Making memories that count.

Summer is almost over....I can't believe it! This summer has flown by for our family for sure. At times, I have caught myself running hectic through each day trying to get all the " things" done that "need" to be done in a day...can anyone relate?!

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves and teach our children that some of the best memories every are those of moments....not things. The moments are what we always remember, isn't it? I know I do! I want my children to remember our family moments of praying around the table, playing card games late into the night, and sitting around a bonfire giggling and sharing stories!

This is a great tool that literally takes about the time it would take for you to check your facebook, to print off and put together....and boom!.....moments ready to cherish forever. One of my favorite things about this link below is that it takes all the hard parts of being creative away and just helps me spend time with my family! Because sometimes I am crazy busy running after my 6 children that I want to have special moments but I am just to tired to think how to do it! This takes care of that part for me :)  I love that!!
 I love spending quality time with my family. I love that we're free from the distractions of daily life. I love campfires. I love s'mores. I hate getting ready for camping. I'm absolutely positive we would go camping more if the packing process wasn't such a pain. There's just so much to remember! Packing everything from the food to essential tools to ways to keep the kids busy makes for a stressful day, but I think we're finally going to get outside and camp more because I found this really useful printable pack from The Dating Divas. Their Family Camping Trip Kit is going to make it so much easier to get everyone and everything ready for some family bonding in the great outdoors!

If you want to camp more with your family and make it easy, this set is perfect because with the Family Camping Trip Kit, you get:

Camping Binder with a packing checklist and to-do list.
Camping Menu to make meal planning easy.
Camping Games for some fun family bonding around the campfire.
Scavenger Hunt to keep the kids entertained around the camp site.
Campfire S'mores Kit to make the BEST part of camping an even bigger treat!

One of the best things about camping is that it's an inexpensive getaway for anyone. So if you're ready to plan a stress-free trip for your family, grab the Family Camping Trip Kit today!
Can't get away somewhere...that's ok! Because you just go into your backyard or front yard...and boom! Camping is done!

Our family may not be wealthy or take dream vacations to anywhere in the world....but we do take time to stop and create moments with each other that we will all remember for all of our lives. And it's worth it....this is truly the only way to slow down time....but being fully present and engaged in the moment....and then the moment just kind of wraps itself around the heart and stays there forever.

I hope you enjoy this link! I would love to hear your feedback on it if you try it!

http://thedatingdivas.affiliatedash.com/a/FCTP/beautifulheart

 
   

Written by hand....and heart.

In our tech savvy world where everything is online or by text or email....where our children capture their memories on facebook, twitter, instagram or snapchat just to name a few....we have somehow lost the beauty of writing.

We have forgotten the joy or running to the mailbox and getting that special letter from a special someone. And we have missed out on sitting around and looking through old photos of family and friends and then spending hours creating photo books and special scrapbooks that we cherish always.

It's easy to do....but we can also slow time down by simply being in the moment and writing a simple note. It can be a sweet thought or it could be a favorite memory. It could be an encouragement or so many other things....things that grab a hold of our heart and just sink in. Taking the time to sit down and write a note to someone doesn't just bring joy to the one receiving that note....but the one writing it is taking time to sit...think...write...be. It means they have taken time away from our always busy schedule to think about someone else. It means that they will have something to hold onto and read again and again and even pass on to their families. The smallest note can bring huge amounts of joy to someone's heart.

I still have notes and letters from many years back that my girls love to pull out and read. I still try to write my girls and my husband handwritten notes...but if you struggle to do this and don't even know where to start....this is for you!

I hope you enjoy this super fun link :)

http://thedatingdivas.affiliatedash.com/a/OWLKFP/beautifulhea

<a href="http://thedatingdivas.affiliatedash.com/a/OWLKFP/beautifulheart"> <img src="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Open-When-Letters-for-Kids-Rectangle.jpg" alt="Open When Letters For Kids" data-pin-url="http://thedatingdivas.affiliatedash.com/a/OWLKFP/beautifulheart" data-pin-description="" /> </a>


   

Do you see?

What do you see Father?

What do you see when you look at me?

What do you see when you look at them?....at us?

Do you see our pain and agony?

Do you see our raw savage ugliness?

Do you see deep into our hearts?

Do you see the longing for sin that pulls us over and over again.....

Do you see the tears flowing down as we carve out another scar?

Do you see the shoulders heaving up and down from sobs so deep?

Do you see past the fake smile and into the scar-ridden heart?

Do you see beauty when looking on my face?

Do you see worth?

Do you see a slave or someone free?

Do you see my chains that held me so tightly?

Do you see a face smeared with dark shadows?

Or do you see a face rinsed free?

Do you see?

Do you see a son or daughter who throws themselves at Your feet?

Do you see a heart redeemed?

Do you see the cross on which You gave Your all for me?

Do you see...all of me?

Do You see the broken pieces....and still love me?

How can this be?!

How can your eyes light up so much when you come near me?

How can your heart long after mine?

How can you speak such truth into my heart, the way you do....

Your grace....your grace.....it covers me.

It covers my pain and my dark secrets.....

It reaches into the most brokenness of places....and covers me.

Your grace.....will I ever understand it?!

Can you teach me Father please?

Help me to see....

the way that you see.