10 Years

10 years ago...

I was 15 years old, sitting in sophomore English class.
I was innocent and naive.
I never believed that someone would attack the United States.
I assumed we would always be safe.
I was sure that I would never have to see a war in my lifetime, let alone have friends and family fight in it.

10 years ago, I witnessed on TV as a plane flew into the second tower.
I watched a friend cry because her uncle worked in those towers.

10 years ago, I watched our country, I watched the world change.

I didn't know anyone who died in the WTC, and at the time I didn't realize just how big the scope of these events were.  Politics aside, I didn't understand the concept of going to war or of sending 18-year-old soldiers to die in a battle, but I understood the concept of protection and of protecting our nation.  Today, I understand it without doubt.  I have watched this country change in ways I never would have expected, some for the better and some for the worse.  And now, 10 years later, I prepare to start a life where my husband will be fighting this war that started because of the events that took place 10 years ago today.

Hearing the names being read out-loud makes the reality of that day come back full-force, and I find myself sitting on the couch watching it and crying.  I'll be praying a lot today: praying for God's peace for those who lost loved ones that day and who have lost loved ones in the war since then; praying for the safety of those who continue to fight for our freedom and safety; praying for our nation to rekindle the love and compassion for each other and the the unity that was formed on that day; and praying for God's presence to settle upon our country.

Gone, but never forgotten...

Little Reminders

Why is it that when the weather gets all mopey like this, it's almost like the universe decides it's the perfect time to dump every possible problem into your lap?  Not cool.

Or maybe it's just the weather making me feel like all these problems are so much bigger than they really are.

I have to say, it does feel like the world scooped up a bunch of problems and dropped them all into my lap at once.  I won't go into all of them, but it was a stressful couple days around here, let me tell you!  Yesterday, this was the verse that showed up in my daily email:  "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done" -Philippians 4:6

I love when God sends me little reminders :)  I've been doing a lot of praying about money/job stuff, but I forgot about the "don't worry" part.  I'm a worrier.  A grade-A first class worrier.  If it was an Olympic sport, I'd have the gold.  If I had a dollar for every time I worried...you get the idea.  But when we worry, we aren't really letting God do His thing; instead, we're second guessing (whether we mean to or not) His ability to provide and come through for us.  Yesterday, within just a few hours after reading this email and remembering that God has always and will always take care of us, things started to clear up---my 2 biggest worries were consoled and appear to be taken care of!  Can't stop being thankful for these blessings!

Today in my email, this was my message:  "Then, when you call, the Lord will answer.  'Yes, I am here' He will quickly reply" -Isaiah 58:9.   Thanks God :)

I have so many reasons to be thankful and blessed, even when it seems like everything is a mess and I have no idea how I'm going to make it through the week because of everything that's going on.  When I think about all the things that are coming in the next couple months, not to mention in the next year, I can't help but smile and realize just how blessed H and I really are.  I just have to remember to stay focused on those blessings and wonderful things to come, and remember that God is there, He's always there, and He's going to get me through the problems so I can truly enjoy the blessings!

Too blessed to be stressed!

Tutorial: Fall Subway Art & Frame

So today is my FIRST "Crafty Wednesday" and I'm pretty pumped!  I found a super cheap, very beautiful Fall craft that is quick and adds a really pretty Fall touch to your home. 

Please note: There are a million and one craft blogs out there (and I'm an avid reader of a lot of them!). If I do a tutorial that is inspired by a specific blog or is taken directly from a specific blog, I will *always* give credit where credit is due!  My goal isn't to pretend that all of these amazing crafts and ideas are mine, but to share these great projects with my readers.  If you feel like the craft I have featured was not credited appropriately, please feel free to message me so I can make sure that credit is given to the right person/people!!  :)  No toe-stepping here!

Okay, that being said, lets get on to the crafting!

In my blog reading, I've seen a lot of "subway art" which I am quickly falling in love with.  It kind of reminds me of the word clouds I made with my students last year using their vocab words.  (check out word clouds and make your own at Wordle)  I was mostly inspired by Kristin over at Adventures of a Betty Crocker Wannabe and Crissy at Crissy's Crafts.  I loved the word choices/design that Kristin used and the frame that Crissy made, so I decided to make my own!

First, I used Picnik to make my subway word art.  It was probably the longest process in the whole project, figuring out which words I wanted to use and how I wanted them laid out on the paper.  Once I made it and saved it to the computer, I printed it off as a 5"x7" which of course only took up part of my page (printed on 8.5"x11" scrapbook paper so I cut it down.

 I took a framing mat that I had lying around that's made for 5"x7" (free since I already had it!)

 and I laid it on the backside of a 12"x12" piece of Fall-themed scrapbook paper, then used my Exacto to cut the edges around the frame.  Note: You may want to use a ruler or straight-edge to make sure that your lines are smooth.  I freehanded it and the edges aren't too bad, but I think next time I'll use something to keep them straight.

 Now you have your white mat frame and the scrapbook overlay for it. 

 Using white craft glue and my fingers (gotta get messy, but I suppose you could use a brush...) I spread the glue all over the front side of the mat frame, making sure to go all the way to each edge and corner.  Then I laid the scrapbook paper overlay on top and smoothed it all out.  Once it dries, you'll have this (I put it against a while piece of paper so it stands out more):

 Now flip it over and spread a thin line of white craft glue around the mat frame opening edge and press your subway word art printout on (so the word art can be seen through the mat frame opening when you look at the front side).

 Here's my final piece!

 And here it is on my livingroom console table---a nice size, full of beautiful colors, and a reminder of the wonderful parts of Fall!

Go ahead and try it out!  This craft total took me maybe 20 minutes, and the only thing I had to buy was the scrapbook paper, which was 40% off.  Total cost of this project:  $1.18 + tax  (and that's only because I don't have my scrapbook paper here--otherwise it's free!)

Make sure to head over to Crissy's Crafts to see the original and her take on it--super cute, and she's got a great downloadable for different phrases to frame if the subway art isn't your thing!



Please comment and let me know what you think!!!  And if you try this out, let me know how it goes--I'd LOVE to see what yours looks like!

Fabulously Fall

I don't know if you're aware, but I'm kind of obsessed with Fall.
Okay, maybe more than "kind of."
For as long as I can remember, I've loved Fall. There are a ton of reasons, but here are my biggest ones:

1. It's football season. Go Steelers!

2. The weather is perfect--not too hot, but not too cold either. Perfect for evening walks, picking pumpkins and apples, and wearing sweaters.

3. Fall clothing! I love sweaters, hoodies, and scarves!

4. Fall flavors/smells: pumpkin, apple cider, pear, leaves (clearly that's a smell, not a flavor...) Yum!

5. All the wonderful Fall activities like pumpkin and apple picking, the local applebutter festival, playing in the leaves, and curling up with a hot drink in the cool air.

Today was a beautiful Fall day! The sky was full of dark Fall clouds but it was sunny, the air was crisp and cool, I got to finally wear one of my cute sweaters, and I got my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the year!! Yummm!

And because I've been feeling so darn crafty lately, I found some super cute Fall crafts I'm going to tackle.  I've been reading a ton of craft/DIY blogs (um, check out my updated "favorites" list over there ---> ) and I think I'm going to start a "Crafty Thursday" blog entry.  Every Thursday I'll be doing a new craft, documenting it, and giving you a tutorial on how to do it yourself!  I can't guarantee they will be super awesome or any good, but darn it I'm going to try! :)

So stay tuned--this Fall is going to bring a lot of new and fun things (including my wedding!!!  eek 66 days!!)

Wedding time!

I love a good wedding, especially when it's uniting two people who truly belong together. For instance, our friends Sarah and Brandon. H and Brandon were college roommates, and H got the pleasure of watching Brandon and Sarah's relationship from the start! I've known them for about 4 years, and they are both some of the most genuinely good people I've ever met. Their wedding was absolutely beautiful, and we were both thankful to be invited to be a part of it!

Here are a few of my favorite pics:

The newlyweds!

So beautiful and happy!

Myself, Sarah, Brandon, and H

We had an amazing time, and we send nothing but love and blessings their way! It made me so excited to be there, because all I could think about our wedding! Granted, we've got a little over a year before the big ceremony and reception, but it's still so exciting! At the wedding, we got a chance to tell our friends about our wedding plans, too, which was so wonderful to share our exciting news!

We are 67 days away from our JoP wedding, and I couldn't be more excited! In a week, we can go buy our marriage license, in about 6 weeks we can call the courthouse and make an appointment for our wedding, and in 67 days I will be married to my best friend, my lover, and my soulmate. (wow...that got really mushy really fast...my apologies lol) My mom bought me a wedding planner, which should be here sometime next week, and we're planning on going to a bridal show back home (in the part of the state of where we'll be doing the traditional ceremony and reception next year) in October. I'm so excited for the REAL planning to begin!

Gosh, weddings are the best!!

Barn Owl Primitives

Have I mentioned lately that Tater Tots & Jello is seriously my favorite new blog? :) Once again, the lovely Jen Jen Trixie is doing an awesome giveaway (Um, because it's Monday and that's what she does EVERY Monday. Seriously. See why I love her? I don't know why you aren't following her yet.) and this time it's $100 for Barn Owl Primitives.

What's Barn Owl Primitives?
Only some of the cutest signage for your home that I've ever seen.
Seriously.
Go check them out: Barn Owl Primitives

While you're there, pick out your favorite sign and then head over to Tater Tots & Jello and leave a comment with your favorite sign design. You just might be her next winner!

Okay. Aaaand GO!

I Love Freebies!

So. I am newly obsessed with the blog Tatortots and Jello. Why, ask? Well. Let me list them:

1. She has the cutest blog ever. EVER. (even cuter than mine!)

2. She has awesome crafty/freebie posts that make me happy and creative.

3. She's currently doing a killer giveaway with A Touch of Whimsy for a $100 gift card! You can get into it, too. Check out her most recent post to see what it's all about and to get involved!!

Do it.
C'mon, you know you want to. :)