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Fabric Tie Wreath – Total cost $2 (So easy-Even the kids can make it!)

11.28.2010

This is a simple and fun project–so easy that even the kids can make it! For my wreath, I used scrap fabric–so the ONLY cost was the straw $2 wreath (50% off at Hobby Lobby). I did add a bird to the center which is the ONLY part that requires sewing which is optional! This wreath takes just about a hour to complete–we (Parker, Laney and I) did this for our Sunday craft while the babies and daddy got in their Sunday afternoon naps…


Side note: This momma loves to add anything to decorations that have added stories or meaning. For this wreath–it’s the sparrow. Luke 12:6 says “…not one sparrow is forgotten by God…” and if not one sparrow is forgotten by God…then we can be SURE that not one person…not one child…not one orphan is forgotten by God either. So…that is the meaning behind my bird–to remind us of our Creator’s priorities and to trust that He is going to care for us and for all of the children of the world.

Materials needed: 4-5 different pieces of fabric (1/2 yard will be plenty of each) & straw wreath
You can also make this WITHOUT a wreath by simply using thick wire–say a clothes hanger might work–and it’ll just be tighter and you’ll want shorter strips of fabric.

1. Choose 4-5 different fabrics for this project. (You can really make this trendy with FUN fabrics. This momma won’t buy things if she has something here that will work—so I used old fabrics my grandmother sent me years ago that I needed to clear out of my fabric cabinets). You will need 1/2 yard of each fabric.

AND a straw wreath (or any kind will work…buy the cheapest! I used a 18″ wreath–but again, any size will work too!)

2. Cut as many strips as you can from each fabric–18″ x 2″. To involve the children, cut 1″ tabs at the edge of each fabric 2″ apart. Let the children rip them down the edge—this will only work with cotton thinner fabrics—and this is my trick to keeping things straight when I sew anything. It’s OKAY!! Let them rip away…your boys will especially love this part!


3. Let the kids go through the strips pulling off (or trimming if they are old enough to use scissors) any hanging strings from fabric strips. (My boy loved the ripping while my girl loved the snipping! AH…that rhymed;)

4. Double knot the fabric strips all the way around the wreath keeping the knots tight and the fabrics close together. (Tip: To make sure different fabrics are evenly spread out, tie the fabrics one at a time by color/type…this way your different colors are spread out). SERIOUSLY–that is ALL there is to it!!!

OPTIONAL–if you’d like to add something to hang from the center–you can make a bird, a star…whatever your creativity comes up with! I free-hand cut a bird…it’s not perfect–but you know that’s the way I like things…with a little bit of character:)

I added little wings with another fabric already used on the wreath…sewed it together and flipped it inside out–and then Laney-loo stuffed the bird! I used two extra strips sewn on top to hang the bird and just tied that to the top of the wreath. I did sew a line on the ties where I wanted the ties to tie around the bottom of the wreath to keep Mr.Bird stable. Then I just tied a knot on top which I made a bow with to hang him for the mantle. AND WA LA!

I LOVE a craft that can involve the children…and I especially love a craft that only cost me $2! If you don’t want to make this–you can buy these on etsy.com for up to $50 dollars. But…it’s every bit worth the time with the kids and the $2 it cost us out of pocket to make! These can be made for ANY occasion!!! Just pick out fabric for Valentine’s, Fall, Spring…and tie away!!!

NOW…anyone in need of a quick tree skirt? Some of you have some left over burlap from our last project. Well, hold on to your stamps and get ready for another project in a couple of days. This one is way too simple…and inexpensive too. Don’t need a tree skirt, well–how about some stockings? Even if they are just for your staircase as decoration? Don’t have burlap? Well, go get you some…because these projects will be too fun and TOO easy not to try at home with your little ones!

Have a great Sunday!

Tutorial for stamp hanging sign is in previous post. You can also find it under “Crafts” in the Christmas section.

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Jenny - November 28, 2010 - 4:25 pm

This is ADORABLE:)

ellen silva - November 28, 2010 - 5:08 pm

I am really digging these crafts!! Any children’s advent ideas coming?? =)

Cristie - November 28, 2010 - 6:26 pm

Andrea, I love your amazing craft ideas! I copied your banner and made a thanksgiving one! It turned out great!! Thanks for the inspiration girl!

Vanessa - November 28, 2010 - 9:38 pm

Okay…too darn cute. I am so waiting for your next project. I need to redo my stockings now that we are a family of 5 this year 🙂

april - November 29, 2010 - 8:32 am

i LOVE this…i think i might try this, this week! :0) love the meaning behind the sparrow!

Becca - November 29, 2010 - 11:45 am

I love this! you have the best ideas 🙂

Nikki - November 29, 2010 - 4:46 pm

I just got out some old fabric and a wire coat hanger this morning, and made one of these after your example… it’s perfect! Thank you so much, Andrea! 🙂

marci - November 30, 2010 - 6:08 pm

We love the pics and are amazed how Isaac is growing big an dstrong…his smile is a melt your heart smile…even his eyes dance ! All the children are precious.

orfa - September 25, 2013 - 2:02 pm

I am trying to make a smaller version with my pre k students. Practice for fine motors.

Thanksgiving Break – Part 3 – A life well lived…

11.27.2010

Okay…so I haven’t posted Part 1, 2 or 4 yet–but there are definitely 4 “share worthy” parts of our family’s Thanksgiving break. Some how though, I feel this part is the most important, and I feel like I NEED to write this one down first…

For over a week my great Aunt Thelma had been touch and go. She turned 101 this June…and dispite her age, she has been living at her house and never had to go into assisted living or a nursing home. BUT she recently took a turn, and she requested to stay at home–and it was just her time…and she was ready. Things took their turn just before last weekend after another hospital visit–and each time I thought about tossing the kids in the van to drive down to Clanton, Alabama to see her…to just say good-bye…I would get the news that she was unresponsive and it might be just a matter of hours. SO…I chose to stay here and not put all 4 kids in the car or risk taking a sickness there with us. NOW…you might be thinking “GREAT aunt”??? Seriously…how could anyone even KNOW their great aunt…let alone love them like a grandmother?! WELL, ask any of the grandchildren or my aunts and uncles…and my Aunt Thelma was MORE than just an aunt. She helped raise my dad and his siblings…and she took the role as another grandmother to all of THEIR children and eventually all of our children too.


We decided to go ahead and go to Tennessee for Thankgiving to be with Richard’s family–and then as I was drying my hair at 9:30 on Friday morning (the morning after Thanksgiving) my heart became heavy–and I felt a rush to just go see her…it no longer matter what state she was in–I just needed to go for myself. I packed my things–I ran to tell Richard I needed to go–then I ran to my van to plug in my cell phone so it could charge for me to call my dad. I called him just after 10:15 and my parents talked me through whether I should leave our Thanksgiving visit or not (even though my heart had already decided)–and finally I decided Isaac and I would leave while the others stayed. I said my good-byes, filled up a bottle of milk for Isaac and took off. I called my dad again around 10:30am to tell him I was on my way, and I’d see him there–and if he left right then he’d be there before I was…and that is when the other line rang…and we got the news that Aunt Thelma went to be with Jesus. (I sat there stunned…and even amazed thinking that I bet the very moment the Lord put on my heart a rush to see her…was actually just a way for the Lord letting my heart know she had gone.)

I thought about turning around–what could I do there…but I knew my dad and my siblings could probably use a dose of Isaac’s big smile and belly that are sure to make any sad day end with a smile. I thought I could use the three and a half hours to reflect a bit…

If you ask any of my dear cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings and parents about Aunt Thelma–it won’t take long before you realized the place she holds and will always be reverenced for in our family. To each of us, she made an everlasting impact…for she lived being the hands and feet of Jesus in so many different ways.
Aunt Thelma was a school teacher. She never married. And instead–she invested tirelessly into the hearts and lives of countless children. And boy did she love children!!! She never forgot a face. She never forgot a name. And she had the ability to make each of us feel like we were each deeply loved not only by her–but also by God and that we each had such value. For so many she stood in the gap…whether it be a time of crisis or simple need of encouragement. We shared many talks about missions…and my–how this daughter of the King had a heart for missions!!!

She would ask me stories about Africa…or China…or India. Whatever country I was visiting or living in doing mission work–she would read and save my update letters…and upon my return bask in every detail. And after EVERY visit and story–she would tell me the SAME thing, “Andrea, I used to always pray and pray and pray that God would call me to be a missionary. I wanted to be a missionary SO badly…to go across the world and share the gospel…but He had me right here. I never got to be a missionary, so I just love these stories…” And my response would always be the same, “Oh–you’ve been a missionary alright. RIGHT HERE. You have been a missionary in every sense of the definition.”

I’ll never forget when I had to raise $25,000 to go to East Asia with Campus Crusade for Christ. That amount seemed so overwhelming. I remember getting down to the wire…I had just a couple of weeks to finish raising my support to go serve. I was barely touching $20,000 and I was praying and praying and praying. With just a few days left–I got a few last envelopes with checks in the mail to go toward our mission trip…and the last was a letter from my precious Aunt Thelma…out of no where as I didn’t even send her a support letter. YET…she kept up with every one of her great nieces and nephews…and her letter went on to explain why she was giving. She said it wasn’t her giving–but it was the Lord that told her to give. She told me again in that letter that she had always wanted to be a missionary–and this was her way of going to the world to spread the gospel. She told me it was a JOY to give and I was moved to tears when I opened up the check to see every penny of this mission trip had now been provided for. I thought of this retired single, school teacher…living alone in a modest brick house–yet she was storing her treasures in heaven. There I was about to board a plane at 23 years old to go be a missionary with my 91 year old aunt had been the final person to send me off. Each month I sent her letters to tell her about my journeys and what God was doing…and I don’t doubt that every day she prayed for my safety and for the Lord to accomplish much through me. I would have never told that story before now as I know she wouldn’t want credit for being my biggest supporter during my year in China–but I figure–now…she is enjoying her treasures in heaven…so it’s okay.

Parker and Laney loved Aunt Thelma…and I’m quite sure if Frank and Isaac could have been a little bit older they would have too. We did our best to Skype from Ethiopia…and I know she prayed for us while we traveled across the world again…but this time to bring home a great, great nephew. She lived 101 years—and on Friday…I drove to her house for the last time. Isaac entertained my aunts and uncles who had been there for days watching her breath, and they even had Thanksgiving in her living room so they could be with her and watch her as she listened in her sleep. And about the time I felt the rush to go see her all the way in Tennessee…she closed her eyes and went to be with Jesus. Now with her siblings…her parents…and I know she’d say most of all her Savior.

I can ONLY IMAGINE the sweet rejoicing that has been happening upon her entering the Kingdom. But oh–so many will miss her here! Aunt Thelma, you will always be dearly loved by so many. Your impact was great. And while you were a sister, an aunt, a “other mother” and “grandmother” to so many…you were, indeed, a missionary too.

Before driving away from her home for the last time on Friday night–I looked across her front yard and saw the most beautiful sky. I couldn’t help but smile thinking how much more beautiful her view now is…or to think she had told God, Himself, to dabble it with a little bit of pink and something pretty so we’d see it when we drove away.

Part 1 (our day with Kristi and Lucy Lane), Part 2 (Isaac’s FIRST Thanksgiving) and Part 4 (Dance Party night at our house…featuring Frank’s serious moves) to come…

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kristi johnson - November 28, 2010 - 1:14 am

oh, i love your aunt thelma…what a wonderful lady!! kj

ellen silva - November 28, 2010 - 7:17 am

I am so very sorry for your loss! She sounds like she was a wonderful lady.

GAP - November 28, 2010 - 10:04 am

How could it be ANYTHING but a PINK sunset? Pink was HER color. Thank you for this sweet, sweet post! It was amazing to sit and listen to her go on about the children. I never tired of it. Jesus’ love shined though every word. She was awed when she saw your face on that Skype call from Ethiopia. We will all miss her very much. She is in a better place. She live a full life and was able to pass from this life at home. She was blessed, but more than that, she was a blessing.

Lara - November 28, 2010 - 3:09 pm

She sounds like she was wonderful. Thanks, I’m all teary now.

Kathryn - November 28, 2010 - 3:33 pm

I am sorry for your loss, she sounds like quite a special lady!
My Grandfather came from a family with 13 kids and it has been a blessing to have known many of my Great Aunts and Uncles very well over the years. It is almost like having several extra sets of Grandparents. =}

Bobi Bobbitt - November 28, 2010 - 9:31 pm

Andrea, what a precious post and a precious lady! I got chills when I saw the beautiful picture you took of the sky! Also could not help but think of my Great Aunt who we plan to name our daughter after! She, too is a ray of sunshine to all around her, my Aunt SADIE! (:

Happy Thanksgiving!!! And sweet tears with the pediatrician (seriously…when does that ever happen?!)

11.23.2010

I know it’s a few days EARLY…but I had to go ahead and say it because we’ll be MIA for a few days soaking up time with family! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!! BUT I have a few things I just have to document to never forget that happened today. I am so thankful–and not just because it’s Thanksgiving week and I’m in the thinking mode of thinking about what I’m thankful for…but because I’m just truly overwhelmed by how our lives continue to play out. Following the Lord is truly such an adventure!!!

Do you ever have those days before a big holiday that you have a “to do” list a mile long? Well, my day started out with that list–and I decided not to do most of it (or rather my day decided that for me!) and the world won’t stop turning when things don’t work out as planned…I’m learning more and more how to roll with it and even shrug my shoulders without worry…and laugh through it too. And while we chilled out together this morning at home…a few things happened that just made me dive for my camera as I thought “now this…I never want to forget!”…

Frank just turned two–BUT he is still MY BABY. IN fact, I told him this morning while I reached in the crib to get him, “MOMMA’S BABY!!! Look at you!!! You sweet little momma’s baby!!! You are!!! You are momma’s baby!!!” He looked at me and shook his head no:(. He said, “No Frank baby. I-ack. I-ack ma’s baby.” Well, that makes momma laugh (don’t you LOVE how he says Isaac?!) and it also makes momma sad that Frank is offering his baby status completely to Isaac…but Frank still takes a binky…so I’m declaring he’s STILL my baby!!!!!

And at two I DO usually take away the binkies. BUT this has been a season of change for Frank so much already–that we aren’t worrying about what anyone else has to say about it…he gets to keep his binky a bit longer. SO…this morning when I got him out of his crib, he was going to town on his binky. I always wanted my other babies to have a lovie—I thought it’d be a good thing to have when you got rid of binkies AND I just think they are sweet. Parker has a white one, Laney has a pink one (that is ACTUALLY an old sweater of mine…that’s a story for another day), I’m working on Isaac…and well Frank–he has QUITE A FEW blankies. The last few days when I’ve gotten him up he’s insisted on bringing them ALL downstairs with us…and then EVERY. WHERE. WE. GO. I mean…can you imagine the load this is…THREE lovies…you just have to smile. And I could just gobble Frankie-baby right up.

I could also gobble up the older two and their growing brotherly/sisterly love for one another…I love Mr.Frank looking on here…

Okay—I’m caught!!! As you can see we DID BITE THE BULLET and we started decorating for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving!!! I just couldn’t help it. And the VERY first thing we have to get out EVERY year is the Little People Manger set–seriously…they play with this EVERY day and reinact the manger scene…even Frankie baby loves it!

Later in the afternoon while I was busy getting ready to take Isaac to the doctor (our “to do” list got cut in half when the pediatrician told us to come on in for another ear check)…sooo—I heard some rattling around in the frig…which USUALLY means Frankie baby is getting into something. Every thing got QUITE which usually confirms it was Frankie baby in the frig and he must be eating something. Now, I *WAS* planning on making a pumpkin pie this afternoon…but that got taken off the “to do list” TOO…when I realized one of the KEY ingredients for my pumpkin pie recipe was all gone…(and I just HAD to get some pictures of this one!) How terrible is it that he drank MOST of the contents of this!? (I guess it could always be worse!)SERIOUSLY…who would drink this? He kept saying, “Mik! Mik! Mik!” Of course he thought it was milk, but boy–I think he liked it better than milk…I can only imagine the calories too!

SO MUCH FOR THE PUMPKIN PIE!!! Oh well. Instead…we made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins!!! Around 125…so I hope everyone likes them!!! I couldn’t keep Frankie baby out of them either…so they got his seal of approval…I’ve had several people already ask for the recipe—and lemme tell ya my trick!!! Trader Joes Pumpkin Bread mix!!! It’s organic…and instead of the 1/2 cup of vegtable oil…I substitute it for 1/2 cup organic pumpkin puree…and it makes them even more moist. I also toss in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips per mix—I made 4 mixes which resulted in A LOT of muffins!!! BUT they are SOOOOO good!!!

LAST but not least–I have to share my OH WOW moment of the day. (Seriously…I think these moments some how happen to me every day…is that possible?!) SO…after my pediatrician says he’ll fit us in to the ONE slot of the day at 1:15pm…after I panic because I refuse to take all 4 kids to the pediatrician to lick the walls and get sick before Thanksgiving…after I go cross-eyed that my hubby can’t come home to help me (I mean…some one has to work…right?!)…after my bestfriend Kelly drives 25 minutes with her two little ones to save the day and stay with the 3 older ones while I run to the doctor…and after I arrive 5 minutes late and out of breath and sit waiting and waiting and waiting on them to call our names…I’m sitting there in the room when the pediatrician walks in…

He is in his 60s, and he’s seen it all. But he always tells me–that one thing he has never seen is a baby make strides the way our Isaac Temesgen has. We were there just last week–and he told my husband how amazed he has been at our love for our son. I know that might sound odd…but he has seen us go through quite a bit during our transition home figuring this little guy out…and I guess I don’t realize what he’s always thinking as he is watching us care for Isaac and love on him. So today–after he checked his ears…after he said they don’t look that great…after he referred us to the ENT…AGAIN…he made a comment–and then asked a question…(and these are the things I want Isaac to remember later…how loved he is not just by us…but by the Lord…)

“I am really taken back by your care for this boy…your son. But, honestly–I don’t know how you are doing it…with no sleep–other babies–here in our office week after week…I just don’t know how you guys have pulled this off so well! I just have to say I’m taken back…”

I looked at him and as much as I wanted to take the credit. I couldn’t. Instead…I had to let him in on our secret…“Oh doctor, please do not be impressed. I have to tell you–I’m just as amazed as you are. Because I SHOULD be tired. I should be strung out. But I have to tell you–this has been easier in a very strange way than even bringing our other babies home from the hospital. It has been the Lord caring for us so that we could care for him. I know that might sound crazy—but if you ever doubted the Lord or His care…oh my—I have felt it in ways I never imagined…It is NOT my strength—it is completely His…”

We went on and on talking…and he stopped for a moment and said, “I need to show you something. It’s something the ENT said in his surgery write up. Now doctors never say personal things in a surgery write up–normally its strictly facts and medical jargon…but not for your Isaac Temesgen…”

He opened up his chart and showed me where our ENT–also a doctor in his 60’s who has seen it all–had written up a report. For the beginning of each paragraph, instead of saying “The patient” like they normally do–he had written “This miraculous little baby boy…”

Our doc laughed and looked at me and said, “Now, that’s not one I see every day”

I was standing there holding Isaac Temesgen in my arms–and I tried to say, “No doctor, he isn’t one that you see every day…he’s truly a…” And the tears starting flowing…”a miracle.”

I looked up and this 60 year old man had tears streaming down his cheeks.

I apologized for getting emotional…and explained that he isn’t allowed to refer to my boy as a miracle and expect me not to cry…and I was taken back by the emotion in this doctor who I have never seen or imagined emotional. There we stood wiping away tears and laughing all the while at this sweet baby boy…

Isaac Temesgen is making his mark. He is bound and determined to overcome anything that is put in front of him…he is a fighter. God is using him to change our family…to change our hearts…and even to impact others in our community. He’ll be 16 months in just a couple of weeks—and I’m convinced God is going to use him mightily in his life. I’m just convinced!!! I know you, Isaac Temesgen, will one day read these words. And I’m sure it will be while God is using you to impact the world in ways I can’t even imagine. Your smile lights up the room–and your stubborn, head-strong nature perserverance;) sees things through.

We walked out of the office with nurses asking why I was wiping away my tears (we’re pretty close with all of them these days!) and all I could say, “It’s the doctor…he calls this guy a miracle…and I can’t handle it…”. They all started laughing and then started their usual…blowing kisses at Isaac to get him to blow kisses back and grin his contagious grin.
This Thanksgiving…my heart overfloweth. I pray the same for you…that your heart and lives will be overflowing with His love and that you be deeply cared for by your Creator as you care for those you love. Happy Thanksgiving to the coolest and sweetest and most dear blog readers in the world!!! Thank you for praying for us, sharing your lives with us and encourageing us!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Andrea

Posted in Adoption Preparation,Frank,Mommy Moments
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Elle J - November 23, 2010 - 12:58 am

Happy Thanksgiving to you, Andrea, and your sweet family. What a fantastic day! I am thankful for you – for all that you share, for all that you do for others, for your leading example in living life for God and praising Him for all He provides. So Thankful!!! Hugs and Blessings this Thanksgiving!!!!

kristi johnson - November 23, 2010 - 2:02 am

oh,this made my day..what a sweet post….can’t wait to see yall tomorrow (or today really..i’m up late cookin for ya 🙂 Ok, so i was jealous that you don’t take all the kids to the dr…. I love my doc, but he just sits and stares in shock and laughs cause I have to take ALL 5 kids with me EACH time someone is sick..and yes, they are always licking the walls and always sick the next day…LOL

ellen silva - November 23, 2010 - 5:56 am

What a beautiful post – thank you for sharing your heart. I am not a AGCI mommy, but your friendships and muffins make me a bit envious =) – lol.

Christy - November 23, 2010 - 6:11 am

Ooooooh so amazing! Praising the Lord WITH you! Can’t wait to see all the cute pics of your Thanksgiving! have fun!

Jenny - November 23, 2010 - 7:57 am

I’m so thankful your pediatrician decided to share all of that with you! Praise the Lord for ITY!

Tisha Alexander - November 23, 2010 - 8:00 am

Andrea, oh how wonderful! Can you imagine what you life would be like right now if you hadn’t said yes to God? You wouldn’t have that little miracle to watch grow and become an awesome man of God. Thank you so much for sharing…

Gini - November 23, 2010 - 8:07 am

Wow–what a powerful story…! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Beth Lewis - November 23, 2010 - 8:39 am

Your post was just completely moving, I had to write! I found your website through friends of friends and had to start following you. Your children are all so beautiful and your heart for the Lord is even more beautiful! You uplift me with your posts and bring me to tears at the same time. God knew what he was doing when he picked you, your husband and your family to take care of that miracle baby. Praise His name!

Sara - November 23, 2010 - 8:54 am

Love this story and am holding the tears back myself!

Lara - November 23, 2010 - 8:57 am

Melt my heart! So much warm and fuzziness. I PRAY that I handle the transition home as gracefully as you have.

kim zawodzinski - November 23, 2010 - 9:07 am

You mentioned in one of your earlier posts that Dr. Penny is your pediatrician. My children both see Dr. Penny as well. Last time we were there for an appointment I told Dr. Penny that I follow your blog. He went on and on about what an incredible family you have…he really cares about your family and Issac Temesgen. We love, love, love Dr. Penny.

Kim Z.

SleepyMom - November 23, 2010 - 9:24 am

My little 2-yr old has also been wanting to take all his lovies with him out of the crib in the morning (he still has his paci too). Recently I nearly dropped him going down the stairs because there was so much between us: 2 blankies, puppy dog, bear, Elmo, Elmo fireman, and bed water! Your stories of Frank are too cute. I’m so glad my guy can’t open the fridge because who wouldn’t want to drink that open container of whipping cream I have in there.
Happy Thanksgiving – glad you have so much to be thankful for.

Faith - November 23, 2010 - 9:30 am

Oh how beautiful! What amazing work God is doing through you and your family!!! What a testament of faith you and your family are for the love of our God!

Catherine Besk - November 23, 2010 - 9:33 am

Andrea – We are so lost in this paper chase. We just finished all of our education, and it can be a little scary and overwhelming. I thank the Lord for your miracle baby. What a great reminder. Thank you. Now I need to find the Kleenex.

Abby - November 23, 2010 - 9:47 am

God IS already using little Isaac to touch the heart of your Dr and his staff!! So precious.

Bonnie Nieuwstraten - November 23, 2010 - 10:14 am

This is a beautiful post, Andrea! Isn’t it awesome to see doctor’s hearts softened?? There have been so many healing miracles in my daughter’s life and I love to smile when the doctors say, “I don’t know how to explain this.” Well I do! Have a beautiful Thanksgiving!

Heather Nordstrom - November 23, 2010 - 10:37 am

Reading your post this morning…tears…what a great way to start my day…praising the Lord for his miracles!!

Mary Craig Hart - November 23, 2010 - 11:57 am

Oh my! Now I’m wiping away tears, too! How wonderful! (And that Frank drinking the heavy cream cracks me up!)

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - November 23, 2010 - 12:46 pm

Oh lovely! Precious. Happy Thanksgiving to your beautiful family full of miracles!

Alison - November 23, 2010 - 1:25 pm

Precious story! What a little miracle he is! And we have the FP Little People nativity set too…and the kids love it! Can’t wait to get it out this year!

Kathryn - November 23, 2010 - 1:49 pm

That was just too sweet… tears are now streaming down my face. God is SO good! He surely gives us the strength we need to get through difficult things…”I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 I remind myself of this verse often. =} Thank you for sharing this! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Dawn - November 23, 2010 - 2:11 pm

Andrea….your family is amazing! You have taken the leap of faith and God has BLESSED THAT in AMAZING WAYS!!!! He is truly a miracle. I remember after you accepted the referral….knowing this could be really really hard. Knowing that Isaac could have not survived…knowing that God had placed him in YOUR HOME for a reason. It just thrills me to see him change the world already! Just think of what he will do in the future!!! 🙂 YEAH ISAAC!

Kelly - November 23, 2010 - 2:36 pm

Andrea, your post made me cry! I’ve spent lots of hours in specialists office with my kids and am always preplexed by how the Lord can use our circumstances (especailly the ones that aren’t fun for us or our kiddos) to His Glory. Thanks for the reminder that there is always someone watching and we can be a witness of God’s sustaining grace in how we handle life’s difficulties. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

leslie masterson - November 23, 2010 - 3:45 pm

Sobbing as I read about your day. Thank you for sharing your miracles with us. As a momma who is walking the special needs adoption journey-you are such a huge blessing to me!

Jennifer - November 23, 2010 - 9:15 pm

how amazing our God is and how wonderful He is showing His love through your family. His mercies never cease! i also have to say frank is a man after my own heart…i love heavy cream!!! jennifer

Debb - November 23, 2010 - 11:55 pm

Such a miraculous little baby boy! SO GLAD for you that God chose this little angel for YOUR family! Very excited that God is uplifting you and breathing energy into you. So thankful to you for blogging your story! Have a blessed Thanksgiving! :o)

Megan - November 24, 2010 - 2:24 am

Oh WOW! That is a moment to remember! Blessings to you this Thanksgiving Andrea!

Kim - November 24, 2010 - 10:21 am

Now you’ve got us all crying!
That is the sweetest post ever.
In fact, I brought back a similar experience with our miracle Sam and one of his doctors. I wish I had been blogging back then.
You and your ITY are a blessing to us all!
Happy Thanksgiving from Hong Kong,
Kim

Jenay Brewer - November 24, 2010 - 3:28 pm

That just blesses my heart. I love when God breaks the “walls” of professionals and we all just become people with love for one another and tears and joy. I had a very cool experience with my Dr. as well, when I was getting a yellow fever shot to prepare me for going to Africa and getting our daughter, and he began to share with me how his son is a total miracle, and God saved his son’s life when he was just a tiny baby born prematurely, and we both just had a precious moment talking about our kids and God and miracles. I left there feeling like I’d had a “devine appt.”.

Jen - November 24, 2010 - 9:42 pm

LOVE THAT STORY! How awesome. Hey, and we also get the Little People Nativity out first each year! My kids love it! Happy Thanksgiving!

Stacey - November 26, 2010 - 4:15 pm

Wow! What an inspiration. I am looking around trying to research Christian women blog sites and what I like and do not like on each…I love yours. It has you as a writer and God has blessed me today with your story and a blog I will always check in onfor more! God bless you and your family!

Scripture Banner Tutorial

11.21.2010

I went back and forth whether or not we should pull the Christmas decorations out before Thanksgiving–and I decided to slowly but surely get a few things out…and while we were at it…why not go ahead and make the banner tutorial some of you have requested:). SO…I decided to make a banner that we can use each year at Christmas! These would make sweet little gifts or use them like we did for special occasions (the boys’ dedications and later hang them as keepsakes in their rooms). What a wonderful thing to do before decorating–I sat down and read through Luke 2 to choose a verse for our mantel. This is the one I chose to hang on our fire place this holiday season…
While the letters are a bit crooked and I bought a stamp set that didn’t have punctuation–you can get creative and make due–and I think the less perfect it is…the more fun and rustic it looks (that’s what I like to think anyway!) SO…for those of you who made the request and others who might like to get crafty over Thanksgiving as you think about decorating for Christmas—here you go…

Scripture Banner Tutorial

For this project, you will need: white fabric, burlap/jute fabric, twine/roping, black ink pad, rubber/wooden alphabet stamps, iron

1.

You can use any type of white or light fabric. I used a slightly off white fabric I already had–cheap curtain liner to be exact (the cheaper probably the better as the softer fabrics may not absorb the ink quite as well). I used the full width and to make sure it was even, I folded over the top and ironed a crease for me to cut a straight line.

2.

I printed the verse off I would use so it was in front of me to refer to. Then I just started stamping away. I bought my alphabet stamps at Hobby Lobby and they are at least 1 inch by 1 inch. You could use any color ink, but I just chose to use black to keep it simply. The first time I made a banner, I tried to keep the letters really straight by using a straight edge. It actually looked worse b/c it was more noticable if I made a small mistake after having several letters aligned perfectly–so I tossed the straight edge after that one and the rest of the banners I have made I simply eyeball it and put the letters as close as I can without overlapping. I even purposely turn them at a slight angle some times just to add a little more character.

3.

My alphabet set didn’t come with commas and periods–SO instead of buying more things I just made due. I used a glue stick to stamp the punctuation and a marker to make the line in the comma. I folded the bottom up where I wanted to cut the banner and ironed it to give me a straight edge to cut on. Then I cut the white banner.

4.

Now it is ready to attach to the burlap. I pinned the banner on top of the burlap. After it was pinned, I cut the burlap approx. 2 inches (just eyeballed the edge I wanted). Some of the burlap may fray on the edges–just adding a little more character:).

5.

To make it more secure–you could add heat/iron adhesive before sewing–but I skipped that and just sewed it on. I sewed a simple wide stitch about 1/2 inch inside the white fabric all the way around. (There is a trick, however, to keep it from bunching at the very end. You need to sew the 2 lengths in the same direction as the fabric will be pulled a bit while you sew.)

6.

Time to cut your twine. Cut 2 pieces of twine–2 yards each (you can trim it later–but it’s better to have too much than too little)

7.


Fold the twine in half and lay the rope at the corner top edge of the white banner. Sew back and forth several times to secure the twine to the banner. Do this on both ends. Then, just for appearance and a completed look–go back and tie knots in each end. And your done!!! It’s ready to hang!!!


I think we’ll actually move the nativity to another table–but I thought it was fun under the verse until I make the wreath that will go under it–between the toparies. Also–I tried a decorative stamp I already had on each ends just for a different look. I like it both ways…here is what a banner looks like without them and just hanging above a doorway (the way we hung them for the babies’ dedications)…

I have ONE more burlap craft…okay maybe TWO…so there if you buy some burlap I will help you use it!!!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST…I have an AWESOME give away to tell you about that ends TOMORROW!!!! You HAVE to check it out. ONE…because it’s an AWESOME give away!!!

SECOND…because Lara is precious and her family is trying to raise money to bring home their baby from Ethiopia!!! You can read more about the give away by clicking HERE …the give away included 20 shirts/sweatshirts…12 handmade AMAZING gifts (can you say Christmas shopping ALL done!) and 3 cool hats (more Christmas all done). You can enter this give away AS MANY times as you want!!!!

Here’s the run down on how to enter and how you can ultimately help them bring their baby home…Donate $10 toward to help Lara and her family bring their baby home–and your name is entered 1 time!

Buy one of their t-shirts (proceeds for this ALSO go toward their adoption!!!!)—and your name is entered 3 times for every t-shirt you buy!

If you buy one of her t-shirts or donate toward their adoption…tell Lara I sent you!!! I’m off to buy one of her t-shirts now!!! Seriously…the long-sleeved ones would be so great for just a kickin’ it day running errands–and I LOOOVE what it says “Each of us matters to God” shaped like Africa. Such a beautiful reminder how each of us DOES matter!!! I remember my first trip to Africa I was overwhelmed—why do I get to live here…why them there…BUT to know that EACH matters to Him and He is caring for them in unseen ways–and He may even choose to use me to help care.

OH…I want to win this give away!!! Oh…did I hear someone say they don’t like t-shirts??? WELLLLL…if you win…you can send them to ME;-) because I’d LOOOOVE to win this give away!!!!!

Hope you all have a great week ahead!!!!

XOXO,

Andrea

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Megan - November 22, 2010 - 2:02 am

Fun craft! When you posted the fall wreath I called my mom and asked if she had any burlap. She didn’t…so I went and bought my own. Little did I know she went and bought me some that day just to make me smile. So AFTER making the fall wreath, I still have two more yards! This will help me use some of that up! Thanks for the fun idea. Plus WHERE did you get your nativity?? The only one I have yet is the clay one I made in high school…I seriously need to invest!

Kim - November 22, 2010 - 4:37 am

OH … if I could only find a Hobby Lobby in Hong Kong! I LOVE THE BANNER! Heading over now to check out the t-shirts!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Christy - November 22, 2010 - 6:33 am

I LOVE the banner. I was all excited to make one until you mentioned sewing. I don’t sew! Any other way to get it together? 🙂

Andrea Young - November 22, 2010 - 8:32 am

Of course you can do this without sewing!!! Buy Heat-n-Bond instead. You’ll iron it on the white fabric, pull the backing off and simply iron it on the burlap! That’s it!!! (You can buy heat-n-bond online, at Walmart or Hobby Lobby.)

Andrea Young - November 22, 2010 - 8:33 am

P.S. To do the roping w/out a machine, you will want some needle and thread to stitch the twine on the ends at least–OR you can try hot glue…hot glue works for just about anything and it should hold this just fine too!

april - November 22, 2010 - 8:45 am

thanks so much for the tutorial…love it and hope to try it sometime!

Abby - November 22, 2010 - 9:03 am

Love these. So cute yet simple.

Becca - November 22, 2010 - 9:40 pm

I was hoping you’d post a tutorial for the banner! 🙂

Coffee Filter Wreath – Total Cost $4!

11.20.2010

Although I’m not quite ready to take down our Thanksgiving decorations—I can’t help but get a head start of a few fun Christmas decorations…and it’s so much fun to have some new things each year–and even more fun when it’s easy on the budget! I decided to make a coffee filter wreath to go in our “white room”—but because this wreath is WHITE it can go ANY WHERE in the house. To give it an extra holiday twist, consider putting something propped up in your wreath that you ARLEADY have…like a silver or golden star, an angel, a wiseman, a reindeer…anything holiday specific. Rico Suave is on a hunting trip with Parker–so today we needed a craft that even the kids could help with…and although a hot glue gun is involved–they had so much fun seperating all the coffee filters for me!!!

For this project you will need:

a straw wreath (no need to take the plastic off)
hot glue gun and glue sticks
white coffee filters (you can also use brown filters for a more organic look)

Currently, Hobby Lobby is having a 50% off on all wreaths!!! SO–these are normally just $3.99–but you can get them right now for just $2:

Depending on how full you would like your wreath to be–you will need a BIG packet of coffee filters. I got a huge packet of them at Costco for $2 but I used less than half of them for this wreath

I got the kids to seperate the filters and spread them out for me…they were EVERY where–but they were included and even Frank and Isaac joined in the fun…

I thought it was easiest/quickest to fold a filter in half–then fold it in half again hotgluing it to keep if from coming unraveled. Then I hot glued the corner on the wreath…


Then you just repeat, repeat, repeat and repeat…until you never want to see another coffee filter again;)

THEN…you get to decide where it goes!!! I still need to fill in a few blank spots but the babies got a little tired of our project so we called it quits until their naptime. Before putting them down though–Laney grabbed my 50 pound camera and we took some pictures of a few places it could go!

Over a couch…(YES…before you ask like some have before–we have a room with WHITE, WHITE, WHITE in our house…and some HOW it stays white! This was the room I used for my photography biz way back when…and now it’s called “the white room”…it’s Laney’s favorite place to sneak away to when she wants to read)

Okay maybe that’s too high—Frank thinks down a bit…

Or between windows or something already on the wall…

Or even smack dab in front of a window…

SO…after I fill in the gaps and find something fun to prop in it that’s Christmas-y…I’ll pick a spot to put it. Where do you like it best??? What I like most of all is that it was only $4 to make!!!

WOULDN’T these be GREAT for wedding and baby showers, too?!

Later this weekend–I think we’ll make a few more of our Bible verse banners similar to the ones I made for Frank and Isaac baby’s dedication last weekend. HOWEVER…I think we’ll use some Bible verses from the birth of Jesus to put around the house for the Christmas season. I’ve had several requests to share a little tutorial how I made these…and I’m more than happy to share!!! These would make not only perfect decorations for your home this season–but also sweet gifts for friends and family. PLUS they are super easy and take about 10 minutes to make—of course I’m about quick and easy these days with my little ones!!!

Hope you all are having a great weekend!!! I’ve got a LIST of fun Christmas home decor things I’ll be putting together in the next couple of weeks–and I like to keep things organic, simple and thrifty with kraft paper and burlap. SOOO…if you wanna join in the fun…I think everyone needs a roll of Kraft paper and burlap!!! I bought both of my rolls 2 years ago from Uline and I’m STILL using them every year for every season for all kinds of crafts!!! WHICH speaking of crafts and Christmas…it reminds me to remind you of my last year’s post on preparing your children for Christ a Christmas post…with the JESSE TREE!!! Ok…off to take a nap while the kids nap!!! (SOMEBODY has decided to stop sleeping at night and wake up mommy through out the night…so I gotta catch up when I can!!!)

P.S. Last but not least…I have a VERY important announcement to make;). I SUCCESSFULLY took Christmas pictures of my kids last night…about 5pm RIGHT before the sun went down (the BEST time to take outdoor pics by the way!) AND I got a few pictures of ALL of them looking!!! You won’t believe this…BUT in one of the pictures of all of them looking–something miraculous happened. A shooting star…or maybe just a super fast jet–I don’t know…but whatever it was…it got caught on camera WITH Frank smiling at whatever it was…and Parker and Laney laughing at Isaac…while Isaac is looking up at Laney laughing back!!! Can you believe it?! Don’t you LOVE when miracle moments are captured?! Can’t wait to send those out for Christmas!!! (Can you tell Christmas is my FAVORITE season of all?!)

So much for fillin’ it in…I decided it’s good to go just like it is and I put it here…

XOXO,

Andrea

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april - November 20, 2010 - 3:29 pm

wow…love it and cant wait to see that pic with the shooting star!

Alison - November 20, 2010 - 6:16 pm

Love it, love it! I so wish I was crafty and creative!

Brittney - November 20, 2010 - 7:38 pm

Cute wreath. I made one with brown filters. I thought it looked great on my front door…then it rained. 🙁 A soggy wreath is not as cute.

Sara - November 20, 2010 - 9:11 pm

Love the wreath! I saw it on another blog about a week ago and it is on my to do list. I meant to get some pics of the kids today for our card, but I chickened out. It can be so stressful! Especially with four and one of them being 17 months! I’m so glad you got a great shot of your four! Maybe I can do it tomorrow…

sara just - November 20, 2010 - 9:13 pm

love the wreath idea.. and i can’t wait for the banner tutorial..I just went out and get burlap today!!! Will you post it here? thanks for being my blog friend and mentor..even though you know nothing about me!:)

Bobi Bobbitt - November 20, 2010 - 11:21 pm

So funny, Andrea! I have a shirt in the exact same fabric as Laney’s dress that I bought a couple of weeks ago!!! I should sale it to you so y’all could be Mommy/daughter twins!!! I have only worn it once! Love this idea for the wreath… you are the most creative person I have ever met! You never stop amazing me with your craftiness!!!! (:

Jenny - November 20, 2010 - 11:49 pm

I just love you Andrea! AND you always make me wanna be crafty;0)

Deborah - November 21, 2010 - 7:20 am

Love the reef (and white room) and can’t wait to see the pictures.

Deborah - November 21, 2010 - 7:20 am

Oops. Meant to say love the wreath. lol

Katy - November 21, 2010 - 9:51 am

so cute! i’m adding this to the ever-growing list of pages i have bookmarked as “things to do/create when we move back to the states”. 🙂 however, im thinking this might be simple enough to do here. i’ll check for supplies on my weekly trip into town tomorrow.

Heather Kelley - November 21, 2010 - 5:59 pm

what an awesome idea. Can’t wait for the tutorial on the scripture banners. I have plenty of places in my home that I’d love to hang some special scriptures on.

Shelly - November 21, 2010 - 8:46 pm

Oh my word, I love it! I’m wondering if I could do a smaller wreath for my kids’ rooms using cupcake wrappers… ?

Tiffany - November 22, 2010 - 1:05 pm

Seriously cannot even get my head around your craftiness…sadly, not a talent God gave me. I love how you get the kinds involved in everything!