Childhood Treasures

I grew up in a pastors family, and thankfully so. My dad has been a pastor ever since I was born and still is today. So, he has been my pastor my whole life. A lot of people don't understand the life of a pastor and his family. Unless you have been there it's just hard to explain sometimes. My family has moved quite a bit. Not as much as some pastors but we have had our share of moving. I only remember living near extended family for about 2 years of my life and even then I was so young that I don't have a lot of memories with them. My immediate family (Mom, dad, brother, and sister) were always very close growing up. Most holidays were spent, just us. We didn't travel to visit family because we lived so far from them.

When you're in a pastors family, your family usually revolves around your church family. When they hurt, you hurt. When they have joyous occasions you share in their joy. They become your extended family. I have an adopted grandmother at my church now. She loves me as I were her own and my children. Even though being a pastor's daughter wasn't always easy, I wouldn't take anything for it. I have had the opportunity to travel places I never would have gotten to go and meet people that I would have never gotten to meet. What an honor it has been to serve God alongside my family.

My husband pretty much lived in the same place his whole life. He did move for a job for a season of his life. His mom is very sentimental and always kept alot from their childhood. She has toys and clothes and homemade blankets. From where we have moved so much my parents were unable to keep things like that, or they got lost in the move. So I have made it a point to keep sentimental things of my kids. I have every Halloween costume, blankets, and some of my favorite clothes and a couple of their first toys! My mother did save a couple of my dresses. I was premature and she kept some of my preemie dresses. I wanted to keep these forever so I hung them in shadow boxes in my oldest treasures room!

It was an easy way to decorate her room, just some pearl straight pins and shadow boxes I picked up at TJ Maxx.

I hope you have some wonderful childhood treasures too! :)
~Court

It's All About Love

Been a little crazy around here for the past couple of weeks. You know, we think after Christmas everything is just going to slow down. For us it does some but never fails to pick back up.

I just love holidays! I remember when I was a kid I always looked forward to holidays. My family always celebrated most holidays in some way. Valentines day is quickly approaching and I have just been so excited. We should always let the ones we love know how much we love them, but how much fun is it to set aside a day to let them know! I look forward to it every year!

When I was a little girl my parents always got us gifts for valentines day. I remember my dad would buy us candy or perfume or something of that sort. You know, traditional valentines gifts. Mom always bought me clothes. My mother loves to shop for clothes! She is the best bargain hunter!

I remember my first valentines day with my husband. We had been dating about 7 months and I was so happy to be celebrating with him! He had just moved into his new house and I decided to cook dinner for him. So I went to his house early and got to work. We had homemade manicotti with meat sauce. I decorated the table in navy, with white tulips as the centerpiece and white china. It turned out beautifully. He had made my favorite for me, Chocolate covered strawberries. He also had the most beautiful arrangement of Calla Lillie's I have ever seen. Still to this day he has not topped those flowers! He set the bar high! It was the best Valentines day I had ever had! Now that we have been married with 7 years behind us and 2 special little treasures, we usually spend Valentines day at home. I still cook dinner and decorate my table nice for the family. However, now we make it a lot about the kids. We usually get each other a little something to express our love or get a sitter and go out to dinner.

I have opted to do homemade valentines this year, that my oldest treasure and I can make together for her friends. There are so many cute ideas on pinterest. I was playing around today and came up with this idea.

Thought this would be a cute little valentine for school or church. Just a little sidewalk chalk, ribbon, and cute tag and you're done.I'm doing a different valentine for my oldest treasure to give but for the youngest this might be the one!

Who do you want to make feel special this valentines day? I hope its a great day filled with lots of love!
~Court

New Year...New You!

It's time for resolutions. Everyone I follow on pinterest is pinning healthy meals and workout plans. My husband and I are trying to make healthier choices in eating and hopefully become more active. We also want a heart makeover! We are working on our relationship with Jesus by focusing on reading our Bible more and having a deeper prayer time! So I guess you could say our resolution is to be in shape... mind, body, and spirit!

Its hard to believe that it is already the second week of the new year. It seems as if time just goes by so quickly now.

What's your resolution? Praying you have a blessed 2012. Oh, and how do you like my new look? A change for the new year! :-)
~Court

Old truck... new party

Party? That's right! My youngest treasure turned 2 and we celebrated with a party for family and friends. 

I had searched and searched for party inspiration! I finally came to the conclusion that I wanted to do trucks because that is his favorite thing. It is very rare that I do not see him carrying around a red truck or two. I decided this months ago and searched and searched for a party printable that I wanted to use. Everything was either too commercialized or just not the style I wanted. So, since my husband and I are owners of a 57 Chevy truck... I wanted to go the vintage route. Then finally I found the perfect printable 2 weeks before the party!

Deanna from Mirabelle Creations created this oh so sweet party printable and as soon as I saw it I knew it was the one. Since finding this printable I have continued to follow her blog and it is a great party planning blog! I love her simple, elegant style!

So here is my take on the vintage truck party!



I used a picture of my husbands 57 Chevy as a backdrop for my popcorn bar! Cracker Jacks and glass bottled coca-cola was the favor I chose. Adults and kids both enjoyed them! Tammy from sew sweet made the cake and of course it turned out even better than i hoped! Connie at Pate's Paisley's and Polka Dots appliqued the adorable shirt for the birthday boy! She personalizes everything for me and always does a great job!

My youngest treasure had a wonderful birthday and we made memories to treasure forever! It was simple and it was sweet! Can't wait to plan my next party! Let's see, when will that be... stay tuned!

~Court