Welcome!

Welcome to all my new readers from:

 

I appriciate Chrissy so much and her help in debuting my new and improved blog

 as well as the grand opening of my etsy store with my homemade bath and body products!

This is my official debut of my improved blog!

Let me introduce myself:

My name is Sarah.

I love Jesus!

           I love my husband of 13 1/2 years.

                                                        I work a full time job outside the home.

                          I work a full time job within the home.

I have four children (ages 6, 8, 11 and 12).

This is my crazy life, trying to make it beautiful within myself and my home, despite the business. 

    I love crafting and decorating...hopefully you'll see a lot of that on here!

Welcome!

Don't forget to check out my etsy store
Enter Coupon Code: grandopen
for 15% off entire order and over $10 in free product - till Dec 18
(free product will be randomly selected)

">

Fun Bags!

I don't sew!
I own a sewing machine, but have never done anything more than a straight line on a curtain.  That being said, I am super proud to share with you this project that I did earlier this year!

I lead a small group of 5th grade girls at my church.  I really wanted to give them something special to carry their Bible's and journal's in.  I also wanted to attempt to make them!

Look at all the fun material:


I actually did these without a pattern.  My first ones had to be taken apart a few times before I got the hang of what I was doing.

Here is how they turned out:                                     My youngest - K-Jo modeling :)

 

Here they all all - what do you think?


All the girls actually bring their Bibles and journals EVERY week!

7th Grade Orchestra Performance

I thought I would quickly share a couple of pictures of my oldest after her orchestra concert tonight.  She sits first chair and did a wonderful job!

           

Happy Birthday!

My 2nd born is 11 today! 

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

More Pinspiration

More Holiday Inspiration from Pinterest!

Jingle Bell Napkin Rings

My Inspiration:


http://www.thisandthatcreative.com/2010/12/jingle-bell-napkin-rings.html

Here's my project:

I couldn't find any cheap napkin rings to glue my bells on, so I just started gluing the bells to each other to make a circle.


Here's how it looks with my table placesetting:



If I had my choice, I would have all white dishes with my red chargers, but these dishes were given to me, so I will try to be content with them.  Once I get the rest of my dining room done I will show the entire table made up.


Gift tag ornaments

My inspiration:

http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/10/personalized-christmas-ornaments-swell.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+PositivelySplendid+%2528Positively+Splendid%2529

I am using them as gift tags, so I used names on the ornaments:

I used 1/2 of the plactic ornaments available at Hobby Lobby for $.99, foamboard and letter stickers.  I also already had the smaller ribbon, so I used that.  I like the look of the large ribbon so I may replace it, but I had the small, and I think it works well as the gift tag. 

I will be making more of these for the girls in my small group! 

  

(Please excuse my pictures - I have lost my camera and these were taken from my phone.)

Kindness and Patience and Yelling, Oh my!

I consider myself a very kind and patient person.  I have a lot of patience for crazy drivers on the road, incompetent customers, friends who disappoint me.  I actually react with kindness in the most difficult situations. 

SO, why is it that I have absolutely no patience and little kindness for the four most precious and lovable people in my life?

The other day I was reading about the fruits of the spirit, and in particularly, kindness and patience.  I felt convicted that I need to apply this mostly with my children.  I went to bed in prayer that God would help me in this area of my life.

---I woke up the next morning singing and smiling, in a perfect mood, and nothing but kind words were coming out of my mouth --

OK -THAT TOTALLY DID NOT HAPPEN!!!!

I woke up late and grumpy.  I began attempting to get the kids going (which is never an easy feat in my house - they love to sleep as long as possible in the mornings), after not responding for a while the yelling begins - "Get up now!"  "You're going to be late for school!"  "You better be dressed by the time I get done putting my makeup on!" - Definitely the worse of days I had in a while.

Was God trying to test me?  Was the devil getting a foothold?

As I drove them to school that morning, I began weeping.  I told them I was sorry.  I was mostly upset with myself. 
God, please help me to be kind and patient in all areas of my life - especially with my own children!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...
Galatians 5:22-23

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just attended a wonderful thanksgiving eve service at our church.  It was a testimony of all God has done in individuals lives and the life of our church!  Thank you Jesus!

This Thanksgiving I have so much to thank my Savior for...

I am thankful that He loves me no matter what.

I am thankful that He has given me a husband who loves me no matter what, who is incredibly giving both to his family and to others.

I am thankful that He has given me four beautiful children who have all chosen to have a relationship with Him.

I am thankful for the church family He has given me with people who love and accept me no matter what.

I am thankful for the family he allowed me to grow up in, who taught me to know and love Him.

I am thankful he gave me the family I married in to, who all have the same love for Jesus I do.

I am thankful that he gave me a grandma who prays for me daily.

I am thankful He knows what I need even when I don't.

But most of all, I am thankful that He gave His Life for me, so I could live with Him forever!

Thank you God for everything you have given me.

What are you thankful for?