chasing birds

"Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle."

Proverbs 23:4-5

Every once in a while, a certain part of scripture stands out among the rest and plays in my head over and over again. Today, that scripture was from this morning's sermon at church -- Proverbs 23:4-5.  I picture a person chasing after the riches of this world - fame, security, the finest of the fine - running, gaining ground, getting closer and closer until they are almost there.

Suddenly, it sprouts wings and takes off flying, like a flock of birds that can't be caught.

You see, worldly riches can't provide the security we seek. We are fed lie after lie about what it takes to be happy.

"The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety."

Proverbs 18:11

"First, help me never tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and said, 'Who is the Lord?' And If I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult your name."

Proverbs 30:8-9

I was reminded that our money belongs to God. And he allows us to be the caretakers of it. As caretakers, its our privilege to honor The Owner with it.

"If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord -- and he will repay you!"

Proverbs 19:17

My hope is that I will honor God with every aspect of my life. To align my life with His perfect plan for me. A plan to live life to the fullest - to be free from the chains of this world and serve him with reckless abandon!

*check out these sermon videos, studying how to Align our lives with The Word.

I want to feel the sand between my toes

All day I've been thinking about how much I'd like to be at a beach, like this one.  Spending all day sitting on the sand, reading a book, playing in the ocean, and getting a tan until the sun goes down. Enjoying the evening at a sea-side restaurant, salt in the air, fresh shellfish to eat.
Ya know what? This isn't helping. It's just making me want it more!

Growing up in Florida, I spent a lot of time at the beach, and I haven't really missed it until now - and I've been living in Alabama for almost 3 years!  Each summer we spend at least a week at the beach, but this summer is drawing near and its not lookin' good! 

I'm hoping to convince my husband to take me to a hotel with a pool so I can get my fix of sun and water sometime soon!
I've resorted to hotels haha, oh what has happened to this Beach girl ;)

everything's better home-made!

especially cards!  How many times have I spent forEVER walking up and down the card isle, opening thousands of cards, only to leave without finding "the right one."

Thanks to my Silhouette Machine I can make them myself!

I've been known to make cards in the past, but never ever did they look anything like this.  Most of them probably brought the recipient back to childhood with the stick figures and sloppy handwriting!

I've made cards for almost every event I could lately.

For my cousin's wedding...

(this is a quote from Princess Bride, incase you grew up in a cave and haven't seen that movie)

For Mother's Day...



and birthdays!

Just thought I'd share! Thanks for stopping by!

Married to an Older Man

That's right. I'm married to an older man.

For the next 6 months at least.

My McHottie (I'm on a Grey's Anatomy kick) has turned 28!  Ahh, being 27 never felt so good!

So, in honor of his 28th birthday, I thought I'd list 28 things about Wade that I love oh so much!
(and the mush begins...)

#1. He's the clearest example of Christ I know.
#2. He's been going to Mexico for over 6 years and still can't speak much spanish.
#3. In fact, when he doesn't know what to say, he says "Buenos Noches!" (Good night!)
#4. He's extremely giving.
#5. He always puts the needs of others in front of himself.
#6. He's kind of a nerd. For example, he's a pharmacist, plays video games, reads comic books, loves to watch The History Channel and Discovery Channel, and likes/understands science and math.
#7. Despite his nerdy interests (remember, these are things I love about him), no one I know would want to get in a fight with him. He's big and strong.
#8. He loves to travel.
#9. He can turn a bad situation into a great and memorable one.
#10. His soul. It's so beautiful :)
#11. Boy can cook.
#12. But he refuses to use measurements! (this bugs me and makes me love him at the same time)
#13. He saves lives at work all the time :)
#14. He's always aware of opportunities to serve or minister to someone.
#15. He's extremely confidential.  He doesn't even tell me other people's secrets!
#16. Zombie Mondays - every other week he gets off from night shift and goes through an entire day he won't remember on the next.
#17. He pushes me to be more like Christ.
#18. He leads by example.
#19. Commercials = Mess with Kerrie time
#20. He's going to be an amazing dad one day.
#21. He's the most commited person I know. To anything he does.
#22. He takes time to think about what he's going to say before he says it. (I wish I could do that!)
#23. His dance moves (He's gonna kill me for that one)
#24. He opens/holds the door open until everyone near has gone through :)
#25. He loves Jesus more than anyone. And me second.
#26. In Mexico, he goes by "Marcos"  (his first name is Marcus) because "Wade" sounds like a spanish word for Castrated Bull!
#27. He helps people with Pharmacy type questions all the time, even when they call for their pets ;)
#28. He wants to be one Swamp People and loved the birthday gift I got him... Choot Em!

Just 28 reasons I love my husband so very much! Happy Birthday Old Man!

*his bday was actually yesterday, but I was too busy spending time with him to blog, so happy belated!

What goes up, must come down!

This is the mantra I repeated to myself as we trekked along the Appalachian mountain trail over the last few days. For my first hike, I gotta say I'm proud.  18 miles over three days going up and down and up and down, all the while carrying everything I'll need on my back was a challenge I'm glad I experienced!

I should also note that I'm glad I finished!

How nice. Day 1 at the start of the trail, looking all fresh and happy with our cool packs...

I think it's possible that Wade was a tad worried about whether or not I'd make it. 

Aaannnd this is me wondering the same thing...

On your mark, get set, GO!  Follow the White Blaze to stay on the trail! This was our first one.

This tower was at the Wayah Bald where we started the trail.

Ahh camping.  Yeah. That's all I have to say about that ;)
No really, it was fun.. the second night when it wasn't freezing cold. I'm going to try and forget the first night...

The next morning and still all smiles!

Day two of hiking was much more difficult. We hiked about 11 or 12 miles that day and the terrain was much more challenging. With that said, it was also beautiful.

I don't sweat often, so I was so proud of my sweaty back!  Haha I'm sure you're so happy to see that.

The view from a tower along the trail. We still had to get to the valley in the middle of the picture before we were done!  I couldn't believe how many mountains I had crossed when we looked back and how much more was to come! Completely awesome.

After another night of camping and a little more hiking we finished!  It was a great feeling of accomplishment! And I couldn't wait to get off my feet, take a shower, and eat the most glorious cheeseburger I've.Ever.Had. , at the NOC!

Even though it was hard, and there were a few several times I asked myself WHAT I WAS THINKING, I'm so glad I had this experience!

Would I do it again? 

Ask me in a few weeks when I'm not in pain from head to toe (literally)!

"Where flowers bloom...

so does hope." - Lady Bird Johnson Public Roads:Where Flowers Bloom

I shared a tutorial on my Springtime Roses a few months back, and since then have expanded and tried different flower techniques. It's been so much fun! I made these baby headbands, modeled by the adorable Everly Mae, new daughter of Brandan and Mandi Brown!
*The photos were taken by Brandi my awesome and cool friend who likes to remain nameless. 

I know, she's so cute you probably didn't even notice the headbands! They were so much fun to make!  The bottom photo is the two of the rolled roses from my previous tutorial. I made one large and one small and simply glued the smaller one on top of the larger. Bada Bing Bada Boom. I attached all of them onto stretch lace or elastic by glueing the band inbetween two pieces of felt, so it will be soft against the baby's head.

Here is a tutorial on the middle flower, which is pretty similar to the top flower:

What you will need:

Fabric - any kind (I used chiffon and a silky type fabric for the pink, and just regular fabric for the orange)

Tulle or Netting

Fabric Glue

Felt

Needle and thread

Stretch Lace, elastic, or any other stretchy trim.

Button or beads (optional)

Start by picking out your fabric and tulle. Cut several square pieces, about 3x3 inches.

Take a square and fold it in half.

Next, fold the fabric square in half again, like so...

And fold it again, across like you're making a paper airplane.

Take a needle and thread and sew the tip together to make it stay.  I had no method, I'm an eratic sewer.

Do that a bunch of times until you've got two colors of fabric and tulle, all sewed like so...

Ok, so I got carried away and forgot to keep taking pictures, so I'm going to have to just explain the rest:

Cut a circle out of felt.

Glue one color around (all touching side by side) in a circle on the felt.

Glue another color on top, and then do the same with tulle.

For the middle, I made a teeny tiny rolled rose and glued it on. I love glue, can you tell?

Sew the ends of the stretch fabric/lace for the headband together.

Turn flower over and glue sewed area onto the flower. Glue an additional felt circle on top of that.

The End! Easy Peasy Lemon Squeazy, right?

For the flower above, I took two colored fabrics, sewn as above and sandwiched a piece of netting inbetween. I then sewed the three pieces together and layed each three-peice on their sides and glued them onto the felt circle like I did with the pink flower. Then I just glued a button in the middle!

The Oregon Coast

 This was my second trip to the Oregon Coast, Wade's first.  Again, we were so blessed with good weather to enjoy the weekend exploring!

I love the Pacific Ocean! The beach is so different than the East Coast where I grew up. Both are beautiful, both are unique.


Our first stop at the Coast

 

My beautiful neice, Journey!





The Tide Pools




Spouting Horn




The Pacific Beach, were we stayed at a beach house for the night




Journey's first trip to the beach




I loved the driftwood!




Deci and I found an island, which soon disappeared and I had to carry her through the water back to shore!




My niece, December




Seal Rock




My hottie hubby and I at Seal Rock




I just loved all of the huge bolders!




Deci, dancing at the beach




A gorgeous view!

 I saw so many beautiful sights while in Oregon!  By far the most beautiful place I've seen in America.