When I write lately, I find myself feeling closer to God than I can get anywhere else. Typically reading scripture and songs do it for me, as well as nature but they just don't seem to cut it. Perhaps that is why I feel like I'm falling apart at every turn and bump along the way. God keeps pulling me to writing and I read mind numbing pointless words on a screen instead. I feel like a wreck and I cannot get a grip on piecing myself back together. Everything is so beautiful but my lack of joy makes it incomplete. I keep reading "choose joy, choose joy" and know that it is a choice. 

Nothing can give you true joy but God and with that comes a choice. CHOOSE JOY. No other methods of numbing the anger or pain work, except making a deliberate choice to be joyful despite the situation, with God's help, of course. Despite the fact that your daughter is whining in the doctor's office during your son's visit and not listening in the slightest. Despite the fact that while leaving the public bathroom, which was a gamble in it of itself seeing as it was you who needed to be relieved, your daughter bursts in to full on hysterical tears after being kindly asked to sit back in her stroller and the lady outside gives you a look, since it sounded like you just beat her instead. It is choosing joy when you are almost in tears and tell your husband it has been a trying morning and he accuses you of trying to cut him off of coffee, since during that trying morning you overlooked it on the list while your daughter is guiding you through the store and you are praying there is not another melt down in sight. 

It is choosing joy when life gets messy and you feel like you want to fall apart and find yourself wondering why you have to choose joy to begin with. Why God can't send down some joy dust and in response you would start dancing with some hallelujahs. But that isn't a choice. The choice is easy when all the ts are crossed and the is are dotted and the kiddos are down for a nap at the same time for just a teeny bit and you feel like you will be able to survive the rest of the day. 

The choice is when it is hard. When the house is a disaster, you have a million errands to run and a mile long, well maybe not a mile long but close, to do list and your kiddos don't seem to be on the same page and putting shoes on apparently is a big deal. It's in those moments that God whispers, yes it is whisper because if he yelled I think I may just loose the rest of my marbles that are strung all over that mile long to do list, choose joy. 

Decisions happen in the moments and it is in each of those moments that you have to decide who you want to be. Do you want to be the joy filled mama or the mama filled with anger and frustration? It sounds so simple, of course you want to be the joy filled mama and typically, some time after the 54246 quick prayers are sent up to God, that is who you are. That is who you choose to be and who God is helping you to become. Some days, you fail and let the enemy get the best of you but that is where God's grace finds you as you curl up with your bible and pray for forgiveness and help, all the while apologizing to the little innocent by standers affected by your sinful outburst.  

The days seem to blur together as of late. Seems like I have been constantly working on something or another. Last week it was receiving blankets, burp cloths and wash cloths for my newest cousin. His ETA is the first week of August but it is looking to be a lot sooner. Thankfully, God always provides and I was able to sew about ten yards of new items for the little guy. Of course, I have no pictures to show but at least they were finished on time, Wednesday night actually. I surprised my husband and myself with that one (I ALWAYS end up doing things the night before).

Anywho, this week I wanted to share one of my favorite bands, Jesus Culture. Love them and their lyrics. This song is such a great reminder that no matter what we do, God's love never fails. So thankful! 

Any songs in your head this week? 

Just thought I would share some eye candy to inspire you to worship the creator of heaven and earth. Happy Tuesday!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
  Worship the Lord with gladness;
  come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. 
  It is he who made us, and are his. 
  we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 
-Psalm 100:1-3 

'gifts for the music lover ' by hislovenduresforever

Make a joyful noise unt... DesignsbyLinda... $1.50	Green Fish brooch - ICH... fireanna $15.00	Hand made fused glass c... IrieElements $25.00	Kelly Green Upcycled Mi... coreymarie $12.00
Unisex Guitar Pick Brac... orangeandyello... $14.00	Sing glass fused neckla... cathystratton $16.00	Music - T Shirt - Sted... wwwthisandthat... $13.00	Farmhouse coat & hat ra... kraftworx $65.00
Kelly Green - One Pom K... melodywei $4.00	How He Loves Print- Gre... BlossomAndVine... $8.50	6 Small Stone Cross Bea... SmartParts $1.99	Baby Necktie- Kelly Gre... ONElittleBELT $16.00
Christian Greeting Card... stephanieh02 $7.99	Going to the Chapel - 8... jessicatorres $30.00	amazing grace. 20x20. h... thenotsoblankc... $49.00	Music Lover Sing Green ... hislovenduresf... $27.50

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

I love music. Music is constantly blaring on my speakers wherever I go. I have to admit that I cannot carry a tune or hit any note (sorry if you have ever heard me try), although I can usually memorize a song after hearing it once. My friends always made fun of how many songs I knew. Anywho, I really admire anyone with the ability to sing and make a joyful noise, so I thought it would be fun to post a song each week that has found its way in to my head - something besides the songs my daughter's toys, which are constantly singing (those songs ares so catchy!).

I just came across this rendition of the hymn "It is Well" by Kutless and love it! I really enjoy hymns, especially when the beat is faster than the original. Sorry I do not know the music term for that but I hope this inspires you in some way this week. 

It is Well - Kutless

This past weekend I had the privilege to host my husband’s graduation party, which just happened to coincide with his birthday weekend. I cannot tell you how grateful and thankful I am that he has been able to finish his Bachelors. He has worked SO hard working full time and going to school full time. It has been a challenging adventure but now we have been able to celebrate.

I have seen these burlap banners everywhere and could not resist making one myself

my first attempt at cake bunting, next time I will use thicker paper and remove once candles are lit

cupcake liners and toppers designed with my silhouette cameo, yay cameo!

some sweets

Ricardo on display :)

I set up a table with pictures of Ricardo, from the time he was a wee one until now, for people to leave him a little message on the banner above. You may find this little printable handy if you are hosting a grad party. Just click on the picture to download. It is a 5 X 7.

I also tried my first photobooth but as you can tell, the lighting was a little too much. I cannot complain though. I love the sun! After our six month stint in hardly-any-sun Washington state, I am very grateful for each sun ray! Next time I will try a corner in the shade.

And of course, no party is complete without some thank you cards. This is another postcard; I cannot help it. Postcards are so much funner than the standard card. I always wonder if the mailman gets entertainment out of reading them. I know I would. I like to think they brighten his day a litte. Click to download your own.

Thankful for celebrations. Now off to plan our little one's first birthday, which is in less than three weeks!

It seems that April was the month to get married this year. I have not had so many weddings going on in just one month! Anywho, just in case you end up with less than two weeks to plan a bridal shower, which I do not recommend – especially if you have a teething baby at home and decide to cook and bake everything but the cupcakes, which the bride's sister makes – here are a few printables I designed for the impromptu shower I threw a few weeks ago for one of my besties. I had a hard time finding a decent design for bride bingo and good questions, so hope this helps you, too.

Here is a little peek at the bridal shower sweets table:




yummy desserts

more desserts!

and more =)

me and the bride to be





Happy planning =)

I am pretty new to the blog world, so when I discovered this blog party I thought it would be fun to give it a whirl and meet some new people. 

This is me, I'm Tiffany.

I love Jesus, my family and pretty much everything DIY. This blog is a combination of the three, not necessarily in that order. For a little more about me, stop on by the THIS IS ME page. 

I have the cutest 10 month old daughter and most genuine husband. I love life and am thankful for all blessings God has given me. My little one loves her daddy, avocados, and exploring whatever she can get her teeny tiny fingers on. He loves her (and me), bike riding, cooking, and playing video games when he has a minute. 

Feel free to browse around. Hope you find something that inspires you. Thanks for visiting my little space and blessings to you! :)