Purdy Things Takes On {The Beard}

For the longest time I've been asked to make a {Purdy} Things version of a bearded beanie... 

To be honest I was slightly intimidated by it.

I finally decided to just do it. I am not one to follow someone elses pattern, so I played around with some of my favorite stitches to create some texture, and came up with this variation of the Beard Beanie. 

   {Purdy} Things Bearded Beanie

You can get your own, and customize the colors and size! 

These are just great for the outdoors lover, the beard is detachable, so you can take it off when you go indoors while leaving the hat on. 

So what do you think?? 

{Recipe} Graham Cracker Toffee

I looooooove this toffee, and when I said I was making it this year I've had lots of people ask me what the recipe is, so here you go!! 

 

Graham {Cracker} Toffee

Ingredients:

One pacakge of Cinnamon Graham Crackers

1 cup unsalted butter {2 sticks}

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 cups milk chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips

{Optional Toppings}

Nuts

Toffee Chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a cookie sheet with wax paper, or grease well {I prefer to use a throwaway pan, and wax paper}then line up the pan with the crackers.

 

In a small pot combine sugar and butter and bring to a boil. Once mixture is at a boil, continue boiling for 3 minutes. Mixture should be a deep caramel color. Immediately pour over crackers and spread to cover crackers completely.

 

Bake at 400 degrees for 5 to 6 minutes.

 

While the crackers are in the oven, take the chocolate chips in a pan, on low and melt the chocolate chips. 

 

Remove from oven and pour the melted chocolate chips over the top, using a knife or spoon spread the chocolate evenly. Then if you want to, sprinkle the toppings over the top. 

Place in fridge for about an hour to cool, and break apart to serve. 

Enjoy!! 

xoxo

Becky

 

 

{30} Day Challenge: Become a Respectful Wife

I absolutely LOVE {LOVE}LOVE this man!

He is my best friend, my spiritual leader, the father to my children, hard working, protective, kind compassionate, and a million other things that make it easy to respect him for who he is. So I saw a 30 days Husband Encouragement challenge and thought I would do that, because what better way to show my love and respect for him than to do something like this for him.  When I read it though, I noticed that respect wasn't a huge part of it, showing him love and encouragement is, but men have a God given need and desire to be unconditionally respected by their wives.
 

{Ephesians 5:33} 

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

What is a great thing, is that  the more we focus on what we are giving them, the less we focus on what we are getting, and in the long run we end up getting the love we need without asking for it.

So here is what I adapted from the {original challenge} 

I will be doing 5 days at a time :) 

{Day 1} 
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.    {Prov. 31:11-12}

 You can't say anything negative about to your husband, or about your husband, one step further when you think negative about your husband, pray to find the positive. 

Next make sure to tell him something that you respect about him. Is he a hard worker? Is he a great dad? Is he compassionate?? All the traits you love about him, are things that you can tell him you respect about him. 

{Day 2}  
Through love serve one another. {Galations 5:13b}

So how was yesterday?? Did you make it through the day?? If not, it's ok, you can do it today too!

My husband has a servants heart. It's something I really respect and admire about him. So today look for the things that he does to serve your family. Thank him for the things he does to serve you. Let him know how much you respect his desire to serve his family. 

{Day 3} 
This is a fun one!! Leave a note for him somewhere where he will find it during the day. Either in his car, his briefcase, next to his toothbrush, be creative. Let him know that you are so blessed to be his wife, and that you admire the man that he is, and that you are thankful for him. 

{Day 4} 
Let him labor, working with his hands what is good. 
{Ephesians. 4:28b} 
 Some women take their husband's career for granted, and they show it in many ways. Do you "dump" on your husband at the end of the workday and complain about the kids or vent about your day?  Or do you strengthen and
encourage him with your words? Do you ask him about his day first??  A wise wife will make her husband feel that she values and appreciates his work. Let him know that you are glad he is a hard worker. Praise his dedication, and ability to provide. Give him time to decompress when he gets home from work, so he can be fully available to the family. 
 
If your husband is out of work, unable to work, You can still praise him, and show him that he is a man to be respected.  Give him encouragement on the job search, praise his marketable qualities. 

{Day 5} 
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. {Ephesians 4:29}

For the last few days we have been telling him how much we respect him. Have you told others how much you respect and admire him??  I like to facebook my admiration for my husband. It's so good to share with others the respectable, and wonderful qualities of the man you married. Bringing up your respect and admiration of his qualities in conversation will also let him know how much you truly do respect him. 

So there is the first 5 days :)
I would love to know how it's working for you, on my next post I will be sure to let you know how things are going here :) I'm so excited to do this journey with you all!



 
 
 
 

Saving for {College}

I have 4 amazing and smart kids, who all have high ambitions of colleges and universities. When we think of how much it's going to cost, we about pass out in fear and shock!! 

Then we heard about the {529 Plan}:

The 529 Plan here is also known as the Arizona Family College Savings Program and is sponsored by the State of Arizona. It is a tax advantage investment program that aims to aid and give families an opportunity to financially save while affording the costs of a higher education.

There are various investment choices offered from opening a 529 account and a handful of benefits included. Benefits include an exemption of qualified distributions from federal and state taxes if applied toward college expenses, assets will not be counted toward financial awards, tax deductibles will be high as $750 per taxpayer and $1500 per married couples, accounts will grow on a regular tax-deferred basis, the versatility and flexibility of applying the plan at various accredited institutions in the U.S. and much more.

Along with the program, ACPE has continuously strived to positively encourage and improve postsecondary education for Arizonans ever since. With these upcoming celebratory 529 Plan events, ACPE hopes to reach out and inform the public on the importance of how helpful and useful a college savings program could be.

Further information about the Arizona Family College Savings Program and the upcoming events this month can be found at www.az529.gov.
{taken from http://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/features/features/2814-celebrating-arizonas-529-savings-plan.html} 

There is hope!! Really this is the only plan that really makes any sense {and dollars}. 

Common Myths about the 529 Plan:
1. I can't afford to save for my child's education. 
    Fact: The Arizona 529 Plan offers a plan that starts as low at $15 a month

2. Arizona Doesn't offer a tax incentive for contributions to a 529 Plan.
   Fact: Arizona residents may take advantage of the Arizona tax incentive

3. Saving in a 529 Plan will affect my child's eligibility to receive financial aid. 
   Fact: Since the 529 Plan is in the parents name, your child will not be affected. 

4. What happens if my child decides to not go to college? 
  Fact: You can switch beneficiaries, or you can withrdraw at a 10% IRS penalty and subject to taxes on earnings only. 

Further information about the Arizona Family College Savings Program and the upcoming events this month can be found at www.az529.gov.

Dis­clo­sure:  This post is spon­sored as part of the #AZ529 Col­lege Sav­ings Month Blog Tour. How­ever, all opin­ions & expe­ri­ences are are entirely my own. As a par­ent, I think know­ing options about sav­ing for col­lege is impor­tant! 

    
 
  

{DIY} Crochet Bow Pattern

Beautiful Crochet Bow Pattern

 Tools:

• h hook
• alligator clip
• Hot Glue Gun  

Stitches Used: 

• Ch- Chain
• sc - single crochet
• HDC - half double crochet

Pattern: 
1. chain 11
2. hdc in 2nd ch from hook, and in each st {9st}
3-20. Repeat 2
21. tie off 
22. sew the ends together to create a ring
23. using the tails tie a tight knot in the center to create the bow shape. cut off ends
24.  chain 35
25. loop the chain around the center, and tie in the back. 
26. glue or sew the alligator clip, barrette, or brooch pin to the back, making sure to seal the knots with the glue. 

And you are all done!! 

I hope you enjoy this pattern!! You are free to sell the bows you make from this pattern, as long as you link back to this post as to where the pattern came from. This pattern is not to be resold. Thank you!! 

xo

        Becky         

 

{caged}Consider it Joy??

Consider it {PURE JOY} my bothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, 

not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

I don't know about you but I know for me there are times when I've read, or heard that verse and thought seriously... pure joy huh?? Right... 

Growing up, I had always heard the stories about how the faithful were chosen to do the Lord's work. Mary was my hero, she was faithful and God chose her to be the mother of Jesus!! David was so faithful he went from being a Shepard to a conqueror, and then King!! How exciting! I wanted to be chosen to do great things for God. I also firmly believed that the more faithful you were, that nothing bad could or would ever happen to you.  Boy oh boy was I wrong.. on both counts!! 

I was raped and molested for almost 3 years by 2 people I thought I could trust, in the first {caged} post, I talked more about what had happened to me as a preteen. {it's still a bit hard to talk about so please bear with me}

By 14, I was rebellious, angry and confused. I did not understand how my loving God had allowed this to happen to me. I didn't understand what I did wrong, and I didn't understand that the Lord was there the whole time, ready for me to rely on him for my healing. Moving forward to 16, instead of finding out why, or how these things happened to me,  I let my anger towards the Lord fester, and became bitter. I thought if he didn't care about what happened to me, what did what I do matter, and if it did matter I didn't care what he thought I felt he had abandoned me long ago. 

My husband and I started going to church when we were dating and living together, we went because we wanted the kids to go. After a few months, there was a sermon on finding Joy in the pain. Pshhh Joy in Pain??
Yeah right... there is NO joy in being a survivor of Abuse. 

{wrong}

 And we know that all things work together for {GOOD} to those who love God and are called according to {HIS} purpose. Romans 8:28

Take a moment to let that sink in. Think to a moment in your life you felt was senseless. Have you forgiven either the person or yourself?? Then you learned the lesson of forgiveness. Have you been able to identify with another person going through something similar?? Then the Lord used you to help another person. Has your past made you stronger? Then you learned how to persevere. Have you been blessed by the help of others? Has your past enabled you to make a better future??

There is good in the bad. It's all in perspective. It's so hard to see past our pain, until we realize there is hope and healing in it. No matter how much it hurts, healing is that much better. I know that if it weren't for the Lord, my Grandparents, my husband,and some great people the Lord sent my way I would not know what true healing is. It's being at peace with the Lord's plan. Knowing that there is a reason for everything, and it is all apart of the Lords good and perfect plan. Knowing that the Lord has never left your side, and when you go through the hard times, it's because HE is preparing you to do HIS work. 

I know that it's easier said than done.. I've been there, and I still have struggles with it when I am knee deep in trials. I just have to remind myself to pray and seek God's wisdom in the circumstances. That is what I pray for you all too, that we can find peace and joy in all that has happened or will happen in our life.Jesus said it himself: 

I have told you these things so that {IN ME} you may have peace, in this world you WILL have trouble.. BUT TAKE HEART!! I have overcome the world! John 16:33

What more could we really ask for?? 

I would love to hear your stories of overcoming and finding joy... I would love to hear your stories of searching for your joy.. I would just love to hear from you... 

please leave me a comment below

 

Bows are {Purdy}

Bows are amazing!! 

I love the classic look of them. Here  are some of the amazing bow ideas out there!!

 

 Crochet Bow Headband

Crochet Bow Headband Pattern

 ADORABLE Hair Bow from A Beautiful Mess

LOOOVe this DIY Bow Sandal from SwellMade

Do you have any bows or bow ideas?? I would love to see them!!

 

{Caged} Forgiveness isn't for Wimps

About 4 years ago, I got a phone call from my mother. I rolled my eyes and thought really what does she want? ugh....  I didn't really want to talk to her at the moment, but I answered the phone.. and she had been crying. She wanted to apologize for "Everything I've put you through"  Which in itself is a loaded sentence, since everything meant a lot of hurts... but I forgave her...

 I love my mom, I have forgiven her. I still forgive her, even when she doesn't ask for it. The guilt that she felt that caused her to call me, is the guilt she still carries. She can't seem to find a way to forgive herself. It's heartbreaking for me to see her feel all this guilt. I have reminded her many times of my love and forgiveness, I've reminded her of Jesus's sacrifice that shows his love, grace and mercy for us. She knows it in her head... she needs to feel it in her heart. This is something I pray for every day.

Here is what I've learned from all of this:

Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.{ Colossians 3:13 GWT}

Man those words ring loudly to me.... 

Forgiveness is something I struggle with.  My struggles are for those offenses without apology.  It's so easy to forgive when those in our lives apologize. BUT it happens that you will let a friend know what happened and how it hurt you, and you don't receive the apology or reaction you {feel} you deserve??  Well that is when we get angry, and more hurt isn't it?? I've learned that if I share my hurt with the one who hurts me, that is when the forgiveness needs to happen. 

We need to let it go from there. I need to let it go from there.  It is SO vital to our walk with the Lord to forgive.

 My wise and wonderful husband reminds me of this perspective.. 

The Lord sent his SON to die for our sins, to SHOW that he forgives all. And if he can forgive ALL of the sins we commit against him, repeatedly and daily, who are we to withhold forgiveness from anyone? 

And in forgiving others... we are free! 

This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the foremost sinner. 

{Timothy 1:15 GWT}

There it is... that verse there.  Now I'm not judging Paul by his previous actions before he was transformed.We all have a past from before we were transformed by God's gracious gift. Paul however had killed Christ Followers. And this is who the Lord hand picked and chose to spread his Gospel, and to help us understand how to live a life in the Word, and understand that Jesus IS the covenant. WOW the Lord picked HIM???? Yes he did. He did it to show just what forgiveness looks like. Paul recognized what a gift it is to accept the grace of God, to accept his forgiveness. The way you see yourself is not an accurate picture of what Jesus has done for you. When you deny yourself forgiveness, after Jesus has already forgiven you, what are you really telling Jesus? And would you say it to his face?? Would you tell Jesus that HIS sacrifice wasn't enough? Would you say that you don't believe his grace is enough?? 

Forgiveness is a gift, given freely with out strings. It is to be accepted with joy and gratitude not hesitation, disbelief and guilt. Without it you will be hindered and held back from freely and confidently living out who you really are in Christ! You will be hesitant and feel unworthy to approach your Heavenly Father, because you feel you're a failure and unworthy... this is why it is so important to forgive yourself. 

You are a new creature in Christ, don't cage yourself by withholding forgiveness.. life in confidence that {ALL} of your past is paid in full. 

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
{Romans 8:1 nkjv} 

I know today's post was a bit longer, and I thank you all for reading!! Please post your thoughts below. 

{love always, Becky}