Silhouette Art

I had been wanting to get the girl's silhouettes done, and thought maybe I could just DIY. I researched some "how tos" and they required setting up a photo studio and using photo shop, etc. I wasn't up for all that, and so I just did my own and I'm really happy with them!

Time: less than 30min
Difficulty: super easy!
Cost: less than $1 for a sheet of black card stock, $7 for a frame

Supplies:
- profile pic of your child on your computer
-scissors
- white paper
- black paper
- pen
- frame :)

1- Take or find a profile picture of your child, then zoom in and crop to the size you like. 

2- Use a sheet of printer paper and trace with a fine pen right from the computer screen. Increase the illumination to the highest amount. Embellish hair, eyelashes, and a bow if need be.

3- Cut out your outline.

4- Trace that image onto black construction paper and cut out that image.

5- Done! 20 minutes, right?? Glue onto cute patterned paper (wrapping paper works) and frame!

Following Jesus to Walmart.

just a little daily reflection...
I never wanted to be in ministry or marry a pastor. In fact, Ryan asked me out 3 times before I agreed. But the truth was, I enjoyed him, and I believed the gospel just enough to say yes to one date. And then to say yes to a second date, and a third... and then to a proposal. I was scared (I still am scared). I believed that God was in control, that He was good, and that He would be with me as I entered a life of ministry. I knew that following Jesus (particularly in vocational ministry), meant a life of dying to self. I chose to trust that God cannot give a bad gift to his children, but only the very best (because that is what scripture says), so I dove in. Ryan and I both came from comfortable/ well off families and when we were engaged we often road tripped from St Louis to Nashville. Whenever we would pass a dilapidated house on the side of the highway we would joke that it was probably the kind of house we would live in as people in ministry, and we would probably be people that shop at Walmart (nervous laughter..)

I want to be a Christian that loves Jesus but does not have to give up anything for Him (even though He gave up EVERYTHING for me). Wouldn't that be easy and comfortable? Unfortunately, those are mutually exclusive categories, and He loves his children too much to allow them to go through life comfortably (sanctification).

  “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses

The more we die to our self the more we rely on and draw near to Him, which is painful and beautiful and good and hard and true.


Yesterday Ryan asked me if I could start shopping at Walmart.

Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief.

1 year old family photo shoot!

We had such a blast at our family photo shoot with the talented, Courtney Jewett!

what should I get a one year old? (something for all budgets)

I have been asked a couple times recently what to get a one year old, and so I figured I would do a quick blog post on it :)

Baby swing- $50

Name stool- $45

Uncle Goose ABC blocks- $37

Pottery Barn Kids personalized toy storage- $15-$39

Bubble Mower- $16

Target spray pool- $19.19

Melissa & Doug peek a boo house- $9.99

Melissa & Doug puzzle- $9.99

Touch and feel book- $4.95

Hope that helps!

The Victorious 12

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Audrey- 3lbs 10oz            Evangeline- 2lbs

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Audrey- 20lbs 6oz                Evangeline- 13lbs 12oz

It is absolutely amazing to be at a year. I feel so proud and bursting with joy. What a long hard year, and, honestly, I do not share in that feeling of sadness that infancy is over, but only hope and victory! 

We made it. 

(It's interesting to look back at my post when I found out I was having twins: double the pleasure)

Being a parent has helped me to believe the gospel more fully. As a mother, I reflect the parental heart of God our Father in the sense that I find incredible joy in enjoying my children. God loves to delight us and delight in us, and I believe that so much more now. My love for the girls is never dependent on their behavior, I love them because I love them...they are mine.

We are so unbelievably grateful to God for our miracle babies. I still cannot believe we arrived. This is SO much fun- and I can finally say with joy (and with everyone we pass in the grocery store aisles)- twice blessed.

Thank you for all you continued thoughts and prayers for the Anderson girls! Love to you.