Look what came in the mail today

Hayley had a contest on her blog last week...and guess what, I won! :) She made these cute little headbands. The contest was for one headband but she was so sweet and decided to make another one for Katy! Thank you Hayley! The girls love them.


I decided to take some pictures of the girls modeling the headbands. I had a photo shoot envisioned but it didn't really turn out how I wanted. Oh well, you get the picture! The headbands and the girls are still cute (in my opinion) despite my flopped pictures! :)

`

Although I have never met her in person I "know" Hayley from MANY years ago when Fairlight and I published HopeChest together.  She was a subscriber who often contributed her writings. After I resigned from Hopechest I lost contact with many people from that era of my life. So it was fun to reconnect via Facebook and blogs awhile back. It has been neat to see how the Lord has led her and see the beautiful family she has been blessed with.

If you would like to see a tutorial on how to make these headbands you can find it here on Hayley's blog. Or if you just want to "meet" a beautiful woman of God visit her blog. I guarantee you will be blessed!

Good things to read

I wanted to share a few links to things I have read recently that {in my opinion} are worth mentioning here.

Wounded spirits: How to Stop the Bullying Really beautiful. God led me to this article at a time when I really needed to read it. Maybe someday I will share about that.

Strollers, Baby Carriers, and Infant Stress
Horizontal Versus Upright Transport in Early Infancy Interesting stuff

How to make a Mom I'm board jar great idea may have to try this one soon.

Free e-book "smooth and easy days" A friend of mine told me about this. It's a really quick and wonderful read. It touches on cultivating good habits in your child. Something we strive for in our home.

The one parenting habit that changes everything I loved this article! It embodies intentional parenting.

A tutorial for making "hobo" sacks I think these would be cute to make for my kids to have in the car. We travel so much no that I think it would be so fun for them to each have their own unique bag to put stuff in. I will have to make them in all my spare time. {grin} I love pretty much everything Dana makes on her blog. You should check it out sometime if you haven't already.

Recipe for Mocha Muffins Very yummy! I could go for one now.

I think that's it for now. Hope you enjoy!

For the love of reading

Every summer I like to put together a reading list for myself. Sometimes I get through all the books and sometimes I don't. I am okay with that. I just like to have goals. I like to read books for fun and also ones that are going to challenge me. This is the list I have put together for this summer so far (I have already finished the first one on the list and let me say it is a beautiful must read!). I am open for more suggestions. I would love to hear what books you have enjoyed reading, or what books you plan on reading this summer.

You can click on any of the pictures to get more information on that book.

I will Carry You: The sacred dance of grief and joy, by Angie Smith








I Dared to Call Him Father: The miraculous story of a Muslim woman's encounter with God, by Richard Schnieder







A Lineage of Grace, by Francine Rivers
A compilation of 5 books where we meet the 5 woman (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary) that God chose to play a part in the lineage of Christ






The Giver, by Lois Lowry



Other books that I started awhile back and have not finished yet:

The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom

Hinds Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard

Hiking

Last weekend, my dad came to visit. We decided to take him to a state park around here. It was a beautiful day for hiking. We had fun exploring the trails and the castle ruins that were at the park.

Summer loves

long flowing skirts.
painted toe nails.
and.
flip flops.
to name a few. :)

What are some of yours?

Day at the beach

We happened to pick the best day to go to the beach. It was warm but not too hot, and just enough sun out that it wasn't miserable. Perfect for taking pictures too. :) I am pretty sure this was the highlight of our time together. Hang on because I have a load of pictures from that day.

The water was cold so I didn't bring the kiddos swimsuits. I didn't plan on them wanting to go in...silly me. :) They loved the water and could care less that it was like ice!

Gavyn and Gregg

Claire playing with her piggies in the sand.

So interested in everything.

Laughing and enjoying themselves.

Oh I LOVE this one of my brother Matt. He really is such a cool guy...and very funny too. I love how you can see everything that is going on around him through his glasses.

Claire's and my sand covered feet. :) I also painted Claire's nails for the first time!

This was Claire's first time at the beach, and she LOVED it!

My dad. This pretty much sums up his time with us....laughing and taking it all in. He told me that he just enjoyed watching us all interact. He is such a great Papa and Dad.

Anna and her mud/sand balls.

Gage enjoyed his time in the sand...so concentrated.

Showing Papa something.

Aunt Dana and Claire.

James burying Anna.

Sweet Gavie girl, covered in sand.

My love.

Matt and Dana walking on the beach.

Our time on the beach ended as storm clouds rolled in. The sky may have been dark, but it certainly didn't dampen the mood of our time together. 3 years is much too long to go without seeing each other. We must do this again soon.