Keepsake Pillows

Not a day goes by that I don't think about and miss this man! A few days after dad passed away mom and I was in his closet and I had the idea of turning his shirts into pillows. I ended up with enough pillows for each of the children, myself, mom, and Bryan. I also made a few for other family members. 

Here is dad in one of his shirts and then the picture below is the pillow I made out of that shirt. 

At first this was a hard project and I would have to stop and put it to the side for a few days...I got pretty emotional a couple of times. I am so thankful to have this keepsake.

Most of the shirts that I turned into pillows I had a picture of him in that shirt to go with the pillow. 

I enjoyed making these and glad we have them. Mom plans on taking the scraps from the shirts and making a blanket. Just wish I could have one more hug from my dad... He had the best hugs!!

Saved By Grace

As I was writing the date in my prayer journal this morning I realized that it was 24 years ago today that God did a miracle in my life. I was spiritually dead and He brought life to me. God revealed my sin and called me to Him. That was the best thing that ever happened to me! You can read about my testimony here.

What is your testimony? When and How did God change your heart? I would love to hear from you! 

The song All I Have Is Christ sums it up best…

VERSE 1

I once was lost in darkest night

Yet thought I knew the way

The sin that promised joy and life

Had led me to the grave

I had no hope that You would own

A rebel to Your will

And if You had not loved me first

I would refuse You still

 

VERSE 2

But as I ran my hell-bound race

Indifferent to the cost

You looked upon my helpless state

And led me to the cross

And I beheld God’s love displayed

You suffered in my place

You bore the wrath reserved for me

Now all I know is grace

 

CHORUS

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ

Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

 

VERSE 3

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone

And live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commands

Could never come from me

Oh Father, use my ransomed life

In any way You choose

And let my song forever be

My only boast is You

Double Digits

 Timothy turned 10 this year! He is officially in the double digits! He always enjoys having a birthday! He is such a sweet and loving young man. All of his siblings are crazy about him and they like to spoil him.

 Grandparents came up and helped us celebrate! We always have the best time when grandparents are here!

 Our family gave him "art" supplies. He loves to draw and is really good at it.

 When your sister likes to bake you can have your own personal cake for your birthday! SPOILED!

Sarah made him a soccer cake for everyone to eat and enjoy. She enjoys making everyones birthday cakes. Timothy told her he wanted cool ship on his cake so she made him his own personal cake with cool whip on top.

Timothy loves playing soccer and basketball. If he ever has a free moment we can hear him out on the driveway shooting basketball. He is very special and we are all very thankful that God gave us Timothy. Praying for the great things God has planned for him!

Love My Family

Yes, it has been SIX months since I posted! I guess this is the place where I post an apology about it being so long since I posted... which is what I normally do when its been so long since the last post. BUT I am not going to apologize this time. 😎 Being a wife 💏and mother👸 are by far my most important priorities and one day when my children look back at my blog and see that there was a gap in post I pray they will know that I was spending time with them. I will eventually get the things posted that need to be. The children really do grow up too fast and if I am worried about keeping up my blog I will miss the most important things in life... my family! I am not going to make any promises that I will post more often in the next couple of days, weeks, or months (I did update a few pictures on here)... but I plan on making an effort to get some things posted. ALL this to say... I LOVE my family and God has given me a great calling as wife and mother to this crazy bunch! 💗

Tasty Tuesday

Wanted to share our Spinach Frittata recipe. The children and I entered a few pies in a Pie Day contest and the Frittata won 1st place in its category. :) Hope you enjoy!

Spinach Frittata

8 eggs

¾ cup of milk

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

¼ cup diced onion

½ cup cooked and crumbled sausage

1/4 cup of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

½ cup shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9” pie dish. In a bowl combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper and whisk together. In the pie dish evenly spread onions, spinach, and sausage. Carefully pour egg mixture over meat and vegetables. Sprinkle with cheese.

It's Great To Be 8!

This girl is growing up WAY too fast! I never thought she would turn 8 so soon! We love this girl! She is such a joy and blessing to our family and to all who meet her. Joanna is a friendly little girl and quick to make a friend. Her heart is so sweet and she loves reading her Bible. She always has a question or two during our family worship at night about the passage of scripture we are reading through. I am sure she could teach a Sunday School class. :) 

 She chose to eat at Mexican for her birthday. We took her out to eat and she loved every minute of it!

 Joanna is definitely a mommy's girl! Hard to believe she is my baby girl!

 Here she is after they sang Happy Birthday to her. (See the photo bomber?)

 Bryan's parents got her some clothes for her birthday and she loves wearing what they gave her.

 My mother and Bryan's parents came up and helped us celebrate Joanna turning 8 AND watching an indoor soccer tournament. My mother gave her a tool bag with tools, which is what she asked for.

 Here is Bryan's parents with one of our soccer players.

Bryan and I take a picture with one of our other soccer players. Sarah was there but she was helping with the score board. Isaac was also playing in the tournament, but I didn't get a picture of him. :(

We had so much fun celebrating Joanna's birthday! Joanna is a very special young lady and I know that God has great plans for her. I pray that she will always know God's love for her and our love for her. God is good and we pray that Joanna will serve Him all the days of her life. It was sad that my dad wasn't here to help celebrate, it just won't be the same when we are together and he isn't with us.

My Dad

I have another post titled "My Dad" and you can read it here. Please go and read that post because it really says all I need to say in this one. The only difference is my dad is no longer with us. The Lord took him home on December 15, 2018. God was good in so many ways and I am very thankful for His blessings.

Our family went to visit my parents on December 13 and spend a couple of nights with them because we were having our Christmas with Bryan's family on the night of December 15th. Dad had not had a good week and when we arrived we could tell he didn't feel well but the next day (December 14) he actually had a real good day. We really had a great time with him and enjoyed every moment of it. We went to bed and like every time we are there to visit I went in and told him good night and that I loved him. Dad and mom had plans the next day with the senior adults at their church so he was looking forward to that. Early the next morning mom came in and woke Bryan and I up and said she couldn't get dad awake... of coarse I just thought maybe he was sleeping really hard. We tried everything and then we knew he was gone. Tears flow as I type this because I miss him so much!

I am so thankful we were there and that he didn't suffer. Thankful for all the memories I have of dad and the memories my children have of him. It still doesn't seem real. I love that man and miss him every day!