Making Our Gallery Wall Step 1...

I have been so inspired by all the gallery walls I see on Pinterest lately that I knew it was time we made one of our very own.

The only problem was that I didn't have enough frame that really went together.

I have a hodge podge of frames.

So instead of trying to go purchase all new frames I knew I could just re-finish these to make a more uniformed look.

First and foremost I wiped down all my frames to remove any traces of dust.

Since I wanted to protect the surrounding area from any paint I decided to use the cardboard box our crib mattress came in.

You can piece together cardboard boxes or purchase a drop cloth for your own paint projects.

Next I used Krylon Dual Paint & Primer

*Krylon did not endorse this post....all opinions are 100% mine.

The great thing about this paint is that it's 2 in 1. 

I hate dealing with priming before I paint.

I prefer instant gratification!

I laide my frames in the box and began spraying in even rows.

There is something gratifying about watching all the frames transform into something fresh and new!

I put my first coat on and then waited about 45 minutes before putting on my second coat.

The instructions said that additional coats should be painted within an hour or after 48 hours.

Isn't that a weird time frame?

I got all my coats on and allowed it to sit out in the sun for a few hours to dry.

That night I brought the box into the garage and allowed them to finish curing for a few days.

Now I have a lot of pretty black frames that are waiting for pictures.

I'm in the process of getting my pictures in the mail so I'll be posting soon once I have al my frames filled and up on the wall!

I hope you have a Blessed Thursday!

What We Did...Memorial Day Weekend

I grew up a military brat.

I became accustomed to moving every few years and having periods of time when my Dad was gone.

Growing up I used to swear I was never going to marry a military man.

I used to think I wanted to live somewhere, one place, settle down and raise a family.

Flash forward to my middle and high school years when I decided that living in Kansas was not for me.

I met my husband, we married, and then God called us to Austin.

It was around that time that Bud, who had been in the Army reserves when we met, declared that he thought that active duty life was what he was called to do.

Despite my years of saying, 'never'.

I was excited to say, 'yes, do it, go for it'!

A little over a year ago, Bud graduate from college and received his commission into the United States Air Force.

Between our families we've been able to serve in the military in each major branch.

Air Force.

Army.

Navy.

Coast Guard.

It's quite an honor and it's also a hefty responsibility.

I realize that my husband doesn't have a 'normal' job.

He isn't guaranteed a Monday- Friday schedule.

Or a day schedule at that.

He could be deployed (a risk that is also a huge honor in our eyes, and we are looking forward to the day he gets an opportunity such as that).

He can get calls at all hours.

He will miss major life events:

Birthdays, 

Anniversaries, 

1st of many things.

But no matter what, we know that God has asked him to serve his country and be an example.

That being said, this past weekend was Memorial Day.

It is a day when we remember all our service members who have fought for the lives we are so blessed to lead.

There are many people out there that like to post about how Memorial Day isn't national BBQ day, but I think that if we asked our fallen service members how they would like us to spend the day/weekend, I have a feeling they would want us to spend it with family, with friends, enjoying our freedoms.

After all they died protecting those freedoms how better to honor them.

With that in mind, Bud  was fortunate enough to have a 4 day weekend.

That meant a weekend full of time together.

Our neighbors invited us over for a BBQ and Bitsy had her first time in an outdoor pool.

 

We discovered that she is definitely a water baby.

Despite the water being a tad chilly, she did't shed a single tear.

Instead she let out squeals of delight!

She kicked her feet as we walked her around the pool.

She is such a delightful baby!

She was fascinated by all the new people she met that day.

Daddy got some of the best faces out of her!

Probably because he wasn't afraid to get wet from head to toe.

After hanging in the pool we dried her off and I brought her home.

She was out in a matter of minutes!

I am so thankful that I live in the USA.

I am so thankful that men and women have worked hard to ensure my liberties.

I am so thankful for all my family members who have served in such different capacities.

I am thankful for a husband who listened to his calling and is now able to provide for us.

Is anyone in your life military?

Did you thank them for their service?

Do you have any questions about military life?

I hope that you were able to enjoy a long weekend.

I pray prayers of Thankfulness for all our men and women who serve.

I hope you have a Blessed Wednesday!

Angel Food Cake French Toast

Do you like french toast?

I do.

Have you ever seen how many different kinds of french toast there are?

Seriously, regular, stuffed, topped with fruits, baked, etc.

Well this is a first for me.

Angel Food Cake French Toast...

It's so decadent and scrumptious...it almost seems wrong to serve it for breakfast!

Here Is What You'll Need:

-1 store bought angel food cake (unless you are feeling ambitious and want to make your own)

-6 eggs

-1 cup milk

-3 tablespoons sugar

-2 teaspoons vanilla

-4 tablespoons butter, divided

Beat eggs.

Add milk, sugar, and vanilla.

Whisk well.

Slice cake into 8 sections.

Soak slices in the egg mixture for no longer than 1 minute.

Coat all sides evenly.

Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt butter.

Cook 4 slices of cake at a time, turning until all sides are golden brown.

When you are done you can place all your pieces back together on a plate.

Can you imagine doing this for a kids on a birthday for breakfast?

Or when you have overnight guest?

If you know that all of it will get eaten in one sitting you could fill the center whole with whipped topping and fruit.

Since it lasts more than one day in our home I fixed each plate individually.

A little whipped topping and sprinkled nutmeg!

It is a delightful way to start the day!

I hope you have a Blessed Tuesday!

Garlic 'n Brown Sugar Chicken

Are you looking for a simple chicken recipe?

Well here it is and the best part it's only 4 ingredients!

Here Is What You'll Need:

- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

- 4 garlic cloves minced

- 4 tablespoons brown sugar

- 3 teaspoons olive oil

Preheat your oven to 500º

Spray your pan with non-stick spray

Saute garlic and olive oil until tender.

Place your chicken breast in the baking dish.

Remove garlic, olive oil mix from heat and add in brown sugar.

Spread evenly over chicken.

Back uncovered for 20-30 minutes.

There you have it.

An easy and inexpensive way to a yummy chicken dinner!

I hope you had a Blessed Monday!

Baby Diaries #45

We have an 8 month old!

We weighed Addy and she has gained another 1lb and 7 oz, putting her at 24lbs 13oz!

My baby girl has had another eventful month.

She is teething now, more than ever.

I mean seriously if she can get it to her mouth she will chew on it.

We've discovered that she likes ice cubes and in order to save my hands from freezer burn, we purchased the mesh baby bags that have a handle.

We are putting an ice cube in them and let me just say she LOVES that!

She isn't crawling quite yet, but her ability to sit is astounding to me.

She is so stable and even when she wobbles she is quick to correct enough so she doesn't topple over.

She reaches forward from a sitting position and rolls onto her belly.

Once on her belly she kicks and pushes on her toes, but still no crawling.

There have been a few times in which she has actually pulled her knee or knees under her.

At those moments Bud yells for me and I run into the living room only to find that she's sprawled out again and frustrated.

It's only a matter of time, during which there will be a lot of cheering her on!

I can not explain the joy that wells up in my heart when I hear my baby girl laugh.

When I perform a task that encourages her laughter I will continue to repeat that task over and over until the laughter fizzles.

Just the other night I was tossing her teething ring up in the air and catching it between my hands.

Each time I caught it there was a clapping sound.

Upon hearing that sound, Bitsy let out a laugh that just encouraged me to keep tossing and catching, tossing and catching.

The laughter continued.

After a little over 5 minutes of this, Bud suggested I stop.

Bitsy was tired and he was afraid the laughter would turn if we pushed her to far.

Oh those sweet baby belly laughs!

In the past few days Bitsy has started to no what the word, "No" means.

She doesn't necessarily always understand it, but when she does she get's upset.

I have to say that she normally only cries when she is overly tired.

I am so blessed by a baby who is so happy so much of the time.

Today we started the process of breaking her habit of needing a bottle to go to sleep.

The first nap went SO smoothly.

The second nap, not so much.

In fact we had to make 2 different attempts to get her down for a 2nd nap.

The 2nd attempt yielded a crying baby, whom when I picked her up she literally just crashed on my shoulder.

She never falls asleep on me and this time she did.

Bedtime was pretty simple too.

I'm hoping that if we can get her to nap and go to bed without a bottle that'll mean we can slowly wean off her night feedings with as few of those sad faces as possible.

This month Bitsy flew for the 2nd time in her life.

She visited Texas....again!

She had her first babysitter.

She babbles, "Dadadadadadada"!

She has gone down to 2 naps a day.

She has developed a huge LOVE of all things Sesame St.

She waves, I'm not always sure if she knows why she's doing it, but it is so cute.

She 'dances' (aka flails her arms around when she hears the Puppets from Sesame St.)

She had her first of a handful of showers and she LOVED it.

She went swimming for the first time outdoors and LOVED it.
She's becoming very proficient at playing Peek-a-boo.

Oh! I almost forgot....she 'sings' worship at church.

As soon as the music gets going so does she!

*my heart is melting*

When I look at this beautiful face, and see those beautiful eyes I know she is just taking it all in.

She's so independent, just like me, and I love it so so so much.

Today we took Mr. Stubbs out of his cage and introduced him to Bitsy.

Officially.

We kept him a safe distance from her.

He was wary, but we aren't sure if that was because of Bitsy or because he hadn't been able to roam free since being in the house.

Bitsy thought he was great.

She 'danced' and reached towards Mr. Stubbs with a big smile.

I love watching her experience new things.

I love watching her with her Daddy.

And I love her, plain and simple.

She is our pride and joy and I am so thankful for her!

I hope you all had a Blessed Sunday!

Book #37: Seal of God - Chad Williams

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends". ~John 15:13

Book Synopsis:
Days before Chad Williams was to report to military duty in Great Lakes, Illinois, he turned on a television and was greeted with the horrifying images of his mentor, US Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston, being brutally murdered in a premeditated ambush on the roads of Fallujah, Iraq. Steeled in his resolve, Chad followed in Scott’s footsteps and completed the US military’s most difficult and grueling training to become a Navy SEAL. One of only 13 from a class of 173 to make it straight through to graduation, Chad served his country on SEAL Teams One and Seven for five years, completing tours of duty in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Iraq.

Part memoir, part evangelism piece, SEAL of God follows Chad’s journey through the grueling Naval Ops training and onto the streets of Iraq, where he witnessed the horrors of war up close. Along the way, Chad shares his own radical conversion story and talks about how he draws on his own experiences as a SEAL to help others better understand the depths of Christ’s sacrifice and love.

Meet Chad Williams:
A former Navy SEAL, having served his country proudly from 2004-2010.
Now engaged in full-time ministry work, Chad uses the training and experience he gained as a SEAL to help communicate the Gospel to others.
Chad and his wife, Aubrey, live in Huntington Beach, California.

Hear his story

watch on tyndale.com

I think the fact that I grew up a military brat and that I am now a military spouse is what initially drew me to pick this book.

This book is an awesome story that reminds us that God can reach anyone, anywhere, even when we think we are immune.

Chad went to church with his parents one night thinking that what the pastor had to say would be a lot of hogwash only to emerge from that service transformed and transfixed on spreading God's word to everyone he encountered.  Through his story we learn how it is easy to be so on fire for the Lord that we push people away and that with practice we can learn to hone our story so that we can be real messengers for God.

I found this book to be an easy read.  Chad did a really good job explaining everything in laymen's terms so that non-military could grasp what he was trying to convey.  

I think this is a great book to give to a teenage boy, a military buff, or any Christian friend who enjoys hearing other's stories.

I hope you have a Blessed Saturday! 

I received this book free from the publishers through the Tyndale House Publishers book review bloggers program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Bible Verse Friday #41

"My child, listen when your father corrects you.  Don't neglect your mother's instructions.  What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck". ~Proverbs 1:8-9

My NLT Life Application Study Bible Says the following:

Our actions speak louder than words.  This is especially true in the home.  Children learn values, morals, and priorities by observing how their parents act and react every day.  If parents exhibit a deep reverence for and dependence on God, the children will catch these attitudes.  Let them see your reverence for God. Teach them right living by giving worship an important place in your family life and by reading the Bible together.

Wow!?

Does that weigh as heavy on you as it does me?

"What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck".

That is a lot of pressure.

But I guess you can say it's the best kind of pressure.

It's the kind that motivates you.

As parents we are responsible for molding our children.

Last week I touched on discipline.

This week I'm focusing a bit more on our role as the parents.

Before I became a Mom I had an idea of what it would be like.

The reality of it is a little less froo froo than I imagined.

I wouldn't change it for a minute though.

Being a parent is a lot of work.

It can be stressful, exhausting, and trying.

So many people judge how you raise your kids and for some reason they have no problem verbalizing what you are doing wrong, despite the fact that they don't know you from Eve!

That being said, being a parent means molding your children into Godly people.

You must be strict in some aspects of their lives while still allowing room for their own personalities to emerge.

Since becoming a Mom, Bud & I have had many conversations about how we plan to handle certain situations when they arise.

There are oh so many situations we haven't discussed and can't plan for until they happen, but it's nice to try to get on the same page early on.

Do you and your spouse have talks like this?

If you are a single parent who do you seek counsel with, your own parents, friends, etc?

I realize so often that concepts that I thought I was set on are often pushed to the wayside in lieu of alternate concepts I opt for instead.

I catch myself working on myself more now that I have a little one.

I try to be more patient now.

More forgiving.

Less judgmental (whether or not a woman wants to breastfeed her almost 4 year old is her business)

I am more open to hearing how other people handle situations so that I can stow those ideas away for when nothing I seem to be doing works.

It is Bud & I's job to raise well-rounded, God-fearing/loving, honest, well mannered, patient, creative, etc....children.

I realize, upon reading this verse and feeling the weight of its words, that we can not do this alone.

We must put it in God's hands that he will mold US into the parents he wants us to be.

Only in giving him control of our children will we be of any use in their lives.

I hope you have a Blessed Friday!

Mini-Wheat Bread Loaves

Sorry I don't have a craft today, but I do have something else....something edible!

Hi.

My Name is Biz and I'm a carb-oholic.

I can't imagine many things that I love more than a fresh warm loaf of bread with a little butter spread on it.

So today I'm going to show you my recipe for Mini-Wheat Bread Loaves.

These are similar to what you might get at a restaurant before your meal.

Here Is What You'll Need:

- 3 cups of all purpose flour (I chose whole wheat because I wanted to try something different)

1-3/4 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon yeast

1-1/2 cups water

Mix together your flour, salt, and yeast.

Add water.

Mix until it transitions into a shaggy mixture.

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside.

Overnight works best.

The next day preheat your oven to 450º

Place your loaf pan in the oven during the preheating process.

Place your dough on a floured surface and split into 3 even balls.

Once your oven is preheated, carefully remove your loaf pan, spray with non-stick spray, and place one of your dough balls into the pan.

Bake for 30 minutes.

While that is baking form your remaining 2 lumps of dough into balls.

And wrap in plastic wrap.

When your 30 minutes is up remove your loaf and place it on a wire rack to cool.

Then respray your pan with non-stick spray, unwrap another ball of dough and toss it in for 30 minutes.

Continue until all your bread is made.

Doesn't that look yummy?

I just assure you that it is yummy.

I hope you have a Blessed Thursday.