Christmas in July, Part 1

Sunday night, I was sitting in my chair, knitting, when I saw a commercial advertising for Christmas.  I nearly fell out of my chair.  Normally, I am the type of person who starts shopping for Christmas in January, but this year, I haven't done anything.  Nothing.  That means I am 6 months behind on buying Christmas presents for people!!!

Looks like I will be spending some time on Etsy to get caught up.  Which is really fine by me.  I like to sell on Etsy, and I really like to buy on Etsy!  I decided that through the month of July, I will share with you some of the neat things I find in my searching.  Remember as you look at these awesome things that many people really depend on the money they make from selling on Etsy.  So, if you see something you like, be sure to stop in their shop and do some looking around!

I collect Santa Claus's.  It doesn't matter what style they are, either.  I have some el cheapo Santas I got from the dollar store, some that were painted, and some that are, well, a little pricey.  I collect them because my sweet grandparents played Santa and Mrs. Claus until they passed away, and it brings back such wonderful  memories.

Photo Credit: FatherChristmasJoy

I found this Santa in the shop of FatherChristmasJoy.  According to the profile, all of these Santas are made by a mother/daughter team in Canada.  Each Santa they have in their shop is just beautiful, but this happened to be my favorite. I also found it by searching "Christmas in July Sale".  Sales happen to be another favorite of mine!  Each of FatherChristmasJoy's Santas are on sale during the month of July.

Photo Credit: BrynnNichole

I love this tree skirt.  Love, love, love this tree skirt.  It would look lovely under my tree.  The more I think about it, the more I think I may just have to get it for myself.  Each time I look at this tree skirt, I love it even more.....OK.  Back on topic.  I found this gorgeous tree skirt at BrynnNichole.  (It is on Christmas in July Sale, too.  Sign from God that I need it?  I think so.)  BrynnNichole has a little bit of everything, including teething necklaces, home decor, and I even found a tea set I might not be able to live without.  (Perhaps my decision to start shopping was unwise...)

Photo Credit: Gumdrop Grove 

This has to be one of the most adorable things I've seen, and another thing that makes me wish my kids were little again!  This little longall comes from Gumdrop Grove.  I really had a hard time deciding which outfit I was going to include, because everything is so cute!  Gumdrop Grove has little girl's dresses as well.  Everything in her shop is classic.  These are the type of outfits a person could buy for their children, and they will still be in style when their children have children.  I might have to have another baby, just so I can order some of these outfits!

I hope you have enjoyed some of my neat finds on Etsy!  If you are have great Christmas items, or, you are having a Christmas in July sale, be sure to leave me a comment with a link to your shop.  I might include you on the next Christmas in July post!  Also be sure to check out my sponsorship page.  Now is a great time to get some advertising spots before the Christmas rush!

Be blessed!

Wonderful Epic Weekends!

This weekend was truly one of the best I have had in forever!  When I woke up on Sunday morning, my stomach hurt...from laughing so hard on Saturday night.  God has blessed Barb Wire Man and me with some of the best friends a person could ask for!  We are all so alike, and all of our kids are the same age.  So perfect!  More on that later!

My friend, Tessa and I

I had to wake up bright and early Saturday morning to set up for the craft show.  I shared a booth with one of my friends here in town, and we had several hours to just sit and chat.  It was so nice!  We did pretty well at the show, although we had hoped to do better.  It wasn't as good as we hoped, but wasn't as bad as we expected for sure.  We made some sales, and passed out tons of business cards. We stayed at the park until around 4:30 or so, and finally packed it up because we were HOT!  Overall, I was pretty please with how it went, and hope they do it again next year!

Firework pictures never turn out like I want them to!

Later, Barb Wire Man, Little Man and I went to cook out with our awesome friends and their kids.  We ate burgers, then loaded up to watch our town's firework display.  This was the first fireworks display that the little boys had seen, and they thought it was amazing!  (As I went through pictures Sunday morning, Little Man sat there saying "oooh...ahhhh...oh I love that one" just like he did the night before!)

This year's show was great! 

After the fireworks show, we went back to their house.  We had a few drinks.  Our guys smoked cigars.

Our kids, after we picked them up off the floor!

The kids played so hard they literally fell asleep on the floor surrounded by the toys they were playing with.  Chairs were broken. Golf balls magically fell from the sky.  We laughed until we couldn't breathe, and we can't wait to do it again.

The night can only be described as epic.

God has blessed us with some of the most amazing friends, truly.  I don't know how we made it this long without knowing them.

My God Amazes.

From the day I found out I was pregnant with my first child, Flower, I had two prayers: that they would be healthy, and that they would love the Lord, listen to what He tells them, and be willing to serve Him.

Numerous times, they have shown me that they are listening to Him, and it always starts when they are quite young.

Yes, I do take my children to church, but honestly, we don't  go on a regular basis (and there are several reasons for this I won't go into).  At home, I do teach my children about God.  We red the Bible together.  We pray together.  But several times Flower has come up to me and told me that God told her something...and I know it is something we haven't discussed together.  But it is always totally, Biblically correct.  I'm always astonished by her knowledge, and willingness to listen to the Lord.

Yesterday, it was Little Man's turn. We were outside; I was sitting just inside the garage, knitting, and Little Man was riding his tricycle.  He rode out to the mailbox, and just stopped and sat there for several minutes.  Then, he started yelling "MOMMA!!  MOMMA!!", and pedaled his little trike over to me as fast as he could.  He said "Mom, Jesus told me my heart was dead.  But he fixed it now, and it's 'live again cuz a Him! Did you know that mom?  Your heart's 'live too, Mom.  It is.  Jesus told me dat, Mom."

Wow.

Now, my Little Man is only three.  I haven't exactly gone over the "Plan of Salvation" with him.  We sing about how Jesus loves us, and how we love Him.  We talk about Jesus making the sun come up in the mornings, and the strawberries grow on mommy's plants.  But I've never told my son that his heart is dead and Jesus makes it "'live".  Honestly, I'm not ever sure that I have ever told him that Jesus talks to us.

How was my rough and tough, three year old little boy able to completely explain God's gift of His son to us in the most basic of ways?  Anyone could understand that.  Is there more to it?  Sure.  But God's love for us boils down to this one thing: that we are dead inside, and until he accept His son we will remain that way.  Only after we accept His son will we be truly alive.

I think there is only one explanation.  I prayed that God would speak to my children, that they would listen, and be willing to be used by Him.

I, for one, believe God did answer my prayer, and that it is just the first of many times that it will happen.

1 Samuel 3:10b "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."

Be blessed today!

Independence Day

I held off writing anything about Independence Day yesterday so that I could write about my parents.  It was their 31st wedding anniversary!  But, today, I have a full recap!

We had a wonderful family day, minus Flower (she is still visiting her dad and stepmom).  Barb Wire Man and I were woken up early by Little Man, which is nothing uncommon.  That boy can't sleep past 7:30!  We got ready and drove to Amarillo to meet up with Barb Wire Man's parents.  We ate a late breakfast/early lunch with them as they passed through town to go visit Barb Wire Man's brother down by Dallas.  Little Man was quite upset by the fact that he couldn't go with them.  

He does something like this in EVERY picture!  One day, he will take a normal picture with me.  Until then, I will continue to post the silly pictures!

Barb Wire Man was disappointed to see that all the cigar shops were closed for the holiday, so we went an spent some time at my parents' house, followed by a little shopping!  We went to Giant Book Store With Coffee Shop Inside.  Barb Wire Man got some cigar magazines (yes, our lives seem to be dominated by cigar smoking at the moment), Little Man got a couple Thomas the Tank Engine books, and I got a book that only I would enjoy....Swimming in the Sea of Talmud.  I'm not too far into it, but the basic gist is an everyday, understandable, English version of the Talmud.  See?  Like I said....only I would find that interesting.  (I'm also delving into the world of learning to read Hebrew.  But that's another post for another day!)

Daddy helping Little Man light smoke bombs.

We stopped and got Little Man a few firecrackers.  Technically we are not allowed to pop firecrackers in town.  Technically, if the don't pop, they aren't considered fireworks...right?  Technically, if you are in the backyard, are making no popping noises, and shooting nothing into the air, you should be good to go...right?

Well, we thought so.

Little Man and Barb Wire Man blew through 16 packages of smoke bombs and 60 sparklers, plus two fountains.  Last year, Little Man was scared to death of the sparklers, but this year, he was pretty brave.  

So brave in fact that when we lit the smoke bombs, we had to force him to throw them!  It was a great evening, and we were exhausted by bed time.

He looks meaner than he is!

I hope your family had a wonderful Independence Day as well! 

Be blessed!

Happy Anniversary!

I'm so proud of my parents!

Today is my Mama and Daddy's 31st wedding anniversary!

They are the epitome of perfect couple.  Seriously!  There love story is almost picture perfect:

They saw each other from across the church sanctuary.

They fell in love.

Mom asked Dad to marry her while sitting under a tree in the mountains on Sadie Hawkins Day.

They got married.

15 months later their first and favorite child was born.  (Hehe, love you Maggie!)

Two years after that their second and almost favorite child was born. (I really do love you, Maggie!)

They have been disgusting people with the oozing love for each other ever since!

They are like two giddy high school kids in love.  No, I take that back.  They are worse than that!

this picture always makes me giggle.  My dad makes that silly face all the time!

I have never seen my parents argue.  I know they have, but I have never seen it.

They are a wonderful example of a loving, Godly marriage.  I'm proud that they are my parents.  I'm proud to say that never once in my life have I ever doubted that my parents were madly in love.  I've never worried about my parents divorcing.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Daddy!  Thank you for being so in love for 31 years, and thank you for the security in knowing you will be in love for at least 31 more.  I love you both!

Learning to be Content

Typically, I am a very happy person, but today, I think I just need to vent.

I love the book of Phillipians; one of my favorite verses are is in that book.

Phillipians 4:11-12
Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.


I've tried to learn to be content in any and all situations.  And for  the most part, I am.  


Here lately, though, I've just been...bummed.  Please don't take this as griping, because I'm not.  God has everything under control, even when I feel powerless.  That is when He speaks to me the most.  When things get the worst, God is usually up to His best.  My job is to allow him to take control.


I hate when feelings of inadequacy slip in.  I hate when I allow others to make me feel that way.  What others say about me, or to me, or do to me, should not matter; I know to whom Who I belong.


I shouldn't allow myself to be scared about what my future holds.  It really isn't up to another person, even if they are the one who seemingly makes decisions that alter my life.   My life isn't in their hands.  I know they think it is, but it isn't!


Just because I'm a Christian does not mean my life is always going to be perfect.  Quite the opposite in fact!  I know I will go through tough periods, and I know I will go through really great periods, too.  I just have to remember that my life is in His hands.  He will make every situation perfect.  He will fulfill His promises to me.


OK, venting is over now.  I think maybe I have convinced myself out of my pitiful state.  


Have a great day, and be blessed!

Thank A Farmer!

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DADDY!!!!  I love you, and I hope you have a WONDERFUL Day!!

Now...

Have you seen it yet?!  No?  OK, well, here you go:

Seriously, I laughed so hard.  I don't know who these boys are, but as far as I am concerned, they are geniuses!  Barb Wire Man showed this to me last night, and I giggled the whole way through it.

We watch funny parodies all the time, but this is my favorite.  


Maybe it is because I don't have to drive more than 10 minutes in any direction before I start seeing fields filled with some type of crop.  Maybe its because one of my favorite memories of Barb Wire Man were made while riding in a big green tractor through a field of alfalfa.  Maybe it is because Barb Wire Man comes home from work everyday with jeans just as dirty as those in the video.  And wears a baseball cap every day.  And a t-shirt...and boots...


Every single person I know in this area can relate to this video, and what makes it funny is that every thing they sing about is so true.  Kuddos to these guys!  They did such a great job!


Now if you will excuse me, I must go water my garden....and yes, I will probably be singing "water water water water water...." the entire time!