Gratitude can transform ordinary days into Thanksgivings...

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!  I hope today is centered around gratitude for you--both in the joys and the struggles, the highs and the lows, the big and the small.  I hope that in whatever plot mark life has you in right now, that you are ale to see through eyes of gratitude.  Those lenses will change Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to a constant state of being,  And that will bring more peace and joy to you than you could ever dream.

A small list of things I'm grateful for today, in my right now:

--my husband.  I could not have ever dreamed that I would find my match at 15 years old.  Or that I would snag him and he, me, so quickly and completely.  He is my other and often better half.  He works harder than any other person I know.  He serves, protects, and provides.  His heart is passionate and his brain is eager.  He loves fully and fiercely.  He is tender-hearted and hard-headed.  He has blown me away as a daddy.  I could not ask for anything more in a husband and I will forever be grateful for everything he is to my life.

--my children.  They are the most beautiful creatures I have ever laid my eyes on and they hold my heart.  They have taught me that I am stronger than I ever imagined I could be.  They have taught me how to be extremely patient and how to love so much it literally hurts.  They have shown me what absolute joy and innocence are.  They have made me worry and fear more than anything else in my life before; yet they have also made me happier and more carefree than anything else.  They amaze me every single day, and I still struggle to understand how I was chosen to be their mama.  They are my best gifts and I am beyond grateful for that grace.

--my Hunter's job.  I absolutely cannot stand the hours he's working and the stress he's under and how much of him they've stolen from me and our kids this year.  But.  It is a very good job that supports our family very well; and it is a job he is very good at and usually loves.  So, while I don't like it right now, I am extremely grateful for it.

--our families.  Since Hunter and I started dating so young, our families really aren't "in-laws" to us...each other's families helped raise us; each other's siblings are like our own; a lot of each other's family memories include the other...  The upbringings we had and the love we live in is just incredible.  We owe so much to our families, and we are so very grateful for each and every member.

--my two best friends, Rachel and Dajuanna.  Rachel's birthday is today and Dajuanna's is Sunday--and I just find it so fitting that these two beauties share "their day" with a time of year centered around giving thanks.  These girls are my rocks, my advisors, my people.  They are my go to for my biggest excitement and my deepest heartbreak.  They've seen me at my worst and completely loved me through it.  They know me better than almost anyone else, including myself.   They've both shown me precious glimpses of Jesus, and there is not a single day that goes by that I am not utterly grateful for each of their friendship.

--our church family.  We have been loved so well and so fully by our home congregation here.  They have served as a safe place of embrace as Hunter and I establish our own faith walk as a married couple and young family.  They love our children as they own (my kids have SO many "aunts/uncles" and "grandparents" there) and are helping us raise them to know and love Jesus.  Our youth group has completely stolen our hearts and our passion...serving alongside those teens and being allowed to witness their growth is truly one of the most incredible things we've been able to do.  We are so grateful for the experiences we've had, the lessons we've learned, and the people we've loved there.

--our home, laughter, music, crafting supplies, creativity, good books, second (and third, fourth, and fifth) chances, hope, family pictures, Colic Calm (miracle medicine...seriously), blog world, Cajun food and my beautiful home state of Louisiana, memories, chocolate chip peppermint shakes from Chick-Fil-A, education and learning, chilly weather, football,  soft pillows, road trips and vacations, movies, love stories, Pinterest and Facebook, my stamp club, giving gifts, secrets, bubble baths, Sonic ice, tears, childish giggles, fans, Shutterfly books (love/hate relationship...but the love usually wins out), good kisses and warm hugs, big fuzzy blankets, sleep, each and every one of you...

And none of this gratitude or joy or hope or peace would be full in my heart without the promise of freedom provided by the blood of Jesus.  His perfect love is the lens I pray my heart to use.  That I will be able to see every person, opportunity, and even struggle as a chance to rejoice and offer thanks.

Find the good in every day.  Be grateful every day.  And allow every day to become Thanksgiving.

But for the sake of today and the holiday, I hope you get to get your grub on surrounded by your best people :)

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!
love, angie

a Box.

One of my teachers and women dearest to my heart posted this poem that her daughter had written.  In honor of Memorial Day and our fallen heroes...

I AM BUT A BOX

My Weary Soldier,

when this wretched war,
full of flying bullets
and haunting drones,
buried mines beneath the feet
of brothers,
and sudden midnight explosions
tearing into dreams
of a pleasant place,

when this desolate struggle
steals
the courageous beat
of your unfailing heart,

I am here.
My Brave,

when in sorrowful sacrifice
the gleaming blood
that sustained you
slowly seeps onto sand
and dries black
in the merciless sun,
when in solemn suffering
you release the last
breath
to ever fill your 
relentless chest,
when you leave this
bitter battlefield
for sweet peace,

I am here.

Though I be
mere trees
formed to frame
a humble, hollow space,

My Valiant,
you never knew wood
to be so secure
as when I cradle you
across the invisible boundaries
of foreign lands,
bear you
above the threatening depths
of endless oceans,
steady you
against the magnificent wind
whirling around our world,
fueling the rippling flags below.

My Strong,
I will keep you safe.
Though uncertainty may try
to vigorously pry
you from my beloved embrace,
I will never let you go.

No, My Allegiant,
I shall bring you home
though circumstance
may postpone me,
and danger may confront me.

Under ardent guard
of your uniformed devoted,
I will carry you for
dauntless days;
Dedicated, I too shall
return to the dust,
your comforting company
for eternity.

My Comrade,
I am your faithful fortress,
your steadfast rest,
though I do not deserve
to ever serve
one noble as thyself,
a selfless soul
earning such honor

as thy 
venerated 
self.

My Loyal,
I will lie beside
for that long, somber ride
together held close
by those three colors of pride
on a brilliant banner,
together
wrapped so gently by
that flag for which you died.

I am here,
for you have won
and I will secure you
forever on.

My Purpose,
I will never leave you,
but rather be buried
alongside,
beneath the
screaming sphere
on which we lived,
encompassing your
fragile figure—

I am
but a box,
crafted to carry heroes home,
holding hard,
and never letting go.

by Alexandra DeFelice

Mother's Day gifts

Usually the little gifts we give for Mother's Day are photo based.  I mean, what mama/grandma doesn't like getting precious pictures of their babies?!  Well, this year I was running behind and it snuck up on me (surprise, surprise...), so they were just going to get a little note or call.  But then the lovely ladies at UCreate posted recipes for sugar scrubs, and I knew that's what I wanted to do!

These little mixtures were so easy to whip up--and the combinations are fun and endless!  I added a little extra olive oil (especially to the ones with a white sugar base), just because it was a little too dry for my liking.  I hope they work well and smell good (watch me be remembered for giving a smelly, greasy gift :P )!

I got these little jars from Hobby Lobby along with some little wooden spoons (found them with the scrapbooking stuff).  The labels on the jar are also from good ole Hobby Lobby (on that massive sticker aisle) and I wrote on them with a chalk pen.

I then made a simple little card, punched a hole in the corner, and tied it all up with some ribbon I had on hand.

The card was a quickie, which is just what I needed for this project.  I needed it small to attach to the jar, so I sliced up a 12x12 piece of Very Vanilla into eight pieces of 3x6; folded, each piece gave me a 3x3 card.  I stamped a doily (Delicate Doilies--retired) and the sentiment (Really Good Greetings) using Calypso Coral and Early Espresso ink.  A very simple, one dimensional card, but just enough for this gift!

I liked that it was something different, something pretty, and hopefully something useful.  I hope they enjoy them!

happy crafting and happier gifting!
love, angie

Happy Mother's Day

I could go all sap-fest and give details into what being a mother means.  I could go on and on and on about the deepest joys, fears, and everything in between motherhood has brought me.  I could try to explain in words what becoming a mother has taught me about my own mother.  I could.

But, instead, I'm going to share with you a few things from people who have done it better than I ever could.  Some in writing, most in videos, all in beautiful heart.  Enjoy!

"To All the Giving Mothers: So God Made a Mother"--A Holy Experience, Ann Voskamp

This was written by a friend of mine who has a beautifully heartbreaking story of motherhood that she wholeheartedly gives and points back to Jesus.  Her words are so important. (and those precious, perfect feet belong to her sweet Hannah).

"I am Praying for the Mothers"--a Hint of the Hess House, Brittany Hess

Honestly, if you don't have tissues out by now, go ahead and grab some.  This was job interviews in response to an actual job description...their responses are incredible.

This is just one of my faves.  Robbie is such a cool kid--we've had the privilege of meeting him and Brad (his brother-in-law who helps him create these) a few times.  Their mission and their message are so pure and so needed.  Moms, know these things...remember these things...  Have a good giggle and a cry :)

Kinda cheesy, but pretty cute...and delivers the message pretty spot on.

You are mighty. And you are a shelter from their storms.  Being a mama is Kingdom work; don't take it lightly and don't be defeated.

And we'll end on a chipper note!  I love Anita Renfroe; she's hilarious and just fantastic.  She's done two versions of the "mom song"--I'll let you choose which one you like better :)

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I do!  And don't leave these celebrations to the days we set aside.  Recognize, appreciate, and celebrate every single day!

love, angie

love, love, love, love

Oh Valentine's Day...  it may be cheesy and it may be over commercialized and it may be shallow to some.  But it really is kind of nice to me that so many people are thinking about the ones they love so much so that we celebrate it as a holiday.  That is beautiful if you choose to see the pleasantries it can bring.

Last year, I decided to up the cheese factor by giving Hunter 14 days of Valentine's gifts/puns/songs (that link will take you to day 14; you can find the ones to other days in the sidebar from there if you're interested).  It has crazy, ridiculous, helpless and cheesy romantic written all over it--which is why it was right up my alley :)

While we aren't doing any kind of elaborate scheme or gifting or "commercialized crazy", we get to spend it together.  And with how much traveling he's been doing and how quickly our calendar has been filling up, this quiet weekend at home with our toddle tot is all I could ever want.

I am allowed, however, to allow the little bit of cheesy in me to escape here ;)

We have always really like Sara Bareilles and her music; but after Hunter was able to see her live a few months ago, we kind of fell in love with her.  He came home from that concert with all kinds of stories and all kinds of new favorite songs.  But the one that meant the most to me was this one...

Love is a choice.  Crushes and admiration and lust aren't necessarily; but to commit to one person, to offer them your years, your intimacy, your secrets, your fears, your struggles, your tender moments, and your fiercest passion.  To commit your entire being to one person and to love them (even when you don't like them, even when it's hard, even when it involves confrontation and changes)...that is a choice.

Hunter--I choose you.  Each and every day, from now through our always.  It is an honor and a blessing to be the other half in this partnership that was so beautifully woven together by the Architect of Love itself.  I pray that our marriage reflects His love; that we are willing to stand up for each other and stand up to each other when the situation calls; that we spend our lives trying to make each other a better and truer resemblance of God's purpose; that we never stop choosing each other.

So happy Valentine's Day, babe.  And for those of you who have a romantic love--it's ok to spend this day celebrating that!  It by no means should be the only day of celebration, but I see nothing wrong with adding it in the mix!  And for those of you who are in a time of your life without a romantic interest or partner--that's ok to celebrate too.  Because each and every one of has have people we love deeply, and those relationships need to be celebrated too.  And ultimately, Valentine's Day serves as an ideal opportunity to celebrate, recognize, and share Love itself; a Love that offers us eternity in glory; a Love that simply can't get enough of us...

Celebrate love today and every day.  But today, you can eat some tasty treats in the process with no judgment!

xoxo, angie

Happy New Year!

How has this year already come to an end?  2013 was a bit of a blur for me.  If I sat down with a calendar and counted out how much we were away from home, my brain would probably hurt.  We were SO busy this year, but it was doing the best of things!

Top 13 of 2013

13.  An excellent roadtrip to the middle of nowhere Kentucky for some dear friends of ours' wedding.  That whole weekend was just phenomenal.

12.  My brother-in-law and his fiancé graduating from LA Tech (and the fact that he indeed now has a fiancé)!  We're so excited to have some more Bulldogs in the family :)

11.  Taking a group of our youth kids to Encounter at Lubbock Christian University.  That week changed us and it was a memory we will forever hold close.

10.  Hunter's dad's side of the family got to be together for the first time ever this Christmas (as in ever, not just for Christmas).  The five boys and all their girls and all of our kids--all 16 of us together in the same house for the first time.

9.  Finally getting to go back to the Tulsa Workshop and getting to bring my boy for the first time.  It was such a blessing, but the two highlighted speakers for us were Patrick Mead and Francis Chan.  Plus we got to catch up with some old friends and make new ones.

8.  We got a new car!  We gave in in July and traded in Hunter's truck for my first mama-mobile--and we both love it (although we do miss the truck at times).

7.  The birth and miracle story of sweet Maddox, our best friends' little boy.

6.  Getting to see my oldest sister SO many times!  Bella and I took 3 trips up her way and she came down here as well.

5.  Hunter has his 10 year high school reunion...and we're accepting realizing that we're getting old...

4.  My first group of students to teach graduated!  It was such a special moment for me to be able to cheer them on and hear of all of their accomplishments and aspirations.  Just special :)

3.   Being backed and supported by our church family as they helped mine and my sister's dream become a reality.  We were able to host a full-fledged youth rally that is now an annual event!  To God be the Glory!

2.  Going to our second Saints game and this time on our actual anniversary!  Hunter's brother and his fiancé came too and we had a great day--plus we beat the Texans so, yeah.  WhoDat!  (Hunter and I also celebrated 6 years of marriage and 10 years of togetherness this year...fabulous).

1.  Every single second spent with these precious gifts...

We are excited for 2014 and all of the possibilities each new year offers!   Our prayer and goal is to continue to grow in focus, courage, and faith in our walk with our Jesus.  Best wishes and blessings to you and yours!

happy new year,

angie

Black Friday

I know this was a sore subject for a lot of people this year with how early the stores opened.  I do feel bad for the people who had to work on Thanksgiving and I do miss it all happening on Friday.  But Grey Thursday/Black Friday shopping was actually my family's version of Thanksgiving this year and we had a great time together!

Hunter, AJ, and I headed over to his mom's house that morning for what was supposed to be Thanksgiving breakfast.  His brothers were both with their girls' families so it was just us and Hunter's grandparents--we wanted it to be easy.  But since AJ decided to scream and beg to go to bed at 7:45 the night before (causing her to wake up at 10 once her "nap" was over...and stay awake until 1:30)...I wasn't diggin' getting up so much when my alarm went off.  So we were a little late and ended up chowing down on some gumbo and potato salad...  what a bummer :P

She found Gramps's riding hat and Uncle Ricky's hat (my mother-in-law's brother who was killed in a car wreck when he was a teenager).  Special memories on a special girl! 

The sweetest moment of the day was the prayer...  We all circled up in the kitchen to say it before we fixed out plates.  However, AJ is used to saying it once we're all sitting down at the table--so once every one had their food and sat down, she insisted that we say the prayer!  So we grabbed hands and talked to our Jesus again, extra thankful for this munchkin that time.  She was so proud--so much so that she pretty much prayed on her own after every bite!  She even grabbed her little Mickey's hands and covered up his eyes to make him pray with her.  It was absolutely precious and made her daddy and me so very proud. 

That afternoon we headed over to Hunter's dad's house for a late lunch; my parents were able to come eat with us there too.  We got to visit and AJ got to play with her cousins, so she was all kinds of exited.

When the time came, my sister came and met us and we headed into town with my parents (sans AJ) for some shopping!  This was dad's first year to go and we were so surprised he wanted to come.  His rules were that he couldn't be a grouch and mom also told him he couldn't question any purchases...Well when we got out and going, he giggled along to those rules as he explained they applied to her too and we were going to be stopping by Dick's Sporting Goods and Sears!  Too funny

He was a trooper with us through an insane crowd and disorganized staff at Old Navy (we seriously almost got trampled...) and another long line at Target--of course he got himself something at both stores too, so all was well :)  He also found a cozy spot to wait at Target and was praised as a genius by every man that passed by!

  

I was so tempted to get this little Who Dat Mouse for my tot!  

We finished up our outing at the mall and grabbed a bite to eat at Chick-Fil-A.  We stood in line but their lights were out and they couldn't open just yet--something with their system wasn't working at the moment.  But we decided that we had been waiting in lines all night already, so why not give them a few more minutes before bailing.  And boy did it payoff!  Not only did they open less than 10 minutes later, but they came through the line and gave coupons for a free shake to everyone who had waited in line!  Which if you know me at all--this was going to be the end of my night anyway, and now it was free!  Score!

We got home around 2:30 that morning, but since Academy didn't open until 5 (Kudos to them!), we all met back in town that afternoon for that trip and some lunch.

So as much as I hate that other people had to give up family time to work that night, I also love the time I was able to spend with my family.  And we got some treasures in the process!

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving!

love, angie

Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday!

Today I am thankful:

--for our congregation hosting an area wide church service held this Tuesday night in place of Wednesday services in the community for the holiday.  It was a wonderful time together and such a blessing to visit with special people and friends we haven't seen in a while!

--for life.  Sometimes situations serve as a wake up call, and I have been reminded I need to wake back up to how precious life itself is.  And to make the most of every second!

--for Lysa Terkeurst and her book, Unglued, and for my dear Dajuanna coming to me with the idea for a ladies' day based off of it.  That book and study time changed my heart and I am daily trying to increase my walking in grace, gratefulness, and gratitude... {and that we were asked to lead the same ladies' day at another congregation!}

--that our Thanksgiving will be pretty calm and fairly low key, but spent with all kinds of family and eating all kinds of yummies.  How can we not be thankful for that?

--for my precious and priceless gifts, Hunter and Arabella.  These two hold my heart and make this life ride SO much fun and refocus me during the un-fun times.

~Happy Thanksgiving from my little family to yours~

take time to be grateful today...and every day

love, angie

Memorial Day

I've had the privilege to tour the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery twice; the first time, Hunter and I were able to break from the group to visit the grave of a friend and fallen soldier.

Those moments hit hard.

Last night, we watched Zero Dark Thirty, the movie based on the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden.  When the scene came of the soldiers boarder the aircraft and then their sitting and waiting, knowing those might possibly be their last moments alive...I was really overcome with the gravity of these situations that these men and women volunteer to step in to.  And that they do it any way.  All I could say was that I could never imagine getting on that helicopter...or getting off of it...or walking into that building to meet who knows what...  But they did.  And they do.  And they will.
   

Those moments hit hard.

Touring the World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War Memorials in Washington DC...  Watching my students' faces as they take in what they're looking at...seeing them circle together and pray...seeing the gravity strike them.

Those moments hit hard.

Getting the call that one of your husband's close friends growing up has died in service...and then having to deliver the news to him.  Watching him grieve through that situation and not being able to do anything.  Seeing the family embrace their new vacancy.  Sitting through his memorial service when he was much too young to die.

Those moments hit hard.

So today as you celebrate Memorial Day, be sure to celebrate more than a day off or a family get together.  Celebrate the lives that were given for you and me.  Celebrate the families who are getting together even though someone is missing.  Give thanks for the service and recognize the loss.  Celebrate the bravery; celebrate the sacrifice; celebrate the freedom.

We cannot thank them enough.  But that by no means gives us reason not to try.

love, angie