learning (from many failures and some successes) births sweeter fruit.

He and she helped me pick strawberries this year.  They worked hard, they eased the load, they got along.  A great reminder to not give up, but keep going; keep working at being better parents and better nurturers of their precious lives; and keep entrusting their ultimate well-being to their Father God. Galatians 6:9  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  One year of growing produced more maturity.

One year older, and she is as tall as a bean pole...legs that don't end.  Highlighted hair and asking when she can wear deodorant.  She unloads the dishwasher now, not just the silverware (sometimes without complaining).  She is growing up; on inside and out.  One year down the road leads to new chapters being read and others waiting to be written.

What a difference one year makes.  Things you thought would happen don't and things you didn't plan on happen; and you are surprised.  Unpredictable weather brings a beautiful plant of tangled roots, seed-bearing fruit, and freezer jam (not canned).  You look back, thankful for the hard even though it's hard.  Thankful for the blessings, growing even more precious with the passing of one year.

Psalm 90:12  "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Creating, Saving, and Cheering

I found this frame the other day.  I removed the broken glass and added scrapbook paper and embellishments, that I had on hand, to create this art piece for our bedroom.  It was fun to spruce things up for free!

Here is a closer view of each panel (Project supplies: various scrapbook papers, brads, tape runner to secure paper panels to the frame mat, black Creative Memories pen, flower embellishments).

Also a shout out to the gals at Savings Addiction (check out their blog if you haven't, LOTS of great deals and savings ideas, www.savingsaddiction.com) for this great deal tip from The Canvas People www.canvaspeople.com.  I only had to pay shipping to turn one of my photographs into a canvas art piece.  Shipping was around $15, and the canvas was free. Normally the canvas alone would have been $49.99  There is still time to get this great deal, check it out!

And a big thanks to Jen Wood, facebook friend, who tipped me off to a great deal on baby slings from www.sevenslings.com

I got 2 slings, a matching bracelet and baby leg warmers (they are too cute) for $5 plus the cost of shipping, around $23 (and saved $120 retail).  Banner exceeds the weight limit, so Brooke lent me her baby doll Natalie to use to test out the slings. Can't wait till we can try it out with our baby!  Please pray, the wait continues (we are growing a lot during this season of waiting but ready for it to come to an end soon)...

I am also having a little too much fun with couponing.  I only shop at Meijer for most everything and Walgreens (when they have free or discounted photo offers).  I use Savings Addiction and Money Saving Mom (check out their blogs) primarily for deals ideas and use coupon.com, smartsource.com and Meijer's mperks are my coupon sources.  The other day I saved $74.74 at Meijer!  It is quite a thrill to save this much, especially when Meijer already has items on sale and then you can combine your mperks coupons and your manufacturer's coupons- a triple savings!  My favorite things about this recent order was the deal Meijer ran on some of their organic products.  If you purchased 10 items you received $5 off instantly.  We did this deal twice and filled our cupboards with some of our favorite, yummy and healthy items.

I have some more deals coming in the mail (a free shutterfly 8x8 scrapbook, 50 free prints, and a carseat cover- only paid shipping on all of them)!  Again thanks to the above mentioned for this tips.  Friends can be a great resource for deals too.  My friend Jennifer just bought 4 tank tops at Target last week (with a sale that ended last Saturday and with online coupons).  She only paid $12 plus tax! 

It does take time to coupon, but it doesn't have to be all consuming.  Do what works for you.  For me limiting my stores to 2 (unless there is an incredible deal of something I really need or want) has helped greatly, and trying to just buy items that we can use now or in the near future.  I am not stockpiling things, but sometimes have a few extras on hand to use or give to others.  I love seeing how much I save and doing a little dance about it.:)  I know there are tons of others who do a much better job with all this, but I am having fun!

I will end with some soccer shots of Kale.  He is so enjoying soccer as much as we are enjoying watching him and cheering him on.  I am glad that he gets this special time to do something by himself; good job buddy!

Yes, their jerseys are really this bright- easy to spot on the fields though!

Adam and is having fun working with Kale on his skills.

Every good player needs a memorable celebration move:)

Nice throw in son!

 

 

Hope you are all having a lovely spring.  So thankful for friends and family.  Looking forward to visitors in the next two weeks.