Treasure for the journey

Well, it's been entirely too long since I have had a blog post. That will be a goal for me, to blog more often. The main reason I started this blog was to share bits and pieces of the treasures in my life. Sadly, I have had huge changes in my life lately, and have not used this source to document such monumental moments. Maybe I can come back and reminisce as I remember things. 

3 months ago I packed up my family and we moved to a completely new state, where we knew very few people. Why did we move you might ask? We moved because my husband followed the leading of God's heart and took a senior pastor position. It's been an amazing journey. I don't have time to tell every detail of how God worked everything out for us to move in His perfect timing, but I will share that in a future blog post.

This is my first time being a senior pastor's wife. I've been the preachers kid my whole life and I've been a youth pastors wife. I enjoyed both of those seasons. Being the pastors daughter wasn't bad for me. I enjoyed it. I always felt it was an opportunity to meet new people and be a part of the ministry my parents had worked at their whole life. The years spent as a youth pastor's wife were fun! We took many trips and made lots of silly memories. I took a group of girls under my wing and tried to be the best role model I could. I wanted to be their shoulder to cry on, their personal cheerleader, their listening ear. That was my favorite part of youth ministry. My girls... Who I still keep in touch with and value every silly inside joke, and sentimental memory. I hope they always remember this gal loves them... No matter what.

Now I'm in a new season. A season I feel bears a heavy load at times. A season of making new friends. This time I get to be many people's shoulder to cry on, personal cheerleader, and listening ear. I watched my mother be a pastors wife all my life. I thought it wouldn't be unfamiliar, but at times it is. I now know first hand how it feels to grieve along with members over a lost loved one or troubled marriage. I know how it feels to visit with little ones in the hospital who are about to have surgery. I feel the hurt that our members have over wayward children. I have felt the hurt of a dear lady battling cancer. Before being a pastor's wife I had dealt with this as a youth pastor's wife but always endured it with my mom and dad as our Senior pastor. Now I'm dealing with it along side my husband. 

Not only do we deal with the trouble and heartache of our members who truly become our family and dearest friends but as a pastor's wife I also am there for my husband. For my pastor. I am there for him when he needs encouragement, when he needs to tell someone about the sermon God has laid upon his heart. When he comes to me because he just needs to laugh. When he comes to me and ask me to pray for him. I get to be his shoulder to cry on for those who are lost. His personal cheerleader for when he preaches his heart out, and his listening ear when he's not sure which direction to go. 

I've said all this to say... There are up's and down's to being in the ministry. I'm glad the up's by far outweigh the down's. Every tear shed at the alter and every heartache we have felt with members is nothing compared to the joy of someone taking Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Or seeing that wayward son or daughter make a commitment to live for God. Or seeing the peace that passes understand on a faithful believers face through the midst of a storm. Or seeing an answered prayerwhen that Young ladies husband comes to church and receives Christ. Or the testimony of men and women of how God delivered them from cancer. That my friends is why a Pastor and their family do what they do. That is why they move 300 miles away from all that is familiar. Because of you and because of all people who are hurting. Because a pastor's family LOVES people.

So to my dear pastor's wife friends, never feel you are facing this journey alone and always keep in mind the good outweighs the hard!

Court

Pampered

There is nothing more I love than going to the salon! Yes, I am one of those girly girls! Have my hair washed is one of my favorite things!

I've been considering bangs! Below is the outcome! Happy Wednesday!

Rocking the bangs!

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