Friday's Fave Five

Join us as we look back at our favorites or blessings from the week. Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story is our host,so be sure to link up with her.

1. Softball Sunday... Every 4th Sunday when the time changes and the evenings are longer, our church doesn't have night service. We gather back together to grill outside and fellowship. The kids play and the adults do too. I think it just took on the name softball Sunday because the adults played softball. We had a great time this past Sunday. We invite others who don't have anything to do that evening.
2. Spring cleaning... We did some deep cleaning Tuesday and Wednesday morning. I love to clean! I love the smell of the freshness. My husband steamed cleaned our carpet,which needed it badly. We cleaned windows,the bathroom, and replaced some things. 
3. Great conversation... We had some friends over Wednesday evening for supper. They go to church with us and have a boy and a girl close to our boys age. Jenn brought a Greek salad and I baked chicken spaghetti. We had a great time!
4. Resurrection activities... The boys took upon themselves to draw some pictures at breakfast this week. Daniel is a good little artist. They drew some pictures of Jesus on the cross and of the empty tomb. We did role playing last night of the Passover and betrayal of Jesus upon their request. Today we read the first part of the crucifixion and are doing the scene with a Resurrection set I printed out. We have Jesus on the cross and will take him off and put him in the tomb this evening. Sunday morning I am going to take him out and they will look for him. We also watched the Passover,Betrayal,and Crucifixion last night. It's a great animated story I found. We had some good discussions. We don't do eggs,easter bunny,or baskets.
5. Coffee.. I bought some new coffee today. It's called Seattle's Best. I have been drinking Dunkin' Donuts,but wanted to try something new! I found a great creamer by Bailey's. It's Almond Toffee and it's so good!
6. Bonus... We are starting Spring Break Monday. They are pretty excited and so am I!

I pray you all reflect and meditate deeply on the crucifixion today and tomorrow. Think of how our Lord suffered so we may be in right standing with God,our Father. How awesome!!! Yet, how sad at the same time. I hate that Jesus had to be put through so much pain for the whole world. My perspective and feelings have changed over the years at how I look and observer this holy time. I pray you know our Lord and know He is risen and He is alive! 

Thankful Thursday

This time of the year for Christians is so vital in who we are today. I'm so thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. I look at Resurrection day a lot different than I used too. Growing up we dyed and hunted the eggs,had baskets with goodies,and always got a new outfit. We knew Jesus died and came back to life,but it was not a focal point for us. My Mother was born again,but my Daddy was not. It wasn't until I was almost 24 that I really started looking at "Easter" different. My Lord was in so much agony over this that He prayed/cried so hard drops of blood fell from His head while in the garden of Gethsemane. He was beat so bad he was unrecognizable. That is not something pleasant to think about. He would take on the sin of the world! He would be separated from God because of it. God would literally turn His back on His Son and not look at Him. That is not something to take lightly. It's not something to overlook either. It was a very sad and horrific day for the followers of Jesus. I am thankful Jesus did this for me and for you. He made a way for us to be reconciled back to the Father. How awesome! How glorious! The joy came in the morning when Jesus came back to life just as He said. That is the happy part. I still think it's not to be taken lightly. We want our boys to know the true meaning of Resurrection day and we don't want to take the focus off of it for one second. I want them to grow up knowing what Jesus did for them.

What are you thankful for? Join Laurie @ Woman Taking A Stand for more posts and to link up!

Friday's Fave Five

I didn't get to link up as early today,but still wanted to get my post in! Join us and share your favorites from the week.

1. Bonding time... My husband took our 2 older boys camping for one night this week. I missed them a lot,but it is awesome to see my husband take up time with my boys. There is so much more he could have been doing,but he chose to spend time with them.
2. Giving... I love to give! I make jewelry and I did a give-a-way on my Facebook page this week. It was so much fun and always is to do. I made 3 pieces to give away. From the Heart Jewelry by Heather is my page for anyone interested.
3. Outside time... we have had such great weather this week and I took the big boys out while the toddler slept in this morning. We had a blast! They found some snails,worms,and rollie pollies.
4. Friends... We went to some good friends house yesterday evening for a birthday party. It does me good to see my kids forming friendships. They had fun and I had a great visit with a good friend of mine.
5. In-Laws... My oldest SIL came over today and one of my nieces. It's always fun for the boys to have family come over. We even made a trip to Michael's,Hobby Lobby,and to get ice cream. 

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week! Link up with Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story for more posts.

Thankful Thursday

What are you thankful for today? We all have so much to be thankful about. I'm thankful for beads. Yes, beads. I learned to make jewelry in college and it got pushed to the side after my first 2 sons. In the last year I have picked it back up and began making it again. I loved making jewelry before having kids and I still love it. I am able to make a little extra income for our family and still be at home with my 3 little boys. I'm thankful God gave me this talent. I started a Facebook page in 2011 and have been able to bless others with pretty things. I love to do give-a-ways,which I just did this week. I want to make pretty things that people can afford. If I could, I would just give it all away,but my husband would probably not go for that ha! It blesses me to be able to do something like this. I love being able to stay at home,but still do something for others. I love to create things and creating jewelry is so much fun! I'm artsy and always have been,but painting wasn't my thing though I love it, I wasn't great at it. I didn't have a talent for it. I love to write,but I don't have a talent for that either. I would love to write a book or have my blog take off with thousands of followers,but God had something different in mind. I have a talent for creating and making jewelry and for that I will be thankful.

Link up with Iris @ Grace Alone for more posts

If you are interested in my jewelry you can visit my Facebook page From the Heart Jewelry by Heather. My email for that is fromtheheartjewelry_08@yahoo.com.

Friday's Fave Five

Sometimes my week is rough. Motherhood can be exhausting for sure,so looking back at the positives helps me each week. 

1. Longer evenings... We enjoyed a beautiful evening Sunday before night service. We went to a friend's and took a ride on the Benche (sort of like a Gator,not sure if you know what I mean). It was beautiful and so breezy. I love being outside. It's a favorite of mine. Time changed this weekend,so now we get longer evenings and it's nice.
2. Signs of spring... I do love cold weather and the Winter season,but I need Spring, in more than one way. Last year was a rough year for me and it effected the family also. Feminine issues plagued me and finally I am seeing the light. It will be like turning over a new leaf literally. The beautiful days have been so refreshing!
3. New hair do... I went this past Wednesday for some highlights. It's only about the 3rd time in 10 years that I have done them. I wanted some lighter color. My hair used to be cotton top and it was that way until the pregnancy years. I miss it. So I did some "fake" color. I really love it!
4. Local cafe shops... While I was out getting my hair highlighted, I stopped at a friend's bread/coffee shop. Oh it is such a good place. They are a Christian family and very delightful too! I had a lemon bar with Costa Rican Smooth coffee.
5. Conversations... My 5 year old and I had a great one today. I was folding clothes and we talked about animals. He is so cute. He was asking all sorts of questions. I love him and how he is getting more mature and smarter.

Join Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story for more posts!

Thankful Thursday

I always have much to be thankful for each day. I like to take the time to write it out each week. Today as I was away from my boys I started missing them. Most day I am just trying to survive and make it to bedtime. I think most Mama's are that way. I am not sure if it is just during the younger years or until they are gone. They drive me nuts some days,but when I am away I miss them and want to hurry back so fast! I am thankful for the gift of Motherhood. It's so stressful,tiring,and exhausting,but it is so rewarding. I love my boys so much. I sacrifice a lot for them daily. I am learning to sacrifice even more. It's not always fun or feels good at the time. God has taught me so much since being a Mother. He has used those little boys to humble me and break me at times. I am thankful He chose my 3 little boys to be mine.

What are you thankful for? Laurie @ Women Taking A Stand is our host this month. Be sure to check her out!

Friday's Fave Five

Here are some favorites from my week!

1. Home meeting... We had a great home meeting Sunday evening at Pastor Brian's. My husband brought the Word and I was proud of him. I am so thankful for a man who longs for God and seeks to be conformed.
2. Orders... I make jewelry and I have had some orders come in. I stay so busy with my 3 boys,home making,and being a wife that I really don't get much time to make it for the sake of it. I'm thankful for the skill and the joy of being of to do this.
3. Winter weather... We continued our cold snap and it's been wonderful!! I love cold weather!
4. Family... I took the boys for a hair cut yesterday and was able to visit with my parents. My Mom and I went out to eat some Mexican food and then grabbed some fresh coffee at a locally run shop. I love our small home town where we were raised! I miss it a lot.
5. Surprises... I surprised my husband this morning with a new toy. He has wanted a tablet (similar to the iPad for a little bit now). Well, last night with the help of my brother, I was able to get one ordered and picked up. He was so thankful!! I love that man! He does a lot for me and the boys. Thank God for the means to do this.

Hope you all have had a great week and have a great weekend! Link up with Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story for more posts. 

Thankful Thursday

What are you thankful for today? We all have so much to be thankful for I know,even in the trials, there is something. Join Laurie @ Women Taking A Stand as she hosts this meme this month.

I'm thankful for... seasons of the weather. I think my favorite is Winter. I love the chill of the cold. I love wearing warm sweaters and thick jackets along with cute boots. I love building a fire at our friends homes and making yummy smores. I love the dreary looking days with no sun. I love curling up on the couch with a book or my Kindle and dreaming of nothing to do.

I'm thankful for... coffee. Ahhh, who isn't? I love the aroma as it brews. I love the hot touch while sipping on it. I love the taste. I love the sugar and creamer and how it mixes just perfect to my liking.

I'm thankful for... water. I used to hate the taste, well, because it didn't have much of a taste. Now, I love it. Cold water just is refreshing. 

I'm thankful for... my health. I've always been fairly healthy. I dealt with some feminine issues after my 3rd and last child. It's been a year and a half of problems,but I am finally seeing some relief. 

Those are just a few of the things I am thankful for today. Hope everyone has a blessed day!!

Friday's Fave Five

Join us as we look back over our week at our blessings. Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story is the creator of this meme. Link up with her and check out others posts.

1. Dinner on the grounds... We had a wonderful lunch after church on Sunday. It was a gorgeous day for the children to play out on the playground also. I love fellow-shipping with our church family.
2. Relaxing evening... We didn't have services Sunday evening so we enjoyed it at home. We took naps,had homemade pizza,and watched some movies with the boys.
3. Comfort foods... I made chili for Wednesday and it was yummy. We had a cold front come through and it was just on time. My guys ate it up!
4. Home-schooling... It can be exhausting at times,but I am so glad I am doing it. My boys are learning so much. Our curriculum is Bible base (Heart of Dakota) and I love it.
5. Sweet treats... I caved this week and ate more than my share of Little Debbie Cakes. :-) I love the ones with cream in the middle. The Zebra Cakes. Oh boy. They are so yummy!