Link Love

homemade coffee creamers from here via Pinterest

It's been a while since I did a link love post!  Hope you enjoy reading what I've been reading lately.

Family
-Keeping Your Family Healthy During Cold and Flu Season (awesome post with tons of practical ideas)
-Life Your Way Printables (tons of resources to print out for a household binder)

-Why Would Anyone be Crazy Enough to Homeschool? (good post whether you're just starting homeschooling, thinking about it, or have been doing it for a while)

Inspirational
-No Good Apart from God (this post really encouraged me in contentment)
-When Worry Makes Me Wonder (very encouraging)

-God Will Never Give You More (a thought-provoking post)

For recipes and crafts that have been inspiring me, follow me on Pinterest!

Sunshine

Little Vera is so full of sunshine!  She makes us smile and say "awww..." absolutely all the time throughout the day. She has been liberally giving out hugs recently, which is so sweet.  She is enamored with her Daddy and misses him when he is away from home!

Vera has added several new words to her vocabulary, including cookie, baby, night-night, and belly button!  Speaking of belly buttons, she is quite fascinated by them and often lifts up her shirt to compare her belly button with mine (now popped out from Mango!) or Daddy's. 

We love watching her grow!

Week Twenty-Four

I'm happy to be at the beginning of my sixth month of pregnancy! I am very thankful for how well things have gone in this pregnancy.  I'm feeling well and still eating a LOT (healthy foods of course). 

We haven't started working on the girls' room (they'll be sharing a big room together), but we have lots of fun ideas for it and hope to paint it before Christmas. 

We haven't decided on a name yet, either! I know when we find the right one we'll both know.

My back still hurts some from the extra weight I'm carrying in the front, and I have to be careful when I pick up Vera that I'm not straining my back even more.

I continue to feel Mango move quite often, and that never stops being exciting!

Week twenty-four with Vera.

Dry Hands?

I struggle with dry hands, especially in the fall and the winter!  I just found a great new product that I am featuring on She {hearts} It today!

Read all about Carmex Skin Care here (and enter the giveaway just by leaving a comment)!

Also, today is the last day to enter the Diono Radian RXT Car Seat giveaway on She {hearts} It!

Back from Vacation

Tad, Vera, and I just got back from our family vacation! We spent 5 days last week in Myrtle Beach, SC, as well as 4 days in VA with my family. We had a great time and made so many wonderful memories! Can't wait to share all the pictures with you soon. We are glad to be home, though, and we are getting back into a routine again!

It's Not Too Early!

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Did you know Christmas is slightly over two months away?  It's not to early to be making definite plans for gift-giving, baking, and decorating!  I have my gift list completely filled out, several gifts bought, several gifts made, a baking plan written, and several batches of cookie dough (this one and this one, if you're curious!) made & frozen!

Here are some posts I have previously written about preparing for Christmas.  I hope you find them helpful as you plan!

-make a whimsical Christmas wreath
-holiday breakfast ideas
-ideas for the kid's table
-creative packaging ideas
-my favorite Advent book
-recipe for chocolate peppermint biscotti
-creating and preserving family memories
-how to use a Christmas planner
-an easy decorating trick
-printable gift tags
-use fresh holly in your decorating
-my Christmas mantle last year

To see what else is currently inspiring me, follow my Christmas board on Pinterest!

Happy planning!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I've been making my own laundry detergent since May of this year, and I thought it was about time I shared my "recipe"!  I got this recipe from Andrea, who has been making her own detergent for years.

I wasn't sure how I would like using this detergent, but after five months, I am positive I like it!  It's pretty economical and it definitely takes up less space than a huge box or jug (which is great, since I don't exactly have a laundry room).

For one batch, you need:
-1 cup super washing soda (I use Arm & Hammer brand)
-1 cup borax
-1 bar Fels-Naptha soap, finely grated (the only time-consuming part)*
   (note: the most recent time I made this, I used Zote laundry soap instead, and I like it even more!)

Mix all ingredients in a big bowl, then put in a large Mason jar!  That's it!  I use about 1 Tbsp. in each load of laundry, unless it is especially heavy (muddy clothes, etc.), in which case I'll use 2 Tbsp.  One batch lasts me about 4 months (and I do a LOT of laundry).

*I bought a grater at the Dollar Tree so I wouldn't have to use my cheese grater for this project.

Do you make your own laundry detergent?
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Week Twenty-Three

I've been feeling pretty well this week, though a little more tired than usual.  I'm still figuring out how to get comfortable at night (using lots of pillows!) so I can sleep well, but I'm sure I'll get adjusted soon.  My back still hurts occasionally, but it's doing better.  Mango has been active (particularly after meals and later in the evening), so that's been fun. 

We're thankful for such a healthy pregnancy so far!

Week twenty-three with Vera.

Blogiversary: Two Years

Today, two years ago, we first posted on this blog!  Our readership has grown from just a few family members and friends, to many wonderful people (we're now averaging 8000 unique hits a month), many of whom live all over the world!

Thank you, dear readers, for your support, comments, and love over the past two years.  We look forward to sharing our family with you for many more years to come!

While you're here, why not subscribe by email (see sidebar), follow with Google friend connect, and like us on facebook?  Your support in these ways helps us continue to bring great giveaways to Feathers in Our Nest!

celebrating our anniversary on Monday

Learning in Ministry

My mom sent me this audio file from Revive Our Hearts last week, and I thought it was especially encouraging so I wanted to share it with you as well.  In it, Nancy Leigh DeMoss shares ten things she has learned in the last ten years of ministry, and it is applicable for anyone regardless of what facet of ministry in which they are involved (mom, pastor's wife, etc.).

I really liked this part of the message:

You have pressure in your life; I have pressure in my life; we have pressures in this ministry. The fact is, we need pressure in order to grow and in order to serve the Lord and to be used in the ways that He wants to use us.

You’ve heard me say it this way over the years: Anything that makes us need the Lord is really a blessing. I’ve learned over these years that God is not so concerned about using me to build a ministry as He is about using the ministry to build my life and to conform me to the image of Christ, to make me into a true woman.

I’ve been so conscious over these years, when there are times of pressure and challenge and difficulty, that God is wanting to use those pressures to make me into more of a true woman who reflects and radiates the beauty and the grace of Christ.

You’ve probably seen this in your own life: The greatest growth happens in hard places.

Listen to the whole message (or read the transcript) here!

Two Years

Tad and I are celebrating our SECOND wedding anniversary today!  In some ways, it feels like yesterday that we got married, and in other ways, that day feels like a long time ago (maybe because we have a baby plus one on the way)!

Thought I'd share some never-before-seen-on-the-blog pictures from our honeymoon in Charleston!

 

 

Love you, Tad!

Fall Friendship Swap Box

Because Kristin hosted her Fall Friendship Swap again this year, I received a lovely box of goodies from Amber this week!  Edit: Psst... to see what I sent Amber, click here!

I was so excited by everything in the box.  Here's what was inside:
-a scarecrow
-a scarecrow tea towel
-an acorn oven mit
-two nail polishes, in pretty fall colors
-cupcake/muffin liners and cute little flags
-a packet of fall leaves
-a little "harvest time" plaque
-fall leaf ceramic salt & pepper shakers (so gorgeous!)

Thank you, Amber, for the sweet box!  And thanks, Kristin, for coordinating the swap this year!

Spaghetti Mess

Last night when I was baking in the kitchen, I was watching Vera out of the corner of my eye. I turned around for maybe a half a second, and when I turned back around to check on her she had pulled a box of dry angel hair spaghetti off the bench (we just grocery shopped yesterday so not everything was put away yet). I think the box just burst open when it hit the ground... or maybe Vera figured out how to open it herself. But she was completely surrounded by dry pasta, all pointing at her like little spears. She looked a little concerned about being "trapped"!

I hollered at Tad to please bring my camera so I could remember how cute she looked.

I'm glad it wasn't anything hard to clean up this time!

Week Twenty-Two

The last week went by so fast!  Mango is moving more lately and that is always exciting.  I've had a LOT of lower back pain this week, but I remember this happening around this time with Vera's pregnancy.  I'm not too concerned about it, since I know I won't feel like this forever.  I just use my heating pad occasionally and sleep with extra pillows for support.

Week twenty-two with Vera.

Diono Radian RXT Car Seat Review and Giveaway

Today on She {hearts} It I have the privilege of giving away a Diono Radian RXT Car Seat (ARV $305.99)!!  This is a HUGE giveaway and we are really pumped about it.

Hurry on over and enter the giveaway... you don't want to miss this one!

Beach Retreat: Wrap-up Photos

Had a few more pictures from the beach retreat to share... enjoy!

place settings using natural elements found around our beach house

fall/beachy centerpiece

Vera & Aunt Angela

left to right: Jessica, Vera, Bobbi/Grammy/Mom, me, Angela, and Stephanie (missing Missy, Mary, & Katie)

 Thank you, Maranatha M&M's, for letting me (& Vera!) join you on your beach retreat!

Beach Retreat: the Crafts

We made several Christmas crafts while we were on the retreat, which was really fun!  Stephanie showed us how to make these pretty angel ornaments using shells we collected on the beach.

 

 

We had such fun crafting together!  By the end of the week, we had made angel ornaments, a notepad holder, frosted candles, and fabric rosette rings or hair clips. Plus, we learned how to make sugar/salt hand scrubs!

Beach Retreat: the Food

We ate wonderful food while we were on the beach retreat!  Warning: do not read this post while hungry!

Before the highchair arrived, Vera sat in a big chair and looked so sweet! How adorable are those cheeks?

A highlight of the week was the Golden Spoon Competition - a "Chopped"-style cooking competition with mystery ingredients and courses. It was so fun!

First course... mystery ingredients: shrimp, baby bok choy, and lemons.  Dish: Shrimp & Baby Bok Choy Lemon Risotto in Lemon Cups!

Second course (the one I was a part of making)... mystery ingredients: top sirloin beef roast, basmati rice, and spaghetti squash. Dish: Coffee Encrusted Beef Roast served with a Coffee Reduction alongside Potatoes and Carrots; Basmati Rice Sauteed with Peppers & Onion; and Spaghetti Squash Tossed with Garlic Roasted Tomatoes, Parmesan Cheese, and Fresh Basil!

Third course... mystery ingredients: granny smith apples, pie pumpkins, and cocoa powder. Dish: Chocolate Sauce; Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip; Gingersnaps; and Granny Smith Apple Slices.

We were judged based on taste, presentation, and creativity.  The Golden Spoon Award this year went to the dessert team!

For lunch one day we all helped make pizza.  It turned out sooo delicious!

margherita pizza

veggie lovers pizza

shrimp & bacon pizza

Angela, Stephanie, and I made dinner one night and served Garlic Bread, Italian Tossed Salad, Parmesan Chicken, Pasta & Tomato Basil Sauce, Cranberry Spritzer (not wine, though it looks like it in the picture, lol), and Chocolate Trifle.

 

As you can tell, we did not go hungry that week!

Beach Retreat: the View

As I mentioned, last week I had the privilege of going on a ladies beach retreat with Tad's home church. They have a women's group called "M&M's" - moms and mentors - that actively practices Titus 2 in their church. It was a blessing to get to go and be around these sweet, godly women and receive teaching from God's Word!

To start off, here are some pictures of the view from our beach house.

 

 

I loved how different the sky and ocean would look each day (or at different times each day).

I'll share the rest of the pictures later today (three more posts coming)!

A Few Thoughts

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I have a lot on my mind today as I write this, so I thought I'd just share some of the verses that have been encouraging me lately.

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25

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"Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33 

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 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 

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God is faithful. God is good. God always provides. God never stops loving us!