We never got a proper Thanksgiving picture as a family of six, but this one will have to do. We were always running late to the family get togethers we went to and when we got there, it was immediately filled with lots of busy and eating. Still we made sure to get one in this weekend, even if it wasn’t on Thanksgiving day. This still marks the occasion and the special milestone as a family of six. And cause we are a family of six, it is hard to get everyone perfectly still and smiling, but I think this one describes our season of life exactly.

Hope your Thanksgiving weekend was just as swell!

This Thanksgiving was extra special because we got to spend it with both our families. Our hearts are filled with lots of thanksgiving everyday for everything God has done. God is really so good!

Things we are thankful for…

– Our little Glow. She makes our days brighter.

– God’s constant forgiveness and patience with us. We fail so often, yet his love remains steadfast and unchanging.

– Our temporal good health.

– Family and friends who we love and sometimes fight with. God uses all our relationships to love and depend on him even more.

– Christ’s redeeming work he did on the cross for my behalf. I am so undeserving.

I can’t say that my heart is constantly filled with joy and thanksgiving because I get frustrated and complain too often, but I am asking God to grow that part of me.

Hope your every days are filled with thanksgiving and joy!!!

We spent last night at my mom’s house filling our tummies with turkey and stuffing and we are soon headed off to Ben’s cousin’s house to do more of the same. For all you stateside folk, Happy Thanksgiving and to all others, I am thankful for you too!

Then, tomorrow the insane shopping crazies begin. I am not really brave enough to join in on the fun, but I don’t mind joining in online. I already started off by getting this dress (will probably use a belt I already have) and these shoes for my Christmas outfit, and just need some pretty necklace to spice it up. It was such a great deal and couldn’t resist a simple, pretty black dress. Anyone headed out to do some shopping tomorrow?

I often get the email asking, “How do I grow my blog?” There is no exact recipe or answer. That really is a tough question. My friend Danni and I talk about that all the time. I think you can’t go into blogging thinking you are going to be making a ton of money from it. You don’t. Unless you are the lady from Dooce that you may hear about, but well, she is in a whole other league. I say if money is your goal, you aren’t going to last very long. I remember reading a while back from a very seasoned blog that the appropriate number to start asking for sponsors was when your daily readers were over 4,000. Now, you ask, “So how do I get there?” and I still don’t have a real answer for you. The main thing is don’t make money or your amount of subscribers your goal. That will make blogging an obsessive chore and it takes the fun out of it.

The biggest thing I say is make friends! That has been the most wonderful part of this journey! Seriously. I can still remember the first friends I made in this space and they have seen my family grow from 4 to 6 and I have seen theirs grow as well. The friends you make online make everything worth while. The blogosphere is a place full of kindred spirits. People who may get your love for a sewing machine, knitting needles, or polaroids just as much as you do. Friendship has been the most amazing part of this journey. Use blogging to help you find your kindred spirit.

Second, be real. Don’t do things just to please others, but do what you feels right for you. I love sharing the crafting, the shopping, my love for vintage, and all the happy moments. But sometimes what people need to hear about the hard moments too. They want to know that they aren’t alone in the craziness of their day to day lives. That people behind the pretty pictures have messes just like them. For me, I want everyone to know that I am just as messy as the next. I have good days, but I have plenty of bad days too.

Lastly, take good pictures. Pictures make all the difference in the world! The first thing that pops out to someone when they visit a blog are the pictures. While most of us probably love reading, in blog world, pictures are usually what captivates people’s interest first. Try not to use the flash, make sure they are clear, and use the rule of thirds sometimes!

Again, I am no pro, but these are just the tips that I have found to be most helpful. Blogging is so much fun, so if it ever starts feeling like a chore, take a break and re-evaluate why you do what you do. So friends, find your kindred spirits, keep it real, and take lots of pretty pictures! Happy blogging friends!!!

Thank you Casey for letting me share my little tidbits! And I hope you all will come say hello over here sometime!!! xoxo

Every mom knows that every morning you just wake up and go. You can’t call in sick, there is no day off, it is just go, go go! I love my children and my husband, but there also came a point when I just kinda froze. I was filled with lots of frustrations, the girls were fighting, nothing was getting done, and I just felt overwhelmed. I like to call this my mommy meltdown (can read one here). The first time it happened, I was just tired and and had a lot of frustrations which just boiled up, then leading to a much needed cry fest by myself, on my bed. Then came the realization that I was going about my days ignoring God and failing to depend on him for strength, and just trying to handle it on my own. It wasn’t a new truth to me, but an easily forgotten one. Even now, I still forget to include God in my everyday and usually those days go over like a big ginormous mess. Not fun. So for me, the biggest lesson learned is I can’t do it. I really can’t. Since I can’t do it, I just need to surrender and give it all to God. Daily.