My New Marker Board

For awhile, I've really been wanting a marker board for my kitchen. You know, to jot stuff down like...my endless "to-do" lists, weekly menus, etc. I am the type who searches and searches for the perfect thing for my home, so needless to say, it has taken me awhile. Finally, I decided just to make my own.

Realizing that glass makes a perfect dry-erase board, I found a big frame to use as my board. I found some patterned white fabric...to add dimension and texture...but so I can still read my writing (if my fabric was bright and full of pattern, I wouldn't be able to see the text as well).

I used the frame backing (cardboard) to wrap my fabric around. I pulled it tight around the edges and simply used masking tape to keep it from moving (any kind of adhesive would probably work fine). Then I put the backer into the frame and voila...my marker board! The frame even has a little ledge where my markers can sit! If your frame doesn't have a ledge, you can stick a piece of velcro on your marker and on the side of the frame. That way it is right there for you to use when you need it.

Road Trip to Round Top

What a day... The bi-annual famous Round Top weekend and I finally got together. It was bliss. From browsing through all the incredibly crafted pieces of furniture...to digging through to find a gem of a flea market find...to finding an old BINGO board that would look perfect on my shelf, it was a great day in Round Top! There were tons of amazing and old antiques, which reminded me of my Grandmother Bruner who had an antique store that I grew up around. That place was incredible. It was so full of incredible artists and collectors.

My friend, Whitney, and I made the trek to Round Top. It was a success! We both walked away with very cool reclaimed tables for our homes and some other goodies.

What can I say, I love the way this looks

with the paintbrushes displayed...

My table for our entry way!

Whit's table...rigged to the top of her car!

Our view on the way home...at least we could

tell if the table was still there or not!

Houston Children's Museum

Recently, it was FREE day at the museum. Yours truly was SUPER excited to get into the Children's Museum for FREE! Woohoo!!! I love (most) things that are free! So off we went...

He was excited...

They have a cool TOT spot for his age,

and boy, did he love the cars. They had radios,

horns, and much more that made noises.

Great for a 2-year-old.

Learning how to unlock the door.

See if you can figure this pic out...

It's not in a wall...

...It's a plexiglass floor.

"Look, I see Daddy!"

Driving the car...again.

A fun day at the museum. It seemed that everyone got the word on the FREE day...we'll have to go back again when it's a little less crowded. Overall, though, well worth it.

A Beautiful Day on the Lake

This past weekend, we went over to the Dewhirst's house to celebrate Sharpe's 2nd birthday. It was a beautiful day, and we had the chance to go out on their boat. It was a beautiful day on the lake! Brayden wasn't so sure what to think of the speeding boat, but he grew to love it. He especially loved it when a train crossed the bridge, and he got the conductor to blow the horn for him.

We "beat" the train in a race!

Paci Time

He loves his pacifier. We've gotten down to just using it at night, and to be honest, it is about time to get rid of it entirely. But for now...he loves it. He gets so excited when he finds one during the day and can sneak a minute or two with it before mom finds out. He also especially loves it when he finds multiple, and then he sees how many he can fit in his mouth...

Hilarious...

Brayden is constantly moving around when he sleeps. We have many moments of cracking up when we go into his room to check on him, only to find him in a crazy position while sleeping. Tonight would have to be on the top of the list. Seems like he's been dreaming of Kung Fu fighting!

God First

This year, I'm doing a Women's Bible study called Bible Study Fellowship. We're studying the book of Isaiah this year, and it has proven to be an amazing challenge and time of growth in God's Word after just the first three weeks!

Today, after BSF, we got home and were eating lunch. I was talking to Brayden about what we learned today. (They have an amazing children's program of BSF during my Bible study, and they learn the same thing the adults are learning. It is wonderful!) I had made his lunch and put it on the table. He had already started eating, while I was finishing making my lunch. When I sat down, we continued to eat and forgot to pray. Anyway, I was telling Brayden how we learned today to put God first in our lives. Without hesitating, he said, "Mommy...pray." So there, in the middle of our lunch, we prayed and thanked God for our food and asked Him to help us put Him first in our lives. He gets it. I love it that my 2-year-old is learning this truth to put God first. He knows that we usually pray before each meal, and he knew that it was something that we needed to do. It's amazing that even he can teach me and remind me to keep God first in our lives.

Fall Riot 2010

WOW...what a night! Wednesday night, we had Fall Riot for our HS & JHigh. It was a high energy night with over 1900 students and leaders packed into our Worship Center. The night began with an incredible dance crew, cheer squad, KHS drum line, and illusionist. But that wasn't what we were really there for. The night concluded with my incredible hubby Jonathan bringing a message that challenged the hearts of students. He shared how we all have a gap in our lives that we can't cross apart from the grace and forgiveness that comes through Christ.

God truly blew us away with His abundant grace when 337 students responded and made a decision for Christ. WOW! I am blown away! It is so exciting each and every time when He draws people to Himself. We ended the night with a baptism service and 89 of those students chose to follow Christ's example in baptism. What an amazing time to see students putting up their flag for Christ and showing they are on His team. SO EXCITING!!!

I believe God is doing a work in our community, and I am so excited for every student in that room who now belongs to Christ! I can't wait to see the ripple effect of that, and we believe that many more will come to Christ because of that night and the life changes that happened!

THANK YOU, LORD!!!

Dance crew - AMAZING!

Jonathan speaking.

The Worship Center as Jonathan was speaking...INCREDIBLE!

What a Great Weekend!

This weekend was so great! Let me just start with that. I am so blessed.

When we moved to Houston 6 years ago, we knew we were moving away from family. We knew we were beginning our life as a newly married couple and essentially starting our own family. Each time we get to see our families, it is cherished. This weekend, we were so lucky that my mom came into town. It was special, because she came to take care of Brayden so that Jonathan and I could attend our church's marriage conference - Love & Respect.

It was great to see my mom and get to spend some moments with her. But one of the other reasons it was so great, is that it allowed Jonathan and I to grow in our marriage this weekend. I love it that both Jonathan and my parents constantly urge us to grow toward Christ on our own and together as a couple. They are an inspiration to us of walking with Jesus, and we hope that we can grow into a team - loving each other and parenting - like they do.

This weekend at the conference, it was full of moments that taught us how to know each other more - to pay attention to the needs of the other. I learned that respecting my husband is his greatest need...and I DO greatly respect him, and I'm definitely learning how to show that more. It was so unique learning the differences, how a wife needs love the most and a husband needs respect. When we learn to give that to each other, God abundantly honors and blesses the marriage. I highly urge anyone who can attend this conference to go...it will radically change your thinking and your marriage.

...and thanks so much, Mom, for coming and spending the weekend here with us! Brayden LOVED playing catch for hours with his Mimi!

Pic of the Day

We're busy hanging out with Mimi while she is here. We're so lucky to have my mom in town this weekend. She came down this weekend so she could hang out with Brayden while Jonathan and I are at our church's marriage conference - Love and Respect. We're so thankful for her coming down, and we're excited to see all God does this weekend to teach us and grow us in our marriage!