1. After nearly 8 years in our house, we have decided to stay here forever. So, we organized our kitchen cabinets and drawers. What can I say, I needed motivation. Look how fancy we are now (disclaimer: these pictures might also prove my inner nerd):

oh, yeah

2. This monkey discovered bars. Dear God, please protect her bones, Amen.

3. Flutist in the house! She performed beautifully at her first District Honor Band Concert. How on earth did I give birth to a musician?

4. This guy scored TEN points in his basketball game. 

5. Watching him get so excited he forgets to dribble is also on my list (sorry, son)

6. My hubby who worked hours and hours (after his day job) to help me get out 536 end-of-the-year statements for Mercy House. Did you know we regularly pray over each name and thank God for those who partner with us to make a maternity home in Kenya a reality? Y’all rock.

7. A whole afternoon at the playground with my favorite people in perfect weather on a perfect Sunday. I think my hubby caught me taking a catnap:(We were invaded by these teen boys doing parkour. Have you heard of this? It’s like extreme playground diving and rolling and it’s terrifying to watch. I guess it’s harmless fun until they um, die.

8. My church community. I cannot express how deeply thankful I am for it.

9. Taking a break from my computer from Friday night until Sunday night.

10. New product from Africa made by our girls. I cry every time I open a suitcase or box. It smells like my second home. 

Got a favorite moment? Do share.

Coming Soon!

1. My neighbor and I hugged a cow the other day and fell in love with Chick Fil A even more. Is that even possible?

2. P.S. Yes, because they are now serving grilled chicken nuggets to our kiddos and there are warm chocolate chip cookies on the menu horizon. My thighs are afraid.

3. The other day, our youngest was giving my hubby some extra hugs and kisses. I pouted and said, “When is it my turn?” She ran over and hugged me. My hubby pouted and begged her to come back.  She put her hands up in the air to stop the back and forth teasing, “Look, guys, I can do a pattern.”

4. While I was putting on makeup the other day, this same child said, “Mom, that’s enough (makeup). You look hot.” And then she added, “You know what that means, right?”

5. Hold me.

6. My son is playing basketball for the first time. We are doing Upwards (LOVE this faith-based sports organization). He’s new to the sport, but catching on fast. My hubby captured this little clip on his phone. Note the crazy mom screaming “YOU HAVE TO DRIBBLE!!” at the boy running down the court with the ball.

7. Okay: the crazy lady is me.

8. My little one got her library card. I just love the big fuss the library volunteer made over it.

9. And then within 24 hours she lost it/found it/lost it again.

10. We found it for the last time because now the library cards lives in Mommy’s purse.

11. I leave you with the pictures I found on my phone yesterday (surprise!):

Have you seen the oh-so-popular family rules? We made ours years ago and it hangs for all to read in our house. I love these practical reminders for happy living with the people we love. We made ours with colorful scrapbook paper and glue, but now you can find them in sleek posters all over Pinterest.

I’ve been stuck in Romans for a couple of months, slowly reading and trying to absorb the profound words of Paul. In preparation for the New Year, I’ve parked myself in Romans 12 and have been feasting on the oh-so-practical rules for living.

Pin It

He gives us simple rules in black and white that sometimes prove to be a profound challenge:

• Love from center of who you are, don’t fake it

• Run from evil. Hold onto good

• Don’t burn out. Keep yourself fueled

• Be good friends. Love deeply

• Smile

• Be alert

• Don’t quit

• Pray hard

• Bless the needy

• Bless your enemies

• Laugh with your happy friends, cry with those who are sad

• Get along with others

• Don’t be the great somebody

• Don’t get even

• Be generous

• Discover the beauty in everyone

    They are plainly written. And yes, I want them hanging on my wall, but even more, I want them inscribed on my heart. Romans 12: 9-21  [The Message] Really, go read it for yourself and then download this {free 8×10 printable} Romans 12:God’s Rules

I’ve decided to keep a running list. It just makes me feel better to record the insanity. Ya know?

1. I spent the entire Christmas break trying to take a break from my computer. The first day back (with kids in school) a million and one email and several deadlines? We don’t have Internet in the house. Go figure. Oh, technology. You baffle me.
2. I might have spent a few after-hours parked in front of Chick Fil A borrowing me some Internets.
3. Speaking of Chick Fil A, my hubby snapped a picture of me having a special moment with my refill cup:
4. We got a new-to-us car two days after Christmas.
5. Which is another way of saying my old white van died a slow and painful death. And also, I’ve gotten proficient with jumper cables. Yo.
6. It only cost us three hours with three kids at a used car dealer (shoot me). Plus some money.  Once we signed the dotted line, they casually mentioned there’s only one key.
7. Oh, used car dealerships. You also baffle me.
8. My oldest child wanted to know why we couldn’t just buy a new car. After I stopped laughing hysterically, I laughed more because I couldn’t even explain, what, with all the laughing. “We buy everything used or with a coupon,” she said in a tone only a tween can use.
9. Yep.
10. While we were on our long drive to my in-laws Oklahoman farm for New Year’s, my little one kept complaining about her seatbelt, saying, “it’s rubbing a bliss*turd.”
11. This made my 9 year old son’s day! Suddenly, everything had a bliss*turd.
12. I never did find my Christmas cards.
13. After the third picture, she said, “Can I just eat my cereal now?”
14. She also might have patted a family member’s belly over the holidays and called them chubby.
15. Oy.
16. I am now the mom of a TWELVE year old. Hold me. (Mall Scavenger Hunt with five tween friends? Best frugal party idea ever!
17. I don’t ever want to go to the mall again.
    
18. It totally gives me bliss*turds.

Pin It

I’m not big on resolutions.

Actually, I stink at them.

I realized this a few years ago when my big resolution was to [air quotes] get into shape. I rushed out and bought one of those exercise bike machines.

For 11.5 months, it held clothes that needed to be hung up. Oh, I had good intentions, you know, until I broke a sweat. Plus, it’s really hard to hold a sweet tea and ride a stationary bike.

I’m a simple girl.

That’s why I’m choosing one word for the New Year. Just one. 

Last year’s was courage. We needed a boatload of it. The year before? Mercy.

Today, I want to challenge you to think about the New Year–not in an overwhelmed OHMYGOODNESS I have so much to do/be, but in a one word way.

I called my hubby and told him I had a word for the New Year. He said, “Let me guess. Because I have one too. I hope they are the same.”

We both said the word at the same time:

2012 will be a year of faith for our little family. I hope I can share more details as they unfold (still waiting on faith-in-action to kick in), but without a doubt, we need a big dose of it.

Five Tips to Help You Decide your One Word for the New Year:

1. Find a quiet moment and think about the one thing you need/want/desire/dream of is. Is it freedom? Peace. Love. Courage. Grace.
2. Don’t be negative. It’s easy to focus on what we aren’t or don’t have. Choose a word that inspires you.
3. Create a list of words that stir you and write why they do so next to them.
4. Pray. Ask God what He wants your focus to be for 2012.
5. Share your word. Announce it; ask for prayer and support in achieving it and believing for it.

My front door: I used scraps of burlap with a cardboard backing hot glued into place. Leftover felt cut into numbers, coupled with after-Christmas snowflake and icicle ornaments give it a fun appeal for the New Year. It’s simply hung with a silver pipe cleaner.  It was easy and inexpensive and it inspires me!

2011 has been an amazing year! I’m so thankful for new readers, but especially the ones who have stuck with me as my blog and life have changed so much.

Did you know that readers of this blog, turned supporters-of-Mercy-House have given in donations, purchased from the Mercy Shop, more than $120,000 in just 2011!! We’ve been able to do so much in a short time and have begun saving for a permanent future home.

Thank you for being a part of something so much bigger that this little blog! 2012 is going to be astonishing!

I thought it would be fun to highlight my most popular posts over the last year:

January: I Hate Your Blog
February: In a Shocking Turn of Events, I’ve Become the Older Mom
March: My Book: Don’t Make Me Come Up There!
April: You Are My Community
May: The Most Amazing Gift, You Won’t Believe It!
June: 100 Ways to Make a Difference As A Family
July: When Changing a Life Changes Yours
August: The Last Day of Summer
September: How to Make A Burlap Wreath
October: Be A Courageous Parent
November: The Best Idea I’ve Ever Had (This post received more than 115,000 views and keeps growing!)
December: Fifty Parenting Ideas You Won’t Regret

Happy New Year, friends!

Anyone else in recovery mode? We had an awesome day: it was simple and good. So good.

Highlights

[listening]: to Jesus Bible Storybook Audio (Jesus’ birth) on Christmas Eve

[playing games]: my favorite moment by far

[food]:We had a traditional New Mexican Christmas lunch with Posole. Have you ever had it? It’s one of our favorites and easy to make!

[birthday party for Jesus]: hooray!

[annual visit]: to the hospital NICU to drop off goodies to the nurses that saved our preemie six Christmas’ ago (she was born Dec. 16, but nearly died Christmas Eve).

[the wonder]: love

My kids got money from grandparents for Christmas, which can only mean one thing: After-Christmas shopping. Hold me.

I’ve scheduled some posts for the rest of the week, so I can focus on my family and do a lot of nothing.

I did want to share:

[Dayspring]: Sale: there’s a fantastic after-Christmas sale going on at my favorite store. These are items are 75% off! I’ve stocked up on teacher, neighbor and friend gifts for next year.

Christmas Carol Tree $49.99 $12.49

Beautiful Wooden Tray $34.99 $9.99

Metal TableTop or Outdoor Sign (I love mine on the my front porch bench) $29.99 $9.99

Mugs (in white and red) $9.99 $2.49

Star Trivet $9.99 $2.49

Get an additional 15% off your total with code: 15offgifts

xoxo,

I’ve scratched the last gift off my list. I’ve tried to get what everyone wants. {Except my youngest asked for makeup and my oldest a laptop. And someone mentioned a puppy. I laughed hysterically.}

The gifts are waiting under the tree. The expectation is palpable.

But there’s One on my list that I haven’t shopped for.

Because He doesn’t want the hottest Christmas gift from the mall.

He won’t be disappointed if it’s not perfectly wrapped.

He isn’t wanting me to spend a dime on Him.

Because what God really wants doesn’t include pressure or tradition. It doesn’t involve spending more than I have or perfection or guilt. It isn’t about pleasing the hard-to-please or the letdown that sometimes comes when the wrappings outweigh the gifting.

He wants something so profound and simple, I long to give it to Him.

Close your eyes, step in front and look into this:

He wants what’s in this mirror for Christmas:

You.

The hope and peace we seek is found in the simplicity of giving ourselves to Him. I challenge you to find a place during the hectic and busy days ahead to do just that: offer yourself to Christ on His birthday.

It’s what God really wants for Christmas. 

Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

———————

This year our family did the 7 day devotional for children What God Wants for Christmas by Family Life. I highly recommend it.

1. Our Christmas tree died on Dec. 6. It was a sad day for me to hear ornaments dropping like flies. I’ve never seen anything die quite as fast. This was our first real tree in about 8 years. Now I remember why we go fake.
2. My hubby got on a “What do you want for Christmas” ask-fest. I finally answered: for all the kitchen cabinets, drawers, shelves, to be organized and cleaned.
3. Christmas came early for me.
4. Related: What is it about a man tossing out old batteries, wiping down sticky shelves, cutting new contact paper that is just plain old sexy?
5. My local Chick Fil A considers me a regular customer. At the drive-up the other day,  they handed me a large plastic up like they’d been waiting for me. And now I’m allowed unlimited sweet tea for .75. I wept.
6. I’m done Christmas shopping. I’m a terrible wrapper.
7. We celebrated my youngest’s birthday early. For the first time, we tried tricking her since it falls so close to Christmas and our anniversary, etc. Turns out she’s smarter than we thought and her birthday lasted a full week this year.
8. My neck pain has been much more manageable  thanks to a new little pill.
9. Related: don’t mix said pill with your first ever margarita at your husband’s Christmas dinner.
10. Unrelated: I am not a druggie.
11. Today is my 39th birthday (for the first time, really)
12. When Maureen and I Skype, we use a lot of emoticons. And lately, we’ve been planning her wedding. It’s going to be lovely, we just need a groom.
13. There’s a small colony of fruit flies living in my kitchen. They are multiplying as I type. Halp.
14. Our 4th Mercy House baby was born just a few days ago! We now have 3 boys, 1 girl all under the age of 4 months! Another on the way….
15. I mailed the last of the Mercy House Shop orders on Friday. A host of volunteers helped get the hundreds of packages ready. I was in a hurry and took the last box to the post office. I was taping with one hand and talking to my mom with the other. About an hour later, it dawned on me that I taped up all our family Christmas cards inside a strangers’ order. Oh, and a rented Redbox movie.
16. I need a break.
17. I have a couple of posts scheduled this week and reruns for next week. I don’t know if I’ve ever looked more forward to time with my kids and family.
18. I don’t plan on being on the computer much the next couple of weeks. I do plan to make some cookies for neighbors, put some puzzles together, create some family art and a lot of new memories.
19. My youngest had her last Christmas Preschool Christmas program ever. She was an angel. Again, like last year. I thought she might take Mary down. #bitterangel 
20. Yesterday at church, our family read Scripture on the stage. It was beautiful. Only people didn’t know that my son was so nervous, he whispered he might throw up about 2 seconds before we started reading or that my youngest thought her puffy Christmas dress was stupendous (her way of saying stupid). 
21. Just keeping it real.
22. My hubby got our son a Daisy BB Gun for Christmas with a scope. I’m pretty sure he’s waited his whole life for this. #redneckChristmas
23. I woke up the other morning and discovered my hubby had gotten up at 5 am to drag down and decorate our old fake tree. It was such a sweet surprise. I married up.
24. Our neighbor’s little boy asked me how old I was turning. When I said 39, he did some quick figuring and said, “Wow. You are 10 years older than my Dad.” Even I was surprised.
25. The dead tree is just outside Bake at 350′s kitchen window. (Sorry, Bridget, we will dispose of it). My 5 year old asked me if it died of old age.
26. Yes, I think it was 39.

I have always wanted to make a photo book, but the idea of sitting down and pilfering thru hundreds of photos and adding captions is something I never felt like I had time for.

Ok, that’s not entirely true. One time I tried to turn my blog into a photo book and the book was 420 pages and cost $1000.00, not to mention there were a million photos (these numbers are not at all inflated). The whole experience was completely overwhelming and discouraging. Since then I’ve sort of had a bad attitude towards photo books.

Oh, I love the way they look, all organized and personalized and coffee table-ized.  I’ve just have never had time to actually create one.

At least that’s what I thought. I’m participating in Snapfish’s “Your Creative Lens Thru LIfe” Holiday Campaign, which is basically a really great reason for me to create my first photo book. They also have a very cool new tool that helps design your book for you.

There’s a contest between the ten bloggers in the campaign.  The contest will be judged on how creative the photo books are. If my photo book is selected as the winner, I get Snapfish credit and the first 100 people who comment on this post will receive an exciting gift from Snapfish! Cool, huh?

Good thing I like pressure.

So, here’s my question: What should the theme of my book be? [My first thought was Mercy House??]

I need y’all to leave a comment with your suggestions to help me create a unique photo book…if you have a great idea, tell me about it. If you’ve made books before and have suggestions on themes or layouts, I need those too.

I can’t wait to show you what I create. You know, as soon as y’all decide for me!

Important: Please leave your EMAIL in your comment so there’s a contact for when WE WIN!

Yes, that’s called faith, people.

Disclosure: I am being compensated by Snapfish for my participation in the  ”Your Creative Lens on Life” Holiday Campaign.

I could hear her calling my name throughout the house.

“In here,” I yelled as I threw on a sweatshirt and threw open my closet door.

My little girl hurried in, excited. Expectant.

“Mommy, Mommy! How big is Jesus?”

My hand stopped mid-air.

“What?” I said slowly.

“I need to know, Mommy. I need to know how big Jesus is.”

There was something so pure and holy in her question, I knelt down and leaned in.

The words were heavy.  Expectant. “He is big enough to do anything.” I said.

Her eyes were a wonder. “Anything? Like step on buildings and reach really tall and fix broken things?”

I felt a surge of emotion realizing how important my next words were:

“Oh yes, He is big, big, big! He is big enough to walk on water, to protect us, to fix us when we’re broken. He can heal us when we’re sick. He is big enough to forgive our sins and he fits in our heart.”

And then she said, “I thought so. I’m going to go draw Him now.” She ran off to find crayons and paper.

While I was trying to convince her of His size, I believed it myself.

She was Jesus’ words to me, “How big am I, Kristen?”

Big enough.

There are areas in my life that loom over me. Unknowns. Fears so big they threaten to swallow my faith up. So many things I don’t have figured out…And the bottom line is, He is bigger then them all.

How big is your Jesus?

Big enough.

There are so many people in need.

There are so many places to give.

It can be overwhelming. And let’s face it, with the economy teetering, the holidays looming and your own family’s needs, sometimes it’s hard to be generous.

But we must.

And I have the perfect (affordable) way for your family to make a difference today.

It’s called Give 1 Save 1.

Every week, there’s a new family or ministry or worthy-recipient.

You can give $1 today and make a difference. That’s all. That’s it. Just $1.

Our family has been blessed with some very good friends, friends that were an answer to our prayer for real life community:

And they were chosen for this week’s  Give 1 Save 1 Campaign! (click to get to know them). The Martinez Family are the real deal and they are nearing the end to bring a sibling group home from Ethiopia (My youngest is expecting new best friends, please!)

Would you give $1 today to help make this possible?

Leave a comment if you can contribute a $1 (or more) and our family will match it up to $100!

Bookmark Give 1 Save 1 today and start together as a family, saving change, changing a life.

Everyone can Give 1 Save 1.

I’m sitting at the airport, looking out the window at huge lumps of snow, pushed into dirty piles. I’m a Texas girl and the blanket of snow that fell from Heaven was a gift.

It’s not the only one I hold in my heart today.

For two years, I’ve met God at Relevant. Last year, I quaked. He breathed courage to follow Him. And this weekend, I came emotionally and physically exhausted, the balance of juggling home, children, husband, writing, non-profit, dream-chasing teetered precariously.

But I let the tears come, laying the burden at his feet and leaned in to listen:

He revealed I have community wounds. But He showed me community would heal.

He uncovered my ugly desire for success. And He asked me to just be faithful. Because that’s how He defines success.

He reassured that I have a destiny. And promised to lead the way.

He reminded that what I’m doing doesn’t make me important, it makes me a Christian.

And He restored hope.

My spirit sustained as woman after woman shopped mercy.

I’m boarding the plane, tired.

But full.

Next time, I won’t wait for Relevant to hear what He wants to say.

I’ll just ask.

You should too.

He has a lot to tell you.

*Thanks @mamahall (pictured above) for setting up our table and serving and to Family Matters for sending me!