my favorite things {twenty-twelve}... for kids

When it comes to buying gifts for my kids, I tend to go slightly away from mainstream toys. I think of things that they will really like which means it isn't always found in the ToysRUs flier. Gifts for them don't necessarily have to come in the form of toys either. Things for their room, practical things and books are great choices as well. Seek out their interests and things that excite them and go from there.

Here are some great 2012 gifts I adore for kids...

1. Hot Hugs Hottie stuffed animals {I love love this little lamb!}. A minute in the microwave, and the removable tummy of natural grain will give lasting warmth and release the subtle fragrance of pure lavender essential oil. With a new friend so hot and huggable, your little one will never want to put it down. Price $25.

2. Kindle Fire with Fisher Price Kid-Tough Apptivity Case. Unlimited access to books, games, apps and movies. Vibrant color on the 7" LCD screen and built-in WiFi. The case will protect the tablet and extend it's life when in younger hands. Price around $140. (Right now on Amazon, the Kindle Fire is $25 off and the case was free too when you put 'FIREMOMS' in the promo code).

3. Discoveroo Bright Fruit Music Instrument. The easy, fun-looking shapes and textures of this adorable music kit is a big hit with the little ones. Apple xylophone, lemon maraca, lime and melon castanets and pear guiro come packaged in a handy wooden crate for easy storage. Made of plantation tea wood and ply. Price $40.

4. Lego Friends City Park Cafe. Build a hip hangout for the LEGO® Friends with a side of fresh-baked fun! The City Park Café is the coolest place to hang out in Heartlake City, where the Friends meet for sweet treats and cold shakes in the sun! Price $30.

5. The North Face boys Vestamatic Triclimate Jacket. Keep boys warm while they build blue ribbon kickers in this hyper-versatile, four-in-one snowsports jacket. With four ways to sports this ski/snowboard dynamo, this jacket/vest combo creates a super versatile barrier for winter. Price $185. (fyi...We saw this coat at a North Face outlet for a fraction of this price).

6. The Classic Green Bean Bag. What kid should be without a comfy bean bag in their room? The Classic Bean Bag has been everyone's favorite chair for over 40 years! Updated with bright solids and fashion forward prints. Trendy and comfortable seating that's great for all ages. Price $30.

7. National Geographic magazine for kids. Give a child a new way to explore the world. Two different magazines specifically for ages 3-6 and 6-14. Price $15.

8. Homemade Playdough. Not every gift you get a kid has to be bought. Why not make something they will enjoy for a long time and at a very low cost? This is an easy, step-by-step way to make your own playdough with easy ways to store and package it. Price... super cheap!

9. CAKE Stitches little girl's half apron. This is my dear friends' Etsy store full of her cute sewing creations for kids (boys too!). I am loving the little girl's strawberry half apron. The ruffle and waistband are in a coordinating red and white polka dot. The apron attaches with velcro at the right side of the waistline, camouflaged by a layered matching flower. Check out all the pics and imagine your little one in it! Truly encourages independence and role play. Price $18.

10. Melissa and Doug shopping cart. To market, to market...Take your shopping list and your teddy bear and get ready to shop! Our durable metal shopping cart looks just like those in real stores! Sturdy metal construction includes pivoting front wheels and a folding seat so your child and their favorite companion can navigate the aisles in style! Price $37.

11. Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids. If you have the adult version, you know this is going to be incredible for kids. Devotions written as if Jesus is speaking directly to a child's heart. Based on her original Jesus Calling, this version has been adapted in a language and fashion that kids and tweens can relate to their everyday lives. Price $11.

What are some of your all-time favorite kids' gifts?

For my favorite {for him} gifts go here.

my favorite things {twenty-twelve} :: for him

It's that time of year. Many of you have your Christmas shopping about covered. But I'm here for those of you who still need to purchase gifts OR just want to grab something really cool for yourself! I have enjoyed jotting down my favorite things over the year. I hope you think they're great too.

Now to clarify, these items may not be brand new in 2012, but items I have discovered and think are wonderful gift choices. This also doesn't necessarily mean I have all of them in my possession... I'm not that rich!

This will be the first of three posts... Men/Miscellaneous, Kids and Women. 

So without further adieu...

My Favorite Things of 2012

{for him}

1. Olloclip iPhone camera lens. Compatible with the iPhone 4, 4S, 5, and the 4th generation iPod touch. The Olloclip is a quick-connect lens system that includes fisheye, wide-angle, and macro lenses in a tiny and convenient package. Price $70

2. Ugg Brockman. A classic lace-up sneaker saunters, casually, towards the upscale. Price $130

3. The Bag of Holding messenger bag. This is a large canvas messenger bag that is so much bigger inside than you think. The main compartment is padded and big enough for a 17" laptop. Price $42

4. Kindle Paperwhite. The world's most advanced e-reader. Unlike a backlit tablet display, Kindle Paperwhite guides light towards the surface of the e-ink display from above so that the light never shines directly towards your eyes, allowing you to read comfortably without eye strain. Also has a an 8-week battery life. Price $119

5. Cuisinart Griddler. The Cuisinart Griddler brings the art of grilling indoors, ensuring that meal prep can be manly even in cold, inclement weather. It also doubles as a griddle and panini press. Price $80

6. Bacon floss. What guy wouldn't love some of this in his stocking?

7. Old Navy men's regular fit chambray shirt. Trendy with the button-flap chest pockets and a color that any man would look great in!

8. Men's Admiral blazer from Gap. This is a sharp and sleek wool blazer that has a hip slim fit. For the best look, dress it down with jeans.

9. Krave Jerkey. Krave Jerky is a healthy, anytime snack. For athletes, outdoor recreationalists or anyone on-the-go. It presents all the benefits of meat, at its healthiest. Jerky is naturally loaded with protein, while the drying process both removes most of the fat and results in fewer carbohydrates.

10. ImagineNations map wall art. Add some beauty and serenity to your world with these vintage-themed world maps. They are eco-friendly maps printed on heavyweight 100% recycled stock with all water-based inks.

11. {My super-hip hubby's recommendation for the men's list...} The Black Keys El Camino CD.  The Black Keys is a two-man duo comprising singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, both of whom were in their early twenties when the band debuted. Hailing from Akron, OH, they harnessed a close-to-the-bone, raw blues-rock sound on the album, whole sole instruments were Auerbach's guitar, Carney's drums, and the occasional organ.

3 Surprising Things I Hate About Christmas

OK, "hate" is a strong word, I know. I'm not a scrooge... I do love Christmas. But as I've grown and been stretched in my faith, things get easier to see past that sometimes mask the true focus of Christmas. And it leaves me unsettled.

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Here are 3 things I hate about Christmas and how Jesus calls me to respond.

{Busyness}
December just started and if you're like me, you already have your Christmas to-do list in full swing. I can already feel my body running down just thinking about it. Target runs, thousands of lights waiting to be put up, endless baking to do, buying more decorations because you realized you don't have enough as your friend who just posted on Facebook. Some things start off innocent and good, but then become our focus and we get weary in trying do it all.

Jesus calls... "Remember that your ultimate goal is living close to Me, being responsive to My initiatives. I can communicate with you most readily when your mind is uncluttered and turned toward Me. Seek My face continually through out this day. Let my presence bring order to your thoughts, infusing Peace into your entire being".

{Materialism}
You know what I get so bummed out about in our society? We can't even enjoy one holiday without the other one showing up months before it needs to. Here's a blurb from USAToday,

"Retailers are putting out a little bit of holiday stuff earlier each year," says Mike Gatti of the National Retail Federation's marketing division. "They know a substantial number of consumers will pick out Christmas tree ornaments even as they're picking out Halloween pumpkins." 

Everywhere you go, we're bombarded with buying and satisfying those little empty spots in our hearts we all have. Trying to fill and fill so we "think" we'll be happy. These temptations are all around us. 

Jesus calls... "Come to Me with your gaping emptiness, knowing that in Me you are complete. As you rest quietly in My presence, My light within you grows brighter and brighter. Facing the emptiness inside you is simply the prelude to being fulled with My fullness".

{Pressure to be Perfect}
How many commercials do we have to watch during this season to feel completely inadequate? Or a failure? Not many for me. I can't get my husband the brand new Lexus with the big red bow... fail! I won't be happily making crafts every day when my children are home on vacation.... fail! I won't have a cute little apron baking goodies while my husband walks in from work... fail!

Let's admit we just can't live up to the standards set around us. What kind of world do those people live in?? Not mine, that's for sure. Let's be smart to know those perfect people we see in the commercials aren't real. And just tell yourself now... you cannot possibly complete all those things you pinned on your "Christmas" Pinterest board.

Jesus calls... "The world exerts a downward pull on your thoughts. Stay in continual communication with Me whenever you walk through the wastelands of this world. I am the culmination of all your hopes and desires. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last; who is and was and is to come". 

I love Christmas because of Who came.
I love Christmas because it reminds me of Jesus' second return.
I love Christmas because it means time with my family.
I love Christmas because I love giving.
I love Christmas because it reminds me of the greatest gift I have... salvation.



All "Jesus Call" excerpts were taken from "Jesus Calling; Devotions for Every Day of the Year" by Sarah Young. 

Being Thankful Even When It Hurts

As we approach this season of thankfulness, I find myself in awe of God's goodness to me. I have so much to be thankful for in my life. There's my wonderful husband, my healthy, strong sons, God and his Word, friends and family, food, shelter and so on. I truly am blessed. 

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But at this time, it is evident that people are hurting. Just in my small circle of relationships, people are experiencing pain, loss and hardship. How do we then respond to those hurting?

To the sweet friend who is struggling with an uncontrollable son...

To the girl who recently lost her job and is now experiencing financial burdens...

To the women who are unable to conceive and so desperately want a child...

To the man who is living paycheck to paycheck, trying to pay child support while only seeing his children 4 days a month...

To the dear friend who will encounter the anniversary date of losing her baby girl this month 7 years ago...

What do we say then?

God is still on the throne.
Read Revelation 4. If we as believers lose sight of Christ on the throne, life becomes very sketchy and it almost becomes more about us than Him. Remember that thrones are places of authority, power and majesty. I love this reminder from Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church... 

"When you see Jesus seated on his Throne, that’s why he is here; he’s a King who’s ruling over all of creation, which is his Kingdom. He is a judge who renders us all as sinful and guilty, he’s also a Priest who gets off of his Throne and dies for our sin to forgive us and mediates between us and the Father. And he’s a great warrior through whose death on the cross, Satan, sin and death have been conquered and we have victory."

So through tumultuous times we can be assured that our God is infinitely in control.

We should model our outlook on thankfulness by Christ's example.
Let's look at His example in Luke 22...

"Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, 'Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come'. He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.'"

Jesus said these words just a short time before he knowingly would be mocked, beaten, and eventually murdered. And yet being aware of all of this, he still gave thanks. This does not undermine the hard circumstances we may face in life, but how reassuring is it to know that since Jesus found it in him to give thanks at such a horrible time, we certainly can too. 

 "There was majesty in the misery... glory in the shame".   --- Spurgeon

As Christians we should be familiar with suffering. 

I find so much comfort in knowing since Christ suffered while on this earth I will too being his child (Romans 8:17). If I am not being molded, pressed in some way in this life maybe I should evaluate my standing as a child of God. 

If I were to look back on my life, I can see those times of suffering as beneficial to my growth as a believer.

But I remember questioning... 

why the Lord did not let me get accepted into a certain college... 

why I had such a colicky baby... 

why my husband didn't get that certain job 8 years ago... 

But honestly, I can say to each of those circumstances, I am so thankful for those times of hardship. I stopped relying on myself and had to lean solely on the Lord to pull me through. Looking back, I am thankful for how He used those times to show me...

I found my sweet husband at the other college I ended up at.

I developed a maturity, patience and compassion for my hurting baby I never had in me before.

I realized it wasn't the right time and that rejection would later show to be a huge blessing in disguise.

Even in your pain, still find it in you to praise Him. 

You may not have the words to utter how you feel. You may not be able to even pray a thought-out prayer. But you can praise Him still in your pain. 

Because Christ suffered too.

Because Christ was thankful in His pain. 

Because He is still on the throne. 

"The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord."

This Man...

This man has been in my life for 29 years. We met in Mrs. Crawford's class in third grade. I guess he left love notes in my desk... I didn't remember. I was too distracted trying to impress a boy named Adam.

This man tried to break his arm that same year after I feel off the monkey bars and broke my arm. He told me he cried when he heard they were taking me to the hospital.

This man asked me to be his girlfriend in high school, junior year. I agreed. He was a cute soccer player, why not? It didn't last long. I remember crying in a white, square pillow with a bunch of lace on it when I got home from school. I was hurt, but the story doesn't end there.

This man ended up at the same college I did. He was crazy. He played tricks on me and my roommate. I felt like a sister. I admittedly tried to avoid him at times because I knew he was gonna do something to me.

This man grew up. He grew in the Lord. He had a sweet sense about him. He held the door for me. We went out. I remember wearing a pink wool coat. It was our junior year in college. I felt safe with him. He was funny. He bought me scratch-off lottery tickets. We lost.

This man took me to a park one spring day. He asked me to marry him. I agreed. I knew I never wanted to spend one day a part from him. I found ways to spend more time with him... I never avoided him. We married 8 months later... on this day. I love November 2nd. Whether it's raining or shining... I love this day.

This man has loved me when I'm irrational. He has forgiven me when I didn't deserve to be. His touch has always been kind. He thinks of me first. I never felt less than what a blessed wife should feel like. He has never raised his voice in anger to me. He shares. He never criticizes. He forgets my shortcomings.

This man has been there for the births of our four sons. He has raised them to be smart, kind men. He is a true example to them of a godly father on earth. He challenges them to be wise. To make good decisions. To love their mom. He practices what he teaches in parenting.

This man is the most perfect gift I could ever receive.

I love November 2nd. Whether it's raining or shining... I love this day.

Wholesome Flourless Chocolate-Chip Balls

Eventually everyone has a sweet tooth, right? I am a salty-type eater. I prefer anything with salt over a dessert type food. But even for me, there are times when I just need something sweet. But then my body hates gluten. So then what???

THIS.....

Flourless Chocolate Chip Balls.... heaven in a little bite!

{ ingredients }

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup all natural peanut butter

1/3 cup raw honey

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (or more if they just so happen to fall in!)

1/4 cup raw, slivered almonds, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

1 teaspoon of coconut oil

couple pinches of salt

{ directions }

1. throw all ingredients into a medium-sized bowl and mix until all ingredients are blended together. 

2. allow to chill for 30 minutes.

3. once chilled, form into small balls.

4. store in airtight container and enjoy!

Postpartum Depression: 5 Ways to Beat the Baby Blues–Naturally

                             

It caught me off guard. Coming from out of nowhere. I felt alone. Helpless. Hurt and worst, feeling I had no hope.

These are the emotions that came when I experienced postpartum depression (PPD).

My first three pregnancies were all followed by PPD. I was fearful of ever becoming pregnant again because of this. But, by God’s grace with our fourth child, I was free of depression.

Read how I fought PPD on my guest post over at The Humbled Homemaker here.