this is our happily ever after

Giveaway #1 {Heart}

Crazy as it may seem....today is my 39th Birthday.  My last year in my 30's has begun (sigh). It doesn't seem possible (I know my parents certainly feel that way), but the calendar doesn't lie.  

I'm embracing my 39th year as fully as I can.  And next year....when I turn 40...I hope I can look back on this year as the year that I really got it all together.  HA!  All joking aside I know that God is, and has been calling me to write....He's been knocking on the door of my heart with ideas for almost 7 years now and it's time.  

Time to be brave.

Time to be obedient.

Time to surrender.

Time to focus and get going!

I hear God speak to me most clearly during my quiet times with Him.  I know it's shocking that when I actually sit down and tune in to His Word I can clearly hear what He's asking me to do.  (not audibly....just that whisper in my heart that says...what are you waiting for?)

For the next few weeks I'm going to be working through Jennie Allen's book, Restless. I don't care if you're 20 or 90, I think everyone can gain something from reading this book. Here are a few excerpts to give you a feel for what this book is all about:

"You have threads of life blowing around, possibly even strangling you---threads that are meant to bind together and become your unique, God-given contribution to a world in need." (p13)

"This is about understanding the story of God and how to play our parts in it, to serve him and his people while we are here." (p34)

"What if the darkest moments of your life God intended for good? And what if the purest moments of bliss contained your greatest contributions to this world? God speaks through story because that is how we best understand the most important things." (p91)

If you think you would enjoy reading and working through this book then enter this giveaway.  To be entered leave me a comment on this post.  If you follow me on instagram and get blog updates through the feedburner leave me a note in the comment section so you gain additional entries.  This giveaway will end on July 5th...US residents only, please 

 

Scripture Printable --Hebrews 12:11

Happy Monday Friends---

Here's the Scripture that I'll be memorizing over the next 2 weeks.  I'm focusing on having discipline in what I eat (reducing gluten and sugar, increasing veggies, fruit, and whole grains) and discipline in getting up early enough to have a substantial quiet time.  

What area are you needing discipline in?  

Scripture Printable--Ephesians 5:15-16

I came across this underlined verse in my Bible and knew it had to be the next memory verse.  I'm working on a devotional/thoughts/ramblings to go along with this verse that I hope to post next Monday.  That is one of my goals for 2014, to write a devotional to go along with the verse I choose to memorize. 

One things I've really been analyzing lately is how I spend my time.  This verse seemed to go along with that, in my mind.  I'll share more in my devotional next week.  

Until then...here's the printable.  right click.save.print to 4x6.  

I have more blog posts in the works for this week, so check back!  I know I've been a blog slacker...forgive me...again...just trying to make the most of my time and figure out what's the most important...blogging is moving up the list. 

memory verse monday (psalm 37:5-7a)

Over a year and a half ago I shared this verse here, but felt the desire and need to commit it to heart.  I can't quite put into words what God is stirring in me, but this verse seems to tug at my heart.  I am continually trying to FOCUS on God's purpose for my life and my family.  I want to commit everything I do to the Lord.  One thing I feel Him continually calling me back to is writing devotionals and sharing them here on my blog.  I'm just trying to figure out where to fit the writing in to my schedule.  

I totally admire people who have a specific vision for their lives, stay focused on it, and see it come to fruition....complete admiration from this consistently inconsistent person!!!  

Right click, save, and print on a 4x6 piece of cardstock  This card is from the kraft edition of digital project life

Scripture Printable--Psalm 119:37

In my journal I have written a list of Scriptures I'd like to memorize this year.  I continually add to the list as I read through God's Word and His Spirit brings certain verses to light.  I wrote down this week's verse sometime in December and knew I would memorize it early in 2014.  

I just finished week 1 of Jen Hatmaker's Interrupted Bible study....ummm, WOW!!!  If you've ever read any of Jen's work such as 7-A Mutiny Against Excess you know that she (along with conviction from the Holy Spirit) will make you feel really uncomfortable.  Though I do have a few small issues with Jen Hatmaker it doesn't make any of what she writes about less true.  

I'll be honest--I didn't choose this book.  Our church is having all of the Life Groups split up into a men's group and woman's group.  The men are reading and working through Fight by Craig Groeschel and the women are reading and working through Interrupted. 

So where am I going with all of this?  This verse stuck out to me when I looked over my list of verses this morning.  THIS is what I need to burn into my  heart these next two weeks.  I can get so stinkin focused on what is worthless and lose focus of what is worthwhile.  Whether it's putting my phone down to have real conversations, getting off the computer to engage my family, or staying away from Marshalls even though I really want a new shirt to wear.  I don't know about you, but the world pulls at my attention all the time and I only become more distracted.  I just want to seek out life in His ways...abundant life!

Enjoy the printable...it's of course from digital Project Life, specifically the Coral Edition.  Let me know if you're memorizing with me friends!  Blessings,  Angela

Scripture Printable--Philippians 4:8

Last year I made an effort to create a new Scripture printable each week, this year I've decided that two per month is a better idea.  Weeks seem to fly by and sometimes I just can't get a verse memorized in 7 days (sad, but true).  

Here is the first one in the 2014 series.  It is actually my verse for the year.  If you plan on printing these out and memorizing along with me, would you please leave me a comment?  I'd love to know I have friends out there walking in the truth with me.  

As always I'm using Project Life Digital Templates for each printable....this just makes it so easy for me to type up a verse to share with you, but it's cuter than just plain paper!  This template is from the Coral Edition, gorgeous!!

Right click to save and print.  I'm going to only use 4x6 templates this year so if you want to get a little photo album to stick your cards in that will work well.  

Here's to FOCUSING on HIM this year!

 

*Normally I will post a new verse every other Monday.  You can expect the next verse on January 13.

Glimpses of Christmas 2013

We've just returned from a long weekend away in the Hill Country of Texas where we went to Sea World, shopped in Gruene, saw the foundation for my parent's new home, had brunch with Kelly, and spent some family time relaxing.  

It was wonderful.

Before I jump into the excitement that a new year always holds for me I wanted to take a blog post and dedicate it to all things Christmas in our home this year.  The decorating and celebrating.  This is basically a whole month's worth of life in one post....there may be a few dozen photos...you've been warned!

We decorated for Christmas as soon as Thanksgiving was over.  

Karsten was fascinated by the nativity.  This particular nativity was purchased by my Mom in Bethlehem...it's pretty special!  Several times during this past month the animals or the baby Jesus would be found among Karsten's train tracks!  Toddlers are so fun...and mischievious!

 

My Mom made this Beary Merry Christmas for my brother and I when we were little.  There's a little stuffed bear that  you move each day of December.  Karsten loved this new tradition and I'm so glad my Mom saved it for him!  It hung in his room and each night he would move the bear before bed.

 

He was also a big fan of moving ornaments around on the tree.  He has his own tree in his playroom, but as soon as "mommy's tree" (as he referred to it) went up then he wanted to move all of his ornaments to my tree and then he would move them around each day.

 

I love capturing shots of his hands at work...one of my favorite things to photograph!

 

I

 

I was big into burlap this Christmas...I found new stockings for Brian and I at Target (on sale) and made a quick banner out of burlap flags I found at Hobby Lobby.  One of my Christmas presents from my Mom was this beautiful angel made out of wood, burlap, and metal!  I love her!

I adhered the JOY onto our wall using command strips....it may or may not come down after Christmas!  

Christmas cookies

 

Christmas cactus and bokeh...always a favorite

 

Karsten's first experience with Christmas ads!

 

 

Looking at Christmas lights

addressing over 100 Christmas cards

Zoe and string...I used alot of this string in gift wrapping this year.  It looked cute with kraft paper.  I got the whole spool at Hobby Lobby for less than $3!

 

one big hot Christmas wrapping paper/present mess!

 

Christmas Eve at my aunt and uncle's...Karsten was excited to open presents!

Michael and Emily (parents to be!)

 

Karsten received some of those capsules that you dissolve to reveal different shaped sponges.  Much of Christmas Eve was doing this!

 

Christmas Morning--I like the idea of something being unwrapped under the tree, but Brian wanted K's two big gifts to be wrapped, so I chose to just take this little Ikea toy out of it's package and set it under the tree.  Karsten spent 10 minutes pulling it around...he was clueless about what was in store for him within the gift wrap!

 

a new soccer ball

which of course was put to use immediately

 

One of his big gifts

 

who's more excited???  

 

a firetruck!!!

 

 

the extended ladder is taller than he is!

 

hey look....I was there too!

 

dinos

 

His last big gift....Tidmouth Sheds (a part of the Thomas the Train collection)  He was so excited about this and has played with it every day for at least an hour!

The next day we played with this fishing game which I might say is quite tricky!

He also took his firetruck outside the next day and Brian put water in the reservoir and then they pumped the water out.  If you look closely you can see the stream of water....it goes really far!

it's also a good water fountain for the t-rex

So that pretty much sums up the Christmas Season in our home!  I'm always excited as Christmas approaches, but I'm equally excited about the beginning of a new year.  That's what tomorrow's blog post will be about!  Check back!

to elf...or not to elf?

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!  As some call it, Black Friday...I do wonder however if it should continue to be called Black Friday when many stores opened on Thanksgiving...I have such a huge problem with that, but that's another soapbox... for never.  This morning, I did score 60% off a coat for Karsten at Carters and 60% off + 25% off of frames and a few needed things at Michael's.  There are some great deals out there, but not much we need!  

Now to what this blog post is really about...to elf (on the shelf) or not to elf (on the shelf)?  I'll be honest, I really went back and forth on whether to add this to our Christmas tradition or not.

I think it's a cute concept.

Kids totally dig it.  

The elf is adorable.

It creates excitement for the season.

It's a great way to get your kids to behave, or to scare them into behaving.

I even read a great blog post last year about how a Christian family incoorporates the elf into the real REASON FOR THE SEASON!  

However....we've decided that the Moore family will not be partaking in the elf on the shelf tradition.  Please know there is seriously no judgment on those who make this a part of their Christmas season...it's just not for us.  

For one thing...I'm desperately seeking simplification in my life.  Having to remember to move an elf around the house every night (or heaven help me...create scenes for the elf) just seems like one thing that I don't need to add to my already too long list!  

Trust me...we are not scrooges...in fact we're adding three new, simple traditions for Karsten this year.  He's old enough to get "it" and certainly teachable enough to begin learning that Christmas is a time for giving in celebration of Christ's birthday.  We've already been sorting through his toys and clothes and making piles for Baby Sean, my cousin's baby.  In his precious little voice K will say "Give to baby Sean?" We're also going to be buying a few things to send to our World Vision child, Edison (who is Karsten's age).

I'll be sharing our new traditions soon, but one of them is based on the ebook Truth in the Tinsel that I purchased yesterday. Scroll to the bottom of the Truth is in the Tinsel link to see a video of what's it's all about!  The Mom Creative reviewed it yesterday and it's exactly what I had been looking for. I purchased the additional ornament add on because I don't think K is quite old enough to make the craft ornaments...so this year we'll just color an ornament each day and hang them on the tree in his playroom. I LOVE that there is Scripture each day that we'll read and then we can talk about it as he colors the ornament.  I plan on dating and keeping his ornaments each year to see how his coloring/craftiness improves with age :)

So, there may be no elf excitement in the Moore house, but there will certainly be some Jesus excitement and that's exactly what we're going for!

 

memory verse monday (week 19)

Continuing the passage from Ephesians 3

memory verse monday (week 18)

Better late than never, right?!  This verse continues the passage I'll be memorizing over the next few weeks. 

God willing week nineteens verse will be up on Monday!