Love Money Saving Mom's Heart

A little over a year ago, I stumbled upon a blog from another friend's blog. Little did I know at the time what a blessing that discovery would be! I have scored deal after deal with the help of the writer of this blog. And this coolest part...I did not have to do the work of finding the deals, as she does it for you. I do not personally know this woman, but after reading her last blog, I am convinced she is also a sister in Christ! She has many readers (many as in hundreds, if not thousands). What an awesome testimony!

A broken tea cup, a humble manger, and the best deal I've ever gotten

Sidewalk Evangelism

You heard of door to door, perhaps Evangelism Explosion. Maybe you've used the Romans Road? Well, let me introduce to you a new method Jakers came up with a couple weeks ago. I call it Sidewalk Evangelism.

He starts off with telling his readers of his physical appearance.
Next, he stakes his claim on his BFF.

And then he gets to the really important stuff! Dan and I thought this was so cool and I would have loved to hear peoples' thoughts as they walked by. We know God's word does not return void. What a clever idea, son!

Wedding Pictures - Part 1

Here are some pictures taken during wedding weekend! Most of these are just fun, 'getting-ready' shots. Sarah Beth just gave me the cd of all her wedding pictures, so once we make a copy of them on Picassa, I will post the professional pictures. They are nice and I am glad to have them since I did not get very many pictures that day.

Getting the sanctuary pretty on Thursday.

Libby and I on Friday morning, taking a break from getting the gym lookin' good for the first wedding reception to be held in it.

4 of the 6 bridesmaids waiting to get their nails beautified!

Lydia was thrilled to be part of this girly-girly event!

Lid took this picture of Sarah Beth getting her pedi. I know she would want me to include one of her shots.

Friday evening, waiting for the rehearsal to begin. Jonathon looks so excited! Maybe he is planning in his head a way to get out of wear the dreaded "shiny shoes."

Claire gets to practice!

Ready for some supper!
Lydia getting her hair done Saturday morning.

Doesn't she look so grown up?

Doesn't she look, oh, so adorable?

Daddy with his girls

The Next American Idol

For your viewing pleasure:

Shower The People You Love With Love

So, I know these are very late, but here are the pictures from my sister, Sarah Beth's, wedding showers. The first shower was given to her by her lady friends from work. The hostess did an incredible job! Everything was so pretty and it was such a memorable evening with lots of laughter! Those are little "glass" slippers on the tree. What a cute idea, and you'll see later how my mom used them again for shower #2!

Fancy chair for the bride to be!

Needed a close up of those flowers...they were gorgeous!

A delicious spread!

Happy soon to be mother-in-laws!

Sisters...well, you know, Libby is just like a sister.

Matthew came by near the end of the shower and we got the infamous pose!Thumbs up, once again!

And the final picture from this shower I wanted to share...the bear picture. I was strangely drawn to this image, as were others, I found out later. I called it the dancing bear picture and it made me smile every time I looked at it. Strange, I know.

This was taken the day of shower #2. This one was held at WHBC and I got to be involved in the planning of this one. It was a fun day (and a productive one for Sarah Beth as she got many nice things for her and Matthew's new home)!

The cupcake cake my mom bought. Very clever idea.

Lydia is becoming quite the young lady. She has always had a love for girly things (we called them pretty-pretties when she was a toddler). So, she was very happy to be able to join all the women folk in honor of her aunt's special day!

She was also pretty stoked about all the yummy food!

Another fancy chair...

And there are the shoes...my mom make a "walk through Sarah Beth's life," noting all the very important milestones. It ended with the stuffed bride and groom bears and a bow full of Bliss chocolates.

Yay...lots and lots of presents!

Time for a game or two.

In this picture, I am narrating the story written by myself, my mom, and Mrs. Couture. Every time the word love, Matthew, or Sarah Beth was spoken, the gift got moved in a different direction (right, left, back, (or to the front row if it was in the last row). When the word wedding was spoken, that person got to open the gift. These were layered gift bags, so that person only unwrapped one layer and the story continued. When the story ended with one last "wedding" word, that person was the lucky winner! That was a fun memory and I'd say we wrote a pretty good story, especially considering the fact that it was near 11pm and we were all dog-tired when it was written.

"Hmm, maybe Aunt Sarah Beth will make me some yummy muffins with that pan when I spend the night at her house sometime. Yes, I think that must be the reason she needed that pan!"

The blusing bride!

Thankful Praise

Thank you for the cross, Lord.Thank you for the price you paid.

Bearing all my sin and shame, in love you came

And gave Amazing Grace.

Thank you for this love, Lord.Thank you for the nail-pierced hands.

Wash me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know...

Your forgivness and embrace.

Worthy is the Lamb,seated on the throne.

We crown You now with many crowns

You reign victorious!

High and lifted upJesus, Son of God.

The darling of Heaven, crucified...

Worthy is the Lamb.



(Hillsong lyrics)

Is My Makeup Too Heavy?

These pictures are pretty self explanatory. Once again, Claire got into some make-up. Only this time, it was her sister's play make up. And this time, she had a partner in crime...her friend Philip!

Claire's Three!

Claire turned 3 years old on Friday, October 30th! Where did my baby go, I'd like to know? We had a little dress up party for her that day and she had such a fun night! Right now in her life, Claire has many more little boyfriends than girlfriends. Even the kids her age at church are mostly boys! We love boys and since we only have one of them, it was a fun (and loud) night!

So, what do you get when Belle, Superman, a ballerina (with her bear), a ninja (with a pirate's hook), a cowboy (wearing knight's armour), Batman, and Elmo all squish on the couch together?Easy...Belle, Superman, a ballerina, a ninja, a cowboy, Batman, and Elmo all wanting to get OFF that couch and eat pizza! But they were patient for a little while longer while I took a few close ups of Claire with her friends!

Claire with Superman (a.k.a Philip)

Claire with the knighted cowboy (a.k.a Tine)

Claire with Batman (a.k.a Travis)

(I have to add that Travy started calling Claire his "honey bun" on her birthday. So sweet!)

Claire with Elmo (a.k.a. Titus)

Daddy wanted to dress up, too. Oh wait, that was real. Poor daddy.

Finally...time to eat!

What's one more boy? Malcolm (Jake's friend 5 houses down) came over in the middle of the party. I love this picture that Beth snagged of the two of them.

Easy decorations!

Claire requested a "pink, princess party," so I decided the princess doll cake would be made again. The next picture is the princess cake I made for Lydia's 3rd b-day party...for comparison sake. I cheated with Claire's and just kept the Barbie's clothes on for the top. I was much too pressed for time after volunteering at the school that day as well. *Sarah Beth...this princess reminds me of you trying to hug me wearing that shawl over your wedding dress =)*

Lydia's cake in 2006

This was cake #2. (I did try to flip it...sorry).

Singing "Happy Birthday!"

Not long ago, Claire used to sing Happy Birthday to lots of people. She would just change the name after "dear..." Now, when it was her turn, she was a little embarrassed.

Out comes the princess.

Time for presents...here she got make up from Philip.

*Notice my big smile...stayed tuned for my next post and I will tell you why I thought this gift was so funny. She got playdough from the 3 T's, which she has LOVED playing with. A Minnie Mouse from the Tuey's, and some fun Tinkerbell stuff from Grandma and Grandpa (jammies, a movie, and a little figurine). Mommy and Daddy gave her stickers and a brush of her own. Mommy is still looking for a special doll for Claire. All in all, she had a great time! In fact, the next day, she said, "I'm ready for my party!"

One more picture....she had to try on the "lips" from Philip right away...again, and again, and again. She even offered her "lips" to just about all of her party guests, although I believe I was the only taker.

Happy Birthday, my little Claire Bear. I love you so much!