Bright!

Daniel 12: 3
" Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. "


I have to be honest with you, I'm not as familiar with this portion of Daniel as I am others.  In this chapter of Daniel, he is describing visions and prophecy of the end of time. Some pretty heavy stuff.  However, there is some hope here. Having wisdom and leading others to righteousness, seems to be the way to go.  Lord, help me to shine bright for others, to lead the way for them to find you. Amen.

The weather was beautiful here yesterday, and even though we may have a couple of days of rain ahead of us, the weekend seems to be shaping up to be pretty fabulous.  It'll be perfect weather to brighten things up. I can't wait!  A couple of years ago, I found the perfect pair of capri length, colored jeans at Ross. They are a neon yellow. They are the perfect companion to anything navy.  Yesterday, I paired them with a white tee and a great tassel necklace. Even my 11 year old liked my outfit.  Neon is definitely in style this spring and summer.  If neon is not your thing, try a few touches of it here and there.  A bright scarf, jewelry or even nail polish is all you need to follow this trend.

I just love this necklace, it's reversible (pink on this side,white on the other).  I bought it at my favorite local store-
 The Pink Silhouette.

After story time at the library, I needed a pick-me-up.  I tried a new frappuccino flavor at Starbuck's called S'Mores it is FABULOUS!

Shine bright for someone today!

Knock it off!

1 Corinthians 4: 16
" Therefore I urge you to imitate me. "


Paul urges the Christians in Corinth to imitate him a couple of times in this letter.  Not only that,  he sent Timothy to be with the people in Corinth to remind them of Paul's ways...Does Paul have a superiority complex? Not at all, because Paul is imitating Christ.  Paul's ways are in Christ.  In that way we are encouraged in the Bible to come together in worship and in prayer, praise and fellowship. Not only to encourage one another, but to help each other with the example to be more Christ-like.  Do I want you or anyone else to be like me? No Way!!  Do I want you to be more like the parts of me that seek to love and learn more about our Lord? Absolutely! Only follow me, when I follow Him (otherwise you'll get desperately lost, Lol).

Today, I'm thinking about imitation because I just acquired a "new to me" purse yesterday.  It looks like a Brighton purse. So cute. It's not, it's a knock-off.  I am currently using a purse that looks like a Tory Burch handbag.  It definitely is not. I can't afford to even look at them. But, I can't even tell you the number of compliments that I get when I carry this purse. There's nothing wrong with carrying a knock-off.  What's more important is that you like what you carry and that it helps you feel happy and confident.  Why spend more if you can look great and feel great spending less?

Here are my knock-offs...

Got this cutie from my mom yesterday!

Here's the bag I've been carrying. So many compliments!

I pray you have a wonderful day.  If you imitate Christ, you won't go wrong!

Baltimore

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

" There is a time for everything,
And a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. "


My prayer for you, Baltimore, is a time of healing, a time of building, a time of laughter and dancing, a time to embrace, a time to mend, a time to love and a time for peace.  It's time, Baltimore.

(Image of Baltimore - Google Search)

I finished!

 James 1: 4
" Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. "


That James really knew his stuff.  What great advice; certainly words to live by.  I guess growing up with our Lord and Savior gives you a certain amount of wisdom.  And that's the beauty of the Bible. God gave us these words to help us through our trials and struggles. Every word, chosen for us.  While my trials my be different from your trials; and our trials different from other Christian's trials around the world. They are certainly real, and knowing that I am being perfected by God gives me hope to persevere through them.

Speaking of perseverance.  I did it! I finished my 5k on Saturday.  I haven't run an official 5k since 2010.  A few things have changed since then. The biggest change was the birth of our youngest child in 2012.  While I have continued to run, there's something about finishing an actual race that's satisfying. There were witnesses, time keepers, and a crowd to cheer me on. I don't usually get that on a normal Saturday morning run. The best part of the race was not finishing, though.  It was knowing that I was supporting others who are going through the trial of ALS.  I was blessed to see some of those people participate in the 2 mile walk.  That's perseverance!

Here's some pics from the race.

Pre-race with my BIL and SIL.  My 8 year old walked the 2 miler with them, and my 11 year old ran the 5k with me.

Me and racing girls!

My BIL crossing the finish line!  Last year he needed a cane. Last fall he walked 10 miles ( See 10 Mile Miracle).
 Last weekend he sailed through the 2 miles with ease! He gives all of the glory to God.  God is Great!!

I'm going to run to you

Mark 9: 15
" As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. "


Have you ever seen anybody run with their hands in the air in praise and worship?  Come to my neighborhood sometime.  It's me!  Do I always run like that?  No (you don't get good time running that way.lol).  But sometimes when I'm running, it's the only quiet time I get during the day.  Sometimes I imagine
God reaching down to touch my hands. Sometimes I imagine I'm running right into His arms.  Can you imagine being so overwhelmed with wonder that you would run straight to Jesus?  I hope you do.

I've got running on the brain.  Sorry.  I run in my first 5k since I can't even remember, tomorrow.  I really just want to finish.  Fortunately, I'm running in a nice flat area, and all of my running around my house is very hilly. Really, if I get a number and a T-shirt, I'll consider it a great success!  Pray for me.

Here are some great inspirational tees I wish I thought of...
 (all images were found on Pinterest- click on links to find out how to purchase)

This is my favorite. Isaiah 40: 31

I'm not very tall, so...She is Fierce

Love everything about this- Starbucks Parody

I pray your weekend is a good one!

Point Counterpoint

1 Thessalonians 5:11
" Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing "


I just heard from a friend yesterday that asked about my kitchen countertops (see this post Dream Home?).
I haven't updated you on our ongoing renovation.  What makes these countertops a bit unique is that my husband is making them with concrete.  I feel like I live in an episode of Fixer Upper!  I wish I could tell you they are done....they are not.  But, we definitely have made progress. Here are a couple of pics.

Here's a pic with the forms and mesh before we poured the concrete

Here they are after the concrete was poured.  The forms are still on.

We have taken off the forms and are filling in any imperfections with something called a "slurry".

So far, so good.  We still have to grind the counters until they are smooth and then my husband will stain them.  I chose a dark stain. It will be a charcoal grey or black depending on how dark we decide to go with the stain.  We're almost there. Great job, Honey! (see how I'm building him up, like the Bible verse above says?).  I'm blessed to have such a gifted guy that can tackle all of these projects.

Well, that's my update.  If you're curious about any other posts that I haven't updated you on, please comment below and let me know.  I'd love to hear from you.  Hopefully, I'll be able to update you again soon with more kitchen accomplishments.

Have a beautiful day, building up one another as often as you can. We could all use encouragement.

Earth Day

Hebrews 1: 10
" He also says, ' In the beginning , Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands' "


It all belongs to you, Lord, the heavens and the earth. Happy Earth Day!  God wants us to be good stewards of all that he gives us, and that includes our beautiful blue planet.  So, in our house we recycle a little, turn lights off a lot, and try to pick up after ourselves inside and outside.  It sounds so simple, and it really is. Today is a good day to start if you haven't thought about it before. Thank you, Lord for the earth. Thank you for giving me dominion over my part of it; help me to take care of it. Amen.

The weather is changing again: warm sunny weekend last weekend, a cool (maybe even frosty) weekend this weekend.  That's spring in Maryland.  I have a lot of running around to do lately, my girls are in flag football, 2 days/ week.  And now that it's 4th quarter at school, we'll soon have spring concerts, field trips, field days, and even talent shows to attend.  I am literally running, too. I'm going to run in my first 5k this weekend. And I try to run a couple of days/ week anyway.  How does a busy mom of 7 keep up? I spend my mornings in prayer for one. But with the sporting activities, at least, I wear activewear. Not the old sweatsuits of yesteryear. You can get a lot of cute sporty outfits almost anywhere. Here are a few things I'd like to add to my wardrobe to get me through the next couple of months and beyond...

Here are 2 cute pieces from Kohls- Tek Gear.  They have coordinating shorts and jackets and a wide variety of colors. I've been partial to this shade of green lately...

Love these capri length yoga pants!

Target carries a line of activewear from Champion that has great color and style, too. Even Walmart has activewear from Danskin, called Danskin Now. You can spend more on cute activewear, but with my big family, I like to know that I have options at a great price and that's conservation, too! 

Enjoy your Earth Day!

The creme de "mint"

Matthew 23: 23
" Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You give a tenth of your spices- mint , dill and cumin.  But you have neglected the more important matters of the law- justice, mercy and faithfulness.  You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. "


In this part of Matthew, Jesus has victoriously come into Jerusalem with praise and adulation.  He had already rid the temple of the money changers. As he returned to the city the next day he told those that were following him many parables, and the religious leaders were not happy. The began to question Jesus about paying taxes and about the rules of marriage upon the resurrection, to trip him up. He let them have it, didn't he?  I would like to think that I would have been more like Mary Magdalene during Jesus' last days, but would I? Or, would I have been more like one in the crowd that welcome Jesus to Jerusalem with palm fronds but then yell, "crucify him" , before Pilate just days later?  Lord, I pray that you would keep me focused on you, your will and your ways.  May I keep you ever before me in thought and deed. Faithfully believing in your power and might in my life and in the lives all of those who believe.

Mint... I love a good Peppermint Pattie, don't you? We just finished a bunch in our house from Easter. They come in small egg shapes for Easter baskets. Yummy!  But that's not the kind of mint I have on my mind today.  I'm thinking about what a great color it is for the spring and summer.  I even like it in nail color.  I love nail color.  Here's a few great items I've been eyeing up lately. The cream of the mint, so to speak.

I love this tropical blouse from The Pink Silhouette,. It was on a "flash sale" last night for a great price.

These earrings, too!  You even get free shipping!!
(Mint Dangle Earrings- The Pink Silhouette)

Essie- Turquoise & Caicos  from Target. Love, love!

You could even get some cute mint colored shoes or sandals, workout clothes, tees, shorts...the possibilities are endless. Please share some of your favorite mint colored clothes or accessory ideas. I'd love to see or hear about them, just comment below. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read this blog and I'd love to hear from you.  Have a fresh, fun day!!

No luck on Lilly

Psalm 143: 8
" Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go,  for to you I entrust my life. "


I had a good weekend. We had a beautiful 80* day on Saturday.  I got my hair cut...alone, all by myself, no children, no husband, nothing.  Awesome!  My husband brought pizza home Friday night, my parents made dinner for me on Saturday night, and we went to a housewarming party on Sunday, so I didn't even cook this weekend. More Awesome! And when I got up this morning, even though it's rainy here it's fairly warm and I was able to spend some quiet time with my Bible and my journal: reading and praying. Most Awesome!! Now I have a new week, with new hope and new opportunities to walk in His ways. God is good!

Well on Sunday, Target was supposed to start carrying Lilly Pulitzer products. I'm sure they did for the ambitious few.  Not for me.  I was in Target 2 hours after they opened and they were completely sold out in stores and on-line.  No Lilly for me, no Lilly for my little girls; no luck on Lilly. I have to confess I was disappointed.  I really wanted a cute little shift dress for my 2 yr old.  Oh well, que sera sera.  I did get my hair cut this weekend, so I did get a treat for myself.  It was so nice to have my hair shampooed by someone other than my 8  and 2 yr old girls, and to just sit and be pampered. You need that every once in a while.

 This was my hairstyle on Friday.

And here is a pic from Saturday.

Sorry for the picture quality, I was in my van.  I really like the layers and I now have a bit of a side bang.  You can't tell by the pic, but I did keep some length in the back, so I can still pull it up.  And for whatever reason, I now have wavy hair.  I asked the stylist to show me how to style it on a daily basis with the wave. Now I have more options than just elastic hair ties.  My t-shirt, btw, is from...Walmart- Pineapple Tee.  I paid under $5 for it! I got a lot of compliments on it, too. Just goes to show you, you don't have to spend a lot money to have fun, trendy clothes. 

Have a good week, everyone!

Hold your horses!

Proverbs 21: 31
" The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory rests with the Lord. "


"Victory rests with the Lord". Amen to that!  As you may have read, I am going to run in a 5k soon.  I will probably not be one of the winners: for the entire race, for my gender, not even for my age!  But the victory is not in winning the race, it's in finishing the race. As a Christian, I may lose a few 5ks but I've already won the marathon. There is victory in the cross!

I'll be honest with you, I do not normally follow horse racing. But, being raised in the Baltimore area, I do follow the Triple Crown races.  The Preakness,  horse racings second jewel in the Triple Crown, is run in Baltimore.  So, I have been to a few Preakness parties in my life, some much more civilized than others (it's a Baltimore thing!).  I love the formality that is often associated with the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and with the Belmont Stakes: the beautiful hats, the dresses, the food and drinks.  So this year, I'm going to have a family friendly Preakness party. Here are a few ideas that I have been thinking about.

I love this table setting!
(pic found on Pinterest)

This outfit and hat are perfect. I found it on A Southern Drawl. It was actually chosen for the Kentucky Derby, but certainly the color scheme is appropriate for the Preakness. And, you need a great hat!

The colors of preakness are yellow and black; colors in the Maryland flag. The flower is the Black-eyed Susan. So here is a great selection of beautiful things that are perfect for the day at one of my favorite local stores- B. Fabulous.

Be victorious today, whatever race you're running!

"Do" what you do

1 Corinthians 11: 15
" but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. "


I'm having a woman problem...not that kind! I am not liking my hair. I am having female hair envy. I went to flag football for the last 2 weeks with my girls, and (God love her) there is a woman there that has it all together. From the top of her head to the tip of her toes; perfectly coifed hair and perfectly pedicured toes.  I showed up with no make-up, my running clothes on and my hair pulled back in an elastic tie, lovely (they play in a gym for heaven's sake!).  I've never heard my husband come back from the gym and complain about how another guy looked so much better than he did: a woman problem. But, I do thank God for my husband (yes, Mom, I'm thankful for him,Lol).  He makes me feel beautiful. Even on my most casual, no make-up, running clothes, bad hair days, he loves me... and wants me. I don't get it. But, I don't have to. It's part of God's plan, " But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, " Mark 10: 6-7.  Thank you, God, for making me beautiful to Jim.

Now, back to my hair. I'm tired of it. It's changed texture in the last few years. What used to be shiny and straight, has somehow become coarse and wavy. I don't know if I'd even have time to style it if I did get a new "do", hence the elastic ties.  Here's the hairstyle I would want if I were in my 20's.

Yeah, like that's gonna happen now!
Image found on- The Sweetest Thing

Here's what I got going on now, on a daily basis.

This hairstyle again!

Oh well, it is what it is...

Here's what I want to try....

something like this...

                                                 .

or this...

...or maybe this.
This image and the 2 above were all found on Pinterest.

What do you think? Is there another style I should try? Comment below and let me know, I'd love to hear your opinion.  I'll keep you posted if I try anything out.  Have a wonderful day, you beautiful ladies, you!

.                                                .

Tax Day!

Romans 13: 6
" This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. "


I never understood why some people hated tax day until the years that my family owed taxes.  Let me tell you, we waited until the last possible second to file them. And, talk about stress! Fortunately, we have not been in that situation for a number of years.  My husband actually is a public servant, so the taxes that we pay help to support him and those in positions like his.  We don't just need to support them with our finances. We need to support them with prayer. Pray for those who serve us as law makers, those who represent us in the government, and most especially those who serve and protect us in law enforcement, in the military, and in fire and rescue services; putting their own lives in peril. Thank you for paying your taxes.

Are you getting a tax refund this year? What fun thing are you doing with your refund? New clothes, new furniture, a renovation? Comment below and let me know (I need to live vicariously through you!). Now please go and file your taxes...Momma needs a new pair of shoes!

Paying taxes doesn't just support local law makers. Remember, it helps support those who serve and protect!

Preppy girl

1 Peter 3: 15
" But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, "


I did not go to a prestigious prep school. I did however grow up in the 80's and the preppy style was "in".  I was raised in an upper middle-class neighborhood that my parents worked hard to afford.  There often wasn't extra money to a purchase the name brand clothing that my peers were wearing. But what a treat it was to get something that had a name on it, or was pretty darn close.  I tend to dress more classically now that I am all grown up (at least physically, mentally?...). Occasionally, though, there are those madras shorts that I must get or that pink and green Lilly Pulitzer dress that I long for. I guess I'm still that "preppy girl".

To prep for something would actually mean to prepare for something. So really being preppy would be to be prepared.  In that way, I'm happy to be preppy. I have a system in place in the morning to help me to prepare the children for school.  I lay out my clothes and have my children choose their clothes the night before. I (usually) have a plan for my family meals in advance when I go to the grocery store so that meal times run more smoothly. I'm a prepster alright! But the most important preparation that I do is to prepare my heart for God. I get up early, read the Bible and pray (most days). I volunteer at church with the middle school children to help prepare them as well. I pray with my children before bedtime and at meal time we read a Bible verse and discuss it. I want to be "prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks me to give the reason for the hope that I have". That's the kind of preppy girl I truly want to be.

Can you say, "Preppy!!" I love it! The Pink Silhouette in Bel Air, one of my favorite local stores, has these shorts and several others that make the short list for my preppy style. The purse has a detachable sarong for the beach, super cute! They also carry Lilly Pulitzer clothing and accessories.

.

Target is also going to start carrying Lilly Pulitzer clothing for woman and girls and accessories for you and your home, starting on April 19th. Here is an adorable dress that my 2 year old will probably be sporting this summer.

Now go out there and prepare yourselves!! Have a great day!

Go fly a kite

John 3: 8
" The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear it's sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the spirit. "


Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, when he spoke these words. In this chapter of John, we are told about being "born again".  I don't know why this verse causes people to stumble. I don't call myself "born again", but if someone called me that I would be happy to hear it. I feel that it has more to do with my understanding of Jesus than it does anything else. I was "born again" the night 30+ years ago, that I got down on my knees and asked God into my life. It's just that simple. Has my life been rainbows and lollipops since that day?  NO WAY!  But, I am full of hope.  I am also filled with the understanding that my treasures are not here on earth. So when life gets tough, that's just life. "There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face. But until that day, we'll hold on to you always. " Jeremy Camp- "There Will Be A Day".

Last Saturday, we went to our local Kite Festival.  What a beautiful day it was to fly a kite.  It was a tad breezy (even a bit much for kite flying!) but, we had fun.  Our town has had a kite festival for 10 years now and we have been attending for the last 3 years. It's a wonderful event for family's and it was free! Not only that, but the children were given free kites. You gotta love that. Here are a few pics of my family I took on Saturday.

This was my personal favorite kite. I love the crab!

My son is a natural at kite flying. Even with the strong breeze, he was able to get his kite soaring.

My youngest had a dolphin on her kite. She loved it  because of the movie "Dolphin Tale". She calls it, "Boy Fish"!

I pray you have a blessed day!

Home Opener

Hebrews 13: 2
" Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. "


Hospitality or opening your home is mentioned several times in the Bible.  It's important to be hospitable.  I know for some of you, it's a nightmare.  I think if you look for the good in it, it can be a dream come true.  I am a planner, I need a plan or theme for everything.  One year when my second oldest daughter had a birthday, I asked her what the theme was going to be this year. To my horror, she told me she didn't want a theme! What?! NO THEME??  I went with the creepy teenage girl/sleepover theme behind her back. I needed to hold on to something. I find that when you open up your home, you try to make it a little cleaner, you make food that is a little nicer, and most importantly you are doing God's work.  You don't need a theme (I do, but you don't!), you just need to open your door, and your heart and let someone in.

Today is the Oriole's Home Opener!! Yeah baby (it's my theme for today, lol!) !  I love baseball, especially the Orioles.  I grew up in Baltimore, so they are my home team. I also grew up when they were in their hay-day.  I even marched in a World Series parade in downtown Baltimore in 1983 with my high school. What a great memory.  Today, I am wearing my Oriole shirt and I plan to have a fun dinner of stadium food: hotdogs, nachos, popcorn and lemonade.  I'll throw in some raw veggies too ( it's a mom thing).  Here's a pic of my O's shirt.

You can pick up Oriole's shirts all over the place, even at Victoria's Secret!

I found this party pic on Pinterest. Here's a link - Baseball Party Concession. I love the attention to detail. I will not be doing anything this extravagant, but I love that it gives me inspiration for my own table. 

Comment below and let me know if you're planning to open your home anytime soon, or how you celebrated "Opening Day" with your family. I pray you have a blessed weekend!

Organized?

1 Corinthians 14: 33

" For God is not a God of disorder but of peace- as in all the congregations of the Lord's people. "

I am not the most organized person.  I really want to be, and on some things I am very particular (ask my family!). I start off with organization in mind, but then I get so overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff", somehow, I just can't keep up. Not that I live in a pigsty, mind you, but I think a bit more order in my life would make it so much easier and peaceful.  I think that it is important to know that "God is not a God of disorder", so when things in your life seem out of control,  it's not of God.  That doesn't mean that you are not a Godly person if you can't keep your house clean and organized (thank goodness!), but if you are constantly stressing out about the lack of order and peace in your life; you should probably spend some time on your knees- praying not scrubbing! God wants you to give it all to Him. He is a God of peace. Amen to that!!

Good advice!!
(image found on Google search- click on link to find- Keep Calm)

Here are some great organizing pins I found on Pinterest.

Love this pantry.
There are step by step instructions at this link- Pantry Redo 

And this command center...

So simple, practical and stylish- Command Center

There are so many more great ideas to inspire you.  Please share any tips or pics you might have for organizing your things. I'd love to see them and maybe try them out.  I pray you have a blessed day!

Eggs-actly

Jeremiah 17: 11
" Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools. "


We have a lot of hard boiled eggs left from Easter.  Do you?  I have made deviled eggs with them, the children eat them for breakfast and lunches, and I've put them on salads.  I'm eggs-austed just thinking about it! Lol!!  What is really important about the eggs, at least to me, is not how we eat them, or even if we eat them, it's how they were prepared (I don't mean cooked).  On Saturday we colored the eggs, and in our house the tradition is to make them for family members. You will not see our eggs on the cover of a magazine. They are, shall we say, "rustic".  But, they are made with love. It touched my heart this year to see that my 13 year old son, made an egg for my grandfather who, not quite 2 months ago, passed away.  This is the first holiday that we have spent without him.  We have a lot of great memories of my cantankerous grandfather in "his chair" ruling over our holiday dinners. Because of my faith, I am secure in the fact that even though I have loved ones gone from earth now, I will see them again in heaven. There will yet be other meals and holidays where joy will be shared with those lost. Amen!

Here's are some pics of our "rustic" eggs.

De-Da egg with heart for my grandfather. An egg for my parents with original artwork by my 2 year old.

Made with Love!

If you like pina coladas...

Exodus 39: 24

" forsooth beneath at the feet they made pineapples of jacinth, and purple and vermilion and bis folded again;"

This verse in Exodus is from a translation of the Bible I'm not familiar with; the Wycliffe version.  Other translations use the word pomegranate in place of pineapple (but that wouldn't work for me today, so we're sticking with this!).  This verse describes how the priests ornate garments were to be adorned. There is a lot of very precise description here. If the Israelites could see the jeans and t-shirts my pastor wears on Sunday mornings, what would they think?  

I've been noticing a lot of pineapples and tropical prints this spring already.  Recently, I picked up a cute t-shirt in Kohl's (practically for free!) with a cute pineapple print.  I can't wait to style it with more of my spring and summer shorts, pants and skirts. Here is how I wore it on Saturday, to our local Easter Egg hunt.

I wore my pineapple shirt with these green jeans (older) from Talbots.  There are so many other bottoms that I have that will go great with this top, I can't wait for the warmer weather. 

I saw this exact pineapple print on 2 blogs. This one is from Sequins and Things. Follow the  link to find out how to purchase it ( it also has a matching crop top ). 

I pray you have a wonderful day!

He is not here

Matthew 28: 6
" He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay. "


I hope you all had a blessed Easter.  We had a busy day: looking for eggs, checking out our Easter treasures in our baskets, going to church, eating, eating and eating.  Did I mention we ate?  Going to need to get some extra run time in this week.  While I'd love to share with you how wonderful and blessed my day was. I can't. It certainly had it's highlights, but it was also full of lowlights, too.  And, while I live with the hope of Easter in my heart, the reality is that we live in a broken world.  Does that mean we throw in the towel, after all, what's the use?  By all means, NO.  We take on each new day with faith, and hope, and trust in our Lord and Savior.  Lamentations 3: 23 " They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "  Thank you, Lord, for this new day: your mercies are great!!

Yesterday, the little girls and I wore our coordinated Easter outfits.  I think we were precious.  Definite highlight!!  Here's a pic.

Somehow we look like we're all leaning to the right... We purchased all of our outfits at Kohl's this year.  They have great clothes for the whole family, and great sales.  Thank you to my 13 year son for the pic.
(possibly the reason we are all leaning!)

I pray your new day is a good one!

God loves world, not messed up!

Luke 23: 46
" Jesus called out with a loud voice, ' Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he said this, he breathed his last. "


We have been taking turns reading a Bible verse at dinner. The children, my husband, and I actually pick our own verse and then we discuss it.  We've had some good conversations and gotten some insight into the children's lives, and they into our's.  What has been one precious moment (of many), is that my youngest, who is two, wants to read the Bible, too. So, while she was sitting on her father's lap this week, she began to read aloud, " God loves world, messed up. God loves world, not messed up! ".  Wow, what a budding theologian she is!  So simple, so pure.  God loved the world so much, he gave his only begotten son, we were "messed up". God so loved the world; Jesus was crucified, died and was buried, on the third day he rose again!!, " not messed up".  God, thank you that even though we " messed up", you loved us enough to sacrifice your son for us. We praise your holy name! Amen.

Today, I was busy running errands. I even got my nails done this morning. But, by dinner time (sadly), I had to get the nail polish remover out to rid my nails of the last remnants of bright pink nail polish, professionally applied by a seemingly capable woman. My lifestyle just doesn't seem to support all the glamour! I took a pic of the one pretty nail I had left to commemorate my first professional manicure in over a year.

They were so pretty...now they are just "messed up" Lol!

I don't want this to be the only image you have of my blog on this somber of holy days, which commemorates the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, so I want to leave you on this blessed day with this...

God loves world , not messed up!

I pray you have a blessed Easter!