Five Minute Friday: Writer

Sometimes I spend hours on one post.  Perfection is a must.  Sometimes I just want to write and embrace imperfection.  I love Five Minute Fridays.  The challenge is to focus on a one word prompt and to limit myself to only five minutes with no major editing.

This week the prompt is writer. 

Set the timer…ready…set…GO!

Read More…

Saving Grace: Butterflies and Blooms

Saving Grace is a local non-profit that is near and dear to my heart.  It has been amazing to watch this ministry unfold. Becky Shaffer, the founder and CEO, grew up in the foster system and children’s homes.  The LORD has had a calling on her life.  He was able to take a broken past, completely redeem it for his glory, and has provided a future for many.

Read More…

A Story Worth Telling: Hardy, AR

There is a reality show on Discovery called Clash of the Ozarks. Have you seen it? It is about two feuding families in a small town in north central Arkansas called Hardy. This happens to be my hometown. Well, I am technically from the next town over, but everybody knows everybody in Sharp County. My family has been in that area as long as the Russells and the Evanses.

Read More…

Surprised By Motherhood Book Review: April Giveaway

I did all the things to prepare for my firstborn, except finish THE BOOK.  You know the book…What to Expect…well yeah…  When my water broke an entire month early, my very first thought was “But I haven’t finished the book!  The chapters on labor and delivery would be helpful right about now.”  Three hours later I was holding my miracle.

Read More…

NWA Day Trip Spring Break 2014

We took an impromptu day trip to Eureka Springs last weekend.  It is our number one day trip destination.  I remember the first time my husband and I decided to drive over together.  I remember the exact place we were sitting that night when I realized that I was in love with him.  We got married there a few months later.

Every trip we take to Eureka is different and we stop in different places on the way.  This trip had two phases. 

Read More…

Hop, Skip, and a Jump to Tulsa

Northwest Arkansas has so many great attractions and new ones are on the horizon, but we don’t have a zoo.  We do have a couple exotic animal habitats that my family frequent and will be featured on here at some point.  Some of my friends who relocated here from other parts of the country have mentioned to me that they really miss having a zoo handy.  The closest zoo is in Tulsa, OK which is only two hours away.  That is just a hop, skip, and a jump away! 

Read More…

What I Am Listening To: Issue 5 {Worship with a New Song}

Sweet friend,

Do you love music?  I am not a lover of music, but words are important to me.  A poet at heart, I adore the lyrics of a well written song.  I grew up on the hymns of the church.  Some of my favorites are Nothing But the Blood, I’ll Fly Away, Ring Out, How Great Thou Art, and Ten Thousand Angels. Those are the songs that come to mind when I think of home…my childhood.

There is something bittersweet about not hearing those songs in our contemporary worship services.  The songs of today, while not rooted in my church tradition, are still effective in drawing me into the heart of the Father. I find that there is something refreshing about singing and reflecting on the words of a new song.

“Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!” Psalm 96:1

So what am I listening to?

Read More…

7 Tips for Hosting a Garage Sale

Spring is almost here which means two things for my family: 1) cleaning and 2) garage sales! I do not like clutter, and I do not like overspending for toys and clothes that my kids will outgrow quickly.  Therefore, spring is a win-win for me!

This is part one of a two part series on garage sales. This installment is mostly aimed at those of you new to the scene who are thinking about hosting your own garage sale.  If you are a pro, please feel free to share your tips in the comments. Check back for the next installment where I will give my tips on how to be a smart garage sale shopper.

Without further ado, here are my seven tips for making your event a success.

Read More…