We are THAT Family

WFMW: Memory Keeping with Project Life

10:00 pm Bykristen

My friend Jessica from The Mom Creative is filling in for me today while I take a few days to tend to my daughter. You might remember her from her WFMW receipt organization post.

When Kristen asked me to write today, I was a little nervous. What could I share that both works for me and that would be helpful to many of you? As I considered a variety of ideas, the one that kept coming up in my mind was my system for memory keeping, Project Life.

Have you heard of it?

Y’all, if you haven’t, you are in for a treat today.

This memory keeping system has taken the crazy out of my scrapbooking and left me with thousands of photos in albums (and not sitting collecting dust on my hard drive). I love it so much and I am so excited to share it with you today.

Check out this super cute, super short video that does a perfect job of explaining Project Life.

What is Project Life? from Becky Higgins LLC on Vimeo.

As a mom who works full-time outside the home, I love that Project Life makes it easy for me to record my family’s memories. All you need to start are an album is a core kit (I’m using Jade this year), a 12×12 album and some page protectors (I recommend starting with the Big Variety Pack 2 ). I love using a bunch of different sized and style page protectors in my album. I typically buy my products on Amazon, but a bunch of retailers are now selling Project Life products too.

This is my fifth year doing a Project Life album to document my family’s story. In my album are photos, birthday invitations, Instagrams, school artwork, cards and so much more. All the memorabilia and different page protectors make it so much fun to look at.

Plus, like I said before, it’s easy. And that’s SO important.

To learn more about Project Life or to get some inspiration, check out these posts:

Project Life Tuesday series: A weekly link-up where I share my layout from the previous week, plus Project Lifers from around the world share their pages
Project Life: 20 Questions Answered
The Mom Creative’s Project Life YouTube Playlist: Occasionally I do a video sharing new Project Life products or recent layouts. For those that like visual inspiration, this is for you!
Project Life on Pinterest: Lots of inspiration for those of you who love to pin.
Project Life founder Becky Higgins’ blog: Becky’s blog is chock full of useful information, inspiration and tips for using Project Life. Plus she’s a busy working wife and mom. You’ll love her.

Project Life works for me.

Filed UnderWFMW 13 Comments

How to Find God On a Monday

8:10 am Bykristen

“Mama?”

“Hmmm?”

“Are you gonna cry again today?” she asked.

My hand stopped writing mid-sentence and just hearing her words, I could feel the tears threaten.

“Probably.”

She smiled and patted my hand. “Okay, just checking.”

My father had a heart attack on Saturday and spent Father’s Day having a nearly 3 hour procedure to save his life. My oldest has a difficult oral surgery tomorrow and will be in bed most of the week. In between, I am grieving someone I loved in Kenya and praying for Maureen and our Mercy House girls in the depths of sorrow mingled with the joy of two more babies born on Friday and through most of it, my husband was out of town. And I was out of my mind.

I haven’t slept well in a week and it’s Monday again. The week ahead is daunting, but instead of chasing after it, I’m looking for the new mercies in it.

Terrell, my husband, overheard me say to my 6 year old, “It’s been a hard week, honey.” He said, thinking of his sister who died in January, “It’s been a hard year.”

He’s right. I am just a fragile clay jar, pressed on every side, but not crushed, sustained inwardly by a living God. He keeps me going:

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you…..

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” -From 2 Corinthians Chapter 4

Maybe your in a season of trials and you need this promise, too.

How to find God on this Monday:

Choose gratitude no matter what. Keeping a list of things we are thankful for doesn’t change the situation, it changes us.
Choose to let go of what doesn’t matter-dirty room, piles of laundry, it’s okay.
Choose to let Him carry the burden. I’m reminding myself that difficult days don’t take God by surprise, He’s right in the middle of it.
Choose to trust His heart for you when you can’t understand where His hand is leading.

I can’t thank y’all enough for your love and prayers the past week. I can feel them.

Filed UnderMy Life 27 Comments

On Giving Up

7:54 am Bykristen

I don’t ever want to relive yesterday.

I woke very early in the morning to learn that Maureen’s dear mother, Jennifer, passed away. I stumbled around my dark house numb for an hour. Lost. I have so many questions and emotions and my heart is broken for Maureen and her young brothers, for this devastating loss of a beautiful mother.

A few minutes later, I learned the new Mercy House home we purchased in Kenya (but haven’t moved our residents into yet) was broken into by thieves who stole from us and beat our caretaker.

And we have two c-sections scheduled for two of our pregnant girls tomorrow.

My house was quiet, kids sleeping, husband away on a business trip and I lay prostrate on my closet floor and I sobbed. I simply couldn’t stand under the burden a second longer.

I gave up.

All week I’ve been told that we are in a spiritual battle as Jennifer fought for her life and there’s been an onslaught of trials here and there. People have reminded me how much the enemy hates the work of rescuing girls and saving babies. I believe it, but I have to say, some news makes you feel like you’re losing the battle.

I know God is in control, but things feel out of control. And I have no control. And I want to close my eyes to the sorrow in this world. Some days I long to go back to when I was an oblivious mom who’s biggest worry was home decor.

A dear friend sent this email:

“You are not going to lose the battle because it was already WON on the cross. I don’t believe in losing or getting the victories because Jesus already did.

It is never going to be easy. It is only the beginning of the hardship. But if you choose to endure with Him, you choose to reign with Him. If you choose to suffer, you will be glorified.

If you think there is no more energy in you, it is excellent because now you will experience a supernatural power of Christ working in you and through you. Before you could do on your own and sometimes switching to His power, but now only by Him, through Him, and with Him can you accomplish things for Him.”

I want to give up– and so I am. I’m choosing to lay my burden at the feet of Jesus. He’s all we really have in this world. Would you please pray for Maureen, her young brothers, our home in Kenya, the new babies due tomorrow, for me?

Filed UnderMercyHouse, My Life 69 Comments

WFMW: Act of Parental Brilliance

9:55 pm Bykristen

Sometimes I see simple parental acts of brilliance and I think, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

You know, life-changing things like this:

Image Source: Juggling with Kids

Because seriously, some life hacks make your life a lot easier.

Click here for 19 more ideas to simplify your life.

They work for me!

Filed UnderWFMW 19 Comments

Union 28: Father’s Day Giveaway

10:49 pm Bykristen

My kids are finally getting to the age where they understand the meaning behind Father’s Day.

When I asked them what they wanted to get him this year, one of them responded: a boat.

So, maybe it’s money they really don’t get.

One easy way to encourage the dad in your house, is by the letting the world know how much he means to you. Marriages and the family aren’t valued in our culture like they used to be and when you wear your declaration on a shirt, the world notices.

Every. Time. I wear a “My Husband Rocks” shirt, someone comments on it. It’s a great way to show love!

Bless the socks off the dad in your family, with these new awesome varsity-style family shirts:

Shirts for the kiddos

For Mom (It’s the gift for you that’s really for him):

For Dad:

I love these “My Parent’s Rock” shirts, too!

There’s a variety of sizes, styles and colors available in these fun shirts. Check them out here.

Today, I’m giving away TWO $25 gift certificates so two of you can show off your love this Father’s Day!

Now through Father’s Day (June 16, 2013) – use code U28family15 at checkout to receive 15% OFF any regular-priced TEES! You must order today using PRIORIY shipping in order to receive in time for Father’s Day

Leave a comment and tell me something special about your father or the husband of your kids.

Filed UnderGiveaways 125 Comments