Our Inspired Journey

I know I'm crazy...here I am sitting at my computer, writing a new post when in 8.5 hours, John I will be loading the kids and all our luggage in the car, driving to the airport, and boarding a plane to California. We have just wrapped up a beautiful whirlwind day of last days of school before Christmas for both boys, packing our bags and cleaning the house (that part is not so beautiful!), but I love the energy that accompanies these kinds of days. We're about to embark on another adventure as a family, and as tiring as getting there can be, the Lord has taught me to embrace the journey...it makes arriving at the destination all the more sweet!

I wonder if this is what it is like for crafty people like my mom, when they labor so tediously through a project. I'm sure there are moments she loves as well as those she pushes through, knowing the real treat is found at the end, when she gives her handmade creation to the one it's been labored over for...the one though of with every stitch...the one she had in mind before she ever began. Someday, I'd like to try my hand at a crafty thing or two, but for now, I'm am in the receiving stage as my mom lavishes this family with her gift of stitching, crocheting and quilting. I couldn't resist showing you what we were surprised with over Thanksgiving when my parents were here...

(all kinds of fun things to find in this quilt!)

Another one for Cole...

The boys showing them off on their beds...

Gramma and Ryder trying it out..looking for pictures hidden in the quilt!

And if that wasn't incredible enough...one for ME too!!!

I LOVE my all flannel, cozy quilt! The PERFECT thing for these cold IL winters!

There you have it...not one, not two, but THREE amazingly beautiful handmade with love quilts from my mom...we all feel incredibly LOVED and warm...the best thing is that it came straight from her hands and heart to us.

I wanted to mention two other friends I have that make incredibly beautiful, handmade gifts too...only these, (unlike my mother's quilts) you can buy to give you those YOU love! I love when those who are crafty share their gifts with those of us who aren't! For those of you like me...this is good news! We can still give unique, handmade gifts this year for Christmas (or any other time of the year)...even if it wasn't our hands that made it. :)

The first is my friend Anne, who has been such a blessing to me since moving to Illinois. She has 5 beautiful children, (including adorable twins Cole's age), and aside from being wonderfully crafty, she really loves the Lord in a beautifully authentic way that permeates every facet of her life...from the way she speaks to her kids, to the way she invites stray Californians like me into her home (which I usually find brimming with coffee) with all 3 kids in tow. Though I know she'd be the first one to say she's far from perfect, it's her humility I think I've grown most fond of as we stumble through this funny thing we call life as mothers together :) Check out her site! I'm sure you'll find something perfectly unique for everyone on your list, and half of all proceeds go to missions :) Good stuff!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadebyannepotter

The other crafty friend we have is one John grew up knowing! Laura has 2 adorable children, loves the Lord, and has started a business making beautiful baby items! I've given several of her items as gifts at baby showers and they are always a HUGE hit! If you have a mother of a baby on your Christmas list this year, anything off her site would certainly be appreciated by whoever that lucky mama is! Check it out...

http://www.fruitbabygoods.com/

There is no gift quite so special as the one that was made especially for you. This gets me excited to celebrate the greatest gift EVER given this Christmas...God gave it...to me and you. Jesus was sent especially for us, and there is no gift I recommend accepting more. If you know Jesus, give Him to someone you love this Christmas. If you don't know Jesus, ask someone who does, how the gift of God's son can become yours this Christmas. From God's hands to ours...it's NEVER gets any better than this! Thank you Lord, for sending your Son...