Random Friday

A few random updates, favorite things and an exciting blog series in the works....

Last week I shared with you all of the organizational things I have on my to do list.  So far, I have purchased some fun crafty items to start working on a scripture book for Silas.  And, I have to say the smash products are pretty sweet.  I'm excited about putting this together for him.

I have also began working on my home organization binder.  I should have it all completed by next week, so I will be sharing with you how I decided to put mine together.

This week I picked up one of these awesome things at Target - on sale for $12.94.  Since we have been living here I've been wanting to find something that could work as a little caddy for dropping phones and supplies, keys, change, etc. - you know, anything that comes out of our pockets. This just so happens to work perfectly and is pretty cute too.

I also love the pop of coral color which works awesome with my little secretary desk in our kitchen.  Hopefully this new caddy will help cut down on the counter clutter without turning into over-filled junk buckets.  Time will have to tell.  

On to the last thing - my new blog series.  I'm so excited about this and it's something I have been wanting to do for a long time.  Share Your Story is a series that will feature women of all ages simply sharing their story of how God has moved and worked in their lives.  There is much more to come about this and I can't wait for it to begin.  Stay tuned next week for a big kick-off!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, hope you have a great weekend!

Random Things on Friday

Random Thing One - I feel like I can't keep up with things lately.  I don't know about you, but trying to remember what meeting is when, which dr. appointment is where, how many forms are needed for this or that, what needs updating on the website, who I need to remind about something, and on and on - can get really confusing - and don't even start with me about what I'm going to make for dinner.  I need a better way of organizing my time, thoughts and plans.  I'm totally loving the fun home organizers that I've been seeing around the web and pinterest lately.  Last week Lish over at Imprintalish shared her home management binder system and totally inspired me.  I'm so doing this.

Random Thing Two - Confession time, I haven't been very good at keeping a baby book for Silas.  I have a few things written in his, but I can never remember to do it.  Instead of the usual baby book, I want to make something special for him that has lots of personal touches from us.  I came across this amazing idea from Carissa at Lowercase Letters - Scripture Scraps.  I absolutely love this.  To me, there is nothing more important we could give our son than an understanding of the love of Jesus.  I love how personal and special this is and the idea of reading it together every day is so sweet and meaningful.  What a wonderful idea right?  I'm so doing this too.

Random Thing Three - Since life is crazy sometimes -and now that you all know that I'm not that great at keeping up with a record of events or baby book for Silas- I still want to have a way to remember little things and steps along the way - without it being too complicated.  So I came across this cute little idea from Design Sponge...it's a daily journal.  This is so simple and so smart.  A card for each day of the year and a spot to jot down the little things that took place on that day.  This is so perfect for those of us who don't have a lot of time to journal but want a way to recall and remember our journey along the way.  I think if this little cutie sat on my nightstand or kitchen counter I would want to take a couple of minutes to write something down.  I guess it's all in the presentation for me.  Kind of like how yesterday Silas didn't want to eat his dinner until I presented his food on a special plate - all of a sudden his food became tasty.  This is the third thing that I'm so doing.

So I guess I have my work cut out for me.  What about you guys...have any sentimental, organizational projects that are on your to do list?  Share with us!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Linking up here:

Random Friday Thoughts

Total Randomness -

1. March Madness Anyone?  We are huge fans of the tournament around here, even taking over our entire living room for the wall of integrity.  Yesterday was an terrible day for my picks, hopefully I can redeem myself today.  This is the only time I watch basketball, except for the occasional NC State game so obviously I'm an expert when it comes to choosing the winners.

2.  We bought some paint samples for our house exterior this week, we have been wanting to get this house painted since moving in almost a year ago - can't wait for that.  Of course now I think the pollen is going to postpone the painting for a few more weeks but we have a ton of prep work to get to in the meantime.  More on that next week.

3.  We are right in the middle of our Crazy Love study.  God has challenged us throughout this study and its been awesome.  This week we looked at giving leftovers to God with our time, money, giving, prayer, worship and life.  We read the parable of the sower and had asked the question - which soil are you? We looked at Malachi 1 and learned how God feels about us treating Him as an afterthought. This was probably the toughest week so far as it really challenged us and how we live.  Our last question of the week was:  If you find yourself living an apathetic, lukewarm life - what are some things you can do to change and increase your love for God?  Here were some great answers:  Serve - this could be something as simple as giving someone a ride but serve someone every single day.  Give generously - this brings about joy in our hearts.  Pray for your enemies, put others before yourself, forgive someone, talk to someone about what God has done in your life, confess and repent of sin, let go of something.  All of these things will bring about a change in your heart, allow you to learn about God, grow closer to Him and increase your love for Him.  One of my favorite quotes of the week: "It's not about us being perfect in ourselves; it's about adopting a posture of obedience where we let go of everything we have and joyfully cling to God.  Though we fail, our passion, love and commitment to God are never in question."

4.  All of a sudden it's 85 degrees, what just happened?  This is not a complaint, I really love the spring and summer.

5.  One of the weirdest things ever happened this week - Silas went to sleep.  Ok, I know it's not the weirdest thing ever but if you know Silas you know he is anti-sleep, will fight it to the end and has an overabundance in energy.  One day this week I noticed it had gotten quiet, really quiet and when I looked over at Silas he was fast asleep on the floor.  My mind is still blown from this event.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Random Friday Thoughts

Ok, another installment of random thoughts - just what everyone has been waiting for this week.

- I'm not going to lie, we have had a bit of a rough week around here.  I have a new appreciation for parents with teenagers.   As I have shared before, our 15 year old niece has come to stay with us for a while and it's been quite the adjustment.  Something I'm learning though is you just have to take it one day at a time.  Somedays are awesome and some well...just aren't - but I'm thankful for the good and rejoice in the small things.  I know all of those small things will begin to pile up and big things will soon take place - God is faithful.

- Speaking of God, last weekend we hosted our big Disciple Now event for our entire youth group.  It was an amazing weekend for our students.  We had a great speaker - Dave Edwards, who came to share God's truth with the group over the weekend, we had great college students leading small groups and great parents who joyfully opened up their homes for a place for all of our students to stay together.  We had students accept Christ for the first time, students make decisions about their faith and students who accepted the call into ministry.  God is so good.
We were reminded that for every Chapter 40 in our life (which is a time of frustration and trouble) there is a Chapter 41.  When Joseph was in jail without any hope in Chapter 40 of Genesis - He is restored and renewed in Chapter 41.   When the Israelites were set out to wander for 40 years because of disobedience, on the 41st year they are given the promised land.  When Jesus went head to head with his enemy for 40 days and nights there was a 41st day where He stepped forth and emerged ready to conquer sin and death.  What an awesome reminder of the journey of our life with Christ.  Chapter 41 is coming.

- Another cool part of the weekend - I got to meet a fellow blogger!  It just so happens that one of our students is cousins with Emily at Practically Pink and she came into town for the weekend to spend it with us!! I was so excited to meet her and so glad she got to come and be a part of Disciple Now.  How fun!

- If you have a toddler please invest in a washable bathroom rug - preferably one that can be quickly thrown in the washing machine.  Poop in the tub-palooza #2 occurred this week - so glad I could just throw that rug in the wash.

- Silas has started saying so many different words lately - words like gug (hug), biraffe (giraffe), ice (yes), gock (clock) and excavator (j/k) - why is that in every first words baby book?  It's so fun watching him try out new words, you can just see his brain thinking away.  Also in his new bag of tricks is turning the tv on and off - this is really mostly fun for him.

Have a fantastic weekend!!

Random Friday Thoughts - A Little Q & A

This week one of my favorite bloggers, Erin from His and Hers (check out her blog - it's great), tagged me in a little q & a blog game so I'm here to partake in some random question answering and fill you in on my opinion on brussel sprouts.  So without further ado -
Random Questions supplied with random answers that inquiring minds want to know:

1. You’ve been forced at gunpoint to sing karaoke. What song do you choose?
Immediately I know the answer to this one - R-E-S-P-E-C-T.  The reason - one time - long ago (the only time I have ever sang or attempted to sing karaoke) my best friend and I got on stage at the County Fair and began to sing this song - to only fail miserably and run off the stage mid song because we were in tears from laughing.  We ran far, far away as to not see anyone from the crowd ever again.  That would be my redemption karaoke song.

2. What color is most dominant in your wardrobe? 
I had to go look in my closet but it's blue.  It's my favorite color and I know I have a problem with buying everything in blue.

3. What is your all-time favorite flavor of ice cream?  
Mint Chocolate Chip

4. What was the first thing you ever wanted to be “when you grew up”?  
An Antique Dealer - every 9 year olds dream.  My sister and I used to set up fake antique shops in our house.

5. What is your most memorable high school experience? 
It would have to be my first date with Justin - who is now my husband.  We started dating when I was 15 (he was 16), we got married when I was 20 and have been married for 10 years now - life is good.

(We were young and it was the 90's - are those valid excuses?)

6. If you could go on any TV game show, what would it be?  
I'm not sure if this counts as a true game show but the Amazing Race!  Justin and I have said for years that we want to do it.

7. What’s the best book you’ve ever read?  
The bible - hands down.  I just can't get enough of it.  Outside of the bible my favorite book to read is a little book written by Louie Giglio called "I am not, but I know I am : Welcome to the story of God."  I have read it 3 times and plan on reading it a fourth soon.  It's a short book but it's full of wisdom.  It's all about how Big God is, how small we are and yet how he loves us so.

I am not, but God knows my name.

I am not, but He has pursued me in His Love.

I am not, but I know the Creator of the universe.

I am not, but I have been invited into His story.

I am not, but I know I AM!

8. How far have you traveled from home?  
We got the chance a few years back to go to Thessaloniki, Greece.  We went with a group from our church to lead a retreat for Missionaries working in that area.  It was such an awesome experience.  Justin and I had the privelage of leading the retreat for the teenagers (the missionaries kids).  Some had been overseas for years, some had just gotten there but they were all so incredible.  My favorite day was when our group - which consisted of me, Justin and 5 teenagers were given a map - in greek- put on a bus to find a community in which we were to go and pray for.  We so much enjoyed watching and listening to those teenagers pray for the city in which they were serving - I will never forget that and how big their servant hearts were.

(Ruins in Philippi, Greece)

9. If you could win a gift certificate to any store, what would it be?  
Right now it would definitely bet Lowe's - so many projects we want to work on.

10. What’s your favorite season? 
Fall - it's such a relaxing time of the year.

11. What are your thoughts on brussel sprouts? (baha.)

I have to admit that I have never, ever tried brussel sprouts.

Well, wasn't that enlightening.

So now it's my turn to tag some of my great blogging buddies to answer a few questions of my own (if they want to).  Have fun!

Stacey @ 117 South

Alison @ Lucy & Lloyd

Emily @ Practically Pink

Torie @ Lattes & Love

Amy @ Buffalo Roam

Lisa @ Sew Gloried

Kristen @ Cultivating a Home

Audrey @ Story of My Life

Allyson @ Cupcakes and Candy Canes

Andrea @ Whispers in the Silence

Questions:

1. What was your favorite childhood toy?

2. What was your first car?

3. What is your favorite type of cheese?

4. If you could spend a weekend in any American City - which one would it be?

5. What's the biggest fish you ever caught?

6. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

7. Who is the person you would most like to meet and why?

8. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 16 year old self?

9. When was the last time you talked to your childhood best friend?

10. What's your favorite Holiday?

11. What is one thing you have never done but want to?                  

***If you were tagged, these are the rules!***
1. You must post the rules.
2. Answer the 11 questions the tagger posted for you and then create 11 new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.
3. Tag 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Let them know you have tagged them.

Random Thoughts Friday

We're back for some more random thoughts today.  Fridays are the best.

1.  This week we have been working and working on our laundry space.  We have primed, painted trim, painted walls, painted floors, and as I type Justin is working on some shelving.  There is a lot going on back there.  Here's a quick sneak peek...it is one cheerful space now.

2. Silas' eating habits have gotten interesting.  He has become very fond of dipping all of his food - ketchup is his sauce of choice.  He has dipped and eaten just about everything in ketchup including carrots, bread and animal crackers.  Why is our child eating ketchup with animal crackers you ask?  I will defer that question to my husband who was the one who provided that awesome meal.

3.  This week in our Crazy Love bible study we talked about living God centered lives, what exactly that looks like and why it's so important.  We were reminded that we are not promised tomorrow or even our next breath - that life is a precious gift.  Lots of times our lives get mundane, things distract us (even good things) and our lives become self centered.  We have to be intentional about the way we live - the way Christ lived.  

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:13-14

4. The Amazing Race began this week - Best.Show.Ever. We are currently liking the team from Kentucky. It usually takes us a couple of episodes before our true favorites are known so we will see.

5.  Tomorrow is Justin's birthday.  I am so incredibly thankful to be married to him.  He has such a servants heart, is an amazing father, loves me unconditionally, is my best friend and we have a blast spending our life together.  I know I am blessed beyond measure for him being a part of my life.  Happy Birthday Justin!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Random Friday Thoughts

Today I just have a brain dump to share.  Enjoy.


~ Silas has taken a liking to helping out mom and dad with chores around the house.  This week, he has held the dust pan perfectly for me while I swept and then emptied it in the trash all by himself.  He Handed me dishes as I unloaded the dishwasher and helped move clothes from the wash to the dryer.  He has also smashed up strawberries into the carpet, threw a fit because he couldn't eat bbq pringles for breakfast and removed his diaper in his crib over night, soaked his bed and then immediately peed all over the floor when Justin got him out.  I guess he is just keeping it real and keeping us on our toes.

~ Our house dynamics have recently changed as our 15 year old niece has come to stay with us for a while. I forgot what it was like to live with a teenage girl (or maybe I forgot how I was when I was a teenage girl).  My clothes, make up and hair products are no longer my own.  I'm cool with that, and I'm actually surprised a 15 year old would want to wear something of mine.  I enjoy our after school talks and it brings my heart joy when she gets excited about going to church.  So far we have learned if we want to be semi own time to anything we must start the countdown to being ready hours in advance, that's just how long it takes now.

~ I will never make chicken marinated in mustard ever again- gross.


~ This year Justin and I went out on a Valentine's late lunch date to a restaurant we have been wanting to go to for a long time - it was one of my most favorite Valentine's ever.

~ We are currently working through the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan with our Juniors and Seniors. So far we are two chapters in and it's amazing.  I highly recommend checking it out!  Here are some things that have struck me so far -  


Pausing and taking time to realize who you are talking to when you are praying, acknowledging how magnificent God is and developing a habit of that.


Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth,do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.  Ecclesiastes 5:1-2


I think taking time to read this verse before you go to God in prayer is a perfect way to acknowledge and recognize who He is.


~ There is a great blog series currently going on that I have really enjoyed this week from some really sweet bloggers - take some time to check it out if you are a blogger looking to grow your blog, there is a link up this Sunday!

Well, that it's for my random thoughts.  Have a wonderful weekend!