Diversity

This past Sunday, our church had an amazing guest pastor -Scott Williams, formerly of LifeChurch.tv.He came to speak to us about the topic of"Unity Through Diversity"
He began his message with this video.David Bowden, spoken word artist presents"Diversity's Symphony"

The theme of the message was that there is so much segregation within our churches,when in reality we are all unified in Christ Jesus.
Why?
If we profess believe in one God, in one Spirit in the Body of Christ, why is there so much segregation?
It's cultural segregation.Racial segregation.Financial segregation.
All kinds of segregation which is only serving to tear us apart rather than unify us as One.
Scott Williams said in his message that we are all united in Christ Jesus.  We need to learn to love those who don't think, act, or dress like us.
Think about it?  Who do we gravitate towards {even at church}?Often times, it is those like ourselves.We have set up belief and values systems which tell us who we should and should notassociate ourselves with.
Isn't it just possible that the ones we dissociate ourselves fromare the very ones we should be drawing closer to ourselves?Helping them?Being the hands and feet of Christ to them?
Or do we just get comfortable in our own little pewand assume that those people are someone else's concern.Or, dare I say, problem.
No!
Williams said that 93% of the churches in America are racially segregated and we don't seem to act like it matters.  He said this - IT MATTERS TO GOD!
Isn't this powerful?Convicting?
So what do we do?  Where do we start?
Here's what Williams shared:
1.  Live the Great Commandment
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  (Matthew 22:37-39)
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heir together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Christ.   (Ephesians 3:6)
2.  Do the Great Commission
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  (Matthew 28:19)
Go.  Just Go.Go.In everything you do.When you wake up.When you leave for work.When you are out with friends.When you are at church.When you are anywhere.Just Go.
And love everyoneeven "those who don't think, act, or dress like us."

Patiently Awaiting God's Answer

Last week I wrote a post entitled "At a Loss" in which I discussed a recent development with Peyton's main home nurse -that she was in a desperate bind to get her hours and her full wages,causing her to decide that she may just have to leave us to take on a new patientwhere she'd have the full 40 hours she needsas well as the four 10-hour shifts a week she desires.
I'm simply posting this to say that nothing has changed.There's been no development.There's been no answer.
You know, I spent that entire day in tears because of what this could mean for our family.I was completely at a loss as to what we should do.I prayed that we would not wind up losing her.I prayed mostly for clarity - I needed to know how to handle this.I know the nurse's reasoning behind her decision was based on financesand not that she loved Peyton or our family any less.But I needed clarity.
I slept on it.I woke up the next morning and my head felt clear.I felt like I knew what we needed to do.We needed to offer the nurse the option to have those four 10-hour shifts a week, giving her her 40 hours,and giving her her weekends off.This would result in huge sacrifice for our family that extends beyond your awareness.I did suggest to Ron that he ask that she consider giving us one...maybe two...weekend day{s} a month.I felt clear that this is a sacrifice we had to make in order to keep this nurse who we love dearly.
I threw out the fleece.
I don't know that I did that on purpose, but I laid it out.I thought to myself:If the nurse showed up in a particular set of scrubs that morning, then I'd know to offer this option to herand all would be well.
As quickly as the thought of "throwing out the fleece" entered my mind,I dismissed it.I thought to myself, "that's ridiculous".  I can't base a life-altering decision onthe particular pair of scrubs a nurse wears!
Can I??
Honestly, I didn't think anything more of that thought until the nurse arrived a short time later.
In that pair of scrubs.
Ok...so I went to Ron.I said to go for it.  Make this offer to her.I'm thinking, it's all gonna turn out alright.
Right??
No.
Well, not exactly.Not yet.
Ron and the nurse talked a while.At the end of the conversation, there's more she needs to discuss with the agency.It's not a done deal.But it's not sounding all that hopeful.We're waiting.
Patiently waiting.
I've heard that God answers prayers in one of three ways.Yes.  No.  Wait.
We are waiting.
I don't know what this means.I don't know about the whole "fleece" thing.Unlike Gideon, I didn't lay out the fleece a second time.I'm just trusting that God has an answer.
Our pastor often says that God is at work on a solution before you even know there is a problem.Wise words.I'm certain this must be so.I'm certain that it's just taking a while to iron out the details of this solutionso that we can be blessed with the best solution for our family's needs.
I don't want to lose that nurse.I truly don't.
But it may mean that I need to develop more confidence in the alternatives.It may mean that I need to have to just have faith that there is a viable solutionand that even if it isn't the one we desire,God knows what the best solution is for us.
So I would encourage you todaythat when you find yourself in a position of awaiting an answer from Godthat He's already on it.He knows your heart.  He knows your needs.He's working on it while you wait.
Patiently endure through the waiting period and at the end of it, there is bound to be blessing.
31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint.(Isaiah 40:31)
linking up:

O Christmas Tree

In our home, the day after Thanksgiving isn't so much reserved for Black Friday deals.

Yes, we did do some of that in years past...but not lately.

This day was supposed to be reserved for putting up the Christmas tree,

as has also been our tradition.

I was completely exhausted after Thanksgiving day. It just didn't get done.

Not on Friday anyway.

But...on Saturday, the tree went up.

Here it is!

The 2011 Fontenot Family Christmas Tree

We have several of these ornament boxes stored in our place.

Several more that haven't even made it out yet - mostly stuff for around the home,

not tree-specific!

Moira was my little helper for a short time.

Apparently there was a need to dress up as Fancy-Nancy-turned-gypsy.

{or something like that}

When I was a child, sometime in the '70s, my grandmother gave my sister and I these huge ornaments with our names on them.  They came from a fabulous Christmas store in Frankenmuth, MI called Bronner's.  Situated in a quaint little German-esque town, Bronner's purports itself to be the World's Largest Christmas Store.  I would believe it.

You can still get those ornaments.

This is a good thing since my cat knocked over our tree a couple years ago,

causing me to find a replacement for that much loved ornament.

Ron, Moira and Peyton each have their own as well.

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love to pick up ornaments from different places I've traveled to.

These include:

*a set of 10 wooden Santas from Scotland

*a painted wooden heart from a small Christmas shop that was in Trump Tower in NYC back in the mid-90s

*a gold maple leaf from Muir Woods - north of San Francisco

*a very delicate glass hot air balloon from Sandia Peak in Albuquerque, NM

*two beautiful fish - one from the South Carolina Aquarium here in Charleston and one from the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta

*a beautiful hand painted ornament depicting a winter scene from Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, VA

I love these ornaments.  So many wonderful memories.

This is Peyton's ornament which we purchased at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC a couple years ago.  Moira has a gorgeous green hummingbird from the same trip.

This is Peyton's souvenir ornament from when my Dad, Moira and I went to Disney World last March.

My former boss from when we lived in Houston, TX makes ornaments each year for her staff.  This is a sampling of my "Brenda" ornaments.  I love these ornaments!

The tree is done!  So many special ornaments and memories.

I'm running out of space on this tree!

There is a very special section of this tree which holds very dear memories.

It's the section for our stillborn son, Jeffrey.

We place ornaments on the tree in his memory each year.

There are also lots of angels on our tree representing him and his little baby sibling miscarried a couple years after we lost him.

A little stained glass angel next to a silver baby bootie.  This was purchased at Bronner's when I was pregnant with Jeffrey.  Little did we know.

Angels everywhere.

A very special ornament.

I purchased this for the Christmas following the loss of Jeffrey.

His name and date of death are engraved on the back.

So many memories wrapped up in this tree.

Some sad.

Mostly happy.

The tree is up and we will enjoy it for the next month.

It adds a little something special to our daily lives right now.

A reminder of the family aspect of this season we are in now.

May this year hold many wonderful memories and blessings for our little family.

And may your holiday season be filled with many as well!

linking up:

Entering the Chaos

For those of us in the U.S. , we are now safely past Thanksgiving.The food is eaten.  If you're lucky, you're still enjoying leftovers.But the busyness of the actual day is behind us.Maybe you went out of town and you've yet to travel home.Maybe you just returned home.Maybe you didn't go away but are winding down from having a house full.
For a lot of people, the past few days have been chaotic to say the least.Life took a sharp turn towards crazy somewhere around Tuesday or Wednesdayand maybe now you're just catching your breath.
If you're into the Black Friday madness,maybe you're overwhelmingly exhausted!
For a lot of us {myself included}, maybe you're just overwhelmingly overwhelmed.Is it just me, or is the holiday season even more commercialized than ever??Maybe this season we've entered has you wondering just how on earth you're going to get by!How are you going to meet the demands of your children?The expectations of other family members?Of yourself?
This holiday season starts at the end of Novemberwith an amazing opportunity to come together with friends and family to just give thanks.Even keeping it simple costs money.
Then there's the barrage of ads and more ads.You can't go anywhere without seeing the "massive" sales.And maybe you're overwhelmedbecause even the massive sales are still not attainable for you.
This season leading up to Christmas has the tendency to becompletely focused on money and the acquisition of things.
I'm not saying that gift-giving isn't a nice and generous thing.It is, after all, a part of tradition.But it becomes a little overwhelming when society is so focused on thingsrather than the reasonbehind the upcoming Christmas season.
I'm not sure what traditions everyone here celebrates.Perhaps yours isn't a Christian tradition.I honestly don't know how other religions celebrate.I don't know how non-religious people view the holiday.My only frame of reference is the Christian environment I was brought up inand am raising my own family in.
But I'm pretty sure that the holiday wasn't meant to be based ongetting the best dealon the best productin the best storeat the best mall.
So, when there are financial constraints,and you just want to enjoy the spirit of the holiday with your loved ones,the pressure of advertising makes this pre-Christmas time difficult.I avoided the Black Friday madness, though I did go out later in the day to use a gift card.I'd rather shop from fellow bloggers' Etsy shops than in a mall this year.Give small businesses an opportunity to grow a little.
I'm really just rambling on...it's a blessed time of the year - giving thanks.But it leads into a frustrating time of year - holiday shopping pressure.It's all really about family.And the need to put Christ at the center of the familyand the family experience -not just during this holiday season, but always.
Praying for a calm pre-Christmas season.Praying that we will be able to embrace the spirit of the seasonand not worry about what is not in our control - financially and otherwise.Praying for physical and spiritual healthleading into the next phase of holiday busyness.

Daily Wisdom Challenge Recap - Week 47

wis·dom

[wiz-duhm]

*the quality or state of being wise;  knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.

*scholarly knowledge or learning.

*wise sayings or teachings; precepts.

(source: www.dictionary.com)

I have been engaged in a daily bible study online since January 1st of this year.Our pastor calls it the "Daily Wisdom Challenge."Each day, I post the insight from my readings.  I am doing a Chronological study this year.  I am now 90.1% complete!
Here is what I learned this past week:
Acts 9 Don't discount the non-believers; God may have incredible plans to use them in mighty ways to advance His kingdom!  (Acts 9 - 10)
Acts 12 To what lengths will we go to ensure the Word is spread amongst the people? Not everyone is going to be receptive to the Word.  (Acts 11 - 12)
Acts 13 "...through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God..."//Amen!!  (Acts 13 - 14)
James 5:16 "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." / Grateful to God who hears prayers!  (James 1 - 5)
Acts 16  "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved..."  / Thankful for so much, especially this!  (Acts 15 - 16)
Galatians 3 We are united as one through our belief in Christ, which frees us from the bondage of our sin.  (Galatians 1 - 3)
Gal 6:14 "..may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.."/Praying to be led by the Spirit and not the world.  (Galatians 4 - 6)

Post-Thanksgiving Round-up

It's all over for another year.Thanksgiving.The bountiful meal has been prepared.The table set.Food laid out before us and eaten.We shared our meal with family and friends.We shared great conversation.Slowed down for just a little while.Enjoyed each other.Gave thanks.
We are so blessed to have been able to share another Thanksgiving meal together with each other as a family.  Peyton's nurse was working, so she joined us for dinner.  In fact, her mom was down from North Carolina visiting her, so we invited her to come over as well.  And she did.
It was so nice to share a meal together and get to know someone new.After a stressful week and the busyness of the day,it was so nice just to sit down and relax and just breathe....and eat!

Prepping for apple pie making

Love me some apple pie!!

Do I really need to put a caption here??

Homemade stuffing.  Mmmmm....goodness!!!

Giblets.  So vile.  But the gravy will wind up being SO delicious!

My Dad and Peyton out on the balcony enjoying the beautiful afternoon

Setting the table during my "down time"

Putting Dad to work peeling potatoes

Yummy cheesy broccoli bake

Turkey is done.  Ron got put to work un-stuffing the turkey, then carving it.

Probably the most delicious mashed potatoes I've ever made!!

Dinner is served!

Peyton's nurse, her mom, my Dad (l), Ron (r)

Peyton's nurse, my Dad (l), Moira, Ron (r)

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for it is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Thankful Thursdays Link Up - v.2

First of all, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my U.S. family and friends!!
Last week I began a new venture!{How great it is that it also just happens to fall on Thanksgiving this week!}
THANKFUL THURSDAYSa weekly link up!
I am so grateful for all the people who linked up with me for this!  I loved reading your posts - I read all of them.  Thank you for sharing!!
I am so grateful for so many things in my life.
I am always thankful for this blog and the opportunity it gives me to share a bit about my story and my relationship with Christ with beautiful followers like you.  I am thankful for the friends that I have made through this blog.  I am grateful for each of you!
I was blessed this past week with the opportunity to share with you about my friend Jessica, who is in the process of adopting a baby!  I'd love if you'd take a moment to read her story if you haven't already.  I also have a grab button in case you'd like to spread the word!

<a href="http://fontenblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/carpenters-adoption-story.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff498/sjfontenot/RDD%20Design%20November%202011/carpenterfamilybutton200.png" border="0" /></a>

I was also blessed with the opportunity to share a story from my friend Jami who is heading to Mexico with her family to build houses!  Please read her story and, if you are able, contribute to this worthy cause!  You should also visit her blog{Call Me Blessed} because every Tuesday, she does a "We Encourage" link up which blesses me every week!
I am so thankful for a wonderful church home.  I am beyond blessed by the love that I have been shown by our church family.  Whether it's through worship choir, Sisterhood, Won by One {special needs ministry} or friends we know from church, our family has been richly blessed in so many ways.
For random acts of kindness which have been shown to us, I am deeply grateful and appreciative.
I am thankful for my little Etsy shop.  It's just a tiny little homegrown business.  It's nothing fancy, but it has given me an opportunity to use my talents to make some simple little goodies.
I am so incredibly thankful for a wonderful family.  For all they do to support us, I am so grateful.  I am so very thankful for my amazing husband and for all he does to support this family.
And, last but truly first, I am thankful to God.  Thankful that He is always faithful, loving, merciful, and never-failing.  I am thankful for His grace when I fail and for always being there to show me the right path.  I am thankful for his gracious healing, for inspiration, and for hearing my prayers.  I am thankful for the patience He grants me when the answers to those prayers seem to take a lot longer than expected or they don't come in the way I expected.  I am grateful for the abundance of goodness which has blessed our family this week. I am grateful for new mercies for me each morning.
Psalm 9:1 (NIV)I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Is there any way in which I can pray for you?(for privacy, you can use the email link on the right side bar)
Philippians 4:6 (NLT)Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.

Feel free to grab a button {use CTRL+C to copy!} for your post and/or your blog and be sure to link up below!!I'm so excited to read your posts!

<center><a href=" http://fontenblog.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="The Fontenot Four" src="http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff498/sjfontenot/RDD%20Design%20November%202011/thankfulthursdays.png"/></a></center>

At a Loss

I am at a loss for something to write just now.Yesterday was a really tough day.After writing this post for Tuesday's blog, I found myself having to re-read it for myself!
We are finding ourselves in a difficult place just now.I found out that it's quite possible that we could lose Peyton's main nurse.She is desperate for her 40 hours, which is all the hours of nursing Peyton gets.Unfortunately, we need those hours spread out as much as possible,scheduling hours usually 6 out of 7 days a week.It's impossible to think she could work that many days a week.I get that.And I get the financial implication for her.
Here's the thing.She's become like family to us.She loves Peyton.  For that matter, she loves Moira.Moira has gotten very close with her.The thought of losing this nurse to a different patienthad me in tears for hours!
But what can we do??What are we supposed to do??
We only get so many hours a week.We have certain needs.We need more hours, but medicaid already cut us back from 84 to 40 a week!
If we give the nurse what she needs - 4 10-hour shifts a week {not weekends} -then we lose 3 days a week of potential assistance.If we let her do what she needs to do - go to this other patient -our family loses out big time!The alternate nurse is great and she loves Peyton.But the main nurse....well, there are some people in this world who are just called to do something....she's doing that....with Peyton.We have been so blessed by her.  We truly have.
I know God has a plan.I know His desire isn't to see me suffering in tears all day long over thsi.I know His desire isn't to have me fretting over what could happenif we wind up with nurses who just aren't like this one.{Trust me...my first thought was that this will ultimately shorten Peyton's life!}True or not, I know there's a plan in this.I just don't know what it is.I'm stressed and frustrated.I prayed.  I will pray more.I need clarity on what it is we're supposed to do.
If you wouldn't mind saying a little prayer for this, I'd so appreciate it!!
Last night when I opened my bible to read my daily verses, this is what I read first:
1 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  3 For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  (James 1:2-4)

Above and Beyond

This past weekend, Moira participated in her first soccer tournament.

It was across town.

She played 4 games - 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday.

Her team played 3 different teams in those four games.

Three very good teams.

Very good.

These other teams are in the same division,

but they play in other leagues.

They play at a whole other level though.

One of the teams, who they played twice, is an "academy" team.

What does that mean?

Well, they aren't a "parks & rec" team like our team.

These kids have parents who are willing and able to fork out about $1,000 a season

for their kids to be on an academy team.

Their coaches are quite possibly former players.

The kids practice 3-4 times a week.

They play a lot.

They play in a lot of tournaments.

They are just in a whole different league than our girls,

but still in the same age category.

Sigh.

Sweet Kickers vs Blue Bombers (a James Island Youth Soccer league)

It was tough to watch.
I'm sure it was even tougher still to play.

Our girls were so in over their heads in terms of their competition.

Our girls had a fantastic season, having won all their fall season games.

They came into this tournament not knowing what to expect.

I'm sure they didn't expect to be thoroughly beaten down.

Game one: lost 12-0.

Game two: tied 4-4.

Game three: lost...

Game four: lost...

For those last two games, I couldn't even tell you what the scores were.
We didn't score in either game.

Discouraging.

Our girls were tough though.

They gave it their all.

They fought hard.

They didn't give up.

Looking back on the experience, it was disheartening to an extent.

But we didn't go in there with any preconceived expectations that we were going to win.

It was all about their coach wanting to give them an opportunity to see what a tournament was.

To get the feel for it.

To try it out.

You see, those girls have a coach who wants to go above and beyond for his girls.

Think about that last statement.

He wants to go above and beyond.

Think about our everyday lives.

Sometimes we have a pretty good run and things are going great.  Everything is perfect.

But then something happens and we're just so out of our league.

So in over our heads.

We don't know which end is up.

We go through our lives day to day.

If you've been around a few years, you probably have lost any preconceived ideas

about how life "should" go.

You may have already figured out that God's plan for your life is we totally different from what yours was!

Maybe you got thrown into the deep end of some situation that you find yourself unable to defend against.

Maybe you feel overwhelmed by this season of your life.

But know this...

God wants to go above and beyond for you.

God only wants His best for you.

God doesn't take pleasure in seeing his children suffer.

Sometimes, though, we must endure seasons which are a little {or a lot} more difficult than we'd like.

But we have a Father God who sees us and our trials

and he desires so much for us.

He wants us to turn our hearts towards Him.

He will sustain us through our trials.

Maybe the end result won't be what you thought might happen.

It might still be painful or bitter-sweet.

But we can't possibly know sometimes just what His intentions were for us.

Lean into God.

Trust in Him

He will sustain you and see you through your trials!

Sweet Kickers vs "Brazil" (a Mount Pleasant Academy team)

linking up:

Meet My November Sponsors!

At long last, I would love to take some time to introduce you to all of my lovely November sponsors!Some have been with me for the past few months or so since I started having sponsors.Some are newer to this little family.I love them all and really appreciate their support of my blog.Take some time to meet them and then go and show them some love on their blogs and shops!
Hi! My name is Melanie and I have a little blog over here. I started blogging to keep my family updated on our daily adventures and soon I realized through blogging I am able to bless others. My desire is that you feel encouraged and blessed when you visit my blog. I try to be open and vulnerable about my life, my marriage, and being a mom. If you have time pop by my blog and say hi!

You can find me on:Blog
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My name is Lynnette and I blog over at Enchanted Aria. I love anything creative and enjoy music. I'm adjusting to college and life on my own. It isn't easy and I have my downs, but thats what makes life worth living. Come check out all the fun quirks and tidbits of my life!

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My name is Kelli and I blog at More Bang for Your Bucks.  Among other sundry topics, I am challenging myself {and you, if ya want!} to be physically active for the 40 days leading up to Christmas in a series called "I Need to Move It, Move It". Come on over, it's not too late to start!

You can find me on:Blog  Facebook  Etsy
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I'm Beth and I blog over at Through the Eyes of the Mrs.  I'm a wife and mommy to three.  I'm a vintage lover and crafter.  I will be opening my own etsy shop in the Spring of 2012.  Lots of fun things going on over at my blog so stop by sometime.

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I’m Kim from a lil' blog called “Enough Faith for Today." When I am not busy being a wife to Keith and a mom to 4 precious kids {Kelsey, Kaden, Kaleb, and Kinley}, I have a little fun at my blog. “Enough Faith for Today” came about at a time when I wasn’t sure about God. I knew He was real, I just wondered if He was really there. Through many trials, He has slowly shown himself to me, in small portions. He gives me my “manna” for the day, and at these moments, I learn to surrender and lean solely on Him. I’m still a work in progress {Thank you Jesus ~ He’s not done yet!} and at “Enough Faith" I like to talk about the ways God has blessed me, dote about my children, try may hand at crafting and cooking, and laugh at myself and all my short~comings. If you are looking for a blog of someone that has it all together, then this is NOT the place for you. But, if you like to have fun (even at your own expense), praise Him, and be real then I can’t wait to meet you! 

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Hi! I'm Courtney: wife to Jerry, mama to Zion, writer, counselor and life coach. My mind is all about the witty sarcasm and hustle-bustle of NYC, but my soul is deep like the Pacific Ocean, warm like organic fair trade coffee and laid-back crunchy granola like my home in Seattle, my spirit is neither here nor there, indulgently abiding in the love of my savior.

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I'm Alyx, and my blog is Every Day is a New Adventure. The hubs and I are currently living it up in the middle of nowhere, Germany, while I teach English to a bunch of high schoolers out here. I got pretty into blogging a couple of months ago, and this here blog is where I share all sorts of stuff - recipes, random thoughts, funny [to me] little anecdotes, things my students say [there can be some funny ones], sometimes tutorials, sometimes fashion stuff, always a new adventure. Come on over and stay a while!

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Blog

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I'm Hilary, and I love to be crafty! My husband, Mike, works in ministry at Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC. We love working at our church and raising our 1 year old daughter, Maggie Claire right alongside of what we love to do - minister to others! In all my spare time {who has spare time?!?! hehe} I make everything from hairbows, headbands, necklaces, wreaths, to custom paintings and painted personalized hairbow holders! I enjoy turning scraps into something beautiful! You can check out my website Paint Bake & Create or check out all the beatuities I make on facebook here. You can also follow all my adventures on my personal family blog here or on twitter @hilarysurratt. I'm so thankful for Sarah and I feel honored to be a part of the team on her blog!

You can find me on:Blog {Shop}  Blog {Family}  Facebook
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 You can find me on:

Blog  Facebook  Etsy

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I'm Flor and I blog over at Life in Progress! A wife to one and a mother to three little kiddos.  I write about the things I love: my faith and my relationship with Jesus, my family, finding my mommy style as a mom of three kids and my new love of photography. And just to keep it all real, I also write about the not so nice parts: my  mistakes, my disappointments and my lack of cooking skills.  Stop by, visit and get a little glimpse of my life in progress!

You can find me on:

Blog

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I'm Jamie, of Snow In December,  and I've been obsessed with writing for as long as I can remember. In the past I would get an idea in my head and I'd write it on whatever I had available - a napkin, a receipt, my arm.

Now that I have a blog, I get to write my random thoughts somewhere permanent, and I fancy that someone might actually READ them! Yay!
Topics you'll see often on my blog are my Faith, the importance of family time, and random odds and ends that make up the smorgasbord that is me. I value honesty, kindness and love, and I try to weave those values through-out my posts.  I hope you'll stop by and see me!

You can find me on:

Blog

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Hey yall!  I'm Sarah and I share my heart over at Racing Towards Joy.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a sponsor for Sarah here on her sweet blog!  I'm all about being real and sharing life as the Lord leads, and I am thankful for bloggy friends like Sarah who feel the same.  I'm a mama to a very spunky 22 month old, and have another little princess due in 6 weeks!  I blog about anything and everything...I believe that the Lord has asked us to be vulnerable in our lives with others, and that's why I blog. I'd love for you to pop over anytime, my door is always open.  Blessings to you today friends!

You can find me on:

Blog  Twitter  Facebook

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My name is Lena and I'm turning 32 this month!  Eek!  I'm a mom of 2 crazy kids, Memphis and Ruby, and I've been married to my best friend for just over a year... but we've been together since I was 16!  It's been a very fun & interesting ride so far!  I like to blog about my life, my kids, my hobbies {photography, shopping, reading, watching TV/movie} and I love hosting giveaways and joining in with other great blogs & linkups!  

You can find me on:

Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest

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At Royal Daughter Designs I blog about things that inspire me (sans pinterest - 'cause I'm a rebel!), recipes, and DIY tutorials. Beginning on November 21 I'm hosting the Christmas Ornament Countdown: 30 Days of Handmade Christmas Ornaments and Holiday Decorations. Want to participate? Read all about it here.

On my personal blog, DAES of Our Lives, I blog about faith, being a first time mom to three foster boys, and my quest for better health.

You can find me on:

Web  Blog  Facebook  Twitter

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Hi! I’m Skye but you can call me Rindercella! I write about daily life and random thoughts at my blog and love to upcycle wood into handmade artwork for your home in my etsy shop! Come say hi – I’d love to meet you!

You can find me on:

Blog  Twitter  Facebook  Etsy

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I'm Nicole, aka Missus Robie. This blog has become my one-stop hub for all the creative avenues I venture in including my personal walk with Christ and the daily grind of marriage, ministry and life in Utah, my videography business, my soon-to-be released greeting card line and my accessory shop. I like having a central place where all that I contribute to the world, both as an individual of society and what I create, can be found.

You can find me on: Blog {Shop}  Twitter
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Hi lovely readers, my name is Jen and I am the owner of Pearlie Girl {hair decor}.  I am the mom of four boys and two girls.  I started creating 'hair decor' for my daughters Kylie and Lily Pearl because I wanted them to be extra girlie in a house full of boys.  I loved creating things for them so much, that I decided to open Pearlie Girl.  At Pearlie Girl, you will find all sorts of lovely 'hair decor' for you and your little ones.  I hope you stop by and find something you love!  xoxoxo

If you 'like' Pearlie Girl on Facebook, I will send you a coupon code for 20% off your purchase.

 You can find me on:

Blog  Facebook  Etsy

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Hello, my name is April and I document my days over at gingerbread. I am a wife and momma of two busy boys, who keep my on my toes. My days are filled with cooking, crafting and all things vintage. I am pretty convinced that all things look better with a coat of spray paint and covered in colorful bunting. Gingerbread is a place to find DIY projects, recipes and lovely things that make me happy.  I also have an etsy shop filled with vintage housewares you can check out here.

You can find me on:
Blog  Twitter  Facebook  Etsy

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Hi there Fontenot Four readers!

I’m so happy Sarah has welcomed me into her sidebar.

My name is Esther and I blog over at Lovingly Thrown Together. I’m a 23-year-old wife to a sizzling hot dude who is the kindest soul on the planet and the mama of one little guy we call Jake-the-Snake who is 14-months-old and keeps me on my toes. My blog is where I share the good, the bad, 

and the ugly about being an amateur at this whole housewife thing. I cook, I clean, and I craft… 

but mostly I play because it’s all my little stinker likes to do. I just try to keep it real.

I hope you’ll hop on over to my corner in blog-land 

and check out the story of a girl discovering motherhood and domesticity. 

You can find me on:

Blog  Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest


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If you are interested in a DECEMBER sponsorship, click on the "Sponsor" tab at the top!