Photo Display

by Mollie

  I have this SHORT little hallway in our house.  It connects the master bedroom, bathroom, and kids room. It's TINY.  I could stand in front of it and easily touch both sides of the open wall with my arms barely extended.

  I have been racking my brain on how to decorate this space.  I was complaining mentioning this to my wonderful Mother-n-law and we came up with the idea to use an old door.  She just happened to have one laying around too!

Allow me to reveal....

THE PHOTO DOOR

this guy now greets us every time we come home...

now dont ask me how we got it on the wall.  My dad came over and hung it SO strong that we could literally HANG on it if we wanted and it wont come down.  (which was my concern...glass door + toddler = disaster)

I printed 8x10's at Costco for around $1.20 each, taped them behind each window pane, and Wha-la!

*professional photo by Cindy Kyle Photography

  I am LOVING my photo door, AND the flexibility of being able to change out the photos.  My goal is every 6 months... we'll see.

Blessings,

One of "THOSE" moms...

by Mollie

  Before I had kids I was a total "judger."  I had all these preconceived ideas about how to raise a child and I KNEW exactly what was the right way and what was the wrong.

THEN I had my own kids, and THEN we all got the stomach flu...and now I am eating my words.

**the following pictures were all taken last night...

I wasn't going to one of "those" moms who let their kids leave a mess everywhere.  

 I wasn't going to be one of "those" moms who let their kids have processed baby food and snacks

I wasn't going to be one of "those" moms who let their kids drink juice and sugary snacks

I wasn't going to be one of "those" moms who had frozen chicken nuggets in the fridge

I wasn't going to be one of "those" moms who had kid stuff out even after the kids went to bed.

and now... I am totally one of THOSE moms, and you know what?!? its OK! 

This weekend was brutal (sickness... oh the sickness) and I was just SOOOO grateful that I could throw those chicken nuggets in the microwave and pop a straw in the juice and call it dinner!

  Before I used to shake my head at the moms whose kids would scream and be crazy in the store, now I offer them an encouraging smile and a pat on the back.  Oh how my life has changed...

  As moms all we can do is try our best, love our kids, and thankfully despite our best intentions they dont judge us!

I'm so grateful that Christ is merciful and has a sense of humor too!

Blessings,

We're Back!

by Mollie

  We're finally back! (If you are still around THANK YOU and we MISSED you!!)  Holly and I both took a much needed holiday break with our families.  Holly went on a mission trip and she will share more about that later this week.

  I have been pretty busy around here too.  Ronnie and I have been re-doing our bedroom and with two little ones its a hard job!

  I don't have completed photos yet but here are some inspirations I am going with.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Mollie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Mollie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

  We have been doing a LOT of building from our Ikea pieces.  Boy do I love their cheap prices but i HATE all the building.  I literally have a hand cramp from using the screwdriver.  I can't wait to show you pics!

Have a great week

Blessings,

 
 

Uh oh... What did I commit to?

by Mollie

  I just signed Ronnie and I up for our first 5K.  You know that sinking feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you know something bad is going to happen? That's what I have going on right now.

  A couple friends of mine just ran their first 5K (yey Sara & Cindy!)  and I am going to join them on the next one.  Its 9 weeks away, which means I need to get my tookus off the couch NOW and get to the gym.

  We are going to be running in the Frozen Food Foundation 5K by Green Giant. I'm really excited AND really nervous.

  I am writing this here on the blog post so that I have some accountability.  The World Wide Web is acting as my exercise plan (hehe)  I figure if i announce that I am doing this I actually have to do this!

Source: facebook.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

 Makes me laugh everytime..

ok.  Off to the gym.. Gotta get running!

Blessings,

Better than Christmas

by Mollie

 I know what you are thinking.. better than Christmas?!? Say WHAT?!?!

  Ronnie and I have been really convicted lately about living life simply and generously.  Pastor Doug has been doing a sermon series about living generously and it has really hit home for us. We are in the process of cleaning out our garage (nightmare!) to get rid of things that we aren't using and donating them to people in need.  We are trying to be more conscious about the way we spend our time and try to be generous and helpful, etc...

 Our church got the privilege of hosting the Watoto choir yesterday and these kids touched my heart in a new way.  If you haven't seen Watoto children's choir you need to NOW!  (link to their calendar)

  These kids are from Uganda and they are orphans.  They have been abandoned by either one or both of their parents because of war or disease.  A man named Gary Skinner started Watoto Village for these orphans and has created a very successful ministry.  Watoto exists to provide a home, food, and family for these kids as well as teach them valuable life skills to raise up the next generation of leaders in Africa.  They are PASSIONATE about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and these kids SHINE with the love of God.

 

  Ok. So now back to my story.  Watoto Choir #50 was at our church yesterday morning.  I had seen them before and was SO excited to have Zoie there to see it too.  When they were singing and praising God, I was thinking about their stories.  Here I am, sitting in my warm comfortable church with food in my belly cuddling my little girl.  These kids don't have their parents or the comforts of America yet they are praising God joyfully with every fiber of their being! It was right then and there I decided to go sponser one of those kiddos.  I marched myself and Zoie over to the table and asked if we could sponser a little girl (because I wanted someone Zoie could relate to).  The lady at the table rifled through the stack and found the perfect little girl, Hellen.  HERE'S THE BEST PART!!!! Hellen was apart of the choir that was singing on stage! Not only do I get to sponser this sweet girl, but I get to meet her and hug her?!? Get out!!!




  She is 8 yrs old and wants to be a teacher (melt my heart)!  I feel so privileged that I got to actually meet her and squeeze her.  I also bought a doll that the Watoto choir sells and Zoie quickly named her Hellen.  She is going to be the perfect reminder for us to pray for Hellen.

  This was seriously the best day.  We get to help someone who needs our help, spread God's Word, teach our daughters the importance of generosity, and to top it off the Chargers won! (jk).

  To find out more about Watoto or to sponser a child yourself click HERE.  I hope you do.

 Blessings,

 

A time for giving thanks.

Mollie and I wanted to spend this Thanksgiving writing out what we are thankful for.  

Of course there is too much to list here, but it is good to remind oneself of God's amazing blessings.

So here we go...

I, Holly, am thankful for

the way little man always says, "Excuse me mommy, I love you."
a husband who loves me very well
friends who have blessed me with unconditional love
a grandfather who started our family on the path of living lives for Jesus
my boys' little red barn school
a father-in-law who takes great care of us
big man's incredible blue eyes
the large sycamore tree, perfectly centered outside my window, in my front yard
a full pantry
freckles on middle mans nose and cheeks  
good health
fireplaces
the color gray
a God who loves me more than I could ever imagine          


I, Mollie, am thankful for


my Zoie who says "mommy, you make me so happy."
jeans, especially ones that fit really well
my wonderful husband who is patient with me and loves our little girls so well
coffee - in every shape and color
cozy blankies and movies with friends
cuddling babies
early mornings with my Lord
my Savior
my camera, to capture my blessing of a family
my Pennie, who greets me with a smile every morning
an incredible church family


Have a blessed Thanksgiving! 

Friendsgiving

Mollie and I are part of a fabulous homegroup.  It is a small group from our church that meets once a week and discusses the message from that week (well, we're supposed to discuss the message but...)

Around Thanksgiving we get together for a full on Thanksgiving meal.  And I mean FULL ON, complete with all the trimmings.  It is a great time of hanging out and we call it "Friendsgiving."

This year it was at my house.

Don't you just want to change things up some times?  This is what I came up with...

Dinner in the family room.

Before... (to those who can tell, that is Chuck on t.v.:)

And after.

It was a bit chilly outside, so we cozied up to the fireplace and had a great time!

I cut out leaves from craft paper for us to write what we are thankful for and we clipped them to the "thankful" banner hanging on the mantle.

Here's some of the yumminess...

Master carver,

And the cutest gravy maker ever!

By the end of the evening, we scooted both tables together and sat around one large table.  So much fun!

What was I thankful for?  A large table with friends around it.  So thankful!

Also very thankful that they all helped me turn the family room back into the family room at the end of the night.  It was nice to have a little change of scenery, mix it up a bit. 

It was even nicer to share it with such great friends.

I hope you can find time this season to gather with close friends and let them know that you are thankful for them.

Happy Tuesday!

Red & White Polka Dots

by Mollie

  I feel like I have been seeing spots.  Red & white polka dots to be exact.  This last weekend we had Zoie's 2 yr. old birthday party and it was Minnie Mouse themed!

 Here's the sweet birthday girl! I made her skirt using this tutorial and I made a simple tutu underneath. 

White Chocolate Dipped Oreos. YUMMY!!!!

I got the cupcake liners from here. 

I made the printable for the water bottles.  So fun to get creative!

Drinks from Mason jars. 

Yarn wrapped wreath w/ felt-cardboard

Her little table was a gift from nana & pops!

Cranberry juice & 7-up party punch! 

Thanks nana!

Even Pennie got in the Minnie Mouse spirit!

Her adorable sign! Thanks Auntie Kristin! She works with my friend Courtney who makes these precious signs.  Check out her shop here. 

Enjoying her cupcake with Minnie. 

Thank you to all our friends and family that joined us to celebrate our sweet girl! It was a fun night, can't believe I have a two yr old!!!