[photoaday] Week Thirty Nine

This has been one of the most fabulous weekends I have had in a while! So blessed when we can get away for the weekend to visit family and do fun things together! Let's check it all out, shall we?

[psst: if you take photos this week, use my button on your blog post and leave me a comment on THIS post with the link to YOUR blog post with your photos.... that's not confusing at all, is it? once you do that (and assuming you're a follower of mine), I will feature your blog one time with a few of your photos! remember, sharing is caring :)]

[sunday] 70+ attended our church services today! So excited to see what God is doing in our church- we are a blessed people! We hope that when people visit our church, they see God's love through us and our actions. We are a Jesus-centered church and I couldn't be more proud of the work that God is doing through Nate and his leadership as pastor!

[monday] Doctor's visit... two vials of blood. Thank you very much. And I have a bruise!!! One of those instances where they stick the needle in and wiggle it around because they can't find a vein. Has that ever happened to you?

[tuesday] I suppose Chloe didn't catch the memo that she is a dog and not a human being. She sat like this completely on her own... Wow...

[wednesday] One of my students had a birthday this day and these were the cupcakes his mom sent for the class. Aren't they adorable?! When I have kids, I can't wait to do all of the cutesy-creative things for their classes and birthdays!

[thursday] Roadtrip to Dallas after school! This candy is my weakness when we stop to get gas. So good!

[friday] Happy State Fair of Texas Opening Day!!! A yearly tradition we have with my family. Great food, great fun, great times! And...

Two pictures for Friday! That night, we also attended the Texas Rangers (baseball) game! We lost :( but it was still so fun to go! AND there was a fireworks show after the game. Worth it.

[saturday] We visited my grandparents today before heading back home and my Grandma went through her old sheet music (from when she was little: circa 1940s) to give to Nate and I (she knows Nate is a musician). It is so neat to see the layouts and fonts they used back in the day. They definitely don't make things like they used to! And I love seeing my Grandma's handwriting on all of it. So special to me!

Have a lovely Sunday!

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9

[favorites] Young House Love

For this week's Four Favorites for Friday, I turned to the first blog I ever read, Young House Love, to find four of their projects that I can't wait to tackle someday. If you have never read their blog, I strongly urge you to go there now! You will be there for hours. They are two average peeps who love to do DIY to their home and share it with the world on their blog. Projects from painting, building, decorating, sewing, crafting, and anything/everything in between. Here's four of their projects I can't wait to start:

All photos from www.younghouselove.com: specific links listed below.

[one] turning an old door into a desk: Nate and I pulled the door off of our "toilet room" (an itty bitty room/closet in our master bath for the toilet: seriously, if you had shut the door, it would've felt like a coffin in there) as soon as we moved in. I have the perfect spot in a hallway that leads to our bedroom to turn this door into a long, fabulous desk!

[two] sewing a baby quilt: Not that I'm pregnant or anything, but Sherry made sewing this striped quilt look so incredibly easy! It is adorable and if you use special meaning fabric, it will make it that much more special.

[three] recovering a lamp shade: We have some u-g-l-y standard lamp covers in our house that I would really like to update with fabric that matches our decor. Tools? Fabric and a glue gun. Yes please.

[four] lining dresser drawers with scrapbook paper: How fun is this little surprise in your dresser drawers?! Using scrapbook paper (which costs like .50) and Mod Podge to update a dresser in a fun and modern way is such a great idea. We have a dresser in our bedroom that could definitely use some sprucing up!

Click on the link provided to visit the specific post where John and Sherry do some fabulous DIY-ing!

Happy weekend! Nate and I are in Dallas currently visiting the State Fair of Texas (it's a big deal) and attending a Texas Rangers game (also a big deal)! Expect posts accordingly next week!


Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

[make] Candy Corn Pennant Banner

First day of Fall was this weekend: my favorite season of all! To spruce things up a bit at the Johnson household, I decided to make a pennant banner: candy corn style!

Gather your colored papers: I used a large yellow triangle (8" length), a medium orange triangle (6" length), and a white triangle (4" length). I used my paper cutter to cut these out. You can use patterned paper or solids, I mixed it up with both.

I was going to be lazy and use tape and/or Mod Podge, but you know my kick with sewing paper lately (here and here), so I stacked the papers accordingly on top of each other and sewed up the sides. I didn't sew the middles, so it left little pockets. That may work to my advantage if I want to stick something fall-y in there one day!

I used yellow ribbon and sewed it on the top to join the pennants together to hang...

Ta-da! I used four pennants in case I want to write "Fall" or something of the like on them.

I put it on the mirror in our dining room: all yellowy and orangey, so festive.

Close-up...

Fall touches around the house like this make my heart happy. Now I am ready for this cooler weather that comes with Fall! C'mon Texas, catch up with the rest of the country.

Happy Monday! We did some rearranging of furniture over the weekend, so hopefully I can get some pictures and a post set up with that information... exciting, I know... Ha! Have a good evening!

"Hallelujah, hallelujah, for the Lord God almighty reigns. Hallelujah... Holy, holy, are you Lord God almighty. Worthy is the lamb, worthy is the lamb. You are holy." 

See where I link up: Monday Made it @ 4th Grade Frolics, Blog Hop @ Naptime Review, Tips & Tricks @ Stringtown Home, What I Whipped Up Wednesday @ Sugar and Dots, Craft-O-Manic Monday @ Craft-O-Manic, Link Party @ Uncommon, Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts, Show Me What Ya Got Linky Party @ Not JUST A Housewife, {Wow Me Wednesday} @ Ginger Snap Crafts, Link Party @ Destination: Craft, The Creative Spark @ Clean & Scentsible, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Weekend Wrap-Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello, What I Wore Wednesday @ The Pleated Poppy  

[photoaday] Week Thirty Eight

I have been a bad blogger this week, tisk tisk. I have been reading and catching up with everyone, but I haven't had anything to post about. I reaalllyyyy don't want to become one of those bloggers that gets obsessed with posting everyday that they just post random stuff. If I have nothing to share, I won't post that day. I would LOVE to have something to share everyday: a cute craft, something in our house, a sewing project.... but the reality is that I teach Kindergarteners and at the end of the day, I'm tired. And I'm pretty sure I need glasses because I have been having t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e headaches for a while now. So, to sum it up: I'm sorry I haven't been posting BUT just know you haven't missed much :)

Onward!

[psst: if you take photos this week, use my button on your blog post and leave me a comment on THIS post with the link to YOUR blog post with your photos.... that's not confusing at all, is it? once you do that (and assuming you're a follower of mine), I will feature your blog one time with a few of your photos! remember, sharing is caring :)]

[last Saturday]: More cuddle time with our new niece, Clara! We visited them last weekend and she was adorable! This isn't one of the headbands I made, but it is adorable too, isn't it?

[Sunday]: Catching up with friends at Sam's (in the middle) wedding shower! We are so excited for her wedding festivities: Nate and I are both in the wedding. She is marrying our good friend, Scott (Sam, Scott, and I all grew up together and Nate joined the gang while we were in college. We all went to college together too! Scott knew Nate before I did!) And Emily (to the right) was MY maid of honor and basically is my sister. We've been friends since we were born. Legittt.

[Monday]: We keep getting free magazines.... not complaining! :)

[Tuesday]: Crafting at my dear friend, Bonnie's, house for her gender reveal party! She had the party on Saturday and we all found out the gender together (family and friends) at the same time. I helped her make decorations with my Silhouette! Expect a blog post soon: she gave her blessing that I could blog about the events!

[Wednesday]: At church, I turned the corner and saw Nate's head in the window of our restrooms... it was really awkward but too funny not to take a picture!

[Thursday]: We received mail from George, the child we sponsor from Compassion International. He lives in Kenya and it is SO NEAT to get mail from him! I've shared about Compassion International here. Take a look and see how you can make a difference in the life of a child!

[Friday]: Friday Night Lights in Texas! And it was homecoming, so me being the girly girl that I am, I was super excited for the half time events: even though I have no ties to this school whatsoever! Ha!

[Saturday]: Gender reveal day! The theme was football and you were either on Team Pink or Team Blue: you wore what color you thought the baby would be. Turns out, Team Blue won! Bonnie and her hubs will be welcoming a bouncing baby boy in February! Congratulations lady!

A very eventful week for the Johnson household. I wouldn't have it any other way! We have been doing some furniture rearranging and rehanging of pictures around the house. A bit OCD are we. Have a great week everyone!

"You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all. Seeking you as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all. Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name. Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name." 

[fashion] Shabby Apple

Like you, I have seen Shabby Apple ads all over blog land! If you are into classic, sophisticated fashion, you will like anything and everything on their website!

Shabby Apple has the most gorgeous clothes for women and girls and a few, okay a lot, of items from their website may possibly be on my Christmas list this year! Get ready, mom and Nate!

Shabby Apple e-mailed me yesterday asking if I would like to take part in their affiliate program. It's so easy to sign up and anyone can do it! Just go to this link and sign up! They will give you word links and banner links for you to add to your blog. Easy peasy! I have a banner on my right side and a banner at the bottom of my blog.

Want to see some of my favorites from their site? Here are a few!

Teacher dress? I think so! I really like how it is so flowy and beautiful green color!
From the Zoology line.

This skirt is so fun! Dress it up for a wedding/date night or wear leggings and boots with it for a fun Christmas look.
From the Lighthouse line.

A beautiful red color, isn't it? Again, can be worn in the summer or pair with leggings and boots for winter. Gorgeous!
From The Block line.

There is so much more to look at! Head to their website and start shopping!

Happy Tuesday! I am administering a standardized test to 21 five and six year olds. Pray for me! And them! And today is my sister-in-law, Claire's, birthday! Wish her a happy birthday on her blog, Kimchi Tacos!

"when peace like a river attendeth my way. when sorrows like sea billows roll. whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul.'"

[make] Girly Girl Headbands

Upon hearing the news of my new niece's arrival, I turned to Pinterest (of course) for the perfect gift that I could make myself. I am obsessed with the girly headbands that I am seeing all over the place: adorned with poofs, flowers, feathers, jewels, buttons... the possibilities are endless! After completing these projects, I most definitely (Lord-willing) want a little girl in my future!

Here are my creations: some I created by following a tutorial, some I made myself just by trial and error, some were actually supposed to be gift wrapping tops (the leopard print and zebra print) but I turned them into bows instead!

Hot glue is now my new best friend. And feathers. And glittery buttons.

What do you think? Who else has a baby girl? I'm lovin' making these headbands!

Have a great (?) Monday!

"My chains are gone, I've been set free. My God, My Savior, has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love, amazing grace." -Chris Tomlin

[photoaday] Week Thirty Seven

Happy Saturday! We are enjoying some much-needed family time this weekend, visiting the newest addition to our Johnson clan! Nate's brother and sister-in-law welcomed a new baby girl last week, named Clara, and she is adorable. We are getting in as much loving as we can!

Onward!

[psst: if you take photos this week, use my button on your blog post and leave me a comment on THIS post with the link to YOUR blog post with your photos.... that's not confusing at all, is it? once you do that (and assuming you're a follower of mine), I will feature your blog one time with a few of your photos! remember, sharing is caring :)]

[sunday]: afternoon naps with this fella? you bet.

[monday]: animal print, polka dots, feathers, shimmer... a few of my favorite things (I was making headbands for our new niece: expect a post this coming week to see the final products, which I have already given to her)!

[tuesday]: family day at our school, which coincides with our book fair, which equals new books for me! my kiddos and their families are so generous!

[wednesday]: my nighttime treat. yep, I did it.

[thursday]: my favorite person ever, doing his favorite thing ever (reading: and that isn't a beacon of magical light coming from his chest, it's a book light)

[friday]: the plan was to go to a football game with this fella, our adorable nephew, Wyatt, but it got rained out :( we still had a blast hanging out together! he said he was going to protect me from the scary mascot. haha!

No picture yet today: about to head back to Nate's brother's house to love on our new niece one more time before heading home (well: I'll be heading to Dallas to attend one of my BFF's wedding showers, which I'm a bridesmaid in! can't wait!).

"we will fly, we will soar. nothing is impossible. we will rise through the storm. trust in God and leaving our fears behind. we will fly." -SKY VBS (yep, I sure did just quote a VBS song!!!)