I Saw It On Pinterest

I have read blog posts that are not big on using that phrase. The idea is that Pinterest didn't do it, the blogger/original creator did/made/took that picture of that thing. I get that. But, I have been introduced to a LOT of new bloggers, new ideas, and products all because of Pinterest. So, I have to say, let's give credit where credit is due! You GO, Pinterest!

It is always good, though, to identify original sources and ideas. There is a reason Pinterest is so popular, and it's because of these original sources and ideas! All the creativity and information is amazing to me!

I guess I should've just called this post "Ode to Pinterest."

I have done some really cute things, some not turning out like they *should* and some that turned out better than I expected. I have used the basic concept of things and made it my own. I have printed out that free printable and have cute frame-able wall art for all seasons and occasions.

I love Pinterest.

I have had so much fun and comical moments because of Pinterest (and yummy stuff, too! And, not so yummy...).

I thought it would be fun to share the ups and downs of actually trying some of the stuff I have so much time pinning! It's fun, and I just want to inspire you to try out that new recipe or craft or decor or ingenious simple trick I wish I'd thought of first. (haha)

Since it's the start of summer, I wanted to share what we actually did tonight! Our old fire pit is rusted out and yucky. So, it had to go. Bye-bye Summer S'mores. Bummer.

Then, I came across this pin.

Nest of Posies to save the summer!!

Such a simple idea, so yummy, and cheaper than buying a new fire pit! And, fun!!

Her directions are great, so just click on her link up there, and you can have your very own table top s'more fire. I forgot about that little paver, but we will use that when we do this again.

Definitely cheaper than a new fire pit (although we have that coming up in our own little DIY), and not as messy (or HOT) as a big ol' firepit on an 80 degree summer night.

Honestly, I was a little scared I'd used too many bricks, and too big a pot!

 But, it went down pretty quickly.

 See, the fire went down to a nice little guy... No worries.

 Aren't those toasty marshmallows pretty? 

We had a lot of burned up ones, too! We're not picky!

See? They were LOVING it! 

They had just had a water balloon fight and playing with their squirt guns.

Then we topped the evening off with catching some lightning bugs.

I love summer.

Happy Monday!

SO oxymoron-ish.

I'm thankful for this new week, though. It's another day to enjoy my children, to learn and to grow as we teach each other and learn how to do life together.

We had an awesome weekend! Father's Day weekend was so much fun! Steve had the awesome idea to go to Cincinnati to the Bass Pro Shop. They were having a Children's Summer Camp kind of thing, with crafts and special activities.

Abbey as Pocahontas! :)

The Great Abbey and Daddy Shoot-Out!

(they tied!!LOL)

Abbey shot it in the bullseye area!

The guys working the shooting range were calling her Annie Oakley! 

They said she was the best shot they'd had that day!

Eli wanted no part of the shooting, bb gun or arrows... He wanted to fish!

All that out-doorsy stuff gave me the idea to make this for Father's Day. Warning: It is extremely addicting! By the end of the night, there were not even crumbs left! Even my brother-in-law Matt loved them, and he does NOT like chocolate, or s'mores... It's seriously yummy.

Here's a teaser in case you didn't click that link up there...

Oh, yeah, it's that good, folks. Amazing, really. 

It's a s'more without the fire and hassle. It's amazing. 

And, yes, Cuz Friends, I am taking this to Reunion this year.

I hope you all had fun celebrating the fathers in your life this past weekend. I sure did. I am so thankful for my Dad and my Husband, who I think are the best Daddies in the world :) I've been blessed with quite a few good men who have been Godly influences in my life, in the form of Uncles and cousins. 

Feeling Blessed, my friends, feeling very blessed.

A long, long time ago... there was a blogger named Mandy

I know, I know, it's been forever...

Sorry for being so sporadic... I guess since it's been so long, there's probably not anyone to apologize to! :)

I like picture to tell a story, so I will just leave you with a few to catch you up on how big my kiddos have gotten!!

Abbey finished her Math curriculum for her third grade year, a couple weeks ahead of schedule! (YAY!!)

Eli is a crazy daredevil! (YIKES!!)

I am working on a few projects, and am planning on posting about more homeschooling stuff, some pinterest try outs, and DIY's I've been meaning to get on here.

I haven't forgotten about my testimony, and I will keep sharing that, too. Life is so full and abundant right now, and I am feeling so blessed (and a little crazy). So, I guess it's not a bad thing to not blog because I've been too busy living life.

Edited to Add: I am going to start joining up with So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler's blog hop The Homeschool Mom's Journal. It has moved around a few times, but I finally found it again!! YAY!!

I was so excited to receive this book, "Lonestar Angel" from BookSneeze.com. I am a HUGE Colleen Coble fan!

"Lonestar Angel" is the fourth in the series. I had read the first three (either bought them myself, or got from the Library), so I was excited to come back and "visit" with old friends, and go on a new and exciting journey! 

I am a big stickler for "spoilers," and I don't like knowing TOO much before I read a book, so I will not give you a synopsis of the storyline. But, since I had read the first three of this series, I was prepared for a good "who-done-it." Just when I think I have guessed who is behind all the danger, Colleen points in a totally different direction! She is amazing at plot twists and turns. So great!

Here's a tip, though, for anyone going into this book without reading the first three: Even though, logically, you could get by without reading the first three, and jump right in at this book, I don't recommend it. Not that there is so much history needed before reading this particular book, but I always recommend and prefer reading chronologically through a series. I believe it gives the "returning" characters more depth, and since you've "met" them before, helps with caring about them in later books, too.

I highly recommend this series, and this book is a great addition to the series. I couldn't put my book down! That is usually the case with a Colleen Coble book, though. You've been warned! :)

*disclaimer* I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

My Story, Prologue

In the My Story series I've been wanting to do (aka: my testimony), it has been hard to find a beginning point because I am someone who needs a few background details to understand the current story. But, here goes. The beginning.

I cannot tell you how overwhelmingly blessed I have been feeling lately just thinking about all the people God has placed in not only my life, but the lives of my parents and aunts and uncles and grandparents. You see, we have all come to be the people we are because of who has come before us. And their choices, whether understood in the moment or not, have absolutely impacted our lives.

My Mom grew up in church, and her dad moved around a lot. They primarily lived in Kentucky, though, but had a lot of family up here in Ohio. And, because of my Papa's job, they lived here temporarily at different times during my Mom's childhood. When she was a young teenager at a summer church camp, she gave her life to Christ.

My Dad did not grow up in church. He had a prayerful Grandma, though, and lots of Aunts, Uncles and cousins praying for him and his brothers & sister. When my aunt was about 13 she went to a tent revival they held right down the road from where they lived, and she received Christ as her Savior there. Then, a girlfriend of hers invited her to go to church with her. A seed that could've gone un-watered became a thriving, growing plant! She would drag her brothers to church with her, but my Dad wouldn't go with her for the longest time.

One summer he went to stay with his Grandma in Kentucky. It was right after his Grandpa died, and he was there to keep her company and help her. Well, as it turned out, he DID go to church with Grandma, because, as he says, you just don't tell Grandma "No." It was an expectation that he would go to church with her! That summer, my Dad gave his life to Christ.

It's always neat to hear different perspectives about stories from you parent's childhood. I was talking with my aunt about this, and she told me what happened when he got back from spending that summer with Grandma in Kentucky. She said she was shocked when my dad told her he would go to church with them the next Sunday he was back. They got to church, and then he stood up and started talking. My Aunt said she was so nervous and shocked, she was worried about what he would say! He stood up and told the congregation what had happened to him over the summer, and everyone rejoiced. Except my aunt. She said she was so mad! (in a loving way, of course!) She thought she should've known before everyone else! (haha)

That same church is where my Mom & Dad met. We tell Dad that he chose a child-bride, and seriously now it would be frowned upon (it might've even then, but they won't tell me!). Dad was sixteen, Mom was 13. Before her Freshman year of high school she moved back to Kentucky, but that didn't slow down their courtship.

Obviously, they married and started having children... But that's for another day.

I just want you to realize, wherever you find yourself this moment,  there have been footprints of faith leading up to right now. People who have come before us, choosing God and His way, choosing obedience, sometimes when it was just blind faith. And, the One who has led them can and will also lead you. His way is never easy, but it is always the best.

My Story will be back next week. Thank you for reading!