Though we didn’t have an elaborate party to celebrate our baby girl’s first birthday, we did take some fabulous photos to help preserve our memories of the occasion. We own an excellent, easy-to-use DSLR camera (Cannon EOS Rebel T5), so we decided to take our own photos of our daughter’s first encounter with cake instead of hiring a … [Read more...] about DIY Cake Smash Photo Shoot
projects and crafts
Rampant Reusing: License Plates
As I changed the license plates on my car a few weeks ago, it occurred to me that I’ve gone through several sets of plates in the last decade and a half. There has to be something creative I can do with the old plates instead of tossing them in the trash or letting them collect dust in a storage shed. Indeed, there are a number of … [Read more...] about Rampant Reusing: License Plates
Making Temporary Housing Feel Like Home
After a somewhat arduous move across the country, my family is finally settling into a temporary residence. We’re blessed that we’ve been able to begin searching for a new house right away because our previous one sold quickly. However, until we complete our search, we’re residing in a small apartment. Many of our possessions are in … [Read more...] about Making Temporary Housing Feel Like Home
Make Your Own Breastfeeding Necklace
Like many infants her age, my daughter has begun wiggling, poking, tugging at my hair, and pinching while she nurses. Though these behaviors can be a bit frustrating, they’re a good sign—they’re completely appropriate for her age and show that she’s on track developmentally. Be that as it may, how can I get her to settle down and eat? I’ve … [Read more...] about Make Your Own Breastfeeding Necklace
Building a Home Management Binder that Works for You
Over a year ago I set out to create a home management notebook. It’s taken me far too long, but I’ve finally completed this task! Why did it take so long? Sometimes I found myself dragging my feet (you’re mistaken if you think I write posts about things like laziness because I think you need to change…I write these posts because I need … [Read more...] about Building a Home Management Binder that Works for You
How to Sew Simple Rod Pocket Curtains: A Tutorial for Novices
When my husband and I purchased our home two years ago, we went in search of curtains. I was surprised at how pricy they were! Though I have very rudimentary sewing skills, I decided to purchase fabric and sew my own. Now that we are furnishing a nursery, I purchased some cute fabric and pulled out the sewing machine once again. Rod … [Read more...] about How to Sew Simple Rod Pocket Curtains: A Tutorial for Novices
Christmas in July: Going Green with Christmas Cards
I really enjoy sending and receiving Christmas cards. Unfortunately, the amount of paper and energy it takes to produce traditional Christmas cards means they’re not particularly green. In today’s installment of Christmas in July 2014, we’re going to look at some environmentally-friendly ways to send Christmas greetings. Be sure to catch the … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Going Green with Christmas Cards
Welcoming New Neighbors
A “For Rent” sign recently went up in the window of a nearby house. This means we’ll likely have new neighbors moving in soon. I’ve noted previously that Americans have experienced a decline in their sense of connectedness with their neighbors. If we are to carry out the Biblical command to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40), then we … [Read more...] about Welcoming New Neighbors