Blurb Book Update & Promo Code!

So do you remember a few weeks ago when I posted about the awesomeness that is Blurb?

Well I thought it might be nice to do a little follow up post so you could see how my book turned out. Because, well...I kind of love it. A lot.

I made a hardcover book and it is darling - there are so many design/layout/material options, I could have spent days debating between them all! 

The photos I used were a combination of photos from my "real" camera & photos imported from Instagram

They do a little auto layout of the photos for you, but it's easy to switch them around & play with it until it's perfect (which I recommend, if you don't want to pay extra for additional pages)

Oh hello, cute Easter bunny :)

So, there's the final product! For being the wonderful, gracious readers that you are, head over to Blurb now and get 25% off a photo book, any size, with code HelloSummer (good through 5/31/12)! Enjoy :)

compensated affiliate links used

Fancy Friday: BBQ Time!

I'd like to invite you join me in a fun linky party over at LoveFeast Table today :)

Step 1: write a blog post on the following theme:  What 12 Guests would you invite to your table for a BBQ?

Step 2: link it up over at LoveFeast Table on May 24th (http://lovefeasttable.com/blog)

Step 3: Send me an email at crystal {dot} stine {at} gmail {dot} com and let me know you linked up! 

Everyone who links up will be entered to win the Link Up Featured Product! This month you could win Metal Wine Charms {because backwash from other people is icky. don't lose your glass!}.

You really will win. I won last month. {grin} Do it! Do it! Yay!

BBQ Guest List

I'm not sure how the lovely ladies over at LFT knew about my love for a good BBQ. My sweet, amazing husband is pretty incredible with everything he cooks, but the smoker...oh that's his baby. We're even planning a trip to a local event in the fall called "Smoketoberfest" so he can talk to local experts and upgrade his Walmart smoker to one that looks like R2D2. Or a big metal egg. Or my favorite EOS chapstick. Take your pick :)

Anywho, that's a little background to tell you that we love a good BBQ around here. The gift of hostessing is not something I think I'm gifted with, however, so it's always a bit of effort to put on the fake extrovert face when we have a house full of people. The key? Playdates! Everyone focuses on the kids, the small talk comes naturally, the guys play ladder golf & talk sports, it's a win win. Oh and we eat. Like it's going out of style. 

So who would I invite to a BBQ? I'm not counting hubs & little in this list because I think it goes without saying that they would be there. And our friends/family/coworkers are always welcome. And the lovely ladies at LFT are a given {wink}. So I think I'll go for the ultimate wishlist - some bloggers/writers I love!

The List, in no particular order

1. Maggie, from Gussy Sews

2. Lisa-Jo, the Gypsy Mama

3. Sarah Mae 

4. Holly Gerth

5. Beth Moore

6. Jessica Turner, the Mom Creative

7. Ann Voskamp

8. Kristen Welch, We Are THAT Family and Mercy House Kenya

9. Kelly Minter

10. Hayley Morgan, the Tiny Twig

11. Sophie Hudson, Boomama

12. Jessica Heights

Oh I could go on and on! And of course they could all bring their kids/loved ones. And we could eat yummy BBQ, sit on a big quilt in the backyard with the littles running around, talking about loving God, blogging, having hearts for encouragement, and laughing. Lots of laughing. And Nutella. My treat :) 

Who would you invite to a BBQ?

Through New Eyes

She is so beautiful!

Look at those big brown eyes!

What a sweetheart!

She's so happy all the time!

What a gorgeous smile!

She looks just like YOU!

When it comes to my daughter, I agree with every single one of those statements. But to think them about myself? Gorgeous eyes? Oh, these old things? I can't even see without contacts. Beautiful smile? Thank God for braces! So beautiful? You must be looking at someone else.  I would never criticize Madison's looks they way I pick mine apart in the mirror, and yet she really is the spitting image of me, just little. My insecurities with how I look (and many others, enough to have a whole series on this blog) have always been a major source of emotional turmoil in my life. Never skinny enough, never pretty enough, never had "her" hair or long legs or ... or ... or ....

I've tried Bible studies, working out, buying new clothes/make up/teeth whitener/diets. The voice in my head that said "not good enough" was still there. After exhausting everything in my own power to rid myself of that particular insecurity, God has started a transformation in my heart using the one person He knew I would believe. In His infinite wisdom, He created for us & blessed us with a daughter who just happens to be a little version of me. While I was trying to fix it all on my own, I was stuck in a rut, still seeing myself through my own flawed, critical eyes and leaving room for the enemy to breed doubt and envy as I compared myself to others around me. Now I'm forced to see the attributes my daughter has inherited from me through eyes of love - and not infrequently, as those features are pointed out to me by friends, family, coworkers & strangers nearly every day. While it was incredibly awkward at first, I'm learning to graciously accept the compliments rather than brushing them aside with a self deprecating joke. My heart heals a little more each time in a way I never expected. Blessings upon blessings. 

She's beautiful - she looks just  like her mommy!

Thank you. She is beautiful, isn't she?  

Gibberish

"...I'd rather say five words that everyone can understand and learn from than say ten thousand that sound to others like gibberish." 

1 Cor. 14:19, MSG

I've been writing this blog for a few years now. It's been off and on with seasons of plenty and seasons of famine. I've struggled with being a small blogger, comparing myself to the women I wish I could be. I've written about marriage, children, crafts, home decor, product reviews, book reviews, Bible studies, vacations, sadness, celebrations, and everything in between. I don't have a niche, unless my niche is simply "life." I write what's on my heart. I write because God has given me the gift of words and my heart demands that I use them. 

But has it all been gibberish? Thousands of written words on this blog, but who do they glorify? Who am I trying to please? Why do I write? 

According to the banner image at the top of my page, you would think the answer would be easy. But I'm human, and I've failed. I've written out of jealousy, to prove that I'm better than someone else. I've written to try to grab the attention of the "big" bloggers I adore, crafting words to appeal to them. I've been scared to write posts because of who might read them, ignoring the tug God has put on my heart to share. I write to keep up with "her" or to participate in the popular link up. 

I know it's not all gibberish. There have been moments of glory, with God lifted high. These blog posts? They are my Ebenezer, recording the faithfulness and mercy of a loving God. But in the thousands of words, how many would lead you to learn about the grace of a God who calls us to be His sons and daughters?

The prayer of my heart is that God would use this blog for His will. Fewer words for me, more for Him, in a way that is honest, true, and a reflection of my heart. I just want to shine for Him. Imperfection, gibberish & all. 

Wardrobe Redo

I don't know if you ever have this issue. The one where you stand in the middle of your closet, surrounded by clothes and absolutely can't find a thing to wear. A first world problem, for sure. It's something I've struggled with as long as I can remember - the internal debate about what to wear that I'll feel good in, look good in, will be appropriate for everything I'm doing that day, and isn't the same outfit I've worn 100 times that month. 

Clothes & I have a very awkward relationship. I love clothes. I like shopping, I like finding a good deal, and I like having something new to wear that makes me feel pretty. But lately - after some unreasonable freaking out over how I look in the clothes I have, God has put on my heart that I need to stop letting my clothing run my emotions. 

It's just fabric. And sometimes a style/design just won't look good on me. And that's not my fault. 

Thinking I'm brilliant for coming up with that? I can't take any credit at all. God has used social media to introduce me to wonderful writers who have written e-books full of encouragement. Here's one example: my heart was in need of healing from some major self esteem issues, and everywhere I looked online I kept seeing references to Hayley Morgan's book, "The No Brainer Wardrobe." 

I'm only maybe a third of the way through and the thing is underlined, starred, dog-eared, and loved. I've been able to step back and look at my clothes for what they are. Garments made for various occasions to cover this body God gave me.Which is awesome. Since they are kind of mandatory for my job...and not getting arrested in public {grin}. 

My goal over the next few months is to carefully go through my current wardrobe, keep what I love, donate what I don't need/want, and begin to recreate a wardrobe that I want to wear. I want to wake up every morning excited to choose an outfit, knowing that I will be able to find appropriate, comfortable, happy options for whatever the day may need. And I want to do it on a budget that works for my family. Do I want to buy every cute new thing at Target? Yes. Always have. Probably always will. But through this process God has also revealed that shopping, for me, is an idol. I use it to fix my mood, distract from a bad day, celebrate a good day. 

Guess what I discovered the other day? With a goal in mind - a specific list of wardrobe items and a budget in mind - I could walk straight by the clothing section at Target without feeling remorseful or resentful that I couldn't afford to buy anything. It didn't fit the plan, so it didn't happen. And when I was at Ross trying on clothes? When it didn't look right - I didn't get depressed. It wasn't my fault. It just didn't fit. And I moved on, purchasing fewer items but pieces I loved. 

So Hayley, thank you. Thank you for giving this mama a reason to pack away the maternity clothes. Thank you for being an answer to prayer :) 

Do you struggle with your wardrobe? What are your tips for creating a No Brainer Wardrobe? 

PS you can purchase Hayley's ebook by clicking here! 

Undefined

I don’t always recognize the woman I see in the mirror. How did she get to this place? Who is she? What is her purpose in life? Motherhood has done that, stripped me of my former identity that felt so sure and right and easy....


I'd be honored for you to read the rest over at Joyful Mothering today :)

in(RL) Round 2!

Want to relive the amazing (in)courage (in)RL conference? Weren't able to attend the conference and want to see what all the hoopla was all about? Saw it, loved it, want to share it with a friend/small group/women's group?

Yes. I said hoopla.

You can now purchase the complete DVD set & study booklet over at DaySpring Cards Inc. Aren't they awesome? There are a few options for purchase, the physical DVD & booklet are only $25 or you can watch online & receive an e-booklet for just $15. Win. Win. You can get the rest of the details by clicking the image below, or the one to the right ------------------------------------------------->



compensated affiliate links used. opinions regarding the awesomeness of Dayspring and (in)courage are my own. they rock. amen.