The Top Ten Dating Mistakes Parents Make

The Top Ten Dating Mistakes Parents Make- (View Part One), (View Part Two), (View Part Three),  My oldest child is....two... so obviously I don't need to worry about him dating yet, but I do need to be aware of these mistakes before my husband and I make them. This is an exceptional article from someone who has obviously seen the mistakes of others. The article has three parts... seriously- read them all, it's worth it! No parent is perfect, but we do need to strive to be the best we possibly can with the help of Jesus.

15 Ways to Affirm Your Kids

15 Ways to Affirm Your Kids- (Read this Article) As a parent, I definitely need to learn this more. Children will get so much criticism from other people for the rest of their lives, but they need to know that their parents are proud of them. I don't think I criticize my kids, but I certainly don't praise them enough.

Fall Leaf Candle

Fall Leaf Candle (View this Tutorial) This is a super easy family project. My son, I'm sure would LOVE to be covered in Mod Podge.  Since I live in Western Montana, it will require some hunting on my part to find the beautiful Maple leaves... I could EASILY do this with pine needles... but it just wouldn't give the same warm "fall" feel that the autumn leaves give...  If I had a mantle, it would look absolutely adorable lined with these seasonal candles on top.

Coffee Gift Bag

Coffee Gift Bag (View this Tutorial) I LOVE coffee.. and therefore I LOVE this simple gift idea. You could do a couple different things with it like filling it with either a whole bag of delicious coffee, or you could have a cute mug in the bag filled some condiments, a spoon and a couple of those tiny sample bags of coffee... Who doesn't like coffee... right? (okay, so I know this gift might not work for EVERYONE, but you could alter the idea a little if necessary).

Handmade Coasters

Handmade Coasters-  (View this Tutorial) I have made similar coasters (containing pictures from my honeymoon) with basically this same technique. They are SOOO easy, and super cute! (And a GREAT conversational starter). I like the Christmas napkin idea... but I LOVE the Monogrammed tiles better simply because they can be used all year round.

Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana- (View this Recipe) Olive Garden is my FAVORITE restaurant... ever! Unfortunately for me, there are NO Olive Gardens where I live, (there's not a lot of anything in Montana!) Fortunately for me- I found this recipe, and I can still enjoy the BEST soup EVER! It's an all time favorite for me... and I tend to make it for every potluck function... just so I have a good reason to eat it!

Sugar Scrubs

Sugar Scrubs- (View this Tutorial) I've never actually made my own sugar scrubs... but have always been curious to try them. These seem like they would be super easy and quick to make! I have to be careful about which scents I use because so many of them give me headaches. If you are like me and have this problem, this may be a great idea for... yourself! You can pick and choose scents that you know you can tolerate and that don't give you a headache. These would also be a cute house-warming gift in a little basket of some sort... oh the possibilities! :D

Wood Cutting Boards

Wood Cutting Boards-  (View this Tutorial)  Can you ever have enough cutting boards? I think... Not! (especially beautiful wood cutting boards!) These would make a GREAT gift... for any occasion. I think I may have to start on this project soon so I can use these as Christmas presents! (I guess that means I should go buy myself a jig saw- right? - My husband will LOVE me... IF I let him use it!)

How We Keep Our Marriage Fresh

How We Keep Our Marriage Fresh- (View this Article)  An amazing author and Person (He was one of my teachers in college), Carey Schmidt reminds us what to do to keep our marriages healthy and long. It's not rocket science... just basic things that we so often forget (or get too busy for) I highly recommend  all of his books... and yes, his articles too! 

Give Grace In Little Ways

Give Grace In Little Ways- (View this Article)  A short, yet challenging article that really made me think about how considerate I am towards my sons needs. Nathan doesn't have a problem going somewhere at the drop of a hat, but he is easily overwhelmed by other things. He's constantly bringing his toys to my living room... and leaving them there. When I tell him its time to pick up his toys...he doesn't know where to start. BUT... when I point to one toy at a time, he happily puts it back in his room. (a huge pile of toys at his bedroom door is better than all over my house-right?)

Homeschool Blindspots

Homeschool Blindspots- (View this Article)  My son is two... so obviously homeschooling isn't an issue for me YET... this is a FANTASTIC article for any parent to read. It's a little long... but well worth the time. This article made me realize that I will often have expectations for my son in public because I want to "look good". Parenting is not about me looking good... it's about raising my children to to the best they can at whatever it is God wants them to... I need to work on teaching my son to have a genuine love for God... not a love for looking good in public.

Pallet Growth Chart

Pallet Growth Chart- (View This Tutorial) I have a whole new appreciation for wood pallets! I would have never thought of something like this for my son's growth chart... but I LOVE it! This looks Waaaay better than the paper one I made a year ago (that is falling apart, and has rips, crayon, and marker all over it!) I now need to go find myself a pallet... and get to

Coffee Filter Wreath

Coffee Filter Wreath- (View this Tutorial)  I have been OBSESSED with wreath lately (probably because I have come across SO many cute ones like this!) This wreath looks so beautiful and elegant... I would have never known by the looks of it that it's made from coffee filters! (have I mentioned I LOVE coffee.... and anything that has to do with it?!?!) I may just have to make this wreath for my coffee decorated kitchen... just so I can tell people it's made from coffee filters!

Good Moms Have

Good Moms Have-....- (View this Tutorial)....According to this, I'm a good mom *yaaaaay!* I've decided that I definitely need this for my house... I'll certainly add this to my wish list. It brings a huge sense of relief and satisfaction to me.. that I'm not the only one out there with ALL of the things listed on this board.