A gentle reminder to me... and you.

May your home be filled with LOVE the next few days, and may we all resist perfection to embrace GRACE.  After all, He came so that we might have the abundant life as we quit striving and working to prove ourselves.  In the words of the wise Christian Hemberger, "Love wins."  We are FREE!

Thanks for sharing Carey and thanks to Wendy for passing it along!

Gift tags for the ones you love: Free Printables

Thank you Joy Ever After for these sweet links!

You will find all of these precious printable for your last minute gift wrapping HERE.  Merry Christmas!

Building Relationships one cookie at a time.

These precious girls hang out with me every other week on Sunday afternoons.  

We talk about life and encourage each other to love Jesus more.  

Recently, we made Gingersnaps~ one of my favorite holiday cookies. 

 The recipe is super easy and they are oh, so tasty.  

Aren't they pretty?  Add a sprig of holly and they are dressed for a party!

Why don't you have some friends over to make cookies?

The scent of these cookies will make your home so very cozy!

Ginger Snaps

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 t. salt

2 t. soda

1 t. ginger

1 t. cinnamon

2 c. flour

1/4 c. molasses

 Cream shortening and sugar.  Add egg and molasses.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.  Refrigerate dough.  Roll dough into little balls, then in sugar.  Bake @ 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Loving and Celebrating My Boy as He Loves and Celebrates Us.

Two days ago, my oldest son, Blake, graduated from the University of Texas.  

Today he turns 22 years old.  

This tow headed little guy with the wispy, fly away hair now has a full beard and deep voice; 

and he thinks and acts like a man.

At his graduation party, Blake and his fellow graduates turned the party around.  

Instead of celebrating themselves, they threw a party to celebrate 

their friends and family and the blessings they have received from those relationships.  

It was remarkable. 

 They climbed up on the picnic table and gave little speeches of gratitude to all who attended.

Then they ended their time with this prayer.

I'm still teary-eyed thinking about it.   

Thanks, Blake {and all your precious friends} for showing us what it looks like to show gratitude.

Next time we'll be more inclined to pause and realize that we live a blessed life

and we have a loving God and lots of people to thank for it.


{The next little video is kind of silly, but I wanted the grandparents and family who couldn't be there for the ceremony to get a glimpse of it...}

Friend fighting cancer? Create a prayer team!

{Kate at Jay's "Head Shaving Party" after he began losing is hair from chemotherapy.
Pictured with her sister Maggie and Mom, Beth.}


Kate's dad is battling Lymphoma.  Things have been pretty rough though the treatment.  So when Kate arrived at Middle School West and found the hallways full of hot pink tshirts, well, let's just say it went a long way toward lifting her spirits!  What a wonderful way to show solidarity, boldly profess their confidence in the power of prayer, and display their faith in our great God.

Kate sent these pictures via text to her mom, who sent them to me, so I could share them with you.  What a beautiful way to show love and support to Kate on behalf of her father, Jay, who is fighting cancer.  Please pray for my friend Jay and his family~ 

We are storming the gates of Heaven on their behalf...

Just wish I had thought to form a prayer team complete with hot pink uniforms!

Turkey Treats! Harvest Food fun for the whole family!

Head over to Living Locurto for ideas on how to make these sweet treats for the ones you love!

A Season of Thanks: Writing gratitude {Free Printable}

"They will celebrate your abundant goodness 

and joyfully sing of your righteousness."

Psalm 145:7

Head over to Jones Design Company for these sweetest little tags 

for recording your thankful heart this fall.

Here are some images from her blog, 

and you can find her free printables HERE.