New found treasure

I have started a new Bible study and have purposed in my heart to spend more time with God. I am blessed to live in a country where I am free to do so!

Since my discipline to spend more time in God's word and to spend more time getting to know Him in prayer. I've found new treasure for my day.

I've found strength when I am weak. Patience when I'm frustrated. Hope when I've felt hopeless. Direction when I feel lost. Peace in the midst of a storm.

I've made it a point to pray for my family. My relationship with my children has changed! Since I've been praying for my husband in full detail my relationship with him has changed. Does it mean this aspect of my life is perfect? No. However, there has been a difference in how we have responded to one another. There has been a difference in conflict resolution!

So where does your treasure lie? I am learning that when I spend time with God the riches of the world become less appealing and the treasures through Christ Jesus become my goal. Have I completely surrendered myself? Well, I'm working on it. I haven't made it there yet, but when I spend time with my Father, he is showing me how to have that heart of worship, a heart of surrender! So, I can truly store up treasure in heaven!

I am so glad I have purposed to spend more time alone with my Heavenly Father! I know He has great things in store for us. I leave today with this scripture...

Matthew 6:20-21
But lay up for yourself treasures I'm heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Exhaustion and the many things us women have to be!

What a life I live! Between my family, my church, and my new job I have been keeping busy. God has truly blessed me beyond what I deserve.

I've survived a couple parties that I have put together and planned recently. I also started my job teaching Kindergarten (best job ever, other than my job as a wife and mommy of course)! My handsome hubby and I have had to make a couple trips to Sweet home Alabama to see my family. I'm one busy lady, however I must say I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

This life I have been given has taken me so many awesome places and allowed me to meet some fantastic people.

I am a wife, a mom, a teacher, a friend, a student, a cook, a taxi, a daughter, a sister, a listener, a homemaker... and the list could go on and on. My favorite from the list is probably a wife. I'm so glad I married my best friend, and not too long after God allowed me to become mom!!

I'm excited to see what else God has in store for this life He has given me! See you soon and hopefully this time it won't be so long!

Court

Honey and Babies...so sweet

In May I helped host a sweet baby shower for a mom to be of twins! I love parties and there is nothing like celebrating life! My friend Tammy, who is fun, fabulous and energetic came up with a yellow, grey, white theme. This color scheme has been so in fashion for a while! It turned out to be a precious shower! Honey and babies two of life's sweetest things!

 The fingerprint tree was painted by a dear friend of mine! She is so very artsy! She has inspired me to appreciate art in all different forms!

 The sweet sign! By Mirabelle Creations

 Lots of our pinterest inspiration put into action! The lemonade punch turned out beautifully and very delish!

 Tammy, the fun, fabulous, energetic one, made this oh so pretty cake! She is a jack of all trades and can do anything wonderfully!

The sweet printable was made by Mirabelle Creations! She is a wonderful designer and is so very easy to work with! For your next party please check out her etsy shop here. 

The twins have been born since the shower! They are healthy and doing great! I hope our bright and shiny shower gives you inspiration for your next shower!

~Court

Chicago and more...

Wow... wowy! I have been having so much fun and you have missed it all and of course it is my fault!

Took a trip to my favorite city. That's right the windy city, Chicago, and it was so much fun. A very relaxing time for my hubby and I. We ate out, I got a mani/pedi right off of Michigan avenue, we shopped and found some great deals, and walked a lot. We even walked in the rain! Romantic... yeah I thought so! :-)

My handsome hubby and I!!! He's a good looking man! It's true! 

This is our reflection in the bean!

Craziness! In the rain! I was wearing open toe shoes I might add! In Chicago you gotta be cute!

That's me! 

I had to see the bean and the art institute. We ate at a wonderful pizza place and our favorite hot dog joint in Chicago, Portillos. If you've never been you should try it! Its one of my favorite vacations. Lots of things for kids to do and see. It's pretty romantic too and it's a very clean and safe city!

So now for a craft I have been working on...

I had a neighborhood friend contact me concerning a wire hanger they had seen that they wanted to recreate for her daughters wedding. Being the person I am who can not say no I said, "sure bring it to me, I'll get it done". I have gotten myself in trouble numerous times saying yes to many things! I did get this project done though and for my first I am very proud of my finished project...

 Mrs.  Klinglesmith.. yes that is a very hard name for my first!

I embellished the hanger with some lace and fabric rosettes I made. This project took me about an hour and half. I have been practicing with the wire for a couple weeks. It's not perfect and I see little things here and there that could be improved but all around I'm pleased with it. 

A baby shower is coming soon! I can't wait to show you my latest party!! :-) Stay tuned! I will be back!

~Court

Tutus, and Gifts with ribbon of course!

It's been a long time and today I am blogging simply to de-stress a little! It's been one of those weeks so I decided to do my Bible study and just kind of take it easy today. Within the past few weeks I have had a ladies night at church, celebrated my birthday, and made tutus to donate to our school's auction. Needless to say I have been MIA.

My tutus turned out great,  a couple sold for $30 and one sold for $40 so I was pleased with my donation! I left empty handed other than a sweet canvas that my oldest treasure made for us to purchase! I did bid on one item and was outbid! Overall, we had a great time and was able to hang out with some great friends!

Not too long ago I had to come up with a simple gift my oldest treasure's teacher. It was her birthday and I wanted to do something very simple, but presented cute.

I covered a drink carrier and added embellishments to make it cute. I then filled it with muffins and milk and ribbon tied napkins. I gave this to her teacher for breakfast on her birthday. The tag reads, "Muffins and Milk for a very sweet teacher.". Next time I use this idea I think I will use the Starbucks frappacino bottle carriers to fit more items inside. I thought it turned out sweet and I think her teacher enjoyed it also.

Easter is hopping on over and I have been planning a small gift for my oldest treasures class. I decided to make my own little bunny munch after discovering ever so many on pinterest.  This is what I came up with...

Mine is crushed vanilla wafers and pretzles layered on a cookie sheet spread melted white chocolate on top and sprinkled with spring sprinkles and bunny mixx m&m's. Its' pretty yummy! We worked together to put everything together in a mini basket with a little grass and then added the bunny munch in a celophane bag and tied it with a simple tag and of course pretty ribbon! Hoppy Easter!

See you again soon and hopefully it won't be so long!
~Court

Tree Salad!

We have had lots of crazy weather lately! Unusually warm for February! So with it being warmer I've wanted to make lighter food for dinner. So today I made one of my favorite salads, Broccoli salad. Also called tree salad to my little treasures! They eat broccoli pretty good and at times we call them trees because of course they look like little trees!

1 bunch of broccoli
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup dried cranberries (crasins)
1/4 of a red onion finely chopped (or to your taste)
Dressing:
1 cup of mayo
2 tbs white vinegar
1/4 cup of sugar

Cut broccoli into florets and place in a medium sized bowl. Mix next 3 ingredients in. Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk pour over broccoli mixture and stir well so all salad is coated with dressing. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. I prefer mine made the day before because the longer the flavors sit together the better the salad!

This is one of my favorite salads hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!

Time Goes By

Huge week in the Chesser household last week. My oldest treasure lost her first tooth. I must say it made me very sad and I even cried a little. It just made me realize how quickly my special girl is growing up! However she is very excited about it and very proud of the little gap in her bottom teeth.

With that happening it made realize I have to cherish every moment I have with her because all too quickly she will be a teenager graduating from high school and about to go to college (sobs hysterically)! Thinking about her growing up made look back on my childhood and teenage years. I was always very close with my mom growing up. My interest and hobbies came from watching my mom and spending time with her.

I have lots of great memories I could share with you about my mom. I remember when I was in middle school and it came time for me to wear make up my mother took me to Merle Norman and had them do a complete makeover, from skin care to how to apply make up. I had so much fun that day and after they finished we shopped till we dropped! That is a day I will never forget! To this day I still wear Merle Norman make up and one day when My oldest treasure gets old enough for make up we will do the same thing! Another day I remember is my first prom. My mom was never very emotional growing up and it was very seldom I ever saw her cry, but on the day of my first prom, I knew she was a little sad that I had grown up! Before I left for prom she looked at me and said "I Hope You Dance". She tried to laugh it off but I remember the look in her eyes when she said it and I knew she wasn't talking just about prom!

So today, as I think about my treasures getting older, I have compiled a list of "things" that I always want her to remember!

"fun" things:
Always laugh! Even if you're laughing at me! Still laugh cause that's when I know you live a happy life!

Find beautiful things around you everyday.

Never miss an opportunity to dance and sing!

Wear high heels and lipstick because there is just something about it that can always make you feel pretty!

Read something everyday!

"life" things:

Always be a true friend! Even when you feel your friends aren't!

Always smile at people you never know when someone will need it!

Use your manners everyday and always respect authority! It doesn't matter if you think they are right or wrong a person with great character always respects those over them!

Be slow to speak and always speak kindly.

Hug your dad and I everyday! There is nothing better than the feeling of your arms around our neck!

Study hard and do beyond your best! You will be proud of yourself in the end!

"most important" things:

Jesus came and died to save you! Follow him all your life!

Be who God created you to be, because there is no one like you and who you are is so very special!

Always remember mom and dad love you no matter what you do!