Valentine's Day Party with a Purpose: Sharing the Love

I happen to love Valentines Day.  I LOVE love and love the reminder to set time aside to show those we love the most. Of course, it's easy to show our children how much we love them, but are we teaching them how to love others?  There are two things that 3-5 year olds totally understand: 1) Superheros and 2) wanting to feel loved. I'm a sucker for the children in children's hospitals and their parents, and it was easy to explain that there are children in hospitals that have real battles that they bravely fight every day, which makes them REAL Superheroes... and we want them to know they're not alone & they are loved.  We're so thankful to Henri's Bakery for hosting us and their ah-maz-ing treats.  Keep scrolling to find out what they were and see all the love-ly details.

Don't tell anyone... I pulled this off in 4 days... largely in part due to Paperless Post, which is my go-to for beautifully designed, customizable online invitations.  Pretty sure this step (which is pretty crucial - there's no party without guests) took a total of 10 minutes.

To be sure everyone was in the spirit, we started out with fun place settings for each child and of course just a little sugar. 

The good thing about children is that sometimes the simplest things are the best things, so I didn't overthink it with the drinks - the juice boxes were huge crowd pleasers.

Yes, those are candy bracelets holding the napkins!

These shortbread cookies were the perfect treat for the occasion because they're not messy like traditionally having cupcakes & I knew we didn't need sticky fingers for our craft we were about to make.  Did I mention how good they were?! We literally had to go buy an extra dozen.

The only thing I pre-made were the backs of the badges, which you can just print on cardstock, cut out with a 3.5" circle punch, and glue a pin to the top. 

Oh, and I pre-cut the strips of ribbon as well, easy-peasy.

Cupcake liners in order from large to small to keep it easy for the little ones to just go down the line and choose one color at a time.

We have the exclusive download for this version of the Love Never Fails print here!

This is the original print and was given to all the moms who took the time to bring their children to our little get together.  à la Sparke has the free download, along with a couple Valentine cards too!

You might wonder how it went when I told these 10 children (a few not pictured) what we were about to make was for other little boys and girls and not them, that we would have some push back... not a single one. All we heard were lots of questions about these little heroes & how they hoped the children would love what they made for them.

* "Love Never Fails print design: LovedBabyDesigns

A Transformation of Faith

I've kept myself from posting this for two reasons: (1) I felt it would be misunderstood that I thought my struggles were worse or harder than yours, so here's your disclaimer: I've decided to write this, not for my own pity or selfish desires, but the pull on my heart is that someone else might need to hear read this (in fact I know this & I know some of you, what you've been through & my heart aches for you... know that I love you).  In all honesty, I did not learn or come to this conclusion on my own, but from merely being a spectator of someone else's struggle (which was absolutely much tougher than mine), which brings me to my second reason: (2) I've had to mourn the loss of this person.  I celebrate the fact we knew him & he changed my life through what he called his journey, (not struggle - that's my word), but deeply mourn the fact that the Kraze will not know him, however hope they indeed will by what I hope to carry on through my life and pass down to them.

My journey still feels too personal to share the details with you - maybe full transparency will come with time - but I'll tell you my faith has been tested in insurmountable (to me) ways since the Kraze was born.  While I'm choosing to hold tight to the specifics for now at least, I'll share some thoughts I've had along the way...

• "Why when we ‘needed’ more did we all of a sudden have less?!" 
• "Lord, in the midst of feeling emotionally drained, I at least needed my health."
• "How could this be?!  Did I not pray hard enough?!"
• At this point, I wanted to stop asking why & was just angry.
• **In the midst of these struggles, we found out God had chosen not to heal the most Christ-like man we’ve ever had the privilege of knowing and calling our friend, Mack - "WHY oh why, God?!"

Mack's precious wife shared this verse months ago, which I needed at the time more than I realized, but wasn’t until later that I allowed it to penetrate my heart: “… In this you greatly rejoice, though now, for a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith OF GREATER THAN GOLD, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine, and may result in praise, honor and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

During this time, Zach and I continued to watch Mack's journey from afar and felt completely inadequate in our faith. We witnessed him never “growing weary in doing good… and not giving up”; he never wavered in his faith.  We heard him say more than once, "God is not mad at me. He loves me." Because of this witness, I’ve come to a place of thanking God for believing I’m stronger than I think I am and seeking the purpose in it all… His purpose.

So here’s what's been impressed upon me:

Your pain is probably not about you, but for the greater good, possibly of someone else.  Someone in particular whose life could literally be saved by turning to Jesus because of your story.  Isn’t that what happened on the cross?!  God didn’t allow Jesus  (who was truly perfect) to endure the pain & suffering of the crucifixion because He was being punished or because God didn’t love Him anymore (His own Son).  That very pain & suffering (sacrifice) is what saved the world… the ENTIRE world… if we’ll just accept Him.

Right now, I don’t know who our story will touch or how it could change lives, but my hope & prayer is that we’ll hear His calling and use it for good (hopefully to be a good example for my girls). My prayer is that I can be an example of how “hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40. 

I've titled this 'A TransformATION of Faith, not TransformED (past tense) because I'm still walking through this journey, one step at a time a little further down the path from Plans for Good.  I still don't have answers, I don't understand, but I now understand it's not about me... it's about honoring a God that loved me (and you) first by following in Jesus' and Mack's footsteps of allowing God to use me to transform lives... to bring people to Him.  

Casting Crowns new song, 'Just Be Held' speaks to this so well & I feel like I can relate to every word:

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong    as a mom this couldn't ring truer
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on

And when youre tired of fighting
Chained by your control
Theres freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

So when youre on your knees and answers seem so far away
Youre not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
Im on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

If your eyes are on the storm
Youll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
Youll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, youll understand
Im painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where youll find Me
And where you are, Ill hold your heart
Ill hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who wont let go

In honor of Mack, I'd love to share a few of my favorite ‘Mack Hannah Quotes’ that I will forever carry in my heart:

1. “I'm not your example bc I drop the ball more than I carry it but I can tell you my journey/experience / share my story.”
2. “Choose the next right thing.”
3. "I'm just a begger telling another begger where I found some bread."
4. "I don't want to do His job, I just want to do His work.”
5. "I'm not in competition with anyone but Satan.”
6. "I know I'm not what I should be, but I praise God I'm not what I used to be... one day at a time.”
7. "Never focusing on the past but looking ahead and focusing on the goal.”
8. “Because of Jesus, when I need someone to lean on, he's always there. Some may say it's a crutch, but when you’re crippled you need a crutch & I'm crippled.”

Kraze-isms

A Testament to the TWO SHADES

I should have started doing this a long time ago.  They've been saying "Aw man!" and "No way!" since they were 18 months old; but lately, they have really been cracking us up, and when people ask what they can say now, there is nothing they can't say!  I absolutely adore them coming into their own, so I just had to write these down and save them!

For those of you who know them (or think you do), see if you know who said what!

1. Climbing through the jungle gym to find the slide, to a total stranger: "Hey boy, help me." 
2. Only to me... almost every day: "I will always be your angel."
3. When she accidentally hurts someone: "I am so very sorry." If it's on purpose, good luck getting an apology.
4. "I'm a big giiiirrl ( beeg grrrr)!
5. "That is so sweet of you to share!"
6. When you say, 'What's up?' or What cha doing?': "I'm just here."
7. "You're a good friend, Mommy."
8. Affectionately to her daddy, or anytime she sees him, really: "Daddy's a big boy!"
9. If I get upset (even if I'm not crying): "Want me to wipe your tears?"
10. "It's ok... I'm right here."
11. "I'm workin' on it Mom"
12. She likes to smell things & say: "Mmm... That smells delicious (da-wish-ous)!" it can be a flower, food or a piece of paper
13. Whether you've offered help or not: "I do by self." yes, by self
14. "What cha doin' Dad?!"
15. EVERY time the wind blows: "My haircut's gonna blow away!"
16. Anytime something is shocking or exciting: "O. MY!"
17. "Mommy told you not to do that! You better listen to Mommy!"

Answers below...

 1. Zo 2. KR 3. KR 4. Zo 5. KR 6. Zo 7. Both 8. Zo 9. KR 10. KR 11. Zo 12. KR 13. Zo 14. Zo 15. Zo 16. KR 17. KR

St. Patty's Day Lucky Clover Craft

I'm finally getting around to sharing another craft project with you.  I haven't posted one since last Easter!

First, we started the day with a super complicated 3-element St. Patty's Day breakfast:

1. Green Banana Bread Muffins Should I trust you with sharing this recipe??
2. Green Scrambled Eggs - It's just food coloring people!
3. Bowl of Lucky Charms

You may think the green eggs look unappetizing, but Sam-I-Am actually thinks they're quite delectable and so does the Kraze!  

Here's what you'll need for your Shamrocks:

• Printer & Paper to cut out your silhouette
• Pencil & Scissors to trace & cut out your image
• Cardstock (holds the weight of the glue & paper better)
• Green napkins (what I had lying around the house) or tissue paper
• Mod Podge or any glue you'd like (for the crumpled version)

I cut my napkins into 1 inch squares (approx. - doesn't have to be exact) and crumpled them up. The rest is pretty self-explanatory.

Truth time: I did help fill in some gaps (again, they're 2... and I'm a bit of a perfectionist (AND I needed a completed project for the pictures right?!).  Does this make me a bad mom?  
Zoe did ask me to do her stem for her - which was before she insisted on UN-crumpling the paper and wanted it to lay flat.  She's actually much smarter than I am, because her version was much more age-appropriate than mine - her version took half the time of my crumpled version!

*Zoe's paper-mache version:

• After letting Zo put the paper all over, I turned it over & cut off the edges, so it would look like a shamrock again.
  
  
  
  
• I Mod Podged over the napkins as well & I'm super happy with the way hers turned out too.

At the end of the day, they are so proud of themselves.  Every time they look at their shamrocks, they say, "We made a craft!!" 

I especially love these because they are yet another example of experiencing the two shades of the Kraze (as mentioned in my First Blog Post Ever)!

Plans for Good

I am so blessed to be a part of and a leader for our MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) group this year.  Side note: this is a national group & if you're able, I highly suggest you find the closest one to you & get involved!  These fun, genuine, hilarious, supportive ladies have enriched my life beyond measure over the last year and a half.  Thank you!  

Earlier this week, I sent the email to our group recapping last Friday's meeting, but our prayer requests and personal situations as a group were weighing heavy on my heart, so I decided to start my email with the message below.  As this week has gone on, God laid on my heart that it's not just our small group of women, but every wife, mom and woman out there (& even men for crying out loud) who need to know this promise of hope.   Whoever is listening (reading) out there, I want you to know, this message is for you too...  

I am genuinely praying for each and everyone of us (and our loved ones) to Be Brave and not lose faith that God has plans for good, to give us a future and a hope.  He says if we look for Him wholeheartedly, we find find Him. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)  

Our sermon at church was based on this scripture this past Sunday, and the point that stood out to me most was that no one ever talks about the verse before (Jeremiah 29:10) because it puts a bit of a damper on v.11  "...after 70 years... I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised."  WHAT?! 70 years?!  But honestly, this gave me MORE hope... No matter how long our season of waiting to see that light at the end of the tunnel, God is still there and His promise remains.  Just a few verses before (4-7), He says to make a home where you are - plant gardens, multiply... do not dwindle away.  God truly convicted me here... Over the last couple years (coincidence that's about the time The Kraze was born? maybe, maybe not), I've said "When things get better" or "If only" far more times than I care to admit.  God puts us in our situations according to His perfect will (which many times I don't understand) & expects us to make the most of it and never lose sight of who is in control and to continue living with a grateful heart anyway!

It's a message many of us have heard time and time again, but you never know who needs to hear it (again) today.  So share it!

Hey!  We're all in this together.  In case you missed this awesome video floating around, (I need something engaging to make people want to visit & revisit my blog right?!) this is a call to 'no judgement' and to lay off each other (this goes for all women, don't you think?)  It's obviously geared toward moms, but come on ladies, we ALL need to have each other's backs.  #sisterhoodunite

Two Turning Two - What I Want You to Know

Your second year of life has been incredible to witness.  Rather than a year of milestones, it's been a year of firsts. I've been able to take a step back and watch you take on life, form an opinion and see your imagination grow. Our bond has begun to bloom into a friendship. Every night my prayer is of complete gratitude for every moment we share and every memory we make together and humbly asking for many MANY more years of them.

The ways I love you, amount of love I have for you and what you bring to my life are infinite.  There are so many things I want to teach you as you get older, yet there are a few things I just want you to know now...

• I'm so glad you happened to me.

• You are my favorite work of art.  God is a masterful artist and you are His masterpiece.
• "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."

• Each day brings many moments that make me utterly grateful to have daughters.
• Kara Rose, every night you stand on your stool and I brush your beautiful long hair is an intimate moment for me...
• Every 'Manicure Monday' when you excitedly run to my nail polish drawer and pick out just the right color for me to paint your tiny toenails - I cherish these moments that can only happen bc I have daughters.

• I hope you always look at yourself the way you do now, grinning from ear to ear the moment you see your reflection, knowing that's the reflection of the perfect miracle you are.
• "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full and well." Pslam 139:14

• I hope you always find joy in the little things like you do now.
• Zoe Drew, the way you look up at the moon in amazement, think you see Tinkerbell in the stars and don't pass by a flower without noticing, takes my breath away. Thank you for reminding me to revel in God's creation.

• I love witnessing you so confidently being you and not trying to be like your sister or anything other than who you are.

• You are so incredibly blessed to have a twin sister who can walk through life right by your side! 
• "Two are better than one... if either of them falls down, one can help the other up" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

• I've got sunshine on a cloudy day... What can make me feel this way? My girls!

A little look at a few of the firsts you experienced this year:

The day you took your first steps - one week apart!

You're first 5K

First time you picked out your own shoes. This is that opinion I was talking about - I love it!

First day facing forward in your car seats - you were amazed!

First boat ride - You weren't so sure at first, but "fast boat" became the topic of conversation for quite some time afterward

Your first firework show - Kara Rose, you weren't too sure about this & no one could make you feel safe like Daddy

First trip to Legoland - Do you see how silly you are?!

Zoe's first selfie - haha!
You love having your picture taken and taking pictures of others, always telling everyone, 'Say cheese!'

First time berry picking

First Braves game

First experience body surfing - For weeks after, you'd both say, 'Surf ocean!'

First day of preschool - I'm sure I cried more than you did. Just look at you - you're growing up so fast!!

First mani/pedis at the salon. 

Kara Rose, you loved every moment and held your little feet and hands out so perfectly still!

Zoe, you loved having pretty nails, just not sitting still to have it done! 

Aaaand, I just want you to see how much you love your sister at this moment - you girls care for each other more than I would've imagined any 2 year old is capable of. 

I love you bigger than the whole world!

~ Your Mommy