~first day of 7th grade~

Somehow, someway, my son is old enough to be starting 7th grade today.


Today, Stephen, you start something new. And as corny as mom is sometimes, I think you realize it too. I see you changing, but staying the same. More confident. Still kind. Always thoughtful. Trying new things....but loving our traditions. Your Dad and I are so proud of you. Our love for you is unrivaled on this earth. We appreciate who you are and who you are growing to be. {We still want you to pick up after yourself better!}


Oh, and the tallness thing - 5' 9 1/2" is tall enough for 12, doncha think? :)

[Mom needs to work on her photog skillz!]




{ever silly}

~ a new perspective ~

I've been feeling a bit dissatisfied of late over several things. It is a recurring battle in my life. and I know that I will still struggle with it, but after yesterday I think it will be easier to gain perspective.

Yesterday I was sitting at my desk feeling bored and bleh and unchallenged and desiring change and wanting to be more available to enhance the quality of my family's life when the thought crossed my mind to read from Our Daily Bread. I had not read from it in a while and in my mind I said, "I bet the Lord has a message for me." So I opened the book to August 10, 2010 and read this title - Now Is Not Forever. Now is not forever! Wow! Immediately I knew the Lord did INDEED have a message for me - Now is not forever. It is a moment in my life that will pass. HAVE FAITH! In the time of the Lord, it is just a teeny blip.

Reading on - "The confidence we have as Christians is that God has something good planned for us. Suffering was not part of His original act of creation, but it serves as a temporary reminder of what happens in a world where God's order has been broken. It also motivates us to spread the word about God's plan to redeem the world from the suffering caused by sin."

SO - we can't avoid pain, loss, sadness or, in my case at this moment, dissatisfaction. However, we can know that it is all temporary. That which is not relieved in this life will for certain be relieved in heaven.

"There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

~thrifting finds!~

I haven't posted my thrift store finds in a while. Here's a few:

This one still has thrift store dust on it. I don't know if this is an old jar or not. It is gallon sized and the lid is nice and rusty. I wanted it because as a little girl we used to get milk from a friend's dairy in jars like this. I plan to use this in my craft room. Maybe it will hold spools of thread.

I'm not sure what I'll do with these. I want to use them as decor, but I'm still working on how. Should I leave them as is or upstyle them in some way? Any suggestions? LOVE the lids!!

I know EXACTLY how this one will be used! Hot Chocolate for football games! Can't wait!

This little lovely was the only one of the set and it does what it was meant to do ~ Holds my teabags!!

Ok, when I spotted this in the thrift store I only saw the tray and FELL IN LOVE! Polka dotty goodness! Then I noticed the tray had a raised area for holding a cup. Then I found the cup. It's cute, but I think I just want to use the tray. Any ideas for this?

Confession: I bought these because I'm in love with aqua. I will not be using them in my kitchen. I think I will use these in my craft room for storing odds and ends.

:)

Cutie - Patootie!

Look who's wearing the Fun Flip Flops Aunt Amy made for her!

Kenna Bear, that's who!!

Love you sweetie girl!

Is it too EaRlY for HaLLoWeen crafts?

Is it too early for Halloween crafts? I don't think so!!! The 4th of July is over, it is hotter 'n HADES outside and I'm dreaming of a serious cold front. That is plenty to get me in the Halloween/Fall crafting mood.

A while ago a saw a BOO sign that someone had created. I wish I could remember where I saw so I could give cred for the idea.

I picked up some chip board letters from Hobby Lobby and I had everything else I needed.

I used black satin finish spray paint, some Halloween papers, modge podge, an acrylic sealer, some tulle, and some "spooky" little doodads I had in my craft room. And here's is what I created to hang on my door come October. I can't wait!!

little cabin in the woods

As part of our 'stay'cation we actually 'went' away! Just a 2.5 hour drive into southeastern Oklahoma near Beaver's Bend State Park. We stayed in a lovely cabin - with air conditioning. Which is why my picture is fuzzy looking. My lens kept fogging up when I ventured outside for a picture. Whew - it was hot and humid. Inside the cabin, however, was lovely. Lots of board game playing and reading and laughter. Lots of laughter!

There was also some pancake makin' for breakfast one day!

And the little town of Broken Bow had a lovely thrift store. I'll post more about my finds there later.

And although it was too hot to do much communing with nature, the fella above spent time on our porch. I don't know if you can tell by the photo but this is a HUGE moth. I was so glad it didn't get into the cabin one evening and dart around blindly 'cause that really would have creeped me out!!

:)

STAYcation 2010!

STAYcation 2010 has begun for the Woods' family! And we're looking forward to our OFF ~ catching up, chillin' out, doing the things we ♥ and most important being THREE together!! :)

We started on Saturday with lots of lovin' on our precious Aiden. Followed by shopping and movies - Despicable Me in 3D = SO FUN! ☺

Sunday was sleeping in, a family devotional, a swim at the lake, Stephen riding in the back of the truck through a mini cloud burst, and cooking mo mo together as a family!

I captured a few pics! Now...I'm off to spray paint!