{letters to littles}: Mother's Day

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sweet girls,

wow. i cant believe there are two of you that hold my heart.
two of you to hug and snuggle with,
two of you to witness firsts in your life,
two of you who get to learn life and love and all about Jesus.
two of you to call me Mama.

I am amazed that God thinks me worthy of the two of you.
It is the biggest blessing in my life to be your mother.
I am amazed constantly at the way both of you, even you tiny Bethany, challenge me.
Sometimes in a hard way, but mainly in a good way.
You challenge me to be a better person in every area of my life...you really do.

I feel so lucky that I get to celebrate a day that is dedicated to the best job ever.

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{link up below!}


some Blossom & Vine prints for you!

Yall are in for a treat today! 
One of my sweetest blog friends, Aly, is giving away some of her precious prints from her shop, Blossom & Vine!
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precious family and precious shop!
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I have a few around my own house, like this one in Bethany's nursery...
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and this one, in our bedroom, speaking truth to us when we walk out the door each day... Photobucket
aren't they pretty?!


Meet Aly...
Hi! My name is Aly and I'm a mama to two beautiful little girls (just like my friend Sarah here). My girls are three years old and three months old, and they keep me busy! I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, so I really do feel like this is exactly where I'm called to be in this season of my life. But that doesn't keep me from pursuing my passions. In fact, I think itallows me to do just that. What a blessing!?

I've always been a creative person too. In the last four years I've begun to realize how much I crave a creative outlet, just to stay sane. It is something I believe God has placed in me, and I shouldn't apologize for enjoying or for needing it. Lately my husband has been realizing its importance in my life as well, and has started to gift me with creative time. Doesn't really matter what I'm doing, I just need to be making something

I've also been blessed in that my creative endeavors have been something that other people want in their homes, too! I started out making headbands for babies, then transitioned to d-i-y patterns, and then prints, and then hoop art. Like I said, it varies! 

Right now in my shop you'll find mostly prints. I'm especially fond of the prints because I am desperate for God's Truth in my life, and I also like to put pretty things up on my walls. Best of both worlds! In the last two years I've learned a lot about myself. A lot of good things and a lot of ugly things. I have a tendency to believe whatever voice rings loudest in my head, whether it's telling me the Truth or not. I have a tendency to believe lies because that seems to be the voice I feed throughout the day, with my sinful nature combined with the things I listen to or read or watch on TV. Lies are everywhere, and they're sneaky! If I don't consciously battle against them, by filling my mind with Truth, I can barely survive my day! 

That's why the prints are so important and dear to me, because they are beautiful to look at, but also serve such a vitally important purpose in my life. I need Truth to wash over me, get into the deepest parts of my heart and mind, really sink down and take root. My life depends on it. Being able to plaster scripture all over my house, that I created with my hands (okay, a keyboard and mouse) fulfills two great needs in my life, and I'm so glad to share that with all of you! 

So, without further adieu, I'm giving away a set of any three prints from my shop so that your home can be covered in Truth, too. (and don't worry, I have some non-scripture prints in there, too!) 

One more fun thing, and then I'm done. I recently opened a store on Zazzle.com, where you can buy my designs on iPhonecases, iPad cases, stickers, poster-size enlargementspostcards... (basically anything). Check it out here!


YOU GET THREE PRINTS!!!

TO ENTER
you MUST:
follow my blog
follow Aly's blog (here)
"like" Blossom & Vine on FB (here)

extra entries:
follow Aly on Twitter (here)
follow me on Twitter (here)
Blog, FB, or Tweet about this giveaway (= 1 entry)
**Leave a comment for each entry**



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Giveaway open until midnight Thursday, winner announced Friday!!
THANKS ALY!! :)
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and don't forget to write a sweet Mother's Day letter to your littles and come link it up tomorrow!
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the last two weeks...

My little blog breather was needed and fruitful, but I of course missed y'all!
(thanks for being patient with me as I followed my heart on the need for a break)
LOTS to catch up on...


in the last two weeks:
*We've played hard outside, enjoying the beautiful weather here in OK.
*Abigail got to "mow" with Daddy.
*We've enjoyed our budding rose bushes, and have cut a few to enjoy inside.
*Bethany has become a little rolly polly, rolling all over the place.
*We've been to some fun festivals and events around town, like the "Touch a Truck",
the huge annual music festival, and the arts festival!
*Parker and I got a night out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo...but realty called, and we had to come home early to the babies, SO we made margaritas at home. :)
*We started the "Whole30" challenge, which is eating nothing but whole foods, and cutting out ALL processed food and refined sugar....HARD, but I lost 6.5 lbs in 7 days, and feel so much healthier already!! Amazing right?
(vulnerable post about that coming real soon)
*I found out I have a kidney stone, and am now waiting for it to pass. real fun.
*I ran a 5k on Saturday, and it gave me a huge, needed confidence boost!
*I've spent some great time with the Lord,...just some quality, focused, worshipful time in His presence, which is what I needed.

It's been a good two weeks. :)
NOW for the pictures.

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Hope y'all have been blessed too!

and in honor of Mommy's Day...
come back tomorrow for a great giveaway you will L. O. V. E.!!

and on Wednesday....share your letter with your little one as you celebrate Mother's Day.
I'd encourage you to write to them about how it makes you feel to be able to be part of such a special day. It will bless their hearts someday, so come link it up!!

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{FYI I've decided to make the "Letters to Littles" link up a monthly thing rather than weekly,
but this week we will be linking up for Mother's Day letters!!}

LOVE YALL, have a great Monday!
Im linking up here and here today. :)

drawing closer...a little break

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Captivate us, Lord Jesus, set our eyes on You.
Devastate us with Your presence falling down.
Rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy Fountain, consume us with You.
Captivate us, Lord Jesus, with YOU.

Your voice is powerful and your words are radiant bright.
In Your breath and shadow, I will come close and abide.
You whisper love and life divine,
and Your fellowship is free.
Draw me closer, O my Lord,
Draw me closer Lord to Thee.

{lyrics from "Captivate Us" by Watermark}

I'm taking a little blog breather...see y'all soon!