grateful list

66. finding that He is, indeed, more than able

67. opportunities to think outside the box

68. peace in the midst of chaos

69. unexpected truth

70. clarity

from here

rallying the troops

this last spring

we attended a parenting class 

through our church

called spiritual parenting.

we thought it was a great class

and we learned a lot.

but like most classes, books, etc,

there is so much information

that it can be overwhelming.

you have to start somewhere...

so we started with acts of service.

we are all a part of this family,

so we can all ask the question

"what needs to be done?"

we can all look out for one another

and make sure the family's needs are met.

now, we have tried having "chores"

or "jobs" before,

but they never "stuck". 

mostly because i was in charge

 of making sure they did them.

inevitably, i'd forget to remind them

 or forget to write down that 

they had done them 

or something.

this time there are two differences:

first, our attitude as a family is different,

 and second, i found a new tool!

this summer we have been using goalforit.

we sit down with each of the kids, 

set some goals and some rewards,

and record them on the website.

the site keeps track of "moolah" earned

 and the kids can redeem the moolah

 at the end of the week.

as the kids become independent

 in a certain area, 

we update the chart with a new goal.

at first it was all about the moolah,

but the more we have been talking

 about serving one another 

and the more we have actually 

been serving one another, 

it really has become about 

working together and being a family.

so cool.

and the big added bonus:

it has taken such a weight off of me.

image credit

*sigh*

time for action!

so summer has been very,

 well...summery. 

we've been busy,

but our schedule has been

 much more laid back and 

much less consistent.

but the winds of change are blowing.

my kiddos head to school in a little over a week 

(two kids this year!)

found it here

and i have been feeling inspired

 to get organized once again!

taking some time to plan and 

utilize organizational tools

 makes life run so much more smoothly for us.

first things first...

i will be participating in the 

"Maximize Your Mornings Challenge"!

last year i made it a goal to get up early

 and spend time in the Word 

before the day got going.

i found it so rewarding in many ways,

but i have totally gotten out of 

the habit this summer.

time to start again!

found here

stay tuned for step two!

and for more morning inspiration check these out:

Keeper of the Home

Shopping for Time

upcycle-mania

i might have gotten a little

 carried away with projects this week 

(and i've got a whole list of ideas

 to work on in the future), 

but what can i say?  

you gotta sew 

when the spirit says sew,

 ya know?

anyhoo...

i'm especially proud of 

this last project.

upcycled cords for the moo!

(based on this pattern)

take one of my favorite pairs of pants

(worn through on the bum),

chop,

chop,

add some patches 

(from another old pair of pants) 

to cover the worn knees,

sew, sew, sew,

and...

vintage ragamuffin!

pair them with an adorable sweater
 i scored at a consignment store
 and we're ready for autumn!

i heart them (the pants and the girl)!

dryer balls

i've been doing lots of 

sewing and crafting this week.

another project i'd been meaning

 to take on for quite a while:

homemade wool dryer balls!

they're inexpensive and easy to make,

they save energy (and therefore money),

and could they be more beautiful?

i bought three skeins of

100% wool yarn (good for felting)

for a total of $15

and made a whole set of 10 balls!

(if i had bought a set online 

they would have cost me $50 - $65.)

you can add essentials oils to them 

and throw them into your dryer 

instead of dryer sheets.

they cut down on drying time

and help with static too!

want to make your own?

check this out.

three little dresses

after my recent pillowcase transformation

a friend contacted me to ask if i'd be interested

 in making pillowcase dresses that would be

 sent on a missions trip to Africa.

honestly, my first thought was

"that sounds really cool, but i don't have time".

but the more i thought about it, 

the more inspired i became to give it a try.

i got instructions,

found a few cute pillowcases

 at value village (for $.99)

and got to work!

i think they turned out just right!

as i sewed, i prayed for 

each little girl that will wear these.

i prayed that these small gifts 

would be used to draw them to the Lord,

that they would see that He has 

so many good gifts for them,

and that they would grow into 

women of integrity and strength.

i feel honored to give this small bit.

if you are interested in making pillowcase dresses,

these follow a pattern similar to this one.

but instead of adding ribbon or boughten bias tape, 

these used the part of the pillowcase that

 had been taken off the top to make bias tape.

i especially like this idea because

there is no waste of material or extra cost.

i found cotton pillowcases to work best.

i plan to make some for my girls soon!