It's Game Day!

And Hadleigh's got all our gear ready for us!

Can you guess who we're pulling for?

Are you enjoying football this weekend?

a few fun things for friday

How about a few random things for this Friday afternoon?

Here are some things I've been thinking about/looking at/reading this week:

Have you discovered Joy the Baker? These potatoes will be coming to a dinner near us very soon. Yum. Her baked goods look amazing too...and I've tried a few of them!

I have been a daily reader of Emily's blog Jones Design Company for many months now. She has a great sense of style that I love. Beautiful (but doable) tutorial for projects like the above pin. She had a great tutorial for scarf tying that I've received many compliments due to her instruction! (and as a BONUS she has fun and gorgeous monthly giveaways!)

I get a TON of inspiration for parties from Kate Landers Events. The parties she creates and/or features are stunning...yet full of ideas that are able to be interpreted for your own (not-so-magazine-picture-perfect) parties. She also has a darling shop where I ordered this apron for Hadleigh. The apron was so much more than I was even hoping. The quality of workmanship is outstanding, and I just LOVE the fabric.

I am thinking about ordering Project Life when it's available at Amazon again later this month. I love the idea of capturing everyday life throughout the year in a manageable project. Trying to decide whether to just do the digital option or the hands-on scrapbook. I'll let you know.

Have you read Susie Davis' blog? I discovered it around Thanksgiving...and it's a daily stop for a little encouragement and fun. Susie is lovely. After reading her blog for awhile, I got her book The TIme of Your Life: Finding God's Rest in Your Busy Schedule. I have devoured it. I'm almost done, and I love the introspective questions at the end of each chapter. She has a great perspective on time...and I'm soaking it up. A definite read-again.

I love this Local Branch Library Cart from Land of Nod. It comes in red, espresso, and white...and I can't decide which I love most. (The red would have worked perfectly in our nurseries...but alas, no more nursery.) I'm trying to figure out a way to make this work in our office/school room. I love the idea of keeping current library books on it...and such good rollable storage! Hmmm.... And I found this site that has plans for a DIY inspired by the Land of Nod version!

I know, totally random post, right? Hope you enjoyed it anyway!

Have a great weekend!

(all pictures used here are from the sites mentioned)

faithful

faithful...

--adjective

1. strict of thorough in the performance of duty.

2. true to one's word, promises, vows.

3. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant.

4. reliable, trusted, or believed.

5. adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original.

6. full of faith; believing.

For the past few years, there has been a project of sorts...among the scrapbooking/crafty/blogging world...called One Little Word, begun by Ali Edwards. You can read more about it here.

The application of One Little Word is a little bit different for every one who joins along. For me, the past few times I have chosen a word, it has been one that condenses some of my feelings and goals about the upcoming year. A word to remember and reflect upon. A few years ago, my word was purposeful.

This year it is faithful.

Faithful to my relationship with Christ.

Faithful to spend time in His Word.

Faithful to spend time in prayer.

Faithful in my relationships...

...as a wife.

...as a mother.

...as a homeschooler.

...as a daughter.

...as a sister.

...as a friend.

Faithful to my commitments.

This year in CBS, we've been studying the book of Genesis. We just finished studying the life of Abraham this past week. And one of the themes that has really left an impression on me is the theme of faithfulness. God's unswerving faithfulness to Abraham (and me). Abraham's great effort at being faithful to God. (He is such a good example of a man whose desire was to be faithful, even when his faith faltered at times. He didn't let that stop him from continuing to follow in obedience.)

This year, I hope to be faithful.

twenty eleven

To me, a new year is a fresh start.

Bright and clean.

A time to refocus.

Plan.

Begin anew.

A time for setting goals.

Realistic ones.

Hopeful ones.

And maybe a couple risky ones.

(You know, the kind that make you excited and nervous at the same time? Goals that really stretch you.)

I've been spending the past couple days thinking about goals for this year.

I'll share them here over the next few days, since I love lists :)

And accountability is always helpful!

I hope that this new year will be a time of growth and blessing for you.

(image above found here)