2010 May — We are THAT Family

The Shirt Every Husband Needs {Giveaway}

10:09 pm Bykristen

*Congrats to The Nabor’s Baby and MamaRa for winning! Don’t forget to take advantage of this great offer:

Union28 is offering a discount off your order using this code: U28WATF10

It’s valid from June 1st – June 20th and is good for 10% off any Union28 order.

Yesterday, I told y’all about the kind of man I married.

He’s a good man.

But I’ll be honest with you, when my husband told me what he wanted to do for his homeless friend, these words might have come out of my mouth: “Yes, go ahead and buy him colostomy bags, but DON’T GET YOURSELF KILLED. Because dinner is at 6.”

Every man needs a ~~bossy~~ caring wife. A woman who loves him deeply and dresses him well. Which is exactly why I’m thrilled he’s getting this shirt for Father’s Day from me:

[insert proud smile here]

The good people over at Union28 are sending me this shirt for my hubby for Father’s Day. I think he’s going to love it. I know I do. But let’s not talk about me.

Over the past year, I’ve developed a friendship with the owner(s) of Union28 and I love that they support strong marriages. They are the smart people who created the My Husband Rocks shirt that I wear every other week. I wear it even when he doesn’t. Rock.

I love the way that shirt makes him feel. I love that it makes husbands wish their wives would wear a shirt like it. I love that in a small, but tangible way, it builds my marriage.

Union28 is giving away TWO $25 gift certificates today. This giveaway ends on Friday.

PLUS, Union28 is offering a discount off your order using this code: U28WATF10

It’s valid from June 1^st – June 20^th and is good for 10% off any Union28 order.

Please leave a comment to be entered and tell me which shirt you like AND tell me something you love about your spouse.

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The Kind of Man I Married

8:30 pm Bykristen

The third week of every month, he travels down the congested road in his salesman shoes. Every third week, he passes homeless men. They are dirty, some with signs, others aimless, but all forming a derelict community.

One day about a year ago, my husband stopped. He had extra food from an event in his company car and fed the hungry. Some months he passes out chicken biscuits, other months, tacos. He always stops to listen to their stories. He isn’t sent by some church or fulfilling some ministry, there aren’t accolades or attention for his unseen acts. He saw a need.

Late last week, the third week of the month, he called me. One of the homeless men he’d been helping had a medical need and was in pathetic shape. Please read it in his words…..

He says he’s just doing what feels right to him. But to me, he’s amazing.

Because that’s the kind of man I married.

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Filed UnderTHAT family 17 Comments

Links I Love:

1:30 am Bykristen

Intimate Issues: The Making of a Marriage Bed-Ann heats it up with this one

I Dance Revolution-I think this is an adorable idea to learn something new and get into shape. Too bad, I can’t. Dance.

I thought these two posts about blogging about blogging were interesting from Stephanie and Amanda.

I love this easy, sentimental gift idea for Dad on Father’s Day or this one is sweet, too.

Please note:Next week’s WFMW (Wed. June 2nd) will be the annual themed summer edition: “Mom, I’m Bored!” Share your best tip for keeping kids occupied in the summer

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There is No Plan B

10:00 am Bykristen

I think he is right. And in doing so, I’m trying to figure out what this means for my family.

What do you think?

from the book, Radical by David Platt

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Filed UnderFaith 36 Comments

DIFOP: Using Pillow Cases to Dress the Poor

10:10 pm Bykristen

[The deadline for me to receive items for the Do-It-For-Others NICU project for Hailey's Hope is Monday. Thanks to all who were involved in this special project. At last count there have been more than FIFTY preemie outfits mailed in!]

I am SO excited to tell you about our newest project that will actually be for June and July: pillow case dresses for little girls in Africa!

IF YOU DON’T/CAN’T SEW———>PLEASE KEEP READING!!!

One of my readers suggested this project and directed me to Little Dresses for Africa. This is a wonderful non-profit organization that is providing simple, sweet dresses for children in Central Africa, hit hard by the AIDS epidemic. Many of these children are orphans cared for by sibling and sometimes clothes are a luxury. This organization also holds classes during the dress distribution to educate the kids on sanitation, nutrition and family skills.

I was a little worried about the sewing part of this project because I want these DIFO projects to be easy enough for whole families to get involved. And every time I attempt sewing, I break a needle or I trip on something (that last part is probably totally unrelated). So, I asked Twitter for help. I was simply overwhelmed with the response of 15 seamstresses who are donating their time and skill to create dresses from the pillowcases we collect in June!

Our goal: ONE-HUNDRED dresses!!

A special thanks to the seamstresses:

Sweetie Berry, MollyFulton, My Blessed Life, Joy in the Journey, Mommy Daily Vent, robinvisbal, Amy_G, Parris Ponderings, Smock Lady, My Soul Reflects, One Stitch Rachel, Signing Charity, Little Miss Random, Troop Petrie, Shouting for Ha, Our Life Upstaestate, Beth Sew Anyhow, Cheerios UnderFoot, Angie.

June 1-30 PILLOW CASE/MATERIALS DRIVE

We need 100+ new or lightly used pillowcases!!

July 1-31 SEAMSTRESSES MAKE DRESSES/MAIL

Items you can send for this project:

New or gently used pillow cases
Double bias tape
1/2 inch elastic
thread
air tight vacuum space bags
money to help with shipping (I will be dividing supplies and shipping to seamstresses. I will also provide them with a postage-paid envelope to mail completed dresses to the organization).

If you sew and would like to complete your own pillow case dress(es), please send them to the address below. If you can make your own dresses, please note that you DO NOT have to use actual pillow cases, elastic, bias tape, etc. Make them in your own unique way and they WILL be sent to Africa! Here is the dress pattern that the organization suggests.

You can mail these items to:

We are THAT family

8000 Research Forest Dr. Ste. 115-110

Spring, TX 77382

Please ONLY leave a comment if you are able to contribute in some way (every little bit counts!)

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WFMW: Organize a Blog Calendar

10:40 am Bykristen

Like the new WFMW button? You can get one here.

I live by my calendar. If it’s not written down, it doesn’t happen. (And that’s not because we are super busy, it’s because I’m super forgetful!)

I started a habit when I first started blogging, I keep an ongoing list of blog post ideas in a word document. Whenever I have a thought for a future post, I jot it down. These little notes don’t always become posts, but sometimes they do.

I also keep a calendar of future posts. Since I regularly schedule giveaways, I like to plan for them. Since I write most of my posts ahead of time, I plug them into dates on my calendar about two weeks out. If a timely posts happens, I just move it in ahead of what I’ve already written. I put the numbers 1-5 (for Mon-Fri) and I fill in the blanks. I know I’ll have WFMW on Wed and usually a giveaway on Tuesday.

Whenever I actually write the post, I change to color of the type, so I know it’s ready in my queue. I erase each post after it’s been published and usually have three weeks or so planned out.

This works for me and keeps me off the computer when I need to be with my family!

**Updated to Add** Next Wed., June 2 will be a themed edition: “Mom, I’m Bored” Share your best tip for keeping your child busy in the summer!

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Modern Art that Makes My Heart Stop {Giveaway}

10:00 am Bykristen

*Updated with Winner* Congratulations to EmmieBee! You won! Everyone else, please don’t forget that Modern Bird Designs is offering a 15% discount code WEARETHATFAMILY to expire June 3rd.

Africa changed me.

I know it sounds trite and overused, but it’s true. It’s not just a slogan or a great t-shirt logo, it’s my mantra.

I don’t feel the same on the inside in little ways-like mindless shopping and even in bigger areas like faith and the future.

I don’t ever want to forget being there: the faces I met, the smells of the city, the feeling of God coming near.

I have a beaded giraffe on my keychain that a Compassion child made. I have a bowl on my kitchen counter that I bought in the market. I have a hole in my heart from the piece I left in Africa.

When Modern Bird Designs asked me if they could make me a piece of art, I knew I wanted a part of my Africa journey on my wall:

Instead of choosing a picture of a child we already sponsor, I chose to capture Paris, a child needing a sponsor.

Isn’t it amazing??

This is hanging in my house as a constant reminder to be her voice:

And a lucky reader will win one too today! Modern Bird Studios is generously offering one reader a 12″ x 12″ custom piece (valued at $215)!

How it works:

Each work is a one-of-a-kind, original studio piece created with a combination of digital, hand, and painting processes on an Oak composite. We take your photograph, and break it down into a two-color image, which results in abstract shapes that make up the form. We then choose two contrasting colors to create the painting. The result is a marriage between technology and traditional painting to create a totally hip urban-style art piece that enriches your home.

To enter, tell me what you would capture and hang on your wall. Your comment is your entry.

You can also follow Modern Bird Designs on Twitter and joining our Facebook page!

*Open to the lower 48 states

*15% discount code WEARETHATFAMILY to expire ONE week after the contest ends

*Previous contest winners are not eligible to enter.

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

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My Daughter has a Bucket List

10:20 am Bykristen

My 10 year old daughter is a deep thinker and I’m pretty sure she’s smarter than me (but let’s keep that between us).

At dinner the other night, she said, “Mom, I’ve been thinking about my bucket list.”

Me: “Do you know what a bucket list is?”

Daughter: “Of course! It’s a list of things I want to do before I die.”

Well.

I grabbed a piece of paper because I had a feeling this was going to be good:

I love it when I’m right.

Travel to every continent in the world (good one).
Win a sweepstakes of some sort (I mentally added that one to my own list).
Live in Africa for a year (this one both delighted me and made me teary).
Get fake nails (because she wants to tap them on a table-oh, I love age ten!)
Drink a bottle of MetroMint Water.

I laughed at the last one because she’s been asking me for four weeks to buy her a bottle of this expensive (nearly $2) specialty water her teacher is always raving about.

After dinner and a quick trip to the store:

“Refreshing…like drinking a Peppermint Patty” -in the words of 10 year old.

Check that one off the list.

How about you? Tell me something on your list.

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Welcome Home

7:31 pm Bykristen

Well. I did it.

I moved my blog to WordPress! (Actually, Darcy of Graphically Designing, a highly qualified friend o mine did all the work with some behind-the-scenes kudos to Lisa Boyd. I just ate bonbons).

And bless her heart because did you know that moving 50 THOUSAND comments over is not an easy task? It’s is also made more difficult when the blog writer has uploaded every picture for over two years in the largest format. Oops. But let’s not talk about all my faults. Let’s focus on my new workspace.

I’m still learning the ropes, but I can already say, I love it here! Poke around and make yourself at home while I work out the bugs and update the links. Visit Darcy over at Graphically Designing, too.

My real life friends over at Eleven2 are hosting my blog. (Up until a month ago, I thought a host was someone who wears an apron. It’s a wonder I have a blog, y’all. Seriously, low tech over here). Anywho, they are an amazing homegrown business with AWESOME customer service, great attitudes and cool widgets. Okay, I made up the widget part, but it sounded high tech, didn’t it?

In honor of my switcheroo, Eleven2 is offering YOU a free month of hosting on any of their accounts. Just enter this code at checkout: wearethatfamily

It expires: Never.

xoxo

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Links I Love

5:09 pm Bykristen

The Kind of God You Need When Life is a Bit Rocky-so good
Buy food that feeds twice to support orphans
Love this gift idea-Cookie Grams in a Jar-even I could make it!
Be a part of something BIG- 10k in 20 Days
Do-It-for-Others Project (DIFOP)-It’s not too late to send items for NICU parents (and if you signed up, please get it in the mail)

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At Least She Keeps Her Shirt On

5:05 pm Bykristen

My three year old is enthralled with Disney princesses like most little girls. My oldest and I are Cinderella fans. But my little one loves Ariel.

I don’t know if it’s her mermaid physique, the red hair or her seashell brassiere. But, she loves her (not so much the movie-it’s still a bit scary, just the mermaid).

As a matter of fact, every time she sees a pile of rocks (these happen to be in my next door neighbor’s yard), she runs and climbs up on them:

And starts singing “Awww ….. Ahhwaaaaaaa…AWWHHHAAAAA” (it gets louder and louder and more deafening and very out-of-tune!)

Until she clutches her throat and abruptly stops singing…you know, because she wants legs and her voice is stolen by the evil sea witch …

Which always ends up being me.

“Momma, you be de sea witch. I be the princess.”

Have y’all seen that witch? I hope sweet tea didn’t do that to her girlish figure!

Who’s your princess?

Happy weekend, y’all.

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[re]Cycle

7:04 am Bykristen

I had a sale (in my awesome friend’s garage) to rid my life of the first layer.

We gave the money here

and we bought these:

for a little girl’s vision.

As I stood in front of a Goodwill drop-off donating my unsold stuff that cluttered my home [and heart], it was a surreal moment. I said, “I want to remember this feeling the next time I want to buy something I don’t need.”

I’m creating a new cycle.

***********

I just read Radical by Pastor David Platt. It’s a thought-provoking, turn-your-world-upside down kind of book and well, radical.

Or is it?

He proposes that God doesn’t make us rich (*and if your family income is $10,000 a year, you are wealthier than 84% of the world. If your income is $50,000 or more, you make more than 99% of the world), so you can call yourself blessed and get a bigger house, better car and more stuff, you know live The American Dream. He proposes, based on Scripture, that God gives us more than we need, so we can use it to bless others.

But how many people really do that? How many people take just their daily bread and give the rest away? I personally know one.

Agree?

Disagree?

I’d love to hear your thoughts either way.

*stats from Radical, 2010

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WFMW: Bulk Blogging

7:00 am Bykristen

I like to do things in bulk. I like to do one shopping trip for the week, JUST ONE. I do not like to go back to the store for two items! I like to clean the whole house at one time (but I don’t, of course, who has the time?) I like bulk – it’s usually cheaper too.

[warning: rabbit trail] My hubby and I had a job once where we got paid ONCE a month. We paid all of our bills and grocery shopped ONE time. It was so hard, but good for us to learn to budget.

I find that writing in bulk is also the most comfortable way for me to sit down and blog. I have two mornings during the school year and one during the summer that I dedicate to writing time. I write several posts in one sitting. If this isn’t possible (and let’s face it, even with the best laid plans, life happens), then I take one evening away from the house to write.

I publish mostly every day. I always have posts in my queue. I love this because I don’t always know how I feel about something until I write it. This gives my words time to marinate. It also gives me time to edit.

Bulk blogging works for me!

Thank you for joining me for WFMW! {You can read the guidelines here.} Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you’d like to share? I’d love for you to join us!

Please mark your calendar for a special (and popular!) Themed Summer Edition: “Mom, I’m Bored!” in TWO weeks!

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Introducing LucyDoo {Giveaway}

7:00 am Bykristen

*UPDATED with Winners* Congrats to Paisley Place and Mel’s Coffee Break!

My dear friend is having her Grand Re-Opening today of her awesome beaded and silver jewelry shop!

Please meet LucyDoo (formerly A Touch of Silver).

I love LucyDoo jewelry because it’s colorful, fun and inexpensive. I wear it all the time!

And did I mention it doesn’t cost a lot?

Where else can you get a quality set as cute at this for $18?

This jewelry makes the perfect gift for yourself or others! Or yourself! Can you tell I really like it?

Okay. Just checking.

Go visit my friend LucyDoo and tell me your favorite pieces as your entry. Today, I’m giving away TWO $25 gift certificates!

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

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Date Night

7:00 am Bykristen

We went to Chick Fil A, sipped on sweet tea and played Farkle for an hour.

It was perfect.

Do you celebrate date nights with your kids? How?

P.S. He’s eight today and still the sweetest boy I know. Happy Birthday, son!

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Filed UnderMy Life, Uncategorized 24 Comments

12:01 am Bykristen

Giving up Asking for Tomorrow’s Bread-dare you, I, give up asking for more?
Free copy of the book I Will Carry You: The Secret Dance of Grief and Joy by Angie Smith (of Bring the Rain)
Poll: When do you start allowing your kids “computer time” and for how long?
I love this (and it supports adoption!)

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I Don’t Know if We Will Adopt {ADOPTION CARNIVAL}

7:00 am Bykristen

*UPDATED*

::Adopting Families:: Please add your blog/fundraiser (or both) links below

::Everyone Else:: Please support, visit, shop and pray!

Before traveling to Kenya, I wrote this post, that proclaimed our desire to adopt a child, possibly from Africa.

The desire came from a deep longing to do something to help the 147 million orphans in the world. The desire came because it seemed like an obvious thing for us to do.

Then, I met Susan, an orphan, while I was in Kenya. I saw what $38 a month did in her life. I knew she didn’t belong in America.

I returned home to a wrestling match in my heart and head.

My hubby first voiced his thoughts, “what if we’re not supposed to spend $30,000 on one International adoption, what if we are supposed to sponsor as many kids as we can?”

I said, “What if we’re supposed to do both?”

We chose the immediate, because it was immediate and we started covering our refrigerator with photos.

Then I read this post from a lovely mother who has adopted and will again. She states eloquently that while adoption is an amazing, life-changing, good option, it is a band aid. It’s a fix over a gaping hole in a world that is too poor or too inadequate to care for their own kids. It’s not God’s Plan A for these precious kids.

In a deep, heart-to-heart talk with my hubby the other night about adoption and our future, he said, “Do you have a peace about adopting right now?”

My heart in my throat, “No.”

“What do you have a peace about?” he said.

And out of nowhere, I said, “Returning to Africa. Someday. I don’t know how or when……” And we cried together.

Y’all, I have NO IDEA where that came from or even what it means.

Maybe we will be a band aid, a Plan B for a child.

Or maybe God wants us to work on that gaping hole a continent away from home.

Either way, we could certainly use your prayers as we try to figure it out.

I don’t know if we’ll adopt or move to Africa, but we will do something. Who knows, maybe both……

I believe every Christian should ask themselves/God if they are to adopt. If the answer is no, then we should help those who are adopting! Adoption is expensive and an emotional journey for families. While our family can’t personally help every family adopting, we want to help this family. I don’t know Tiffany, but she asked me to help. And I feel like that is what God wants us to do. You can support them, too, by buying coffee.

Please come back (tomorrow) on Friday, I will be adding a Mcklinky to this post for families who are adopting (you can add your fundraiser or blog).

Please visit the links and choose a family adopting to shop from, support with encouragement and pray over! I strongly believe that God urges every Christian to care for widows and orphans and when we do something for one of these, we do it unto Him.

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Adoption Carnival has Started!

10:54 pm Bykristen

If you’re adopting, please link up your blog/fundraiser!

If you’re a readers, please visit, shop, support and pray for these families.

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Filed UnderAdoption Leave a Comment

WFMW: Internet Safety Software/Apps

7:00 am Bykristen

I love the Internet. We have a great relationship. It’s completely taken the place of TV in my life -I probably watch about 30 minutes of Television a week. (There’s just not much on that’s good anymore!) I read all my news and keep current by getting online (yo, Twitter).

But, the Internet is not a safe place. It makes me sick, SICK to think of all the evil things online. And it makes me mad that the pornography sites not only want my attention, they go after it. They even try to entice my children.

If you don’t have safety software, parental guidelines and restrictions or your computer in a high traffic place, you’re being foolish. It’s just a matter of time for this filth to invade your home and your child’s mind.

Social Networking Safety Resources for your computers/phones:

Double Agent-brand new!

YouDiligence™

Bsecure™ Family Protection
Free Bsecure Mobile™ iPhone & iPod Touch Internet Filtering
Covenant Eyes® Accountability and Filtering
Safe Eyes® Internet Parental Control
Safe Eyes Mobile™ iPhone & iPod Touch Internet Filtering
ClearPlay®
Mpower
TiVo® KidZone
Family Values Cinema

Thank you for joining me for WFMW! {You can read the guidelines here.} Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you’d like to share? I’d love for you to join us!

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My Forever Child {Giveaway}

12:01 am Bykristen

*UPDATED* Thank you for sharing your stories of loss and hope. This is so much more than a contest for jewelry and I appreciate your comments. I started a thread in my BlogFrog community about our forever children. Please feel free to continue to encourage each other. The random winner is ~Alison~ Under the Big Oak Tree.

My Forever Child is graciously offering a 10% discount on their special jewelry to my readers who use the code THATFAMILY until May 31.

I tried to get pregnant with my first child for three long years.

I had a miscarriage.

I hated Mother’s Day for many years.

I know the pain of infertility and loss.

That’s why when My Forever Child contacted me about their unique ministry to Moms who have known loss, I knew I needed to share it with you.

My Forever Child creates personalized jewelry from the heart, rich with symbolism and meaning. Specializing in tangible reminders to honor and acknowledge our loved ones, while celebrating their life and the love they have bestowed to us. We believe that jewelry should tell a story and be meaningful for the wearer. Our personalized keepsakes are handcrafted upon order in our studio and customized to your specifications. Treasured memories will always be in your heart forever.

~Most of the pieces are handcrafted by Susan Mosquera, jewelry artisan and mother of 4 young children and 1 stillborn baby boy. Her journey of grief, healing, and hope was the inspiration for My Forever Child. Susan’s passion is to be able to help other’s through their life’s journeys with jewelry pieces meaningful for them.

Product Lines:

~Custom engraved handprint jewelry and footprint jewelry from your child’s actual prints. This is a special and unique way to celebrate your child`s life, and to carry with you a treasured keepsake made from their creation!

~Personalized Remembrance and Memorial Jewelry to honor your lost loved ones and keep their memories close to your heart.

Click to see full size image

~Memorial Jewelry for Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Pregnancy and Infant Loss to honor the tiny souls that touch and change your life, but gone too soon.

~Pregnancy and Fertility Jewelry with genuine gemstones and symbolic charms.

~Hand Stamped and professionally engraved unique Mother’s Jewelry, Family Jewelry, and Men’s pieces to honor ALL your children, both on earth and in Heaven.

In honor of My Forever Child‘s 5th Anniversary, they are offering one random reader a $50 gift certificate. Please leave a comment for yourself or someone you know that has suffered a loss and that will be your entry. This giveaway ends on Thursday.

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Filed UnderGiveaways, Uncategorized 212 Comments

Boob Alert

3:52 pm Bykristen

This is a family blog.

So. I thought I should give y’all FAIR WARNING, that while the new BABIES movie is delightful and educational and oh-so-good, there are a lot, A LOT of native boobies in the documentary.

And while they aren’t displayed in a sexual manner AT ALL, they are still breasts on the big screen with your seven year old son sitting next to you.

On Mother’s Day.

Because that’s where you asked your family to take you. After church.

[I'm a big fan of breast feeding. My kids are aware of it and we all support it. But this was like making dinner, braiding hair, living without a shirt on in the background with the babies crawling around. Because that's what they do in Africa. I just wasn't really prepared for it and I spent a lot of time keeping my hands over my son's eyes during the hour documentary-not during the breast feeding parts, just the walking around parts.]

I LOVED the film, loved it! In the future, I’d just like to keep all boob exposure to a minimum, especially on Mother’s Day. (I do think a PG rating isn’t appropriate and there should be some kind of disclaimer).

Would this have bothered you? Would you have taken your kids out? Or is this not an issue for you/family? We just chalked it up to an educational experience and talked a lot about it afterwards!

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Bad Pictures are Good Posts

7:00 am Bykristen

[I totally ripped off my fellow Compassion blogger, Ryan Detzel, for this great title]

My iPhone had 323 photos on it. I decided to clean it up a bit……….

only to discover it’s those bad photos that make great pictures:

Because everyone needs googley eyes:

This is one of 14 photos of my fisherman hubby and a fish:

I married a hick (if the above picture didn’t clarify that, the hat will):

Glazed over eyes=time to get off (also your toddler is taking pictures AGAIN):

Cousins on a shopping day for matching swimsuits (sisters sharing coupons):

What happens when your hubby tries to rub your headache away (bruising the next day!):

Deep thoughts:

Flying to Africa:

Appointment to the eye Dr. with your son turns date when you add dessert:

My oldest with her face smashed against my window:

It’s those unplanned, spontaneous moments of living that make the best memories!

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Filed UnderMy Life, Uncategorized 20 Comments

12:01 am Bykristen

Random MOTHERHOOD PHOTO Winners: tgteecher, Blogging with the Rolands, and The Tidy Nest! Congrats! Y’all email me to claim your Vintage Pearl Gift Certificate!

FREE-A Hole in the Gospel by Richard Stearn is a must-read for every Christian! And you can get a free audio download of it here. Use this code MAY2010

The 5 Stages of Grief-This, THIS is how I feel right now

Is Your Family Too Busy to be a Family? A question we all need to ask.

One of my readers is a finalist in the Goodnights Contest I told y’all about! Will you vote for her story: Thirteen Arms are Better Than Four?

Take the time to watch this amazing video (thanks HollyK) dedicated to mothers and their ordinary days:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0]

Happy Mother’s Day sweet friends!

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Filed UnderLinks I Love, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Mothering Sons

7:00 am Bykristen

Mothering sons in our society is not easy, neither is mothering daughters.

With our destructive media, pressure from peers and a boy’s natural inclination to lust after the opposite sex, a mother’s work is never done.

My son is turning 8 years old this month and while he is still naive and lives a sheltered life, I can’t sit back and wait to talk to him about tough issues, like purity and girls. Because someone else will. The TV programs (Disney Channel) and movies (like Diary of a Wimpy Kid) are not afraid to address the boy/girl issue. I can’t be scared either.

When we take the initiative to introduce a Godly standard, everything else he hears or sees will be compared to the high standard God has put into place to protect and provide for His kids.

In my opinion, I think boys 8 and under should be taught:

to respect girls (even their pesky sisters)
to never, ever hit a girl
to open the door for Mom, help her with groceries
to give Mom and sisters privacy when they dress or shower
to honor other people’s personal space
to protect their own body from invasion
to only go to Internet sites approved by parents
to know their own anatomy (great talk for Dad’s)
to say no to ANYONE (kids and adults) who wants to touch them inappropriately, play sexual games, etc

Your Boy: Raising a Godly Son in an Ungodly World by Vicki Courtney is an excellent resource for this age.

I think boys 9 thru 11 should be taught:

about sex (the basics-which have changed since you were a kid)
about their changing body
about girls (how they flirt, think, change into young women)
about the evilness on the Internet (pornography)
about standing up for what’s right (in conversation w/ other boys), even if it means standing alone
about pressure to be cool and like everyone else (they don’t have to have a cell phone or iTouch to be cool-I don’t recommend either!)

Preparing Your Son for Every Man’s Battle: Honest Conversations About Sexual Integrity is an excellent resource for this age!

For boys 12 and up:

Don’t hold back. The world isn’t. There is an agenda to make sex before marriage the norm. Talk to them about choosing purity. I highly recommend taking your sons on a weekend at 12 or 13 years for a ="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; ">Passport to Purity retreat. At this age, there needs to be CONSTANT communication and supervision regarding sex, purity, pornography, girls, lust, movies, music etc.

What would you add to my age-appropriate lists?

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The Love of a Man

7:00 am Bykristen

I closed my eyes and relaxed as the hair stylist washed my hair (the best part of a haircut!)

She stopped, her hands still in my tangled hair. I squinted open an eye. She leaned in and said in a quiet voice,”You are a lucky woman. Do you know how much your husband loves you?”

My face posed a question mark.

She answered, “I cut your husband’s hair last week and you were all he talked about. You should have seen the way his face lit up talking about you!”

I smiled and warmed at her words. Until, I recognized the longing in her voice and the loneliness in her eyes. It’s a look I recognized, the one of a woman who isn’t loved well.

This was the second time in recent days, someone commented on my husband’s love for me.

“He talks about you. I see love in his eyes when he says your name. He is proud of you.”

I feel unworthy of such adoration and remarkable love from my spouse. But it’s a true reflection of His love for God, and God’s love for me.

The love of a man is reflected in a wife’s face. Her steps are lighter, her burden is eased. She scowls less and laughs more. Every wife needs her husband’s love.

I asked my hubby to tell me what makes him love me so well.

He Said:

Five Reasons a Man Loves His Wife

(This is what I heard):

A man who loves Jesus naturally loves his wife. A wife who loves her God is irresistible.
A man who is respected by his wife loves her deeply in return.
A man loves watching his wife care for his children.
A man who is heard and listened to by his wife finds her intriguing and desirable.
A man who is satisfied talks about his wife when she isn’t around.

Tell me: Are you a loved woman?

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WFMW: Backwards Edition

7:00 am Bykristen

Today, I’m hosting The Backwards Edition of Works For Me Wednesday-where you turn the table and ask for tips from your reader! (If you forgot and have a regular tip, it’s okay! Themes are just suggested!)

I’ve been looking forward to this because I have a doozy of a question and I’m desperate for help!!

I think I should be embarrassed to confess this, but y’all know already I’m terribly human and lead of life of perpetual embarrassment!

So. In a nutshell: 3/4 of my cotton shirts hanging in my closet have a tiny hole in them. The holes just appear out of nowhere. At first, I thought it was my washing machine or dryer snagging the shirts. But then, I thought it might be a bug problem (I KNOW!!)

I’ve never actually seen a bug or even evidence of one. I bought the moth ball stuff at WalMart to hang in my closet and it didn’t seem to stop the holy shirts. I hate the smell of moth balls, so I bought the Fresh Scent. Don’t let that fool you. It’s not a pleasant smell. So, I tossed the stinky things in the trash because holes are better than stink any day.

So, do bugs eat cotton? Help?? My hubby’s cotton shirts are fine and my other clothes are good. It’s a conspiracy, I tell you!

Got any tips for me?

Thank you for joining me for WFMW! {You can read the guidelines here.} Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you’d like to share? I’d love for you to join us!

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A Happy Woman {Giveaway}

7:00 am Bykristen

WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED HERE.

The other day, I was looking for a certain picture on the CD of our family photo shoot from last summer. I stopped at this one, an impromptu kiss captured, a photo I passed over for it’s imperfection (my oldest stepped out of the shot), a picture that gripped my heart and made me stop:

May she who gave you birth be happy. ~ Proverbs 23:25

I have 10,000 reasons to be happy, but today, I’m thinking of the three little ones who call me Momma, Mom, Mommy or sometimes MMMOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!

Motherhood isn’t about the perfect, crisp moments. It’s about the impromptu kisses and hugs. Those are the ones that make me smile in the dark of the night and fill my heart.

Link up a photo post in all it’s imperfections (you link it just like always, just make sure there’s a picture in the post) that defines motherhood to you (of you with your kids, your kids by themselves, your mother, etc)…THREE photos will be chosen to receive a $50 gift certificate to the one and only The Vintage Pearl.

Erin, mom of four and creator of The Vintage Pearl has a gorgeous new exclusive design that would make a beautiful gift for Mom (yours or yourself!)

One of my all time favorite necklaces is from The Vintage Pearl and I wear it all the time. I always get asked about it!

Erin’s work is known worldwide and I’m honored that she’s been a long time sponsor of We are THAT family and become a friend!

This photo show-off giveaway will last thru the week! Winners will be announced on Mother’s Day weekend. You can link up an old post or a new, but please make sure it has a picture that describes motherhood to you.

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When Her Life is Better Than Mine

6:59 am Bykristen

I have a friend. She lives in an amazing house. She has well behaved children and more than enough money for every need and want. Oh, and she’s beautiful. And if all that isn’t enough, she’s a wonderful person, who gives to the poor, defends the weak, serves others. She has an amazing life.

I used to think it was better than mine.

You don’t have to be a genius to realize that some people have it better than you.

You only have to be human.

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